Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary

PRONOUNCING, EXPLANATORY, ETYMOLOGICAL, WITH COMPOUND PHRASES,
TECHNICAL TERMS IN USE IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES,
COLLOQUIALISMS, FULL APPENDICES, AND
COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED

EDITED BY
Rev. THOMAS DAVIDSON
ASSISTANT-EDITOR OF 'CHAMBERS'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA'
EDITOR OF 'CHAMBERS'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY'

London: 47 Paternoster Row
W. & R. CHAMBERS, Limited
EDINBURGH: 339 High Street
1908

EXPLANATIONS TO THE STUDENT.

The Arrangement of the Words.—Every word is given in its alphabetical order, except in cases where, to save space, derivatives are given after and under the words from which they are derived. Each uncompounded verb has its participles, when irregular, placed after it. Exceptional plurals are also given. When a word stands after another, with no meaning given, its meanings can be at once formed from those of the latter, by adding the signification of the affix: thus the meanings of Darkness are obtained by prefixing the meaning of ness, state of being, to those of Dark.

Many words from French and other tongues, current in English usage, but not yet fairly Anglicised, are inserted in the list of Foreign Phrases, &c., at the end, rather than in the body of the Dictionary.

The Pronunciation.—The Pronunciation is given immediately after each word, by the word being spelled anew. In this new spelling, every consonant used has its ordinary unvarying sound, no consonant being employed that has more than one sound. The same sounds are always represented by the same letters, no matter how varied their actual spelling in the language. No consonant used has any mark attached to it, with the one exception of th, which is printed in common letters when sounded as in thick, but in italics when sounded as in then. Unmarked vowels have always their short sounds, as in lad, led, lid, lot, but, book. The marked vowels are shown in the following line, which is printed at the top of each page:—

The vowel u when marked thus, ü, has the sound heard in Scotch bluid, gude, the French du, almost that of the German ü in Müller. Where more than one pronunciation of a word is given, that which is placed first is more accepted.

The Spelling.—When more than one form of a word is given, that which is placed first is the spelling in current English use. Unfortunately our modern spelling does not represent the English we actually speak, but rather the language of the 16th century, up to which period, generally speaking, English spelling was mainly phonetic, like the present German. The fundamental principle of all rational spelling is no doubt the representation of every sound by an invariable symbol, but in modern English the usage of pronunciation has drifted far from the conventional forms established by a traditional orthography, with the result that the present spelling of our written speech is to a large extent a mere exercise of memory, full of confusing anomalies and imperfections, and involving an enormous and unnecessary strain on the faculties of learners. Spelling reform is indeed an imperative necessity, but it must proceed with a wise moderation, for, in the words of Mr Sweet, 'nothing can be done without unanimity, and until the majority of the community are convinced of the superiority of some one system unanimity is impossible.' The true path of progress should follow such wisely moderate counsels as those of Dr J. A. H. Murray:—the dropping of the final or inflexional silent e; the restoration of the historical -t after breath consonants; uniformity in the employment of double consonants, as in traveler, &c.; the discarding of ue in words like demagogue and catalogue; the uniform levelling of the agent -our into -or; the making of ea = ĕ short into e and the long ie into ee; the restoration of some, come, tongue, to their old English forms, sum, cum, tung; a more extended use of z in the body of words, as chozen, praize, raize; and the correction of the worst individual monstrosities, as foreign, scent, scythe, ache, debt, people, parliament, court, would, sceptic, phthisis, queue, schedule, twopence-halfpenny, yeoman, sieve, gauge, barque, buoy, yacht, &c.

Already in America a moderate degree of spelling reform may be said to be established in good usage, by the adoption of -or for -our, as color, labor, &c.; of -er for -re, as center, meter, &c.; -ize for -ise, as civilize, &c.; the use of a uniform single consonant after an unaccented vowel, as traveler for traveller; the adoption of e for œ or æ in hemorrhage, diarrhea, &c.

The Meanings.—The current and most important meaning of a word is usually given first. But in cases like Clerk, Livery, Marshal, where the force of the word can be made much clearer by tracing its history, the original meaning is also given, and the successive variations of its usage defined.

The Etymology.—The Etymology of each word is given after the meanings, within brackets. Where further information regarding a word is given elsewhere, it is so indicated by a reference. It must be noted under the etymology that whenever a word is printed thus, Ban, Base, the student is referred to it; also that here the sign—is always to be read as meaning 'derived from.' Examples are generally given of words that are cognate or correspond to the English words; but it must be remembered that they are inserted merely for illustration. Such words are usually separated from the rest by a semicolon. For instance, when an English word is traced to its Anglo-Saxon form, and then a German word is given, no one should suppose that our English word is derived from the German. German and Anglo-Saxon are alike branches from a common Teutonic stem, and have seldom borrowed from each other. Under each word the force of the prefix is usually given, though not the affix. For fuller explanation in such cases the student is referred to the list of Prefixes and Suffixes in the Appendix.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DICTIONARY.

the fifth letter in our own and the cognate alphabets, with four sounds—e.g. e in evil, i in England, u in the last syllable of eleven, Italian e in prey. A subscript e is commonly used to lengthen the previous vowel, as in not, note; bit, bite; (mus.) the third note or sound of the natural diatonic scale, and the third above the tonic C.

Each, ēch, adj. every one in any number separately considered.—adv. Each′where, everywhere. [A.S. ǽlc, supposed to be for á-ge-líc, from á (=aye), pfx. ge-, and líc, like—i.e. aye-like.]

Eager, ē′gėr, adj. excited by desire: ardent to do or obtain: (obs.) earnest: keen, severe, sour, acid, bitter.—adv. Ea′gerly.—n. Ea′gerness. [O. Fr. aigre—L. acer, acris, sharp.]

Eagle, ē′gl, n. a name given to many birds of prey in the family Falconidæ: a military standard carrying the figure of an eagle: a gold coin of the United States, worth ten dollars.—adjs. Ea′gle-eyed, Ea′gle-sight′ed, having a piercing eye: discerning; Ea′gle-flight′ed, mounting high.—ns. Ea′gle-hawk, a name applied to several eagles of comparatively small size; Ea′gle-owl, a genus of large owls, the largest in Europe; Ea′gle-stone, a variety of argillaceous oxide of iron occurring in egg-shaped masses; Ea′glet, a young or small eagle.—adj. Ea′gle-winged, having an eagle's wings.—ns. Ea′gle-wood, another name for agalloch or calambac; Spread′-ea′gle (see Spread). [O. Fr. aigle—L. aquila.]

Eagre, ē′gėr, n. rise of the tide in a river (same as Bore). [Ety. dub.; hardly from A.S. égor, flood.]

Ean, ēn, v.t. or v.i. (Shak.) to bring forth young.—n. Ean′ling, a young lamb. [A.S. éanian.]

Ear, ēr, n. a spike, as of corn.—v.i. to put forth ears.—n. Ear′-cock′le, a disease of wheat.—adj. Eared, of corn, having ears. [A.S. éar; Ger. ähre.]

Ear, ēr, v.t. (obs.) to plough or till.—n. Ear′ing (obs.), ploughing. [A.S. erian; cf. L. arāre, Gr. aroein.]

Ear, ēr, n. the organ of hearing, or the external part merely: the sense or power of hearing: the faculty of distinguishing sounds: attention: anything like an ear.—ns. Ear′ache, an ache or pain in the ear; Ear′bob, an earring; Ear′-cap, a covering to protect the ear from cold; Ear′drop, an ornamental pendant hanging from the ear; Ear′drum, the drum or middle cavity of the ear, tympanum (q.v.).—adj. Eared, having ears.—n. Ear′-hole, the aperture of the ear.—adj. Ear′-kiss′ing, whispered.—n. Ear′lap, the tip of the ear: an ear-cap.—adj. Ear′less, wanting ears.—ns. Ear′lock, a curl near the ear worn by Elizabethan dandies; Ear′mark, a mark set on the ears of sheep whereby their owners may distinguish them: a distinctive mark.—v.t. to put an earmark on.—n. Ear′-pick, an instrument for clearing the ear.—adj. Ear′-pierc′ing, shrill, screaming.—ns. Ear′ring, an ornamental ring worn in the ear; Ear′-shell, any shell of the family Haliotidæ; Ear′shot, the distance at which a sound can be heard; Ear′-trum′pet, a tube to aid in hearing; Ear′wax, a waxy substance secreted by the glands of the ear; Ear′wig, an insect which was supposed to creep into the brain through the ear: a flatterer.—v.t. to gain the ear of: to bias: to torment by private importunities (A.S. éarwicga, éare, ear, wicga, earwig).—n. Ear′witness, a witness that can testify from his own hearing.—About one's ears, said of a house falling, &c.; Be all ears, to give every attention; Give ear, to attend; Go in at one ear and out at the other, used of words which make no permanent impression; Have a person's ear, to be secure of his favourable attention; Have itching ears, to be desirous of hearing novelties (2 Tim. iv. 3); Lend an ear, to listen; Over head and ears, overwhelmed: deeply engrossed or involved; Set by the ears, to set at strife; Speak in the ear, to whisper; Tickle the ear, to flatter; Turn a deaf ear, to refuse to listen; Walls have ears, a proverbial phrase implying that there may be listeners behind the wall. [A.S. éare; cf. L. auris, Ger. ohr.]

Earl, ėrl, n. an English nobleman ranking between a marquis and a viscount:—fem. Count′ess.—ns. Earl′dom, the dominion or dignity of an earl; Earl′-mar′shal, an English officer of state, president of the Heralds' College—the Scotch form Earl-marischal. [A.S. eorl, a warrior, hero; cf. Ice. jarl.]

Early, ėr′li, adj. in good season: at or near the beginning of the day: relating to the beginning: happening in the near future.—adv. near the beginning: soon.—n. Ear′liness.—Early and late, at all times; Early bird, an early riser; Early English (archit.), generally applied to the form of Gothic in which the pointed arch was first employed in Britain. The Early English succeeded the Norman towards the end of the 12th century, and merged into the Decorated at the end of the 13th.—Keep early hours, to rise and go to bed betimes; Small and early (coll.), applied to evening parties; The early bird catches the worm, a proverb in favour of early rising. [A.S. árlíce—ǽr, before.]

Earn, ėrn, v.t. to gain by labour: to acquire: to deserve.—n.pl. Earn′ings, what one has earned: money saved. [A.S. earnian, to earn; cog. with Old High Ger. aran, to reap; Ger. ernte, harvest.]

Earnest, ėr′nest, adj. showing strong desire: determined: eager to obtain: intent: sincere: serious.—n. seriousness: reality.—adv. Ear′nestly.—n. Ear′nestness. [A.S. eornost, seriousness; Ger. ernst.]

Earnest, ėr′nest, n. money given in token of a bargain made—also Ear′nest-mon′ey, Ear′nest-penn′y: a pledge: first-fruits. [Ety. obscure; possibly conn. with arles.]

Earth, ėrth, n. the name applied to the third planet in order from the sun: the matter on the surface of the globe: soil: dry land, as opposed to sea: the world: the inhabitants of the world: dirt: dead matter: the human body: a fox's hole: (pl.) the name applied by the alchemists and earlier chemists to certain substances now known to be oxides of metal, which were distinguished by being infusible, and by insolubility in water.—v.t. to hide or cause to hide in the earth: to bury.—v.i. to burrow: to hide.—ns. Earth′-bag, a sack of earth used in fortifications; Earth′-bath, a bath of earth or mud; Earth′-board, the board of a plough, or other implement, that turns over the earth.—adjs. Earth′-born, born from or on the earth; Earth′-bound, bound or held by the earth, as a tree; Earth′-bred, mean, grovelling.—n. Earth′-clos′et, a system consisting of the application of earth to the deodorisation of fæcal matters.—adjs. Earth′-creā′ted, made of earth; Earth′en, made of earth or clay: earthly.—ns. Earth′enware, crockery; Earth′-fall, a landslide.—adj. Earth′-fed, contented with earthly things.—ns. Earth′flax, asbestos; Earth′-hog (see Aardvark); Earth′-house, the name given to the ancient underground dwellings in Ireland and Scotland, also called Picts' houses; Earth′-hung′er, the passion for acquiring land; Earth′iness; Earth′liness; Earth′ling, a dweller on the earth.—adjs. Earth′ly, belonging to the earth: vile: worldly; Earth′ly-mind′ed, having the mind intent on earthly things.—ns. Earth′ly-mind′edness; Earth′-nut, the popular name of certain tuberous roots growing underground; Earth′-pea, the hog-peanut; Earth′-plate, a buried plate of metal forming the earth-connection of a telegraph-wire, lightning-conductor, &c.; Earth′quake, a quaking or shaking of the earth: a heaving of the ground; Earth′-shine, the faint light visible on the part of the moon not illuminated by the sun; Earth′-trem′or, a slight earthquake.—adv. Earth′ward, toward the earth.—ns. Earth′work, a fortification of earth; Earth′-worm, the common worm: a mean person, a poor creature.—adj. Earth′y, consisting of, relating to, or resembling earth: inhabiting the earth: gross: unrefined. [A.S. eorthe; cf. Dut. aarde, Ger. erde.]

Ease, ēz, n. freedom from pain or disturbance: rest from work: quiet: freedom from difficulty: naturalness.—v.t. to free from pain, trouble, or anxiety: to relieve: to calm.—adj. Ease′ful, ease-giving: quiet, fit for rest.—n. Ease′ment, relief: assistance: support: gratification.—adv. Eas′ily.—n. Eas′iness.—adj. Eas′y, at ease: free from pain: tranquil: unconstrained: giving ease: not difficult: yielding: not straitened (in circumstances): not tight: not strict, as in 'easy virtue.'—interj. Easy! a command to lower, or to go gently, to stop rowing, &c.—n. Eas′y-chair, an arm-chair for ease or rest.—adj. Eas′y-gō′ing, good-natured: indolent.—Ease one's self, to relieve nature.—Chapel of ease (see Chapel); Free and easy (see Free).—Honours easy, when the honours are evenly divided at whist: Ill at ease, uncomfortable; Stand at ease, used of soldiers, when freed from 'attention;' Take it easy, to be quite unconcerned: to be in no hurry; Take one's ease, to make one's self comfortable. [O. Fr. aise; cog. with It. agio; Prov. ais, Port. azo.]

Easel, ēz′l, n. the frame on which painters support their pictures while painting. [Dut. ezel, or Ger. esel, an ass.]

East, ēst, n. that part of the heavens where the sun first shines or rises: one of the four cardinal points of the compass.—adj. toward the rising of the sun.—ns. East′-end, the eastern part of London, the habitation of the poorer classes; East′-end′er.—adjs. East′er, East′ern, toward the east: connected with the east: dwelling in the east.—n. East′erling, a native of the East: a trader from the shores of the Baltic.—adj. East′erly, coming from the eastward: looking toward the east.—adv. on the east: toward the east.—adjs. East′ernmost, East′most, situated farthest east.—ns. East′-In′diaman, a vessel used in the East India trade; East′ing, the course gained to the eastward: distance eastward from a given meridian; East′land, the land in the East.—adv. East′ward, toward the east.—East-by-south (north), 11¼ degrees from due east; East-south (north)-east, 22½ degrees from due east.—Eastward position, the position of the celebrant at the Eucharist, when he stands in front of the altar and facing it, instead of the usual practice of standing at the north end of the altar, facing southward.—About east (slang), in proper manner; The East, the countries to the east of Europe; Turning to the east, a practice for both clergy and laity during service, esp. while singing the creeds, the Gloria Patri, and the Gloria in Excelsis. [A.S. east; Ger. ost; akin to Gr. ēōs, the dawn.]

Easter, ēst′ėr, n. a Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Christ, held on the Sunday after Good-Friday.—n. East′er-day, Easter Sunday.—ns.pl. East′er-dues, -off′erings, 'customary sums' which from time immemorial have been paid to the parson by his people at Easter.—ns. East′er-egg, eggs stained of various colours, given as presents on Easter; East′ertide, Eastertime, either Easter week or the fifty days between Easter and Whitsuntide. [A.S. éastre; Ger. ostern. Bede derives the word from Eastre, a goddess whose festival was held at the spring equinox.]

Eat, ēt, v.t. to chew and swallow: to consume: to corrode.—v.i. to take food:—pr.p. eat′ing; pa.t. ate (āt or et); pa.p. eaten (ētn) or (obs.) eat (et).—adj. Eat′able, fit to be eaten.—n. anything used as food (chiefly pl.).—ns. Eat′age, grass or fodder for horses, &c.: the right to eat; Eat′er, one who, or that which, eats or corrodes; Eat′ing, the act of taking food.—p.adj. that eats: corroding.—ns. Eat′ing-house, a place where provisions are sold ready dressed: a restaurant; Good′-eat′ing, something good for food.—Eat away, to destroy gradually: to gnaw; Eat in, used of the action of acid; Eat its head off, used of an animal which costs as much for food as it is worth; Eat one's heart, to pine away, brooding over misfortune; Eat one's terms, to study for the bar, with allusion to the number of times in a term that a student must dine in the hall of an Inn of Court; Eat one's words, to retract: to recant; Eat out, to finish eatables: to encroach upon; Eat the air (Shak.) to be deluded with hopes; Eat up, to devour: to consume, absorb; Eat well, to have a good appetite. [A.S. etan; cf. Ger. essen, Ice. eta, L. edĕre, Gr. edein.]

Eath, ēth, adj. (obs.) easy.—adv. Eath′ly. [A.S. éathe, easily; cf. Old High Ger. odi, easy.]

Eau, ō, n. the French word for water, used in English in various combinations.—Eau Créole, a fine Martinique liqueur, made by distilling the flowers of the mammee-apple with spirit of wine; Eau de Cologne (see under Cologne-earth); Eau de vie, brandy.

Eaves, ēvz, n.pl. the projecting edge of the roof: anything projecting.—ns. Eaves′drip, Eaves′drop, the water which falls from the eaves of a house: the place where the drops fall.—v.i. and v.t. Eaves′drop, to stand under the eaves or near the windows of a house to listen: to listen for secrets.—ns. Eaves′dropper, one who thus listens: one who tries to overhear private conversation; Eaves′dropping. [A.S. efes, the clipped edge of thatch; cf. Ice. ups.]

Ebb, eb, n. the going back or retiring of the tide: a decline or decay.—v.i. to flow back: to sink: to decay.—n. Ebb′-tide, the ebbing or retiring tide. [A.S. ebba; Ger. ebbe; cog. with even.]

Ebenezer, eb-en-ēz′er, n. a memorial stone set up by Samuel after the victory of Mizpeh (1 Sam. vii. 12): a name sometimes applied to a chapel or meeting-house. [Heb., 'stone of help.']

Ebionite, ē′bi-on-īt, n. a name applied to Jewish Christians who remained outside the Catholic Church down to the time of Jerome. They held the Mosaic laws binding on Christians, and denied the apostolate of Paul and the miraculous birth of Jesus.—v.t. E′bionise.—adj. Ebionit′ic.—ns. Ebionīt′ism, E′bionism. [Heb. ebyōn, poor.]

Eblis, eb′lis, n. the chief of the fallen angels or wicked jinns in Mohammedan mythology.—Also Ib′lees.

Ebon, eb′on, Ebony, eb′on-i, n. a kind of wood almost as heavy and hard as stone, usually black, admitting of a fine polish.—adj. made of ebony: black as ebony.—v.t. Eb′onise, to make furniture look like ebony.—ns. Eb′onist, a worker in ebony; Eb′onite, vulcanite (see under Vulcan). [L.,—Gr. ebenos; cf. Heb. hodnīm, pl. of hobni, obni—eben, a stone.]

Éboulement, ā-bool′mong, n. the falling in of the wall of a fortification: a landslide or landslip. [Fr.]

Ebriated, ē′bri-āt-ed, adj. intoxicated.—n. Ebrī′ety, drunkenness.—adj. E′briōse, drunk.—n. Ebrios′ity. [L. ebriāre, -ātum, to make drunk.]

Ébrillade, ā-brē-lyad′, n. the sudden jerking of a horse's rein when he refuses to turn. [Fr.]

Ebullient, e-bul′yent, adj. boiling up or over: agitated: enthusiastic.—ns. Ebull′ience, Ebull′iency, a boiling over; Ebulli′tion, act of boiling: agitation: an outbreak. [L. ebullient-em, ebullīre—e, out, and bullīre, to boil.]

Eburnine, eb-ur′nin, adj. of or like ivory—also Ebur′nean.—ns. Eburnā′tion, a morbid change of bone by which it becomes very hard and dense; Eburnificā′tion, art of making like ivory. [L. ebur.]

Écarté, ā-kär′tā, n. a game for two, played with the thirty-two highest cards, one feature being the right to discard or throw out certain cards for others. [Fr.,—e, out, carte, a card.]

Ecbasis, ek′ba-sis, n. (rhet.) a figure in which the speaker treats of things according to their consequences.—adj. Ecbat′ic, denoting a mere result, not an intention. [Gr.]

Ecblastesis, ek-blas-tē′sis, n. (bot.) the production of buds within flowers.

Ecbole, ek′bo-lē, n. (rhet.) a digression: (mus.) the raising or sharping of a tone.—adj. Ecbol′ic, promoting parturition.—n. a drug with this quality. [Gr.]

Eccaleobion, ek-kal-e-ō′bi-on, n. a machine for the artificial hatching of eggs. [Gr., 'I call out life.']

Ecce, ek′si, Latin word for 'behold.'—Ecce homo, behold the man (John, xix. 5)—in art, a Christ crowned with thorns.

Eccentric, -al, ek-sen′trik, -al, adj. departing from the centre: not having the same centre as another, said of circles: out of the usual course: not conforming to common rules: odd.—n. Eccen′tric, a circle not having the same centre as another: (mech.) a contrivance for taking an alternating rectilinear motion from a revolving shaft: an eccentric fellow.—adv. Eccen′trically.—n. Eccentric′ity, the distance of the centre of a planet's orbit from the centre of the sun: singularity of conduct: oddness. [Fr.,—Low L. eccentricus—Gr. ek, out of, kentron, centre.]

Ecchymosis, ek-ki-mō′sis, n. a discoloration of the surface produced by blood effused below or in the texture of the skin.—adjs. Ec′chymosed, Ecchymot′ic. [Gr.,—ek, out of, and chymos, juice.]

Ecclesia, e-klē′zi-a, n. a popular assembly, esp. of Athens, where the people exercised full sovereignty, and all above twenty years could vote: applied by the Septuagint commentators to the Jewish commonwealth, and from them to the Christian Church.—adj. Ecclē′sial.—ns. Ecclē′siarch, a ruler of the church; Ecclē′siast, the preacher—Solomon formerly considered as the author of Ecclesiastes: an ecclesiastic; Ecclē′siastes, one of the books of the Old Testament, traditionally ascribed to Solomon; Ecclesias′tic, one consecrated to the church, a priest, a clergyman.—adjs. Ecclē′siastic, -al, belonging to the church.—adv. Ecclesias′tically, in an ecclesiastical manner.—ns. Ecclesias′ticism, attachment to ecclesiastical observances, &c.: the churchman's temper or spirit; Ecclesias′ticus, name of a book of the Apocrypha; Ecclesiol′atry, excessive reverence for church forms and traditions.—adj. Ecclesiolog′ical.—ns. Ecclesiol′ogist, a student of church forms and traditions; Ecclesiol′ogy, the science of building and decorating churches: the science relating to the church. [Low L.,—Gr. ekklesia, an assembly called out of the world, the church—ek, out, and kalein, to call.]

Eccoprotic, ek-ō-prot′ik, adj. laxative, mildly cathartic.—n. a laxative.

Eccrinology, ek-ri-nol′ō-ji, n. the branch of physiology relating to the secretions.

Eccrisis, ek′ri-sis, n. expulsion of waste or morbid matter.—n. Eccrit′ic, a medicine having this property. [Gr.]

Ecdysis, ek′di-sis, n. the act of casting off an integument, as in serpents. [Gr.]

Eche, ēk, v.t. (Shak.) to eke out: to augment. [A.S. écan; akin to L. augēre, to increase. See Eke.]

Echelon, esh′e-long, n. an arrangement of troops in battalions or divisions placed parallel to one another, but no two on the same alignment, each having its front clear of that in advance. [Fr., from échelle, a ladder or stair. See Scale.]

Echidna, ek-id′na, n. a genus of Australian toothless burrowing monotremate mammals, armed with porcupine-like spines, laying eggs instead of bringing forth the young.—n. Echid′nine, serpent-poison. [Formed from Gr. echidna, a viper.]

Echinate, -d, ek′in-āt, -ed, adj. prickly like a hedgehog: set with prickles or bristles.—ns. Echī′nite, a fossil sea-urchin; Echī′noderm, one of the Echinoder′mata, a class of animals having the skin strengthened by calcareous plates, or covered with spikes.—adjs. Echinoder′matous, relating to the Echinodermata; Ech′inoid, like a sea-urchin.—n. one of the Echinoi′dea.—n. Echī′nus, a sea-urchin: (archit.) the convex projecting moulding of eccentric curve in Greek examples, supporting the abacus of the Doric capital. [Gr. echinos, a hedgehog, and derma, skin.]

Echo, ek′ō, n. the repetition of sound caused by a sound-wave coming against some opposing surface, and being reflected: a device in verse in which a line ends with a word which recalls the sound of the last word of the preceding line: imitation: an imitator:—pl. Echoes (ek′ōz).—v.i. to reflect sound: to be sounded back: to resound.—v.t. to send back the sound of: to repeat a thing said: to imitate: to flatter slavishly:—pr.p. ech′ōing; pa.p. ech′ōed.—ns. Ech′oism, the formation of imitative words; Ech′oist, one who repeats like an echo.—adj. Ech′oless, giving no echo, unresponsive.—ns. Echom′eter, an instrument for measuring the length of sounds; Echom′etry, the art of measuring such.—Cheer to the echo, to applaud most heartily, so that the room resounds. [L.,—Gr. ēchō, a sound.]

Éclaircissement, ek-lār-sis′mong, n. the act of clearing up anything: explanation.—Come to an éclaircissement, to come to an understanding: to explain conduct that seemed equivocal. [Fr. éclaircir, pr.p. -cissant, é—L. ex, out, clair—L. clarus, clear.]

Eclampsia, ek-lamp′si-a, n. a term often erroneously applied as synonymous with epilepsy, while it is really the equivalent of convulsions, but usually restricted to such as are due to such local or general causes as teething, child-bearing, &c.—also Eclamp′sy.—adj. Eclamp′tic. [Formed from Gr. eklampein, to shine forth.]

Éclat, ā-klä′, n. a striking effect: applause: splendour: social distinction, notoriety. [Fr. éclat, from O. Fr. esclater, to break, to shine.]

Eclectic, ek-lek′tik, adj. selecting or borrowing: choosing the best out of everything: broad, the opposite of exclusive.—n. one who selects opinions from different systems, esp. in philosophy.—adv. Eclec′tically.—n. Eclec′ticism, the practice of an eclectic: the doctrine of the Eclec′tics, a name applied to certain Greek thinkers in the 2d and 1st centuries B.C., later to Leibnitz and Cousin. [Gr. eklektikos—ek, out, legein, to choose.]

Eclipse, e-klips′, n. an obscuration of one of the heavenly bodies by the interposition of another, either between it and the spectator, or between it and the sun: loss of brilliancy: darkness.—v.t. to hide a luminous body wholly or in part: to darken: to throw into the shade, to cut out, surpass.—p.adjs. Eclipsed′, darkened, obscured; Eclips′ing, darkening, obscuring.—n. Eclip′tic, the name given to the great circle of the heavens round which the sun seems to travel, from west to east, in the course of a year: a great circle on the globe corresponding to the celestial ecliptic.—adj. pertaining to an eclipse or the ecliptic. [Through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. ekleipsis—ek, out, leipein, to leave.]

Eclogite, ek′loj-īt, n. a crystalline rock, composed of smaragdite and red garnet. [Gr. eklogē, selection—ek, out, legein, to choose.]

Eclogue, ek′log, n. a short pastoral poem like Virgil's Bucolics. [L. ecloga—Gr. eklogē, a selection, esp. of poems—ek, out of, legein to choose.]

Economy, ek-on′o-mi, n. the management of a household or of money matters: a frugal and judicious expenditure of money: a system of rules or ceremonies: a dispensation, as 'the Christian economy:' regular operations, as of nature.—adjs. Econom′ic, -al, pertaining to economy: frugal: careful.—adv. Econom′ically.—ns. Econom′ics, the science of household management: political economy; Economisā′tion, act of economising.—v.i. Econ′omise, to manage with economy: to spend money carefully: to save.—v.t. to use prudently: to spend with frugality.—ns. Economī′ser, Econ′omist, one who is economical: one who studies political economy.—Political economy (see under Politic). [L. œconomia—Gr. oikonomia—oikos, a house, nomos, a law.]

Écorché, ā-kor′shā, n. a figure in which the muscles are represented stripped of the skin, for purposes of artistic study. [Fr. écorcher, to flay.]

Écossaise, ā-ko-sāz′, n. a kind of country-dance of Scotch origin, or music appropriate to such.—Douche Écossaise, the alternation of hot and cold douches. [Fr., fem. of Écossais, Scotch.]

Ecphonesis, ek-fō-nē′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure of speech which uses questions, interjections, &c., for variety: in Greek use, the part of the service spoken in an audible tone.

Ecphractic, ek-frak′tik, adj. (med.) serving to remove obstructions.—n. a drug with such properties.

Ecraseur, ā-kra-zėr, n. (surg.) an instrument for removing tumours. [Fr.]

Ecstasy, ek′sta-si, n. a word applied to states of mind marked by temporary mental alienation and altered or diminished consciousness: excessive joy: enthusiasm, or any exalted feeling.—v.t. to fill with joy.—adjs. Ec′stasied, enraptured; Ecstat′ic, causing ecstasy: amounting to ecstasy: rapturous.—n. one given to ecstasy: something spoken in a state of ecstasy.—adv. Ecstat′ically. [Through O. Fr. and Low L. from Gr. ekstasis—ek, aside, histanai, to make to stand.]

Ectal, ek′tal, adj. (anat.) outer, external—opp. to Ental.—adv. Ec′tad. [Gr. ektos, without.]

Ecthyma, ek-thī′ma, n. a pustular disease of the skin, in which the pustules often reach the size of a pea, and have a red, slightly elevated, hardish base. [Gr., ek, thyein, to boil.]

Ectoblast, ek′to-blast, n. the outer wall of a cell.—adj. Ectoblas′tic.

Ectoderm, ek′to-dėrm, n. the external germinal layer of the embryo. [Gr. ektos, outside, derma, skin.]

Ectopia, ek-tō′pi-a, n. (path.) morbid displacement of parts.—adj. Ectop′ic.

Ectoplasm, ek′to-plasm, n. the exterior protoplasm or sarcode of a cell.—adjs. Ectoplas′mic, Ectoplas′tic.

Ectozoa, ek-tō-zō′a, n.pl. external parasites generally—opp. to Entozoa.—n. Ectozō′an, one of the Ectozoa.

Ectropion, -um, ek-trōp′i-on, -um, n. eversion of the margin of the eyelid, so that the red inner surface is exposed.—adj. Ectrop′ic. [Gr. ek, out, and trepein, to turn.]

Ectype, ek′tīp, n. a reproduction or copy.—adj. Ec′typal.—n. Ectypog′raphy. [Gr. ek, out, and typos, a figure.]

Écu, ā′kü, or ā-kū′, n. a French silver coin, usually considered as equivalent to the English crown—there were also gold écus weighing about 60 grains: a common name for the five-franc piece. [Fr.,—L. scutum, a shield.]

Ecumenic, -al, ek-ū-men′ik, -al, adj. general, universal, belonging to the entire Christian Church.—Also Œcumen′ic, -al.

Eczema, ek′ze-ma, n. a common skin disease, in which the affected portion of the skin is red, and is covered with numerous small papules, which speedily turn into vesicles.—adj. Eczem′atous. [Gr., from ekzein—ek, out, zeein, to boil.]

Edacious, e-dā′shus, adj. given to eating: gluttonous.—adv. Edā′ciously.—ns. Edā′ciousness; Edac′ity. [L. edax, edācis—edĕre, to eat.]

Edda, ed′a, n. the name of two Scandinavian books—the 'Elder' Edda, a collection of ancient mythological and heroic songs (9th-11th century); and the 'Younger' or prose Edda, by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1230), mythological stories, poetics, and prosody. [Ice., 'great-grandmother.']

Eddish, ed′dish, n. pasturage, or the eatable growth of grass after mowing. [Dubiously referred to A.S. edisc, a park.]

Eddy, ed′i, n. a current of water or air running back, contrary to the main stream, thus causing a circular motion: a whirlpool: a whirlwind.—v.i. to move round and round:—pr.p. edd′ying; pa.p. edd′ied.—n. Edd′ying, the action of the verb eddy. [Prob. from A.S. ed, back; cf. Ice. ida—id, back.]

Edelweiss, ā′del-vīs, n. a small white composite, with pretty white flower, found growing in damp places at considerable altitudes (5000-7000 feet) throughout the Alps. [Ger. edel, noble, weiss, white.]

Edematose, -ous. Same as Œdematose, -ous (q.v. under Œdema).

Eden, ē′den, n. the garden where Adam and Eve lived: a paradise.—adj. Eden′ic. [Heb. ēden, delight, pleasure.]

Edentate, -d, e-den′tāt, -ed, adj. without teeth: wanting front teeth—also Eden′tal.—ns. Edentā′ta, a Cuvierian order of mammals, having no teeth or very imperfect ones; Edentā′tion, toothlessness.—adj. Eden′tulous, edentate. [L. edentātus, toothless—e, out of, dens, dentis, a tooth.]

Edge, ej, n. the border of anything: the brink: the cutting side of an instrument: something that wounds or cuts: sharpness of mind or appetite: keenness.—v.t. to put an edge on: to place a border on: to exasperate: to urge on: to move by little and little.—v.i. to move sideways.—n. Edge′-bone, the haunch-bone.—adjs. Edged; Edge′less, without an edge: blunt.—ns. Edge′-rail, a rail of such form that the carriage-wheels roll on its edges, being held there by flanges; Edge′-tool, Edged tool, a tool with a sharp edge.—advs. Edge′ways, Edge′wise, in the direction of the edge: sideways.—ns. Edg′iness, angularity, over-sharpness of outline; Edg′ing, any border or fringe round a garment: a border of box, &c., round a flower-bed.—adj. Edg′y, with edges, sharp, hard in outline.—Edge in a word, to get a word in with difficulty; Edge of the sword, a rhetorical phrase for the sword as the symbol of slaughter.—Outside edge, figure in skating, made on the outer edge of the skate.—Play with edge-tools, to deal carelessly with dangerous matters.—Set on edge, to excite; Set the teeth on edge, to cause a strange grating feeling in the teeth; to rouse an instinctive dislike. [A.S. ecg; cf. Ger. ecke, L. acies.]

Edible, ed′i-bl, adj. fit to be eaten.—n. something for food.—ns. Edibil′ity, Ed′ibleness, fitness for being eaten. [L. edibilis—edĕre, to eat.]

Edict, ē′dikt, n. something proclaimed by authority: an order issued by a king or lawgiver.—adj. Edict′al.—adv. Edict′ally. [L. edictum—e, out, dicĕre, dictum, to say.]

Edify, ed′i-fī, v.t. to build: to build up the faith of: to strengthen spiritually towards faith and holiness: to comfort: to improve the mind:—pr.p. ed′ifying; pa.p. ed′ified.—n. Edificā′tion, instruction: progress in knowledge or in goodness.—adj. Ed′ificatory, tending to edification.—n. Ed′ifice, a large building or house.—adj. Edific′ial, structural.—n. Ed′ifier, one who edifies.—adj. Ed′ifying, instructive: improving.—adv. Ed′ifyingly. [Fr. édifier—L. ædificāre—ædes, a house, facĕre, to make.]

Edit, ed′it, v.t. to prepare the work of an author for publication: to superintend the publication of (a newspaper, &c.): to compile, garble, or cook up materials into literary shape.—ns. Edi′tion, the publication of a book: the number of copies of a book printed at a time; Ed′itor, one who edits a book: one who conducts a newspaper or journal:—fem. Ed′itress.—adj. Editō′rial, of or belonging to an editor.—n. an article in a newspaper written by the editor, a leading article.—adv. Editō′rially.—n. Ed′itorship. [L. edĕre, edĭtum—e, out, dăre, to give.]

Educate, ed′ū-kāt, v.t. to bring up children: to train: to teach: to cultivate any power.—adj. Ed′ucable.—n. Educā′tion, the bringing up or training, as of a child: instruction: strengthening of the powers of body or mind.—adj. Educā′tional.—adv. Educā′tionally.—n. Educā′tionist, one skilled in methods of educating or teaching: one who promotes education.—adj. Ed′ucative, of or pertaining to education: calculated to teach.—n. Ed′ucator. [L. educāre, -ātum—educĕre—e, out, ducĕre, to lead.]

Educe, ē-dūs′, v.t. to draw out: to extract: to cause to appear.—n. inference.—adj. Educ′ible, that may be educed or brought out and shown.—ns. E′duct, what is educed; Educ′tion, the act of educing; Educ′tion-pipe, the pipe by which the exhaust steam is led from the cylinder of a steam-engine into the condenser or the atmosphere; Educ′tor, he who, or that which, educes. [L. educĕre, eductum—e, out, and ducĕre, to lead.]

Edulcorate, ē-dul′kō-rāt, v.t. to sweeten: to free from acids, &c.—adj. Edul′corant.—n. Edulcorā′tion.—adj. Edul′corātive.—n. Edul′corātor.

Eel, n. a name widely applied in popular usage, but justifiably extended to all the members of the family Murænidæ—the body is much elongated, cylindrical or ribbon-shaped.—ns. Eel′-bas′ket, a basket for catching eels; Eel′-pout, in England, a Burbot (q.v.); in parts of Scotland, a Blenny (q.v.): a well-known fish, with a slimy body, living chiefly in mud; Eel′-spear, an instrument with broad prongs for catching eels. [A.S. ǽl; Ger., Dut. aal.]

Eerie, Eery, ē′ri, adj. exciting fear: weird: affected with fear: timorous.—adv. Ee′rily.—n. Ee′riness (Scot.). [M. E. arh, eri—A.S. earg, timid.]

Effable, ef′a-bl, adj. capable of being expressed. [Fr.,—L. effāri—ex, out, fāri, to speak.]

Efface, ef-fās′, v.t. to destroy the surface of a thing: to rub out: to obliterate, wear away.—adj. Efface′able, that can be rubbed out.—n. Efface′ment. [Fr. effacer—L. ex, out, facies, face.]

Effect, ef-fekt′, n. the result of an action: impression produced: reality: the consequence intended: (pl.) goods: property.—v.t. to produce: to accomplish.—ns. Effec′ter, Effec′tor.—adjs. Effec′tible, that may be effected; Effec′tive, having power to effect: causing something: powerful: serviceable.—adv. Effec′tively.—n. Effec′tiveness.—adjs. Effect′less, without effect, useless; Effec′tual, successful in producing the desired effect: (Shak.) decisive.—n. Effectual′ity.—adv. Effec′tually.—v.t. Effec′tuate, to accomplish.—n. Effectua′tion.—Effectual calling (theol.), the invitation to come to Christ which the elect receive.—For effect, so as to make a telling impression; General effect, the effect produced by a picture, &c., as a whole; Give effect to, to accomplish, perform; In effect, in truth, really: substantially.—Leave no effects, to die without property to bequeath.—Take effect, to begin to operate: to come into force. [Fr.,—L. efficĕre, effectum, to accomplish—ex, out, facĕre, to make.]

Effeminate, ef-fem′in-āt, adj. womanish: unmanly: weak: cowardly: voluptuous.—n. an effeminate person.—v.t. to make womanish: to unman: to weaken.—v.i. to become effeminate.—n. Effem′inacy, womanish softness or weakness: indulgence in unmanly pleasures.—adv. Effem′inately.—n. Effem′inateness. [L. effemināre, -ātum, to make womanish—ex, out, and femina, a woman.]

Effendi, ef-fen′di, n. a Turkish title for civil officials and educated persons generally. [Turk.; from Gr. authentēs, an absolute master.]

Effervesce, ef-fėr-ves′, v.i. to boil up: to bubble and hiss: to froth up.—ns. Efferves′cence; Efferves′cency.—adjs. Efferves′cent, boiling or bubbling from the disengagement of gas; Efferves′cible. [L. effervescĕre—ex, inten., and fervēre, to boil.]

Effete, ef-fēt′, adj. exhausted: worn out with age. [L. effētus, weakened by having brought forth young—ex, out, fetus, a bringing forth young.]

Efficacious, ef-fi-kā′shus, adj. able to produce the result intended.—adv. Efficā′ciously.—ns. Efficā′ciousness; Efficac′ity; Ef′ficacy, virtue: energy. [Fr.,—L. efficax, efficacis—efficĕre.]

Efficient, ef-fish′ent, adj. capable of producing the desired result: effective.—n. the person or thing that effects.—ns. Effi′cience, Effi′ciency, power to produce the result intended, adequate fitness.—adv. Effi′ciently. [Fr.,—L. efficiens, -entis, pr.p. of efficĕre—ex, out, facĕre, to make.]

Effigy, ef′fi-ji, n. a likeness or figure of a person: the head or impression on a coin: resemblance—(arch.) Effig′ies.—Burn in effigy, to burn a figure of a person, expressing dislike or contempt. [Fr.,—L. effigies—effingĕre—ex, inten., fingĕre, to form.]

Effloresce, ef-flo-res′, v.i. to blossom forth: (chem.) to become covered with a white dust: to form minute crystals.—ns. Efflores′cence, Efflores′cency, production of flowers: the time of flowering: a redness of the skin: the formation of a white powder on the surface of bodies, or of minute crystals.—adj. Efflores′cent, forming a white dust on the surface: shooting into white threads. [L. efflorescĕre—ex, out, florescĕre, to blossom—flos, floris, a flower.]

Effluent, ef′floo-ent, adj. flowing out.—n. a stream that flows out of another stream or lake.—n. Ef′fluence, a flowing out: that which flows from any body: issue. [L. effluens, -entis, pr.p. of effluĕre—ex, out, fluĕre, to flow.]

Effluvium, ef-flōō′vi-um, n. minute particles that flow out from bodies: disagreeable vapours rising from decaying matter:—pl. Efflu′via.—adj. Efflu′vial. [Low L.,—L. effluĕre.]

Efflux, ef′fluks, n. act of flowing out: that which flows out.—Also Efflux′ion. [L. effluĕre, effluxum.]

Effoliation, e-fō-li-ā′shun, n. the removal or fall of the leaves of a plant.

Efforce, ef-fōrs′, v.t. (Spens.) to compel. [Fr. efforcer—Late L. effortiāre—ex, out, fortis, strong.]

Effort, ef′fort, n. a putting forth of strength: attempt: struggle.—adj. Ef′fortless, making no effort: passive. [Fr.,—L. ex, out, fortis, strong.]

Effrontery, ef-frunt′ėr-i, n. shamelessness: impudence: insolence. [O. Fr.,—L. effrons, effrontis—ex, out, frons, frontis, the forehead.]

Effulge, ef-fulj′, v.i. to shine forth: to beam:—pr.p. effulg′ing; pa.p. effulged′.—n. Efful′gence, great lustre or brightness: a flood of light.—adj. Efful′gent, shining forth: extremely bright: splendid.—adv. Efful′gently. [L. effulgēre, to shine out, pr.p. effulgens, -entis—ex, out, fulgēre, to shine.]

Effuse, ef-fūz′, v.t. to pour out: to pour forth, as words: to shed.—n. effusion, loss.—adj. loosely spreading, not compact, expanded.—n. Effū′sion, act of pouring out: that which is poured out or forth: quality of being effusive.—adj. Effū′sive, pouring forth abundantly: gushing: expressing emotion in a pronounced manner.—adv. Effū′sively.—n. Effū′siveness. [L. effundĕre, effusum—ex, out, fundĕre, to pour.]

Eft, eft, n. a kind of lizard: a newt. [A.S. efeta. Origin obscure. See Newt.]

Eft, eft, adv. (Spens.) afterwards, again, forthwith, moreover.—adv. Eftsoons′ (obs.), soon afterwards, forthwith. [A.S. æft, eft, after, again. See Aft.]

Egal, ē′gal, adj. (Shak.) equal.—n. Egal′ity, equality. [Fr. égalité—égal—L. æquus, equal.]

Egestion, ej-est′yun, n. the passing off of excreta from within the body.—v.t. Egest′, to discharge.—n.pl. Egest′a, things thrown out, excrements.—adj. Egest′ive. [L. egerĕre—e, out, gerĕre, to carry.]

Egg, eg, n. an oval body laid by birds and certain other animals, from which their young are produced: anything shaped like an egg.—ns. Egg′-app′le, or plant, the brinjal or aubergine, an East Indian annual with egg-shaped fruit; Egg′-bird, a sooty tern; Egg′-cō′sy, a covering put over boiled eggs to keep in the heat after being taken from the pot: Egg′-cup, a cup for holding an egg at table; Egg′er, Egg′ler, one who collects eggs; Egg′ery, a place where eggs are laid; Egg′-flip, a hot drink made of ale, with eggs, sugar, spice, &c.; Egg′-glass, a small sand-glass for regulating the boiling of eggs; Egg′-nog, a drink compounded of eggs and hot beer, spirits, &c.; Egg′-shell, the shell or calcareous substance which covers the eggs of birds; Egg′-slice, a kitchen utensil for lifting fried eggs out of a pan; Egg′-spoon, a small spoon used in eating eggs from the shell.—A bad egg (coll.), a worthless person; Put all one's eggs into one basket, to risk all on one enterprise; Take eggs for money, to be put off with mere promises of payment; Teach your grandmother to suck eggs, spoken contemptuously to one who would teach those older and wiser than himself; Tread upon eggs, to walk warily, to steer one's way carefully in a delicate situation. [A.S. æg; cf. Ice. egg, Ger. ei, perh. L. ovum, Gr. ōon.]

Egg, eg, v.t. to instigate. [Ice. eggja—egg, an edge; cog. with A.S. ecg. See Edge.]

Eglantine, eg′lan-tīn, n. a name given to the sweet-brier, and some other species of rose, whose branches are covered with sharp prickles. [Fr.,—O. Fr. aiglent, as if from a L. aculentus, prickly—acus, a needle, and suff. lentus.]

Ego, ē′gō, n. the 'I,' that which is conscious and thinks.—ns. E′gōism (phil.), the doctrine that we have proof of nothing but our own existence: (ethics), the theory of self-interest as the principle of morality: selfishness; E′gōist, one who holds the doctrine of egoism: one who thinks and speaks too much of himself.—adjs. Egōist′ic, -al, pertaining to or manifesting egoism.—ns. Egō′ity, the essential element of the ego; E′gōtheism, the deification of self.—v.i. E′gotise, to talk much of one's self.—ns. E′gotism, a frequent use of the pronoun I: speaking much of one's self: self-exaltation; E′gotist, one full of egotism.—adjs. Egotist′ic, -al, showing egotism: self-important: conceited.—adv. Egotist′ically. [L. ego, I.]

Egophony, ē-gof′o-ni, n. a tremulous resonance heard in auscultation in cases of pleurisy.—Also Ægoph′ony. [Gr. aix, a goat, phonē, voice.]

Egregious, e-grē′ji-us, adj. prominent: distinguished: outrageous: enormous (in bad sense).—adv. Egrē′giously.—n. Egrē′giousness. [L. egregius, chosen out of the flock—e, out, grex, gregis, a flock.]

Egress, ē′gres, n. act of going out: departure: the way out: the power or right to depart.—n. Egres′sion, the act of going out. [L. egredi, egressus—e, out, forth, and gradi, to go.]

Egyptian, ē-jip′shi-an, adj. belonging to Egypt.—n. a native of Egypt: a gipsy.—adj. Egyptolog′ical.—ns. Egyptol′ogist; Egyptol′ogy, the science of Egyptian antiquities.—Egyptian darkness, darkness like that of Exod. x. 22.

Eident, ī′dent, adj. busy: (Scot.) diligent. [M. E. ithen—Ice. iðinn, diligent.]

Eider, ī′dėr, n. the eider-duck, a northern sea-duck, sought after for its fine down.—n. Ei′der-down, the soft down of the eider-duck, used for stuffing quilts. [Prob. through Sw. from Ice. æðar, gen. of æðr, an eider-duck.]

Eidograph, ī′do-graf, n. an instrument for copying drawings. [Gr. eidos, form, graphein, to write.]

Eidolon, ī-dō′lon, n. an image: a phantom or apparition: a confusing reflection or reflected image:—pl. Eidō′la. [Gr. See Idol.]

Eiffel-tower, īf′el-tow′ėr, n. a colossal building—from the iron structure, 985 feet high, erected (1887-89) in the Champ-de-Mars at Paris by Gustave Eiffel.

Eight, āt, n. the cardinal number one above seven: the figure (8 or viii.) denoting eight.—adj. noting the number eight.—adjs. and ns. Eight′een, eight and ten, twice nine; Eight′eenmō, same as Octodecimo (q.v.); Eight′eenth, the ordinal number corresponding to eighteen.—n. Eight′foil (her.), an eight-leaved grass.—adjs. Eight′fold, eight times any quantity; Eighth, the ordinal number corresponding to eight.—n. an eighth part.—adv. Eighth′ly, in the eighth place.—adjs. and ns. Eight′ieth, the ordinal number corresponding to eighty; Eight′y, eight times ten, fourscore.—An eight, a crew of a rowing-boat, consisting of eight oarsmen; An eight-oar, or simply Eight, the boat itself; An eight days, a week; Figure of eight, a figure shaped like an 8 made in skating; Piece of eight, a Spanish coin; The eights, annual bumping boat-races which take place in the summer term in Oxford and Cambridge between the various colleges. [A.S. eahta; Ger. acht, L. octo, Gr. oktō.]

Eirenicon, ī-rē′ni-kon, n. a proposal calculated to promote peace.—adj. Eirē′nic. [Gr.,—eirēnē, peace.]

Eisteddfod, es-teth′vod, n. a congress of Welsh bards and musicians held in various towns for the preservation and cultivation of national poetry and music. [W.; lit. 'session,' eistedd, to sit.]

Either, ē′thėr, or ī′thėr, adj. or pron. the one or the other: one of two: each of two.—conj. correlative to or: (B.) or. [A.S. ǽgðer, a contr. of ǽghthwæðer=á, aye, the pfx. ge-, and hwæther, the mod. whether. See also Each.]

Ejaculate, e-jak′ū-lāt, v.t. to eject: to utter with suddenness.—v.i. to utter ejaculations.—n. Ejaculā′tion, a sudden utterance in prayer or otherwise: what is so uttered.—adjs. Ejac′ulative; Ejac′ulatory, uttered in short, earnest sentences. [L. e, out, and jaculāri, -ātus—jacĕre, to throw.]

Eject, e-jekt′, v.t. to cast out: to dismiss: to dispossess of: to expel.—ns. E′ject, a coinage of Prof. Clifford for an inferred existence, a thing thrown out of one's own consciousness, as distinguished from object, a thing presented in one's consciousness; Ejec′tion, discharge: expulsion: state of being ejected: vomiting: that which is ejected.—adj. Ejec′tive.—ns. Eject′ment, expulsion; dispossession: (law) an action for the recovery of the possession of land; Eject′or, one who ejects or dispossesses another of his land: any mechanical apparatus for ejecting. [L. ejectāre, freq. of ejicĕre, ejectum—e, out, jacĕre, to throw.]

Eke, ēk, v.t. to add to or increase: to lengthen.—n. E′king, act of adding: what is added.—Eke out, to supplement: to prolong. [A.S. écan, akin to L. augēre, to increase.]

Eke, ēk, adv. in addition to: likewise. [A.S. éac; Ger. auch; from root of eke, v.t.]

Elaborate, e-lab′or-āt, v.t. to labour on: to produce with labour: to take pains with: to improve by successive operations.—adj. wrought with labour: done with fullness and exactness: highly finished.—adv. Elab′orately.—ns. Elab′orateness; Elaborā′tion, act of elaborating: refinement: the process by which substances are formed in the organs of animals or plants.—adj. Elab′orative.—ns. Elab′orator, one who elaborates; Elab′oratory=Laboratory. [L. elaborāre, -ātum—e, out, laborāre—labor, labour.]

Eland, ē′land, n. the South African antelope, resembling the elk in having a protuberance on the larynx. [Dut.; Ger. elend, the elk—Lith. élnis, the elk.]

Elapse, e-laps′, v.i. to slip or glide away: to pass silently, as time.—n. Elap′sion. [L. elapsus, elabi—e, out, away, labi, lapsus, to slide.]

Elasmobranchiate, e-las-mo-brang′ki-āt, adj. pertaining to a class, subclass, or order of fishes including sharks and skates, having lamellar branchiæ or plate-like gills.

Elastic, e-las′tik, adj. having a tendency to recover the original form: springy: able to recover quickly a former state or condition after a shock: flexible: yielding.—n. a piece of string, cord, &c. made elastic by having india-rubber woven in it.—adv. Elas′tically.—ns. Elastic′ity, springiness: power to recover from depression; Elas′ticness. [Coined from Gr. elastikos, elaunein, fut. elasein, to drive.]

Elate, e-lāt′, adj. lifted up: puffed up with success: exalted.—v.t. to raise or exalt: to elevate: to make proud.—adv. Elat′edly.—ns. Elat′edness; El′ater, an elastic filament in certain liverworts and scale-mosses: a skip-jack beetle; Elatē′rium, a substance contained in the juice of the fruit of the squirting cucumber, yielding the purgative Elat′erin; Elā′tion, pride resulting from success. [L. elātus, pa.p. of efferre—e, out, ferre, to carry.]

Elbow, el′bō, n. the joint where the arm bows or bends: any sharp turn or bend.—v.t. to push with the elbow: to jostle.—ns. El′bow-chair, an arm-chair; El′bow-grease, humorously applied to vigorous rubbing; El′bow-room, room to extend the elbows: space enough for moving or acting: freedom.—At one's elbow, close at hand; Be out at elbow, to wear a coat ragged at the elbows; Up to the elbows, completely engrossed. [A.S. elnboga—el-, allied to L. ulna, the arm, boga, a bend—bugan, to bend. See Ell; Bow, n. and v.t.]

Elchee, elt′shi, n. an ambassador.—Also El′chi, Elt′chi. [Turk.]

Elder, eld′ėr, n. a genus of plants consisting chiefly of shrubs and trees, with pinnate leaves, small flowers (of which the corolla is wheel-shaped and five-cleft), and three-seeded berries—the Common Elder is the Scotch Bourtree.—ns. Eld′er-berr′y, the acidulous purple-black drupaceous fruit of the elder; Eld′er-gun, a popgun made of elder-wood by extracting the pith; Eld′er-wine, a pleasant wine made from elder-berries.—Elder-flower water, distilled water, with an agreeable odour, made from the flowers. [A.S. ellærn, ellen.]

Elder, eld′ėr, adj. older: having lived a longer time: prior in origin.—n. one who is older: an ancestor: one advanced to office on account of age: one of a class of office-bearers in the Presbyterian Church—equivalent to the presbyters of the New Testament.—n. Eld′erliness.—adj. Eld′erly, somewhat old: bordering on old age.—n. Eld′ership, state of being older: the office of an elder.—adj. Eld′est, oldest. [A.S. eldra, yldra, comp. of eald, old.]

El Dorado, el dō-rä′dō, the golden land of imagination of the Spanish conquerors of America: any place where wealth is easily to be made. [Sp. el, the, dorado, pa.p. of dorar, to gild.]

Eldritch, el′drich, adj. (Scot.) weird, hideous. [Der. obscure: perh. conn. with elf.]

Eleatic, el-e-at′ik, adj. noting a school of philosophers, specially connected with Elea, a Greek city of Lower Italy, and including Zenophanes, Parmenides, and Zeno.—n. one belonging to this school.

Elecampane, el′e-kam-pān′, n. a composite plant allied to Aster, formerly much cultivated for its medicinal root. [Formed from Low L. enula campana.]

Elect, e-lekt′, v.t. to choose out: to select for any office or purpose: to select by vote.—adj. chosen: taken by preference from among others: chosen for an office but not yet in it (almost always after the noun, as 'consul elect').—n. one chosen or set apart.—n. Elec′tion, the act of electing or choosing: the public choice of a person for office, usually by the votes of a constituent body: freewill: (theol.) the exercise of God's sovereign will in the predetermination of certain persons to salvation: (B.) those who are elected.—v.i. Electioneer′, to labour to secure the election of a candidate.—n. Electioneer′er.—n. and adj. Electioneer′ing, the soliciting of votes and other business of an election.—adj. Elect′ive, pertaining to, dependent on, or exerting the power of choice.—adv. Elect′ively.—ns. Electiv′ity; Elect′or, one who elects: one who has a vote at an election: the title formerly belonging to those princes and archbishops of the German Empire who had the right to elect the Emperor:—fem. Elect′ress, Elect′oress.—adjs. Elect′oral, Electō′rial, pertaining to elections or to electors: consisting of electors.—ns. Elect′orate, the dignity or the territory of an elector: the body of electors; Elect′orship.—The elect (theol.), those chosen by God for salvation. [L. e, out, legĕre, to choose.]

Electric, e-lek′trik, adj. pertaining to or produced by electricity.—n. any electric substance: a non-conductor of electricity, as amber, glass, &c.—adj. Elec′trical.—adv. Elec′trically.—ns. Elec′tric-eel (see Gymnotus); Electri′cian, one who studies, or is versed in, the science of electricity; Electric′ity, name of the cause of certain phenomena of attraction and repulsion: the phenomena themselves: the science which investigates the nature and laws of these phenomena.—adj. Elec′trifīable.—n. Electrificā′tion.—v.t. Elec′trify, to communicate electricity to: to excite suddenly: to astonish: to adapt to electricity as the motive power:—pa.p. elec′trified.—n. Elec′trisation.—v.t. Elec′trīse, to electrify.—ns. Elec′trode, either of the poles of a galvanic battery; Elec′trolier, a device for suspending a group of incandescent lamps; Elec′trum, amber: an alloy of gold and silver.—Electric railway, a railway on which electricity is the motive-power; Electric spark, one of the forms in which accumulated electricity discharges itself; Electric storm, a violent disturbance in the electrical condition of the earth. [L. electrum—Gr. elektron, amber, in which electricity was first observed.]

Electro-biology, e-lek′tro-bī-ol′o-ji, n. the science which treats of the electricity developed in living organisms: that view of animal magnetism according to which the actions, feelings, &c. of a person are controlled by the will of the operator.—adj. Elec′tro-ballis′tic, of an apparatus for determining by electricity the velocity of a projectile.—ns. Elec′tro-biol′ogist; Elec′tro-chem′istry, that branch of chemical science which treats of the agency of electricity in effecting chemical changes.—v.t. Elec′trocute, to inflict a death penalty by means of electricity.—ns. Electrocū′tion, capital punishment by electricity; Elec′tro-dynam′ics, the branch of physics which treats of the action of electricity; Elec′tro-dynamom′eter, an instrument for measuring the strength of electro-dynamic action; Elec′tro-engrav′ing, an etching process in which the etched plate is placed in an electro-bath to deepen the 'bite;' Elec′tro-gild′ing, electroplating with gold; Elec′tro-kinet′ics, that branch of science which treats of electricity in motion; Electrol′ogy, the science of applied electricity.—v.t. Elec′trolyse, to subject to electrolysis.—ns. Electrol′ysis, the process of chemical decomposition by electricity; Elec′trolyte, a body which admits of electrolysis.—adj. Electrolyt′ic.—n. Elec′tro-mag′net, a piece of soft iron rendered magnetic by a current of electricity passing through a coil of wire wound round it.—adj. Elec′tro-magnet′ic.—ns. Elec′tro-mag′netism, a branch of science which treats of the relation of electricity to magnetism; Elec′tro-met′allurgy, a name given to certain processes by which electricity is applied to the working of metals, as in electroplating and electrotyping; Electrom′eter, an instrument for measuring the quantity of electricity.—adjs. Electromet′ric, -al, pertaining to the measurement of electricity.—ns. Electrom′etry, the science of electrical measurements; Elec′tro-mō′tion, the passage of an electric current in a voltaic circuit: motion produced by electricity employed as power.—adjs. Elec′tro-mō′tive, pertaining to the motion of electricity or the laws governing it.—n. Elec′tro-mō′tor, an apparatus for applying electricity as a motive-power.—adj. Elec′tro-neg′ative, appearing, as an element in electrolysis, at the positive electrode: having the property of becoming negatively electrified by contact with a dissimilar substance.—ns. Elec′trophōne, an instrument for producing sounds resembling trumpet-tones by electric currents of high tension; Electroph′orus, an instrument for obtaining statical electricity by means of induction; Elec′tro-physiol′ogy, the study of the electric phenomena of living organisms.—v.t. Elec′troplate, to plate or cover with silver by electrolysis.—n. Elec′troplating.—adjs. Elec′tro-pō′lar, having, as an electrical conductor, one end or surface positive and the other negative; Elec′tro-pos′itive, attracted by bodies negatively electrified, or by the negative pole of a voltaic battery: assuming positive potential when in contact with another substance.—ns. Elec′troscope, an instrument for detecting the presence of electricity in a body and the nature of it; Elec′tro-stat′ics, that branch of science which treats of electricity at rest; Elec′tro-tint, a style of etching by means of galvanism; Elec′trotype, the art of copying an engraving or type on a metal deposited by electricity.—adj. Electrotyp′ic.—ns. Elec′trotypist; Elec′trotypy, the art of copying.—adj. Elec′tro-vī′tal, electrical and dependent upon vital processes.

Electuary, e-lek′tū-ar-i, n. a composition of medicinal powders with honey or sugar. [Low L. electuarium—Gr. ekleikton—ekleichein, to lick up.]

Eleemosynary, el-e-mos′i-nar-i, adj. relating to charity or almsgiving: dependent on charity: given in charity. [Gr. eleēmosynē, compassionateness, alms—eleos, pity. See Alms.]

Elegant, el′e-gant, adj. pleasing to good taste: graceful: neat: refined: nice: richly ornamental.—ns. El′egance, El′egancy, the state or quality of being elegant: the beauty of propriety: refinement: that which is elegant; Elegante (el-e-gangt′), a lady of fashion.—adv. El′egantly. [Fr.,—L. elegans, -antis—e, out, and root of legĕre, to choose.]

Elegy, el′e-ji, n. a song of mourning: a funeral-song: a poem written in elegiac metre.—adj. Elegī′ac, belonging to elegy: mournful: used in elegies, esp. noting the kind of metre, alternate hexameter and pentameter lines.—n. elegiac verse.—adj. Elegī′acal.—ns. Elē′giast, El′egist, a writer of elegies.—v.i. El′egīse, to write an elegy.—v.t. to write an elegy on. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. elegos, a lament.]

Element, el′e-ment, n. a first principle: one of the essential parts of anything: an ingredient: the proper state or sphere of any thing or being: (pl.) the rudiments of learning: the bread and wine used in the Eucharist: fire, air, earth, and water, supposed by the ancients to be the foundation of everything: (chem.) the simplest known constituents of all compound substances: (astron.) those numerical quantities, and those principles deduced from astronomical observations and calculations, which are employed in the construction of tables exhibiting the planetary motions.—adj. Element′al, pertaining to elements or first principles: fundamental: belonging to or produced by elements.—n. Element′alism, the theory which resolves the divinities of antiquity into the elemental powers.—adv. Element′ally.—adj. Element′ary, of a single element: primary: uncompounded: pertaining to the elements: treating of first principles.—Elemental spirits, beings in medieval belief who presided over the four 'elements,' living in and ruling them. [Fr.,—L. elementum, pl. elementà, first principles.]

Elemi, el′em-i, n. a fragrant resinous substance, obtained from the Manila pitch-tree, Arbol de la Brea.—n. El′emin, the crystallisable portion of elemi. [Cf. Fr. élémi, Sp. elemi; perh. Ar.]

Elench, e-lengk′, Elenchus, e-lengk′us, n. refutation: a sophism.—adjs. Elench′ic, -al, Elenc′tic. [L.,—Gr. elengchos—elengchein, to refute.]

Elephant, el′e-fant, n. the largest quadruped, having a very thick skin, a trunk, and two ivory tusks: a special size of paper.—ns. Elephan′tiac, one affected with elephantiasis; Elephantī′asis, a disease chiefly of tropical climates, consisting of an overgrowth of the skin and connective tissue of the parts affected, with occasional attacks of inflammation resembling erysipelas.—adjs. Elephant′ine, pertaining to an elephant: like an elephant: very large or ungainly; Elephant′oid, elephant-like.—ns. El′ephant-seal, the largest of the seals, the male measuring about 20 feet in length; El′ephant's-foot, a plant of which the root-stock forms a large fleshy mass resembling an elephant's foot, used as food by the Hottentots; El′ephant-shrew, name applied to a number of long-nosed, long-legged Insectivora, natives of Africa, and notable for their agile jumping over loose sand.—A white elephant, a gift which occasions the recipient more trouble than it is worth—a white elephant being a common gift of the kings of Siam to a courtier they wished to ruin. [M. E. olifaunt—O. Fr. olifant—L. elephantum, elephas, -antis—Gr. elephas, acc. to some from Heb. eleph, aleph, an ox.]

Eleusinian, el-ū-sin′i-an, adj. relating to Eleusis in Attica.—Eleusinian mysteries, the mysteries of Demeter celebrated at Eleusis.

Eleutheromania, el-ūth-er-o-mā′ni-a, n. mad zeal for freedom.—n. Eleutheromā′niac (Carlyle), one possessed with such. [Formed from Gr. eleutheros, free, and mania.]

Elevate, el′e-vāt, v.t. to raise to a higher position: to raise in mind and feelings: to improve: to cheer: to exhilarate: to intoxicate.—p.adjs. El′evate, -d, raised: dignified: exhilarated.—ns. Elevā′tion, the act of elevating or raising, or the state of being raised: exaltation: an elevated place or station: a rising ground: height: (archit.) a representation of the flat side of a building, drawn with mathematical accuracy, but without any attention to effect: (astron., geog.) the height above the horizon of an object on the sphere, measured by the arc of a vertical circle through it and the zenith: (gun.) the angle made by the line of direction of a gun with the plane of the horizon; El′evator, the person or thing that lifts up: a lift or machine for raising grain, &c., to a higher floor: a muscle raising a part of the body.—adj. El′evatory, able or tending to raise. [L. elevāre, -ātum—e, out, up, levāre, to raise—levis, light. See Light (2).]

Eleven, e-lev′n, n. the cardinal number next above ten: the figure (11 or xi.) denoting eleven: a team of eleven cricketers.—adj. noting the number eleven.—adj. and n. Elev′enth, the ordinal number corresponding to eleven.—Eleventh hour, the very last moment, referring to Matt. xx. 6, 9. [A.S. endleofon; cf. Goth. ainlif.]

Elf, elf, n. in European folklore, a supernatural being, generally of human form but diminutive size, more malignant than a fairy: a dwarf: a tricky being:—(pl.) Elves.—v.t. (Shak.) of the hair, to entangle.—n. Elf′-child, a changeling, or a child supposed to have been left by elves in place of one stolen by them.—adj. Elf′in, of or relating to elves.—n. a little elf: a child.—adjs. Elf′ish, Elv′an, Elv′ish, elf-like, mischievous: tricky: disguised.—n. Elf′-land, the land of the elves or fairies.—n.pl. Elf′-locks (Shak.) locks of hair clotted together, supposed to have been done by elves.—ns. Elf′-shot, Elf′-bolt, Elf′-ar′row, an arrow-head of flint or stone. [A.S. ælf; cf. Ice. álfr, Sw. elf.]

Elicit, e-lis′it, v.t. to entice: to bring to light: to deduce.—n. Elicitā′tion. [L. elicĕre, elicitum.]

Elide, e-līd′, v.t. to rebut: to cut off, as a syllable.—n. Eli′sion, the suppression of a vowel or syllable. [L. elidĕre, elisum—e, out, lædĕre, to strike.]

Eligible, el′i-ji-bl, adj. fit or worthy to be chosen: legally qualified: desirable.—n. (coll.) a person or thing eligible.—ns. El′igibleness, Eligibil′ity, fitness to be elected or chosen: the state of being preferable to something else: desirableness.—adv. El′igibly. [Fr.,—L. eligĕre. See Elect, v.t.]

Eliminate, ē-lim′in-āt, v.t. to thrust out: to remove, cancel: to leave out of consideration.—adj. Elim′inable.—n. Eliminā′tion. [L. eliminăre, -ātum—e, out, limen, liminis, a threshold.]

Elite, ā-lēt, n. a chosen or select part: the best of anything. [Fr. élite—L. electa (pars, a part, understood). See Elect, v.t.]

Elixir, e-liks′ėr, n. more fully, Elixir vitæ, or Elixir of life, a liquor once supposed to have the power of indefinitely prolonging life or of transmuting metals: the quintessence of anything: a substance which invigorates: (med.) a compound tincture. [Low L.,—Ar. al-iksīr, the philosopher's stone, from al-, the, iksīr, prob. from Late Gr. xērion, a desiccative powder for wounds—Gr. xēros, dry.]

Elizabethan, e-liz-a-beth′an, adj. pertaining to Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) or her time—of dress, manners, literature, &c.—n. a poet or dramatist of that age.—Elizabethan architecture, a name applied to the mixed style which sprang up on the decline of Gothic, marked by Tudor bow-windows and turrets decorated with classic cornices and pilasters, long galleries, enormous square windows, large apartments, plaster ceilings wrought into compartments, &c.

Elk, elk, n. the largest species of deer, found in the north of Europe and in North America.—Irish elk, a giant deer now extinct, known from the remains found in the Pleistocene diluvium, esp. of Ireland. [Perh. from the Scand., Ice. elgr, Sw. elg.]

Ell, el, n. a measure of length originally taken from the arm: a cloth measure equal to 1¼ yd.—n. Ell′wand, a measuring rod.—Give him an inch and he'll take an ell, a proverb, signifying that to yield one point entails the yielding of all. [A.S. eln; Dut. el, Ger. elle, L. ulna, Gr. ōlenē.]

Elleborin, el′ē-bō-rin, n. a very acrid resin found in winter hellebore.

Ellipse, el-lips′, n. an oval: (geom.) a figure produced by the section of a cone by a plane passing obliquely through the opposite sides.—ns. Ellip′sis (gram.), a figure of syntax by which a word or words are left out and implied:—pl. Ellip′sēs; Ellip′sograph, an instrument for describing ellipses; Ellip′soid (math.), a surface every plane section of which is an ellipse.—adjs. Ellipsoi′dal; Ellip′tic, -al, pertaining to an ellipse: oval: pertaining to ellipsis: having a part understood.—adv. Ellip′tically.—n. Elliptic′ity, deviation from the form of a circle or sphere: of the earth, the difference between the equatorial and polar diameters. [L.,—Gr. elleipsis—elleipein, to fall short—en, in, leipein, to leave.]

Elm, elm, n. a genus of trees of the natural order Ulmaceæ, with serrated leaves unequal at the base, and small flowers growing in clusters appearing before the leaves.—adjs. Elm′en, made of elm; Elm′y, abounding with elms. [A.S. elm; Ger. ulme, L. ulmus.]

Elmo's fire, el′mōz fīr, n. the popular name of an electric appearance sometimes seen like a brush or star of light at the tops of masts, spars, &c.—Also known as the Fire of St Elias, of St Clara, of St Nicholas, and of Helena, as well as composite or composant (corpus sanctum) on the Suffolk sea-board. [Explained as a corr. of Helena, name of the sister of Castor and Pollux, or of St Erasmus, a 3d-cent. bishop, Italianised as Ermo, Elmo.]

Elocution, el-o-kū′shun, n. the art of effective speaking, more esp. of public speaking, regarding solely the utterance or delivery: eloquence.—adj. Elocū′tionary.—n. Elocū′tionist, one versed in elocution: a teacher of elocution. [Fr.,—L. elocution-em, eloqui, elocūtus—e, out, loqui, to speak.]

Éloge, ā-lōzh′, Elogium, ē-lō′ji-um, Elogy, el′o-ji, n. a funeral oration: a panegyric.—n. El′ogist, one who delivers an éloge. [Fr. éloge—L. elogium, a short statement, an inscription on a tomb, perh. confused with eulogy.]

Elohim, e-lō′him, n. the Hebrew name for God.—n. Elō′hist, the writer or writers of the Elohistic passages of the Old Testament.—adj. Elohist′ic, relating to Elohim—said of those passages in the Old Testament in which Elohim is used as the name for the Supreme Being instead of Jehovah. [Heb., pl. of Eloah—explained by Delitzsch as a plural of intensity.]

Eloin, Eloign, e-loin′, v.t. to convey to a distance, to separate and remove.—ns. Eloin′ment, Eloign′ment. [O. Fr. esloignier (Fr. éloigner)—Low L. elongāre. See Elongate.]

Elongate, e-long′gāt, v.t. to make longer: to extend.—p.adjs. Elong′ate, -d.—n. Elongā′tion, act of lengthening out: distance. [Low L. elongāre, -ātum—e, out, longus, long.]

Elope, e-lōp, v.i. to escape privately, said esp. of a woman, either married or unmarried, who runs away with a lover: to run away, bolt.—n. Elope′ment, a secret departure, esp. of a woman with a man. [Cf. Old Dut. ontlōpen, Ger. entlaufen, to run away.]

Eloquent, el′o-kwent, adj. having the power of speaking with fluency, elegance, and force: containing eloquence: persuasive.—n. El′oquence, the utterance of strong emotion in correct, appropriate, expressive, and fluent language: the art which produces fine speaking: persuasive speech.—adv. El′oquently. [L. eloquens, -entis, pr.p. of eloqui.]

Else, els, pron. other.—adv. otherwise: besides: except that mentioned.—advs. Else′where, in or to another place; Else′wise, in a different manner: otherwise. [A.S. elles, otherwise—orig. gen. of el, other; cf. Old High Ger. alles or elles.]

Elsin, el′sin, n. (Scot.) an awl. [From Old Dut. elssene (mod. els), from same root as awl.]

Elucidate, e-lū′si-dāt, v.t. to make lucid or clear: to throw light upon: to illustrate.—n. Elucidā′tion.—adjs. Elū′cidative, Elū′cidatory, making clear: explanatory.—n. Elū′cidator. [Low L. elucidāre, -ātum—e, inten., lucidus, clear.]

Elude, e-lūd′, v.t. to escape by stratagem: to baffle.—adj. Elū′dible.—n. Elū′sion, act of eluding: evasion.—adj. Elū′sive, practising elusion: deceptive.—adv. Elū′sively.—n. Elū′soriness.—adj. Elū′sory, tending to elude or cheat: evasive: deceitful. [L. eludĕre, elusum—e, out, ludĕre, to play.]

Elul, ē′lul, n. the 12th month of the Jewish civil year, and 6th of the ecclesiastical. [Heb.,—âlal, to reap.]

Elutriate, e-lū′tri-āt, v.t. to separate by means of water the finer particles of earth and pigments from the heavier portions.—ns. Elū′tion, washing from impurity; Elutriā′tion. [L. elutriāre, -ātum, to wash out, eluĕre—e, out, luĕre, to wash.]

Elvan, elv′an, n. the miner's name in the south-west of England for a granular crystalline rock, composed of quartz and orthoclase, which forms veins associated with granite.—Also Elv′anite. [Prob. Corn. elven, spark.]

Elysium, e-lizh′i-um, n. (myth.) among the Greeks, the abode of the blessed after death: any delightful place.—adj. Elys′ian, pertaining to Elysium: delightful: glorious. [L.,—Gr. ēlysion (pedion), the Elysian (plain).]

Elytrum, el′it-rum, n. the fore-wing of beetles, modified to form more or less hard coverings for the hind pair—also El′ytron:—pl. El′ytra.—adjs. El′ytral; Elyt′riform; Elytrig′erous. [Gr. elytron, a sheath.]

Elzevir, el′ze-vir, adj. published by the Elzevirs, a celebrated family of printers at Amsterdam, Leyden, and other places in Holland, whose small neat editions were chiefly published between 1592 and 1681: pertaining to the type used in their 12mo and 16mo editions of the Latin classics.—n. a special form of printing types.

Em, em, n. the name of the letter M: (print.) the unit of measurement in estimating how much is printed on a page.

'Em, ėm, pron. him: (coll.) them. [Orig. the unstressed form of hem, dat. and accus. pl. of he; but now used coll. as an abbreviation of them.]

Emaciate, e-mā′shi-āt, v.t. to make meagre or lean: to deprive of flesh: to waste.—v.i. to become lean: to waste away.—p.adjs. Emā′ciate, -d.—n. Emaciā′tion, the condition of becoming emaciated or lean: leanness. [L. emaciāre, -ātum—e, inten., maciāre, to make lean—macies, leanness.]

Emanate, em′a-nāt, v.i. to flow out or from: to proceed from some source: to arise.—adj. Em′anant, flowing from.—ns. Emanā′tion, a flowing out from a source, as the universe considered as issuing from the essence of God: the generation of the Son and the procession of the Spirit, as distinct from the origination of created beings: that which issues or proceeds from some source; Em′anatist.—adjs. Em′anative, Em′anatory, Emanā′tional. [L. emanāre, -ātum—e, out from, manāre, to flow.]

Emancipate, e-man′si-pāt, v.t. to set free from servitude: to free from restraint or bondage of any kind.—ns. Emancipā′tion, the act of setting free from bondage or disability of any kind: the state of being set free; Emancipā′tionist, an advocate of the emancipation of slaves; Eman′cipator; Eman′cipist, a convict who has served his time of punishment in a penal colony. [L. emancipāre, -ātum—e, away from, mancipāre, to transfer property—manceps, -cipis, one who gets property, from manus, the hand, capĕre, to take.]

Emarginate, e-mär′jin-āt, v.t. to take away the margin of.—p.adj. (bot.) depressed and notched instead of pointed at the summit, as a leaf: (min.) having all the edges of the primitive form crossed by a face: (zool.) having the margin broken by a notch or segment of a circle.—n. Emarginā′tion. [L. emargināre, -ātum—e, out, margināre, to provide with a margin—margo, a margin.]

Emasculate, e-mas′kū-lāt, v.t. to deprive of the properties of a male: to castrate: to deprive of masculine vigour: to render effeminate.—ns. Emasculā′tion; Emas′culātor.—adj. Emas′culātory. [Low L. emasculāre, -ātum—e, neg., masculus, dim. of mas, a male.]

Embale, em-bāl′, v.t. to make up, as into a bale: to bind up: to enclose. [Fr. emballer—em—L. in, balle, a bale.]

Embalm, em-bäm′, v.t. to preserve from decay by aromatic drugs, as a dead body: to perfume: to preserve with care and affection.—ns. Embalm′er; Embalm′ing; Embalm′ment. [Fr. embaumer, from em, in, and baume. See Balm.]

Embank, em-bangk′, v.t. to enclose or defend with a bank or dike.—n. Embank′ment, the act of embanking: a bank or mound made to keep water within certain limits: a mound constructed so as to carry a level road or railway over a low-lying place. [Coined from em, in, and bank.]

Embar, em-bär′, v.t. to shut in; to hinder or stop:—pr.p. embar′ring; pa.p. embarred′.—n. Embar′ring.

Embargo, em-bär′gō, n. a temporary order from the Admiralty to prevent the arrival or departure of ships: a stoppage of trade for a short time by authority:—pl. Embar′goes.—v.t. to lay an embargo on: to seize.—pr.p. embar′gōing; pa.p. embar′gōed. [Sp.,—embargar, to impede, to restrain—Sp. em, in, barra, a bar. See Barricade and Embarrass.]

Embark, em-bärk′, v.t. to put on board ship: to engage in any affair.—v.i. to go on board ship: to engage in a business: to enlist.—n. Embarkā′tion, a putting or going on board: that which is embarked: (obs.) a vessel.—p.adjs. Embarked′; Embark′ing.—n. Embark′ment. [Fr. embarquer, from em, in, barque, a bark.]

Embarrass, em-bar′as, v.t. to encumber: to involve in difficulty, esp. in money matters: to perplex.—p.adj. Embarr′assed, perplexed: constrained.—n. Embarr′assment, perplexity or confusion: difficulties in money matters.—Embarras des richesses, a superabundance of materials, an abundance so great that choice is difficult. [Fr. embarrasser—em, in, barre, bar.]

Embase, em-bāz′, v.t. (obs.) to bring down: to degrade.—p.adj. Embased′.—n. Embase′ment. [Em and base.]

Embassy, em′bas-i, n. the charge or function of an ambassador: the person or persons sent on an undertaking.—ns. Em′bassade, Em′bassage (same as Ambassage); Embass′ador (same as Ambassador).

Embattle, em-bat′l, v.t. to furnish with battlements.—p.adj. Embatt′led, furnished with battlements: (her.) having the outline like a battlement.—n. Embatt′lement (same as Battlement). [Em, and O. Fr. bastiller, from the same root as battlement, bastille, and baste, to sew. The form of this word is due to a confusion with Eng. battle.]

Embattle, em-bat′l, v.t. to range in order of battle: to arm—p.adj. Embatt′led, arranged for battle. [O. Fr. embataillier—en, in, bataille, battle.]

Embay, em-bā′, v.t. to enclose in a bay: to land-lock.—n. Embay′ment, a bay. [Em, in, into, and bay.]

Embay, em-bā′, v.t. (Spens.) to bathe. [Em, in, and Fr. baigner. See Bagnio.]

Embed, em-bed′, Imbed, im-, v.t. to place in a mass of matter: to lay, as in a bed.—n. Embed′ment, the act of embedding: state of being embedded.

Embellish, em-bel′ish, v.t. to make beautiful with ornaments: to decorate: to make graceful: to illustrate pictorially, as a book.—n. Embell′isher.—adv. Embell′ishingly.—n. Embell′ishment, act of embellishing or adorning: decoration: ornament. [Fr. embellir, embellissant—em, in, bel, beau, beautiful.]

Ember, em′bėr, n. a live piece of coal or wood: chiefly in pl. red-hot ashes: smouldering remains of a fire. [A.S. ǽmerge; Ice. eimyrja. The b is simply euphonic.]

Ember-days, em′bėr-dāz, n.pl. the three Fast-days in each quarter (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday)—following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday, Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14th), and St Lucia's Day (Dec. 13th).—n. Em′ber-week, the week in which the ember-days occur. [A.S. ymbryne, a circuit—ymb, round (Ger. um, L. ambi-), and ryne, a running, from rinnan, to run.]

Ember-goose, em′bėr-gōōs, n. a kind of sea-fowl, the Great Northern Diver. [Norw. emmer; Ger. imber.]

Embezzle, em-bez′l, v.t. to appropriate fraudulently what has been entrusted.—ns. Embezz′lement, fraudulent appropriation of another's property by the person to whom it was entrusted; Embezz′ler. [Perh. from root of imbecile, the primary sense being to weaken: (obs.) Bezz′le, to squander, from O. Fr. besiler, to destroy, is the same word.]

Embitter, em-bit′ėr, Imbitter, im-, v.t. to make bitter: to increase (ill-feeling).—p.adj. Embitt′ered, soured.—n. Embitt′erer.—p.adj. Embitt′ering.—n. Embitt′erment.

Emblazon, em-blā′zn, v.t. to deck in blazing colours: (her.) to blazon or adorn with figures: to depict heraldically.—v.t. Emblaze′, to illuminate.—ns. Emblā′zoner; Emblā′zonment, an emblazoning; Emblā′zonry, the art of emblazoning or adorning: devices on shields. [Em, and blaze, blazon.]

Emblem, em′blem, n. a picture representing to the mind something different from itself: a type or symbol: (Milton) an inlaid ornament.—v.t. to symbolise.—n. Emblē′ma, an inlaid ornament:—pl. Emblē′mata.—adjs. Emblemat′ic, -al, pertaining to or containing emblems: symbolical: representing.—adv. Emblemat′ically.—v.t. Emblem′atise, Em′blemise, to represent by an emblem:—pr.p. emblem′atīsing; pa.p. emblem′atīsed.—n. Emblem′atist, a writer or inventor of emblems. [L. emblēma—Gr. em (=en), in, ballein, to cast.]

Emblements, em′bl-ments, n.pl. crops raised by the labour of the cultivator, but not fruits nor grass. [O. Fr. emblaer, to sow with corn—Low L. imbladāre—in, in, bladum, wheat.]

Embody, em-bod′i, Imbody, im-, v.t. to form into a body: to make corporeal: to make tangible: to express (an idea in words): to organise.—v.i. to unite in a body or mass.—p.adj. Embod′ied.—n. Embod′iment, act of embodying: state of being embodied: that in which something is embodied. [Em, in, and body.]

Emboil, em-boil′, v.i. (Spens.) to burn with anger.—v.t. to cause to burn with anger: to irritate.

Embolden, em-bōld′n, Imbolden, im-, v.t. to make bold or courageous. [Em, to make, and bold.]

Embolism, em′bo-lizm, n. the insertion of days in an account of time to produce regularity: an intercalated prayer for deliverance from evil coming after the Lord's Prayer: (med.) the presence of obstructing clots in the blood-vessels.—adjs. Embolis′mal, Embolis′mic.—n. Em′bolus, the clot of fibrin obstructing a blood-vessel, causing embolism. [Fr.,—Gr. embolismos—emballein, to cast in.]

Embonpoint, ang-bong-pwang′, adj. stout, plump, full in figure, mostly of women: well-fed.—n. stoutness, plumpness, well-fed condition. [Fr.,—en bon point, in good form.]

Emboscata, em-bos-kā′ta, n. an erroneous form of It. imboscáta, an ambuscade.

Embosom, em-booz′um, Imbosom, im-, v.t. to take into the bosom: to receive into the affections: to enclose or surround. [Em, in, into, and bosom.]

Emboss, em-bos′, v.t. to produce (a raised pattern) by pressure upon sheet-metal, leather, cloth, &c.: to ornament with raised-work: (Spens.) to cover with armour: to be wrapped in.—p.adj. Embossed′, formed or covered with bosses: raised, standing out in relief: (bot.) having a protuberance in the centre.—ns. Emboss′er; Emboss′ment, a prominence like a boss: raised-work. [Em, in, into, and boss.]

Emboss, em-bos′, v.i. (Milton) to plunge into the depths of a wood.—v.t. to make to foam at the mouth. [O. Fr. embosquer, em—L. in, in, bosc, a wood. See Ambush.]

Embouchure, ang-boo-shür′, n. the mouth of a river: the mouth-hole of a wind musical instrument. [Fr.,—em-boucher, to put to the mouth—en, in, bouche, a mouth.]

Embow, em-bō′, v.t. and v.i. to bow or arch.—p.adj. Embowed′, arched, vaulted: bent like a bow: the heraldic term noting anything bent like a bow—as, e.g., the arm of a man. [Em and bow.]

Embowel, em-bow′el, v.t. properly, to enclose in something else; but also used for disembowel, to remove the entrails from:—pr.p. embow′elling; pa.p. embow′elled.—n. Embow′elment. [Em, in, into, and bowel.]

Embower, em-bow′er, Imbower, im-, v.t. to place in a bower: to shelter, as with trees.—p.adjs. Embow′ered; Embow′ering.—n. Embow′erment. [Em, in, and bower.]

Embrace, em-brās′, v.t. to take in the arms: to press to the bosom with affection: to take eagerly or willingly: to comprise: to admit, adopt, or receive.—v.i. to join in an embrace.—n. an embracing: fond pressure in the arms.—ns. Embrace′ment; Embrac′er.—adjs. Embrac′ing, Embrac′ive.—adv. Embrac′ingly.—n. Embrac′ingness. [O. Fr. embracer (Fr. embrasser)—L. in, in, into, bracchium, an arm. See Brace.]

Embrace, em-brās′, v.t. (Spens.) to brace, to fasten, or bind:—pr.p. embrac′ing; pa.p. embraced′. [Em, in, and brace.]

Embracer, em-brā′ser, n. (law) one who influences jurors by corrupt means to deliver a partial verdict—also Embrā′ceor, Embrā′sor.—n. Embrac′ery, the offence of an embracer. [O. Fr. embraceor, from embraser, to set on fire.]

Embranchment, em-bransh′ment, n. a branching off, as an arm of a river, a spur of a mountain, &c. [Fr.]

Embrangle, em-brang′gl, Imbrangle, im-, v.t. to confuse, perplex.—n. Embran′glement. [Em, in, and brangle.]

Embrasure, em-brā′zhūr, n. a door or window with the sides slanted on the inside: an opening in a wall for cannon. [Fr.,—O. Fr. embraser, to slope the sides of a window, em—L. in, braser, to skew.]

Embrave, em-brāv′, v.t. (Spens.) to make brave or showy, to decorate: to inspire with bravery.

Embreathe, em-brēth′, v.t. to breathe into, to inspire with. [En and breathe.]

Embrocate, em′brō-kāt, v.t. to moisten and rub, as a sore with a lotion.—n. Embrocā′tion, act of embrocating: the lotion used. [Low L. embrocāre, -ātum, from Gr. embrochē, a lotion—embrechein, to soak in—em (=en), in, into, brechein, to wet.]

Embroider, em-broid′ėr, v.t. to ornament with designs in needlework, originally on the border.—ns. Embroid′erer; Embroid′ery, the art of producing ornamental patterns by means of needlework on textile fabrics, &c.: ornamental needlework: variegation or diversity: artificial ornaments. [M. E. embrouderie—O. Fr. embroder, em, and broder, prob. Celt., acc. to Skeat. Bret. brouda, to pierce; confused with Fr. border, to border.]

Embroil, em-broil′, v.t. to involve in a broil, or in perplexity (with): to entangle: to distract: to throw into confusion.—n. Embroil′ment, a state of perplexity or confusion: disturbance. [Fr. embrouiller—em, in, brouiller, to break out.]

Embrown, em-brown′, Imbrown, im-, v.t. to make brown: to darken, obscure.—p.adj. Embrown′ing.

Embryo, em′bri-ō, Embryon, em′bri-on, n. the young of an animal in its earliest stages of development: the part of a seed which forms the future plant: the beginning of anything:—pl. Em′bryos, Em′bryons.—ns. Embryoc′tomy, destruction of the fetus in the uterus; Embryog′eny, the formation and development of the embryo; Embryog′raphy, description of the embryo.—adjs. Embryolog′ic, -al, of or pertaining to embryology.—ns. Embryol′ogist; Embryol′ogy, science of the embryo or fetus of animals.—adjs. Em′bryonate, -d, in the state of an embryo; Embryon′ic, Embryot′ic, of or relating to anything in an imperfect state: rudimentary.—ns. Embryot′omy, the division of a fetus to effect delivery; Embryul′cia, forcible extraction of a fetus. [Low L.,—Gr. embryon—em (=en), in, bryein, to swell.]

Emend, e-mend′, v.t. to remove faults or blemishes from: to correct or improve.—adj. Emend′able, that may be emended.—n.pl. Emend′als, funds set apart for repairs in the accounts of the Inner Temple.—v.t. Em′endate, to correct errors.—ns. Emendā′tion, removal of an error or fault: correction; Em′endātor, a corrector of errors in writings: one who corrects or improves.—adj. Emen′dātory, mending or contributing to correction. [L. emendāre, -ātum—e, out, menda, a fault.]

Emerald, em′ėr-ald, n. a very highly esteemed mineral of the same species with the beryl, from which it differs in scarcely anything but its colour, a beautiful velvety green.—n. Em′erald-copp′er (see Dioptase).—Emerald Isle, a name for Ireland, owing to its greenness; Emerald type (print.), a small size of type. [O. Fr. esmeralde—L. smaragdus—Gr. smaragdos.]

Emerge, e-mėrj′, v.i. to rise out of: to issue or come forth: to reappear after being concealed: to come into view: to result.—ns. Emer′gence, Emer′gency, act of emerging: sudden appearance: an unexpected occurrence: pressing necessity; Emer′gency-man, a man provided for any special service, esp. in Irish evictions, and in saving the crops and other property of men boycotted.—adj. Emer′gent, emerging: suddenly appearing: arising unexpectedly: urgent.—adv. Emer′gently.—n. Emer′sion, act of emerging: (astron.) the reappearance of a heavenly body after being eclipsed by another or by the sun's brightness. [L. emergĕre, emersum—e, out of, mergĕre, to plunge.]

Emeritus, e-mer′i-tus, adj. honourably discharged from the performance of public duty, esp. noting a retired professor.—n. one who has been honourably discharged from public duties:—pl. Emer′iti. [L. emeritus, having served one's time—emerēri, to deserve, do one's duty—e, sig. completeness, and merēre, to deserve.]

Emery, em′ėr-i, n. a very hard mineral, a variety of corundum, used as powder for polishing, &c.—v.t. to rub or coat with emery.—ns. Em′ery-pā′per, paper covered with emery-powder for polishing; Em′ery-pow′der, ground emery; Em′ery-wheel, a wheel coated with emery for polishing. [O. Fr. esmeril, emeril—Low L. smericulum—Gr. smēris—smaein, to rub.]

Emetic, e-met′ik, adj. causing vomiting.—n. a medicine that causes vomiting.—n. Em′esis, vomiting.—adj. Emet′ical.—adv. Emet′ically.—n. Em′etin, the alkaloid forming the active principle of ipecacuanha-root, violently emetic.—adj. Em′eto-cathart′ic, producing both vomiting and purging.—n. Emetol′ogy, the study of emesis and emetics, [Through L., from Gr. emetikos—emeein, to vomit.]

Emiction, e-mik′shun, n. the discharging of urine: urine.—adj. Emic′tory, promoting the flow of urine. [L. emingĕre, emictum—e, out, mingĕre, to make water.]

Emigrate, em′i-grāt, v.i. and v.t. to remove from one country to another as a place of abode.—adj. Em′igrant, emigrating or having emigrated.—n. one who emigrates.—n. Emigrā′tion.—adj. Emigrā′tional.—n. Emigrā′tionist, an advocate or promoter of emigration.—adj. Emigrā′tory.—n. Emigré (ā-mē-grā), a royalist who quitted France during the Revolution. [L. emigrāre, -ātum—e, from, migrāre, to remove.]

Eminent, em′i-nent, adj. rising above others: conspicuous: distinguished: exalted in rank or office.—ns. Em′inence, Em′inency, a part eminent or rising above the rest: a rising ground: height: distinction: a title of honour: homage: a title given in 1631 to cardinals, till then styled Most Illustrious.—adj. Eminen′tial.—adv. Em′inently.—Eminent domain (dominium eminens), the right by which the supreme authority in a state may compel a proprietor to part with what is his own for the public use. [L. eminens, -entis, pr.p. of eminēre—e, out, minēre, to project.]

Emir, em-ēr′, or ē′mir, n. a title given in the East and in the north of Africa to all independent chieftains, and also to all the supposed descendants of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima.—n. Em′irate, the office of an emir. [Ar. amīr, ruler.]

Emit, e-mit′, v.t. to send out: to throw or give out: in issue: to utter (a declaration):—pr.p. emit′ting; pa.p. emit′ted.—n. Em′issary, one sent out on a secret mission: a spy: an underground channel by which the water of a lake escapes.—adj. that is sent forth.—n. Emis′sion, the act of emitting: that which is issued at one time.—adjs. Emis′sive, Emis′sory, emitting, sending out.—Emission theory, the theory that all luminous bodies emit with equal velocities a number of elastic corpuscles, which travel in straight lines, are reflected, and are refracted. [L. emittĕre, emissum—e, out of, mittĕre, to send.]

Emmanuel, em-an′ū-el, Immanuel, im-, n. the symbolical name of the child announced by Isaiah (Isa. vii. 14), and applied to the Messiah (Matt. i. 23). [Heb.,—im, with, anu, us, el, God.]

Emmarble, em-mär′bl, v.t. to turn to marble, to petrify. [Em and marble.]

Emmenagogues, em-en′a-gogz, n.pl. medicines intended to restore, or to bring on for the first time, the menses.—adj. Emmenagog′ic (-goj′ik).—n. Emmenol′ogy, knowledge about menstruation. [Gr. emmēna, menses, agōgos, drawing forth.]

Emmetropia, em-e-trō′pi-a, n. the normal condition of the refractive media of the eye.—adj. Emmetropi′c. [Gr., en, in, metron, measure, ōps, the eye.]

Emmollient, e-mol′yent, adj. softening: making supple.—n. (med.) a substance used to soften the textures to which they are applied, as poultices, fomentations, &c.—n. Emolles′cence, incipient fusion.—v.t. Emmoll′iate, to soften: to render effeminate.—n. Emolli′tion, the act of softening or relaxing. [L. emollīre, emollitum—e, inten., mollīre, to soften—mollis, soft.]

Emolument, e-mol′ū-ment, n. advantage: profit arising from employment, as salary or fees.—adj. Emolumen′tal. [L. emolimentum—emolīri, to work out—e, sig. completeness, molīre, to toil.]

Emotion, e-mō′shun, n. a moving of the feelings: agitation of mind: (phil.) one of the three groups of the phenomena of the mind.—adj. Emō′tional.—n. Emō′tionalism, tendency to emotional excitement, the habit of working on the emotions, the indulgence of superficial emotion.—adv. Emō′tionally.—adjs. Emō′tionless; Emō′tive, pertaining to the emotions. [L. emotion-em—emovēre, emōtum, to stir up—e, forth, movēre, to move.]

Empæstic, em-pē′stik, adj. pertaining to the art of embossing, stamped. [Gr. empaiein, to emboss.]

Empanel, em-pan′el, Impanel, im-, v.t. to enter the names of a jury on a panel.—n. Empan′elment.

Empeople, em-pē′pl, v.t. (obs.) to fill with people: to form into a people or community.

Emperor, em′pėr-or, n. the head of the Roman Empire: the highest title of sovereignty:—fem. Em′press.—ns. Em′peror-moth, except the Death's-head, the largest British moth, its expanse of wings being about three inches; Em′perorship; Em′pery, empire, power. [O. Fr. emperere—L. imperator (fem. imperatrix)—imperāre, to command.]

Emphasis, em′fa-sis, n. stress of the voice on particular words or syllables to make the meaning clear: impressiveness of expression or weight of thought: intensity:—pl. Em′phases (-sēz).—v.t. Em′phasīse, to make emphatic.—adjs. Emphat′ic, -al, uttered with or requiring emphasis: forcible: impressive.—adv. Emphat′ically.—n. Emphat′icalness. [L.,—Gr.,—em (=en), in, into, and phasis—phaein, phainein, to show.]

Emphlysis, em′fli-sis, n. a vesicular tumour. [Gr., en, in, phlysis—phlyein, to break out.]

Emphractic, em-frak′tik, adj. stopping the pores of the skin.—n. a substance with this property. [Gr., en, in, phrassein, to stop.]

Emphysema, em-fis-ē′ma, n. (med.) an unnatural distention of a part with air.—adj. Emphysem′atous. [Gr.,—emphysaein, to inflate.]

Emphyteusis, em-fit-ū′sis, n. in Roman law, a perpetual right in a piece of land, for which a yearly sum was paid to the proprietor.—adj. Emphyteu′tic. [L.,—Gr.,—emphyteuein, to implant.]

Empire, em′pīr, n. supreme control or dominion: the territory under the dominion of an emperor. [Fr.,—L. imperium—imperāre, to command.]

Empiric, -al, em-pir′ik, -al, adj. resting on trial or experiment: known only by experience.—n. Empir′ic, one who makes trials or experiments: one whose knowledge is got from experience only: a quack.—adv. Empir′ically.—ns. Empir′icism (phil.) the system which, rejecting all a priori knowledge, rests solely on experience and induction: dependence of a physician on his experience alone without a regular medical education: the practice of medicine without a regular education: quackery: Empir′icist, one who practises empiricism.—adj. Empiricūt′ic (Shak.), empirical. [Fr.,—L. empiricus—Gr. empeirikos—em, in, peira, a trial.]

Emplacement, em-plās′ment, n. the act of placing: (mil.) a platform placed for guns.

Emplaster, em-plas′tėr, n. and v. same as Plaster.—adj. Emplas′tic, glutinous: adhesive.—n. a medicine causing constipation.

Emplecton, em-plek′ton, n. masonry in which the outsides of the walls are ashlar and the insides filled up with rubbish.—Also Emplec′tum. [Gr.]

Employ, em-ploy′, v.t. to occupy the time or attention of: to use as a means or agent: to give work to.—n. a poetical form of employment.—adj. Employ′able, that may be employed.—ns. Employ′é, one who is employed:—fem. Employ′ée; Employēē′, a person employed; Employ′er; Employ′ment, act of employing: that which engages or occupies: occupation. [Fr. employer—L. implicāre, to infold—in, in, and plicāre, to fold. Imply and implicate are parallel forms.]

Empoison, em-poi′zn, v.t. to put poison in: to poison.—p.adj. Empoi′soned.—n. Empoi′sonment.

Emporium, em-pō′ri-um, n. a place to which goods are brought from various parts for sale: a shop: a great mart:—pl. Empō′ria. [L.,—Gr. emporion—emporos, a trader, em (=en), in, poros, a way.]

Emprise, em-prīz′, n. (Spens.) an enterprise: a hazardous undertaking. [O. Fr. emprise—L. in, in, prehendĕre, to take.]

Emption, emp′shun, n. act of buying, purchase.—adj. Emp′tional. [L. emĕre, to buy.]

Empty, emp′ti, adj. having nothing in it: unfurnished: without effect: unsatisfactory: wanting substance: foolish.—v.t. to make empty: to deprive of contents.—v.i. to become empty: to discharge its contents:—pa.p. emp′tied.—n. an empty vessel, box, sack, &c.:—pl. Emp′ties.—ns. Emp′tier: Emp′tiness, state of being empty: want of substance: unsatisfactoriness: inanity.—adj. Emp′ty-hand′ed, carrying nothing, esp. of a gift.—n. Emp′tying.—Come away empty, to come away without having received anything. [A.S. ǽmetig—ǽmetta, leisure, rest. The p is excrescent.]

Empusa, em-pū′za, n. a goblin or spectre sent by Hecate.—Also Empuse′. [Gr. empousa.]

Empyema, em-pi-ē′ma, n. a collection of pus in the pleura. [Gr.,—em (=en), in, and pyon, pus.]

Empyreal, em-pir′ē-al, or em-pir-ē′al, adj. formed of pure fire or light: pertaining to the highest and purest region of heaven: sublime.—adj. Empyrean (em-pi-rē′an, or em-pir′e-an), empyreal.—n. the highest heaven, where the pure element of fire was supposed by the ancients to subsist: the heavens. [Coined from Gr. empyros, fiery—em (=en), in, and, pyr, fire.]

Empyreuma, em-pir-ū′ma, n. the burned smell and acrid taste which result when vegetable or animal substances are burned:—pl. Empyreu′mata.—adjs. Empyreumat′ic, -al.—v.t. Empyreu′matise. [Gr.,—empyreuein, to kindle.]

Emu, Emeu, ē′mū, n. a genus of running birds or Ratitæ in the cassowary family, belonging to Australia.—n. E′mu-wren, a small Australian bird of genus Stipiturus. [Port. ema, an ostrich.]

Emulate, em′ū-lāt, v.t. to strive to equal or excel: to imitate, with a view to equal or excel: to rival.—adj. (Shak.) ambitious.—n. Emulā′tion, act of emulating or attempting to equal or excel: rivalry: competition: contest: (obs.) jealous rivalry.—adj. Em′ulative, inclined to emulation, rivalry, or competition.—n. Em′ulator:—fem. Em′ulatress.—adj. Em′ulatory, arising from or expressing emulation.—v.t. Em′ule (obs), to emulate.—adj. Em′ulous, eager to emulate: desirous of like excellence with another: engaged in competition or rivalry.—adv. Em′ulously—n. Em′ulousness. [L. æmulāri, æmulātus—æmulus, striving with.]

Emulgent, e-mul′jent, adj. milking or draining out, chiefly referring to the action of the kidneys. [L. emulgens, -entis, pr.p. of emulgēre, to milk.]

Emulsion, e-mul′shun, n. a milky liquid prepared by mixing oil and water by means of another substance that combines with both.—adj. Emul′sic, pertaining to emulsion.—v.t. Emul′sify.—n. Emul′sin, a peculiar ferment present in the bitter and sweet almond, which forms a constituent of all almond emulsions.—adj. Emul′sive. [Fr.,—L. emulgēre, emulsum, to milk out—e, out, and mulgēre, to milk.]

Emunctory, e-mungk′tor-i, n. an organ of the body that carries off waste: an excretory duct.—v.t. Emunge′, to clean. [L. emungĕre, emunctum, to blow the nose, to cleanse.]

Emys, em′is, n. a genus of marsh tortoises, found in South and Middle Europe, North Africa, and South-west Asia. [Gr. emys.]

Enable, en-ā′bl, v.t. to make able: to give power, strength, or authority to.

Enact, en-akt′, v.t. to perform: to act the part of: to establish by law.—n. (Shak.) that which is enacted.—adjs. Enact′ing, Enact′ive, that enacts.—ns. Enact′ment, the passing of a bill into law: that which is enacted: a law; Enact′or, one who practises or performs anything: one who forms decrees or establishes laws; Enact′ure (Shak.), action.

Enallage, en-al′a-jē, n. (gram.) the exchange of one case, mood, or tense for another. [Gr.,—en, and allassein, to change.]

Enamel, en-am′el, n. the name given to vitrified substances applied chiefly to the surface of metals: any smooth hard coating, esp. that of the teeth: anything enamelled.—v.t. to coat with or paint in enamel: to form a glossy surface upon, like enamel:—pr.p. enam′elling; pa.p. enam′elled.—adj. En-am′ellar.—ns. Enam′eller, Enam′ellist; Enam′elling. [O. Fr. enameler—en, in, esmail, enamel. Cf. Eng. Smelt, Melt.]

Enamour, en-am′ur, v.t. to inflame with love: to charm.—p.adjs. Enam′oured; Enam′ouring.—Be enamoured (with of, with), to be in love. [O. Fr. enamourer—en, to make, amour—L. amor, love.]

Enanthesis, en-an-thē′sis, n. an eruption on the skin from internal disease. [Gr.]

Enantiopathy, en-an-ti-op′a-thi, n. a synonym of allopathy. [Gr. enantios, opposite, pathos, suffering.]

Enantiosis, e-nan-ti-ō′sis, n. (rhet.) the expression of an idea by negation of its contrary, as 'he is no fool'='he is wise.' [Gr.]

Enarmed, en-ärmed′, adj. (her.) having horns, hoofs, &c. of a different colour from the body.

Enarthrosis, en-ar-thrō′sis, n. (anat.) a joint of 'ball-and-socket' form, allowing motion in all directions.—adj. Enarthrō′dial. [Gr.,—en, in, and arthroein, arthrōsein, to fasten by a joint—arthron, a joint.]

Enaunter, en-än′tėr, conj. (obs.) lest by chance. [Contr. from in adventure.]

Encænia, en-sē′ni-a, n. the annual commemoration of founders and benefactors at Oxford, held in June.—Also Encē′nia. [L.,—Gr. egkainia, a feast of dedication—en, in, kainos, new.]

Encamp, en-kamp′, v.t. to form into a camp.—v.i. to pitch tents: to halt on a march.—n. Encamp′ment, the act of encamping: the place where an army or company is encamped: a camp.

Encanthis, en-kan′this, n. a small tumour of the inner angle of the eye. [Gr.]

Encase, en-kās′, Incase, in-, v.t. to enclose in a case: to surround, cover.—n. Encase′ment, the enclosing substance: a covering.

Encaustic, en-kaws′tik, adj. having the colours burned in.—n. an ancient method of painting in melted wax.—Encaustic tile, a decorative glazed and fired tile, having patterns of different coloured clays inlaid in it and burnt with it. [Fr.,—Gr.,—egkaiein, egkausein—en, in, kaiein, to burn.]

Enceinte, äng-sangt′, n. (fort.) an enclosure, generally the whole area of a fortified place. [Fr.,—enceindre, to surround—L. in, in, cingĕre, cinctum, to gird.]

Enceinte, äng-sangt′, adj. pregnant, with child. [Fr.,—L. incincta, girt about.]

Encephalon, en-sef′al-on, n. the brain.—adj. Encephal′ic, belonging to the head or brain.—ns. Encephalī′tis, inflammation of the brain; Enceph′alocele, a protrusion of portion of the brain through the skull, where the bones are incomplete in infancy.—adj. Enceph′aloid, resembling the matter of the brain.—n. Encephalot′omy, dissection of the brain.—adj. Enceph′alous, cephalous. [Gr.,—en, in, kephalē, the head.]

Enchain, en-chān′, v.t. to put in chains: to hold fast: to link together.—n. Enchain′ment [Fr. enchainer—en, and chaîne, a chain—L. catena.]

Enchant, en-chant′, v.t. to act on by songs or rhymed formulas of sorcery: to charm: to delight in a high degree.—p.adj. Enchant′ed, under the power of enchantment: delighted: possessed by witches or spirits.—n. Enchant′er, one who enchants: a sorcerer or magician: one who charms or delights:—fem. Enchant′ress.—adv. Enchant′ingly, with the force of enchantment: in a manner to charm or delight.—n. Enchant′ment, act of enchanting: use of magic arts: that which enchants. [Fr. enchanter—L. incantāre, to sing a magic formula over—in, on, cantāre, to sing.]

Encharge, en-chärj′, v.t. to enjoin: to entrust. [O. Fr. encharger. See Charge.]

Enchase, en-chās′, v.t. to fix in a border: to set with jewels: to engrave: to adorn with raised or embossed work.—p.adj. Enchased′. [Fr. enchâsser—en, in, châssis, caisse, a case—L. capsa, a case. See Chase, n. Chase, v.t., is a contraction.]

Encheason, en-chē′zn, n. (Spens.) reason, cause, occasion. [O. Fr. encheson, encheoir, to fall in; influenced by L. occasio, occasion.]

Enchiridion, en-ki-rid′i-on, n. a book to be carried in the hand for reference: a manual. [Gr. encheiridion—en, in, and cheir, the hand.]

Enchondroma, en-kon-drō′ma, n. (path.) an abnormal cartilaginous growth. [Formed from Gr. en, in, chondros, cartilage.]

Enchorial, en-kō′ri-al, adj. belonging to or used in a country: used by the people, noting esp. the written characters used by the common people in Egypt as opposed to the hieroglyphics.—Also Enchor′ic. [Gr. enchōrios—en, in, and chōra, a place, country.]

Encincture, en-singk′tūr, v.t. to surround with a girdle.—n. an enclosure.

Encircle, en-sėrk′l, v.t. to enclose in a circle: to embrace: to pass round.—n. Encirc′ling.

Enclave, en-klāv′, or äng-klāv′, n. a territory entirely enclosed within the territories of another power.—v.t. to surround in this way. [Fr.,—Late L. inclavāre—L. in, and clavis, a key.]

Enclitic, en-klit′ik, adj. that inclines or leans upon.—n. (gram.) a word or particle which always follows another word, so united with it as to seem a part of it.—n. En′clisis.—adv. Enclit′ically. [Gr. engklitikos—en, in, klinein, to bend.]

Enclose, en-klōz′, Inclose, in-, v.t. to close or shut in: to confine: to surround: to put in a case, as a letter in an envelope, &c.: to fence, esp. used of waste land.—ns. Enclos′er; Enclos′ure, the act of enclosing: state of being enclosed: that which is enclosed: a space fenced off: that which encloses: a barrier. [Fr.,—L. includĕre, inclusum—in, in, claudĕre, to shut.]

Encolpion, en-kol′pi-on, n. an amulet: a Greek pectoral cross.—Also Encol′pium. [Gr.]

Encomium, en-kō′mi-um, n. high commendation: a eulogy:—pl. Encō′miums.—n. Encō′miast, one who utters or writes encomiums: a praiser.—adjs. Encomias′tic, -al, bestowing praise.—adv. Encomias′tically. [L.,—Gr. egkōmion, a song of praise—en, in, kōmos, festivity.]

Encompass, en-kum′pas, v.t. to surround or enclose: (obs.) to go round.—n. Encom′passment.

Encore, äng-kōr′, adv. again: once more.—n. a call for the repetition of a song, &c.: the repetition of a song, &c.—v.t. to call for a repetition of. [Fr. (It. ancora)—perh. from L. (in) hanc horam, till this hour, hence=still.]

Encounter, en-kown′ter, v.t. to meet face to face, esp. unexpectedly: to meet in contest: to oppose.—n. a meeting unexpectedly: an interview: a fight: (Shak.) behaviour. [O. Fr. encontrer—L. in, in, contra, against.]

Encourage, en-kur′āj, v.t. to put courage in: to inspire with spirit or hope: to incite: to patronise: to cherish.—ns. Encour′agement, act of encouraging: that which encourages; Encour′ager,—p.adj. Encour′aging, giving ground to hope for success.—adv. Encour′agingly. [O. Fr. encoragier (Fr. encourager)—en, to make, corage, courage.]

Encratite, en′kra-tīt, n. one of a heretical sect in the early church, who abstained from marriage, and from flesh and wine.—n. En′cratism. [Formed from Gr. egkratēs, continent—en, in, kratos, strength.]

Encrimson, en-krim′zn, v.t. to tinge with a crimson colour.—p.adj. Encrim′soned.

Encrinite, en′kri-nīt, n. a common fossil crinoid, found thick in limestone and marble—called also Stone-lily.—adjs. Encrī′nal, Encrin′ic, Encrinī′tal, Encrinit′ic, relating to or containing encrinites. [Formed from Gr. en, in, krinon, a lily.]

Encroach, en-krōch′, v.i. to seize on the rights of others: to intrude: to trespass.—n. Encroach′er.—adv. Encroach′ingly.—n. Encroach′ment, act of encroaching: that which is taken by encroaching. [O. Fr. encrochier, to seize—en-, and croc, a hook.]

Encrust, en-krust′, Incrust, in-, v.t. to cover with a crust or hard coating: to form a crust on the surface of.—v.i. to form a crust.—n. Encrustā′tion, act of encrusting: a crust or layer of anything: an inlaying of marble, mosaic, &c. [Fr.,—L. incrustāre, -ātum—in, on, crusta, crust.]

Encumber, en-kum′bėr, v.t. to impede the motion of: to hamper: to embarrass: to burden: to load with debts.—ns. Encum′berment, the act of encumbering: the state of being encumbered; Encum′brance, that which encumbers or hinders: a legal claim on an estate: one dependent on another—e.g. 'a widow without encumbrances'=a widow without children; Encum′brancer. [O. Fr. encombrer, from en-, and combrer.]

Encyclical, en-sik′lik-al, adj. sent round to many persons or places.—n. a letter addressed by the pope to all his bishops condemning current errors or advising the Christian people how to act in regard to great public questions.—Also Encyc′lic. [Gr. engkyklios—en, in, kyklos, a circle.]

Encyclopædia, Encyclopedia, en-sī-klo-pē′di-a, n. the circle of human knowledge: a work containing information on every department, or on a particular department, of knowledge, generally in alphabetical order: a name specially given to the work of the French writers Diderot, D'Alembert, and others in the third quarter of the 18th century.—adjs. Encyclopæ′dian, embracing the whole circle of learning; Encyclopæ′dic, -al, pertaining to an encyclopædia: full of information.—ns. Encyclopæ′dism, knowledge of everything; Encyclopæ′dist, the compiler, or one who assists in the compilation, of an encyclopædia: esp. a writer for the French Encyclopédie (1751-65). [Formed from Gr. engkyklopaideia—engkyklios, circular, paideia, instruction.]

Encyst, en-sist′, v.t. or v.i. to enclose or become enclosed in a cyst or vesicle.—ns. Encystā′tion, Encyst′ment.—adj. Encyst′ed.

End, end, n. the last point or portion: termination or close: death: consequence: object aimed at: a fragment.—v.t. to bring to an end: to destroy.—v.i. to come to an end: to cease.—n. End′-all, that which ends all.—adj. End′ed, brought to an end: having ends.—n. End′ing, termination: conclusion: that which is at the end: (gram.) the terminating syllable or letter of a word.—adj. End′less, without end: everlasting: objectless.—adv. End′lessly.—n. End′lessness.—adv. End′long, lengthwise: continuously: on end.—adj. End′most, farthest.—n. End′ship (obs.) a village.—advs. End′ways, End′wise, on the end: with the end forward.—End for end, with the position of the ends reversed; Endless screw, an arrangement for producing slow motion in machinery, consisting of a screw whose thread gears into a wheel with skew teeth; End on, having the end pointing directly to an object—(naut.) opp. to Broadside on: (min.) opp. to Face on.—A shoemaker's end, a waxed thread ending in a bristle.—At loose ends, in disorder; At one's wits' end, at the end of one's ability to decide or act.—Begin at the wrong end, to manage badly; Be the end of, to cause the death of.—Come to the end of one's tether, to go as far as one's powers permit.—Have at one's finger-ends, to be thoroughly acquainted, to have in perfect readiness.—In the end, after all: at last.—Latter end, the end of life.—Make both ends meet, to live within one's income (both ends meaning both ends of the year).—No end (coll.), very much, a great deal.—On end, erect.—Rope's end (see Rope). [A.S. ende; cf. Ger. and Dan. ende, Goth. andeis; Sans. ánta.]

Endamage, en-dam′āj, v.t. same as Damage.—n. Endam′agement, damage, injury, loss.

Endanger, en-dān′jėr, v.t. to place in danger: to expose to loss or injury.—ns. Endan′gerer; Endan′germent, hazard, peril.

Endear, en-dēr′, v.t. to make dear or more dear.—adjs. Endeared′, beloved; Endear′ing.—adv. Endear′ingly.—n. Endear′ment, act of endearing: state of being endeared: that which excites or increases affection: a caress.

Endeavour, en-dev′ur, v.i. to strive to accomplish an object: to attempt or try.—v.t. to attempt.—n. an exertion of power towards some object: attempt or trial.—n. Endeav′ourment (Spens.), endeavour.—Do one's endeavour, to do one's utmost. [Fr. en devoir—en, in (with force of 'to do' or 'make,' as in en-amour, en-courage), and devoir, duty.]

Endecagon, en-dek′a-gon, n. a plane figure of eleven sides—also Hendec′agon.—adjs. Endecag′ynous, having eleven pistils; Endecaphyl′lous, having eleven leaflets; Endecasyllab′ic, having eleven syllables.

Endeictic, en-dīk′tik, adj. showing, exhibiting.—n. Endeix′is, an indication. [Gr.]

Endemic, -al, en-dem′ik, -al, Endemial, en-dē′mi-al, adj. peculiar to a people or a district, as a disease.—n. Endem′ic, a disease affecting a number of persons simultaneously, in such manner as to show a distinct connection with certain localities.—adv. Endem′ically.—ns. Endemi′city, state of being endemic; Endemiol′ogy, knowledge of endemic diseases. [Gr. endēmios—en, in, and dēmos, a people, a district.]

Endermic, -al, en-dėrm′ik, -al, adj. through or applied directly to the skin—also Endermat′ic.—n. En′deron, the corium, derma, or true skin. [Gr. en, in, and derma, the skin.]

Endive, en′div, n. an annual or biennial plant of the same genus as chicory, used as a salad. [Fr.,—L. intubus.]

Endocardium, en-do-kar′di-um, n. the lining membrane of the heart.—adjs. Endocar′diac, Endocar′dial.—n. Endocardī′tis, disease of the internal surface of the heart, resulting in the deposit of fibrin on the valves. [Gr. endon, within, kardia, heart.]

Endocarp, en′do-kärp, n. the inner coat or shell of a fruit. [Gr. endon, within, and karpos, fruit.]

Endochrome, en′dō-krōm, n. the colouring matter, other than green, of vegetable cells, esp. of algæ: (zool.) the coloured endoplasm of a cell. [Gr. endon, within, chrōma, colour.]

Endoderm, en′do-derm, n. the inner layer of the Blastoderm (q.v.). [Gr. endon, within, derma, skin.]

Endogamy, en-dog′am-i, n. the custom forbidding a man to marry any woman who is not of his kindred.—adj. Endog′amous. [Gr. endon, within, gamos, marriage.]

Endogen, en′do-jen, n. a plant that grows from within, or by additions to the inside of the stem, as the palm, grasses, &c.—adj. Endog′enous, increasing by internal growth. [Gr. endon, within, and genēs, born.]

Endolymph, en′dō-limf, n. the fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the ear.

Endomorph, en′do-morf, n. a mineral enclosed within another mineral, the latter being termed a perimorph. [Gr. endon, within, morphē, form.]

Endophagy, en-dō′faj-i, n. in cannibalism, the practice of eating one of the same stock. [Gr. endon, within, phagos, an eater.]

Endophyllous, en-dō-fil′us, adj. (bot.) being or formed within a sheath, as the young leaves of monocotyledons.

Endoplasm, en′dō-plazm, n. (bot.) the granular and fluid part of the protoplasm of a cell—opp. to Ectoplasm: (zool.) the interior protoplasm of a protozoan.—Also En′dosarc.

Endorhizal, en-dō-rī′zal, adj. (bot.) having the radicle of the embryo enclosed within a sheath, as in endogenous plants.—Also Endorhī′zous.

Endorse, en-dors′, Indorse, in-, v.t. to write one's name on the back of: to assign by writing on the back of: to give one's sanction to: to lay on the back, to load.—adj. Endors′able.—ns. Endorsēē′, the person to whom a bill, &c., is assigned by endorsement; Endorse′ment, act of endorsing: that which is written on a bill: sanction; Endors′er. [Changed from M. E. endosse under the influence of Low L. indorsāre—in, on, dorsum, the back.]

Endoskeleton, en-dō-skel′e-ton, n. the internal skeleton or framework of the body.—adj. Endoskel′etal.

Endosmosis, en-dos-mō′sis, n. the passage of a fluid inwards through an organic membrane, to mix with another fluid inside—also En′dosmose.—n. Endosmom′eter, an instrument for measuring endosmotic action.—adjs. Endosmomet′ric; Endosmot′ic, pertaining to or of the nature of endosmosis.—adv. Endosmot′ically. [Gr. endon, within, and ōsmos.]

Endosome, en′dō-sōm, n. the innermost part of the body of a sponge.—adj. En′dosōmal.

Endosperm, en′dō-sperm, n. (bot.) the albumen of a seed.—adj. Endosper′mic.

Endoss, en-dos′, v.t. (obs.) to endorse: (Spens.) to write. [M. E. endosse—O. Fr. endosser.]

Endosteum, en-dos′tē-um, n. (anat.) the internal periosteum.—adj. Endos′tēal.—n. Endostī′tis, inflammation of the endosteum.

Endostome, en′dō-stōm, n. (bot.) the foramen of the inner integument of an ovule: the inner peristome of mosses.

Endow, en-dow′, v.t. to give a dowry or marriage-portion to: to settle a permanent provision on: to enrich with any gift or faculty: to present.—ns. Endow′er; Endow′ment, act of endowing: that which is settled on any person or institution: a quality or faculty bestowed on any one. [Fr. en (=L. in), douer, to endow—L. dotāre—dos, dotis, a dowry.]

Endue, en-dū′, Indue, in-, v.t. to put on, as clothes: to invest or clothe with: to supply with.—n. Endue′ment, adornment. [O. Fr. enduire—L. inducĕre—in, into, ducĕre, to lead. In certain senses the word is closely related to induĕre, to put on.]

Endure, en-dūr′, v.t. to remain firm under: to bear without sinking: to tolerate.—v.i. to remain firm: to last.—adj. Endur′able, that can be endured or borne.—n. Endur′ableness.—adv. Endur′ably.—ns. Endur′ance, state of enduring or bearing: continuance: a suffering patiently without sinking: patience; Endur′er.—adv. Endur′ingly. [O. Fr. endurer—L. indurāre—in, in, durus, hard.]

Endymion, en-dim′i-on, n. a beautiful youth whom Selene (the moon) wrapped in perpetual sleep that she might kiss him without his knowledge.

Enema, en′e-ma, or e-nē′ma, n. a liquid medicine thrown into the rectum: an injection. [Gr.,—enienai, to send in—en, in, and hienai, to send.]

Enemy, en′e-mi, n. one who hates or dislikes: a foe: a hostile army.—adj. (obs.) hostile.—How goes the enemy? (slang) what o'clock is it?—The Enemy, The old Enemy, the Devil; The last enemy, death. [O. Fr. enemi (mod. Fr. ennemi)—L. inimicus—in, neg., amicus, a friend.]

Energumen, en-er-gū′men, n. one possessed: a demoniac. [Low L.,—Gr. energoumenos—energein—en, in, ergon, work.]

Energy, en′ėr-ji, n. power of doing work: power exerted: vigorous operation: strength: (physics) the term, as applied to a material system, used to denote the power of doing work possessed by that system.—adjs. Energet′ic, -al, having or showing energy: active: forcible: effective.—adv. Energet′ically.—n.pl. Energet′ics, the science of the general laws of energy.—adj. Ener′gic, exhibiting energy.—v.t. En′ergise, to give strength or active force to.—v.i. to act with force:—pr.p. en′ergīsing; pa.p. en′ergīsed.—Conservation of energy (see Conservation). [Gr. energeia—en, in, ergon, work.]

Enervate, en-ėr′vāt, v.t. to deprive of nerve, strength, or courage: to weaken.—adj. weakened: spiritless.—n. Enervā′tion.—adj. Ener′vative.—v.t. Enerve′ (obs.), to enervate. [L. enervāre, -ātum—e, out of, nervus, a nerve.]

Enew, e-nū′, v.t. in falconry, to drive back to the water: to pursue. [O. Fr. enewer—en, in, eau, water.]

Enfeeble, en-fē′bl, v.t. to make feeble: to weaken.—n. Enfee′blement, weakening: weakness.

Enfeoff, en-fef′, v.t. to give a fief to: to invest with a possession in fee: to surrender.—n. Enfeoff′ment, act of enfeoffing: the deed which invests with the fee of an estate. [O. Fr. enfeffer—en-, and fief. See Fief, Feoff.]

Enfilade, en-fi-lād′, n. a number of rooms with the doors opening into a common passage: a fire that rakes a line of troops, &c., from end to end; a situation or a body open from end to end.—v.t. to rake with shot through the whole length of a line. [Fr.,—enfiler—en (=L. in), and fil, a thread. See File, a line or wire.]

Enfiled, en-fīld′, p.adj. (her.) thrust through with a sword. [See Enfilade.]

Enfold, en-fōld′, Infold, in-, v.t. to wrap up.—n. Enfold′ment, act of enfolding: that which enfolds.

Enforce, en-fōrs′, v.t. to gain by force: to give force to: to put in force: to give effect to: to urge: (Spens.) to attempt.—adj. Enforce′able.—adv. Enforc′edly, by violence, not by choice.—n. Enforce′ment, act of enforcing: compulsion: a giving effect to: that which enforces. [O. Fr. enforcer—en (=L. in), and force.]

Enfouldered, en-fowl′dėrd, p.adj. (Spens.) mixed with lightning or fire. [En, in, and O. Fr. fouldre (Fr. foudre)—L. fulgur, lightning, fulgĕre, to flash.]

Enfranchise, en-fran′chiz, v.t. to set free: to give a franchise or political privileges to.—n. Enfran′chisement, act of enfranchising: liberation: admission to civil or political privileges. [O. Fr. enfranchir—en, and franc, free. See Franchise.]

Enfree, en-frē′, Enfreedom, en-frē′dum, v.t. (Shak.) to set free, to give freedom to.

Enfreeze, en-frēz′, v.t. (Spens.) to freeze: turn to ice:—pr.p. enfreez′ing: pa.p. enfrōz′en, enfrōz′ened.

Engage, en-gāj′, v.t. to bind by a gage or pledge: to render liable: to gain for service: to enlist: to gain over: to betroth: (archit.) to fasten: to win: to occupy: to enter into contest with: (obs.) to entangle.—v.i. to pledge one's word: to become bound: to take a part: to enter into conflict.—p.adj. Engaged′, pledged: promised, esp. in marriage: greatly interested: occupied: (archit.) partly built or sunk into, or so appearing: geared together, interlocked.—n. Engage′ment, act of engaging: state of being engaged: that which engages: betrothal: promise: employment: a fight or battle.—p.adj. Engag′ing, winning: attractive.—adv. Engag′ingly.—Engage for, to answer for. [Fr. engager—en gage, in pledge. See Gage.]

Engender, en-jen′dėr, v.t. to beget: to bear: to breed: to sow the seeds of: to produce.—v.i. to be caused or produced.—ns. Engen′drure, Engen′dure, act of engendering: generation. [Fr. engendrer—L. ingenerāre—in, and generāre, to generate.]

Engine, en′jin, n. a complex and powerful machine, esp. a prime mover: a military machine: anything used to effect a purpose: a device: contrivance: (obs.) ability, genius.—v.t. to contrive: to put into action.—ns. En′gine-driv′er, one who manages an engine, esp. who drives a locomotive; Engineer′, an engine maker or manager: one who directs works and engines: a soldier belonging to the division of the army called Engineers, consisting of men trained to engineering work.—v.i. to act as an engineer.—v.t. to arrange, contrive.—ns. Engineer′ing, the art or profession of an engineer; En′gine-man, one who drives an engine; En′gine-room, the room in a vessel in which the engines are placed; En′ginery, the art or business of managing engines: engines collectively: machinery; En′gine-turn′ing, a kind of ornament made by a rose-engine, as on the backs of watches, &c.—Civil engineer (see Civil). [O. Fr. engin—L. ingenium, skill. See Ingenious.]

Engirdle, en-gėrd′l, Engirt, en-gėrt′, v.t. to surround, as with a girdle: to encircle.

English, ing′glish, adj. belonging to England or its inhabitants.—n. the language of the people of England.—v.t. to translate a book into English: to make English.—ns. Eng′lander, an Englishman; Eng′lisher, Eng′lishman, a native or naturalised inhabitant of England; Eng′lishry, the fact of being an Englishman; in Ireland, the population of English descent.—Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, the language spoken in England from 450 till about 1150; Middle English till 1500; Modern English from 1500 onwards (Early English often means Early Middle English; (archit.), see Early).—Presentment of Englishry, the offering of proof that a person murdered belonged to the English race, to escape the fine levied on the hundred or township for the murder of a Norman. [A.S. Englisc, from Engle, Angle, from the Angles who settled in Britain.]

Engorge, en-gorj′, v.t. (Spens.) to devour, to glut.—v.i. (Milton) to feed voraciously.—adj. Engorged′, filled to excess with blood.—n. Engorge′ment, the act of swallowing greedily: (med.) an obstruction of the vessels in some part of the system.

Engouled, en-gōōld′, adj. (her.) of bends, crosses, &c., the extremities of which enter the mouths of animals.—Also Engoul′ee.

Engraft, en-graft′, Ingraft, in-, v.t. to graft (a shoot of one tree) into another: to introduce something: to fix deeply.—ns. Engraftā′tion, act of engrafting: Engraft′ment, engrafting: the thing engrafted: a scion.

Engrail, en-grāl′, v.t (her.) to make a border composed of a series of little semicircular indents: to make rough.—v.i. to form an edging or border: to run in indented lines.—n. Engrail′ment, the ring of dots round the edge of a medal: (her.) indentation in curved lines. [O. Fr. engresler (Fr. engrêler)—gresle, hail. See Grail.]

Engrain, en-grān′, Ingrain, in-, v.t. to dye of a fast or lasting colour: to dye in the raw state: to infix deeply.—n. Engrain′er. [Orig. 'to dye in grain' (meaning with grain)—i.e. cochineal.]

Engrave, en-grāv′, v.t. to cut out with a graver a representation of anything on wood, steel, &c.: to imprint: to impress deeply.—ns. Engrav′er; Engrav′ery, the art of the engraver; Engrav′ing, act or art of cutting or incising designs on metal, wood, &c., for the purpose of printing impressions from them in ink on paper, or other similar substance—in metal, the lines to be printed are sunk or incised; in wood, the lines to be printed appear in relief, the wood between them being cut away: an impression taken from an engraved plate: a print. [Fr. en (=L. in), and grave, v.]

Engroove, en-grōōv′, Ingroove, in-, v.t. to cut a groove or furrow in: to make into a groove.

Engross, en-grōs′, v.t. to occupy wholly, monopolise: to absorb: to copy a writing in a large hand or in distinct characters: to write in legal form: to make gross.—ns. Engross′er; Engross′ing, the conduct of those who buy merchandise in large quantities to obtain command of the market; Engross′ment, act of engrossing: that which has been engrossed: a fair copy.—Engrossing a deed, the writing it out in full and regular form on parchment or paper for signature. [From Fr. en gros, in large—L. in, in, grossus, large. See Gross.]

Enguiché, äng-gē-shā′, adj. (her.) having a different tincture inside the mouth, of trumpets, &c. [Fr.]

Engulf, en-gulf′, Ingulf, in-, v.t. to swallow up wholly, as in a gulf: to cast into a gulf: to overwhelm.—n. Engulf′ment.

Engyscope, en′ji-skōp, n. a kind of reflecting microscope.—Also En′giscope. [Gr. enggys, near, skopein, to view.]

Enhance, en-hans′, v.t. to heighten: to add to, increase.—n. Enhance′ment, act of enhancing: state of being enhanced: aggravation. [Prob. from O. Fr. enhaucer—L. in, and altus, high.]

Enharmonic, -al, en-har-mon′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to music constructed on a scale containing intervals less than a semitone: pertaining to that scale of music current among the Greeks, in which an interval of 2½ tones was divided into two quarter tones and a major third.—adv. Enharmon′ically. [L.,—Gr.,—en, in, harmonia, harmony.]

Enhydrous, en-hī′drus, adj. containing water or other fluid.—n. Enhy′drite, a mineral containing water. [Gr. en, in, and hydōr, water.]

Enhypostatic, en-hī-pō-stat′ik, adj. possessing substantial or personal existence, possessing personality not independently but by union with a person.—n. Enhypostā′sia.—v.t. Enhypos′tatise.

Enigma, en-ig′ma, n. a statement with a hidden meaning to be guessed: anything very obscure: a riddle.—adjs. Enigmat′ic, -al, relating to, containing, or resembling an enigma: obscure: puzzling.—adv. Enigmat′ically.—v.t. Enig′matise, to utter or deal in riddles.—ns. Enig′matist, one who enigmatises; Enigmatog′raphy, science of enigmas and their solution. [L. ænigma—Gr. ainigma—ainissesthai, to speak darkly—ainos, a fable.]

Enjambment, en-jamb′ment, n. in verse, the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of the line. [Fr.,—enjamber—en, in, jambe, leg.]

Enjoin, en-join′, v.t. to lay upon, as an order: to order or direct with authority or urgency.—n. Enjoin′ment. [Fr. enjoindre—L. injungĕre—in, and jungĕre, to join.]

Enjoy, en-joi′, v.t. to joy or delight in: to feel or perceive with pleasure: to possess or use with satisfaction or delight: to have the use of: to have sexual intercourse with.—adj. Enjoy′able, capable of being enjoyed or of giving joy.—n. Enjoy′ment, state or condition of enjoying: satisfactory possession or use of anything; pleasure: happiness. [O. Fr. enjoier, to give joy to—en (=L. in), and joie, joy; or O. Fr. enjoir, to enjoy—en, and joir—L. gaudēre, to rejoice.]

Enkindle, en-kin′dl, v.t. to kindle or set on fire: to inflame: to rouse.—p.adj. Enkin′dled.

Enlace, en-lās′, v.t. to encircle, surround: to embrace.—n. Enlace′ment.

Enlarge, en-lärj′, v.t. to make larger: to increase in size or quantity: to expand: to amplify discourse: to set free.—v.i. to grow large or larger: to be diffuse in speaking or writing: to expatiate.—adj. Enlarged′.—adv. Enlar′gedly.—ns. Enlar′gedness; Enlarge′ment, act of enlarging: state of being enlarged: increase: extension: diffuseness of speech or writing: a setting at large: release. [O. Fr. enlarger—en (=L. in), large, large.]

Enlighten, en-līt′n, v.t. to lighten or shed light on: to make clear to the mind: to impart knowledge to: to elevate by knowledge or religion—(obs.) Enlight′.—n. Enlight′enment, act of enlightening: state of being enlightened: the spirit of the French philosophers of the 18th century.

Enlist, en-list′, v.t. to enrol: to engage as a soldier, &c.: to employ in advancing an object.—v.i. to engage in public service, esp. as a soldier: to enter heartily into a cause.—n. Enlist′ment, act of enlisting: state of being enlisted.

Enliven, en-līv′n, v.t. to put life into: to excite or make active: to make sprightly or cheerful: to animate.—ns. Enliv′ener; Enliv′enment.

Enmesh, en-mesh′, Emmesh, em-, Immesh, im-, v.t. to catch in a mesh or net, to entangle.

Enmity, en′mi-ti, n. the quality of being an enemy: unfriendliness: ill-will: hostility. [O. Fr. enemistié—L. inimicus. See Enemy.]

Ennea, en′ē-a, a prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying nine.—n. En′nead, the number nine, a system of nine objects.—adj. Ennead′ic.—n. En′neagon, a polygon with nine angles.—adjs. Enneag′onal; Enneag′ynous, having nine pistils or styles; Enneahē′dral, having nine faces.—n. Ennean′dria, the ninth Linnæan class of plants, with nine stamens.—adjs. Ennean′drian; Enneaphyl′lous, nine-leaved; Enneasper′mous, having nine seeds.

Ennoble, en-nō′bl, v.t. to make noble: to elevate, distinguish: to raise to nobility.—n. Ennō′blement, the act of making noble: that which ennobles. [Fr. ennoblir—Fr. en (=L. in), and noble.]

Ennui, äng-nwē′, n. a feeling of weariness or disgust from satiety, &c.: the occasion of ennui.—v.t. to weary: to bore.—adj. Ennuyé (äng-nwē-yā′), bored. [Fr.,—O. Fr. anoi—L. in odio, as in odio habeo, lit. 'I hold in hatred,' i.e. I am tired of. See Annoy.]

Enomoty, e-nom′ō-ti, n. a band of sworn soldiers, esp. the smallest Spartan subdivision. [Gr.]

Enormous, e-nor′mus, adj. excessive: immense: atrocious—(obs.) Enorm′.—n. Enor′mity, state or quality of being enormous: that which is enormous: a great crime: great wickedness.—adv. Enor′mously.—n. Enor′mousness. [L. enormis—e, out of, norma, rule.]

Enorthotrope, en-or′thō-trōp, n. a toy consisting of a card on which confused objects are transformed into various pictures, by causing it to revolve rapidly. [Gr. en, in, orthos, upright, tropos, turning.]

Enough, e-nuf′, adj. sufficient: giving content: satisfying want.—adv. sufficiently.—n. sufficiency: as much as satisfies desire or want. [A.S. ge-nóh, ge-nóg; Goth. ga-nóhs; Ger. ge-nug; Ice. g-nóg-r.]

Enounce, e-nowns′, v.t. to enunciate: to proclaim: to utter or articulate. [Fr. énoncer—L. enuntiāre.]

Enrage, en-rāj′, v.t. to make angry.—p.adj. Enraged′, angered: furious.—n. Enrage′ment, act of enraging, state of being enraged, excitement. [O. Fr. enrager—en (=L. in), and rage, rage.]

Enrapture, en-rap′tūr, v.t. to put in rapture: to transport with pleasure or delight.—p.adjs. Enrap′tured, Enrapt′, delighted: transported.

Enrich, en-rich′, v.t. to make rich: to fertilise: to adorn: to enhance.—n. Enrich′ment, act of enriching; that which enriches.

Enrol, Enroll, en-rōl′, v.t. to insert in a roll or register: to enlist: to record: to leave in writing:—pr.p. enrōl′ling; pa.p. enrōlled′.—ns. Enrol′ler; Enrol′ment, act of enrolling: that in which anything is enrolled: a register. [O. Fr. enroller (Fr. enrôler)—en, and rolle, roll.]

Enroot, en-rōōt′, v.t. to fix by the root: to implant firmly: (Shak.) to join firmly, as root by root.

Ens, enz, n. an entity, as opposed to an attribute. [A late pr.p. form, from L. esse, to be.]

Ensample, en-sam′pl, n. example.—v.t. to give an example of. [O. Fr. essample. See Example.]

Ensanguine, en-sang′gwin, v.t. to stain or cover with blood.—p.adj. Ensan′guined, bloody.

Ensconce, en-skons′, v.t. to cover or protect as with a sconce or earth-work: to hide safely.

Enseam, en-sēm′, v.t. (Spens.) to contain. [Der. obscure; cf. Ice. semja, to put together.]

Ensemble, äng-sangb′l, n. all the parts of a thing taken together.—Tout ensemble, general appearance or effect. [Fr. ensemble, together—L. in, in, simul, at the same time.]

Enshield, en-shēld′, v.t. to shield or protect.—adj. (Shak.) shielded or protected.

Enshrine, en-shrīn′, v.t. to enclose in or as in a shrine: to preserve with affection.

Ensiform, en′si-form, adj. having the shape of a sword. [L. ensis, a sword, and forma, form.]

Ensign, en′sīn, n. a sign or mark: the sign or flag distinguishing a nation or a regiment: one who carries the colours: until 1871, the title given to officers of the lowest commissioned rank in the British infantry.—ns. En′sign-bear′er; En′signcy, En′signship, the rank or commission of an ensign in the army. [O. Fr. enseigne—L. insignia, pl. of insigne, a distinctive mark—in, and signum, a mark.]

Ensilage, en′sil-āj, n. the storing of green fodder, &c., in pits.—v.t. En′sile, to store by ensilage. [Fr.,—Sp. en, and silo—L.,—Gr. siros, pit for corn.]

Enslave, en-slāv′, v.t. to make a slave of: to subject to the influence of.—p.adj. Enslaved′.—ns. Enslave′ment, act of enslaving: state of being enslaved: slavery: bondage; Enslav′er.

Ensnare, en-snār′, Insnare, in-, v.t. to catch in a snare: to entrap: to entangle.

Ensorcell, en-sōr′sel, v.t. to bewitch. [O. Fr. ensorceler—en, and sorcier, a sorceror.]

Ensoul, en-sōl′, Insoul, in-, v.t. to join with the soul: to animate as a soul.

Ensphere, en-sfēr′, Insphere, in-, v.t. to enclose in a sphere: to give a spherical form.

Ensue, en-sū′, v.i. to follow, to come after: to result (with from).—v.t. (B., arch.) to follow after:—pr.p. ensū′ing; pa.p. ensūed′. [O. Fr. ensuir (Fr. ensuivre)—L. in, after, sequi, to follow.]

Enswathe, en-swāth′, Inswathe, in-, v.t. to wrap in a swathe.—n. Enswathe′ment.

Entablature, en-tab′lat-ūr, n. that part of a design in classic architecture which surmounts the columns and rests upon the capitals. [Prob. through Fr. from It. intavolatura—in, in, tavola, a table.]

Entail, en-tāl′, v.t. (Spens.) to carve. [O. Fr. entailler—Low L. en, into, taleāre, to cut.]

Entail, en-tāl′, v.t. to settle an estate on a series of heirs, so that the immediate possessor may not dispose of it: to bring on as an inevitable consequence:—pr.p. entail′ing; pa.p. entailed′.—n. an estate entailed: the rule of descent of an estate.—ns. Entail′er; Entail′ment, act of entailing: state of being entailed. [O. Fr. entailler, to cut into—en, in, into, tailler, to cut—L. talea, a twig.]

Entangle, en-tang′gl, v.t. to twist into a tangle, or so as not to be easily separated: to involve in complications: to perplex: to ensnare.—n. Entang′lement, a confused state: perplexity.

Entasis, en′ta-sis, n. (archit.) the swelling outline of the shaft of a column—also Entā′sia: constrictive or tonic spasm.—adj. Entas′tic. [Gr.,—en, in, teinein, to stretch.]

Entelechy, en-tel′ek-i, n. (phil.) actuality: distinctness of realised existence. [Gr. entelecheia—en, in, telos, perfection, echein, to have.]

Enter, en′tėr, v.i. to go or come in: to penetrate: to engage in: to form a part of.—v.t. to come or go into: to join or engage in: to begin: to put into: to enrol or record: to cause to be inscribed, as a boy's name at school, a horse for a race, &c.—n. (Shak.) ingoing.—adj. En′terable.—ns. En′terclose, a passage between two rooms; En′terer; En′tering.—Enter a protest, to write it in the books: thence simply, to protest; Enter into, to become a party to: to be interested in: to be part of; Enter on, to begin: to engage in. [Fr. entrer—L. intrare, to go into, related to inter, between.]

Enteric, en-ter′ik, adj. of or pertaining to the intestines.—ns. Enteradenog′raphy, description of the intestinal glands; Enteradenol′ogy, the branch of anatomy relating to the intestinal glands; Enteral′gia, intestinal neuralgia; Enterī′tis, inflammation of the intestines; En′terocele, a hernial tumour containing part of the intestines; Enterogastrī′tis, inflammation of the stomach and bowels; En′terolite, En′terolith, an intestinal concretion or calculus; Enterol′ogy, a treatise on the internal parts of the body; En′teron, the entire intestine or alimentary canal:—pl. En′tera; Enterop′athy, disease of the intestines; Enteropneust′a, a class of worm-like animals, having the paired respiratory pouches opening from the front part of the alimentary canal; Enterot′omy, dissection or incision of the intestines. [Gr. enterikos—enteron, intestine.]

Enterprise, en′tėr-prīz, n. that which is attempted: a bold or dangerous undertaking: an adventure: daring.—v.t. to undertake.—n. En′terpriser, an adventurer.—p.adj. En′terprising, forward in undertaking: adventurous.—adv. En′terprisingly. [O. Fr. entreprise, pa.p. of entreprendre—entre, in, prendre—L. prehendĕre, to seize.]

Entertain, en-tėr-tān′, v.t. to receive and treat hospitably: to hold the attention of and amuse by conversation: to amuse: to receive and take into consideration: to keep or hold in the mind: to harbour.—n. Entertain′er.—p.adj. Entertain′ing, affording entertainment: amusing.—adv. Entertain′ingly.—n. Entertain′ment, act of entertaining: hospitality at table: that which entertains: the provisions of the table: a banquet: amusement: a performance which delights. [Fr. entretenir—L. inter, among, tenēre, to hold.]

Entheasm, en′thē-azm, n. divine inspiration, ecstasy.—adj. Entheas′tic.—adv. Entheas′tically.

Enthelmintha, en-thel-min′tha, n.pl. a general name of intestinal worms.

Enthral, en-thrawl′, Inthral, in-, v.t. to bring into thraldom or bondage: to enslave: to shackle.—ns. Enthral′dom, condition of being enthralled; Enthral′ment, act of enthralling: slavery.

Enthrone, en-thrōn′, v.t. to place on a throne: to exalt to the seat of royalty: to install as a bishop: to exalt.—ns. Enthrone′ment, Enthronisā′tion, the act of enthroning or of being enthroned.—v.t. Enthrō′nise, to enthrone, as a bishop: to exalt.

Enthusiasm, en-thū′zi-azm, n. intense interest: intensity of feeling: passionate zeal.—n. Enthū′siast, one inspired by enthusiasm: one who admires or loves intensely.—adjs. Enthusias′tic, -al, filled with enthusiasm; zealous: ardent.—adv. Enthusias′tically. [Through L., from Gr. enthusiasmos, a god-inspired zeal—enthousiazein, to be inspired by a god—en, in, theos, a god.]

Enthymeme, en′thi-mēm, n. (rhet.) an argument consisting of only two propositions, an antecedent and a consequent: a syllogism in which the major proposition is suppressed.—adj. Enthymemat′ical. [From L. from Gr. enthymēma, a consideration—enthymeesthai, to consider—en, in, thymos, the mind.]

Entice, en-tīs′, v.t. to induce by exciting hope or desire: to tempt: to lead astray.—adj. Entice′able.—ns. Entice′ment, act of enticing: that which entices or tempts: allurement; Entic′er.—p.adj. Entic′ing.—adv. Entic′ingly. [O. Fr. enticier, provoke; prob. related to L. titio, a firebrand.]

Entire, en-tīr′, adj. whole: complete: unmingled: not castrated, specially of a horse.—n. the whole: completeness: a stallion: porter or stout as delivered from the brewery.—adv. Entire′ly.—ns. Entire′ness, Entire′ty, completeness: the whole.—In its entirety, in its completeness. [O. Fr. entier—L. integer, whole, from in, not, tangĕre, to touch.]

Entitle, en-tī′tl, v.t. to give a title to: to style: to give a claim to. [O. Fr. entiteler—Low L. intitulāre—in, in, titulus, title.]

Entity, en′ti-ti, n. being: existence: a real substance. [Low L. entitat-em—ens (q.v.).]

Entomb, en-tōōm′, v.t. to place in a tomb: to bury.—n. Entomb′ment, burial. [O. Fr. entoumber—en, in, tombe, a tomb.]

Entomology, en-to-mol′o-ji, n. the science which treats of insects.—adjs. Entom′ic, -al, relating to insects.—n. Entomog′raphy, descriptive entomology.—adj. En′tomoid, insect-like.—n. Entom′olite, a fossil insect.—adj. Entomolog′ical.—adv. Entomolog′ically.—v.t. Entomol′ogise.—ns. Entomol′ogist, one learned in entomology.—n.pl. Entomoph′aga, a sub-section of Hymenoptera terebrantia, or boring hymenopterous insects.—adjs. Entomoph′agan, Entomoph′agous, insectivorous; Entomoph′ilous, insect-loving—of such flowers as are specially adapted for fertilisation by the agency of insects.—ns. En′tomotaxy, preparation of insects for preservation; Entomot′omist; Entomot′omy, dissection of insects. [Gr. entoma, insects, logia, a discourse, phagein, to eat, philein, to love, taxis, arrangement, temnein, to cut.]

Entomostomata, en-to-mo-stom′a-ta, n.pl. a family of mollusca. [Gr. entomos, cut into—en, in, temnein, to cut, stoma, a mouth.]

Entomostraca, en-to-mos′tra-ka, n.pl. a general name for the lower orders of crustacea—Phyllopods, Ostracods, Copepods, and Cirripedes:—sing. Entomos′tracan.—adj. Entomos′tracous. [Gr. entomos, cut in—en, in, temnein, to cut, ostrakon, a shell.]

Entoperipheral, en-tō-pe-rif′e-ral, adj. situated or originated within the periphery or external surface of the body.

Entophyte, en′to-fīt, n. a parasitic plant which grows in a living animal.—adj. Entophyt′ic.—adv. Entophyt′ically.—adj. En′tophytous. [Gr. enton, within, and phyton, a plant.]

Entourage, äng-tōō-razh′, n. surroundings: followers. [Fr.,—entourer, to surround—en, in, tour, a circuit.]

Entozoa, en-to-zō′a, n.pl. animals that live inside of other animals: internal parasites such as Tapeworms (q.v.):—sing. Entozō′on.—adjs. Entozō′al, Entozō′ic.—ns. Entozool′ogist; Entozool′ogy.—adj. Entozoot′ic. [Gr. entos, within, zōon, an animal.]

Entr′acte, äng-trakt′, n. the time between two acts in a play: (mus.) an instrumental piece performed between acts. [Fr., entre, between, acte, an act.]

Entrail, en-trāl′, v.t. (Spens.) to interlace, entwine.—n. (Spens.) twisting, entanglement. [O. Fr. entreillier—en, and treille, trellis-work.]

Entrails, en′trālz, n.pl. the internal parts of an animal's body, the bowels: the inside of anything: (obs.) the seat of the emotions. [O. Fr. entraille—Low L. intralia—inter, within.]

Entrain, en-trān′, v.t. to put into a railway train, esp. used of troops.

Entrance, en′trans, n. act of entering: power or right to enter: the place for entering, the door: the beginning.—n. En′trant, one who, or that which, enters. [Fr. entrer—L. intrāre, to enter.]

Entrance, en-trans′, v.t. to put into a trance: to fill with rapturous delight.—n. Entrance′ment, state of trance or of excessive joy.—p.adj. Entranc′ing, charming, transporting.

Entrap, en-trap′, v.t. to catch, as in a trap: to ensnare: to entangle.—ns. Entrap′ment, act of entrapping: the state of being entrapped: Entrap′per. [O. Fr. entraper—en, in, trappe, a trap.]

Entreat, en-trēt′, v.t. to ask earnestly: to beseech: to pray for: (orig.) to treat, to deal with—so in B.—v.i. to pray.—adjs. Entreat′able; Entreat′ful (Spens.); Entreat′ing, that entreats.—adv. Entreat′ingly, in an entreating manner: with solicitation.—adj. Entreat′ive, pleading.—ns. Entreat′ment, act of entreating: (Shak.) discourse; Entreat′y, act of entreating; earnest prayer. [O. Fr. entraiter—en, and traiter, to treat.]

Entrée, äng-trā′, n. entry, freedom of access, admittance: a made dish served at dinner between the chief courses: (mus.) an introduction or prelude: the act of entering, a formal entrance. [Fr.]

Entremets, äng-tr′mā′, n. any dainty served at table between the chief courses—formerly Entremes, Entremesse. [O. Fr. entremes—entre, between, mes (mod. mets), a dish.]

Entrench, en-trensh′, Intrench, in-, v.t. to dig a trench around: to fortify with a ditch and parapet.—v.i. to encroach.—n. Entrench′ment, an earthen parapet thrown up to give cover against an enemy's fire and the ditch or trench from which the earth is obtained: any protection: an encroachment.—Entrench upon, to encroach upon.

Entrepas, äng′tr'pä, n. a gait between a walk and a trot, an amble. [Fr.]

Entrepôt, äng′tr'pō, n. a storehouse: a bonded warehouse: a seaport through which exports and imports pass. [Fr.]

Entresol, en′ter-sol, or äng′tr'sol, n. a low story between two main stories of a building, generally above the first story; in London, usually between the ground-floor and the first story. [Fr.,—entre, between, sol, the ground.]

Entrochite, en′trō-kīt, n. a wheel-like joint of an encrinite or fossil crinoid—also En′trochus.—adj. En′trochal. [Gr. en, in, trochos, a wheel.]

Entropion, -um, en-trō′pi-on, -um, n. inversion of the edge of the eyelid. [Gr. entropē.]

Entropy, en′trop-i, n. a term in physics signifying 'the available energy.'

Entrust, en-trust′, Intrust, in-, v.t. to give in trust: to commission: to commit to another, trusting his fidelity.—n. Entrust′ment.

Entry, en′tri, n. act of entering: a passage into a short lane leading into a court: act of committing to writing: the thing written: (law) the taking possession of.—n. En′try-mon′ey, the money paid on entering a society, club, &c.—Port of entry (see Port).

Enubilate, ē-nū′bi-lāt, v.t. to clear from clouds.—adj. Enū′bilous.

Enucleate, en-ū′kle-āt, v.t. to lay bare, explain: to extract.—n. Enucleā′tion. [L. enucleāre—e, out, nucleus, a kernel.]

Enumerate, e-nū′mer-āt, v.t. to count the number of: to name over.—n. Enumerā′tion, act of numbering: a detailed account: a summing up.—adj. Enū′merative.—n. Enū′merator, one who enumerates. [L. e, out, numerāre, -ātum, to number.]

Enunciate, e-nun′shi-āt, v.t. to state formally: to pronounce distinctly.—adj. Enun′ciable, capable of being enunciated.—n. Enunciā′tion, act of enunciating: manner of uttering or pronouncing: a distinct statement or declaration: the words in which a proposition is expressed.—adjs. Enun′ciātive, Enun′ciātory, containing enunciation or utterance: declarative.—n. Enun′ciātor, one who enunciates. [L. enuntiāre, -ātum—e, out, nuntiāre, to tell—nuntius, a messenger.]

Enure, e-nūr′, v.t. (Spens.) to practise.—v.i. to belong. [En-, and ure—O. Fr. œuvre—work.]

Envelop, en-vel′up, v.t. to cover by wrapping: to surround entirely: to hide.—n. Envelope (en′vel-ōp, sometimes, but quite unnecessarily, äng′vel-ōp), that which envelops, wraps, or covers, esp. the cover of a letter.—adj. Envel′oped (her.), entwined, as with serpents, laurels, &c.—n. Envel′opment, a wrapping or covering on all sides. [O. Fr. enveloper; origin obscure. Skeat refers it to the assumed Teut. root of M. E. wlappen, Eng. lap.]

Envenom, en-ven′um, v.t. to put venom into: to poison: to taint with bitterness or malice. [O. Fr. envenimer—en, and venim, venom.]

Envermeil, en-vėr′mil, v.t. (Milt.) to dye red, to give a red colour to. [O. Fr. envermeiller—en, in, vermeil, red, vermilion.]

Environ, en-vī′run, v.t. to surround: to encircle: to invest:—pr.p. envī′roning; pa.p. envī′roned.—n. Envī′ronment, a surrounding: conditions influencing development or growth.—n.pl. Environs (en-vī′runz, or en′vi-), the places that environ: the outskirts of a city: neighbourhood. [Fr. environner—environ, around—virer, to turn round; cf. veer.]

Envisage, en-viz′āj, v.t. to face: to consider.—n. Envis′agement. [Fr. envisager—en, and visage, the visage.]

Envoy, en′voi, n. a messenger, esp. one sent to transact business with a foreign government: a diplomatic minister of the second order.—n. En′voyship. [For Fr. envoyé—envoyer, to send.]

Envoy, Envoi, en′voi, n. the concluding part of a poem or a book: the author's final words, esp. now the short stanza concluding a poem written in certain archaic metrical forms. [O. Fr. envoye—envoiier, to send—en voie, on the way—L. in, on, via, a way.]

Envy, en′vi, v.t. to look upon with a grudging eye: to hate on account of prosperity:—pr.p. en′vying; pa.p. en′vied.—n. grief at the sight of another's success: a wicked desire to supplant one: a desire for the advantages enjoyed by another: (B.) ill-will.—adj. En′viable, that is to be envied.—n. En′viableness, the state or quality of being enviable.—adv. En′viably.—n. En′vier, one who envies.—adj. En′vious, feeling envy: directed by envy: (Spens.) enviable.—adv. En′viously.—ns. En′viousness; En′vying (B.), jealousy, ill-will. [Fr. envie—L. invidia—in, on, vidēre, to look.]

Enwomb, en-wōōm′, v.t. (Spens.) to make pregnant: (Shak.) to conceive in the womb: to contain.

Enwrap, en-rap′, Inwrap, in-, v.t. to cover by wrapping: to perplex: to engross.—n. Enwrap′ment.—p.adj. Enwrap′ping.

Enwreathe, en-rēth′, Inwreathe, in-, v.t. to wreathe: to encircle as with a wreath.

Enzootic, en-zō-ot′ik, adj. endemic among animals in a particular district.—n. a disease of this character.

Enzym, Enzyme, en′zim, n. any of the unorganised ferments: leavened bread—opp. to Azym (q.v.).—adj. Enzymot′ic. [Gr. en, in, zymē, leaven.]

Eoan, ē-ō′an, adj. of or pertaining to dawn. [L.,—Gr. ēōs, dawn.]

Eocene, ē′ō-sēn, adj. (geol.) first in time of the three subdivisions of the Tertiary formation. [Gr. ēōs, daybreak, kainos, new.]

Eolian, Eolic, Eolipile. Same as Æolian, Æolic, Æolipile.

Eothen, ē-ō′then, adv. from the east—the name given by Kinglake to his book of travel in the East (1844). [Gr., lit. 'from morn,' 'at earliest dawn.']

Eozoön, ē-ō-zō′on, n. an assumed organism whose remains constitute reefs of rocks in the Archæan system in Canada.—adj. Eozō′ic. [Gr. ēōs, dawn, zōon, an animal.]

Epacrid, ep′a-krid, n. a plant of order Epacridaceæ, a small order of heath-like shrubs or small trees. [Gr. epi, upon, akris, a summit.]

Epact, ē′pakt, n. the moon's age at the beginning of the year: the excess of the solar month or year above the lunar: (pl.) a set of nineteen numbers used for fixing the date of Easter and other church festivals, by indicating the age of the moon at the beginning of each civil year in the lunar cycle. [Fr.,—Gr. epaktos, brought on—epi, on, agein, to bring.]

Epanadiplosis, ep-a-na-di-plō′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure by which a sentence begins and ends with the same word, as in Phil. iv. 4. [Gr.]

Epanalepsis, ep-a-na-lep′sis, n. (rhet.) repetition or resumption, as in 1 Cor. xi. 18 and 20. [Gr.]

Epanodos, e-pan′ō-dos, n. recapitulation of the chief points in a discourse. [Gr.]

Epanorthosis, ep-an-or-thō′sis, n. (rhet.) the retracting of a statement in order to correct or intensify it, as 'For Britain's guid! for her destruction!' [Gr.]

Epanthous, ep-an′thus, adj. growing upon flowers. [Gr. epi, upon, anthos, a flower.]

Eparch, ep′ärk, n. the governor of a Greek province.—n. Ep′archy, the province or territory ruled over by an eparch. [Gr. eparchos—epi, upon, archē, dominion.]

Epaulement, e-pawl′ment, n. a side-work of a battery or earthwork to protect it from a flanking fire.—n. Epaule′, the shoulder of a bastion. [Fr.,—épauler, to protect—épaule, shoulder.]

Epaulet, Epaulette, ep′ol-et, n. a shoulder-piece: a badge of a military or naval officer (now disused in the British army): an ornament on the shoulder of a lady's dress. [Fr. épaulette—épaule, the shoulder.]

Epeira, ep-īr′a, n. a genus of spiders, the type of the Epeiridæ, including the common garden spider. [Gr. epi, on, eiros, wool.]

Epencephalon, ep-en-sef′a-lon, n. the hindmost of the divisions of the brain.—adj. Epencephal′ic.

Epenthesis, e-pen′the-sis, n. the insertion of a letter or syllable within a word.—adj. Epenthet′ic. [Gr.]

Epeolatry, ep-e-ol′a-tri, n. worship of words. [Gr. epos, word, latreia, worship.]

Epergne, e-pėrn′, n. an ornamental stand for a large dish for the centre of a table. [Perh. from Fr. épargne, saving—épargner, to save.]

Epexegesis, ep-eks-e-jē′sis, n. the addition of words to make the sentence more clear.—adjs. Epexeget′ic, -al.—adv. Epexeget′ically. [Gr. epi, in addition, exēgeisthai, to explain.]

Epha, Ephah, ē′fa, n. a Hebrew measure for dry goods. [Heb.; prob. of Egyptian origin.]

Ephebe, ef-ēb′, n. (Greek antiquities) a young citizen from 18 to 20 years of age. [L. ephēbus—Gr. ephēbos—epi, upon, hēbē, early manhood.]

Ephemera, ef-em′er-a, n. the Mayfly, a genus of short-lived insects: that which lasts a short time.—adj. Ephem′eral, existing only for a day: daily: short-lived.—n. anything lasting a short time.—ns. Ephemeral′ity; Ephem′erid, an insect belonging to the group Ephemeridæ.—adj. Ephemerid′ian.—ns. Ephem′eris, an account of daily transactions: a journal: an astronomical almanac:—pl. Ephemerides (ef-e-mer′i-dēz); Ephem′erist, one who studies the daily motions of the planets; Ephem′eron, an insect that lives but a day.—adj. Ephem′erous. [Through L.,—Gr. ephēmeros, living a day—epi, for, hēmera, a day.]

Ephesian, ef-ē′zi-an, adj. of or pertaining to Ephesus.—n. an inhabitant of Ephesus: (Shak.) 'a jolly companion.'

Ephod, ef′od, n. a kind of linen surplice worn by the Jewish priests: a surplice, generally. [Heb. aphad, to put on.]

Ephor, ef′or, n. a class of magistrates whose office apparently originated at Sparta, being peculiar to the Doric states.—n. Eph′oralty. [Gr. epi, upon, and root of horaein, to see.]

Epic, ep′ik, adj. applied to a poem which recounts a great event in an elevated style: lofty: grand.—n. an epic or heroic poem: a story comparable to those in epic poems.—ns. Ep′icism; Ep′icist.—Epic dialect, the Greek in which the books of Homer are written. [L. epicus—Gr. epikos—epos, a word.]

Epicalyx, ep-i-kā′liks, n. an external or accessory calyx outside of the true calyx, as in Potentilla.

Epicarp, ep′i-kärp, n. (bot.) the outermost layer of the pericarp or fruit. [Gr. epi, upon, karpos, fruit.]

Epicedium, ep-i-sē′di-um, n. a funeral ode.—adjs. Epicē′dial, Epicē′dian, elegiac. [L.,—Gr. epikēdeion—epi, upon, kēdos, care.]

Epicene, ep′i-sēn, adj. and n. common to both sexes: (gram.) of either gender. [Through L.,—Gr. epikoinos—epi, upon, koinos, common.]

Epicheirema, ep-i-kī-rē′ma, n. a syllogism confirmed in its major or minor premise, or in both, by an incidental proposition. [Gr. epicheirēma, attempt—epi, upon, cheir, the hand.]

Epiclinal, ep-i-klī′nal, adj. (bot.) placed on the torus or receptacle of a flower.

Epicure, ep′i-kūr, n. a follower of Epicurus (341-270 B.C.), a Greek philosopher, who taught that pleasure was the chief good: one given to sensual enjoyment: one devoted to the luxuries of the table.—adj. Epicurē′an, pertaining to Epicurus: given to luxury.—n. a follower of Epicurus: one given to the luxuries of the table.—n. Epicurē′anism, the doctrine of Epicurus: attachment to these doctrines.—v.i. Ep′icurise, to play the epicure, to feast, riot: to profess the philosophy of Epicurus.—n. Ep′icurism, the doctrines of Epicurus: luxury: sensual enjoyment.

Epicycle, ep′i-sī-kl, n. a circle having its centre on the circumference of a greater circle on which it moves.—adj. Epicy′clic.—n. Epicy′cloid, a curve described by every point in the plane of a circle moving on the convex circumference of another circle.—adj. Epicycloi′dal. [Gr. epi, upon, kyklos, a circle.]

Epideictic, -al, ep-i-dīk′tik, -al, adj. done for show or display. [Gr. epi, upon, deiknynai, to show.]

Epidemic, -al, ep-i-dem′ik, -al, adj. affecting a community at a certain time: general.—n. Epidem′ic, a disease falling on great numbers in one place, simultaneously or in succession.—adv. Epidem′ically.—n. Epidemiol′ogy, the science of epidemics. [Gr. epidēmos, general—epi, among, dēmos, the people.]

Epidermis, ep-i-dėr′mis, n. scarf-skin or cuticle, forming an external covering of a protective nature for the true skin or corium.—adjs. Epider′matoid; Epider′mic, Epider′mal, Epider′midal. [Gr. epidermis—epi, upon, derma, the skin.]

Epigastrium, ep-i-gas′tri-um, n. the part of the abdomen which chiefly corresponds to the situation of the stomach, extending from the sternum towards the navel.—adj. Epigas′tric. [Gr. epi, upon, gastēr, the stomach.]

Epigene, ep′i-jēn, adj. applied to the geological agents of change which affect chiefly the superficial position of the earth's crust, as the atmosphere, water, &c.—adjs. Epig′enous, growing on the surface of a part; Epigē′ous, growing on the earth—also Epigē′al. [Gr. epi, upon, gennaein, to produce.]

Epigenesis, ep-i-jen′e-sis, n. the development of the organism by the growth and differentiation of a single germ—i.e. by the division or segmentation of a fertilised egg-cell.—n. Epigen′esist.—adj. Epigenet′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, genesis, genesis.]

Epiglottis, ep-i-glot′is, n. the cartilage at the root of the tongue that partly closes the aperture of the larynx.—adj. Epiglott′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, glōtta (glōssa), the tongue.]

Epigram, ep′i-gram, n. any concise and pointed or sarcastic saying: a short poem on one subject ending with an ingenious thought.—adjs. Epigrammat′ic, -al, relating to or dealing in epigrams: like an epigram: concise and pointed.—adv. Epigrammat′ically.—v.t. Epigram′matise, to make an epigram on.—n. Epigram′matist, one who writes epigrams. [Through Fr. and L., from Gr. epigramma—epi, upon, gramma, a writing—graphein, to write.]

Epigraph, ep′i-graf, n. an inscription, esp. on a building: a citation or motto at the commencement of a book or its parts.—v.t. to provide with an epigraph.—ns. Epig′rapher, Epig′raphist.—adj. Epigraph′ic.—n. Epig′raphy. [Gr. epi-graphē—epi, upon, graphein, to write.]

Epigynous, e-pij′i-nus, adj. (bot.) growing upon the top of the ovary.

Epilepsy, ep′i-lep-si, n. a chronic functional disease of the nervous system, manifested by recurring attacks of sudden insensibility or impairment of consciousness, commonly accompanied by peculiar convulsive seizures.—n. Epilep′tic, an epileptic patient.—adjs. Epilep′tic, -al; Epilep′toid. [Gr. epilepsia—epi, upon, lambanein, lēpsesthai, to seize.]

Epilogue, ep′i-log, n. the conclusion of a book: a speech or short poem at the end of a play.—adjs. Epilog′ic (-loj′ik), Epilogis′tic.—v.i. Epil′ogise (′o-jīz), to write an epilogue. [Fr.—L.—Gr. epilogos, conclusion—epi, upon, legein, to speak.]

Epinasty, ep′i-nas-ti, n. (bot.) curvature of an organ, caused by a more active growth on its upper side.—adj. Epinas′tic.—adv. Epinas′tically.

Epiperipheral, ep-i-pe-rif′e-ral, adj. situated on the periphery or outer surface of the body.

Epipetalous, ep-i-pet′a-lus, adj. (bot.) inserted or growing on a petal.

Epiphany, e-pif′an-i, n. a church festival celebrated on Jan. 6, in commemoration of the manifestation of Christ to the wise men of the East: the manifestation of a god. [Gr. epiphaneia, appearance—epi, to, phainein, to show.]

Epiphlœum, ep-i-flē′um, n. (bot.) the corky envelope of the bark next the epidermis.

Epiphragm, ep′i-fram, n. (bot.) the dilated apex of the columella in urn-mosses: the disc with which certain molluscs close the aperture of their shell.

Epiphyllospermous, ep-i-fil-ō-sper′mus, adj. (bot.) bearing fruit on the back of the fronds, as ferns.

Epiphyllous, ep-i-fil′us, adj. (bot.) growing upon a leaf, esp. on its upper surface.

Epiphysis, ep-if′i-sis, n. any portion of a bone having its own centre of ossification: the pineal gland: a small upper piece of each half of an alveolus of a sea-urchin:—pl. Epiph′yses. [Gr.]

Epiphyte, ep′i-fīt, n. one of a species of plants attached to trees, and deriving their nourishment from the decaying portions of the bark, and perhaps also from the air.—adjs. Epiphy′tal, Epiphyt′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, and phyton, a plant.]

Epiplastron, ep-i-plas′tron, n. the anterior lateral one of the nine pieces of which the plastron of a turtle may consist.

Epiploon, e-pip′lō-on, n. the great omentum.—adj. Epiplō′ic. [Gr.]

Epipolism, e-pip′ō-lizm, n. fluorescence.—adj. Epipol′ic. [Gr.]

Episcopacy, e-pis′ko-pas-i, n. the government of the church by bishops: the office of a bishop: the period of office: the bishops, as a class.—adj. Epis′copal, governed by bishops: belonging to or vested in bishops.—adj. Episcopā′lian, belonging to bishops, or government by bishops.—n. one who belongs to the Episcopal Church.—n. Episcopā′lianism, episcopalian government and doctrine.—adv. Epis′copally.—ns. Epis′copant (Milt.); Epis′copate, a bishopric: the office of a bishop: the order of bishops.—v.i. (Milt.) to act as a bishop.—v.t. Epis′copīse.—n. Epis′copy (Milt.), survey, superintendence. [L. episcopatus—Gr. episkopos, an overseer.]

Episemon, ep-i-sē′mon, n. the characteristic device of a city, &c.: one of three obsolete Greek letters used as numerals—

, vau;

, koppa; and

, san, sampi.

Episode, ep′i-sōd, n. a story introduced into a narrative or poem to give variety: an interesting incident.—adjs. Ep′isōdal, Episō′dial, Episōd′ic, Episōd′ical, pertaining to or contained in an episode: brought in as a digression.—adv. Episōd′ically, by way of episode: incidentally. [Gr. epeisodion—epi, upon, eisodos, a coming in—eis, into, hodos, a way.]

Epispastic, ep-i-spas′tik, adj. producing a blister on the skin.—n. a blister.

Episperm, ep′i-spėrm, n. the outer integument of a seed. [Gr. epi, upon, and sperma, seed.]

Epistemology, ep-is-tē-mol′oj-i, n. the theory of knowledge.—adj. Epistemolog′ical. [Gr. epistēmē, knowledge, logia, discourse.]

Episternum, ep-i-ster′num, n. the interclavicle: the epiplastron: the presternum of mammals.—adj. Epister′nal.

Epistilbite, ep-i-stil′bīt, n. a whitish hydrous silicate of aluminium, calcium, and sodium.

Epistle, e-pis′l, n. a writing sent to one, a letter: esp. a letter to an individual or church from an apostle, as the Epistles of Paul: the extract from one of the apostolical epistles read as part of the communion service.—v.i. (Milt.) to preface.—ns. Epis′tler, Epis′toler, a letter-writer; Epis′tler, one who reads the liturgical epistle in the communion service.—adjs. Epis′tolary, Epis′tolatory, Epistol′ic, -al, pertaining to or consisting of epistles or letters: suitable to an epistle: contained in letters.—n. Epis′tolet, a short letter.—v.i. Epis′tolise, to write a letter.—ns. Epis′tolist, a writer of letters; Epistolog′raphy, letter-writing. [O. Fr.,—L. epistola—Gr. epistolē—epi, stellein, to send.]

Epistrophe, e-pis′trō-fē, n. (rhet.) a form of repetition in which successive clauses end with the same word, as in 2 Cor. xi. 22: a refrain in music.

Epistyle, ep′i-stīl, n. Same as Architrave. [Gr. epi, upon, stylos, a pillar.]

Epitaph, ep′i-taf, n. a commemorative inscription on a tombstone or monument.—v.t. to write an epitaph upon.—adjs. Epitaph′ian, Epitaph′ic.—n. Ep′itaphist, a writer of epitaphs. [Gr. epitaphion—epi, upon, taphos, a tomb.]

Epitasis, e-pit′a-sis, n. the main action of a Greek drama, leading to the catastrophe—opp. to Protasis.

Epithalamium, ep-i-tha-lā′mi-um, n. a song or poem in celebration of a marriage.—adj. Epithalam′ic. [Gr. epithalamion—epi, upon, thalamos, a bedchamber, marriage.]

Epithelium, ep-i-thē′li-um, n. the cell-tissue which invests the outer surface of the body and the mucous membranes connected with it, and also the closed cavities of the body.—adj. Epithē′lial.—n. Epitheliō′ma, carcinoma of the skin.—adj. Epitheliom′atous. [Gr.,—epi, upon, thēlē, nipple.]

Epithem, ep′i-them, n. (med.) a soft external application. [Gr. epithema—epi, upon, tithenai, to place.]

Epithet, ep′i-thet, n. an adjective expressing some real quality of the thing to which it is applied, or an attribute expressing some quality ascribed to it: (Shak.) term, expression.—v.t. to term.—adj. Epithet′ic, pertaining to an epithet: abounding with epithets.—n. Epith′eton (Shak.), epithet. [Gr. epithetos, added—epi, on, tithenai, to place.]

Epithymetic, ep-i-thim-et′ik, adj. pertaining to desire. [Gr.,—epi, upon, thymos, the soul.]

Epitome, e-pit′o-me, n. an abridgment or short summary of anything, as of a book.—adj. Epitom′ical, like an epitome.—v.t. Epit′omise, to make an epitome of: to shorten: to condense.—ns. Epit′omiser, Epit′omist, one who abridges.—In epitome, on a small scale. [Gr.,—epi, temnein, to cut.]

Epitonic, ep-i-ton′ik, adj. overstrained. [Gr.,—epi, upon, teinein, to stretch.]

Epitrite, ep′i-trīt, n. (pros.) a foot made up of three long syllables and one short. [L.,—Gr.,—epi, in addition, tritos, the third.]

Epizeuxis, ep-i-zūk′sis, n. (rhet.) the immediate repetition of a word for emphasis. [Gr.]

Epizoon, ep-i-zō′on, n. a parasitic animal that lives on the bodies of other animals and derives its nourishment from the skin—also Epizō′an:—pl. Epizō′a.—adj. Epizoot′ic, pertaining to epizoa: (geol.) containing fossil remains: epidemic, as applied to animals. [Gr. epi, upon, zōon, an animal.]

Epoch, ep′ok, or ē′-, n. a point of time fixed or made remarkable by some great event from which dates are reckoned: a period remarkable for important events: (astron.) the mean heliocentric longitude of a planet in its orbit at any given time.—adjs. Ep′ochal; Ep′och-mā′king.—Make, Mark, an epoch, to begin an important era. [Gr. epochē—epechein, to stop—epi, upon, echein, to hold.]

Epode, ep′ōd, n. a kind of lyric poem invented by Archilochus, in which a longer verse is followed by a shorter one: the last part of a lyric ode, sung after the strophe and antistrophe.—adj. Epod′ic. [Gr. epōdos—epi, on, ōdē, an ode.]

Eponym, ep′o-nim, n. a mythical personage created to account for the name of a tribe or people: a special title.—adj. Epon′ymous. [Gr. epi, upon, to, onoma, a name.]

Epopee, ep′o-pē, Epopœia, ep-o-pē′ya, n. epic poetry: an epic poem. [Formed from Gr. epopoiia—epos, a word, an epic poem, poiein, to make.]

Epopt, ep′opt, n. one initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries. [Gr. epi, upon, and root op-, to see.]

Epos, ep′os, n. the elementary stage of epic poetry: an epic poem: a series of events such as are treated in epic poetry. [L.,—Gr. epos, a word.]

Eprouvette, ep-roov-et′, n. a machine for testing the strength of gunpowder. [Fr.,—éprouver, to try.]

Epsom, ep′sum, n. a useful purgative medicine, acting as a refrigerant, and sometimes as a diuretic.—Also Ep′som-salt. [From Epsom, a town in Surrey.]

Epulotic, ep-ū-lot′ik, adj. cicatrising.—n. a cicatrising medicament.

Equable, ē′kwa-bl, or ek′wa-bl, adj. equal and uniform: smooth: not variable: of even temper.—ns. Equabil′ity, E′quableness, the state or condition of being equable.—adv. E′quably. [L. æquabilis—æquāre—æquus, equal.]

Equal, ē′kwal, adj. identical: of the same value: adequate: in just proportion: fit: equable: uniform: equitable: evenly balanced: just.—n. one of the same age, rank, &c.—v.t. to be, or to make, equal to:—pr.p. ē′qualling; pa.p. ē′qualled.—n. Equalisā′tion, the act of making equal: state of being equalised.—v.t. E′qualise, to make equal.—adj. and n. Equalitār′ian, of or pertaining to the equality of mankind.—n. Equal′ity, the condition of being equal: sameness: evenness.—adv. E′qually.—n. E′qualness, the state of being equal: evenness: uniformity.—v.t. Equāte′, to reduce to an average or to a common standard of comparison: to regard as equal:—pr.p. equāt′ing; pa.p. equāt′ed.—ns. Equā′tion, the act of making equal: (alg.) a statement of the equality of two quantities: reduction to a mean proportion; Equā′tor (geog.), a great circle passing round the middle of the globe and dividing it into two equal parts: (astron.) the equinoctial.—adj. Equatō′rial, of or pertaining to the equator.—n. an instrument for observing and following a celestial body in any part of its diurnal course.—adv. Equatō′rially, so as to have motion or direction parallel to the equator.—Equal to the occasion, fit or able for an emergency.—Equation of time, the reduction from mean solar time to apparent solar time.—An equal (Spens.), a state of equality.—Personal equation, any error common to all the observations of some one person, any tendency to error or prejudice due to the personal characteristics of some person for which allowance must be made. [L. æqualis—æquāre, to make equal—æquus, equal.]

Equanimity, ē-kwa-nim′i-ti, n. equality or evenness of mind or temper.—adj. Equan′imous.—adv. Equan′imously. [L. æquanimitas—æquus, equal, animus, the mind.]

Equerry, ek′we-ri, n. in the royal household, an official under the Master of the Horse, whose main duty is to accompany the sovereign when riding in state. [Fr. écurie—Low L. scuria, a stable—Old High Ger. scûr (Ger. scheuer), a shed.]

Equestrian, e-kwes′tri-an, adj. pertaining to horses or horsemanship: on horseback.—n. one who rides on horseback:—fem. Equestrienne′.—n. Eques′trianism, horsemanship. [L. equester, equestris—eques, a horseman—equus, a horse.]

Equi-, ē′kwi, a prefix meaning equal, from L. æquus.—adj. Equian′gular, consisting of or having equal angles.—n. Equibal′ance, equal weight.—adjs. Equidiff′erent, having equal differences; Equidis′tant, equally distant.—adv. Equidis′tantly.—adj. Equilat′eral, having all sides equal.—v.t. Equilī′brāte, to balance: to counterpoise.—ns. Equilibrā′tion; Equilib′rity, Equilib′rium, equal balancing: equality of weight or force: level position; Equimul′tiple, a number multiplied by the same number as another.—adj. Equipē′dal, equal-footed.—ns. Equipen′dency, act of hanging in equipoise; E′quipoise, equality of weight or force: the state of a balance when the two weights are equal.—v.t. to counterbalance.—n. Equisō′nance, the consonance which exists between octaves.—adj. E′quivalve, having valves equal in size or form.

Equine, ē′kwīn, Equinal, ē-kwīn′al, adj. pertaining to a horse or horses.—n. Equin′ia, horse-pox, glanders, farcy. [L. equinus—equus, a horse.]

Equinox, ē′kwi-noks, n. the time when the sun crosses the equator, making the night equal in length to the day, about 21st March and 23d Sept.—adj. Equinoc′tial, pertaining to the equinoxes, the time of the equinoxes, or to the regions about the equator.—n. a great circle in the heavens corresponding to the equator of the earth.—adv. Equinoc′tially, in the direction of the equinox.—Equinoctial gales, high gales popularly supposed to prevail about the times of the equinoxes—the belief is unsupported by observation. [L. æquus, equal, nox, noctis, night.]

Equip, e-kwip′, v.t. to fit out: to furnish with everything needed for any service or work:—pr.p. equip′ping; pa.p. equipped′.—n. E′quipāge, that with which one is equipped: furniture required for any service, as that of a soldier, &c.: a carriage and attendants, retinue.—v.t. (obs.) to furnish with an equipage.—n. Equip′ment, the act of equipping: the state of being equipped: things used in equipping or furnishing: outfit. [Fr. équiper, prob. Ice. skipa, to set in order, skip, a ship.]

Equipollent, e-kwi-pol′ent, adj. having equal power or force: equivalent.—n. an equivalent.—ns. Equipoll′ence, Equipoll′ency. [L. æquus, equal, pollens, pollentis, pr.p. of pollēre, to be able.]

Equiponderate, ē-kwi-pon′dėr-āt, v.i. to be equal in weight: to balance.—adj. equal in weight.—n. Equipon′derance.—adj. Equipon′derant. [L. æquus, equal, pondus, ponderis, weight.]

Equisetum, ek-wi-sē′tum, n. a genus of herbaceous plants having leafless articulated and whorled stems and branches—also Horse-tail.—adjs. Equisetā′ceous; Equiset′ic; Equiset′iform. [L.,—equus, a horse, seta, a bristle.]

Equitation, ek-wi-tā′shun, n. the art of riding on horseback.—adjs. Eq′uitant, riding: straddling, overlapping; Equiv′orous, eating horse-flesh. [L.,—equitāre—equus, a horse.]

Equity, ek′wi-ti, n. right as founded on the laws of nature: moral justice, of which laws are the imperfect expression: the spirit of justice which enables us to interpret laws rightly: fairness.—adj. Eq′uitable, possessing or showing equity: held or exercised in equity.—n. Eq′uitableness.—adv. Eq′uitably. [Fr. equité—L. æquitas—æquus, equal.]

Equivalent, e-kwiv′a-lent, adj. equal in value, power, meaning, &c.—n. a thing equivalent.—n. Equiv′alence.—adv. Equiv′alently. [Fr.,—L. æquus, equal, valens, valentis, pr.p. of valēre, to be worth.]

Equivocal, e-kwiv′ō-kal, adj. capable of meaning two or more things: of doubtful meaning: capable of a double explanation: suspicious: questionable.—adv. Equiv′ocally.—n. Equiv′ocalness.—v.i. Equiv′ocāte, to use equivocal or doubtful words in order to mislead.—ns. Equivocā′tion, act of equivocating or using ambiguous words to mislead; Equiv′ocātor.—adj. Equiv′ocātory, containing or characterised by equivocation.—ns. E′quivoke, E′quivoque, an equivocal expression: equivocation: a quibble. [L. æquus, equal, vox, vocis, the voice, a word.]

Era, ē′ra, n. a series of years reckoned from a particular point, or that point itself: an important date. [Late L. æra, a number, orig. 'counters,' pieces of copper used in counting, being the neut.pl. of æs, æris, copper.]

Eradiate, e-rā′di-āt, v.i. to shoot out like a ray of light:—pr.p. erā′diating; pa.p. erā′diated.—n. Eradiā′tion, the act of eradiating; emission of radiance. [L. e, out, radius, a ray.]

Eradicate, e-rad′i-kāt, v.t. to pull up by the roots: to destroy.—adj. Erad′icable, that may be eradicated.—p.adj. Erad′icāted, rooted up: (her.) said of a tree, or part of a tree, torn up by the roots.—n. Eradicā′tion, the act of eradicating: state of being eradicated.—adj. Erad′icātive, serving to eradicate or drive thoroughly away.—n. Erad′icātor. [L. eradicāre, to root out—e, out, radix, radicis, a root.]

Erase, e-rās′, v.t. to rub or scrape out: to efface: to destroy.—adj. Erā′sable.—p.adj. Erased′, rubbed out: effaced: (her.) torn off, so as to leave jagged edges.—ns. Erā′ser, one who, or that which, erases, as ink-eraser; Erā′sion, Erase′ment, Erā′sure, the act of erasing: a rubbing out: the place where something written has been rubbed out. [L. eradĕre—e, out, radĕre, rasum, to scrape.]

Erastian, e-rast′yan, n. a follower of Thomas Erastus (1524-83), a Swiss physician, who denied the church the right to inflict excommunication and disciplinary penalties: one who minimises the spiritual independence of the church, subordinating her jurisdiction to the state—a position not held by Erastus at all.—adj. relating to the Erastians or their doctrines.—n. Erast′ianism, control of church by state.

Erbium, er′bi-um, n. a rare metal, the compounds of which are present in the mineral gadolinite, found at Ytterby in Sweden. [From Ytterby.]

Ere, ār, adv. before, sooner.—prep. before.—conj. sooner than.—advs. Erelong′, before long: soon; Erenow′, before this time; Erewhile′, formerly: some time before. [A.S. ǽr; cf. Dut. eer.]

Erebus, er′e-bus, n. (myth.) the dark and gloomy cavern between earth and Hades: the lower world, hell. [L.,—Gr. Erebos.]

Erect, e-rekt′, v.t. to set upright: to raise: to build: to exalt: to establish.—adj. upright: directed upward.—adj. Erect′ed.—ns. Erect′er, Erect′or, one who, or that which, erects or raises: a muscle which assists in erecting a part or an organ: an attachment to a compound microscope for making the image erect instead of inverted.—adj. Erect′ile, that may be erected.—ns. Erectil′ity, quality of being erectile; Erec′tion, act of erecting: state of being erected: exaltation: anything erected: a building of any kind.—adj. Erect′ive, tending to erect.—adv. Erect′ly.—n. Erect′ness. [L. erectus, erigĕre, to set upright—e, out, regĕre, to direct.]

Eremacausis, er-e-ma-kaw′sis, n. (chem.) slow combustion or oxidation. [Gr. erema, slowly, kausis—kaiein, to burn.]

Eremite, er′e-mīt, n. a recluse who lives apart, from religious motives: a hermit.—adjs. Eremit′ic, -al.—n. Er′emitism, state of being an eremite. [Late L.,—Gr. erēmos, desert.]

Erethism, er′e-thizm, n. excitement or stimulation of any organ.—adjs. Erethis′mic, Erethis′tic, Erethit′ic. [Gr.]

Erg, erg, n. the unit of work in the centimetre-gramme-second system—that is, the quantity of work done by a force which, acting for one second upon a mass of one gramme, produces a velocity of one centimetre per second. [Gr. erg-on, work.]

Ergo, ėr′go, adv. (logic) therefore, used to mark the conclusion of a syllogism.—v.i. Er′gotise, to wrangle. [L. ergo, therefore.]

Ergot, ėr′got, n. a disease, consisting of a parasitical fungus, found on the seed of certain plants, esp. rye and some other grasses.—ns. Er′gotine, the active principle of ergot of rye; Er′gotism, poisoning caused by eating bread made of rye diseased with ergot; Ergotisā′tion.—v.t. Er′gotise. [Fr.]

Eric, er′ik, n. the blood-fine paid by a murderer to his victim's family in old Irish law.—Also Er′iach, Er′ick.

Erica, e-rī′ka, n. the scientific name for heath.—adj. Ericā′ceous, belonging to plants of the genus Erica. [L.,—Gr. ereikē, heath.]

Erinite, er′i-nīt, n. native arseniate of copper found in Cornwall and Ireland. [Erin, old name of Ireland.]

Erinys, e-rī′nis, n. one of the Furies:—pl. Erinyes (e-rin′i-ēz).

Eriometer, er-i-om′e-ter, n. an optical instrument for measuring small diameters of fibres, &c. [Gr. erion, wool, metron, a measure.]

Eristic, -al, er-is′tik, -al, adj. of or pertaining to controversy. [Gr. erizein, to strive—eris, strife.]

Erl-king, ėrl′-king, n. for German erl-könig, a mistranslation (meaning 'alder-king') of the Danish ellerkonge (i. e. elverkonge, king of the elves).

Ermine, ėr′min, n. a well-known carnivore belonging to the genus which includes polecat, weasel, ferret, &c.—its white fur often used as an emblem of purity: ermine fur used for the robes of judges and magistrates.—adj. Er′mined, adorned with ermine. [O. Fr. ermine (Fr. hermine), perh. from L. (mus) Armenius, lit. mouse of Armenia, whence it was brought to Rome; but acc. to Skeat from Old High Ger. harmin (Ger. hermelin), ermine-fur.]

Erode, e-rōd′, v.t. to eat away: to wear away.—n. Erō′dent, a caustic drug.—adj. Erōse′, gnawed.—n. Erō′sion, act or state of eating or being eaten away.—adj. Erō′sive, having the property of eating away. [L. e, out, rodĕre, rosum, to gnaw.]

Erotesis, er-ō-tē′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure consisting of an oratorical question.—adj. Erotet′ic. [Gr.]

Erotic, er-ot′ik, adj. pertaining to love: amatory.—n. an amatory poem.—ns. Erotomā′nia, morbid sexual passion; Erotomā′niac, one affected with this. [Gr. erōtikos—erōs, erōtos, love.]

Err, er, v.i. to wander from the right way: to go astray: to mistake: to sin.—adj. Err′able, capable of erring.—n. Errat′ic, a wanderer: an erratic boulder.—adjs. Errat′ic, -al, wandering: having no certain course: not stationary: irregular.—adv. Errat′ically.—n. Errā′tum, an error in writing or printing, esp. one noted in a list at the end of a book:—pl. Errā′ta.—adj. Errō′neous, erring: full of error: wrong: mistaken: (obs.) wandering.—adv. Errō′neously.—ns. Errō′neousness; Err′or, a deviation from truth, right, &c.: a blunder or mistake: a fault: sin; Err′orist. [Fr. errer—L. errāre, to stray; cog. with Ger. irren, and irre, astray.]

Errand, er′and, n. a message: a commission to say or do something.—A fool's errand, a useless undertaking; Go an errand, to go with messages; Make an errand, to invent a reason for going. [A.S. ǽrende; Ice. eyrindi; prob. conn. with Goth. áirus, Ice. árr, a messenger.]

Errant, er′ant, adj. wandering: roving: wild: (obs.) thorough (cf. Arrant).—n. a knight-errant.—adv. Err′antly.—n. Err′antry, an errant or wandering state: a rambling about like a knight-errant. [Fr.,—L. errans, errantis, pr.p. of errāre.]

Errhine, er′in, adj. affecting the nose.—n. a sternutatory. [Gr., en, in, rhis, rhinos, the nose.]

Erse, ėrs, n. the name given by the Lowland Scotch to the language of the people of the West Highlands, as being of Irish origin—now sometimes used for Irish, as opposed to Scotch, Gaelic. [Irish.]

Erst, ėrst, adv. at first: formerly.—adv. Erst′while, formerly. [A.S. ǽrest, superl. of ǽr. See Ere.]

Erubescent, er-ōō-bes′ent, adj. growing red: blushing.—ns. Erubes′cence, Erubes′cency. [L. erubescens, -entis, pr.p. of erubescĕre, to grow red—e, out, and rubescĕre—rubēre, to be red. See Ruby.]

Eructate, e-ruk′tāt, v.t. to belch out, as wind from the stomach.—n. Eructā′tion, the act of belching: a violent ejection of wind or other matter from the earth, as a volcano, &c. [L. eructāre, -ātum—e, out, ructāre, to belch forth.]

Erudite, er′ōō-dīt, adj. learned.—n. a learned person.—adv. Er′uditely.—n. Erudi′tion, state of being erudite or learned: knowledge gained by study: learning, esp. in literature. [L. erudīre, erudītum, to free from rudeness—e, from, rudis, rude.]

Erupt, e-rupt′, v.i. to break out or through, as a volcano.—n. Erup′tion, a breaking or bursting forth: that which bursts forth: a breaking out of spots on the skin.—adjs. Erup′tional; Erupt′ive, breaking forth: attended by or producing eruption: produced by eruption.—n. Erupt′iveness. [L. erumpĕre, eruptum.—e, out, rumpĕre, to break.]

Eryngo, e-ring′go, n. a genus of evergreen plants resembling thistles, the young leaves of E. maritimum (sea-holly) being sometimes eaten as a salad. [L. eryngion—Gr. ēryngos.]

Erysimum, er-is′i-mum, n. a genus of Cruciferæ, allied to Hedge-mustard and Dame's Violet. [Formed through L. from Gr. erysimon.]

Erysipelas, er-i-sip′e-las, n. an inflammatory disease, generally in the face, marked by a bright redness of the skin.—adj. Erysipel′atous. [Gr.; prob. from the root of erythros, red, pella, skin.]

Erythema, er-i-thē′ma, n. a name applied to certain skin diseases, but scarcely used by any two writers in exactly the same sense.—adjs. Erythemat′ic, Erythem′atous. [Gr.,—erythainein, to redden—erythros, red.]

Erythrite, e-rith′rīt, n. a reddish hydrous arseniate of cobalt.—adj. Erythrit′ic.

Escalade, es-ka-lād′, n. the scaling of the walls of a fortress by means of ladders.—v.t. to scale: to mount and enter by means of ladders—sometimes written Escalā′do. [Fr.,—Sp. escalada—escala, a ladder—L. scala.]

Escallop, es-kal′up, n. a variant of scallop.—adj. Escall′oped. (her.), covered with scallop-shells.

Escape, es-kāp′, v.t. to free from: to pass unobserved: to evade: to issue.—v.i. to flee and become safe from danger: to be passed without harm.—n. act of escaping: flight from danger or from prison.—adj. Escap′able.—ns. Escapāde′, an escape: a mischievous freak; Escāpe′ment, act of escaping: means of escape: part of a timepiece connecting the wheelwork with the pendulum or balance, and allowing a tooth to escape at each vibration; Escape′-valve, a valve on a boiler so as to let the steam escape when wanted. [O. Fr. escaper (Fr. échapper)—L. ex cappa, (lit.) 'out of one's cape or cloak.']

Escarp, es-kärp′, v.t. to make into a scarp or sudden slope.—n. a scarp or steep slope: (fort.) the side of the ditch next the rampart.—n. Escarp′ment, the precipitous side of any hill or rock: escarp. [Fr. escarper, to cut down steep, from root of scarp.]

Eschar, es′kär, n. a slough or portion of dead or disorganised tissue, gen. of artificial sloughs produced by the application of caustics.—adj. Escharot′ic, tending to form an eschar: caustic.—n. a caustic substance. [L.,—Gr. eschara, a hearth.]

Eschatology, es-ka-tol′o-ji, n. (theol.) the doctrine of the last or final things, as death, judgment, the state after death.—adjs. Eschatolog′ic, -al.—n. Eschatol′ogist. [Gr. eschatos, last, logia, a discourse.]

Escheat, es-chēt′, n. property which falls to the state for want of an heir, or by forfeiture: (Spens.) plunder.—v.t. to confiscate.—v.i. to fall to the lord of the manor or the state.—adj. Escheat′able.—ns. Escheat′age; Escheat′or. [O. Fr. eschete—escheoir (Fr. échoir)—Low L.,—L. ex, out, cadĕre, to fall.]

Eschew, es-chōō′, v.t. to shun: to flee from: to abstain from. [O. Fr. eschever; cog. with Ger. scheuen, to shun.]

Esclandre, e-sklang′dr, n. notoriety: any unpleasantness. [Fr.,—L. scandalum.]

Escort, es′kort, n. a body of men, or a single man, accompanying any one on a journey, for protection, guidance, or merely courtesy: attendance.—v.t. Escōrt′, to attend as guide or guard. [Fr. escorte—It. scorta—scorgere, to guide—L. ex, out, corrigĕre, to set right.]

Escot, es-kot′, v.t. (Shak.) to pay a reckoning for, to maintain. [O. Fr. escoter, escot=scot, a tax.]

Escritoire, es-kri-twor′, n. a writing-desk.—adj. Escritō′rial. [Fr. escritoire—Low L. scriptorium—L. scribĕre, scriptum, to write.]

Esculapian, es-kū-lā′pi-an, adj. pertaining to Esculapius, and hence to the art of healing.—Also Æsculā′pian. [Æsculapius, god of medicine.]

Esculent, es′kū-lent, adj. eatable: fit to be used for food by man.—n. something that is eatable. [L. esculentus, eatable—esca, food—edĕre, to eat.]

Escutcheon, es-kuch′un, n. a shield on which a coat of arms is represented: a family shield: the part of a vessel's stern bearing her name.—adj. Escutch′eoned ('und), having an escutcheon.—Escutcheon of pretence, an escutcheon placed with the arms of an heiress in the centre of her husband's coat.—A blot on the escutcheon, a stain on one's good name. [O. Fr. escuchon—L. scutum, a shield.]

Eskimo, es′ki-mō, n. and adj. one of a nation constituting the aboriginal inhabitants of the whole northern coast of America, and spread over the Arctic islands, Greenland, and the nearest Asiatic coast.—n. Eskimo dog, a half-tamed variety, widely distributed in the Arctic regions, and indispensable for drawing the sledges. [Said by Dr Rink to be from an Indian word=eaters of raw flesh.]

Esoteric, es-o-ter′ik, adj. inner: secret: mysterious: (phil.) taught to a select few—opp. to Exoteric.—adv. Esoter′ically.—ns. Esoter′icism, Esot′erism, the holding of esoteric opinions.—Esoteric Buddhism (see Theosophy). [Gr. esōterikos—esōterō, inner, a comp. form from esō, within.]

Espalier, es-pal′yėr, n. a lattice-work of wood on which to train fruit-trees: a fruit-tree trained on stakes: (obs.) a row of trees so trained.—v.t. to train as an espalier. [Fr.,—It. spalliera, a support for the shoulders—spalla, a shoulder. Cf. Epaulet.]

Esparto, es-par′tō, n. a strong kind of grass found in the south of Europe, esp. in Spain, used for making baskets, cordage, paper, &c. [Sp.,—L. spartum—Gr. sparton, a kind of rope.]

Especial, es-pesh′al, adj. special: particular: principal: distinguished.—adv. Espec′ially.—In especial, in particular. [O. Fr.,—L. specialis—species.]

Esperance, es′pėr-ans, n. (Shak.) hope. [Fr.,—L. sperans, pr.p. of sperāre, to hope.]

Espiègle, es-pi-ā′gl, adj. roguish, frolicsome.—n. Espièg′lerie, raillery: frolicsomeness. [Fr.]

Espionage, es′pi-on-āj, n. practice or employment of spies. [Fr.,—espionner—espion, a spy.]

Esplanade, es-pla-nād′, n. a level space between a citadel and the first houses of the town: any level space for walking or driving in. [Fr.,—Sp. esplanada—L. explanāre—ex, out, planus, flat.]

Espouse, es-powz′, v.t. to give in marriage: to take as spouse: to wed: to take with a view to maintain: to embrace, as a cause.—ns. Espous′al, the act of espousing or betrothing: the taking upon one's self, as a cause: (pl.) a contract or mutual promise of marriage; Espous′er. [O. Fr. espouser (Fr. épouser)—L. sponsāre—spondēre, sponsum, to promise.]

Esprit, es-prē′, n. spirit: liveliness.—Esprit de corps (es-prē′ d' kōr), regard for the character of that body to which one belongs; Esprit fort (es-prē′ fōr), a person of strong character. [Fr. esprit, spirit, corps, body, fort, strong.]

Espy, es-pī′, v.t. to watch: to see at a distance: to catch sight of: to observe: to discover unexpectedly.—n. Espī′al, the act of espying: observation. [O. Fr. espier, from root of spy.]

Esquimau, es′ki-mō (pl. Esquimaux, es′ki-mōz). Same as Eskimo.

Esquire, es-kwīr′, n. (orig.) a squire or shield-bearer: an attendant on a knight: a landed proprietor: a title of dignity next below a knight: a title given to younger sons of noblemen, &c.: a general title of respect in addressing letters. [O. Fr. esquier (Fr. écuyer)—L. scutarius—scutum, a shield.]

Essay, es′ā, n. a trial: an experiment: a written composition less elaborate than a treatise.—v.t. Essay′, to try: to attempt: to make experiment of:—pr.p. essay′ing; pa.p. essayed′.—ns. Essay′er, Es′sayist, one who essays: a writer of essays; Essayette′, Es′saykin, a little essay.—adjs. Es′sayish; Essayis′tic. [O. Fr. essai—L. exagium, weighing—exagĕre, to try, examine.]

Esse, es′i, n. used in phrase In esse, in existence, opposed to In posse, in potentiality. [L. esse, to be.]

Essence, es′ens, n. the inner distinctive nature of anything: the qualities which make any object what it is: a being: the extracted virtues of any drug: the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil: a perfume.—adj. Essen′tial, relating to or containing the essence: necessary to the existence of a thing: indispensable or important in the highest degree: highly rectified: pure.—n. something necessary: a leading principle.—n. Essential′ity, the quality of being essential: an essential part.—adv. Essen′tially.—n. Essen′tialness. [Fr.,—L. essentia—essens, -entis, assumed pr.p. of esse, to be.]

Essene, es-sēn′, n. one of a small religious fraternity among the ancient Jews leading retired ascetic lives and holding property in common.—n. Essen′ism. [Bishop Lightfoot prefers the der. from Heb. chāshā, to be silent, whence chashshāīm, 'the silent ones' who meditate on mysteries.]

Essoin, es-soin′, n. (law) excuse for not appearing in court: (Spens.) excuse.—n. Essoin′er. [O. Fr. essoine (Fr. exoine), es—L. ex, out, soin, care.]

Establish, es-tab′lish, v.t. to settle or fix: to confirm: to prove a point: to ordain: to found: to set up in business: to institute by law as the recognised state church, and to support officially and financially.—p.adj. Estab′lished, fixed: ratified: instituted by law and supported by the state.—ns. Estab′lisher; Estab′lishment, act of establishing: fixed state: that which is established: a permanent civil or military force: one's residence and style of living: the church established by law.—adj. Establishmentār′ian, maintaining the principle of the established church.—n. one who maintains this principle. [O. Fr. establir, pr.p. establissant—L. stabilīre—stabilis, firm—stāre, to stand.]

Estacade, es-ta-kād′, n. a dike of piles in a morass, river, &c., against an enemy. [Fr.,—Sp.]

Estafette, es-ta-fet′, n. a military courier or express. [Fr.,—It. staffetta—Old High Ger. stapho, a step.]

Estate, es-tāt′, n. condition or rank: position: property, esp. landed property: fortune: an order or class of men in the body-politic: (pl.) dominions: possessions.—v.t. to give an estate to: (arch.) to bestow upon.—n. Estates′man, statesman.—Man's estate, the state of manhood; The estates of the realm are three—Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal, and Commons; but often misused for the legislature—king, lords, and commons.—The ancient parliament of Scotland consisted of the king and the Three Estates—viz.: (1) archbishops, bishops, abbots, and mitred priors; (2) the barons and the commissioners of shires and stewartries; (3) the commissioners from the royal burghs;—in France, the nobles, clergy, and Third Estate (tiers état) remained separate down to 1789; The fourth estate, often used humorously for the press. [O. Fr. estat (Fr. état)—L. status, a state.]

Esteem, es-tēm′, v.t. to set a high estimate or value on: to regard with respect or friendship: to consider or think.—n. high estimation or value: favourable regard.—p.adj. Esteemed′, respected.—adj. Es′timable, that can be estimated or valued: worthy of esteem: deserving our good opinion.—adv. Es′timably.—v.t. Es′timāte, to judge of the worth of a thing: to calculate.—n. reputation: a valuing in the mind: judgment or opinion of the worth or size of anything: a rough calculation: estimation.—n. Estimā′tion, act of estimating: a reckoning of value: esteem, honour: importance: conjecture.—adj. Es′timātive.—n. Es′timātor.—Hold in estimation, to esteem highly.—The estimates, accounts given before parliament showing the probable expenditure for the year. [Fr. estimer—L. æstimāre.]

Esthonian, es-thō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to Esthonia, the most northerly of the Baltic provinces of Russia, or its population, language, or customs.—ns. Esth, an Esthonian of the original Finnish stock; Esth′lander, an Esthonian of the mixed race, in which the German element preponderates.

Estop, es-top′, v.t. to stop or bar: (law) to hinder, preclude:—pr.p. estop′ping; pa.p. estop′ped.—ns. Estop′pāge, the state of being estopped; Estop′pel, a conclusive admission, which cannot be denied by the party whom it affects. [O. Fr. estoper—estoupe—L. stuppa, tow. See Stop.]

Estovers, es-tō′vėrz, n.pl. (law) necessaries allowed by law, as wood to a tenant for necessary repairs, &c.—Common of estovers, the right of taking necessary wood from another's estate for household use and the making of implements of industry. [O. Fr. estovoir, necessaries.]

Estrange, es-trānj′, v.t. to treat as an alien: to alienate: to divert from its original use or possessor.—p.adj. Estranged′, alienated: disaffected.—ns. Estrang′edness; Estrange′ment; Estrang′er. [O. Fr. estranger (Fr. étranger)—L. extraneāre—extraneus. See Strange.]

Estray, e-strā′, n. a beast found within a manor or lordship, and not owned.—v.i. to stray. [See Astray.]

Estreat, e-strēt′, n. (law) a true extract, copy, or note of some original writing or record, esp. of fines and amercements to be levied by bailiffs or other officers.—v.t. to extract from the records of a court, as a forfeited recognisance: to levy fines under an estreat. [O. Fr. estraite—L. extrahĕre—ex, out, and trahĕre, to draw. See Extract.]

Estuary, es′tū-ar-i, n. the wide lower part of a river where it becomes tidal.—adjs. Estuā′rian, Es′tūarine. [L. æstuarium—æstus, tide.]

Esurient, es-ū′ri-ent, adj. hungry: penurious.—n. Esū′rience, hunger: neediness. [L. esuriens, -entis, pr.p. of esurīre, to be hungry—edĕre, to eat.]

Et cetera, et set′er-a, usually written etc. or &c., a phrase meaning 'and so on.'—n. something in addition, which can easily be understood. [L. et and, cetera, the rest.]

Etch, ech, v.t. or v.i. to make designs on metal, glass, &c. by eating out the lines with an acid.—ns. Etch′er, one who etches; Etch′ing, the act or art of etching or engraving: the impression from an etched plate; Etch′ing-ground, the coating of wax or varnish on a plate prepared for etching; Etch′ing-need′le, a fine-pointed steel instrument used in etching. [From Ger. ätzen, to corrode by acid; from same root as Ger. essen. See Eat.]

Eternal, ē-tėr′nal, adj. without beginning or end of existence: everlasting: ceaseless: unchangeable—(arch.) Eterne′.—v.t. Eter′nalise, Eter′nise, to make eternal: to immortalise.—n. Eter′nalist, one who thinks that matter has existed from eternity.—adv. Eter′nally.—n. Eter′nity, eternal duration: the state or time after death.—The Eternal, an appellation of God; The eternities, the eternal reality or truth. [Fr. éternel—L. æternus, æviternus—ævum—Gr. aion, a period of time, an age.]

Etesian, e-tē′zhan, adj. periodical: blowing at stated seasons, as certain winds. [L. etesius—Gr. etēsios, annual—etos, a year.]

Ether, ē′thėr, n. the clear, upper air: the subtile medium supposed to fill all space: a colourless, transparent, volatile liquid of great mobility and high refractive power, and possessing a fragrant odour and a fiery, passing to a cooling, taste.—adj. Ethē′real, consisting of ether: heavenly: airy: spirit-like.—n. Etherealisā′tion.—v.t. Ethē′realise, to convert into ether, or the fluid ether: to render spirit-like.—n. Ethereal′ity.—adv. Ethē′really.—adj. Ethē′reous (Milt.), ethereal.—n. Etherificā′tion.—adj. E′theriform.—n. Etherisā′tion.—v.t. E′therise, to convert into ether: to stupefy with ether.—n. E′therism, the condition induced by using ether. [L.,—Gr. aithēr, aithein, to light up.]

Ethic, eth′ik, adj. relating to morals: treating of morality or duty.—n. (more commonly in pl. Eth′ics) the science of morals, that branch of philosophy which is concerned with human character and conduct: a treatise on morals.—adj. Eth′ical, relating to the science of ethics.—adv. Eth′ically.—n. Eth′icist, one versed in ethics.—Ethical dative, the dative of a first or second personal pronoun implying an indirect interest in the fact stated, used colloquially to give a livelier tone to the sentence. [Gr. ēthikos—ēthos, custom.]

Ethiopian, ē-thi-ō′pi-an, adj. pertaining to Ethiopia, a name given to the countries south of Egypt inhabited by the negro races.—n. a native of Ethiopia: a blackamoor—(arch.) Ethiop.—adj. Ethiop′ic.—n.pl. Ē′thiops, a term applied by the ancient chemists to certain oxides and sulphides of the metals which possessed a dull, dingy, or black appearance. [Gr. Aithiops, sun-burnt, Ethiopian—aithein, to burn, ōps, the face.]

Ethmoid, -al, eth′moid, -al, adj. resembling a sieve.—Ethmoid bone, one of the eight somewhat cubical bones which collectively form the cranial box. [Gr. ēthmos, a sieve, and eidos, form.]

Ethnic, -al, eth′nik, -al, adj. concerning nations or races: pertaining to the heathen.—ns. Eth′nic, a heathen; Eth′nicism, heathenism; Ethnog′rapher.—adj. Ethnograph′ic.—n. Ethnog′raphy, the scientific description of the races of the earth.—adj. Ethnolog′ical.—adv. Ethnolog′ically.—ns. Ethnol′ogist; Ethnol′ogy, the science that treats of the varieties of the human race. [L.,—Gr. ethnos, a nation; Gr. graphē, writing, logia, discourse.]

Ethology, ē-thol′o-ji, n. a discourse on ethics: the science of character.—adjs. Etholog′ic, -al, relating to ethology: treating of morality.—ns. Ethol′ogist, one versed in ethology or ethics; Ē′thos, habitual character and disposition: the quality of a work of art which produces a high moral impression. [Gr. ēthos, custom, logia, a discourse.]

Ethyl, ē′thil, n. a colourless, inflammable gas, insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol—supposed base of ether. [Gr. aithēr, ether, hylē, base.]

Etiolate, ē-ti-o-lāt′, v.t. (med., bot.) to cause to grow pale from want of light and fresh air.—v.i. to become pale from disease or absence of light.—n. Etiolā′tion. [Fr. étioler, to become pale, to grow into stubble, éteule, stubble—L. stipula, a stalk.]

Etiquette, et-i-ket′, n. forms of ceremony or decorum: ceremony: the unwritten laws of courtesy observed between members of the same profession, as 'medical etiquette.' [Fr. See Ticket.]

Etna, et′na, n. a vessel for heating water, &c., at table or in the sick-room, in a cup placed in a saucer is which alcohol is burned.—adj. Ætnē′an. [From the volcano, Mount Ætna.]

Etonian, et-ōn′i-an, n. and adj. one educated at Eton College.—Eton jacket, a boy's dress-coat, untailed.

Etrurian, et-rū′ri-an, adj. and n. of or belonging to Etruria.—adj. and n. Etrus′can, of or belonging to ancient Etruria or its people, language, art, &c.—sometimes jocularly put for Tuscan.

Ettle, et′l, v.t. (Scot.) to purpose, intend.—v.t. to guess.—n. purpose, intent. [Ice., ætla, to think, from root of Goth. aha, understanding.]

Étude, ā-tüd′, n. (mus.) a composition intended either to train or to test the player's technical skill. [Fr.]

Etymology, et-i-mol′o-ji, n. the investigation of the derivation and original signification of words: the science that treats of the origin and history of words: the part of grammar relating to inflection.—adjs. Etym′ic; Etymolog′ical.—adv. Etymolog′ically.—ns. Etymolog′icon, -cum, an etymological dictionary.—v.t. Etymol′ogise, to give, or search into, the etymology of a word.—ns. Etymol′ogist, one skilled in or who writes on etymology; Et′ymon, the origin of a word: an original root: the genuine or literal sense of a word. [O. Fr.,—L.,—Gr. etymos, true, logia, an account.]

Eucalyptus, ū-kal-ip′tus, n. the 'gum-tree,' a large Australian evergreen, beneficial in destroying the miasma of malarious districts.—ns. Eu′calypt, a eucalyptus; Eucalyp′tol, a volatile, colourless, limpid oil. [Coined from Gr. eu, well, kalyptos, covered—kalyptein, to cover.]

Eucharist, ū′ka-rist, n. the sacrament of the Lord's Supper: the elements of the sacrament, as 'to receive the Eucharist.'—adjs. Eucharist′ic, -al. [Gr. eucharistia, thanksgiving—eu, well, and charizesthai, to show favour—charis, grace, thanks.]

Euchlorine, ū-klō′rin, n. a very explosive green-coloured gas, prepared by the action of strong hydrochloric acid on chlorate of potash.—adj. Euchlō′ric. [Gr. eu, well, chloros, green.]

Euchologion, ū-ko-lō′ji-on, n. a formulary of prayers, primarily that of the Greek Church.—Also Euchol′ogy. [Gr. euchologion—euchē, a prayer, logia—legein, to speak.]

Euchre, ū′kėr, n. an American game at cards for two, three, or four persons, with the 32, 28, or 24 highest cards of the pack—if a player fails to make three tricks he is euchred, and his adversary scores against him.—v.t. to outwit. [Ety. uncertain; prob. Ger., like the term bower (q.v.), used in the game; some have suggested a Sp. yuca.]

Euclase, ū′klās, n. a silicate of aluminium and glucinum occurring in pale-green transparent crystals. [Fr.,—Gr. eu, well, klasis, breaking.]

Euclidean, ū-klid′e-an, or ū-kli-dē′an, adj. pertaining to Euclid, a mathematician of Alexandria about 300 B.C.

Eudemonism, Eudæmonism, ū-dē′mon-izm, n. the system of ethics that makes happiness the test of rectitude—whether Egoistic, as Hobbes, or Altruistic, as Mill.—ns. Eudē′monist, Eudæ′monist. [Gr. eudaimonia, happiness—eu, well, daimōn, a god.]

Eudiometer, ū-di-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the purity of, or the quantity of oxygen contained in, the air.—adjs. Eudiomet′ric, -al.—n. Eudiom′etry. [Gr. eudios, clear, metron, measure.]

Eugenic, ū-jen′ik, adj. pertaining to race culture.—n.pl. Eugen′ics, the science of such.—n. Eu′genism.

Eugenin, ū′je-nin, n. a substance procured from the distilled water of cloves.

Eugubine, ū′gū-bin, adj. pertaining to the ancient town of Eugubium or Iguvium (mod. Gubbio), or to its famous seven tablets of bronze, the chief monument of the ancient Umbrian tongue.

Euhemerism, ū-hē′me-rizm, n. the system which explains mythology as growing out of real history, its deities as merely magnified men.—v.t. and v.i. Euhē′merise.—n. and adj. Euhē′merist.—adj. Euhemeris′tic.—adv. Euhemeris′tically. [From Euhemerus, a 4th-cent. (B.C.) Sicilian philosopher.]

Eulogium, ū-lō′ji-um, Eulogy, ū′lo-ji, n. a speaking well of: a speech or writing in praise of.—adjs. Eulog′ic, -al, containing eulogy or praise.—adv. Eulog′ically.—v.t. Eu′logīse, to speak well of: to praise.—n. Eu′logist, one who praises or extols another.—adj. Eulogist′ic, full of praise.—adv. Eulogist′ically. [Late L. eulogium—Gr. eulogion (classical eulogia)—eu, well, logia, a speaking.]

Eumenides, ū-men′i-dēz, n.pl. the Erinyes or Furies—the euphemistic name for these. [Gr. eu, well, menos, mind.]

Eunuch, ū′nuk, n. a castrated man—often employed as chamberlain in the East.—v.t. Eu′nuchate.—n. Eu′nuchism, the state of being a eunuch. [Gr. eunouchos—eunē, a couch, echein, to have charge of.]

Eupatrid, ū-pat′rid, n. a member of the Athenian aristocracy. [Gr. eupatridēs—eu, well—patēr, father.]

Eupepsy, ū-pep′si, n. good digestion—opp. to Dyspepsia.—adj. Eupep′tic, having good digestion.—n. Eupeptic′ity. [Gr. eupepsia—eu, well, pepsis, digestion—peptein, to digest.]

Euphemism, ū′fem-izm, n. a figure of rhetoric by which an unpleasant or offensive thing is designated by an indirect and milder term.—v.t. or v.i. Eu′phemise, to express by a euphemism: to use euphemistic terms.—adj. Euphemist′ic.—adv. Euphemist′ically. [Gr. euphēmismos—euphēmos—eu, well, phēmē—phanaí, to speak.]

Euphony, ū′fo-ni, n. an agreeable sound: a pleasing, easy pronunciation—also Euphō′nia.—adjs. Euphon′ic, -al, Euphō′nious, pertaining to euphony: agreeable in sound.—adv. Euphō′niously.—v.t. Eu′phonīse, to make euphonious.—n. Euphō′nium, the bass instrument of the saxhorn family: a variation of the harmonica, invented by Chladni in 1790. [Gr. euphōnia—eu, well, phōnē, sound.]

Euphorbia, ū-for′bi-a, n. the Spurge genus.—n. Euphor′bium, a gum resin. [L.,—Euphorbus, a physician to Juba, king of Mauritania.]

Euphrasy, ū′fra-zi, n. (bot.) the plant eyebright, formerly regarded as beneficial in disorders of the eyes. [Gr. euphrasia, delight—euphrainein, to cheer—eu, well, phrēn, the heart.]

Euphrosyne, ū-fros′i-nē, n. one of the three Charities or Graces: merriment. [Gr. euphrōn, cheerful.]

Euphuism, ū′fū-izm, n. an affected and bombastic style of language: a high-flown expression.—v.i. Eu′phuise.—n. Eu′phuist.—adj. Euphuist′ic. [From Euphues, a popular book by John Lyly (1579-80).—Gr. euphyēs, graceful—eu, well, phyē, growth—phyesthai, to grow.]

Eurasian, ū-rā′zi-an, adj. descended from a European on the one side and an Asiatic on the other: of or pertaining to Europe and Asia taken as one continent. [From the combination of Europe and Asia.]

Eureka, ū-rē′ka, n. a brilliant discovery. [Gr. perf. indic. of euriskein, to find; the cry of Archimedes as he ran home naked from the bath, where a method of detecting the adulteration of Hiero's crown had suddenly occurred to him.]

Euripus, ū-rī′pus, n. an arm of the sea with strong currents: the water-channel between the arena and cavea of a Roman hippodrome. [Gr.]

Euroclydon, ū-rok′li-don, n. the tempestuous wind by which St Paul's ship was wrecked (Acts, xxvii. 14). [Gr., from euros, the east wind, klydōn, a wave—klyzein, to dash over.]

European, ū-ro-pē′an, adj. belonging to Europe.—n. a native or inhabitant of Europe.

Eusebian, ū-sē′bi-an, adj. pertaining to Eusebius of Cæsarea, father of ecclesiastical history (died 340), or to the Arian Eusebius of Nicomedia (died 342).

Euskarian, ūs-kā′ri-an, adj. Basque. [Basque Euskara, the Basque language.]

Eustachian, ū-stā′ki-an, adj. pertaining to the tube leading from the middle ear to the pharynx, or to the rudimentary valve at the entrance of the inferior vena cava in the heart. [Named from the Italian physician Bartolommeo Eustachio (died 1574).]

Euterpean, ū-tėr′pe-an, adj. relating to Euter′pe, the muse who presided over music—hence relating to music. [Gr. Euterpē—eu, well, terpein, to delight.]

Euthanasia, ū-than-ā′zi-a, n. an easy mode of death.—Also Euthan′asy. [Gr. euthanasia—eu, well, thanatos, death.]

Eutychian, ū-tik′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to the doctrine of Eutyches, a 5th-cent. archimandrite of Constantinople, who held that after the incarnation of Christ all that was human in Him became merged in the divine, and that Christ had but one nature.—n. a follower of Eutyches.

Evacuate, e-vak′ū-āt, v.t. to throw out the contents of: to discharge: to withdraw from.—adj. Evac′uant, purgative.—n. Evacuā′tion, act of emptying out: a withdrawing from: that which is discharged.—adj. Evac′uātive.—n. Evac′uātor, one who evacuates: (law) one who nullifies or makes void. [L. e, out, vacuāre, -ātum, to empty—vacuus, empty.]

Evade, e-vād′, v.t. to escape or avoid artfully: to baffle. [L. evadĕre—e, out, vadĕre, to go.]

Evagation, e-vag-ā′shun, n. wandering: a digression. [Fr.,—L. evagāri—e, out, vagāri, to wander.]

Evaginate, ē-vaj′i-nāt, v.t. to draw from a sheath.—n. Evaginā′tion.

Evaluate, e-val′ū-āt, v.t. to determine the value of.—n. Evaluā′tion.

Evanescent, ev-an-es′ent, adj. fleeting; imperceptible.—v.i. Evanesce′, to fade away.—n. Evanes′cence.—adv. Evanes′cently. [L. evanescens, -entis—e, vanescĕre, to vanish—vanus, empty.]

Evangel, e-van′jel, n. (poet.) good news, esp. the gospel: a salutary principle, esp. relating to morals, politics, &c.—adjs. Evangel′ic, -al, of or pertaining to the gospel: relating to the four gospels: according to the doctrine of the gospel: maintaining the truth taught in the gospel: Protestant: applied to the school which insists especially on the total depravity of unregenerate human nature, the justification of the sinner by faith alone, the free offer of the gospel to all, and the plenary inspiration and exclusive authority of the Bible.—n. Evangel′ical, one who belongs to the evangelical school.—adv. Evangel′ically.—ns. Evangel′icalness; Evangel′icism, Evangel′icalism, evangelical principles; Evangelisā′tion, act of proclaiming the gospel.—v.t. Evan′gelīse, to make known the good news: to make acquainted with the gospel.—v.i. to preach the gospel from place to place.—ns. Evan′gelism; Evan′gelist, one who evangelises: one of the four writers of the gospels: an assistant of the apostles: one authorised to preach, but without a fixed charge; Evangelis′tary, a book containing passages from the gospels to be read at divine service—also Evangelistā′rion, Evan′geliary.—adj. Evangelis′tic, tending or intended to evangelise.—n. Evan′gely (obs.), the gospel. [L. evangelicus—Gr. euangelikos—eu, well, angellein, to bring news.]

Evanish, e-van′ish, v.i. to vanish: to die away.—ns. Evan′ishment, Evani′tion. [See Evanesce.]

Evaporate, e-vap′or-āt, v.i. to fly off in vapour: to pass into an invisible state: to depart, vanish.—v.t. to convert into steam or gas.—adj. Evap′orable, able to be evaporated or converted into vapour.—n. Evaporā′tion, act of evaporating or passing off in steam or gas: the process by which a substance changes into the state of vapour.—adj. Evap′orātive.—ns. Evap′orator; Evaporom′eter. [L. e, off, vaporāre, -ātum—vapor, vapour.]

Evasion, e-vā-′zhun, n. act of evading or eluding: an attempt to escape the force of an argument or accusation: an excuse.—adjs. Evā′sible, capable of being evaded; Evā′sive, that evades or seeks to evade: not straightforward: shuffling.—adv. Evā′sively.—n. Evā′siveness.

Eve, ēv, Even, ēv′n, n. (poet.) evening: the night before a day of note: the time just preceding a great event. [A.S. ǽfen; Dut. avond; Ger. abend.]

Evection, e-vek′shun, n. (astron.) a lunar inequality resulting from the combined effect of the irregularity of the motion of the perigee, and alternate increase and decrease of the eccentricity of the moon's orbit. [L. evection-em—e, out, vehĕre, vectum, to carry.]

Even, ēv′n, adj. flat: level: uniform: (Shak.) straightforward: parallel: equal on both sides: not odd, able to be divided by 2 without a remainder.—v.t. to make even or smooth: to put on an equality: (Shak.) to act up to.—adv. exactly so: indeed: so much as: still.—n. Ev′en-Chris′tian (obs.), fellow-Christian.—adj. Ev′en-down, straight-down (of rain): downright, honest.—adv. thoroughly.—adj. Ev′en-hand′ed, with an equal, fair, or impartial hand: just.—adv. Ev′enly.—adj. Ev′en-mind′ed, having an even or calm mind: equable.—n. Ev′enness.—Be even with, to be revenged on: to be quits with. [A.S. efen; Dut. even, Ger. eben.]

Evening, ēv′ning, n. the close of the daytime: the decline or end of life: an evening party or gathering.—ns. Ev′enfall, early evening, twilight; Eve′ning-dress, the dress worn by ladies and gentlemen at evening parties; Eve′ning-prim′rose, a species of Œnothera, native of Virginia, but now naturalised in many parts of Europe on river-banks, in thickets, &c.—eaten after dinner it incites to wine-drinking; Eve′ning star, applied to Venus, when seen in the west setting soon after the sun; Ev′ensong, evening prayer, the Anglican form appointed to be said or sung at evening: the time proper for such; Ev′entide, the time of evening, evening. [A.S. ǽfnung, from ǽfen, even.]

Event, e-vent′, n. that which happens: the result: any incident or occurrence: an item in a programme or series of sports.—adjs. Event′ful, full of events: momentous; Event′ūal, happening as a consequence: final.—n. Eventūal′ity, a contingency: (phren.) the propensity to take notice of events, changes, or facts.—adv. Event′ūally, finally: at length. [L. eventus—evenĭre—e, out, venīre, to come.]

Eventration, e-ven-trā′shun, n. act of opening the belly; protrusion of an organ from the abdomen.

Ever, ev′ėr, adv. always: eternally: at any time: at all times: continually: in any degree.—n. Ev′erglade, a large shallow lake or marsh: chiefly in pl. such a marsh in southern Florida, enclosing thousands of islets covered with dense thickets.—adj. Ev′ergreen, always green.—n. a plant that remains green all the year.—adv. Evermore′, unceasingly: eternally.—Ever and anon, now and then.—Everglade State, Florida.—Ever so, to any extent; For ever, to all eternity; Seldom or ever, used for seldom if ever, or seldom or never. [A.S. ǽfre, always; der. uncertain; perh. cog. with Goth. aiws.]

Everlasting, ev-ėr-last′ing, adj. endless: eternal.—n. eternity.—adv. Everlast′ingly.—n. Everlast′ingness.—Everlasting flower, the popular name of certain plants, whose flowers may be kept for years without much diminution of beauty; From, or To, everlasting, from, or to, all eternity; The Everlasting, God.

Evert, e-vert′, v.t. to turn inside out.—n. Ever′sion. [L. evertĕre—e, out, vertĕre, versum, to turn.]

Every, ev′ėr-i, adj. each one of a number: all taken separately.—pron. Ev′erybody, every person.—adj. Ev′eryday, of or belonging to every day, daily: common, usual: pertaining to week-days, in opposition to Sunday.—pron. Ev′erything, all things: all.—advs. Ev′eryway, in every way or respect; Ev′erywhen, at all times; Ev′erywhere, in every place.—Every bit, the whole; Every now and then, or again, at intervals; Every other, every second—e.g. every other day, every alternate day. [A.S. ǽfre, ever, and ǽlc, each.]

Evict, e-vikt′, v.t. to dispossess by law: to expel from.—ns. Evic′tion, the act of evicting from house or lands: the dispossession of one person by another having a better title of property in land; Evic′tor. [L. evictus, pa.p. of evincĕre, to overcome.]

Evident, ev′i-dent, adj. that is visible or can be seen: clear to the mind: obvious.—n. Ev′idence, that which makes evident: means of proving an unknown or disputed fact: information in a law case, as 'to give evidence:' a witness.—v.t. to render evident: (obs.) to attest, prove.—adjs. Eviden′tial, Eviden′tiary, furnishing evidence: tending to prove.—advs. Eviden′tially; Ev′idently (N.T.), visibly.—In evidence, received by the court as competent evidence: plainly visible, conspicuous—a penny-a-liner's phrase adopted from the Fr. en evidence; Turn King's (Queen's) evidence (of an accomplice in a crime), to give evidence against his partners. [L. evidens, -entis—e, out, vidēre, to see.]

Evil, ē′vl, adj. wicked: mischievous: disagreeable: unfortunate.—adv. in an evil manner: badly.—n. that which produces unhappiness or calamity: harm: wickedness: depravity: sin.—ns. E′vil-do′er, one who does evil; E′vil-eye, a supposed power to cause evil or harm by the look of the eye.—adj. E′vil-fā′voured, having a repulsive appearance: ugly.—n. E′vil-fā′vouredness (B.), ugliness: deformity.—adv. E′villy, in an evil manner: not well.—adj. E′vil-mind′ed, inclined to evil: malicious: wicked.—ns. E′vilness, state of being evil: wickedness; E′vil-speak′ing, the speaking of evil: slander.—adj. E′vil-starred (Tenn.), born under the influence of an unpropitious star, unfortunate.—n. E′vil-work′er, one who works or does evil.—The Evil One, the devil.—Speak evil of, to slander. [A.S. yfel; Dut. euvel; Ger. übel. Ill is a doublet.]

Evince, e-vins′, v.t. to prove beyond doubt: to show clearly: to make evident.—n. Evince′ment.—adj. Evinc′ible, that may be evinced or made evident.—adv. Evinc′ibly.—adj. Evinc′ive, tending to evince, prove, or demonstrate. [L. evincĕre—e, inten., vincĕre, to overcome.]

Evirate, ē′vir-āt, v.t. to castrate: to render weak or unmanly. [L. evirāre—e, out, vir, a man.]

Eviscerate, e-vis′ėr-āt, v.t. to tear out the viscera or bowels: to gut.—n. Eviscerā′tion. [L. e, out, viscera, the bowels.]

Evite, e-vīt′, v.i. to avoid.—v.t. Ev′itate (Shak.) to avoid.—n. Evitā′tion, the act of shunning. [L. evitāre, -ātum—e, out, vitāre, to shun.]

Eviternal, ev-i-tėr′nal, adj. eternal.—adv. Eviter′nally.—n. Eviter′nity.

Evoke, e-vōk′, v.t. to call out: to draw out or bring forth.—v.t. Ev′ocate, to call up (spirits) from the dead.—n. Evocā′tion. [L. evocāre—e, out, and vocāre, to call.]

Evolution, ev-ol-ū′shun, n. the act of unrolling or unfolding: gradual working out or development: a series of things unfolded: the doctrine according to which higher forms of life have gradually arisen out of lower: (arith., alg.) the extraction of roots: (pl.) the orderly movements of a body of troops or of ships of war.—adjs. Evolū′tional, Evolū′tionary, of or pertaining to evolution.—ns. Evolū′tionism, the theory of evolution; Evolū′tionist, one skilled in evolutions or military movements: one who believes in evolution as a principle in science.—adj. Ev′olūtive. [L. evolutionem—evolvĕre.]

Evolve, e-volv′, v.t. to unroll: to disclose: to develop: to unravel.—v.i. to disclose itself: to result.—n. Ev′olūte (math.), an original curve from which another curve (the involute) is described by the end of a thread gradually unwound from the former.—adj. Evolv′able, that can be drawn out.—n. Evolve′ment.—adj. Evolv′ent. [L. evolvĕre—e, out, volvĕre, volūtum, to roll.]

Evulgate, e-vul′gāt, v.t. to divulge: to publish. [L. evulgāre, ātum—e, out, vulgus, the people.]

Evulsion, e-vul′shun, n. a plucking out by force. [L. e, out, vellĕre, vulsum, to pluck.]

Ewe, ū, n. a female sheep.—ns. Ewe′-cheese, cheese made from the milk of ewes; Ewe′-lamb, a female lamb: a poor man's one possession—used in reference to 2 Sam. xii.; Ewe′-neck, of horses, a thin hollow neck.—adj. Ewe′-necked. [A.S. eowu; cf. L. ovis, Gr. oïs, Sans, avi, a sheep.]

Ewer, ū′ėr, n. a large jug with a wide spout, placed on a washstand to hold water. [Through Fr. from L. aquarium—aqua, water, whence also Fr. eau.]

Ex, eks, used adjectively in words like ex-emperor, to signify late. See Prefixes in Appendix.

Exacerbate, egz-as′ėr-bāt, or eks-, v.t. to embitter: to provoke: to render more violent or severe, as a disease.—ns. Exacerbā′tion, Exacerbes′cence, increase of irritation or violence, esp. the increase of a fever or disease: embitterment. [L. exacerbāre, -ātum—ex, and acerbāre, from acerbus, bitter.]

Exact, egz-akt′, v.t. to force from: to compel full payment of: to make great demands, or to demand urgently: to extort: to inflict.—v.i. to practice extortion.—adj. precise: careful: punctual: true: certain or demonstrable.—p.adj. Exact′ing, compelling full payment of: unreasonable in making demands.—ns. Exac′tion, act of exacting or demanding strictly: an oppressive demand: that which is exacted, as excessive work or tribute; Exact′itude, exactness: correctness.—adv. Exact′ly.—ns. Exact′ment; Exact′ness, quality of being exact: accuracy; Exact′or, -er, one who exacts: an extortioner: one who claims rights, often too strictly:—fem. Exact′ress.—Exact sciences, the mathematical sciences, of which the results are demonstrable. [L. exigĕre, exactum—ex, out, agĕre, to drive.]

Exaggerate, egz-aj′ėr-āt, v.t. to magnify unduly: to represent too strongly: to intensify.—n. Exaggerā′tion, extravagant representation: a statement in excess of the truth.—adjs. Exagg′erative, Exagg′eratory, containing exaggeration or tending to exaggerate.—n. Exagg′erator. [L. exaggerāre, -ātum—ex, aggerāre, to heap up—agger, a heap.]

Exalbuminous, eks-al-bū′min-us, adj. (bot.) without albumen.—Also Exalbū′minose.

Exalgin, eks-al′jin, n. an anodyne obtained from coal-tar products. [Gr.,—ex, out, algos, pain.]

Exalt, egz-awlt′, v.t. to elevate to a higher position: to elate or fill with the joy of success: to extol: (chem.) to refine or subtilise.—n. Exaltā′tion, elevation in rank or dignity: high estate: elation: (astrol.) the position of a planet in the zodiac where it was supposed to wield the greatest influence.—p.adj. Exalt′ed, elevated: lofty: dignified.—n. Exalt′edness. [L. exaltāre—ex, altus, high.]

Examine, egz-am′in, v.t. to test: to inquire into: to question.—n. Exā′men, examination.—adj. Exam′inable.—ns. Exam′inant, an examiner; Exam′inate, one who is examined; Examinā′tion, careful search or inquiry: trial: testing of capacity of pupils, also contracted to Exam.; Examinēē′, one under examination; Exam′iner, Exam′inātor, one who examines.—p.adj. Exam′ining, that examines, or is appointed to examine. [Fr.,—L. examināre—examen (=exagmen), the tongue of a balance.]

Example, egz-am′pl, n. that which is taken as a specimen of the rest, or as an illustration of the rule, &c.: the person or thing to be imitated or avoided: a pattern: a warning: a former instance.—v.t. to exemplify: to instance.—n. Exam′plar, a pattern, model.—adj. Exam′plary, serving for an example. [O. Fr.,—L. exemplum—eximĕre, to take out—ex, out of, emĕre, emptum, to take.]

Exanimate, egz-an′i-māt, adj. lifeless: spiritless: depressed.—n. Exanimā′tion.—adj. Exan′imous [L. exanimātus—ex, neg., animus, spirit, life.]

Exanthema, eks-an-thē′ma, n. one of a class of febrile diseases with distinctive eruptions on the skin, appearing at a definite period and running a recognisable course:—pl. Exanthē′mata.—adjs. Exanthemat′ic, Exanthem′atous.—ns. Exanthematol′ogy; Exanthē′sis, the appearing of an exanthema. [Gr.,—ex, out, antheein, to blossom.]

Exarch, eks′ärk, n. name formerly given to the vicegerent of the Byzantine empire in Italy: a bishop: (Gr. Church) an ecclesiastical inspector.—n. Exarch′ate, the office of an exarch. [Gr. exarchos—ex, and archein, to lead.]

Exasperate, egz-as′pėr-āt, v.t. to make very angry: to irritate in a high degree.—p.adj. irritated.—adjs. Exas′perating, Exas′perative, provoking.—ns. Exasperā′tion, act of irritating; state of being exasperated: provocation: rage: aggravation; Exas′perator. [L. ex, inten., asperāre, to make rough—asper, rough.]

Excalibur, eks-kal′ib-ėr, n. the name of King Arthur's sword. [O. Fr. escalibor—caliburn; cf. Ir. caladbolg, a famous sword.]

Excambion, eks-kam′bi-on, n. legal term for the exchange of lands—also Excam′bium.—v.t. Excamb′, to exchange. [Low L. excambiāre.]

Excavate, eks′ka-vāt, v.t. to hollow or scoop out: to dig out.—ns. Excavā′tion, act of excavating: a hollow or cavity made by excavating; Ex′cavator, one who excavates: a machine used for excavating. [L. excavāre—ex, out, cavus, hollow.]

Exceed, ek-sēd′, v.t. to go beyond the limit or measure of: to surpass or excel.—v.i. to go beyond a given or proper limit.—p.adj. Exceed′ing, surpassing, excessive.—adv. Exceed′ingly, very much: greatly. [L. ex, beyond, cedĕre, cessum, to go.]

Excel, ek-sel′, v.t. to be superior to: to exceed: to surpass.—v.i. to have good qualities in a high degree: to perform very meritorious actions: to be superior:—pr.p. excel′ling; pa.p. excelled′.—ns. Ex′cellence, Ex′cellency, great merit: any excellent quality: worth: greatness: a title of honour given to persons high in rank or office.—adj. Ex′cellent, surpassing others in some good quality: of great virtue, worth, &c.: superior: valuable.—adv. Ex′cellently.—adj. Excel′sior (L. comp.), higher still. [L. excellĕre—ex, out, up, and a word from the root of celsus, high.]

Except, ek-sept′, v.t. to take or leave out: to exclude.—v.i. to object.—prep. leaving out: excluding: but.—adj. and n. Except′ant.—prep. Except′ing, with the exception of, except.—n. Excep′tion, the act of excepting: that which is excepted: exclusion: objection: offence.—adj. Excep′tionable, objectionable.—adv. Excep′tionably.—adj. Excep′tional, peculiar.—adv. Excep′tionally.—adjs. Excep′tious, disposed to take exception; Except′ive, including, making, or being an exception; Except′less (Shak.), making an exception, usual.—n. Except′or. [L. excipĕre, exceptum—ex, out, capĕre, to take.]

Excerpt, ek′sėrpt, or ek-sėrpt′, n. a passage selected from a book, an extract.—v.t. Excerpt′, to select: to extract.—ns. Excerpt′ing, Excerp′tion; Excerp′tor. [L. excerptum, pa.p. of excerpĕre—ex, out, carpĕre, to pick.]

Excess, ek-ses′, n. a going beyond what is usual or proper: intemperance: that which exceeds: the degree by which one thing exceeds another.—adj. Exces′sive, beyond what is right and proper: immoderate: violent.—adv. Exces′sively.—n. Exces′siveness.—Carry to excess, to do too much. [L. excessus—excedĕre, excessum, to go beyond.]

Exchange, eks-chānj′, v.t. to give or leave one place or thing for another: to give and take mutually: to barter.—n. the giving and taking one thing for another: barter: the thing exchanged: process by which accounts between distant parties are settled by bills instead of money: the difference between the value of money in different places: the building where merchants, &c., meet for business.—n. Exchangeabil′ity.—adj. Exchange′able, that may be exchanged.—n. Exchan′ger, one who exchanges or practises exchange: (B.) a money-changer, a banker. [O. Fr. eschangier (Fr. échanger)—Low L. excambiāre—L. ex, out, cambīre, to barter.]

Exchequer, eks-chek′ėr, n. a superior court which had formerly to do only with the revenue, but now also with common law, so named from the chequered cloth which formerly covered the table, and on which the accounts were reckoned.—v.t. to proceed against a person in the Court of Exchequer.—Exchequer bill, bill issued at the Exchequer, under the authority of acts of parliament, as security for money advanced to the government.—Chancellor of the Exchequer (see Chancellor); Court of Exchequer, originally a revenue court, became a division of the High Court of Justice in 1875, and is now merged in the Queen's Bench Division. [From root of check, checker.]

Excide, ek-sid′, v.t. to cut off. [L. excidĕre—ex, out, cædĕre, to cut.]

Excipient, ek-sip′i-ent, n. a substance mixed with a medicine to give it consistence, or used as a vehicle for its administration.

Excise, ek-sīz′, n. a tax on certain home commodities and on licenses for certain trades; the department in the civil administration which is concerned with this tax.—v.t. to subject to excise duty.—adj. Excis′able, liable to excise duty.—n. Excise′man, an officer charged with collecting the excise. [Old Dut. excijs—O. Fr. acceis, tax—Low L. accensāre, to tax—ad, to, census, tax.]

Excise, ek-sīz′, v.t. to cut off or out.—n. Exci′sion, a cutting out or off of any kind: extirpation. [L. excidĕre, to cut out—ex, out, cædĕre, to cut.]

Excite, ek-sīt′, v.t. to call into activity: to stir up: to rouse: to irritate.—ns. Excītabil′ity, Excīt′ableness.—adj. Excīt′able, capable of being excited, easily excited.—ns. Excitant (ek′sit-ant, or ek-sīt′ant), that which excites or rouses the vital activity of the body: a stimulant; Excitā′tion, act of exciting: means of excitement: state of excitement.—adjs. Excīt′ātive, Excīt′ātory, tending to excite.—p.adj. Excīt′ed, agitated.—ns. Excite′ment, agitation: that which excites; Excīt′er.—p.adj. Excīt′ing, tending to excite.—adj. Excī′to-mō′tor, exhibiting muscular contraction. [Fr.,—L. excitāre, -ātum—exciēre—ex, out, ciēre, to set in motion.]

Exclaim, eks-klām′, v.i. to cry out: to utter or speak vehemently.—n. an exclamation, outcry.—n. Exclamā′tion, vehement utterance: outcry: an uttered expression of surprise, and the like: the mark expressing this (!): an interjection.—adjs. Exclam′ative, Exclam′atory, containing or expressing exclamation. [Fr. exclamer—L. exclamāre, -ātum—ex, out, clamāre, to shout.]

Exclave, eks′klāv, n. a part of a country, province, &c. disjoined from the main part—opp. to Enclave.

Exclude, eks-klōōd′, v.t. to close or shut out: to thrust out: to hinder from entrance: to hinder from participation: to except.—ns. Exclu′sion, a shutting or putting out: ejection: exception; Exclu′sionism; Exclu′sionist, one who excludes, or would exclude, another from a privilege.—adj. Exclu′sive, able or tending to exclude: debarring from participation: sole: not taking into account.—n. one of a number who exclude others from their society.—adv. Exclu′sively.—ns. Exclu′siveness; Exclu′sivism.—adj. Exclu′sory, exclusive.—Exclusive dealing, the act of abstaining deliberately from any business or other transactions with persons of opposite political or other convictions to one's own—a euphemism for boycotting (q.v.). [L. excludĕre—ex, out, claudĕre, to shut.]

Excogitate, eks-koj′i-tāt, v.t. to discover by thinking: to think earnestly or laboriously.—n. Excogitā′tion, laborious thinking: invention: contrivance. [L. excogitāre, -ātum—ex, out, cogitāre, to think.]

Excommunicate, eks-kom-ūn′i-kāt, v.t. to put out of or expel from the communion of the church: to deprive of church privileges.—adj. Excommun′icable.—ns. Excommunicā′tion, act of expelling from the communion of a church—(Milt.) Excommun′ion.—adj. Excommun′icatory, of or pertaining to excommunication. [From Late L. excommunicāre—L. ex, out, communis, common.]

Excoriate, eks-kō′ri-āt, v.t. to strip the skin from.—n. Excoriā′tion, the act of excoriating: the state of being excoriated. [L. excoriāre, -ātum—ex, from, corium, the skin.]

Excorticate, eks-kor′ti-kāt, v.t. to strip the bark off.—n. Excorticā′tion.

Excrement, eks′kre-ment, n. useless matter discharged from the animal system: dung.—adjs. Excrement′al, Excrementi′tial, Excrementi′tious, pertaining to or containing excrement. [L. excrementum—excernĕre—ex, out, cernĕre, to sift.]

Excrescence, eks-kres′ens, n. that which grows out unnaturally from anything else: an outbreak: a wart or tumour: a superfluous part.—ns. Ex′crement, an outgrowth; Excres′cency, state of being excrescent: excrescence.—adjs. Excres′cent, growing out: superfluous; Excrescen′tial. [Fr.,—L.,—excrescĕre—ex, out, crescĕre, to grow.]

Excrete, eks-krēt′, v.t. to separate from: to eject.—ns.pl. Excrē′ta, Excrētes′, matters discharged from the animal body.—n. Excrē′tion, act of excreting matter from the animal system: that which is excreted.—adjs. Excrē′tive, able to excrete; Excrē′tory, having the quality of excreting.—n. a duct that helps to receive and excrete matter. [L. ex, from, cernĕre, cretum, to separate.]

Excruciate, eks-krōō′shi-āt, v.t. to torture: to rack: to pain, grieve.—p.adj. Excru′ciāting, extremely painful: racking: torturing: agonising.—adv. Excru′ciatingly.—n. Excruciā′tion, torture: vexation. [L. ex, out, cruciāre, -ātum, to crucify—crux, crucis, a cross.]

Exculpate, eks-kul′pāt, v.t. to clear from the charge of a fault or crime: to absolve: to vindicate.—n. Exculpā′tion.—adj. Excul′patory, tending to free from the charge of fault or crime. [L. ex, from, culpa, a fault.]

Excursion, eks-kur′shun, n. a going forth: an expedition: a trip for pleasure or health: a wandering from the main subject: a digression.—adj. Excur′rent (bot.), projecting beyond the edge or point.—vs.i. Excurse′, to digress; Excur′sionise, to go on an excursion.—n. Excur′sionist, one who goes on a pleasure-trip.—adj. Excur′sive, rambling: deviating.—adv. Excur′sively.—ns. Excur′siveness; Excur′sus, a dissertation on some particular point appended to a book or chapter.—Excursion train, a special train, usually with reduced fares, for persons making an excursion. [L. excursio—ex, out, currĕre, cursum, to run.]

Excuse, eks-kūz′, v.t. to free from blame or guilt: to forgive: to free from an obligation: to release, dispense with: to make an apology or ask pardon for.—n. (eks-kūs′) a plea offered in extenuation of a fault: indulgence.—adj. Excus′able, admitting of justification.—n. Excus′ableness.—adv. Excus′ably.—adj. Excus′atory, making or containing excuse: apologetic.—Excuse me, an expression used as an apology for any slight impropriety, or for controverting a statement that has been made. [L. excusāre—ex, from, causa, a cause, accusation.]

Exeat, eks′ē-at, n. formal leave, as for a student to be out of college for more than one night. [L., 'let him go out.']

Execrate, eks′e-krāt, v.t. to curse: to denounce evil against: to detest utterly.—adj. Ex′ecrable, deserving execration: detestable: accursed.—adv. Ex′ecrably.—n. Execrā′tion, act of execrating: a curse pronounced: that which is execrated.—adj. Ex′ecrātive, of or belonging to execration.—adv. Ex′ecrātively.—adj. Ex′ecrātory. [L. exsecrāri, -ātus, to curse—ex, from, sacer, sacred.]

Execute, eks′e-kūt, v.t. to perform: to give effect to: to carry into effect the sentence of the law: to put to death by law.—adj. Exec′utable, that can be executed.—ns. Exec′utant, one who executes or performs; Ex′ecuter; Execū′tion, act of executing or performing: accomplishment: completion: carrying into effect the sentence of a court of law: the warrant for so doing: the infliction of capital punishment; Execū′tioner, one who executes, esp. one who inflicts capital punishment.—adj. Exec′utive, designed or fitted to execute: active: qualifying for or pertaining to the execution of the law.—n. the power or authority in government that carries the laws into effect: the persons who administer the government.—adv. Exec′utively.—n. Exec′utor, one who executes or performs: the person appointed to see a will carried into effect:—fem. Exec′utress, Exec′utrix.—adj. Executō′rial.—n. Exec′utorship.—adj. Exec′utory, executing official duties: designed to be carried into effect. [Fr. exécuter—L. exsequi, exsecutus—ex, out, sequi, to follow.]

Exedra, eks′e-dra, n. a raised platform with steps, in the open air: an apse, recess, niche—also Ex′hedra:—pl. Ex′edræ. [L.]

Exegesis, eks-e-jē′sis, n. the science of interpretation, esp. of the Scriptures.—ns. Ex′egete, Exeget′ist, one who interprets the Scriptures.—adjs. Exeget′ic, -al, pertaining to exegesis: explanatory.—adv. Exeget′ically.—n.pl. Exeget′ics, the science of exegesis. [Gr. exēgesis—exēgeesthai, to explain—ex, out, hēgeesthai, to guide.]

Exeme, eks-ēm′, v.t. (Scot.) to release, exempt. [L. eximĕre—ex, out, emĕre, to take.]

Exemplar, egz-em′plar, n. a person or thing to be imitated: the ideal model of an artist: a type: an example.—adv. Ex′emplarily.—ns. Exem′plariness, the state or quality of being exemplary; Exemplar′ity, exemplariness: exemplary conduct.—adj. Exemplary (egz-em′plar-i, or egz′em-plar-i), worthy of imitation or notice. [O. Fr. exemplaire—Low L. exemplarium—exemplum, example.]

Exemplify, egz-em′pli-fī, v.t. to illustrate by example: to make an attested copy of: to prove by an attested copy:—pr.p. exem′plifying; pa.p. exem′plified.—adj. Exem′plifīable.—n. Exemplificā′tion, act of exemplifying: that which exemplifies: a copy or transcript. [L. exemplum, example, facĕre, to make.]

Exempt, egz-emt′, v.t. to free, or grant immunity (with from).—adj. taken out: not liable to: released: unaffected by.—n. Exemp′tion, act of exempting: state of being exempt: freedom from any service, duty, &c.: immunity. [Fr.,—L. eximĕre, exemptum—ex, out, emĕre, to buy.]

Exenterate, eks-en′tėr-āt, v.t. to disembowel.—p.adj. disembowelled.—n. Exenterā′tion. [L. exenterāre—Gr. ex, out, enteron, intestine.]

Exequatur, eks-e-kwā′tur, n. an official recognition of a consul or commercial agent given by the government of the country in which he is to be. [L. exequatur='let him execute'—the opening word.]

Exequy, eks′e-kwi (only in pl. Exequies, eks′e-kwiz), n. a funeral procession: funeral rites.—adj. Exē′quial. [L. exequiæ—ex, out, sequi, to follow.]

Exercise, eks′ėr-sīz, n. a putting in practice: exertion of the body for health or amusement: discipline: a lesson, task, academical disputation, &c.: (Shak.) skill: (pl.) military drill: an act of worship or devotion: a discourse, the discussion of a passage of Scripture, giving the coherence of text and context, &c.—the addition, giving the doctrinal propositions, &c.: the Presbytery itself.—v.t. to train by use: to improve by practice: to afflict: to put in practice: to use: to wield.—adj. Ex′ercisable. [O. Fr. exercice—L. exercitium—L. exercēre, -citum—ex, out, arcēre, to shut up.]

Exercitation, egz-er-sit-ā′shun, n. the putting into practice: employment: exercise: a discourse. [L. exercitāre—exercēre, to exercise.]

Exergue, eks′erg, or egz-erg′, n. the part on the reverse of a coin, below the main device, often filled up by the date, &c.—adj. Exer′gual. [Fr.,—Gr. ex, out, ergon, work.]

Exert, egz-ėrt′, v.t. to bring into active operation: to do or perform.—n. Exer′tion, a bringing into active operation: effort: attempt.—adj. Exert′ive, having the power or tendency to exert: using exertion. [L. exserĕre, exsertum—ex, out, serĕre, to put together.]

Exfoliate, eks-fō′li-āt, v.i. and v.t. to come off, or send off, in scales.—n. Exfoliā′tion.—adj. Exfō′liative. [L. exfoliāre, -ātum—ex, off, folium, a leaf.]

Exhale, egz-hāl′, v.t. to emit or send out as vapour: to evaporate.—v.i. to rise or be given off as vapour.—adjs. Exhal′able, that can be exhaled; Exhal′ant, having the quality of exhaling.—n. Exhalā′tion, act or process of exhaling: evaporation: that which is exhaled: vapour: steam. [Fr. exhaler—L. exhalāre—ex, out, halāre, -ātum, to breathe.]

Exhale, egz-hāl′, v.t. to draw out: (Shak.) to cause to flow. [Pfx. ex-, and hale, to draw.]

Exhaust, egz-awst′, v.t. to draw out the whole of: to use the whole strength of: to wear or tire out: to treat of or develop completely.—n. the exit of steam from the cylinder when it has done its work in propelling the piston—escaping by the exhaust-pipe and regulated by the exhaust-valve.—p.adj. Exhaust′ed, drawn out: emptied: consumed: tired out.—n. Exhaust′er, he who or that which exhausts.—adj. Exhaust′ible, that may be exhausted.—n. Exhaust′ion, act of exhausting or consuming: state of being exhausted: extreme fatigue.—adjs. Exhaust′ive, tending to exhaust; Exhaust′less, that cannot be exhausted. [L. exhaurīre, exhaustum—ex, out, haurīre, to draw.]

Exheredate, eks-her′i-dāt, v.t. (rare) to disinherit.—n. Exheredā′tion. [L. exheredāre—ex, out, heres, -edis, heir.]

Exhibit, egz-ib′it, v.t. to hold forth or present to view: to present formally or publicly.—n. (law) a document produced in court to be used as evidence: something exhibited: an article at an exhibition.—ns. Exhib′iter, Exhib′itor; Exhibi′tion, presentation to view: display: a public show, esp. of works of art, manufactures, &c.: that which is exhibited: an allowance or bounty to scholars in a university; Exhibi′tioner, one who enjoys an exhibition at a university; Exhibi′tionist.—adjs. Exhib′itive, serving for exhibition: representative; Exhib′itory, exhibiting.—Make an exhibition of one's self, to behave foolishly, exciting ridicule. [L. exhibēre, -itum—ex, out, habēre, -itum, to have.]

Exhilarate, egz-il′a-rāt, v.t. to make hilarious or merry: to enliven: to cheer.—adj. Exhil′arant, exhilarating: exciting joy, mirth, or pleasure.—n. an exhilarating medicine.—p.adj. Exhil′arāting, cheering: gladdening.—adv. Exhil′arātingly.—n. Exhilarā′tion, state of being exhilarated: joyousness.—adjs. Exhil′arātive, Exhil′arātory. [L. exhilarāre, -ātum—ex, inten., hilaris, cheerful.]

Exhort, egz-hort′, or egz-ōrt′, v.t. to urge strongly to good deeds, esp. by words or advice: to animate: to advise or warn.—n. Exhortā′tion, act of exhorting: language intended to exhort: counsel: a religious discourse.—adjs. Exhort′ative, Exhort′atory, tending to exhort or advise. [L. exhortāri, -ātus—ex, inten., hortāri, to urge.]

Exhume, eks-hūm′, v.t. to take out of the ground or place of burial: to disinter: to bring to light—also Ex′humate.—ns. Exhumā′tion, act of exhuming: disinterment; Exhum′er, one who exhumes. [L. ex, out of, humus, the ground.]

Exies, ek′siz, n.pl. (Scot.) ecstasy: hysterics. [Perh. from access, an attack, a fit.]

Exigent, eks′i-jent, adj. pressing: demanding immediate attention or action.—n. end, extremity: (Browning) a needed amount.—adj. Exigeant′, exacting.—n.fem. Exigeante′.—ns. Ex′igence, Ex′igency, pressing necessity: emergency: distress.—adj. Ex′igible, capable of being exacted.—ns. Exigū′ity, Exig′uousness.—adj. Exig′uous, small: slender. [L. exigens, -entis—exigĕre—ex, out, agĕre, to drive.]

Exile, eks′īl, or egz′īl, n. state of being sent out of one's native country: expulsion from home: banishment: one away from his native country.—v.t. to expel from one's native country, to banish.—n. Ex′īlement, banishment.—adj. Exil′ic, pertaining to exile, esp. that of the Jews in Babylon. [O. Fr. exil—L. exsilium, banishment—ex, out of, and root of salīre, to leap.]

Exility, eks-il′i-ti, n. slenderness, smallness: refinement. [L. exilis, slender, contraction for exigilis.]

Eximious, eg-zim′i-us, adj. excellent, distinguished. [L. eximius—eximĕre—ex, out, emĕre, to take.]

Exist, egz-ist′, v.i. to have an actual being: to live: to continue to be.—n. Exist′ence, state of existing or being: continued being: life: anything that exists: a being.—adjs. Exist′ent, having being: at present existing; Existen′tial. [L. existĕre, exsistĕre—ex, out, sistĕre, to make to stand.]

Exit, eks′it, n. a direction in playbooks to an actor to go off the stage: the departure of a player from the stage: any departure: a way of departure: a passage out: a quitting of the world's stage, or life: death:—pl. Ex′eunt.—v.i. to make an exit. [L. exit, he goes out, exeunt, they go out—exīre, to go out—ex, out, and īre, itum, to go.]

Exode, ek′sōd, n. the concluding part of a Greek drama: a farce or afterpiece. [Gr.]

Exodus, eks′o-dus, n. a going out or departure, esp. that of the Israelites from Egypt (1491 B.C., Usher): the second book of the Old Testament.—adj. Exod′ic.—n. Ex′odist, one who goes out: an emigrant. [L.,—Gr. exodos—ex, out, hodos, a way.]

Exogamy, eks-og′a-mi, n. the practice of marrying only outside of one's own tribe.—adj. Exog′amous. [Gr. exo, out, gamos, marriage.]

Exogen, eks′o-jen, n. a plant belonging to the great class that increases by layers growing on the outside of the wood.—adj. Exog′enous (-oj′), growing by successive additions to the outside. [L. exō, outside, and gen, root of gignesthai, to be produced.]

Exomis, eks-ō′mis, n. a sleeveless vest, worn by workmen and slaves—(Browning) Exō′mion. [Gr. exōmis—ex, out, ōmos, shoulder.]

Exon, eks′on, n. one of the four officers of the yeomen of the Royal Guard. [App. intended to express the pronunciation of Fr. exempt (Dr Murray).]

Exonerate, egz-on′ėr-āt, v.t. to free from the burden of blame or obligation: to acquit.—n. Exonerā′tion, act of exonerating or freeing from a charge or blame.—adj. Exon′erative, freeing from a burden or obligation. [L. exonerāre, -ātum—ex, from, onus, oneris, burden.]

Exophagy, eks-of′a-ji, n. the custom among cannibals of eating only the flesh of persons not of their own tribe.—adj. Exoph′agous. [Formed from Gr. exō, outside, phagein, to eat.]

Exorable, ek′sō-ra-bl, adj. capable of being moved by entreaty.—n. Exorā′tion, entreaty.

Exorbitant, egz-or′bi-tant, adj. going beyond the usual limits: excessive.—ns. Exor′bitance, Exor′bitancy, extravagance: enormity.—adv. Exor′bitantly.—v.i. Exor′bitāte, to stray. [L. exorbitans, -antis, pr.p. of exorbitāre—ex, out of, orbita, a track—orbis, a circle.]

Exorcise, eks′or-sīz, or eks-or′-, v.t. to adjure by some holy name: to call forth or drive away, as a spirit: to deliver from the influence of an evil spirit.—ns. Ex′orcism, act of exorcising or expelling evil spirits by certain ceremonies: a formula for exorcising; Ex′orcist, one who exorcises or pretends to expel evil spirits by adjurations: (R.C. Church) the third of the minor orders. [Through Late L., from Gr. exorkizein—ex, out, horkos, an oath.]

Exordium, egz-or′di-um, n. the introductory part of a discourse or composition.—adj. Exor′dial, pertaining to the exordium: introductory. [L. exordīri—ex, out, ordīri, to begin.]

Exoskeleton, ek-sō-skel′e-tun, n. any structure produced by the hardening of the integument, as the scales of fish, but esp. when bony, as the carapace of the turtle, &c.—adj. Exoskel′etal. [Gr. exō, outside, skeleton.]

Exosmose, eks′os-mōz, n. the passage outward of fluids, gases, &c. through porous media, esp. living animal membranes—also Exosmō′sis.—adj. Exosmot′ic. [L.,—Gr. ex, out, ōsmos, pushing.]

Exostome, eks′os-tōm, n. the small opening in the outer coating of the ovule of a plant. [Gr. exō, without, stoma, a mouth.]

Exostosis, eks-os-tō′sis, n. (anat.) morbid enlargement of a bone. [Gr. ex, out, osteon, a bone.]

Exoteric, -al, eks-o-ter′ik, -al, adj. external: fit to be communicated to the public or multitude—opp. to Esoteric.—n. Exoter′icism. [Gr. exōterikos—comp. formed from exō, outside.]

Exotic, egz-ot′ik, adj. introduced from a foreign country—the opposite of indigenous.—n. anything of foreign origin: something not native to a country, as a plant, a word, a custom.—ns. Exot′icism, Ex′otism. [L.,—Gr. exōtikos—exō, outside.]

Expand, eks-pand′, v.t. to spread out: to lay open: to enlarge in bulk or surface: to develop, or bring out in fuller detail.—v.i. to become opened: to enlarge.—ns. Expanse′, a wide extent of space: the firmament; Expansibil′ity.—adj. Expans′ible, capable of being expanded.—adv. Expans′ibly.—adj. Expans′ile, capable of expansion.—n. Expan′sion, act of expanding: state of being expanded: enlargement: that which is expanded: immensity: extension.—adj. Expans′ive, widely extended: diffusive.—adv. Expans′ively.—ns. Expans′iveness; Expansiv′ity. [L. expandĕre—ex, out, pandĕre, pansum, to spread.]

Ex parte, eks pär′ti, adj. on one side only: partial: prejudiced. [L. ex, out, pars, partis, part.]

Expatiate, eks-pā′shi-āt, v.i. to range at large: to enlarge in discourse, argument, or writing.—n. Expatiā′tion, act of expatiating or enlarging in discourse.—adjs. Expā′tiative, Expā′tiatory, expansive.—n. Expā′tiator. [L. exspatiāri, -ātus—ex, out of, spatiāri, to roam—spatium, space.]

Expatriate, eks-pā′tri-āt, v.t. to send out of one's native country: to banish, or exile.—n. Expatriā′tion, act of expatriating: exile, voluntary or compulsory. [Low L. expatriāre, -ātum—ex, out of, patria, fatherland.]

Expect, eks-pekt′, v.t. to wait for: to look forward to as something about to happen: to anticipate: to hope.—n. (Shak.) expectation.—ns. Expect′ance, Expect′ancy, act or state of expecting: that which is expected: hope.—adj. Expect′ant, looking or waiting for.—n. one who expects: one who is looking or waiting for some benefit or office.—adv. Expect′antly.—ns. Expectā′tion, act or state of expecting: prospect of future good: that which is expected: the ground or qualities for anticipating future benefits or excellence: promise: the value of something expected: (pl.) prospect of fortune or profit by a will; Expectā′tion-week, the period between Ascension Day and Whitsunday—during this time the Apostles continued praying in expectation of the Comforter.—adj. Expect′ative, giving rise to expectation: reversionary.—n. an expectancy.—n. Expect′er (Shak.), one who waits for a person or thing.—adv. Expect′ingly, in a state of expectation. [L. exspectāre, -ātum—ex, out, spectāre, to look, freq. of specĕre, to see.]

Expectorate, eks-pek′to-rāt, v.t. to expel from the breast or lungs by coughing, &c.: to spit forth.—v.i. to discharge or eject phlegm from the throat.—adj. Expec′torant, tending to promote expectoration.—n. a medicine which promotes expectoration.—n. Expectorā′tion, act of expectorating: that which is expectorated: spittle.—adj. Expec′torātive, having the quality of promoting expectoration. [L. expectorāre, -ātum—ex, out of, from, pectus, pectoris, the breast.]

Expedient, eks-pē′di-ent, adj. suitable: advisable: (Shak.) hasty.—n. that which serves to promote: means suitable to an end: contrivance.—ns. Expē′dience (Shak.), haste, despatch: expediency; Expē′diency, fitness: desirableness: self-interest.—adj. Expedien′tial.—adv. Expē′diently. [L. expediens, -entis, pr.p. of expedīre.]

Expedite, eks′pe-dīt, v.t. to free from impediments: to hasten: to send forth: to despatch.—adj. free from impediment: unencumbered: quick: prompt.—adv. Ex′peditely.—n. Expedi′tion, speed: promptness: any undertaking by a number of persons: a hostile march or voyage: those who form an expedition.—adjs. Expedi′tionary; Expedi′tious, characterised by expedition or rapidity: speedy: prompt.—adv. Expedi′tiously.—n. Expedi′tiousness, quickness.—adj. Exped′itive. [L. expedīre, -itum—ex, out, pes, pedis, a foot.]

Expel, eks-pel′, v.t. to drive out: eject: to discharge: to banish: (Shak.) to keep off:—pr.p. expel′ling; pa.p. expelled′. [L. expellĕre, expulsum—ex, out, pellĕre, to drive.]

Expend, eks-pend′, v.t. to lay out: to employ or consume in any way: to spend.—ns. Expend′iture, act of expending or laying out: that which is expended: the process of using up: money spent; Expense′ (Shak.), expenditure: outlay: cost: (pl.) the cost of a lawsuit (Scots law).—adj. Expens′ive, causing or requiring much expense: extravagant.—adv. Expens′ively.—n. Expens′iveness.—Be at the expense of, to pay the cost of. [L. expendĕre—ex, out, pendĕre, pensum, to weigh.]

Experience, eks-pē′ri-ens, n. thorough trial of: practical acquaintance with any matter gained by trial: repeated trial: long and varied observation, personal or general: wisdom derived from the changes and trials of life.—v.t. to make trial of, or practical acquaintance with: to prove or know by use: to suffer, undergo.—p.adj. Expē′rienced, taught by experience: skilful: wise.—adjs. Expē′rienceless, having no experience; Experien′tial, pertaining to or derived from experience.—ns. Experien′tialism; Experien′tialist.—Experience meeting, a religious meeting, where those present relate their religious experiences. [Fr.,—L. experientia, from experīri—ex, inten., and old verb perīri, to try.]

Experiment, eks-per′i-ment, n. a trial: something done to prove some theory, or to discover something unknown.—v.i. to make an experiment or trial: to search by trial.—adj. Experiment′al, founded or known by experiment: taught by experience: tentative.—v.i. Experiment′alise.—ns. Experiment′alist, Exper′imentist, one who makes experiments.—adv. Experiment′ally.—n. Experimentā′tion.—adj. Experiment′ative. [L. experimentum, from experīri, to try thoroughly.]

Expert, eks-pėrt′, adj. taught by practice: having a familiar knowledge: having a facility of performance: skilful, adroit.—n. Ex′pert, one who is expert or skilled in any art or science: a specialist: a scientific or professional witness.—adv. Expert′ly.—n. Expert′ness. [Fr.,—L. expertus—experīri, to try thoroughly.]

Expiate, eks′pi-āt, v.t. to make complete atonement for: to make satisfaction or reparation for.—p.adj. (Shak.) expired.—adj. Ex′piable, capable of being expiated, atoned for, or done away.—ns. Expiā′tion, act of expiating or atoning for: the means by which atonement is made: atonement; Ex′piātor, one who expiates.—adj. Ex′piātory, having the power to make expiation or atonement. [L. expiāre, -ātum—ex, inten., piāre, to appease, atone for.]

Expire, eks-pīr′, v.t. to breathe out: to emit or throw out from the lungs: to emit in minute particles.—v.i. to breathe out the breath of life: to die out (of fire): to die: to come to an end.—adj. Expī′rable, that may expire or come to an end.—ns. Expī′rant, one expiring; Expirā′tion, the act of breathing out: (obs.) death: end: that which is expired.—adj. Expī′ratory, pertaining to expiration, or the emission of the breath.—p.adj. Expī′ring, dying: pertaining to or uttered at the time of dying.—n. Expī′ry, the end or termination: expiration. [Fr. expirer—L. ex, out, spirāre, -ātum, to breathe.]

Expiscate, eks-pis′kāt, v.t. to find out by skilful means or by strict examination.—n. Expiscā′tion.—adj. Expis′catory. [L. expiscāri, expiscātus—ex, out, piscāri, to fish—piscis, a fish.]

Explain, eks-plān′, v.t. to make plain or intelligible: to unfold and illustrate the meaning of: to expound: to account for.—adj. Explain′able, that may be explained or cleared up.—ns. Explain′er, one who explains; Explanā′tion, act of explaining or clearing from obscurity: that which explains or clears up: the meaning or sense given to anything: a mutual clearing up of matters.—adv. Explan′atorily.—adj. Explan′atory, serving to explain or clear up: containing explanations.—Explain away, to modify the force of by explanation, generally in a bad sense. [O. Fr. explaner—L. explanāre—ex, out, planāre—planus, plain.]

Expletive, eks′ple-tiv, adj. filling out: added for ornament or merely to fill up.—n. a word or syllable inserted for ornament or to fill up a vacancy: an oath.—adj. Ex′pletory, serving to fill up: expletive. [L. expletivus—ex, out, plēre, to fill.]

Explicate, eks′pli-kāt, v.t. to unfold, develop: to lay open or explain the meaning of.—adj. Ex′plicable, capable of being explicated or explained.—n. Explicā′tion, act of explicating or explaining: explanation.—adjs. Ex′plicātive, Ex′plicātory, serving to explicate or explain. [L. explicāre, explicātum or explicitum—ex, out, plicāre, to fold.]

Explicit, eks-plis′it, adj. not implied merely, but distinctly stated: plain in language: outspoken: clear: unreserved.—adv. Explic′itly.—n. Explic′itness. [L. explicitus, from explicāre.]

Explicit, eks′plis-it, n. a term formerly put at the end of a book, indicating that it is finished. [Contr. from L. explicitus est liber, the book is unrolled.]

Explode, eks-plōd′, v.t. to cry down, as an actor: to bring into disrepute, and reject: to cause to blow up.—v.i. to burst with a loud report: to burst into laughter.—p.adj. Explō′ded, rejected, discarded.—n. Explō′sion, act of exploding: a sudden violent burst with a loud report: a breaking out of feelings, &c.—adj. Explō′sive, liable to or causing explosion: bursting out with violence and noise.—n. something that will explode.—adv. Explō′sively.—n. Explō′siveness. [L. explodĕre, explosum—ex, out, plaudĕre, to clap the hands.]

Exploit, eks-ploit′, n. a deed or achievement, esp. an heroic one: a feat.—v.t. to work up: to utilise for one's own ends.—adj. Exploit′able.—ns. Exploit′age, Exploitā′tion, the act of successfully applying industry to any object, as the working of mines, &c.: the act of using for selfish purposes. [O. Fr. exploit—L. explicitum, ended.]

Explore, eks-plōr′, v.t. to search for the purpose of discovery: to examine thoroughly.—n. Explorā′tion, act of searching thoroughly.—adjs. Explor′ative, Explor′atory, serving to explore: searching out.—n. Explor′er, one who explores.—p.adj. Explor′ing, employed in or intended for exploration. [Fr.,—L. explorāre, -ātum, to search out—prob. from ex, out, plorāre, to make to flow.]

Exponent, eks-pō′nent, n. he who, or that which, points out, or represents: (alg.) a figure which shows how often a quantity is to be multiplied by itself, as a³: an index: an example, illustration.—adj. Exponen′tial (alg.), pertaining to or involving exponents.—n. an exponential function.—Exponential curve, a curve expressed by an exponential equation; Exponential equation, one in which the x or y occurs in the exponent of one or more terms, as 5^x = 800; Exponential function, a quantity with a variable exponent; Exponential series, a series in which exponential quantities are developed; Exponential theorem gives a value of any number in terms of its natural logarithm, and from it can at once be derived a series determining the logarithm. [L. exponens—ex, out, ponĕre, to place.]

Exponible, eks-pō′ni-bl, adj. able to be, or requiring to be, explained.

Export, eks-pōrt′, v.t. to carry or send out of a country, as goods in commerce.—n. Ex′port, act of exporting: that which is exported: a commodity which is or may be sent from one country to another, in traffic.—adj. Export′able, that may be exported.—ns. Exportā′tion, act of exporting, or of conveying goods from one country to another; Export′er, the person who exports, or who ships goods to a foreign or distant country for sale—opp. to Importer. [L. exportāre, -ātum—ex, out of, portāre, to carry.]

Expose, eks-pōz′, v.t. to lay forth to view: to deprive of cover, protection, or shelter: to make bare: to abandon (an infant): to explain: to make liable to: to disclose: to show up.—ns. Exposé (eks-pō-zā′), an exposing: a shameful showing up: a formal recital or exposition; Expos′edness, the act of exposing: the state of being exposed; Expos′er; Exposi′tion, act of exposing: a setting out to public view: the abandonment of a child: a public exhibition: act of expounding, or laying open of the meaning of an author: explanation: commentary.—adj. Expos′itive, serving to expose or explain: explanatory: exegetical.—n. Expos′itor, one who, or that which, expounds: an interpreter:—fem. Expos′itress.—adj. Expos′itory, serving to explain: explanatory.—n. Expō′sure (Shak., Expos′ture), act of laying open or bare: act of showing up an evil: state of being laid bare: openness to danger: position with regard to the sun, influence of climate, &c. [Fr. exposer—L. exponĕre, to expose.]

Expostulate, eks-post′ū-lāt, v.i. to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct: to remonstrate: (Shak.) to discuss: (Milt.) to claim.—n. Expostulā′tion, act of expostulating, or reasoning earnestly with a person against his conduct: remonstrance.—adjs. Expost′ulative, Expost′ulatory, containing expostulation.—n. Expost′ulator. [L. expostulāre, -ātum—ex, inten., postulāre, to demand.]

Expound, eks-pownd′, v.t. to expose, or lay open the meaning of: to explain: to interpret: to explain in a certain way.—n. Expound′er, one who expounds: an interpreter. [O. Fr. espondre—L. exponĕre—ex, out, ponĕre, to place.]

Express, eks-pres′, v.t. to press or force out: to emit: to represent or make known by a likeness or by words: to declare, reveal: to out into words: to state plainly: to designate.—adj. pressed or clearly brought out: exactly representing: directly stated: explicit: clear: intended or sent for a particular purpose.—adv. with haste: specially: with an express train.—n. a messenger or conveyance sent on a special errand: a regular and quick conveyance: (U.S.) a system organised for the speedy and safe transmission of parcels or merchandise.—n. Express′age, the system of carrying by express.—adj. Express′ible.—ns. Expres′sion, act of expressing or forcing out by pressure: act of representing or giving utterance to: faithful and vivid representation by language, art, the features, &c.: that which is expressed: look: feature: the manner in which anything is expressed: tone of voice or sound in music.—adjs. Expres′sional, of or pertaining to expression; Expres′sionless.—n. Expres′sion-stop, a stop in a harmonium, by which the performer can regulate the air to produce expression.—adj. Expres′sive, serving to express or indicate: full of expression: vividly representing: emphatic: significant.—adv. Expres′sively.—n. Expres′siveness.—adv. Express′ly.—ns. Express′-rī′fle, a modern sporting rifle for large game at short range, with heavy charge of powder and light bullet; Express′-train, a railway-train at high speed and with few stops; Expres′sure, the act of expressing: (Shak.) expression. [O. Fr. expresser—L. ex, out, pressāre, freq. of premĕre, pressum, to press.]

Expromission, eks-prō-mish′un, n. the intervention of a new debtor, substituted for the former one, who is consequently discharged by the creditor.—n. Expromis′sor.

Expropriate, eks-prō′pri-āt, v.t. to dispossess.—n. Expropriā′tion. [L. expropriāre, -ātum—ex, out, proprium, property.]

Expugnable, eks-pug′na-bl, or eks-pū′-, adj. (rare) capable of being stormed.—v.t. Expūgn′, to overcome.—n. Expugnā′tion. [Fr.,—L. expugnāre.]

Expulsion, eks-pul′shun, n. the act of expelling: banishment.—v.t. Expulse′ (obs.), to expel forcibly, eject.—adj. Expul′sive, able or serving to expel. [L. expulsio. See Expel.]

Expunge, eks-punj′, v.t. to wipe out: to efface.—n. Expunc′tion. [L. expungĕre, to prick out, erase—ex, out, pungĕre, to prick.]

Expurgate, eks′pur-gāt, or eks-pur′-, v.t. to purge out or render pure: to purify from anything noxious or erroneous.—ns. Expurgā′tion, act of expurgating or purifying: the removal of anything hurtful or evil: exculpation; Expurgator (eks′pur-gā-tor, or eks-pur′ga-tor), one who expurgates or purifies.—adjs. Expurgatō′rial, Expur′gatory, tending to expurgate or purify.—v.t. Expurge′, to purify, expurgate. [L. expurgāre, -ātum—ex, out, purgāre, to purge.]

Exquisite, eks′kwi-zit, adj. of superior quality: excellent: of delicate perception or close discrimination: not easily satisfied: fastidious: exceeding, extreme, as pain or pleasure.—n. one exquisitely nice or refined in dress: a fop.—adv. Ex′quisitely.—n. Ex′quisiteness. [L. exquisitus—ex, out, quærĕre, quæsitum, to seek.]

Exsanguinous, eks-sang′gwin-us, adj. without blood: anæmic—also Exsang′uine, -d, Exsanguin′eous.—n. Exsanguin′ity. [L. ex, neg., sanguis, blood.]

Exsect, ek-sekt′, v.t. to cut out.—n. Exsec′tion. [L. ex, out, secāre, to cut.]

Exsert, eks-sert′, v.t. to protrude.—p.adj. Exsert′ed, projecting.—adj. Exser′tile.—n. Exser′tion.

Exsiccate, ek′si-kāt, or ek-sik′-, v.t. to dry up.—adj. Exsicc′ant.—n. Exsiccā′tion.—adj. Exsicc′ative.—n. Ex′siccātor. [L. exsiccāre—ex-, siccus, dry.]

Exsputory, ek-spū′tō-ri, adj. that is spit out or rejected. [L. expuĕre, exsputum, to spit out.]

Exsufflicate, eks-suf′fli-kāt, adj. (Shak.) puffed out, contemptible, abominable.—v.t. Exsuf′flāte, to exorcise. [Prob. from L. ex, out, and sufflāre, to blow out—sub, under, flāre, to blow.]

Extant, eks′tant, adj. standing out, or above the rest: still standing or existing. [L. extans, antis—ex, out, stāre, to stand.]

Extempore, eks-tem′po-re, adv. on the spur of the moment: without preparation: suddenly.—adj. sudden: rising at the moment: of a speech delivered without help of manuscript.—adjs. Extem′poral, Extemporā′neous, Extem′porary, done on the spur of the moment: hastily prepared: speaking extempore: done without preparation: off-hand.—advs. Extemporā′neously; Extem′porarily.—ns. Extem′poriness; Extemporisā′tion, the act of speaking extempore.—v.i. Extem′porise, to speak extempore or without previous preparation: to discourse without notes: to speak off-hand. [L. ex, out of, tempus, temporis, time.]

Extend, eks-tend′, v.t. to stretch out: to prolong in any direction: to enlarge, expand: to widen: to hold out: to bestow or impart: (law) to seize: to make a valuation of property by the oath of a jury.—v.i. to stretch: to be continued in length or breadth.—adj. Extend′ant (her.), displayed.—adv. Extend′edly.—adjs. Extend′ible; Extense′ (obs.), extensive.—n. Extensibil′ity.—adjs. Extens′ible, Extens′ile, that may be extended.—Exten′sion, a stretching out, prolongation, or enlargement: that property of a body by which it occupies a portion of space: (logic) a term, opposed to Intension, referring to the extent of the application of a term or the number of objects included under it (University extension, the enlargement of the aim of a university, in providing instruction for those unable to become regular students).—adj. Exten′sional.—ns. Exten′sionist; Exten′sity, sensation from which perception of extension is derived.—adj. Extens′ive, large: comprehensive.—adv. Extens′ively.—ns. Extens′iveness; Exten′sor, a muscle which extends or straightens any part of the body; Extent′, the space or degree to which a thing is extended: bulk: compass: scope: the valuation of property: (law) a writ directing the sheriff to seize the property of a debtor, for the recovery of debts of record due to the Crown: (Shak.) seizure, attack: (Shak.) maintenance: (Shak.) behaviour.—adj. stretched out. [L. extendĕre, extentum, or extensum—ex, out, tendĕre, to stretch.]

Extenuate, eks-ten′ū-āt, v.t. to lessen: to underrate: to weaken the force of: to palliate.—p.adj. Exten′uating, palliating.—adv. Exten′uatingly.—n. Extenuā′tion, act of representing anything as less wrong or criminal than it is: palliation: mitigation.—adjs. Exten′uative, Exten′uatory, tending to extenuate: palliative.—n. Exten′uator. [L. extenuāre, -ātum—ex, inten., tenuis, thin.]

Exterior, eks-tē′ri-or, adj. outer: outward, external: on or from the outside: foreign.—n. outward part or surface: outward form or deportment: appearance.—n. Exterior′ity.—adv. Extē′riorly, outwardly. [L. exterior, comp. of exter, outward—ex, out.]

Exterminate, eks-tėr′mi-nāt, v.t. to destroy utterly: to put an end to: to root out.—adj. Exter′minable, that can be exterminated: used in the sense of 'illimitable' by Shelley.—n. Exterminā′tion, complete destruction or extirpation.—adjs. Exter′minātive, Exter′minātory, serving or tending to exterminate.—n. Exter′minātor.—v.t. Exter′mine (Shak.), to exterminate. [L. extermināre, -ātum—ex, out of, terminus.]

External, eks-tėr′nal, adj. exterior: lying outside: outward: belonging to the world of outward things: that may be seen: not innate or intrinsic: accidental: foreign.—n. exterior: (pl.) the outward parts: outward or non-essential forms and ceremonies.—n. Extē′rior, an exterior thing, the outside.—adj. Extern′, external, outward.—n. a day-scholar.—n. Externalisā′tion.—v.t. Exter′nalise, to give form to.—ns. Exter′nalism, undue regard to mere externals or non-essential outward forms, esp. of religion; External′ity, external character: superficiality: undue regard to externals.—adv. Exter′nally.—n. Exter′nat, a day-school. [L. externus—exter.]

Exterraneous, eks-ter-rā′ne-us, adj. belonging to or coming from abroad, foreign.—adjs. Exterritō′rial, Extraterritō′rial, exempt from territorial jurisdiction. [L. exterraneus—ex, out of, terra, the earth.]

Extinct, eks-tingkt′, adj. put out: extinguished: no longer existing: dead.—adj. Extinct′ed, extinguished.—ns. Extincteur (eks-tang′tür, eks-tingk′tür—see Extinguisher); Extinc′tion, a quenching or destroying: destruction: suppression.—adj. Extinct′ive, tending to extinguish.—n. Extinct′ure (Shak.), extinction.

Extine, eks′tin, n. (bot.) the outer coat of the pollen-grain or of a spore.

Extinguish, eks-ting′gwish, v.t. to quench: to destroy, annihilate: to obscure by superior splendour.—v.i. to die out.—adj. Exting′uishable.—ns. Exting′uisher, one who, or that which, extinguishes: a small hollow conical instrument for putting out a candle—also in Fr. form Extincteur; Exting′uishment, the act of extinguishing: (law) putting an end to a right by consolidation or union. [L. extinguĕre, extinctum—ex, out, stinguĕre, to quench.]

Extirpate, eks′tėr-pāt, v.t. to root out: to destroy totally: to exterminate—(obs.) Extirp′.—adj. Extirp′able.—ns. Extirpā′tion, extermination: total destruction; Extirp′ator.—adj. Extirp′atory. [L. exstirpāre, -ātum—ex, out, and stirps, a root.]

Extol, eks-tol′, v.t. to magnify: to praise:—pr.p. extolling; pa.p. extolled′.—n. Extol′ment, the act of extolling: the state of being extolled. [L. extollĕre—ex, up, tollĕre, to lift or raise.]

Extort, eks-tort′, v.t. to gain or draw from by compulsion or violence.—p.adj. wrongfully obtained.—adj. Extors′ive, serving or tending to extort.—adv. Extors′ively.—n. Extor′tion, illegal or oppressive exaction: that which is extorted.—adjs. Extor′tionary, pertaining to or implying extortion; Extor′tionāte, oppressive.—ns. Extor′tioner, one who practises extortion; Extor′tionist.—adj. Extor′tionous. [L. extorquēre, extortum—ex, out, torquēre, to twist.]

Extra, eks′tra, adj. beyond or more than the usual or the necessary: extraordinary: additional.—adv. unusually.—n. what is extra or additional, as an item above and beyond the ordinary school curriculum: something over and above the usual course or charge in a bill, &c.: a special edition of a newspaper containing later news, &c.—adjs. Ex′tra-condensed′ (print.), extremely narrow in proportion to the height; Ex′tra-con′stellary, outside of the constellations; Extradō′tal, not forming part of the dowry; Ex′tra-foliā′ceous (bot.), situated outside of or away from the leaves; Ex′tra-forā′neous, outdoor; Ex′tra-judi′cial, out of the proper court, or beyond the usual course of legal proceeding.—adv. Ex′tra-judi′cially.—adjs. Ex′tra-lim′ital, not found within a given faunal area: lying outside a prescribed area—also Extralim′itary; Ex′tra-mun′dane, beyond the material world; Ex′tra-mū′ral, without or beyond the walls; Ex′tra-offi′cial, not being within official rights, &c.; Ex′tra-parō′chial, beyond the limits of a parish; Ex′tra-phys′ical, not subject to physical laws; Ex′tra-profes′sional, outside the usual limits of professional duty; Extr′a-pro′vincial, outside the limits of a particular province; Ex′tra-reg′ular, unlimited by rules; Ex′tra-sō′lar, beyond the solar system; Ex′tra-trop′ical, situated outside the tropics; Ex′tra-ū′terine, situated outside the uterus; Extravas′cular, situated outside of the vascular system. [Perh. a contraction for extraordinary.]

Extract, eks-trakt′, v.t. to draw out by force or otherwise: to choose out or select: to find out: to distil.—n. Ex′tract, anything drawn from a substance by heat, distillation, &c., as an essence: a passage taken from a book or writing.—adjs. Extract′able, Extract′ible; Extract′iform.—n. Extrac′tion, act of extracting: derivation from a stock or family: birth: lineage: that which is extracted.—adj. Extract′ive, tending or serving to extract.—n. an extract.—n. Extract′or, he who, or that which, extracts.—Extract the root of a quantity, to find its root by a mathematical process; Extractive matter, the soluble portions of any drug. [L. extrahĕre, extractum—ex, out, trahĕre, to draw.]

Extradition, eks-tra-dish′un, n. a delivering up by one government to another of fugitives from justice.—adj. Extradī′table.—v.t. Ex′tradite, to hand over to justice. [L. ex, from, traditio—tradĕre, traditum, to deliver up.]

Extraneous, eks-trān′yus, adj. external: foreign: not belonging to or dependent on a thing: not essential.—n. Extranē′ity.—adv. Extran′eously. [L. extraneus, external, ex, from, extra, outside.]

Extraordinary, eks-tror′di-nar-i, or eks-trä-or′-, adj. beyond ordinary: not usual or regular: wonderful: special or supernumerary, as 'physician extraordinary' in a royal household, and 'extraordinary professor' in a German university, both being inferior to the ordinary official.—n.pl. Extraor′dinaries, things that exceed the usual order, kind, or method.—adv. Extraor′dinarily.—n. Extraor′dinariness. [L. extra, outside, ordo—inis, order.]

Extravagant, eks-trav′a-gant, adj. wandering beyond bounds: irregular: unrestrained: excessive: profuse in expenses: wasteful.—ns. Extrav′agance, excess: lavish expenditure: (Milt.) digression; Extrav′agancy (Shak.), vagrancy: extravagance.—adv. Extrav′agantly.—v.i. Extrav′agāte, to wander: to exceed proper bounds. [L. extra, beyond, vagans, -antis, pr.p. of vagāri, to wander.]

Extravaganza, eks-trav-a-gan′za, n. an extravagant or eccentric piece of music or literary production: extravagant conduct or speech. [It.]

Extravasate, eks-trav′a-sāt, v.t. to let out of the proper vessels.—adj. let out of its proper vessel: extravasated.—n. Extravasā′tion, act of extravasating: the escape of any of the fluids of the living body from their proper vessels through a rupture in their walls. [L. extra, out of, vas, a vessel.]

Extreme, eks-trēm′, adj. outermost: most remote: last: highest in degree: greatest: excessive: most violent: most urgent: stringent.—n. the utmost point or verge: end: utmost or highest limit or degree: great necessity.—adv. Extrēme′ly.—ns. Extrē′mism; Extrē′mist.—adj. Extrem′ital.—n. Extrem′ity, the utmost limit: the highest degree: greatest necessity or distress: (pl.) the hands and feet.—Extreme unction (see Unction).—Go to extremes, to go too far: to use extreme measures.—In extremis (L.), at the point of death; In the extreme, in the last, highest degree: extremely; The last extremity, the utmost pitch of misfortune: death. [O. Fr. extreme—L. extremus, superl. of exter, on the outside.]

Extricate, eks′tri-kāt, v.t. to free from hinderances or perplexities: to disentangle: to set free.—adj. Ex′tricable.—n. Extricā′tion, disentanglement: act of setting free. [L. extricāre, -ātum—ex, out, tricæ, hinderances.]

Extrinsic, -al, eks-trin′sik, -al, adj. external: not contained in or belonging to a body: foreign: not essential—opp. to Intrinsic.—n. Extrinsical′ity.—adv. Extrin′sically. [Fr.,—L. extrinsecus—exter, outside, secus, beside.]

Extrorse, eks-trors′, adj. turned outward.—Also Extror′sal. [L. extra, outside, versus, turned.]

Extrude, eks-trōōd′, v.t. to force or urge out: to expel: to drive off.—n. Extru′sion, act of extruding, thrusting, or throwing out: expulsion.—adjs. Extru′sive, Extru′sory. [L. extrudĕre, extrusum—ex, out, trudĕre, to thrust.]

Exuberant, eks-ū′bėr-ant, adj. plenteous: overflowing: happy: lavish.—ns. Exū′berance, Exū′berancy, quality of being exuberant: an overflowing quantity: superfluousness: outburst.—adv. Exū′berantly.—v.i. Exū′berāte, to be exuberant. [L. exuberans, pr.p. of exuberāre—ex, inten., uber, rich.]

Exude, eks-ūd′, v.t. to discharge by sweating: to discharge through pores or incisions, as sweat, moisture, &c.—v.i. to flow out of a body through the pores.—n. Exudā′tion, act of exuding or discharging through pores: that which is exuded. [L. exudāre—ex, out, sudāre, to sweat.]

Exulcerate, egz-ul′ser-āt, v.t. to exasperate, afflict.—n. Exulcerā′tion, ulceration: exasperation. [L. exculcerāre, -ātum—ex, out, ulcerāre.]

Exult, egz-ult′, v.i. to rejoice exceedingly: to triumph.—ns. Exult′ance, Exult′ancy, exultation: triumph.—adj. Exult′ant, exulting: triumphant.—n. Exultā′tion, rapturous delight: transport.—adv. Exult′ingly. [L. exsultāre, -ātum, from exsilīre—ex, out or up, salīre, to leap.]

Exuviæ, eks-ū′vi-ē, n.pl. cast-off skins, shells, or other coverings of animals: (geol.) fossil shells and other remains of animals.—adj. Exū′vial.—v.i. Exū′viāte, to lay aside an old covering or condition for a new one.—n. Exuviā′tion, the act of exuviating. [L., from exuĕre, to draw off.]

Eyalet, ī′a-let, n. a division of the Turkish Empire—vilayet. [Turk.,—Ar. iyālahāl, to govern.]

Eyas, ī′as, n. an unfledged hawk.—adj. (Spens.) unfledged.—n. Ey′as-mus′ket, an unfledged male hawk: (Shak.) a child. [Eyas, a corr. of nyas—Fr. niais—L. nidus, nest.]

Eye, ī, n. (obs.) a brood. [For nye, neye; a neye=an eye. See Eyas.]

Eye, ī, n. the organ of sight or vision, more correctly the globe or movable part of it: the power of seeing: sight: regard: aim: keenness of perception: anything resembling an eye, as the hole of a needle, loop or ring for a hook, &c.: the seed-bud of a potato: (pl.) the foremost part of a ship's bows, the hawse-holes.—v.t. to look on: to observe narrowly.—v.i. (Shak.) to appear:—pr.p. ey′ing or eye′ing; pa.p. eyed (īd).—ns. Eye′-ball, the ball, globe, or apple of the eye; Eye′-beam, a glance of the eye; Eye′bright, a beautiful little plant of the genus Euphrasia, formerly used as a remedy for diseases of the eye (see Euphrasy); Eye′brow, the hairy arch above the eye.—v.t. to provide with artificial eyebrows.—adj. Eye′browless, without eyebrows.—p.adj. Eyed, having eyes: spotted as if with eyes.—ns. Eye′-drop (Shak.), a tear; Eye′-flap, a blinder on a horse's bridle; Eye′-glance, a quick look; Eye′glass, a glass to assist the sight, esp. such as stick on the nose by means of a spring: the eye-piece of a telescope and like instrument: (Shak.) the lens of the eye; Eye′lash, the line of hairs that edges the eyelid.—adj. Eye′less, without eyes or sight: deprived of eyes: blind.—ns. Eye′let, Eye′let-hole, a small eye or hole to receive a lace or cord, as in garments, sails, &c.: a small hole for seeing through: a little eye.—v.i. to make eyelets.—ns. Eye′liad, obsolete form of œillade; Eye′lid, the lid or cover of the eye: the portion of movable skin by means of which the eye is opened or closed at pleasure; Eye′-ō′pener, something that opens the eyes literally or figuratively, a startling story: a drink, esp. in the morning; Eye′-piece, the lens or combination of lenses at the eye-end of a telescope; Eye′-pit, the socket of the eye; Eye′-salve, salve or ointment for the eyes; Eye′-serv′ant, a servant who does his duty only when under the eye of his master; Eye′-serv′ice, service performed only under the eye or inspection of an employer: formal worship; Eye′-shot, the reach or range of sight of the eye: a glance; Eye′sight, power of seeing: view: observation; Eye′sore, anything that is offensive to the eye or otherwise; Eye′-splice, a kind of eye or loop formed by splicing the end of a rope into itself; Eye′-spot, a spot like an eye.—adj. Eye′-spot′ted (Spens.), marked with spots like eyes.—ns. Eye′-stone, a small calcareous body used for removing substances from under the eyelid; Eye′-string, the muscle which raises the eyelid; Eye′-tooth, one of the two canine teeth of the upper jaw, between the incisors and premolars; Eye′-wa′ter, water flowing from the eye: a lotion for the eyes; Eye′-wink (Shak.), a rapid lowering and raising of the eyelid: a glance: the time of a wink; Eye′-wit′ness, one who sees a thing done.—Eye for eye, lex talionis (Ex. xxi. 24); Eye of day, the sun.—All my eye (slang) unreal; Be all eyes, to give all attention; Be a sheet in the wind's eye, to be intoxicated; Clap, Lay, Set, eyes on (coll.), to see; Cry one's eyes out, to weep bitterly; Cut one's eye-tooth, to cease to be a child: to be shrewd; Give an eye to, to attend to; Green eye, jealousy; Have an eye to, to contemplate: to have regard to; In eye, in sight; In one's mind's eye, in contemplation; In the eyes of, in the estimation, opinion, of; In the wind's eye, against the wind; Keep one's eye on, to observe closely: to watch; Make a person open his eyes, to cause him astonishment; Make eyes at, to look at in an amorous way: to ogle; Mind your eye (slang), take care; My eye! a mild asseveration; Naked eye (see Naked); Open a person's eyes, to make him see: to show him something of which he is ignorant; Pipe, or Put the finger in, the eye, to weep; See eye to eye, from Is. lii. 8, but used in the sense of 'to think alike;' See with half an eye, to see without difficulty; Under the eye of, under the observation of; Up to the eyes, deeply engaged. [A.S. éage; cf. Goth. augo, Ger. auge, Dut. oog, Ice. auga.]

Eyre, ār, n. a journey or circuit: a court of itinerant justices.—Justices in eyre, itinerant judges who went on circuit. [O. Fr. eire, journey, from L. iter, a way, a journey—īre, itum, to go.]

the sixth letter in the English and Latin alphabets—its sound called a labio-dental fricative, and formed by bringing the lower lip into contact with the upper teeth: (mus.) the fourth note of the natural diatonic scale of C: as a medieval Roman numeral=40; F=40,000.—The three F's, fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale.

Fabian, fā′bi-an, adj. delaying, avoiding battle, cautious, practising the policy of delay.—n. a member of a small group of Socialists in England, called by this name. [From Q. Fabius Maximus, surnamed Cunctator ('delayer'), from the masterly tactics with which he wore out the strength of Hannibal, whom he dared not meet in battle.]

Fable, fā′bl, n. a narrative in which things irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions: any tale in literary form, not necessarily probable in its incidents, intended to instruct or amuse: the plot or series of events in an epic or dramatic poem: a fiction or myth: a ridiculous story, as in 'old wives' fables,' a falsehood: subject of common talk.—v.i. to tell fictitious tales: (obs.) to tell falsehoods.—v.t. to feign: to invent.—p.adj. Fā′bled, mythical.—n. Fā′bler, a writer or narrator of fictions.—adj. Fab′ular.—v.i. Fab′ulīse, to write fables, or to speak in fables.—ns. Fab′ulist, one who invents fables; Fabulos′ity, Fab′ulousness.—adj. Fab′ulous, feigned, false: related in fable: immense, amazing.—adv. Fab′ulously. [Fr. fable—L. fabula, fāri, to speak.]

Fabliau, fab-li-ō′, n. one of a group of over a hundred metrical tales, usually satirical in quality, produced in France from about the middle of the 12th to the end of the 13th century:—pl. Fab′liaux. [Fr.]

Fabric, fab′rik, or fā′brik, n. workmanship: texture: anything framed by art and labour: building, esp. the construction and maintenance of a church, &c.: manufactured cloth: any system of connected parts.—v.t. (Milt.) to construct.—n. Fab′ricant, a manufacturer. [Fr. fabrique—L. fabrica—faber, a worker in hard materials.]

Fabricate, fab′ri-kāt, v.t. to put together by art and labour: to manufacture: to produce: to devise falsely.—n. Fabricā′tion, construction: manufacture: that which is fabricated or invented: a story: a falsehood.—adj. Fab′ricative.—n. Fab′ricator. [L. fabricāri, -ātus—fabrica, fabric.]

Façade, fa-sād′, n. the exterior front or face of a building. [Fr.,—face, after It. facciata, the front of a building—faccia, the face.]

Face, fās, n. the front part of the head, including forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin: the outside make or appearance: front or surface of anything: the edge of a cutting-tool, &c.: the part of a coal-seam actually being mined: cast of features, any special appearance or expression of the countenance: look, configuration: boldness, effrontery; presence: (B.) anger or favour.—v.t. to meet in the face or in front: to stand opposite to: to resist: to put an additional face or surface on; to cover in front.—v.i. to turn the face, as in military tactics—'right face,' &c.—ns. Face′-ache, neuralgia in the nerves of the face; Face′-card, a playing-card bearing a face (king, queen, or knave); Face′-cloth, a cloth laid over the face of a corpse.—adj. Faced, having the outer surface dressed, with the front, as of a dress, covered ornamentally with another material.—n. Face′-guard, a kind of mask to guard or protect the face.—adj. Face′less, without a face.—ns. Fac′er, one who puts on a false show: a bold-faced person: (slang) a severe blow on the face, anything that staggers one; Fac′ing, a covering in front for ornament or protection.—Face down, to abash by stern looks; Face out, to carry off by bold looks; Face the music (U.S. slang), to accept the situation at its worst; Face-to-face, in front of, in actual presence of.—Accept one's face, to show him favour or grant his request; Fly in the face of, to set one's self directly against; Have two faces, or Be two-faced, to be disingenuous; On the face of it, on its own showing: palpably plain; Pull a long face, to look dismal and unhappy; Put a good face on, to assume a bold or contented bearing as regards; Right face! Left face! Right about face! words of command, on which the soldiers individually turn to the side specified; Run one's face (U.S. slang), to obtain things on credit by sheer impudence; Set one's face against, to oppose strenuously; Show one's face, to appear, to come in view; Shut the door in his face, to shut the door before him, refusing him admittance; To his face, in his presence, openly. [Fr. face—L. ''facies'', form, face; perh. from facĕre, to make.]

Facet, fas′et, n. a small surface, as of a crystal.—v.t. to cut a facet upon, or cover with facets.—adj. Fac′eted, having or formed into facets. [Fr. facette, dim. of face.]

Facetious, fa-sē′shus, adj. witty, humorous, jocose: bawdy—(obs. or arch.) Facete′.—n.pl. Facetiæ (fa-sē′shi-ē), witty or humorous sayings or writings: a bookseller's term for improper books—of all degrees of indecency.—adv. Facē′tiously.—n. Facē′tiousness. [Fr., from L. facētia—facetus, merry, witty.]

Facial, fā′shal, adj. of or relating to the face.—adv. Fā′cially.—Facial angle, in craniometry, the angle formed by lines drawn to show to what extent the jaws are protruding and the forehead receding.

Facies, fā′shi-ēz, n. general aspect of anything: the face, features. [L.]

Facile, fas′il, adj. easily persuaded: affable: yielding: easy of access or accomplishment: courteous: easy.—n. Fac′ileness.—v.t. Facil′itāte, to make easy: to lessen difficulty.—ns. Facilitā′tion; Facil′ity, quality of being facile; dexterity: easiness to be persuaded: pliancy: easiness of access: affability: (Scots law) a condition of mental weakness short of idiocy, but such as makes a person easily persuaded to do deeds to his own prejudice:—pl. Facil′ities, means that render anything easily done. [Fr.,—L. facilis, easy—facĕre, to do.]

Facinorous, fa-sin′o-rus, adj. atrociously wicked.—n. Facin′orousness. [L. facinorosus—facinus, a crime—facĕre, to do.]

Fac-simile, fak-sim′i-lē, n. an exact copy, as of handwriting, a coin, &c.—adj. exactly corresponding.—v.t. to make a fac-simile of, to reproduce.—n. Fac-sim′ilist. [L. fac, imper. of facĕre, to make, simile, neut. of similis, like.]

Fact, fakt, n. a deed or anything done: anything that comes to pass: reality, or a real state of things, as distinguished from a mere statement or belief, a datum of experience: truth: the assertion of a thing done: an evil deed, a sense now surviving only in 'to confess the fact,' 'after' or 'before the fact.'—adj. Fact′ual, pertaining to facts: actual.—ns. Factual′ity; Fact′um, a thing done, a deed.—As a matter of fact, in reality.—The fact of the matter, the plain truth about the subject in question. [L. factum—facĕre, to make.]

Faction, fak′shun, n. a company of persons associated or acting together, mostly used in a bad sense: a contentious party in a state or society: dissension.—adj. Fac′tional.—ns. Fac′tionary, a member of a faction; Fac′tionist.—adj. Fac′tious, turbulent: disloyal.—adv. Fac′tiously.—n. Fac′tiousness. [L. factionem—facĕre, to do.]

Factitious, fak-tish′us, adj. made by art, in opposition to what is natural or spontaneous: conventional.—adv. Facti′tiously.—n. Facti′tiousness.—adjs. Fac′titive, causative; Fac′tive (obs.), making. [L. factitius—facĕre, to make.]

Factor, fak′tor, n. a doer or transactor of business for another: one who buys and sells goods for others, on commission: (Scot.) an agent managing heritable estates for another: (math.) one of two or more parts, which, when multiplied together, result in a given number—e.g. 6 and 4 are factors of 24: an element in the composition of anything, or in bringing about a certain result.—ns. Fac′torage, the fees or commission of a factor.—adj. Factō′rial, of or pertaining to a factor.—v.t. Fac′torise (U.S.), to warn not to pay or give up goods: to attach the effects of a debtor in the hands of a third person.—ns. Fac′torship; Fac′tory, a manufactory: a trading settlement in a distant country.—Judicial factor, a person appointed by the Court to manage the estate of a person under some incapacity. [L.,—facĕre.]

Factotum, fak-tō′tum, n. a person employed to do all kinds of work for another. [Low L.,—L. fac, imper. of facĕre, to do, totum, all.]

Facula, fak′ū-la, n. a spot brighter than the rest of the surface, sometimes seen on the sun's disc:—pl. Fac′ulæ. [L., 'a torch,' dim. of fax, torch.]

Faculty, fak′ul-ti, n. facility or power to act: any particular ability or aptitude: an original power of the mind: any physical capability or function: personal quality or endowment: right, authority, or privilege to act: license: a department of learning at a university, or the professors constituting it: the members of a profession: executive ability.—adj. Fac′ultātive, optional: of or pertaining to a faculty.—Court of Faculties, a court established by Henry VIII., whereby authority is given to the Archbishop of Canterbury to grant dispensations and faculties. [Fr.,—L. facultatem—facilis, easy.]

Fad, fad, n. a weak or transient hobby, crotchet, or craze: any unimportant belief or practice intemperately urged.—adjs. Fad′dish, given to fads—also Fad′dy.—ns. Fad′disnness; Fad′dism; Fad′dist, one who is a slave to some fad. [Ety. dub.]

Faddle, fad′l, v.i. (prov.) to trifle.—n. nonsense, trifling—usually in fiddle-faddle.

Fade, fād, v.i. to lose strength, freshness, or colour gradually: to vanish.—adj. insipid: weak.—adv. Fā′dedly.—adj. Fade′less.—adv. Fade′lessly.—n. Fā′ding (Shak.), the burden of a song.—adj. Fā′dy, wearing away. [O. Fr. fader—fade—L. vapidum, acc. to Gaston Paris.]

Fadge, faj, v.i. to agree: to succeed, turn out well. [Ety. dub.; not conn. with A.S. fégan, to join.]

Fæces, Feces, fē′sēz, n.pl. sediment after infusion or distillation: dregs: the solid excrements.—adj. Fæ′cal, of or pertaining to fæces. [L., pl. of fæx, fæcis, grounds.]

Faerie, Faery, fā′ėr-i, n. (arch.) the world of fairies, fairyland: (obs.) a fairy. [A variant of fairy.]

Fag, fag, v.i. to become weary or tired out: to work hard: to be a fag.—v.t. to weary: to use as a fag:—pr.p. fag′ging; pa.p. fagged.—n. at Eton, Winchester, &c., a schoolboy forced to do menial offices for one older, who in turn protects him: a tiresome piece of work: drudgery.—ns. Fag′gery, drudgery: fagging; Fag′ging, laborious drudgery: a usage in virtue of which senior boys are authorised to exact a variety of services from the junior boys.—To fag out, to field, as a fag, in cricket. [Ety. dub.; perh. a corr. of flag, to droop, which see.]

Fag-end, fag′-end, n. the end of a web of cloth that hangs loose: the untwisted end of a rope: the refuse or meaner part of a thing.

Faggot, Fagot, fag′ut, n. a bundle of sticks for fuel, fascines, &c.: a stick: anything like a faggot: a bundle of pieces of iron or steel cut off into suitable lengths for welding: a soldier numbered on the muster-roll, but not really existing: a voter who has obtained his vote expressly for party purposes, on a spurious or sham qualification.—adj. got up for a purpose, as in 'Faggot vote.'—v.t. to tie together.—ns. Fagg′oting, Fag′oting, a kind of embroidery in which some of the cross-threads are drawn together in the middle. [Fr. fagot, a bundle of sticks, perh. from L. fax, a torch.]

Fagotto, fag-ot′o, n. a bassoon.—n. Fagott′ist, one who plays on the bassoon. [It.]

Fahrenheit, fä′ren-hīt, or far′en-īt, n. the name applied to a thermometer, the freezing-point of which is marked at 32, and the boiling-point at 212 degrees (see Thermometer for the relations between the two scales). [Named from the inventor, Gabriel D. Fahrenheit (1686-1736).]

Faience, fā′yäns, n. a fine kind of pottery, glazed and painted. [Fr.; prob. from Faenza in Italy.]

Fail, fāl, n. a turf, sod.—n. Fail′-dike (Scot.), a turf-wall. [Perh. from Gael. fàl, a sod.]

Fail, fāl, v.i. to fall short or be wanting (with in): to fall away: to decay: to die: to prove deficient under trial, examination, pressure, &c.: to miss: to be disappointed or baffled: to be unable to pay one's debts.—v.t. to be wanting to: not to be sufficient for: to leave undone, omit: to disappoint or desert any one:—pr.p. fail′ing; pa.p. failed.—n. (Shak.) failure.—p.adj. Failed, decayed, worn out: bankrupt.—n. Fail′ing, a fault, weakness: a foible.—prep. in default of.—n. Fail′ure, a falling short, or cessation: omission: decay: bankruptcy.—Fail of, to come short of accomplishing any purpose; Without fail, infallibly. [O. Fr. faillir—L. fallĕre, to deceive; cf. Dut. feilen, Ger. fehlen, Ice. feila.]

Fain, fān, adj. glad or joyful: inclined (with to): content to accept, for want of better: compelled: (Spens.) wont.—v.i. (Spens.) to delight.—adv. gladly.—adv. Fain′ly, gladly.—n. Fain′ness, eagerness. [A.S. fægen, joyful: cf. Ice. feginn, glad.]

Fainéant, fā-nyang′, adj. and n. do-nothing, applied esp. to the later Merovingian kings of France, mere puppets, under whom the mayors of the Palace really governed the country.—ns. Fai′neance (Kingsley), Fai′neancy, Faineant′ise. [Fr., faire, to do, néant, nothing.]

Faint, fānt, adj. wanting in strength: fading: lacking distinctness: not bright or forcible: weak in spirit: lacking courage: depressed: done in a feeble way.—v.i. to become feeble or weak: to lose strength, colour, &c.: to swoon: to fade or decay: to vanish: to lose courage or spirit: to become depressed.—v.t. (rare) to render faint.—n. a swoon.—p.adj. Faint′ed (Milt.), exhausted.—adjs. Faint′-heart, Faint′-heart′ed, cowardly: timorous.—adv. Faint′-heart′edly.—ns. Faint′-heart′edness; Faint′ing.—adj. Faint′ish, slightly faint.—n. Faint′ishness.—adv. Faint′ly.—n. Faint′ness, want of strength: feebleness of colour, light, &c.: dejection.—adj. Faint′y, faintish. [O. Fr. feint (Fr. feindre), feigned—L. fingĕre, to feign.]

Fair, fār, adj. bright: clear: free from blemish: pure: pleasing to the eye: beautiful: free from a dark hue: of a light shade: free from clouds or rain: favourable: unobstructed: open: prosperous: frank: impartial: just: pleasing: plausible: hopeful: moderate: pretty good.—n. that which is fair: (arch.) a woman.—v.t. to make fair.—v.i. to clear up, as the weather from rain.—adv. kindly, honestly, clearly: straight: (Shak.) favourably.—adjs. Fair′-and-square, honest—also used adverbially; Fair′-bod′ing (Shak.), auspicious.—n. Fair′-cop′y, the state of a document copied after final correction.—adjs. Fair′-faced, with a light complexion: beautiful: specious; Fair′-haired, having fair or light-coloured hair; Fair′-hand, having a fair appearance; Fair′ish, somewhat fair: pretty well, pretty drunk.—adv. Fair′ly.—adj. Fair′-mind′ed, judging fairly.—ns. Fair′ness; Fair′-play, honest dealing: justice.—adjs. Fair′-seem′ing, appearing fair; Fair′-spok′en, bland and civil in language and address.—ns. Fair′-trade, free-trade: a euphemism for smuggling: a mild form of the protective system, in which the basis of economic policy is supposed to be reciprocity or free-trade only with such nations as grant similar privileges—also used adverbially; Fair′-way, the part of a river, roadstead, &c. by which vessels enter or leave.—adj. Fair′-weath′er, suitable only for fair weather or favourable circumstances.—Be in a fair way to, to be likely to succeed in; Keep fair with, to keep on amiable terms with; Stand fair with, to be in the good graces of.—The fair, The fair sex, the female sex. [A.S. fæger.]

Fair, fār, n. a great periodical market for one kind of merchandise, or for the general sales and purchases of a district: a collection of miscellaneous goods for sale on behoof of charity at a bazaar, &c.—n. Fair′ing, a present given at a fair, any complimentary gift.—A day after the fair, too late; Get one's fairing (Scot.), to get one's deserts. [O. Fr. feire—L. feria, holiday.]

Fairy, fār′i, n. an imaginary being, generally of diminutive and graceful human form, capable of kindly or unkindly acts towards man: fairy-folk collectively: an enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.—adj. like a fairy, fanciful, whimsical, delicate.—adv. Fair′ily.—n.pl. Fair′y-beads, the separate joints of the stems of fossil crinoids found in carboniferous limestone.—ns. Fair′y-butt′er, a name applied in northern England to certain gelatinous fungi; Fair′ydom; Fair′yhood, Fair′yism; Fair′yland, the country of the fairies.—adj. Fair′y-like, like or acting like fairies.—n. Fair′y-mon′ey, money given by fairies, which quickly changes into withered leaves, &c.: money found.—ns.pl. Fair′y-rings, -cir′cles, spots or circles in pastures, either barer than the rest of the field, or greener—due to the outwardly spreading growth of various fungi.—ns. Fair′y-stone, a fossil echinite found abundantly in chalk-pits; Fair′y-tale, a story about fairies: an incredible tale. [O. Fr. faerie, enchantment—fae (mod. fée). See Fay.]

Faith, fāth, n. trust or confidence in any person: belief in the statement of another: belief in the truth of revealed religion: confidence and trust in God: the living reception by the heart of the truth as it is in Christ: that which is believed: any system of religious belief, esp. the religion one considers true—'the faith;' fidelity to promises: honesty: word or honour pledged.—adjs. Faithed (Shak.), credited; Faith′ful, full of faith, believing: firm in adherence to promises, duty, allegiance, &c.: loyal: conformable to truth: worthy of belief: true.—adv. Faith′fully, sincerely, truthfully, exactly.—ns. Faith′fulness; Faith′-heal′ing, a system of belief based on James, v. 14, that sickness may be treated without any medical advice or appliances, if the prayer of Christians be accompanied in the sufferer by true faith.—adj. Faith′less, without faith or belief: not believing, esp. in God or Christianity: not adhering to promises, allegiance, or duty: delusive.—adv. Faith′lessly.—ns. Faith′lessness; Faith′worthiness, trustworthiness.—adj. Faith′worthy, worthy of faith or belief.—Bad faith, treachery.—Father of the faithful, Abraham: the caliph.—In good faith, with sincerity.—The Faithful, believers. [M. E. feith, feyth—O. Fr. feid—L. fides—fidĕre, to trust.]

Faitor, fā′tor, n. an impostor: an evil-doer, a scoundrel.—Often Fai′tour. [O. Fr. faitor—L. factor.]

Fake, fāk, v.t. to steal: to make up an article so as to hide its defects.—n. Fake′ment, any swindling device. [Prof. Skeat thinks it merely the Mid. Dut. facken, to catch; Mr Bradley suggests the earlier feak, feague, Ger. fegen, to furbish up.]

Fakir, fa-kēr′, or fā′kėr, n. a member of a religious order of mendicants or penitents in India, &c.—n. Fakir′ism, religious mendicancy. [Ar. faqîr, a poor man, fakr, faqr, poverty.]

Falbala, fal′ba-la, n. a trimming for women's petticoats: a furbelow. [Ety. dub.; cf. furbelow.]

Falcade, fal′kād′, n. the motion of a horse when he throws himself on his haunches in a very quick curvet. [Fr.,—L. fulcatus, bent.]

Falcate, -d, fal′kāt, -ed, adj. (astron., bot.) bent like a sickle, as the crescent moon, and certain leaves.—ns. Falcā′tion; Fal′cula, a falcate or falciform claw.—adj. Fal′culate. [L. falx, a sickle.]

Falchion, fawl′shun, n. a short, broad sword, bent somewhat like a sickle.—adj. Fal′ciform, sickle-shaped. [O. Fr. fauchon, through Low L., from L. falx, a sickle.]

Falcon, fol′kon, or faw′kn, n. a bird of prey formerly trained to the pursuit of game: a kind of cannon.—ns. Fal′coner, one who sports with, or who breeds and trains, falcons or hawks for taking wild-fowl; Fal′conet, a small field-gun in use till the 16th century.—adj. Fal′con-eyed, keen-eyed.—ns. Fal′con-gen′til, -gen′tle, the female and young of the goshawk.—adj. Fal′conine.—n. Fal′conry, the art of training or hunting with falcons. [O. Fr. faucon—Low L. falcōn-em—L. falx, a hook or sickle.]

Faldage, fal′dāj, n. the right, often reserved by the lord of a manor, of folding his tenant's sheep in his own fields for the sake of the manure: a fee paid for exemption from the foregoing.

Falderal, fäl′der-al, n. a meaningless refrain in songs: any kind of flimsy trifle—also Fol′derol and Fal de rol.—Falderal it, to sing unmeaning sounds.

Faldstool, fawld′stōōl, n. a folding or camp stool: a kind of stool for the king at his coronation: a bishop's armless seat: a small desk in churches in England, at which the litany should be sung or said.—n. Fald′istory, a bishop's seat within the chancel. [Low L. faldistolium—Old High Ger. faldan (Ger. falten), to fold, stuol (Ger. stuhl), stool.]

Falernian, fa-ler′ni-an, adj. pertaining to a district (Falernus ager) in Campania, famous of old for its wine.—n. Faler′ne, a modern sweet white wine, produced near Naples.

Fall, fawl, v.i. to drop down: to descend by the force of gravity: to become prostrate: (of a river) to discharge itself: to slope down: to sink as if dead: to vanish: to die away: to lose strength, subside: to decline in power, wealth, value, or reputation: to be overthrown: to be compelled to yield: to become downcast: to sink into sin, to yield to temptation: to depart from the faith: to become dejected: to pass gently into any state, as 'to fall in love,' 'to fall asleep:' to befall: to issue, occur: to enter upon with haste or vehemence: to rush: to be dropped in birth: to be required or necessary: to fall away:—pr.p. fall′ing; pa.t. fell; pa.p. fallen (faw′ln).—n. the act of falling, in any of its senses: descent by gravity, a dropping down: that which falls—a trap-door, &c.: as much as comes down at one time, as 'a fall of snow,' &c.: overthrow: death: descent from a better to a worse position: slope or declivity: descent of water: a cascade: length of a fall: outlet of a river: decrease in value: a sinking of the voice: the time when the leaves fall, autumn: a bout at wrestling: the yielding of a city or stronghold to the enemy: that which falls: a lapse into sin, esp. that of Adam and Eve, called 'the Fall:' a kind of collar worn in the 17th century.—adj. Fall′en, in a degraded state, ruined.—ns. Fall′ing, that which falls; Fall′ing-band (see Band); Fall′ing-sick′ness, epilepsy; Fall′ing-star, a meteor; Fall′ing-stone, a portion of an exploded meteor; Fall′trank, a medicine compounded of certain aromatic and astringent Swiss plants, of repute for accidents; Fall′-trap, a trap which operates by falling.—Fall-a, to begin; Fall across, to meet by chance; Fall among, to come into the midst of; Fall away, to decline gradually, to languish: to grow lean: to revolt or apostatise; Fall back, to retreat, give way; Fall back, fall edge, no matter what may happen; Fall back upon, to have recourse to some expedient or resource in reserve; Fall behind, to slacken, to be outstripped; Fall flat, to fail completely, as a shopman in attracting attention or purchasers, a new book, &c.; Fall foul, to come in collision: to quarrel (with of); Fall in (with), to concur or agree: to comply: to place themselves in order, as soldiers; Fall off, to separate or be broken: to die away, to perish: to revolt or apostatise; Fall on, to begin eagerly: to make an attack: to meet; Fall on one's feet, to come well out of a difficulty, to gain any unexpected good fortune; Fall out, to quarrel: to happen or befall; Fall over (Shak.), to go over to the enemy; Fall short, to be deficient (with of); Fall through, to fail, come to nothing; Fall to, to begin hastily and eagerly: to apply one's self to; Fall upon, to attack: to attempt: to rush against.—Try a fall, to take a bout at wrestling. [A.S. feallan; Ger. fallen; prob. conn. with L. fallĕre, to deceive.]

Fall, fawl, n. the cry given when a whale is sighted, or harpooned: the chase of a whale.—Loose fall, the losing of a whale. [Prob. from the north-eastern Scotch pronunciation of whale.]

Fallacy, fal′a-si, n. something fallacious: deceptive appearance: an apparently genuine but really illogical argument: (obs.) deception.—adj. Fallā′cious, calculated to deceive or mislead: not well founded: causing disappointment: delusive.—adv. Fallā′ciously.—n. Fallā′ciousness. [O. Fr. fallace, deceit—L. fallacia, from fallax, deceptive—fallĕre, to deceive.]

Fallal, fal′lal′, or fal-lal′, n. a piece of ribbon worn as a streamer, any trifling ornament.—adj. foppish, trifling.—n. Fallal′ery.—adv. Fallal′ishly.

Fallible, fal′i-bl, adj. liable to error or mistake.—n. Fallibil′ity, liability to err.—adv. Fall′ibly. [Fr.,—Low L. fallibilis, from fallĕre, to deceive.]

Fallopian, fal-lō′pi-an, adj. denoting two tubes or ducts through which the ova pass from the ovary to the uterus in the human subject. [So called because supposed to have been discovered by the Italian anatomist Fallopius (1523-62).]

Fallow, fal′ō, adj. left untilled or unsowed for a time.—n. land that has lain a year or more untilled or unsown after having been ploughed.—v.t. to plough land without seeding it.—ns. Fall′owness, state of being fallow or untilled; Green fall′ow, fallow where land is cleaned by a green crop, as turnips. [Ety. dub.; prob. an assumed A.S. fealgian, that may be confounded with the following word, from the reddish colour of unsown land.]

Fallow, fal′ō, adj. of a brownish-yellow colour.—ns. Fall′ow-chat, Fall′ow-finch, the wheatear or stonechat; Fall′ow-deer, a yellowish-brown deer smaller than the red-deer, with broad flat antlers. [A.S. falu; cf. Ger. fahl, Ice. folr.]

False, fawls, adj. deceptive or deceiving: untruthful: unfaithful to obligations: untrue: not genuine or real, counterfeit: hypocritical: not well founded, or not according to rule: artificial, as opposed to natural, of teeth, &c.—adv. incorrectly: faithlessly.—n. (Shak.) falsehood: untruth.—v.t. (Shak.) to betray.—ns. False conception, a uterine growth consisting of some degenerate mass instead of a fœtus; False′face, a mask.—adjs. False′-faced (Shak.), hypocritical; False′-heart′ed, treacherous, deceitful.—n. False′hood, state or quality of being false: want of truth: want of honesty: deceitfulness: false appearance: an untrue statement: a lie.—adv. False′ly.—ns. False′ness; Fals′er (Spens.), a deceiver, a liar.—adjs. Falsid′ical, deceptive; Fals′ish, somewhat false.—ns. Fals′ism, a self-evident falsity; Fals′ity, quality of being false: a false assertion.—Play one false, to act falsely or treacherously to a person; Put in a false position, to bring any one into a position in which he must be misunderstood. [O. Fr. fals (mod. faux)—L. falsus, pa.p. of fallĕre, to deceive.]

Falsetto, fawl-set′o, n. a forced voice of a range or register above the natural, the head voice. [It. falsetto, dim. of falso, false.]

Falsify, fawls′i-fī, v.t. to forge or counterfeit: to prove untrustworthy: to break by falsehood:—pr.p. fals′ifying; pa.p. fals′ified.—adj. Fals′ifīable, capable of being falsified.—ns. Falsificā′tion, the act of making false: the giving to a thing the appearance of something which it is not; Fals′ifier, one who falsifies. [Fr.,—Low L. falsificăre—L. falsus, false, facĕre, to make.]

Falstaffian, fal′staf-i-an, adj. like Shakespeare's Falstaff—corpulent, jovial, humorous, and dissolute.

Falter, fawl′tėr, v.i. to stumble: to fail or stammer in speech: to tremble or totter: to be feeble or irresolute.—n. any unsteadiness.—n. Fal′tering, feebleness, deficiency.—adv. Fal′teringly, in a faltering or hesitating manner. [Prob. a freq. of falden, fold. The conn. with fault, in which the l is late, is untenable.]

Falx, falks, n. a sickle-shaped part or process, as of the dura mater of the skull: a chelicera: a poison-fang of a snake: a rotula of a sea-urchin:—pl. Falces (fal′sēz). [L., a sickle.]

Famble, fam′bl, n. (slang) the hand—also Fam.—v.t. to feel or handle. [Der. obscure; perh. from the obs. verb famble, in its probable original sense, 'to grope, fumble.']

Fame, fām, n. public report or rumour: renown or celebrity, chiefly in good sense.—v.t. to report: to make famous.—n. Fā′ma, report, rumour, fame.—adjs. Famed, renowned; Fame′less, without renown.—Fama clamosa (Scot.), any notorious rumour ascribing immoral conduct to a minister or office-bearer in a church.—House of ill fame, a brothel. [Fr.,—L. fama, from fāri, to speak; cog. with Gr. phēmē, from phanai, to say.]

Familiar, fa-mil′yar, adj. well acquainted or intimate: showing the manner of an intimate: free: unceremonious: having a thorough knowledge of: well known or understood: private, domestic: common, plain.—n. one well or long acquainted: a spirit or demon supposed to attend an individual at call: a member of a pope's or bishop's household: the officer of the Inquisition who arrested the suspected.—v.t. Famil′iarise, to make thoroughly acquainted: to accustom: to make easy by practice or study.—n. Familiar′ity, intimate acquaintanceship: freedom from constraint: any unusual or unwarrantable freedom in act or speech toward another, acts of license—usually in pl.—adv. Famil′iarly. [O. Fr. familier—L. familiaris, from familia, a family.]

Family, fam′i-li, n. the household, or all those who live in one house under one head, including parents, children, servants: the children of a person: the descendants of one common progenitor: race: honourable or noble descent: a group of animals, plants, languages, &c. more comprehensive than a genus.—ns. Fam′ilism, the family feeling; Fam′ilist, one of the 16th-cent. mystical sect known as the Family of Love, which based religion upon love independently of faith.—Family Bible, a large Bible for family worship, with a page for recording family events; Family coach, a large carriage able to carry a whole family; Family man, a man with a family: a domesticated man.—Be in the family way, to be pregnant; In a family way, in a domestic manner. [L. familia—famulus, a servant.]

Famine, fam′in, n. general scarcity of food: extreme scarcity of anything, as in 'famine prices,' &c.: hunger: starvation. [Fr., through an unrecorded Low L. famina, from L. fames, hunger.]

Famish, fam′ish, v.t. to starve.—v.i. to die or suffer extreme hunger or thirst.—n. Fam′ishment, starvation. [Obs. fame, to starve—L. fames, hunger.]

Famous, fā′mus, adj. renowned: noted.—v.t. to make famous.—adv. Fā′mously.—n. Fā′mousness. [O. Fr.,—L. famosus—fama.]

Famulus, fam′ū-lus, n. a private secretary or factotum: an attendant, esp. on a magician or scholar.—n. Fam′ulist, a collegian of inferior position (Dr Murray doubts the word). [L. famulus, a servant.]

Fan, fan, n. an instrument for winnowing grain: a broad, flat instrument used by ladies to cool themselves: a wing: a small sail to keep a windmill to the wind: the agitation of the air caused by a fan.—v.t. to cool with a fan: to winnow: to ventilate: to remove by waving a fan:—pr.p. fan′ning; pa.p. fanned.—ns. Fan′-blast, in ironworks the blast produced by a fan, as distinguished from that produced by a blowing-engine; Fan′-crick′et, the mole-cricket, fen-cricket, or churr-worm.—adj. Fan′-nerved, in entomology, having a fan-like arrangement of the nervures or veins of the wings.—ns. Fan′light, a window resembling in form an open fan; Fan′ner, a machine with revolving fans, used for winnowing grain, &c.; Fan′-palm, a species of palm 60 or 70 feet high, with fan-shaped leaves, used for umbrellas, tents, &c.; Fan′-tail, an artificial fan-tailed variety of the domestic pigeon; Fan′-trāc′ery (archit.), tracery rising from a capital or a corbel, and diverging like the folds of a fan over the surface of a vault; Fan′-wheel, a wheel with fans on its rim for producing a current of air. [A.S. fann, from L. vannus, a fan; cf. Fr. van.]

Fanal, fā′nal, n. (arch.) a lighthouse, a beacon. [Fr.,—Gr. phanos, a lantern, phainein, to show.]

Fanatic, fa-nat′ik, adj. extravagantly or unreasonably zealous, esp. in religion: excessively enthusiastic.—n. a person frantically or excessively enthusiastic, esp. on religious subjects.—adj. Fanat′ical, fanatic, (Shak.) extravagant.—adv. Fanat′ically.—v.t. Fanat′icise, to make fanatical.—v.i. to act as a fanatic.—n. Fanat′icism, wild and excessive religious enthusiasm. [Fr.,—L. fanaticus, belonging to a temple, inspired by a god, fanum, a temple.]

Fancy, fan′si, n. that faculty of the mind by which it recalls, represents, or makes to appear past images or impressions: an image or representation thus formed in the mind: an unreasonable or capricious opinion: a whim: capricious inclination or liking: taste: (Shak.) love.—adj. pleasing to, or guided by, fancy or caprice: elegant or ornamental.—v.t. to portray in the mind: to imagine: to have a fancy or liking for: to be pleased with: to breed animals:—pr.p. fan′cying; pa.p. fan′cied.—p.adj. Fan′cied, formed or conceived by the fancy: imagined.—n. Fan′cier, one who has a special liking for anything, or who keeps a special article for sale: one who is governed by fancy.—adj. Fan′ciful, guided or created by fancy: imaginative: whimsical: wild.—adv. Fan′cifully.—n. Fan′cifulness.—adj. Fan′ciless, destitute of fancy.—ns. Fan′cy-ball, a ball at which fancy-dresses in various characters are worn; Fan′cy-dress, dress arranged according to the wearer's fancy, to represent some character in history or fiction; Fan′cy-fair, a special sale of fancy articles for some charitable purpose.—adj. Fan′cy-free (Shak.), free from the power of love.—n.pl. Fan′cy-goods, fabrics of variegated rather than simple pattern, applied generally to articles of show and ornament.—n. Fan′cy-mong′er (Shak.), one who deals in tricks of imagination.—adj. Fan′cy-sick (Shak.), of distempered mind, love-sick.—ns. Fan′cy-stitch, a more intricate and decorative stitch than plain-stitch; Fan′cy-stroke (billiards), an unusual stroke, or one made to show off one's skill; Fan′cy-work, ornamental needlework.—The fancy, sporting characters generally, esp. pugilists: pugilism. [Contracted from fantasy.]

Fand, fand, Fond, fond, v.i. (Spens.) to try, attempt. [A.S. fandian.]

Fandango, fan-dan′go, n. an old Spanish dance for two, in ¾ time, with castanets, proceeding gradually from a slow and uniform to the liveliest motion: a gathering for dancing, a ball. [Sp.]

Fanfare, fan-fār′, n. a flourish of trumpets or bugles—also Fanfarade′.—ns. Fan′faron, one who uses bravado: a blusterer, braggart; Fan′faronade, vain boasting: bluster: ostentation.—v.i. to bluster. [Fr. fanfare, perh. from the sound.]

Fang, fang, n. the tooth of a ravenous beast: a claw or talon: the venom-tooth of a serpent: (Shak.) a grip, catch.—v.t. (obs.) to seize upon, catch.—adjs. Fanged, having fangs, clutches, or anything resembling them; Fang′less, having no fangs or tusks: toothless.—Lose the fang (of a pump), to be dry, to have no water (Scot.). [A.S. fang, from fón, to seize; Ger. fangen, to catch, Dut. vangen.]

Fangle, fang′gl, n. (Milt.) fancy.—adj. Fang′led (obs. save in newfangled, q.v.), newly made, new-fashioned: showy, gaudy.—n. Fang′leness.

Fanion, fan′yun, n. a small marking-flag used at a station in surveying. [O. Fr.,—Low L. fano.]

Fanon, fan′on, n. a cloth for handling the holy vessels or the offertory bread: a maniple or napkin used by the celebrant at mass: an orale: a fannel: one of the lappets of a mitre: (surg.) a fold of linen laid under a splint. [O. Fr.]

Fantasia, fan-tä′zi-a, n. a musical composition, not governed by the ordinary musical rules. [It., from Gr. phantasia. See Fancy.]

Fantasy, Phantasy, fan′ta-si, n. fancy: imagination: mental image: love: whim, caprice.—v.t. to fancy, conceive mentally.—adj. Fan′tasied, filled with fancies.—n. Fan′tasm (same as Phantasm).—adj. Fan′tasque, fantastic.—ns. Fan′tast, a person of fantastic ideas; Fantas′tic, one who is fantastical.—adjs. Fantas′tic, -al, fanciful: not real: capricious: whimsical: wild.—adv. Fantas′tically.—n. Fantas′ticalness.—v.t. and v.i. Fantas′ticate.—ns. Fantas′ticism; Fantas′tico (Shak.), a fantastic. [O. Fr.,—Low L. phantasticus—Gr. phantastikos, phantazein, to make visible. Fancy is a doublet.]

Fantoccini, fan-to-chē′nē, n.pl. puppets worked by machinery: dramatic performances by puppets. [It., pl. of fantoccino, dim. of fantoccio, a puppet—fante, a boy.]

Far, fär, adj. remote: more distant of two: remote from or contrary to purpose or design.—adv. to a great distance in time, space, or proportion: remotely: considerably or in great part: very much: to a great height: to a certain point, degree, or distance.—v.t. (prov.) to remove to a distance.—adjs. Far′-away′, distant: abstracted, absent-minded; Far′-fetched, fetched or brought from a remote place: forced, unnatural—(obs.) Far′fet.—advs. Far′-forth (Spens.), very far; Far′most, most distant or remote.—n. Far′ness, the state of being far: remoteness, distance.—adj. and adv. Far′-off, distant.—adjs. Far′-reach′ing, exerting influence to a great distance and for a long time; Far′-sight′ed, seeing to a great distance: having defective eyesight for near objects; Far′-sought, sought for at a distance; Far′-spent, far advanced.—Far and away, by a great deal; By far, in a very great degree; I'll see you far (or farther) first, I will not do it by any means; In so far as, to the extent that. [A.S. feor; Dut. ver; Ice. fiarre; Ger. fern.]

Farad, far′ad, n. the name of the practical unit of electrical capacity—the capacity of a conductor which when raised to a potential of one volt has a charge of one coulomb.—adj. Farad′ic.—n. Faradisā′tion.—v.t. Far′adise.—ns. Far′adism; Microfar′ad, the millionth part of a farad. [From Michael Faraday (1791-1867).]

Farand, Farrand, far′and, adj. (Scot.) having a certain favour or appearance, esp. in such compound forms as auld-farand, old-fashioned; ill-faured, ill-favoured, &c. [M. E. farand, comely. Origin obscure; most prob. the verb fare (q.v.).]

Farce, färs, n. a style of comedy marked by low humour and extravagant wit: ridiculous or empty show.—n. Far′ceur, a joker.—adj. Far′cical.—n. Farcical′ity, farcical quality.—adv. Far′cically.—v.t. Far′cify, to turn into a farce. [Fr. farce, stuffing, from L. farcīre, to stuff, applied, acc. to H. Bradley, to words put between Kyrie and Eleison in religious services, then to the interpolated gag in a religious play, next a buffoon performance.]

Farce, färs, v.t. to cram: to stuff, fill with stuffing: (Shak.) to swell out.—n. Far′cing, stuffing. [O. Fr. farsir—L. farcīre, to cram.]

Farcy, fär′si, n. a disease of horses like glanders—(obs.) Far′cin.—adj. Far′cied.—n. Far′cy-bud, a swollen lymphatic gland, as in farcy. [Fr. farcin—Low L. farciminum.]

Fard, färd, n. white paint for the face.—v.t. to paint with such, to embellish. [Fr., of Teut. origin, Old High Ger. farwjan, to colour.]

Fardage, fär′dāj, n. (naut.) loose wood or other material stowed among the cargo to keep it from shifting, or put under it to keep it above the bilge. [Fr.]

Fardel, fär′del, n. a pack: anything cumbersome or irksome.—adj. Far′del-bound, constipated, esp. of cattle and sheep, by the retention of food in the third stomach. [O. Fr. fardel (Fr. fardeau), dim. of farde, a burden—Ar. fardah, a package (Devic).]

Farding-bag, fär′ding-bag, n. the first stomach of a cow or other ruminant.

Fare, fār, v.i. to get on or succeed: to happen well or ill to: to be in any particular state, to be, to go on: to feed.—n. the price of passage—(orig.) a course or passage: those conveyed in a carriage: food or provisions for the table.—interj. Farewell′, may you fare well! a wish for safety or success.—n. well-wishing at parting: the act of departure.—adj. parting: final. [A.S. faran; Ger. fahren.]

Farina, fa-rī′na, or fa-rē′na, n. ground corn: meal: starch: pollen of plants.—adjs. Farinā′ceous, mealy; Farinose′, yielding farina. [L.,—far.]

Farl, färl, n. (Scot.) the quarter of a round cake of flour or oatmeal. [Fardel, a fourth part.]

Farm, färm, n. land let or rented for cultivation or pasturage, with the necessary buildings: (Spens.) habitation: (Shak.) a lease.—v.t. to let out as lands to a tenant: to take on lease: to grant certain rights in return for a portion of what they yield, as to farm the taxes: to cultivate, as land.—adj. Farm′able.—ns. Farm′-bai′liff; Farm′er, one who farms or cultivates land: the tenant of a farm: one who collects taxes, &c., for a certain rate per cent.:—fem. Farm′eress; Farm′ering, the business of a farmer.—n.pl. Farm′ers-gen′eral, the name given before the French Revolution to the members of a privileged association in France, who leased the public revenues of the nation.—ns. Farm′ery, the buildings of a farm; Farm′-house, a house attached to a farm in which the farmer lives; Farm′ing, the business of cultivating land; Farm′-lā′bourer.—n.pl. Farm′-off′ices, the offices or outbuildings on a farm.—ns. Farm′stead, a farm with the buildings belonging to it; Farm′-yard, the yard or enclosure surrounded by the farm buildings. [A.S. feorm, goods, entertainment, from Low L. firma—L. firmus, firm. The Low L. firma meant a fixed payment, also a signature (whence our 'firm' in business); from 'rent' farm passed to 'lease,' then to 'a tract of land held on lease.' Farm is therefore a doublet of firm.]

Faro, fār′o, n. a game of chance played by betting on the order in which certain cards will appear when taken singly from the top of the pack. [Perh. from King Pharaoh on one of the cards.]

Farrago, far-rā′gō, n. a confused mass.—adj. Farrā′ginous, miscellaneous, jumbled. [L., far, grain.]

Farrier, far′i-ėr, n. one who shoes horses: one who cures the diseases of horses.—n. Farr′iery, the art of curing the diseases of cattle. [O. Fr. ferrier, through Low L. ferrarius, from L. ferrum, iron.]

Farrow, far′ō, n. a litter of pigs.—v.i. or v.t. to bring forth pigs. [A.S. fearh, a pig; Ger. ferkel.]

Farrow, far′rō, adj. not producing young in a particular season, said of cows. [Ety. dub.; with farrow cow cf. Flem. verwekoe, varwekoe.]

Farse, färs, n. an explanation of the Latin epistle in the vernacular.—v.t. to extend by interpolation.

Fart, fart, v.i. to break wind.—n. a noisy expulsion of wind. [A.S. feortan; Ger. farzen.]

Farther, fär′thėr, adj. (comp. of Far) more far or distant: tending to a greater distance: longer: additional.—adv. at or to a greater distance; more remotely: beyond: moreover.—adjs. and advs. Far′thermore, furthermore; Far′thermost, furthermost.—adj. Farthest (superl. of Far), most far, distant, or remote.—adv. at or to the greatest distance. [A rather recent form, comp. of far, the euphonic th being inserted from the analogy of further.]

Farthing, fär′thing, n. the fourth of a penny: anything very small: (B.) the rendering for two names of coins, one the fourth part of the other—assarion, used as the Gr. equivalent of the L. as, and kodrantes (L. quadrans), a coin equivalent to two lepta.—n. Far′thingful. [A.S. féorthing, a fourth part—féortha, fourth, and dim. -ing, or -ling.]

Farthingale, fär′thing-gāl, n. a kind of crinoline of whalebone for distending women's dress. [O. Fr. verdugale—Sp. verdugado, hooped, verdugo, rod.]

Fasces, fas′ēz, n.pl. a bundle of rods with an axe in the middle, borne before the ancient Roman principal magistrates. [L. fascis, a bundle.]

Fascia, fash′i-a, n. (archit.) a flat space or band between mouldings: (anat.) a layer of condensed connective tissue between some muscle and any other tissue.—adjs. Fas′cial; Fas′ciated.—n. Fasciā′tion (bot.), a form of monstrosity by the flattening of a single stem, or the lateral union of several stems. [L.]

Fascicle, fas′i-kl, n. a little bundle: (bot.) a close cluster, the flowers crowded together, as in the sweet-william—also Fas′cicule.—adjs. Fas′cicled, Fascic′ular, Fascic′ulate, -d, united as in a bundle.—n. Fascic′ulus, a fascicle: a part of a book issued in parts. [L. fasciculus, dim. of fascis, a bundle.]

Fascinate, fas′i-nāt, v.t. to control by the glance: to charm: to captivate: to enchant, esp. by the evil eye.—adj. Fas′cinating, charming, delightful.—n. Fascinā′tion, the act of charming: power to harm by looks or spells: mysterious attractive power exerted by a man's words or manner: irresistible power of alluring: state of being fascinated. [L. fascināre, -ātum; perh. allied to Gr. baskainein, to bewitch.]

Fascine, fas-sēn′, n. (fort.) a brushwood faggot bound together with wire, yarn, or withes, used to fill ditches, &c. [Fr.,—L. fascina—fascis, a bundle.]

Fash, fash, v.t. (Scot.) to trouble, annoy.—v.i. to be vexed at, to take trouble or pains.—n. pains, trouble.—adj. Fash′ious, troublesome, vexatious.—ns. Fash′iousness, Fash′ery. [O. Fr. fascher (Fr. fâcher)—L. fastidium, fastidiosus, fastidious.]

Fashion, fash′un, n. the make or cut of a thing: form or pattern: prevailing mode or shape of dress: a prevailing custom: manner: genteel society: appearance.—v.t. to make: to mould according to a pattern: to suit or adapt.—adj. Fash′ionable, made according to prevailing fashion: prevailing or in use at any period: observant of the fashion in dress or living: moving in high society: patronised by people of fashion.—n. a person of fashion.—n. Fash′ionableness.—adv. Fash′ionably.—ns. Fash′ioner; Fash′ionist.—adjs. Fash′ionmongering, Fash′ionmonging (Shak.), behaving like a fop.—After, or In, a fashion, in a way: to a certain extent; In the fashion, in accordance with the prevailing style of dress, &c.—opp. to Out of fashion. [O. Fr. fachon—L. faction-em—facĕre, to make.]

Fast, fast, adj. firm: fixed: steadfast: fortified: (of sleep) sound (Shak.).—adv. firmly, unflinchingly: soundly or sound (asleep): quickly: close, near.—n. Fast-and-loose, the name of a cheating game practised at fairs—called also Prick-the-garter.—adj. Fast′-hand′ed, close-fisted.—adv. Fast′ly (Shak.), firmly.—n. Fast′ness, fixedness: a stronghold, fortress, castle.—Fast by, close to.—Play fast and loose (from the foregoing), to be unreliable, to say one thing and do another; Hard-and-fast (see Hard). [A.S. fæst; Ger. fest.]

Fast, fast, adj. quick: rapid: rash: dissipated.—adv. swiftly: in rapid succession: extravagantly.—adj. Fast′ish, somewhat fast. [A special use of fast, firm, derived from the Scand., in the sense of urgent.]

Fast, fast, v.i. to keep from food: to go hungry: to abstain from food in whole or part, as a religious duty.—n. abstinence from food: special abstinence enjoined by the church: the day or time of fasting.—ns. Fast′-day, a day of religious fasting: (Scot.) a day for humiliation and prayer, esp. before celebrations of the Lord's Supper; Fast′ens, short for Fastens-eve (Scot. Fasten-e'en and Fastern's-e'en), Fastens Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday; Fast′er, one who fasts: Fast′ing, religious abstinence. [A.S. fæstan, to fast; Ger. fasten, to keep: perh. allied with fast, firm, in the sense of making strict.]

Fasten, fas′n, v.t. to make fast or tight: to fix securely: to attach firmly one thing to another: to confirm.—v.i. to fix itself.—n. Fas′tening, that which fastens.

Fasti, fas′tī, n.pl. those days among the ancient Romans on which it was lawful to transact legal or public business—opp. to Nefasti: an enumeration of the days of the year, a calendar. [L.]

Fastidious, fas-tid′i-us, adj. affecting superior taste: over-nice: difficult to please.—adv. Fastid′iously.—n. Fastid′iousness. [L. fastidiosus—fastidium, loathing—fastus, pride, tædium, loathing.]

Fastigiate, fas-tij′i-āt, adj. pointed, sloping to a point or edge—also Fastig′iated.—n. Fastig′ium, the apex of a building: the pediment of a portico. [L. fastigāre, -ātum—fastigium, a gable-end, roof.]

Fat, fat, adj. plump, fleshy: fruitful, esp. profitable: gross: thick, full-bodied, esp. of printing-types.—n. an oily substance under the skin: solid animal oil: the richest part of anything.—v.t. to make fat.—v.i. to grow fat:—pr.p. fat′ting; pa.p. fat′ted.—adj. Fat′brained (Shak.), dull of apprehension.—ns. Fat′-hen (prov.), any one of various plants of thick succulent foliage, esp. pigweed, orach, and ground-ivy; Fat′ling, a young animal fattened for slaughter.—adj. small and fat.—n. Fat′-lute, a mixture of pipe-clay and linseed-oil, for filling joints, &c.—adv. Fat′ly, grossly: in a lumbering manner.—n. Fat′ness, quality or state of being fat: fullness of flesh: richness: fertility: that which makes fertile.—v.t. Fat′ten, to make fat or fleshy: to make fertile.—v.i. to grow fat.—ns. Fat′tener, he who, or that which, fattens; Fat′tening, the process of making fat: state of growing fat; Fat′tiness.—adjs. Fat′tish, somewhat fat; Fat′-witted, dull, stupid; Fat′ty, containing fat or having the qualities of fat.—Fat images, those in relief.—The fat is in the fire, things have gone to confusion. [A.S. fæt; Ger. fett.]

Fat, fat, n. a vessel for holding liquids: a vat: a dry measure of nine bushels. [See Vat.]

Fata Morgana, fä′tä mor-gä′nä, a striking kind of mirage seen most often in the Strait of Messina. [Supposed to be caused by the fairy (fata) Morgana of Arthurian romance.]

Fate, fāt, n. inevitable destiny or necessity: appointed lot: ill-fortune: doom: final issue: (pl.) the three goddesses of fate, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who determined the birth, life, and death of men—the Fatal Sisters.—adj. Fāt′al, belonging to or appointed by fate: causing ruin or death: mortal: calamitous.—ns. Fāt′alism, the doctrine that all events are subject to fate, and happen by unavoidable necessity; Fāt′alist, one who believes in fatalism.—adj. Fāt′alistic, belonging to or partaking of fatalism.—n. Fatal′ity, the state of being fatal or unavoidable: the decree of fate: fixed tendency to disaster or death: mortality: a fatal occurrence.—adv. Fāt′ally.—adjs. Fāt′ed, doomed: destined: (Shak.) invested with the power of destiny: (Dryden) enchanted; Fate′ful, charged with fate.—adv. Fate′fully.—n. Fate′fulness. [L. fatum, a prediction—fatus, spoken—fāri, to speak.]

Father, fä′thėr, n. a male parent: an ancestor or forefather: a fatherly protector: a contriver or originator: a title of respect applied to a venerable man, to confessors, monks, priests, &c.: a member of certain fraternities, as 'Fathers of the Oratory,' &c.: the oldest member of any profession or other body: one of a group of ecclesiastical writers of the early centuries, usually ending with Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine: the first person of the Trinity.—v.t. to adopt: to ascribe to one as his offspring or production.—ns. Fa′therhood, state of being a father: fatherly authority; Fa′ther-in-law, the father of one's husband or wife; Fa′therland, the land of one's fathers—from the Ger. Vaterland; Fa′ther-lash′er, a name applied to two bull-heads found on the British coasts, belonging to the Gurnard family.—adj. Fa′therless, destitute of a living father: without a known author.—ns. Fa′therlessness; Fa′therliness.—adj. Fa′therly, like a father in affection and care: paternal.—n. Fa′thership.—Holy Father, the Pope.—Be gathered to one's fathers (B.), to die and be buried. [A.S. fæder; Ger. vater, L. pater, Gr. patēr.]

Fathom, fath′um, n. a nautical measure=6 feet: depth: (Shak.) penetration.—v.t. to try the depth of: to comprehend or get to the bottom of.—adjs. Fath′omable; Fath′omless.—n. Fath′om-line, a sailor's line and lead for taking soundings. [A.S. faethm; Dut. vadem, Ger. faden.]

Fatidical, fa-tid′ik-al, adj. having power to foretell future events: prophetical.—adv. Fatid′ically. [L. fatidicus—fatum, fate, dicĕre, to tell.]

Fatigue, fa-tēg′, n. weariness from labour of body or of mind: toil: military work, distinct from the use of arms.—v.t. to reduce to weariness: to exhaust one's strength: to harass.—pr.p. fatigu′ing; pa.p. fatigued′.—adj. Fat′igate (Shak.), fatigued.—n. Fatigue′-dū′ty, the part of a soldier's work distinct from the use of arms—also in fatigue-dress, &c.—adv. Fatigu′ingly. [Fr.,—L. fatigāre, to weary.]

Fattrels, fat′relz, n.pl. (Scot.) ends of ribbon. [O. Fr. fatraille, trumpery.]

Fatuous, fat′ū-us, adj. silly: imbecile: without reality—also Fatū′itous.—n. Fatūity, unconscious stupidity: imbecility. [L. fatuus.]

Faubourg, fō′bōōrg, n. a suburb just beyond the walls, or a district recently included within a city. [O. Fr. forbourg, lit. 'out-town'—fors (Fr. hors)—L. foris, out of doors, and O. Fr. bourg, town.]

Fauces, faw′sēz, n.pl. the upper part of the throat, from the root of the tongue to the entrance of the gullet.—adj. Fau′cal, produced in the fauces, as certain Semitic guttural sounds. [L.]

Faucet, faw′set, n. a pipe inserted in a barrel to draw liquid. [Fr. fausset.]

Faugh, faw, interj. an exclamation of contempt or disgust. [Prob. from the sound.]

Fault, fawlt, n. a failing: error: blemish: imperfection: a slight offence: (geol., min.) a displacement of strata or veins: (tennis) a stroke in which the player fails to serve the ball into the proper place.—adj. Fault′ful (Shak.), full of faults or crimes.—adv. Fault′ily.—n. Fault′iness.—adj. Fault′less, without fault or defect.—adv. Fault′lessly.—n. Fault′lessness.—adj. Fault′y, imperfect, defective: guilty of a fault: blamable.—At fault, open to blame: (of dogs) unable to find the scent; Find fault (with), to censure for some defect. [O. Fr. faute, falte—L. fallĕre, to deceive.]

Fauna, fawn′a, n. animals collectively, or those of a particular country, or of a particular geological period:—pl. Faun′æ, Faun′as.—n. Faun, a Roman rural deity, protector of shepherds.—adj. Faun′al.—n. Faun′ist, one who studies a fauna. [L. faunus, from favēre, fautum, to favour.]

Fauteuil, fō-tey′, n. an arm-chair, esp. a president's chair, the seat of one of the forty members of the French Academy. [Fr.]

Fautor, faw′tor, n. a favourer or supporter. [O. Fr. fauteur—L. fautor—favēre, to favour.]

Favonian, fav-ō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to the west wind, favourable. [L. Favonius, the west wind.]

Favour, fā′vur, n. countenance: good-will: a kind deed: an act of grace or lenity: indulgence: partiality: advantage: a knot of ribbons worn at a wedding, or anything worn publicly as a pledge of a woman's favour: (arch.) countenance, appearance: a letter or written communication: (Shak.) an attraction or grace.—v.t. to regard with good-will: to be on the side of: to treat indulgently: to afford advantage to: (coll.) to resemble.—adj. Fā′vourable, friendly: propitious: conducive to: advantageous.—n. Fā′vourableness.—adv. Fā′vourably.—p.adj. Fā′voured, having a certain appearance, featured—as in ill-favoured, well-favoured.—ns. Fā′vouredness; Fā′vourer; Fā′vourite, a person or thing regarded with favour or preference: one unduly loved: a kind of curl of the hair, affected by ladies of the 18th century.—adj. esteemed, preferred.—n. Fā′vouritism, the practice of showing partiality.—adj. Fā′vourless, without favour: (Spens.) not favouring.—Favours to come, favours still expected; Curry favour (see Curry). [O. Fr.,—L. favor—favēre, to favour, befriend.]

Favus, fāv′us, n. a disease of the skin, chiefly of the hairy scalp. [L. 'a honeycomb.']

Fawn, fawn, n. a young deer.—adj. resembling a fawn in colour.—v.i. to bring forth a fawn. [O. Fr. faon, through Low L. from L. fœtus, offspring.]

Fawn, fawn, v.i. to cringe, to flatter in a servile way (with upon).—n. (rare) a servile cringe or bow: mean flattery.—ns. Fawn′er, one who flatters to gain favour; Fawn′ing, mean flattery: sycophancy.—adv. Fawn′ingly.—n. Fawn′ingness. [A variant of fain, to rejoice—A.S. fægen, glad.]

Fay, fā, n. a fairy. [O. Fr. fee—L. fata, a fairy—L. fatum, fate.]

Fay, fā, v.i. to fit, unite closely.—v.t. to fit together closely. [A.S. fégan; Ger. fügen.]

Feague, fēg, v.t. (obs.) to whip: to perplex. [Cog. with Dut. vegen, Ger. fegen.]

Fealty, fē′al-ti, or fēl′ti, n. the vassal's oath of fidelity to his feudal lord: loyalty. [O. Fr. fealte—L. fidelitat-em—fidelis, faithful—fidĕre, to trust.]

Fear, fēr, n. a painful emotion excited by danger: apprehension of danger or pain: alarm: the object of fear: aptness to cause fear: (B.) deep reverence: piety towards God.—v.t. to regard with fear: to expect with alarm: (B.) to stand in awe of: to venerate: (obs.) to terrify: to make afraid.—v.i. to be afraid: to be in doubt.—adj. Fear′ful, timorous: exciting intense fear: terrible.—adv. Fear′fully.—n. Fear′fulness.—adj. Fear′less, without fear: daring: brave.—adv. Fear′lessly.—ns. Fear′lessness; Fear′nought (same as Dreadnaught).—adj. Fear′some, causing fear, frightful.—adv. Fear′somely. [A.S. fǽr, fear, fǽran, to terrify; cf. Ger. gefahr, Ice. fár, harm, mischief.]

Feasible, fēz′i-bl, adj. practicable.—ns. Feas′ibleness, Feasibil′ity.—adv. Feas′ibly. [Fr. faisable, that can be done—faire, faisant—L. facĕre, to do.]

Feast, fēst, n. a day of unusual solemnity or joy: a festival in commemoration of some event—movable, such as occurs on a specific day of the week succeeding a certain day of the month, as Easter; immovable, at a fixed date, as Christmas: a rich and abundant repast: rich enjoyment for the mind or heart.—v.i. to hold a feast: to eat sumptuously: to receive intense delight.—v.t. to entertain sumptuously.—ns. Feast′-day; Feast′er.—adj. Feast′ful, festive, joyful, luxurious.—ns. Feast′ing; Feast′-rite, a rite or custom observed at feasts.—adj. Feast′-won (Shak.), won or bribed by feasting.—Feast of fools, Feast of asses, medieval festivals, held between Christmas and Epiphany, in which a burlesque bishop was enthroned in church, and a burlesque mass said by his orders, and an ass driven round in triumph.—Double feast (eccles.), one on which the antiphon is doubled. [O. Fr. feste (Fr. fête)—L. festum, a holiday, festus, solemn, festal.]

Feat, fēt, n. a deed manifesting extraordinary strength, skill, or courage.—v.t. (Shak.) to fashion.—adj. neat, deft.—adj. Feat′eous, dexterous, neat.—adv. Feat′ly, neatly, dexterously—(Spens.) Feat′eously. [Fr. fait—L. factum—L. facĕre, to do.]

Feather, feth′ėr, n. one of the growths which form the covering of a bird: a feather-like ornament: the feathered end of an arrow: nature, kind, as in 'birds of a feather:' birds collectively: anything light or trifling.—v.t. to furnish or adorn with feathers.—ns. Feath′er-bed, a mattress filled with feathers; Feath′er-board′ing (same as Weather-boarding, q.v.).—p.adj. Feath′ered, covered or fitted with feathers, or anything feather-like: like the flight of a feathered animal, swift: smoothed as with feathers.—ns. Feath′er-edge, an edge of a board or plank thinner than the other edge; Feath′er-grass, a perennial grass, so called from the feathery appearance of its awns; Feath′er-head, Feath′er-brain, a frivolous person; Feath′eriness; Feath′ering, plumage: the fitting of feathers to arrows: (archit.) an arrangement of small arcs or foils separated by projecting cusps, frequently forming the feather-like ornament on the inner mouldings of arches; Feath′er-star, a crinoid of feathery appearance and radiate structure; Feath′er-weight, the lightest weight that may be carried by a racing-horse: a boxer, wrestler, &c., of a class below the light-weights—hence one of small importance or ability.—adj. Feath′ery, pertaining to, resembling, or covered with feathers.—Feather an oar, to turn the blade of the oar horizontally as it comes out of the water, thus lessening the resistance of the air; Feather one's nest, to accumulate wealth for one's self while serving others in a position of trust.—A feather in one's cap, some striking mark of distinction; Be in high feather, to be greatly elated or in high spirits; Make the feathers fly, to throw into confusion by a sudden attack; Show the white feather, to show signs of cowardice—a white feather in a gamecock's tail being considered as a sign of degeneracy. [A.S. feðer; Ger. feder; L. penna, Gr. pteron.]

Feature, fēt′ūr, n. the marks by which anything is recognised: the prominent traits of anything: the cast of the face: (pl.) the countenance.—v.t. (coll.) to have features resembling.—adjs. Feat′ured, with features well marked; Feat′ureless, destitute of distinct features; Feat′urely, handsome. [O. Fr. faiture, from fut. part. of L. facĕre, to make.]

Febricule, feb′ri-kūl, n. a slight fever.—adj. Febri′culose.—n. Febriculos′ity. [L. febricula, dim. of febris, fever.]

Febrific, fe-brif′ik, adj. producing fever, feverish.—Also Febrifā′cient. [L. febris, fever, facĕre, to make.]

Febrifuge, feb′ri-fūj, n. a medicine for removing fever.—adj. Febrif′ugal (or feb′-). [L. febris, fever, fugāre, to put to flight.]

Febrile, fē′bril, or feb′ril, adj. pertaining to fever: feverish.—n. Febril′ity. [Fr.,—L. febris, fever.]

Febronianism, feb-rō′ni-an-izm, n. a system of doctrine antagonistic to the claims of the Pope and asserting the independence of national churches, propounded in 1763 by Johann Nikolaus von Hontheim under the pseudonym 'Justinus Febronius.'

February, feb′rōō-ar-i, n. the second month of the year. [L. Februarius (mensis), the month of expiation, februa, the feast of expiation.]

Feck, fek, n. (Scot.) strength, value, quantity, number: the bulk of anything.—adj. Feck′less, spiritless.—adv. Feck′ly, mostly. [Corr. of effect.]

Fecula, fek′ū-la, n. starch obtained as a sediment by breaking down certain plants or seeds in water. [L. fæcula, dim. of fæx, dregs.]

Feculent, fek′ū-lent, adj. containing fæces or sediment: muddy: foul.—ns. Fec′ulence, Fec′ulency.

Fecund, fek′und, adj. fruitful: fertile: prolific.—v.t. Fec′undāte, Fecund′āte, to make fruitful: to impregnate.—ns. Fecundā′tion, the act of impregnating: the state of being impregnated; Fecund′ity, fruitfulness: prolificness in female animals. [Fr.,—L. fecundus, fruitful.]

Federal, fed′ėr-al, adj. pertaining to or consisting of a treaty or covenant: confederated, founded upon mutual agreement: of a union or government in which several states, while independent in home affairs, combine for national or general purposes, as in the United States (in the American Civil War, Federal was the name applied to the states of the North which defended the Union against the Confederate separatists of the South).—n. a supporter of federation: a Unionist soldier in the American Civil War.—n. Fed′eracy.—v.t. Fed′eralise.—ns. Fed′eralism, the principles or cause maintained by federalists; Fed′eralist, a supporter of a federal constitution or union; Fed′erary (Shak.), a confederate.—adj. Fed′erāte, united by league: confederated.—n. Federā′tion, the act of uniting in league: a federal union.—adj. Fed′erātive, united in league.—Federal (or Covenant) theology, that first worked out by Cocceius (1603-69), based on the idea of two covenants between God and man—of Works and of Grace (see Covenant). [Fr. fédéral—L. fœdus, fœderis, a treaty, akin to fidĕre, to trust.]

Fee, fē, n. price paid for services, as to a lawyer or physician: recompense, wages: the sum exacted for any special privilege: a grant of land for feudal service: an unconditional inheritance—Fee′-sim′ple, possession: ownership.—v.t. to pay a fee to: to hire:—pr.p. fee′ing; pa.p. feed.—ns. Fee′-grief (Shak.), a private grief; Fee′ing-mar′ket (Scot.), a fair or market at which farm-servants are hired for the year or half-year following; Fee′-tail, an entailed estate, which on failure of heirs reverts to the donor.—Base fee, a qualified fee, a freehold estate of inheritance to which a qualification is annexed; Conditional fee, a fee granted on condition, or limited to particular heirs: the estate of a mortgagee of land, possession of which is conditional on payment; Great fee, the holding of a tenant of the Crown. [A.S. feoh, cattle, property: a special kind of property, property in land; Ger. vieh, Ice. fé; allied to L. pecus, cattle, pecunia, money.]

Feeble, fē′bl, adj. weak: wanting in strength of body, energy, or efficiency: showing weakness or incapacity: faint: dull.—adj. Fee′ble-mind′ed, weak-minded: irresolute.—n. Fee′bleness—(Spens.) Fe′blesse.—adv. Fee′bly. [O. Fr. foible, for floible—L. flebilis, lamentable, from flēre, to weep.]

Feed, fēd, v.t. to give food to: to nourish: to furnish with necessary material: to foster.—v.i. to take food: to nourish one's self by eating:—pr.p. feed′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. fed.—n. an allowance of provender, esp. to cattle: the motion forward of anything being fed to a machine: (Milt.) a meal: (Shak.) pasture land.—ns. Feed′er, he who feeds, or that which supplies: an eater: one who abets another: one who fattens cattle: (obs.) a parasite; Feed′-head, the cistern that supplies water to the boiler of a steam-engine; Feed′-heat′er, an apparatus for heating the water supplied to a steam-boiler; Feed′ing, act of eating: that which is eaten: pasture: the placing of the sheets of paper in position for a printing or ruling machine; Feed′ing-bott′le, a bottle for supplying liquid food to an infant; Feed′-pipe, a pipe for supplying a boiler or cistern with water; Feed′-pump, a force-pump for supplying a steam-engine boiler with water. [A.S. fédan, to feed.]

Fee-faw-fum, fē′-faw′-fum′, n. a nursery word for anything frightful.

Feel, fēl, v.t. to perceive by the touch: to handle or try by touch: to be conscious of: to be keenly sensible of: to have an inward persuasion of.—v.i. to know by the touch: to have the emotions excited: to produce a certain sensation when touched, as to feel hard or hot:—pr.p. feel′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. felt.—n. the sensation of touch.—ns. Feel′er, a remark cautiously dropped, or any indirect stratagem, to sound the opinions of others: (pl.) jointed fibres in the heads of insects, &c., possessed of a delicate sense of touch, termed antennæ; Feel′ing, the sense of touch: perception of objects by touch: consciousness of pleasure or pain: tenderness: emotion: sensibility, susceptibility, sentimentality: opinion as resulting from emotion: (pl.) the affections or passions.—adj. expressive of great sensibility or tenderness: easily affected.—adv. Feel′ingly.—Feel after (B.), to search for. [A.S. félan, to feel; Ger. fühlen; prob. akin to L. palpāre, to quiver.]

Feer, fēr, n. (Spens.) a companion, a spouse. [A.S. ge-féra, a companion—ge-féran, to travel.]

Feign, fān, v.t. to invent: to imagine: to make a show or pretence of, to counterfeit, simulate.—adj. Feigned, pretended: simulating.—adv. Feign′edly.—ns. Feign′edness; Feign′ing. [Fr. feindre, pr.p. feignant, to feign.—L. fingĕre, fictum, to form.]

Feint, fānt, n. a false appearance: a pretence: a mock-assault: a deceptive movement in fencing, boxing, &c.—v.i. to make a feint. [Fr., see above.]

Feldspar, feld′spär, n. (min.) a general term for the most important rock-forming group of minerals—all anhydrous silicates of alumina—divided into those in which the minerals crystallise in monoclinic and in triclinic forms—also Fel′spar, Feld′spath.—adjs. Feldspath′ic, Feld′spathose. [Ger. feldspath—feld, a field, spath, spar.]

Felicity, fe-lis′i-ti, n. happiness: delight: a blessing: a happy event.—v.t. Felic′itāte, to express joy or pleasure to: to congratulate.—n. Felicitā′tion, the act of congratulating.—adj. Felic′itous, happy: prosperous: delightful: appropriate.—adv. Felic′itously. [Fr.,—L. felicitat-em, from felix, -icis, happy.]

Feline, fē′līn, adj. pertaining to the cat or the cat kind: like a cat.—ns. Felin′ity; Fē′lis, the cats as a genus, the typical genus of family Fē′lidæ and subfamily Fēlī′næ. [L. felinus—felis, a cat.]

Fell, fel, v.t. to cause to fall: to bring to the ground: to cut down.—adj. Fell′able.—n. Fell′er, a cutter of wood. [A.S. fellan, causal form of feallan, to fall.]

Fell, fel, n. a skin.—n. Fell′monger, a dealer in skins. [A.S. fel; cf. L. pellis, Gr. pella, Ger. fell.]

Fell, fel, adj. cruel: fierce: bloody: deadly: keen, eager, spirited: (Scot.) very great, huge.—adj. Fell′-lurking (Shak.), lurking with treacherous purpose.—n. Fell′ness.—adv. Fell′y. [O. Fr. fel, cruel—L. fello. See Felon.]

Fellah, fel′ä, n. an Arabic name applied contemptuously by the Turks to the labouring or agricultural population of Egypt—descendants of the ancient Egyptian, intermingled with Syrians, Arabs, &c.:—pl. Fell′ahs, Fell′ahîn. [Ar., 'tiller of the soil.']

Fellic, fel′ik, adj. obtained from bile—also Fellin′ic.—adj. Fellif′luous, flowing with gall. [L. fel, gall.]

Fellonous, fel′lon-us, adj. (Spens.) fell.—adj. Fel′lonest, most fell.

Fellow, fel′ō, n. an associate: a companion and equal: one of a pair, a mate: a member of a university who enjoys a fellowship: a member of a scientific or other society: an individual, a person generally: a worthless person.—ns. Fell′ow-cit′izen, one belonging to the same city; Fell′ow-comm′oner, at Cambridge and elsewhere, a privileged class of undergraduates, dining at the Fellows' table; Fell′ow-crea′ture, one of the same race; Fell′ow-feel′ing, feeling between fellows or equals: sympathy; Fell′ow-heir, a joint-heir.—adv. Fell′owly (Shak.), companionable.—ns. Fell′ow-man, a man of the same common nature with one's self; Fell′ow-serv′ant, one who has the same master; Fell′owship, the state of being a fellow or partner: friendly intercourse: communion: an association: an endowment in a college for the support of graduates called Fellows: the position and income of a fellow: (arith.) the proportional division of profit and loss among partners.—Good fellowship, companionableness; Right hand of fellowship, the right hand given by one minister or elder to another at an ordination in some churches. [M. E. felawe—Ice. félagi, a partner in goods, from fé (Ger. vieh), cattle, property, and lag, a laying together, a law. Cf. Eng. Fee, and Law.]

Felly, fel′ī, Felloe, fel′ō, n. one of the curved pieces in the circumference of a wheel: the circular rim of the wheel. [A.S. felg; Ger. felge.]

Felon, fel′on, n. one guilty of felony: a convict: a wicked person: an inflamed sore.—adj. wicked or cruel.—adj. Felō′nious, wicked: depraved: done with the deliberate intention to commit crime.—adv. Felō′niously.—n. Felō′niousness, the quality of being felonious.—adj. Fel′onous (Spens.), felonious.—ns. Fel′onry, a body of felons; Fel′ony, (orig.) a crime punished by total forfeiture of lands, &c.: a grave crime, beyond a misdemeanour, as that punishable by penal servitude or death. [O. Fr.,—Low L. fellonem, fello, a traitor, prob. L. fel, gall.]

Felsite, fel′sīt, n. a fine-grained, compact rock, a variety of quartz-porphyry—also Fel′stone.—adj. Felsit′ic. [Fr.,—Ger. fels, rock.]

Felt, felt, n. a fabric formed without weaving, by means of the natural tendency of the fibres of wool and certain kinds of hair to interlace with and cling to each other.—v.t. to make into felt: to cover with felt.—v.t. Felt′er, to mat together like felt.—n. Felt′ing, the art or process of making felt: the felt itself. [A.S. felt; cf. Dut. vilt, Ger. filz.]

Felucca, fe-luk′a, n. a class of small merchant-vessels, used in the Mediterranean, with two masts, lateen sails, and often a rudder at each end. [It. feluca, which, like Fr. felouque, is from Ar. fulk, a ship.]

Female, fē′māl, adj. of the sex that produces young: pertaining to females: (bot.) having a pistil or fruit-bearing organ.—n. one of the female sex, a woman.—ns. Femal′ity, Feminal′ity, the female nature.—adj. Fem′inal.—n. Feminē′ity, the quality of being female.—adj. Fem′inine, pertaining to women: tender: womanly: (gram.) the gender denoting females.—adv. Fem′ininely.—ns. Fem′inineness; Feminin′ity, the nature of the female sex.—Female screw, a screw cut upon the inward surface of a cylindrical hole in wood or metal; Feminine rhyme, a rhyme between words that terminate each in an unaccented syllable. [Fr. femelle—L. femella, dim. of femina, a woman.]

Femerell, fem′er-el, n. a louvre or covering on the roof of a kitchen, &c., to allow the smoke to escape.

Femur, fē′mer, n. the thigh-bone.—adj. Fem′oral, belonging to the thigh.—Femoral artery, the main artery of the thigh. [L. femoralis—femur, thigh.]

Fen, fen, n. a kind of low marshy land often, or partially, covered with water: a morass or bog.—ns. Fen′-berr′y, the cranberry; Fen′-fire, the Will-o'-the-wisp.—adjs. Fen′ny, Fen′nish; Fen′-sucked (Shak.), drawn out of bogs. [A.S. fenn; Ice. fen.]

Fen, fen, v.t. an exclamatory phrase in boys' games, meaning 'Check!' 'Bar!' [Cf. Fend.]

Fence, fens, n. a wall or hedge for enclosing animals or for protecting land: the art of fencing: defence: a receiver of stolen goods, also a receiving-house.—v.t. to enclose with a fence: to fortify.—v.i. to practise fencing: to conceal the truth by equivocal answers.—adjs. Fenced, enclosed with a fence; Fence′less, without fence or enclosure, open.—n. Fenc′er, one who practises fencing with a sword.—adj. Fenc′ible, capable of being fenced or defended.—n.pl. Fenc′ibles, volunteer regiments raised for local defence during a special crisis: militia enlisted for home service.—p.adj. Fenc′ing, defending or guarding.—n. the act of erecting a fence: the art of attack and defence with a sword or other weapon.—n. Fenc′ing-mas′ter, one who teaches fencing.—Fence the tables, in the ancient usage of Scotland, to debar from partaking in communion those guilty of any known sin.—Sit on the fence, to be still hesitating as between two opinions; Sunk fence, a ditch or water-course. [Abbrev. of defence.]

Fend, fend, v.t. to ward off: to shut out: to defend.—v.i. to offer resistance: to make provision for.—n. self-support, the shift one makes for one's self.—adj. Fend′y, shifty. [Abbrev. of defend.]

Fender, fend′ėr, n. a metal guard before a fire to confine the ashes: a protection for a ship's side against piers, &c., consisting of a bundle of rope, &c.—ns. Fend′er-beam, a fender of wood, protecting a ship's side in dock: a permanent buffer at the end of a railway siding; Fend′er-board, a board protecting the steps of a carriage from the dust thrown up by the wheels. [Fend.]

Fenestella, fen-es-tel′a, n. a niche on the south side of an altar, containing the piscina, and sometimes the credence: a genus of Polyzoa, like the recent 'lace coral,' very common in Palæozoic rocks. [L., dim. of fenestra, a window.]

Fenestral, fe-nes′tral, adj. belonging to or like a window: with transparent spots—also Fenes′trāte.—n. Fenestrā′tion, the arrangement of windows in a building. [L. fenestralis—fenestra, window.]

Fenian, fē′ne-an, n. a member of an association of Irishmen founded in New York in 1857 for the overthrow of the English government in Ireland.—adj. belonging to the legendary Fenians, or to the modern conspirators.—n. Fē′nianism. [Old Ir. Féne, one of the names of the ancient population of Ireland, confused in modern times with fíann, the militia of Finn and other ancient Irish kings.]

Fennel, fen′el, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants, allied to Dill, but distinguished by the cylindrical, strongly-ribbed fruit, the flower yellow.—n. Fenn′el-flow′er, the Nigella Damascena, or ragged lady. [A.S. finul—L. fœniculum, fennel—fenum, hay.]

Fent, fent, n. (prov.) a slit, crack: a remnant or odd piece. [O. Fr. fente—L. findĕre, to cleave.]

Fenugreek, fen′ū-grēk, n. a genus of leguminous plants, allied to clover and melilot. [L. fenum-græcum, 'Greek hay.']

Feoff, fef, n. a fief.—v.t. to grant possession of a fief or property in land.—ns. Feoffee′, the person invested with the fief; Feoff′er, Feoff′or, he who grants the fief; Feoff′ment, the gift of a fief or feoff. [O. Fr. feoffer or fiefer—O. Fr. fief. See Fee.]

Feracious, fe-rā′shus, adj. fruitful.—n. Ferac′ity (rare). [L. ferax, -acis—ferre, to bear.]

Fer-de-lance, fār′de-längs′, n. the lance-headed or yellow viper of tropical America.

Fere, fēr, n. (Spens.) a mate, companion, equal. [A.S. geféra, a companion, ge-féran, to travel.]

Feretory, fer′e-tor-i, n. a shrine for relics carried in processions. [L. feretrum—ferre, to bear.]

Ferial, fē′ri-al, adj. pertaining to holidays (feriæ), belonging to any day of the week which is neither a fast nor a festival. [Fr.,—L. feria, a holiday.]

Ferine, fē′rin, adj. pertaining to, or like, a wild beast: savage.—n.pl. Feræ (fē′rē), wild animals.—adj. Fē′ral, wild, run wild.—n. Fer′ity, wildness.—Fēræ naturæ, those animals that are wild or not domesticated, including game animals—deer, hares, pheasants, &c. [L. ferinus—fera, a wild beast—ferus; akin to Gr. thēr, Ger. thier, a beast.]

Feringhee, fer-ing′gē, n. a Hindu name for an Englishman.—Also Farin′gee. [A corr. of Frank.]

Ferly, fer′li, adj. fearful: sudden: singular.—n. a wonder.—v.i. to wonder. [A.S. fǽrlic, sudden; cf. Ger. ge-fährlich, dangerous.]

Ferment, fėr′ment, n. what excites fermentation, as yeast, leaven: internal motion amongst the parts of a fluid: agitation: tumult.—v.t. Ferment′, to excite fermentation: to inflame.—v.i. to rise and swell by the action of fermentation: to work, used of wine, &c.: to be in excited action: to be stirred with anger.—n. Fermentabil′ity.—adj. Ferment′able, capable of fermentation.—n. Fermentā′tion, the act or process of fermenting: the change which takes place in liquids exposed to air: the kind of spontaneous decomposition which produces alcohol: restless action of the mind or feelings.—adj. Ferment′ative, causing or consisting in fermentation.—n. Ferment′ativeness.—adj. Fermentes′cible, capable of being fermented. [Fr.,—L. fermentum, for fervimentum—fervēre, to boil.]

Fermeture, fer′me-tūr, n. a mechanism for closing the chamber of a breech-loading gun. [Fr.,—L. firmāre, to make fast.]

Fern, fern, n. one of the beautiful class of higher or vascular cryptogamous plants—the natural order Filices.—ns. Fern′ery, a place for rearing ferns; Fern′-owl, the European goatsucker or night-jar; Fern′-seed, the spores of ferns, which, properly gathered, render the bearers invisible; Fern′shaw, a thicket of ferns; Fern′ticle, a freckle.—adjs. Fern′ticled; Fern′y. [A.S. fearn; Ger. farn.]

Ferocious, fe-rō′shus, adj. savage, fierce: cruel.—adv. Ferō′ciously.—ns. Ferō′ciousness; Feroc′ity, savage cruelty of disposition: untamed fierceness. [L. ferox, ferocis, wild—ferus, wild.]

Ferrandine, fer′an-din, n. a silk and wool or silk and hair cloth.—Also Farr′andine. [Fr.]

Ferrara, fer-ä′ra, n. a make of sword-blade highly esteemed in Scotland from about the close of the 16th century—often Andrea Ferrara—said to have been made at Belluno in Venetia by Cosmo, Andrea, and Gianantonio Ferrara. [Perh. a native of Ferrara, or prob. merely the It. ferrajo, a cutler—L. ferrarius, a smith.]

Ferreous, fer′e-us, adj. pertaining to, or made of, iron. [L. ferreus—ferrum, iron.]

Ferret, fer′et, n. ribbon woven from spun silk. [Corr. from It. fioretto—L. flos, floris, a flower.]

Ferret, fer′et, n. a half-tamed albino variety of the polecat, employed in unearthing rabbits.—v.t. to drive out of a hiding-place: to search out cunningly:—pr.p. ferr′eting; pa.p. ferr′eted.—n. Ferr′eter, one who uses a ferret to catch rabbits, &c.: one who searches minutely. [O. Fr. furet, a ferret—Low L. furon-em, robber—L. fur, a thief.]

Ferric, fer′ik, adj. pertaining to or obtained from iron: noting an acid compounded of iron and oxygen.—ns. Ferr′ate, a salt formed by the union of ferric acid with a base; Ferrocyanogen (fer-o-sī-an′ō-jen), a compound radical supposed by chemists to exist in ferrocyanic acid and the ferrocyanides, the chief of which is potassium ferrocyanide, yielding Prussian blue; Ferr′otype, a photographic process in which the negative was developed by a saturated solution of protosulphate of iron. [L. ferrum, iron.]

Ferriferous, fer-rif′ėr-us, adj. bearing or yielding iron. [L. ferrum, iron, ferre, to bear.]

Ferruginous, fer-rōō′jin-us, adj. of the colour of iron-rust impregnated with iron.—n. Ferru′go, a disease of plants, commonly called rust. [L. ferrugineus—ferrugo, -inem, iron-rust—ferrum, iron.]

Ferrule, fer′il, or fer′ōōl, n. a metal ring or cap on a staff, &c., to keep it from splitting.—Also Ferr′el. [O. Fr. virole—L. viriola, a bracelet.]

Ferry, fer′i, v.t. to carry or convey over a water in a boat:—pr.p. ferr′ying; pa.p. ferr′ied.—n. a place where one is carried by boat across a water: the right of conveying passengers: the ferry-boat.—ns. Ferr′iage, provision for ferrying: the fare paid for such; Ferr′y-boat; Ferr′y-man. [A.S. ferian, to convey, faran, to go; Ger. fähre, a ferry—fahren, to go, to carry.]

Fertile, fėr′til, adj. able to bear or produce abundantly: rich in resources: inventive: fertilising.—adv. Fer′tilely.—n. Fertilisā′tion, the act or process of fertilising.—v.t. Fer′tilise, to make fertile or fruitful: to enrich.—ns. Fer′tiliser, one who, or that which, fertilises; Fertil′ity, fruitfulness: richness: abundance. [Fr.,—L. fertilis—ferre, to bear.]

Ferule, fer′ōōl, n. a cane or rod used for striking children in punishment.—n. Fer′ula, a staff of command.—adj. Ferulā′ceous, pertaining to canes or reeds. [L. ferula, a cane—ferīre, to strike.]

Fervent, fėr′vent, adj. ardent: zealous: warm in feeling.—n. Fer′vency, eagerness: warmth of devotion.—adv. Fer′vently.—adjs. Ferves′cent, growing hot; Fer′vid, very hot: having burning desire or emotion: zealous.—n. Fervid′ity.—adv. Fer′vidly.—ns. Fer′vidness; Fer′vour, heat: heat of mind, zeal. [Fr.,—L. fervēre, to boil.]

Fescennine, fes′e-nin, adj. scurrilous.—Fescennine verses consisted of dialogues in rude extempore verses, generally in Saturnian measure, in which the parties rallied and ridiculed one another. The style, afterwards popular at Rome, originated in the Etruscan town Fescennium.

Fescue, fes′kū, n. a genus of grasses, very nearly allied to Brome-grass, and including many valuable pasture and fodder grasses: a small straw or wire used to point out letters to children when learning to read. [O. Fr. festu—L. festūca, a straw.]

Fesse, Fess, fes, n. (her.) one of the ordinaries—a band over the middle of an escutcheon, one-third its breadth. [Fr. fasce—L. fascia, a band.]

Festal, fes′tal, adj. pertaining to a feast or holiday: joyous: gay.—adv. Fes′tally.—n. Festil′ogy, a treatise on ecclesiastical festivals.

Fester, fes′tėr, v.i. to become corrupt or malignant: to suppurate.—v.t. to cause to fester or rankle.—n. a wound discharging corrupt matter. [O. Fr. festre—L. fistula, an ulcer.]

Festinate, fes′ti-nāt, v.t. to accelerate.—adj. (Shak.) hurried, hasty.—adv. Fes′tinately (Shak.), hastily.—n. Festinā′tion. [L. festinaāre, -ātum, to hurry.]

Festive, fes′tiv, adj. festal: mirthful.—n. Fes′tival, a joyful celebration: a feast.—adv. Fes′tively.—n. Festiv′ity, social mirth: joyfulness: gaiety.—adj. Fes′tivous, festive. [L. festivus—festus.]

Festoon, fes-tōōn′, n. a garland suspended between two points: (archit.) an ornament like a wreath of flowers, &c.—v.t. to adorn with festoons.—n. Festoon′-blind, a window-blind of cloth gathered into rows of festoons in its width. [Fr. feston—Low L. festo(n-), a garland—L. festum.]

Fetch, fech, v.t. to bring: to go and get: to obtain as its price: to accomplish in any way: to bring down, to cause to yield: to reach or attain.—v.i. to turn: (naut.) to arrive at.—n. the act of bringing: space carried over: a stratagem.—adj. Fetch′ing, fascinating.—Fetch and carry, to perform humble services for another; Fetch a pump, to pour water in so as to make it draw; Fetch out, to draw forth, develop; Fetch to, to revive, as from a swoon; Fetch up, to recover: to come to a sudden stop. [A.S. feccan, an altered form of fetian, to fetch; cf. Ger. fassen, to seize.]

Fetch, fech, n. the apparition, double, or wraith of a living person.—n. Fetch′-can′dle, a nocturnal light, supposed to portend a death. [Ety. unknown.]

Fête, fāt, n. a festival: a holiday.—v.t. to entertain at a feast.—n. Fête′-day, a birthday.—Fête champêtre, an outdoor entertainment. [Fr.]

Fetial, fē′shal, adj. pertaining to the Roman fetiales, heraldic, ambassadorial.—Also Fē′cial.

Fetich, Fetish, fē′tish, n. an object, either natural or artificial, capable of being appropriated by an individual whose possession of it procures the services of a spirit lodged within it.—ns. Fē′tichism, Fē′tishism, the worship of a fetich: a belief in charms.—adjs. Fetichist′ic, Fetishist′ic. [Fr. fétiche—Port. feitiço, magic: a name given by the Portuguese to the gods of West Africa—Port. feitiço, artificial—L. factitius—facĕre, to make.]

Fetid, fē′tid, or fet′id, adj. stinking: having a strong offensive odour.—ns. Fē′tidness, Fē′tor, Fœ′tor. [L. fœtidus—fœtēre, to stink.]

Fetlock, fet′lok, n. a tuft of hair that grows behind on horses' feet: the part where this hair grows.—adj. Fet′locked, tied by the fetlock. [History obscure; often explained as compounded of foot and lock (of hair); cf. Ger. fiszloch.]

Fetter, fet′ėr, n. a chain or shackle for the feet: anything that restrains—used chiefly in pl.—v.t. to put fetters on: to restrain.—adjs. Fett′ered, bound by fetters: (zool.) of feet bent backward and apparently unfit for walking; Fett′erless, without fetters, unrestrained.—n. Fett′erlock (her.) a shackle or lock. [A.S. feter—fét, feet, pl. of fót, foot.]

Fettle, fet′l, v.t. (prov.) to arrange, mend.—v.i. to potter fussily about.—n. preparedness, ready condition. [Prob. A.S. fetel, a belt.]

Feu, fū, n. (Scot.) a tenure where the vassal, in place of military services, makes a return in grain or in money: a right to the use of land, houses, &c., in perpetuity, for a stipulated annual payment (Feu′-dū′ty).—v.t. to vest in one who undertakes to pay the feu-duty—n. Feu′ar, one who holds real estate in consideration of a payment called feu-duty. [O. Fr. feu. See the variant Fee.]

Feud, fūd, n. a war waged by private individuals, families, or clans against one another on their own account: a bloody strife.—Right of feud, the right to protect one's self and one's kinsmen, and punish injuries. [O. Fr. faide, feide—Low L. faida—Old High Ger. fēhida. See Foe.]

Feud, fūd, n. a fief or land held on condition of service.—adj. Feud′al, pertaining to feuds or fiefs: belonging to feudalism.—n. Feudalisā′tion.—v.t. Feud′alise.—ns. Feud′alism, the system, during the Middle Ages, by which vassals held lands from lords-superior on condition of military service; Feud′alist; Feudal′ity, the state of being feudal: the feudal system.—adv. Feud′ally.—adjs. Feud′ary, Feud′atory, holding lands or power by a feudal tenure—also ns.—ns. Feud′ist, a writer on feuds: one versed in the laws of feudal tenure. [Low L. feudum, from root of fee.]

Feuilleton, fė′lye-tong, n. the portion of a newspaper set apart for intelligence of a non-political character—criticisms on art or letters, or a serial story—usually marked off by a line.—n. Feuil′letonism, superficial qualities in literature, &c. [Fr. dim. of feuillet, a leaf—L. folium, a leaf.]

Fever, fē′vėr, n. disease marked by great bodily heat and quickening of pulse: extreme excitement of the passions, agitation: a painful degree of anxiety.—v.t. to put into a fever.—v.i. to become fevered.—adj. Fē′vered, affected with fever, excited.—ns. Fē′ver-few, a composite perennial closely allied to camomile, so called from its supposed power as a febrifuge; Fē′ver-heat, the heat of fever: an excessive degree of excitement.—adj. Fē′verish, slightly fevered: indicating fever: fidgety: fickle: morbidly eager.—adv. Fē′verishly.—n. Fē′verishness.—adj. Fē′verous, feverish: marked by sudden changes. [A.S. féfor—L. febris.]

Few, fū, adj. small in number: not many.—n. Few′ness.—A few, used colloquially for 'a good bit;' A good few, a considerable number; In few=in a few (words), briefly; Some few, an inconsiderable number; The few, the minority. [A.S. féa, pl. féawe; Fr. peu; L. paucus, small.]

Fewter, fū′tėr, v.t. (Spens.) to set close, to fix in rest, as a spear. [O. Fr. feutre—feutre, felt.]

Fewtrils, fū′trilz, n.pl. (prov.) little things, trifles. [See Fattrels.]

Fey, Fay, fā, adj. doomed, fated soon to die, under the shadow of a sudden or violent death—often marked by extravagantly high spirits. [M. E. fay, fey—A.S. fǽge, doomed; cf. Dut. veeg, about to die.]

Fez, fez, n. a red brimless cap of wool or felt, fitting closely to the head, with a tassel of black or blue, worn in Turkey, Egypt, &c.—in Africa usually called tarbûsh. [From Fez in Morocco.]

Fiacre, fē-ä′kr, n. a hackney-coach. [Fr., from the Hôtel de St Fiacre in Paris, where first used.]

Fiancée, fē-ong-sā′, n. a woman betrothed:—masc. Fiancé. [Fr., fiancer, to betroth—L. fidentia, confidence, fidĕre, to trust.]

Fiars, fī′arz, n.pl. (Scot.) the prices of grain legally struck or fixed for the year at the Fiars Court, so as to regulate the payment of stipend, rent, and prices not expressly agreed upon. [Conn. with fiar, the holder of a fee (q.v.).]

Fiasco, fi-as′ko, n. a failure in a musical performance: a failure of any kind. [It. fiasco, bottle, perh. from L. vasculum, a little vessel, vas, a vessel.]

Fiat, fī′at, n. a formal or solemn command: a short order or warrant of a judge for making out or allowing processes, letters-patent, &c.—(Spens.) Fī′aun.—v.t. to sanction, [L. 'let it be done,' 3d pers. sing. pres. subj. of fiĕri, passive of facĕre, to do.]

Fib, fib, n. something said falsely: a mild expression for a lie.—v.i. to tell a fib or lie: to speak falsely:—pr.p. fib′bing; pa.p. fibbed.—ns. Fib′ber, one who fibs; Fib′bery (rare), the habit of fibbing; Fib′ster, a fibber. [An abbrev. of fable.]

Fibre, fī′bėr, n. a conglomeration of thread-like tissue such as exists in animals or vegetables: any fine thread, or thread-like substance: material, substance.—adjs. Fī′bred, having fibres; Fī′breless, having no fibres; Fī′briform, fibrous in form or structure.—ns. Fī′bril, a small fibre; one of the extremely minute threads composing an animal fibre; Fibril′la, a fibril, filament.—n.pl. Fibril′læ.—n. Fibrillā′tion, the process of becoming fibrillated.—adj. Fī′brillous, formed of small fibres.—ns. Fī′brin, a proteid substance which appears in the blood after it is shed, and by its appearance gives rise to the process of coagulation or clotting; Fibrinā′tion, the process of adding fibrin to the blood.—adj. Fī′brinous, of or like fibrin.—n. Fibrocar′tilage, a firm elastic material like fibrous tissue and cartilage.—adj. Fī′broid, of a fibrous character.—ns. Fī′broin, the chief chemical constituent of silk, cobwebs, and the horny skeleton of sponges; Fibrō′ma, a tumour or growth consisting largely of fibrous matter; Fibrō′sis, a morbid growth of fibrous matter.—adj. Fī′brous, composed of fibres.—n. Fī′brousness. [Fr.,—L. fibra, a thread.]

Fibroline, fib′rō-lēn, n. a yarn manufactured from the waste in hemp, flax, and jute spinning works, for backs of carpets, &c.

Fibula, fib′ū-la, n. a clasp or buckle; the outer of the two bones from the knee to the ankle.—adjs. Fib′ular, Fib′ulate, Fib′ulous. [L.]

Fichu, fē-shü′, n. a three-cornered cape worn over the shoulders, the ends crossed upon the bosom: a triangular piece of muslin, &c., for the neck. [Fr.]

Fickle, fik′l, adj. inconstant: changeable.—n. Fick′leness. [A.S. ficol; gefic, fraud.]

Fico, fē′ko, n. (Shak.) a motion of contempt by placing the thumb between two fingers. [It.,—L.]

Fictile, fik′til, adj. used or fashioned by the potter, plastic. [L. fictilis—fingĕre, to form or fashion.]

Fiction, fik′shun, n. a feigned or false story: a falsehood: romance: the novel, story-telling as a branch of literature: a supposition of law that a thing is true, which is either certainly not true, or at least is as probably false as true.—adj. Fic′tional.—n. Fic′tionist, a writer of fiction.—adj. Ficti′tious, imaginary: not real: forged.—adv. Ficti′tiously.—adj. Fic′tive, fictitious, imaginative.—n. Fic′tor, one who makes images of clay, &c. [Fr.,—L. fiction-em—fictus, pa.p. of fingĕre.]

Fid, fid, n. a conical pin of hard wood, used by sailors to open the strands of a rope in splicing: a square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, used to support the weight of the topmast or top-gallant-mast when swayed up into place.

Fiddle, fid′l, n. a stringed instrument of music, called also a Violin.—v.t. or v.i. to play on a fiddle: to be busy over trifles, to trifle:—pr.p. fidd′ling; pa.p. fidd′led.—ns. Fidd′le-block, a long block having two sheaves of different diameters in the same plane; Fidd′le-bow, a bow strung with horse-hair, with which the strings of the fiddle are set vibrating.—interjs. Fidd′le-de-dee, Fidd′lestick (often pl.), nonsense!—v.i. Fidd′le-fadd′le, to trifle, to dally.—n. trifling talk.—adj. fussy, trifling.—interj. nonsense!—n. Fidd′le-fadd′ler.—adj. Fidd′le-fadd′ling.—ns. Fidd′le-head, an ornament at a ship's bow, over the cut-water, consisting of a scroll turning aft or inward; Fidd′ler, one who fiddles: a small crab of genus Gelasimus; Fidd′le-string, a string for a fiddle; Fidd′le-wood, a tropical American tree yielding valuable hard wood.—adj. Fidd′ling, trifling, busy about trifles.—Fiddler's green, a sailor's name for a place of frolic on shore.—Play first, or second, fiddle, to take the part of the first, or second, violin-player in an orchestra: to take a leading, or a subordinate, part in anything; Scotch fiddle, the itch. [A.S. fiðele; Ger. fiedel. See Violin.]

Fidelity, fi-del′i-ti, n. faithful performance of duty: faithfulness to a husband or wife: honesty: firm adherence. [L. fidelitat-em—fidelis, faithful—fidĕre, to trust.]

Fidget, fij′et, v.i. to be unable to rest: to move uneasily:—pr.p. fidg′eting; pa.p. fidg′eted.—n. irregular motion: restlessness: (pl.) general nervous restlessness, with a desire of changing the position.—v.i. Fidge, to move about restlessly: to be eager.—n. Fidg′etiness.—adj. Fidg′ety, restless: uneasy. [Perh. related to fike (q.v.).]

Fiducial, fi-dū′shi-al, adj. showing confidence or reliance: of the nature of a trust.—adv. Fidū′cially.—adj. Fidū′ciary, confident: unwavering: held in trust.—n. one who holds anything in trust: (theol.) one who depends for salvation on faith without works, an Antinomian. [L. fiducia, confidence, from fidĕre, to trust.]

Fie, fī, interj. denoting disapprobation or disgust. [Scand., Ice. fý, fei, fie! cf. Ger. pfui.]

Fief, fēf, n. land held of a superior in fee or on condition of military service: a feud. [Fr.,—Low L. feudum.]

Field, fēld, n. country or open country in general: a piece of ground enclosed for tillage or pasture: the range of any series of actions or energies: the locality of a battle: the battle itself: room for action of any kind: a wide expanse: (her.) the surface of a shield: the background on which figures are drawn: the part of a coin left unoccupied by the main device: those taking part in a hunt: all the entries collectively against which a single contestant has to compete: all the parties not individually excepted, as 'to bet on the field' in a horse-race.—v.t. at cricket and base-ball, to catch or stop and return to the fixed place.—v.i. to stand in positions so as to catch the ball easily in cricket.—ns. Field′-allow′ance, a small extra payment to officers on active service; Field′-artill′ery, light ordnance suited for active operations in the field; Field′-bed, a camp or trestle bedstead; Field′-book, a book used in surveying fields.—n.pl. Field′-col′ours, small flags used for marking the position for companies and regiments, also any regimental headquarters' flags.—n. Field′-day, a day when troops are drawn out for instruction in field exercises: any day of unusual bustle.—adj. Field′ed (Shak.), encamped.—ns. Field′er, one who fields; Field′fare, a species of thrush, having a reddish-yellow throat and breast spotted with black; Field′-glass, a binocular telescope slung over the shoulder in a case; Field′-gun, a light cannon mounted on a carriage; Field′-hand, an outdoor farm labourer; Field′-hos′pital, a temporary hospital near the scene of battle; Field′-ice, ice formed in the polar seas in large surfaces, distinguished from icebergs; Field′ing, the acting in the field at cricket as distinguished from batting; Field′-mar′shal, an officer of the highest rank in the army; Field′-meet′ing, a conventicle; Field′-mouse, a species of mouse that lives in the fields; Field′-night, a night marked by some important gathering, discussion, &c.; Field′-off′icer, a military officer above the rank of captain, and below that of general; Field′piece, a cannon or piece of artillery used in the field of battle; Field′-preach′er, one who preaches in the open air; Field′-preach′ing; Fields′man, a fielder.—n.pl. Field′-sports, sports of the field, as hunting, racing, &c.—n. Field′-train, a department of the Royal Artillery responsible for the safety and supply of ammunition during war.—advs. Field′ward, -wards, toward the fields.—n.pl. Field′works, temporary works thrown up by troops in the field, either for protection or to cover an attack upon a stronghold.—Field of vision, the compass of visual power.—Keep the field, to keep the campaign open: to maintain one's ground. [A.S. feld; cf. Dut. veld, the open country, Ger. feld.]

Fiend, fēnd, n. the devil: one actuated by the most intense wickedness or hate.—adj. Fiend′ish, like a fiend; malicious.—n. Fiend′ishness.—adj. Fiend′like, like a fiend: fiendish. [A.S. feónd, pr.p. of feón, to hate; Ger. feind, Dut. vijand.]

Fierce, fērs, adj. ferocious: violent: angry.—adv. Fierce′ly.—n. Fierce′ness. [O. Fr. fers (Fr. fier)—L. ferus, wild, savage.]

Fiery, fīr′i, or fī′ėr-i, adj. ardent: impetuous: irritable.—adv. Fier′ily.—ns. Fier′iness; Fier′y-cross (see Cross).—adjs. Fier′y-foot′ed, swift in motion; Fier′y-hot, impetuous; Fier′y-new, hot from newness; Fier′y-short, short and passionate.

Fife, fīf, n. a smaller variety of the flute, usually with only one key.—v.i. to play on the fife.—ns. Fife′-mā′jor (obs.), the chief fifer in a regiment; Fif′er, one who plays on a fife; Fife′-rail, the rail round the mainmast for belaying-pins. [Fr. fifre, Ger. pfeife, both, acc. to Littré, from L. pipāre, to chirp.]

Fifteen, fif′tēn, adj. and n. five and ten.—adj. Fif′teenth, the fifth after the tenth: being one of fifteen equal parts.—n. a fifteenth part.—The Fifteen, the Jacobite rising of 1715. [A.S. fíftyne—fíf, five, týn, ten.]

Fifth, fifth, adj. next after the fourth.—n. one of five equal parts: (mus.) a tone five diatonic degrees above or below any given tone.—adv. Fifth′ly, in the fifth place.—ns. Fifth′-mon′archism; Fifth′-mon′archist.—Fifth-monarchy men, an extreme sect of the time of the Puritan revolution, who looked for the establishment of a new reign of Christ on earth, in succession to Daniel's four great monarchies of Antichrist. [A.S. fífta.]

Fifty, fif′ti, adj. and n. five tens or five times ten.—adj. Fif′tieth, the ordinal of fifty.—n. a fiftieth part. [A.S. fíftig—fíf, five, tig, ten.]

Fig, fig, n. the fig-tree (Ficus), or its fruit, growing in warm climates: a thing of little consequence.—v.t. (Shak.) to insult by a contemptuous motion of the fingers.—ns. Fig′-leaf, the leaf of the fig-tree: an imitation of such a leaf for veiling the private parts of a statue or picture: any scanty clothing (from Gen. iii. 7): a makeshift; Fig′-tree, the tree which produces figs. [Fr. figue—L. ficus, a fig.]

Fig, fig, n. (coll.) figure: dress.—v.t. to dress, get up.—n. Fig′gery, dressy ornament.

Figaro, fig′ar-o, n. a type of cunning and dexterity from the dramatic character, first barber and then valet-de-chambre, in the Barbier de Seville and the Mariage de Figaro, by Beaumarchais: the name adopted by a famous Paris newspaper founded 1854.

Fight, fīt, v.i. to strive with: to contend in war or in single combat.—v.t. to engage in conflict with: to gain by fight: to cause to fight:—pr.p. fight′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. fought (fawt).—n. a struggle: a combat: a battle or engagement.—n. Fight′er.—adj. Fight′ing, engaged in or fit for war.—n. the act of fighting or contending.—ns. Fight′ing-cock, a gamecock, a pugnacious fellow; Fight′ing-fish (Betta pugnax), a small Siamese fresh-water fish, kept for its extraordinary readiness for fighting, bets being laid on the issue.—Fight it out, to struggle on until the end; Fight shy of, to avoid from mistrust.—Live like fighting-cocks, to get the best of meat and drink. [A.S. feohtan; Ger. fechten.]

Figment, fig′ment, n. a fabrication or invention. [L. figmentum—fingĕre, to form.]

Figuline, fig′ū-lin, adj. such as is made by the potter, fictile.—n. an earthen vessel:—pl. pottery. [L.—figulinus—figulus, potter.]

Figure, fig′ūr, n. the form of anything in outline: the representation of anything in drawing, &c.: a drawing: a design: a statue: appearance: a character denoting a number: value or price: (rhet.) a deviation from the ordinary mode of expression, in which words are changed from their literal signification or usage: (logic) the form of a syllogism with respect to the position of the middle term: steps in a dance: a type or emblem.—v.t. to form or shape: to make an image of: to mark with figures or designs: to imagine: to symbolise: to foreshow: to note by figures.—v.i. to make figures: to appear as a distinguished person.—n. Figurabil′ity, the quality of being figurable.—adjs. Fig′urable; Fig′ural, represented by figure.—n. Fig′urante, a ballet dancer, one of those dancers who dance in troops, and form a background for the solo dancers:—masc. Fig′urant.—adj. Fig′urate, of a certain determinate form: (mus.) florid.—n. Figurā′tion, act of giving figure or form: (mus.) mixture of chords and discords.—adj. Fig′urative (rhet.), representing by, containing, or abounding in figures: metaphorical: flowery: typical.—adv. Fig′uratively.—ns. Fig′urativeness, state of being figurative; Fig′ure-cast′er, an astrologer; Fig′ure-cast′ing, the art of preparing casts of animal or other forms.—adj. Fig′ured, marked or adorned with figures.—ns. Fig′ure-dance, a dance consisting of elaborate figures; Fig′urehead, the figure or bust under the bowsprit of a ship; Fig′ure-weav′ing, the weaving of figured fancy fabrics; Fig′urine, a small carved or sculptured figure, often specially such as are adorned with painting and gilding; Fig′urist, one who uses or interprets figures.—Figurate numbers, any series of numbers beginning with unity, and so formed that if each be subtracted from the following, and the series so formed be treated in the same way, by a continuation of the process, equal differences will be obtained. [Fr.,—L. figura, fingĕre, to form.]

Fike, fīk, v.i. (Scot.) to fidget restlessly.—n. restlessness: any vexatious requirement or detail in work.—n. Fik′ery, fuss.—adj. Fik′y. [Prob. Ice. fíkja.]

Filaceous, fil-ā′shus, adj. composed of threads. [L. filum, a thread.]

Filacer, fil′ā-ser, n. an officer in the Court of Common Pleas who formerly filed original writs and made out processes on them.—Also Fil′azer. [O. Fr. filacier—filace, a file for papers—L. filum.]

Filament, fil′a-ment, n. a slender or thread-like object: a fibre: (bot.) the stalk of the stamen which supports the pollen-containing anther.—adjs. Filament′ary, Filament′ose; Filament′oid, like a filament; Filament′ous, thread-like. [Fr.,—L. filum, a thread.]

Filanders, fil-an′dėrz, n.pl. a disease in hawks caused by a small intestinal worm, the filander. [Fr. filandres—L. filum.]

Filature, fil′a-tūr, n. the reeling of silk, or the place where it is done.—n. Fil′atory, a machine for forming or spinning threads. [Fr.,—L. filum, a thread.]

Filbert, fil′bert, n. the nut of the cultivated hazel—(obs.) Fil′berd. [Prob. from St Philibert, whose day fell in the nutting season, Aug. 22 (O.S.).]

Filch, filch, v.t. to steal: to pilfer.—n. Filch′er, a thief.—adv. Filch′ingly. [Ety. unknown.]

File, fīl, n. a line or wire on which papers are placed in order: the papers so placed: a roll or list: a line of soldiers ranged behind one another: the number of men forming the depth of a battalion.—v.t. to put upon a file: to arrange in an orderly manner: to put among the records of a court: to bring before a court.—v.i. to march in a file.—n. File′-lead′er.—File off, to wheel off at right angles to the first direction; File with, to rank with, to be equal to.—Single file, Indian file, of men marching one behind another. [Fr. file—L. filum, a thread.]

File, fīl, n. a steel instrument with sharp-edged furrows for smoothing or rasping metals, &c.: any means adopted to polish a thing, as a literary style: a shrewd, cunning person, a deep fellow: a pickpocket.—v.t. to cut or smooth with, or as with, a file: to polish, improve.—n. File′-cut′ter, a maker of files.—adj. Filed, polished, smooth.—ns. File′-fish, a fish of genus Balistes, the skin granulated like a file; Fil′er, one who files; Fil′ing, a particle rubbed off with a file. [A.S. feól; Ger. feile; Dut. vijl.]

Filemot, fil′e-mot, adj. of a dead-leaf colour—also n. the colour itself. [Fr. feuillemorte, a dead leaf.]

Filial, fil′yal, adj. pertaining to or becoming a son or daughter: bearing the relation of a child.—adv. Fil′ially. [Fr.,—Low L. filialis—L. filius, a son.]

Filibuster, Fillibuster, fil′i-bus-tėr, n. a lawless military or piratical adventurer, as in the West Indies: a buccaneer.—v.i. to obstruct legislation wantonly by endless speeches, motions, &c.—n. Fil′ibusterism, the character or actions of a filibuster. [Sp. filibustero, through Fr. flibustier, fribustier, from Dut. vrijbueter, vrijbuiter (cf. Eng. freebooter, Ger. freibeuter), from vrij, free, buit, booty.]

Filices, fil′i-sez, n.pl. the ferns.—adjs. Fil′ical; Filic′iform; Fil′icoid.

Filiform, fil′i-form, adj. having the form of a filament: long and slender. [L. filum, thread, forma, form.]

Filigree, fil′i-grē, n. a kind of ornamental metallic lacework of gold and silver, twisted into convoluted forms, united and partly consolidated by soldering—earlier forms, Fil′igrain, Fil′igrane.—adj. Fil′igreed, ornamented with filigree. [Fr. filigrane—It. filigrana—L. filum, thread, granum, a grain.]

Filioque, fil-i-ō′kwe, n. the clause inserted into the Nicene Creed at Toledo in 589, which asserts that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son, as well as from the Father—not accepted by the Eastern Church. [L., 'and from the son.']

Fill, fil, v.t. to make full: to put into until all the space is occupied: to supply abundantly: to satisfy: to glut: to perform the duties of: to supply a vacant office.—v.i. to become full: to become satiated.—n. as much as fills or satisfies: a full supply: a single charge of anything.—ns. Fill′er, he who, or that which, fills: a vessel for conveying a liquid into a bottle; Fill′ing, anything used to fill up, stop a hole, to complete, &c., as the woof, in weaving: supply. [A.S. fyllan, fullian—ful, full.]

Fill, fil, n. (Shak.) the thill or shaft of a cart or carriage. [See Thill.]

Fillet, fil′et, n. a little string or band, esp. to tie round the head: meat or fish boned and rolled, roasted or baked: a piece of meat composed of muscle, esp. the fleshy part of the thigh: (archit.) a small space or band used along with mouldings.—v.t. to bind or adorn with a fillet:—pr.p. fill′eting; pa.p. fill′eted. [Fr. filet, dim. of fil, from L. filum, a thread.]

Fillibeg, Philibeg, fil′i-beg, n. the kilt, the dress or petticoat reaching nearly to the knees, worn by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael. feileadhbeag—feileadh, plait, fold, beag, little.]

Fillip, fil′ip, v.t. to strike with the nail of the finger, forced from the ball of the thumb with a sudden jerk: to incite, drive:—pr.p. fill′iping; pa.p. fill′iped.—n. a jerk of the finger from the thumb: anything which excites. [A form of flip.]

Film, film, n. a thin skin or membrane: a very slender thread: the coating on a plate prepared to act as a medium for taking a picture.—v.t. to cover with a film, or thin skin.—n. Film′iness.—adj. Film′y, composed of film or membranes. [A.S. filmen, extended from fell, a skin.]

Filoplume, fī′lo-plōōm, n. a long slender feather. [Formed from L. filum, thread, pluma, a feather.]

Filose, fī′lōs, adj. ending in a thread-like process.—n. Filoselle′, ferret or floss silk. [L. filum, thread.]

Filter, fil′ter, n. a contrivance arranged for purifying a liquid of solid insoluble matter by passing it through some porous substance which does not allow the solid particles to pass through.—v.t. to purify liquor by a filter.—v.i. to pass through a filter: to percolate.—ns. Fil′ter-pā′per, porous paper for use in filtering; Fil′ter-pump, a contrivance devised by the chemist Bunsen for accelerating the filtering process. [O. Fr. filtre—Low L. filtrum, felt.]

Filth, filth, n. foul matter: anything that defiles, physically or morally.—adv. Filth′ily.—n. Filth′iness.—adj. Filth′y, foul: unclean: impure. [A.S. fýldh—fúl, foul.]

Filtrate, fil′trāt, v.t. to filter or percolate.—n. Filtrā′tion, act or process of filtering.

Fimble, fim′bl, n. the male plant of hemp, yielding a weaker and shorter fibre than the Carl hemp or female plant. [Dut. femel.]

Fimbriate, -d, fim′bri-āt, -ed, adj. fringed.—n. Fim′bria, a fringing filament.—v.t. Fim′briate, to fringe: to hem.—adj. Fim′bricate, fimbriate. [L. fimbriātus—fimbriæ, fibres.]

Fin, fin, n. the organ by which a fish balances itself and swims.—n. Fin′-back, a finner or fin-whale.—adjs. Fin′-foot′ed, having feet with toes connected by a membrane; Finned, having fins; Fin′ny, furnished with fins.—n. Fin′-ray, one of the rods or rays supporting a fish's fin.—adj. Fin′-toed, having feet with membranes connecting the toes, as aquatic birds. [A.S. finn; L. pinna, a fin.]

Final, fī′nal, adj. last: decisive, conclusive: respecting the end or motive: of a judgment ready for execution.—ns. Fī′nalism; Fī′nalist; Final′ity, state of being final: completeness or conclusiveness.—adv. Fī′nally.—Final cause (see Cause). [Fr.,—L. finalis—finis, an end.]

Finale, fi-nä′lā, n. the end: the last passage in a piece of music: the concluding piece in a concert. [It. finale, final—L. finis.]

Finance, fi-nans′, n. money affairs or revenue, esp. of a ruler or state: public money: the art of managing or administering the public money.—v.t. to manage financially, to furnish with sums of money.—adj. Finan′cial, pertaining to finance.—n. Finan′cialist, a financier.—adv. Finan′cially.—n. Financier′, one skilled in finance: an officer who administers the public revenue.—v.i. and v.t. to finance. [Fr.,—Low L. financia—Low L. fināre, to pay a fine—finis. See Fine (2).]

Finch, finsh, n. a name applied to many Passerine birds, esp. to those of the genus Fringilla or family Fringillidæ—bullfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, &c.—adjs. Finch′-backed, Finched, striped or spotted on the back. [A.S. finc; Ger. fink.]

Find, fīnd, v.t. to come upon or meet with: to discover or arrive at: to perceive: to experience: to supply: to determine after judicial inquiry:—pr.p. fīnd′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. found.—ns. Find′er; Find′-fault (Shak.), one who finds fault with another; Find′ing, act of one who finds: that which is found: a judicial verdict: (pl.) the appliances which some workmen have to supply, esp. of shoemakers—everything save leather.—Find one in (something), to supply one with something; Find one's account (in anything), to find satisfactory profit or advantage in it; Find one's legs, to rise, or to recover the use of one's legs, as after being drunk, &c.; Find one's self, to feel, as regards health, happiness, &c.; Find out, to discover. [A.S. findan; Ger. finden.]

Fine, fīn, adj. excellent: beautiful: not coarse or heavy: subtle: thin: slender: exquisite: nice: delicate: overdone: showy: splendid: striking or remarkable (often ironically): pure, refined: consisting of small particles; sharp, keen.—v.t. to make fine: to refine: to purify: to change by imperceptible degrees.—adv. (Scot.) for finely, well.—v.t. Fine′-draw, to draw or sew up a rent so finely that it is not seen.—p.adj. Fine′-drawn, drawn out too finely.—adj. Fine′ish, somewhat fine.—adv. Fine′ly.—ns. Fine′ness; Fin′er (same as Refiner); Fin′ery, splendour, fine or showy things: a place where anything is fined or refined: a furnace for making iron malleable.—adjs. Fine′-spok′en, using fine phrases; Fine′-spun, finely spun out: artfully contrived.—Fine arts, as painting, sculpture, music, those chiefly concerned with the beautiful—opp. to the Useful or Industrial arts. [Fr.,—L. finitus, finished, from finīre, to finish, finis, an end.]

Fine, fīn, n. a composition: a sum of money imposed as a punishment.—v.t. to impose a fine on: to punish by fine: (Shak.) to pledge or pawn.—adj. Fine′less (Shak.), endless.—In fine, in conclusion. [Low L. finis, a fine—L. finis, an end.]

Fineer, fi-nēr′, v.i. to get goods on credit by fraudulent artifice. [Prob. Dut.; cog. with Finance.]

Finesse, fi-nes′, n. subtlety of contrivance: artifice: an endeavour by a player holding (say) queen and ace to take the trick with the lower card.—v.i. to use artifice.—ns. Fines′ser; Fines′sing. [Fr.]

Finger, fing′gėr, n. one of the five terminal parts of the hand: a finger-breadth: skill in the use of the hand or fingers: execution in music.—v.t. to handle or perform with the fingers: to pilfer: to toy or meddle with.—v.i. to use lightly with the fingers, as a musical instrument.—ns. Fing′er-al′phabet, a deaf and dumb alphabet; Fing′er-board, the board, or part of a musical instrument, on which the keys for the fingers are placed; Fing′er-bowl, -glass, a bowl for holding the water used to cleanse the fingers after a meal; Fing′er-breadth, the breadth of a finger, the fourth part of a palm, forming 1⁄16 of a foot.—adj. Fing′ered, having fingers, or anything like fingers.—ns. Fing′er-grass, grass of genus Digitaria; Fing′er-hole, a hole in the side of the tube of a flute, &c., capable of being closed by the player's finger to modify the pitch of tone; Fing′ering, act or manner of touching with the fingers, esp. a musical instrument: a thick woollen yarn for stockings; Fing′erling, a very diminutive being: the parr; Fing′er-mark, a mark, esp. a soil made by the finger; Fing′er-plate, a thin plate of metal or porcelain laid along the edge of a door at the handle, to prevent soiling by the hand; Fing′er-post, a post with a finger pointing, for directing passengers to the road; Fing′er-stall, a covering of leather for protecting the finger.—Finger-and-toe (see Anbury).—A finger in the pie, a share in the doing of anything, often of vexatious meddling; Have at one's finger-ends, to be perfect master of a subject; Have one's fingers all thumbs, to have awkward fingers. [A.S. finger; Ger. finger.]

Finial, fin′i-al, n. the bunch of foliage, &c., at the termination of the pinnacles, gables, spires, &c., in Gothic architecture. [From L. finīre—finis.]

Finical, fin′i-kal, adj. affectedly fine or precise in trifles: nice: foppish.—n. Finical′ity, state of being finical: something finical.—adv. Fin′ically.—ns. Fin′icalness, the quality of being finical: foppery; Fin′icking, fussiness and fastidiousness.—adjs. Fin′icking, Fin′ikin, particular about trifles.

Fining, fīn′ing, n. process of refining or purifying.—n. Fin′ing-pot, a pot or vessel used in refining.

Finish, fin′ish, v.t. to end or complete the making of anything: to perfect: to give the last touches to: to put an end to, to destroy.—n. that which finishes or completes: the end of a race, hunt, &c.: last touch, careful elaboration, polish: the last coat of plaster to a wall.—p.adj. Fin′ished, brought to an end or to completion: complete: perfect.—n. Fin′isher, one who finishes, completes, or perfects: in bookbinding, the one who puts the last touches to the book in the way of gilding and decoration. [Fr. finir, finissant—L. finīre—finis, an end.]

Finite, fī′nīt, adj. having an end or limit: subject to limitations or conditions, as time, space—opp. to Infinite (q.v.).—adj. Fī′nīteless, without end or limit.—adv. Fī′nītely.—ns. Fī′nīteness, Fin′itūde. [L. finītus, pa.p. of finīre.]

Finn, fin, n. a native of Finland in the north-west of Russia.—adjs. Fin′nic, Fin′nish, pertaining to the Finns in the widest sense.

Finnan-haddock, fin′an-had′uk, n. a kind of smoked haddock, esp. that prepared at Findon, near Aberdeen.—Also Fin′don-hadd′ock.

Fiord, Fjord, fyord, n. name given in Scandinavia to a long, narrow, rock-bound inlet. [Norw.]

Fiorite, fī-ō′rīt, n. a kind of siliceous incrustation found in the vicinity of volcanoes and hot springs. [From Santa Fiore in Tuscany.]

Fir, fėr, n. the name of several species of cone-bearing, resinous trees, valuable for their timber.—adj. Fir′ry, abounding in firs. [A.S. furh (wudu); cf. Ger. föhre.]

Fire, fīr, n. the heat and light caused by burning: flame: anything burning, as fuel in a grate, &c.: a conflagration: torture or death by burning: severe trial: anything inflaming or provoking: ardour of passion: vigour: brightness of fancy: enthusiasm: sexual passion.—v.t. to set on fire: to inflame: to irritate: to animate: to cause the explosion of: to discharge.—v.i. to take fire: to be or become irritated or inflamed: to discharge firearms.—n. Fire′-alarm′, an alarm of fire, an apparatus for giving such.—n.pl. Fire′arms, arms or weapons which are discharged by fire exploding gunpowder.—ns. Fire′-ar′row, a small iron dart or arrow furnished with a combustible for setting fire to ships; Fire′ball, a ball filled with combustibles to be thrown among enemies: a meteor; Fire′-balloon′, a balloon carrying a fire placed in the lower part for rarefying the air to make itself buoyant: a balloon sent up arranged to ignite at a certain height; Fire′-bas′ket, a portable grate for a bedroom; Fire′-blast, a blast or blight affecting plants, in which they appear as if scorched by the sun; Fire′-boat, a steamboat fitted up to extinguish fires in docks; Fire′box, the box or chamber (usually copper) of a steam-engine, in which the fire is placed; Fire′brand, a brand or piece of wood on fire: one who inflames the passions of others; Fire′brick, a brick so made as to resist the action of fire, used for lining furnaces, &c.; Fire′-brigade′, a brigade or company of men for extinguishing fires or conflagrations; Fire′-buck′et, a bucket for carrying water to extinguish a fire; Fire′clay, a kind of clay, capable of resisting fire, used in making firebricks; Fire′cock, a cock or spout to let out water for extinguishing fires; Fire′damp, a gas, carburetted hydrogen, in coal-mines, apt to take fire and explode when mixed with atmospheric air; Fire′-dog (same as Andiron); Fire′-drake, a fiery meteor, a kind of firework; Fire′-eat′er, a juggler who pretends to eat fire: one given to needless quarrelling, a professed duellist; Fire′-en′gine, an engine or forcing-pump used to extinguish fires with water; Fire′-escape′, a machine used to enable people to escape from fires.—adj. Fire′-eyed (Shak.), having fiery eyes.—ns. Fire′-flag (Coleridge), Fire′flaught (Swinburne), a flash of lightning; Fire′-fly, a name applied to many phosphorescent insects, all included with the Coleoptera or beetles, some giving forth a steady light, others flashing light intermittently (glow-worms, &c.); Fire′-guard, a framework of wire placed in front of a fireplace.—n.pl. Fire′-ī′rons, the irons—poker, tongs, and shovel—used for a fire.—ns. Fire′light′er, a composition of pitch and sawdust, or the like, for kindling fires; Fire′lock, a gun in which the fire is caused by a lock with steel and flint; Fire′man, a man whose business it is to assist in extinguishing fires: a man who tends the fires, as of a steam-engine; Fire′-mas′ter, the chief of a fire-brigade.—adj. Fire′-new, new from the fire: brand new: bright.—ns. Fire′-pan, a pan or metal vessel for holding fire; Fire′place, the place in a house appropriated to the fire: a hearth; Fire′plug, a plug placed in a pipe which supplies water in case of fire; Fire′-pol′icy, a written instrument of insurance against fire up to a certain amount; Fire′-pot, an earthen pot filled with combustibles, used in military operations.—adj. Fire′proof, proof against fire.—ns. Fire′-proofing, the act of rendering anything fireproof: the materials used; Fir′er, an incendiary; Fire′-rais′ing, the crime of arson.—adj. Fire′-robed (Shak.), robed in fire.—ns. Fire′-screen, a screen for intercepting the heat of the fire; Fire′-ship, a ship filled with combustibles, to set an enemy's vessels on fire; Fire′side, the side of the fireplace: the hearth: home.—adj. homely, intimate.—ns. Fire′-stick, the implement used by many primitive peoples for obtaining fire by friction; Fire′stone, a kind of sandstone that bears a high degree of heat; Fire′-wa′ter, ardent spirits; Fire′wood, wood for burning.—n.pl. Fire′works, artificial works or preparations of gunpowder, sulphur, &c., to be fired chiefly for display or amusement.—ns. Fire′-wor′ship, the worship of fire, chiefly by the Parsees in Persia and India; Fire′-wor′shipper; Fir′ing, a putting fire to: discharge of guns: firewood: fuel: cauterisation; Fir′ing-par′ty, a detachment told off to fire over the grave of one buried with military honours, or to shoot one sentenced to death; Fir′ing-point, the temperature at which an inflammable oil will take fire spontaneously.—Fire off, to discharge a shot; Fire out (Shak.), to expel; Fire up, to start a fire: to fly into a passion.—Set the Thames on fire, to do something striking; Take fire, to begin to burn: to become aroused about something. [A.S. fýr; Ger. feuer; Gr. pyr.]

Firkin, fėr′kin, n. a measure equal to the fourth part of a barrel: 9 gallons: 56 lb. of butter. [With dim. suff. -kin, from Old Dut. vierde, fourth.]

Firlot, fėr′lot, n. an old Scotch dry measure, the fourth part of a boll.

Firm, fėrm, adj. fixed: compact: strong: not easily moved or disturbed: unshaken: resolute: decided.—v.t. (obs.) to fix, establish, confirm.—adj. Firm′less, wavering.—adv. Firm′ly.—n. Firm′ness. [O. Fr. ferme—L. firmus.]

Firm, fėrm, n. the title under which a company transacts business: a business house or partnership. [It. firma, from L. firmus. See Farm.]

Firmament, fėr′ma-ment, n. the solid sphere in which the stars were thought to be fixed: the sky.—adj. Firmament′al, pertaining to the firmament: celestial. [Fr.,—L. firmamentum—firmus, firm.]

Firman, fėr′man, or fer-män′, n. any decree emanating from the Turkish government. [Pers. fermán; Sans. pramâna, command.]

Firn, firn, or fern, n. snow on high glaciers while still granular—the French névé. [Ger. firn, of last year; cf. obs. Eng. fern, former.]

First, fėrst, adj. foremost: preceding all others in place, time, or degree: most eminent: chief.—adv. before anything else, in time, space, rank, &c.—adjs. First′-begot′ten, begotten or born first: eldest; First′-born, born first.—n. the first in the order of birth: the eldest child.—adj. First′-class, of the first class, rank, or quality.—ns. First′-day, Sunday; First′-floor (see Floor); First′-foot (Scot.), the first person to enter a house after the beginning of the new year; First′-fruit, First′-fruits, the fruits first gathered in a season: the first profits or effects of anything, bishoprics, benefices, &c.—adj. First′-hand, obtained without the intervention of a second party.—n. First′ling, the first produce or offspring, esp. of animals.—adv. First′ly, in the first place.—adjs. First′-rate, of the first or highest rate or excellence: pre-eminent in quality, size, or estimation; First′-wa′ter, the first or highest quality, purest lustre—of diamonds and pearls. [A.S. fyrst; the superl. of fore by adding -st.]

Fisc, fisk, n. the state treasury: the public revenue: one's purse.—adj. Fisc′al, pertaining to the public treasury or revenue.—n. a treasurer: a public prosecutor, the chief law officer of the crown under the Holy Roman Empire: (Scot.) an officer who prosecutes in petty criminal cases—fully, Procurator-fiscal. [O. Fr.,—L. fiscus, a purse.]

Fish, fish, n. a vertebrate that lives in water, and breathes through gills: the flesh of fish: a piece of wood fixed alongside another for strengthening:—pl. Fish, or Fish′es.—v.t. to search for fish: to search by sweeping: to draw out or up: (naut.) to strengthen, as a weak spar: to hoist the flukes of: to seek to obtain by artifice.—ns. Fish′-ball, -cake, a ball of chopped fish and mashed potatoes, fried.—adj. Fish′-bell′ied, swelled out downward like the belly of a fish.—ns. Fish′-carv′er, a large flat implement for carving fish at table—also Fish′-knife, Fish′-slice, and Fish′-trow′el; Fish′-coop, a square box with a hole in its bottom, used in fishing through a hole in the ice; Fish′-creel, an angler's basket, a wicker-basket used for carrying fish; Fish′-day, a day on which fish is eaten instead of meat; Fish′er, one who fishes, or whose occupation is to catch fish: a North American carnivore—a kind of marten or sable, the pekan or wood-shock; Fish′erman, a fisher; Fish′ery, the business of catching fish: a place for catching fish; Fish′-fag, a woman who sells fish; Fish′-garth, an enclosure on a river for the preserving or taking of fish—also Fish′-weir; Fish′-god, a deity in form wholly or partly like a fish, like the Philistine Dagon; Fish′-hook, a barbed hook for catching fish.—v.t. Fish′ify (Shak.), to turn to fish.—n. Fish′iness.—adj. Fish′ing, used in fishery.—n. the art or practice of catching fish.—ns. Fish′ing-frog, the angler-fish; Fish′ing-rod, a long slender rod to which a line is fastened for angling; Fish′ing-tack′le, tackle—nets, lines, &c.—used in fishing; Fish′-joint, a joint or splice made with fish-plates; Fish′-kett′le, a long oval dish for boiling fish; Fish′-ladd′er, Fish′-way, an arrangement for enabling a fish to ascend a fall, &c.; Fish′-louse, a name widely applied to any of the Copepod crustaceans which occur as external parasites, both on fresh-water and marine fishes; Fish′-meal (Shak.), a meal of fish: abstemious diet; Fish′monger, a dealer in fish; Fish′-pack′ing, the process of packing or canning fish for the market; Fish′-plate, an iron plate fitted to the web of a rail, used in pairs, one on each side of the junction of two rails; Fish′-pond, a pond in which fish are kept; Fish′-sales′man, one who receives consignments of fish for sale by auction to retail dealers; Fish′-sauce, sauce proper to be eaten with fish, as anchovy, &c.; Fish′-scrap, fish or fish-skins from which oil or glue has been extracted; Fish′-spear, a spear or dart for striking fish; Fish′-strain′er, a metal colander for taking fish from a boiler.—adj. Fish′-tail, shaped like the tail of a fish.—ns. Fish′-torpē′do, a self-propelling torpedo; Fish′-wife, Fish′-wom′an, a woman who sells fish about the streets.—adj. Fish′y, consisting of fish: like a fish: abounding in fish: dubious, as a story: equivocal, unsafe.—ns. Bait′-fish, such fish as are used for bait, fish that may be caught with bait; Bott′om-fish, those that feed on the bottom, as halibut, &c.—Fish for, to seek to gain by cunning or indirect means; Fisherman's luck, getting wet and catching no fish; Fisherman's ring, a signet-ring with the device of St Peter fishing, used in signing papal briefs.—A queer fish, a person of odd habits; Be neither fish nor flesh, or Neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, to be neither one thing nor another, in principle, &c.; Have other fish to fry, to have something else to do, or to take up one's mind; Make fish of one and flesh (or fowl) of another, to make invidious distinctions, show undue partiality. [A.S. fisc; Ger. fisch; Ice. fiskr; L. piscis; Gr. ichthys; Gael. iasg.]

Fiskery, fisk′er-i, n. (Carlyle) friskiness.—v.i. Fisk (obs.), to jump about. [Prob. a freq. of A.S. fýsan, to hurry, or of fésian, to feeze; Sw. fjäska, to fidget.]

Fissile, fis′il, adj. that may be cleft or split in the direction of the grain.—adjs. Fissicos′tate, having the ribs divided; Fissiling′ual, having the tongue cleft.—ns. Fissil′ity, cleavableness; Fis′sion, a cleaving or breaking up into two parts.—adj. Fiss′ive. [L. fissilis, from findĕre, fissum, to cleave.]

Fissiparous, fis-sip′a-rus, adj. propagated by spontaneous fission or self-division.—ns. Fissip′arism, Fissipa′rity.—adv. Fissip′arously. [L. fissus, pa.p. of findĕre, to cleave, parĕre, to bring forth.]

Fissirostral, fis-i-ros′tral, adj. having a deeply cleft or gaping beak, as swallows, &c. [L. fissus, cleft, rostrum, a beak.]

Fissure, fish′ūr, n. a narrow opening or chasm: a cleft, slit, or furrow: any groove or sulcus, esp. one of the furrows on the surface of the brain, as the longitudinal fissure separating the hemispheres.—adj. Fiss′ūred, cleft, divided. [Fr.,—L. fissūra, from findĕre, fissum, to cleave.]

Fist, fist, n. the closed or clenched hand.—v.t. to strike or grip with the fist.—n. Fistiā′na, anecdotes about boxing and boxers.—adj. Fist′ic (Dickens), pugilistic.—ns. Fist′icuff, a blow with the fist: (pl.) boxing, blows; Fist′-law, the law of brute force.—adj. Fist′y. [A.S. fýst; Ger. faust.]

Fistula, fist′ū-la, n. a narrow passage or duct: the tube through which the wine of the eucharist was once sucked from the chalice—also Calamus.—adjs. Fist′ular, hollow like a pipe; Fist′ulate, -d, hollowed like a fistula.—v.i. Fist′ulate, to assume such a form.—adjs. Fist′uliform; Fist′ulose, Fist′ulous, of the form of a fistula. [L. fistula, a pipe.]

Fit, fit, adj. adapted to any particular end or standard, prepared for: qualified: convenient: proper: properly trained and ready, as for a race.—v.t. to make fit or suitable: to suit one thing to another: to be adapted to: to qualify.—v.i. to be suitable or becoming:—pr.p. fit′ting; pa.p. fit′ted.—advs. Fit′liest (Milt.), most fitly; Fit′ly.—ns. Fit′ment (Shak.), something fitted to an end; Fit′ness; Fit′ter, he who, or that which, makes fit.—adj. Fit′ting, fit: appropriate.—n. anything used in fitting up, esp. in pl.—adv. Fit′tingly.—ns. Fit′ting-out, a supply of things, fit and necessary; Fit′ting-shop, a shop in which pieces of machinery are fitted together.—Fit out, to furnish, supply with stores, as a ship; Fit up, to provide with things suitable.—Not fit to hold a candle to (see Candle). [First recorded about 1440; app. cog. with Fit, n.]

Fit, fit, n. a sudden attack by convulsions, as apoplexy, epilepsy, &c.: convulsion or paroxysm: a temporary attack of anything, as laughter, &c.: a sudden effort or motion: a passing humour.—v.t. (Shak.) to wrench, as by a fit.—adj. Fit′ful, marked by sudden impulses: spasmodic.—adv. Fit′fully.—n. Fit′fulness.—Fit of the face, a grimace; Fits and starts, spasmodic and irregular bursts of activity; By fits, irregularly. [A.S. fitt, a struggle—prob. orig. 'juncture,' 'meeting;' cf. Ice. fitja, to knit, Dut. vitten, to accommodate.]

Fit, fit, n. a song, or part of a song or ballad.—Also Fitt, Fitte, Fytte. [A.S. fitt, a song.]

Fitch, fich, n. now vetch: (B.) Isa. xxviii. 25, black cummin (Nigella sativa): in Ezek. iv. 9, a kind of bearded wheat, spelt. [See Vetch.]

Fitché, Fitchée, fich′ā, adj. (her.) cut to a point. [Fr. ficher, to fix.]

Fitchew, fich′ōō, n. a polecat.—Also Fitch′et. [O. Fr. fissel, from root of Dut. visse, nasty.]

Fitz, fits, n. (a prefix) son of: used in England, esp. of the illegitimate sons of kings and princes, as Fitzclarence, &c. [Norman Fr. fiz (Fr. fils)—L. filius.]

Five, fīv, adj. and n. four and one.—n. Five′-fing′er, a name for various plants (cinque-foil, oxlip, &c.): a species of starfish.—adj. Five′fold, five times folded, or repeated in fives.—ns. Fiv′er (coll.), a five-pound note; Five′-square (B.), having five corners or angles.—Five Articles, Five Points, statements of the distinctive doctrines of the Arminians and Calvinists respectively—the former promulgated in 1610, the latter sustained by the Synod of Dort in 1619 (see Calvinism).—Bunch of fives, the fist. [A.S. fíf; Ger. fünf; Goth. fimf; W. pump; L. quinque; Gr. pente, pempe; Sans. pancha.]

Fives, fīvz, n.pl. a game of handball played in a roomy court against a wall, chiefly at the great public schools of England.

Fix, fiks, v.t. to make firm or fast: to establish: to drive into: to settle: to put into permanent form: to establish as a fact: to direct steadily: to regulate: to deprive of volatility.—v.i. to settle or remain permanently: to become firm: to congeal.—n. (coll.) a difficulty: a dilemma.—adj. Fix′able, capable of being fixed.—ns. Fixā′tion, act of fixing, or state of being fixed: steadiness, firmness: state in which a body does not evaporate; Fix′ative, that which fixes or sets colours; Fix′ature, a gummy preparation for fixing the hair.—adj. Fixed, settled: not apt to evaporate: steadily directed towards: fast, lasting, permanent: substantively for fixed stars (Par. Lost, III. 481).—adv. Fix′edly.—ns. Fix′edness; Fix′er; Fixid′ity, Fix′ity, fixedness.—n.pl. Fix′ings, things needed for putting in order, arrangement.—adj. Fix′ive.—ns. Fix′ture, a movable that has become fastened to anything, as to land or to a house: a fixed article of furniture: a fixed or appointed time or event, as a horse-race; Fix′ure (Shak.), stability, position, firmness.—Fixed air, the name given by Dr Joseph Black in 1756 to what in 1784 was named by Lavoisier carbonic acid; Fixed bodies (chem.), a term applied to those substances which remain fixed, and are not volatilised at moderately high temperatures; Fixed oils, those which, on the application of heat, do not volatilise without decomposition; Fixed stars, stars which appear always to occupy the same position in the heavens—opp. to Planets. [L., fixus, figĕre, to fix, prob. through O. Fr. fix, or Low L. fixāre.]

Fizgig, fiz′gig, n. a giddy girl: a firework of damp powder: a gimcrack: a crotchet.—Also Fis′gig.

Fizz, fiz, v.i. to make a hissing or sputtering sound.—n. any frothy drink, as soda-water, or esp. champagne.—adj. Fiz′zenless (Scot.), pithless—also Fū′sionless.—v.i. Fiz′zle, to hiss or sputter: to come to a sudden stop, to fail disgracefully.—n. a state of agitation or worry: an abortive effort.—adj. Fiz′zy, given to fizz. [Formed from the sound.]

Flabbergast, flab′ėrgast, v.t. (coll.) to stun, confound. [Prob. conn. with flabby, and gast, to astonish.]

Flabby, flab′i, adj. easily moved: soft, yielding: hanging loose.—n. Flabb′iness. [From flap.]

Flabellate, flä-bel′āt, adj. fan-shaped—also Flabell′iform.—ns. Flabellā′tion, the action of fanning; Flab′ellum (eccles.), a fan, anciently used to drive away flies from the chalice during the celebration of the eucharist. [L., a fan.]

Flaccid, flak′sid, adj. flabby: lax: easily yielding to pressure: soft and weak.—adv. Flac′cidly.—ns. Flac′cidness, Flaccid′ity, want of firmness. [Fr.,—L. flaccidus—flaccus, flabby.]

Flack, flak, v.i. (prov.), to flap, flutter.—v.t. to flap or flick with something.

Flaff, flaf, v.i. (Scot.) to flap: to pant.—n. a flutter of the wings: a puff.—v.i. Flaf′fer, to flutter. [Imit.]

Flag, flag, v.i. to grow languid or spiritless.—pr.p. flag′ging; pa.p. flagged.—n. Flag′giness.—adj. Flag′gy, limp, flabby. [Perh. O. Fr. flac—L. flaccus; prob. influenced by imit. forms as flap.]

Flag, flag, n. a popular name for many plants with sword-shaped leaves, mostly growing in moist situations, sometimes specially the species of iris or flower-de-luce—esp. the yellow flag: the acorus or sweet flag: (B.) reed-grass.—ns. Flag′-bas′ket, a basket made of reeds for carrying tools; Flag′giness.—adj. Flag′gy, abounding in flags.—n. Flag′-worm, a worm or grub bred among flags or reeds. [Ety. obscure; cf. Dut. flag.]

Flag, flag, n. the ensign of a ship or of troops: a banner.—v.t. to decorate with flags: to inform by flag-signals.—ns. Flag′-cap′tain, in the navy, the captain of the ship which bears the admiral's flag; Flag′-lieuten′ant, an officer in a flag-ship, corresponding to an aide-de-camp in the army; Flag′-off′icer, a naval officer privileged to carry a flag denoting his rank—admiral, vice-admiral, rear-admiral, or commodore; Flag′-ship, the ship in which an admiral sails, and which carries his flag; Flag′staff, a staff or pole on which a flag is displayed.—Flag of distress, a flag displayed as a signal of distress—usually upside down or at half-mast; Flag of truce, a white flag displayed during war when some pacific communication is intended between the hostile parties; Black flag, a pirate's flag, pirates generally; Dip the flag, to lower the flag and then hoist it—a token of respect; Hang out the red flag, to give a challenge to battle; Strike, or Lower, the flag, to pull it down as a token of respect, submission, or surrender; White flag, an emblem of peace; Yellow flag, hoisted to show pestilence on board, also over ships, &c., in quarantine, and hospitals, &c., in time of war. [Prob. Scand.; Dan. flag; Dut. vlag, Ger. flagge.]

Flag, flag, n. a stone that separates in flakes or layers: a flat stone used for paving—also Flag′stone.—v.t. to pave with flagstones.—n. Flag′ging, flagstones: a pavement of flagstones. [A form of flake; Ice. flaga, a flag or slab.]

Flagellate, flaj′el-āt, v.t. to whip or scourge.—ns. Flagel′lantism; Flagellā′tion; Flag′ellātor, Flagel′lant (also flaj′-), one who scourges himself in religious discipline.—adjs. Flag′ellatory; Flagellif′erous; Flagel′liform.—n. Flagel′lum, a scourge: (bot.) a runner: (biol.) a large cilium or appendage to certain infusorians, &c. [L. flagellāre, -ātum—flagellum, dim. of flagrum, a whip.]

Flageolet, flaj′o-let, n. the modern form of the old flute-à-bec, or straight flute, the simplest kind of which is the tin whistle with six holes. [Fr., dim. of O. Fr. flageol, flajol, a pipe; not through a supposed Low L. flautīolus—from flauta, a flute.]

Flagitate, flaj′i-tāt, v.t. (Carlyle) to entreat, importune.—n. Flagitā′tion.

Flagitious, fla-jish′us, adj. grossly wicked: guilty of enormous crimes.—adv. Flagi′tiously.—n. Flagi′tiousness. [L. flagitiosus—flagitium, a disgraceful act—flagrāre, to burn.]

Flagon, flag′un, n. a vessel with a narrow neck for holding liquids. [Fr. flacon for flascon—Low L. flasco. See Flask.]

Flagrant, flā′grant, adj. glaring: notorious: enormous.—ns. Flā′grance, Flā′grancy.—adv. Flā′grantly. [L. flagrans, pr.p. of flagrāre, to burn.]

Flail, flāl, n. an implement for threshing corn, consisting of a wooden bar (the swingle) hinged or tied to a handle: a medieval weapon with spiked iron swingle.—v.t. to strike with, or as if with, a flail. [A.S. fligel, prob. from L. flagellum, a scourge.]

Flake, flāk, n. a small flat layer or film of anything: a very small loose mass, as of snow or wool.—v.t. to form into flakes.—ns. Flake′-white, the purest white-lead for painting, in the form of scales or plates; Flak′iness.—adj. Flak′y. [Prob. Scand.; Ice. flóke, flock of wool; Old High Ger. floccho.]

Flake, flāk, n. (Scot.) a movable hurdle for fencing; (naut.) a stage hung over a ship's side for caulking, &c. [Scand.; cf. Ice. flake; Dut. vlaak.]

Flam, flam, n. a whim: an idle fancy: a falsehood.—v.t. to impose upon with such. [Prob. from flim-flam or flamfew, a trifle, a corr. of Fr. fanfelue.]

Flambeau, flam′bō, n. a flaming torch:—pl. Flam′beaux (′bōz). [Fr., flambe—L. flamma.]

Flamboyant, flam-boi′ant, adj. of the latest style of Gothic architecture which prevailed in France in the 15th and 16th centuries, corresponding to the Perpendicular in England—from the flame-like forms of the tracery of the windows, &c.: of wavy form: gorgeously coloured. [Fr. flamboyer, to blaze.]

Flame, flām, n. gaseous matter undergoing combustion: the gleam or blaze of a fire: rage: ardour of temper: vigour of thought: warmth of affection: love: (coll.) the object of love.—v.i. to burn as flame: to break out in passion.—adjs. Flāme′-col′oured (Shak.), of the colour of flame, bright yellow; Flāme′less.—n. Flāme′let, a small flame.—adj. Flām′ing, red: gaudy: violent.—adv. Flām′ingly.—n. Flammabil′ity.—adjs. Flammif′erous, producing flame; Flammiv′omous, vomiting flames.—n. Flam′mule, the flames in pictures of Japanese deities.—adj. Flām′y, pertaining to, or like, flame. [O. Fr. flambe—L. flamma—flagrāre, to burn.]

Flamen, flā′men, n. a priest in ancient Rome devoted to one particular god.—adj. Flamin′ical. [L., from same root as fla-grāre, to burn.]

Flamingo, fla-ming′gō, n. a tropical bird of a flaming or bright-red colour, with long legs and neck. [Sp. flamenco—L. flamma, a flame.]

Flanch, flansh, n. a flange: (her.) an ordinary formed on each side of a shield by the segment of a circle.—adj. Flanched, charged with a pair of flanches. [Prob. related to flank.]

Flanconade, flang-ko-nād′, n. (fencing) a thrust in the flank or side. [Fr., from flanc, the side.]

Flâneur, flä-nür′, n. one who saunters about with gossip.—n. Flân′erie. [Fr. flâner, to lounge.]

Flange, flanj, n. a projecting or raised edge or flank, as of a wheel or of a rail.—adj. Flanged.—n. Flange′-rail, a rail having a flange on one side to prevent wheels running off. [Corr. of flank.]

Flank, flangk, n. the side of an animal from the ribs to the thigh: the side or wing of anything, esp. of an army or fleet: a body of soldiers on the right and left extremities.—v.t. to attack or pass round the side of: to protect the flanks of one's own army by detached bodies of troops, or field-works, or to threaten those of the enemy by directing troops against them.—v.i. to be posted on the side: to touch.—n. Flank′er, a fortification which commands the flank of an assailing force.—v.t. (obs.) to defend by flankers: to attack sideways.—Flank company, the company on the right or left when a battalion is in line; Flank files, the soldiers marching on the extreme right and left of a company, &c. [Fr. flanc, perh. L. flaccus, flabby.]

Flannel, flan′el, n. a soft woollen cloth of loose texture for undergarments, &c.: the garment itself: (pl.) the garb of cricketers, &c.—v.t. to wrap in or rub with flannel.—n. Flannelette′, a cotton fabric, made in imitation of flannel.—adjs. Flann′elled; Flann′elly. [Orig. flannen, acc. to Skeat, from W. gwlanen—gwlan, wool; acc. to Diez, the equivalent Fr. flanelle is from the O. Fr. flaine, a pillow-case.]

Flap, flap, n. the blow or motion of a broad loose object: anything broad and flexible hanging loose, as the tail of a coat: a portion of skin or flesh detached from the underlying part for covering and growing over the end of an amputated limb.—v.t. to beat or move with a flap.—v.i. to move, as wings: to hang like a flap:—pr.p. flap′ping; pa.p. flapped.—ns. Flap′doodle, the food of fools: transparent nonsense, gross flattery, &c.; Flap′-drag′on, a play in which small edibles, as raisins, are snatched from burning brandy, and swallowed.—v.t. (Shak.) to swallow or devour, as in flap-dragon.—adj. Flap′-eared (Shak.), having ears hanging like a flap.—n. Flap′-jack (Shak.), a kind of broad, flat pancake.—adj. Flap′-mouthed.—n. Flap′per. [Prob. imit.]

Flare, flār, v.i. to burn with a glaring, unsteady light: to glitter or flash: to display glaringly.—n. an unsteady light.—p.adj. Flā′ring, giving out an unsteady light: gaudy.—adv. Flā′ringly.—adj. Flā′ry. [Prob. Scand.; cf. Norw. flara, to blaze.]

Flash, flash, n. a momentary gleam of light: a sudden burst, as of merriment: a short transient state.—v.i. to break forth, as a sudden light: to break out into intellectual brilliancy: to burst out into violence.—v.t. to cause to flash: to expand, as blown glass, into a disc: to send by some startling or sudden means.—n. Flash′-house, a brothel.—adv. Flash′ily.—ns. Flash′iness; Flash′ing, the act of blazing: a sudden burst, as of water; Flash′-point, the temperature at which an inflammable liquid takes fire—in the case of petroleum, &c., ascertained by placing oil in a vessel called a tester (used open and closed), and heating it up to a point at which sufficient vapour is generated as to give off a small flash when a light is applied to it.—adj. Flash′y, dazzling for a moment: showy but empty: (Milt.) vapid: gay—also Flash, vulgarly showy, gay but tawdry: pertaining to thieves, vagabonds, &c., as the 'flash language'=thieves' cant or slang: 'flash notes'=counterfeit notes.—Flash in the pan (see Pan). [Prob. imit.; cf. Sw. prov. flasa, to blaze.]

Flask, flask, n. a narrow-necked vessel for holding liquids: a bottle: a pocket-bottle: a horn or metal vessel for carrying powder.—n. Flask′et, a vessel in which viands are served: (Spens.) a basket.—Florence flask, a narrow-necked globular glass bottle of thin glass, as those in which olive-oil is brought from Italy. [A.S. flasce; Ger. flasche; prob. not Teut. acc. to Diez, but from Low L. flasco—L. vasculum, a flask.]

Flat, flat, adj. smooth: level: wanting points of prominence and interest: monotonous: vapid, insipid: dejected: unqualified, positive: (mus.) opposite of sharp.—n. a level plain: a tract covered by shallow water: something broad: a story or floor of a house, esp. when fitted up as a separate residence for a family: a simpleton, a gull: (mus.) a character (♭) which lowers a note a semitone.—ns. Flat′boat, a large flat-bottomed boat for floating goods down the Mississippi, &c.; Flat′-fish, a name applied to marine bony fishes that have a flat body, such as the flounder, turbot, &c.—adj. Flat′-foot′ed, having flat feet: resolute.—adj. and n. Flat′-head, having an artificially flattened head, as some American Indians of the Chinooks—the name is officially but incorrectly applied to the Selish Indians in particular.—n. Flat′-ī′ron, an iron for smoothing cloth.—advs. Flat′ling, Flat′long (Spens., Shak.), with the flat side down: not edgewise; Flat′ly.—ns. Flat′ness; Flat′-race, a race over open or clear ground.—v.t. Flat′ten, to make flat.—v.i. to become flat.—n. Flat′ting, a mode of house-painting in which the paint is left without gloss.—adj. Flat′tish, somewhat flat.—adj. or adv. Flat′wise, flatways, or with the flat side downward.—n. Flat′-worm, a tapeworm. [From a Teut. root found in Ice. flatr, flat, Sw. flat, Dan. flad, Old High Ger. flaz.]

Flatter, flat′ėr, v.t. to soothe with praise and servile attentions: to please with false hopes or undue praise.—n. Flatt′erer.—adj. Flatt′ering, uttering false praise: pleasing to pride or vanity.—adv. Flatt′eringly.—n. Flatt′ery, false praise. [O. Fr. flater (Fr. flatter); Teut.; cf. Ice. fladhra.]

Flatulent, flat′ū-lent, adj. affected with air in the stomach: apt to generate such: empty: vain.—ns. Flat′ulence, Flat′ulency, distension of the stomach or bowels by gases formed during digestion: windiness, emptiness.—adv. Flat′ulently.—n. Flā′tus, a puff of wind: air generated in the stomach or intestines. [Fr.,—Low L. flatulentus—L. flāre, flatum, to blow.]

Flaught, flaht, n. (Scot.) a flight, a flapping.—n. Flaugh′ter, a fluttering motion.—v.i. to flutter, flicker. [See Flight.]

Flaunt, flawnt, v.i. to fly or wave in the wind: to move or display ostentatiously: to carry a gaudy or saucy appearance.—n. (Shak.) anything displayed for show.—n. Flaunt′er.—adj. Flaunt′ing.—adv. Flaunt′ingly, in a flaunting or showy manner.—adj. Flaunt′y, showy. [Prob. imit.; Skeat suggests Sw. prov. flanka, to waver.]

Flavescent, fla-ves′ent, adj. yellowish or turning yellow. [L. flavescens, -entis, pr.p. of flavescĕre, to become yellow—flavus, yellow.]

Flavian, flāv′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to the Flavian emperors of Rome—Flavius Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian (69-96 A.D.).

Flavine, flā′vin, n. a concentrated preparation of quercitron bark, till recently an important yellow dye. [L. flavus, yellow.]

Flavour, flā′vur, n. that quality of anything which affects the smell or the palate: a smack or relish.—v.t. to impart flavour to.—adj. Flā′vorous.—n. Flā′vouring, any substance used to give a flavour.—adj. Flā′vourless. [O. Fr. flaur; prob. related to L. fragrāre or to flāre.]

Flaw, flaw, n. a gust of wind: a sudden rush, uproar. [Cf. Dut. vlaag, Sw. flaga.]

Flaw, flaw, n. a break, a crack: a defect.—v.t. to crack or break.—adjs. Flaw′less; Flaw′y. [Ice. flaga, a slab.]

Flawn, flawn, n. a custard, pancake. [O. Fr. flaon—Low L. fladon-em—Old High Ger. flado.]

Flax, flax, n. the fibres of the plant Linum, which are woven into linen cloth: the flax-plant.—ns. Flax′-comb, a toothed instrument or heckle for cleaning the fibres of flax; Flax′-dress′er, one who prepares flax for the spinner by the successive processes of rippling, retting, grassing, breaking, and scutching.—adj. Flax′en, made of or resembling flax: fair, long, and flowing.—ns. Flax′-mill, a mill for working flax into linen; Flax′-seed, linseed; Flax′-wench, a female who spins flax.—adj. Flax′y, like flax: of a light colour.—New Zealand flax, a valuable fibre, quite different from common flax, obtained from the leaf of Phormium tenax, the flax lily or flax bush. [A.S. fleax; Ger. flachs.]

Flay, flā, v.t. to strip off the skin:—pr.p. flay′ing; pa.p. flayed.—ns. Flay′er; Flay′-flint, a skinflint. [A.S fléan; Ice. flá, to skin.]

Flea, flē, n. a well-known wingless insect of great agility, ectoparasitic on warm-blooded animals.—ns. Flea′-bane, a genus of plants which emit a strong smell said to have the power of driving away fleas; Flea′-bite, the bite of a flea: a small mark caused by the bite: (fig.) a trifle.—adj. Flea′-bit′ten, bitten by fleas: (fig.) mean: having small reddish spots on a lighter ground, of horses.—A flea in one's ear, a caution, rebuff, anything specially irritating. [A.S. fléah; cf. Ger. floh, Dut. vloo.]

Fleam, flēm, n. an instrument for bleeding cattle. [Fr. flamme—Gr. phlebotomon, a lancet—phleps, phlebos, a vein, and tem-nein, to cut.]

Flèche, flāsh, n. a spire generally: the slender spire rising from the intersection of the nave and transepts in some large churches: (fort.) a parapet with two faces forming a salient angle at the foot of a glacis. [Fr., 'an arrow.']

Fleck, flek, n. a spot or speckle: a little bit of a thing.—vs.t. Fleck, Fleck′er, to spot: to streak.—adjs. Flecked, spotted, dappled; Fleck′less, without spot. [Ice. flekkr, a spot; Ger. fleck, Dut. vlek.]

Fledge, flej, v.t. to furnish with feathers or wings.—v.i. to acquire feathers for flying.—n. Fledg′ling, a little bird just fledged.—adj. Fledg′y (Keats), feathery. [M. E. fligge, flegge—A.S. flycge, fledged (cf. Ger. flügge)—fléogan, to fly (Ger. fliegen).]

Flee, flē, v.i. to run away, as from danger: to disappear.—v.t. to keep at a distance from:—pr.p. flee′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. fled.—n. Flē′er. [A.S. fléon, akin to fléogan, to fly; Ger. fliehen, akin to fliegen, to fly.]

Fleece, flēs, n. the coat of wool shorn from a sheep at one time: anything like a fleece.—v.t. to clip wool from: to plunder: to cover, as with wool.—adjs. Fleeced, having a fleece; Fleece′less.—ns. Flee′cer, one who strips or plunders; Fleece′-wool, that shorn from the living animal.—adj. Fleec′y, woolly. [A.S. fléos; Dut. vlies, Ger. fliess.]

Fleech, flēch, v.t. (Scot.) to flatter, coax, beg.—ns. Fleech′ing, Fleech′ment.

Fleer, flēr, v.t. or v.i. to make wry faces in contempt, to mock.—n. mockery.—n. Fleer′ing.—adv. Fleer′ingly. [Cf. Norw. flira, Sw. flissa, to titter.]

Fleet, flēt, n. a number of ships in company, esp. ships of war: a division of the navy, commanded by an admiral. [A.S. fléot, a ship—fléotan, to float; conn. with Dut. vloot, Ger. flotte.]

Fleet, flēt, adj. swift: nimble: transient: (prov.) shallow.—adjs. Fleet′-foot (Shak.), fleet or swift of foot; Fleet′ing, passing quickly: temporary.—advs. Fleet′ingly; Fleet′ly.—n. Fleet′ness. [Prob. Ice. fliótr, swift; but ult. cog. with succeeding word.]

Fleet, flēt, v.i. to flit, pass swiftly.—v.t. (Shak.) to make to pass quickly:—pr.p. fleet′ing; pa.p. fleet′ed. [A.S. fléotan, to float.]

Fleet, flēt, n. a shallow creek or bay, as in Northfleet, Fleet-ditch, &c.—The Fleet, or Fleet Prison, a London gaol down to 1842, long a place of confinement for debtors—clandestine marriages were solemnised here down to 1754 by broken-down clergymen confined for debt. [A.S. fléot, an inlet.]

Flemish, flem′ish, adj. of or belonging to the Flemings or people of Flanders, or their language.—n. Flem′ing, a native of Flanders.—Flemish school, a school of painting formed by the brothers Van Eyck, reaching its height in Rubens, Vandyck, and Teniers; Flemish stitch, a stitch used in making certain kinds of point-lace. [Dut. Vlaamsch.]

Flench, flensh, v.t. to cut up the blubber of, as a whale.—Also Flense, Flinch. [Dan. flense.]

Flesh, flesh, n. the soft substance which covers the bones of animals: animal food: the bodies of beasts and birds, not fish: the body, not the soul: animals or animal nature: mankind: kindred: bodily appetites: the present life: the soft substance of fruit: the part of a fruit fit to be eaten: (B.) man's visible nature (as opposed to Pneuma or Spirit), his human or bodily nature, the seat of sin, but not originally or necessarily evil.—v.t. to train to an appetite for flesh, as dogs for hunting: to accustom: to glut: to use upon flesh, as a sword, esp. for the first time.—ns. Flesh′-broth, broth made by boiling flesh; Flesh′-brush, a brush used for rubbing the skin to excite circulation; Flesh′-col′our, pale red, like the normal colour of the cheek of a child.—adj. Fleshed (flesht), having flesh: fat.—ns. Flesh′er (Scot.), a butcher; Flesh′-fly, a fly that deposits its eggs in and feeds on flesh; Flesh′hood (Mrs Browning), the state of being in the flesh; Flesh′-hook, a hook for drawing flesh from a pot; Flesh′iness.—n.pl. Flesh′ings, thin flesh-coloured dress worn by dancers, actors, &c.—adj. Flesh′less, without flesh: lean.—ns. Flesh′liness; Flesh′ling (Spens.), one wholly devoted to sensuality.—adj. Flesh′ly, corporeal: carnal: not spiritual—also adv. Flesh′ly-mind′ed, given to sensual pleasures: carnally-minded.—ns. Flesh′-meat, flesh of animals used for food; Flesh′ment (Shak.), act of fleshing or initiating, excitement arising from success; Flesh′monger, one who deals in flesh: (Shak.) a procurer, a pimp; Flesh′-pot, a pot or vessel in which flesh is cooked: (fig.) abundance of flesh, high living; Flesh′-pottery, sumptuous living; Flesh′-tint, the tint or colour that best represents the human body; Flesh′-worm, a worm that feeds on flesh; Flesh′-wound, a wound not reaching beyond the flesh.—adj. Flesh′y, fat: pulpy: plump.—An arm of flesh, human strength or help; In the flesh, in life, alive: (B.) under control of the lower nature. [A.S. flǽsc; cog. forms in all Teut. languages; Ger. fleisch, &c.]

Fletch, flech, v.i. to feather.—n. Fletch′er, one who makes arrows. [Fr. flèche, an arrow.]

Fleur-de-lis, flōōr′-de-lē′, n. the flower of the lily: (her.) a bearing explained as representing three flowers of the white lily joined together, or the white iris—commonly called Flower-de-luce:—pl. Fleurs′-de-lis′—the arms of the Bourbons and of France.—ns. Fleur′et, an ornament like a small flower: a fencing-foil; Fleur′y (her.), decorated with a fleur-de-lis, or with the upper part only. [Fr., lis being for L. lilium, a lily.]

Flewed, flōōd, adj. (Shak.) having large chops (of dogs). [Ety. unknown.]

Flexible, fleks′i-bl, Flexile, fleks′il, adj. easily bent: pliant: docile.—v.t. Flex, to bend or make a flexure of.—adjs. Flexan′imous, influencing the mind; Flexed, bent.—ns. Flex′ibleness, Flexibil′ity, pliancy: easiness to be persuaded.—adv. Flex′ibly.—ns. Flex′ion, Flec′tion, a bend: a fold: the action of a flexor muscle; Flex′or, a muscle which bends a joint, as opposed to Extensor.—adjs. Flex′ūous, Flex′ūose, of windings and turnings: variable.—n. Flex′ūre, a bend or turning: (math.) the curving of a line or surface: the bending of loaded beams: (Shak.) obsequious bowing. [L. flexibilis, flexilis—flectĕre, flexum, to bend.]

Fley, Flay, flā, v.t. to cause to fly: to frighten.—v.i. to be frightened. [M. E. flayen—A.S. flégan, fléogan, to fly; Ice. fleyja, Goth. flaugjan.]

Flibbertigibbet, flib′er-ti-jib′et, n. a flighty person: an imp. [Most prob. jargon.]

Flicker, flik′ėr, v.i. to flutter and move the wings, as a bird: to burn unsteadily, as a flame.—n. an act of flickering, a flickering movement.—v.i. Flicht′er, (Scot.), to flutter, quiver.—adv. Flick′eringly. [A.S. flicorian; imit.]

Flier, Flyer, flī′ėr, n. one who flies or flees: a part of a machine with rapid motion.

Flight, flīt, n. a passing through the air: a soaring: excursion: a sally: a series of steps: a flock of birds flying together: the birds produced in the same season: a volley or shower: act of fleeing: hasty removal.—adj. Flight′ed (Milt.), flying.—adv. Flight′ily.—n. Flight′iness.—adj. Flight′y, fanciful: changeable: giddy. [A.S. flyht—fléogan.]

Flim-flam, flim′-flam, n. a trick. [Formed like skimble-skamble, whim-wham, &c.]

Flimp, flimp, v.t. (slang) to snatch a watch while a confederate prods the victim in the back.

Flimsy, flim′zi, adj. thin: without solidity, strength, or reason: weak.—n. transfer-paper: (slang) a bank-note: reporters' copy written on thin paper.—adv. Flim′sily, in a flimsy manner.—n. Flim′siness. [First in 18th century. Prob. an onomatopœic formation suggested by film.]

Flinch, flinsh, v.i. to shrink back: to fail.—ns. Flinch′er; Flinch′ing, the act of flinching or shrinking.—adv. Flinch′ingly. [M. E. flecchen—O. Fr. fléchir, prob. from L. flectĕre, to bend.]

Flinder, flin′der, n. a splinter or small fragment—usually in pl. [Norw. flindra, a splinter.]

Flindersia, flin-der′si-a, n. a genus of Australian and African trees, yielding African and Madeira mahogany, or Calcedra wood. [From the Australian explorer, Captain Matthew Flinders, 1774-1814.]

Fling, fling, v.t. to strike or throw from the hand: to dart: to send forth: to scatter: to throw (of a horse).—v.i. to act in a violent and irregular manner: to kick out with the legs: to upbraid: to sneer:—pr.p. fling′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. flung.—n. a cast or throw: a taunt: complete freedom, full enjoyment of pleasure: a lively Scotch country-dance.—Fling out, to speak or act recklessly.—Full fling, at the utmost speed, recklessly. [Ice. flengja; Sw. flänga.]

Flint, flint, n. a hard mineral, a variety of quartz, from which fire is readily struck with steel: anything proverbially hard.—adj. made of flint, hard.—n. Flint′-glass, a very fine and pure kind of glass, so called because originally made of calcined flints.—adjs. Flint′-heart, -ed (Shak.), having a hard heart.—v.t. Flint′ify, to turn to flint.—ns. Flint′iness; Flint′-lock, a gun-lock having a flint fixed in the hammer for striking fire and igniting the priming.—adj. Flint′y, consisting of or like flint: hard: cruel.—Flint implements, arrow, axe, and spear heads, &c. made by man before the use of metals, commonly found in prehistoric graves, &c. [A.S. flint; Dan. flint; Gr. plinthos, a brick.]

Flip, flip, v.t. to fillip, to touch lightly: to toss up with a motion of the thumb.—v.i. to flap.—n. a fillip, a snap.—adv. Flip′-flap, with a repeated flapping movement.—n. a coster's dance: a form of somersault: a cracker.—ns. Flip′-flop, the sound of a regular footfall; Flip′per, a fin: (slang) hand.—adj. Flip′perty-flop′perty, that goes flip-flap, loose, dangling. [Attenuated from flap.]

Flipe, flīp, v.t. to fold back, as a sleeve. [Prob. Scand.; cf. Dan. flip, a flap.]

Flippant, flip′ant, adj. quick and pert of speech: thoughtless.—ns. Flipp′ancy, Flipp′antness, pert fluency of speech: pertness.—adv. Flipp′antly. [Skeat explains as for flipp -and (Old Northumbrian pr.p. ending)—Ice. fleipa, to prattle.]

Flirt, flėrt, v.t. to move about quickly like a fan, to flick, rap.—v.i. to trifle with love: to play at courtship: to move briskly about.—n. a pert, giddy girl: one who coquets for amusement, usually of a woman.—n. Flirtā′tion the act of flirting.—adj. Flirtā′tious (coll.), giving to flirting.—ns. Flirt′-gill (Shak.), a pert or wanton woman; Flirt′ing.—adv. Flirt′ingly, in a flirting manner.—adj. Flirt′ish, betokening a flirt. [Onomatopœic, like flick, flip, flirk (a jerk), spurt, squirt.]

Flisk, flisk, v.i. (Scot.) to skip or caper about: to fret at the yoke.—n. a whim: a large-tooth comb.—adj. Flisk′y. [Onomatopœic.]

Flit, flit, v.i. to flutter on the wing: to fly quickly: to be unsteady or easily moved: (Scot.) to remove from place to place:—pr.p. flit′ting; pa.p. flit′ted.—n. Flit′ting, a removal from one house to another: a wandering. [Ice. flytja; Sw. flytta.]

Flitch, flich, n. the side of a hog salted and cured. [A.S. flicce; Ice. flikki.]

Float, flōt, v.i. to swim on a liquid: to be buoyed up: to move lightly and irregularly: to circulate, as a rumour: to drift about aimlessly.—v.t. to cause to swim: to cover with water: to set agoing.—n. anything swimming on water: a raft: the cork or quill on a fishing-line: a plasterer's trowel.—adj. Float′able.—ns. Float′age, Flot′age, the floating capacity of a thing: anything that floats; Float′-board, a board on the rim of an undershot water-wheel on which the water acts and moves the wheel; Float′er.—adj. Float′ing, swimming: not fixed: circulating.—n. action of the verb float: the spreading of plaster on the surface of walls.—ns. Float′ing-batt′ery, a vessel or hulk heavily armed, used in the defence of harbours or in attacks on marine fortresses; Float′ing-bridge, a bridge of rafts or beams of timber lying on the surface of the water; Float′ing-dock (see Dock); Float′ing-is′land, an aggregation of driftwood, roots, &c., capable of bearing soil, floated out from a river delta or the like; Float′ing-light, a ship, bearing a light, moored on sunken rocks, to warn seamen of danger.—adv. Float′ingly.—n. Float′-stone, a porous, sponge-like variety of quartz, so light as to float for a while on water.—adj. Float′y. [A.S. flotian, to float; Ice. flota.]

Flock, flok, n. a company of animals, as sheep, birds, &c.: a company generally: a Christian congregation.—v.i. to gather in flocks or in crowds.—n. Flock′-mas′ter, an owner or overseer of a flock. [A.S. flocc, a flock, a company; Ice. flokkr.]

Flock, flok, n. a lock of wool.—n. Floccillā′tion, a delirious picking of the bed-clothes by a patient.—adjs. Floc′cose, woolly; Floc′cūlar; Floc′cūlate.—n. Floc′cūlence.—adj. Floc′cūlent, woolly, flaky.—ns. Floc′cūlus, a small flock or tuft: a small lobe of the inferior surface of the cerebellum; Floc′cus, a flock or tuft of wool or wool-like hairs: the downy plumage of unfledged birds:—pl. Flocci (flok′si); Flock′-bed, a bed stuffed with flock or refuse wool; Flock′-pā′per, wall-paper covered with a rough surface formed of flock.—adj. Flock′y. [O. Fr. floc—L. floccus, a lock of wool.]

Floe, flō, n. a field of floating ice. [Prob. Norse flo, layer. The usual Danish word is flage.]

Flog, flog, v.t. to beat or strike: to lash: to chastise with blows:—pr.p. flog′ging; pa.p. flogged.—n. Flog′ging. [Late; prob. an abbrev. of flagellate.]

Flood, flud, n. a great flow of water: (B.) a river: an inundation: a deluge: the rise or flow of the tide: any great quantity.—v.t. to overflow: to inundate: to bleed profusely, as after parturition:—pr.p. flood′ing; pa.p. flood′ed.—ns. Flood′-gate, a gate for letting water flow through, or to prevent it: an opening or passage: an obstruction; Flood′ing, an extraordinary flow of blood from the uterus; Flood′mark, the mark or line to which the tide rises; Flood′-tide, the rising or inflowing tide.—The Flood, the deluge in the days of Noah. [A.S. flód; Dut. vloed, Ger. fluth. Cog. with flow.]

Floor, flōr, n. the part of a room on which we stand: a platform: the rooms in a house on the same level, a story: any levelled area.—v.t. to furnish with a floor: (coll.) to vanquish, stump.—ns. Floor′cloth, a covering for floors made of canvas oil-painted on both sides; Floor′er, a knock-down blow; a decisive retort, &c.: an examination question one cannot answer; Floor′ing, material for floors: a platform.—n.pl. Floor′-tim′bers, the timbers placed immediately across a ship's keel, on which her bottom is framed.—ns. First′-floor, the floor in a house above the ground-floor—in United States mostly identical with Ground-floor, the floor of a house on a level with the ground. [A.S. flór; Dut. vloer, a flat surface, Ger. flur, flat land; W. llawr.]

Flop, flop, v.t. to cause to hang down.—v.i. to plump down suddenly: to break down.—n. a fall plump on the ground.—adv. Flop′pily.—n. Flop′piness.—adj. Flop′py. [A form of flap.]

Flora, flō′ra, n. the collective plants or vegetable species of a region, country, or district: a work containing a descriptive enumeration of these.—adj. Flō′ral, pertaining to Flora or to flowers: (bot.) containing the flower.—adv. Flō′rally.—n. Floréal (flō-rā-al′), the 8th month of the French revolutionary calendar, April 20-May 20.—adj. Flō′reāted, decorated with floral ornament.—n. Flores′cence, a bursting into flower: (bot.) the time when plants flower.—adj. Flores′cent, bursting into flowers.—n. Flō′ret (bot.), the flowers of any small and closely crowded inflorescence which resembles at first sight a single flower—e.g. composites, teasels, grasses, &c.—adj. Flōricul′tural.—ns. Flō′riculture, the culture of flowers or plants; Flōricul′turist, a florist.—adj. Flor′id, bright in colour: flushed with red: containing flowers of rhetoric or lively figures: richly ornamental.—adv. Flor′idly.—n. Flor′idness.—adjs. Flōrif′erous, bearing or producing flowers; Flō′riform, flower-shaped.—ns. Flōrilē′gium, an anthology or collection of choice extracts; Flor′ist, a cultivator of flowers: one who writes an account of plants. [L. Flora, the goddess of flowers.]

Florentine, flor′en-tin, adj. pertaining to Florence in Tuscany.—n. a native or inhabitant thereof: a durable silk textile fabric—also Flor′ence: a pie with no crust beneath the meat.

Florin, flor′in, n. an English silver coin worth 2s., first minted in 1849: in Austria the unit of account, otherwise called gulden, with a value about 2s.: in Holland sometimes called guilder, and worth about 1s. 8d.: (orig.) a Florentine gold coin with a lily stamped on one side, first struck in the 11th century. [Fr., from It. fiorino—fiore, a lily—L. flos.]

Floruit, flō′rū-it, n. the period during which a person flourished. [L., 3d pers. sing. perf. of florēre, to flourish.]

Floscule, flos′kūl, n. a floret.—adjs. Flos′cular, Flos′culous, composed of many floscules or tubular florets. [L. flosculus, dim. of flos, a flower.]

Floss, flos, n. the loose downy or silky substance in the husks of certain plants, as the bean—also Flosh.—n. Floss′-silk, very fine silk fibre extremely soft and downy and with a high lustre, used chiefly for embroidery.—adj. Floss′y. [Prob. O. Fr. flosche, down: or from some Teut. word cog. with fleece—cf. Ice. flos, nap.]

Flota, flō′ta, n. a commercial fleet: formerly the fleet which annually conveyed the produce of America to Spain. [Sp., 'a fleet.']

Flotation, flo-tā′shun, n. the act of floating: the science of floating bodies: act of floating a company or commercial enterprise.—Plane, or Line, of flotation, the plane or line in which the horizontal surface of a fluid cuts a body floating in it.

Flotilla, flo-til′a, n. a fleet of small ships. [Sp., dim. of flota, a fleet.]

Flotsam, flot′sam, n. goods lost by shipwreck, and found floating on the sea (see Jetsam). [Anglo-Fr. floteson (Fr. flottaison)—O. Fr. floter, to float.]

Flounce, flowns, v.i. to move abruptly or impatiently—n. an impatient gesture. [Prob. cog. with Norw. flunsa, to hurry, Sw. prov. flunsa, to souse.]

Flounce, flowns, n. a plaited strip sewed to the skirt of a dress.—v.t. to furnish with flounces.—n. Floun′cing, material for flounces. [Earlier form frounce—O. Fr. fronce, fronche, prob. from L. frons, forehead; or Old High Ger. runza, a wrinkle, Ger. runze.]

Flounder, flown′dėr, v.i. to struggle with violent and awkward motion: to stumble helplessly in thinking or speaking. [Prob. an onomatopœic blending of the sound and sense of earlier words like founder, blunder. Skeat compares Dut. flodderen, to splash.]

Flounder, flown′dėr, n. a small flat-fish, generally found in the sea near the mouth of rivers. [Anglo-Fr., floundre, O. Fr. flondre, most prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Ice. flyðra, Sw. flundra.]

Flour, flowr, n. the finely-ground meal of wheat or other grain: the fine soft powder of any substance.—v.t. to reduce into or sprinkle with flour.—v.i. to break up into fine globules of mercury in the amalgamation process.—ns. Flour′-bolt, a machine for bolting flour; Flour′-mill, a mill for making flour.—adj. Flour′y, covered with flour. [Fr. fleur (de farine, of meal), fine flour—L. flos, floris, a flower.]

Flourish, flur′ish, v.i. to thrive luxuriantly: to be prosperous: to use copious and flowery language: to move in fantastic figures: to display ostentatiously: (mus.) to play ostentatious passages, or ostentatiously: to play a trumpet-call: to make ornamental strokes with the pen: to boast or brag.—v.t. to adorn with flourishes or ornaments: to swing about by way of show or triumph: (Shak.) to gloss over.—n. decoration: showy splendour: a figure made by a bold stroke of the pen: the waving of a weapon or other thing: a parade of words: a musical prelude: a trumpet-call.—adjs. Flour′ished, decorated with flourishes; Flour′ishing, thriving: prosperous: making a show.—adv. Flour′ishingly.—adj. Flour′ishy, abounding in flourishes.—Flourish of trumpets, a trumpet-call sounded on the approach of great persons; any ostentatious introduction. [O. Fr. florir, L. flos, flower.]

Flout, flowt, v.t. and v.i. to jeer, mock, or insult: to treat with contempt.—n. a mock: an insult.—adv. Flout′ingly, with flouting: insultingly.—n. Flout′ing-stock (Shak.), an object for flouting. [Prob. a specialised use of floute, M. E. form of flute, to play on the flute. So with Dut. fluiten.]

Flow, flō, v.i. to run, as water: to rise, as the tide: to move in a stream, as air: to glide smoothly: to circulate, as the blood: to abound: to hang loose and waving: (B.) to melt.—v.t. to cover with water.—n. a stream or current: the setting in of the tide: abundance: copiousness: free expression.—n. Flow′age, act of flowing: state of being flooded.—adj. Flow′ing, moving, as a fluid: fluent or smooth: falling in folds or in waves.—adv. Flow′ingly.—n. Flow′ingness. [A.S. flówan; Ger. fliessen.]

Flow, flow, n. a morass: (Scot.) a flat, moist tract of land. [Ice. floi, a marsh—flóa, to flood.]

Flower, flow′ėr, n. a growth comprising the reproductive organs of plants: the blossom of a plant: the best of anything: the prime of life: the person or thing most distinguished: a figure of speech: ornament of style: (pl.) menstrual discharge (B.).—v.t. to adorn with figures of flowers.—v.i. to blossom: to flourish.—ns. Flow′erage, a gathering of flowers; Flow′er-bell, a blossom shaped like a bell; Flow′er-bud, a bud with the unopened flower; Flow′er-clock, a collection of flowers so arranged that the time of day is indicated by their times of opening and closing; Flow′er-de-luce, the old name for the common species of iris (q.v.), or for the heraldic emblem conventionalised therefrom (see Fleur-de-lis); Flow′eret, a little flower: a floret; Flow′er-head, a compound flower in which all the florets are sessile on the receptacle; Flow′eriness; Flow′ering-rush, a monocotyledonous plant usually reckoned under the order Alismaceæ, with large linear three-edged leaves and an umbel of rose-coloured flowers.—adjs. Flow′er-kir′tled, Flow′ery-kir′tled (Milt.), dressed in robes or garlands of flowers; Flow′erless (bot.) having no flowers.—ns. Flow′er-pot, a utensil in culture whereby plants are rendered portable;, Flow′er-serv′ice, a church service where offerings of flowers are made, to be afterwards sent to hospitals; Flow′er-show, an exhibition of flowers; Flow′er-stalk, the stem that supports the flower.—adj. Flow′ery, full of, or adorned with, flowers: highly embellished, florid.—Flower of Jove, a caryophyllaceous plant, with heads of purple or scarlet flowers, and leaves silky-white with hairs. [O. Fr. flour (Fr. fleur)—L. flos, floris, a flower.]

Fluctuate, fluk′tū-āt, v.i. to float backward and forward: to roll hither and thither: to be irresolute.—v.t. to cause to move hither and thither.—adjs. Fluc′tuant; Fluc′tuāting.—ns. Fluctuā′tion, a rising and falling like a wave: motion hither and thither: agitation: unsteadiness; Fluctuos′ity.—adj. Fluc′tuous. [L. fluctuāre, -ātum—fluctus, a wave—fluĕre, to flow.]

Flue, flōō, n. a smoke-pipe or small chimney. [Prob. related to flue, to expand, splay out.]

Flue, flōō, n. light down: soft down or fur.—adj. Flu′ey. [Ety. unknown; conn. with fluff.]

Fluent, flōō′ent, adj. ready in the use of words: voluble: marked by copiousness.—n. the variable quantity in fluxions.—ns. Flu′ence (Milt.), Flu′ency, Flu′entness, readiness or rapidity of utterance: volubility.—adv. Flu′ently. [L. fluens, fluentis, pr.p. of fluĕre, to flow.]

Fluff, fluf, n. a soft down from cotton, &c.: anything downy.—n. Fluff′iness.—adj. Fluff′y. [Perh. conn. with flue, light down.]

Flugelman, flōō′gl-man′, n. Same as Fugleman.—n. Flü′gel-horn, a hunting-horn, a kind of keyed bugle.

Fluid, flōō′id, adj. that flows, as water: liquid or gaseous.—n. a substance in which the particles can move about with greater or less freedom from one part of the body to another.—adjs. Flu′idal; Fluid′ic; Fluid′iform.—vs.t. Fluid′ify, Flu′idise, to make fluid.—ns. Flu′idism; Fluid′ity, Flu′idness, a liquid or gaseous state.—adv. Flu′idly. [Fr.,—L. fluidus, fluid—fluĕre, to flow.]

Fluke, flōōk, n. a flounder: a parasitic trematoid worm which causes the liver-rot in sheep, so called because like a miniature flounder: a variety of kidney potato. [A.S. flóc, a plaice; cf. Ice. flóke.]

Fluke, flōōk, n. the part of an anchor which fastens in the ground.—adj. Fluk′y. [Prob. a transferred use of the foregoing.]

Fluke, flōōk, n. a successful shot made by chance, as at billiards: any unexpected advantage.

Flume, flōōm, n. an artificial channel for water to be applied to some industrial purpose: (U.S.) a narrow defile with upright walls, the bottom occupied by a torrent.—Be, or Go, up the flume, to come to grief, to be done for. [O. Fr. flum—L. flumen, a river—fluĕre, to flow.]

Flummery, flum′ėr-i, n. an acid jelly made from the husks of oats: the Scotch sowens: anything insipid: empty compliment. [W. llymru—llymrig, harsh, raw—llym, sharp, severe.]

Flump, flump, v.t. (coll.) to throw down violently.—v.i. to throw one's self down heavily.—n. the dull sound so produced. [Imit.]

Flunkey, flung′ki, n. a livery servant: a footman: a mean, cringing fellow.—n. Flun′keydom.—adj. Flun′keyish.—n. Flun′keyism. [Perh. orig. flanker, one who runs along by the side of.]

Fluor, flōō′or, n. a mineral often described as chemically fluate of lime, but really calcium fluoride, found abundantly in Derbyshire—also Flu′or-spar, Flu′orite.—ns. Fluores′cein, a coal-tar product, little used in dyeing, the colour not being fast; Fluores′cence, a peculiar blue appearance exhibited by certain substances exposed to sunlight, and especially observable in a dilute solution of sulphate of quinine.—adjs. Fluores′cent, having the property of fluorescence; Fluor′ic.—ns. Flu′oride, a binary compound of fluorine with another element; Flu′orine, an elementary substance allied to chlorine, obtained chiefly from fluor; Flu′orotype, a photographic process in which salts of fluoric acid were employed for the purpose of producing images in the camera; Fluosil′icate, a compound of fluosilicic acid with some base.—adj. Fluosilic′ic, composed of silicon and fluorine. [A name given by the alchemists to all mineral acids because of their fluidity, from L. fluĕre, to flow.]

Flurry, flur′i, n. a sudden blast or gust: agitation: bustle: the death-agony of the whale: a fluttering assemblage of things, as snowflakes.—v.t. to agitate, to confuse:—pr.p. flurr′ying; pa.p. flurr′ied.—v.t. Flurr, to scatter.—v.i. to fly up. [Prob. onomatopœic, suggested by flaw, hurry, &c.]

Flush, flush, n. a flow of blood to the face causing redness: sudden impulse: bloom, freshness, vigour: abundance.—v.i. to become red in the face: to flow swiftly.—v.t. to make red in the face: to cleanse by a copious flow of water: to elate, excite the spirits of: mostly in the pa.p. flushed (with victory).—adj. (of weather) hot and heavy: abounding: well supplied, as with money: (Shak.) in full bloom.—n. Flush′-box, a rectangular tank supplied with water for flushing the bowls of water-closets.—adj. Flushed, suffused with ruddy colour: excited.—ns. Flush′er, one who flushes sewers; Flush′ing, action of the verb flush: sudden reddening; Flush′ness, quality of being flush.—adj. Flush′y, reddish. [Prob. orig. identical with succeeding word, but meaning influenced by phonetic association with flash, the senses relating to colour by blush.]

Flush, flush, v.i. to start up like an alarmed bird.—v.t. to rouse and cause to start off.—n. the act of starting: (Spens.) a bird, or a flock of birds so started. [Prob. onomatopœic; suggested by fly, flutter, and rush.]

Flush, flush, v.t. to make even: to fill up to the level of a surface (often with up).—adj. having the surface level with the adjacent surface. [Prob. related to flush above.]

Flush, flush, n. in card-playing, a hand in which all the cards or a specified number are of the same suit.—adj. in poker, consisting of cards all of the same suit.—Straight, or Royal, flush, in poker, a sequence of five cards of the same suit. [Prob. Fr. flux—L. fluxus, flow.]

Fluster, flus′tėr, n. hurrying: confusion: heat.—v.t. to make hot and confused: to fuddle.—v.i. to bustle: to be agitated or fuddled.—v.t. Flus′terāte, to fluster.—n. Flusterā′tion.—adj. Flus′tered, fuddled: flurried.—n. Flus′terment.—adj. Flus′tery, confused. [Ice. flaustr, hurry.]

Flute, flōōt, n. a musical pipe with finger-holes and keys sounded by blowing: in organ-building, a stop with stopped wooden pipes, having a flute-like tone: one of a series of curved furrows, as on a pillar, called also Fluting: a tall and narrow wine-glass: a shuttle in tapestry-weaving, &c.—v.i. to play the flute.—v.t. to play or sing in soft flute-like tones: to form flutes or grooves in.—adj. Flut′ed, ornamented with flutes, channels, or grooves.—ns. Flut′er; Fluti′na (tē′-), a kind of accordion; Flut′ing-machine′, a machine for corrugating sheet-metal, also a wood-turning machine for forming twisted, spiral, and fluted balusters; Flut′ist.—adj. Flut′y, in tone like a flute. [O. Fr. fleüte; ety. dub.]

Flutter, flut′ėr, v.i. to move about with bustle: to vibrate: to be in agitation or in uncertainty: (obs.) to be frivolous.—v.t. to throw into disorder: to move in quick motions.—n. quick, irregular motion: agitation: confusion: a hasty game at cards, &c. [A.S. flotorian, to float about, from flot, the sea, stem of fléotan, to float.]

Fluvial, flōō′vi-al, adj. of or belonging to rivers.—n. Flu′vialist.—adjs. Fluviat′ic, Flu′viatile, belonging to or formed by rivers. [L. fluvialis—fluvius, a river, fluĕre, to flow.]

Flux, fluks, n. act of flowing: a flow of matter: quick succession: a discharge generally from a mucous membrane: matter discharged: excrement: the term given to the substances employed in the arts to assist the reduction of a metallic ore and the fusion of a metal.—v.t. to melt.—v.i. to flow.—ns. Flux′ātion, the act of flowing or passing away; Fluxibil′ity, Flux′ibleness.—adjs. Flux′ible, Flux′ide, that may be melted.—ns. Fluxil′ity; Flux′ion, a flowing or discharge: a difference or variation: (math.) the rate of change of a continuously varying quantity: (pl.) the name given after Newton to that branch of mathematics which with a different notation is known after Leibnitz as the differential and integral calculus.—adjs. Flux′ional, Flux′ionary, variable: inconstant.—n. Flux′ionist, one skilled in fluxions.—adj. Flux′ive (Shak.), flowing with tears. [O. Fr.,—L. fluxus—fluĕre, to flow.]

Fly, flī, v.i. to move through the air on wings: to move swiftly: to pass away: to flee: to burst quickly or suddenly: to flutter.—v.t. to avoid, flee from: to cause to fly, as a kite:—pr.p. fly′ing; pa.t. flew (flōō); pa.p. flown (flōn).—n. a popular name best restricted in its simplicity to the insects forming the order Diptera, but often so widely used with a prefix—e.g. butterfly, dragon-fly, May-fly—as to be virtually equivalent to insect: a fish-hook dressed with silk, &c., in imitation of a fly: a light double-seated carriage, a hackney-coach: (mech.) a flywheel: (pl.) the large space above the proscenium in a theatre, from which the scenes, &c., are controlled.—adj. wide-awake: (slang) knowing.—adjs. Fly′away, flighty; Fly′-bit′ten, marked by the bite of flies.—n. Fly′blow, the egg of a fly.—adj. Fly′blown, tainted with the eggs which produce maggots.—ns. Fly′boat, a long, narrow, swift boat used on canals; Fly′book, a case like a book for holding fishing-flies; Fly′-catch′er, a small bird, so called from its catching flies while on the wing; Fly′-fish′er, one who fishes with artificial flies as bait; Fly′-fish′ing, the art of so fishing; Fly′-flap′per, one who drives away flies with a fly-flap; Fly′ing-bridge, a kind of ferry-boat which is moved across a river by the action of the combined forces of the stream and the resistance of a long rope or chain made fast to a fixed buoy in the middle of the river; Fly′ing-butt′ress, an arch-formed prop which connects the walls of the upper and central portions of an aisled structure with the vertical buttresses of the outer walls; Fly′ing-camp, a body of troops for rapid motion from one place to another; Fly′ing-Dutch′man, a Dutch black spectral ship, whose captain is condemned for his impieties to sweep the seas around the Cape of Storms unceasingly, without ever being able to reach a haven; Fly′ing-fish, a fish which can leap from the water and sustain itself in the air for a short time, by its long pectoral fins, as if flying; Fly′ing-fox, a large frugivorous bat; Fly′ing-lē′mur, a galeopithecoid insectivore whose fore and hind limbs are connected by a fold of skin, enabling it to make flying leaps from tree to tree; Fly′ing-par′ty, a small body of soldiers, equipped for rapid movements, used to harass an enemy; Fly′ing-phalan′ger, a general popular name for the petaurists; Fly′ing-shot, a shot fired at something in motion; Fly′ing-squid, a squid having broad lateral fins by means of which it can spring high out of the water; Fly′ing-squirr′el, a name given to two genera of squirrels, which have a fold of skin between the fore and hind legs, by means of which they can take great leaps in the air; Fly′leaf, a blank leaf at the beginning and end of a book; Fly′-line, a line for angling with an artificial fly; Fly′-mak′er, one who ties artificial flies for angling; Fly′man, one who works the ropes in the flies of a theatre; Fly′pāper, a porous paper impregnated with poison for destroying flies; Fly′-pow′der, a poisonous powder used for killing flies; Fly′-rail, that part of a table which turns out to support the leaf.—adj. (Shak.) moving slow as a fly on its feet.—ns. Fly′-rod, a light flexible rod used in fly-fishing, usually in three pieces—butt, second-joint, and tip; Fly′-trap, a trap to catch flies: (bot.) the spreading dog-bane, also the Venus's fly-trap; Fly′wheel, a large wheel with a heavy rim applied to machinery to equalise the effect of the driving effort.—Fly at, to attack suddenly; Fly in the face of, to insult: to oppose; Fly open, to open suddenly or violently; Fly out, to break out in a rage; Fly the kite, to obtain money as by accommodation bills, the endorser himself having no money; Fly upon, to seize: to attack.—A fly in the ointment, some slight flaw which corrupts a thing of value (Eccles. x. i.); Break a fly on the wheel, to subject to a punishment out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence; Let fly, to attack: to throw or send off; Make the feathers fly (see Feathers). [A.S. fléogan, pa.t. fleáh; Ger. fliegen.]

Flyte, Flite, flīt, v.i. (Scot.) to scold, to brawl.—n. Flyte, Flyt′ing, a scolding, or heated dispute. [A.S. flítan, to strive; Ger. be-fleissen.]

Foal, fōl, n. the young of a mare or of a she-ass.—v.i. and v.t. to bring forth a foal.—ns. Foal′foot, colts-foot; Foal′ing, bringing forth of a foal or young. [A.S. fola; Ger. fohlen, Gr. pōlos; L. pullus.]

Foam, fōm, n. froth: the bubbles which rise on the surface of liquors: fury.—v.i. to gather foam: to be in a rage.—v.t. (B.) to throw out with rage or violence (with out).—adv. Foam′ingly.—adjs. Foam′less, without foam; Foam′y, frothy. [A.S. fám; Ger. feim, prob. akin to L. spuma.]

Fob, fob, n. a trick.—v.t. to cheat. [Prob. a corr. of O. Fr. forbe, a rogue; or Ger. foppen, to jeer.]

Fob, fob, n. a small pocket in the waistband of trousers for a watch: a chain with seals, &c., hanging from the fob. [If orig. a secret pocket, perh. connected with the above.]

Focus, fō′kus, n. (opt.) a point in which several rays meet and are collected after being reflected or refracted, while a virtual focus is a point from which rays tend after reflection or refraction—the principal focus is the focus of parallel rays after reflection or refraction: any central point:—pl. Fō′cuses, Foci (fō′sī).—v.t. to bring to a focus: to concentrate:—pa.p. fō′cussed.—adj. Fō′cal, of or belonging to a focus.—v.t. Fō′calise, to bring to a focus: to concentrate.—n. Focimeter (fō-sim′e-tėr), an instrument for assisting in focussing an object in or before a photographic camera—usually a lens of small magnifying power.—Focussing cloth, a cloth thrown over a photographic camera and the operator's head and shoulders to exclude all light save that coming through the lens.—Conjugate foci, two points so situated that if a light be placed at one, its rays will be reflected to the other; In focus, placed or adjusted so as to secure distinct vision, or a sharp, definite image. [L. focus, a hearth.]

Fodder, fod′ėr, n. food for cattle, as hay and straw.—v.t. to supply with fodder.—ns. Fodd′erer; Fodd′ering. [A.S. fódor; Ger. futter.]

Foe, fō, n. an enemy: one who, or that which, injures or hinders anything: an ill-wisher.—ns. Foe′man, an enemy in war:—pl. Foe′men; Fō′en (Spens.), pl. of foe. [M. E. foo—A.S. fáh, fá (adj.), allied to the compound n. gefá; cf. féogan, to hate.]

Fœtus, Fetus, fē′tus, n. the young of animals in the egg or in the womb, after its parts are distinctly formed, until its birth.—adjs. Fœ′tal, Fē′tal, pertaining to a fœtus; Fœ′ticidal.—ns. Fœ′ticide, Fē′ticide, destruction of the fœtus. [L., from obs. feuēre, to bring forth, whence femina, fecundus, &c.]

Fog, fog, n. a thick mist: watery vapour rising from either land or water.—v.t. to shroud in fog.—v.i. to become coated with a uniform coating.—ns. Fog′-bank, a dense mass of fog sometimes seen at sea appearing like a bank of land; Fog′-bell, a bell rung by the motion of the waves or wind to warn sailors from rocks, shoals, &c. in foggy weather.—adj. Fog′-bound, impeded by fog.—ns. Fog′-bow, a whitish arch like a rainbow, seen in fogs.—adv. Fog′gily.—n. Fog′giness.—adj. Fog′gy, misty: damp: clouded in mind: stupid.—n. Fog′-horn, a horn used as a warning signal by ships in foggy weather: a sounding instrument for warning ships off the shore during a fog: a siren.—adj. Fog′less, without fog, clear.—ns. Fog′-ring, a bank of fog in the form of a ring; Fog′-sig′nal, an audible signal used on board ship, &c., during a fog, when visible signals cease to be of use; Fog′-smoke, fog. [The origin of the word is hopelessly misty; Mr Bradley connects with succeeding word; Prof. Skeat connects with Dan. fog, as in snee-fog, thick falling snow; cf. Ice. fok, a snowdrift.]

Fog, fog, Foggage, fog′āj, n. grass which grows in autumn after the hay is cut: (Scot.) moss.—v.i. to become covered with fog. [Origin unknown; W. ffwg, dry grass, is borrowed.]

Fogy, Fogey, fō′gi, n. a dull old fellow; a person with antiquated notions.—adjs. Fō′gram, antiquated.—n. a fogy.—ns. Fō′gramite; Fogram′ity; Fōgydom.—adj. Fō′gyish.—n. Fō′gyism. [Prob. a substantive use of foggy in sense of 'fat,' 'bloated,' 'moss-grown.']

Foible, foi′bl, n. a weak point in one's character: a failing. [O. Fr. foible, weak.]

Foil, foil, v.t. to defeat: to puzzle: to disappoint: (Spens.) to beat down or trample with the feet:—pr.p. foil′ing; pa.p. foiled.—n. failure after success seemed certain: defeat: a blunt sword used in fencing, having a button on the point.—Put to the foil, to blemish. [O. Fr. fuler, to stamp or crush—Low L. fullare—fullo, a fuller of cloth.]

Foil, foil, n. a leaf or thin plate of metal, as tin-foil: a thin leaf of metal put under precious stones to increase their lustre or change their colour: anything that serves to set off something else: a small arc in the tracery of a window, &c. (trefoiled, cinquefoiled, multifoiled, &c.).—adj. Foiled.—n. Foil′ing. [O. Fr. foil (Fr. feuille)—L. folium, a leaf.]

Foin, foin, v.i. to thrust with a sword or spear.—n. a thrust with a sword or spear.—adv. Foin′ingly. [O. Fr. foine—L. fuscina, a trident.]

Foison, foi′zn, n. plenty: autumn.—adj. Foi′sonless, weak, feeble—(Scot.) Fizz′enless. [O. Fr.,—L. fusion-em—fundĕre, fusum, to pour forth.]

Foist, foist, v.t. to bring in by stealth: to insert wrongfully: to pass off as genuine (with in or into before the thing affected, and upon before the person).—n. Foist′er. [Prob. Dut. prov. vuisten, to take in the hand; vuist, fist.]

Fold, fōld, n. the doubling of any flexible substance: a part laid over on another: (pl.) complex arrangements, intricacy.—v.t. to lay one part over another: to enclose in a fold or folds, to wrap up: to embrace.—Fold, in composition with numerals=times, as in Ten′fold.—n. Fold′er, the person or thing that folds: a flat knife-like instrument used in folding paper.—adj. Fold′ing, that folds, or that can be folded, as folding-bed, -chair, -joint, -net, -table, &c.—ns. Fold′ing, a fold or plait; Fold′ing-door, a door consisting of two parts hung on opposite jambs, so that their edges come into contact when the door is closed; Fold′ing-machine′, a mechanism that automatically folds printed sheets. [A.S. fealdan, to fold; pa.t. feóld; Ger. falten.]

Fold, fōld, n. an enclosure for protecting domestic animals, esp. sheep: a flock of sheep: (fig.) a church: the Christian Church.—v.t. to confine in a fold.—n. Fold′ing. [A.S. fald, a fold, stall.]

Folderol, fol′de-rol, n. mere nonsense: silly trifle: (pl.) trivial ornaments. [Formed from meaningless syllables, the refrain of old songs.]

Foliaceous, fō-li-ā′shus, adj. pertaining to or consisting of leaves or laminæ. [L. foliaceus—folium, a leaf.]

Foliage, fō′lī-āj, n. leaves: a cluster of leaves: (archit.) a representation of leaves, flowers, and branches used for ornamentation.—adjs. Fō′liaged, worked like foliage; Fō′liar, pertaining to leaves: resembling leaves.—v.t. Fō′liāte (orig.), to beat into a leaf: to cover with leaf-metal.—adj. Fō′liāted, beaten into a thin leaf: decorated with leaf ornaments: (mus.) having notes added above or below, as in a plain-song melody.—ns. Fō′liātion, the leafing, esp. of plants: the act of beating a metal into a thin plate, or of spreading foil over a piece of glass to form a mirror: (geol.) the alternating and more or less parallel layers or folia of different mineralogical nature, of which the crystalline schists are composed: (archit.) decoration with cusps, lobes, or foliated tracery; Fō′liature, foliation. [O. Fr. fueillage—L. folium, a leaf.]

Folio, fō′li-ō, n. a sheet of paper once folded: a book of such sheets: the size of such a book: one of several sizes of paper adapted for folding once into well-proportioned leaves: (book-k.) a page in an account-book, or two opposite pages numbered as one: (law) a certain number of words taken as a basis for computing the length of a document: a wrapper for loose papers.—adj. pertaining to or containing paper only once folded.—v.t. to number the pages of: to mark off the end of every folio in law copying.—In folio, in sheets folded but once: in the form of a folio. [Abl. of L. folium, the leaf of a tree, a leaf or sheet of paper.]

Foliole, fō′li-ōl, n. (bot.) a single leaflet of a compound leaf.—adj. Fō′liolate, of or pertaining to leaflets. [Fr., dim. of L. folium, a leaf.]

Folk, fōk, n. people, collectively or distributively: a nation or race (rarely in pl.): (arch.) the people, commons: (pl.) those of one's own family, relations (coll.):—generally used in pl. Folk or Folks (fōks).—ns. Folke′thing, the lower house of the Danish parliament or Rigsdag; Folk′land, among the Anglo-Saxons, public land as distinguished from boc-land (bookland)—i.e. land granted to private persons by a written charter; Folk′lore, a department of the study of antiquities or archæology, embracing everything relating to ancient observances and customs, to the notions, beliefs, traditions, superstitions, and prejudices of the common people—the science which treats of the survivals of archaic beliefs and customs in modern ages (the name Folklore was first suggested by W. J. Thoms—'Ambrose Merton'—in the Athenæum, August 22, 1846); Folk′lorist, one who studies folklore; Folk′mote, an assembly of the people among the Anglo-Saxons; Folk′-right, the common law or right of the people; Folk′-song, any song or ballad originating among the people and traditionally handed down by them: a song written in imitation of such; Folk′-speech, the dialect of the common people of a country, in which ancient idioms are embedded; Folk′-tale, a popular story handed down by oral tradition from a more or less remote antiquity. [A.S. folc; Ice. fólk; Ger. volk.]

Follicle, fol′i-kl, n. (anat.) a gland: (bot.) a seed-vessel.—adjs. Follic′ular, pertaining to or consisting of follicles; Follic′ulated; Follic′ulous. [Fr.,—L. folliculus, dim. of follis, a wind-bag.]

Follow, fol′ō, v.t. to go after or behind: to come after, succeed: to pursue: to attend: to imitate: to obey: to adopt, as an opinion: to keep the eye or mind fixed on: to pursue, as an object of desire: to result from, as an effect from a cause: (B.) to strive to obtain.—v.i. to come after another: to result.—n. (billiards) a stroke which causes the ball to follow the one which it has struck.—ns. Foll′ow-board, in moulding, the board on which the pattern is laid; Foll′ower, one who comes after: a copier: a disciple: a servant-girl's sweetheart; Foll′owing, the whole body of supporters.—adj. coming next after.—Follow home, to follow closely: to follow to the end; Follow on (B.), to continue endeavours; Follow suit, in card-playing, to play a card of the same suit as the one which was led: to do anything on the same lines as another; Follow up, to pursue an advantage closely. [A.S. folgian, fylgian, app. a compound, but obscure; Ger. folgen.]

Folly, fol′i, n. silliness or weakness of mind: a foolish act: criminal weakness: (B.) sin: a monument of folly, as a great structure left unfinished, having been begun without a reckoning of the cost.—v.i. to act with folly. [O. Fr. folie—fol, foolish.]

Foment, fo-ment′, v.t. to bathe with warm water: to encourage: to instigate (usually to evil).—ns. Fomentā′tion, a bathing or lotion with warm water: encouragement; Foment′er. [Fr.,—L. fomentāre—fomentum for fovimentum—fovēre, to warm.]

Fomes, fō′miz, n. any porous substance capable of absorbing and retaining contagious effluvia:—pl. Fomī′tes. [L., touchwood.]

Fon, fon, n. (Spens.) a fool, an idiot.—v.i. to be foolish, play the fool.—adv. Fon′ly, foolishly.

Fond, fond, adj. foolishly tender and loving: weakly indulgent: prizing highly (with of): very affectionate: kindly disposed: (obs.) foolish.—v.i. to dote.—v.t. Fond′le, to treat with fondness: to caress.—ns. Fond′ler; Fond′ling, the person or thing fondled.—adv. Fond′ly, in a fond manner, foolishly.—n. Fond′ness. [For fonned, pa.p. of M. E. fonnen, to act foolishly, fon, a fool; fondly conn. by some with Sw. fåne, fool, Ice. fáni, swaggerer.]

Font, font, n. the vessels used in churches as the repository of the baptismal water, usually a basin or cup hollowed out of a solid block of marble, &c.—adj. Font′al, pertaining to a font or origin.—ns. Font′let, a little font; Font′-stone, a baptismal font of stone. [L. font-em, fons, a fountain.]

Font, font, Fount, fownt, n. a complete assortment of types of one sort, with all that is necessary for printing in that kind of letter. [Fr. fonte—fondre—L. fundĕre, to cast.]

Fontanelle, fon-ta-nel′, n. a gap between the bones of the skull of a young animal: an opening for the discharge of pus.—Also Fontanel′. [Fr.]

Fontange, fong-tanzh′, n. a tall head-dress worn in the 17th and 18th centuries. [Fr., from Fontanges, the territorial title of one of Louis XIV.'s drabs.]

Fontarabian, fon-ta-rā′bi-an, adj. pertaining to Fontarabia or Fuenterrabia on the Pyrenees, where Roland was overpowered and slain by the Saracens.

Fonticulus, fon-tik′ū-lus, n. a small ulcer produced by caustics, &c.: the depression just over the top of the breast-bone. [L., dim. of fons.]

Fontinalis, fon-tin-ā′lis, n. a genus of aquatic mosses allied to Hypnum, almost without stalk. [Formed from L. fons.]

Food, fōōd, n. what one feeds on: that which, being digested, nourishes the body: whatever sustains or promotes growth.—adjs. Food′ful, able to supply food abundantly; Food′less, without food. [A.S. fóda; Goth. fódeins, Sw. föda.]

Fool, fōōl, n. one who acts stupidly: a person of weak mind: a jester: a tool or victim, as of untoward circumstances: (B.) a wicked person.—v.t. to deceive: to treat with contempt.—v.i. to play the fool: to trifle.—adjs. Fool′-begged (Shak.), taken for a fool, idiotical, absurd; Fool′-born (Shak.), foolish from one's birth, arising from folly.—n. Fool′ery, an act of folly: habitual folly.—adj. Fool′-happ′y, happy or lucky without contrivance or judgment.—n. Fool′-hard′iness—(Spens.) Fool′-hard′ise.—adjs. Fool′-hard′y, foolishly bold: rash or incautious; Fool′ish, weak in intellect: wanting discretion: ridiculous: marked with folly: deserving ridicule: (B.) sinful, disregarding God's laws.—adv. Fool′ishly.—ns. Fool′ishness, Fool′ing, foolery.—adj. Fool′ish-wit′ty (Shak.), wise in folly and foolish in wisdom.—ns. Fool's′-err′and, a silly or fruitless enterprise: search for what cannot be found; Fool's′-pars′ley, an umbelliferous plant in Britain, not to be mistaken for parsley, being poisonous.—Fool away, to spend to no purpose or profit; Fool's cap, a kind of head-dress worn by professional fools or jesters, usually having a cockscomb hood with bells; Fool's paradise, a state of happiness based on fictitious hopes or expectations; Fool with, to meddle with officiously; Make a fool of, to bring a person into ridicule: to disappoint; Play the fool, to behave as a fool: to sport. [O. Fr. fol (Fr. fou), It. folle—L. follis, a wind-bag.]

Fool, fōōl, n. crushed fruit scalded or stewed, mixed with cream and sugar, as 'gooseberry fool.' [Prob. a use of preceding suggested by trifle.]

Foolscap, fōōlz′kap, n. a long folio writing or printing paper, varying in size (17×13½ in., 16¾×13½ in., &c.), so called from having originally borne the water-mark of a fool's cap and bells.

Foot, foot, n. that part of its body on which an animal stands or walks (having in man 26 bones): the lower part or base: a measure=12 in., (orig.) the length of a man's foot: foot-soldiers: a division of a line of poetry:—pl. Feet.—v.i. to dance: to walk:—pr.p. foot′ing; pa.p. foot′ed.—ns. Foot′ball, a large ball for kicking about in sport: play with this ball; Foot′-bath, act of bathing the feet: a vessel for this purpose; Foot′-board, a support for the foot in a carriage or elsewhere: the foot-plate of a locomotive engine; Foot′boy, an attendant in livery; Foot′breadth, the breadth of a foot, an area of this size; Foot′bridge, a narrow bridge for foot-passengers; Foot′cloth (Shak.), a sumpter-cloth which reached to the feet of the horse.—p.adj. Foot′ed, provided with a foot or feet: (Shak.) having gained a foothold, established.—ns. Foot′fall, a setting the foot on the ground: a footstep; Foot′gear, shoes and stockings.—n.pl. Foot′guards, guards that serve on foot, the élite of the British infantry.—ns. Foot′hill, a minor elevation distinct from the higher part of a mountain and separating it from the valley (usually in pl.); Foot′hold, space on which to plant the feet: that which sustains the feet; Foot′ing, place for the foot to rest on: firm foundation: position: settlement: tread: dance: plain cotton lace.—adj. Foot′less, having no feet.—ns. Foot′-lick′er (Shak.), a fawning, slavish flatterer; Foot′light, one of a row of lights in front of and on a level with the stage in a theatre, &c.; Foot′man, a servant or attendant in livery: (B.) a soldier who serves on foot: a runner:—pl. Foot′men; Foot′mark, Foot′print, the mark or print of a foot: a track; Foot′note, a note of reference at the foot of a page; Foot′pad, a highwayman or robber on foot, who frequents public paths or roads; Foot′-pass′enger, one who travels on foot; Foot′path, a narrow way which will not admit carriages; Foot′-plate, the platform on which the driver and stoker of a locomotive engine stand; Foot′-post, a post or messenger that travels on foot; Foot′-pound, the force needed to raise one pound weight the height of one foot—the usual unit in measuring mechanical force; Foot′-race, a race on foot; Foot′-rope, a rope stretching along under a ship's yard for the men standing on when furling the sails: the rope to which the lower edge of a sail is attached; Foot′rot, a name applied to certain inflammatory affections about the feet of sheep; Foot′rule, a rule or measure a foot in length; Foot′-sol′dier, a soldier that serves on foot.—adj. Foot′-sore, having sore or tender feet, as by much walking.—ns. Foot′-stalk (bot.), the stalk or petiole of a leaf; Foot′-stall, a woman's stirrup; Foot′step, the step or impression of the foot: a track: trace of a course pursued.—n.pl. Foot′steps, course, example.—ns. Foot′stool, a stool for placing one's feet on when sitting: anything trodden upon; Foot′-warm′er, a contrivance for keeping the feet warm; Foot′way, a path for passengers on foot.—p.adj. Foot′worn, worn by many feet, as a stone: foot-sore.—Foot-and-mouth disease (see Murrain).—Foot it, to walk: to dance.—Cover the feet (B.), a euphemism for, to ease nature.—Put one's best foot foremost, to appear at greatest advantage; Put one's foot in it, to spoil anything by some indiscretion; Set on foot, to originate. [A.S. fót, pl. fét; Ger. fuss, L. pes, pedis, Gr. pous, podos, Sans. pād.]

Footy, foot′i, adj. (prov.) mean.—Also Fought′y. [Prob. an A.S. fúhtig; cog. with Dut. vochtig.]

Foozle, fōōz′l, n. (coll.) a tedious fellow: a bungled stroke at golf, &c.—v.i. to fool away one's time.—n. Fooz′ler.—p.adj. Fooz′ling. [Cf. Ger. prov. fuseln, to work slowly.]

Fop, fop, n. an affected dandy.—ns. Fop′ling, a vain affected person; Fop′pery, vanity in dress or manners: affectation: folly.—adj. Fop′pish, vain and showy in dress: affectedly refined in manners.—adv. Fop′pishly.—n. Fop′pishness. [Cf. Ger. foppen, to hoax.]

For, for, prep. in the place of: for the sake of: on account of: in the direction of: with respect to, by reason of: appropriate or adapted to, or in reference to: beneficial to: in quest of: notwithstanding, in spite of: in recompense of: during.—For all (N.T.), notwithstanding; For it, to be done for the case, usually preceded by a negative; For to (B.), in order to.—As for, as far as concerns. [A.S. for; Ger. für, vor, akin to L. and Gr. pro, Sans. pra, before in place or time.]

For, for, conj. the word by which a reason is introduced: because: on the account that.—For because and For that=because; For why=why.

Forage, for′aj, n. fodder, or food for horses and cattle: provisions: the act of foraging.—v.i. to go about and forcibly carry off food for horses and cattle, as soldiers.—v.t. to plunder.—ns. For′age-cap, the undress cap worn by infantry soldiers; For′ager. [Fr. fourrage, O. Fr. feurre, fodder, of Teut. origin.]

Foramen, fo-rā′men, n. a small opening:—pl. Foram′ina.—adjs. Foram′inated, Foram′inous, pierced with small holes: porous.—n.pl. Foraminif′era, an order of Rhizopoda, furnished with a shell or test, usually perforated by pores (foramina).—n. Foramin′ifer, one of such.—adjs. Foraminif′eral, Foraminif′erous.—Forāmen magnum, the great hole in the occipital bone for the passage of the medulla oblongata and its membranes. [L.,—forāre, to pierce.]

Foray, for′ā, n. a sudden incursion into an enemy's country.—v.t. to ravage.—n. For′ayer. [Ety. obscure, but ult. identical with forage (q.v.).]

Forbear, for-bār′, v.i. to keep one's self in check: to abstain.—v.t. to abstain from: to avoid voluntarily: to spare, to withhold.—n. Forbear′ance, exercise of patience: command of temper: clemency.—adjs. Forbear′ant, Forbear′ing, long-suffering: patient.—adv. Forbear′ingly. [A.S. forberan, pa.t. forbær, pa.p. forboren. See pfx. for- and bear.]

Forbid, for-bid′, v.t. to prohibit: to command not to do: (Shak.) to restrain.—n. Forbid′dance, prohibition: command or edict against a thing.—adj. Forbid′den, prohibited: unlawful.—adv. Forbid′denly (Shak.), in a forbidden or unlawful manner.—adj. Forbid′ding, repulsive: raising dislike: unpleasant.—adv. Forbid′dingly.—n. Forbid′dingness.—Forbidden, or Prohibited, degrees, degrees of consanguinity within which marriage is not allowed; Forbidden fruit, or Adam's apple, a name fancifully given to the fruit of various species of Citrus, esp. to one having tooth-marks on its rind. [A.S. forbéodan, pa.t. forbéad, pa.p. forboden. See pfx. for-, and bid; cf. Ger. verbieten.]

Forçat, for-sä′, n. in France, a convict condemned to hard labour. [Fr.]

Force, fōrs, n. strength, power, energy: efficacy: validity: influence: vehemence: violence: coercion or compulsion: military or naval strength (often in pl.): an armament: (mech.) any cause which changes the direction or speed of the motion of a portion of matter.—v.t. to draw or push by main strength: to compel: to constrain: to compel by strength of evidence: to take by violence: to ravish: (hort.) to cause to grow or ripen rapidly: to compel one's partner at whist to trump a trick by leading a card of a suit of which he has none: to make a player play so as to reveal the strength of his hand.—v.i. to strive: to hesitate.—p. and adj. Forced, accomplished by great effort, as a forced march: strained, excessive, unnatural.—n. Forc′edness, the state of being forced: distortion.—adj. Force′ful, full of force or might: driven or acting with power: impetuous.—adv. Force′fully.—adj. Force′less, weak.—ns. Force′-pump, Forc′ing-pump, a pump which delivers the water under pressure through a side-pipe; Forc′er, the person or thing that forces, esp. the piston of a force-pump.—adj. Forc′ible, active: impetuous: done by force: efficacious: impressive.—adj. and n. Forc′ible-fee′ble, striving to look strong while really weak.—n. Forc′ibleness.—adv. Forc′ibly.—ns. Forc′ing (hort.), the art of hastening the growth of plants; Forc′ing-house, a hothouse for forcing plants; Forc′ing-pit, a frame sunk in the ground over a hotbed for forcing plants.—Force and fear (Scot.), that amount of constraint or compulsion which is enough to annul an engagement or obligation entered into under its influence; Force the pace, to keep the speed up to a high pitch by emulation with one not competing for a place: to hasten unduly, or by any expedient; Forcible detainer, and entry, detaining property or forcing an entry into it by violence or intimidation. [Fr.,—Low L., fortia—L. fortis, strong.]

Force, fōrs, v.t. (cook.) to stuff, as a fowl.—n. Force′meat, meat chopped fine and highly seasoned, used as a stuffing or alone. [A corr. of farce.]

Forceps, for′seps, n. a pair of tongs, pincers, or pliers for holding anything difficult to be held with the hand.—adj. For′cipāted, formed and opening like a forceps.—n. Forcipā′tion, torture by pinching with forceps. [L., from formus, hot, and capĕre, to hold.]

Ford, fōrd, n. a place where water may be crossed on foot: a stream where it may be crossed.—v.t. to cross water on foot.—adj. Ford′able. [A.S. ford—faran, to go; Ger. furt—fahren, to go on foot; akin to Gr. poros, and to Eng. fare, ferry, and far.]

Fordo, for-dōō′, v.t. (arch.) to ruin: to overcome, to exhaust:—pr.p. fordo′ing; pa.t. fordid′; pa.p. fordone′. [A.S. fōrdón; Ger. verthun, to consume.]

Fore, fōr, adj. in front of: advanced in position: coming first.—adv. at the front: in the first part: previously: (golf) a warning cry to any person in the way of the ball to be played.—Fore and aft, lengthwise of a ship.—At the fore, displayed on the foremast (of a flag); To the fore, forthcoming: (Scot.) in being, alive. [A.S. fore, radically the same as for, prep.—to be distinguished from pfx. for- (Ger. ver- in vergessen, L. per).]

Forearm, fōr′ärm, n. the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist.

Forebode, fōr-bōd′, v.t. to feel a secret sense of something future, esp. of evil.—ns. Forebode′ment, feeling of coming evil; Forebod′er; Forebod′ing, a boding or perception beforehand; apprehension of coming evil.—adv. Forebod′ingly.

Fore-brace, fōr′-brās, n. a rope attached to the fore yard-arm, for changing the position of the foresail.

Forecast, fōr-kast′, v.t. to contrive or reckon beforehand: to foresee: to predict.—v.i. to form schemes beforehand.—ns. Fore′cast, a previous contrivance: foresight: a prediction; Forecast′er.

Forecastle, fōr′kas-l, Fo'c'sle, fōk′sl, n. a short raised deck at the fore-end of a vessel: the forepart of the ship under the maindeck, the quarters of the crew.

Foreclose, fōr-klōz′, v.t. to preclude: to prevent: to stop.—n. Foreclos′ure, a foreclosing: (law) the process by which a mortgager, failing to repay the money lent on the security of an estate, is compelled to forfeit his right to redeem the estate. [O. Fr. forclos, pa.p. of forclore, to exclude—L. foris, outside, and claudĕre, clausum, to shut.]

Forefeel, fōr-fēl′, v.t. to feel beforehand.—adv. Forefeel′ingly.—adj. Forefelt′.

Forego, fōr-gō′, v.t. to go before, precede: chiefly used in its pr.p. foregō′ing and pa.p. foregone′.—ns. Foregō′er; Foregō′ing.—p.adj. Foregone′.—n. Foregone′ness.—Foregone conclusion, a conclusion come to before examination of the evidence.

Forego, fōr-gō′, v.t. to give up: to forbear the use of.—Better Forgō′.

Foreground, fōr′grownd, n. the part of a picture nearest the observer's eye, as opposed to the background or distance.

Forehand, fōr′hand, n. the part of a horse which is in front of its rider.—adj. done beforehand.—adj. Fore′handed, forehand, as of payment for goods before delivery, or for services before rendered: seasonable: (U.S.) well off: formed in the foreparts.

Forehead, fōr′hed, n. the forepart of the head above the eyes, the brow: confidence, audacity.

Foreign, for′in, adj. belonging to another country: from abroad: alien: not belonging to, unconnected: not appropriate.—adj. For′eign-built, built in a foreign country.—ns. For′eigner, a native of another country; For′eignness, the quality of being foreign: want of relation to something: remoteness. [O. Fr. forain—Low L. foraneus—L. foras, out of doors.]

Forejudge, fōr-juj′, v.t. to judge before hearing the facts and proof.—n. Forejudg′ment.

Foreknow, fōr-nō′, v.t. to know beforehand: to foresee.—adj. Foreknow′ing.—adv. Foreknow′ingly.—n. Foreknowl′edge, knowledge of a thing before it happens.—adj. Foreknown′.

Forel, for′el, n. a kind of parchment for covering books. [O. Fr. forrel, a sheath, forre, fuerre.]

Foreland, fōr′land, n. a point of land running forward into the sea, a headland.

Forelay, fōr-lā′, v.t. to contrive antecedently: to lay wait for in ambush.

Forelock, fōr′lok, n. the lock of hair on the forehead.—Take time by the forelock, to seize the occasion promptly, so as to anticipate opposition.

Foreman, fōr′man, n. the first or chief man, one appointed to preside over, or act as spokesman for, others: an overseer:—pl. Fore′men.

Foremast, fōr′mast, n. the mast that is forward, or next the bow of a ship.—n. Fore′mastman, any sailor below the rank of petty officer.

Foremean, fōr-mēn′, v.t. to intend beforehand.—pa.p. Fore′meant.

Fore-mentioned, fōr-men′shund, adj. mentioned before in a writing or discourse.

Foremost, fōr′mōst, adj. first in place: most advanced: first in rank or dignity. [A.S. forma, first, superl. of fore, and superl. suffix -st. It is therefore a double superl.; the old and correct form was formest, which was wrongly divided for-mest instead of form-est, and the final -mest was mistaken for -most.]

Forenight, fōr′nīt, n. (Scot.) the early part of the night before bedtime, the evening.

Forenoon, fōr′nōōn, n. the part of the day before noon or midday.—adj. pertaining to this part of the day.

Forensic, fo-ren′sik, adj. belonging to courts of law, held by the Romans in the forum: used in law pleading: appropriate to, or adapted to, argument.—Forensic medicine, medical jurisprudence, the application of medical knowledge to the elucidation of doubtful questions in a court of justice. [L. forensis—forum, market-place, akin to fores.]

Fore-ordain, fōr-or-dān′, v.t. to arrange beforehand: to predestinate.—n. Fore-ordinā′tion.

Forepart, fōr′pärt, n. the part before the rest: the front: the beginning: (B.) the bow of a ship.

Forepeak, fōr′pēk, n. the contracted part of a ship's hold, close to the bow.

Fore-quoted, fōr-kwōt′ed, p.adj. quoted or cited before in the same writing.

Fore-rank, fōr′-rangk, n. the rank which is before all the others: the front.

Forereach, fōr′rēch, v.i. (naut.) to glide ahead, esp. when going in stays (with on).—v.t. to sail beyond.

Fore-read, fōr′-rēd, v.t. (Spens.) to signify by tokens: to foretell:—pa.p. fore-read′.—n. Fore′-read′ing.

Fore-recited, fōr′-re-sīt′ed, p.adj. (Shak.) recited or named before.

Fore-rent, fōr′-rent, n. (Scot.) rent due before the first crop is reaped.

Forerun, fōr-run′, v.t. to run or come before: to precede.—n. Forerun′ner, a runner or messenger sent before: a sign that something is to follow.

Foresail, fōr′sāl, n. a sail attached to the foreyard on the foremast. See Ship.

Fore-say, fōr-sā′, v.t. to predict or foretell: (Shak.) to prognosticate.

Foresee, fōr-sē′, v.t. or v.i. to see or know beforehand.—p.adj. Foresee′ing.—adv. Foresee′ingly.

Foreshadow, fōr-shad′ō, v.t. to shadow or typify beforehand.—n. Foreshad′owing.

Foreshore, fōr′shōr, n. the part immediately before the shore: the sloping part of a shore included between the high and low water marks.

Foreshortening, fōr-short′n-ing, n. a term in drawing signifying that a figure or portion of a figure projecting towards the spectator is so represented as to truly give the idea of such projection.—v.t. Foreshort′en.

Foreshow, fōr-shō′, v.t. to show or represent beforehand: to predict.—Also Foreshew′.

Foresight, fōr′sīt, n. act of foreseeing: wise forethought, prudence: the sight on the muzzle of a gun: a forward reading of a levelling staff.—adjs. Fore′sighted, Fore′sightful; Fore′sightless.

Foresignify, fōr-sig′ni-fī, v.t. to betoken beforehand: to foreshow: to typify.

Foreskin, fōr′skin, n. the skin that covers the glans penis: the prepuce.

Foreslow, fōr-slō′, v.i. (Shak.) to delay.—v.t. (Spens.) to hinder.—Better Forslow′.

Forespeak, fōr-spēk′, v.t. to predict: (Shak.) to gainsay: (Scot.) to engage beforehand.

Forest, for′est, n. a large uncultivated tract of land covered with trees and underwood: woody ground and rude pasture: a preserve for large game, as a deer forest: a royal preserve for hunting, governed by a special code called the Forest Law.—adj. pertaining to a forest: silvan: rustic.—v.t. to cover with trees.—n. For′estage, an ancient service paid by foresters to the king: the right of foresters.—adjs. For′estal; For′est-born (Shak.), born in a wild.—ns. For′ester, one who has charge of a forest: an inhabitant of a forest; For′est-fly, a dipterous insect sometimes called Horse-fly, from the annoyance it causes horses.—adj. For′estine.—ns. For′est-mar′ble, a fissile limestone belonging to the middle division of the Jurassic System, so called because the typical beds are found in Wychwood Forest, Oxfordshire; For′est-oak, the timber of the Australian beefwood trees; For′estry, the art of cultivating forests; For′est-tree, a timber-tree. [O. Fr. forest (Fr. forêt)—Low L. forestis (silva), the outside wood, as opposed to the parcus (park) or walled-in wood—L. foris, out of doors.]

Forestall, fōr-stawl′, v.t. to buy up the whole stock of goods before they are brought to market, so as to sell again at higher prices: to anticipate.—ns. Forestall′er, one who forestalls; Forestall′ing, the act of buying provisions before they come to the market, in order to raise the price: anticipation: prevention.

Forestay, fōr′stā, n. a rope reaching from the foremast-head to the bowsprit end to support the mast.

Foretaste, fōr-tāst′, v.t. to taste before possession: to anticipate: to taste before another.—n. Fore′taste, a taste beforehand: anticipation.

Foretell, fōr-tel′, v.t. to tell before: to prophesy.—v.i. to utter prophecy.—n. Foretell′er.

Forethink, fōr-thingk′, v.t. to anticipate in the mind: to have prescience of.—n. Fore′thought, thought or care for the future: provident care.

Foretoken, fōr′tō-kn, n. a token or sign beforehand.—v.t. Foretō′ken, to signify beforehand.

Foretooth, fōr′tōōth, n. a tooth in the forepart of the mouth:—pl. Fore′teeth.

Foretop, fōr′top, n. (naut.) the platform at the head of the foremast: a lock of natural hair or in a wig, lying on the forehead, or brushed up straight.—n. Foretop′mast, in a ship, the mast erected at the head of the foremast, at the top of which is the Fore′top-gall′ant-mast.

Forever, for-ev′ėr, adv. for ever, for all time to come: to eternity.—adv. Forev′ermore, for ever hereafter.

Forewarn, fōr-wawrn′, v.t. to warn beforehand: to give previous notice.—n. Forewarn′ing, warning beforehand.

Forewoman, fōr′woom-an, n. a woman who oversees the employees in any shop or factory, a head-woman:—pl. Fore′women.

Forfeit, for′fit, v.t. to lose the right to by some fault or crime:—pr.p. for′feiting; pa.p. for′feited.—n. that which is forfeited: a penalty for a crime, or breach of some condition: a fine: something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine or penalty, esp. in pl., a game of this kind.—adj. forfeited.—adj. For′feitable.—ns. For′feiter (Shak.), one who incurs punishment by forfeiting his bond; For′feiture, act of forfeiting: state of being forfeited: the thing forfeited. [O. Fr. forfait—Low L. forisfactum—L. forisfacĕre, to transgress.]

Forgather, for-gath′er, v.i. (Scot.) to meet, to take up company with.

Forge, fōrj, n. the workshop of a workman in iron, &c.: a furnace, esp. one in which iron is heated: a smithy: a place where anything is shaped or made.—v.t. to form by heating and hammering: to form: to make falsely: to fabricate: to counterfeit or imitate for purposes of fraud.—v.i. to commit forgery.—ns. Forge′man; Forg′er, one who forges or makes one guilty of forgery; Forg′ery, fraudulently making or altering any writing: that which is forged or counterfeited.—adj. Forg′etive (Shak.), that may forge or produce.—n. Forg′ing, a piece of metal shaped by hammering: act of one who forges: a form of overreaching in which the horse strikes the fore shoe with the toe of the hind one, clicking. [O. Fr. forge—L. fabrica—faber, a workman.]

Forget, for-get′, v.t. to lose or put away from the memory: to neglect:—pr.p. forget′ting; pa.t. forgot′; pa.p. forgot′, forgot′ten.—adjs. Forget′able, Forget′table; Forget′ful, apt to forget: inattentive.—adv. Forget′fully.—ns. Forget′fulness; Forget′-me-not, a small herb (Myosotis palustris) with beautiful blue flowers, regarded as the emblem of friendship: a keepsake [a word adapted by Coleridge from the German Vergissmeinnicht]; Forget′ter, one who fails to bear in mind: a heedless person.—adv. Forget′tingly.—Forget one's self, to lose one's self-control or dignity, to descend to words and deeds unworthy of one's self. [A.S. forgietan—pfx. for-, away, gitan, to get.]

Forgive, for-giv′, v.t. to pardon: to overlook an offence or debt: (Spens.) to give up.—v.i. to be merciful or forgiving.—adj. Forgiv′able, capable of being forgiven.—n. Forgive′ness, pardon: remission: disposition to pardon.—adj. Forgiv′ing, ready to pardon: merciful: compassionate. [A.S. forgiefan—pfx. for-, away, giefan, to give; cf. Ger. ver-geben.]

Forhow, for-how′, v.t. (Scot.) to desert or abandon. [A.S. forhogian, pfx. for-, away, hogian, to care.]

Forisfamiliate, fō-ris-fa-mil′i-āt, v.t. to put a son in possession of land which he accepts as his whole portion of his father's property, said of a father.—v.i. to renounce one's title to a further share of the paternal estate, said of a son:—pr.p. fōrisfamil′iāting; pa.p. fōrisfamil′iāted.—n. Fōrisfamiliā′tion. [Low L. forisfamiliāre, -ātum—L. foris, out of doors, familia, a family.]

Fork, fork, n. an instrument with two or more prongs at the end: one of the points or divisions of anything fork-like: the bottom of a sump into which the water of a mine drains—also Forcque: (pl.) the branches into which a road or river divides, also the point of separation.—v.i. to divide into two branches: to shoot into blades, as corn.—v.t. to form as a fork: to pitch with a fork: to bale a shaft dry.—n. Fork′-chuck, a forked lathe-centre used in wood-turning.—adjs. Forked, Fork′y, shaped like a fork.—adv. Fork′edly.—ns. Fork′edness, Fork′iness; Fork′er; Fork′head, the forked end of a rod in a knuckle-joint or the like; Fork′-tail, a fish with forked tail: the kite.—Fork out, over (slang), to hand or pay over. [A.S. forca—L. furca.]

Forlorn, for-lorn′, adj. quite lost: forsaken; wretched.—v.t. Forlore′ (Spens.).—adv. Forlorn′ly.—n. Forlorn′ness. [A.S. forloren, pa.p. of forléòsan, to lose—pfx. for-, away, and léòsan, to lose; Ger. verloren, pa.p. of verlieren, to lose.]

Forlorn-hope, for-lorn′-hōp, n. a body of soldiers selected for some service of uncommon danger. [From the Dut. verloren hoop, the lost troop.]

Form, form, n. shape of a body: the boundary-line of an object: a model: a mould: mode of being: mode of arrangement: order: regularity: system, as of government: beauty or elegance: established practice: ceremony: fitness or efficiency for any undertaking: a blank schedule to be filled in with details: a specimen document to be copied or imitated: (phil.) the inherent nature of an object, that which the mind itself contributes as the condition of knowing, that in which the essence of a thing consists: (print.) the type from which an impression is to be taken arranged and secured in a chase—often Forme:—(in the fol. senses pron. fōrm), a long seat, a bench: the pupils on a form, a class: the bed of a hare, which takes its shape from the animal's body.—v.t. to give form or shape to: to make: to contrive: to settle, as an opinion: to combine: to go to make up: to establish: (gram.) to make by derivation.—v.i. to assume a form.—adj. Form′al, according to form or established mode: ceremonious, punctilious, methodical: having the form only: (Shak.) embodied in a form: having the power of making a thing what it is: essential: proper.—v.t. and v.i. Form′alise.—ns. Form′alism, excessive observance of form or conventional usage, esp. in religion: stiffness of manner; Form′alist, one having exaggerated regard to rules or established usages; Formal′ity, the precise observance of forms or ceremonies: established order: sacrifice of substance to form.—adv. Form′ally.—n. Formā′tion, a making or producing: structure: (geol.) a group of strata of one period.—adj. Form′ative, giving form, determining, moulding: (gram.) inflectional, serving to form, not radical.—n. a derivative.—p.adj. Formed, trained, mature.—n. Form′er.—adj. Form′less, shapeless.—Formal logic (see Logic).—Good, or Bad, form, according to good social usage, or the opposite; Take form, to assume a definite appearance. [O. Fr. forme—L. forma, shape.]

Formalin, for′ma-lin, n. a formic aldehyde used as an antiseptic, germicide, or preservative in foods.

Format, for′ma, n. of books, &c., the size, form, shape in which they are issued. [Fr.]

Formate, form′āt, n. a salt composed of formic acid and a base.—Also For′miate.

Former, form′ėr, adj. (comp. of fore) before in time or order: past: first mentioned.—adv. Form′erly, in former times: heretofore. [Formed late on analogy of M. E. formest by adding comp. suff. -er to base of A.S. forma, first, itself a superlative form.]

Formic, for′mik, adj. pertaining to ants, as formic acid, originally obtained from ants.—adj. For′micant, crawling like an ant: very small and unequal, of a pulse.—n. For′micary, an ant-hill.—adj. For′micate, resembling an ant.—n. Formicā′tion, a sensation like that of ants creeping on the skin. [L. formicāre, -ātum, to creep like an ant—formica.]

Formidable, for′mi-da-bl, adj. causing fear: adapted to excite fear.—ns. Formidabil′ity; For′midableness.—adv. For′midably. [Fr.,—L. formidabilis—formido, fear.]

Formula, form′ū-la, n. a prescribed form: a formal statement of doctrines: (math.) a general expression for solving problems: (chem.) a set of symbols expressing the components of a body:—pl. Formulæ (form′ū-lē), Form′ulas.—adjs. Form′ular, Formularis′tic.—ns. Formularisā′tion, Formulā′tion; Form′ulary, a formula: a book of formulæ or precedents.—adj. prescribed: ritual.—vs.t. Form′ulāte, Form′ulise, to reduce to or express in a formula: to state or express in a clear or definite form. [L., dim. of forma.]

Fornicate, for′ni-kāt, adj. arched: (bot.) arching over.—n. Fornicā′tion. [L. fornicatus—fornix, an arch.]

Fornicate, for′ni-kāt, v.i. to commit lewdness: to have unlawful sexual intercourse.—ns. Fornicā′tion, sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons, or an unmarried and married person: (B.) adultery, and applied frequently by a figure to idolatry; For′nicator, an unmarried person guilty of lewdness:—fem. For′nicatress. [L. fornix, an arch, brothel.]

Fornix, for′niks, n. something resembling an arch: an arched formation of the brain. [L.]

Forpit, for′pit, n. (Scot.) the fourth part of some other measure, now of a peck.—Also For′pet.

Forsake, for-sāk′, v.t. to desert: to abandon:—pr.p. forsāk′ing; pa.t. forsook′; pa.p. forsāk′en.—adj. Forsāk′en.—adv. Forsāk′enly.—ns. Forsāk′enness; Forsāk′ing, abandonment. [A.S. forsacan—for-, away, sacan, to strive.]

Forsay, for-sā′, v.t. (Spens.) to forbid, to renounce. [A.S. forsecgan—for, against, secgan, to say.]

Forspeak, for-spēk′, v.t. (Shak.) to forbid, to prohibit: (Scot.) to bewitch.

Forspend, for-spend′, v.t. to spend completely:—pa.t. and pa.p. forspent′.

Forswat, for-swat′, adj. (Spens.) exhausted with heat. [Pfx. for-, inten., and swat, old pa.t. of sweat.]

Forswear, for-swār′, v.t. to deny upon oath:—pa.t. forswore′; pa.p. forsworn′.—n. Forsworn′ness.—Forswear one's self, to swear falsely.

Forswink, for-swingk′, v.t. to exhaust by labour.—p.adj. Forswonk′ (Spens.), over-laboured. [Pfx. for-, inten., and obs. swink, labour.]

Fort, fōrt, n. a small fortress: an outlying trading-station, as in British North America.—adj. Fort′ed (Shak.), guarded by forts. [Fr.,—L. fortis, strong.]

Fortalice, fort′al-is, n. a small outwork of a fortification. [Low L. fortalitia—L. fortis.]

Forte, fōr′te, adj. (mus.) strongly, loud:—superl. Fortis′simo.—n. a loud passage in music. [It.]

Forth, fōrth, adv. before or forward in place or order: in advance: onward in time: (Shak.) completely, outright: abroad: (B.) out.—prep. (Shak.) out of, forth from.—v.i. Forth′come, to come forth.—adj. Forth′coming, just coming forth: about to appear.—ns. Forth′going, a going forth: a proceeding out; Forth′-iss′uing, coming forth; Forth′-put′ting, action of putting forth: (U.S.) forwardness.—adj. forward.—adv. Forth′right, straightforward.—n. (Shak.) a straight path.—adj. straightforward: honest.—adv. Forthwith′, immediately.—And so forth, and so on, and more besides. [A.S. forth—fore, before; Dut. voort, Ger. fort.]

Forthy, for′thi, adv. (Spens.) therefore. [A.S. forthý—for, and thý, instrumental case of thaet, that.]

Fortify, for′ti-fī, v.t. to strengthen against attack with forts, &c.: to invigorate: to confirm:—pa.p. for′tifīed.—adj. Fortifī′able.—ns. Fortificā′tion, the art of strengthening a military position by means of defensive works: the work so constructed: that which fortifies; For′tifier. [Fr. fortifier—Low L. fortificāre—fortis, strong, facĕre, to make.]

Fortition, for-tish′un, n. principle of trusting to chance. [L. fors, chance.]

Fortitude, for′ti-tūd, n. mental power of endurance: firmness in meeting danger: (obs.) strength, power of resistance or attack.—adj. Fortitū′dinous. [L. fortitudo—fortis.]

Fortnight, fort′nīt, n. two weeks or fourteen days.—adj. and adv. Fort′nightly, once a fortnight. [Contr. of A.S. féowertýne niht, fourteen nights.]

Fortress, for′tres, n. a fortified place: a defence.—v.t. (Shak.) to guard. [O. Fr. forteresse, another form of fortelesce (q.v. under Fortalice).]

Fortuitous, for-tū′i-tus, adj. happening by chance.—ns. Fortū′itism; Fortū′itist.—adv. Fortū′itously.—ns. Fortū′itousness, Fortū′ity. [L. fortuitus.]

Fortune, for′tūn, n. whatever comes by lot or chance: luck: the arbitrary ordering of events: the lot that falls to one in life: success: wealth.—v.i. to befall.—v.t. to determine.—adj. For′tunāte, happening by good fortune: lucky: auspicious: felicitous.—adv. For′tunātely.—ns. For′tunāteness; For′tune-book, a book helpful in telling fortunes.—adj. For′tuned, supplied by fortune.—n. For′tune-hunt′er, a man who hunts for marriage with a woman of fortune.—adj. For′tuneless, without a fortune: luckless.—v.i. For′tune-tell, to reveal futurity: to tell one his fortune.—ns. For′tune-tell′er, one who pretends to foretell one's fortune; For′tune-tell′ing.—v.t. For′tunīse (Spens.), to make fortunate or happy. [Fr.,—L. fortuna.]

Forty, for′ti, adj. and n. four times ten.—adj. For′tieth.—n. a fortieth part.—Forty winks, a short nap, esp. after dinner.—The Forty, the French Academy. [A.S. féowertig—feower, four, tig, ten.]

Forum, fō′rum, n. a market-place, esp. the market-place in Rome, where public business was transacted and justice dispensed: the courts of law as opposed to the Parliament. [L., akin to foras, out of doors.]

Forwander, for-won′dėr, v.i. and v.t. (Spens.) to wander till wearied, to weary with wandering.

Forward, for′ward, adj. near or at the forepart: in advance of something else: ready: too ready: presumptuous: officious: earnest: early ripe.—v.t. to help on, to quicken: to send on.—advs. For′ward, For′wards, towards what is before or in front: onward: progressively.—ns. For′warder; For′warding, the act of sending forward merchandise, &c., for others.—adv. For′wardly.—n. For′wardness. [A.S. foreweard—fore, and -weard, sig. direction. Forwards—M. E. forwardes—was orig. the gen. form (cf. Ger. vorwärts).]

Foss, Fosse, fos, n. (fort.) a ditch or moat, either with or without water, the excavation of which has contributed material for the walls of the fort it protects: an abyss.—adj. Fossed.—n. Foss′way, an ancient Roman road having a ditch on either side. [Fr. fosse—L. fossa—fodĕre, fossum, to dig.]

Fossa, fos′a, n. (anat.) a pit or depression in a body, esp. that in an animal integument forming a point of attachment for an organ.—n. Fossette′, a dimple or small depression. [L., a ditch.]

Fosset-seller, fos′et-sel′ėr, n. (Shak.) one who sells faucets. [Fosset, obs. form of faucet.]

Fossick, fos′ik, v.i. to be troublesome: to undermine another's diggings, or work over waste-heaps for gold: to search about for any kind of profit.—ns. Foss′icker, a mining gleaner who works over old diggings, and scratches about in the beds of creeks; Foss′icking. [Ety. dub.]

Fossil, fos′il, n. the petrified remains of an animal or vegetable found embedded in the strata of the earth's crust: anything antiquated.—adj. dug out of the earth: in the condition of a fossil: antiquated.—adj. Fossilif′erous, bearing or containing fossils.—n. Fossilificā′tion, the act of becoming fossil.—vs.t. Fossil′ify, Foss′ilīse, to convert into a fossil.—v.i. to be changed into a stony or fossil state.—ns. Fossilisā′tion, a changing into a fossil; Foss′ilism, the science of fossils; Foss′ilist, one skilled in fossils; Fossilol′ogy, Fossil′ogy, paleontology. [Fr. fossile—L. fossilis—fodĕre, to dig.]

Fossorial, fo-sō′ri-al, adj. digging, burrowing.—n. Foss′or, a grave-digger. [L. fossor—fodĕre, to dig.]

Fossulate, fos′ū-lāt, adj. (anat.) having one or more long narrow grooves or depressions.

Foster, fos′tėr, v.t. to bring up or nurse: to encourage.—ns. Fos′terāge, the act of fostering or nursing; Fos′ter-broth′er, a male child, fostered or brought up with another of different parents; Fos′ter-child, a child nursed or brought up by one who is not its parent; Fos′ter-daugh′ter; Fos′terer; Fos′ter-fa′ther, one who brings up a child in place of its father; Fos′terling, a foster-child; Fos′ter-moth′er, one who suckles a child not her own; Fos′ter-nurse (Shak.), a nurse; Fos′ter-par′ent, one who rears a child in the place of its parent; Fos′ter-sis′ter, one brought up as a sister by the same parents, but not a sister by birth; Fos′ter-son, one brought up as a son, though not a son by birth. [A.S. fóstrian, to nourish, fóstor, food.]

Fother, foth′ėr, v.t. to stop or lessen a leak in a ship's bottom whilst afloat by means of a heavy sail closely thrummed with yarn and oakum. [Perh. from Dut. voederen (mod. voeren) or Low Ger. fodern, to line.]

Fother, foth′ėr, n. a load, quantity: a definite weight—of lead, 19½ cwt. [A.S. fóðer; Ger. fuder.]

Foud, fowd, n. a bailiff or magistrate in Orkney and Shetland.—n. Foud′rie, his jurisdiction. [Ice. fógeti; Ger. vogt; from L. vocatus—vocāre, to call.]

Foudroyant, fōō-droi′ant, adj. quick like lightning. [Fr. foudroyer—foudre, lightning.]

Fougade, foo-gäd′, n. (mil.) a small mine from six to twelve feet under ground, charged either with powder or loaded shells, and sometimes loaded with stones.—Also Fougasse′. [Fr.]

Fought, fawt, pa.t. and pa.p.—Foughten (fawt′n), old pa.p. of fight.

Foul, fowl, adj. filthy: loathsome: obscene: impure: stormy: unfair: running against: distressing, pernicious: choked up, entangled: (Shak.) homely, ugly.—v.t. to make foul: to soil: to effect a collision.—v.i. to come into collision:—pr.p. foul′ing; pa.p. fouled.—n. act of fouling: any breach of the rules in games or contests.—adj. Foul′-faced (Shak.), having a hatefully ugly face.—n. Foul′-fish, fish during the spawning season.—adv. Foul′ly.—adjs. Foul′-mouthed, Foul′-spok′en, addicted to the use of foul or profane language.—ns. Foul-mouthed′ness; Foul′ness; Foul′-play, unfair action in any game or contest, dishonest dealing generally.—Claim a foul, to assert that the recognised rules have been broken, and that a victory is therefore invalid; Fall foul of, to come against: to assault; Make foul water, used of a ship, to come into such shallow water that the keel raises the mud. [A.S. fúl; Ger. faul, Goth. fûls.]

Foulard, fōōl′ard, n. a soft untwilled silk fabric: a silk handkerchief. [Fr.]

Foulder, fowl′dėr, v.i. (Spens.) to flame, to gleam. [O. Fr. fouldre—L. fulgur, lightning.]

Foulé, fōō-lā′, n. a light woollen dress material with a glossy surface. [Fr.]

Foumart, fōō′märt, n. an old name for the polecat, from its offensive smell. [M. E. fulmard—A.S. fúl, foul, mearð, a marten.]

Found, pa.t. and pa.p. of find.—n. Found′ling, a little child found deserted.—Foundling hospital, an institution where such are brought up.

Found, fownd, v.t. to lay the bottom or foundation of: to establish on a basis: to originate: to endow.—v.i. to rely.—ns. Foundā′tion, the act of founding: the base of a building: the groundwork or basis: a permanent fund for a benevolent purpose or for some special object; Foundā′tioner, one supported from the funds or foundation of an institution; Foundā′tion-mus′lin, -net, gummed fabrics used for stiffening dresses and bonnets; Foundātion-stone, one of the stones forming the foundation of a building, esp. a stone laid with public ceremony; Found′er, one who founds, establishes, or originates: an endower:—fem. Found′ress. [Fr. fonder—L. fundāre, -ātum, to found—fundus, the bottom.]

Found, fownd, v.t. to form by melting and pouring into a mould: to cast.—ns. Found′er, one who melts and casts metal, as a brassfounder; Found′ing, metal-casting; Found′ry, Found′ery, the art of founding or casting: the house where founding is carried on. [Fr. fondre—L. fundĕre, fusum, to pour.]

Founder, fownd′ėr, v.i. to go to the bottom: to fill with water and sink.—v.t. to cause to sink: to disable by injuring the feet (of a horse).—adj. Found′erous, causing to founder. [O. Fr. fondrer, to fall in, fond, bottom—L. fundus, bottom.]

Fountain, fownt′ān, n. a spring of water, natural or artificial: the structure for a jet of water: the source of anything: a reservoir for holding oil, &c., in a lamp.—ns. Fount, a spring of water: a source; Fount′ain-head, the head or source of a fountain: the beginning.—adj. Fount′ainless, wanting fountains or springs of water.—n. Fount′ain-pen, a pen having a reservoir for holding ink.—adj. Fount′ful, full of springs. [Fr. fontaine—Low L. fontāna—L. fons, fontis, a spring—-fundĕre, to pour.]

Four, fōr, adj. and n. two and two, a cardinal number.—adjs. Four′fold, folded four times: multiplied four times; Four′-foot′ed, having four feet; Four′-hand′ed, having four hands: of a game, played by four people; Four′-inched (Shak.), four inches broad.—ns. Four′-in-hand, a vehicle drawn by four horses, driven by one person: a team of four horses drawing a carriage—also adj.; Four′penny, a small silver coin worth fourpence formerly coined in England.—adj. worth fourpence.—n. Four′-post′er, a large bed with four posts on which to hang curtains.—adjs. Four′score, four times a score—80; Four′some, by fours: anything in which four act together—also n.; Four′square, having four equal sides and angles: square.—adjs. and ns. Four′teen, four and ten; Four′teenth, four or the fourth after the tenth.—adj. Fourth, next after the third.—n. one of four equal parts.—adv. Fourth′ly.—adj. Fourth′-rate, of the fourth class or order.—n. Four′-wheel′er, a carriage or cab with four wheels.—Go on all fours, to go on hands and knees. [A.S. féower; Ger. vier, L. quatuor, Gr. tessares.]

Fourchette, fōōr-shet′, n. a small forked instrument used for supporting the tongue in the operation of cutting the frenum: a forked piece between glove fingers, uniting the front and back parts. [Fr.]

Fourcroya, fōōr-krō′ya, n. a neotropical genus of Amaryllidaceæ, nearly allied to Agave (q.v.), and yielding a similar fibre. [Named from A. F. de Fourcroy, a French chemist (1755-1809).]

Fourierism, fōō′ri-ėr-izm, n. the socialistic system of F. M. Charles Fourier (1772-1837), based on the harmony educed by the free-play of his twelve radical passions.

Foutre, fōō′tėr, n. (Shak.) a gross term of contempt, used interjectionally.—Also Fou′ter. [O. Fr. foutre—L. futuere, to lecher.]

Fovea, fō′vē-a, n. (anat.) a depression or pit.—adjs. Fō′veal; Fō′veate, pitted.—n. Fovē′ola, a small depression—also Fovē′ole. [L.]

Fowl, fowl, n. a bird: a bird of the barn-door or poultry kind, a cock or hen: the flesh of fowl:—pl. Fowls, Fowl.—v.i. to kill fowls by shooting or snaring.—ns. Fowl′er, a sportsman who takes wild-fowl; Fowl′ing; Fowl′ing-net, a net for catching birds; Fowl′ing-piece, a light gun for small-shot, used in fowling. [A.S. fugol; Ger. vogel.]

Fox, foks, n. an animal of the family Canidæ, genus Vulpes, of proverbial cunning:—fem. Vix′en: any one notorious for cunning.—ns. Fox′-bat, a flying-fox, a fruit-bat; Fox′-brush, the tail of a fox; Fox′-earth, a fox's burrow.—adj. Foxed, discoloured, spotted.—ns. Fox′-ē′vil, alopecia; Fox′glove, a plant with glove-like flowers, whose leaves are used as a soothing medicine; Fox′hound, a hound used for chasing foxes; Fox′-hunt; Fox′-hunt′er; Fox′-hunt′ing; Fox′iness, decay: having a harsh, sour taste: state of being spotted, as books; Fox′-shark, a large shark of over 12 feet, occasionally seen off British coasts; Fox′ship (Shak.), the character of a fox, craftiness; Fox′-tail, a genus of grasses, generally characterised by a bushy head; Fox′-terr′ier, a kind of terrier trained to unearth foxes; Fox′-trap, a trap for catching foxes; Fox′-trot, a pace with short steps, as in changing from trotting to walking.—adj. Fox′y, of foxes: cunning, suspicious, causing suspicion: (paint.) having too much of the reddish-brown or fox-colour.—Fox and geese, a game played with pieces on a board, where the object is for certain pieces called the geese to surround or corner one called the fox. [A.S. fox; Ger. fuchs.]

Foyer, fwo-yā′, n. in theatres, a public room opening on the lobby. [Fr.,—L. focus, hearth.]

Fozy, fōz′i, adj. (Scot.) spongy.—n. Foz′iness, softness, want of spirit. [Cf. Dut. voos, spongy.]

Fracas, fra-kä′, n. uproar: a noisy quarrel. [Fr.,—It. fracasso—fracassare, to make an uproar.]

Fraction, frak′shun, n. a fragment or very small piece: (arith.) any part of a unit: a technical term to indicate the breaking of the bread in the sacrifice of the Eucharist.—v.t. Fract (Shak.), to break, to violate.—adjs. Fract′ed (her.), having a part displaced, as if broken; Frac′tional, belonging to or containing a fraction or fractions; Frac′tionary, fractional: unimportant.—v.t. Frac′tionate, to separate the elements of a mixture by distillation or otherwise.—n. Fractionā′tion.—v.t. Frac′tionise, to break up into fractions.—n. Frac′tionlet, a small fraction.—adj. Frac′tious, ready to quarrel: cross.—adv. Frac′tiously.—ns. Frac′tiousness; Frac′ture, the breaking of any hard body: the breach or part broken: the breaking of a bone.—v.t. to break through.—Compound, Comminuted, Complicated fracture (see the respective adjectives); Greenstick fracture, a fracture where the bone is partly broken, partly bent, occurring in the limbs of children; Simple fracture, a fracture when the bone only is divided. [O. Fr. fraccion—L. fraction-em—frangĕre, fractum, to break.]

Fragaria, frā-gā′ri-a, n. a genus of perennial plants with creeping stolons, the fruit the strawberry. [L. fragum, the strawberry.]

Fragile, fraj′il, adj. easily broken: frail: delicate.—n. Fragil′ity, the state of being fragile. [Fr.,—L. fragilis, frangĕre, to break.]

Fragment, frag′ment, n. a piece broken off: an unfinished portion.—adj. Frag′mental (also -ment′).—adv. Frag′mentarily.—n. Frag′mentariness.—adjs. Frag′mentary, Frag′mented, consisting of fragments or pieces: broken. [Fr.,—L. fragmentum, frangĕre, to break.]

Fragrant, frā′grant, adj. sweet-scented.—ns. Frā′grance, Frā′grancy, pleasantness of smell or perfume: sweet or grateful influence.—adv. Frā′grantly.—n. Frā′grantness. [Fr.,—L. fragrans, -antis, pr.p. of fragrāre, to smell.]

Frail, frāl, adj. wanting in strength or firmness: weak: unchaste.—adj. Frail′ish, somewhat frail.—adv. Frail′ly.—ns. Frail′ness, Frail′ty, weakness: infirmity. [O. Fr. fraile—L. fragilis, fragile.]

Frail, frāl, n. a rush: a basket made of rushes. [O. Fr. frayel; of dubious origin.]

Fraise, frāz, n. (fort.) a palisade of pointed stakes planted in the rampart horizontally or in an inclined position: a tool used for enlarging a drill-hole: a 16th-cent. ruff.—v.t. to fence with a fraise. [Fr.]

Frambœsia, fram-bē′zi-a, n. the yaws (q.v.). [Fr. framboise, a raspberry.]

Frame, frām, v.t. to form: to shape: to construct by fitting the parts to each other: to plan, adjust, or adapt to an end: to contrive or devise: to constitute: to put a frame or border round, as a picture: to put into a frame: (Spens.) to support.—v.i. (dial.) to move: (B.) to contrive.—n. the form: a putting together of parts: a case made to enclose or support anything: the skeleton of anything: state of mind: in gardening, a movable structure used for the cultivation or the sheltering of plants, as a 'forcing-frame,' 'cucumber-frame,' &c.: (Shak.) the act of devising.—ns. Frame′-bridge, a bridge constructed of pieces of timber framed together; Frame′-house, a house consisting of a skeleton of timber, with boards or shingles laid on; Frame′-mak′er, a maker of frames for pictures; Fram′er, he who forms or constructs: one who makes frames for pictures, &c.; Frame′-saw, a thin saw stretched in a frame for greater rigidity; Frame′work, the work that forms the frame: the skeleton or outline of anything; Fram′ing, the act of constructing: a frame or setting. [A.S. framian, to be helpful, fram, forward.]

Frampold, fram′pōld, adj. (Shak.) peevish, cross-grained: quarrelsome.—Also Fram′pel. [Prob. fram, from, poll, head.]

Franc, frangk, n. a French silver coin, forming since 1795 the unit of the French monetary system, and now also used in Belgium, Switzerland, equal to fully 9½d. sterling, the equivalent of the Italian lira, the Greek drachma. [O. Fr. franc, from the legend Francorum rex on the first coins.]

Franchise, fran′chiz, or -chīz, n. liberty: a privilege or exemption belonging to a subject by prescription or conferred by grant: the right of voting for a member of Parliament.—v.t. to enfranchise: to give one the franchise.—ns. Fran′chisement (Spens.), freedom, release; Fran′chiser, one who has the franchise. [O. Fr., from franc, free.]

Franciscan, fran-sis′kan, adj. belonging to the order of mendicant friars in the R.C. Church founded by St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).—n. a monk of this order. [L. Franciscus, Francis.]

Franco-, frangk′ō, French, in combinations as Franco-German, Franco-Russian, &c.

Francolin, frang′kō-lin, n. a genus of birds of the grouse family, closely allied to partridges. [Fr.]

Franc-tireur, frang-tē-rėr′, n. a French sharp-shooter, one of an armed band of French peasants and others prominent in the later stages of the Franco-Prussian war. [Fr. franc, free, tireur, a shooter.]

Frangible, fran′ji-bl, adj. easily broken.—n. Frangibil′ity. [See Fraction.]

Frangipane, fran′ji-pān, n. a kind of pastry-cake, filled with cream, almonds, and sugar: a perfume from the flower of the red jasmine, or in imitation of it.—Also Fran′gipani. [Fr., from a personal name.]

Franion, fran′yun, n. (Spens.) a paramour: a boon-companion. [Origin uncertain.]

Frank, frangk, adj. free, open: (obs.) liberal: open or candid in expression: (Spens.) unrestrained.—v.t. to send free of expense, as a letter.—n. the signature of a person who had the right to frank a letter.—n. Frank′-fee, a species of tenure in fee-simple, the opposite of copyhold.—adv. Frank′ly, candidly: (obs.) gratuitously.—ns. Frank′ness; Frank′-pledge, a system of mutual suretyship by which the members of a tithing were made responsible for one another; Frank′-ten′ement, freehold. [O. Fr. franc—Low L. francus—Old High Ger. Franko, one of the tribe called Franks, a free man.]

Frank, frangk, n. one of the German tribes from Franconia who conquered Gaul in the 5th century, and founded France: the name given in the East to a native of Western Europe.—adj. Frank′ish.

Frank, frangk, n. (Shak.) a pig-sty.—v.t. (Shak.) to shut up in a sty, to cram, to fatten. [O. Fr. franc.]

Frankalmoign, frangk′al-moin, n. (Eng. law) a form of land-tenure in which no obligations were enforced except religious ones, as praying, &c. [O. Fr. franc, free, almoigne, alms.]

Frankenstein, frangk′en-stīn, n. any creation which brings anxiety or disaster to its author—from the Frankenstein in Mrs Shelley's romance so named, who by his skill forms an animate creature like a man, only to his own torment.

Frankincense, frangk′in-sens, n. a sweet-smelling vegetable resin from Arabia, used in sacrifices. [O. Fr. franc encens, pure incense.]

Franklin, frangk′lin, n. an old English freeholder, free from feudal servitude to a subject-superior. [Low L. francus, frank.]

Frantic, fran′tik, adj. mad, furious: wild.—advs. Fran′tically, Fran′ticly (Shak.).—adj. Fran′tic-mad, raving mad.—n. Fran′ticness, the state of being frantic. [O. Fr. frenetique—L. phreneticus—Gr. phrenētikos, mad, phrenītis, inflammation of the brain—phrēn, the mind; see Frenzy.]

Frap, frap, v.t. to strike: (naut.) to secure by many turns of a lashing. [Fr. frapper, to strike.]

Fratch, frach, n. (prov.) a quarrel or brawl.—adjs. Fratch′ety, Fratch′y; Fratch′ing. [Imit.]

Frater, frā′ter, n. the refectory of a monastery. [O. Fr. fraitur for refreitor.—Low L. refectōrium.]

Fraternal, fra-tėr′nal, adj. belonging to a brother or brethren: becoming brothers.—ns. Frate (frä′te), a friar:—pl. Frä′ti; Frā′ter, a friar: comrade; Frater′cula, a genus of marine diving-birds, the puffins or masked auks.—adv. Frater′nally.—n. Fraternisā′tion, the associating as brethren.—v.i. Frat′ernise, to associate as brothers: to seek brotherly fellowship.—ns. Frat′erniser; Frater′nity, the state of being brethren: a society formed on a principle of brotherhood; Frat′ry, the common-room of a monastic establishment, the chapter-house—also Frat′ery: a fraternity: a convent of friars. [Fr.,—Low L. fraternalis—frater, a brother, Eng. brother, Gr. phratēr, a clansman, Sans. bhrāta.]

Fratricide, frat′ri-sīd, n. one who kills his brother: the murder of a brother.—adj. Frat′ricidal. [Fr.,—L. frater, fratris, cædĕre, to kill.]

Frau, frow, n. a married woman, a wife.—n. Fräu′lein, a young lady, miss—often in England for a German governess. [Ger.]

Fraud, frawd, n. deceit: imposture: (Milt.) a snare: a deceptive trick: (coll.) a cheat: a fraudulent production.—adj. Fraud′ful, deceptive.—adv. Fraud′fully.—ns. Fraud′ulence, Fraud′ulency.—adj. Fraud′ulent, using fraud: dishonest.—adv. Fraud′ulently.—Fraudulent bankruptcy, a bankruptcy in which the insolvent is accessory, by concealment or otherwise, to the diminution of the funds divisible among his creditors.—Pious fraud, a deception practised with a good end in view: (coll.) a religious humbug. [O. Fr.,—L. fraus, fraudis, fraud.]

Fraught, frawt, n. a load, cargo: the freight of a ship.—v.t. to fill, store.—v.i. (Shak.) to form the freight of a vessel.—p.adj. freighted, laden: filled.—n. Fraught′age (Shak.), loading, cargo. [Prob. Old Dut. vracht. Cf. Freight.]

Fraxinella, frak-si-nel′a, n. a common name for cultivated species of dittany.—n. Frax′inus, the genus of Oleaceæ containing the common ash.

Fray, frā, n. an affray, a brawl.—v.t. (B.) to frighten. [Abbrev. of affray.]

Fray, frā, v.t. to wear off by rubbing: to ravel out the edge of a stuff.—v.i. to become frayed.—n. Fray′ing, the action of the verb fray: ravellings. [Fr. frayer—L. fricāre, to rub.]

Frazil, fräz′il, n. anchor-ice. [Canadian Fr.; prob. Fr. fraisil, cinders.]

Frazzle, fraz′l, v.t. (U.S.) to fray, wear out.—n. state of being worn out.

Freak, frēk, n. a sudden caprice or fancy: sport: an abnormal production of nature, a monstrosity.—ns. Freak′iness, Freak′ishness.—adjs. Freak′ish, Freak′ful, apt to change the mind suddenly: capricious.—adv. Freak′ishly. [A late word; cf. A.S. frícian, to dance.]

Freak, frēk, v.t. to spot or streak: to variegate.—n. a streak of colour.

Freckle, frek′l, v.t. to spot: to colour with spots.—n. a yellowish or brownish-yellow spot on the skin, esp. of fair-haired persons: any small spot.—n. Freck′ling, a little spot.—adjs. Freck′ly, Freck′led, full of freckles. [Ice. freknur (pl.), Dan. fregne.]

Free, frē, adj. not bound: at liberty: not under arbitrary government: unimpeded: set at liberty: guiltless: frank: lavish: not attached: exempt (with from): having a franchise (with of): gratuitous: bold, indecent: idiomatic, as a translation.—v.t. to set at liberty: to deliver from what confines: to rid (with from, of):—pr.p. free′ing; pa.p. freed.—ns. Free′-ag′ency, state or power of acting freely, or without necessity or constraint upon the will; Free′-ag′ent; Free′-and-eas′y, a kind of public-house club where good fellows gather to smoke and sing; Free′-bench, a widow's right to dower out of her husband's lands, so long as unmarried and chaste; Free′-board, the space between a vessel's line of flotation and the upper side of the deck; Free′booter (Dut. vrijbuiter), one who roves about freely in search of booty: a plunderer; Free′bootery.—adj. Free′booting, acting the part of a freebooter: robbing.—n. the practice of a freebooter: robbery, pillage.—n. Free′booty.—adj. Free′born, born of free parents.—ns. Free′-cit′y, a city having independent government; Free′-cost, freedom from charges; Freed′man, a man who has been a slave, and has been freed or set free; Free′dom, liberty: frankness: separation: privileges connected with a city: improper familiarity: license; Free′-fish′er, one who has a right to take fish in certain waters.—adjs. Free-foot′ed (Shak.) not restrained in movement; Free′-hand, applied to drawing by the unguided hand; Free′-hand′ed, open-handed: liberal; Free′-heart′ed, open-hearted: liberal.—ns. Free′-heart′edness, liberality: frankness; Free′hold, a property held free of duty except to the king; Free′holder, one who possesses a freehold; Free′-lā′bour, voluntary, not slave, labour; Free′-lance, one of certain roving companies of knights and men-at-arms, who after the Crusades wandered about Europe, selling their services to any one; Free′-liv′er, one who freely indulges his appetite for eating and drinking: a glutton; Free′-love, the claim to freedom in sexual relations, unshackled by marriage or obligation to aliment.—adv. Free′ly.—ns. Free′man, a man who is free or enjoys liberty: one who holds a particular franchise or privilege:—pl. Free′men; Free′māson, one of a secret society of so-called speculative masons, united in lodges for social enjoyment and mutual assistance, and laying dubious claim to a connection with the medieval organisations of free operative masons.—adj. Freemason′ic.—n. Freemā′sonry, the institutions, practices, &c. of Freemasons.—adj. Free′-mind′ed, with a mind free or unperplexed: without a load of care.—ns. Free′ness; Free′-port, a port where no duties are levied on articles of commerce; Free′-school, a school where no tuition fees are exacted; Free′-shot (Ger. Freischütz), the name given to a legendary hunter and marksman who gets a number of bullets (Freikugeln) from the devil, six of which always hit the mark, while the seventh is at the disposal of the devil himself.—adjs. Free′-soil, in favour of free territory, opposed to slavery; Free′-spōk′en, accustomed to speak without reserve.—ns. Free′-spōk′enness; Free′stone, an easily quarried stone composed of sand or grit.—adj. having a stone from which the pulp easily separates, as a peach—opp. to Clingstone.—adj. Free′-swim′ming, swimming freely, as an aquatic animal.—ns. Free′thinker, one who professes to be free from conventional authority in religion: a rationalist; Free′thinking, Free′-thought, the habit of mind of a freethinker.—adj. Free′-tongued, free-spoken.—ns. Free′-trade, free or unrestricted trade: free interchange of commodities without protective duties; Free′-trad′er, one who practises or advocates this; Free′-will, freedom of the will from restraint: liberty of choice: power of self-determination.—adj. spontaneous.—Free-cell formation, the formation of several cells from and in the protoplasm of the mother-cell; Free Church, that branch of the Presbyterians in Scotland which left the Established Church in the Disruption of 1843, finding spiritual independence impossible within it: a church whose sittings are open to all: (pl.) a term often applied to the Nonconformist churches generally; Free list, the list of persons admitted without payment to a theatre, &c., or of those to whom a book, &c., is sent; Free on board (F.O.B.), a phrase meaning that goods are to be delivered on the vessel or other conveyance without charge.—Free States, in America, before the Civil War of 1861-65, those of the United States in which slavery did not exist, as opposed to Slave States.—Make free with, to take undue liberties with. [A.S. freo; Ger. frei, Ice. frí.]

Freemartin, frē′mar-tin, n. a cow-calf born as a twin with a bull-calf, usually barren.

Freeze, frēz, v.i. to become ice or like a solid body.—v.t. to harden into ice: to cause to shiver, as with terror:—pr.p. freez′ing; pa.t. frōze; pa.p. froz′en.—adj. Freez′able.—ns. Freez′ing-mix′ture, a mixture, as of pounded ice and salt, producing cold sufficient to freeze a liquid by the rapid absorption of heat; Freez′ing-point, the temperature at which water freezes, marked 32° on the Fahrenheit thermometer, and 0° on the centigrade. [A.S. fréosan, pa.p. froren; Dut. vreizen, Ger. frieren, to freeze.]

Freight, frāt, n. the lading or cargo, esp. of a ship; the charge for transporting goods by water.—v.t. to load a ship.—ns. Freight′age, money paid for freight; Freight′er, one who freights a vessel. [Prob. Old Dut. vrecht, a form of vracht.]

Freit, frēt, n. (Scot.) any superstitious belief in things as good or bad omens—also Freet.—adj. Freit′y, Freet′y, superstitious. [Scand.; Ice. frétt, news.]

Fremd, fremd, adj. and n. (Scot.) strange, a stranger—Spenser has Frenne, a stranger.—The fremd, the world of strangers. [M. E. fremd, fremed—A.S. fremde; cf. Dut. vreemd, Ger. fremd.]

Fremescent, frem-es′ent, adj. raging, riotous.—n. Fremes′cence. [L. fremĕre, to roar.]

Fremitus, frem′i-tus, n. a palpable vibration, as of the walls of the chest. [L.]

French, frensh, adj. belonging to France or its people.—n. the people or language of France.—ns. French′-bean, the common kidney bean, eaten, pods and all, as a table vegetable; French′-berr′y, a small berry, the fruit of certain species of buckthorn, used in dyeing yellow; French′-chalk, an indurated clay, extremely dense, and of a smooth glossy surface and white colour; French′ery, French fashions collectively; French′-horn, a musical wind-instrument somewhat resembling a bugle; Frenchificā′tion.—v.t. French′ify, to make French or Frenchlike: to infect with the manner of the French.—ns. French′iness; French′man, a native or naturalised inhabitant of France:—fem. French′woman; French′-pol′ish, a varnish for furniture, consisting chiefly of shellac dissolved in some spirit; French′-pol′isher; French′-pol′ishing, the method of coating furniture with French-polish.—adj. French′y, with an exaggerated French manner.—French merino, a fine twilled cloth of merino wool; French pox (obs.), syphilis; French roof, a modified mansard-roof—really American; French white, finely pulverised talc; French window, a long window opening like a folding-door, and serving for exit and entrance.—Take French leave, to depart without notice or permission, to disappear suspiciously.

Frenetic, -al, fre-net′ik, -al, adj. frenzied: mad: distracted.—Also Phrenet′ic, -al. [See Frantic.]

Frenum, frē′num, n. a ligament restraining the motion of a part.—Also Fræ′num. [L., a bridle.]

Frenzy, fren′zi, n. a violent excitement: mania.—v.t. to render frenzied.—adjs. Fren′zied, Fren′zical, partaking of frenzy. [Through O. Fr. and L.,—from Late Gr. phrenēsis=Gr. phrenitis, inflammation of the brain—phrēn, the mind.]

Frequent, frē′kwent, adj. coming or occurring often.—ns. Frē′quence (Milt.), a crowd, an assembly; Frē′quency, repeated occurrence of anything.—v.t. Frequent′, to visit often.—ns. Frē′quentage, habit of frequenting; Frequentā′tion, the act of visiting often.—adj. Frequent′ative (gram.), denoting the frequent repetition of an action.—n. (gram.) a verb expressing this repetition.—n. Frequent′er.—adv. Frē′quently.—n. Frē′quentness. [L. frequens, frequentis; cog. with farcīre, to stuff.]

Fresco, fres′kō, n. a painting executed with colours, consisting chiefly of natural earths, upon walls covered with damp freshly-laid plaster.—v.t. to paint in fresco:—pr.p. fres′cōing; pa.p. fres′cōed.—adj. Fres′coed.—ns. Fres′coer; Fres′coing; Fres′coist. [It. fresco, fresh.]

Fresh, fresh, adj. in a state of activity and health: new and strong, not stale or faded: recently produced or obtained: untried: having renewed vigour: healthy, refreshing, invigorating: brisk: (slang) tipsy: not salt.—n. (Shak.) a small stream of fresh water: (Scot.) a thaw, open weather.—adj. Fresh′-blown, newly blown, as a flower.—v.t. Fresh′en, to make fresh: to take the saltness from.—v.i. to grow fresh: to grow brisk or strong.—ns. Fresh′ener; Fresh′et, a pool or stream of fresh water: the sudden overflow of a river from rain or melted snow.—adj. Fresh′ish.—adv. Fresh′ly.—ns. Fresh′man, one in the rudiments of knowledge, esp. a university student in his first year—also Fresh′er; Fresh′manship, Fresh′erdom.—adj. Fresh′-new (Shak.), unpractised, wholly unacquainted; Fresh′wa′ter, of or pertaining to water not salt: accustomed to sail only on fresh water—hence unskilled, raw. [A.S. fersc; cf. Dut. versch, Ger. frisch.]

Fret, fret, v.t. to wear away by rubbing, to rub, chafe, ripple, disturb: to eat into: to vex, to irritate.—v.i. to wear away: to vex one's self: to be peevish:—pr.p. fret′ting; pa.p. fret′ted, (B.) fret.—n. agitation of the surface of a liquid: irritation: the worn side of the banks of a river.—adj. Fret′ful, peevish.—adv. Fret′fully.—n. Fret′fulness.—p.adj. Fret′ting, vexing.—n. peevishness. [A.S. fretan, to gnaw—pfx. for-, inten., and etan, to eat; Ger. fressen.]

Fret, fret, v.t. to ornament with raised work: to variegate:—pr.p. fret′ting; pa.p. fret′ted. [O. Fr. freter.]

Fret, fret, n. a piece of interlaced ornamental work: (archit.) an ornament consisting of small fillets intersecting each other at right angles: (her.) bars crossed and interlaced.—ns. Fret′-saw, a saw with a narrow blade and fine teeth, used for fret-work, scroll-work, &c.; Frette, a hoop for strengthening a cannon shrunk on its breach.—adjs. Fret′ted, Fret′ty, ornamented with frets.—n. Fret′-work, ornamental work consisting of a combination of frets, perforated work. [O. Fr. frete, trellis-work.]

Fret, fret, n. a short wire on the finger-board of a guitar or other instrument.—v.t. to furnish with frets. [Prob. same as the above.]

Friable, frī′a-bl, adj. apt to crumble: easily reduced to powder.—ns. Frī′ableness, Friabil′ity. [Fr.,—L. friabilis—friāre, friātum, to crumble.]

Friar, frī′ar, n. a member of one of the mendicant monastic orders in the R.C. Church—the Franciscans (Friars Minor or Gray Friars), Dominicans (Friars Major, Friars Preachers, or Black Friars), Carmelites (White Friars), and Augustinians (Austin Friars).—adj. Frī′arly, like a friar.—n. Frī′ary, a monastery.—Friars' balsam (see Benzoin); Friar's cap, the wolf's-bane; Friar's cowl, the wake-robin; Friar's lantern, the ignis-fatuus or Will-o'-the-wisp. [O. Fr. frere—L. frater, a brother.]

Fribble, frib′l, v.i. to trifle.—n. a trifler.—ns. Fribb′ledom; Fribb′leism; Fribb′ler.—adj. Fribb′lish, trifling. [Onomatopœic; prob. influenced by frivol.]

Fricandeau, frik-an-dō′, n. a thick slice of veal, &c., larded. [Fr., perh. from friand, dainty, nice, and perh. ult. conn. with fricassee.]

Fricassee, frik-as-sē′, n. a dish made of fowl, rabbit, &c. cut into pieces and cooked in sauce.—v.t. to dress as a fricassee:—pr.p. fricassee′ing; pa.p. fricasseed′. [Fr. fricassée; origin unknown.]

Friction, frik′shun, n. the act of rubbing: (statics) a force acting in the tangent plane of two bodies, when one slides or rolls upon another, and always in a direction opposite to that in which the moving body tends: difficulty, unpleasantness.—adjs. Fric′ative, produced by friction, used of those consonants which are produced by the breath being forced through a narrow opening; Fric′tional, relating to, moved by, or produced by friction.—n. Fric′tion-gear′ing, a method of imparting the motion of one wheel or pulley to another by mere contact.—adj. Fric′tionless, having no friction.—n.pl. Fric′tion-wheels, wheels that lessen friction. [Fr.,—L. frictionem—fricāre, frictum, to rub.]

Friday, frī′dā, n. the sixth day of the week.—Black Friday, Good Friday, from the black vestments of the clergy and altar in the Western Church: any Friday marked by a great calamity; Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, kept in commemoration of the Crucifixion; Holy Friday, Friday in an ember-week—also Golden Friday, sometimes put for Good Friday itself. [A.S. Frígedæg, day of (the goddess) Fríg—Latinised Frigga—wife of Odin.]

Friend, frend, n. one loving or attached to another: an intimate acquaintance: a favourer: one of a society so called: (Scot.) a relative.—v.t. (obs.) to befriend.—adj. Friend′ed, supplied with friends.—n. Friend′ing (Shak.), friendliness.—adj. Friend′less, without friends: destitute.—n. Friend′lessness.—adv. Friend′lily.—n. Friend′liness.—adj. Friend′ly, like a friend: having the disposition of a friend: favourable: pertaining to the Friends or Quakers.—n. Friend′ship, attachment from mutual esteem: friendly assistance.—Friendly societies, or Benefit societies, associations, chiefly among mechanics, &c., for relief during sickness, old age, widowhood, by provident insurance.—Be friends with, to be on intimate or friendly relations with; Have a friend at court, to have a friend in a position where his influence is likely to prove useful; Society of Friends, the designation proper of a sect of Christians better known as Quakers. [A.S. fréond, pr.p. of fréon, to love; Ger. freund.]

Frieze, frēz, n. a coarse woollen cloth with a nap on one side.—adj. Friezed, napped. [Fr. frise.]

Frieze, frēz, n. (archit.) the part of the entablature between the architrave and cornice, often ornamented with figures.—v.t. to put a frieze on. [O. Fr. frize; It. fregio; perh. L. Phrygium, Phrygian.]

Frigate, frig′āt, n. in the Royal Navy, formerly a vessel in the class next to ships of the line, carrying 28 to 60 guns on the maindeck and a raised quarter-deck and forecastle—not now denoting a distinct class of vessels.—ns. Frig′ate-bird, a large tropical sea-bird, with very long wings; Frigatoon′, a small Venetian vessel with square stern and two masts. [O. Fr. fregate—It. fregata; ety. dub.]

Fright, frīt, n. sudden fear: terror: anything inspiring terror or alarm, a figure of grotesque or ridiculous appearance.—vs.t. Fright, Fright′en, to make afraid: to alarm.—adjs. Fright′able, Fright′enable, timid; Fright′ful, terrible: shocking.—adv. Fright′fully.—n. Fright′fulness.—adj. Fright′some, frightful: feeling fright. [A.S. fyrhto; cf. Ger. furcht, fear.]

Frigid, frij′id, adj. frozen or stiffened with cold: cold: without spirit or feeling: unanimated.—n. Frigid′ity, coldness: coldness of affection: want of animation.—adv. Frig′idly.—n. Frig′idness.—adj. Frigorif′ic, causing cold.—Frigid zones, the parts of the earth's surface within the circle drawn with the poles as centre, and a radius of 23½ degrees. [L. frigidus—frigēre, to be cold—frigus, cold.]

Frill, fril, v.i. to ruffle, as a hawk its feathers, when shivering.—v.t. to furnish with a frill.—n. a ruffle: a ruffled or crimped edging of linen.—ns. Frilled′-liz′ard, a lizard with an extraordinary frilled membrane attached to the hinder part of the head, neck, and chest, and covering its shoulders; Frill′ing, frilled edging. [Usually conn. with O. Fr. friller, to shiver; but prob. related to furl.]

Frimaire, frē-mār′, n. the third month of the French revolutionary calendar, Nov. 21-Dec. 20. [Fr. frimas, frost.]

Fringe, frinj, n. loose threads forming an ornamental border: anything like a fringe, even a girl's hair cut in front and falling over the brow: the extremity.—v.t. to adorn with fringe: to border.—adjs. Fringed; Fringe′less; Fring′ent, fringing.—n. Fringe′-tree, in the United States, a large shrub with very numerous snow-white flowers in panicled racemes.—adj. Fring′y, ornamented with fringes. [O. Fr. frenge—L. fimbria, threads, fibres, akin to fibra, a fibre.]

Fringillaceous, frin-ji-lā′shi-us, adj. pertaining to the finches or Fringillidæ.—Also Fringil′liform, Fringil′line. [L. fringilla.]

Frippery, frip′ėr-i, n. worn-out clothes: the place where old clothes are sold: useless trifles.—adj. useless: trifling.—n. Fripp′er, one who deals in old clothes. [O. Fr. freperie, frepe, a rag.]

Friseur, fris-ėr′, n. a hair-dresser.—n. Fris′ure, mode of curling the hair. [Fr. friser, to curl.]

Frisian, friz′i-an, adj. and n. pertaining to the people of Friesland, or to their language.—Also Fries′ian, Fries′ic, Fries′ish.

Frisk, frisk, v.i. to gambol: to leap playfully.—n. a frolic.—n. Frisk′er.—adj. Frisk′ful, brisk, lively.—adv. Frisk′ily.—n. Frisk′iness.—adj. Frisk′ing.—adv. Frisk′ingly.—adj. Frisk′y, lively: jumping with gaiety: frolicsome. [O. Fr. frisque; acc. to Skeat, from Ice. frískr, Sw. and Dan. frisk.]

Frisket, frisk′ėt, n. (print.) the light frame between the tympan and the form, to hold in place the sheet to be printed. [Fr. frisquette.]

Frit, frit, n. the mixed materials of which glass is made, after being heated until they fuse partially without melting.—v.t. to fuse partially without melting:—pr.p. frit′ting; pa.p. frit′ted. [Fr. fritte—It. fritta.—L. frigĕre, frictum, to roast.]

Frith, frith, Firth, fėrth, n. a narrow inlet of the sea, esp. at a river-mouth. [Ice. fiörðr; Norw. fiord.]

Frith, frith, n. peace.—ns. Frith′borg (A.S. law), one of the tithings or groups of ten men into which the hundred was divided, the members of each being accountable for a fellow-member's misdeeds; Frith′gild, a union of neighbours pledged to one another for the preservation of peace; Frith′soken, the jurisdiction to punish for breaches of the peace; Frith′stool, a chair of sanctuary, placed near the altar in a church—as at Hexham and Beverley. [A.S. frith, peace; Ger. friede.]

Fritillary, frit′il-lar-i, n. a genus of plants of the order Liliaceæ, with drooping purple flowers: a species of butterfly. [L. fritillus, a dice-box.]

Fritter, frit′ėr, n. a piece of meat fried: a kind of pancake, a slice of some fruit sweetened, fried, and served hot: a fragment.—v.t. to break into fragments.—n. Fritt′erer, one who wastes time. [O. Fr. friture—L. frigĕre, frictum, to fry.]

Frivolous, friv′ol-us, adj. trifling: silly.—n. Frivol′ity, act or habit of trifling: levity.—adv. Friv′olously.—n. Friv′olousness. [Fr. frivole—L. frivolus.]

Frizz, Friz, friz, v.t. to curl: to render rough and tangled.—n. a curl, a wig.—adjs. Frizzed, having the hair curled or crisped into frizzes; Frizz′y. [O. Fr. friser, to curl; perh. conn. with frieze, cloth.]

Frizzle, friz′l, v.t. to form in small short curls.—v.i. to go into curls.—n. a curl.—ns. Frizette′, Frisette′, a cluster of small curls worn over the forehead.—adj. Frizz′ly. [Related to frizz and frieze.]

Fro, frō, adv. from: back or backward.—prep. (obs.) from. [A shortened form of from; but perh. directly derived from Ice. frá, from.]

Frock, frok, n. a wide-sleeved garment worn by monks: a loose upper garment worn by men: a sailor's jersey: a gown worn by females: an undress regimental coat.—v.t. to furnish with a frock: to invest with priestly office.—n. Frock′-coat, a double-breasted full-skirted coat for men.—adj. Frocked, clothed in a frock.—n. Frock′ing, cloth suitable for frocks, coarse jean.—adj. Frock′less, wanting a frock. [O. Fr. froc, a monk's frock—Low L. frocus—L. floccus, a flock of wool; or more prob. (acc. to Brachet and Littré) from Low L. hrocus—Old High Ger. hroch (Ger. rock), a coat.]

Frog, frog, n. a genus of tailless amphibians, with webbed feet, remarkable for its rapid swimming and leaping: a soft, horny substance in the middle of the sole of a horse's foot, forking towards the heel: a section of a rail or rails at a point where two lines cross, or of a switch from one line to another.—ns. Frog′-bit, a small aquatic plant, allied to the water-soldier, but with floating leaves; Frog′-eat′er, one who eats frogs, a Frenchman; Frog′-fish, a name for various fishes, esp. the angler; Frog′gery, frogs collectively: a place where frogs abound.—adj. Frog′gy, having or abounding in frogs.—ns. Frog′-hop′per, Frog′-spit (see Froth-fly); Frog′ling, a little frog.—Frog march, a method of carrying a refractory or drunken prisoner face downwards between four men, each holding a limb. [A.S. frogga, frox; cog. with Ice. froskr; Ger. frosch.]

Frog, frog, n. an ornamental fastening or tasselled button for a frock or cloak.—adj. Frogged, in uniforms, of ornamental stripes or workings of braid or lace, mostly on the breast of a coat.

Froise, froiz, n. a kind of pancake or omelette, often with slices of bacon.—Also Fraise. [Fr.]

Frolic, frol′ik, adj. merry: pranky.—n. gaiety: a wild prank: a merry-making.—v.i. to play wild pranks or merry tricks: to gambol:—pr.p. frol′icking; pa.p. frol′icked.—adj. Frol′icsome, gay: sportive.—adv. Frol′icsomely.—n. Frol′icsomeness. [Dut. vrolijk, merry; cf. Ger. fröhlich, joyful, gay.]

From, from, prep. forth: out of, as from a source: away: at a distance: springing out of: by reason of. [A.S. fram, from; akin to Goth. fram, Ice. frá.]

Frond, frond, n. (bot.) a leaf-like expansion in many cryptogamous plants, organs in which the functions of stem and leaf are combined.—adjs. Frond′ed, having fronds; Frond′ent, leafy.—n. Frondes′cence, act of putting forth leaves: the season for putting forth leaves.—adjs. Frondes′cent, springing into leaf; Frondif′erous, bearing or producing fronds; Frondose′, covered with fronds. [L. frons, frondis, a leaf.]

Fronde, frond, n. the name given to certain factions in France during the minority of Louis XIV., hostile to the court and the minister Mazarin.—n. Frond′eur, a member of the Fronde: an irreconcilable. [Fr., a sling—L. funda.]

Front, frunt, n. the forehead: the whole face: the forepart of anything: a kind of wig worn by ladies: the most conspicuous part: boldness: impudence.—adj. of, relating to, or in the front.—v.t. to stand in front of or opposite: to oppose face to face.—v.i. to stand in front or foremost: to turn the front or face in any direction.—n. Front′age, the front part of a building.—adj. Front′al, of or belonging to the front or forehead.—n. a front-piece: something worn on the forehead or face: (archit.) a pediment over a door or window: a hanging of silk, satin, &c., embroidered for an altar—now usually covering only the top, the superfrontal—formerly covering the whole of the front, corresponding to the antependium.—adjs. Front′ate, -d (bot.), growing broader and broader: (zool.) having a prominent frons or forehead; Front′ed, formed with a front; Front′less, void of shame or modesty.—adv. Front′lessly.—n. Front′let, a band worn on the forehead.—advs. Front′ward, -s, towards the front.—Come to the front, to become conspicuous: to attain an important position; In front of, before. [O. Fr.,—L. frons, frontis, the forehead.]

Frontier, front′ēr, n. the boundary of a territory: (Shak.) an outwork.—adj. lying on the frontier: bordering.—v.t. (Spens.) to place on the frontier.—n. Front′iersman, one settled on the borders of a country. [O. Fr. frontier—L. frons.]

Frontispiece, front′i-spēs, n. (archit.) the principal face of a building: a figure or engraving in front of a book.—v.t. to put as a frontispiece, to furnish with such. [Fr.,—Low L. frontispicium—frons, forehead, specĕre, to see; not conn. with piece.]

Fronton, fron′ton, n. (archit.) a pediment.—Also Fron′toon. [Fr.]

Frore, frōr, Froren, frō′ren, adj. frozen, frosty.—adj. Frō′ry (Spens.), frozen. [A.S. froren, pa.p. of fréosan, to freeze.]

Frost, frost, n. the state of the atmosphere in which water freezes: state of being frozen: frozen dew, also called hoar-frost: (slang) a disappointment, a cheat.—v.t. to cover with hoar-frost or with anything resembling hoar-frost: to sharpen (the points of a horse's shoe) that it may not slip on ice.—n. Frost′-bite, the freezing or depression of vitality in a part of the body by exposure to cold.—v.t. to affect with frost.—adjs. Frost′-bit′ten, bitten or affected by frost; Frost′-bound, bound or confined by frost; Frost′ed, covered by frost or any fine powder: injured by frost.—adv. Frost′ily.—ns. Frost′iness; Frost′ing, the composition, resembling hoar-frost, used to cover cake, &c.—adj. Frost′less, free from frost.—n. Frost′-nail, a projecting nail in a horse-shoe serving as an ice-calk.—v.t. to put in such nails.—ns. Frost′-smoke, vapour frozen in the atmosphere, and having a smoke-like appearance; Frost′-work, work resembling hoar-frost on shrubs, &c.—adj. Frost′y, producing or containing frost: chill in affection: frost-like. [A.S. frost, forst—fréosan; cf. Ger. frost.]

Froth, froth, n. the foam on liquids caused by boiling, or any agitation: (fig.) an empty show in speech: any light matter.—v.t. to cause froth on.—v.i. to throw up froth.—ns. Froth′ery, mere froth; Froth′-fly, also Froth′-hop′per, Frog′-hop′per, Frog′-spit, common names for numerous insects parasitic on plants, on which the larvæ and pupæ are found surrounded by a frothy spittle.—adv. Froth′ily.—n. Froth′iness.—adjs. Froth′less, free from froth; Froth′y, full of froth or foam: empty: unsubstantial. [Scand., as in Ice. froða, Dan. fraade.]

Frounce, frowns, v.t. to plait: to curl: to wrinkle up: to frown.—n. a plait or curl.—v.i. (obs.) to frown or wrinkle the brow. [O. Fr. froncier. See Flounce (2), of which it is an older form.]

Froward, frō′ward, adj. (Spens.) turned from: self-willed: perverse: unreasonable—opp. to Toward.—adv. Frō′wardly.—n. Frō′wardness. [A.S. fra, away, with affix -ward.]

Frown, frown, v.i. to wrinkle the brow as in anger: to look angry.—v.t. to repel by a frown.—n. a wrinkling or contraction of the brow in displeasure, &c.: a stern look.—adj. Frown′ing, gloomy.—adv. Frown′ingly. [From O. Fr. froignier (mod. refrogner), to knit the brow; origin unknown.]

Frowzy, frow′zi, adj. rough and tangled.—Also Frow′sy. [Perh. conn. with frounce.]

Fructidor, fruk-ti-dōr′, n. the twelfth month in the French revolutionary calendar, Aug. 18-Sept. 16. [Fr.,—L. fructus, fruit; Gr. dōron, a gift.]

Fructify, fruk′ti-fī, v.t. to make fruitful: to fertilise.—v.i. to bear fruit.—adj. Fruct′ed (her.), bearing fruit.—n. Fructes′cence, the time for the ripening of fruit.—adj. Fructif′erous, bearing fruit.—ns. Fructificā′tion, act of fructifying, or producing fruit: (bot.) a term denoting sometimes the whole reproductive system, sometimes the 'fruit' itself; Fruc′tose, fruit sugar or levulose; Fruc′tuary, one enjoying the fruits of anything.—adj. Fruc′tuous, full of fruit. [Fr.,—L.,—fructus, fruit.]

Frugal, frōō′gal, adj. economical in the use of means: thrifty.—ns. Fru′galist, one who is frugal; Frugal′ity, economy: thrift.—adv. Fru′gally. [L. frugalis—frugi, fit for food—frux, frugis, fruit.]

Frugiferous, frōō-jif′ėr-us, adj. fruit-bearing.—adj. Frugiv′orous, feeding on fruits or seeds. [L. frux, frugis—ferre, to carry, vorāre, to eat.]

Fruit, frōōt, n. the produce of the earth, which supplies the wants of men and animals: the part of a plant which contains the seed: the offspring of animals: product, consequence, effect, advantage—(Spens.) Fruict.—v.i. to produce fruit.—ns. Fruit′age, fruit collectively: fruits; Fruit′-bud, a bud that produces fruit; Fruit′-cake, a cake containing raisins, &c.; Fruit′erer, one who deals in fruit:—fem. Fruit′eress; Fruit′ery, a place for storing fruit: fruitage.—adj. Fruit′ful, producing fruit abundantly: productive.—adv. Fruit′fully.—ns. Fruit′fulness; Fruit′ing, process of bearing fruit; Fruit′-knife, a knife with a blade of silver, &c., for cutting fruit.—adj. Fruit′less, barren: without profit: useless.—adv. Fruit′lessly.—ns. Fruit′lessness; Fruit′-tree, a tree yielding edible fruit.—adj. Fruit′y, like, or tasting like, fruit.—Small fruits, strawberries, currants, &c. [O. Fr. fruit, fruict—L. fructus—frui, fructus, to enjoy.]

Fruition, frōō-ish′un, n. enjoyment: use or possession of anything, esp. accompanied with pleasure.—adj. Fru′itive, of or pertaining to fruition. [O. Fr. fruition—L. frui, to enjoy.]

Frumentation, frōō-men-tā′shun, n. a largess of grain bestowed on the starving or turbulent people in ancient Rome.—adjs. Frumentā′ceous, made of or resembling wheat or other grain; Frumentā′rious, pertaining to corn. [L. frumentation-em—frumentāri, to provide with corn—frumentum, corn.]

Frumenty, frōō′men-ti, n. food made of hulled wheat boiled in milk.—Also Fur′mety. [O. Fr. frumentee, wheat boiled—frument—L. frumentum.]

Frump, frump, n. a dowdy and cross-grained woman: (obs.) a flout or snub.—v.t. (obs.) to snub.—adjs. Frump′ish, Frump′y, sour-tempered: ill-dressed.

Frush, frush, v.t. (Shak.) to break, bruise, or crush.—adj. broken or crushed: brittle.—n. an onset, attack. [O. Fr. froissier, to bruise—L. frustum, fragment.]

Frush, frush, n. (prov.) the frog of a horse's foot: a disease in that part of a horse's foot.

Frustrate, frus′trāt, v.t. to make vain or of no effect: to bring to nothing: to defeat.—p.adj. vain, ineffectual, defeated.—adj. Frus′trable, capable of being frustrated.—n. Frustrā′tion, disappointment: defeat.—adjs. Frus′trative, tending to frustrate; Frus′tratory, disappointing. [L. frustrāri, frustrātus—frustra, in vain.]

Frustule, frus′tūl, n. the siliceous two-valved shell of a diatom, with its contents.

Frustum, frus′tum, n. a slice of a solid body: the part of a cone which remains when the top is cut off by a plane parallel to the base. [L. frustum, a bit.]

Frutescent, frōō-tes′ent, adj. becoming shrubby; Fru′tex, a shrub.—adjs. Fru′ticose, Fru′ticous, shrub-like: shrubby; Frutic′ulose, like a small shrub. [L. frutescĕre—frutex, fruticis, a shrub.]

Fry, frī, v.t. to dress food with oil or fat in a pan over the fire: to vex.—v.i. to undergo the action of heat in a frying-pan: to simmer: (Spens.) to boil:—pr.p. fry′ing; pa.p. fried.—n. a dish of anything fried.—n. Fry′ing-pan, a flat iron vessel or pan for frying with.—Out of the frying-pan into the fire, out of one evil or danger merely to fall into a greater. [Fr. frire—L. frigĕre; cf. Gr. phrygein.]

Fry, frī, n. a swarm of fishes just spawned: a number of small things.—Small fry, small things collectively, persons or things of little importance. [M. E. fri—Ice. frió; Dan. and Sw. frö.]

Fub, fub, v.t. (Shak.) to put off, to cheat: to steal.—n. Fub′bery (obs.), deception.—Fub off, to put off or evade by a trick or a lie. [See Fob.]

Fuchsia, fū′shi-a, a plant with long pendulous flowers, native to South America. [Named after Leonard Fuchs, a German botanist, 1501-66.]

Fucus, fū′kus, n. a genus of seaweed containing the wrack and other species: a dye: a disguise.—adj. Fuciv′orous, eating seaweed.—n. Fū′coid, fossil seaweed.—adj. containing fucoids.—adj. Fū′cused, painted. [L. fucus, seaweed.]

Fuddle, fud′l, v.t. to stupefy with drink.—v.i. to drink to excess or habitually:—pr.p. fudd′ling; pa.p. fudd′led.—n. intoxicating drink.—ns. Fudd′le-cap, a hard drinker; Fudd′ler, a drunkard.—adj. Fudd′ling, tippling. [Cf. Dut. vod, soft, Ger. prov. fuddeln, to swindle.]

Fudge, fuj, n. stuff: nonsense: an exclamation of contempt.—v.i. and v.t. to botch or bungle anything.—adj. Fud′gy, irritable: awkward.

Fuel, fū′el, n. anything that feeds a fire, supplies energy, &c.—v.t. (arch.) to furnish with fuel.—adj. Fū′elled, furnished with fuel.—n. Fū′eller, one who, or that which, supplies fuel for fires. [O. Fr. fowaille—L. focale—L. focus, a fireplace.]

Fuero, fwā′rō, n. the constitution of certain practically autonomous states and communities in northern Spain and south-western France—the Basque provinces, Navarre, Bearn, &c.: modes and tenures of property, &c., nearly equivalent to the French customary law. [Sp.,—L. forum.]

Fuff, fuf, n. (Scot.) a puff: the spitting of a cat: a burst of anger.—v.t. and v.i. to puff.—adj. Fuff′y, light and soft.

Fugacious, fū-gā′shus, adj. apt to flee away: fleeting.—ns. Fugā′ciousness, Fugac′ity. [L. fugax, fugacis, from fugĕre, to flee.]

Fugitive, fūj′i-tiv, adj. apt to flee away: uncertain: volatile: perishable: temporary: occasional, written for some passing occasion.—n. one who flees or has fled from his station or country: one hard to be caught.—ns. Fū′gie (Scot.), a cock that will not fight, a runaway; Fū′gie-warr′ant, a warrant to apprehend a debtor about to abscond, prob. from the phrase in meditatione fugæ; Fugitā′tion (Scots law), absconding from justice: outlawry.—adv. Fug′itively.—n. Fug′itiveness. [Fr.,—L. fugitivus, fugĕre, to flee.]

Fugleman, fū′gl-man, n. a soldier who stands before a company at drill as an example: a ringleader, mouthpiece of others.—v.i. Fū′gle (Carlyle), to act like a fugleman. [Ger. flügelmann, the leader of a file—flügel, a wing, mann, man.]

Fugue, fūg, n. (mus.) a form of composition in which the subject is given out by one part and immediately taken up by a second, its answer, during which the first part supplies an accompaniment or counter-subject, and so on.—n. Fug′uist, one who writes or plays fugues. [Fr.,—It. fuga—L. fuga, flight.]

Fulcrum, ful′krum, n. (mech.) the prop or fixed point on which a lever moves: a prop:—pl. Ful′crums, Ful′cra.—adj. Ful′crate, supported with fulcrums. [L. fulcrum, a prop, fulcīre, to prop.]

Fulfil, fool-fil′, v.t. to complete: to accomplish: to carry into effect:—pr.p. fulfil′ling; pa.p. fulfilled′.—ns. Fulfil′ler; Fulfil′ling, Fulfil′ment, full performance: completion: accomplishment. [A.S. fullfyllan—full, full, fyllan, to fill.]

Fulgent, ful′jent, adj. shining: bright.—n. Ful′gency.—adv. Ful′gently.—adj. Ful′gid, flashing.—ns. Ful′gor, Ful′gour, splendour.—adj. Ful′gorous, flashing. [L. fulgent, pr.p. of fulgēre, to shine.]

Fulgurate, ful′gū-rāt, v.i. to flash as lightning.—adjs. Ful′gural, pertaining to lightning; Ful′gurant, flashing like lightning.—ns. Fulgurā′tion, in assaying, the sudden and final brightening of the fused globule; Ful′gurīte, a tube of vitrified sand frequent in loose sandhills—prob. due to lightning—adj. Ful′gurous, resembling lightning.

Fulham, ful′am, n. a die loaded at the corner.—Also Full′am, Full′an. [Prob. the place-name Fulham.]

Fuliginous, fū-lij′i-nus, adj. sooty: smoky.—n. Fuliginos′ity.—adv. Fulig′inously. [L., fuligo, soot.]

Full, fool, adj. having all it can contain: having no empty space: abundantly supplied or furnished: abounding: containing the whole matter: complete: perfect: strong: clear: (coll.) drunk: at poker, consisting of three of a kind and a pair.—n. completest extent, as of the moon: highest degree: the whole: time of full-moon.—v.t. to draw up or pucker the cloth on one side more than on the other.—adv. quite: to the same degree: with the whole effect: completely.—adjs. Full′-ā′corned (Shak.), full-fed with acorns; Full′-aged, having reached one's majority.—n. Full′-blood, an individual of pure blood.—adjs. Full′-blood′ed; Full′-bloomed, in perfect bloom; Full′-blown, blown or fully expanded, as a flower; Full′-bott′omed, having a full or large bottom, as a wig.—n. Full′-dress, the dress worn on occasions of state or ceremony.—adjs. Full′-eyed, with large prominent eyes; Full′-faced, having a full or broad face; Full′-fed, fed to plumpness; Full′-fraught (Shak.), full-stored; Full′-grown, grown to maturity; Full′-hand′ed, bearing something valuable, as a gift; Full′-heart′ed, full of heart or courage: elated; Full′-hot (Shak.), heated to the utmost; Full′-length, extending the whole length (n. a portrait showing such); Full-manned (Shak.), having a full crew.—ns. Full′-moon, the moon with its whole disc illuminated, when opposite the sun; Full′ness, Ful′ness, the state of being filled so as to have no part vacant: the state of abounding in anything: completeness: satiety: largeness: force and volume, as of sound: (Shak.) plenty, wealth.—adjs. Full′-orbed, having the orb or disc fully illuminated, as the full-moon: round; Full′-sailed, unbounded, absolute: moving onwards under full sail; Full-split (slang), with all one's might or speed; Full′-summed, complete in all its parts.—n. Full′-swing, the full extent or utmost limit.—adj. Full′-winged (Shak.), having perfect or strong wings.—adv. Full′y, completely: entirely.—Full back (football), see Back.—At the full, at the height, as of one's good fortune, &c.; In full, without reduction; In the fullness of time, at the proper or destined time.—To the full, in full measure, completely. [A.S. full; Goth. fulls, Ice. fullr, Ger. voll.]

Full, fool, v.t. to press or pound cloth in a mill: to scour and thicken in a mill.—ns. Full′age, the charge for fulling cloth; Full′er, a bleacher or cleanser of cloth; Fuller's-earth, a soft earth or clay, capable of absorbing grease, used in fulling or bleaching cloth; Fuller's-thistle, -weed, the teasel; Full′ery, the place or works where fulling of cloth is carried on; Full′ing-mill, a mill in which woollen cloth is fulled. [O. Fr. fuler—Low L. fullāre—L. fullo, a cloth-fuller.]

Fulmar, ful′mar, n. a species of petrel inhabiting the Shetland Isles, &c., valuable for its down, feathers, and oil. [Perh. Norse fúll, foul.]

Fulminate, ful′min-āt, v.i. to thunder or make a loud noise: to issue decrees with violence, or with menaces of grave censure.—v.t. to cause to explode: to send forth, as a denunciation—(Milt.) Ful′mine.—n. a compound of fulminic acid with mercury, &c.—adj. Ful′minant, fulminating: (path.) developing suddenly.—n. a thunderbolt, explosive.—adj. Ful′minating, crackling, exploding, detonating.—n. Fulminā′tion, act of fulminating, thundering, or issuing forth: a chemical explosion: a denunciation.—adjs. Ful′minatory; Fulmin′eous, Ful′minous, pertaining to thunder and lightning; Fulmin′ic, pertaining to an acid used in preparing explosive compounds. [L. fulmināre, -ātum—fulmen (for fulgimen), lightning—fulgēre, to shine.]

Fulsome, fool′sum, adj. cloying or causing surfeit: nauseous: offensive: gross: disgustingly fawning.—adj. Ful′somely.—n. Ful′someness. [A.S. full, full, and affix -some.]

Fulvous, ful′vus, adj. deep or dull yellow: tawny.—Also Ful′vid. [L. fulvus, tawny.]

Fum, fum, n. a fabulous Chinese bird, one of the symbols of imperial dignity.—Also Fung.

Fumado, fū-mā′do, n. a smoked fish, esp. a pilchard. [Sp.,—L. fumāre, to smoke.]

Fumarole, fūm′a-rōl, n. a smoke-hole in a volcano or sulphur-mine. [Fr. fumerole—L. fumus, smoke.]

Fumble, fum′bl, v.i. to grope about awkwardly: to handle awkwardly: to stammer in speech: to find by groping.—v.t. to manage awkwardly.—n. Fum′bler.—adv. Fum′blingly. [Dut. fommelen, to fumble; cf. Dan. famle, Ice. fâlma, to grope about.]

Fume, fūm, n. smoke or vapour: any volatile matter: heat of mind, rage, a passionate person: anything unsubstantial, vain conceit.—v.i. to smoke: to throw off vapour: to be in a rage: to offer incense to.—n. Fum′atory, a place for smoking or fumigation.—adjs. Fū′mid, smoky; Fumif′erous, producing fumes.—n. Fumos′ity, quality of being fumous: (pl.) the fumes arising from over eating or drinking.—adjs. Fum′ous, Fumose′, Fum′y, producing fumes. [O. Fr. fum—L. fumus, smoke.]

Fumet, fū′met, n. the dung of deer, hares, &c. [O. Fr. fumets, fumer—L. fimāre, to dung.]

Fumette, fū-met′, n. the scent of game when high.—Also Fumet′. [Fr.]

Fumigate, fūm′i-gāt, v.t. to expose to smoke or gas, to expose to fumes, as of sulphur, for purposes of disinfecting: to perfume.—ns. Fumigā′tion, act of fumigating or of applying purifying smoke, &c., to; Fum′igator, a brazier for burning disinfectants, &c.—adj. Fum′igatory. [L. fumigāre, -ātum.]

Fumitory, fūm′i-to-ri, n. a plant of a disagreeable smell.—n. Fum′iter (Shak.). [O. Fr. fume-terre, earth-smoke—L. fumus, smoke, terra, earth.]

Fun, fun, n. merriment: sport.—Be great fun, to be very amusing; In fun, in joke, not seriously; Like fun (coll.), in a rapid manner; Not to see the fun of, not to take as a joke. [Prob. a form of obs. fon, to befool. Skeat refers to Ir. fonn, delight.]

Funambulate, fū-nam′bū-lāt, v.i. to walk on a rope.—ns. Funambulā′tion; Funam′bulator, Funam′bulus, Funam′bulist, a rope-walker.—adj. Funam′bulatory. [L. funis, a rope, ambulāre, to walk.]

Function, fungk′shun, n. the doing of a thing: duty peculiar to any office: faculty, exercise of faculty: the peculiar office of any part of the body or mind: power: a solemn service: (math.) a quantity so connected with another that any change in the one produces a corresponding change in the other: the technical term in physiology for the vital activity of organ, tissue, or cell.—adj. Func′tional, pertaining to or performed by functions—opp. to Organic or Structural.—vs.t. Func′tionalise, Func′tionate.—adv. Func′tionally.—n. Func′tionary, one who discharges any duty: one who holds an office.—adj. Func′tionless, having no function. [O. Fr.,—L. function-em—fungi, functus, to perform.]

Fund, fund, n. a sum of money on which some enterprise is founded or expense supported: a supply or source of money: a store laid up: supply: (pl.) permanent debts due by a government and paying interest.—v.t. to form a debt into a stock charged with interest: to place money in a fund.—adj. Fund′able, capable of being converted into a fund or into bonds.—p.adj. Fund′ed, invested in public funds: existing in the form of bonds.—n. Fund′hold′er, one who has money in the public funds.—adj. Fund′less, destitute of supplies or money. [Fr. fond—L. fundus, the bottom.]

Fundamental, fun-da-ment′al, adj. essential, basal, primary: important.—n. that which serves as a groundwork: an essential.—ns. Fund′ament, the lower part or seat of the body; Fundamental′ity.—adv. Fundament′ally. [Fr.,—L. fundamentum, fundāre, to found.]

Fundus, fun′dus, n. the bottom of anything: (anat.) the rounded base of a hollow organ. [L.]

Funeral, fū′nėr-al, n. burial: the ceremony, &c., connected with burial.—adj. pertaining to or used at a burial.—adjs. Funēb′rial, Funēb′ral, Funēb′rious; Fū′nerary, Funēr′eal, pertaining to or suiting a funeral: dismal: mournful. [O. Fr.,—Low L. funeralis—L. funus, funĕris, a funeral procession.]

Funest, fū-nest′, adj. causing or portending death, lamentable. [Fr.,—L. funestus, destructive.]

Fungibles, fun′ji-blz, n.pl. (law) movable effects which perish by being used, and which are estimated by weight, number, and measure. [Low L. fungibilis—L. fungi, to perform. See Function.]

Fungus, fung′gus, n. one of the lowest of the great groups of cellular cryptogams, including mushrooms, toadstools, mould, &c.: proud-flesh formed on wounds:—pl. Fungi (fun′jī), or Funguses (fung′gus-ez).—adjs. Fung′al, Fungā′ceous, like a fungus; Fun′gic (′jik), Fun′giform, having the form of a fungus; Fungiv′orous, feeding on mushrooms; Fung′oid, resembling a mushroom.—ns. Fungol′ogist, a student of fungi; Fungol′ogy, the science of fungi; Fungos′ity, quality of being fungous.—adj. Fung′ous, of or like fungus: soft: spongy: growing suddenly: ephemeral. [L. fungus, a mushroom—Gr. sphonggos, sponggos, a sponge.]

Funicle, fū′ni-kl, n. a small cord or ligature: a fibre.—adj. Fūnic′ūlar.—n. Fūnic′ūlus, the umbilical cord.—Funicular railway, a cable-railway, esp. one ascending a hill. [L. funiculus, dim. of funis, a cord.]

Funk, fungk, n. (coll.) abject terror or fright.—v.i. and v.t. to shrink through fear: to shirk.—adj. Funk′y.

Funkia, funk′i-a, n. a genus of Liliaceæ allied to the day lilies, native to China. [From the German botanist, H. C. Funck, 1771-1839.]

Funnel, fun′el, n. a tube or passage for the escape of smoke, &c.: an instrument (smaller at one end than the other) for pouring fluids into bottles, &c.—adj. Funn′elled, provided with a funnel.—n. Funn′el-net, a net shaped like a funnel. [Prob. through Fr. from L. infundibulum—fundĕre, to pour.]

Funnel, fun′el, n. (prov.) the offspring of a stallion and a she-ass.—Also Fumm′el.

Funny, fun′i, adj. full of fun: droll: perplexing, odd.—adv. Funn′ily.—ns. Funn′iness, Funn′iment.—Funny bone, a popular name given to what is really the comparatively unprotected ulnar nerve, which, when struck by a blow, shoots a singular tingling sensation down the forearm to the fingers; Funny man, the clown in a circus.

Funny, fun′i, n. a light clinker-built pleasure-boat, with a pair of sculls.

Fur, fur, n. the short, fine hair of certain animals: their skins with the fur prepared for garments: rabbits, hares, as opposed to partridges, pheasants (feathers): (Milt.) kind or class, from the idea of particular furs being worn by way of distinction: a fur-like coating on the tongue, the interior of boilers, &c.—v.t. to line with fur: to cover with morbid fur-like matter:—pr.p. fur′ring; pa.p. furred.—adj. Furred, made of fur, provided with fur.—ns. Fur′rier, a dealer in furs and fur goods; Fur′riery, furs in general: trade in furs; Fur′ring, fur trimmings: a coating on the tongue: strips of wood fastened on joists, &c., to make a level surface or provide an air-space: strips of wood nailed on a wall to carry lath.—adj. Fur′ry, consisting of, covered with, or dressed in fur. [O. Fr. forre, fuerre, sheath.]

Furacious, fū-rā′shus, adj. thievish.—ns. Furā′ciousness, Furac′ity.

Furbelow, fur′be-lō, n. the plaited border of a gown or petticoat, a flounce. [Fr., It., and Sp. falbala; of unknown origin. The word simulates an English form—fur-below.]

Furbish, fur′bish, v.t. to purify or polish: to rub up until bright: to renovate. [O. Fr. fourbiss-, fourbir, from Old High Ger. furban, to purify.]

Furcate, fur′kāt, adj. forked: branching like the prongs of a fork—also Fur′cated.—ns. Furcā′tion, a forking or branching out; Fur′cifer, a genus of South American deer with furcate antlers.—adjs. Furcif′erous, of insects bearing a forked appendage; Fur′ciform, fork-shaped.—n. Fur′cūla, the united pair of clavicles of a bird, forming a single forked bone—the merry-thought.—adj. Fur′cular, furcate: shaped like a fork. [L., from furca, a fork.]

Furfur, fur′fur, n. dandruff, scurf—also Fur′fair.—adj. Furfūrā′ceous, branny: scaly—also Fur′fūrous.—n. Furfūrā′tion, the falling of scurf. [L.]

Furfurol, fur′fur-ol, n. a volatile oil obtained when wheat-bran, sugar, or starch is acted on by dilute sulphuric acid. [L. furfur, bran.]

Furious, fū′ri-us, adj. full of fury: violent.—adj. Fū′ribund, raging.—ns. Furios′ity, madness; Furiō′so, a furious person.—adv. Fū′riously.—n. Fū′riousness. [O. Fr. furieus—L. furiōsus—furia, rage.]

Furl, furl, v.t. to draw or roll up, as a sail. [Contr. of obs. furdle, from fardel.]

Furlong, fur′long, n. 40 poles: one-eighth of a mile. [A.S. furlang—furh, furrow, lang, long.]

Furlough, fur′lō, n. leave of absence.—v.t. to grant leave of absence. [Dut. verlof; cf. Ger. verlaub.]

Furnace, fur′nās, n. an oven or enclosed fireplace for melting ores and other purposes: a time or place of grievous affliction or torment.—v.t. to exhale like a furnace: to subject to the heat of a furnace. [O. Fr. fornais—L. fornax—fornus, an oven.]

Furnish, fur′nish, v.t. to fit up or supply completely, or with what is necessary: to equip (with).—adj. Fur′nished, stocked with furniture.—n. Fur′nisher.—n.pl. Fur′nishings, fittings of any kind, esp. articles of furniture, &c., within a house: (Shak.) any incidental part.—n. Fur′nishment. [O. Fr. furniss-, furnir—Old High Ger. frummjan, to do.]

Furniture, fur′ni-tūr, n. movables, either for use or ornament, with which a house is equipped: equipage, the trappings of a horse, &c.: decorations: the necessary appendages in some arts, &c.: (print.) the pieces of wood or metal put round pages of type to make proper margins and fill the spaces between the pages and the chase. [Fr. fourniture.]

Furor, fū′ror, n. fury: excitement, enthusiasm.—Also Furō′re. [L.]

Furrow, fur′ō, n. the trench made by a plough: any groove: a wrinkle on the face.—v.t. to form furrows in: to groove: to wrinkle.—n. Furr′ow-weed (Shak.), a weed on ploughed land.—-adj. Furr′owy. [A.S. furh; cf. Ger. furche, L. porca.]

Further, fur′thėr, adv. to a greater distance or degree: in addition.—adj. more distant: additional.—adv. Fur′thermore, in addition to what has been said, moreover, besides.—adjs. Fur′thermost, most remote; Fur′thersome, tending to further or promote.—adv. Fur′thest, at the greatest distance.—adj. most distant.—Wish one further, to wish one somewhere else than here and now. [A.S. furðor, a comp. of fore, with comp. suff.]

Further, fur′thėr, v.t. to help forward, promote.—ns. Fur′therance, a helping forward; Fur′therer, a promoter, advancer.—adj. Fur′thersome, helpful. [A.S. fyrðran.]

Furtive, fur′tiv, adj. stealthy: secret.—adv. Fur′tively. [Fr.,—L. furtivus—fur, a thief.]

Furuncle, fū′rung-kl, n. an inflammatory tumour.—adjs. Furun′cular, Furun′culous. [L. furunculus.]

Fury, fū′ri, n. rage: violent passion: madness: (myth.) one of the three goddesses of fate and vengeance, the Erinyes, or euphemistically Eumenides—Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megæra—hence a passionate, violent woman. [Fr. furie—L. furia—furĕre, to be angry.]

Furze, furz, n. the whin or gorse, a prickly evergreen bush with beautiful yellow flowers.—adjs. Furz′y, Furz′en, overgrown with furze. [A.S. fyrs.]

Fusarole, fū′sa-rōl, n. (archit.) an astragal.—Also Fū′sarol. [Fr.,—L. fusus, spindle.]

Fuscous, fus′kus, adj. brown: dingy—(Charles Lamb) Fusc. [L. fuscus, akin to furvus.]

Fuse, fūz, v.t. to melt: to liquefy by heat.—v.i. to be melted: to be reduced to a liquid.—n. Fusibil′ity.—adjs. Fū′sible, that may be fused or melted—(Milt.) Fū′sile, Fū′sil.—ns. Fū′sing-point, the temperature at which any solid substance becomes liquid; Fū′sion, act of melting: the state of fluidity from heat: a close union of things, as if melted together.—Aqueous fusion, the melting of certain crystals by heat in their own water of crystallisation; Dry fusion, the liquefaction produced in salts by heat after the water of crystallisation has been expelled; Igneous fusion, the melting of anhydrous salts by heat without decomposition. [L. fundĕre, fusum, to melt.]

Fuse, fūz, n. a tube filled with combustible matter for firing mines, discharging shells, &c. [It. fuso—L. fusus, a spindle.]

Fusee, Fuzee, fū-zē′, n. the spindle in a watch or clock on which the chain is wound: a match used for lighting a pipe or cigar in the open air: a fuse: a fusil.—adj. Fū′siform, spindle-shaped: tapering at each end. [O. Fr. fusée, a spindleful—Low L. fusata—L. fusus, a spindle.]

Fusel-oil, fū′zel-oil, n. a nauseous oil in spirits distilled from potatoes, barley, &c. [Ger. fusel, bad spirits.]

Fusil, fū′zil, n. a flint-lock musket. [O. Fr. fuisil, a flint-musket, same as It. focile—Low L. focile, steel (to strike fire with), dim. of L. focus, a fireplace.]

Fusil, fū′zil, n. (her.) an elongated rhomboidal figure. [O. Fr. fusel—L. fusus, a spindle.]

Fusilier, Fusileer, fū-zil-ēr′, n. formerly a soldier armed with a fusil, now simply a historical title borne by a few regiments of the British army (Northumberland, Royal Scots, &c.).

Fusillade, fūz′il-ād, n. a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms.—v.t. to shoot down by a simultaneous discharge of firearms.—n. Fusillā′tion, death by shooting. [Fr.,—fusil, a musket.]

Fuss, fus, n. a bustle or tumult: haste, flurry.—v.i. to be in a bustle.—adv. Fuss′ily.—n. Fuss′iness, a needless state of bustle.—adj. Fuss′y. [Imit.]

Fust, fust, n. the shaft of a column. [O. Fr. fust (Fr. fût)—L. fustis, a stick.]

Fustanelle, fus-ta-nel′, n. a white kilt worn by Greek men. [Mod. Gr. phoustani, Albanian fustan—It. fustagno, fustian.]

Fustet, fus′tet, n. the smoke-tree or Venetian sumach, or its wood. [Fr.,—L. fustis, a stick.]

Fustian, fust′yan, n. a kind of coarse, twilled cotton fabric, including moleskin, velveteen, corduroy, &c.: a pompous and unnatural style of writing or speaking: bombast: a liquor made of white wine with yolk of eggs, lemon, spices, &c.—adj. made of fustian: bombastic.—v.i. Fust′ianise (Holmes), to write bombastically.—n. Fust′ianist, one who writes bombast. [O. Fr. fustaigne (Fr. futaine)—It. fustagno—Low L. fustaneum, from Ar. Fostat (a suburb of Cairo) in Egypt, where first made.]

Fustic, fus′tik, n. the wood of a West Indian tree, formerly much used as a dye.—Also Fus′toc. [Fr. fustoc, yellow—Sp. fustoc—L. fustis.]

Fustigation, fus-ti-gā′shun, n. a beating with a stick.—v.t. Fus′tigate, to thrash with a stick. [L. fustigāre, -ātum, to beat with a stick—fustis, a stick.]

Fustilarian, fus-ti-lā′ri-an, n. (Shak.) a low fellow, a scoundrel.—n. Fus′tilugs (prov.), a frowzy woman.

Fusty, fust′i, adj. smelling of the wood of the cask, as wine: ill-smelling.—v.i. Fust (Shak.) to grow or smell mouldy.—adj. Fust′ed, mouldy.—n. Fust′iness. [O. Fr. fust, wood of a cask—L. fustis.]

Fusus, fū′sus, n. a genus of Gasteropods, usually referred to the Murex family. [L.]

Futchel, fuch′el, n. a piece of timber lengthwise of a carriage, supporting the splinter-bar and the pole.

Futhorc, fū′thork, n. the Runic alphabet. [From the first six letters, f, u, þ, o or a, r, k.]

Futile, fū′tīl, adj. useless: unavailing: trifling.—adv. Fū′tilely.—ns. Futilitā′rian, one who gives himself to profitless pursuits; Futil′ity, uselessness. [Fr.,—L. futilis—fundĕre, to pour.]

Futtock, fut′uk, n. one of the separate pieces of timber composing the frame of a ship.—ns. pl. Futt′ock-plates, iron plates with dead-eyes, crossing the sides of the top-rim perpendicularly; Futt′ock-shrouds, short pieces of rope or chain which secure the lower dead-eyes and futtock-plates of topmast rigging to a band round a lower mast. [Perh. corrupted from foot-hooks.]

Future, fūt′ūr, adj. about to be: that is to come: (gram.) expressing what will be.—n. time to come.—n. Fut′ure-per′fect (gram.), a tense expressing action viewed as past in reference to an assumed future time (L. amavero=I shall have loved).—v.i. Fut′urise, to form the future tense.—ns. Fut′urist, one whose chief interests are in what is to come; Futurition (-ish′un), future existence: accomplishment; Futur′ity, time to come: an event or state of being yet to come. [Fr.,—L. futurus, fut.p. of esse, to be.]

Fuzz, fuz, v.i. to fly off in minute particles with a fizzing sound like water from hot iron.—n. fine light particles, as dust, down, &c.—n. Fuzz′ball, a kind of fungus, whose head is full of a fine dust. [Ety. dub.]

Fuzzy, fuz′i, adj. covered with fuzz, fluffy.—adv. Fuzz′ily.—n. Fuzz′iness.

Fylfot, Filfot, fil′fot, n. an ancient symbol in the form of a Greek cross, with each arm continued at right angles, called also Gammadion, Gammation, and Svastika. [Prob. fill-foot, meaning a device for filling the foot of a painted window.]

Fyrd, fird, n. the military force of the whole nation, all males capable of bearing arms, in Anglo-Saxon times. [A.S. fyrd, army.]

the seventh letter of our alphabet, and in the Roman not originally differentiated from C, but substituted there for the disused Z: (mus.) the fifth note of the diatonic scale of C minor—also sol, the scale or key having that note for its tonic: (nat. phil.) a symbol for acceleration of gravity, which is about 32 feet per second: in the medieval system of Roman numerals=400, or G=400,000.

Gab, gab, v.i. (coll.) to chatter, prate.—n. idle talk, prattling: a jest, a witticism: (Scot.) the mouth.—n. Gab′ber, jabber.—adj. Gab′by, garrulous.—Gift of the gab, a talent for talking.

Gabbart, gab′ärt, n. a flat river vessel with a long hatchway.—Also Gabb′ard. [Fr. gabare—Prov. and It. gabarra.]

Gabbatha, gab′a-thä, n. the place where Pilate sat at the trial of Jesus, a tessellated pavement outside the prætorium. [Heb., 'platform.']

Gabble, gab′l, v.i. to talk inarticulately: to chatter: to cackle like geese.—ns. Gabb′le; Gabb′ler; Gabb′ling, Gabb′lement. [Freq. of gab.]

Gabbro, gab′ro, n. a rock composed of feldspar and diallage—also Euphotide.—n. Gabb′ronite, a compact variety of scapolite, resembling gabbro. [It.]

Gabelle, gab-el′, n. a tax, impost duty, formerly in France, esp. the tax on salt.—n. Gā′beler. [Fr. gabelle—Low L. gabella, gablum—Teut.]

Gaberdine, gab-er-dēn′, n. a loose upper garment, formerly worn by Jews. [O. Fr. gauvardine; per. Mid. High Ger. wallevart, pilgrimage, whence also Sp. gabardina, &c.]

Gaberlunzie, gab-er-lun′zi, -yi, n. (Scot.) a pouch carried by Scottish beggars: a strolling beggar.

Gabion, gā′bi-un, n. (fort.) a bottomless basket of wicker-work filled with earth, used for shelter from the enemy's fire while digging trenches, or in forming the foundation of a jetty.—ns. Gā′bionade, a work formed of gabions; Gā′bionage, gabions collectively.—adj. Gā′bioned, furnished with gabions. [Fr.,—It. gabbione, a large cage—gabbia—L. cavea, a cage.]

Gable, gā′bl, n. (archit.) the triangular part of an exterior wall of a building between the top of the side-walls and the slopes on the roof—(Scot.) Gā′vel.—adj. Gā′bled.—ns. Gā′ble-end, the end-wall of a building on the side where there is a gable; Gā′blet (dim.), a small gable, as an ornament on buttresses, &c.; Gā′ble-win′dow, a window in the gable-end of a building, or a window with its upper part shaped like a gable. [The northern form gavel is prob. Ice. gafl; Sw. gafvel, Dan. gavl. The southern form gable is prob. through O. Fr. gable, jable from Ice. gafl.]

Gad, gad, n. a pointed bar of steel: a tool used in mining: a graver: a rod or stick, a goad: the bar across a Scotch condemned cell, on which the iron ring ran which fastened the shackles—also Gade, Gaid.—n. Gad′ling, one of the spikes on the knuckles of a gauntlet.—Upon the gad (Shak.), upon the spur of the moment. [Ice. gadd-r, a spike.]

Gad, gad, interj. a minced form of God.—interjs. Gad′so, an exclamation of surprise; Gad′zooks, an obsolete minced oath.

Gad, gad, v.i. to rove about restlessly: to wander or ramble in speech, &c., to straggle in growth:—pr.p. gad′ding; pa.p. gad′ded.—ns. Gad, Gad′about, one who walks idly about; Gad′der.—adv. Gad′dingly—n. Gad′dishness. [Prob. conn. with gad in gadfly; or obsolete gadling, vagabond.]

Gadfly, gad′flī, n. a fly which pierces the skin of cattle in order to deposit its eggs: a mischievous gadabout. [From gad, n., fly.]

Gadhelic, gad-el′ik, adj. of or belonging to that branch of the Celtic race which comprises the Erse of Ireland, the Gaels of Scotland, and the Manx of the Isle of Man, as distinguished from the Cymric. [Ir. Gaedheal (pl. Gaedhil), a Gael.]

Gadoid, gā′doid, adj. pertaining to the Gadidæ, or cod-fishes.—n. a fish of this family.—n. Gā′dean, a fish of this family.—adj. Gā′dine.—n. Gā′dus, the typical genus of the same. [Gr. gados.]

Gadolinite, gad′ō-lin-īt, n. a silicate of the yttrium and cerium metals, containing also beryllium and iron. [From the Finnish chemist Gadolin (1760-1852).]

Gadroon, gad-rōōn′, n. one of a set of convex curves or arcs joined at their extremities to form a decorative pattern—in plate, &c.—adj. Gadrooned′.—n. Gadroon′ing. [Fr. godron.]

Gadsman, gadz′man, n. (Scot.) one who drives horses at the plough. [Gad and man.]

Gael, gāl, n. a Scotch Highlander.—adj. Gaelic (gāl′ik), pertaining to the Gaels.—n. the Scottish-Highland dialect.—v.t. Gael′icise.—n. Gael′icism. [Gael. Gaidheal.]

Gaff, gaf, n. a hook used esp. for landing large fish after they have been hooked on the line and spent by the skill of the angler: (naut.) the spar to which the head of a fore-and-aft sail is bent.—v.t. to hook or bind by means of a gaff.—n. Gaff′-top-sail, a small sail, the head of which is extended on a small gaff which hoists on the top-mast, and the foot on the lower gaff. [Fr. gaffe.]

Gaff, gaf, v.i. (slang) to gamble.—ns. Gaff′er; Gaff′ing.

Gaffer, gaf′ėr, n. originally a word of respect applied to an old man, now familiar: the foreman of a squad of workmen. [Corr. of godfather, as gammer of godmother.]

Gag, gag, v.t. to forcibly stop the mouth: to silence: to choke up: to introduce gag into a piece:—pr.p. gag′ging; pa.p. gagged.—n. something thrust into the mouth or put over it to enforce silence, or distend the jaws during an operation: the closure applied in a debate: a mouthful which produces nausea, the fat of fresh beef boiled: (slang) an actor's interpolation: a joke or hoax.—n. Gag′ger, one who gags. [Prob. imitative of sound made in choking.]

Gag, gag, v.t. (slang) to deceive.—v.i. to practise imposture.—n. a made-up story, lie: (U.S.) a laughing-stock.

Gage, gāj, n. a pledge: something thrown down as a challenge, as a glove.—v.t. to bind by pledge or security: offer as a guarantee: to stake, wager. [O. Fr. guage, from Teut. See Wed.]

Gage, gāj, n. name applied to several varieties of plum. [See Greengage.]

Gaggle, gag′l, n. a flock of geese, or of women.—v.i. to cackle.—n. Gagg′ling, cackling.—adj. garrulous.

Gag-tooth, gag′-tōōth, n. a projecting tooth.—adj. Gag′-toothed.

Gaikwar, gīk′war, n. name of the ruler of Baroda in India. [Marathi gāe—Sans. go, a cow, bull.]

Gain, gān, v.t. to obtain by effort: to earn: to be successful in: to draw to one's own party, bribe: to reach: to make advance: (N. T.) to escape.—n. that which is gained: profit.—adj. Gain′able.—n. Gain′er.—adj. Gain′ful.—adv. Gain′fully.—n. Gain′fulness.—n.pl. Gain′ings.—adj. Gain′less.—n. Gain′lessness.—Gain ground (see Ground); Gain upon, to overtake by degrees. [O. Fr. gain, gaain, gaigner, gaaignier, from Teut., as in weidenen, to graze, to seek forage, weida, pasture.]

Gainsay, gān′sā, v.t. to contradict: to deny: to dispute.—ns. Gain′sayer (B.), an opposer; Gain′saying.—v.t. Gain′strive (Spens.), to strive against. [A.S. gegn, against, and say.]

Gait, gāt, n. way or manner of walking, step, pace.—adj. Gait′ed, having a particular gait. [A special use of gate.]

Gaiter, gāt′ėr, n. a covering of cloth, &c., for the ankle, fitting down upon the shoe. [Fr. guêtre, guietre.]

Gala, gā′la, n. festivity.—n. Gā′la-dress, gay costume for a gala-day. [Fr. gala, show—It. gala, finery.]

Galactic, ga-lak′tik, adj. pertaining to or obtained from milk: (astron.) pertaining to the Milky-Way.—ns. Galac′tagogue, a medicine which promotes the secretion of milk; Galac′tia, a morbid flow or deficiency of milk; Galac′tin, lactose; Galactom′eter, an instrument for finding the quality of milk by indicating its specific gravity; Galactoph′agist, one who lives on milk.—adjs. Galactoph′agous, living on milk; Galactoph′orous, milk-carrying; Galactopoiet′ic, milk-producing.—n. Galactorrhœ′a, a too abundant flow of milk. [Gr. gala, galaktos, milk.]

Galago, ga-lā′go, n. a genus of large-eared, long-tailed African lemurs, arboreal and nocturnal in habit, living on fruit and insects.

Galantine, gal′an-tīn, n. a dish of poultry or veal, boned, tied up tight, cooked, and served cold. [Fr.,—Low L. galatina for gelatina, jelly. See Gelatine.]

Galanty show, gal-an′ti shō, n. a shadow pantomime produced by throwing shadows of miniature figures on a wall or screen. [Prob. It. galanti, pl. of galante. See Gallant.]

Galatian, ga-lā′shi-an, adj. pertaining to Galatia in Asia Minor—colonised by Gauls in the 3d century B.C.—n. a native of Galatia.

Galaxy, gal′ak-si, n. the Milky-Way, or the luminous band of stars stretching across the heavens: any splendid assemblage. [Through Fr. and L., from Gr. galaxias—gala, milk.]

Galbanum, gal′ban-um, n. a resinous juice obtained from an Eastern plant, used in medicine and in the arts, and by the Jews in the preparation of the sacred incense.—Also Gal′ban. [L.,—Gr. chalbanē, prob. an Eastern word.]

Gale, gāl, n. a strong wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane: (coll.) a state of noisy excitement. [Prob. elliptical for gale (or gall) wind. Mr Bradley disfavours the Scand. ety., which connects with Dan. gal, mad, Norw. galen, raging.]

Gale, gāl, n. a shrub growing in marshy spots, usually called Sweet-gale. [Prob. A.S. gagel; cf. Ger. gagel, a myrtle-bush.]

Galeate, -d, gā′le-āt, -ed, adj. (bot., ornith., and anat.) helmeted. [L. galeātus—galea, a helmet.]

Galena, gā-lē′na, n. a mineral which is essentially a sulphide of lead—also Galē′nite.—adjs. Galē′nic, -al, Galē′noid. [L. galena, lead-ore.]

Galenic, -al, gā-len′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to Galen, the 2d-cent. Greek physician, or to his methods and theories.—ns. Gā′lenism; Gā′lenist.

Galeopithecus, gā-li-o-pi-thē′kus, n. a flying lemur.—adjs. Galeopithē′cine, Galeopithē′coid.

Galilean, gal-i-lē′an, adj. of or pertaining to Galileo, a great Italian mathematician (1564-1642).—Galilean law, the law of the uniform acceleration of falling bodies; Galilean telescope, a telescope with a concave lens for its eye-piece.

Galilean, gal-i-lē′an, adj. of or pertaining to Galilee, one of the Roman divisions of Palestine.—n. a native of Galilee: a Christian.

Galilee, gal′i-lē, n. (archit.) a porch or chapel at the west end of some abbey churches, in which penitents were placed, and where ecclesiastics met women who had business with them.—Galilee porch, a galilee which has direct communication with the exterior. [Prob. suggested from Mark, xvi. 7, 'He goeth before you into Galilee.']

Galimatias, gal-i-mā′shi-as, n. nonsense, gibberish: any confused mixture of unlike things. [Fr.]

Galingale, gal′in-gāl, n. the aromatic root of certain E. Indian plants of genera Alpinia and Kæmpferia, formerly much used in medicine and cookery: the tuber of Cyperus longus, of ancient medicinal repute: also the whole plant.—Also Galan′gal. [O. Fr. galingal—Ar. khalanjān—Chin. ko-liang-kiang—Ko, a Chinese province, liang, mild, and kiang, ginger.]

Galiongee, gal-yon-jē′, n. a Turkish sailor. [Turk. qālyūnjī, deriv. of qālyūn—It. galeone, galleon.]

Galipot, gal′i-pot, n. the white resin which exudes from pine, yielding, when refined, white, yellow, or Burgundy pitch. [Fr.]

Gall, gawl, n. the greenish-yellow fluid secreted from the liver, called bile: bitterness: malignity.—ns. Gall-bladd′er, a pear-shaped bag lying on the under side of the liver, a reservoir for the bile; Gall′-stone, a hard concretion in the gall-bladder or biliary ducts.—Gall and wormwood, anything extremely disagreeable and annoying.—In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme hostility to God (Acts, viii. 23). [A.S. gealla, gall; cf. Ger. galle, Gr. cholē, L. fel.]

Gall, gawl, n. a light nut-like ball which certain insects produce on the oak-tree, used in dyeing—also Gall′-nut.—v.t. to fret or hurt the skin by rubbing: to annoy: to enrage.—v.i. (Shak.) to act in a galling manner.—ns. Gall′ate, a salt of gallic acid; Gall′fly, an insect which occasions gall on plants by puncturing.—adj. Gall′ing, irritating.—adv. Gall′ingly.—Gallic acid, a crystalline substance obtained from gall-nuts, and used in making ink. [Fr. galle—L. galla, oak-apple.]

Gallant, gal′ant, adj. brave: noble: (rare) gay, splendid, magnificent: courteous or attentive to ladies: amorous, erotic (sometimes gal-ant′).—n. a gay, dashing person: a man of fashion: suitor, seducer.—adv. Gall′antly.—ns. Gall′antness; Gall′antry, bravery: intrepidity: attention or devotion to ladies, often in a bad sense, amorous intrigue: (Shak.) gallants collectively. [Fr. galant—O. Fr. gale, a merrymaking; prob. Teut.]

Galleass, gal′e-as, n. (Shak.) a vessel of the same construction as a galley, but larger and heavier.—Also Gall′iass. [O. Fr. galeace—It. galeaza, augmented from, galea, galley.]

Galleon, gal′i-un, n. a large Spanish vessel with lofty stem and stern, mostly used formerly for carrying treasure. [Sp. galeon. Cf. Galley.]

Gallery, gal′ėr-i, n. a balcony surrounded by rails: a long passage: the upper floor of seats in a church or theatre: the persons occupying the gallery at a theatre: a room for the exhibition of works of art: (fort.) a covered passage cut through the earth or masonry: a level or drive in a mine.—adj. Gall′eried, furnished with, or arranged like, a gallery.—Play to the gallery, to play so as to win the applause of the least intelligent amongst the spectators. [O. Fr. galerie (It. galleria).]

Galley, gal′i, n. a long, low-built ship with one deck, propelled by oars: a state barge: the captain's boat on a war-ship: the place where the cooking is done on board ship: a kind of boat attached to a ship-of-war: (print.) a flat oblong tray in which the compositor places the type he has set up.—ns. Gall′ey-proof, an impression taken from type on a galley; Gall′ey-slave, one condemned for crime to work like a slave at the oar of a galley. [O. Fr. galie—Low L. galea.]

Galliambic, gal-i-am′bik, adj. constituting a galliambus, a verse consisting of four Ionics a minore (

), with variations and substitutions. [Used by the Galli, priests of the Phrygian goddess Cybele.]

Galliard, gal′yard, adj. (arch.) brisk, lively.—n. a spirited dance for two, common in the 16th and 17th centuries: a gay fellow.—n. Gall′iardise, gaiety: a merry trick. [O. Fr. gaillard; cf. Sp. gallardo.]

Gallic, gal′ik, adj. pertaining to Gaul or France.—adj. Gall′ican, of or pertaining to France: esp. pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church in France.—n. one holding Gallican doctrines.—n. Gall′icanism, the spirit of nationalism within the French Church—as opposed to Ultramontanism, or the absolute subjection of everything to the personal authority of the pope.—adv. Gallice (gal′i-sē), in French.—n. Gall′icism, the use in English or any other language of a word or idiom peculiar to the French.—vs.t. Gall′icīze, Gall′icīse, to make French in opinions, habits, &c. [L. Gallicus—Gallia, Gaul.]

Galligaskins, gal-i-gas′kinz, n.pl. large open hose or trousers: leggings worn by sportsmen. [A corr. of O. Fr. garguesque—It. Grechesco, Greekish—L. Græcus, Greek.]

Gallimaufry, gal-i-maw′fri, n. (Shak.) any inconsistent or absurd medley: a medley of persons. [O. Fr. galimafrée, a ragout, hash.]

Gallinaceous, gal-in-ā′shus, adj. pertaining to the order of birds to which the domestic fowl, pheasant, &c. belong. [L. gallina, a hen—gallus, a cock.]

Gallinule, gal′i-nūl, n. a genus of aquatic birds closely allied to the coots, of which the common water-hen is a species. [L. gallinula, dim. of gallina, a hen.]

Gallio, gal′i-o, n. a careless, easy-going man who keeps himself free from trouble and responsibility. [From the proconsul of Achaia in 53 A.D., Junius Annæus Gallio, who refused to listen to the Jewish clamour against Paul (Acts, xviii. 12-17).]

Galliot, Galiot, gal′i-ot, n. a small galley: an old Dutch cargo-boat, also a bomb-ketch. [Fr. galiote—Low L. galea, galley.]

Gallipot, gal′i-pot, n. a small glazed pot for containing medicine. [Prob. pottery such as was brought in galleys; not likely to be the Old Dut. gleipot, a glazed pot.]

Gallium, gal′i-um, n. a rare malleable metal, grayish-white, brilliant in lustre.

Gallivant, gal-i-vant′, v.i. to spend time frivolously, esp. in flirting. [Perh. a variation of gallant.]

Gallize, gal′īz, v.t. to treat unfermented grape-juice with water and sugar, so as to increase the quantity of wine produced. [From Dr L. Gall of Treves.]

Galloglass, gal′lo-glas, n. a soldier or armed retainer of a chief in ancient Ireland and other Celtic countries.—Also Gal′lowglass. [Ir. gallóglách—Ir. gall, foreign, óglách, youth.]

Gallon, gal′un, n. the standard measure of capacity=4 quarts. [O. Fr. galun, galon, jalon; app. cog. with Fr. jale, a bowl.]

Galloon, ga-lōōn′, n. a kind of lace: a narrow ribbon made of silk or worsted, or of both.—adj. Gallooned′, adorned with galloon. [Fr. galon, galonner; prob. cog. with gallant.]

Gallop, gal′up, v.i. to move by leaps, as a horse: to ride a galloping horse: to move very fast.—v.t. to cause to gallop.—n. the pace at which a horse runs when the forefeet are lifted together and the hindfeet together: a ride at a gallop.—n. Gall′oper, one who, or that which, gallops.—part. and adj. Gall′oping, proceeding at a gallop: (fig.) advancing rapidly, as in the phrase, 'a galloping consumption.'—Canterbury gallop, a moderate gallop of a horse (see Canter). [O. Fr. galop, galoper; prob. Teut., related to leap. There is a Flemish and a Middle High Ger. walop (n.). The root is seen in Old Fries. walla, to boil; cf. Well (1).]

Gallopade, gal-up-ād′, n. a quick kind of dance—then, the music appropriate to it: a sidewise gallop.—v.i. to move briskly: to perform a gallopade. [Fr.]

Gallovidian, gal-o-vid′yan, adj. belonging to Galloway.—n. a native thereof.

Gallow, gal′lō, v.t. (Shak.) to frighten or terrify. [A.S. a-gǽlwian, to astonish.]

Galloway, gal′o-wā, n. a small strong horse, 13-15 hands high, originally from Galloway in Scotland: a breed of large black hornless cattle.

Gallows, gal′us, n. a wooden frame on which criminals are executed by hanging—a pl. used as a sing., and having (Shak.) the double pl. 'gallowses' (used also coll. originally for a pair of braces for supporting the trousers): (Shak.) a wretch who deserves the gallows: any contrivance with posts and cross-beam for suspending objects: a rest for the tympan of a hand printing-press: the main frame of a beam-engine.—ns. Gall′ows-bird, a person who deserves hanging; Gall′ows-bitts, a frame fixed in a ship's deck to support spare spars.—adj. Gall′ows-free, free from danger of hanging.—n. Gall′owsness (slang), recklessness.—adj. Gall′ows-ripe, ready for the gallows.—n. Gall′ows-tree, a tree used as a gallows.—Cheat the gallows, to escape hanging though deserving it. [M. E. galwes (pl.)—A.S. galga; Ger. galgen.]

Gally, gal′i, v.i. (prov.) to scare, daze.—ns. Gall′y-beg′gar, Gall′icrow, Gall′ycrow, a scarecrow.

Galop, gal′op, n. a lively round dance of German origin: music for such a dance. [Fr.; cf. Gallop.]

Galopin, gal′o-pin, n. (Scot.) a kitchen boy. [O. Fr.,—galoper, to gallop.]

Galore, ga-lōr′, adv. in abundance, plentifully.—n. abundance. [Ir. go leór, sufficiently—go, an adverbialising particle, leór, sufficient.]

Galosh, ga-losh′, n. a shoe or slipper worn over another in wet weather—also Galoche′, Golosh′. [Fr. galoche—Gr. kalopodion, dim. of kalopous, a shoemaker's last—kālon, wood, pous, the foot.]

Galumph, gal-umf′, v.i. to march along boundingly and exultingly. [A coinage of Lewis Carroll.]

Galvanism, gal′van-izm, n. a branch of the science of electricity which treats of electric currents produced by chemical agents.—adj. Galvan′ic, belonging to or exhibiting galvanism.—n. Galvanisā′tion.—v.t. Gal′vanīse, to subject to the action of a galvanic current: to confer a false vitality upon.—ns. Gal′vanist, Gal′vanīser; Galvan′ograph, a printing-surface resembling an engraved copper-plate, produced by an electrotype process from a drawing made with viscid ink on a silvered plate: an impression taken from such a plate; Galvanog′raphy; Galvanol′ogist, a student of galvanology; Galvanol′ogy, the science of galvanic phenomena; Galvanom′eter, an instrument for measuring the strength of galvanic currents; Galvanom′etry.—adj. Galvanoplas′tic.—ns. Galvanoplas′ty, electrotypy; Galvan′oscope, an instrument for detecting the existence and direction of an electric current.—Galvanic battery, a series of zinc or copper plates susceptible of galvanic action; Galvanised iron, the name given to iron coated with zinc to prevent rusting. [From Luigi Galvani, of Bologna, the discoverer (1737-98).]

Galwegian, gal-wē′ji-an, adj. belonging to Galloway.—n. a native thereof.—Also Gallowē′gian.

Gam, gam, v.t. and v.i. to make a call on, to exchange courtesies with: to gather in a flock, as whales.—n. a school or herd of whales. [Prob. a corr. of jam.]

Gama-grass, gä′ma-gräs, n. a grass with very large culms, 4 to 7 feet high, grown in Mexico.

Gamb, gamb, n. a leg or shank: (her.) a beast's whole foreleg=Gamb′a (anat.), the metacarpus or metatarsus of ruminants, &c.: short for viol da gamba. [Low L. gamba, a leg. See Gambol.]

Gambado, gam-bā′do, n. a leather covering for the legs to defend them from mud in riding: boots affixed to the saddle in place of stirrups. [It. gamba, the leg.]

Gambado, gam-bā′do, n. a bound or spring of a horse: a fantastic movement, a caper. [Sp. gambada; cf. Gambol.]

Gambeson, gam′be-son, n. an ancient coat for defence, worn under the habergeon, of leather, or of cloth stuffed and quilted.—Also Gam′bison. [O. Fr.—Low L. gambesōn-em; prob. Teut., as in wambâ, the belly.]

Gambier, gam′bēr, n. an astringent substance prepared from the leaves of a shrub of the East Indies, and largely used in tanning and dyeing.—Also Gam′bir. [Malayan.]

Gambit, gam′bit, n. a mode of opening a game of chess by sacrificing a pawn early in the game for the purpose of making a powerful attack. [It. gambetto, a tripping up—gamba, leg.]

Gamble, gam′bl, v.i. to play for money in games of chance or skill: to engage in wild financial speculations.—v.t. to squander away.—n. a gambling transaction.—ns. Gam′bler, one who gambles, esp. who makes it his business; Gam′bling-house, a house kept for the accommodation of people who play at games of hazard for money. [For gamm-le or gam-le, a freq. which has ousted M. E. gamenen—A.S. gamenian, to play at games—gamen, a game.]

Gamboge, gam-bōj′, or gam-bōōj′, n. a yellow gum-resin used as a pigment and in medicine.—adjs. Gambog′ian, Gambog′ic. [From Cambodia, in Asia, whence brought about 1600.]

Gambol, gam′bol, v.i. to leap, skip: to frisk in sport:—pr.p. gam′bolling; pa.p. gam′bolled.—n. a skipping: playfulness. [Formerly gambold—O. Fr. gambade—It. gambata, a kick—Low L. gamba, leg.]

Gambrel, gam′brel, n. the hock of a horse: a crooked stick used by butchers for suspending a carcass while dressing it.—Gambrel roof, a curved or hipped roof. [O. Fr. gamberel; cf. Fr. gambier, a hooked stick; prob. Celt. cam, crooked.]

Gambroon, gam-brōōn′, n. a twilled cloth of worsted and cotton, or linen. [Prob. Gambroon in Persia.]

Game, gām, n. sport of any kind: an exercise or contest for recreation or amusement, esp. athletic contests: the stake in a game: the manner of playing a game: the requisite number of points to be gained to win a game: jest, sport, trick, artifice: any object of pursuit or desire: (Shak.) gallantry: the spoil of the chase: wild animals protected by law and hunted by sportsmen, the flesh of such—hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, blackcock.—adj. of or belonging to such animals as are hunted as game: plucky, courageous: (slang) having the spirit to do something.—v.i. to gamble.—ns. Game′-bag, a bag for holding a sportsman's game, also the whole amount of game taken at one time; Game′cock, a cock trained to fight; Game′keeper, one who has the care of game.—n.pl. Game′-laws, laws relating to the protection of certain animals called game.—adv. Gamely.—ns. Game′ness; Game′-preserv′er, one who preserves game on his property for his own sport or profit.—adj. Game′some, playful.—ns. Game′someness, sportiveness: merriment; Game′ster, one viciously addicted to gambling: a gambler; Game′-ten′ant, one who rents the privilege of shooting or fishing over a particular estate or district; Gam′ing, gambling; Gam′ing-house, a gambling-house, a hell; Gam′ing-tā′ble, a table used for gambling.—adj. Gam′y, having the flavour of dead game kept till tainted: (coll.) spirited, plucky.—Big game, the larger animals hunted; Die game, to keep up courage to the last; Make a game of, to play with real energy or skill; Make game of, to make sport of, to ridicule; Red game, the Scotch ptarmigan; Round game, a game, as at cards, in which the number of players is not fixed; The game is not worth the candle (see Candle); The game is up, the game is started: the scheme has failed. [A.S. gamen, play; Ice. gaman, Dan. gammen.]

Game, gām, adj. (slang) crooked, lame. [Most prob. not the Celt. cam, crooked.]

Gamic, gam′ik, adj. having a sexual character, of an ovum—opp. to Agamic.—ns. Gamete (gam-ēt′), a sexual protoplasmic body; Gamogen′esis, sexual reproduction.—adjs. Gamopet′alous (bot.), having the petals united at the base; Gamophyl′lous, having cohering perianth leaves; Gamosep′alous, having the sepals united. [Gr. gamos, marriage.]

Gamin, gam′in, n. a street Arab, a precocious and mischievous imp of the pavement. [Fr.]

Gamma, gam′a, n. the third letter of the Greek alphabet.—ns. Gammād′ion, Gammā′tion (see Fylfot).

Gammerstang, gam′er-stang, n. (prov.) a tall, awkward person, esp. a woman: a wanton girl.

Gammon, gam′un, n. (mostly coll.) a hoax: nonsense, humbug.—v.t. to hoax, impose upon.—ns. Gamm′oner; Gamm′oning. [A.S. gamen, a game.]

Gammon, gam′un, n. the preserved thigh of a hog. [O. Fr. gambon—gambe, a leg.]

Gammon, gam′un, n. (naut.) the lashing of the bowsprit.—v.t. to lash the bowsprit with ropes.

Gamp, gamp, n. (slang) a large, clumsy, or untidily tied up umbrella.—adj. Gamp′ish, bulging. [So called from Mrs Sarah Gamp, a tippling monthly nurse in Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit.]

Gamut, gam′ut, n. the musical scale: the whole extent of a thing. [So called from the Gr. gamma, which marked the last of the series of notes in the musical notation of Guido Aretinus, and L. ut, the beginning of an old hymn to St John ('Ut queant laxis') used in singing the scale.]

Ganch, ganch, v.t. to impale.—Also Gaunch. [O. Fr. gancher—It. gancio, a hook.]

Gander, gan′dėr, n. the male of the goose: a simpleton: (U.S.) a man living apart from his wife.—ns. Gan′dercleugh, the place of abode of the hypothetical Jedediah Cleishbotham, editor of the Tales of my Landlord; Gan′derism; Gan′der-par′ty, a social gathering of men only. [A.S. gandra, from ganra, with inserted d; Dut. and Low Ger. gander.]

Ganesa, ga-nē′sa, n. the elephant-headed Hindu god of foresight and prudence.

Gang, gang, n. a number of persons or animals associated for a certain purpose, usually in a bad sense: a number of labourers working together during the same hours: the range of pasture allowed to cattle: a set of tools, &c., used together for any kind of work.—ns. Gang′er, Gangs′man, the foreman of a squad, as of plate-layers. [A.S. gang (Dan. gang, Ger. gang, a going), gangan, to go.]

Gang, gang, v.i. (Scot.) to go.—n.pl. Gang′-days, the three days preceding Ascension Day or Holy Thursday.—n. Gang′er, a walker: a fast-going horse. [A.S. gangan, to go.]

Ganglion, gang′gli-on, n. a tumour in the sheath of a tendon: an enlargement in the course of a nerve: any special centre of nervous action:—pl. Gang′lia, Gang′lions.—adjs. Gang′liac, Gang′lial, Ganglion′ic, pertaining to a ganglion; Gang′liate, -d, provided with a ganglion or ganglia; Gang′liform, Gang′lioform, having the form of a ganglion; Gang′lionary, composed of ganglia.—n. Gang′lion-cell (anat.), a nerve-cell with nucleus and nucleones.—Basal ganglia, ganglia situated at the bottom of the cerebrum. [Gr.]

Gangrel, gang′rel, n. and adj. a vagrant. [From gang—A.S. gangan, to go, walk.]

Gangrene, gang′grēn, n. loss of vitality in some part of the body: the first stage in mortification.—v.t. to mortify.—v.i. to become putrid.—v.i. Gang′renate, to become mortified.—adjs. Gangrenes′cent, becoming mortified; Gang′renous, mortified. [L. gangræna—Gr. gangraina, grainein, to gnaw.]

Gangue, Gang, gang, n. in mining, the stony matrix in which metallic ores occur. [Fr.,—Ger. gang, a vein.]

Gangway, gang′wā, n. a passage or way by which to go into or out of any place, esp. a ship: a way between rows of seats, esp. the cross-passage in the House of Commons, about half-way down the House, giving access to the rear-benches. The members 'above the gangway' are the ministers and ex-ministers, with their more immediate supporters. [A.S. gangweg; cf. gang and way.]

Ganister, Gannister, gan′is-ter, n. a hard, close-grained siliceous stone, which often forms the stratum that underlies a coal-seam.

Gannet, gan′et, n. a web-footed fowl found in the northern seas, the best-known of which is the solan goose. [A.S. ganot, a sea-fowl; Dut. gent.]

Ganoid, gän′oid, adj. belonging to an order of fishes once very large, but now decadent, including only seven genera (sturgeons, &c.).—adj. Ganoi′dian. [Gr. ganos, brightness, eidos, appearance.]

Gantlet, gant′let, Gantlope, gant′lōp, n. a punishment consisting of driving a criminal through a lane formed by two files of men, who each strike him as he passes.—Run the gantlet, to undergo the punishment of the gantlet: to be exposed to unpleasant remarks or treatment. [Confused with gauntlet, but from Sw. gatlopp—gata (Eng. gate), a street, line of soldiers, lopp (Eng. leap), course.]

Gantry, gan′tri, n. a stand for barrels: a platform for a travelling-crane, &c.—Also Gaun′try.

Ganymede, gan′i-mēd, n. a cup-bearer, pot-boy, from the beautiful youth who succeeded Hebe as cup-bearer to Zeus, being carried off to Olympus by the eagle of Zeus: a catamite.

Gap, gap, n. an opening made by rupture or parting: a cleft: a passage: a deep ravine in a mountain-ridge: any breach of continuity.—v.t. to notch: to make a gap in.—adjs. Gap′py, full of gaps; Gap-toothed, lacking some of the teeth.—Stand in the gap, to stand forward in active defence of something; Stop a gap, to repair a defect, close a breach. [M. E. gappe—Ice. gap, an opening.]

Gape, gāp, v.i. to open the mouth wide: to yawn: to stare with open mouth: to be open, like a gap.—n. act of gaping: width of the mouth when opened.—ns. Gap′er; Gapes, a disease of birds, owing to the presence of trematode worms in the windpipe, shown by their uneasy gaping.—adj. Gap′ing, with mouth open in admiration.—adv. Gap′ingly. [Ice. gapa, to open the mouth; Ger. gaffen, to stare.]

Gar, gär, Garfish, gär′fish, n. a long slender fish of the pike family, with a pointed head. [A.S. gár, a dart.]

Gar, gär, v.t. (Scot.) to cause, to compel. [Norse ger(v)a, to make (A.S. gierwan, giarwian), Sw. göra, Dan. gjöre; cf. Yare.]

Garancine, gar′an-sin, n. a manufactured product of madder, used as a dye. [Fr.,—garance, madder.]

Garb, gärb, n. fashion of dress: external appearance.—v.t. to clothe, array. [O. Fr. garbe—It. garbo, grace; of Teut. origin.]

Garb, gärb, n. a sheaf of grain, frequently used in heraldry. [O. Fr. garbe—Teut., as in Old High Ger. garba, a handful (Ger. garbe, Dut. garf).]

Garbage, gär′bāj, n. refuse, as the bowels of an animal: any worthless matter. [Of doubtful origin; prob. O. Fr. garbe, a sheaf; not conn. with garble.]

Garble, gär′bl, v.t. to select what may serve our own purpose, in a bad sense: to mutilate, corrupt, or falsify.—n. Gar′bler, one who selects. [Most prob. It. garbellare—Ar. ghirbál, a sieve.]

Garboard-strake, gär′bōrd-strāk, n. the first range of planks laid on a ship's bottom next the keel. [Dut. gaarboord.]

Garboil, gär′boil, n. (Shak.) disorder, uproar. [O. Fr. garbouil—It. garbuglio, conn. with L. bullīre, to boil.]

Gardant, gärd′ant, adj. (her.) said of an animal represented as full-faced and looking forward. [Fr., pr.p. of garder, to look.]

Garden, gär′dn, n. a piece of ground on which flowers, &c., are cultivated: a pleasant spot.—ns. Gar′dener; Gar′den-glass, a bell-glass for covering plants; Gar′dening, the act of laying out and cultivating gardens; Gar′den-par′ty, a party held on the lawn or in the garden of a private house.—Garden of Eden (see Eden); Hanging garden, a garden formed in terraces rising one above another—e.g. those of Nebuchadnezzar at Babylon; Market gardener, a gardener who raises vegetables, fruits, &c. for sale; Philosophers of the garden, followers of Epicurus who taught in a garden. [O. Fr. gardin (Fr. jardin); from Teut.]

Gardenia, gär-dē′ni-a, n. a genus of Cinchonaceæ, tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs, with beautiful and fragrant flowers. [Named from the American botanist, Dr Alex. Garden (died 1791).]

Gardyloo, gär′di-lōō, n. the old warning cry of housewives in Edinburgh before throwing their slops out of the window into the street. [Pseudo-Fr. gare de l'eau—should be gare l'eau, 'beware of the water.']

Garefowl, gār′fowl, n. the great auk, razor-billed auk. [Ice. geir-fugl.]

Gargantuan, gär-gan′tū-an, adj. like Gargantua—i.e. enormous, prodigious.—ns. Gargan′tuism; Gargan′tuist. [From Gargantua, the hero of Rabelais, described as a giant of vast appetite.]

Garget, gar′get, n. a swelling in the throat of cattle and pigs: inflammation of a cow's udder.—Also Gar′gil.

Gargle, gär′gl, v.t. to wash the throat, preventing the liquid from going down by expelling air against it.—n. a preparation for washing the throat. [O. Fr. gargouiller—gargouille, the throat.]

Gargoyle, gär′goil, n. a projecting spout, conveying the water from the roof-gutters of buildings, often representing human or other figures. [O. Fr. gargouille—L. gurgulio, throat.]

Garibaldi, gar-i-bal′di, n. a woman's loose blouse, an imitation of the red shirts worn by the followers of the Italian patriot Garibaldi (1807-1882).

Garish, Gairish, gār′ish, adj. showy: gaudy.—adv. Gar′ishly.—n. Gar′ishness. [Earlier gaurish, gawrish—gaure, to stare, perh. a freq. of gaw, to stare, cf. Ice. gá, to heed.]

Garland, gär′land, n. a wreath of flowers or leaves: a name for a book of extracts in prose or poetry: (Shak.) the thing most prized.—v.t. to deck with a garland.—n. Gar′landāge, a decoration of garlands.—adj. Gar′landless.—n. Gar′landry, garlands collectively.--Civic garland, a crown of oak-leaves bestowed on a Roman soldier who saved a fellow-citizen's life in battle. [O. Fr. garlande; prob. Old High Ger. wiara, fine ornament.]

Garlick, gär′lik, n. a bulbous-rooted plant of genus Allium, having a pungent taste and very strong smell.—adj. Gar′licky, like garlick. [A.S. gárléac—gár, a spear, léac, a leek.]

Garment, gär′ment, n. any article of clothing, as a coat or gown.—v.t. to clothe with a garment.—adjs. Gar′mented; Gar′mentless.—n. Gar′menture, clothing. [O. Fr. garniment—garnir, to furnish.]

Garner, gär′nėr, n. a granary or place where grain is stored up: a store of anything—e.g. experience.—v.t. to store as in a garner.—v.i. (rare) to accumulate.—n. Gar′nerage, a storehouse. [O. Fr. gernier (Fr. grenier)—L. granarium, -ia, a granary.]

Garnet, gär′net, n. a precious stone belonging to a group of minerals crystallising in the cubical system. [O. Fr. grenat—Low L. granatum, pomegranate; or Low L. granum, grain, cochineal, red dye.]

Garnish, gär′nish, v.t. to adorn: to furnish: to surround with ornaments, as a dish.—n. entrance-money: something placed round a principal dish at table, whether for embellishment or relish: a gift of money, esp. that formerly paid by a prisoner to his fellow-prisoners on his first admission.—ns. Gar′nishee, a person warned not to pay money owed to another, because the latter is indebted to the garnisher who gives the warning (v.t. to attach a debtor's money in this way); Garnishee′ment; Gar′nisher, one who garnishes; Gar′nishing, Gar′nishment, Gar′niture, that which garnishes or embellishes: ornament: apparel: trimming; Gar′nishry, adornment. [O. Fr. garniss-, stem of garnir, to furnish, old form warnir, from a Teut. root seen in A.S. warnian, Ger. warnen, Eng. warn.]

Garret, gar′et, n. (Shak.) a watch-tower: a room next the roof of a house.—p.adj. Garr′eted, provided with garrets: lodged in a garret.—ns. Garreteer′, one who lives in a garret: a poor author; Garr′et-mas′ter, a cabinet-maker, locksmith, &c., working on his own account for the dealers. [O. Fr. garite, a place of safety, guarir, warir, to preserve (Fr. guérir)—Teut., Old High Ger. warjan, to defend.]

Garrison, gar′i-sn, n. a supply of soldiers for guarding a fortress: a fortified place.—v.t. to furnish a fortress with troops: to defend by fortresses manned with troops.—Garrison town, a town in which a garrison is stationed. [O. Fr. garison—garir, guerir, to furnish—Teut., Old High Ger. warjan, to defend.]

Garrotte, Garotte, gar-rot′, n. a Spanish mode of strangling criminals.—v.t. to strangle by a brass collar tightened by a screw, whose point enters the spinal marrow: to suddenly render insensible by semi-strangulation, and then to rob:—pr.p. garrott′ing, garott′ing; pa.p. garrott′ed, garott′ed.—ns. Garrott′er, Garott′er, one who garrottes; Garrott′ing, Garott′ing. [Sp. garrote; cf. Fr. garrot, a stick.]

Garrulous, gar′ū-lus, adj. talkative.—ns. Garrul′ity, Garr′ulousness, talkativeness: loquacity.—adv. Garr′ulously. [L. garrulus—garrīre, to chatter.]

Garter, gär′tėr, n. a band used to tie the stocking to the leg: the badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the Garter.—v.t. to bind with a garter.—Garter king-of-arms, the chief herald of the Order of the Garter. [O. Fr. gartier (Fr. jarretière)—O. Fr. garet (Fr. jarret), the ham of the leg, prob. Celt. as Bret. gar, the shank of the leg.]

Garth, gärth, n. an enclosure or yard: a garden: a weir in a river for catching fish. [Ice. garðr, a court; cf. A.S. geard; Ger. garten, yard.]

Garuda, gär′ōō-da, n. a Hindu demigod, with the body and legs of a man, the head and wings of a bird, emblem of strength and speed. [Sans.]

Garvie, gär′vi, n. (Scot.) a sprat.—Also Gar′vock. [Gael. garbhag.]

Gas, gas, n. a vaporous substance not condensed into a liquid at ordinary terrestrial temperatures and pressures—esp. that obtained from coal, used in lighting houses: (coll.) frothy talk:—pl. Gas′es.—v.t. to supply with gas: (U.S.) to impose on by talking gas.—v.i. to vapour, talk boastfully.—ns. Gasalier′, Gaselier′, a hanging frame with branches for gas-jets, formed on false analogy from chandelier; Gas′-bag, a bag for holding gas: a boastful, talkative person; Gas′-brack′et, a pipe, mostly curved, projecting from the wall of a room, used for illuminating purposes; Gas′-burn′er, a piece of metal fitted to the end of a gas-pipe, with one or more small holes so arranged as to spread out the flame; Gas′-coal, any coal suitable for making illuminating gas; Gas′-condens′er, an apparatus for freeing coal-gas from tar; Gasē′ity, Gā′seousness.—adj. Gaseous (gā′se-us).—ns. Gas′-en′gine, an engine in which motion is communicated to the piston by the alternate admission and condensation of gas in a closed cylinder; Gas′-fit′ter, one who fits up the pipes and brackets for gas-lighting; Gas′-fix′ture, a bracket or chandelier for gas; Gas′-fur′nace, a furnace of which the fuel is gas; Gas′holder, a large vessel for storing gas; Gasificā′tion, the process of converting into gas.—v.t. Gas′ify, to convert into gas.—ns. Gas′-jet, a gas-burner; Gas′-lamp, a lamp lighted by gas; Gas′-main, one of the principal underground pipes conveying gas from the works to the places where it is consumed; Gas′-man, a man employed in the manufacture of gas: the man who controls the lights of the stage; Gas′-mē′ter, an instrument for measuring the quantity of gas consumed at a particular place in a given time; Gas′ogene (same as Gazogene); Gas′olene, rectified petroleum; Gasom′eter, an instrument for measuring gas: a place for holding gas.—adjs. Gasomet′ric, -al.—ns. Gas′-pipe, a pipe for conveying gas; Gas′sing, idle talking; Gas′-stove, an apparatus in which coal-gas is used for heating and cooking purposes.—adj. Gas′sy, full of gas, gaseous: (slang) given to vain and boastful talk.—ns. Gas′-tank, a reservoir for coal-gas; Gas′-tar, coal-tar.—adj. Gas′-tight, sufficiently close to prevent the escape of gas.—ns. Gas′-wa′ter, water through which coal-gas has been passed; Gas′-works, an establishment where illuminating gas is manufactured. [A word invented by the Dutch chemist J. B. Van Helmont (1577-1644)—the form suggested by Gr. chaos.]

Gasconade, gas-ko-nād′, n. boasting talk.—ns. Gas′con, a native of Gascony; Gas′conism. [Fr.,—Gascon, from their proverbial boastfulness.]

Gash, gash, v.t. to make a deep cut into anything, esp. into flesh.—n. a deep, open wound. [Formerly garse—O. Fr. garser, pierce with a lancet—Low L. garsa. Perh. corrupted from Gr. charassein, to cut.]

Gash, gash, adj. (Scot.) shrewd: talkative: trim.—v.i. to tattle. [Prob. a corr. of sagacious.]

Gash, gash, adj. (Scot.) ghastly, hideous—also Gash′ful, Gash′ly.—n. Gash′liness.—adv. Gash′ly. [From ghastful, through association with gash.]

Gasket, gas′ket, n. (naut.) a canvas band used to bind the sails to the yards when furled: a strip of tow, &c., for packing a piston, &c.—Also Gas′kin. [Cf. Fr. garcette, It. gaschetta; ety. dub.]

Gasp, gasp, v.i. to gape in order to catch breath: to desire eagerly.—n. the act of opening the mouth to catch the breath.—pr.p. and adj. Gasp′ing, convulsive, spasmodic.—adv. Gasp′ingly.—The last gasp, the utmost extremity. [Ice. geispa, to yawn, by metathesis from geipsa, cf. geip, idle talk.]

Gast, gast, v.t. (Shak.) to make aghast, to frighten or terrify. [A.S. gǽstan; cf. Aghast.]

Gasteropod, gas′ter-o-pod, n. one of a class of molluscs, embracing whelks, limpets, snails, &c., having in general a muscular disc under the belly, which serves them as feet—also Gas′tropod:—pl. Gasterop′oda.—adj. Gasterop′odous. [Formed from Gr. gastēr, the stomach, pous, podos, a foot.]

Gastræa, gas-trē′a, n. (biol.) a hypothetic animal form assumed by Hæckel as the ancestor of all metazoic animals:—pl. Gastræ′æ.—n. Gas′trula, that embryonic form of metazoic animals which consists of a two-layered sac enclosing a central cavity and having an opening at one end:—pl. Gras′trulæ.—adj. Gas′trular.

Gastralgia, gas-tral′ji-a, n. pain in the stomach or bowels. [Gr. gastēr, the stomach, algos, pain.]

Gastric, gas′trik, adj. belonging to the stomach—also Gas′tral.—ns. Gastrī′tis, inflammation of the stomach; Gastrol′oger.—adj. Gastrolog′ical.—n. Gastrol′ogy, cookery, good eating.—Gastric fever, a bilious remittent fever; Gastric juice, the digestive liquid secreted by the glands of the stomach. [Gr. gastēr, the belly.]

Gastrocnemius, gas-trok-nē′mi-us, n. a superficial muscle of the posterior tibial region helping to extend the foot. [Gr. gastēr, stomach, knēmē, the leg.]

Gastromancy, gas′tro-man-si, n. a means of divination by ventriloquism: divination by large-bellied glasses. [Gr. gastēr, belly, manteia, soothsaying.]

Gastronome, gas′tro-nōm, n. one who pays great attention to his diet, an epicure—also Gastron′omer, Gastron′omist.—adjs. Gastronom′ic, -al, pertaining to gastronomy.—ns. Gastron′omy, the art or science of good eating; Gas′trophile, Gas′trophilist, Gas′trophilite; Gas′trophilism, love of good eating; Gas′trosoph, one skilled in matters of eating; Gastros′opher; Gastros′ophy. [Gr. gastēr, belly, nomos, law—nemein, to distribute.]

Gastrostomy, gas-tros′to-mi, n. an operation performed in a case of stricture of the gullet, to introduce food into the stomach through an external opening. [Gr. gastēr, belly, stoma, mouth.]

Gastrotomy, gas-trot′o-mi, n. the operation of cutting open the belly. [Gr. gastēr, belly, tomē, a cutting—temnein, to cut.]

Gastro-vascular, gas-trō-vas′kū-lar, adj. common to the functions of digestion and circulation.

Gate, gāt, n. a passage into a city, enclosure, or any large building: a narrow opening or defile: a frame in the entrance into any enclosure: an entrance.—v.t. to supply with a gate: at Oxford and Cambridge, to punish by requiring the offender to be within the college gates by a certain hour.—adj. Gā′ted, punished with such restriction.—ns. Gate′-fine, the fine imposed for disobedience to such orders; Gate′-house (archit.), a building over or near the gate giving entrance to a city, abbey, college, &c.; Gate′-keep′er, Gate′man, one who watches over the opening and shutting of a gate.—adj. Gate′less, not having a gate.—ns. Gate′-mon′ey, the money taken for entrance to an athletic or other exhibition, sometimes simply 'gate;' Gate′-tow′er, a tower built beside or over a gate; Gate′-vein, the great abdominal vein; Gate′way, the way through a gate: the gate itself: any entrance.—Gate of justice, a gate as of a city, temple, &c., where a sovereign or judge sat to dispense justice; Gates of death, a phrase expressing the near approach of death.—Break gates, at Oxford and Cambridge, to enter college after the prescribed hour; Ivory gate, in poetical imagery, the semi-transparent gate of the house of sleep, through which dreams appear distorted into pleasant and delusive shapes; Stand in the gate (B.), to occupy a position of defence. [A.S. geat, a way; Dut. gat, Ice. gat; not in Goth. and High Ger.; prob. related to get or gate.]

Gate, gāt, n. (Scot.) a way, path: manner of doing, esp. in adverbial phrases like 'this gate,' 'any gate,' 'some gate.' [Ice. gata; Da. gade, Ger. gasse.]

Gâteau, gat-ō′, n. cake.—Veal gateau, minced veal made up like a pudding, and boiled in a shape or mould. [Fr.]

Gather, gath′ėr, v.t. to collect: to acquire: in sewing, to plait: to learn by inference.—v.i. to assemble or muster: to increase: to suppurate.—n. a plait or fold in cloth, made by drawing the thread through (pl. that part of the dress which is gathered or drawn in).—ns. Gath′erer, one who collects: a gleaner: in glass manufacturing, a workman who collects molten glass on the end of a rod preparatory to blowing; Gath′ering, a crowd or assembly: a tumour or collection of matter; Gath′ering-coal, -peat, a coal, peat, put into a fire at night, with the hot embers gathered about it, to keep the fire alive till morning; Gath′ering-cry, a summons to assemble for war.—Gather breath, to recover wind; Gather ground, to gain ground; Gather one's self together, to collect all one's powers, like one about to leap; Gather to a head, to ripen: to come into a state of preparation for action or effect; Gather way, to get headway by sail or steam so as to answer the helm. [A.S. gaderian, gæderian, (tó)gædere, together; cf. geador, together, gǽd, company.]

Gauche, gōsh, adj. left-handed: clumsy.—n. Gauche′rie (-rē), clumsiness: awkwardness. [Fr.]

Gaucho, gow′chō, n. a native of the La Plata pampas of Spanish descent, noted for marvellous horsemanship.—Less correctly Gua′cho.

Gaucie, Gaucy, Gawcy, Gawsy, gä′si, adj. (Scot.) portly, jolly.

Gaud, gawd, n. an ornament: a piece of finery:—pl. showy ceremonies, gaieties.—v.i. (Shak.) make merry.—v.t. (Shak.) to adorn with gauds: to paint, as the cheeks.—ns. Gaudeā′mus, a rejoicing, students' merrymaking; Gaud′ery, finery.—adv. Gaud′ily.—ns. Gaud′iness, showiness; Gaud′y, an English university feast or festival.—adj. showy: gay.—n. Gaud′y-day. [L. gaudium, delight—gaudēre, to rejoice.]

Gauge, Gage, gāj, n. a measuring-rod: a standard of measure: estimate.—v.t. to measure the contents of any vessel: to estimate ability.—adj. Gauge′able, capable of being gauged.—ns. Gaug′er, an excise officer whose business is to gauge or measure the contents of casks; Gaug′ing, the art of measuring casks containing excisable liquors; Gaug′ing-rod, an instrument for measuring the contents of casks; Broad′-, Narr′ow-gauge, in railroad construction, a distance between the rails greater or less than 56½ inches, called standard gauge. [O. Fr. gauge (Fr. jauge), gauger; prob. related to jale, bowl, to galon, gallon, or to jalon, measuring stake.]

Gaul, gawl, n. a name of ancient France: an inhabitant of Gaul.—adj. Gaul′ish. [Fr.,—L. Gallus; perh. conn. with A.S. wealh, foreign.]

Gault, gawlt, n. a series of beds of clay and marl, between the Upper and the Lower Greensand: brick earth—also Galt.—n. Gault′er, one who digs gault.

Gaultheria, gal-tē′ri-a, n. a genus of evergreen aromatic plants—one species, the U.S. winter-green, yielding a valued volatile oil. [From the Canadian botanist M. Gaultier.]

Gaum, gawm, v.t. to smear: (obs.) to handle clumsily.—adj. Gaum′y, dauby.

Gaunt, gänt, adj. thin: of a pinched appearance: causing emaciation.—adv. Gaunt′ly.—n. Gaunt′ness. [Skeat compares Norw. gand, pointed stick, and Sw. prov. gank, a lean horse.]

Gauntlet, gänt′let, n. the iron glove of armour, formerly thrown down in challenge: a long glove covering the wrist.—p.adj. Gaunt′leted, wearing a gauntlet or gauntlets.—n. Gaunt′let-guard, a guard of a sword or dagger, protecting the hand very thoroughly.—Run the gauntlet (see Gantlet).—Throw down, Take up, the gauntlet, to give, to accept a challenge. [Fr. gantelet, double dim. of gant, a glove, of Scand. origin; cf. Old Sw. vante, a glove, Ice. vöttr, a glove, Dan. vante.]

Gaup, Gawp, gawp, v.i. (prov.) to gape in astonishment.—ns. Gaup′us, Gawp′us, a silly person.

Gaur, gowr, n. a species of ox inhabiting some of the mountain jungles of India. [Hindustani.]

Gauze, gawz, n. a thin, transparent fabric, originally of silk, now of any fine hard-spun fibre: material slight and open like gauze.—adj. Gauze′-winged, having gauzy wings.—n. Gauz′iness.—adj. Gauz′y.—n. Wire′-gauze (see Wire). [Fr. gaze, dubiously referred to Gaza in Palestine.]

Gavage, ga-väzh′, n. a process of fattening poultry by forcing them to swallow food at fixed intervals: (med.) a similar method of forced feeding. [Fr. gaver—gave, the crop of a bird.]

Gavel, gav′el, n. an old Saxon and Welsh form of tenure by which an estate passed, on the holder's death, to all the sons equally.—v.t. to divide or distribute in this way.—ns. Gav′elkind, a tenure now peculiar to Kent by which the tenant at fifteen can sell the estate or devise it by will, the estate cannot escheat, and on an intestacy the lands descend from the father to all sons in equal portions; Gav′elman, a tenant holding land in gavelkind. [A.S. gafol, tribute; cog. with giefan, to give.]

Gavial, gā′vi-al, n. the East Indian species of crocodile, with very long slender muzzle. [Adapted from Hindustani ghariyāl, a crocodile.]

Gavotte, ga-vot′, n. a lively kind of dance, somewhat like a country-dance, originally a dance of the Gavotes, the people of Gap, in the Upper Alps: the music for such a dance.

Gawk, gawk, adj. left, as in gawk-handed.—ns. Gawk′ihood, Gawk′iness, quality of being gawky.—adj. Gawk′y, awkward, stupid, ungainly.—n. a lout. [Prob. a contr. of gaulick-, galloc-, gallish-(handed); most prob. not related to Fr. gauche.]

Gay, gā, adj. lively: bright: sportive, merry: wanton, dissipated, of loose life: showy: (prov.) spotted.—adv. (Scot.) fairly, considerably.—ns. Gai′ety, Gay′ety, Gay′ness.—advs. Gai′ly, Gay′ly; Gay′some, gladsome.—Gay science, a rendering of gai saber, the Provençal name for the art of poetry. [O. Fr. gai—Old High Ger. wâhi, pretty, not gâhi, swift (Diez).]

Gayal, Gyal, gī′al, n. a kind of East Indian ox, long domesticated, dark brown in colour, with short curved horns. [Hindi.]

Gay-you, gī′-ū, n. a narrow, flat-bottomed fishing-boat, of two or three masts, used in Annam.

Gaze, gāz, v.i, to look fixedly.—n. a fixed look: the object gazed at—(Spens.) Gaze′ment.—adj. Gaze′ful (Spens.), looking intently.—ns. Gaze′-hound, a hound that pursues by sight rather than scent; Gaz′er, one who gazes; Gaz′ing-stock, a person exposed to public view, generally in a bad sense.—At gaze, in the attitude of gazing. [Prob. cog. with obs. gaw, to stare, Ice. gá, to heed. Some compare the Sw. gasa, to stare.]

Gazebo, gā-zē′bō, n. a summer-house with a wide prospect. [Humorously formed from gaze.]

Gazelle, Gazel, ga-zel′, n. a small species of antelope with beautiful dark eyes, found in Arabia and North Africa. [Fr.,—Ar. ghazāl, a wild-goat.]

Gazette, ga-zet′, n. a newspaper: one of the three official newspapers of the United Kingdom, published in Edinburgh, London, and Dublin, with record of every appointment in the public service.—v.t. to publish in a gazette:—pr.p. gazett′ing; pa.p. gazett′ed.—n. Gazetteer′, a geographical dictionary: (orig.) a writer for a gazette, official journalist.—v.t. to describe in gazetteers.—adj. Gazettee′rish, like a gazetteer in style.—Appear, Have one's name, in the Gazette, to be mentioned in one of the three official newspapers, esp. of bankrupts. [Fr.,—It. gazzetta, a small coin; or from It. gazzetta, in the sense of a magpie=a chatterer.]

Gazogene, gaz′o-jēn, n. an instrument for manufacturing aerated waters, usually for domestic use, by the action of an acid on an alkali carbonate. [Fr., gaz, gas, Gr. genēs—gignesthai, to become.]

Gazon, ga-zon′, n. a sod or piece of turf, used in fortification.—n. Gazoon′, used erroneously by Hogg for a compact body of men. [Fr., grass.]

Geal, jē′al, adj. pertaining to the earth regarded as a planet. [Gr. gē, earth.]

Gear, gēr, n. a state of preparation: dress: harness: tackle: (mech.) connection by means of toothed wheels: (obs.) a matter, affair.—v.t. to put in gear, as machinery.—p.adj. Geared, connected with the motor by gearing.—ns. Gear′ing, harness: working implements: (mech.) a train of toothed wheels and pinions; Gear′-wheel, a wheel with teeth or cogs which impart or transmit motion by acting on those of another wheel; Driv′ing-gear, those parts in a machine most nearly concerned in imparting motion.—Multiplying gearing, a combination of cog-wheels for imparting motion from wheels of larger to wheels of smaller diameter, by which the rate of revolution is increased; Out of gear, out of running order, unprepared; Straight gearing, the name given when the planes of motion are parallel—opposed to Bevelled gearing, when the direction is changed (see Bevel). [M. E. gere, prob. Ice. gervi; cf. A.S. gearwe, Old High Ger. garawi, Eng. yare and gar, v.]

Geason, gē′zn, adj. (Spens.) rare: wonderful. [A.S. gǽsne, gésne, wanting, barren.]

Geat, jēt, n. the hole in a mould through which the metal is poured in casting.

Geck, gek, n. a dupe: scorn, object of scorn.—v.t. to mock.—v.i. to scoff at. [Prob. Low Ger. geck; Dut. gek, Ger. geck.]

Gecko, gek′ō, n. one of a family of small dull-coloured lizards called Geckotidæ. [Malay gēkoq.]

Gee, gē, n. (prov.) a fit of ill-temper, usually in phrase 'to take the gee.'

Gee, jē, v.i. of horses, to move to the offside—the right, the driver standing on the left.—v.t. to cause so to move.—v.i. to go, to suit, get on well.—n. Gee-gee, a horse.—Gee up, to proceed faster.

Geëz, gē-ez′, Giz, gēz, n. the ancient language of Ethiopia, a Semitic tongue closely related to Arabic.

Gegg, geg, n. (Scot.) a hoax, trick.—v.t. to hoax.—n. Geg′gery, trickery.

Gehenna, ge-hen′a, n. the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, in which the Israelites sacrificed their children to Moloch, and to which, at a later time, the refuse of the city was conveyed to be slowly burned—hence (N.T.) hell. [L.,—Heb. Ge, valley of, and Hinnom.]

Gelatine, Gelatin, jel′a-tin, n. an animal substance which dissolves in hot water and forms a jelly when cold.—adj. Gelatig′enous, producing gelatine.—vs.t. Gelat′ināte, Gelat′inīse, to make into gelatine or jelly.—vs.i. to be converted into gelatine or jelly.—ns. Gelatinā′tion, Gelatinisā′tion.—adjs. Gelatin′iform, having the form of gelatine; Gela′tinoid, like gelatine; Gelat′inous, resembling or formed into jelly.—n. Gelā′tion, solidification by cold.—Explosive gelatine, a powerful explosive made by gently heating nitro-glycerine in a water-bath, then dissolving gun-cotton in it. [Fr.,—It. gelatina, gelata, jelly.]

Geld, geld, n. a historical term meaning money: tribute. [A.S. geld, gyld, payment; Ice. giald, money.]

Geld, geld, v.t. to emasculate, castrate: to spay: to deprive of anything essential, to enfeeble: to deprive of anything objectionable.—ns. Geld′er; Geld′ing, act of castrating: a castrated animal, esp. a horse. [Ice. gelda; Dan. gilde.]

Gelid, jel′id, adj. icy cold: cold.—adv. Gel′idly.—ns. Gel′idness, Gelid′ity. [L. gelidus—gelu, frost.]

Gelotometer, jel-ot-om′e-ter, n. (Landor) a gauge for measuring laughter.

Gelsemium, jel-sē′mi-um, n. the yellow or Cardina jasmine, a climbing plant of the Atlantic Southern United States, having large fragrant blossoms and perennial dark-green leaves. [It. gelsomino, jasmine.]

Gem, jem, n. any precious stone, esp. when cut: anything extremely valuable or attractive, a treasure.—v.t. (obs.) to bud: to adorn with gems: to bespangle:—pr.p. gem′ming; pa.p. gemmed.—ns. Gem′-cut′ting, the art of cutting and polishing precious stones; Gem′-engrav′ing, the art of engraving figures on gems.—adj. Gem′meous, pertaining to gems.—n. Gem′mery, gems generally.—adj. Gem′my, full of gems, brilliant. [A.S. gim; Old High Ger. gimma—L. gemma, a bud.]

Gemara, ge-mär′a, n. the second part of the Talmud, consisting of commentary and complement to the first part, the Mishna. [Aramaic, 'completion.']

Gematria, ge-mā′tri-a, n. a cabbalistic method of interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures by interchanging words whose letters have the same numerical value when added. [Rabbinical Heb.,—Gr. geōmetria, geometry.]

Gemel-ring, jem′el-ring, n. a ring with two or more links.—n. Gem′el, a twin.—adj. Gemellip′arous, producing twins. [O. Fr. gemel (Fr. jumeau)—L. gemellus, dim. of geminus, twin, and ring.]

Geminate, jem′in-āt, adj. (bot.) in pairs.—v.t. (rare) to double.—n. Geminā′tion, a doubling: repetition of a word to add emphasis: (philol.) the doubling of a consonant originally single. [L. gemināre, ātum—geminus, twin.]

Gemini, jem′i-nī, n.pl. the twins, a constellation containing the two bright stars Castor and Pollux.—adj. Gem′inous (bot.), double, in pairs.—n. Gem′iny (Shak.), twins, a pair: used as a mild oath or interjection, from the common Latin oath O Gemini, or simply Gemini—spelt also geminy, gemony, jiminy. [L., pl. of geminus, twin-born.]

Gemmation, jem-mā′shun, n. (bot.) act or time of budding: arrangement of buds on the stalk.—n. Gem′ma, a bud:—pl. Gem′mæ.—adjs. Gemmā′ceous, pertaining to leaf-buds; Gem′māte, having buds; Gem′mative; Gemmif′erous, producing buds.—n. Gemmipar′ity.—adj. Gemmip′arous (zool.), reproducing by buds growing on the body.—n. Gem′mūle, a little gem or leaf-bud.—adj. Gemmulif′erous, bearing gemmules. [Fr.,—L. gemmāre, -ātum.]

Gemot, Gemote, ge-mōt′, n. a meeting or assembly. [A.S. gemót. Cf. Moot.]

Gemsbok, jemz′bok, n. a species of antelope, found in South Africa, about the size of a stag, with long straight horns. [Dut.]

Genappe, je-nap′, n. a smooth worsted yarn used with silk in fringes, braid, &c. [Genappe in Belgium.]

Gendarme, jang-darm′, n. originally a mounted lancer, but since the Revolution one of a corps of military police, divided into legions and companies:—pl. Gendarmes′, Gensdarmes′.—n. Gendar′merie, the armed police of France. [Fr. gendarme, sing. from pl. gens d'armes, men-at-arms—gens, people, de, of, armes, arms.]

Gender, jen′dėr, v.t. to beget.—v.i. (B.) to copulate. [An abbrev. of engender.]

Gender, jen′dėr, n. kind, esp. with regard to sex: (gram.) the distinction of nouns according to sex. [Fr. genre—L. genus, generis, a kind, kin.]

Genealogy, jen-e-al′o-ji, n. history of the descent of families: the pedigree of a particular person or family.—adj. Genealog′ical.—adv. Genealog′ically.—v.i. Geneal′ogise, to investigate or treat of genealogy.—n. Geneal′ogist, one who studies or traces genealogies or descents.—Genealogical tree, the lineage of a family or person under the form of a tree with roots, branches, &c. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. genealogia—genea, birth, legein, to speak of.]

General, jen′ėr-al, adj. relating to a genus or whole class: including many species: not special: not restricted: common: prevalent: public: loose: vague.—n. a class embracing many species: an officer who is head over a whole department: a military officer who commands a body of men not less than a brigade (often general officer): the chief commander of an army in service: (R.C. Church) the head of a religious order, responsible only to the Pope: (Shak.) the public, the vulgar.—n. General′ē, esp. in pl. Generalia, general principles.—adj. Generalī′sable.—n. Generalisā′tion.—v.t. Generalīse′, to include under a general term: to infer (the nature of a class) from one or a few instances.—v.i. to reason inductively.—n. General′ity.—advs. Gen′erally, Gen′eral (obs.), in a general or collective manner or sense: in most cases: upon the whole.—n. Gen′eralship, the position of a military commander: military tactics.—General Assembly (see Assembly); General Epistle, one addressed to the whole Church (same as Catholic Epistle); General practitioner, a physician who devotes himself to general practice rather than to special diseases; General principle, a principle to which there are no exceptions within its range of application; General servant, a servant whose duties are not special, but embrace domestic work of every kind.—In general, mostly, as a general rule. [O. Fr.,—L. generalis—genus.]

Generalissimo, jen-ėr-al-is′i-mo, n. the chief general or commander of an army of two or more divisions, or of separate armies. [It.]

Generate, jen′ėr-āt, v.t. to produce: to bring into life: to originate.—adj. Gen′erable, that may be generated or produced.—ns. Gen′erant (math.), a line, point, or figure that produces another figure by its motion; Generā′tion, a producing or originating: a single stage in natural descent: the people of the same age or period: offspring, progeny, race: (pl.) genealogy, history (B.); Generā′tionism, traducianism.—adj. Gen′erātive, having the power of generating or producing.—ns. Gen′erātor, begetter or producer: the principal sound in music; Gen′erātrix (geom.), the point, line, or surface which, by its motion, generates another magnitude.—adjs. Genet′ic, -al, pertaining to genesis or production.—adv. Genet′ically.—ns. Gen′etrix, Gen′itrix, a female parent; Gen′itor, a progenitor; Gen′iture, birth.—Alternation of generations, a complication in the life-history of plants, when the organism produces offspring unlike itself, but giving rise in turn to forms like the original parents; Spontaneous generation, the origination of living from non-living matter: abiogenesis. [L. generāre, -ātum—genus, a kind.]

Generous, jen′ėr-us, adj. of a noble nature: courageous: liberal: bountiful: invigorating in its nature, as wine: (obs.) nobly born.—adv. Gen′erously.—ns. Gen′erousness, Generos′ity, nobleness or liberality of nature: (arch.) nobility of birth. [Fr. généreux—L. generosus, of noble birth—genus, birth.]

Genesis, jen′e-sis, n. generation, creation, or production: the first book of the Bible, so called from its containing an account of the Creation:—pl. Gen′esēs.—adjs. Genes′iac, -al, Genesit′ic, pertaining to Genesis. [L.,—Gr.,—gignesthai, to beget.]

Genet, jen′et, n. a carnivorous animal, allied to the civet, of a gray colour, marked with black or brown, a native of Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe: its fur, made into muffs and tippets.—Also Gen′ette. [Fr. genette—Sp. gineta—Ar. jarnait, a genet.]

Genethliac, -al, jē-neth′li-ak, -al, adj. pertaining to a birthday or nativity.—n. a birthday poem.—n. Genethlī′acon, a birthday ode.—adjs. Genethlialog′ic, -al.—n. Genethlial′ogy, the art of casting nativities.

Geneva, je-nē′va, n. a spirit distilled from grain and flavoured with juniper-berries, also called Hollands.—n. Genevette′, a wine made from wild fruits flavoured with juniper-berries. [Dut. genever, jenever, O. Fr. genevre (Fr. genièvre)—L. juniperus, the juniper; corrupted to Geneva by confusion with the town of that name. See Gin.]

Genevan, jē-nē′van, adj. pertaining to Geneva.—n. an inhabitant of Geneva: an adherent of Genevan or Calvinistic theology.—adjs. and ns. Genē′van, Genevēse′.—n. Genē′vanism, Calvinism.—Geneva Bible, a version of the Bible with racy notes produced by English exiles at Geneva in 1560; Geneva Convention, an international agreement of 1865 providing for the neutrality of hospitals, and the security of sanitary officers, naval and military chaplains; Geneva Cross, a red cross on a white ground displayed for protection in war of persons serving in hospitals, &c.; Geneva gown, the dark, loose preaching gown affected by the early Geneva reformers, and still the common form of pulpit-gown among Presbyterians; Genevan theology, so called from Calvin's residence in Geneva and the establishment of his doctrines there.

Genial, jē′ni-al, adj. pertaining to generation, producing: cheering: kindly: sympathetic: healthful.—v.t. Gē′nialise, to impart geniality to.—ns. Genial′ity, Gē′nialness.—adv. Gē′nially. [Fr.—L. genialis, from genius, the spirit of social enjoyment.]

Genial, jen′i-al, adj. of or pertaining to the chin. [Gr. geneion—genys, the jaw.]

Geniculate, -d, je-nik′ū-lāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) bent abruptly like the knee: jointed: knotted.—v.t. Genic′ulate, to form joints in.—n. Geniculā′tion. [L. geniculāre, -ātum—geniculum, a little knee—genu, the knee.]

Genipap, jen′i-pap, n. a large West Indian tree with excellent fruit. [Native.]

Genista, jē-nis′ta, n. a large genus of shrubby, leguminous plants, with simple leaves and yellow flowers. [L. genista, broom.]

Genital, jen′i-tal, adj. belonging to generation or the act of producing.—n.pl. Gen′itals (also Genitā′lia), the exterior organs of generation. [L. genitalis—gignĕre, genitum, to beget.]

Genitive, jen′i-tiv, adj. (gram.) applied to a case properly denoting the class or kind to which a thing belongs, represented in modern English by the possessive case.—adj. Genitī′val. [L. genitivus (gignĕre, genitum, to beget), as if indicating origin, a mistranslation of Gr. genikos—genos, a class.]

Genius, jēn′yus, or jē′ni-us, n. the special inborn faculty of any individual: special taste or disposition qualifying for a particular employment: a man having such power of mind: a good or evil spirit, supposed by the ancients to preside over every person, place, and thing, and esp. to preside over a man's destiny from his birth: prevailing spirit or tendency: type or generic exemplification—(obs.) Gēn′io:—pl. Geniuses (jēn′yus-ez).—Genius loci (L.), the presiding divinity of a place:—pl. Genii (jē′ni-ī). [L. genius—gignĕre, genitum, to beget.]

Genoese, je-nō-ēz′, adj. relating to Genoa—also Genovese′.—n. an inhabitant of Genoa.

Genre, zhangr, n. kind, style: a style of painting scenes from familiar or rustic life. [Fr. genre, kind—L. genus.]

Gens, jenz, n. in ancient Rome, a clan including several families descended from a common ancestor: a tribe:—pl. Gen′tes. [L.]

Genteel, jen-tēl′, adj. well-bred: graceful in manners or in form: fashionable.—adj. Genteel′ish, somewhat genteel.—adv. Genteel′ly.—n. Genteel′ness (same as Gentility).—The genteel, the manners and usages of genteel or well-bred society. [Fr. gentil—L. gentilis, belonging to the same gens, or clan—later, well-bred.]

Gentian, jen′shan, n. a plant the root of which is used in medicine, said by Pliny to have been brought into use by Gentius, king of Illyria, conquered by the Romans in 167 B.C.—ns. Gentianel′la, a name for several species of gentian, esp. Gentiana acaulis, with deep-blue flowers; Gen′tianine, a yellow crystalline bitter compound obtained from the yellow gentian.

Gentile, jen′tīl, n. (B.) any one not a Jew: any one not a Christian.—adj. of or belonging to a gens or clan: belonging to any nation but the Jews: (gram.) denoting a race or country.—adjs. Gentil′ic, tribal; Gen′tilish, heathenish.—n. Gen′tilism, paganism.—adjs. Gentili′tial, Gentili′tian, Gentili′tious, pertaining to a gens. [L. gentilis—gens, a nation.]

Gentle, jen′tl, adj. well-born: mild and refined in manners: mild in disposition: amiable: soothing: moderate: gradual.—v.t. (Shak.) to make gentle.—n. (obs.) a person of good family: (Shak.) a trained falcon: the larva of the flesh-fly, used as a bait in angling.—n. Gentilesse′, the quality of being gentle, courtesy.—v.t. Gen′tilise, to raise to the class of gentleman.—n. Gentil′ity, good birth or extraction: good breeding: politeness of manners: genteel people: marks of gentility.—n.pl. Gen′tlefolk, people of good family.—adj. Gen′tle-heart′ed, having a gentle or kind disposition.—n. Gen′tlehood, position or character attaching to gentle birth.—n. Gen′tleness.—adv. Gent′ly.—n. Gen′trice, gentle birth, courtesy.—Gentle reader, courteous reader, an old-fashioned phrase common in the prefaces of books.—The gentle craft, a phrase used to specify shoe-making, also angling; The gentle (or gentler) sex, women in general as opposed to the stern or sterner sex. [Fr.,—L. gentilis. See Genteel.]

Gentleman, jen′tl-man, n. a man of good birth: one who without a title wears a coat of arms: more generally every man above the rank of yeoman, including the nobility: one above the trading classes: a man of refined manners: a polite term used for man in general: (Shak.) a body-servant:—pl. Gen′tlemen—also a word of address:—fem. Gen′tlewoman.—ns. Gen′tleman-at-arms, a member of the royal bodyguard, instituted in 1509, and now composed of military officers of service and distinction only; Gen′tleman-comm′oner, a member of the higher class of commoners at Oxford University; Gen′tlemanhood, Gen′tlemanship, the condition or character of a gentleman.—adjs. Gen′tlemanlike, Gen′tlemanly, well-bred, refined, generous; Gen′tlemanliness.—adj. Gen′tlewomanly, like a refined and well-bred woman.—n. Gen′tlewomanliness.—Gentleman farmer, a landowner who resides on his estate and superintends the cultivation of his own soil; Gentleman of the Chapel-royal, a lay-singer who assists the priests in the choral service of the royal chapel; Gentleman's gentleman, a valet, or gentleman's body-servant; Gentleman usher, a gentleman who serves as an usher at court, or as an attendant on a person of rank.

Gentry, jen′tri, n. the class of people below the rank of nobility: (coll.) people of a particular, esp. an inferior, stamp: (Shak.) noble birth. [Apparently an altered form of gentrice, from O. Fr. genterise, gentelise, formed from adj. gentil, gentle.]

Genuflect, jen-ū-flekt′, v.i. to bend the knee in worship or respect.—ns. Genuflec′tion, Genuflex′ion. [L. genu, the knee, flectĕre, to bend.]

Genuine, jen′ū-in, adj. natural, not spurious or adulterated: real: pure: (zool.) conformable to type.—adv. Gen′uinely.—n. Gen′uineness. [L. genuinus—gignĕre, to beget.]

Genus, jē′nus, n. (zool.) a group consisting of a number of species closely connected by common characters or natural affinity: (log.) a class of objects comprehending several subordinate species:—pl. Genera (jen′ėra).—adjs. Gener′ic, -al, pertaining to a genus: relating to gender: of a general nature, not special: distinctly characteristic.—adv. Gener′ically. [L. genus, generis, birth; cog. with Gr. genos—gignesthai.]

Geocentric, -al, jē-o-sen′trik, -al, adj. having the earth for its centre: (astron.) as seen or measured from the earth.—adv. Geocen′trically.—n. Geocen′tricism. [Gr. gē, the earth, kentron, a centre.]

Geocyclic, jē-ō-sik′lik, adj. pertaining to the revolutions of the earth.

Geode, jē′ōd, n. (min.) a rounded nodule of stone with a hollow interior.—adj. Geodif′erous, bearing or producing geodes. [Fr.,—Gr. geōdēs, earth-like, earthen—gē, earth, eidos, form.]

Geodesy, je-od′e-si, n. a science whose object is to measure the earth and its parts on a large scale.—ns. Geodē′sian, Geod′esist, one skilled in geodesy.—adjs. Geodes′ic, -al, Geodet′ic, -al, pertaining to or determined by geodesy. [Fr. géodésie—Gr. geōdaisia—gē, the earth, daiein, to divide.]

Geognosy, je-og′no-si, n. the study of the materials of the earth's substance, now frequently called Petrography—also Geognō′sis.—n. Gē′ognost.—adjs. Geognost′ic, -al.—adv. Geognost′ically. [Fr. géognosie—Gr. gē, the earth, gnōsis, knowledge.]

Geogony, je-og′o-ni, n. the doctrine of the production or formation of the earth—also Geog′eny.—adj. Geogon′ic. [Gr., gē, the earth, gonē, generation.]

Geography, je-og′ra-fi, n. the science which describes the surface of the earth and its inhabitants: a book containing a description of the earth.—n. Geog′rapher.—adjs. Geograph′ic, -al, relating to geography.—adv. Geograph′ically.—Geographical distribution (see Distribution).—Descriptive geography, that part of geography which consists in a statement of facts; Historical geography, that part of geography which investigates the changes which have occurred in the governmental control of territory; Physical geography (see Physical); Political geography, geography that gives an account of the different communities of mankind. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. geōgraphia—gē, the earth, graphē, a description—graphein, to write.]

Geolatry, jē-ol′a-tri, n. earth-worship. [Gr. gē, the earth, latreia, worship.]

Geology, je-ol′o-ji, n. the science relating to the history and development of the earth's crust, together with the several floras and faunas which have successively clothed and peopled its surface.—ns. Geolo′gian, Geol′ogist.—adjs. Geolog′ic, -al, pertaining to geology.—adv. Geolog′ically.—v.i. Geol′ogise.—Dynamical geology, the study of natural operations based on the belief that the effects of Nature's agents in the present will further interpret the records of such actions in the past; Structural geology, that geology which treats of the mode in which rocks are built up in the earth's crust. [Fr. géologie—Gr. gē, the earth, logia, a discourse.]

Geomancy, jē′o-man-si, n. divination by figures or lines drawn on the earth.—n. Gē′omancer.—adj. Ge′omantic, pertaining to geomancy. [Fr. géomancie—Gr. gē, the earth, manteia, divination.]

Geometry, je-om′e-tri, n. that branch of mathematics which treats of magnitude and its relations: a text-book of geometry.—ns. Geom′eter, Geometri′cian, one skilled in geometry.—adjs. Geomet′ric, -al.—adv. Geomet′rically.—v.i. Geom′etrise, to study geometry.—n. Geom′etrist. [Fr. géométrie—L., Gr. geometria—gē, the earth, metron, a measure.]

Geomys, jē′ō-mis, n. the typical genus of Geomyidæ, the pouched rats or pocket-gophers. [Gr. gē, the earth, mys, mouse.]

Geonomy, jē-on′o-mi, n. the science of the physical laws relating to the earth.—adj. Geonom′ic. [Gr. gē, earth, nomos, law.]

Geophagy, jē-of′a-ji, n. the act or practice of eating earth—also Geoph′agism.—n. Geoph′agist.—adj. Geoph′agous. [Gr. gē, the earth, phagein, to eat.]

Geoponic, -al, jē-o-pon′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to tilling the earth or to agriculture.—n.pl. Geopon′ics, the science of agriculture. [Fr. géoponique—Gr. geōponikos—gē, the earth, ponos, labour.]

Georama, jē-o-rä′ma, n. an apparatus for exhibiting the seas, lakes, rivers, and mountains on the earth's surface. [Gr. gē, the earth, horama, a view—horaein, to see.]

Geordie, jōr′di, n. a guinea, from the figure of St George upon the back: a safety-lamp for miners invented by George Stephenson: a coal-pitman, a collier-boat.

George, jorj, n. a jewelled figure of St George slaying the dragon, worn by Knights of the Garter.

Georgian, jorj′i-an, adj. relating to the reigns of the four Georges, kings of Great Britain: belonging to Georgia in the Caucasus, its people, language, &c.: pertaining to the American State of Georgia.—Also n.

Georgic, jorj′ik, adj. relating to agriculture or rustic affairs.—n. a poem on husbandry. [L. georgicus—Gr. geōrgikos—geōrgia, agriculture—gē, the earth, ergon, a work.]

Geoscopy, jē-os′kō-pi, n. knowledge of the earth or its soil gained from observation. [Gr. gē, the earth, skopein, to view.]

Geoselenic, jē-o-se-len′ik, adj. relating to the earth and the moon in their mutual relations. [Gr. gē, the earth, selēnē, the moon.]

Geostatic, jē-o-stat′ik, adj. capable of sustaining the pressure of earth from all sides.—n.pl. Geostat′ics, the statics of rigid bodies. [Gr. gē, the earth, statikos, causing to stand.]

Geotectonic, jē-o-tek-ton′ik, adj. relating to the structure of the earth. [Gr. gē, the earth, tektōn, a builder.]

Geothermic, jē-o-ther′mik, adj. pertaining to the internal heat of the earth.—n. Geothermom′eter, an instrument for measuring subterranean temperatures. [Gr. gē, the earth, thermos, heat.]

Geotropism, jē-ot′ro-pizm, n. (bot.) tendency to growth downward.—adj. Geotrop′ic. [Gr. gē, the earth, tropos, a turning.]

Gerah, gē′ra, n. (B.) the smallest Hebrew weight and coin, 1⁄20th of a shekel, worth about 1½d. [Heb. gērāh.]

Geranium, je-rā′ni-um, n. a genus of plants with seed-vessels like a crane's bill. [L.,—Gr. geranion—geranos, a crane.]

Geratology, jer-at-ol′o-ji, n. the science of the phenomena of decadence. [Gr. gēras, old age, logia, discourse.]

Gerbe, jerb, n. something resembling a sheaf of wheat: a kind of firework. [Fr.]

Gerfalcon, Gyrfalcon, jėr′fawl-kon, -fawk'n, n. a large falcon, found in the northern regions of both the Old and New Worlds. [O. Fr. gerfaucon—Low L. gyrofalco, most prob. Old High Ger. gîr, a vulture (Ger. geier). See Falcon.]

Germ, jėrm, n. a rudimentary form of a living thing, whether a plant or animal: (bot.) the seed-bud of a plant: a shoot: that from which anything springs, the origin: a first principle.—v.i. to put forth buds, sprout.—n. Germ′icide, that which destroys germs. [Fr. germe—L. germen, a bud.]

German, jėr′man, adj. of the first degree, as cousins german: closely allied.—n. one from the same stock or closely allied.—adj. Germane′, nearly related: relevant, appropriate. [O. Fr. germain—L. germanus, prob. for germinanus—germen, -inis, origin.]

German, jėr′man, n. a native of Germany; the German language:—pl. Ger′mans.—adj. of or from Germany.—adjs. Germanesque′, marked by German characteristics; German′ic, pertaining to Germany.—adv. German′ically.—v.i. Ger′manise, to show German qualities.—adj. Ger′manish, somewhat German in qualities.—ns. Ger′manism, an idiom of the German language; Ger′manist.—adj. Germanis′tic, pertaining to the study of German.—n. Ger′man-sil′ver, an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, white like silver, and first made in Germany.—High German, the variety of Teutonic speech, originally confined to 'High' or Southern Germany, but now accepted as the literary language throughout the whole of Germany; Low German, properly Plattdeutsch, the general name for the dialects of Germany which are not High German, but also applied by philologists to all the West Germanic dialects except High German (including English, Dutch, Frisian), and formerly in a still wider sense including also Gothic and Scandinavian. [L. Germani, 'shouters,' from Celt. gairm, a loud cry; or 'neighbours'—i.e. to the Gauls, from Celt. (Old Ir.) gair, a neighbour.]

Germander, jėr′man-dėr, n. a large genus of labiate herbs with aromatic, bitter, and stomachic properties. [Low L. germandra—Gr. chamandrya, chamaidrys—chamai, on the ground, drys, oak.]

Germanium, jėr-mā′ni-um, n. an element discovered in 1885 in argyrodite.

Germen, jėrm′en, n. a disused botanical synonym for Ovary (q.v.)—(Shak.) Germ′in.—adj. Germ′inal, pertaining to a germ. [See Germ.]

Germinal, zhār-mē-nal′, n. the seventh month of the French revolutionary calendar, March 21-April 19.

Germinate, jėrm′in-āt, v.i. to spring from a germ: to begin to grow.—v.t. to produce.—adj. Germ′inant, sprouting: sending forth germs or buds.—n. Germinā′tion.—adj. Germ′inative. [L. germināre, -ātum—germen, a bud.]

Gerontocracy, jer-on-tok′ra-si, n. government by old men. [Gr. gerōn, an old man, kratos, power.]

Geropigia, jer-o-pij′i-a, n. a mixture of grape-juice, brandy, &c., used to sophisticate port-wine. [Port.]

Gerrymander, jer-i-man′der, v.t. (Amer.) to rearrange the voting districts in the interests of a particular party or candidate: to manipulate facts, arguments, &c. so as to reach undue conclusions.—n. an arrangement of the above nature. [Formed from the name of Governor Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814) and Salamander, from the likeness to that animal of the gerrymandered map of Massachusetts in 1811.]

Gerund, jer′und, n. a part of the Latin verb which has the value of a verbal noun—e.g. amandum, loving.—ns. Ger′und-grind′er, a teacher, tutor; Ger′und-grind′ing.—adj. Gerund′ial.—n. Gerund′ive, the future passive participle of a Latin verb. [L. gerundium—gerĕre, to bear.]

Gervao, ger-vä′o n. a small medicinal verbenaceous shrub of the West Indies, &c. [Braz.]

Gesso, jes′ō, n. a plaster surface, prepared as a ground for painting. [It.]

Gest, jest, n. an exploit: demeanour, bearing: a tale of adventure, a romance.—Gesta Romanorum ('deeds of the Romans'), the title of a collection of short stories and legends in Latin, with moralisations appended, which probably took its present form in England about the beginning of the 14th century. [L. gesta, things done—gerĕre, gestum, to bear.]

Gestation, jes-tā′shun, n. the act of carrying the young in the womb, pregnancy.—adjs. Ges′tant, laden; Ges′tatory, pertaining to gestation. [Fr.,—L. gestation-em—gestāre, -ātum, to carry—gerĕre, to bear.]

Gesticulate, jes-tik′ū-lāt, v.i. to make gestures when speaking: to play antic tricks.—adj. Ges′tic, pertaining to motion, esp. dancing.—ns. Gesticulā′tion, act of making gestures in speaking: a gesture; Gestic′ulātor, one who makes gestures.—adj. Gestic′ulātory, representing or abounding in gesticulations. [L. gesticulāri, -ātus—gesticulus, dim. of gestus, gesture—gerĕre, to carry.]

Gesture, jes′tūr, n. a posture, or movement of the body: an action expressive of sentiment or passion: (Shak.) behaviour.—adj. Ges′tural. [Low L. gestura—L. gestus, from L. gerĕre, to carry.]

Get, get, v.t. to obtain: to seize: to procure or cause to be: to beget offspring: to learn: to persuade: (B.) to betake, to carry.—v.i. to arrive or put one's self in any place, state, or condition: to become:—pr.p. get′ting; pa.t. got; pa.p. got, (obs.) got′ten.—ns. Get′ter, one who gets or obtains: one who begets; Get′ting, a gaining: anything gained: procreation; Get′-up, equipment: general appearance.—Get ahead, along, to make progress, advance; Get at, to reach, attain; Get off, to escape; Get on, to proceed, advance; Get out, to produce: to go away; Get over, to surmount; Get round, to circumvent: to persuade, talk over; Get through, to finish; Get up, to arise, to ascend: to arrange, prepare. [A.S. gitan, to get.]

Geum, jē′um, n. a genus of perennial herbs, of order Rosaceæ, contains the avens or herb-bennet, &c. [L.]

Gewgaw, gū′gaw, n. a toy: a bauble.—adj. showy without value. [Acc. to Skeat, a reduplicated form of A.S. gifan, to give; preserved also in Northern Eng., as giff-gaff, interchange of intercourse.]

Geyser, gīsėr, n. a hot spring, as in Iceland, which spouts water into the air. [Ice., geysa, to gush.]

Ghast, gast, v.t. (Shak.) to strike aghast: to affright.—adj. Ghast′ful (Spens.), dreary, dismal.—adv. Ghast′fully, frightfully.—ns. Ghast′liness, Ghast′ness (Shak.).—adj. Ghast′ly, death-like: hideous. [A.S. gǽstlic, terrible. See Aghast.]

Ghat, Ghaut, gawt, n. in India, a mountain-pass: a chain of mountains: landing-stairs for bathers on the sides of a river or tank. [Hind. ghāt.]

Ghazal, gaz′al, n. a form of Persian verse in which the first two lines rhyme, and for this rhyme a new one must be found in the second line of each succeeding couplet: a piece of music in which a simple theme is constantly recurring.—Also Gaz′el, Ghaz′el. [Pers. arghazel, a love-poem.]

Ghazi, gä′zē, n. a veteran Mohammedan soldier, one who has fought for the faith. [Ar., 'a warrior.']

Ghee, gē, n. an Indian clarified butter, generally prepared from buffaloes' milk. [Hind. ghī.]

Gherkin, gėr′kin, n. a small cucumber used for pickling. [Dut. agurkje, a gherkin; a word of Eastern origin, as in Pers. khiyár, a cucumber, Byzantine angourion, a water-melon.]

Ghetto, get′ō, n. the Jews' quarter in Italian cities, to which they used to be strictly confined. [It.]

Ghibelline, gib′e-lin, n. one of a party in Italy in the Middle Ages which supported the imperial authority, as opposed to the Guelfs. [See Guelf.]

Ghost, gōst, n. the soul of man: a spirit appearing after death: (Shak.) a dead body: (slang) one who writes a statesman's speeches for him, &c.—v.i. to appear to.—adj. Ghost′-like.—n. Ghost′liness.—adj. Ghost′ly, spiritual, religious: pertaining to apparitions.—ns. Ghost′-moth, a species of moth very common in Britain, its caterpillar destructive to hop-gardens; Ghost′-stō′ry, a story in which ghosts figure; Ghost′-word, a fictitious word that has originated in the blunder of a scribe or printer—common in dictionaries.—Give up the ghost (B.), to die.—Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity. [A.S. gást; Ger. geist.]

Ghoul, gōōl, n. an Eastern demon which devours the dead.—adj. Ghoul′ish. [Pers.]

Giambeaux, zham′bō, n.pl. (Spens.) armour for the legs. [Fr.,—jambe, leg.]

Giant, jī′ant, n. an individual whose stature and bulk exceed those of his species or race generally: a person of extraordinary powers:—fem. Gī′antess.—adj. gigantic.—ns. Gī′antism, Gī′antship, the quality or character of a giant.—adj. Gī′antly, giant-like.—n. Gī′ant-pow′der, a kind of dynamite.—adj. Gī′ant-rude (Shak.), enormously rude or uncivil.—n. Gī′antry, giants collectively. [O. Fr. geant (Fr. géant)—L.,—Gr. gigas, gigantos.]

Giaour, jowr, n. infidel, a term applied by the Turks to all who are not of their own religion. [Turk. jawr—Ar. káfir, an infidel.]

Gib, jib, n. the projecting arm of a crane: a wedge-shaped piece of metal holding another in place, &c.—v.t. to fasten with such.

Gib, jib, n. a cat—Also Gib′-cat (Shak.). [A corr. of Gilbert, as 'Tom-cat,' hardly for glib=lib.]

Gibberish, gib′ėr-ish, n. rapid, gabbling talk: unmeaning words.—adj. unmeaning.—v.i. Gibb′er, to speak senselessly or inarticulately.—n. Gibb′le-gabble, gabble. [See Gabble.]

Gibbet, jib′et, n. a gallows on which criminals were suspended after execution: the projecting beam of a crane.—v.t. to expose on a gibbet. [O. Fr. gibet, a stick; origin unknown.]

Gibbon, gib′un, n. a genus of tailless anthropoid apes, with very long arms, natives of the East Indies.

Gibbous, gib′us, adj. hump-backed: swelling, convex, as the moon when nearly full—also Gibb′ose.—ns. Gibbos′ity, Gibb′ousness.—adv. Gibb′ously. [L. gibbosus=gibberosus—gibber, a hump.]

Gibe, Jibe, jīb, v.t. to sneer at: to taunt.—n. a taunt: contempt.—n. Gib′er, one who gibes.—adv. Gib′ingly. [Ice. geipa, to talk nonsense.]

Giblets, jib′lets, n.pl. the internal eatable parts of fowl, taken out before cooking it.—adj. Gib′let, made of giblets. [O. Fr. gibelet; origin unknown; not a dim. of gibier, game.]

Giddy, gid′i, adj. unsteady, dizzy: that causes giddiness: whirling: inconstant: thoughtless.—adv. Gidd′ily.—n. Gidd′iness.—adjs. Gidd′y-head′ed, thoughtless, wanting reflection; Gidd′y-paced (Shak.), moving irregularly. [From A.S. giddian, to sing, be merry, gid, a song.]

Gier-eagle, jēr′-ē′gl, n. (B.) a species of eagle. [See Gyrfalcon.]

Gift, gift, n. a thing given: a bribe: a quality bestowed by nature: the act of giving.—v.t. to endow with any power or faculty.—adj. Gift′ed, endowed by nature: intellectual.—ns. Gift′-horse, a horse given as a gift; Gift′ling, a little gift.—Look a gift horse in the mouth, to criticise a gift. [Give.]

Gig, gig, n. a light, two-wheeled carriage: a long, light boat: (U.S.) sport, fun.—v.t. and v.i. Gig′git (U.S.), to convey or move rapidly.—ns. Gig′man, one who drives or keeps a gig—a favourite term of Carlyle's for a narrow philistinism based on the possession of a little more money than others, whence Gig′maness, Gigman′ity, Gig′mānia. [M. E. gigge, a whirling thing (cf. Whirligig); prob. related to Ice. geiga, to turn in a wrong direction. Cf. Jig.]

Gigantic, jī-gan′tik, adj. suitable to a giant: enormous—also Gigantē′an.—adj. Gigantesque′, befitting a giant.—adv. Gigan′tically.—ns. Gigan′ticide, the act of killing a giant; Gigantol′ogy, description of giants; Gigantom′achy, a war of giants. [L. gigas, gigantis, a giant, cædĕre, to kill.]

Giggle, gig′l, v.i. to laugh with short catches of the breath, or in a silly manner.—n. a laugh of this kind.—ns. Gigg′ler; Gigg′ling. [M. E. gagelen, to cackle; cf. Ice. gagl, a goose.]

Giglet, gig′let, n. a giddy girl: a wanton—also Gig′lot.—adj. (Shak.) inconstant. [Prob. Ice. gikkr, a pert person; perh. related to gig. See Jig.]

Gigot, jig′ut, n. a leg of mutton. [Fr.,—O. Fr. gigue, a leg: a fiddle; a word of unknown origin.]

Gild, gild, v.t. to cover or overlay with gold: to cover with any gold-like substance: to gloss over: to adorn with lustre:—pr.p. gild′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. gild′ed or gilt.—ns. Gild′er, one who coats articles with gold; Gild′ing, act or trade of a gilder: gold laid on any surface for ornament.—Gilded Chamber, the House of Lords; Gild the pill, to do something to make a disagreeable thing seem less so. [A.S. gyldan—gold. See Gold.]

Gill, gil, n. one of the breathing organs in fishes and certain other aquatic animals: the flap below the bill of a fowl. [Cf. Dan. giælle, a gill; Ice. gjölnar (pl.), gills; Sw. gäl.]

Gill, jil, n. a measure=¼ pint.—n. Gill′-house, a dram-shop. [O. Fr. gelle; cf. Low L. gillo, a flask; allied to Fr. jale, a large bowl, Eng. gallon.]

Gill, jil, n. a girl, because of the commonness of the name Gillian, cf. 'Jack and Jill:' ground-ivy: beer flavoured with ground-ivy.—n. Gill′-flirt, a wanton girl. [From Gillian or Juliana (from Julius), a female name, contracted Gill, Jill.]

Gillie, Gilly, gil′i, n. a youth, a man-servant, esp. to one hunting. [Gael. gille, a lad, Ir. giolla.]

Gillyflower, jil′i-flow-ėr, n. popular English name for stock, wallflower, &c., from its clove-like smell. [O. Fr. giroflée—Gr. karyophyllon, the clove-tree—karyon, a nut, phyllon, a leaf.]

Gilravage, gil-rav′āj, n. (Scot.) a noisy frolic, disorder.—v.i. to plunder, spoil.

Gilt, gilt, pa.t. and pa.p of gild.—n. that which is used for gilding.—adjs. Gild′ed; Gilt′-edged, having the edges gilt: of the highest quality, as 'gilt-edged securities'=those stocks whose interest is considered perfectly safe.—n. Gilt′-head, a popular name for several fishes, esp. a sparoid fish with a half-moon-shaped gold spot between the eyes.

Gimbal, gim′bal, n. a contrivance for suspending the mariner's compass, so as to keep it always horizontal. [Through Fr. from L. gemelli, twins.]

Gimcrack, jim′krak, n. a toy: a gewgaw: a trivial mechanism—also Jim′crack.—n. Gim′crackery. [Prov. gim or jim, neat, and crack, a lively boy.]

Gimlet, gim′let, n. a small tool for boring holes by turning it with the hand.—v.t. to pierce with a gimlet: (naut.) to turn round (an anchor) as if turning a gimlet.—adj. Gim′let-eyed, very sharp-sighted. [O. Fr. gimbelet, from Teut.; cf. Eng. wimble.]

Gimmal, gim′al, n. a gimbal: (Shak.) anything consisting of parts moving within each other or interlocked—a quaint piece of mechanism—also Gimm′er.—adj. (Shak.) made or consisting of double rings.

Gimmer, gim′ėr, n. a two-year-old ewe. [Ice. gymbr; cf. Sw. gimmer, Dan. gimmer.]

Gimp, gimp, n. a kind of trimming, &c., of silk, woollen, or cotton twist.—v.t. to make or furnish with gimp. [Fr. guimpe, from Old High Ger. wimpal, a light robe; Eng. wimple.]

Gin, jin, n. Same as Geneva, of which it is a contraction.—ns. Gin′-fizz, a drink of gin, lemon-juice, effervescing water, &c.; Gin-pal′ace, Gin′-shop, a shop where gin is sold; Gin′-sling, a cold beverage of gin and water, sweetened and flavoured.

Gin, jin, n. the name of a variety of machines, esp. one with pulleys for raising weights, &c.: a pump worked by rotary sails: (B.) a trap or snare.—v.t. to trap or snare: to clear cotton of its seeds by a machine:—pr.p. gin′ning; pa.p. ginned.—ns. Gin′-horse, a mill-horse; Gin′-house, a place where cotton is ginned. [Contr. from engine.]

Ging, ging, n. a gang or company. [A.S. genge, a troop, gangan, to go. See Gang.]

Ginger, jin′jėr, n. the root of a plant in the East and West Indies, with a hot and spicy taste, useful as a condiment or stomachic.—ns. Gingerade′, an aerated drink flavoured with ginger; Gin′gerbeer, an effervescent drink flavoured with ginger; Gin′gerbread, sweet bread flavoured with ginger; Gin′ger-cor′dial, a cordial made of ginger, lemon-peel, raisins, water, and sometimes spirits; Gin′gernut, a small cake flavoured with ginger and sweetened with molasses.—adj. Gin′gerous, like ginger.—ns. Gin′gerpop, weak gingerbeer; Gin′gersnap, a thin brittle cake spiced with ginger; Gin′ger-wine, a liquor made by the fermentation of sugar and water, and flavoured with various spices, chiefly ginger.—Gingerbread ware, or work, cheap and tawdry ornamental work.—Take the gilt off the gingerbread, to destroy the illusion. [M. E. gingivere—O. Fr. gengibre—L. zingiber—Gr. zingiberis—Sans. çriñga-vera—çriñga, horn, vera, shape.]

Gingerly, jin′jėr-li, adv. with soft steps: cautiously. [From a Scand. root, seen in Sw. gingla, to totter.]

Gingham, ging′ham, n. a kind of cotton cloth, woven from coloured yarns into stripes or checks, manufactured chiefly for dresses. [Fr. guingan, acc. to Littré, a corr. of Guingamp, in Brittany.]

Gingival, jin-jī′val, adj. pertaining to the gums.—n. Gingivī′tis, inflammation of the gums. [L. gingivæ.]

Gingko, ging′kō, n. a Chinese tree, allied to the yew, with edible fruit—the Maiden-hair-tree. [Jap. gingkō—Chin. yin-hing—yin, silver, hing, apricot.]

Ginglymus, jing′gli-mus (or ging′-), n. a joint that permits flexion and extension in a single plane, as at the elbow and ankle:—pl. Ging′lymī. [Gr.]

Ginny-carriage, jin′i-kar′āj, n. a small strong carriage used for conveying materials on a railway.

Ginseng, jin′seng, n. a plant of genus Aralia, and its root, a Chinese panacea for exhaustion of body or mind. [Chin. jin-tsan.]

Gipsy, Gypsey, Gypsy, jip′si, n. one of a wandering race, originally from India, now scattered over Europe: one with a dark complexion: a sly, roguish woman.—adj. unconventional, outdoor.—ns. Gip′sydom; Gip′syism.—Gipsy hat, a hat for women, with large flaps at the sides; Gipsy table, a form of light fancy table; Gipsy wagon, a wagon or van like a dwelling on wheels, used by gipsies and travelling photographers. [Egyptian, because once supposed to come from Egypt.]

Giraffe, ji-raf′, n. the camelopard, an African quadruped with remarkably long neck and legs. [Fr.,—Sp. girafa—Ar. zarāf.]

Girandole, jir′an-dōl, n. a branched chandelier, generally projecting from a wall, and used as a stand for candles or lamps, or for flowers: a rotating firework. [Fr.,—It. girandola—girare—L. gyrāre, to turn round—gyrus—Gr. gyros, a circle.]

Girasol, jir′a-sol, n. a bluish-white translucent opal with reddish reflections. [It.,—girare, and sole—L. sol, the sun.]

Gird, gėrd, v.i. to gibe, jeer (with at).—v.t. (obs.) to taunt.—n. (obs.) a sneer. [A.S. gyrd, gierd, rod.]

Gird, gėrd, v.t. to bind round: to make fast by binding: to surround: to clothe, furnish:—pa.t. and pa.p. gird′ed or girt.—n. Gird′er, one of the principal pieces of timber in a floor binding the others together: in engineering, any simple or compound beam of wood, iron, or steel used to support joisting, walls, arches, &c., in various kinds of bridges.—Gird one's self, to tuck up loose garments under the girdle: to brace the mind for any trial or effort. [A.S. gyrdan; cf. Ger. gürten, garden, Eng. yard.]

Girdle, gėrd′l, n. that which encircles, esp. a band or belt for the waist: an enclosure, compass, limit: in jewellery, a horizontal line surrounding a stone.—v.t. to bind, as with a girdle: to enclose: to make a circular incision, as through the bark of a tree to kill it.—n. Gird′le-belt, a belt for girding the waist.—p.adj. Gird′led (Shak.), surrounded with, or as with, a girdle.—n. Gird′ler, one who girdles: a maker of girdles. [A.S. gyrdel—gyrdan, to gird.]

Girl, gėrl, n. a female child: a young unmarried woman: a maid-servant.—n. Girl′hood, the state or time of being a girl.—adj. Girl′ish, of or like a girl.—adv. Girl′ishly—n. Girl′ishness. [Prob. from Old Low Ger. gör, a child, with dim. suffix -l.]

Girnel, gėr′nel, n. (Scot.) a granary, meal-chest. [Variant of garner.]

Girondist, ji-rond′ist, n. a member of the moderate republican party during the French Revolution, so called because its earliest leaders, Vergniaud, Guadet, &c., were sent up to the Legislative Assembly (Oct. 1791) by the Gironde department.—Also Giron′din.

Girt, gėrt, v.t. to gird.—pa.p. of a ship moored so taut by her cables to two oppositely placed anchors as to be prevented from swinging to the wind or tide.

Girth, gėrth, n. belly-band of a saddle: measure round the waist.—Also Girt.

Gist, jist, n. the main point or pith of a matter. [From an old French proverb, 'I know where the hare lies'—i.e. I know the main point—O. Fr. gist (Fr. gît)—O. Fr. gesir (Fr. gésir), to lie—L. jacēre.]

Gittern, git′ern, n. a kind of guitar, a cithern.—v.i. to play on the gittern. [Most prob. Old Dut. ghiterne—L. cithara—Gr. kithara. See Guitar.]

Giusto, jūs′tō, adj. (mus.) suitable, regular. [It.,—L. justus, just.]

Give, giv, v.t. to bestow: to impart: to yield: to grant: to permit: to afford: to furnish: to pay or render, as thanks: to pronounce, as a decision: to show, as a result: to apply, as one's self: to allow or admit.—v.i. to yield to pressure: to begin to melt: to grow soft: to open, or give an opening or view, to lead (with upon, on, into):—pr.p. giv′ing; pa.t. gāve; pa.p. given (giv′n).—p.adj. Giv′en, bestowed: specified: addicted, disposed to: admitted, supposed.—ns. Giv′er, one who gives or bestows; Giv′ing, the act of bestowing: (Shak.) an alleging of what is not real.—Give and take, to give and get fairly, fair measure on both sides; Give birth to, to bring forth: to originate; Give chase, to pursue; Give ear, to listen; Give forth, to emit, to publish; Give ground, place, to give way, to yield; Give in to, to yield assent or obedience to; Give it to one (coll.), to scold or beat anybody severely; Give line, head, rein, &c., to give more liberty or scope—the metaphor from angling and driving; Give one's self away, to betray one's secret by a slip of the tongue, &c.; Give out, to report, to emit; Give over, to cease; Give the lie to, to charge openly with falsehood; Give tongue, to bark; Give up, to abandon; Give way, to fall back, to yield, to withdraw: to begin rowing—usually as a command to a crew. [A.S. giefan; Goth. giban, Ger. geben.]

Gizzard, giz′ard, n. the muscular stomach of a bird. [M. E. giser—O. Fr. gezier—L. gigerium, only in pl. gigeria, cooked entrails of poultry.]

Gizzen, giz′n, v.i. (Scot.) to shrink from dryness so as to leak: to wither.—adj. leaky.

Glabrous, glā′brus, adj. smooth: having no hairs or any unevenness.—adj. Glā′brāte, smooth, glabrous. [L. glaber, smooth.]

Glacé, gla-sā′, adj. iced: glossy, lustrous, esp. of a thin silk material. [Fr.]

Glacial, glā′shi-al, adj. icy: frozen: pertaining to ice or its action, esp. to glaciers.—ns. Glā′cialist, one who attributes the phenomena of the drift in geology to the action of glaciers; Glāciā′tion, the act of freezing: ice: the process of becoming covered with glaciers. [Fr.,—L. glacialis—glacies, ice.]

Glacier, glā′shēr, or glas′i-ėr, n. a field or, more properly, a slowly moving river of ice, such as is found in the hollows and on the slopes of lofty mountains. [Fr.,—glace, ice—L. glacies, ice.]

Glacis, glā′sis, or gla-sē′, n. a gentle slope: (fort.) a smooth sloping bank. [Fr.,—O. Fr. glacer, to freeze—glace, ice.]

Glad, glad, adj. pleased: cheerful: bright: giving pleasure.—v.t. to make glad:—pr.p. glad′ding; pa.p. glad′ded.—v.t. Glad′den, to make glad: to cheer: to animate.—adj. Glad′ful (Spens.).—n. Glad′fulness.—adv. Glad′ly.—n. Glad′ness.—adj. Glad′some, glad: joyous: gay.—adv. Glad′somely.—n. Glad′someness. [A.S. glæd; Ger. glatt, smooth, Ice. glaðr, bright, Dan. glad.]

Glade, glād, n. an open space in a wood.—adj. Glā′dy, having glades. [Scand.; Ice. glaðr, bright, Norw. glette, a clear spot among clouds.]

Gladiator, glad′i-ā-tor, n. in ancient Rome, a professional combatant with men or beasts in the arena.—adjs. Glad′iāte, sword-shaped; Gladiatō′rial, Gladiā′tory, Gladiatō′rian.—ns. Glad′iatorship; Glā′dius, the cuttle-bone or pen of a cuttle-fish. [L., a swordsman—gladius, a sword.]

Gladiole, glad′i-ōl, Gladiolus, gla-dī′o-lus, glad-i-ō′lus, n. the plant sword-lily:—pl. Gladī′olī. [L. gladiolus, dim. of gladius.]

Gladstone, glad′ston, n. a four-wheeled two-seated carriage with driver's seat and dickey: a kind of light travelling-bag, opening wide. [From the great statesman, W. E. Gladstone (1809-98).]

Glagolitic, glag-o-lit′ik, adj. of or pertaining to Glagol, an ancient Slavonic alphabet, apparently derived from the cursive Greek of the 9th century, only used in the liturgical books of the Dalmatian Slavs. [Old Bulgarian glagolu, a word.]

Glaikit, glāk′it, adj. (Scot.) giddy, foolish.—ns. Glaik, a deception, a quick glance; Glaik′itness, levity.—Fling the glaiks in folk's een (Scot.), to throw dust in people's eyes. [See Gleek.]

Glair, glār, n. the clear part of an egg used as varnish: any viscous, transparent substance: mud.—v.t. to varnish with white of eggs.—adjs. Glair′y, Glair′eous, Glār′eous. [Fr. glaire—Low L. clara ovi, white of egg—L. clarus, clear.]

Glaive, glāv, n. a weapon like a halberd, fixed on a long shaft, its edge on the outer curve.—Also Glave. [O. Fr. glaive—L. gladius, a sword.]

Glamour, glam′ėr, n. the supposed influence of a charm on the eyes, making them see things as fairer than they are: fascination: enchantment. [Merely a corruption of gramarye or grammar, meaning grammar, then magic.]

Glance, glans, n. a sudden shoot of light: a darting of the eye: a momentary view: a term applied to minerals exhibiting a pseudo-metallic lustre.—v.i. to dart a ray of light or splendour: to snatch a momentary view: to fly off obliquely: to make a passing allusion.—v.t. to dart suddenly or obliquely: to hint.—n. Glance′-coal, any hard coal, like anthracite, so called from its metallic lustre.—adv. Glanc′ingly. [From a Teut. root seen in Sw. glans, Dut. glans, Ger. glanz, lustre, and allied to Eng. glint.]

Gland, gland, n. a secreting structure, which in various ways alters the material brought to it by the blood, extracting and excreting waste products as in the kidneys, or manufacturing valuable by-products, such as the glycogen and bile of the liver: (bot.) a small cellular spot which secretes oil or aroma.—adjs. Glandif′erous, bearing acorns or nuts; Gland′iform, resembling a gland: nut-shaped; Gland′ūlar, Gland′ūlous, containing, consisting of, or pertaining to glands.—n. Gland′ūle, a small gland.—adj. Glandūlif′erous. [F. glande—L. glans, glandis, an acorn.]

Glanders, gland′ėrz, n. a malignant, contagious, and fatal disease of the horse or ass, showing itself esp. on the mucous membrane of the nose, upon the lungs, and on the lymphatic system.—adj. Gland′ered, affected with glanders.

Glare, glār, n. a clear, dazzling light: overpowering lustre: a piercing look.—v.i. to shine with a clear, dazzling light: to be ostentatiously splendid: to look with piercing eyes.—adj. Glar′ing, bright and dazzling: barefaced: notorious.—adv. Glar′ingly.—n. Glar′ingness. [Perh. from A.S. glær, a pellucid substance, amber.]

Glass, glas, n. a combination of silica with some alkali or alkaline earth, such as lime, &c., used for window panes, mirrors, lenses, &c.: anything made of glass, esp. a drinking-vessel, a mirror, &c.: the quantity of liquid a glass holds: any fused substance like glass, with a vitreous fracture: (pl.) spectacles.—adj. made of glass.—v.t. to case in glass.—ns. Glass′-blow′er, one who blows and fashions glass; Glass′-blow′ing, the process of making glass, by taking a mass of glass reduced by heat to a viscid state, and inflating it; Glass′-coach, a coach for hire having glazed windows; Glass′-crab, the larval form of rock lobsters, &c., but formerly regarded as adults, and made into a genus or even family; Glass′-cut′ter; Glass′-cut′ting, the act or process of cutting, shaping, and ornamenting the surface of glass.—adj. Glass′-faced (Shak.), reflecting the sentiments of another, as in a mirror.—n. Glass′ful, the contents of a glass.—adj. Glass′-gaz′ing (Shak.), addicted to viewing one's self in a mirror.—ns. Glass′-grind′ing, the ornamenting of glass by rubbing with sand, emery, &c.; Glass′-house, a glass manufactory: a house made of glass.—adv. Glass′ily.—n. Glass′iness.—adj. Glass′-like.—ns. Glass′-paint′ing, the art of producing pictures on glass by means of staining it chemically; Glass′-pā′per, paper coated with finely pounded glass, and used like sand-paper; Glass′-soap, an oxide of manganese and other substances used by glass-blowers to remove colouring from glass; Glass′ware, articles made of glass; Glass′-work, articles made of glass; Glass′wort, a plant so called from its yielding soda, used in making glass.—adjs. Glass′y, made of or like glass; Glass′y-head′ed (Tenn.), having a bald, shining head.—ns. Cut′-glass, flint-glass shaped or ornamented by cutting or grinding on a wheel; Ground′-glass, any glass that has been depolished by a sand-blast, grinding, or etching with acids, so as to destroy its transparency; Plate′-glass, glass cast in large thick plates.—Live in a glass house=to be open to attack or retort.—Musical glasses (see Harmonica).—Water, or Soluble, glass, the soluble silicate of soda or of potash formed when silica is fused with an excess of alkali, used for hardening artificial stone, as a cement, and for rendering calico, &c., uninflammable. [A.S. glæs; Dut., Ger., and Sw. glas; cog. with glow, gleam, glance, glare.]

Glassite, glas′īt, n. one of a religious sect founded by John Glas (1695-1773), a minister of the Church of Scotland, who was deposed in 1730 for maintaining that a congregation with its eldership is, in its discipline, subject to no jurisdiction but that of Jesus Christ. The sect is now better known as the Sandemanians, from the name of Glas's son-in-law.

Glaswegian, glas-wēj′i-an, n. and adj. a native or citizen of Glasgow.

Glauberite, glaw′ber-īt, n. a grayish-white mineral, a compound of the sulphates of sodium and calcium, found chiefly in rock-salt. [From the German Johann Rudolf Glauber, 1604-68.]

Glaucoma, glawk-ō′ma, n. an insidious disease of the eye, marked by increased tension within the eyeball, growing dimness of vision, and an excavation of the papilla of the optic nerve—also Glaucō′sis.—adj. Glaucom′atous. [See Glaucous.]

Glauconite, glaw′kō-nīt, n. the mineral, a silicate of iron, which gives a green colour to some of the beds of the greensand strata, whence their name.—adj. Glauconit′ic. [Fr.,—Gr. glaukos, bluish-green.]

Glaucous, glaw′kus, adj. sea-green: grayish-blue: (bot.) covered with a fine green bloom.—n. Glauces′cence.—adj. Glauces′cent, somewhat glaucous. [L. glaucus, bluish—Gr. glaukos, blue or gray.]

Glaucus, glaw′kus, n. a genus of Gasteropods, in the warmer parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. [Gr. glaukos, a fish—glaukos, bluish-green.]

Glaux, gläks, n. a genus of Primulaceæ, called also Sea milkwort and Black saltwort, common along sea-coasts of northern Europe—formerly used in soda-making. [L.,—Gr. glaux, milk-vetch.]

Glaze, glāz, v.t. to furnish or set with glass: to cover with a thin surface of glass or something glassy: to give a glassy surface to.—n. the glassy coating put upon pottery: any shining exterior.—ns. Glāz′er, a workman who glazes pottery, paper, &c.; Glā′zier, one who sets glass in window-frames, &c. (for glazer; like law-y-er for law-er); Glāz′ing, the act or art of setting glass: the art of covering with a vitreous substance: (paint.) semi-transparent colours put thinly over others to modify the effect. [M. E. glasen—glas, glass.]

Gleam, glēm, v.i. to glow or shine: to flash.—n. a small stream of light: a beam: brightness.—n. Gleam′ing, a sudden shoot of light.—adj. Gleam′y, casting beams or rays of light. [A.S. glǽm, gleam, brightness (see Glimmer); akin to glass, glow.]

Glean, glēn, v.t. to gather in handfuls after the reapers: to collect (what is thinly scattered).—v.i. to gather the corn left by a reaper.—n. that which is gleaned: the act of gleaning.—ns. Glean′er; Glean′ing. [O. Fr. glener (Fr. glaner), through Low L. glenāre, glena, from Teut.]

Glebe, glēb, n. the land belonging to a parish church or ecclesiastical benefice: (mining) a piece of earth containing ore: (arch.) turf.—adjs. Gleb′ous, Gleb′y, cloddy, turfy. [Fr.,—L. gleba, a clod.]

Glede, glēd, n. (B.) the common kite, a rapacious bird. [A.S. glida, from, glídan, to glide.]

Gledge, glej, v.i. to squint: to look cunningly.—n. a knowing look. [See Gley.]

Glee, glē, n. joy: mirth and gaiety: (mus.) a song or catch in parts.—adj. Glee′ful, merry.—ns. Glee′maid′en, a female minstrel; Glee′man, a minstrel.—adj. Glee′some, merry. [A.S. gleó, mirth; Ice. glý.]

Gleed, glēd, n. a hot coal or burning ember. [A.S. gléd; cf. Dut. gloed, Ger. glut, Sw. glöd.]

Gleek, glēk, n. (Shak.) a jest or scoff, a trick: an old game at cards for three, each having twelve, and eight being left for the stock.—v.i. (Shak.) to gibe or sneer, to spend time in sport or fun. [Prob. cog. with A.S. gelác, play, Ice. leik.]

Gleet, glēt, n. a glairy discharge from a mucous surface.—adj. Gleet′y. [O. Fr. glete, glecte, a flux.]

Gleg, gleg, adj. clever: apt: (Scot.) sharp. [Ice. glöggr, clever; cf. A.S. gleáw, wise, Ger. glau, clear.]

Glen, glen, n. a narrow valley worn by a river: a depression between hills. [Celt., as in Gael. and Ir. gleann, W. glyn.]

Glene, glē′nē, n. the pupil, eyeball: a socket.—adjs. Glē′noid, -al, slightly cupped. [Gr.]

Glengarry, glen-gar′i, n. a cap of thick-milled woollen, generally rising to a point in front, with ribbons hanging down behind—worn by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Glengarry, a glen in West Inverness-shire.]

Glenlivet, glen-lēv′et, n. a good Scotch whisky. [Glenlivet, a valley in Banffshire.]

Gley, glī, glē, v.i. to squint.—p.adj. Gleyed (Scot.), squint-eyed. [Ice. gljá, to glitter; Dan. glo.]

Glib, glib, adj. moving easily: voluble.—v.i. to move freely.—adv. Glib′ly.—n. Glib′ness. [A contr. of Dut. glibberig, slippery.]

Glib, glib, n. (Spens.) a bush of hair hanging over the eyes. [Gael., a lock of hair.]

Glib, glib, v.t. (Shak.) to emasculate, to castrate. [Perh. an error for lib, to castrate.]

Glide, glīd, v.i. to slide smoothly and easily: to flow gently: to pass rapidly.—n. act of gliding: the joining of two sounds without a break: a smooth and sliding kind of waltz-step.—adj. Glid′dery, slippery.—n. Glīd′er, one who, or that which, glides.—adv. Glīd′ingly. [A.S. glídan, to slip; Ger. gleiten.]

Gliff, glif, n. a fright, a scare: (Scot.) a moment.—Also Glift. [M. E. gliffen, to be terrified.]

Glim, glim, n. (coll.) a light: (slang) an eye. [A.S. gleomu; cf. Ger. glimm, a spark.]

Glimmer, glim′ėr, v.i. to burn or appear faintly.—n. a faint light: feeble rays of light: (min.) mica.—ns. Glimm′er-gowk (Tenn.), an owl; Glimm′ering, a glimmer: an inkling.—adv. Glimm′eringly. [M. E. glimeren; most prob. directly Scand.; Dan. glimre, to glimmer, Sw. prov. glim, a glance.]

Glimpse, glimps, n. a short gleam: a weak light: transient lustre: a hurried view: fleeting enjoyment: the exhibition of a faint resemblance.—v.i. to appear by glimpses.—v.t. to get a glimpse of. [M. E. glimsen, to glimpse, a variant of glimmer.]

Glint, glint, v.i. to shine, gleam: (Burns) to move quickly.—v.t. to reflect.—n. a gleam. [From Scand.; Old Dan. glinte, to shine.]

Glisk, glisk, n. (Scot.) a glimpse. [M. E. glissen—A.S. glisian, to glance.]

Glissade, glis-ād′, v.i. to slide or glide down.—n. act of sliding down a slope.

Glist, glist, n. a dark ferruginous mineral found in lodes, micaceous iron ore.

Glisten, glis′n, v.i. to glitter or sparkle with light: to shine.—n. glitter. [M. E. glis-ien, to shine—A.S. glisnian, to shine; cf. Dut. glinsteren.]

Glister, glis′tėr, v.i. to sparkle, glitter.—adj. Glis′tering (Shak.), glittering. [M. E. glistren; see above.]

Glitter, glit′ėr, v.i. to glisten, to sparkle with light: to be splendid: to be showy.—n. lustre: brilliancy.—adjs. Glitt′erand (Spens.), sparkling, glittering; Glitt′ering, shining: splendid: brilliant.—adv. Glitt′eringly. [M. E. gliteren; cf. Ice. glitra, Mid. High Ger. glitzern.]

Gloaming, glōm′ing, n. twilight, dusk—(Scot.) Gloamin. [A.S. glómung; akin to gloom.]

Gloat, glōt, v.i. to look eagerly, in a bad sense: to view with a wicked joy. [Ice. glotta, to grin.]

Globate, -d, glōb′āt, -ed, adj. like a globe: circular. [L. globāre, -ātum, to form into a ball—globus.]

Globe, glōb, n. a ball: a round body, a sphere: the earth: a sphere representing the earth (terrestrial globe) or the heavens (celestial globe): (obs.) a group.—v.t. to form in a circle.—ns. Globe′-fish, one of a genus of fishes found in warm seas, remarkable for its power of swelling out its body to a globular form; Globe′-flow′er, a small palæarctic genus of plants of the order Ranunculaceæ, with a globe of large showy sepals enclosing the small inconspicuous linear petals; Globe′-trot′ter, one who travels for pleasure around the world; Globe′-trot′ting; Glō′bin, a proteid constituent of red blood corpuscles.—adjs. Glōbose′, Glōb′ous, resembling a globe.—n. (Milt.) a globe.—n. Glōbos′ity.—adjs. Glob′ūlar, Glob′ūlous, Glob′ūlose, like a globe: spherical.—n. Globūlar′ity.—adv. Glob′ūlarly.—ns. Glob′ūle, a little globe or round particle—also Glob′ūlet; Glob′ūlin, Glob′ūline, a substance closely allied to albumen, which forms the main ingredient of the blood globules, and also occurs in the crystalline lens of the eye; Glob′ūlite, the name given by Vogelsang to minute crystallites of spherical, drop-like form.—adj. Glōb′y (Milt.), round. [O. Fr.,—L. globus; gleba, a clod.]

Globigerina, glob-i-je-rī′na, n. a genus typical of Globigerinidæ, a pelagic family of foraminifers.

Glome, glōm, n. (bot.) a globular head of flowers.—adj. Glom′erous. [L. glomus=globus.]

Glomerate, glom′ėr-āt, v.t. to gather into a ball: to collect into a spherical mass.—adj. growing in rounded or massive forms: conglomerate.—n. Glomerā′tion, act of gathering into a ball: a body formed into a ball. [L. glomerāre, -ātum—glomus, glomeris, a clew of yarn.]

Gloom, glōōm, n. partial darkness: cloudiness: heaviness of mind, sadness: hopelessness: sullenness.—v.i. to be sullen or dejected: to be cloudy or obscure.—v.t. to fill with gloom.—adv. Gloom′ily.—n. Gloom′iness.—p.adj. Gloom′ing (Shak.), shining obscurely.—n. twilight: gloaming.—adj. Gloom′y, dim or obscure: dimly lighted: sad, melancholy. [A.S. glóm, gloom; prov. Ger. glumm, gloomy.]

Gloria, glō′ri-a, n. a doxology.—Gloria in excelsis, the 'Greater Doxology'—'Glory be to God on high;' Gloria Patri, the 'Lesser Doxology'—'Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was,' &c. [L. gloria, glory.]

Glorify, glō′ri-fī, v.t. to make glorious: to honour: to exalt to glory or happiness: to ascribe honour to, to worship:—pa.p. glō′rified.—n. Glorificā′tion. [L. gloria, glory, facĕre, to make.]

Glory, glō′ri, n. renown: honour: the occasion of praise: an object of pride: excellency: splendour: brightness: in religious symbolism, a combination of the nimbus and the aureola, but often erroneously used for the nimbus: a burst of sunlight: a luminous glow of reflected light upon clouds: vain-glory: (B.) the presence of God: the manifestation of God to the blessed in heaven: heaven.—v.i. to boast: to be proud of anything: to exult:—pa.p. glō′ried.—adj. Glō′ried (Milt.), illustrious, honourable.—ns. Glō′riole, a halo or glory; Gloriō′sa, a genus of Liliaceæ, of which the best-known species, a native of India, is a herbaceous perennial, with beautiful red and yellow flowers.—adj. Glō′rious, noble, splendid: conferring renown: (coll.) elated, tipsy.—adv. Glō′riously.—ns. Glō′riousness; Glō′ry-hole, an opening through which to see the inside of a furnace: a place for concealing articles of value; Glō′rying, boasting; Glō′ry-pea, a leguminous Australian plant with red flowers. [O. Fr. glorie—L. gloria (for cloria), akin to clarus, from root of L. cluēre, Gr. klu-ein, to be famed; Eng. loud.]

Gloss, glos, n. brightness or lustre, as from a polished surface: external show.—v.t. to give a superficial lustre to: to render plausible: to palliate. [Ice. glossi, brightness, glóa, to glow. See Glass.]

Gloss, glos, n. a remark to explain a subject: a comment.—v.i. to comment or make explanatory remarks.—adj. Glossā′rial, relating to a glossary: containing explanation.—ns. Gloss′arist, a writer of a glossary; Gloss′ary, a vocabulary of words requiring special explanation: a dictionary; Glossā′tor, Gloss′er, a writer of glosses or comments, a commentator; Gloss′ic, a phonetic alphabet devised by Mr A. J. Ellis (1814-90) for the scientific expression of speech-sounds—to be used concurrently with the Nomic or existing English orthography; Glossī′tis, inflammation of the tongue; Gloss′ocele, swelled tongue; Glossog′rapher.—adj. Glossograph′ical.—n. Glossog′raphy, the writing of glossaries or comments.—adj. Glossolog′ical.—ns. Glossol′ogist; Glossol′ogy, the science of language, comparative philology: the knowledge of the definition of technical terms—also Glottol′ogy; Glossot′omy, dissection of the tongue. [L. glossa, a word requiring explanation—Gr. glōssa, the tongue.]

Glossy, glos′i, adj. smooth and shining: highly polished.—adv. Gloss′ily.—n. Gloss′iness.

Glottis, glot′is, n. the opening of the larynx or entrance to the windpipe.—adj. Glott′al; Glott′ic, pertaining to the tongue or to glottology. [Gr. glōttis—glōtta, the tongue.]

Glout, glowt, v.i. to be sulky.—n. a sulky look, the sulks. [See Gloat.]

Glove, gluv, n. a covering for the hand, with a sheath for each finger: a boxing-glove.—v.t. to cover with, or as with, a glove.—adj. Gloved, covered with a glove.—ns. Glove′-fight, a boxing-match in which the hands are gloved; Glove′-mon′ey, a gratuity given to servants, officers of a court, &c.; Glov′er, one who makes or sells gloves; Glove′-shield, a shield worn by a knight on the left-hand gauntlet to parry blows; Glove′-stretch′er, a scissors-shaped instrument for inserting into the fingers of gloves to stretch them.—Handle without gloves, to treat with vigour or with scant ceremony; Throw down, Take up, the glove, to offer, or to accept, a challenge. [A.S. glóf; cf. Scot. loof, Ice. lôfi, palm.]

Glow, glō, v.i. to shine with an intense heat: to feel great heat of body: to be flushed: to feel the heat of passion: to be ardent.—n. shining or white heat: unusual warmth: brightness of colour: vehemence of passion.—p.adj. Glow′ing, shining with intense light, white with heat: ardent, fervent, fiery.—adv. Glow′ingly.—ns. Glow′-lamp, an incandescent lamp, usually electric; Glow′-worm, a name given to many beetles in the sub-family Lampyrides, having phosphorescent structures on the abdomen. [A.S. glówan, to glow; Ger. glühen, Ice. glóa, to glow.]

Glower, glow′ėr, v.i. to stare frowningly: to scowl.—n. a fierce or threatening stare.

Gloxinia, glok-sin′i-a, n. a genus of plants of the order Gesneraceæ, almost stemless, with bright bell-shaped flowers. [From Gloxin, a German botanist.]

Gloze, glōz, v.i. to give a false meaning to: to flatter: to wheedle: (obs.) to comment.—v.t. to palliate by specious explanation.—n. (obs.) an explanation.—n. Glō′zing, flattery, deceit. [See Gloss (2).]

Glucinum, glōō-sī′num, n. a white metal prepared from beryl—its oxide, Glucī′na, white, tasteless, insoluble in water.—adj. Glū′cic, pertaining to sugar.—ns. Glucide′—Saccharin (q.v.); Glucohæ′mia, the presence of an excessive quantity of glucose in the blood; Glucōse′, the peculiar kind of sugar in the juice of fruits: the sugar-syrup obtained by the conversion of starch into sugar by sulphuric acid—grape-sugar, &c.; Glu′coside, any of those vegetable products which, on treatment with acids or alkalies, yield a sugar or some closely allied carbohydrate; Glucosūr′ia, the presence of glucose in the urine. [Gr. glykys, sweet.]

Glue, glōō, n. an adhesive substance obtained by boiling the skins, hoofs, &c. of animals.—v.t. to join with glue:—pr.p. glu′ing; pa.p. glued.—ns. Glue′-pot, a vessel for melting glue; Glu′er, one who cements with glue.—adj. Glu′ey, containing glue: sticky: viscous.—n. Glu′eyness.—adj. Glu′ish, having the nature of glue.—n. Marine′-glue, not a glue, but a cementing composition, used in shipbuilding, for paying seams in ships' decks after being caulked. [Fr. glu—Low L. glus, glutis—gluĕre, to draw together.]

Glum, glum, adj. frowning: sullen: gloomy.—adv. Glum′ly.—n. Glum′ness.—adj. Glump′ish, glum.—n.pl. Glumps, the sulks.—adj. Glump′y, sulky. [M. E. glomben, glommen, to frown: prob. related to Sw. glomma, Low Ger. glummen.]

Glume, glōōm, n. a term applied to certain bracts in grasses and sedges.—adjs. Glumā′ceous, Glu′mal, Glumif′erous, Glu′mose, Glu′mous. [L. gluma, husk—glubĕre, to peel off bark.]

Glut, glut, v.t. to swallow greedily: to feast to satiety: to supply in excess:—pr.p. glut′ting; pa.p. glut′ted.—n. an over-supply: anything that obstructs the passage. [L. glutīre, to swallow.]

Glutæus, Gluteus, glōō-tē′us, n. one of the natal or buttock muscles.—adjs. Glutē′al, Glutē′an. [Gr. gloutos, the rump.]

Gluten, glōō′ten, n. the nitrogenous part of the flour of wheat and other grains, insoluble in water.—ns. Glu′tin, Glī′adin, the separable viscid constituent of wheat-gluten, soluble in alcohol. [L. gluten, the same as glus. See Glue.]

Glutinate, glōō′tin-āt, v.t. to unite, as with glue.—n. Glutinā′tion.—adj. Glu′tinative, having the quality of cementing: tenacious.—ns. Glutinos′ity, Glu′tinousness.—adj. Glu′tinous, gluey: tenacious: (bot.) covered, as a leaf, with slimy moisture. [L. glutināre, -ātum.]

Glutton, glut′n, n. one who eats to excess: a popular name of the wolverine, a carnivorous quadruped of the weasel family.—v.i. Glutt′onise, to eat to excess, like a glutton.—adjs. Glutt′onous, Glutt′onish, given to, or consisting in, gluttony.—adv. Glutt′onously.—n. Glutt′ony, excess in eating. [Fr. glouton—L. gluton-em—gluttīre, to devour.]

Glycerine, glis′ėr-in, n. a colourless, viscid, neutral, inodorous fluid, of a sweet taste, soluble in water and alcohol. [Fr.,—Gr. glykeros—glykys, sweet.]

Glycocoll, glī′kō-kol, n. amido-acetic acid, a crystalline solid of sweetish taste, very soluble in water, a product of various processes of decomposition of animal matters.—Also Gly′cin. [Formed from Gr. glykys, sweet, kolla, glue.]

Glycogen, glī′kō-jen, n. animal starch, a substance first discovered by Claude Bernard in the human liver—when pure, a white, amorphous, tasteless powder, insoluble in alcohol. [Formed from Gr. glykys, sweet, genēs, producing.]

Glycol, glī′kol, n. the type of a class of artificial compounds forming chemically a link between alcohol and glycerine. [Formed from glyc(erine) and (alcoh)ol.]

Glyconic, glī-kon′ik, adj. and n. of or pertaining to the ancient Greek poet Glycon, or the verse attributed to him, consisting of four feet—one a dactyl, the others trochees.

Glyph, glif, n. (archit.) an ornamental channel or fluting, usually vertical.—adjs. Glyph′ic; Glyphograph′ic.—ns. Glyphog′raphy, a process of taking a raised copy of a drawing by electrotype; Glyph′ograph, a plate formed by this process.—adj. Glyp′tic, pertaining to carving on stone, &c.: (min.) figured.—n.pl. Glyp′tics, the art of engraving, esp. on precious stones.—adj. Glyptograph′ic.—ns. Glyptog′raphy, the art of engraving on precious stones; Glyptothē′ca, a place for keeping sculpture. [Gr. glyphē—glyphein, to carve.]

Glyptodon, glip′to-don, n. a gigantic fossil armadillo of South America with fluted teeth. [Gr. glyptos, carved, odous, odontos, tooth.]

Gmelina, mel′i-na, n. a genus of verbenaceous trees. [From Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin (1744-74).]

Gnaphalium, na-fā′li-um, n. a genus of composite herbs of the aster family, the cudweed or everlasting. [L.,—Gr. gnaphalion, a downy plant.]

Gnar, när, v.i. to snarl or growl.—Also Gnarr, Knar, Gnarl. [From a Teut. root found in Ger. knurren, Dan. knurre, to growl; formed from the sound.]

Gnarl, närl, n. a twisted knot in wood.—adj. Gnarled, knotty, twisted. [From a Teut. root, as in Ger. knurren, Dan. knort, a knot, gnarl, and prob. akin to gnarl in the sense of pressing close together.]

Gnash, nash, v.t. to strike the teeth together in rage or pain.—v.i. to grind the teeth.—n. a sudden snap.—adv. Gnash′ingly. [M. E. gnasten—Sw. knastra, to crash; cf. Ger. knastern, Dan. knaske.]

Gnat, nat, n. a genus of dipterous insects of numerous species, esp. abundant in marshy districts—the female lives on the blood of animals.—n. Gnat′ling. [A.S. gnæt; Ice. gnata, to clash.]

Gnathic, nath′ik, adj. of the jaws—also Gnā′thal.—ns. Gnath′ism, the classification of mankind based on measurements of the jaw; Gnathī′tis, inflammation of the cheek or upper jaw; Gnathoplast′y, the formation of a cheek by plastic surgery; Gnathop′oda, the xiphosura: the arthropoda. [Gr. gnathos, the jaw.]

Gnathonic, -al, nä-thon′ik, -al, adj. flattering. [From Gnatho, a character in Terence's Eunuchus—Gr. gnathos, the jaw.]

Gnaw, naw, v.t. to bite so as to make a noise with the teeth: to bite off by degrees: to corrode or wear away: to bite in agony or rage: (fig.) to torment.—v.i. to use the teeth in biting.—n. Gnaw′er, a rodent. [A.S. gnagan; cf. Dut. knagen, Ice. naga, prov. Eng. nag, to tease.]

Gneiss, nīs, n. (geol.) a species of stratified rock composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica.—adjs. Gneiss′oid, having some of the characters of gneiss; Gneiss′ose, having the structure of gneiss. [Ger. gneiss, a miners' word of unknown origin.]

Gnome, nōm, n. a pithy and sententious saying, generally in verse, embodying some moral sentiment or precept.—Gnomic poets, a class of writers of this form in Greek literature. [Gr. gnōmē, an opinion—gnōnai, gignōskein, to know.]

Gnome, nōm, n. a sprite guarding the inner parts of the earth and its treasures: a dwarf or goblin. [Fr.,—a word traced by Littré to Paracelsus, and perh. formed from Gr. gnōmē, intelligence.]

Gnomon, nō′mon, n. the pin of a dial, whose shadow points to the hour: the index of the hour-circle of a globe: (geom.) the name given to the sum of any three of the parts of a rectangle when divided into four parts by cross-lines parallel to its sides: interpreter, as in Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.—adjs. Gnomon′ic, -al, pertaining to the art of dialling.—adv. Gnomon′ically.—ns. Gnomon′ics, the art of dialling; Gnomonol′ogy, a treatise on dialling. [Gr. gnōmōn, an interpreter—gnōnai, to know.]

Gnostic, nos′tik, n. (theol.) one of a sect in the beginning of the Christian era which maintained that knowledge (gnōsis) and not faith (pistis) was the way of salvation, allegorised away the great facts of Christ's person and work, and represented individual life as the result of a process of emanation from the original essence.—adj. having knowledge: knowing, cunning: pertaining to the Gnostics.—ns. Gnō′sis, knowledge: mystical knowledge; Gnos′ticism, the eclectic doctrines of the Gnostics. [Gr. gnōstikos, good at knowing—gignōskein, to know.]

Gnu, nū, n. a genus of antelopes native to South Africa, of which the best-known species has characters of the ox, buffalo, and horse. [Hottentot.]

Go, gō, v.i. to pass from one place to another: to be in motion: to proceed: to walk: to depart from: to lead in any direction: to extend: to tend: to be about to do: to pass in report: to pass, as in payment: to be accounted in value: to happen in a particular way: to turn out: to fare: to give way:—pr.p. gō′ing; pa.t. went; pa.p. gone (gon).—n. affair, matter, as in 'a pretty go:' fashion, as in 'all the go:' energy, activity.—adj. Go′-ahead′, dashing, energetic.—ns. Go′-between′, Gō′er-between′ (Shak.), one who is agent between two parties; Go′-by, escape by artifice: evasion: any intentional disregard: in coursing, the act of passing by or ahead in motion.—adj. Go-to-meet′ing (coll.), used of clothes, good and fit for public use.—Go about (B.), to set one's self about: to seek: to endeavour; Go about one's business, to attend to one's duties: to be off; Go abroad, to go to a foreign country: to leave one's house; Go against, to invade: to be repugnant to; Go aside, to err: to withdraw, retire; Go at, to attack; Go beyond (B.), to overreach; Go down, to sink, decline: to be believed or accepted; Go far, to last long; Go for, to pass for: to attack: to take up a line of policy; Go for nothing, to have no value; Go hard with, to be in real difficulty or danger; Go in and out, to come and go freely; Go in for, to be in favour of: to aim after; Go in unto, to have sexual intercourse with; Go it, to act in a striking or dashing manner—often in imperative by way of encouragement; Go off, to leave: to die: to explode: to fade; Go on, to proceed; Go one better, to take a bet and add another more to it: to excel another in fitness for some purpose; Go one's way, to depart; Go out, to become extinct or expire; Go over, to study, to examine; Go the whole hog, to go to the fullest extent; Go through, to perform thoroughly, to accomplish; Go through fire and water, to undertake any trouble or risks for one's end (from the usage in ancient ordeals); Go to, come now (a kind of interjection, like the L. agedum, the Gr. ἄγε νυν); Go to pieces, to break up entirely, to be dismembered; Go to the wall, to be pushed aside, passed by; Go under, to be called by some title or character: to be overwhelmed or ruined, to die; Go well, to prosper; Go with, to accompany: to agree, accord; Go without saying, to be plainly self-evident (Fr. Cela va sans dire).—Great go, a degree examination, compared with Little go, a preliminary examination in the university of Cambridge; Let go, to release, to quit hold of; No go, not possible: of no use. [A.S. gán, contr. for gangan, to go; cf. Ger. gehen, Dut. gaan.]

Goad, gōd, n. a sharp-pointed stick, often shod with iron, for driving oxen: a stimulus.—v.t. to drive with a goad: to urge forward. [A.S. gád, a goad; cf. Ice. gaddr, a goad.]

Goal, gōl, n. a mark set up to bound a race: the winning-post—also the starting-post: the end aimed at: the two upright posts between which the ball is kicked in the game of football: the act of sending the ball between or over the goal-posts: an end or aim. [Fr. gaule, a pole; prob. of Teut. origin, as Old Fris. walu, a staff, Goth. walus; but acc. to Littré from L. vallus, a stake.]

Goat, gōt, n. the well-known quadruped, allied to the sheep.—ns. Goat′chāfer, the dor or dung-beetle; Goatēē′, a beard left on the chin, while the rest of the face is shaven; Goat′-herd, one who tends goats.—adj. Goat′ish, resembling a goat, esp. in smell: lustful: wanton.—ns. Goat′ishness; Goat′-moth, a large moth common throughout Europe and Asia, having a thick heavy body, and measuring three inches or more across the wings; Goat's′-beard, Goat's′-rue, Goat's′-thorn, names of plants; Goat′skin, the skin of the goat, leather made from it; Goat′sucker, a kind of swallow erroneously thought to suck goats. [A.S. gát; Ger. geiss, Dut. geit.]

Gob, gob, n. the mouth: a mouthful, lump: refuse coal.—v.i. to pack away such as a support to the walls.—ns. Gob′bing, Gob′bin, coal refuse.

Go-bang, gō-bang′, n. a game played on a checker-board of 256 squares, with fifty coloured counters, the object being to get five counters in a row. [Jap. goban.]

Gobbet, gob′et, n. a mouthful: (obs.) a little lump.—Gobe mouche, a silly credulous fellow. [O. Fr. gobet, from Celt.; Gael. gob, the mouth.]

Gobble, gob′l, v.t. to swallow in lumps: to swallow hastily.—v.i. to make a noise in the throat, as a turkey.—n. (golf) a rapid straight putt so strongly played that if the ball had not gone into the hole, it would have gone a long way past.—n. Gobb′ler, a turkey-cock. [O. Fr. gober, to devour; Celt.]

Gobelin, gob′e-lin, n. a rich French tapestry. [From the Gobelins, a famous family of French dyers settled in Paris as early as the 15th century.]

Goblet, gob′let, n. a large drinking-cup without a handle. [O. Fr. gobelet, dim. of gobel—Low L. cupellus, a dim. of L. cupa, a cask. See Cup.]

Goblin, gob′lin, n. a frightful phantom: a fairy: a mischievous sprite. [O. Fr. gobelin—Low L. gobelinus—Gr. kobalos, a mischievous spirit.]

Goby, gō′bi, n. a genus of small carnivorous sea-fishes, with nests of seaweed. [L. gobius—Gr. kōbios.]

Go-cart, gō′-kärt, n. a wheeled apparatus for teaching children to walk.

God, god, n. the Supreme Being: the Creator and Preserver of the world: an object of worship, an idol: (B.) a ruler:—fem. God′dess: (pl.) the occupants of the gallery of a theatre.—v.t. (Shak.) to deify.—interj. God′-a-mer′cy (Shak.), probably a corruption of 'God have mercy!'—ns. God′child; God′daughter; God′dess-ship (Byron), state or quality of a goddess; God′father, God′mother, the persons who, at baptism, guarantee a child's religious education.—adjs. God′-forsak′en, miserable, as if forsaken by God; God′-fear′ing, reverencing God.—n. God′head, state of being a god: deity: divine nature—also rarely God′hood.—adj. God′less, living without God: impious: atheistical.—adv. God′lessly.—n. God′lessness.—adj. God′like, like God: divine.—ns. Godli′ness; God′ling (Dryden), a little god.—adj. God′ly, like God in character: pious: according to God's law.—advs. God′ly, God′lily.—ns. God′ly-head (Spens.), goodness; God′send, an unexpected piece of good fortune; God′ship, the rank or character of a god: a divinity; God′-smith (Dryden), a maker of idols; God′son; God′speed, a wish for good speed or success.—adv. God′ward, toward God.—God's acre, a burial-ground (imitated from Ger. Gottesacker); God's truth, an absolute truth—an emphatic asseveration.—Household gods, among the Romans, the special gods presiding over the family: anything bound up with home interests. [A.S. god; Ger. gott, Goth. guth, Dut. god; all from a Teut. root gutha, God, and quite distinct from good.]

Godroon, go-drōōn′, n. (archit.) an inverted fluting or beading. [Fr. godron, a plait.]

Godwit, god′wit, n. a genus of birds of the snipe family, with long bill and long slender legs, with a great part of the tibia bare. [Perh. from A.S. gód, good, wiht, creature.]

Goël, gō′āl, n. the avenger of blood among the Hebrews, the nearest relative whose duty it was to hunt down the murderer. [Heb.]

Goer, gō′ėr, n. one who, or that which, goes: a horse, considered in reference to his gait.

Goety, gō′ē-ti, n. black magic.—adj. Goet′ic. [Gr., goēs, a sorcerer.]

Goffer, gof′ėr, v.t. to plait or crimp.—n. Goff′ering, plaits or ruffles, or the process of making them; indented tooling on the edge of a book. [O. Fr. gauffrer—goffre, a wafer.]

Goggle, gog′l, v.i. to strain or roll the eyes.—adj. rolling: staring: prominent.—n. a stare or affected rolling of the eye: (pl.) spectacles with projecting eye-tubes: blinds for shying horses.—adj. Gogg′le-eyed, having prominent, distorted, or rolling eyes. [Prob. related to Ir. and Gael. gog, to nod.]

Going, gō′ing, n. the act of moving: departure: (B.) course of life.—Going forth (B.), an outlet; Goings, or Goings out (B.), utmost extremity: departures or journeys; Goings on, behaviour.

Goitre, Goiter, goi′tėr, n. a tumour on the forepart of the throat, being an enlargement of one of the glands (see Cretinism).—adjs. Goi′tred, Goi′tered, affected with goitre; Goi′trous, pertaining to goitre. [Fr. goître—L. guttur, the throat.]

Gold, gōld, n. one of the precious metals much used for coin: money: riches: anything very precious: yellow, gold colour.—adj. made of or like gold.—ns. Gold′-beat′er, one whose trade is to beat gold into gold-leaf; Gold′-beat′ers′-skin, the outer coat of the cæcum of the ox; Gold′-beat′ing.—adj. Gold′-bound (Shak.), encompassed with gold.—ns. Gold′-cloth, cloth woven with threads of gold; Gold′-crest, a golden-crested bird of genus Regulus; Gold′-dig′ger, one who digs for or mines gold, esp. a placer-miner; Gold′-dust, gold in dust or very fine particles, as it is sometimes found in rivers.—adj. Gold′en, made of gold: of the colour of gold: bright: most valuable: happy: highly favourable.—v.t. to become golden.—ns. Gold′en-age, an early period in history, a time of innocence and happiness; Gold′en-eye, a species of oceanic ducks which breed in the Arctic regions, and are winter visitants of Britain.—adj. Gold′en-hilt′ed (Tenn.), having a hilt made of, or mounted with, gold.—adv. Gold′enly (Tenn.), splendidly, delightfully.—ns. Gold′en-rod, any herb of the genus Solidago, of the aster family; Gold′-fē′ver, a mania for seeking gold; Gold′-field, a region where gold is found; Gold′finch, the most beautiful of English finches, with very handsome plumage, in which black, crimson-red, yellow, and white are, in the adult male, exquisitely mingled; Gold′fish, a Chinese and Japanese fresh-water fish, nearly allied to the carp—in its native waters it is brownish, but when domesticated becomes golden-yellow; Gold′-foil, gold beaten into thin sheets, used by dentists; Gold′ilocks, Gold′ylocks, a common name for Ranunculus (q.v.); Gold′-lace, lace made of gold-thread; Gold′-leaf, gold beaten extremely thin, or into leaves; Gold′-lil′y, the yellow lily; Gold′-mine, a mine from which gold is dug; Gold′-plate, vessels and utensils of gold collectively; Gold′smith, a worker in gold and silver; Gold′spink (Scot.), the goldfinch; Gold′stick, the colonel of a regiment of life-guards who attends the sovereign on state occasions—he receives a gold rod with his commission; Gold′-thread, a ranunculaceous plant found from Denmark to Siberia, with evergreen leaves, resembling those of the strawberry: a thread formed of a strip of gold-leaf laid over a thread of silk; Gold′-wash′er, one who obtains gold by washing it from sand and gravel: a cradle or other implement for washing gold from auriferous dirt; Gold′-wire, wire made of or covered with gold.—Golden beetle, the name popularly given to many members of the Chrysomela genus of coleopterous insects, marked by their metallic splendour of colour; Golden bull (L. bulla aurea), an edict issued by the Emperor Charles IV. in 1356, mainly for the purpose of settling the law of imperial elections; Golden fleece, in Greek mythology, the fleece of the ram Chrysomallus, the recovery of which was the object of the famous expedition of the Argonauts—it gave its name to a celebrated order of knighthood in Austria and Spain, founded in 1429; Golden horde, the Kipchaks, a Turkic people, whose empire was founded in central and southern Russia by Batu in the 13th century; Golden legend (L. aurea legenda), a celebrated medieval collection of lives of the greater saints, the work of Jacobus de Voragine (1230-98); Golden number for any year, the number of that year in the Metonic Cycle, and as this cycle embraces nineteen years, the golden numbers range from one to nineteen; Golden rose, a rose formed of wrought gold, and blessed by the Pope in person on the fourth Sunday in Lent, usually presented to some Catholic prince. [A.S. gold; Ice. gull, Ger. gold, Goth. gulth, Russ. zlato, Gr. chrysos.]

Golf, golf, n. a game played with a club and ball, in which he who drives the ball into a series of small holes in the ground with fewest strokes is the winner.—ns. Golf′er; Golf′ing. [Dut. kolf, a club; cf. Ger. kolbe, Ice. kólfr.]

Golgotha, gol′go-tha, n. the scene of our Lord's crucifixion, near Jerusalem: a charnel-house. [Heb.]

Goliard, gol′yard, n. a medieval monk who amused his superiors at table by merry jests.—n. Gol′iardery.—adj. Goliar′dic.—n. Gol′ias, the title assumed by the authors of several medieval satirical poems—Walter Map makes 'Bishop Golias' the type of the ribald priest. [O. Fr.]

Goliath, gō-lī′ath, n. a giant.—v.i. to exaggerate extravagantly.—n. Golī′ath-bee′tle, a genus of tropical beetles of very large size, the male sometimes measuring about four inches. [From Goliath, the Philistine giant in 1 Sam. xvii.]

Golomynka, gō-lō-ming′ka, n. a fish found only in Lake Baikal, resembling the gobies.

Gomarist, gō′mar-ist, n. a follower of Francis Gomarus (1563-1641), a vehement opponent of the Arminians, who mainly through his influence were expelled from the Reformed Church at the Synod of Dort in 1618.

Gombeenism, gom-bēn′izm, n. the practice of depending on money-lenders.—n. Gombeen′man, a grasping and usurious money-lender in Ireland.

Gomphiasis, gom-fī′a-sis, n. looseness of the teeth, esp. the molars.—n. Gomphō′sis, a kind of synarthrosis or immovable articulation, as of the teeth in the jaw. [Gr., gomphios, a tooth.]

Gomuti, gō-mōō′ti, n. the sago-palm: the black fibre it yields.—Also Gomu′to. [Malay.]

Gonagra, gon′a-gra, n. gout in the knee.—ns. Gonal′gia, any painful affection of the knee; Gonarthrī′tis, inflammation of the knee-joint. [Gr. gony, knee, agra, a taking, algos, pain.]

Gondola, gon′do-la, n. a long, narrow boat (averaging 30 feet by 4) used chiefly on the canals of Venice—(Spens.) Gon′delay.—n. Gondolier (gon′dol-ēr), one who rows a gondola. [It., a dim. of gonda—Gr. kondy—a drinking-vessel, said to be a Pers. word.]

Gone, gon, pa.p. of go, lost, passed beyond help: weak, faint, feeling a sinking sensation: wide of the mark, of an arrow: (slang) entirely given up to (with on).—ns. Gone′ness, a sinking sensation; Gon′er (slang), one ruined beyond recovery.

Gonfalon, gon′fa-lon, n. an ensign or standard with streamers—also Gon′fanon.—n. Gonfalonier′, one who bears a gonfalon: the chief magistrate in many Italian cities because of his bearing this flag. [O. Fr. gonfanon—Mid. High Ger. gundfano—gund, battle, fano (Ger. fahne), a flag.]

Gong, gong, n. a Chinese instrument of percussion, made of a mixture of metals, and shaped into a basin-like form, flat and large, with a rim a few inches deep. [Malay.]

Gongorism, gong′gor-izm, n. a florid, inverted, and pedantic style of writing, introduced by the Spanish poet Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627), some of whose distinctive features reappeared in Euphuism.

Gongylus, gon′ji-lus, n. a round deciduous body connected with the reproduction of certain seaweeds. [Gr., 'round.']

Goniatites, gō-ni-a-tī′tēz, n. a genus of fossil cephalopodous mollusca, kindred to the Ammonites. [Gr. gonia, an angle, lithos, a stone.]

Gonidia, gō-nid′i-a, n.pl. an old term in lichenology for the green cells (algal constituents) of the thallus:—sing. Gonid′ium, a naked or membranous-coated propagative cell produced asexually. [Formed from Gr. gonē, generation, seed.]

Goniometer, gō-ni-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring solid angles, indispensable to the crystallographer. [Gōnia, an angle, metron, measure.]

Gonophore, gon′o-fōr, n. the ultimate generative zooid of a hydrozoan, originating directly the generative elements. [Gr. gonos, seed, pherein, to bear.]

Gonorrhea, gon-or-rē′a, n. a specific contagious inflammatory discharge of mucus from the membrane of the urethra or vagina. [Gr. gonorrhoia—gonos, seed, rheein, to flow.]

Good, good, adj. having qualities, whether physical or moral, desirable or suitable to the end proposed: promoting success, welfare, or happiness: virtuous: pious: kind: benevolent: proper: fit: competent: satisfactory: sufficient: valid: sound: serviceable: beneficial: real: serious, as in 'good earnest:' not small, considerable, as in 'good deal:' full, complete, as in 'good measure:' unblemished, honourable, as in 'good name:'—comp. bett′er; superl. best.—n. that which promotes happiness, success, &c.—opp. to Evil: prosperity: welfare: advantage, temporal or spiritual: moral qualities: virtue: (B.) possessions: (pl.) household furniture: movable property: merchandise (in composition, the equivalent of U.S. freight).—interj. well! right!—adv. well.—ns. Good′-breed′ing, polite manners formed by a good breeding or education; Good′-broth′er (Scot.), a brother-in-law.—n. or interj. Good′-bye, contracted from 'God be with you:' farewell, a form of address at parting.—adj. Good′-condi′tioned, being in a good state.—ns. or interjs. Good′-day, a common salutation, a contraction of 'I wish you a good day;' Good′-den, a corruption of good-e'en; Good′-e'en, Good′-ēv′en, Good′-ēve′ning, a salutation on meeting or parting in the evening.—adj. Good′-faced (Shak.), having a handsome face.—ns. Good′-fell′ow, a jolly or boon companion: a reveller; Good′-fell′owship, merry or pleasant company: conviviality.—n.pl. Good′-folk, a euphemism for the fairies, of whom it is best to speak respectfully.—adj. Good′-for-noth′ing, worthless, useless.—n. an idle person.—ns. Good′-Frī′day, a fast in memory of our Lord's crucifixion, held on the Friday of Passion-week; Good′-hū′mour, a cheerful temper, from the old idea that temper depended on the humours of the body.—adj. Good′-hū′moured.—adv. Good′-hū′mouredly.—n. Good′iness, weak, priggish, or canting goodness.—adj. Good′ish, pretty good, of fair quality or quantity.—interj. Good′-lack, an expression of surprise or pity—a variation of 'Good Lord,' under the influence of alack.—n. Good′liness.—adv. Good′ly (Spens.), excellently, kindly.—adj. good-like: good-looking: fine: excellent:—comp. Good′lier; superl. Good′liest.—ns. Good′lyhead (Spens.), goodness; Good′lyhood, grace; Goodman′ (B.), the man or master of the house—the correlative to it is Goodwife′.—ns. and interjs. Good′-morn′ing, Good′-morr′ow, a salutation at meeting in the morning.—n. Good′-nā′ture, natural goodness and mildness of disposition.—adj. Good′-nā′tured.—adv. Good′-nā′turedly.—n. Good′ness, virtue: excellence: benevolence: a term of emphasis, as in 'For goodness' sake;' 'Oh, goodness!'—n. and interj. Good′-night, a common salutation, a contraction of 'I wish you a good night.'—interj. Good′-now, an exclamation of wonder, surprise, or entreaty.—ns. Goods′-en′gine, an engine used for drawing goods-trains; Good′-sense, sound judgment; Good′-speed, a contraction of 'I wish you good speed;' Goods′-train, a train of goods wagons.—adj. Good′-tem′pered, possessing a good temper.—ns. Good′-wife, the mistress of a family; Good′-will, benevolence; well-wishing: the established custom or popularity of any business or trade—often appearing as one of its assets, with a marketable money value; Good′y, good-wife: good-woman: probably formed from good-wife.—adj. Good′y, mawkishly good: weakly benevolent or pious—also Good′y-good′y.—n. a sweetmeat.—Good for anything, ready for any kind of work; Goodman's croft, a strip of ground, or corner of a field, once left untilled in Scotland, to avert the malice of the devil from the crop.—Good Templar, a member of a temperance society founded in the United States in 1852, and introduced into England in 1868, its organisation modelled on that of the Freemasons, with lodges, passwords and grips, and insignia.—As good as, the same as, no less than; Be as good as one's word, to be depended on; For good, For good and all, finally, in conclusion, to end the whole matter; Make good, to fulfil, perform; Stand good, to be lastingly good: to remain; Think good, to be disposed, to be willing. [A.S. gód; closely akin to Dut. goed, Ger. gut, Ice. góðr, Goth. gods.]

Goorkha, gōōr′kä, n. one of the dominant race in Nepal, descended from Hindu immigrants, and claiming a Rajput origin, short, thick-set men, making excellent soldiers.

Goosander, gōōs-an′dėr, n. a web-footed bird in the duck family, in the same genus as the Mergansers, a native of the Arctic regions. [Formed from goose and gander.]

Goose, gōōs, n. (pl. Geese) a web-footed animal like a duck, but larger and stronger: a tailor's smoothing-iron, from the likeness of the handle to the neck of a goose: a stupid, silly person: a game of chance once common in England, in which the players moved counters forward from one compartment on a board to another, the right to a double move being secured when the card bearing the picture of a goose was reached.—v.t. (slang) to hiss off the stage.—ns. Goose′-cap, a silly person; Goose′-corn, a coarse rush; Goose′-egg, a zero, denoting a miss or failure to score at an athletic or other contest; Goose′-fish, a common name in America for the angler-fish (see Angler); Goose′-flesh, a puckered condition of the skin, like that of a plucked goose, through cold, fear, &c.; Goose′-foot, pigweed; Goose′-grass, a species of Bedstraw (q.v.), a common weed in hedges and bushy places in Britain, Europe, and America; Goose′-neck, an iron swivel forming the fastening between a boom and a mast: a bent pipe or tube with a swivel-joint; Goose′-quill, one of the quills or large wing-feathers of a goose, used as pens; Goos′ery, a place for keeping geese: stupidity; Goose′-skin, a kind of thin soft leather; Goose′-step (mil.), the marking of time by raising the feet alternately without making progress; Goose′-wing, one of the clews or lower corners of a ship's mainsail or foresail when the middle part is furled or tied up to the yard.—adj. Goose′-winged, having only one clew set: in fore-and-aft rigged vessels, having the mainsail on one side and the foresail on the other, so as to sail wing-and-wing.—n. Goos′ey, a goose: a blockhead. [A.S. gós; Ice. gás, Ger. gans, L. anser, Gr. chēn, Sans. hamsa.]

Gooseberry, gōōz′ber-i, n. the berry or fruit of a shrub of the same name.—Play gooseberry, to accompany lovers, &c., for propriety. [Prof. Skeat says goose- is for grose- or groise-, which appears in O. Fr. groisele, grosele, gooseberry, Scot. grossart, from the Mid. High Ger. krus (Ger. kraus), crisp, curled.]

Gopher, gō′fėr, n. a name in America applied to the prairie dog, the pouched rat, and to the land tortoise of the southern states.—v.i. to burrow, to mine in a small way. [Fr. gaufre.]

Gopher, gō′fėr, n. (B.) a kind of wood, generally supposed identical with cypress. [Heb.]

Gopura, gō′pōō-ra, n. in Southern India, a pyramidal tower over the gateway of a temple.

Goramy, gō′ra-mi, n. a fish found in the Eastern Archipelago, highly esteemed for the table, and used in Mauritius, the West Indies, &c.—Also Gou′rami.

Gor-bellied, gor′-bel-id, adj. (Shak.) big-bellied, gluttonous. [Obs. gore—A.S. gor, filth, and belly.]

Gorcock, gor′kok, n. the moorcock or red grouse:—fem. Gor′hen. [Gor-, from gorse, furze; or imit.]

Gorcrow, gor′krō, n. the carrion-crow. [A.S. gor, filth, carrion, and crow.]

Gordian, gord′yan, adj. intricate: difficult.—v.t. (Keats) to tie up, knot.—Cut the Gordian knot, to overcome a difficulty by violent measures—Alexander, unable to untie the fateful knot tied by Gordius, king of Phrygia, having cut it through with his sword.

Gordius, gor′di-us, n. a genus typical of Gordiidæ, a family of nematode worms with a hair-like body.

Gore, gōr, n. clotted blood: blood.—adv. Gor′ily (Tenn.), in a gory or bloody manner or state.—adj. Gor′y, covered with gore: bloody.—Gory dew, a dark-red slimy film sometimes seen on damp walls and in shady places. [A.S. gor, blood, dung; Sw. gorr, Ice. gor, gore.]

Gore, gōr, n. a triangular piece let into a garment to widen it: a triangular piece of land.—v.t. to shape like or furnish with gores: to pierce with anything pointed, as a spear or horns.—n. Gor′ing, a piece of cloth cut diagonally to increase its apparent width.—adj. cut gradually sloping, so as to be broader at the clew than at the earing—of a sail. [A.S. gára, a pointed triangular piece of land—gár, a spear with triangular blade.]

Gorge, gorj, n. the throat: a narrow pass among hills: (fort.) the entrance to an outwork.—v.t. to swallow greedily: to glut.—v.i. to feed.—adj. Gorged, having a gorge or throat: glutted: (her.) having a crown or coronet about the neck.—n. Gorg′et, a piece of armour for the throat: a military ornament round the neck (see Armour).—Have one's gorge rise, to be disgusted or irritated; Heave the gorge, to retch. [O. Fr.,—L. gurges, a whirlpool.]

Gorgeous, gor′jus, adj. showy: splendid: magnificent.—adv. Gor′geously.—n. Gor′geousness. [O. Fr. gorgias, gaudy—gorgias, a ruff—gorge, the throat.]

Gorgon, gor′gun, n. one of three fabled female monsters (Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa), of horrible aspect, winged, with hissing serpents for hair—every one who looked on Medusa was turned to stone: anything very ugly.—adjs. Gor′gon, Gorgō′nean, Gorgonesque′, Gorgō′nian, like a gorgon: very ugly or terrific.—n. Gorgonei′on, a mask of the gorgon.—v.t. Gor′gonise (Tenn.), to turn to stone. [L. gorgon—Gr. gorgō—gorgos, grim.]

Gorilla, gor-il′a, n. a great African ape, the largest known anthropoid, generally referred to the same genus with the chimpanzee. [African.]

Gormand, older form of gourmand.—v.i. Gor′mandīse, to eat hastily or voraciously.—ns. Gor′mandīser; Gor′mandīsing, the act or habit of eating voraciously; Gor′mandism, gluttony.

Gorse, gors, n. a prickly shrub growing on waste places, the furze or whin.—adj. Gors′y. [A.S. gorst.]

Goshawk, gos′hawk, n. a short-winged hawk, once used for hunting wild-geese and other fowl, not having a toothed bill, like the falcons proper. [A.S. góshafoc—gós, goose, hafoc, hawk.]

Gosling, goz′ling, n. a young goose. [A.S. gós, goose, double dim. -l-ing.]

Gospel, gos′pel, n. the Christian revelation: the narrative of the life of Christ, as related by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John: the stated portion of these read at service: the teaching of Christ: a system of religious truth: absolute truth.—v.t. (Shak.) to instruct in the gospel.—n. Gos′peller, a preacher: an evangelist.—v.t. Gos′pellise, to square with the gospel. [A.S. godspell; commonly derived from A.S. gód, good, and spell, story, and so a translation of Gr. eu-anggelion, good news; but more prob. from god, God, and spell, a narrative, God-story; so also the Ice. is guðspjall, God-story, and not góðspjall, good-story; and the Old High Ger. was gotspell, got (God) -spel, not guot (good) -spel.]

Gossamer, gos′a-mėr, n. very fine spider-threads which float in the air or form webs on bushes in fine weather: any thin material.—adj. light, flimsy.—adj. Goss′amery, like gossamer: flimsy. [M. E. gossomer; Prof Skeat thinks it is a corr. of 'goose-summer' or 'summer-goose,' from the downy appearance of the film. Ger. sommer-fäden, summer-threads, also mädchen-sommer, maiden-summer.]

Gossan, gos′an, n. (prov.) decomposed rock, usually ferruginous, forming the upper part of a metallic vein.—Also Gozz′an.

Gossip, gos′ip, n. one who runs about telling and hearing news: idle talk: a familiar acquaintance: a boon-companion.—v.i. to run about telling idle tales: to talk much: to chat: (Shak.) to stand godfather to.—n. Goss′iping, the act or practice of one who gossips or tattles.—p.adj. having the character of one who gossips: tattling.—n. Goss′ipry.—adj. Goss′ipy. [Orig. a sponsor in baptism, or one related in the service of God; M. E. gossib (earlier form, godsib)—God, and sib, related; cf. Ger. sippe, Ice. sif, affinity, Scot. sib, related.]

Gossoon, go-sōōn′, n. a boy-servant in Ireland. [From Fr. garçon, a boy.]

Gossypium, go-sip′i-um, n. a malvaceous genus of herbs and shrubs, native to the tropics, yielding the cotton of commerce. [L. gossypion.]

Goth, goth, n. one of an ancient Teutonic nation, originally settled on the southern coasts of the Baltic, which migrated to Dacia in the 3d century, and later founded kingdoms in Italy, southern France, and Spain: a rude or uncivilised person, a barbarian.—adj. Goth′ic, belonging to the Goths or their language: barbarous: romantic: denoting a style of architecture with high-pointed arches, clustered columns, &c. (applied in reproach at the time of the Renaissance).—v.t. Goth′icise, to make Gothic: to bring back to barbarism.—n. Goth′icism, a Gothic idiom or style of building: rudeness of manners. [The native names Gutans (sing. Guta) and Gutôs (sing. Guts), Gutthiuda, 'people of the Goths;' Latinised as Gothi, Gotthi.]

Gothamite, goth′a-mīt, Gothamist, goth′a-mist, n. a simpleton: a wiseacre. [From Gotham, a village of Nottinghamshire, with which name are connected many of the simpleton stories of immemorial antiquity. So of Gordon in Scotland, Kampan in Holland, the Schildburgers in Germany, &c.]

Gouache, gwash, n. a method of water-colour painting with opaque colours, mixed with water, honey, and gum, presenting a dead surface: work painted according to this method. [Fr.]

Gouge, gowj, or gōōj, n. a chisel, with a hollow blade, for cutting grooves or holes.—v.t. to scoop out, as with a gouge: to force out, as the eye with the thumb. [O. Fr.,—Low L. guvia, a kind of chisel.]

Goujeers, gōō′jērz, n. (Shak.) venereal disease.—Goujere, often Good year, used as a slight imprecation, as pox; cf. 2 Henry IV., II. iv. 64. [Perh. Fr. gouge, a prostitute, goujat, a blackguard.]

Goura, gow′ra, n. a genus of beautifully crested, ground-loving pigeons, native to New Guinea.

Gourd, gōrd, or gōōrd, n. a large fleshy fruit: rind of a gourd used as a drinking-cup: the gourd plant: (pl.) hollow dice used by cheating gamblers.—ns. Gourd′iness; Gourd′-worm, a fluke or trematode worm, esp. the liver-fluke.—adj. Gourd′y, having the legs swollen—of a horse. [O. Fr. gourde, contr. from cougourde—L. cucurbita, a gourd.]

Gourmand, gōōr′mand, n. one who eats greedily: a glutton.—adj. voracious: gluttonous—also Gor′mand.—n. Gourmet (goor-mā′, or -met′), an epicure, originally one with a delicate taste in wines. [Fr. gourmand, a glutton; origin unknown.]

Gousty, gows′ti, adj. dreary.—adj. Gous′trous, stormy: (Scot.) rude. [Same as Gusty.]

Gout, gowt, n. an acute inflammation of the smaller joints, and esp. of the great toe, in persons of luxurious habits and past middle life: (obs.) a drop.—adv. Gout′ily.—ns. Gout′iness; Gout′wort, Gout′weed, an umbelliferous European plant, long supposed to be good for gout.—adj. Gout′y, relating to gout: diseased with or subject to gout. [O. Fr. goutte—L. gutta, a drop, the disease supposed to be caused by a defluxion of humours.]

Govern, guv′ėrn, v.t. to direct: to control: to rule with authority: (gram.) to determine the mood, tense, or case of.—v.i. to exercise authority: to administer the laws.—adj. Gov′ernable.—ns. Gov′ernall (Spens.), government; Gov′ernance, government: control: direction: behaviour; Governante (guv-ėr-nant′, or guv′-), a governess (obs.); Gov′erness, a lady who has charge of the instruction of young ladies: a tutoress (Daily-governess, one who goes every day to her pupils' house; Nursery-, having charge of young children only, tending as well as teaching them; Resident-, living in the family of her pupils).—v.i. to act as governess.—n. Gov′erness-cart, a light two-wheeled vehicle with two face-to-face seats at the sides only.—adj. Gov′erning, having control.—n. Gov′ernment, a ruling or managing: control: system of governing: the body of persons authorised to administer the laws, or to govern a state: the territory over which sovereign power extends: (gram.) the power of one word in determining the form of another: (Shak.) conduct.—adj. of or pursued by government.—adj. Government′al, pertaining to or sanctioned by government.—ns. Gov′ernor, a ruler: one invested with supreme authority: a tutor: (slang) a father or master: (mach.) a regulator, or contrivance for maintaining uniform velocity with a varying resistance: (B.) a pilot; Gov′ernor-gen′eral, the supreme governor in a country: a viceroy; Gov′ernorship.—Governmental theory (see Grotian). [O. Fr. governer—L. gubernāre—Gr. kybernan.]

Gowan, gow′an, n. (Scot.) the wild daisy. [Ir. and Gael. gugan, bud, daisy.]

Gowl, gowl, v.i. (Scot.) to cry or howl. [M. E. goulen—Scand., Ice. gaula, to bellow.]

Gown, gown, n. a woman's upper garment: a long loose robe worn officially by clergymen, lawyers, college lecturers, &c.—v.t. to invest with the gown.—adj. Gowned, dressed in a gown.—ns. Gown′man, Gowns′man, one whose professional habit is a gown, as a divine or lawyer, and esp. a member of an English university. [M. E. goune—W. gwn, akin to gwnio, to stitch; Ir. gunn, Gael. gun.]

Gowpen, gowp′en, n. (Scot.) the hollow of the hand or of the two hands held together: a handful. [Scand.; Ice. gaupn, Sw. göpen, Dan. gövn; Low Ger. göpse, göpsch, Ger. dial. gauf, gaufel.]

Graafian, grä′fi-an, adj. pertaining to the follicle or little sac in the ovary in which an ovum matures—in mammals. [Named from the discoverer of these, Regnier de Graaf, 1641-73.]

Grab, grab, v.t. (coll.) to seize or grasp suddenly: to lay hands on:—pr.p. grab′bing; pa.p. grabbed.—n. a sudden grasp or catch, acquisition by violent or unjust means: that which is seized: a simple card game.—ns. Grab′-bag, a bag containing a variety of articles to be obtained by putting in the hand and seizing one, as at charity bazaars, &c.: any dishonest means of seizing such profit or spoil as comes handiest; Grab′ber. [Scand.; Sw. grabba, to grasp; Ger. greifen, to seize.]

Grace, grās, n. easy elegance in form or manner: what adorns and commends to favour: embellishment: favour: pardon: the undeserved mercy of God: divine influence: eternal life or salvation: a short prayer at meat: an act or decree of the governing body of an English university: a ceremonious title in addressing a duke or an archbishop: (pl.) favour, friendship (with good): (myth.) the three sister goddesses in whom beauty was deified (the Greek Charites), Euphrosyne, Aglaia, Thalia.—v.t. to mark with favour: to adorn.—n. Grace′-cup, a cup or health drunk at the last of the feast.—adjs. Graced (Shak.), virtuous, chaste; Grace′ful, elegant and easy: marked by propriety or fitness, becoming.—adv. Grace′fully.—n. Grace′fulness.—adjs. Grace′less, wanting grace or excellence: depraved: wicked.—adv. Grace′lessly.—n. Grace′lessness.—ns. Grace′-note (mus.), a note introduced as an embellishment, not being essential to the harmony or melody; Grace′-stroke, a finishing stroke, coup de grâce; Graciō′so, a clown in Spanish comedy, a favourite.—adj. Grā′cious, abounding in grace or kindness: benevolent: proceeding from divine favour: acceptable.—adv. Grā′ciously.—ns. Grā′ciousness, state or quality of being gracious, affability; Grācious′ity, the same, but usually in a bad sense, as implying duplicity.—Days of grace, three days allowed for the payment of a note or bill of exchange, after being due according to its date; Fall from grace, to backslide, to lapse from the state of grace and salvation—an impossibility according to Calvinists.—Good gracious, an exclamation of surprise.—In the good graces of, in the friendship of; Saving grace, divine grace so bestowed as to lead to salvation; Take heart of grace, to take courage from favour shown. [Fr.,—L. gratia, favour—gratus, agreeable; Gr. charis, grace.]

Gracile, gras′il, adj. slender, gracefully slight in form.—n. Gracil′ity. [L. gracilis, slender.]

Grackle, grak′l, n. the common name of many birds of the starling family, all tropical or subtropical.—Also Grak′le. [L. graculus, a jackdaw.]

Grade, grād, n. a degree or step in rank or dignity: the degree of slope on a road as compared with the horizontal: a class of animals produced by crossing a common breed with one purer—also adj.: a group of animals branching off from a common stem.—v.t. Grā′date, to cause to blend gradually from one tint of colour to another.—v.i. to effect gradation.—adv. Gradā′tim, gradually.—n. Gradā′tion, a rising step by step: progress from one degree or state to another: position attained: state of being arranged in ranks: (mus.) a diatonic succession of chords: (paint.) the gradual blending of tints.—adjs. Gradā′tional; Gradā′tioned, formed by gradations or stages; Grad′atory, proceeding step by step, adapted for walking or forward movement; Grā′dient, gradually rising: rising with a regular slope.—n. the degree of slope on a road or railway: the difference in the height of the barometer between one place and another place at some distance: an incline.—ns. Grād′ienter, a surveyor's instrument for determining grades; Grād′in, Gradine′, one of a series of rising seats, as in an amphitheatre: a raised step or ledge behind an altar; Gradin′o, a decoration for the gradin.—adj. Grad′ūal, advancing by grades or degrees: regular and slow.—n. in the Roman Church, the portion of the mass between the epistle and the gospel, formerly always sung from the steps of the altar: the book containing such anthems—also Grail.—ns. Grad′ūalism, Gradūal′ity.—adv. Grad′ūally.—v.t. Grad′ūāte, to divide into regular intervals: to mark with degrees: to proportion.—v.i. to pass by grades or degrees: to pass through a university course and receive a degree.—n. one admitted to a degree in a college, university, or society.—p.adj. Grad′ūāted, marked with degrees, as a thermometer.—ns. Grad′uateship; Gradūā′tion; Grad′ūātor, a mathematical instrument for graduating or dividing lines into regular intervals; Graduc′tion (astron.), the division of circular arcs into degrees, minutes, &c.; Grā′dus, a dictionary of Greek or Latin prosody—contraction of gradus ad Parnassum, a step or stair to Parnassus, the abode of the Muses.—Down, and Up, grade, a descending or ascending part, as of a road. [Fr.,—L. gradus, a step—gradi, to step.]

Gradely, grād′li, adv. (prov.) readily, speedily.—Also Graith′ly.

Gradgrind, gräd′grīnd, n. one who regulates all human things by rule and compass and the mechanical application of statistics, allowing nothing for sentiment, emotion, and individuality. [From Thomas Gradgrind in Dickens's Hard Times.]

Graf, gräf, n. a German title of dignity equivalent to Count:—fem. Gräfin.

Graffito, graf-fē′to, n. the name given to certain classes of mural inscriptions, such as the scribblings of schoolboys and idlers, found at Pompeii, Rome, and other ancient cities:—pl. Graffiti (-fē′tē). [It.—graffiare, to scratch—Low L. graphium, a style.]

Graft, graft, v.t. to make an incision in a tree or plant, and insert in it a small branch of another, so as to make a union of the two: to insert in something anything not belonging to it: to incorporate one thing with another: to transplant, as a piece of tissue, from one part to another.—v.i. to insert cuttings into a tree.—n. a small branch used in grafting.—ns. Graft′er; Graft′ing. [O. Fr. graffe (Fr. greffe)—L. graphium—a style or pencil (which the inserted slip resembled)—Gr. graphein, to write.]

Grail, grāl, n. (Spens.) small particles of any kind, as sand. [O. Fr. graile (Fr. grêle), hail—L. gracilis, slender.]

Grail, grāl, n. in medieval legend, the Holy Cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. [Orig. the San Greal, 'Holy Dish' (not Sang Real, 'Holy Blood'), in which it is said Joseph of Arimathea collected our Lord's blood; from O. Fr. graal or greal, a flat dish—Low L. gradale, a flat dish, app. a corr. of Low L. cratella, a dim. of crater, a bowl. Diez suggests as the origin a lost cratalis, from cratus, Low L. form of crater.]

Grain, grān, n. a single small hard seed: (coll.) the seeds of certain plants which form the chief food of man: corn, in general: a minute particle: a very small quantity: the smallest British weight, supposed to be the average weight of a seed or well-ripened ear of corn: the arrangement of the particles or fibres of anything, as stone or wood: texture, as of leather: the crimson dye made from cochineal insects, which, in the prepared state, resemble grains of seed—hence to dye in grain is to dye deeply, also to dye in the wool: innate quality or character of anything.—v.t. to form into grains, cause to granulate: to paint in imitation of wood, marble, &c.: in tanning, to take the hair off.—n. Grain′age, duties on grain.—adj. Grained, rough: furrowed.—ns. Grain′er, one who paints in imitation of the grain of wood; Grain′ing, painting so as to imitate the grain of wood: a process in tanning in which the grain of the leather is raised.—adj. Grain′y, having grains or kernels.—Grains of Paradise, an aromatic and pungent seed imported from Guinea.—Against the grain, against the fibre of the wood—hence against the natural temper or inclination; With a grain of salt, with reservation, as of a story that cannot be admitted (L. cum grano salis). [Fr.,—L. granum, seed, akin to corn.]

Graining, grān′ing, n. a kind of dace found in the Mersey and in Swiss lakes: a small fish of the same genus, resembling the dace.

Graip, grāp, n. (Scot.) a three or four pronged fork used for lifting dung or digging potatoes. [A form of grope. Cf. Sw. grepe, Dan. greb.]

Graith, grāth, n. apparatus for work, travelling, &c., equipment.—v.t. (Scot.) to make ready, to dress.—adjs. Graith, Grāde, ready, free.—Lift one's graith, to collect one's tools and leave the mine. [Ice. greidhr, ready; cf. A.S. gerǽde, ready.]

Grallæ, gral′ē, Grallatores, gral-a-tō′rēz, n.pl. an old order of wading and running birds, including rails, snipes and curlews, cranes, herons and bitterns, storks, and numerous other families.—adjs. Grallatō′rial, Grall′atory, Grall′ic, Grall′ine. [L. grallator—grallæ, stilts, contr. of gradulæ, dim. of gradus, a step—gradi, to step.]

Gram, gram, n. (Rossetti) misery.—Also Grame. [A.S. grama, anger.]

Gram, gram, n. a word used in commerce for chick peas exported from British India. [Anglo-Ind., perh. from Port, grão—L. granum, a grain.]

Gram, Gramme, gram, n. the unit of mass in the metric system, equal to 15.432 troy grains. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. gramma, a letter, a small weight.]

Gramary, gram′a-ri, n. magic: enchantment.—Also Gram′arye. [M. E. gramery, skill in grammar, hence magic—O. Fr. gramaire, grammar.]

Gramercy, gra-mėr′si, interj. great thanks—an obsolete expression of obligation, with surprise. [O. Fr. grammerci, grantmerci, great thanks.]

Gramineæ, grā-min′ē-ē, n.pl. the order of grasses.—adjs. Graminā′ceous, Gramin′eal, Graminē′ous, like or pertaining to grass: grassy; Graminifō′lious, bearing leaves; Graminiv′orous, feeding or subsisting on grass and herbs. [L. gramen, graminis, grass, folium, a leaf, vorāre, to eat greedily.]

Grammar, gram′ar, n. the science of the right use of language: a book which teaches grammar: any elementary work.—ns. Grammā′rian, one versed in, or who teaches, grammar; Gramm′ar-school, a school in which grammar, esp. Latin grammar, is taught: a higher school, in which Latin and Greek are taught.—adjs. Grammat′ic, -al, belonging to, or according to, the rules of grammar.—adv. Grammat′ically.—n. Grammat′icaster, a piddling grammarian.—v.t. Grammat′icīse, to make grammatical.—v.i. to act the grammarian.—ns. Grammat′icism, a point of grammar; Gramm′atist, a grammarian. [O. Fr. gramaire; from Low L. gramma, a letter, with the termination -arius—Gr. gramma, a letter—graphein, to write.]

Gramophone, gram′o-fōn, n. an instrument of the phonograph type for recording and reproducing articulate speech—invented by E. Berliner. [Gr. gramma, a letter, phōnē, sound.]

Grampus, gram′pus, n. a large voracious fish of the dolphin family, common in almost all seas. [A sailor's corr. of It. gran pesce, or Sp. gran pez, great fish—L. grandis piscis, great fish.]

Granadilla, gran-a-dil′a, n. the edible fruit of a species of passion-flower. [Sp.]

Granary, gran′ar-i, n. a storehouse for grain or threshed corn. [L. granaria—granum.]

Grand, grand, adj. of great size, extent, power, or dignity: splendid: illustrious: noble: sublime: chief: covering the whole field, or including all details: (mus.) containing all the parts proper to a given form of composition: of the second degree of parentage or descent, as Grand′father, a father or mother's father; Grand′child, a son or daughter's child; so Grand′mother, Grand′son, Grand′daughter, &c.—ns. Gran′dam, an old dame or woman: a grandmother; Grand′-duke, a title of sovereignty over a grand-duchy, first created by the Pope in 1569 for the rulers of Florence and Tuscany, assumed by certain German reigning princes and by the princes of the imperial family of Russia; Grandee′, since the 13th century the most highly privileged class of nobility in the kingdom of Castile, in which the members of the royal family were included: a man of high rank or station; Grandee′ship; Grandeur (grand′ūr), vastness: splendour of appearance: loftiness of thought or deportment; Grandil′oquence.—adj. Grandil′oquent, speaking grandly or bombastically: pompous—(rare) Grandil′oquous.—adv. Grandil′oquently.—adj. Gran′diose, grand or imposing: bombastic.—adv. Gran′diosely.—ns. Grandios′ity; Grand′-ju′ror, member of a Grand′-ju′ry, a special jury which decides whether there is sufficient evidence to put an accused person on trial.—adv. Grand′ly.—ns. Grand′mamma, Grand′ma, a grandmother; Grand′-mas′ter, title of the head of the religious orders of knighthood (Hospitallers, Templars, and Teutonic Knights): the head, for the time being, of the Freemasons, &c.—adj. Grand′motherly, like a grandmother, over-anxious to direct the whole life of another.—ns. Grand′-neph′ew, the grandson of a brother or sister; Grand′ness; Grand′-niece, the granddaughter of a brother or sister; Grand′papa, Grand′pa, a grandfather; Grand′-par′ent, a grandfather or grandmother; Grand′-piä′no, a large kind of piano, of great compass and power; Grand′sire, a grandfather: any ancestor; Grand′stand, an elevated erection on a race-course, &c., affording a good view; Grand′-un′cle, the brother of a grandfather or grandmother—also Great′-un′cle.—Grand Seignior (see Seignior); Grand vizir (see Vizir). [Fr. grand—L. grandis, great.]

Grandisonian, gran-di-sō′ni-an, adj. like the novelist Richardson's hero, Sir Charles Grandison, polite and chivalrous to an extreme and tedious degree.

Grange, grānj, n. a farm-house with its stables and other buildings: (Milt.) a granary: (U.S.) a lodge of the order of 'Patrons of Husbandry.'—n. Gran′ger, a member of a farmer's grange.—adj. pertaining to such. [O. Fr. grange, barn—Low L. granea—L. granum, grain.]

Grangerism, grān′jer-izm, n. the practice of cutting plates and title-pages out of many books to illustrate one book.—v.t. Gran′gerise, to practise grangerism. [From James Granger (1716-76), whose Biographical History of England (1769) gave an impetus to this.]

Graniferous, gran-if′ėr-us, adj. bearing seeds like grain.—adjs. Gran′iform, formed or shaped like a grain or seed; Graniv′orous, eating grain: feeding on seeds. [L. granum, grain, ferre, to carry, forma, form, vorāre, to devour.]

Granite, gran′it, n. an igneous crystalline rock, composed of grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica, and of a whitish, grayish, or reddish colour.—adj. Granit′ic, pertaining to, consisting of, or like granite.—n. Granitificā′tion.—adjs. Granit′iform, Gran′itoid, of the form of or resembling granite; Granolith′ic, composed of cement formed of pounded granite. [It. granito, granite, lit. grained—L. granum, grain.]

Granny, gran′i, n. a grandmother: an old woman—also Grand′am.—n. Grann′y-knot, a knot like a reef-knot, but having the second tie across, difficult to untie when jammed.

Grant, grant, v.t. to bestow or give over: to give possession of: to admit as true what is not yet proved: to concede.—v.i. (Shak.) to consent.—n. a bestowing: something bestowed, an allowance: a gift: (Eng. law) conveyance of property by deed.—adj. Grant′able.—ns. Grantēē′ (law), the person to whom a grant, gift, or conveyance is made; Grant′er, Grant′or (law), the person by whom a grant or conveyance is made.—Take for granted, to presuppose as certainly true. [O. Fr. graanter, craanter, creanter, to promise, as if from a Low L. credentāre—L. credĕre, to believe.]

Granule, gran′ūl, n. a little grain: a fine particle.—adjs. Gran′ūlar, Gran′ūlary, Gran′ūlose, Gran′ūlous, consisting of or like grains or granules.—adv. Gran′ūlarly.—v.t. Gran′ūlāte, to form or break into grains or small masses: to make rough on the surface.—v.i. to be formed into grains.—adj. granular: having the surface covered with small elevations.—n. Granūlā′tion, act of forming into grains, esp. of metals by pouring them through a sieve into water while hot: (pl.) the materials of new texture as first formed in a wound or on an ulcerated surface.—adjs. Granūlif′erous; Gran′ūliform.—n. Gran′ūlīte, a schistose but sometimes massive aggregate of quartz and orthoclase with garnets. [L. granulum, dim. of granum, grain.]

Grape, grāp, n. the fruit of the grape-vine, or of any of the many species of the genus Vitis: a mangy tumour on the legs of horses: grapeshot.—n. Grape′-hy′acinth, a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, nearly allied to the hyacinths.—adj. Grape′less, without the flavour of the grape, said of wine.—ns. Grap′ery, a place where grapes are grown; Grape′shot, shot or small iron balls clustered or piled on circular plates round an iron pin, which scatter on being fired; Grape′-stone, the stone or seed of the grape; Grape′-su′gar, dextrose; Grape′-vine, the vine that bears grapes.—adj. Grap′y, made of or like grapes.—Sour grapes, things despised because they cannot be attained (from Æsop's fable of the fox and the grapes). [O. Fr. grappe, a cluster of grapes; from Old High Ger. chrapho, a hook. It properly meant a hook, then clustered fruit, hooked on, attached to, a stem (Brachet).]

Graph, graf, n. a representation by means of lines, exhibiting the nature of the law according to which some phenomena vary: -graph is used as a terminal in many Greek compounds to denote an agent which writes, &c., as telegraph, seismograph, or the thing written, as in autograph, &c.—adjs. Graph′ic, -al, pertaining to writing, describing, or delineating: picturesquely described: vivid.—adv. Graph′ically.—ns. Graph′icness; Graphiol′ogy, the science or art of writing or delineating, or a treatise thereon; Graph′is, a genus of lichens, remarkable for the resemblance which the fructification assumes to the forms of the letters of Oriental alphabets; Graph′īte, a mineral, commonly called blacklead or plumbago (though containing no lead), largely used in making pencils.—adj. Graphit′ic.—ns. Graph′ium, a stylus; Graphol′ogy, the science of estimating character, &c., from handwriting.—Graphic arts, painting, drawing, engraving, as opposed to music, sculpture, &c.; Graphic granite, a variety of granite with markings like Hebrew characters. [Gr. graphē, a writing—graphein, to write.]

Grapholite, graf′o-līt, n. a kind of slate for writing on.—n. Graphom′eter, an instrument used by surveyors for measuring angles.—adjs. Graphomet′ric, -al, pertaining to or determined by a graphometer.—ns. Graph′ophone, an instrument for recording sounds, based on the principle of the phonograph; Graph′otype, a process intended to supersede wood-engraving, but superseded by zincotype. [Gr. graphein, to write, lithos, a stone, metron, a measure, phonē, a sound, typos, an impression.]

Grapnel, grap′nel, n. a small anchor with several claws or arms: a grappling-iron. [Fr. grappin—grappe, a hook, with dim. suff. -el.]

Grapple, grap′l, v.t. to seize: to lay fast hold of.—v.i. to contend in close fight.—ns. Grapp′lement (Spens.), a grappling, close fight; Grapp′ling-ī′ron, a large grapnel for seizing hostile ships in naval engagements. [O. Fr. grappil—grappe, a hook.]

Graptolite, grap′to-līt, n. one of a group of fossil hydrozoa, having simple or branched polyparies, usually strengthened by a horny-like rod—the 'solid axis.' [Gr. graptos—graphein, to write, lithos, a stone.]

Grasp, grasp, v.t. to seize and hold by clasping with the fingers or arms: to catch at: to comprehend.—v.i. to endeavour to seize: to catch (with at).—n. gripe of the hand: reach of the arms: power of seizing: mental power of apprehension.—adj. Grasp′able.—n. Grasp′er.—p.adj. Grasp′ing, seizing: avaricious: encroaching.—adv. Grasp′ingly.—n. Grasp′ingness.—adj. Grasp′less, feeble, relaxed. [M. E. graspen—grapsen, as clasp—M. E. claspen; allied to grope, grapple.]

Grass, gras, n. common herbage: an order of plants (Gramineæ), the most important in the whole vegetable kingdom, with long, narrow leaves and tubular stem, including wheat, rye, oats, rice, millet, and all those which supply food for nearly all graminivorous animals: short for asparagus—sparrow-grass: time of grass, spring or summer: the surface of a mine.—v.t. to cover with grass: to feed with grass: to bring to the grass or ground, as a bird or a fish—(various perennial fodder grasses are timothy, fox-tail, cock's-foot, and the fescue grasses, Italian rye-grass, &c.).—ns. Grass′-Cloth, a name applied to different kinds of coarse cloth, the fibre of which is rarely that of a grass, esp. to the Chinese summer-cloth made from Bœhmeria nivea, which is really a nettle; Grass′-cut′ter, one of the attendants on an Indian army, whose work is to provide provender for the baggage-cattle; Grass′er, an extra or temporary worker in a printing-office.—adjs. Grass′-green, green with grass: green as grass; Grass′-grown, grown over with grass.—ns. Grass′hopper, a saltatorial, orthopterous insect, nearly allied to locusts and crickets, keeping quiet during the day among vegetation, but noisy at night; Grass′iness; Grass′ing, the exposing of linen in fields to air and light for bleaching purposes; Grass′-land, permanent pasture; Grass′-oil, a name under which several volatile oils derived from widely different plants are grouped; Grass′-plot, a plot of grassy ground; Grass′-tree, a genus of Australian plants, with shrubby stems, tufts of long wiry foliage at the summit, and a tall flower-stalk, with a dense cylindrical spike of small flowers; Grass′-wid′ow, a wife temporarily separated from her husband, often also a divorced woman, or one deserted by her husband; Grass′-wrack, the eel-grass growing abundantly on the sea-coast.—adj. Grass′y, covered with or resembling grass, green.—Go to grass, to be turned out to pasture, esp. of a horse too old to work: to go into retirement, to rusticate: to fall violently (of a pugilist); Let the grass grow under one's feet, to loiter, linger.—Spanish grass (see Esparto). [A.S. gærs, græs; Ice., Ger., Dut., and Goth. gras; prob. allied to green and grow.]

Grassum, gräs′um, n. (Scots law) a lump sum paid by persons who take a lease of landed property—in England, 'premium' and 'fine.'

Grate, grāt, n. a framework composed of bars with interstices, esp. one of iron bars for holding coals while burning.—adj. Grat′ed, having a grating.—ns. Graticulā′tion, the division of a design into squares for convenience in making an enlarged or diminished copy; Grat′ing, the bars of a grate: a partition or frame of bars. [Low L. grata, a grate—L. crates, a hurdle. See Crate.]

Grate, grāt, v.t. to rub hard or wear away with anything rough: to make a harsh sound: to irritate or offend.—n. Grat′er, an instrument with a rough surface for grating down a body.—adj. Grat′ing, rubbing hard on the feelings: harsh: irritating.—adv. Grat′ingly. [O. Fr. grater, through Low L., from Old High Ger. chrazōn (Ger. kratzen), to scratch, akin to Sw. kratta.]

Grateful, grāt′fōōl, adj. causing pleasure: acceptable: delightful: thankful: having a due sense of benefits.—adv. Grate′fully.—ns. Grate′fulness; Gratificā′tion, a pleasing or indulging: that which gratifies: delight; Grat′ifier.—v.t. Grat′ify, to do what is agreeable to: to please: to soothe; to indulge:—pa.p. grat′ified.—p.adj. Grat′ifying. [O. Fr. grat—L. gratus, pleasing, thankful, and suff. -ful.]

Gratis, grā′tis, adv. for nothing: without payment or recompense. [L., contr. of gratiis, abl. pl. of gratia, favour—gratus.]

Gratitude, grat′i-tūd, n. warm and friendly feeling towards a benefactor: thankfulness. [Fr.,—Low L. gratitudo—-L. gratus.]

Gratuity, gra-tū′i-ti, n. a present: an acknowledgment of service, generally pecuniary.—adj. Gratū′itous, done or given for nothing: voluntary: without reason, ground, or proof.—adv. Gratū′itously. [Fr.,—Low L. gratuitatem—L. gratus.]

Gratulatory, grat′ū-la-tor-i, adj. congratulatory.—adj. Grat′ulant, congratulatory.—v.t. Grat′ulāte, to congratulate.—n. Gratulā′tion, congratulation.

Gravamen, grav-ā′men, n. grievance: the substantial or chief ground of complaint or accusation: the name for the statement of abuses, grievances, &c. sent by the Lower to the Upper House of Convocation. [L.,—gravis, heavy.]

Grave, grāv, v.t. to carve or cut on a hard substance: to engrave.—v.i. to engrave:—pa.p. graved or grāv′en.—n. a pit graved or dug out, esp. one in which to bury the dead: any place of burial: the abode of the dead: (fig.) death: destruction.—n.pl. Grave′-clothes, the clothes in which the dead are buried.—n. Grave′-dig′ger, one who digs graves.—adj. Grave′less (Shak.), without a grave, unburied.—ns. Grave′-mak′er (Shak.), a grave-digger; Grave′-stone, a stone laid over, or placed at the head of, a grave as a memorial; Grave′yard, a yard or enclosure used as a burial-ground.—With one foot in the grave, on the very borders of death. [A.S. grafan; Dut. graven, Ger. graben; Gr. graphein, to scratch, L. scribĕre, to write.]

Grave, grāv, v.t. to smear with graves or greaves, a mixture of tallow, rosin, &c. boiled together.—ns.pl. Graves, Greaves, tallow-drippings. [See Greaves.]

Grave, grāv, adj. of importance: serious: not gay or showy: sober: solemn; weighty: (mus.) not acute: low.—n. the grave accent, or its sign (`).—adv. Grave′ly.—n. Grave′ness. [Fr.,—L. gravis.]

Grave, grāv, n. a count, prefect, a person holding office, as in landgrave, margrave, burgrave, &c. [Dut. graaf, Ger. graf.]

Gravel, grav′el, n. small stones often intermixed with sand: small collections of gravelly matter in the kidneys or bladder.—v.t. to cover with gravel: to puzzle, perplex:—pr.p. grav′elling; pa.p. grav′elled.—adj. Grav′elly.—ns. Grav′el-pit, a pit from which gravel is dug; Grav′el-walk, a footpath covered with gravel. [O. Fr. gravele (Fr. gravier); prob. Celt., as in Bret. grouan, sand, W. gro, pebbles.]

Graveolent, grav′ē-o-lent, adj. giving forth an offensive smell.—n. Grav′eolence.

Graver, grāv′ėr, n. an engraver: a tool for engraving on hard substances, a burin.

Gravid, grav′id, adj. heavy, esp. as being with child: pregnant. [L. gravidus—gravis, heavy.]

Gravigrade, grav′i-grād, adj. walking heavily.—n. an animal like the megatherium, &c.

Graving, grāv′ing, n. an act of graving or cutting out on hard substances: that which is graved or cut out: carved-work: act of cleaning a ship's bottom.—n. Grav′ing-dock, a dock into which ships are taken to have their bottoms cleaned.

Gravity, grav′i-ti, n. weightiness: that attraction between bodies, or acceleration of one toward another, of which the fall of a body to the ground is an example: state of being grave or sober: relative importance: (mus.) lowness of a note.—n. Gravim′eter, an instrument for determining specific gravities.—v.i. Grav′itāte, to be acted on by gravity: to tend towards the earth: to be strongly attracted towards anything.—n. Gravitā′tion, act of gravitating: the tendency of all bodies to attract each other.—adj. Grav′itātive.—Specific gravity (see Specific). [Fr. gravité—L. gravitat-em—gravis, heavy.]

Gravy, grāv′i, n. the juices from meat while cooking.—n. Grav′y-boat, a vessel for gravy or sauce. [Earlier greavy; prob. originally an adj. formed greaves, the dregs of tallow.]

Gray, Grey, grā, adj. of a white colour mixed with black: ash-coloured: (fig.) aged, gray-haired, mature.—n. a gray colour: an animal of a grayish colour, as a horse, &c.—v.t. to cause to become gray: to give a soft effect to a photograph by covering the negative while printing with a ground-glass plate: to depolish.—v.i. to grow or become gray.—n. Gray′beard, one with a gray beard—hence an old man: a coarse earthenware vessel for holding liquors, a bellarmine.—adjs. Gray′-coat′ed (Shak.), having a gray coat; Gray′-eyed (Shak.), having gray eyes.—n. Gray′-fly (Milt.), the trumpet or gad fly.—adjs. Gray′-haired, Gray′-head′ed, having gray hair.—n. Gray′hound (same as Greyhound).—adj. Gray′ish, somewhat gray.—ns. Gray′-lag, the common gray or wild goose; Gray′ling, a silvery gray fish of the salmon family, but with a smaller mouth and teeth, and larger scales.—adv. Gray′ly.—ns. Gray′ness; Gray′-owl, the common tawny owl; Gray′stone, a grayish or greenish volcanic rock allied to basalt; Grayweth′er (see Greywether).—Gray mare (see Mare). [A.S. grǽg; allied to Ger. grau, and L. ravus, tawny.]

Graywacke, Greywacke, grä′wak-e, n. a kind of sandstone, consisting of rounded pebbles and sand firmly united together. [Ger. grauwacke—grau, gray, wacke, a flint.]

Graze, grāz, v.t. to eat or feed on grass: to feed or supply with grass: (obs.) to tend while grazing.—v.i. to eat grass: to supply grass.—ns. Graz′er, an animal which grazes; Grazier (grā′zhėr), one who grazes or pastures cattle and rears them for the market; Graz′ing, the act of feeding on grass: the feeding or raising of cattle. [From grass.]

Graze, grāz, v.t. to pass lightly along the surface. [Ety. dub.; perh. only a special use of graze above; perh. coined from rase (Fr. raser), the initial g due to the analogy of grate.]

Grease, grēs, n. soft thick animal fat: oily matter of any kind: an inflammation in the heels of a horse, marked by swelling, &c.—v.t. (sometimes pron. grēz) to smear with grease, to lubricate—also used figuratively, to cause to go easily: (obs.) to bribe—as in to 'grease the palm.'—adv. Greas′ily.—n. Greas′iness.—adj. Greas′y, of or like grease or oil: smeared with grease: smooth: fat. [O. Fr. gresse, fatness, gras, fat—L. crassus, gross.]

Great, grāt, adj. large: long continued: superior: distinguished: highly gifted: noble: mighty: sublime: of high rank: chief: proud, arrogant: weighty: difficult: important: pregnant, teeming: indicating one degree more remote in the direct line of descent, as Great′-grand′father, Great′-grand′son.—adj. Great′-bel′lied (Shak.), pregnant.—n. Great′coat, an overcoat.—v.t. Great′en (Browning), to make great.—v.i. to become great.—ns. Great′-grand′child, the child of a grandchild; Great′-grand′mother, the mother of a grand-parent.—adj. Great′-heart′ed, having a great or noble heart: high-spirited: noble.—adv. Great′ly.—ns. Great′ness; Great′-prim′er (see Primer); Greats, the final examination in the Honours Schools at Oxford, &c.; Great′-un′cle, usually grand-uncle, a grandfather's or grandmother's brother.—Great Dane, one of a breed of large close-haired dogs from Denmark, a boar-hound; Great Powers, the chief countries of Europe—France, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, Austro-Hungary; Great schism, the division between the Latin and Greek Churches, begun in the 9th century, and culminating in 1054; Great Sea, the Mediterranean; Great unwashed, an absurd term sometimes applied to the working classes generally.—Greater Britain, the whole colonial empire of Great Britain.—The great, people of rank. [A.S. greát; Dut. groot, Ger. gross; perh. allied to grand, gross, grow.]

Greaves, grēvz, n.pl. the sediment of melted tallow pressed into cakes for dogs' food.—Also Graves. [Prov. Sw. grevar, tallow-leavings; cf. Ger. griebe.]

Greaves, grēvz, n.pl. ancient armour for the legs, of leather, &c. [O. Fr. greves—greve, shin-bone.]

Grebe, grēb, n. an aquatic bird, having a long conical beak, short wings, and no tail. [Fr. grèbe; from Celt., as in Bret. krib, a comb, W. crib, crest.]

Grecian, grē′shan, adj. pertaining to Greece.—n. a native of Greece: one well versed in the Greek language and literature: (B.) a Hellenising Jew, or Jew who spoke Greek: one of the senior boys of Christ's Hospital: (slang) an Irish labourer newly over.—v.t. Grē′cise, to make Grecian: to translate into Greek.—v.i. to speak Greek.—n. Grē′cism, an idiom of the Greek language.—adj. Grē′co-Rō′man, of or pertaining to both Greece and Rome, esp. to the art cultivated by Greeks under Roman domination (see also Wrestling).—Grecian bend, a foolish mode of walking with a slight bend forward, at one time affected by a few women who fondly thought to imitate the pose of a figure like the Venus of Milo. [Fr. Grec—L. Græcus—Gr. Graikos.]

Grecque, grek, n. a vessel with a perforated bottom for making coffee without grounds: a Greek fret.

Gree, grē, n. (Spens.) good-will, favour: the prize of the day.—v.i. (Shak.) to agree. [O. Fr. gre—L. gratus, pleasing. See Agree.]

Gree, grē, n. degree, rank: a step:—pl. Grees, Grece, Grese, steps—in turn used as a sing. and spelt Greece, Greese, Griece, Grize, a flight of steps, a staircase, a degree (Grees′ing, Gres′sing, and even Grē′cian are obs. forms).—adj. Grieced, having steps. [O. Fr. gre—L. gradus. See Grade.]

Greedy, grēd′i, adj. having a voracious appetite: covetous: eagerly desirous.—n. Greed, an eager desire or longing: covetousness.—adv. Greed′ily.—n. Greed′iness. [A.S. grǽdig; Dut. gretig.]

Greek, grēk, adj. Grecian.—n. a Grecian: the language of Greece: (B.) a Greek by race, or more frequently a Gentile as opposed to a Jew, a Hellenising Jew, a Jew naturalised in foreign countries: a cunning rogue, a merry fellow: any language of which one is ignorant, jargon, anything unintelligible.—adj. Greek′ish.—Greek architecture, the orders developed in ancient Greece (Corinthian, Doric, Ionic); Greek Church, the church of those Christians who follow the ancient rite of the East and accept the first seven councils, rejecting all later innovations and papal supremacy—it is called Orthodox by reason of its vindications of dogma, and Eastern from its geographical distribution; Greek cross (see Cross); Greek fire, a composition, burning either in or under water, supposed to have been made of asphalt, nitre, and sulphur, long kept secret by the Greeks of the Byzantine empire for their exclusive use in war; Greek gift, a treacherous gift (from Virgil's Æneid, ii. 49).—At the Greek calends, never, the Greeks having no calends.

Green, grēn, adj. of the colour of growing plants: growing: vigorous: new: unripe: inexperienced, simple, raw, easily imposed on: young.—n. the colour of growing plants: a small green or grassy plat, esp. that common to a village or town for public or merely ornamental purposes: the plot of grass belonging to a house or group of houses, usually at the back: (golf) the whole links on which the game is played, the putting-ground round the individual holes, generally counted as 20 yards from the hole all round: (pl.) fresh leaves: wreaths: the leaves and stems of green vegetables for food, esp. plants of the cabbage kind, spinach, &c.: a political party at Constantinople, under Justinian, opposed to the Blues.—ns. Green′back, popular name for the paper money first issued by the United States in 1862; Green′-cloth, a gaming-table: a department of the royal household, chiefly concerned with the commissariat—from the green cloth on the table round which its officials sat; Green′-crop, a crop of green vegetables, as grasses, turnips, &c.; Green′-earth, a mineral of a green colour and earthy character, used as a pigment by painters in water-colours; Green′ery, green plants: verdure.—adj. Green′-eyed, having green eyes: (fig.) jealous—Green-eyed monster, jealousy.—ns. Green′finch, Green linnet, a native bird of the finch family, of a green colour, slightly mixed with gray and brown; Green′grocer, a grocer or dealer who retails greens, or fresh vegetables and fruits; Green′-hand, an inferior sailor; Green′-heart, or Bebeeru, a very hard variety of wood found in the West Indies and South America; Green′horn, a raw, inexperienced youth; Green′house, a building, chiefly covered with glass and artificially heated, for the protection of exotic plants, or to quicken the cultivation of other plants or fruit; Green′ing (Keats), a becoming green: a kind of apple green when ripe.—adj. Green′ish, somewhat green.—n. Green′ishness.—adv. Green′ly, immaturely, unskilfully.—ns. Green′ness; Green′room, the retiring-room of actors in a theatre, which originally had the walls coloured green; Green′sand, a sandstone in which green specks of iron occur; Green′shank, a bird of the snipe family, in the same genus as the redshank and some of the sandpipers; Green′-sick′ness, chlorosis (see under Chlorine); Green′-snake, a harmless colubrine snake common in the southern United States; Green′stone, a rock term, now disused, for any dark-green basic crystalline (trap-rock); Green′sward, sward or turf green with grass; Green′-tea (see Tea); Greenth, greenness, verdure; Green′-tur′tle (see Turtle); Green′-vit′riol (see Vit′riol); Green′-weed, a name given to certain half-shrubby species of genista; Green′wood, a wood or collection of trees covered with leaves: wood newly cut—also used as an adj., as in 'the greenwood shade.'—adj. Green′y.—Green in my eye, in a colloquial question=Do I look credulous or easily imposed on?—Green, or Emerald, Isle, Ireland.—Greenstick fracture (see Fracture). [A.S. gréne; Ger. grün, Dut. groen, green, Ice. grænn, allied to grow.]

Greengage, grēn′gāj, n. a green and very sweet variety of plum. [Said to be named from Sir W. Gage of Hengrave Hall, near Bury, before 1725.]

Greet, grēt, v.t. to salute or address with kind wishes: to send kind wishes to: to congratulate.—v.i. to meet and salute:—pr.p. greet′ing; pa.p. greet′ed.—n. Greet′ing, expression of kindness or joy: salutation. [A.S. grétan, to go to meet; Dut. groeten, Ger. grüssen, to salute.]

Greet, grēt, v.i. (Spens.) to cry, weep.—adj. Greet′ing, mournful.—n. weeping. [A.S. grǽtan; Goth. gretan.]

Greeve, grēv, n. (Scot.) a reeve, a steward.—Also Greave, Grieve. [Not like reeve from A.S. geréfa; but from Ice. greifi; cf. Ger. graf.]

Gregarious, gre-gā′ri-us, adj. associating or living in flocks and herds.—adj. Gregā′rian.—n. Gregā-rianism.—adv. Gregā′riously.—n. Gregā′riousness. [L. gregarius—grex, gregis, a flock.]

Gregorian, gre-gō′ri-an, adj. belonging to or established by Pope Gregory; as the Gregorian chant or tones, introduced by Gregory I. (6th century), and the calendar, reformed by Gregory XIII. (1582): one of an 18th-century English brotherhood.

Gremial, grē′mi-al, n. a piece of cloth laid on a bishop's knees to keep his vestments clean from oil at ordinations. [Fr.,—L. gremium, the lap.]

Grenade, gre-nād′, n. a small shell of iron or annealed glass, filled with powder and bits of iron, and thrown from the hand, or with a shovel over a parapet. [Fr.,—Sp. granada—L. granatus, full of seeds—granum, a grain, seed.]

Grenadier, gren-a-dēr′, n. (orig.) a soldier who threw grenades: then, a member of the first company of every battalion of foot: now only used as the title of the first three battalions of the foot-guards.

Grenadine, gren-a-dēn′, n. a thin kind of silk used for ladies' dresses, shawls, &c. [Fr.]

Gressorial, gres-ō′ri-al, adj. adapted for walking, belonging to the Gressoria, a sub-order of orthopterous insects with slender bodies and long legs. [L. gressus, pa.p. of gradi, to walk.]

Gretna, gret′na.—Gretna-green marriage, a runaway marriage across the Border to Gretna in Dumfriesshire.

Greves, grēvz, n.pl. (Milt.) armour for the legs—a form of greaves.

Grey, grā. Same as Gray.—Grey Friars (see Friar); Grey hen, a stone bottle for holding liquor; Greys=Scots Greys (see Scot).

Greyhound, grā′hownd, n. a tall and slender dog, kept for the chase, with great powers of speed and great keenness of sight. [M. E. greihund; Ice. greyhundr—Ice. grey, a dog, hundr, a hound.]

Greywether, grā-weth′er, n. a large block of hard sandstone found sporadically over south and south-east England.—Also Grayweth′er, but not Grayweather. [Gray and wether—i.e. 'gray ram.']

Griddle, grid′l, n. a flat iron plate for baking cakes. [O. Fr. gredil, grëil—Low L. craticulum, dim. of cratis, a hurdle.]

Gride, grīd, v.t. to cut with a grating sound, to pierce harshly: to grate, jar upon:—pr.p. grīd′ing; pa.p. grīd′ed.—n. a harsh grating sound. [Gird.]

Gridelin, grid′e-lin, n. a kind of violet-gray colour. [Fr. gris de lin, gray of flax.]

Gridiron, grid′ī-urn, n. a frame of iron bars for broiling flesh or fish over the fire: a frame of wood or iron cross-beams to support a ship during repairs.—v.t. to cover with parallel bars or lines.—n. Grid, a grating of parallel bars: a gridiron: (elect.) a battery-plate somewhat like a grating, esp. a zinc plate in a primary battery, or a lead plate in a secondary or storage battery. [M. E. gredire, a griddle. From the same source as griddle; but the term. -ire became confused with M. E. ire, iron.]

Grief, grēf, n. heaviness of heart: sorrow: regret: mourning: cause of sorrow: affliction: (B.) bodily as well as mental pain.—adjs. Grief′ful (Spens.), full of grief; Grief′less, sorrowless; Grief′shot (Shak.), pierced with grief. [Fr.,—L. gravis, heavy.]

Grieve, grēv, v.t. to cause grief or pain of mind to: to make sorrowful: to vex: (B.) also to inflict bodily pain.—v.i. to feel grief: to mourn.—n. Griev′ance, cause of grief: burden: hardship: injury: grief.—adv. Griev′ingly (Shak.), in sorrow, sorrowfully.—adj. Griev′ous, causing grief: burdensome: painful: atrocious: hurtful.—adv. Griev′ously, in a grievous manner: (B.) severely.—n. Griev′ousness. [O. Fr. grever—L. gravāre, gravis, heavy.]

Griffin, grif′in, Griffon, grif′un, n. an imaginary animal, with the body and legs of a lion, and the crooked beak and wings of an eagle: a new-comer in India, a novice: a watchful guardian, esp. over a young woman: a duenna.—adj. Griff′inish.—n. Griff′inism. [Fr. griffon—L. gryphus—Gr. gryps—grypos, hook-nosed.]

Grig, grig, n. a cricket, grasshopper: a small lively eel, the sand-eel. [Prob. a form of crick, in cricket.]

Grill, gril, v.t. to broil on a gridiron: to torment.—v.i. to undergo torment, to be in a broil.—n. a grated appliance for broiling meat, &c., a gridiron.—ns. Grill′āde, anything grilled or broiled on a gridiron; Grill′āge, a construction of cross-beams supporting an erection on marshy grounds.—adj. Grilled, embossed with small rectangular indentations.—n. Grill′-room, a restaurant, where beefsteaks, &c., are grilled to one's order. [Fr. griller—gril, a gridiron—L. craticula, dim. of cratis, a grate.]

Grille, gril, n. a lattice, or grating, or screen, or open-work of metal, generally used to enclose or protect a window, shrine, &c.: a grating in a convent or jail door. [Fr. See Grill.]

Grilse, grils, n. a young salmon on its first return from salt water. [Skeat suggests a corr. of Dan. graalax, Sw. grålax, 'gray salmon,' from Dan. graa, Sw. grå, gray; and Dan., Sw., Ice. lax, Ger. lachs, a salmon. Others suggest Ir. greal sach.]

Grim, grim, adj. of forbidding aspect: ferocious: ghastly: sullen: stern, unyielding.—adv. Grim′ly.—n. Grim′ness. [A.S. grim; Ger. grimmig—grimm, fury, Dut. grimmig, Ice. grimmr.]

Grimace, gri-mās′, n. a distortion of the face, in jest, &c.: a smirk.—v.i. to make grimaces.—adj. Grimaced′, with a grimace: distorted. [Fr.; of uncertain origin, perh. from Ice. gríma, a mask.]

Grimalkin, gri-mal′kin, n. an old cat, a cat generally. [Gray, and malkin, a dim. of Moll=Mary.]

Grime, grīm, n. ingrained dirt.—v.t. to soil deeply.—adv. Grim′ily.—n. Grim′iness.—adjs. Grim′-looked (Shak.), having a grim or dismal aspect; Grim′y, foul, dirty. [From a Teut. root seen in Dan. grim, soot, Fris. grime, a dark spot on the face.]

Grin, grin, v.i. to set the teeth together and withdraw the lips: to smile with some accompanying distortion of the features, expressive of derision, stupid admiration, &c.—v.t. to express by grinning:—pr.p. grin′ning; pa.p. grinned.—n. act of grinning: a forced or sardonic smile.—p.adj. Grin′ning, making grins. [A.S. grennian; Ice. grenja, Ger. greinen, Dut. grijnen, to grumble, Scot. girn; allied to Eng. groan, Fr. grogner.]

Grind, grīnd, v.t. to reduce to powder by friction: to wear down or sharpen by rubbing: to rub together: to oppress or harass: to set in motion by a crank.—v.i. to be moved or rubbed together: to drudge at any tedious task: to read hard:—pr.p. grīnd′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. ground.—n. hard or distasteful work: laborious study for a special examination, &c.—ns. Grind′er, he who, or that which, grinds: a double or jaw tooth that grinds food: a coach or crammer of students for examination: a hard student; Grind′ery, a place where knives, &c., are ground, or where they are sold: shoemakers' materials; Grind′ing, act or process of reducing to powder.—p.adj. harassing.—n. Grind′stone, a circular revolving stone for grinding or sharpening tools.—Keep one's nose to the grindstone, to subject one to severe continuous toil or punishment.—Take a grinder (Dickens), to put the left thumb to the nose, and to work a visionary coffee-mill round it with the right—a gesture of contempt. [A.S. grindan.]

Gringo, gring′gō, n. an Englishman or American among Spanish-speaking Americans. [Sp. 'gibberish,' prob. Griego, Greek.]

Grip, grip, n. a small ditch or trench, a drain.—Also Gripe. [M. E. grip, grippe; cf. Low Ger. gruppe.]

Grip, grip, n. grasp or firm hold with the hand, &c.: the handle or part by which anything is grasped: a mode of grasping, a particular mode of grasping hands for mutual recognition, as by Freemasons: a clutching device connecting a car with a moving traction-cable: oppression: pinching distress.—v.t. to take fast hold of, to grasp or gripe:—pr.p. grip′ping; pa.p. gripped, gript.—v.t. Grīpe, to grasp with the hand: to seize and hold fast: to squeeze: to give pain to the bowels.—n. fast hold, grasp: forcible retention: a griffin: a usurer: (pl.) severe spasmodic pain in the intestines.—n. Grīp′er.—p.adj. Grīp′ing, avaricious: of a pain that catches or seizes acutely.—adv. Grīp′ingly, in a griping or oppressive manner.—ns. Grippe, influenza or epidemic catarrh; Grip′per, one who, or that which, grips.—adj. Grip′ple (Spens.), griping, grasping: greedy.—n. a gripe.—n. Grip′-sack, a hand-satchel.—Lose one's grip, to lose hold or control. [A.S. grípan, grap, gripen; Ice. grípa, Ger. grei′fen, Dut. grijpen; allied to grab.]

Griqua, grek′wa, n. one of a mixed race in South Africa, descended from Boer fathers and Hottentot or Bush women.

Grisaille, grē-zāl′, n. a style of decorative painting in grayish tints in imitation of bas-reliefs: a stained-glass window in this style. [Fr.,—gris, gray.]

Griselda, gris-el′da, n. a woman of exemplary gentleness and patience, from the name of the heroine of a tale retold by Boccaccio, Petrarch, and Chaucer (Clerkes Tale).

Grisette, gri-zet′, n. a gay young Frenchwoman of the lower class. [Fr. grisette, a gray gown, which used to be worn by that class—gris, gray.]

Griskin, gris′kin, n. (prov.) the spine of a hog. [Obs. gris, grice, a pig—Ice. griss, a young pig.]

Grisly, griz′li, adj. frightful: hideous.—n. Gris′liness. [A.S. gryslíc, ágrísan, to dread; Ger. grässlich.]

Grist, grist, n. corn for grinding at one time: supply: profit.—n. Grist′-mill, a mill for grinding grain.—Bring grist to the mill, to be a source of profit. [A.S. grist, gerst, a grinding; from root of grind.]

Gristle, gris′l, n. a soft elastic substance in animal bodies—also called Cartilage.—n. Grist′liness.—adj. Grist′ly. [A.S. gristle—grist, grinding.]

Grit, grit, n. the coarse part of meal: gravel: a kind of hard sandstone: firmness of character, spirit: (pl.) oats coarsely ground, groats.—ns. Grit′stone; Grit′tiness.—adj. Grit′ty, having hard particles: sandy: determined, plucky. [A.S. greót; Dut. grut, groats, Ger. gries, gravel.]

Grizzle, griz′l, n. a gray colour.—adjs. Grizz′led, gray, or mixed with gray; Grizz′ly, of a gray colour.—n. the grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis) of the Rocky Mountains. [M. E. grisel—Fr. gris, gray—Mid. High Ger. grís, gray, Ger. greis.]

Groan, grōn, v.i. to utter a moaning sound in distress: (fig.) to be afflicted: to express disapprobation of a speaker by means of audible groans or similar sounds.—n. a deep moaning sound as of distress: a sound of disapprobation.—adj. Groan′ful (Spens.), sad, agonising.—n. Groan′ing, a deep moan as of pain: any low rumbling sound. [A.S. gránian.]

Groat, grawt, or grōt, n. an English silver coin, worth fourpence—only coined after 1662 as Maundy money—the silver fourpenny-piece, coined from 1836-56, was not called a groat: a very small sum, proverbially. [Old Low Ger. grote, a coin of Bremen—orig. grote sware, 'great pennies,' as compared with the smaller copper coins, five to the groat.]

Groats, grōts, n.pl. the grain of oats deprived of the husks. [M. E. grotes, prob. Ice. grautr, barley; cog. with A.S. grút, coarse meal.]

Grobian, grō′bi-an, n. a boorish rude fellow. [Ger. grob, coarse; cf. gruff—Dut. grof.]

Grocer, grōs′ėr, n. a dealer in tea, sugar, &c.—n. Groc′ery (generally used in pl.), articles sold by grocers. [Earlier grosser or engrosser, a wholesale dealer; O. Fr. grossier—gros, great.]

Grog, grog, n. a mixture of spirits and cold water, without sugar.—ns. Grog′-bloss′om, a redness of the nose due to drinking; Grog′gery (U.S.), a low public-house; Grog′giness, state of being groggy; Grog′ging, extracting the spirit from the wood of empty spirit-casks with water.—adj. Grog′gy, affected by grog, partially intoxicated: (boxing) weak and staggering from blows: applied to a horse that bears wholly on his heels in trotting.—n. Grog′-shop, a dram-shop. [From 'Old Grog,' the nickname of Admiral Vernon, who introduced it about 1745—from his grogram breeches.]

Grogram, grog′ram, n. a kind of coarse cloth of silk and mohair. [O. Fr. grosgrain.]

Groin, groin, n. the part of the body on either side of the belly where the thigh joins the trunk: (archit.) the angular curve formed by the crossing of two arches.—v.t. to form into groins, to build in groins.—n. Groin′-cen′tring, the centring of timber during construction.—adj. Groined, having angular curves made by the intersection of two arches.—n. Groin′ing.—Underpitch groining, a kind of vaulting used when the main vault of a groined roof is higher than the transverse intersecting vault, as in St George's Chapel, Windsor—sometimes called Welsh groining. [Ice. grein, division, branch—greina, to divide; Sw. gren, branch, space between the legs; Scot. graine, grane, the branch of a tree or river.]

Groin, groin, v.i. (obs.) to grunt, to growl. [O. Fr. grogner—L. grunnīre, to grunt.]

Grolier, grō′lye, n. a book or a binding from the library of the French bibliophile, Jean Grolier (1479-1565).—adj. Grolieresque′, after the style of Grolier's bindings, with geometrical or arabesque figures and leaf-sprays in gold lines.

Grommet, grom′et, n. a ring formed of a single strand of rope, laid in three times round, fastening the upper edge of a sail to its stay: a ship-boy. [O. Fr.]

Gromwell, grom′wel, n. a herb of the borage family. [O. Fr. grumel—L. grumulus, a hillock.]

Groom, grōōm, n. one who has the charge of horses: a title of several officers of the royal household: a bridegroom.—v.t. to tend, as a horse.—n. Grooms′man, the attendant on a bridegroom at his marriage. [Prob. from A.S. guma (in bridegroom), a man, Goth. guma, Ice. gumi, L. homo.]

Groove, grōōv, n. a furrow, or long hollow, such as is cut with a tool.—v.t. to grave or cut a groove or furrow in. [Prob. Dut. groef, groeve, a furrow; cog. with Ger. grube, a pit, Ice. gróf, Eng. grave.]

Grope, grōp, v.i. to search for something, as if blind or in the dark.—v.t. to search by feeling.—adv. Grop′ingly, in a groping manner. [A.S. grápian, to seize; allied to grab, gripe.]

Grosbeak, grōs′bēk, n. a name applied to not a few highly specialised finches (Fringillidæ), with thick, heavy, seed-crushing bills—also to many other birds, as the cardinal grosbeaks and the rose-breasted grosbeak. [Gross and beak.]

Groschen, grō′shen, n. a small silver coin till 1873-76 current in the north of Germany, in value 1⁄30th of a thaler. [Ger.,—L. grossus, thick.]

Groser, grō′ser, n. (prov.) a gooseberry—(Scot.) Gros′sart.—adj. Grossulā′ceous, pertaining to the gooseberry. [See Gooseberry.]

Gross, grōs, adj. coarse: rough: dense: palpable, glaring, shameful: whole: coarse in mind: stupid: sensual: obscene.—n. the main bulk: the whole taken together: a great hundred—i.e. twelve dozen.—adv. Gross′ly.—n. Gross′ness.—In gross, in bulk, wholesale. [Fr. gros—L. grossus, thick.]

Grotesque, grō-tesk′, adj. extravagantly formed: ludicrous.—n. (art) extravagant ornament, containing animals, plants, &c. not really existing.—adv. Grotesque′ly.—ns. Grotesque′ness; Grotesqu′ery. [Fr. grotesque—It. grotesca—grotta, a grotto.]

Grotian, grō′shi-an, adj. of or pertaining to Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), the Latinised form of Huig van Groot, founder of the science of international law.—Grotian theory, the theory that man is essentially a social being, and that the principles of justice are of perpetual obligation and in harmony with his nature; Grotian, or Governmental, theory of the Atonement, a divine acquittal for Christ's sake, rather than a real satisfaction on the part of Christ.

Grotto, grot′ō, n. a cave: a place of shade, for pleasure—also Grot:—pl. Grott′os—n. Grott′o-work, a grotto-like structure. [It. grotta (Fr. grotte)—L. crypta—Gr. kryptē, a crypt.]

Ground, grownd, n. the surface of the earth: a portion of the earth's surface: land, field, soil: the floor, &c.: position: field or place of action: (lit. or fig.) that on which something is raised: foundation: sufficient reason: (art) the surface on which the figures are represented.—v.t. to fix on a foundation or principle: to instruct in first principles: to cover with a layer of plaster, &c., as a basis for painting: to coat with a composition, as a surface to be etched.—v.i. to strike the bottom and remain fixed.—ns. Ground′age, the tax paid by a ship for the space occupied while in port; Ground′-ang′ling, fishing without a float, with a weight placed a few inches from the hook—called also Bottom-fishing; Ground′-ash, a sapling of ash; Ground′-bait, bait dropped to the bottom of the water.—adv. Ground′edly (Browning), on good grounds.—ns. Ground′er, at baseball, &c., a ball thrown low rather than rising into the air; Ground′-floor, the floor of a house on a level with the street or exterior ground; Ground′-game, hares, rabbits, as distinguished from winged game; Ground′-hog, the American marmot, or woodchuck: the aardvark of Africa; Ground′-hold (Spens.), ground-tackle; Ground-ice, the ice formed at the bottom of a water first—also An′chor-ice; Ground′ing, the background of embroidery, &c.; Ground′-ī′vy, a common British creeping-plant whose leaves were once used for flavouring ale (gill-ale or gell-ale).—adj. Ground′less, without ground, foundation, or reason.—adv. Ground′lessly.—ns. Ground′lessness; Ground′ling, a fish which keeps near the bottom of the water, esp. the spinous loach: a spectator in the pit of a theatre—-hence one of the common herd: (pl.) the vulgar.—adj. (Lamb) base.—ns. Ground′-nut, ground-bean, or pea-nut, the fruit of the annual leguminous plant Arachis hypogæa; Ground′-oak, a sapling of oak; Ground′-plan, plan of the horizontal section of the lowest or ground story of a building: Ground′-plot, the plot of ground on which a building stands; Ground′-rent, rent paid to a landlord for the use of the ground for a specified term, usually in England ninety-nine years.—n.pl. Grounds, dregs of drink: sediment at the bottom of liquors (explained by Skeat as Celtic—Gael. grunndas, lees, grunnd, bottom, Ir. gruntas, grunnt, bottom).—ns. Ground′sell, Ground′sill, the timber of a building which lies next to the ground; Ground-squirr′el, the chipmuck or hackee; Ground′-swell, a broad, deep undulation of the ocean, proceeding from a distant storm; Ground′-tack′le, the tackle necessary for securing a vessel at anchor; Ground′work, that which forms the ground or foundation of anything: the basis: the essential part: the first principle.—Ground annual, in the law of Scotland, an annual payment, sometimes called a rent-charge, made for land—a substitute for feu-duty.—Be on one's own ground, to be dealing with a matter in which one is specially versed; Break ground, to take the first step in any project; Fall to the ground, to come to nothing; Gain ground, to advance, to obtain an advantage; Give ground, to yield advantage; Lose ground, to retire, to lose advantage; Slippery ground, an insecure footing; Stand, or Hold, one's ground, to stand firm. [A.S. grund; most prob. grund-en, pa.p. of grindan, and orig. meaning 'earth ground small;' cog. with Ger. grund, Ice. grunnr.]

Groundsel, grownd′sel, n. an annual plant, about a foot high, with small yellow flowers. [A.S. grundeswelge—grund, ground, swelgan, to swallow.]

Group, grōōp, n. a number of persons or things together: a number of individual things related, in some definite way differentiating them from others: (art) a combination of figures forming a harmonious whole.—v.t. to form into a group or groups.—v.i. to fall into harmonious combination.—n. Group′ing (art), the act of disposing and arranging figures or objects in a group. [Fr. groupe—It. groppo, a bunch, knot—Teut.; cf. Ger. kropf, protuberance.]

Grouse, grows, n. the heathcock or moorfowl, a plump bird with a short curved bill, short legs, and feathered feet, which frequents Scotch moors and hills—the Scotch ptarmigan, red-grouse: any bird of the family Tetraonidæ, and sub-family Tetraoninæ. [Prob. from the older grice (on the analogy of mouse, mice)—O. Fr. griesche, gray.]

Grout, growt, n. coarse meal: the sediment of liquor: lees: a thin coarse mortar: a fine plaster for finishing ceilings.—n. Grout′ing, the filling up or finishing with grout: the stuff so used.—adj. Grout′y, thick, muddy: sulky. [A.S. grút, coarse meal; cog. with Dut. grut, Ice. grautr, porridge, Ger. grütze, groats.]

Grove, grōv, n. a wood of small size, generally of a pleasant or ornamental character: an avenue of trees: (B.) an erroneous translation of Asherah, the wooden upright image of the lewdly worshipped goddess Ashtoreth; also of Heb. eshel in Gen. xxi. 33.—Groves of Academe, the shady walks of the Academy at Athens, any place of learned pursuits. [A.S. gráf, a grove—grafan, pa.t. gróf, to dig.]

Grovel, grov′el, v.i. to crawl on the earth, esp. in abject fear, &c.: to be base or mean:—pr.p. grov′elling; pa.p. grov′elled.—n. Grov′eller.—adj. Grov′elling, mean. [Explained by Skeat as due to M. E. groveling, flat on the ground, properly an adv., also grofling—Ice. grûfa.]

Grow, grō, v.i. to become enlarged by a natural process: to advance towards maturity: to increase in size: to develop: to become greater in any way: to extend: to improve: to pass from one state to another: to become.—v.t. to cause to grow: to cultivate:—pa.t. grew (grōō); pa.p. grown.—ns. Grow′er; Grow′ing; Growth, a growing: gradual increase: progress: development: that which has grown: product.—Grow on, to gain in the estimation of; Grow out of, to issue from, result from: to pass beyond in development, to give up; Grow to, to advance to; Grow together, to become united by growth; Grow up, to advance in growth, become full-grown; to take root, spring up. [A.S. grówan; Ice. gróa; conn. with green.]

Growl, growl, v.i. to utter a deep, murmuring sound like a dog: to grumble surlily.—v.t. to express by growling.—n. a murmuring, snarling sound, as of an angry dog.—ns. Growl′er, one who growls: a fish of the Perch family, abundant in North American rivers, so named from the sound it emits: (slang) a four-wheeled cab: (Amer.) a jug or pitcher used for carrying beer; Growl′ing, grumbling, snarling: a rumbling sound.—adv. Growl′ingly. [Dut. grollen, to grumble; allied to Gr. gryllizein, to grunt.]

Grub, grub, v.i. to dig in the dirt: to be occupied meanly: (slang) to eat.—v.t. to dig or root out of the ground (generally followed by up): (slang) to supply with victuals:—pr.p. grub′bing; pa.p. grubbed.—n. the larva of the beetle, moth, &c.: (slang) something to eat.—n. Grub′ber, he who, or that which, grubs: an agricultural implement for grubbing out weeds, &c., or for clearing and stirring up the soil, with obliquely placed tines or teeth set in a frame and moved forward on wheels.—v.i. and v.t. Grub′ble, to grope.—n. Grub′-street, a street in London inhabited by booksellers' hacks and shabby writers generally.—adj. applied to any mean literary production. [Prob. A.S. grápian, to grope.]

Grudge, gruj, v.t. to murmur at: to look upon with envy: to give or take unwillingly.—v.i. to show discontent.—n. secret enmity or envy: an old cause of quarrel.—adjs. Grudge′ful (Spens.), full of grudge, envious; Grudg′ing, given to grudge.—adv. Grudg′ingly, unwillingly. [M. E. grochen, grucchen—O. Fr. grocer, groucer, from an imitative root seen in Gr. gry, the grunt of a pig; also in growl, grunt.]

Gruel, grōō′el, n. a thin food made by boiling oatmeal in water. [O. Fr. gruel (Fr. gruau), groats—Low L. grutellum, dim. of grutum, meal—Old Low Ger. grut, groats, A.S. grút.]

Gruesome, grōō′sum, adj. horrible: fearful: dismal, depressing.—vs.i. Grue, Grew, to shudder: to feel horror or repulsiveness. [Scand.; Dan. gru, horror, with suff. -som; cf. Dut. gruwzaam, Ger. grausam.]

Gruff, gruf, adj. rough, stern, or abrupt in manner: churlish.—adv. Gruff′ly.—n. Gruff′ness. [Dut. grof; cog. with Sw. grof, Ger. grob, coarse.]

Grum, grum, adj. morose: surly: deep in the throat, as a sound.—adv. Grum′ly.—n. Grum′ness. [A.S. grom; cf. Dan. grum.]

Grumble, grum′bl, v.i. to murmur with discontent: to growl: to rumble.—n. the act of grumbling.—ns. Grum′bler; Grumbletō′nian, one of the country party as opposed to the court party, after 1689.—adv. Grum′blingly. [Old Dut. grommelen, freq. of grommen to mutter.]

Grume, grōōm, n. a thick consistence of fluid: a clot, as of blood.—adjs. Grum′ous, Grum′ose, thick: clotted. [O. Fr. grume, a bunch (Fr. grumeau, a clot)—L. grumus, a little heap.]

Grumph, grumf, n. (Scot.) a grunt.—v.i. to grunt.—n. Grumph′ie, a sow.

Grumpy, grum′pi, adj. surly: dissatisfied: melancholic.—adv. Grum′pily. [Grumble.]

Grundy, grund′i, Mrs, the invisible censor morum who is frequently appealed to in the phrase, 'But what will Mrs Grundy say?' in Thomas Morton's play, Speed the Plough (1800).

Grunt, grunt, v.i. to make a sound like a pig: to utter guttural sounds.—n. a short, guttural sound, as of a hog.—ns. Grunt′er; Grunt′ing.—adv. Grunt′ingly. [M. E. grunten—A.S. grunian; cf. Ger. grunzen, L. grunnīre; all imit.]

Gruyère, grōō-yār′, n. a famous whole-milk cheese, made at Gruyère and many other places in the canton of Freiburg, Switzerland.

Gryfon, Gryphon, grif′on, n. obsolete forms of griffin.—Also Grype.

Guacharo, gwä′chä-rō, n. the oil-bird, a South American nocturnal frugivorous goatsucker. [Sp.]

Guacho, gwä′kō, n. a tropical American climbing composite: the medicinal substance in the leaves.

Guaiacum, gwā′ya-kum, n. a genus of trees in the West Indies, that yield a greenish resin used in medicine. [Sp. guayaco, from a Haytian word.]

Guan, gwän, n. the yacou, a South American genus of large arboreal game-birds, giving loud cries.

Guanaco, gwä-nä′ko, n. a cameloid ruminant widely spread in South America.

Guano, gwä′nō, n. the long-accumulated excrement of certain sea-fowl, found on certain coasts and islands, esp. about South America, much used for manure.—adj. Guanif′erous.—n. Guä′nin, a yellowish-white, amorphous substance, a constituent of guano, also of the liver and pancreas of mammals. [Sp. guano, or huano, from Peruv. huanu, dung.]

Guarana, gwä-rä′na, n. a paste prepared from the pounded seeds of Paullinia sorbilis, a climbing Brazilian shrub, made in round or oblong cakes—Guarana Bread.

Guarantee, gar-an-tē′, Guaranty, gar′an-ti, n. a warrant or surety: a contract to see performed what another has undertaken: the person who makes such a contract, one responsible for the performance of some action, the truth of some statement, &c.—v.t. to undertake that another shall perform certain engagements: to make sure:—pr.p. guarantee′ing; pa.p. guaranteed′.—n. Guar′antor, one who makes a guaranty.—Guarantee associations, joint-stock companies on the insurance principle, which become security for the integrity of cashiers, &c. [O. Fr. garantie, pa.p. of garantir, to warrant—garant, warrant. See Warrant.]

Guard, gärd, v.t. to ward, watch, or take care of: to protect from danger or attack: to protect the edge of, as by an ornamental border.—v.i. to watch: to be wary.—n. that which guards from danger: a man or body of men stationed to protect: one who has charge of a coach or railway-train: state of caution: posture of defence: part of the hilt of a sword: a watch-chain: (pl.) troops attached to the person of a sovereign: (cricket) the pads which protect the legs from swift balls.—adj. Guard′able.—n. Guard′age (Shak.), wardship.—adjs. Guard′ant (her.), having the face turned towards the beholder; Guard′ed, wary: cautious: uttered with caution.—adv. Guard′edly.—ns. Guard′edness; Guard′house, Guard′room, a house or room for the accommodation of a guard of soldiers, where defaulters are confined; Guard′ian, one who guards or takes care of: (law) one who has the care of an orphan minor.—adj. protecting.—n. Guard′ianship.—adj. Guard′less, without a guard: defenceless.—ns. Guard′ship, a ship of war that superintends marine affairs in a harbour and protects it: (Swift) guardianship; Guards′man, a soldier of the guards.—Guardian angel, an angel supposed to watch over a particular person: a person specially devoted to the interests of another.—Mount guard, to go on guard-duty; On, or Off, one's guard, on the watch, or the opposite; Run the guard, to get past a guard or sentinel without detection. [O. Fr. garder—Old High Ger. warten; A.S. weardian, Eng. ward.]

Guarish, gār′ish, v.t. (Spens.) to heal. [O. Fr. guarir (Fr. guérir), to heal.]

Guava, gwä′va, n. a genus of trees and shrubs of tropical America, with yellow, pear-shaped fruit made into jelly. [Sp. guayaba—Braz.]

Gubbins, gub′ins, n.pl. a half-savage race in Devonshire, described by the pastoral poet William Browne and by Fuller in his Worthies.

Gubernation, gū-bėr-nā′shun, n. government, rule.—adj. Gubernatō′rial. [L. gubernāre, govern.]

Guddle, gud′l v.t. (Scot.) to catch fish with the hands by groping under the stones or banks of a stream.

Gudgeon, guj′un, n. a genus of small, carp-like fishes common in the fresh waters of Europe—easily caught: a person easily cheated.—adj. foolish.—v.t. to impose on, cheat. [O. Fr. goujon—L. gobion-em—Gr. kōbios. See Goby.]

Gudgeon, guj′un, n. the bearing of a shaft, esp. when made of a separate piece: a metallic journal-piece let into the end of a wooden shaft: a pin. [O. Fr. goujon, the pin of a pulley.]

Guebre, Gueber, gē′bėr, n. a follower of the ancient Persian religion as reformed by Zoroaster. [Pers. gabr; see Giaour; cf. Ar. kafir, unbeliever.]

Guelder-rose, gel′dėr-rōz, n. a species of Viburnum with large white ball-shaped flowers—also called Snowball-tree. [From Gueldres in Holland.]

Guelf, Guelph, gwelf, n. one of a papal and popular party in Italy in the Middle Ages which was opposed to the emperors.—adj. Guelf′ic, belonging to the Guelfs, in modern times the royal family of Hanover and England. [The party names Guelf and Ghibelline are from Welf and Waiblingen, two families which in the 12th century were at the head of two rival parties in the German Empire.]

Guerdon, gėr′dun, n. a reward or recompense.—v.t. to reward. [O. Fr. guerdon, guerredon (It. guidardone)—Low L. widerdonum, corr. from Old High Ger. widarlón (A.S. wiðerleán)—wider (A.S. wiðer), against, and lón (A.S. leán), reward; or more prob. the latter part of the word is from L. donum, a gift.]

Guereza, ger′e-za, n. a large, long-haired, black-and-white African monkey, with a bushy tail.

Guerilla, Guerrilla, gėr-ril′a, n. a mode of harassing an army by small bands adopted by the Spaniards against the French in the Peninsular war: a member of such a band.—adj. conducted by or conducting petty warfare. [Sp. guerrilla, dim. of guerra (Fr. guerre)—Old High Ger. werra.]

Guernsey, gėrn′zi, n. a sailor's closely-fitting knitted woollen shirt: one of a breed of dairy cattle from the island: the red-legged partridge. [From Guernsey in the Channel Islands.]

Guess, ges, v.t. to form an opinion on uncertain knowledge: to conjecture, to think.—v.i. to judge on uncertain knowledge: to conjecture rightly.—n. judgment or opinion without sufficient evidence or grounds.—adj. Guess′able, that may be guessed.—n. Guess′er, one who guesses or conjectures.—adv. Guess′ingly, by way of conjecture.—n. Guess′work, work done by guess: random action. [M. E. gessen; cog. with Dut. gissen; Dan. gisse, Ice. giska, for gitska—geta, to get, think, A.S. gitan, whence Eng. get. See Forget.]

Guest, gest, n. a visitor received and entertained.—n. Guest′-cham′ber (B.), a chamber or room for the accommodation of guests.—v.i. Guest′en (Scot.), to stay as a guest.—adv. Guest′wise, in the manner or capacity of a guest. [A.S. gest, gæst; allied to Dut. and Ger. gast, L. hostis, stranger, enemy.]

Gueux, gū, n.pl. the name assumed by the confederation (1565) of nobles and others to resist the introduction of the Inquisition into the Low Countries by Philip II. of Spain. [Fr., 'beggars.']

Guffaw, guf-faw′, v.i. to laugh loudly.—n. a loud laugh. [From the sound.]

Guggle, gug′l, v.i. to make a noise with the mouth or throat, to gurgle. [Formed from gurgle.]

Guide, gīd, v.t. to lead or direct: to regulate: to influence.—n. he who, or that which, guides: one who directs another in his course of life: a soldier or other person employed to obtain information for an army: a guide-book: anything calculated to maintain in a certain direction or position.—adj. Guid′able.—ns. Guid′age, guidance; Guid′ance, direction: government; Guide′-book, a book of information for tourists.—adj. Guide′less, having no guide.—ns. Guide′post, a post erected at a roadside to guide the traveller; Guid′er, one who guides, a director; Guid′on, a forked guide-flag carried by a cavalry company or mounted battery, also the officer bearing it. [O. Fr. guider; prob. from a Teut. root, as in A.S. witan, to know, wís, wise, Ger. weisen, to show, conn. with wit, wise.]

Guild, Gild, gild, n. an association of men for mutual aid: a corporation: (orig.) an association in a town where payment was made for mutual support and protection.—ns. Guild′-broth′er, a fellow-member of a guild; Guild′hall, the hall of a guild, esp. in London; Guild′ry (Scot.), a guild, the members of such. [A.S. gild, money—gildan, to pay.]

Guilder, Gilder, gild′ėr, n. an old Dutch and German gold coin: now a silver coin=1s. 8d.: (Shak.) money generally. [Dut. gulden—Ger. gulden, gold.]

Guile, gīl, n. wile, jugglery: cunning: deceit.—v.t. (Spens.) to beguile.—p.adj. Guiled, armed with deceit: treacherous.—adj. Guile′ful, crafty: deceitful.—adv. Guile′fully.—n. Guile′fulness.—adj. Guile′less, without deceit: artless.—adv. Guile′lessly.—ns. Guile′lessness; Guil′er (Spens.), a deceiver. [O. Fr. guile, deceit; from a Teut. root, as in A.S. wíl, Ice. vel, a trick.]

Guillemot, gil′e-mot, n. a genus of diving birds of the Auk family, with long, straight, feathered bill and very short tail. [Fr., prob. Celt.; Bret. gwelan, gull, and O. Fr. moette, a sea-mew, from Teut.]

Guilloche, gil-losh′, n. an ornament formed of two or more bands intertwining in a continued series.—v.t. to decorate with intersecting curved lines. [Fr.; said to be from the name of its inventor, Guillot.]

Guillotine, gil′ō-tēn, n. an instrument for beheading—consisting of an upright frame down which a sharp heavy axe descends on the neck of the victim—adopted during the French Revolution, and named after Joseph Ignace Guillotin (1738-1814), a physician, who first proposed its adoption: a machine for cutting paper, straw, &c.: a surgical instrument for cutting the tonsils.—v.t. to behead with the guillotine.—n. Guill′otinement, death by the guillotine.

Guilt, gilt, n. punishable conduct: the state of having broken a law: crime: wickedness.—adv. Guilt′ily.—n. Guilt′iness.—adj. Guilt′less, free from crime: innocent.—adv. Guilt′lessly.—n. Guilt′lessness.—adj. Guilt′y, justly chargeable with a crime: wicked: pertaining to guilt.—adv. Guilt′y-like (Shak.), guiltily.—Guilty of (sometimes in B.), deserving. [Orig. a payment or fine for an offence; A.S. gylt, guilt—gildan, to pay, to atone.]

Guinea, gin′i, n. an English gold coin, no longer used=21s., so called because first made of gold brought from Guinea, in Africa.—ns. Guin′ea-corn, a cereal extensively cultivated in Central Africa and India—also Indian millet; Guin′ea-fowl, a genus of African birds in the pheasant family, having dark-gray plumage with round spots of white, generally larger on the back and under surface; Guin′ea-grass, a grass of the same genus with millet, a native of Guinea and Senegal; Guin′ea-hen (Shak.), a courtesan; Guin′ea-pepp′er (see Pepper); Guin′ea-pig, a small South American rodent, somewhat resembling a small pig, the cavy: (slang) a professional company director, without time or real qualifications for the duties; Guin′ea-worm, a very slender thread-like nematode worm common in tropical Africa.

Guipure, gē-pōōr′, n. a kind of lace having no ground or mesh, the pattern fixed by interlacing threads: a species of gimp. [Fr. guipure—O. Fr. guiper, prob. Teut.; cf. Goth. veipan, to weave.]

Guise, gīz, n. manner, behaviour: external appearance: dress.—v.t. (arch.) to dress.—v.i. to act as a guiser.—ns. Guis′er (Scot.), Guis′ard, a person in disguise: a Christmas mummer. [O. Fr. guise; from Old High Ger. wísa (Ger. weise), a way, guise, which is cog. with A.S. wíse, way, wís, wise.]

Guitar, gi-tär′, n. a six-stringed musical instrument, somewhat like the lute, well adapted for accompanying the voice. [Fr. guitare—L. cithara—Gr. kithara, a lyre or lute. See Cithern.]

Gula, gū′la, n. a piece in some insects, esp. in the beetles, &c., forming the lower surface of the head, behind the mentum, bounded laterally by the genæ or cheeks: the upper part of a bird's throat, between mentum and jugulum.—adj. Gū′lar. [L., 'throat.']

Gulch, gulch, n. (U.S.) a ravine or narrow rocky valley, a gully.—v.t. (prov.) to swallow greedily. [Prob. the n. and v. are connected.]

Gulden, gōōl′den, n. a certain gold or silver coin in Germany in the Middle Ages: the unit of account in Austria, having the value of about 2s. [Ger.]

Gules, gūlz, n. (her.) a red colour, marked in engraved figures by perpendicular lines.—adj. Gū′ly. [O. Fr. gueules; acc. to Brachet, from Pers. ghul, a rose; acc. to others, from L. gula, the throat.]

Gulf, gulf, n. a hollow or indentation in the sea-coast: a deep place in the earth: an abyss: a whirlpool: anything insatiable: in Oxford and Cambridge examinations, the place of those next to the pass, but not bad enough to fail.—v.t. to engulf.—n. Gulf′-weed, a large olive-brown sea-weed with stalked air-bladders.—adj. Gulf′y, full of gulfs or whirlpools.—Gulf Stream, a great current of warm water flowing out of the Gulf of Mexico through the Strait of Florida, along the eastern coast of the United States of America, then deflected near the banks of Newfoundland diagonally across the Atlantic. [O. Fr. golfe—Late Gr. kolphos—Gr. kolpos, the bosom.]

Gull, gul, n. a web-footed sea-fowl belonging to the family Laridæ. [Celt.; Corn. gullan, W. gwylan, Bret. gwelan—gwela, to weep, to cry.]

Gull, gul, v.t. to beguile: to deceive.—n. a trick: one easily cheated: (Shak.) a nestling.—ns. Gull′-catch′er (Shak.), a cheat; Gull′er; Gull′ery, imposture; Gullibil′ity.—adj. Gull′ible, easily deceived.—n. Gullos′ity. [Same word as gull, a seafowl, the bird being thought stupid.]

Gullet, gul′et, n. the throat: the passage in the neck by which food is taken into the stomach.—n. Gulos′ity, gluttony. [O. Fr. goulet, dim. of O. Fr. goule (Fr. gueule)—L. gula, the throat.]

Gully, gul′i, n. a channel worn by running water: a ditch: a ravine.—v.t. to wear a gully or channel in.—p.adj. Gull′ied.—ns. Gull′y-hole, a manhole into a drain, &c.; Gull′y-hunt′er, one who picks up things from gutters. [Prob. gullet.]

Gulp, gulp, v.t. to swallow eagerly or in large draughts.—n. a swallow: as much as is swallowed at once. [Dut. gulpen—gulp, a great draught.]

Gum, gum, n. the firm fleshy tissue which surrounds the teeth: (slang) insolence.—n. Gum′boil, a boil or small abscess on the gum. [A.S. góma, jaws; Ice. gómr, Ger. gaumen, palate.]

Gum, gum, n. a substance which exudes from certain trees and plants, and hardens on the surface, including those containing arabin, bassorin, and gum-resins.—v.t. to smear or unite with gum:—pr.p. gum′ming; pa.p. gummed.—ns. Gum′-ar′abic, a gum obtained from various species of acacia; Gum′-drag′on, tragacanth; Gum′-elas′tic, india-rubber or caoutchouc; Gum′-ju′niper, sandarac.—adj. Gummif′erous, producing gum.—ns. Gum′miness; Gum′ming, act of fastening with gum, esp. the application of gum-water to a lithographic stone: a disease, marked by a discharge of gum, affecting stone-fruit; Gummos′ity, gumminess.—adjs. Gum′mous, Gum′my, consisting of or resembling gum: producing or covered with gum.—ns. Gum′-rash, red-gum; Gum′-res′in, a vegetable secretion formed of resin mixed with more or less gum or mucilage; Gum′-tree, a name applied to various American and Australian trees; Chew′ing-gum (see Chew). [O. Fr. gomme—L. gummi—Gr. kommi; prob. Coptic komē, gum.]

Gumbo, gum′bō, n. the okra or its mucilaginous pods: a soup of which okra is an ingredient, also a dish of okra-pods seasoned: Creole patois in Louisiana.

Gumption, gump′shun, n. sense: shrewdness: common-sense.—adj. Gump′tious. [Doubtless conn. with A.S. gýman, to observe; cf. Goth. gaumjan.]

Gun, gun, n. a firearm or weapon, from which balls or other projectiles are discharged, usually by means of gunpowder—now generally applied to cannon: one who carries a gun, a member of a shooting-party.—v.i. (Amer.) to shoot with a gun.—ns. Gun′-barr′el, the barrel or tube of a gun; Gun′boat, a boat or small vessel of light draught, fitted to carry one or more guns; Gun′-carr′iage, a carriage on which a gun or cannon is supported; Gun′-cott′on, an explosive prepared by saturating cotton with nitric acid; Gun′-fire (mil.), the hour at which the morning or evening gun is fired; Gun′-flint, a piece of flint fitted to the hammer of a flint-lock musket; Gun′-met′al, an alloy of copper and tin in the proportion of 9 to 1, used in making guns; Gun′nage, the number of guns carried by a ship of war; Gun′ner, one who works a gun or cannon: (naut.) a petty officer who has charge of the ordnance on board ship; Gun′nery, the art of managing guns, or the science of artillery; Gun′ning, shooting game; Gun′-port, a port-hole; Gun′powder, an explosive powder used for guns and firearms; Gun′-room, the apartment on board ship occupied by the gunner, or by the lieutenants as a mess-room; Gun′shot, the distance to which shot can be thrown from a gun.—adj. caused by the shot of a gun.—adj. Gun′-shy, frightened by guns (of a sporting dog).—ns. Gun′smith, a smith or workman who makes or repairs guns or small-arms; Gun′stick, a ramrod; Gun′stock, the stock or piece of wood on which the barrel of a gun is fixed; Gun′stone (Shak.), a stone, formerly used as shot for a gun; Gun′-tack′le (naut.), the tackle used on board ship by which the guns are run to and from the port-holes; Gun′-wad, a wad for a gun; Gat′ling-gun, a revolving battery-gun, invented by R. J. Gatling about 1861, usually having ten parallel barrels, capable of firing 1200 shots a minute; Machine′-gun (see Machine).—As sure as a gun, quite sure, certainly; Blow great guns, to blow tempestuously—of wind; Great gun, a cannon: (coll.) a person of great importance; Son of a gun, a rogue, rascal. [M. E. gonne, from W. gwn, a bowl, a gun, acc. to Skeat.]

Gunny, gun′i, n. a strong coarse cloth manufactured in India from jute, and used as sacking. [Hind. gon, goní, sacking—Sans. goní, a sack.]

Gunwale, Gunnel, gun′el, n. the wale or upper edge of a ship's side next to the bulwarks, so called because the upper guns are pointed from it.

Gurgle, gur′gl, v.i. to flow in an irregular noisy current: to make a bubbling sound. [Through an It. gorgogliare, from gorgo—L. gurges.]

Gurnard, gur′nard, n. a genus of fishes having the body rounded, tapering, and covered with small scales, an angular head, the eyes near the summit, and the teeth small and very numerous—(obs.) Gur′net. [From O. Fr. grongnard—grogner, to grunt—L. grunnīre, to grunt.]

Guru, gōō′rōō, n. a spiritual teacher, any venerable person.—Also Goo′roo. [Hind.—Sans.]

Gush, gush, v.i. to flow out with violence or copiously: to be effusive, or highly sentimental.—n. that which flows out: a violent issue of a fluid.—n. Gush′er, an oil-well not needing to be pumped.—adj. Gush′ing, rushing forth with violence, as a liquid: flowing copiously: effusive.—adv. Gush′ingly.—adj. Gush′y, effusively sentimental. [Scand.; Ice. gusa, gjósa; Dut. gudsen. See Geyser.]

Gusset, gus′et, n. the piece of cloth in a shirt which covers the armpit: an angular piece of cloth inserted in a garment to strengthen some part of it.—v.t. to make with a gusset: to insert a gusset into. [O. Fr. gousset—gousse—It. guscio, a pod, husk.]

Gust, gust, n. a sudden blast of wind: a violent burst of passion.—adjs. Gust′ful, Gust′y, stormy: irritable.—n. Gust′iness. [Ice. gustr, blast.]

Gust, gust, n. sense of pleasure of tasting: relish: gratification.—n. Gustā′tion, the act of tasting: the sense of taste.—adjs. Gust′ātive, Gus′tātory, of or pertaining to gustation.—n. Gust′o, taste: zest. [L. gustus, taste; cf. Gr. geuein, to make to taste.]

Gut, gut, n. the alimentary canal: intestines prepared for violin-strings, &c. (gut for angling, see Silkworm-gut): (pl.) the bowels.—v.t. to take out the bowels of: to plunder:—pr.p. gut′ting; pa.p. gut′ted.—n. Gut′-scrap′er, a fiddler.—v.t. and v.i. Gut′tle, to eat greedily. [A.S. gut, geótan, to pour; prov. Eng. gut, Ger. gosse, a drain.]

Gutta, gut′a, n. a drop: one of the small drop-like ornaments on the under side of the mutules and regulæ of the Doric entablature: a small round colour-spot:—pl. Gutt′æ.—adjs. Gutt′ate, -d, containing drops: spotted. [L.]

Gutta-percha, gut′a-pėrch′a, n. the solidified juice of various trees in the Malayan Islands. [Malay gatah, guttah, gum, percha, the tree producing it.]

Gutter, gut′ėr, n. a channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away water: a channel for water: (print.) one of a number of pieces of wood or metal, grooved in the centre, used to separate the pages of type in a form: (pl.) mud, dirt (Scot.).—v.t. to cut or form into small hollows.—v.i. to become hollowed: to run down in drops, as a candle.—ns. Gutt′er-blood, a low-born person; Gutt′er-snipe, a neglected child, a street Arab.—adj. Guttif′erous, exuding gum or resin. [O. Fr. goutiere—goute—L. gutta, a drop.]

Guttural, gut′ur-al, adj. pertaining to the throat: formed in the throat: harsh or rasping in sound.—n. (gram.) a letter pronounced in the throat or the back part of the mouth (k, c hard, q, g, ng).—v.t. Gutt′uralise, Gutt′urise, to form (a sound) in the throat.—adv. Gutt′urally.—n. Gutt′uralness. [Fr.,—L. guttur, the throat.]

Guy, gī, n. (naut.) a rope to steady any suspended weight.—v.t. to keep in position by a guy. [Sp. guia, a guide.]

Guy, gī, n. an effigy of Guy Fawkes, dressed up grotesquely on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot (5th Nov.): an odd figure.

Guzzle, guz′l, v.i. to eat and drink with haste and greediness.—v.t. to swallow with exceeding relish.—n. Guzz′ler. [O. Fr. (des-) gouziller, to swallow down; gosier, the throat.]

Gwiniad, gwin′i-ad, n. a fresh-water fish of about 10 or 12 inches in length, found in some of the lakes of Wales and Cumberland—the Fresh-water Herring. [W.,—gwyn, white.]

Gygis, jī′jis, n. a genus of small terns, white, with black bill, long-pointed wings, and a slightly forked tail. [Gr. gygēs, a water-bird.]

Gymkhana, jim-kä′na, n. a place of public resort for athletic games, &c., also a meeting for such sports. [A factitious word, according to Yule-Burnell, prob. based on gend-khāna ('ball-house'), the usual Hind. name for an English racket-court.]

Gymnasium, jim-nā′zi-um, n. a school for gymnastics: a school for the higher branches of literature and science: (orig.) a public place or building where the Greek youths exercised themselves, with running and wrestling grounds, baths, and halls for conversation:—pl. Gymnā′sia.—adj. Gymnā′sial.—n. Gymnā′siast.—adj. Gymnā′sic.—n. Gym′nast, one who teaches or practises gymnastics.—adjs. Gymnas′tic, -al, pertaining to athletic exercises: athletic, vigorous.—adv. Gymnas′tically.—n.pl. used as sing. Gymnas′tics, athletic exercises, devised to strengthen the muscles and bones, esp. those of the upper half of the body: the art of performing athletic exercises.—adj. Gym′nic (Milt.). [L.,—Gr. gymnasion—gymnazein, gymnos, naked.]

Gymnocarpous, jim-no-kär′pus, adj. (bot.) having the fruit naked, or not invested with a receptacle. [Gr. gymnos, naked, karpos, fruit.]

Gymnocitta, jim-no-sit′a, n. a genus of crow-like American jays with naked nostrils. [Gr. gymnos, naked, kitta, kissa, a jay.]

Gymnocladus, jim-nok′lad-us, n. a genus of North American trees, the pods slightly aperient. [Gr. gymnos, naked, klados, a branch.]

Gymnogynous, jim-noj′i-nus, adj. (bot.) having a naked ovary. [Gr. gymnos, naked, gynē, female.]

Gymnorhinal, jim-nō-rī′nal, adj. having the nostrils bare or unfeathered, as certain jays and auks. [Gr. gymnos, naked, hris, hrin-os, the nose.]

Gymnosophist, jim-nos′of-ist, n. the name given by the Greeks to those ancient Hindu philosophers who wore little or no clothing, and lived solitarily in mystical contemplation.—n. Gymnos′ophy. [Gr. gymnos, naked, sophos, wise.]

Gymnosperm, jim′nō-spėrm, n. one of the lower or more primitive group of seed plants—also Gym′nogen.—adj. Gymnosper′mous (bot.), having the seeds unenclosed in a capsule.—n. Gym′nospore, a naked spore. [Gr. gymnos, naked, sperma, seed.]

Gymnotus, jim-nō′tus, n. the most powerful of the electric fishes, occurring in the fresh waters of Brazil and Guiana.—Also Electric eel. [Formed from Gr. gymnos, naked, nōtos, the back.]

Gynæceum, Gynecium, jin-ē-sē′um, n. an apartment in a large house exclusively appropriated to women. [Gr. gynē, a woman, oikos, a house.]

Gynandria, ji-nan′dri-a, n. a Linnæan class of plants, in which the stamens are united with the pistil.—n. Gynan′der, a plant of the gynandria: a masculine woman.—adjs. Gynan′drian, Gynan′drous. [Gr. gynē, a female, anēr, andros, a man.]

Gynarchy, jin′är-ki, n. government by a female. [Gr. gynē, a woman, archē, rule.]

Gynecian, Gynæcian, ji-nē′shi-an, adj. relating to women.—adjs. Gynē′cic, Gynæ′cic, pertaining to women's diseases.—n. Gynœ′cium, the collective pistils of a flower.

Gynecocracy, jin-ē-kok′ra-si, n. government by women—also Gynoc′racy.—adj. Gynecrat′ic. [Gr. gynē, a woman, kratein, to rule.]

Gynecology, Gynæcology, jin-ē-kol′-o-ji, n. that branch of medicine which treats of the diseases and affections peculiar to woman and her physical organism.—adj. Gynecolog′ical.—n. Gynecol′ogist. [Gr. gynē, a woman, legein, to speak.]

Gyneolatry, jīnē-ol′at-ri, n. excessive worship of woman. [Gr. gynē, a woman, latreia, worship.]

Gynophore, jin′o-fōr, n. (bot.) an elongation or internode of the receptacle of a flower.

Gyp, jip, n. a male servant who attends to college rooms at Cambridge. [Perh. a contr. from gypsy; hardly from Gr. gyps, a vulture.]

Gypsum, jip′sum, n. a valuable mineral of a comparatively soft kind, burned in kilns, and afterwards ground to a fine powder, called plaster of Paris.—adjs. Gyp′seous, of or resembling gypsum; Gypsif′erous, producing or containing gypsum. [L.,—Gr. gypsos, chalk.]

Gyrate, jī′rāt, v.i. to whirl round a central point: to move round.—adj. (bot.) winding round.—n. Gyrā′tion, act of whirling round a central point: a spiral motion.—adjs. Gy′ratory, Gyrā′tional, moving in a circle. [L. gyrāre, -ātum, to move in a circle.]

Gyre, jīr, n. a circular motion.—n. Gy′ra, the richly embroidered border of a robe:—pl. Gy′ræ.—adjs. Gy′ral, whirling, rotating; Gyroid′al, spiral in arrangement or movement. [L. gyrus—Gr. gyros, a ring, round.]

Gyre-carlin, gīr-kar′lin, n. (Scot.) a witch. [Ice. gýgr, a witch, karlinna, a carline.]

Gyromancy, jī′ro-man-si, n. divination by walking in a circle till dizziness caused a fall towards one direction or another. [Gr. gyros, a circle, manteia, divination.]

Gyron, Giron, jī′ron, n. (her.) a bearing consisting of two straight lines drawn from any given part of the field and meeting in an acute angle in the fesse-point.—adjs. Gyronnet′ty, Gyron′ny, Giron′ny. [Fr., acc. to Skeat, from the Old High Ger. gérun, accus. of géro, a spear, gér; cf. A.S. gár, a spear.]

Gyroscope, jī′ro-skōp, n. an instrument for the exhibition of various properties of rotation, and the composition of rotations.—adj. Gyroscop′ic. [Gr. gyros, a circle, skopein, to see.]

Gyrostat, jī′rō-stat, n. an instrument contrived for illustrating the dynamics of rotating rigid bodies.—adj. Gyrostat′ic. [Gr. gyros, round, statikos, static.]

Gyrus, jī′rus, n. one of the rounded edges into which the surface of the cerebral hemisphere is divided by the fissures or sulci. [Gr. gyros, a circle.]

Gyte, gīt, n. (Scot.) a child: a first year's boy at Edinburgh High School. [Prob. a corr. of get, offspring.]

Gyve, jīv, v.t. to fetter.—n.pl. Gyves, shackles, fetters. [M. E. gives, gyves. Of Celt. origin; cf. W. gefyn, Ir. geimheal.]

the eighth letter in our alphabet, its sound that of a strongly-marked continuous guttural, produced at the back of the palate, not existing in English, but heard in the Scotch loch and the German lachen. In Old English h was a guttural, or throat sound, but it gradually softened down to a spirant, and has now become almost a vowel: (chem.) a symbol denoting hydrogen: in medieval Roman notation=200, H=200,000.

Ha, hä, interj. denoting surprise, joy, or grief; and, when repeated, laughter: in continued speech, often an involuntary sound expressive of hesitation. [Imit.]

Haaf, häf, n. a deep-sea fishing-ground off the coast of Shetland.—n. Haaf′-fish′ing, deep-sea fishing, as for cod. [Ice. haf, sea.]

Habble, häb′l, v.t. (Scot.) to perplex.—v.i. to stutter or stammer.—n. a perplexity, a squabble. [Hobble.]

Habeas-corpus (ad subjiciendum), hā′be-as-kor′pus, n. a writ to a jailer to produce the body of one detained in prison, and to state the reasons of such detention.—n. Haben′dum, the clause in a deed beginning 'habendum et tenendum' ('to have and to hold'), which determines the interest or estate granted by the deed. [L., lit. 'have the body,' from L. habēre, to have, and corpus, the body.]

Habenaria, hab-ē-nā′ri-a, n. a genus of tuberous orchidaceous plants. [L. habena, a thong.]

Haberdasher, hab′ėr-dash-ėr, n. a seller of small-wares, as ribbons, tape, &c.—n. Hab′erdashery, goods sold by a haberdasher. [O. Fr. hapertas; ety. dub.; not Ice.]

Haberdine, ha-ber-dīn′, n. (obs.) dried salt cod. [Old Dut. abberdaan, also labberdaen; prob. from Le Labourd, or Lapurdum (Bayonne).]

Habergeon, ha-bėr′je-un, n. a piece of armour to defend the neck and breast. [Fr. haubergeon, dim. of O. Fr. hauberc.]

Habile, hab′il, adj. (obs.) able, capable. [Fr.,—L. habilis. See Able.]

Habiliment, ha-bil′i-ment, n. a garment: (pl.) clothing, dress.—adjs. Hab′ilable (Carlyle), capable of being clothed; Habil′atory, having reference to dressing. [Fr. habillement—habiller, to dress—L. habilis, fit, ready—habēre.]

Habilitation, ha-bil-i-tā′shun, n. (Bacon) qualification: (U.S.) the act of supplying money to work a mine.—n. Habilitā′tor, one who does so.—v.i. Habil′itate, to acquire certain necessary qualifications, esp. for the office of teacher in a German university (Ger. habilitiren). [Low L. habilitation -em—L. habilis, able.]

Habit, hab′it, n. ordinary course of conduct: tendency to perform certain actions: general condition or tendency, as of the body: practice: custom: outward appearance: dress, esp. any official or customary costume: a garment, esp. a tight-fitting dress, with a skirt, worn by ladies on horseback.—v.t. to dress:—pr.p. hab′iting; pa.p. hab′ited.—adj. Hab′ited, clothed, dressed.—ns. Hab′it-mak′er, one who makes women's riding-habits; Hab′it-shirt, a thin muslin or lace under-garment worn by women on the neck and shoulders, under the dress.—adj. Habit′ūal, formed or acquired by frequent use: customary.—adv. Habit′ūally.—v.t. Habit′ūāte, to cause to acquire a habit: to accustom.—ns. Habitūā′tion; Hab′itūde, tendency from acquiring a habit: usual manner; Habitué (hab-it′ū-ā), a habitual frequenter of any place of entertainment, &c.—Habit and repute, a phrase in Scotch law to denote something so notorious that it affords strong and generally conclusive evidence of the facts to which it refers; Habit of body, the general condition of the body as outwardly apparent: any constitutional tendency or weakness. [Fr.,—L. habitus, state, dress—habēre, to have.]

Habitable, hab′it-a-bl, adj. that may be dwelt in.—ns. Habitabil′ity, Hab′itableness.—adv. Hab′itably.—ns. Hab′itant, an inhabitant; Hab′itat, the natural abode or locality of an animal or plant: place of abode generally; Habitā′tion, act of inhabiting: a dwelling or residence: a group, lodge, company, as of the so-called 'Primrose League.' [Fr.,—L. habitabilis—habitāre, -ātum, to inhabit, freq. of habēre, to have.]

Hacienda, as-i-en′da, n. an estate or establishment. [Sp.,—L. facienda, things to be done, facĕre, to do.]

Hack, hak, v.t. to cut: to chop or mangle: to notch: to kick (another) at football.—n. a cut made by hacking: a kick on the shin.—n. Hack′ing, the operation of picking a worn grindstone, &c., with a hack-hammer.—adj. short and interrupted, as a broken, troublesome cough.—n. Hack′-log, a chopping-block. [A.S. haccian, in composition tó-haccian; cf. Dut. hakken, Ger. hacken.]

Hack, hak, n. a horse kept for hire, esp. a poor one: any person overworked on hire: a literary drudge.—adj. hired, mercenary: used up.—v.t. to offer for hire: to use roughly.—n. Hack′-work, literary drudgery for which a person is hired by a publisher, as making dictionaries, &c. [Contr. of hackney.]

Hack, hak, n. a grated frame, as a rack for feeding cattle, a place for drying bricks, &c. [Hatch.]

Hackberry, hak′ber-i, n. an American tree, allied to the elm. [See Hagberry.]

Hackbut, hak′but, n. an arquebuse—also Hag′but.—n. Hackbuteer′. [O. Fr. haquebute, from Dut. haakbus. See Arquebuse.]

Hackle, hak′l, n. an instrument with iron teeth for sorting hemp or flax: any flimsy substance unspun: a feather in a cock's neck: part of the dressing of a fly-hook used by anglers.—v.t. to dress with a hackle, as flax: to tear rudely asunder.—n. Hack′ler, a flax-dresser, heckler.—adj. Hack′ly, rough and broken, as if hacked or chopped: (min.) covered with sharp points. [Cf. Dut. hekel, Ger. hechel.]

Hacklet, hak′let, n. a kind of sea-bird, prob. the shear-water—also Hag′let.—The Hagden is the Greater Shear-water (Puffinus major).

Hackney, hak′ni, n. a horse for general use, esp. for hire: (obs.) a person hired for any mean work.—v.t. to carry in a hackney-coach: to use much: to make commonplace.—adjs. Hack′ney, Hack′neyed, let out for hire: devoted to common use: much used.—ns. Hack′ney-coach, a coach let out for hire; Hack′ney-coach′man; Hack′neyman, one who keeps hackney horses. [O. Fr. haquenee, an ambling nag; further history unknown.]

Had, pa.t. and pa.p. of have: (B.) held.—ns. Had′ding, Had′din (Scot.), a holding, residence.

Haddock, had′uk, n. a sea-fish of the cod family—(Scot.) Hadd′ie. [M. E. haddoke; ety. unknown.]

Hade, hād, n. (min.) the dip or underlie of a lode or fault.—v.i. to underlay or incline from the vertical.

Hades, hā′dēz, n. the unseen world: the abode of the dead indefinitely, hell. [Gr. haidēs, hadēs, dubiously derived from a, neg., and idein, to see.]

Hadith, had′ith, n. the body of traditions about Mohammed, supplementary to the Koran. [Ar.]

Hadj, Hajj, haj, n. a Mohammedan pilgrimage to Mecca or Medina.—ns. Hadji, Hajji (haj′i), one who has performed a Hadj. [Ar., 'a pilgrimage.']

Hadrosaurus, had-rō-sä′rus, n. a very large Dinosaurian of the Cretaceous epoch—abundant in New Jersey. [Gr. hadros, thick, sauros, a lizard.]

Hæcceity, hek-sē′i-ti, hēk-, n. Duns Scotus's word for that element of existence on which individuality depends, hereness-and-nowness. [Lit. 'thisness,' L. hæc.]

Hæmacyte, Hem-, hē′ma-sīt, n. a blood-corpuscle.—n. Hæmacytom′eter, an instrument for determining the number of such in a given quantity of blood.

Hæmadynamics, Hem-, hē-ma-di-nam′iks, n. the dynamics or theory of the circulation of the blood.

Hæmal, Hemal, hē′mal, adj. relating to the blood or blood-vessels: ventral, the opposite of Neural.—n. Hæ′machrome, the colouring matter of the blood.—adj. Hæ′matoid, resembling blood.—Hæmal arch, the position of a vertebra enclosing and protecting the heart and other viscera; Hæmal cavity, the thoracic-abdominal cavity, containing the heart, &c. [Gr. haima, blood.]

Hæmanthus, hē-man′thus, n. a genus of bulbous plants native to Africa, including the Cape tulip. [Gr. haima, blood, anthos, a flower.]

Hæmastatic, Hem-, -al, hē-ma-stat′ik, -al, adj. serving to stop the flow of blood.—n.pl. Hæmastat′ics, the statics of the blood and blood-vessels. [Gr. haima, blood, statikos, static.]

Hæmatein, Hem-, hē-ma-tē′in, n. an organic principle derived from the colouring matter of logwood.

Hæmatemesis, hē-ma-tem′e-sis, n. a vomiting of blood from the stomach. [Gr. haima, haimat-os, blood, emein, to vomit.]

Hæmatin, Hem-, hē′ma-tin, hem′a-tin, n. a brown substance associated with hemoglobin in the blood.—adjs. Hæmat′ic, Hæ′mic—n.pl. Hæmat′ics, that branch of medical science concerned with the blood.

Hæmatite, Hem-, hem′a-tīt, hē′ma-tīt, n. (min.) a valuable ore of iron, consisting chiefly of peroxide of iron—its two chief varieties, Red Hæmatite and Brown Hæmatite.—adj. Hæmatit′ic.

Hæmatoblast, hē′ma-to-blast, hem′-, n. one of the minute colourless discs, smaller than either the red or white corpuscles, found in the blood. [Gr. haima, haimat-os, blood, blastos, a germ.]

Hæmatocele, Hem-, hē′ma-to-sēl, n. a tumour containing blood. [Gr. haima, blood, kēlē, a tumour.]

Hæmatology, hē-ma-tol′o-ji, n. the branch of biology which relates to the blood.

Hæmatosis, hē-ma-tō′sis, n. the formation of blood, the conversion of venous into arterial blood.—n. Hæmatō′sin, hæmatin.

Hæmatoxylin, Hem-, hē-ma-tok′si-lin, n. a dye obtained from the logwood-tree. [Gr. haima, blood, xylon, wood.]

Hæmatozoa, hē-ma-to-zō′a, n. parasites occurring in the blood. [Gr. haima, haimat-os, blood, zōon, an animal.]

Hæmaturia, hē-ma-tū′ri-a, n. the discharge of blood with the urine, usually from disease of the kidneys or bladder. [Gr. haima, blood, ouron, urine.]

Hæmoglobin, Hem-, hē-mo-glō′bin, n. the red substance in the red blood-corpuscles. [Gr. haima, blood, L. globus, a ball.]

Hæmony, hē′mo-ni, n. a plant with sovereign properties against magic, &c., in Milton's Comus. [Prob. formed from Gr. haimōnios, blood-red.]

Hæmophilia, hē-mo-fil′i-a, hem-o-, n. a constitutional tendency to excessive bleeding when any blood-vessel is even slightly injured.

Hæmophthalmia, hē-mof-thal′mi-a, n. effusion of blood into the eye. [Gr. haima, blood, ophthalmos, the eye.]

Hæmoptysis, hē-mop′ti-sis, n. expectoration of blood. [Gr. haima, blood, ptysis, a spitting.]

Hæmorrhage, Hem-, hem′or-āj, n. a discharge of blood from the blood-vessels.—adj. Hæmorrhag′ic. [Gr. haimorrhagia—haima, blood, rhēgnynai, to burst.]

Hæmorrhoids, Hem-, hem′or-oidz, n.pl. dilated veins liable to discharge blood, esp. piles.—adj. Hæmorrhoid′al. [Gr. haimorrhoides—haima, blood, rhein, to flow.]

Hæmostasia, hē-mo-stā′si-a, n. stagnation of blood in any part: any operation for arresting the flow of blood, as the ligation of an artery.—adj. Hæmostat′ic, stopping or preventing hæmorrhage, styptic. [Gr. haima, blood, stasis, a standing.]

Haffet, haf′et, n. (Scot.) the side of the head, the temples. [Prob. half-head—A.S. healf-héafod.]

Haft, haft, n. a handle.—v.t. to set in a haft: to establish firmly. [A.S. hæft; Ger. heft.]

Hag, hag, n. an ugly old woman, originally a witch: one of the Round Mouths, allied to the lamprey.—adj. Hag′gish, hag-like.—adv. Hag′gishly.—adj. Hag′-rid′den, ridden by witches, as a horse: troubled by nightmare.—ns. Hag′-seed, a witch's offspring; Hag′ship, the personality of a hag; Hag′weed, the common broom, a broomstick being usually bestridden by a witch in her flight through the air. [A.S. hægtesse, a witch; Ger. hexe.]

Hag, hag, n. (Scot.) any broken ground in a moss or bog: brushwood to be cut down.

Hagberry, hag′ber-i, n. the bird-cherry—sometimes Hack′berry. [Prob. Scand.; Ice. heggr.]

Haggada, ha-gä′da, n. a free Rabbinical homiletical commentary on the whole Old Testament, forming, together with the Halacha, the Midrash, but from its especial popularity often itself styled the Midrash—also Haggä′dah, Agä′dah.—adjs. Haggad′ic, Haggadist′ic, pertaining to the Haggada, said of free interpretation, opposed to Halachic or legal.—n. Hagg′adist. [Heb.]

Haggard, hag′ard, adj. lean: hollow-eyed: wild, applied to an untrained hawk—(arch.) Hagg′ed.—n. Hagg′ard, a hawk.—adv. Hagg′ardly. [O. Fr. hagard, prob. related to haie, hedge.]

Haggis, hag′is, n. a Scotch dish made of the heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep, calf, &c., chopped up with suet, onions, oatmeal, &c., seasoned and boiled in a sheep's stomach-bag. [Ety. unknown; not Fr. hachis, hash, assimilated with hag, hack.]

Haggle, hag′l, v.t. to cut unskilfully: to mangle.—v.i. to be slow and hard in making a bargain: to stick at trifles, to cavil.—n. Hagg′ler. [A variant of hackle, itself a freq. of hack, to cut.]

Hagiarchy, hā′ji-ar-ki, n. government by priests.—Also Hagioc′racy. [Gr. hagios, sacred, archē, rule.]

Hagiographa, hag-i-og′ra-fa, n.pl. the last of the three Jewish divisions of the Old Testament, comprehending the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ruth, Esther, Chronicles, Canticles, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes.—adj. Hagiog′raphal.—n. Hagiog′rapher, one of the writers of the Hagiographa: a sacred writer.—adjs. Hagiograph′ic, -al, pertaining to the Hagiographa. [Gr. hagiographa (biblia)—hagios, holy, graphein, to write.]

Hagiology, hag-i-ol′o-ji, n. history of saints.—n. Hagiog′rapher, a writer of saints' lives.—adjs. Hagiograph′ic, -al, pertaining to the writing of saints' lives.—ns. Hagiog′raphy, the lives of saints as a branch of literature; Hagiol′ater, one who worships saints; Hagiol′atry, the worship of saints.—adjs. Hagiolog′ic, -al.—n. Hagiol′ogist, one versed in the legends of saints. [Gr. hagios, holy, logia, discourse.]

Hagioscope, hag′-, or hā′ji-o-skōp, n. an oblique opening in the screen or chancel wall of a church to afford a view of the chief altar to those in a side chapel or aisle, a squint.—adj. Hagioscop′ic. [Gr. hagios, holy, skopein, to look.]

Ha-ha, Hawhaw, haw-haw′, n. a sunk fence, or a ditch not seen till close upon it.

Hahnemannian, hä-ne-man′i-an, adj. of or relating to C. F. S. Hahnemann (1755-1843), founder of the homeopathic method of treatment.

Haiduk, hī′duk, n. one of those, from the forests of eastern Hungary, who in the 16th century maintained a guerilla warfare against the Turks. [Hung. hajduk, pl. of hajdu, a cowherd.]

Haik, haik, n. an oblong piece of cloth which Arabs wrap round the head and body.—Also Haick, Haique, Hyke.

Haikh, haih, n. a branch of the Iranic group of Aryan languages, including Armenian and Ossetian: the native name of Armenia.—adj. Armenian.

Hail, hāl, v.t. to greet: to call to, at a distance: to address one passing.—n. a call: greeting.—interj. or imper. (lit.) may you be in health.—n. Hail′-fell′ow, a familiar friend.—adj. on hearty and intimate terms—'Hail, fellow! well met,' often used as a kind of descriptive adjective.—Hail from, to come from. [Ice. heill, health.]

Hail, hāl, n. frozen rain or particles of ice falling from the clouds.—v.i. to rain hail.—v.t. to pour down in rapid succession.—ns. Hail′shot, small shot which scatters like hail; Hail′stone, a single stone or ball of hail; Hail′-storm, a storm accompanied with hail.—adj. Hail′y. [A.S. hagol; Ger. hagel.]

Hain, hān, v.t. (Scot.) to save, preserve: to spare.—adj. Hained, saved, kept carefully.—n. Hain′ing, an enclosure. [Ice. hegna, to protect; cf. Sw. hägna; Dan. hegne.]

Hair, hār, n. a filament growing from the skin of an animal: the whole mass of hairs which forms a covering for the head or the whole body: (bot.) minute hair-like processes on the cuticle of plants: anything very small and fine: particular course, quality, or character: (mech.) a locking spring or other safety contrivance in the lock of a rifle, &c., capable of being released by a slight pressure on a hair-trigger.—ns. Hair′breadth, Hair's′-breadth, the breadth of a hair (Hairbreadth 'scape, a very narrow escape): a very small distance; Hair′-brush, a brush for the hair; Hair′cloth, cloth made partly or entirely of hair; Hair′dresser, one who dresses or cuts hair: a barber.—adj. Haired, having hair—as black-haired, fair-haired, &c.—ns. Hair′-grass, a kind of grass found generally on poor soil, the bracts of whose florets are generally awned near the base; Hair′iness.—adj. Hair′less, without hair.—ns. Hair′-line, a line made of hair, used in fishing: a slender line made in writing or drawing: (print.) a very thin line on a type; Hair′-oil, perfumed oil used in dressing the hair; Hair′-pen′cil, an artist's brush made of a few fine hairs; Hair′-pin, a pin used in hairdressing; Hair′-pow′der, a white powder for dusting the hair; Hair′-shirt, a penitent's shirt of haircloth; Hair′-space, the thinnest metal space used by compositors; Hair′-split′ter, one who makes too nice distinctions; Hair′-split′ting, the art of making minute and over-nice distinctions; Hair′spring, a very fine hair-like spring coiled up within the balance-wheel of a watch; Hair′-stroke, in writing, a fine stroke with the pen: a hair-line; Hair′-trigg′er, a trigger which discharges a gun or pistol by a hair-like spring; Hair′-work, work done or something made with hair, esp. human; Hair′worm, a worm, like a horse-hair, which lives in the bodies of certain insects.—adj. Hair′y, of or resembling hair: covered with hair.—Against the hair, against the grain: contrary to what is natural; A hair of the dog that bit him, a smaller dose of that which caused the trouble, esp. used of the morning glass after a night's debauch—a homeopathic dose; Comb a person's hair the wrong way, to irritate or provoke him; Keep one's hair on (slang) to keep cool; Make the hair stand on end, to give the greatest astonishment or fright to another; Not to turn a hair, not to be ruffled or disturbed; Put up the hair, to dress the hair up on the head instead of wearing it hanging; Split hairs, to make superfine distinctions; To a hair, To the turn of a hair, exactly, with perfect nicety. [A.S. hǽr, Ger., Dut., and Dan. haar, &c.]

Hake, hāk, n. a gadoid fish resembling the cod—varieties are the Silver Hake, the Merluccio, the Squirrel-hake, &c.—ns. Hā′ked, Hac′ot (prov.), the pike (A.S. hacod; Ger. hecht). [Prob. Scand.; cf. Norw. hake-fisk, lit. 'hook-fish.']

Hake, hāk, n. (prov.) a hook, esp. a pot-hook: a pike. [Prob. Ice. haki; cf. Dut. haak.]

Halachah, Halakah, Halacha, ha-lak′ä, n. an amplification of points not explicitly set forth in the Mosaic law, deduced from it by analogy, and arranged in the collection of legal precepts designated Halachoth.—adj. Halach′ic, pertaining to halachoth, legal as opposed to homiletic or haggadic. [Heb.,—hālak, to walk.]

Halation, ha-lā′shun, n. a halo-like appearance in a photograph, caused by reflection of light.

Halberd, hal′bėrd, n. a weapon consisting of a wooden shaft some six feet long, surmounted by an axe-like instrument balanced on the opposite side by a hook or pick.—n. Halberdier′, one armed with a halberd. [O. Fr. halebard—Mid. High Ger. helmbarde (Ger. hellebarde)—halm, handle, or helm, helmet; Old High Ger. barta (Ger. barte), an axe.]

Halcyon, hal′si-un, n. the kingfisher, once believed to make a floating nest on the sea, which remained calm while it was hatching.—adj. calm: peaceful: happy—hence Halcyon-days, a time of peace and happiness. [L.,—Gr., alkyōn; as if hals, the sea, kyein, to conceive.]

Hale, hāl, adj. healthy: robust: sound of body.—n. (Spens.) welfare.—n. Hale′ness. [Northern A.S. hál; the S. forms hôl, hool, produce whole. There is a parallel N. form from Norse heill.]

Half, häf, n. one of two equal parts: a contraction of half-year, as in a school session:—pl. Halves (hävz).—adj. having or consisting of one of two equal parts: being in part: incomplete, as measures.—adv. in an equal part or degree: in part: imperfectly.—v.i. to divide into two equal parts.—ns. Half′-and-half, a mixture of beer or porter and ale; Half′-back, in football, a position on the right or left side of the field, between the quarter-back and full-back, or directly behind the forwards: a player occupying this position.—adj. Half′-baked, underdone: incomplete: half-witted.—v.t. Half′-baptise′, to baptise privately and hastily.—ns. Half′-bind′ing, a style of bookbinding in which the backs and corners are of leather, and the sides of paper or cloth; Half′-blood, relation between those who are of the same father or mother, but not of both.—adj. Half′-blood′ed.—ns. Half′-board (naut.), a manœuvre by which a sailing-ship gains distance to windward by luffing up into the wind; Half′-boot, a boot reaching half-way to the knee.—adj. Half′-bound, bound only partly in leather, as a book.—n. Half′-breed, one that is half-blooded.—adj. Half′-bred, half or not well bred or trained: wanting in refinement.—ns. Half′-broth′er, Half′-sis′ter, a brother or sister by one parent only; Half′-cap (Shak.), a cap only partly taken off: a slight salute; Half′-caste, a person one of whose parents belongs to a Hindu caste, and the other is a European: any half-breed; Half′-cheek (Shak.), a face in profile; Half′-cock, the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch (see Cock); Half′-crown, a silver coin in England, of the value of two shillings and sixpence.—adj. Half′-dead, almost dead, nearly exhausted.—n. Half′-doll′ar, a silver coin of the United States, worth 50 cents.—adj. Half′-done, not fully cooked, roasted, &c.—n. Half′-doz′en, six.—adjs. Half′-ed′ucated, imperfectly educated; Half′en (Spens.), half.—adv. Half′endeal (Spens.), half.—adjs. Half′-faced (Shak.), showing only part of the face: wretched-looking; Half′-heart′ed, cold, ungenerous: lukewarm: indifferent.—adv. Half′-heart′edly.—ns. Half′-heart′edness; Half′-holiday, half of a working day for recreation; Half′-kir′tle, a kind of jacket worn by women in the 16th and 17th centuries; Half′-length, a portrait or photograph showing the upper part of the body.—adj. of half-length.—ns. Half′ling, a half-grown person, between a boy and a man; Half′-mast, the position of a flag lowered half-way down, in respect for the dead or in signal of distress; Half′-meas′ure, any means inadequate for the end proposed; Half′-moon, the moon at the quarters when but half of it is illuminated: anything semicircular; Half′-mourn′ing, a mourning costume less than deep or full mournings.—adj. Half′-nā′ked, as nearly naked as clothed.—ns. Half′-note (mus.), a minim, being one-half of a semibreve or whole note; Half′-one (golf), a handicap of one stroke every second hole; Half′-pay, reduced pay, as of naval or military officers when not in active service.—adj. receiving half-pay.—ns. Halfpenny (hā′pen-i), a copper coin worth half a penny: the value of half a penny: (Shak.) anything very small:—pl. Halfpence (hā′pens); Half′pennyworth, the worth or value of a halfpenny; Half′-pike, a pike with a shaft only half the length of the ordinary; Half′-price, a reduced charge of admission, &c.—adj. at half the usual prices.—adj. Half′-round (Milt.), semicircular.—ns. Half′-roy′al, a special kind of millboard or pasteboard; Half′-shell, one-half of a bivalve, as in oysters 'on the half-shell.'—adj. Half′-sight′ed, short-sighted.—n. Half′-sov′ereign, an English gold coin, worth ten shillings.—adj. Half′-starved, having insufficient food.—ns. Half′-suit, the body armour of the 17th century; Half′-sword (Shak.), fight within half a sword's length: close fight; Half′-tide, the tide half-way between flood and ebb.—adj. left dry at half-tide.—ns. Half′-tim′er, one who works only half the usual time, esp. a pupil in an elementary school allowed to be absent half the school-day at some employment; Half′-tint, an intermediate tint; Half′-tī′tle, a short title of a book at the head of the first page of the text, or a title of any subdivision of a book when printed in a full page; Half′-truth, a statement conveying only part of the truth.—adv. Half′-way, at half the way or distance: imperfectly.—adj. equally distant from two points.—adjs. Half′-wit′ted, weak in intellect; Half′-year′ly, occurring at every half-year or twice in a year.—adv. twice in a year.—n. Bett′er-half, a wife.—Half-seas-over, half-drunk.—Not half, to a very slight extent: (slang) not at all.—Cry halves, to claim a half-share; Go halves, to share equally with a person. [A.S. healf (Ger. halb, Dan. halv); original meaning 'side.']

Halibut, hal′i-but, n. the largest kind of flat-fishes, in form more elongated than the flounder or the turbot.—Also Hol′ibut. [M. E. hali, holy, and butte, a flounder, plaice, the fish being much eaten on fast or holy days; cf. Dut. heilbot, Ger. heilbutt.]

Halidom, hal′i-dom, n. (Spens.) holiness—used chiefly as an oath. [A.S. hálig, holy, and affix -dom.]

Halieutics, hal-i-ū′tiks, n. a treatise on fishes or fishing. [L.,—Gr.,—hals, the sea.]

Haliotis, hal-i-ō′tis, n. a genus of univalve shells, the ear-shells, supplying mother-of-pearl.—adj. Hal′iotoid. [Gr. hals, sea, ous, ōtis, ear.]

Hall, hawl, n. a large room or passage at the entrance of a house: a large chamber for public business—for meetings, or for the sale of particular goods: an edifice in which courts of justice are held: a manor-house: the main building of a college, and in some cases, as at Oxford and Cambridge, the specific name of a college itself: an unendowed college: a licensed residence for students: the great room in which the students dine together—hence also the dinner itself: a place for special professional education, or for conferring professional degrees or licenses, as a Divinity Hall, Apothecaries' Hall.—ns. Hall′age, toll paid for goods sold in a hall; Hall′-door, the front door of a house.—A hall! a hall! a cry at a mask or the like for room for the dance, &c.; Bachelor's hall, a place free from the restraining presence of a wife; Liberty hall, a place where every one can do as he pleases. [A.S. heall; Dut. hal, Ice. holl, &c.]

Hallan, hal′an, n. (Scot.) a partition to keep out the cold between the door of a cottage and the fireplace.—n. Hallanshāk′er, a sturdy beggar.

Hallelujah, Halleluiah, hal-e-lōō′ya, n. the exclamation 'Praise (ye) the Lord' (Jah or Jehovah), which occurs in many songs and anthems: a song of praise to God, a musical composition based on the word, as the Hallelujah (chorus) in Handel's Messiah.—n. Hallel (hal-el′, hal′el), the hymn of praise chanted during the Passover supper, consisting of Psalms cxiii.-cxviii. inclusive. [Heb., 'Praise ye Jehovah,' halelu, praise ye, and Jāh, Jehovah.]

Hallion, hal′yon, n. a lazy rascal.—Also Hall′ian, Hall′yon.

Hall-mark, hawl′-märk, n. the authorised impression of certain symbols made on articles of gold and silver at the various assay offices in the United Kingdom to indicate their true value and the fineness of the metal: any mark of genuineness or good quality.—v.t. to assay and mark authoritatively.

Halloo, hal-lōō′, n. a hunting cry: a cry to draw attention.—v.i. to cry after dogs: to raise an outcry.—v.t. to encourage or chase with shouts.—interjs. Hallo′! Halloa′! used to call attention.—Halloo before one is out of the wood, to count on safety before one is out of danger. [Imit., A.S. éalá.]

Hallow, hal′ō, v.t. to make holy: to set apart for religious use: to reverence.—n. a saint.—ns. Hall′owe'en, the evening before All-Hallows or All-Saints' Day; Hall′owmas, the Feast of All-Saints, 1st November. [A.S. hálgian—hálig, holy.]

Hallucination, hal-lū-sin-ā′shun, n. error: delusion: the perception of things that do not externally exist.—v.i. Hallū′cinate, to suffer illusion.—adjs. Hallū′cinative, Hallū′cinatory, partaking of or tending to produce hallucination. [L. hallucinationem—alucināri, -ātus, to wander in mind.]

Hallux, hal′uks, n. the first or innermost digit of the foot, the great toe. [L. allex.]

Halm, Haulm, hawm, n. the stalk of any kind of grain. [A.S. healm; Ger. halm.]

Halma, hal′ma, n. a game played on a checkered board of 256 squares, by two or four persons, with thirteen to nineteen men each—also Hoppity: in the Greek pentathlon the long jump with weights in the hands. [Gr.,—hallesthai, to leap.]

Halo, hā′lō, n. a luminous circle round the sun or moon, due to the presence of ice-crystals in the air: (paint.) the bright ring round the heads of saints, hence any ideal or sentimental glory attaching to a thing:—pl. Halos (hā′lōz).—v.t. to surround with a halo.—n. Hal′oscope, an instrument exhibiting the phenomena connected with halos, parhelia, &c. [L. halos—Gr. halōs, threshing-floor.]

Halogen, hal′o-jen, n. a substance which by combination with a metal forms a saline compound.—adjs. Halog′enous; Ha′loid, like sea-salt.—ns. Hal′omancy, divination by means of salt; Hal′ophyte, the salt-wort, found in salt-marshes, &c. [Gr. hals, salt, genēs, producing.]

Halse, hawls, v.t. (Spens.) to clasp round the neck, to embrace.—n. (obs.) the neck, throat—(Scot.) Hawse. [A.S. heals, neck; Ger. hals.]

Halt, hawlt, v.i. to stop from going on: (mil.) to stop in a march.—v.t. to stop.—n. (mil.) a stop in marching. [Orig. a Ger. military term, halt, stoppage.]

Halt, hawlt, n. a halting or limping.—adj. lame, crippled, limping.—v.i. to be lame, to limp: to walk unsteadily: to vacillate: to proceed lamely or imperfectly, to be at fault, as in logic, rhythm, &c.—ns. Halt′ing; Halt′ing-place. [A.S. halt, healt; Dan. and Sw. halt.]

Halter, hawlt′ėr, n. a head-rope for holding and leading a horse: a rope for hanging criminals: a strong strap or cord.—v.t. to catch or bind with a rope. [A.S. hælftre; Ger. halfter.]

Halve, häv, v.t. to divide into halves or two equal parts: to join two pieces of timber by notching or lapping.—adj. Halved, divided into halves: (bot.) appearing as if one side were cut away.—n.pl. Halves (see Half).

Halyard, Halliard, hal′yard, n. (naut.) a rope or purchase for hoisting or lowering a sail, yard, or flag, named from their use or position, as 'peak-halyards,' 'signal-halyards,' &c. [Skeat explains it as hale and yard; more prob. merely hale-ier.]

Ham, ham, n. the back of the thigh: the thigh of an animal, esp. of a hog salted and dried. [A.S. hamm; cf. dial. Ger. hamme.]

Hamadryad, ham′a-drī-ad, n. (myth.) a wood-nymph who lived and died with the tree in which she dwelt:—pl. Ham′adryads, Hamadry′ades (-ēz). [Gr. hamadryas—hama, together, drys, a tree.]

Hamarthritis, ham-ar-thrī′tis, n. gout in all the joints. [Gr. hama, together, arthritis, gout.]

Hamartialogy, ham-ar-ti-al′o-ji, n. that section of theology which treats of the nature and effects of sin. [Gr. hamartia, sin, logia, discourse.]

Hamate, hā′māt, adj. hooked, uncinate.—adj. Ham′iform, hamate.

Hamble, ham′bl, v.t. to mutilate, to cut out the balls of a dog's feet, making him useless for hunting.—v.i. to walk lame, to limp. [A.S. hamelian.]

Hamburg, ham′burg, n. a black variety of grape—often Black Hamburg: a small-sized variety of the domestic fowl, with blue legs, including the Black, Gold- and Silver-pencilled, and Gold- and Silver-spangled Hamburgs.

Hame, hām, n. one of the two curved bars to which the traces are attached in the harness of a draught-horse. [Cf. Dut. haam, Low Ger. ham.]

Hamesucken, hām′suk-n, n. (Scots law) the assaulting of a man in his own house. [A.S. hám-sócn, lit. 'home seeking,' an attack upon a house, also the fine exacted for such; cf. Ger. heimsuchung.]

Hamiltonian, ham-il-tō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to James Hamilton (1769-1831), or his method of teaching languages without grammar, by a literal interlinear word-for-word translation: pertaining to the philosophy of Sir W. Hamilton (1788-1856).

Hamitic, ham-it′ik, adj. pertaining to Ham, a son of Noah, or the races that used to be called his descendants, or their languages.—n.pl. Ham′ites, a physical and linguistic group, stretching across the north of Africa—the African branch of the Caucasic family—comprising Berbers, the Fellahin, &c.

Hamlet, ham′let, n. a cluster of houses in the country: a small village.—adj. Ham′leted, located in a hamlet. [O. Fr. hamel (Fr. hameau), and dim. affix -et—from Teut., Old Fris. ham, a home, Ger. heim, A.S. hám, a dwelling.]

Hammam, ham′am, n. an Oriental bathing establishment, a Turkish bath.—Also Hum′maum, Hum′mum. [Ar.]

Hammer, ham′ėr, n. a tool for beating metal or driving nails: a striking-piece in the mechanism of a clock or piano: that part of the lock of a firearm which falls with a sharp blow and causes the discharge of the piece: the baton of an auctioneer, a knock from which signifies that an article is sold: a small bone of the ear, the malleus.—v.t. to drive, shape, or fashion with a hammer: to contrive by intellectual labour, to excogitate (with out): to declare (a person) a defaulter on the Stock Exchange: to beat down the price of (a stock), to depress (a market).—ns. Hamm′er-beam, a horizontal piece of timber in place of a tie-beam at or near the feet of a pair of rafters; Hamm′erhead, Hamm′er-fish, a rapacious fish of the shark family—from the shape of its head.—adj. Hamm′erheaded, with a head shaped like a hammer: dull in intellect, stupid.—n. Hamm′ering, a dented, appearance on silverware effected by successive blows of a hammer.—adj. Hamm′erless, without a hammer—of a gun.—n. Hamm′erman, a man who hammers, as a blacksmith, goldsmith, &c.—Hammer-and-tongs, with great noise and vigour, violently.—Bring to the hammer, to sell, or cause to sell, by auction; Up to the hammer, first-rate. [A.S. hamor; Ger. hammer, Ice. hamarr.]

Hammercloth, ham′ėr-kloth, n. the cloth which covers a coach-box. [Skeat thinks it an adaptation of Dut. hemal, heaven, a covering, with the addition of cloth, by way of giving a sort of sense.]

Hammochrysos, ham-o-krī′sos, n. a sparkling stone of the ancients, perhaps yellow micaceous schist. [Gr., hammos, sand, chrysos, gold.]

Hammock, ham′uk, n. a piece of strong cloth or netting suspended by the corners, and used as a bed by sailors. [Sp. hamaca, of Carib origin.]

Hamose, hā′mos, adj. hooked—also Hā′mous.—adjs. Ham′ular, like a small hook; Ham′ulate, having a small hook at the tip.—n. Ham′ulus, a small hook or hook-like process. [L. hamus, hook.]

Hamper, ham′pėr, v.t. to impede or perplex: to shackle.—n. a chain or fetter.—p.adj. Ham′pered, fettered, impeded.—adv. Ham′peredly.—n. Ham′peredness. [First about 1350, in Northern writers, prob. rel. to Ice. hemja (pt.t. hamdi), to restrain; Ger. hemmen.]

Hamper, ham′pėr, n. a large basket for conveying goods.—v.t. to put in a hamper.—ns. Han′ap, a large drinking-cup; Han′aper, an old name for a receptacle for treasure, paper, &c., long the name of an office in the Court of Chancery. [For hanaper—O. Fr. hanapier—hanap, a drinking-cup—Old High Ger. hnapf; A.S. hnæp, a bowl.]

Hamshackle, ham′shak-l, v.t. to shackle a cow or horse by a rope joined to the head and fore-leg: to fetter, restrain. [Hamper and shackle.]

Hamster, ham′stėr, n. a genus of rodent mammals of the family Muridæ, having cheek-pouches reaching back almost to the shoulders. [Ger.]

Hamstring, ham′string, n. the great tendon at the back of the knee or hock of the hind-leg of a quadruped.—v.t. to lame by cutting the hamstring.

Hance, hans, n. (naut.) a curved rise from a lower to a higher part—sometimes Hanch, Haunch: (archit.) the arc of smaller radius at the springing of an elliptical or many-centred arch—also Haunch. [O. Fr. hauce, haulce, rise.]

Hand, hand, n. the extremity of the arm below the wrist: that which does the duty of a hand by pointing, as the hand of a clock: the fore-foot of a horse: a measure of four inches: an agent or workman: (pl.) work-people in a factory: performance, agency, co-operation: power or manner of performing: skill: possession: style of handwriting, sign-manual: side: direction: the set of cards held by a single player at whist, &c.: a single round at a game.—v.t. to give with the hand: to lead or conduct: (naut.) to furl, as sails.—ns. Hand′-bag, a bag for small articles, carried in the hand; Hand′-ball, the sport of throwing and catching a ball; Hand′-barr′ow, a barrow without a wheel, carried by men: Hand′-bas′ket, a small portable basket; Hand′-bell, a small bell held by the hand when rung, a table-bell; Hand′bill, a pruning-hook used in the hand: a bill or loose sheet with some announcement; Hand′book, a manual or book of reference: a guide-book for travellers; Hand′breadth, the breadth of a hand: a palm; Hand′-cart, a small cart drawn by hand.—adj. Hand′ed (Milt.), with hands joined: (Shak.) having a hand of a certain sort.—ns. Hand′er; Hand′fast, a firm grip, handle: a contract, esp. a betrothal.—adj. bound, espoused: tight-fisted.—adj. Hand′fasted, betrothed.—n. Hand′fasting, betrothal: a private or even probationary form of marriage.—adj. Hand′-foot′ed, having feet like hands, chiropod.—ns. Hand′ful, as much as fills the hand: a small number or quantity:—pl. Hand′fuls; Hand′-gall′op, an easy gallop, in which the speed of the horse is restrained by the bridle-hand; Hand′-glass, a glass or small glazed frame used to protect plants: a small mirror; Hand′-grenade′, a grenade to be thrown by the hand; Hand′grip, grasp, grip, close struggle; Hand′icuffs, Hand′ycuffs, fighting hand to hand.—adj. Hand′less, awkward.—ns. Hand-line, a fishing-line worked by hand without a rod; Hand′-list, a list for easy reference; Hand′-loom, a weaver's loom worked by hand, as distinguished from a power-loom.—adj. Hand′-made, manufactured by hand, not by a machine.—ns. Hand′maid, Hand′maiden, a female servant; Hand′-mill, a mill worked by hand for coffee, pepper, &c., a quern; Hand′-or′gan, a portable organ, played by means of a crank turned by the hand; Hand′-pā′per, a particular make of paper, early in use at the Record Office, with the water-mark of a hand pointing; Hand′-post, a finger-post, guide; Hand′-prom′ise, a form of betrothal amongst the Irish peasantry; Hand′rail, a rail supported by balusters, as in staircases, to hold by.—adv. phrase, Hand′-run′ning, straight on, continuously.—ns. Hand′-saw, a saw manageable by the hand—also the same as Hern′shaw, in the proverb, 'not to know a hawk from a handsaw;' Hand′-screen, a small screen used to protect the face from the heat of the fire or sun; Hand′-screw, an appliance for raising heavy weights, a jack; Hand′spike, a bar used with the hand as a lever.—n.pl. Hand′staves (B.), probably javelins.—ns. Hands′-turn, a helping hand, aid; Hand′work, work done by hand, as distinguished from machinery; Hand′writing, the style of writing peculiar to each person: writing.—adj. Hand′-wrought, made with the hands, not by machinery.—Hand and [in] glove (with), on very intimate terms; Hand down, to transmit in succession; Hand in hand, in union, conjointly; Hand of God, a term used for unforeseen unpreventable accidents, as lightning, tempest, &c.; Hand over hand, by passing the hands alternately one before or above the other; Hand over head, rashly; Hands down, with ease; Hands off! keep off! refrain from blows! Hands up, a bushranger's call to surrender; Hand to hand, at close quarters; Hand to mouth, without thought for the future, precariously.—A bird in the hand, any advantage at present held; A cool hand, a person not easily abashed; At any hand, In any hand (Shak.), at any rate, in any case; At first hand, from the producer or seller, or from the first source direct; At hand, near in place or time; At second hand, from an intermediate purchaser or source; Bear a hand, make haste to help; Bear in hand (Shak.), to keep in expectation; Be hand and glove, to be very intimate and familiar; Believed on all hands, generally believed; Bloody, or Red, hand, granted to baronets of Great Britain and Ireland in 1611; By the strong hand, by force; Cap in hand, humbly; Change hands, to pass from one owner to another; Come to one's hand, to be easy to do; Dead man's hand, Hand-of-glory, a charm to discover hidden treasure, &c., made from a mandrake root, or the hand of a man who has been executed, holding a candle; For one's own hand, on one's own account; From good hands, from a reliable source; Gain the upper hand, to obtain the mastery; Get one's hand in, to become familiar with.—Handwriting on the wall, any sign foreshadowing disaster (from Dan. v. 5).—Have a hand in, to be concerned in; Have clean hands, to be honest and incorruptible; Have full hands, to be fully occupied; Hold hand (Shak.), to compete successfully; Hold in hand, to restrain; In hand, as present payment: in preparation: under control; Kiss the hand, in token of submission; Lay hands on, to seize; Laying on of hands, the laying on of the hands of a bishop or presbyters in ordination; Lend a hand, to give assistance; Off-hand, Out of hand, at once, immediately, without premeditation; Off one's hands, no longer under one's responsible charge; Old hand, one experienced, as opposed to Young hand; On all hands, on all sides; On hand, ready, available: in one's possession; On one's hands, under one's care or responsibility; Poor hand, an unskilful one; Second-hand, inferior, not new; Set the hand to, to engage in, undertake; Show one's hand, to expose one's purpose to any one; Stand one's hand (slang), to pay for a drink to another; Strike hands, to make a contract; Take in hand, to undertake; Take off one's hands, to relieve of something troublesome; To one's hand, in readiness; Under one's hand, with one's proper signature attached; Wash one's hands (of), to disclaim the responsibility for anything (Matt. xxvii. 24); With a heavy hand, oppressively; With a high hand, without taking other people into consideration, audaciously. [A.S. hand; in all Teut. tongues, perh. rel. to Goth. hinthan, to seize.]

Handcuff, hand′kuf, n. esp. in pl. Hand′cuffs, shackles for the hand locked upon the wrists of a prisoner.—v.t. to put handcuffs on:—pr.p. hand′cuffing; pa.p. hand′cuffed (-kuft). [Hand and cuff.]

Handicap, hand′i-kap, v.t. to impose special disadvantages or impediments upon in order to offset advantages, and make a better contest—in a horse-race the superior horse carries a heavier weight, while foot-runners are placed at different distances, or start at different times: (fig.) to place at a disadvantage by some burden or disability.—n. any contest so adjusted, or the condition imposed.—n. Hand′icapper, one who handicaps. [Hand in the cap, from the usage in an ancient kind of sport and method of settling a bargain by arbitration.]

Handicraft, hand′i-kraft, n. a manual craft or trade.—n. Hand′icraftsman, a man skilled in a manual art:—fem. Hand′icraftswoman.

Handiwork, Handywork, hand′i-wurk, n. work done by the hands, performance generally: work of skill or wisdom: creation.

Handkerchief, hang′kėr-chif, n. a piece of linen, silk, or cotton cloth for wiping the nose, &c.: a neckerchief.—Throw the handkerchief, to call upon next—from the usage in a common game.

Handle, hand′l, v.t. to touch, hold, or use with the hand: to make familiar by frequent touching: to manage: to discuss: to practise: to trade or do business in.—v.i. to use the hands.—n. that part of anything held in the hand: (fig.) that of which use is made: a tool: occasion, opportunity, pretext.—ns. Hand′ler, a person skilful in any special kind of manipulation; Hand′ling, the touching or managing with the hand: action: manner of touch.--A handle to the name, an adjunct of honour, as 'Dr,' 'Col.,' &c.; Give a handle, to furnish an occasion to. [A.S. handlian—hand, a hand.]

Handsel, Hansel, hand′sel, han′sel, n. the first sale or using of anything: earnest-money or part-payment by way of binding a bargain: (Scot.) a gift made on the first Monday of the year to a child or servant: a New-year's gift.—v.t. to give a handsel: to use or do anything the first time. [A.S. handselen, a giving into the hands of another; or Ice. handsal.]

Handsome, han′sum, adj. good-looking, well-proportioned, graceful: with dignity: liberal or noble: generous: ample.—adv. Hand′somely.—n. Hand′someness. [Hand and -some; cf. Dut. handzaam.]

Handy, han′di, adj. dexterous: ready to the hand: convenient: near.—adv. Hand′ily.—ns. Handi′ness; Hand′y-man, a man for doing odd jobs.

Handy-dandy, hand′i-dand′i, n. (Shak.) an old game among children, in which something is rapidly changed from one hand into the other, while another guesses in which hand it is. [A jingle on hand.]

Hang, hang, v.t. to hook or fix to some high point: to suspend: to decorate with pictures, &c., as a wall: to put to death by suspending and choking.—v.i. to be hanging, so as to allow of free motion: to lean, or rest for support: to drag: to hover or impend: to be in suspense: to linger:—pr.p. hang′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. hanged or hung.—n. action of hanging, bending down, &c.: a declivity: mode in which anything hangs: a slackening of motion: a hanging mass (Not a hang, not a bit, not in the least).—n. Hangabil′ity.—adj. Hang′able, liable to be hanged: punishable by hanging.—n. Hang′-dog, a low fellow.—adj. like such a fellow, esp. in his sneaking look.—ns. Hang′er, that on which anything is hung: a short sword, curved near the point; Hang′er-on, one who hangs on or sticks to a person or place: an importunate acquaintance: a dependent.—adj. Hang′ing, deserving death by hanging.—n. death by the halter: that which is hung, as drapery, &c.:—used chiefly in pl.—ns. Hang′ing-butt′ress, a buttress not standing solid on a foundation, but hanging or supported on a corbel; Hang′man, a public executioner; Hang′nail (see Agnail).—n.pl. Hang′-nests, a family of finch-like perching birds peculiar to America—often called American orioles, many weaving curious purse-like nests.—Hang back, to hesitate; Hang by a thread, to be in a very precarious position—from the sword of Damocles; Hang, draw, and quarter, to execute by hanging, cutting down while still alive, disembowelling, and cutting the body in pieces for exposure at different places; Hang fire, to be long in exploding or discharging, as a gun: to hesitate; Hang in doubt, to remain in a state of uncertainty; Hang in the balance, to be in doubt or suspense; Hang off, to let go, to hold off; Hang on, to cling to, to regard with admiration: to depend upon: to weigh down or oppress: to be importunate; Hang out (slang), to lodge or reside; Hang over, to project over; Hang together, to keep united; Hang up one's hat, to make one's self completely at home in a house. [A.S. hangian, causal form of hón, pa.t. heng, pa.p. hangen; Dut. and Ger. hangen, Goth. hahan.]

Hank, hangk, n. two or more skeins of thread tied together: a string, clasp, or other means of fastening. [Ice. hanki, a hasp.]

Hanker, hangk′ėr, v.i. to long for with eagerness: to linger about (with after, for).—n. Hank′ering, a lingering craving for something. [A freq. of hang, in sense to hang on; cf. Dut. hunkeren.]

Hanky-panky, hangk′i-pangk′i, n. jugglery, trickery. [A meaningless jingle, like hocus-pocus, &c.]

Hanoverian, han-o-vē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Hanover, as of the brown rat, and the dynasty that came to the throne of England in 1714.—n. a supporter of the house of Hanover, as opposed to a Jacobite.

Hansard, han′sard, n. a name applied to the printed reports of the debates in parliament, from Luke Hansard (1752-1828), whose descendants continued to print these down to the beginning of 1889.—v.t. Han′sardise, to confront a member with his former opinions as recorded in his speeches in Hansard.

Hanse, hans, n. a league.—adjs. Hanse, Hanseat′ic, applied to certain commercial cities in Germany whose famous league for mutual defence and commercial association began in a compact between Hamburg and Lübeck in 1241.—ns. Han′aster, Han′ster, the ancient Oxford name for persons paying the entrance-fee of the guild-merchant, and admitted as freemen of the city. [O. Fr. hanse—Old High Ger. hansa, a band of men (Ger. hanse).]

Hansom-cab, han′sum-kab, n. a light two-wheeled cab or hackney-carriage with the driver's seat raised behind. [From the name of the inventor, Joseph Aloysius Hansom, 1803-82.]

Hantle, han′tl, n. (Scot.) a considerable number. [Cf. Dan. antal, Dut. aantal, Ger. anzahl. Some explain as hand and tale, number.]

Hap, hap, n. chance: fortune: accident.—v.i. to befall.—n. Hap-haz′ard, that which happens by hazard: chance, accident.—adj. chance, accidental.—adv. at random.—adv. Hap-haz′ardly.—n. Hap-haz′ardness.—adj. Hap′less, unlucky: unhappy.—adv. Hap′lessly.—n. Hap′lessness.—adv. Hap′ly, by hap, chance, or accident: perhaps: it may be.—v.i. Happ′en, to fall out: to take place: to chance to be.—n. Happ′ening. [Ice. happ, good luck.]

Hap, hap, v.t. (Scot.) to wrap up from the cold or rain.—n. a cloak or other covering.

Haplodon, hap′lō-don, n. a peculiar terrestrial rodent regarded as a connecting-link between beavers and squirrels, its single species (H. rufus) popularly known as the Sewellel, Boomer, and Mountain Beaver. [Gr. haploos, single, odous, odontos, tooth.]

Haplography, hap-log′raf-i, n. the inadvertent writing of a letter or word, or series of letters or words, once, when it should be written twice. [Gr. haploos, single, graphia, graphein, to write.]

Happy, hap′i, adj. lucky, successful: possessing or enjoying pleasure or good: secure of good: furnishing enjoyment: dexterous, apt, felicitous.—v.t. (Shak.) to make happy.—v.t. Happ′ify, to make happy.—adv. Happ′ily.—n. Happ′iness.—adj. Happ′y-go-luck′y, easy-going: taking things as they come.—adv. in any way one pleases.—Happy despatch, a euphemism for the Hara-kiri (q.v.). [Hap.]

Haqueton, hak′ton, n. a stuffed jacket worn under the mail—same as Acton (q.v.).

Hara-kiri, har′a-kir′e, n. involuntary suicide by disembowelment, formerly practised in Japan by daimios and members of the military class, unable to outlive disgrace, or in order to anticipate execution. [Japanese hara, belly, kiri, cut.]

Harangue, ha-rang′, n. a loud speech addressed to a multitude: a popular, pompous address.—v.i. to deliver a harangue.—v.t. to address by a harangue:—pr.p. haranguing (-rang′ing); pa.p. harangued (-rangd′).—n. Harang′uer. [O. Fr. arenge, harangue, from Old High Ger. hring (Ger. ring), a ring of auditors.]

Harass, har′as, v.t. to fatigue: to annoy or torment.—p.adj. Har′assed.—adv. Har′assedly.—n. Har′asser.—p.adj. Har′assing.—adv. Har′assingly.—n. Har′assment. [O. Fr. harasser; prob. from harer, to incite a dog.]

Harbinger, här′bin-jėr, n. a forerunner, pioneer, originally one who goes forward to provide lodging.—v.t. to precede, as a harbinger. [M. E. herbergeour. See Harbour.]

Harbour, här′bur, n. any refuge or shelter: a port for ships—obs. form Har′borough.—v.t. to lodge or entertain: to protect: to possess or indulge, as thoughts.—v.i. to take shelter.—n. Har′bourage, place of shelter: entertainment.—n.pl. Har′bour-dues, charges for the use of a harbour.—n. Har′bourer, one who harbours or entertains.—adj. Har′bourless.—n. Har′bour-mas′ter, the public officer who has charge of a harbour.—Harbour of refuge, a harbour constructed to give shelter to ships on some exposed coast: any protection for one in distress. [M. E. herberwe—an assumed A.S. herebeorg—here, army, beorg, protection; cf. Ger. herberge, Ice. herbergi.]

Hard, härd, adj. not easily penetrated, firm, solid: difficult to understand or accomplish: violent, vehement: rigorous: close, earnest, industrious: coarse, scanty: stingy, niggardly: difficult to bear, painful: unjust: difficult to please: unfeeling: severe: stiff: constrained: intractable, resistant in some use, as water, &c.: strong, spirituous: (of silk) without having the natural gum boiled off: surd or breathed, as opposed to sonant or voiced.—n. a firm beach or foreshore: hard labour.—adv. with urgency, vigour, &c.: earnestly, forcibly: with difficulty: close, near, as in Hard by.—adv. Hard-a-lee, close to the lee-side, &c.—adj. Hard′-and-fast′, rigidly laid down and adhered to.—adv. Hard aport! a command instructing the helmsman to turn the tiller to the left or port side of the ship, thus causing the ship to swerve to the right or starboard.—ns. Hard′-bake, a sweetmeat made of boiled sugar and almonds; Hard′beam, the hornbeam.—adjs. Hard′-billed, having a hard bill or beak—of birds; Hard′-bitt′en, given to hard biting, tough in fight; Hard′-cured, cured thoroughly, as fish, by drying in the sun.—n. Hard′-drink′er, a constant drunkard.—adj. Hard′-earned, earned with toil or difficulty.—v.t. Hard′en, to make hard or harder: to make firm: to strengthen: to confirm in wickedness: to make insensible.—v.i. to become hard or harder, either lit. or fig.—adj. Hard′ened, made hard, unfeeling.—n. Hard′ener.—adj. Hard′-fav′oured, having coarse features.—n. Hard′-fav′ouredness.—adj. Hard′-feat′ured, of hard, coarse, or forbidding features.—n. Hard′-feat′uredness.—adjs. Hard′-fist′ed, having hard or strong fists or hands: close-fisted: niggardly; Hard′-fought, sorely contested; Hard′-gott′en, obtained with difficulty; Hard′-grained, having a close firm grain: uninviting.—n. Hard′-hack, the steeple-bush, an erect shrub of the rose family, with rose-coloured or white flowers.—adjs. Hard′-hand′ed, having hard hands: rough: severe; Hard′-head′ed, shrewd, intelligent; Hard′-heart′ed, having a hard or unfeeling heart: cruel.—adv. Hard′-heart′edly.—n. Hard′-heart′edness.—adj. Hard′ish, somewhat hard.—n. Hard′-lā′bour, labour imposed on certain classes of criminals during their imprisonment.—adv. Hard′ly, with difficulty: scarcely, not quite: severely, harshly.—adj. Hard′-mouthed, having a mouth hard or insensible to the bit: not easily managed.—n. Hard′-pan, the hard detritus often underlying the superficial soil: the lowest level.—adjs. Hard′-ruled (Shak.), ruled with difficulty; Hard′-run, greatly pressed; Hard′-set, beset by difficulty: rigid; Hard′-shell, having a hard shell: rigidly orthodox.—ns. Hard′ship, a hard state, or that which is hard to bear, as toil, injury, &c.; Hard′-tack, ship-biscuit.—adj. Hard′-vis′aged, of a hard, coarse, or forbidding visage.—ns. Hard′ware, trade name for all sorts of articles made of the baser metals, such as iron or copper; Hard′wareman.—adj. Hard′-won, won with toil and difficulty.—n.pl. Hard′wood-trees, forest trees of comparatively slow growth, producing compact hard timber, as oak, ash, elm, walnut, beech, birch, &c.—Hard hit, seriously hurt, as by a loss of money: deeply smitten with love; Hard lines, a hard lot; Hard metal, an alloy of two parts of copper with one of tin for gun metal; Hard money, money emphatically, prop. coin; Hard of hearing, pretty deaf; Hard swearing, swearing (as a witness) persistently to what is false, perjury; Hard up, short of money.—Be hard put to it, to be in great straits or difficulty; Die hard, to die only after a desperate struggle for life. [A.S. heard; Dut. hard, Ger. hart, Goth. hardus; allied to Gr. kratys, strong.]

Hards, härdz, n.pl. also Hurds, coarse or refuse flax or hemp from which is made the coarse fabric Hard′en, Herd′en, Hurd′en.

Hardy, härd′i, adj. daring, brave, resolute: confident: impudent: able to bear cold, exposure, or fatigue.—ns. Hard′ihood, Hard′iness, Hard′iment (arch.).—adv. Hard′ily. [O. Fr. hardi—Old High Ger. hartjan, to make hard.]

Hare, hār, n. a common and very timid animal, with a divided upper lip and long hind-legs, which runs swiftly by leaps.—ns. Hare-and-hounds, a boys' game in which some set off on a long run across country, dropping pieces of paper (the scent) as they go, and others try to overtake, following their trail; Hare′bell, a plant with blue bell-shaped flowers.—adjs. Hare′-brained, giddy: heedless; Hare′-foot, swift of foot like a hare; Har′ish, somewhat like a hare.—n. Hare′-lip, a fissure in the upper human lip like that of a hare.—adj. Hare′-lipped.—n. Hare's′-ear, a genus of umbelliferous plants having yellow flowers.—First catch your hare, make sure you have a thing first before you think what to do with it—from a direction in Mrs Glasse's cookery-book, where catch, however, was a misprint for 'case'=skin; Hold with the hare and run with the hounds, to play a double and deceitful game, to be with both sides at once; Jugged hare, hare cut into pieces and stewed with wine and other seasoning; Mad as a March hare, from the gambols of the hare during the breeding season. [A.S. hara; Dut. haas, Dan. hare, Ger. hase.]

Hareld, har′eld, n. a genus of northern sea-ducks. [Norw. havella—hav, sea.]

Harem, hā′rem, n. the portion of a Mohammedan house allotted to females: the collection of wives and concubines belonging to one Mussulman. [Ar. haram, anything forbidden—harama, to forbid.]

Haricot, har′i-ko, -kot, n. a kind of ragout or stew of mutton and beans or other vegetables: the kidney-bean or French bean. [Fr. haricot.]

Hark, härk, interj. or imper. listen.—n. a whisper.—n. Hark′-back, a backward move.—Hark back, to revert to the original point. [Hearken.]

Harl, härl, v.t. (Scot.) to drag along the ground: to rough-cast a wall with lime.—v.i. to drag one's self: to troll for fish.—n. act of dragging: a small quantity, a scraping of anything.

Harleian, har-lē′an, här′li-an, adj. pertaining to Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford (1661-1724), and his son, Edward Harley, esp. in reference to the library of books and MSS. collected by them—the latter in the British Museum since 1753.

Harlequin, här′le-kwin, or -kin, n. the leading character in a pantomime, the lover of Columbine, in a tight spangled dress, with a wand, by means of which he is supposed to be invisible and to play tricks: a buffoon.—v.i. to play the harlequin.—n. Harlequināde′, the portion of a pantomime in which the harlequin plays a chief part.—Harlequin duck, a species of northern sea-duck, so called from its variegated markings. [Fr. harlequin, arlequin (It. arlecchino), prob. the same as O. Fr. Hellequin, a devil in medieval legend, perh. of Teut. origin.]

Harlock, här′lok, n. (Shak.) a flower not identified, not charlock=wild mustard, or hardock=burdock.

Harlot, här′lot, n. a woman who prostitutes her body for hire, a whore.—adj. wanton: lewd.—n. Har′lotry, prostitution, unchastity: (obs.) a woman given to such: meretriciousness. [O. Fr. herlot, arlot, a base fellow; origin dub., perh. from Old High Ger. karl (A.S. ceorl).]

Harm, härm, n. injury: moral wrong.—v.t. to injure.—adj. Harm′ful, hurtful.—adv. Harm′fully.—n. Harm′fulness.—adj. Harm′less, not injurious, innocent: unharmed.—adv. Harm′lessly.—n. Harm′lessness. [A.S. hearm; Ger. harm.]

Harmala, här′ma-la, n. wild rue—also Har′mel.—ns. Har′maline, a white crystalline alkaloid obtained from the seeds of wild rue; Har′malol, Har′mine, other alkaloids from the same source. [Gr., from Semitic; cf. Ar. harmil.]

Harman, här′man, n. (slang) a policeman—also Har′man-beck: (pl.) the stocks.

Harmattan, har-mat′an, n. a hot, dry, noxious wind which blows periodically from the interior of Africa to the Atlantic along the Guinea coast during December, January, and February. [Fanti.]

Harmonic, -al, har-mon′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to harmony: musical: concordant: recurring periodically.—n. a secondary tone, overtone; a note on a stringed instrument produced by lightly stopping a string: (math.) one of a class of functions that enter into the development of the potential of a nearly spherical mass due to its attraction.—adv. Harmon′ically.—n.pl. Harmon′ics, used as sing. the science of harmony or of musical sounds—as pl. consonances, the component sounds included in what appears to the ear to be a single sound.—adj. Harmō′nious, having harmony: symmetrical, congruous: concordant.—adv. Harmō′niously.—ns. Harmō′niousness; Harmonisā′tion.—v.i. Har′monīse, to be in harmony: to agree.—v.t. to make in harmony: to cause to agree: (mus.) to provide parts to.—ns. Harmonīs′er; Har′monist, one skilled in harmony: a musical composer.—Harmonic engine, an invention of Edison's, in which the energy of an electric current is used, by means of two small electro-magnets, to keep up the vibrations of a large and heavily-weighted tuning-fork whose arms are connected with two pistons working a miniature pump; Harmonic progression, a series of numbers the reciprocals of which are in arithmetical progression; Harmonic proportion, the relation of three quantities in harmonic progression—the 2d a harmonic mean between the 1st and 3d, as in the three numbers 2, 3, and 6; Harmonic triad, the common chord.

Harmonium, har-mō′ni-um, n. a reed-organ, esp. one in which the air is compressed in the bellows and driven thence through the reeds.—ns. Harmon′ica, the musical glasses—an instrument invented by Franklin, the sounds of which were produced from bell-shaped glasses placed on a framework that revolved on its centre, while the rims were touched by the moistened finger: a musical instrument consisting of a series of glass or metal plates played by striking with a small mallet: a mouth-organ or harmonicon; Harmon′icon, a mouth-organ: an acoustic apparatus by which a musical note is evolved when a long dry tube, open at both ends, is held over a jet of burning hydrogen; Harmon′iphone, a musical instrument played with a keyboard, in which the sounds are produced by reeds set in a tube, and vibrating under pressure from the breath; Harmō′niumist, one who plays the harmonium; Harmon′ograph, an instrument for tracing curves representing sonorous vibrations; Harmonom′eter, one for measuring the harmonic relations of sounds.

Harmony, här′mo-ni, n. a fitting together of parts so as to form a connected whole, agreement in relation: in art, a normal state of completeness and order in the relations of things to each other: (mus.) a simultaneous combination of accordant sounds: the whole chordal structure of a piece, as distinguished from its melody or its rhythm: concord, music in general: a collation of parallel passages regarding the same event arranged to demonstrate the substantial unity—as of the Gospels.—Harmony, or Music, of the spheres, a harmony formed by the regular movements of the heavenly bodies throughout space, determined by the relation to each other of the intervals of separation; Pre-established harmony, the designation of Leibnitz for his theory of the divinely established relation between body and mind—the movements of monads and the succession of ideas, as it were a constant agreement between two clocks. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. harmonia—harmos, a fitting—arein, to fit.]

Harmost, här′most, n. a Spartan governor of a subject city or province.—n. Har′mosty; the office of such.

Harmotome, här′mō-tōm, n. a hydrous silicate of aluminium and barium.—Also Cross-stone.

Harness, här′nes, n. the equipments of a horse: formerly, the armour of a man or horse: equipment for any kind of labour.—v.t. to equip with armour: to put the harness on a horse.—n. Har′ness-cask, a tub, a cask with rimmed cover on a ship's deck holding the salt meat for daily use.—Die in harness, to die at one's work. [O. Fr. harneis, armour; dubiously referred to Celt., as in Bret. harnez, old iron, also armour.]

Harns, härnz, n.pl. (Scot.) the brains. [A.S. hærnes, most prob. Norse hjarne; cf. Ger. hirn.]

Haro, hä′ro, n. an old term for a form of appeal in the Channel Islands, a demand for protection against harm, or for assistance to arrest an adversary.—Also Ha′row, Har′row (Spens.), a mere exclamation of distress. [O. Fr. haro, harou, of unknown origin; not ha Rou! an appeal to Rolf, Rollo, or Rou, the first Duke of Normandy.]

Harp, härp, n. a musical stringed instrument much esteemed by the ancients.—v.i. to play on the harp: to dwell tediously upon anything.—v.t. to give voice to.—ns. Harp′er, Harp′ist, a player on the harp.—n.pl. Harp′ings (naut.), the fore-parts of the wales surrounding the bow extensions of the rib-bands.—n. Harp′-shell, a genus of gasteropodous molluscs with inflated shell.—Harp on one string, to dwell constantly on one topic. [A.S. hearpe; Ger. harfe.]

Harpoon, här-pōōn′, n. a dart for striking and killing whales.—v.t. to strike with the harpoon.—ns. Harpoon′er, Harpooneer′, one who uses a harpoon; Harpoon′-gun, a gun from which a harpoon or toggle-iron may be discharged. [Fr. harpon—harpe, a clamp—L. harpa, Gr. harpē, sickle.]

Harpsichord, härp′si-kord, n. an old-fashioned keyed musical instrument, where the sound is produced by the twitching of the strings by a piece of crow-quill or hard leather. [O. Fr. harpechorde.]

Harpy, här′pi, n. (myth.) a rapacious and filthy monster, with the body of a woman and the wings, feet, and claws of a bird of prey, considered as a minister of the vengeance of the gods: (her.) a vulture with the head and breast of a woman: a South American eagle, larger than the golden eagle, and of great strength and rapacity: a rapacious person. [L. harpyia—Gr., pl. harpyiai, 'snatchers,' symbols of the storm-wind—harpazein, to seize.]

Harquebus, Harquebuse, Harquebuss, här′kwi-bus, n. Same as Arquebuse.

Harridan, har′i-dan, n. a vixenish old woman. [Prob. O. Fr. haridelle, a lean horse, a jade.]

Harrier, har′i-ėr, n. a small kind of dog with a keen smell, for hunting hares: (pl.) a name taken by some clubs of cross-country runners (see Hare-and-hounds). [Formed from hare, like graz-i-er.]

Harrovian, har-ō′vi-an, adj. pertaining to Harrow.—n. one educated at the public school there.

Harrow, har′ō, n. a frame of wood or iron toothed with spikes for smoothing and pulverising ploughed land, and for covering seeds sown.—v.t. to draw a harrow over: to harass: to tear.—adj. Harr′owing, acutely distressing to the mind.—adv. Harr′owingly.—n. Chain′-harr′ow, a harrow composed of rings for breaking clods of earth.—Under the harrow, in distress or anxiety. [A.S. hearge; cf. Ice. herfi, Dan. harv.]

Harry, har′i, v.t. to plunder: to ravage: to destroy: to harass:—pr.p. harr′ying; pa.p. harr′ied.—n. Harr′ier, one who, or that which, harries: a kind of hawk so named from its harrying or destroying small animals.—Harrying, or Harrowing, of hell, the spoiling of hell, the delivery by Christ, upon His descent into hell after the crucifixion, of the souls of patriarchs and prophets there held in bondage by Satan (1 Pet. iii. 19)—a favourite subject of Christian art, and of our own medieval writers of Mysteries. [A.S. hergian, from A.S. here, gen. herg-es, an army; Ger. heer.]

Harsh, härsh, adj. rough: bitter: jarring: abusive: severe: unkind.—v.t. Harsh′en, to render harsh.—adv. Harsh′ly.—n. Harsh′ness. [M. E. harsk, a northern word; cf. Sw. härsk and Dan. harsk, rancid, Ger. harsch, hard.]

Hart, härt, n. the stag or male deer from the age of six years, when the crown or sur-royal antler begins to appear:—fem. Hind.—ns. Hart′ebeest, Hart′beest, a South African antelope; Harts′horn, the antlers of the red deer: a solution of ammonia, orig. a decoction of the shavings of a hart's horn; Harts′tongue, a genus of widely distributed ferns, one species native to Britain, common in moist woods.—Hart of grease, a hart of the season when fat. [A.S. heort; Dut. hert, Ger. hirsch.]

Harum-scarum, hā′rum-skā′rum, adj. flighty: rash.—n. a giddy, rash person. [Prob. compounded of hare, from the sense of haste and fright, and scare.]

Haruspex, ha-rus′peks, n. (pl. Harus′pices) a soothsayer or diviner among the Etruscans, and from them adopted by the Romans, who foretold future events from the inspection of the entrails of animals offered in sacrifice—also Harus′pice.—ns. Haruspicā′tion, Harus′picy, divination as by a haruspex. [L., from an assumed haru, cog. with Sans. hirâ, entrails, and L. specĕre, to view.]

Harvest, här′vest, n. the time of gathering in the ripened crops: the crops gathered in: fruits: the product of any labour: consequences.—v.t. to reap and gather in.—ns. Har′vest-bug, -louse, -tick, a mite or tick of minute size, abundant late in summer, and very troublesome to people with delicate skins; Har′vester, a reaper in harvests; Har′vest-feast, the feast made at the ingathering of harvest; Har′vest-field, a field where a harvest is or has been; Har′vest-fly, in U.S. the popular name for a species of cicada; Har′vest-home, the bringing home of the harvest: the feast held at the bringing home of the harvest; Har′vest-lord, the head-reaper at the harvest; Har′vest-man (B.), a labourer in harvest; Har′vest-moon, the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox, rising nearly at the same hour for several days; Har′vest-mouse, a very small species of mouse, building its nest in the stalks of growing corn; Har′vest-queen, an image of Ceres, the queen or goddess of fruits, in ancient times carried about on the last day of harvest. [A.S. hærfest; Ger. herbst, Dut. herfst.]

Hash, hash, v.t. to hack: to mince: to chop small.—n. that which is hashed: a mixed dish of meat and vegetables in small pieces: a mixture and preparation of old matter: (Scot.) a stupid fellow.—adj. Hash′y.—Make a hash of, to spoil or ruin completely; Settle a person's hash (slang), to silence him: to make an end of him. [O. Fr.,—Fr. hacher—hache, hatchet.]

Hashish, hash′ish, -ēsh, n. name given to the leaves of the Indian hemp, from which an intoxicating preparation is made. See Bhang and Assassin. [Ar.]

Hask, hask, n. (Spens.) a fish-basket made of rushes. [Prob. from root of hassock.]

Haslet, has′let, n. the edible entrails of an animal, esp. the hog.—Also Hars′let. [O. Fr. hastelet, haste, a spit—L. hasta, a spear.]

Hasp, hasp, n. a clasp: the clasp of a padlock: a spindle: a skein of yarn.—v.t. to fasten with a hasp. [A.S. hæpse; Dan. and Ger. haspe.]

Hassock, has′uk, n. a thick cushion used as a footstool or for kneeling on in church: Kentish rag-stone. [A.S. hassuc; prob. W. hesg, sedge.]

Hastate, -d, hast′āt, -ed, adj. (bot.) spear-shaped.—Also Hast′iform. [L. hastātus—hasta, spear.]

Haste, hāst, n. speed, quickness, a hurry: rashness: vehemence.—vs.t. Haste, Hasten (hās′n), to put to speed: to hurry on: to drive forward.—vs.i. to move with speed: to be in a hurry:—pr.p. hāst′ing, hastening (hās′ning); pa.p. hāst′ed, hastened (hās′nd).—n. Hast′ener.—adv. Hast′ily.—n. Hast′iness, hurry: rashness: irritability.—adj. Hast′y, speedy: quick: rash: eager: passionate.—n. Hast′y-pudd′ing, flour, milk, or oatmeal and water porridge.—adj. Hast′y-wit′ted, rash.—Make haste, to hasten. [O. Fr. haste (Fr. hâte), from Teut.; cf. A.S. hǽst, Dut. haast, Ger. hast.]

Hat, hat, n. a covering for the head, generally with crown and brim: the dignity of a cardinal, so named from his red hat.—v.t. to provide with, or cover with, a hat.—ns. Hat′band, the ribbon round a hat, often a mourning-band; Hat′-box, a box in which a hat is carried; Hat′-peg, -rack, -rail, -stand, &c., a contrivance on which hats are hung.—adj. Hat′ted, covered with a hat.—ns. Hat′ter, one who makes or sells hats: a miner who works by himself; Hat′ting, giving a hat; Hat′-trick, any conjurer's trick with a hat: a House of Commons mode of securing a seat by placing one's hat on it: in cricket, the feat of a bowler who takes three wickets by three successive balls—deserving a new hat.—Chimney-pot, Cocked, and Crushed hat (see Chimney, Cock, Crush).—Hang up one's hat (see Hang); Mad as a hatter, completely insane: very angry; Pass round the hat, to beg for contributions, to take up a collection. [A.S. hæt, Dan. hat.]

Hatch, hach, n. a door with an opening over it, a wicket or door made of cross-bars; the covering of a hatchway.—v.t. to close as with a hatch.—ns. Hatch′-boat, a kind of half-decked fishing-boat; Hatch′way, the opening in a ship's deck into the hold, or from one deck to another.—Under hatches, below deck, off duty, under arrest. [A.S. hæc, a gate; Dut. hek, a gate.]

Hatch, hach, v.t. to produce, especially from eggs, by incubation: to originate: to plot.—v.i. to produce young: to be advancing towards maturity.—n. act of hatching: brood hatched.—ns. Hatch′er, one who, or that which, hatches; Hatch′ery, a place for hatching eggs, esp. those of fish, by artificial means.—Count the chickens before they are hatched, to depend too securely on some future and uncertain event. [Early M. E. hacchen, from an assumed A.S. hæccean; cf. Mid. High Ger. hecken, Sw. häcka.]

Hatch, hach, v.t. to shade by minute lines crossing each other in drawing and engraving.—n. Hatch′ing, the mode of so shading. [O. Fr. hacher, to chop.]

Hatchet, hach′et, n. a small axe used by one hand.—adjs. Hatch′et-faced, having a thin, sharp-featured face; Hatch′ety, like a hatchet.—Bury the hatchet, to put an end to war, from the habit of the North American Indians. [Fr. hachette, hacher, to chop.]

Hatchment, hach′ment, n. the arms of a deceased person within a black lozenge-shaped frame, meant to be placed on the front of his house. [Corrupted from achievement.]

Hate, hāt, v.t. to dislike intensely: to dislike: to despise relatively to something else.—n. extreme dislike: hatred.—adjs. Hate′able, deserving to be hated; Hate′ful, exciting hate: odious: detestable: feeling or manifesting hate.—adv. Hate′fully.—ns. Hate′fulness; Hat′er; Hat′red, extreme dislike: enmity: malignity. [A.S. hete, hate, hatian, to hate; Ger. hasz.]

Hathor, hath′or, n. name of an Egyptian goddess, ranked among the second class of deities, who was the daughter of Ra, the sun.

Hatti, hat′i, n. a Turkish decree of the highest authority, differing from a firman in being signed by the Sultan himself—in full, Hatti-sherif (sher-ēf′).

Hauberk, haw′bėrk, n. a tunic, worn by the Norman soldiers, covered with rings or mascles, reaching to the knees, slit at the sides or in the front and back for convenience in riding, though sometimes ending in short trousers, originally a piece of armour for the neck. [O. Fr. hauberc—Old High Ger. halsberg—hals, neck, bergan, to protect.]

Haugh, häh, n. (Scot.) a level plain, generally near a river. [A.S. healh, halh, a corner.]

Haughty, haw′ti, adj. proud: arrogant: contemptuous: (arch.) bold: (Spens.) high—Shakespeare has Haught.—adv. Haught′ily.—n. Haught′iness. [O. Fr. halt, haut, high—L. altus, high.]

Haul, hawl, v.t. to drag: to pull with violence.—v.i. to tug, to try to draw something: to alter a ship's course, to sail generally.—n. a pulling: a draught, as of fishes: a source of interest or profit.—ns. Haul′age, act of hauling: charge for hauling or pulling a ship or boat; Haul′er, Haul′ier.—Haul over the coals (see Coal); Haul off, or round, to turn a ship's course away from an object; Haul up, to come or bring to rest after hauling. [Hale.]

Hauld, häld, a Scotch form of hold, as in the prov. phrase, 'out of house and hauld'=homeless and completely destitute.

Haunch, hawnsh, n. the fleshy part of the hip and buttock: (Shak.) the hip, the hind-part, the rear: (archit.) the middle part between the vertex or crown and the springing of an arch.—adjs. Haunch′less; Haunch′y. [O. Fr. hanche; prob. Ger., Old High Ger. anchâ, leg.]

Haunch, hawnsh, v.t. (prov.) to throw with an underhand movement.—n. a jerked underhand throw.

Haunt, hawnt, v.t. to frequent: to follow importunately: to intrude upon continually: to inhabit or visit as a ghost.—v.i. to be much about: to appear or visit frequently.—n. a place much resorted to: (Shak.) habit of frequenting.—p.adj Haunt′ed, frequented, infested, esp. by ghosts or apparitions.—n. Haunt′er.—adv. Haunt′ingly. [O. Fr. hanter; acc. to Littré, a corr. of L. habitāre.]

Haustellum, haws-tel′um, n. the sucking organ or proboscis of an insect or a crustacean:—pl. Haustella.—adj. Haus′tellate, provided with such.

Haussmannize, hows′man-īz, v.t. to open out, widen, and straighten streets, and generally rebuild, as Baron Haussmann did to Paris when prefect of the Seine (1853-70).—n. Haussmannizā′tion.

Haustorium, haws-tō′ri-um, n. a small sucker of a parasitic plant, penetrating the tissues of the host:—pl. Haustō′ria.

Hautboy, hō′boi, n. an older form of Oboe (q.v.): a large kind of strawberry. [Fr. hautbois—haut, high, bois, wood.]

Hauteur, hō-tār′, n. haughtiness: arrogance.—adj. Haut (Milt.), haughty.—ns. Haut-goût, flavour, spice, a taint: a highly seasoned dish; Haut-pas, a dais; Haut′-relief′, high relief.—Haut ton, high fashion, people of high fashion. [Fr.]

Haüyne, hä′win, n. a rock-forming mineral, a silicate of alumina and soda or lime, with sodium and calcium sulphate. [Named from René Just Haüy, a French mineralogist (1743-1822).]

Havana, ha-van′a, n. a fine quality of cigar, named from Havana, the capital of Cuba, fondly supposed to be made there.—Also Havann′a(h).

Have, hav, v.t. to own or possess: to hold, contain: to hold control of: to grasp the meaning of: to allow to be done, to cause: to regard, hold in opinion, esteem: to obtain: to enjoy: to bear or beget: to effect: to be affected by: to get the better of, outwit, to have hold upon:—pr.p. hav′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. had.—ns. Hav′er, one who has or possesses, a holder: (Scots law) a term to denote the person in whose custody a document is; Hav′ing, act of possessing: possession, estate: behaviour: (Scot. esp. in pl.) good manners.—adj. greedy.—Have as good, lief, to be as willing; Have at, attack, thrust; Have done (with), to come to the end of one's dealings; Have it out, to have something finally settled; Have on, to wear; Have rather, to prefer; Have up, to call to account before a court of justice, &c. [A.S. habban, pa.t. hæfde, pa.p. gehæfd; Ger. haben, Dan. have.]

Havelock, hav′lok, n. a white cover for a military cap, with a long rear flap as a protection from the sun. [From Gen. Henry Havelock, 1795-1857.]

Haven, hā′vn, an inlet of the sea, or mouth of a river, where ships can get good and safe anchorage: any place of safety: an asylum.—v.t. to shelter.—p.adj. Hā′vened, sheltered, as in a haven. [A.S. hæfen; Dut. haven, Ger. hafen.]

Haver, hāv′ėr, v.i. (Scot.) to talk nonsense, or foolishly.—n. Hav′erel, a foolish person.—n.pl. Hav′ers, foolish talk.

Haversack, hav′ėr-sak, n. a bag of strong linen for a soldier carrying his rations in.—n. Hav′er (prov.), oats. [Fr. havresac—Ger. habersack, oat-sack—haber, hafer, oats.]

Haversian, hav-er′si-an, adj. pertaining to or named after Clopton Havers, a 17th-cent. English anatomist who investigated the blood-vascular system of bone.

Havildar, hav′il-dar, n. the highest rank of non-commissioned officer among native troops in India and Ceylon. [Pers.]

Havoc, hav′ok, n. general waste or destruction: devastation.—v.t. to lay waste.—interj. an ancient hunting or war cry. [O. Fr. havot, plunder, of Teut. origin.]

Haw, haw, n. a hedge or enclosure: a field: the berry of the hawthorn.—ns. Haw′-buck, a clown; Haw′finch, the common grosbeak; Haw′thorn, a shrub or small tree, much planted both for hedges and for ornament: the white flower of the hawthorn. [A.S. haga, a yard or enclosure; Dut. haag, a hedge, Ger. hag, a hedge, Ice. hagi, a field.]

Haw, haw, v.i. to speak with hesitation or a drawling manner, real or affected—hence adj. Haw-haw, in an affected tone of voice.—n. a hesitation in speech: loud vulgar laughter.—v.i. to guffaw, to laugh boisterously. [Imit.]

Haw, haw, n. the nictitating membrane or third eyelid, as of a horse; also a disease of this membrane.

Hawk, hawk, n. the name of several birds of prey allied to the falcons: a rapacious person.—v.i. to hunt birds with hawks trained for the purpose: to attack on the wing.—ns. Hawk′-bell, a small bell attached to a hawk's leg; Hawk′bit, a genus of plants of order Compositæ, closely related to the dandelion; Hawk′er.—adj. Hawk′-eyed.—n. Hawk′ing.—adj. Hawk′ish.—n. Hawk′-moth, a very large kind of moth, so called from its hovering motion.—adj. Hawk′-nosed, having a nose like a hawk's beak.—ns. Hawks′beard, a genus of annual and biennial plants of order Compositæ, closely related to hawkweed; Hawk′weed, a genus of perennial plants of order Compositæ.—Know a hawk from a handsaw (prob. for hernshaw), to be able to judge between things pretty well. [A.S. hafoc; Dut. havik, Ger. habicht, Ice. haukr.]

Hawk, hawk, v.i. to force up matter from the throat.—n. the effort to do this. [Imit.]

Hawked, hawkt, adj. (Scot.) spotted, streaked.—ns. Haw′key, Haw′kie, a dark cow with white-striped face.

Hawker, hawk′ėr, n. one who carries about goods for sale on his back, a pedlar.—v.t. Hawk, to carry about for sale: to cry for sale. [Cf. Low Ger. and Ger. höker, Dut. heuker.]

Hawse, hawz, n. the part of a vessel's bow in which the hawse-holes are cut.—n.pl. Hawse′-holes, the holes in a ship's bow through which the cables pass.—ns. Hawse′-pipe, an iron pipe fitted into a hawse-hole, to save the wood; Hawse′-tim′ber, one of the upright timbers in the bow in which the hawse-holes are cut. [Ice. háls, the neck.]

Hawser, häz′ėr, n. a small cable, a large rope used in warping.—adj. Haws′er-laid, made of three small ropes laid up into one. [O. Fr. haucier, haulser, to raise—Low L. altiare—L. altus, high.]

Hay, hā, n. grass cut down and dried for fodder.—ns. Hay′cock, a conical pile of hay in the field; Hay′-fē′ver, an ailment mostly met with in early summer, marked by excessive irritation of the nose, throat, &c., and accompanied with violent sneezing and intense headache—also called Hay′-asth′ma; Hay′field, a field where hay is made; Hay′-fork, a long-handled fork used in turning over hay to dry, or in lifting it; Hay′-knife, a broad knife, with a handle set cross-wise at one end, used for cutting hay from a stack; Hay′-loft, a loft in which hay is kept; Hay′-mak′er, one employed in cutting and drying grass for hay: (pl.) a kind of country-dance; Hay′-mak′ing; Hay′-mow, a rick of hay: a mass of hay stored in a barn; Hay′-rick, a pile of hay; Hay′-stack, a stack of hay; Hay′-ted′der, a machine for scattering hay and exposing it to the sun and air.—Look for a needle in a hay-stack, to look for something where it is barely possible to be found; Make hay, to throw things into confusion; Make hay while the sun shines, to seize a favourable opportunity. [A.S. híeg, híg, hég; Ger. heu, Dut. hooï, Ice. hey.]

Hay, hā, n. a hedge, fence.—n. Hay′-ward, one who herded the common cattle of a town. [A.S. hege—haga, a hedge.]

Hay, hā, n. (Shak.) a home-thrust in fencing. [It. hai, avere—L. habēre, to have.]

Hazard, haz′ard, n. a game played with a dice-box and two dice by any number of players: chance: accident: risk: (billiards) the pocketing of the object ball (winning hazard), of the player's own ball after contact (losing hazard): (tennis) the side of the court into which the ball is served: (golf) a general term for all difficulties on a golf-links—bunkers, long grass, roads, water, whins, &c.—v.t. to expose to chance: to risk: to venture.—v.i. to run a risk.—adj. Haz′ardable.—n. Haz′ardise (Spens.), hazard.—adj. Haz′ardous, dangerous: perilous: uncertain.—adv. Haz′ardously.—ns. Haz′ardousness; Haz′ardry (Spens.), playing at games of hazard or chance: rashness; Chick′en-haz′ard, a game of chance with very small stakes. [O. Fr. hasard; prob. through the Sp. from Arab. al zār, the die; but Littré favours William of Tyre's derivation from Hasart, a castle in Syria, where the game was discovered during the Crusades.]

Haze, hāz, n. vapour which renders the air thick: obscurity.—v.i. to form a haze.—adv. Haz′ily.—n. Haz′iness.—adj. Haz′y, thick with haze: obscure: confused (of the mind). [App. not the A.S. hasu, haswe, gray; prob. Ice. höss, gray.]

Haze, hāz, v.t. to vex with needless tasks: to play tricks upon, to bully.—ns. Haz′er, a player of boorish pranks and practical jokes; Haz′ing, brutal horse-play. [O. Fr. haser, to annoy.]

Hazel, hā′zl, n. a bush or small tree of genus Corylus, of the oak family (Cupuliferæ), yielding an ovoid bony nut enclosed in a leafy involucre.—adj. pertaining to the hazel: of a light-brown colour, like a hazel-nut.—n. Hā′zeline, an alcoholic distillate from the Witch Hazel.—adj. Hā′zelly, light brown like the hazel-nut.—n. Hā′zel-nut, the nut of the hazel-tree. [A.S. hæsel; Ger. hasel, Ice. hasl, L. corulus.]

He, hē, pron. of the third person: the male person named before: a male person or animal.—adj. male. [A.S. hé; Dut. hij, Ice. hann.]

Head, hed, n. the uppermost or foremost part of an animal's body: the brain: the understanding: a chief or leader: the place of honour or command: the front or top of anything: an individual animal or person: a topic or chief point of a discourse: a title, heading: the source or spring: height of the source of water: highest point of anything: culmination: a cape: strength: a froth on beer, porter, &c., when poured into a glass.—v.t. to act as a head to, to lead or govern: to go in front of: to commence: to check: (naut.) to be contrary: (obs.) to behead.—v.i. to grow to a head: to originate: to go head foremost.—n. Head′ache, an internal pain in the head.—adj. Head′achy, afflicted with headaches.—ns. Head′band, a band or fillet for the head: the band at each end of a book: a thin slip of iron on the tympan of a printing-press; Head′-block, in a sawmill carriage, a cross-block on which the head of the log rests: a piece of wood in a carriage, connected with the spring and the perches, and joining the fore-gear and the hind-gear; Head′-board, a board placed at the head of anything, esp. a bedstead; Head′-boom, a jib-boom or a flying jib-boom; Head′bor′ough, an old term for the head of a borough, the chief of a frank pledge, tithing, or decennary; Head′-boy, the senior boy in a public school; Head′chair, a high-backed chair with a rest for the head; Head′-cheese, pork-cheese, brawn; Head′-chute, a canvas tube used to convey refuse matter from a ship's bows down to the water; Head′-cloth, a piece of cloth covering the head, wound round a turban, &c.; Head′-dress, an ornamental dress or covering for the head, worn by women.—p.adj. Head′ed, having a head: (Shak.) come to a head.—ns. Head′er, one who puts a head on something: a dive, head foremost, into water: a brick laid lengthwise along the thickness of a wall, serving as a bond: a heavy stone extending through the thickness of a wall; Head′-fast, a rope at the bows of a ship used to fasten it to a wharf, &c.; Head′-frame, the structure over a mine-shaft supporting the head-gear or winding machinery; Head′-gear, gear, covering, or ornament of the head; Head′-hunt′ing, the practice among the Dyaks of Borneo, &c., of making raids to procure human heads for trophies, &c.—adv. Head′ily.—ns. Head′iness; Head′ing, the act of furnishing with a head; that which stands at the head: material forming a head; Head′land, a point of land running out into the sea: a cape.—adj. Head′less, without a head.—ns. Head′-light, a light carried in front of a vessel, locomotive, or vehicle, as a signal, or for light; Head′-line, the line at the head or top of a page containing the folio or number of the page: (pl.) the sails and ropes next the yards (naut.).—adv. Head′long, with the head foremost or first: without thought, rashly: precipitately.—adj. rash: precipitous, steep.—adj. Head′-lugged (Shak.), lugged or dragged along by the head.—ns. Head′-man, a chief, a leader; Head′mark, a characteristic peculiar to a certain class; Head′-mas′ter, the principal master of a school; Head′-mold, the skull proper: (archit.) a moulding round or over the head of a door, &c.; Head′-money, a tax counted per head: a reward by the head for persons captured at sea, &c.: a reward for a proscribed outlaw's head.—adj. Head′most, most advanced, or forward.—ns. Head′-note, a note placed at the head of a chapter or page, esp. a condensed statement of points of law involved introductory to the report of a legal decision; Head′piece, a helmet: a hat: head, intelligence: (print.) a decorative engraving placed at the top of the first page of a volume, and at the beginning of books, chapters, &c.; Head′-pump, a small pump at a ship's bows to pump up sea-water for washing decks.—n.pl. Head′quarters, the quarters or residence of a commander-in-chief or general.—ns. Head′-race, the race which brings the water to a water-wheel; Head′-reach, the distance to windward made by a vessel while tacking.—v.i. to shoot ahead, in tacking.—ns. Head′-rest, a support for the head, esp. the adjustable apparatus of the barber's chair, and that used by the photographer to steady the sitter's head; Head′-ring, a palm-leaf ornament worn by Kaffir men in their hair after marriage; Head′-shake, a significant shake or motion of the head; Head′-ship, the office of a head or chief authority: dignity; Heads′man, a man who cuts off heads: an executioner; Head′stall, the part of a bridle round the head; Head′-stā′tion, the dwelling-house, &c., on an Australian sheep or cattle station; Head′-stick (print.), a straight piece of furniture placed at the head of a form, between the chase and the type; Head′stone, the principal stone of a building: the corner-stone: the stone at the head of a grave; Head′-stream, the highest of the streams which combine to form a river.—adj. Head′strong, self-willed: obstinate.—ns. Head′-tire, a head-dress; Head′-wa′ter, the highest part of a stream, before receiving affluents; Head′way, motion ahead, esp. of a ship; Head′-wind, a wind blowing right against a ship's head; Head′-word, a title word or heading usually in distinctive type; Head′-work, intellectual labour.—adj. Head′y, affecting the head or the brain: intoxicating: inflamed: rash: violent.—Head and ears, with the whole person: completely; Head and shoulders, very much, as if taller by a head and shoulders: violently; Head foremost, with the head first, esp. of falling from a height; Head or tail, the side of a coin with the sovereign's head, or the reverse: a phrase used in tossing up a coin to decide a point ('to make neither head nor tail of anything'—to be unable to understand it); Head over heels, in a somersault.—Come to a head, to reach a climax; Eat one's head off, to be consumed with mortification; Go by the head, to sink head foremost; Have a head on one's shoulders, to have brains or ability; Head off, to prevent by some counteraction; Lose one's head, to become very much excited: to lose presence of mind; Make head against, to resist successfully: to advance; Off one's head, demented, crazy; Out of one's own head, spontaneously; Over head and ears, deeply engrossed; Turn a person's head (see Turn). [A.S. héafod, Dut. hoofd, Ger. haupt.]

Heal, hēl, v.t. to make whole and healthy: to cure: to remove or subdue what is evil: to restore to soundness, to remedy, repair.—v.i. to grow sound:—pr.p. heal′ing; pa.p. healed.—adj. Heal′able.—ns. Heal′er; Heal′ing, the act or process by which anything is healed or cured: the power to heal.—adj. tending to cure, mild.—adv. Heal′ingly.—adj. Heal′some (Scot.), wholesome. [A.S. hǽlan, hál, whole; cf. Ger. heil, Dut. heel, Ice. heill; also Eng. hail, hale, whole.]

Health, helth, n. wholeness or soundness of body: general state of the body, as in 'ill health,' 'good health,' soundness and vigour of mind: a toast, as 'to drink one's health'—to drink to the health of: (B.) salvation, or divine favour.—adj. Health′ful, full of or enjoying health: indicating health: wholesome: salutary.—adv. Health′fully.—n. Health′fulness.—adv. Health′ily.—n. Health′iness.—adj. Health′less, sickly, ailing.—ns. Health′lessness; Health′-resort′, a place to which people go for the good of their health.—adjs. Health′some (Shak.), healthy, wholesome; Health′y, in a state of good health: conducive to health: sound in body or mind: vigorous. [A.S. hælth—hál, whole.]

Heap, hēp, n. a pile or mass heaved or thrown together: a great number of things, a great deal, a collection: (B.) a ruin.—v.t. to throw in a heap or pile: to amass: to pile above the top:—pr.p. heap′ing; pa.p. heaped.—adj. Heap′y, full of heaps.—A heap, a good many; Knock all of a heap, to confound utterly. [A.S. héap: Ice. hópr, Ger. haufe, Dut. hoop.]

Hear, hēr, v.t. to perceive by the ear: to comprehend: to listen to: to grant or obey: to answer favourably: to attend to: to try judicially: to be a hearer of: (Milt.) to be called.—v.i. to have the sense of hearing: to listen: to be told:—pr.p. hear′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. heard (hėrd).—ns. Hear′er; Hear′ing, act of perceiving by the ear: the sense of perceiving sound: opportunity to be heard: audience: judicial investigation and hearing of arguments, esp. of trial without a jury: reach of the ear: (coll.) a scolding; Hear′say, common talk: rumour: report.—adj. of or pertaining to a report given by others.—v.i. to repeat rumours.—Hear, hear! an exclamation of approval, uttered by the hearers of a speech; Hearsay evidence, evidence at second hand; Hear tell of, to hear some one speak of; I will not hear of, I will not listen to the notion or proposal. [A.S. hýran; Dut. hooren, Ice. heyra, Ger. hören, Goth. hausjan.]

Hearken, härk′n, v.i. to hear attentively: to listen. [A.S. hýrcnian, from hýran, to hear; Ger. horchen.]

Hearse, hėrs, n. a carriage in which the dead are conveyed to the grave: (orig.) a triangular framework for holding candles at a church service, and esp. at a funeral service.—v.t. to put on or in a hearse.—n. Hearse′-cloth, a pall for a corpse laid on a bier.—adj. Hearse′-like, suitable to a funeral, mournful. [O. Fr. herse (It. erpice)—L. hirpicem, accus. of hirpex, a harrow.]

Heart, härt, n. the organ in animal systems that circulates the blood: the vital, inner, or chief part of anything: the seat of the affections, &c., esp. love: the affections: courage: vigour: secret meaning or design: that which resembles a heart: a person, esp. as implying courage or affectionateness—a term of endearment or encouragement: anything heart-shaped, esp. that one of the four suits in a pack of cards bearing a heart in red.—v.t. to encourage, hearten.—v.i. to form a compact head, as a plant.—ns. Heart′ache, sorrow: anguish; Heart′-beat, a pulsation of the heart: a throb of emotion, a thought; Heart′-blood, blood of the heart: life, essence; Heart′-bond, in masonry, a bond in which one header overlaps two others; Heart′-break, a sorrow or grief.—v.t. to break the heart of.—n. Heart′-break′er, a flirt: a curl, love-lock.—adjs. Heart′-break′ing, crushing with grief or sorrow; Heart′-brok′en, intensely afflicted or grieved.—ns. Heart′burn, a burning, acrid feeling, said to be due to the irritation of the upper end of the stomach by the fumes of its acrid contents: cardialgia: Heart′burning, discontent: secret enmity.—adj. Heart′-dear (Shak.), dear to the heart, sincerely beloved.—n. Heart′-disease′, any morbid condition of the heart, whether of the various tissues composing it, or of the nervous arrangements governing it.—adjs. Heart′-eas′ing, giving peace to the mind; Heart′ed, having a heart of a specified kind (hard-hearted, &c.): seated or fixed in the heart, laid up in the heart.—v.t. Heart′en, to encourage, stimulate: to add strength to.—adjs. Heart′-felt, felt deeply: sincere; Heart′free, having the affections free or disengaged.—ns. Heart′-grief, grief or affliction of the heart; Heart′-heav′iness, depression of spirits.—adv. Heart′ily, in a hearty manner: cordially: eagerly.—n. Heart′iness, the state or quality of being hearty.—adj. Heart′less, without heart, courage, or feeling.—adv. Heart′lessly.—ns. Heart′lessness; Heart′let, a little heart.—interj. Heart′ling (Shak.), little heart, used in a minced oath.—n. Heart′-quake, trembling, fear.—adjs. Heart′-rend′ing, deeply afflictive: agonising; Heart′-rob′bing (Spens.), stealing the affections: blissful.—ns. Heart′-rot, a disease producing decay in the hearts of trees, caused by the mycelia of various fungi; Heart's′-ease, a common name for the pansy, a species of violet, an infusion of which was once thought to ease the love-sick heart; Heart′-seed, a general name of plants of genus Cardiospermum, esp. the U.S. balloon-vine; Heart′-serv′ice, sincere devotion, as opposed to Eye-service.—adjs. Heart′-shaped, shaped like the human heart; Heart′-sick, pained in mind: depressed.—n. Heart′-sick′ness.—adjs. Heart′some, exhilarating: merry; Heart′-sore, caused by pain at the heart.—n. (Spens.) grief.—n. Heart′-spoon, the depression in the breastbone: the breastbone.—adj. Heart′-stir′ring, arousing the heart, exhilarating.—n. Heart′-string, a nerve or tendon supposed to brace and sustain the heart: (pl.) affections.—adjs. Heart′-struck (Shak.), driven to the heart, deeply fixed in the mind: (Milt.) shocked, dismayed; Heart′-swell′ing (Spens.), rankling in the heart or mind.—ns. Heart′-wheel, Heart′-cam, a form of cam-wheel used for converting uniform rotary motion into uniform reciprocating motion.—adj. Heart′-whole, whole at heart: unmoved in the affections or spirits.—n. Heart′-wood, the hard inner wood of a tree—also called Duramen.—adjs. Heart′y, full of, or proceeding from, the heart: warm: genuine: strong: healthy; Heart′y-hale (Spens.), wholesome or good for the heart.—Heart-and-hand, Heart-and-soul, with complete heartiness, with complete devotion to a cause; Heart of hearts, the inmost heart: deepest affections; Heart of oak, a brave, resolute heart.—After my own heart, to my own liking; At heart, in real character: substantially; Break the heart, to die of grief or disappointment: to cause deep grief to any one; By heart, by rote: in the memory; Eat one's heart (see Eat); Find in one's heart, to be willing or ready to do something; For one's heart, for one's life; Get, Have, by heart, to commit to memory, or to hold in one's memory; Have at heart, to wish earnestly for: to hold in dear esteem; Have one's heart in one's boots, mouth, to be in a state of terror; Lay, Take, to heart, to set one's mind strongly upon: to be deeply moved by something; Out of heart, in low spirits; Set the heart at rest, to become easy in mind; Set the heart upon, to desire earnestly; Speak to the heart (B.), to comfort, encourage; Take heart, to be encouraged; Take heart of grace (see Grace); Take to heart, to be deeply pained at anything; Wear the heart upon the sleeve, to show the feelings, &c., openly; With all my heart, most willingly. [A.S. heorte; Dut. hart, Ger. herz; cog. with L. cor, cordis, Gr. kardia.]

Hearth, härth, n. the part of the floor on which the fire is made: the fireside: the house itself: the home-circle: the lowest part of a blast-furnace: a brazier, chafing-dish, or fire-box.—ns. Hearth′-mon′ey, Hearth′-penn′y, Hearth′-tax, a tax in England, formerly laid upon hearths; Hearth′-rug, a rug used for covering the hearth-stone; Hearth′-stone, a stone forming a hearth, the fireside: a soft stone used for whitening hearths, doorsteps, &c. [A.S. heorð; Dut. haard, Ger. herd.]

Heat, hēt, n. that which excites the sensation of warmth: sensation of warmth: a heating: exposure to intense heat: a warm temperature: the warmest period, as the heat of the day: indication of warmth, flush, redness: vehemence, passion; sexual excitement, or its period, esp. of the female, corresponding to rut in the male: a single course in a race: animation.—v.t. to make hot: to agitate.—v.i. to become hot:—pr.p. heat′ing; pa.p. heat′ed.—n. Heat′-ap′oplexy, sunstroke.—p.adj. Heat′ed.—ns. Heat′-en′gine, an engine which transforms heat into mechanical work; Heat′er, one who, or that which, heats: a piece of cast-iron heated and then placed in a hollow flat-iron, &c.—adjs. Heat′er-shaped, triangular, like the common heater; Heat′ing, causing or imparting heat.—ns. Heat′-spot, a spot on the surface of the body where a sensation of heat is felt; Heat′-ū′nit, amount of heat required to raise a pound of water one degree.—Latent heat, the quantity of heat absorbed when bodies pass from the solid into the liquid, or from the liquid into the gaseous, state; Mechanical equivalent of heat, the relation between heat and work—viz. the amount of molecular energy required to produce one heat-unit; Specific heat, the number of heat-units necessary to raise the unit of mass of a given substance one degree in temperature. [A.S. hǽto, heat, hát, hot; Ger. hitze.]

Heath, hēth, n. a barren open country: any shrub of genus Erica, or its congener Calluna, of the heath family (Ericaceæ), a hardy evergreen under-shrub.—ns. Heath′-bell, same as Heather-bell; Heath′-cock, a large bird which frequents heaths: the black grouse:—fem. Heath′-hen; Heath′-poult, the heath-bird, esp. the female or young.—adj. Heath′y, abounding with heath. [A.S. hǽð; Ger. heide, Goth. haithi, a waste.]

Heathen, hē′thn, n. an inhabitant of an unchristian country, one neither Christian, Jewish, nor Mohammedan: (B.) the Gentiles: a pagan: an irreligious person.—adj. pagan, irreligious.—n. Hea′thendom, the condition of a heathen: those regions of the world where heathenism prevails.—v.t. Hea′thenise, to make heathen or heathenish.—adj. Hea′thenish, relating to the heathen: rude: uncivilised: cruel.—adv. Hea′thenishly.—ns. Hea′thenishness; Hea′thenism, the religious system of the heathens: paganism: barbarism; Hea′thenry, heathenism: heathendom. [A.S. hǽðen, a heathen; Dut. heiden.]

Heather, heth′ėr, n. the Scotch name for the native species of the Linnæan genus Erica, called in the north of England Ling, esp. Erica (now Calluna) vulgaris, Common Heather, and Erica cinerea, Fine-leaved Heath or Lesser Bell-heather.—adj. of the colour of heather.—ns. Heath′er-ale, a famous liquor traditionally brewed in Scotland from the bells of heather; Heath′er-bell, a name given to Erica tetralix (or specially to its blossom), and sometimes also to Erica cinerea.—adj. Heath′ery, of or pertaining to heather.—Set the heather on fire, to create a disturbance; Take to the heather, to become an outlaw. [Usually derived from heath.]

Heave, hēv, v.t. to lift up: to throw upward: to draw in any direction, as by a windlass: to cause to swell: to force from the breast: (geol.) to move away or displace (a vein or stratum).—v.i. to be raised: to rise and fall: to try to vomit:—pr.p. heav′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. heaved or (naut.) hōve.—n. an effort upward: a throw: a swelling: an effort to vomit: broken wind in horses.—ns. Heave′-off′ering, a voluntary Jewish offering lifted up before the Lord by the priest; Heav′er, one who, or that which, heaves; Heaves, a disease in horses; Heave′-shoul′der, the shoulder of an animal elevated in sacrifice; Heav′ing, a rising: swell: (Shak.) panting.—Heave ho! an exclamation used by sailors in putting forth exertion, as in heaving the anchor; Heave in sight, to come into view; Heave to, to bring a vessel to a stand-still, to make her lie to. [A.S. hebban, pa.t. hóf, pa.p. hafen; Ger. heben.]

Heaven, hev′n, n. the arch of sky overhanging the earth: the air: a zone or region: a very great and indefinite height: the dwelling-place of the Deity and the blessed: the Deity as inhabiting heaven: supreme happiness.—adjs. Heav′en-born, descended from heaven; Heav′en-bred (Shak.), bred or produced in heaven; Heav′en-direct′ed, pointing to the sky: divinely guided; Heav′en-fall′en (Milt.), fallen from heaven, having rebelled against God; Heav′en-gift′ed, granted by heaven; Heav′en-kiss′ing (Shak.), kissing or touching, as it were, the sky.—n. Heav′enliness.—adj. Heav′enly, of or inhabiting heaven: celestial: pure: supremely blessed: very excellent.—adv. in a manner like that of heaven: by the influence of heaven.—adj. Heav′enly-mind′ed, having the mind placed upon heavenly things: pure.—n. Heav′enly-mind′edness.—advs. Heav′enward, Heav′enwards, toward or in the direction of heaven.—Heaven of heavens (B.), the highest of the heavens, the abode and seat of God; In the seventh heaven, in a state of the most exalted happiness—from the system of the Cabbalists, who divided the heavens into seven in an ascending scale of happiness up to the abode of God. [A.S. heofon; not to be conn. with heave.]

Heavy, hev′i, adj. weighty: not easy to bear: oppressive: afflicted: inactive: dull, lacking brightness and interest: inclined to slumber: violent: loud: not easily digested, as food: miry, as soil: having strength, as liquor: dark with clouds: gloomy: expensive: (B.) sad: (theat.) pertaining to the representation of grave or serious parts.—adv. Heav′ily.—n. Heav′iness.—adjs. Heav′y-armed, bearing heavy armour or arms; Heav′y-hand′ed, clumsy, awkward: oppressive; Heav′y-head′ed, having a heavy or large head: dull, stupid, drowsy; Heav′y-heart′ed, weighed down with grief; Heav′y-lād′en, laden with a heavy burden.—n. Heav′y-spar, native sulphate of barium, barytes.—Heavy marching order, the condition of troops fully equipped for field service; Heavy metal, guns or shot of large size: great influence or power; Heavy-weight, one beyond the average weight, esp. in sporting phrase, one placed highest in the ascending scale, feather-weight, light-weight, middle-weight, heavy-weight; Heavy wet, a drink of strong ale or ale and porter mixed.—The heavies (mil.), the heavy cavalry: those who play heavy parts. [A.S. hefig—hebban, to heave; Old High Ger. hebîg.]

Hebdomadal, heb-dom′a-dal, adj. occurring every seven days: weekly—also Hebdom′adary.—n. Heb′domad, the number seven, a group of seven things, a week: in some Gnostic systems, a group of superhuman beings, angels, or divine emanations, the sphere of the Demiurge lower than the ogdoad—from the idea of the seven planets.—adv. Hebdom′adally, from week to week.—n. Hebdom′adary, a member of a chapter or convent who officiates in the choir, &c., on a certain week.—Hebdomadal Council, a board which practically manages the business of the university of Oxford, usually meeting weekly. [L. hebdomadalis—Gr. hebdomas, a period of seven days—hepta, seven.]

Hebe, hē′bē, n. a personification of youth and spring, from the name of the daughter of Zeus and Hera, who was cup-bearer of Olympus.

Hebenon, heb′e-non, n. (Shak.) a poisonous juice. [Perh. ebony, or a corr. of henbane.]

Hebetate, heb′e-tāt, v.t. to make dull or blunt.—adj. Heb′etant, making dull.—ns. Hebetā′tion, Heb′etūde; Hebetudinos′ity.—adj. Hebetū′dinous. [L. hebetāre, -ātum—hebes, blunt.]

Hebrew, hē′brōō, n. one of the descendants of Abraham, who emigrated from beyond the Euphrates into Palestine: an Israelite, a Jew: the language of the Hebrews (fem. Hē′brewess, B.): (coll.) unintelligible speech.—adj. relating to the Hebrews.—adjs. Hebrā′ic, -al, relating to the Hebrews or to their language.—adv. Hebrā′ically, after the manner of the Hebrew language: from right to left.—n. Hebrā′icism.—v.t. Hē′braise, to express as in Hebrew: to conform or incline to Hebrew ideals.—ns. Hē′braiser; Hē′braism, a Hebrew idiom; Hē′braist, one skilled in Hebrew.—adjs. Hebraist′ic, -al, of or like Hebrew.—adv. Hebraist′ically.—n. Hē′brewism. [O. Fr. Ebreu—L. Hebræus—Gr. Hebraios—Heb. ‛ibrî, lit. 'one from the other side (of the river).']

Hebridean, hē-brid′ē-an, -i-an, adj. pertaining to the Hebrides—also Hebrid′ian.—n. a native thereof.

Hecate, hek′a-tē, n. a mysterious goddess, in Hesiod having power over earth, heaven, and sea—afterwards identified with many other goddesses, her power above all displayed in the matter of ghosts and bogies. [L.,—Gr. Hekatē—hekas, far.]

Hecatomb, hek′a-tom, n. among the Greeks and Romans, a sacrifice of a hundred oxen: a great public sacrifice: any large number of victims. [Gr. hekatombē—hekaton, a hundred, bous, an ox.]

Hecatontome, hek′a-ton-tōm, n. (Milt.) a very large number of books. [Gr. hekaton, a hundred, tomos, a volume.]

Heck, hek, n. (Scot.) a rack in a stable for hay, &c.: a grated contrivance for catching fish: a contrivance in a spinning-wheel, and also in a warping-mill, by which the yarn or thread is guided to the reels.—Live at heck and manger, to be in very comfortable quarters. [A.S. hec, hæc; Dut. hek.]

Heckle, hek′l, v.i. to comb: to put a parliamentary candidate, or the like, through a series of embarrassing questions.—n. the same as Hack′le, Hatch′el.—ns. Heck′le, the long shining feathers on a cock's neck, a feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments; Heck′ler, one who torments a candidate with catching questions.

Hectare, hek′tär, n. a superficial measure=100 ares, 10,000 sq. metres, or nearly 2½ acres (2.471). [Fr.,—Gr. hekaton, 100, L. area, area.]

Hectic, -al, hek′tik, -al, adj. pertaining to the constitution or habit of body: affected with hectic fever.—n. Hec′tic, a habitual or remittent fever, usually associated with consumption.—adj. Hec′toid, of a hectic appearance.—Hectic fever, the name given to the fever which occurs in connection with certain wasting diseases of long duration. [Fr.,—Gr. hektikos, habitual—hexis, habit.]

Hectogramme, hek′to-gram, n. a weight of 100 grammes, or nearly ¼ lb. (3.527 ounces). [Fr.,—Gr. hekaton, 100, and gramme.]

Hectograph, hek′to-graf, n. a gelatine pad for receiving a copy and therefrom multiplying a writing or drawing.—v.t. to reproduce by means of this.—adj. Hectograph′ic. [Gr. hekaton, a hundred, graph—graphein, to write.]

Hectolitre, hek′to-lit′r, n. a unit of capacity of 100 litres, 22.01 imperial gallons.

Hectometre, hek′to-mēt-ėr, n. a unit of length equal to 100 metres, or about 1⁄16th (.0621) of a mile.

Hector, hek′tor, n. a bully, a street brawler: one who annoys.—v.t. to treat insolently: to annoy.—v.i. to play the bully.—ns. Hec′torer; Hec′torism.—adv. Hec′torly.—n. Hec′torship. [Hector, the Trojan.]

Hectostere, hek′to-stēr, n. a measure of solidity of 100 cubic metres, 3531.56 Eng. cubic feet.

Heddle, hed′l, n. a series of vertical cords or wires, each having in the middle a loop (Hedd′le-eye) to receive a warp-thread, and passing round and between parallel bars.—v.t. to draw warp-threads through heddle-eyes. [An assumed A.S. hefedl, earlier form of hefeld.]

Hedeoma, hē-dē-ō′ma, n. a genus of herbaceous aromatic plants, the best-known species being the American Pennyroyal. [Gr. hēdys, sweet.]

Hedera, hed′er-a, n. a genus of climbing plants, best represented by the common ivy.—adjs. Hederā′ceous; Hed′eral; Hed′erated; Heder′ic; Hederif′erous. [L.]

Hedge, hej, n. a thicket of bushes: a fence round a field, &c.: any means of protection.—v.t. to enclose with a hedge: to obstruct: to surround: to guard: to protect one's self from loss by betting on both sides.—v.i. to shuffle: to be shifty: to skulk.—ns. Hedge′bill, Hedg′ing-bill, a bill or hatchet for dressing hedges.—adj. Hedge′-born, of low birth, as if born under a hedge or in the woods: low: obscure.—ns. Hedge′bote, an old word for the right of a tenant to cut wood on the farm or land for repairing the hedges or fences; Hedge′-creep′er, a sneaking rogue; Hedge′hog, a small prickly-backed quadruped, so called from living in hedges and bushes, and its resemblance to a hog or pig; Hedge′hog-plant, a species of medick, having the pods spirally twisted and rolled up into a ball beset with spines; Hedge′hog-this′tle, hedgehog-cactus; Hedge′-hyss′op, a European perennial plant of the figwort family, with emetic and purgative qualities; Hedge′-knife, an instrument for trimming hedges; Hedge′-mar′riage, a clandestine marriage; Hedge′-mus′tard, a genus of plants of order Cruciferæ, annual or rarely perennial, with small yellow or white flowers; Hedge′-note, a valueless literary attempt; Hedge′-par′son, a mean parson, generally illiterate; Hedge′pig (Shak.), a young hedgehog; Hedge′-priest, an ignorant itinerant priest; Hedg′er, one who dresses hedges; Hedge′row, a row of trees or shrubs for hedging fields; Hedge′-school, an open-air school kept by the side of a hedge in Ireland; Hedge′-shrew, the field-mouse; Hedge′-sparr′ow, Hedge′-war′bler, a little singing bird, like a sparrow, which frequents hedges; Hedge′-writ′er, a Grub-street author; Hedg′ing, the work of a hedger.—adj. Hedg′y. [A.S. hecg, hegg; Dut. hegge, Ger. hecke.]

Hedonism, hēd′ō-nizm, n. in ethics, the doctrine that happiness is the highest good.—adjs. Hedon′ic, Hedonist′ic.—n.pl. Hedon′ics, the doctrine of pleasure.—n. Hē′donist, one who advocates hedonism. [Gr. hēdonē, pleasure.]

Hedyphane, hed′i-fān, n. a colourless mimetite, containing calcium: a variety of green lead ore. [Gr. hēdys, sweet, -phanēs, appearing.]

Heed, hēd, v.t. to observe: to look after: to attend to.—n. notice: caution: attention.—adj. Heed′ful, attentive, cautious.—adv. Heed′fully.—ns. Heed′fulness; Heed′iness (Spens.).—adj. Heed′less, inattentive: careless.—n. Heed′lesshood (Spens.).—adv. Heed′lessly.—n. Heed′lessness.—adj. Heed′y (Spens.), heedful, careful. [A.S. hédan; Dut. hoeden, Ger. hüten.]

Heel, hēl, n. the part of the foot projecting behind: the whole foot (esp. of beasts): the covering of the heel, as on a boot: a spur: the hinder part of anything.—v.t. to use the heel: to furnish with heels: to arm with a steel spur, as a fighting cock: to seize by the heels: (U.S.) to supply with money.—v.i. to follow well (of a dog).—n. Heel′-ball, a black waxy composition for blacking the heels and soles of boots, for taking impressions of coins, &c., by rubbing: a shoemaker's last.—p.adj. Heeled, provided with a heel, shod: (U.S.) comfortably supplied with money.—n. Heel′er (U.S.), an unscrupulous hanger-on of a political party; Heel′piece, a piece or cover for the heel; Heel′-tap, a small quantity of beer or spirits left in the glass after drinking.—Heel and toe, with proper walking, as opposed to running; Heels o'er gowdy (Scot.), heels over head; Heels over head, upside down.—At, On, Upon, a person's heels, close behind; Down at heel, having the heels of one's shoes trodden down: slovenly: in poor circumstances; Kick one's heels, to be kept waiting for some time; Lay, Set, Clap, by the heels, to fetter: to put in confinement; Out at heels, having the stockings or shoes worn out at the heels; Show a clean pair of heels, Take to one's heels, to run off with haste: to flee; Trip up (one's) heels, to trip up or overthrow him; Turn on (upon) one's heel, to turn sharply round, to turn back or away. [A.S. héla; Dut. hiel.]

Heel, hēl, v.i. to incline: to lean on one side, as a ship.—v.t. to tilt. [Earlier heeld, A.S. hieldan, to slope; cf. Dut. hellen.]

Heft, heft, n. heaving: (Shak.) retching: (U.S.) weight: the bulk of.—v.t. to try the weight of.—adj. Heft′y, rather heavy: easy to lift. [Heave.]

Heft, heft, v.t. to accustom to a thing or place: (Scot.) to attach. [Cf. Ice. hefdha, Sw. häfda, Dan. hævde.]

Hegelianism, hē-gē′li-an-izm, n. the philosophical principles of Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831).—adj. Hēgē′lian, of or pertaining to Hegel.—n. a follower of Hegel.

Hegemony, hē′jem-o-ni, n. leadership: control, esp. of one state over others.—adjs. Hegemon′ic, -al.—ns. Hegū′men, Hegū′menos, the head of a monastery:—fem. Hegū′mene, Hegū′meness. [Gr. hēgemonia—hēgemōn, leader—hēgeisthai, to go before.]

Hegira, Hejira, hej′i-ra, n. the flight of Mohammed from Mecca, 15th July 622 A.D., from which is dated the Mohammedan era: any flight. [Ar. hijrah, flight, hajara, to leave.]

Heifer, hef′ėr, n. a young cow. [A.S. héahfore, héahfru, -fre; prob. 'high-goer,' faran, to go.]

Heigh, hī, interj. a cry of encouragement or exultation—also Hey, Ha.—interj. Heigh′-ho, an exclamation expressive of weariness. [Imit.]

Height, hīt, n. the condition of being high: distance upwards: that which is elevated: a hill: elevation in rank or excellence: utmost degree.—v.t. Height′en, to make higher, to advance or improve: to make brighter or more prominent. [Corr. of highth—A.S. híehtho, héahthu—héah, high.]

Heinous, hā′nus, adj. wicked in a high degree, enormous: atrocious.—adv. Hei′nously.—n. Hei′nousness. [O. Fr. haïnos (Fr. haineux)—haïr, to hate.]

Heir, ār, n. one who inherits anything after the death of the owner: one entitled to anything after the present possessor: a child, offspring:—fem. Heiress (ār′es).—v.t. Heir, to inherit.—ns. Heir′-appā′rent, the one by law acknowledged to be heir; Heir′-at-law, an heir by legal right; Heir′dom, Heir′ship.—adj. Heir′less, without an heir.—ns. Heir′loom, any piece of furniture or personal property which descends to the heir-at-law by special custom; Heir′-presump′tive, one who will be heir if no nearer relative should be born.—Heir by custom, one whose right as heir is determined by customary modes of descent, as gavelkind, &c. [O. Fr. heir—L. hēres, an heir.]

Hel, hel, n. in Northern mythology, the goddess of the dead, the sister of the wolf Fenrir, and daughter of the evil-hearted Loki.

Helcoid, hel′koid, adj. ulcerous.—ns. Helcol′ogy, the branch of pathology concerned with ulcers; Hel′coplasty, the operation of grafting on an ulcer a piece of healthy skin; Helcō′sis, ulceration.—adj. Helcot′ic. [Gr. helkos, an ulcer.]

Hele, hēl, v.t. (Spens.) to hide, conceal. [A.S. helian, helan, to hide; Ger. hehlen.]

Heliac, hē′li-ak, Heliacal, he-lī′ak-al, adj. (astron.) emerging from the light of the sun or passing into it.—adv. Helī′acally. [Gr. hēliakos—hēlios, the sun.]

Helianthus, hē-li-an′thus, n. a genus of order Compositae, including the common sunflower. [Gr. hēlios, the sun, anthos, a flower.]

Heliconian, hel-i-kō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to Helicon, a mountain-range in Bœotia, in ancient Greece, the favourite seat of the Muses.

Heliocentric, -al, hē-li-o-sen′trik, -al, adj. (astron.) referred to the sun as centre.—adv. Heliocen′trically. [Gr. hēlios, the sun, kentron, the centre.]

Heliochromy, hē′li-ok-rō-mi, n. the art of producing photographs in the natural colours.—ns. Hē′liochrome, Heliochrō′motype, a photograph in the natural colours.—adj. Heliochrō′mic.

Heliograph, hē′li-o-graf, n. an apparatus for signalling by means of the sun's rays: an engraving obtained by a process in which a specially prepared plate is acted on chemically by exposure to light: an apparatus for taking photographs of the sun.—v.t. to signal to by means of the sun's rays.—n. Heliog′rapher.—adjs. Heliograph′ic, -al.—adv. Heliograph′ically.—ns. Heliog′raphy, a method of communicating swiftly between distant points by means of the sun's rays reflected from mirrors: photography; Heliogrā′vure (or hā-li-ō-gra-vür′), photo-engraving, or a print obtained by this process. [Gr. hēlios, the sun, graphē, a painting—graphein, to write.]

Heliolatry, hē-li-ol′a-tri, n. worship of the sun.—n. Heliol′ater, a worshipper of the sun.—adj. Heliol′atrous. [Gr. hēlios, the sun, latreia, worship.]

Heliometer, hē-li-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument by which the diameters of the heavenly bodies can be measured with great accuracy.—adjs. Heliomet′ric, -al. [Gr. hēlios, sun, metron, a measure.]

Heliophilous, hē-li-of′i-lus, adj. fond of the sun—opp. to Heliophō′bic, fearing or shunning sunlight.

Helioscope, hē′li-o-skōp, n. a telescope for viewing the sun without injury to the eyes, by means of blackened glass or mirrors that reflect only a part of the light.—adj. Helioscop′ic. [Fr. hélioscope—Gr. hēlios, the sun, skopein, to look, to spy.]

Heliostat, hē′li-o-stat, n. an instrument by means of which a beam of sunlight is reflected in an invariable direction. [Gr. hēlios, sun, statos, fixed—histanai, to stand.]

Heliotrope, hē′li-o-trōp, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Boraginaceæ, many species with fragrant flowers, esp. the Peruvian heliotrope, with small lilac-blue flowers and a fragrance resembling vanilla or cherry-pie: (min.) a bloodstone, a variety of chalcedony of a dark-green colour variegated with red: a mirror placed at a distant station and adjusted by clockwork, so that at a particular hour of the day (arranged beforehand) the light of the sun shall be reflected from the mirror directly to the surveyor's station.—adjs. Heliotrop′ic, -al.—adv. Heliotrop′ically.—ns. Heliot′ropism, Heliot′ropy, the tendency that the stem and leaves of a seedling plant have to bend towards, and the roots from, the light when placed in a transparent vessel of water within reach of the light of a window. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. hēliotropion—hēlios, the sun, tropos, a turn.]

Heliotypy, hē′li-ō-tī-pi, n. a photo-mechanical process in which the gelatine relief is itself used to print from in some form of printing-press, instead of being covered with tinfoil as in the stannotype process.—n. Hē′liotype, a photograph.—v.t. to produce a heliotype picture of.—v.i. to practise heliotypy.—adj. Heliotyp′ic. [Gr. hēlios, sun, typos, impression.]

Heliozoa, hē′li-ō-zō′a, n. a class of Protozoa of the Rhizopod type, with protruding processes of living matter. [Gr. hēlios, the sun, zōon, an animal.]

Helium, hē′li-um, n. a substance discovered by Lockyer in the sun's atmosphere, found by Ramsay in the rare Norwegian mineral cleveite.

Helix, hē′liks, n. a spiral, as of wire in a coil: (zool.) a genus of molluscs including the land-snails: the external part of the ear: a small volute or twist in the capital of a Corinthian column:—pl. Helices (hel′i-sēz).—adj. Hel′ical, spiral.—adv. Hel′ically.—n.pl. Helic′idæ, a large family of terrestrial, air-breathing gasteropods, of which snails are familiar examples.—n. Hel′icograph, a drawing instrument for describing a spiral line.—adjs. Hel′icoid, -al, like a helix, screw-shaped; Helispher′ic, -al, spiral. [L.,—Gr. helix, helissein, to turn round.]

Hell, hel, n. the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death: the place of the dead indefinitely: the abode of evil spirits: the powers of hell: any place of vice or misery: a gambling-house.—adjs. Hell′-black (Shak.), black as hell; Hell′-born, born in hell: of hellish origin; Hell′-bred.—ns. Hell′-broth (Shak.), a composition boiled up for malignant purposes; Hell′-cat, a malignant hag; Hell′-fire, the fire of hell: punishment in hell; Hell′-gate, the entrance into hell.—adj. Hell′-hat′ed (Shak.), hated or abhorred as hell.—n. Hell′hound, a hound of hell: an agent of hell.—adj. Hell′ish, pertaining to or like hell: very wicked.—adv. Hell′ishly.—ns. Hell′ishness; Hell′-kite (Shak.), a kite of infernal breed.—adv. Hell′ward, towards hell. [A.S. hel; Ice. hel, Ger. hölle.]

Hellebore, hel′e-bōr, n. a plant of the genus Helleborus (Ranunculaceæ), whose root possesses drastic purgative properties, anciently used as a cure for insanity—varieties are the Black Hellebore or Christmas Rose, the Stinking and the Green Hellebore; similar plants of other genera are the Winter Hellebore and the American False or White Hellebore, known also as Indian Poke or Itch Weed. [Fr. hellébore—L. helleborus—Gr. helleboros.]

Hellenic, hel-len′ik, or hel-lē′nik, Hellenian, hel-lē′ni-an, adj. pertaining to the Hellenes or Greeks: Grecian, in art, esp. of the period from the primitive epoch to the Roman supremacy in Greece (beginning 146 B.C.), sometimes only from the time of Alexander the Great (c. 330 B.C.)—the term Hellenistic applying to later times.—n. Hell′ēne, an ancient Greek: a subject of the modern kingdom of Greece or Hellas:—pl. Hellē′nes, the name of the modern Greeks for themselves.—v.i. Hell′enise, to conform, or show a tendency to conform, to Greek usages.—ns. Hell′enism, a Greek idiom: the spirit of the Greek race; Hell′enist, one skilled in the Greek language: a Jew who used the Greek language and adopted Greek usages, in opposition to the Hebrews properly so called, whether of Palestine or of the Dispersion, and to the Hellenes or Greeks proper—they are called Grecians in the Authorised, Grecian Jews in the Revised Version.—adjs. Hellenist′ic, -al, pertaining to the Hellenists: pertaining to Greek with foreign, esp. Aramaic and Hebrew, idioms—a popular dialect which grew up at Alexandria and perpetuated itself in the Septuagint, and to a less marked degree in the New Testament.—adv. Hellenist′ically. [Gr. Hellēnios, Helēnikos—Hellēnes, a name ultimately given to all the Greeks—Hellēn, the son of Deucalion, the Greek Noah.]

Hellicat, hel′i-kat, adj. giddy-headed: flighty.—n. (Scot.) a wicked creature.

Helm, helm, n. the instrument by which a ship is steered: the station of management or government.—v.t. to direct.—n. Helm′age, guidance.—adj. Helm′less, of a ship, without a helm.—n. Helms′man, the one who steers. [A.S. helma; Ice. hjálm, a rudder, Gr. helm, a handle.]

Helm, helm, Helmet, hel′met, n. a covering of armour for the head: (bot.) the hooded upper lip of certain flowers.—adjs. Helmed, Hel′meted, furnished with a helmet.—n. Hel′met-shell, a genus of gasteropods having thick heavy shells with bold ridges: a cameo-shell. [A.S. helm—helan, to cover; Ger. helm.]

Helminth, hel′minth, n. a worm.—n. Helminth′agogue, a remedy against worms.—adj. Helmin′thic, pertaining to worms: (med.) expelling worms.—n. a medicine for expelling worms.—n. Helmin′thite, a long sinuous mark common on the surfaces of sandstone, and supposed to be the tracks of worms.—adjs. Helmin′thoid, worm-shaped; Helmintholog′ic, -al.—ns. Helminthol′ogist; Helminthol′ogy, that branch of natural history which treats of worms, or more particularly of the parasitic forms.—adj. Helminth′ous. [Gr. helmins, -inthos, a worm.]

Helot, hē′lot, or hel′ot, n. one of a class of slaves among the ancient Spartans.—ns. Hē′lotage, the state of a Helot; Hē′lotism, the condition of the Helots in ancient Sparta: slavery; Hē′lotry, the whole body of the Helots: any class of slaves. [Gr.; said to be derived from Helos, a town in Greece, reduced to slavery by the Spartans.]

Help, help, v.t. to support: to assist: to mitigate: to give means for doing anything: to provide or supply with: to remedy: to prevent, to keep from.—v.i. to give assistance: to contribute:—pa.p. helped, (B.) hōlp′en.—n. means or strength given to another for a purpose: assistance: relief: one who assists: (Amer.) a hired servant, esp. a domestic.—n. Help′er, one who helps: an assistant.—adj. Help′ful, giving help: useful.—n. Help′fulness.—adj. Help′less, without help or power in one's self: wanting assistance.—adv. Help′lessly.—ns. Help′lessness; Help′mate, an assistant: a partner: a wife—also written Help′meet, from Gen. ii. 18.—Help forward, to assist in making progress; Help off, to aid in disposing or getting rid of; Help on, to forward, to lift up; Help out, to aid in finishing a task, eking out a supply, &c.; Help over, to enable to surmount; Help to, to aid in obtaining for some one; Help up, to raise.—God help him, a phrase implying extreme pity or commiseration.—So help me God, a very strong asseveration, implying the willingness of the speaker to let his chance of salvation depend upon his truthfulness. [A.S. helpan, pa.t. healp, pa.p. holpen; Ice. hjálpa, Ger. helfen, to aid.]

Helter-skelter, hel′ter-skel′ter, adv. in a confused hurry: tumultuously.—n. a confused medley: disorderly motion.—adj. confused.—n. Hel′ter-skel′teriness. [Imit.]

Helve, helv, n. the handle of an axe or hatchet: the handle of a forehammer.—v.t. to furnish with a handle, as an axe.—n. Helve′-hamm′er, a trip-hammer. [A.S. hielfe, helfe, a handle.]

Helvetic, hel-vet′ik, adj. pertaining to Switzerland—also Helvē′tian.—Helvetic Confessions, two confessions of faith drawn up by the Swiss theologians in 1536 and 1566, in substance Protestant, Evangelical, moderately Calvinistic, and Zwinglian. [L.,—Helvetia, Latin name of Switzerland.]

Hem, hem, n. the border of a garment doubled down and sewed.—v.t. to form a hem on: to edge:—pr.p. hem′ming; pa.p. hemmed.—n. Hem′-stitch, the ornamental finishing of the inner side of a hem, made by pulling out several threads adjoining it and drawing together in groups the cross-threads by successive stitches.—v.t. to embroider with such.—Hem in, to surround. [A.S. hemm, a border; Ger. hamm, a fence.]

Hem, hem, n. and interj. a sort of half-cough to draw attention.—v.i. to utter the sound hem!—pr.p. hem′ming; pa.p. hemmed. [Imit.]

Hemeralopia, hem′e-ra-lō′pi-a, n. day-blindness, a defect of vision except in artificial or dim light; also applied to night-blindness. [Gr. hēmera, a day, alaos, blind, ōps, the eye.]

Hemianopsia, hem′i-an-op′si-a, n. complete or partial blindness as to half the field of vision—also Hemianōp′ia, Hemiō′pia, Hemiop′sia, Hem′opsy.—adjs. Hemianop′tic, Hemiop′ic. [Gr. hēmi-, half, an-, neg., opsis, sight.]

Hemicrania, hem-i-krā′ni-a, n. headache confined to one side of the head.—adj. Hemicran′ic.

Hemicycle, hem′i-sī-kl, n. a semicircle, a room with seats so arranged. [Fr.,—Gr.]

Hemihedrism, hem-i-hē′drizm, n. a property of crystals of being Hemihē′dral, or having half the number of symmetrically arranged planes occurring on a holohedron.—n. Hemihē′dron. [Gr. hēmi-, half, hedra, a seat.]

Hemiolic, hem-i-ol′ik, adj. constituting the proportion of 1½ to 1, or of 3 to 2. [Gr. hēmi-, half, holos, whole.]

Hemionus, hē-mī′o-nus, Hemione, hem′i-ōn, n. the half-ass, or dziggetai. [Gr. hēmi-, half, onos, an ass.]

Hemiplegia, hem-i-plē′ji-a, n. paralysis of one side of the face or body—also Hem′iplegy.—adj. Hemipleg′ic. [Gr. hēmi-, half, plēgē, a blow.]

Hemiptera, hem-ip′tėr-a, n. an order of Insecta, in the classification of Linnæus: in later systems, the same as Rhyncota, including aphides, coccus insects, cicadas, bugs, water-scorpions, lice (Ametabola).—n. Hemip′ter.—adjs. Hemip′teral, Hemip′teran, Hemip′terous. [Gr. hēmi-, half, pteron, a wing.]

Hemisphere, hem′i-sfēr, n. a half-sphere: half of the globe or a map of it.—adjs. Hemispher′ic, -al.—n. Hemisphē′roid, the half of a spheroid.—adj. Hemispheroi′dal.—Eastern and Western hemispheres, the eastern and western halves of the terrestrial globe, the former including Europe, Asia, and Africa; the latter, the Americas. [Gr. hēmisphairion—hēmi-, half, sphaira, a sphere.]

Hemistich, hem′i-stik, n. one of the two parts of a line of poetry as divided by the cesura: half a line, an incomplete or unfinished line: an epodic line or refrain.—adj. Hem′istichal. [L. hemistichium—Gr. hēmistichion—hēmi-, half, stichos, a line.]

Hemitrope, hem′i-trōp, n. a form in which one part of a crystal is in reverse position with reference to the other part, a twin-crystal.—adjs. Hem′itrope, Hemit′ropal, Hemitrop′ic, Hemit′ropous.

Hemlock, hem′lok, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants, the most common species being the poisonous spotted hemlock, used in medicine. [A.S. hemlic, the second syllable a weakened form of leác, a plant. Cf. Charlock, Garlic.]

Hemp, hemp, n. a plant with a fibrous bark used for cordage, coarse cloth, &c.: the fibrous rind prepared for spinning.—adj. Hemp′en, made of hemp.—ns. Hemp′-nett′le, a coarse bristly annual weed of the labiate family; Hemp′-palm, a palm of China and Japan, the fibre of the leaves of which is much employed for making cordage—hats, cloaks, and other garments are also made from it; Hemp′-seed, Mrs Quickly's word for homicide (Shak., 2 Henry IV., II. i. 64).—adj. Hemp′y, like hemp: roguish: romping.—n. (Scot.) a rogue.—Hempen collar, and caudle (Shak.), the hangman's noose; Hempen widow, the widow of a man who has been hanged. [A.S. henep, hænep—L. cannabis—Gr. kannabis.]

Hen, hen, n. the female of any bird, esp. of the domestic fowl.—ns. Hen′bane, a coarse annual or biennial herb of the nightshade family, poisonous, esp. to domestic fowls; Hen′coop, a coop or large cage for domestic fowls; Hen′-driv′er, Hen′-harr′ier, a species of falcon, the common harrier.—adj. Hen′-heart′ed, timid as a hen: cowardly.—ns. Hen′-house, a house, coop, or shelter for fowls; Hen′-huss′y, a man who meddles with women's affairs; Hen′-mould, a black, spongy soil; Hen′nery, a place where fowls are kept.—adj. Hen′ny, like a hen, feathered.—v.t. Hen′peck, of a wife, to domineer over her husband.—n. the subjection of a husband to his wife.—adj. Hen′pecked, weakly subject to his wife.—ns. Henpeck′ery, the state of being henpecked; Hen′-roost, a place where poultry roost at night; Hen′wife, Hen′-wom′an, a woman who has the charge of poultry. [A.S. henn—hana, a cock; Ger. hahn, fem. henne.]

Hence, hens, adv. from this place or time: in the future: from this cause or reason: from this origin.—interj. away! begone!—advs. Hence′forth, Hencefor′ward, from this time forth or forward. [M. E. hennes, henne—A.S. heonan, from the base of he; Ger. hinnen,hin, hence; so L. hinc, hence—hic, this.]

Henchman, hensh′man, n. a servant: a page. [Not from haunch-man, but from A.S. hengest, a horse (Ger. hengst), and man.]

Hendecagon, hen-dek′a-gon, n. a plane figure of eleven angles and eleven sides.—adj. Hendecag′onal. [Gr. hendeka, eleven, gōnia, an angle.]

Hendecasyllable, hen′dek-a-sil-a-bl, n. a metrical line of eleven syllables.—adj. Hendecasyllab′ic. [Gr. hendeka, eleven, syllabē, a syllable.]

Hendiadys, hen-dī′a-dis, n. a rhetorical figure in which one and the same notion is presented in two expressions, as 'with might and main'=by main strength. [Gr. hen dia dyoin, lit. 'one by two.']

Henequen, hen′ē-ken, n. a fibre known as sisal-hemp, used for ships' cables, obtained chiefly from Agave Ixtli of Yucatan, also the plant itself.—Also Hen′equin, Hen′iquin. [Sp. jeniquen.]

Henna, hen′a, n. a small Oriental shrub of the loosestrife family, with fragrant white flowers: a pigment made from the shrub for dyeing the nails and hair. [Ar. henna.]

Henotheism, hen′ō-thē-izm, n. the ascribing of supreme power to some one of several gods in turn: the belief in a special supreme god over a particular people—a national or relative monotheism.—adj. Henotheist′ic. [Gr. heis (hen-), one, theos, god, and suff. -ism.]

Henotic, hen-ot′ik, adj. tending to unify or reconcile. [Gr. henōtikos—heis, one.]

Henry, hen′ri, n. (electr.) the practical unit of self-induction—from Joseph Henry, American physicist (1797-1878).

Hep, hep, interj. a cry said to come down from the Crusaders' time, often the cry of the mob in an outrage on the Jews—more probably an abbreviation of Hebrew than formed from the initials of Hierosolyma est perdita=Jerusalem is destroyed.

Hepar, hē′par, n. the name given by the older chemists to various compounds of sulphur, from their brown, liver-like colour.—adj. Hepat′ic, belonging to the liver.—ns.pl. Hepat′ica, medicines which affect the liver and its appendages; Hepat′icæ, the liver-worts, a sub-class of bryophytic or moss-like plants.—n. Hepatisā′tion, consolidation of tissue, as of the lungs in pneumonia, resulting in a liver-like solidification.—v.t. Hep′atise, to convert into a substance resembling liver.—ns. Hep′atīte, a variety of barium sulphate or barite, with a characteristic stink; Hepatī′tis, inflammation of the liver; Hep′atocele, hernia of the liver; Hepatol′ogist, a specialist in diseases of the liver; Hepatol′ogy, the science of, or a treatise on, the liver; Hepatorrhœ′a, a morbid flow of bile; Hepatos′copy, divination by inspection of the livers of animals. [Gr. hēpar, hēpătos, the liver.]

Heptachord, hep′ta-kord, n. in Greek music, a diatonic series of seven tones, containing five whole steps and one half-step: an instrument with seven strings.

Heptade, hep′tad, n. the sum or number of seven: (chem.) an atom, radical, or element having a combining power of seven. [Fr.,—Gr. heptas, heptados—hepta, seven.]

Heptaglot, hep′ta-glot, adj. in seven languages.—n. a book in seven languages. [Gr. heptaglōttos—hepta, seven, glōtta, glōssa, tongue.]

Heptagon, hep′ta-gon, n. a plane figure with seven angles and seven sides.—adj. Heptag′onal. [Gr. heptagōnos, seven-cornered—hepta, seven, gōnia, an angle.]

Heptagynia, hept-a-jin′i-a, n. an order of plants having seven styles.—adj. Heptag′ynous. [Gr. hepta, seven, gynē, a woman.]

Heptahedron, hep-ta-hē′dron, n. a solid figure with seven faces or sides.—adjs. Heptahē′dral, Heptahed′rical; Heptahexahē′dral, having seven ranges of faces one above another, each range containing six faces. [Gr. hepta, seven, hedrā, a seat, a base.]

Heptameride, hep-tam′e-rid, n. anything consisting of seven parts.—adj. Heptam′erous (bot.), consisting of seven members or parts.

Heptameron, hep′tam-e-ron, n. a book containing the transactions of seven days, esp. the 72 stories supposed to be told in seven days, bearing the name of Queen Margaret of Navarre (1492-1549). [Gr. hepta, seven, hēmera, a day.]

Heptameter, hep′tam-e-tėr, n. a verse of seven measures. [Gr. hepta, seven, metron, measure.]

Heptandria, hept-an′dri-a, n. a class of plants having seven stamens.—adj. Heptan′drous. [Gr. hepta, seven, anēr, andros, a man.]

Heptangular, hept-ang′gū-lar, adj. having seven angles. [Gr. hepta, seven, and angular.]

Heptapody, hep-tap′o-di, n. a verse of seven feet.—adj. Heptapod′ic.

Heptarchy, hep′tär-ki, n. a government by seven persons: the country governed by seven: a period in the Saxon history of England—a misleading term in any other meaning than merely this, that the chief kingdoms at various periods from the 5th to the 9th century were seven—Wessex, Sussex, Kent, Essex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria.—ns. Hep′tarch, Hep′tarchist.—adj. Heptar′chic. [Gr. hepta, seven, archē, sovereignty.]

Heptasyllabic, hep-ta-si-lab′ik, adj. seven-syllabled, like the second half of the elegiac pentameter.

Heptateuch, hep′ta-tūk, n. a word sometimes used for the first seven books of the Old Testament—formed on the analogy of Pentateuch and Hexateuch. [Gr. hepta, seven, teuchos, an instrument, a volume.]

Her, hėr, pron. objective and possessive case of she.—adj. belonging to a female. [M. E. here—A.S. hire, gen. and dat. sing. of heó, she.]

Heraclean, Heracleian, her-a-klē′an, adj. pertaining to Hercules.—adj. Heraclī′dan, Heraclei′dan, pertaining to the Heracleidæ or descendants of Heracles (Hercules), the aristocracy of Sparta.—n. Heraclid′, one claiming such descent.

Herald, her′ald, n. in ancient times, an officer who made public proclamations and arranged ceremonies: in medieval times, an officer who had charge of all the etiquette of chivalry, keeping a register of the genealogies and armorial bearings of the nobles: an officer whose duty is to read proclamations, to blazon the arms of the nobility, &c.: a proclaimer: a forerunner: the red-breasted merganser, usually Her′ald-duck.—v.t. to introduce, as by a herald: to proclaim.—adj. Heral′dic, of or relating to heralds or heraldry.—adv. Heral′dically.—ns. Her′aldry, the art or office of a herald: the science of recording genealogies and blazoning coats of arms; Her′aldship.—Heralds' College (see College). [O. Fr. herault; of Teut. origin, Old High Ger. hari (A.S. here, Ger. heer), an army, and wald=walt, strength, sway.]

Herb, hėrb, n. a plant the stem of which dies every year, as distinguished from a tree or shrub which has a permanent stem.—adj. Herbā′ceous, pertaining to, or of the nature of, herbs: (bot.) having a soft stem that dies to the root annually.—n. Herbage (hėrb′āj, or ėrb′āj), green food for cattle: pasture: herbs collectively.—adjs. Herb′aged, covered with grass; Herb′al, pertaining to herbs.—n. a book containing descriptions of plants with medicinal properties, orig. of all plants.—ns. Herb′alist, one who makes collections of herbs or plants: one skilled in plants; Herb′ar (Spens.), an herb; Herbā′rian, a herbalist; Herbā′rium, a classified collection of preserved herbs or plants:—pl. Herbā′riums, Herbā′ria; Herb′ary, a garden of herbs; Herb′-benn′et (see Avens).—adjs. Herbes′cent, growing into herbs, becoming herbaceous; Herbif′erous, bearing herbs.—n. Herb′ist, a herbalist.—n.pl. Herbiv′ora, a name loosely applied to hoofed quadrupeds.—n.sing. Herb′ivore.—adjs. Herbiv′orous, eating or living on herbaceous plants; Herb′less.—ns. Herb′let (Shak.), a small herb; Herb′-of-grace′, or -repent′ance, the common rue, the vervain; Herborisā′tion, the seeking for plants: (min.) the figure of plants.—v.i. Herb′orise, to search for plants: to botanise.—v.t. to form plant-like figures in, as in minerals.—n. Herb′orist, a herbalist.—adjs. Herb′ous, Herb′ose, abounding with herbs.—ns. Herb′-Par′is, Paris quadrifolia, related to wake-robin; Herb′-Pē′ter, the cowslip or primrose; Herb′-Rob′ert, a common kind of geranium; Herb′-trin′ity, the pansy.—adj. Herb′y, of or pertaining to herbs. [Fr. herbe—L. herba, akin to Gr. phorbē, pasture—pherbein, to feed.]

Herculanean, her-kū-lā′nē-an, adj. of or pertaining to Herculaneum, the ancient Roman city buried with Pompeii by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Herculean, hėr-kū′lē-an, adj. of or pertaining to Hercules: extremely difficult or dangerous, as the twelve labours of the Greek hero Hercules: of extraordinary strength and size.—Hercules beetle, a gigantic Brazilian lamellicorn beetle, 6 in. long, with a long horn on the head of the male and a smaller one on the thorax; Hercules' choice, toil and duty chosen in preference to ease and pleasure—from a famous story in Xenophon's Memorabilia; Hercules club, a stick of great size and weight; Pillars of Hercules, the name given by the ancients to two rocks flanking the entrance to the Mediterranean at the Strait of Gibraltar.

Hercynian, her-sin′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to the forest-covered mountain region of northern Germany—apart the Harz Mountains.

Herd, hėrd, n. a number of beasts feeding together, and watched or tended: any collection of beasts, as distinguished from a flock: a company of people, the rabble.—v.i. to run in herds.—v.t. to tend, as a herdsman.—ns. Herd, one who tends a herd; Herd′groom (Spens.), a shepherd-lad; Herds′-grass, timothy-grass; Herds′man, a man employed to herd or tend cattle—(B.) Herd′man. [A.S. hirde, hierde; Ger. heerde, Sw. hjord.]

Herdic, her′dik, n. a low-hung two or four wheeled carriage with back entrance and side seats. [From the inventor, Peter Herdic of Pennsylvania.]

Here, hēr, adv. in this place: in the present life or state.—advs. Here′about, also -abouts, about this place; Hereaf′ter, after this, in some future time or state.—n. a future state.—advs. Here′at, at or by reason of this; Here′away (coll.), hereabout; Hereby′, not far off: by this; Herein′, in this: in regard to this; Hereinaf′ter, afterward in this (document, &c.):—opp. to Hereinbefore′; Hereof′, of this: as a result of this; Hereon′, on or upon this; Hereto′, till this time: for this object; Heretofore′, before this time: formerly; Hereunto′ (also -un′-), to this point or time; Hereupon′, on this: in consequence of this; Herewith′, with this.—Here and there, in this place, and then in that: thinly: irregularly; Here goes! an exclamation indicating that the speaker is about to do something; Here you are (coll.), this is what you want; Neither here nor there, of no special importance. [A.S. hér, from base of hé, he; Dut. and Ger. hier, Sw. här.]

Heredity, he-red′i-ti, n. the organic relation between generations, esp. between parents and offspring: the transmission of qualities from the parents or ancestors to their offspring.—adj. Hered′itable, that may be inherited.—ns. Heredit′ament, all property of whatever kind that may pass to an heir.—adv. Hered′itarily.—n. Hered′itariness, the quality of being hereditary.—adj. Hered′itary, descending by inheritance: transmitted from parents to their offspring. [L. hereditas, the state of an heir—heres, herēdis, an heir.]

Heresy, her′e-si, n. the adoption and maintaining opinions contrary to the authorised teaching of the religious community to which one naturally belongs: an opinion adopted for one's self in opposition to the usual belief: heterodoxy.—ns. Heresiarch (her′e-si-ärk, or he-rē′zi-ärk), a leader in heresy, a chief among heretics; Heresiog′rapher, one who writes about heresies; Heresiog′raphy, a treatise on heresies; Heresiol′ogist, a student of, or writer on, heresies; Heresiol′ogy, the study or the history of heresies; Her′etic, the upholder of a heresy.—adj. Heret′ical.—adv. Heret′ically.—v.t. Heret′icate, to denounce as heretical. [O. Fr. heresie—L. hæresis—Gr. hairesis—hairein, to take.]

Heriot, her′i-ot, n. (Eng. law) a kind of fine due to the lord of a manor on the death of a person holding land of the manor, and consisting of the best beast, jewel, or chattel that belonged to the deceased.—adj. Her′iotable. [A.S. heregeatu, a military preparation—here, an army, geatwe, apparatus.]

Herisson, her′i-son, n. a beam turning on a pivot and supplied with sharp spikes, for the defence of a gate, &c.: (her.) a hedgehog.—adj. Hérissé, bristled. [A doublet of urchin.]

Heritable, her′i-ta-bl, adj. that may be inherited.—n. Heritabil′ity.—adv. Her′itably.—n. Her′itor, in Scotland, a landholder in a parish.—Heritable property (Scots law), real property, as opposed to movable property or chattels; Heritable security, same as English mortgage. [O. Fr. heritable, hereditable—-Low L. hereditabilis—L. hereditas.]

Heritage, her′it-āj, n. that which is inherited: inherited lot, condition of one's birth: (B.) the children (of God). [O. Fr. heritage, heriter—Late L. hereditāre, to inherit.]

Hermandad, ėr-man-dad′, n. a confederation of the entire burgher class of Spain for police and judicial purposes, formed in 1282, and formally legalised in 1485. [Sp., 'brotherhood,' hermano—L. germanus, kindred.]

Hermaphrodite, hėr-maf′rod-īt, n. an animal or a plant in which the two sexual characteristics are united: an abnormal individual in whom are united the properties of both sexes.—adj. uniting the distinctions of both sexes.—ns. Hermaph′rodism, Hermaph′roditism, the union of the two sexes in one body.—adjs. Hermaphrodit′ic, -al, pertaining to a hermaphrodite: partaking of both sexes.—Hermaphrodite brig, a brig square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft. [L.,—Gr. Hermaphrodītos, the son of Hermēs and Aphroditē, who, when bathing, grew together with the nymph Salmacis into one person.]

Hermeneutic, -al, hėr-me-nū′tik, -al, adj. interpreting: explanatory: exigetical.—adv. Hermeneu′tically.—n.sing. Hermeneu′tics, the science of interpretation or exegesis, esp. of the Scriptures.—n. Hermeneu′tist, one versed in hermeneutics. [Gr. hermēneu′tikos—hermēneus, an interpreter, from Hermēs, Mercury, the god of art and eloquence.]

Hermes, hėr′mēz, n. the herald and messenger of the gods of Greek mythology, patron of herdsmen, arts, and thieves: a head or bust on a square base, often double-faced:—pl. Hermæ (her′mē): the Egyptian Thoth, identified with the Greek Hermes.

Hermetic, -al, hėr-met′ik, -al, adj. belonging in any way to the the beliefs current in the Middle Ages under the name of Hermes, the Thrice Great: belonging to magic or alchemy, magical: perfectly close.—adv. Hermet′ically.—n.pl. Hermet′ics, the philosophy wrapped up in the Hermetic books, esoteric science: alchemy.—Hermetically sealed, closed completely, said of a glass vessel, the opening of which is closed by melting the glass. [From Hermēs Trismegistos, Hermes 'the thrice-greatest,' the Greek name for the Egyptian god Thoth, who was god of science, esp. alchemy.]

Hermit, hėr′mit, n. one who retires from society and lives in solitude or in the desert for purposes of devotion: one of certain animals of solitary habit.—ns. Her′mitāge, Her′mitary, the dwelling of a hermit: a retired abode: a wine produced near Valence, in Drôme; Her′mit-crab, the name of a family of crustaceans notable for their habit of sheltering themselves in gasteropod shells.—adj. Hermit′ical, relating to a hermit. [M. E. eremite, through Fr. and L. from Gr. erēmitēs—erēmos, solitary.]

Hernia, hėr′ni-a, n. a protrusion, through an abnormal or accidental opening, of the abdominal viscera, the condition popularly called rupture.—adjs. Her′nial; Her′niated; Her′nioid.—ns. Herniol′ogy, the branch of surgery which treats of ruptures; Herniot′omy, the operation of cutting for hernia. [L.]

Hero, hē′rō, n. a man of distinguished bravery: any illustrious person: the principal figure in any history or work of fiction: (orig.) a demigod:—fem. Heroine (her′ō-in).—adj. Herō′ic, becoming a hero: courageous: illustrious: daring, rash.—n. a heroic verse: (pl.) extravagant phrases, bombast.—adj. Herō′ical.—adv. Herō′ically—(Milt.) Herō′icly.—ns. Herō′icalness, Herō′icness.—adjs. Herō′icomic, -al, consisting of a mixture of heroic and comic: designating the high burlesque.—ns. Her′oism, the qualities of a hero: courage: boldness; Hē′roship, the state of being a hero; Hē′ro-wor′ship, the worship of heroes: excessive admiration of great men.—Heroic age, the semi-mythical period of Greek history, when the heroes or demigods were represented to have lived among men; Heroic medicines, such as either kill or cure; Heroic size, in sculpture, larger than life, but less than colossal; Heroic verse, the style of verse in which the exploits of heroes are celebrated (in classical poetry, the hexameter; in English and German, the iambic of ten syllables; in French, the alexandrine). [Through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. hērōs; akin to L. vir, A.S. wer, a man, Sans. víra, a hero.]

Herodians, he-rō′di-ans, n.pl. a political rather than religious party among the Jews of the apostolic age, adherents of the family of Herod. Herod was represented as a swaggering tyrant in the old dramatic performances—hence 'to out-herod Herod' (Shak.)—to exceed in bombast and passionate grandiloquence.

Heron, her′un, n. a large screaming water-fowl, with long legs and neck.—n. Her′onry, a place where herons breed. [O. Fr. hairon—Old High Ger. heigir.]

Heronshaw, her′un-shaw, n. a young heron. [Properly heronswewe (O. Fr. herounçel), which was confounded with the old form hernshaw, a heronry, from heron, and shaw, a wood.]

Herpes, hėr′pēz, n. the name of a group of diseases of the skin, characterised by the presence of clusters of vesicles on an inflamed base—Catarrhal herpes and Herpes zoster or Shingles.—adj. Herpet′ic, relating to or resembling herpes: creeping. [Gr. herpēs—herpein, to creep.]

Herpestes, her-pes′tez, n. the typical genus of ichneumons or mongooses of the sub-family Herpestinæ, viverroid carnivores, having straight toes, claws not retractile. [Gr.]

Herpetology, her-pet-ol′oj-i, n. the branch of natural history which treats of reptiles.—adjs. Her′petoid, serpent-like; Herpetolog′ic, -al, pertaining to herpetology.—adv. Herpetolog′ically.—n. Herpetol′ogist, one versed in herpetology.

Herr, her, n. lord, master, the German term of address equivalent to Mr. [Ger.]

Herring, her′ing, n. a common small sea-fish of great commercial value, found moving in great shoals or multitudes.—adj. Herr′ing-bone, like the spine of a herring, applied to a kind of masonry in which the stones slope in different directions in alternate rows.—ns. Herr′inger, one whose employment is to catch herring; Herr′ing-fish′ery; Herr′ing-pond, the ocean, esp. the Atlantic or the English Channel.—Herring-bone stitch, a kind of cross-stitch used in embroidery, in mending sails, &c.—Kippered herring, herring smoked and preserved; Red herring, herring cured and dried, and having as the result a red appearance. [A.S. hǽring, héring; cf. Ger. häring, heer.]

Herrnhuter, hern′hut-ėr, n. one of the Moravians or United Brethren, so called from their settlement in 1722 at Herrnhut in Saxony.

Herse, hėrs, n. (fort.) a portcullis: a species of cheval-de-frise.—adj. Hersed, arranged in harrow form. [Hearse.]

Herself, hėr-self′, pron. the emphatic form of she in the nominative or objective case: in her real character: having the command of her facilities, sane.

Hership, hėr′ship, n. the carrying off of cattle: (Scot.) foray. [Here, army, or stem of A.S. herjan, to harry; cf. Ice. herskapr, warfare—herr, army, and -skapr, -ship.]

Hery, hē′ri, v.t. (Spens.) to praise, to regard as holy. [A.S. herian, to praise.]

Hesitate, hez′i-tāt, v.i. to stop in making a decision: to be in doubt: to stammer.—v.t. (rare) to express with hesitation.—ns. Hes′itancy, Hesitā′tion, wavering: doubt: stammering.—adj. Hes′itan't, hesitating.—adv. Hes′itātingly.—adj. Hes′itātive, showing hesitation.—n. Hes′itātor, one who hesitates.—adj. Hes′itātory, hesitating. [L. hæsitāre, -ātum, freq. of hærēre, hæsum, to stick.]

Hesper, hes′pėr, Hesperus, hes′pėr-us, n. the Greek name for Venus as the evening-star.—adj. Hespē′rian, of Hesperus or the west. [L.,—Gr. hesperos, evening.]

Hesperides, hes-per′ī-dēz, n.pl. the name of the three sisters who guarded in their delightful gardens the golden apples which Hera, on her marriage with Zeus, had received from Gæa.

Hesperornis, hes-per-ōr′nis, n. an extinct form of bird, the remains of which have been met with in the American cretaceous deposits. [Gr. hesperos, western, ornis, a bird.]

Hessian, hesh′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to Hesse.—n. a native of Hesse: (pl.) short for Hessian boots, a kind of long boots first worn by Hessian troops.—Hessian fly, a dipterous insect, in its larval state attacking stems of barley, wheat, and rye. [From Hesse, a grand-duchy of the German Empire.]

Hest, hest, n. (Shak.) behest, command. [A.S. hǽs, a command—hátan, to command.]

Hesvan, hes′van, n. the second month of the Jewish civil year.—Also Hesh′van. [Heb.]

Hesychast, hes′i-kast, n. one of a mystic and contemplative sect of the Greek Church in the 14th century, whose members may be described as the Quietists of the East.—n. Hes′ychasm, their doctrines and practice. [Gr. hēsychastēs—hēsychos, quiet.]

Hetæra, he-tē′ra, Hetaira, he-tī′ra, n. in Greece, a woman employed in public or private entertainment, as flute-playing, dancing, &c.: a paramour or courtesan.—ns. Hetæ′rism, Hetairism (-tī′), concubinage, open commerce between the sexes; Hetæroc′racy, the rule of courtesans.—n. Hetai′rist, one who practises hetærism.—adj. Hetairist′ic. [Gr. hetaira, fem. of hetairos, a companion.]

Heterauxesis, het-e-rawk-sē′sis, n. (bot.) irregular or unsymmetrical growth.

Heteroblastic, het-er-o-blas′tik, adj. derived from different cells:—opposed to Homoblastic. [Gr. heteros, other, blastos, bud, germ.]

Heterocarpous, het-e-ro-kar′pus, adj. (bot.) bearing fruit of two sorts.

Heterocercal, het-er-o-sėr′kal, adj. having the upper fork of the tail different from or longer than the lower, as the shark:—opposed to Homocercal.—n. Het′erocercy. [Gr. heteros, different from, kerkos, the tail.]

Heterochromous, het-e-ro-krō′mus, adj. (bot.) having different members unlike in colour.

Heterochrony, het-e-rok′ro-ni, n. (biol.) a divergence in ontogenetic sequence affecting the time of formation of parts or organs—also Heterochrō′nia.—adj. Heterochron′ic.—n. Heteroch′ronism.—adjs. Heterochronist′ic; Heteroch′ronous.

Heteroclite, het′er-o-klīt, adj. irregularly inflected: irregular—also Heteroclit′ic, -al.—n. Het′eroclīte, a word irregularly inflected: anything irregular.—adj. Heteroc′litous. [Gr. heteroklitos—heteros, other, klitos, inflected—klinein, to inflect.]

Heterodactyl, het-e-ro-dak′til, adj. having the digits irregular or peculiar in size, form, or position.—Also Heterodac′tylous.

Heterodont, het′er-o-dont, adj. having different kinds of teeth:—opposed to Homodont.—n.pl. Heterodont′a, an order of bivalves with hinge-teeth (cardinal and lateral) fitting into corresponding cavities in the opposite valve. [Gr. heteros, other, odous, odont-, a tooth.]

Heterodox, het′er-o-doks, adj. holding an opinion other or different from the one generally received, esp. in theology: heretical.—n. Het′erodoxy, heresy. [Gr. heterodoxos—heteros, other, doxa, an opinion—dokein, to think.]

Heterœcism, het-e-rē′sizm, n. the development, as of some parasitic fungi, of different stages of existence on different host-plants.—adjs. Heterœ′cious, Heterœcis′mal. [Gr. heteros, other, oikos, a house.]

Heterogamous, het-e-rog′a-mus, adj. (bot.) bearing two kinds of flowers which differ sexually, as in most Compositæ, &c.—n. Heterog′amy. [Gr. heteros, other, gamos, marriage.]

Heterogeneous, het-er-o-jē′ne-us, adj. of another race or kind: dissimilar: composed of different kinds or parts—also Heterogēn′eal (rare):—opposed to Homogeneous.—ns. Heterogenē′ity, Heterogēn′eousness.—adv. Heterogēn′eously. [Gr. heterogenēs—heteros, other, genos, a kind.]

Heterogenesis, het-er-ō-gen′e-sis, n. (biol.) spontaneous generation, abiogenesis: generation in which the offspring differs in structure and habit from the parent animal or plant, the ancestral characteristics, however, ultimately reappearing—Xenogenesis and Alternate generation are other names—also Heterog′eny.—adj. Heterogenet′ic. [Gr. heteros, other, genesis, generation.]

Heterogonous, het-e-rog′ō-nus, adj. (bot.) having flowers dimorphous or trimorphous as to the relative length of stamens and styles, an adaptation for cross-fertilisation. [Gr. heteros, other, gonos, generation.]

Heterography, het-e-rog′ra-fi, n. heterogeneous spelling.—adj. Heterograph′ic.

Heterology, het-er-ol′oj-i, n. abnormality, want of true morphological affinity.—adj. Heterol′ogous. [Gr. heteros, other, logia, relation.]

Heteromerous, het-e-rom′e-rus, adj. diversiform. [Gr. heteros, other, meros, a part.]

Heteromorphic, het-e-ro-mor′fik, adj. deviating in form from a given type—also Heteromor′phous.—ns. Heteromor′phism; Heteromor′phy. [Gr. heteros, other, morphē, form.]

Heteronomous, het-er-on′o-mus, adj. differentiated from a common type: subject to the rule of another.—n. Heteron′omy, subordination to law imposed by another:—opposed to Autonomy. [Gr. heteros, other, nomos, law.]

Heteronym, het′er-o-nim, n. a word spelled like another, but with a different sound and meaning, as lead, to guide; lead, the metal.—adj. Heteron′ymous.—n. Heteron′ymy. [Gr. heteros, other, onoma, a name.]

Heterophemy, het-e-ro-fē′mi, n. the saying of one thing when another is meant.—v.i. Heterophē′mise.—ns. Heterophē′mism; Heterophē′mist.—adj. Heterophemis′tic. [Gr. heteros, other, phēmē, a saying.]

Heterophyllous, het′er-o-fil′us, adj. (bot.) having two different kinds of leaves on the same stem. [Gr. heteros, other, phyllon, a leaf.]

Heteroplasia, het-e-ro-plā′si-a, n. the development of abnormal tissue by diseased action.—adj. Heteroplas′tic.—n. Heteroplas′ty. [Gr. heteros, other, plasis, a forming.]

Heteropoda, het-er-op′o-da, n.pl. pelagic gasteropods in which the 'foot' has become a swimming organ.—n. Het′eropod, one of the Heteropoda. [Gr. heteros, other, pous, podos, a foot.]

Heteroptera, het-e-rop′te-ra, n.pl. a sub-order of Hemiptera.—adj. Heterop′terous. [Gr. heteros, other, pteron, a wing.]

Heteroptics, het-e-rop′tiks, n. perverted vision. [Gr. heteros, other, optikos, optic]

Heteroscian, het-e-rosh′i-an, adj. and n. pertaining to a person living on one side of the equator, as contrasted with one living on the other side. [Gr. heteros, other, skia, a shadow.]

Heterosomata, het-e-ro-sō′ma-ta, n.pl. the flat-fishes.—adj. Heterosō′matous. [Gr. heteros, different, sōma, pl. sōmata, a body.]

Heterosporous, het-e-ro-spō′rus, adj. having more than one kind of asexually produced spores. [Gr. heteros, other, sporos, seed.]

Heterostrophic, het-e-rō-strof′ik, adj. reversed in direction.—n. Heteros′trophy. [Gr. heteros, other, strophē, a turning.]

Heterostyled, het′e-rō-stīld, adj. same as Heterogonous (q.v.).—n. Heterostyl′ism. [Gr. heteros, other, stylos, a pillar.]

Heterotaxis, het-er-o-tak′sis, n. anomalous arrangement of organs.—adj. Heterotax′ic. [Gr. heteros, other, taxis, arrangement.]

Heterotomous, het-er-ot′o-mus, adj. (min.) having a cleavage different from the common variety. [Gr. heteros, other, tomē, a cutting.]

Heterotopy, het-e-rot′o-pi, n. misplacement.—adj. Heterot′opous. [Gr. heteros, other, topos, place.]

Heterotrophy, het-e-rot′rof-i, n. (bot.) an abnormal mode of obtaining nutrition. [Gr. heteros, other, trophē, food.]

Heterousian, het′e-rōō-zi-an, n. and adj. one who believes the Father and Son to be unlike in substance or essence:—opposed to Homoöusian: an Arian.—Also Heteroöu′sian. [Gr. heteros, other, ousia, substance, einai, to be.]

Hetman, het′man, n. the title of the head or general of the Cossacks. [Russ.]

Heugh, Heuch, hūh, n. (Scot.) a crag, a glen with steep sides. [See How, a hill.]

Heulandite, hū′lan-dīt, n. a mineral of the zeolite group—from H. Heuland, an English mineralogist.

Heuristic, hū-ris′tik, adj. serving to find out.—n. the art of discovery in logic: the method in education by which the pupil is set to find out things for himself. [From the root of Gr. heuriskein, to find; also spelt euriskein. See Eureka.]

Hew, hū, v.t. to cut with any sharp instrument: to cut in pieces: to shape.—v.i. to deal blows with a cutting instrument:—pa.p. hewed, or hewn.—n. (Spens.) hacking.—n. Hew′er, one who hews. [A.S. héawan; Ger. hauen.]

Hexachord, hek′sa-kord, n. a diatonic series of six notes, having a semitone between the third and fourth. [Gr. hex, six, chordē, a string.]

Hexad, hek′sad, n. a series of six numbers: (chem.) an element or radical with the combining power of six units—i.e. of six atoms of hydrogen.

Hexadactylous, hek-sa-dak′ti-lus, adj. having six fingers or toes.—n. Hexadac′tylism.

Hexaëmeron, hek-sa-ē′me-ron, n. a period of six days, esp. that of the creation, according to Genesis: a history of the six days of creation. [Late Gr. hexaēmeros—hex, six, hēmera, a day.]

Hexagon, heks′a-gon, n. a figure with six sides and six angles.—adj. Hexag′onal.—adv. Hexag′onally.—v.t. Hex′agonise. [Gr. hexagōnon—hex, six, gōnia, an angle.]

Hexagynia, hek-sa-jin′i-a, n. in the Linnæan system an order of plants having six styles.—adjs. Hexagyn′ian, Hexag′ynous.

Hexahedron, heks-a-hē′dron, n. a cube, a regular solid with six sides or faces, each of these being a square.—adj. Hexahē′dral. [Gr. hex, six, hedra, a base.]

Hexameter, hek-sam′et-ėr, n. a verse of six measures or feet, the first four dactyls or spondees, the fifth a dactyl (sometimes a spondee), the sixth a spondee or trochee.—adj. having six metrical feet.—adjs. Hexamet′ric, -al.—n. Hexam′etrist, a writer of hexameters. [L.,—Gr. hex, six, metron, a measure.]

Hexandria, heks-an′dri-a, n. a Linnæan class of plants having six stamens.—adj. Hexan′drian. [Gr. hex, six, anēr, andros, a man, male.]

Hexaphyllous, hek-sa-fil′us, adj. having six leaves or leaflets. [Gr. hex, six, phyllon, a leaf.]

Hexapla, heks′a-pla, n. an edition of the Bible in six versions, as that made by Origen of the Old Testament.—adj. Hex′aplar. [Gr. hexapla, pl. neut. of hexaplous, sixfold.]

Hexapod, heks′a-pod, n. an animal with six feet.—n. Hexap′ody, a line or verse of six feet. [Gr. hexapous, -podos—hex, six, pous, a foot.]

Hexastich, heks′a-stik, n. a poem or stanza of six lines. [Gr. hexastichos—hex, six, stichos, a line.]

Hexastyle, heks′a-stīl, adj. having six columns, of a portico or temple having six columns in front. [Gr. hexastylos—hex, six, stylos, a pillar.]

Hexateuch, heks′a-tūk, n. the first six books of the Old Testament.—adj. Hex′ateuchal. [From Gr. hex, six, and teuchos, a book.]

Hey, hā, interj. expressive of joy or interrogation.—interj. Hey′day, expressive of frolic, exultation, or wonder.—n. exaltation of the spirits: the wild gaiety of youth: period of fullest vigour.—n. Hey′deguy (Spens.), a country dance or round.—interjs. Hey′-go-mad, expressing a high degree of excitement; Hey′-pass (Milt.), an expression used by jugglers during their performance. [Imit.]

Hiatus, hī-ā′tus, n. a gap: an opening: a chasm: a break in continuity, a defect: (gram.) a concurrence of vowel sounds in two successive syllables. [L.,—hiāre, hiātum, to gape.]

Hibernate, hī′bėr-nāt, v.i. to winter: to pass the winter in torpor: to live in seclusion.—ns. Hiber′nacle, a winter covering; Hibernac′ulum, any part of a plant protecting an embryonic organ during the winter.—adj. Hiber′nal, belonging to winter: wintry.—n. Hibernā′tion, the state of torpor in which many animals pass the winter. [L. hibernāre, -ātum—hibernus, wintry—hiems, winter.]

Hibernian, hī-bėr′ni-an, adj. relating to Hibernia or Ireland.—n. an Irishman.—ns. Hiber′nianism, Hiber′nicism, an Irish idiom or peculiarity.—adv. Hiber′nically.—v.t. Hiber′nicīse, to render Irish.—n. Hibernisā′tion, a making Irish. [L. Hibernia, Ireland.]

Hibiscus, hī-bis′kus, n. a genus of malvaceous plants, mostly tropical. [L.,—Gr. hibiscos, mallow.]

Hic, hik, interj. a syllable expressing the sound made by one affected with a drunken hiccup.

Hiccatee, Hicatee, hik-a-tē′, n. a fresh-water tortoise of Central America.

Hiccup, hik′up, n. the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, while the glottis is spasmodically closed: the sound caused by this—also, but erroneously, Hic′cough.—v.i. to be affected with hiccup.—v.t. to say with a hiccup:—pr.p. hicc′upping; pa.p. hicc′upped.—adj. Hicc′upy, marked by hiccups. [Imit.; cf. Dut. hik, Dan. hikke, Bret. hik. The spelling hiccough is due to a confusion with cough.]

Hickory, hik′or-i, n. a genus (Carva) of North American nut-bearing trees, with heavy strong tenacious wood, used for shafts of carriages, handles of axes, &c. [Pohickery; of Indian origin.]

Hidalgo, hi-dal′gō, n. a Spanish nobleman of the lowest class.—adj. Hidal′goish.—n. Hidal′goism. [Sp., hijo de algo, 'the son of something.']

Hide, hīd, v.t. to conceal: to keep in safety.—v.i. to lie concealed:—pa.t. hid; pa.p. hid′den, hid.—adj. Hid′den, concealed: unknown.—adv. Hid′denly, in a hidden or secret manner: privily—(Scot.) Hid′lins.—adj. Hid′denmost, most hidden.—n. Hid′denness.—ns. Hide′-and-seek′, a children's game, where one seeks the others who have hid themselves; Hide′away, a fugitive.—adj. that hides away.—n. Hid′ing, a place of concealment [A.S. hýdan, to hide; cf. Low Ger. hûden, Gr. keuthein.]

Hide, hīd, n. the skin of an animal, esp. the larger animals, sometimes used derogatorily for human skin.—v.t. to flog or whip.—adj. Hide′-bound, having the hide closely bound to the body, as in animals: in trees, having the bark so close that it impedes the growth: stubborn, bigoted, obstinate.—n. Hid′ing, a thrashing. [A.S. hýd; Ger. haut, L. cutis.]

Hide, hīd, n. in old English law, a certain area of land, from 60 to 100 acres.—n. Hid′age, a tax once assessed on every hide of land. [A.S. híd, contracted from hígid—híw-, híg-, household.]

Hideous, hid′e-us, adj. frightful: horrible: ghastly.—ns. Hideos′ity, Hid′eousness.—adv. Hid′eously. [O. Fr. hideus, hisdos—hide, hisde, dread, prob.—L. hispidus, rough, rude.]

Hie, hī, v.i. to hasten.—v.t. to urge on: pass quickly over:—pr.p. hie′ing; pa.p. hied. [A.S. hígian.]

Hie, High, hī, n. (prov.) the call to a horse to turn to the left:—opposite of Hup.

Hielaman, hī′la-man, n. the native Australian narrow shield of bark or wood.

Hiems, hī′emz, n. (Shak.) winter.—adj. Hī′emal.—v.t. Hī′emate.—n. Hiemā′tion, hibernation. [L.]

Hiera-picra, hī′e-ra-pik′ra, n. a purgative drug from aloes and canella bark.—Also Hickery-pickery, Higry-pigry. [Gr. hiera, fem. of hieros, sacred, pikra, fem. of pikros, bitter.]

Hierarch, hī′ėr-ärk, n. a ruler in sacred matters.—adjs. Hi′erarchal, Hierarch′ical.—adv. Hierarch′ically.—ns. Hī′erarchism; Hī′erarchy, rule in sacred matters: persons that so rule: the body of the clergy: a government by priests: a series of successive terms of different rank; Hieroc′racy, government by priests.—Celestial hierarchy, the collective body of angels, grouped in three divisions and nine orders of different power and glory: (1) seraphim, cherubim, thrones; (2) dominations or dominions, virtues, powers; (3) principalities, archangels, angels. [Gr. hierarchēs—hieros, sacred, archein, to rule.]

Hieratic, hī-ėr-at′ik, adj. sacred: relating to priests, applying to a certain kind of ancient Egyptian writing, which consisted of abridged forms of hieroglyphics; also to certain styles in art. [L. hieraticus—Gr. hieratikos—hieros, sacred.]

Hieroglyphic, hī-ėr-o-glif′ik, also Hī′eroglyph, n. the sacred characters of the ancient Egyptian language: picture-writing, or writing in which figures of objects are employed instead of conventional signs, like the alphabet—hieroglyphics are either phonetic or ideographic, the former comprising signs which represent sounds, the latter those which represent ideas: any symbolical or enigmatical figure.—v.t. Hī′eroglyph, to represent by hieroglyphs.—adjs. Hieroglyph′ic, -al.—adv. Hieroglyph′ically.—n. Hierog′lyphist, one skilled in hieroglyphics. [Gr. hieroglyphikon—hieros, sacred, glyphein, to carve.]

Hierogram, hī′er-o-gram, n. a hieroglyphic symbol.—adjs. Hierogrammat′ic, -al.—ns. Hierogram′matist, Hierogram′mate, a writer of sacred records; Hī′erograph, a sacred symbol; Hierog′rapher, a sacred scribe.—adjs. Hierograph′ic, -al, pertaining to sacred writing.—n. Hierog′raphy, a description of sacred things. [Gr. hieros, sacred, gramma, a writing.]

Hierology, hī-ėr-ol′o-ji, n. the science of sacred matters, esp. ancient writing and Egyptian inscriptions.—adj. Hierolog′ic.—n. Hierol′ogist. [Gr. hierologia—hieros, sacred, legein, to speak.]

Hieromancy, hī-er-o-man′si, n. divination by observing the objects offered in sacrifice.

Hieronymic, hī-e-rō-nim′ik, adj. of or pertaining to St Jerome—also Hieronym′ian.—n. Hieron′ymite, one of the many hermit orders established in the course of the 13th and 14th centuries. [L. Hieronymus, Jerome.]

Hierophant, hī′ėr-o-fant, n. one who shows or reveals sacred things: a priest.—adj. Hierophant′ic, belonging to or relating to hierophants. [Gr. hierophantēs—hieros, sacred, phainein, to show.]

Hierosolymitan, hī-e-rō-sol′i-mī-tan, adj. of or pertaining to Jerusalem. [L. Hierosolyma, Jerusalem.]

Hierurgy, hī′er-ur′ji, n. a sacred performance.—adj. Hierur′gical.

Higgle, hig′l, v.i. to make difficulty in bargaining: to chaffer.—v.i. Higg′le-hagg′le, a reduplicated variant of higgle.—ns. Higg′ler; Higg′ling. [Prob. a form of haggle.]

Higgledy-piggledy, hig′l-di-pig′l-di, adv. and adj. topsy-turvy: (coll.) upside down. [A word coined to express a meaningless jumble.]

High, hī, adj. elevated: lofty: tall: elevated relatively to something, as upward from a base, in position from the mouth of a river, &c.: eminent in anything: exalted in rank: dignified: chief: noble: ostentatious: arrogant: proud: strong, intensified: extreme in opinion: powerful: angry: loud: violent: tempestuous: shrill: excellent: far advanced: difficult: dear: remote in time: slightly tainted (of game, &c.).—adv. aloft: eminently: powerfully: profoundly: of flesh, on the point of beginning to decay.—ns. High′-ad′miral, a high or chief admiral of a fleet; High′-al′tar, the principal altar in a church; High′-bail′iff, an officer who serves writs, &c., in certain franchises, exempt from the ordinary supervision of the sheriff; High′-bind′er (U.S.), a rowdy, ruffian, blackmailer.—adjs. High′-blest (Milt.), supremely blest or happy; High′-blood′ed, of noble lineage; High′-blown, swelled with wind: (Shak.) inflated, as with pride; High′-born, of high or noble birth; High′-bred, of high or noble breed, training, or family.—ns. High′-church, applied to a party within the Church of England, which exalts the authority of the Episcopate and the priesthood, the saving grace of sacraments, &c. (also adj.); High′-church′ism; High′-church′man.—adj. High′-col′oured, having a strong or glaring colour.—ns. High′-court, a supreme court; High′-cross, a market cross; High′-day, a holiday or festival: (B.) broad daylight.—adj. befitting a festival.—v.t. High′er, to raise higher: to lift.—v.i. to ascend.—n. High′-falū′tin, bombastic discourse.—adj. bombastic: pompous.—adj. High′-fed, fed highly or luxuriously: pampered.—ns. High′-feed′ing; High′-flier, a bird that flies high: one who runs into extravagance of opinion or action.—adjs. High′-flown, extravagant: elevated: turgid; High′-fly′ing, extravagant in conduct or opinion; High′-grown (Shak.), covered with a high growth; High′-hand′ed, overbearing: violent: arbitrary.—n. High′-hand′edness.—adjs. High′-heart′ed, with the heart full of courage; High′-heeled, wearing high heels—of shoes.—n. High′-jinks, boisterous play or jollity: an old Scotch pastime in which persons played various parts under penalty of a forfeit.—adj. High′-kilt′ed, wearing the kilt or petticoat high: indecorous.—n. and adj. High′land, a mountainous district, esp. in pl. that portion of Scotland lying north and west of a line drawn diagonally from Nairn to Dumbarton.—ns. High′lander, High′landman, an inhabitant of a mountainous region; High′-low, a high shoe fastened with a leather thong in front.—adv. High′ly.—n. High′-mass (see Mass).—adjs. High′-mett′led, high-spirited, courageous; High′-mind′ed, having a high, proud, or arrogant mind: having honourable pride: magnanimous.—n. High′-mind′edness.—adjs. High′most, highest; High′-necked, of a dress, cut so as to cover the shoulders and neck.—n. High′ness, the state of being high: dignity of rank: a title of honour given to princes.—adj. High′-pitched, high-strung: haughty.—n. High′-place (B.), an eminence on which idolatrous rites were performed by the Jews—hence the idols, &c., themselves.—adjs. High′-press′ure, applied to a steam-engine in which the steam is raised to a high temperature, so that the pressure may exceed that of the atmosphere; High′-priced, costly.—ns. High′-priest (see Priest); High′-priest′ess; High′-priest′hood.—adjs. High′-prin′cipled, of high, noble, or strict principle; High′-proof, proved to contain much alcohol: highly rectified; High′-raised, raised aloft: elevated; High′-reach′ing, reaching upwards: ambitious.—n. High′-road, one of the public or chief roads: a road for general traffic.—adjs. High′-sea′soned, made rich or piquant with spices or other seasoning; High′-sight′ed (Shak.), always looking upwards; High′-souled, having a high or lofty soul or spirit; High′-sound′ing, pompous: ostentatious; High′-spir′ited, having a high spirit or natural fire: bold: daring: irascible.—n. High′-step′per, a horse that lifts its feet high from the ground.—adjs. High′-step′ping, having a proud or conceited carriage or walk; High′-stom′ached (Shak.), proud-spirited, lofty, obstinate; High′-strung, high-spirited: sensitive.—n. Hight (Milt.), obsolete form of height.—adj. High′-tast′ed, having a strong, piquant taste or relish.—n. High′-tide (rare), a great festival.—adj. High′-toned, high in pitch: dignified.—ns. High′-top (Shak.), a mast-head; High′-trea′son, treason against the sovereign or state.—adj. High′-viced (Shak.), enormously wicked.—ns. High′-wa′ter, the time at which the tide is highest: the greatest elevation of the tide; High′-wa′ter-mark, the highest line so reached; High′way, a public road on which all have right to go: the main or usual way or course; High′wayman, a robber who attacks people on the public way.—adj. High′-wrought, wrought with exquisite skill: highly finished: agitated.—High and dry, of a ship, up out of the water: disabled; High and low, rich and poor, people of every condition; High and mighty, exalted: arrogant; High celebration (see Celebration); High life, the life of fashionable society: the people of this society; High living, over-indulgence in the pleasures of the table; High seas, the open sea, including the whole extent of sea so far as it is not the exclusive property of any particular country; High table, the table in the dining-hall of a college where the dons sit; High tea, a tea with hot meat, &c., as opposed to a plain tea.—A high hand, or arm, might: power: audacity; A high time, A high old time (coll.), a time of special jollity or enthusiasm; Be high time, to be fully time something was done that should have been done well before; Be on one's high horse, to assume an attitude of fancied superiority: to be arrogant.—Highland costume, the fillibeg or kilt, shoulder-plaid, sporran, &c.; Highland regiments, a number of regiments in the British army, wearing the Highland dress and feather-bonnet, or tartan trews and shakos.—In high feather, in high spirits: happy; On high, in or to a height; On the high ropes (coll.), in an elated or highly excited mood; With a high hand, arrogantly. [A.S. héah; Goth. hauhs, Ice. hár, Ger. hoch.]

Hight, hīt, v.t. to command: (Spens.) to call, name.—v.i. (orig. pass.) to be called or named, to have as a name; therefore third pers. sing., Hight=he was or is called. [M. E. highte—A.S. hátte, I was called, pa.t. of hátan, to call, to be called. Cf. Ger. ich heisse, I am named, from heissen, to call.]

Highty-tighty, hī′ti-tī′ti, adj. the same as Hoity-toity (q.v.).

Hilarious, hi-lā′ri-us, adj. gay: very merry.—adv. Hilā′riously.—n. Hilar′ity, gaiety: pleasurable excitement. [L. hilaris—Gr. hilaros, cheerful.]

Hilary, hil′ar-i, adj. a term or session of the High Court of Justice in England; also one of the university terms at Oxford and Dublin—from St Hilary of Poitiers (died 367), festival, Jan. 13.

Hildebrandism, hil′de-brand-izm, n. the spirit and policy of Hildebrand (Pope Gregory VII., 1073-85), unbending assertion of the power of the Church, &c.—adj. Hildebrand′ic.

Hilding, hild′ing, n. a mean, cowardly person, a dastard.—adj. cowardly, spiritless. [Prob. hield, to bend down.]

Hill, hil, n. a high mass of land, less than a mountain.—n. Hill′-dig′ger, one who digs into barrows, &c., for buried treasure.—adj. Hilled, having hills.—ns.pl. Hill′-folk, Hill′men, people living or hiding among the hills: the Scotch sect of Cameronians, the Covenanters generally.—ns. Hill′-fort, a prehistoric stronghold; Hill′iness; Hill′ock, a small hill.—adj. Hill′ocky.—ns. Hill′-side, the slope of a hill; Hill′-top, the summit of a hill.—adj. Hill′y, full of hills.—Up hill and down dale, vigorously and persistently. [A.S. hyll; cf. L. collis, a hill, celsus, high.]

Hilt, hilt, n. the handle, esp. of a sword.—adj. Hilt′ed, having a hilt.—Up to the hilt, completely, thoroughly, to the full. [A.S. hilt; Dut. hilte, Old High Ger. helza; not conn. with hold.]

Hilum, hī′lum, n. the scar on a seed at the point of union with the placenta: (anat.) the depression at the place where ducts, vessels, and nerves enter an organ.—adj. Hī′lar. [L.]

Him, him, pron. the objective case of he.—pron. Him′self, the emphatic and reflective form of he and him: the proper character of a person. [A.S. him, dat. sing. masc. and neut. of he, it.]

Himation, hi-mat′i-on, n. the ancient Greek outer garment, oblong, thrown over the left shoulder, and fastened either over or under the right. [Gr.]

Himyaritic, him-ya-rit′ik, adj. a name formerly applied to the language of the ancient Sabæan inscriptions in the south-west of Arabia. [Himyar, a traditional king of Yemen.]

Hin, hin, n. a Hebrew liquid measure containing about six English quarts. [Heb.]

Hind, hīnd, n. the female of the stag or red-deer.—n. Hind′berry, the raspberry. [A.S. hind; Dut. and Ger. hinde.]

Hind, hīnd, n. a farm-servant, esp. one having charge of a pair of horses, with cottage on the farm, formerly bound to supply a female field-worker (bondager). [A.S. hína=híwna, gen. pl. of híwan, domestics.]

Hind, hīnd, adj. placed in the rear: pertaining to the part behind: backward:—opp. to Fore.—adj. Hind′er, the older form of hind, but used in the same significations.—n. Hind′er-end, the latter end: (Scot.) buttocks.—n.pl. Hind′erlins (Scot.), the buttocks.—adjs. Hind′ermost, Hind′most, superlative of hind, farthest behind; Hind′-fore′most, the back part in the front place. [A.S. hindan (adv.), back, hinder, backwards; Goth. hindar, Ger. hinter, behind.]

Hinder, hin′dėr, v.t. to put or keep behind: to stop, or prevent progress: to embarrass.—v.i. to be an obstacle.—ns. Hin′derance, Hin′drance, act of hindering: that which hinders: obstacle. [A.S. hindrian; Ger. hindern.]

Hindi, hin′dē, n. and adj. one of the languages of Aryan stock now spoken in Northern India.—Also Hin′dee. [Urdū, Hind, 'India.']

Hindu, Hindoo, hin′dōō, n. a native of Hindustan: now more properly applied to native Indian believers in Brahmanism, as opposed to Mohammedans, &c.—ns. Hin′duism, Hin′dooism, the religion and customs of the Hindus. [Sindhu, Sans. for Indus.]

Hindustani, Hindoostanee, hin-dōō-stan′ē, n. a dialect of Hindi, also called Urdū, the chief official and commercial language of India.—Also adj.

Hinge, hinj, n. the hook or joint on which a door or lid hangs: that on which anything depends or turns.—v.t. to furnish with hinges: to bend.—v.i. to hang or turn as on a hinge: to depend on:—pr.p. hing′ing; pa.p. hinged.—n. Hinge′-joint (anat.), a joint in which the bones move.—Off the hinges, in a state of confusion. [Related to hang.]

Hinny, hin′i, n. the offspring of a stallion and she-ass. [L. hinnus—Gr. ginnos, later hinnos, a mule.]

Hint, hint, n. a distant or indirect allusion: slight mention: insinuation.—v.t. to bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion: to allude to.—v.i. to make an indirect or remote allusion: to allude.—adv. Hint′ingly.—Hint at, to allude to obscurely. [A.S. hentan, to seize.]

Hinterland, hint′ėr-land, n. the district behind that lying along the coast, or along a river. [Ger.]

Hip, hip, n. the haunch or fleshy part of the thigh: (archit.) the external angle formed by the sides of a roof when the end slopes backward instead of terminating in a gable.—v.t. to sprain the hip:—pr.p. hip′ping; pa.p. hipped, hipt.—ns. Hip′-bath, a bath to sit in—also Sitz-bath; Hip′-gir′dle, -belt, the 14th-century sword-belt, passing diagonally from waist to hip; Hip′-gout, sciatica; Hip′-joint, the articulation of the head of the thigh-bone with the ilium; Hip′-knob, an ornament placed on the apex of the hips of a roof or on a gable; Hip′-lock, a trick in wrestling by which one throws a leg and hip before the other to throw him; Hip′ping, a napkin wrapped about an infant's hips.—adj. Hip′-shot, having the hip out of joint.—Hip-and-thigh, in phrase, 'smitten hip-and-thigh'=smitten both before and behind, completely overpowered.—Have, Catch, on the hip, to get an advantage over some one—a metaphor from the wrestling-ring. [A.S. hype; Goth. hups, Ger. hüfte.]

Hip, hip, Hep, hep, n. the fruit of the wild brier or dog-rose. [A.S. héope, a hip.]

Hip, Hyp, hip, n. hypochondria.—v.t. to render melancholy.—adjs. Hipped, rendered melancholy; Hip′pish, somewhat hypochondriac. [A corr. of hypochondria.]

Hip, hip, interj. an exclamation to invoke a united cheer—Hip′-hip′-hurr′ah.

Hipparion, hi-pā′ri-on, n. a fossil genus of Equidæ. [Gr. hipparion, dim. of hippos, a horse.]

Hippety-hoppety, hip′e-ti-hop′e-ti, adv. hopping and skipping.—n. Hipp′ety-hop.

Hippiatric, hip-i-at′rik, adj. relating to the treatment of the diseases of horses.—n.pl. Hippiat′rics.—ns. Hippiat′rist; Hippiat′ry.—adj. Hipp′ic, relating to horses.

Hippocampus, hip′o-kam-pus, n. a genus of small fishes with head and neck somewhat like those of a horse, the sea-horse: (anat.) a raised curved trace on the floor of the lateral ventricle of the brain. [Gr. hippokampos—hippos, a horse, kampos, a sea-monster.]

Hippocentaur, hip-o-sent′awr, n. Same as Centaur. [Gr. hippos, a horse, and centaur.]

Hippocras, hip′o-kras, n. an aromatic medicated wine, formerly much used as a cordial.—adj. Hippocrat′ic, pertaining to the Greek physician Hippocrates (born 460 B.C.).—v.t. Hippoc′ratise.—n. Hippoc′ratism.

Hippocrene, hip′o-krēn, n. a fountain on the northern slopes of Mount Helicon, in Greece, sacred to the Muses and Apollo. [L.,—Gr. hippokrēnē—hippos, a horse, krēnē, a fountain.]

Hippocrepian, hip-o-krē′pi-an, adj. horse-shoe shaped. [Gr. hippos, a horse, krēpis, a shoe.]

Hippodame, hip′o-dām, n. (Spens.) the sea-horse.—n. Hippod′amist, a horse-tamer.—adj. Hippod′amous, horse-taming.

Hippodrome, hip′o-drōm, n. the Greek name for a racecourse for horses and chariots: an equestrian circus: (U.S.) a fraudulent athletic game or contest in which the result is prearranged.—v.t. to conduct races in such a way.—adj. Hippodrom′ic.—n. Hippod′romist, a circus trainer or rider. [Fr.,—Gr. hippodromos—hippos, a horse, dromos, a course.]

Hippogriff, Hippogryph, hip′o-grif, n. a fabulous animal represented as a winged horse with the head of a griffin. [Fr. hippogriffe—Gr. hippos, a horse, gryps, a griffin.]

Hippology, hip-ol′o-ji, n. the study of horses.—adj. Hippolog′ical.—n. Hippol′ogist.

Hippomanes, hip-om′an-ēz, n. an ancient love-philtre obtained from a mare or foal.—n. Hipp′omane, a genus of plants of the natural order Euphorbiaceæ, the manchineel-tree. [Gr.]

Hippopathology, hip-o-pa-thol′o-ji, n. the pathology of the horse: the science of veterinary medicine. [Gr. hippos, a horse, and pathology.]

Hippophagy, hip-pof′a-ji, n. the act or practice of feeding on horse-flesh.—n.pl. Hippoph′agi, eaters of horse-flesh.—n. Hippoph′agist, an eater of horseflesh.—adj. Hippoph′agous, horse-eating. [Gr. hippos, a horse, phagein, to eat.]

Hippopotamus, hip-o-pot′a-mus, n. the river-horse—an African quadruped, of aquatic habits, having a very thick skin, short legs, and a large head and muzzle.—adj. Hippopotam′ic (also -pot′-), like a hippopotamus, clumsy. [L.,—Gr. hippopotamos—hippos, a horse, potamos, a river.]

Hippotomy, hip-ot′o-mi, n. the dissection of the horse.—adj. Hippotom′ical.—n. Hippot′omist.

Hippuric, hip-ū′rik, adj. denoting an acid first obtained from the urine of horses. [Gr. hippos, a horse, ouron, urine.]

Hippurid, hi-pū′rid, n. a plant of natural order Hippurideæ or Haloragaceæ, the typical genus the common mare's tail.

Hippurite, hip′ū-rīt, n. a fossil bivalve mollusc peculiar to the cretaceous strata.—adj. Hippurit′ic. [Gr. hippos, a horse, oura, a tail.]

Hircine, hėr′sīn, adj. goat-like: having a strong goatish smell.—ns. Hircocer′vus, a fabulous creature, half-goat, half-stag; Hircos′ity, goatishness. [Fr.,—L. hircinus—hircus, a he-goat.]

Hire, hīr, n. wages for service: the price paid for the use of anything.—v.t. to procure the use or service of, at a price: to engage for wages: to grant temporary use of for compensation: to bribe.—adj. Hire′able.—ns. Hire′ling, a hired servant: a mercenary: a prostitute (also adj.); Hir′er; Hire′-sys′tem, a system by which a hired article becomes the property of the hirer after a stipulated number of payments; Hir′ing, the contract of hiring—bailment for hire (in Scotland, location): a fair or market where servants are engaged.—On hire, for hiring. [A.S. hýr, wages, hýrian, to hire; Ger. heuer, Dut. huur.]

Hirmos, hir′mos, n. in the usage of the Greek Church, a standard troparion, forming the first stanza of a canon of odes, and serving as a model for the other stanzas:—pl. Hir′moi.—n. Hirmolō′gion, an office-book containing the hirmoi. [Gr. eirmos, a series.]

Hirple, hėr′pl, v.i. (Scot.) to walk or run as if lame.—n. a limping gait.

Hirsel, hir′sel, n. (Scot.) a multitude, a throng, a flock of sheep.—v.t. to put in different groups.

Hirsle, hir′sl, v.i. (Scot.) to slide or move, resting on the hams: to move forward with a rustling sound.

Hirsute, hir-sūt′, adj. hairy: rough: shaggy: (bot.) having long, stiffish hairs. [L. hirsutus—hirsus, hirtus, shaggy.]

Hirundine, hi-run′din, adj. of or pertaining to the swallow. [L. hirundo, a swallow.]

His, hiz, pron. possessive form of he: (B.) used for its.—Hisn, a contracted form of his own. [A.S. his, possessive of he, and originally of it.]

Hispanic, his-pan′ik, adj. Spanish.—adv. Hispan′ically.—vs.t. Hispan′icise, Hispan′iolise, to render Spanish.—n. Hispan′icism, a Spanish phrase. [L. Hispania, Spain.]

Hispid, his′pid, adj. (bot.) rough with or having strong hairs or bristles.—n. Hispid′ity. [L. hispidus.]

Hiss, his, v.i. to make a sibilant sound like that of the letter s, as the goose, serpent, &c.: to express contempt, &c., by hissing.—v.t. to condemn by hissing.—n. the sound of the letter s, an expression of disapprobation, contempt, &c.—n. Hiss′ing, the noise of a hiss: object of hissing: object or occasion of contempt. [Imit.]

Hist, hist, interj. demanding silence and attention: hush! silence!—v.t. to urge (a dog, &c.) by making the sound of this word. [Imit.]

Histioid, his′ti-oid, adj. resembling tissue.—adj. Histogenet′ic.—adv. Histogenet′ically.—ns. Histog′eny, the formation and development of tissues—also Histogen′esis; Histog′raphy, a description of the tissues.—adjs. Histolog′ic, -al, pertaining to histology.—ns. Histol′ogist, one skilled in histology; Histol′ogy, the science which classifies and describes the structural or morphological elements which exist in the solids and fluids of organised bodies; Histol′ysis, degeneration and decay of organic tissue.—adj. Histolyt′ic. [Gr. histos, web.]

History, his′to-ri, n. an account of an event: a systematic account of the origin and progress of a nation: the knowledge of facts, events, &c.: an eventful life, a past of more than common interest, as a 'woman with a history:' a drama representing historical events.—v.t. (rare) to record.—n. His′tōrian, a writer of history.—adjs. Histō′riāted, adorned with figures, esp. of men or animals, as the medieval illuminated manuscripts, capital letters, initials &c.; Histor′ic, -al, pertaining to history: containing history: derived from history: famous in history: authentic.—adv. Histor′ically.—v.t. and v.i. Histor′icise, to make, or represent as, historic.—ns. Historic′ity, historical character; Historiette′, a short history or story.—v.t. Histor′ify, to record in history.—n. Historiog′rapher, a writer of history: a professed or official historian.—adjs. Historiograph′ic, -al, pertaining to the writing of history.—adv. Historiograph′ically.—ns. Historiog′raphy, the art or employment of writing history; Historiol′ogy, the knowledge or study of history.—Historical method, the study of a subject in its historical development; Historical painting, the painting of historic scenes, or scenes in which historic figures are introduced; Historical present, the present tense used for the past, to add life and reality to the narrative, as in 'cometh' in Mark, v. 22.—Ancient history, the history of the world down to the fall of Rome, 476 A.D.; Medieval history, the history of the period between the fall of Rome and the beginning of the 16th century; Modern history, history since the beginning of the 16th century; Natural history, originally an expression including all the concrete sciences, now the science of living things: (in frequent use) zoology, esp. in so far as that is concerned with the life and habits of animals; Profane, Secular, history, the history of secular affairs as opposed to Sacred history, which deals with the events in the Bible narrative. [L.,—Gr. historia—histōr, knowing; cf. eidenai, to know, L. vidēre, Sans. vid, Eng. wit.]

Histrionic, -al, his-tri-on′ik, -al, adj. relating to the stage or stage-players: befitting a theatre: feigned.—ns. His′trio, His′trion, a stage-player.—adv. Histrion′ically.—ns. Histrion′icism, His′trionism, the acts or practice of stage-playing or of pantomime.—n.pl. Histrion′ics, play-acting.—v.i. His′trionise, to act, play a part. [L. histrionicus—histrio, an actor, primary form hister, a player.]

Hit, hit, v.t. to touch or strike: to reach: to suit: fit: conform to.—v.i. to come in contact: to chance luckily: to succeed:—pr.p. hit′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. hit.—n. a lucky chance, a surprising success: a stroke: a happy turn of thought or expression: at backgammon, a move that throws one of the opponent's men back to the entering point, a game won after one or two men are removed from the board.—n. Hit′ter.—adj. Hit′ty-miss′y, random, hap-hazard.—Hit below the belt, to deal a blow disallowable in the rules of the ring: to do an injury to another unfairly; Hit it off(with), to agree with some one; Hit off, to imitate, to describe; Hit-or-miss, reckless, hap-hazard; Hit out, to strike out with the fist; Hit the nail on the head (see Nail); Hit upon, to come upon, discover.—Hard hit, one gravely affected by some trouble, or by love. [A.S. hyttan, app. Ice. hitta, to light on, to find; Sw. hitta, to find, Dan. hitte, to hit upon.]

Hitch, hich, v.i. to move by jerks, as if caught by a hook: to be caught by a hook: to be caught or fall into.—v.t. to hook: to catch: to fasten, tether, esp. to make fast a rope.—n. a jerk: a catch or anything that holds: an obstacle: a sudden halt: (naut.) a species of knot by which one rope is connected with another, or to some object—various knots are the Clove-hitch, Timber-hitch, Blackwall-hitch, &c.—n. Hitch′er.—adv. Hitch′ily.—adj. Hitch′y.—Hitch up, to harness a horse to a vehicle. [Ety. dub.; prob. the same as itch.]

Hither, hith′ėr, adv. to this place.—adj. toward the speaker: nearer.—v.i. to come—chiefly in phrase, 'to hither and thither'=to go to and fro.—adj. Hith′ermost, nearest on this side.—n. and adj. Hith′erside, the nearer side.—advs. Hith′erto, to this place or time: as yet; Hith′erward, towards this place.—Hither and thither, back and forward: to and from. [A.S. hider; Goth. hidrê, Ice. hêðra.]

Hitopadesa, hit-ō-pa-dē′sa, n. a famous collection of fables and stories in Sanskrit literature, a popular summary in four books of the Panchatantra.

Hittite, hit′īt, adj. pertaining to the Hittites, a powerful and civilised people, probably not Semitic, of northern Syria. [Heb. Khittīm.]

Hive, hīv, n. a place where bees live and store up honey, whether artificial or natural: a swarm of bees in a box or basket: any busy company.—v.t. to collect into a hive: to lay up in store.—v.i. to take shelter together: to reside in a body.—ns. Hive′-bee, the common honey-bee; Hiv′er; Hive′-nest, a large nest built and occupied by several pairs of birds in common. [A.S. hýf.]

Hives, hīvz, n. a popular term for nettle-rash and other similar skin diseases: laryngitis.

Ho, Hoa, hō, interj. a call to excite attention: hold! stop!—repeated it expresses derision.

Hoar, hōr, adj. white or grayish-white, esp. with age or frost: mouldy.—n. hoariness: age.—v.i. (Shak.) to become mouldy.—n. Hoar′-frost, white frost: the white particles formed by the freezing of dew.—adjs. Hoar′-head′ed, Hoar′y, white or gray with age: (bot.) covered with short, dense, whitish hairs.—adv. Hoar′ily.—ns. Hoar′iness; Hoar′-stone, an ancient boundary stone. [A.S. hár, hoary, gray; Ice. hárr.]

Hoard, hōrd, n. a store: a hidden stock: a treasure: a place for hiding anything.—v.t. to store: to amass and deposit in secret.—v.i. to store up: to collect and form a hoard.—n. Hoard′er. [A.S. hord; Ice. hodd, Ger. hort.]

Hoard, hōrd, Hoarding, hōrd′ing, n. a hurdle or fence enclosing a house and materials while builders are at work: any boarding on which bills are posted. [From O. Fr. hurdis—hurt, hourt, hourd, a palisade.]

Hoarhound, Horehound, hōr′hownd, n. a plant of a whitish or downy appearance, used as a tonic. [M. E. horehune—A.S. hárhúne, from hár, hoar or white, and húne (acc. to Skeat, meaning 'strong-scented'); cf. L. cunila, Gr. konilē, wild marjoram.]

Hoarse, hōrs, adj. having a harsh, grating voice, as from a cold: harsh: discordant.—adv. Hoarse′ly.—n. Hoarse′ness. [A.S. hás; Ice. háss, this prob. for hárs, throwing light on the M. E. hôrs, hoors, Scot. hairsh, &c.]

Hoast, hōst, n. (prov.) a cough.—v.i. to cough. [Ice. hóste; Dut. hoest.]

Hoastman, hōst′man, n. a member of an old merchant guild in Newcastle, with charge of coal-shipping, &c. [Host, stranger, guest.]

Hoatzin, hō-at′sin, n. a remarkable South American bird, the same as the Touraco (q.v.).—Also Hoact′zin, Hoa′zin. [S. Amer.]

Hoax, hōks, n. a deceptive trick: a practical joke.—v.t. to deceive: to play a trick upon for sport, or without malice.—ns. Hoaxee′; Hoax′er; Hoax′ing. [Corr. of hocus. See Hocus-pocus.]

Hob, hob, n. the projecting nave of a wheel: a projection on the side of a fireplace, on which anything may be laid to keep hot: a game in which coins are placed on the end of a short stick at which stones are thrown, those that fall head up going to the thrower—also the round stick used in this game: a hardened threaded steel mandrel used in forming the cutting ends of screw-chasing tools, &c.—n. Hob′nail, a nail with a thick, strong head, used in horse-shoes, &c.: a clownish fellow.—v.t. to furnish with hobnails: to trample upon with hobnailed shoes.—adj. Hob′nailed. [Cf. Hub.]

Hob, hob, n. a clownish fellow: a rustic: a fairy.—n. Hob′binoll, a rustic.—adj. Hob′bish, clownish.—n. Hobgob′lin, a mischievous fairy: a frightful apparition.—Play hob, to make confusion. [A corr. of Rob for Robin, Robert.]

Hobbism, hob′izm, n. the doctrine of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), that morality is an institution of society.—n. Hobb′ist, a follower of Hobbes.

Hobble, hob′l, v.i. to walk with a limp: to walk awkwardly: to move irregularly.—v.t. to fasten loosely the legs of: to hamper: to perplex.—n. an awkward limping gait: a difficulty, a scrape: anything used to hamper the feet of an animal, a clog or fetter.—ns. Hobb′ler, one who hobbles: an unlicensed pilot, casual labourer in docks, &c.: a man who tows a canal-boat with a rope; Hobb′ling.—adv. Hobb′lingly. [Cf. Dut. hobbelen, hobben, to toss.]

Hobbledehoy, hob′l-de-hoi′, n. an awkward youth, a stripling, neither man nor boy.—adj. Hobbledehoy′ish.—n. Hobbledehoy′ism. [Prob. conn. with hobble, referring to awkward gait.]

Hobbler, hob′lėr, n. a horseman employed for light work, as reconnoitring, &c.: a horse. [O. Fr. hobeler—hobin, a small horse.]

Hobby, hob′i, n. a strong, active horse: a pacing horse: a subject on which one is constantly setting off, as in 'to ride' or 'to mount a hobby:' a favourite pursuit.—n. Hobb′y-horse, a stick or figure of a horse on which boys ride: one of the chief parts played in the ancient morris-dance: (Shak.) a term of contempt for a loose and frivolous person, male or female.—adj. Hobb′y-hor′sical, having a hobby: eccentric.—ns. Hobb′yism; Hobb′yist, one who rides a hobby.—adj. Hobb′yless. [M. E. hobyn, hoby, prob. Hob, a by-form of Rob. Hence also O. Fr. hobin, hobi (Fr. aubin).]

Hobby, hob′i, n. a small species of falcon. [O. Fr. hobé, hobet—Low L. hobetus; prob. O. Fr. hober, to move.]

Hobgoblin. See Hob (2).—ns. Hobgob′linism; Hobgob′linry.

Hobjob, hob′job, n. (prov.) an odd job.—v.i. to work at such.—ns. Hob′jobber; Hob′jobbing.

Hobnob, hob′nob, adv. have or not have, a familiar invitation to drink.—v.i. to associate or drink together familiarly.—pr.p. Hobnob′bing.—adj. Hob′nobby. [Hab, nab.]

Hobson-jobson, hob′son-job′son, n. a native festal excitement, esp. the Moharram ceremonies. [A corr. of the wailing 'Yā Hasan! Yā Hosain!' a typical phrase of Anglo-Indian argot, hence adopted as a concise alternative title for Yule and Burnell's admirable Glossary of Anglo-Indian Colloquial Words and Phrases (Lond. 1886).]

Hock, hok, n. properly, the wine made at Hochheim, Germany; now applied to all white Rhine wines.

Hock-day, hok′-dā, n. an old English festival held on the second Monday and Tuesday after Easter Sunday, one of the chief customs being the seizing and binding of passengers until they gave money for their liberty, Monday the men by the women, Tuesday the women by the men.—Also Hock′-tide.

Hockey, hok′i, n. a game at ball played with a club or stick curved at one end, shinty.—Also Hook′ey. [Prob. O. Fr. hoquet, a crook.]

Hockey, hok′i, n. (prov.) harvest-home, the harvest-supper.—Also Hawk′ey, Hork′ey.

Hocus-pocus, hō′kus-pō′kus, n. a juggler: a juggler's trick.—v.t. Hō′cus, to cheat: to stupefy with drink: to drug:—pr.p. hō′cussing; pa.p. hō′cussed. [The meaningless gibberish of a juggler—no reference to 'hoc est corpus.']

Hod, hod, n. a kind of trough borne on the shoulder, for carrying bricks and mortar: a coal-scuttle: a pewterer's blowpipe.—n. Hod′man, a man who carries a hod: a mason's labourer. [A variant of prov. hot; cf. Fr. hotte, a basket.]

Hoddengray, hod′n-grā, n. coarse cloth made of undyed wool.—adj. Hodd′en, wearing hoddengray: rustic.—n. hoddengray. [Prob. a form of holden, kept, reserved, and gray.]

Hodgepodge, hoj′poj, n. (see Hotchpotch).—n. Hodge′-pudd′ing (Shak.), a pudding made of a mass of ingredients mixed together.

Hodiernal, hō-di-ėrn′al, adj. of or pertaining to the present day. [L. hodiernus—hodie, to-day—hoc die, on this day.]

Hodograph, hod′o-graf, n. a curve the radius vector of which represents in direction and magnitude the velocity of a moving particle—a term suggested by Sir W. R. Hamilton. [Gr. hodos, a way, graphein, to write.]

Hodometer, ho-dom′e-tėr, n. an instrument attached to the axle of a vehicle to register the revolutions of the wheels. [Gr. hodos, a way, metron, a measure.]

Hoe, hō, n. an instrument for hewing or digging up weeds and loosening the earth.—v.t. to cut or clean with a hoe: to weed.—v.i. to use a hoe:—pr.p. hoe′ing; pa.p. hoed.—ns. Hoe′-cake (U.S.), a thin cake of Indian meal; Hō′er.—A hard, or long, row to hoe, a hard or wearisome task to perform. [O. Fr. houe—Old High Ger. houwa (Ger. haue), a hoe.]

Hog, hog, n. a general name for swine: a castrated boar: a pig: formerly slang for a shilling: a low filthy fellow.—v.t. to cut short the hair of:—pr.p. hog′ging; pa.p. hogged.—ns. Hog′-back, Hog's′-back, a back rising in the middle: a ridge of a hill of such shape—also Horseback; Hog′gery, hoggishness of character: coarseness; Hog′get, a boar of the second year: a sheep or colt after it has passed its first year.—adj. Hog′gish, resembling a hog: brutish: filthy: selfish.—adv. Hog′gishly.—ns. Hog′gishness; Hog′hood, the nature of a hog; Hog′-mane, a horse's mane clipped short; Hog′-pen, a pig-sty; Hog′-plum, a West Indian tree of the cashew family, the fruit given to hogs; Hog′-reeve, -con′stable, an officer charged with the care of stray swine; Hog′-ring′er, one who puts rings into the snouts of hogs; Hog's′-bean, the henbane.—v.t. Hog′-shou′ther (Scot.), to jostle with the shoulder.—ns. Hog′-skin, leather made of the skin of swine; Hog's′-lard, the melted fat of the hog; Hog′-wash, the refuse of a kitchen, brewery, &c.—Bring one's hogs to a fine market, to make a complete mess of something; Go the whole hog, to do a thing thoroughly or completely, to commit one's self to anything unreservedly. [M. E. hogge, a gelded hog, prob. from hack, to cut; others derive from W. hwch, a sow, Bret. houch, hoch.]

Hog, hog, v.i. to droop at both ends.—n. Hog′-frame, a fore-and-aft frame serving to resist vertical flexure in a ship.—adj. Hogged, of a ship, having a droop at the ends.

Hog, hog, n. in curling, a stone which does not pass the hog-score.—v.t. to play such a shot with a curling-stone.—n. Hog′-score, a line drawn across the rink at a certain distance from the tees—to be cleared, else the shot does not count. [Prob. conn. with hog, a swine.]

Hog, Hogg, hog, n. a young sheep of the second year.—Also Hog′gerel.

Hogan, hog′an, n. a kind of strong liquor. [Corr. of hogen-mogen—Dut. hoog en mogend, high and mighty.]

Hogger, hog′er, n. (prov.) a coal-miner's footless stocking.—n. Hogg′er-pipe, the terminal section of the discharge-pipe of a mining-pump.

Hogmanay, hog-ma-nā′, n. (Scot.) the old name for the last day of the year. [Prob. a corr., through Norman French forms, of O. Fr. aguilanneuf=au-gui-l'an-neuf, 'to the mistletoe! the New Year!' Fr. gui, mistletoe, is from L. viscum.]

Hogshead, hogz′hed, n. (Shak.) a large cask: a measure of capacity=52½ imperial gallons, or 63 old wine gallons; of beer=54 gallons; of claret=46 gallons; of tobacco (U.S.), varying from 750 to 1200 lb. [Corr. of Old Dut. okshoofd, ox-head; from the brand on the cask.]

Hoist, hoist, v.t. to lift: to raise with tackle: to heave.—n. act of lifting: the height of a sail: an apparatus for lifting heavy bodies to the upper stories of a building.—Hoist with one's own petard, beaten with one's own weapons, caught in one's own trap. [Formerly hoise, or hoyse—Old Dut. hyssen, Dut. hijsschen, to hoist.]

Hoity-toity, hoi′ti-toi′ti, interj. an exclamation of surprise or disapprobation.—adj. giddy, gay, noisy.

Hoky-poky, hō′ki-pō′ki, n. a kind of ice-cream sold on the streets. [From hocus-pocus.]

Hold, hōld, v.t. to keep possession of or authority over: to sustain: to defend: to maintain, support: to occupy: to derive title to: to bind: to confine: to restrain: to stop, as in 'to cry hold:' to continue: to persist in: to contain: to celebrate: to esteem: (Shak.) to endure: (arch.) to bet.—v.i. to remain fixed: to be true or unfailing: to continue unbroken or unsubdued: to adhere: to derive right:—pr.p. hōld′ing; pa.t. held; pa.p. held (obs. hōld′en).—n. act or manner of holding: seizure: power of seizing: something for support: a place of confinement: custody: a fortified place: (mus.) a mark over a rest or note, indicating that it is to be prolonged.—ns. Hold′-all, a general receptacle, esp. a big carpet-bag; Hold′-back, a check: a strap joining the breeching to the shaft of a vehicle; Hold′-beam, one of the beams crossing a ship's hold and strengthening the framework.—Hold′en (B.), old pa.p. of hold.—ns. Hold′er; Hold′-fast, that which holds fast: a long nail: a catch; Hold′ing, anything held: a farm held of a superior: hold: influence: (Scots law) tenure.—Hold forth, to put forward: show: to speak in public, to declaim; Hold hard! stop! Hold in, to restrain, check: to restrain one's self; Hold of (Pr. Bk.), to regard; Hold off, to keep at a distance; Hold on, to persist in something: to continue: to cling; Hold one in hand, to amuse in order to gain some advantage; Hold one's own, to maintain one's position; Hold one's peace, Hold one's tongue, to keep silence; Hold out, to endure, last; Hold over, to postpone, to keep possession of land or a house beyond the term of agreement; Hold the market (see Market); Hold together, to remain united: to cohere; Hold up, to raise: to continue to go at the same rate; Hold water, to be sound and firm, to endure trial; Hold with, to take sides with. [A.S. healdan; Old High Ger. haltan, Goth. haldan.]

Hold, hōld, n. the interior cavity of a ship between the floor and the lower deck, used for the cargo. [Dut. hol, a cavity or hole, with excrescent d.]

Hole, hōl, n. a hollow place: a cavity: an opening in a solid body: a pit: a subterfuge: a means of escape: a difficult situation: a scrape: a place of hiding, a mean lodging, a secret room for some disreputable business: (golf) one of the holes, 4 in. in diameter, into which the ball is played, also the distance between any two holes.—v.t. to form holes in: to drive into a hole.—v.i. to go into a hole.—adj. Hole′-and-cor′ner, secret: underhand.—ns. Hōling-axe, a narrow axe for cutting holes in posts; Hōling-pick, a pick used in under-cutting coal.—A hole in one's coat, a stain on a person's reputation; Put a person in a hole, to put him in a position from which he cannot easily extricate himself; Toad in the hole, meat baked in batter, &c. [A.S. hol, a hole, cavern; Dut. hol, Dan. hul, Ger. hohl, hollow; conn. with Gr. koilos, hollow.]

Holiday, hol′i-dā, n. a consecrated day: a religious festival: a day for the commemoration of some event: a day of idleness and amusement.—adj. befitting a holiday: cheerful.—Holiday speeches, fine but empty phrases. [Formerly holy day.]

Holla, hol′a, Hollo, Holloa, hol′ō, or hol-lō′, interj. ho, there! attend! (naut.) the usual response to 'Ahoy!'—n. a loud shout.—v.i. to cry loudly to one at a distance. [Fr. holà—ho and là—L. illac, there; the other forms are due to confusion with halloo.]

Holland, hol′and, n. a coarse linen fabric, unbleached or dyed brown, which is used for covering furniture, &c.: (orig.) a fine kind of linen first made in Holland.

Hollander, hol′and-ėr, n. a native of Holland.—adj. Holl′andish.—n. Holl′ands, gin made in Holland.

Hollow, hol′ō, adj. vacant: not solid: containing an empty space: sunken: unsound: insincere.—n. a hole: a cavity: any depression in a body: any vacuity: a groove: a channel.—v.t. to make a hole in: to make hollow by digging: to excavate.—adv. completely: clean.—adjs. Holl′ow-eyed, having sunken eyes; Holl′ow-heart′ed, having a hollow or untrue heart: faithless: treacherous.—adv. Holl′owly (Shak.), in a hollow or insincere manner.—ns. Holl′owness, the state of being hollow: cavity: insincerity: treachery; Holl′ow-ware, trade name for hollow articles of iron, as pots and kettles.—Beat hollow, to beat wholly. [A.S. holh, a hollow place—hol. See Hole.]

Holly, hol′i, n. an evergreen shrub having leathery, shining, and spinous leaves and scarlet or yellow berries, much used for Christmas decorations. [A.S. holegn; cf. W. celyn, Ir. cuileann.]

Hollyhock, hol′i-hok, n. a kind of mallow, brought into Europe from the Holy Land—(Bacon) Holl′y-oak. [M. E. holihoc—holi, holy, and A.S. hoc, mallows—Celtic, cf. W. hocys.]

Holm, hōlm, or hōm, n. a river-islet: rich flat land beside a river. [A.S. holm, orig. a mound; Ger. holm, &c.]

Holm, hōlm, or hōm, n. (Spens.) holly.—n. Holm′-oak, the ilex or evergreen oak, so called from some resemblance to the holly. [Holm- is a corr. of holin, the M. E. form of holly, which see.]

Holoblastic, hol-o-blas′tik, adj. undergoing segmentation throughout the entire mass, as the ova of mammals.

Holocaust, hol′o-kawst, n. a burnt sacrifice, in which the whole of the victim was consumed. [L.,—Gr. holokauston—holos, whole, kaustos, burnt.]

Holocryptic, hol-o-krip′tik, adj. concealing completely, undecipherable.

Holograph, hol′o-graf, n. a document wholly written by the person from whom it proceeds (also used as adj.).—adj. Holograph′ic. [Gr. holos, whole, graphein, to write.]

Holohedrism, hol-o-hē′drizm, n. (math.) the property of having the full number of symmetrically arranged planes crystallographically possible.—adj. Holohē′dral.—n. Holohē′dron, a form possessing this property. [Gr. holos, whole, hedra, base.]

Holometabolic, hol-o-met-a-bol′ik, adj. undergoing complete metamorphosis, as an insect—opp. of Ametabolic.

Holometer, hol-om′et-ėr, n. an instrument for taking all kinds of measures. [Gr. holos, whole, metron, measure.]

Holomorphic, hol-o-mor′fik, adj. (math.) having the properties of an entire function, being finite, continuous, and one-valued for all finite values of the variable: showing holohedral symmetry. [Gr. holos, whole, morphē, form.]

Holophote, hol′o-fōt, n. an improved optical apparatus now used in lighthouses, by which all the light from the lamp is thrown in the required direction, in the catoptric holophote by reflectors, in the dioptric by refracting lenses, in the catadioptric by both combined.—adj. Holophōt′al. [Gr. holos, whole, phōs, phōtos, light.]

Holophrastic, hol-o-fras′tik, adj. bearing the force of a whole phrase, expressive of a sentence or an idea.—n. Holophrā′sis. [Gr. holos, whole, phrastikos, phrazein, to indicate.]

Holorhinal, hol-o-rī′nal, adj. having the nasal bones slightly cleft or not at all. [Gr. holos, whole, hris, hrinos, the nose.]

Holothurian, hol-o-thōō′ri-an, n. a sea-cucumber or similar echinoderm. [L.,—Gr. holothourion, from holos, whole, and perh. thouros, impetuous.]

Holster, hōl′stėr, n. the leathern case carried by a horseman at the forepart of the saddle for covering a pistol.—adj. Hol′stered. [Acc. to Skeat, from Dut. holster, a pistol-case—hullen, to cover, which is cog. with A.S. helan, to cover.]

Holt, hōlt, n. a wood or woody hill: an orchard. [A.S. holt, a wood; Ice. holt, a copse, Ger. holz.]

Holus-bolus, hōl′us-bōl′us, adv. all at a gulp: altogether.—n. the whole. [A vulgarism, formed from whole, most likely on the analogy of hocus-pocus; hardly conn. with bolus, a pill.]

Holy, hō′li, adj. perfect in a moral sense: pure in heart: religious: set apart to a sacred use.—adv. Hō′lily, in a holy manner: piously.—n. Hō′liness, state of being holy: religious goodness: sanctity: a title of the pope.—adj. Hō′ly-cru′el (Shak.), cruel through excess of holiness.—ns. Hō′ly-day, a formal spelling of holiday (q.v.); Hō′ly-off′ice, the Inquisition; Hō′ly-rood, the holy cross in R.C. churches over the entrance to the chancel; Hō′lystone, a sandstone used by seamen for cleansing the decks, said to be named from cleaning the decks for Sunday.—v.t. to scrub with a holystone.—ns. Hō′ly-Thurs′day, the day on which the ascension of our Saviour is commemorated, ten days before Whitsuntide; Hō′ly-wa′ter, water blessed by the priest or bishop for certain religious uses; Hō′ly-week, the week before Easter, kept holy to commemorate our Lord's passion; Hō′ly-writ, the holy writings: the Scriptures.—Holy Alliance, a league formed after the fall of Napoleon (1815) by the sovereigns of Austria Russia, and Prussia, professedly to regulate all national and international relations in accordance with the principles of Christian charity; Holy city, Jerusalem: also specially applied to Rome, Mecca, Benares, Allahabad, &c.; Holy coat, the seamless coat of Jesus, claimed to be kept at Trèves; Holy communion (see Communion); Holy Family, the infant Saviour with Joseph, Mary, &c.; Holy Ghost, Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son; Holy grail (see Grail); Holy grass, a sweet-smelling grass about a foot high, with a brownish glossy lax panicle—sometimes strewed on the floors of churches on festival days, whence its name; Holy land, Palestine; Holy of holies, The most holy place, the inner chamber of the Jewish tabernacle, which the high-priest alone might enter, and but once a year; Holy One, God: Christ: the one who is holy, by way of emphasis: one separated to the service of God; Holy orders, ordination to the rank of minister in holy things: the Christian ministry; Holy places, scenes of the Saviour's life, the sepulchre, &c.; Holy quest, the search for the Holy grail; Holy Roman Empire, the official denomination of the German Empire from 962 down to 1806, when Francis II. of Hapsburg resigned the imperial title; Holy war, a name impiously given to a war for the extirpation of heresy, as that against the Albigenses, &c.: one of the Crusades. [A.S. hálig, lit. whole, perfect, healthy—hál, sound, whole; conn. with hail, heal, whole.]

Holywell, hol′i-wel, in phrase, 'Holywell Street literature,' i.e. such books as used to be much sold in Holywell Street, London—viz. filthy books.

Homage, hom′āj, n. the service due from a knight or vassal to his lord in feudal times, the vassal preferring to become his lord's man: the act of fealty: respect paid by external action: reverence directed to the Supreme Being: devout affection.—n. Hom′ager, one who does homage. [O. Fr. homage—Low L. homaticum—L. homo, a man.]

Home, hōm, n. one's house or country: place of constant residence: the residence of a family: the seat, as of war: a charitable institution where domestic comforts are given to the destitute.—adj. pertaining to one's dwelling or country: domestic: close: severe.—adv. pertaining to one's habitation or country: close: closely: to the point: effectively.—adjs. Home′-born, native, not foreign; Home′bound, homeward-bound; Home′-bred, bred at home: native: domestic: plain: unpolished; Home′-brewed, brewed at home or for home use.—n. Home′-farm, the farm near the home or mansion of a gentleman.—adjs. Home′felt, felt in one's own breast: inward: private; Home′-grown, produced in one's own country, not imported; Home′-keep′ing, staying at home; Home′less, without a home.—n. Home′lessness,—adv. Home′lily.—n. Home′liness.—adjs. Home′ly, pertaining to home: familiar: plain; Home′-made, made at home: made in one's own country: plain.—n. Hom′er, a pigeon trained to fly home from a distance.—adj. Home′sick, sick or grieved at separation from home.—n. Home′sickness.—adj. Home′spun, spun or wrought at home: not made in foreign countries: plain: inelegant.—n. cloth made at home.—ns. Home′stall, Home′stead, the place of a mansion-house: the enclosures immediately connected with it: original station.—advs. Home′ward, Home′wards, towards home: towards one's habitation or country.—adj. in the direction of home.—adj. Home′ward-bound, bound homeward or to one's native land.—adjs. Hom′ing, having a tendency to return home; Hom′y, home-like.—Home circuit, the south-eastern circuit of Assize, including the home counties (except Middlesex), also Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk; Home counties, the counties over and into which London has extended—Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey; Home Department, that part of government which is concerned with the maintenance of the internal peace of the United Kingdom—its headquarters the Home Office, its official head the Home Secretary; Home rule, a form of self-government claimed by Ireland, with a separate parliament for the management of internal affairs.—At home, in one's own house: at ease: familiar: a phrase signifying that a family will be at home at a fixed date, and ready to receive visitors—as a n.—a reception; Bring home to, to prove to, in such a way that there is no way of escaping the conclusion: to impress upon; Eat out of house and home, to live at the expense of another so as to ruin him; Long home, the grave; Make one's self at home, to be as free and unrestrained as when in one's own house; Pay home, to strike to the quick: to retaliate. [A.S. hám; Dut. and Ger. heim, Goth. haims.]

Homelyn, hom′el-in, n. a species of ray, found on the south coast of England.

Homeopathy, hō-me-op′a-thi, n. the system of curing diseases by small quantities of those drugs which excite symptoms similar to those of the disease.—ns. Hō′meopath, Homeop′athist, one who believes in or practises homeopathy.—adj. Homeopath′ic, of or pertaining to homeopathy.—adv. Homeopath′ically. [Gr. homoiopatheia—homoios, like, pathos, feeling.]

Homeoplasy, hō-mē-ō-plās′i, n. the taking on by one tissue of the form of another under plastic conditions, as in skin-grafting.—adj. Homeoplast′ic [Gr. homoios, like, plastos—plassein, to form.]

Homer, hō′mėr, n. a Hebrew measure of capacity, amounting to about 10 bushels and 3 gallons. [Heb. khōmer, a heap—khāmar, to swell up.]

Homeric, hō-mer′ik, adj. pertaining to Homer, the great poet of Greece (c. 850 B.C.): pertaining to or resembling the poetry of Homer.—Homeric verse, hexameter verse, the metre of the Iliad and Odyssey.

Homicide, hom′i-sīd, n. manslaughter: one who kills another.—adj. Hom′icidal, pertaining to homicide: murderous: bloody. [Fr.,—L. homicidium—homo, a man, cædĕre, to kill.]

Homily, hom′i-li, n. a plain expository sermon, interpreting a passage of Scripture rather than working out a doctrine in detail: a hortatory discourse, essentially simple, practical, and scriptural.—adjs. Homilet′ic, -al.—n. Homilet′ics, the science which treats of homilies, and the best mode of preparing and delivering them.—n. Hom′ilist, one who exhorts a congregation, or who composes homilies. [Gr. homilia, an assembly, a sermon—homos, the same, ilē, a crowd.]

Hominy, hom′i-ni, n. maize hulled, or hulled and crushed, boiled with water: a kind of Indian-corn porridge. [American Indian auhuminea.]

Hommock, hom′uk, n. a hillock or small conical eminence.—Also Humm′ock. [A dim. of hump, like hillock from hill.]

Homobaric, hō-mō-bar′ik, adj. of uniform weight. [Gr. homos, the same, baros, weight.]

Homoblastic, hō-mō-blas′tik, adj. of the same germinal origin:—opp. of Heteroblastic. [Gr. homos, the same, blastos, a germ.]

Homocentric, hō-mō-sen′trik, adj. having the same centre. [Fr. homocentrique—Gr. homokentros—homos, the same, kentron, centre.]

Homocercal, hō-mō-sėr′kal, adj. having the upper fork of the tail similar to the lower one, as the herring:—opposed to Heterocercal. [Gr. homos, the same, kerkos, tail.]

Homodermic, hō-mō-derm′ik, adj. homological in respect of derivation from one of the three primary blastoderms (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm). [Gr. homos, the same, derma, skin.]

Homodont, hō-mō-dont, adj. having teeth all alike:—opp. of Heterodont.

Homodromous, hō-mod′rō-mus, adj. (bot.) following the same direction, as the leaf-spirals on certain branches: (obs.) having the power and the weight on the same side of the fulcrum, of a lever. [Gr. homos, the same, dromos, a course.]

Homœomorphous, hō-mē-ō-mor′fus, adj. having a like crystalline form, but not necessarily analogous composition.—n. Homœomor′phism. [Gr. homoios, like, morphē, form.]

Homœozoic, hō-mē-ō-zō′ik, adj. containing similar forms of life. [Gr. homos, the same, zōē, life.]

Homogamous, ho-mog′a-mus, adj. (bot.) having all the florets hermaphrodite.—n. Homog′amy. [Gr. homos, the same, gamos, marriage.]

Homogeneal, hō-mō-jē′ni-al, Homogeneous, hō-mōjē′ni-us, adj. of the same kind or nature: having the constituent elements all similar.—ns. Homoge′neousness, Homogenē′ity, Homō′geny, sameness of nature or kind. [Gr. homogenēs—homos, one, same, genos, kind.]

Homogenesis, hō-mō-jen′e-sis, n. (biol.) a mode of reproduction in which the offspring is like the parent, and passes through the same cycle of existence.—adj. Homogenet′ic. [Gr. homos, the same, genesis, birth.]

Homograph, hom′ō-graf, n. a word of the same form as another, but different meaning and origin.—Also Homonym.

Homoiousian, hō-moi-ōō′si-an, adj. similar in essence (as distinct from the Nicene homo-ousion and the strictly Arian hetero-ousion), the semi-Arian position in the great Christological controversy of the 4th century (see Arian). [Gr. homoios, like, ousia, being—einai, to be.]

Homologate, hō-mol′o-gāt, v.t. to say the same: to agree: to approve: to allow.—n. Homologā′tion. [Low L. homologāre, -ātum—Gr. homologein—homos, the same, legein, to say.]

Homologous, hō-mol′o-gus, adj. agreeing: corresponding in relative position, proportion, value, or structure.—adj. Homolog′ical.—v.t. and v.i. Homol′ogise.—ns. Hom′ologue, that which is homologous to something else, as the same organ in different animals under its various forms and functions; Homol′ogy, the quality of being homologous: affinity of structure, and not of form or use. [Gr. homologos—homos, the same, legein, to say.]

Homologumena, hō-mō-lō-gōō′me-na, n.pl. the books of the New Testament, whose authenticity was universally acknowledged in the early Church—opp. of Antilegumena. [Gr.,—homologein, to agree.]

Homomorphous, hō-mō-mor′fus, adj. analogous, not homologous, superficially alike—also Homomor′phic.—n. Homomor′phism. [Gr. homos, the same, morphē, form.]

Homonym, hom′o-nim, n. a word having the same sound as another, but a different meaning.—adj. Homon′ymous, having the same name: having different significations: ambiguous: equivocal.—adv. Homon′ymously.—n. Homon′ymy, sameness of name, with difference of meaning: ambiguity: equivocation. [Fr. homonyme—Gr. homōnymos—homos, the same, onoma, name.]

Homoousian, hō-mō-ōō′si-an, adj. of or belonging to identity or sameness of substance—the co-equality of the Son with the Father—the orthodox position which triumphed in the great Christological controversy of the 4th century (see Arian). [Gr. homos, same, ousia, being—einai, to be.]

Homophone, hom′o-fōn, n. a letter or character having the same sound as another.—adj. Homoph′onous, having the same sound.—n. Homoph′ony. [Gr. homos, the same, phōnē, sound.]

Homoplastic, hō-mō-plas′tik, adj. analogical or adaptive, and not homological in structure.—ns. Hom′ōplasmy, Hom′ōplasy. [Gr. homos, the same, plastos, plassein, to form.]

Homoptera, hom-op′tėr-a, n. an order of insects having two pair of wings uniform throughout.—adj. Homop′terous. [Gr. homos, the same, pteron, a wing.]

Homotaxis, hom′o-tak′sis; n. (geol.) similarity of order in organic succession, a term suggested by Huxley as a substitute for contemporaneity (q.v.).—adjs. Homotax′ial, Homotax′ic.—adv. Homotax′ically. [Gr. homos, the same, taxis, arrangement.]

Homotonous, hō-mot′ō-nus, adj. of the same tenor or tone.—n. Homot′ony.

Homotropous, hō-mot′rō-pus, adj. turned or directed in the same way as something else: (bot.) curved or turned in one direction.—Also Homot′ropal. [Gr. homos, the same, tropos, a turn.]

Homotype, hom′o-tīp, n. that which has the same fundamental type of structure with something else.—n. Hom′otypy. [Gr. homos, the same, typos, type.]

Homunculus, hō-mung′kū-lus, n. a tiny man capable of being produced artificially, according to Paracelsus, endowed with magical insight and power: a dwarf, mannikin. [L., dim. of homo.]

Hone, hōn, n. a stone of a fine grit for sharpening instruments.—v.t. to sharpen as on a hone. [A.S. hán; Ice. hein; allied to Gr. kōnos, a cone.]

Honest, on′est, adj. full of honour: just: the opposite of thievish, free from fraud: frank, fair-seeming, openly shown: chaste: (B.) honourable.—adv. Hon′estly.—n. Hon′esty, the state of being honest: integrity: candour: a small flowering plant, so called from its transparent seed-pouch: (B.) becoming deportment: (Shak.) chastity.—Make an honest woman of, to marry, where the woman has been dishonoured first. [Fr.,—L. honestus—honor.]

Honey, hun′i, n. a sweet, thick fluid collected by bees from the flowers of plants: anything sweet like honey.—v.t. to sweeten: to make agreeable:—pr.p. hon′eying; pa.p. hon′eyed (-′id).—adj. (Shak.) sweet.—ns. Hon′ey-bag, an enlargement of the alimentary canal of the bee in which it carries its load of honey; Hon′eybear, a South American carnivorous mammal about the size of a cat, with a long protrusive tongue, which it uses to rob the nests of wild bees; Hon′ey-bee, the hive-bee; Hon′ey-buzz′ard, a genus of buzzards or falcons, so called from their feeding on bees, wasps, &c.; Hon′eycomb, a comb or mass of waxy cells formed by bees, in which they store their honey: anything like a honeycomb.—v.t. to fill with cells: to perforate.—adj. Hon′eycombed (-kōmd), formed like a honeycomb.—ns. Hon′ey-crock (Spens.), a crock or pot of honey; Hon′eydew, a sugary secretion from the leaves of plants in hot weather: a fine sort of tobacco moistened with molasses.—adjs. Hon′eyed, Hon′ied, covered with honey: sweet: flattering; Hon′eyless, destitute of honey.—ns. Hon′ey-guide, -indicator, a genus of African birds supposed to guide men to honey by hopping from tree to tree with a peculiar cry; Hon′ey-lō′cust, an ornamental North American tree; Hon′eymoon, Hon′eymonth, the first month after marriage, commonly spent in travelling, before settling down to the business of life.—v.i. to keep one's honeymoon.—adj. Hon′ey-mouthed, having a honeyed mouth or speech: soft or smooth in speech.—ns. Hon′ey-stalk, prob. the flower of the clover; Hon′ey-suck′er, a large family of Australian birds; Hon′eysuckle, a climbing shrub with beautiful cream-coloured flowers, so named because honey is readily sucked from the flower.—adjs. Hon′ey-sweet, sweet as honey; Hon′ey-tongued, having a honeyed tongue or speech: soft or pleasing in speech.—Virgin honey, honey that flows of itself from the comb; Wild honey, honey made by wild bees. [A.S. hunig; Ger. honig, Ice. hunang.]

Hong, hong, n. a Chinese warehouse: a foreign mercantile establishment in China. [Chin.]

Honk, hongk, n. the cry of the wild goose.—v.t. to give the cry of the wild goose. [Imit.]

Honorarium, hon′or-ā′ri-um, n. a voluntary fee paid, esp. to a professional man for his services. [L. honorarium (donum), honorary (gift).]

Honorary, on′or-ar-i, adj. conferring honour: holding a title or office without performing services or receiving a reward.—n. a fee. [L. honorarius—honor.]

Honour, on′or, n. the esteem due or paid to worth: respect: high estimation: veneration, said of God: that which rightfully attracts esteem: exalted rank: distinction: excellence of character: nobleness of mind: any special virtue much esteemed: any mark of esteem: a title of respect: (pl.) privileges of rank or birth: civilities paid: at whist, one of the four highest trump cards (if one pair of partners hold four honours they score four points; if three, two points; if only two, none—'Honours easy'): (golf) the right to play first from the tee: academic prizes or distinctions.—v.t. to hold in high esteem: to respect: to adore: to exalt: to accept and pay when due.—adj. Hon′ourable, worthy of honour: illustrious: actuated by principles of honour: conferring honour: becoming men of exalted station: a title of distinction.—n. Hon′ourableness, eminence: conformity to the principles of honour: fairness.—adv. Hon′ourably.—adjs. Hon′oured; Hon′ourless.—n. Hon′our-point (her.), the point just above the fesse-point.—Honour bright! a kind of interjectional minor oath or appeal to honour; Honours of war, the privileges granted to a capitulating force to march out with their arms, flags, &c.—Affair of honour, a duel; Debt of honour (see Debt); Last honours, funeral rites: obsequies; Laws of honour, the conventional rules of honourable conduct, esp. in the causes and conduct of duels; Maid of honour, a lady in the service of a queen or princess; Point of honour, any scruple caused by a sense of duty: the obligation to demand and to receive satisfaction for an insult, esp. in the duel; Upon my honour, an appeal to one's honour or reputation in support of a certain statement; Word of honour, a verbal promise which cannot be broken without disgrace. [Fr.,—L. honor.]

Hood, hood, n. a covering for the head: anything resembling such: a folding roof for a carriage: an ornamental fold at the back of an academic gown, and worn over it.—v.t. to cover with a hood: to blind.—adj. Hood′ed.—n. Hood′ie-crow, the hooded crow (Corvus cornix).—adj. Hood′less, having no hood.—ns. Hood′man, the person blindfolded in blindman's buff; Hood′man-blind (Shak.), blindman's buff. [A.S. hód; Dut. hoed, Ger. hut.]

Hoodwink, hood′wingk, v.t. to blindfold: (Shak.) to cover: to deceive, impose on. [Hood, wink.]

Hoof, hōōf, n. the horny substance on the feet of certain animals, as horses, &c.: a hoofed animal:—pl. Hoofs, Hooves.—v.i. (of a hoofed animal) to walk.—adjs. Hoof′-bound, having a contraction of the hoof causing lameness; Hoofed; Hoof′less, without hoofs,—n. Hoof-mark, the mark of an animal's hoof on the ground, &c.—adj. Hoof′-shaped.—Cloven hoof (see Cloven). [A.S. hóf; Ger. huf, Ice. hófr.]

Hook, hook, n. a piece of metal bent into a curve, so as to catch or hold anything: a snare: an advantageous hold: a curved instrument for cutting grain: a spit of land projecting into the sea, ending in a hook-shaped form.—v.t. to catch or hold with a hook: to draw as with a hook: to ensnare: (golf) to drive a ball widely to the left—also Draw.—v.i. to bend: to be curved.—adj. Hooked.—ns. Hook′edness, the state of being bent like a hook; Hook′er, he who, or that which, hooks.—adj. Hook′-nosed, having a hooked or curved nose.—n. Hook′-pin, an iron pin with hooked head used for pinning the frame of a floor or roof together.—adj. Hook′y, full of, or pertaining to, hooks.—Hook and eye, a contrivance for fastening dresses by means of a hook made to fasten on a ring or eye on another part of the dress; Hook it (slang), to decamp, make off.—By hook or by crook, one way or the other; Off the hooks, out of gear: superseded: dead; On one's own hook, on one's own responsibility. [A.S. hóc; Dut. haak, Ger. haken.]

Hookah, Hooka, hōō′ka, n. the water tobacco-pipe of Arabs, Turks, &c. [Ar. huqqa.]

Hooker, hook′ėr, n. a two-masted Dutch vessel, a small fishing-smack. [Dut. hoeker.]

Hooligan, hoo′li-gan, n. one of a gang of street roughs, addicted to crimes of violence—Hoo′liganism. [From the name of a leader of such a gang.]

Hoop, hōōp, n. a pliant strip of wood or metal formed into a ring or band, for holding together the staves of casks, &c.: something resembling such: a large ring of wood or metal for a child to trundle: a ring: (pl.) elastic materials used to expand the skirt of a lady's dress.—v.t. to bind with hoops: to encircle.—ns. Hoop′-ash, a kind of ash much used for making hoops (same as Nettle-tree); Hooped′-pot, a drinking-pot with hoops to mark the amount each man should drink; Hoop′er, one who hoops casks: a cooper. [A.S. hóp; Dut. hoep.]

Hoop, hōōp, v.i. to call out.—n. Hoop′er, the wild swan. [Whoop.]

Hoopoe, hōōp′ō, Hoopoo, hōōp′ōō, n. a genus of crested birds allied to the hornbills. [L. upupa; Gr. epops.]

Hoot, hōōt, v.i. to shout in contempt: to cry like an owl.—v.t. to drive with cries of contempt.—n. a scornful cry: the owl's cry. [Imit.; cf. Sw. hut, begone; W. hwt.]

Hoove, hōōv, n. a disease of cattle and sheep, marked by distention of the abdomen by gas—also Wind-dropsy, Drum-belly.—adjs. Hoov′en, Hō′ven.

Hop, hop, v.i. to leap on one leg: to spring: to walk lame: to limp:—pr.p. hop′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. hopped.—n. a leap on one leg: a jump: a spring: a dance, dancing-party.—ns. Hop′-o'-my-thumb, the diminutive hero of one of Madame D'Aulnoy's famous nursery tales—'le petit pouce,' not to be confounded with the English Tom Thumb; Hop′per, one who hops: a shaking or conveying receiver, funnel, or trough in which something is placed to be passed or fed, as to a mill: a boat having a movable part in its bottom for emptying a dredging-machine: a vessel in which seed-corn is carried for sowing; Hop′ping, the act of one who hops or leaps on one leg; Hop′-scotch, a game in which children hop over lines scotched or traced on the ground.—Hop, skip, and jump, a leap on one leg, a skip, and a jump with both legs; Hop the twig (slang), to escape one's creditors: to die. [A.S. hoppian, to dance; Ger. hüpfen.]

Hop, hop, n. a plant with a long twining stalk, the bitter cones of which are much used in brewing and in medicine.—v.t. to mix with hops.—v.i. to gather hops:—pr.p. hop′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. hopped.—ns. Hop′bind (corrupted into Hopbine), the stalk of the hop; Hop′-flea, a small coleopterous insect, very destructive to hop plantations in spring; Hop′-fly, a species of Aphis, or plant-louse, injurious to hop plantations; Hop′-oast, a kiln for drying hops.—adj. Hopped, impregnated with hops.—ns. Hop′per, Hop′-pick′er, one who picks hops; a mechanical contrivance for stripping hops from the vines; Hop′ping, the act of gathering hops: the time of the hop harvest; Hop′-pock′et, a coarse sack for hops—as a measure, about 1½ cwt. of hops; Hop′-pole, a slender pole supporting a hop-vine.—adj. Hop′py, tasting of hops.—ns. Hop′-tree, an American shrub, with bitter fruit, a poor substitute for hops; Hop′-vine, the stock or stem of the hop; Hop′-yard, a field where hops are grown. [Dut. hop; Ger. hopfen.]

Hope, hōp, v.i. to cherish a desire of good with expectation of obtaining it: to have confidence.—v.t. to desire with expectation or with belief in the prospect of obtaining.—n. a desire of some good, with expectation of obtaining it: confidence: anticipation: he who, or that which, furnishes ground of expectation: that which is hoped for.—adj. Hope′ful, full of hope: having qualities which excite hope: promising good or success.—adv. Hope′fully.—n. Hope′fulness.—adj. Hope′less, without hope: giving no ground to expect good or success: desperate.—adv. Hope′lessly.—n. Hope′lessness.—adv. Hōp′ingly.—Hope against hope, to continue to hope when there is no sufficient reason. [A.S. hopian—hopa, hope; Dut. hopen, Ger. hoffen.]

Hope, hōp, n. a hollow, a mound: the upper end of a narrow mountain-valley: a comb—common in north country place-names.

Hoplite, hop′līt, n. a heavy-armed Greek foot-soldier. [Gr. hoplitēs.]

Hopple, hop′l, v.t. to tie the feet close together to prevent hopping or running.—n. (chiefly in pl.) a fetter for horses, &c., when left to graze. [A parallel form to hobble, a freq. of hop.]

Horal, hōr′al, adj. relating to an hour.—adj. Hor′ary, pertaining to an hour: noting the hours: hourly: continuing an hour. [L. hora, an hour.]

Horatian, hō-rā′shan, adj. pertaining to Horace, the Latin poet (65-8 B.C.), or to his style.

Horde, hōrd, n. a migratory or wandering tribe or clan.—v.i. to live together as a horde.—Golden horde (see Golden). [Fr.,—Turk. ordū, camp—Pers. ōrdū, court, camp, horde of Tatars.]

Hordeum, hor′dē-um, n. a genus of plants of order Gramineæ, with twelve species.—adj. Hordeā′ceous, barley-like.—n. Hordē′olum, a sty on the edge of the eyelid. [L., barley.]

Horizon, ho-rī′zun, n. the circular line formed by the apparent meeting of the earth and sky—in astronomical phrase, the sensible, apparent, or visible horizon, as opposed to the astronomical, true, or rational horizon, the circle formed by a plane passing through the centre of the earth, parallel to the sensible horizon, and produced to meet the heavens: (geol.) a stratum marked by the presence of a particular fossil not found in the overlying or underlying beds: any level line or surface: the limit of one's experience or apprehension.—adj. Horizon′tal, pertaining to the horizon: parallel to the horizon: level: near the horizon: measured in a plane of the horizon.—n. Horizontal′ity.—adv. Horizon′tally.—Artificial horizon, a small trough containing quicksilver, the surface of which affords a reflection of the celestial bodies. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. horizōn (kyklos), bounding (circle), horizein, to bound—horos, a limit.]

Horn, horn, n. the hard substance projecting from the heads of certain animals, as oxen, &c.: something made of or like a horn, as a powder-horn, a drinking-horn: a symbol of strength: (mus.) a hunting-horn: an orchestral wind-instrument of the trumpet class, with a slender twisted brass tube and bell mouth—also distinctively French horn.—v.t. to furnish with horns.—adj. Horned.—ns. Horn′beak, the garfish; Horn′beam, a tree of Europe and America, the hard white wood of which is used by joiners, &c.; Horn′bill, a bird about the size of the turkey, having a horny excrescence on its bill; Horn′book, a first book for children, which formerly consisted of a single leaf set in a frame, with a thin plate of transparent horn in front to preserve it; Horn′-bug, a common North American beetle; Horned′-horse, the gnu; Horned′-owl, Horn′owl, a species of owl, so called from two tufts of feathers on its head, like horns; Horn′er, one who works or deals in horns: a trumpeter.—adj. Horn′-foot′ed, having a hoof or horn on the foot.—ns. Horn′-gate, one of the two gates of Dreams, through which pass those visions that come true, while out of the ivory-gate pass the unreal; Horn′ie, the devil, usually represented with horns; Horn′ing, appearance of the moon when in its crescent form: (U.S.) a mock serenade with tin horns and any discordant instruments by way of showing public disapproval.—adjs. Horn′ish, like horn: hard; Horn′less, without horns.—n. Horn′let, a little horn.—adj. Horn′-mad, mad with rage, as the cuckold at the moment of discovery.—ns. Hornmad′ness (Browning); Horn′-mak′er (Shak.), a cuckold-maker; Horn′-mer′cury, mercurous chloride or calomel; Horn′-sil′ver, silver chloride; Horn′stone, a stone much like flint, but more brittle [horn and stone]; Horn′work (fort.), an outwork having angular points or horns, and composed of two demi-bastions joined by a curtain; Horn′wrack, the sea-mat or lemon-weed.—adjs. Horn′y, like horn: hard: callous; Horn′y-hand′ed, with hands hardened by toil.—Horn of plenty, the symbol of plenty, carried by Ceres in her left arm, filled to overflowing with fruits and flowers (see Cornucopia); Horns of a dilemma (see Dilemma); Horns of the altar, the projections at the four corners of the Hebrew altar, to which the victim was bound when about to be sacrificed.—Letters of horning (Scots law), letters running in the sovereign's name, and passing the signet, instructing messengers-at-arms to charge the debtor to pay, on his failure a caption or warrant for his apprehension being granted; Pull, or Draw, in one's horns, to restrain one's ardour or one's pretensions; Put to the horn (old Scots law), to outlaw by three blasts of the horn at the Cross of Edinburgh; Wear horns, to be a cuckold. [A.S. horn; Scand. and Ger. horn, Gael. and W. corn, L. cornu, Gr. keras.]

Hornblende, horn′blend, n. a mineral of various colours, found in granite and other igneous rocks that contain quartz. [Ger. horn, horn, and -blende—blenden, to dazzle.]

Hornet, horn′et, n. a species of wasp, so called from its antennæ or horns: a person who pesters with petty but ceaseless attacks.—Bring a hornet's nest about one's ears, to stir up enemies and enmities against one's self. [A.S. hyrnet, dim. of horn.]

Hornito, hor-nē′tō, n. a low oven-shaped fumarole, common in South American volcanic regions. [Sp., dim. of horno, an oven.]

Hornpipe, horn′pīp, n. an old Welsh musical instrument resembling the clarinet: a lively air: a lively English dance, usually by one person, popular amongst sailors.

Horography, hor-og′ra-fi, n. the art of constructing dials or instruments for indicating the hours.—n. Horog′rapher. [Gr. hōra, an hour, graphein, to describe.]

Horologe, hor′o-lōj, n. any instrument for telling the hours.—ns. Horol′oger, Horologiog′rapher, Horol′ogist, a maker of clocks, &c.—adjs. Horolog′ic, -al.—ns. Horologiog′raphy, the art of constructing timepieces; Horol′ogy, the science which treats of the construction of machines for telling the hours: the office-book of the Greek Church for the canonical hours. [O. Fr. horologe (Fr. horloge)—L. horologium—Gr. hōrologion—hōra, an hour, legein, to tell.]

Horometry, hor-om′et-ri, n. the art or practice of measuring time.—adj. Horomet′rical. [Gr. hōra, an hour, metron, a measure.]

Horoscope, hor′o-skōp, n. an observation of the heavens at the hour of a person's birth, by which the astrologer predicted the events of his life: a representation of the heavens for this purpose.—adj. Horoscop′ic.—ns. Horos′copist, an astrologer; Horos′copy, the art of predicting the events of a person's life from his horoscope: aspect of the stars at the time of birth. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. hōroskopos—hōra, an hour, skopein, to observe.]

Horrent, hor′ent, adj. standing on end, as bristles. [L. horrens, -entis, pr.p. of horrēre, to bristle.]

Horrible, hor′i-bl, adj. causing or tending to cause horror: dreadful: awful: terrific.—n. Horr′ibleness.—adv. Horr′ibly. [L. horribilis—horrēre.]

Horrid, hor′id, adj. fitted to produce horror: shocking: offensive.—adv. Horr′idly.—n. Horr′idness. [L. horridus—horrēre, to bristle.]

Horrify, hor′-i-fī, v.t. to strike with horror:—pa.p. horr′ified.—adj. Horrif′ic, exciting horror: frightful. [L. horrificus—horror, horror, facĕre, to make.]

Horripilation, hor-i-pi-lā′shun, n. a contraction of the cutaneous muscles causing the erection of the hairs and the condition known as goose-flesh.—v.t. Horrip′ilate.

Horrisonous, hor-is′ō-nus, adj. sounding dreadfully.—Also Horris′onant.

Horror, hor′ur, n. a shuddering: excessive fear: that which excites horror.—adjs. Horr′or-strick′en, -struck, struck with horror.—The horrors, extreme depression: delirium tremens. [L.—horrēre, to bristle.]

Hors-d'œuvre, or-düvr′, a preliminary snack that does not form part of the regular menu.

Horse, hors, n. a well-known quadruped: (collectively) cavalry: that by which something is supported, as 'clothes-horse,' &c.: a wooden frame on which soldiers were formerly made to ride as a punishment—also Timber-mare: a boy's crib, a translation.—v.t. to mount on a horse: to provide with a horse: to sit astride: to carry on the back: to urge at work tyrannically: to construe by means of a crib.—v.i. to get on horseback: to charge for work before it is done.—ns. Horse′-artill′ery, field artillery with comparatively light guns and the gunners mounted; Horse′back, the back of a horse; Horse′-bean, a large bean given to horses; Horse′-block, a block or stage by which to mount or dismount from a horse; Horse′-boat, a boat for carrying horses, or one towed by a horse; Horse′-box, a railway car for transporting horses in, or a stall on shipboard; Horse′-boy, a stable-boy; Horse′-break′er, Horse′-tam′er, one whose business is to break or tame horses, or to teach them to draw or carry (Pretty horse-breaker, a woman with little virtue to lose); Horse′-car, a car drawn by horses; Horse′-chest′nut, a large variety of chestnut, prob. so called from its coarseness contrasted with the edible chestnut: the tree that produces it (see Chestnut); Horse′-cloth, a cloth for covering a horse; Horse′-coup′er (Scot.), a horse-dealer; Horse′-deal′er, one who deals in horses; Horse′-doc′tor, a veterinary surgeon; Horse′-drench, a dose of physic for a horse.—adj. Horse′-faced, having a long face.—ns. Horse′-flesh, the flesh of a horse: horses collectively: a Bahama mahogany.—adj. of reddish-bronze colour.—ns. Horse′-fly, a large fly that stings horses; Horse′-foot, the colt's foot; Horse′-god′mother, a fat clumsy woman.—n.pl. Horse′-guards, horse-soldiers employed as guards: the 3d heavy cavalry regiment of the British army, forming part of the household troops: the War Office, or public office in Whitehall, London, appropriated to the departments of the commander-in-chief of the British army.—ns. Horse′-hair, the hair of horses: haircloth; Horse′-hoe, a hoe drawn by horses; Horse′-knack′er, one who buys worn-out horses for slaughtering; Horse′-lat′itudes, a part of the North Atlantic Ocean noted for long calms, so called from the frequent necessity of throwing part of a cargo of horses overboard from want of water when becalmed; Horse′-laugh, a harsh, boisterous laugh; Horse′-leech, a large species of leech, so named from its fastening on horses when wading in the water: a bloodsucker (Prov. xxx. 15); Horse′-litt′er, a litter or bed borne between two horses; Horse′-mack′erel, one of various fishes—the scad (q.v.), &c.; Horse′man, a rider on horseback: a mounted soldier; Horse′manship, the art of riding, and of training and managing horses; Horse′-ma′rine, a person quite out of his element: an imaginary being for whom wild flights of imagination had best be reserved ('Tell it to the horse-marines'); Horse-mill, a mill turned by horses; Horse′-mill′iner, one who provides the trappings for horses; Horse′-mint, a common European wild-mint: the American Monarda punctata—Sweet horse-mint, the common dittany; Horse′-nail, a nail for fastening a horse-shoe to the hoof; Horse′-pis′tol, a large pistol carried in a holster; Horse′-play, rough, boisterous play; Horse′-pond, a pond for watering horses at; Horse′-pow′er, the power a horse can exert, or its equivalent=that required to raise 33,000 lb. avoirdupois one foot per minute: a standard for estimating the power of steam-engines; Horse′-race, a race by horses; Horse′-rac′ing, the practice of racing or running horses in matches; Horse′-rad′ish, a plant with a pungent root, used in medicine and as a condiment; Horse′-rake, a rake drawn by horses; Horse′-rid′ing, a circus; Horse′-sense, plain robust sense; Horse′-shoe, a shoe for horses, consisting of a curved piece of iron.—adj. shaped like a horse-shoe.—ns. Horse′-sol′dier, a cavalry soldier; Horse′-tail, a genus of leafless plants with hollow rush-like stems, so called from their likeness to a horse's tail; Horse′-train′er, one who trains horses for racing, &c.; Horse′-way, a road by which a horse may pass; Horse′-whip, a whip for driving horses.—v.t. to strike with a horse-whip: to lash.—ns. Horse′woman, a woman who rides on horseback; Hors′iness; Hors′ing, birching a schoolboy mounted on another's back.—adj. Hors′y, of or pertaining to horses: devoted to horse racing or breeding.—A dark horse (see Dark); Flog a dead horse, to try to work up excitement about a threadbare subject; Get on, Mount, the high horse, to assume consequential airs; Put the cart before the horse (see Cart); Ride the wooden horse (see above); Take horse, to mount on horseback. [A.S. hors; Ice. horss, Old High Ger. hros (Ger. ross).]

Hortative, hort′a-tiv, adj. inciting: encouraging: giving advice—also Hort′atory.—n. Hortā′tion. [L. hortāri, -ātus, to incite.]

Horticulture, hor′ti-kul-tūr, n. the art of cultivating gardens.—adj. Horticul′tural, pertaining to the culture of gardens.—n. Horticul′turist, one versed in the art of cultivating gardens.—Hortus siccus, a collection of dried plants arranged in a book. [L. hortus, a garden, cultura—colĕre, to cultivate.]

Hosannna, hō-zan′a, n. an exclamation of praise to God, or a prayer for blessings. [Gr. hōsanna—Heb. hōshī‛āh nnā, hōshīā‛, save, nā, I pray.]

Hose, hōz, n. a covering for the legs or feet: stockings: socks: a flexible pipe for conveying water, so called from its shape:—pl. Hose; (B.) Hos′en.—ns. Hose′man, one who directs the stream of water from the hose of a fire-engine; Hose′pipe; Hose′-reel, a large revolving drum or reel for carrying hose for fire-engines, &c.; Hō′sier, one who deals in hose, or stockings and socks, &c.; Hō′siery, hose in general. [A.S. hosa, pl. hosan; Dut. hoos, Ger. hose.]

Hospice, hos′pēs, n. a house of entertainment for strangers, esp. such kept by monks on some Alpine passes for travelers.—Also Hospit′ium. [Fr.,—L. hospitium—hospes, a stranger treated as a guest.]

Hospitable, hos′pit-a-bl, adj. entertaining strangers and guests kindly and without reward: showing kindness: generous: bountiful.—n. Hos′pitableness.—adv. Hos′pitably.—n. Hospital′ity, the practice of one who is hospitable; friendly welcome and entertainment of guests—(Spens.) Hos′pitāge.

Hospital, hos-′pit-al, n. a building for the reception and treatment of the old, the sick, and hurt, &c., or for the support and education of the young.—n. Hos′pitaller, one of a charitable brotherhood for the care of the sick in hospitals: one of an order of knights, commonly called Knights of St John (otherwise called Knights of Rhodes, and afterwards of Malta), who about 1048 built a hospital for the care and cure of pilgrims at Jerusalem.—Hospital Saturday, or Sunday, days set apart for the collection of funds on behalf of hospitals.—Convalescent hospital, one intermediate between the ordinary hospital and the patient's own home; Cottage hospital, a small establishment where hospital treatment is carried on at little expense and with simple arrangements; Lock hospital, one for the treatment of venereal diseases; Magdalen hospital, an institution for the reclamation of fallen women; Marine, or Naval, hospital, a special hospital for sick sailors, or for men in the naval service; Maternity hospital, one for women in labour. [O. Fr. hospital—Low L. hospitale—hospes, a guest.]

Hospodar, hos′po-där, n. formerly the title of the princes of Moldavia and Wallachia. [Slav.]

Host, hōst, n. one who entertains a stranger or guest at his house without reward: an innkeeper: an organism on which another lives as a parasite:—fem. Host′ess.—n. Host′ess-ship (Shak.), the character or office of a hostess.—adj. Host′less (Spens.), destitute of a host, inhospitable.—Reckon, or Count, without one's host, to misjudge, the original idea being that of totting up one's bill without reference to the landlord. [O. Fr. hoste—L. hospes, hospitis.]

Host, hōst, n. an army, a large multitude.—n. Host′ing, (Milt.) an encounter of hosts, a battle: (Spens.) an assemblage of hosts, a muster.—A host in himself, one of great strength, skill, or resources, within himself; Heavenly host, the angels and archangels; Lord of hosts, a favourite Hebrew term for Jehovah, considered as head of the hosts of angels, the hosts of stars, &c. [O. Fr. host—L. hostis, an enemy.]

Host, hōst, n. in the R.C. Church, the consecrated bread of the Eucharist—a thin circular wafer of unleavened bread. [L. hostia, a victim.]

Hostage, hos′tāj, n. one remaining with the enemy as a pledge for the fulfilment of the conditions of a treaty.—Hostages to fortune, a man's wife, children, &c. [O. Fr. hostage (Fr. ôtage)—Low L. obsidaticus—L. obses, obsidis, a hostage.]

Hostel, hos′tel, Hostelry, hos′tel-ri, n. an inn: in some universities an extra-collegiate hall for students.—ns. Hos′teler, Hos′teller, one living in a hostel. [O. Fr. hostel, hostellerie.]

Hostile, hos′til, adj. belonging to an enemy: showing enmity: warlike: adverse.—adv. Hos′tilely.—n. Hostil′ity, enmity:—pl. Hostil′ities, acts of warfare. [L. hostilis—hostis.]

Hostler, Ostler, hos′lėr, or os′-, n. he who has the care of horses at an inn. [Hostler=hosteleer.]

Hot, hot, adj. having heat: very warm: fiery: pungent: animated: ardent in temper: fervent: vehement: violent: passionate: lustful.—adj. Hot′-and-hot′, of food cooked and served up at once in hot dishes.—ns. Hot′bed, a glass-covered bed heated for bringing forward plants rapidly: any place favourable to rapid growth or development, as 'a hotbed of vice,' &c.; Hot′blast, a blast of heated air blown into a furnace to raise the heat.—adjs. Hot′-blood′ed, having hot blood: high-spirited: irritable; Hot′-brained, hot-headed, rash and violent.—n. Hot′-cock′les, an old game in which a person is blindfolded, and being struck, guesses who strikes him; Hot′-flue, a drying-room.—adj. Hot′-head′ed, hot in the head: having warm passions: violent: impetuous.—n. Hot′-house, a house kept hot for the rearing of tender plants: any heated chamber or drying-room, esp. that where pottery is placed before going into the kiln: (Shak.) a brothel.—adv. Hot′ly.—adj. Hot′-mouthed, headstrong.—n. Hot′ness; Hot′-pot, a dish of chopped mutton seasoned and stewed with sliced potatoes.—v.t. Hot′press, to press paper, &c., between hot plates to produce a glossy surface.—adjs. Hot′-short, brittle when heated; Hot′-spir′ited, having a fiery spirit.—n., one pressing his steed with spurs as in hot haste: a violent, rash man.—adj. Hot′-tem′pered, having a quick temper.—ns. Hot′-trod, the hot pursuit in old Border forays; Hot′-wall, a wall enclosing passages for hot air, affording warmth to fruit-trees trained against it, when needed; Hot′-well, in a condensing engine, a reservoir for the warm water drawn off from the condenser.—Hot coppers (see Copper); Hot cross-buns (see Cross); Hot foot, with speed, fast; In hot water, in a state of trouble or anxiety; Make a place too hot to hold a person, to make it impossible for him to stay there. [A.S. hát; Ger. heiss, Sw. het.]

Hot, hot, Hote, hōt (Spens.) named, called. [Pa.t. and pa.p. of hight.]

Hotchpotch, hoch′poch, Hotchpot, hoch′pot, Hodgepodge, hoj′poj, n. a confused mass of ingredients shaken or mixed together in the same pot: a kind of mutton-broth in which green peas take the place of barley or rice.—Hotchpot, a commixture of property in order to secure an equable division amongst children. [Fr. hochepot—hocher, to shake, and pot, a pot—Old Dut. hutsen, to shake, Dut. pot, a pot.]

Hotel, hō-tel′, n. a superior house for the accommodation of strangers: an inn: in France, also a public office, a private town-house, a palace.—ns. Hôtel′-de-ville (Fr.), a town-hall; Hôtel′-dieu, a hospital. [M. E. hostel—O. Fr. hostel (Fr. hôtel)—L. hospitalia, guest-chambers—hospes.]

Hottentot, hot′n-tot, n. a native of the Cape of Good Hope: a brutish individual. [Dut., because the language of the South Africans seemed to the first Dutch settlers to sound like a repetition of the syllables hot and tot; Dut. en—and.]

Houdan, hōō′dang, n. a valued breed of domestic fowls, orig. from Houdan in Seine-et-Oise.

Hough, hok, Hock, hok, n. the joint on the hind-leg of a quadruped, between the knee and fetlock, corresponding to the ankle-joint in man: in man, the back part of the knee-joint: the ham.—v.t. to hamstring:—pr.p. hough′ing; pa.p. houghed (hokt). [A.S. hóh, the heel.]

Hound, hownd, n. a dog used in hunting: a cur: a caitiff.—v.t. to set on in chase: to hunt: to urge, pursue, harass (with on).—ns. Hound′fish, same as Dogfish; Hounds′-berr′y, the common dogwood; Hound's′-tongue, a plant, so called from the shape of its leaves.—Gabriel hounds, a popular name for the noise made by distant curlews, ascribed to damned souls whipped on by the angel Gabriel; Master of hounds, the master of a pack of hounds. [A.S. hund; Gr. kyōn, kynos, L. canis, Sans. çvan.]

Hour, owr, n. 60 min., or the 24th part of a day: the time indicated by a clock, &c.: an hour's journey, or three miles: a time or occasion; (pl., myth.) the goddesses of the seasons and the hours: set times of prayer, the canonical hours, the offices or services prescribed for these, or a book containing them.—ns. Hour′-cir′cle, a circle passing through the celestial poles and fixed relatively to the earth: the circle of an equatorial which shows the hour-angle of the point to which the telescope is directed; Hour′-glass, an instrument for measuring the hours by the running of sand from one glass vessel into another; Hour′-hand, the hand which shows the hour on a clock, &c.—adj. Hour′ly, happening or done every hour: frequent.—adv. every hour: frequently.—n. Hour′plate, the plate of a timepiece on which the hours are marked: the dial.—At the eleventh hour, at the last moment possible (Matt. xx. 6, 9); In a good, or evil, hour, acting under a fortunate, or an unfortunate, impulse—from the old belief in astrological influences; Keep good hours, to go to bed and to rise early: to lead a quiet and regular life; The hour is come, the destined day of fate has come (John, xiii. 1); The small hours, the early hours of the morning; Three hours service, a service held continuously on Good Friday, from noon to 3 P.M., in commemoration of the time of Christ's agony on the cross. [O. Fr. hore (Fr. heure)—L. hora—Gr. hōra.]

Houri, how′ri, hōō′ri, n. a nymph of the Mohammedan paradise. [Pers. huri—Ar. hūriya, a black-eyed girl.]

House, hows, n. a building for dwelling in: a dwelling-place: an inn: household affairs: a family: kindred: a trading establishment: one of the twelve divisions of the heavens in astrology: one of the estates of the legislature (House of Lords or Upper House, House of Commons or Lower House; also Upper and Lower Houses of Convocation, House of Representatives, &c.): at Oxford, 'The House,' Christ Church College: the audience at a place of entertainment, a theatre, &c. (a full house, a thin house): (coll.) the workhouse:—pl. Houses (howz′ez).—v.t. House (howz), to protect by covering: to shelter: to store: to provide houses for.—v.i. to take shelter: to reside.—ns. House′-ā′gent, one who has the letting of houses; House′-boat, a barge with a deck-cabin that may serve as a dwelling-place; House′-bote, wood that a tenant may take to repair his house, or for fuel; House′-break′er, one who breaks open and enters a house by day for the purpose of stealing; House′-break′ing; House′-carl, a member of a king or noble's bodyguard, in Danish and early English history; House′-dū′ty, -tax, a tax laid on inhabited houses; House′-fac′tor (Scot.), a house-agent; House′-fa′ther, the male head of a household or community; House′-flag, the distinguishing flag of a shipowner or company of such; House′-fly, the common fly universally distributed; House′hold, those who are held together in the same house, and compose a family.—adj. pertaining to the house and family.—ns. House′holder, the holder or tenant of a house; House′keeper, a female servant who keeps or has the chief care of the house: one who stays much at home; House′keeping, the keeping or management of a house or of domestic affairs: hospitality.—adj. domestic.—n. House′-leek, a plant with red star-like flowers and succulent leaves that grows on the roofs of houses.—adj. House′less, without a house or home: having no shelter.—ns. House′-line (naut.), a small line of three strands, for seizings, &c.; House′maid, a maid employed to keep a house clean, &c.; House′-mate, one sharing a house with another; House′-moth′er, the mother of a family, the female head of a family; House′-room, room or place in a house; House′-stew′ard, a steward who manages the household affairs of a great family; House′-sur′geon, the surgeon or medical officer in a hospital who resides in the house—so also House′-physi′cian; House′-warm′ing, an entertainment given when a family enters a new house, as if to warm it; Housewife (hows′wīf, huz′wif, or huz′if), the mistress of a house: a female domestic manager: a small case for articles of female work.—adj. House′wifely.—n. House′wifery—(Scot.) House′wifeskep.—House of call, a house where the journeymen of a particular trade call when out of work; House of correction, a jail; House of God, prayer, or worship, a place of worship; House of ill fame, a bawdy-house.—A household word, a familiar saying; Bring down the house, to evoke very loud applause in a place of entertainment; Cry from the house-top, to announce in the most public manner possible; Household gods, one's favourite domestic things—a playful use of the Roman penates (q.v.); Household suffrage, or franchise, the right of householders to vote for members of parliament; Household troops, six regiments whose peculiar duty is to attend the sovereign and defend the metropolis; Housemaid's knee, an inflammation of the sac between the knee-pan and the skin, to which housemaids are specially liable through kneeling on damp floors.—Inner House, the higher branch of the Scotch Court of Session, its jurisdiction chiefly appellate; Outer House, the lower branch of the Court of Session.—Keep a good house, to keep up a plentifully supplied table; Keep house, to maintain or manage an establishment; Keep open house, to give entertainments to all comers; Keep the house, to be confined to the house; Like a house afire, with astonishing rapidity; The Household, the royal domestic establishment. [A.S. hús; Goth. hus, Ger. haus.]

Housel, howz′el, n. the Eucharist: the act of taking the same.—n. Hous′eling-cloth, a linen cloth held or stretched beneath the communicants.—adj. Hous′ling (Spens.), sacramental. [A.S. húsel, sacrifice.]

Housing, howz′ing, n. an ornamental covering for a horse: a saddle-cloth: (pl.) the trappings of a horse. [O. Fr. housse, a mantle, of Teut. origin.]

Houyhnhnm, whin′im, n. one of the noble rational horse race in Gulliver's Travels. [From whinny.]

Hova, hō′va, n. one of the dominant race in Madagascar:—pl. Hō′vas.

Hovel, hov′el, n. a small or mean dwelling: a shed.—v.t. to put in a hovel: to shelter: to construct a chimney so as to prevent smoking, by making two of the more exposed walls higher than the others, or making an opening on one side near the top:—pr.p. hov′elling; pa.p. hov′elled.—n. Hov′eller, a boatman acting as a non-certificated pilot or doing any kind of occasional work on the coast: a small coasting-vessel. [Dim. of A.S. hof, a dwelling.]

Hover, hov′ėr, v.i. to remain aloft flapping the wings: to wait in suspense: to move about near.—adv. Hov′eringly, in a hovering manner. [Formed from A.S. hof, house.]

How, how, adv. in what manner: to what extent: for what reason: by what means: from what cause: in what condition: (N.T.) sometimes=that.—The how and the why, the manner and the cause. [A.S. hú is prob. a form of hwí, in what way, why, the instrumental case of hwá, who.]

How, Howe, how, n. (Scot.) a hollow, glen, dell, or narrow plain. [Prob. related to hole.]

Howbeit, how-bē′it, conj. be it how it may: notwithstanding: yet: however—(Spens.) How′be.

Howdah, Houdah, how′da, n. a seat fixed on an elephant's back. [Ar. hawdaj.]

Howdie, Howdy, how′di, n. (Scot.) a midwife. [Webster ingeniously at least suggests a derivation in 'How d'ye?' the midwife's first question.]

Howdy, how′di, interj. a colloquial form of the common greeting, 'How do you [do]?'—n. How′dy-do, a troublesome state of matters.

However, how-ev′ėr, adv. and conj. in whatever manner or degree: nevertheless: at all events.

Howff, Houff, howf, n. (Scot.) a haunt, resort.—v.i. to resort to a place. [A.S. hof, a house.]

Howitzer, how′its-ėr, n. a short, light cannon, used for throwing shells. [Ger. haubitze, orig. hauffnitz—Bohem. haufnice, a sling.]

Howl, howl, v.i. to yell or cry, as a wolf or dog: to utter a long, loud, whining sound: to wail: to roar.—v.t. to utter with outcry:—pr.p. howl′ing; pa.p. howled.—n. a loud, prolonged cry of distress: a mournful cry.—n. Howl′er, a South American monkey, with prodigious power of voice: (slang) a glaring or very stupid error.—adj. Howl′ing, filled with howlings, as of the wind, or of wild beasts: (slang) tremendous.—n. a howl. [O. Fr. huller—L. ululāre, to shriek or howl—ulula, an owl; cf. Ger. heulen, Eng. owl.]

Howsoever, how-so-ev′ėr, adv. in what way soever: although: however.—Provincial forms are Howsomev′er and Howsomdev′er.

Hoy, hoi, n. a large one-decked boat, commonly rigged as a sloop. [Dut. heu, Flem. hui.]

Hoyden, Hoiden, hoi′den, n. a tomboy, a romp. [Old Dut. heyden, a heathen, a gipsy, heyde, heath.]

Hub, hub, n. the projecting nave of a wheel; a projection on a wheel for the insertion of a pin: the hilt of a weapon: a mark at which quoits, &c., are cast.—Hub (i.e. centre) of the universe, Boston, U.S. [A form of hob.]

Hubble, hub′l, n. (Scot.) an uproar: a heap, as of work: (U.S.) a lump.—adj. Hub′bly.

Hubble-bubble, hub′l-bub′l, n. an East Indian tobacco-pipe, in which the smoke is drawn through water with a bubbling sound. [Reduplic. from bubble.]

Hubbub, hub′ub, n. a confused sound of many voices: riot: uproar. [Prob. a repetition of hoop, whoop.]

Huckaback, huk′a-bak, n. a coarse variety of linen for towels, &c., having raised figures on it. [Skeat suggests as the original meaning 'pedlar's ware,' Low Ger. hukkebak; cf. hawker.]

Huckle, huk′l, n. a hunch: the hip—also Huck.—adjs. Huck′le-backed, -shoul′dered, having the back or shoulders round.—n. Huck′le-bone, the hip-bone, or ankle-bone. [Dim. of huck, a prov. form of hook.]

Huckleberry, huk′l-ber′ri, n. a North American shrub (Gaylussacia) with blue berries. [Prob. a corr. of hurtleberry.]

Huckster, huk′stėr, n. a retailer of smallwares, a hawker or pedlar: a mean, trickish fellow:—fem. Huck′stress.—v.i. to deal in small articles, to higgle meanly.—n. Huck′sterage, business of a huckster. [With fem. suff. -ster, from Dut. heuker, a retailer, Old Dut. hucken, to stoop or bow; cf. Ice. húka, to sit on one's hams, and Eng. hawker.]

Huddle, hud′l, v.i. to put up things confusedly: to hurry in disorder: to crowd.—v.t. to throw or crowd together in confusion: to put on hastily.—n. a crowd: tumult: confusion. [M. E. hodren; prob. a freq. of M. E. huden, to hide.]

Hudibrastic, hū-di-bras′tik, adj. similar in style to Hudibras, a metrical burlesque on the Puritans by Samuel Butler (1612-80): doggerel.

Hue, hū, n. appearance: colour: tint: dye.—-adjs. Hued, having a hue; Hue′less. [A.S. hiw, heow; Sw. hy, complexion.]

Hue, hū, n. a shouting.—Hue and cry, a loud clamour about something: name of a police gazette, established in 1710. [Fr. huer, imit.]

Huff, huf, n. sudden anger or arrogance: a fit of disappointment or anger: a boaster.—v.t. to swell: to bully: to remove a 'man' from the board for not capturing pieces open to him, as in draughts.—v.i. to swell: to bluster.—adjs. Huff′ish, Huff′y, given to huff: insolent: arrogant.—adv. Huff′ishly.—ns. Huff′ishness, Huff′iness. [Imit., like puff; cf. Ger. hauchen, to breathe.]

Hug, hug, v.t. to embrace closely and fondly: to cherish: to congratulate (one's self): (naut.) to keep close to.—v.i. to crowd together:—pr.p. hug′ging; pa.p. hugged.—n. a close and fond embrace: a particular grip in wrestling.—Hug one's self, to congratulate one's self. [Scand., Ice. húka, to sit on one's hams. See Huckster.]

Huge, hūj, adj. having great dimensions, especially height: enormous: monstrous: (B.) large in number.—adv. Huge′ly.—n. Huge′ness. [M. E. huge; formed by dropping a from O. Fr. ahuge, of Teut. origin, cog. with Ger. hoch.]

Hugger-mugger, hug′ėr-mug′ėr, n. secrecy: confusion. [Perh. a rhyming extension of hug.]

Huguenot, hū′ge-not, or -nō, n. the name formerly given in France to an adherent of the Reformation. [Prob. a dim. of the personal name Hugo, Hugon, Hugues, Hugh, name of some French Calvinist, later a general nickname. Not the Swiss eidguenot, Ger. eidgenossen, confederates.]

Hulk, hulk, n. the body of a ship: an old ship unfit for service: a big lubberly fellow: anything unwieldy—often confounded in meaning with hull, the body of a ship:—pl. The hulks, old ships formerly used as prisons.—adjs. Hulk′ing, Hulk′y, clumsy. [Low L. hulka—Gr. holkas—helkein, to draw.]

Hull, hul, n. the husk or outer covering of anything.—v.t. to strip off the hull: to husk. [A.S. hulu, a husk, as of corn—helan, to cover; Ger. hülle, a covering, hehlen, to cover.]

Hull, hul, n. the frame or body of a ship.—v.t. to pierce the hull (as with a cannon-ball).—v.i. to float or drive on the water, as a mere hull. [Same word as above, perh. modified in meaning by confusion with Dut. hol, a ship's hold, or with hulk.]

Hulsean, hul′sē-an, adj. of or pertaining to John Hulse (1708-89), founder of the Hulsean divinity lectures at Cambridge.

Hum, hum, v.i. to make a buzzing sound like bees: to utter a low, droning sound: to supply an interval in speaking by an audible sound.—v.t. to sing in a low tone: to applaud anything by humming:—pr.p. hum′ming; pa.p. hummed.—n. the noise of bees and some other insects: any low, dull noise.—interj. a sound with a pause implying doubt.—n. Hum′mer, something that hums.—Hum and haw, to hesitate in giving a direct answer; Humming ale, ale that froths up well, or that makes the head hum; Make things hum, to set things agoing briskly. [Imit.; cf. Ger. hummen, humsen.]

Human, hū′man, adj. belonging or pertaining to man or mankind: having the qualities of a man.—n. (coll.) a human being.—n. Hū′mankind, the human species.—adv. Hū′manly. [Fr.,—L. humanus—homo, a human being.]

Humane, hū-mān′, adj. having the feelings proper to man: kind: tender: merciful.—adv. Humane′ly.—n. Humane′ness, kindness: tenderness.

Humanise, hū′man-īz, v.t. to render human or humane: to soften.—v.i. to become humane or civilised.—n. Humanisā′tion.

Humanist, hū′man-ist, n. a student of polite literature: at the Renaissance, a student of Greek and Roman literature: a student of human nature.—n. Hū′manism, polite learning, literary culture: any system which puts human interests paramount.—adj. Humanist′ic.

Humanitarian, hū-man′i-tā′ri-an, n. one who denies Christ's divinity, and holds Him to be a mere man: a philanthropist.—adj. of or belonging to humanity, benevolent.—n. Humanitā′rianism.

Humanity, hū-man′it-i, n. the nature peculiar to a human being: the kind feelings of man: benevolence: tenderness: mankind collectively:—pl. Human′ities, in Scotland, grammar, rhetoric, Latin, Greek, and poetry, so called from their humanising effects.—Professor of Humanity, in Scotch universities, the professor of Latin. [Fr.,—L. humanitas—humanus—homo, a man.]

Humble, hum′bl, or um′bl, adj. low: meek: modest.—v.t. to bring down to the ground: to lower: to abase: to mortify: to degrade.—adj. Hum′ble-mouthed, humble in speech.—n. Hum′bleness—(Spens.) Hum′bless.—adj. Hum′bling, making humble.—n. a humiliation.—advs. Hum′blingly, in a humiliating manner; Hum′bly. [Fr.,—L. humilis, low—humus, the ground.]

Humble-bee, hum′bl-bē, n. the humming-bee: a genus of social bees which construct their hives under ground. [Humble is a freq. of hum.]

Humble-pie, hum′bl-pī, n. a pie made of the umbles or numbles (liver, heart, &c.) of a deer.—Eat humble-pie, to humiliate one's self, eat one's own words.

Humbug, hum′bug, n. an imposition under fair pretences: hollowness, pretence: one who so imposes: a kind of candy.—v.t. to deceive: to hoax:—pr.p. hum′bugging; pa.p. hum′bugged.—adj. Humbug′able, capable of being humbugged.—ns. Hum′bugger, one who humbugs; Hum′buggery, the practice of humbugging. [Orig. 'a false alarm,' 'a bugbear,' from hum and bug, a frightful object.]

Humdrum, hum′drum, adj. dull: droning: monotonous: commonplace.—n. a stupid fellow: monotony, tedious talk. [Hum and drum.]

Humectant, hū-mek′tant, adj. pertaining to remedies supposed to increase the fluidity of the blood.—vs.t. Humect′, Humec′tate, to moisten.—n. Humectā′tion.—adj. Humec′tive, having the power to moisten.—v.t. Hū′mefy, to make moist. [L. humectans—humēre, to be moist.]

Humeral, hū′mėr-al, adj. belonging to the shoulder.—n. an oblong scarf worn round the priest's shoulders at certain parts of the Mass and of Benediction.—n. Hū′merus, the arm from the shoulder to the elbow: the bone of the upper arm:—pl. Hū′meri (-rī).—adjs. Hū′mero-cū′bital; Hū′mero-dig′ital; Hū′mero-dor′sal; Hū′mero-metacar′pal; Hū′mero-rā′dial. [Fr.,—L. humerus, the shoulder.]

Humet, Humette, hū-met′, n. (her.) a fesse or bar cut off short at each end.—adj. Humeté.

Humian, hūm′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to David Hume (1711-76), or his philosophy.

Humhum, hum′hum, n. a kind of plain, coarse cotton cloth used in the East Indies.

Humic, hū′mik, adj. denoting an acid formed by the action of alkalies on humus or mould.

Humid, hū′mid, adj. moist: damp: rather wet.—adv. Hū′midly.—ns. Hū′midness, Humid′ity, moisture: a moderate degree of wetness. [L. humidus—humēre, to be moist.]

Humiliate, hū-mil′i-āt, v.t. to make humble: to depress: to lower in condition.—adjs. Humil′iant, humiliating; Humil′iāting, humbling, mortifying.—n. Humiliā′tion, the act of humiliating: abasement: mortification. [L. humiliāre, -ātum.]

Humility, hū-mil′i-ti, n. the state or quality of being humble: lowliness of mind: modesty. [O. Fr. humilite—L. humilitat-em—humilis, low.]

Hummel, hum′el, adj.—hornless.—n. Humm′eller, a machine for separating awns of barley from seed.

Humming, hum′ing, n. a low, murmuring sound, like that made by bees.—ns. Humm′ing-bird, a tropical bird, of brilliant plumage and rapid flight, from the humming sound of its wings; Humm′ing-top, a top which when spun gives a humming sound. [Hum.]

Hummock, hum′uk, n. a hillock: pile or ridge (of ice): (Scot.) a fistful.—n. Humm′ie, a small protuberance.—adjs. Humm′ocked, Humm′ocky. [Dim. of hump.]

Humour, hū′mur, or ū′mur, n. the moisture or fluids of animal bodies: an animal fluid in an unhealthy state: state of mind (because once thought to depend on the humours of the body), as 'good' and 'ill humour:' disposition: caprice: a mental quality which delights in ludicrous and mirthful ideas: playful fancy.—v.t. to go in with the humour of: to gratify by compliance.—adj. Hū′moral, pertaining to or proceeding from the humours.—ns. Hū′moralism, the state of being humoral: the doctrine that diseases have their seat in the humours; Hū′moralist, one who favours the doctrine of humoralism; Humoresque′, a musical caprice; Hū′morist, one whose conduct and conversation are regulated by humour or caprice: one who studies or portrays the humours of people: one possessed of humour: a writer of comic stories.—adjs. Humoris′tic, humorous; Hū′morless, without humour; Hū′morous, governed by humour: capricious: irregular: full of humour: exciting laughter.—adv. Hū′morously.—n. Hū′morousness.—adj. Hū′moursome, capricious, petulant.—n. Hū′moursomeness.—Out of humour, out of temper, displeased; The new humour, a so-called modern literary product in which there is even less humour than novelty. [O. Fr. humor (Fr. humeur)—L. humor—humēre, to be moist.]

Hump, hump, n. a lump or hunch upon the back.—v.t. to bend in a hump: (U.S. slang) to prepare for a great exertion: (slang) to vex or annoy.—v.i. to put forth effort.—n. Hump′back, a back with a hump or hunch: a person with a humpback.—adjs. Hump′backed, having a humpback; Humped, having a hump on the back; Hump′y, full of humps or protuberances. [Prob. a nasalised form of heap.]

Humph, humf, interj. an exclamation expressive of dissatisfaction or incredulity.

Humpty-dumpty, hum′ti-dum′ti, n. a short, squat, egg-like being of nursery folklore: a gipsy drink, ale boiled with brandy.—adj. short and broad.

Humus, hūm′us, Humine, hūm′in, n. a brown or black powder in rich soils, formed by the action of air on animal or vegetable matter.—adj. Hū′mous. [L., 'the ground,' akin to Gr. chamai, on the ground.]

Hun, hun, n. one of a powerful, squat, swarthy, and savage nomad race of Asia, probably of Mongolian or Tartar stock, who began to move westwards in Europe about 372 A.D., pushing the Goths before them across the Danube, and under Attila (433-453) overrunning Europe: a shortened form of Hungarian.—adjs. Hun′nic, Hun′nish.

Hunch, hunsh, n. a hump, esp. on the back: a lump.—n. Hunch′back, one with a hunch or lump on his back.—adj. Hunch′backed, having a humpback. [The nasalised form of hook; cog. with Ger. hucke, the bent back; cf. Scot. to hunker down, to sit on one's heels with the knees bent up towards the chin.]

Hundred, hun′dred, n. the number of ten times ten: a division of a county in England, orig. supposed to contain a hundred families.—adjs. Hun′dredfold, folded a hundred times, multiplied by a hundred; Hun′dredth, coming last or forming one of a hundred.—n. one of a hundred.—n. Hun′dredweight, a weight the twentieth part of a ton, or 112 lb. avoirdupois; orig. a hundred lb., abbreviated cwt. (c. standing for L. centum, wt. for weight).—Hundred days, the period between Napoleon's return from Elba and his final downfall after Waterloo (the reign lasted exactly 95 days, March 20-June 22, 1815); Hundred years' war, the struggle between England and France, from 1337 down to 1453; Chiltern Hundreds, a district of Bucks, whose stewardship is a nominal office under the Crown, the temporary acceptance of which by a member of parliament enables him technically to vacate his seat; Great, or Long, hundred, six score; Not a hundred miles off, an indirect phrase for 'here,' 'in this very place;' Old Hundred, or Hundredth, a well-known long-metre setting of the hundredth psalm, 'All people that on earth do dwell.' [A.S. hundred—old form hund, a hundred, with the superfluous addition of réd or rǽd (Eng. rate), a reckoning.]

Hung, pa.t. and pa.p. of hang.—n. Hung′-beef, beef cured and dried.

Hungarian, hung-gā′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Hungary or its inhabitants.—n. a native of Hungary: the Magyar or Hungarian language.

Hunger, hung′gėr, n. desire for food: strong desire for anything.—v.i. to crave food: to long for.—adjs. Hung′er-bit′ten, bitten, pained, or weakened by hunger; Hung′erful, hungry; Hung′erly (Shak.), hungry.—adv. (Shak.) hungrily.—adv. Hung′rily.—adj. Hung′ry, having eager desire: greedy: lean: poor. [A.S. hungor (n.), hyngran (v.); cf. Ger. hunger, Dut. honger, &c.]

Hunk, hungk, n. (U.S.) goal or base in boys' games.—n. Hunk′er, a conservative.—adj. Hunk′y, in good position. [Dut. honk.]

Hunker, hungk′er, v.i. (Scot.) to squat down.—n.pl. Hunk′ers, the hams. [See Hunch.]

Hunt, hunt, v.t. to chase wild animals for prey or sport: to chase such over a country: to search for: to pursue.—v.i. to go out in pursuit of game: to search.—n. a chase of wild animals: search: a pack of hunting hounds: an association of huntsmen.—ns. Hunt′-count′er, a dog that runs back or counter on the scent, a worthless dog—hence (Shak.), a blunderer, and v.t. to retrace one's steps; Hunt′er (fem. Hunt′ress), one who hunts: a horse used in the chase: a watch whose face is protected, like the reverse, with a metal case; Half′-hunt′er, such a watch where that metal case has a small circle of glass let in, so that one can see the time without opening it; Hunt′ing, the pursuit of wild game, the chase; Hunt′ing-box, Hunt′ing-lodge, Hunt′ing-seat, a temporary residence for hunting; Hunt′ing-cap, a form of cap much worn in the hunting-field; Hunt′ing-cog, an extra cog in one of two geared wheels, by means of which the order of contact of cogs is changed at every revolution; Hunt′ing-crop, -whip, a short whip with a crooked handle and a loop of leather at the end, used in the hunting-field; Hunt′ing-ground, a place or region for hunting; Hunting-horn, a horn used in hunting, a bugle; Hunt′ing-knife, -sword, a knife or short sword used to despatch the game when caught, or to skin and cut it up; Hunt′ing-song, a song about hunting; Hunt′ing-tide, the season of hunting; Hunts′man, one who hunts: a servant who manages the hounds during the chase; Hunts′manship, the qualifications of a huntsman; Hunt's-up (Shak.), a tune or song intended to arouse huntsmen in the morning—hence, anything calculated to arouse.—Hunt down, to destroy by persecution or violence; Hunt out, up, after, to search for, seek; Hunt-the-gowk, to make an April fool (see April); Hunt-the-slipper, an old-fashioned game in which one in the middle of a ring tries to catch a shoe which those forming the ring upon the ground shove about under their hams from one to another.—Happy hunting-grounds, the paradise of the Red Indian; Mrs Leo Hunter, of 'The Den, Eatanswill,' a social lion-hunter in the Pickwick Papers whose husband hunts up all the newest celebrities to grace her breakfast parties. [A.S. huntian; A.S. hentan, to seize.]

Hunterian, hun-tē′ri-an, adj. of or pertaining to the great surgeon John Hunter (1728-93), to his collection of anatomical specimens and preparations, the nucleus of the great Hunterian Museum in London, or to the Hunterian Oration delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons on the anniversary of his birth, 14th February: of or pertaining to his elder brother, William Hunter (1718-83), or his museum at Glasgow.

Huntingdonian, hun-ting-dō′ni-an, n. a member of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connection, a denomination of Calvinistic Methodists founded by Whitefield in conjunction with Selina, Countess of Huntingdon (1707-91).

Huon-pine, hū′on-pīn′, n. a Tasmanian yew, with light-yellow wood, used in boat-building.

Hurdle, hur′dl, n. a frame of twigs or sticks interlaced: (agri.) a movable frame of timber or iron for gates, &c.: a rude sledge on which criminals were drawn to the gallows.—v.t. to enclose with hurdles.—n. Hur′dle-race, a race where the runners, whether men or horses, have to clear a succession of hurdles. [A.S. hyrdel; Ger. hürde.]

Hurdy-gurdy, hur′di-gur′di, n. a musical stringed instrument, like a rude violin, whose strings are sounded by the turning of a wheel: a hand-organ: an impact-wheel. [Imit.]

Hurl, hurl, v.i. to make a noise by throwing: to move rapidly: to dash with force: to whirl: (Scot.) to convey in a wheeled vehicle.—v.t. to throw with violence: to utter with vehemence.—n. act of hurling, tumult, confusion: (Scot.) conveyance in a wheeled vehicle.—ns. Hurl′er; Hurl′ey, the game of hockey, or the stick used in playing it; Hurl′ing, a game in which a ball is forced through the opponent's goal, hockey; Hurl′y (Scot.), a wheelbarrow; Hurl′y-hack′et, an ill-hung carriage. [Hurtle.]

Hurly-burly, hur′li-bur′li, n. tumult: confusion.—n. Hur′ly (Shak.). [Hurly is from O. Fr. hurler, to yell, orig. huller, whence Eng. howl. Burly is simply a rhyming addition.]

Hurrah, Hurra, hoor-rä′, interj. an exclamation of excitement or joy.—Also n. and v.i. [Ger. hurra; Dan. and Sw. hurra.]

Hurricane, hur′ri-kān, n. a storm with extreme violence and sudden changes of the wind: a social party, a rout—(Shak.) Hur′ricano.—Hurricane deck, a cross-deck about amidships, a bridge-deck or bridge: the upper light deck of a passenger-steamer. [Sp. huracan, from Caribbean.]

Hurry, hur′i, v.t. to urge forward: to hasten.—v.i to move or act with haste:—pa.p. hurr′ied.—n. a driving forward: haste: tumult: a tremolando passage for violins, &c., in connection with an exciting situation.—adj. Hurr′ied.—adv. Hurr′iedly.—n. Hurr′iedness.—adv. Hurr′yingly.—n. Hurr′y-skurr′y, confusion and bustle.—adv. confusedly. [Imit. Cf. Old Sw. hurra, to whirl round.]

Hurt, hurt, v.t. to cause bodily pain to: to damage: to wound, as the feelings.—v.i. to give pain, &c.:—pa.t. and pa.p. hurt.—n. a wound: injury.—n. Hurt′er, that which hurts: a beam at the lower end of a gun-platform to save the parapet: a piece of iron or wood fixed to the top-rails of a gun-carriage to check its motion: the shoulder of an axle against which the hub strikes.—adj. Hurt′ful, causing hurt or loss: mischievous.—adv. Hurt′fully.—n. Hurt′fulness.—adj. Hurt′less, without hurt or injury, harmless.—adv. Hurt′lessly.—n. Hurt′lessness. [O. Fr. hurter (Fr. heurter), to knock, to run against; prob. from the Celtic, as in W. hwrdd, a thrust, the butt of a ram, Corn. hordh, a ram.]

Hurtle, hurt′l, v.t. to dash against: to move violently: to clash: to rattle.—v.i. to move rapidly with a whirring sound. [Freq. of hurt in its original sense.]

Husband, huz′band, n. a married man: (B.) a man to whom a woman is betrothed: one who manages affairs with prudence: (naut.) the owner of a ship who manages its concerns in person.—v.t. to supply with a husband: to manage with economy.—n. Hus′bandage, allowance or commission of a ship's husband.—adjs. Hus′bandless (Shak.), without a husband; Hus′bandly, frugal, thrifty.—ns. Hus′bandman, a working farmer: one who labours in tillage; Hus′bandry, the business of a farmer: tillage: economical management: thrift. [M. E. husbonde—A.S. húsbonda, Ice. húsbóndi—hús, a house, búandi, inhabiting, pr.p. of Ice. búa, to dwell. Cf. Ger. bauen, to till.]

Hush, hush, interj. or imper. silence! be still!—adj. silent: quiet.—v.t. to make quiet: (min.) to clear off soil, &c., overlying the bed-rock.—ns. Hush′aby, a lullaby used to soothe babies to sleep; Hush′-mon′ey, money given as a bribe to hush or make one keep silent.—Hush up, to stifle, suppress: to be silent. [Imit. Cf. hist and whist.]

Husk, husk, n. the dry, thin covering of certain fruits and seeds: (pl.) refuse, waste.—v.t. to remove the husk or outer integument from.—adj. Husked, covered with a husk: stripped of husks.—ns. Husk′er, one who husks Indian corn, esp. at a husking-bee; Husk′ing, the stripping of husks: a festive gathering to assist in husking Indian corn (maize)—also Husk′ing-bee. [M. E. huske, orig. with l, as in cog. Ger. hülse, Dut. hulse, &c.]

Husky, husk′i, adj. hoarse, as the voice: rough in sound.—adv. Husk′ily.—n. Husk′iness. [A corr. of husty, from M. E. host (Scot. hoast, host, a cough)—A.S. hwósta, a cough; cf. Ger. husten.]

Hussar, hooz-zär′, n. a light-armed cavalry soldier: (orig.) a soldier of the national cavalry of Hungary. [Not Hung. huszar—husz, twenty, because at one time in Hungary one cavalry soldier used to be levied from every twenty families; but Slav. hussar, gooseherd, the sobriquet of the raiding horse of Matthias Corvinus (1443-90).]

Hussite, hus′sīt, n. a follower of the Bohemian reformer, John Hus, martyred in 1415.

Hustings, hus′tingz, n.sing. the principal court of the city of London: formerly the booths where the votes were taken at an election of an M.P., or the platform from which the candidates gave their addresses. [A.S. hústing, a council, but a Scand. word, and used in speaking of the Danes—Ice. hústhing—hús, a house, thing, an assembly.]

Hustle, hus′l, v.t. to shake or push together: to crowd with violence.—n. Hus′tler, an energetic fellow. [Old Dut. hutsen, hutselen, to shake to and fro; cf. hotchpotch.]

Hut, hut, n. a small or mean house: (mil.) a small temporary dwelling.—v.t. (mil.) to place in huts, as quarters:—pr.p. hut′ting; pa.p. hut′ted. [Fr. hutte—Old High Ger. hutta (Ger. hütte).]

Hutch, huch, n. a box, a chest: a coop for rabbits: a baker's kneading-trough: a trough used with some ore-dressing machines: a low wagon in which coal is drawn up out of the pit.—v.i. (Milt.) to hoard up. [Fr. huche, a chest—Low L. hutica, a box; prob. Teut.]

Hutchinsonian, huch-in-sōn′i-an, n. a follower of John Hutchinson (1674-1737), who held that the Hebrew Scriptures contain typically the elements of all rational philosophy, natural history, and true religion.

Huttonian, hut-ō′ni-an, adj. relating to the views of James Hutton (1726-97), who emphasised natural agencies in the formation of the earth's crust.

Huzza, hooz-zä′, interj. and n. hurrah! a shout of joy or approbation.—v.t. to attend with shouts of joy.—v.i. to utter shouts of joy or acclamation:—pr.p. huzza′ing; pa.p. huzzaed (-zäd′). [Ger. hussa; the same as hurrah.]

Hyacinth, hī′a-sinth, n. a bulbous-rooted flower of a great variety of colours: (myth.) a flower which sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus, a youth killed by Apollo with a quoit: a precious stone, the jacinth.—adj. Hyacin′thine, consisting of or resembling hyacinth: very beautiful, like Hyacinthus: curling like the hyacinth. [Doublet of jacinth.]

Hyades, hī′a-dēz, Hyads, hī′adz, n. a cluster of five stars in the constellation of the Bull, supposed by the ancients to bring rain when they rose with the sun. [Gr. hyades, explained by the ancients as from hyein, to rain; more prob.=little pigs, hys, a pig.]

Hyæna, Hyena, hī-ē′na, n. a bristly-maned quadruped of the dog kind, so named from its likeness to the sow.—Laughing hyæna, the tiger-wolf or spotted hyæna of South Africa, emitting at times a sound somewhat like hysterical laughter. [L.,—Gr. hyaina—hys, a sow.]

Hyaline, hī′a-lin, adj. glassy: consisting of or like glass.—n. a glassy transparent surface.—n. Hyales′cence, the process of becoming glassy.—adj. Hyales′cent.—ns. Hy′alite, a variety of opal like colourless gum; Hyalīt′is, inflammation of the vitreous humour; Hyalog′raphy, the art of engraving on glass.—adj. Hy′aloid, hyaline, transparent. [Gr. hyalinos—hyalos, glass, prob. Egyptian.]

Hyblæan, hi-blē′an, adj. pertaining to ancient Hybla in Sicily, noted for its honey.

Hybrid, hī′brid, or hib′-, n. an animal or plant produced from two different species: a mongrel: a mule: a word formed of elements from different languages.—adjs. Hy′brid, Hyb′ridous, produced from different species: mongrel.—adj. Hy′bridisable.—n. Hybridisā′tion.—v.t. and v.i. Hy′bridise, to cause to interbreed, and to interbreed.—-ns. Hybridis′er; Hy′bridism, Hybrid′ity, state of being hybrid. [Fr.,—L. hibrida, a mongrel.]

Hydatid, hī′dā-tid, n. a watery cyst or vesicle sometimes found in animal bodies.—n. Hy′datism, the sound caused by the fluctuation of pus in an abscess.—adj. Hyd′atoid, watery, aqueous. [Gr. hydatis, a watery vesicle—hydōr, hydatos, water.]

Hydra, hī′dra, n. (myth.) a water-serpent with many heads, which when cut off were succeeded by others: any manifold evil: a genus of fresh-water polyps remarkable for their power of multiplication by being cut or divided.—adjs. Hy′dra-head′ed, difficulty to root out, springing up vigorously again and again; Hy′droid, like the hydra. [L.,—Gr. hydra—hydōr, water, akin to Sans. udras, an otter.]

Hydragogue, hī′dra-gōg, n. a very active purgative, such as jalap. [Gr. hydōr, water, agōgos, leading, agein, to lead.]

Hydrangea, hī-dran′je-a, n. a genus of shrubby plants with large heads of showy flowers, natives of China and Japan. [Gr. hydōr, water, anggeion, vessel.]

Hydrant, hī′drant, n. a machine for discharging water: a water-plug. [Gr. hydōr, water.]

Hydrate, hī′drāt, n. a compound formed by the union of water with an oxide.—n. Hydrā′tion. [Gr. hydōr, water.]

Hydraulic, -al, hī-drawl′ik, -al, adj. relating to hydraulics: conveying water: worked by water.—adv. Hydraul′ically.—n.pl. Hydraul′ics, used as sing., the science of hydrodynamics in its practical application to water-pipes, &c.—Hydraulic belt, an arrangement for lifting water, consisting of an endless belt fitted with buckets which discharge as they turn over an upper wheel; Hydraulic cement, lime, a cement that sets or hardens under water; Hydraulic jack, a jack or lifting apparatus, by means of oil, &c., pressed by a force-pump against a piston or plunger; Hydraulic mining, a method of mining by which the auriferous detritus is washed down by a powerful jet of water into a sluice where the gold is easily separated; Hydraulic press, a press operated by the differential pressure of water on pistons of different dimensions; Hydraulic ram, an automatic pump worked by the pressure of a column of water in a pipe, and the force acquired by intermittent motion of the column. [From Gr. hydōr, water, aulos, a pipe.]

Hydria, hī′dri-a, n. a large Greek water-vase.—n. Hy′driad, a water-nymph.

Hydrid, hī′drid, n. (chem.) a substance consisting of hydrogen combined with an element or some compound radical.—n. Hy′driodate, a salt of hydriodic acid.—adj. Hydriod′ic, produced by the combination of hydrogen and iodine.

Hydrobarometer, hī-dro-ba-rom′e-ter, n. an instrument for determining the depth of the sea by the pressure of the superincumbent water.

Hydrobromic, hī-dro-brō′mik, adj. compounded of bromine and hydrogen.—n. Hydrobrō′mate, a salt of hydrobromic acid—same as bromide; also Bromhydrate.

Hydrocarbon, hī-dro-kär′bon, n. a compound of hydrogen and carbon.—Hydrocarbon furnace, a furnace in which liquid fuel, as petroleum, is used.

Hydrocele, hī′dro-sēl, n. (med.) a swelling consisting of a collection of serous fluid in the scrotum or in some of the coverings of the testicle or spermatic cord. [Gr. hydōr, water, kēlē, a swelling.]

Hydrocephalus, hī-dro-sef′a-lus, n. an accumulation of serous fluid within the cranial cavity, either in the sub-dural space or the ventricles: water in the head: dropsy of the brain.—adjs. Hydrocephal′ic, Hydroceph′aloid, Hydroceph′alous. [Gr. hydōr, water, kephalē, the head.]

Hydrochloric, hī-dro-klō′rik, adj. compounded of hydrogen and chlorine.—n. Hydrochlō′rate, a salt of hydrochloric acid.

Hydrocyanic, hī-dro-sī-an′ik, adj. noting an acid formed by the combination of hydrogen and cyanogen—also Prussic acid.—ns. Hydrocy′anide, Hydrocy′anite.

Hydrodynamics, hī-dro-di-nam′iks, n.pl. used as sing., the science that treats of the motions and equilibrium of a material system partly or wholly fluid, called Hydrostatics when the system is in equilibrium, Hydrokinetics when it is not.—adjs. Hydrodynam′ic, -al.—n. Hydrodynamom′eter, an instrument for measuring the velocity of fluid in motion by its pressure.—adj. Hydroelec′tric, pertaining to electricity generated by the escape of steam under high pressure.—n. Hy′dro-extract′or, an apparatus for removing moisture from yarns, cloths, &c., in process of manufacture. [Gr. hydōr, water, and dynamics.]

Hydrofluoric, hī-dro-flōō-or′ik, adj. consisting of fluorine and hydrogen.

Hydrogen, hī′dro-jen, n. a gas which in combination with oxygen produces water, an elementary gaseous substance, the lightest of all known substances, and very inflammable.—adjs. Hy′dric, containing hydrogen; Hydrog′enous, containing hydrogen: produced by the action of water, as applied to rocks in opposition to those that are pyrogenous, formed by the action of fire. [A word coined by Cavendish (1766) from Gr. hydōr, water, and genēs, producing.]

Hydrography, hī-drog′ra-fi, n. the art of measuring and describing the size and position of waters or seas: the art of making sea-charts.—n. Hydrog′rapher, a maker of sea-charts.—adjs. Hydrograph′ic, -al.—adv. Hydrograph′ically. [Gr. hydōr, water, graphein, to write.]

Hydrokinetics, hī-dro-ki-net′iks, n.pl. used as sing., a branch of Hydrodynamics (q.v.).

Hydrology, hī-drol′o-ji, n. the science which treats of water.—adjs. Hydrolog′ic, -al.—n. Hydrol′ogist. [Gr. hydōr, water, logia, a discourse.]

Hydrolysis, hī-drol′i-sis, n. a kind of chemical decomposition by which a compound is resolved into other compounds by taking up the elements of water.—adj. Hydrolyt′ic. [Gr. hydōr, water, lysis—lyein, to loose.]

Hydromancy, hī′dro-man-si, n. divination by water.—adj. Hydromant′ic. [Gr. hydōr, water, manteia, divination.]

Hydromania, hī-dro-mā′ni-a, n. an insatiable craving for water, as in diabetes: a morbid propensity to suicide by drowning.

Hydromel, hī′dro-mel, n. a beverage made of honey and water. [Gr. hydōr, water, meli, honey.]

Hydrometamorphism, hī-dro-met-a-mor′fizm, n. a kind of metamorphism of igneous rocks brought about by water, in opposition to Pyrometamorphism, that brought about by means of heat.

Hydrometeorology, hī-dro-mē-te-or-ol′o-ji, n. the branch of meteorology which treats of water in the atmosphere, as rain, clouds, snow, &c.—n. Hydromē′teor, any one of the aqueous phenomena of the atmosphere. [Gr. hydōr, water, meteōron, a meteor.]

Hydrometer, hī-drom′et-ėr, n. an instrument for measuring the density or specific gravity of solids and liquids by flotation, consisting of a weighted glass bulb or hollow metal cylinder with a long stem: a current-gauge.—adjs. Hydromet′ric, -al.—n. Hydrom′etry. [Gr. hydōr, water, metron, a measure.]

Hydromotor, hī-dro-mō′tor, n. a form of motor for propelling vessels by means of jets of water ejected from the sides or stern.

Hydromys, hī′dro-mis, n. an Australasian genus of rodents, known as water-rats and beaver-rats. [Gr. hydōr, water, mys, mouse.]

Hydropathy, hī-drop′a-thi, n. the treatment of disease by cold water.—adjs. Hydropath′ic, -al.—adv. Hydropath′ically.—n. Hydrop′athist, one who practises hydropathy.—Hydropathic establishment or (coll.) simply Hydropath′ic, a temperance hotel where the guests can have hydropathic treatment if desired. [Gr. hydōr, water, pathos, suffering, pathein, to suffer.]

Hydrophane, hī′dro-fān, n. a partly translucent variety of opal which becomes transparent when wetted.—adj. Hydroph′anous. [Gr. hydōr, water, phainein, to shine.]

Hydrophidæ, hī-drof′i-dē, n.pl. a family of venomous sea-snakes. [Gr. hydōr, water, ophis, snake.]

Hydrophobia, hī-dro-fō′bi-a, n. an unnatural dread of water, a symptom of a disease known as Rabies, usually resulting from the bite of a mad dog—hence the disease itself.—adj. Hydrophob′ic. [Gr. hydōr, water, phobos, fear.]

Hydrophone, hī′dro-fōn, n. a marine electric apparatus for detecting the approach of a torpedo-boat, &c.

Hydrophore, hī′dro-fōr, n. an apparatus for obtaining specimens of water from any required depth.

Hydrophthalmia, hī-drof-thal′mi-a, n. an increase in quantity of the aqueous or the vitreous humour.

Hydrophyte, hī′dro-fīt, n. a plant living in water.—n. Hydrophytog′raphy, the branch of botany which describes such—also Hydrophytol′ogy. [Gr. hydōr, water, phyton, a plant, logia, discourse.]

Hydropsy, hī′drop-si, n. dropsy.—adjs. Hydrop′ic, Hydrop′tic, dropsical: thirsty.

Hydrosaurus, hī-dro-saw′rus, n. a genus of monitor-lizards, of aquatic habit, found in the Malay Peninsula, &c. [Gr. hydōr, water, sauros, a lizard.]

Hydroscope, hī′dro-skōp, n. a kind of water-clock, consisting of a cylindrical graduated tube, from which the water escaped through a hole in the bottom. [Gr. hydōr, water, skopein, to view.]

Hydrosoma, hī-dro-sō′ma, n. the entire organism of any hydrozoon:—pl. Hydrosō′mata.—adjs. Hydrosō′mal, Hydrosō′matous.

Hydrostatics, hī-dro-stat′iks, n.pl. used as sing., a branch of Hydrodynamics (which see).—n. Hy′drostat, an electrical contrivance for detecting a leakage or overflow of water: an apparatus devised to guard against the explosion of steam boilers.—adjs. Hydrostat′ic, -al.—adv. Hydrostat′ically.—Hydrostatic balance, a balance for weighing bodies in water to determine their specific gravity; Hydrostatic bellows, a device for illustrating the law that fluid pressure is proportional to area; Hydrostatic paradox, the principle that (disregarding molecular forces) any quantity of fluid, however small, may balance any weight, however great, as in the hydrostatic bellows; Hydrostatic press, the same as Hydraulic Press.

Hydrosulphuric, hī-dro-sul-fū′rik, adj. formed by a combination of hydrogen and sulphur.

Hydrotelluric, hī-dro-tel-lū′rik, adj. pertaining to hydrogen and tellurium.

Hydro-therapeutics, hī-dro-ther-a-pū′tiks, n.pl. remedial treatment of disease by water in various modes and forms—also Hydrother′apy.—adj. Hydrotherapeu′tic.

Hydrothermal, hī-dro-ther′mal, adj. pertaining to, or produced by, action of heated or super-heated water, esp. in dissolving, transporting, and redepositing mineral matter.

Hydrothorax, hī-dro-thō′raks, n. a term applied to dropsical collections in the pleura. [Gr. hydōr, water, thōrax, chest.]

Hydrotropism, hī-dro-trop′izm, n. the habit induced in a growing organ by the influence of moisture, of turning toward, or away from, the moisture.—adj. Hydrotrop′ic. [Gr. hydōr, water, tropos, a turn.]

Hydroxide, hī-droks′īd, n. a metallic or basic radical combined with one or more hydroxyl groups.—n. Hydrox′yl, a compound radical not yet isolated, but found in many chemical compounds.

Hydrozoa, hī-dro-zō′a, n.pl. (sing. Hydrozō′on) one of the main divisions of the sub-kingdom Cœlenterata, the other two being Ctenophora and Anthozoa or Actinozoa; they are chiefly marine organisms, soft and gelatinous, free or fixed, existing everywhere, endlessly varied in form and complexity of structure, including such great groups as hydroids, acalephs, medusans, jelly-fish, sea-blubbers, &c.—adjs. Hydrozō′an, Hydrozō′ic. [Gr. hydōr, water, zōon, an animal.]

Hyetal, hī′e-tal, adj. rainy.—n. Hy′etograph, a chart showing the average rainfall of the earth or any of its divisions.—adjs. Hyetograph′ic, -al.—ns. Hyetog′raphy; Hyetol′ogy; Hyetom′eter; Hyetomet′rograph. [Gr. hyetos, rain.]

Hygeian, hī-jē′an, adj. relating to health and its preservation.—ns. Hygeia (hī-jē′a), goddess of health, daughter of Æsculapius; Hy′giēne, Hygien′ics, Hy′gienism, the science which treats of the preservation of health.—adj. Hygien′ic.—adv. Hygien′ically.—n. Hy′gienist, one skilled in hygiene; Hygiol′ogy, art of the preservation of health. [Gr. hygieia—hygiēs, healthy.]

Hygrodeik, hī′gro-dīk, n. a form of hygrometer in which the atmospheric humidity is indicated by an index controlled by the heights of a wet-bulb and a dry-bulb thermometer, supported on each side of a frame on which is described a scale. [Gr. hygros, wet, deik-nynai, to show.]

Hygrometer, hī-grom′et-ėr, n. an instrument for measuring the moisture in the atmosphere, or its relative humidity.—n. Hygrom′etry, the art of measuring the moisture in the atmosphere, and of bodies generally.—adjs. Hygromet′ric, -al. [Gr. hygros, wet, metron, a measure.]

Hygroscope, hī′gro-skōp, n. an instrument for indicating the humidity of the atmosphere.—adjs. Hygroscop′ic, -al.—ns. Hygroscopic′ity; Hygrostat′ics, the art of measuring degrees of moisture. [Gr. hygros, wet, skopein, to view.]

Hyksos, hik′sos, n. the shepherd kings, apparently a Tartar race who overthrew the reigning dynasty of Lower Egypt about 2000 B.C., and reigned until overturned by the Egyptian rulers of Upper Egypt about 1700 B.C.

Hyleg, hī′leg, n. the planet which rules at the hour of one's birth, in that sign of the zodiac immediately above the eastern horizon. [Ar.]

Hylism, hī′lizm, n. materialism—also Hy′licism.—ns. Hy′licist; Hylogen′esis, the origin of matter; Hy′lotheism, the doctrine that there is no God but matter and the universe.—adjs. Hylozō′ical, Hylozois′tic.—ns. Hylozō′ism, the doctrine that all matter is endowed with life; Hylozō′ist.

Hylopathism, hī-lop′a-thizm, n. the doctrine that matter is sentient.—n. Hylop′athist, one who maintains this. [Gr. hylē, matter, pathos, suffering.]

Hymen, hī′men, n. (myth.) the god of marriage: marriage: a thin membrane partially closing the virginal vagina.—adjs. Hymenē′al, Hymenē′an.—n. Hymē′nium, the fructifying surface in fungi. [L.,—Gr. hymēn; cf. Gr. hymnos, a festive song.]

Hymenopteral, hī-men-op′tėr-al, adj. pertaining to the Hymenop′tera, an order of insects having four membranous wings.—Also Hymenop′terous. [Gr. hymēn, a membrane, pteron, a wing.]

Hymn, him, n. a song of praise, a metrical formula of public worship.—v.t. to celebrate in song: to worship by hymns.—v.i. to sing in adoration.—ns. Hym′nal, Hym′nary, a hymn-book.—adj. Hym′nic, relating to hymns.—ns. Hym′nody, hymns collectively: hymnology; Hymnog′rapher; Hymnog′raphy, the art of writing hymns; Hymnol′ogist; Hymnol′ogy, the study or composition of hymns. [Gr. hymnos.]

Hyoid, hī′oid, adj. having the form of the Greek letter upsilon (υ), applied to a bone at the base of the tongue. [Gr. hyoeidēs—the letter υ, and eidos, form.]

Hyoscyamine, hī-ō-skī′a-mīn, n. a very poisonous alkaloid found in the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger, or henbane. [Gr. hyoskyamos, henbane.]

Hypæthral, hip-ē′thral, adj. roofless, open to the sky.—n. Hypæ′thron, an open court. [Gr. hypo, beneath, aithēr, air.]

Hypalgesia, hip-al-jē′si-a, n. diminished susceptibility to painful impressions—also Hyperal′gia.—adj. Hyperalgē′sic. [Gr. hypo, under, algos, pain.]

Hypallage, hi-pal′a-jē, n. (rhet.) a figure in which the relations of things in a sentence are mutually interchanged, but without obscuring the sense. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. hypallassein, to interchange—hypo, under, alassein, to change.]

Hyperacute, hī-per-a-kūt′, adj. excessively acute.—n. Hyperacute′ness.

Hyperæsthesia, hī-per-es-thē′si-a, n. (path.) excessive sensibility.—adj. Hyperæsthet′ic.

Hyperbaton, hī-per′ba-ton, n. (rhet.) a figure by which words are transposed from their natural order.—adj. Hyperbat′ic.—adv. Hyperbat′ically. [Gr.,—hyperbainein—hyper, beyond, bainein, to go.]

Hyperbola, hī-per′bo-la, n. (geom.) one of the conic sections or curves formed when the intersecting plane makes a greater angle with the base than the side of the cone makes.—adjs. Hyperbol′ic, -al.—adv. Hyperbol′ically.—adjs. Hyperbol′iform; Hyper′boloid. [L.,—Gr. hyperbolē, from hyperballein—hyper, beyond, ballein, to throw.]

Hyperbole, hī-per′bo-le, n. a rhetorical figure which produces a vivid impression by representing things as much greater or less than they really are—not expecting to be taken literally: an obvious exaggeration.—adjs. Hyperbol′ic, -al.—adv. Hyperbol′ically.—v.t. Hyper′bolise, to represent hyperbolically.—v.i. to speak hyperbolically or with exaggeration.—n. Hyper′bolism. [A doublet of the above.]

Hyperborean, hī-per-bō′rē-an, adj. belonging to the extreme north.—n. an inhabitant of the extreme north. [Gr. hyperboreos—hyper, beyond, Boreas, the north wind.]

Hypercatalectic, hī-per-kat-a-lek′tik, adj. (pros.) having an additional syllable or half-foot after the last complete dipody.—n. Hypercatalex′is.

Hypercritic, hī-per-krit′ik, n. one who is over-critical.—adjs. Hypercrit′ic, -al, over-critical.—adv. Hypercrit′ically.—v.t. Hypercrit′icise, to criticise with too much nicety.—n. Hypercrit′icism.

Hyperdulia, hī-per-dū-lī′a, n. the special kind of worship paid by Roman Catholics to the Virgin Mary, being higher than that paid to other saints (dulia), and distinct from that paid to God alone (latria). [Gr. hyper, beyond, douleia, service.]

Hyperemesis, hī-per-em′e-sis, n. excessive vomiting.—adj. Hyperemet′ic. [Gr. hyper, over, emesis, vomiting.]

Hyperemia, Hyperæmia, hī-per-ē′mi-a, n. an excessive accumulation of blood in any part of the body.—adjs. Hyperem′ic, Hyperæ′mic. [Gr. hyper, over, haima, blood.]

Hyperesthetic, hī-per-es-thet′ik, adj. morbidly sensitive.—Also Hyperesthē′sic.

Hypericum, hī-per′i-kum, n. a large genus of plants, of which St John's wort is a typical species. [Gr. hypo, under, ereikē, heath.]

Hyperinosis, hī-per-i-nō′sis, n. excess of fibrin in the blood:—opp. to Hypinosis.—adj. Hyperinot′ic.

Hyperion, hī-pēr′i-on, n. a Titan, son of Uranus and Ge, and father of Helios, Selene, and Eos: Helios himself, the incarnation of light and beauty.

Hypermetrical, hī-per-met′rik-al, adj. beyond or exceeding the ordinary metre of a line: having a syllable too much.—n. Hyper′meter.

Hypermetropia, hī-per-me-trō′pi-a, n. long-sightedness, the opposite of Myopia—-also Hyperop′ia.—adj. Hypermetrop′ic. [Gr. hyper, beyond, metron, measure, ōps, eye.]

Hyperorthodox, hī-per-or′thō-doks, adj. extremely orthodox—n. Hyperor′thodoxy.

Hyperphasia, hī-per-fā′zi-a, n. (path.) lack of control of the organs of speech.—adj. Hyperphā′sic.

Hyperphysical, hī-per-fiz′ik-al, adj. beyond physical laws: supernatural.

Hyperplasia, hī-per-plā′si-a, n. (path.) overgrowth of a part due to excessive multiplication of its cells.—adjs. Hyperplas′ic, Hyperplas′tic. [Gr. hyper, over, plasis, a forming—plassein, to form.]

Hypersarcosis, hī-per-sar-kō′sis, n. (path.) proud or fungous flesh.—Also Hypersarcō′ma.

Hypersensitive, hī-per-sen′si-tiv, adj. excessively sensitive.—n. Hypersen′sitiveness.

Hypersthene, hī-per-sthēn′, n. a rock-forming mineral which crystallises in orthorhombic forms, an anhydrous magnesian silicate, generally dark green or raven-black in colour.—adj. Hypersthē′nic.—n. Hypersthē′nite, a more or less coarsely crystalline igneous rock, allied to gabbro—an aggregate of labradorite (feldspar) and hypersthene, of plutonic origin. [Gr. hyper; above, sthenos, strength.]

Hypersthenia, hī-per-sthē′ni-a, n. (path.) a morbid condition marked by excessive excitement of all the vital phenomena.—adj. Hypersthē′nic. [Gr. hyper, above, sthenos, strength.]

Hyperthesis, hī-per′the-sis, n. a transfer of a letter from its own to the syllable immediately before or after.—adj. Hyperthet′ic. [Gr. hyper, over, thesis—tithenai, to put.]

Hypertrophy, hī-per′tro-fi, n. over-nourishment: the state of an organ or part of the body when it grows too large from over-nourishment.—adjs. Hypertroph′ic, -al, Hyper′trophied, Hyper′trophous. [Gr. hyper, above, trophē, nourishment.]

Hyphen, hī′fen, n. a short stroke (-) joining two syllables or words.—adj. Hyphen′ic. [Gr. hypo, under, hen, one.]

Hypnotism, hip′no-tizm, n. a sleep-like condition induced by artificial means: a nervous sleep like the condition under mesmerism.—n. Hypnogen′esis, production of hypnotism—also Hypnog′eny.—adj. Hypnogenet′ic.—adv. Hypnogenet′ically.—adjs. Hypnogen′ic, Hypnot′ic, having the property of producing sleep; Hypnog′enous.—ns. Hypnol′ogy, the sum of knowledge about sleep; Hypnō′sis, the production of sleep: the hypnotic state; Hypnot′ic, a medicine that induces sleep; Hypnotisabil′ity.—adj. Hyp′notisable.—n. Hypnotisā′tion.—v.t. Hyp′notīse, to subject to hypnotism, to produce hypnotic sleep in any one.—n. Hyp′notīser.—adjs. Hypnotis′tic; Hyp′notoid, like hypnotism. [Coined in 1843 from Gr. hypnos, sleep.]

Hypnum, hip′num, n. the largest genus of mosses, order Bryineæ, having archegonia and capsules borne on special lateral branches.

Hypobole, hip-pob′o-lē, n. (rhet.) the mention in argument of things apparently damaging to one's side, with the successive refutation of each. [Gr.]

Hypocaust, hip′o-kawst, n. among the ancients, a vaulted chamber from which the heat of stoves was distributed to baths or rooms above: now applied to the fireplace of a stove or hothouse. [Gr. hypokauston—hypo, under, kaiein, to burn.]

Hypochondria, hip-o-kon′dri-a, n. a nervous malady, often arising from indigestion, and tormenting the patient with imaginary fears—more correctly, Hypochondrī′asis—also Hypochonrī′acism, Hypochondrī′asis, Hypochon′driasm.—n. Hypochon′driac, one suffering from hypochondria—also Hypochon′driast.—adjs. Hypochon′driac, -al, relating to or affected with hypochondria: melancholy.—n. Hypochon′drium (anat.), that region of the abdomen situated on either side, under the costal cartilages and short ribs. [L.,—Gr., from hypo, under, chrondos, a cartilage.]

Hypocist, hī′po-sist, n. an inspissated juice from a parasitic plant of the cytinus family.

Hypocrisy, hi-pok′ri-si, n. a feigning to be what one is not: concealment of true character. [Gr. hypokrisis—hypokrinesthai, to play on the stage, from hypo, under, krinein, to decide.]

Hypocrite, hip′o-krit, n. one who practises hypocrisy.—adj. Hypocrit′ical, practising hypocrisy.—adv. Hypocrit′ically. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. hypokritēs.]

Hypocycloid, hī-po-sī′kloid, n. a curve generated by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls on the inside of another circle.—adj. Hypocyoloid′al.

Hypodermic, hī-po-der′mik, adj. relating to the parts under the skin, subcutaneous, esp. of a method of injecting a drug in solution under the skin by means of a fine hollow needle to which a small syringe is attached—also Hypoder′mal.—n. Hypoder′ma, the layer of colourless cells immediately beneath the epidermis of a leaf. [Gr. hypo, under, derma, the skin.]

Hypogastric, hip-o-gas′trik, adj. belonging to the lower part of the abdomen.—ns. Hypogas′trium, the lower part of the belly; Hypogas′trocele, a hernia through the walls of the lower belly. [Gr. hypo, under, gastēr, the belly.]

Hypogene, hī′po-jēn, adj. (geol.) of or pertaining to rocks which have assumed their present structure under the surface, plutonic:—opp. to Epigene.—adj. Hypog′enous (bot.), produced below the surface, of fungi growing on the under side of leaves:—opp. to Epigenous and Epiphyllous. [Gr. hypo, under, genēs, produced.]

Hypogeum, hī-po-jē′um, n. the part of a building below the ground, any underground chamber.—adjs. Hypogē′al, Hypogæ′an, Hypogē′an, subterranean. [Gr. hypo, under, gē, the ground.]

Hypoglossal, hī-po-glos′al, adj. situated under the tongue. [Gr. hypo, under, glōssa, the tongue.]

Hypognathous, hī-pog′nā-thus, adj. (ornith.) having the under mandible longer than the upper, as the black skimmer.—n. Hypog′nathism.

Hypogynous, hī-poj′i-nus, adj. (bot.) growing from beneath the ovary, said of certain parts of plants. [Gr. hypo, under, gynē, a woman.]

Hyponasty, hī′po-nas-ti, n. (bot.) increased growth along the lower surface of an organ or part of a plant, causing the part to bend upward:—opp. to Epinasty.

Hypophosphite, hī-po-fos′fīt, n. (chem.) a salt obtained by the union of hypophosphorous acid with a salifiable base—also Hypophos′phate.—adjs. Hypophosphor′ic, Hypophos′phorous, containing less oxygen than phosphorous acid contains.

Hypophysis, hī-pof′i-sis, n. the pituitary body of the brain: (bot.) an inflated part of the pedicel under the capsule, in mosses; in flowering plants, a cell of the embryo producing the primary root and root-cap. [Gr. hypo, under, phyein, to grow.]

Hypostasis, hī-pos′ta-sis, n. a substance: the essence or real personal subsistence or substance of each of the three divisions of the Godhead.—adjs. Hypostat′ic, -al.—adv. Hypostat′ically.—v.t. Hypos′tatīse. [L.,—Gr. hypostasis—hyphistēmi—hypo, under, histēmi, I make to stand.]

Hypostrophe, hī-pos′tro-fe, n. return of a disease, relapse: (rhet.) use of insertion or parenthesis.

Hypostyle, hī′po-stīl, adj. (archit.) having the roof supported by pillars. [Gr. hypo, under, stylos, a pillar.]

Hyposulphurous, hī-po-sul′fer-us, adj. next in a series below sulphurous.—Also Hyposulphū′ric.

Hypotaxis, hī-po-tak′sis, n. (gram.) dependent construction—opp. to Parataxis.—adj. Hypotac′tic.

Hypotenuse, hī-pot′en-ūs, or hip-, Hypothenuse, hī-poth′en-ūs, n. the side of a right-angled triangle opposite to the right angle. [Fr.,—Gr. hypoteinousa (grammē), lit. (a line) 'which stretches under'—hypo, under, teinein, to stretch.]

Hypothec, hī-poth′ek, n. in Scotch law, a lien or security over goods in respect of a debt due by the owner of the goods.—adj. Hypoth′ecary, pertaining to hypothecation or mortgage.—v.t. Hypoth′ecāte, to place or assign anything as security under an arrangement: to mortgage.—ns. Hypothecā′tion; Hypoth′ecator. [Fr.,—L. hypotheca—Gr. hypothēkē, a pledge.]

Hypothesis, hī-poth′e-sis, n. a supposition: a proposition assumed for the sake of argument: a theory to be proved or disproved by reference to facts: a provisional explanation of anything.—v.i. Hypoth′esize, to form hypotheses.—adjs. Hypothet′ic, -al, belonging to a hypothesis: conditional.—adv. Hypothet′ically. [Gr., hypo, under, tithenai, to place.]

Hypotyposis, hī-po-ti-pō′sis, n. (rhet.) vivid description of a scene.

Hypozoic, hī-po-zō′ik, adj. (geol.) below the limit of life: belonging to the Hypozō′a.—adj. and n. Hypozō′an.

Hypsometry, hip-som′e-tri, n. the art of measuring the heights of places on the earth's surface by means of the Hypsom′eter.—adj. Hypsomet′ric. [Gr. hypsi, on high, metron, a measure.]

Hyrax, hī′raks, n. a genus of mammals of obscure affinities, like rabbits in size and marmots in appearance, living among rocks in Africa and Syria—the Cape Daman, Klippdass, or Rock-badger; the Shaphan (Hyrax syriacus) mistranslated 'cony' of Scripture; and the Abyssinian Ashtok.

Hyson, hī′son, n. a very fine sort of green tea.—n. Hy′son-skin, the refuse of hyson tea. [Chinese.]

Hyssop, his′up, n. an aromatic plant. [Fr.,—L. hyssopum—Gr. hyssōpos—Heb. ēzōph.]

Hysteranthous, his-ter-an′thus, adj. (bot.) having the leaves appearing after the flowers.

Hysteresis, his-te-rē′sis, n. magnetic friction in dynamos, by which every reversal of magnetism in the iron causes dissipation of energy. [Gr. hysterēsis, a deficiency—hysteros, later.]

Hysteric, -al, his-ter′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to, of the nature of, or affected with hysterics or hysteria: like hysterics, fitfully and violently emotional.—adv. Hyster′ically.—ns. Hyster′ics, Hystēr′ia, a nervous affection occurring typically in paroxysms of laughing and crying alternately, with a choking sensation in the throat, but often as a counterfeit of some organic disease.—adjs. Hys′teroid, -al, like hysteria.—ns. Hysteromān′ia, hysterical mania, often marked by erotic delusions and an excessive desire to attract attention; Hysterot′omy, the operation of cutting into the uterus. [L. hystericus—Gr. hysterikos—hystera, the womb.]

Hysteron-proteron, his′ter-on-prot′er-on, n. a figure of speech in which what should follow comes first: an inversion. [Gr., lit. 'the last first.']

the ninth letter in the alphabet of western Europe, called iota by the Greeks, from its Semitic name yod, in most European languages the sound that of the Latin long i, which we have in the words machine and marine. The normal sound of i in English is that heard in bit, dip, sit, which is the short Latin i.

I, ī, pron. the nominative case singular of the first personal pronoun: the word used by a speaker or writer in mentioning himself: the object of self-consciousness, the ego. [M. E. ich—A.S. ic; Ger. ich, Ice. ek, L. ego, Gr. egō, Sans. aham.]

Iambus, ī-am′bus, n. a metrical foot of two syllables, the first short and the second long, as in L. fĭdēs; or the first unaccented and the second accented, as in deduce—also Iamb′.—adj. Iam′bic, consisting of iambics.—n. iambus.—adv. Iam′bically, in the manner of an iambic.—v.i. Iam′bise, to satirise in iambic verse.—n. Iambog′rapher, a writer of iambics. [L.,—Gr. iambos, from iaptein, to assail, this metre being first used by writers of satire.]

Ianthina, ī-an-thī′na, n. a genus of gregarious, pelagic gasteropods, having a snail-like shell, but delicate, translucent, and blue in colour. [Gr. ianthinos—ion, a violet, anthos, a flower.]

Iatric, -al, ī-at′rik, -al, adj. relating to medicine or physicians.—adj. Iatrochem′ical, pertaining to Iatrochem′istry, a system of applying chemistry to medicine introduced by Francis de la Boë of Leyden (1614-72).—n. Iatrol′ogy, a treatise on medicine.

Iberian, ī-bē′ri-an, adj. Spanish.—n. one of the primitive inhabitants of Spain, of whom some think the Basques a remnant. [L. Iberia, Spain.]

Ibex, ī′beks, n. a genus of goats, inhabiting the Alps and other mountainous regions. [L.]

Ibis, ī′bis, n. a genus of wading birds related to the stork, one species of which was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. [L.,—Gr.; an Egyptian word.]

Icarian, ī-kā′ri-an, adj. belonging to, or like, Icarus. [L. Icarius—Gr. Ikarios—Ikaros, who fell into the sea on his flight from Crete, his waxen wings being melted by the sun.]

Ice, īs, n. water congealed by freezing: concreted sugar, a frozen confection of sweetened cream or the juice of various fruits.—v.t. to cover with ice: to freeze: to cover with concreted sugar:—pr.p. ic′ing; pa.p. iced.—ns. Ice′-age (geol.), the glacial epoch, its records included in the Pleistocene system, the chief relics morainic materials, boulder-clay or till, believed to have been formed under glacial ice; Ice′-an′chor, an anchor with one arm for securing a vessel to an ice-floe; Ice′-bird, the little auk or sea-dove; Ice′blink, the peculiar appearance in the air reflected from distant masses of ice; Ice′boat, a boat used for forcing a passage through or being dragged over ice.—adj. Ice′-bound, bound, surrounded, or fixed in with ice.—ns. Ice′-brook, a frozen brook; Ice′-cream, Iced′-cream, cream sweetened or flavoured, and artificially frozen.—adj. Iced, covered with ice: encrusted with sugar.—n. Ice′-fall, a glacier.—n.pl. Ice′-feath′ers, peculiar feather-like forms assumed by ice at the summits of mountains.—ns. Ice′-fern, the fern-like encrustation which is found on windows during frost; Ice′field, a large field or sheet of ice; Ice′float, Ice′floe, a large mass of floating ice; Ice′foot, a belt of ice forming round the shores in Arctic regions—also Ice′-belt, Ice′-ledge, Ice′-wall; Ice′house, a house for preserving ice; Ice′-ī′sland, an island of floating ice; Ice′man, a man skilled in travelling upon ice: a dealer in ice: a man in attendance at any frozen pond where skating, &c., are going on; Ice′pack, drifting ice packed together; Ice′-pail, a pail filled with ice for cooling bottles of wine; Ice′-plant, a plant whose leaves glisten in the sun as if covered with ice; Ice′-plough, an instrument for cutting grooves in ice to facilitate its removal; Ice′-saw, a large saw for cutting through ice to free ships, &c.; Ice′-spar, a variety of feldspar remarkable for its transparent ice-like crystals; Ice′-wa′ter, water from melted ice: iced water.—adv. Ic′ily.—ns. Ic′iness; Ic′ing, a covering of ice or concreted sugar.—adjs. Ic′y, composed of, abounding in, or like ice: frosty: cold: chilling: without warmth of affection; Ic′y-pearled (Milt.), studded with pearls or spangles of ice.—Break the ice (see Break). [A.S. is; Ger. eis, Ice., Dan. is.]

Iceberg, īs′bėrg, n. a mountain or huge mass of floating ice. [From Scand., Norw., and Sw. isberg. See ice and berg=mountain.]

Icelander, īs′land-ėr, n. a native of Iceland.—n. Ice′land-dog, a shaggy white dog, sharp-eared, imported from Iceland.—adj. Iceland′ic, relating to Iceland.—n. the language of the Icelanders.—ns. Ice′land-moss, a lichen found in Iceland, Norway, &c., valuable as a medicine and for food; Ice′land-spar, a transparent variety of calcite or calcium carbonate.

Ichneumon, ik-nū′mun, n. a small carnivorous animal in Egypt, destroying crocodiles' eggs: an insect which lays its eggs on the larva of other insects. [L.,—Gr., ichneuein, to hunt after—ichnos, a track.]

Ichnography, ik-nog′raf-i, n. a tracing out: (archit.) a ground-plan of a work or building.—adjs. Ichnograph′ic, -al.—adv. Ichnograph′ically. [Gr. ichnographia—ichnos, a track, graphein, to grave.]

Ichnolite, ik′no-līt, n. a stone retaining the impression of an extinct animal's footprint. [Gr. ichnos, a footprint, lithos, a stone.]

Ichnology, ik-nol′o-ji, n. footprint lore: the science of fossil footprints.—Also Ichnolithol′ogy. [Gr. ichnos, a track, a footprint, logia, discourse.]

Ichor, ī′kor, n. (myth.) the ethereal juice in the veins of the gods: a watery humour: colourless matter from an ulcer.—adj. I′chorous. [Gr. ichōr.]

Ichthine, ik′thin, n. an albuminous substance found in fishes' eggs. [Gr. ichthys, a fish.]

Ichthyodorulite, ik′thi-ō-dor′ōō-līt, n. the name given to fossil fish-spines in stratified rocks. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, doru, a spear, lithos, a stone.]

Ichthyography, ik-thi-og′ra-fi, n. a description of fishes. [Gr. ickthys, a fish, graphein, to write.]

Ichthyoid, -al, ik′thi-oid, -al, adj. having the form or characteristics of a fish—also Ich′thyic.—n. Ichthyocol′la, fish-glue, isinglass. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, eidos, form.]

Ichthyolatry, ik-thi-ol′a-tri, n. fish-worship.—adj. Ichthyol′atrous.

Ichthyolite, ik′thi-ō-līt, n. a fossil fish. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, lithos, a stone.]

Ichthyology, ik-thi-ol′o-ji, n. the branch of natural history that treats of fishes.—adj. Ichthyolog′ical.—n. Ichthyol′ogist, one skilled in ichthyology. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, logia, discourse.]

Ichthyophagy, ik-thi-of′a-ji, n. the practice of eating fish.—n. Ichthyoph′agist.—adj. Ichthyoph′agous. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, phagein, to eat.]

Ichthyopsida, ik-thi-op′si-da, n.pl. one of three primary groups of vertebrates in Huxley's classification (the other two, Sauropsida and Mammalia), comprising the amphibians or batrachians and the fish and fish-like vertebrates. [Gr. ichthys, fish, opsis, appearance.]

Ichthyornis, ik-thi-or′nis, n. a fossil bird with vertebræ like those of fishes, and with teeth set in sockets. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, ornis, a bird.]

Ichthyosauria, ik-thi-o-sawr′i-a, n. an order of gigantic extinct marine reptiles, uniting some of the characteristics of the Saurians with those of fishes.—adj. Ichthyosaur′ian.—n. Ich′thyosaurus. [Gr. ichthys, a fish, sauros, a lizard.]

Ichthyosis, ik-thi-ō′sis, n. a disease in which the skin becomes hardened, thickened, rough, and almost horny in severe cases.—adj. Ichthyot′ic. [Gr. ichthys, a fish.]

Icthyotomy, ik-thi-ot′o-mi, n. the anatomy of fishes.—n. Ichthyot′omist.

Ichthys, ik′this, n. an emblem or motto (ΙΧΘΥΣ) supposed to have a mystical connection with Jesus Christ, being the first letters of the Greek words meaning 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.'

Icicle, īs′i-kl, n. a hanging point of ice formed by the freezing of dropping water. [A.S. ísgicel, for isesgicel; ises being the gen. of ís, ice, and gicel, an icicle; cf. Ice. jökull.]

Icon, ī′kon, n. a figure, esp. in the Greek Church, representing Christ, or a saint, in painting, mosaic, &c.—adj. Icon′ic.—n. Iconog′raphy, the art of illustration.—adj. Iconomat′ic, expressing ideas by means of pictured objects.—ns. Iconomat′icism; Iconoph′ilism, a taste for pictures, &c.; Iconoph′ilist, a connoisseur of pictures, &c.; Iconos′tasis, a wooden wall which in Byzantine churches separates the choir from the nave—the icons are placed on it. [L.,—Gr. eikōn, an image.]

Iconoclasm, ī-kon′o-klazm, n. act of breaking images.—n. Icon′oclast, a breaker of images, one opposed to idol-worship, esp. those at the commencement in the Eastern Church, who from the 8th century downwards opposed the use of sacred images, or at least the paying of religious honour to such: any hot antagonist of the beliefs of others.—adj. Iconoclast′ic, pertaining to iconoclasm. [Gr. eikōn, an image, klastēs, a breaker—klan, to break.]

Iconology, ī-kon-ol′o-ji, n. the doctrine of images, especially with reference to worship.—ns. Iconol′ater, an image-worshipper; Iconol′atry, the worship of images; Iconol′ogist; Iconom′achist, one opposed to the cultus of icons; Iconom′achy, opposition to the same. [Gr. eikōn, an image, logia, discourse.]

Icosahedron, ī-kos-a-hē′dron, n. (geom.) a solid having twenty equal sides or faces.—adj. Icosahē′dral. [Gr. eikosi, twenty, hedra, base.]

Icosandria, ī-ko-san′dri-a, n. a class of plants having not less than twenty stamens in the calyx.—adjs. Icosan′drian, Icosan′drous. [Gr. eikosi, twenty, anēr, andros, a male.]

Icterus, ik′te-rus, n. the jaundice: a yellowish appearance in plants.—adjs. Icter′ic, -al, affected with jaundice; Ic′terine, yellow, or marked with yellow, as a bird; Icterit′ious, yellow. [Gr. ikteros, jaundice.]

Ictus, ik′tus, n. a stroke: rhythmical or metrical stress.—adj. Ic′tic, abrupt. [L., 'a blow.']

Idalian, ī-dā′li-an, adj. pertaining to Idalia, in Cyprus, or to Venus, to whom it was sacred.

Idea, ī-dē′a, n. an image of an external object formed by the mind: a notion, thought, any product of intellectual action—of memory and imagination: an archetype of the manifold varieties of existence in the universe, belonging to the supersensible world, where reality is found and where God is (Platonic); one of the three products of the reason (the Soul, the Universe, and God) transcending the conceptions of the understanding—transcendental ideas, in the functions of mind concerned with the unification of existence (Kantian); the ideal realised, the absolute truth of which everything that exists is the expression (Hegelian).—adjs. Idē′aed, Idē′a'd, provided with an idea or ideas; Idē′al, existing in idea: mental: existing in imagination only: the highest and best conceivable, the perfect, as opposed to the real, the imperfect.—n. the highest conception of anything.—adj. Idē′aless.—n. Idealisā′tion, act of forming an idea, or of raising to the highest conception.—v.t. Idē′alise, to form an idea: to raise to the highest conception.—v.i. to form ideas.—ns. Idē′alīser; Idē′alism, the doctrine that in external perceptions the objects immediately known are ideas, that all reality is in its nature psychical: any system that considers thought or the idea as the ground either of knowledge or existence: tendency towards the highest conceivable perfection, love for or search after the best and highest: the imaginative treatment of subjects; Idē′alist, one who holds the doctrine of idealism, one who strives after the ideal: an unpractical person.—adj. Idealist′ic, pertaining to idealists or to idealism.—n. Ideal′ity, ideal state: ability and disposition to form ideals of beauty and perfection.—adv. Idē′ally, in an ideal manner: mentally.—n. Idē′alogue, one given to ideas: a theorist.—v.i. Idē′ate, to form ideas.—adj. produced by an idea.—n. the correlative or object of an idea.—n. Ideā′tion, the power of the mind for forming ideas: the exercise of such power.—adjs. Ideā′tional, Idē′ative. [L.,—Gr. idea—idein, to see.]

Identify, ī-den′ti-fī, v.t. to make to be the same: to ascertain or prove to be the same:—pa.p. iden′tified.—adj. Iden′tifiable.—n. Identificā′tion.—Identify one's self with, to take an active part in the promotion of. [Fr. identifier—L., as if identicus—idem, the same, facĕre, to make.]

Identity, ī-den′ti-ti, n. state of being the same: sameness.—adj. Iden′tical, the very same: not different.—adv. Iden′tically.—n. Iden′ticalness, identity. [Fr.,—Low L. identitat-em—L. idem, the same.]

Ideography, ī-de-og′ra-fi, n. the representation of things by pictures, and not by sound-symbols or letters.—ns. I′deograph, such a character or symbol as represents an idea without expressing its name—also I′deogram.—adjs. Ideograph′ic, -al, representing ideas by pictures, or directly instead of words.—adv. Ideograph′ically, in an ideographic manner. [Gr. idea, idea, graphein, to write.]

Ideology, ī-de-ol′o-ji, n. the science of ideas, metaphysics.—adjs. Ideolog′ic, -al.—n. Ideol′ogist, one occupied with ideas having no significance: a mere theorist—also Idē′ologue. [Gr. idea, idea, logia, discourse.]

Ideopraxist, ī-de-ō-prak′sist, n. one who is impelled to carry out an idea. [Gr. idea, idea, praxis, doing.]

Ides, īdz, n.sing. in ancient Rome, the 15th day of March, May, July, October, and the 13th of the other months. [Fr.,—L. idus, prob. Etruscan.]

Idiocrasy, id-i-ok′ra-si, n. same as Idiosyncrasy.—adj. Idiocrat′ic.

Idioelectric, id-i-o-e-lek′trik, adj. electric by virtue of its own peculiar properties.

Idiograph, id′i-o-graf, n. a private mark or trademark.—adj. Idiograph′ic.

Idiom, id′i-um, n. a mode of expression peculiar to a language, a peculiar variation of any language, a dialect.—n. Id′iasm, a peculiarity.—adjs. Idiomat′ic, -al, conformed or pertaining to the idioms of a language.—adv. Idiomat′ically.—n. Idiot′icon, a vocabulary of a particular dialect or district. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. idiōma, peculiarity—idios, one's own.]

Idiomorphic, id-i-o-mor′fik, adj. having a peculiar or distinctive form.

Idiopathy, id-i-op′a-thi, n. a peculiar affection or state: (med.) a primary disease, one not occasioned by another.—adj. Idiopath′ic (med.), primary, not depending on or preceded by another disease.—adv. Idiopath′ically. [Gr. idios, peculiar, pathos, suffering—pathein to suffer.]

Idiosyncrasy, id-i-o-sin′kra-si, n. peculiarity of temperament or constitution; crotchet or peculiar view, any characteristic of a person.—adj. Idiosyncrat′ic. [Gr. idios, one's own, syncrasis, a mixing together—syn, together, krasis, a mixing.]

Idiot, id′i-ut, n. one deficient in intellect: a foolish or unwise person.—adj. afflicted with idiocy: idiotic.—v.t. to make idiotic—ns. Id′iocy, Id′iotcy, state of being an idiot: imbecility: folly.—adjs. Idiot′ic, -al, pertaining to or like an idiot: foolish.—adv. Idiot′ically.—adj. Idiot′ish, idiotic.—n. Id′iotism, the state of being an idiot. [Fr.,—L. idiota—idiōtēs, orig. a 'private man,' then a rude person—idios, one's own.]

Idle, ī′dl, adj. vain: trifling: unemployed: averse to labour: not occupied: useless: unimportant: unedifying.—v.t. to spend in idleness.—v.i. to be idle or unoccupied.—adj. I′dle-head′ed, foolish.—ns. I′dlehood, I′dleness; I′dler; Id′lesse, idleness; I′dle-wheel, a wheel placed between two others simply for transferring the motion from one to the other without changing the direction.—n.pl. I′dle-worms, once jocularly supposed to be bred in the fingers of lazy maid-servants.—adv. I′dly. [A.S. idel; Dut. ijdel, Ger. eitel.]

Idocrase, id′o-krāz, n. the mineral vesuvianite. [Gr. eidos, form, krasis, mixture.]

Idol, ī′dul, n. a figure: an image of some object of worship: a person or thing too much loved or honoured: any phantom of the brain, or any false appearance by which men are led into error or prejudice which prevents impartial observation, a fallacy—also Idō′lon, Idō′lum:—pl. Idō′la—Bacon (Novum Organum, i. § 38) makes these four in number—Idols of the nation or tribe; Idols of the den or cave (fallacies due to personal causes); Idols of the forum (those due to the influence of words or phrases); Idols of the theatre (those due to misconceptions of philosophic system or demonstration).—v.t. I′dolīse, to make an idol of, for worship: to love to excess.—ns. Idolīs′er; I′dolism (Milt.), idolatrous worship; I′dolist (Milt.), an idolater; Idol′oclast, a breaker of images.—adj. Idolograph′ical, treating of idols. [O. Fr. idole—L. idolum—Gr. eidōlon—eidos, what is seen—idein, to see.]

Idolater, ī-dol′a-tėr, n. a worshipper of idols: a great admirer:—fem. Idol′atress.—v.t. Idol′atrīse, to worship as an idol: to adore.—adj. Idol′atrous, pertaining to idolatry.—adv. Idol′atrously.—n. Idol′atry, the worship of an image held to be the abode of a superhuman personality: excessive love. [Fr. idolâtre, corr. of L.,—Gr. eidōlolatrēs—eidōlon, idol, latreuein, to worship.]

Idolon, ī-dō′lon, n. same as Idol, an image: a mistaken notion. [Gr. eidōlon, an image.]

Idris, ī′dris, n. a mythical figure in Welsh tradition, giant, prince, and astronomer.

Idyl, Idyll, ī′dil, n. a short pictorial poem, chiefly on pastoral subjects: a narrative poem.—n. Idyl′ist, a writer of idyls.—adj. Idyll′ic, of or belonging to idyls: pastoral. [L. idyllium—Gr. idyllion, dim. of eidos, image.]

If, if, conj. an expression of doubt; whether: in case that: supposing that.—As if, as it would be if. [A.S. gif; Dut. of, Ice. ef, if, efa, to doubt.]

Ignaro, ig-nā′rō, n. (Spens.) an ignorant person. [It.,—L. ignarus. See Ignore.]

Ignatian, ig-nā′shan, adj. of or pertaining to St Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyred at Rome under Trajan about 110 A.D.—The famous Ignatian Epistles exist in 3 different forms or recensions—the Short (3 only, in Syriac); the Middle (7, the Greek text first published in 1646—considered by Zahn and Lightfoot to be the original form); the Long (these 7, together with 6 others).

Igneous, ig′ne-us, adj. pertaining to, consisting of, or like fire: (geol.) produced by the action of fire.—adjs. Ignesc′ent, emitting sparks of fire; Ignif′erous, bearing fire; Ignig′enous, engendered in fire.—Igneous rocks, those which have been erupted from the heated interior of the earth—hence also termed Eruptive rocks. [L. igneus—ignis, fire.]

Ignipotent, ig-nip′o-tent, adj. (Pope) presiding over fire. [L. ignis, fire, potens, -entis, powerful.]

Ignis-fatuus, ig′nis-fat′ū-us, n. a light which misleads travellers, often seen over marshy places, also called 'Will-o'-the-Wisp:'—pl. Ignes-fatui (ig′nēz-fat′ū-ī). [L. ignis, fire, fatuus, foolish.]

Ignite, ig-nīt′, v.t. to set on fire, to kindle: to render luminous with heat.—v.i. to take fire: to burn.—n. Ignitibil′ity.—adj. Ignīt′ible, that may be ignited.—n. Igni′tion, act of setting on fire: state of being kindled, and esp. of being made red hot. [L. ignīre, ignītum, to set on fire—ignis, fire.]

Ignoble, ig-nō′bl, adj. of low birth: mean or worthless: dishonourable.—v.i. to degrade.—ns. Ignobil′ity, Ignō′bleness.—adv. Ignō′bly. [Fr.,—L. ignobilis—in, not, gnobilis, nobilis, noble.]

Ignominy, ig′nō-min-i, n. the loss of one's good name: public disgrace: infamy—formerly also Ig′nomy.—adj. Ignomin′ious, dishonourable: marked with ignominy: contemptible: mean.—adv. Ignomin′iously.—n. Ignomin′iousness. [Fr.,—L. ignominia—in, not, gnomen, nomen, name.]

Ignoramus, ig-nō-rā′mus, n. the word formerly written by a grand-jury on the back of an indictment, meaning that they rejected it: an ignorant person, esp. one making a pretence to knowledge:—pl. Ignorā′muses. [L., 'We are ignorant,' 1st pers. pl. pres. indic. of ignorāre.]

Ignorant, ig′nō-rant, adj. without knowledge: uninstructed: unacquainted with: resulting from want of knowledge: (Shak.) unconscious: (Shak.) undiscovered.—n. Ig′norance, state of being ignorant: want of knowledge—in R.C. theol. vincible or wilful ignorance is such as one might be fairly expected to overcome, hence it can never be an excuse for sin, whether of omission or of commission; while invincible ignorance, which a man could not help or abate, altogether excuses from guilt: (pl.) in Litany, sins committed through ignorance.—adv. Ig′norantly.—n. Ignorā′tion. [Fr.,—L. ignorans, -antis, pr.p. of ignorāre. See Ignore.]

Ignorantines, ig-nō-ran′tīnz, n.pl. (R.C.) name of a religious congregation of men devoted to the instruction of poor children—now better known as the Brothers of Christian Schools.

Ignore, ig-nōr′, v.t. wilfully to disregard: to set aside. [Fr.,—L. ignorāre, not to know—in, not, and gno-, root of (g)noscĕre, to know.]

Iguana, i-gwä′na, n. a genus of thick-tongued arboreal lizards in tropical America. [Sp., prob. Haytian.]

Iguanodon, i-gwä′no-don, n. a large extinct herbivorous reptile, with teeth like those of the iguana. [Iguana, and Gr. odous, odontos, a tooth.]

Ilex, ī′leks, n. the scientific name for Holly (which see): the evergreen or holm oak. [L.]

Iliac, il′i-ak, adj. pertaining to the lower intestines.—ns. Il′eum, the lower part of the smaller intestine in man; Il′ium, the upper part of the hip-bone:—pl. Il′ia.—Ileus, Ileac, or Iliac passion, a severe colic with vomiting, &c. [Fr., through a Low L. iliacus—ilia, the flanks, the groin.]

Iliad, il′i-ad, n. an epic poem by Homer, giving an account of the destruction of Ilium or ancient Troy. [L. Ilias, Iliadis—Gr. Ilias, Iliados, a poem relating to Ilium, the city of Ilos, its founder.]

Ilk, ilk, adj. the same.—Of that ilk, of that same, used in connection with a man whose name is the same as that of his ancestral estate—often used erroneously for 'of that kind.' [A.S. ilc, ylc, from y- or i- (base of he), and líc=like.]

Ill, il, adj. (comp. worse; superl. worst) evil, bad: contrary to good: wicked: producing evil: unfortunate: unfavourable: sick: diseased: improper: incorrect: cross, as temper.—adv. not well: not rightly: with difficulty—(rare) Ill′y.—n. evil: wickedness: misfortune.—Ill, when compounded with other words, expresses badness of quality or condition, as 'ill-advised,' 'ill-affected,' 'ill-disposed,' &c.—adj. Ill′-beseem′ing (Shak.), unbecoming.—n. Ill′-blood, ill-feeling: resentment.—adjs. Ill′-bod′ing, inauspicious; Ill′-bred, badly bred or educated: uncivil.—n. Ill′-breed′ing.—adjs. Ill′-condit′ioned, in bad condition: churlish; Ill′-fat′ed, bringing ill-fortune; Ill′-faurd (Scot.), Ill′-fā′voured, ill-looking: deformed: ugly.—n. Ill′-fā′vouredness, state of being ill-favoured: deformity.—adjs. Ill′-got, -ten, procured by bad means; Ill′-haired (Scot.) cross-grained; Ill′-judged, not well judged; Ill′-look′ing, having a bad look; Ill′-manned′, insufficiently provided with men; Ill′-nā′tured, of an ill nature or temper: cross: peevish.—adv. Ill′-nā′turedly.—ns. Ill′-nā′turedness, the quality of being ill-natured; Ill′ness, sickness: disease.—adjs. Ill′-off, in bad circumstances; Ill′-ō′mened, having bad omens: unfortunate; Ill′-starred, born under the influence of an unlucky star: unlucky; Ill′-tem′pered, having a bad temper: morose: fretful: (Shak.) disordered; Ill′-timed, said or done at an unsuitable time.—v.t. Ill′-treat, to treat ill: to abuse.—n. Ill′-turn, an act of unkindness or enmity.—adj. Ill′-used, badly used or treated.—ns. Ill′-will, unkind feeling: enmity; Ill′-wish′er, one who wishes harm to another.—adj. Ill′-wrest′ing, misinterpreting to disadvantage.—Go ill with, to result in danger or misfortune; Take it ill, to be offended. [From Ice. illr, a contraction of the word which appears in A.S. yfel, evil.]

Illapse, il-laps′, n. a sliding in: the entrance of one thing into another.—v.i. to glide. [L. illapsus—illabi—in, into, labi, to slip, to slide.]

Illaqueate, i-lak′wē-āt, v.t. to ensnare.—adj. Illaq′ueable.—n. Illaqueā′tion.

Illation, il-lā′shun, n. act of inferring from premises or reasons: inference: conclusion.—adj. Il′lative, denoting an inference: that may be inferred.—adv. Il′latively. [Fr.,—L. illation-em—inferre, illātum—in, in, into, ferre, to bear.]

Illaudable, il-law′da-bl, adj. not laudable or praiseworthy.—adv. Illau′dably.

Illegal, il-lē′gal, adj. contrary to law.—v.t. Illē′galīse, to render unlawful.—n. Illegal′ity, the quality or condition of being illegal.—adv. Illē′gally.

Illegible, il-lej′i-bl, adj. that cannot be read: indistinct.—ns. Illeg′ibleness, Illegibil′ity.—adv. Illeg′ibly.

Illegitimate, il-le-jit′i-māt, adj. not according to law: not born in wedlock: not properly inferred or reasoned: not genuine.—n. Illegit′imacy.—adv. Illegit′imātely.—n. Illegitimā′tion, the act of rendering, or state of being, illegitimate.

Illiberal, il-lib′ėr-al, adj. niggardly: mean, narrow in opinion.—v.t. Illib′eralise.—n. Illiberal′ity.—adv. Illib′erally.

Illicit, il-lis′it, adj. not allowable: unlawful: unlicensed.—adv. Illic′itly.—n. Illic′itness. [L. illicitus—in, not, licitus, pa.p. of licēre, to be allowable.]

Illimitable, il-lim′it-a-bl, adj. that cannot be bounded: infinite.—n. Illim′itableness.—adv. Illim′itably.—n. Illimitā′tion.—adj. Illim′ited.

Illiquation, il-li-kwā′shun, n. the melting of one thing into another. [L. in, into, liquāre, -ātum, to melt.]

Illision, il-lizh′un, n. the act of striking against. [L. illision-em—illidĕre—in, in, lædĕre, to strike.]

Illiterate, il-lit′ėr-āt, adj. not learned: uninstructed: ignorant.—n.pl. a term used to designate those persons who are unable to read or write or both.—adv. Illit′erately.—ns. Illit′erateness, Illit′eracy, state of being illiterate: want of learning.

Illogical, il-loj′i-kal, adj. contrary to the rules of logic.—adv. Illog′ically.—n. Illog′icalness.

Illude, il-lūd′, v.t. to play upon by artifice: to deceive. [O. Fr.,—L. illudĕre—in, upon, ludĕre, to play.]

Illuminate, il-lū′min-āt, v.t. to light up: to enlighten: to illustrate: to adorn with ornamental lettering or illustrations.—adj. enlightened.—adj. Illū′minable, that may be illuminated.—adj. and n. Illū′minant.—n.pl. Illuminā′tī, the enlightened, a name given to various sects, and especially to a society of German Freethinkers at the end of the 18th century.—n. Illuminā′tion, act of giving light: that which gives light: splendour: brightness: a display of lights: adorning of books with coloured lettering or illustrations: (B.) enlightening influence, inspiration.—adj. Illū′minative, tending to give light: illustrative or explanatory.—n. Illū′minator, one who illuminates, esp. one who is employed in adorning books with coloured letters and illustrations.—vs.t. Illū′mine, Illū′me, to make luminous or bright: to enlighten: to adorn.—ns. Illū′miner, an illuminator; Illū′minism.—adj. Illum′inous, bright. [L. illumināre, -ātum—in, in, upon, lumināre, to cast light—lumen (=lucimen)—lucēre, to shine, light.]

Illusion, il-lū′zhun, n. a playing upon: a mocking: deceptive appearance: false show: error.—n. Illū′sionist, one who is subject to illusions: one who produces illusions, as sleight-of-hand tricks, for entertainment.—adjs. Illū′sive, Illū′sory, deceiving by false appearances: false.—adv. Illū′sively.—n. Illū′siveness. [See Illude.]

Illustrate, il-lus′trāt, or il′us-trāt, v.t. to make distinguished: to make clear to the mind: to explain: to explain and adorn by pictures.—adj. (Shak.) renowned.—n. Illustrā′tion, act of making lustrous or clear: act of explaining: that which illustrates: a picture or diagram.—adjs. Illus′trative, Illus′tratory, having the quality of making clear or explaining.—adv. Illus′tratively.—n. Illus′trator.—adj. Illus′trious, morally bright, distinguished: noble: conspicuous: conferring honour.—adv. Illus′triously.—n. Illus′triousness. [L. illustrāre, -ātum, to light up—illustris, prob. in, in, lux, lucis, light.]

Image, im′āj, n. likeness: a statue: an idol: a representation in the mind, an idea: a picture in the imagination: (optics) the figure of any object formed by rays of light.—v.t. to form an image of: to form a likeness of in the mind.—adj. Im′ageless, having no image.—ns. Imagery (im′āj-ri, or im′āj-er-i), the work of the imagination: mental pictures: figures of speech: (orig.) images in general; Im′age-wor′ship, honour paid in worship to graven or painted representations of sacred persons or things. [O. Fr.,—L. imago, image; cf. imitāri, to imitate.]

Imagine, im-aj′in, v.t. to form an image of in the mind: to conceive: to think: (B.) to contrive or devise.—v.i. to form mental images: to conceive.—adj. Imag′inable, that may be imagined.—n. Imag′inableness.—adv. Imag′inably.—adj. Imag′inary, existing only in the imagination: not real: (alg.) impossible.—n. Imaginā′tion, act of imagining: the faculty of forming images in the mind: that which is imagined: contrivance.—adj. Imag′inātive, full of imagination: proceeding from the imagination.—ns. Imag′inātiveness; Imag′iner; Imag′ining, that which is imagined. [O. Fr. imaginer—L. imagināri—imago, an image.]

Imago, i-mā′gō, n. the last or perfect state of insect life: an image or optical counterpart of a thing. [L.]

Imâm, i-mam′, Imaum, i-mawm′, n. the officer who in Mohammedan mosques recites the prayers and leads the devotions of the faithful—in Turkey also superintending circumcisions, marriages, and funerals. [Ar. imām, chief.]

Imbecile, im′be-sēl, adj. without strength either of body or mind: feeble: fatuous.—n. one destitute of strength, either of mind or body.—n. Imbecil′ity, state of being imbecile: weakness of body or mind. [O. Fr. imbecile—L. imbecillis; origin unknown.]

Imbibe, im-bīb′, v.t. to drink in: to absorb: to receive into the mind.—v.i. to drink, absorb.—ns. Imbib′er; Imbibi′tion. [L. imbibĕre—in, in, into, bibĕre, to drink.]

Imbricate, im′bri-kāt, v.t. to lay one over another, as tiles on a roof.—adj. bent like a gutter-tile: (bot.) overlapping each other.—n. Imbricā′tion, a concave indenture, as of a tile: an overlapping of the edges: ornamental masonry. [L. imbricāre, -ātum—imbrex, a gutter-tile—imber; a shower.]

Imbroglio, im-brōl′yō, n. an intricate plot in a romance or drama: a perplexing state of matters: a complicated misunderstanding. [It., 'confusion'—imbrogliare, to confuse, embroil.]

Imbrue, im-brōō′, v.t. to wet or moisten: to soak: to drench.—n. Imbrue′ment. [O. Fr. embruer—bevre (Fr. boire)—L. bibĕre, to drink.]

Imbrute, im-brōōt′, v.t. and v.i. to reduce, or sink, to the state of a brute:—pr.p. imbrut′ing; pa.p. imbrut′ed.

Imbue, im-bū′, v.t. to moisten: to tinge deeply: to cause to imbibe, as the mind. [O. Fr. imbuer—L. imbuĕre—in, and root of bibĕre, to drink.]

Imitate, im′i-tāt, v.t. to copy, to strive to be the same as: to produce a likeness of.—n. Imitabil′ity.—adj. Im′itable, that may be imitated or copied: worthy of imitation.—n. Im′itancy, the tendency to imitate.—adj. Im′itant.—n. Imitā′tion, act of imitating: that which is produced as a copy, a likeness: (mus.) the repeating of the same passage, or the following of a passage with a similar one in one or more of the other parts or voices.—adj. Im′itātive, inclined to imitate: formed after a model.—adv. Im′itātively.—ns. Im′itātiveness, the quality of being imitative; Im′itātor, one who imitates or copies. [L. imitāri, imitātus, ety. unknown.]

Immaculate, im-mak′ū-lāt, adj. spotless: unstained: pure.—adv. Immac′ulately.—n. Immac′ulateness.—Immaculate Conception, the R.C. dogma that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin—first proclaimed in 1854. [L. immaculātus—in, not, maculāre, to stain—macula, a spot.]

Immanacle, im-man′a-kl, v.t. (Milt.) to put in manacles, to fetter or confine.

Immanation, im-ā-nā′shun, n. an easy flow.—v.t. Imm′anate, to flow or issue in. [L. in, in, manāre, -ātum, to flow.]

Immane, i-mān′, adj. huge: cruel, savage.—adv. Immane′ly.—n. Imman′ity (Shak.), inhumanity, cruelty. [L. immanis, huge.]

Immanent, im′ā-nent, adj. remaining within: inherent.—ns. Imm′ānence, Imm′ānency, the notion that the intelligent and creative principle of the universe pervades the universe itself, a fundamental conception of Pantheism. [L. immanens, -entis, pr.p. of immanēre—in, in, manēre, to remain.]

Immanuel, Emmanuel, i-man′ū-el, e-, n. a name given to Jesus (Matt. i. 23) as the son of a virgin (Is. vii. 14). [Heb., lit. 'God-with-us.']

Immaterial, im-a-tē′ri-al, adj. not consisting of matter: incorporeal: unimportant.—v.t. Immatē′rialise, to separate from matter.—ns. Immate′rialism, the doctrine that there is no material substance; Immatē′rialist, one who believes in this; Immaterial′ity, the quality of being immaterial or of not consisting of matter.—adv. Immatē′rially.

Immature, im-a-tūr′, Immatured, im-a-tūrd′, adj. not ripe: not perfect: come before the natural time.—adv. Immature′ly.—ns. Immature′ness, Immatur′ity.

Immeasurable, im-mezh′ūr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be measured: very great.—n. Immeas′urableness.—adv. Immeas′urably.—adj. Immeas′ured (Spens.), beyond the common measure, immeasurable.

Immediate, im-mē′di-āt, adj. with nothing between two objects: not acting by second causes: direct: present: without delay.—n. Immē′diacy (Shak.), immediate or independent power.—adv. Immē′diātely.—ns. Immē′diāteness; Immē′diatism.

Immemorial, im-me-mōr′i-al, adj. beyond the reach of memory.—adj. Immem′orable.—adv. Immemō′rially.

Immense, im-mens′, adj. that cannot be measured: vast in extent: very large.—adv. Immense′ly.—ns. Immense′ness; Immens′ity, an extent not to be measured: infinity: greatness. [Fr.,—L. immensus—in, not, mensus, pa.p,. of metīri, to measure.]

Immensurable, im-mens′ūr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be measured.—n. Immensurabil′ity.

Immerge, im-mėrj′, v.t. to plunge into. [L. in, into, mergĕre, mersum, to plunge.]

Immeritous, im-mer′it-us, adj. (Milt.) undeserving. [L. immeritus—in, not, meritus, deserving.]

Immerse, im-mėrs′, v.t. to plunge into: to dip: to baptise by dipping the whole body: to engage deeply: to overwhelm.—adjs. Immers′able, Immers′ible.—ns. Immer′sion, act of immersing or plunging into: state of being dipped into: state of being deeply engaged; Immer′sionist. [See Immerge.]

Immethodical, im-me-thod′ik-al, adj. without method or order: irregular.—adv. Immethod′ically.

Immigrate, im′i-grāt, v.i. to migrate or remove into a country.—ns. Imm′igrant, one who immigrates; Immigrā′tion, act of immigrating. [L. immigrāre—in, into, migrare, -ātum, to remove.]

Imminent, im′i-nent, adj. near at hand: threatening: impending.—n. Imm′inence.—adv. Imm′inently. [L. imminens, -entis—in, upon, minēre, to project.]

Immit, im-mit′, v.t. to send into: to inject:—pr.p. immit′ting; pa.p. immit′ted.—n. Immiss′ion, act of immitting: injection. [L. immitĕre—in, into, mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Immitigable, im-it′i-ga-bl, adj. incapable of being mitigated.—adv. Immit′igably.

Immix, im-miks′, v.t. (Milt.) to mix.—adj. Immix′able, incapable of being mixed.

Immobility, im-mo-bil′i-ti, n. the character of being immovable.—adj. Immob′ile.

Immoderate, im-mod′ėr-āt, adj. exceeding proper bounds: extravagant.—ns. Immod′eracy, Immod′erateness, the quality of being immoderate: extravagance.—adv. Immod′erately.—n. Immoderā′tion, want of moderation: excess.

Immodest, im-mod′est, adj. wanting restraint: impudent: forward: wanting shame or delicacy.—adv. Immod′estly.—n. Immod′esty, want of modesty.

Immolate, im′ō-lāt, v.t. to offer in sacrifice.—ns. Immolā′tion, act of immolating: a sacrifice; Imm′olator, one who immolates or offers sacrifice. [L. immolāre, -ātum, to sprinkle meal on a victim, hence to sacrifice—in, upon, mola, meal.]

Immoral, im-mor′al, adj. inconsistent with what is right: wicked: licentious.—n. Immoral′ity, quality of being immoral: an immoral act or practice.—adv. Immor′ally.

Immortal, im-mor′tal, adj. exempt from death: imperishable: never to be forgotten (as a name, poem, &c.).—n. one who will never cease to exist: one of the forty members of the French Academy.—n. Immortalisā′tion.—v.t. Immor′talise, to make immortal.—n. Immortal′ity, condition or quality of being immortal: exemption from death or oblivion.—adv. Immor′tally.

Immortelle, im-mor-tel′, n. any one of the flowers commonly called everlasting. [Fr. (fleur) immortelle, immortal (flower).]

Immovable, im-mōōv′a-bl, adj. steadfast: unalterable: that cannot be impressed or made to fall: (pl.) fixtures, &c., not movable by a tenant.—ns. Immov′ableness, Immovabil′ity.—adv. Immov′ably.

Immune, im-mūn′, adj. free from obligation: not liable to infection.—n. Immun′ity, state of being immune: exemption: privilege. [Fr.,—L. in, not, munis, serving, obliging.]

Immure, im-mūr′, v.t. to wall in: to shut up: to imprison.—n. (Shak.) a wall.—n. Immure′ment, imprisonment. [Fr.,—L. in, in, murus, a wall.]

Immutable, im-mūt′a-bl, adj. unchangeable.—ns. Immutabil′ity, Immūt′ableness, unchangeableness.—adv. Immūt′ably.

Imp, imp, n. a little devil or wicked spirit: a son, offspring, a pert child.—v.t. (falconry) to mend a broken or defective wing by inserting a feather: to qualify for flight.—adj. Imp′ish, like an imp: fiendish. [A.S. impe—Low L. impotus, a graft—Gr. emphytos, engrafted.]

Impacable, im-pāk′a-bl, adj. (Spens.) not to be quieted or appeased. [L. in, not, pacāre, to quiet.]

Impact, im-pakt′, v.t. to press firmly together: to drive close.—n. Im′pact, a striking against: collision: the blow of a body in motion impinging on another body: the impulse resulting from collision.—Impacted fracture (surg.), when one part of the bone is forcibly driven into the other. [O. Fr. impacter—L. impactus, pa.p. of impingēre. See Impinge.]

Impair, im-pār′, v.t. to diminish in quantity, value, or strength: to injure: to weaken.—v.i. (obs.) to become worse.—n. Impair′ment. [O. Fr. empeirer (Fr. empirer), from L. im (=in), inten., and L. pejorāre, to make worse—L. pejor, worse.]

Impair, im-pār′, adj. (Shak.) unsuitable. [Fr.,—L. impar—in, not, par, equal.]

Impale, im-pāl′, v.t. to fence in with stakes: to shut in: to put to death by spitting on a stake.—n. Impale′ment, an enclosed space: (her.) the marshalling side by side of two escutcheons combined in one. [Fr. empaler—L. in, in, palus, a stake.]

Impalpable, im-pal′pa-bl, adj. not perceivable by touch: not coarse: not easily understood.—n. Impalpabil′ity.—adv. Impal′pably.

Impanation, im-pā-nā′shun, n. a term used to express the local union of the body of Christ with the consecrated bread in the Eucharist; but later specially used of Luther's doctrine of Consubstantiation (q.v.).—adj. Impā′nate, embodied in bread. [From Low L. impanāre, -ātum—in, in, panis, bread.]

Imparadise, im-par′a-dīs, v.t. (Milt.) to put in a paradise or state of extreme felicity, to make perfectly happy:—pr.p. impar′adīsing; pa.p. impar′adīsed.

Imparity, im-par′i-ti, n. want of parity or equality: indivisibility into equal parts.—adjs. Imparidig′itate, having an uneven number of digits; Imparipin′nate, unequally pinnate; Imparisyllab′ic, not consisting of an equal number of syllables. [L. impar—in, not, par, equal.]

Imparlance, im-pärl′ans, n. (Spens.) parley.—v.i. Imparl′, to hold a consultation. [O. Fr. emparlance—emparler, to talk.]

Impart, im-pärt′, v.t. to bestow a part of: to give: to communicate: to make known.—v.i. to give a part.—ns. Impartā′tion, the act of imparting; Impart′ment (Shak.), the act of imparting: that which is imparted, disclosure. [O. Fr. empartir—L. impartīre—in, on, pars, partis, a part.]

Impartial, im-pär′shal, adj. not favouring one more than another: just: (Shak.) partial.—ns. Impartial′ity, Impar′tialness, quality of being impartial: freedom from bias.—adv. Impar′tially.

Impartible, im-pärt′i-bl, adj. capable of being imparted.—n. Impartibil′ity.

Impartible, im-pärt′i-bl, adj. not partible: indivisible.—n. Impartibil′ity.

Impassable, im-pas′a-bl, adj. not capable of being passed.—ns. Impassabil′ity, Impass′ableness.—adv. Impass′ably.

Impassible, im-pas′i-bl, adj. incapable of passion or feeling.—ns. Impassibil′ity, Impass′ibleness, quality of being impassible. [Fr.,—L. impassibilis,—in, not, pati, passus, to suffer.]

Impassion, im-pash′un, v.t. to move with passion.—adjs. Impass′ionable, Impass′ionāte, Impass′ioned, moved by strong passion or feeling: animated: excited; Impass′ive, not susceptible of pain or feeling.—adv. Impass′ively.—ns. Impass′iveness, Impassiv′ity. [Through Low L.—L. in, in, passion-em, passion.]

Impaste, im-pāst′, v.t. (Shak.) to knead into a paste: to lay colours on thick.—ns. Impastā′tion, act of impasting: that which is made into paste; Impas′to, in painting, the thick laying on of pigments. [Low L. impastāre—in, into, pasta, paste.]

Impatient, im-pā′shent, adj. not able to endure or to wait: fretful: restless.—n. Impā′tience, want of patience.—adv. Impā′tiently.

Impavid, im-pav′id, adj. fearless.—adv. Impav′idly, fearlessly: dauntlessly. [L. impavidus—in, not, pavidus, fearing.]

Impeach, im-pēch′, v.t to charge with a crime: to cite before a court for official misconduct: to call in question: (Spens.) to impede.—adj. Impeach′able, liable to impeachment: chargeable with a crime.—ns. Impeach′er, one who impeaches; Impeach′ment, an exceptional form of process whereby the House of Commons may obtain redress for any high crimes and misdemeanours committed by peers and ministers of the Crown: (Shak.) hinderance, obstruction. [O. Fr. empescher, to hinder (Fr. empêcher, It. impacciare); either from L. impingĕre, to strike against, or impedicāre, to fetter—thus cognate either with impinge or impede.]

Impearl, im-pėrl′, v.t. to adorn with or as with pearls: to make like pearls.

Impeccable, im-pek′a-bl, adj. not liable to error or to sin.—ns. Impeccabil′ity, Impecc′ancy.—adj. Impecc′ant, doing no sin.

Impecunious, im-pe-kūni-us, adj. having no money: poor.—n. Impecunios′ity.

Impede, im-pēd′, v.t. to hinder or obstruct.—n. Impē′dance, hinderance, esp. in electricity an apparent increase of resistance due to induction in a circuit.—adj. Imped′ible, capable of being impeded.—n. Imped′iment, that which impedes: hinderance: a defect preventing fluent speech.—n.pl. Impediment′a, military baggage, baggage generally.—adjs. Impedimen′tal, Imped′itive, causing hinderance. [L. impedīre—in, in, pes, pedis, a foot.]

Impel, im-pel′, v.t. to urge forward: to excite to action: to instigate:—pr.p. impel′ling; pa.p. impelled′.—adj. Impel′lent, impelling or driving on.—n. a power that impels.—n. Impel′ler. [L. impellĕre, impulsum—in, on, pellĕre, to drive.]

Impend, im-pend′, v.i. to threaten: to be about to happen.—ns. Impend′ence, Impend′ency, the state of impending: near approach.—adj. Impend′ent, imminent: ready to act or happen. [L. impendēre—in, on, pendēre, to hang.]

Impenetrable, im-pen′e-tra-bl, adj. incapable of being pierced: preventing another body from occupying the same space at the same time: not to be impressed in mind or heart.—n. Impenetrabil′ity, one of the essential properties of matter, implying that no two bodies can at the same time occupy the same space.—adv. Impen′etrably.

Impenitent, im-pen′i-tent, adj. not repenting of sin.—n. one who does not repent: a hardened sinner.—n. Impen′itence.—adv. Impen′itently.

Impennate, im-pen′āt, Impennous, im-pen′us, adj. wingless: having very short wings useless for flight. [L. in, not, penna, a wing.]

Imperative, im-per′a-tiv, adj. expressive of command: authoritative: peremptory: obligatory.—adv. Imper′atively.—Imperative mood, the form of a verb expressing command or advice; Categorical imperative (see under Category). [L. imperativus—imperāre, to command—in, in, parāre, to prepare.]

Imperator, im′pē-rā-tor, n. a commander: a ruler: an emperor.—adj. Imperatō′rial. [L.,—imperāre, to command.]

Imperceptible, im-pėr-sep′ti-bl, adj. not discernible: insensible: minute.—ns. Impercep′tibleness, Imperceptibil′ity.—adv. Impercep′tibly.—adjs. Impercep′tive, not perceiving; Impercip′ient, having no power to perceive.

Imperfect, im-pėr′fekt, adj. incomplete: defective: not fulfilling its design: liable to err.—adv. Imper′fectly.—ns. Imper′fectness, Imperfec′tion.

Imperforate, -d, im-pėr′fo-rāt, -ed, adj. not pierced through: having no opening.—adj. Imper′forable, that cannot be perforated or bored through.—n. Imperforā′tion.

Imperial, im-pē′ri-al, adj. pertaining to an empire or to an emperor: sovereign, supreme: commanding, of superior size or excellence.—n. a tuft of hair on the lower lip (from its use by Napoleon III.): a kind of dome, as in Moorish buildings: an outside seat on a diligence: a size of writing-paper, 22 × 30 in.; also of printing-paper, 22 × 32 in.—v.t. Impē′rialise, to make imperial.—ns. Impē′rialism, the power or authority of an emperor: the spirit of empire; Impē′rialist, one who belongs to an emperor: a soldier or partisan of an emperor; Imperial′ity, imperial power, right, or privilege.—adv. Impē′rially.—n. Impē′rium, a military chief command: empire.—Imperial city, Rome: one of those cities in the German Empire which owed allegiance to none but the emperor, which exercised suzerain rights within their own territories, and had the right of sitting and voting in the imperial diet; Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, an institution designed to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1887). [Fr.,—L. imperialis—imperium, sovereignty.]

Imperil, im-per′il, v.t. to put in peril: to endanger.—n. Imper′ilment.

Imperious, im-pē′ri-us, adj. assuming command: haughty: tyrannical: authoritative: (obs.) imperial.—adv. Impē′riously.—n. Impē′riousness. [L. imperiosus.]

Imperishable, im-per′ish-a-bl, adj. indestructible: everlasting.—ns. Imper′ishableness, Imperishabil′ity.—adv. Imper′ishably.

Impermanence, im-per′man-ens, n. want of permanence.—adj. Imper′manent.

Impermeable, im-pėr′mē-a-bl, adj. not permitting passage: impenetrable.—ns. Impermeabil′ity, Imper′meableness.—adv. Imper′meably.—n. Imper′meātor, a device in a steam-engine for forcing lubricating oil uniformly into the cylinder.

Impersonal, im-pėr′sun-al, adj. not having personality: (gram.) not varied according to the persons.—n. Impersonal′ity.—adv. Imper′sonally.—v.t. Imper′sonāte, to invest with personality or the bodily substance of a person: to ascribe the qualities of a person to: to personify: to assume the person or character of, esp. on the stage.—adj. personified.—ns. Impersonā′tion; Imper′sonātor.

Impertinent, im-pėr′ti-nent, adj. not pertaining to the matter in hand: trifling: intrusive: saucy: impudent.—n. Imper′tinence, that which is impertinent: intrusion: impudence, over-forwardness: (law) matter introduced into an affidavit, &c., not pertinent to the matter.—adv. Imper′tinently.

Imperturbable, im-pėr-tur′ba-bl, adj. that cannot be disturbed or agitated: permanently quiet.—n. Imperturbabil′ity.—adv. Impertur′bably.—n. Imperturbā′tion. [L. imperturbabilis—in, not, perturbare, to disturb.]

Imperviable, im-pėr′vi-a-bl, Impervious, im-pėr′vi-us, adj. not to be penetrated.—ns. Imper′viableness, Imperviabil′ity, Imper′viousness.—adv. Imper′viously.

Impeticos, im-pet′i-kos, (Shak.) a word coined by the fool in Twelfth Night, perhaps meaning impocket.

Impetigo, im-pe-tī′go, n. a skin disease characterised by thickly-set clusters of pustules.—adj. Impetig′inous. [L.—impetĕre, to rush upon, attack.]

Impetrate, im′pē-trāt, v.t. to obtain by entreaty or petition.—n. Impetrā′tion.—adjs. Im′petrative, Im′petrātory.

Impetuous, im-pet′ū-us, adj. rushing upon with impetus or violence: vehement in feeling: passionate.—adv. Impet′uously.—ns. Impet′uousness, Impetuos′ity.

Impetus, im′pe-tus, n. an attack: force or quantity of motion: violent tendency to any point. [L.,—in, in, petĕre, to fall upon.]

Impierceable, im-pērs′a-bl, adj. (Spens.) incapable of being pierced.

Impignorate, im-pig′nō-rāt, v.t. to pledge or pawn.—n. Impignorā′tion.

Impinge, im-pinj′, v.i (with on, upon, against) to strike or fall against: to touch upon.—n. Impinge′ment.—adj. Imping′ent, striking against. [L. impingĕre—in, against, pingĕre, to strike.]

Impious, im′pi-us, adj. irreverent; wanting in veneration for God: profane.—adv. Im′piously.—ns. Im′piousness, Impī′ety.

Implacable, im-plāk′a-bl, adj. not to be appeased: inexorable: irreconcilable.—ns. Implac′ableness, Implacabil′ity.—adv. Implac′ably.

Implacental, im-pla-sen′tal, adj. having no placenta, as certain marsupial animals.

Implant, im-plant′, v.t. to fix into: to insert: to infuse.—n. Implantā′tion, the act of infixing.

Implausible, im-plawz′i-bl, adj. not plausible, incredible.—n. Implausibil′ity.

Implead, im-plēd′, v.t. to prosecute a suit at law.—n. Implead′er.

Implement, im′ple-ment, n. a tool or instrument of labour.—v.t. to give effect to: to fulfil or perform.—adj. Implemen′tal, acting as an implement.—n. Implē′tion, a filling: the state of being full. [Low L. implementum—L. im-plēre, to fill.]

Implex, im′pleks, adj. not simple: complicated.—n. Implex′ion.—adj. Implex′uous. [L. implexus—in, into, plectĕre, to twine.]

Implicate, im′pli-kāt, v.t. (with by, in, with) to enfold: to involve: to entangle.—ns. Im′plicate, the thing implied; Implicā′tion, the act of implicating: entanglement: that which is implied.—adj. Im′plicative, tending to implicate.—adv. Im′plicatively.—adj. Implic′it, implied: relying entirely, unquestioning: (rare) entangled, involved.—adv. Implic′itly.—n. Implic′itness. [L. implicāre, -ātum—in, in, plicāre, to fold.]

Implore, im-plōr′, v.t. to ask earnestly: to beg.—ns. Implorā′tion; Implor′ātor (Shak.), one who implores or entreats.—adj. Implor′atory.—n. Implor′er (Spens.), one who implores.—adv. Implor′ingly, in an imploring manner. [Fr.,—L. implorāre—in, in, plorāre, to weep aloud.]

Impluvium, im-plōō′vi-um, n. in ancient Roman houses, the square basin in the atrium or hall into which the rain-water was received. [L.,—impluĕre—in, in, pluĕre, to rain.]

Imply, im-plī′, v.t. (Spens.) to enfold: to include in reality, to express indirectly: to mean: to signify:—pr.p. imply′ing; pa.p. implied′.—adv. Implī′edly. [O. Fr. empleier—L. implicāre.]

Impolite, im-po-līt′, adj. of unpolished manners: uncivil.—adv. Impolite′ly.—n. Impolite′ness.

Impolitic, im-pol′i-tik, adj. imprudent: unwise: inexpedient.—n. Impol′icy.—adv. Impol′iticly.

Imponderable, im-pon′dėr-a-bl, adj. not able to be weighed: without sensible weight.—ns. Impon′derableness, Imponderabil′ity.—n.pl. Impon′derables, fluids without sensible weight, as heat, light, electricity, and magnetism, considered as material—still used of ether.

Impone, im-pōn′, v.t. (Shak.) to place or put on, to stake, as a wager.—adj. Impon′ent, competent to impose an obligation.—n. one who imposes. [L. imponĕre—in, on, ponĕre, to place.]

Import, im-pōrt′, v.t. to carry into: to bring from abroad: to convey, as a word: to signify: to be of consequence to: to interest.—n. Im′port, that which is brought from abroad: meaning: importance: tendency.—adj. Import′able, that may be imported or brought into a country.—ns. Import′ance; Import′ancy (Shak.).—adj. Import′ant, of great import or consequence: momentous: pompous.—adv. Import′antly.—ns. Importā′tion, the act of importing: the commodities imported; Import′er, one who brings in goods from abroad.—adj. Import′less (Shak.), without consequence. [Fr.,—L. importāre, -ātum—in, in, portāre, to carry.]

Importune, im-pōr-tūn′, v.t. to urge with troublesome application: to press urgently: (Spens.) to import, signify (a false use): to molest, as a beggar, prostitute, &c.—ns. Impor′tunacy, Import′unāteness.—adj. Import′unāte, troublesomely urgent.—adv. Import′unātely.—adj. Import′une, untimely: importunate.—adv. Importune′ly.—ns. Importun′er; Importun′ity. [Fr.,—L. importunus—in, not, portus, a harbour.]

Impose, im-pōz′, v.t. to place upon: to lay on: to enjoin or command: to put over by authority or force: to obtrude unfairly: to pass off: (print.) to arrange or place in a chase, as pages of type.—v.i. (with upon) to mislead or deceive: act with constraining effect.—n. (Shak.) command, injunction.—adjs. Impos′able, capable of being imposed or laid on; Impos′ing, commanding: adapted to impress forcibly.—adv. Impos′ingly.—ns. Impos′ingness; Imposi′tion, a laying on: laying on of hands in ordination: a tax, a burden: a deception. [Fr. imposer—L. in, on, ponĕre, to place.]

Impossible, im-pos′i-bl, adj. that which cannot be done: that cannot exist: absurd, or excessively odd.—n. Impossibil′ity.

Impost, im′pōst, n. a tax, esp. on imports: (archit.) that part of a pillar in vaults and arches on which the weight of the building is laid. [O. Fr. impost (Fr. impôt)—L. imponĕre, to lay on.]

Imposthume, impos′tūm, n. an abscess.—v.i. Impos′thumāte, to form an imposthume or abscess.—v.t. to affect with an imposthume.—adj. affected with such.—n. one swelled or bloated.—n. Imposthumā′tion, the act of forming an abscess: an abscess. [A corr. of apostume, itself a corr. of aposteme—Gr. apostēma, a separation of corrupt matter—apo, away, and the root of histēmi, I set up.]

Impostor, im-pos′tur, n. one who practises imposition or fraud.—n. Impos′tūre.—adj. Impos′tūrous.

Impotent, im′po-tent, adj. powerless: without sexual power: wanting the power of self-restraint.—ns. Im′potence, Im′potency.—adv. Im′potently.

Impound, im-pownd′, v.t. to confine, as in a pound: to restrain within limits: to take possession of.—n. Impound′age, the act of impounding cattle.

Impoverish, im-pov′ėr-ish, v.t. to make poor: to exhaust the resources (as of a nation), or fertility (as of the soil).—n. Impov′erishment. [From O. Fr. empovrir (Fr. appauvrir)—L. in, in, pauper, poor.]

Impracticable, im-prak′tik-a-bl, adj. not able to be done: unmanageable: stubborn.—ns. Imprac′ticability, Imprac′ticableness.—adv. Imprac′ticably.

Imprecate, im′pre-kāt, v.t. to pray for good or evil upon: to curse.—n. Imprecā′tion, the act of imprecating: a curse.—adj. Im′precatory. [L. imprecāri—in, upon, precāri, -ātus, to pray.]

Impregnable, im-preg′na-bl, adj. that cannot be seized: that cannot be moved.—n. Impregnabil′ity.—adv. Impreg′nably. [Fr. imprenable—L. in, not, prendĕre, prehendĕre, to take.]

Impregnate, im-preg′nāt, v.t. to make pregnant: to impart the particles or qualities of one thing to another: saturate.—n. Impregnā′tion, the act of impregnating: that with which anything is impregnated. [Low L. imprægnāre, -ātum—in, in, prægnans, pregnant.]

Impresario, im-pre-sä′ri-ō, n. a manager or conductor of a troupe of concert or operatic singers. [It.,—impresa, enterprise.]

Imprescriptible, im-pre-skrip′ti-bl, adj. not founded on external authority.—n. Imprescriptibil′ity.

Imprese, im-prēs′, Impress, im-pres′, n. (Milt.) a device worn by a noble or his retainers. [O. Fr.]

Impress, im-pres′, v.t. to press upon: to mark by pressure: to produce by pressure: to stamp: to fix deeply in the mind.—ns. Im′press, that which is made by pressure: stamp: likeness; Impressibil′ity.—adj. Impress′ible, susceptible.—n. Impress′ibleness.—adv. Impress′ibly.—ns. Impress′ion, the act or result of impressing: a single edition of a book: the effect of any object on the mind: idea: slight remembrance; Impressionabil′ity.—adj. Impress′ionable, able to receive an impression.—ns. Impress′ionism, a modern movement in art and literature, originating in France, its aim being to cast off the trammels of artistic tradition, and to look at nature in a fresh and original manner—it employs general effects, vigorous touches, and deals in masses of form and colour; Impress′ionist.—adv. Impressionis′tic.—adj. Impress′ive, capable of making an impression on the mind: solemn.—adv. Impress′ively—ns. Impress′iveness; Impress′ure (Shak.), impression.

Impress, im-pres′, v.t. to force into service, esp. the public service.—n. Im′press. [An altered spelling of imprest.]

Impressment, im-pres′ment, n. the act of impressing or seizing for service, esp. in the navy. [A word coined from press, in pressgang.]

Imprest, im′prest, n. earnest-money: money advanced.—v.t. Imprest′, to advance on loan.

Imprimatur, im-pri-mā′tur, n. a license to print a book, &c. [Lit. 'let it be printed;' from L. imprimĕre—in, on, premĕre, to press.]

Imprimis, im-prī′mis, adv. in the first place. [L., in, in, primus, first.]

Imprint, im-print′, v.t. to print: to stamp: to impress: to fix in the mind.—n. Im′print, that which is imprinted: the name of the publisher, time and place of publication of a book, &c., printed on the title-page: also the printer's name on the back of the title-page and at the end of the book.

Imprison, im-priz′n, v.t. to put in prison: to shut up: to confine or restrain.—n. Impris′onment, the act of imprisoning or state of being imprisoned: confinement or restraint.

Improbable, im-prob′a-bl, adj. unlikely.—n. Improbabil′ity.—adv. Improb′ably.

Improbation, im-pro-bā′shun, n. in Scots law, an action for the purpose of declaring some instrument false or forged.—adj. Improb′ative, disapproving—also Improb′atory.

Impromptu, im-promp′tū, adj. prompt, ready: off-hand.—adv. readily.—n. a short witty saying expressed at the moment: any composition produced at the moment. [L., 'in readiness'—in, in, promptus, readiness.]

Improper, im-prop′ėr, adj. not suitable: unfit: unbecoming: incorrect: wrong.—adv. Improp′erly.—n. Improprī′ety.

Impropriate, im-prō′pri-āt, v.t. to appropriate to private use: to place ecclesiastical property in the hands of a layman.—adj. Imprō′priate, devolved into the hands of a layman.—ns. Impropriā′tion, act of appropriating: property impropriated; Imprō′priator, a layman who holds possession of the lands of the Church or an ecclesiastical living. [Low L. impropriātus—L. in, in, proprius, one's own.]

Improve, im-prōōv′, v.t. to make better: to advance in value or excellence: to correct: to employ to good purpose.—v.i. to grow better: to make progress: to increase: to rise (as prices).—ns. Improvabil′ity, Improv′ableness.—adj. Improv′able, able to be improved.—adv. Improv′ably.—ns. Improve′ment, the act of improving: advancement or progress: increase, addition; Improv′er, one who improves: a pad worn by women to make the dress hang properly.—pr.p. and adj. Improv′ing, tending to cause improvement.—adv. Improv′ingly.—Improve on, or upon, to bring to a better state by addition or amendment; Improve the occasion, to point out a moral from some event that has just occurred. [A variant of approve.]

Improvident, im-prov′i-dent, adj. not provident or prudent: wanting foresight: thoughtless.—adj. Improvide′ (Spens.), not provided against.—n. Improv′idence.—adv. Improv′idently.

Improvisate, im-prov′i-sāt, Improvise, im-pro-vīz′, v.t. to compose and recite, esp. in verse, without preparation: to bring about on a sudden: to do anything off-hand.—ns. Improvisā′tion, act of improvising: that which is improvised; Improvisā′tor, Improvisatō′re (-rā), sometimes fem. Improvisā′trix, Improvisatri′ce, one who improvises: one who composes and recites verses without preparation:—pl. Improvisatō′ri (-rē).—adjs. Improvisatō′rial, Improvis′atory.—n. Improvīs′er.—adj. Improvī′so, not studied beforehand. [Fr. improviser—L. in, not, provisus, foreseen.]

Imprudent, im-prōō′dent, adj. wanting foresight or discretion: incautious: inconsiderate.—n. Impru′dence.—adv. Impru′dently.

Impudent, im′pū-dent, adj. wanting shame or modesty: brazen-faced: bold: rude: insolent.—n. Im′pudence.—adv. Im′pudently.—n. Impudic′ity. [L. in, not, pudens, -entis—pudēre, to be ashamed.]

Impugn, im-pūn′, v.t. to oppose: to attack by words or arguments: to call in question.—adj. Impugn′able.—ns. Impugn′er; Impugn′ment. [L. impugnāre—in, against, pugnāre, to fight.]

Impulse, im′puls, n. the act of impelling: effect of an impelling force: force suddenly communicated: influence on the mind.—n. Impul′sion, impelling force: instigation.—adj. Impuls′ive, having the power of impelling: actuated by mental impulse: (mech.) acting by impulse: not continuous.—adv. Impuls′ively.—n. Impuls′iveness. [L. impulsus, pressure—impellĕre.]

Impunity, im-pūn′i-ti, n. freedom or safety from punishment: exemption from injury or loss. [Fr.,—L. impunitat-em—in, not, pœna, punishment.]

Impure, im-pūr′, adj. mixed with other substances: defiled by sin: unholy: unchaste: unclean.—adv. Impure′ly.—ns. Impur′ity, Impure′ness, quality of being impure.

Impute, im-pūt′, v.t. to reckon as belonging to (in a bad sense): to charge: (theol.) to attribute vicariously: (rare) to take account of.—adj. Imput′able, capable of being imputed or charged: attributable.—ns. Imput′ableness, Imputabil′ity.—adv. Imput′ably.—n. Imputā′tion, act of imputing or charging: censure: reproach: the reckoning as belonging to.—adjs. Imput′ative, imputed; Imput′atively.—n. Imput′er. [Fr. imputer—L. imputāre, -ātum—in, in, putāre, to reckon.]

In, in, prep. denotes presence or situation in place, time, or circumstances—within, during: consisting of: because of: by or through.—adv. within: not out: in addition to, thrown in.—n. in politics, a member of the party in office: a corner.—adj. In′-and-in′, from animals of the same parentage: with constant and close interaction.—n. a game with four dice.—In as far as, to the extent that; In as much as, Inasmuch as, considering that; In itself, intrinsically, apart from relations; In that, for the reason that.—Ins and outs, nooks and corners: the whole details of any matter.—Be in for a thing, to be destined to receive a thing; Be in it (slang), to be getting on successfully, esp. in a game; Be in with, to have intimacy or familiarity with. [A.S. in; Dut., Ger. in, Ice. í; W. yn, L. in, Gr. en. A.S. also had innan, within; cf. Old High Ger. innana, Sw. innan. In A.S. the prep. in was often interchangeable with the related on.]

Inaccessible, in-ak-ses′i-bl, adj. not to be reached, obtained, or approached.—ns. Inaccess′ibility, Inaccess′ibleness.—adv. Inaccess′ibly.

Inaccurate, in-ak′kūr-āt, adj. not exact or correct: erroneous.—n. Inac′curacy, want of exactness: mistake.—adv. Inac′curately.

Inactive, in-akt′iv, adj. having no power to move: idle: lazy: (chem.) not showing any action.—n. Inac′tion, idleness: rest.—adv. Inact′ively.—n. Inactiv′ity, idleness.

Inadaptable, in-a-dap′ta-bl, adj. that cannot be adapted.—n. Inadaptā′tion.—adj. Inadap′tive.

Inadequate, in-ad′e-kwāt, adj. insufficient.—ns. Inad′equacy, Inad′equateness, insufficiency.—adv. Inad′equately.

Inadmissible, in-ad-mis′i-bl, adj. not allowable.—n. Inadmissibil′ity.—adv. Inadmiss′ibly.

Inadvertent, in-ad-vėrt′ent, adj. inattentive.—ns. Inadvert′ence, Inadvert′ency, negligence: oversight.—adv. Inadvert′ently.

Inalienable, in-āl′yen-a-bl, adj. not capable of being transferred.—ns. Inalienabil′ity, Inal′ienableness.—adv. Inal′ienably.

Inalterable, in-awl′ter-a-bl, adj. unalterable.—n. Inalterabil′ity.

Inamorata, in-am-o-rä′ta, n.fem. a woman with whom one is in love:—masc. Inamora′to. [It. innamorata—Low L. inamorāre, to cause to love—L. in, in, amor, love.]

Inane, in-ān′, adj. empty, void: void of intelligence: useless.—ns. Inani′tion, exhaustion from want of food; Inan′ity, senselessness: worthlessness: any kind of vain frivolity. [L. inanis.]

Inanimate, -d, in-an′im-āt, -ed, adj. without animation or life: dead: spiritless: dull.—ns. Inan′imateness, Inanimā′tion.

Inapplicable, in-ap′plik-a-bl, adj. not applicable or suitable.—ns. Inapplicabil′ity, Inap′plicableness.

Inapposite, in-ap′poz-it, adj. not apposite, suitable, or pertinent.—adv. Inap′positely.

Inappreciable, in-ap-prē′shi-a-bl, adj. not appreciable or able to be valued.—adj. Inapprē′ciātive, not valuing justly or at all.

Inapprehensible, in-ap-pre-hen′si-bl, adj. not apprehensible or intelligible.—n. Inapprehen′sion.—adj. Inapprehen′sive.

Inapproachable, in-ap-prōch′a-bl, adj. inaccessible.—adv. Inapproach′ably.

Inappropriate, in-ap-prō′pri-āt, adj. not suitable.—adv. Inapprō′priately.—n. Inapprō′priateness.

Inapt, in-apt′, adj. not apt: unfit, or unqualified.—ns. Inapt′itude, Inapt′ness, unfitness, awkwardness.—adv. Inapt′ly.

Inarching, in-ärch′ing, n. a method of grafting by uniting, without separating from the original stem.—Also Enarch′ing.

Inarticulate, in-är-tik′ūl-āt, adj. not distinct, incapable of speaking distinctly: (zool.) not jointed.—adv. Inartic′ulately.—ns. Inartic′ulateness, Inarticulā′tion, indistinctness of sounds in speaking.

Inartificial, in-ärt-i-fish′yal, adj. not done by art: simple.—adv. Inartific′ially.

Inartistic, -al, in-ar-tis′tik, -al, adj. not artistic: deficient in appreciation of works of art.—adv. Inartis′tically.

Inattentive, in-at-tent′iv, adj. careless, not fixing the mind to attention.—ns. Inatten′tion, Inattent′iveness.—adv. Inattent′ively.

Inaudible, in-awd′i-bl, adj. not able to be heard.—ns. Inaudibil′ity, Inaud′ibleness.—adv. Inaud′ibly.

Inaugurate, in-aw′gūr-āt, v.t. to induct formally into an office: to cause to begin: to make a public exhibition of for the first time.—adjs. Inau′gural, Inau′gurātory, pertaining to, or done at, an inauguration.—ns. Inaugurā′tion, act of inaugurating; Inau′gurātor, one who inaugurates.—adj. Inau′guratory. [L. inaugurāre, -ātum.]

Inauspicious, in-aw-spish′us, adj. not auspicious: ill-omened: unlucky.—adv. Inauspic′iously.—n. Inauspic′iousness.

Inboard, in′bōrd, adv. within the hull or interior of a ship: toward or nearer to the centre.

Inbond, in′bond, adj. laid with its length across the thickness of a wall:—opp. to Outbond, where the brick or stone is laid with its length parallel to the face of the wall.

Inbreed, in-brēd′, v.t. to breed or generate within: to breed in-and-in.—pa.p. In′bred, bred within, inherent, intrinsic.

Inby, Inbye, in-bī′, adv. (Scot.) toward the interior, as of a house from the door, or a mine from the shaft. [In and by.]

Inca, ing′ka, n. the name of the ancient kings and princes of Peru:—pl. Incas (ing′kaz). [Sp. inca—Peruvian inca.]

Incalculable, in-kal′kū-la-bl, adj. not calculable or able to be reckoned.—ns. Incalculabil′ity, Incal′culableness.—adv. Incal′culably.

Incalescent, in-kal-es′ent, adj. growing warm.—n. Incalesc′ence. [L. incalescens, -entis, pr.p. of incalescĕre—in, in, calescĕre, inceptive of calēre, to be warm.]

Incameration, in-kam-ėr-ā′shun, n. the act of making over to a government a fund as a source of revenue, esp. an annexation to the papal exchequer. [L. in, in, camera, a chamber.]

Incandescent, in-kan-des′ent, adj. white or glowing with heat: rendered luminous by heat.—v.i. and v.t. to glow with heat, to cause to glow.—n. Incandesc′ence, a white heat.—Incandescent light, a brilliant white light produced by a resisting conductor under an electric current, or by coal-gas burnt under a mantle or hood of the oxide of didymium and others of the alkaline earths. [L.,—in, in, candescĕre—candēre, to glow.]

Incantation, in-kan-tā′shun, n. a formula of words said or sung in connection with certain ceremonies for purposes of enchantment.—n. In′cantātor.—adj. Incan′tatory. [L. incantation-em—incantāre, to sing a magical formula over.]

Incapable, in-kāp′a-bl, adj. not capable: insufficient, unable: lacking mental capacity: unconscious of: helplessly drunk: disqualified.—n. one lacking capacity.—n. Incapabil′ity.—adv. Incap′ably.

Incapacious, in-kap-ā′shus, adj. not large, narrow.—n. Incapā′ciousness.

Incapacitate, in-kap-as′i-tāt, v.t. to deprive of capacity: to make incapable: to disqualify.—ns. Incapacitā′tion, the act of disqualifying; Incapac′ity, want of capacity or power of mind: inability: legal disqualification.

Incarcerate, in-kär′sėr-āt, v.t. to imprison: to confine.—n. Incarcerā′tion, imprisonment: (surg.) obstinate constriction or strangulation. [L. in, in, carcer, a prison.]

Incardinate, in-kar′di-nāt, v.t. to attach as a cardinal part, as a priest to his church.—adj. a perversion of incarnate.

Incarnadine, in-kär′na-din, v.t. to dye of a red colour.—adj. carnation-coloured.

Incarnate, in-kär′nāt, v.t. to embody in flesh.—v.i. to form flesh, heal.—adj. invested with flesh.—n. Incarnā′tion, act of embodying in flesh: (theol.) the union of the divine nature with the human in the divine person of Christ: an incarnate form: manifestation, visible embodiment: (surg.) the process of healing, or forming new flesh. [Low. L. incarnāre, -ātum—L. in, in, caro, carnis, flesh.]

Incast, in′käst, n. something thrown in in addition by way of giving good measure.

Incatenation, in-ka-te-nā′shun, n. the act of chaining and linking together.

Incautious, in-kaw′shus, adj. not cautious or careful.—ns. Incau′tion, Incau′tiousness, want of caution.—adv. Incau′tiously.

Incavo, in-kä′vō, n. the incised part in an intaglio. [It.,—L. in, in, cavus, hollow.]

Incedingly, in-sēd′ing-li, adv. (rare) triumphantly. [L. incedĕre, to march along.]

Incendiary, in-sen′di-ar-i, n. one that sets fire to a building, &c., maliciously: one who promotes quarrels:—pl. Incen′diaries.—adj. wilfully setting fire to: relating to incendiarism: tending to excite quarrels.—n. Incen′diarism.—adj. Incend′ious (obs.), promoting faction. [L. incendiarius—incendium—incendĕre, incensum, to kindle.]

Incense, in-sens′, v.t. to inflame with anger: to incite, urge: to perfume with incense.—n. In′cense, odour of spices burned in religious rites: the materials so burned: pleasing perfume: (fig.) homage, adulation.—adj. In′cense-breath′ing, exhaling incense or fragrance.—ns. Incense′ment (Shak.), state of being inflamed with anger; Incens′or (obs.), a censer.

Incentive, in-sent′iv, adj. inciting, encouraging: (Milt.) igniting.—n. that which incites to action or moves the mind: motive. [L. incentivus, striking up a tune—incinĕre—in, in, canĕre, to sing.]

Inception, in-sep′shun, n. a beginning.—v.i. Incept′, to commence, esp. the period of candidature for the degree of master of arts, or a period of licensed teaching.—adj. Incep′tive, beginning or marking the beginning.—adv. Incep′tively, in a manner denoting beginning.—n. Incep′tor. [L. inceptionem—incipĕre, inceptum, to begin—in, on, capĕre, to take.]

Incertain, in-ser′tān, adj. uncertain.—ns. Incer′tainty, Incer′titude, want of certainty.

Incessant, in-ses′ant, adj. uninterrupted: continual.—adv. Incess′antly, unceasingly: (obs.) immediately. [L. incessans, -antis—in, not, cessāre, to cease.]

Incest, in′sest, n. sexual intercourse within the prohibited degrees of kindred.—adj. Incest′ūous, guilty of incest.—adv. Incest′uously.—n. Incest′uousness. [Fr.,—L. incestus—in, not, castus, chaste.]

Inch, insh, n. the twelfth part of a foot: proverbially, a small distance or degree: (Shak.) a critical moment.—v.i. to move by slow degrees.—adj. Inched, containing inches: marked with inches.—adv. Inch′meal, by inches or small degrees: gradually.—Inch by inch, By inches, by small degrees; Every inch, entirely, thoroughly. [A.S. ynce, an inch—L. uncia, the twelfth part of anything, an inch, also an ounce (twelfth of a pound).]

Inchoate, in′kō-āt, adj. only begun: unfinished, rudimentary: not established.—v.t. (Browning) to begin.—adv. In′choately.—n. Inchoā′tion, beginning: rudimentary state.—adj. Inchō′ative, incipient. [L. inchoāre, -ātum, to begin.]

Incident, in′si-dent, adj. falling upon: liable to occur: naturally belonging to anything, or following therefrom.—n. that which happens: an event: a subordinate action: an episode.—n. In′cidence, the manner of falling: bearing or onus, as of a tax that falls unequally: the falling of a ray of heat, light, &c. on a body: (geom.) the falling of a point on a line, or a line on a plane.—adj. Incident′al, occurring as a result, concomitant: occasional, casual.—adv. Incident′ally.—n. Incident′alness.—Angle of incidence, the angle at which a ray of light or radiant heat falls upon a surface. [Fr.,—L. incĭdens—in, on, cadĕre, to fall.]

Incineration, in-sin-ėr-ā′shun, n. the act of reducing to ashes by combustion.—v.t. Incin′erate, to burn to ashes.—n. Incin′erator, a furnace for consuming anything. [L. incinerāre, -ātum—in, in, cinis, cineris, ashes.]

Incipient, in-sip′i-ent, adj. beginning.—ns. Incip′ience, Incip′iency.—adv. Incip′iently. [Pr.p. of L. incipĕre.]

Incise, in-siz′, v.t. to cut into: to cut or gash: to engrave.—adj. Incis′iform, shaped like an incisor-tooth.—n. Incis′ion, the act of cutting into a substance: a cut: a gash.—adj. Incī′sive, having the quality of cutting into: trenchant: acute: sarcastic.—adv. Incī′sively.—ns. Incī′siveness; Incī′sor, a cutting or fore tooth.—adjs. Incisō′rial, Incī′sory.—n. Incis′ure, a cut, incision. [Fr. inciser—L. incīdĕre, incisum—in, into, cædĕre, to cut.]

Incite, in-sīt′, v.t. to rouse: to move the mind to action: to encourage: to goad.—ns. Incit′ant, that which incites: a stimulant; Incitā′tion, the act of inciting or rousing: an incentive.—adj. and n. Incit′ative.—ns. Incite′ment; Incit′er.—adv. Incit′ingly. [Fr.,—L. incitāre—in, in, citāre, to rouse—ciēre, to put in motion.]

Incivil, in-siv′il, adj. (Shak.) uncivil.—n. Incivil′ity, want of civility or courtesy: impoliteness: an act of discourtesy (in this sense has a pl., Incivil′ities).

Incivism, in′si-vizm, n. neglect of one's duty as a citizen, conduct unbecoming a good citizen. [Fr.]

Inclave, in-klāv′, adj. (her.) shaped, or cut at the edge, like a series of dovetails, as the border of an ordinary.—adj. Inclavāt′ed, made fast, nailed. [L. in, in, clavus, a nail.]

Inclearing, in′klēr-ing, n. the total amount in cheques and bills of exchange chargeable to a bank by the Clearing-house:—opp. to Outclearing.

Inclement, in-klem′ent, adj. unmerciful: stormy: very cold: harsh: unpropitious.—n. Inclem′ency.—adv. Inclem′ently.

Incline, in-klīn′, v.i. to lean towards: to deviate from a line towards an object: to be disposed: to have some desire.—v.t. to cause to bend towards: to give a leaning to: to dispose: to bend.—n. an inclined plane: a regular ascent or descent.—adj. Inclin′able, leaning: tending: somewhat disposed.—ns. Inclin′ableness; Inclinā′tion, the act of bending towards: tendency, disposition of mind: natural aptness: favourable disposition, preference, affection: act of bowing: angle between two lines or planes: the angle a line or plane makes with the horizon.—p.adj. Inclined′, bent.—pr.p. and n. Inclin′ing, inclination: (Shak.) side, party.—n. Inclinom′eter, an instrument for measuring the vertical element of the magnetic force.—Inclined plane, one of the so-called mechanical powers, a slope or plane up which may be rolled a weight one could not lift. [Fr.,—L. inclināre—in, towards, clināre, to lean.]

Include, in-klōōd′, v.t. to close or shut in: to embrace within limits: to contain: to comprise: (Shak.) to conclude.—adj. Includ′ible.—n. Inclū′sion, act of including: that which is included: restriction, limitation.—adj. Inclu′sive, shutting in: enclosing: (with of) comprehending the stated limit or extremes.—adv. Inclu′sively. [L. includĕre, inclusum—in, in, claudĕre, to shut.]

Incoercible, in-ko-ėrs′i-bl, adj. that cannot be liquefied by pressure, said of certain gases.

Incogitable, in-koj′i-ta-bl, adj. unthinkable.—ns. Incogitabil′ity, Incog′itancy.—adjs. Incog′itant, Incog′itātive. [L. in, not, cogitāre, to think.]

Incognisable, Incognizable, in-kog′niz-a-bl, or in-kon′iz-a-bl, adj. that cannot be known or distinguished.—adjs. Incog′nisant, Incog′nizant, not cognisant.—n. Incog′nizance, failure to recognise.—n. Incognoscibil′ity.—adj. Incognos′cible.

Incognito, in-kog′ni-tō, adj. unknown: disguised: under an assumed title.—n. a man unknown (fem. Incog′nita): concealment. [It.,—L. incognitus—in, not, cognitus, known—cognoscĕre, to know.]

Incoherent, in-kō-hēr′ent, adj. not connected: loose: incongruous.—n. Incoher′ence, want of coherence or connection: incongruity.—adv. Incoher′ently.—n. Incohē′sion.

Incombustible, in-kom-bust′i-bl, adj. incapable of being consumed by fire.—ns. Incombustibil′ity, Incombust′ibleness.—adv. Incombust′ibly.

Income, in′kum, n. the gain, profit, or interest resulting from anything: revenue: (Shak.) arrival: (Scot.) a disease coming without known cause.—n.pl. In′come-bonds, a term applied to a bastard kind of security which has no mortgage rights, and is really only a sort of preference share.—ns. In′comer, one who comes in: one who takes possession of a farm, house, &c., or who comes to live in a place, not having been born there; In′come-tax, a tax directly levied on all persons having incomes above a certain amount.—adj. In′coming, coming in, as an occupant: accruing: (Scot.) ensuing, next to follow.—n. the act of coming in: revenue. [Eng. in and come.]

Incommensurable, in-kom-en′sū-ra-bl, adj. having no common measure.—ns. Incommensurabil′ity, Incommen′surableness.—adv. Incommen′surably.—adj. Incommen′surāte, not admitting of a common measure: not adequate: unequal.—adv. Incommen′surātely.—n. Incommen′surāteness, the state of being incommensurate.

Incommiscible, in-kom-is′i-bl, adj. that cannot be mixed together. [L. in, not, commiscēre, to mix.]

Incommode, in-kom-ōd′, v.t. to cause trouble or inconvenience to: to annoy: to molest.—adj. Incommō′dious, inconvenient: annoying.—adv. Incommō′diously.—ns. Incommō′diousness, the quality of being incommodious; Incommod′ity, anything which causes inconvenience. [Fr.,—L. incommodāre—incommodus, inconvenient—in, not, commodus, commodious.]

Incommunicable, in-kom-ūn′i-ka-bl, adj. that cannot be communicated or imparted to others.—ns. Incommunicabil′ity, Incommun′icableness.—adv. Incommun′icably.—adj. Incommun′icative, not disposed to hold communion with, or to give information: unsocial.—adv. Incommun′icatively.—n. Incommun′icativeness.

Incommutable, in-kom-ūt′a-bl, adj. that cannot be commuted or exchanged.—ns. Incommutabil′ity, Incommut′ableness.—adv. Incommut′ably.

Incomparable, in-kom′par-a-bl, adj. matchless.—ns. Incomparabil′ity, Incom′parableness.—adv. Incom′parably.—adj. Incompared′ (Spens.), peerless.

Incompatible, in-kom-pat′i-bl, adj. not consistent: contradictory: incapable of existing together in harmony: (pl.) things which cannot coexist.—ns. Incompatibil′ity, Incompat′ibleness.—adv. Incompat′ibly.

Incompetent, in-kom′pe-tent, adj. wanting adequate powers: wanting the proper legal qualifications: insufficient.—ns. Incom′petence, Incom′petency.—adv. Incom′petently.

Incomplete, in-kom-plēt′, adj. imperfect.—adv. Incomplete′ly.—ns. Incomplete′ness, Incomplē′tion.

Incompliance, in-kom-plī′ans, n. refusal to comply: an unaccommodating disposition.—adj. Incomplī′ant.

Incomposite, in-kom′poz-it, adj. simple.—Incomposite numbers, same as prime numbers (see Prime).

Incompossible, in-kom-pos′i-bl, adj. incapable of coexisting.—n. Incompossibil′ity.

Incomprehensible, in-kom-pre-hen′si-bl, adj. not capable of being understood: not to be contained within limits.—ns. Incomprehensibil′ity, Incomprehen′sibleness, Incomprehen′sion.—adv. Incomprehen′sibly.—adj. Incomprehen′sive, limited.—n. Incomprehen′siveness.

Incompressible, in-kom-pres′i-bl, adj. not to be compressed into smaller bulk.—ns. Incompressibil′ity, Incompress′ibleness.

Incomputable, in-kom-pūt′a-bl, adj. that cannot be computed or reckoned.

Inconceivable, in-kon-sēv′a-bl, adj. that cannot be conceived by the mind: incomprehensible: involving a contradiction in terms: physically impossible.—ns. Inconceivabil′ity, Inconceiv′ableness.—adv. Inconceiv′ably.

Inconcinnity, in-kon-sin′i-ti, n. want of congruousness or proportion.—adj. Inconcinn′ous. [L.]

Inconclusive, in-kon-klōōs′iv, adj. not settling a point in debate, indeterminate, indecisive.—adv. Inconclus′ively.—ns. Inconclus′iveness, Inconclu′sion.

Incondite, in-kon′dīt, adj. not well put together, irregular, unfinished. [L. inconditus—in, not, condĕre, conditum, to build.]

Incongruous, in-kong′grōō-us, adj. inconsistent: not fitting well together, disjointed: unsuitable—also Incon′gruent.—ns. Incongru′ity, Incon′gruousness.—adv. Incon′gruously.

Inconscient, in-kon′shi-ent, adj. unconscious.—adj. Incon′scious, unconscious.

Inconsecutive, in-kon-sek′ū-tiv, adj. not succeeding in regular order.—n. Inconsec′utiveness.

Inconsequent, in-kon′se-kwent, adj. not following from the premises: illogical: irrelevant: unreasonable, inconsistent.—n. Incon′sequence.—adj. Inconsequen′tial, not following from the premises: of no consequence or value.—advs. Inconsequen′tially, Incon′sequently.

Inconsiderable, in-kon-sid′ėr-a-bl, adj. not worthy of notice: unimportant.—n. Inconsid′erableness.—adv. Inconsid′erably.

Inconsiderate, in-kon-sid′ėr-āt, adj. not considerate: thoughtless: inattentive.—adv. Inconsid′erately.—ns. Inconsid′erateness, Inconsiderā′tion.

Inconsistent, in-kon-sist′ent, adj. not consistent: not suitable or agreeing with: intrinsically incompatible: self-contradictory: changeable, fickle.—ns. Inconsist′ence, Inconsist′ency.—adv. Inconsist′ently.

Inconsolable, in-kon-sōl′a-bl, adj. not to be comforted.—n. Inconsol′ableness.—adv. Inconsol′ably.

Inconsonant, in-kon′sō-nant, adj. not consonant.—n. Incon′sonance.—adv. Incon′sonantly.

Inconspicuous, in-kon-spik′ū-us, adj. not conspicuous: scarcely discernible.—adv. Inconspic′uously.—n. Inconspic′uousness.

Inconstant, in-kon′stant, adj. subject to change: fickle.—n. Incon′stancy.—adv. Incon′stantly.

Inconsumable, in-kon-sūm′a-bl, adj. that cannot be consumed or wasted.—adv. Inconsum′ably.

Incontestable, in-kon-test′a-bl, adj. too clear to be called in question: undeniable.—n. Incontestabil′ity.—adv. Incontest′ably.

Incontiguous, in-kon-tig′ū-us, adj. not adjoining or touching.—adv. Incontig′uously.—n. Incontig′uousness.

Incontinent, in-kon′ti-nent, adj. not restraining the passions or appetites: unchaste: (med.) unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations: (coll.) immediate, off-hand.—adv. without delay: at once.—ns. Incon′tinence, Incon′tinency.—adv. Incon′tinently, without restraint: forthwith, immediately.

Incontrollable, in-kon-trō′la-bl, adj. uncontrollable.—adv. Incontrol′lably.

Incontrovertible, in-kon-tro-vėrt′i-bl, adj. too clear to be called in question.—n. Incontrovertibil′ity.—adv. Incontrovert′ibly.

Inconvenient, in-kon-vēn′yent, adj. unsuitable: causing trouble or uneasiness: increasing difficulty: incommodious.—v.t. Inconven′ience, to trouble or incommode.—ns. Inconven′ience, Inconven′iency.—adv. Inconven′iently.

Inconversable, in-kon-vers′a-bl, adj. indisposed to conversation, unsocial.

Inconvertible, in-kon-vėrt′i-bl, adj. that cannot be changed or exchanged.—n. Inconvertibil′ity.—adv. Inconvert′ibly.

Incony, in′kon-i, adj. (Shak.) fine, delicate, pretty. [Prob. from Fr. inconnu, unknown—L. incognitus (see Incog). Cf. unco, in the sense of strange, rare, fine, abbreviated from uncouth.]

Inco-ordinate, in-ko-or′di-nāt, adj. not in co-ordinate relation.—n. Inco-ordinā′tion.

Incorporate, in-kor′po-rāt, v.t. to form into a body: to combine into one mass, or embody: to unite: to form into a corporation.—v.i. to unite into one mass: to become part of another body.—adj. united in one body: (rare) not having a material body.—n. Incorporā′tion, act of incorporating: state of being incorporated: formation of a legal or political body: an association: (gram.) polysynthesis.—adjs. Incor′porative, characterised by grammatical incorporation—also Polysynthetic; Incorpō′real, Incor′poral (Shak.), not having a body: spiritual: intangible.—ns. Incorpō′realism, Incorporē′ity, Incorporeal′ity.—adv. Incorpō′really.

Incorrect, in-kor-ekt, adj. containing faults: not accurate: not correct in manner or character: (Shak.) not regulated.—adv. Incorrect′ly.—n. Incorrect′ness.

Incorrigible, in-kor′i-ji-bl, adj. and n. bad beyond correction or reform.—ns. Incorr′igibleness, Incorrigibil′ity.—adv. Incorr′igibly.

Incorrupt, in-kor-upt′, adj. sound: pure: not depraved: not to be tempted by bribes.—adj. Incorrupt′ible, not capable of decay: that cannot be bribed: inflexibly just.—ns. Incorrupt′ibleness, Incorruptibil′ity.—adv. Incorrupt′ibly.—ns. Incorrup′tion, Incorrupt′ness.—adj. Incorrupt′ive.—adv. Incorrupt′ly.

Incrassate, in-kras′āt, v.t. to make thick.—v.i. (med.) to become thicker.—adj. made thick or fat: (bot.) becoming thick by degrees.—n. Incrassā′tion.—adj. Incrass′ative. [Low L. incrassāre, -ātum—L. in, in, crassāre, to make thick.]

Increase, in-krēs′, v.i. to grow in size: to become greater: to advance.—v.t. to make greater: to advance: to extend: to aggravate.—adj. Increas′able.—ns. Increas′ableness; In′crease, growth: addition to the original stock: profit: produce: progeny.—adj. Increase′ful (Shak.), abundant of produce.—adv. Increas′ingly, in the way of increase. [M. E. incresen—en (L. in), and O. Fr. creisser, croistre—L. crescĕre, to grow.]

Incredible, in-kred′i-bl, adj. surpassing belief.—ns. Incredibil′ity, quality of being incredible, an incredible thing; Incred′ibleness, incredibility.—adv. Incred′ibly.

Incredulous, in-kred′ū-lus, adj. hard of belief.—ns. Incredū′lity, Incred′ulousness.—adv. Incred′ulously.

Incremation, in-kre-mā′shun, n. the act of burning a dead body.—v.t. Incrē′mate, to burn. [L. in, in, cremāre, -ātum, to burn.]

Increment, in′kre-ment, n. act of increasing or becoming greater: growth: that by which anything is increased: (math.) the finite increase of a variable quantity: (rhet.) an adding of particulars without climax (see 2 Peter, i. 5-7): (gram.) a syllable in excess of the number of the nominative singular or the second pers. sing. present indicative.—adj. Increment′al.—Unearned increment, any exceptional increase in the value of land, houses, &c., not due to the owner's labour or outlay. [L. incrementum—increscĕre, to increase.]

Incriminate, in-krim′in-āt, v.t. to charge with a crime or fault, to criminate: to characterise as criminal or as accessory to crime.—adj. Incrim′inātory.

Incubate, in′kū-bāt, v.i. to sit on eggs to hatch them.—v.t. to produce by hatching: (fig.) to turn over in the mind, ponder over.—n. Incubā′tion, the act of sitting on eggs to hatch them: (fig.) meditation on schemes: (med.) the period between the implanting of a disease and its development.—adjs. In′cubātive, Incubā′tory.—n. In′cubātor, a machine for hatching eggs by artificial heat. [L. incubāre, -ātum—in, upon, cubāre, to lie.]

Incubus, in′kū-bus, n. the nightmare: a male demon formerly supposed to consort with women in their sleep: any oppressive or stupefying influence:—pl. In′cubuses, Incubi (in′kū-bī). [L. incubāre—in, upon, cubāre, to lie.]

Inculcate, in-kul′kāt, v.t. to enforce by frequent admonitions or repetitions.—ns. Inculcā′tion; Incul′cātor. [L. inculcāre, -ātum—in, into, calcāre, to tread—calx, the heel.]

Inculpable, in-kul′pa-bl, adj. blameless.—adv. Incul′pably.—v.t. Incul′pate, to bring into blame: to censure.—n. Inculpā′tion.—adj. Incul′patory. [Low L. inculpāre, -ātum—L. in, in, culpa, a fault.]

Incumbent, in-kum′bent, adj. lying or resting on: lying on as a duty.—n. one who holds an ecclesiastical benefice.—n. Incum′bency, a lying or resting on: the holding of an office: an ecclesiastical benefice.—adv. Incum′bently. [L. incumbens, -entis, pr.p. of incumbĕre, to lie upon.]

Incunabula, in-kū-nab′ū-la, n.pl. books printed in the early period of the art, before the year 1500: the cradle, birthplace, origin of a thing. [L. in, in, cunabula, a cradle, dim. of cunæ, a cradle.]

Incur, in-kur′, v.t. to become liable to: to bring on:—pr.p. incur′ring; pa.p. incurred′. [L. incurrĕre, incursum—in, into, currĕre, to run.]

Incurable, in-kūr′a-bl, adj. not admitting of cure or correction.—n. one beyond cure.—ns. Incur′ableness, Incurabil′ity.—adv. Incur′ably.

Incurious, in-kū′ri-us, adj. not curious or inquisitive: inattentive: deficient in interest.—adv. Incū′riously.—ns. Incū′riousness, Incurios′ity.

Incursion, in-kur′shun, n. a hostile inroad.—adj. Incur′sive, making an incursion or inroad. [Fr.,—L. incursion-em—incurrĕre.]

Incurve, in-kurv′, v.t. to cause to curve inward.—v.i. to curve inward.—v.t. Incur′vāte, to turn from a straight course.—adj. curved inward or upward.—ns. Incurvā′tion, act of bending, bowing, kneeling, &c.: the growing inward of the nails; Incur′vature, any curving.—adj. Incurved′ (bot.), curving toward the axis of growth.—n. Incur′vity, the state of being bent inward.

Incus, in′kus, n. one of the bones in the tympanum or middle ear, so called from its fancied resemblance to an anvil:—pl. In′cūdes. [L., an anvil.]

Incuse, in-kūz′, v.t. to impress by stamping, as a coin.—adj. hammered.—n. an impression, a stamp. [L. incusus, pa.p. of incudĕre—in, on, cudĕre, to strike.]

Incut, in′kut, adj. set in by, or as if by, cutting, esp. in printing, inserted in spaces left in the text.

Indagate, in′da-gāt, v.t. to search out.—n. Indagā′tion.—adj. In′dagātive.—n. In′dagātor.—adj. In′dagātory. [L. indagāre, -ātum, to trace.]

Indebted, in-det′ed, adj. being in debt: obliged by something received.—ns. Indebt′edness, Indebt′ment.

Indecent, in-dē′sent, adj. offensive to common modesty: unbecoming: gross, obscene.—n. Indē′cency, quality of being indecent: anything violating modesty or seemliness.—adv. Indē′cently.

Indeciduous, in-de-sid′ū-us, adj. not deciduous, as leaves.—Also Indecid′uate.

Indecision, in-de-sizh′un, n. want of decision or resolution: hesitation.—adj. Indecī′sive, unsettled: inconclusive.—adv. Indecī′sively.—n. Indecī′siveness.

Indeclinable, in-de-klīn′a-bl, adj. (gram.) not varied by inflection.—adv. Indeclin′ably.

Indecorous, in-de-kō′rus (sometimes in-dek′ō-rus), adj. not becoming; violating good manners.—adv. Indecō′rously.—ns. Indecō′rousness, Indecō′rum, want of propriety of conduct: a breach of decorum.

Indeed, in-dēd′, adv. in fact: in truth: in reality. It emphasises an affirmation, marks a qualifying word or clause, a concession or admission, or, used as an interj., it expresses surprise or interrogation.

Indefatigable, in-de-fat′i-ga-bl, adj. that cannot be fatigued or wearied out: unremitting in effort.—n. Indefat′igableness.—adv. Indefat′igably. [Fr.,—L. indefatigabilis—in, not, de, fatigāre, to tire.]

Indefeasible, in-de-fēz′i-bl, adj. not to be defeated or made void.—n. Indefeasibil′ity.—adv. Indefeas′ibly.

Indefensible, in-de-fens′i-bl, adj. untenable, that cannot be maintained or justified.—adv. Indefens′ibly.

Indefinable, in-de-fīn′a-bl, adj. that cannot be defined.—adv. Indefin′ably.

Indefinite, in-def′i-nit, adj. not limited: not precise or certain: (logic) indeterminate in logical quantity.—adv. Indef′initely.—n. Indef′initeness.

Indelible, in-del′i-bl, adj. that cannot be blotted out or effaced.—ns. Indelibil′ity, Indel′ibleness.—adv. Indel′ibly. [Fr.,—L. in, not, delebilis—delēre, to destroy.]

Indelicate, in-del′i-kāt, adj. offensive to good manners or purity of mind: coarse.--n. Indel′icacy.—adv. Indel′icately.

Indemnify, in-dem′ni-fī, v.t. (with against) to secure against loss: to make good for damage done: to give security against:—pa.p. indem′nified.—ns. Indemnificā′tion, act of indemnifying: that which indemnifies; Indem′nitor, one who indemnifies; Indem′nity, security from damage, loss, or punishment: compensation for loss or injury.—Act of Indemnity, an act or decree for the protection of public officers from any technical or legal penalties or liabilities they may have been compelled to incur. [Fr.,—L. indemnis, unharmed—in, not, damnum, loss, facĕre, to make.]

Indemonstrable, in-de-mon′stra-bl, adj. that cannot be demonstrated or proved.—n. Indemonstrabil′ity.

Indent, in-dent′, v.t. to cut into points like teeth: to notch: to indenture, apprentice: (print.) to begin farther in from the margin than the rest of a paragraph.—v.i. (Shak.) to move in a zigzag course: to bargain: to make a compact.—n. a cut or notch in the margin: a recess like a notch.—n. Indentā′tion, a hollow or depression: act of indenting or notching: notch: recess.—pa.p. and adj. Indent′ed, having indentations: serrated: zigzag.—ns. Inden′tion (print.), any space left before the beginning of lines, as in poetry; Indent′ure, the act of indenting, indentation: (law) a deed under seal, with mutual covenants, where the edge is indented for future identification: a written agreement between two or more parties: a contract.—v.t. to bind by indentures: to indent. [Low L. indentāre—L. in, in, dens, dentis, a tooth.]

Independent, in-de-pend′ent, adj. (with of) not dependent or relying on others: not subordinate: not subject to bias: affording a comfortable livelihood: belonging to the Independents: (gram.) of some parts of speech (noun, pronoun, verb), capable of forming sentences without the others.—n. one who in ecclesiastical affairs holds that every congregation should be independent of every other and subject to no superior authority—a Congregationalist: (math.) not depending on another for its value, said of a quantity or function.—ns. Independ′ence, Independ′ency.—adv. Independ′ently.—Declaration of Independence, the document embodying the reasons for the secession of the thirteen colonies of America from England, reported to the Continental Congress, July 4, 1776—observed in the United States as a legal holiday—Independence Day.

Indescribable, in-de-skrīb′a-bl, adj. that cannot be described: (pl.) applied facetiously to trousers.—adv. Indescrib′ably.

Indesignate, in-des′ig-nāt, adj. (logic) without any indication of quantity.

Indestructible, in-de-struk′ti-bl, adj. that cannot be destroyed.—ns. Indestructibil′ity, Indestruc′tibleness.—adv. Indestruc′tibly.

Indeterminable, in-de-tėr′min-a-bl, adj. not to be ascertained or fixed: (nat. hist.) not to be classified or fixed.—n. Indeter′minableness.—adv. Indeter′minably.—adj. Indeter′mināte, not determinate or fixed: uncertain: having no defined or fixed value.—adv. Indeter′minātely.—ns. Indeter′mināteness, Indeterminā′tion, want of determination: want of fixed direction.—adj. Indeter′mined, not determined: unsettled.

Index, in′deks, n. anything that indicates or points out: a hand that directs to anything, as the hour of the day, &c.: the forefinger: alphabetical list of subjects treated of in a book: (math.) the exponent of a power:—pl. Indexes (in′deks-ez), and in math., Indices (in′di-sēz).—v.t. to provide with or place in an index.—ns. In′dex-dig′it, In′dex-fing′er, the forefinger, or in other animals that digit representing the human index.—adjs. Index′ical; In′dexless, without an index.—Index Expurgatorius, in the R.C. Church, an authoritative list of books only to be read in expurgated editions; Index Librorum Expurgandorum, or Index Librorum Prohibitorum, an official list of books which the faithful are absolutely forbidden to read at all under pain of instant excommunication; Index rerum, an index of subjects; Index verborum, an index of words. [L. index, indicis—indicāre, to show.]

Indian, in′di-an, adj. belonging to the Indies, East or West, or to the aborigines of America.—n. a native of the Indies: a European who lives or has lived in India: an aboriginal of America.—ns. In′diaman, a large ship employed in trade, with India; In′dia-rub′ber, an elastic gummy substance, the inspissated juice of various tropical plants, extensively used in the arts: caoutchouc.—adj. In′dic, originating or existing in India, a term comprehensively applied to all the Aryan languages of India.—Indian berry, a climbing Indian shrub, its fruit Cocculus Indicus; Indian club, a bottle-shaped block of wood, swung in various motions by the arms with the view of developing the muscles of these and of the chest, &c.; Indian corn, maize, so called because brought from the West Indies; Indian cress, an ornamental garden shrub from Peru, with orange flowers; Indian file (see File); Indian fire, a pyrotechnic composition, used as a signal-light, consisting of sulphur, realgar, and nitre; Indian red (see Red); Indian summer, in America, a period of warm, dry, calm weather in late autumn, with hazy atmosphere.—India Docks, extensive docks in London for the accommodation of vessels engaged in the West and East India trade; India ink (see Ink); India Office, a government office in London, where are managed the affairs of the Indian government; India paper, a thin yellowish printing-paper made in China and Japan from vegetable fibre, and used in taking the finest proofs from engraved plates—hence called India proofs; India shawl, a Cashmere shawl.—East India Company, a great chartered company formed for trading with India and the East Indies, more especially applied to the English Company, incorporated in 1600 and abolished in 1858; East Indian, an inhabitant or a native of the East Indies; Red Indian, one of the aborigines of America, so called from the colour of the skin—(coll.) in U.S. Injen, Injun; West Indian, a native or an inhabitant of the West Indies. [L. India—Indus (Gr. Indos), the Indus (Pers. Hind. Hind; Zend Hindu)—Sans. sindhu, a river.]

Indicate, in′di-kāt, v.t. to point out: to show: to give as a ground for inferring.—adj. In′dicant, indicating.—n. that which indicates.—n. Indicā′tion, act of indicating: mark: token: symptom.—adj. Indic′ative, pointing out: giving intimation of: (gram.) applied to the mood of the verb which affirms or denies.—adv. Indic′atively.—n. In′dicātor, one who indicates: an instrument on a steam-engine to show the pressure.—adj. In′dicātory, showing. [L. indicāre, -ātum—in, in, dicāre, to proclaim.]

Indict, in-dīt′, v.t. to charge with a crime formally or in writing, esp. by a grand-jury.—adj. Indict′able.—ns. Indictee′, one who is indicted; Indict′ment, formal accusation: the written accusation against one who is to be tried by jury: (Scots law) the form under which a criminal is put to trial at the instance of the Lord Advocate.—Find an indictment, said of the grand-jury when they are satisfied of the truth of the accusation, and endorse the bill, A true bill. [L. indictāre, freq. of indicĕre, indictum, to declare—in, in, dicĕre, to say.]

Indiction, in-dik′shun, n. a proclamation: a cycle of fifteen years, instituted by Constantine the Great for fiscal purposes, and adopted by the popes as part of their chronological system: a year bearing a number showing its place in a fifteen years' cycle, dating from 313 A.D.

Indifferent, in-dif′ėr-ent, adj. without importance: uninteresting: of a middle quality: neutral: unconcerned.—n. one who is indifferent or apathetic: that which is indifferent.—ns. Indiff′erence, Indiff′erency, Indiff′erentism, indifference: (theol.) the doctrine that religious differences are of no moment: (metaph.) the doctrine of absolute identity—i.e. that to be in thought and to exist are one and the same thing; Indiff′erentist.—adv. Indiff′erently, in an indifferent manner: tolerably: passably: without distinction, impartially.

Indigenous, in-dij′en-us, adj. native born or originating in: produced naturally in a country.—adj. and n. In′digene.—adv. Indig′enously. [L. indigena, a native—indu, or in, and gen-, root of gignĕre, to produce.]

Indigent, in′di-jent, adj. in need of anything: destitute of means of subsistence: poor.—n. In′digence.—adv. In′digently. [Fr.,—L. indigens, -entis, pr.p. of indigĕre—indu, or in, in, egēre, to need.]

Indigest, in-di-jest′, adj. not digested, shapeless.—n. a crude mass, disordered state of affairs.—adj. Indigest′ed, not digested: unarranged: not methodised.—ns. Indigestibil′ity, Indigest′ion, want of digestion: painful digestion.—adj. Indigest′ible, not digestible: not easily digested: not to be received or patiently endured.—adv. Indigest′ibly.—adj. Indigest′ive, dyspeptic. [L. indigestus, unarranged—in, not, digerĕre, to arrange, digest.]

Indign, in-dīn′, adj. not worthy: disgraceful. [L. in, not, dignus, worthy.]

Indignant, in-dig′nant, adj. affected with anger and disdain.—n. Indig′nance (Spens.).—adv. Indig′nantly.—n. Indignā′tion, the feeling caused by what is unworthy or base: anger mixed with contempt: effect of indignant feeling.—v.t. Indig′nify (Spens.), to treat indignantly or disdainfully.—n. Indig′nity, unmerited contemptuous treatment: incivility with contempt or insult: (Spens.) unworthiness, base conduct. [L. indignans, -antis, pr.p. of indignāri, to consider as unworthy—in, not, dignus, worthy.]

Indigo, in′di-go, n. a blue dye obtained from the stalks of the indigo plant.—Indigo blue, the blue colouring matter of indigo, a crystalline solid, colourless and tasteless; Indigo plant, a plant of the genus Indigofera, from which indigo is obtained. [Sp. indico—L. indicum, from Indicus, Indian.]

Indirect, in-di-rekt′, adj. not direct or straight: not lineal or in direct succession: not related in the natural way, oblique: not straightforward or honest.—adv. Indirect′ly.—ns. Indirect′ness, Indirec′tion (Shak.), indirect course or means, dishonest practice.—Indirect evidence, or testimony, circumstantial or inferential evidence; Indirect object (gram.), a substantive word dependent on a verb less immediately than an accusative governed by it; Indirect syllogism (logic), a syllogism which can be made more cogent and useful by the process called reduction.

Indiscernible, in-diz-ėrn′i-bl, adj. not discernible.—adv. Indiscern′ibly.

Indiscipline, in-dis′i-plin, n. want of discipline, disorder.—adj. Indis′ciplinable.

Indiscreet, in-dis-krēt′, adj. not discreet: imprudent: injudicious.—adv. Indiscreet′ly.—ns. Indiscreet′ness, Indiscretion (-kresh′-), want of discretion: rashness: an indiscreet act.

Indiscriminate, in-dis-krim′i-nāt, adj. not distinguishing: promiscuous.—adv. Indiscrim′inately.—adjs. Indiscrim′inating, Indiscrim′inative, not discriminative.—n. Indiscriminā′tion.

Indispensable, in-dis-pens′a-bl, adj. that cannot be dispensed with: absolutely necessary.—ns. Indispensabil′ity, Indispens′ableness.—adv. Indispens′ably.

Indispose, in-dis-pōz′, v.t. to render indisposed, averse, or unfit.—pa.p. and adj. Indisposed′, averse: slightly disordered in health.—ns. Indispos′edness, Indisposi′tion, state of being indisposed: disinclination: slight illness.

Indisputable, in-dis′pū-ta-bl, adj. certainly true: certain.—n. Indis′putableness.—adv. Indis′putably.

Indissoluble, in-dis′ol-ū-bl, adj. that cannot be broken or violated: inseparable: binding for ever.—ns. Indiss′olubleness, Indissolubil′ity.—adv. Indiss′olubly.

Indistinct, in-dis-tingkt′, adj. not plainly marked: confused: not clear to the mind: dim, imperfect, as of the senses.—adj. Indistinct′ive, not capable of making distinctions.—n. Indistinct′iveness.—adv. Indistinct′ly.—ns. Indistinct′ness, Indistinc′tion, confusion: absence of distinction, sameness.

Indistinguishable, in-dis-ting′gwish-a-bl, adj. that cannot be distinguished.—n. Indistin′guishableness.—adv. Indistin′guishably.

Indite, in-dīt′, v.t. to compose or write: (B.) to arrange for utterance or writing: (Shak.) to invite.—v.i. to compose.—ns. Indite′ment; Indit′er. [O. Fr. enditer, a doublet of indict.]

Indivertible, in-di-vert′i-bl, adj. not capable of being turned aside out of a course.

Individual, in-di-vid′ū-al, adj. not divisible without loss of identity: subsisting as one: pertaining to one only, of a group where each constituent is different from the others: (Milt.) inseparable.—n. a single person, animal, plant, or thing.—n. Individualisā′tion.—v.t. Individ′ualīse, to stamp with individual character: to particularise.—ns. Individ′ualism, individual character: independent action as opposed to co-operation: that theory which opposes interference of the State in the affairs of individuals, opposed to Socialism or Collectivism: (logic) the doctrine that individual things alone are real: the doctrine that nothing exists but the individual self; Individ′ualist.—adj. Individualist′ic.—n. Individual′ity, separate and distinct existence: oneness: distinctive character.—adv. Individ′ually.—v.t. Individ′uāte, to individualise: to make single.—n. Individuā′tion, the question as to what it is that distinguishes one organised or living being, or one thinking being, from all others. [L. individuus—in, not, dividuus, divisible—dividĕre, to divide.]

Indivisible, in-di-viz′i-bl, adj. not divisible.—n. (math.) an indefinitely small quantity.—ns. Indivisibil′ity, Indivis′ibleness.—adv. Indivis′ibly.

Indo-Chinese, in′dō-chī-nēz′, adj. of or pertaining to Indo-China, the south-eastern peninsula of Asia.

Indocile, in-dō′sīl, or in-dos′il, adj. not docile: not disposed to be instructed—also Indō′cible.—n. Indocil′ity.

Indoctrinate, in-dok′trin-āt, v.t. to instruct in any doctrine: to imbue with any opinion.—ns. Indoctrinā′tion; Indoc′trinator.

Indo-European, in′dō-ū-rō-pē′an, adj. a term applied to the family of languages variously called Aryan, Japhetic, Sanscritic, Indo-Germanic, generally classified into seven great branches—viz. Indic, Iranian or Persic, Celtic, Greek, Italic, Slavo-Lettic, Teutonic.

Indolent, in′dō-lent, adj. indisposed to activity.—ns. In′dolence, In′dolency.—adv. In′dolently. [L. in, not, dolens, -entis, pr.p. of dolēre, to suffer pain.]

Indomitable, in-dom′it-a-bl, adj. that cannot be tamed: not to be subdued.—adv. Indom′itably.

Indoor, in′dōr, adj. performed indoors.—adv. In′doors, within doors.—Indoor relief, support given to paupers in public buildings, as opposed to Outdoor relief, or help given them at their own homes.

Indubitable, in-dū′bit-a-bl, adj. that cannot be doubted: certain.—n. Indū′bitableness.—adv. Indū′bitably.

Induce, in-dūs′, v.t. to prevail on: to cause or produce in any way: (obs.) to place upon: (physics) to cause, as an electric state, by mere proximity of surfaces.—ns. Induce′ment, that which induces or causes: incentive, motive: (law) a statement of facts introducing other important facts; Induc′er.—adj. Indū′cible.—Induced current (elect.), a current set in action by the influence of the surrounding magnetic field, or by the variation of an adjacent current. [L. inducĕre, inductum—in, into, ducĕre, to lead.]

Induct, in-dukt′, v.t. to introduce: to put in possession, as of a benefice.—adj. Induc′tile, that cannot be drawn out into wire or threads.—ns. Inductil′ity; Induc′tion, introduction to an office, especially of a clergyman: an introduction, a prelude independent of the main work, but giving some notion of its aim and meaning: the act or process of reasoning from particular cases to general conclusions: (physics) the production by one body of an opposite electric state in another by proximity.—adjs. Induc′tional, Induc′tive.—n. Induc′tion-coil, an electrical machine consisting of two coils of wire, in which every variation of the primary or inner current induces a current in the outer or secondary circuit.—adv. Induc′tively.—n. Induc′tor.—Induction by simple enumeration, logical induction by enumeration of all the cases singly; Inductive philosophy, Bacon's name for science founded on induction or observation; Inductive reasoning, opp. to Deductive reasoning (see Deductive); Inductive science, any special branch of science founded on positive and observable fact. [See Induce.]

Indulge, in-dulj′, v.t. to yield to the wishes of: not to restrain, as the will, &c.—v.i. (with in) to gratify one's appetites freely.—ns. Indul′gence, gratification: forbearance of present payment: in the R.C. Church, a remission, to a repentant sinner, of the temporal punishment which remains due after the sin and its eternal punishment have been remitted (Plenary indulgences, such as remit all; Partial, a portion of the temporal punishment due to sin; Temporal, those granted only for a time; Perpetual or Indefinite, those which last till revoked; Personal, those granted to a particular person or confraternity; Local, those gained only in a particular place): exemption of an individual from an ecclesiastical law.—adjs. Indul′gent, yielding to the wishes of others: compliant: not severe; Indulgen′tial.—adv. Indul′gently.—ns. Indul′ger; Indult′, a license granted by the Pope, authorising something to be done which the common law of the Church does not sanction.—Declaration of Indulgence, a proclamation of James II. in 1687, by which he promised to suspend all laws tending to force the conscience of his subjects. [L. indulgēre, to be kind to—in, in, and prob. L. dulcis, sweet.]

Induline, in′dū-lin, n. a name of various coal-tar colours used in dyeing cotton wool and silk dark-blue colours resembling indigo.

Indumentum, in-dū-men′tum, n. (bot.) any hairy covering: plumage, of birds. [L.]

Induplicate, in-dū′pli-kāt, adj. having the margins doubled inwards, said of the calyx or corolla in æstivation.—n. Induplicā′tion.

Indurate, in′dū-rāt, v.t. to harden, as the feelings.—v.i. to grow hard: to harden.—n. Indurā′tion.—adj. In′durative. [L. indurāre, -ātum—in, in, durāre, to harden.]

Indusium, in-dū′zi-um, n. (bot.) a sort of hairy cup enclosing the stigma of a flower: the scale covering the fruit-spot of ferns.—adj. Indū′sial (geol.), composed of Indū′sia, or the petrified larva-cases of insects. [L.,—induĕre, to put on.]

Industry, in′dus-tri, n. quality of being diligent: assiduity: steady application to labour: habitual diligence: manufacture: trade.—adj. Indus′trial, relating to or consisting in industry.—n. Indus′trialism, devotion to labour or industrial pursuits: that system or condition of society in which industrial labour is the chief and most characteristic feature, opposed to feudalism and the military spirit.—adv. Indus′trially.—adj. Indus′trious, diligent or active in one's labour: laborious: diligent in a particular pursuit.—adv. Indus′triously.—Industrial exhibition, museum, an exhibition, museum, of industrial products or manufactures; Industrial school, a school in which agricultural or some other industrial art is taught: a school where neglected children are taught mechanical arts. [Fr.,—L.; perh. from indo, old form of in, within, and struĕre, to build up.]

Induviæ, in-dū′vi-ē, n.pl. (bot.) the withered leaves which remain persistent on the stems of some plants.—adjs. Indū′vial; Indū′viate. [L.]

Indwell, in′dwel, v.i. to dwell or abide in.—n. In′dweller, an inhabitant.—adj. In′dwelling, dwelling within, abiding permanently in the mind or soul.—n. residence within, or in the heart or soul.

Inebriate, in-ē′bri-āt, v.t. to make drunk, to intoxicate: to exhilarate greatly.—adj. drunk: intoxicated.—n. a habitual drunkard.—adj. Inē′briant, intoxicating—also n.—ns. Inebriā′tion, Inebrī′ety, drunkenness: intoxication.—adj. Inē′brious, drunk: causing intoxication. [L. inebriāre, -ātum—in, inten., ebriāre, to make drunk—ebrius, drunk.]

Ineffable, in-ef′a-bl, adj. that cannot be described, inexpressible.—n. Ineff′ableness.—adv. Ineff′ably. [Fr.,—L. ineffabilis—in, not, effabilis, effable.]

Ineffaceable, in-ef-fās′a-bl, adj. that cannot be rubbed out.—adv. Inefface′ably.

Ineffective, in-ef-fek′tiv, adj. not effective: useless.—adv. Ineffec′tively.—adj. Ineffec′tual, fruitless.—ns. Ineffectual′ity, Ineffec′tualness.—adv. Ineffec′tually.—adj. Inefficā′cious, not having power to produce an effect.—adv. Inefficā′ciously.—n. Inef′ficacy, want of efficacy.—n. Ineffic′iency.—adj. Ineffic′ient, effecting, or capable of effecting, nothing.—adv. Ineffic′iently.

Inelastic, in-ē-las′tik, adj. not elastic: incompressible.—n. Inelastic′ity.

Inelegance, in-el′e-gans, n. want of elegance: want of beauty or polish—also Inel′egancy.—adj. Inel′egant, wanting in beauty, refinement, or ornament.—adv. Inel′egantly.

Ineligible, in-el′i-ji-bl, adj. not capable, or worthy, of being chosen: unsuitable.—n. Ineligibil′ity.—adv. Inel′igibly.

Ineloquent, in-el′o-kwent, adj. not fluent or persuasive.—n. Inel′oquence.

Inept, in-ept′, adj. not apt or fit: unsuitable: foolish: inexpert.—ns. Inept′itūde, Inept′ness.—adv. Inept′ly. [Fr.,—L. ineptus—in, not, aptus, apt.]

Inequality, in-e-kwol′i-ti, n. want of equality: difference: inadequacy: incompetency: unevenness: dissimilarity.

Inequitable, in-ek′wi-ta-bl, adj. unfair, unjust.—adv. Ineq′uitably.—n. Ineq′uity, lack of equity: an unjust action.

Ineradicable, in-e-rad′i-ka-bl, adj. not able to be eradicated or rooted out.—adv. Inerad′icably.

Inerrable, in-er′a-bl, adj. incapable of erring.—adv. Inerr′ably.—n. Inerr′ancy, freedom from error.—adj. Inerr′ant, unerring.

Inert, in-ėrt′, adj. dull: senseless: inactive: slow: without the power of moving itself, or of active resistance to motion: powerless.—n. Iner′tia, inertness: the inherent property of matter by which it tends to remain for ever at rest when still, and in motion when moving.—adv. Inert′ly.—n. Inert′ness. [Fr.,—L. iners—in, not, ars, art.]

Inescutcheon, in-es-kuch′un, n. (her.) a single shield borne as a charge.

Inessential, in-es-sen′shal, adj. not essential or necessary: immaterial.

Inestimable, in-es′tim-a-bl, adj. not able to be estimated or valued: priceless.—adv. Ines′timably.

Ineunt, in′ē-unt, n. (math.) a point of a curve. [Iniens, ineunt-is, pr.p. of inīre, to go in.]

Inevitable, in-ev′it-a-bl, adj. not able to be evaded or avoided: that cannot be escaped: irresistible.—n. Inev′itableness.—adv. Inev′itably.—The inevitable, that which is sure to happen. [Fr.,—L. inevitabilis—in, not, evitabilis, avoidable—evitāre, to avoid—e, out of, vitāre, to avoid.]

Inexact, in-egz-akt′, adj. not precisely correct or true.—ns. Inexact′itude, Inexact′ness.

Inexcusable, in-eks-kūz′a-bl, adj. not justifiable: unpardonable.—ns. Inexcusabil′ity, Inexcus′ableness.—adv. Inexcus′ably.

Inexecrable, in-ek′se-krä-bl, adj. prob. for inexorable in Shak., Merchant of Venice, IV. i. 128.

Inexecutable, in-ek-se-kūt′a-bl, adj. incapable of being executed.—n. Inexecū′tion.

Inexhausted, in-egz-hawst′ed, adj. not exhausted or spent.—n. Inexhaustibil′ity.—adj. Inexhaust′ible, not able to be exhausted or spent: unfailing.—adv. Inexhaust′ibly.—adj. Inexhaust′ive, not to be exhausted: unfailing: not exhaustive.

Inexistence, in-eg-zist′ens, n. non-existence.—adj. Inexist′ent.

Inexorable, in-egz′or-a-bl, adj. not to be moved by entreaty: unrelenting: unalterable.—ns. Inex′orableness, Inexorabil′ity.—adv. Inex′orably.—Inexorable logic of facts, Mazzini's phrase for the inexorable force of circumstances, whose conclusions are beyond the reach of argument. [L.,—in, not, exorabilis—exorāre—ex, out of, orāre, to entreat.]

Inexpedient, in-eks-pē′di-ent, adj. not tending to promote any end: unfit: inconvenient.—ns. Inexpē′dience, Inexpē′diency.—adv. Inexpē′diently.

Inexperience, in-eks-pē′ri-ens, n. want of experience.—adj. Inexpē′rienced, not having experience: unskilled or unpractised.

Inexpiable, in-eks′pi-a-bl, adj. not able to be expiated or atoned for, implacable.—n. Inex′piableness.—adv. Inex′piably.

Inexplicable, in-eks′pli-ka-bl, adj. that cannot be explained: unintelligible.—ns. Inexplicabil′ity, Inex′plicableness.—adv. Inex′plicably.

Inexplorable, in-eks-plōr′a-bl, adj. that cannot be explored or discovered.

Inexpressible, in-eks-pres′i-bl, adj. that cannot be expressed: unutterable: indescribable.—n.pl. (coll. and supposed to be humorous) trousers.—adv. Inexpress′ibly.—adj. Inexpress′ive, not expressive or significant.—n. Inexpress′iveness.

Inexpugnable, in-eks-pug′na-bl (or -pū′-), adj. not to be overcome by force.—adv. Inexpug′nably.

Inextended, in-eks-tend′ed, adj. not extended, without extension.—n. Inextensibil′ity.—adj. Inexten′sible.—n. Inexten′sion.

Inextinguishable, in-eks-ting′gwish-a-bl, adj. that cannot be extinguished, quenched, or destroyed.—adv. Inextin′guishably.

Inextricable, in-eks′tri-ka-bl, adj. not able to be extricated or disentangled.—adv. Inex′tricably.

Infallible, in-fal′i-bl, adj. incapable of error: trustworthy: certain.—ns. Infall′ibilism; Infall′ibilist; Infallibil′ity.—adv. Infall′ibly.—The doctrine of infallibility in the R.C. Church, since 1870, is that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedrâ, is kept from error in all that regards faith and morals.

Infamous, in′fa-mus, adj. having a reputation of the worst kind: publicly branded with guilt: notoriously vile: disgraceful.—vs.t. Infame′, to defame; In′famise, Infam′onise (Shak.), to defame, to brand with infamy.—adv. In′famously.—n. In′famy, ill fame or repute: public disgrace: extreme vileness: (law) a stigma attaching to the character of a person so as to disqualify him from being a witness. [Fr.,—L. in, not, fama, fame.]

Infant, in′fant, n. a babe: (Eng. law) a person under twenty-one years of age.—adj. belonging to infants or to infancy: tender: intended for infants.—v.t. (obs.) to have as an infant: to give rise to.—n. In′fancy, the state or time of being an infant: childhood: the beginning of anything: (Milt.) want of distinct utterance.—adjs. Infantile (in′fant-īl, or -il), Infantine (in′fant-īn, or -in), pertaining to infancy or to an infant. [L. infans, -antis—in, not, fans, pr.p. of fāri, to speak; Gr. phēmi.]

Infanta, in-fan′ta, n. a title given to any one of the legitimate daughters of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the heiress-apparent, or to any one married to an Infante.—n. Infante (in-fan′tā), a title given to any one of the legitimate sons of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the heir-apparent. [Sp. from root of infant.]

Infanticide, in-fant′i-sīd, n. child murder; the murderer of an infant.—adj. Infant′icidal. [Fr.,—L. infanticidium—infans, an infant, cædĕre, to kill.]

Infantry, in′fant-ri, n. foot-soldiers. [Fr. infanterie—It. infanteria—infante, fante, a child, a servant, a foot-soldier—L. infantem, infans.]

Infatuate, in-fat′ū-āt, v.t. to make foolish: to affect with folly: to deprive of judgment: to inspire with foolish passion: to stupefy.—adj. infatuated or foolish.—n. Infatuā′tion. [L. infatuāre, -ātum—in, in, fatuus, foolish.]

Infaust, in-fawst′, adj. unlucky: unfortunate. [L. infaustus—in, not, faustus, propitious.]

Infeasible, in-fēz′i-bl, adj. not feasible: that cannot be done or accomplished.—n. Infeasibil′ity, the state of being infeasible or impracticable.

Infect, in-fekt′, v.t. to taint, especially with disease: to corrupt: to poison.—adj. (Shak.) tainted.—n. Infec′tion, act of infecting: that which infects or taints.—adjs. Infec′tious, Infect′ive, having the quality of infecting: corrupting: apt to spread.—adv. Infec′tiously.—n. Infec′tiousness. [Fr.,—L. inficĕre, infectum—in, into facĕre, to make.]

Infecundity, in-fe-kun′di-ti, n. want of fecundity or fertility: unfruitfulness.—adj. Infec′und.

Infeftment, in-feft′ment, n. a Scotch law term, used to denote the symbolical giving possession of land, which was the completion of the title.—Infeff′=Enfeoff.

Infelicitous, in-fe-lis′i-tus, adj. not felicitous or happy: inappropriate, inapt.—n. Infelic′ity, want of felicity or happiness, misery, misfortune: unsuitableness: anything unsuitable or improper.

Infer, in-fėr′, v.t. to deduce, to derive, as a consequence: to prove or imply.—v.i. to conclude:—pr.p. infer′ring; pa.p. inferred′.—adjs. Infer′able, Infer′rible, that may be inferred or deduced.—n. In′ference, that which is inferred or deduced: the act of drawing a conclusion from premises, conclusion, consequence.—adj. Inferen′tial, deducible or deduced by inference.—adv. Inferen′tially. [Fr.,—L. inferre—in, into, ferre, to bring.]

Inferior, in-fē′ri-ur, adj. lower in any respect: subordinate: secondary.—n. one lower in rank or station: one younger than another.—n. Inferior′ity, the state of being inferior: a lower position in any respect.—adv. Infē′riorly, in an inferior manner. [L. inferior, comp. of inferus, low.]

Infernal, in-fėr′nal, adj. belonging to the lower regions: resembling or suitable to hell, devilish: outrageous.—n. Infernal′ity.—adv. Infer′nally.—n. Infer′no (It.), hell, the title and the subject of one of the divisions of Dante's great poem, La Divina Commedia.—Infernal machine, a contrivance made to resemble some ordinary harmless object, but charged with a dangerous explosive. [Fr.,—L. infernus—inferus.]

Infertile, in-fėr-til, adj. not productive: barren.—n. Infertil′ity.

Infest, in-fest′, v.t. to disturb: to harass.—adj. (Spens.) hostile: troublesome.—n. Infestā′tion (Milt.), molestation. [Fr.,—L. infestāre, from infestus, hostile, from in and an old verb fendere, to strike, found in of-fendĕre, de-fendĕre.]

Infeudation, in-fū-dā′shun, n. the putting of an estate in fee: the granting of tithes to laymen.

Infibulate, in-fib′ū-lāt, v.t. to clasp with a padlock.—n. Infibulā′tion, act of confining, esp. the sexual organs.

Infidel, in′fi-del, adj. unbelieving: sceptical: disbelieving Christianity.—n. one who rejects Christianity as a divine revelation, but the word is not used of heathens.—n. Infidel′ity, want of faith or belief: disbelief in Christianity: unfaithfulness, esp. to the marriage contract: treachery. [Fr.,—L. infidelis—in, not, fidelis, faithful—fides, faith.]

Infield, in′fēld, n. in base-ball, the space enclosed within the base-lines: (Scot.) land under tillage:—opp. to Outfield.—v.t. to enclose.

Infighting, in′fīt-ing, n. boxing at close quarters when blows from the shoulder cannot be given.

Infiltrate, in-fil′trāt, v.t. to enter a substance by filtration, or through its pores.—v.t. Infil′ter, to filter or sift in.—n. Infiltrā′tion, the process of infiltrating, or the substance infiltrated.

Infinite, in′fin-it, adj. without end or limit: without bounds: (math.) either greater or smaller than any quantity that can be assigned.—n. that which is not only without determinate bounds, but which cannot possibly admit of bound or limit: the Absolute, the Infinite Being or God.—adjs. Infin′itant, denoting merely negative attribution; Infin′itary, pertaining to infinity.—v.t. Infin′itāte, to make infinite.—adv. In′finitely.—n. In′finiteness, the state of being infinite: immensity.—adj. Infinites′imal, infinitely small.—n. an infinitely small quantity.—adv. Infinites′imally.—adj. Infini′to (mus.), perpetual.—ns. Infin′itūde, Infin′ity, boundlessness: immensity: countless or indefinite number.

Infinitive, in-fin′it-iv, adj. (lit.) unlimited, unrestricted: (gram.) the mood of the verb which expresses the idea without person or number.—adj. Infinitī′val.—adv. Infin′itively. [Fr.,—L. infinitivus.]

Infirm, in-fėrm′, adj. feeble: sickly: weak: not solid: irresolute: imbecile.—ns. Infirmā′rian, an officer in a monastery having charge of the quarters for the sick; Infirm′ary, a hospital or place for the treatment of the sick; Infirm′ity, disease: failing: defect: imbecility.—adv. Infirm′ly. [O. Fr.,—L. infirmus—in, not, firmus, strong.]

Infix, in-fiks′, v.t. to fix in: to drive or fasten in: to set in by piercing. [O. Fr.,—L. infixus—in, in, figĕre, fixum, to fix.]

Inflame, in-flām′, v.t. to cause to flame: to cause to burn: to excite: to increase: to exasperate.—v.i. to become hot, painful, or angry.—ns. Inflammabil′ity, Inflam′mableness, the quality of being inflammable.—adj. Inflam′mable, that may be burned: combustible: easily kindled or excited.—adv. Inflam′mably.—n. Inflammā′tion, state of being in flame: heat of a part of the body, with pain, redness, and swelling: violent excitement: heat.—adj. Inflam′matory, tending to inflame: inflaming: exciting. [O. Fr.,—L. inflammāre—in, into, flamma, a flame.]

Inflate, in-flāt′, v.t. to swell with air: to puff up, elate.—adj. Inflat′ed, swollen or blown out: turgid.—adv. Inflat′ingly.—ns. Inflā′tion, state of being puffed up; Inflā′tus, a breathing into: inspiration. [L. inflāre, -ātum—in, into, flāre, to blow.]

Inflect, in-flekt′, v.t. to bend in: to turn from a direct line or course: to modulate, as the voice: (gram.) to vary in the terminations.—ns. Inflec′tion, Inflex′ion, a bending or deviation: modulation of the voice: (gram.) the varying in termination to express the relations of case, number, gender, person, tense, &c.—adjs. Inflec′tional, Inflex′ional; Inflec′tionless, Inflex′ionless; Inflect′ive, subject to inflection; Inflexed′, bent inward: bent: turned.—ns. Inflexibil′ity, Inflex′ibleness.—adj. Inflex′ible, that cannot be bent: unyielding: unbending.—adv. Inflex′ibly.—n. Inflex′ure, a bend or fold. [L. inflectĕre—in, in, flectĕre, flexum, to bend.]

Inflict, in-flikt′, v.t. to lay on: to impose, as punishment.—n. Inflic′tion, act of inflicting or imposing: punishment applied.—adj. Inflict′ive, tending or able to inflict. [L. inflictus, infligĕre—in, against, fligĕre, to strike.]

Inflorescence, in-flor-es′ens, n. character or mode of flowering of a plant. [Fr.,—L. inflorescens—inflorescĕre, to begin to blossom.]

Influence, in′flōō-ens, n. power exerted on men or things: power in operation: authority.—v.t. to affect: to move: to direct.—adj. Influen′tial, having or exerting influence or power over.—adv. Influen′tially. [Orig. a term in astrology, the power or virtue supposed to flow from planets upon men and things; O. Fr.,—Low L. influentia—L. in, into, fluĕre, to flow.]

Influenza, in-flōō-en′za, n. a severe epidemic catarrh, accompanied with weakening fever. [It.,—L., a by-form of influence.]

Influx, in′fluks, n. a flowing in: infusion: abundant accession.—n. Influx′ion, infusion. [L. influxus—influĕre.]

Inform, in-form′, v.t. to give form to: to animate or give life to: to impart knowledge to: to tell: (Milt.) to direct.—v.i. (Shak.) to take shape or form: to give information (with against or on).—adj. Inform′al, not in proper form: irregular.—n. Informal′ity.—adv. Inform′ally.—ns. Inform′ant, one who informs or gives intelligence; Informā′tion, intelligence given: knowledge: an accusation given to a magistrate or court.—adjs. Inform′ative, having power to form: instructive; Inform′atory, instructive; Informed′ (Spens.), unformed: (astron.) of stars not included within the figures of any of the ancient constellations.—n. Inform′er, one who informs against another. [O. Fr.,—L. informāre—in, into, formāre, to form.]

Infraction, in-frak′shun, n. violation, esp. of law: breach.—v.t. Infract′, to break off.—n. Infrac′tor, one who infracts. [L.,—in, in, frangĕre, fractum, to break.]

Infralapsarianism, in-frä-lap-sā′ri-an-izm, n. (theol.) the common Augustinian and Calvinist doctrine, that God for His own glory determined to create the world, to permit the fall of men, to elect from the mass of fallen men an innumerable multitude as 'vessels of mercy,' to send His Son for their redemption, to leave the residue of mankind to suffer the just punishment of their sins—distinct both from the Supralapsarianism of the strictest Calvinists and the Sublapsarianism held by moderate Calvinists.—n. Infralapsā′rian, one who holds the foregoing. [L. infra, below, after, lapsus, the fall.]

Inframaxillary, in-fra-mak′si-la-ri, adj. situated under the jaw: belonging to the lower jaw.

Inframundane, in-fra-mun′dān, adj. lying or being beneath the world. [L. infra, beneath, mundus, the world.]

Infrangible, in-fran′ji-bl, adj. that cannot be broken: not to be violated.—ns. Infrangibil′ity, Infran′gibleness.

Infraorbital, in-fra-or′bi-tal, adj. situated below the orbit of the eye.

Infrequent, in-frē′kwent, adj. seldom occurring: rare: uncommon.—ns. Infrē′quence, Infrē′quency.—adv. Infrē′quently.

Infringe, in-frinj′, v.t. to violate, esp. law: to neglect to obey.—n. Infringe′ment, breach: violation: non-fulfilment. [L. infringĕre—in, in, frangĕre.]

Infructuous, in-fruk′tū-us, adj. not fruitful.—adv. Infruc′tuously.

Infula, in′fū-la, n. a white-and-red fillet or band of woollen stuff, worn upon the forehead, as a sign of religious consecration and of inviolability: a lappet in a mitre:—pl. In′fulæ (ē). [L.]

Infumation, in-fūm-ā′shun, n. the act of drying in smoke.—v.t. In′fumate. [L. infumāre, -ātum—in, in, fumāre, to smoke—fumus, smoke.]

Infundibular, in-fun-dib′ū-lar, adj. having the form of a funnel.—Also Infundib′ulate, Infundib′uliform. [L. in, in, fundĕre, to pour.]

Infuriate, in-fū′ri-āt, v.t. to enrage: to madden.—adj. enraged: mad. [L. in, in, furiāre, -ātum, to madden—furĕre, to rave.]

Infuse, in-fūz′, v.t. to pour into: to inspire with: to introduce: to steep in liquor without boiling: (Shak.) to shed, pour.—n. (Spens.) infusion.—adj. Infus′ible.—n. Infū′sion, the pouring of water over any substance, in order to extract its active qualities: a solution in water of an organic, esp. a vegetable, substance: the liquor so obtained: inspiration: instilling.—adj. Infus′ive, having the power of infusion, or of being infused. [L. infundĕre, infusum—in, into, fundĕre, fusum, to pour.]

Infusoria, in-fū-sō′ri-a, n.pl. a name given to several classes of active Protozoa, some of which appear in great numbers in stagnant infusions of animal or vegetable material.—adjs. Infusō′rial, Infū′sory, composed of or containing infusoria.—n. and adj. Infusō′rian.—Infusorial earth, a siliceous deposit formed chiefly of the frustates of Diatoms—used as Tripoli powder for polishing purposes. [L.]

Ingathering, in′gäth-ėr-ing, n. the collecting and securing of the fruits of the earth: harvest.—Feast of Ingathering (see Tabernacles, Feast of).

Ingeminate, in-jem′in-āt, v.t. to repeat.—n. Ingeminā′tion. [L. ingemināre, -ātum—in, in, geminus, twin.]

Ingener, in-jē′nėr, n. (Shak.) an ingenious person: a contriver: a designer.

Ingenerate, in-jen′ėr-āt, v.t. to generate or produce within.—adj. inborn: innate.

Ingenious, in-jē′ni-us, adj. of good natural abilities: skilful in inventing: witty.—adv. Ingē′niously.—ns. Ingē′niousness, Ingenū′ity, power of ready invention: facility in combining ideas: curiousness in design; Ingē′nium, bent of mind. [L. ingeniosus—ingenium, mother-wit, from in, and gen, root of gignĕre, to beget.]

Ingenuous, in-jen′ū-us, adj. frank: honourable: free from deception.—adv. Ingen′uously—n. Ingen′uousness. [L. ingenuus.]

Ingest, in-jest′, v.t. to throw into the stomach.—n.pl. Ingest′a, substances introduced into an organic body.—n. Ingest′ion:—opp. to Egestion.

Ingle, ing′gl, n. (Scot.) a fire: fireplace.—ns. Ing′le-cheek, Ing′leside (Scot.), a fireside. [Gael. aingeal; but prob. L.—igniculus, dim. of ignis, fire.]

Inglobe, in-glōb′, v.t. (Milt.) to encircle: involve.—adj. Inglob′āte, in the form of a globe or sphere.

Inglorious, in-glō′ri-us, adj. not glorious: without honour: shameful.—adv. Inglō′riously.—n. Inglō′riousness.

Ingluvies, in-glōō′vi-ēz, n. the crop or craw of birds.—adj. Inglu′vial. [L.]

Ingoing, in′-gō-ing, n. a going in: entrance.—adj. going in: entering as an occupant.

Ingot, in′got, n. a mass of unwrought metal, esp. gold or silver, cast in a mould. [A.S. in, in, and goten, pa.p. of geótan, to pour; Ger. giessen, Goth. giutan. The Ger. einguss is an exact parallel to ingot.]

Ingrain, in′grān′, v.t. the same as Engrain.—adj. dyed in the yarn or thread before manufacture.

Ingrate, in′grāt, n. (Milt.) one who is ungrateful.—adj. Ingrate′ful, unthankful.

Ingratiate, in-grā′shi-āt, v.t. to commend to grace or favour (used reflexively, and followed by with): to secure the good-will of another. [L. in, into, gratia, favour.]

Ingratitude, in-grat′i-tūd, n. unthankfulness: the return of evil for good. [Low L. ingratitudo—L. ingratus, unthankful.]

Ingredient, in-grē′di-ent, n. that which enters into compound: a component part of anything. [Fr.,—L. ingrediens, -entis, pr.p. of ingredi—in, into, gradi, to enter.]

Ingress, in′gres, n. entrance: power, right, or means of entrance.—n. Ingress′ion. [L. ingressus—ingredi.]

Inguinal, ing′gwin-al, adj. relating to the groin. [L. inguinalis—inguen, inguinus, the groin.]

Ingurgitate, in-gur′ji-tāt, v.t. to swallow up greedily, as in a gulf.—n. Ingurgitā′tion. [L. ingurgitāre, -ātum—in, into, gurges, a whirlpool.]

Inhabit, in-hab′it, v.t. to dwell in: to occupy.—v.i. (Shak.) to dwell.—adj. Inhab′itable, that may be inhabited.—ns. Inhab′itance, Inhab′itancy, the act of inhabiting: actual residence; Inhab′itant, one who inhabits: a resident.—adj. resident.—ns. Inhabitā′tion, the act of inhabiting: dwelling-place: (Milt.) population; Inhab′iter (B.), an inhabitant; Inhab′itiveness, love of locality and home; Inhab′itress, a female inhabitant. [Fr.,—L., from in, in, habitāre, to dwell.]

Inhale, in-hāl′, v.t. to draw in the breath, to draw into the lungs, as air.—adjs. Inhā′lant, Inhā′lent.—ns. Inhalā′tion, the drawing into the lungs, as air, or fumes; Inhal′er. [L. inhalāre, to breathe upon—in, upon, halāre, to breathe.]

Inharmonious, in-har-mō′ni-us, adj. discordant, unmusical.—adjs. Inharmon′ic, -al, wanting harmony: inharmonious.—adv. Inharmō′niously.—ns. Inharmō′niousness; Inhar′mony, want of harmony.

Inhaust, in′häst, v.t. (humorous) to drink in. [L. in, in, haurīre, haustum, to draw.]

Inhere, in-hēr′, v.i. to stick fast: to remain firm in.—ns. Inher′ence, Inher′ency, a sticking fast: existence in something else: a fixed state of being in another body or substance.—adj. Inher′ent, sticking fast: existing in and inseparable from something else: innate: natural.—adv. Inher′ently. [L. inhærēre—in, in, hærēre, to stick.]

Inherit, in-her′it, v.t. to take as heir or by descent from an ancestor: to possess.—v.i. to enjoy, as property.—adj. Inher′itable, same as Heritable.—ns. Inher′itance, that which is or may be inherited: an estate derived from an ancestor: hereditary descent: natural gift: possession; Inher′itor, one who inherits or may inherit: an heir:—fem. Inher′itress, Inher′itrix. [O. Fr. enhériter—Low L. hereditāre, to inherit—L. in, in, heres, an heir.]

Inhibit, in-hib′it, v.t. to hold in or back: to keep back: to check.—n. Inhibi′tion, the act of inhibiting or restraining: the state of being inhibited: prohibition: a writ from a higher court to an inferior judge to stay proceedings.—adj. Inhib′itory, prohibitory. [L. inhibēre, -hibitum—in, in, habēre, to have.]

Inhoop, in-hōōp′, v.t. (Shak.) to confine, as in a hoop or enclosure.

Inhospitable, in-hos′pit-a-bl, adj. affording no kindness to strangers.—ns. Inhos′pitableness, Inhospital′ity, want of hospitality or courtesy to strangers.—adv. Inhos′pitably.

Inhuman, in-hū′man, adj. barbarous: cruel: unfeeling.—n. Inhuman′ity, the state of being inhuman: barbarity: cruelty.—adv. Inhū′manly.

Inhume, in-hūm′, v.t. to inter.—n. Inhumā′tion, the act of depositing in the ground: burial. [L. inhumāre—in, in, humus, the ground.]

Inimical, in-im′i-kal, adj. like an enemy, not friendly: contrary: repugnant.—adv. Inim′ically. [L. inimicalis—inimicus—in, not, amicus, friendly.]

Inimitable, in-im′it-a-bl, adj. that cannot be imitated: surpassingly excellent.—ns. Inimitabil′ity, Inim′itableness, the quality of being inimitable.—adv. Inim′itably.

Inion, in′i-on, n. the external occipital protuberance:—pl. In′ia. [Gr.]

Iniquity, in-ik′wi-ti, n. want of equity or fairness: injustice: wickedness: a crime: one of the names of the Vice, the established buffoon of the old Moralities.—adj. Iniq′uitous, unjust: unreasonable: wicked.—adv. Iniq′uitously. [Fr.,—L. iniquitatem—iniquus, unequal—in, not, æquus, equal.]

Initial, in-ish′al, adj. commencing: placed at the beginning.—n. the letter beginning a word, esp. a name.—v.t. to put the initials of one's name to:—pr.p. init′ialing (-alling); pa.p. init′ialed (-alled).—v.t. Init′iāte, to make a beginning: to instruct in principles: to acquaint with: to introduce into a new state or society.—v.i. to perform the first act or rite.—n. one who is initiated.—adj. fresh: unpractised.—n. Initiā′tion, act or process of initiating: act of admitting to any society, by instructing in its rules and ceremonies.—adj. Init′iātive, serving to initiate: introductory.—n. an introductory step: the power or right of commencing.—adj. Init′iātory, tending to initiate: introductory.—n. introductory rite. [L. initialis—initium, a beginning, inīre, inītum—in, into, īre, ītum, to go.]

Inject, in-jekt′, v.t. to throw into: to cast on: to make to pass in or into.—ns. Injec′tion, act of injecting or throwing in or into: the act of filling the vessels of an animal body with any liquid: a liquid to be injected into any part of the body; Injec′tor, one who injects: something used for injecting, especially an apparatus by which a stream of water is forced into a steam-boiler. [L. injicĕre, injectum—in, into, jacĕre, to throw.]

Injudicious, in-jōō-dish′us, adj. void of or wanting in judgment: imprudent: inconsiderate.—adj. Injudic′ial, not according to law-forms.—adv. Injudic′iously.—n. Injudic′iousness.

Injunction, in-jungk′shun, n. act of enjoining or commanding: an order: a precept: exhortation: an introductory writ by which a superior court stops or prevents some inequitable or illegal act being done—called in Scotland an interdict: (Milt.) conjunction. [Low L. injunction-em—in, in, jungĕre, junctum, to join.]

Injure, in′jōōr, v.t. to wrong, harm: to damage: to annoy.—n. In′jurer, one who injures.—adj. Inju′rious, tending to injure: unjust: wrongful: mischievous: damaging reputation.—adv. Inju′riously.—ns. Inju′riousness; In′jury, that which injures: wrong: mischief: annoyance: (Pr. Bk.) insult, offence. [Fr. injurier—L. injuriāri—injuria, injury—in, not, jus, juris, law.]

Injustice, in-jus′tis, n. violation or withholding of another's rights or dues: wrong: iniquity.

Ink, ingk, n. a coloured fluid used in writing, printing, &c.—v.t. to daub with ink.—ns. Ink′-bag, -sac, a sac in some cuttle-fishes, containing a black viscid fluid; Ink′-bott′le, an inkstand: a bottle for holding ink placed in an inkstand; Ink′holder, Ink′stand, a vessel for holding ink; Ink′horn (obs.), an inkholder, formerly of horn: a portable case for ink, &c.; Ink′horn-mate (Shak.), a bookish man; Ink′iness; Ink′-pot, an inkholder.—adj. pedantic.—ns. Ink′ing-ta′ble, a table or flat surface used for supplying the inking-roller with ink during the process of printing; Ink′ing-roll′er, a roller covered with a composition for inking printing types; Ink′-stone, a kind of stone containing sulphate of iron, used in making ink.—adj. Ink′y, consisting of or resembling ink: blackened with ink.—n. Print′ing-ink (see Print).—China ink, Indian ink, a mechanical mixture of the purest and densest lampblack, with a solution of gum or gelatine; Invisible or Sympathetic ink, a kind of ink which remains invisible on the paper until it is heated.—Sling ink (slang), to write: to earn one's bread by writing. [O. Fr. enque (Fr. encre)—Low L. encaustum, the purple-red ink used by the later Roman emperors—Gr. engkauston—engkaiein, to burn in. See Encaustic.]

Inkle, ingk′l, n. (Shak.) a kind of broad linen tape. [M. E. liniolf, inniolf, allied to O. Fr. lignel, shoemakers' thread, ligne, thread—L. linea, linum, flax.]

Inkling, ingk′ling, n. a hint or whisper: intimation.—v.i. Ink′le, to have a hint of. [M. E. inclen, to hint at, which Skeat suspects to be corrupted from Dan. ymte, to mutter; cf. Ice. ym-ta, to mutter; ultimately imitative.]

Inland, in′land, n. the interior part of a country.—adj. remote from the sea: carried on or produced within a country: confined to a country: (Shak.) refined, polished.—n. In′lander, one who lives inland.—Inland navigation, passage of boats or vessels on rivers, lakes, or canals within a country; Inland revenue, internal revenue, derived from excise, stamps, income-tax, &c. [A.S. inland, a domain—in and land.]

Inlay, in-lā′, v.t. to ornament by laying in or inserting pieces of metal, ivory, &c.—pa.p. Inlaid′.—n. pieces of metal, ivory, &c. for inlaying.—ns. Inlay′er; Inlay′ing.

Inlet, in′let, n. a passage by which one is let in: place of ingress: a small bay.

Inmate, in′māt, n. one who lodges in the same house with another: a lodger: one received into a hospital, &c.—adj. dwelling in the same place.

Inn, in, n. a public house for the lodging and entertainment of travellers: a hotel, tavern: (obs.) a lodging, a place of abode.—ns. Inn′-hold′er (Bacon), one who keeps an inn; Inn′keeper, one who keeps an inn.—Inns of Court, the name given to the four voluntary societies which have the exclusive right of calling persons to the English bar (Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn). [A.S. in, inn, an inn, house—in, inn, within (adv.), from the prep. in, in.]

Innate, in′āt, or in-nāt′, adj. inborn: natural to the mind, instinctive, inherent.—adv. Inn′ately.—n. Inn′ateness.—adj. Innā′tive, native.—Innate ideas, a priori principles of knowledge and of action, the word 'innate' implying that the power of recognising such principles is provided for in the constitution of the mind. [L. innātus—innasci—in, in, nasci, to be born.]

Innavigable, in-nav′i-ga-bl, adj. impassable by ships.—adv. Innav′igably.

Inner, in′ėr, adj. (comp. of in) farther in: interior.—adjs. Inn′ermost, In′most (superl. of in), farthest in: most remote from the outward part.—adv. Inn′ermostly. [A.S. in, comp. innera, superl. innemest—inne-m-est—thus a double superlative.]

Innervate, in-ėrv′āt, v.t. to supply with force or nervous energy—also Innerve′.—n. Innervā′tion, special mode of activity inherent in the nervous structure: nervous activity.

Inning, in′ing, n. the ingathering of grain: turn for using the bat in cricket (in this sense used only in the plural): the time during which a person or party is in possession of anything: (pl.) lands recovered from the sea.—Good innings, or Long innings, good luck, or a long run of such. [A verbal noun from old verb to inn—i.e. to house corn, from noun inn.]

Innocent, in′o-sent, adj. not hurtful: inoffensive: blameless: pure: lawful: simple, imbecile.—n. one free from fault: an idiot.—ns. Inn′ocence, harmlessness: blamelessness: purity: artlessness: integrity: imbecility: absence of legal guilt; Inn′ocency, the quality of being innocent.—adv. Inn′ocently.—Innocents' Day (see Childermas). [O. Fr.,—L. innocens, -entis—in, not, nocēre, to hurt.]

Innocuous, in-nok′ū-us, adj. not hurtful: harmless in effects.—adv. Innoc′uously.—ns. Innoc′uousness, Innocū′ity, the state of being innocuous. [L. innocuus—in, not, nocuus, hurtful—nocēre, to hurt.]

Innominate, i-nom′i-nāt, adj. having no name.—adj. Innom′inable, unnamable.—n.pl. trousers.—Innominate artery, the first large branch given off from the arch of the Aorta (q.v.); Innominate bone (os innominatum), the haunch-bone, hip-bone. [L. in, not, nomināre, -ātum, to name.]

Innovate, in′o-vāt, v.t. to introduce something new.—v.i. to introduce novelties: to make changes.—ns. Innovā′tion; Innovā′tionist; Inn′ovator. [L. innovāre, -ātum—in, in, novus, new.]

Innoxious, in-nok′shus, adj. same as Innocuous.—adv. Innox′iously.—n. Innox′iousness, the quality of being innocuous.

Innuendo, in-ū-en′dō, n. a side-hint: an indirect reference or intimation: a part of a pleading in cases of libel and slander, pointing out what and who was meant by the libellous matter or description, [L., the ablative gerund of innuĕre—in, in, nuĕre, to nod.]

Innumerable, in-nū′mėr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be numbered: countless.—ns. Innūmerabil′ity, the state or quality of being innumerable; Innū′merableness.—adv. Innū′merably.—adj. Innū′merous, without number: innumerable.

Innutrition, in-nū-trish′un, n. want of nutrition: failure of nourishment.—adj. Innutrit′ious, not nutritious: without nourishment.

Inobservant, in-ob-zėr′vant, adj. not observant: heedless.—adj. Inobser′vable, incapable of being observed.—ns. Inobser′vance, lack of observance; Inobservā′tion.

Inobtrusive, in-ob-trōō′siv, adj. unobtrusive.—adv. Inobtru′sively.—n. Inobtru′siveness.

Inoculate, in-ok′ū-lāt, v.t. to insert a bud for propagation: to engraft: to communicate disease by inserting matter in the skin.—v.i. to propagate by budding: to practise inoculation.—adj. Inoc′ulable.—n. Inoculā′tion, act or practice of inoculating: insertion of the buds of one plant into another: the communication of disease to a healthy subject by the introduction of a specific germ or animal poison into his system by puncture or otherwise.—adjs. Inoculā′tive, Inoculā′tory.—n. Inoc′ulator. [L. inoculāre, -ātum—in, into, oculus, an eye.]

Inoffensive, in-of-fen′siv, adj. giving no offence: harmless: not unpleasing.—adv. Inoffen′sively.—n. Inoffen′siveness.

Inofficial, in-of-fish′al, adj. not proceeding from the proper officer: without the usual forms of authority.—adv. Inoffic′ially.—adj. Inoffic′ious (rare), regardless of duty.

Inopportune, in-op-por-tūn′, adj. unseasonable in time.—adv. Inopportune′ly.—n. Inopportūn′ity.

Inordinate, in-or′di-nāt, adj. beyond usual bounds: irregular: immoderate.—ns. Inor′dinacy, Inor′dinateness.—adv. Inor′dinately.—n. Inordinā′tion, deviation from rule: irregularity. [L. inordinatus—in, not, ordināre, -ātum, to arrange.]

Inorganic, in-or-gan′ik, adj. without life or organisation, as minerals, &c.: of accidental origin, not normally developed.—adv. Inorgan′ically.—n. Inorganisā′tion, want of organisation.—adj. Inor′ganised, same as Inorganic.—Inorganic chemistry, a subdivision of chemistry made originally to designate the chemistry of purely mineral substances, and retained still mainly as a matter of convenience.

Inosculate, in-os′kū-lāt, v.t. and v.i. to unite by mouths or ducts, as two vessels in an animal body: to blend.—n. Inosculā′tion. [L. in, and osculāri, -ātus, to kiss.]

In-patient, in′pā-shent, n. a patient lodged and fed as well as treated in a hospital:—opp. to Out-patient.

Inquest, in′kwest, n. act of inquiring: search: judicial inquiry before a jury into any matter, esp. any case of violent or sudden death. [O. Fr. enqueste—L. inquisita (res)—inquirĕre, to inquire.]

Inquietude, in-kwī′et-ūd, n. disturbance or uneasiness of body or mind.—adj. Inquī′et, unquiet.—v.t. to disturb.

Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.—n. an animal so living.—adj. Inquilī′nous. [L. inquilinus—incola, inhabitant—in, in, colĕre, to inhabit.]

Inquire, in-kwīr′, v.i. to ask a question: to make an investigation.—v.t. to ask about: to make an examination regarding: (Spens.) to call.—n. (Shak.) a seeking for information.—ns. Inquirā′tion (Dickens), inquiry; Inquiren′do (law), an authority to inquire; Inquir′er.—adj. Inquir′ing, given to inquiry.—adv. Inquir′ingly.—n. Inquir′y, act of inquiring: search for knowledge: investigation; a question.—Writ of inquiry, a writ appointing an inquest. [Fr.,—L. inquirĕre—in, in, quærĕre, quæsitum, to seek.]

Inquisition, in-kwi-zish′un, n. an inquiring or searching for: investigation: judicial inquiry: a tribunal in the R.C. Church, called also 'the Holy Office,' for the discovery, repression and punishment of heresy, unbelief, and other offences against religion.—v.t. (Milt.), to investigate.—adjs. Inquisit′ional, making inquiry: relating to the Inquisition: Inquis′itive, searching into: apt to ask questions: curious.—adv. Inquis′itively.—ns. Inquis′itiveness; Inquis′itor, one who inquires: an official inquirer: a member of the Court of Inquisition.—adj. Inquisitō′rial.—adv. Inquisitō′rially.—n. Inquis′itress, an inquisitive woman.—adj. Inquisitū′rient (Milt.), inquisitorial.—Grand Inquisitor, the chief in a Court of Inquisition. [L. inquisition-em. See Inquire.]

Inroad, in′rōd, n. an incursion into an enemy's country: a sudden invasion: attack: encroachment.

Insalivation, in-sal-i-vā′shun, n. the process of mixing the food with the saliva.

Insalubrious, in-sa-lū′bri-us, adj. not healthful; unwholesome.—n. Insalū′brity.

Insalutary, in-sal′ū-tar-i, adj. not salutary or favourable to health: unwholesome.

Insanable, in-san′a-bl, adj. incurable.—n. Insan′ableness.—adv. Insan′ably.

Insane, in-sān′, adj. not sane or of sound mind: crazy: mad: utterly unwise: senseless: causing insanity—(Shak.) 'insane root,' prob. hemlock or henbane.—adv. Insane′ly.—ns. Insane′ness, insanity: madness; Insa′nie (Shak.) insanity; Insan′ity, want of sanity: an alteration in all or any of the functions of the brain, unfitting a man for affairs, and rendering him dangerous to himself and others: madness.

Insanitary, in-san′i-ta-ri, adj. not sanitary.—n. Insanitā′tion, want of proper sanitary arrangements.

Insatiable, in-sā′shi-a-bl, Insatiate, in-sā′shi-āt, adj. that cannot be satiated or satisfied.—ns. Insā′tiableness, Insatiabil′ity, Insatī′ety.—adv. Insā′tiably.

Inscient, in′shi-ent, adj. not knowing, ignorant: knowing. [Fr.,—L. in, not, sciens, scīre, to know; in the sense of knowing, prefix in- is intens.]

Inscribe, in-skrīb′, v.t. to write upon: to engrave, as on a monument: to put (a person's name) in a book, by way of compliment: to imprint deeply: (geom.) to draw one figure within another.—adj. Inscrīb′able.—ns. Inscrīb′er; Inscrip′tion, a writing upon: that which is inscribed: title: dedication of a book to a person: the name given to records inscribed on stone, metal, clay, &c.—adjs. Inscrip′tional, Inscrip′tive, bearing an inscription: of the character of an inscription. [Fr.,—L. inscribĕre, inscriptum—in, upon, scribĕre, to write.]

Inscrutable, in-skrōōt′a-bl, adj. that cannot be scrutinised or searched into and understood: inexplicable.—ns. Inscrutabil′ity, Inscrut′ableness.—adv. Inscrut′ably. [L. inscrutabilis—in, not, scrutāri, to search into.]

Insculp, in-skulp′, v.t. (Shak.) to engrave, to cut or carve upon.—n. Insculp′ture (Shak.), anything engraved. [L. insculpĕre—in, in, sculpĕre, to carve.]

Insect, in′sekt, n. a word loosely used for a small creature, as a wasp or fly, with a body as if cut in the middle, or divided into sections: (zool.) an arthropod, usually winged in adult life, breathing air by means of tracheæ, and having frequently a metamorphosis in the life-history.—adj. like an insect: small: mean.—ns. Insectār′ium, a place where a collection of living insects is kept; Insec′ticide, act of killing insects.—adjs. Insec′tiform, Insec′tile, having the nature of an insect.—ns. Insec′tifuge, a substance which protects against insects; Insec′tion, an incision; In′sect-net, a light hand-net for catching insects; In′sect-pow′der, a dry powder used for stupefying and killing fleas and other insects, an insecticide or insectifuge. [Fr.,—L. insectum, pa.p. of insecāre—in, into, secāre, to cut.]

Insectivora, in-sek-tiv′or-a, n. an order of mammals, mostly terrestrial, nocturnal in habit, and small in size—shrews, moles, hedgehogs, &c.—adj. Insectiv′orous, living on insects. [L. insectum, an insect, vorāre, to devour.]

Insecure, in-se-kūr′, adj. apprehensive of danger or loss: exposed to danger or loss: uncertain.—adv. Insecure′ly.—n. Insecur′ity.

Insensate, in-sen′sāt, adj. void of sense: wanting sensibility: stupid.—n. Insen′sateness, the state of being insensate or destitute of sense: insensibility. [L. insensātus—in, not, sensatus—sensus, feeling.]

Insensible, in-sen′si-bl, adj. not having feeling: not susceptible of emotion: callous: dull: unconscious: imperceptible by the senses.—ns. Insensibil′ity, Insen′sibleness; Insen′siblist, an unfeeling person.—adv. Insen′sibly.—adj. Insen′suous, not sensuous: without the power of perception.

Inseparable, in-sep′ar-a-bl, adj. that cannot be separated.—ns. Insep′arableness, Inseparabil′ity.—adv. Insep′arably.—adj. Insep′arate (Shak.), not separate, united.

Insert, in-sėrt′, v.t. to introduce into: to put in or among.—n. (in′sėrt) something additional inserted into a proof, &c.; a circular, or the like, placed for posting within the folds of a paper or leaves of a book.—adj. Insert′ed (bot.), attached to or growing out of some part.—n. Inser′tion, act of inserting: condition of being inserted: that which is inserted. [L. in, in, serĕre, sertum, to join.]

Insessores, in-se-sō′rēz, n.pl. an order of birds called by Cuvier Passerine (sparrow-like)—the title is now replaced by that of Passeres (q.v.).—adj. Insessō′rial, having feet (as birds) formed for perching or climbing on trees. [L. insessor, from insidēre, insessum—in, on, sedēre, to sit.]

Inset, in′set, n. something set in, an insertion, esp. a leaf or leaves inserted in other leaves already folded.—v.t. to set in, to infix or implant.

Inshore, in-shōr′, adv. on or near the shore.—adj. situated near the shore, as fishings.

Insiccation, in-sik-kā′shun, n. act of drying in. [L. in, in, siccāre, -ātum, to dry.]

Inside, in′sīd, n. the side or part within: things within, as the entrails, personal feelings, &c.: a passenger in the interior part of a bus or carriage.—adj. being within: interior.—adv. and prep. within the sides of: in the interior of: (Amer.) within the limit of time or space (with of).—n. Insī′der, one who is inside: one within a certain organisation, &c.: one possessing some particular advantage.—Inside edge, a stroke in skating made on the inner edge of the skate, the right foot making a curve to the left, the left foot one to the right.—Have the inside track, to have the inner side in a race-course: to have the advantage in position.

Insidious, in-sid′i-us, adj. watching an opportunity to ensnare: intended to entrap: deceptive: advancing imperceptibly: treacherous.—adv. Insid′iously.—n. Insid′iousness. [L. insidiosus—insidiæ, an ambush—insidēre—in, sedēre, to sit.]

Insight, in′sīt, n. sight into: thorough knowledge or skill: power of acute observation.

Insignia, in-sig′ni-a, n.pl. signs or badges of office or honour: marks by which anything is known. [L., pl. of insigne—in, in, signum, a mark.]

Insignificant, in-sig-nif′i-kant, adj. destitute of meaning: without effect: unimportant: petty.—ns. Insignif′icance, Insignif′icancy.—adv. Insignif′icantly.—adj. Insignif′icātive, not significative or expressing by external signs.

Insincere, in-sin-sēr′, adj. deceitful: dissembling: not to be trusted: unsound.—adv. Insincere′ly.—n. Insincer′ity.

Insinuate, in-sin′ū-āt, v.t. to introduce gently or artfully: to hint, esp. a fault: to work into favour.—v.i. to creep or flow in: to enter gently: to obtain access by flattery or stealth.—adj. Insin′uating, tending to insinuate or enter gently: insensibly winning confidence.—adv. Insin′uatingly.—n. Insinuā′tion, act of insinuating: power of insinuating: that which is insinuated: a hint, esp. conveying an indirect imputation.—adj. Insin′uative, insinuating or stealing on the confidence: using insinuation.—n. Insin′uator.—adj. Insin′uatory. [L. insinuāre, -ātum—in, in, sinus, a curve.]

Insipid, in-sip′id, adj. tasteless: wanting spirit or animation: dull.—adv. Insip′idly.—ns. Insip′idness, Insipid′ity, want of taste. [Fr.,—Low L.,—L. in, not, sapidus, well-tasted—sapĕre, to taste.]

Insipience, in-sip′i-ens, adj. lack of wisdom.—adj. Insip′ient. [Fr.,—L.,—in, not, sapiens, wise]

Insist, in-sist′, v.i. to dwell on emphatically in discourse: to persist in pressing: (Milt.) to persevere.—n. Insist′ence, perseverance in pressing any claim, grievance, &c.: pertinacity.—adj. Insist′ent, urgent: prominent: upright on end.—adv. Insist′ently.—n. Insist′ure, persistence: (Shak.) constancy. [Fr.,—L. insistĕre, in, upon, sistĕre, to stand.]

Insociable, in-sō′sha-bl, adj. not sociable: that cannot be associated or joined.

Insolate, in′so-lāt, v.t. to expose to the sun's rays.—n. Insolā′tion, exposure to the sun's rays: an injury to plants caused by too much of the sun. [L. insolāre, -ātum—in, in, sol, the sun.]

Insole, in′sōl, n. the inner sole of a boot or shoe:—opp. to Outsole: a sole of some material placed inside a shoe for warmth or dryness.

Insolent, in′so-lent, adj. overbearing: insulting: rude.—n. In′solence.—adv. In′solently. [O. Fr.,—L. insolens—in, not, solens, pa.p. of solēre, to be wont.]

Insoluble, in-sol′ū-bl, adj. not capable of being dissolved: not to be solved or explained.—ns. Insolubil′ity, Insol′ubleness.

Insolvent, in-solv′ent, adj. not able to pay one's debts: bankrupt: pertaining to insolvent persons.—n. one unable to pay his debts.—n. Insolv′ency, bankruptcy.

Insomnia, in-som′ni-a, n. sleeplessness.—adj. Insom′nious.—n. Insom′nōlence. [L. insomnis, sleepless.]

Insouciant, in-sōō′si-ant, adj. indifferent: careless.—n. Insou′ciance. [Fr. in, not, souciant—souci, care.]

Inspan, in′span, v.t. to yoke (draught-oxen or horses) to a vehicle. [Dut. inspannen, to yoke—in, in, spannen, to tie.]

Inspect, in-spekt′, v.t. to look into: to examine: to look at narrowly: to superintend.—adv. Inspect′ingly.—n. Inspec′tion, the act of inspecting or looking into: careful or official examination.—adjs. Inspec′tional; Inspec′tive.—ns. Inspec′tor, one who looks into or oversees: an examining officer: a superintendent; Inspec′torāte, a district under charge of an inspector: a body of inspectors collectively.—adj. Inspectō′rial.—ns. Inspec′torship, the office of an inspector; Inspec′tress, a female inspector. [L. inspectāre, freq. of inspicĕre, inspectum—in, into, specĕre, to look.]

Inspire, in-spīr′, v.t. to breathe into: to draw or inhale into the lungs: to infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing: to infuse into the mind: to instruct by divine influence: to instruct or affect with a superior influence.—v.i. to draw in the breath.—adj. Inspir′able, able to be inhaled.—n. Inspirā′tion, the act of inspiring or breathing into: a breath: the divine influence by which the sacred writers of the Bible were instructed: superior elevating or exciting influence.—adjs. Inspirā′tional, Inspiratory (in-spir′a-tor-i, or in′spir-a-tor-i), belonging to or aiding inspiration or inhalation.—n. Inspirā′tionist, one who maintains the direct inspiration of the Scriptures.—adj. Inspired′, actuated or directed by divine influence: influenced by elevated feeling: prompted by superior, but not openly declared, knowledge or authority: actually authoritative.—n. Inspir′er.—adv. Inspir′ingly. [Fr.,—L. inspirāre—in, into, spirāre, to breathe.]

Inspissate, in-spis′āt, v.t. to thicken by the evaporation of moisture, as the juices of plants.—n. Inspissā′tion. [L. in, in, spissāre—spissus, thick.]

Instability, in-sta-bil′i-ti, n. want of steadiness or firmness: inconstancy, fickleness: mutability.—adj. Instā′ble, not stable: inconstant.

Install, Instal, in-stawl′, v.t. to place in a seat: to place in an office or order: to invest with any charge or office with the customary ceremonies.—ns. Installā′tion, the act of installing or placing in an office with ceremonies: a placing in position for use, also a general term for the complete mechanical apparatus for electric lighting, &c.; Instal′ment, the act of installing: one of the parts of a sum paid at various times: that which is produced at stated periods. [Fr.,—Low L. installare—in, in, stallum, a stall—Old High Ger. stal (Ger. stall), Eng. stall.]

Instance, in′stans, n. quality of being urgent: solicitation: occurrence: occasion: example: (Shak.) evidence, proof.—v.t. to mention as an example.—n. In′stancy, insistency.—adj. Instan′tial (rare).—At the instance of, at the motion or solicitation of; For instance, to take as an example. [O. Fr.,—L. instantia—instans.]

Instant, in′stant, adj. pressing, urgent: immediate: quick: without delay: present, current, as the passing month.—n. the present moment of time: any moment or point of time.—n. Instantanē′ity.—adj. Instantān′eous, done in an instant: momentary: occurring or acting at once: very quickly.—adv. Instantān′eously.—n. Instantān′eousness.—advs. Instan′ter, immediately; In′stantly, on the instant or moment: immediately: (Shak.) at the same time: (B.) importunately, zealously. [L. instans, -antis, pr.p. of instāre—in, upon, stāre, to stand.]

Instauration, in-stawr-ā′shun, n. restoration: renewal. [L. instaurāre, -ātum, to restore.]

Instead, in-sted′, adv. in the stead, place, or room of. [M. E. in stede—A.S. on stede, in the place.]

Instep, in′step, n. the prominent upper part of the human foot near its junction with the leg: in horses, the hind-leg from the ham to the pastern joint.

Instigate, in′sti-gāt, v.t. to urge on: to set on: to foment.—ns. Instigā′tion, the act of inciting: impulse, esp. to evil; In′stigator, an inciter, generally in a bad sense. [L. instigāre, -ātum.]

Instil, in-stil′, v.t. to drop into: to infuse slowly into the mind:—pr.p. instil′ling; pa.p. instilled′.—ns. Instillā′tion, Instil′ment, the act of instilling or pouring in by drops: the act of infusing slowly into the mind: that which is instilled or infused. [Fr.,—L. instillāre—in, in, stillāre, to drop.]

Instinct, in′stingkt, n. impulse: an involuntary prompting to action: intuition: the mental aspect of those actions which take rank between unconscious reflex activities and intelligent conduct: the natural impulse by which animals are guided apparently independent of reason or experience.—adj. (in-stingkt′) instigated or incited: moved: animated.—adj. Instinc′tive, prompted by instinct: involuntary: acting according to or determined by natural impulse.—adv. Instinc′tively.—n. Instinctiv′ity (rare). [L. instinctus—instinguĕre, to instigate.]

Institorial, in-sti-tō′ri-al, adj. (law) pertaining to an agent or factor. [L. institorius—institor, an agent, broker.]

Institute, in′sti-tūt, v.t. to set up in: to erect: to originate: to establish: to appoint: to commence: to educate.—n. anything instituted or formally established: established law: precept or principle: (pl.) a book of precepts, principles, or rules, esp. in jurisprudence: an institution: a literary and philosophical society or association, as the 'Institute of France' (embracing L'Académie Française, L'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, L'Académie des Sciences, L'Académie des Beaux Arts, and L'Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques).—n. Institū′tion, the act of instituting or establishing: that which is instituted or established: foundation: established order: enactment: a society established for some object: that which institutes or instructs: a system of principles or rules: the origination of the Eucharist and the formula of institution: the act by which a bishop commits a cure of souls to a priest.—adjs. Institū′tional, Institū′tionary, belonging to an institution: instituted by authority: elementary.—n. In′stitutist, a writer of institutes or elementary rules.—adj. In′stitutive, able or tending to establish: depending on an institution.—n. In′stitutor, one who institutes: an instructor. [L. instituĕre, -ūtum—in, in, statuĕre, to cause to stand—stāre, to stand.]

Instruct, in-strukt′, v.t. to prepare: to inform: to teach: to order or command.—adj. (Milt.) instructed.—adj. Instruct′ible, able to be instructed.—n. Instruc′tion, the act of instructing or teaching: information: command: (pl.) special directions, commands—in parliamentary sense, 'Instructions to the Committee' are supplementary and auxiliary to the Bill under consideration, but falling broadly within its general scope.—adjs. Instruc′tional, relating to instruction: educational; Instruc′tive, containing instruction or information: conveying knowledge.—adv. Instruc′tively.—ns. Instruc′tiveness; Instruc′tor:—fem. Instruc′tress. [L. instruĕre, instructum—in, in, struĕre, to pile up.]

Instrument, in′strōō-ment, n. a tool or utensil: a machine producing musical sounds: a writing containing a contract: one who, or that which, is made a means.—adj. Instrument′al, acting as an instrument or means: serving to promote an object: helpful: belonging to or produced by musical instruments: (gram.) serving to indicate the instrument or means—of a case in Sanskrit, involving the notion of by or with.—ns. Instrument′alist, one who plays on a musical instrument; Instrumental′ity, agency.—adv. Instrument′ally.—n. Instrumentā′tion (mus.), the arrangement of a composition for performance by different instruments: the playing upon musical instruments. [O. Fr.,—L. instrumentum—instruĕre, to instruct.]

Insubordinate, in-sub-or′din-āt, adj. not subordinate or submissive: disobedient.—n. Insubordinā′tion.

Insubstantial, in-sub-stan′shal, adj. (Shak.) not substantial: not real.—n. Insubstantial′ity.

Insucken, in′suk-n, adj. in Scots law, pertaining to a district astricted to a certain mill.

Insufferable, in-suf′ėr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be endured: detestable.—adv. Insuff′erably.

Insufficient, in-suf-fish′ent, adj. not sufficient: deficient: unfit: incapable.—ns. Insuffic′iency, Insuffic′ience (rare).—adv. Insuffic′iently.

Insufflate, in-suf′lāt, v.t. to breathe on.—ns. Insufflā′tion, the art of breathing on anything, or of blowing air to induce respiration, as into the mouth of a newborn child, esp. as a symbol of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost; In′sufflātor, a form of injector for forcing air into a furnace. [Through Low L., from L. in, in, sufflāre, to blow.]

Insular, in′sū-lar, adj. belonging to an island: surrounded by water: standing or situated alone: narrow, prejudiced.—ns. In′sularism, Insular′ity, the state of being insular.—adv. In′sularly.—v.t. In′sulate, to place in a detached situation: to prevent connection or communication: (electricity) to separate, esp. from the earth, by a non-conductor.—ns. Insulā′tion; In′sulator, one who, or that which, insulates: a non-conductor of electricity. [Fr.,—L. insularis—insula, an island.]

Insulse, in-suls′, adj. stupid.—n. Insul′sity (Milt.), stupidity. [L. insulsus—in, not, salīre, to salt.]

Insult, in-sult′, v.t. to treat with indignity or contempt: to abuse: to affront.—n. (in′sult) abuse: affront: contumely.—adjs. Insult′able, capable of being insulted; Insult′ant (rare), insulting.—n. Insult′er (obs.), one who makes an attack.—adj. Insult′ing, conveying insult: insolent: contemptuous.—adv. Insult′ingly, in an insulting or insolent manner.—n. Insult′ment (Shak.), insult. [Fr.,—L. insultāre—insilīre, to spring at—in, upon, salīre, to leap.]

Insuperable, in-sū′pėr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be passed over: unconquerable.—n. Insuperabil′ity.—adv. Insū′perably. [O. Fr.,—L.,—in, not, superabilis—superāre, to pass over—super, above.]

Insupportable, in-sup-pōrt′a-bl, adj. not supportable or able to be endured: unbearable: insufferable: (Spens.) irresistible.—n. Insupport′ableness.—adv. Insupport′ably.

Insuppressible, in-sup-pres′i-bl, adj. not to be suppressed or concealed.—adj. Insuppress′ive (Shak.), that cannot be suppressed or concealed.

Insure, in-shōōr′, v.t. to make sure or secure: to contract for a premium to make good a loss, as from fire, &c., or to pay a certain sum on a certain event, as death.—v.i. to practise making insurance.—adj. Insur′able, that may be insured.—ns. Insur′ance, the act of insuring, or a contract by which one party undertakes for a payment or premium to guarantee another against risk or loss—the written contract called the Insur′ance-pol′icy: the premium so paid; Insur′ancer (obs.); Insur′er, one who agrees to pay money to another party on the happening of a certain event. [O. Fr. enseurer—en, and seur, sure.]

Insurgent, in-sur′jent. adj. rising up or against: rising in opposition to authority: rebellious.—n. one who rises in opposition to established authority: a rebel.—n. Insur′gency, a rising up or against: insurrection: rebellion—also Insur′gence. [L. insurgens, -entis—in, upon, surgĕre, to rise.]

Insurmountable, in-sur-mownt′a-bl, adj. not surmountable: that cannot be overcome.—n. Insurmountabil′ity.—adv. Insurmount′ably.

Insurrection, in-sur-rek′shun, n. a rising up or against: open and active opposition to the execution of the law: a rebellion.—adjs. Insurrec′tional, Insurrec′tionary.—n. Insurrec′tionist, one who favours or takes part in an insurrection. [L. insurrection-em—insurgĕre. See Insurgent.]

Insusceptible, in-sus-sep′ti-bl, adj. not susceptible: not capable of feeling or of being affected—also Insuscep′tive.—n. Insusceptibil′ity.

Intact, in-takt′, adj. untouched, uninjured.—adj. Intact′able, not perceptible to touch.—n. Intact′ness. [L. intactus—in, not, tangĕre, tactum, to touch.]

Intaglio, in-tal′yō, n. a figure cut into any substance: a stone or gem in which the design is hollowed out, the opposite of a cameo.—adj. Intagl′iated, formed in intaglio: engraved. [It.,—intagliare—in, into, tagliare, to cut (twigs)—L. talea, a twig.]

Intake, in′tāk, n. that which is taken in: a tract of land enclosed: the point at which contraction begins: (prov.) any kind of cheat or imposition.

Intangible, in-tan′ji-bl, adj. not tangible or perceptible to touch.—ns. Intan′gibleness, Intangibil′ity.—adv. Intan′gibly. [See Intact.]

Integer, in′te-jėr, n. that which is left untouched or undiminished, a whole: (arith.) a whole number, as opposed to a fraction.—adj. In′tegral, entire or whole: not fractional: unimpaired: intrinsic, belonging as a part to the whole.—n. a whole: the whole as made up of its parts.—adv. In′tegrally.—adj. In′tegrant, making part of a whole: necessary to form an integer or an entire thing.—v.t. In′tegrāte, to make up as a whole: to make entire: to renew.—n. Integrā′tion.—Integral function (algebra), a function which does not include the operation of division in any of its terms (see Function). [L.,—in, not, root of tangĕre, to touch.]

Integrity, in-teg′ri-ti, n. entireness, wholeness: the unimpaired state of anything: uprightness: honesty: purity. [See Integer.]

Integument, in-teg′ū-ment, n. the external protective covering of a plant or animal.—adj. Integument′ary. [L.,—integĕre—in, upon, tegĕre, to cover.]

Intellect, in′tel-lekt, n. the mind, in reference to its rational powers: the thinking principle: (pl., coll.) senses.—adj. In′tellected (Cowper), endowed with intellect.—n. Intellec′tion, the act of understanding: (philos.) apprehension or perception.—adjs. Intellect′ive, able to understand: produced or perceived by the understanding; Intellect′ual, of or relating to the intellect: perceived or performed by the intellect: having the power of understanding.—n. mental power.—v.t. Intellect′ualise, to reason intellectually: to endow with intellect: to give an intellectual character to.—ns. Intellect′ualism, the doctrine which derives all knowledge from pure reason: the culture of the intellect; Intellect′ualist; Intellectual′ity, intellectual power.—adv. Intellect′ually. [Fr.,—L.,—intelligĕre, to understand—inter, between, legĕre, to choose.]

Intelligent, in-tel′-i-jent, adj. having intellect: endowed with the faculty of reason: well informed: bringing intelligence. (Shak.) communicative.—ns. Intell′igence, intellectual skill or knowledge: information communicated: news: a spiritual being; Intell′igencer, one going between parties: a spy.—adjs. Intelligen′tial, pertaining to the intelligence: consisting of spiritual being.—adv. Intell′igently.—adj. Intell′igible, that maybe understood: clear: (philos.) capable of being apprehended by the understanding only.—ns. Intell′igibleness, Intelligibil′ity.—adv. Intell′igibly. [L. intelligens, -entis, pr.p. of intelligĕre.]

Intemperance, in-tem′pėr-ans, n. want of due restraint: excess of any kind: habitual indulgence in intoxicating liquor.—n. Intem′perant, one who is intemperate.—adj. Intem′perate, indulging to excess any appetite or passion: given to an immoderate use of intoxicating liquors: passionate: exceeding the usual degree: immoderate.—adv. Intem′perately.—n. Intem′perateness.

Intend, in-tend′, v.t. to fix the mind upon: to design: to purpose: (Milt.) to extend: (Shak.) to direct.—v.i. to have a design: to purpose.—ns. Intend′ant, an officer who superintends some public business, a title of many public officers in France and other countries; Intend′ancy, his office.—adj. Intend′ed, purposed: betrothed.—n. an affianced lover.—adv. Intend′edly, with intention or design.—ns. Intend′iment (Spens.), attention, knowledge, intention; Intend′ment (Shak.), intention, design. [O. Fr. entendre—L. intendĕre, intentum and intensum—in, towards, tendĕre, to stretch.]

Intenerate, in-ten′e-rāt, v.t. to make tender.—n. Intenerā′tion.

Intense, in-tens′, adj. closely strained: extreme in degree: very severe: emotional.—v.t. Inten′sate (Carlyle), to intensify.—adv. Intense′ly.—ns. Intense′ness, Intens′ity; Intensificā′tion, the act of intensifying.—v.t. Inten′sify, to make more intense.—v.i. to become intense:—pa.p. intens′ified.—n. Inten′sion, a straining or bending: increase of intensity: (logic) the sum of the qualities implied by a general name.—adj. Inten′sive, stretched: admitting of increase of degree: unremitted: serving to intensify: (gram.) giving force or emphasis.—adv. Inten′sively.—n. Inten′siveness. [See Intend.]

Intent, in-tent′, adj. having the mind bent on: fixed with close attention: diligently applied.—n. the thing aimed at or intended: a design: meaning.—n. Inten′tion, a fixing of the mind on any object: fixed direction of mind: the object aimed at: design: purpose.—adjs. Inten′tional, Inten′tioned, with intention: intended: designed.—advs. Inten′tionally, with intention; Intent′ly, in an intent manner.—adj. Inten′tive (Bacon), attentive.—n. Intent′ness.—To all intents and purposes, in every respect.—Well- (or Ill-) intentioned, having good (or ill) designs. [See Intend.]

Inter, in-tėr′, v.t. to bury:—pr.p. inter′ring; pa.p. interred′.—n. Inter′ment. [Fr. enterrer—Low L. interrāre—L. in, into, terra, the earth.]

Interact, in-tėr-akt′, n. a short piece in a play acted between the principal pieces: the interval between the acts of a drama.—v.i. to act on one another.—n. Interac′tion, action between bodies, mutual action.—adj. Interac′tive.

Interbreed, in-tėr-brēd, v.t. and v.i. to breed by crossing one species of animals or plants with another.—n. Interbreed′ing.

Intercalate, in-tėr′kal-āt, v.t. to insert between, as a day in a calendar.—adjs. Inter′calary, Inter′calar, inserted between others.—n. Intercalā′tion.—adj. Inter′calative. [L. intercalāre, -ātum—inter, between, calāre, to call. See Calends.]

Intercede, in-tėr-sēd′, v.i. and v.t. to act as peacemaker between two: to plead for one.—adj. Interced′ent.—n. Interced′er. [Fr.,—L. intercedĕre, -cessum—inter, between, cedĕre, to go.]

Intercept, in-tėr-sept′, v.t. to stop and seize on its passage: to obstruct, check: to interrupt communication with: to cut off: (math.) to take or comprehend between.—ns. Intercep′ter, Intercep′tor; Intercep′tion.—adj. Intercep′tive. [Fr.,—L. intercipĕre, -ceptum—inter, between, capĕre, to seize.]

Intercerebral, in-tėr-ser′e-bral, adj. connecting two parts of the brain.

Intercession, in-tėr-sesh′un, n. act of interceding or pleading for another.—adj. Intercess′ional, containing intercession or pleading for others.—n. Intercess′or, one who goes between: one who reconciles two enemies: one who pleads for another: a bishop who acts during a vacancy in a see.—adjs. Intercessō′rial, Intercess′ory, interceding.—Intercession of saints, prayer offered in behalf of Christians on earth by saints. [See Intercede.]

Interchange, in-tėr-chānj′, v.t. to give and take mutually: to exchange.—v.i. to succeed alternately.—n. mutual exchange: alternate succession.—adj. Interchange′able, that may be interchanged: following each other in alternate succession.—ns. Interchange′ableness, Interchangeabil′ity.—adv. Interchange′ably.—ns. Interchange′ment (Shak.), exchange, mutual transfer; Interchang′er.

Intercipient, in-tėr-sip′i-ent, adj. intercepting.—n. the person or thing that intercepts. [L. intercipiens, -entis, pr.p. of intercipĕre.]

Interclavicular, in-tėr-klā-vik′ū-lar, adj. situated between clavicles.

Interclude, in-tėr-klōōd′, v.t. to shut out from anything by something coming between: to intercept: to cut off.—n. Interclu′sion. [L. intercludĕre—inter, between, claudĕre, to shut.]

Intercolonial, in-tėr-kol-ō′ni-al, adj. pertaining to the relation existing between colonies.—adv. Intercolō′nially.

Intercolumniation, in-tėr-ko-lum-ni-ā′shun, n. (archit.) the distance between columns, measured from the lower part of their shafts.—adj. Intercolum′nar, placed between columns.

Intercommune, in-tėr-kom-ūn′, v.i. to commune between or together: to hold intercourse.—adj. Intercommun′icable, that may be communicated between or mutually.—v.t. Intercommun′icāte, to communicate between or mutually.—ns. Intercommunicā′tion; Intercommun′ion, communion between, or mutual communion; Intercommun′ity, mutual communication: reciprocal intercourse.—Letters of intercommuning, an ancient writ issued by the Scotch Privy Council warning persons not to harbour or have any communication with persons therein denounced, under pain of being held accessory to their crimes—a special form of boycott.

Interconnect, in-tėr-ko-nekt′, v.t. to connect or enjoin mutually and intimately.—n. Interconnec′tion.

Intercontinental, in-tėr-kon-ti-nen′tal, adj. subsisting between different continents.

Intercourse, in′tėr-kōrs, n. connection by dealings: communication: commerce: communion: coition. [O. Fr. entrecours—L. intercursus, a running between—inter, between, currĕre, cursum, to run.]

Intercross, in-tėr-kros′, v.t. and v.i. to cross mutually: interbreed.

Intercurrent, in-tėr-kur′ent, adj. running between: intervening.—n. Intercurr′ence. [O. Fr.,—L. inter, between, currĕre, to run.]

Interdependence, in-tėr-de-pend-ens, n. mutual dependence: dependence of parts one on another.—adj. Interdepend′ent.

Interdict, in-tėr-dikt′, v.t. to. prohibit: to forbid: to forbid communion.—n. (in′tėr-dikt) prohibition: a prohibitory decree: a prohibition of the Pope restraining the clergy from performing divine service.—n. Interdic′tion.—adjs. Interdic′tive, Interdic′tory, containing interdiction: prohibitory. [L. interdicĕre, -dictum—inter, between, dicĕre, to say.]

Interdigital, in-tėr-dij′i-tal, adj. situated between digits.—v.t. Interdig′itate, to insert between the fingers.—v.i. to be interwoven, to interlock by finger-like processes.—n. Interdigitā′tion.

Interest, in′tėr-est, n. advantage: premium paid for the use of money (in Compound interest, the interest of each period is added to its principal, and the amount forms a new principal for the next period): any increase: concern: special attention: influence over others: share: participation.—n. (Spens.) In′teress, interest, concern.—v.t. to concern deeply.—Equitable interest, such interest as is protected by courts of equity, although it might not be at common law; Landed interest (see Landed); Vested interest, an interest thoroughly secure and inalienable, except for public use and upon compensation.—Make interest for, to secure interest on behalf of. [O. Fr. interest (Fr. intérêt)—L. interest, it is profitable, it concerns—inter, between, esse, to be.]

Interest, in′tėr-est, v.t. to engage the attention: to awaken concern in: to excite (in behalf of another).—adj. In′terested, having an interest or concern: affected or biassed by personal considerations, self-interest, &c.—adv. In′terestedly.—n. In′terestedness.—adj. In′teresting, engaging the attention or regard: exciting emotion or passion.—adv. In′terestingly.—n. In′terestingness.—In an interesting condition, in the family way. [From obs. interess—O. Fr. interesser, to concern—L. interesse.]

Interfacial, in-tėr-fā′shal, adj. (geom.) included between two plane faces or surfaces.—n. Interface′, a plane surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies.

Interfemoral, in-tėr-fem′o-ral, adj. situated between the thighs, connecting the hind limbs.

Interfere, in-tėr-fēr′, v.i. to come in collision: to intermeddle: to interpose: to act reciprocally—said of waves, rays of light, &c.—ns. Interfer′ence; Interfer′er.—adv. Interfer′ingly. [Through O. Fr., from L. inter, between, ferīre, to strike.]

Interfluent, in-tėr′flōō-ent, adj. flowing between or together—also Inter′fluous. [L. interfluens—inter, between, fluĕre, to flow.]

Interfoliaceous, in-tėr-fō-li-ā′shus, adj. placed between leaves.—v.t. Interfō′liate, to interleave.

Interfrontal, in-tėr-fron′tal, adj. situated between the right and left frontal bones.

Interfused, in-tėr-fūzd′, adj. poured between: fused together: associated.—n. Interfū′sion.

Interglacial, in-tėr-glā′shi-al, adj. (geol.) occurring between two periods of glacial action.

Intergrade, in-tėr-grād′, v.i. to become alike gradually.—n. In′tergrade, an intermediate grade.

Interhemal, in-tėr-hē′mal, adj. between the hemal processes or spines.

Interim, in′tėr-im, n. time between or intervening: the meantime: in the history of the Reformation, the name given to certain edicts of the German emperor for the regulation of religious and ecclesiastical matters, till they could be decided by a general council—as the Augsburg Interim (1548), &c. [L.,—inter, between.]

Interior, in-tē′ri-ur, adj. inner: remote from the frontier or coast: inland.—n. the inside of anything: the inland part of a country.—n. Interior′ity.—adv. Intē′riorly. [L.,—comp. of interus, inward.]

Interjacent, in-tėr-jā′sent, adj. lying between: intervening.—n. Interjā′cency, a lying between: a space or region between others. [L. inter, between, jacēre, to lie.]

Interjaculate, in-tėr-jak′ū-lāt, v.i. to interrupt conversation with an ejaculation.

Interject, in-tėr-jekt′, v.t. to throw between: to insert.—v.i. to throw one's self between.—n. Interjec′tion, a throwing between: (gram.) a word thrown in to express emotion.—adjs. Interjec′tional, Interjec′tionary, Interjec′tural.—adv. Interjec′tionally. [L. inter, between, jacĕre, to throw.]

Interjoin, in-tėr-join′, v.t. (Shak.) to join mutually, to intermarry.

Interlace, in-tėr-lās′, v.t. to lace together: to unite: to insert one thing within another.—v.i. to intermix.—n. Interlace′ment.—Interlacing arches (archit.), an arcature in which the arches intersect.

Interlard, in-tėr-lärd′, v.t. to mix in, as fat with lean: to diversify by mixture.

Interleave, in-tėr-lēv′, v.t. to put a leaf between: to insert blank leaves in a book.

Interline, in-tėr-līn′, v.t. to write in alternate lines: to write between lines.—adj. Interlin′ear, written between lines.—ns. Interlineā′tion, Interlīn′ing, act of interlining: that which is interlined: correction or alteration made by writing between lines.

Interlock, in-tėr-lok′, v.t. to lock or clasp together.—v.i. to be locked together.

Interlocution, in-tėr-lo-kū′shun, n. conference: an intermediate decree before final decision.—n. Interloc′utor, one who speaks between or in dialogue (fem. Interloc′utress, Interloc′utrice): (Scots law) an intermediate decree before final decision.—adj. Interloc′utory. [Fr.,—L. interlocutio, from interloqui—inter, between, loqui, locutus, to speak.]

Interloper, in-tėr-lōp′ėr, n. one who trades without license: an intruder.—v.i. and v.t. Interlope′, to intrude into any matter in which one has no fair concern. [Dut. enterlooper, a smuggling vessel, as running in and out along the coast—L. inter, between, Dut. loopen, to run. See Leap.]

Interlude, in′tėr-lōōd, n. a short dramatic performance or play between the play and afterpiece, or between the acts of a play: a short piece of music played between the parts of a drama, opera, hymn, &c.—adj. Interlud′ed, inserted as an interlude: having interludes. [From L. inter, between, ludus, play.]

Interlunar, in-tėr-lōō′nar, adj. belonging to the moon's monthly period of invisibility.—Also Interlu′nary.

Intermarry, in-tėr-mar′i, v.i. to marry between or among: to marry reciprocally, or take one and give another in marriage.—n. Intermarr′iage.

Intermaxillary, in-tėr-maks′il-ar-i, adj. situated between the jawbones.

Intermeddle, in-tėr-med′l, v.i. to meddle with: to interfere improperly.—n. Intermedd′ler.

Intermediate, in-tėr-mē′di-āt, adj. in the middle between: intervening—also Intermē′diary, Intermē′dial.—ns. Intermē′diacy, state of being intermediate; Intermē′diary, an intermediate agent.—adv. Intermē′diately.—n. Intermediā′tion, act of intermediating; Intermē′dium, a medium between: an intervening agent or instrument.

Intermezzo, in-tėr-med′zō, n. a light dramatic entertainment between the acts of a tragedy, grand opera, &c.: a short musical burlesque, &c. [It.]

Interminable, in-tėr′min-a-bl, Interminate, in-tėr′min-āt, adj. without termination or limit: boundless: endless.—n. Inter′minableness.—adv. Inter′minably.—Interminate decimal, a decimal conceived as carried to an infinity of places.

Intermingle, in-tėr-ming′gl, v.t. and v.i. to mingle or mix together.

Intermit, in-tėr-mit′, v.t. to cause to cease for a time: to interrupt.—n. Intermiss′ion, act of intermitting: interval: pause.—adj. Intermiss′ive, coming at intervals.—ns. Intermit′tence, Intermit′tency, state of being intermittent.—adj. Intermit′tent, intermitting or ceasing at intervals, as a fever.—adv. Intermit′tingly.—Intermittent, or Intermitting, spring, a spring flowing for a time and then ceasing, beginning again, &c. [L. intermittĕre, -missum—inter, between, mittĕre, to cause to go.]

Intermix, in-tėr-miks′, v.t. and v.i. to mix among or together.—n. Intermix′ture, a mass formed by mixture: something intermixed.

Intermobility, in-tėr-mo-bil′i-ti, n. capacity of things to move among themselves.

Intern, in-tėrn′, adj. internal.—n. an inmate of a school, an assistant surgeon or physician in a hospital.—Also Interne′.

Intern, in-tėrn′, v.t. to send into the interior of a country: to immure in an interior locality without permission to leave the district.—n. Intern′ment, state of being confined in the interior of a country. [Fr. interner. See Internal.]

Internal, in-tėr′nal, adj. being in the interior: domestic, as opposed to foreign: intrinsic: pertaining to the heart:—opp. to External.—n. Internal′ity.—adv. Inter′nally.—Internal evidence, evidence with regard to a thing, subject, book, &c. afforded by its intrinsic qualities. [L. internus—-inter, within.]

International, in-tėr-nash′un-al, adj. pertaining to the relations between nations.—n. a short-lived association formed in London in 1864 to unite the working classes of all countries in efforts for their economic emancipation.—adv. Internat′ionally.

Internecine, in-tėr-nē′sīn, adj. mutually destructive: deadly.—Also Internē′cive. [L. internecāre—inter, between, necāre, to kill.]

Interneural, in-tėr-nū′ral, adj. (anat.) situated between the neural spines or spinous processes of successive vertebræ.

Internode, in′tėr-nōd, n. (bot.) the space between two nodes or points of the stem from which the leaves arise.—adj. Internō′dial. [L. internodium—inter, between, nodus, a knot.]

Internuncio, in-tėr-nun′shi-ō, n. a messenger between two parties: the Pope's representative at minor courts.—adj. Internun′cial. [Sp.,—L. internuntius—inter, between, nuntius, a messenger.]

Interorbital, in-tėr-or′bi-tal, adj. situated between the orbits of the eyes.

Interosculation, in-tėr-os′kū-lā-shun, n. interconnection by, or as if by, osculation.—adj. Interos′culant.—v.t. Interos′culāte.

Interosseous, in-tėr-os′e-us, adj. situated between bones.—Also Inteross′eal.

Interparietal, in-tėr-pa-rī′e-tal, adj. situated between the right and left parietal bones of the skull.

Interpellation, in-tėr-pel-ā′shun, n. a question raised during the course of a debate: interruption: intercession: a summons: an earnest address.—v.t. Inter′pellate, to question. [Fr.,—L.,—interpellāre, -ātum, to disturb by speaking—inter, between, pellĕre, to drive.]

Interpenetrate, in-tėr-pen′e-trāt, v.t. to penetrate between or within.—n. Interpenetrā′tion.

Interpetiolar, in-tėr-pet′i-ō-lar, adj. (bot.) between the petioles.

Interphalangeal, in-tėr-fa-lan′jē-al, adj. situated between any successive phalanges of a finger or toe: nodal, of a digit.

Interpilaster, in-tėr-pi-las′tėr, n. (archit.) space between two pilasters.

Interplay, in′tėr-plā, n. mutual action: interchange of action and reaction.

Interplead, in-tėr-plēd′, v.i. (law) to discuss adverse claims to property by bill of interpleader.—n. Interplead′er, one who interpleads: a form of process in the English courts, by a bill in equity, intended to protect a defendant who claims no interest in the subject-matter of a suit, while at the same time he has reason to know that the plaintiff's title is disputed by some other claimant.

Interpledge, in-tėr-plej′, v.t. to pledge mutually: to give and take a pledge.

Intrepleural, in-tėr-plōō′ral, adj. situated between the right and left pleural cavities.

Interpolar, in-tėr-pō′lar, adj. situated between or connecting the poles, as of a galvanic battery.

Interpolate, in-tėr′po-lāt, v.t. to insert unfairly, as a spurious word or passage in a book or manuscript, to foist in: to corrupt: (math.) to fill up the intermediate terms of a series.—adj. Inter′polable.—ns. Interpolā′tion; Inter′polator. [L. interpolāre, -ātum—inter, between, polīre, to polish.]

Interpose, in-tėr-pōz′, v.t. to place between: to thrust in: to offer, as aid or services.—v.i. to come between: to mediate: to put in by way of interruption: to interfere.—ns. Interpos′al, same as Interposition; Interpos′er; Interpos′it, a place of deposit between two cities or countries; Interposi′tion, act of interposing: intervention: anything interposed. [Fr.,—L. inter, between, Fr. poser, to place.]

Interpret, in-tėr′pret, v.t. to explain the meaning of, to elucidate, unfold, show the purport of: to translate into intelligible or familiar terms.—v.i. to practise interpretation.—adj. Inter′pretable, capable of being explained.—n. Interpretā′tion, act of interpreting: the sense given by an interpreter: the power of explaining: the representation of a dramatic part according to one's conception of it.—adj. Interpretā′tive, collected by or containing interpretation.—adv. Inter′pretātively.—n. Inter′preter, one who explains between two parties: an expounder: a translator. [Fr.,—L. interprerāri, -ātus—interpres, inter, between, -pres, prob. conn. with Gr. phrasis, speech.]

Interprovincial, in-tėr-prō-vin′shal, adj. existing between provinces.

Interpubic, in-tėr-pū′bik, adj. situated between the right and left pubic bones.

Interpunction, in-tėr-pungk′shun, n. the places of points or stops in writing, intermediate punctuation.—Also Interpunctuā′tion.

Interracial, in-tėr-rā′si-al, adj. existing or taking place between races.

Interrradial, in-tėr-rā′di-al, adj. situated between the radii or rays.—adv. Interrā′dially.—n. Interrā′dius, an interradial part, esp. of a hydrozoan.

Interramal, in-tėr-rā′mal, adj. situated between the rami or forks of the lower jaw.

Interregnum, in-tėr-reg′num, n. the time between two reigns: the time between the cessation of one and the establishment of another government: any breach of continuity in order, &c.—n. In′terreign (Bacon). [L. inter, between, regnum, rule.]

Interrelation, in-tėr-rē-lā′shun, n. reciprocal relation, interconnection.—-n. Interrelā′tionship.

Interrex, in′tėr-reks, n. one who rules during an interregnum: a regent. [L. inter, between, rex, a king.]

Interrogate, in-tėr′o-gāt, v.t. to question: to examine by asking questions.—v.i. to ask questions: to inquire.—n. Interrogā′tion, act of interrogating: a question put: the mark placed after a question (?).—adj. Interrog′ative, denoting a question: expressed as a question.—n. a word used in asking a question.—adv. Interrog′atively.—ns. Interr′ogator; Interrog′atory, a question or inquiry.—adj. expressing a question. [L. interrogāre, -ātum—inter, between, rogāre, to ask.]

Interrupt, in-tėr-rupt′, v.t. to break in between: to stop or hinder by breaking in upon: to divide: to break continuity.—adj. (Milt.) gaping apart.—adv. Interrup′tedly, with interruptions.—ns. Interrup′ter, Interrup′tor; Interrup′tion, act of interrupting: hinderance: cessation.—adj. Interrup′tive, tending to interrupt.—adv. Interrup′tively. [L. interrumpĕre—inter, between, rumpĕre, ruptum, to break.]

Interscapular, in-tėr-ska′pū-lar, adj. (anat.) between the shoulder-blades.

Interscribe, in-tėr-skrīb′, v.t. to write between. [L. interscribĕre—inter, between, scribĕre, to write.]

Intersect, in-tėr-sekt′, v.t. to cut between or asunder: to cut or cross mutually: to divide into parts.—v.i. to cross each other.—n. Intersec′tion, intersecting: (geom.) the point or line in which two lines or two planes cut each other.—adj. Intersec′tional. [L. inter, between, secāre, sectum, to cut.]

Intersegmental, in-tėr-seg′men-tal, adj. pertaining to two or more segments, situated between segments.

Intersidereal, in-tėr-sī-dē′re-al, adj. situated between or among the stars.

Interspace, in′tėr-spās, n. a space between objects, an interval.—v.t. to occupy the space between.—adj. Interspā′tial.—adv. Interspā′tially.

Intersperse, in-tėr-spėrs′, v.t. to scatter or set here and there.—n. Intersper′sion. [L. interspergĕre, -spersum—inter, among, spargĕre, to scatter.]

Interspinous, in-tėr-spī′nus, adj. situated between spines.—Also Interspī′nal.

Interstate, in′tėr-stāt, adj. existing between different states or persons therein.

Interstellar, in-tėr-stel′ar, adj. situated beyond the solar system or among the stars: in the intervals between the stars.—Also Interstell′ary. [L. inter, between, stella, a star.]

Interstice, in′tėr-stis, or in-tėr′stis, n. a small space between things closely set, or between the parts which compose a body.—adj. Interstit′ial. [Fr.,—L.,—inter, between, sistĕre, stitum, to stand.]

Interstratification, in-tėr-strat-i-fi-kā′shun, n. the state of lying between other strata.—adj. Interstrat′ified, stratified between other bodies.—v.i. Interstrat′ify.

Intertentacular, in-tėr-ten-tak′ū-lar, adj. situated between tentacles.

Intertergal, in-tėr-tėr′gal, adj. situated between the terga or tergites of an arthropod.

Interterritorial, in-tėr-ter-ri-tō′ri-al, adj. between territories or their inhabitants.

Intertidal, in-tėr-tī′dal, adj. living between low-water and high-water mark.

Intertie, in′tėr-tī, n. (archit.) in roofing, &c., a short timber binding together upright posts.

Intertraffic, in-tėr-traf′ik, n. traffic between two or more persons or places.

Intertransverse, in-tėr-trans′vėrs, adj. between the transverse processes of successive vertebræ.

Intertribal, in-tėr-trī′bal, adj. existing or taking place between tribes.

Intertrigo, in-tėr-trī′gō, n. an inflammation of the skin from chafing or rubbing. [L. inter, between, terĕre, tritum, to rub.]

Intertwine, in-tėr-twīn′, v.t. to twine or twist together.—v.i. to be twisted together: to become mutually involved.—adv. Intertwīn′ingly.

Intertwist, in-tėr-twist′, v.t. to twist together.—adv. Intertwist′ingly.

Interval, in′tėr-val, n. time or space between: any dividing tract in space or time: (mus.) the difference of pitch between any two musical tones.—n. In′tervāle (U.S.), a level tract along a river.—adj. Interval′lic—n. Interval′lum, an interval. [Fr.,—L. intervallum—inter, between, vallum, a rampart.]

Intervene, in-tėr-vēn′, v.i. to come or be between: to occur between points of time: to happen so as to interrupt: to interpose.—v.t. (rare) to separate.—adj. Interven′ient, being or passing between: intervening.—ns. Interven′tion, intervening: interference: mediation: interposition; Interven′tionist, one who advocates interference with the course of disease rather than leaving it to nature; Interven′tor, a mediator in ecclesiastical controversies: (U.S.) a mine-inspector. [Fr.,—L. inter, between, venīre, to come.]

Interventricular, in-tėr-ven-trik′ū-lar, adj. situated between ventricles, as those of the heart or brain.

Intervertebral, in-tėr-vėr′te-bral, adj. situated between two successive vertebræ.

Interview, in′tėr-vū, n. a mutual view or sight: a meeting: a conference: a visit to a notable or notorious person with a view to publishing a report of his conversation—v.t. to visit with this purpose.—n. In′terviewer, one who visits another for this purpose. [O. Fr. entrevue—entre, between, voir, to see.]

Intervital, in-tėr-vī′tal, adj. between lives, between death and resurrection.

Intervolve, in-tėr-volv′, v.t. to involve or comprise one within another. [L. inter, within, volvĕre, to roll.]

Interwork, in-tėr-wurk′, v.i. to work together: to work intermediately.—p.adj. Interwrought′.

Intestate, in-tes′tāt, adj. dying without having made a valid will: not disposed of by will.—n. a person who dies without making a valid will.—adj. Intes′table, legally unqualified to make a will.—n. Intes′tacy, the state of one dying without having made a valid will. [L. intestātus—in, not, testāri, -atus, to make a will.]

Intestine, in-tes′tin, adj. internal: contained in the animal body: domestic: not foreign.—n.pl. a part of the digestive system, divided into the smaller intestine (comprising duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and the greater intestine.—adj. Intes′tinal, pertaining to the intestines of an animal body. [Fr.,—L. intestinus—intus, within.]

Intimate, in′ti-māt, adj. innermost: internal: close: closely acquainted: familiar.—n. a familiar friend: an associate.—v.t. to hint: to announce.—n. In′timacy, state of being intimate: close familiarity.—adv. In′timately.—n. Intimā′tion, obscure notice: hint: announcement. [L. intimāre, ātum—intimus, innermost—intus, within.]

Intimidate, in-tim′i-dāt, v.t. to make timid or fearful: to dispirit.—n. Intimidā′tion, act of intimidating: use of violence or threats to influence the conduct or compel the consent of another: state of being intimidated.—adj. Intim′idatory.

Intinction, in-tingk′shun, n. an Eastern mode of administering both elements of communion at once by dipping the bread into the wine, usually by the cochlear or eucharistic spoon. [Low L.,—L. intingĕre, intinctum, to dip in.]

Intitule, in-tit′ūl, same as Entitle.—Intituled, intit′ūld, same as Entitled.

Into, in′tōō, prep. noting passage inwards: noting the passage of a thing from one state to another: (B.) often used for unto.

Intolerable, in-tol′ėr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be endured.—n. Intol′erableness.—adv. Intol′erably.—ns. Intol′erance, Intolerā′tion.—adj. Intol′erant, not able or willing to endure: not enduring difference of opinion: persecuting.—n. one opposed to toleration.—adv. Intol′erantly.

Intonate, in′ton-āt, v.i. to sound forth: to sound the notes of a musical scale: to modulate the voice.—n. Intonā′tion, act or manner of sounding musical notes: modulation of the voice: the opening phrase of any plain-song melody, sung usually either by the officiating priest alone, or by one or more selected choristers. [Low L. intonāre, -ātum—L. in tonum, according to tone.]

Intone, in-tōn′, v.i. to utter in tones: to give forth a low protracted sound.—v.t. to chant: to read (the church service) in a singing, recitative manner.—n. Intōn′ing, a modern popular term for the utterance in musical recitative of the versicles, responses, collects, &c. of the Anglican liturgy.

Intorsion, Intortion, in-tor′shun, n. a twisting, winding, or bending.—v.t. Intort′, to twist.

Intoxicate, in-toks′i-kāt, v.t. to make drunk: to excite to enthusiasm or madness.—n. Intox′icant, an intoxicating liquor.—p.adj. Intox′icāting, producing intoxication: inebriating.—n. Intoxic′ātion, state of being drunk: high excitement or elation. [Low L. intoxicāre, -ātum—toxicum—Gr. toxikon, a poison in which arrows were dipped—toxon, an arrow.]

Intra, in′tra, adv. prefix, within, as in In′tra-abdom′inal, situated within the cavity of the abdomen; In′tra-artē′rial, existing within an artery; In′tra-cap′sular, lying within a capsule; In′tra-car′diac, within the heart; In′tra-cell′ular, inside a cell; In′tra-pariē′tal, within walls, private: situated in the parietal lobe of the brain; In′tra-territō′rial, existing within a territory; In′tra-trop′ical, situated within the tropics; In′tra-ur′ban, within a city.

Intractable, in-trakt′a-bl, adj. unmanageable: obstinate.—ns. Intractabil′ity, Intract′ableness.—adv. Intract′ably.

Intrados, in-trā′dos, n. (archit.) the interior or lower line or surface of an arch or vault:—opp. to Extrados, the exterior or upper curve. [Fr.,—L. intra, within, dorsum, the back.]

Intransigent, in-tran′si-jent, adj. refusing to come to any understanding, irreconcilable.—ns. Intran′sigentism, the political practice or principles of such; Intran′sigentist, one who practises such a method of opposition, esp. a member of a revolutionary party in Spain about 1873, and of a socialistic party in France. [Fr. intransigeant—Sp. intransigente—L. in, not, transigens, pr.p. of transigĕre, to transact.]

Intransitive, in-tran′si-tiv, adj. not passing over or indicating passing over: (gram.) representing action confined to the agent.—adv. Intran′sitively.

Intransmutable, in-trans-mūt′a-bl, adj. that cannot be changed into another substance.—n. Intransmutabil′ity.

Intrant, in′trant, adj. entering: penetrating.—n. one who enters, esp. on some public duty. [L. intrans, -antis—intrāre, to enter.]

Intreat, in-trēt′, v.t. (Spens.) same as Entreat.—adj. Intreat′ful (Spens.), full of entreaty.

Intrenchant, in-trensh′ant, adj. (Shak.) not to be cut or wounded, indivisible.

Intrepid, in-trep′id, adj. without trepidation or fear: undaunted: brave.—n. Intrepid′ity, firm, unshaken courage.—adv. Intrep′idly. [L. intrepidus—in, not, trepidus, alarmed.]

Intricate, in′tri-kāt, adj. involved: entangled: perplexed.—ns. In′tricacy, In′tricateness.—adv. In′tricately. [L. intricātus—in, in, tricāre, to make difficulties—tricæ, hinderances.]

Intrigue, in-trēg′, n. a complex plot: a private or party scheme: the plot of a play or romance: secret illicit love.—v.i. to form a plot or scheme: to carry on illicit love:—pr.p. intrigu′ing; pa.p. intrigued′.—ns. In′trigant, Intrig′uer, one who intrigues, or pursues an object by secret artifices. [Fr. intriguer—intricāre. See Intricate.]

Intrinsic, -al, in-trin′sik, -al, p.adj. inward: genuine: inherent: essential, belonging to the point at issue: (anat.) applied to those muscles of the limbs entirely contained within the anatomical limits of the limb.—n. Intrinsical′ity.—adv. Intrin′sically.—n. Intrin′sicalness, the quality of being intrinsical: genuineness. [Fr.,—L. intrinsecus—intra, within, secus, following.]

Introcession, in-tro-sesh′un, n. (med.) a sinking of any part inwards: depression. [L. intro, inwardly, cedĕre, cessum, to go.]

Introduce, in-tro-dūs′, v.t. to lead or bring in: to conduct into a place: formally to make known or acquainted: to bring into notice or practice: to commence: to preface.—n. Introduc′tion, act of conducting into: act of making persons known to each other: act of bringing into notice or practice: preliminary matter to the main thoughts of a book: (mus.) a kind of preface or prelude to a following movement: a treatise introductory to a science or course of study.—adjs. Introduc′tory, Introduc′tive, serving to introduce: preliminary: prefatory.—adv. Introduc′torily. [L. introducĕre, -ductum—intro, within, ducĕre, to lead.]

Introit, in-trō′it, n. an anthem sung at the beginning of the mass, immediately after the Confiteor, and when the priest has ascended to the altar. [L. introitus—introīre—intro, within, īre, itum, to go.]

Intromit, in-tro-mit′, v.t. to send within: to admit: to permit to enter.—v.i. to interfere with the effects of another:—pr.p. intromit′ting; pa.p. intromit′ted.—ns. Intromiss′ion, sending within or into: (Scots law) the assumption of authority to deal with another's property—legal, where the party is expressly or impliedly authorised, either by judgment or deed, to interfere, as by drawing the rents or getting in debts—vicious, where an heir or next of kin, without any authority, interferes with a deceased person's estate; Intromit′ter, one who intromits. [L. intro, within, mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Introrse, in-trors′, adj. turned or facing inward.—adv. Introrse′ly. [L. introrsus, toward the middle.]

Introspect, in-tro-spekt′, v.t. to look into anything.—v.i. to practise introspection.—ns. Introspec′tion, a sight of the inside or interior: the act of directly observing the processes of one's own mind, self-examination; Introspec′tionist.—adj. Introspec′tive. [L. intro, within, specĕre, to see.]

Introsusception, in-tro-su-sep′shun, n. the act of taking in, as nourishment. [L. intro, within, susception-em, suscipĕre.]

Introvert, in-tro-vėrt′, v.t. to turn inward.—n. anything introverted.—n. Introver′sion.—adj. Introver′sive. [L. intro, within, vertĕre, to turn.]

Intrude, in-trōōd′, v.i. to thrust one's self in: to enter uninvited or unwelcome.—v.t. to force in.—ns. Intrud′er; Intru′sion, act of intruding or of entering into a place without welcome or invitation: encroachment: a pushing in, an abnormal irruption, esp. in geology, of such rocks as have come up from below into another rock or series of beds; Intru′sionist, one who intrudes, esp. one of those who, before the Scotch Disruption of 1843, refused a parish the right of objecting to the settlement of an obnoxious minister by a patron:—opp. to Non-intrusionist.—adj. Intru′sive, tending or apt to intrude: entering without welcome or right.—adv. Intru′sively.—n. Intru′siveness. [L. in, in, trudĕre, trusum, to thrust.]

Intuition, in-tū-ish′un, n. the power of the mind by which it immediately perceives the truth of things without reasoning or analysis: a truth so perceived, immediate knowledge in contrast with mediate.—v.t. and v.i. In′tuit, to know intuitively.—adj. Intuit′ional.—ns. Intuit′ionalism, the doctrine that the perception of truth is by intuition; Intuit′ionalist.—adj. Intū′itive, perceived or perceiving by intuition: received or known by simple inspection.—adv. Intū′itively.—n. Intū′itivism. [L. in, into or upon, tuēri, tuitus, to look.]

Intumescence, in-tū-mes′ens, n. the action of swelling: a swelling: a tumid state.—v.i. Intumesce′, to swell up. [Fr.,—L. in, in, tumēre, to swell.]

Inturbidate, in-tur′bi-dāt, v.t. to render turbid. [L. in, in, turbidāre, -ātum, to trouble.]

Intuse, in′tūs, n. (Spens.) a bruise. [L. in, in, tundĕre, tusum, to bruise.]

Intussusception, in-tus-su-sep′shun, n. the partial displacement of the bowel in which one portion of it passes into the portion immediately adjacent to it—also called Invagination.—v.t. In′tussuscept, to take into the interior.—adjs. Intussuscep′ted; Intussuscep′tive. [L. intus, within, susception-em—suscipĕre, to take up.]

Inulin, in′ū-lin, n. a starch-like product used in medicine, obtained principally from the roots of the plant Inula or Elecampane. [Prob. Gr. helenion.]

Inumbrate, in-um′brāt, v.t. to cast a shadow upon: to shade. [L. inumbrāre, -ātum—in, in, umbrāre, to shade—umbra, a shadow.]

Inunction, in-ungk′shun, n. the act of anointing, the process of rubbing into the skin, as an ointment or liniment.—n. Inunctuos′ity, absence of oiliness.

Inundate, in-un′dāt, or in′-, v.t. to flow upon or over in waves (said of water): to flood: to fill with an overflowing abundance.—adj. Inun′dant, overflowing.—n. Inundā′tion, act of inundating: a flood: an overflowing. [L.,—inundāre, -ātum—in, in, undāre, to rise in waves—unda, a wave.]

Inurbane, in-ur-bān′, adj. not urbane, unpolished.—adv. Inurbane′ly.—n. Inurban′ity.

Inure, in-ūr′, v.t. to use or practise habitually: to accustom: to harden.—v.i. (law) to come into use or effect: to serve to the use or benefit of.—n. Inure′ment, act of inuring: practice. [From in and ure—O. Fr. eure (Fr. œuvre, work)—L. opera, work; the same word ure is found in manure (q.v.).]

Inutility, in-ū-til′i-ti, n. want of utility: uselessness: unprofitableness: something useless.

Invade, in-vād′, v.t. to enter a country as an enemy: to attack: to encroach upon: to violate: to seize or fall upon.—ns. Invad′er; Invā′sion, the act of invading: an attack: an incursion: an attack on the rights of another: an encroachment: a violation.—adj. Invā′sive, making invasion: aggressive: infringing another's rights. [Fr.,—L. invadĕre, invasum—in, in, vadĕre, to go.]

Invagination, in-vaj-i-nā′shun, n. intussusception. [L. in, not, vagina, a sheath.]

Invalid, in-val′id, adj. without value, weight, or cogency: having no effect: void: null.—adj. In′valid, deficient in health, sick, weak.—n. one who is weak: a sickly person: one disabled for active service, esp. a soldier or sailor.—v.t. to make invalid or affect with disease: to enrol on the list of invalids.—v.t. Inval′idāte, to render invalid: to weaken or destroy the force of.—ns. Invalidā′tion; In′validhood, In′validism; In′validing, the return home, or to a more healthy climate, of soldiers or sailors who have been rendered incapable of active duty by wounds or the severity of foreign service; Invalid′ity, Inval′idness, want of cogency: want of force.

Invaluable, in-val′ū-a-bl, adj. that cannot be valued: priceless.—adv. Inval′uably.

Invariable, in-vā′ri-a-bl, adj. not variable: without variation or change: unalterable: constantly in the same state.—ns. Invā′riableness, Invariabil′ity, the quality of being invariable or unchangeable.—adv. Invā′riably.

Invected, in-vek′ted, adj. (her.) having a border-line of small convex or outer curves:—opp. to Engrailed, of a line, or the edge of a bearing. [L. invectus, invehĕre, to enter.]

Invective, in-vek′tiv, n. a severe or reproachful accusation brought against any one: an attack with words: a violent utterance of censure: sarcasm, or satire.—adj. railing: abusive: satirical.—adv. Invec′tively, by invective: satirically: sarcastically. [See Inveigh.]

Inveigh, in-vā′, v.i. to attack with words: to rail against: to revile. [L. invehĕre, invectum—in, in, vehĕre, to carry.]

Inveigle, in-vē′gl, v.t. to entice: to seduce: to wheedle.—ns. Invei′glement, an enticing: an enticement—older forms Invea′gle, Envei′gle; Invei′gler. [Ety. dub.; prob. a corr. of O. Fr. enveogler (Fr. aveugle, blind)—L. ab, without, oculus, the eye.]

Invent, in-vent′, v.t. to devise or contrive: to make: to frame: to fabricate: to forge.—adj. Inven′tible.—n. Inven′tion, that which is invented: contrivance: a deceit: power or faculty of inventing: ability displayed by any invention or effort of the imagination.—adj. Inven′tive, able to invent: ready in contrivance.—adv. Inven′tively.—ns. Inven′tiveness; Inven′tor, Inven′ter, one who invents or finds out something new:—fem. Inven′tress.—Invention of the Cross, a festival observed on May 3, in commemoration of the alleged discovery of the true cross at Jerusalem in 326 by Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. [Fr.,—L. invenīre, inventum—in, upon, venīre, to come.]

Inventory, in′ven-tor-i, n. a list or schedule of articles comprised in an estate, describing each article separately and precisely so as to show of what the estate consists.—v.t. to make an inventory of.—adj. Inventō′rial.—adv. Inventō′rially. [Fr. inventaire—L. inventarium, a list of things found.]

Inverness-cape, in-vėr-nes′-kāp, n. a form of overcoat with cape or tippet—named from Inverness.

Inverse, in-vėrs′, adj. inverted: in the reverse or contrary order: opposite, inverted—opp. to Direct: (math.) opposite in effect, of one operation that annuls the effect of another, as subtraction to addition, &c.—n. an inverted state, a direct opposite.—adv. Inverse′ly.—n. Inver′sion, the act of inverting: the state of being inverted: a change of order or position.—adj. Inver′sive.

Invert, in-vėrt′, v.t. to turn in or about: to turn upside down: to reverse: to change the customary order or position.—n. (archit.) an inverted arch or vault, as the floor of a sewer, &c.—adj. Inver′ted, turned upside down: reversed: (geol.) denoting strata that appear to have been reversed or folded back by upheaval.—adv. Inver′tedly, in an inverted or contrary manner.—Inverted arch, an arch with its curve turned downwards, as in a sewer. [L. invertĕre, inversum—in, in, vertĕre, to turn.]

Invertebral, in-vėrt′e-bral, Invertebrate, in-vėrt′ebrāt, adj. without a vertebral column or backbone: weak, irresolute.—n.pl. Invertebrā′ta, a collective name for those animals which agree in not exhibiting the characteristics of vertebrates.—n. Inver′tebrate, an animal destitute of a skull and vertebral column.

Invest, in-vest′, v.t. to put vesture on, to dress: to confer or give: to place in office or authority: to adorn: to surround: to block up: to lay siege to: to place: as property in business: to lay out money on.—adj. Inves′titive.—ns. Inves′titure, in feudal and ecclesiastical history, the act of giving corporal possession of a manor, office, or benefice, accompanied by a certain ceremonial, such as the delivery of a branch, a banner, &c., to signify the authority which it is supposed to convey; Invest′ment, the act of investing: a blockade: the act of surrounding or besieging: laying out money on: any placing of money to secure income or profit: that in which anything is invested: (Shak.) clothing; Inves′tor, one who invests. [L. investīre, -ītum—in, on, vestīre, to clothe.]

Investigate, in-vest′i-gāt, v.t. to search into: to inquire into with care and accuracy.—adj. Invest′igable, able to be investigated.—n. Investigā′tion, act of examining into: research: study.—adjs. Invest′igātive, Invest′igātory, promoting or given to investigation.—n. Invest′igātor, one who investigates. [L. investigāre, -ātum—in, in, vestigāre, to track.]

Inveterate, in-vet′ėr-āt, adj. firmly established by long continuance: deep-rooted, confirmed in any habit: violent.—adv. Invet′erately.—ns. Invet′erateness, Invet′eracy, firmness produced by long use or continuance. [L. inveterāre, -ātum, to grow old—in, in, vetus, veteris, old.]

Invidious, in-vid′i-us, adj. likely to incur or provoke ill-will: likely to excite envy, enviable: offensively discriminating.—adv. Invid′iously.—n. Invid′iousness. [L. invidiosus—invidia, envy.]

Invigorate, in-vig′or-āt, v.t. to give vigour to: to strengthen: to animate.—ns. Invigorā′tion, the act or state of being invigorated; Invig′orator, something that invigorates.

Invincible, in-vin′si-bl, adj. that cannot be overcome: insuperable.—ns. Invin′cibleness, Invincibil′ity.—adv. Invin′cibly.—Invincible ignorance (see Ignorance).—The Invincible Doctor, William of Occam (c. 1280-1349).

Inviolable, in-vī′ōl-a-bl, adj. that cannot be profaned: that cannot be injured.—ns. Inviolabil′ity, Invī′olableness, the quality of being inviolable.—adv. Invī′olably.—adjs. Invī′olāte, -d, not violated: unprofaned: uninjured.—adv. Invī′olātely, without violation.—n. Invī′olāteness, the quality of being inviolate.

Invisible, in-viz′i-bl, adj. not visible or capable of being seen—(Shak.) Invised′.—ns. Invisibil′ity, Invis′ibleness.—adv. Invis′ibly.—Invisible Church (see Visible); Invisible green, a shade of green so dark as to be almost black; Invisible ink (see Ink).

Invite, in-vīt′, v.t. to ask: to summon: to allure: to attract.—v.i. to ask in invitation.—n. Invitā′tion, the act of inviting: an asking or solicitation, the written or verbal form with which a person is invited: the brief exhortation introducing the confession in the Anglican communion-office.—adj. Invit′ātory, using or containing invitation.—n. a form of invitation in worship, esp. the antiphon to the Venite or 95th Psalm.—ns. Invite′ment (Lamb), allurement, temptation; Invit′er.—p.adj. Invit′ing, alluring: attractive.—n. (Shak.) invitation.—adv. Invit′ingly, in an inviting manner.—n. Invit′ingness, attractiveness. [Fr.,—L. invitāre, -ātum.]

Invocate, in′vo-kāt, v.t. to invoke or call on solemnly or with prayer; to implore.—n. Invocā′tion, the act or the form of invocating or addressing in prayer or supplication: a call or summons, especially a judicial order: any formal invoking of the blessing of God, esp. an opening prayer in a public religious service, and the petitions in the Litany addressed to God in each person and in the Trinity.—adj. Invoc′atory, that invokes: making invocation. [See Invoke.]

Invoice, in′vois, n. a letter of advice of the despatch of goods, with particulars of their price and quantity.—v.t. to make an invoice of. [Prob. a corr. of envois, pl. of Fr. envoi.]

Invoke, in-vōk′, v.t. to call upon earnestly or solemnly: to implore assistance: to address in prayer. [Fr.,—L. invocāre, -ātum—in, on, vocāre, to call.]

Involucre, in-vol-ū′kėr, n. (bot.) a group of bracts in the form of a whorl around an expanded flower or umbel—also Involū′crum.—ns. Invol′ucel, Involucel′lum, a secondary involucre.—adjs. In′volucral, Involū′crate, having an involucre.—n. Involū′cret. [L. involucrum—involvĕre, to involve.]

Involuntary, in-vol′un-tar-i, adj. not voluntary: not having the power of will or choice: not done willingly: not chosen.—adv. Invol′untarily.—n. Invol′untariness.

Involute, in′vo-lūt, n. that which is involved or rolled inward: a curve traced by the end of a string unwinding itself from another curve.—adjs. In′volute, -d (bot.), rolled spirally inward: turned inward, of shells.—n. Involū′tion, the action of involving: state of being involved or entangled: complicated grammatical construction: (arith.) act or process of raising a quantity to any given power. [See Involve.]

Involve, in-volv′, v.t. to wrap up: to envelop: to implicate: to include: to complicate: to overwhelm: to catch: (arith.) to multiply a quantity into itself any given number of times.—n. Involve′ment, act of involving: state of being involved or entangled. [Fr.—L. involvĕre—in, upon, volvĕre, volūtum, to roll.]

Invulnerable, in-vul′nėr-a-bl, adj. that cannot be wounded.—ns. Invulnerabil′ity, Invul′nerableness.—adv. Invul′nerably.

Invultuation, in-vul-tū-ā′shun, n. the act of piercing a wax or clay image of a person that he may suffer torture and die—one of the commonest methods of witchcraft. [Low L. invultuation-em—invultare, to stab the face of—L. in, in, vultus, the face.]

Inward, in′ward, adj. placed or being within: internal: seated in the mind or soul, not perceptible to the senses, as the 'inward part' of a sacrament: (B.) intimate.—n.pl. (B.) the intestines.—adv. toward the inside: toward the interior: into the mind or thoughts.—adv. In′wardly, in the parts within: in the heart: privately: toward the centre.—n. In′wardness, internal state: inner meaning or significance: (Shak.) intimacy, familiarity.—adv. In′wards, same as Inward. [A.S. inneweard (adv.).]

Inwick, in′wik, n. in curling, a stroke in which the stone rebounds from the inside edge of another stone, and then slides close to the tee.

Inwork, in-wurk′, v.t. and v.i. to work in or into.—n. In′working, energy exerted inwardly.—p.adj. In′wrought, wrought in or among other things: adorned with figures.

Iodal, ī′ō-dal, adj. n. an oily liquid compound with properties like chloral, obtained by treating iodine with alcohol and nitric acid.

Iodine, ī′o-din, n. one of the four non-metallic elements, so named from the violet colour of its vapour.—n. I′odāte, a combination of iodic acid with a salifiable base.—adj. Iod′ic, containing iodine.—n. I′odīde, a binary compound of iodine.—adj. Iodif′erous, yielding iodine.—n. I′odism, a morbid condition due to iodine.—v.t. I′odīze, to treat with iodine: to impregnate with iodine, as collodion.—n. Iod′oform, a lemon-yellow crystalline substance, having a saffron-like odour and an unpleasant iodine-like taste.—adj. Iodomet′ric (chem.), measured by iodine.—ns. I′odure, Iod′ūret, a compound of iodine with a simple base; Iod′yrite, a yellowish mineral composed of iodine and silver. [Gr. ioeidēs, violet-coloured—ion, a violet, eidos, form.]

Iolite, ī′o-līt, n. a transparent gem which presents a violet-blue colour when looked at in a certain direction. [Gr. ion, violet, lithos, stone.]

Ion, ī′on, n. one of the components into which an electrolyte is broken up on electrolysis—the Anion, the electro-negative component, chemically attacking the anode, and the Cation, the electro-positive component, the cathode. [Gr. iōn, pr.p. of ienai, to go.]

Ionic, ī-on′ik, adj. relating to Ionia in Greece: denoting an order in architecture distinguished by the ram's-horn volute of its capital—also Iō′nian.—vs.t. Ion′icize, I′onize.—ns. I′onism; I′onist.—Ionic dialect, the most important of the three main branches of the ancient Greek language (Ionic, Doric, Æolic), marked by greater softness and smoothness, the effect of its rich vowel system. Homer's Iliad is written in Old, the history of Herodotus in New Ionic: the Attic of Thucydides and Sophocles is its later form; Ionic mode (see Mode); Ionic school, a name given to the representative philosophers of the Ionian Greeks, such as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Anaxagoras, who debated the question what was the primordial constitutive principle of the cosmical universe.

Iota, ī-ō′ta, n. a jot: a very small quantity or degree.—ns. Iot′acism, It′acism, the conversion of other vowel sounds into that of iota (Eng. ē), as in modern Gr. of η, υ, ει, η, οι, υι; It′acist. [Gr., the smallest letter in the alphabet, corresponding to the English i.]

I O U, ī′ō′ū′, n. a memorandum of debt given by a borrower to a lender, requiring no stamp, but to be holograph, dated, and addressed to some person.

Ipecacuanha, ip-e-kak-ū-an′a, n. the name both of a very valuable medicine and of the plant whose root produces it—used as an emetic. [Brazilian, 'smaller roadside sick-making plant.']

Ipomæa, ip-ō-mē′a, n. a genus of nat. ord. Convolvulaceæ. [Gr. ips, a worm, homoios, like.]

Iranian, ī-rān′i-an, adj. and n. of or pertaining to Iran, Persia: a branch of the Indo-European or Aryan tongues, including Persian, Zend, Pehlevi, and Parsi: an inhabitant of Iran.—Also Iran′ic.

Irascible, ī-ras′i-bl, adj. susceptible of ire or anger: easily provoked: irritable.—n. Irascibil′ity.—adv. Iras′cibly. [Fr.,—L. irascibilis—irasci, to be angry—ira, anger.]

Ire, īr, n. anger: rage: keen resentment.—adjs. Irate (ī-rāt′ or i-rāt′), enraged: angry; Ire′ful, full of ire or wrath: resentful.—adv. Ire′fully.—n. Ire′fulness. [L. ira, anger, irasci, irātus, to be angry.]

Irenic, ī-ren′ik, adj. tending to create peace: pacific—also Iren′ical.—n. Iren′icon, a proposition or scheme for peace: the deacon's litany at the beginning of the Greek liturgy—from its opening petitions for peace.—n.pl. Iren′ics, irenical theology:—opp. to Polemics. [See Eirenicon.]

Irideæ, ī-rid′e-ē, n.pl. a natural order of endogenous plants, with fleshy root-stocks and showy flowers.—Also Iridā′ceæ. [Gr. iris, a rainbow.]

Iridium, ī-rid′i-um, n. the most infusible, and one of the heaviest, of the metals, found associated with the ore of platinum, so called from the iridescence of some of its solutions.—n. Iridos′mium, a native compound of iridium and osmium, used for pointing gold pens. [Gr. iris, iridos, the rainbow.]

Iris, ī′ris, n. the rainbow: an appearance resembling the rainbow: the contractile curtain perforated by the pupil, and forming the coloured part of the eye (also I′rid): the fleur-de-lis, or flagflower:—pl. I′rises.—adjs. I′ridal, Irid′ian, exhibiting the colours of the iris or rainbow: prismatic.—ns. Irides′cence, Iridisā′tion.—adjs. Irides′cent, coloured like the iris or rainbow; I′ridine, iridescent.—v.t. Ir′idise.—adjs. I′risāted, rainbow-coloured; Ir′ised, showing colours like the rainbow.—ns. Irī′tis, Iridī′tis, inflammation of the iris of the eye. [L. iris, iridis—Gr. iris, iridos, the rainbow.]

Iriscope, ī′ri-skōp, n. an instrument for exhibiting the prismatic colours. [Gr. iris, the rainbow, skopein, to see.]

Irish, ī′rish, adj. relating to or produced in Ireland.—n. language of the Irish, a form of Celtic: (pl.) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland.—ns. I′ricism, I′rishism, a phrase or idiom peculiar to the Irish.—n.pl. I′rishry, the people of Ireland.—Irish moss, carrageen; Irish stew, a palatable dish of mutton, onions, and potatoes, seasoned, and stewed in water mixed with flour.

Irk, ėrk, v.t. to weary: to trouble: to distress (now used only impersonally).—adj. Irk′some, causing uneasiness: tedious: unpleasant.—adv. Irk′somely.—n. Irk′someness. [M. E. irken—Scand., Sw. yrka, to urge; prob. cog. with L. urgēre.]

Iron, ī′urn, n. the most common and useful of the metals: an instrument or utensil made of iron, as a hand-harpoon, &c.: a golf-club with an iron head, more set back than the cleek: strength: (pl.) fetters: chains.—adj. formed of iron: resembling iron: rude: stern: fast-binding: not to be broken: robust: dull of understanding.—v.t. to smooth with a smoothing-iron: to arm with iron: to fetter.—adjs. I′ron-bound, bound with iron: rugged, as a coast; I′ron-cased; I′ronclad, clad in iron: covered or protected with iron.—n. a vessel defended by iron plates.—ns. I′ron-clay, a yellowish clay containing a large quantity of iron ore; I′roner, one who irons; I′ron-flint, ferruginous quartz; I′ron-found′er, one who founds or makes castings in iron; I′ron-found′ry, a place where iron is founded or cast.—adj. I′ron-gray, of a gray colour, like that of iron freshly cut or broken.—n. this colour.—adjs. I′ron-hand′ed, having hands hard as iron; I′ron-heart′ed, having a heart hard as iron: cruel.—ns. I′ron-heat′er, the piece of metal heated in the fire for a laundress's box-iron; I′roning, the act of smoothing with hot irons; I′roning-board, a smooth board covered with cloth, on which clothes are laid for ironing; I′roning-machine′, a machine for hotpressing cloth, hats, &c.; I′ron-liq′uor, iron acetate, a dyers' mordant; I′ronmaster, a master or proprietor of ironworks; I′ronmonger, a dealer in articles made of iron; I′ronmongery, a general name for articles made of iron: hardware; I′ron-mould, the spot left on wet cloth after touching rusty iron; I′ron-sand, sand containing particles of iron ore: steel filings used in fireworks.—adj. I′ron-sick (naut.), having the iron bolts and spikes much corroded.—n. I′ronside, a man of iron resolution: (pl.) a name given to Cromwell's irresistible horse.—adj. I′ron-sid′ed, having a side of, or as hard as, iron: rough: hardy.—ns. I′ronsmith, a worker in iron; I′ron-stone, a term usually applied to any ore yielding iron; I′ronware, wares or goods of iron.—adj. I′ron-wit′ted (Shak.), unfeeling, insensible.—n. I′ronwood, applied to the timber of various trees on account of their hardness.—adj. I′ron-word′ed (Tenn.), in words as strong as iron.—n. I′ronwork, the parts of a building, &c., made of iron: anything of iron: a furnace where iron is smelted, or a foundry, &c., where it is made into heavy work.—adj. I′rony, made, consisting, or partaking of iron: like iron: hard.—ns. Cast′-ī′ron, a compound of iron and carbon, obtained directly from iron ore by smelting; Ital′ian-ī′ron, an instrument for fluting linen or lace.—Iron age, an archæological term indicating the condition as to civilisation and culture of a people using iron as the material for their cutting tools and weapons: a period of cruel tyranny; Iron bark tree, a name given in Australia to certain species of Eucalyptus (q.v.); Iron crown, the ancient crown of Lombardy, so named from a thin band of iron said to be made from one of the nails of the Cross; Iron entered into his soul, the bitterest pang of grief has touched his heart.—Bessemer iron, pig-iron suitable for making Bessemer steel.—Have too many irons in the fire, to be trying to do too many things at once; In irons, having fetters on; Rule with a rod of iron, to rule with stern severity. [A.S. iren; Ger. eisen.]

Irony, ī′run-i, n. a mode of speech which enables the speaker to convey his meaning with greater force by means of a contrast between the thought which he evidently designs to express and that which his words properly signify: satire.—adj. Iron′ical, meaning the opposite of what is expressed: satirical.—adv. Iron′ically.—The irony of fate, the perverse malignity of fate. [Fr.,—L. ironia, Gr. eirōneia, dissimulation—eirōn, a dissembler—eirein, to talk.]

Irradiate, ir-rā′di-āt, v.t. to dart rays of light upon or into: to adorn with lustre: to decorate with shining ornaments: to animate with light or heat: to illuminate the understanding.—v.i. to emit rays: to shine.—adj. adorned with rays of light or with lustre.—ns. Irrā′diance, Irrā′diancy, the throwing of rays of light on (any object): that which irradiates or is irradiated: beams of light emitted: splendour.—adj. Irrā′diant, irradiating or shedding beams of light.—n. Irradiā′tion, act of irradiating or emitting beams of light: that which is irradiated: brightness: intellectual light.—adj. Irrā′diātive.

Irrational, ir-rash′un-al, adj. void of reason or understanding: absurd.—n. Irrational′ity.—adv. Irra′tionally.—Irrational numbers, a term applied to those roots of numbers which cannot be accurately expressed by a finite number of figures—e.g. √2 is an irrational number.

Irreclaimable, ir-re-klām′a-bl, adj. that cannot be reclaimed or reformed: incorrigible.—n. Irreclaim′ableness.—adv. Irreclaim′ably.

Irrecognisable, ir-rek′og-nīz-a-bl, adj. that cannot be recognised.—n. Irrecogni′tion, lack of recognition.

Irreconcilable, ir-rek-on-sīl′a-bl, adj. incapable of being brought back to a state of friendship: inconsistent.—ns. Irreconcil′ableness, Irreconcilabil′ity, incapability of being reconciled.—adv. Irreconcil′ably.—adj. Irrec′onciled, not reconciled or brought into harmony.—n. Irrec′oncilement.

Irrecoverable, ir-re-kuv′ėr-a-bl, adj. irretrievable.—n. Irrecov′erableness.—adv. Irrecov′erably.

Irredeemable, ir-re-dēm′a-bl, adj. not redeemable: not subject to be paid at the nominal value.—ns. Irredeem′ableness, Irredeemabil′ity.—adv. Irredeem′ably.

Irredentist, ir-e-den′tist, n. one of an Italian party formed in 1878, its aim to incorporate into Italy all Italian people politically belonging to other countries, as in the Tyrol, Nice, &c.—n. Irreden′tism, the programme of the Irredentist party. [It. irredentista—irredenta (Italia), 'unredeemed'—L. in, not, redemptus, redimĕre, to redeem.]

Irreducible, ir-re-dūs′i-bl, adj. that cannot be reduced or brought from one degree, form, or state to another: not to be reduced by manipulation, as a hernia, &c.—n. Irreduc′ibleness.—adv. Irreduc′ibly.—ns. Irreductibil′ity, Irreduc′tion.

Irreflective, ir-re-flekt′iv, adj. not reflective.—n. Irreflec′tion.

Irreformable, ir-re-for′ma-bl, adj. not reformable, not subject to revision or improvement.

Irrefragable, ir-ref′ra-ga-bl, adj. that cannot be refuted: unanswerable.—ns. Irrefragabil′ity, Irref′ragableness.—adv. Irref′ragably.—n. Irrefrangibil′ity.—adj. Irrefrangible (ir-e-fran′-ji-bl), not to be broken.—adv. Irrefran′gibly.—The Irrefragable Doctor, Alexander Hales (died 1245). [Fr.,—L. in, not, re, backwards, frangĕre, to break.]

Irrefutable, ir-re-fūt′a-bl, or ir-ref′ū-ta-bl, adj. that cannot be refuted.—adv. Irrefūt′ably (also -ref′-).

Irregular, ir-reg′ū-lar, adj. not according to rule: unnatural: unsystematic: vicious: (gram.) departing from the ordinary rules in its inflection: variable: not symmetrical, without regular form—(Shak.) Irreg′ulous.—n. a soldier not in regular service.—n. Irregular′ity, state of being irregular: deviation from a straight line, or from rule: departure from method or order: vice.—adv. Irreg′ularly.

Irrelative, ir-rel′a-tiv, adj. not relative.—adj. Irrelāt′ed.—n. Irrelā′tion.—adv. Irrel′atively.

Irrelevant, ir-rel′e-vant, adj. not relevant.—n. Irrel′evancy.—adv. Irrel′evantly.

Irreligious, ir-re-lij′us, adj. destitute of religion: ungodly.—adv. Irrelig′iously.—ns. Irrelig′iousness, Irrelig′ion, want of religion.

Irremeable, ir-rē′me-a-bl, adj. (Pope) not admitting of return. [L. in, not, remeabilis, remeāre—re, back, meāre, to go, come.]

Irremediable, ir-re-mē′di-a-bl, adj. that cannot be remedied or redressed.—n. Irremē′diableness.—adv. Irremē′diably.

Irremissible, ir-re-mis′i-bl, adj. not to be remitted or forgiven.—ns. Irremiss′ibleness, Irremiss′ion.—adj. Irremiss′ive.

Irremovable, ir-re-mōōv′a-bl, adj. not removable: steadfast.—ns. Irremovabil′ity, Irremov′ableness.—adv. Irremov′ably.

Irreparable, ir-rep′ar-a-bl, adj. that cannot be repaired or rectified.—ns. Irreparabil′ity, Irrep′arableness.—adv. Irrep′arably.

Irrepealable, ir-re-pēl′a-bl, adj. that cannot be repealed or annulled.—adv. Irrepeal′ably.

Irreprehensible, ir-rep-re-hens′i-bl, adj. that cannot be blamed.—n. Irreprehens′ibleness.—adv. Irreprehens′ibly.

Irrepressible, ir-re-pres′i-bl, adj. not to be restrained.—adv. Irrepress′ibly.

Irreproachable, ir-re-prōch′a-bl, adj. free from blame: upright: innocent.—n. Irreproach′ableness, freedom from blame.—adv. Irreproach′ably.

Irreprovable, ir-re-prōōv′a-bl, adj. blameless.—n. Irreprov′ableness.—adv. Irreprov′ably.

Irresistance, ir-re-zist′ans, n. want of resistance: passive submission.—adj. Irresist′ible, not to be opposed with success.—ns. Irresist′ibleness, Irresistibil′ity.—adv. Irresist′ibly.

Irresoluble, ir-rez′ol-ū-bl, adj. that cannot be resolved into parts: indissoluble: that cannot be released.

Irresolute, ir-rez′o-lūt, adj. not firm in purpose.—adv. Irres′olutely.—ns. Irres′oluteness, Irresolū′tion, want of resolution.

Irresolvable, ir-re-zolv′-a-bl, adj. that cannot be resolved.—ns. Irresolvabil′ity, Irresolv′ableness.

Irrespective, ir-re-spek′tiv, adj. not having regard to (with of).—adv. Irrespec′tively.

Irresponsible, ir-re-spons′i-bl, adj. not responsible (with for).—n. Irresponsibil′ity.—adv. Irrespons′ibly.—adj. Irrespons′ive.—n. Irrespons′iveness.

Irresuscitable, ir-re-sus′i-ta-bl, adj. incapable of being resuscitated or revived.—adv. Irresus′citably.

Irretention, ir-re-ten′shun, n. absence of retention or power to retain.—adj. Irreten′tive.

Irretrievable, ir-re-trēv′a-bl, adj. not to be recovered.—n. Irretriev′ableness.—adv. Irretriev′ably.

Irreverent, ir-rev′ėr-ent, adj. not reverent: proceeding from irreverence.—n. Irrev′erence, want of reverence or veneration: want of due regard for the character and authority of the Supreme Being.—adj. Irreveren′tial.—adv. Irrev′erently.

Irreversible, ir-re-vėrs′i-bl, adj. not reversible: that cannot be recalled or annulled.—ns. Irreversibil′ity, Irrevers′ibleness.—adv. Irrevers′ibly.

Irrevocable, ir-rev′o-ka-bl, adj. that cannot be recalled.—n. Irrev′ocableness.—adv. Irrev′ocably.

Irrigate, ir′i-gāt, v.t. to water: to wet or moisten: to cause water to flow upon.—adj. Irr′igable, capable of being irrigated.—ns. Irrigā′tion, a method of producing or increasing fertility in soils by an artificial supply of water, or by inundating them at stated periods: act of watering, esp. of watering lands artificially; Irrigat′or, one who, or that which, irrigates: an appliance for washing a wound, &c.—adj. Irrig′uous, watered: wet. [L. irrigāre, -ātum—in, upon, rigāre, to wet; cf. Ger. regen, Eng. rain.]

Irrision, ir-rizh′un, n. act of laughing at another. [Fr.,—L. irrision-em—in, against, ridēre, risum, to laugh.]

Irritate, ir′i-tāt, v.t. to make angry: to provoke: to excite heat and redness in: (Scots law) to render null and void.—n. Irritabil′ity, the quality of being easily irritated: the peculiar susceptibility to stimuli possessed by the living tissues.—adj. Irr′itable, that may be irritated: easily provoked: (med.) susceptible of excitement or irritation.—n. Irr′itableness.—adv. Irr′itably.—n. Irr′itancy, the state of being irritant: a becoming null and void.—adj. Irr′itant, irritating.—n. that which causes irritation.—n. Irritā′tion, act of irritating or exciting: excitement: (med.) the term applied to any morbid excitement of the vital actions not amounting to inflammation, often, but not always, leading to that condition.—adjs. Irr′itātive, Irr′itātory, tending to irritate or excite: accompanied with or caused by irritation. [L. irritāre, -ātum, prob. freq. of irrīre, to snarl, as a dog.]

Irruption, ir-rup′shun, n. a breaking or bursting in: a sudden invasion or incursion.—adjs. Irrup′ted, broken through with violence; Irrup′tive, rushing suddenly in or upon.—adv. Irrup′tively. [Fr.,—L. irruption-em—in, in, rumpĕre, ruptum, to break.]

Irvingite, ėr′ving-īt, n. a popular name for a member of the so-called Catholic Apostolic Church.—n. Ir′vingism, the doctrine and practice of the Irvingites. [From Edward Irving (1792-1834).]

Is, iz, third pers. sing. pres. of be. [A.S. is; Ger. ist, L. est, Gr. esti, Sans. asti—as, to be.]

Isabel, Isabelle, iz′a-bel, n. a yellowish-gray or drab colour. [From Isabella, daughter of Philip II., wife of the Archduke Albert, who did not change her linen for three years till Ostend was taken.]

Isagogics, ī-sa-goj′iks, n. that part of theological science introductory to exegesis or interpretation of the Scriptures.—adj. Isagog′ic. [Gr. eisagōgē, an introduction—eis, into, agein, to lead.]

Isandrous, ī-san′drus, adj. (bot.) having the stamens similar and equal in number to the divisions of the corolla.

Isapostolic, ī-sap-os-tol′ik, adj. equal to the apostles, as bishops of apostolic creation, the first preachers of Christ in a country, &c. [Gr. isos, equal, apostolikos, apostolic.]

Isatine, ī′sa-tin, n. a substance capable of being crystallised, obtained by oxidising indigo.—adj. Isat′ic.—n. I′sātis, a genus of Cruciferæ.—Isatis tinctoria, woad. [Gr. isatis, woad.]

Ischiadic, is-ki-ad′ik, adj. relating to the region of the hip—also Ischiat′ic and Is′chial.—ns. Ischiag′ra, gout in the hip; Ischial′gia, sciatica; Is′chium, the posterior part of the pelvic arch in vertebrates. [L.,—Gr., from is-chion, the hip-joint.]

Ischuria, is-kū′ri-a, n. a stoppage of urine.—adj. and n. Ischuret′ic. [Gr. ischein, to hold, ouron, urine.]

Isenergic, ī-se-nėr′jik, adj. in physics, denoting equal energy. [Gr. isos, equal, energy.]

Isengrim, ī′sen-grim, n. the name of the wolf in the famous beast-epic of Reynard the Fox.

Isentropic, ī-sen-trop′ik, adj. (phys.) of equal entropy. [Gr. isos, equal, entrope, a turning about—en, in, trepein, to turn.]

Ishmaelite, ish′mā-el-īt, n. a descendant of Ishmael: one like Ishmael (Gen. xvi. 12), at war with society.—adj. Ishmaelī′tish.

Isidium, ī-sid′i-um, n. (bot.) a wart-like excrescence on the thalli of some lichens:—pl. Isid′ia.

Isidorian, is-i-dō′ri-an, adj. of or pertaining to St Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636), or the collection of canons and decretals adopted by him; but esp. applying to the interpolated collection, now called the Pseudo-Isidorian or False Decretals, possibly fabricated in Western Gaul, but published in Spain about 845 by Isidore Mercator, and naturally fathered upon the great Isidore of Seville.

Isinglass, ī′zing-glas, n. a glutinous substance, chiefly prepared from the air-bladders of the sturgeon. [A corr. of Dut. huizenblas—huizen, a kind of sturgeon, blas, a bladder; Ger. hausenblase.]

Isis, ī′sis, n. an Egyptian goddess, wife and sister of Osiris.—adj. I′siac.

Islam, iz′lam, Islamism, iz′lam-izm, n. the proper name of the Mohammedan religion: the whole Mohammedan world.—adjs. Islam′ic, Islamit′ic.—n. Is′lamite.—v.t. Islamīze′, to conform to Mohammedanism. [Ar. islām—salama, to submit to God.]

Island, ī′land, n. the smaller masses of land surrounded with water: a large floating mass.—v.t. to cause to appear like an island: to dot as with islands.—n. Islander (ī′land-ėr), an inhabitant of an island. [M. E. iland—A.S. ígland—íg, an island, and land, land; Dut. and Ger. eiland, Ice. eyland, Sw. and Dan. öland. A.S. íg is from a root which appears in Angles-ea, Aldern-ey, &c., A.S. eá, L. aqua, water, so that it originally means water-land. The s in island is due to a confusion with isle, from L. insula.]

Isle, īl, n. an island.—ns. Isles′man, an islander, esp. an inhabitant of the Hebrides; Islet (ī′let), a little isle. [M. E. ile, yle—O. Fr. isle (Fr. île)—L. insula, considered to be so called because lying in salo, in the main sea, L. salum being akin to Gr. salos, the main sea.]

Ism, izm, n. any distinctive doctrine, theory, or practice—usually in disparagement.—adjs. Ismat′ic, -al, addicted to isms or faddish theories.—n. Ismat′icalness. [From the suffix -ism.]

Ismailian, is-mā-il′i-an, n. one of a sect of Shiite Mohammedans, who claim that Ismail (c. 770) was the seventh and last of the Imâms.—n. Is′mailism.—adj. Ismailit′ic.

Isobar, ī′so-bär, n. an imaginary line connecting places on the earth where the mean height of the barometer at sea-level is the same.—adj. Isobaromet′ric, applied to lines denoting equal barometric pressure. [Gr. isos, equal, baros, weight.]

Isobathytherm, ī-so-bath′i-therm, n. a line connecting points of the same temperature in a vertical section of any portion of the ocean.—adjs. Isobathyther′mal, Isobathyther′mic. [Gr. isos, equal, bathys, deep, thermē, heat.]

Isobilateral, ī-so-bī-lat′e-ral, adj. (bot.) having the flanks of the organ flattened surfaces. [Gr. isos, equal, bilateral.]

Isobrious, ī-sob′ri-us, adj. growing equally in both lobes, of a dicotyledonous embryo.—Also Isodyn′amous. [Gr. isos, equal, brian, to be strong.]

Isobront, ī′so-bront, n. a line on a map connecting points at which a peal of thunder is heard simultaneously. [Gr. isos, equal, brontē, thunder.]

Isochasmic, ī-so-kaz′mik, adj. denoting equality as regards frequency of auroral displays. [Gr. isos, equal, chasma, a gap.]

Isocheimal, ī-so-kī′mal, adj. having the same mean winter temperature—also Isochei′menal.—n. I′socheim, an imaginary line connecting together those places where the mean winter temperature is the same. [Gr. isos, equal, cheima, winter.]

Isochoric, ī-so-kor′ik, adj. pertaining to equal volume or density. [Gr. isos, equal, chōra, space.]

Isochromatic, ī-so-krō-mat′ik, adj. (optics) having the same colour. [Gr. isos, equal, chrōma, colour.]

Isochronal, ī-sok′ron-al, adj. of equal time: performed in equal times—also Isoch′ronous.—n. Isoch′ronism, the quality of being isochronous or done in equal times.—adv. Isoch′ronously. [Gr. isochronos—isos, equal, chronos, time.]

Isoclinal, ī-so-klī′nal (or Isoclin′ic), Isodynam′ic, and Isogon′ic lines, three systems of lines which being laid on maps represent the magnetism of the globe as exhibited at the earth's surface in three classes of phenomena, the varying dip or inclination of the needle, the varying intensity of the force, and its varying declination from the true meridian. [Gr. isos, equal, dynamis, force, klinein, to bend, gōnia, an angle.]

Isocryme, ī′sō-krīm, n. a line on maps connecting points of the same mean winter temperature.—Also I′socrymal. [Gr. isos, equal, krymos, cold.]

Isodia, ī-sō′di-a, n.pl. the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. [Gr. eisodos, entrance.]

Isodicon, ī-sod′i-kon, n. (Gr. Church) a troparion or short anthem sung while the Gospel is being carried through the church. [Gr. eisodos, an entrance.]

Isodimorphous, ī-so-dī-mor′fus, adj. in crystallography, having the quality of isodimorphism or isomorphism between the members of two dimorphous groups.

Isodomon, ī-sod′ō-mon, n. masonry having courses of uniform thickness and length, the vertical joints placed over the middle of the courses below—also Isod′omum:—pl. Isod′oma.—adj. Isod′omous. [Gr. isos, equal, demein, to build.]

Isodont, ī′so-dont, adj. having the teeth all alike, as in the Isodontia—cetacea, &c. [Gr. isos, equal, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

Isoëtes, ī-sō′e-tēz, n. a widely distributed genus of vascular cryptogamous plants, the quillworts—Merlin's Grass, &c. [Gr. isos, equal, etos, a year.]

Isogamy, ī-sog′a-mi, n. (bot.) the conjugation of two protoplasmic masses not clearly differentiated into a male and female element.—adj. Isog′amous. [Gr. isos, equal, gamos, marriage.]

Isogeny, ī-soj′e-ni, n. likeness of origin, a general homology.—adj. Isog′enous. [Gr. isos, equal, genos, kind.]

Isogeothermal, ī-so-jē-o-thėr′mal, adj. of imaginary lines beneath the earth's surface through points having the same degree of heat. [Gr. isos, equal, gē, the earth, thermē, heat—thermos, hot.]

Isognathous, ī-sog′na-thus, adj. having the molar teeth alike in both jaws. [Gr. isos, equal, gnathos, the jaw.]

Isogon, ī′so-gon, n. a figure having equal angles. [Gr. isos, equal, gonia, an angle.]

Isogonic, ī-so-gon′ik, adj. exhibiting Isog′onism, or the production of like generative individuals from differing stocks, as in certain hydroids. [Gr. isos, equal, gonos, offspring.]

Isohyetal, ī-so-hī′e-tal, n. an imaginary line connecting places which have an equal annual rainfall. [Gr. isos, equal, hyetos, rain.]

Isolate, ī′so-lāt, or is′o-lāt, v.t. to place in a detached situation, like an island.—adj. Is′olable (chem.), capable of being separated from any other substance: capable of being obtained pure.—n. Isolā′tion. [It. isolare—isola—L. insula, an island.]

Isomerism, ī-som′er-izm, n. the relation between chemical compounds which are identical in their ultimate or percentage composition, but present difficulties in their chemical properties.—adjs. Isomer′ic, Isom′erous. [Gr. isos, equal, meros, part.]

Isometric, -al, ī-so-met′rik, -al, adj. having equality of measure. [Gr. isos, equal, metron, measure.]

Isomorphism, ī-so-morf′izm, n. a term applied by chemists to those substances which are not only similar in their crystalline form, but are also analogous in their chemical composition.—adj. Isomorph′ous. [Gr. isos, equal, morphē, form.]

Isonomy, ī-son′o-mi, n. equal law, rights, or privileges. [Gr. isonomia—isos, equal, nomos, law.]

Isonym, ī′so-nim, n. a paronym.—adj. Isonym′ic.—n. Ison′ymy.

Isopathy, ī-sop′a-thi, n. the cure of diseases by the same disease or by its virus. [Gr. isos, equal, pathos, disease.]

Isoperimetrical, ī-so-per-i-met′rik-al, adj. denoting figures having equal perimeters or circumferences.—n. Isoperim′etry. [Gr. isos, equal, perimetron, circumference.]

Isopod, ī′so-pod, n. a crustacean whose legs are all alike, any one of the Isop′oda, an order of higher Crustaceans in the division with unstalked eyes.—adjs. I′sopod, Isop′odous. [Gr. isos, equal, pous, podos, a foot.]

Isopolity, ī-so-pol′i-ti, n. equal rights of citizenship in different communities. [Gr. isos, equal, politēs, a citizen.]

Isopterous, ī-sop′te-rus, adj. having the wings equal. [Gr. isos, equal, pteron, a wing.]

Isorrhythmic, ī-sō-rith′mik, adj. in ancient prosody, equal in the number of times for thesis and arsis, as a dactyl and anapæst. [Gr. isos, equal, hrythmos, rhythm.]

Isosceles, ī-sos′e-lēz, adj. (geom.) having two equal sides, as a triangle. [Gr. isoskelēs—isos, equal, skelos, a leg.]

Isoseismal, ī-sō-sīs′mal, n. a curve or line connecting points at which an earthquake shock is felt with equal intensity.—adjs. Isoseis′mal, Isoseis′mic. [Gr. isos, equal, seismos, a shaking.]

Isostatic, ī-so-stat′ik, adj. in hydrostatic equilibrium from equality of pressure. [Gr. isos, equal, statikos, stable.]

Isotheral, ī′so-thēr-al, adj. having the same mean summer temperature.—n. I′sothēre, an imaginary line connecting places on the earth which have the same mean summer temperature. [Gr. isos, equal, theros, summer—therein, to be warm.]

Isothermal, ī-so-thėr′mal, adj. having an equal degree of heat.—n. I′sotherm, an imaginary line connecting places on the earth which have the same mean annual temperature. [Fr. isotherme—Gr. isos, equal, thermē, heat—thermos, hot.]

Isotonic, ī-so-ton′ik, adj. having equal tones. [Gr. isos, equal, tonos, tone.]

Isotropism, ī-sot′rop-izm, n. physical homogeneity or amorphism: identity of elastic forces of propagation of vibration (light, heat, sound), or identity of susceptibility to magnetisation, in all directions.—adjs. Isotrop′ic, Isot′ropous.

I-spy, ī′-spī′, n. a children's game of hide-and-seek, so called from the cry when one is found.

Israelite, iz′ra-el-īt, n. a descendant of Israel or Jacob: a Jew.—adjs. Israelit′ic, Israelīt′ish, pertaining to the Israelites or Jews. [Gr. Israēlitēs—Israēl, Heb. Israēl, contender, soldier of God—sara, to fight, El, God.]

Issue, ish′ū, v.i. to go, flow, or come out: to proceed, as from a source: to spring: to be produced: (law) to come to a point in fact or law: to terminate.—v.t. to send out: to put into circulation: to give out for use.—n. a going or flowing out: act of sending out: that which flows or passes out: fruit of the body, children: produce, profits: circulation, as of bank-notes: publication, as of a book: a giving out for use: ultimate result, consequence: (law) the point of fact in dispute which is submitted to a jury: (med.) an ulcer produced artificially.—adj. Iss′uable, capable of issuing, admitting of an issue.—n. Iss′uance, act of giving out, promulgation.—adjs. Iss′uant (her.), issuing or coming up from another, as a charge or bearing; Iss′ueless, without issue: childless.—n. Iss′uer, one who issues or emits.—At issue, in quarrel or controversy; Feigned issue (law), an issue made up for trial by agreement of the parties or by an order of court, instead of by the ordinary legal procedure; General issue, a simple denial of the whole charge, as 'Not guilty,' instead of a Special issue, an issue taken by denying a particular part of the allegations; Immaterial issue, an issue which is not decisive of any part of the litigation, as opp. to a Material issue, one which necessarily involves some part of the rights in controversy.—Join, or Take, issue, of the two parties taking up the affirmative and the negative on the point in debate. [O. Fr. issuë, issir, to go or flow out—L. exīre—ex, out, īre, to go.]

Isthmus, ist′mus, n. a narrow neck of land connecting two larger portions.—adj. Isth′mian, pertaining to an isthmus, esp. the Isthmus of Corinth.—The Isthmian games were celebrated in the Isthmian sanctuary on the north-east shore of the isthmus. [L.,—Gr. isthmos, a passage, an isthmus, allied to ithma, a step, from root of ienai, to go.]

Istle, is′tl, n. a valuable fibre obtained from a tropical American plant, also from several Mexican species of Agave.—Also Ix′tle.

It, it, pron. the thing spoken of. [M. E. and A.S. hit, neut. of he; Ice. hit, Dut. het, Goth. ita; akin to L. id, Sans. i, pronominal root=here. The t is an old neuter suffix, as in tha-t, wha-t, and cognate with d in L. illu-d, istu-d, quo-d.]

Itacolumite, it-a-kol′ūm-īt, n. a schistose quartzite, containing scales of mica, talc, and chlorite, often having a certain flexibility.

Italian, i-tal′yan, Italic, i-tal′ik, adj. of or relating to Italy or its people.—n. a native of Italy: the language of Italy.—vs.t. Ital′ianate, Ital′ianise, to make Italian.—vs.i. to play the Italian: to speak Italian.—n. Ital′ianism.—Italian architecture, the style practised by the Italian architects of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, which originated in a revival of the ancient architecture of Rome; Italian warehouseman, a dealer in the finer kinds of groceries, as macaroni, vermicelli, dried fruits, &c.—Italic version, or It′ala, a translation of the Bible into Latin, based on a still older version, called Old Latin, and made probably in the time of Augustine. [It. Italiano, Italico—L. Italia—Gr. italos, a bull.]

Italics, i-tal′iks, n.pl. a kind of types which slope to the right (as in the last four words), so called because first used by an Italian printer, Aldo Manuzio, about 1500, employed for emphasis and other distinctive purposes.—n. Italicisā′tion.—v.t. Ital′icīse, to print in Italics.

Itch, ich, n. an uneasy, irritating sensation in the skin: an eruptive disease in the skin, caused by a parasitic animal: a constant teasing desire.—v.i. to have an uneasy, irritating sensation in the skin: to have a constant, teasing desire.—ns. Itch′iness; Itch′-mite, a mite which burrows in the skin, causing itch or scabies.—adj. Itch′y, pertaining to or affected with itch.—Itching palm, a greed for gain. [A.S. giccan, to itch; Scot. youk, yuck, Ger. jucken, to itch.]

Item, ī′tem, adv. likewise: also.—n. a separate article or particular.—v.t. to make a note of.—v.t. I′temise, to give by items. [L.,—id, that.]

Iterate, it′ėr-āt, v.t. to do again: to repeat, in modern usage replaced by the verb reiterate.—ns. It′erance, Iterā′tion, repetition.—adjs. It′erant, It′erātive, repeating. [L. iterāre, -ātum—iterum, again.]

Ithyphallic, ith-i-fal′ik, adj. pertaining to certain rites: obscene.—n. Ithyphall′us, an erect phallus.

Itinerant, ī-tin′er-ant, adj. making journeys from place to place: travelling.—n. one who travels from place to place, esp. a Methodist preacher: a wanderer.—ns. Itin′eracy, Itin′erancy.—adv. Itin′erantly.—adj. Itin′erary, travelling: done on a journey.—n. a book of travels: a guide-book for travellers: a rough sketch and description of the country through which troops are to march.—v.i. Itin′erāte, to travel from place to place, esp. for the purpose of preaching or lecturing. [L. itinerans, -antis, part. of itinerāri-, -atus, to travel—L. iter, itineris, a journey—īre, ītum, to go.]

Its, its, poss. pron. the possessive of it. [The old form was his, its not being older than the end of the 16th century. Its does not occur in the English Bible of 1611, or in Spenser, rarely in Shakespeare, and is not common until the time of Dryden.]

Itself, it-self′, pron. the neuter reciprocal pronoun, applied to things.—By itself, alone, apart; In and by itself, separately considered.

Ittnerite, it′nėr-īt, n. a dark blue or gray mineral, consisting chiefly of silica, alumina, potash, and soda.

Ivory, ī′vo-ri, n. the hard, white substance composing the tusks of the elephant and of the sea-horse.—adj. made of, or resembling, ivory.—adj. I′voried, made like ivory: furnished with teeth.—ns. I′vory-black, a black powder, originally made from burnt ivory, but now from bone; I′vory-nut, the nut of a species of palm, containing a substance like ivory; I′vory-palm, the tree which bears the ivory-nut; I′vory-por′celain, a fine ware with an ivory-white glaze.—Show one's ivories, to show the teeth. [O. Fr. ivurie (Fr. ivoire)—L. ebur, eboris, ivory; Coptic ebu; Sans. ibhas, an elephant.]

Ivy, ī′vi, n. a creeping evergreen plant on trees and walls.—adjs. I′vied, I′vyed, I′vy-man′tled, overgrown or mantled with ivy.—n. I′vy-bush, a plant of ivy formerly hung over tavern-doors, the ivy being sacred to Bacchus. [A.S. ifig; Old High Ger. ebah; prob. conn. with L. apium, parsley.]

Iwis, Ywis, i-wis′, adv. certainly—sometimes ignorantly written I wis, as if 'I know.' [M. E. ywis, iwis—A.S. gewis, certain; Ger. gewiss (adv.).]

Ixion, ik-sī′on, n. (Gr. myth.) a king of the Lapithæ, bound, for an impious attempt on Hera, hand and foot to a fiery wheel which rolled for ever in the sky.

Ixolite, iks′o-līt, n. a fossil resin, found in bituminous coal, which becomes soft and sticky when heated. [Gr. ixos, birdlime, lithos, a stone.]

the tenth letter in our alphabet, developed from I, the initial form j being specialised to denote the consonantal sound, the medial i being retained for the vowel-sound—not universal in English books before the middle of the 17th century. As a numeral, a variant of I, used in medical prescriptions, as vj, six: representing the mechanical equivalent of heat—from Joule.

Jabber, jab′ėr, v.i. to gabble or talk rapidly and indistinctly: to chatter.—v.t. to utter indistinctly:—pr.p. jabb′ering; pa.p. jabb′ered.—n. rapid indistinct speaking.—n. Jabb′erer.—adv. Jabb′eringly. [From root of gabble.]

Jabble, jab′l, n. (Scot.) an agitation on the surface of water.—v.t. to splash. [Cf. jaup.]

Jaborandi, jab′o-ran′di, n. a Brazilian shrub with sialogogue and diaphoretic properties. [Brazilian.]

Jacamar, jak′a-mar, n. a South American bird something like a kingfisher. [Fr.,—Brazilian.]

Jacana, ja-kā′na, n. a tropical bird, allied to the rails, and frequenting swamps. [Brazilian.]

Jacaranda, jak-a-ran′da, n. a South American tree with hard, heavy, brown wood. [Brazilian.]

Jacinth, jā′sinth, n. (B.) a precious stone, a red variety of zircon, now called hyacinth: a reddish-orange colour. [Contr. of hyacinth.]

Jack, jak, n. used as a familiar name or diminutive of John: a saucy or paltry fellow: a sailor: any instrument serving to supply the place of a boy or helper, as a bootjack for taking off boots, a contrivance for turning a spit (smoke-jack, roasting-jack), a screw for raising heavy weights, a figure which strikes the bell in clocks: the male of some animals: a young pike: a support to saw wood on: a miner's wedge: a flag displayed from the bowsprit of a ship: a leather pitcher or bottle: a coat of mail: (coll.) a knave in cards: the small white ball that forms the aim in bowls.—ns. Jack′-a-dan′dy, a dandy or fop, esp. if diminutive; Jack′-a-Lan′tern, the ignis fatuus or Will-o'-the-Wisp; Jack′-a-Lent′ (Shak.), a boy (for Jack of Lent, a kind of puppet formerly thrown at in sport at Lent); Jack′-block, a block of pulleys used for raising and lowering topgallant-masts.—n.pl. Jack′boots, large boots reaching above the knee, to protect the leg, formerly worn by cavalry, and covered with plates of iron.—ns. Jack′-cross′-tree, the cross-tree at the head of a topgallant-mast; Jack′-flag, a flag which is hoisted at the spritsail topmast-head; Jack′-fool, an absolute ass; Jack′-in-off′ice, a conceited and impertinent official; Jack′-in-the-box′, a box with a figure in it that springs up when the lid is lifted; Jack′-in-the-green′, a May-day chimney-sweep almost covered up with green shrubs; Jack′-knife, a large clasp-knife; Jack′-man, a soldier armed with a jack or coat of mail: a retainer; Jack′-nas′ty, a sneak, a sloven; Jack′-of-all′-trades, one who can turn his hand to anything; Jack′-plane, a large, strong plane used by joiners; Jack′-pudd′ing, a merry-andrew, buffoon; Jack′-rabb′it, one of several species of prairie-hares, with very long ears and legs; Jack′-raft′er, a rafter, shorter than the rest, used in hip-roofs; Jack′-sauce (Shak.), a saucy fellow; Jack′-screw, a screw for raising heavy weights; Jack′-slave (Shak.), a low servant, a vulgar fellow; Jack′-smith, a smith who makes jacks for the kitchen; Jack′-snipe, a small species of snipe; Jack′-staff, the staff on which the jack is hoisted.—n.pl. Jack′-stays, ropes or strips of wood or iron stretched along the yards of a ship to bind the sails to.—ns. Jack′-straw, a straw effigy, a low servile fellow; Jack′-tar, a sailor; Jack′-towel, a long endless towel passing over a roller.—Jack Frost, frost personified as a mischievous fellow; Jack Ketch, a public hangman—from one so named under James II.; Jack Sprat, a diminutive fellow.—Cheap Jack (see Cheap); Every man Jack, one and all; Yellow Jack (slang), yellow fever. [Fr. Jacques, the most common name in France, hence used as a substitute for John, the most common name in England; but it is really=James or Jacob—L. Jacobus.]

Jack, Jak, jak, n. a tree of the East Indies of the same genus as the bread-fruit tree. [Port. jaka—Malay tsjaka.]

Jackal, jak′awl, n. a wild, gregarious animal closely allied to the dog—erroneously supposed to act as a lion's provider or hunting scout, hence a tool, a Parasite. [Pers. shaghāl.]

Jackanapes, jak′a-nāps, n. an impudent fellow: a coxcomb. [Jack o' apes, one who exhibited monkeys, with n inserted to avoid the hiatus.]

Jackass, jak′as, n. the male of the ass: a blockhead. [Jack—the male, and ass.]

Jacket, jak′et, n. a short coat.—adj. Jack′eted, wearing a jacket. [O. Fr. jaquette, a jacket, or sleeveless coat, a dim. of O. Fr. jaque, a coat of mail, prob. ultimately conn. with Jacques.]

Jacobean, jak-o-bē′an, adj. of the period of James I. of England (1603-25).

Jacobin, jak′o-bin, n. a French Dominican monk, so named from their original establishment being that of St Jacques, Paris: one of a society of revolutionists in France, so called from their meeting in the hall of the Jacobin convent: a demagogue: a hooded pigeon.—adjs. Jacobin′ic, -al.—v.t. Jac′obinise.—n. Jac′obinism, the principles of the Jacobins or French revolutionists. [Fr.,—L. Jacobus, James—Gr. Jacobos—Heb. Ya‛aqōb.]

Jacobite, jak′o-bīt, n. an adherent of James II. and his descendants: in Church history, a Syrian monophysite, named after the 6th-century monk, Jacobus Baradæus.—adjs. Jac′obite, Jacobit′ic, -al.—n. Jac′obitism.

Jacob's-ladder, jā′kobz-lad′ėr, n. (naut.) a ladder made of ropes with wooden steps: a garden plant with large blue flowers. [From the ladder which Jacob saw in his dream, Gen. xxviii. 12.]

Jacob's-Staff, jā′kobz-staf, n. a pilgrim's staff: a staff with a cross-head used in surveying: a sword-cane. [Prob. an allusion to the staff of the patriarch Jacob, Gen. xxxii. 10.]

Jaconet, jak′o-net, n. a cotton fabric, rather stouter than muslin. [Fr. jaconas.]

Jacqueminot, jak′mi-nō, n. a deep-red hybrid perpetual rose.—Also Jacque and Jack. [From General Jacqueminot of Paris.]

Jacquerie, zhak′e-rē, n. name given to the revolt of the French peasants in 1358. [From Jacques Bonhomme, Goodman Jack, a name applied in derision to the peasants.]

Jactation, jak-tā′shun, n. act of throwing: extreme restlessness in disease: agitation of the body: boasting.

Jactitation (of marriage), jak-ti-tā′shun, n. a false pretence of being married to another. [L. jactitāre, -ātum, to brag, freq. of jactāre, to throw.]

Jaculation, jak-ū-lā′shun, n. the act of throwing or hurling, as a dart.—v.t. Jac′ulate, to dart, throw.—n. Jac′ulātor.—adj. Jac′ulātory, darting or throwing out suddenly: ejaculatory. [L. jaculāri, -ātus, to throw as a dart—jaculum, a dart—jacĕre, to throw.]

Jade, jād, n. a mare, esp. an old and sorry one: a worthless nag: a woman—in contempt or irony.—v.t. to tire: to harass:—pr.p. jad′ing; pa.p. jad′ed.—adv. Jad′edly.—n. Jad′ery, the tricks of a jade.—adj. Jad′ish, worn out: vicious: unchaste—applied to a woman. [Scot. yad, yaud; Ice. jalda, a mare.]

Jade, jād, n. a dark-green stone used for ornamental purposes—applied both to jadeite and nephrite. [Fr.,—Sp. ijada, the flank—L. ilia. It was believed to cure pain of the side.]

Jag, jag, n. a notch: a ragged protuberance: (bot.) a cleft or division: (Scot.) a stab.—v.t. to cut into notches: to stab or pierce:—pr.p. jag′ging; pa.p. jagged.—adjs. Jag′ged, Jag′gy, notched, rough-edged, uneven.—adv. Jag′gedly.—ns. Jag′gedness; Jag′ger, a brass wheel with a notched edge for cutting cakes, &c., into ornamental forms—also Jag′ging-ī′ron. [Celt.; W., Gael., Ir. gag, a cleft.]

Jag, jag, n. a load: a saddle-bag: a quantity: (U.S.) as much liquor as one can carry.—n. Jag′ger, a peddler.

Jaggery, jag′ėr-i, n. a kind of coarse, dark-coloured sugar made in the East Indies from the sap of the coco-nut palm. [Hind. shakkar, Sans. çarkara.]

Jaghir, Jaghire, ja-gēr′, n. the government revenues of a tract of land assigned with power to administer.—n. Jaghir′dar, the holder of such. [Hind.]

Jaguar, jag′ū-är, or jag-wär′, n. a powerful beast of prey, allied to the leopard, found in South America. [Brazilian, jaguara.]

Jail, jāl, n. a prison.—ns. Jail′-bird, Gaol′-bird, a humorous name for one who is or has been confined in jail; Jail′er, Gaol′er, one who has charge of a jail or of prisoners, called also a turnkey; Jail′-fē′ver, Gaol′-fē′ver, typhus fever, so called because once common in jails.—Break jail, to force one's way out of prison; Commission of Jail Delivery, one of the commissions issued to judges of assize and judges of the Central Criminal Court in England. [O. Fr. gaole (Fr. geôle)—Low L. gabiola, a cage, dim. of Low L. gabia, a cage, a corr. of cavea, a cage—L. cavus, hollow.]

Jain, jān, n. an adherent of Jain′ism, or a member of a heterodox Hindu sect, allied to ancient Buddhism: a style of architecture developed about 450 A.D., with pseudo-arch and dome, built in horizontal courses and of pointed section. [Hind. jina, a deified saint.]

Jalap, jal′ap, n. the purgative root of a plant first brought from Jalapa or Xalapa, in Mexico.—adj. Jalap′ic—n. Jal′apin, a glucoside resin, one of the purgative principles of jalap.

Jalousie, zhal-oo-zē′, n. a Venetian blind. [Fr.,—jalousie, jealousy.]

Jam, jam, n. a conserve of fruit boiled with sugar. [Ety. dub.; perh. from jam, to squeeze.]

Jam, jam, v.t. to press or squeeze tight:—pr.p. jam′ming; pa.p. jammed.—n. a crush, squeeze. [Cf. champ.]

Jamb, jam, n. the sidepiece or post of a door, fireplace, &c. [Fr. jambe, perh. Celt. cam, bent.]

Jambe, jäm, n. armour for the leg.—ns.pl. Jam′beaus, leggings; Jambieres′, leg-pieces of leather, &c. [Fr. jambe, leg.]

Jambone, jam′bōn, n. a lone hand in euchre, played only by agreement, in which the player lays his cards on the table and must lead one chosen by his opponent, scoring 8 points if he takes all the tricks.

Jamboree, jam-bō-rē, n. in euchre, a lone hand of the 5 highest cards, by agreement scoring 16 points for the holder: (slang) a boisterous frolic, a spree.

Jamdani, jam-dä′ni, n. a variety of Dacca muslin woven in designs of flowers.

Jamewar, jam′e-war, n. a Cashmere shawl with coloured patterns: the goat's-hair cloth of Cashmere.

Jampan, jam′pan, n. a sedan-chair borne on bamboo poles by four bearers.—n. Jampanee′, its bearer.

Jamrach, jam′rak, n. a place where wild animals are kept for sale—from a London dealer's name.

Jane, jān, n. (Spens.) a small silver Genoese coin: jean. [Low L. Janua, L. Genua, Genoa.]

Jangle, jang′l, v.i. to sound discordantly as in wrangling: to wrangle or quarrel.—v.t. to cause to sound harshly.—n. discordant sound: contention.—ns. Jang′ler; Jang′ling. [O. Fr. jangler; imit., like jingle and chink.]

Janitor, jan′i-tor, n. a doorkeeper: a porter:—fem. Jan′itrix. [L., from janua, a door.]

Janizary, jan′i-zar-i, n. a soldier of the old Turkish foot-guards (c. 1330-1826), formed originally of renegade prisoners and of a tribute of children taken from Christian subjects—also Jan′issary, Jan′izar.—adj. Janizā′rian. [Fr. Janissaire—Turk, yeñi, new, ‛asker, army.]

Janker, jang′ker, n. (Scot.) a long pole on two wheels used for transporting logs.

Jansenism, jan′sen-izm, n. a system of evangelical doctrine deduced from Augustine by Cornelius Jansen (1585-1638), Roman Catholic Bishop of Ypres, essentially a reaction against the ordinary Catholic dogma of the freedom of the will and that of merely sufficient grace, maintaining that interior grace is irresistible, and that Christ died for all.—n. Jan′senist, a believer in Jansenism.

January, jan′ū-ar-i, n. the first month of the year, dedicated by the Romans to Jan′us, the god of opening, with a double head that looked both ways.—adjs. Jan′uform, two-faced; Jan′us-faced, double-dealing: deceitful. [L. Januarius—Junus.]

Jap, jap, n. and adj. (coll.) for Japanese′, of or belonging to Japan: the language of Japan: a native of Japan.

Japan, ja-pan′, v.t. to varnish after the manner of the Japanese′, or people of Japan: to make black and glossy:—pr.p. japan′ning; pa.p. japanned′.—n. work japanned: the varnish or lacquer used in japanning.—ns. Japan′-earth, or Terra japonica, gambier; Japan′ner.—Japan lacquer, or Black japan, a hard jet-black lacquer, for sheet-metal, made of asphaltum, linseed-oil, and varnish; Japanned leather, same as patent leather (see Patent).

Jape, jāp, v.i. to jest, joke.—v.t. to mock.—n. a jest, joke, trick. [O. Fr. japer.]

Japhetic, ja-fet′ik, adj. a term formerly applied in ethnology to European peoples, the supposed descendants of Japhet, as opposed to Hamitic and Semitic.

Japonica, jap-on′i-ka, n. an abbreviation for Pyrus japonica, the Japanese quince.

Jar, jär, v.i. to make a harsh discordant sound: to dash: to quarrel: to be inconsistent.—v.t. to shake:—pr.p. jar′ring; pa.p. jarred.—n. a harsh rattling sound: clash of interests or opinions: discord.—adv. Jar′ringly. [Imit.; cf. jargon.]

Jar, jär, n. an earthen or glass bottle with a wide mouth: a measure. [O. Fr. jare—Pers. jarrah.]

Jar, jär, n. a turn, used only in the phrase, 'on the jar,' ajar. [See Ajar.]

Jardinière, zhar-dē-nyār′, n. a vessel for the display of flowers, growing or cut: a lappet forming part of an old head-dress. [Fr., 'a flower-stand,' jardinier, a gardener.]

Jargon, jär′gon, n. confused talk: slang.—n. Jar′gonist, one who uses jargon. [Fr. jargon, prob. conn. with L. garrīre, to prattle.]

Jargon, jär′gon, n. a variety of zircon found in Ceylon, transparent, colourless.—Also Jar′goon.

Jarkman, järk′man, n. (slang) a swindling beggar, a begging-letter writer.

Jasey, jā′zi, n. a kind of wig, originally made of worsted. [Corr. of Jersey.]

Jasher, jäsh′ėr, n. one of the lost books of the ancient Hebrews, quoted twice (Josh. x. 13; 2 Sam. i. 18), most probably a collection of heroic ballads.

Jasmine, jas′min, Jessamine, jes′a-min, n. a genus of plants, many species of which have very fragrant flowers. [Fr. jasmin—Ar.,—Pers. yāsmīn.]

Jasper, jas′pėr, n. a precious stone, being a hard siliceous mineral of various colours.—adjs. Jas′pé, having the surface ornamented with veins; Jas′perated, mixed with jasper; Jas′pery, like jasper; Jaspid′ean, Jaspid′eous, Jas′poid. [Fr. jaspe—L. and Gr. iaspis—Ar. yasb.]

Jataka, jä′ta-kä, n. a nativity, the birth-story of Buddha. [Sans.,—jāta, born.]

Jaunce, jäns, v.i. (Shak.) to jolt or shake: to ride hard.—n. a jaunt. [O. Fr. jancer, to stir.]

Jaundice, jän′dis, n. a disease, characterised by a yellowness of the eyes, skin, &c., caused by bile.—adj. Jaun′diced, affected with jaundice: prejudiced. [Fr. jaunisse, from jaune, yellow—L. galbinus, yellowish, galbus, yellow.]

Jaunt, jänt, v.i. to go from place to place: to make an excursion.—n. an excursion: a ramble.—adj. Jaunt′ing, strolling: making an excursion.—n. Jaunt′ing-car, a low-set, two-wheeled, open vehicle used in Ireland, with side-seats back to back. [O. Fr. jancer, to stir (a horse); but more prob. Scand.]

Jaunty, Janty, jänt′i, adj. airy: showy: finical.—adv. Jaunt′ily.—n. Jaunt′iness. [Fr. gentil.]

Jaup, jäp, v.t. (Scot.) to spatter.—v.i. to make a sound like water shaken in a vessel.—n. water or mud splashed up.

Javelin, jav′lin, n. a spear meant to be hurled, anciently used by both infantry and cavalry. [O. Fr. javelin; prob. Celt.]

Jaw, jaw, n. the bones of the mouth in which the teeth are set: the mouth: anything like a jaw: (slang) talkativeness, scolding.—v.i. (slang) to scold.—ns. Jaw′bone, the bone of the jaw, in which the teeth are set; Jaw′-break′er (slang), a word hard to pronounce.—adj. Jawed, having jaws: denoting the appearance of the jaws, as lantern-jawed.—n. Jaw′fall, a falling of the jaw: (fig.) depression of spirits.—adj. Jaw′-fall′en, depressed in spirits: dejected.—ns. Jaw′-foot, a foot-jaw, maxilliped; Jaw′-lē′ver, an instrument for opening the mouth of a horse or cow to admit medicine; Jaw′-tooth, one of the double teeth, a grinder or molar.—Break-jaw word, a very long word, or one hard to pronounce; Hold one's jaw, to cease from talking or scolding. [Old spelling chaw, akin to chew.]

Jaw, jaw, v.t. (Scot.) to pour out, throw out: splash.—ns. Jaw′-box, Jaw′-hole, a sink.

Jay, jā, n. a bird of the crow family with gay plumage: a wanton woman: an indifferent actor, a stupid chattering fellow. [O. Fr. jay (mod. Fr. geai); from root of gay.]

Jealous, jel′us, adj. suspicious of or incensed at rivalry: anxious to defend the honour of.—adv. Jeal′ously.—ns. Jeal′ousy, Jeal′oushood (Shak.), Jeal′ousness. [O. Fr. jalous (mod. Fr. jaloux)—L. zelus—Gr. zēlos, emulation.]

Jean, jān, n. a twilled cotton cloth.—n. Jeanette′, coarse jean, for lining.—Satin jean, a smooth, glossy, hard-twilled cotton goods. [Jane.]

Jebusite, jeb′ū-zīt, n. one of a Canaanitish race who long defied the Israelites from their stronghold on Mount Zion.—adj. Jebusit′ic.

Jeddart, jed′dart, n. an old name for Jedburgh.—Jeddart axe, a stout steel-headed pole, four feet long; Jeddart, or Jedwood, justice, hanging first and trying afterwards.

Jeer, jēr, v.t. to make sport of: to treat with derision.—v.i. to scoff: to deride: to make a mock of.—n. a railing remark: biting jest: mockery.—n. Jeer′er, a scoffer or mocker.—adv. Jeer′ingly. [Acc. to Skeat, from the Dut. phrase den gek scheeren, lit. 'to shear the fool,' to mock, the words gek scheeren (now scheren) being corr. into jeer.]

Jeffersonite, jef′er-son-īt, n. a greenish-black variety of pyroxene. [Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826.]

Jehoiada-box, jē-hoi′a-da-boks, n. a child's savings-bank—from 2 Chron. xxiv. 6-11.

Jehovah, je-hō′va, n. the eternal or self-existent Being, the chief Hebrew name of the Deity.—n. Jehō′vist, one who holds that the vowel-points annexed to the word Jehovah in Hebrew are the proper vowels of the word, some maintaining that they are those of the word Adonai or of Elohim: the supposed writer of the passages in the Pentateuch, in which the name applied to God is Jehovah.—adj. Jehovist′ic. [Heb. Yahōwāh, hardly from hāwāh, to be.]

Jehu, jē′hū, n. (coll.) a driver, esp. a furious whip. [A reference to 2 Kings, ix. 20.]

Jejune, je-jōōn′, adj. empty: void of interest: barren.—adv. Jejune′ly.—ns. Jejune′ness; Jeju′num, the second division of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum. [L. jejunus, hungry.]

Jelly, jel′i, n. anything gelatinous: the juice of fruit boiled with sugar.—v.i. Jell, to jelly.—adj. Jell′ied, in the state of jelly.—v.t. Jell′ify, to make into a jelly.—v.i. to become gelatinous.—ns. Jell′y-bag, a bag through which jelly is strained; Jell′y-fish, marine radiate animals like jelly. [Fr. gelée, from geler—L. gelāre, to freeze.]

Jellyby, jel′i-bi, n. a philanthropist who cares only for distant people—from Mrs Jellyby in Bleak House, who busies herself about Borrioboola Gha, while her own household is going to ruin.

Jemidar, jem′i-där, n. a native officer in the Indian army of the rank of lieutenant: an officer of police, customs, &c.—Also Jam′adar. [Hind.]

Jemmy, jem′i, n. a burglar's short crowbar: (slang) a baked sheep's head: a greatcoat.

Jemmy, jem′i, adj. neat, smart, handy—also Gemm′y.—n. Jemm′iness, neatness.

Jennet, jen′et, n. a small Spanish horse.—Also Genn′et, Gen′et. [O. Fr. genette—Sp. ginete; Moorish.]

Jenneting, jen′et-ing, n. a kind of early apple. [Prob. apple of St Jean or John; not from June-eating.]

Jenny, jen′i, n. a female bird, a wren—usually Jenn′y-wren: a female ass: a spinning-jenny. [From the name Jenny; prob. the last sense from gin.]

Jeofail, jef′āl, n. an error in pleadings, or the acknowledgment of a mistake. [O. Fr. je faille, I fail.]

Jeopardy, jep′ard-i, n. hazard, danger.—vs.t. Jeop′ard, Jeop′ardise, to put in jeopardy.—n. Jeop′arder.—adj. Jeop′ardous, exposed to danger or loss.—adv. Jeop′ardously. [Fr. jeu parti, a divided game—Low L. jocus partitus—L. jocus, a game, partitus, divided—partīri, to divide.]

Jerboa, jėr-bō′a, n. a genus of small rodent quadrupeds, remarkable for the length of their hind-legs and their power of jumping. [Ar. yarbū‛.]

Jereed, je-rēd′, n. a kind of blunt javelin used by the Turks in mock-fights. [Ar. jarīd.]

Jeremiad, jer-e-mī′ad, n. a lamentation: a tale of grief: a doleful story. [From Jeremiah the prophet, author of the book of Lamentations.]

Jericho, jer′i-kō, n. a remote place, to which one is humorously consigned—from Jericho in Palestine and the story in 2 Sam. x. 4, 5.

Jerk, jėrk, v.t. to throw with a quick effort: to give a sudden movement.—n. a short, sudden movement: a striking against with a sudden motion: an involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle.—ns. Jerk′er; Jerk′iness.—adj. Jerk′y, moving or coming by jerks or starts, spasmodic; capricious, impatient. [A variant of jert and gird, and conn. with yard, a rod.]

Jerk, jėrk, v.t. to search, as a vessel for concealed or smuggled goods—also Jerque.—ns. Jerk′er, Jerqu′er; Jerqu′ing.

Jerk, jėrk, n. meat cut into thin pieces and dried in the sun.—Also Jerk′y. [Chilian charqui.]

Jerkin, jėr′kin, n. a jacket, a short coat or close waistcoat.—n. Jer′kin-head (archit.) the combination of a truncated gable with a hipped roof. [Dut., dim. of jurk, a frock.]

Jeroboam, jer-o-bō′am, n. a large metal bowl: eight bottles. [Allusion to 1 Kings, xi. 28.]

Jerry-builder, jer′i-bild′ėr, n. one who builds flimsy houses cheaply and hastily, a speculative builder.—n. Jerr′y-build′ing.—adj. Jerr′y-built.—n. Jerr′y-shop, a low dram-shop. [Prob. the personal name.]

Jersey, jėr′zi, n. the finest part of wool: combed wool: a close-fitting woollen shirt, or kind of under-vest, worn in rowing, &c. [From the island Jersey.]

Jess, jes, n. a short strap round the legs of a hawk.—adj. Jessed, having jesses on. [O. Fr. ject—L. jactāre, to fling, freq. of jacĕre, to throw.]

Jessant, jes′ant, adj. (her.) rising from the bottom line of a field or an upper line of an ordinary. [Perhaps a corr. of issuant. Cf. issue.]

Jesse, jes′i, n. a large branched candlestick used in churches, formerly hung up in churches. [From its likeness to the genealogical tree of Christ's descent from Jesse (Is. xi. 1), the father of David, often in medieval churches carried out in stained glass (a jesse window), sculpture, mural decoration, &c.]

Jesserant, jes′e-rant, n. splint armour.—Also Jaz′erant. [O. Fr. gesseron, jazeran—Sp. jacerina.]

Jest, jest, n. something ludicrous: joke: fun: something uttered in sport: object of laughter.—v.i. to make a jest: to joust.—ns. Jest′-book, a collection of funny stories; Jest′er, one who jests: a buffoon: a court-fool.—adj. Jest′ful, given to jesting.—adv. Jest′ingly.—n. Jest′ing-stock, a butt for jests. [Orig. 'a deed, a story,' M. E. geste—O. Fr. geste—L. gesta—gerĕre, to do.]

Jesuit, jez′ū-it, n. a member of the famous religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola: a crafty or insidious person, an intriguer.—v.t. to make a Jesuit of.—adjs. Jesuit′ic, -al.—adv. Jesuit′ically.—ns. Jes′uitism, Jesuitry: the principles and practices of the Jesuits: cunning: deceit; Jesuitoc′racy, government by Jesuits; Jes′uitry, Jesuitism.—Jesuits' bark, cinchona, because introduced to Rome by Jesuit missionaries.

Jesus, jē′zus, n. the Saviour of mankind.—n. Jésus, a size of paper, super-royal.—Company, or Society, of Jesus, the Jesuit order.—Grand jésus, imperial. [Gr. Iēsous—Heb. Yēshū‛a, contr. of Yehōshū‛a, help of Jehovah, the Saviour—yāsha‛, to save.]

Jet, jet, n. a rich black variety of mineral coal, very hard and compact, taking a brilliant polish, used for ornaments.—adj. Jet′-black.—n. Jet′tiness.—adj. Jet′ty, made of jet, or black as jet. [O. Fr. jaet—L.—Gr. gagatēs, from Gagas, a town and river in Lycia, in Asia Minor, where it was obtained.]

Jet, jet, n. a spouting stream: a spout at the end of a gas-pipe emitting the flame.—v.t. to throw out, shoot forth.—v.i. to strut, to encroach arrogantly upon.—n. Jettatu′ra, the Evil-eye. [O. Fr. jetter—L. jactāre, to fling, freq. of jacĕre, to throw.]

Jetsam, jet′sam, n. the throwing of goods overboard to lighten a vessel: the goods so thrown away which remain under water (see Flotsam)—also Jet′som, Jet′son, Jet′tison.—v.t. Jet′tison, to throw overboard, as goods, in time of danger. [Anglo-Fr. jetteson—L. jactation-em, a casting.]

Jetton, jet′on, n. a piece of stamped metal used as a counter in card-playing, &c.

Jetty, jet′i, n. a projection: a kind of pier. [O. Fr. jettée, thrown out. See Jet (2).]

Jew, jōō, n. an inhabitant of Judea: a Hebrew or Israelite: opprobriously used for a usurer, miser, &c.:—fem. Jew′ess.—v.t. and v.i. (coll.) to overreach: cheat.—n. Jew′-bait′ing, the persecuting of Jews.—adj. Jew′ish, belonging to the Jews.—adv. Jew′ishly.—ns. Jew′ishness; Jew's′-ear, a fungus that grows on the elder, and bears some resemblance to the human ear; Jew's' frank′incense, the balsam known as benzoin or gum storax, often used as an incense; Jew's′-harp, a small harp-shaped musical instrument played between the teeth by striking a spring with the finger; Jew's′-mall′ow, a plant much cultivated as a pot-herb by the Jews in Syria; Jew's′-myr′tle, the prickly-leaved plant Ruscus aculeatus; Jew's′-pitch, asphaltum; Jew's′-stone, the fossil spine of a large echinus or sea hedgehog.—Jew's eye, in proverb 'Worth a Jew's eye,' something of high value—from the custom of torturing Jews for money; Jews' houses, in Cornwall, the name given to prehistoric miners' dwellings.—Wandering Jew (see Wander). [O. Fr. Juis—L. Judæus—Gr. Ioudaios—Heb. Yehūdāh, Judah.]

Jewel, jōō′el, n. a precious stone: an ornament of precious stones, worn as a decoration: anything or any one highly valued.—v.t. to dress or adorn with jewels: to fit with a jewel:—pr.p. jew′elling; pa.p. jew′elled, in a watch, having pivot-holes of garnets or any other jewels.—ns. Jew′el-case, a casket for holding jewels; Jew′eller, one who makes or deals in jewels; Jew′ellery, Jew′elry, jewels in general. [O. Fr. jouel (Fr. joyau); either a dim. of Fr. joie, joy, from L. gaudium, joy—gaudēre, to rejoice—or derived through Low L. jocale, from L. jocāri, to jest.]

Jezebel, jez′e-bel, n. a bold and vicious woman, a virago. [From Ahab's wicked wife.]

Jib, jib, n. a triangular sail borne in front of the foremast in a ship, so called from its shifting of itself.—v.t. to shift a boom sail from one tack to the other.—v.i. to move restively.—ns. Jib′-boom, a boom or extension of the bowsprit, on which the jib is spread; Jib′-door, a door flush with the outside wall, intended to be concealed.—The cut of one's jib, appearance. [Dan. gibbe, to jib; cf. Dut. gijpen, to turn suddenly.]

Jig, jig, n. a quick, lively tune: a quick dance suited to the tune.—v.i. to dance a jig:—pr.p. jig′ging; pa.p. jigged.—adj. Jig′gish. [O. Fr. gige, gigue, a stringed instrument—Teut.; Ger. geige; cf. gig.]

Jigamaree, jig-a-ma-rē′, n. anything the name of which one forgets, a thingumbob.—Also Jig′gumbob.

Jigger, jig′gėr, n. anything that jigs: one of many kinds of subsidiary appliances, as an apparatus for separating ores by jolting in sieves in water, a simple potter's wheel or a template or profile used with it, a warehouse crane, the bridge or rest for the cue in billiards: an old-fashioned sloop-rigged boat: a one-horse street car: a machine for exhibiting on a dial at once the prices at which sales are made, controlled by electric mechanism with a key-board: (slang) a drink of whisky.—v.t. to jerk or shake.

Jiggered, jig′ėrd, p.adj. a meaningless and needless substitute for a profane oath.

Jigging, jig′ing, n. in mining, the process of separating ore by means of a wire-bottomed sieve moved up and down in water.

Jigjog, jig′jog, n. a jolting motion, a jog.—Also Jick′ajog, Jig′ajog. [Reduplicated form of jog.]

Jill, jil, n. a young woman, often associated with Jack. [Short for Gillian—i.e. Juliana.]

Jilt, jilt, n. a woman who encourages a lover and then rejects him.—v.t. to encourage and then discard a lover. [Formerly jillet, dim. of Jill.]

Jim Crow, jim krō, n. one of the earliest negro-minstrel songs: a kind of generic name for the negro.

Jim-crow, jim′-krō, n. a tool for bending or straightening iron rails or bars.

Jimp, jimp, adj. (Scot.) slender, elegant.—adv. Jimp, Jimp′ly, neatly, hardly.—adj. Jimp′y, neat.

Jingle, jing′l, n. a clinking sound: that which makes a rattling sound: a correspondence of sounds: a covered two-wheeled car.—v.i. to sound with a jingle.—ns. Jing′le-jang′le, a jingling sound; Jing′let, a ball serving as the clapper of a sleigh-bell; Jīng′ling, a game in which blindfolded players within a ring try to catch a player with a bell tied to him. [Imit.]

Jingo, jing′gō, n. a name used in the expletives, 'By Jingo!' 'By the living Jingo!' From its occurrence in a music-hall song of 1878 that conveyed a threat against Russia, Jingo has come to mean a British Chauvinist.—adjs. Jing′o, Jing′oish.—n. Jing′oism. [Often fearlessly derived from Basque Jinkoa, Jainko, God; no doubt conn. somehow with St Gengulphus (died May 11, 760).]

Jink, jingk, v.i. (Scot.) to move nimbly, to dodge.—v.t. to elude: to cheat.—n. a quick, illusory turn.

Jinn, jin, n.pl. (sing. Jin′nee) a class of spirits in Mohammedan mythology, formed of fire, living chiefly on the mountains of Káf which encircle the world, assuming various shapes, sometimes as men of enormous size and portentous hideousness.—Also Djinn, Ginn. The jinn are often called genii by a confusion. A plural Jinns is sometimes erroneously used. [Ar. jinn, pl. jinnīy.]

Jinrikisha, jin-rik′i-shä, n. a small, two-wheeled hooded carriage drawn by men. [Jap. jin, man, riki, power, sha, carriage.]

Job, job, n. a sudden stroke or stab with a pointed instrument like a beak.—v.t. to strike or stab suddenly:—pr.p. job′bing; pa.p. jobbed. [Gael. gob, W. gwp, a bird's beak; conn. with gobble, job.]

Job, job, n. any piece of work, esp. of a trifling or temporary nature: miscellaneous printing-work: any undertaking with a view to profit: a mean transaction, in which private gain is sought under pretence of public service.—adj. of a particular job or transaction, assigned to a special use: bought or sold lumped together.—v.i. to work at jobs: to buy and sell as a broker: to hire or let out by the week or month, esp. horses.—ns. Job′ber, one who jobs: one who buys and sells, as a broker or middleman: one who turns official actions to private advantage: one who engages in a mean lucrative affair; Job′bery, jobbing: unfair means employed to procure some private end; Job′-mas′ter, a livery-stable keeper who jobs out horses and carriages.—A bad job, an unfortunate affair; Odd jobs, occasional pieces of work. [Formerly gob—O. Fr. gob, a mouthful; from the same Celtic root as gobble.]

Job, jōb, n. a monument of patience—from Job in Scripture.—n. Jobā′tion, a tedious scolding.—Job's comforter, one who aggravates the distress of an unfortunate man he has come to comfort; Job's news, bad news; Job's post, the bearer of bad news.

Jockey, jok′i, n. a man (orig. a boy) who rides horses in a race: a horse-dealer: one who takes undue advantage in business.—v.t. to jostle by riding against: to cheat.—ns. Jock′eyism, Jock′eyship, the art or practice of a jockey.—Jockey Club, an association for the promotion and ordering of horse-racing. [Dim. of Jock, northern Eng. for Jack.]

Jockteleg, jok′te-leg, n. (Scot.) a large clasp-knife. [Cf. jack-knife.]

Jocose, jo-kōs′, adj. full of jokes: humorous: merry.—adv. Jocose′ly.—ns. Jocose′ness, Jocos′ity, the quality of being jocose.—adj. Joco-sē′rious, half in jest, half in earnest. [L. jocosus—jocus, a joke.]

Jocular, jok′ū-lar, adj. given to jokes: humorous: droll: laughable.—n. Jocular′ity.—adv. Joc′ularly.—n. Joculā′tor, a professional jester or minstrel.—adj. Joc′ulātory. [L. jocularis—jocus.]

Jocund, jok′und, adj. in a jocose humour: merry: cheerful: pleasant.—ns. Jocund′ity, Jocund′ness.—adv. Joc′undly. [Fr.,—L. jocundus—jocus.]

Jodel, jō′del, v.i. to sing with the falsetto voice in harmonic progressions.—Also n. [Swiss.]

Joe, jō, Joey, jō′i, n. (slang) a fourpenny-bit—from Joseph Hume, M.P., their author, 1836.—Joe Miller, an old or stale jest, a jest-book; Joe Millerism, the habit of retailing stale jests—from Joe Miller (1684-1738), a comedian but notoriously dull fellow, whose name was attached to a collection in 1739.

Jog, jog, v.t. to shake: to push with the elbow or hand, to stimulate, stir up, as the memory.—v.i. to move by jogs: to travel slowly:—pr.p. jog′ging; pa.p. jogged.—n. a slight shake: a push.—ns. Jog′ger (Dryden), one who moves slowly and heavily; Jog′trot, a slow jogging trot.—Be jogging, to move on, to depart. [A weakened form of shock.]

Joggle, jog′l, n. a notch in joints adapted in fitting stones or pieces of timber together to keep them from sliding. [Dim. of jog, to push.]

Joggle, jog′l, v.t. to jog or shake slightly: to jostle.—v.i. to shake:—pr.p. jogg′ling; pa.p. jogg′led. [Dim. of jog.]

Johannes, jō-han′ēz, n. an old Portuguese gold coin.—Also Joann′es.

Johannine, jō-an′nīn, adj. pertaining to St John.—Also Johan′nēan. [L. Joannes.]

Johannisberger, jō-hän′nis-bėr-gėr, n. a white Rhenish wine grown at Johannisberg ('St John's Mountain'), near Wiesbaden.

John, jon, n. a proper name, one of whose diminutives, John′ny, is sometimes used in slang for a simpleton or a fellow generally.—ns. John′-a-dreams′ (Shak.), a dreamy fellow; John′ian, a member of St John's College, Cambridge; John′ny-cake, a cake of Indian meal toasted; John′ny-raw, a beginner.—John Bull, a generic name for an Englishman from Arbuthnott's History of John Bull, 1712; John Bullism, the typical English character, or any act or word expressive of it; John Chinaman, a Chinaman, the Chinese collectively; John Company, an old colloquial name for the Honourable East India Company; John Dory (see Dory); John Thomas, a generic name for a flunkey.

Johnsonianism, jon-sō′ni-an-izm, n. a peculiarity of Dr Johnson, the lexicographer (1709-83)—also John′sonism.—n. John′sonese, the Johnsonian style, or an imitation of it—ponderous English, full of words of classical origin.

Join, join, v.t. to connect: to unite: to associate: to add or annex.—v.i. to be connected with: to grow together: to be in close contact: to unite (with).—ns. Joind′er, joining; Join′er, one who joins or unites: a carpenter; Join′ery, the art of the joiner; Join′-hand, running hand; Join′ing, the act of joining: a seam: a joint; Joint, a joining: the place where, or mode in which, two or more things join, as two rails, two pieces of timber connected by mortises and tenons, &c.: the flexible hinge of cloth or leather connecting the back of a book with its sides: (geol.) a crack intersecting a mass of rock: a knot: a hinge: a seam: a place of resort for tramps: (U.S.) an opium-den: the place where two bones are joined: (cook.) the part of the limb of an animal cut off at the joint.—adj. joined, united, or combined: shared among more than one.—v.t. to unite by joints: to fit closely: to provide with joints: to cut into joints, as an animal.—v.i. to fit like joints.—adj. Joint′ed, having joints.—ns. Joint′er, the largest kind of plane used by a joiner: a bent piece of iron for riveting two stones together; Joint′ing-rule, a long, straight-edged rule used by bricklayers for keeping their work even.—adv. Joint′ly, in a joint manner: unitedly or in combination: together.—ns. Joint′-oil, the synovia, a viscid secretion for lubricating the articular surfaces; Joint′-stock, stock held jointly or in company; Joint′-stool (Shak.), a stool made of parts inserted in each other; Joint′-ten′ancy, the ownership of land or goods along with one or more persons; Joint′-ten′ant, one who is owner of land or goods along with others; Joint′ure, property joined to or settled on a woman at marriage to be enjoyed after her husband's death.—v.t. to settle a jointure upon.—ns. Joint′ūress, Join′tress, a woman on whom a jointure is settled.—Join battle, to engage in battle.—Out of joint, dislocated, (fig.) disordered; Put one's nose out of joint, to supplant in another's love or confidence; Second joint, the middle piece of a fly fishing-rod: the thigh of a fowl—opp. to the leg or drumstick, the first joint; Universal joint, a contrivance by which one part of a machine is able to move freely in all directions, as in the ball-and-socket joint. [O. Fr. joindre—L. jungĕre, junctum.]

Joist, joist, n. the timbers to which the boards of a floor or the laths of a ceiling are nailed.—v.t. to fit with joists. [O. Fr. giste—gesir—L. jacēre, to lie.]

Joke, jōk, n. a jest: a witticism: something witty or sportive: anything said or done to excite a laugh.—v.t. to cast jokes at: to banter: to make merry with.—v.i. to jest: to be merry: to make sport.—n. Jok′er, one who jokes or jests: a card, generally the highest trump, at euchre.—adv. Jok′ingly, in a joking manner. [L. jocus.]

Jole, Joll, jōl, v.t. (Shak.) to beat against anything, to clash with violence.

Jolly, jol′i, adj. merry: expressing or exciting mirth, jovial: comely, robust.—n. Jollificā′tion, a making jolly: noisy festivity and merriment.—adv. Joll′ily.—ns. Joll′iment (Spens.), merriment; Joll′ity, Joll′iness.—adv. Joll′y (coll.), uncommonly. [O. Fr. jolif, joli—Ice. jol, Yule.]

Jollyboat, jol′i-bōt, n. a small boat belonging to a ship. [Dan. jolle, a boat, and Eng. boat.]

Jolt, jōlt, v.i. to shake with sudden jerks.—v.t. to shake with a sudden shock.—n. a sudden jerk.—ns. Jolt′er; Jolt′-head, Jolt′erhead, a blockhead.—adv. Jolt′ingly, in a jolting manner. [Old form joll, prob. conn. with jowl.]

Jonah, jō′nä, n. an unlucky passenger on shipboard or elsewhere—from the prophet Jonah.

Jonathan, jon′a-than, n. the people of the United States, collectively, or a typical specimen, Brother Jonathan. [Perh. from the sagacious Governor Jonathan Trumbull, 1710-85.]

Jongleur, zhong′gler, n. a minstrel: a mountebank. [O. Fr. jogleor—L. joculator; cf. Juggler.]

Jonquil, jon′kwil, n. a name given to certain species of narcissus with rush-like leaves.—Also Jon′quill. [Fr. jonquille—L. juncus, a rush.]

Jordan, jor′dan, n. (Shak.) a chamber-pot. [Jordan-bottle, a pilgrim's bottle containing Jordan water.]

Jorum, jō′rum, n. a drinking bowl or vessel, also its contents.—Also Jō′ram. [Ety. unknown.]

Joseph, jō′zef, n. one whose chastity is above temptation—from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Gen. xxxix.: a caped overcoat worn by women in the 18th century for riding—in allusion to Joseph's coat, Gen. xxxvii. 3.

Joss, jos, n. a Chinese idol.—ns. Joss′-house, a temple; Joss′-stick, a stick of gum burned as incense to their gods. [Pidgin-English corr. of the Port. deos, god.]

Jostle, jos′l, v.t. to joust or strike against: to drive against. [Freq. of joust.]

Jot, jot, n. the least quantity assignable.—v.t. to set down briefly: to make a memorandum of:—pr.p. jot′ting; pa.p. jot′ted.—ns. Jot′ter, one who jots: a book for memoranda; Jot′ting, a memorandum. [L.,—Gr. iōta—Heb. yōdh, the smallest letter in the alphabet, Eng. i.]

Jougs, joogz, n. an iron neck-ring that constituted the old Scottish pillory. [O. Fr. joug, a yoke—L. jugum.]

Jouisance, jōō′is-ans, n. (Spens.) joyousness. [Fr.,—jouir, to enjoy—L. gaudēre, to rejoice.]

Jouk, Jook, jōōk, v.i. (Scot.) to duck or dodge: to bow.—ns. Jouk′ery, Jook′ery, trickery; Jouk′ery-pawk′ery, low cunning, trickery.

Joule, jōōl, n. the practical unit of electrical energy. [After James Prescott Joule (1818-89).]

Journal, jur′nal, n. a daily register or diary: a book containing an account of each day's transactions: a newspaper published daily or otherwise: a magazine: the transactions of any society.—n. Journalese′, the language of journalism.—v.i. Jour′nalīse, to write articles for a journal.—v.t. to enter in a journal:—pr.p. jour′nalīsing; pa.p. jour′nalīsed.—ns. Jour′nalism, the keeping of a journal: the profession of conducting or writing for public journals; Jour′nalist, one who writes for or conducts a newspaper.—adj. Journalist′ic, pertaining to journalism. [Fr.,—L. diurnalis.]

Journal, jur′nal, n. (mech.) that part of a shaft or axle which rests in the bearings.—v.t. to insert, as a shaft, in a journal-bearing.

Journey, jur′ni, n. any travel: tour: excursion: the weight of finished coins delivered at one time to the Master of the Mint—also Jour′ney-weight.—v.i. Jour′ney, to travel:—pr.p. jour′neying; pa.p. jour′neyed (-nid).—adj. Jour′ney-bat′ed (Shak.), wayworn.—ns. Jour′neyman, one who works by the day: any hired workman: one whose apprenticeship is completed; Jour′ney-work, work done by a journeyman or for hire. [Fr. journée—jour, a day—L. diurnus.]

Joust, jōōst, Just, just, n. the encounter of two knights on horseback at a tournament.—v.i. to run in the tilt. [O. Fr. jouste, joste—L. juxta, nigh to.]

Jovial, jō′vi-al, adj. joyous: full of mirth and happiness.—ns. Jove, Jupiter; Jovial′ity, Jō′vialness, quality of being jovial.—adv. Jō′vially. [L.,—Jupiter, Jovis, Jupiter, an auspicious star.]

Jow, jow, v.t. and v.i. (Scot.) to ring, toll.—n. a stroke of a bell.

Jowl, jowl, n. the jaw or cheek.—n. Jowl′er, a heavy-jawed hound. [M. E. forms are chol, chaul, corr. from chavel, and this again from A.S. ceafl, the jaw.]

Jowter, jow′tėr, n. a fish-hawker.—Also Jow′der. [Prob. a form of jolter.]

Joy, joi, n. gladness: rapture, mirth: the cause of joy.—v.i. to rejoice: to be glad: to exult:—pr.p. joy′ing; pa.p. joyed.—v.t. Joy (Milt.), to enjoy.—n. Joy′ance (Spens.), gaiety, festivity.—adj. Joy′ful, full of joy: very glad, happy, or merry.—adv. Joy′fully.—n. Joy′fulness.—adj. Joy′less, without joy: not giving joy.—adv. Joy′lessly.—n. Joy′lessness.—adj. Joy′ous, full of joy, happiness, or merriment.—adv. Joy′ously.—n. Joy′ousness.—The Seven Joys of the Virgin:—the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the three wise men, the Presentation in the Temple, the Discovery of the child in the Temple amidst the doctors, her Assumption and Coronation. [Fr. joie (It. gioja)—L. gaudium—gaudēre, to rejoice.]

Juba, jōō′ba, n. a negro breakdown or rustic dance, in which the spectators clap hands, slap their thighs, and sing verses with juba as a refrain.

Jubbah, jub′a, n. a long loose outer garment worn by Mohammedans in India, &c.

Jube, jōō′bē, n. the rood-loft or gallery over the entrance to the choir of a church. [L., imperat. of jubēre, to command.]

Jubilant, jōō′bi-lant, adj. shouting for joy: rejoicing: uttering songs of triumph.—n. Ju′bilance, exultation.—adv. Jubilantly.—v.i. Ju′bilate, to exult, rejoice.—ns. Jubilā′tē, the third Sunday after Easter, so called because the Church Service began on that day with the 66th Psalm, 'Jubilate Deo,' &c.: also the 100th Psalm, which in the English Prayer-Book is a canticle used as an alternative for the Benedictus; Jubilā′tion, a shouting for joy: the declaration of triumph. [L. jubilāre, to shout for joy. Not conn. with Jubilee.]

Jubilee, jōō′bi-lē, n. the year of release among the Jews every fiftieth year, proclaimed by the sound of a trumpet: the celebration of a fiftieth anniversary—e.g. of a king's accession, a bishop's consecration, &c.: in the R.C. Church, a year (every twenty-fifth—Ordinary jubilee) of indulgence for pilgrims and others, an Extraordinary jubilee being specially appointed by the Pope: any season of great public joy and festivity. [Fr. jubilé—L. jubilæus—Heb. yōbel, a trumpet, the blast of a trumpet.]

Jud, jud, n. a mass of coal holed or undercut so as to be thrown down by wedges.

Judaic, -al, jōō-dā′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to the Jews.—adv. Judā′ically.—n. Judaisā′tion.—v.t. Ju′daīse, to conform to or practise Judaism.—ns. Judaī′ser; Ju′daism, the doctrines and rites of the Jews: conformity to the Jewish rites; Ju′daist, one who holds the doctrines of Judaism.—adj. Judaist′ic, pertaining to Judaism.—adv. Judaist′ically. [L. Judaicus—Juda, Judah, a son of Israel.]

Judas, jōō′das, n. a traitor: an opening in a jail-door, &c.—adj. Ju′das-col′oured, red of hair—Judas traditionally being red-haired.—ns. Ju′das-hole, a small hole in a door for watching; Ju′das-kiss, any act of treachery under the guise of kindness (Matt. xxvi. 48, 49); Ju′das-tree, a tree with rose-coloured flowers that appear before the leaves—Judas having hanged himself on one.

Judean, jōō-dē′an, adj. belonging to Judea.—n. a native of Judea.

Judge, juj, v.i. to point out or declare what is just or law: to hear and decide: to pass sentence: to compare facts to determine the truth: to form or pass an opinion: to distinguish.—v.t. to hear and determine authoritatively: to sentence: to decide the merits of: to be censorious towards: to consider: (B.) to condemn.—n. one who judges: a civil officer who hears and settles any cause: an arbitrator: one who can decide upon the merit of anything: in Jewish history, a supreme magistrate having civil and military powers: (pl.) title of 7th book of the Old Testament.—ns. Judge′ship, the office of a judge; Judg′ment, act of judging: the comparing of ideas to elicit truth: faculty by which this is done, the reason: opinion formed: taste: sentence: condemnation: doom; Judg′ment-day, the day on which God will pronounce final judgment on mankind; Judg′ment-debt, a debt evidenced by legal record; Judg′ment-hall, a hall where a court of justice meets; Judg′ment-seat, seat or bench in a court from which judgment is pronounced. [Fr. juger—L. judicāre—jus, law, dicĕre, to declare.]

Judica, jōō′di-ka, n. Passion Sunday—from the opening words of the introit, 'Judica me, Deus' (43d Ps.).

Judicature, jōō′di-kā-tūr, n. power of dispensing justice by legal trial: jurisdiction: a tribunal.—adjs. Ju′dicable, that may be judged or tried; Ju′dicātive, having power to judge; Ju′dicātory, pertaining to a judge: distributing justice.—n. distribution of justice: a tribunal.

Judicial, jōō-dish′al, adj. pertaining to a judge or court of justice: established by statute.—adv. Judic′ially.—Judicial Committee, an offshoot of the Privy Council, forming a court of appeal; Judicial factor, in Scotland, an administrator appointed by the courts to manage the estate of some one under some imperfection; Judicial separation, the separation of two married persons by order of the Divorce Court. [L. judicialis—judicium.]

Judiciary, jōō-dish′i-ar-i, n. the judges taken collectively.—adj. pertaining to the courts of law: passing judgment. [L. judiciarius.]

Judicious, jōō-dish′us, adj. according to sound judgment: possessing sound judgment: discreet.—adv. Judic′iously.—n. Judic′iousness. [Fr. judicieux—Low L. judiciosus—L. judicium.]

Judy, jōō′di, n. Punch's wife in the puppet-show: a native Chinese strumpet. [Corr. of Judith.]

Jug, jug, n. a large vessel with a swelling body and narrow mouth for liquors.—v.t. to boil or stew as in a jug:—pr.p. jug′ging; pa.p. jugged.—Jugged hare (see Hare); Stone jug (slang), jail. [Prob. Judy, jocularly applied to a drinking-vessel; cf. Jack and Jill in a like sense.]

Jug, jug, v.i. to utter the sound jug, as certain birds, esp. the nightingale.—n. Jug-jug. [Imit.]

Jugal, jōō′gal, adj. malar: joining, uniting.—n. a bone of the zygomatic arch, malar bone.

Jugate, -d, jōō′gāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) having the leaflets in pairs: joined as jugata on a coin, &c.—n.pl. Ju′gata, heads shown side by side or overlapping.

Juggernaut, jug′er-nawt, n. an idol of the Hindu god Vishnu, beneath whose car devotees were supposed to immolate themselves; hence the 'car of Juggernaut' stands metaphorically for any Moloch of self-sacrifice. [Sans. Jagannātha, lord of the world.]

Juggle, jug′l, v.i. to joke or jest: to amuse by sleight-of-hand: to conjure: to practise artifice or imposture.—n. a trick by sleight-of-hand: an imposture.—ns. Jugg′ler, one who performs tricks by sleight-of-hand: a trickish fellow; Jugg′lery, art or tricks of a juggler: legerdemain: trickery.—adv. Jugg′lingly, in a deceptive manner. [O. Fr. jogler—L. joculāri, to jest—jocus, a jest.]

Jugular, jug′ū-lar, adj. pertaining to the collar-bone, which joins the neck and shoulders.—n. one of the large veins on each side of the neck. [L. jugulum, the collar-bone—jungĕre, to join.]

Juice, jōōs, n. the sap of vegetables: the fluid part of animal bodies.—adj. Juice′less.—n. Juic′iness.—adj. Juic′y. [Fr.,—L. jus, broth, lit. mixture.]

Jujube, jōō′jōōb, n. a genus of spiny shrubs or small trees, the fruit of which is dried as a sweetmeat: a lozenge made of sugar and gum. [Fr.,—L. zizyphum—Gr. zizyphon—Pers. zīzfun, the jujube-tree.]

Julep, jōō′lep, n. a pleasant liquid medicine in which other nauseous medicines are taken.—Also Ju′lap. [Fr.,—Sp. julepe—Ar. jūlāb—Pers. jūlāb.]

Julian, jōōl′yan, adj. pertaining to C. Julius Cæsar (B.C. 100-44).—Julian year (see Year).

Julienne, zhü-li-en′, n. a clear soup, with shredded herbs. [Julien, a French cook in Boston.]

July, jōō′lī, n. the seventh month of the year—from Caius Julius Cæsar, who was born in it.

Jumart, jōō′mart, n. the offspring of a bull and a mare, or horse and cow. [Fr.,—L. jumentum.]

Jumble, jum′bl, v.t. to mix confusedly: to throw together without order.—v.i. to be mixed together confusedly: to be agitated: to jump at, to accept eagerly.—n. a confused mixture.—n. Jum′ble-sale, a charity bazaar of cast-off clothing, rubbish, &c.—adv. Jum′blingly, in a jumbled or confused manner. [Prob. a freq. of jump.]

Jumbo, jum′bō, n. a colossus.—adj. huge, colossal. [Name of a huge elephant sold in 1882 from the London Zoological Gardens to P. T. Barnum.]

Jump, jump, v.i. to spring upward, or forward, or both: to bound: to pass to as by a leap: to agree, coincide (with).—v.t. to pass by a leap: to skip over: to cause to start, as game:—pr.p. jump′ing; pa.p. jumped.—n. act of jumping: a bound, a hazard.—adv. (Shak.) exactly.—ns. Jump′er, one who jumps: a long iron drill or borer used in quarries and mines: (pl.) a term applied to certain Welsh Methodists (c. 1760), who jumped about in worship: Jump′ing-deer, the black-tailed American deer; Jump′ing-hare, a South African rodent, akin to the jerboas; Jump′-seat, a carriage-seat which may be moved backwards or forwards, so as to be used as single or double: a carriage with a movable seat; Count′er-jump′er, a draper's shopman.—Jump a claim (U.S.), to take land to which another already holds a claim; Jump at, to embrace with eagerness; Jump one's bail, to abscond, forfeiting one's bail; Jump over, to disregard, omit; Jump over the broomstick, to make an irregular marriage. [From a Teut. root seen in Sw. dial. gumpa, Middle High Ger. gumpen, to jump.]

Jump, jump, Jumper, jump′er, n. a loose garment: overall. [More prob. a thing to be jumped or slipped on, than from Fr. jupe, a petticoat, skirt.]

Juncaceous, jun-kā′shus, adj. of or pertaining to the Juncaceæ, a natural order of plants, of which the Jun′cus, or rush, is the type.

Junction, jungk′shun, n. a joining, a union or combination: place or point of union. [Join.]

Juncture, jungk′tūr, n. a joining, a union: a critical or important point of time. [L. junctura.]

June, jōōn, n. the sixth month, originally of 26 days, but since Julius Cæsar's time of 30. [L. Junius, the sixth month, prob. from root of L. juvenis, junior.]

Jungermannia, joong-ger-man′i-ä, n. (bot.) a suborder of Hepaticæ. [From a German botanist, Jungermann (1572-1653).]

Jungle, jung′gl, n. land covered with thick brushwood, &c.—ns. Jungle-fē′ver, a severe malarial or remittent fever; Jung′le-fowl, a wild species of genus Gallus, the parent of our barn-door fowl.—adj. Jung′ly. [Sans. jañgala, desert.]

Junior, jōōn′yur, adj. younger: less advanced.—n. one younger or less advanced.—ns. Junior′ity, Jun′iorship; Jun′ior-right, borough-English (q.v.).—Junior optime, a third-class honours man at Cambridge, next to Wranglers and Senior Optimes; Junior soph, an undergraduate of the second year at Cambridge. [Contr. of L. juvenior, younger—juvenis, young.]

Juniper, jōō′ni-pėr, n. an evergreen shrub, the berries of which are used in making gin. [L. juniperus—juvenis, young, parĕre, to bring forth.]

Junk, jungk, n. a Chinese vessel, with high forecastle and poop, sometimes large and three-masted. [Port. junco—Chinese chw‛an, a boat.]

Junk, jungk, n. pieces of old cordage, used for making mats, &c., and when picked to pieces, forming oakum for the seams of ships: salt meat supplied to vessels for long voyages, so called because it becomes as hard as old rope.—ns. Junk′-deal′er, Junk′man, a dealer in junk; Junk′-ring, a metal ring confining a fibrous piston-packing; Junk′-shop, a place where junk is bought and sold. [L. juncus, a rush.]

Junk-bottle, junk′bot-l, n. a thick, strong bottle, of green or black glass.

Junker, yōōng′kėr, n. a young German noble or squire.—n. Junk′erism, the narrow political and social ideas of the aristocratic party in Prussia called Junkers.

Junket, jung′ket, n. any sweetmeat or delicacy: curds mixed with cream, sweetened and flavoured: a feast or merrymaking, a picnic, a spree.—v.i. to feast, banquet, take part in a convivial entertainment or spree.—v.t. to feast, regale, entertain:—pr.p. junketing; pa.p. jun′keted.—n. Junk′eting, a merry feast or entertainment, picnicking. [It. guincata—L. juncus, a rush.]

Juno, jōō′nō, n. in Roman mythology, the wife of Jupiter, parallel with the Greek Hera, regarded as the special protectress of marriage and the guardian of woman from birth to death: a queenly woman.—adj. Junō′nian.

Junta, jun′ta, n. a meeting, council: a Spanish grand council of state. [Sp.,—L. jungĕre, to join.]

Junto, jun′tō, n. a body of men joined or united for some secret intrigue: a confederacy: a cabal or faction:—pl. Jun′tos. [Sp. junta.]

Jupati-palm, jōō′pa-tē-päm, n. a South American palm yielding the raphia-fibre.

Jupiter, jōō′pi-tėr, n. the chief god among the Romans, the parallel of the Greek Zeus—also Jove: the largest and, next to Venus, the brightest of the planets.—Jupiter's beard, the house-leek. [L., Gr. Zeus patēr, Sans. Dyaus pitar, lit. 'Jove (Zeus) father.']

Jupon, jōō′-pon, n. a sleeveless jacket or close-fitting coat, extending down over the hips: a petticoat.—n. Jupette′, a jupon with very short skirt. [Fr. jupon, jupe, a petticoat.]

Jural, jōō′ral, adj. pertaining to natural or positive right.—adv. Ju′rally.

Jurassic, jōō-ras′sik, adj. (geol.) one of the three divisions of the Mesozoic rocks, including the Lias and Oolites, and so called from its well-developed strata in the Jura Mountains.

Jurat, jōō′rat, n. the official memorandum at the end of an affidavit, showing the time when and the person before whom it was sworn.

Jurant, jōō′rant, adj. taking an oath.—n. one who takes an oath.—adj. Ju′ratory, pertaining to an oath.

Juridical, jōō-rid′ik-al, adj. relating to the distribution of justice: pertaining to a judge: used in courts of law.—adv. Jurid′ically. [L. juridicus—jus, juris, law, dicere[typo: dicĕre], to declare.]

Jurisconsult, jōō-ris-kon′sult, n. one who is consulted on the law: a lawyer who gives opinions on cases put to him: a jurist. [L. jus, juris, law, consultus—consultere, to consult.]

Jurisdiction, jōō-ris-dik′shun, n. the distribution of justice: legal authority: extent of power: district over which any authority extends.—adjs. Jurisdic′tional, Jurisdic′tive. [Fr.,—L. jurisdictio.]

Jurisprudence, jōō-ris-prōō′dens, n. the science or knowledge of law.—adj. Jurispru′dent, learned in law.—n. one who is learned in law.—adj. Jurispruden′tial.—Medical jurisprudence, forensic medicine (see Forensic). [Fr.—L., jurisprudentia—jus, juris, law, prudentia, knowledge.]

Jurist, jōō′rist, n. one who is versed in the science of law, esp. Roman or civil law: a civilian.—adjs. Jurist′ic, -al.—adv. Jurist′ically. [Fr. juriste.]

Jury, jōō′ri, n. a body of not less than twelve men, selected and sworn, as prescribed by law, to declare the truth on evidence before them: a committee for deciding prizes at a public exhibition.—ns. Ju′ror, one who serves on a jury—also Ju′ryman; Ju′ry-box, the place in which the jury sit during a trial.—Jury of matrons, a jury of 'discreet' women impanelled to try a question of pregnancy, as where a widow alleges herself to be with child by her late husband, or a woman sentenced to death, to stay execution, pleads that she is with child. [Fr. juré, sworn—jurer—L. jurāre, to swear.]

Jurymast, jōō′ri-mäst, n. a temporary mast raised instead of one lost.—adj. Ju′ry-rigged, rigged in a temporary way.—n. Ju′ry-rudd′er, a temporary rudder for one lost. [Not injury-mast, but O. Fr. ajurie, aid—L. adjutāre, to aid.]

Jus, jus, n. law right.—Jus civile, the civil law; Jus divinum, the divine right of kings; Jus gentium, law of nations; Jus mariti, the right of a husband; Jus naturale, the law of nature, the common sense of justice; Jus primæ noctis, the alleged right of a feudal superior to deflower a young bride.

Jussive, jus′iv, adj. expressing command.—n. a grammatical form or construction expressing commands.

Just, just, adv. lawful: upright: exact: regular: true: righteous.—adv. precisely, almost exactly, very lately, (coll.) quite, barely.—adv. Just′ly, in a just manner: equitably: uprightly: accurately: by right.—n. Just′ness, equity: propriety: exactness. [Fr.,—L. justus—jus, law.]

Justice, jus′tis, n. quality of being just: integrity: impartiality: desert: retribution: a judge: a magistrate.—ns. Jus′ticeship, office or dignity of a justice or judge; Justic′iary, Justic′iar, an administrator of justice: a chief-justice.—Justice of the Peace (abb. J.P.), an inferior magistrate; Justices' justice, a term sarcastically applied to the kind of justice sometimes administered by the unpaid and amateur magistracy of England.—Lord Chief-justice, the chief judge of the King's (or Queen's) Bench Division of the High Court of Justice; Lord Justice-clerk, the Scottish judge ranking next to the Lord-Justice-general, presiding over the Outer House or Second Division of the Court of Session, vice-president of the High Court of Justiciary; Lord Justice-general, the highest judge in Scotland, called also the Lord President of the Court of Session.—High Court of Justiciary, the supreme criminal court of justice in Scotland. [Fr.,—L. justitia.]

Justify, jus′ti-fī, v.t. to make just: to prove or show to be just or right: to vindicate: to absolve:—pr.p. jus′tifying; pa.p. jus′tified.—adj. Justifī′able, that may be justified or defended.—n. Justifī′ableness.—adv. Justifī′ably.—n. Justificā′tion, vindication: absolution: a plea of sufficient reason for.—adjs. Jus′tificātive, Jus′tificātory, having power to justify.—n. Jus′tifier, one who defends, or vindicates: he who pardons and absolves from guilt and punishment.—Justification by faith, the doctrine that men are justified by faith in Christ. [Fr.,—L. justificāre—justus, just, facĕre, to make.]

Jut, jut, v.i. to project:—pr.p. jut′ting; pa.p. jut′ted.—adv. Jut′tingly, projectingly.—n. Jut′-win′dow, a projecting window. [A form of jet.]

Jute, jōōt, n. the fibre of an Indian plant resembling hemp, used in the manufacture of coarse bags, mats, &c. [Orissa jhot, Sans. jhat.]

Jutty, jut′i, n. a projecting part of a building: a pier, a jetty.—v.t. and v.i. (Shak.) to jut. [Jut.]

Juvenescent, jōō-ven-es′ent, adj. becoming young.—n. Juvenesc′ence. [L. juvenescĕre, to grow young.]

Juvenile, jōō′ve-nīl, or -nil, adj. young: pertaining or suited to youth: puerile.—n. a young person: a book written for such: an actor who plays youthful parts.—ns. Ju′venileness, Juvenil′ity. [Fr.,—L. juvenilis—juvenis, young.]

Juxtaposition, juks-ta-pō-zish′un, n. a placing or being placed near: contiguity.—v.t. Juxtapose′, to place side by side. [L. juxta, near, and position.]

the eleventh letter in our alphabet, its sound that of the sharp guttural mute, formed by raising the tongue to the back of the palate: (chem.) the symbol for potassium: (math.) generally a constant coefficient: also a unit vector perpendicular to i and j: as a medieval numeral, 250.

Kabyle, ka-bīl′, n. one of a branch of the great Berber race of North Africa: a dialect of Berber spoken by many of the Kabyles. [Fr.,—Ar. Qabāil, pl. of qabīla, a tribe.]

Kaddish, kad′ish, n. a Jewish form of thanksgiving and prayer, used at funerals, &c. [Heb.]

Kafir, kaf′ir, n. one of a native race of SE. Africa.—Kafir bread, the pith of a South African plant; Kafir corn, Indian millet. [Ar., unbeliever.]

Kago, kag′ō, n. a Japanese basket with palanquin slung from a pole and carried by men.

Kaimakam, kī-ma-kam′, n. a lieutenant-colonel in the Turkish army: the administrator of a subdivision of a vilayet.

Kain, kān, n. in old Scots law, rent paid in kind, e.g. in poultry, to a landlord.

Kainite, kī′nīt, n. a hydrated compound of the chlorides and sulphates of magnesium and potassium, used as a fertiliser. [Gr. kainos, new.]

Kaiser, kī′zėr, n. an emperor, esp. of Germany and Austria.—n. Kai′sership. [Ger.,—L. Cæsar.]

Kaka, kä′ka, n. a New Zealand parrot.—n. Ka′kapo, a nocturnal flightless New Zealand parrot.

Kakemono, kak-e-mō′nō, n. a Japanese wall-picture or decoration, painted on silk, gauze, or paper, and mounted on cylindrical rods.

Kakistocracy, kak-is-tok′rā-si, n. government by the worst men in the state. [Gr. kakistos, superl. of kakos, bad, kratia, rule.]

Kala, kä′la, n. time: destiny.—Kâla chakra, the wheel of time. [Sans.]

Kalamdan, kal′am-dan, n. a Persian writing-case, with compartments for ink, reed-pens, knife, &c.

Kalamkari, kal-am-kar′i, n. a method of colouring and decorating by several dyeings or printings, also a chintz so treated. [Pers.]

Kale, Kail, kāl, n. a cabbage with open curled leaves, cabbage generally: broth of which kale is a chief ingredient.—ns. Kail′yard, a kitchen-garden; Kale′-runt, a cabbage-stem.—Kailyard-school, a group of writers of stories of humble Scotch country life—S. R. Crockett, Ian Maclaren, &c. [Cole.]

Kaleidophone, ka-lī′do-fōn, n. an instrument consisting of a rod or thin plate with a knob at the end, for showing the curves corresponding with the musical notes produced by the vibrations. [Gr. kalos, beautiful, eidos, form, phōnē, sound.]

Kaleidoscope, ka-lī′do-skōp, n. an optical toy in which we see an endless variety of beautiful colours and forms.—adj. Kaleidoscop′ic. [Gr. kalos, beautiful, eidos, form, skopein, to see.]

Kalevala, kal-e-vä′lä, n. the great Finnish epic, written in eight-syllabled trochaic verse (from which Longfellow's Hiawatha is imitated), taken down from the lips of the peasantry and pieced together by Dr. Lönnrot of Helsingfors in 1835, in extended form (22,793 verses) in 1849. [Finnish, kaleva, a hero, -la, denoting place.]

Kali, kal′i, or kā′lī, n. the prickly saltwort or glasswort.—adj. Kalig′enous, producing alkalies.—n. Kā′lium, potassium.

Kali, kä′lē, n. a carpet with long nap, also the large carpet covering the centre of a Persian room.

Kali, kä′lē, n. a Hindu goddess, wife of Siva, the dark goddess of destruction—called also Durga.

Kaliyuga, kal-i-yōō′ga, n. in Hindu mythology, the present age of the world, the fourth, characterised by universal degeneracy.

Kalmia, kal′mi-ä, n. a genus of North American evergreen shrubs, including the American mountain laurel. [From Peter Kalm, pupil of Linnæus.]

Kalmuck, kal′muk, n. a member of a Mongolian race.—Also Cal′muck. [Russ.]

Kalology, kal-ol′o-ji, n. the science of beauty in itself considered. [Gr. kalos, beautiful, logia, discourse.]

Kalong, ka-long′, n. a general name of the large fruit-bats, flying foxes, &c.

Kalpa, kal′pa, n. a day of Brahma, a period of 4320 million years.—Also Cal′pa. [Sans., 'formation.']

Kama, kä′ma, n. the god of love in the Purânas: impure desire.—Also Cama, Ka′madeva.

Kames, kāmz, n.pl. (geol.) banks and ridges of gravel, sand, &c., associated with the glacial deposits of Scotland—the same as åsar (q.v.) and eskar.

Kami, kä′mi, n. a Japanese term for a lord, for any of the national gods, demi-gods, or deified heroes, or any of their supposed descendants, as the mikados and the imperial family. [Japanese, 'superior.']

Kamila, Kamela, ka-mē′la, n. an East Indian orange dye-stuff yielded by a common Madras tree of the spurge family.

Kamis, Kamees, ka-mēs′, n. the long loose sleeved shirt worn by men in Mohammedan countries.

Kamptulicon, kamp-tū′li-kon, n. a ground cork and caoutchouc floorcloth. [Gr. kamptein, to bend.]

Kana, kä′na, n. Japanese writing, as distinguished from Japanese written in Chinese characters.

Kanaka, ka-nak′a, n. a Hawaiian or Sandwich Islander: one of the native labourers brought from the Pacific islands, on engagement for a certain fixed number of years, to Australia, &c. [Hawaiian, 'a man.']

Kaneh, kä′ne, n. a Hebrew measure of 6 cubits length.—Also Cā′neh.

Kang, kang, n. a large Chinese water-jar: an oven-like brick structure in northern China, for sleeping on at night, a fire being lighted underneath.

Kangaroo, kang-gar-ōō′, n. a large marsupial mammal of Australia, with very long hind-legs and great power of leaping.—n. Kangaroo′-grass, a valuable Australian fodder grass.

Kanten, kan′ten, n. a gelatinous substance extracted from seaweeds, used for soups and for sizing. [Jap.]

Kantian, kan′shi-an, adj. pertaining to the doctrines of, or belonging to, the great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).—ns. Kan′tianism, Kant′ism, the doctrines or philosophy of Kant; Kant′ist, a disciple or follower of Kant.

Kantikoy, Canticoy, kan′ti-koi, n. a religious dance among American Indians, a dancing-match.—v.i. to dance as an act of worship.

Kaolin, kä′o-lin, n. same as China clay. [From the mountain Kao-ling ('high ridge') in China.]

Kapellmeister, kä-pel′mīs-ter, n. the director of an orchestra or choir, esp. the band of a ruling prince in Germany. [Ger. kapelle, chapel, orchestra, meister, master.]

Kapnography, kap-nog′ra-fi, n. the art of producing decorative designs on a smoked surface with a fine point, shading by successive deposits of carbon from a flame, fixed by varnish.—adj. Kapnograph′ic. [Gr. kapnos, smoke, graphia—graphein, to write.]

Kapok, ka-pok′, n. a cottony or silky fibre covering the seeds of a species of silk-cotton tree, used for stuffing pillows, &c.

Karaite, kā′rä-īt, n. one of a stricter sect of Jews who cling to the literal interpretation of Scripture as against oral tradition. [Heb. karaīm, readers.]

Karma, kär′mä, n. the Buddhist conception of the quality of actions, including both merit and demerit, determining the future condition of all sentient beings by a sort of virtue inherent in the nature of things—by the blind and unconscious but inevitable concatenation of cause and effect: the theory of inevitable consequence generally: the result of the actions of a life.—adj. Kar′mic. [Sans. karma, work.]

Karmathian, kär-mā′thi-an, n. a member of a pantheistic socialistic Mohammedan sect which arose in Turkey about the close of the 9th century. [Karmat, its founder.]

Karroo, ka-rōō′, n. a generic name given to the high barren plains of Cape Colony.—Also Karoo′. [Hottentot, karusa, hard.]

Kassu, kas′ōō, n. a kind of catechu made from the fruit of the betel-nut palm.

Kat, kat, n. the chief ancient Egyptian unit of weight, 1⁄50 lb. avoirdupois.

Katabolism, kat-ab′ol-izm, n. (biol.) the discharging or disruptive process to which protoplasm is constantly subject—the opposite of Anabolism, the up-building, constructive process.—Also Catab′olism. [Gr. katabolē, kataballein, to throw down.]

Katakana, kat-a-kä′na, n. one of the two styles of writing the syllabary of 48 letters in use among the Japanese (the other being Hiragana), used chiefly for proper names and foreign words.

Katydid, kā-ti-did′, n. an American insect akin to the grasshopper. [Imit. of its note.]

Kauri-pine, kow′ri-pīn, n. a splendid forest-tree of New Zealand, yielding the well-known Kau′ri-gum, a resin used in making varnish.

Kava, kä′va, n. Piper methysticum, also the narcotic drink prepared from it.—Also A′va.

Kavass, ka-vas′, n. an armed man attendant on a person of distinction in Turkey.—Also Cavass′. [Turk. qawas.]

Kayak, ka′yak, n. a canoe used in Greenland, made of seal-skins stretched on a frame.

Keb, keb, v.i. (Scot.) to cast a lamb prematurely.—n. a ewe which has cast its lamb: a sheep louse or tick.

Kebbock, keb′uk. n. (Scot.) a cheese.—Also Kebb′uck. [Gael. cabag, a cheese.]

Keckle, kek′l, v.t. to preserve or protect by binding with old rope or chains, as a cable:—pr.p. keck′ling; pa.p. keck′led.—n. Keck′ling, rope, chains, &c. used to keckle cables or hawsers.

Kedge, kej, n. a small anchor for keeping a ship steady, and for warping the ship.—v.t. to move by means of a kedge, to warp.—n. Kedg′er, a kedge. [Scand.; cf. Sw. prov. keka, to drive slowly.]

Kedge, kej, adj. (prov.) brisk, lively: pot-bellied.—Also Kedg′y, Kidge.

Kedjeree, kej′e-rē, n. a mess of rice, cooked with butter and the dholl pea, flavoured with spice, shred onion, &c., common all over India, and often served at Anglo-Indian breakfast-tables. [Hind. khichrī.]

Keek, kēk, v.i. (Scot.) to peep.—n. a peep.—ns. Keek′er, an inspector of mining; Keek′ing-glass, a mirror. [M. E. kyken; cf. Dut. kijken, Ger. kucken.]

Keel, kēl, n. the part of a ship extending along the bottom from stem to stern, and supporting the whole frame: a low flat-bottomed boat: a Tyne coal-barge: a ship generally: (bot.) the lowest petals of the corolla of a papilionaceous flower.—v.t. or v.i. to plough with a keel, to navigate: to turn keel upwards.—n. Keel′age, dues for a keel or ship in port.—adj. Keeled (bot.) keel-shaped: having a prominence on the back.—ns. Keel′er, Keel′man, one who works on a barge.—v.t. Keel′haul, to punish by hauling under the keel of a ship by ropes from the one side to the other: to treat a subordinate in a galling manner. [A.S. ceól, a ship; Ger. and Dut. kiel; prob. confused with Ice. kiölr, a keel.]

Keel, kēl, n. (Scot.) red chalk, ruddle.—v.t. to mark with ruddle. [Prob. Gael. cil, ruddle.]

Keelie, kē′li, n. (Scot.) the kestrel: a street Arab or young rough. [Imit.]

Keelivine, kē′li-vīn, n. (Scot.) a lead pencil.—Also Kee′lyvine. [See keel, ruddle; ety. dub.]

Keelson, Kelson, kel′sun, n. an inner keel placed right over the outer keel of a ship, and securely fastened thereto. [Sw. kölsvin, Norw. kjölsvill, the latter syllable=Ger. schwelle, Eng. sill.]

Keen, kēn, adj. eager: sharp, having a fine edge: piercing: acute of mind: penetrating: intense.—adv. Keen′ly.—n. Keen′ness. [A.S. céne; Ger. kühn, bold; Ice. kænn, wise. Cog. with ken and can.]

Keen, kēn, n. a lamentation over the dead.—v.i. to wail over the dead.—n. Keen′er, a professional mourner. [Ir. caoine.]

Keep, kēp, v.t. to have the care of: to guard: to maintain: to manage: to have in one's service: to hold for one's own use or enjoyment: to remain in: to adhere to: to practise: not to lose: to maintain hold upon: to restrain from departure: to preserve in a certain state: to maintain: to fulfill.—v.i. to remain in any position or state: to remain fresh: to last or endure: to continue: to adhere: to have rooms at college (Cambridge):—-pr.p. keep′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. kept.—n. that which keeps or protects: subsistence: food: the innermost and strongest part of a castle, the donjon: a stronghold.—ns. Keep′er, an attendant, manager, owner: a gamekeeper: socket, guard-ring; Keep′ership, office of a keeper; Keep′ing, care: custody: charge: (Shak.) maintenance, support: just proportion, harmony: (paint.) due proportion of light and shade; Keep′ing-room, a sitting-room, parlour; Keep′sake, something given to be kept for the sake of the giver—the name used often to be applied to the annuals or sumptuous gift-books so much in vogue about 1830.—Keep an act, to hold an academical disputation; Keep an eye on, Keep company, chapel, counsel, distance, hours, house, the peace, &c. (see the nouns); Keep a term (see Term); Keep at it, to persist in anything; Keep back, to withhold: keep down, to repress (see also Dark); Keep body and soul together, to maintain life; Keep down, to restrain; Keep from, to abstain from: to remain away from; Keep going in a thing, to keep one supplied with it; Keep in, to prevent from escaping: to confine a pupil in the schoolroom after school hours: to conceal: to restrain; Keep in with, to maintain the confidence or friendship of some one; Keep off, to hinder from approaching or making an attack; Keep one's countenance, to preserve a calm appearance, hiding one's emotions; Keep one's hand in, to retain one's skill by means of constant practice; Keep the breath to cool one's porridge, to confine attention to one's own affairs; Keep the powder dry, to keep one's energies ready for action; Keep to, to stick closely to: to confine one's self to; Keep under, to hold down in restraint; Keep up, to retain one's strength or spirit: to support, prevent from falling: to continue, to prevent from ceasing: to maintain in good condition. [A.S. cépan, orig. to traffic, hence to store up, keep—ceáp, price.]

Kelp, kelp, n. the calcined ashes of seaweed, once used in making glass.—Also Kilp. [Ety. unknown.]

Kelpie, Kelpy, kel′pi, n. (Scot.) a malignant water-sprite haunting fords in the form of a horse.

Kelt, kelt, n. (Scot.) cloth made of black and white wool mixed and not dyed.—adj. Kel′ter, made of such.

Keltie, Kelty, kel′ti, n. (Scot.) a bumper imposed as a penalty on one who does not drink fair.

Kemp, kemp, n. the coarse rough hairs of wool: (pl.) knotty hair which will not felt.

Kemp, kemp, n. (arch.) a champion: (Scot.) a contest in work, &c.—v.i. to strive for mastery.—ns. Kem′per, Kem′pery-man, a champion, a knight-errant. [A.S. cempa, a warrior. Cf. champion.]

Ken, ken, v.t. to know: (arch.) to see and recognise at a distance.—n. range of knowledge or sight.—n. Ken′ning (Bacon), range of vision: (Scot.) a small portion.—adj. Ken′speckle (Scot.), conspicuous—also Ken′speck. [Ice. kenna, orig. to cause to know. Cf. can and know.]

Ken, ken, n. (slang) a house. [Perh. Pers. khān, a caravansary; not conn. with kennel.]

Kendal-green, ken′dal-grēn, n. green cloth for foresters made at Kendal in Westmorland.

Kennel, ken′el, n. a house for dogs: a pack of hounds: the hole of a fox, &c.: a haunt.—v.t. to keep in a kennel.—v.i. to live in a kennel:—pr.p. kenn′elling; pa.p. kenn′elled. [Norm. Fr. kenil (Fr. chenil)—L. canīle—canis, a dog.]

Kennel, ken′el, n. the water-course of a street: a gutter. [A form of canal.]

Kenosis, ken-ō′sis, n. the self-limitation on the part of the Logos in the act of incarnation, his emptying of himself, or his laying aside not only his divine attributes, but even his divine self-consciousness, only to be fully recovered at the ascension.—adj. Kenot′ic.—n. Kenot′icist. [Gr., from the phrase in Phil. ii. 6, 7, 'who, being in the form of God ... emptied himself (ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε), taking the form of a servant.']

Kent, kent, n. (Scot.) a pole, pike.—v.i. to propel a boat by a pole. [Prob. a variant of the verb cant.]

Kentish, kent′ish, adj. pertaining to Kent.—ns. Kent′ish-fire, rounds of noisy applause at political meetings—from the anti-Catholic demonstrations in Kent, 1828-29; Kent′ish-rag, a rough fossiliferous limestone found in Kent.

Kentledge, kent′lej, n. pig-iron laid in a ship's hold for ballast.—Also Kint′ledge.

Kepi, kep′i, n. a flat-topped forage-cap with a straight peak. [Fr. képi.]

Keplerian, kep-lē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to the great German astronomer, Johann Kepler (1571-1630).—For Kepler's laws, see Law.

Kerasine, ker′a-sin, adj. like or made of horn.—ns. Keratī′asis, a morbid condition characterised by warty or horny growths; Ker′atin, a nitrogenous compound, the essential ingredient of horny tissue, as of horns, nails, &c. [Gr. keras, a horn.]

Keratitis, ker-a-tī′tis, n. inflammation of the cornea, either acute or chronic.—n. Keratal′gia, pain in the cornea.

Kerchief, kėr′chif, n. any loose cloth used in dress: (orig.) a square piece of cloth worn by women to cover the head.—v.t. to cover or dress with a kerchief.—adjs. Ker′chiefed, Ker′chieft. [M. E. couerchef—O. Fr. covrechef (Fr. couvrechef)—covrir, to cover, chef, the head.]

Kerf, kerf, n. the groove made by a saw: wool cut off at once by a wool-shearing machine: a single layer of hay, turf, &c., cut.

Kerion, kē′ri-on, n. a suppurative inflammation of the hair-follicles of the scalp. [Gr.]

Kerite, kē′rīt, n. a kind of artificial vulcanite of india-rubber and animal or vegetable oil. [Gr. kēros, wax.]

Kermes, kėr′mēz, n. a dye-stuff which consists of the bodies of the females of a species of coccus. [Pers.]

Kermess, kėr′mes, n. a wake or fair in the Low Countries. [Dut. kermis—kerk, church, mis, mass.]

Kern, kėrn n. (Scot.) the last sheaf of the harvest: a harvest-home—also Kirn.—n. Kern′-bā′by, an image decorated with blades of corn, &c., carried before reapers at their harvest-home. [A variant of corn.]

Kern, Kerne, kėrn, n. an Irish foot-soldier: a boor.—adj. Kern′ish, clownish. [Ir. ceatharnach.]

Kern, kėrn, n. (print.) that part of a type which overhangs the stem or shank.

Kernel, kėr′nel, n. anything in a husk or shell: the substance in the shell of a nut: the seed of a pulpy fruit: the important part of anything.—adj. Ker′nelly, full of, or resembling, kernels. [A.S. cyrnel—corn, grain, and dim. suffix -el; Ger. kern, a grain.]

Kerosene, ker′o-sēn, n. an oil obtained from bituminous coal, used for lamps, &c. [Gr. kēros, wax.]

Kersey, kėr′zi, n. a coarse woollen cloth. [Perh. from Kersey in Suffolk.]

Kerseymere, kėr′zi-mēr or kėr-zi-mėr′, n. twilled cloth of the finest wools. [A corr. of cassimere, cashmere.]

Kestrel, kes′trel, n. a small species of falcon. [O. Fr. quercerelle—L. querquedula.]

Ketch, kech, n. a small two-masted vessel, generally used as a yacht or a bomb-vessel. [Corr. from Turk. qaíq, a boat, whence Fr. caïque.]

Ketchup, kech′up, n. a sauce for flavouring soups, meats, &c., flavoured with mushrooms, tomatoes, &c.—Also Catch′up, Cat′sup. [East Ind. kitjap.]

Kettle, ket′l, n. a vessel of metal, for heating or boiling liquids: a cavity like a kettle in rock, sand, &c.: (Shak.) kettle-drum.—ns. Kett′le-drum, a musical instrument now used chiefly in orchestras and in cavalry bands, consisting of a hollow brass hemisphere with a parchment head, sounded by soft-headed elastic drumsticks: a tea-party; Kett′le-drum′mer; Kett′le-hold′er, a little mat, &c., for holding a kettle when hot.—n.pl. Kett′le-pins, skittle-pins.—A kettle of fish, or A pretty kettle of fish, a task of great difficulty, an awkward mess—most probably in this sense connected with kiddle. [A.S. cetel; Ger. kessel, Goth. katils; all perh. from L. catillus, dim. of catinus, a deep cooking-vessel.]

Kex, keks, n. the dry stalk of the hemlock or other umbelliferous plants.—Also Kecks, Keck′sy (prop. adj.), and Keck.

Key, kē, n. an instrument for shutting or opening a lock: that by which something is screwed or turned: the middle stone of an arch: a piece of wood let into another piece crosswise to prevent warping: (mus.) one of the small levers in musical instruments for producing notes: the fundamental note of a piece of music: that which explains a mystery: a book containing answers to exercises, &c.—ns. Key′board, the keys or levers in a piano or organ arranged along a flat board; Key′-bū′gle, a bugle with keys, having a compass of two octaves including semitones.—adjs. Key′-cold (Shak.), cold as a key, lifeless; Keyed, furnished with keys, as a musical instrument: set to a particular key, as a tune.—ns. Key′hole, the hole in which a key of a door, &c., is inserted; Key′note, the key or fundamental note of a piece of music; any central principle or controlling thought; Key′-pin, the pivot on which a pipe-key turns: a pin serving as fulcrum for a key of an organ, &c.; Key′-plate, the escutcheon around a keyhole; Key′ring, a ring for holding a bunch of keys; Key′-seat, a groove for receiving a key, to prevent one piece of machinery from turning on another; Key′stone, the stone at the apex of an arch: the chief element in any system.—Have the key of the street (coll.), to be locked out: to be homeless; Power of the keys, the power to loose and bind, to administer ecclesiastical discipline—a special authority conferred by Christ on Peter (Matt. xvi. 19), or Peter in conjunction with the other apostles, and claimed by the popes as the alleged successors to St Peter. Others explain it as belonging only to the apostles themselves, as descending to the bishops and clergy of the Christian Church, or as belonging to all Christ's disciples alike. [A.S. cæg, a key.]

Keys, kēz, n.pl. a contraction of House of Keys, a house of 24 representatives constituting the lower branch of the Legislature (Court of Tynwald) of the Isle of Man, self-elective down to 1866. [Manx kiare-as-feed, four-and-twenty.]

Khaki, kä′ki, adj. dust-coloured.—n. a light drab cloth used for some East Indian and other uniforms.

Khamsin, kam′sin, n. a hot south-west wind in Egypt, blowing for about fifty days from about the middle of March. [Ar.]

Khan, kan, n. an Eastern inn, a caravansary. [Turk.,—Pers. khāna, a house, a tent.]

Khan, kan, n. in North Asia, a prince or chief: in Persia, a governor.—n. Khan′ate, the dominion or jurisdiction of a khan. [Pers. khān, lord or prince, a Tartar word.]

Khedive, ked-ēv′, n. the title since 1867 of the viceroy or ruler of Egypt.—n. Khedi′viate, the office of the khedive, or his territory. [Fr.,—Pers. khadīw, prince.]

Khel, kel, n. in Afghanistan, a clan or family connection—a sociological group between the tribe and the family.

Khutbah, kut′ba, n. a Mohammedan prayer and sermon delivered in the mosques on Fridays.—Also Khot′bah.

Kibble, kib′l, n. the bucket of a draw-well.—n. Kibb′le-chain, the chain for drawing up a bucket.

Kibe, kīb, n. a chilblain. [W. cibwst, from cib, a cup, gwst, a disease.]

Kiblah, kib′la, n. the point toward which Mohammedans turn in prayer.—Also Keb′lah.

Kick, kik, v.t. to hit with the foot.—v.i. to thrust out the foot with violence: to show opposition or resistance: (of a gun) to recoil violently (see also Bullet): (print.) to work a press by impact of the foot on a treadle.—n. a blow with the foot: the turn of kicking the ball at football, the person who kicks or kicks off: the recoil of a gun: (slang) fashion.—adj. Kick′able.—ns. Kick′er, one who kicks, esp. a horse; Kick′-off, the first kick in a game of football; Kick′-up, a disturbance.—Kick over the traces, to throw off control; Kick, or Strike, the beam, to rise, as the lighter scale of a balance, so as to strike against the beam—hence to be of little weight or importance; Kick the bucket (see Bucket); Kick up a dust or row, to create a disturbance.—Drop kick, a kick made as the ball, dropped from the hand, rebounds from the ground; Place kick, a kick made when the ball is lying on the ground. [M. E. kiken—W. cicio, to kick, Gael. ceig.]

Kickshaws, kik′shawz, n. something uncommon or fantastical that has no name: (cook.) a fantastical dish. [Corr. of Fr. quelque chose, something.]

Kicksy-wicksy, kik′si-wik′si, adj. flickering, uncertain.—n. (Shak.) a wife.

Kid, kid, n. a young goat: (slang) a child, esp. a boy: (pl.) gloves of kid leather.—adj. made of kid leather or imitation kid leather.—v.t. and v.i. to bring forth a goat:—pr.p. kid′ding; pa.p. kid′ded.—ns. Kid′-fox (Shak.), a young fox; Kid′ling, a young kid. [Dan. kid; cf. Ice. kidh; Ger. kitze, a young goat.]

Kid, kid, v.t. and v.i. (slang) to hoax—also Kid′dy.—n. a deception. [Perh. conn. with kid, a child.]

Kidderminster, kid′ėr-min-stėr, n. a kind of carpet (two-ply or ingrain carpet), from the town.

Kiddle, kid′l, n. a stake-fence set in a stream for catching fish.—Also Kid′el, Kett′le. [O. Fr. quidel; prob. Bret. kidel.]

Kidnap, kid′nap, v.t. to steal, as a human being:—pr.p. kid′napping; pa.t. and pa.p. kid′napped.—n. Kid′napper. [Vulgar kid (old thieves' cant, kinchin—Ger. kindchen), a child, and vulgar nab, to steal.]

Kidney, kid′ni, n. one of two flattened glands, on each side of the loins, which secrete the urine: temperament, humour, disposition—hence, sort or kind, as in 'of the same kidney,' &c.—ns. Kid′ney-bean, a kind of bean shaped like a kidney; Kid′ney-potā′to, one of various kidney-shaped varieties of the common potato; Kid′ney-vetch, a genus of leguminous plants, the only British species being called Lady's Fingers; Kid′ney-wort, a plant of the genus Saxifrage. [M. E. kidnere—Ice. kviðr, the womb, the belly, Ice. nýra (Ger. niere, a kidney).]

Kieselguhr, kē′zl-gūr, n. the mineral remains of a species of algæ, used in the manufacture of dynamite. [Ger.,—kiesel, flint, guhr, fermentation.]

Kikumon, kik′ōō-mon, n. a badge or crest of the imperial family of Japan, consisting of an open chrysanthemum flower.

Kilderkin, kil′dėr-kin, n. a small barrel: a liquid measure of 18 gallons. [Old Dut. kindeken, kinneken (Scot. kinken), dim. of Dut. kind, a child.]

Kill, kil, v.t. to put to death, to slay: to nullify or neutralise, to weaken or dilute, to render inactive: to reject, discard: to fascinate, overcome.—n. the act of killing, as game.—ns. Kill′-court′esy (Shak.), a discourteous, boorish person; Kill′-crop, a changeling; Kill′er, one who kills, a slaughterer or butcher: a club for killing fish: a ferocious delphinid which sometimes attacks the whale.—p.adj. Kill′ing, depriving of life: destructive: deadly, irresistible: completely fascinating.—n. and adj. Kill′joy, a mar-sport, austere.—Kill by inches, by gradual means, as by torture; Kill off, to exterminate; Kill time, to consume spare time, as with amusements, &c.; Kill two birds with one stone, to effect one thing by the way, or by the same means with which another thing is done; Kill up (Shak.), to exterminate.—Killing times, the days of the persecution of the Covenanters.—Do a thing to kill, in an irresistible manner. [M. E. killen or cullen—Ice. kolla, to hit on the head—kollr, the head; not a doublet of quell.]

Killdee, kil′dē, n. the largest variety of North American ring-plover. [Imit.]

Killut, kil′ut, n. in India, a robe of honour given: any ceremonial present.—Also Kell′aut.

Kilmarnock, kil-mar′nok, n. a kind of closely woven broad bonnet, having a peak of the same material at the top, originally made at Kilmarnock.—Kilmarnock cowl, a kind of nightcap.

Kiln, kil, n. a large oven in which corn, bricks, hops, &c. are dried: bricks placed for burning.—v.t. Kiln′-dry, to dry in a kiln.—n. Kiln′-hole, the mouth of a kiln. [A.S. cyln (Ice. kylna, a drying-house for corn)—L. culina, a kitchen.]

Kilogramme, kil′o-gram, n. a French measure of weight, equal to 1000 grammes, or 21⁄5 lb. avoirdupois. [Gr. chilioi, 1000, gramma, a weight.]

Kilometre, kil′o-mē-tr, n. a French measure, being 1000 metres, or nearly ⅝ of a mile. [Fr.,—Gr. chilioi, 1000, metron, a measure.]

Kilt, kilt, n. a kind of short petticoat or plaited skirt, forming part of the Highland dress.—v.t. (Scot.) to truss up.—adj. Kilt′ed, dressed in a kilt.—n. Kilt′ie, one wearing a kilt, a soldier in a Highland regiment. [Northern Eng. kilt, to tuck up, from Dan. kilte, to tuck up: cf. Ice. kilting, a skirt.]

Kilter, kil′tėr, n. order, proper condition—in phrase, 'out of kilter.'—Also Kel′ter.

Kimono, ki-mō′nō, n. a loose robe, fastening with a sash, the principal outer garment in Japan.

Kin, kin, n. persons of the same family: relatives: relationship: affinity.—adj. related.—adj. Kin′less, without relations.—Next of kin, the relatives (lineal or collateral) of a deceased person, among whom his personal property is distributed if he dies intestate; Of kin, of the same kin. [A.S. cynn; Ice. kyn, Goth. kuni, family, race; cog. with L. genus, Gr. genos.]

Kinchin, kin′chin, n. a child in thieves' slang.—n. Kin′chin-mort, a child, generally a girl.—Kinchin lay, the robbing of children. [Cf. kidnap.]

Kind, kīnd, n. those of kin, a race: sort or species, a particular variety: nature: style, method of action, character: produce, as distinguished from money.—adj. having the feelings natural for those of the same family: disposed to do good to others: benevolent.—adj. Kind′-heart′ed.—n. Kind′-heart′edness.—adj. Kind′less (Shak.), destitute of kindness, unnatural.—n. Kind′ness.—adj. Kind′-spok′en, spoken kindly: given to speaking kindly.—Kind of (coll.), somewhat, to some extent—used adverbially with adjectives and even verbs.—Do one's kind (Shak.), to act according to one's nature; In a kind, in a way, to some extent; In kind, payment in goods instead of money. [A.S. cynde—cynn, kin.]

Kindergarten, kin′dėr-gär′tn, n. an infant school on Froebel's principle (1826), in which object-lessons and games figure largely.—n. Kindergart′ner, a teacher in a kindergarten. [Ger. kinder, children, garten, garden.]

Kindle, kin′dl, v.t. to set fire to: to light: to inflame, as the passions: to provoke: to excite to action.—v.i. to take fire: to begin to be excited: to be roused.—ns. Kin′dler; Kin′dling, the act of causing to burn: the materials for commencing a fire. [Ice. kyndyll, a torch—L. candela, candle.]

Kindle, kin′dl, v.t. (Shak.) to bring forth (young). [M. E. kindlen—kinde, kind.]

Kindly, kīnd′li, adj. natural: benevolent: (orig.) belonging to the kind or race.—n. Kind′liness.—adv. Kind′ly.—adj. Kind′ly-nā′tured.—Kindly tenant (Scot.), a tenant of the same stock as his landlord, or who held his lands in succession, from father to son, for several generations.

Kindred, kin′dred, n. relationship by blood, less properly, by marriage: relatives: (pl., B.) families.—adj. related: congenial. [M. E. kinrede—A.S. cynn, kin, and the suffix -ræden, expressing mode or state.]

Kine, kīn, n.pl. (B.) cows. [M. E. ky-en, a doubled plural of A.S. cú, a cow, the plural of which is cý; cf. Scotch kye.]

Kinematics, kin-e-mat′iks, n. the science which treats of motion without reference to force.—adjs. Kinemat′ic, -al. [Gr. kinēma, -atos, motion—kinein, to move.]

Kinematograph, kin-e-mat′o-graf, n. an arrangement by which a numerous series of photographs, taken at rapid intervals, and representing some moving scene, is shown on a screen at the same rapid rate at which they were taken, giving a moving representation of the original scene—less correct but more common form, Cinemat′ograph (sin-). [Gr. kinēma, kinēmatos, motion, graphein, to write.]

Kinesipathy, kin-ē-sip′a-thi, n. a mode of treating disease by muscular movements, movement-cure—-also Kinesither′apy.—adjs. Kinesiat′ric, Kinesipath′ic.—n. Kinesip′athist.

Kinetics, ki-net′iks, n. the science which treats of the action of force in producing or changing motion.—adjs. Kinet′ic, -al.—ns. Kinet′ograph, a device by which a series of photographs of a moving object can be thrown on a screen so as to imitate the motion of the original; Kinet′oscope, an instrument for illustrating the production of kinematic curves by the combination of circular movements of different radii. [Gr. kinētikos—kinein, to move.]

King, king, n. the chief ruler of a nation: a monarch: a playing-card having the picture of a king: the most important piece in chess: a crowned man in draughts: one who is pre-eminent among his fellows:—fem. Queen.—v.t. to play king.—ns. King′-at-arms, or King′-of-arms, a chief officer of the Heralds' Colleges, whose designations are, for England, Norroy, Clarencieux, and Garter; for Scotland, Lyon; and for Ireland, Ulster; King′-bird, an American tyrant fly-catcher; King′crab, the chief or largest of the crab genus, most common in the Molucca Islands; King′craft, the art of governing, mostly in a bad sense; King′cup, the buttercup or upright meadow crowfoot; King′dom, the state or attributes of a king: the territory of a king: government: a region: one of the three grand divisions of Natural History, as the animal, vegetable, or mineral.—adj. King′domed (Shak.), endowed with kingly power, proud.—ns. King′fisher, a bird with very brilliant plumage, feeding on fish, the halcyon; King′hood, kingship: kingliness.—adj. King′less.—ns. King′let, King′ling, a little or petty king: the golden-crested wren.—ns. King′lihood, King′liness.—adj. King′-like.—adj. King′ly, belonging or suitable to a king: royal: noble—also adv.—ns. King′-mak′er, one who has the creating of kings in his power; King′post, a perpendicular beam in the frame of a roof rising from the tie-beam to the ridge; King's′-cush′ion, a seat formed by two people's hands; King's′-ē′vil, a scrofulous disease or evil formerly supposed to be healed by the touch of the king; King′ship, the state, office, or dignity of a king; King's′-hood, the second stomach of a ruminant, sometimes humorously for the human stomach; King's′-spear, a plant of the genus Asphodel; King's′-yell′ow, arsenic trisulphide or orpiment; King′-vul′ture, a large tropical brilliantly-coloured American vulture; King′wood, a beautiful Brazilian wood—also Violet-wood.—King Charles spaniel (see Spaniel); King Log, a do-nothing king, as opp. to King Stork, one who devours his frog-subjects—from Æsop's fable; King Mob, the vulgar multitude; King of beasts, the lion; King of metals, gold; King of terrors, death; King of the forest, the oak; King's Bench, the bench or seat of the king: one of the high courts of law, so called because the king used to sit there, called Queen's Bench during a queen's reign; King's counsel an honorary rank of barristers; King's evidence, a criminal allowed to become a witness against an accomplice.—Kingdom come (slang), the state after death.—Three kings of Cologne, the three Wise Men of the East, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. [A.S. cyning—cyn, a tribe, with suffix -kin; cog. with kin.]

Kink, kingk, n. a twist in a string, rope, &c.—also Kink′le.—v.i. and v.t. to twist.—adj. Kink′y, full of kinks: woolly: crotchety. [Scand.; Sw. and Norw. kink.]

Kink, kingk, v.i. to cough loudly, gasp for breath.—n. a convulsive cough or gasp.—n. Kink′cough, whooping-cough, chincough (q.v.).

Kinkajou, kin′ka-jōō, n. a South American quadruped allied to the raccoon.

Kino, kē′no, n. an astringent vegetable exudation resembling catechu. [East Indian.]

Kinsfolk, kinz′fōk, n. folk or people kindred or related to one another.—ns. Kin′ship, relationship; Kins′man, a man of the same kin or race with another:—fem. Kins′woman.

Kiosk, ki-osk′, n. an Eastern garden pavilion: a small shop like a sentry-box for the sale of papers, &c. [Turk.,—Pers. kushk.]

Kip, kip, n. the skin of a young animal.—n. Kip′skin, leather made from the skin of young cattle, intermediate between calf-skin and cow-hide.

Kip, kip, n. a level or slight incline at the end of an underground way, on which the tubs of coal stand till hoisted up the shaft.

Kipper, kip′ėr, n. a male salmon after the spawning season: a salmon split open, seasoned, and dried.—v.t. to cure or preserve, as a salmon or haddock. [Dut. kippen, to seize; Norw. kippa.]

Kirimon, kē′ri-mon, n. one of the two imperial crests of Japan, bearing three leaves and three flowers of paulownia.

Kirk, kėrk, n. in Scotland, a church—sometimes 'the Kirk' means the Established Church specially.—ns. Kirk′in, the first attendance of a pair after marriage, of a magistrate after election; Kirk′-sess′ion, the lowest court in Presbyterian churches, being the governing body of a particular congregation; Kirk′ton (Scot.), the village in which the parish church stands; Kirk′yard, a graveyard.—Auld Kirk, the Established Church in Scotland—by association of ideas, (coll.) the whisky bottle, whisky. [A Northern Eng. form of church.]

Kirschwasser, kērsh′väs-ser, n. a liqueur made from the wild cherry. [Ger., 'cherry water.']

Kirtle, kėr′tl, n. a sort of gown or outer petticoat: a mantle.—adj. Kir′tled. [A.S. cyrtel; Dan. kiortel; Ice. kyrtill: perh. conn. with skirt and shirt.]

Kiss, kis, v.t. to press one's lips to in affection or reverence: to treat with fondness: to touch gently: to collide (of two billiard-balls).—v.i. to salute with the lips.—n. a salute with the lips.—ns. Kiss′-curl, a small curl at the side of the forehead; Kiss′er; Kiss′ing-com′fit, a perfumed comfit for sweetening the breath; Kiss′ing-crust, that part of the upper crust of the loaf which, while baking, overhangs the edge and touches another.—n.pl. Kiss′ing-strings, cap or bonnet strings tied under the chin.—n. Kiss′-me, the wild form of Viola tricolor, the pansy: a short veil: a small bonnet—also Kiss′-me-quick.—Kiss hands, to kiss the sovereign's hands on a minister's acceptance of office; Kiss of peace, a kiss of greeting exchanged between the members of the early Church, a shadow of which survives in the kissing of the pax at high mass; Kiss the book, to kiss a copy of the New Testament, in England, after taking a legal oath; Kiss the dust, to be felled to the ground, to be slain or vanquished; Kiss the gunner's daughter, to get a flogging, tied to the breech of a cannon; Kiss the rod, to submit to punishment. [A.S. cyssan, to kiss—coss, a kiss; Ger. küssen, Dan. kys; allied to choose and gust.]

Kist, kist, n. (Scot.) a chest.—Kist o' whistles, an organ. [A.S. cist.]

Kistvaen, kist′vā-en, n. a burial-chamber made of flat stones, and shaped like a chest. [W. cist, chest, maen, stone.]

Kit, kit, n. a small wooden tub: the outfit of necessaries of a soldier, sailor, or mechanic. [Old Dut. kitte, a hooped beer-can.]

Kit, kit, a small pocket violin. [Contracted from A.S. cytere—L. cythara, a guitar.]

Kit, kit, n. a contraction of kitten.—n. Kit′-cat, a game played with sticks and a small piece of wood called a cat.

Kitcat, kit′kat, n. the name of a Whig London literary club, which existed from 1700 to about 1720, meeting for some time in the house of a pastry-cook named Christopher Katt: a portrait 36 by 28 inches in size, so called from the portraits of the Kitcat Club painted by Sir G. Kneller.

Kitchen, kich′en, n. a room where food is cooked: a utensil with a stove for dressing food, &c.: anything eaten as a relish with bread, potatoes, &c.—v.t. (Shak.) to regale in the cook-room: to serve as relish to food, to make palatable, to use sparingly, as one would a relish—to make it last.—ns. Kitch′endom, the domain of the kitchen; Kitch′ener, a person employed in the kitchen: a cooking-stove; Kitch′en-fee, the fat which falls from meat in roasting; Kitch′en-gar′den, a garden where vegetables are cultivated for the kitchen; Kitch′en-knave, a scullion; Kitch′en-maid, a maid or servant whose work is in the kitchen; Kitch′en-mid′den (Dan. kjökkenmödding), a prehistoric rubbish-heap in Denmark, the north of Scotland, &c.; Kitch′en-phys′ic, substantial fare (Milt.); Kitch′en-range, a kitchen grate with oven, boiler, &c. attached, for cooking; Kitch′en-stuff, material used in kitchens: kitchen refuse, esp. fat from pots, &c.; Kitch′en-wench, a kitchen-maid. [A.S. cicen; Ger. küche, Fr. cuisine, all from L. coquina—coquĕre, to cook.]

Kite, kīt, n. a rapacious bird of the hawk kind: a rapacious person: a light frame covered with paper for flying in the air, attached to a long cord, by means of which it is steered: a light and lofty sail: an accommodation bill, esp. a mere paper credit.—n. Kite′-fly′ing, the dealing in fictitious accommodation paper to raise money. [A.S. cýta; cf. W. cud, Bret. kidel, a hawk.]

Kite, kīt, n. (Scot.) the belly.—Also Kyte. [A.S. cwith, the womb.]

Kith, kith, n. kindred, acquaintance, obsolete except in the phrase Kith and kin, acquaintances and relatives. [A.S. cúð—cunnan, to know.]

Kitten, kit′n, n. a young cat.—v.i. to bring forth young cats.—n. (Scot.) Kit′ling.—adj. Kitt′enish, frolicsome.—v.i. Kitt′le (Scot.), to bring forth kittens. [M. E. kitoun, dim. of cat.]

Kittiwake, kit′i-wāk, n. a species of gull with long wings and rudimentary hind-toe. [Imit.]

Kittle, kit′l, adj. (Scot.) ticklish, intractable.—v.t. (Scot.) to tickle.—adj. Kitt′ly, easily tickled, sensitive.—n. Kitt′ly-bend′ers (Amer.), running on thin bending ice.

Klang, klang, n. (mus.) a complex tone, composed of fundamental and harmonics, as opposed to a simple tone. [Ger.]

Klepht, kleft, n. a Greek or Albanian brigand. [Gr., from kleptein, to steal.]

Kleptomania, klep-to-mā′ni-a, n. a mania for stealing: a morbid impulse to secrete things.—n. Kleptomā′niac. [Gr. kleptein to steal, mania, madness.]

Knack, nak, n. a petty contrivance: a toy: a nice trick: dexterity, adroitness.—n. Knack′iness.—adjs. Knack′ish, Knack′y, cunning, crafty. [Orig. imit.; cf. Gael. cnac, Dut. knak, a crack, Ger. knacken, to crack.]

Knacker, nak′ėr, n. anything that knocks: (pl.) castanets or clappers, bones.

Knacker, nak′ėr, n. a dealer in old horses and dog's-meat: (prov.) a collier's horse. [From Ice. knakkr, a saddle.]

Knag, nag, n. a knot in wood: a peg.—n. Knag′giness, state of being knaggy.—adj. Knag′gy, knotty: rugged. [From a root found in Ir. and Gael. cnag, a knob; cf. Dan. knag, Ger. knagge.]

Knap, nap, v.t. to snap or break with a snapping noise: to break in pieces with blows, as stones: to bite off, nibble:—pr.p. knap′ping; pa.p. knapped.—ns. Knap′bottle, the bladder-campion; Knap′per, one who breaks stones, esp. one who breaks up flint-flakes for gun-flints; Knap′ping-hamm′er (Scot.), a hammer for breaking stones.—v.i. Knap′ple, to nibble. [Dut. knappen, to crack or crush.]

Knap, nap, n. (Bacon) a protuberance, a hillock.—n. Knap′weed, a general name for plants of the genus Centaurea of the composite family—star-thistle, bachelor's buttons. [Conn. with knob, knop.]

Knapsack, nap′sak, n. a provision-sack: a case for necessaries borne by soldiers and travellers. [Dut. knappen, to crack, eat, zak, a sack.]

Knar, när, n. a knot on a tree.—n. Knarl=Gnarl.—adj. Knarred, gnarled, knotty.

Knave, nāv, n. a false, deceitful fellow: a villain: a card bearing the picture of a servant or soldier: (Shak.) a boy.—ns. Knave′-bairn, a male child; Knav′ery, dishonesty; Knave′ship (Scot.), a certain quantity of grain, the due of the miller.—adj. Knav′ish, fraudulent: villainous.—adv. Knav′ishly.—n. Knav′ishness. [A.S. cnafa, cnapa, a boy, a youth; Ger. knabe, knappe.]

Knead, nēd, v.t. to work and press together into a mass, as flour into dough: to operate upon in massage: to mix.—ns. Knead′er; Knead′ing-trough, a trough for kneading. [A.S. cnedan; Ice. knoða, Ger. kneten, to knead.]

Knee, nē, n. the joint between the thigh and shin bones: a piece of timber or metal like a bent knee: (Shak.) a genuflection.—v.t. (Shak.) to kneel to, to go over on one's knees.—n.pl. Knee′-breech′es, breeches extending to just below the knee, as in court-dress.—n. Knee′-cap, the bone above the protuberance of the knee: a cap or strong covering for the knees, used chiefly for horses, to save their knees in case of a fall.—n.pl. Knee′-cords, knee-breeches of corduroy.—adjs. Knee′-crook′ing, obsequious: fawning; Kneed, having knees: (bot.) having angular joints like the knee; Knee′-deep, rising to the knees: sunk to the knees; Knee′-high, rising or reaching to the knees.—ns. Knee′-holl′y, butcher's broom: Knee′-joint, a joint with two pieces at an angle, so as to be very tight when pressed into a straight line; Knee′-pan, a flat, round bone on the front of the knee-joint; Knee′-piece, or -raft′er, an angular piece of timber strengthening a joint where two roof-timbers meet: any defensive appliance covering the knee; Knee′-stop, -swell, a lever worked by the performer's knee, for regulating the wind-supply of a reed-organ, &c.; Knee′-tim′ber, timber bent into a shape suitable for a knee in shipbuilding, &c.; Knee′-trib′ute (Milt.), the homage of kneeling.—Give, or Offer, a knee, to act as second or bottle-holder in a fight, the principal resting on the second's knee during the pauses between the rounds. [A.S. cneów, cneó; Ger. knie, L. genu, Gr. gonu.]

Kneel, nēl, v.i. to bend the knee: to rest or fall on the knee:—pa.t. and pa.p. kneeled, knelt.—n. Kneel′er, one who kneels. [Knee.]

Knell, nel, n. the stroke of a bell: the sound of a bell at a death or funeral.—v.i. to sound as a bell: toll.—v.t. to summon as by a tolling bell. [A.S. cnyllan, to beat noisily; Dut. and Ger. knallen.]

Knickerbockers, nik-ėr-bok′ėrz, n.pl. loose breeches gathered in at the knee.—Also Knick′ers. [From the wide-breeched Dutchmen in 'Knickerbocker's' (Washington Irving's) humorous History of New York, whence Knickerbocker has come to mean the descendant of one of the original Dutch settlers of New York.]

Knick-knack, nik′-nak, n. a trifle or toy.—n. Knick′-knack′ery, knick-knacks collectively. [A doubling of knack.]

Knife, nīf, n. an instrument for cutting: a sword or dagger:—pl. Knives (nīvz).—v.t. to stab with a knife: (Amer.) to try to destroy a political candidate's chances by a treacherous attack.—ns. Knife′-and-fork′, a trencherman; Knife′-board, a board on which knives are cleaned: (coll.) the seat running along the top of an omnibus; Knife′-boy, a boy employed in cleaning knives; Knife′-edge (mech.), a sharp piece of steel like a knife's edge serving as the axis of a balance, &c.; Knife′-grind′er, one who grinds or sharpens knives; Knife′-mon′ey, a knife-shaped bronze currency formerly used in China; Knife′-rest, a glass or metal utensil on which to rest a carving-knife or fork; Knife′-tray, a tray for holding knives.—War to the knife, mortal combat. [A.S. cníf: Ger. kneif, knife, kneifen, to nip.]

Knight, nīt, n. one of gentle birth and bred to arms, admitted in feudal times to a certain honourable military rank: (Shak.) an attendant: a champion: the rank, with the title 'Sir,' next below baronets: a piece used in the game of chess.—v.t. to create a knight.—ns. Knight′age, the collective body of knights; Knight′-bach′elor, one who has been knighted merely, not made a member of any titular order; Knight′-bann′eret, a knight who carried a banner, and who was superior in rank to the knight-bachelor; Knight′-err′ant, a knight who travelled in search of adventures; Knight′-err′antry; Knight′hood, the character or privilege of a knight: the order or fraternity of knights; Knight′hood-err′ant (Tenn.), the body of knights-errant.—adj. Knight′less (Spens.), unbecoming a knight.—n. Knight′liness, the bearing or duties of a knight.—adj. and adv. Knight′ly.—ns. Knight′-mar′shal, formerly an officer of the royal household; Knight′-serv′ice, tenure by a knight on condition of military service.—Knight of industry, a footpad, thief, or sharper; Knight of the carpet, a civil knight, as opposed to a military, so called because created kneeling on a carpet, not the field; Knight of the pestle, an apothecary; Knight of the post, one familiar with the whipping-post or pillory; Knight of the road, a highwayman; Knight of the shire, a member of parliament for a county; Knight's fee, the amount of land with which a knight was invested on his creation; Knights of Labour, in the United States, a national labour organisation; Knights of Malta (see Hospitaller); Knights of St Crispin, shoemakers; Knights of the rainbow, flunkeys from their liveries; Knights of the shears, tailors; Knights of the spigot, tapsters, publicans; Knights of the stick, compositors; Knights of the whip, coachmen; Knights Templars (see Templar). [A.S. cniht Ger. and Dut. knecht, Dan. knegt.]

Knit, nit, v.t. to form into a knot: to tie together: to unite into network by needles: to unite closely, to draw together: to contract.—v.i. to interweave with needles: to grow together:—pr.p. knit′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. knit′ted or knit.—n. (Shak.) a style of knitting.—ns. Knit′ter; Knit′ting, the work of a knitter: union, junction: the network formed by knitting; Knit′ting-machine′, a machine for knitting; Knit′ting-need′le, a long needle or wire used for knitting thread into stockings, &c. [A.S. cnyttan—cnotta, a knot.]

Knittle, nit′l, n. (naut.) a small line made of two or three yarns twisted with the fingers: (pl.) the halves of two yarns in a rope, twisted for pointing.

Knob, nob, n. a hard protuberance: a hard swelling: a round ball.—adj. Knobbed, containing or set with knobs.—n. Knob′biness.—adj. Knob′by, full of knobs: knotty.—n. Knob′stick (slang), a synonym for a blackleg or scab in trades-union slang. [Knop.]

Knobkerrie, nob′ker-i, n. a round-headed stick used as a club and a missile by the Kafirs.

Knock, nok, v.i. to strike with something hard or heavy: to drive or be driven against: to strike for admittance: to rap.—v.t. to strike: to drive against.—n. a sudden stroke: a rap.—adj. Knock′-down, such as to overthrow.—ns. Knock′er, the hammer suspended to a door for making a knock: a goblin inhabiting a mine who points out the presence of ore by knocks; Knock′ing, a beating on a door: a rap.—adj. Knock′-kneed, having knees that knock or touch in walking.—Knock about (slang), to saunter, loaf about; Knock down, to fell with a blow: assign to a bidder with a tap of the auctioneer's hammer; Knock into a cocked hat (see Cock); Knock off, to desist, cease: to accomplish hastily; Knock on the head, to bring to a sudden stop; Knock out, to beat in a boxing match, to overcome generally: to lose the scent—of hounds in fox-hunting; Knock-out auction, an auction where the bidders are largely swindling confederates; Knock together, to get together or construct hastily; Knock under, to give in, yield; Knock up, to rouse by knocking: weary out, or be worn out: to construct hastily: (U.S.) to get with child. [A.S. cnucian, cnocian; imit. like knack; cf. Gael. cnac, cnag, &c.]

Knoll, nōl, n. a round hillock: the top of a hill. [A.S. cnol; Ger. knollen, a knob, lump.]

Knop, nop, n. (B.) a knob, a bud. [A.S. cnœp; Dut. knop, Ger. knopf.]

Knosp, nosp, n. the unopened bud of a flower: an architectural ornament resembling such. [Ger. knospe.]

Knot, not, n. a wading-bird much resembling a snipe, sometimes said, but without evidence, to be named from King Cnut or Canute.

Knot, not, n. a bunch of threads or the like entangled or twisted: an interlacement of parts of a cord, &c., by twisting the ends about each other, and then drawing tight the loops thus formed: a piece of ribbon, lace, &c., folded or tied upon itself in some particular form, as shoulder-knot, breast-knot, &c.: anything like a knot in form: a bond of union: a difficulty: the gist of a matter: a cluster: the part of a tree where a branch shoots out: an epaulet: (naut.) a division of the knot-marked log-line: a nautical mile.—v.t. to tie in a knot: to unite closely.—v.i. to form knots or joints: to knit knots for a fringe:—pr.p. knot′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. knot′ted.—n. Knot′-grass, a common weed or grass, so called from the numerous joints or knots of its stem.—adjs. Knot′less, without knots; Knot′ted, full of, or having, knots: having intersecting lines or figures.—n. Knot′tiness.—adj. Knot′ty, containing knots: hard, rugged: difficult: intricate.—n. Knot′work, ornamental work made with knots.—Bowline knot (see Bow); Granny knot (see Granny); Porters' knot, a pad for supporting burdens on the head; Square knot, a knot used in tying reef-points so that the ends come out alongside the standing parts; Surgeons' knot, a square or reef knot used in tying a ligature round a cut artery; True lovers' knot, a kind of double knot with two bows and two ends, an emblem of interwoven affections.—Cut the knot, to solve a problem slap-dash (cf. Gordian). [A.S. cnotta; Ger. knoten, Dan. knude, L. nodus.]

Knout, nowt, n. a whip formerly used as an instrument of punishment in Russia: punishment inflicted by the knout. [Russ. knute.]

Know, nō, v.t. to be informed of: to be assured of: to be acquainted with: to recognise: (B.) to approve: to have sexual commerce with.—v.i. to possess knowledge:—pr.p. knōw′ing; pa.t. knew (nū); pa.p. known (nōn).—n. (Shak.) knowledge.—adj. Know′able, capable of being known, discovered, or understood.—ns. Know′ableness; Know′-all, one who thinks he knows everything; Know′er.—adj. Know′ing, intelligent: skilful: cunning.—adv. Know′ingly.—ns. Know′ingness, the quality of being knowing or intelligent: shrewdness; Know′-noth′ing, one who is quite ignorant: a member of the native American party (1854-56).—adj. completely ignorant.—Know a move or two, to be forearmed against trickery by a knowledge of the tricks; Know on which side one's bread is buttered, to be fully alive to one's own interest; Know the ropes, to understand the detail of any matter, as a sailor does his rigging; Know what's o′clock, Know what's what, to be thoroughly acquainted with something: to be wide awake. [A.S. cnáwan; Ice. kná, L. noscĕre for gnoscere, Gr. gignōskein.]

Knowledge, nol′ej, n. assured belief: that which is known: information, instruction: enlightenment, learning: practical skill.—adj. Knowl′edgeable (coll.), possessing knowledge: intelligent.—n. Knowl′edge-box (slang), the head.—To one's knowledge, so far as one knows. [M. E. knowleche, where -leche is the Northern form of the suffix in wed-lock, being A.S. lác, gift, sport.]

Knub, nub, n. a knob, a small lump: the waste or refuse of silk-cocoons.—Also Knubs.

Knuckle, nuk′l, n. projecting joint of the fingers; (cook.) the knee-joint of a calf or pig.—v.i. to bend the fingers: to touch the forehead as a mark of respect: to yield.—v.t. (rare) to touch with the knuckle.—ns. Knuck′le-bones, a game (called also Dibs); Knuck′le-bow, the curved part of a sword-guard that covers the fingers; Knuck′le-dust′er, a kind of modern cestus, devised as a protection against garrotters; Knuck′le-joint, a joint where the forked end of a connecting-rod is joined by a bolt to another piece of the machinery.—Knuckle down, to apply one's self with vigour to a task: to submit—in this sense, also Knuckle under. [M. E. knokil; cf. Dut. knokkel; prob. Celt., W. cnwc.]

Knurr, Knur, nur, n. a knot in wood: a wooden ball.—Knur and spell, a game played with a ball (knur), trap (spell), and tripstick, in vogue chiefly in the north of England. [Old Dut. knorre.]

Kobang, kō′bang, n. an oblong gold coin, rounded at the corners, once current in Japan.—Also Kō′ban.

Kobold, kō′bold, n. in German folklore, a spirit of the mines. [Akin to goblin.]

Kodak, kō′dak, n. a small portable photographic camera with a continuous roll of sensitised film, on which successive instantaneous negatives are made.—v.t. to take an instantaneous picture of. [The trademark name of the Eastman Kodak Company.]

Koftgar, koft′gär, n. one who inlays steel with gold.—n. Koft′gari, such work—sometimes Koft′work. [Hind.]

Koheleth, kō-hel′eth, n. the Preacher, supposed to be applied to Solomon in Eccles. i. 12.

Kohl, kōl, n. a fine powder of antimony used in the East for staining the eyes. [Ar.]

Kohlrabi, kōl′rā-bi, n. the turnip-cabbage. [Ger.,—It. cavolo rapa, cole-turnip.]

Kokra, kok′ra, n. an Indian wood used for making flutes, &c.—Also Cocus-wood.

Kola, kō′lä, n. an African tree whose nuts or seeds have stimulant properties: a name given to an aerated non-alcoholic beverage.

Koniscope, kon′i-skōp, n. an instrument for indicating the quantity of dust in the atmosphere. [Gr. konis, dust, skopein, to look.]

Konistra, kō-nis′tra, n. the orchestra or dancing-place in the ancient Greek theatre, a circular area between the stage and the auditorium.

Koorbash, kōōr′bash, n. a whip of hippopotamus or rhinoceros hide, used in Egypt and elsewhere.—Also Kourbash. [Ar. kurbāj.]

Koran, kō′rän, n. the Mohammedan Scriptures: Alcoran.—adj. Koran′ic. [Ar. qurān, reading.]

Kosher, kō′shėr, adj. pure, clean, according to the Jewish ordinances—as of meat killed and prepared by Jews. [Heb., from yāshar, to be right.]

Koto, kō′tō, n. a Japanese musical instrument consisting of an oblong box over which thirteen silk strings are stretched.

Kotow, kō-tow′, n. the Chinese ceremony of prostration.—v.i. to perform that ceremony, to abase one's self.—Also Kowtow′. [Chin.]

Kotyliskos, kot-i-lis′kos, n. a small Greek toilet-vase with a small foot.

Koumiss, kōō′mis, n. a Kalmuck intoxicating beverage made from the soured and fermented milk of mares—supposed to be good for pulmonary phthisis. [Russ.,—Tartar.]

Kraal, kräl, n. a Hottentot village or hut [Dut. kraal—Port. curral—L. currĕre.]

Krang, krang, n. the carcass of a whale after the blubber has been removed.—Also Kreng. [Dut.]

Krasis, krā′sis, n. the act of adding a little water to the wine used for the Eucharist.—Also called Mixture. [Gr.]

Kremlin, krem′lin, n. a citadel, specially that of Moscow. [Russ. kremli.]

Kreutzer, kroit′zėr, n. a small copper coin of Austria, 100 to the florin or gulden—formerly also in South Germany. [Ger. kreuzer—kreuz, a cross, because formerly stamped with a cross.]

K'ri, krē, n. a marginal reading in the Hebrew Bible, proposed in substitution for a k'thibh, or reading in the text. The word signifies read, and was originally a marginal direction. [Heb.]

Kriegspiel, krēg′spēl, n. the 'war-game' played with metal blocks on a map, to train officers in military manœuvres. [Ger. krieg, war, spiel, game.]

Krummhorn, krum′horn, n. a medieval clarinet-like instrument: a reed-stop in the organ. [Ger. krumm.]

Krupsis, krōōp′sis, n. (theol.) the doctrine that Christ, during His state of humiliation, continued to possess in a veiled way the divine attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, &c. [Gr., kryptein, to conceal.]

Kryometer, krī-om′e-tėr, n. a thermometer for measuring very low temperatures. [Gr. kryos, cold, metron, a measure.]

Kshatriya, kshat′ri-ya, n. the second or military caste among the Brahmanic Hindus.

K'thibh, kthēv, n. a textual reading in the Hebrew Scriptures:—opp. to K'ri. The word signifies written, and was originally a marginal note calling attention to the textual form in distinction from the k'ri. [Heb.]

Kuklux, kū′kluks, or Kuklux Klan, a secret organisation in several Southern states after the Civil War of 1861-65, to oppose Northern influence in the South, and to prevent the negroes from enjoying their rights as freemen—crushed by United States forces in 1869. [Gr. kuklos, a circle.]

Kümmel, küm′el, n. a liqueur flavoured with cumin and caraway seeds. [Ger.]

Kurd, kōōrd, n. an inhabitant of Kurdistan, a region on the east of the upper course of the Tigris.

Kursaal, kōōr′säl, n. the reception-room of a German spa. [Ger., lit. 'cure-saloon.']

Kyanise, kī′an-īz, v.t. to preserve from dry-rot by injecting corrosive sublimate into the pores of the wood. [From John H. Kyan (1774-1830).]

Kymograph, kī′mō-graf, n. an instrument for measuring the pressure of fluids, esp. of blood in a blood-vessel.—adj. Kymograph′ic. [Gr. kyma, a wave, graphein, to write.]

Kyrie, kir′i-ē, n. the Kyrie eleïson='Lord have mercy,' including both the words and the music to which they are sung: one of the responses to the commandments in the Anglican ante-communion service.—Kyrie eleïson, a form of prayer which occurs in all the ancient Greek liturgies, and retained in the R.C. mass, following immediately after the introit. [Voc. case of Gr. kyrios, lord.]

Kyriologic, -al, kir-i-o-loj′ik, -al, adj. denoting objects by alphabetical characters or conventional signs. [Gr. kyrios, literal, proper, logos, discourse.]

Kythe, kīth, v.t. (Scot.) to make known.—v.i. to show one's self, to appear. [A.S. cyðan, to make known. See Uncouth.]

the twelfth letter in our alphabet, usually termed a liquid, but more correctly designated as a front palatal: (chem.) the symbol for lithium: in Roman numerals, for 50, but L=50,000.

La, lä, interj. lo! see! behold! ah! indeed!—n. (mus.) in solmisation, the syllable used for the sixth tone of the scale. [A.S. lá.]

Laager, lä′gėr, n. in South African campaigning, a camp made by a ring of ox-wagons set close together, the spaces beneath being filled up with the baggage of the company.—v.t. to arrange in such a defensive enclosure. [Dut., a variant of leger, a camp.]

Labarum, lab′a-rum, n. a Roman military standard adopted as the imperial standard after Constantine's conversion. It bore the Greek letters XP (Chr), joined in a monogram, to signify the name of Christ: a similar ecclesiastical banner borne in processions: any moral standard or guide. [Late Gr. labaron, origin unknown. Some make bold to derive from Basque labaria, a standard.]

Labefaction, lab-e-fak′shun, n. a weakening decay—also Labefactā′tion.—v.t. Lab′efy, to impair. [L. labefacĕre, to shake.]

Label, lā′bel, n. a small slip of writing affixed to anything to denote its contents, ownership, &c.: (law) a paper annexed to a will, as a codicil: (her.) a fillet with pendants: (archit.) the dripstone over a Gothic window or doorway arch.—v.t. to affix a label to: to describe by or on a label:—pr.p. lā′belling; pa.t. and pa.p. lā′belled. [O. Fr. label (Fr. lambeau); perh. from Old High Ger. lappa (Ger. lappen).]

Labellum, la-bel′um, n. the lower petal of a flower, esp. an orchis. [L., dim. of labium, a lip.]

Labial, lā′bi-al, adj. pertaining to the lips: formed by the lips.—n. a sound formed by the lips: a letter representing a sound formed either by both the lips, or by the upper lip and under teeth—p, b, m, f, v.—v.t. Lā′bialise.—adv. Lā′bially.—n.pl. Labiā′tæ, a natural order of gamopetalous plants, the mint family having four-cornered stems and opposite branches.—adjs. Lā′biate, -d (bot.), having two unequal divisions, as in the monopetalous corolla of the mints.—adj. and n. Labioden′tal, of a sound pronounced both by the lips and teeth: a letter representing such (f, v.).—n. Lā′bium, a lip or lip-like part:—pl. Lā′bia. [Fr.,—L. labium, labrum, a lip.]

Labis, lā′bis, n. the cochlear or eucharistic spoon. [Late Gr. from lambanein, to take.]

Laboratory, lab′or-a-tor-i, n. a chemist's workroom: a place where scientific experiments are systematically carried on: a place for the manufacture of arms and war material: a place where anything is prepared for use. [L. laborāre—labor, work.]

Labour, lā′bur, n. toil or exertion, esp. when fatiguing: work: pains: duties: a task requiring hard work: the pangs of childbirth.—v.i. to undergo labour: to work: to take pains: to be oppressed: to move slowly: to be in travail: (naut.) to pitch and roll heavily.—adj. Labō′rious, full of labour: toilsome: wearisome: devoted to labour: industrious.—adv. Labō′riously.—n. Labō′riousness.—adj. Lā′boured, bearing marks of labour or effort in the execution.—ns. Lā′bourer, one who labours: one who does work requiring little skill; Lā′bourist, one who contends for the interests of workmen.—adjs. Lā′bour-sav′ing, intended to supersede or lessen the labour of men; Lā′boursome (Shak.), made with labour and diligence.—Labour Day, a legal holiday in some parts of the United States, as in New York (the first Monday in September); Labour market, the supply of unemployed labour in relation to the demand for it; Labour of love, work undertaken merely as an act of friendliness, and without hope of emolument; Labour with, to take pains to convince.—Hard labour, compulsory work imposed on certain criminals in addition to imprisonment. [O. Fr. labour, labeur—L. labor.]

Labradorite, lab′ra-dōr-īt, n. one of the group of the Feldspars, and a very important rock-forming mineral. [Labrador.]

Labret, lā′bret, n. a piece of bone, shell, &c. inserted into the lip by savages for ornament.—adj. Lā′brose, having thick lips.—n. Lā′brum, a lip or lip-like part:—pl. Lā′bra. [L. labrum, labium, a lip.]

Laburnum, la-bur′num, n. a small tree with large pendulous racemes of beautiful yellow flowers, a native of the Alps. [L.]

Labyrinth, lab′i-rinth, n. a place full of inextricable windings: (orig.) a building consisting of halls connected by intricate passages: an arrangement of tortuous passages in which it is difficult to find the way out: an inexplicable difficulty, a perplexity: (anat.) the cavities of the internal ear.—adjs. Labyrinth′al, Labyrinth′ian, Labyrinth′ine, pertaining to or like a labyrinth: winding: intricate: perplexing; Labyrinth′iform, having the form of a labyrinth: intricate.—n. Labyrinth′odon, a race of extinct gigantic amphibians found in the Permian, Carboniferous, and Triassic strata, so called from the mazy pattern exhibited on a transverse section of the teeth of some genera. [Fr. labyrinthe—L. labyrinthus—Gr. labyrinthos; akin to laura, a passage.]

Lac, lak, n. the term used in India for 100,000 rupees, the nominal value of which is £10,000.—Also Lakh. [Hind. lak—Sans. laksha, 100,000, a mark.]

Lac, lak, n. a dark-red transparent resin produced on the twigs of trees in the East by the lac insect, used in dyeing.—adj. Laccic (lak′sik).—ns. Laccine (lak′sin), a brittle, translucent, yellow substance, obtained from shell-lac; Lac′-dye, Lac′-lake, scarlet colouring matters obtained from Stick′-lac, the twigs, with attached resin, enclosed insects, and ova; Seed′-lac, the granular portion remaining after removing the resin, triturating with water, and drying; Shell′-lac, Shel′lac, thin plates of resin prepared by melting the seed-lac in cotton-cloth bags, straining, and allowing it to drop on to sticks or leaves. [Pers. lak—Sans. lákshá, the lac insect—rañj, to dye.]

Lace, lās, n. a plaited string for fastening: an ornamental fabric of linen, cotton, silk, or gold and silver threads, made by looping, knotting, plaiting, or twisting the thread into definite patterns, of contrasted open and close structure; three distinct varieties are made, two by handiwork, known respectively as Needle or Point lace and Pillow or Bobbin Lace, and one by machinery.—v.t. to fasten with a lace: to adorn with lace: to streak: to mark with the lash: to intermix, as coffee with brandy, &c.: to intertwine.—v.i. to be fastened with a lace.—ns. Lace′-bark tree, a lofty West Indies tree, the inner bark like coarse lace; Lace′-boot, a boot fastened by a lace.—p.adj. Laced, fastened or adorned with lace.—ns. Lace′-frame, a machine used in lace-making; Lace′-leaf (see Lattice-leaf); Lace′-man, one who deals in lace; Lace′-mend′er, one who repairs lace; Lace′-pā′per, paper stamped or cut by hand with an open-work pattern like lace; Lace′-pill′ow, a cushion on which many various kinds of lace are made, held on the knees.—adj. Lā′cy, like lace.—Alençon lace, a very fine point-lace, the most important made in France; Appliqué lace, lace having sprigs or flowers sewed on net; Balloon-net lace, a form of woven lace in which the freeing threads are peculiarly twisted about the warps; Brussels lace, an extremely fine lace with sprigs applied on a net ground; Duchesse lace, a Belgian pillow-lace having beautiful designs with cord outlines, often in relief; Guipure lace, any lace without a net ground, the pattern being held together by bars or brides; Honiton lace, a lace made at Honiton in Devonshire, remarkable for the beauty of its figures and sprigs; Imitation lace, any lace made by machinery; Mechlin lace, a lace with bobbin ground and designs outlined by thread or flat cord; Spanish lace, needle-point lace brought from Spanish convents since their dissolution—but probably of Flemish origin: cut and drawn work made in convents in Spain, of patterns usually confined to simple sprigs and flowers: a modern black-silk lace with large flower-patterns, mostly of Flemish make: a modern needle-point lace with large square designs; Tambour lace, a modern kind of lace made with needle-embroidery on machine-made net; Torchon lace, peasants' bobbin laces of loose texture and geometrical designs, much imitated by machinery; Valenciennes lace, a fine bobbin lace having the design made with the ground and of the same thread. [O. Fr. las, a noose—L. laqueus, a noose.]

Lacerate, las′ėr-āt, v.t. to tear: to rend: to wound: to afflict.—adjs. Lac′erable, that may be lacerated; Lac′erant, harrowing; Lac′erate, -d, rent, torn: (bot.) having the edges cut into irregular segments.—n. Lacerā′tion, act of lacerating: the rent made by tearing.—adj. Lac′erative, tearing: having power to tear. [L. lacerāre, -ātum, to tear—lacer, torn.]

Lacerta, la-sėr′ta, n. a genus of saurian reptiles, the name properly restricted to slender, active lizards.—n. and adj. Lacer′tian, an animal belonging to the genus Lacerta.—n. Lacertil′ia, an order of reptiles, including the lizards proper, &c.—adjs. Lacertil′ian; Lacertil′ioid; Lacer′tine. [L.]

Laches, läsh′ēz, n. (law) negligence or undue delay, such as to disentitle a person to a certain remedy, any negligence. [O. Fr. lachesse.]

Lachesis, lak′e-sis, n. the one of the three Fates who assigned to each mortal his destiny—she spun the thread of life from the distaff held by Clotho. [Gr.]

Lachrymal, Lacrymal, lak′ri-mal, adj. of or pertaining to tears, secreting tears, as in 'lachrymal duct,' the nasal duct, conveying tears from the eye to the nose.—n. one of the bones of the face, the os unguis, or nail-bone, in man.—adj. Lach′rymary, containing tears.—n. Lach′rymātory, a small slender glass vessel found in ancient sepulchres, apparently filled with the tears of mourners.—adj. Lach′rymose, Lac′rymose, shedding tears, or given to do so: lugubrious, mournful.—adv. Lach′rymosely.—Lachryma Christi, a wine of a sweet but piquant taste, produced from grapes grown on Mount Vesuvius, the best light red. [L. lacryma (properly lacrima), a tear; Gr. dakru, Eng. tear.]

Lacing, lās′ing, n. a fastening with a lace or cord through eyelet-holes: a cord used in fastening: in bookbinding, the cords by which the boards of a book are fastened to the back: in shipbuilding, the knee of the head, or lace-piece, a piece of compass or knee timber secured to the back of the figure-head: in mining, lagging, or cross-pieces of timber or iron placed to prevent ore from falling into a passage.

Lacinia, lā-sin′i-a, n. a long incision in a leaf, &c.—also a narrow lobe resulting from such: in entomology, the apex of the maxilla.—adjs. Lacin′iāte, -d, cut into narrow lobes, fringed; Lacin′iform, fringe-like; Lacin′iolāte, finely fringed. [L., a flap.]

Lack, lak, v.t. and v.i. to want: to be in want: to be destitute of: to miss.—n. want: destitution.—ns. Lack′-all, one who is destitute; Lack′-brain (Shak.), a fool.—adjs. Lack′-lin′en (Shak.), wanting linen; Lack′-lus′tre, wanting brightness.—n. a want of brightness. [From an old Low Ger. root found in Dut. lak, blemish; cf. Ice. lakr, defective.]

Lackadaisical, lak-a-dā′zi-kal, adj. affectedly pensive, sentimental.—interj. Lack′adaisy=Lack-a-day. [Alack-a-day. See Alack.]

Lackey, lak′i, n. a menial attendant: a footman or footboy.—v.t. and v.i. to pay servile attendance: to act as a footman. [O. Fr. laquay (Fr. laquais)—Sp. lacayo, a lackey; perh. Ar. luka‛, servile.]

Laconic, -al, la-kon′ik, -al, adj. expressing in few words after the manner of the Laconians, Lacedæmonians, or Spartans: concise: pithy.—adv. Lacon′ically.—ns. Lac′onism, Lacon′icism, a concise style: a short, pithy phrase. [L.,—Gr.]

Lacquer, Lacker, lak′ėr, n. a varnish made of lac and alcohol.—v.t. to cover with lacquer: to varnish.—ns. Lac′querer, one who varnishes or covers with lacquer; Lac′quering, the act of varnishing with lacquer: a coat of lacquer varnish. [Fr. lacre—Port. lacre, laca—Pers. lac, lac.]

Lacrosse, la-kros′, n. a Canadian game of ball, played by two sets of eleven, the ball driven through the opponents' goal by means of the Crosse, a bent stick, 5-6 ft. long, with a shallow net at one end. [Fr.]

Lacteal, lak′te-al, adj. pertaining to or resembling milk: conveying chyle.—n. one of the absorbent vessels of the intestines which convey the chyle to the thoracic ducts.—ns. Lac′tarene, Lac′tarine, a preparation of the caseine of milk, used by calico-printers; Lac′tāte, a salt of lactic acid, and a base; Lactā′tion, the act of giving milk: the period of suckling.—adj. Lac′teous, milky, milk-like.—n. Lactesc′ence.—adjs. Lactesc′ent, turning to milk: producing milk or white juice: milky; Lac′tic, pertaining to milk; Lactif′erous, Lactif′ic, producing milk or white juice.—ns. Lac′tifuge, a medicine which checks the flow of milk; Lac′tocrite, an apparatus for testing the quantity of fatty substance in a sample of milk; Lactom′eter, an instrument for measuring the quality of milk; Lac′toscope, an instrument for testing the purity or richness of milk by its degree of translucency; Lac′tose, a kind of sugar, only moderately sweet, obtained from milk by evaporating whey—also Lac′tine; Lactuca (lak-tū′ka), a genus of herbs of the aster family, with milky juice.—adj. Lactucic (lak-tū′sik).—Lactic acid, an acid obtained from milk. [L. lacteus, milky—lac, lactis, milk; Gr. gala, galaktos, milk.]

Lacuna, la-kū′na, n. a gap or hiatus:—pl. Lacū′næ.—n. Lacū′nar, a sunken panel or coffer in a ceiling or a soffit: a ceiling containing such.—adjs. Lacū′nose, furrowed: pitted; Lacū′nous. [L. lacuna, anything hollow—lacus, a lake.]

Lacustrine, la-kus′trin, adj. pertaining to lakes.—Also Lacus′tral, Lacus′trian. [From L. lacus, a lake.]

Lad, lad, n. a boy: a youth: (Scot.) a lover:—fem. Lass.—n. Lad′die, a little lad: a boy.—Lad's love, a provincial name of the southernwood. [M. E. ladde—Ir. lath, a youth, champion (W. llawd). Mr H. Bradley suggests that M. E. ladde, a servant, coincides with the adjectival form of the past participle of the verb to lead, the original meaning thus being 'one led in the train of a lord.']

Ladanum, lad′a-num, n. a resinous exudation from the leaves of a shrub growing round the Mediterranean.—Also Lab′danum. [L.,—Gr. lēdanon—Pers. lādan. See Laudanum.]

Ladder, lad′ėr, n. a frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces, by which one may ascend a building, &c.: anything by which one ascends: a gradual rise. [A.S. hlǽder; Ger. leiter.]

Lade, lād, v.t. to burden: to throw in or out, as a fluid, with a ladle or dipper.—n. (Scot.) a load: a water-course: the mouth of a river.—n. Lad′ing, the act of loading: that which is loaded: cargo: freight. [A.S. hladan, pt. hlód, hladen, to load, to draw out water; Dut. laden; Ger. be-laden.]

Ladin, la-dēn′, n. a Romance tongue spoken in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and the upper Inn valley in Tyrol. [L. Latinus, Latin.]

Ladino, la-dē′nō, n. the old Castilian tongue: the Spanish jargon of some Turkish Jews: a Central American of mixed white and Indian blood.

Ladle, lād′l, n. a large spoon for lifting out liquid from a vessel: the float-board of a mill-wheel: an instrument for drawing the charge from a cannon.—v.t. to lift with a ladle.—ns. Lad′leful, the quantity in a ladle:—pl. Lad′lefuls.—Ladle furnace, a small gas furnace heated by a Bunsen burner, for melting metals, &c. [A.S. hlædel—hladan, to lade.]

Lady, lā′di, n. the mistress of a house: a wife: a title of the wives of knights, and all degrees above them, and of the daughters of earls and all higher ranks: a title of complaisance to any woman of refined manners:—pl. Ladies (lā′diz).—ns. Lā′dybird, a genus of little beetles, usually brilliant red or yellow—also Lā′dybug, Lā′dycow; Lā′dy-chap′el, a chapel dedicated to 'Our Lady,' the Virgin Mary, usually behind the high altar, at the extremity of the apse; Lā′dyday, the 25th March, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin; Lā′dyfern, one of the prettiest varieties of British ferns, common in moist woods, with bipinnate fronds sometimes two feet long; Lā′dy-fly (same as Ladybird); Lā′dyhood, condition, character of a lady.—adj. Lā′dyish, having the airs of a fine lady.—ns. Lā′dyism, affectation of the airs of a fine lady; Lā′dy-kill′er, a man who fancies his fascinations irresistible to women: a general lover.—adj. Lā′dy-like, like a lady in manners: refined: soft, delicate.—ns. Lādy-love, a lady or woman loved: a sweetheart; Lādy's-bed′straw, the plant Galium verum; Lā′dy's-bow′er, the only British species of clematis—also Traveller's joy; Lā′dy's-fing′er, a name for many plants: a piece of confectionery; Lā′dyship, the title of a lady; Lā′dy's-maid, a female attendant on a lady, esp. in matters relating to the toilet; Lādy's-man′tle, a genus of herbaceous plants having small, yellowish-green flowers; Lā′dy's-slipp′er, a genus of orchidaceous plants, remarkable for the large inflated lip of the corolla; Lā′dy's-smock, the Bitter Cress, a meadow-plant, with whitish, blush-coloured flowers.—Ladies' companion, a small bag used for carrying women's work; Ladies' man, one fond of women's society.—My ladyship, Your ladyship, a form of expression used in speaking to, or of, one who has the rank of a lady. [A.S. hláf-dige—hláf, a loaf, dǽgee, a kneader, or=hláfweardige (i.e. loaf-keeper, see ward), and thus a contr. fem. of Lord.]

Lætare, lē-tā′rē, n. the fourth Sunday in Lent, named from the first word in the service for the festival. [L. lætāre, to rejoice—lætus, joyful.]

Lag, lag, adj. slack: sluggish: coming behind.—n. he who, or that which, comes behind: the fag-end: (slang) an old convict.—v.i. to move or walk slowly: to loiter.—v.t. (slang) to commit to justice:—pr.p. lag′ging; pa.p. lagged.—adj. Lag′-bell′ied, having a drooping belly.—n. Lag′-end (Shak.), the last or long-delayed end.—adj. Lag′gard, lagging: slow: backward.—ns. Lag′gard, Lag′ger, one who lags behind: a loiterer: an idler.—adv. Lag′gingly, in a lagging manner. [Celt., as W. llag, loose, Gael. lag, feeble; cf. L. laxus, loose.]

Lagena, la-jē′na, n. a wine-vase, amphora: the terminal part of the cochlea in birds and reptiles:—pl. Lagē′næ. [L.]

Lager-beer, lä′ger-bēr, n. a kind of light beer very much used in Germany.—Also La′ger. [Ger. lagerbier—lager, a store-house, bier, beer.]

Laggen, lag′en, n. (Burns) the angle between the side and bottom of a wooden dish.

Lagomys, lā-gō′mis, n. a genus of rodents, much resembling hares or rabbits. [Gr. lagōs, a hare, mys, a mouse.]

Lagoon, Lagune, la-gōōn′, n. a shallow pond into which the sea flows. [It. laguna—L. lacuna.]

Lagophthalmia, lag-of-thal′mi-a, n. inability to close the eye.—adj. Lagophthal′mic.

Lagopus, la-gō′pus, n. a genus of grouse, the ptarmigans.—adj. Lagop′odous, having furry feet.—n. Lagos′toma, hare-lip.—adj. Lagō′tic, rabbit-eared.

Lagthing, läg′ting, n. the upper house of the Norwegian parliament. [Norw. lag, law, thing, parliament.]

Laid, lād, adj. put down, prostrate: pressed down.—Laid paper, such as shows in its fabric the marks of the close parallel wires on which the paper-pulp was laid in the process of its manufacture:—opp. to Wove-paper, that laid on woven flannels or on felts. [Pa.t. and pa.p. of Lay.]

Lair, lār, n. a lying-place, esp. the den or retreat of a wild beast: (Scot.) the ground for one grave in a burying-place. [A.S. leger, a couch—licgan, to lie down; Dut. leger, Ger. lager.]

Lair, lār, v.i. (Scot.) to sink in mud.—n. mire, a bog, a quagmire. [Ice. leir, mud.]

Laird, lārd, n. (Scot.) a landed proprietor, a landlord.—n. Laird′ship, an estate. [Lord.]

Laissez-faire, lās′ā-fār′, n. a letting alone, a general principle of non-interference with the free action of the individual: the let-alone principle in government, business, &c.—Also Laiss′er-faire′. [Fr. laisser—L. laxāre, to relax, faire—L. facĕre, to do.]

Laity, lā-′i-ti, n. the people as distinct from the clergy. [See Lay, adj.]

Lake, lāk, n. a pigment or colour formed by precipitating animal or vegetable colouring matters from their solutions, chiefly with alumina or oxide of tin. [Fr. laque. See Lac (2).]

Lake, lāk, n. a large body of water within land.—ns. Lake′-bā′sin, the whole area drained by a lake; Lake′-law′yer (U.S.), the bowfin: burbot; Lake′let, a little lake; Lā′ker, Lā′kist, one of the Lake school of poetry.—adj. Lā′ky, pertaining to a lake or lakes.—Lake District, the name applied to the picturesque and mountainous region within the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and a small portion of Lancashire, containing as many as sixteen lakes or meres; Lake dwellings, settlements in prehistoric times, built on piles driven into a lake; Lake school of poetry, a name applied to the group of illustrious poets who made the Lake District—Wordsworthshire—their home about the beginning of the 19th century. [A.S. lac—L. lacus.]

Lakshmi, laksh′mē, n. in Hindu mythology, the name of the consort of the god Vishnu (q.v.), considered as his female or creative energy.

Lama, lä′ma, n. a Buddhist priest in Tibet.—ns. Lä′maism, the religion prevailing in Tibet and Mongolia, being Buddhism corrupted by Sivaism, and by Shamanism or spirit-worship; Lä′maist; Lä′masery, a Tibetan monastery. [Tib.]

Lamarckism, la-mär′kizm, n. the theory of the French naturalist, J. B. P. A. de Monet de Lamarck (1744-1829), that species have developed by the efforts of organisms to adapt themselves to new conditions—also Lamarck′ianism.—-adj. Lamarck′ian.

Lamb, lam, n. the young of a sheep: the flesh of the young sheep: one innocent and gentle as a lamb: the Saviour of the world.—v.i. to bring forth young, as sheep.—ns. Lamb′-ale, a feast at the time of lamb-shearing; Lamb′kin, Lamb′ling, Lamb′ie (Scot.), a little lamb.—adj. Lamb′-like, like a lamb: gentle.—ns. Lamb′skin, the skin of a lamb dressed with the wool on, for mats, &c.: the skin of a lamb dressed for gloves: a kind of woollen cloth resembling this; Lamb's′-lett′uce (same as Corn-salad); Lamb's′-wool, fine wool: a wholesome old English beverage composed of ale and the pulp of roasted apples, with sugar and spices.—The Lamb, Lamb of God, the Saviour, typified by the paschal lamb. [A.S. lamb; Ger. lamm, Dut. lam.]

Lambative, lam′ba-tiv, adj. to be taken by licking.—n. a medicine of such a kind.

Lambda, lam′da, n. the Greek letter corresponding to Roman l.—n. Lamb′dacism, a too frequent use of words containing l: a defective pronunciation of r, making it like l.—adjs. Lamb′doid, -al, shaped like the Greek capital Λ—applied in anatomy to the suture between the occipital and the two parietal bones of the skull. [Gr.,—Heb. lamedh.]

Lambent, lam′bent, adj. moving about as if touching lightly: gliding over: flickering.—n. Lam′bency, the quality of being lambent: that which is lambent. [L. lambens—lambĕre, to lick.]

Lamboys, lam′boiz, n.pl. kilted flexible steel-plates worn skirt-like from the waist. [O. Fr.]

Lambrequin, lam′bre-kin, n. a strip of cloth, leather, &c., hanging from a window, doorway, or mantelpiece, as a drapery: an ornamental covering, as of cloth, attached to a helmet. [Fr.]

Lame, lām, adj. disabled in the limbs: hobbling: unsatisfactory: imperfect.—v.t. to make lame: to cripple: to render imperfect.—n. Lame′-duck (slang), a bankrupt.—adv. Lame′ly.—n. Lame′ness.—adj. Lam′ish, a little lame: hobbling. [A.S. lama, lame; Dut. lam, Ger. lahm.]

Lamella, lä-mel′a, n. a thin plate or scale:—pl. Lamell′æ.—adjs. Lam′ellar, Lam′ellate.—n.pl. Lamellibranchiā′ta, a class of shell-fishes or molluscs in which the shell consists of two limy plates, lying one on each side of the body.—adjs. Lamellibranch′iate; Lamell′icorn.—n.pl. Lamellicor′nes, a very numerous family of beetles—the cockchafer, &c.—adjs. Lamellif′erous, producing lamellæ; Lamell′iform, lamellar in form; Lamelliros′tral, having a lamellose bill; Lam′ellose, full of lamellæ, lamellated in structure. [L.]

Lament, la-ment′, v.i. to utter grief in outcries: to wail: to mourn.—v.t. to mourn for: to deplore.—n. sorrow expressed in cries: an elegy or mournful ballad.—adj. Lam′entable, deserving or expressing sorrow: sad: pitiful, despicable.—adv. Lam′entably.—n. Lamentā′tion, act of lamenting: audible expression of grief: wailing: (pl., B.) a book of Jeremiah.—p.adj. Lament′ed, bewailed: mourned.—adv. Lament′ingly, with lamentation. [Fr. lamenter—L. lamentāri.]

Lamia, lā′mi-a, n. in Greek and Roman mythology, a female phantom, a serpent witch who charmed children and youths in order to suck their blood.

Lamina, lam′i-na, n. a thin plate: a thin layer or coat lying over another:—pl. Lam′inæ.—adjs. Lam′inable; Lam′inar, Lam′inary, in laminæ or thin plates: consisting of, or resembling, thin plates.—n. Laminā′ria, a genus of dark-spored seaweeds, with large expanded leathery-stalked fronds.—adjs. Lam′ināte, -d, in laminæ or thin plates: consisting of scales or layers, over one another.—ns. Laminā′tion, the arrangement of stratified rocks in thin laminæ or layers.—adjs. Laminif′erous, consisting of laminæ or layers; Lam′iniform, laminar.—n. Laminī′tis, inflammation of the laminæ of a horse's hoof. [L. lamina, a thin plate, a leaf.]

Lammas, lam′as, n. the feast of first-fruits on 1st August.—n. Lamm′as-tide, Lammas-day, 1st August. [A.S. hláf-mæsse and hlammæsse—hláf, loaf, mæsse, feast.]

Lammergeier, lam′mėr-gī-ėr, n. the great bearded vulture of the mountains of southern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. [Ger. lämmergeier—lämmer, lambs, geier, vulture.]

Lammy, lam′i, n. a thick quilted outside jumper worn in cold weather by sailors.—Also Lamm′ie.

Lamp, lamp, n. a vessel for burning oil with a wick, and so giving light: a light of any kind.—v.i. (Spens.) to shine.—ns. Lamp′ad (rare), a lamp or candlestick, a torch; Lamp′adary, in the Greek Church, one who looks after the lamps and carries a lighted taper before the patriarch; Lampaded′romy, an ancient Greek torch-race in honour of Prometheus, &c.; Lamp′adist, one who ran in a torch-race; Lampad′omancy, the art of divining by the flame of a lamp or torch; Lamp′black, the black substance formed by the smoke of a lamp: the soot or amorphous carbon obtained by burning bodies rich in that element, such as resin, petroleum, and tar, or some of the cheap oily products obtained from it; Lamp′-burn′er, that part of a lamp in which the wick is held; Lamp′-chim′ney, Lamp′-glass, a glass funnel placed round the flame of a lamp; Lamp′-fly (Browning), a firefly.—adj. Lamp′ic, pertaining to, or derived from, a lamp or flame.—ns. Lamp′ion, a kind of small lamp; Lamp′-light, the light shed by a lamp or lamps; Lamp′-light′er, a person employed to light street-lamps: that by which a lamp is lighted, as a spill or torch; Lamp′-post, the pillar supporting a street-lamp; Lamp′-shell, a terebratuloid or related brachiopod having a shell like an antique lamp.—Smell of the lamp, to show signs of great elaboration or study. [Fr. lampe—Gr. lampas, -ados—lampein, to shine.]

Lampass, lam′pas, n. (Shak.) a swelling of the roof of the mouth in horses. [Fr. lampas.]

Lampoon, lam-pōōn′, n. a personal satire in writing: low censure.—v.t. to assail with personal satire: to satirise:—pr.p. lampōōn′ing; pa.p. lampōōned′.—ns. Lampoon′er, one who writes a lampoon; Lampoon′ry, practice of lampooning: written personal abuse or satire. [O. Fr. lampon, orig. a drinking-song, with the refrain lampons=let us drink—lamper (or lapper, to lap), to drink.]

Lamprey, lam′pre, n. a genus of cartilaginous fishes resembling the eel, so called from their attaching themselves to rocks or stones by their mouths. [O. Fr. lamproie—Low L. lampreda, lampetra—L. lambĕre, to lick, petra, rock.]

Lanate, -d, lā′nāt, -ed, adjs. woolly: (bot.) covered with a substance resembling wool.—n. Lā′nary, a wool-store. [L. lanatus—lana, wool.]

Lancasterian, lang-kas-tē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Joseph Lancaster (1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more advanced (monitors) in primary schools.

Lancastrian, lang-kas′tri-an, adj. pertaining to the dukes or the royal house of Lancaster.—n. an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).

Lance, lans, n. (Spens.) balance, poise. [L. lanx, lancis, a dish or scale.]

Lance, lans, n. a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a small flag: the bearer of a lance.—v.t. to pierce with a lance: to open with a lancet.—ns. Lance′-cor′poral, a private soldier doing the duties of a corporal; Lance′let (see Amphioxus); Lan′cer, a light cavalry soldier armed with a lance: (pl.) a popular set of quadrilles, first in England about 1820: the music for such; Lance′-wood, a wood valuable for its strength and elasticity, brought chiefly from Jamaica, Guiana, &c.—adjs. Lancif′erous, bearing a lance; Lan′ciform, lance-shaped. [Fr.,—L. lancea; Gr. longchē, a lance.]

Lancegay, lans′gā, n. (obs.) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,—lance, a lance, zagaye, a pike. See Assagai.]

Lanceolate, -d, lan′se-o-lāt, -ed, adjs. (bot.) having the form of a lance-head: tapering toward both ends—also Lan′ceolar.—adv. Lan′ceolately. [L. lanceolatus—lanceola, dim. of lancea.]

Lancet, lan′set, n. a surgical instrument used for opening veins, abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th century. [O. Fr. lancette, dim. of lance.]

Lancinate, lan′sin-āt, v.t. to lacerate.—n. Lancinā′tion, sharp, shooting pain. [L. lancināre, -ātum, to tear.]

Land, land, n. earth, the solid portion of the surface of the globe: a country: a district: soil: real estate: a nation or people: (Scot.) a group of dwellings or tenements under one roof and having a common entry.—v.t. to set on land or on shore.—v.i. to come on land or on shore.—ns. Land′-ā′gent, a person employed by the owner of an estate to let farms, collect rents, &c.; Land′-breeze, a breeze setting from the land towards the sea; Land′-crab, a family of crabs which live much or chiefly on land.—v.t. Land′damn (Shak.), to banish from the land.—adj. Land′ed, possessing land or estates: consisting in land or real estate.—ns. Land′er, one who lands; Land′fall, a landslip: an approach to land after a voyage, also the land so approached; Land′-fish (Shak.), a fish on land, any one acting contrary to his usual character; Land′-flood, a flooding or overflowing of land by water: inundation; Land′force, a military force serving on land, as distinguished from a naval force; Land′-grab′ber, one who acquires land by harsh and grasping means: one who is eager to occupy land from which others have been evicted; Land′-grab′bing, the act of the land-grabber; Land′-herd, a herd of animals which feed on land; Land′-hold′er, a holder or proprietor of land; Land′-hung′er, greed for the acquisition of land; Land′ing, act of going on land from a vessel: a place for getting on shore: the level part of a staircase between the flights of steps.—adj. relating to the unloading of a vessel's cargo.—ns. Land′ing-net, a kind of scoop-net for landing a fish that has been caught; Land′ing-place, a place for landing, as from a vessel; Land′ing-stage, a platform for landing passengers or goods carried by water, often rising and falling with the tide; Land′-job′ber, a speculator in land; Land′-job′bing; Land′lady, a woman who has property in land or houses: the mistress of an inn or lodging-house.—adj. Land′less (Shak.), without land or property.—v.t. Land′lock, to enclose by land.—-adj. Land′-locked, almost shut in by land, protected by surrounding masses of land from the force of wind and waves.—ns. Land′lord, the owner of land or houses: the master of an inn or lodging-house; Land′lordism, the authority or united action of the landholding class; Land′-lubb′er, a landsman (a term used by sailors); Land′mark, anything serving to mark the boundaries of land: any object on land that serves as a guide to seamen: any distinguishing characteristic; Land′-meas′ure, a system of square measure used in the measurement of land; Land′-meas′uring, the art of estimating the superficial content of portions of land; Land′-own′er, one who owns land; Land′-own′ership.—adj. Land′-own′ing.—ns. Land′-pī′lot, (Milt.), a guide on land; Land′-pī′rate, a highway robber: a fellow who makes a practice of swindling sailors in port; Land′rail, the crake or corncrake, so named from its cry; Land′-rak′er (Shak.), a vagabond; Land′-reeve, the assistant to the land-steward of a great estate; Land′-roll, a clod-crusher; Land′-scrip (U.S.), negotiable government certificate entitling to possession of certain public land by individuals or corporate bodies; Land′-shark, a land-grabber: one who plunders sailors on shore; Land′skip (same as Landscape); Land′slide, Land′slip, a portion of land that falls down, generally from the side of a hill, usually due to the undermining effect of water; Lands′man, Land′man, one who lives or serves on land: one inexperienced in seafaring; Land′-spring, water lying near the surface, easily drawn upon by shallow wells; Land′-stew′ard, a person who manages a landed estate; Land′-survey′ing (see Surveying); Land′-tax, a tax upon land; Land′-turn, a land-breeze; Land′-wait′er, a custom-house officer who attends on the landing of goods from ships.—adv. Land′ward, toward the land.—adj. lying toward the land, away from the sea-coast: situated in or forming part of the country, as opposed to the town: rural.—n. Land′wind, a wind blowing off the land.—Land League, an association founded in Ireland by Michael Davitt in 1879, and organised by C. S. Parnell, to procure reduction and rearrangement of rents, and to promote the substitution of peasant-proprietors for landlords—condemned as an illegal conspiracy in 1881; Landed interest, the combined interest of the land-holding class in a community.—Make the land, to discover the land as the ship approaches it; Set the land, to observe by the compass how the shore bears from the ship. [A.S. land; Dut., Ger. land.]

Landamman, lan′dam-man, n. the president of the Swiss Diet: the head official in some Swiss cantons.

Landau, lan′daw, n. a coach or carriage with a top which may be opened and thrown back. [Ger. landauer, from Landau.]

Lande, land, n. an uncultivated healthy plain, esp. a sandy track along the sea-shore in south-western France. [Fr.]

Landgrave, land′grāv, n. a German graf, count, or earl:—fem. Landgravine (land′gra-vēn).—n. Landgrā′viāte, the territory of a landgrave. [Dut. landgraaf—land, land, graaf, count.]

Land-louper, land′-lowp′ėr, n. a vagabond or vagrant.—Also Land′-lop′er. [Dut. landloopen—land, land, loopen, to ramble; cf. Ger. landläufer.]

Landscape, land′-skāp, n. the appearance of that portion of land which the eye can at once view; the aspect of a country, or a picture representing it.—ns. Land′scape-gar′dening, the art of laying out grounds and so disposing water, buildings, trees, and other plants as to produce the effect of a picturesque landscape; Land′scape-paint′er, one who practises this form of art; Land′scape-paint′ing, the art of representing natural scenery by painting. [Dut. landschap, from land and -schap, a suffix=-ship.]

Landsthing, läns′ting, n. the upper house of the Danish Rigsdag or parliament. [Dan., land, land, thing, parliament.]

Landsturm, lant′stōōrm, n. in Germany and Switzerland, a general levy in time of national emergency—in the former including all males between seventeen and forty-five: the force so called out. [Ger., land, land, sturm, alarm.]

Landtag, lant′tahh, n. the legislative assembly of one of the states forming the modern German empire, as Saxony, Bavaria, &c.: the provincial assembly of Bohemia or Moravia. [Ger., land, country, tag, diet, day.]

Landwehr, länt′vār, n. a military force in Germany and Austria forming an army reserve. [Ger., land, land, wehr, defence.]

Lane, lān, n. an open space between corn-fields, hedges, &c.: a narrow passage or road: a narrow street: a fixed route kept by a line of vessels across the ocean.—A blind lane, a cul-de-sac. [A.S. lane; Scot, loan, lonnin.]

Lang, a Scotch form of long.—n. Lang′syne, time long past.—Think lang, to weary.

Langaha, lan-gä′hä, n. a Madagascar wood-snake, with a flexible scaly extension on the snout.

Language, lang′gwāj, n. that which is spoken by the tongue: human speech: speech peculiar to a nation: style or expression peculiar to an individual: diction: any manner of expressing thought.—v.t. to express in language.—adjs. Lang′uaged, skilled in language; Lang′uageless (Shak.), speechless, silent; Lang′ued (her.), furnished with a tongue.—Dead language, one no longer spoken, as opp. to Living language, one still spoken; Flash language (see Flash). [Fr. langage—langue—L. lingua (old form dingua), the tongue, akin to L. lingēre, Gr. leichein.]

Langue d'oc, long dok, n. collective name for the Romance dialects spoken in the Middle Ages from the Alps to the Pyrenees—the tongue of the troubadours, often used as synonymous with Provençal, one of its chief branches. The name itself survived in the province Languedoc, giving name to a class of wines.—Langue d'oui (long dwē), also Langue d'oil, the Romance dialect of northern France, the language of the trouvères, the dominant factor in the formation of modern French. [O. Fr. langue—L. lingua, tongue; de, of; Prov. oc, yes—L. hoc, this; O. Fr. oui, oïl, yes—L. hoc illud, this (is) that, yes.]

Languette, lang′get, n. a 16th-century hood worn by women: the tongue of a reed of a harmonium or reed-organ: a key of a wind-instrument. [Fr.]

Languid, lang′gwid, adj. slack or feeble: flagging: exhausted: sluggish: spiritless.—adj. Languesc′ent, growing languid.—adv. Lang′uidly.—n. Lang′uidness. [Fr.,—L. languidus—languēre, to be weak.]

Languish, lang′gwish, v.i. to become languid or enfeebled: to lose strength and animation: to pine: to become dull, as of trade.—n. (Shak.) languishment.—adjs. Lang′uished, sunken in languor; Lang′uishing, expressive of languor, or merely sentimental emotion.—adv. Lang′uishingly.—n. Lang′uishment, the act or state of languishing: tenderness of look. [Fr. languir, languiss-,—L. languescĕre—languēre, to be faint.]

Languor, lang′gwur, n. state of being languid or faint: dullness: listlessness: softness.—adj. Lang′uorous, full of languor: tedious: melancholy.—v.t. Lang′ure (Spens.), to languish.

Laniary, lā′ni-a-ri, n. a place of slaughter: shambles.—adj. fitted for lacerating or tearing. [L. laniarium—lanius, a butcher.]

Laniferous, lan-if′ėr-us, adj. wool-bearing.—Also Lanig′erous. [L. lanifer, laniger—lana, wool, ferre, gerĕre, to bear.]

Lank, langk, adj. languid or drooping: soft or loose: thin: shrunken: straight and flat.—v.i. (Shak.) to become lank.—adv. Lank′ly.—n. Lank′ness.—adj. Lank′y, lank and tall. [A.S. hlanc; Dut. slank, Ger. schlank, slender.]

Lanner, lan′ėr, n. a kind of falcon.—n. Lann′aret, the male bird. [Fr. lanier—L. laniarius.]

Lanolin, lan′ō-lin, n. an unctuous substance, a mixture of the ethers of cholesterin with fatty acids, used as a basis for ointments, extracted from wool. [L. lana, wool, oleum, oil.]

Lansquenet, lans′ke-net, n. a 16th-17th cent. mercenary pikeman: a game at cards. [Fr.,—Ger. landsknecht—land, country, knecht, a soldier.]

Lanterloo, lant′ėr-lōō, n. a game at cards, commonly Loo. [Dut. lanterlu.]

Lantern, lant′ėrn, n. a case for holding or carrying a light, the light chamber of a lighthouse: an ornamental structure surmounting a dome to give light and to crown the fabric: the upper square cage which illuminates a corridor or gallery—obs. form, Lant′horn, from the use of horn for the sides of lanterns.—v.t. to furnish with a lantern.—n. Lant′ern-fly, any insect of family Fulgoridæ, supposed to emit a strong light in the dark.—adj. Lant′ern-jawed, thin-faced.—n.pl. Lant′ern-jaws, thin long jaws.—Lantern of the dead, a tower having a small lighted chamber at the top, once common in French cemeteries; Lantern wheel, a kind of cog-wheel, in which a circle of bars or spindles between two heads engages with the cogs of a spur-wheel.—Chinese lantern, a collapsible paper lantern, generally decorated with flowers; Dark lantern, a lantern having an opaque slide, capable of being partly or wholly shut at pleasure; Magic lantern, an optical instrument by means of which magnified images of small pictures are thrown upon a wall or screen. [Fr. lanterne—L. lanterna—Gr. lamptēr—lampein, to give light.]

Lanthanum, lan′tha-num, n. a metal discovered in 1839 in cerite, a hydrated silicate of cerium.—Also Lan′thānium. [Gr. lanthanein, to conceal.]

Lanuginous, la-nū′jin-us, adj. downy: covered with fine soft hair.—n. Lanū′go. [Fr.,—L. lanuginosus—lanugo, down, lana, wool.]

Lanx, lanks, n. a platter or dish for serving meat at a Roman table:—pl. Lan′ces. [L.]

Lanyard, Laniard, lan′yard, n. a short rope used on board ship for fastening or stretching, or for convenience in handling articles. [Fr. lanière, perh. from L. lanarius, made of wool—lana, wool.]

Laocoön, lā-ok′-o-on, n. a famous antique group in marble in the Vatican, representing the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons being crushed in the folds of two enormous serpents.

Laodicean, lā-od-i-sē′an, adj. lukewarm in religion, like the Christians of Laodicea (Rev. iii. 14-16).—n. Laodicē′anism, lukewarmness in religion.

Lap, lap, v.t. to lick up with the tongue: to wash or flow against.—v.i. to drink by licking up a liquid: to make a sound of such a kind:—pr.p. lap′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. lapped.—n. a motion or sound like lapping. [A.S. lapian; Low Ger. lappen; L. lambĕre, Gr. laptein.]

Lap, lap, n. the loose or overhanging flap of anything: the part of a substance extending over or partly over the rear of another, or the extent of such extension: the part of the clothes lying on the knees when a person sits down: the part of the body thus covered, esp. with reference to nursing, &c.: a fold: a course or round of the track, as in foot-racing, &c.: at euchre, &c., a carrying over to the next game of a surplus of points from the last: the space over which a steam-engine slide-valve travels after the closing of the steam-passage to or from the cylinder: a rotating disc of lead, copper, leather, &c., charged with an abrasive powder, used in cutting gems, &c.—v.t. to lay over or on.—v.i. to be spread on or over: to be turned over or upon.—ns. Lap′-board, a flat wide board resting on the lap, used by tailors and seamstresses; Lap′-dog, a small dog fondled in the lap: a pet dog; Lap′ful, as much as fills a lap.—adj. Lap′-joint′ed, having joints formed by overlapping edges.—ns. Lap′-stone, a stone which shoemakers hold in the lap to hammer leather on; Lap′-streak, a clinker-built boat—also adj.; Lap′work, work containing lap-joints. [A.S. læppa, a loosely hanging part; Ice. lapa, to hang loose, Ger. lappen, a rag.]

Lap, lap, v.t. to wrap, fold, involve.—ns. Lap′per, one who wraps or folds: in cotton manufacturing, a machine which compacts the scutched cotton into a fleece upon the surface of a roller called a lap-roller; Lap′ping, the process of forming a lap or fleece of fibrous material for the carding-machine: the rubbing or polishing of a metal surface: the process of rubbing away the lands, or metal between the grooves of a rifled gun, to increase the bore. [M. E. wlappen, being a form of wrap.]

Lapel, Lappel, Lapelle, la-pel′, n. the part of the breast of a coat which laps over and is folded back.—adj. Lapelled′. [Dim. of lap.]

Lapidary, lap′i-dar-i, adj. pertaining to stones and the cutting of stones: pertaining to inscriptions and monuments.—n. a cutter of stones, esp. precious stones: a dealer in precious stones—also Lapidā′rian, Lap′idarist, Lap′idist.—v.t. Lap′idate (rare), to pelt with stones.—n. Lapidā′tion, punishment by stoning.—adj. Lapid′eous, stony.—n. Lapidesc′ence.—adj. Lapidesc′ent, becoming stone: petrifying.—adj. Lapidif′ic.—n. Lapidificā′tion.—v.t. Lapid′ify, to make into stone.—v.i. to turn into stone:—pr.p. lapid′ifying; pa.p. lapid′ified.—adj. Lapil′liform, having the form of small stones.—ns. Lapil′lus, a fragment of lava ejected from a volcano:—pl. Lapil′li; Lā′pis, a kind of calico-printing with indigo, the resists acting as methods for other dyes, as madder or quercitron; Lā′pis-laz′uli, a mineral of beautiful ultramarine colour, used largely in ornamental and mosaic work, and for sumptuous altars and shrines.—Lapis-lazuli blue, a deep blue, sometimes veined with gold, used in decoration, and in the manufacture of Sèvres and Oriental porcelain; Lapis-lazuli ware, the name given by Josiah Wedgwood to a particular pebble ware veined with gold upon blue. [L. lapidarius—lapis, lapidis, a stone.]

Lapp, lap, n. a Laplander.—n. Lap′lander, a native or inhabitant of Lapland.—adjs. Lap′landish; Lapp′ish.—n. the language of the Lapps.

Lapper-milk, lap′ėr-milk, n. (Scot.) loppered or curdled milk. [Same word as lopper (obs.)—M. E. loper, curdled, prob. conn. with A.S. hléapan, to leap, run. Cf. rennet, runnet, from run.]

Lappet, lap′et, n. a little lap or flap.—adj. Lapp′eted.—n. Lapp′et-head, a head-dress made with lappets for lace pendants. [Dim. of lap.]

Lapse, laps, v.i. to slip or glide: to pass by degrees: to fall from the faith or from virtue: to fail in duty: to pass to another proprietor, &c., by the negligence of a patron, to become void: to lose certain privileges by neglect of the necessary conditions.—n. a slipping or falling: a failing in duty: a fault.—adj. Lap′sable.—The lapsed, the name applied in the early Christian Church to those who, overcome by heathen persecution, fell away from the faith. [L. labi, lapsus, to slip or fall, lapsus, a fall, akin to lap.]

Laputan, la-pū′tan, adj. pertaining to Laputa, a flying island described in Swift's Gulliver's Travels as inhabited by all sorts of ridiculous projectors: absurd: chimerical.

Lapwing, lap′wing, n. the name of a bird of the plover family, also called peewit, from its peculiar cry. [M. E. lappewinke—A.S. hleápewince—hleápan, to leap or run, and root of wink, to turn.]

Lar, lär, n. one of a class of local deities, originally Etruscan, but in Roman usage usually regarded as the tutelary deities of a house:—pl. Lares (lā′rēz). [L.]

Lar, lär, n. an Etruscan title, really peculiar to the eldest son, but often mistaken for an integral part of the name.—Also Lars. [L.,—Etruscan larth, lord.]

Larboard, lär′bōrd (by sailors, lab′erd), n. an obsolete naval term for the left side of a ship looking from the stern, now, by command of the Admiralty, replaced by the term port, to prevent the mistakes caused by its resemblance in sound to starboard.—adj. pertaining to the port or left side. [Perh. for a conjectural lade-bord, the lading-side—lade, a load, bord, board, side.]

Larceny, lär′sen-i, n. the legal term in England and Ireland for stealing: theft.—n. Lar′cenist, one who commits larceny: a thief.—adj. Lar′cenous.—adv. Lar′cenously.—Grand larceny, in England, larceny of property of the value of one shilling or more; Petty larceny, larceny of property less in value than one shilling; Simple larceny, as opposed to Compound larceny, is larceny uncombined with aggravating circumstances. [O. Fr. larrecin (Fr. larcin)—L. latrocinium—latro, a robber.]

Larch, lärch, n. a genus (Larix) of coniferous trees, distinct from firs (Abies), with perfectly erect and regularly tapering stem, small branches, numerous small leaves deciduous and clustered, growing rapidly, and yielding good timber. [L.,—Gr. larix.]

Lard, lärd, n. the melted fat of the hog.—v.t. to smear with lard: to stuff with bacon or pork: to fatten: to mix with anything.—adj. Lardā′ceous.—ns. Lard′-oil, a lubricating and illuminating oil expressed from lard; Lar′don, Lar′doon, a strip of bacon used for larding.—adj. Lar′dy. [O. Fr.,—L. laridum, lardum; cf. Gr. larinos, fat, laros, sweet.]

Larder, lärd′ėr, n. a room or place where meat, &c., is kept: stock of provisions.—n. Lard′erer, one who has charge of a larder. [O. Fr. lardier, a bacon-tub—L. lardum.]

Large, larj, adj. great in size: extensive: bulky: wide: long: abundant: liberal: diffuse: (Shak., of language) free, licentious.—adv. (naut.) before the wind.—adjs. Large′-ā′cred, possessing much land; Large′-hand′ed, having large hands: grasping, greedy: profuse; Large′-heart′ed, having a large heart or liberal disposition: generous.—adv. Large′ly.—adj. Large′-mind′ed, characterised by breadth of view.—ns. Large′ness; Lar′get, a length of iron cut from a bar and of proper size to roll into a sheet.—At large, without restraint or confinement: fully: as a whole, altogether. [Fr.,—L. largus.]

Largess, Largesse, lärj′es, n. a present or donation: (arch.) liberality.—n. Largit′ion, giving of largess. [Fr.,—L. largitio—largīri, to give freely—largus.]

Largo, lär′gō, adj. (mus.) slow in time.—n. a movement to be performed in such style.—adj. Larghet′to, somewhat slow: not so slow as largo.—n. a movement in somewhat slow time.—adj. Larghis′simo, extremely slow. [It.,—L. largus.]

Lariat, lär′i-at, n. a rope for picketing horses while grazing: a lasso. [Sp. la reata—la, the, reata, a rope for tying animals together.]

Lark, lärk, n. a well-known singing-bird.—v.i. to catch larks.—ns. Lark's′-heel, the Indian cress; Lark′spur, a plant with showy flowers, so called from the spur-shaped formation of calyx and petals. [M. E. laverock—A.S. láwerce; Ger. lerche.]

Lark, lärk, n. a game, frolic.—v.i. to frolic, make sport.—adj. Lar′ky (coll.), frolicsome, sportive. [A.S. lác, play—lácan, to swing, wave, play.]

Larmier, lar′mi-ėr, n. (archit.) another name for the corona (q.v.): a horizontal string-course for preventing rain from trickling down the wall: (zool.) a tear-bag. [Fr. larme, a tear—L. lacrima, a tear.]

Larrikin, lar′i-kin, adj. (Australian) rowdy, disorderly.—n. a rough or rowdy.—n. Larr′ikinism.

Larrup, lar′up, v.t. (coll.) to flog, thrash. [Prob. from Dut. larpen, thresh with flails.]

Larum, lar′um, n. alarm: a noise giving notice of danger.—v.t. (obs.) to alarm. [Alarm.]

Larva, lär′va, n. an insect in its first stage after issuing from the egg—i.e. in the caterpillar state: a ghost, spectre:—pl. Larvæ (lär′vē).—adjs. Lar′val; Lar′vate, -d, clothed as with a mask; Lar′viform; Larvip′arous, producing young in a larva-form. [L. larva, a spectre, a mask.]

Larynx, lār′ingks, n. the upper part of the windpipe: the throat:—pl. Lar′ynges, Lar′ynxes (rare).—adjs. Laryn′geal, Laryn′gean.—n. Laryngis′mus, spasm of the glottis.—adj. Laryngit′ic.—n. Laryngī′tis, inflammation of the larynx.—adj. Laryngolog′ical.—ns. Laryngol′ogist; Laryngol′ogy, the science of the larynx; Laryngoph′ony, the sound of the voice as heard through the stethoscope applied over the larynx; Laryng′oscope, a mirror for examining the larynx and trachea.—adj. Laryngoscop′ic.—ns. Laryngos′copist; Laryngos′copy; Laryngot′omy, the operation of cutting into the windpipe to remove obstructions and assist respiration; Laryngotracheot′omy, the operation of cutting into the windpipe through the cricoid cartilage, the cricothyroid membrane, and the upper rings of the trachea. [L.,—Gr. larynx, laryngos.]

Lascar, las′kar, n. a native East Indian sailor or camp-follower. [Hind.,—Pers. lashkari, a soldier.]

Lascivious, las-siv′i-us, adj. lustful: tending to produce lustful emotions.—adv. Lasciv′iously.—n. Lasciv′iousness. [L. lascivus; perh. from the same root as laxus, loose.]

Laser, lā′ser, n. a gum-resin from North Africa, esteemed by the ancients as a deobstruent and diuretic. [L. laser, juice of laserpitium.]

Laserpitium, las-er-pish′i-um, n. a genus of perennial herbs of the parsley family—Las′erwort or herb frankincense.—Also Silphium. [L. laserpicium, a plant yielding laser.]

Lash, lash, n. a thong or cord: the flexible part of a whip: a stroke with a whip or anything pliant: a stroke of satire, a sharp retort: a beating or dashing: an eyelash.—v.t. to strike with a lash: to dash against: to fasten or secure with a rope or cord: to censure severely: to scourge with sarcasm or satire.—v.i. to use the whip.—n. Lash′er, one who lashes or whips: a rope for binding one thing to another; Lash′ing, act of whipping: a rope for making things fast: a great plenty of anything—esp. in pl.—Lash out, to kick out, as a horse: to break out recklessly. [M. E. lasshe; Dut. lasch, Ger. lasche, a joint.]

Lash, lash, adj. (obs.) slow, slack: soft: insipid.—n. Lash′er, the slack water collected above a weir in a river. [M. E. lasche, slack—O. Fr. lasche (Fr. lâche, cowardly)—L. laxus, lax.]

Lasket, las′ket, n. a loop of line at the foot of a sail, to which to fasten an extra sail.

Lass, las, n. (fem. of Lad) a girl, esp. a country girl: a sweetheart: (Scot.) a maid-servant.—(Diminutives) Lass′ie, Lass′ock.—adj. Lass′lorn (Shak.), forsaken by one's mistress. [Prob. a contr. of laddess, formed from lad; or directly from W. llodes, fem. of llawd, a lad. Mr H. Bradley thinks the association with lad merely accidental, the word first appearing about 1300 in northern writings as lasce, evidently representing a Scand. laskw, the fem. of an adj. meaning unmarried; cf. Middle Sw. lösk kona, unmarried woman.]

Lassitude, las′i-tūd, n. faintness: weakness: weariness: languor. [Fr.,—L. lassitudo—lassus, faint.]

Lasso, las′ō, n. a long rope with a running noose for catching wild horses, &c.:—pl. Lass′os, Lass′oes.—v.t. to catch with the lasso:—pr.p. lass′ōing; pa.p. lass′ōed. [Port. laço, Sp. lazo—L. laqueus, a noose.]

Last, last, n. a wooden mould of the foot on which boots and shoes are made.—v.t. to fit with a last.—n. Last′er, one who fits the parts of shoes to lasts: a tool for doing so. [A.S. lást, a trace.]

Last, last, v.i. to continue, endure: to escape failure: remain fresh, unimpaired.—adj. Last′ing, permanent, durable.—n. endurance.—adv. Last′ingly.—n. Last′ingness. [A.S. lǽstan, to keep a track. See foregoing word.]

Last, last, n. a load, cargo, a weight generally estimated at 4000 lb., but varying in different articles.—n. Last′age, the lading of a ship: room for stowing goods in a ship: a duty formerly paid for the right of carrying goods, &c. [A.S. hlæst—hladan, to load; Ger. last, Ice. hlass.]

Last, last, adj. latest: coming after all the others: final: next before the present: utmost: meanest: most improbable or unlikely—also adv.—n. Last′-court, a court held by the jurats in the marshes of Kent to fix rates chargeable for the preservation of these—also Last.—adv. Last′ly.—Last day (Scot.), yesterday; Last heir (Eng. law), he to whom lands come by escheat for want of lawful heirs.—At last, in conclusion (this from A.S. on lást, therefore not from late at all, but from last (1), which is the A.S. lást, a trace); Breathe one's last, to die; Die in the last ditch, to fight to the bitter end; First and last, altogether; On one's last legs, on the verge of utter failure or exhaustion; Put the last hand to, to finish, put the finishing touch to; The last cast (see Cast); The last day, the Day of Judgment; The last days, times (B.), the period when the end of the world draws near; To the last, to the end: till death. [A contr. of latest.]

Latakia, lat-a-kē′a, n. a fine kind of tobacco produced at Latakia (Laodicea ad Mare) in Syria.

Latch, lach, n. a small piece of wood or iron to fasten a door.—v.t. to fasten with a latch: to hold, retain: (obs.) to seize.—ns. Latch′et, a strap or buckle for fastening a shoe; Latch′key, a key to raise the latch of a door.—On the latch, not locked, but opened by a latch. [A.S. læccan, to catch.]

Late, lāt, adj. (comp. Lat′er; superl. Lat′est) slow, tardy; behindhand: coming after the expected time: long delayed: far advanced towards the close: last in any place or character: deceased: departed: out of office: not long past—also adv.—adj. Lat′ed (Shak.), belated, being too late.—adv. Late′ly.—n. Late′ness, state of being late.—adv. Lat′er.—adj. Lat′ish, somewhat late. [A.S. læt, slow; Dut. laat, Ice. latr, Ger. lass, weary; L. lassus, tired.]

Latebra, lat′eb-ra, n. the cavity in the food-yolk of a meroblastic ovum.—adj. Lat′ebrous. [L.—latēre.]

Lateen, la-tēn′, adj. applied to a triangular sail, common in the Mediterranean, the Lake of Geneva, &c. [Fr.,—L. Latinus, Latin.]

Latent, lā′tent, adj. hid: concealed: not visible or apparent: dormant, undeveloped.—ns. Lā′tence, Lā′tency.—adv. Lā′tently.—Latent heat (see Heat); Latent life, a phrase describing the physiological condition of organisms in which the functions are for a time suspended without losing the power of future activity; Latent period of a disease, the time that elapses before symptoms show the presence of the disease. [L. latens, pr.p. of latēre, to lie hid; Gr. lanthanein, to be hidden.]

Lateral, lat′ėr-al, adj. belonging to the side: proceeding from or in the direction of the side: (anat. and zool.) situated on one of the sides of the median vertical longitudinal plane of the body: (physics) at right angles to a line of motion or strain.—n. Lateral′ity.—adv. Lat′erally.—adj. Laterifō′lious (bot.), growing by the side of a leaf at its base.—Lateral fin, one of the paired side fins of a fish:—opp. to Vertical fin. [L. lateralis—latus, latĕris, a side.]

Lateran, lat′ėr-an, adj. pertaining to the Church of St John Lateran at Rome, the Pope's cathedral church, on the site of the splendid palace or basilica of Plautius Lateranus (executed 66 A.D.).—Lateran Councils, five general councils of the Western Church, held in the Lateran basilica (1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1512-17), regarded by Roman Catholics as œcumenical: also an important synod against the Monothelites in 649.

Latericeous, lat-ėr-ish′us, adj. of brick, or brick-coloured.—Also Laterit′ious. [L. latericius—later, lateris, a brick.]

Laterite, lat′ėr-īt, n. an argillaceous sandstone of a reddish or brick colour found in India, esp. in Ceylon. [L. later, lateris, a brick.]

Latescent, lā-tes′ent, adj. becoming hidden.—n. Latesc′ence. [L. latescĕre—latēre, to lie hid.]

Latex, lā′teks, n. (bot.) the sap of plants after it has been elaborated in the leaves.—adj. Laticif′erous, containing or conveying latex. [L.]

Lath, läth, n. a thin cleft slip of wood used in slating, plastering, &c.:—pl. Laths (läthz).—v.t. to cover with laths.—adj. Lath′en.—ns. Lath′ing, the act or process of covering with laths: a covering of laths; Lath′-split′ter, one who splits wood into laths.—adj. Lath′y, like a lath.—Dagger of lath, any insufficient means of attack or defence. [A.S. lættu; Dut. lat, Ger. latte, a lath.]

Lathe, lāth, n. a machine for turning and shaping articles of wood, metal, &c.: the movable swing-frame of a loom carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft. [Ice. löð.]

Lathe, läth, n. a part or division of a county, now existing only in Kent, and consisting of four or five hundreds. [A.S. lǽth, a district.]

Lather, lath′ėr, n. a foam or froth made with water and soap: froth from sweat.—v.t. to spread over with lather.—v.i. to form a lather: to become frothy. [A.S. leáðor, lather; Ice. lauðr, foam.]

Latibulum, lā-tib′ū-lum, n. a hiding-place, burrow:—pl. Latib′ula.—v.i. Latib′ulise, to hibernate. [L.]

Laticlave, lat′i-klāv, n. a broad vertical purple stripe running down the front of a Roman senator's tunic. [L. latus, broad, clavus, a stripe.]

Latifoliate, lat-i-fō′li-āt, adj. broad-leafed.—Also Latifō′lious.

Latin, lat′in, adj. pertaining to ancient Latium (esp. Rome) or its inhabitants, also to all races claiming affinity with the Latins by language, race, or civilisation: written or spoken in Latin.—n. an inhabitant of ancient Latium: a member of a modern race ethnically or linguistically related to the ancient Romans or Italians: the language of ancient Rome—the foundation of the modern Romance tongues: a member of the Latin or Roman Catholic Church.—adj. Lā′tian.—n. Lat′iner, one who knows Latin: (obs.) an interpreter.—v.t. Lat′inīse, to give Latin forms to: to render into Latin.—ns. Lat′inism, a Latin idiom; Lat′inist, one skilled in Latin; Latin′ity, the Latin tongue, style, or idiom.—Latin Church, the Western Church as distinguished from the Greek or Oriental Church, so named as having employed Latin as its official language: the Roman Catholic Church; Latin Empire, that portion of the Byzantine Empire seized in 1204 by the Crusaders, and overthrown by the Greeks in 1261; Latin kingdom, the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem ruled by French or Latin kings, and lasting from 1099 to 1187.—Classical Latin, the Latin of the writers who flourished from about 75 B.C. to 200 A.D.; Dog Latin, barbarous Latin; Late Latin, the Latin written by authors between 200 and (circ.) 600 A.D.; Middle, Medieval, or Low Latin, the Latin of the middle age between 600 and 1500 A.D.; New, Modern, Latin, Latin as written between 1500 and the present time, mostly used as a scientific medium; Thieves' Latin, thieves' cant. [L. Latinus, belonging to Latium, the district round Rome.]

Latirostral, lat-i-ros′tral, adj. broad-billed.—Also Latiros′trate.

Latissimus, lā-tis′i-mus, n. the broadest muscle which lies upon the back.

Latitude, lat′i-tūd, n. the distance of a place north or south from the equator, measured in degrees of the meridian: a place as indicated by latitude: the angular distance of a celestial body above the plane of the ecliptic (apparent when the point of view is on the earth's surface, geocentric when at the earth's centre, heliocentric when at the centre of the sun): (fig.) extent of signification: freedom from restraint: scope: (obs.) width.—adjs. Latitud′inal, pertaining to latitude: in the direction of latitude; Latitudinā′rian, broad or liberal, esp. in religious belief: lax.—n. a name applied by contemporaries to a member of a school of liberal and philosophical theologians within the English Church in the later half of the 17th century: one who affects to regard specific creeds, methods of church government, &c. with indifference.—n. Latitudinā′rianism.—adj. Latitud′inous, having latitude or large extent.—Latitude by account, in navigation, the latitude calculated from the course and distance sailed since last observation; Latitude by observation, the latitude determined from an observation of a heavenly body; Middle latitude, the latitude of the parallel midway between two places situated in the same hemisphere. [Fr.,—L. latitudo, -inis—latus, broad.]

Latria, lā-trī′a, n. the kind of supreme worship lawfully offered to God alone—opposed to Dulia, that given to saints and angels, and to Hyperdulia, that given to the Virgin. [Gr. latreuein, to serve.]

Latrine, lat′rin, n. a privy or water-closet in barracks, factories, hospitals, &c. [Fr.,—L. lavatrina, latrina—lavāre, to wash.]

Latrobe, la-trōb′, n. a form of stove set into a fireplace, heating the room by radiation, and the rooms above by hot air—from I. Latrobe of Baltimore.

Latrocinium, lat-rō-sin′i-um, n. the Robber-Council, that held at Ephesus in 449, in which the doctrines of the heretic Eutyches were upheld by means of intimidation—its acts revoked at the œcumenical council of Chalcedon in 451: larceny: right of adjudging and executing thieves. [L., robbery.]

Latten, lat′en, n. brass or bronze used for crosses: sheet tin, tinned iron-plate. [O. Fr. laton (Fr. laiton)—Ger. latte, a lath, thin plate.]

Latter, lat′ėr, adj. later: coming or existing after: mentioned the last of two: modern: recent: (Shak.) last.—adjs. Latt′er-born (Shak.), younger; Latt′er-day, belonging to recent times.—adv. Latt′erly, in latter time: of late.—Latter-day saints (see Mormon); Latter end (see End); Latter-mint, a late kind of mint.—The former and the latter rain (see Rain). [A variant of later.]

Lattice, lat′is, n. a network of crossed laths or bars, called also Latt′ice-work: anything of lattice-work, as a window: (her.) a bearing of vertical and horizontal bars crossing each other.—v.t. to form into open work: to furnish with a lattice.—ns. Latt′ice-bridge, a bridge with its sides consisting of cross-framing like lattice-work; Latt′ice-gird′er, a girder of which the web consists of diagonal pieces arranged like lattice-work; Latt′ice-leaf, an aquatic plant, native to Madagascar, so called from the singular resemblance of the leaves to open lattice-work—otherwise Lattice-plant, Lace-leaf, Water-yam, or Ouvirandrano.—Red lattice (Shak.), a frame of lattice-work painted red, formerly used to fill the windows of an ale-house. [Fr. lattis—latte, a lath.]

Laud, lawd, v.t. to praise in words or with singing: to celebrate.—n. commendation: praise in divine worship: (pl.) in the R.C. Church, the prayers immediately following matins, constituting with the latter the first of the seven canonical hours.—adj. Laud′able, worthy of being praised.—n. Laud′ableness.—adv. Laud′ably.—ns. Laudā′tion, praise: honour paid; Laud′ative, a panegyric, a eulogium.—adj. Laud′atory, containing praise: expressing praise.—n. that which contains praise.—n. Laud′er. [L. laudāre—laus, laudis, praise.]

Laudanum, lawd′a-num, n. a preparation of opium: tincture of opium. [Same word as ladanum, transferred to a different drug.]

Laugh, läf, v.i. to express mirth or joy by an explosive inarticulate sound of the voice and peculiar facial distortion: to be gay or lively: make merry (with at), to flout.—v.t. to express with a laugh: to affect in some way by laughter.—n. the sound caused by merriment.—adj. Laugh′able, ludicrous.—n. Laugh′ableness.—adv. Laugh′ably.—ns. Laugh′er; Laugh′ing-gas, a gas which excites laughter, called nitrous oxide, used as an anæsthetic in minor surgical operations, as in dentistry; Laugh′ing-jack′ass, the great kingfisher of Australia.—adv. Laugh′ingly, in a laughing manner.—ns. Laugh′ing-stock, an object of ridicule, like something stuck up to be laughed at; Laugh′ter, act or noise of laughing.—Laugh a thing off, to treat as if worthy only of a laugh; Laugh in one's sleeve, to laugh inwardly; Laugh one out of, to make a person abandon a habit, &c., by laughing at him for it; Laugh on the wrong side of the mouth, to be made feel disappointment or sorrow, esp. after boasting, &c.; Laugh to scorn, to deride or jeer at.—Have the laugh on one's side, to be able to laugh at another through getting the better of him by superior dexterity, &c. [A.S. hlihan; Ger. lachen, Goth. hlahjan; prob. imit.]

Launce, läns, n. (Spens.) a balance. [L. lanx, lancis, a plate, a scale of a balance.]

Launch, Lanch, länsh, v.t. to throw as a lance or spear: (Shak.) to pierce or cut with a lance: to send forth: to cause to slide into the water.—v.i. to go forth, as a ship into the water: to come into new relations, make a transition.—n. act of launching or moving a newly-built ship from the stocks into the water: the largest boat carried by a man-of-war: (Spens.) a lancing.—n.pl. Launch′ing-ways, the timbers on which a ship is launched.—n. Steam′-launch, a large passenger-boat propelled by steam-power, and used largely on rivers. [O. Fr. lanchier, lancier (Fr. lancer). See Lance.]

Laund, lawnd, n. (Shak.) a park. [O. Fr. lande; prob. Celt. See Lawn.]

Laundress, lawn′dres, n. a woman who washes and irons clothes.—n. Laun′der, a washerwoman or washerman: a trough for conveying water.—v.t. to wash and iron, as clothes: (Shak.) to wet, wash.—ns. Laun′dry, a place where clothes are washed and dressed; Laun′dry-man, -maid, a male, female, worker in a laundry. [M. E. lavander—O. Fr. lavandier—L., gerundive of lavāre to wash.]

Laura, law′ra, n. an early kind of monastic community, its cells separate structures, the inmates living in solitude, meeting only for common services in the chapel—found only in Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. [Most prob. Gr. laura, an alley, lane.]

Laureate, law′re-āt, adj. crowned with laurel.—n. one crowned with laurel: a poet-laureate.—v.t. to crown with laurel, in token of literary merit: to confer a degree upon.—ns. Lau′reateship, office of a laureate; Laureā′tion, act of laureating or conferring a degree; Pō′et-lau′reate, formerly one who received a degree in grammar (i.e. poetry and rhetoric) at the English universities: a poet bearing that honorary title, a salaried officer in the royal household, appointed to compose annually an ode for the king's birthday and other suitable occasions.

Laurel, law′rel, n. the bay-tree, used by the ancients for making honorary wreaths: a crown of laurel, honours gained (freq. in pl.): any species of the genus Laurus.—adjs. Lau′rel; Lau′relled, crowned with laurel.—n. Lau′rel-wa′ter, a sedative and narcotic water distilled from the leaves of the cherry-laurel.—adjs. Laurif′erous, producing laurel; Lau′riger, laurel-wearing.—n Laurustī′nus, an evergreen shrub. [Fr. laurier—L. laurus.]

Laurentian, law-ren′shi-an, adj. pertaining to Lorenzo or Laurentius dei Medici, or to the Laurentian library founded by him at Florence: of or pertaining to the river St Lawrence: applied to a series of rocks covering a large area in the region of the Upper Lakes of North America.

Lauwine, law′vin, n. (Byron) an avalanche. [Ger., from Low L. lavina, prob. L. labi, to fall.]

Lava, lä′va, n. the melted matter discharged from a burning mountain, that flows down its sides. [It. lava, a stream—L. lavāre, to wash.]

Lave, lāv, v.t. and v.i. to wash: to bathe.—ns. Lā′vabo, the ritual act of washing the celebrant's fingers after the offertory, before proceeding with the eucharistic service—from Lavabo manus meas in innocentia (Ps. xxvi. 6): a stone basin in monasteries for washing in before meals or religious exercises: a modern convenience or lavatory of similar kind; Lā′vage, a washing out; Lavā′tion, a washing or cleansing; Lav′atory, a place for washing: a medieval stone table in monasteries, &c., on which bodies were washed before burial: (med.) a lotion for a diseased part; Lā′ver, a large vessel for laving or washing. [Fr. laver—L. lavāre, -ātum; Gr. louein, to wash.]

Lave, lāv, n. (Scot.) what is left, the remainder. [A.S. láf; Ice. leif. See Leave.]

Lave, lāv, v.t. to lade or throw out (as water from a boat). [A.S. lafian, pour out water; Ger. laben, refresh. Conn. with L. lavāre, to wash, dub.]

Lavender, lav′en-dėr, n. an odoriferous plant, probably so called from its being laid with newly washed clothes: a pale-lilac colour, the colour of lavender blossoms.—v.t. to sprinkle with lavender.—n. Lav′ender-wa′ter, a perfume composed of spirits of wine, essential oil of lavender, and ambergris.—Lay in lavender, to lay by carefully, as clothes, with sprigs of lavender in them; Oil of lavender, an aromatic oil distilled from lavender flowers and stems, used as a stimulant and tonic. [M. E. lavendre—Fr. lavande—L. lavāre, to wash.]

Laver, lāv′ėr, n. the fronds of certain marine plants, sometimes used as food. [L. laver.]

Lavish, lav′ish, v.t. to expend profusely: to waste.—adj. bestowing profusely: prodigal: extravagant: unrestrained.—adv. Lav′ishly.—ns. Lav′ishment, Lav′ishness. [From Lave (3).]

Lavolt, la-volt′, Lavolta, la-vol′ta, n. (Shak.) an old dance in which there were much turning and high leaping. [It. la volta, the turn.]

Law, law, n. a rule of action established by authority: statute: the rules of a community or state: a rule or principle of science or art: the whole jurisprudence or the science of law: established usage: that which is lawful: the whole body of persons connected professionally with the law: litigation: a theoretical principle educed from practice or observation: a statement or formula expressing the constant order of certain phenomena: (theol.) the Mosaic code or the books containing it.—v.t. (coll.) to give law to, determine.—v.i. (obs.) to go to law.—adj. Law′-abid′ing, obedient to the law.—ns. Law-bind′ing; Law′-book, a book treating of law or law cases; Law′-break′er, one who violates a law; Law′-burr′ows (Scots law), a writ requiring a person to give security against doing violence to another; Law′-calf, a book-binding in smooth, pale-brown calf; Law′-day, a day of open court.—adj. Law′ful, allowed by law: rightful.—adv. Law′fully.—ns. Law′fulness; Law′giver, one who enacts laws: a legislator.—adj. Law′giving, legislating.—n. Law′ing, going to law: litigation: (obs.) the practice of cutting off the claws and balls of a dog's forefeet to hinder it from hunting: (Scot.) a reckoning at a public-house, a tavern bill.—adj. Law′less.—adv. Law′lessly.—ns. Law′lessness; Law′-list, an annual publication containing all information regarding the administration of law and the legal profession; Law′-lord, a peer in parliament who holds or has held high legal office: in Scotland, a judge of the Court of Session; Law′-mak′er, a lawgiver; Law′-man, one of a select body with magisterial powers in some of the Danish towns of early England; Law′-mer′chant, a term applied to the customs which have grown up among merchants in reference to mercantile documents and business; Law′-mong′er, a low pettifogging lawyer; Law′-stā′tioner, a stationer who sells parchment and other articles needed by lawyers; Law′suit, a suit or process in law; Law′-writ′er, a writer on law: a copier or engrosser of legal papers; Law′yer, a practitioner in the law: (N.T.) an interpreter of the Mosaic Law: the stem of a brier.—Law Latin, Latin as used in law and legal documents, being a mixture of Latin with Old French and Latinised English words; Law of nations, now international law, originally applied to those ethical principles regarded as obligatory on all communities; Law of nature (see Nature); Law of the land, the established law of a country; Laws of association (see Association); Laws of motion (see Motion); Lawful day, one on which business may be legally done—not a Sunday or a public holiday.—Boyle's (erroneously called Mariotte's) law (physics), in gases, the law that, for a given quantity at a given temperature, the pressure varies inversely as the volume—discovered by Robert Boyle in 1662, and treated in a book by Mariotte in 1679; Brehon law (see Brehon); Canon law (see Canon); Case law, law established by judicial decision in particular cases, in contradistinction to statute law; Common law (see Common); Criminal law, the law which relates to crimes and their punishment; Crown law, that part of the common law of England which is applicable to criminal matters; Customary law (see Consuetudinary); Empirical law, a law induced from observation or experiment, and though valid for the particular instances observed, not to be relied on beyond the conditions on which it rests; Federal law, law prescribed by the supreme power of the United States, as opposed to state law; Forest law, the code of law which was drawn up to preserve the forests, &c., forming the special property of the English kings; Gresham's law (polit. econ.), the law that of two forms of currency the inferior or more depreciated tends to drive the other from circulation, owing to the hoarding and exportation of the better form; Grimm's law (philol.), the law formulating certain changes or differences which the mute consonants exhibit in corresponding words in the Teutonic branches of the Aryan family of languages—stated by Jacob Grimm (1785-1863); International law (see International); Judiciary law, that part of the law which has its source in the decisions and adjudications of the courts; Kepler's laws, three laws of planetary motion discovered by Johann Kepler (1571-1630)—viz. (1) the orbits of the planets are ellipses with the sun at one focus; (2) the areas described by their radii vectores in equal times are equal; (3) the squares of their periodic times vary as the cubes of their mean distances from the sun; Lynch law (see Lynch); Maine law, a prohibitory liquor law passed by the legislature of Maine State, U.S.A., in 1851; Maritime, Martial, Mercantile, Military law (see the adjs.); May laws, several Prussian enactments (1873-74) directed to control the action of the Church, and limit its interference in civil matters, largely modified in 1887—often called Falk laws, from the introducer; Moral law, that portion of the Old Testament which relates to moral principles, especially the ten commandments; Mosaic, Municipal, Natural law (see the adjs.); Ohm's law, the basis of electrical measurements, established in 1827 by Ohm (1787-1854), that the resistance of a conductor is measured by the ratio of the electromotive force between its two ends to the current flowing through it; Poor-law, -laws, laws providing for the support of paupers at the public expense; Positive law, law owing its force to human sanction as opposed to divine law; Private law (see Private); Roman law, the system of law developed by the ancient Romans, and often termed the civil law (q.v.); Salic law (see Salian); Statute law (see Statute); Sumptuary law (see Sumptuary); Verner's law (philol.), a law stated by Karl Verner in 1875, showing the effect of the position of accent in the shifting of the original Aryan mute consonants, and s, into Low German, and explaining the most important anomalies in the application of Grimm's law; Written law, statute law as distinguished from the common law.—Have the law of (coll.), to enforce the law against; Lay down the law, to state authoritatively or dictatorially. [M. E. lawe—A.S. lagu, from licgan, to lie; Ice. lōg.]

Lawn, lawn, n. a sort of fine linen or cambric.—adj. made of lawn.—adj. Lawn′y.—Lawn sleeves, wide sleeves of lawn worn by Anglican bishops. [Prob. from Fr. Laon, a town near Rheims.]

Lawn, lawn, n. an open space between woods: a space of ground covered with grass, generally in front of or around a house or mansion.—ns. Lawn′-mow′er, a machine for cutting the grass on a lawn; Lawn′-sprink′ler, a machine for watering a lawn by sprinkling from a hose with perforated swivel-collar; Lawn′-tenn′is, a game played with a ball and rackets on an open lawn or other smooth surface by two, three, or four persons.—adj. Lawn′y. [A corr. of laund, lawnd.]

Lax, laks, adj. slack: loose: soft, flabby: not strict in discipline or morals: loose in the bowels.—adj. Lax′ative, having the power of loosening the bowels.—n. a purgative or aperient medicine.—ns. Lax′ativeness, Lax′ity, Lax′ness, state or quality of being lax; Laxā′tor, a muscle that relaxes an organ or part; Lax′ist, one holding loose notions of moral laws, or of their application.—adv. Lax′ly. [L. laxus, loose.]

Lay, lā, v.t. to cause to lie down: to place or set down: to beat down: to spread on a surface: to conjoin: to spread the proper thing on: to calm: to appease: to wager: to bring forth: to impose: to charge: to present.—v.i. to produce eggs: to wager, bet:—pr.p. lay′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. laid.—n. situation: (Shak.) a bet: a share of profit, esp. in whaling enterprises: (slang) a field or method of operations, esp. of thieves: a measure in thread manufacture, about 800 yards.—ns. Lay′er, that which lays—e.g. a hen, a bricklayer: a bed or stratum: a shoot laid for propagation; Lay′ering, the propagation of plants by layers; Lay′ing, the first coat of plaster: the act or time of laying eggs: the eggs laid; Lay′-out, that which is laid out, a spread, for dining, gaming, &c.; Lay′-stall, a place for laying dung, rubbish, &c.—Lay about one, to deal blows vigorously or on all sides; Lay aside, away, to discard: to put apart for future use; Lay at, to endeavour to strike; Lay bare, to make bare, disclose; Lay before, to submit to, as of plans; Lay by, to keep for future use, to dismiss, to put off; Lay by the heels (see Heel); Lay down, to give up: to deposit, as a pledge: to apply, as embroidery: to delineate, describe: to affirm, assert: (rare) to store for future use; Lay heads together, to consult together, to deliberate; Lay hold of, or on, to seize, apprehend; Lay in, to get in a supply of; Lay into, to chastise thoroughly; Lay it on, to charge exorbitantly, to do anything with profuseness; Lay off, to cast aside: to mark off; Lay on, to apply with force, to strike, to act with vigour; Lay one's self out to, to put forth one's best efforts for anything; Lay on load (Spens.), to belabour; Lay on the table (see Table); Lay open, to make bare, to show, expose; Lay out, to expand, to display: to expend, to plan, to exert: to dress in grave-clothes: to take measures, seek; Lay siege to, to besiege: to importune; Lay the land, to cause the land to disappear below the horizon by sailing away from it; Lay to, to apply with vigour: to bring a ship to rest; Lay to heart (see Heart); Lay under, to subject to; Lay up, to store up, preserve: to confine to one's bed or room for a time: to put a ship in dock after dismantling; Lay upon, to wager upon; Lay wait, to lie in wait, or in ambush; Lay waste, to devastate, to destroy.—Laying on of hands (see Hand).—Laid embroidery, gimped or raised embroidery.—On a lay, on shares, as when a crew is shipped 'on a lay' instead of receiving wages. [Lay is the causal to lie, from A.S. lecgan; Ice. leggja, Ger. legen.]

Lay, lā, n. a song: a lyric or narrative poem. [O. Fr. lai, from Celt.; cf. Gael. laoidh, a hymn.]

Lay, lā, Laic, -al, lā′ik, -al, adjs. pertaining to the people: not clerical: unprofessional: (cards) not trumps.—v.t. Lā′icise, to deprive of a clerical character.—ns. Lā′ity, the people as distinguished from any particular profession, esp. the clerical; Lay′-bap′tism, baptism administered by a layman; Lay′-broth′er, a layman: a man under vows of celibacy and obedience, who serves a monastery, but is exempt from the studies and religious services required of the monks; Lay′-commun′ion, the state of being in the communion of the church as a layman; Lay′-imprō′priator, an impropriator who is a layman (see Impropriator); Lay′-lord, a civil lord of the Admiralty; Lay′man, one of the laity: a non-professional man; Lay′-read′er, in the Anglican Church, a layman who receives authority to read the lessons or a part of the service, and who may in certain cases preach or read the sermons of others. [O. Fr. lai—L. laicus—Gr. laikos—laos, the people.]

Lay-day, lā′-dā, n. one of a number of days allowed a charter-party for shipping or unshipping cargo.

Layette, lā-yet′, n. a baby's complete outfit: a tray for carrying powder in powder-mills. [Fr.]

Lay-figure, lā′-fig′ūr, n. a jointed figure used by painters in imitation of the human body, as a model for drapery: a living person or a fictitious character wanting in individuality.—Also Lay′-man.

Lazar, lā′zar, n. one afflicted with a loathsome and pestilential disease like Lazarus, the beggar.—ns. Lā′zar-house, a lazaretto; Laz′arist, a member of a R.C. order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul in 1624.—adj. Lā′zar-like, like a lazar: full of sores: leprous. [Fr. lazare—L.,—Gr. Lazaros, in the parable in Luke xvi.—Heb. El‛āzār, 'he whom God helps.']

Lazaretto, laz-a-ret′ō, n. a public hospital for diseased persons, esp. for such as have infectious disorders: a prison hospital: a place where persons are kept during quarantine.—Also Laz′aret. [It. lazzeretto.]

Lazulite, laz′ū-līt, n. a mineral of a light, indigo-blue colour, occurring in quartz and in clay-slate.

Lazy, lā′zi, adj. disinclined to exertion: averse to labour: sluggish: tedious.—v.i. Laze, to be lazy.—adv. Lā′zily.—ns. Lā′ziness, state or quality of being lazy; Lā′zy-bed, a bed for growing potatoes, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with earth dug out of trenches along both sides; Lā′zybones (coll.), a lazy person, an idler; Lā′zy-jack, a jack constructed of compound levers pivoted together; Lā′zy-pin′ion (see Idle-wheel).—n.pl. Lā′zy-tongs, tongs consisting of a series of diagonal levers pivoted together at the middle and ends, capable of being extended by a movement of the scissors-like handles so as to pick up objects at a distance. [M. E. lasche—O. Fr. lasche (Fr. lâche), slack, weak, base—L. laxus, loose.]

Lazzaroni, laz-a-rō′ni, n. name given to the lowest classes in Naples, idle beggars, with no fixed habitation or regular occupation:—sing. Lazzarone. [It.]

Lea, lē, n. a meadow: grass-land, pasturage.—Older forms, Lay, Lee, Ley. [A.S. leáh; cf. prov. Ger. lohe, loh, found also in place-names, as Waterloo.]

Leach, lēch, v.t. to wash or drain away by percolation of water, esp. to make lye by leaching ashes—also Letch.—ns. Leach′-trough, -tub, a trough or tub in which ashes are leached.—adj. Leach′y, liable to be leached, letting water percolate through. [A.S. leccan, to moisten.]

Lead, lēd, v.t. to show the way by going first: to guide by the hand: to direct: to precede: to transport or carry: to allure.—v.i. to go before and show the way: to have a tendency: to exercise dominion:—pr.p. lead′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. led.—n. first place: precedence: direction: (naut.) the course of a running rope from end to end: the right of playing the first card in a round or trick: a main conductor in electrical distribution.—ns. Lead′er, one who leads or goes first: a chief: the leading editorial article in a newspaper (also Leading article): principal wheel in any machinery; Leaderette′, a brief newspaper leader; Lead′ership, state or condition of a leader or conductor; Lead′ing-bus′iness, the acting of the principal parts or rôles in plays; Lead′ing-mō′tive (Ger. leit-motif), in dramatic music, a principal theme: a theme, usually of but few tones, by which any personage or particular emotion is indicated by suggestion as often as it occurs; Lead′ing-ques′tion, a legal term for a question so put to a witness as to suggest the answer that is wished or expected.—n.pl. Lead′ing-strings, strings used to lead children when beginning to walk: vexatious care or custody.—Lead apes in hell (see Ape); Lead astray, to draw into a wrong course, to seduce from right conduct; Lead by the nose, to make one follow submissively; Lead in prayer, to offer up prayer in an assembly, uniting the prayers of others; Lead off, to begin or take the start in anything; Lead on, to persuade to go on, to draw on; Lead one a dance (see Dance); Lead up to, to bring about by degrees, to prepare for anything by steps or stages. [A.S. lǽdan, to lead, lád, a way; Ger. leiten, to lead.]

Lead, led, n. a well-known metal of a bluish-white colour: the plummet for sounding at sea: a thin plate of lead separating lines of type: (pl.) sheets of lead for covering roofs, a flat roof so covered.—v.t. to cover or fit with lead: (print.) to separate lines with leads.—n. Lead′-arm′ing, tallow, &c., placed in the hollow of a sounding-lead, to ascertain the nature of the bottom.—adjs. Lead′ed, fitted with or set in lead: (print.) separated by leads, as the lines of a book, &c.; Lead′en, made of lead: heavy: dull; Lead′en-heart′ed, having an unfeeling heart; Lead′en-step′ping (Milt.), moving slowly.—ns. Lead′-glance, lead ore, galena; Lead′-mill, a mill for grinding white-lead: a leaden disc charged with emery for grinding gems; Lead′-pen′cil, a pencil or instrument for drawing, &c., made of blacklead; Lead′-poi′soning, or Plumbism, poisoning by the absorption and diffusion of lead in the system, its commonest form, Lead or Painter's Colic; Leads′man, a seaman who heaves the lead.—adj. Lead′y, like lead. [A.S. leád; Ger. loth.]

Leaf, lēf, n. one of the lateral organs developed from the stem or axis of the plant below its growing-point: anything beaten thin like a leaf: two pages of a book: one side of a window-shutter, &c.:—pl. Leaves (lēvz).—v.i. to shoot out or produce leaves:—pr.p. leaf′ing; pa.p. leafed.—ns. Leaf′age, leaves collectively: abundance of leaves: season of leaves or leafing; Leaf′-bridge, a form of drawbridge in which the rising leaf or leaves swing vertically on hinges; Leaf′-bud, a bud producing a stem with leaves only; Leaf′iness; Leaf′-in′sect, an orthopterous insect of family Phasmidæ, the wing-covers like leaves.—adj. Leaf′less, destitute of leaves.—ns. Leaf′let, a little leaf, a tract; Leaf′-met′al, metal, especially alloys imitating gold and silver, in very thin leaves, for decoration; Leaf′-mould, earth formed from decayed leaves, used as a soil for plants; Leaf′-stalk, the petiole supporting the leaf.—adj. Leaf′y, full of leaves.—Take a leaf out of one's book (see Book); Turn over a new leaf, to take up a new and better course of conduct. [A.S. leáf; Ger. laub, Dut. loof, a leaf.]

League, lēg, n. a nautical measure, 1⁄20th of a degree, 3 geographical miles, 3.456 statute miles: an old measure of length, varying from the Roman league, 1.376 mod. Eng. miles, to the French, 2.764 miles, and the Spanish, 4.214 miles. [O. Fr. legue (Fr. lieue)—L. leuca, a Gallic mile of 1500 Roman paces; from the Celt., as in Bret. leó.]

League, lēg, n. a bond or alliance: union for mutual advantage.—v.i. to form a league: to unite for mutual interest:—pr.p. leag′uing; pa.t. and pa.p. leagued.—n. Leag′uer, one connected with a league. [Fr. ligue—Low L. liga—L. ligāre, to bind.]

Leaguer, lēg′ėr, n. a camp, esp. of a besieging army: siege or besiegement. [Dut. leger, a lair.]

Leak, lēk, n. a crack or hole in a vessel through which liquid may pass: the oozing of any fluid through an opening.—v.i. to let any fluid into or out of a vessel through a leak.—ns. Leak′age, a leaking: that which enters or escapes by leaking: an allowance for leaking; Leak′iness.—adj. Leak′y, having leaks: letting any liquid in or out.—Leak out, to find vent, to get to the public ears; Spring a leak, to begin to let in water. [Ice. leka; Dut. lekken, to drip.]

Leal, lēl, adj. true-hearted, faithful.—Land o' the Leal, the home of the blessed after death—Paradise, not Scotland. [Norm. Fr. leal, same as loyal.]

Leam, lēm, n. (obs.) a gleam of light, a glow.—v.i. to shine. [A.S. leóma.]

Lean, lēn, v.i. to incline or bend: to turn from a straight line: to rest against: to incline towards:—pr.p. lean′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. leaned or leant (lent).—n. Lean′-to, a shed or penthouse whose supports lean upon another building or wall. [A.S. hlinian, and causal form hlǽnan; Dut. leunen.]

Lean, lēn, adj. thin, wanting flesh: not fat: unprofitable, taking extra time—a printer's phrase.—n. flesh without fat.—adj. Lean′-faced, having a thin face: (print.) slender and narrow, as letters.—adv. Lean′ly.—n. Lean′ness.—adj. Lean′-wit′ted, of little sense. [A.S. hlǽne; Low Ger. leen; according to Skeat, from hlǽnan, to lean (above).]

Leap, lēp, v.i. to move with bounds: to spring upward or forward: to jump: to rush with vehemence.—v.t. to bound over: to cause to take a leap: to cover or copulate (of some beasts):—pr.p. leap′ing; pa.t. leaped or leapt (lept); pa.p. leaped, rarely leapt.—n. act of leaping: bound: space passed by leaping: sudden transition.—ns. Leap′-frog, a play in which one boy places his hands on the back of another stooping in front of him, and vaults over his head; Leap′ing-house (Shak.), a brothel; Leap′ing-time (Shak.), youth; Leap′-year, every fourth year—of 366 days, adding one day in February.—Leap in the dark, an act of which we cannot foresee the consequences. [A.S. hleápan, pa.t. hleóp; Ger. laufen, to run.]

Lear, lēr, v.t. (Spens.) to learn.—n. that which is learned, a lesson: (Scot.) learning.

Learn, lėrn, v.t. to acquire knowledge of, to get to know: to gain power of performing: (prov.) to teach.—v.i. to gain knowledge: to improve by example.—adjs. Learn′able, that may be learned; Learn′ed, having learning: versed in literature, &c.: skilful.—adv. Learn′edly.—ns. Learn′edness; Learn′er, one who learns: one who is yet in the rudiments of any subject; Learn′ing, what is learned: knowledge: scholarship: skill in languages or science.—New learning, the awakening to classical learning in England in the 16th century, led by Colet, Erasmus, Warham, More, &c. [A.S. leornian; Ger. lernen; cf. A.S. lǽran (Ger. lehren), to teach.]

Lease, lēs, n. a contract letting a house, farm, &c. for a term of years: the duration or term of tenure: any tenure.—v.t. to let for a term of years:—pr.p. leas′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. leased.—adjs. Leas′able; Lease′hold, held by lease or contract.—n. a tenure held by lease.—ns. Lease′holder; Leas′er, one who leases. [Fr. laisser, to leave—L. laxāre, to loose, laxus, loose.]

Lease, lēz, v.i. (prov.) to glean.—n. Leas′ing, gleaning. [A.S. lesan, to gather.]

Lease, lēs, n. in weaving, the plane in which the warp-threads cross: this system of crossing.

Leash, lēsh, n. a lash or line by which a hawk or hound is held: a brace and a half, three.—v.t. to hold by a leash: to bind. [O. Fr. lesse (Fr. laisse), a thong to hold a dog by—L. laxus, loose.]

Leasing, lēz′ing, n. falsehood, lies: lying. [A.S. lásung—leás, false, loose; Goth. laus, Ice. los.]

Leasowe, lē′sō, n. a pasture.—v.t. to feed or pasture. [A.S. lǽs, a meadow.]

Least, lēst, adj. (serves as superl. of Little) little beyond all others: smallest.—adv. in the smallest or lowest degree.—advs. Least′ways, Least′wise, at least: however.—At least, or At the least, at the lowest estimate: at any rate. [A.S. læst, contr. from læsast, from læssa (adj.), less, læs (adv.).]

Leat, Leet, lēt, n. (prov.) a trench for bringing water to a mill-wheel.

Leather, leth′ėr, n. the prepared skin of an animal, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed.—adj. consisting of leather.—ns. Leath′er-cloth, a textile fabric coated on one face with certain mixtures of a flexible nature when dry, so as to resemble leather—called also American leather-cloth, or simply American cloth; Leath′er-coat (Shak.), an apple with a rough coat or rind, the golden russet; Leatherette′, cloth or paper made to look like leather; Leath′er-head, a blockhead: an Australian bird with a bare head—called also Monk and Friar: Leath′ering, a thrashing; Leath′er-jack′et, one of various fishes; Leath′er-knife, a knife of curved form for cutting leather.—adj. Leath′ern, made or consisting of leather.—p.adj. Leath′er-winged (Spens.), having wings like leather.—adj. Leath′ery, resembling leather: tough.—Fair leather, leather not artificially coloured; Morocco leather (see Morocco); Patent leather, leather with a finely varnished surface—also Japanned or Lacquered leather; Russia leather, a fine brownish-red leather with a characteristic odour; Split leather, leather split by a machine, for trunk-covers, &c.; White leather, tawed leather, having its natural colour. [A.S. leðer, leather; Dut. and Ger. leder.]

Leave, lēv, n. permission: liberty granted: formal parting of friends: farewell. [A.S. leáf, permission, cog. with leóf, dear. See Lief.]

Leave, lēv, v.t. to allow to remain: to abandon, resign: to quit or depart from: to have remaining at death: to bequeath: to refer for decision.—v.i. to desist: to cease: to depart:—pr.p. leav′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. left.—Leave alone, to let remain undisturbed; Leave in the dark, to conceal information from; Leave off, to desist, to terminate: to give up using; Leave out, to omit.—Get left (coll.), to be beaten or left behind; Take French leave (see French); Take leave, to assume permission: to part, say farewell. [A.S. lǽfan, to leave a heritage (láf), lifian, to be remaining.]

Leave, lēv, v.i. to put out leaves.—adj. Leaved, furnished with leaves: made with folds.

Leaven, lev′n, n. the ferment which makes dough rise in a spongy form: anything that makes a general change, whether good or bad.—v.t. to raise with leaven: to taint.—n. Leav′ening.—adj. Leav′enous, containing leaven. [Fr. levain—L. levamen—levāre, to raise—levis, light.]

Leavings, lēv′ingz, n.pl. things left: relics: refuse.—n. Leav′ing-shop, an unlicensed pawnshop.

Lecher, lech′ėr, n. a man addicted to lewdness.—v.i. to practise lewdness.—adj. Lech′erous, lustful: provoking lust.—adv. Lech′erously.—ns. Lech′erousness, Lech′ery. [O. Fr. lecheor—lecher, to lick; from Old High Ger. lechón, Ger. lecken, Eng. lick.]

Lectern, lek′tėrn, n. a reading-desk in churches from which the Scripture lessons are read.—ns. (obs.) Lec′turn, Let′tern. [Low L. lectrinum—Low L. lectrum, a pulpit—Gr. lektron, a couch.]

Lection, lek′shun, n. a reading: a variety in a manuscript or book: a portion of Scripture read in divine service.—ns. Lec′tionary, a book for use in worship, containing lessons for particular days; Lec′tor, a reader: a reader of Scripture in the ancient churches; Lec′tress, a female reader. [L. lection-em—legĕre, lectum, to read.]

Lecture, lek′tūr, n. a discourse on any subject, esp. a professional or tutorial discourse: an expository and discursive religious discourse, usually based on an extended passage of Scripture rather than a single text: an endowed lectureship, as the Bampton, Hulsean, &c.: a formal reproof.—v.t. to instruct by discourses: to instruct authoritatively: to reprove.—v.i. to give a lecture or lectures.—ns. Lec′turer, one who lectures: one of a class of preachers in the Church of England, chosen by the vestry and supported by voluntary contributions; Lec′tureship, the office of a lecturer. [See Lection.]

Led, led, pa.t. and pa.p. of lead, to show the way.—adj. under leading or control, esp. of a farm or place managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.—Led captain, an obsequious attendant, a henchman; Led horse, a spare horse led by a servant, a sumpter-horse or pack-horse.

Leden, led′n, n. (Spens.) language, dialect, speech. [A.S. lǽden, Latin speech—L. Latinum, Latin.]

Ledge, lej, n. a shelf on which articles may be laid: that which resembles such a shelf: a ridge or shelf of rocks: a layer: a small moulding: a lode in mining.—adj. Ledg′y, abounding in ledges. [Skeat explains as Scand., allied to Sw. lagg, Ice. lögg, Norw. logg (pl. legger); cf. also Norw. lega, a couch; all from Ice. liggja; Sw. ligga, Dan. ligge, to lie.]

Ledger, lej′ėr, n. the principal book of accounts among merchants, in which the entries in all the other books are entered: (Shak.) a resident, esp. an ambassador: a bar, stone, &c., made to lie flat, a piece of timber used in making a scaffolding, a horizontal slab, as over a tomb.—adj. lying in a certain place, stationary. [Skeat explains ledger-book as one that lies always ready, from Dut. legger, one that lies down, leggen, to lie, a common corr. of liggen, to lie (like lay for lie in English).]

Lee, lē, n. the quarter toward which the wind blows.—adj. as in Lee′-side, the sheltered side of a ship.—ns. Lee′-board, a board lowered on the lee-side of a vessel, and acting like a keel or centre-board to prevent her from drifting to leeward; Lee′-gage, the sheltered or safe side:—opp. to Weather-gage; Lee′-shore, the shore opposite to the lee-side of a ship; Lee′-tide, a tide running in the same direction as the wind is blowing.—adj. Lee′ward, pertaining to, or in, the direction toward which the wind blows.—adv. toward the lee.—n. Lee′way, the distance a ship is driven to leeward of her true course: a falling behind.—Make up leeway, to make up for time lost; Under the lee, on the side sheltered from the wind, under shelter from the wind. [A.S. hleów, shelter; Ice. hlé, Low Ger. lee; prov. Eng. lew.]

Leech, lēch, n. the edge of a sail at the sides. [Ice. lík, a leech-line; Dan. lig; Sw. lik, a bolt-rope.]

Leech, lēch, n. a blood-sucking worm: a physician.—v.t. to apply leeches to.—ns. Leech′craft, Leech′dom. [A.S. lǽce, one who heals; cf. Goth. leikeis.]

Leefang, lē′fang, n. a rope through the clew of a jib, holding it amidships while lacing on the bonnet.

Leek, lēk, n. a well-known biennial species of the onion family, esteemed for cooking—national emblem of Wales.—Eat the leek, to be compelled to take back one's words or put up with insulting treatment—from the scene between Fluellen and Pistol in Henry V. [A.S. leác, a leek, a plant, present also in Char-lock, Gar-lic, Hem-lock.]

Leer, lēr, n. a sly, sidelong look: (Shak.) complexion, colour.—v.i. to look askance: to look archly or obliquely.—adv. Leer′ingly, with a leering look. [A.S. hleór, face, cheek; Ice. hlýr.]

Lees, lēz, n.pl. sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of liquor. [Fr. lie—Low L. lia.]

Leet, lēt, n. (Scot.) a selected list of candidates for an office.—Short leet, a small list of selected candidates—for the final choice. [Ice. leiti, a share; cf. A.S. hlét, hlýt, forms of hlot, lot.]

Leet, lēt, n. an ancient English court, esp. the assembly of the men of a township: the district subject to such: the right to hold such a court.—n. Court′-leet (see Court). [A.S. lǽth.]

Leeze, lēz (Scot.), in phrase Leeze me, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. of Lief is me.]

Left, left, pa.t. and pa.p. of leave.—adj. Left′-off, laid aside.

Left, left, adj. being on the left side—also Left′-hand.—n. the side opposite to the right: the part of an assembly sitting on the president's left hand, generally the more liberal or democratic section.—adv. toward the left.—adj. Left′-hand′ed, having the left hand stronger and readier than the right: awkward: unlucky.—ns. Left′-hand′edness; Left′-hand′er, a blow with the left hand, a sudden and unexpected attack; Left′-hand′iness, awkwardness.—adv. Left′ward, towards the left: on the left side. [M. E. lift, left—A.S. left for lyft, weak; prob. allied to lop.]

Leg, leg, n. one of the limbs by which animals walk: a long, slender support of anything, as of a table: (fig.) something that supports: in cricket, that part of the field, or that fielder, to the left of and behind the batsman as he faces the bowler.—v.i. to pass on briskly, often with indef. it.—ns. Leg′-bail (see Bail); Leg′-bus′iness, ballet-dancing; Leg′-bye, in cricket, a run made when the ball touches any part of the batsman's person except his hand.—adj. Legged, having legs.—ns. Leg′ging, an outer and extra gaiter-like covering for the legs; Leg′gism, character of a blackleg.—adj. Leg′gy, having disproportionately long and lank legs.—n. Leg′-ī′ron, a fetter for the leg.—adj. Leg′less, without legs.—Change the leg (of a horse), to change the gait; Feel one's legs (of an infant), to begin to support one's self on the legs; Find one's legs, to become habituated to, to attain ease in; Give a leg to, to assist by supporting the leg; In high leg, in great excitement; Make a leg (Shak.), to make a bow; On one's last legs (see Last); On one's legs, standing, esp. to speak; Upon its legs, in an independent position. [Ice. leggr, a leg; Dan. læg, Sw. lägg.]

Legacy, leg′a-si, n. that which is left to one by will: a bequest of personal property.—ns. Leg′acy-hunt′er, one who hunts after legacies by courting those likely to leave them; Leg′atary, a legatee; Legatee′, one to whom a legacy is bequeathed.—Legacy duty, a duty levied on legacies, varying according to degree of relationship, and reaching its maximum where the legatee is not related to the testator.—Cumulative, or Substitutional, legacy, a second legacy given to the same person, either in addition to or in place of the first; Demonstrative legacy, a general legacy, but with a particular fund named from which it is to be satisfied; General legacy, a sum of money payable out of the assets generally; Residuary legatee, the person to whom the remainder of the property is left after all claims are discharged; Specific legacy, a legacy of a definite thing, as jewels, pictures, a sum of stock in the Funds, &c. [L. legatum—legāre, to leave by will.]

Legal, lē′gal, adj. pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (theol.) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.—n. Lē′galisātion.—v.t. Lē′galise, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.—ns. Lē′galism, strict adherence to law: (theol.) the doctrine that salvation depends on strict adherence to the law, as distinguished from the doctrine of salvation by grace: the tendency to observe the letter rather than the spirit of religious law; Lē′galist; Legal′ity.—adv. Lē′gally.—Legal tender, that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,—L. legalis—lex, legis, law.]

Legate, leg′āt, n. an ambassador, esp. from the Pope: a delegate, deputy, esp. a foreign envoy chosen by the senate of ancient Rome, or a general or consul's lieutenant.—n. Leg′ateship.—adj. Leg′atīne, of or relating to a legate.—n. Legā′tion, the person or persons sent as legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr. légat, It. legato—L. legatus—legāre, to send with a commission.]

Legato, lā-gä′to, adj. (mus.) in a smooth manner, the notes being played as if bound together.—n. a smooth manner of performance, or a tune so played.—adv. (sup.) Legatiss′imo. [It.,—L. ligāre, to tie.]

Legend, lej′end, or lē′-, n. a marvellous story from early times: the motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a musical composition set to a poetical story.—n. Leg′endary, a book of legends: one who relates legends: (pl.) a chronicle of the lives of saints.—adj. consisting of legends: romantic: fabulous.—n. Leg′endist, a writer of legends.—Golden legend (see Golden). [Fr.,—Low L. legenda, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins—L. legendus—legĕre, to read.]

Leger, lej′ėr, adj. light: small.—ns. Leger′ity (Shak.), lightness; Leg′er′-line (mus.), one of the short lines added above or below the staff to extend its compass. [O. Fr.,—L. lĕvis, light.]

Legerdemain, lej-ėr-dē-mān′, n. sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr. léger de main—L. as if leviarius—levis, light, Fr. de, of, main—L. manus, hand.]

Leghorn, leg′horn, n. fine plait for bonnets and hats made in Tuscany: a bonnet of this material: a small breed of the common domestic fowl. [Leghorn (It. Livorno), a seaport of Tuscany, Italy.]

Legible, lej′i-bl, adj. that may be read: that may be understood.—ns. Leg′ibleness, Legibil′ity.—adv. Leg′ibly. [L. legibilis—legĕre, to read.]

Legion, lē′jun, n. in ancient Rome, a body of soldiers of from three to six thousand: a military force: a great number: in French history, the name of several military bodies, more esp. one which distinguished itself in Algeria and in the Crimea.—v.t. to form into legions.—adj. Lē′gionary, relating to, or consisting of, a legion or legions: containing a great number.—n. a soldier of a legion.—Legion of Honour, an order of merit instituted in France in 1802 by Napoleon I.; Thundering Legion, the name in Christian tradition for a body of soldiers under Marcus Aurelius, whose prayers for rain once brought down a thunderstorm and destroyed the enemy. [Fr.,—L. legion-em—legĕre, to levy.]

Legislate, lej′is-lāt, v.i. to bring forward, propose, or make laws.—n. Legislā′tion.—adj. Leg′islative, giving or enacting laws: pertaining to legislation, or a legislature.—n. a body of persons, or a single person, with powers to enact laws.—adv. Leg′islatively.—n. Leg′islator, one who makes laws: a lawgiver:—fem. Leg′islatress.—adj. Legislatō′rial, of or pertaining to a legislature.—ns. Leg′islatorship; Leg′islature, the body of men in a state who have the power of making laws.—Legislative assembly (see Assembly); Legislative power, the power to make laws.—Class legislation, legislation affecting the interests of a particular class. [L. lex, legis, law, ferre, latum, to bear.]

Legitim, lej′i-tim, n. (Scots law) the legal provision which a child is entitled to out of the movable or personal estate of the deceased father.—Also Bairn's Part. [Fr.,—L. legitimus—lex, law.]

Legitimate, le-jit′i-māt, adj. lawful: lawfully begotten, born in wedlock: fairly deduced: following by natural sequence: authorised by usage.—v.t. to make lawful: to give the rights of a legitimate child to an illegitimate one.—n. Legit′imacy, state of being legitimate: lawfulness of birth: regular deduction: directness of descent as affecting the royal succession.—adv. Legit′imately.—ns. Legit′imateness, lawfulness; Legitimā′tion, act of rendering legitimate, esp. of conferring the privileges of lawful birth.—v.t. Legit′imise (same as Legitimate).—n. Legit′imist, one who supports legitimate authority: in France, a follower of the elder Bourbon line (descendants of Louis XIV.), as opposed to the Orleanists or supporters of the descendants of the Duke of Orleans, Louis XIV.'s brother.—Legitimate drama, a designation frequently applied to the representation of Shakespeare's plays—often employed as vaguely indicating approval of the drama of some former time. [Low L. legitimāre. -ātum—L. legitimus, lawful—lex, law.]

Legume, leg′ūm, n. a seed-vessel which splits into two valves, having the seeds attached to the ventral suture only: a pod, as of the pea, bean, &c.—also Legū′men:—pl. Legū′mens, Legū′mina.—adj. Legū′minar.—n. Legū′mine, a nitrogenous proteid substance in the seeds of most leguminous plants, corresponding with the casein of milk.—adj. Legū′minous, pertaining to pulse: bearing legumes. [Fr.,—L. legumen—legĕre, to gather.]

Leibnitzian, līb-nit′zi-an, adj. pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646-1716).—n. Leibnit′zianism, the philosophy of Leibnitz—the doctrine of primordial monads, pre-established harmony, fundamental optimism on the principle of sufficient reason.

Leiger, lej′ėr, n. (Shak.) a resident ambassador.—Also Leidg′er. [See Ledger.]

Leiotrichous, lī-ot′ri-kus, adj. of the smooth-haired races. [Gr. leios, smooth, thrix, trichos, hair.]

Leister, lēs′tėr, n. (Scot.) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice. ljóstr; Dan. lyster, a salmon-spear.]

Leisure, lē′zhōōr, or lezh′-, n. time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.—adj. unoccupied.—adj. Lei′sured, not occupied with business.—adj. and adv. Lei′surely, not hasty or hastily.—At leisure, At one's leisure, free from occupation, at one's ease or convenience. [O. Fr. leisir—L. licēre, to be permitted.]

Leman, lē′man, or lem′-, n. a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S. leóf, loved, mann, man.]

Lemma, lem′a, n. (math.) a preliminary proposition demonstrated for the purpose of being used in a subsequent proposition: sometimes in logic a premise taken for granted: a theme:—pl. Lemm′as, Lemm′ata. [L.,—Gr. lēmma—lambanein, to take.]

Lemming, lem′ing, n. a genus of rodents, nearly allied to voles, migrating southward in great numbers. [Norw. lemende, lemming—lemja, to beat. Perh. Lapp, loumek, a lemming.]

Lemnian, lem′ni-an, adj. pertaining to Lemnos in the Ægean Sea.—Lemnian earth, cimolite; Lemnian ruddle, a red chalk found in Lemnos.

Lemniscate, lem-nis′kāt, n. a curve in general form like the figure 8—also adj.—n. Lemnis′cus, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr. lēmniskos.]

Lemon, lem′un, n. an oval fruit resembling the orange, with an acid pulp: the tree that bears lemons.—n. Lemonade′, a drink made of lemon-juice, water, and sugar.—adj. Lem′on-col′oured, having the colour of a ripe lemon.—ns. Lem′on-grass, a fragrant perennial grass, in India, Arabia, &c., yielding an essential oil used in perfumery; Lem′on-squash, unfervescent lemonade; Lem′on-squeez′er, a small hand-press for extracting the juice of lemons; Lem′on-yell′ow, a clear, pale yellow colour. [Fr. limon—Ar. līmūn.]

Lemur, lē′mur, n. a genus of mammals appearing to stand between the Insectivora and the monkeys, forest dwellers, mainly nocturnal in habits, common in Madagascar. [L. lemur, a ghost.]

Lemures, lem′ū-rēz, n.pl. (Milt.) spirits of the departed: spectres. [L.]

Lend, lend, v.t. to give for a short time something to be returned: to afford, grant, or furnish, in general: to let for hire.—v.i. to make a loan:—pr.p lend′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lent.—ns. Lend′er; Lend′ing, the act of giving in loan: (Shak.) that which is lent or supplied. [A.S. lǽnan—lǽn, lán, a loan.]

Length, length, n. quality of being long: extent from end to end: the longest measure of anything: long continuance: detail: (prosody) time occupied in uttering a vowel or syllable: the quality of a vowel as long or short: any definite portion of a known extent.—v.t. Length′en, to increase in length: to draw out.—v.i. to grow longer.—adv. Length′ily.—n. Length′iness.—adv. Length′wise, in the direction of the length.—adj. Length′y, of great length: rather long—(obs.) Length′ful.—Length of days, prolonged life.—At length, in the full extent: at last; Go great lengths, Go to all lengths, to use extreme efforts; Go to the length of, to proceed as far as. [A.S.,—lang, long.]

Lenient, lē′ni-ent, adj. softening: mild: merciful.—n. (med.) that which softens: an emollient.—ns. Lē′nience, Lē′niency.—adv. Lē′niently.—v.t. Lē′nify (rare), to assuage.—adj. Len′itive, mitigating: laxative.—n. any palliative: (med.) an application for easing pain: a mild purgative.—n. Len′ity, mildness: clemency. [L. leniens, -entis, pr.p. of lenīre, to soften—lenis, soft.]

Lenocinium, lē-nō-sin′i-um, n. (Scots law) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]

Lens, lenz, n. (optics) a piece of transparent substance with one or both sides convex or concave, the object to refract rays of light really or apparently radiating from a point, and make them deviate so as to pass, or travel on as if they had passed, through another point: the crystalline humour of the eye: a genus of leguminous plants:—pl. Lens′es. [L. lens, lentis, the lentil.]

Lent, lent, n. an annual fast of forty days in commemoration of the fast of our Saviour (Matt. iv. 2), from Ash-Wednesday to Easter.—adj. Lent′en, relating to, or used in, Lent: sparing.—n. Lent′-lil′y, the daffodil, as flowering in Lent. [A.S. lencten, the spring; Dut. lente, Ger. lenz.]

Lentamente, len-ta-men′te, adv. (mus.) slowly, in slow time.—advs. Lentan′do, becoming slower by degrees; Len′to, slow, slowly. [It.]

Lenticular, len-tik′ū-lar, adj. resembling a lens or lentil seed: double-convex—also Len′tiform.—n. Len′ticel (bot.), a loose, lens-shaped mass of cells belonging to the corky layer or periderm of plants.—adj. Lenticel′late.—n. Lentic′ula, a small lens: a lenticel: a freckle—also Len′ticule.—adv. Lentic′ularly.—adjs. Lentig′erous, having a crystalline lens; Len′toid, lens-shaped. [L. lenticularis—lenticula, dim. of lens, a lentil.]

Lentigo, len-tī′gō, n. a freckle.—adjs. Lentig′inose, Lentig′inous (bot.), covered with minute dots as if dusted. [L.]

Lentil, len′til, n. an annual plant, common near the Mediterranean, bearing pulse used for food. [O. Fr. lentille—L. lens, lentis, the lentil.]

Lentor, len′tor, n. tenacity, viscidity.—adj. Len′tous. [L. lentus, slow.]

Lenvoy, len-voi′, n. a kind of postscript appended to a literary composition: an envoy. [O. Fr. l'envoi.]

Leonine, lē′o-nīn, adj. a kind of Latin verse, generally alternate hexameter and pentameter, rhyming at the middle and end. [From Leoninus, a 12th-cent. canon in Paris; or from Pope Leo II.]

Leopard, lep′ard, n. an animal of the cat kind, with a spotted skin, now generally supposed to be identical with the panther:—fem. Leop′ardess: (her.) a lion passant gardant. [O. Fr.,—L.,—Gr. leopardos—leōn, lion, pardos, pard.]

Leper, lep′ėr, n. one affected with leprosy.—adjs. Lep′erous (Shak.), Lep′rous. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. lepra—lepros, scaly—lepos, a scale—lepein, to peel off.]

Lepidodendron, lep-i-do-den′dron, n. a common fossil plant of the Carboniferous strata, the stem covered with ovate leaf-scars arranged spirally. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, dendron, a tree.]

Lepidoptera, lep-i-dop′tėr-a, n.pl. an order of insects, with four wings covered with fine scales—butterfly, moth, &c.—adjs. Lepidop′teral, Lepidop′terous. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, pteron, a wing.]

Lepidosauria, lep-i-do-sawr′i-a, n. a sub-class or sub-order of Reptilia, with scales and plates—the ophidians and lacertilians, not crocodilians and chelonians. [Gr. lepis, a scale, sauros, a lizard.]

Lepidosiren, lep-i-do-sī′ren, n. one of the Amazon mud-fishes or Dipnoi. [Gr. lepis, a scale, Eng. siren.]

Lepidosteus, lep-i-dos′te-us, n. a genus of fishes with rhomboid scales hard like bone. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, osteon, a bone.]

Leporine, lep′o-rīn, adj. pertaining to or resembling the hare. [L. leporinus—lepus, lepŏris, the hare.]

Leprechaun, Leprechawn, lep′rē-kawn, n. a small-sized brownie who helps Irish housewives, mends shoes, grinds meal, &c. [Ir. luchorpan, lu, small, corpan, corp, a body—L. corpus.]

Leprosy, lep′ro-si, n. a name applied to several different cutaneous diseases of contagious character, now confined to lepra cutanea, elephantiasis, Græcorum, or Leontiasis.—n. Lep′ra, leprosy: a scurfy, mealy substance on the surface of some plants.—adjs. Lep′rose, scale-like or scurf-like; Lep′rous, affected with leprosy.—adv. Lep′rously.—ns. Lep′rousness, Lepros′ity. [See Leper.]

Leptocardian, lep-to-kär′di-an, adj. pertaining to the Leptocardii, the lowest group of true vertebrates, the lancelets.—n. a lancelet, branchiostome, or amphioxus. [Gr. leptos, thin, kardia, heart.]

Leptocephalic, lep-to-se-fal′ik, adj. having a narrow skull, as in certain flat-fishes. [Gr. leptos, thin, kephalē, the head.]

Leptodactyl, lep-to-dak′til, adj. having small or slender toes. [Gr. leptos, thin, daktylos, a finger.]

Leptology, lep-tol′o-ji, n. minute description. [Gr. leptos, thin, logia—legein, to speak.]

Lepton, lep′ton, n. the smallest of modern Greek coins, 100 to the drachma. [Gr.,—leptos, small.]

Leptorrhine, lep′tō-rin, adj. with small nose or slender snout. [Gr. leptos, thin, hris, hrinos, nose.]

Leptospermum, lep-to-sper′mum, n. a genus of Australian trees and shrubs, evergreens, with leaves like those of myrtles—the tea-tree, &c. [Gr. leptos, thin, sperma, seed.]

Lere, lēr, n. (Spens.) learning a lesson.—v.t. to learn: to teach. [Learn.]

Lesbian, les′bi-an, adj. pertaining to the island of Lesbos in the Ægean Sea, and the adjoining part of the coast of Asia Minor, together forming Æolis, the home of a famous school of lyric poets, including Alcæus and Sappho: amatory, erotic.

Lese-majestie, lēz′-maj′es-ti, n. any crime committed against the sovereign power in a state, treason.—Also Leze′-maj′esty. [O. Fr.,—Low L. læsa majestas—L. læsa—lædĕre, to hurt, majestas, majesty.]

Lesion, lē′zhun, n. a hurt: (med.) an injury or wound. [Fr.,—L. læsion-em—lædĕre, læsum, to hurt.]

Less, les, adj. (serves as comp. of little) diminished: smaller.—adv. not so much: in a lower degree.—n. a smaller portion: (B.) the inferior or younger. [A.S. lǽssa, less, lǽs (adv.); comparative form from a root lasinn, feeble, found also in Goth. lasiws, weak, Ice. las, weakness, not conn. with little.]

Lessen, les′n, v.t. to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to degrade.—v.i. to become less, shrink.

Lesser, les′ėr, adj. (B.) less: smaller: inferior. [A double comp. formed from less.]

Lesson, les′n, n. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read in divine service: that which a pupil learns at a time: a precept or doctrine inculcated: instruction derived from experience: severe lecture.—v.t. to give a lesson to. [Fr. leçon—L. lection-em—legĕre, to read.]

Lest, lest, conj. that not: for fear that. [From the A.S. phrase ðý læs ðe (for the reason less that=L. quominus), the first word being dropped, while the others coalesced into lest.]

Let, let, v.t. to slacken or loose restraint upon: to give leave or power to: to allow, permit, suffer: to grant to a tenant or hirer: to cause (with infin. without to):—pr.p. let′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. let.—n. a letting for hire.—ns. Let′ter; Let′ting.—Let alone, to leave out, not to mention.—adj. passive, inactive—also n. (Shak.) forbearance.—Let blood, to open a vein and let the blood run out; Let down, to allow to fall: to bring down; Let go, to cease holding: to pass by or disregard; Let in, to allow to enter: to take in or swindle; Let into, to admit to the knowledge of; Let off, to allow to go free without punishment, to excuse from payment, &c.; Let on, to allow a thing to be believed, to pretend; Let one's self loose, to let go restraint on words or actions, to indulge in extravagant talk or conduct; Let out, to allow to get free, to let some secret become known; Let slip, to allow to escape: to lose sight of; Let well alone, to let things remain as they are from fear of making them worse. [A.S. lǽtan, to permit, pt.t. lét, leót, pp. læten; Ger. lassen, Fr. laisser, to permit.]

Let, let, v.t. (B.) to prevent.—n. (law) hinderance, obstruction: delay.—n. Let′ter. [A.S. lettan, to hinder—læt, slow.]

Lethal, lē′thal, adj. death-dealing: deadly: mortal.—n. Lethe (Shak.), death.—adj. Lethif′erous, carrying death. [L. lethalis—lethum, letum, death.]

Lethargy, leth′ar-ji, n. heavy unnatural slumber: dullness.—v.t. (Shak.) to make lethargic.—adjs. Lethar′gic, -al, pertaining to lethargy: unnaturally sleepy: dull.—adv. Lethar′gically.—n. Lethar′gicness, the state of being lethargic: morbid sleepiness.—v.t. Leth′argise. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. lēthargia, drowsy forgetfulness—lēthē, forgetfulness.]

Lethe, lē′thē, n. one of the rivers of hell causing forgetfulness of the past to all who drank of it: oblivion.—adj. Lethē′an, of Lethe: oblivious. [Gr.,—lēthō, old form of lanthanein, to forget.]

Letter, let′ėr, n. a conventional mark to express a sound: a written or printed message: literal meaning: a printing-type: (pl.) learning, literary culture.—v.t. to stamp letters upon.—ns. Lett′er-bal′ance, a balance for testing the weight of a letter for post; Lett′er-board (print.), board on which matter in type is placed for keeping or convenience in handling; Lett′er-book, a book in which letters or copies of letters are kept; Lett′er-box, a box in a post-office, at the door of a house, &c., for receiving letters; Lett′er-carr′ier, a postman; Lett′er-case, a portable writing-desk.—adj. Lett′ered, marked with letters: educated: versed in literature: belonging to learning (Lettered proof and Proof before letters; see Proof).—ns. Lett′erer; Lett′er-found′er, one who founds or casts letters or types; Lett′ering, the act of impressing letters: the letters impressed.—adj. Lett′erless, illiterate.—ns. Lett′er-miss′ive, an official letter on matters of common interest, sent to members of a church: a letter from the sovereign addressed to a dean and chapter, naming the person they are to elect bishop—also Royal letter; Lett′ern (same as Lectern); Lett′er-of-cred′it, a letter authorising credit or cash to a certain sum to be paid to the bearer; Lett′er-of-marque (märk), a commission given to a private ship by a government to make reprisals on the vessels of another state.—adj. Lett′er-per′fect, kept in the memory exactly (of an actor's part, &c.).—ns. Lett′erpress, letters impressed or matter printed from type, as distinguished from engraving: a copying-press; Lett′ers-pā′tent, a writing conferring a patent or authorising a person to enjoy some privilege, so called because written on open sheets of parchment; Lett′er-stamp, a post-office implement for defacing a postage-stamp: a stamp for imprinting dates, &c., on letters or papers; Lett′er-wood, the heart-wood of a tree found in British Guiana, dark brown, with darker spots somewhat resembling hieroglyphics; Lett′er-writ′er, one who writes letters, esp. for hire: a book containing forms for imitation in writing letters.—Letter of indication (see Circular); Letters of administration, a document issued by court appointing an administrator of an intestate estate; Letters requisitory, or rogatory, an instrument by which a court of one country asks that of another to take certain evidence on its behalf; Lettre de cachet (see Cachet). [Fr. lettre—L. littera.]

Lettic, let′ik, adj. of or pertaining to the Letts or Lithuanians, or to their language.—Also Lett′ish.

Letting, let′ing, n. the act of granting to a tenant: the act of giving to a contractor.

Lettuce, let′is, n. a plant containing a milky juice, its leaves used as a salad. [O. Fr. laictuce (Fr. laitue)—L. lactuca—lac, milk.]

Leucæmia, lū-sē′mi-a, n. a disease in which the number of white corpuscles in the blood is greatly increased, with changes in the lymphatic tissues, enlargement of the spleen, &c.—Also Leucocythæ′mia. [Gr. leukos, white, haima, blood.]

Leucine, lū′sin, n. a product of the decomposition of albuminous materials occurring in many of the juices of the animal body. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Leuciscus, lū-sis′kus, n. a genus of fresh-water fishes of the Cyprinoid family, including the roach, dace, chub, minnow, &c. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Leucite, lū′sīt, n. a whitish mineral occurring only in volcanic rocks.—adj. Leucit′ic. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Leucocyte, lū′kō-sīt, n. a white corpuscle of the blood or lymph (see Phagocyte).—adj. Leucocyt′ic.—ns. Leucocytog′enesis, the production of leucocytes; Leucocytō′sis, the presence of an excessive number of white corpuscles in the blood.

Leucol, lū′kol, n. an organic base obtained by the distillation of coal-tar. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Leucoma, lū-kō′ma, n. a white opacity of the cornea, the result of acute inflammation. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Leucomaine, lū′kō-mān, n. an alkaloid found in living animal tissue:—opp. to Ptomaine (q.v.).

Leucorrhœa, lū-kō-rē′a, n. an abnormal mucous or muco-purulent discharge from the vagina, the whites. [Gr. leukos, white, hroia—hrein, to flow.]

Leucosis, lū-kō′sis, n. whiteness of skin, pallor.—ns. Leucism (lū′sizm), whiteness resulting from lack of colour, albinism; Leucop′athy, albinism.—adj. Leu′cous, white, albinotic. [Gr. leukos, white.]

Levant, le-vant′, n. the point where the sun rises: the East: the coasts of the Mediterranean east of Italy.—adj. Lev′ant, or Lē′vant, eastern.—n. Levant′er, a strong easterly wind in the Levant.—adj. Levant′ine, belonging to the Levant. [Fr. levant—L. levāre, to raise.]

Levant, le-vant′, v.i. to decamp.—n. Levant′er, one who runs away dishonourably, who dodges paying his bets, &c. [Sp. levantar, to move—L. levāre, to raise.]

Levator, le-vā′tor, n. that which raises (of a muscle):—opp. to Depressor. [L. levāre, to raise.]

Levee, lev′ā, lev′ē, le-vē′, n. a morning assembly of visitors: an assembly received by a sovereign or other great personage.—v.t. to attend the levee of. [Fr. lever, to rise.]

Levee, le-vē′, n. an artificial bank, as that of the Lower Mississippi: a quay. [Fr.]

Level, lev′el, n. a horizontal line or surface: a surface without inequalities: proper position: usual elevation: state of equality: the line of direction: an instrument for showing the horizontal.—adj. horizontal: even, smooth: even with anything else: uniform: well-balanced, sound of judgment: in the same line or plane: equal in position or dignity.—v.t. to make horizontal: to make flat or smooth: to make equal: to take aim:—pr.p. lev′elling; pa.t. and pa.p. lev′elled.—ns. Lev′el-cross′ing, or Grade′-cross′ing, a place at which a common road crosses a railway at the same level; Lev′eller, one who levels or makes equal, esp. one of an ultra-republican and revolutionary sect or party which grew up in the parliamentary army in 1647, crushed by Cromwell in 1649; Lev′elling, the act of making uneven surfaces level: the process of finding the differences in level between different points on the surface of the earth by means of a Levelling instrument, consisting of a telescope carrying a parallel and sensitive spirit-level, adjustable by means of screws; Lev′elling-rod, -staff, an instrument used in levelling, in conjunction with a levelling instrument, or with a spirit-level and a telescope.—adv. Lev′elly, evenly.—n. Lev′elness, state of being level, even, or equal.—Level down or up, to lower or raise to the same level or status; Do one's level best (coll.) to do one's utmost. [O. Fr. livel, liveau (Fr. niveau)—L. libella, a plummet, dim. of libra, a balance.]

Lever, lē′vėr, n. a bar of metal or other substance turning on a support called the fulcrum or prop, for imparting pressure or motion from a source of power to a resistance—of three kinds, according to the relative positions of the power, weight, and fulcrum: (fig.) anything which exerts influence: any one of various tools on the principle defined above—in surgery, dentistry, &c.: a removable rod or bar inserted in a machine, to be operated by hand leverage.—ns. Lē′verage, the mechanical power gained by the use of the lever: advantage gained for any purpose; Lē′ver-watch, a watch having a vibrating lever in the mechanism of the escapement. [Fr. levier—lever—L. levāre, to raise.]

Leveret, lev′ėr-et, n. a hare in its first year. [O. Fr. levret (Fr. lièvre)—L. lepus, lepŏris, a hare.]

Leviathan, le-vī′a-than, n. (B.) a huge aquatic animal in Job xli., here a crocodile; in Isa. xxvii. 1, apparently the great python of Egyptian monuments: anything of huge size: any huge sea-monster, as in Ps. civ. 26. [Heb. livyāthān—lāvāh, to cleave.]

Levigate, lev′i-gāt, v.t. to make smooth: to grind to a fine, impalpable powder.—adj. made smooth, polished.—adj. Lev′igable, capable of being ground down to fine powder.—n. Levigā′tion. [L. lēvigāre, -ātum—lēvis, smooth; Gr. leios, akin to level.]

Levigate, lev′i-gāt, v.t. to lighten, belittle. [L. lĕvigāre, -ātum—lĕvis, light.]

Levirate, lev′i-rāt, n. marriage between a man and a childless brother's widow—an obligation amongst the ancient Hebrews.—adj. Levirat′ical.—n. Levirā′tion. [L. levir, a brother-in-law.]

Levitation, lev-i-tā′shun, n. act of rendering light: the floating in the air of heavy bodies believed in by spiritualists.—v.t. Lev′itate, to cause to float.

Levite, lē′vīt, n. a descendant of Levi: an inferior priest of the ancient Jewish Church.—adjs. Levit′ic, -al.—adv. Levit′ically.—n. Levit′icus, the third book of the Old Testament.—Levitical degrees, the degrees of kindred within which marriage was forbidden in Lev. xviii. 6-18.

Levity, lev′it-i, n. lightness of weight: lightness of temper or conduct: thoughtlessness: disposition to trifle: vanity. [L. levitat-em—lĕvis, light.]

Levogyrate (Læv-), lē-vō-jī′rāt, adj. causing to turn toward the left hand.—n. Levogyrā′tion.—adj. Levogy′rous.

Levulose, lev′ū-lōs, n. a sugar isomeric with dextrose, but turning the plane of polarisation to the left. [L. lævus, left.]

Levy, lev′i, v.t. to raise: to collect by authority, as an army or a tax:—pr.p. lev′ying; pa.t. and pa.p. lev′ied.—n. the act of collecting by authority: the troops so collected. [L. levāre, to raise.]

Lewd, lūd, or lōōd, adj. lustful: unchaste: debauched: ignorant, vicious, or bad, so in B.—adv. Lewd′ly.—ns. Lewd′ness; Lewd′ster, one addicted to lewdness. [A.S. lǽwede, ignorant, belonging to the laity, the pa.p. of the verb lǽwan, to weaken.]

Lewis, lū′is, n. a contrivance for securing a hold on a block of stone to allow of its being raised by a derrick.—Also Lew′isson. [Ety. dub.]

Lexicon, leks′i-kon, n. a word-book or dictionary.—adj. Lex′ical, belonging to a lexicon.—adv. Lex′ically.—n. Lexicog′rapher, one skilled in lexicography.—adjs. Lexicograph′ic, -al.—ns. Lexicog′raphist, Lexicol′ogist, one skilled in lexicology; Lexicog′raphy, the art of compiling a dictionary; Lexicol′ogy, that branch of philology which treats of the proper signification and use of words.—adjs. Lexigraph′ic, -al, pertaining to lexigraphy.—n. Lexig′raphy, the art of defining words. [Gr.,—lexis, a word, legein, to speak.]

Leyden jar, lī′den jär, n. a form of condenser for statical electricity, a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil for two-thirds of its height, the inner coating connected with a metallic knob at the top of the jar, usually by means of a loose chain.

Lherzolite, ler′zō-līt, n. an igneous rock, consisting of a granular aggregate of olivine, pyroxene, enstatite, and picotite. [From Lake Lherz.]

Li, lē, n. a Chinese weight, equal to the one-thousandth of a liang or ounce, and nominally to the Japanese rin: a Chinese mile, equal to rather more than one-third of an English mile. [Chinese.]

Liable, lī′a-bl, adj. able to be bound or obliged: responsible: tending to: subject: (Shak.) exposed: suitable.—ns. Liabil′ity, state of being liable: that for which one is liable, an obligation, debt, &c.; Lī′ableness, state of being liable.—Employers' Liability Act, an enactment (1880) making employers answerable to their servants for the negligence of those to whom they have delegated their authority; Limited liability, a principle of modern statute law which attempts to limit the responsibilities of shareholders in a partnership, joint-stock company, &c., by the extent of their personal interest therein. [Fr. lier—L. ligāre, to bind.]

Liaison, lē-ā-zong′, n. union, or bond of union: connection, esp. if illicit between the sexes: in French, the linking in pronunciation of a final consonant to the succeeding word, when that begins with a vowel. [Fr.—L. ligation-em—ligāre, to bind.]

Liana, li-an′a, n. a general name for the woody, climbing, and twining plants in tropical forests. [Fr. liane—lier, to bind—L. ligāre, to bind.]

Liang, lyang, n. a Chinese ounce or tael, reckoned as one-third heavier than the ounce avoirdupois.

Liard, lī′ard, adj. gray, dapple-gray—(Scot.) Lī′art, Ly′art. [M. E. liard—O. Fr. liard, liart.]

Lias, lī′as, n. (geol.) a formation of argillaceous limestone, &c., underlying the oolitic system.—adj. Lias′sic, pertaining to the lias formation. [Fr., perh. Bret. liach, a stone, Gael. leac, a stone.]

Libation, lī-bā′shun, n. the pouring forth wine or other liquid in honour of a deity: the liquid poured.—adj. Lī′bant, sipping.—v.t. Lī′bate (rare), to make a libation to.—adj. Lī′batory, pertaining to libation. [L. libation-em—libāre, -ātum; Gr. leibein, to pour.]

Libel, lī′bel, n. a written accusation: any malicious defamatory publication or statement: (law) the statement of a plaintiff's grounds of complaint against a defendant.—v.t. to defame by a libel: to satirise unfairly: (law) to proceed against by producing a written complaint:—pr.p. lī′belling; pa.t. and pa.p. lī′belled.—ns. Lī′bellant, one who brings a libel; Lī′beller; Lī′belling, defaming.—adj. Lī′bellous, containing a libel: defamatory.—adv. Lī′bellously. [L. libellus, dim. of liber, a book.]

Liber, lī′ber, n. the bast or inner bark of exogenous plants: a book. [L.]

Liberal, lib′ėr-al, adj. becoming a gentleman: generous: noble-minded: candid: free: free from restraint: general, extensive.—n. one who advocates greater freedom in political institutions.—n. Liberalisā′tion, the process of making liberal.—v.t. Lib′eralise, to make liberal, or enlightened: to enlarge.—ns. Lib′eralism, the principles of a Liberal in politics or religion; Liberal′ity, the quality of being liberal: generosity: largeness or nobleness of mind: candour: impartiality.—adv. Lib′erally.—v.t. Lib′erāte, to set free: to release from restraint, confinement, or bondage.—ns. Liberā′tion; Liberā′tionist, one who is in favour of church disestablishment; Lib′erātor, one who liberates or frees.—adj. Lib′erātory, tending to liberate.—Liberal Party, the name adopted by the Whigs (1830) to denote the body formed by their union with the Radicals; Liberal Unionist, one of that section of the Liberal Party which joined the Conservatives from inability to accede to Mr Gladstone's policy of giving Home Rule to Ireland (1886); German Liberals, a party in German politics, formed by the amalgamation of the Progressist party and the Liberal union, and advocating moderate liberalism in opposition to the policy of Prince Bismarck; National Liberals, a party in German politics which before 1871 advocated the completion of governmental unity in Germany, as well as supported progressive measures of reform. [Fr.,—L. liberalis, befitting a freeman—liber, free, akin to libet, lubet, it pleases.]

Liberty, lib′ėr-ti, n. freedom to do as one pleases: the unrestrained enjoyment of natural rights: power of free choice: privilege: exemption: relaxation of restraint: the bounds within which certain privileges are enjoyed: freedom of speech or action beyond ordinary civility.—ns. Libertā′rian, one who believes in free-will as opposed to necessity; Libertā′rianism, the doctrine of the freedom of the will, as opposed to necessitarianism; Liber′ticide, a destroyer of liberty; Liber′tinage, debauchery; Lib′ertine, formerly one who professed free opinions, esp. in religion: one who leads a licentious life, a rake or debauchee.—adj. belonging to a freedman: unrestrained: licentious.—n. Lib′ertinism, licentiousness of opinion or practice: lewdness or debauchery.—Liberty of indifference, freedom of the will—because before action the will is undetermined as to acting or not acting; Liberty of the press, liberty to print and publish without previous permission from government.—Cap of liberty (see Bonnet rouge, under Bonnet); Religious liberty, the right of thinking about religion or of worshipping as one likes. [Fr.,—L. libertas.]

Libidinous, li-bid′in-us, adj. lustful, lascivious, lewd.—ns. Libid′inist, a lewd person; Libidinos′ity, Libid′inousness.—adv. Libid′inously. [Fr.,—L. libidinosus—libido, desire—libet, lubet, it pleases.]

Library, lī′brar-i, n. a building or room containing a collection of books: a collection of books.—ns. Librā′rian, the keeper of a library; Librā′rianship. [L. librarium—liber, a book.]

Librate, lī′brāt, v.t. to poise: to balance.—v.i. to move slightly: to be poised.—n. Librā′tion, balancing: a state of equipoise: a slight swinging motion.—adj. Lī′bratory.—Libration of the moon, an apparent irregularity in the moon's motion, whereby its globe seems to turn slightly round to each side alternately. [L. librāre, -ātum—libra, balance.]

Libretto, li-bret′ō, n. a book of the words of an opera or other musical composition: the text itself.—n. Librett′ist, a writer of librettos. [It., dim. of libro—L. liber, a book.]

Libyan, lib′yan, adj. of Libya, northern Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic.—n. a native thereof.

License, Licence, lī′sens, n. a being allowed: leave: grant of permission, as for manufacturing a patented article or for the sale of intoxicants: the document by which authority is conferred: excess or abuse of freedom: a departure from rules or standards in art or literature.—v.t. Lī′cense, to grant license to: to authorise or permit.—adj. Lī′censable.—ns. Licensee′, one to whom license is granted; Lī′censer, one who grants license or permission: one authorised to license; Lī′censure, act of licensing; Licen′tiate, among Presbyterians, a person authorised by a Presbytery to preach: on the Continent, an academical dignity, forming the step from the baccalaureate to the doctorate.—adj. Licen′tious, indulging in excessive freedom: given to the indulgence of the animal passions: dissolute.—adv. Licen′tiously.—n. Licen′tiousness.—High license, a mode of regulating the traffic in alcoholic drinks by exacting a comparatively large sum for the privilege of selling such; Special license, license given by the Archbishop of Canterbury permitting the marriage of two specified persons without banns, and at a place and time other than those prescribed by law. [Fr.,—L. licentia—licet.]

Lichen, lī′ken, lich′en, n. one of an order of cellular flowerless plants: an eruption on the skin.—adjs. Lī′chened, covered with lichens; Lichen′ic, pertaining to lichens; Lī′cheniform.—ns. Lī′chenine, a starch-like substance, found in Iceland moss and other lichens; Lī′chenist, Lichenog′rapher, one versed in Lichenog′raphy, the description of lichens.—adjs. Lichenograph′ic, -al.—n. Lichenol′ogy, the department of botany relating to lichens.—adj. Lī′chenous, abounding in, or pertaining to, lichens. [L.,—Gr. leichēn—leichein, to lick.]

Lichgate, lich′gāt, n. a churchyard gate with a porch to rest the bier under.—ns. Lich′wake, the wake or watch held over a dead body—also Likewake, Lykewake, and even Latewake; Lich′way, the path by which the dead are carried to the grave. [M. E. lich—A.S. líc (Ger. leiche), geat, a gate.]

Lick, lik, v.t. to pass the tongue over: to take in by the tongue: to lap: to beat by repeated blows: (coll.) to triumph over, overcome.—n. a passing the tongue over: a slight smear: (Scot.) a tiny amount: a blow: (coll.) an attempt, trial: (pl., Scot.) a thrashing.—ns. Lick′er; Lick′ing, a thrashing; Lick′penny (Scot.), a miserly person; Lick′-plat′ter, Lick′-trench′er, Lick′spittle, a mean, servile dependent.—Lick into shape, to give form and method to—from the notion that the she-bear gives form to her shapeless young by licking them; Lick the dust, to be slain: to be abjectly servile. [A.S. liccian; Ger. lecken, L. lingĕre, Gr. leichein.]

Lickerish, lik′ėr-ish, adj. dainty: eager to taste or enjoy: tempting.—adv. Lick′erishly.—n. Lick′erishness. [Formerly also liquorish; a corr. of obsolete lickerous, lecherous.]

Lictor, lik′tor, n. an officer who attended the Roman magistrates, bearing an axe and bundle of rods. [L.]

Lid, lid, n. a cover: that which shuts a vessel: the cover of the eye.—adjs. Lid′ded, having a lid or lids; Lid′less, without lid or lids. [A.S. hlid (Dut. lid)—hlídan, to cover.]

Lie, lī, n. anything meant to deceive: an intentional violation of truth: anything that misleads.—v.i. to utter falsehood with an intention to deceive: to make a false representation:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lied.—Lie in one's throat, to lie shamelessly; Lie out of whole cloth, to lie without any foundation whatever; Give the lie to, to charge with falsehood; White lie, a conventional phrase not strictly true: a well-meant falsehood. [A.S. leógan (lyge, a falsehood), prov. Eng. lig; Dut. liegen, Goth. liugan, Ger. lügen, to lie.]

Lie, lī, v.i. to rest in a reclining posture: to lean: to press upon: to be situated: to abide: to consist: (law) to be sustainable: (Shak.) to be imprisoned: to lodge, pass the night:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. lay; pa.p. lain, (B.) lī′en.—n. manner of lying: relative position: an animal's lair: (golf) position of the ball for striking.—ns. Lī′er, Lie′-abed′, one who lies late—also adj.—Lie along, to be extended at full length; Lie at one's door, to be directly imputable to one; Lie at one's heart, to be an object of interest or affection to one; Lie by, to take rest from labour: (Shak.) to be under the charge of; Lie hard or heavy on, upon, (Shak.) to, to oppress, burden; Lie in, to be in childbed; Lie in one, to be in one's power; Lie in the way, to be ready, at hand: to be an obstacle; Lie in wait, to lie in ambush; Lie low, to conceal one's actions or intentions; Lie on, upon, to be incumbent on; Lie on the hands, to remain unused or unoccupied; Lie over, to be deferred to a future occasion; Lie to, to be checked in sailing; Lie under, to be subject to or oppressed by; Lie up, to abstain from work; Lie with, to lodge or sleep with: to have carnal knowledge of; Lying-in hospital, a hospital for those about to become mothers. [A.S. licgan; Ger. liegen; Goth. ligan.]

Liebig, lē′big, n. a nutritious extract of beef first prepared by the great German chemist, Baron von Liebig (1803-1873).

Lied, lēt, n. a German ballad, secular or sacred, fitted for singing and often set to music. [Ger.; cf. A.S. leóth, a song.]

Lief, lēf, adj. (arch.) loved, dear.—adv. willingly—now chiefly used in the phrases, 'I had as lief,' 'to have liefer.' [A.S. leóf; Ger. lieb, loved.]

Liege, lēj, adj. free, except as within the relations of vassal and feudal lord: under a feudal tenure.—n. one under a feudal tenure: a vassal: a lord or superior, or one who has lieges.—n. Liege′dom, allegiance.—adj. Liege′less, not subject to a superior.—n. Liege′man, a vassal: a subject. [O. Fr. lige, prob. from Old High Ger. ledic, free (Ger. ledig, free, unfettered), līdan, to depart.]

Lien, lī′en, or lē′en, n. (law) a right in one to retain the property of another to pay a claim. [Fr., tie, band—L. ligamen—ligāre, to bind.]

Lientery, lī′en-ter-i, n. a form of diarrhœa, with frequent liquid evacuations in which the food is discharged undigested.—adj. Lienter′ic. [Gr. leios, smooth, enteron, an intestine.]

Lierne, li-ern′, n. (archit.) a cross-rib or branch-rib in vaulting. [Fr.]

Lieu, lū, n. place, stead, chiefly in the phrase 'in lieu of.' [Fr.,—L. locus, place.]

Lieutenant, lef-ten′ant, n. one representing or performing the work of another: an officer holding the place of another in his absence: a commissioned officer in the army next below a captain, or in the navy next below a commander and ranking with captain in the army: one holding a place next in rank to a superior, as in the compounds Lieuten′ant-col′onel, Lieuten′ant-gen′eral.—ns. Lieuten′ancy, Lieuten′antship, office or commission of a lieutenant: the body of lieutenants; Lieuten′ant-gov′ernor, in India, the name of the chief official in the provinces of Bengal, Behar, and Orissa, the North-western Provinces, and Oudh, Punjab, and Delhi; Lieuten′ant-gov′ernorship; Lieuten′antry (Shak.), lieutenancy; Lord′-lieuten′ant, the title of the viceroy of Ireland: in the British Isles, a permanent governor of a county appointed by the sovereign, usually a peer or other large land-owner, at the head of the magistracy and the chief executive authority; Sub′-lieuten′ant, formerly mate or passed midshipman, now the intermediate rank in the navy between midshipman and lieutenant.—Field-marshal lieutenant (see Field-marshal). [Fr.; cf. Lieu and Tenant.]

Life, līf, n. state of living: animate existence: union of soul and body: the period between birth and death: present state of existence: manner of living: moral conduct: animation: a living being: system of animal nature: social state: human affairs: narrative of a life: eternal happiness, also He who bestows it: a quickening principle in a moral sense: the living form and expression, living semblance: (cricket) an escape, as by a missed or dropped catch:—pl. Lives (līvz).—interj. used as an oath, abbreviated from God's life.—adj. Life′-and-death′, critical: desperate.—ns. Life′-annū′ity, a sum paid to a person yearly during life; Life′-assur′ance, Life′-insur′ance (see Insurance); Life′-belt, a belt either inflated with air, or with cork attached, for sustaining a person in the water; Life′-blood, the blood of an animal in the body: that which gives strength or life; Life′boat, a boat for saving shipwrecked persons, having air-chambers or the like, by which it is rendered specially buoyant and sometimes self-righting; Life′-buoy, a buoy intended to support a person in the water till he can be rescued; Life′-estate′, an estate held during the life of the possessor.—adjs. Life′ful (Spens.), full of vital energy; Life′-giv′ing, imparting life: invigorating.—ns. Life′-guard, a guard of the life or person: a guard of a prince or other dignitary; Life′-his′tory, Life′-cy′cle, the series of vital phenomena exhibited by an organism in its passage from the ovum to full development; Life′hold, land held by lease for life; Life′-in′terest, an interest lasting during one's life.—adj. Life′less, dead: without vigour: insipid: sluggish.—adv. Life′lessly.—n. Life′lessness.—adj. Life′-like, like a living person.—n. Life′-line, a rope stretched anywhere on board a vessel for support of the sailors in difficult operations or during wild weather: a line attached to a life-buoy or lifeboat for an immersed person to seize hold of.—adj. Life′long, during the length of a life.—ns. Life′-mor′tar, a mortar for throwing a shot of some kind to carry a rope from the shore to a ship in distress; Life′-peer, a peer whose title is not hereditary; Life′-peer′age; Life′-preserv′er, an invention, as a buoyant belt or jacket, for the preservation of life in cases of shipwreck: a cane with a loaded head; Life′-raft, a raft-like structure for use in case of shipwreck; Life′-rate, rate of payment on a policy of life-insurance.—adj. Life′-ren′dering (Shak.), yielding up life.—ns. Life′rent, a rent that continues for life; Life′renter, one who enjoys a liferent:—fem. Life′rentrix; Life′-rock′et, a rocket for carrying a line from the shore to a ship in distress.—adjs. Life′-sav′ing, designed to save life, esp. from drowning.—n. Life′-school, a school where artists work from living models.—adjs. Life′-size, similar in size to the object represented; Life′some, full of life: gay, lively.—ns. Life′-tā′ble, a table of statistics as to the probability of life at different ages; Life′-ten′ant, the owner of a life-estate: one who holds lands, &c., for the term of his own or another's life; Life′-time, continuation or duration of life.—adj. Life′-wea′ry (Shak.), weary of life: wretched.—n. Life′-work, the work to which one's life is or is to be devoted.—Life-saving apparatus, all materials, appliances, &c. available for preserving life in cases of shipwreck or fire.—Bring to life, to restore to life one apparently dead; Come to life, to be reanimated; For life, for the whole period of one's existence: so as to save life: very fast or strenuously; High life, the manner of living of those in high or fashionable society: the upper classes of society; Line of life (see Line); To the life, very closely resembling the original: exactly drawn. [A.S. líf; Ice. líf, Sw. lif, Dut. lijf, body, life; Ger. leben, to live.]

Lift, lift, n. (Scot.) the air, heavens, sky. [A.S. lyft; Ger. luft, Ice. lopt, Goth. luftus, the air.]

Lift, lift, v.t. to bring to a higher position: to elevate or keep elevated: to elate: to take and carry away: (obs.) to bear, support: (slang) to arrest: to steal.—v.i. to rise: to try to rise.—n. act of lifting: that which is to be raised: that which assists to lift: a hoisting-machine: advancement.—adj. Lift′able.—ns. Lift′er, one who, or that which, lifts: (Shak.) a thief; Lift′ing-bridge, a drawbridge raised so as to allow ships to pass; Lift′-pump, any pump which is not a force-pump.—Lift the hand, to raise it in hostility; Lift up the eyes, to look, direct one's eyes, or thoughts, to; Lift up the face, to look upward, as in supplication; Lift up the hand, to make oath, swear: to pray; Lift up the head, to rejoice, exult; Lift up the voice, to cry loudly.—Dead lift (see Dead). [Ice. lypta—lopt, the air.]

Ligament, lig′a-ment, n. anything that binds: (anat.) the membrane connecting the movable bones: a bond of union.—adjs. Ligament′al, Ligament′ous, composing or resembling a ligament.—ns. Ligā′tion, act of binding: state of being bound; Lig′ature, anything that binds: a bandage: (mus.) a line connecting notes: (print.) a type of two letters: (med.) a cord for tying the blood-vessels, &c.: impotence produced by magic.—adj. Lig′atured, bound by a ligature. [Fr.,—L. ligamentum—ligāre, to bind.]

Ligan, lī′gan, n. goods sunk at sea, with a float attached for recovery. [L. ligamen, a band.]

Ligger, lig′ėr, n. the horizontal timber of a scaffolding: a nether millstone: a board-pathway over a ditch: a coverlet for a bed: a kelt or spent salmon: a night-line with float and bait for pike-fishing.

Light, līt, n. that which shines or is brilliant: the agent by which objects are rendered visible: the power of vision: day: dawn of day: that which gives light, as the sun, a candle: the illuminated part of a picture: means of communicating fire or light: a lighthouse: (fig.) mental or spiritual illumination: enlightenment: knowledge: public view: point of view: a conspicuous person: an aperture for admitting light: (B.) prosperity, favour.—adj. not dark: bright: whitish.—v.t. to give light to: to set fire to: to attend with a light.—v.i. to become light or bright:—pr.p. light′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. light′ed or lit.—adj. Light′able.—n. Light′-ball, a composition of saltpetre, sulphur, resin, and linseed-oil formed into a ball, and used by soldiers to give light during military operations.—n.pl. Light′-dues, tolls taken from ships in certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses.—ns. Light′er; Light′house, a tower-like construction exhibiting a light for indicating to vessels, when nearing a port or coasting along shore, the proximity of rocks, shoals, and other dangers; Light′house-man, Light′-keep′er, the keeper of a lighthouse.—adj. Light′less.—ns. Light′ness; Light′-room, in a man-of-war, a small room separated from the magazine by thick glass windows, and used to illuminate it: the room in a lighthouse containing the lighting apparatus; Light′-ship, a stationary ship carrying a light and serving the purpose of a lighthouse in very deep waters.—adj. Light′some, full of light.—n. Light′wave, a wave of the luminous ether.—Light of nature, intellectual perception or intuition: (theol.) man's capacity of discovering truth unaided by revelation.—Between the lights, in the twilight; Between two lights, under cover of darkness; Bring to light, to reveal; Children of light, Christians as under the illumination of the Divine light, that illumination which comes directly from God; Come to light, to be revealed; Fixed light, in lighthouses, a light which is maintained steadily without change, as opposed to a revolving light; Floating light, a light displayed at the mast-head of a lightship to show dangers to navigation; Foot, Ground, lights, a row of lights used on a stage to light up the base of a scene; Inner light, spiritual illumination, light divinely imparted; Northern lights, aurora borealis; See the light, to come into view; Stand in one's own light, to hinder one's own advantage. [A.S. leóht; Ger. licht.]

Light, līt, adj. not heavy: of short weight: easily suffered or performed: easily digested: not heavily armed: active: not heavily burdened: unimportant: not dense or copious or intense: gentle: gay, lively: amusing: unchaste: loose, sandy: giddy, delirious: idle, worthless.—vs.t. Light, Light′en, to make less heavy: to alleviate, cheer.—advs. Light, Light′ly (Shak.), commonly, usually.—adj. Light′-armed, armed in a manner suitable for active service.—ns. Light′er, a large open boat used in unloading and loading ships; Light′erage, price paid for unloading ships by lighters: the act of thus unloading; Light′erman.—adjs. Light′-fing′ered, light or active with one's fingers: thievish; Light′-foot, -ed, nimble, active; Light′ful (rare), cheery, happy; Light′-hand′ed, with light or dexterous touch: having little in the hand: empty-handed: insufficiently manned; Light′-head′ed, giddy in the head: delirious: thoughtless: unsteady.—n. Light′-head′edness.—adj. Light′-heart′ed, light or merry of heart: free from anxiety: cheerful.—adv. Light′-heart′edly.—n. Light′-heart′edness.—adj. Light′-heeled, swift of foot.—ns. Light′-horse, light-armed cavalry; Light′-horse′man; Light′-in′fantry, infantry lightly or not heavily armed.—adjs. Light′-legged, swift of foot; Light′-mind′ed, having a light or unsteady mind: not considerate.—ns. Light′-mind′edness; Light′ness (Shak.), light-headedness; Light′ning (Shak.), an exhilaration of the spirits; Light′-o'-love, a capricious and wanton woman: an old dance tune.—n.pl. Lights, the lungs.—adj. Light′some, light, gay, lively, cheering.—n. Light′someness.—adj. Light′-spir′ited, having a cheerful spirit.—n. Light′-weight, in sporting and especially boxing, a man or animal of a certain weight prescribed by the rules, intermediate between the middle-weight and the feather-weight: a person of little importance.—adj. Light′-winged, having light wings: volatile.—Make light of, to treat as of little consequence. [A.S. leóht; Ger. leicht, Ice. léttr; L. lĕvis.]

Light, līt, v.i. (with on, upon) to stoop from flight: to settle: to rest: to come by chance: (with down, from) to descend, to alight:—pr.p. light′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. light′ed or lit.—v.i. Light′en upon′ (Pr. Bk.), to alight or descend upon. [A.S. líhtan, to dismount, lit. 'make light,' relieve of a burden.]

Lighten, līt′n, v.t. to make light or clear: (fig.) to illuminate with knowledge.—v.i. to shine like lightning: to flash: to become less dark.—ns. Light′ning, the electric flash usually followed by thunder: (Shak.) a becoming bright; Light′ning-arrest′er, an apparatus used for protecting telegraph or telephone lines, &c., from lightning-discharges; Light′ning-bug, a sort of phosphorescent beetle or firefly; Light′ning-conduc′tor, Light′ning-rod, a metallic rod for protecting buildings from lightning.

Lign-aloes, līn-al′ōz, Lignaloes, lig-nal′ōz, n. (B.) aloes-wood. [L. lignum, wood, and aloes, aloes.]

Lignum, lig′num, n. wood as contrasted with soft tissues or with bark.—adjs. Lig′neous, wooden: woody: made of wood; Lignif′erous. producing wood.—n. Lignificā′tion.—adj. Lig′niform, resembling wood.—v.t. Lig′nify, to turn into wood.—v.i. to become wood or woody:—pr.p. lig′nifying; pa.p. lig′nifīed.—n. Lig′nīne, pure woody fibre.—adj. Ligniper′dous, destructive of wood.—n. Lig′nīte, brown coal, coal retaining the texture of wood.—adj. Lignit′ic.—ns. Lig′num-cru′cis, wood of the cross: a relic asserted to be a piece of the true cross; Lig′num-vī′tæ, popular name of a South American tree with very hard wood. [L. lignum, wood.]

Ligule, lig′ūl, n. (bot.) the flat part of the leaf of a grass: a strap-shaped petal in certain flowers.—n. Lig′ula, a tongue-like part or organ: in entomology, a fleshy membranaceous or horny anterior part of the labium.—adjs. Lig′ular, pertaining to a ligula; Lig′ulate (bot.), like a bandage or strap: composed of ligules. [L. ligula, dim. of lingua, a tongue.]

Ligure, lī′gūr, or lig′ūr, n. (B.) a precious stone.—n. Lig′urite, a variety of sphene or titanite. [Gr.]

Like, līk, adj. equal in quantity, quality, or degree: similar: likely, probable.—n. the like thing or person: an exact resemblance: a liking.—adv. in the same manner: probably.—conj. as, as if.—v.t. (Shak.) to compare, liken.—ns. Like′liness, Like′lihood.—adj. Like′ly, like the thing required: credible: probable: having reason to expect.—adv. probably.—adj. Like′-mind′ed, having a similar disposition or purpose.—v.t. Lik′en, to represent as like or similar: to compare.—n. Like′ness, resemblance: one who resembles another: that which resembles: a portrait or picture: effigy.—adv. Like′wise, in like wise or manner: also: moreover: too.—Feel like, to be disposed to do anything; Had like, was likely, came near to do something; Look like, to show a likelihood of: to appear similar to; Such like, of that kind. [A.S. líc, seen in ge-líc; Ice. líkr, Dut. ge-lijk, Ger. gleich (=ge-leich).]

Like, līk, v.t. to be pleased with: to approve: to enjoy: (obs.) to please.—n. a liking, chiefly in phrase 'likes and dislikes.'—adjs. Like′able, lovable: amiable; Like′ly, that may be liked: pleasing.—n. Lik′ing, state of being pleased with: inclination: satisfaction in: (B.) condition, plight.—adj. (B.) as in Good′-lik′ing, Well′-lik′ing, in good condition.—On liking, on approval. [Orig. the verb meant 'to be pleasing,' and was used impersonally, as it 'likes me'—i.e. it pleases me, A.S. lícian—líc, like.]

Lilac, lī′lak, n. a pretty flowering shrub, with a flower of a light-purple colour.—adj. having the colour of the lilac flower. [Sp.,—the Pers. lilaj.]

Lillibullero, lil-i-bu-lē′rō, n. the famous ballad in mockery of the Irish Catholics, which 'sung James II. out of three kingdoms.'—Also Lilliburlē′ro. [From the refrain.]

Lilliputian, lil-i-pū′shi-an, n. an inhabitant of the island of Lilliput, described by Swift in his Gulliver's Travels: a person of small size, a dwarf.—adj. of small size: dwarfish.

Lilt, lilt, v.i. to do anything cleverly or quickly, as to hop about: to sing, dance, or play merrily.—v.t. to sing a song easily or gaily.—n. a cheerful song or air. [M. E. lilten, lulten; ety. dub.]

Lily, lil′i, n. a bulbous plant, with showy and fragrant flowers.—adj. resembling a lily: pure.—adjs. Liliā′ceous, pertaining to lilies; Lil′ied, adorned with lilies: resembling lilies.—n. Lil′y-en′crinite, same as Stone-lily (see Encrinite).—adj. Lil′y-hand′ed, having hands white as the lily.—n. Lil′y-hy′acinth, a bulbous perennial plant with blue flowers.—adjs. Lil′y-liv′ered, white-livered: cowardly; Lil′y-white, white as the lily.—Lily of the valley, a very beautiful flower of the lily genus. [A.S. lilie—L. lilium—Gr. leirion, lily.]

Limaceous, lī-mā′shi-us, adj. like a slug.—adjs. Lim′acoid (also n.); Limac′iform.—n. Lī′max, a slug.

Limation, lī-mā′shun, n. the act of filing or polishing.—n. Lī′mature, act of filing: filings.

Limb, lim, n. a jointed part in animals, the leg: a projecting part: a branch of a tree: a part of something else, as 'a limb of the law:' an imp, scapegrace, as 'a limb of Satan.'—v.t. to supply with limbs: to tear off the limbs of.—adjs. Limbed, having limbs: formed in regard to limbs; Limb′meal (Shak.), limb from limb. [A.S. lim; Ice. limr, Sw. lem.]

Limb, lim, n. an edge or border, as of the sun, &c.: the edge of a sextant, &c.—adj. Lim′bate (bot.), bordered. [Fr. limbe—L. limbus.]

Limber, lim′bėr, n. the part of a gun-carriage consisting of two wheels and a shaft to which the horses are attached.—v.t. to attach to the limber, as a gun. [Prov. Eng. limbers, shafts—Ice. limar, boughs; cf. limb, a branch.]

Limber, lim′bėr, adj. pliant, flexible.—n. Lim′berness, flexibleness, pliancy. [See limp (adj.).]

Limbo, lim′bō, n. an indefinite region in the intermediate state, the abode of those who have had no opportunity to accept Christ, of the souls of the pious who died before the time of Christ, and of the souls of unbaptised infants: a place of confinement, or where things are thrown aside.—Also Lim′bus. [L. limbus, border.]

Lime, līm, n. any slimy or gluey material: bird-lime: the white caustic earth from limestone, and used for cement.—v.t. to cover with lime: to cement: to manure with lime: to ensnare.—ns. Lime′-burn′er, one who burns limestone to form lime; Lime′kiln, a kiln or furnace in which limestone is burned to lime; Lime′-light, or Calcium-light, light produced by a blowpipe-flame directed against a block of pure, compressed quicklime; Lime′stone, stone from which lime is procured by burning; Lime′twig, a twig smeared with bird-lime: a snare; Lime′wash, a coating given with a solution of lime; Lime′wa′ter, a saturated aqueous solution of lime.—adjs. Lim′ous, gluey: slimy: muddy; Lim′y, glutinous: sticky: containing, resembling, or having the qualities of lime. [A.S. lím; Ger. leim, glue, L. limus, slime.]

Lime, līm, n. a kind of citron or lemon tree and its fruit.—n. Lime′-juice, the acid juice of the lime, used at sea as a specific against scurvy. [Fr.]

Lime-tree, līm′-trē, n. the linden-tree. [Lime is a corr. of line, for lind=linden-tree.]

Limit, lim′it, n. boundary: utmost extent: restriction: (Shak.) a limb, as the limit of the body.—v.t. to confine within bounds: to restrain: to fix within limits.—adjs. Lim′itable, that may be limited, bounded, or restrained; Limitā′rian, tending to limit.—n. one who limits.—adjs. Lim′itary, placed at the boundary as a guard, &c.: confined within limits; Lim′itate (bot.), bounded by a distinct line.—n. Limitā′tion, the act of limiting, bounding, or restraining: the state of being limited, bounded, or restrained: restriction.—adjs. Limitā′tive, Lim′ited, within limits: narrow: restricted.—adv. Lim′itedly.—ns. Lim′itedness; Lim′iter, the person or thing that limits or confines: a friar who had a license to beg within certain bounds.—adj. Lim′itless, having no limits: boundless: immense: infinite.—Limited liability (see Liability); Limited monarchy, a monarchy in which the supreme power is shared with a body of nobles, a representative body, or both. [Fr.,—L. limes, limitis, a boundary.]

Limma, lim′a, n. in prosody, a monosemic empty time or pause: in Pythagorean music, the smaller half-step or semi-tone. [Gr. leimma, a remnant.]

Limmer, lim′ėr, n. a mongrel-hound: a base person, esp. a jade. [O. Fr. liemier—liem, a leash.]

Limn, lim, v.t. to draw or paint, esp. in water-colours: (orig.) to illuminate with ornamental letters, &c.—n. Lim′ner, one who limns or paints on paper or parchment: a portrait-painter. [Contr. of O. Fr. enluminer—L. illumināre.]

Limonite, lī′mō-nīt, n. an iron ore—also Brown hematite and Brown iron ore.—adj. Limonit′ic. [Gr. leimōn, a meadow.]

Limosis, lī-mō′sis, n. a morbidly ravenous appetite. [Gr. limos, hunger.]

Limp, limp, adj. wanting stiffness, flexible: weak, flaccid. [According to Skeat, a nasalised form of lip, a weakened form of lap, as seen in Eng. lap, a flap; cf. prov. Ger. lampen, to hang loosely down.]

Limp, limp, v.i. to halt: to walk lamely—fig. as 'limping verses.'—n. act of limping: a halt.—p.adj. Limp′ing, having the imperfect movement of one who limps.—adv. Limp′ingly. [Prob. conn. with preceding. There is an A.S. adj. lemp-healt, halting.]

Limpet, lim′pet, n. a small shellfish which clings to intertidal rocks. [A.S. lempedu, lamprede, lamprey.]

Limpid, lim′pid, adj. clear: shining: transparent: pure.—ns. Limpid′ity, Lim′pidness.—adv. Lim′pidly. [Fr.,—L. limpidus, liquidus, liquid.]

Lin, lin, v.i. (Spens.) to cease, to give over.—v.t. to cease from. [A.S. linnan, to cease.]

Linch, linsh, n. a ridge of land, a boundary, a cliff.—n. Linch′et, a terrace seen on the slopes of the chalk, oolitic, and liassic escarpments in Bedfordshire, Somerset, &c. [A.S. hlinc, a ridge of land.]

Linchpin, linsh′pin, n. a pin used to keep the wheel of a carriage on the axle-tree. [Properly linspin, 'axle-pin'—obs. linse, axle, and pin.]

Lincoln-green, lingk′un-grēn, n. the colour of cloth made formerly at Lincoln: the cloth itself.

Lincture, lingk′tūr, n. medicine to be sucked up.—Also Linc′tus. [L. lingĕre, linctum, to lick.]

Linden, lin′den, n. the lime-tree. [A.S. linden—lind; cf. Ice. lind, Ger. linde.]

Line, līn, v.t. to cover on the inside: to pad: to impregnate: (Shak.) to aid.—n. Lin′ing. [M. E. linen, to cover, perh. orig. with linen—obs. line, linen—A.S. lín—L. linum.]

Line, līn, n. a thread of linen or flax: a slender cord: (math.) that which has length without breadth or thickness: an extended stroke: a straight row: a cord extended to direct any operations: outline: a series or succession, as of progeny: a series of steamers, &c., plying continuously between places: a railroad: a telegraph wire between stations: an order given to an agent for goods, such goods received, the stock on hand of any particular goods: a mark or lineament, hence a characteristic: a rank: a verse: a short letter or note: a trench: limit: method: the equator: lineage: direction: occupation: the regular infantry of an army: the twelfth part of an inch: (pl.) marriage-lines, a marriage certificate: a certificate of church membership: military works of defence.—v.t. to mark out with lines: to cover with lines: to place along by the side of for guarding: to give out for public singing, as a hymn, line by line: (rare) to delineate, paint: to measure.—n. Lin′eāge, descendants in a line from a common progenitor: race: family.—adj. Lin′eal, of or belonging to a line: composed of lines: in the direction of a line: descended in a direct line from an ancestor.—n. Lineal′ity.—adv. Lin′eally.—n. Lin′eament, feature: distinguishing mark in the form, esp. of the face.—adj. Lin′ear, of or belonging to a line: consisting of, or having the form of, lines: straight.—adv. Lin′early.—adjs. Lin′eāte, -d, marked longitudinally with depressed lines.—ns. Line′ātion (same as Delineation); Line′-engrav′ing, the process of engraving in lines, steel or copperplate engraving.—n.pl. Line′-fish, those taken with the line, as cod, halibut, &c.—adj. Lin′eolate, marked with fine or obscure lines.—ns. Lin′er, a vessel belonging to a regular line or series of packets; Lines′man (mil.), a private in the line; Line′-storm, an equinoctial storm.—Linear perspective, that part of perspective which regards only the positions, magnitudes, and forms of the objects delineated.—Equinoctial line, the celestial equator: the terrestrial equator; Fraunhofer's lines, the dark lines observed crossing the sun's spectrum at right angles to its length—from the Bavarian optician, Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826); Give line, from angling, to allow a person apparent freedom, so as to gain him at last; Ship of the line (see Ship). [A.S. líne—L. linea—linum, flax.]

Linen, lin′en, n. cloth made of lint or flax: underclothing, particularly that made of linen: articles of linen, or of linen and cotton—table-linen, bed-linen, body-linen.—adj. made of flax: resembling linen cloth.—n. Lin′en-drap′er, a merchant who deals in linens. [Properly an adj. with suffix -en—A.S. lín—L. linum, flax; Gr. linon.]

Ling, ling, n. a fish resembling the cod, so called from its lengthened form. [A.S. lang, long.]

Lingam, ling′gam, n. the phallus in Hindu mythology, representative of Siva and the generative power of nature, its female counterpart the Yoni.—Also Ling′a. [Sans.]

Lingel, ling′l, n. a shoemaker's thread rubbed with beeswax. [M. E. lingel, through O. Fr.,—L. lineola, dim. of linea, a line.]

Linger, ling′gėr, v.i. to remain long in any state: to loiter.—v.t. (Shak.) to prolong, protract: (with out) to pass in a tedious manner.—n. Ling′erer.—adj. Ling′ering, protracted.—n. a remaining long.—advs. Ling′eringly; Ling′erly (rare). [A.S. lengan, to protract—lang, long.]

Lingerie, lang-zhe-rē′, n. linen goods, esp. women's underclothing. [Fr.,—linge, flax—L. linum.]

Lingism, ling′izm, n. the Swedish movement-cure, kinesitherapy. [From Peter Henrik Ling, 1776-1839.]

Lingo, ling′gō, n. language, speech: esp. applied to dialects. [Corrupted from L. lingua, language.]

Lingua franca, ling′gwa frank′a, n. a mixed jargon used by Frenchmen and other Western people in intercourse with Arabs, Moors, and other Eastern peoples: an international dialect.

Lingual, ling′gwal, adj. pertaining to the tongue or utterance.—n. a letter pronounced mainly by the tongue, as t, d (also called Dental).—adj. Linguaden′tal—Dentilingual.—adv. Ling′ually.—adj. Ling′uiform, tongue-shaped.—ns. Ling′uist, one skilled in tongues or languages; Ling′uister, a dabbler in philology.—adjs. Linguist′ic, -al, pertaining to languages and the affinities of languages.—adv. Linguist′ically.—n.pl. Linguist′ics, the general or comparative science, or study, of languages.—n. Ling′ula, a tongue-like part or process.—adjs. Ling′ular, Ling′ulate, tongue-shaped. [L. lingua (old form dingua), the tongue.]

Liniment, lin′i-ment, n. a kind of thin ointment. [L. linimentum—linĕre, to besmear.]

Lining, lī′ning, n. the cover of the inner surface of anything, contents.

Link, lingk, n. a ring of a chain: anything connecting: a single part of a series: the 1⁄100th part of the chain, a measure used in surveying, &c. (see Chain).—v.t. to connect as by a link: to join in confederacy.—v.i. to be connected.—n. Link′-mō′tion, a system of pieces pivoted together, describing definite curves in the same plane or in parallel planes.—Missing link, any point or fact needed to complete a series or a chain of argument: (zool.) a conjectural form of animal life, supposed necessary to complete the chain of evolution from some simian to the human animal: (coll.) an ape, monkey, or apish-looking man. [A.S. hlence; Ice. hlekkr, Ger. gelenk, a joint.]

Link, lingk, n. a light or torch of pitch and tow.—ns. Link′boy, Link′man, a boy or man who carries such to light travellers. [Prob. corr. from Dut. lont, a match; cf. Scot. lunt, Dan. lunte.]

Link, lingk, n. a crook or winding of a river.—n.pl. Links, a stretch of flat or gently undulating ground along a sea-shore, on which the game of golf is played. [A.S. hlinc, a ridge of land, a bank.]

Linnæan, Linnean, lin-nē′an, adj. pertaining to Linnæus, the Latinised form of the name of Linné, the celebrated Swedish botanist (1707-78), or to his artificial system of classification.

Linnet, lin′et, n. a small singing-bird—from feeding on flax-seed. [Fr. linot—lin, flax—L. linum.]

Linoleum, lin-ō′le-um, n. a preparation used as a floor-cloth, linseed-oil being greatly used in the making of it. [L. linum, flax, oleum, oil.]

Linotype, lin′ō-tīp, n. a machine for producing stereotyped lines or bars of words, &c., as a substitute for type-setting: a line of printing-type cast in one piece. [L. linea, a line, and type.]

Linseed, lin′sēd, n. lint or flax seed—also Lint′seed.—ns. Lin′seed-cake, the cake remaining when the oil is pressed out of lint or flax seed, used as a food for sheep and cattle; Lin′seed-meal, the meal of linseed, used for poultices and as a cattle-food; Lin′seed-oil, oil from flax-seed.

Linsey, lin′si, n. cloth made of linen and wool: a peculiar kind of clayey rock.—adj. Lin′sey-wool′sey, made of linen and wool mixed: mean: of unsuitable parts.—n. a thin coarse stuff of linen and wool mixed: inferior stuffs of doubtful composition: (Shak.) a mixture of nonsense, gibberish. [Obs. linsel, and wool.]

Linstock, lin′stok, n. a staff to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.—Also Lint′stock. [Dut. lontstok—lont, a match, stok, a stick.]

Lint, lint, n. linen scraped into a soft woolly substance for dressing wounds: raw cotton ready for baling. [L. linteus—linum, linen.]

Lintel, lin′tel, n. the piece of timber or stone over a doorway: the headpiece of a door or casement. [O. Fr. lintel (Fr. linteau)—Low L. lintellus for limitellus, dim. of L. limes, border.]

Lion, lī′un, n. a fierce quadruped of immense strength, the largest of all carnivorous animals, tawny-coloured, the male with a shaggy mane, springing on his prey with a terrific roar: a man of unusual courage: (astron.) Leo, a sign of the zodiac: any object of interest, esp. a famous or conspicuous person much sought after: an old Scotch coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings Scotch (James VI.): (her.) representation of a lion used as a bearing:—fem. Lī′oness.—ns. Lī′oncel, Lī′oncelle (her.), a small lion used as a bearing; Lī′onel, Lī′onet, a young lion; Lī′on-heart, one with great courage.—adj. Līon-heart′ed.—n. Lī′on-hunt′er, a hunter of lions: one who runs after celebrities with foolish adulation, or to get reflected glory from their company.—v.t. Lī′onise, to treat as a lion or object of interest.—n. Lī′onism.—adj. Lī′on-like.—Lion's provider, a popular name for the jackal, supposed to attend upon the lion: any humble friend or follower; Lion's share, the largest share.—A lion in the way, a danger to be met and overcome; British lion, the lion as the British national emblem; Put one's head into the lion's mouth, to get into a position of great danger. [O. Fr. lion—L. leon-em—Gr. leōn; Ger. löwe.]

Lip, lip, n. the muscular border in front of the teeth by which things are taken into the mouth; the edge of anything: (slang) impudent talk, insolence: (pl.) speech as passing through the lips.—v.t. to touch with the lips: to utter with the lips.—v.i. to apply the lips to the mouthpiece of an instrument.—adj. Lip′born, from the lips only: not genuine.—ns. Lip′-devō′tion, prayer of the lips without devotion in the heart; Lip′-hom′age, insincere homage; Lip′-lā′bour, empty speech; Lip′-lang′uage, oral or articulate language, communicated by motions of the lips, as opposed to the fingers, in teaching or conversing with the deaf and dumb; Lip′let, a little lip; Lip′-or′nament, an object inserted as an ornament in the lip, common among savage tribes.—adj. Lipped, having lips, or edges like lips, labiate.—ns. Lip′-read′ing, reading what a person says from the movement of the lips, in the instruction of the deaf and dumb; Lip′-serv′ice, service with the lips only: insincere devotion or worship; Lip′-wis′dom, wisdom in words only, not in deeds.—Bite the lip, to press the lips between the teeth to keep one's self from betraying vexation, anger, &c.; Curl of the lip, the causing the lip to curl as an indication of scorn; Hang the lip, to be sullen or sulky; Make a lip (Shak.), to pout in sullenness or contempt. [A.S. lippa; Dut. lip, Ger. lippe, L. labium, not conn. with L. lambĕre, Eng. lap.]

Lipogram, lī′pō-gram, n. the name given to a writing, esp. a poem from which all words are omitted which contain a particular letter.—adj. Lipogrammat′ic.—ns. Lipogram′matism; Lipogram′matist. [Gr. leipein, to leave, gramma, a letter.]

Lipoma, li-pō′ma, n. a tumour formed of fatty tissue—also Lip′arocele.—n. Lipomatō′sis, the excessive growth of fatty tissue.—adj. Lipom′atous.

Lippen, lip′n, v.i. (Scot.) to trust, rely, depend (with to, on).—adj. Lippe′ning, occasional, accidental.

Lippitude, lip′i-tūd, n. soreness of the eyes. [L.,—lippus, blear-eyed.]

Lippy, Lippie, lip′i, n. an old Scottish dry measure, the fourth of a peck. [Dim. from. A.S. leáp, a basket; Ice. laupr.]

Liquate, lik′wāt, v.t. to melt: to separate one metal from another which is less fusible, by applying sufficient heat.—adj. Liq′uable.—n. Liquā′tion. [L. liquāre, -ātum—liquēre, to be fluid.]

Liquefy, lik′we-fī, v.t. to make liquid: to dissolve.—v.i. to become liquid:—pa.t. and pa.p. liq′uefīed.—adj. Liquefā′cient.—n. Liquefac′tion, the act or process of making liquid: the state of being melted.—adj. Liq′uefiable.—ns. Liq′uefier; Liquesc′ency.—adj. Liquesc′ent, melting. [L. liquefacĕre—liquēre, to be fluid or liquid, facĕre, to make.]

Liqueur, li-kėr′, n. the name given to the many alcoholic preparations which are flavoured or perfumed and sweetened to be more agreeable to the taste—chartreuse, cherry brandy, curaçao, benedictine, kümmel, maraschino, &c.—ns. Liqueur′-glass, a very small drinking-glass intended for liqueurs or cordials; Liqueur′ing, the process of qualifying wine by means of liqueur. [Fr.]

Liquid, lik′wid, adj. flowing: fluid: soft: smooth: clear.—n. a flowing substance: a letter of a smooth flowing sound, coalescing easily with a preceding mute, l, m, n, r.—adj. Liq′uidable.—v.t. Liq′uidate, to make clear, esp. to clear or settle an account: to arrange or wind up the affairs of a bankrupt estate.—ns. Liquidā′tion, the clearing up of the money affairs, esp. the adjustment of the affairs of a bankrupt estate; Liquidāt′or, one engaged in a liquidation.—v.t. Liq′uidise, to render liquid.—n. Liquid′ity.—adv. Liq′uidly.—n. Liq′uidness. [Fr.,—L. liquidus, fluid—liquēre, to be fluid.]

Liquidambar, lik′wid-am-bar, n. a genus of balsamiferous trees of the witch-hazel family (Hamamelidaceæ), native to Mexico and the United States. [L. liquidus, liquid, Low L. ambar, amber.]

Liquor, lik′ur, n. anything liquid: strong drink: a strong solution of a particular substance: any prepared solution.—v.t. to apply liquor or a solution to: (Shak.) to rub with oil or grease.—v.i. (slang) to drink (esp. with up).—n. Liq′uor-gauge, a rod used by excisemen for measuring the depth of liquid in a cask.—Liquor laws, restrictive legislation with regard to the sale of intoxicating drink.—In liquor, drunk; Malt liquors, liquors brewed from malt. [O. Fr. liqeur—L. liquor-em—liquēre.]

Liquorice, lik′ur-is, n. a plant with a sweet root which is used for medicinal purposes. [Through an O. Fr. form, from Low L. liquiritia, a corr. of Gr. glykyrrhiza—glykys, sweet, rhiza, root.]

Lira, lē′ra, n. an Italian coin, worth a franc, and divisible into 100 centesimi:—pl. Lire (lē′rā). [It.]

Liriodendron, lir-i-ō-den′dron, n. a North American tree, sometimes above 100 feet in height, having close bark, large four-lobed leaves, and greenish-yellow flowers, something like a tulip.—Also Tulip-tree. [Gr. leirion, a lily, dendron, a tree.]

Liripoop, lir′i-poop, n. (obs.) a graduate's hood: smartness: a silly person.—Also Liripip′ium.

Lisp, lisp, v.i. to speak with the tongue against the upper teeth or gums, as in pronouncing th for s or z: to articulate as a child: to utter imperfectly.—v.t. to pronounce with a lisp.—n. the act or habit of lisping.—n. Lisp′er.—adj. Lisp′ing, pronouncing with a lisp.—n. the act of speaking with a lisp.—adv. Lisp′ingly. [A.S. wlispian (a conjectural form)—wlisp, stammering; Dut. lispen, Ger. lispeln; from the sound.]

Lisse, lēs, n. in tapestry, the threads of the warp taken together. [Fr., also lice—L. licium.]

Lissencephalous, lis-en-sef′a-lus, adj. having a brain smooth or slightly convoluted.

Lissome, Lissom, lis′um, adj. lithesome, nimble, flexible.—n. Liss′omeness.

List, list, n. the selvage on woven textile fabrics: a stripe of any kind: (Shak.) a border.—adj. made of strips of woollen selvage. [A.S. líst; Ger. leiste.]

List, list, n. a catalogue, roll, or enumeration: a book, &c., containing a series of names of persons or things.—v.t. to place in a list or catalogue: to engage for the public service, as soldiers.—v.i. to enter the public service by enrolling one's name, to enlist.—Active list, the roll of soldiers on active service; Civil list (see Civil); Free list (see Free). [O. Fr. liste—Mid. High Ger. liste (Ger. leiste), border; A.S. líst, orig. same word as above.]

List, list, n. a line enclosing a piece of ground, esp. for combat: (pl.) the ground enclosed for a contest.—v.t. to enclose for a tournament.—Enter the lists, to engage in contest. [O. Fr. lisse (Fr. lice, It. lizza)—Low L. liciæ, barrier, perh. from L. licium, a thrum.]

List, list, v.i. to have pleasure in: to desire: to like or please: to choose: (naut.) to incline or heel over to one side.—v.t. to cause to careen or heel over.—n. such an inclination. [A.S. lystan, impers., please—lust, pleasure.]

List, list, v.t. and v.i. original form of listen: now poetical.—v.t. Listen (lis′n), to hear or attend to.—v.i. to give ear or hearken: to follow advice.—n. List′ener, one who listens or hearkens.—adjs. List′ful, attentive; List′less, having no desire or wish: careless: uninterested: weary: indolent.—adv. List′lessly.—n. List′lessness. [A.S. hlystan—hlyst, hearing; Ice. hlusta.]

Lister, lis′tėr, n. a form of plough for throwing up ridges.—n. List′ing.

Listerism, lis′tėr-izm, n. an antiseptic method of operating introduced by the English surgeon, Lord Lister, born 1827.—v.t. Lis′terise, to treat by Listerism.

Litany, lit′a-ni, n. a prayer of supplication, esp. in processions: an appointed form of responsive prayer in public worship in which the same thing is repeated several times at no long intervals.—ns. Lit′any-desk, -stool, in the English Church, a movable desk at which a minister kneels, facing the altar, while he recites the litany.—Lesser litany, the common formula, 'Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.' [O. Fr.,—Low L. litania—Gr. litaneia—litesthai, to pray.]

Literal, lit′ėr-al, adj. according to the letter: plain: not figurative or metaphorical: following the letter or exact meaning, word for word.—v.t. Lit′eralise.—ns. Lit′eraliser; Lit′eralism, strict adherence to the letter: interpretation that is merely verbal: (art) exact and unimaginative rendering of objects; Lit′eralist; Literal′ity.—adv. Lit′erally.—n. Lit′eralness. [Fr.,—L. literalis—litera, a letter.]

Literary, lit′ėr-ar-i, adj. belonging to letters or learning: skilled in learning.—n. Lit′eracy, state of being literate:—opp. to Illiteracy.—adj. Lit′erāte, acquainted with letters of learning: learned.—n. one educated, but not having taken a university degree, esp. a candidate for holy orders who has not been at a university.—n.pl. Literā′tī, men of letters, the learned (sing. forms, Literā′tus, Literä′to).—adv. Literā′tim, letter for letter: without the change of a letter.—n. Literā′tor, a dabbler in learning: a man of letters, a literary man—sometimes in the French form Littérateur.—adj. Lit′erose, distinctively literary.—n. Literos′ity. [L. literarius.]

Literature, lit′ėr-a-tūr, n. the science of letters or what is written: the whole body of literary compositions in any language, or on a given subject: all literary productions except those relating to positive science and art, usually confined, however, to the belles-lettres.—adj. Lit′eratured (Shak.), learned, having literary knowledge.—Light literature, books which can be read and understood without mental exertion: fiction; Polite literature, belles-lettres. [Fr.,—L. literatura—litera, a letter.]

Lith, lith, n. (prov.) a joint, segment, or portion of anything. [A.S. lið, a member; Ger. glied.]

Lithagogue, lith′a-gog, adj. expelling stone from the bladder or kidneys.—n. a medicine with this quality.

Litharge, lith′ärj, n. the semi-vitrified oxide of lead separated from silver in refining. [Fr.,—Gr. lithargyros—lithos, a stone, argyros, silver.]

Lithe, līth, adj. easily bent, flexible, active.—adv. Lithe′ly.—n. Lithe′ness.—adj. Lithe′some.—n. Lithe′someness. [A.S. líðe; Ger. lind and gelinde.]

Lithe, līth, v.i. (obs.) to listen. [Ice. hlydha, to listen—hljódh, hearing.]

Lithemia, Lithæmia, li-thē′mi-a, n. an excess of uric acid in the blood.—adj. Lithē′mic.

Lither, līth′ėr, adj. (Shak.) soft, yielding: (obs.) bad, lazy.—adj. Lith′erly, mischievous.—adv. slowly: lazily. [A.S. lýthre, bad.]

Lithia, lith′i-a, n. an alkali, the oxide of lithium, discovered in 1817 by Arfvedson: a mineral water good against the stone. [Low L.,—Gr. lithos, stone.]

Lithiasis, li-thī′a-sis, n. a bodily condition in which uric acid is deposited as stone or gravel in the urinary canals. [Gr. lithos, a stone.]

Lithic, lith′ik, adj. pertaining to, or obtained from, stone, specially from urinary calculi.—ns. Lith′ate, a salt of lithic acid; Lithificā′tion, a hardening into stone. [Gr. lithikos—lithos, a stone.]

Lithium, lith′i-um, n. one of the alkaline metals, of a silvery appearance, found in several minerals combined with silica.—adj. Lith′ic. [Gr. lithos, a stone.]

Lithochromatic, lith-o-krō-mat′ik, adj. pertaining to painting in oils on stone.—n.pl. Lithochromat′ics, this art. [Gr. lithos, stone, chrōma, colour.]

Lithoclast, lith′o-klast, n. an instrument for crushing bladder-stones. [Gr. lithos, stone, klān, to crush.]

Lithodome, lith′ō-dōm, n. a shellfish living in a hole in a rock.—adj. Lithod′omous.

Lithogenous, li-thoj′e-nus, adj. stone-producing.—n. Lithogen′esy, the science of the origin of minerals.

Lithoglyph, lith′o-glif, n. any engraving on stone, esp. a precious stone.—adj. Lithoglyph′ic.—ns. Lith′oglyphics, Lithoglypt′ics, the art of engraving on precious stones; Lithog′lyphite, a fossil as if engraved by art. [Gr. lithos, stone, glyphein, to carve.]

Lithograph, lith′o-graf, v.t. to write or engrave on stone and transfer to paper by printing.—n. a print from stone.—n. Lithog′rapher.—adjs. Lithograph′ic, -al, belonging to lithography.—adv. Lithograph′ically.—n. Lithog′raphy, the art of writing or engraving on stone and printing therefrom.—Lithographic stone, slate, a yellowish, compact, fine-grained, slaty limestone used in lithography. [Gr. lithos, a stone, graphein, to write.]

Litholabe, lith′ō-lāb, n. an instrument for grasping a calculus and holding it while being crushed.

Litholatry, li-thol′a-tri, n. the worship of stones.—adj. Lithol′atrous.

Lithology, lith-ol′o-ji, n. the science that treats of rocks as mineral masses: that part of medical science concerned with the calculi found in the human body.—adjs. Litholog′ic, -al.—n. Lithol′ogist, one skilled in lithology. [Gr. lithos, a stone, logos, discourse.]

Litholopaxy, lith′ol-o-pak-si, n. the operation of crushing stone in the bladder, and of at once removing the fragments by suction. [Gr. lithos, stone, hapax, once only.]

Lithomancy, lith′o-man-si, n. divination by stones. [Gr. lithos, a stone, manteia, divination.]

Lithomarge, lith′o-märj, n. a clay-like mineral substance, sometimes called Mountain marrow, soft, greasy to the touch, white, yellow, or red. [Gr. lithos, stone, L. marga, marl.]

Lithophagous, lith-of′a-gus, adj. eating stones: perforating stones, as certain molluscs. [Gr. lithos, stone, phagein, to eat.]

Lithophane, lith′o-fān, n. ornamental porcelain with pictures which show through the transparency. [Gr. lithos, stone, phainesthai, to appear.]

Lithophotography, lith-o-fo-tog′ra-fi, n. the art of printing from lithographic stones photographic pictures developed upon them.

Lithophyte, lith′o-fīt, n. any one of the polyps whose substance is stony or hard, as corals. [Gr. lithos, stone, phyton, plant.]

Lithotint, lith′o-tint, n. the process of producing coloured pictures from lithographic stones: a picture so produced. [Gr. lithos, stone, and tint.]

Lithotomy, lith-ot′o-mi, n. cutting for stone in the bladder.—n. Lith′otome, a mineral resembling a cut gem: a cystotome.—adjs. Lithotom′ic, -al, pertaining to, or performed by, lithotomy.—n. Lithot′omist, one who practises lithotomy. [Gr. lithos, a stone, tomē, a cutting—temnein, to cut.]

Lithotrity, lith′ō-trī-ti, n. the operation of crushing a stone in the bladder, so that its fragments may be removed through the urethra—also Lith′otripsy.—ns. Lithothryp′tist, Lith′othryptor, Lithotrip′tist, Lith′otriptor, Lith′otritist, one who practises lithotrity; Lith′othrypty; Lith′otrite, Lith′otritor, an apparatus for crushing a stone in the bladder.—adjs. Lithotrit′ic, Lithotrip′tic—also Lithothryp′tic. [Gr. lithos, stone, tribein, to rub.]

Lithotypy, lith′ō-tī-pi, n. the process of making a kind of stereotype plates by filling a mould with a composition which, when cooled, becomes hard.—n. Lith′otype, a stereotype plate, produced by lithotypy.—v.t. to prepare for printing by lithotypy. [Gr. lithos, stone, typos, type.]

Litigate, lit′i-gāt, v.t. to contest in law.—v.i. to carry on a lawsuit.—adjs. Lit′igable, that may be contested in law; Lit′igant, contending at law: engaged in a lawsuit.—n. a person engaged in a lawsuit.—ns. Litigā′tion; Lit′igātor, one who litigates; Litigios′ity, Litig′iousness.—adj. Litig′ious, inclined to engage in lawsuits: subject to contention.—adv. Litig′iously. [L. litigāre, -ātum—lis, litis, a strife, agĕre, to do.]

Litmus, lit′mus, n. a dye obtained from certain lichens, originally red, but becoming blue on the addition of alkalies or of lime.—Litmus paper, paper used in chemical testing, tinged blue by litmus, reddened by an acid, made blue again by an alkali. [For lakmose—Dut. lakmoes—lak, lac, moes, pulp.]

Litotes, lit′ō-tēz, n. (rhet.) an affirmation made indirectly by the negation of its contrary, as 'a citizen of no mean city'='of an illustrious city.' [Gr. litotēs, simplicity—litos, plain.]

Litrameter, lit-ram′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the specific gravity of liquids by the height to which they rise in vertical tubes under a definite air-pressure. [Gr. litra, a pound, metron, measure.]

Litre, lē′tėr, n. (her.) a hatchment consisting of a black belt, charged with the arms of the deceased. [Fr.; prob. orig. listre=liste, border.]

Litre, lē′tr, n. the unit of the French measures of capacity, both dry and liquid. It is the volume of a cubic decimètre, and contains a kilogramme of water at 4° C. in a vacuum, equal to .2200967 British imperial gallon, therefore less than a quart—4½ litres being roughly equal to a gallon.

Litter, lit′ėr, n. a heap of straw, &c., for animals to lie upon: materials for a bed: any scattered collection of objects, esp. of little value: a vehicle containing a bed for carrying about, a hospital stretcher: a brood of small quadrupeds.—v.t. to cover or supply with litter: to scatter carelessly about: to give birth to (said of small animals).—v.i. to produce a litter or brood.—p.adj. Litt′ered. [O. Fr. litiere—Low L. lectaria—L. lectus, a bed.]

Little, lit′l, adj. (comp. Less; superl. Least) small in quantity or extent: weak, poor: brief.—n. that which is small in quantity or extent: a small space.—adv. in a small quantity or degree: not much.—ns. Litt′le-ease, discomfort, misery: a form of punishment, as the stocks; Litt′le-end′ian, one of the Lilliputian party who opposed the Big-endians, maintaining that boiled eggs should be cracked at the little end; Litt′le-go (see Go); Litt′leness; Litt′le-off′ice, a short service of psalms, hymns, collects, &c.—adj. Litt′leworth, worthless.—By little and little, by degrees; In little, on a small scale; Not a little, considerably. [A.S. lýtel.]

Littoral, lit′or-al, adj. belonging to the sea-shore.—n. the strip of land along it.—Littoral zone, the interval on a sea-coast between high and low water mark. [L.,—litus, litŏris, shore.]

Liturate, lit′ū-rāt, adj. (bot.) having spots formed by the abrasion of the surface: in entomology, marked with spots (Lituræ) growing paler at one end.

Liturgy, lit′ur-ji, n. the form of service or regular ritual of a church—strictly, that used in the celebration of the Eucharist: in ancient Greece, a form of personal service to the state.—n. Liturge′, a leader in public worship.—adjs. Litur′gic, -al.—adv. Litur′gically.—ns. Litur′gics, the doctrine of liturgies; Liturgiol′ogist, a student of liturgies; Liturgiol′ogy, the study of liturgical forms; Lit′urgist, a leader in public worship: one who adheres to, or who studies, liturgies. [Fr.,—Gr. leitourgia—laos, the people, ergon, work.]

Lituus, li-tū′us, n. an augur's staff with recurved top: a spiral of similar form.—adjs. Lit′uāte, forked with the points turned outward; Lit′uiform. [L.]

Live, liv, v.i. to have, or continue in, life, temporal or spiritual: to last, subsist: to enjoy life: to direct one's course of life: to be nourished or supported: to dwell.—v.t. to spend: to act in conformity to:—pr.p. liv′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lived.—adj. Liv′able, capable of being lived: habitable.—n. Liv′er.—Live down, live so as to cause a slander, a grief, &c. to be forgotten by one's self or others; Live out, to continue alive until the end of anything: (U.S.) to be from home in domestic service; Live under, to be tenant to; Live up to, to rule one's life according to some standard. [A.S. lifian; Ger. leben.]

Live, līv, adj. having life: alive, not dead: active: containing fire: burning: vivid.—Lived (līvd), used in compounds, as long-lived.—ns. Live′-axle, driving-axle; Live′-bait, a living worm or minnow used in fishing: Live′-cir′cuit, a circuit through which an electric current is flowing.—n.pl. Live′-feath′ers, those plucked from the living fowl.—n. Live′-lē′ver, that one of a pair of brake-levers to which the power is first applied:—opp. to Dead-lever.—adj. Live′-long, that lives or lasts long.—ns. Live′-oak, an American oak, with durable wood; Live′-shell, a shell loaded and fused for firing, or fired and not yet exploded; Live′-stock, domestic animals, esp. horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs; Live′-well, the well in a fishing-boat where fish are kept alive.

Livelihood, līv′li-hood, n. means of living: support—(obs.) Live′lihed. [A.S. líf. life, lád, a way.]

Lively, līv′li, adj. showing life: vigorous, active: sprightly: spirited: vivid.—adv. vivaciously, vigorously.—adv. Līve′lily.—n. Līve′liness.

Liver, liv′ėr, n. the largest gland in the body, which secretes the bile.—adjs. Liv′er-col′our, of the colour of the liver: dark-red; Liv′ered, in compounds, as white-livered, lily-livered=cowardly.—n. Liver-fluke, a trematoid worm (Distoma hepatica).—adj. Liv′er-grown, having a swelled liver.—n. Liverwort, any plant of the cryptogamic family Hepaticæ, allied to mosses.—adj. Liv′ery, resembling the liver. [A.S. lifer; Ger. leber, Ice. lifr.]

Livery, liv′ėr-i, n. the dress or uniform worn by servants, esp. men-servants: a dress peculiar to certain persons or things, as in the trade-guilds of London: any characteristic dress: the being kept and fed at a certain rate, as horses at livery: the whole body of liverymen in London: (orig.) the distinctive dress worn by the household of a king or nobleman, so called because delivered or given at regular periods.—adj. Liv′eried, clothed in livery.—ns. Liv′ery-com′pany, a guild of the city of London; Liv′eryman, a man who wears a livery: a freeman of the city of London entitled to wear the livery and enjoy other privileges of his company; Liv′ery-ser′vant, a servant who wears a livery; Liv′ery-stā′ble, a stable where horses and vehicles are kept for hire.—Sue one's livery (Shak.), to ask for the writ delivering a freehold into the possession of its heir. [Fr. livrée—livrer—L. liberāre, to free.]

Livid, liv′id, adj. black and blue: of a lead colour: discoloured.—ns. Livid′ity, Liv′idness. [Fr.,—L. lividus—livēre, to be of a lead colour.]

Living, liv′ing, adj. having life: active, lively: producing action or vigour: running or flowing, as opposed to stagnant.—n. means of subsistence: manner of life: a property: the benefice of a clergyman.—Living rock, rock in its native state or location; Living room, a sitting-room for general family use; Living wage, a wage on which it is possible for a workman and his family to live fairly.—The living, those alive.

Livre, lē′vr, n. an old French coin, about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795: the ancient French unit of weight, equal to about 1 lb. avoirdupois. [Fr.,—L. libra, a pound.]

Lixiviation, liks-iv-i-ā′shun, n. the process of washing or steeping certain substances in a fluid, for the purpose of dissolving a portion of their ingredients, and so separating them from the insoluble residue.—adjs. Lixiv′ial, Lixiv′ious.—v.t. Lixiv′iate.—n. Lixiv′ium, lye. [L. lixivium, lye.]

Lizard, liz′ard, n. a family of four-footed scaly reptiles, a saurian or lacertilian.—n. Liz′ard-stone, a Cornish serpentine. [Fr. lézard—L. lacerta.]

Llama, lä′ma, or lā′ma, n. a South American ruminant of the camel family, used for transport in the Andes.

Llano, lä′nō, or lyä′nō, n. one of the vast steppes or plains in the northern part of South America:—pl. Lla′nos.—n. Llanero (lya-nā′rō), an inhabitant of the llanos. [Sp.,—L. planus, plain.]

Lloyd's, loidz, n. a part of the London Royal Exchange frequented by ship-owners, underwriters, &c. to obtain shipping intelligence and transact marine insurance.—Lloyd's Register, a list of sea-going vessels classified according to seaworthiness (as A1, &c.), annually prepared by an association of members of Lloyd's. [From their originally meeting in the coffee-house in Tower Street kept by Edward Lloyd in the 17th century.]

Loach, Loche, lōch, n. a small river-fish.—Also Beardie. [Fr. loche, Sp. loja.]

Load, lōd, v.t. to lade or burden: to put on as much as can be carried: to heap on: to put on overmuch: to confer or give in great abundance: to weigh down, to oppress: to weight by something specially added: to charge, as a gun: to make heavy, as a thin wine: to mix with white: to lay on colour in masses.—v.i. to put or take on a load: to charge a gun: to become loaded or burdened.—n. a lading or burden: as much as can be carried at once: freight or cargo: a measure: any large quantity borne: a quantity sustained with difficulty: that which burdens or grieves: a weight or encumbrance.—Load′en, old pa.p. of load.—ns. Load′er, one who, or that which, loads; Load′ing, the act of lading: a charge, cargo, or lading; Load′ing-machine′, a contrivance for loading cartridge-shells; Load′ing-tray, an iron frame on which a shot or shell is placed and brought forward into the opening in the breech of a gun; Load′-line, a line along the ship's side to mark the depth to which her proper cargo causes her to sink—also Plimsoll's mark.—Load a cane, whip, to weight it with lead, &c.; Load dice, to make one side heavier than the other, for purposes of cheating; Load wine, to falsify by mixing it with distilled liquor, sugar, &c. [A.S. hladan, pa.t. hlód, to load.]

Loaf, lōf, n. a regularly shaped mass of bread: a mass of sugar: any lump:—pl. Loaves (lōvz).—n. Loaf′-sug′ar, refined sugar in the form of a cone.—Loaves and fishes, temporal benefits, the main chance for one's self—from John, vi. 26. [A.S. hláf.]

Loaf, lōf, v.i. to loiter, pass time idly.—n. Loaf′er.—adj. Loaf′erish. [Prob. directly Ger. läufer, a runner, laufen, to run about.]

Loam, lōm, n. a muddy soil, of clay, sand, and animal and vegetable matter.—v.t. to cover with loam.—adj. Loam′y. [A.S. lám; Ger. lehm; cf. lime.]

Loan, lōn, n. a lane: an open space for passage left between fields of corn: a place for milking cows.—Also Loan′ing. [Lane.]

Loan, lōn, n. anything lent: the act of lending: permission to use: money lent for interest.—v.t. to lend.—adj. Loan′able.—ns. Loan′-off′ice, a public office at which loans are negotiated, a pawnbroker's shop; Loan′-socī′ety, a society organised to lend money to be repaid with interest by instalments; Loan′-word, one taken into one language from another—like Loafer above. [A.S. lǽn; Ice. lán, Dan. laan, cf. Ger. lehen, a fief.]

Loath, Loth, lōth, adj. disliking: reluctant, unwilling.—adv. Loath′ly.—n. Loath′ness. [A.S. láð, hateful—líðan, to travel; Ger. leiden, suffer.]

Loathe, lōth, v.t. to dislike greatly, to feel disgust at.—adj. Loath′ful, full of loathing, hate, or abhorrence: exciting loathing or disgust.—n. Loath′ing, extreme hate or disgust: abhorrence.—adj. hating.—adv. Loath′ingly.—adjs. Loath′ly, Loath′y (obs.), loathsome; Loath′some, exciting loathing or abhorrence: detestable.—adv. Loath′somely.—n. Loath′someness. [A.S. láðian—láð; cf. loath.]

Lob, lob, n. a clumsy person, the last in a race: a lobworm: the coal-fish: at cricket, a long slow ball: something thick and heavy.—v.t. to throw gently, slowly, or with underhand delivery: at lawn-tennis, to strike the ball high over an opponent's head into the end of the court: to hang wearily down.—n. Lobs′pound, a prison.—Lob lie by the fire, Milton's lubber-fiend, a brownie who works by night for his bowl of cream. [W. llob; cf. Lubber.]

Lobby, lob′i, n. a small hall or waiting-room: a passage serving as a common entrance to several apartments: the ante-chamber of a legislative hall, frequented by outsiders for the purpose of influencing votes.—ns. Lobb′ying, frequenting the lobby to collect political intelligence, &c.; Lobb′yist, Lobb′y-mem′ber, a journalist, &c., who frequents a lobby in the interest of some cause or of a newspaper. [Low L. lobia—Middle High Ger. loube (Ger. laube), a portico, arbour—laub, a leaf.]

Lobe, lōb, n. the lower part of the ear: (anat.) a division of the lungs, brain, &c.: (bot.) a division of a leaf.—adjs. Lob′ar, Lob′āte, Lobed, Lob′ose; Lobe′-foot′ed, Lō′biped, having lobate feet, as a coot, grebe, or phalarope.—ns. Lobe′let, Lob′ule, a small lobe.—adjs. Lob′ular, Lob′ulāted.—ns. Lob′ulus, any small lobe or lobe-like structure:—pl. Lob′ulī; Lō′bus, a lobe:—pl. Lō′bī.—Lobar pneumonia, inflammation of a whole lobe of the lungs, as distinguished from Lobular pneumonia, which attacks the lungs in patches. [Fr., prob. through Low L. from Gr. lobos, lobe; cf. lap, to fold.]

Lobelia, lob-ē′li-a, n. an ornamental flower, its roots medicinal. [Lobel, a Flemish botanist.]

Loblolly, lob′lol-i, n. a loutish person: medicine.—n. Lob′lolly-boy, a ship-surgeon's attendant.

Lobscouse, lob′skows, n. a stew or hash with vegetables, a dish used at sea. [Origin dub.]

Lobster, lob′stėr, n. a shellfish with large claws, used for food: (slang) a British soldier. [A.S. loppestre, lopust—L. locusta, a lobster.]

Lobworm, lob′wurm, n. a large worm used as bait. [Perh. lob—W. llob, a dull fellow, and worm.]

Local, lō′kal, adj. of or belonging to a place: confined to a spot or district.—ns. Locale (lō-käl′), a locality: the scene of some event; Localisā′tion.—v.t. Lō′calise, to assign to a place: to refer a sensation in perception to some part of the body.—ns. Lō′calism, the state of being local: affection for a place: provincialism; Local′ity, existence in a place: position: district.—adv. Lō′cally.—v.t. Locāte′, to place: to set in a particular position: to designate the place of.—n. Locā′tion, act of locating or placing: situation: (law) a leasing on rent.—adj. Lō′cātive (gram.), indicating place.—Local Government Acts, a series of enactments instituting local self-government of the various counties of Great Britain and of a large number of boroughs; Local Option, a phrase first used by Mr Gladstone in a letter in 1868 for the determination by vote of the people of a town or district as to whether licenses to sell intoxicating liquors shall be granted or not. [Fr.,—Low L. localis—locus, a place.]

Loch, loh, n. a lake or arm of the sea.—ns. Lochaber axe (loh-ä′bėr aks), a battle-axe used by the Scottish Highlanders, having a narrow blade, but very long towards the shaft, and generally with a hook at the end of the staff; Loch′an (Scot.), a pond. [Gael. loch; cf. Lake.]

Lochia, lō′ki-a, n.pl. the evacuations from the womb after childbirth.—adj. Lō′chial. [Gr.]

Lock, lok, n. a device to fasten doors, &c.: an enclosure in a canal for raising or lowering boats: the part of a firearm by which it is discharged: a grapple in wrestling: a state of being immovable: any narrow, confined place.—v.t. to fasten with a lock: to fasten so as to impede motion: to shut up: to close fast: to embrace closely: to furnish with locks.—v.i. to become fast: to unite closely.—ns. Lock′age, the locks of a canal: the difference in their levels, the materials used for them, and the tolls paid for passing through them; Lock′-chain, a chain for fastening the wheels of a vehicle by tying the rims to some part which does not rotate; Lock′er, any closed place that may be locked; Lock′et, a little ornamental case of gold or silver, usually containing a miniature.—adj. Lock′fast, firmly fastened by locks.—ns. Lock′gate, a gate for opening or closing a lock in a canal or river; Lock′-hos′pital (see Hospital); Lock′house, the lock-keeper's house; Lock′-jaw, Locked′-jaw, a contraction of the muscles of the jaw by which its motion is suspended; Lock′-keep′er, one who keeps or attends the locks of a canal; Lock′out, the act of locking out, esp. used of the locking out of a teacher by the pupils or vice versâ, or of the refusal of an employer to admit his workmen within the works as a means of coercion; Locks′man, a turnkey; Lock′smith, a smith who makes and mends locks; Lock′stitch, a stitch formed by the locking of two threads together; Lock′up, a place for locking up or confining persons for a short time.—Not a shot in the locker (naut.), not a penny in the pocket. [A.S. loca, a lock; Ice. loka, a bolt, Ger. loch, a dungeon.]

Lock, lok, n. a tuft or ringlet of hair: a small quantity, as of hay: (Scots law) a quantity of meal, the perquisite of a mill-servant: (Shak.) a love-lock—n. Lock′man, an officer in the Isle of Man who acts as a kind of under-sheriff to the governor. [A.S. locc; Ice. lokkr, Ger. locke, a lock.]

Lockian, lok′i-an, adj. pertaining to the philosophy of John Locke (1632-1704).—ns. Lock′ian, Lock′ist.

Lockram, lok′ram, n. a kind of coarse linen—from Locrenan, in Brittany, where made.

Locofoco, lō-kō-fō′kō, n. (U.S.) a friction match: the extreme section of the Democratic party of 1835, known as the Equal Rights Party, or any adherent of it. [L. locus, a place, focus, a hearth.]

Locomotive, lō-ko-mō′tiv, adj. moving from place to place: capable of, or assisting in, locomotion.—n. a locomotive machine: a railway engine.—ns. Locomō′tion; Locomotiv′ity; Locomō′tor.—adj. Locomō′tory.—Locomotor ataxy (see Ataxia). [L. locus, a place, movēre, motum, to move.]

Loculus, lok′ū-lus, n. (bot., anat., zool.) a small compartment or cell: in ancient catacombs, a small recess for holding an urn:—pl. Loc′ulī.—n. Loc′ulament (bot.), loculus.—adjs. Loc′ular, Loc′ulāte, Loc′ulose, Loc′ulous. [Dim. of L. locus, a place.]

Locum-tenens, lō′kum-tēn′enz, n. a deputy or substitute.—n. Lō′cum-tēn′ency, the holding by a temporary substitute of a post. [L. locus, a place, tenēre, to hold.]

Locus, lō′kus, n. (math.) the curve described by a point, or the surface generated by a line, moving in a given manner: a passage in a writing:—pl. Loci (lō′sī), a collection of passages, esp. from sacred and ancient writings, arranged with special reference to some particular theme.—Locus classicus (pl. Loci classici), a standard passage, esp. in an ancient author: that passage which is the accepted authority for some particular subject or for the use of some special or disputed word; Locus standi (law), right of place in court: recognised place or position. [L.]

Locust, lō′kust, n. a migratory winged insect, in shape like the grasshopper, highly destructive to vegetation.—v.i. (rare) to lay waste like locusts. [L. locusta.]

Locust, lō′kust, n. a tree with thorny branches and dense clusters of white, heavily-scented flowers, found in the U.S.: the carob-tree.—ns. Locus′ta, the spikelet of grasses:—pl. Locus′tæ; Lō′cust-bean, the sweet pod of the carob-tree.

Locution, lō-kū′shun, n. the act of speaking: form of speaking, phraseology, a phrase.—n. Loc′utory, a room for conversation, esp. in monastic establishments. [L. locution-em—loqui, locutus, to speak.]

Lode, lōd, n. a vein containing metallic ore: a reach of water: an open ditch.—ns. Lodes′man, a pilot; Lode′star, the star that guides, the pole-star—often used figuratively; Lode′stone, a stone or ore of iron that attracts other pieces of iron. [A.S. lád, a course—líðan, to travel.]

Lodge, loj, n. a small house in a park: a hut: the cottage of a gatekeeper: a retreat: a secret association, also the place of meeting.—v.t. to furnish with a temporary dwelling: place, deposit: to infix, to settle: to drive to covert: to lay flat, as grain.—v.i. to reside: to rest: to dwell for a time: to pass the night: to lie flat, as grain.—ns. Lodg′er, one who lodges or lives at board or in a hired room; Lodg′ing, temporary habitation: a room or rooms hired in the house of another (often in pl.): harbour; Lodg′ing-house, a house where lodgings are let, a house other than a hotel where travellers lodge; Lodg′ment, act of lodging, or state of being lodged: accumulation of something that remains at rest: (mil.) the occupation of a position by a besieging party, and the works thrown up to maintain it.—Lodger franchise, a right to vote conferred on persons occupying lodgings.—Grand Lodge, the principal lodge of Freemasons, presided over by the Grand-master. [O. Fr. loge—Old High Ger. loubā, an arbour.]

Loess, lės, or lō′es, n. a loamy deposit of Pleistocene age, in the valleys of the Rhine, Danube, and Rhone.—Also Löss. [Ger. löss.]

Loft, loft, n. the room or space immediately under a roof: a gallery in a hall or church: an upper room.—v.t. to furnish with a loft: (golf) to strike the ball up by means of a club called the Loft′er.—adv. Loft′ily.—n. Loft′iness.—adj. Loft′y, high in position, character, sentiment, or diction: stately: haughty.—Lofted house (Scot.), a house of more than one story.—Cock of the loft, the head or chief of a set. [Ice. lopt (loft), the sky, an upper room; A.S. lyft, Ger. luft, the air.]

Log, log, n. a Hebrew liquid measure, believed to be very nearly an English pint. [Heb. lōgh.]

Log, log, n. a bulky piece of wood: a heavy, stupid, or sluggish person.—adj. consisting of logs.—ns. Log′-cab′in, -house, -hut, a cabin or hut built of hewn or unhewn logs, common in new American settlements; Log′gat, a small log or piece of wood: an old game somewhat like nine-pins; Log′gerhead, a blockhead: a dunce: (naut.) a round piece of timber, in a whale-boat, over which the line is passed: a species of sea-turtle: a round mass of iron with a long handle, heated for various purposes.—adj. Log′gerheaded.—ns. Log′-head, a blockhead; Log′-man (Shak.), a man who carries logs: (U.S.) one whose occupation is to cut and remove logs—also Log′ger.—v.t. Log′-roll, to engage in log-rolling.—ns. Log′-roll′er; Log′-roll′ing, a combination for facilitating the collection of logs after the clearing of a piece of land, or for rolling logs into a stream: mutual aid given by politicians for carrying out individual schemes: a system of literary criticism conducted on the lines of mutual admiration or adulation; Log′wood, the dark-red heart-wood of Hæmatoxylon campechianum, a native of Mexico and Central America, whence it is exported in logs.—At loggerheads, at issue, quarrelling about differences of opinion, &c. [Ice. lág, a felled tree, liggja, to lie. Cf. Lie and Log.]

Log, log, n. a piece of wood with a line for measuring the speed of a ship: the record of a ship's progress.—v.t. to exhibit by the indication of the log: to enter in the logbook.—ns. Log′board; Log′book, the official record of the proceedings on board ship: a book kept by the head-master of a board-school for recording attendances and other matters connected with the school; Log′-chip, the board, in the form of a quadrant, attached to a logline; Log′-glass, a 14- or 28-second sand-glass, used with the logline to ascertain the speed of a ship; Log′line, the line fastened to the log, and marked for finding the speed of a vessel; Log′-reel, a reel on which the logline is wound; Log′-slate, a double slate, marked and ruled in the inside, for recording the log.—Heave the log, to learn the speed of a ship by logline and glass. [Sw. logg, a ship's log, a piece of wood that lies in the water.]

Logan, log′an, n. a rocking-stone.—Also Log′ging-rock. [Prob. cog. with Dan. logre, to wag the tail.]

Logaœdic, log-a-ē′dik, adj. (ancient prosody) pertaining to a variety of trochaic or iambic verse, where dactyls are combined with trochees or anapæsts with iambi. [Gr. logos, prose, aoidē, song.]

Logarithm, log′a-rithm, n. (of a number) the power to which another given number must be raised in order that it may equal the former number: one of a series of numbers having a certain relation to the series of natural numbers by means of which many arithmetical operations are simplified.—adjs. Logarith′mic, -al, pertaining to, or consisting of, logarithms.—adv. Logarith′mically. [Gr. logos, ratio, arithmos, number.]

Loggia, loj′a, n. an open arcade enclosing a passage or open apartment, common in Italy:—pl. Logg′ie (-e). [It.; cf. Lodge.]

Logia, log′i-a, n.pl. oracles, sayings, a supposed primitive collection of the sayings and discourses of Jesus, largely drawn upon by the writers of the first and third gospels for much of what they have in common with each other apart from Mark. [Gr.]

Logic, loj′ik, n. the science and art of reasoning correctly: the science of the necessary laws of thought.—adj. Log′ical, according to the rules of logic: skilled in logic: discriminating.—ns. Logical′ity, Log′icalness.—adv. Log′ically.—n. Logic′ian, one skilled in logic.—v.i. Log′icise, to argue.—Chop logic (see Chop); Deductive logic, logic independent of probability or quantitative considerations; Formal logic, logic regarded as a distinct science, independent of matters of fact; Inductive logic, the logic of scientific reasoning; Material logic, logic which takes into account natural fact or phenomena, as distinct from formal logic; Natural logic, the natural faculty of distinguishing the true from the false: the logical doctrine applicable to natural things as opposed to the logic of faith; Pure logic, the general laws of thought. [Gr. logikē, from logos, speech.]

Logistic, -al, loj-is′tik, -al, adj. skilled in calculating: proportional.—n. Logis′tic, the art of calculation, sexagesimal arithmetic: (pl.) that branch of military science relating to the movement and supplying of armies. [Gr. logistēs, a calculator—logizesthai, to compute.]

Logogram, log′o-gram, n. a sign which represents a word: a puzzle in which from an original word, by combinations of all or some of its letters, other words are formed, which again are concealed under synonymous expressions in a series of verses. [Gr. logos, word, gramma, letter.]

Logographer, lo-gog′ra-fėr, n. in Greek literature, one of the earliest annalists, esp. those before Herodotus.—adjs. Logograph′ic, -al.—adv. Logograph′ically.—ns. Logog′raphy, a method of printing with whole words cast in a single type; Log′otype, a type containing two or more letters. [Gr.,—logos, word, graphein, to write.]

Logogriph, log′ō-grif, n. a riddle. [Gr. logos, word, griphos, a riddle.]

Logomachy, lo-gom′a-ki, n. contention about words or in words merely.—n. Logom′achist. [Gr. logomachia—logos, word, machē, fight.]

Logomania, log-o-mā′ni-a, n. disease of the faculty of language. [Gr. logos, speech, and mania.]

Logometer, lō-gom′e-tėr, n. a logarithmic scale: a scale for measuring chemical equivalents.

Logos, log′os, n. in the Stoic philosophy, the active principle living in and determining the world: (theol.) the Word of God incarnate. [Gr.]

Loimic, loi′mik, adj. relating to the plague.—ns. Loimog′raphy; Loimol′ogy.

Loin, loin, n. the back of a beast cut for food: (pl.) the reins, or the lower part of the back.—n. Loin′-cloth, a piece of cloth for wearing round the loins.—Gird up the loins, to prepare for energetic action—the clothes tucked up before running, &c. [O. Fr. logne—L. lumbus, loin.]

Loiter, loi′tėr, v.i. to delay: to be slow in moving: to linger.—n. Loi′terer.—adv. Loi′teringly. [Dut. leuteren, to trifle; Ger. prov. lottern, to waver.]

Loligo, lō-lī′go, n. the typical genus of Loliginidæ, embracing the common European squid. [L.]

Lolium, lō′li-um, n. a genus of grasses of the tribe Hordeeæ. [L., darnel, 'tares.']

Loll, lol, v.i. to lie lazily about, to lounge: to hang out from the mouth.—v.t. to thrust out (the tongue).—n. Loll′er.—adv. Loll′ingly.—v.i. Loll′op, to lounge, idle: (coll.) to be moved heavily about. [Old Dut. lollen, to sit over the fire; cf. Lull.]

Lollards, lol′ards, n.pl. the followers of Wycliffe in England: a society founded in Antwerp (1300 A.D.) for the burial of the dead and the care of the sick.—ns. Loll′ardy, Loll′ardism, the doctrines of the Lollards. [Old Dut. Lollaerd, from their peculiar hum in singing—lollen, to sing softly; but confused with M. E. loller, an idler; cf. Loll.]

Lolly, lol′i, n. a lump.—n. Loll′ypop, a sweetmeat made with sugar and treacle: (pl.) sweets.

Lombard, lom′bard, n. an inhabitant of Lombardy in Italy: one of the Lombards or Langobardi, a Germanic tribe, which founded a kingdom in Lombardy (568), overthrown by Charlemagne (774): (obs.) a banker or money-lender, so called from the number of Lombard bankers in London.—adjs. Lom′bard, Lombar′dic.—Lombard architecture, the style used by the Lombards, derived from the base Roman style they found in the country, superseded by the Pointed Style imported from France (13th century); Lombard Street, the chief centre of the banking interest in London. [O. Fr.,—L. Langobardus, from Old Teut. lang, long, bart, beard.]

Loment, lō′ment, n. (bot.) an indehiscent legume, with constrictions or transverse articulations between the seeds—also Lomen′tum.—adj. Lomentā′ceous.

Londoner, lun′dun-ėr, n. a native or citizen of London.—adj. Londonese′, pertaining to London: cockney.—n. English as spoken in London: cockney speech.—v.t. and v.i. Lon′donise.—n. Lon′donism, a mode of speech, &c., peculiar to London.—London clay, a geological formation in south-eastern England, belonging to the lower division of the Eocene Tertiary; London pride, a hardy perennial cultivated in cottage-gardens—also None-so-pretty and St Patrick's cabbage.

Lone, lōn, Lonely, lōn′li, adj. alone: solitary: retired: standing by itself.—ns. Lone′liness, Lone′ness.—adj. Lone′some, solitary: dismal.—adv. Lone′somely.—n. Lone′someness. [Alone.]

Long, long, adj. (comp. Long′er; superl. Long′est) extended: not short: extended in time: slow in coming: tedious: far-reaching.—n. (prosody) a long time or syllable: (coll.) the long summer vacation at the English universities, termed 'the Long.'—adv. to a great extent in space or time: through the whole: all along.—v.i. to desire earnestly.—adv. Long′-agō′, in the far past.—n. the far past.—n. Longanim′ity, long-suffering, endurance.—adj. Longan′imous.—ns. Long′boat, the largest and strongest boat of a ship; Long′-bow, a bow bent by the hand in shooting, called long as distinguished from the cross-bow.—adj. Long′-breathed, able to continue violent exercise of the lungs for a long time.—n.pl. Long′-coats, long clothes, worn by infants.—adj. Long′-descend′ed, of ancient lineage.—n. Long′-doz′en, thirteen.—adjs. Long′-drawn, prolonged; Longeval, Longevous (-jē′-), of long or great age.—ns. Longevity (-jev′-); Long′-field (cricket), a fielder placed near the boundary on the bowler's side; Long′-firm, the name given to a company of swindlers who obtain goods on pretence of being established in business, and then decamp without payment to do the like elsewhere; Long′hand, writing of the ordinary kind.—adj. Long′-head′ed, having good intellectual powers: sagacious.—ns. Long′-head′edness; Long′-hun′dred, a hundred and twenty.—adjs. Lon′gicorn (-ji-), having long antennæ; Longimanous (-jim′-), long-handed; Longimet′ric.—ns. Longimetry (-jim′-), the art of measuring distances; Long′ing, an eager desire, craving, esp. of the whimsical desires sometimes felt in pregnancy.—adv. Long′ingly.—n. Longinquity (-jinq′-), greatness of distance.—adj. Longipen′nate (-ji-), long-winged, as gulls.—n. Longiros′ter (-ji-), one of a family of birds having a long, slender bill, as the snipe.—adjs. Longiros′tral, Longiros′trate (-ji-), having a long bill or beak; Long′ish.—n. Lon′gitude (-ji-), distance of a place east or west of a given meridian: distance in degrees from the vernal equinox, on the ecliptic—adj. Longitud′inal, pertaining to longitude or length: extending lengthwise.—adv. Longitud′inally.—n. Long′-leg (cricket), see Leg.—adj. Long′-legged, having long legs.—n. Long′legs, an insect with long legs, as the common crane-fly.—adj. Long′-lived, having a long life.—adv. Long′ly (Shak.), longingly.—ns. Long′-meas′ure, lineal measure; Long′-off, Long′-on (cricket), the fielders in the long-field to the left and right of the bowler respectively; Long′-prim′er, a size of type intermediate between small pica and bourgeois; Long′-pur′ples, the manorchis.—adj. Long′-range, able to reach or hit from a considerable distance.—n.pl. Longs′-and-shorts′, verses.—adj. Long′shore, existing or employed along the shore.—n. Long′shoreman, a stevedore: one who makes a living along shores by oyster-fishing, &c.—adj. Long′-sight′ed, able to see far but not close at hand: sagacious.—ns. Long′-sight′edness; Long′-slip (cricket), a fielder some distance behind on the right of the batsman.—adjs. Long′some, long and tedious; Long′-spun, long-drawn, tedious; Long′-stā′ple, having a long fibre.—n. Long′-stop (cricket), one who stands behind the wicket-keeper and stops balls missed by him.—v.i. to field at long-stop.—adj. Long′-suff′ering, enduring long.—n. long endurance or patience.—n. Long′-tail, an animal, esp. a dog, with uncut tail—also adj.—adjs. Long′-tongued, talkative, babbling; Long′-vis′aged, having a long face, of rueful countenance; Long′-waist′ed, having a long waist, long from the armpits to the hips; Long′-wind′ed, long-breathed: tedious.—n. Long′-wind′edness.—adv. Long′wise, lengthwise.—Long home, the grave; Long Tom (see Tom).—A long figure (slang), a high price or rate; Before long, Ere long, soon; Draw the long-bow, to exaggerate, to tell incredible stories; For long, for a considerable period of time; In the long-run (see Run); Make a long arm (prov.), to help one's self liberally at table; The long and the short, the sum of the matter in a few words. [A.S. lang; Ger. lang, Ice. langr.]

Loo, lōō, n. a game at cards.—v.t. to beat in the game of loo:—pr.p. lōō′ing; pa.p. lōōed.—n. Loo′-tā′ble, a table for loo. [Formerly lanterloo—Dut. lanterlu. Cf. Dut. lanterfant, an idler.]

Looby, lōōb′i, n. a clumsy, clownish fellow.—adv. Loob′ily. [From root of lob.]

Loof, lōōf, n. the after-part of a ship's bow where the planks begin to curve in towards the cut-water. [Dut. loef, the weather-gauge, luff, orig. a paddle for steering; perh. conn. with loof, palm.]

Look, lōōk, v.i. to turn the eye toward so as to see; to direct the attention to: to watch: to seem: to face, as a house: (B.) to expect.—v.t. to express by a look: to influence by look.—n. the act of looking or seeing: sight: air of the face: appearance.—imp. or interj. see: behold.—ns. Look′er, one who looks; Look′er-on, one that looks on, a mere spectator; Look′ing, seeing: search or searching; Look′ing-for (B.), expectation; Look′ing-glass, a glass which reflects the image of the person looking into it, a mirror; Look′out, a careful watching for: an elevated place from which to observe: one engaged in watching.—Look about, to be on the watch; Look after, to attend to or take care of: (B.) to expect; Look alive (coll.), to bestir one's self; Look down on, to treat with indifference, to despise; Look for, to search for, to expect; Look into, to inspect closely; Look on, to regard, view, think; Look out, to watch: to select; Look over, to examine cursorily: to overlook or pass over anything; Look through, to penetrate with the eye or the understanding; Look to, to take care of: to depend on; Look up, to search for: (coll.) to call upon, visit.—Have a look in (slang), to have a chance. [A.S. lócian, to look.]

Loom, lōōm, n. a machine in which yarn or thread is woven into a fabric, by the crossing of threads called chain or warp, running lengthwise, with others called weft, woof, or filling; the handle of an oar, or the part within the rowlock.—n. Jac′quard-loom, a famous apparatus devised by Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834), invaluable in weaving the finer kinds of figured silk fabrics. [A.S. gelóma, a tool.]

Loom, lōōm, v.i. to appear above the horizon, or larger than the real size: to show large in darkness, &c.: to stand out prominently in the future.—n. Loom′ing, a mirage. [O. Fr. lumer—L. lumināre.]

Loon, lōōn, n. a low fellow: a rascal: (Scot.) a lad. [Old Dut. loen, a stupid fellow, lome, slow.]

Loon, lōōn, n. a genus of web-footed aquatic birds, the Divers, with short wings, and legs placed very far back—also Loom.—n. Loon′ing, the cry of a loon, like the howl of a wolf, ominous of evil. [Ice. lómr, prob. influenced by loon, as above, from their awkward walk on land.]

Loop, lōōp, n. a doubling of a cord, chain, &c., through which another may pass: an ornamental doubling in fringes.—v.t. to fasten or ornament with loops.—n.pl. Loop′ers, the caterpillars of certain moths, which move by drawing up the hindpart of their body to the head.—n. Loop′-line, a branch from a main line of railway, returning to it after making a detour. [Prob. Celt.; Gael. lub, a bend.]

Loop, lōōp, Loophole, lōōp′hōl, n. a small hole in a wall, &c., through which small-arms may be fired: a means of escape.—adjs. Looped (Shak.), full of small openings; Loop′holed.—n. Loop′-light, a small narrow window. [O. Fr. loup.]

Loose, lōōs, adj. slack, free: unbound: not confined: not compact: indefinite: vague: not strict: unrestrained: lax in principle: licentious: inattentive.—adj. Loose′-bod′ied, flowing.—n. Loose′-kir′tle, a wanton.—adv. Loose′ly.—ns. Loos′ener, a laxative; Loose′ness, the state of being loose: diarrhœa.—Loose box, a part of a stable where horses are kept untied.—Break loose, to escape from confinement; Give a loose to, to give free vent to; Let loose, to set at liberty. [A.S. leás, loose; from the same root as loose (v.t.) and lose, seen also in Goth. laus, Ger. los; more prob. due to Ice. lauss.]

Loose, lōōs, v.t. to free from any fastening: to release: to relax: (Spens.) to solve.—v.i. (B.) to set sail.—v.t. Loos′en, to make loose: to relax anything tied or rigid: to make less dense; to open, as the bowels.—v.i. to become loose: to become less tight. [A.S. lósian; Ger. lösen, Goth. lausjan, to loose.]

Loosestrife, lōōs′strīf, n. the popular name for a plant of the natural order Lythraceæ (q.v.).

Loot, lōōt, n. act of plundering, esp. in a conquered city: plunder.—v.t. or v.i. to plunder, ransack. [Hindi lūt—Sans. lotra, loptra, stolen goods.]

Lop, lop, v.i. to hang down loosely.—adjs. Lop′-eared, having ears which hang downwards; Lop′sided, heavier on one side than the other, as a ship.

Lop, lop, v.t. to cut off the top or ends of, esp. of a tree: to curtail by cutting away superfluous parts:—pr.p. lop′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. lopped.—n. twigs of trees cut off—ns. Lop′per; Lop′ping, a cutting off: that which is cut off. [Cf. Dut. lubben, to cut; perh. conn. with leaf.]

Lophobranch, lō′fō-brangk, adj. having tufted gills.—Also Lophobran′chiate. [Gr. lophos, a crest, brachia, gills.]

Loquacious, lo-kwā′shus, adj. talkative.—adv. Loquā′ciously.—ns. Loquā′ciousness, Loquac′ity, talkativeness. [L. loquax, -acis—loqui, to speak.]

Loquat, lō′kwat, n. an esteemed Chinese and Japanese fruit, yellowish, flavouring tarts. [Chinese.]

Lorate, lōr′āt, adj. (bot.) resembling a thong or strap. [L. loratus—lorum, a thong.]

Lorcha, lor′cha, n. a light vessel of European build, but rigged like a Chinese junk.

Lord, lawrd, n. a master: a superior: a husband: a ruler: the proprietor of a manor: a baron: a peer of the realm: the son of a duke or marquis, or the eldest son of an earl: a bishop, esp. if a member of parliament: (B.) the Supreme Being, Jehovah (when printed in capitals): a name also applied to Christ.—v.t. to raise to the peerage.—v.i. to act the lord: to tyrannise.—ns. Lord′liness; Lord′ling, a little lord: a would-be lord—also Lord′ing, Lord′kin.—adj. Lord′ly, like, becoming, or pertaining to a lord: dignified: haughty: tyrannical—also adv.—ns. Lordol′atry, excessive worship of nobility; Lords′-and-lā′dies, a popular name for the common arum (q.v.); Lord's′-day, the first day of the week; Lord′ship, state or condition of being a lord: the territory belonging to a lord: dominion: authority; Lord's′-sup′per, the sacrament of the communion, instituted at our Lord's last supper.—Lord-lieutenant of a county (see Lieutenant); Lord-lieutenant Of Ireland, a viceroy or deputy of the sovereign to whom the government of Ireland is nominally committed; Lord of misrule (see Misrule); Lords of Session, the judges of the Scotch Court of Session; Lords Ordinary, the five judges forming the outer house of the Court of Session; Lords spiritual, the archbishops and bishops in the House of Lords—opp. to Lords temporal, the peers proper.—House of Lords, the upper house in the two branches of the British parliament, consisting of the lords spiritual and temporal. [M. E. loverd, laverd—A.S. hláford—hláf, a loaf, bread, weard, warder.]

Lordosis, lor-dō′sis, n. abnormal curvature of the spinal column, the convexity towards the front.

Lore, lōr, n. that which is learned: doctrine: learning.—n. Lor′ing (Spens.), learning. [A.S. lár.]

Lore, lōr, n. (Spens.) something like a thong: (ornith.) the side of the head between the eye and the base of the upper mandible.

Lorgnette, lōr-nyet′, n. an opera-glass.—n. Lor′gnon, an eye-glass with a handle. [Fr.]

Lorica, lo-rī′ka, n. in ancient Rome, a cuirass made of thongs—also Lor′ic (Browning).—v.t. Lor′icāte, to furnish with a coat-of-mail: to plate or coat over.—adj. covered with defensive armour: imbricated.—n. Loricā′tion, a coating or crusting over, as with plates of mail. [L.,—lorum, a thong.]

Lorimer, lor′i-mėr, n. a maker of horse-furniture.—Also Lor′iner. [Fr. lormier—L. lorum, a thong.]

Loriot, lō′ri-ut, n. the oriole. [Fr. le, the, oriol—L. aureolus, dim. of aureus, golden—aurum, gold.]

Lorn, lorn, adj. (Spens.) lost, forsaken. [A.S. loren, pa.p. of leósan, to lose.]

Lorry, lor′i, n. a four-wheeled wagon without sides. [Perh. from prov. Eng. lurry, to pull.]

Lory, lō′ri, n. a common name for the members of a family of Australian parrots. [Malay.]

Lose, lōōz, v.t. to be deprived of: to cease to have: to mislay: to waste, as time: to miss: to bewilder: to cause to perish: to ruin.—v.i. to fail, to be unsuccessful: to suffer waste:—pr.p. los′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lost.—adj. Los′able.—n. Los′er.—adj. Los′ing, causing loss.—adv. Los′ingly.—n. Loss, the act of losing: injury: destruction: defeat: that which is lost: waste.—adj. Lost, parted with: no longer possessed: missing: thrown away: squandered: ruined.—Lose one's self, to lose one's way, to become bewildered; Lost to, insensible to; Lost tribes, the tribes of Israel which never returned from captivity.—At a loss, in uncertainty. [A.S. losian—leósan; cog. with Ger. ver-lieren, to lose.]

Losel, lō′zel, n. a sorry, worthless fellow: a scamp.—adj. slothful: wasteful—n. Lō′selism, worthlessness, worthless fellows collectively. [Prob. lose.]

Lot, lot, n. one's fate in the future: destiny: that which falls to any one as his fortune: that which decides by chance: a separate portion.—v.t. to allot: to separate into lots: to catalogue:—pr.p. lot′ting; pa.p. lot′ted.—Cast, or Draw, lots, to determine an event by some arrangement of chances. [A.S. hlot, hlýt, a lot—hleótan, to cast lots.]

Lothario, lō-thā′ri-ō, n. a libertine, rake. [From Lothario, in Rowe's play, The Fair Penitent.]

Lotion, lō′shun, n. a liquid preparation for healing or cleansing any diseased or bruised part. [Fr.,—L.,—lavāre lotum, to wash.]

Lottery, lot′ėr-i, n. a distribution of prizes by lot or chance: a game of chance.

Lotto, lot′ō, n. a game played with numbered discs and cards.—Also Lot′o. [It.]

Lotus, lō′tus, n. the water-lily of Egypt: a tree in North Africa, whose fruit made strangers forget their home: a genus of leguminous plants—also Lote, Lō′tos.—ns.pl. Lotō′phagi, Lō′tus-eat′ers, a people who ate the fruit of the lotus, among whom Ulysses lived for a time.—ns. Lō′tus-eat′er, an eater of the lotus: one given up to sloth; Lō′tus-land, the country of the lotus-eaters. [Gr.]

Loud, lowd, adj. making a great sound: noisy: showy.—advs. Loud, Loud′ly.—adj. Loud′-lunged, vociferous.—n. Loud′ness.—adj. Loud′-voiced, stentorian. [A.S, hlúd; Ger. laut, sound; L. inclytus, renowned, Gr. klytos, heard.]

Louis, lōō′i, n. a French gold coin superseded in 1795 by the 20-franc piece—also Lou′is-d'or.—adjs. Lou′is-Quatorze′, characteristic of the reign of Louis XIV. (1643-1715), in architecture and decoration; Lou′is-Quinze, of that of Louis XV. (1715-74); Lou′is-Seize, of that of Louis XVI. (1774-92); Lou′is-Treize, of that of Louis XIII. (1610-43).

Lounder, lown′dėr, v.t. (Scot.) to beat.—n. a heavy blow.—n. Loun′dering, a beating.

Lounge, lownj, v.i. to recline at one's ease: to move about listlessly.—n. the act or state of lounging: an idle stroll: a place for lounging: a kind of sofa.—n. Loung′er. [Fr. longis, one that is long in doing anything, formed (but with a pun on L. longus, long) from L. Longius or Longinus, the legendary name of the centurion who pierced the body of Christ.]

Loup, lowp, v.i. (Scot.) to leap.—ns. Loup′ing-ill, a disease causing sheep to spring up in walking; Loup′ing-on′-stane, a stone from which to mount a horse; Loup′-the-dyke′, runaway.

Louse, lows, n. a common wingless parasitic insect, with a flat body, and short legs furnished with claws:—pl. Lice (līs).—v.t. (obs.) to remove lice from.—n. Lous′iness.—adj. Lous′y, swarming with lice. [A.S. lús, pl. lýs; Ger. laus; from the root of Goth. liusan, to destroy.]

Lout, lowt, n. a clown, awkward fellow.—v.t. to treat as a lout.—v.i. to bend.—adj. Lout′ish, clownish: awkward and clumsy.—adv. Lout′ishly.—n. Lout′ishness. [A.S. lútan, to stoop.]

Louvre, Louver, lōō′vėr, n. an opening of a turret shape on roofs, to allow the smoke or foul air to escape from halls, kitchens, &c.—n. Lou′vre-win′dow, an open window in a church tower, crossed by a series of sloping boards. [O. Fr. louvert for l'ouvert, the open space.]

Lovage, luv′āj, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Umbelliferæ, allied to Angelica, used as a salad plant: a liquor made from the above. [O. Fr. luvesche—L. ligusticum, belonging to Liguria.]

Love, luv, n. fondness: an affection of the mind caused by that which delights: pre-eminent kindness: benevolence: reverential regard: devoted attachment to one of the opposite sex: the object of affection: the god of love, Cupid: (Shak.) a kindness, a favour done: nothing, in billiards, tennis, and some other games.—v.t. to be fond of: to regard with affection: to delight in with exclusive affection: to regard with benevolence.—v.i. to have the feeling of love.—adj. Lov′able, worthy of love: amiable.—ns. Love′-app′le, the fruit of the tomato; Love′bird, a genus of small birds of the parrot tribe, so called from their attachment to each other; Love′-brok′er (Shak.), a third person who carries messages and makes assignations between lovers; Love′-charm, a philtre; Love′-child, a bastard; Love′-day (Shak.), a day for settling disputes; Love′-fā′vour, something given to be worn in token of love; Love′-feast, a religious feast held periodically by certain sects of Christians in imitation of the love-feasts celebrated by the early Christians in connection with the Lord's-supper; Love′-feat, the gallant act of a lover; Love′-in-ī′dleness, the heart's-ease; Love′-juice, a concoction used to excite love; Love′-knot, an intricate knot, used as a token of love.—adj. Love′less, without love, tenderness, or kindness.—ns. Love′-lett′er, a letter of courtship; Love′-lies-bleed′ing, a species of the plant Amaranthus; Love′liness; Love′lock, a lock of hair hanging at the ear, worn by men of fashion in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.—adj. Love′lorn, forsaken by one's love.—n. Love′lornness.—adj. Love′ly, exciting love or admiration: amiable: pleasing: delightful.—adv. beautifully, delightfully.—ns. Love′-match, a marriage for love, not money; Love′-mong′ėr, one who deals in affairs of love; Love′-pō′tion, a philtre; Lov′er, one who loves, esp. one in love with person of the opposite sex, in the singular almost exclusively of the man: one who is fond of anything: (B.) a friend.—adjs. Lov′ered (Shak.), having a lover; Lov′erly, like a lover.—n. Love′-shaft, a dart of love from Cupid's bow.—adjs. Love′-sick, languishing with amorous desire; Love′some, lovely.—ns. Love′-suit (Shak.), courtship; Love′-tō′ken, a gift in evidence of love.—adj. Lov′ing, having love or kindness: affectionate: fond: expressing love.—ns. Lov′ing-cup (see under Cup); Lov′ing-kind′ness, kindness full of love: tender regard: mercy: favour.—adv. Lov′ingly.—n. Lov′ingness.—For love or money, in some way or another; In love, enamoured; Make love to, to try to gain the affections of; Play for love, to play without stakes; There's no love lost between them, they have no regard for each other. [A.S. lufu, love; Ger. liebe; cf. L. libet, lubet.]

Lovelace, luv′lās, n. a well-mannered libertine. [From Lovelace, the hero of Clarissa Harlowe.]

Low, lō, v.i. to make the loud noise of oxen: to bellow.—n. the bellow of oxen.—n. Low′ing, the bellowing of cattle. [A.S. hlówan; Dut. loeijen; imit.]

Low, lō, adj. (comp. Low′er; superl. Low′est) lying in an inferior place or position: not high: deep: shallow: small: moderate: cheap: dejected: mean: plain: in poor circumstances: humble.—adv. not aloft: cheaply: meanly: in subjection, poverty, or disgrace: in times near our own: not loudly: (astron.) near the equator.—adj. Low′-born, of mean birth.—ns. Low′-church, a party within the Church of England minimising sacerdotal claims, ecclesiastical constitutions, ordinances, and forms, holding evangelical views of theology:—opp. to High-church; Low′-church′ism; Low′-church′man.—v.t. Low′er, to bring low: to depress: to degrade: to diminish.—v.i. to fall: to sink: to grow less.—adjs. Low′er-case (print.), kept in a lower case, denoting small letters as distinguished from capitals; Low′er-class, pertaining to persons of the humbler ranks.—n. Low′ering, the act of bringing low or reducing.—adj. letting down: sinking: degrading.—adj. Low′ermost, lowest.—ns. Low′land, land low with respect to higher land; Low′lander, a native of lowlands; Low′-life, humble life; Low′lihead, Low′lihood, a lowly or humble state; Low′liness.—adjs. Low′-lived, vulgar: shabby; Low′ly, of a low or humble mind: not high: meek: modest; Low′-mind′ed, moved by base or gross motives: vulgar; Low′-necked, cut low in the neck and away from the shoulders, décolleté.—n. Low′ness.—adjs. Low′-press′ure, employing or exerting a low degree of pressure (viz. less than 50 lb. to the sq. inch), said of steam and steam-engines; Low′-spir′ited, having the spirits low or cast down: not lively: sad.—n. Low′-spir′itedness.—adj. Low′-thought′ed, having the thoughts directed to low pursuits.—n. Low′-wa′ter, the lowest point of the tide at ebb.—Low Latin, a term often applied loosely to the Latin spoken and written after the fall of the Roman Empire, as well as during the Middle Ages; Low Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, so called in contrast to the great festival whose octave it ends; Low wines, the weak spirit produced from the first distillation of substances containing alcohol.—Lie low, to keep quiet or hidden. [Ice. lágr, Dut. laag, low; allied to A.S. licgan, to lie.]

Low, low, n. (Scot.) a flame.—v.i. to blaze.—n. Low′-bell, a bell used in fowling by night, in connection with a light, to frighten birds into a net. [Ice. logi; cf. Dan. lue, Ger. lohe.]

Lower, low′ėr, v.i. to appear gloomy, as the clouds: to threaten a storm: to frown.—adjs. Lou′ry, Low′ery, cloudy; Low′ering, looking sullen: appearing dark and threatening.—adv. Low′eringly. [M. E. louren, from M. E. lure, lere, the cheek, allied to A.S. hleór, and thus a variant of leer.]

Loxodromic, lok-so-drom′ik, adj. pertaining to certain lines on the surface of a sphere which cut all meridians at the same angle, and indicate the course held by ships in rhumb sailing.—Loxodromic curve, line, or spiral, the course of a ship oblique to the equator and cutting all the meridians at the same angle, sailing constantly toward the same point of the compass.—Loxodromics, the art of such oblique sailing. [Gr. loxos, oblique, dromos, a course.]

Loyal, loi′al, adj. faithful to one's sovereign: obedient: true to a lover.—n. Loy′alist, a loyal adherent of his sovereign, esp. in English history, a partisan of the Stuarts: in the American war, one that sided with the British troops.—adv. Loy′ally.—n. Loy′alty. [Fr.,—L. legalis—lex, legis, law.]

Lozenge, loz′enj, n. an oblique-angled parallelogram or a rhombus: a small cake of flavoured sugar, originally lozenge or diamond shaped: (her.) the rhomb-shaped figure in which the arms of maids, widows, and deceased persons are borne.—adjs. Loz′enged, formed in the shape of a lozenge; Loz′enge-shaped, shaped like a lozenge or rhomb; Loz′engy (her.), divided into lozenge-shaped compartments. [O. Fr. losange, flattery, whence its use for an epitaph, square slab, window-pane.]

Lubber, lub′ėr, Lubbard, lub′ard, n. an awkward, clumsy fellow: a lazy, sturdy fellow.—adj. Lubb′ard, lubberly.—adj. and adv. Lubb′erly.—n. Lubb′er's-hole (naut.), a hole between the head of the lower mast and the edge of the top through which 'lubbers' may climb, instead of going round the futtock shroud. [W. llob, a dolt, llabbi, a stripling.]

Lubricate, lū′bri-kāt, v.t. to make smooth or slippery: to supply with oil to overcome friction.—adjs. Lū′bric, -al, Lū′bricous, slippery: lewd.—ns. Lū′bricant; Lubricā′tion.—adj. Lū′bricative.—ns. Lū′bricator; Lubricity (lū-bris′i-ti), slipperiness: smoothness: instability: lewdness; Lubrifac′tion. [L. lubricāre, -ātum—lubricus, slippery.]

Lucarne, lū′kärn, n. a dormer-window, esp. in a church spire. [Fr.,—L. lucerna, a lamp.]

Luce, lūs, n. a fresh-water fish, the pike. [O. Fr. lus—Low L. lucius.]

Lucent, lū′sent, adj. shining: bright.—n. Lū′cency, brightness.—adj. Lucer′nal, pertaining to a lamp. [L. lucens—lucēre, to shine—lux, lucis, light.]

Lucerne, lū′sėrn, n. a species of Medick, a valuable forage-plant. [Fr. luzerne.]

Lucid, lū′sid, adj. shining: transparent: easily understood: intellectually bright: not darkened with madness.—ns. Lucid′ity, Lū′cidness.—adv. Lū′cidly.—ns. Luc′ifer, the planet Venus when it appears as the morning-star: Satan: a match of wood tipped with a combustible substance ignited by friction.—adjs. Lucifē′rian, Lucif′erous, of or pertaining to Lucifer: bearing light: affording means of discovery; Lucif′ugal, Lucif′ugous, shunning light.—n. Lucim′eter, an instrument for measuring the intensity and duration of sunshine in promoting evaporation. [L.,—lux, lucis, light.]

Lucigen, lū′si-jen, n. one of the most powerful artificial lamps, and specially adapted for lighting large spaces, whether open or covered. [L. lux, lucis, light, and root of gignĕre, to beget.]

Lucina, lū′sī-na, n. a name applied both to Diana and to Juno—to the latter as the especial divinity that presides over childbirth. [L.,—lux, light.]

Luck, luk, n. fortune, good or bad: chance: lot: good fortune.—adv. Luck′ily.—n. Luck′iness.—adj. Luck′less, without good luck: unhappy.—adv. Luck′lessly.—ns. Luck′lessness; Luck′-penn′y, a trifle returned for luck by a seller to a buyer: a coin carried for luck.—adj. Luck′y, having good luck: auspicious.—n. Luck′y-bag, a receptacle for lost property on board a man-of-war.—Be down on one's luck, to be unfortunate. [From a Low Ger. root, seen in Dut. luk; cf. Ger. glück, prosperity.]

Lucre, lū′kėr, n. gain (esp. sordid gain): profit: advantage.—adj. Lū′crative, bringing lucre or gain: profitable.—adv. Lū′cratively. [Fr.,—L. lucrum, gain.]

Lucubrate, lū′kū-brāt, v.i. to study by lamplight or at night.—n. Lucubrā′tion, a product of close study or thought, any composition produced in retirement.—adj. Lū′cubrātory, composed by candle-light. [L. lucubrāre, -ātum—lux.]

Luculent, lū′kū-lent, adj. lucid: clear: transparent: evident.—adv. Lū′culently. [L. luculentus—lux.]

Lucumo, lū′kū-mō, n. an appellation of the Etruscan princes and priests. [L.]

Ludicrous, lū′di-krus, adj. that serves for sport: adapted to excite laughter: laughable: comic.—adv. Lū′dicrously.—n. Lū′dicrousness. [L. ludicrus—ludĕre, to play.]

Luff, luf, n. the windward side of a ship: the act of sailing a ship close to the wind: the loof.—v.t. to turn a ship towards the wind. [M. E. lof, a paddle; cf. Scot. loof, Dut. loef.]

Luffa, luf′a, n. a genus of climbing herbs of the gourd family, whose seeds are contained in a fibrous network removed entire by soaking, &c., and used as a flesh-brush.—Also Loof′a, &c. [Ar.]

Lug, lug, v.t. to pull along: to drag: to pull with difficulty:—pr.p. lug′ging; pa.t. and pa.p. lugged.—ns. Lug′gage, the trunks and other baggage of a traveller; Lug′gage-van, a wagon for baggage; Lug′ger, a small vessel with two or three masts, a running bowsprit, and long or lug sails; Lug′sail, Lug, a square sail bent upon a yard that hangs obliquely to the mast.—Lug in, to introduce without any apparent connection. [Scand., Sw. lugga, to pull by the hair—lugg, the forelock; from a base luk, to pull, present in Scot. lug, the ear.]

Lug, lug, n. (Scot.) the ear.—adj. Lugged, having ears.—n. Lug′gie, a small vessel with ears.

Lugubrious, lū-gū′bri-us, adj. mournful: dismal.—adv. Lugū′briously. [L. lugubris—lugēre, to mourn.]

Lugworm, lug′wurm, n. a sluggish worm found in the sand on the sea-shore, much used for bait by fishermen.—Also Lobworm.

Lukewarm, lūk′wawrm, adj. partially or moderately warm: indifferent—also Luke.—adv. Luke′warmly.—ns. Luke′warmness, Luke′warmth. [M. E. leuk, luke, an extension of lew, cog. with the A.S. hleó, the source of lee; prob. confused with A.S. wlæc, wlacu, tepid; cf. Dut. leuk, Ger. lau.]

Lull, lul, v.t. to soothe: to compose: to quiet.—v.i. to become calm: to subside.—n. a season of calm.—n. Lull′aby, a song to lull children to sleep, a cradle-song.—v.t. to lull to sleep. [Scand., as in Sw. lulla; imit. like Ger. lallen, Gr. lalein.]

Lumbago, lum-bā′gō, n. a rheumatic affection of the muscles or fibrous tissues in the lumbar region.—adjs. Lumbag′inous; Lum′bar, Lum′bal, pertaining to, or near, the loins. [L.,—lumbus, loin.]

Lumber, lum′bėr, n. anything cumbersome or useless: timber sawed or split for use.—v.t. to fill with lumber: to heap together in confusion.—n. Lum′berer, one employed in felling timber and bringing it from the forest.—adj. Lum′bering, filling with lumber: putting in confusion.—n. Lum′ber-room, a room for holding things not in use. [Fr. Lombard—Ger. Langbart; the lumber-room being orig. the Lombard-room or place where the Lombards, the medieval bankers and pawnbrokers, stored their pledges.]

Lumber, lum′bėr, v.i. to move heavily. [Scand.; prov. Sw. lomra, to resound, Ice. hljómr, a sound.]

Lumbrical, lum′brik-al, adj. (anat.) worm-like.—adj. Lumbric′iform. [L. lumbricus, a worm.]

Luminary, lū′min-ar-i, n. any body which gives light, esp. one of the heavenly bodies: one who illustrates any subject or instructs mankind.—adj. Lū′minant, emitting light.—n. an illuminating agent.—n. Luminā′tion, a lighting up.—v.t. Lū′mine (Spens.), to illumine.—adjs. Luminif′erous, transmitting light; Lū′minous, giving light: shining: illuminated: clear: lucid.—adv. Lū′minously.—ns. Lū′minousness, Luminos′ity.—Luminous paint, a phosphorescent powder, such as sulphide or oxysulphide of calcium, ground up with a colourless varnish or other medium, and used as a paint. [L. lumen, luminis, light—lucēre, to shine.]

Lump, lump, n. a small shapeless mass: a protuberance: swelling: the whole together: the gross.—v.t. to throw into a confused mass: to take in the gross.—ns. Lump′er, a labourer employed in the lading or unlading of ships: (prov.) a militiaman; Lump′fish, a clumsy sea-fish with a short, deep, and thick body and head, and a ridge on its back, also called Lump′sucker, from the power of its sucker.—adjs. Lump′ing, in a lump: heavy: bulky; Lump′ish, like a lump: heavy: gross: dull.—adv. Lump′ishly.—ns. Lump′ishness; Lump′-sug′ar, loaf-sugar in small pieces.—adj. Lump′y, full of lumps.—In the lump, in gross. [Scand., Norw. lump, a block; Dut. lomp.]

Lunar, lū′nar, adj. belonging to the moon: measured by the revolutions of the moon: caused by the moon: like the moon—also Lū′nary.—ns. Lū′nacy, a kind of madness formerly supposed to be affected by the moon: insanity; Lunā′rian, Lū′narist, a student of lunar phenomena; Lū′nary, the moonwort fern.—adjs. Lū′nāte, -d, formed like a half-moon: crescent-shaped; Lū′natic, affected with lunacy.—n. a person so affected: a madman (De lunatico inquirendo, the title of the writ or commission for inquiry into the mental state of an alleged lunatic).—n. Lunā′tion, the time between two revolutions of the moon: a lunar month.—adjs. Lū′niform, moon-shaped; Lū′nisolar, resulting from the united action of the sun and moon: compounded of the revolution of the sun and the moon.—n. Lū′nula, a crescent-like appearance, esp. the whitish area at the base of the nails.—adjs. Lū′nulate, -d (bot.), shaped like a small crescent.—ns. Lū′nule, Lū′nulet, anything in form like a small crescent; Lū′nulite, a small circular fossil coral.—Lunar caustic, fused crystals of nitrate of silver, applied to ulcers, &c.; Lunar cycle=Metonic cycle (q.v.); Lunar month (see Month); Lunar observation, an observation of the moon's distance from a star for the purpose of finding the longitude; Lunar rainbow (see Rainbow, under Rain); Lunar theory, a term employed to denote the a priori deduction of the moon's motions from the principles of gravitation; Lunar year (see Year). [L. lunaris—luna, the moon—lucēre, to shine.]

Lunch, lunsh, n. a slight repast between breakfast and dinner—also Lunch′eon.—v.i. to take lunch.—n. Lunch′eon-bar, a counter at a restaurant where luncheons are served. [Lunch, a contr. of luncheon, itself extended from lunch, a lump.]

Lune, lūn, n. anything in the shape of a half-moon: (Shak.) a fit of lunacy.—n. Lunette′, a little moon: (fort.) a detached bastion: a hole in a concave ceiling to admit light: a watch-glass flattened more than usual in the centre: in the R.C. Church, a moon-shaped case of crystal used for receiving the consecrated host. [Fr. lune—L. luna.]

Lung, lung, n. one of the organs of breathing—from its spongy texture.—adjs. Lunged; Lung′-grown, having an adhesion of the lung to the pleura.—n. Lung′wort, an herb with purple flowers and spotted leaves: a lichen on tree-trunks, used as a remedy for pulmonary diseases. [A.S. lunge, pl. lungan, the lungs; cog. with light (adj.).]

Lunge, lunj, n. a sudden thrust in fencing.—v.i. to give such.—v.t. to cause to plunge. [Fr. allonger, to lengthen—L. ad, to, longus, long.]

Lunt, lunt, n. a light, blaze.—v.i. (Scot.) to burn, to smoke. [Dut. lont, a match; cf. Ger. lunte.]

Lupine, lū′pīn, adj. like a wolf: wolfish.—n. a genus of leguminous plants.—adj. Lupanā′rian, bawdy.—n. Lupercā′lia, a festival among the ancient Romans, held on the 15th of February, in honour of Lupercus (Pan), god of fertility and patron of shepherds—(Shak.) Lū′percal. [L. lupinus—lupus, a wolf, lupa, a whore.]

Luppa, lup′a, n. cloth having so much gold and silver thread as to look as if made entirely of metal.

Lupulus, lū′pu-lus, n. the common hop.—n. Lū′pulin, the peculiar bitter aromatic principle of the hop.

Lupus, lū′pus, n. a chronic tuberculosis of the skin, often affecting the nose. [L. lupus, a wolf.]

Lurch, lurch, n. an ancient card-game: in cribbage, the position of the party who has gained every point before the other makes one.—v.t. to overreach: (arch.) to steal.—Leave in the lurch, to leave in a difficult situation without help. [O. Fr. lourche.]

Lurch, lurch, v.i. to evade by stooping, to lurk: to roll or pitch suddenly to one side (as a ship).—n. a sudden roll of a ship.—n. Lurch′er, a name applied to any dog with a distinct cross of greyhound: one who lies in wait: a glutton. [Lurk.]

Lurdan, lur′dan, adj. (arch.) stupid.—n. a stupid person.—Also Lur′dane, Lur′den. [O. Fr. lourdein, dull—lourd, heavy.]

Lure, lūr, n. any enticement: bait: decoy: (Shak.) a stuffed bird used in falconry for training the hawk.—v.t. to entice: decoy. [O. Fr. loerre (Fr. leurre)—Mid. High Ger. luoder (Ger. luder), bait.]

Lure, lūr, n. a trumpet with long curved tube, used for calling cattle, &c. [Ice. lúdhr.]

Lurid, lū′rid, adj. ghastly pale, wan: ghastly and sensational: gloomy.—adv. Lū′ridly. [L. luridus.]

Lurk, lurk, v.i. to lie in wait: to be concealed.—n. a swindle.—n. Lurk′er.—adj. Lurk′ing, lying hid: keeping out of sight.—n. Lurk′ing-place, a hiding-place. [Scand., Sw. prov. luska.]

Luscious, lush′us, adj. sweet in a great degree: delightful: fulsome, as flattery.—adv. Lusc′iously.—n. Lusc′iousness. [Old form lushious, from lusty.]

Lush, lush, adj. rich and juicy, of grass. [A contr. of lushious, old form of luscious.]

Lush, lush, v.t. to swill.—n. plentiful liquor.—adj. Lush′y, tipsy.

Lusiad, lū′si-ad, n. a Portuguese epic by Camoens, celebrating the chief events in the history of Portugal.—adj. Lusitā′nian, Portuguese. [Port. Os Lusiadas, the Lusitanians.]

Lusk, lusk, adj. (obs.) lazy.—v.i. to lie about lazily.—adj. Lusk′ish (obs.).—n. Lusk′ishness (Spens.).

Lust, lust, n. longing desire: eagerness to possess: carnal appetite: (B.) any violent or depraved desire.—v.i. to desire eagerly (with after, for): to have carnal desire: to have depraved desires.—adjs. Lust′-breathed (Shak.), animated by lust; Lust′-dī′eted (Shak.), pampered by lust.—n. Lust′er.—adj. Lust′ful, having lust: inciting to lust: sensual.—adv. Lust′fully.—n. Lust′fulness.—adj. Lust′ic (Shak.), lusty, healthy, vigorous.—ns. Lust′ihead, Lust′ihood, Lust′iness.—adv. Lust′ily.—adj. Lust′less (Spens.), listless, feeble.—n. Lust′wort, the sundew.—adj. Lust′y, vigorous: healthful: stout: bulky: (Milt.) lustful. [A.S. lust, pleasure.]

Lustre, lus′tėr, n. brightness, gloss, splendour: (fig.) renown: a candlestick ornamented with pendants of cut-glass: the characteristic appearance of a bright metallic surface, or of air within glass under water as seen under certain angles of total reflection: a dress material having a highly finished surface: a glaze applied to porcelain.—adjs. Lus′treless, destitute of lustre; Lus′trous, bright: shining: luminous.—adv. Lus′trously. [Fr.,—Low L. lustrum, a window—L. lucēre, to shine.]

Lustre, lus′tėr, Lustrum, lus′trum, n. a period of five years: (orig.) the solemn offering for the purification of the Roman people made by one of the censors at the conclusion of the census, taken every five years.—adj. Lus′tral, relating to or used in lustration: of or pertaining to a lustre.—n. Lustrā′tion, a purification by sacrifice: act of purifying.—adj. Lus′trical, pertaining to purification by lustration. [L. lustrum—luĕre, to wash, to purify.]

Lustring, lus′tring, n. a glossy silk cloth.—Also Lus′trine, Lute′string. [Fr. lustrine—It. lustrino.]

Lute, lūt, n. a medieval stringed instrument of music like the guitar.—v.i. to play on the lute.—ns. Lut′anist, Lut′er, Lut′ist, a player on a lute; Lute′string, the string of a lute. [O. Fr. lut (Fr. luth); like Ger. laute, from Ar. al, the, ‛úd, wood, the lute.]

Lute, lūt, n. a composition used to exclude air, as round pipe-joints: a brickmaker's straight-edge scraper: a rubber packing-ring for a jar.—v.t. to close or coat with lute.—adjs. Lutā′rious, Lū′teous, of or like mud.—n. Lutā′tion.—adj. Lū′tose, miry. [L. lutum, from luĕre, to wash.]

Luteolin, lū′tē-ō-lin, n. the yellow colouring matter of weld or dyer's weed.—adjs. Lutē′olous, yellowish; Lū′teous, golden-yellowish. [L. lutum, weld.]

Lutheran, lū′thėr-an, adj. pertaining to Luther, the great German Protestant reformer (1483-1546), or to his doctrines: a follower of Luther.—ns. Lu′theranism, Lū′therism; Lū′therist.

Luxate, luks′āt, v.t. to put out of joint: to displace.—n. Luxā′tion, a dislocation. [L. luxāre, -ātum—luxus—Gr. loxos, slanting.]

Luxury, luk′sū-ri, n. free indulgence in rich diet or costly dress or equipage: anything delightful: a dainty: (Shak.) wantonness.—ns. Luxū′riance, Luxū′riancy, Luxurī′ety.—adj. Luxū′riant, exuberant in growth: overabundant.—adv. Luxū′riantly.—v.i. Luxū′riate, to be luxuriant: to grow exuberantly: to live luxuriously: to expatiate with delight.—n. Luxuriā′tion, the act of luxuriating.—adj. Luxū′rious, given to luxury: administering to luxury: furnished with luxuries: softening by pleasure: (Milt.) luxuriant: (Shak.) lustful.—adv. Luxū′riously.—ns. Luxū′riousness; Lux′urist, one given to luxury. [O. Fr. luxurie—L. luxuria, luxury—luxus, excess.]

Luz, luz, n. a bone supposed by Rabbinical writers to be indestructible, probably the sacrum.

Luzula, lū′zū-lä, n. a genus of plants of the rush family, having plain leaves, covered with thinly scattered, longish hairs. [Old It. luzziola, a firefly.]

Lycanthropy, lī-kan′thro-pi, n. the power possessed by a person of changing himself into a wolf: a kind of madness, in which the patient fancies himself to be a wolf.—ns. Lycan′thrope, Lycan′thropist, a wolf-man or were-wolf, one affected with lycanthropy.—adjs. Lycanthrop′ic, Lycan′thropous. [Gr. lykos, a wolf, anthrōpos, a man.]

Lyceum, lī-sē′um, n. a place devoted to instruction by lectures: an association for literary improvement. [Orig. the name of a place in the immediate neighbourhood of Athens, consecrated to Apollo Lyceios, where Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, taught.]

Lychnic, lik′nik, n. a part of the vespers of the Greek Church on the occasion of a vigil.—n. Lychnap′sia, a series of seven prayers in the vespers of the Greek Church.—adj. Lychnid′iate, emitting light, phosphorescent.—ns. Lych′nobite, one who works by night and sleeps by day; Lych′nomancy, divination by means of lamps; Lych′noscope, a small window-like opening in the south wall of a church. [Gr. lychnos, a light.]

Lychnis, lik′nis, n. a genus of erect ornamental herbs of the pink family—campions or wall-flowers. [L.]

Lycopodiaceæ, lī-ko-pō-di-ā′se-ē, n.pl. a class of isoporous vascular cryptogams, having mostly a dichotomous form of branching—its typical genus Lycopō′dium.—n. Ly′copode, a highly inflammable yellow powder made up of the spores of Lycopodium. [Gr. lykos, a wolf, pous, the foot.]

Lyddite, lid′īt, n. a powerful explosive made (at Lydd in Kent) from picrate of potash.

Lydian, lid′i-an, adj. pertaining to Lydia in Asia Minor: of an ancient Greek mode of music: (mus.) soft and slow: luxurious and effeminate.

Lye, lī, n. a solution leached from ashes: a solution of the fixed alkalies, potash and soda, in water. [A.S. leáh; Ger. lauge; allied to lavāre, to wash.]

Lyencephalous, lī-en-sef′a-lus, adj. having the corpus callosum absent or rudimentary.

Lying, lī′ing, adj. addicted to telling lies.—n. the habit of telling lies.—adv. Ly′ingly.

Lying, lī′ing, adj. being in a horizontal position.—n. Ly′ing-in, the confinement of women during child-bearing—also adj.

Lyme-grass, līm′-gras, n. any one of various coarse grasses of genus Elymus.

Lymph, limf, n. water: a colourless or faintly-yellowish fluid in animal bodies, of a rather saltish taste, and with an alkaline reaction.—n. Lymphangī′tis (see Weed, 3).—adj. Lymphat′ic, pertaining to lymph.—n. a vessel which conveys the lymph.—adjs. Lymph′y, Lymph′oid. [L. lympha.]

Lynch, linsh, v.t. to judge and punish without the usual forms of law.—n. Lynch′-law (Amer.), a kind of summary justice exercised by the people. [From Charles Lynch (1736-96) of Virginia.]

Lynx, lingks, n. a genus of Felidæ, with the body elevated at the haunches, long fur, a short tail, the ears tipped with tufts of hair.—adjs. Lyncē′an, Lynx′-eyed, sharp-sighted. [L.,—Gr.]

Lyon Court, lī′un kōrt, n. the court in Scotland with jurisdiction in questions of coat-armour and precedency—presided over by the Lyon King-of-arms. [From the heraldic lion of Scotland.]

Lyre, līr, n. a musical instrument like the harp, anciently used as an accompaniment to poetry.—n. Ly′ra, one of the northern constellations.—adjs. Ly′rate, -d (bot.), lyre-shaped.—ns. Lyre′bird, an Australian bird about the size of a pheasant, having the 16 tail-feathers of the male arranged in the form of a lyre; Lyric (lir′-), a lyric poem: (obs.) a composer of lyric poetry.—adjs. Lyric, -al (lir′-), pertaining to the lyre: fitted to be sung to the lyre: written in stanzas: said of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet: that composes lyrics.—ns. Lyricism (lir′-), a lyrical expression or composition; Lyr′ism, the art of playing on the lyre; Lyr′ist, a player on the lyre or harp. [Fr.,—L. lyra—Gr.]

Lysimeter, lī-sim′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rate of percolation of rain through a soil.

Lysis, lī′sis, n. the gradual abatement of a disease, as distinguished from crisis: (archit.) a plinth or step above the cornice of the podium in an ancient temple. [Gr.]

Lytta, lit′a, n. a longitudinal vermiform cartilaginous or fibrous band on the under surface of the tongue in carnivores—the 'worm' of a dog's tongue. [Gr.]

the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, belonging to the labio-nasal class of consonants. M=1000; M=1,000,000.—M-roof, a roof formed by the junction of two common roofs, so that its end is like the letter M.

Ma′am, mäm, n. a colloquial contraction of madam—vulgarly Marm, Mum.

Mab, mab, n. the name of a female fairy: the queen of the fairies—hence any fairy. [W. mab, child.]

Mabinogion, mab-i-nō′ji-on, n. a collection of four Arthurian romances, embodied in the 12th century, embraced with seven other prose tales in the Red Book, or Hergest, a Welsh MS. of the 14th century—the whole published and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1838. [W., 'children's tales.']

Mac, mak, a prefix in Scotch names, meaning son (of). [Gael. and Ir. mac, son; W. map, mab, also ap, ab.]

Macaberesque, ma-kā-bėr-esk′, adj. pertaining to, or like, the Dance of Death. [Fr. La Danse Macabre, Low L. Machabæorum chorea, the dance of the Maccabees, prob. because the seven brothers whose martyrdom is recorded in the 7th chapter of the 2d Book of Maccabees played an important part in the earliest form of the 14th-cent. drama on the subject.]

Macadamise, mak-ad′am-īz, v.t. to cover, as a road, with small broken stones, so as to form a smooth, hard surface.—ns. Macad′am, macadamised pavement; Macadamisā′tion. [From John Loudon Macadam (1756-1836).]

Macaque, ma-kak′, n. a monkey of genus Macacus, between baboons and the African mangabeys.

Macarise, mak′a-rīz, v.t. to bless, pronounce happy.—adj. Macā′rian, blessed.—n. Mac′arism, a beatitude. [Gr. makar, happy.]

Macaroni, mak-a-rō′ni, n. a kind of paste or dough prepared from the glutinous granular flour of hard varieties of wheat, pressed out through a perforated vessel into long tubes, and then dried: a medley: something fanciful and extravagant: a fool: a fop:—pl. Macarō′nis, Macarō′nies.—n. Macaron′ic, a confused heap, a medley: a macaronic poem.—adjs. Macaron′ic, Macarō′nian, like a macaroni, trifling, affected: of a kind of burlesque verse, consisting of modern words Latinised, or Latin words modernised, intermixed with genuine Latin words. [Old It. maccaroni—maccare, to crush.]

Macaroon, mak-a-rōōn′, n. a sweet biscuit made chiefly of almonds and sugar. [Fr.,—It. maccaroni above.]

Macassar-oil, ma-kas′ar-oil, n. an oil much used for the hair, imported from India and other Eastern countries. [From Macassar in Celebes.]

Macaw, ma-kaw′, n. a genus of large and beautiful birds with a long tail, found in tropical America, closely allied to the parrots. [Brazil. macao.]

Maccabean, mak-a-bē′an, adj. pertaining to Judas Maccabeus, or to the Maccabees, an ancient Jewish family who rescued Judea from the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, about 166 B.C.—as related in two historical books of the Apocrypha.

Mace, mās, n. a staff used as a mark of authority: a light, flat-headed stick in use at billiards before the introduction of the bridge or cue-rest: formerly, a weapon of war, consisting of a staff headed with a heavy spiked ball of iron: a mallet used by a currier in dressing leather.—n. Mace′-bear′er, one who carries the mace in a procession, or before men in authority—also Mac′er. [O. Fr. mace (Fr. masse)—obs. L. matea, whence L. dim. mateola, a mallet.]

Mace, mās, n. a kind of spice: the second coat of the nutmeg. [O. Fr. macis—L. macer—Gr. maker.]

Macerate, mas′ėr-āt, v.t. to steep: to soften by steeping: to make lean: to mortify.—n. Macerā′tion, act of softening by steeping: mortification of the flesh by fasting and other severe modes of living. [L. macerāre, -ātum, to steep.]

Machete, ma-chā′tā, n. a heavy knife or cutlass used by the Cubans, &c. [Sp.]

Machiavellian, mak-i-a-vēl′yan, adj. destitute of political morality, following expediency rather than right: cunning, crafty, perfidious.—n. one who imitates Machiavel—more correctly, Niccolo Machiavelli—of Florence (1469-1527): any cunning and unprincipled statesman.—n. Machiavell′ianism, the principles taught by Machiavel, or conduct regulated by them: cunning statesmanship.

Machicolation, mach-i-ko-lā′shun, n. (archit.) a projecting parapet or gallery with openings for pouring molten substances upon an attacking force below: the construction or use of such means of defence.—adj. Machic′olated. [Fr. mâchicoulis, from mâche, mash, coulis, a flowing—L. colāre, to filter.]

Machinate, mak′i-nāt, v.t. to contrive skilfully: to form a plot or scheme, esp. for doing harm.—ns. Machinā′tion, act of machinating or contriving a scheme for carrying out some purpose, esp. an evil one: an artful design or plot: Mach′inator, one who machinates. [L. machināri, -ātus—machĭna.]

Machine, ma-shēn′, n. any artificial means or contrivance: any instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message—whence the expression Deus ex machĭna for a sudden interposition of Providence: any literary contrivance for the development of a plot: supernatural agency in a poem.—v.t. to use machinery for, esp. to print or sew by such: to make by means of machinery.—ns. Machine′-gun, a gun firing a great many shots one after the other, sometimes as many as 1000 per minute; Machine′-man, a man who manages the working of a machine, esp. in a printing-office; Machin′ery, machines in general: the working parts of a machine: combined means for keeping anything in action, or for producing a desired result; Machine′-shop, a workshop where machines are made; Machine′-tool, an adjustable machine for doing work with cutting-tools, or one utilising minor tools, as a planing-, drilling-machine, &c.; Machine′-work, work done by a machine; Machin′ist, a constructor of machines: one well versed in machinery: one who works a machine. [Fr.,—L. machĭna—Gr. mēchanē, akin to mēch-os, contrivance.]

Mack′erel, mak′ėr-el, n. a food fish, dark blue, with wavy cross-streaks above, and silvery below.—n. Mack′erel-sky, a sky with clouds broken into long, thin, white, parallel masses. [O. Fr. makerel (Fr. maquereau), prob. from L. macula, a spot.]

Mackintosh, mak′in-tosh, n. a waterproof overcoat. [From Charles Mackintosh (1766-1843), the inventor.]

Mackle, mak′l, n. a spot or blemish in printing, by a double impression, wrinkling, &c.—v.t. to spot, blur.

Macle, mak′l, n. a kind of twin crystal: a kind of cross-stone or hollow-spar, called also Chiastolite, having the axis and angles of its crystals coloured differently from the rest.—adj. Mac′led, spotted. [Through Fr., from L. macula, spot.]

Macmillanite, mak-mil′an-īt, n. an old name for a member of the Scottish sect of Cameronians or Reformed Presbyterians. [From John Macmillan, (1670-1753), the first ordained minister who associated himself with the 'suffering remnant.']

Macramé, mak-ra-mā′, n. a fringe or trimming of knotted thread—also knotted bar-work. [It.]

Macrobiotic, mak-rō-bi-ot′ik, adj. long-lived.—ns. Macrobiō′sis, long life; Macrō′biote, one who lives long; Macrobiot′ics, the study of longevity.

Macrocephalous, mak-ro-sef′a-lus, adj. having a large or long head.—Also Macrocephal′ic. [Gr. makros, long or great, kephalē, a head.]

Macrocosm, mak′ro-kozm, n. the great world: the whole universe:—opp. to Microcosm.—adj. Macrocos′mic. [Gr. makros, long, kosmos, world.]

Macrodactyl, mak-ro-dak′til, adj. having long toes.—n. a wading-bird having such:—pl. Macrodac′tylī, and -a. [Gr. makros, long, daktylos, finger.]

Macrology, mak-rol′o-ji, n. much talk with little to say. [Gr. makros, long, logos, a word.]

Macron, mak′ron, n. a straight line placed over a vowel to show that it is long:—opp. to Breve, the mark of a short vowel. [Gr., 'long.']

Macropod, mak′ro-pod, adj. having long feet.—n. a long-legged or long-footed animal: one of the spider-crabs.—adjs. Macrop′odal, Macrop′odan, Macropō′dian, Macrop′odous (bot.). [Gr. makros, long, pous, podos, a foot.]

Macropterous, mak-rop′te-rus, adj. long-winged. [Gr. makros, long, pteron, a wing.]

Macroscian, mak-ros′i-an, adj. casting a long shadow.—n. an inhabitant of the Arctic or Antarctic zones. [Gr. makros, long, skia, shadow.]

Macroscopic, mak-ro-skop′ik, adj. visible to the naked eye:—opp. to Microscopic.—adv. Macroscop′ically. [Gr. makros, long, skopein, to see.]

Macrospore, mak′ro-spōr, n. a more than usually large spore of a flowerless plant, as in club-mosses, &c.—n. Macrosporan′gium, a sporangium containing macrospores. [Gr. makros, long, spora, a seed.]

Macrurous, mak-rōō′rus, adj. long-tailed.—Also Macru′ral. [Gr. makros, long, oura, tail.]

Macula, mak′ū-la, n. a spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun, moon, or planets:—pl. Maculæ (mak′ū-lē).—v.t. Mac′ulāte, to spot, to defile.—n. Maculā′tion, act of spotting, a spot.—adj. Maculose (mak′ū-lōz), spotted. [L. maculāre, -ātum—macula, a spot.]

Mad, mad, adj. (comp. Mad′der; superl. Mad′dest) disordered in intellect: insane: proceeding from madness, rabid: troubled in mind: excited with any violent passion or appetite: furious with anger.—v.t. (Shak.) to drive mad.—adjs. Mad′brain, Mad′brained (Shak.), disordered in brain or mind: rash: hot-headed; Mad′-bred (Shak.), bred in madness or heat of passion.—n. Mad′cap, a person who acts madly: a wild, rash, hot-headed person.—adj. fond of wild and reckless action.—v.t. Mad′den, to make mad: to enrage.—v.i. to become mad: to act as one mad.—adj. Mad′ding, distracted, acting madly.—advs. Mad′dingly, Mad′ly.—ns. Mad′-doc′tor, a doctor who studies and treats the diseases of mad people; Mad′house, a house for mad persons: a lunatic asylum; Mad′ling, a mad person; Mad′man, a man who is mad: a maniac; Mad′ness; Mad′wort, a plant believed to cure canine madness.—Go mad, to become demented; Like mad, madly, furiously. [A.S. ge-mǽd; Old Sax. ge-méd, foolish, Ice. meidd-r, hurt.]

Madam, mad′am, n. a courteous form of address to a lady, esp. an elderly or a married one: a woman of fashion:—pl. Mad′ams, or Mesdames (mā-dam′). [Fr.,—ma, my, dame, lady—L. mea domina.]

Madarosis, mad-a-rō′sis, n. loss of the hair, esp. of the eyelashes. [Gr.,—madaros, bald, madan, to fall off.]

Madder, mad′ėr, n. a plant whose root affords a red dye.—ns. Madd′er-lake, a colour mixed either with oil or water, made from madder; Madd′er-wort, any plant of the Rubiaceæ or madder family. [A.S. mæderu; Ice. maðra, Dut. meed.]

Made, mād, pa.t. and pa.p. of make.—Made continually (Pr. Bk.), established for ever; Made dish, a dish of meat, &c., recooked: an entrée; Made up, put together, finished: dressed for a part, disguised: perfect: artificial, invented.

Madeira, ma-dē′ra, n. a rich wine of the sherry class produced in Madeira.

Mademoiselle, mad-mwa-zel′, n. a courteous form of address to a young lady: Miss. [Fr., ma, my, and demoiselle.]

Madia, mā′di-a, n. a genus of American herbs of the aster family, the tarweeds—a Chilian species yielding a valuable oil.

Madid, mad′id, adj. wet, dank. [L. madidus—madēre, to be wet; akin to Gr. madaein.]

Madonna, Madona, ma-don′a, n. a name given to the Virgin, esp. as seen in works of art: (Shak.) my lady.—adv. Madonn′a-wise, after the fashion of the Madonna, esp. in the arrangement of a woman's hair. [It., lit. 'my lady'—L. mea domina.]

Madras, ma-dras′, n. a large handkerchief of silk and cotton, usually in bright colours, worn on the head by West Indian negroes.

Madrepore, mad′re-pōr, n. the common coral. [Fr.,—It., from madre, mother—L. mater, and -pora—Gr. pōros, a soft stone.]

Madrigal, mad′ri-gal, n. (mus.) a piece of music for the voice in five or six parts: a short poem expressing a graceful and tender thought.—adj. Madrigā′lian.—n. Mad′rigalist. [It., from mandra, a sheep-fold—L. mandra.]

Madroño, ma-drō′nyō, n. a handsome evergreen tree of North California.—Also Madrō′ña.

Mæcenas, mā-sē′nas, n. a Roman knight who befriended the poets Virgil and Horace: any rich patron of art or literature.

Maelstrom, māl′strom, n. a celebrated whirlpool off the coast of Norway: any resistless overpowering influence for destruction. [Norw., 'grinding stream.']

Mænad, mē′nad, n. a female follower of Bacchus, a woman beside herself with frenzy.—adj. Mænad′ic, bacchanalian: furious. [Gr. mainas, -ados, raving—mainesthai, to be mad.]

Maestoso, mā-es-tō′zo, adj. and adv. (mus.) with dignity or majesty. [It.]

Maestro, ma-es′trō, n. a master, esp. an eminent musical composer or conductor. [It.]

Maffled, maf′ld, adj. (prov.) confused in the intellect.—n. Maff′ling, a simpleton.

Mag, mag, v.i. (prov.) to chatter.—v.t. to tease.—n. chatter: the magpie: the long-tailed titmouse.

Mag, mag, v.t. (slang) to steal.—n. Mags′man, a street swindler.

Magazine, mag-a-zēn′, n. a storehouse: a place for military stores: the gunpowder-room in a ship: a pamphlet or small book published from time to time, containing compositions on various subjects.—ns. Magazine′-gun, or -rī′fle, a gun or rifle from which many shots can be fired one after another without reloading. [Fr. magasin—It. magazzino—Ar. makhzan, a storehouse.]

Magdalen, mag′da-len, n. a repentant prostitute.—Also Mag′dalene. [From Mary Magdalene (Luke, viii. 2), confused with the woman of Luke vii. 37-50.]

Magdeburg hemispheres, mag′de-bōōrg hem′i-sfērz, n.pl. two hemispherical cups from within which, when placed together, the air can be removed by an air-pump to show the pressure of the air on the outside. [Invented at Magdeburg in Germany.]

Magenta, ma-jen′ta, n. a colour between pink and red. [From the battle of Magenta in North Italy, 1859.]

Maggot, mag′ut, n. a worm or grub: a whim.—adj. Magg′oty, full of maggots. [W. maceiad, akin to magiaid, worms, magu, to breed.]

Magi, mā′jī, n.pl. priests of the ancient Persians: the Wise Men of the East.—adj. Mā′gian, pertaining to the Magi.—n. one of the Magi.—ns. Mā′gianism, or Mā′gism, the philosophy or doctrines of the Magi. [L.,—Gr. magos, orig. a title given to the wise men of Chaldea, astrologers and wizards.]

Magic, maj′ik, n. the pretended art of producing marvellous results by the aid of spirits, or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment: sorcery.—adjs. Mag′ic, -al, pertaining to, used in, or done by magic: causing wonderful or startling results.—adv. Mag′ically.—ns. Magic′ian, one skilled in magic: a wizard: an enchanter; Mag′ic-lan′tern (see Lantern).—Magic square, a square filled with rows of figures so arranged that the sums of all the rows will be the same, perpendicularly or horizontally—as 2, 7, 6; 9, 5, 1; 4, 3, 8, &c.; there are also Magic circles, cubes, cylinders, and spheres similarly arranged.—Black magic, the black art, magic by means of union with evil spirits; Natural magic, the art of working wonders by a superior knowledge of the powers of nature; White magic, magic without the aid of the devil. [O. Fr. magique—L.,—Gr. See Magi.]

Magilp, ma-gilp′, n. a vehicle used by oil-painters, consisting of linseed-oil and mastic varnish—written also Megilp′. [Prob. from a proper name.]

Magisterial, maj-is-tē′ri-al, adj. pertaining or suitable to a master: in the manner of a master: of the rank of a magistrate: authoritative: proud: dignified.—n. Magis′ter, master.—adv. Magistē′rially.—ns. Magistē′rialness; Magistē′rium, an authoritative statement; Mag′istery, a term in alchemy for various preparations, esp. a precipitate of bismuth: any sovereign remedy: a mandate. [L. magisterius—magister, a master—mag, root of L. magnus, great.]

Magistrate, maj′is-trāt, n. a person entrusted with the power of putting the laws in force: a justice of the peace.—n. Mag′istracy, the office or dignity of a magistrate: the body of magistrates.—adj. Mag′istral, magisterial: specially prescribed or made up, as a medicine: effectual.—n. (fort.) the guiding line determining the other positions: a special preacher in Spanish cathedrals, &c.—n. Magistrand′, an arts student ready to proceed to graduation, at Aberdeen.—adj. Magistrat′ic. [O. Fr.,—L. magistratus, magister.]

Magma, mag′ma, n. any soft doughy mass: the molten mass within the earth's crust: the residuum after expressing the juice from fruits. [Gr.]

Magna Charta, mag′na kär′ta, n. the Great Charter obtained from King John, 1215 A.D. [L.]

Magnanimity, mag-na-nim′i-ti, n. greatness of soul: elevation of dignity, of mind: that quality of mind which raises a person above all that is mean of unjust: generosity.—adj. Magnan′imous, elevated in sentiment, noble: brave: unselfish.—adv. Magnan′imously. [L. magnanimitas—magnus, great, animus, the mind.]

Magnate, mag′nāt, n. a noble: a man of rank or wealth. [Fr. magnat, a title of Hungarian and Polish nobles—L. magnas, magnatis, a prince—magnus, great.]

Magnesium, mag-nē′shi-um, or -si-um, n. a metal of a bright, silver-white colour, which while burning gives a dazzling white light, and forms magnesia.—n. Magnē′sia, a light white powder, got by burning magnesium, used as a medicine.—adj. Magnē′sian, belonging to, containing, or resembling magnesia.—n. Mag′nesite, native magnesium carbonate.

Magnet, mag′net, n. the lodestone, an iron ore which attracts iron, and, when hung so that it can move freely, points to the poles: a bar or piece of steel to which the properties of the lodestone have been imparted.—adjs. Magnet′ic, -al, pertaining to the magnet: having the properties of the magnet: attractive.—adv. Magnet′ically.—ns. Magnetic′ian, Mag′netist, one versed in magnetism.—adj. Magnetis′able.—n. Magnetisā′tion.—v.t. Mag′netise, to render magnetic: to attract as if by a magnet.—v.i. to become magnetic.—ns. Mag′netiser, one who, or that which, imparts magnetism; Mag′netism, the cause of the attractive power of the magnet: attraction: the science which treats of the properties of the magnet—(Animal magnetism, Mesmer's name for the phenomena of mesmerism; Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic properties possessed by the earth as a whole); Mag′netist, one skilled in magnetism.—adjs. Mag′neto-elec′tric, -al, pertaining to magneto-electricity.—ns. Mag′neto-electric′ity, electricity produced by the action of magnets: the science which treats of electricity produced by magnetism; Bar′-mag′net, a magnet in the form of a bar.—Magnetic battery, several magnets placed with their like poles together, so as to act with great force; Magnetic curves, the curves formed by iron-filings around the poles of a magnet; Magnetic equator, the line round the earth where the magnetic needle remains horizontal; Magnetic field, the space over which magnetic force is felt; Magnetic fluid, a hypothetical fluid assumed to explain the phenomena of magnetism; Magnetic meridian, the meridian lying in the direction in which the magnetic needle points; Magnetic needle, the light bar in the mariner's compass which, because it is magnetised, points always to the north; Magnetic north, that point of the horizon which is indicated by the direction of the magnetic needle; Magnetic poles, two nearly opposite points on the earth's surface, where the dip of the needle is 90°; Magnetic storm, a disturbance in the magnetism of the earth or air, which causes the magnetic needle to move rapidly backwards and forwards.—Artificial magnet, a magnet made by rubbing with other magnets; Horse-shoe magnet, a magnet bent like a horse-shoe; Permanent magnet, a magnet that keeps its magnetism after the force which magnetised it has been removed. [Through O. Fr., from L. magnes, a magnet—Gr. magnēs=Magnesian stone, from Magnēsia, in Lydia or Thessaly.]

Magnificat, mag-nif′i-kat, n. the song of the Virgin Mary, Luke, i. 46-55, beginning in the Vulgate with this word. [L. '(my soul) doth magnify,' 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of magnificāre.]

Magnificent, mag-nif′i-sent, adj. great in deeds or in appearance: grand: noble: pompous: displaying greatness of size or extent.—n. Magnif′icence.—adv. Magnif′icently.—n. Magnif′ico (Shak.), a title for a Venetian nobleman: a grandee.

Magnify, mag′ni-fī, v.t. to make great or greater: to enlarge: to cause to appear greater: to exaggerate: to praise highly:—pa.p. mag′nified.—adjs. Mag′nifiable, that may be magnified; Magnif′ic, -al, great: splendid: noble.—adv. Magnif′ically, in a magnificent manner.—ns. Magnificā′tion, act of magnifying: increase of visual power in penetration as well as enlargement; Mag′nifier, one who, or that which, magnifies or enlarges: one who extols.—Magnify one's self, show great pride—against, oppose with pride; Magnifying glass, in optics, a convex lens, objects seen through it having their apparent dimensions increased. [Fr.,—L. magnificāre—magnus, great, facĕre, to make.]

Magniloquent, mag-nil′o-kwent, adj. speaking in a grand or pompous style: bombastic.—n. Magnil′oquence.—adv. Magnil′oquently. [L., from magnus, great, loqui, to speak.]

Magnitude, mag′ni-tūd, n. greatness: size: extent: importance. [L. magnitudo—magnus.]

Magnolia, mag-nōl′i-a, or -ya, n. a North American tree with beautiful foliage, and large, white or purplish, sweet-scented flowers. [From Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), a Montpellier botanist.]

Magnum, mag′num, n. a bottle holding two quarts: the quantity of wine filling such. [L.]

Magot, mag′ot, n. the Barbary ape, the only species of monkey existing in Europe: a small grotesque figure, crouching on the covers of vases; &c.

Magpie, mag′pī, n. a chattering bird, of a genus allied to the crow, with pied or coloured feathers: (slang) a halfpenny—(Shak.) Mag′ot-pie, Magg′ot-pie. [Mag, a familiar contr. of Margaret (cf. Robin-Redbreast, Jenny Wren), pie, from L. pica, a magpie—pingĕre, pictum, to paint.]

Magyar, ma-jär′, or mag′yär, n. one of the prevailing race in Hungary: the native speech of Hungary.

Mahabharata, ma-hä-bä′ra-tä, n. the name of one of the two great epic poems of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. [Sans.; prob. 'the great history of the descendants of Bharata.']

Mahadeva, ma-ha-dā′va, n. one of the names of the Hindu god Siva. [Sans. mahā, great, deva, god.]

Maharajah, ma-ha-rä′jä, n. the title given to a great Indian prince:—fem. Mahara′ni, Mahara′nee. [Sans. mahā, great, rāja, prince or king.]

Mahatma, ma-hat′ma, n. one skilled in mysteries or religious secrets: an adept. [Sans., 'high-souled.']

Mahdi, mä′dē, n. the great leader of the faithful Mohammedans, who is to appear in the last days—one pretended Mahdi overthrew the Egyptian power in the Soudan in 1884-85.—ns. Mah′dism; Mah′dist.

Mahl-stick, mäl′-stik, n. a tapering staff used by painters as a rest for the right hand.—Also Mal′stick, Maul′stick. [Ger. mahlstock.]

Mahogany, ma-hog′a-ni, n. a tree of tropical America: its wood, which is of great value for making furniture.—n. Mahog′any-tree, same as mahogany: (hum.) the dinner-table. [Mahogoni, the native South American name.]

Mahoun, Mahound, ma-hown′, ma-hownd′, or mä′-, n. an old form of the name of Mohammed: an evil spirit: the devil.

Mahout, ma-hōōt′, n. the keeper and driver of an elephant. [Hind. mahāut, mahāwat.]

Mahratta, ma-rat′a, n. one of a once powerful race of Hindus in Western and Central India.

Maid, mād, n. an unmarried woman, esp. one young: a virgin: a female servant.—ns. Maid′-child (B.), a female child; Maid′-Mā′rian, the May-queen; a character in the old Morris-dance, usually represented by a man in woman's clothes (Marian, relating to Mary or to the Virgin Mary).—adj. Maid′-pale (Shak.), pale, like a sick girl.—n. Maid′servant, a female servant.—Maid of all work, a domestic who does general housework; Old maid, a woman left unmarried: a card game. [A.S. mægden—mægeð, a maid; cf. magu, son, mǽg, may.]

Maidan, mī′dan, n. an esplanade or parade-ground near a town in Persia and India. [Pers.]

Maiden, mād′n, n. a maid: in Scotland, a machine like the guillotine, formerly used for beheading criminals.—adj. pertaining to a virgin or young woman: consisting of maidens: (fig.) unpolluted: fresh: new: unused: first: that has never been captured, said of a fortress.—ns. Maid′enhair, a name given to a fern from the fine hair-like stalks of its fronds; Maid′enhood, Maid′enhead, the state of being a maid: virginity: purity: freshness; Maid′enliness.—adjs. Maid′enly, maiden-like: becoming a maiden: gentle: modest; Maid′en-meek (Tenn.), meek as a maiden; Maid′en-tongued, gentle in voice like a girl; Maid′en-wid′owed, widowed while still a virgin.—n. Maid′hood (Shak.).—Maiden assize, an assize at which there are no criminal cases; Maiden battle, a first contest; Maiden fortress, a fortress that has never been captured; Maiden name, the family name of a married woman before her marriage; Maiden over, in cricket, an over in which no runs are made; Maiden speech, the first public speech made by a person, esp. in Parliament; Maiden stakes, in horse-racing, the money contended for in a race between horses that have never run before.

Maigre, mā′gėr, adj. made neither from flesh-meat nor from gravy: belonging to a fast-day or to a fast.—Maigre food, food allowed to be eaten on fast-days. [Fr. maigre, lean—L. macer.]

Mail, māl, n. defensive armour for the body formed of steel rings or network: armour generally.—v.t. to clothe in mail: (Scot.) to stain.—adjs. Mail′-clad, clad with a coat of mail; Mailed, protected by mail. [Fr. maille—L. macula, a spot or a mesh.]

Mail, māl, n. a bag for the conveyance of letters, &c.: the contents of such a bag: the person or the carriage by which the mail is conveyed.—v.t. to put into the mail: to send by mail.—adj. Mail′able, capable of being sent by mail.—ns. Mail′-bag, a bag in which letters are carried; Mail′-boat, a boat which carries the public mails; Mail′-cart, a cart in which mails are carried: a small cart, with long handles, for the amusement of children; Mail′-catch′er, an apparatus attached to a mail-carriage to catch up mail-bags while the train is in motion; Mail′-coach, -car, or -drag, the conveyance which carries the public mails; Mail′-guard, an officer who guards the public mails; Mail′ing-tā′ble, a table used in a post-office in sorting letters; Mail′-train, a railway train which carries the public mails. [O. Fr. male, a trunk, a mail—Old High Ger. malaha, a sack; Gael. mala, a sack.]

Mail, māl, n. an old French coin—half a denier: rent.—n. Mail′ing, a farm. [See Blackmail.]

Maim, mām, n. a bruise: an injury: a lameness: the loss of any essential part.—v.t. to bruise: to disfigure: to injure: to lame or cripple: to render defective.—n. Maim′edness, the state of being maimed or injured. [O. Fr. mehaing, a bruise.]

Main, mān, adj. chief, principal: first in importance: leading.—n. the chief or principal part: the ocean or main sea: a continent or a larger island as compared with a smaller: a principal gas or water pipe in a street, or the largest conductor in a system of electric lights.—ns. Main′boom, the spar which extends the foot of a fore-and-aft mainsail; Main′deck, the principal deck of a ship—so in Main′brace, the brace attached to the mainyard (see Splice); Main′land, the principal or larger land, as opposed to a smaller portion.—adv. Main′ly, chiefly, principally.—ns. Main′mast, the principal mast of a ship, second from the prow; Main′sail, the principal sail generally attached to the mainmast; Main′sheet, the sheet or rope attached to the lower corner of the mainsail; Main′spring, the spring which gives motion to any piece of machinery, esp. that of a watch or a clock; Main′stay, the rope which stretches forward from the top of the mainmast: chief support; Main′top, a platform on the top of the mainmast; Main′topmast, the mast next above the lower mainmast; Main′topsail, the sail above the mainsail, in square-rigged vessels; Main′yard, the lower yard on the mainmast. [O. Fr. maine or magne, great—L. magnus, great.]

Main, mān, n. a hand at dice: a match at cockfighting: a banker's shovel for coin. [O. Fr. main—L. manus, hand.]

Maintain, men-tān′, v.t. to keep in any state: to keep possession of: to preserve from capture or loss: to carry on: to keep up: to support: to make good: to support by argument: to affirm: to defend.—v.i. to affirm, as a position: to assert.—adj. Maintain′able, that can be supported or defended.—ns. Maintain′er, one who maintains; Main′tenance, the act of maintaining, supporting, or defending: continuance: the means of support: defence, protection: (law) an interference in a lawsuit, &c., in favour of one of the parties, by one who has no right or interest.—Cap of maintenance, a cap of dignity borne by or before nobles and other persons of rank. [Fr. maintenir—L. manu tenēre, to hold in the hand—manus, a hand, tenēre, to hold.]

Maister, mās′tėr, n. an obsolete form of Master.—Maistery=Mastery; Maistring=Mastering; Maître=Master.

Maize, māz, n. a plant, and its fruit, called also Indian corn or wheat. [Sp.,—Haitian.]

Majesty, maj′es-ti, n. greatness: grandeur: dignity: elevation of manner or style: royal state: a title of kings and other sovereigns, esp. with possessive pronouns, as His or Her Majesty, &c.: a symbolic representation of the first person of the Trinity enthroned: the canopy of a hearse: (her.) an eagle crowned and sceptred.—adjs. Majes′tic, -al, having or exhibiting majesty: stately: sublime.—adv. Majes′tically, in a majestic manner.—n. Majes′ticalness, Majes′ticness, majesty. [Fr. majesté—L. majestas—majus, comp. of magnus, great.]

Majolica, ma-jol′i-ka, n. name applied to decorative enamelled pottery, esp. that of Italy from the 15th to the 17th cent.: a modern ware in imitation, used for vases, &c. [From Majorca, where first made.]

Major, mā′jur, adj. greater in number, quantity, or size: more important: (mus.) greater by a semitone.—n. a person of full age (21 years): an officer in rank between a captain and lieutenant-colonel.—v.i. to play the major, to talk big.—ns. Majorat (ma-zhō-rä′), primogeniture; Mā′jorate, Mā′jorship, the office or rank of major: majority; Mā′jor-dō′mo, an official who has the general management in a large household: a general steward: a chief minister (Sp. mayor-domo, a house-steward—L. major, greater, domus, a house); Mā′jor-gen′eral, an officer in the army next in rank below a lieutenant-general; Major′ity, the greater number: the amount between the greater and the less number: full age (at 21): the office or rank of major.—Major key (mus.), a key in which the semitones lie between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth; Major premise (logic), the principal or major statement in a syllogism; Major scale (see Major key).—Go over to, or Join, the majority, to die; The majority, the Great majority, the dead. [L., comp. of magnus.]

Majuscule, mā-jus′kūl, n. in paleography, a capital or uncial letter:—opp. to Minuscule. [L. majuscula (litera), a somewhat larger letter.]

Make, māk, v.t. to fashion, frame, or form: to produce: to bring about: to perform: to force: to render: to represent, or cause to appear to be: to turn: to occasion: to bring into any state or condition: to establish: to prepare: to obtain: to ascertain: to arrive in sight of: to reach: (B.) to be occupied with: to do.—v.i. to tend or move: to contribute: (B.) to feign or pretend:—pa.t. and pa.p. māde.—n. form or shape: structure, texture.—v.i. Make′-believe′, to pretend, feign.—n. a mere pretence.—ns. Make′-peace (Shak.), a peace-maker; Mak′er, one who makes: the Creator: a poet; Make′shift, something done or used to serve a shift or turn: something used only for a time.—adj. having the character of a temporary resource.—ns. Make′-up, the way anything is arranged: an actor's materials for personating a part: (print.) the arrangement of composed types into columns or pages, as in imposition; Make′-weight, that which is thrown into a scale to make up the weight: something of little value added to supply a deficiency; Mak′ing, the act of forming: structure: form.—Make account of (see Account); Make a figure, to be conspicuous; Make after, to follow or pursue; Make amends, to render compensation or satisfaction; Make as if, to act as if, to pretend that; Make at, to make a hostile movement against; Make away, to put out of the way, to destroy; Make away with, to squander; Make believe (see Believe); Make bold (see Bold); Make for, to move toward, to tend to the advantage of—so in B.; Make free with, to treat freely or without ceremony; Make good, to maintain, to justify, to fulfil; Make head against, to oppose successfully; Make light of (see Light); Make little of, to treat as insignificant; Make love to (see Love); Make much of, to treat with fondness, to cherish, to foster; Make no doubt, to have no doubt, to be confident; Make of, to understand by, to effect: to esteem; Make off with, to run away with; Make one's way, to proceed: to succeed; Make out, to discover: to prove: to furnish: to succeed; Make over, to remake, reconstruct: to transfer; Make pace, to increase the speed; Make sail, to increase the quantity of sail: to set sail; Make sure, to be certain of; Make sure of, to consider as certain, to secure to one's self; Make the most of, to use to the best advantage; Make up, to fabricate: to feign: to collect into one: to complete, supplement: to assume a particular form of features: to determine: to reckon: to make good: to repair: to harmonise, adjust; Make up for, to compensate; Make up to, to approach: to become friendly. [A.S. macian; Ger. machen.]

Make, māk, n. (Spens.) a mate, consort, equal.—adj. Make′less (Shak.), without a make or mate. [A.S. ge-maca; Ice. maki, a mate.]

Makimono, mak-i-mō′nō, n. a roll, as of silk, esp. a long picture or writing rolled up and not hung. [Jap.]

Malachite, mal′a-kīt, n. a green-coloured mineral, composed essentially of carbonate of copper, much used for inlaid-work. [Gr. malachē, a mallow, a plant of a green colour.]

Malacolite, mal′a-kō-līt, n. a greenish lime-magnesia variety of pyroxene.

Malacology, mal-a-kol′o-ji, n. the branch of natural history which treats of the structure and habits of molluscs.—adj. Mal′acoid, soft-bodied.—n. Malacol′ogist. [Gr. malakos, soft, logia, a discourse.]

Malacopterygian, mal-a-kop-tėr-ij′i-an, adj. having the rays of the fins soft, excepting the first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins, as in the pike, salmon, &c.—Also Malacopteryg′ious. [Gr. malakos, soft, pteryx, pterygos, a wing.]

Malacostracan, mal-a-kos′tra-kan, n. an individual belonging to a sub-class of crustaceans, including the shrimps, lobsters, &c.—adj. belonging to this class—also Malacos′tracous.—adj. Malacostracolog′ical.—ns. Malacostracol′ogist; Malacostracol′ogy. [Gr. malakos, soft, ostrakon, a shell.]

Malacozoa, mal-a-ko-zō′a, n.pl. soft-bodied animals, the Mollusca generally.—adj. Malacozō′ic, possessing the common features of molluscan life.

Maladministration, mal-ad-min-is-trā′shun, n. bad management, esp. of public affairs.

Maladroit, mal-a-droit′, adj. not dexterous: unskilful: clumsy.—adv. Maladroit′ly.—n. Maladroit′ness, want of adroitness: awkwardness.

Malady, mal′a-di, n. illness: disease, either of the body or of the mind. [Fr. maladie—malade, sick—L. male habitus, in ill condition—male, badly, habitus, pa.p. of habēre, have, hold.]

Malagasy, mal-a-gas′i, adj. of or pertaining to Madagascar or its inhabitants.—n. a native of Madagascar.—Also Malagash′.

Malaise, ma-lāz′, n. uneasiness: a feeling of discomfort or of sickness. [O. Fr. malaise.]

Malapert, mal′a-pėrt, adj. bold: forward: saucy: impudent.—adv. Mal′apertly.—n. Mal′apertness. [O. Fr., mal—L. malus, bad, apert, well-bred—L. apertus, open.]

Malappropriate, mal-a-prō′pri-āt, v.t. to misuse.—adj. Malapropos (mal-ap-ro-pō′), out of place: unsuitable: inapt.—adv. badly apropos: not suited to the purpose: unseasonably.

Malapropism, mal′a-prop-izm, n. the act of misapplying words, in the attempt to use fine language, from Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play, The Rivals.

Malar, mā′lar, adj. pertaining to the cheek.—n. the bone which forms the prominence of the cheek. [L. mala, the cheek—mandĕre, to chew.]

Malaria, ma-lā′ri-a, n. the poisonous air arising from marshy districts, producing fever, &c.: miasma: the fever so caused.—adjs. Malā′rious, Malā′rial, Malā′rian. [It. mal' aria—L. malus, bad, aër, air.]

Malassimilation, mal-a-sim-i-lā′shun, n. imperfect assimilation or nutrition.

Malay, -an, ma-lā′, -an, n. a native or inhabitant of Malacca, or of the Malay Archipelago.—adj. of or pertaining to the Malays.—n. Malayä′lam, the language of Malabar, a Dravidian dialect.—adj. Malay′sian, relating to the Malay Peninsula, or to the Malays.

Malconformation, mal-kon-for-mā′shun, n. bad conformation or form: imperfection or disproportion of parts.

Malcontent, mal′kon-tent, adj. discontented, dissatisfied, esp. in political matters.—n. one discontented—also Malcontent′ed.—adv. Malcontent′edly.—n. Malcontent′edness.—adv. Malcontent′ly.

Male, māl, adj. masculine: pertaining to the sex that begets (not bears) young: (bot.) bearing stamens.—n. one of the male sex: a he-animal: a stamen-bearing plant.—n. Male′-fern, an elegant fern, with the fronds growing in a crown.—Male order, in architecture, the Doric order; Male rhymes, those in which only the final syllables correspond; Male screw, a screw whose threads correspond to and enter the spiral grooves of the female screw. [O. Fr. male—L. masculus, male—mas, a male.]

Malediction, mal-e-dik′shun, n. evil-speaking: a calling down of evil: curse: execration or imprecation.—adjs. Maledict′ory, imprecatory; Maledikt′, accursed. [O. Fr.,—L. malediction-em—male, badly, dicĕre, dictum, to speak.]

Malefactor, mal′e-fak-tur, or mal-e-fak′tur, n. an evil-doer: a criminal.—n. Malefac′tion (Shak.), a crime, an offence.—adj. Malef′ic, doing mischief: producing evil.—adv. Malef′ically.—v.t. Malef′icate, to bewitch.—ns. Mal′efice (obs.), an evil deed: enchantment; Malef′icence, the character of being maleficent.—adjs. Malef′icent, Malefic′ient. [L., male, badly, facĕre, to do.]

Malengine, ma-len′jin, n. (Spens.) evil device, deceit. [L. malus, bad, ingenium, ingenuity.]

Maletote, mal′e-tōt, n. an illegal exaction.—Also Mal′etolt. [O. Fr.]

Malevolent, mal-ev′o-lent, adj. wishing evil: ill-disposed towards others: rejoicing in another's misfortune: envious: malicious—also Malev′olous.—n. Malev′olence.—adv. Malev′olently. [L. male, badly, volens, pr.p. of velle, to wish.]

Malfeasance, mal-fē′zans, n. evil-doing: the doing of what one ought not to do: an illegal deed. [Fr. malfaisance—L. male, evil, facĕre, to do.]

Malformation, mal-for-mā′shun, n. bad or wrong formation: irregular or anomalous structure.—adj. Malformed′.

Malic, mā′lik, adj. obtained from the juice of several fruits, esp. the apple. [L. malum, an apple.]

Malice, mal′is, n. ill-will: spite: disposition to harm others: deliberate mischief: intention to harm another.—adj. Malic′ious, bearing ill-will or spite: moved by hatred or ill-will: having mischievous intentions.—adv. Malic′iously.—n. Malic′iousness. [Fr.,—L. malitia—malus, bad.]

Malign, ma-līn′, adj. of an evil disposition towards others: malicious: unfavourable.—v.t. to speak evil of: (obs.) to treat with malice.—ns. Malign′er; Malig′nity, state or quality of being malign: great hatred, virulence: deadly quality.—adv. Malign′ly.—n. Malign′ment. [Fr. malin, fem. maligne—L. malignus for maligenus, of evil disposition—malus, bad, and gen, root of genus.]

Malignant, ma-lig′nant, adj. disposed to do harm or to cause suffering: malign: acting maliciously: actuated by great hatred: tending to cause death.—n. a name applied by the Puritan party to one who had fought for Charles I. in the Civil War.—n. Malig′nancy, Malig′nance, state or quality of being malignant.—adv. Malig′nantly. [L. malignans, pr.p. of malignāre, to act maliciously.]

Malinger, ma-ling′gėr, v.i. to feign sickness in order to avoid duty.—ns. Maling′erer; Maling′ery, feigned sickness. [Fr. malingre—mal—L. malus, bad, O. Fr. heingre, ailing—L. æger, sick.]

Malison, mal′i-zn, n. a curse:—opp. to Benison. [O. Fr.; a doublet of malediction; cf. benison and benediction.]

Malkin, maw′kin, n. (Shak.) a term used in contempt for a dirty woman: a mop: (Scot.) a hare.—Also Maw′kin. [Dim. of Mal or Moll, Mary.]

Mall, mawl, or mal, n. a large wooden beetle or hammer.—v.t. to beat with a mall or something heavy: to bruise. [O. Fr. mail—L. malleus.]

Mall, mel, or mal, n. a level shaded walk: a public walk. [Contr. through O. Fr. of Old It. palamaglio—It. palla, a ball, maglio, a mace.]

Mallard, mal′ard, n. a drake: the common duck in its wild state. [O. Fr. malard (Fr. malart)—male, male, and suffix -ard.]

Malleate, mal′e-āt, v.t. to hammer: to form into a plate or leaf by hammering.—adj. Mall′eable, that may be malleated or beaten out by hammering.—ns. Mall′eableness, Malleabil′ity, quality of being malleable; Malleā′tion.—adj. Mall′eiform, hammer-shaped.—n. Mall′eus, one of the small bones of the middle ear in mammals. [L. malleus, a hammer.]

Mallecho, mal′ē-chō, n. (Shak.) villainy—probably a corruption of Spanish malhecho, mischief.—Also Mal′icho.

Mallee, mal′ē, n. two dwarf species of Eucalyptus in Australia.—ns. Mall′ee-bird, Mall′ee-hen, an Australian mound-bird or megapode.

Mallemaroking, mal′ē-ma-rō′king, n. the visiting and carousing of seamen in the Greenland ships. [Prob. to act like the mallemuck.]

Malleolus, ma-lē′ō-lus, n. a bony protuberance on either side of the ankle.—adj. Mal′lēolar. [L.]

Mallet, mal′et, n. a small wooden hammer: the long-handled hammer for driving the balls in croquet. [Fr. maillet, dim. of mail, a mall.]

Mallow, mal′ō, n. any plant of genus Malva—from its emollient properties or its soft downy leaves. [A.S. malwe—L. malva; Gr. malachē—malassein, to make soft.]

Malm, Maum, mäm, n. calcareous loam, earth specially good for brick. [A.S. mealm, sand.]

Malmsey, mäm′ze, n. a sort of grape: a strong and sweet wine, first made in Greece, but now also in the Canary Islands and the Azores. [O. Fr. malvoisie, from Malvasia in the Morea.]

Malodour, mal-ō′dor, n. an offensive odour.—adj. Malō′dorous.—n. Malō′dorousness.

Malpighian, mal-pig′i-an, adj. applied in anatomy to several structures in the kidney and spleen investigated by Marcello Malpighi (1628-94).

Malpractice, mal-prak′tis, n. evil practice or conduct: practice contrary to established rules.—n. Malpractit′ioner, a physician guilty of malpractice.

Malpresentation, mal-prē-zen-tā′shun, n. abnormal presentation in childbirth.

Malt, mawlt, n. barley or other grain steeped in water, allowed to sprout, and dried in a kiln, used in brewing ale, &c.—v.t. to make into malt.—v.i. to become malt: (hum.) to drink malt liquor.—adj. containing or made with malt.—ns. Malt′-dust, grain-sprouts produced and 'screened off' in malt-making; Malt′-floor, a perforated floor in the chamber of a malt-kiln, through which heat rises; Malt′-horse, a heavy horse, such as used by brewers—hence (Shak.) used in reproach for a dull, stupid person; Malt′ing; Malt′-kiln; Malt′-mill, a mill for grinding malt; Malt′ose, a hard, white, crystalline sugar, formed by the action of malt or diastase on starch; Malt′ster, Malt′man, one whose trade or occupation it is to make malt (-ster was up to the end of the 13th century a feminine affix); Malt′worm (Shak.), a lover of malted liquors, a tippler.—adj. Malt′y.—Malt liquor, a liquor, as beer, ale, or porter, formed from malt; Malt tea, the liquid infusion of the mash in brewing. [A.S. mealt, pa.t. of meltan, to soften; cf. Ger. malz.]

Maltese, mal-tēz′, n. a native, or the natives, of Malta: the dialect, a corrupt Arabic mixed with Italian.—adj. belonging to Malta, or to its inhabitants.—Maltese cross (see Cross); Maltese dog, a very small spaniel with long silky hair.

Maltha, mal′tha, n. a thick mineral pitch: any similar preparation used by the ancients as a cement, stucco, or mortar. [L.]

Malthusian, mal-thū′zhan, adj. relating to Malthus or to the principles he taught regarding the necessity of preventing population from increasing faster than the means of living.—n. a disciple of Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834).

Maltreat, mal-trēt′, v.t. to abuse: to use roughly or unkindly.—n. Maltreat′ment. [Fr. maltraiter—L. male, ill, tractāre, to treat.]

Malvaceous, mal-vā′shus, adj. (bot.) pertaining to plants of the mallow family.

Malversation, mal-vėr-sā′shun, n. evil conduct: misbehaviour in office: corruption: extortion. [Fr.—L. male, badly, versāri, -ātus, to occupy one's self.]

Mambrino, mam-brē′no, n. a medieval iron hat, from its likeness to the barber's basin in Don Quixote.

Mameluke, mam′e-lōōk, n. one of a force of light horse in Egypt formed of Circassian slaves—dispersed in 1811. [Fr.,—Ar. mamlûk, a purchased slave—malaka, to possess.]

Mamma, Mama, mam-mä′, n. mother—used chiefly by young children.—n. Mamm′y, mother. [Mama, a repetition of ma, the first syllable a child naturally utters.]

Mammalia, mam-mā′li-a, n.pl. (zool.) the whole class of animals that suckle their young.—ns. Mam′elon, a small hillock with a rounded top; Mam′ma, the mammary gland:—pl. Mam′mæ; Mam′mal, (zool.), one of the mammalia:—pl. Mammals (mam′alz).—adjs. Mammā′lian; Mammalif′erous (geol.), bearing mammals; Mammalog′ical.—ns. Mammal′ogist; Mammal′ogy, the scientific knowledge of mammals.—adjs. Mam′mary, relating to the mammæ or breasts; Mam′mate, having breasts.—n. Mam′mifer, an animal having mammæ.—adjs. Mammif′erous, having mammaæ; Mam′miform, having the form of a breast or pap—also Mammil′iform.—n. Mammil′la, the nipple of the mammary gland:—pl. Mammil′læ.—adjs. Mam′millary, pertaining to, or resembling, the breasts: studded with rounded projections; Mam′millate, having a mammilla; Mam′millated, having small nipples, or little globes like nipples: nipple-shaped.—n. Mammillā′tion—adj. Mammose′ (bot.), breast-shaped. [L.]

Mammee, mam-mē′, n. a highly esteemed fruit of the West Indies and tropical America, having a sweet taste and aromatic odour: the tree producing the fruit, the Mammea. [Haitian.]

Mammer, mam′ėr, v.i. (Shak.) to hesitate, to stand muttering and in doubt. [Prob. imit.]

Mammet, mam′et, n. (Shak.) a puppet, a figure dressed up. [Cf. mawmet, an idol.]

Mammock, mam′uk, n. a shapeless piece.—v.t. (Shak.) to tear to pieces, to mangle.

Mammon, mam′un, n. riches: the god of riches.—adj. Mamm′onish, devoted to money-getting.—ns. Mamm′onism, devotion to gain; Mamm′onist, Mamm′onite, a person devoted to riches: a worldling.—adj. Mammonist′ic. [Low L. mammona—Gr. mamōnas—Syriac mamônâ, riches.]

Mammoth, mam′uth, n. an extinct species of elephant.—adj. resembling the mammoth in size: very large. [Russ. mamantŭ—Tartar mamma, the earth.]

Man, man, n. a human being: mankind: a grown-up male: a male attendant: one possessing a distinctively masculine character: a husband: a piece used in playing chess or draughts: a ship, as in man-of-war: a word of familiar address:—pl. Men.—v.t. to supply with men: to strengthen or fortify:—pr.p. man′ning; pa.t. and pa.p. manned.—ns. Man′-at-arms, a soldier; Man-child, a male child: a boy; Man′dom (rare), humanity, men collectively; Man′-eat′er, a cannibal: a tiger; Man′-en′gine, an elevator for raising and lowering men in some deep mines.—adj. Man′ful, having the qualities of a man: full of manliness: bold: courageous: noble-minded.—adv. Man′fully.—ns. Man′fulness; Man′-hole, a hole in a drain, cesspool, &c., large enough to admit a man, for the purpose of cleaning or repairing it; Man′hood, state of being a man: manly quality: human nature; Man′kind, the kind or race of man: the mass of human beings.—adj. Man′-like, having the appearance, characteristics, or qualities of a man.—n. Man′liness.—adj. Man′ly, becoming a man: brave: dignified: noble: pertaining to manhood: not childish or womanish.—n. Man′-mill′iner, a man engaged in millinery—often in contempt.—adjs. Man′-mind′ed (Tenn.), having the mind or qualities of a man; Man′nish, like a man: masculine: bold.—ns. Man′-of-war, a war-ship: (B.) a soldier; Man′-of-war's-man, a man who serves on board a war-ship; Man′-quell′er (Shak.), a man-killer, a murderer; Man′slaughter, the slaying of a man: (law) the killing of any one unlawfully, but without malice or forethought; Man′slayer, one who kills a man; Man′stealer, one who steals human beings, esp. to make slaves of them; Man′trap, a trap or machine for catching people who trespass.—Man about town, a fashionable idler, dangling about clubs, theatres, &c.; Man alive! an exclamation of surprise; Man Friday, a servile attendant, factotum—from Robinson Crusoe's man; Man in the moon, a fancied semblance of a man walking in the moon, with a bush near, and his dog behind him; Man of business, an agent or a lawyer; Man of (his) hands, a handy, clever fellow; Man of letters, a scholar and writer; Man of sin, the devil: Antichrist; Man of straw, a person put in the front of some business, but who is not really responsible; Man of the world, a person well accustomed to the ways and dealings of men. [A.S. mann; Ger. mann, Dut. man, L. mas—mans, a male, Sans. manu, a man.]

Manacle, man′a-kl, n. a handcuff.—v.t. to put manacles on: to restrain the use of the limbs or any of the natural powers. [Through O. Fr., from L. manicula, dim. of manica, sleeve—manus, hand.]

Manage, man′āj, v.t. to guide by use of the hands: to have under command or control: to bring round to one's plans: to conduct with great carefulness: to wield: to handle: to contrive: to train by exercise, as a horse.—v.i. to conduct affairs.—n. Manageabil′ity, the quality of being manageable.—adj. Man′ageable, that can be managed: governable.—n. Man′ageableness.—adv. Man′ageably.—ns. Man′agement, art or act of managing: manner of directing or of using anything: administration: skilful treatment: a body of managers; Man′ager, one who manages: a person who controls a business or other concern.—adj. Managē′rial, of or pertaining to a manager, or to management. [Fr. manége, the managing of a horse—It. maneggio—L. manus, the hand.]

Manakin, man′a-kin, n. a small tropical American piproid bird: a variant form of manikin.

Manatee, man-a-tē′, n. an aquatic animal—also called the Sea-cow or Dugong (q.v.).

Manchester goods, man′ches-tėr goods, n.pl. goods or articles made in Manchester, esp. cotton and woollen cloths: similar goods made elsewhere.

Manchet, man′chet, n. (Tenn.) a small loaf or cake of fine white bread. [Ety. dub.]

Manchineel, manch-i-nēl′, n. a West Indian tree, remarkable for the poisonous qualities of its juice, and having a fruit resembling a small apple. [Sp. manzanillo, a small apple.]

Manchu, Manchoo, man-chōō′, n. one of the race from which Manchuria took its name, and which governed China in the 17th century.—adj. of or pertaining to Manchuria or to its inhabitants. [Chin., meaning 'pure.']

Mancipation, man-si-pā′shun, n. in ancient Rome, a legal formality for acquiring title to property by actual or by simulated purchase.—v.t. Man′cipate.—adj. Man′cipatory.

Manciple, man′si-pl, n. a steward: a purveyor, particularly of a college or an inn of court. [O. Fr.,—L. manceps, a purchaser—manus, hand, capĕre, take.]

Mandæan, man-dē′an, n. and adj. one of an ancient and still surviving sect in southern Babylonia, their religion a corrupt Gnosticism, with many Jewish and Parsee elements.—Also Mendaites, Nasoreans, and Sabians, and also Christians of St John. [Mandæan mandā, knowledge, gnosis.]

Mandamus, man-dā′mus, n. a writ or command issued by a higher court to a lower. [L., 'we command'—mandāre, to command.]

Mandarin, man-da-rēn′, n. a European name for a Chinese official, civil or military: a small kind of orange, thought to be of Chinese origin.—-n. Mandarī′nate. [Port, mandarim—Malayan mantrí, counsellor—Sans. mantra, counsel.]

Mandate, man′dāt, n. a charge: a command from a superior official or judge to an inferior, ordering him how to act, esp. from the Pope to a legate, &c.: a right given to a person to act in name of another: a rescript of the Pope.—ns. Man′datary, Man′datory, one to whom a mandate is given by a Man′dator.—adj. Man′datory, containing a mandate or command; preceptive: directory. [Fr. mandat—L. mandātum, mandāre—manus, hand, dăre, give.]

Mandible, man′di-bl, n. a jaw-bone, esp. that of the lower jaw.—adjs. Mandib′ular, relating to the jaw; Mandib′ulāte, -d, having mandibles for biting, like many insects. [L. mandibula—mandĕre, chew.]

Mandoline, Mandolin, man′do-lin, n. a musical instrument somewhat like a lute, having strings, finger-board, and neck like a guitar.—n. Mandō′la, a large mandoline. [Fr.,—It. mandola, mandora, a lute.]

Mandorla, man-dor′la, n. an oval panel, or a work of art filling such: the vesica piscis. [It.]

Mandrake, man′drāk, n. a plant of the genus Mandragora, with narcotic properties, once regarded as an aphrodisiac, shrieking when pulled out of the ground.—Mandrag′ora (Shak.). [L.,—Gr. mandragoras.]

Mandrel, man′drel, n. a bar of iron fitted to a turning-lathe on which articles to be turned are fixed: the axle of a circular saw.—Also Man′dril. [Fr. mandrin; prob. through Low L. from Gr. mandra.]

Mandrill, man′dril, n. a large kind of baboon, a native of Western Africa. [Fr.]

Manducate, man′dū-kāt, v.t. to chew or eat.—adj. Man′ducable.—n. Manducā′tion.—adj. Man′ducatory. [L. manducāre—mandĕre, to chew.]

Mane, mān, n. the long hair flowing from the neck of some quadrupeds, as the horse and the lion.—adjs. Maned, having a mane; Mane′less, without a mane; Mane′-like (Tenn.), like a mane: hanging in the form of a mane.—n. Mane′-sheet, a covering for the upper part of a horse's head. [A.S. manu; Ice. mön; Ger. mähne.]

Manège, man-āzh′, n. the managing of horses: the art of horsemanship or of training horses: a riding-school.—v.t. to train, as a horse. [Fr.; cf. manage.]

Maneh, mā′ne, n. a Hebrew weight of uncertain value. See Mina. [Heb.]

Manes, mā′nēz, n. (Roman myth.) the benevolent or tutelary spirits of departed persons: the lower world, as being the abode of the manes. [L.]

Manet, mā′net, he remains, a stage direction. [L. 3d sing. pres. ind. of manēre, to remain.]

Manganese, mang-ga-nēz′, or mang′ga-nēz, n. a hard and brittle metal of a grayish-white colour, somewhat like iron.—adjs. Manganē′sian, Manganē′sic, Mangan′ic, Mang′anous; Manganif′erous.—n. Mang′anite, gray ore of manganese, used in glass manufacture. [O. Fr. manganese, a material used in making glass, prob. from It. and cog. with magnesia.]

Mange, mānj, n. the scab or itch which eats the skin of domestic animals. [From adj. mangy.]

Mangel-wurzel, mang′gl-wur′zl, n. a plant of the beet kind cultivated as food for cattle.—Also Mang′old-wur′zel. [Ger. mangold, beet, wurzel, root.]

Manger, mānj′ėr, n. a trough in which food is laid for horses and cattle.—Dog in the manger, one who will neither enjoy something himself nor let others do so—also adjectively. [O. Fr. mangeoire—mangier, to eat—L. manducus, a glutton—mandĕre, to chew.]

Mangle, mang′gl, v.t. to cut and bruise: to tear in cutting: to mutilate: to take by piecemeal.—n. Mang′ler. [Skeat suggests a freq. form of O. Fr. mahaigner, to maim—mehaing, a hurt.]

Mangle, mang′gl, n. a rolling-press for smoothing linen.—v.t. to smooth with a mangle: to calender.—n. Mang′ler. [Dut. mangelen, to roll with a rolling-pin, through Low L., from Gr. manganon, the axis of a pulley.]

Mango, mang′gō, n. the fruit of the mango-tree of the East Indies: a green musk-melon pickled. [Malay mañggā.]

Mangonel, mang′go-nel, n. an engine used before the invention of cannon for throwing stones, &c. [O. Fr.,—Low L. mangonellus—Gr. manganon, a machine for throwing stones.]

Mangostan, mang′go-stan, Mangosteen, mang′go-stēn, n. an East Indian tree, and its fruit, which is of a most delicious taste. [Malay.]

Mangrove, man′grōv, n. a tree which grows on muddy shores and river-banks in the East and West Indies. [Malayan.]

Mangy, mānj′i, adj. scabby.—n. Mang′iness. [Anglicised form of Fr. mangé, eaten, pa.p. of manger, to eat—L. manducāre, to chew.]

Mania, mā′ni-a, n. violent madness: insanity: excessive or unreasonable desire.—n. Mā′niac, a person affected with mania: a madman.—adj. raving mad.—adj. Maniacal (ma-nī′a-kal).—adv. Manī′acally. [L.,—Gr. mania; cf. menos, mind.]

Manicate, man′i-kāt, adj. (bot.) covered with hairs so matted or interwoven as to be easily stripped off. [L. manicātus, sleeved—manicæ, long sleeves.]

Manichæan, Manichean, man-i-kē′an, adj. pertaining to the Manichees or followers of Mani, a native of Ecbatana (215-276 A.D.), who taught that everything sprang from two chief principles, light and darkness, or good and evil.—n. a believer in Manichæanism—also Man′ichee.—ns. Manichæ′anism, Manichē′ism, the doctrines of the Manichæans.

Manicure, man′i-kūr, n. the care of hands and nails: one who practises this.—v.t. to treat the hands and nails. [L. manus, hand, cura, care.]

Manifest, man′i-fest, adj. that may be easily seen by the eye or perceived by the mind: clear: apparent: evident.—v.t. to make clear or easily seen: to show plainly: to put beyond doubt: to reveal or declare.—n. an open or public statement: a list or invoice of a ship's cargo to be exhibited at the custom-house.—adjs. Manifest′able, Manifest′ible, that can be manifested or clearly shown.—n. Manifestā′tion, act of disclosing what is dark or secret: that by which something is manifested or shown: display: revelation.—adv. Man′ifestly.—n. Man′ifestness, state of being manifest. [Fr.,—L. manifestus—manus, the hand, -festus, pa.p. of obs. fendĕre, to dash against.]

Manifesto, man-i-fest′ō, n. a public written declaration of the intentions, opinions, or motives of a sovereign or of a leader of a party.—v.i. (rare) to issue a manifesto. [It.,—L.; see Manifest.]

Manifold, man′i-fōld, adj. various in kind or quality: many in number: multiplied.—adj. Man′ifolded (Spens.), having many folds or complications.—adv. Man′ifoldly.—n. Man′ifoldness.

Maniform, man′i-form, adj. having the shape or form of a hand. [L. manus, the hand, forma, a shape.]

Manigraph, man′i-graf, n. a device for multiplying copies of writings or drawings.

Manihot, man′i-hot, n. a genus of tropical American, mainly Brazilian, herbs of the spurge family—two species yielding the bitter and the sweet cassava respectively.

Manikin, man′i-kin, n. a dwarf: a pasteboard model exhibiting the different parts and organs of the human body. [Old Dut. mann-ek-en, a double dim. of man, Eng. man.]

Manila, Manilla, ma-nil′a, n. a cheroot manufactured in Manila, in the Philippine Islands.

Manilla, ma-nil′a, n. a ring worn as an ornament on the arm or leg, or used as money among the tribes of West Africa.—Also Mā′nilio, Manille′. [Low L. manilia, a bracelet—L. manus, the hand.]

Manille, ma-nil′, n. in ombre and quadrille, the highest card but one. [Fr.]

Manioc, mā′ni-ok, n. a tropical plant from which cassava and tapioca are obtained.—Also written Man′dioc, Mā′nihoc, Mā′nihot. [Sp. mandioca—Brazilian.]

Maniple, man′i-pl, n. a company of foot-soldiers in the Roman army: in the Western Church, a eucharistic vestment, a narrow strip worn on the left arm.—adj. Manip′ular, of or pertaining to a maniple: pertaining to handling or manipulation. [L. manipulus—manus, the hand, plēre, to fill.]

Manipulate, ma-nip′ū-lāt, v.t. to work with the hands.—v.i. to use the hands, esp. in scientific experiments: to handle or manage: to give a false appearance to: to turn to one's own purpose or advantage.—n. Manipulā′tion, act of manipulating or working by hand: use of the hands in a skilful manner in science or in art.—adjs. Manip′ulative, Manip′ulatory, done by manipulation.—n. Manip′ulator, one who manipulates or works with the hand. [Low L. manipulāre, -ātum. See Maniple.]

Manito, man′i-tō, n. a spirit or other object of reverence among some of the American Indians.—Also Manitou. [Algonkin.]

Manna, man′a, n. the food supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness of Arabia: delicious food for body or mind: a sweet juice or gum got from many trees, as the ash of Sicily.—adj. Mannif′erous. [Heb. mān hū, what is it? or from man, a gift.]

Manner, man′ėr, n. the way in which anything is done: method: fashion: personal style of acting or bearing one's self: habit: custom: style of writing or of thought: sort: style: (pl.) morals: good behaviour: character: respectful deportment.—adj. Mann′ered, having manners (esp. in compounds, as well- or ill-mannered): affected with mannerism: artificial: stilted.—ns. Mann′erism, a constant sameness of manner: a marked peculiarity of style or manner, esp. in literary composition: manner or style becoming wearisome by its sameness; Mann′erist, one addicted to mannerism.—adj. Manneris′tic.—adv. Manneris′tically.—n. Mann′erliness.—adj. Mann′erly, showing good manners: well-behaved: complaisant: not rude.—adv. with good manners: civilly: respectfully: without rudeness.—By no manner of means, under no circumstances whatever; In a manner, to a certain degree; In, or With, the manner (B.), in the very act; Make one's manners, to salute a person on meeting by a bow, courtesy, &c.; Shark's manners, rapacity; To the manner born, accustomed to something from birth. [Fr. manière—main—L. manus, the hand.]

Mannite, man′īt, n. a sweetish crystalline compound found in celery, sea-grasses, the dried sap of the flowering ash, &c.

Manœuvre, ma-nōō′vėr, or ma-nū′-, n. a piece of dexterous management: stratagem: a skilful and clever movement in military or naval tactics.—v.i. and v.t. to perform a manœuvre: to manage with art: to change the position of troops or of ships: to affect or to gain by manœuvres.—n. Manœu′vrer. [Fr.,—Low L. manuopera—L. manu, by hand, opera, work. Cf. manure.]

Manometer, man-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rarity or density of gases from their elastic force—also Man′oscope.—adjs. Manomet′ric, -al.—n. Manos′copy. [Gr. manos, rare, metron, measure.]

Manor, man′or, n. the land belonging to a nobleman, or so much as he formerly kept for his own use: the district over which the court of the lord of the manor had authority: a tract of land in America for which a fee-farm rent was paid.—ns. Man′or-house, -seat, the house or seat belonging to a manor.—adj. Manō′rial, pertaining to a manor. [O. Fr. manoir—L. manēre, mansum, to stay.]

Mansard-roof, man′sard-rōōf, n. a form of roof having a break in the slope, the lower part being steeper than the upper, so called from the architect, François Mansart (1598-1666).

Manse, mans, n. the residence of a clergyman, esp. of Presbyterians in Scotland. [O. Fr.,—Low L. mansa, a farm—manēre, mansus, to remain.]

Mansion, man′shun, n. a house, esp. one of some size: a manor-house: the dwelling of a nobleman or a landholder: (B.) a resting-place.—ns. Man′sion-house, a mansion: the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London; Man′sionry (Shak.), a mansion, place of residence. [O. Fr.,—L. mansion-em—manēre, mansus, to remain.]

Mansuetude, man′swe-tūd, n. gentleness: tameness: mildness.—adj. Man′suete (rare), mild. [Fr.,—L. mansuetudo, mildness.]

Mansworn, man′sworn, p.adj. (obs.) perjured. [A.S. manswérian, to swear falsely.]

Mantel, man′tl, n. the ornamental shelf over a fireplace.—Also Man′tel-piece, Man′tel-shelf.

Mantic, man′tik, adj. relating to divination: prophetic. [Gr. mantikos—mantis, a prophet.]

Manticore, man′ti-kōr, n. a fabulous beast of prey with a human head. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. mantichōras.]

Mantilla, man-til′a, n. a small mantle: a kind of veil covering the head and falling down upon the shoulders. [Sp.; cf. mantle.]

Mantis, man′tis, n. a genus of orthopterous insects somewhat like locusts, carrying their large spinous forelegs in the attitude of prayer. [Gr. mantis.]

Mantle, man′tl, n. a covering: a cloak or loose outer garment: spirit: (zool.) the thin fleshy membrane lining a mollusc's shell: a conical wire-network covered with some highly refractory earth that becomes luminous under a flame.—v.t. to cover: to disguise.—v.i. to spread like a mantle: to revel: to joy: to froth: to rush to the face and impart a crimson glow, as blood.—ns. Man′tlet, Man′telet, a small cloak for women: (fort.) a movable shield or screen to protect an attacking force, or gunners while serving their guns; Man′tling, cloth suitable for mantles: (her.) the representation of a mantle, or the drapery of a coat-of-arms. [O. Fr. mantel (Fr. manteau)—L. mantellum, a napkin.]

Mantology, man-tol′ō-ji, n. the act or art of divination.—n. Mantol′ogist.

Manton, man′tun, n. a shawl or wrap. [Sp.,—manta, a cloak. Same root as mantle.]

Mantra, man′tra, n. a Vedic hymn of praise: the matter of the Sanhita or first division of the Veda: a sacred text used as an incantation. [Sans., 'thought.']

Mantua, man′tū-a, n. a lady's cloak or mantle: a lady's gown—(Scot.) Mant′y.—n. Man′tua-mak′er, a maker of ladies' gowns and dresses. [Prob. arose through confusion of manteau (It. manto) with Mantua, in Italy.]

Mantuan, man′tū-an, adj. of or pertaining to Mantua in Italy, or to the poet Virgil or his works.—n. a native of Mantua, esp. Virgil.

Manual, man′ū-al, adj. pertaining to the hand: done, made, or used by the hand.—n. drill in the use of weapons, &c.: a handbook: a handy compendium of a large subject or treatise: the key-board of an organ, &c.: an old office-book like the modern R.C. ritual.—adv. Man′ually.—Manual alphabet, the letters made by the deaf and dumb with the hand in conversation; Manual exercise, the exercise by which soldiers are made to handle their arms. [L. manualis—manus, the hand.]

Manubrium, mā-nū′bri-um, n. the presternum of most mammals: in organ-building, a stop-knob or handle.—adj. Manū′briāted. [L., 'a handle.']

Manufacture, man-ū-fakt′ūr, v.t. to make from raw materials by any means into a form suitable for use.—v.i. to be occupied in manufactures.—n. the process of manufacturing: anything manufactured.—n. Manufact′ory, a factory or place where goods are manufactured.—adj. Manufact′ural.—n. Manufact′urer, one who manufactures.—p.adj. Manufact′uring, pertaining to manufactures. [Fr.,—L. manus, the hand, factura, a making, from facĕre, factum, to make.]

Manumit, man-ū-mit′, v.t. to release from slavery: to set free, as a slave:—pr.p. manūmit′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. manūmit′ted.—n. Manumiss′ion, act of manumitting or setting free from slavery. [L. manumittĕre—manus, the hand, mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Manumotor, man-ū-mō′tor, n. a small wheel-carriage moved by the hand of the person in it.—adj. Manumō′tive. [L. manus, hand, motor, a mover.]

Manure, man-ūr′, v.t. to enrich land with any fertilising substance.—n. any substance applied to land to make it more fruitful.—ns. Manur′ance (Spens.), cultivation; Manur′er.—adj. Manū′rial.—n. Manur′ing, a dressing or spreading of manure on land. [Contr. of Fr. manœuvrer. See Manœuvre.]

Manus, mā′nus, n. the hand, the corresponding part of an animal's fore-limb.

Manuscript, man′ū-skript, adj. written by the hand: not printed.—n. a book or paper written by the hand.—adj. Manuscript′al. [L. manus, the hand, scribĕre, scriptum, to write.]

Manx, mangks, n. the language of the Isle of Man, belonging to the Gadhelic branch of Celtic.—adj. pertaining to the Isle of Man or to its inhabitants.

Many, men′i, adj. consisting of a great number of individuals: not few: numerous:—comp. More (mōr); superl. Most (mōst).—n. many persons: a great number: (with def. art.) the people.—adj. Man′y-sid′ed, having many qualities or aspects: not narrow-minded.—n. Man′y-sid′edness.—The many, the crowd. [A.S. manig.]

Manyplies, men′i-plīz, n.sing. and pl. the third stomach of a ruminant—the omasum or psalterium.—Also Man′iplies and Mon′yplies.

Manzanilla, man-za-nil′a, n. a very dry and light kind of sherry, esp. that produced in the district of San Lucar de Barrameda in Spain. [Prob. from the town near Seville.]

Maori, mow′ri, or mä′ō-ri, n. a native of New Zealand:—pl. Mao′ris. [A New Zealand word signifying native or indigenous.]

Maormor, mär′mōr, n. a royal steward in ancient Scotland. [Gael., maor, maer, steward, mor, great.]

Map, map, n. a representation of the surface of the earth, or of part of it on a plane surface: a similar drawing of the stars in the sky.—v.t. to draw in the form of a map, as the figure of any portion of land: to describe clearly:—pr.p. map′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. mapped.—ns. Map′-meas′urer, an instrument for measuring distances other than in straight lines on a map; Map′-mount′er, one who mounts maps, or backs them with canvas and fixes them on rollers, &c.; Map′pery (Shak.), the art of planning and designing maps; Map′pist.—Map out, to mark down the chief points clearly. [L. mappa, a napkin, a painted cloth, orig. Punic.]

Maple, mā′pl, n. a tree of several species, from one of which, the rock-maple, sugar is made.—adj. of or pertaining to maple. [A.S. mapul, maple.]

Maqui, mā′kwi, n. an evergreen shrub, native of Chili, producing a berry yielding wine.

Mar, mär, v.t. to injure by wounding or by cutting off a part: to damage: to interrupt: to disfigure:—pr.p. mar′ring; pa.t. and pa.p. marred. [A.S. merran, mirran; cf. Dut. marren, to retard.]

Marabou, mar′a-bōō, n. a species of Indian stork, the feathers of which are much used as ornaments by ladies: a very white raw silk.

Marabout, mar′a-bōōt, n. one of a priestly race of Mohammedans in Northern Africa. [Ar.]

Maraschino, mar-as-kē′no, n. a liqueur distilled from a species of cherry grown in Dalmatia. [It.,—marasca, amarasca, a sour cherry—L. amārus, bitter.]

Marasmus, ma-raz′mus, n. a wasting of flesh without apparent disease, a kind of consumption. [Gr. marasmos—marainein, to decay.]

Marathi, ma-ra′thi, n. the language of the Mahrattas.—Also Mahrat′ti.

Maraud, ma-rawd′, v.i. to rove in quest of plunder.—n. Maraud′er, one who roves in quest of booty or plunder. [Fr. maraud, rogue; prob. O. Fr. mar-ir, to wander—Old High Ger. marrjan, to hinder.]

Maravedi, mar-a-vā′dī, n. the smallest copper coin of Spain, less than a farthing. [Sp.,—Ar. Murābitīn, the dynasty of the Almoravides (1086-1147 A.D.).]

Marble, mär′bl, n. any species of limestone taking a high polish: that which is made of marble, as a work of art: a little ball used by boys in play.—adj. made of marble: veined like marble: hard: insensible.—v.t. to stain or vein like marble.—adjs. Mar′ble-breast′ed, hard-hearted, cruel; Mar′ble-con′stant, constant or firm as marble, immovable.—n. Mar′ble-cut′ter, one who hews marble: a machine for cutting marble.—adjs. Mar′ble-edged, having the edges marbled, as a book; Mar′ble-heart′ed, hard-hearted, insensible.—ns. Mar′ble-pā′per, paper coloured in imitation of variegated marble; Mar′bler; Mar′bling, the act of veining or painting in imitation of marble.—adv. Mar′bly, resembling marble, in the manner of marble.—Elgin marbles, a collection of marbles obtained chiefly from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin in 1811, now in the British Museum. [O. Fr. marbre—L. marmor; cf. Gr. marmaros, marmairein, to sparkle.]

Marcando, mar-kän′do, adj. and adv. (mus.) with distinctness or precision.—Also Marca′to. [It., marcare, to mark.]

Marcasite, mär′ka-sīt, n. an iron ore, a variety of pyrites (q.v.). [Fr.; prob. of Ar. origin.]

Marcescent, mar-ses′ent, adj. withering, decaying.—adj. Marcesc′ible, that may wither. [L. marcescens, -entis, pr.p. of marcescĕre—marcēre, to fade.]

March, märch, n. the third month of the year, named from Mars, the god of war. [L. Martius (mensis), (the month) of Mars.]

March, märch, n. a border: boundary of a territory:—used chiefly in pl. March′es.—v.i. to border: to be adjacent.—ns. March′man, a borderer; March′-trea′son, the betrayal of a border or march to an enemy.—Riding the marches, a ceremony in which the magistrates and chief men of a city ride on horseback round the bounds of the property of the city, so as to mark plainly what are its limits. [A.S. mearc; doublet of mark.]

March, märch, v.i. to move in order, as soldiers: to walk in a grave or stately manner.—v.t. to cause to march.—n. the movement of troops: regular advance: a piece of music fitted for marching to: the distance passed over.—March past, the march of a body of soldiers in front of one remaining stationary to review them; Forced march, a march in which the men are vigorously pressed forward for combative or strategic purposes; Rogue's march, music played in derision of a person when he is expelled as a soldier, &c. [Fr. marcher. Ety. dub.; acc. to Scheler, prob. from L. marcus, a hammer (cf. 'to beat time'); others suggest root of march, a frontier.]

Märchen, Mährchen, märh′hen, n.sing. and pl. a story or fable, a folk-tale. [Ger.]

Marchioness, mär′shun-es, Marchesa, mar-chē′za, n. feminine of Marquis.

Marchpane, märch′pān, n. (Shak.) a kind of sweet bread or biscuit composed of sugar, almonds, and a small quantity of flour. [Fr. massepain, the latter part of the word being from L. panis, bread.]

Marcionite, mar′shun-īt, n. and adj. a follower of Marcion of Sinope (died 165 A.D.), who, partly under Gnostic influences, constructed an ethico-dualistic philosophy of religion, with rigorously ascetic practices. He claimed alone to have understood Paul aright, and accepted as authoritative his own version of Luke and ten of Paul's epistles.—ns. Mar′cionist; Mar′cionitism.

Marcobrunner, mär′ko-brōōn-ėr, n. a remarkably fine white wine, produced in Erbach, near Wiesbaden—from the Markbrunnen fountain hard by.

Mare, mār, n. the female of the horse.—ns. Mare's′-nest, a supposed discovery which turns out to be a hoax; Mare's-tail, a tall, erect marsh plant of the genus Hippuris: (pl.) long straight fibres of gray cirrus cloud; Shank's′-mare, a person's own legs, as a means of travelling.—The gray mare is the better horse, the wife rules her husband. [A.S. mere, fem. of mearh, a horse; cog. with Ger. mähre, Ice. marr, W. march, a horse.]

Margarine, mär′gar-in, n. the solid ingredient of human fat, olive-oil, &c.—so called from its pearly lustre: oleo-margarine or imitation butter (see under Olein).—adj. Margar′ic.—n. Mar′garite, one of the brittle micas. [L. margarita—Gr. margaritēs, a pearl.]

Margin, mär′jin, n. an edge, border: the blank edge on the page of a book: something allowed more than is needed, in case of unforeseen things happening: a sum of money, or its value in securities, deposited with a broker to protect him against loss on transactions made on account: a deposit made by each of two brokers, parties to a contract, when one is 'called up' by the other.—v.t. to furnish with margins, enter on the margin.—ns. Marge, Marg′ent (poet.), edge, brink.—adjs. Marged; Mar′ginal, pertaining to a margin: placed in the margin.—n. Marginā′lia, notes written on the margin.—v.t. Mar′ginalise, to furnish with notes.—adv. Mar′ginally.—adjs. Mar′ginate, -d, having a margin; Mar′gined.—Marginal credit, a method by which a merchant at home can render bills drawn upon him abroad saleable there, by associating a well-known banker's name on their margin with his own; Marginal notes, notes written or printed on the margin of a book or writing. [L. margo, marginis; cf. mark.]

Margrave, mär′grāv, n. a German nobleman of rank equivalent to an English marquis:—fem. Margravine (mär′gra-vēn).—ns. Mar′gravate, Margrā′viate, the jurisdiction or dignity of a margrave. [Dut. markgraaf (Ger. markgraf)—mark, a border, graaf, a count; cf. Ger. graf, A.S. geréfa, Eng. reeve and she-riff.]

Marguerite, mär′ge-rēt, n. the common garden daisy: the ox-eye daisy: the China aster.

Marian, mā′ri-an, adj. relating to the Virgin Mary: to the great Roman general Caius Marius: to Queen Mary of England.

Marigold, mar′i-gōld, n. a name applied to several composite plants bearing yellow flowers. [From the Virgin Mary and gold.]

Marine, ma-rēn′, adj. of or belonging to the sea: done at sea: representing the sea: near the sea.—n. a soldier serving on shipboard: the whole navy of a country or state: naval affairs: a sea-piece in painting.—ns. Mar′igraph, a self-registering tide-gauge; Marinade′, a liquor or pickle in which fish or meat is steeped before cooking, to improve the flavour.—v.t. Mar′inate, to salt or pickle.—n. Mar′iner, a seaman or sailor: one who assists in navigating ships.—Marine acid, hydrochloric acid; Marine boiler, a boiler fitted for use in steamships; Marine engine, an engine fitted for use in a steamship; Marine insurance, insurance of ships or their cargoes when at sea; Marine soap, a kind of coconut-oil soap, adapted for washing with sea-water; Marine store, a place where old ships' materials are bought and sold.—Tell that to the marines, a phrase expressive of disbelief and ridicule, from the sailor's contempt for the marine's ignorance of seamanship. [Fr.,—L. marinus—mare, sea.]

Mariolatry, mā-ri-ol′a-tri, n. the undue worship of the Virgin Mary—the veneration paid to her is strictly Hyperdulia.—n. Mariol′ater, one who practises mariolatry. [L. Maria, Mary, Gr. latreia, worship.]

Marionette, mar-i-o-net′, n. a puppet moved by strings, a puppet-show. [Fr.]

Marist, mā′rist, n. a member of a modern R.C. congregation for teaching.—adj. devoted to the service of the Virgin.

Marital, mar′i-tal, adj. pertaining to a husband: of the nature of a marriage.—n. Maritā′gium, in the feudal system, the right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage. [Fr.,—L. maritalis—maritus, a husband—mas, maris, a male.]

Maritime, mar′i-tim, adj. pertaining to the sea: relating to navigation or to naval affairs: situated near the sea: living on the shore, littoral—opp. to Marine: having a navy and a naval commerce. [L. maritimus—mare, sea.]

Marjoram, mär′jo-ram, n. an aromatic plant used as a seasoning in cookery. [Fr. marjolaine—Low L. majoraca—L. amaracus—Gr. amarakos.]

Mark, märk, n. a visible sign: any object serving as a guide: that by which anything is known: a badge: a trace, impression, proof: any visible effect: symptom: a thing aimed at or striven for: an attainable point: a character made by one who cannot write: any impressed sign or stamp: a physical peculiarity: distinction: a boundary, limit: in medieval times, a tract of common land belonging to a community.—v.t. to make a mark on anything: to impress with a sign: to take notice of: to regard.—v.i. to take particular notice.—adj. Marked, distinguished: prominent: notorious.—adv. Mark′edly, noticeably.—ns. Mark′er, one who marks the score at games, as at billiards: a counter used at card-playing, &c.: the soldier who forms the pivot round which a body of soldiers wheels; Mark′ing, act of making a mark: a mark made upon anything; Mark′ing-ink, indelible ink, used for marking clothes; Mark′ing-nut, the fruit of an East Indian tree of the cashew family, yielding a black juice used in marking cloths; Mark′man, one of the community owning a mark; Marks′man, one good at hitting a mark: one who shoots well.—Mark down, set down in writing, put a note of; Mark out, to lay out the plan or outlines of anything; Mark time, to move the feet alternately in the same manner as in marching, but without changing ground.—A man of mark, a well-known or famous man; Beside the mark, not properly referring to the matter in hand; God bless, or save, the mark, or Save the mark, a phrase expressing ironical astonishment or scorn, from the usage of archery; Make one's mark, to leave a lasting impression: to gain great influence; Toe the mark, to stand to one's obligations, facing the consequences; Trade mark, a distinctive mark put on goods, &c., to show by whom they were made; Up to the mark, good enough, measured by a certain standard. [A.S. mearc, a boundary; Ger. mark, Goth. marka.]

Mark, märk, n. an obsolete English coin=13s. 4d.: a coin of the present German Empire=about one shilling: a silver coin of Hamburg=about 1s. 4d. [A.S. marc, another form of the above word.]

Market, mär′ket, n. a public place for the purposes of buying and selling: the time for the market: sale: rate of sale: value.—v.i. to deal at a market: to buy and sell.—ns. Marketabil′ity, Mar′ketableness.—adj. Mar′ketable, fit for the market: saleable.—ns. Mar′ket-bell (Shak.), a bell to give notice of the time; Mar′ket-cross, a cross anciently set up where a market was held; Mar′ket-day, the fixed day on which a market is usually held; Mar′keter; Mar′ket-gar′den, a garden in which fruit and vegetables are grown for market; Mar′ket-gar′dener; Mar′ket-house, a building in which a market is held; Mar′keting, the act or practice of buying and selling in market; Mar′ket-place, the open space in a town where markets are held; Mar′ket-price, the price at which anything is sold in the market: the current price; Mar′ket-town, a town having the privilege of holding a public market. [Through the O. Fr. (Fr. marché, It. mercato), from L. mercatus, trade, a market—merx, merchandise.]

Marl, märl, n. a fat earth or clay often used as manure.—v.t. to cover with marl.—adj. Marlā′ceous, having the qualities of marl: like marl.—n. Mar′lite, a variety of marl.—adjs. Marlit′ic; Mar′ly, like marl: abounding in marl.—n. Marl′stone, argillaceous limestone. [O. Fr. marle (Fr. marne)—Low L. margila, a dim. of L. marga, marl.]

Marline, mär′lin, n. a small rope for winding round a larger one to keep it from being worn by rubbing.—v.t. Mar′line, Marl, to bind or wind round with marline.—n. Mar′linespike, an iron tool, like a spike, for separating the strands of a rope in splicing. [Dut. marlijn, marling—marren, to bind, lijn, a rope—Fr. ligne; cf. moor and line.]

Marmalade, mär′ma-lād, n. a jam or preserve generally made of the pulp of oranges, originally of quinces. [Fr., from Port. marmelada—marmelo, a quince—L. melimēlum—Gr. melimēlon, a sweet apple—meli, honey, mēlon, an apple.]

Marmoraceous, mar-mo-rā′shus, adj. belonging to, or like, marble.—adjs. Mar′morate, -d, covered with marble: variegated like marble.—n. Marmorā′tion.—adjs. Marmō′real, Marmō′rean, belonging to, or like, marble. [L. marmor, marble.]

Marmoset, mär′mo-zet, n. a small variety of American monkey. [Fr. marmouset, a little grotesque figure beside a fountain—L. marmor, marble.]

Marmot, mär′mot, n. a rodent animal, about the size of a rabbit, which inhabits the higher parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. [It. marmotto—Romansch murmont—L. mus montanus, mountain-mouse.]

Maronite, mar′ō-nīt, n. one of a sect of Christians who live on or around the mountains of Lebanon. [St Maron, about 400 A.D., or John Maron, a patriarch of the sect in the 7th century.]

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a brownish crimson. [Fr. marron, a chestnut—It. marrone, a chestnut.]

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a fugitive slave living on the mountains, in the West Indies.—v.t. to put on shore on a desolate island.—ns. Maroon′er; Maroon′ing. [Fr. marron—Sp. cimarron, wild—cima, a mountain-summit—L. cyma—Gr. kyma.]

Maroquin, mar′o-kwin, n. leather prepared from goatskin: morocco leather. [Fr.]

Marplot, mär′plot, n. one who mars or defeats a plot or design by interference where he has no right.

Marprelate, mär-prel′āt, adj. pertaining to the series of vigorous pamphlets against prelacy issued in England in 1588-9, in spite of severe repression.

Marque, märk, n. a license to pass the marches or limits of a country for the purpose of making reprisals: a ship commissioned for making captures.—Letter-of-marque (see Letter). [Fr.]

Marquee, mär-kē′, n. a large field-tent. [For marquees, the s being dropped as if a plural, from Fr. marquise, acc. to Littré, orig. a marchioness's tent.]

Marquetry, märk′et-ri, n. work inlaid with pieces of various-coloured wood. [Fr. marqueterie—marqueter, to inlay—marque, a mark.]

Marquis, mär′kwis, Marquess, mär′kwes, n. a title of nobility next below that of a duke, first given in England in 1386:—fem. Mar′chioness.—ns. Mar′quisāte, the dignity or lordship of a marquis; Marquise (mär-kēz′), in France, a marchioness: a style of parasol about 1850. [O. Fr. markis (Fr. marquis, It. marchese)—Low L. marchensis, a prefect of the marches.]

Marriage, mar′ij, n. the ceremony by which a man and woman become husband and wife: the union of a man and woman as husband and wife.—adj. Marr′iageable, suitable, or at a proper age, for marriage.—ns. Marr′iageableness; Marr′iage-con′tract, an agreement to be married: an agreement respecting property by persons about to marry.—n.pl. Marr′iage-fā′vours, knots or decorations worn at a marriage.—n. Marr′iage-sett′lement, an arrangement of property, &c., before marriage, by which something is secured to the wife or her children, in case of her husband's death. [O. Fr. mariage. See Marry.]

Marrow, mar′ō, n. the soft, fatty matter in the hollow parts of the bones: the pith of certain plants: the essence or best part of anything: the inner meaning or purpose.—ns. Marr′ow-bone, a bone containing marrow: (pl.) the knees or the bones of the knees; Marr′owfat, a rich kind of pea, called also Dutch Admiral pea.—adjs. Marr′owish, of the nature of, or resembling, marrow; Marr′owless, having no marrow.—n. Marr′ow-squash (U.S.), vegetable marrow.—adj. Marr′owy, full of marrow: strong: forcible: pithy. [A.S. mearg; Ger. mark.]

Marry, mar′i, v.t. to take for husband or wife: to give in marriage: to unite in matrimony.—v.i. to enter into the married state: to take a husband or a wife:—pr.p. marr′ying; pa.t. and pa.p. marr′ied. [Fr. marier—L. maritāre, to marry, maritus, a husband—mas, maris, a male.]

Mars, märz, n. the Roman god of war: the planet next to the earth in the order of distance from the sun. [L. Mars, Martis.]

Marsala, mar′sä-la, n. a light wine resembling sherry, from Marsala in Sicily.

Marseillaise, mär-se-lyāz′, or mär-se-lāz′, n. the French revolutionary hymn composed by Rouget de Lisle in 1792, sung by the volunteers of Marseilles as they entered Paris, 30th July, and when they marched to the storming of the Tuileries.

Marsh, märsh, n. a tract of low wet land: a morass, swamp, or fen.—adj. pertaining to wet or boggy places.—ns. Marsh′-gas, fire-damp; Marsh′-harr′ier, a harrier of genus Circus frequenting marshes; Marsh′iness; Marsh′-mall′ow, a species of mallow common in meadows and marshes; Marsh′-mar′igold, a genus of plants of the Ranunculus order, having large yellow flowers like those of a buttercup.—adj. Marsh′y, pertaining to, or produced in, marshes: abounding in marshes. [A.S. mersc, for mer-isc, as if 'mere-ish,' full of meres. Cf. mere, a pool.]

Marshal, mär′shal, n. an officer charged with the regulation of ceremonies, preservation of order, points of etiquette, &c.: the chief officer who regulated combats in the lists: a pursuivant or harbinger: a herald: in France, an officer of the highest military rank: (U.S.) the civil officer of a district, corresponding to the sheriff of a county in England.—v.t. to arrange in order: to lead, as a herald:—pr.p. mar′shalling; pa.t. and pa.p. mar′shalled.—ns. Mar′shaller, one who marshals; Mar′shalling, act of arranging in due order; Mar′shalsea, till 1842 a prison in Southwark, under the marshal of the royal household; Mar′shalship, office of marshal. [O. Fr. mareschal (Fr. maréchal); from Old High Ger. marah, a horse, schalh (Ger. schalk), a servant.]

Marsipobranchiate, mar-si-po-brang′ki-āt, adj. having pursed gills, as lampreys, hags, &c.—Also Mar′sipobranch.

Marsupial, mär-sū′pi-al, adj. carrying young in a pouch.—n. a marsupial animal, as the opossum or the kangaroo.—n. Marsū′pium, a brood-pouch. [L. marsupium—Gr. marsipion, a pouch.]

Martel, mär′tel, v.t. (Spens.) to hammer, to strike. [Fr. marteler, It. martello. See Martello.]

Martello, mar-tel′o, n. a circular fort erected to protect a coast. [It. martello, a hammer—L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus, a hammer; or from Mortella Point in Corsica, where a tower of this kind withstood an English cannonade in 1794.]

Marten, mär′ten, n. a destructive kind of weasel valued for its fur. [Fr. martre, also marte—Low L. marturis, from a Teut. root seen in Ger. marder, and A.S. mearð, a marten.]

Martial, mär′shal, adj. belonging to Mars, the god of war, or to the planet Mars: of or belonging to war, or to the army and navy: warlike: brave.—ns. Mar′tialism; Mar′tialist.—adv. Mar′tially.—Martial law, law enforced during a state of war for the proper government of armies, and for the punishment of those who break the laws of war. [Fr.,—L. martialis—Mars, Martis.]

Martin, mär′tin, n. a bird of the swallow kind.—Also Mar′tinet. [The name Martin; cf. robin, &c.]

Martinet, mär′tin-et, n. a strict disciplinarian.—n. Martinet′ism. [From Martinet, a very strict officer in the army of Louis XIV. of France.]

Martingale, mär′tin-gāl, n. a strap passing between a horse's forelegs, fastened to the girth and to the bit, to keep his head down: in ships, a short spar under the bowsprit.—Also Mar′tingal. [Fr., from a kind of breeches worn at Martigues in Provence.]

Martinmas, mär′tin-mas, n. the mass or feast of St Martin: 11th Nov., a term-day in Scotland.

Martlet, märt′let, n. the martin, the name of a bird: (her.) a martin or swallow without feet, used as a bearing, a crest, or a mark of cadency to designate the fourth son. [From Fr. martinet, dim. of martin.]

Martyr, mär′tėr, n. one who by his death bears witness to the truth: one who suffers for his belief: one who suffers greatly from any cause.—v.t. to put to death for one's belief.—n. Mar′tyrdom, state of being a martyr: the sufferings or death of a martyr: torment generally.—v.t. Mar′tyrise (Browning), to offer as a sacrifice: to cause to suffer martyrdom.—adj. Martyrolog′ical.—ns. Martyrol′ogist; Martyrol′ogy, a history of martyrs: a discourse on martyrdom. [A.S.,—L.,—Gr., a witness.]

Marvel, mär′vel, n. a wonder: anything astonishing or wonderful: astonishment.—v.i. to wonder: to feel astonishment:—pr.p. mar′velling; pa.t. and pa.p. mar′velled.—adj. Mar′vellous, astonishing: almost or altogether beyond belief: improbable.—adv. Mar′vellously.—n. Mar′vellousness. [Fr. merveille—L. mirabilis, wonderful—mirāri, to wonder.]

Mascle, mas′kl, n. (her.) a bearing, lozenge-shaped and perforated: a plate of steel in the form of a lozenge, used in making scale-armour.—adjs. Mas′cled, Mascule′, Mas′culy. [Fr. macle—L. macula, the mesh of a net.]

Mascot, mas′kot, n. a luck-penny or talisman: a person whose presence brings good luck. [Fr. mascotte.]

Masculine, mas′kū-lin, adj. of the male sex: having the qualities of a man: resembling a man, or suitable to a man: robust: of a woman, bold, forward, unwomanly: denoting nouns which are names of males.—n. (gram.) the masculine gender.—adv. Mas′culinely.—ns. Mas′culineness, Masculin′ity. [Fr.,—L. masculinus—masculus, male—mas, a male.]

Mash, mash, v.t. to beat into a mixed mass: to bruise: in brewing, to mix malt and hot water together.—v.i. to act violently.—n. a mixture of ingredients beaten or stirred together, as of bran, meal, &c., or bran and boiled turnips, &c., for feeding cattle or horses: in brewing, a mixture of crushed malt and hot water.—ns. Mash′ing; Mash′-tub, Mash′ing-tub, a tub in which the mash in breweries is mixed.—adj. Mash′y, produced by mashing; of the nature of a mash. [The noun is older than the verb, and seems to be connected with mix (A.S. miscian); cf. Mish-mash.]

Masher, mash′ėr, n. a fellow who dresses showily to attract the attention of silly young women, a fop.—v.t. Mash, to gain the affections of one of the opposite sex, to treat as a sweetheart.—Be mashed on (slang), to be struck with love for another.

Mask, Masque, mask, n. anything disguising or concealing the face: anything that disguises: a pretence: a masquerade: a former kind of dramatic spectacle, in which actors personified mythological deities, shepherdesses, &c.: a representation or impression of a face in any material, as in marble, plaster, &c.: a fox's head.—v.t. to cover the face with a mask: to hide.—v.i. to join in a mask or masquerade: to be disguised in any way: to revel.—n. Mas′caron (archit.), a grotesque face on door-knockers, spouts, &c.—adj. Masked, wearing a mask, concealed.—ns. Masked′-ball, a ball in which the dancers wear masks; Mask′er, one who wears a mask.—Masked battery (see Battery). [Fr. masque—Sp. mascara—Ar. maskharat, a jester, man in masquerade.]

Mask, mask, v.t. (Scot.) to steep, infuse.—v.i. to be infusing. [A form of mash.]

Maslin, mas′lin, n. mixed grain, esp. rye and wheat.—Also Mash′lin, Mash′lim, Mash′lum.

Mason, mā′sn, n. one who cuts, prepares, and lays stones: a builder in stone: a member of the society of freemasons.—v.t. to build.—adjs. Mason′ic, relating to freemasonry; Mā′sonried, constructed of masonry.—n. Mā′sonry, the skill or practice of a mason: the work of a mason: the art of building in stone: freemasonry.—adj. consisting of mason-work.—n. Mas′ter-mā′son (see under Master). [O. Fr. masson (Fr. maçon)—Low L. macion-em; prob. Teut.; cf. Mid. High Ger. mezzo, a mason, whence steinmetz, a stone-mason, cog. with Old High Ger. meizan, to hew, whence Ger. meissel, a chisel.]

Masoolah-boat, ma-sōō′la-bōt, n. a high many-oared East Indian surf-boat.—Also Masu′la-boat.

Masquerade, mask-ėr-ād′, n. an assembly of persons wearing masks, generally at a ball: disguise.—v.i. to wear a mask: to join in a masquerade: to go in disguise.—n. Masquerad′er, a person wearing a mask: a person or thing disguised in any manner. [Fr. mascarade. See Mask.]

Mass, mas, n. a lump of matter: a quantity: a collected body: the main body: magnitude: the principal part or main body: quantity of matter in any body, weight being proportional to mass: (pl.) the lower classes of the people.—v.t. to form into a mass: to bring together in masses.—v.i. to assemble in masses.—adj. Mass′ive, bulky: weighty: not separated into parts or elements: without crystalline form, geologically homogeneous.—adv. Mass′ively.—ns. Mass′iveness, Mass′iness; Mass′-meeting, a public meeting of persons of all classes to discuss some matter of general interest.—adj. Mass′y, massive, made up of masses. [Fr. masse—L. massa—Gr. maza—massein, to squeeze together.]

Mass, mas, n. the celebration of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist in R.C. churches, also the office for the same: a musical setting of certain parts of the R.C. liturgy: a church festival or feast-day, as in Candlemas, Christmas, Martinmas, &c.—ns. Mass′-bell, or Sacring-bell, a bell rung during the celebration of mass, at the elevation of the host; Mass′-book, the R.C. missal or service-book; Mass′-priest, formerly a R.C. secular priest, as distinct from those living under a rule—later, a priest retained in chantries, &c., to say masses for the dead: a R.C. priest generally.—Mass for the dead, a funeral mass for the faithful in Christ, to hasten their release from purgatory; Conventual mass, a mass for the general community of a religious house: a mass at which special remembrance is made of pious founders and benefactors; Dry mass, or service, a rite in which there is neither consecration nor communion; High mass, a mass celebrated with music, ritual, ceremonies, and incense; Low mass, the ordinary mass celebrated without music and incense; Midnight mass, that mass which is said at midnight on Christmas-eve; Private mass, any mass where only the priest communicates, esp. in a private oratory; Solemn mass, a mass resembling a high mass, but without some of its special ceremonies; Votive mass, a special mass over and above those ordinarily said for the day, for some particular grace or purpose, and provided by some individual. [A.S. mæsse—Low L. missa—L. missus, mittĕre, to send away, from the phrase at the close of service, Ite, missa est (ecclesia), 'Go, the congregation is dismissed.']

Massacre, mas′a-kėr, n. indiscriminate slaughter, esp. with cruelty: carnage.—v.t. to kill with violence and cruelty: to slaughter. [Fr.; from the Teut., as in Low Ger. matsken, to cut; cf. Ger. metz-ger, a butcher.]

Massage, ma-säzh′, n. in medicine, a system of treatment in which the manipulation and exercise of parts (passive movement) are employed for the relief of morbid conditions—by stroking, pressing, tapping, kneading, friction with kneading, &c.—v.t. to subject to massage.—ns. Massa′gist, Masseur′:—fem. Masseuse′. [Fr., from Gr. massein, to knead.]

Masse, ma-sā′, n. in billiards, a sharp stroke made with the cue perpendicular or nearly so. [Fr.]

Masseter, mas-ē′tėr, n. a muscle which raises the under jaw, and thus closes the mouth. [Gr. masētēr—masasthai, to chew.]

Massif, ma-sēf, n. a central mountain-mass; an orographic fault-block. [Fr.]

Massorah, Masora, mas′ō-rä, n. the tradition by which Jewish scholars tried to preserve the text of the Old Testament—a collection of critical notes on the text of the Old Testament, first committed to writing in Tiberias between the 6th and 9th cent. A.D.—the Great Massorah was finally arranged about the 11th century; the Small Massorah is an extract therefrom.—ns. Mass′orete, Mass′orite.—adjs. Massoret′ic, Masoret′ic.—Massoretic points and accents, the vowel-points in Hebrew furnished by the Massorah. [Heb., 'tradition.']

Mast, mast, n. a long upright pole for bearing the yards, rigging, &c. in a ship.—v.t. to supply with a mast or masts.—adj. Mast′ed.—n. Mast′-head, the head or top of the mast of a ship.—v.t. to raise to the mast-head: to punish by sending a sailor to the mast-head for a certain time.—n. Mast′-house, the place in dockyards where masts are made.—adj. Mast′less, having no mast. [A.S. mæst, the stem of a tree; Ger. mast.]

Mast, mast, n. the fruit of the oak, beech, chestnut, and other forest trees, on which swine feed: nuts, acorns.—adjs. Mast′ful; Mast′less; Mast′y. [A.S. mæst; Ger. mast, whence mästen, to feed.]

Master, mas′tėr, n. one who commands: a lord or owner: a leader or ruler: a teacher: an employer: the commander of a merchant-ship: formerly the navigator or sailing-master of a ship-of-war: one eminently skilled in anything: the common title of address to a young gentleman, &c.: a title of dignity or office—a degree conferred by universities, as Master of Arts, &c., the title of the eldest son of a Scotch viscount or baron, the head of some corporations, as Balliol College, &c., of a lodge of freemasons, &c.: a husband.—adj. the chief, predominant: belonging to a master, chief, principal, as in Master-builder, &c.—v.t. to become master of: to overcome: to become skilful in: to execute with skill.—ns. Mas′ter-build′er, a chief builder, one who directs or employs others; Mas′terdom, power of control.—adj. Mas′terful, exercising the authority or power of a master: imperious: having the skill of a master.—adv. Mas′terfully, in a masterful or imperious manner.—ns. Mas′terfulness; Mas′ter-hand, the hand of a master: a person highly skilled; Mas′terhood; Mas′ter-joint, the most marked system of joints or divisional planes by which a rock is intersected; Mas′terkey, a key that opens many locks: a clue fitted to guide one out of many difficulties.—adj. Mas′terless, without a master or owner: ungoverned: unsubdued: beyond control.—n. Mas′terliness, quality of being masterly: masterly skill.—adj. Mas′terly, like a master: with the skill of a master: skilful: excellent: overbearing.—adv. with the skill of a master.—ns. Mas′ter-mar′iner, the captain of a merchant-vessel or fishing-vessel; Mas′ter-mā′son, a freemason who has attained the third degree; Mas′ter-mind; Mas′ter-pass′ion; Mas′terpiece, a piece of work worthy of a master: a work of superior skill: chief excellence; Mas′tership, the office of master: rule or dominion: superiority; Mas′terstroke, a stroke or performance worthy of a master: superior performance; Mas′ter-wheel, the wheel in a machine which imparts motion to other parts; Mas′ter-work, work worthy of a master: masterpiece; Mas′terwort, a perennial umbelliferous herb, native to northern Europe, its root reputed as a stomachic, sudorific, diuretic, &c.; Mas′tery, the power or authority of a master: dominion: victory: superiority: the attainment of superior power or skill.—Master of ceremonies, of the Rolls, &c. (see Ceremonies, Rolls, &c.); Master of the horse, the Roman Magister Equitum, an official appointed by the dictator to act next under himself: an equerry, esp. the exalted official bearing this name at the British court; Master of the Temple, the preacher of the Temple Church in London; Masters of the schools, at Oxford, the conductors of the first examination (Responsions) for the degree of B.A.—Masterly inactivity, the position or part of a neutral or a Fabian combatant, carried out with diplomatic skill, so as to preserve a predominant influence without risking anything.—Passed, or Past, master, one who has occupied the office of master, esp. among freemasons—hence any one known to possess ample knowledge of some subject; The little masters, a 16th-17th cent. group of followers of Dürer, notable for fine work on wood and copper; The old masters, a term applied collectively to the great painters about the time of the Renaissance, esp. the Italians.—Be master of one's self, to have one's passions or emotions under control. [O. Fr. maistre (Fr. maître)—L. magister, from root of magnus, great.]

Mastic, Mastich, mas′tik, n. a species of gum-resin from the lentisk-tree: a cement from mastic: the tree producing mastic. [Fr.,—L. mastiche—Gr. mastichē—mas-tizein, to chew.]

Masticate, mas′ti-kāt, v.t. to chew: to grind with the teeth.—adj. Mas′ticable, that may be chewed.—ns. Masticā′tion, act or process of chewing; Masticā′tor, a machine for cutting up meat for people unable to chew: a machine used in purifying india-rubber.—adj. Mas′ticatory, chewing: adapted for chewing.—n. a substance chewed to increase the saliva. [L. masticāre, -ātum—mastiche, mastic.]

Mastiff, mas′tif, n. a thick-set and powerful variety of dog much used as a watch-dog. [Skeat follows Scheler and Diez in explaining mastiff as 'house-dog,' from an assumed O. Fr. mastif, prob. a variant of O. Fr. mastin (Fr. mâtin)—Low L. masnata, a family—L. mansion-em, a house. Others explain as O. Fr. mestif (Fr. métif), of mixed breed, mongrel, or O. Fr. mestis (métis), mongrel, or even as the above O. Fr. mastin (Fr. mâtin), all, through Low L. forms, from L. mixtus, mistus, miscēre, to mix.]

Mastitis, mas-tī′tis, n. inflammation of the mammary gland.—n. Mastodyn′ia, pain in the breast.—adj. Mas′toid, like a nipple or teat: denoting a part or process of the temporal bone.—n. Mastol′ogy, mammology. [Gr. mastos, a nipple.]

Mastodon, mas′to-don, n. a genus of extinct elephants, so named from the mamillary cusps or teat-like prominences on the molar teeth. [Gr. mastos, the breast, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

Masturbation, mas-tur-bā′shun, n. self-defilement, onanism.—v.i. Mas′turbate, to commit self-abuse.—n. Mas′turbator, one guilty of this. [L. masturbāri.]

Mat, mat, n. a texture of sedge, rushes, straw, &c. for cleaning the feet on: a web of rope-yarn: an ornamental border for a picture: a piece of cloth, &c. put below dishes on a table: anything like a mat in appearance, thick and closely set: any interwoven structure used as a revetment on river-banks, &c.: a sack of matting used to cover tea and coffee chests, such a sack containing a certain quantity of coffee: the closely-worked portion of lace: any annular pad to protect the head in bearing burdens.—v.t. to cover with mats: to interweave: to entangle:—pr.p. mat′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. mat′ted. [A.S. meatta—L. matta, a mat.]

Mat, mat, adj. and n. having a dull or dead surface, without lustre: an instrument by means of which such is produced.—v.t. to produce such a surface on metal. [Ger. matt, dull.]

Matador, Matadore, mat-a-dōr′, n. the man who kills the bull in bull-fights: one of the three chief cards at ombre and quadrille. [Sp. matador—matar, to kill—L. mactāre, to kill, to honour by sacrifice—mactus, honoured.]

Matafunda, mat-a-fun′da, n. an old military engine which slung stones. [Low L., prob. Sp. matar, to kill, L. funda, a sling.]

Match, mach, n. a piece of inflammable material which easily takes or carries fire: a prepared rope for firing a gun, &c.: a lucifer.—ns. Match′-box, a box for holding matches; Match′lock, the lock of a musket containing a match for firing it: a musket so fired; Match′wood, wood cut down to a size suitable for making matches: wood broken into small pieces; Quick′-match, a match made of threads of cotton, and steeped in various inflammable substances so as to burn a yard in thirteen seconds; Safe′ty-match, a match which will only light when rubbed on a specially prepared surface; Slow′-match, a match made to burn at the rate of from four to five inches in an hour, for blasting, &c. [O. Fr. mesche (Fr. mèche)—Low L. myxus—Gr. myxa, the snuff or wick of a lamp.]

Match, mach, n. anything which agrees with or suits another thing: an equal: one able to cope with another: a contest or game: a pairing, a marriage: one to be gained in marriage.—v.i. to be of the same make, size, &c., to correspond: to form a union with.—v.t. to be equal to, to set a counterpart to anything: to be able to compete with: to find an equal to: to set against as equal: to suit: to give in marriage.—adj. Match′able.—ns. Match′board, a board with a tongue cut along one edge and a groove in the opposite edge, their joining being called a Match′-joint; Match′er.—adj. Match′less, having no match or equal: superior to all: peerless: unpaired.—adv. Match′lessly.—ns. Match′lessness; Match′-mak′er, one who makes matches: one who plans to bring about marriages. [A.S. gemæca, gemaca, a mate, a wife.]

Mate, māt, n. a companion: an equal: one of a pair, the male or female of animals that go in pairs: in a merchant-ship the first-mate is the second in command—in the navy the term is now confined to petty-officers, such as boatswain's mate, gunner's mate, &c.: an assistant, deputy.—v.t. to be equal to: to become a companion to: to marry.—adj. Mate′less, without a mate or companion. [A.S. ge-maca; Ice. maki, an equal, from the same root as make. Cf. match. Prob. mate in its naut. sense is Dutch—Old Dut. maet, mod. maat.]

Mate, Maté, mä′tā, n. a South American species of holly, the leaves and green shoots of which, dried and roughly ground, furnish the yerba de mate of Paraguay and Brazil. [Sp. mate, orig. the vessel in which it was infused for drinking.]

Mate, māt, v.t. (Bacon) to weaken, to confound, to crush. [O. Fr. mater; cf. Sp. matar, to weaken.]

Matelasse, mat-las′ā, adj. and n. having a raised pattern on the surface as if quilted, of silks. [Fr. matelas, a mattress.]

Matelote, mat′e-lōt, n. fish stewed with wine-sauce, onions, &c. [Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

Mateology, mat-ē-ol′o-ji, n. a foolish inquiry. [Gr. mataios, vain, matē, folly, logia, discourse.]

Mater, mā′tėr, n. a mother: one of the two membranes of the brain, outer and inner, separated by the arachnoid—the dura mater, or dura, and pia mater, or pia.—Mā′ter dolorō′sa, the Virgin Mary represented as the sorrowing mother; Māterfamil′ias, the mother of a family. [L.,—Gr. mētēr.]

Material, ma-tē′ri-al, adj. consisting of matter: corporeal, not spiritual: substantial: essential: important, esp. of legal importance: (phil.) pertaining to matter and not to form, relating to the object as it exists.—n., esp. in pl., that out of which anything is to be made.—n. Materialisā′tion.—v.t. Matē′rialīse, to render material: to reduce to or regard as matter: to occupy with material interests.—ns. Matē′rialism, the doctrine that denies the independent existence of spirit, and maintains that there is but one substance—viz. matter—thus professing to find in matter (monistic or philosophical materialism), or in material entities (atomistic materialism), or in material qualities and forces (scientific or physical materialism), a complete explanation of all life and existence whatsoever; Matē′rialist, one who holds the doctrine of materialism: one absorbed in material interests, who takes a low view of life and its responsibilities.—adjs. Materialist′ic, -al, pertaining to materialism.—adv. Matē′rially.—ns. Matē′rialness, Material′ity.—Material being, existence in the form of matter; Material cause, that which gives being to the thing; Material distinction, a distinction between individuals of the same species; Material evidence, evidence tending to prove or to disprove the matter under judgment; Material fallacy, a fallacy in the matter or thought, rather than in the logical form; Material form, a form depending on matter; Material issue (see Issue).—Raw material, stuff as yet unworked into anything useful. [Fr.,—L. materialis—materia.]

Materia medica, ma-tē′ri-a med′i-ka, n. the various substances used in making up medicines: the science of the nature and use of substances used as medicines. [L. materia, material, medicus, medical.]

Matériel, ma-tā-re-el′, n. the totality of materials or instruments employed (as in an army), as distinguished from the personnel or men—applied esp. to military stores, arms, baggage, horses, &c. [Fr.]

Maternal, ma-tėr′nal, adj. belonging to a mother: motherly.—adv. Mater′nally.—n. Mater′nity, the state, character, or relation of a mother: motherhood: a lying-in hospital. [Fr. maternel (It. maternale)—L. maternus—mater, mother.]

Mathematic, -al, math-e-mat′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to, or done by, mathematics: very accurate.—adv. Mathemat′ically.—ns. Mathematic′ian, one versed in mathematics; Mathemat′ics, the science of magnitude and number, and of all their relations—usually divided into Pure, and Mixed or Applied, the first including all deductions from the abstract, self-evident relations of magnitude and number—the second, the results arrived at by applying the principles so established to certain relations found by observation to exist among the phenomena of nature.—Higher mathematics, a term applied generally to all the scientifically treated branches of mathematics. [Fr. mathématique—L. mathematica—Gr. mathēmatikē (epistēmē, skill, knowledge), relating to learning—mathēma—manthanein, to learn.]

Matico, ma-tē′ko, n. a Peruvian shrub, used in medicine as a styptic and astringent.

Matin, mat′in, adj. morning: used in the morning.—n. in pl. the daily morning service of the Church of England: one of the seven canonical hours, usually sung between midnight and daybreak.—adj. Mat′inal.—n. Matinée (mat-i-nā′), a musical entertainment or reception held in the day-time, usually in the afternoon: a woman's dress for wear in the forenoon or before dinner. [Fr.,—L. matutinus, belonging to the morning—Matuta, goddess of morning, prob. akin to maturus, early.]

Matriarchy, mā′tri-är-ki, n. government by a mother or by mothers, esp. a primitive order of society existing in many Indian tribes, in which the mother takes precedence of the father in tracing line of descent and in inheritance: descent in the female line.—ns. Mā′triarch, a woman in whom matriarchy rests: a patriarch's wife.—adj. Matriar′chal.—ns. Matriar′chalism, the character of possessing matriarchal customs; Matriar′chate, the position of a matriarch. [Gr. mētēr, mother, archos, a ruler.]

Matricide, mat′ri-sīd, n. a murderer of one's own mother: the murder of one's own mother.—adj. Mat′ricidal [Fr.,—L. matricida, matricidium—mater, mother, cædĕre, to kill.]

Matriculate, ma-trik′ū-lāt, v.t. to admit to membership by entering one's name in a register, esp. in a college.—v.i. to become a member of a college, university, &c., by being enrolled.—n. one admitted to membership in a society.—n. Matriculā′tion, act of matriculating: state of being matriculated. [Late L. matricula, a register, dim. of matrix.]

Matrimony, mat′ri-mun-i, n. union of husband and wife, marriage: state of marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nial, relating to, derived from, marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nially. [O. Fr.,—L. matrimonium—mater.]

Matrix, mā′triks, or mat′riks, n. (anat.) the cavity in which an animal is formed before its birth, the womb: the cavity in which anything is formed, a mould: (mining) earthy or stony substances in which minerals are found embedded: (dyeing) the five simple colours (black, white, blue, red, and yellow) from which all the others are formed: (math.) a rectangular array of quantities, usually square—a multiple quantity having as many dimensions as it has spaces:—pl. Matrices (mā′tri-sez or mat′ri-sez). [L. matrix, -icis—mater, mother.]

Matron, mā′trun, n. an elderly married woman: an elderly lady of staid and sober habits: a head-nurse in a hospital, or a female superintendent in a school.—ns. Mā′tronage, Mā′tronhood, state of being a matron: a body of matrons.—adj. Mā′tronal, pertaining or suitable to a matron: motherly: grave.—v.t. Mā′tronise, to render matronly: to attend a lady to public places, as protector: to chaperon.—adjs. Mā′tron-like, Mā′tronly, like, becoming, or belonging to a matron: elderly: sedate.—n. Matronym′ic, a name derived from a mother or maternal ancestor—also adj. [Fr.,—L. matrona, a married lady—mater, mother.]

Matross, ma-tros′, n. formerly a soldier set to help the gunners in an artillery train. [Dut. matroos—Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

Matte, mat, n. a product of the smelting of sulphuretted ores.—Also Regulus and Coarse metal. [Fr.,—Ger.]

Matter, mat′ėr, n. that which occupies space, and with which we become acquainted by our bodily senses: that out of which anything is made: that which receiving a form becomes a substance: the subject or thing treated of: anything engaging the attention: that with which one has to do: cause of a thing: thing of consequence: something requiring remedy or explanation: any special allegation in law: importance: a measure, &c., of indefinite amount: (print.) material for work, type set up: mere dead substance, that which is thrown off by a living body, esp. pus, or the fluid in boils, tumours, and festering sores.—v.i. to be of importance: to signify: to form or discharge matter in a sore:—pr.p. matt′ering; pa.p. matt′ered.—adjs. Matt′erful, full of matter, pithy; Matt′erless; Matt′er-of-fact, adhering to the matter of fact: not fanciful: dry; Matt′ery, significant: purulent.—Matter of course, occurring in natural time and order, as a thing to be expected; Matter of fact, really happening and not fanciful or supposed: not wandering beyond realities. [O. Fr. matiere—L. materia, matter.]

Matting, mat′ing, n. a covering with mats: a texture like a mat, but larger: material for mats.

Mattock, mat′uk, n. a kind of pickaxe for loosening the soil, having the iron ends broad instead of pointed. [A.S. mattuc—W. matog.]

Mattress, mat′res, n. a bed made of a bag stuffed with wool, horse-hair, &c.: a mass of brushwood, &c., used to form a foundation for roads, &c., or for the walls of embankments, &c.—Spring mattress, a mattress in which springs of twisted wire are used to support the stuffed part; Wire mattress, one whose elasticity is produced by a sheet of tightly-stretched wire. [O. Fr. materas (Fr. matelas)—Ar. matrah, a place where anything is thrown.]

Maturate, mat′ū-rāt, v.t. to make mature: (med.) to promote the suppuration of.—v.i. (med.) to suppurate perfectly.—ns. Mat′urant, a maturative; Maturā′tion, a bringing or a coming to maturity: the process of suppurating fully.—adj. Matū′rative, maturing or ripening: (med.) promoting suppuration.—n. a medicine promoting suppuration. [L. maturāre—maturus, ripe.]

Mature, ma-tūr′, adj. grown to its full size: perfected: ripe: (med.) come to suppuration: fully digested, as a plan.—v.t. to ripen: to bring to perfection: to prepare for use.—v.i. to become ripe: to become payable, as a bill.—adj. Matur′able, capable of being matured.—adv. Mature′ly.—ns. Mature′ness, state or quality of being ripe or ready for use; Matur′ity, ripeness: a state of completeness or readiness for use. [L. maturus, ripe.]

Maturescent, mat-ū-res′ent, adj. becoming ripe: approaching maturity. [L. maturescĕre, to become ripe—maturus.]

Matutinal, mat-ū-tī′nal, adj. pertaining to the morning: happening early in the day.—Also Mat′utine. [L. matutinalis, matutinus. See Matin.]

Maudlin, mawd′lin, adj. silly: sickly-sentimental: fuddled, half-drunk: (obs.) tearful.—n. Maud′linism, the tearful stage of drink. [Contr. from M. E. Maudelein, which comes through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. Magdalēnē, the orig. sense being 'tearful from penitence,' hence 'with eyes red and swollen with weeping,' like Mary Magdalene, erroneously identified with the penitent woman of Luke vii. 37.]

Maugre, maw′gėr, prep. in spite of.—n. (obs.) ill-will: spite. [O. Fr. malgré—L. male gratum—male, badly, gratum, agreeable.]

Maul, mawl, v.t. to beat with a mall or a heavy stick: to injure greatly by beating.—n. a heavy wooden hammer: a struggle for the ball in football, when it has been carried across the goal-line, but has not yet been touched down. [Mall.]

Maund, mawnd, n. a measure of weight in India, its value varying in different places from about 25 to about 85 pounds avoirdupois. [Hind. mān.]

Maunder, mawn′dėr, v.i. to beg: to whine like a beggar, to grumble: to mutter, to talk foolishly, to drivel.—ns. Maun′derer; Maun′dering, drivelling talk. [O. Fr. mendier, to beg—L. mendicāre.]

Maundy, mawn′di, n. the religious ceremony of washing the feet of others, esp. of inferiors, in commemoration of Christ's washing His disciples' feet at the Last Supper—still practised in Austria by the emperor.—Maundy money, the money given away on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday in Passion week, by the royal almoner, usually a penny for each year of the sovereign's reign—the small silver coins specially coined since 1662. [O. Fr. mande (Fr. mandé)—L. mandātum, command, i.e. the 'new Commandment' of John, xiii. 34.]

Maurist, maw′rist, n. a member of the reformed Benedictine Congregation of St Maur, settled from 1618 at the abbey of St Maur-sur-Loire, near Saumur, notable for its great services to learning.

Mauser, mow′zėr, n. a German magazine rifle, invented by Wilhelm Mauser (1834-82).

Mausoleum, maw-so-lē′um, n. a magnificent tomb or monument.—adj. Mausolē′an, pertaining to a mausoleum: monumental. [L.,—Gr., Mausōleion, from Mausolus, king of Caria, to whom his widow, Artemisia, erected a splendid tomb about 350 B.C.]

Mauve, mawv, n. a beautiful purple dye extracted from coal-tar, so called from its likeness in colour to the flowers of the common mallow.—adj. of the colour of mauve. [Fr.,—L. malva, the mallow.]

Maverick, mav′ėr-ik, n. (U.S.) an animal found straying without an owner's brand, esp. a strayed calf: anything dishonestly obtained.—v.t. to seize without legal claim. [From Samuel Maverick, a Texas cattle-raiser.]

Mavis, mā′vis, n. the song-thrush. [Fr. mauvis; prob. from Bret. milfid, a mavis.]

Mavourneen, ma-vōōr′nēn, n. and interj. a term of endearment=my dear one. [Ir.]

Maw, maw, n. the stomach, esp. in the lower animals: the craw, in birds.—ns. Maw′-seed, poppy-seed, so called when used as food for cage birds; Maw′-worm, the thread-worm infesting the stomach. [A.S. maga; Ger. magen.]

Mawkish, mawk′ish, adj. loathsome, disgusting, as anything beginning to breed mawks or maggots.—n. Mawk, a maggot.—adv. Mawk′ishly.—n. Mawk′ishness. [Explained by Skeat as formed, with suffix -ish, from M. E. mawk, mauk, a contr. form of M. E. maðek, a maggot—Ice. maðkr, a maggot.]

Maxillary, maks′il-ar-i, adj. pertaining to the jawbone or jaw.—n. a maxillary bone, or maxilla.—n. Maxill′a, a jawbone.—adjs. Maxillif′erous; Maxill′iform.—n. Maxill′ipede, in crustacea, one of those limbs serving both for mastication and locomotion. [L. maxilla, jawbone.]

Maxim, maks′im, n. a general principle, serving as a rule or guide: a pithy saying: a proverb.—adjs. Max′imal; Max′imed, reduced to a maxim.—ns. Max′imist, Max′im-mong′er. [Fr.,—L. maxima (sententia, an opinion), superl. of magnus, great.]

Maxim, maks′im, n. often put for Max′im-gun, an automatic machine-gun capable of firing as many as 620 rounds per minute, and of accurate shooting up to 3000 yards. [From Hiram Maxim, the inventor.]

Maximum, maks′i-mum, adj. the greatest.—n. the greatest number, quantity, or degree: the highest point reached: (math.) the value of a variable when it ceases to increase and begins to decrease:—pl. Max′ima:—opp. to Minimum.—adj. Max′imal, of the highest or maximum value.—adv. Max′imally.—v.t. Max′imise, to raise to the highest degree. [L., superl. of magnus, great.]

May, mā, v.i. to be able: to be allowed: to be free to act: to be possible: to be by chance: to be competent:—pa.t. might (mīt).—adv. May′be, perhaps, possibly.—n. a possibility.—adv. May′hap, perhaps. [A.S. mæg, pr.t. of mugan, to be able, pa.t. mihte; cog. with Goth. magan, Ger. mögen.]

May, mā, n. the fifth month of the year: the early or gay part of life.—v.i. to gather May (prov. Eng. the blossom of the hawthorn, which blooms in May):—pr.p. May′ing.—ns. May′-bee′tle, May′-bug, the cockchafer; May′-bloom, the hawthorn flower; May′day, the first day of May; May′-dew, the dew of May, esp. that of the morning of the first day of May, which is said to whiten linen, and to enable a face washed with it to keep its beauty; May′-duke, a variety of sour cherry; May′-flow′er, the hawthorn, which blooms in May; May′fly, a short-lived fly which appears in May; May′-game, sport such as is usual on 1st May, frolic generally; May′ing, the observance of Mayday sports and games; May′-lā′dy, the queen of the May; May′-lil′y, the lily of the valley, so called because it blooms in May; May′-morn (Shak.), freshness, like that of a morning in May, vigour; May′pole, a pole erected for dancing round on Mayday; May′-queen, a young woman crowned with flowers as queen on Mayday; May′time, May, the season of May. [O. Fr. Mai—L. Maius (mensis, a month), sacred to Maia, the mother of Mercury.]

Maya, mä′ya, n. an illusive appearance, esp. of a celestial maiden personifying the active will of the creator of the universe. [Hind.]

Mayhem, mā′hem, n. the offence of depriving a person by violence of any limb, member, or organ, or causing any mutilation of the body. [Maim.]

Mayonnaise, mā-on-āz′, n. a sauce composed of the yoke of eggs, salad-oil, and vinegar or lemon-juice, seasoned: any cold dish of which the foregoing is an ingredient, as lobster. [Fr.]

Mayor, mā′ur, n. the chief magistrate of a city or borough:—fem. May′oress.—adj. May′oral.—ns. May′oralty, May′orship, the office of a mayor. [Fr. maire—L. major, comp. of magnus, great.]

Mazard, Mazzard, maz′ard, n. (Shak.) a head or skull: a wild European cherry. [Prob. from mazer, from the likeness of the skull to a goblet.]

Mazarinade, maz-a-rin-ād′, n. a pamphlet or satire against the French minister, Cardinal Mazarin (1602-61).—n. Mazarine′, a rich blue colour: a blue gown.—Mazarin Bible, the first printed Bible, printed by Gutenberg and Fust about 1450, so called because Cardinal Mazarin possessed twenty-five copies.

Mazda, maz′da, n. or Ahura Mazdâh, the supreme deity and creator of the Zend-Avesta.—adj. Maz′dēan.—n. Maz′dēism, the religious system of the Zend-Avesta, the ancient sacred writings of the Parsees, Zoroastrianism. [Zend ahu=the living, life, or spirit, root ah=to be; Mazdâh, the great Creator, maz+dâ=Sans. mahâ+dhâ.]

Maze, māz, n. a place full of intricate windings: confusion of thought: perplexity.—v.t. to bewilder: to confuse.—adjs. Maze′ful (Spens.), Maz′y, full of mazes or windings: intricate.—adv. Maz′ily.—n. Maz′iness, state or quality of being mazy. [Scand., as in Ice. masa, to jabber.]

Mazer, maz′ėr, n. (Spens.) a kind of hard wood, probably maple: a cup or goblet made of maple, and usually highly ornamented. [Skeat explains as Ice. mösurr, a maple-tree, lit. 'spot-wood.']

Mazourka, Mazurka, ma-zōōr′ka, n. a lively Polish round dance for four or eight couples: the music such as is played to it.

Me, mē, personal pron. the objective case of I, including both the old English accusative and dative of the first personal pronoun. [A.S. mé.]

Meacock, mē′kok, adj. (Shak.) timorous, effeminate, cowardly. [Perh. dim. of meek.]

Mead, mēd, n. honey and water fermented and flavoured. [A.S. medu; Ger. meth, W. medd.]

Meadow, med′ō, n. a level tract producing grass to be mown down: a rich pasture-ground—(poet.) Mead.—ns. Mead′ow-fox′tail (see Foxtail); Mead′ow-grass, the larger and more useful kinds of grass, grown in meadows for hay and pasture; Mead′ow-hay, a coarse grass or sedge growing in moist places, used as fodder or bedding; Mead′ow-lark, the American field-lark; Mead′ow-saff′ron, the colchicum—also Autumn-crocus, or Naked lady; Mead′ow-sweet, Mead′ow-wort, an ornamental shrub or plant with white flowers, called also Queen of the meadow.—adj. Mead′owy. [A.S. mǽd—máwan, to mow; Ger. mahd, a mowing, Swiss matt, a meadow, as in Zermatt, &c.]

Meagre, mē′gėr, adj. having little flesh: lean: poor: without richness or fertility: barren: scanty: without strength.—adv. Mea′grely.—n. Mea′greness, state or quality of being meagre. [Fr. maigre—L. macer, lean; cf. Ger. mager.]

Meal, mēl, n. the food taken at one time: the act or the time of taking food: a breakfast, dinner, or supper.—ns. Meal′er, one who takes his meals at a boarding-house, lodging elsewhere; Meal′-time, the time for meals.—Square meal, a full meal. [A.S. mǽl, time, portion of time; Dut. maal, Ger. mahl.]

Meal, mēl, n. grain ground to powder.—v.i. to yield or be plentiful in meal.—ns. Meal′-ark (Scot.), a large chest for holding meal; Meal′iness; Meal′-man, or Meal′-mong′er, one who deals in meal; Meal′-pock, or -poke, a beggar's meal-bag; Meal′worm, the larva of an insect abounding in granaries and flour-stores.—adj. Meal′y, resembling meal: covered with meal or with something like meal: whitish.—n. Meal′y-bug, a small species of cochineal insect covered with a while powdery substance resembling meal or flour.—adj. Meal′y-mouthed, smooth-tongued.—n. Meal′y-mouthedness. [A.S. melu, melo; Ger. mehl, Dut. meel, meal.]

Mean, mēn, adj. low in rank or birth: base: sordid: low in worth or estimation: of little value or importance: poor, humble: despicable.—adj. Mean′-born, of humble origin.—adv. Mean′ly.—n. Mean′ness, state or quality of being mean: want of nobility or excellence: a low action.—adj. Mean′-spir′ited, having a mean spirit, base.—n. Mean′-spir′itedness. [A.S. mǽne, wicked, from mán, wickedness; perh. conn. with A.S. gemǽne, Ger. gemein, common.]

Mean, mēn, adj. middle: coming between two others in size, degree, quantity, time, &c.: average: moderate.—n. the middle point, quantity, value, or degree: (math.) a term interpolated between two terms of a series, and consequently intermediate in magnitude: (mus.) a middle voice or voice-part, as the tenor or alto, the second or third string in a viol: instrument or medium: (pl.) that by which anything is caused or brought to pass: income: estate: instrument.—n. Mean′-time, the interval between two given times.—advs. Mean′time, Mean′while, in the intervening time.—Means of grace, divine ordinances, by which divine grace reaches the hearts of men—word and sacraments.—Arithmetical mean, the average obtained by adding several quantities together and dividing the sum by their number; Harmonic mean, the reciprocal of the arithmetical mean of the reciprocals of the quantities concerned; Geometric mean, the mean obtained by multiplying two quantities together and extracting the square root of the product; Golden mean, the middle course between two extremes: a wise moderation; Quadratic mean, the square root of the arithmetical mean of the squares of the given quantities.—By all means, certainly; By any means, in any way; By no means, certainly not.—In the mean (Spens.), in the meantime. [O. Fr. meien (Fr. moyen)—L. medianus, enlarged form of medius.]

Mean, mēn, v.t. to have in the mind or thoughts: to intend, to purpose: to signify.—v.i. to have in the mind: to have meaning or disposition:—pr.p. mean′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. meant (ment).—n. Mean′ing, that which is in the mind or thoughts: signification: the sense intended: purpose.—adj. significant.—adj. Mean′ingless, without meaning.—adv. Mean′ingly. [A.S. mǽnan; Ger. meinen, to think.]

Meander, mē-an′dėr, n. a winding course: a maze: an intricate variety of fretwork: perplexity.—v.i. to flow, run, or proceed in a winding course: to be intricate.—v.t. to wind or flow round.—adjs. Mean′dered, formed into mazy passages or patterns; Mean′dering, winding in a course; Mean′drian, Mean′drous, winding.—n. a winding course. [L.,—Gr. Maiandros, a winding river in Asia Minor.]

Measles, mē′zlz, n.sing. a contagious fever accompanied with eruptions of small red spots upon the skin: a disease of swine and cattle, caused by larval tapeworms: a disease of trees, the leaves being covered with spots.—adjs. Mea′sled, Mea′sly, infected with measles: good for nothing, miserable.—n. Meas′liness.—German measles, a name somewhat loosely used of a disease, resembling measles, but mostly less prolonged and severe. [Dut. maselen, measles, from Old Dut. masche, a spot, cog. with Old High Ger. māsā, a spot; Ger. masern, measles.]

Measure, mezh′ūr, n. that by which extent is ascertained or expressed: the size of anything: a rule or standard by which anything is adjusted (Apothecaries', Cubic, Decimal, Dry, Liquid, &c.): (politics) a proposal or plan by which some end can be brought about: proportion: a stated quantity: degree: extent: moderation: means to an end: metre: (mus.) that division of time, containing a specified number of beats, by which the air and motion of music are regulated: rate of movement, time, rhythm, metre, arrangement of syllables in poetry: a slow and stately dance, as the minuet: (print.) the width of a page or column, usually in ems: (pl., geol.) a series of beds or strata.—v.t. to ascertain the dimensions of: to adjust by a rule or standard: to mark out: to allot: to show a certain measurement.—v.i. to be of a certain size: to be equal or uniform.—adj. Meas′urable, that may be measured or computed: moderate: in small quantity or extent.—n. Meas′urableness, the quality of being measurable.—adv. Meas′urably.—adjs. Meas′ured, of a certain measure: equal: uniform: steady: restricted; Meas′ureless, boundless: immense.—ns. Meas′urement, the act of measuring: quantity found by measuring—(Measurement goods, light goods carried for charges according to bulk, not weight); Meas′urer, one who, or that which, measures.—adj. Meas′uring, that measures, or fitted for measuring.—Measure one's length, to fall or be thrown down at full length; Measure strength, to engage in a contest; Measure swords, to fight with swords: to try one's skill against.—Above, or Beyond, measure, to an exceedingly great degree; In a measure, to some degree.—Take measures, to adopt means (to gain an end); Take one's measure, to find out what one is, and what he can or cannot do; Tread a measure, to dance; Use hard measures, to apply harsh treatment to; Within measure, moderately; Without measure, immoderately. [O. Fr. mesure—L. mensura, a measure—metīri, to measure.]

Meat, mēt, n. anything eaten as food, the edible part of anything: act of taking meat: (obs.) meal, flour: the flesh of animals used as food—sometimes beef, mutton, pork, veal, &c., as opposed to poultry, fish, &c.—ns. Meat′-bis′cuit, a preparation of meat, made with meal into a biscuit; Meat′iness, quality of being meaty; Meat′-off′ering, a Jewish sacrificial offering of fine flour or first-fruits with oil and frankincense; Meat′-pie, a pie mainly made up of meat; Meat′-safe, a receptacle for storing meat, walled with perforated zinc or gauze; Meat′-sales′man, one who sells meat, esp. to the retail butchers; Meat′-tea, a high tea, at which meat is served; Meat′-tub, a pickling-tub.—adj. Meat′y, full of meat: fleshy: pithy.—Hang meat, to hang up meat before cooking; Sit at meat, to sit at table. [A.S. mete; Dut. met.]

Meatus, mē-ā′tus, n. a passage or canal, as the urethral meatus.—adj. Meā′tal.—n. Meat′oscope, an instrument for examining the urethral or other meatus. [L. meātus—meāre, to go.]

Mechanic, -al, me-kan′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to machines or mechanics: constructed according to the laws of mechanics: possessing mechanical talent: acting by physical power: done by a machine: pertaining to artisans: done simply by force of habit, slavish, artificial: vulgar.—n. Mechan′ic, one engaged in a mechanical trade: an artisan—(Shak.) Mechan′ical.—adv. Mechan′ically.—ns. Mechanic′ian, Mech′anist, a machine-maker: one skilled in mechanics; Mechan′ics, the science which treats of machines: the science which treats of the nature of forces and of their action on bodies, either directly or by the agency of machinery.—v.t. Mech′anise, to make mechanical: to work out the details of a machine.—ns. Mech′anism, the construction of a machine: the arrangement and action of its parts, by which it produces a given result; Mech′anograph, a copy, esp. of a work of art produced by a mechanical process on a machine.—adj. Mech′anographic.—ns. Mechanog′raphist; Mechanog′raphy, the art of multiplying copies of a writing or work of art by means of a machine; Mechanol′ogy, a treatise on mechanics: the knowledge of such.—Mechanical effect, work produced by the use of mechanical power; Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to solve questions or phenomena involving force; Mechanical powers, the elementary forms or parts of machines—three primary, the lever, inclined plane, and pulley; and three secondary, the wheel-and-axle, the wedge, and the screw.—Mechanics' institute, an institution for mechanics, with lectures, library, museum, &c. [O. Fr.,—L. mechanicus; Gr. mēchanikos—mēchane, a contrivance.]

Mechlin, meh′lin, adj. and n. produced at Mechlin or Malines: lace made at Mechlin.

Meconic, me-kon′ik, adj. denoting an acid obtained from poppies.—ns. Mec′onate, a salt of meconic acid; Mec′onine, a white, fusible, neutral substance existing in opium; Mecō′nium, the first fæces of a new-born child: opium. [Gr. mēkōn, the poppy.]

Medal, med′al, n. a piece of metal in the form of a coin bearing some device or inscription, struck or cast: a reward of merit.—v.t. to decorate with a medal.—n. Med′alet, a small medal, esp. the representation of saints, worn by Roman Catholics.—adj. Medall′ic, pertaining to medals.—ns. Medall′ion, a large medal: a bas-relief of a round (sometimes a square) form: a round ornament enclosing a portrait or lock of hair; Med′allist, Med′alist, one skilled in medals: an engraver of medals: one who has gained a medal; Med′allurgy, the art of producing medals and coins. [O. Fr. medaille—It. medaglia; through a Low L. form medalla or medalia, a small coin, from L. metallum, a metal.]

Meddle, med′l, v.i. to interfere unnecessarily (with or in): to take part in a matter with which one has nothing to do: to have to do (with).—n. Medd′ler, one who interferes with matters in which he has no concern.—adj. Medd′lesome, given to meddling.—n. Medd′lesomeness.—adj. Medd′ling, interfering in the concerns of others: officious—also n. [O. Fr. medler, a corr. of mesler (Fr. mêler)—Low L. misculare—L. miscēre, to mix.]

Medial, mē′di-al, adj. lying between two extremes, median: of or pertaining to a mean or average.—n. one of the sonant-mute group, g, d, b, intermediate between the surd or smooth group (c, t, p) and the rough or aspirate group (gh, dh, bh, kh, th, ph). [Low L. medialis—L. medius, middle.]

Median, mē′di-an, adj. being in the middle, running through the middle: situated in the median plane, that dividing the body longitudinally into symmetrical halves.—adv. Med′ianly.—n. Med′iant (mus.), the third tone of a diatonic scale. [L. medianus—medius, middle.]

Median, mē′di-an, adj. pertaining to Media or the Medes, an ancient Aryan race which became fused with the Persians under the victorious Cyrus about 550 B.C.—n. Mede, a member of this race.

Mediastinum, mē-di-as-tī′num, n. a membranous septum or cavity between two principal portions of an organ, esp. the folds of the pleura and the space between the right and left lungs.—adj. Mediastī′nal. [L., medius.]

Mediate, mē′di-āt, adj. middle: between two extremes: acting by or as a means: not direct and independent: dependent on some intervening thing.—v.i. to interpose between parties as a friend of each: to intercede: to hold a mediate position: to act as a spiritualistic medium.—v.t. to bring about by mediation: to effect a relation between two things.—n. Mē′diacy.—adv. Mē′diately.—ns. Mē′diateness, state of being mediate; Mediā′tion, the act of mediating or coming between: entreaty for another; Mediatisā′tion.—v.t. Mē′diatīse, to cause to act in a subordinate position or through an agent: to annex, or to subordinate, as a smaller state to a larger neighbouring one.—adj. Mē′diative.—n. Mē′diator, one who mediates between parties at strife:—fem. Mediat′ress, Mē′diatrix.—adj. Mediatō′rial, belonging to a mediator or intercessor.—adv. Mediatō′rially.—n. Mediat′orship, the office of a mediator.—adj. Mē′diatory. [Low L. mediāre, -ātum—L. medius.]

Medic, med′ik, n. one of several plants of the genus Medicago, esp. the purple medic or lucerne—leguminous plants, with leaves like those of clover.—Also Med′ick. [L. medica—Gr. mēdikē (poa), 'median' (grass).]

Medical, med′i-kal, adj. relating to the art of healing diseases: containing that which heals: intended to promote the study of medicine.—adv. Med′ically.—Medical jurisprudence (see Jurisprudence). [Fr.,—Low L. medicalis—L. medicus, pertaining to healing, a physician—medēri, to heal.]

Medicate, med′i-kāt, v.t. to treat with medicine: to impregnate with anything medicinal.—adj. Med′icable, that may be healed.—n. Med′icament, anything used for healing: a medicine: healing power.—adj. Medicamen′tal.—n. Med′icaster, an ignorant physician.—adj. Med′icated, mixed with medicine: made medicinal: treated with medicine.—n. Medicā′tion, the act or process of medicating or of mixing with medicinal substances: the use of medicine.—adj. Med′icative, having the power of healing: tending to heal.—n. Medicā′tor, any medical appliance. [L. medicāre, to heal—medicus.]

Medicean, med-i-sē′an, adj. relating to the Medici, a distinguished Florentine family which attained to sovereign power in the 15th century, and became extinct in 1737.

Medicine, med′i-sin, or med′sin, n. anything applied for the cure or lessening of disease or pain, whether simple or compound (made up of more than one ingredient): the science which treats of the prevention or cure of disease: a charm.—v.t. to treat or cure by medicine.—adj. Medic′inal, relating to medicine: fitted to cure or to lessen disease or pain.—adv. Medic′inally.—ns. Med′icine-bag, a Red Indian's receptacle for charms; Med′icine-chest, a chest for keeping medicines in a ship, &c.; Med′icine-man, among savages, a witch-doctor or exorciser.—adjs. Med′ico-chirur′gical, relating to both medicine and surgery; Med′ico-lē′gal, relating to the application of medicine to questions of law. [Fr.,—L. medicina—medicus.]

Medieval, Mediæval, mē-di-ē′val, adj. relating to the Middle Ages.—ns. Mediē′valism, the spirit of the Middle Ages, devotion to medieval ideals; Mediē′valist, Mediæ′valist, one versed in the history of the Middle Ages.—Medieval architecture, Medieval art, the style of architecture and art used in public buildings in Europe from the 4th to the 16th century. [L. medius, middle, ævum, age.]

Medio-, Medi-, middle, in compounds like mediocarpal, mediodorsal, mediotarsal, medioventral. [L. medius, middle.]

Mediocre, mē′di-ō-kėr, adj. of middling extent or quality: moderate.—n. Medioc′rity, a middle state or condition: a moderate degree: a person of little power or importance. [Fr.,—L. mediocris—medius, middle.]

Medism, mēd′izm, n. the adoption of Persian interests—to a Greek, a treachery to his country.

Meditate, med′i-tāt, v.i. to consider thoughtfully: to purpose (with on, upon).—v.t. to think on: to revolve in the mind: to intend.—adj. Med′itated, thought of: planned.—n. Meditā′tion, the act of meditating: deep thought: serious contemplation: the direction of the thoughts of others, in a discourse, &c.: a literary or musical theme treated in a meditative manner.—adj. Med′itative, given to meditation: expressing design.—adv. Med′itatively.—n. Med′itativeness. [L. meditāri, prob. cog. with L. medēri, to heal.]

Mediterranean, med-i-tėr-rā′ne-an, adj. situated in the middle of earth or land: inland—also Mediterrā′neous.—Mediterranean Sea, so called from being, as it were, in the middle of the land of the Old World. [L., medius, middle, terra, earth.]

Medium, mē′di-um, n. the middle: the middle place or degree: any intervening means, instrument, or agency: the substance in which bodies exist, or through which they move: in spiritualism, the person through whom spirits are said to make themselves seen or heard:—pl. Mē′diums, or Mē′dia.—adjs. Mē′dium, mediocre; Mediumis′tic, of or pertaining to spiritualistic mediums.—Circulating medium, money passing from hand to hand, as coin, bank-notes, &c. [L.]

Medjidie, me-jid′i-e, n. a Turkish order of knighthood instituted in 1852, having five classes. [Turk. mejīd, glorious.]

Medlar, med′lar, n. a small tree of the rose family, or its fruit. [O. Fr. meslier, a medlar-tree—L. mespilum—Gr. mespilon.]

Medley, med′li, n. a mingled and confused mass: a miscellany: a song or piece of music made up of bits from various sources continuously: a cloth woven from yarn of different colours: (obs.) a mêlée, fight. [O. Fr. medler, mesler, to mix.]

Médoc, me-dok′, n. a French wine produced in the district of Médoc, department of Gironde.

Medorrhea, mē-dor-ē′a, n. mucous discharge from the genitals. [Gr. mēdos, bladder, rhoia, a flowing.]

Medulla, me-dul′a, n. the inner portion of an organ or part, as the pith of a hair, spinal cord, or its continuation within the cranium, (medulla oblongata): the pith of a plant, the thallus in lichens, &c.—adjs. Medull′ar, -y, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or pith; Med′ullated, provided with a medullary sheath.—n. Medull′in, the cellulose in the medulla of plants like the lilac.—adj. Med′ullose, like pith.—Medullary rays, the bands of cells in various trees extending across the wood from the pith to the bark; Medullary sheath (bot.), a thin layer surrounding the pith. [L. medulla, marrow.]

Medusa, me-dū′sa, n. one of the three Gorgons, whose head, cut off by Perseus, and placed in the ægis of Minerva, had the power of turning those who looked on it into stone: the name given to the common kinds of jelly-fishes, prob. from the likeness of their tentacles to the snakes on Medusa's head:—pl. Medū′sæ, a division of hydrozoans.—adjs. Medū′siform, Medū′soid—also ns. [Gr., 'ruler,' fem.]

Meed, mēd, n. wages: reward: what is bestowed for merit. [A.S. méd, meord; Ger. miethe.]

Meek, mēk, adj. mild and gentle of temper: submissive.—adv. Meek′ly.—n. Meek′ness, state or quality of being meek. [Ice. mjúkr; Dut. muik.]

Meerschaum, mēr′shawm, n. a fine light whitish clay making excellent tobacco-pipes—once supposed to be a petrified sea-scum: a pipe made of this material. [Ger. meer, sea, schaum, foam.]

Meet, mēt, adj. fitting: qualified.—adv. Meet′ly.—n. Meet′ness. [A.S. ge-met—metan, to measure.]

Meet, mēt, v.t. to come face to face: to encounter in conflict: to find or experience; to refute: be suitable to: satisfy, as by payment: to receive as a welcome.—v.i. to come together from different points: to assemble: to have an encounter: to balance or come out correct:—pa.t. and pa.p. met.—n. a meeting, as of huntsmen.—ns. Meet′ing, a coming face to face for friendly or hostile ends: an interview: an assembly: a crossing of two roads: a junction of two rivers; Meet′ing-house, a house or building where people, esp. Dissenters, meet for public worship; Race′-meet′ing, a stated occasion for horse-racing.—Meet half-way, to make mutual concessions; Meet the ear, or eye, to be told, or shown, anything distinctly: to be readily apparent; Meet with, to come to or upon, esp. unexpectedly: (Bacon) to obviate (as an objection).—Well met, an old complimentary greeting. [A.S. métan, to meet—mót, ge-mót, a meeting.]

Megafarad, meg′a-far-ad, n. in electrometry, a unit equal to a million farads.

Megalichthys, meg-a-lik′this, n. a genus of extinct ganoid fishes. [Gr. megas, megalē, great, ichthys, a fish.]

Megalith, meg′a-lith, n. a huge stone.—adj. Megalith′ic. [Gr. megas, great, lithos, a stone.]

Megalomania, meg-a-lō-mā′ni-a, n. the delusion that one is great or powerful. [Gr. megas, great, mania.]

Megalosaurus, meg-a-lō-saw′rus, n. a gigantic extinct reptile of carnivorous habits.—adj. Megalosau′rian. [Gr. megas, megalē, great, sauros, a lizard.]

Megaphone, meg′a-fōn, n. an appliance for making words audible—a form of speaking-trumpet.

Megascope, meg′a-skōp, n. a form of solar microscope for throwing enlarged images on a screen: (phot.) an enlarging camera.

Megatherium, meg-a-thē′ri-um, n. a gigantic extinct quadruped of the order Edentata, found in the pampas of South America. [Gr. megas, great, thērion, wild beast.]

Megohm, meg′ōm, n. a unit of electrical resistance, equal to one million ohms. [Gr. megas, great, and ohm.]

Megrim, mē′grim, n. a pain affecting only one half of the head or face: lowness of spirits: a sudden sickness of a horse at work. [Fr. migraine—Gr. hēmicrania—hēmi, half, kranion, skull.]

Meiny, mē′ni, n. (Shak.) a retinue or company of servants attending upon a person of high rank. [O. Fr. mesnie, a company, through Low L. forms, from L. mansio, a dwelling.]

Meiosis, mī-ō′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure of speech representing a thing as less than it is. [Gr.]

Meistersinger, mīs′tėr-sing′ėr, n. one of the burgher poets and musicians of Germany in the 14th-16th centuries, the successors of the Minnesingers. [Ger.]

Melanæmia, mel-a-nē′mi-a, n. a morbid condition of the blood in which the vessels contain an unusual quantity of dark colouring matter.

Melancholy, mel′an-kol-i, n. continued depression of spirits: dejection: a gloomy state of mind causing groundless fears: (Milt.) pensiveness.—adj. gloomy: producing grief.—n. Melanchō′lia, a form of insanity, in which there is continued depression or pain of mind.—adjs. Melanchol′ic, Melanchō′lious, affected with, or caused by, melancholy: dejected: mournful. [Through Fr.,—L.,—Gr. melancholia—melan, black, cholē, bile.]

Melanic, me-lan′ik, adj. black.—n. Mel′anism, an undue development of colouring matter in the skin and its appendages.—adj. Melanis′tic.—n. Mel′anite, a deep-black variety of garnet.—adjs. Melanochrō′ic, Melanoch′rōous, dark-coloured; Mel′anoid, dark-looking.—n. Melanō′sis, an abnormal deposition of pigmentary matter in such organs as the spleen, liver, &c.: the condition of the system associated with such, black degeneration.—adjs. Melanot′ic; Mel′anous, dark-complexioned.—n. Melanū′ria, the presence of a dark pigment in the urine.—adj. Melanū′ric.—ns. Mel′aphyre, a pre-Tertiary basalt, usually altered; Melas′ma, a skin disease showing dark discolouration in spots.

Mêlée, mā-lā′, n. a fight in which the combatants are mingled together: a confused conflict: an affray. [Fr.,—mêler, to mix.]

Melibean, Melibœan, mel-i-bē′an, adj. in poetry, alternately responsive—from the name of a shepherd in Virgil's first eclogue.

Melilot, mel′i-lot, n. a genus of clover-like plants with white or yellow flowers and a peculiar sweet odour. [Gr. melilōtos—meli, honey, lōtos, lotus.]

Melinite, mā′lin-īt, n. an explosive of great force obtained from picric acid. [Fr.]

Meliorate, mē′lyo-rāt, v.t. to make better.—v.i. to grow better.—ns. Meliorā′tion, the act of making or becoming better; Meliorā′tor, an improver; Mē′liorism, the doctrine that the world is capable of improvement, as opposed to Optimism and Pessimism; Mē′liorist, one who holds this doctrine; Melior′ity, the state of being better: betterness. [L. meliorāre, -ātum, to make better.]

Meliphagous, mel-if′a-gus, adj. feeding upon honey. [Gr. meli, honey, phagein, to eat.]

Mell, mel, v.i. (Spens.) to mingle: to be concerned with: to meddle. [Meddle.]

Melliferous, mel-if′ėr-us, adj. honey-producing.—adj. Mellif′ic, honey-making.—ns. Mellificā′tion, the production of honey; Mellif′luence, a flow of sweetness: a smooth sweet flow.—adjs. Mellif′luent, Mellif′luous, flowing with honey or sweetness: smooth.—advs. Mellif′luently, Mellif′luously.—adj. Mellig′enous, producing honey.—n. Mell′ite, honey stone.—adjs. Mellit′ic; Melliv′orous, eating honey. [L. mellifer—mel, honey, ferre, to bear.]

Mellow, mel′ō, adj. soft and ripe: well matured: soft to the touch, palate, ear, &c.: genial: half-tipsy.—v.t. to soften by ripeness or age: to mature.—v.i. to become soft: to be matured.—adv. Mell′owly.—n. Mell′owness, softness: maturity.—adj. Mell′owy, soft: friable. [A.S. mearu, soft; Dut. murw, mollig, L. mollis, Gr. malakos.]

Melocoton, mel′ō-kot-on, n. (Bacon) a quince: a large kind of peach.—Also Mel′ocotoon. [Late L. melum cotoneum (a corr. of Cydonium), a quince, lit. apple of Cydonia, in Crete.]

Melodrama, mel-o-dram′a, n. a kind of romantic and sensational drama, formerly largely intermixed with songs—also Mel′odrame.—adj. Melodramat′ic, of the nature of melodrama: overstrained: sensational.—n. Melodram′atist, a writer of melodramas. [Gr. melos, a song, drama, a play.]

Melody, mel′o-di, n. an air or tune: music: an agreeable succession of single musical sounds, as distinguished from harmony or the concord of a succession of simultaneous sounds.—n. Melō′deon, a small reed organ: an improved variety of the accordeon.—adj. Melod′ic—n.pl. Melod′ics, the branch of music concerned with melody.—adj. Melō′dious, full of melody: agreeable to the ear.—adv. Melō′diously.—n. Melō′diousness.—v.t. Mel′odise, to make melodious: to reduce to the form of a melody.—v.i. to compose or sing melodies.—n. Mel′odist. [Fr.,—Late L.—Gr. melōdia—melos, a song, ōdē, a lay.]

Melon, mel′un, n. a kind of cucumber and its fruit, which in shape resembles an apple. [Fr.,—L. melo, -onis—Gr. mēlon, an apple.]

Melpomene, mel-pom′e-ne, n. the Muse of tragedy. [Gr. melpomĕnē, songstress.]

Melt, melt, v.t. to make liquid, to dissolve: to soften: to waste away.—v.i. to become liquid: to dissolve: to become tender or mild: to lose distinct form: to be discouraged:—pa.p. melted, or molten.—n. Melt′ing, the act of making liquid or of dissolving: the act of softening or rendering tender.—adv. Melt′ingly.—n. Melt′ing-pot, a crucible. [A.S. meltan; Ice. melta, Gr. meldein.]

Melton, mel′ton, n. a strong cloth for men's wear, the surface without nap, neither pressed nor finished.

Member, mem′bėr, n. an integral part of a whole, esp. a limb of an animal: a clause: one of a society: a representative in a legislative body.—adj. Mem′bered, having limbs.—n. Mem′bership, the state of being a member or one of a society: the members of a body regarded as a whole.—adj. Mem′bral, pertaining to the limbs rather than the trunk. Member of Parliament, a member of the House of Commons, M.P. [Fr. membre—L. membrum.]

Membrane, mem′brān, n. (anat.) one of the thin textures which cover the organs or line the cavities or canals of the body: the film containing the seeds of a plant.—adjs. Membran′eous, Mem′branous, Membranā′ceous, relating to, consisting of, or like a membrane; Membranif′erous; Mem′braniform.—Mucous membrane, the membrane lining the various channels of the body which communicate with the outside. [Fr.,—L. membrana—membrum.]

Memento, me-men′tō, n. something to awaken memory: a reminder of what is past or of what is yet to come:—pl. Memen′tos.—Memento mori, remember death: an ornament by its form reminding one of death. [L., imper. of meminisse, to remember.]

Memnon, mem′non, n. a hero who fought for Troy against the Greeks: a statue at Thebes in Egypt which gave out a musical sound at sunrise. [Gr.]

Memoir, mem′wor, or me-moir′, n. a sketch or description of something as remembered by the writer: a short biographical sketch of some one now dead: a record of facts personally found out on any subject: the transactions of a society.—ns. Mem′oirism, the act or art of writing memoirs; Mem′oirist, a writer of memoirs. [Fr. mémoire—L. memoria, memory—memor, mindful.]

Memory, mem′o-ri, n. the power of retaining and reproducing mental or sensory impressions: a having or keeping in the mind: time within which past things can be remembered: that which is remembered: commemoration: remembrance.—n.pl. Memorabil′ia, things worth remembering: noteworthy points.—adj. Mem′orable, deserving to be remembered: remarkable.—adv. Mem′orably.—n. Memoran′dum, something to be remembered: a note to assist the memory: (law) a brief note of some transaction: (diplomacy) a summary of the state of a question:—pl. Memoran′dums, Memoran′da.—adjs. Mem′orātive, pertaining to memory: aiding the memory; Memō′rial, bringing to memory: contained in memory.—n. that which serves to keep in remembrance: a monument: a note to help the memory: a written statement forming the ground of a petition, laid before a legislative or other body: (B.) memory.—v.t. Memō′rialise, to present a memorial to: to petition by a memorial.—n. Memō′rialist, one who writes, signs, or presents a memorial.—v.t. Mem′orise, to commit to memory: (Shak.) to cause to be remembered.—adv. Memor′iter, from memory: by heart.

Memphian, mem′fi-an, adj. relating to Memphis, an ancient capital of Egypt.—Also Mem′phite, Memphit′ic.

Menace, men′ās, v.t. to threaten.—v.i. to act in a threatening manner.—n. a threat or threatening: a show of an intention to do harm.—adj. Men′acing, overhanging: threatening.—adv. Men′acingly. [Fr.,—L. minaciæ, threats—minæ, the overhanging points of a wall.]

Menage, me-nazh′, n. a household: the management of a house: a club of working-men. [Fr. through Late L.,—L. mansio, -onis, a dwelling.]

Menagerie, men-aj′ėr-i, n. a place for keeping wild animals for exhibition: a collection of such animals.—Also Menag′ery. [Fr., from ménage.]

Mend, mend, v.t. to remove a fault: to repair, as something broken or worn: to make better: to correct, improve.—v.i. to grow better.—ns. Mend′er, one who mends; Mend′ing, the act of repairing: things requiring to be mended. [Short for amend.]

Mendacious, men-dā′shus, adj. given to lying: speaking falsely: of the nature of a lie.—adv. Mendā′ciously.—n. Mendac′ity, a tendency to lying: a habit of lying: falsehood. [L. mendax, -acis, conn. with mentīri, to lie.]

Mendicant, men′di-kant, adj. in the condition of a beggar: practising beggary.—n. one who is in extreme want: a beggar: a member of one of the R.C. orders who live by begging: a begging friar.—ns. Men′dicancy, Mendic′ity, the state of being a mendicant or beggar: the life of a beggar.—Mendicant orders, religious bodies who depended on begging for their support. [L. mendicans, -antis, pr.p. of mendicāre, to beg—mendicus, a beggar.]

Menhaden, men-hā′dn, n. a species of herring or shad, found off the east coast of the United States.

Menhir, men′hēr, n. a tall, often massive, stone, set up on end as a monument in ancient times, either singly or in groups, circles, &c. [W. maen, a stone, hir, long.]

Menial, mē′ni-al, adj. of or pertaining to a train of servants: doing servile work: low.—n. a domestic servant: one performing servile work: a person of servile disposition. [O. Fr., mesnee, a household. See Mansion.]

Meninx, mē′ningks, n. one of three membranes that envelop the brain:—pl. Meniniges (men-in′jēz).—adj. Mening′eal.—ns. Meningitis (-jī′-), inflammation of the membranes investing the brain or spinal cord; Mening′ocele, hernia of those membranes. [Gr. meninx, meningos, a membrane.]

Meniscus, mē-nis′kus, n. a crescent or a new moon: a lens hollow on one side and bulging on the other.—adjs. Menis′cal; Menis′cate; Menis′ciform; Menis′coid. [Gr. mēnē, the moon, -iskos, small.]

Mennonite, men′on-īt, n. one of a Protestant sect, combining some of the distinctive characteristics of the Baptists and Friends. [From Menno Simons (died 1559), their chief founder.]

Menology, mē-nol′o-ji, n. a register of months: a list or calendar of martyrs, with festivals celebrated, &c.

Menopome, men′o-pōm, n. a large North American amphibian—from its persistent gill-aperture. [Gr. menein, to remain, pōma, lid.]

Mensal, men′sal, adj. occurring once in a month: monthly.—Also Men′sual.

Mense, mens, n. (Scot.) propriety: ornament: credit.—v.t. to grace or set off something.—adjs. Mense′ful, decorous: respectable; Mense′less, graceless, uncivil. [M. E. mensk—A.S. mennisc, mannish.]

Menses, men′sēz, n.pl. the monthly discharge from the uterus.—ns. Men′opause, the final cessation of the menses; Menorrhā′gia (phys.), the ordinary flow of the menses: (path.) an immoderate menstrual discharge.—adj. Menorrhag′ic.—n. Menos′tasis, the retention of the menses.—n.pl. Men′strua, the menses.—adjs. Men′strual, monthly; Men′struant, subject to menses.—v.i. Men′struāte, to discharge the menses.—n. Menstruā′tion.—adj. Men′struous, having or belonging to menses. [Pl. of L. mensis, a month.]

Menstruum, men′strōō-um, n. any fluid substance which dissolves a solid body.

Mensurable, mens′ū-ra-bl, adj. that can be measured: measurable.—n. Mensurabil′ity, quality of being mensurable.—adj. Mens′ural, pertaining to measure.—n. Mensurā′tion, the act or art of finding by measurement and calculation the length, area, volume, &c. of bodies.—adj. Mensurā′tive. [L. mensurāre, to measure.]

Mental, men′tal, adj. pertaining to the mind: done in the mind.—ns. Mental′ity, Mentā′tion.—adv. Men′tally.—adjs. Menticul′tural, improving the mind; Mentif′erous, conveying thought, telepathic.—Mental alienation, insanity; Mental arithmetic, arithmetic performed without the help of written figures. [Fr.,—L. mens, mentis, the mind.]

Menthol, men′thol, n. a camphor obtained from oil of peppermint by cooling, which gives relief in neuralgia, &c. [L. mentha, mint.]

Mention, men′shun, n. a brief notice: a hint.—v.t. to notice briefly: to remark: to name.—adj. Men′tionable, fit to be mentioned. [L. mentio, -onis.]

Mentonnière, men-ton-nyār′, n. a piece of armour attached to the helmet, worn to protect the chin and throat. [Fr., menton, the chin—L. mentum.]

Mentor, men′tor, n. a wise counsellor.—adj. Mentor′ial. [Gr. Mentōr, the tutor of Telemachus.]

Mentum, men′tum, n. the chin: the central part of the labium in insects: (bot.) a projection in front of the flower in some orchids.—n. Mentag′ra, an eruption about the chin forming a crust.—adj. Men′tal (anat.), pertaining to the chin. [L., the chin.]

Mephistopheles, mef-is-tof′e-lēz, n. the name of the devil in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and Goethe's Faust.—adj. Mephistophē′lean, cynical, scoffing, malicious. [Ety. unknown; prob. formed from Gr. mē, not, phōs (phot-), light, philos, loving.]

Mephitis, me-fī′tis, n. a poisonous exhalation from the ground or from decaying substances—also Mephī′tism.—adjs. Mephit′ic, -al. [L. mephitis.]

Mercantile, mėr′kan-tīl, adj. pertaining to merchants: having to do with trade: commercial.—ns. Mer′cantilism; Mer′cantilist.—Mercantile agency, a means of getting information about the circumstances of merchants all over the country, for the use of those who sell to them; Mercantile law, the points of law referring to the dealings of merchants with each other; Mercantile marine, the ships and their crews which in any country are employed in commerce; Mercantile system (polit. econ.), the system of encouraging exportation and restricting importation, so that more may be received than is paid away. [Fr.,—Low L.—L. mercans, -antis, pr.p. of mercāri, to trade—merx, mercis, merchandise—merēre, to gain.]

Mercenary, mėr′se-nar-i, adj. hired for money: actuated by the hope of reward: greedy of gain: sold or done for money.—n. one who is hired: a soldier hired into foreign service.—adv. Mer′cenarily. [Fr.,—L., mercenarius—merces, hire.]

Mercer, mėr′sėr, n. a merchant in silks and woollen cloths, or in small wares.—n. Mer′cery, the trade of a mercer: the goods of a mercer. [Fr. mercier.]

Merchant, mėr′chant, n. one who carries on trade, esp. on a large scale: one who buys and sells goods: a trader: (obs.) a supercargo: a merchant-vessel.—adj. pertaining to trade or merchandise.—v.i. Merch′and (Bacon), to trade or traffic.—n. Mer′chandīse, goods bought and sold for gain: (B. and Shak.) trade: dealing.—adjs. Mer′chantable, suitable for sale: inferior to the very best, but suitable for ordinary purposes; Mer′chant-like (Shak.), like a merchant.—ns. Mer′chantman, a trading-ship: (B.) a merchant:—pl. Mer′chantmen; Mer′chantry, the business of a merchant; merchants collectively.—Merchant prince, one who has made a great fortune as a merchant; Merchant service, the ships, &c., engaged in commerce: the commerce which is carried on by sea; Merchant ship or vessel, a ship used for carrying goods; Merchant tailor, a tailor who supplies the cloth for the clothes which he makes. [Fr. marchand.]

Mercury, mėr′kū-ri, n. the god of merchandise and eloquence, and the messenger of the gods: the planet nearest the sun: a white, liquid metal, also called quicksilver: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer: a messenger: a newspaper.—adj. Mercū′rial, having the qualities said to belong to the god Mercury: active: sprightly: often changing: of or pertaining to trade: containing, or consisting of, mercury—also Mercū′ric.—v.t. Mercū′rialise (med.), to affect with mercury: to expose to the vapour of mercury.—n. Mercū′rialist.—adv. Mercū′rially.—n. Mercurificā′tion.—v.t. Mercū′rify.—adj. Mer′cūrous. [Fr.,—L. Mercurius—merx, mercis, merchandise.]

Mercy, mėr′si, n. tenderness and forbearance shown in sparing an offender in one's power: a forgiving disposition: clemency: an act of mercy: an undeserved blessing: compassion or benevolence.—adjs. Mer′ciable (Spens.), merciful; Mer′ciful, full of, or exercising, mercy.—adv. Mer′cifully.—n. Mer′cifulness.—v.t. Mer′cify (Spens.), to deal mercifully with, to pity.—adj. Mer′ciless, without mercy: unfeeling: cruel.—adv. Mer′cilessly.—ns. Mer′cilessness, want of mercy; Mer′cy-seat, the seat or place of mercy; the covering of the Jewish Ark of the Covenant: the throne of God.—At the mercy of (another), wholly in the power of; For mercy! or For mercy's sake! an exclamatory appeal to pity; Great mercy=Gramercy; Sisters of mercy, members of female religious communities who tend the sick, &c. [Fr. merci, grace—L. merces, mercedis, pay, in later L. also 'favour.']

Mere, mēr, n. a pool or lake.—Also Meer. [A.S. mere; Ger. and Dut. meer, L. mare, the sea.]

Mere, mēr, adj. unmixed: pure: only this and nothing else: alone: absolute.—adj. Mered (Shak.), only, entire.—adv. Mere′ly, purely, simply: only: thus and no other way: solely. [L. merus, unmixed (of wine).]

Mere, mēr, n. a boundary.—v.t. to limit or bound.—ns. Mere′stead, the land within the boundaries of a farm: Mere′stone, a stone which marks a boundary. [A.S. ge-mǽre.]

Meretricious, mer-e-trish′us, adj. of or pertaining to harlots: alluring by false show: gaudy and deceitful: false.—adv. Meretric′iously.—ns. Meretric′iousness; Mer′etrix, a harlot. [L. meretricius—meretrix, a harlot, merēre, to earn.]

Merganser, mėr-gan′sėr, n. a diving bird, sea-duck. [L. mergus, a diving bird, anser, a goose.]

Merge, mėrj, v.t. to dip or plunge in: to sink: to cause to be swallowed up.—v.i. to be swallowed up, or lost.—n. Mer′ger (law), a sinking of an estate or a security in one of larger extent or of higher value. [L. mergĕre, mersum.]

Mericarp, mer′i-karp, n. one carpel or part of the fruit of an umbelliferous plant. [Gr. meros, a part, karpos, fruit.]

Meridian, me-rid′i-an, adj. pertaining to midday: being on the meridian or at midday: raised to the highest point.—n. midday: a midday dram: the highest point, as of success: an imaginary circle on the earth's surface passing through the poles and any given place: (astron.) an imaginary circle, passing through the poles of the heavens, and the zenith of the spectator, which the sun crosses at midday.—adj. Merid′ional, pertaining to the meridian: southern: having a southern aspect.—n. Meridional′ity.—adv. Merid′ionally.—Meridian splendour, fullest point of brightness; Meridian sun, the sun at its full height, as at midday.—First meridian, the meridian passing through Greenwich, from which longitudes are measured east or west; Magnetic meridian (see Magnetic). [Fr.,—L. meridianus, from meridies (orig. medidies), midday—medius, middle, dies, day.]

Meringue, me-rang′, n. a mixture of sugar and white of eggs slightly browned for garnishing other confections: a pudding or tart covered with this.—Meringue glacé, ice-cream with a casing of meringue. [Fr., prob. from Mehringen.]

Merino, me-rē′no, n. a variety of sheep having very fine wool, originally from Spain: a fine French all-wool dress fabric for women, originally of merino wool.—adj. belonging to the merino sheep or their wool. [Sp.,—merino, inspector of sheep-walks—Low L. majorinus, a head-man—L. major, greater.]

Meristem, mer′is-tem, n. the formative tissue of plants, distinguished from the permanent tissues by the power its cells have of dividing and forming new cells.—adj. Meristemat′ic. [Gr. meristos, verbal adj. of merizein, to divide—meros, a part.]

Merit, mer′it, n. excellence that deserves honour or reward: worth: value: that which one has earned.—v.t. to earn: to have a right to claim as a reward: to deserve: (pl., in law) the right or wrong of a case, apart from questions of procedure.—adj. Meritō′rious, possessing merit or desert: deserving of reward, honour, or praise.—adv. Meritō′riously.—n. Meritō′riousness.—Order for merit, a Prussian order, the military class founded by Frederick the Great in 1740—the civil class, by Frederick William IV. in 1842 for eminence in science and art; Order of merit, place in a class or list in which the best is placed first, the next best second, and so on. [Fr.,—L. meritum—merēre, -ĭtum, to obtain as a lot, to deserve.]

Merk, mėrk, n. an old Scotch silver coin, worth 13s. 4d. Scots, or 13⅓d. sterling. [Mark.]

Merlin, mėr′lin, n. a species of small hawk. [Fr. émerillon, prob. from L. merula.]

Merlon, mėr′lon, n. (fort.) the part of a wall with battlements which lies between two openings. [Fr., prob. through Low L. forms from L. murus, a wall.]

Mermaid, mėr′mād, n. a sea-woman, having the head and body of a lovely woman to the waist, ending in the tail of a fish.—ns. Mer′maiden (Tenn.):—masc. Mer′man; Mer′maid's-glove, the largest kind of British sponge. [A.S. mere, a lake (influenced by Fr. mer, the sea), mægden, maid.]

Meroblast, mer′ō-blast, n. a meroblastic ovum.—adj. Meroblast′ic, undergoing segmentation only in the germinal disc, as the eggs of birds.

Merognostic, mer-og-nos′tik, n. one who claims to know in part.—n. Merognos′ticism.

Meropidan, me-rop′i-dan, n. a bird of the family of bee-eaters. [L. merops, the bee-eater—Gr.]

Merosome, mer′ō-sōm, n. one of the serial segments of which a body is composed, as the ring of a worm, a metamere, a somite.

Merovingian, mer-o-vin′ji-an, adj. pertaining to the first dynasty of Frankish kings in Gaul, named from Merwig, king of the western or Salian Franks (448-457), grandfather of Clovis.

Merry, mer′i, adj. sportive: cheerful: noisily gay: causing laughter: lively.—adv. Merr′ily.—ns. Merr′imake, Merr′y-make (Spens.), a meeting for making merry, a festival, mirth.—v.i. to make merry, to feast.—ns. Merr′iment, Merr′iness, gaiety with laughter and noise: mirth: hilarity; Merr′y-an′drew, one who makes sport for others: a buffoon: one who goes round with a mountebank or a quack doctor—also Merr′yman; Merr′y-go-round, a revolving ring of hobby-horses, &c., on which children ride round at fairs, &c.; Merr′y-mak′ing, a merry entertainment, a festival; Merr′y-thought, the forked bone of a fowl's breast, which two persons pull at in play, the one who breaks off the longer part being thought likely to be first married. [A.S. merg, from the Celtic, as in Gael. and Ir. mear, merry, Gael. mir, to sport.]

Merulidan, me-rōō′li-dan, n. a bird of the thrush family (Turdidæ), the typical genus of which is the Mer′ula. [Merle.]

Merycism, mer′i-sizm, n. rumination in the human species. [Gr., mērykizein, to chew the cud.]

Mésalliance, mā-zal-lē-an(g)s′, n. a marriage with a person of lower rank or social condition. [Fr.]

Mesaraic, mes-a-rā′ik, adj. mesenteric. [Gr. mesos, middle, araia, the belly.]

Meseems, me-sēmz′, v.impers. it seems to me (used only in poetry). [Me, the dative of I, and seems used impersonally.]

Mesembryanthemum, me-zem-bri-an′the-mum, n. a genus of succulent plants, mostly belonging to South Africa. [Gr. mesēmbria, midday—mesos, middle, hēmera, day, anthemon, a flower.]

Mesencephalon, mes-en-sef′a-lon, n. the mid-brain.—adj. Mesencephal′ic.

Mesentery, mes′en-tėr-i, or mez′-, n. a membrane in the cavity of the abdomen, attached to the backbone, and serving to keep the intestines in their place.—adj. Mesenter′ic.—n. Mesenterī′tis, inflammation of the mesentery. [L.,—Gr. mesenterion—mesos, middle, enteron, intestines.]

Mesfaith, mes′fāth, n. (Tenn.) wrong faith, error of belief. [Fr. mes—L. mis, wrong, and faith.]

Mesh, mesh, n. the opening between the threads of a net: the threads and knots which bound the opening: network.—v.t. to catch in a net: to engage or interlock, as gear-teeth.—v.i. to become engaged thus.—n. Mesh′-work, a network, web.—adj. Mesh′y, formed like network. [A.S. max, a net; Ger. masche.]

Mesial, mē′zi-al, adj. pertaining to the middle: median—also Mes′al, Mes′ian.—advs. Mes′ally, Mes′ially. [Gr. mesos, middle.]

Mesmerise, mez′mėr-īz, v.t. to induce an extraordinary state of the nervous system, in which the operator is supposed to control the actions and thoughts of the subject.—n. Mesmeree′, one mesmerised.—adjs. Mesmer′ic, -al, of or relating to mesmerism.—ns. Mesmerisā′tion; Mes′meriser, Mes′merist, one who mesmerises: Mes′merism, act of mesmerising. [From Friedrich Anton or Franz Mesmer, a German physician (1733-1815), who first published his discovery in 1775.]

Mesne, mēn, adj. intermediate: applied to a writ issued between the beginning and end of a suit.—Mesne lord, one who held land of a superior, but had granted part of it to another person. [Norm. Fr. mesne, middle.]

Mesoblast, mes′o-blast, n. the middle one of the three germinal layers of any metazoic embryo between the epiblast and the hypoblast: the mesoderm.—adj. Mesoblas′tic.

Mesocarp, mes′o-kärp, n. (bot.) the middle one of the three layers of a seed-vessel.

Mesocephalic, mes-ō-sē-fal′ik, adj. of medium breadth or capacity—of the skull—also Mesoceph′alous.—ns. Mesoceph′alism, Mesoceph′aly.

Mesodic, me-sod′ik, adj. (pros.) pertaining to a system of different form intervening between a strophe and its antistrophe.

Mesogastric, mes-o-gas′trik, adj. of or belonging to the middle of the stomach: denoting the membrane which sustains the stomach.

Mesophlœum, mes-ō-flē′um, n. (bot.) the middle or green layer of bark.

Mesothorax, mes-o-thō′raks, n. the middle one of the three segments of an insect's thorax.—adj. Mesothorac′ic.

Mesozoic, mes-o-zō′ik, adj. of the Secondary geological period, including the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous systems. [Gr. mesos, middle, zōē, life.]

Mesprise, mes-prīz′, n. (Spens.) contempt, scorn. [O. Fr. mespriser, to despise—L. minus, less, pretiāre, to prize.]

Mesquite, mes′kēt, mes-kēt′, n. a leguminous tree or shrub of America, with nutritious pods. [Sp.]

Mess, mes, n. a mixture disagreeable to the sight or taste: a medley: disorder: confusion.—v.t. to make a mess of: to muddle.—adj. Mess′y, confused, untidy. [A form of mash.]

Mess, mes, n. a dish or quantity of food served up at one time: a number of persons who take their meals together at the same table, esp. in the army and navy: the take of fish at one time.—v.t. to supply with a mess.—v.i. to eat of a mess: to eat at a common table. [O. Fr. mes (Fr. mets), a dish—L. mittĕre, missum, to send, in Low L. to place.]

Message, mes′āj, n. any communication sent from one person to another: an errand: an official communication, of advice, &c., as a President's Message in the United States.—n. Mess′enger, the bearer of a message: a forerunner: a light scudding cloud preceding a storm: a piece of paper, &c., blown up the string to the kite: the secretary-bird: a rope or chain by which cables were formerly connected to the capstan when heaving up the anchor: (Scots law) an officer who executes the summonses of the Court of Session, called a Mess′enger-at-arms.—Queen's, or King's, messenger, an officer who carries official despatches whether at home or abroad. [Fr.,—Low L. missaticum—L. mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Messiah, mes-sī′a, n. the anointed One, the Christ—also Messī′as.—n. Messī′ahship, the character and work of Christ as the Saviour of the world.—adj. Messian′ic, relating to the Messiah. [Heb. māshīach, anointed—māshach, to anoint.]

Messidor, mes-si-dōr′, n. the tenth month of the French revolutionary calendar, June 19th-July 18th. [Fr.,—L. messis, harvest, Gr. dōron, a gift.]

Messin, mes′in, n. (Scot.) a mongrel dog, a cur.—adj. mongrel. [Cf. Mastiff.]

Messmate, mes′māt, n. one who eats at the same table. [Mess and mate.]

Messuage, mes′wāj, n. (law) a dwelling and offices with the adjoining lands appropriated to the household: a mansion-house and grounds. [O. Fr.,—Low L. messuagium—L. mansa, pa.p. of manēre, to remain.]

Mestee, mes-tē′, n. the offspring of a white person and a quadroon. [Cf. Fr. métis, mongrel.]

Mestizo, mes-tē′zō, n. the offspring of a person of mixed Spanish and American Indian parentage, &c. [Sp.,—L. mixtus—miscēre, to mix.]

Metabasis, me-tab′a-sis, n. a change, as in treatment or remedies: a transition.—adj. Metabat′ic. [Gr., meta, beyond, bainein, to go.]

Metabolism, me-tab′o-lizm, n. a general term for the chemical changes of living matter: retrograde metamorphosis, catabolism: complete metamorphosis, as in Diptera, &c.—adj. Metabol′ic, undergoing complete metamorphosis: polymorphic: exhibiting metabolism.—v.t. Metab′olise. [Gr. metabolē, change.]

Metacarpal, met-a-kär′pal, adj. pertaining to the part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, the Metacar′pus: denoting the foreleg of a horse between knee and fetlock joint.

Metacentre, met-a-sen′tėr, n. that point in a floating body slightly displaced from equilibrium through which the resultant upward pressure of the fluid always passes.

Metachronism, me-tak′ron-izm, n. an error made by placing an event after its real time. [Fr.,—Gr. metachronos—meta, beyond, chronos, time.]

Metagenesis, met-a-jen′e-sis, n. (biol.) a kind of alteration of generations in which a series of generations of unlike forms come between the egg and the parent type.—adj. Metagenet′ic.

Metagnostic, met-ag-nos′tik, adj. transcending present knowledge.—n. one who holds that there is a supreme being, but that he transcends knowledge.—n. Metagnos′ticism.

Metairie, mē-tā′rē, n. a piece of land cultivated for a share of the produce. [Fr. See Metayer.]

Metal, met′al, n. an opaque substance, possessing a peculiar lustre, fusibility, conductivity for heat and electricity, &c., such as gold, &c.: courage or spirit (now spelt mettle): intrinsic quality: the number and power of guns carried by a ship-of-war: broken stones used for macadamised roads: (pl.) the rails of a railroad.—v.t. to put metal on, as a road.—n. Metalic′ity.—adjs. Met′alled, covered with metal, as a road; Metal′lic, pertaining to, or like, a metal: consisting of metal.—adv. Metal′lically.—adjs. Metallif′erous, producing or yielding metals; Metal′liform, having the form of metals: like metal; Met′alline, pertaining to a metal: consisting of, or mixed with, metal.—ns. Met′alling, road-metal, broken stones; Metallisā′tion.—v.t. Met′allise, to form into metal: to give to a substance its metallic properties.—ns. Met′allist, a worker in metals: one who is skilled in metals: an advocate of the use of metal as currency; Metal′lograph, a print produced by metallographic process.—adj. Metallograph′ic—ns. Metallog′raphist; Metallog′raphy, an account or description of metals: a process for utilising metal plates in a manner similar to lithographic stones: a process of imitating the grain of wood on metals; Met′alloid, one of the metallic bases of the fixed alkalies and alkaline earths: any of the elements which are non-metallic in the chemical sense of being able to replace hydrogen in an acid, and thus forming a salt: one of the inflammable non-metallic elements (sulphur, phosphorus, &c.).—adjs. Met′alloid, Metalloid′al, pertaining to, or of the nature of, the metalloids.—ns. Metal′lophone, a kind of piano, having graduated metal bars in place of strings: a musical instrument, differing from the xylophone in having metal instead of wooden bars; Met′allotherapy, the treatment of disease by the external application of metals.—Metallic oxide, a compound of metal and oxygen; Metallic salts, salts having a metal or metallic oxide for base.—Base metals, lead, zinc, copper, iron; Fusible metal, a metallic alloy that fuses at a very low temperature—usually of lead, tin, and bismuth; Light metals, those whose specific gravity is less than 5; Noble, or Perfect, metals, gold, silver, platinum, so called because they keep their lustre when exposed to the air. [Fr.,—L. metallum—Gr. metallon, a mine, a metal.]

Metalepsis, met-a-lep′sis, n. (rhet.) a compound figure that consists in uniting two or more different tropes in the same word, or in so using a word as to suggest two or three different figures by it.—adjs. Metalep′tic, -al. [Gr.]

Metallurgy, met′al-ur-ji, n. the art of working metals: the art of separating metals from their ores.—adj. Metallur′gic, pertaining to metallurgy.—n. Met′allurgist, one who works metals: one skilled in metallurgy. [Gr. metallon, a metal, ergon, work.]

Metamerism, met′a-me-rizm, n. (chem.) a particular form of isomerism, seen in substances having the same molecular formula, but in which all the atoms in the molecule are not directly united: (zool.) segmentation of the body of an animal along the primary axis, producing a series of homologous parts.—adjs. Met′amēral, Metamer′ic.—n. Met′amere. [Gr. meta, after, meros, a part.]

Metamorphic, met-a-mor′fik, adj. subject to change of form: (geol.) applied to the alteration undergone by rocks under heat, pressure, &c., so that they assume a crystalline or semi-crystalline structure.—ns. Metamor′phism, state or quality of being metamorphic; Metamor′phist, one who believes that the body of Christ merged into the Deity when He ascended.—v.t. Metamor′phose, to transform.—n. Metamor′phosis, change of shape, transformation: the frequent transformation of human beings to beasts, stones, trees, &c.—an essential part of folklore everywhere: the marked change which some living beings undergo in the course of their growth, as caterpillar to insect, tadpole to frog, &c.:—pl. Metamor′phoses. [Gr. metamorphōsis—meta, expressing change, morphē, form.]

Metaphery, me-taf′e-ri, n. (bot.) the transposition of various floral organs. [Gr.: see Metaphor.]

Metaphor, met′a-fur, n. a transference of meaning, the putting of one thing for another which it only resembles, as when words are said to be bitter: an implicit simile.—adjs. Metaphor′ic, -al, pertaining to, or containing, metaphor: figurative.—adv. Metaphor′ically.—ns. Metaphor′icalness; Met′aphorist.—Mixed metaphor, an expression in which two or more metaphors are confused, where one only is capable of being intelligibly evolved or conceived objectively, as Cromwell's 'God has kindled a seed in this nation.' [Fr.,—Gr. metaphora—metapherein—meta, over, pherein, to carry.]

Metaphrase, met′a-frāz, n. a translation from one language into another word for word—opp. to Paraphrase: a repartee—also Metaph′rasis.—n. Met′aphrast, one who translates word for word.—adj. Metaphras′tic, literal in translation. [Gr. metaphrasis—meta, over, phrasis, a speaking.]

Metaphysics, met-a-fiz′iks, n.sing. the science which investigates the first principles of nature and thought: ontology or the science of being.—adj. Metaphys′ical, pertaining to metaphysics; abstract.—adv. Metaphys′ically.—n. Metaphysic′ian, one versed in metaphysics. [From certain works of Aristotle to be studied after his physics—Gr. meta, after, physika, physics—physis, nature.]

Metaphyta, met-a-fī′ta, n.pl. many-celled plants, in contrast to the single-celled Protophytes.

Metaplasia, met-a-plā′si-a, n. the direct conversion of one form of an adult tissue into another—also Metap′lasis.—n. Met′aplasm, a grammatical change in a word by adding or dropping a letter. [Gr. meta, over, plasis—plassein, to form.]

Metapophysis, met-a-pof′i-sis, n. (anat.) a dorsolateral apophysis on the anterior articular process of a vertebra. [Gr. meta, after, apophysis, a process.]

Metastasis, me-tas′ta-zis, n. a change in nature, form, or quality; a change from one part to another, as a disease: (bot.) metabolism.—adj. Metastat′ic. [Gr.,—methistēmi, I change place.]

Metatarsal, met-a-tär′sal, adj. belonging to the front part of the foot, behind the toes, nearly the same as the instep in man.—n. Metatar′sus. [Gr. meta, beyond, tarsos, the flat of the foot.]

Metathesis, me-tath′es-is, n. (gram.) a change of place of the letters or syllables of a word.—adjs. Metathet′ic, -al. [Gr.,—metatithenai, to transpose—meta, over, tithenai, to place.]

Metathorax, met-a-thō′raks, n. the third segment of an insect's thorax.—adj. Metathorac′ic.

Metayer, me-tā′yėr, n. a farmer who pays, instead of money rent, a fixed proportion of the crops.—n. Metā′yage, this system. [Fr.,—Low L. medietarius—L. medietas, the half—medius, middle.]

Metazoa, met-a-zō′a, n.pl. many-celled animals possessing cellular differentiation:—opp. to single-celled Protozoa.—adjs. Metazō′an, Metazō′ic.—n.sing. Met′azōon. [Gr. meta, after, zōon, animal.]

Mete, mēt, v.t. to measure.—ns. Mete′wand, a measuring-stick; Mete′yard (B.), a yard or rod for meting or measuring. [A.S. metan; Ger. messen.]

Metempiric, -al, met-em-pir′ik, -al, adj. beyond or outside of experience:—opp. to Empirical or Experiential.—ns. Metempir′icism; Metempir′icist.

Metempsychosis, me-temp-si-kō′sis, n. the passing of the soul after death into some other body, whether that of a human being or of an animal:—pl. Metempsychō′ses. [Gr.,—meta, expressing change, empsychōsis, an animating—en, in, psychē, soul.]

Metensomatosis, met-en-sō-ma-tō′sis, n. transference of the elements of one body into another.

Meteor, mē′te-or, n. one of numberless small bodies travelling through space, continually being encountered by the earth on its orbital path, and then revealed to our observation as aerolites, fire-balls, or shooting-stars: formerly used of any appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain: (fig.) anything that for a time dazzles or strikes with wonder.—adj. Meteor′ic, pertaining to, or consisting of, meteors: proceeding from a meteor: flashing like a meteor: influenced by the weather.—ns. Mē′teorograph, an instrument by which several meteorological elements are recorded in combination; Meteor′olite, Mē′teorite, a meteoric stone.—adjs. Meteorolog′ic, -al.—ns. Meteorol′ogist; one skilled in meteorology; Meteorol′ogy, that department of physics which treats of the phenomena of the atmosphere as regards weather and climate.—adj. Mē′tēorous (Milt.), having the nature of a meteor.—Meteoric iron, iron as found in meteoric stones; Meteoric showers, showers of meteors or shooting-stars; Meteoric Stones, aerolites. [Gr. meteōron—meta, beyond, eōra, anything suspended—aeirein, to lift.]

Meter, mē′tėr, n. one who, or that which, measures, esp. an apparatus for recording automatically the quantity of a fluid passing through it, as in gas-meter, water-meter, &c.—v.t. to measure by a meter.—n. Mē′terage.—Dry meter, a gas-meter with bellows-like apparatus and no liquid. [Metre.]

Methane, meth′ān, n. marsh-gas, the simplest hydrocarbon, found wherever the decomposition of vegetable matter is taking place under water, also in coal-mines, forming when mixed with air the deadly fire-damp.—n. Methanom′eter.

Metheglin, meth-eg′lin, n. mead, a fermented liquor made from honey.—n. Mether (-th′-) a vessel for mead. [W. meddyglyn—medd, mead, llyn, liquor.]

Methinks, me-thingks′, (B.) Methink′eth, v.impers. it seems to me: I think:—pa.t. methought (me-thawt′). [A.S. mé thyncth, it seems to me. Þyncan, to seem, is often confused with Þencan, to think. Cf. Ger. dünken, to seem, denken, to think.]

Method, meth′ud, n. the mode or rule of accomplishing an end: orderly procedure: manner: orderly arrangement: system, rule, classification: manner of performance: an instruction-book systematically arranged.—adjs. Method′ic, -al, arranged with method: disposed in a just and natural manner: formal.—adv. Method′ically.—v.t. Meth′odise, to reduce to method: to dispose in due order.—ns. Meth′odism, the principles and practice of the Methodists; Meth′odist, one who observes method: one of a sect of Christians founded by John Wesley (1703-91), noted for the strictness of its discipline: one who is very strict in religion.—adjs. Methodist′ic, -al, resembling the Methodists: strict in religious matters.—adv. Methodist′ically.—n. Methodol′ogy, the science of method in scientific procedure. [Fr.,—L. methodus—Gr. methodos—meta, after, hodos, a way.]

Methomania, meth-o-mā′ni-a, n. morbid craving for alcohol. [Gr. methy, drink, mania, madness.]

Methuselah, me-thū′ze-la, n. a patriarch said to have lived 969 years (Gen. v. 27): any very aged person.

Methyl, meth′il, n. (chem.) the name given to the hypothetical radical of methylic alcohol or wood spirit.—n. Meth′ylene, a highly inflammable and volatile liquid, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood.—adj. Methyl′ic, denoting alcohol obtained by the destructive distillation of wood.—Methylated spirit, a mixture of nine parts of alcohol with one of pyroxylic or wood spirit (to prevent people drinking it), used for spirit-lamps, varnishes, &c. [Gr. meta, after, with, hylē, wood.]

Methysis, meth′i-sis, n. (path.) drunkenness.—adj. Methys′tic, intoxicating. [Gr.]

Metic, met′ik, n. an immigrant, a resident alien. [Gr. meta, over, oikos, a house.]

Meticulous, mē-tik′ū-lus, adj. (arch.) timid, over careful.—adv. Metic′ulously. [L. metus, fear.]

Metif, mē′tif, n. the offspring of a white and a quadroon.—n. Mē′tis, a half-breed of French and Indian parentage in Canada. [Cf. Mastiff.]

Metonic, me-ton′ik, adj. pertaining to the lunar cycle of nineteen years, after which the new and full moon happen again on the same day of the year as at its beginning. [From Meton, c. 430.]

Metonymy, me-ton′i-mi, n. (rhet.) a trope in which the name of one thing is put for that of another related to it, the effect for the cause, &c., as 'the heart' for 'the affections,' 'the bottle' for 'drink,' &c.—adjs. Metonym′ic, -al, used by way of metonymy.—adv. Metonym′ically. [L.,—Gr. metōnymia—meta, expressing change, onoma, a name.]

Metope, met′o-pē, n. (archit.) the space between the triglyphs in the frieze of the Doric order, generally ornamented with carved work: the face, forehead, frontal surface generally.—adj. Metop′ic.—ns. Met′opism, the condition of having a persistent metopic or frontal suture. [Gr.,—meta, between, and opē, the hole in the frieze receiving one of the beam-ends.]

Metoposcopy, met-ō-pos′kō-pi, n. the study of character from the physiognomy.—adjs. Metoposcop′ic, -al.—n. Metopos′copist.

Metra, met′ra, n. a pocket-instrument, combining the uses of thermometer, level, plummet, and lens. [Gr., pl. of metron, measure.]

Metre, mē′tėr, n. that regulated succession of certain groups of syllables in which poetry is usually written—these groups of long and short (classical) or accented (English) syllables being called feet: rhythm: verse, or poetry generally: a plan of versification, the character of a stanza as consisting of a given number of lines composed of feet of a given number, construction, and accent: musical time.—adjs. Met′ric, -al, pertaining to metre or to metrology: consisting of verses.—adv. Met′rically.—ns. Metric′ian, Met′ricist, one skilled in metres, one who writes in metre; Met′rics, the art or science of versification; Metrificā′tion. (Tenn.), the act of making verses; Met′rifier, a versifier; Met′rist, one skilled in metres, a skilful versifier; Metromā′nia, a mania for writing verses.—Common metre, the stanza forming a quatrain in eights and sixes, of four and of three iambic feet alternately—also Service metre, from its use in the metrical psalms, &c., and Ballad metre, from its use in old romances and ballads; Long metre, an octosyllabic quatrain, the four lines with four feet each; Short metre, the quatrain in sixes, with the third line octosyllabic. [Fr.,—L. metrum—Gr. metron.]

Mètre, mā′tr, n. the fundamental unit of length in the metric system—one ten-millionth of a quadrant of the Meridian—39.3707904 English inches.—adj. Met′ric.—Metric system, the French system of weights and measures, founded on the French mètre—dividing or multiplying by ten, and therefore a decimal system.

Metric, met′rik, adj. quantitative.—adj. Met′rical, pertaining to measurement.—n.pl. Met′rics, the theory of measurement.—ns. Met′rograph, an apparatus for registering the speed of a railway-train and the places and duration of stops; Metrol′ogy, the science of weights and measures; Met′ronome, an instrument like an inverted pendulum which measures musical time.—adj. Metronom′ic.—n. Metron′omy, measurement of time by a metronome.

Metronymic, met-ro-nim′ik, adj. derived from the name of one's mother, or other female ancestor.—n. an appellation so derived; cf. Patronymic. [Gr. mētēr, a mother, onoma, name.]

Metropolis, me-trop′o-lis, n. the capital of a country; the chief cathedral city, as Canterbury of England: the mother-city of an ancient Greek colony: a generic focus in the distribution of plants or animals:—pl. Metrop′olises.—adj. Metropol′itan, belonging to a metropolis: pertaining to the mother-church.—n. the bishop of a metropolis, presiding over the other bishops of a province: an archbishop.—n. Metropol′itanate.—adjs. Metropol′itic, -al. [L.,—Gr. mētēr, mother, polis, a city.]

Mettle, met′l, n. ardent temperament: spirit: sprightliness: courage.—adjs. Mett′led, Mett′lesome, high-spirited: ardent.—n. Mett′lesomeness, quality or state of being mettlesome.—Put one on his mettle, to rouse a person up to putting forth his best efforts. [From the metal of a blade.]

Meum, mā′um, n. mine—in the phrase Meum and tuum, mine and thine. [L.]

Meute, mūt, n. a mew, a place where hawks are mewed or confined. [Mew, a cage for hawks.]

Mew, mū, n. a sea-fowl: a gull. [A.S. mǽw; Dut. meeuw, Ice. mâr, Ger. möwe; all imit.]

Mew, mū, v.t. to change, as the covering or dress: to shed or cast: to confine, as in a cage.—v.i. to change: to cast the feathers: to moult.—n. a place for confining: a cage for hawks while mewing: generally in pl. a stable, because the royal stables were built where the king's falcons were kept. [O. Fr. mue, a changing, esp. of the coat or skin—muer, to mew—L. mutāre, to change.]

Mexican, meks′i-kan, n. a native or inhabitant of Mexico.—adj. pertaining to Mexico or Mexicans.

Mezereon, me-zē′re-on, n. a deciduous shrub with pink flowers, and having an extremely acrid bark used in medicine. [Fr.,—Pers.]

Mezzanine, mez′a-nīn, n. (archit.) a low story introduced between two higher ones: a small window used to light such apartments. [Fr.,—It. mezzanino—mezzo—L. medius, middle.]

Mezzo-rilievo, med′zo-rē-lyā′vō, n. a degree of relief in figures, half-way between high and low relief. [It.]

Mezzo-soprano, med′zo-so-prä′nō, n. a quality of voice between soprano and alto: low soprano.

Mezzotint, mez′ō-tint, or med′zō-tint, n. a method of copperplate engraving, producing an even gradation of tones, resembling those of a photograph: an impression from a plate so produced.—Also Mezzotint′o. [It.,—mezzo, middle, half, tinto, tint—L. tingĕre, tinctum, to dye.]

Miasma, mī-az′ma, n. unwholesome exhalations arising from putrescent matter—also Mī′asm:—pl. Mī′asms, Mias′mata.—adjs. Mias′mal, Miasmat′ic, Mias′matous, pertaining to, or containing, miasma.—ns. Mias′matist; Miasmol′ogy.—adj. Mias′mous. [Gr. miasma—miainein, to stain.]

Mica, mī′ka, n. a group of rock-forming minerals, with perfect cleavage in one direction, the laminæ flexible and elastic, and generally transparent.—adj. Micā′ceous.—ns. Mī′ca-schist, Mī′ca-slate, a metamorphic rock consisting of alternate layers of mica and quartz. [L. mica, a crumb.]

Michaelmas, mik′el-mas, n. the festival of St Michael, celebrated Sept. 29: a quarterly rent-day in England.

Miche, mich, v.i. (obs.) to lie hid, to skulk, to act by stealth: to pilfer meanly—also Mich.—ns. Mich′er; Mich′ing—also adj.

Mickle, mik′l, adj. (arch.) much. [A.S. micel, mycel; Scot. muckle.]

Microbe, mī′krōb, mik′rōb, n. a microscopic organism, esp. a bacterium, found wherever organic matter is in process of decomposition.—adjs. Micrō′bial, Micrō′bian, Micrō′bic.—n. Microbiol′ogy, the science of micro-organisms. [Fr.,—Gr. mikros, small, bios, life.]

Microcephalous, mī-krō-sef′a-lus, adj. having a small or imperfectly formed head.—Also Microcephal′ic. [Gr. mikros, small, kephalē, the head.]

Microchronometer, mī-krō-krō-nom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for registering very small periods of time.

Microcosm, mī′krō-kozm, n. a little universe or world: (often applied to) man, who was regarded by ancient philosophers as a model or epitome of the universe.—adjs. Microcos′mic, -al, pertaining to the microcosm.—n. Microcosmog′raphy. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.—mikros, little, kosmos, world.]

Microcoustic, mī-krō-kōōs′tik, adj. serving to augment weak sounds.—n. an instrument for such purpose.

Microcrith, mī′krō-krith, n. (chem.) the unit of molecular weight, that of the half-molecule of hydrogen.

Microcyte, mī′krō-sīt, n. a small cell or corpuscle: a small blood corpuscle found in anæmia.—ns. Microcythē′mia, Microcytō′sis, a condition of the blood with many very small corpuscles.

Microfarad, mī-krō-far′ad, n. one-millionth of a farad, the practical unit of electrical capacity.

Microgeology, mī-krō-jē-ol′o-ji, n. the department of geology concerned with the study of microscopic structures.

Micrograph, mī′krō-graf, n. a pantograph instrument for minute writing or drawing: a microscopic picture.—n. Microg′rapher.—adj. Micrograph′ic.—n. Microg′raphy, the description of microscopic objects. [Gr. mikros, little, graphein, write.]

Microhm, mik′rōm, n. an electric unit equal to the millionth part of an ohm.

Microlite, mī′krō-līt, n. a mineral related to pyrochlore.—n. Mī′crolith, a name suggested by Vogelsang in 1867 for the microscopic acicular components of rocks.—adj. Microlith′ic. [Gr. mikros, small, lithos, a stone.]

Micrology, mī-krol′o-ji, n. the branch of science which treats of microscopic objects.—adjs. Microlog′ic, -al.—adv. Microlog′ically.

Micrometer, mī-krom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring minute distances or angles.—adjs. Micromet′ric, -al.—ns. Microm′etry, measuring with a micrometer; Mī′cron, the millionth part of a metre, or 1⁄25400 of an inch; Mī′cro-or′ganism, a microscopic organism. [Gr. mikros, little, metron, measure.]

Microphone, mī′krō-fōn, n. an instrument which renders the faintest sounds distinctly audible.—adjs. Microphon′ic, Microph′onous.—n. Mī′crophony. [Gr. mikros, little, phōnē, sound.]

Microphotography, mī-krō-fō-tog′ra-fi, n. the photographing of objects on a microscopic scale.

Microphyllous, mī-krof′il-us, adj. (bot.) having small leaves. [Gr. mikros, little, phyllon, leaf.]

Microphyte, mī′krō-fīt, n. a microscopic plant, esp. one parasitic.—adjs. Mī′crophytal, Microphyt′ic.

Micropoda, mī-krop′o-da, n.pl. in some systems a division of monomyarian bivalves, with rudimentary feet, including oysters, &c. [Gr. mikros, small, pous, podos, foot.]

Micropsia, mī-krop′si-a, n. an affection of the eye in which objects appear in less than actual size.

Micropyle, mī′krō-pīl, n. (bot.) the orifice in the coats of the ovule leading to the apex of the nucleus, through which the pollen-tube penetrates: (zool.) the hilum of an ovum at the point of attachment to the ovary: any opening in the coverings of an ovum by which spermatozoa may find entrance. [Gr. mikros, small, pylē, a gate.]

Microscope, mī′krō-skōp, n. an instrument which magnifies to the eye objects so minute as to be almost or quite undiscernible without its aid.—adjs. Microscop′ic, -al, pertaining to a microscope: made by, or as if by, a microscope: visible only by the aid of a microscope: working with, or as if with, a microscope.—adv. Microscop′ically.—ns. Mī′croscopist, one skilled in the use of the microscope; Mī′croscopy.—Binocular microscope, a microscope with two eye-pieces, for viewing an object with both eyes at once; Compound microscope, a microscope with two sets of lenses so arranged that the image formed by the lower or object glass is again magnified by the upper or eye-piece. [Gr. mikros, little, skopein, to look at.]

Microseism, mī′krō-sizm, n. a slight earthquake tremor.—adjs. Microseis′mic, -al.—ns. Microseis′mograph; Microseismom′etry.

Microsoma, mī-krō-sō′ma, n. one of the minute granules embedded in the hyaline plasm of the protoplasm of vegetable cells:—pl. Microsō′mata. [Gr. mikros, small, sōma, body.]

Microspectroscope, mī-krō-spek′trō-skōp, n. a combination of the spectroscope with the microscope.

Microspore, mī′krō-spōr, n. (bot.) a small asexually produced spore: (zool.) one of the numerous very small spore-like elements produced through the encystment and subdivision of many monads.—n. Microsporan′gium.—adj. Mī′crosporous. [Gr. mikros, small, sporos, a seed.]

Microtome, mī′krō-tōm, n. an instrument for cutting thin sections of objects for microscopic examination.—adj. Microtom′ic.—ns. Microt′omist; Microt′omy. [Gr. mikros, little, temnein, to cut.]

Microzoa, mī-krō-zō′ä, n.pl. microscopic animals.—n. and adj. Microzō′an.—n. Microzoā′ria, a name sometimes used for infusorians, &c.—adj. Microzoā′rian.—n. and adj. Microzō′öid, a very minute free-swimming zoöid, which buries itself in the body of a sedentary animalcule.—ns. Microzō′ön, any micro-organism of animal nature; Microzō′öspore, a zoöspore of abnormally small size; Mī′crozyme, a member of a class of extremely minute living organisms floating in the atmosphere, supposed to be the means of communicating certain epidemic and other zymotic diseases. [Gr. mikros, small, zōon, an animal, sporos, seed, zymē, leaven.]

Micturition, mik-tū-rish′un, n. the act of passing, or the frequent desire to pass, urine.—n. Mic′tion, voiding urine.—v.i. Mic′turate. [L. micturīre, -ītum, to pass urine.]

Mid, mid, adj. middle: situated between extremes.—prep. amid.—n. (Shak.) middle.—ns. Mid′-age (Shak.), the middle time of life, a person in middle-life; Mid′-air, Mid′-heav′en, the middle of the sky; Mid′day, the middle of the day: noon.—adj. of or pertaining to noon.—adj. Mid′dest (Spens.), most nearly in the middle: middlemost.—n. the midst, middle.—n. Mid′-hour, the middle part of the day.—adj. Mid′land, in the middle of, or surrounded by, land: distant from the coast: inland.—n. the interior of a country: (pl.) esp. the central parts of England.—n. Mid′-Lent, the middle or fourth Sunday in Lent.—adj. Mid′most, middlemost.—n. Mid′night, the middle of the night: twelve o'clock at night.—adj. being at midnight: dark as midnight.—ns. Mid′noon, noon; Mid′-sea, the open sea.—adj. Mid′ship, being in the middle of a ship.—n. Mid′shipman, in the British navy, an officer whose rank is next above that of a naval cadet: in the U.S. navy, the lowest grade of officers in the line of promotion, now called Naval cadet.—adv. Mid′ships.—ns. Mid′summer, the middle of summer: the summer solstice, about the 21st of June; Mid′summer-day, the 24th of June; Mid′way, the middle of the way or distance.—adj. being in the middle of the way or distance.—adv. half-way.—n. Mid′winter, the middle of winter: the winter solstice (21st or 22d December), or the time shortly before or after it. [A.S. (mid-), middgen; Ger. mitte and mittel, L. medius, Gr. mesos.]

Midas, mī′das, n. a fabulously rich man, from the king of Phrygia who got the power of turning everything he touched into gold, till he was like to be starved. His ears were changed by Apollo to those of an ass for deciding a musical contest in favour of Pan.

Midden, mid′en, n. a heap of ashes or dung (see also Kitchen-midden).—n. Midd′enstead, a place where dung is heaped up. [Scand., as Dan. mödding—mög, dung; cf. Muck.]

Middle, mid′l, adj. equally distant from the extremes: intermediate: intervening: (gram.) intermediate between active and passive, reflexive.—n. the middle point or part: midst: central portion, waist.—adjs. Midd′le-aged, of or about the middle period of life (from about 35 to 50); Midd′le-class, pertaining to, or included in, the middle class.—ns. Midd′le-earth (Shak.), the earth, considered as placed between the upper and lower regions; Midd′leman, one who stands in the middle between two persons: an agent who does business between two parties: in Ireland, one who rents land in large tracts, and lets it in small portions to the peasantry.—adjs. Midd′lemost, Mid′most (B.), nearest the middle; Midd′le-sized, of middle or average size.—ns. Midd′le-watch, the period between midnight and 4 A.M.; Midd′le-weight, a boxer or jockey of intermediate weight, between light and heavy weight.—adj. Midd′ling, of middle rate, state, size, or quality: about equally distant from the extremes: moderate: (Scot.) not in very good health: fairly well or prosperous.—adv. moderately.—n. Midd′lingness, mediocrity.—n.pl. Midd′lings, the coarser part of ground wheat.—Middle Ages, the time between the downfall of the western Roman empire, about 476 A.D., and the Reformation in the first quarter of the 16th century, or even earlier—in the later half of the preceding century, when printing was invented, America discovered, and the revival of learning took place; Middle class, that part of the people which comes between the nobility and the working-class; Middle distance (same as Middle ground); Middle English, English as spoken and written from 1350 to 1500 or 1550; Middle ground, the central portion of a picture—that is, between the foreground and background; Middle Kingdom, China; Middle passage, the voyage across the Atlantic from Africa to the West Indies, which was a time of horror on board a slave-ship; Middle States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware; Middle term (logic), that term of a syllogism which appears both in the major premise and the minor, but not in the conclusion.—Middle-class schools, schools for the higher education of the middle class, intermediate between the primary schools and the large public schools or the universities. [A.S. middel—mid; Dut. middel, Ger. mittel.]

Midgard, mid′gārd, n. (Scand. myth.) the abode of men, midway between heaven and hell. [Ice. midhgardhr=mid-yard.]

Midge, mij, n. the common name of several species of small two-winged insects, like gnats, but with a shorter proboscis.—n. Midg′et, a little midge: something very small of its kind: a very small person. [A.S. micge; Ger. mücke, a gnat.]

Midrash, mid′rash, n. the Hebrew exposition of the Old Testament—its two divisions, Haggada and Halakha:—pl. Midrashim (mid-rä′shēm), commentaries to individual books or sections of the Old Testament. [Heb., 'exposition.']

Midrib, mid′rib, n. (bot.) the continuation of the leaf-stalk to the point of a leaf.

Midriff, mid′rif, n. the diaphragm. [A.S. mid, middle, hrif, the belly.]

Midst, midst, n. the middle.—adv. in the middle.—prep. amidst. [From the M. E. phrase in middle-s, in the midst, with excrescent t (cf. whil-s-t).]

Midwife, mid′wīf, n. a woman who assists others in childbirth:—pl. Midwives (mid′wīvz).—n. Mid′wifery, art or practice of a midwife or accoucheuse: assistance at childbirth. [A.S. mid, together with (Ger. mit, Gr. met-a), wíf, woman.]

Mien, mēn, n. the look or appearance of a person: the expression of the face: manner: bearing. [Fr. mine—It. mina, deportment—Low L. mināre, to conduct—L. mināri, to threaten.]

Miff, mif, n. (coll.) a slight feeling of resentment. [Akin to Ger. muffen, to sulk.]

Might, mīt, n. power: ability: strength: energy or intensity of purpose or feeling.—adj. Might′ful (Shak.), mighty: powerful.—adv. Might′ily.—n. Might′iness, state of being mighty: power: greatness: great amount: a title of dignity: excellency.—adj. Might′y, having greater power: strong: valiant: very great: important: exhibiting might: wonderful.—Might and main, utmost strength. [A.S. meaht, miht; Ger. macht; cf. May.]

Mignonette, min-yo-net′, n. an annual with sweet-scented flowers. [Fr.,—mignon, darling.]

Migrate, mī′grāt, v.i. to pass from one place to another: to remove for residence from one country, college, &c. to another.—adjs. Mī′grant, Mī′grātory, migrating or accustomed to migrate: wandering.—ns. Migrā′tion, a change of abode: a removal from one country or climate to another: a number removing together; Migrā′tionist, Migrā′tor.—Migratory animals, animals that remove from one region to another as the seasons change. [L. migrāre, -ātum; cf. meāre, to go.]

Mikado, mi-kä′dō, n. a title of the Emperor of Japan. [Jap., 'exalted gate.']

Mil, mil, n. a unit of length in measuring the diameter of wire. [L. mille, a thousand.]

Mild, mīld, adj. gentle in temper and disposition: not sharp or bitter: acting gently: gently and pleasantly affecting the senses: soft: calm.—v.t. Mild′en, to render mild.—v.i. to become mild.—adv. Mild′ly.—n. Mild′ness.—adj. Mild′-spok′en, having a mild manner of speech.—Mild ale, ale newly brewed, which has not got the taste that comes from keeping. [A.S. milde, mild; cf. Ger. mild, Ice. mildr, gracious, &c.]

Mildew, mil′dū, n. a disease on plants, caused by the growth of minute fungi.—v.t. to taint with mildew.—v.i. to become so tainted. [A.S. meledeáw, mele, honey, deáw, dew.]

Mile, mīl, n. 1760 yards.—ns. Mile′age, length in miles: (U.S.) compensation for expense of travel reckoned by the mile; Mil′er, something the length of a mile; Mile′stone, a stone set up to mark the distance of a mile. [A.S. mil; Fr. mille; both a contr. of L. mille passuum, a thousand paces.]

Milesian, mi-lē′zhan, adj. of or pertaining to Ireland or to the Irish race.—n. an Irishman. [Milesius, a fabulous king of Spain, whose sons seized Ireland.]

Milfoil, mil′foil, n. the herb yarrow, remarkable for the numerous divisions of its leaf. [L. millefolium—mille, thousand, folium, a leaf.]

Miliary, mil′yar-i, adj. like a millet-seed: having formations of the size of millet-seeds, as miliary glands. [L. milium, millet.]

Militant, mil′i-tant, adj. fighting: engaged in warfare.—n. Mil′itancy, the state of being militant.—adv. Mil′itantly.—ns. Mil′itarism, an excess of the military spirit; Mil′itarist (Shak.), a military man.—adj. Mil′itary, pertaining to soldiers or to warfare: warlike: becoming a soldier: engaged in the profession of arms: derived from service as a soldier—(obs.) Mil′itar.—n. soldiery: the army.—v.i. Mil′itate, to contend: to stand opposed: to have force for or against.—Church militant (see Church). [L. militans, -antis, pr.p. of militāre.]

Militia, mi-lish′a, n. a body of men enrolled and drilled as soldiers, but only liable to home service: (U.S.) the whole body of citizens capable of bearing arms.—n. Milit′iaman, a man or soldier in the militia force. [L. militia—miles, militis.]

Milk, milk, v.t. to squeeze or draw milk from: to supply with milk.—n. a white liquid secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young: a milk-like juice of certain plants.—adj. Milk′en, consisting of milk, or like milk.—ns. Milk′en-way (Bacon), the milky-way, the galaxy; Milk′er, one who milks: a machine for milking cows: a cow that gives milk; Milk′-fē′ver, a fever accompanying the secretion of milk shortly after childbirth.—adv. Milk′ily.—ns. Milk′iness; Milk′ing, the amount of milk drawn at one time; Milk′ing-stool, a stool on which the milker sits while milking; Milk′ing-time; Milk′ing-tube, a perforated tube inserted in a cow's teat to let the milk flow without pressing the udder; Milk′-kin′ship, the kinship arising from fostering.—adj. Milk′-liv′ered (Shak.), white-livered: cowardly.—ns. Milk′maid, a woman who milks: a dairymaid; Milk′man, a man who sells milk, esp. from door to door; Milk′-mō′lar, one of the grinders or back teeth in young animals, early shed and replaced by another; Milk′-porr′idge, porridge made with milk instead of water; Milk′-punch, an excellent but very heady drink made of milk, rum or whisky, sugar, and nutmeg; Milk′-sick′ness (U.S.), a kind of malignant fever affecting cattle, also men; Milk′sop, a piece of bread sopped or soaked in milk: an effeminate, silly fellow; Milk′-this′tle, the lady's thistle; Milk′-tooth, one of the first fore-teeth of a foal: one of the first teeth of a child; Milk′-tree, a tree yielding a milk-like, nourishing juice, as the cow-tree of South America; Milk′-vetch, a plant sometimes cultivated as food for cattle; Milk′-walk, a milkman's route.—adj. Milk′-warm, warm as new milk.—ns. Milk′-weed, a general name for plants of the genus Asclepias, from their milky juice; Milk′-wort, a genus of handsome flowering plants, containing a milk-like juice.—adj. Milk′y, made of, full of, like, or yielding milk: soft: gentle.—n. Milk′y-way (astron.), the galaxy, a broad, luminous zone in the sky, caused by the light of innumerable fixed stars. [A.S. meolc, milk; Ger. milch, milk.]

Mill, mil, n. a machine for grinding any substance, as grain, by crushing it between two hard, rough surfaces: a place where corn is ground, or manufacture of some kind is carried on: a contest at boxing.—v.t. to grind: to press or stamp in a mill: to stamp or turn up the edge of coin, and put ridges and furrows on the rim: to put furrows and ridges on any edge: to clean, as cloth: to beat severely with the fists.—ns. Mill′-board, stout pasteboard, used esp. in binding books; Mill′cog, a cog of a mill-wheel; Mill′dam, Mill′pond, a dam or pond to hold water for driving a mill.—adj. Milled, prepared by a grinding-mill or a coining-press: transversely grooved: treated by machinery, esp. smoothed by calendering rollers in a paper-mill.—ns. Mill′-horse, a horse that turns a mill; Mill′ing, the act of passing anything through a mill: the act of fulling cloth: the process of turning up the edge of coin and of putting the rows of ridges and furrows on it: indenting coin on the edge; Mill′race, the current of water that turns a mill-wheel, or the channel in which it runs; Mill-six′pence (Shak.), a milled sixpence; Mill′stone, one of the two stones used in a mill for grinding corn; Mill′stone-grit (geol.), a hard gritty variety of sandstone suitable for millstones; Mill′-tooth, a molar; Mill′-wheel, the water-wheel used for driving a mill; Mill′-work, the machinery of a mill: the planning and putting up of machinery in mills; Mill′wright, a wright or mechanic who builds and repairs mills.—Go through the mill, to undergo suffering or experience sufficient to fit one for certain duties or privileges; See through a millstone, to see far into or through difficult questions. [A.S. miln—L. mola, a mill—molāre, to grind.]

Mill, mil, n. (U.S.) the thousandth part of a dollar. [L. mille, a thousand.]

Millennium, mil-len′i-um, n. a thousand years: the thousand years during which, as some believe, Christ will personally reign on the earth.—adj. Millenā′rian, lasting a thousand years: pertaining to the millennium.—n. one believing in the millennium.—ns. Millenā′rianism, Mil′lenarism, the doctrine of millenarians.—adj. Mill′enary, consisting of a thousand.—n. a thousand years.—adj. Millenn′ial, pertaining to a thousand years, or to the millennium.—ns. Millenn′ialist, a believer in the millennium; Millenn′ianism, Millenn′iarism, belief in the millennium. [L. mille, 1000, annus, a year.]

Millepore, mil′e-pōr, n. a species of branching coral, having a smooth surface with numerous minute, distinct pores or cells.—n. Mill′eporite, a fossil millepore. [Fr.; L. mille, 1000, porus, a pore.]

Miller, mil′ėr, n. one who has, or who attends to, a corn-mill.—ns. Mill′er's-thumb, a small fresh-water fish with a large, broad, and rounded head like a miller's thumb, the river bull-head.

Millesimal, mil-les′im-al, adj. thousandth: consisting of thousandth parts.—adv. Milles′imally. [L. millesimus—mille, a thousand.]

Millet, mil′et, n. a grass yielding grain which is used for food. [Fr. millet—L. milium.]

Milliard, mil′yard, n. a thousand millions. [Fr.,—L. mille, a thousand.]

Milliary, mil′i-ā-ri, adj. pertaining to a Roman mile.—n. a Roman milestone.

Millimeter, Millimetre, mil′i-mē-tėr, n. the thousandth part of a metre.

Milliner, mil′in-ėr, n. one who makes head-dresses, bonnets, &c. for women.—n. Mill′inery, the articles made or sold by milliners: the industry of making these. [Prob. orig. Milaner, a trader in Milan wares, esp. silks and ribbons.]

Million, mil′yun, n. a thousand thousands (1,000,000): a very great number.—n. Mill′ionaire, a man worth a million of money or more.—adj. Mill′ionary, pertaining to, or consisting of, millions.—adj. and n. Mill′ionth, the ten hundred thousandth.—The million, the great body of the people generally. [Fr.,—Low L. millio—L. mille, 1000.]

Milliped, Milleped, mil′e-ped, n. a small worm-like animal, with a great number of legs.—Also Mill′ipede, Mill′epede. [L. millepeda—mille, a thousand, pes, pedis, a foot.]

Millocrat, mil′ō-krat, n. a wealthy mill-owner.—n. Mill′ocratism.

Milreis, mil′rēs, n. a thousand reals: a Portuguese coin worth about 4s. 5d.

Milt, milt, n. the soft roe of male fishes: (anat.) the spleen.—v.t. to impregnate, as the spawn of the female fish.—n. Milt′er, a male fish. [A corr. of milk, as in Sw. mjölke, milt of fishes.]

Miltonic, mil-ton′ik, adj. relating to Milton (1608-74), or to his poetry.

Milvine, mil′vin, adj. pertaining to, or like, birds of the kite family. [L. milvinus—milvus, a kite.]

Mime, mīm, n. a farce in which scenes from actual life were represented by gesture: an actor in such a farce.—n. Mim′esis, a mimicking of the speech, gestures, &c. of a person or a people: (biol.) mimicry.—adjs. Mimet′ic, -al, apt to imitate.—v.t. Mim′ic, to imitate: simulate:—pr.p. mim′icking; pa.p. mim′icked.—n. one who mimics: a buffoon: a servile imitator.—adjs. Mim′ic, -al, imitative: mock: miniature.—ns. Mim′icker; Mim′icry, act of mimicking: an imitative resemblance in one animal to another or to some inanimate object. [Gr. mimos.]

Mimeograph, mim′ē-ō-graf, n. an apparatus in which a thin fibrous paper coated with paraffin is used as a stencil for reproducing copies of written or printed matter.—v.t. to reproduce such by this means. [Gr. mimeisthai, to imitate, graphein, to write.]

Mimography, mim-og′ra-fi, n. the art of writing gesture-languages by means of pictorial symbols constituting ideographs.—n. Mimog′rapher.

Mimosa, mī-mō′za, n. a genus of leguminous plants, including the sensitive plant. [Gr. mimos.]

Mina, mī′na, n. a weight in silver at Athens=100 drachmas: (B.) a weight of money valued at fifty shekels. [L. mina—Gr. mna.]

Mina, mī′na, n. one of several different sturnoid passerine birds of India.

Minaret, min′a-ret, n. a turret on a Mohammedan mosque, from which the people are summoned to prayers. [Sp. minarete—Ar. manarat, lighthouse—nar, fire.]

Minatory, min′a-tor-i, adj. threatening, menacing.—Also Minā′cious. [L. mināri, -ātus, to threaten.]

Mince, mins, v.t. to cut into small pieces: to chop fine: to diminish or suppress a part in speaking: to pronounce affectedly.—v.i. to walk with affected nicety: to speak affectedly:—pr.p. minc′ing; pa.p. minced (minst).—ns. Mince′-meat, meat chopped small—hence anything thoroughly broken or cut to pieces; Mince′-pie, a pie made with minced meat, &c.—adj. Minc′ing, not speaking fully out: speaking or walking with affected nicety.—adv. Minc′ingly.—Mince matters, to speak of things with affected delicacy, or to soften an account unduly.—Minced collops (see Collops). [A.S. minsian—min, small; prob. cog. with Fr. mince, thin, also Teut.]

Mind, mīnd, n. the faculty by which we think, &c.: the understanding: the whole spiritual nature: memory: choice: intention: thoughts or sentiments: belief: cast of thought and feeling: (B.) disposition.—v.t. to attend to: to obey: (orig.) to remind: (Scot.) to remember.—v.i. (B.) to intend.—adj. Mind′ed, having a mind: disposed: determined.—ns. Mind′edness, inclination toward anything; Mind′er, a care-taker: one taken care of, as a pauper child by a private person.—adj. Mind′ful, bearing in mind: taking thought or care: attentive: observant.—adv. Mind′fully.—n. Mind′fulness.—adj. Mind′less, without mind: stupid.—n. Mind′-trans′ference, thought-transference.—Mind one's p's and q's, to be accurate and precise; Mind your eye (slang), take care what you are about.—Absence of mind, inattention to what is going on at the time; Bear in mind, to remember; Be out of one's mind, to be forgotten: to be insane; Have a mind, to wish or to be inclined strongly; Have half a mind, to be somewhat inclined; Lose, or Be out of, one's mind, to become insane; Make up one's mind, to determine; Month's mind, continual prayer on a dead person's behalf for a month after death, with masses esp. on 3d, 7th, and 30th days (also A monthly mind): any very strong desire or inclination; Never mind, do not concern yourself; Of one mind, agreed; Of two minds, uncertain what to think or do; Presence of mind, a state of calmness in which all the powers of the mind are on the alert and ready for action; Put in mind, to warn or remind; Year's mind, a commemorative service of a similar kind to the month's mind, on the anniversary of a death. [A.S. ge-mynd—munan, to think; Ger. meinen, to think, L. mens, the mind.]

Mindererus spirit, min-der-ē′rus spir′it, n. acetate of ammonia, much used in cases of fever.

Mine, mīn, v.i. and v.t. to dig for metals: to excavate: to dig under a wall or building in order to overturn it: to ruin or destroy by secret means.—n. a place from which metals are dug: an excavation dug under a fortification to blow it up with gunpowder: a rich source of wealth.—ns. Mine′-cap′tain, the overseer of a mine; Mī′ner, one who digs in a mine.—adj. Mī′ny, rich in mines: like a mine.—See also Submarine mine. [Low L. mināre, to lead, open a mine.]

Mineral, min′ėr-al, n. an inorganic substance found in the earth or at its surface: any substance containing a metal.—adj. relating to minerals: having the nature of minerals: impregnated with minerals, as water: denoting inorganic substances.—n. Mineralisā′tion.—v.t. Min′eralise, to make into a mineral: to give the properties of a mineral to: to impregnate with mineral matter.—v.i. to collect minerals.—ns. Min′eraliser, an element that combines with a metal to form an ore, as sulphur: a volatile or other substance, as water, which facilitates the recrystallisation of rocks; Min′eralist, one versed in or employed about minerals.—adj. Mineralog′ical, pertaining to mineralogy.—adv. Mineralog′ically.—v.i. Mineral′ogise, to collect or study minerals.—ns. Mineral′ogist, one versed in mineralogy; Mineral′ogy, the science which treats of minerals: the art of describing and classifying minerals.—Mineral acids, a name applied to sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids; Mineral black, an impure carbon used as a pigment; Mineral caoutchouc, a variety of bitumen—also Elaterite; Mineral kingdom, that department of nature which comprises substances that are neither animal nor vegetable; Mineral oil, oil which is forced up or pumped from the earth, as petroleum, naphtha, &c.; Mineral salt, a salt of a mineral acid; Mineral water, the water of certain springs having the taste of various kinds of minerals, and used as medicines. [Fr.,—miner, to mine—Low L. mināre; cf. Mine.]

Minerva, mi-nėr′va, n. the Roman goddess of wisdom, of the arts and sciences, and of war—identified with the Greek Athena.—Minerva Press, a printing-office in Leadenhall Street, London, whence were issued about the close of the 18th century a long series of highly sentimental novels. [L., prob. from root of mens, mentis, the mind.]

Ming, ming, v.t. to mix:—old pa.t. and pa.p. meint, ment. [A.S. mengan; Ger. mengen.]

Mingle, ming′gl, v.t. to mix: to unite into one mass: to confuse: to join in mutual intercourse.—v.i. to become mixed or confused.—n. a medley.—n. Ming′le-mang′le, a medley, jumble.—v.t. to confuse, jumble together.—ns. Ming′lement; Ming′ler; Ming′ling, mixture: a mixing or blending together.—adv. Ming′lingly. [Freq. of ming.]

Miniature, min′i-a-tūr, or min′i-tūr, n. a painting on a very small scale, on ivory, vellum, or thick paper: a small or reduced copy of anything.—adj. on a small scale: minute.—v.t. to represent on a small scale.—n. Min′iaturist, one who paints miniatures. [It. miniatura—miniare, to write with red lead—L. minium, vermilion.]

Minikin, min′i-kin, n. a little darling: a small sort of pin: the treble string of a lute.—adj. small. [Old Dut., dim. of minne, love, cog. with Old High Ger. minna, memory, love.]

Minim, min′im, n. (med.) the smallest liquid measure, a drop, 1⁄60 drachm: (mus.) a note (formerly the shortest) equal to two crotchets: (Milt.) a diminutive creature: one of an austere order of mendicant friars founded about the middle of the 15th century by St Francis of Paola in Calabria (1416-1507)—called Minims (L. minimi, the least) to humble them even below the Franciscans (Friars minor).—adj. Min′imal.—v.t. Min′imise, to reduce to the smallest possible proportions: to treat slightingly.—ns. Minim′itude, Minimisā′tion; Min′imum, the least quantity or degree possible—opp. of Maximum: a trifle:—pl. Min′ima; Min′imus (Shak.), a being of the smallest size.—Minimum and Maximum thermometer (see Thermometer). [Fr. minime—L. minimus, minima, the smallest.]

Mining, mī′ning, n. the art of forming or of working mines: the work of a miner.—adj. of or pertaining to mines: of burrowing habits.

Minion, min′yun, n. a darling, a favourite, esp. of a prince: a flatterer: a fawning favourite: (print.) a small kind of type, about 10½ lines to the inch, between nonpareil and brevier. [Fr. mignon, a darling—Old High Ger. minna, minne, love.]

Minish, min′ish, v.t. (B.) to make little or less: to diminish. [Fr. menuiser, to cut small, said of a carpenter—L. minutia, smallness.]

Minister, min′is-tėr, n. a servant: one who serves at the altar: a clergyman: one transacting business for another: the responsible head of a department of state affairs: the representative of a government at a foreign court.—v.i. to act as a servant: to perform duties: to supply or do things needful.—v.t. to furnish:—pr.p. min′istering; pa.p. min′istered.—adj. Ministē′rial, pertaining to the work of a servant: acting under superior authority: pertaining to the office of a minister: clerical: executive.—n. Ministē′rialist, one who supports ministers or the government in office.—adv. Ministē′rially.—adj. Min′istering, attending and serving.—n. Ministē′rium, the body of the ordained ministers in a district.—adj. Min′istrant, administering: attendant.—n. Ministrā′tion, the act of ministering or performing service: office or service of a minister.—adj. Min′istrātive, serving to aid or assist: ministering.—ns. Min′istress, a female minister; Min′istry, act of ministering: service: office or duties of a minister: the clergy: the clerical profession: the body of ministers who manage the business of the country. [L.,—minor, less.]

Minium, min′i-um, n. red oxide of lead.—adj. Min′iate, minium coloured.—v.t. to paint with minium. [Fr.,—L., minium, red lead.]

Miniver, min′i-vėr, n. a mixed or variegated fur. [O. Fr. menu ver—menu, small—L. minutus, vair, fur—L. varius, changing, mottled.]

Mink, mingk, n. a small quadruped of the weasel kind, valued for its fur. [Perh. from Sw. mänk.]

Minnesinger, min′e-sing′ėr, n. one of a school of German amatory lyric poets in the 12th and 13th centuries, mostly of noble birth. [Ger. minne, love, singer, singer.]

Minnow, min′ō, n. a very small fresh-water fish of the same genus as the roach, chub, &c.: the young of larger fish. [A.S. myne, prob. min, less.]

Minor, mī′nor, adj. smaller: less: inferior in importance, degree, bulk, &c.: inconsiderable: lower: (mus.) smaller by a semitone.—n. a person under age (21 years): (logic) the term of a syllogism which forms the subject of the conclusion.—n. Mī′norite, a Franciscan friar.—adj. belonging to the Franciscans.—n. Minor′ity, the state of being under age (also Mī′norship): the smaller of two parts of a number: a number less than half:—opp. to Majority.—Minor canon, a canon of inferior grade who assists in performing the daily choral service in a cathedral; Minor mode or scale, the mode or scale in music which has the third note only three semitones above the key; Minor premise, the premise which contains the minor term; Minor prophets, the name given to the twelve prophets from Hosea to Malachi inclusive. [L., neut. minus.]

Minotaur, min′o-tawr, n. the bull of Minos, a fabulous monster, half-man, half-bull. [L.,—Gr., prob. from Minos, king of Crete, taurus, a bull.]

Minster, min′stėr, n. the church of an abbey or priory, but often applied to a cathedral church without any monastic connection. [A.S. mynster—L. monasterium, a monastery.]

Minstrel, min′strel, n. one of an order of men who sang to the harp verses composed by themselves or others: a musician: one of a class of performers, with blackened faces, of negro songs.—n. Min′strelsy, the art or occupation of a minstrel: a company or body of minstrels: a collection of songs: (Chaucer) instrumental music. [O. Fr. menestrel—Low L. ministralis—L. minister.]

Mint, mint, n. the place where money is coined by government: a place where anything is invented or made: any source of abundant supply.—v.t. to coin: to invent.—ns. Mint′age, the money which is minted or coined: the duty paid for coining; Mint′er, one who mints or coins: an inventor; Mint′-man, one skilled in coining or coinage; Mint′-mark, a private mark put by the mint on coins for purposes of identification; Mint′-mas′ter, the master of a mint: one who invents. [A.S. mynet, money—L. monēta, a surname of Juno—monēre to remind.]

Mint, mint, n. an aromatic plant producing a highly odoriferous oil.—ns. Mint′-ju′lep, a spirituous drink flavoured with mint, and sucked through a straw or small tube; Mint′-sauce, chopped mint mixed with vinegar and sugar, used as a sauce for roast lamb. [A.S. minte—L. mentha—Gr. mintha.]

Mint, mint, v.i. (Scot.) to purpose, try: to hint. [A.S. myntan, to mean—munan, to think.]

Minuend, min′ū-end, n. the number from which another is to be subtracted. [L. minuendum—minuĕre, to lessen.]

Minuet, min′ū-et, n. a slow, graceful dance in triple measure, invented in Poitou about the middle of the 17th century: the music for such a dance. [Fr. menuet—menu, small—L. minutus, small.]

Minus, mī′nus, adj. less: less than nothing or less than zero: deficient in respect of, deprived of, without.—n. an amount less than nothing: the sign (-) before quantities requiring to be subtracted.—n. Minus′cūle, a semi-uncial cursive script, originated by the monks in the 7th-9th centuries: any small or lower-case letter as distinguished from a capital or Majuscule.—adj. small, of a letter: written in minuscule. [L., neuter of minor, less.]

Minute, min-ūt′, adj. very small or slender: of small consequence: slight: attentive to small things: particular, exact.—adv. Minute′ly.—n. Minute′ness. [L. minūtus, pa.p. of minuĕre, to lessen.]

Minute, min′it, n. the sixtieth part of an hour: the sixtieth part of a degree: an indefinitely small space of time: a brief jotting or note: (pl.) a brief summary of the proceedings of a meeting.—v.t. to make a brief jotting or note of anything.—adj. (Shak.) happening every minute.—ns. Min′ute-bell, a bell sounded at regular intervals of one minute, in morning; Min′ute-book, a book containing minutes or short notes; Min′ute-glass, a glass the sand of which measures a minute in running out; Min′ute-gun, a gun discharged every minute, as a signal of distress or mourning; Min′ute-hand, the hand that indicates the minutes on a clock or watch; Min′ute-jack (Shak.), a little figure that strikes the bell of the clock: a flighty, unstable person; Min′ute-man, a man ready to turn out at a minute's warning—the name taken by a body of militia in the American war of independence; Min′ute-watch, a watch that marks minutes; Min′ute-while (Shak.), a minute's time. [Same word as above.]

Minutiæ, mi-nū′shi-ē, n.pl. minute or small things: the smallest particulars or details.—adj. Minū′tiōse. [L., pl. of minutia, smallness.]

Minx, mingks, n. a pert young girl: a jade: a she-puppy. [Contr. of minikin, with added s.]

Miocene, mī′o-sēn, adj. (geol.) less recent, applied by Lyell to the middle division of the Tertiary strata. [Gr. meiōn, less, kainos, recent.]

Mir, mēr, n. a Russian commune or local community holding land which is redistributed from time to time. [Russ. mirŭ, union.]

Miracle, mir′a-kl, n. anything wonderful: a prodigy: anything beyond human power, and away from the common action of the laws of nature: a supernatural event.—ns. Mir′acle-mong′er, one who pretends to work miracles; Mir′acle-play, a medieval form of drama founded on Old or New Testament history, or the legends of the saints.—adj. Mirac′ulous, of the nature of a miracle: done by supernatural power: very wonderful: able to perform miracles.—adv. Mirac′ulously.—n. Mirac′ulousness. [Fr.,—L. miraculum—mirāri, -ātus, to wonder.]

Mirage, mi-räzh′, n. an optical illusion by which objects are seen double, or as if suspended in the air. [Fr.—mirer—L. mirāri.]

Mire, mīr, n. deep mud.—v.t. to plunge and fix in mire: to soil with mud.—v.i. to sink in mud.—n. Mī′riness.—adj. Mī′ry, consisting of mire: covered with mire. [Ice. mýri, marsh.]

Mirror, mir′ur, n. a looking-glass: a reflecting surface, usually made of glass lined at the back with a brilliant metal: a pattern.—v.t. to reflect as in a mirror:—pr.p. mirr′oring; pa.p. mirr′ored.—n. Mag′ic-mirr′or, a mirror in which, by means of divination, a person sees scenes in his future life: a Japanese convex mirror, engraved on the back, by which bright light reflected from the polished surface on to a screen gives bright-lined images corresponding to the figures on the back. [O. Fr. mireor, miroir—L. mirāri, -ātus, to wonder at.]

Mirth, mėrth, n. merriness: pleasure: delight: noisy gaiety: jollity: laughter.—adj. Mirth′ful, full of mirth: causing mirth: merry: jovial.—adv. Mirth′fully.—n. Mirth′fulness.—adj. Mirth′less, joyless: cheerless.—n. Mirth′lessness, absence of mirth. [A.S. myrgð—merg, merry.]

Mirza, mir′za, n. a Persian title, equivalent to 'Prince' when following the surname—a common title of respect, like 'Mr,' when preceding it.

Misacceptation, mis-ak-sep-tā′shun, n. the act of accepting or understanding in a wrong sense.

Misadventure, mis-ad-vent′ūr, n. an unfortunate adventure: ill-luck: disaster.—adjs. Misadvent′ured (Shak.), unfortunate; Misadvent′urous.

Misadvertence, mis-ad-vert′ens, n. want of proper care or attention: inadvertence.

Misadvise, mis-ad-vīz′, v.t. to give bad advice to: to deceive.—adj. Misadvised′, ill-advised, ill-directed.—adv. Misadvī′sedly.—n. Misadvī′sedness.

Misalliance, mis-al-lī′ans, n. a bad alliance, esp. marriage with one of a lower rank—the Fr. Mésalliance.—adj. Misallied′.

Misanthrope, mis′an-thrōp, n. a hater of mankind: one who distrusts every one else—also Misan′thropist.—adjs. Misanthrop′ic, -al, hating or distrusting mankind.—adv. Misanthrop′ically.—ns. Misan′thropos (Shak.), a misanthrope; Misan′thropy, hatred or distrust of mankind. [Fr.,—Gr. misanthrōpos—misein, to hate, anthrōpos, a man.]

Misapply, mis-ap-plī′, v.t. to apply wrongly: to use for a wrong purpose.—n. Misapplicā′tion.

Misappreciated, mis-ap-prē′shi-āt-ed, adj. not rightly or fully appreciated.—n. Misappreciā′tion.—adj. Misapprē′ciātive.

Misapprehend, mis-ap-pre-hend′, v.t. to apprehend wrongly: to take or understand in a wrong sense.—n. Misapprehen′sion.—adv. Misapprehen′sively, by or with misapprehension or mistake.

Misappropriate, mis-ap-prō′pri-āt, v.t. to put to a wrong use.—n. Misappropriā′tion.

Misarrange, mis-ar-rānj′, v.t. to arrange wrongly: to put in wrong order.—n. Misarrange′ment.

Misbecome, mis-be-kum′, v.t. not to suit or befit: to be unfitting.—adj. Misbecom′ing, unbecoming.—n. an impropriety.—n. Misbecom′ingness.

Misbegot, Misbegotten, mis-be-got′, -got′n, p.adj. (Shak.) unlawfully begotten: shapeless.

Misbehave, mis-be-hāv′, v.i. to behave ill or improperly.—adj. Misbehaved′ (Shak.), badly behaved: ill-bred.—n. Misbehav′iour.

Misbelieve, mis-be-lēv′, v.t. to believe wrongly or falsely.—ns. Misbelief′, belief in false doctrine; Misbeliev′er.—adj. Misbeliev′ing.

Misbestow, mis-be-stō′, v.t. to bestow improperly, or on the wrong person.—n. Misbestow′al.

Misborn, mis′bawrn, adj. (Spens.) born to evil or misfortune—n. Misbirth′, an abortion.

Miscalculate, mis-kal′kū-lāt, v.t. to calculate wrongly.—n. Miscalculā′tion.

Miscarriage, mis-kar′ij, n. the act of miscarrying: failure: ill-conduct: the act of bringing forth young prematurely.—v.i. Miscarr′y, to be unsuccessful: to fail of the intended effect: to bring forth, as young, before the proper time.

Miscegenation, mis-sē-jen-ā′shun, n. a mixture of races. [L. miscēre, to mix, genus, race.]

Miscellaneous, mis-sel-lān′i-us, adj. mixed or mingled: consisting of several kinds.—adj. Miscellanā′rian.—n. a writer of miscellanies.—adv. Miscellan′eously.—ns. Miscellan′eousness; Mis′cellānist, a writer of miscellanies; Mis′cellany, a mixture of various kinds: a collection of writings on different subjects—also n.pl. Miscellā′nea. [L. miscellaneus—miscēre, to mix.]

Mischance, mis-chans′, n. ill-luck: mishap, misfortune: calamity.—v.i. to chance wrongly, come to ill-luck.—adj. Mischan′cy (Scot.), unlucky.

Mischarge, mis-chärj′, v.t. to charge wrongly: to make an error in an account.—n. a mistake in charging, as in an account.

Mischief, mis′chif, n. an ill consequence: evil: injury: damage, hurt: (coll.) the devil, as in 'What the mischief,' &c.—n. Mis′chief-mak′er, one who incites to mischief.—adjs. Mis′chief-mak′ing, causing mischief; Mis′chievous, causing mischief: injurious: prone to mischief.—adv. Mis′chievously.—n. Mis′chievousness.—Play the mischief with, to disturb anything greatly. [O. Fr. meschef, from mes-, ill, chef—L. caput, the head.]

Miscible, mis′si-bl, adj. that may be mixed.—n. Miscibil′ity. [Fr.,—L. miscēre, to mix.]

Miscomprehend, mis-kom-pre-hend′, v.t. to misunderstand.—n. Miscomprehen′sion.

Miscomputation, mis-kom-pū-tā′shun, n. wrong computation: false reckoning.

Misconceit, mis-kon-sēt′, n. (Spens.) misconception.—v.i. to form a wrong opinion about.

Misconceive, mis-kon-sēv′, v.t. to conceive wrongly: to mistake.—v.i. to have a wrong conception of anything.—n. Misconcep′tion.

Misconduct, mis-kon′dukt, n. bad conduct: wrong management.—v.t. Misconduct′, to conduct badly.

Misconjecture, mis-kon-jek′tūr, n. a wrong conjecture or guess.—v.t. or v.i. to guess or conjecture wrongly.

Misconstruct, mis-kon-strukt′, v.t. to construct wrongly: to construe or interpret erroneously.—n. Misconstruc′tion, a mistaking of the true meaning.

Miscontent, mis-kon-tent′, adj. not content—also Miscontent′ed.—n. Miscontent′ment.

Miscopy, mis-kop′i, v.t. to copy wrongly or imperfectly.—n. an error in copying.

Miscount, mis-kownt′, v.t. to count wrongly: to misjudge.—n. a wrong counting.

Miscreant, mis′krē-ant, n. a vile wretch, a detestable scoundrel: a misbeliever, an infidel.—adj. unbelieving.—n. Mis′creance (Spens.), unbelief, belief in a false religion. [O. Fr. mescreant—mes-, L. credens, -entis, pr.p. of credĕre, to believe.]

Miscreate, -d, mis-krē-āt′, -ed, adj. wrongly created: deformed: (Shak.) illegitimate.—n. Miscreā′tion.—adj. Miscreā′tive, inclining towards wrong creation.

Miscue, mis-kū′, n. at billiards, a stroke spoiled by the slipping off of the cue.

Misdate, mis-dāt′, n. a wrong date.—v.t. to date wrongly or erroneously.

Misdeal, mis-dēl′, n. a wrong deal, as at cards.—v.t. to deal wrongly: to divide improperly.—v.i. to make a wrong distribution.

Misdecision, mis-de-sizh′un, n. act of deciding wrongly: a wrong decision.

Misdeem, mis-dēm′, v.t. to deem or think wrongly: to make a mistake in judging.

Misdemean, mis-de-mēn′, v.t. to behave ill (with one's self).—v.i. to misbehave.—ns. Misdemean′ant, one who commits a misdemeanour or petty crime; Misdemean′our, bad conduct: a legal offence of less gravity than a felony.

Misdescribe, mis-des-krīb′, v.t. to describe falsely.—n. Misdescrip′tion.

Misdirect, mis-di-rekt′, v.t. to direct wrongly.—n. Misdirec′tion, act of directing wrongly, or state of being wrongly directed.

Misdistinguish, mis-dis-ting′gwish, v.t. to make wrong distinctions concerning.

Misdivide, mis-di-vīd′, v.t. to divide wrongly.—n. Misdivi′sion, wrong or unfair division.

Misdo, mis-dōō′, v.t. to do wrongly.—v.i. to act amiss, err—ns. Misdo′er; Misdo′ing.

Misdoubt, mis-dowt′, v.t. to have a doubt or suspicion regarding: to suspect.—n. suspicion: hesitation.—adj. Misdoubt′ful (Spens.), misgiving.

Misdraw, mis-draw′, v.t. to draw or draft badly.—v.i. to fall apart.—n. Misdraw′ing.

Misdread, mis-dred′, n. (Shak.) dread of evil to come.—v.t. to regard with dread.

Mise, mīz, n. expenditure, outlay: a gift of money to a superior, prince, &c.: in a writ of right, a traverse by which both parties put the cause directly upon the question as to which had the better right: the adjustment of a dispute by arbitration and compromise, as the 'Mise of Lewes' in 1264. [Fr.,—L. mittĕre, missum.]

Misemploy, mis-em-ploi′, v.t. to employ wrongly or amiss: to misuse.—n. Misemploy′ment, ill-employment: improper application: misuse.

Misentry, mis-en′tri, n. a wrong entry, as in an account.—v.t. Misen′ter, to make such.

Miser, mī′zėr, n. a miserable person: an extremely covetous person: a niggard: one whose chief pleasure is in hoarding wealth.—adj. like a miser.—adj. Mī′serly, excessively covetous: sordid: niggardly. [L. miser, wretched.]

Miser, mīz′ėr, n. a tubular well boring-bit, with valved opening for the earth passing up.

Miserable, miz′ėr-a-bl, adj. wretched, exceedingly unhappy: causing misery: very poor or mean: worthless: despicable: barren.—n. Mis′erableness.—adv. Mis′erably. [Fr.,—L. miserabilis—miser.]

Misereatur, miz-ėr-ē-ā′tur, n. the first part of the absolution service in the R.C. liturgy, beginning 'Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus.'

Miserere, miz-e-rē′re, n. the name by which in Catholic usage the penitential 50th Psalm of the Vulgate (51st in A.V.) is commonly known, from its commencement, 'Miserere mei, Domine:' a musical composition adapted to this psalm: a hinged folding-seat in a church stall, which, when turned up, shows a bracket on which a person who is standing can lean. [L., 2d pers. sing, imperf. of miserēri, to have mercy, to pity—miser, wretched.]

Misericorde, miz-e-ri-kord′, n. mercy, forgiveness, pity: a folding-seat: a narrow-bladed dagger for putting a wounded foe out of pain by the coup-de-grâce. [Fr.,—L.,—misericors, -dis, tender-hearted.]

Misery, miz′ėr-i, n. wretchedness: great unhappiness: extreme pain of body or of mind: a cause of pain or sorrow: (Shak.) avarice. [O. Fr.,—L. miseria.]

Misesteem, mis-es-tēm′, n. want of esteem: disregard: disrespect.—v.t. Mises′timāte, to estimate wrongly.

Misfare, mis-fār′, n. (Spens.) ill fare: misfortune.—v.i. to fare or succeed ill.

Misfeasance, mis-fēz′ans, n. (law) a wrong done, as distinguished from Nonfeasance, which means a mere omission: the doing of a lawful act in a wrongful manner, as distinguished from Malfeasance, which means the doing of an act which is positively unlawful.—ns. Misfeas′ant, Misfeas′or, one who commits a misfeasance. [O. Fr., mes-, wrong, faisance—faire—L. facĕre, to do.]

Misfit, mis-fit′, n. a bad fit, of clothes, &c.—v.t. to make of a wrong size: to supply with something that does not fit.

Misform, mis-form′, v.t. to form or shape badly or improperly.—n. Misformā′tion.

Misfortune, mis-for′tūn, n. ill-fortune: an evil accident: calamity: (coll.) a euphemism for a lapse from virtue resulting in the birth of a natural child.—adj. Misfor′tuned. (Milt.), unfortunate.

Misget, mis-get′, v.t. (Spens.) to procure unlawfully.—adj. Misgot′ten, wrongly obtained.

Misgive, mis-giv′, v.t. to fill with doubt: to destroy confidence.—v.i. to fail, as the heart: to give way to doubt.—n. Misgiv′ing, mistrust.

Misgovern, mis-guv′ėrn, v.t. to govern badly: to use power unjustly.—ns. Misgov′ernance (Spens.), ill government: irregularity; Misgov′ernment.

Misgraff, mis-graf′, Misgraft, mis-graft′, v.t. (Shak.) to graft wrongly or on a wrong stock.

Misguide, mis-gīd′, v.t. to guide wrongly: to lead into error.—ns. Misguid′ance, Misguide′ (obs.).

Mishanter, Mischanter, mi-shan′tėr, n. (Scot.) an unlucky chance, misfortune.

Mishap, mis-hap′, n. ill chance: accident: misfortune.—v.i. Mishap′pen (Spens.), to happen ill.

Mishear, mis-hēr′, v.t. to hear incorrectly.—v.i. to mistake in hearing.

Mishmee, mish′mē, n. the bitter tonic root of a Chinese species of gold-thread.

Mishnah, Mishna, mish′na, n. a great collection of halachoth, comprising the body of the 'Oral Law,' or the juridico-political, civil, and religious code of the Jews; it forms one of the divisions of the Talmud—the 'Gemara,' or commentary on the Mishna, being the other; and it was finally redacted at Tiberias in 220 A.D.:—pl. Mish′noth.—adjs. Mishnā′ic, Mish′nic. [Heb.,—shānāh, to repeat.]

Misimprove, mis-im-prōōv′, v.t. to apply to a bad purpose: to misuse.—n. Misimprove′ment.

Misinfer, mis-in-fėr′, v.t. to infer wrongly.—v.i. to draw a wrong inference.

Misinform, mis-in-form′, v.t. to tell incorrectly.—ns. Misinform′ant; Misinformā′tion; Misinform′er.

Misinstruct, mis-in′strukt′, v.t. to instruct improperly.—n. Misinstruc′tion, wrong instruction.

Misinterpret, mis-in-tėr′pret, v.t. to interpret wrongly: to explain wrongly.—ns. Misinterpretā′tion; Misinter′preter.

Misjoin, mis-join′, v.t. to join improperly or unfitly.—n. Misjoin′der (law), an incorrect union of parties or of causes of actions in a suit.

Misjudge, mis-juj′, v.t. and v.i. to judge wrongly.—n. Misjudg′ment.

Mislay, mis-lā′, v.t. to lay in a wrong place or in one not remembered: to lose:—pa.p. mislaid′.

Mislead, mis-lēd′, v.t. to guide into error: to cause to mistake:—pa.p. misled′.—n. Mislead′er.—adj. Mislead′ing, deceptive.—adv. Mislead′ingly.

Misleared, mis-lērd′, adj. (Scot.) mistaught: wrongly informed, imposed upon.

Mislike, mis-līk′, v.t. to dislike: to disapprove of.—n. dislike: disapprobation.—n. Mislike′ness, a misleading resemblance.

Mislippen, mis-lip′n, v.t. (Scot.) to disappoint, deceive: to neglect to pay attention to anything.

Mismanage, mis-man′āj, v.t. to conduct badly: to conduct carelessly.—n. Misman′agement.

Mismatch, mis-mach′, v.t. to match unsuitably.—n. Mismatch′ment.

Mismeasure, mis-mezh′ūr, v.t. to measure wrongly.—n. Mismeas′urement.

Misnomer, misnō′mėr, n. a misnaming: a wrong name. [O. Fr., from Fr. mes- and nommer—L. nomināre, to name.]

Misoclere, mis′o-klēr, adj. (Fuller) hating the clergy. [Gr. misein, to hate, klēros, clergy.]

Misogamist, mis-og′a-mist, n. a hater of marriage.—n. Misog′amy. [Gr. misein, to hate, gamos, marriage.]

Misogynist, mis-oj′i-nist, n. a woman-hater.—adjs. Misogynist′ical, Misog′ynous.—n. Misog′yny. [Gr. misein, to hate, gynē, a woman.]

Misology, mi-sol′o-ji, n. hatred of reason.—n. Misol′ogist. [Gr., misein, to hate, logos, reason.]

Misotheism, mis′o-thē-izm, n. hatred of God. [Gr. misein, to hate, theos, God.]

Mispersuasion, mis-pėr-swā′zhun, n. a wrong persuasion or notion: a false opinion.

Misplace, mis-plās′, v.t. to put in a wrong place: to set on an improper object.—n. Misplace′ment.

Misplead, mis-plēd′, v.i. to plead wrongly.—n. Misplead′ing, an error in pleading.

Misprise, mis-prīz′, v.t. to slight, undervalue. [O. Fr mespriser—pfx. mes-, amiss, Low L. pretiāre—L. pretium, price.]

Misprision, mis-prizh′un, n. mistake: (law) criminal oversight or neglect in respect to the crime of another: any serious offence, failure of duty—positive or negative, according as it is maladministration or mere neglect.—Misprision of heresy, treason, &c., knowledge of and failure to give information about heresy, treason, &c. [O. Fr., mes-, ill, Low L. prension-em—L. prehendĕre, to take.]

Mispronounce, mis-pro-nowns′, v.t. to pronounce incorrectly.—n. Mispronunciā′tion, wrong or improper pronunciation.

Mispunctuate, mis-pungk′tū-āt, v.t. and v.i. to punctuate wrongly.—n. Mispunctuā′tion.

Misquote, mis-kwōt′, v.t. to quote wrongly.—n. Misquotā′tion, a wrong quotation.

Misread, mis-rēd′, v.t. to read wrongly: to misinterpret.—n. Misread′ing, an erroneous reading.

Misreckon, mis,-rek′n, v.t. to reckon or compute wrongly.—n. Misreck′oning.

Misrelate, mis-re-lāt′, v.t. to relate incorrectly.—n. Misrelā′tion.

Misremember, mis-re-mem′bėr, v.t. to mistake in remembering.—v.i. to fail to remember correctly.

Misreport, mis-re-pōrt′, v.t. to give an incorrect report or account of.—n. a false report.

Misrepresent, mis-rep-re-zent′, v.t. to represent incorrectly: to act unfaithfully on behalf of.—v.i. to give a false impression.—n. Misrepresentā′tion.

Misrule, mis-rōōl′, n. wrong or unjust rule: disorder: tumult.—v.t. and v.i. to govern badly.—Abbot, or Lord, of Misrule, or Unreason, ancient titles for the leader of the Christmas revels.

Miss, mis, n. a title of address of an unmarried female: a young woman or girl: (obs.) a kept mistress:—pl. Miss′es—either the 'Miss Hepburns' or the 'Misses Hepburn' may be said, but the latter is preferable.—n. Miss′-Nan′cy, a very effeminate young man. [Contr. of mistress.]

Miss, mis, v.t. to fail to hit, reach, find, or keep: to omit: to fail to have: to discover the absence of: to feel the want of: to fail to observe: to leave out.—v.i. to fail to hit or obtain: to go wrong.—n. a failure to hit the mark: loss.—Miss fire, to fail to go off or explode from some cause; Miss one's tip (slang), to fail in one's plan or attempt; Miss stays (naut.), to fail in going about from one tack to another. [A.S. missan; Dut. missen, to miss.]

Missal, mis′al, n. the book which contains the complete service for mass throughout the year. [Low L. missale, from missa, mass.]

Missay, mis-sā′, v.i. to say or speak incorrectly or falsely.—v.t. to utter amiss: to slander.

Missee, mis-sē′, v.t. and v.i. to see falsely or erroneously, to take a distorted view.

Misseem, mis-sēm′, v.i. (Spens.) to seem or appear falsely, to misbecome.—p.adj. Misseem′ing, unbecoming.—n. false appearance.

Missel, mis′l, n. the largest of the European thrushes—supposed to be fond of the berries of the mistletoe.—Also Miss′el-bird, Miss′el-thrush.

Missel-tree, mis′l-trē, n. a tree of the Melastoma family in British Guiana.

Misset, mis-set′, v.t. to set or place wrongly or unfitly.—p.adj. (Scot.) out of humour.

Misshape, mis-shāp′, v.t. to shape ill: to deform.—n. deformity.—p.adj. Misshap′en, ill-shaped.—n. Misshap′enness.

Missile, mis′il, adj. that may be thrown from the hand or from any instrument.—n. a weapon thrown by the hand. [L. missilis—mittĕre, missum, to throw.]

Missing, mis′ing, adj. absent from the place where it was expected to be found: lost: wanting.—adv. Miss′ingly (Shak.), with a sense of loss.—Missing link (see Link). [See Miss (v.).]

Mission, mish′un, n. a sending of any agent, delegate, or messenger: the purpose for which one is sent: the sending out persons to spread a religion: a series of special religious services conducted by a missioner: any particular field of missionary enterprise: persons sent on a mission: an embassy: a station or association of missionaries: duty on which one is sent: purpose of life.—v.t. (rare) to commission.—n. Miss′ionary, one sent upon a mission to spread the knowledge of religion.—adj. pertaining to missions.—ns. Miss′ionary-bish′op, one having jurisdiction in a heathen country, or in districts not yet formed into dioceses; Miss′ioner, one who conducts a series of special mission services; Miss′ion-school, a school for religious, and sometimes also secular, instruction for the poor, kept up by charity: a school conducted by a missionary abroad. [Fr.,—L. mission-em—mittĕre, to send.]

Missish, mis′ish, adj. prim, affected.—n. Miss′ishness.—adj. Miss′y, namby-pamby, sentimental.—n. a diminutive of miss. [Miss.]

Missive, mis′iv, adj. that may be sent: intended to be thrown or hurled.—n. that which is sent, as a letter: (Shak.) messenger: (pl., Scots law) letters sent between two parties in which one makes an offer and the other accepts it. [Fr.,—L. missus.]

Misspeak, mis-spēk′, v.t. to utter wrongly.—v.i. to mistake or err in speaking.

Misspell, mis-spel′, v.t. to spell wrongly.—n. Misspell′ing, a wrong spelling.

Misspend, mis-spend′, v.t. to spend ill: to waste or squander:—pa.t. and pa.p. misspent′.

Misstate, mis-stāt′, v.t. to state wrongly or falsely.—n. Misstate′ment.

Misstep, mis-step′, v.i. to make a false step; to make a mistake.—n. a mistake in conduct, &c.

Mist, mist, n. watery vapour seen in the atmosphere: rain in very fine drops: anything that dims or darkens the sight or the judgment.—n. Mist′flow′er, a North American plant of the Aster family, with clusters of blue or violet flowers.—adj. Mist′ful, misty.—adv. Mist′ily.—n. Mist′iness.—adj. Mist′y, full of mist: dim: obscure, not perspicuous.—Scotch mist, a very wetting rain. [A.S. mist, darkness; Ice. mistr, mist, Dut. mist.]

Mistake, mis-tāk′, v.t. to understand wrongly: to take one thing or person for another.—v.i. to err in opinion or judgment.—n. a taking or understanding wrongly: an error.—adjs. Mistak′able; Mistak′en, understood wrongly: guilty of a mistake: erroneous: incorrect.—adv. Mistak′enly.—n. Mistak′ing (Shak.), a mistake.—And no mistake (coll.), without any manner of doubt: without fail; Be mistaken, to make or have made a mistake: to be misunderstood. [M. E. mistaken—Ice. mistaka, to take wrongly—mis-, wrongly, taka, to take.]

Mistemper, mis-tem′pėr, v.t. to temper ill: to disorder.—adj. Mistem′pered (Shak.), angry.

Mister, mis′tėr, n. (Spens.) manner, kind: (Scot.) necessity.—v.i. (Spens.) to need, require: to be poor: to be necessary. [O. Fr. mestier (Fr. métier), trade—L. ministerium, service.]

Mister, mis′tėr, n. sir: a title of address to a man, written Mr. [A corr. of master, through the influence of mistress.]

Mistery, mis′tėr-i, n. (Shak.) an art or trade—often spelt mystery. [Mister, trade.]

Misthink, mis-thingk′, v.t. (Shak.) to think ill of.—v.i. to think wrongly.—n. Misthought′, a wrong notion.

Mistico, mis′ti-kō, n. a small Mediterranean coaster, between a xebec and a felucca. [Sp.,—Ar.]

Mistigris, mis′ti-gris, n. a variation of poker in which a joker is used, to which the player holding it gives what value he chooses—also the joker when so used.

Mistime, mis-tīm′, v.t. to time wrongly.—adj. Mistimed′, unseasonable.

Mistletoe, miz′l-tō, n. a parasitic evergreen plant, with white viscous berries, found in southern England and elsewhere growing on the apple, apricot, &c. (very rarely on the oak). [A.S. mistel-tán (Ice. mistel-teinn)—mistel, mistletoe, A.S. tán, twig; mistel is a dim. of mist.]

Mistral, mis′träl, n. a violent north-west wind which at certain seasons prevails on the south coast of France. [Fr. mistral, lit. a master (wind)—L. magister, master.]

Mistranslate, mis-trans-lāt′, v.t. to translate incorrectly.—n. Mistranslā′tion.

Mistreading, mis-tred′ing, n. (Shak.) a wrong treading or going, a false step.

Mistreat, mis-trēt′, v.t. to treat ill: to abuse.—n. Mistreat′ment, ill-treatment: abuse.

Mistress, mis′tres, n. (fem. of Master) a woman having power or ownership: the female head of a family, school, &c.: a woman well skilled in anything: a woman loved and courted: a concubine: (fem. of Mister) a form of address once applied to any woman or girl, now given to a married woman (usually written Mrs and pronounced mis′ez): (Shak.) the small ball at bowls, now called the Jack, at which the players aim.—v.t. to play the mistress. [O. Fr. maistresse (Fr. maîtresse).]

Mistrial, mis-trī′al, n. a trial void because of error, as by disqualification of a juror, &c.: a trial in which the jury fail to agree.

Mistrust, mis-trust′, n. want of trust or confidence.—v.t. to regard with suspicion: to doubt.—adj. Mistrust′ful, full of mistrust.—adv. Mistrust′fully.—n. Mistrust′fulness.—adv. Mistrust′ingly, with mistrust: without confidence.—adj. Mistrust′less, without mistrust or suspicion.

Mistryst, mis-trīst′, v.t. (Scot.) to disappoint by not keeping an engagement: to deceive.

Mistune, mis-tūn′, v.t. to tune wrongly or falsely: to put out of tune.

Misunderstand, mis-un-dėr-stand′, v.t. to take in a wrong sense.—n. Misunderstand′ing, a mistake as to meaning: a slight disagreement.

Misuse, mis-ūs′, n. improper use: application to a bad purpose.—v.t. Misuse (mis-ūz′), to use for a wrong purpose or in a wrong way: to treat ill: to abuse.—n. Misus′age, ill-usage: abuse.

Misventure, mis-ven′tūr, n. a misadventure.—adj. Misven′turous.

Misworship, mis-wur′ship, v.t. to worship wrongly.—n. worship of a wrong object.

Mite, mīt, n. an acaridan arachnid, esp. one of the smaller forms, as the cheese-mite, &c. [A.S. míte.]

Mite, mīt, n. the minutest or smallest of coins, about one-fourth of a farthing: anything very small, even a person: a very little quantity. [Old Dut. mijt.]

Mithras, mith′ras, n. a Perso-Iranian divinity of light, worshipped with elaborate secret rites and mysteries, popular at Rome in the early Empire—representations of Mithras as a beautiful youth in Phrygian dress sacrificing a bull being common in Roman art—also Mith′ra.—n. Mithræ′um, a grotto sacred to Mithras.—adj. Mithrā′ic.—ns. Mithrā′icism, Mith′raism.—v.i. Mith′raise.—n. Mith′raist. [L.,—Gr.,—Old Pers. Mitra.]

Mithridate, mith′ri-dāt, n. an antidote to poison, Mithridates, king of Pontus (b.c. 120-63), having made himself proof against poisons.—adj. Mithridat′ic.

Mitigate, mit′i-gāt, v.t. to make more easily borne: to lessen the severity of: to temper: to reduce in amount (as evil).—adjs. Mit′igable, that can be mitigated; Mit′igant, mitigating.—n. Mitigā′tion, act of mitigating: alleviation: abatement.—adjs. Mit′igative, Mit′igatory, tending to mitigate: soothing.—n. Mit′igator, one who mitigates. [L. mitigāre, -atum—mitis, mild.]

Mitrailleuse, mē-tra-lyez′, n. a breech-loading machine-gun, discharging a stream of bullets with great rapidity—first brought into use by the French in 1870-71.—n. Mitraille (mē-traly′), grapeshot.—v.t. to fire mitraille at—n. Mitrailleur (mē-tra-lyėr′), a man in charge of a mitrailleuse. [Fr. mitrailler, to fire with grapeshot—mitraille, grapeshot.]

Mitre, mī′tėr, n. a head-dress worn by archbishops and bishops, and sometimes by abbots: (fig.) episcopal dignity: (archit.) a junction of two pieces, as of moulding, at an angle of 45°: a cap or cowl for a chimney or ventilator-pipe: a gusset in sewing, &c.—v.t. to adorn with a mitre: to unite at an angle of 45°.—adjs. Mī′tral, Mit′riform, having the form of a mitre: (bot.) conical, and somewhat dilated at the base.—ns. Mī′tre-joint, a joint between two pieces, each cut at an angle of 45°; Mī′tre-wheel, a bevel-wheel having its face inclined 45° to its axis. [Fr.,—L. mitra—Gr. mitra, belt, fillet.]

Mitten., mit′n, n. a kind of glove for winter use, without a separate cover for each finger: a glove for the hand and wrist, but not the fingers.—v.t. to put mittens on.—Get the mitten, to be rejected as a lover. [O. Fr. mitaine, perh. from Middle High Ger. mittemo, 'half glove;' but perh. Celtic, cf. Gael. and Ir. mutan, a muff.]

Mittimus, mit′i-mus, n. (law) a warrant granted for sending to prison a person charged with a crime: a writ by which a record is transferred out of one court to another: a formal dismissal from a situation. [L., 'we send'—mittĕre, to send.]

Miurus, mī-ū′rus, n. a dactylic hexameter with short penultimate syllable. [Gr. meiouros, curtailed, meiōn, less, oura, a tail.]

Mix, miks, v.t. to unite two or more things into one mass: to mingle: to associate.—v.i. to become mixed: to be joined: to associate.—n. a jumble, a mess.—adjs. Mix′able, Mix′ible; Mixed, mingled: promiscuous: confused.—adv. Mix′edly.—n. Mix′er.—adjs. Mix′o-barbar′ic, not purely barbarous; Mix′tiform, of a mixed character; Mixtilī′neal, consisting of a mixture of lines, right, curved, &c.—ns. Mix′tion, a mixture of amber, mastic, and asphaltum used as a mordant for fixing gold-leaf to distemper pictures or to wood; Mix′tūre, act of mixing or state of being mixed: a mass or compound formed by mixing: (chem.) a composition in which the ingredients retain their properties—opp. to Combination: a compound-stop in organ-building: a preparation in which an insoluble compound is suspended in an aqueous solution: a cloth of variegated colouring.—adj. Mix′ty-max′ty (Scot.), mixed confusedly together.—Mix up, to confuse.—Mixed chalice, the chalice prepared for the eucharist, containing wine mixed with water; Mixed marriage, one in which the contracting persons are of different religions. [A.S. miscan; Ger. mischen.]

Mixen, miks′n, n. (Tenn.) a dunghill. [A.S. mixen—mix, meox, dung.]

Mizzen, Mizen, miz′n, n. in a three-masted vessel, the hindmost of the fore-and-aft sails: the spanker or driver.—adj. belonging to the mizzen: nearest the stern.—n. Mizz′en-mast, the mast that bears the mizzen. [Fr. misaine—It. mezzana—Low L. medianus—L. medius, the middle.]

Mizzle, miz′l, v.i. to rain in small drops.—n. fine rain.—n. Mizz′ling, a thick mist.—adj. Mizz′ly, misty. [For mist-le, freq. from mist.]

Mizzle, miz′l, v.i. to yield: (slang) to decamp.—v.t. to muddle, confuse.

Mnemonic, -al, nē-mon′ik, -al, adj. assisting the memory.—ns. Mnemon′ics, the art of assisting the memory: a mode of recalling to the mind any fact or number, or a series of disconnected terms or figures; Mnemos′yne, goddess of memory, mother of the Muses.—adj. Mnemotech′nic, mnemonic.—n. Mnemotech′nics, mnemonics. [Gr. mnēmonikos—mnēmōn, mindful—mnasthai, to remember.]

Mo, mō, adj. and adv. (obs.) more.—Also Moe. [A.S. má, more, connected with mára.]

Moa, mō′a, n. an extinct large wingless ostrich-like bird of New Zealand.

Moabite, mō′a-bīt, n. one of the ancient people of Moab, living to the east of the lower part of Jordan and the Dead Sea.—adj. of or pertaining to Moab.—n. Mō′abite-stone, slab of black, basalt found in 1868 among the ruins of Dhibân (Dibon) in Moab, bearing an inscription of 34 lines in Hebrew-Phœnician letters, about the revolt of Mesha, king of Moab, against the king of Israel (2 Kings, iii.)

Moan, mōn, v.i. to make a low sound of grief or pain: to lament audibly.—v.t. to lament.—n. a low sound of grief or pain: audible expression of pain.—adj. Moan′ful, expressing sorrow: lamentable.—adv. Moan′fully, with lamentation. [A.S. mǽnan.]

Moat, mōt, n. a deep trench round a castle or fortified place, sometimes filled with water: (obs.) a hill or mound.—v.t. to surround with a moat.—adj. Moat′ed. [O. Fr, mote, a mound, trench.]

Mob, mob, n. the mobile or fickle common people: the vulgar: the rabble: a disorderly crowd, a riotous assembly: a large herd or flock.—v.t. to attack in a disorderly crowd:—pr.p. mob′bing; pa.p. mobbed.—adj. Mob′bish.—ns. Mob′-law, lynch-law; Moboc′racy, rule or ascendency exercised by the mob; Mob′ocrat, a demagogue.—adj. Mobocrat′ic.—n. Mobs′man, a well-dressed thief or swindler—usually Swell-mobsman. [Contr. for L. mobile (vulgus), the fickle (multitude); movēre to move.]

Mob, mob, or Mob′-cap, n. a cap with puffy crown, a broad band, and frills—v.t. to cover, as the face, by a cap or hood. [Old Dut. mop; mod. Dut. mopmuts, a woman's nightcap; cf. Scotch Mutch.]

Mobby, mob′i, n. the juice of apples or peaches from which brandy is to be distilled.

Mobile, mō′bil, or mob′il, adj. that can be moved or excited.—n. Mobilisā′tion.—v.t. Mō′bilise, to put in readiness for service in war: to call into active service, as troops.—n. Mobil′ity, quality of being mobile: (slang) the mob.—Crédit mobilier, the system in banking of advancing money to the owners of movable property—as opposed to Credit foncier, on the security of real or immovable property. [Fr. mobiliser—L. mobilis.]

Moble, mob′l, v.t. (Shak.) to muffle or cover the head, as in a mob or hood. [Freq. of mob, a cap.]

Moccasin, mok′a-sin, n. a shoe of deerskin or other soft leather, worn by the North American Indians: a venomous North American serpent.—Also Moc′assin. [Algonkin mawcahsun.]

Mocha, mō′ka, n. a very fine kind of coffee produced in Arabia, and brought from Mocha, the port of Yemen.

Mock, mok, v.t. to laugh at: to make sport of: to mimic in ridicule: to disappoint the hopes of: to deceive: to set at nought, defy.—n. ridicule, a sneer: a bringing into ridicule.—adj. imitating reality, but not real: false.—adj. Mock′able, exposed to, or deserving, derision.—ns. Mock′er; Mock′ery, Mock′ing, derision: ridicule: subject of laughter or sport: fruitless labour: vain imitation: false show.—adj. Mock′-herō′ic, mocking the heroic style, or the actions or characters of heroes.—n. Mock′ing-bird, a bird of North America, of the thrush family, which mocks or imitates the notes of birds and other sounds.—adv. Mock′ingly.—n. Mock′-or′ange, an ornamental shrub of the saxifrage family—also Syringa. Mock sun (see Parhelion); Mock turtle soup, a dish made of calf's head, veal, &c., seasoned in imitation of turtle soup. [O. Fr. moquer; from a Teut. root seen in Ger. mucken, to mutter; prob. imit.]

Mocuddum, mo-kud′um, n. a chief: a head-man. [Hind. from Ar., mukaddam, a head-man.]

Mod, mod, n. an assembly, meeting, of a similar nature to the Welsh Eisteddfod. [Gael.]

Mode, mōd, n. manner of acting, doing, or existing: rule: custom: form: that which exists only as a quality of substance: a form of the verb, same as mood: in lace-making, a small decorative piece inserted in a pattern: the openwork between the solid parts of a pattern: a woman's mantle with a hood: (mus.) the method of dividing the octave for melodic purposes according to the position of its steps and half-steps.—adj. Mō′dal, relating to mode or form without reference to substance: consisting of mode only: (logic) indicating some mode of expression.—ns. Mō′dalism, the doctrine first set forth by Sabellius that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not three distinct personalities, but only three different modes of manifestation; Mō′dalist, one who holds this theory.—adj. Modalist′ic.—n. Modal′ity, mode in its logical sense: (law) the quality of being limited by a condition.—adv. Mō′dally.—Greek modes, consisting each of two tetra-chords and one whole step; Gregorian, Medieval, or Ecclesiastical modes, derived from the above by Ambrose, Gregory the Great, &c., each of the seven natural sounds of the diatonic scale forming the keynote or final of a mode, which embraced that note and the seven above it. To each of these seven modes is attached another, in which the melody, while having the same final or keynote, instead of ascending to the octave above, ranges from the fourth below it to the fifth above. The former are called the authentic modes, the latter plagal; Major mode, a modern mode, consisting of two steps, a half-step, three steps, and a half-step; Minor mode, a modern mode, consisting of a step, a half-step, two steps, a half-step, and two steps. [Fr.,—L. modus.]

Model, mod′el, n. something to show the mode or way: something to be copied: a pattern: a mould: an imitation of something on a smaller scale: a living person from whom an artist works: something worthy of imitation.—adj. serving as a model: fit for a model.—v.t. to form after a model: to shape: to make a model or copy of: to form in some soft material.—v.i. to practise modelling:—pr.p. mod′elling; pa.p. mod′elled.—ns. Mod′eller; Mod′elling, the act or art of making a model of something, a branch of sculpture. [Fr.,—L. modulus, dim. of modus, a measure.]

Moderate, mod′ėr-āt, v.t. to keep within measure or bounds: to regulate: to reduce in intensity: to make temperate or reasonable: to pacify: to decide as a moderator.—v.i. to become less violent or intense: to preside or act as a moderator.—adj. kept within measure or bounds: not excessive or extreme: temperate: of middle rate.—n. one of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of Evangelicanism and popular rights—it caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.—adv. Mod′erately.—ns. Mod′erateness; Moderā′tion, act of moderating: state of being moderated or moderate: freedom from excess: calmness of mind; Mod′eratism, moderate opinions in religion or politics.—adv. Moderä′to (mus.), with moderate quickness.—ns. Mod′erātor, one who, or that which, moderates or restrains: a president or chairman, esp. in Presbyterian Church courts: an officer at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge who superintends the examination for degrees: a kind of lamp in which the flow of the oil to the wick is regulated:—fem. Mod′eratrix; Mod′eratorship. [L. moderāri, -ātus—modus, a measure.]

Modern, mod′ėrn, adj. limited to the present or recent time: not ancient: (Shak.) commonplace.—n. one who lives in modern times: (pl.) the nations of the present day, distinguished from the Greeks and Romans—the ancients.—n. Modernisā′tion.—v.t. Mod′ernise, to adapt to the present time.—ns. Mod′erniser; Mod′ernism, modern practice or character: something of modern origin; Mod′ernist, an admirer of modern ideas or habits.—adv. Mod′ernly.—ns. Mod′ernness, Mod′ernity, state or quality of being modern. [Fr.,—L. modernus—modo; just now, orig. abl. of modus.]

Modest, mod′est, adj. restrained by a sense of propriety: not forward: decent: chaste: pure and delicate, as thoughts or language: not excessive or extreme: moderate.—adv. Mod′estly.—n. Mod′esty, humility: purity of thought and manners: becoming behaviour: chastity, purity: moderation. [Fr.,—L. modestus—modus; a measure.]

Modicum, mod′i-kum, n. a small quantity: something of a moderate size: anything very small. [L. neut. of modicus, moderate—modus.]

Modify, mod′i-fī, v.t. to set bounds to: to moderate: to change the form or quality of: to alter slightly: to vary.—adj. Modifī′able.—n. Modificā′tion, act of modifying or state of being modified: result of alteration or change: changed shape or condition.—adjs. Mod′ificātive, Mod′ificātory, tending to modify: causing change of form or condition.—n. Mod′ifīer. [Fr. modifier—L. modificāre, -ātum—modus, a measure, facĕre, to make.]

Modillion, mod-il′yun, n. (archit.) an ornamental bracket used in the cornices of the Corinthian and composite styles. [Fr.,—L. modulus—modus, a measure.]

Modiolus, mo-dī′o-lus, n. the central stem round which wind the passages of the cochlea of the internal ear.—adjs. Modī′olar, Modī′oliform.

Modish, mō′dish, adj. according to the fashion.—adv. Mō′dishly.—ns. Mō′dishness; Mō′dist, one who follows the fashion; Modiste (mō-dēst′), a fashionable dressmaker.

Modius, mō′di-us, n. a Roman dry measure=2 gal.: a cylindrical head-dress:—pl. Mō′dii (-ī). [L.]

Modulate, mod′ū-lāt, v.t. to measure, to regulate: to vary the tone of voice so as to give expression: (mus.) to change the key or mode.—v.i. to pass from one key into another.—adj. Mod′ular, of or pertaining to mode or modulation, or to a module.—ns. Modulā′tion, the act of modulating: state of being modulated: (mus.) the changing of the keynote and of the original scale by the introduction of a new sharp or flat; Mod′ulātor, one who, or that which, modulates: a chart in the Tonic Sol-fa musical notation on which the modulations or changes from one scale to another are shown by the relative position of the notes; Mod′ule, a small measure or quantity: (archit.) a measure such as the diameter of the shaft for regulating the proportions of the other parts of columns: (Shak.) a model, image; Mod′ulus (math.), a constant multiplier in a function of a variable, by which the function is adapted to a particular base:—pl. Moduli (mod′ū-lī). [L. modulāri, -ātus—modulus, dim. of modus, a measure.]

Modus, mō′dus, n. the way or style of expressing anything: a fixed payment instead of tithes: (law) a departure from, or a modification of, some general rule or form:—pl. Mō′dī. [L. modus, manner.]

Moe, mō, n. (Shak.) a wry mouth, grimace.—v.i. to make grimaces.—Better Mow (q.v.).

Moellon, mō′el-lon, n. rubble-stone with mortar, used as a filling in mason-work. [Fr.,—moelle, marrow—L. medulla, marrow—medius, middle.]

Moerology, mē-rol′o-ji, n. the practice of professional mourning. [Gr. moira, fate, legein, to speak.]

Moeso-Gothic, mē-sō-goth′ik, adj. relating to the Goths who settled in Moesia, or to their language.

Mofette, mō-fet′, n. a noxious gas escaping from the earth. [L. mephitis.]

Mofussil, mō-fus′il, n. the country districts and stations in India, as distinguished from the towns and official residencies: rural: provincial. [Hind. mufassal, the country—Ar. fasala, separate.]

Mogul, mō-gul′, n. a Mongol or Mongolian, esp. one of the followers of Baber, the conqueror of India (1483-1530): a name applied to the best quality of playing-cards.—adj. pertaining to the Mogul Empire, architecture, &c.—adj., the title by which Europeans knew the Emperors of Delhi. [Pers., properly 'a Mongol.']

Mohair, mō′hār, n. the fine silken hair of the Angora goat of Asia Minor: cloth made of mohair. [O. Fr. mouaire (Fr. moire)—Ar. mukhayyar.]

Mohammedan, mo-ham′ed-an, adj. pertaining to Mohammed or to his religion.—n. a follower of Mohammed: one who professes Mohammedanism—also Mahom′etan, Mahom′edan.—v.t. Mohamm′edanise, to convert to, or made conformable to, Mohammedanism.—ns. Mohamm′edanism, Mohamm′edism, the religion of Mohammed, contained in the Koran. [Mohammed, the great prophet of Arabia (570-632); lit. 'praised.']

Moharram, mo-har′am, n. the first month of the Mohammedan year: the great fast held during the first ten days of this month.—Also Muharr′am.

Mohawk, mō′hawk, n. the name of a tribe of North American Indians of the Huron-Iroquois family—hence one of a set of London street-ruffians about the beginning of the 18th century.—Also Mō′hock.

Mohican, mō-hē′kan, adj. and n. relating to the Mohicans, a tribe of North American Indians of the Algonkin stock.

Mohur, mō′hur, n. in British India, a gold coin=from twelve to fifteen rupees, or 30s. [Pers.]

Moidore, moi′dōr, n. a disused gold coin of Portugal worth 27s. [Port. moeda d'ouro—L. moneta de auro, money of gold.]

Moiety, moi′e-ti, n. half: one of two equal parts: a small share. [Fr.,—L.,—medius, middle.]

Moil, moil, v.t. to daub with dirt.—v.i. to toil or labour: to drudge.—n. a spot: a defilement. [O. Fr. moiler (Fr. mouiller), to wet—L. mollis, soft.]

Moineau, moi′nō, n. a small flat bastion to protect a fortification while being erected. [Fr.]

Moiræ, moi′rē, n.pl. the Fates, the Parcæ of the Romans—Clotho, the spinner of the thread of human life; Lachĕsis, who assigns to man his fate; and Atrŏpos, or the fate that cannot be avoided.

Moire, mwor, n. watered silk: a watered appearance on metals or textile fabrics.—Moire antique, silk watered so as to resemble the stuffs worn in ancient times. [Fr.; see Mohair.]

Moist, moist, adj. damp: humid: juicy: containing water or other liquid.—vs.t. Moist′en, Moist (obs.), to make moist: to wet slightly; Moist′ify, to make moist.—ns. Moist′ness; Moist′ure, moistness: that which makes slightly wet: a small quantity of any liquid. [O. Fr. moiste (Fr. moite)—L. musteus,—mustum, juice of grapes, new wine.]

Moke, mōk, n. (slang) a donkey: a stupid fellow: a variety performer on several instruments: a negro.

Molar, mō′lar, adj. grinding, as a mill: used for grinding.—n. a grinding tooth: a back tooth. [L. molaris—mola, a mill—molĕre, to grind.]

Molar, mō′lar, adj. of or pertaining to a mass: acting on or by means of whole masses. [L. moles, a mass.]

Molasses, mo-las′ez, n.sing. a kind of syrup that drains from sugar during the process of manufacture: treacle. [Port. melaço (Fr. mélasse)—L. mell-aceus, honey-like—mel, mellis, honey.]

Mole, mōl, n. a permanent dark-brown mark on the human skin, often hairy—a pigmentary Nævus (q.v.). [A.S. mál; Ger. maal, L. mac-ula.]

Mole, mōl, n. a small animal, with very small eyes and soft fur, which burrows in the ground and casts up little heaps of mould.—v.t. to burrow or form holes in.—ns. Mole′cast; Mole′-catch′er, one whose business it is to catch moles; Mole′-crick′et, a burrowing insect like a cricket, with forelegs like those of a mole.—adj. Mole′-eyed, having eyes like those of a mole: seeing imperfectly.—ns. Mole′hill, a little hill or heap of earth cast up by a mole; Mole′rat, a rat-like animal, which burrows like a mole; Mole′skin, the skin of a mole: a superior kind of fustian, double-twilled, cropped before dyeing; Mole′-spade, a small spade used by mole-catchers; Mole′-track, the track made by a mole burrowing.—Make a mountain of a molehill, to magnify a trifling matter. [For mold-warp—A.S. molde, mould, weorpan, to warp.]

Mole, mōl, n. a breakwater: any massive building: an ancient Roman mausoleum. [Fr.,—L. moles.]

Molecule, mol′e-kūl, n. one of the minute particles of which matter is composed: the smallest mass of any substance which retains the properties of that substance.—adj. Molec′ular, belonging to, or consisting of, molecules.—n. Molecular′ity.—Molecular attraction, attraction acting on the atoms or molecules of a body, as distinguished from attraction of gravitation. [Fr.,—L. moles, a mass.]

Molendinaceous, mō-len-di-nā′shi-us, adj. like a windmill.—adj. Molen′dinary, relating to a mill. [Low L. molendinum, a mill—L. molĕre, to grind.]

Molest, mō-lest′, v.t. to trouble.—ns. Molestā′tion, state of being molested: annoyance; Molest′er.—adj. Molest′ful. [Fr. molester—L. molestāre—molestus—moles, mass, difficulty.]

Molimen, mō-lī′men, n. great effort, esp. of any periodic effort to discharge a natural function.—adj. Molim′inous. [L.,—molīri, to toil—moles.]

Moline, mō′lin, n. and adj. the crossed iron in the upper millstone for receiving the spindle in the lower stone, a millstone rynd: (her.) a moline cross. [L. mola, a mill.]

Molinism, mō′li-nizm, n. the doctrine of the Spanish Jesuit Luis Molina (1535-1600), that predestination is consequent on God's fore-knowledge of the free determination of man's will, that God gives to all men sufficient grace whereby to live virtuously and merit happiness, its efficaciousness depending on the voluntary co-operation of the will with it.—n. Mō′linist, one who holds the foregoing views.

Molinist, mō′li-nist, n. a Quietist, or follower of Miguel de Molinos (1640-97). [See Quietism.]

Mollah, Molla, mol′a, n. a Mohammedan title of respect for a learned or religious person: a judge of Moslem law. [Turk. and Pers., from Ar. maulā.]

Mollie, mol′i, n. a meeting and carousal on board one ship of the sailors belonging to several whaling-ships ice-bound in company—an abbreviation of Mallemaroking, [Mallemuck, the fulmar petrel.]

Mollify, mol′i-fī, v.t. to make soft or tender: to assuage: to calm or pacify:—pa.p. moll′ified.—adjs. Moll′ient, serving to soften: assuaging; Moll′ifiable.—ns. Mollificā′tion, act of mollifying: state of being mollified: mitigation; Moll′ifier; Moll′ine, a base for ointments used in skin diseases, a soft soap mixed with excess of fat and glycerine.—adj. Mollipī′lose, having soft plumage.—n. Mollipilos′ity, fleecines, fluffiness.—adj. Mollit′ious, luxurious.—n. Moll′itude. [Fr.,—L. mollificāre—mollis, soft, facĕre, to make.]

Mollusc, Mollusk, mol′usk, n. one of the Mollusca, a large division of invertebrate animals—bivalves or Lamellibranchs, snails or Gasteropods, and cuttlefish or Cephalopods:—pl. Moll′uscs, Moll′usks, or Mollus′ca.—n. Mollus′can, a mollusc.—adjs. Mollus′can, Mollus′coid, Mollus′cous. [Fr.,—L. molluscus, softish—mollis, soft.]

Molly, mol′i, n. dim. of Mary: the wagtail bird.—n. Moll′ycoddle, an effeminate fellow.—Molly Maguire, one of the Ribbonmen of Ireland (1843), who perpetrated outrages by night in women's dress: one of a secret society which terrorised the coal regions of Pennsylvania (1867-77).

Moloch, mō′lok, n. a Phœnician god to which human sacrifices were offered: an exceedingly spiny Australian lizard—also Mō′lech.—v.t. Mō′lochise, to sacrifice as to Moloch.

Molossus, mo-los′us, n. a metrical foot of three long syllables:—pl. Moloss′ī. [L.—Gr.]

Molten, mōlt′n, adj. melted: made of melted metal.—adv. Molt′enly. [Old pa.p. of melt.]

Moly, mō′li, n. (Milt.) a magic herb given by Hermes to Odysseus as a counter-charm against the spells of Circe.

Molybdenum, mol-ib-dē′num, n. a rare metal of a silvery-white colour—also Molybdē′na.—ns. Molyb′date, a compound of molybdic acid with a base; Molybdē′nite, sulphide of molybdenum.—adjs. Molybdē′nous, Molyb′dic.—n. Molybdō′sis, lead-poisoning. [L.,—Gr.,—molybdos, lead.]

Mome, mōm, n. (obs.) a buffoon: a stupid person. [O. Fr.,—L.,—Gr. Mōmos, god of mirth.]

Moment, mō′ment, n. moving cause or force: importance in effect: value, consequence: the smallest portion of time in which a movement can be made: an instant: the precise point of time, the right opportunity: (math.) an increment or decrement, an infinitesimal change in a varying quantity: (mech.) the moment of a force about a point is the product of the force and the perpendicular on its line of action from the point.—adj. Mō′mentany (Shak.), momentary.—adv. Mō′mentarily.—n. Mō′mentariness.—adj. Mō′mentary, lasting for a moment: done in a moment: short-lived.—adv. Mō′mently, for a moment: in a moment: every moment.—adj. Mōment′ous, of importance: of great consequence.—adv. Moment′ously.—ns. Moment′ousness; Moment′um, the quantity of motion in a body, measured by the product of the mass and the velocity of the moving body:—pl. Moment′a. [Fr.,—L. momentum, for movimentum—movēre, to move.]

Momus, mō′mus, n. the god of raillery, &c.—Son, or Disciple, of Momus, a wag. [See Mome.]

Monachism, mon′ak-izm, n. monastic life: state of religious seclusion under vows.—adj. Mon′achal, living alone: pertaining to monks or nuns, or to a monastic life.—n. Mon′achus, the monk-seal genus. [Fr.,—L. monachus, a monk.]

Monad, mon′ad, n. an ultimate atom or simple unextended point: a simple, primary element, assumed by Leibnitz and other philosophers: (zool.) one of the simplest of animalcules.—adj. of or pertaining to monads.—adjs. Monac′id, capable of saturating a single molecule of a monobasic acid; Monac′tinal, single-rayed.—n. Mon′adelph, a plant whose stamens are united by their filaments into one set, generally into a tube or ring.—adjs. Monadel′phian, Monadel′phous (bot.), having the stamens united into one body by the filaments; Monad′ic, -al, relating to monads: single; Monad′iform, like a monad.—ns. Mon′adism, Monadol′ogy, the theory of monads.—adj. Monan′thous (bot.), producing but one flower.—n. Mon′as, a monad: a monadiform infusorian.—adj. Monascid′ian, simple, not compound or composite—also n.—adj. Monatom′ic, consisting of a single atom, as a molecule: (chem.) having a valence of one, as hydrogen. [L. monas, -adis—Gr. monas, -ados, a unit—monos, alone.]

Monandria, mon-an′dri-a. n. the first class in Linnæus's system of plants, including all genera having only one stamen.—n. Monan′der.—adjs. Monan′drian, Monan′drous (bot.), having only one stamen. [Gr. monos, single, anēr, andros, a male.]

Monarch, mon′ark, n. a sole or supreme ruler: sovereign: the chief of its kind.—adj. supreme: superior to others.—adjs. Monarch′al, pertaining to a monarch: regal; Monarch′ial, Monarch′ic, -al, relating to a monarch or to monarchy: vested in a single ruler.—ns. Monarch′ian, a Christian who denied the personal independent subsistence of Christ—dynamic, when regarding the divinity of Christ as only a power (dynamis) communicated to Him; modalistic, when regarding Christ as God Himself incarnate, the Father who had assumed flesh, a mere modus of the Godhead; Monarch′ianism, the doctrine of the Monarchians, in opposition to Subordinationalism.—adj. Monarchianis′tic.—v.t. Mon′archise, to rule over, as a monarch: to convert into a monarchy.—ns. Mon′archism, the principles of monarchy: love of monarchy; Mon′archist, an advocate of monarchy: a believer in monarchy; Monarch′o (Shak.), a fantastic Englishman who assumed Italian airs, any fantastic person; Mon′archy, a state or a people ruled over by one person: a kind of government of which the chief power is in the hands of a monarch: the territory of a monarch. [Fr. monarque, through L., from Gr. monarchēs—monos, alone, archein, to rule.]

Monastery, mon′as-tėr-i, n. a house for monks: an abbey: a convent.—adjs. Monastē′rial, Monas′tic, -al, pertaining to monasteries, monks, and nuns: recluse: solitary.—n. Monas′tic, a monk.—adv. Monas′tically.—ns. Monas′ticism, the corporate monastic life or system of living; Monas′ticon, a book about monasteries and monks.—Monastic vows, the vows which a person takes when entering a monastery—of poverty, chastity, obedience. [L. monasterium—Gr. monastērion—monastēs, a monk—monos, alone.]

Monday, mun′dā, n. the second day of the week.—adj. Mon′dayish, fagged—of preachers, after their Sunday exercitations.—Black Monday, Easter Monday, the 14th of April 1360: any Easter Monday; Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the year, when presents are given. [A.S. mónandæg, mónan, gen. of móna, moon, dæg, day.]

Monde, mond, n. the world (of fashion).—Beau monde, Demi-monde (see Beau and Demi). [Fr.]

Monera, mō-nē′ra, n.pl. a class of Protozoans of the simplest characters.—ns.sing. Mō′ner, Monē′ron.—adjs. Monē′ral, Monē′ran.

Monergism, mon′ėr-jizm, n. (theol.) the doctrine that regeneration is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, the natural will being incapable of co-operation. [Gr. monos, alone, ergon, work.]

Monetary, mun′e-tar-i, adj. relating to money or moneyed affairs: consisting of money.—n. Monetisā′tion.—v.t. Mon′etise, to give the character of money to, to coin as money.—Monetary unit, the unit of currency—the pound sterling.

Money, mun′i, n. coin: pieces of stamped metal used in commerce: any currency used as the equivalent of money: wealth:—pl. Mon′eys.—ns. Mon′ey-bill, a bill introduced into parliament or congress for raising revenue or otherwise dealing with money; Mon′ey-brok′er, Mon′ey-chang′er, Mon′ey-scriv′ener, a broker who deals in money or exchanges.—adj. Mon′eyed, having money: rich in money: consisting in money.—ns. Mon′eyer, Mon′ier, one who coins money: a master of a mint.—adj. Mon′eyless, having no money.—ns. Mon′ey-mak′er, a coiner of counterfeit money; Mon′ey-mak′ing, act of gaining wealth.—adj. lucrative, profitable.—ns. Mon′ey-mar′ket, the market or field for the investment of money; Mon′ey-or′der, an order for money deposited at one post-office, and payable at another; Mon′ey-spī′der, or -spin′ner, a small spider of family Attidæ, supposed to bring luck; Mon′ey's-worth, something as good as money: full value; Mon′ey-tak′er, one who receives payments of money, esp. at an entrance-door.—Hard money, coin; Pot of money, a large amount of money; Ready money, money paid for a thing at the time at which it is bought: money ready for immediate payment. [O. Fr. moneie (Fr. monnaie)—L. moneta, a mint, Moneta being a surname of Juno, in whose temple at Rome money was coined.]

Monger, mung′gėr, n. a trader: a dealer, chiefly in composition, sometimes depreciatory.—v.t. to trade in. [A.S. mangere—mang, a mixture.]

Mongol, mong′gol, n. and adj. one of an Asiatic people belonging to the Ural-Altaic branch of the human family, mainly inhabiting Mongolia.—adjs. Mongō′lian, Mongol′ic.

Mongoose, mong′gōōs, n. a common ichneumon of India, often domesticated to destroy snakes.—Also Mung′oose. [Marathi mangus.]

Mongrel, mung′grel, adj. of a mixed breed, impure.—n. an animal, esp. a dog, of a mixed breed.—v.t. Mong′relise.—n. Mong′relism. [A double dim. from A.S. mang, mixture.]

Moniliform, mō-nil′i-form, adj. like a string of beads. [L. monile, a necklace, forma, form.]

Moniment, mon′i-ment, n. (Spens.) a monument, memorial: superscription, image. [L. monimentum, monumentum, monument.]

Monism, mon′izm, n. a philosophical theory that all being may ultimately be referred to one category; thus Idealism, Pantheism, Materialism are monisms—as opposed to the Dualism of matter and spirit.—n. Mon′ist.—adjs. Mon′istic, -al. [Gr. monos, alone, and -ism.]

Monition, mon-ish′un, n. a reminding or admonishing: warning: notice: (law) a summons to appear and answer.—adj. Mon′itive, conveying admonition.—n. Mon′itor, one who admonishes: an adviser: an instructor: a senior pupil who assists a schoolmaster: an ironclad steamship armed with heavy guns in revolving turrets: a raised part of a roof, with openings for light and ventilation: a kind of lizard:—fem. Mon′itress, Mon′itrix.—adj. Monitō′rial, relating to a monitor: performed or taught by a monitor.—adv. Monitō′rially.—n. Mon′itorship.—adj. Mon′itory, giving admonition or warning. [L.,—monēre, -itum, to remind.]

Monk, mungk, n. formerly, one who retired alone to the desert to lead a religious life: one of a religious community living in a monastery: an inky blotch in print: a fuse for firing mines.—ns. Monk′ery, the life of monks: monasticism; Monk′-fish, the angel-fish; Monk′hood, the state or character of a monk.—adj. Monk′ish, pertaining to a monk: like a monk: monastic.—ns. Monk's′-hood, the aconite, a poisonous plant with a flower like a monk's hood; Monk's′-seam (naut.), a strong seam formed by laying the selvage-edges of two pieces of canvas over each other and stitching on each side and down the middle—also Middle-stitching. [A.S. munec—L. monachus—Gr. monachos—monos, alone.]

Monkey, mungk′i, n. a quadrumanous mammal of the order Primates—the term is loose, and may be conveniently restricted only to all the Primates exclusive of the Anthropoid Apes, thus including the Platyrrhini, or New-World monkeys, and the Catarrhiini, or Old-World monkeys: an ape: a name of contempt, esp. for a mischievous person, also of playful endearment: a heavy weight for driving piles: a large hammer for driving bolts: in betting slang, a sum of 500 pounds, or dollars in U.S.: a fluid consisting of chlor-hydric acid and zinc—generally called spirits of salt—used in the process of soldering:—pl. Monk′eys.—v.i. to meddle with anything.—v.t. to imitate as a monkey does.—ns. Monk′ey-bag, a small money-bag, hung round the sailor's neck; Monk′ey-block, a small swivel-block used in guiding running rigging; Monk′ey-board, the omnibus conductor's foot-board; Monk′ey-boat, a narrow, half-decked river-boat; Monk′ey-bread, the baobab-tree or its fruit; Monk′ey-en′gine, a kind of pile-driver having a ram or monkey working in a wooden frame; Monk′ey-flow′er, a flower of the mimulus kind; Monk′ey-gaff, a small gaff above the spanker-gaff for the flag; Monk′ey-grass, a coarse fibre yielded by the leaf-stalks of Attalea funifera, used for brooms, street sweeping-machine brushes, &c.; Monk′ey-hamm′er, a drop-press with a ram, which is raised and let drop freely; Monk′eyism, the qualities of the monkey; Monk′ey-jack′et, a close-fitting jacket, generally made of some stout, coarse material; Monk′ey-pot, the seed-vessel of several species of Lecythis, having a round lid; Monk′ey-pump, a straw let through a gimlet-hole into a cask for the purpose of sucking the liquor; Monk′ey-puzz′le, the Chili pine, Araucaria imbricata; Monk′ey-rail, a light rail above the quarter-rail; Monk′ey-shine (U.S.), a piece of tomfoolery; Monk′ey-tail, a short lever for training carronades: a piece of knotted rope by which to attach a hook, to save the hand from jamming; Monk′ey-wheel, a tackle-block over which runs a hoisting-rope; Monk′ey-wrench, a screw-key having a movable jaw.—Have, or Get, one's monkey up, to be angry; Suck the monkey, to drink liquor from a cask through an inserted tube: to drink from a coco-nut, filled surreptitiously with rum, &c. [Old It. monicchio, dim. of Old It. monna, nickname for an old woman, an ape, contr. of It. madonna, mistress.]

Monobasic, mon-ō-bā′sik, adj. having one base, of an acid combining with a univalent basic radical to form a neutral salt.

Monoblastic, mon-ō-blas′tik, adj. pertaining to that condition of the metazoic embryo in which a single germinal layer is alone represented.

Monoblepsis, mon-ō-blep′sis, n. a condition of vision more distinct when one eye only is used. [Gr. monos, single, blepsis, sight.]

Monocarbonate, mon-ō-kar′bō-nāt, n. a carbonate in which both hydrogen atoms of the acid are replaced by basic elements.

Monocardian, mon-ō-kär′di-an, adj. having a single heart, as fishes and reptiles. [Gr. monos, single, kardia, the heart.]

Monocarpous, mon-ō-kärp′us, adj. bearing fruit only once, as wheat, and all annual plants.—n. Mon′ocarp. [Gr. monos, single, karpos, fruit.]

Monocentric, mon-ō-sen′trik, adj. having a single centre only: unipolar.

Monoceros, mō-nos′ėr-os, n. a one-horned animal: the unicorn: (Spens.) perhaps the sword-fish.—adj. Monoc′erous. [Gr. monos, single, keras, a horn.]

Monochlamydeous, mon-ō-kla-mid′ē-us, adj. (bot.) having a single instead of a double perianth. [Gr. monos, single, chlamys, a cloak.]

Monochromatic, mon-ō-kro-mat′ik, adj. of one colour only—also Monochrō′ic.—ns. Mon′ochrome, a painting in one colour only; Mon′ochromy, this art.

Monochronic, mon-ō-kron′ik, adj. contemporaneous.—adj. Monoch′ronous, monosemic.

Monoclinic, mon′ō-klin-ik, adj. (mineral) crystallising in three unequal axes, two intersecting each other at an oblique angle, and at right angles to the third.—Also Mon′oclīnate. [Gr. monos, single, klinein, to incline.]

Mono-compound, mon′ō-kom′pownd, n. (chem.) a compound containing one atom of any particular element.

Monocotyledon, mon-ō-kot-i-lē′don, n. a plant with only one cotyledon.—adj. Monocotylē′donous.

Monocracy, mon-ok′ra-si, n. rule or government by a single person.—n. Mon′ocrat. [Gr. monos, single, kratos, strength.]

Monocular, mon-ok′ū-lar, adj. with one eye only: fitted only for one eye at a time.—Also Monoc′ulous.

Monodelphia, mon-ō-del′fi-a, n.pl. one of the three primary divisions of mammals, the placental mammals.—adj. Monodel′phian.

Monodon, mon′ō-don, n. a genus of delphinoid odontocete cetaceans, containing only the narwhal.

Monodrama, mon′ō-drä-ma, n. a dramatic piece for a single performer.—adj. Monodramat′ic.

Monody, mon′ō-di, n. a mournful ode or poem in which a single mourner bewails: a song for one voice: monotonous sound.—adjs. Monod′ic, -al.—n. Mon′odist, one who writes monodies.

Monœcious, mon-ē′shus, adj. having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers on the same individual plant.—n.pl. Monœ′cia, the 21st class of plants of Linnæus. [Gr. monos, single, oikos, a house.]

Monogamy, mon-og′a-mi, n. marriage to one wife only: the state of such marriage.—adjs. Monogam′ic, Monog′amous.—n. Monog′amist. [Gr. monos, one, gamos, marriage.]

Monogenesis, mon-ō-jen′e-sis, n. development of the ovum from a parent like itself.—adj. Monogenet′ic.—ns. Monog′enism, the descent of the whole human family from a single pair—also Monog′eny; Monog′enist, one who maintains this.—adjs. Monogenist′ic; Monog′enous, generating by fission, gemmation, &c.: pertaining to monogenism: (math.) having a single differential coefficient considered as a rule of generation.

Monogram, mon′ō-gram, n. a figure consisting of several letters interwoven or written into one.—adj. Monogrammat′ic. [Gr. monos, alone, gramma, a letter.]

Monograph, mon′ō-graf, n. a treatise written on one particular subject or any branch of it.—v.t. to write a monograph upon.—ns. Monog′rapher, Monog′raphist, a writer of monographs.—adjs. Monograph′ic, -al, pertaining to a monograph: drawn in lines without colours.—n. Monog′raphy, a representation by one means only, as lines: an outline drawing. [Gr. monos, alone, graphein, to write.]

Monogynia, mon-ō-jin′i-a, n. an order of plants which have only one pistil or female organ.—n. Mon′ogyn, a plant of this kind.—adjs. Monogyn′ian, Monog′ynous (bot.), having only one pistil or female organ.—n. Monog′yny, a mating with only one female. [Gr. monos, alone, gynē, a female.]

Monolatry, mō-nol′a-tri, n. the actual worship of but one divinity, not necessarily a disbelief in others.

Monolith, mon′ō-lith, n. a pillar, or column, of a single stone.—adjs. Monolith′al, Monolith′ic. [Gr. monos, alone, lithos, a stone.]

Monologue, mon′ō-log, n. a speech uttered by one person: soliloquy: a poem, &c. for a single performer.—v.i. Monol′ogise, to indulge in this.—ns. Monol′ogist, one who talks in monologue; Monol′ogy, the habit of doing so. [Fr.,—Gr. monos, alone, logos, speech.]

Monomachy, mō-nom′a-ki, n. a single combat: a duel.—Also Monomā′chia. [Gr. monos, alone, machē, a fight.]

Monomania, mon-ō-mā′ni-a, n. madness confined to one subject, or to one faculty of the mind: an unreasonable interest in any particular thing.—n. Monomā′niac, one affected with monomania.—adjs. Monomā′niac, -al, affected with monomania. [Gr. monos, alone, mania, madness.]

Monomerous, mō-nom′e-rus, adj. having the tarsi single-jointed: (bot.) having but one member in each cycle. [Gr. monos, single, meros, part.]

Monometallic, mon-ō-me-tal′ik, adj. consisting of but one metal.—ns. Monomet′allism, the use of but one metal as a standard of value; Monomet′allist, one who upholds this theory.

Monometer, mō-nom′e-tėr, adj. and n. (pros.) consisting of one measure.—adjs. Monomet′ric, -al.

Monomial, mon-ō′mi-al, n. an algebraic expression of one term only: a series of factors of single terms—also Mon′ome.—adj. Monō′mial. [Gr. monos, alone, L. nomen, name.]

Monomorphic, mon-ō-mor′fik, adj. of the same type of structure, or morphological character.—adj. Monomor′phous. [Gr. monos, single, morphē, form.]

Monomyarian, mon-ō-mī-ā′ri-an, adj. having but one adductor muscle, as an oyster. [Gr. monos, single, mys, muscle.]

Mononym, mon′ō-nim, n. a name consisting of a single term.—adj. Mononym′ic.

Monoöusious, mon-ō-ōō′si-us, adj. having the same substance. [Gr. monos, single, ousia, essence.]

Monopathy, mō-nop′a-thi, n. (pathol.) a disease affecting only one organ or function.—adj. Monopath′ic. [Gr. monos, single, pathos, suffering.]

Monopetalous, mon-ō-pet′a-lus, adj. (bot.) having only one petal, or denoting a corolla, the petals of which so cohere as to form a tube.

Monophobia, mon-ō-fō′bi-a, n. morbid dread of being left alone. [Gr. monos, single, phobia, fear.]

Monophonous, mon-of′o-nus, adj. producing one sound at one time. [Gr. monos, single, phōnē, voice.]

Monophote, mon′ō-fōt, n. an electric arc-lamp regulator working in single series. [Gr. monos, single, phōs, phōtos, light.]

Monophthong, mon′of-thong, n. a simple vowel-sound.—adj. Mon′ophthongal.

Monophyletic, mon-ō-fi-let′ik, adj. pertaining to a single phylum:—opp. to Polyphyletic.

Monophyllous, mon-ō-fil′us, adj. having a leaf of but one piece. [Gr. monos, alone, phyllon, a leaf.]

Monophyodont, mon-ō-fī′ō-dont, adj. having only one set of teeth.—n. such an animal.

Monophysite, mō-nof′i-sīt, n. one who holds that Christ had but one composite nature, instead of the orthodox doctrine that He united two complete natures without confusion or mutation in one person.—adj. Monophysit′ical.—n. Monophysit′ism. [Gr. monos, alone, physis, nature.]

Monoplast, mon′ō-plast, n. an organism consisting of a single cell. [Gr. monos, single, plastos, formed—plassein, to form.]

Monoplegia, mon-ō-plē′ji-a, n. paralysis limited to a single part. [Gr. monos, single, plēgē, stroke.]

Monopnoa, mo-nop′nō-a, n.pl. a class of reptiles breathing in one way only. [Gr. monos, single, pnoos, breathing—pnein, to breathe.]

Monopode, mon′ō-pōd, adj. and n. having but one foot.—adj. Monopod′ic—n. Mon′opody.

Monopolise, mon-op′o-līz, v.t. to obtain possession of anything so as to be the only seller or sharer of it: in engross the whole of.—ns. Monop′oliser, Monop′olist.—adj. Monopolis′tic.—n. Monop′oly, the sole power of dealing in anything: exclusive command or possession: (law) a grant from the crown to an individual for the sole right to deal in anything. [L. monopolium—Gr. monos, alone, pōlein, to sell.]

Monopteron, mō-nop′te-ron, n. a kind of temple or portico of columns grouped in a circle, and supporting a cupola. [Gr. monos, single, pteron, a wing.]

Monoptote, mon′op-tōt, n. a noun, &c., having but one case-form. [Gr. monos, alone, ptōsis, case.]

Monorchid, mo-nork′id, adj. having only one testicle.—n. Monorch′ism.

Monorhine, mon′ō-rin, adj. having but one nasal passage.—Also Mon′orhīnal. [Gr. monos, single, hris, hrinos, the nose.]

Monorhyme, mon′ō-rīm, n. a poem in which all the lines end with the same rhyme.

Monosemic, mon-ō-sē′mik, adj. (pros.) consisting in, or equal to, a single semeion (mora or unit of time).

Monosepalous, mon-ō-sep′a-lus, adj. (bot.) having the sepals all united: having a calyx of one piece.

Monospermous, mon-ō-spėrm′us, adj. (bot.) having one seed only.—n. Mon′osperm. [Gr. monos, alone, sperma, seed.]

Monostich, mon′ō-stik, n. a poem complete in one verse.—adj. Monos′tichous. [Gr. monos, alone, stichos, verse.]

Monostrophic, mon-ō-strof′ik, adj. having but one strophe: not varied in measure.—n. Monos′trophe. [Gr. monos, alone, strophē, a strophe.]

Monostyle, mon′ō-stīl, adj. (archit.) consisting of a single shaft. [Gr. monos, alone, stylos, a pillar.]

Monosy, mon′ō-si, n. (bot.) an abnormal condition in which organs usually entire or united are found disunited. [Gr. monōsis—monos, single.]

Monosyllable, mon-ō-sil′la-bl, n. a word of one syllable.—adj. Monosyllab′ic, consisting of one syllable, or of words of one syllable.—n. Monosyl′labism, an exclusive use of monosyllables, as in Chinese.

Monosymmetric, mon-ō-sim-et′rik, adj. having only one plane of symmetry in crystallisation.—adj. Monosymmet′rical (bot.), of flowers capable of being bisected into similar halves in only one plane.

Monothalamous, mon-ō-thal′a-mus, adj. (bot.) single-chambered: with but one cavity. [Gr. monos, single, thalamos, a chamber.]

Monotheism, mon′ō-thē-izm, n. the belief in only one God.—n. Mon′otheist, one who believes that there is but one God.—adj. Monotheist′ic. [Gr. monos, alone, theos, God.]

Monothelite, mon-oth′e-līt, n. one who holds that Christ had but one will and one operation or energy, as He had but one nature.—ns. Monoth′elism, Monothelit′ism. [Gr. monos, alone, thelētēs, one who wills—thelein, to will.]

Monothetic, mon-ō-thet′ik, adj. assuming a single essential element. [Gr. monos, single, thetos, verbal adj. of tithenai, to put.]

Monotocous, mō-not′o-kus, adj. having one only at a birth. [Gr. monos, single, tiktein, to bear.]

Monotone, mon′ō-tōn, n. a single, unvaried tone or sound: a succession of sounds having the same pitch: a piece of writing in one strain throughout.—v.t. and v.i. to intone, chant.—adjs. Monoton′ic, Monot′onous, uttered in one unvaried tone: marked by dull uniformity.—adv. Monot′onously.—n. Monot′ony, dull uniformity of tone or sound: want of modulation in speaking or reading: (fig.) irksome sameness or want of variety. [Gr. monos, alone, tonos, a tone.]

Monotremata, mon-ō-trem′a-ta, n.pl. the lowest order of Mammalia, having a single opening for the genital and digestive organs.—adj. Monotrem′atous—also Mon′otreme.—n. Mon′otreme, a member of the Monotremata. [Gr. monos, alone, trēma, a hole.]

Monotype, mon′ō-tīp, n. and adj. having only one type or representative: a print transferred from a painting on a metal plate.—adj. Monotyp′ic.

Monoxide, mo-nok′sīd, n. an oxide containing a single oxygen atom in combination with two univalent atoms or one bivalent atom.

Monoxylon, mon-oks′i-lon, n. a canoe made from one log.—adj. Monox′ylous, formed of a single piece of wood. [Gr. monos, single, xylon, wood.]

Monroeism, mon-rō′izm, n. more generally Monroe Doctrine, the principle of the non-intervention of Europe in matters relating to the American continent—from President Monroe's Message in Dec. 1823.

Monseigneur, mon-sā-nyer′, n. my lord: a title in France given to a person of high birth or rank, esp. to bishops, &c. (written Mgr.):—pl. Messeigneurs (me-sā-nyer′). The corresponding Italian title is Monsignor (mon-sē′nyor), conferred on prelates and on the dignitaries of the papal household—also Monsi′gnore. [Fr., from L. meus, my, senior, older.]

Monsieur, mŏ-sye′, n. sir: a title of courtesy in France=Mr in English (written M. or Mons.): the eldest brother of the king of France: a Frenchman generally—usually mounseer: a French gentleman:—pl. Messieurs (me-sye′).—Monsieur de Paris, the public executioner. [Fr.,—L. meus, my, senior.]

Monsoon, mon-sōōn′, n. a periodical wind of the Indian Ocean, which blows from the S.W. from April to October, and from the N.E. the rest of the year: similar winds elsewhere, returning periodically with the seasons.—adj. Monsoon′al [It. monsone—Malay mūsim—Ar. mawsim, a time, a season.]

Monster, mon′stėr, n. anything out of the usual course of nature: a prodigy, or fabulous animal: anything unusually large: anything horrible from ugliness or wickedness.—adj. unusually large, huge.—n. Monstros′ity, an unnatural production.—adj. Mon′strous, out of the common course of nature: enormous: wonderful: horrible.—adv. Mon′strously.—n. Mon′strousness, state or quality of being monstrous.—Gila monster, a large poisonous lizard of Arizona, &c., having tubercular scales. [Fr.,—L. monstrum, an omen, a monster—monēre, to warn.]

Monstrance, mon′strans, n. the utensil employed in R.C. churches for presenting the consecrated host for the adoration of the people, consisting of a stand and a repository or case with small semicircular holder (lunula).—Also Ostensory. [Fr.,—L. monstrāre, to show, monstrum, an omen.]

Montagnard, mong-ta-nyar′, n. one of the 'Mountain' or the extreme democratic wing of the French Legislative Assembly (1st Oct. 1791-21st Sept. 1792), so called because sitting on the topmost benches.

Montanic, mon-tan′ik, adj. pertaining to mountains: consisting in mountains. [L. montanus—mons, montis, a mountain.]

Montanism, mon′tan-izm, n. a heresy which grew up in the Christian Church in the second half of the 2d century, founded by the prophet and 'Paraclete,' Montanus of Phrygia—an ascetic reaction in favour of the old discipline and severity.—n. Mon′tanist, a supporter of Montanism.—adj. Montanist′ic.

Montant, mont′ant, adj. rising: (her.) increasing.—n. an upright rail or stile, as in a door, &c.: (Shak.) a contraction of montanto, a term in fencing, apparently for an upward blow: a two-handed sword. [Fr.,—monter, to mount—L. mons, montis, a mountain.]

Mont-de-piété, mong′-de-pē-ā-tā′, the Italian Monte di pietà, n. a pawnbroking shop set up by public authority. [Fr. and It., 'fund, bank, of piety.']

Monte, mon′te, n. a shrubby tract, a forest: a Spanish-American gambling game, played with a pack of forty cards.—Three-card monte, a Mexican gambling game, played with three cards, one usually a court-card. [Sp., 'a hill'—L. mons, montis, a mountain.]

Monteith, mon-tēth′, n. a large 18th-century punch-bowl, usually of silver, fluted and scalloped: a cotton handkerchief with white spots on a coloured ground.

Montem, mon′tem, n. a former custom of Eton boys to go every third Whit-Tuesday to a hillock on the Bath road and exact 'salt-money' from passers-by, for the university expenses of the senior scholar or school captain.

Montonegrine, mon-te-neg′rin, adj. and n. relating to Montenegro, or a native thereof: a close-fitting outer garment for women, braided and embroidered.

Montepulciano, mon-te-pul-chä′nō, n. a fine wine produced around Montepulciano, in central Italy.

Montero, mon-tā′ro, n. a huntsman: a horseman's cap. [Sp. montero, a huntsman—monte—L. mons, montis, a mountain.]

Montgolfier, mont-gol′fi-ėr, n. a balloon made by the brothers Montgolfier, Joseph Michel (1740-1810) and Jacques Etienne (1745-99), of Annonay, in 1783.

Month, munth, n. the period from new moon to new moon—a lunation, lunar, or synodic month (=29.5306 days): one of the twelve divisions of the year—a calendar month: one-twelfth part of a tropical year, the time the sun takes to pass through 30°—a solar month=30.4368 days.—n. Month′ling, that which is a month old or which lasts a month.—adj. Month′ly, performed in a month: happening or published once a month.—n. a monthly publication: (pl.) the menses.—adv. once a month: in every month.—Month of Sundays, a period that seems very long; Month's mind (see Mind).—Sidereal, or Stellar, month, the time in which the moon passes round the ecliptic to the same star=27.3217 days; Tropical, or Periodic, month, from the moon's passing the equinox till she again reaches it=27.3216 days. [A.S. mónð—móna, the moon.]

Monticulus, mon-tik′ū-lus, n. a little elevation—also Mon′ticle and Mon′ticule.—adjs. Montic′ulate, Montic′ulous, having small projections.

Montoir, mon-twar′, n. a stone or block used in mounting a horse. [Fr., monter, to mount.]

Monton, mon′ton, n. a Mexican unit of weight for ore, varying from 1800 to 3200 Spanish pounds.

Montre, mon′tėr, n. a flue-stop the pipes of which show from without, usually the open diapason of the great organ: an opening in a kiln wall.

Monument, mon′ū-ment, n. anything that preserves the memory of a person or an event, a building, pillar, tomb, &c.: a record or enduring example of anything: any distinctive mark.—v.t. to raise a monument in memory of.—adj. Monument′al, of or relating to a monument or tomb: memorial: impressive: amazing.—adv. Monument′ally. [Fr.,—L. monumentum—monēre, to remind.]

Mood, mōōd, n. fashion, manner: (gram.) a. form of the verb to express the mode or manner of an action or of a state of being: (logic) the form of the syllogism as determined by the quantity and quality of its three constituent propositions: (mus.) the arrangement of the intervals in the scale, as major and minor (see Mode). [Mode.]

Mood, mōōd, n. disposition of mind: temporary state of the mind: anger, heat of temper.—adv. Mood′ily.—n. Mood′iness, gloominess, peevishness.—adjs. Mood′y, indulging in moods: out of humour: angry: sad: gloomy; Mood′y-mad (Shak.), mad with anger. [A.S. mód, mind; cf. Ger. muth, courage.]

Mooktar, mōōk′tar, n. a native lawyer in India. [Ar. mukhtār, chosen.]

Moon, mōōn, n. the secondary planet or satellite which revolves round the earth monthly, shining with reflected light: a satellite revolving about any other planet; a month: anything in the shape of a moon or crescent: (fort.) a crescent-shaped outwork.—v.t. to adorn with moons or crescents.—v.i. to wander about or gaze vacantly at anything.—n. Moon′beam, a beam of light from the moon.—adj. Moon′-blind, dim-sighted, purblind.—ns. Moon′calf, a monster, a deformed creature: a dolt.—n.pl. Moon′-culminā′tions, times of culmination of the limb of the moon with certain neighbouring stars, formerly used in determining longitude.—adj. Mooned, of or like the moon: having the figure of the moon marked upon it.—ns. Moon′er, one who moons about; Moon′eye, a disease affecting horses' eyes: a name of several American fishes; Moon′face, a full, round face—a point of beauty in the East.—adj. Moon′faced.—ns. Moon′-fish, a name applied to various fishes; Moon′-flower, the ox-eye daisy; Moon′-glade, the track of moonlight on water.—adj. Moon′ish, like the moon: variable: inconstant.—n. Moon′-knife, a crescent-shaped knife used by leather-workers in shaving off the fleshy parts of skins.—adj. Moon′less, destitute of moonlight.—n. Moon′light, the light of the moon—sunlight reflected from the moon's surface.—adj. lighted by the moon: occurring during moonlight.—ns. Moon′lighter, one of a band of cowardly ruffians in Ireland who committed agrarian outrages by night about 1880: a moonshiner; Moon′lighting.—adjs. Moon′lit, lit or illumined by the moon; Moon′-loved, loved by the moon.—ns. Moon′-mad′ness, lunacy, supposed to be caused by sleeping in full moonlight; Moon′-rak′er, a silly person; Moon′-rak′ing, the following of crazy fancies; Moon′-sail, a small sail, sometimes carried above the sky-scraper; Moon′-set, the setting of the moon; Moon′shine, the shining of the moon: (fig.) show without reality: poached eggs with sauce: a month: (U.S.) smuggled spirits; Moon′shiner, a smuggler or illicit distiller of spirits.—adj. Moon′shiny, lighted by the moon: visionary, unreal.—n. Moon′-stone, a variety of feldspar presenting a pearly reflection from within.—adj. Moon′struck, affected by the moon, lunatic, crazed.—n. Moon′wort, any fern of the genus Botrychium.—adj. Moon′y, relating to, or like, the moon or a crescent, bearing a crescent: round, as a shield: like moonlight, lighted by the moon: silly: sickly: tipsy.—n. a noodle.—Moonlight flitting, a removal of one's furniture, &c., during night, to prevent it being seized for rent or debt. [A.S. móna; cf. Ger. mond, L. mensis, Gr. mēnē.]

Moonshee, mōōn′shē, n. in India, a secretary, interpreter, teacher of languages. [Ar. munshi.]

Moor, mōōr, n. a large tract of untilled ground, often covered with heath, and having a poor, peaty soil: a heath.—ns. Moor′cock, Moor′fowl, the red grouse or heathcock found in moors; Moor′hen, the female moor-fowl: the water-hen; Moor′-ill (Scot.), a kind of disease among cattle—also Red-water.—adjs. Moor′ish, Moor′y, resembling a moor: sterile: marshy: boggy.—n. Moor′land, a tract of moor. [A.S. mór; Ice. mór, peat.]

Moor, mōōr, v.t. to fasten a ship by cable and anchor: to fix firmly.—v.i. to be fastened by cables or chains.—ns. Moor′age, a place for mooring; Moor′ing, act of mooring: that which serves to moor or confine a ship: in pl. the place or condition of a ship thus moored. [Prob. Dut. marren, to tie, allied to A.S. merran (in compound ámierran), Old High Ger. marrjan, to hinder.]

Moor, mōōr, n. a member of the dark mixed Mauretanian and Arab race inhabiting Morocco and the Barbary coast: one of the Arab and Berber conquerors and occupants of Spain from 711 to 1492—same as Arab or Saracen: a dark-coloured person generally, a negro.—n. Moor′ery, a quarter inhabited by Moors.—adj. Moor′ish. [Fr. more, maure—L. maurus—Gr. mauros, black.]

Moorva, mōōr′va, n. an East Indian silky fibre for cordage.—Also Marool, Bowstring-hemp.

Moose, mōōs, n. the largest deer of America, resembling the European elk. [Algonkin musu.]

Moot, mōōt, v.t. to propose for discussion: to discuss: argue for practice.—adj. discussed or debated.—n. in early English history, the meeting of the assembled freemen, or their representatives, to regulate the affairs of the village or tun, the hundred, or the kingdom—village- or town-moot, hundred-moot, folk-moot.—adj. Moot′able, that can be mooted or debated.—ns. Moot′-case, Moot′-point, a case, point, or question to be mooted or debated: an unsettled question; Moot′-court, -hall, a meeting or court for arguing supposed cases; Moot′-hill, a hill of meeting on which the moot was held. [A.S. mótian—mót, gemót, an assembly, akin to métan, to meet.]

Mop, mop, n. a bunch of rags, &c., fixed, on a handle for washing floors, windows, or the like: anything at all like a mop: (prov.) a hiring-fair.—v.t. to rub or wipe with a mop:—pr.p. mop′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. mopped.—adj. Mop′-head′ed, having a shaggy, unkempt head of hair. [O. Fr. mappe—L. mappa, a napkin.]

Mope, mōp, v.i. to be silent and dispirited: to be dull or stupid.—v.t. to make spiritless.—n. a listless person, a drone—also Mop′us.—adv. Mop′ingly.—adj. Mop′ish, dull: spiritless.—adv. Mop′ishly, in a mopish manner.—n. Mop′ishness. [Dut. moppen, to pout, sulk; Ger. muffen.]

Moppet, mop′et, n. a doll of rags: a young girl—also Mop′sy, an untidy woman.—adj. Mop′sical, short-sighted: stupid.

Mopstick, mop′stik, n. in an old pianoforte movement, a rod which raises the damper as the key is depressed.—Also Map′stick.

Moquette, mō-ket′, n. a material for carpets, with a loose velvety pile—the back thick canvas, &c. [Fr.]

Mora, mō′ra, n. an ancient game played from China to Peru, the aim being to guess the number of fingers held out by a player. [It.]

Moraine, mo-rān′, n. a continuous line of rocks and gravel along the edges of glaciers.—adj. Morain′ic. [Fr.—Ger. (Bavarian) mur.]

Moral, mor′al, adj. of or belonging to the manners or conduct of men: conformed to right, ethical, virtuous: capable of knowing right and wrong: subject to the moral law: instructing with regard to morals: supported by evidence of reason or probability—opp. to Demonstrative: belonging to the mind, or to the will: (Shak.) moralising.—n. in pl. manners: the doctrine or practice of the duties of life: moral philosophy or ethics: conduct, esp. sexual conduct: in sing. the practical lesson given by anything: an emblem or allegory: (slang) a certainty, an exact counterpart.—v.i. to moralise.—ns. Mor′aler (Shak.), a moraliser; Moralisā′tion, act of moralising, explanation in a moral sense.—v.t. Mor′alise, to apply to a moral purpose: to explain in a moral sense.—v.i. to speak or write on moral subjects: to make moral reflections.—ns. Mor′aliser; Mor′alism, a moral maxim; moral counsel: morality as distinct from religion; Mor′alist, one who teaches morals, or who practises moral duties: a merely moral as distinguished from a religious man: one who prides himself on his morality.—adj. Moralist′ic.—n. Moral′ity, quality of being moral: that in an action which renders it right or wrong: the practice of moral duties apart from religion: virtue: the doctrine which treats of actions as being right or wrong: ethics: a kind of drama which grew out of mysteries and miracle-plays, and continued in fashion till Elizabeth's time, in which allegorical representations of the virtues and vices were introduced as dramatis personæ.—adv. Mor′ally, in a moral manner: uprightly: to all intents and purposes, practically.—Moral agent, one who acts under a knowledge of right and wrong; Moral certainty, a likelihood so great as to be safely acted on, although not capable of being certainly proved; Moral defeat (see Moral victory); Moral faculty (see Moral sense); Moral law, a law or rules for life and conduct, founded on what is right and wrong: the law of conscience; Moral philosophy, the science which treats of the qualities of actions as being right or wrong, and the duty of mankind with regard to such actions; Moral sense, that power of the mind which knows or judges actions to be right or wrong, and determines conduct accordingly; Moral theology, ethics treated with reference to a divine source; Moral victory, a defeat in appearance, but in some important sense a real victory. [Fr.,—L. moralis—mos, moris, custom.]

Morale, mo-räl′, n. the state of a person's morals: mental state as regards spirit and confidence, esp. of a body of soldiers, &c. [Fr.]

Morass, mo-ras′, n. a tract of soft, wet ground: a marsh.—adj. Morass′y.—Morass ore, bog-iron ore. [Dut. moeras, a marsh.]

Morat, mō′rat, n. a drink made of honey and mulberry juice. [It. morato—moro—L. morum.]

Moratorium, mo-ra-tō′ri-um, n. an emergency act allowing a government bank to suspend payments in specie for a given time.

Moravian, mo-rā′vi-an, adj. pertaining to Moravia or the Moravians.—n. one of a Christian denomination entitled Unitas Fratrum of United Brethren, a small body of Protestants of extraordinary missionary energy, founded in the 15th century.—n. Morā′vianism, the doctrines of the Moravians.

Moray, mō′rā, n. an apodal eel-like fish of the Muræna family.—Also Ma′ray, Mu′ray, Mur′ry.

Morbid, mor′bid, adj. diseased, sickly: not healthful.—n. Morbid′ity, the quality of being morbid: disease: the ratio of sickness in a community.—adv. Mor′bidly.—n. Morbidness, sickliness.—adjs. Morbif′eral, Morbif′erous; Morbif′ic, causing disease.—n. Morbil′lī, measles.—adjs. Morbil′liform, like measles; Morbil′lous, pertaining to measles; Morbose′, proceeding from disease: morbid: not healthy.—n. Mor′bus, disease. [Fr.,—L. morbidus—morbus, disease.]

Morbidezza, mor-bi-det′za, n. that quality of flesh-painting which gives the impression of life. [It.]

Morceau, mor′sō, n. a small bit: a dainty morsel:—pl. Mor′ceaux (-sōz). [Fr.]

Mordacious, mor-dā′shus, adj. given to biting: biting: (fig.) sarcastic: severe.—adv. Mordā′ciously.—n. Mordac′ity, quality of being mordacious: biting severity.—adj. Mor′dant, biting, sarcastic, severe: serving to fix colours.—n. any substance, as alum, used to give permanency or brilliancy to dyes: a glutinous size as a ground for gilding, matter to make gold-leaf adhere: any corrosive liquid by which the biting in etching is effected.—v.t. to treat with a mordant.—adv. Mor′dantly.—ns. Mor′dicancy, Mordicā′tion. [Fr.,—L. mordax, mordacis—mordēre, to bite.]

Mordent, mor′dent, n. a kind of trill in music, or the character indicating it. [It. mordente.]

More, mōr, adj. (serves as comp. of Many and Much) additional: other besides: greater (so in B.).—adv. to a greater degree: again: longer.—n. a greater thing: something further or in addition:—superl. Most (mōst).—adj. Mō′rish. insufficient: such that one wants more.—More and more, continually increasing; More by token, in proof of this, besides; More or less, about: in round numbers.—Any more, something additional: further; Be no more, to have died; No more, nothing in addition. [Including both M.E. mo, more in number—A.S. má, more in number, and M. E. more, larger—A.S. mára, greater.]

More, mōr, n. (Spens.) a root. [A.S. moru, more, a carrot; Ger. möhre.]

Moreen, mo-rēn′, n. a stout woollen or cotton and woollen stuff, used for petticoats, curtains, &c. [Fr. moire, mohair.]

Morel, mor′el, or mō-rel′, n. any edible mushroom of the genus Morchella. [Fr. morille; prob. Old High Ger. morhela (Ger. morchel), a mushroom.]

Morello, mō-rel′o, n. a dark-red variety of cherry, much used in cooking and for cherry brandy.—Also Mor′el, or Morel′. [It.,—Low L. morellus, blackish—L. maurus, a blackamoor, or perh. for morulus, blackish—morum, a mulberry.]

Moreover, mōr-ō′vėr, adv. more over or beyond what has been said: further: besides: also.

Moresque, mo-resk′, adj. done after the manner of the Moors.—n. a kind of ornamentation, same as arabesque—(obs.) Mores′co. [Fr.,—It. moresco.]

Morganatic, mor-gan-at′ik, adj. noting a marriage of a man with a woman of inferior rank, in which neither the latter nor her children enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband, though the children are legitimate—also Left-handed marriage.—adv. Morganat′ically. [Low L. morganatica, a gift from a bridegroom to his bride—Teut.; cf. Ger. morgengabe, A.S. morgengifu, a morning gift.]

Morglay, mor′glā, n. a claymore—esp. that of the Arthurian hero Sir Bevis.

Morgue, morg, n. a place where bodies found dead are laid out for identification. [Fr.]

Moribund, mo′ri-bund, adj. about to die: in a dying state. [L. moribundus—mori, to die.]

Morion, Morrion, mō′ri-un, n. a open helmet without visor or beaver. [Fr., prob. from Sp. morrion—morra, crown of the head. Diez suggests Basque murua, a hill.]

Morisco, mo-ris′ko, n. the Moorish language: a Moorish dance or dancer: Moorish architecture: one of the Moors who remained in Spain after the fall of Granada in 1492.—adj. Moorish—(obs.) Morisk′.

Morisonian, mor-i-sō′ni-an, n. a member of the Evangelical Union, formed in 1843 by the Rev. James Morison (1816-93), after his separation from the United Secession Church.—n. Morisō′nianism, the religious views of Morison and others—essentially a reaction from the Calvinistic doctrine of the Westminster Confession on predestination and unconditional election and reprobation.

Mormon, mor′mon, n. one of a religious sect in Utah, U.S., openly polygamous till 1890, calling itself 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, whose supplement to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, was given out as translated from the golden plates of one 'Mormon,' but was really adapted from a MS. romance written about 1811 by Solomon Spaulding.—ns. Mor′monism; Mor′monite, Mor′monist.

Mormops, mor′mops, n. a genus of American phyllostomine bats, so called from their repulsive physiognomy. [Gr. mormō, a bugbear, ōps, face.]

Morn, morn, n. the first part of the day: morning.—The morn (Scot.), to-morrow; The morn's morning, to-morrow morning. [M. E. morwen—A.S. morgen; Ger. morgen.]

Morne, mōrn, n. the blunt head of a jousting-lance: a small, rounded hill.—adjs. Morné (mōr-nā′), denoting a lion rampant without teeth or claws; Morned (her.), blunted. [Fr.]

Morning, morn′ing, n. the first part of the day: the early part of anything: the first dram of the day.—adj. pertaining to the morning: taking place or being in the morning.—ns. Morn′ing-dress, dress such as is usually worn in the morning, as opposed to Evening-dress; Morn′ing-gift, a gift made by the husband to the wife on the morning after marriage; Morning-gown, a gown for wearing in the morning; Morn′ing-land, the east; Morn′ing-room, a woman's morning boudoir or sitting-room in English country houses; Morn′ing-sick′ness, nausea and vomiting in the morning, common in the early stages of pregnancy; Morn′ing-star, any of the planets, esp. Venus, when it rises before the sun: a kind of flail with a star-like ball of metal at the end of a chain, formerly used as a weapon of war; Morn′ing-tide, the morning time: early part; Morn′ing-watch, the watch between 4 and 8 A.M. [Contr. of morwen-ing. Cf. Morn.]

Morocco, mo-rok′ō, n. a fine goat-skin leather, tanned with sumac, first brought from Morocco, afterwards from the Levant and elsewhere: a sheep-skin leather in imitation of this: a very strong ale, anciently brewed in Cumberland.—adj. consisting of Morocco.—French morocco, an inferior kind of Levant morocco, with small grain; Levant morocco, a fine quality of morocco, with large grain; Persian morocco, a morocco finished on the grain side.

Morology, mō-rol′o-ji, n. foolish talk. [Gr., mōros, a fool, logia—legein, to speak.]

Morose, mō-rōs′, adj. of a sour temper: gloomy: severe.—adv. Morose′ly.—ns. Morose′ness, quality of being morose—(obs.) Moros′ity. [L. morosus, peevish—mos, moris, manner.]

Morpheus, mor′fūs, n. a god of dreams: sleep.—adjs. Morphē′an, Morphet′ic. [L.]

Morphia, mor′fi-a, n. the chief narcotic principle of opium: a drug which causes sleep or deadens pain—also Mor′phine.—ns. Mor′phinism; Morphiomā′nia; Morphiomā′niac. [Coined from Gr. Morpheus, god of dreams—morphē, shape.]

Morphic, mor′fik, adj. relating to form, morphological.—n. Morphogen′esis, the production of morphological characters.—adj. Morphogenet′ic.—ns. Morphog′eny, the genesis of form: morphology; Morphog′rapher; Morphog′raphy, descriptive morphology.—adjs. Morpholog′ic, -al.—ns. Morphol′ogist, one who is versed in, or who writes upon, morphology; Morphol′ogy, the science of organic form, of the development of the forms of living organisms; Morphon′omy, the laws of morphology; Morphō′sis, morphogenesis.—adj. Morphot′ic. [Gr. morphē, form.]

Morrhua, mor′ōō-a, n. the chief genus of gadoid fishes, including the cod (Gadus).

Morris, Morrice, mor′is, Morr′is-dance, n. a Moorish dance: a dance in which bells, rattles, tambours, &c. are introduced.—v.i. Morr′is, to perform by dancing.—ns. Morr′is-danc′er; Morr′is-pike (Shak.), a Moorish pike.—Nine men's morris, an old English game in which a figure of squares, one within another, was marked out on aboard or on the turf, and eighteen pieces or stones, nine for each side, were moved alternately as at draughts—also Nine men's merils. [Sp. morisco, Moorish—Sp. moro, a Moor.]

Morrow, mor′ō, n. the day following the present: to-morrow: the next following day: the time immediately after any event.—n. To-morr′ow, next day—also adv. [M. E. morwe=morwen; cf. Morn.]

Morse, mors, n. the walrus or sea-horse. [Russ. morjŭ, a morse, prob. from more, the sea.]

Morse, mors, n. the metal fastening of the cope, generally of precious metal, ornamented with jewels—also Pectoral. [L. morsus, a bite.]

Morse, mors, n. (coll.) the Morse-code signalling of telegraph operators, from Sam. F. B. Morse (1791-1872).—Morse alphabet, a system of symbols to be used in telegraphic messages where Morse's indicator is used, consisting of dots and dashes combined in different ways to indicate the different letters.

Morsel, mor′sel, n. a bite or mouthful: a small piece of food: a small quantity of anything which is divided.—ns. Mor′sūre, the act of biting; Mor′sus, a bite. [O. Fr. morsel (Fr. morceau, It. morsello), dim. from L. morsus—mordēre, morsum, to bite.]

Morsing-horn, mor′sing-horn, n. the small horn that used to hold the fine powder used for priming. [Fr. amorcer, to prime a gun.]

Mort, mort, n. death: a flourish sounded at the death of a buck, & c., in hunting.

Mortal, mor′tal, adj. liable to die: causing death: deadly: fatal: punishable with death: involving the penalty of spiritual death, as opposed to Venial: extreme, violent, implacable: human: (coll.) very great, very long, confounded, very drunk.—n. a human being.—v.t. Mor′talise, to make mortal.—n. Mortal′ity, condition of being mortal: death: frequency or number of deaths, esp. in proportion to population: the human race.—adv. Mor′tally—(coll.) Mor′tal.—ns. Mort′-cloth, a pall; Mort′-stone, a stone by the wayside on which the bearers lay the bier for a rest during a funeral procession.—Bills of mortality, lists of the numbers of those who have died in any place during any given time; Law of mortality, rules founded on experience or calculation, showing what average proportion of those living at the beginning of a given time will be surviving at its close. [Fr.,—L. mortalis—mori, to die.]

Mortar, mor′tar, n. a vessel in which substances are pounded with a pestle: a short and very thick piece of artillery of large calibre, firing a heavy shell at a fixed angle of 45° or thereabouts, so as to strike vertically: a cement of lime, sand, and water, used to bind together stones or bricks in building.—v.t. to close up or in as with mortar: to pound in a mortar.—n. Mor′tar-board, a square board with a handle beneath for holding mortar which the workman is using: a square-crowned academic cap. [A.S. mortere—L. mortarium, a mortar.]

Mortgage, mor′gāj, n. a conditional conveyance of or lien upon land or other property as security for the performance of some condition, as the payment of money, becoming void on the performance of the condition: the act of conveying, or the deed effecting it.—v.t. to pledge as security for a debt.—ns. Mortgagee′, one to whom a mortgage is made or given; Mort′gager. [O. Fr., mort, dead, gage, a pledge.]

Mortier, mor′tye, n. a cap of state worn by legal functionaries in France.

Mortiferous, mor-tif′ėr-us, adj. death-bringing: fatal. [L. mors, death, ferre, to bring.]

Mortify, mor′ti-fī, v.t. to destroy the vital functions of: to subdue by severities and penance: to vex: to humble: (Scots law) to dispose of by mortification.—v.i. to lose vitality, to gangrene: to be subdued:—pa.t. and pa.p. mor′tified.—ns. Mortificā′tion, act of mortifying or state of being mortified: the death of one part of an animal body: a bringing under of the passions and appetites by a severe or strict manner of living: humiliation: vexation: that which mortifies or vexes: (Scots law) a bequest to some charitable institution; Mor′tifiedness, subjugation of the passions; Mor′tifier, one who mortifies.—adj. Mor′tifying, tending to mortify or humble: humiliating: vexing. [Fr.,—Low L. mortificāre, to cause death to—mors death, facĕre, to make.]

Mortise, mor′tis, n. a cavity cut into a piece of timber to receive the tenon, a projection on another piece made to fit it: stability, power of adhesion—also Mor′tice.—v.t. to cut a mortise in: to join by a mortise and tenon. [Fr. mortaise; ety. unknown.]

Mortmain, mort′mān, n. the transfer of property to a corporation, which is said to be a dead hand, or one that can never part with it again.—Statutes of mortmain, acts of parliament restricting or forbidding the giving of property to religious houses. [Fr. mort, dead, main—L. manus, the hand.]

Mortuary, mort′ū-ar-i, n. adj. belonging to the burial of the dead.—n. a burial-place, place for the temporary reception of the dead: a gift claimed by the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. [Low L.,—L. mortuus, dead, mori, to die.]

Morula, mor′ū-la, n. condition of an ovum after complete segmentation: button-scurvy.

Morus, mō′rus, n. a genus of trees or shrubs of the nettle family—the mulberries. [L.]

Mosaic, mö-zā′ik, n. a kind of work in which designs are formed by small pieces of coloured marble, glass, &c. cemented on a ground of stucco, or inlaid upon metal.—adj. relating to, or composed of, mosaic.—adv. Mosā′ically.—n. Mosā′icist.—Mosaic gold, an alloy of copper and zinc—also Ormolu. [Fr.,—L. musæum or musivum (opus), mosaic (work)—Gr. mouseios—Mousa, a muse.]

Mosaic, mō-zā′ik, adj. pertaining to Moses, the great Jewish lawgiver.—n. Mō′saism.—Mosaic Law, the law of the Jews given by Moses at Mount Sinai.

Mosausaurus, mō-sa-saw′rus, n. the typical genus of a group of huge fossil marine reptiles, found in the Cretaceous strata of Europe and America. [L. Mosa, the river Meuse, Gr. sauros, a lizard.]

Moschatel, mos′ka-tel, n. a plant with pale-green flowers and a musky smell. [Fr. moscatelline—Low L. moschatellina—muscus, musk.]

Mose, mōz, n. (Shak.) a disease of horses.—v.i. to have this. [Prob. Old High Ger. māsā, a spot.]

Moselle, mo-zel′, n. light wines from the district of the river Moselle, with an aromatic flavour.

Moslem, moz′lem, n. a Mussulman or Mohammedan.—adj. of or belonging to the Mohammedans.—n. Mos′lemism. [Ar. muslim, pl. muslimīn—salama, to submit (to God). Doublet Mussulman.]

Moslings, moz′lingz, n.pl. the thin shavings taken off by the currier in dressing skins. [Morsel.]

Mosque, mosk, n. a Mohammedan place of worship. [Fr.,—Sp. mezquita—Ar. masjid—sajada, to pray.]

Mosquito, mos-kē′to, n. a biting gnat, common in tropical countries:—pl. Mosqui′toes.—Mosquito canopy, curtain, net, an arrangement of netting set over a bed, in a window, &c., to keep out mosquitoes. [Sp., dim. of mosca, a fly—L. musca.]

Moss, mos, n. a family of flowerless plants with branching stems and narrow, simple leaves: popularly any small cryptogamic plant, esp. a lichen: a piece of ground covered with moss: a bog.—v.t. to cover with moss.—ns. Moss′-back, an old fish: a person of antiquated views; Moss′-cheep′er (Scot.), the titlark.—adj. Moss′-grown, covered with moss.—ns. Moss′-hag (Scot.), a pit or slough in a bog; Moss′iness; Moss′-land, land abounding in peat-bogs; Moss′-rose, a variety of rose having a moss-like growth on and below the calyx; Moss′troop′er, one of the robbers that used to infest the mosses of the Border.—adj. Moss′y, overgrown or abounding with moss.—Iceland moss (see Iceland). [A.S. meós; Dut. mos, Ger. moos.]

Moss-bunker, mos′-bung-kėr, n. the menhaden. [Dut. mars-banker, the scad or horse-mackerel.]

Most, mōst, adj. (superl. of More), greatest in age, position or rank, number, degree, &c.—adv. in the highest degree.—n. the greatest number or quantity.—advs. Most′ly; Most′what (Spens.), for the most part, mostly.—At (the) most, to the utmost extent; For the most part, chiefly; Make the most of (see Make). [A.S. mǽst; cog. with Ger. meist.]

Mot, mō, n. a pithy or witty saying.—Mot d'ordre, word of command. [Fr.]

Mot, mot, n. a note on the bugle, &c., or its mark in musical notation. [Fr.,—L. muttum, a murmur.]

Motatorious, mō-ta-tō′ri-us, adj. vibratory, excessively mobile—of long-legged spiders and crane-flies, &c. [L. motāre, -ātum to keep moving, freq. of movēre, to move.]

Mote, mōt, n. a particle of dust: a speck: a stain or blemish: anything very small.—adjs. Mōt′ed, Mot′ty, containing motes. [A.S. mot; Dut. mot.]

Motet, mo-tet′, n. a sacred cantata of several unconnected movements, as a solo, trio, chorus, fugue, &c.: a choral composition having a biblical or similar prose text.—n. Motet′tist, a composer of such. [Fr.,—It. mottetto—motto, saying.]

Moth., moth, n. a family of insects like butterflies, seen mostly at night: the larva of this insect which gnaws cloth: that which eats away gradually and silently.—v.t. Moth′-eat, to prey upon, as a moth eats a garment.—adj. Moth′-eat′en, eaten or cut by moths.—n. Moth′-hunt′er, a little kind of swallow which hunts moths, &c., called also the Goatsucker.—adj. Moth′y, full of moths.—Death's-head moth, (see Death). [A.S. moþþe, mohþe; Ger. motte.]

Mother, muth′ėr, n. a female parent, esp. one of the human race: a woman in relation to her child: a matron: that which has produced anything: the female head of a religious house: a familiar term of address to an old woman.—adj. received by birth, as it were from one's mother: natural: acting the part of a mother: originating.—v.t. to adopt as a son or daughter.—ns. Moth′er-church, the church from which others have sprung; Moth′er-coun′try, -land, the country of one's birth: the country from which a colony has gone out; Moth′erhood, state of being a mother; Moth′ering, a rural English custom of visiting one's parents on Mid-Lent Sunday; Moth′er-in-law, the mother of one's husband or wife.—adj. Moth′erless, without a mother.—n. Moth′erliness.—adj. Moth′erly, pertaining to, or becoming, a mother: like a mother: parental: tender.—ns. Moth′er-of-pearl′, the nacreous internal layer of the shells of several molluscs, esp. of the pearl-oyster, so called because producing the pearl; Moth′er's-mark, a birth-mark; Moth′er-tongue, a person's native language: a language from which another has its origin; Moth′er-wa′ter, the residual liquid remaining after the chemical substances it contained have been crystallised or precipitated; Moth′er-wit, native wit: common-sense; Moth′er-wort, a labiate plant growing in waste places; Queen′-moth′er, the mother of a reigning sovereign.—Mother Carey's chicken, the stormy petrel, or other bird of the same family; Mother-Hubbard, a woman's loose flowing gown, like that proper to the nursery heroine.—Every mother's son, all, without exception. [A.S. móder; Dut. moeder, Ice. móðir, Ger. mutter, Ir. and Gael. mathair, L. mater, Gr. mētēr, Sans, mátá, mátri.]

Mother, muthėr, n. dregs or sediments, as of vinegar.—v.i. to become concreted.—adj. Moth′ery. [Mud.]

Motif, mō-tēf′, n. an old form of motive: a theme or ground for intellectual action, or a leading subject in a dramatic work: in a musical composition the principal subject on which the movement is constructed. [Fr.,—L. motus, moved.]

Motion, mō′shun, n. the act or state of moving: a single movement: change of posture: gait: power of moving or of being moved: angular velocity—direct when from west to east; retrograde when from east to west: excitement of the mind: any natural impulse, instigation: proposal made, esp. in an assembly: an application to a court, during a case before it, for an order or rule that something be done, esp. something incidental to the progress of the cause rather than its issue: evacuation of the intestine: (pl., B.) impulses.—v.i. to make a significant movement, to offer a proposal.—v.t. to guide by a gesture, &c.: to move.—adj. Mō′tile, capable of spontaneous motion.—n. Motil′ity.—adj. Mo′tional, characterised by motions.—n. Mō′tionist, one who makes a motion.—adj. Mō′tionless, without motion.—Absolute motion, change of absolute place; Accelerated motion, motion of which the velocity is continually increasing; Angular motion, motion regarded as measured by the increase of the angle made with some standard direction by a line drawn from the moving object to a fixed point; Laws of motion, Newton's three laws: (1) Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a straight line, except so far as it may be compelled by force to change that state; (2) Change of motion is proportional to force applied, and takes place in the direction of the straight line in which the force acts; (3) To every action there is always an equal and contrary reaction; Parallel motion (see Parallel); Perpetual motion (see Perpetual); Quantity of motion, momentum. [Fr.,—L.,—movēre, mōtum, to move.]

Motive, mō′tiv, adj. causing motion: having power to cause motion.—n. that which moves or excites to action: inducement: reason.—v.t. to act on as a motive, instigate.—v.t. Mō′tivāte, to act on as a motive, induce.—n. Motivā′tion.—adj. Mōtiveless.—ns. Mō′tivelessness; Mō′tive-power, or -force, the force acting upon a body so as to cause it to move; Motiv′ity, power of producing motion: the quality of being influenced by motion. [Fr., through Low L., from movēre, mōtum to move.]

Motley, mot′li, adj. covered with spots of different colours: consisting of different colours: composed of various parts, heterogeneous.—n. clothes made of pieces of different colours: the dress of a jester: any mixture, esp. of colours.—adj. Mot′ley-mind′ed (Shak.), having fickle and foolish thoughts and feelings.—Man of motley, a jester. [Skeat explains M. E. mottelee as through O. Fr. mattelé, clotted, curdled—Bavarian matte, curds.]

Motograph, mō′to-graf, n. a device of Edison's, used as a telephone receiver, &c., by which the variation of the friction between two conductors in relative motion is diminished periodically by the passage of a current of electricity from one to the other across the surface of contact.—adj. Motograph′ic. [L. motus, motion, Gr. graphein, to write.]

Motophone, mō′to-fōn, n. a sound-engine of Edison's actuated by aerial sound-waves. [L. motus, motion, Gr. phōnē, a voice.]

Motor, mō′tor, n. a mover: that which gives motion: a machine by means of which steam or other sources of force can be used to give motion or produce work.—adj. giving or transmitting motion.—ns. Mō′tor-car, a vehicle for the road impelled by steam, electricity, or petrol (petroleum spirit); Mō′tor-dy′namo, a dynamo used as a motor.—adjs. Motō′rial, Mō′tory, giving motion.—n. Motō′rium, that part of the nervous organism instrumental in the exertion of motor influence:—opp. to Sensorium, that which feels or perceives.—adj. Motorpath′ic, belonging to Motor′pathy or the movement cure.—Motor nerve, any nerve which transmits impulse to the muscles.—Air-motor, a machine impelled by compressed air. [Cf. Motive.]

Mottle, mot′l, v.t. to mark with spots as if stained.—n. the arrangement of spots on any mottled surface, in marble, &c.—adjs. Mott′led, marked with spots of various colours or shades; Mott′le-faced.—n. Mott′ling. [Motley.]

Motto, mot′ō, n. a short sentence or phrase prefixed in anything intimating the subject of it: a phrase attached to a coat-of-arms: a paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, &c., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto—a motto-kiss:—pl. Mottoes (mot′ōz).—adj. Mott′oed. [Low L. muttum—muttīre, to mutter.]

Moucharaby, mōō-shar′a-bi, n. a balcony enclosed with lattice-work: an embattled balcony with parapet and machicolations. [Fr.]

Moucher, mow′chėr, n. one who idles about, a loafer, a beggar—same as Micher.—v.i. Mouch, to skulk or sneak about; to live a vagabond life. [O. Fr. muchier (Fr. musser), to hide.]

Moufflon, mōōf′lon, n. a wild sheep in the mountains of Corsica, Greece, &c. [Fr.]

Mouille, mōōl-lyā′, adj. sounded in a liquid manner, as certain consonants in many French words. [Fr.]

Mould, mōld, n. dust: soil rich in decayed matter: the matter of which anything is composed: a minute fungus which grows on bodies in a damp atmosphere, so named from often growing on mould: the earth, the ground, the grave, esp. in pl. Mools (Scot.).—v.t. to cover with mould or soil: to cause to become mouldy.—v.i. to become mouldy.—n. Mould′-board, the curved plate in a plough which turns over the furrow.—v.i. Mould′er, to crumble to mould: to turn to dust: to waste away gradually.—v.t. to turn to dust.—ns. Mould′iness; Mould′warp, the mole, which casts up little heaps of mould.—adj. Mould′y, overgrown with mould. [A.S. molde; Ger. mull, Goth. mulda.]

Mould, mōld, n. a hollow form in which anything is cast: a pattern; the form received from a mould, a former or matrix for jellies, &c., also a dish shaped in such: character.—v.t. to form in a mould: to knead, as dough.—adj. Mould′able, that may be moulded.—ns. Mould′-box, a box in which molten steel is hydraulically compressed; Mould′er; Mould′-fac′ing, a fine powder or wash applied to the face of a mould to ensure a smooth casting; Mould′ing, the process of shaping, esp. any soft substance: anything formed by or in a mould: an ornamental edging on a picture-frame, &c., or (archit.) raised above or sunk below the surface of a wall, on cornices, jambs, lintels, &c.—the fillet or list, astragal or bead, ogee, cyma, &c.; Moulding-tā′ble, a table on which a potter moulds his ware; Mould′-loft, a large room in a shipbuilding yard in which the several parts of a ship's hull are laid off to full size from the construction drawings.—Moulding machine, a machine for making wood-mouldings; Moulding plane, a plane used in forming mouldings, a match-plane; Moulding sand, a mixture of sand and loam used by founders in making sand-moulds. [Fr. moule—L. modulus, a measure.]

Moulin, mōō-lang′, n. a cavity formed in a glacier by the running down of surface water, sometimes allowing a cascade to be formed. [Fr.]

Moulinage, mōō′lināj, n. the operation of reeling-off, twisting, and doubling raw silk.

Moulinet, mōō′li-net, n. the drum of a windlass, &c., on which the rope is wound: a machine for bending a crossbow. [Fr., 'a little mill.']

Moult, mōlt, v.i. to change or cast the feathers, &c., as birds, &c.—n. Moult′ing, the act or process of moulting or casting feathers, skin, &c. [L. mutāre, to change, with intrusive l.]

Mound, mownd, n. an artificial mount: a natural hillock, appearing as if thrown up by man's work: (fort.) a bank of earth or stone raised as a protection.—v.t. to fortify with a mound.—n.pl. Mound′-birds, a family of Australasian gallinaceous birds which build large mounds as incubators for their eggs.—n. Mound′-build′er, one of the primitive race which built the vast so-called Indian mounds found in the United States, esp. east of the Mississippi River. [A.S. mund, a defence; cf. Old High Ger. munt, defence, and perh. L. mons, a mount.]

Mound, mownd, n. (her.) the representation of a globe encircled with bands, and surmounted by a cross.—Also Monde. [Fr. monde—L. mundus, the world.]

Mount, mownt, n. ground rising above the level of the surrounding country: a hill: an ornamental mound: that on which anything is mounted for more convenient use or exhibition: a saddle-horse for riding: a step, &c., to give aid in mounting a horse, also a signal for mounting: (her.) a green hillock in the base of a shield: (fort.) a cavalier or raised hillock commanding the surrounding country: one of the seven fleshy cushions in the palm of the hand: (B.) a bulwark for offence or defence.—v.i. to project or rise up: to be of great elevation.—v.t. to raise aloft: to climb: to get upon, as a horse: to put on horseback: to put upon something: to arrange or set in fitting order.—adjs. Mount′able, that may be mounted or ascended; Mount′ed, raised, esp. set on horseback: (her.) raised on steps, generally three, as a cross: furnished, supplied.—ns. Mount′er; Mount′ing, the act of rising or getting higher: the act of mounting or embellishing, as the setting of a gem, &c.: that which mounts; Mount′ing-block, a block or stone to enable one to mount a horse.—Mount guard (see Guard). [A.S. munt—L. mons, montis, a mountain.]

Mountain, mownt′ān, or -′in, n. a high hill: anything very large: a wine made from mountain grapes: the extreme party in the French Revolution (see Montagnard).—adj. of or relating to a mountain: growing or dwelling on a mountain.—ns. Mount′ain-ash, the rowan-tree, with bunches of red berries, common on mountains; Mount′ain-blue, blue carbonate of copper; Mount′ain-bram′ble, the cloudberry; Mount′ain-cat, a catamount, a wild-cat; Mount′ain-chain, a number of mountains connected together in one line; Mount′ain-cork, Mount′ain-leath′er, a very light and whitish variety of asbestos; Mount′ain-deer, the chamois; Mount′ain-dew, whisky.—adj. Mount′ained.—ns. Mountaineer′, an inhabitant of a mountain: a climber of mountains: a rustic; Mountaineer′ing, the practice of climbing mountains; Mount′ain-flax, a fibrous asbestos; Mount′ain-lime′stone (geol.), a series of limestone strata separating the Old Red Sandstone from the coal-measures; Mount′ain-līon, the cougar; Mount′ain-milk, a spongy carbonate of lime.—adj. Mount′ainous, full of mountains: large as a mountain: huge.—ns. Mount′ain-rice, an awnless rice grown without irrigation on the Himalayas, &c.; Mount′ain-sheep, the bighorn of the Rocky Mountains; Mount′ain-soap, a greasy clay-like mineral, a kind of halloysite—also Rock-soap; Mount′ain-tall′ow, a mineral substance, called also Hatchettite; Mount′ain-tea, the American evergreen, Gaultheria procumbens.—Old man of the mountain, a popular name for the chief of the 11th century Hashshāshīn (see Assassin). [O. Fr. montaine—Low L. montana, a mountain—L. montanus—mons, montis.]

Mountant, mownt′ant, adj. (Shak.) rising on high. [Fr. montant, pr.p. of monter, to mount.]

Mountebank, mown′te-bangk, n. a quack-doctor who boasts of his skill and his medicines: a boastful pretender.—adj. pertaining to such, sham.—v.t. to cheat by false pretences, to humbug.—v.i. to play the mountebank.—ns. Moun′tebankery, Moun′tebanking, Moun′tebankism. [It. montambanco—montare, to mount, in, on, banco, a bench.]

Mourn, mōrn, v.i. to grieve: to be sorrowful: to wear mourning.—v.t. to grieve for: to utter in a sorrowful manner.—n. Mourn′er, one who mourns, one who attends a funeral in mourning-dress, esp. one of those related to the deceased.—adj. Mourn′ful, mourning: causing or expressing sorrow: feeling grief.—adv. Mourn′fully.—n. Mourn′fulness.—adj. Mourn′ing, grieving: lamenting.—n. the act of expressing grief: the dress of mourners, or other tokens of mourning.—ns. Mourn′ing-bride, the sweet scabious; Mourn′ing-cloak, an undertaker's cloak, formerly worn at a funeral; Mourn′ing-coach, a closed carriage for carrying mourners to a funeral; Mourn′ing-dove, the common American turtle-dove.—adv. Mourn′ingly.—ns. Mourn′ing-piece, a picture intended to be a memorial of the dead; Mourn′ing-ring, a ring worn in memorial of a dead person; Mourn′ing-stuff, a lustreless black dress fabric, as crape, cashmere, &c., for making mourning clothes. [A.S. murnan, meornan; Old High Ger. mornēn, to grieve.]

Mouse, mows, n. a little rodent animal found in houses and in the fields:—pl. Mice (mīs): one of various animals like the mouse, the flitter-mouse, shrew-mouse: part of a hind-leg of beef, next the round—also Mouse′-butt′ock and Mouse′-piece: a match for firing a cannon or mine: a small cushion for a woman's hair: (slang) a black eye, or discoloured swelling: a term of endearment.—v.t. and v.i. (mowz), to hunt for mice: to pursue slyly: to prowl: to tear as a cat tears a mouse: (naut.) to pass a turn or two of rope yarn round the point of a tackle-hook to prevent its unhooking.—ns. Mouse′-ear, a name of several plants with soft leaves shaped like a mouse's ear; Mouse′-hole, a hole for mice: a small hole or opening; Mouse′-hunt (Shak.), a mouser; Mouse′kin, Mous′ie, a young mouse; Mous′er, a catcher of mice; Mous′ery, a resort of mice; Mouse′-sight, myopia; Mouse′tail, a small plant with a spike of seed-vessels very like the tail of a mouse; Mouse′-trap, a trap for catching mice; Mous′ing, act of catching mice.—adj. given to catching mice.—adj. Mous′y, like a mouse in colour or smell: abounding with mice. [A.S. mús, pl. mýs; Ger. maus, L. and Gr. mus.]

Mousquetaire, mōōs-ke-tār′, n. a musketeer: a woman's cloak trimmed with ribbons, with large buttons, fashionable about 1855: a broad turnover linen collar worn a few years earlier.—Mousquetaire glove, a woman's glove, long-armed, loose at top, without slit lengthwise. [Fr.]

Mousseline, mōō-se-lēn′, n. fine French muslin: a very thin glass for claret-glasses.—n. Mousseline′-de-laine, an untwilled woollen cloth, in many colours and varied patterns. [Fr.]

Moustache, Mustache, mus-tash′, n. the hair upon the upper lip of men: a soldier—also Mustach′io.—n. Moustache′-cup, a cup for drinking tea, &c., having the top partly covered to keep the moustache from being wet.—adjs. Moustached′, Mustach′ioed. [Fr. moustache—It. mostaccio—Gr. mastax, mastakos, the upper lip.]

Mouth, mowth, n. the opening in the head of an animal by which it eats and utters sound: opening or entrance, as of a bottle, river, &c.: the instrument of speaking: a speaker: cry, voice, utterance: taste or flavour in the mouth: a wry face, a grimace:—pl. Mouths (mowthz).—ns. Mouth′-friend (Shak.), one who only professes friendship: Mouth′ful, as much as fills the mouth: a small quantity:—pl. Mouth′fuls; Mouth′-hon′our (Shak.), honour or civility insincerely expressed.—adjs. Mouth′less, without a mouth; Mouth′-made (Shak.), expressed by the mouth, insincere.—n. Mouth′piece, the piece of a musical instrument, or tobacco-pipe, held in the mouth: one who speaks for others.—By word of mouth, by means of spoken words; Down in the mouth, out of spirits: despondent; From hand to mouth (see Hand); Have one's heart in one's mouth (see Heart); Make a mouth, or mouths, to distort the face in mockery, to pout; Make the mouth water (see Water); Stop the mouth, to cause to be silent. [A.S. múth; Ger. mund, Dut. mond.]

Mouth, mowth, v.t. to utter with a voice over loud or swelling.—adjs. Mouth′able, sounding well; Mouthed, having a mouth.—ns. Mouth′er, an affected speaker; Mouth′ing, rant.—adj. Mouth′y, ranting, affected.

Mouton, mōō′ton, n. a sheep: a 14th-cent. French gold coin, weighing about 70 grains. [Fr.]

Movable, mōōv′a-bl, adj. that may be moved, lifted, changed, &c.: not fixed: changing from one time to another.—n. an article of furniture.—ns. Movabil′ity, Mov′ableness.—n.pl. Mo′vables (law), such articles of property as may be moved, as furniture, &c., in opposition to lands and houses.—adv. Mov′ably.

Move, mōōv, v.t. to cause to change place or posture: to set in motion: to impel: to excite to action: to persuade: to instigate: to arouse: to provoke: to touch the feelings of: to propose or bring before an assembly: to recommend.—v.i. to go from one place to another: to change place or posture: to walk, to carry one's self: to change residence: to make a motion as in an assembly: to bow or salute on meeting.—n. the act of moving: a proceeding or step: a movement, esp. at chess.—adj. Move′less, immovable.—ns. Move′ment, act or manner of moving: change of position: motion of the mind, emotion: a series of incidents moving continuously towards one end: particular arrangement of the moving parts in a mechanism, esp. the wheelwork of a clock or watch: (mil.) a strategic change of position: (mus.) melodic progression, accentual character, tempo or pace; Mov′er.—adj. Mov′ing, causing motion: changing position: affecting the feelings: pathetic.—adv. Mov′ingly.—Know a move or two, to be sharp or knowing; On the move, changing or about to change one's place. [O. Fr. movoir (Fr. mouvoir)—L. movēre, to move.]

Mow, mow, n. a wry face.—v.i. to make grimaces. [Fr. moue, a grimace.]

Mow, mow, n. a pile of hay or corn in sheaves laid up in a barn.—v.t. to lay hay or sheaves of grain in a heap:—pr.p. mow′ing; pa.t. mowed; pa.p. mowed or mown.—v.i. Mow′burn, to heat and ferment in the mow. [A.S. múga, heap; Ice. múga, swath.]

Mow, mō, v.t. to cut down with a scythe: to cut down in great numbers:—pr.p. mow′ing; pa.t. mowed; pa.p. mowed or mown.—adjs. Mowed, Mown, cut down with a scythe: cleared of grass with a scythe, as land.—ns. Mow′er, one who mows grass, &c.: a machine for mowing grass; Mow′ing, the act of cutting down with a scythe: land from which grass is cut; Mow′ing-machine′, a machine with revolving cutters for mowing lawns. [A.S. máwan; Ger. mähen; L. metĕre, to reap.]

Moxa, mok′sa, n. a cottony material for cauterising, prepared in China and Japan from Artemisia Moxa, &c.: a cone of cotton-wool placed on the skin and fired at the top for cauterisation.—n. Moxibus′tion, cauterisation by this method.

Mozarabic, mō-zar′a-bik, adj. pertaining to the Mozarabes or Muzarabes, the Christian Spaniards who lived in the parts of Spain under Moorish rule, retaining their ancient liturgy.—n. Mozar′ab, one of these.

Mozetta, mō-tset′ta, n. a short cape to which a hood may be attached, worn by popes, cardinals, bishops, abbots. [It., mozzo, cut short.]

Much, much, adj. great in size, quantity, or extent: long in duration.—adv. to a great degree: by far: often or long: almost.—n. a great quantity: a strange thing.—adj. Much′el (Spens.), much.—n. Much′ness, state of being much.—Much about it, something like what it usually is; Much of a muchness=just about the same value or amount.—Make much of (see Make); Not so much as, not even; Too much for, more than a match for. [M. E. muche, moche, muchel, mochel—A.S. mic-el; cf. Ice. mjök.]

Mucic, mū′sik, adj. derived from gums.—n. Mū′cate, a salt of mucic acid and a base.

Mucid, mū′sid, adj. slimy, mouldy—also Mū′cidous.—ns. Mū′cidness, Mū′cor.

Muck, muk, n. dung: a mass of decayed vegetable matter: anything low and filthy.—v.t. to manure with muck.—v.i. Muck′er, to make a muddle of anything, to fail.—n. a heavy fall in the mire: a coarse, dirty fellow.—ns. Muck′-heap, a dung-hill; Muck′iness; Muck′-rake, a rake for scraping filth; Muck′-sweat, profuse sweat; Muck′-worm, a worm that lives in muck: one who acquires money by mean devices: a miser.—adj. Muck′y, nasty, filthy. [Scand., Ice. myki, Dan. mög, dung.]

Mucker, muk′ėr, n. a canting person, a hypocrite, esp. a follower of the sect of J. W. Ebel of Königsberg, suspected of dirty practices. [Ger.]

Mucronate, -d, mū′kro-nāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) terminating in a short and sharp point.—n. Mū′cro, a spine-like process.—adj. Mucron′ūlate, very mucronate. [L. mucronātus—mucro, mucronis, a sharp point.]

Mucus, mū′kus, n. the slimy fluid from the nose: the viscous fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of animals.—adjs. Mūcif′erous; Mūcif′ic; Mū′ciform.—n. Mū′cigen, a substance secreted by the cells of mucous membrane, converted into mucin.—adjs. Mūcig′enous, Mūcip′arous, secreting mucus.—n. Mū′cilage, the solution of a gum in water: the gum extracted from plants.—adj. Mucilag′inous, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage: slimy.—n. Mū′cin, an alkaline glutinous fluid forming the chief constituent of mucus.—adjs. Mūciv′orous, feeding on the juices of plants; Mū′coid, like mucus; Mūcopū′rulent, pertaining to mucus and pus.—n. Mucos′ity.—adjs. Muco′so-sac′charine, partaking of the properties of mucilage and sugar; Mū′cous, like mucus: slimy: viscous; Mū′culent, like mucus.—Mucous membrane (see Membrane). [L., cf. L. mungĕre, wipe away.]

Mud, mud, n. wet soft earth.—v.t. to bury in mud: to dirty: to stir the sediment in, as in liquors; to bury in mud.—v.i. to go under the mud like the eel.—ns. Mud′-bath, a kind of mud connected with some mineral springs into which the patient plunges himself; Mud′-boat, -scow, a boat for carrying away the mud dredged from a river, &c.; Mud′-cone, a mud-volcano.—adv. Mud′dily.—n. Mud′diness.—adj. Mud′dy, foul with mud: containing mud: covered with mud: confused: stupid.—v.t. to dirty: to render dull:—pa.t. and pa.p. mud′died.—adjs. Mud′dy-head′ed, having a muddy or dull head or understanding; Mud′dy-mett′led (Shak.), dull-spirited: spiritless.—ns. Mud′-fish, a fish which burrows in the mud; Mud′-flat, a muddy strip of shore submerged at high tide; Mud′-guard, the dash-board of a carriage; Mud′-hole, a place full of mud: an orifice in the bottom of a boiler where the sediment is collected; Mud′-lark, a man who cleans public sewers or who picks up a living along the banks of tidal rivers: a street-arab; Mud′-wall, a wall composed of mud, or one in which mud is used in place of mortar: the bee-eater. [Old Low Ger. mudde, Dut. modder.]

Muddle, mud′l, v.t. to render muddy or foul, as water: to confuse, esp. with liquor: to waste, squander, misuse.—v.i. to potter about.—n. confusion, mess: mental confusion, bewilderment.—n. Mudd′lehead, a blockhead.—adv. Muddlehead′edly.—n. Muddlehead′edness. [Freq. of mud.]

Muezzin, mū-ez′in, n. the Mohammedan official attached to a mosque, whose duty it is to announce the hours of prayer.—Also Mued′din. [Ar.]

Muff, muf, n. a warm, soft cover for the hands in winter, usually of fur or dressed skins.—n. Muffettee′, a small muff worn over the wrist. [Prob. from Dut. mof; cf. Ger. muff, a muff.]

Muff, muf, n. a stupid fellow.—v.t. and v.i. to perform awkwardly, spoil: to act clumsily, esp. in letting a ball slip out of the hands. [Prob. related to Dut. muffen, to dote; Ger. muffen, to sulk.]

Muffin, muf′in, n. a soft, light, spongy cake, eaten hot with butter: a small plate: one who dangles after a young woman: a poor ball-player.—ns. Muff′in-cap, a round flat cap for men; Muffineer′, a dish for keeping muffins hot: a metal cruet for sprinkling salt or sugar on muffins.

Muffle, muf′l, n. the thick naked upper lip and nose, as of a ruminant. [Ger.]

Muffle, muf′l, v.t. to wrap up as with a muff: to blindfold: to cover up so as to render sound dull, as a bell or a drum: to cover from the weather.—n. something used for smothering sound: a boxing-glove: a clay oven, as for firing pottery.—adj. Muff′led, wrapped up closely: dulled or deadened—of sound.—n. Muff′ler, a cover that muffles the face. [Muff.]

Mufti, muf′ti, n. a doctor or official expounder of Mohammedan law in Turkey: the dress of an officer off duty. [Ar.]

Mug, mug, n. a kind of earthen or metal cup for liquor, its contents.—ns. Mug′ger (Scot.), a tramping tinker or vendor of earthenware; Mug′-house, an alehouse; Mug′-hunt′er, one who competes at games merely for the prizes. [Ir. mugan, a mug, mucog, a cup.]

Muggins, mug′inz, n. a children's card-game played with a full pack divided equally, each in turn laying down a card face up, the first one who calls 'Muggins' when one matches another adding his card to the other's pile, the aim being to get out as soon as possible. [Ety. dub.]

Muggletonian, mug-l-tō′ni-an, n. a member of a sect founded in England by John Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton (1607-97), which lingered till well into the 19th cent. They claimed to be the two witnesses of Rev. xi. 3-6, denied the Trinity, holding grotesque anthropomorphist opinions, with many strange doctrines over and above, as that the devil became incarnate in Eve, &c.

Muggy, mug′i, adj. foggy: close and damp, as weather: wet or mouldy, as straw.—Also Mug′gish. [Ice. mugga, mist; cf. Gael. mugach, cloudy.]

Mugwump, mug′wump, n. an Indian chief: a person of great importance, or who thinks himself so: a humorous political use of the above. [Algonkin mugquomp, a great man.]

Mulatto, mū-lat′ō, n. the offspring of black and white parents:—fem. Mulatt′ress. [Sp. mulato.]

Mulberry, mul′ber-i, n. the tree the leaves of which form the food of the silkworm: the berry of this tree. [Mul- is A.S. mór- (as in A.S. mórbeám, a mulberry)—L. morus; Gr. mōron.]

Mulct, mulkt, n. a fine: a penalty.—v.t. to fine.—adjs. Mulc′tary, Mulc′tūary, imposing a fine: paid as a fine. [L. mulcta, a fine.]

Mule, mūl, n. the offspring of the horse and ass: an instrument for cotton-spinning: an obstinate person.—ns. Mūle′-deer, the black-tail of North America; Mūleteer′, one who drives mules.—adj. Mūl′ish, like a mule: obstinate.—adv. Mūl′ishly.—n. Mūl′ishness. [A.S. mul—L. mulus, mule.]

Muley, mū′li, adj. hornless.—n. any cow.—Also Mool′y, Mul′ley.

Muliebrity, mū-li-eb′ri-ti, n. womanhood: effeminacy, softness.—adj. Mul′ierōse, fond of women.—n. Mulieros′ity. [L.,—mulier, a woman.]

Mull, mul, n. a muddle or mess.—v.t. to break to pieces: to confuse, muddle.

Mull, mul, v.t. to warm, spice, and sweeten (wine, ale, &c.).—v.i. to toil on, moil: to bustle about.—adj. Mulled.—n. Mull′er. [M. E. molde-ale, a funeral banquet, molde, grave earth, and ale=feast.]

Mullen, Mullein, mul′en, n. any plant of genus Verbascum.—Also Hag-taper, Adam's flannel, Aaron's rod, Shepherd's club.

Muller, mul′ėr, n. a glass pestle for mixing paints: a mechanical pulveriser.

Mullet, mul′et, n. a genus of fishes nearly cylindrical in form, highly esteemed for the table. [Fr. mulet—L. mullus, the red mullet.]

Mullet, mul′et, n. the rowel of a spur: (her.) a five-pointed star—a mark of cadency, indicating the third son. [O. Fr. molette—L. mola, a mill.]

Mulligatawny, mul-i-ga-taw′ni, n. an East Indian curry-soup. [Tamil milagu-tannīr, pepper-water.]

Mullion, mul′yun, n. an upright division between the lights of windows, between panels, &c.—v.t. to shape into divisions by mullions.—adj. Mull′ioned. [Same as munnion, from Fr. moignon, a stump—L. mancus, maimed.]

Mulsh, mulsh, n. loose material, strawy dung, &c., laid down to protect the roots of plants—also Mulch.—v.t. to cover with mulsh.—adj. soft.

Multangular, mult-ang′gul-ar, adj. having many angles or corners.—adv. Multang′ularly.—n. Multang′ularness.

Multanimous, mul-tan′i-mus, adj. having various faculties and powers of mind, many-sided.

Multarticulate, mul-tar-tik′ū-lāt, adj. many-jointed.—Also Multiartic′ulate.

Multicapitate, mul-ti-kap′i-tāt, adj. having many heads.—Also Multicip′ital.

Multicarinate, mul-ti-kar′i-nāt, adj. having many keel-like ridges, as the shells of certain molluscs.

Multicentral, mul-ti-sen′tral, adj. having many centres, esp. of organic development.

Multicharge, mul′ti-charj, adj. having, or capable of containing, several charges.

Multicolour, mul′ti-kul-ur, adj. having many colours—also Mul′ticoloured.—adj. Multicol′ourous, of many colours, parti-coloured.

Multicostate, mul-ti-kos′tāt, adj. (bot.) palmately nerved: (zool.) having many ribs, ridges, or costæ.

Multicuspid, mul-ti-kus′pid, adj. having more than two cusps—also Multicus′pidāte.—n. a multicuspid tooth.

Multicycle, mul′ti-sī-kl, n. a velocipede with more than three wheels, intended to carry several men.

Multidentate, mul-ti-den′tāt, adj. having many teeth or tooth-like processes.—adj. Multidentic′ulate, having many denticulations or fine teeth.

Multidigitate, mul-ti-dij′i-tāt, adj. having many fingers, toes, or digitate processes.

Multidimensional, mul-ti-di-men′shun-al, adj. (math.) of more than three dimensions.

Multifarious, mul-ti-fā′ri-us, adj. having great diversity: made up of many parts: manifold: (bot.) in many rows or ranks.—adv. Multifā′riously.—n. Multifā′riousness, the state of being multifarious: multiplied variety: (law) the fault of improperly joining in one bill distinct and independent matters, and thereby confounding them. [L. multus, many, varius, diverse.]

Multifid, mul′ti-fid, adj. having many fissions or divisions, cleft into many parts, lobes, or segments.—Also Multif′idous.

Multiflagellate, mul-ti-flaj′e-lāt, adj. having many flagella, or whip-like appendages.

Multifoil, mul′ti-foil, adj. having more than five foils or arcuate divisions.—n. multifoil ornament.

Multiform, mul′ti-form, adj. having many forms, polymorphic.—n. that which is multiform.—n. Multiform′ity.

Multigranulate, mul-ti-gran′ū-lāt, adj. having or consisting of many grains.

Multijugous, mul-ti-jōō′gus, adj. (bot.) consisting of many pairs of leaflets.—Also Multiju′gate.

Multilineal, mul-ti-lin′e-al, adj. having many lines.—Also Multilin′ear.

Multilobate, mul-ti-lō′bāt, adj. having, or consisting of, many lobes.—adjs. Mul′tilobed, having many lobes; Multilob′ular, having many lobules.

Multilocular, mul-ti-lok′ū-lar, adj. having many cells, chambers, or compartments.—Also Multiloc′ulate.

Multiloquence, mul-til′o-kwens, n. verbosity.—adj. Multil′oquent—also Multiloq′uous.

Multinodal, mul-ti-nō′dal, adj. having many nodes.—Also Multinō′date, Multinō′dous.

Multinominous, mul-ti-nom′i-nus, adj. having many names or terms.—Also Multinom′inal.

Multinucleate, mul-ti-nū′klē-āt, adj. having many or several nuclei, as a cell—also Multinū′clear, Multinū′cleated.—adj. Multinū′cleolate, having many or several nucleoli.

Multiovulate, mul-ti-ō′vū-lāt, adj. (bot.) containing, or bearing, many ovules.

Multipara, mul-tip′a-ra, n. a woman who has had two or more children:—opp. to Primipara.

Multiparous, mul-tip′a-rus, adj. producing many at a birth.—n. Multipar′ity, plural birth.

Multiped, mul′ti-ped, n. an insect having many feet. [L. multus, many, pes, pedis, foot.]

Multiple, mul′ti-pl, adj. having many folds or parts: repeated many times.—n. a number or quantity which contains another an exact number of times.—n. Mul′tiplepoinding (Scots law), a process by which a person who has funds claimed by more than one, in order not to have to pay more than once, brings them all into court that one of them may establish his right.—Common multiple, a number or quantity that can be divided by each of several others without a remainder; Least common multiple, the smallest number that forms a common multiple. [L. multiplex—multus, many, plicāre, to fold.]

Multiply, mul′ti-plī, v.t. to fold or increase many times: to make more numerous: to repeat any given number or quantity as often as there are units in another number.—v.i. to increase: to perform the arithmetical process of multiplication:—pr.p. mul′tiplying; pa.t. and pa.p. mul′tiplied.—adjs. Mul′tiplex, having many folds: manifold: (bot.) with petals lying in folds over each other; Multiplī′able, Mul′tiplicable, that may be multiplied.—n. Mul′tiplicand, a number or quantity to be multiplied by another.—adj. Mul′tiplicāte, consisting of more than one: (bot.) multifold.—n. Multiplicā′tion, the act of multiplying or increasing in number: the rule or operation by which any given number or quantity is multiplied.—adj. Mul′tiplicātive, tending to multiply: having the power to multiply.—ns. Multiplic′ity, the state of being multiplied or various: a great number: Mul′tiplier, Mul′tiplicātor, one who, or that which, multiplies or increases the number or quantity by which another is multiplied.—Multiplication table, a tabular arrangement giving the products of pairs of numbers from 1 to 12.—Multiplying glass, lens, a glass, lens, with a number of facets, causing an object to appear multiplied many times. [Fr.,—L. multiplex. See Multiple.]

Multipolar, mul-ti-pō′lar, adj. having many poles, as a nerve-cell or dynamo.—n. an electro-magnetic machine in which several magnetic poles exist.

Multipotent, mul-tip′o-tent, adj. (Shak.) having power to do many things. [L. multus, many, potens, -entis, powerful.]

Multipresence, mul-ti-prez′ens, n. the power of being present in many places at the same time.—adj. Multipres′ent.

Multiramified, mul-ti-ram′i-fīd, adj. having many branches.—Also Multirā′mous, Multirā′mose.

Multiserial, mul-ti-sē′ri-al, adj. having many series or rows.—Also Multisē′riate.

Multisiliquous, mul-ti-sil′i-kwus, adj. having many pods or seed-vessels.

Multistriate, mul-ti-strī′āt, adj. having many striæ, streaks, or stripes.

Multituberculate, -d, mul-ti-tū-ber′kū-lāt, -ed, adj. having many tubercles, as teeth.

Multitude, mul′ti-tūd, n. the state of being many: a great number of individuals: a crowd: the vulgar or common people.—adjs. Multitud′inary (rare); Multitud′inous, consisting of, or having the appearance of, a multitude.—adv. Multitud′inously.—n. Multitud′inousness, the state or quality of being multitudinous. [Fr.,—L. multitudo—multus, many.]

Multivagous, mul-tiv′a-gus, adj. wandering much.—Also Multiv′agant.

Multivalent, mut-tiv′a-lent, adj. (chem.) equivalent in combining or displacing power to a number of hydrogen or other monad atoms.—n. Multiv′alence.

Multivalve, mul′ti-valv, n. a mollusc having a shell of more than two valves.—adj. having many valves—also Multival′vular.

Multivoltine, mul-ti-vol′tin, adj. having more than two annual broods—of silkworm moths and their larvæ. [L. multus, much, It. volta, a turn, winding.]

Multum, mul′tum, n. an adulterant compound in brewing of quassia and liquorice.

Multungulate, mul-tung′gū-lāt, adj. having more than two functional hoofs.—n. a multungulate mammal.

Multure, mul′tūr, n. a grinding of grain, or the grain ground: the toll paid to a miller for grinding, generally in kind: the percentage of ore paid to a pulverising-mill by those using it.—v.t. Mult, to take toll from for grinding corn.—n. Mul′turer. [O. Fr.,—L. molitura, a grinding.]

Mum, mum, adj. silent.—n. silence.—interj. be silent!—interj. Mum′-bud′get, an exclamation enjoining silence.—n. Mum′chance, a silent game with cards or dice: a fool.—adj. silent. [Cf. L. and Gr. mu, the least possible sound made with the lips: imit.]

Mum, mum, n. a peculiar kind of beer made of wheat-malt, to which some brewers add oat and bean meal. [Ger. mumme, from a personal name.]

Mumble, mum′bl, v.i. to speak indistinctly: to chew softly: to eat with the lips close.—v.t. to utter indistinctly or imperfectly: to mouth gently.—ns. Mum′blement, mumbling speech; Mum′ble-news (Shak.), a tale-bearer; Mum′bler, one who mumbles or speaks with a low, indistinct voice.—adj. Mum′bling, uttered with a low, indistinct voice: chewing softly.—adv. Mum′blingly. [Cf. Mum.]

Mumbo-jumbo, mum′bō-jum′bō, n. a god worshipped by certain negro tribes in Africa: any object of foolish worship or fear.

Mumm, mum, v.t. to mask: to make diversion with a mask on.—ns. Mumm′er, one who makes sport in disguise: a masker: a buffoon; Mumm′ery, sport with a mask on or in disguise: great show without reality; Mumm′ing, the sports of mummers.—adj. pertaining to the sports of mummers.—n. Mumm′ock, an old ragged coat. [O. Fr. momer—Old Dut. mommen, to mask, mom, a mask, prob. originating in the word mum, used to frighten children while covering the face.]

Mummy, mum′i, n. a human body preserved by the Egyptian art of embalming, in which wax, spices, &c. were employed: a kind of wax used in grafting: a brown pigment: (obs.) a medicinal gum.—v.t. to embalm and dry as a mummy:—pr.p. mumm′ying; pa.p. mumm′ied.—n. Mummificā′tion.—adj. Mumm′iform.—v.t. Mumm′ify, to make into a mummy: to embalm and dry as a mummy:—pr.p. mumm′ifying; pa.p. mumm′ified.—ns. Mumm′y-case, a case of wood or cartonnage for an Egyptian mummy; Munny-cloth, the linen cloth in which a mummy was wrapped: a modern fabric resembling it, used as a basis for embroidery: a fabric like crape for mourning-dress, having a cotton or silk warp and woollen weft; Mumm′y-wheat, a variety of wheat with compound spikes—Triticum compositum. [O. Fr. mumie—It. mummia—Ar. and Pers. múmáyin, a mummy—Pers. móm, wax.]

Mump, mump, v.t. and v.i. to mumble, mutter, or move the lips with the mouth almost closed: to nibble: to cheat: to play the beggar.—ns. Mump′er, one who mumps: an old cant term for a beggar; Mump′ing-day, St Thomas's Day, 21st Dec.—adj. Mump′ish, having mumps: dull: sullen.—adv. Mump′ishly.—n. Mump′ishness.—n. Mumps, a contagious non-suppurative inflammation of the parotid and sometimes of the other salivary glands: gloomy silence. [Form of mum.]

Mumpsimus, mump′si-mus, n. an error to which one clings after it has been thoroughly exposed. [Corr. of L. sumpsimus, in the mass, by an ignorant priest who refused to correct it.]

Munch, munsh, v.t. and v.i. to chew with shut mouth.—n. Munch′er, one who munches.

Mundane, mun′dān, adj. belonging to the world: terrestrial.—adv. Mun′danely.—n. Mundan′ity. [Fr.,—L. mundanus—mundus, the world.]

Mundify, mun′di-fī, v.t. to cleanse, purify.—adjs. Mun′datory, cleansing; Mundif′icant, cleansing.—n. a cleansing ointment or plaster.—n. Mundificā′tion.—adj. Mun′dificātive. [Fr. mondifier—Low L. mundificāre—L. mundus, clean, facĕre, to make.]

Mungo, mung′gō, n. the waste produced in a woollen-mill from hard spun or felted cloth, or from tearing up old clothes, used in making cheap cloth.

Municipal, mū-nis′i-pal, adj. pertaining to a corporation or city.—n. Municipalisā′tion.—v.t. Munic′ipalise.—ns. Munic′ipalism; Municipal′ity, a town or city possessed of self-government: a district governed like a city: in France, a division of the country.—adv. Munic′ipally. [Fr.,—L. municipalis—municipium, a free town—munia, official duties, capĕre, to take.]

Munificence, mū-nif′i-sens, n. (Spens.) fortification, means of defence. [L. munīre, to fortify.]

Munificence, mū-nif′i-sens, n. quality of being munificent: bountifulness.—adj. Munif′icent, very liberal in giving: generous: bountiful.—adv. Munif′icently. [Fr.,—L. munificentia—munus, a present, facĕre, to make.]

Muniment, mū′ni-ment, n. that which fortifies: that which defends: a stronghold: place or means of defence: defence: (law) a record fortifying or making good a claim, title-deeds, or charters—preserved in Muniment chests, rooms, or houses: any article carefully preserved for its interest or value.—p.adj. Mun′iting (Bacon), fortifying, strengthening.—n. Muni′tion, materials used in war: military stores of all kinds: (B.) stronghold, fortress. [Fr.,—L. munimentum, from munīre, -itum, to fortify—mænia, walls.]

Muræna, mū-rē′na, n. the typical genus of Murænidæ, a family of eels, now limited to the European murry or moray (q.v.). [Gr. muraina, a lamprey.]

Mural, mū′ral, adj. pertaining to, or like, a wall: steep: trained against a wall, as plants.—Mural circle, a large circle marked with degrees, &c., fixed to a wall, for measuring arcs of the meridian; Mural crown, a crown of gold to imitate a battlement, given among the ancient Romans to him who first mounted the wall of a besieged city; Mural painting, a painting executed, especially in distemper colours, upon the wall of a building. [Fr.,—L. muralis, from murus, a wall.]

Muratorian, mū-ra-tō′ri-an, adj. pertaining to the Italian scholar Lodovico Antonio Muratori (1672-1750).—Muratorian fragment or canon, a list of the New Testament writings, apparently drawn up by a contemporary of Irenæus, about 170 A.D., edited by Muratori. It counts four Gospels, Acts, thirteen Pauline epistles (excluding Hebrews), 1 John, then Jude; 2 and 3 John are reckoned among catholic epistles. The Apocalypse is included.

Murder, mur′dėr, n. the act of putting a person to death, intentionally and from malice.—v.t. to commit murder: to destroy: to put an end to.—n. Mur′derer, one who murders, or is guilty of murder:—fem. Mur′deress.—adj. Mur′derous, guilty of murder: consisting in, or fond of, murder: bloody: cruel.—adv. Mur′derously.—n. Mur′dress, a battlement with interstices for firing through.—Murder in the first degree, murder with deliberation and premeditation, or that committed in the furtherance of any arson, rape, robbery, or burglary—in the second degree, murder of all other kinds; Murder will out, murder cannot remain hidden. [A.S. morthor—morth, death; Ger. mord, Goth. maurthr; cf. L. mors, mortis, death.]

Mure, mūr, n. (Shak.) a wall.—v.t. to enclose in walls: to immure. [Fr. mur—L. murus, a wall.]

Murex, mū′reks, n. a shellfish from which the Tyrian purple dye was obtained:—pl. Mū′rexes, Mū′rices. [L.]

Muriatic, mū-ri-at′ik, adj. pertaining to, or obtained from, sea-salt.—n. Mū′riate, a salt composed of muriatic acid and a base.—adj. Muriatif′erous. [L. muriaticus—muria, brine.]

Muricate, -d, mū′ri-kāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) armed with sharp points or prickles. [L. muricatus, from murex, muricis, a pointed stone.]

Muriform, mū′riform, adj. (bot.) resembling the bricks in a wall. [L. murus, a wall, forma, shape.]

Murky, murk′i, adj. dark: obscure: gloomy.—adv. Murk′ily.—n. Murk′iness—(Shak.) Murk.—adjs. Murk′some, Mirk′some (Spens.), darksome. [A.S. murc; Ice. myrkr, Dan. and Sw. mörk.]

Murmur, mur′mur, n. a low, indistinct sound, like that of running water: a complaint in a low, muttering voice.—v.i. to utter a murmur: to grumble:—pr.p. mur′muring; pa.t. and pa.p. mur′mured.—n. Mur′murer.—adj. Mur′muring, making a low continuous noise.—adv. Mur′muringly, with a low murmuring sound: in a murmuring manner.—adj. Mur′murous, attended with murmurs: exciting murmur.—adv. Mur′murously. [Fr.,—L.; imit.]

Murphy, mur′fi, n. (coll.) a potato:—pl. Mur′phies (-fiz). [From the common Irish name Murphy.]

Murra, mur′a, n. an ornamental stone for vases, &c., described by Pliny, most probably fluor-spar; it was first brought to Rome by Pompey, 61 B.C.—adjs. Murr′hine, Murr′ine, Myrr′hine.

Murrain, mur′rān, or -′rin, n. an infectious and fatal disease among cattle, esp. foot-and-mouth disease.—n. Mur′ren (Milt.). [O. Fr. morine, a carcass—L. mori, to die. See Mortal.]

Musaceous, mū-zā′shus, adj. relating to an order of plants, of which the genus Mū′sa is the type, the banana or plantain family.

Musang, mū-sang′, n. a paradoxure, or a related civet, esp. the East Indian coffee-rat. [Malay.]

Musca, mus′kä, n. a genus of insects, including the house-fly, &c.—n. Muscatō′rium, a flabellum.—Muscæ volitantes, ocular spectra like floating black spots before the eyes. [L. musca.]

Muscadel, mus′ka-del, n. a rich, spicy wine: also the grape producing it: a fragrant and delicious pear—also Mus′cadine, Mus′cat, Mus′catel.—n.pl. Mus′catels, sun-dried raisins. [O. Fr.,—It. moscadello, dim. of muscato—L. muscus, musk.]

Muscardine, mus′kar-din, n. a fungus destructive to silkworms, also the disease caused by it. [Fr.]

Muschelkalk, mush′el-kalk, n. the middle member of the Triassic system as developed in Germany, consisting chiefly of limestone—wanting in Britain. [Ger. muschel, shell, kalk, lime.]

Muschetor, mus′che-tor, n. (her.) a black spot like an ermine spot, but without its three specks.—Also Mus′chetour. [O. Fr.,—L. musca, a fly.]

Muscle, mus′l, n. an animal tissue consisting of bundles of fibres through whose contractility bodily movement is effected, the fibres of the voluntary muscles being striped, those of the involuntary (of intestinal canal, blood-vessels, and of skin) unstriped.—adj. Mus′cled, supplied with muscles.—ns. Mus′cle-read′ing, the interpretation of slight involuntary muscular movements; Mus′cling, the delineation of muscles, as in a picture; Musculā′tion, the arrangement of muscles of a body; Musculos′ity.—adj. Mus′culous, pertaining to muscle: full of muscles, strong. [Fr.,—L. musculus, dim. of mus, a mouse, a muscle.]

Muscoid, mus′koid, adj. (bot.) moss-like.—n. a moss-like, flowerless plant.—ns. Muscol′ogist, one skilled in muscology; Muscol′ogy, the part of botany which treats of mosses; Muscos′ity, mossiness. [L. muscus, moss, Gr. eidos, form.]

Muscovado, mus-kō-vā′do, n. the moist, dark-coloured impure sugar left after evaporating the juice from the sugar-cane and draining off the molasses, unrefined sugar. [Sp. moscabado.]

Muscovite, mus′co-vīt, n. a native or an inhabitant of Moscow, or of Russia: the desman or Muscovitic rat: (min.) potash mica, a silicate of alumina and potash, yellowish, brownish, or greenish, with pearly or almost metallic lustre, its thin transparent plates still used as glass—also Muscovy glass.—adj. of or pertaining to Moscow or to Russia—also Muscovit′ic.—n. Mus′covy-duck (see Musk).

Muscular, mus′kū-lar, adj. pertaining to a muscle: consisting of muscles: having strong muscles: brawny: strong: vigorous.—n. Muscular′ity, state of being muscular.—adv. Mus′cularly.—adjs. Musculocutā′neous, muscular and cutaneous—of certain nerves; Mus′culous, sinewy.—Muscular Christianity, a phrase humorously applied to that vigorous combination of Christian living with devotion to athletic enjoyments associated with Charles Kingsley and his admirers (the name was, however, repudiated by him); Muscular excitability, the contracting property of a muscle; Muscular pile, a voltaic battery employed in biological experiments; Muscular system, the whole of the muscular tissue of a body.

Muse, mūz, v.i. to study in silence: to be absent-minded: to meditate.—n. deep thought: contemplation: absence of mind: the inspiring power, as of a poet.—adj. Mused, bemused, muzzy, fuddled.—n. Mus′er.—adv. Mus′ingly. [Fr. muser, to loiter (It. musare); acc. to Diez and Skeat, from O. Fr. muse (Fr. museau), the snout of an animal. Others explain Fr. muser as from Low L. mussāre—L. mussāre, to murmur.]

Muse, mūz, n. one of the nine goddesses of poetry, music, and the other liberal arts—daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne: an inspiring poetic inspiration: (Milt.) an inspired poet.—Names of the Muses:—Calliope, of epic poetry; Clio, of history; Erato, of amatory poetry; Euterpe, of lyric poetry; Melpomene, of tragedy; Polyhymnia, of lyric poetry and eloquence; Terpsichore, of dancing; Thalia, of comedy; Urania, of astronomy. [Fr.,—L. musa—Gr. mousa.]

Muset, mūz′et, n. (Shak.) a gap in a fence or thicket through which an animal passes.

Musette, mū-zet′, n. a small oboe: an old French bagpipe: a simple pastoral melody.

Museum, mū-zē′um, n. a collection of natural, scientific, or other curiosities, or of works of art.—ns. Museol′ogy, the science of arranging—Museog′raphy, of describing, museums. [L.,—Gr. mouseion; cf. Muse.]

Mush, mush, n. meal boiled in water, esp. Indian meal: anything pulpy.—adj. Mush′y, soft, pulpy. [Prob. mash.]

Mush, mush, v.t. to notch, a dress-fabric ornamentally at the side with a stamp. [Prob. a form of mesh.]

Mushroom, mush′rōōm, n. the common name of certain fungi, esp. such as are edible: (fig.) one who rises suddenly from a low condition: an upstart.—n. Mush′room-spawn, the substance in which the reproductive mycelium of the mushroom is embodied. [O. Fr. mousseron, through mousse, moss—Old High Ger. mos (Ger. moos, moss).]

Music, mū′zik, n. a connected series of sweet sounds: melody or harmony: the science which treats of harmony: the art of combining sounds so as to please the ear: a musical composition: (U.S.) heated argument, also amusement.—adj. Mū′sical, pertaining to, or producing, music: pleasing to the ear: melodious.—adv. Mū′sicallly.—ns. Mū′sicalness; Mū′sic-case, -fō′lio, -hold′er, &c., a roll, cabinet, &c. for carrying sheet music; Mū′sic-demy′, a size of writing-paper, 20¾ in. × 14⅜ in.; Mū′sic-hall, a public hall for musical entertainments, esp. when varied by dancing, variety performances, &c., often with concomitant smoking and drinking; Mū′sic-house, a place for public musical entertainments: a firm dealing in music or musical instruments; Musi′cian, one skilled in music: a performer of music—(obs.) Musi′cianer.—adv. Musi′cianly.—ns. Musi′cianship; Mū′sic-mas′ter, or -mis′tress, a man or a woman who teaches music; Mū′sic-of-the-spheres (see Harmony); Mū′sic-pā′per, paper ruled with staffs for writing music in; Mū′sic-pen, a pen marking at once a series of fine parallel lines for music; Mū′sic-rack, a rack attached to a musical instrument for holding the player's music; Mū′sic-record′er, a device for recording music as played on an organ, pianoforte, &c.; Mū′sic-school, a place where music is regularly taught, a conservatory; Mū′sic-shell, a Gasteropod of the Caribbean Sea, marked with figures like printed music; Mū′sic-stand, a music-rack: a raised platform for a musical band; Mū′sic-stool, a stool or chair, generally adjustable in height, for the performer on the pianoforte, &c.; Mū′sic-wire, wire such as the strings of musical instruments are made of.—Music (-al) box, a case containing a mechanism contrived, when the spring is wound up, to reproduce melodies; Music club, a meeting for practising music.—Musical director, the conductor of an orchestra, &c.; Musical glasses (see Harmonica, under Harmonium). [Fr. musique—L. musica—Gr. mousikē (technē, art), mousa, a muse.]

Musing, mūz′ing, n. the act of one who muses: contemplation: meditation.—adj. meditative, preoccupied.—adv. Mus′ingly.

Musk, musk, n. a strong perfume, obtained from the male musk-deer, or the odour thereof: a hornless deer, in Tibet and Nepaul, yielding musk.—v.t. to perfume with musk.—ns. Musk (bot.), a name given to a number of plants which smell more or less strongly of musk; Musk′-bag, -ball, a bag, ball, containing musk as a perfuming sachet; Musk′-cat, a civet-cat: a scented effeminate dandy; Musk′-cāv′y, a West Indian echimyine rat-like rodent; Musk′-deer, a hornless deer, native of Central Asia, which produces the perfume called musk; Musk′-duck, the Muscovy-duck, so called from its musky odour; Musk′-gland, a skin-pit in mammals producing a secretion with a musky odour, esp. in the male musk-deer and male beaver.—adv. Musk′ily.—ns. Musk′iness; Musk′-mall′ow, an ornamental species of mallow, with faint odour of musk; Musk′-melon, the juicy edible fruit of a trailing herb (Cucumis melo), or the plant; Musk′-ox, a ruminant of arctic America, with long smooth hair, its horns meeting in a shield over the forehead, exhaling a strong musky smell; Musk′-pear, a fragrant variety of pear; Musk′-plum, a fragrant kind of plum; Musk′-rat, a North American aquatic, arvicoline, rat-like rodent, yielding a valuable fur, and secreting in its gland a substance with a musky smell—also Mus′quash; Musk′-rose, a fragrant species of rose.—adj. Musk′y, having the odour of musk. [Fr. musc—L. muscus, Gr. moschos—Pers. musk—Sans. mushka, a testicle.]

Musket, mus′ket, n. any kind of smooth-bore military hand-gun: a male sparrow-hawk.—ns. Musketeer′, a soldier armed with a musket; Musketoon′, Musquetoon′, a short musket: one armed with a musketoon.—adj. Mus′ket-proof, capable of resisting the force of a musket-ball.—ns. Mus′ket-rest, a fork used as a support for the heavy 16th-century musket—also Croc; Mus′ketry, muskets in general; practice with muskets: a body of troops armed with muskets; Mus′ket-shot, the discharge of a musket, the reach of a musket. [O. Fr. mousquet, a musket, formerly a hawk—It. mosquetto—L. musca, a fly.]

Muslin, muz′lin, n. a fine soft cotton fabric resembling gauze in appearance, but woven plain without any looping of the warp threads on the weft—generally uncoloured: a coarser fabric than Indian muslin, printed with coloured patterns, &c.: (U.S.) cotton cloth for shirts, bedding, &c.: a collector's name for several different moths.—adj. made of muslin.—adj. Mus′lined, clothed with muslin.—ns. Mus′linet, a coarse kind of muslin; Mus′lin-kale (Scot.), thin broth made without meat. [Fr. mousseline—It. mussolino, from Mosul in Mesopotamia.]

Muss, mus, n. (Shak.) a scramble: confusion, disorder.—v.t. (U.S.) to throw into confusion. [O. Fr. mousche, a fly—L. musca, a fly.]

Mussel, Muscle, mus′l, n. a. marine bivalve shellfish, used for food.—n. Mus′cūlite, a petrified mussel or shell. [A.S. muxle; Ger. muschel, Fr. moule; all from L. musculus.]

Mussitation, mus-i-tā′shun, n. the movement of the tongue or lips as if in speech, without producing articulate sounds, muttering.—v.t. Muss′itate, to mutter.

Mussulman, mus′ul-man, n. a Moslem or Mohammedan:—pl. Muss′ulmans (-manz). [Turk. musulmān—Ar. muslim, moslim, Moslem.]

Must, must, v.i. to be obliged physically or morally. [A.S. mót, móste; Ger. müssen.]

Must, must, n. wine pressed from the grape, but not fermented: potato-pulp prepared for fermentation. [A.S. must—L. mustus, new, fresh.]

Must, must, n. an occasional state of dangerous frenzy in adult male elephants.

Mustang, mus′tang, n. the wild horse of the American prairies: (U.S.) a naval officer from the merchant service in the Civil War.

Mustard, mus′tard, n. a plant of the genus Brassica, formerly classed as Sinapis, having a pungent taste: the seed thereof ground and used as a seasoning for meat, as a plaster, &c.—French mustard, mustard prepared for table by adding salt, sugar, vinegar, &c.; Wild mustard, the charlock. [O. Fr. mostarde (Fr. moutarde)—L. mustum, must.]

Mustela, mus-tē′la, n. the typical genus of Mustelidæ, the martens and sables.—adj. Mus′teline, like a marten or weasel: tawny in colour.—n. a musteline mammal.—adj. Mus′teloid, like a weasel. [L.]

Muster, mus′tėr, v.t. to assemble, as troops for duty or inspection: to gather, summon (with up).—v.i. to be gathered together, as troops.—n. an assembling of troops: a register of troops mustered: assemblage: collected show.—ns. Mus′ter-book (Shak.), a book in which military forces are registered; Mus′ter-file (Shak.), a muster-roll; Mus′ter-mas′ter, the master of the muster, or who takes an account of troops, their arms, &c.; Mus′ter-roll, a register of the officers and men in each company, troop, or regiment present at the time of muster.—Pass muster, to pass inspection uncensured. [O. Fr. mostre, monstre—L. monstrum—monēre, to warn.]

Musty, must′i, adj. mouldy: spoiled by damp: sour: foul.—adv. Must′ily.—n. Must′iness. [Doublet of moisty—L. musteus, new.]

Mutable, mū′ta-bl, adj. that may be changed: subject to change: inconstant.—ns. Mutabil′ity, Mū′tableness, state or quality of being mutable.—adv. Mū′tably.—n. Mutan′dum, something to be altered:—pl. Mutan′da.—v.t. Mū′tate, to change a vowel-sound by the influence of a vowel in the following syllable.—n. Mutā′tion, act or process of changing a vowel through the influence of one in the next syllable—the German umlaut: change: succession.—adjs. Mū′tative, Mū′tātory, changing, mutable. [Fr.,—L. mutabilis—mutāre, -ātum, to change—movēre, motum, to move.]

Mutage, mū′tāj, n. a process for arresting fermentation in the must of grapes. [Fr.]

Mutch, much, n. (Scot.) a woman's cap. [Old Dut. mutse; Dut. muts, Ger. mütze.]

Mutchkin, much′kin, n. a Scottish liquid measure of four gills, or forming one-fourth of a Scottish pint. [Scot. mutch, a cap, kin, little.]

Mute, mūt, adj. incapable of speaking: dumb: silent: unpronounced.—n. one dumb, or remaining silent: a person stationed by undertakers at the door of a house at a funeral: a stopped sound, formed by the shutting of the mouth-organs, esp. the surds t, p, k, but also applied to the sonant or voiced consonants d, b, g, and even the nasals n, m, ng: (law) one who refuses to plead.—v.t. to deaden sound.—adv. Mute′ly.—n. Mute′ness. [Fr.,—L. mutus.]

Mute, mūt, v.i. to dung, as birds. [O. Fr. mutir, esmeutir—Old Dut. smelten, to smelt.]

Mutilate, mū′ti-lāt, v.t. to maim: to cut off: to remove a material part of.—ns. Mutilā′tion, act of mutilating: deprivation of a limb or essential part; Mū′tilator, one who mutilates. [L. mutilāre—mutilus—Gr. mutilos, mitulos, curtailed.]

Mutineer, mū-ti-nēr′, n. one guilty of mutiny.—v.i. to mutiny.—n. and v.i. Mū′tine (Shak.).

Mutiny, mū′ti-ni, v.i. to rise against authority in military or naval service: to revolt against rightful authority:—pr.p. mū′tinying; pa.t. and pa.p. mū′tinied.—n. insurrection against constituted authority, esp. naval or military: revolt, tumult, strife.—adj. Mū′tinous, disposed to mutiny: seditious.—adv. Mū′tinously.—n. Mū′tinousness.—Mutiny Act, an act passed by the British parliament from year to year, to regulate the government of the army, from 1689 down to 1879, when it was superseded by the Army Discipline and Regulation Act, modified by the Army Act of 1881. [O. Fr. mutiner, mutin, riotous, meute, a sedition—L. motus, rising—movēre, motum, to move.]

Mutter, mut′ėr, v.i. to utter words in a low voice: to murmur: to sound with a low, rumbling noise.—v.t. to utter indistinctly.—ns. Mutt′er (Milt.), a murmuring; Mutterā′tion, act of muttering or complaining; Mutt′erer; Mutt′ering.—adv. Mutt′eringly, in a muttering or grumbling manner: with indistinct articulation. [Prob. imit., like prov. Ger. mustern; L. muttīre.]

Mutton, mut′n, n. the flesh of sheep: an old Anglo-French gold coin impressed with a lamb: (slang) a loose woman, hence illicit commerce: a sheep.—n. Mutt′on-chop, a rib of mutton chopped at the small end for broiling or frying.—adj. like a mutton-chop (of whiskers cut round at the ends).—ns. Mutt′on-cut′let, a steak cut usually from a leg of mutton for broiling or frying; Mutt′on-fist, a coarse, big hand; Mutt′on-ham, a salted leg of mutton; Mutt′on-head, a heavy, stupid person.—adj. Mutt′on-head′ed, stupid.—ns. Mutt′on-sū′et, the fat about the kidneys and loins of sheep; Mutt′on-thump′er, a clumsy bookbinder.—adj. Mutt′ony.—Laced mutton (Shak.), a loose woman; Return to one's muttons (coll.), to return to the subject of discussion—a humorous mistranslation of the Fr. proverb, 'Revenons à nos moutons.' [O. Fr. moton (Fr. mouton), a sheep—Low L. multo, acc. to Diez, from L. mutilus, mutilated.]

Mutual, mū′tū-al, adj. interchanged: in return: given and received, equally affecting two or more: common, conjoint, shared alike, as in 'mutual friend.'—ns. Mū′tualism, Mutual′ity.—adv. Mū′tually.—Mutual accounts, accounts in which each of two have charges against the other; Mutual insurance, a reciprocal contract among several persons to indemnify each other against certain designated losses, the system of a company in which policy-holders receive a certain share of the profits, &c.; Mutual wall, a wall equally belonging to each of two houses. [Fr. mutuel—L. mutuus—mutāre, to change.]

Mutule, mūt′ūl, n. a kind of square, flat bracket used in the Doric order of architecture, above each triglyph and each metope, having round projections like nail-heads on the lower surface.

Mutuum, mū′tū-um, n. a bailment consisting of a loan of goods for consumption, as corn, coal, &c., to be returned in goods of the same amount.

Muzzle, muz′l, n. the projecting jaws and nose of an animal: a fastening for the mouth to prevent biting, by a strap or a cage: the extreme end of a gun, &c.—v.t. to put a muzzle on: to restrain from biting: to keep from hurting: to gag or silence.—ns. Muzz′le-bag, a canvas bag fixed to the muzzle of a gun at sea, to keep out water; Muzz′le-load′er, a firearm loaded through the muzzle—opp. to Breech-loader.—adj. Muzz′le-load′ing.—n. Muzz′le-veloc′ity, the velocity of a projectile the moment it leaves the muzzle of a gun. [O. Fr. musel (Fr. museau), prob. from L. morsus—mordēre, to bite.]

My, (when emphatic or distinct) mī, (otherwise) me, poss. adj. belonging to me. [Contr. of mine, A.S. mín, of me.]

Mya, mī′a, n. a genus of bivalve shells: a clam of this genus.—n. Myā′ria, an old name for the Myidæ, a family of dimyarian bivalves.—adj. Myā′rian. [Gr. myax, a sea-mussel.]

Myalgia, mī-al′ji-a, n. a morbid state of a muscle.—adj. Myal′gic. [Gr. mys, muscle, algos, pain.]

Myall, mī′al, n. a hard, scented wood yielded by several Australian acacias, esp. good for tobacco-pipes and whip-handles.

Mycelium, mī-sē′li-um, n. the white thread-like parts from which a mushroom or a fungus is developed: mushroom spawn:—pl. Mycē′lia. [Gr. mykēs, a fungus, ēlos, a nail or wart.]

Mycetes, mī-sē′tēz, n. a kind of South American monkey, called also Howlers. [Gr. mykētēs, bellower.]

Mycetes, mī-sē′tēz, n.pl. mushrooms or fungi.—ns. Mycetol′ogy (same as Mycology); Mycetō′ma, a chronic disease of the feet and hands in India.—n.pl. Mycetozō′a, a group of fungus-like organisms, now mostly contained in the division Myxomycetes or slime-fungi.—adjs. Mycolog′ic, -al.—ns. Mycol′ogist; Mycol′ogy, the science treating of the fungi or mushrooms; Mycoph′agist; Mycoph′agy, the eating of fungi; My′cose, a kind of sugar obtained from certain lichens and fungi, as ergot of rye—also Trehalose; Mycō′sis, the presence of fungus growth within the body.—adj. Mycot′ic. [Gr. mykētēs, pl. of mykēs a mushroom.]

Mydriasis, mi-drī′a-sis, n. morbid dilatation of the pupil of the eye.—adj. Mydriat′ic.—n. a drug causing this.

Myelitis, mī-e-lī′tis, n. inflammation of the substance of the spinal cord.—ns. Myelasthenī′a, spinal exhaustion; Myelatrō′phia, atrophy of the spinal cord.—adjs. Myelit′ic, My′eloid, medullary.—ns. Myelomalā′cia, softening of the spinal cord; Myelomeningī′tis, spinal meningitis; My′elon, the spinal cord.—adjs. My′elonal, Myelon′ic. [Gr. myelos, marrow.]

Mygale, mig′a-lē, n. an American tarantula or bird-catching spider. [Gr. mygalē, a field-mouse.]

Mylodon, mī′lō-don, n. a genus of large fossil sloths.—adj. My′lodont. [Gr. mylē, a mill, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

Mylohyoid, mī-lō-hī′oid, adj. pertaining to the molar teeth and to the hyoid bone.—n. the mylohyoid muscle. [Gr. mylē, a mill.]

Myna, mī′na, n. one of several sturnoid passerine birds of India.—Also Mī′na.

Mynheer, mīn-hār′, n. my lord: Dutch form of Mr or Sir: a Dutchman. [Dut. mijn, my, heer, lord.]

Myoid, mī′oid, adj. like muscle.—n. My′oblast, a cell producing muscle-tissue.—adj. Myoblast′ic.—ns. Myocardī′tis, inflammation of the myocardium; Myocar′dium, the muscular substance of the heart; Myodynā′mia, muscular force; My′ogram, the tracing of a contracting and relaxing muscle by the myograph; My′ograph, an instrument for noting and recording muscular contractions.—adjs. Myograph′ic, -al, relating to myography.—ns. Myog′raphist; Myog′raphy, a description of the muscles of the body.—adj. Myolog′ical.—ns. Myol′ogist; Myol′ogy, the part of anatomy which treats of the muscles; Myō′ma, a tumour composed of muscular tissue; Myonic′ity, the contractile property of muscular tissue. [Gr. mys, myos, muscle.]

Myomancy, mī′o-man-si, n. divination from the movements of mice.—adj. Myoman′tic. [Gr. mys, a mouse, manteia, divination.]

Myopia, mī-ō′pi-a, n. shortness or nearness of sight.—adj. Myop′ic.—ns. My′ops, My′ope, a short-sighted person. [Gr.,—myein, to close, ōps, the eye.]

Myosin, mī′ō-sin, n. an albuminous compound contained in the contractile muscular tissue.

Myosis, mī-ō′sis, n. abnormal contraction of the pupil of the eye.—adjs. Myosit′ic; Myot′ic. [Gr. myein, to close.]

Myositis, mī-o-sī′tis, n. inflammation of a muscle—properly My′itis.

Myosotis, mī-ō-sō′tis, n. a genus of annual or perennial herbs of the borage family, with alternate leaves and simple or branched racemes of bractless blue, pink, or white flowers: a flower of this genus, as the common blue forget-me-not. [Gr. mys, myos, a mouse, ous, ōtos, an ear.]

Myotomy, mī-ot′o-mi, n. the dissection of the muscles. [Gr. mys, myos, muscle, temnein, to cut.]

Myriad, mir′i-ad, n. any immense number.—adj. numberless. [Gr. myrias, myriados, ten thousand.]

Myriapod, mir′i-a-pod, (more correctly) Myr′iopod, n. a worm-shaped animal with many-jointed legs.—n. Myriap′oda, a class of jointed animals, of which some of the lower kinds have an immense number of legs. [Gr. myrios, numberless, pous, podos, a foot.]

Myrica, mi-rī′ka, n. a genus of shrubs of the sweet-gale family, including the bay-berry or wax-myrtle, yielding a tallow used for candles. [Gr. myrikē.]

Myriorama, mir-i-o-rä′ma, n. a picture composed of interchangeable parts which can be combined into a variety of pictures. [Gr. myrios, numberless, horama, a view.]

Myrioscope, mir′i-o-skōp, n. a variety of kaleidoscope, esp. a form of it consisting of mirrors so arranged as by multiplied reflection from a small piece of carpet to show how it looks covering a whole floor. [Gr. myrios, numberless, skopein, to view.]

Myristica, mī-ris′ti-ka, n. a genus of fragrant apetalous trees—the nutmegs: the kernel of the seed of Myristica fragrans, as used in cookery. [Gr. myrizein, to anoint.]

Myrmidon, mėr′mi-don, n. one of a tribe of warriors who accompanied Achilles to Troy: one of a ruffianly band under a daring leader: one who carries out another's orders without fear or pity.—adj. Myrmidō′nian.—Myrmidons of the law, policemen, bailiffs, &c. [L.,—Gr.]

Myrobalan, mī-rob′a-lan, n. the astringent fruit of certain Indian mountain species of Terminalia. [Gr. myron, an unguent, balanos, a corn.]

Myrrh, mėr, n. a bitter, aromatic, transparent gum, exuded from the bark of a shrub in Arabia.—adj. Myr′rhic.—ns. Myr′rhin, the fixed resin of myrrh; Myr′rhol, the volatile oil of myrrh. [O. Fr. mirre (Fr. myrrhe)—L. and Gr. myrrha—Ar. murr.]

Myrtle, mėr′tl, n. an evergreen shrub with beautiful and fragrant leaves.—n. Myr′tle-wax, wax from the candle-berry. [O. Fr. myrtil, dim. of myrte—L. and Gr. myrtus.]

Myself, mī-self′, or me-self′, pron. I or me, in person—used for the sake of emphasis and also as the reciprocal of me.

Mystagogue, mis′ta-gōg, n. an initiator into religious mysteries, a teacher or catechist—also Mystagō′gus.—adj. Mystagog′ic (-goj′-).—n. Mys′tagogy (-goj-), the practice of a mystagogue: the sacraments. [Gr. mystēs, one initiated, agōgos, a leader.]

Mystery, mis′tėr-i, n. a secret doctrine: anything very obscure: that which is beyond human knowledge to explain: anything artfully made difficult: (pl.) secret rites, in ancient religions rites known only to and practised by initiated persons, as the Eleusinian mysteries in Greece, &c.: a sacrament: a rude medieval drama founded on the historical parts of the Bible and the lives of the saints—the Basque pastorales are a survival.—adj. Mystē′rious, containing mystery: obscure: secret: incomprehensible.—adv. Mystē′riously.—n. Mystē′riousness. [M. E. mysterie—L. mysterium—Gr. mystērion—mystēs, one initiated—muein, to close the eyes.]

Mystery, mis′tėr-i, n. a trade, handicraft. [M. E. mistere—O. Fr. mestier (Fr. métier)—L. ministerium—minister. Prop. mistery; the form mystery is due to confusion with the above.]

Mystic, -al, mis′tik, -al, adj. relating to, or containing, mystery: sacredly obscure or secret: involving a sacred or a secret meaning hidden from the eyes of the ordinary reader, only revealed to a spiritually enlightened mind, allegorical: belonging to mysticism.—n. Mys′tic, one who seeks for direct intercourse with God in elevated religious feeling or ecstasy.—adv. Mys′tically.—ns. Mys′ticalness, the quality of being mystical; Mys′ticism, the doctrine of the mystics, a tendency of religious feeling marked by an effort to attain to direct and immediate communion with God: obscurity of doctrine; Mystificā′tion.—v.t. Mys′tify, to make mysterious, obscure, or secret: to involve in mystery:—pr.p. mys′tifying; pa.t. and pa.p. mys′tified.—Mystic recitation, the recitation of parts of the Greek liturgy in an inaudible voice; Mystical theology, the knowledge of divine things attained by spiritual insight and experience only, without authority, the process of reason, &c. [L. mysticus—Gr. mystikos. Cf. Mystery, a secret doctrine.]

Mytacism, mī′ta-sizm, n. a too recurrent use of the letter m in speech or writing.

Myth, mith, n. a fable, a legend, a fabulous narrative founded on a remote event, esp. those made in the early period of a people's existence: an invented story: a falsehood.—adjs. Myth′ic, -al, relating to myths: fabulous: untrue.—adv. Myth′ically.—ns. Myth′icist, Myth′iciser, an adherent of the mythical theory; Myth′ist, a maker of myths; Mythogen′esis, the production of, or the tendency to originate, myths; Mythog′rapher, a writer or narrator of myths; Mythog′raphy, representation of myths in graphic or plastic art, art-mythology; Mythol′oger, Mytholō′gian, a mythologist.—adjs. Mytholog′ic, -al, relating to mythology, fabulous.—adv. Mytholog′ically.—v.t. Mythol′ogise, to interpret or explain myths: to render mythical.—ns. Mythol′ogiser, one who, or that which, mythologises; Mythol′ogist, one versed in, or who writes on, mythology; Mythol′ogy, the myths or stories of a country: a treatise regarding myths: a collection of myths: the science which investigates myths; Mython′omy, the deductive and predictive stage of mythology; Myth′oplasm, a narration of mere fable; Mythopœ′ist, a myth-maker.—adjs. Mythopoet′ic, Mythopœ′ic, myth-making, tending to generate myth.—n. Myth′us, the same as myth:—pl. Myth′ī.—Mythical theory, the theory of D. F. Strauss (1808-74) and his school, that the Gospels are mainly a collection of myths, developed during the first two centuries, from the imagination of the followers of Jesus; Comparative mythology, the science which investigates myths and seeks to relate those of different races. [Gr. mythos.]

Mytilus, mit′i-lus, n. a genus of bivalves, or an individual bivalve belonging to it.—adjs. Mytil′iform, Myt′iloid.

Myxœdema, mik-sē-dē′ma, n. a diseased condition occurring in adults, generally females, characterised by a thickening of the subcutaneous tissue, most noticeable in the face, with a simultaneous dulling of all the faculties and slowing of the movements of the body. A precisely similar condition occurs in many cases where the thyroid gland has been removed for disease. [Gr. myxa, mucus, and Eng. edema.]

Myxoma, mik-sō′ma, n. a tumour consisting of mucous tissue—also Collonema. [Gr. myxa, mucus.]

Myxomycetes, mik-sō-mī-sē′tēz, n.pl. a class of very simple organisms, often claimed by botanists as fungi, generally regarded by zoologists as primitive Protozoa, living on damp surfaces exposed to air, esp. on rotting wood, and feeding on organic débris forming composite masses or plasmodia. [Gr. myxa, mucus, mykētes, pl. of mykēs, a mushroom.]

Myxopod, mik′so-pod, n. and adj. a protozoan animal having pseudopodia, as distinguished from a mastigopod, which has cilia or flagella.—n.pl. Myxop′oda, protozoans whose locomotive appendages are pseudopodia—the same as Rhizopoda.—adj. Myxop′odous. [Gr. myxa, mucus, pous, podos, a foot.]

Myxosarcoma, mik-sō-sär-kō′ma, n. a tumour composed of mucous and sarcomatous tissue:—pl. Myxosarcō′mata. [Gr. myxa, mucus, sarcōma, a fleshy lump.]

Myzontes, mī-zon′tēz, n.pl. a class of vertebrates with an incomplete cartilaginous skull, no lower jaw, and pouch-like gills—including the lampreys and hags.—adj. and n. suctorial as the lamprey, belonging to the Myzontes. [Gr. myzōn, myzontos, pr.p. of myzein, to suck.]

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aor.	aorist.	geol.	geology.	perh.	perhaps.
abbrev.	abbreviation.	geom.	geometry.	pers.	person.
abl.	ablative.	ger.	gerundive.	pfx.	prefix.
acc.	according.	gram.	grammar.	phil., philos.	philosophy.
accus.	accusative.	gun.	gunnery.	philol.	philology.
adj.	adjective.	her.	heraldry.	phon.	phonetics.
adv.	adverb.	hist.	history.	phot.	photography.
agri.	agriculture.	hort.	horticulture.	phrenol.	phrenology.
alg.	algebra.	hum.	humorous.	phys.	physics.
anat.	anatomy.	i.e.	that is.	physiol.	physiology.
app.	apparently.	imit.	imitative.	pl.	plural.
arch.	archaic.	imper.	imperative.	poet.	poetical.
archit.	architecture.	impers.	impersonal.	pol. econ.	political economy.
arith.	arithmetic.	indic.	indicative.	poss.	possessive.
astrol.	astrology.	infin.	infinitive.	Pr.Bk.	Book of Common
astron.	astronomy.	inten.	intensive.	Pr.Bk.	Prayer.
attrib.	attributive.	interj.	interjection.	pr.p.	present participle.
augm.	augmentative.	interrog.	interrogative.	prep.	preposition.
B.	Bible.	jew.	jewellery.	pres.	present.
biol.	biology.	lit.	literally.	print.	printing.
book-k.	book-keeping.	mach.	machinery.	priv.	privative.
bot.	botany.	masc.	masculine.	prob.	probably.
c. (circa)	about.	math.	mathematics.	Prof.	Professor.
c., cent.	century.	mech.	mechanics.	pron.	pronoun;
carp.	carpentry.	med.	medicine.		pronounced;
cf.	compare.	metaph.	metaphysics.		pronunciation.
chem.	chemistry.	mil.	military.	prop.	properly.
cog.	cognate.	Milt.	Milton.	pros.	prosody.
coll., colloq.	colloquially.	min.	mineralogy.	prov.	provincial.
comp.	comparative.	mod.	modern.	q.v.	which see.
conch.	conchology.	Mt.	Mount.	R.C.	Roman Catholic.
conj.	conjunction.	mus.	music.	recip.	reciprocal.
conn.	connected.	myth.	mythology.	redup.	reduplication.
contr.	contracted.	n., ns.	noun, nouns.	refl.	reflexive.
cook.	cookery.	nat. hist.	natural history.	rel.	related; relative.
corr.	corruption.	naut.	nautical.	rhet.	rhetoric.
crystal.	crystallography.	neg.	negative.	sculp.	sculpture.
dat.	dative.	neut.	neuter.	Shak.	Shakespeare.
demons.	demonstrative.	n.pl.	noun plural.	sig.	signifying.
der.	derivation.	n.sing.	noun singular.	sing.	singular.
dial.	dialect, dialectal.	N.T.	New Testament.	spec.	specifically.
Dict.	Dictionary.	obs.	obsolete.	Spens.	Spenser.
dim.	diminutive.	opp.	opposed.	subj.	subjunctive.
dub.	doubtful.	opt.	optics.	suff.	suffix.
eccles.	ecclesiastical history.	orig.	originally.	superl.	superlative.
e.g.	for example.	ornith.	ornithology.	surg.	surgery.
elect.	electricity.	O.S.	old style.	term.	termination.
entom.	entomology.	O.T.	Old Testament.	teleg.	telegraphy.
esp.	especially.	p., part.	participle.	Tenn.	Tennyson.
ety.	etymology.	p.adj.	participial adjective.	Test.	Testament.
fem.	feminine.	paint.	painting.	theat.	theatre; theatricals.
fig.	figuratively.	paleog.	paleography.	theol.	theology.
fol.	followed; following.	paleon.	paleontology.	trig.	trigonometry.
fort.	fortification.	palm.	palmistry.	ult.	ultimately.
freq.	frequentative.	pa.p.	past participle.	v.i.	verb intransitive.
fut.	future.	pass.	passive.	voc.	vocative.
gen.	genitive.	pa.t.	past tense.	v.t.	verb transitive.
gener.	generally.	path.	pathology.	vul.	vulgar.
geog.	geography.	perf.	perfect.	zool.	zoology.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)

EXPLANATIONS TO THE STUDENT.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DICTIONARY.

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Amer.	American.	Fris.	Frisian.	Norw.	Norwegian.
Ar.	Arabic.	Gael.	Gaelic.	O. Fr.	Old French.
A.S.	Anglo-Saxon.	Ger.	German.	Pers.	Persian.
Austr.	Australian.	Goth.	Gothic.	Peruv.	Peruvian.
Bav.	Bavarian.	Gr.	Greek.	Pol.	Polish.
Beng.	Bengali.	Heb.	Hebrew.	Port.	Portuguese.
Bohem.	Bohemian.	Hind.	Hindustani.	Prov.	Provençal.
Braz.	Brazilian.	Hung.	Hungarian.	Rom.	Romance.
Bret.	Breton.	Ice.	Icelandic.	Russ.	Russian
Carib.	Caribbean.	Ind.	Indian.	Sans.	Sanskrit.
Celt.	Celtic.	Ion.	Ionic.	Scand.	Scandinavian.
Chal.	Chaldean.	Ir.	Irish.	Scot.	Scottish.
Chin.	Chinese.	It.	Italian.	Singh.	Singhalese.
Corn.	Cornish.	Jap.	Japanese.	Slav.	Slavonic.
Dan.	Danish.	Jav.	Javanese.	Sp.	Spanish.
Dut.	Dutch.	L.	Latin.	Sw.	Swedish.
Egypt.	Egyptian.	Lith.	Lithuanian.	Teut.	Teutonic.
Eng.	English.	L. L.	Low or Late Latin.	Turk.	Turkish.
Finn.	Finnish.	M. E.	Middle English.	U.S.	United States.
Flem.	Flemish.	Mex.	Mexican.	W.	Welsh.
Fr.	French.	Norm.	Norman.