Webster Unabridged Dictionary: P & Q

P (p), the sixteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a nonvocal consonant whose form and value come from the Latin, into which language the letter was brought, through the ancient Greek, from the Phœnician, its probable origin being Egyptian. Etymologically P is most closely related to b, f, and v; as hobble, hopple; father, paternal; recipient, receive. See B, F, and M.

Pa"age (p"j; 48), n. [OF. paage, paiage, F. péage, fr. (assumed) LL. pedaticum, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See Pedage, Pedal.] (O. Eng. Law) A toll for passage over another person's grounds. [Written also peage and pedage.] Burke.

Paas (ps), n. [D. paash. See Pasch.] The Easter festival. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.

Pab"u*lar (?), a. [L. pabularis.] Of, pertaining to, or fit for, pabulum or food; affording food.

Pab`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. pabulatio, fr. pabulari to feed, fr. pabulum food. See Pabulum.]

Pab"u*lous (?), a. [L. pabulosus.] Affording pabulum, or food; alimental. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pab"u*lum (?), n. [L., akin to pascere to pasture. See Pastor.] The means of nutriment to animals or plants; food; nourishment; hence, that which feeds or sustains, as fuel for a fire; that upon which the mind or soul is nourished; as, intellectual pabulum.

Pac (?), n. A kind of moccasin, having the edges of the sole turned up and sewed to the upper. Knight.

Pa"ca (?), n. [Pg., from the native name.] (Zoöl.) A small South American rodent (Cœlogenys paca), having blackish brown fur, with four parallel rows of white spots along its sides; the spotted cavy. It is nearly allied to the agouti and the Guinea pig.

Pa"cate (?), a. [L. pacatus, p. p. of pacare to pacify, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Pay to requite, Peace.] Appeased; pacified; tranquil. [R.]

Pa*ca"tion (?), n. [L. pacatio.] The act of pacifying; a peacemaking. Coleridge.

Pace (?), n. [OE. pas, F. pas, from L. passus a step, pace, orig., a stretching out of the feet in walking; cf. pandere, passum, to spread, stretch; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf. Pas, Pass.] 1. A single movement from one foot to the other in walking; a step.

2. The length of a step in walking or marching, reckoned from the heel of one foot to the heel of the other; -- used as a unit in measuring distances; as, he advanced fifty paces. "The heigh of sixty pace ." Chaucer.

Ordinarily the pace is estimated at two and one half linear feet; but in measuring distances be stepping, the pace is extended to three feet (one yard) or to three and three tenths feet (one fifth of a rod). The regulation marching pace in the English and United States armies is thirty inches for quick time, and thirty-six inches for double time. The Roman pace (passus) was from the heel of one foot to the heel of the same foot when it next touched the ground, five Roman feet.

3. Manner of stepping or moving; gait; walk; as, the walk, trot, canter, gallop, and amble are paces of the horse; a swaggering pace; a quick pace. Chaucer.

7. (Arch.) A broad step or platform; any part of a floor slightly raised above the rest, as around an altar, or at the upper end of a hall.

8. (Weaving) A device in a loom, to maintain tension on the warp in pacing the web.

Geometrical pace, the space from heel to heel between the spot where one foot is set down and that where the same foot is again set down, loosely estimated at five feet, or by some at four feet and two fifths. See Roman pace in the Note under def. 2. [Obs.] -- To keep, or hold, pace with, to keep up with; to go as fast as. "In intellect and attainments he kept pace with his age." Southey.

Pace (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pacing (?).] 1. To go; to walk; specifically, to move with regular or measured steps. "I paced on slowly." Pope. "With speed so pace." Shak.

3. To move quickly by lifting the legs on the same side together, as a horse; to amble with rapidity; to rack.

Pace, v. t. 1. To walk over with measured tread; to move slowly over or upon; as, the guard paces his round. "Pacing light the velvet plain." T. Warton.

3. To develop, guide, or control the pace or paces of; to teach the pace; to break in.

To pace the web (Weaving), to wind up the cloth on the beam, periodically, as it is woven, in a loom.

Paced (?), a. Having, or trained in, [such] a pace or gait; trained; -- used in composition; as, slow- paced; a thorough-paced villain.

||Pa`cha*ca*mac" (?), n. A divinity worshiped by the ancient Peruvians as the creator of the universe.

||Pa*chak" (?), n. (Bot.) The fragrant roots of the Saussurea Costus, exported from India to China, and used for burning as incense. It is supposed to be the costus of the ancients. [Written also putchuck.]

||Pa*chi"si (?), Par*che"si (&?;), n. [Hind., fr. pachis twenty-five, the highest throw in the game.] A game, somewhat resembling backgammon, originating in India.

Pa*chom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. pa`chos thickness + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring thickness, as of the glass of a mirror, or of paper; a pachymeter.

||Pa*chon"ta (?), n. (Bot.) A substance resembling gutta-percha, and used to adulterate it, obtained from the East Indian tree Isonandra acuminata.

Pach"y- (?). [Gr. &?; thick.] A combining form meaning thick; as, pachyderm, pachydactyl.

Pach`y*car"pous (?), a. [Pachy- + Gr. &?; fruit.] (Bot.) Having the pericarp thick.

Pach`y*dac"tyl (?), n. [Pachy- + dactyl.] (Zoöl.) A bird or other animal having thick toes.

Pach`y*der"mal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or relating to the pachyderms; as, pachydermal dentition.

||Pach`y*der"ma*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; thick-skinned; pachy`s thick + &?; skin.] (Zoöl.) A group of hoofed mammals distinguished for the thickness of their skins, including the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, tapir, horse, and hog. It is now considered an artificial group.

Pach`y*der"moid (?), a. [Pachyderm + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Related to the pachyderms.

Pach`y*glos"sal (?), a. [Pachy- + Gr. &?; tongue.] (Zoöl.) Having a thick tongue; -- applied to a group of lizards (Pachyglossæ), including the iguanas and agamas.

Pach`y*men`in*gi"tis (?), n. [Pachy- + meningitis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the dura mater or outer membrane of the brain.

Pach"y*ote (?), n. [Pachy- + Gr. &?;, &?;, ear.] (Zoöl.) One of a family of bats, including those which have thick external ears.

Pa*cif"ic (?), a. [L. pacificus: cf. F. pacifique. See Pacify.] Of or pertaining to peace; suited to make or restore peace; of a peaceful character; not warlike; not quarrelsome; conciliatory; as, pacific words or acts; a pacific nature or condition.

Pacific Ocean, the ocean between America and Asia, so called by Magellan, its first European navigator, on account of the exemption from violent tempests which he enjoyed while sailing over it; -- called also, simply, the Pacific, and, formerly, the South sea.

Syn. -- Peacemaking; appeasing; conciliatory; tranquil; calm; quiet; peaceful; reconciling; mild; gentle.

Pa*cif"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to peace; pacific. [R.] Sir H. Wotton. -- Pa*cif"ic*al*ly, adv. [R.]

Pa*cif`i*ca"tion (?), n. [L. pacificatio: cf. F. pacification. See Pacify.] The act or process of pacifying, or of making peace between parties at variance; reconciliation. "An embassy of pacification." Bacon.

Pa*cif"i*ca`tor (?), n. [L.] One who, or that which, pacifies; a peacemaker. Bacon.

Pa*cif"i*ca*to*ry (?), a. [L. pacificatorius.] Tending to make peace; conciliatory. Barrow.

Pac"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pacified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pacifying (?).] [F. pacifier, L. pacificare; pax, pacis, peace + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Peace, and -fy.] To make to be at peace; to appease; to calm; to still; to quiet; to allay the agitation, excitement, or resentment of; to tranquillize; as, to pacify a man when angry; to pacify pride, appetite, or importunity. "Pray ye, pacify yourself." Shak.

Pa*cin"i*an (?), a. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Filippo Pacini, an Italian physician of the 19th century.

Pacinian corpuscles, small oval bodies terminating some of the minute branches of the sensory nerves in the integument and other parts of the body. They are supposed to be tactile organs.

Pack, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. Packet.]

1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a bale, as of goods. Piers Plowman.

2. [Cf. Peck, n.] A number or quantity equal to the contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. "A pack of sorrows." "A pack of blessings." Shak.

"In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of wool, 240 lbs." McElrath.

3. A number or quantity of connected or similar things; as: (a) A full set of playing cards; also, the assortment used in a particular game; as, a euchre pack. (b) A number of hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together. (c) A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or knaves. (d) A shook of cask staves. (e) A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling simultaneously.

4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together more or less closely. Kane.

5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the method of treatment.

6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p&?;can to deceive.] A loose, lewd, or worthless person. See Baggage. [Obs.] Skelton.

Pack animal, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in carrying packs. -- Pack cloth, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering packs or bales. -- Pack horse. See Pack animal (above). -- Pack ice. See def. 4, above. -- Pack moth (Zoöl.), a small moth (Anacampsis sarcitella) which, in the larval state, is very destructive to wool and woolen fabrics. -- Pack needle, a needle for sewing with pack thread. Piers Plowman. -- Pack saddle, a saddle made for supporting the load on a pack animal. Shak. -- Pack staff, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's staff. -- Pack thread, strong thread or small twine used for tying packs or parcels. -- Pack train (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.

Pack (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Packed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Packing.] [Akin to D. pakken, G. packen, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakka. See Pack, n.] 1. To make a pack of; to arrange closely and securely in a pack; hence, to place and arrange compactly as in a pack; to press into close order or narrow compass; as to pack goods in a box; to pack fish.

2. To fill in the manner of a pack, that is, compactly and securely, as for transportation; hence, to fill closely or to repletion; to stow away within; to cause to be full; to crowd into; as, to pack a trunk; the play, or the audience, packs the theater.

4. Hence: To bring together or make up unfairly and fraudulently, in order to secure a certain result; as, to pack a jury or a causes.

7. To cause to go; to send away with baggage or belongings; esp., to send away peremptorily or suddenly; -- sometimes with off; as, to pack a boy off to school.

8. To transport in a pack, or in the manner of a pack (i. e., on the backs of men or beasts). [Western U.S.]

9. (Hydropathy) To envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within numerous coverings. See Pack, n., 5.

10. (Mech.) To render impervious, as by filling or surrounding with suitable material, or to fit or adjust so as to move without giving passage to air, water, or steam; as, to pack a joint; to pack the piston of a steam engine.

Pack, v. i. 1. To make up packs, bales, or bundles; to stow articles securely for transportation.

2. To admit of stowage, or of making up for transportation or storage; to become compressed or to settle together, so as to form a compact mass; as, the goods pack conveniently; wet snow packs well.

3. To gather in flocks or schools; as, the grouse or the perch begin to pack. [Eng.]

5. To unite in bad measures; to confederate for ill purposes; to join in collusion. [Obs.] "Go pack with him." Shak.

To send packing, to drive away; to send off roughly or in disgrace; to dismiss unceremoniously. "The parliament . . . presently sent him packing." South.

2. A bundle made up for transportation; a packet; a bale; a parcel; as, a package of goods.

4. A duty formerly charged in the port of London on goods imported or exported by aliens, or by denizens who were the sons of aliens.

Pack"er (?), n. A person whose business is to pack things; especially, one who packs food for preservation; as, a pork packer.

Pack"et (?), n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL. paccus, from the same source as E. pack. See Pack.]

1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a packet of letters. Shak.

2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat.

Packet boat, ship, or vessel. See Packet, n., 2. -- Packet day, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or the sailing day. -- Packet note or post. See under Paper.

Pack"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Packeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Packeting.] 1. To make up into a packet or bundle.

Pack"fong` (?), n. [Chin. peh tung.] (Metal.) A Chinese alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper, resembling German silver.

2. Any material used to pack, fill up, or make close. Specifically (Mach.): A substance or piece used to make a joint impervious; as: (a) A thin layer, or sheet, of yielding or elastic material inserted between the surfaces of a flange joint. (b) The substance in a stuffing box, through which a piston rod slides. (c) A yielding ring, as of metal, which surrounds a piston and maintains a tight fit, as inside a cylinder, etc.

Cherd packing (Bridge Building), the arrangement, side by side, of several parts, as bars, diagonals, a post, etc., on a pin at the bottom of a chord. Waddell. -- Packing box, a stuffing box. See under Stuffing. -- Packing press, a powerful press for baling cotton, wool, hay, etc. -- Packing ring. See Packing, 2 (c), and Illust. of Piston. -- Packing sheet. (a) A large cloth for packing goods. (b) A sheet prepared for packing hydropathic patients.

2. [Peruv. paco, pacu, red, reddish, reddish ore containing silver; perh. a different word.] (Min.) An earthy-looking ore, consisting of brown oxide of iron with minute particles of native silver. Ure.

Pact (?), n. [L. pactum, fr. paciscere to make a bargain or contract, fr. pacere to settle, or agree upon; cf. pangere to fasten, Gr. &?;, Skr. pca bond, and E. fang: cf. F. pacie. Cf. Peace, Fadge, v.] An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant. Bacon.

Pac"tion (?), n. [L. pactio: cf. F. paction. See Pact.] An agreement; a compact; a bargain. [R.] Sir W. Scott.

Pac"tion*al (?), a. Of the nature of, or by means of, a paction. Bp. Sanderson.

Pac*ti"tious (?), a. [L. pactitius, pacticius.] Setted by a pact, or agreement. [R.] Johnson.

Pac*to"li*an (?), a. Pertaining to the Pactolus, a river in ancient Lydia famous for its golden sands.

Pa"cu (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American freah-water fish (Myleies pacu), of the family Characinidæ. It is highly esteemed as food.

Pad (?), n. [D. pad. √21. See Path.] 1. A footpath; a road. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

3. A robber that infests the road on foot; a highwayman; -- usually called a footpad. Gay. Byron.

Pad, n. [Perh. akin to pod.] 1. A soft, or small, cushion; a mass of anything soft; stuffing.

2. A kind of cushion for writing upon, or for blotting; esp., one formed of many flat sheets of writing paper, or layers of blotting paper; a block of paper.

4. A stuffed guard or protection; esp., one worn on the legs of horses to prevent bruising.

5. (Zoöl.) A cushionlike thickening of the skin one the under side of the toes of animals.

8. (Naut.) A piece of timber fixed on a beam to fit the curve of the deck. W. C. Russel.

9. A measure for fish; as, sixty mackerel go to a pad; a basket of soles. [Eng.] Simmonds.

Pad cloth, a saddlecloth; a housing. -- Pad saddle. See def. 3, above. -- Pad tree (Harness Making), a piece of wood or metal which gives rigidity and shape to a harness pad. Knight.

Pad, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Padded; p. pr. & vb. n. Padding.] 1. To stuff; to furnish with a pad or padding.

2. (Calico Printing) To imbue uniformly with a mordant; as, to pad cloth. Ure.

Pad"ar (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] Groats; coarse flour or meal. [Obs.] Sir. H. Wotton.

3. Material of inferior value, serving to extend a book, essay, etc. London Sat. Rev.

Pad"dle (?), v. i. [Prob. for pattle, and a dim. of pat, v.; cf. also E. pad to tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to walk with short steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash, dash, dabble, F. patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a paw. √21.] 1. To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in paddling a boat, etc.

Pad"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paddling (?)] 1. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.

Pad"dle, n. [See Paddle, v. i.] 1. An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.

2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a paddle.

3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.

4. A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called clough.

7. [In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.] See Paddle staff (b), below. [Prov. Eng.]

Paddle beam (Shipbuilding), one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel. -- Paddle board. See Paddle, n., 3. -- Paddle box, the structure inclosing the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. -- Paddle shaft, the revolving shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. -- Paddle staff. (a) A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; -- called also plow staff. [Prov. Eng.] -- Paddle steamer, a steam vessel propelled by paddle wheels, in distinction from a screw propeller. -- Paddle wheel, the propelling wheel of a steam vessel, having paddles (or floats) on its circumference, and revolving in a vertical plane parallel to the vessel's length.

Pad"dle*fish` (?), n. (Zoöl) A large ganoid fish (Polyodon spathula) found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valley. It has a long spatula-shaped snout. Called also duck-billed cat, and spoonbill sturgeon.

Pad"dle*wood` (?), n. (Bot.) The light elastic wood of the Aspidosperma excelsum, a tree of Guiana having a fluted trunk readily split into planks.

Pad"dock (?), n. [OE. padde toad, frog + -ock; akin to D. pad, padde, toad, Icel. & Sw. padda, Dan. padde.] (Zoöl.) A toad or frog. Wyclif. "Loathed paddocks." Spenser

Paddock pipe (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant of the genus Equisetum, especially E. limosum and the fruiting stems of E. arvense; -- called also padow pipe and toad pipe. See Equisetum. -- Paddock stone. See Toadstone. -- Paddock stool (Bot.),a toadstool.

2. A small inclosure for pasture; esp., one adjoining a stable. Evelyn. Cowper.

Pad"dy (?), a. [Prov. E. paddy worm-eaten.] Low; mean; boorish; vagabond. "Such pady persons." Digges (1585). "The paddy persons." Motley.

Pad"dy, n.; pl. Paddies (#). [Corrupted fr. St. Patrick, the tutelar saint of Ireland.] A jocose or contemptuous name for an Irishman.

Pad"dy, n. [Either fr. Canarese bhatta or Malay pd.] (Bot.) Unhusked rice; -- commonly so called in the East Indies.

Pad`e*li"on (?), n. [F. pas de lionon's foot.] (Bot.) A plant with pedately lobed leaves; the lady's mantle.

||Pa*del"la (?), n. [It., prop., a pan, a friing pan, fr. L. patella a pan.] A large cup or deep saucer, containing fatty matter in which a wick is placed, -- used for public illuminations, as at St. Peter's, in Rome. Called also padelle.

Padge, n. (Zoöl.) The barn owl; -- called also pudge, and pudge owl. [Prov. Eng.]

||Pa`di*shah" (?), n. [Per. pdishh. Cf. Pasha.] Chief ruler; monarch; sovereign; -- a title of the Sultan of Turkey, and of the Shah of Persia.

Pad"lock` (?), n. [Perh. orig., a lock for a pad gate, or a gate opening to a path, or perh., a lock for a basket or pannier, and from Prov. E. pad a pannier. Cf. Pad a path, Paddler.] 1. A portable lock with a bow which is usually jointed or pivoted at one end so that it can be opened, the other end being fastened by the bolt, -- used for fastening by passing the bow through a staple over a hasp or through the links of a chain, etc.

Pad"lock`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Padlocked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Padlocking.] To fasten with, or as with, a padlock; to stop; to shut; to confine as by a padlock. Milton. Tennyson.

Pad"nag` (?), n. [lst pad + nag.] An ambling nag. "An easy padnag." Macaulay.

||Pa*dro"ne (?), n.; pl. It. Padroni (#), E. Padrones. [It. See Patron.] 1. A patron; a protector.

3. A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian laborers, street musicians, etc.

Pad`u*a*soy" (?), n. [From Padua, in Italy + F. soie silk; or cf. F. pou-de-soie.] A rich and heavy silk stuff. [Written also padesoy.]

Pa*du"cahs (p*d"kz), n. pl.; sing. Paducah (-k). (Ethnol.) See Comanches.

Pæ"an (p`an), n. [L. paean, Gr. paia`n, fr. Paia`n the physician of the gods, later, Apollo. Cf. Pæon, Peony.] [Written also pean.] 1. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities.

2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph. Dryden. "Public pæans of congratulation." De Quincey.

Pæ`do*gen"esis (p`d*jn"*ss), n. [Gr. pai^s, paido`s, child + E. genesis.] (Zoöl.) Reproduction by young or larval animals.

Pæ`do*ge*net"ic (-j*nt"k), a. (Zoöl.) Producing young while in the immature or larval state; -- said of certain insects, etc.

Pæ"on (p"n), n. [L. paeon, Gr. paiw`n a solemn song, also, a pæon, equiv. to paia`n. See Pæan.] (Anc. Poet.) A foot of four syllables, one long and three short, admitting of four combinations, according to the place of the long syllable. [Written also, less correctly, pæan.]

Pæ"o*nine (p"*nn), n. (Chem.) An artifical red nitrogenous dyestuff, called also red coralline.

Pa"gan (p"gan), n. [L. paganus a countryman, peasant, villager, a pagan, fr. paganus of or pertaining to the country, rustic, also, pagan, fr. pagus a district, canton, the country, perh. orig., a district with fixed boundaries: cf. pangere to fasten. Cf. Painim, Peasant, and Pact, also Heathen.] One who worships false gods; an idolater; a heathen; one who is neither a Christian, a Mohammedan, nor a Jew.

Syn. -- Gentile; heathen; idolater. -- Pagan, Gentile, Heathen. Gentile was applied to the other nations of the earth as distinguished from the Jews. Pagan was the name given to idolaters in the early Christian church, because the villagers, being most remote from the centers of instruction, remained for a long time unconverted. Heathen has the same origin. Pagan is now more properly applied to rude and uncivilized idolaters, while heathen embraces all who practice idolatry.

Pa"gan, a. [L. paganus of or pertaining to the country, pagan. See Pagan, n.] Of or pertaining to pagans; relating to the worship or the worshipers of false goods; heathen; idolatrous, as, pagan tribes or superstitions.

{ Pa*gan"ic (p*gn"k), Pa*gan"ic*al (-*kal), } a. Of or pertaining to pagans or paganism; heathenish; paganish. [R.] "The paganic fables of the goods." Cudworth. -- Pa*gan"ic*al*ly, adv. [R.]

Pa"gan*ish (p"gan*sh), a. Of or pertaining to pagans; heathenish. "The old paganish idolatry." Sharp

Pa"gan*ism (-z'm), n. [L. paganismus: cf. F. paganisme. See Pagan, and cf. Painim.] The state of being pagan; pagan characteristics; esp., the worship of idols or false gods, or the system of religious opinions and worship maintained by pagans; heathenism.

Pa*gan"i*ty (p*gn"*t), n. [L. Paganitas.] The state of being a pagan; paganism. [R.] Cudworth.

Pa"gan*ize (p"gan*z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paganized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paganizing (?).] To render pagan or heathenish; to convert to paganism. Hallywell.

Page (pj), n. [F., fr. It. paggio, LL. pagius, fr. Gr. paidi`on, dim. of pai^s, paido`s, a boy, servant; perh. akin to L. puer. Cf. Pedagogue, Puerile.] 1. A serving boy; formerly, a youth attending a person of high degree, especially at courts, as a position of honor and education; now commonly, in England, a youth employed for doing errands, waiting on the door, and similar service in households; in the United States, a boy employed to wait upon the members of a legislative body.

3. A contrivance, as a band, pin, snap, or the like, to hold the skirt of a woman's dress from the ground.

4. (Brickmaking.) A track along which pallets carrying newly molded bricks are conveyed to the hack.

5. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of beautiful South American moths of the genus Urania.

Page, n. [F., fr. L. pagina; prob. akin to pagere, pangere, to fasten, fix, make, the pages or leaves being fastened together. Cf. Pact, Pageant, Pagination.]

Page, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paging (?).] To mark or number the pages of, as a book or manuscript; to furnish with folios.

Pag"eant (pj"ent or p"jent; 277), n. [OE. pagent, pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage, hence, what was exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to pangere to fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf, slab, compaginare to join together, compages a joining together, structure. See Pact, Page of a book.]

2. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display.

Pag"eant, a. Of the nature of a pageant; spectacular. "Pageant pomp." Dryden.

Pag"eant, v. t. To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic. [R.] "He pageants us." Shak.

Pag"eant*ry (-r), n. Scenic shows or spectacles, taken collectively; spectacular quality; splendor.

||Pag"i*na (?), n.; pl. Paginæ (#). [L.] (Bot.) The surface of a leaf or of a flattened thallus.

Pag"i*nal (?), a. [L. paginalis.] Consisting of pages. "Paginal books." Sir T. Browne.

Pag`i*na"tion (?), n. The act or process of paging a book; also, the characters used in numbering the pages; page number. Lowndes.

Pa"god (?), n. [Cf. F. pagode. See Pagoda.] 1. A pagoda. [R.] "Or some queer pagod." Pope.

Pa*go"da (?), n. [Pg. pagoda, pagode, fr.Hind. & Per. but-kadah a house of idols, or abode of God; Per. but an idol + kadah a house, a temple.] 1. A term by which Europeans designate religious temples and tower-like buildings of the Hindoos and Buddhists of India, Farther India, China, and Japan, -- usually but not always, devoted to idol worship.

3. [Prob. so named from the image of a pagoda or a deity (cf. Skr. bhagavat holy, divine) stamped on it.] A gold or silver coin, of various kinds and values, formerly current in India. The Madras gold pagoda was worth about three and a half rupees.

Pa*go"dite (?), n. (Min.) Agalmatolite; -- so called because sometimes carved by the Chinese into the form of pagodas. See Agalmatolite.

||Pa*gu"ma (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of East Indian viverrine mammals of the genus Paguma. They resemble a weasel in form.

Pa*gu"ri*an (?), n. [L. pagurus a kind of crab, Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) Any one of a tribe of anomuran crustaceans, of which Pagurus is a type; the hermit crab. See Hermit crab, under Hermit.

||Pah (?), n. [From native name.] A kind of stockaded intrenchment. [New Zealand.] Farrow.

||Pa*ho"e*ho`e (?), n. (Min.) A name given in the Sandwich Islands to lava having a relatively smooth surface, in distinction from the rough-surfaced lava, called a-a.

Paid (?), imp., p. p., & a. of Pay. 1. Receiving pay; compensated; hired; as, a paid attorney.

Pai*deu"tics (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to teach, fr. &?;,&?;, a boy.] The science or art of teaching.

Pai"gle (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.) A species of Primula, either the cowslip or the primrose. [Written also pagle, pagil, peagle, and pygil.]

Pail (?), n. [OE. paile, AS. pægel a wine vessel, a pail, akin to D. & G. pegel a watermark, a gauge rod, a measure of wine, Dan. pægel half a pint.] A vessel of wood or tin, etc., usually cylindrical and having a bail, -- used esp. for carrying liquids, as water or milk, etc.; a bucket. It may, or may not, have a cover. Shak.

Pail"ful (?), n.; pl. Pailfuls (&?;). The quantity that a pail will hold. "By pailfuls." Shak.

Pail*lasse" (?; F. &?;), n. [F., fr. paille straw. See Pallet a bed.] An under bed or mattress of straw. [Written also palliasse.]

Pain (?), n. [OE. peine, F. peine, fr. L. poena, penalty, punishment, torment, pain; akin to Gr. &?; penalty. Cf. Penal, Pine to languish, Punish.] 1. Punishment suffered or denounced; suffering or evil inflicted as a punishment for crime, or connected with the commission of a crime; penalty. Chaucer.

2. Any uneasy sensation in animal bodies, from slight uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from a derangement of functions, disease, or injury by violence; bodily distress; bodily suffering; an ache; a smart. "The pain of Jesus Christ." Chaucer.

Pain may occur in any part of the body where sensory nerves are distributed, and it is always due to some kind of stimulation of them. The sensation is generally referred to the peripheral end of the nerve.

4. Uneasiness of mind; mental distress; disquietude; anxiety; grief; solicitude; anguish. Chaucer.

Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill. -- To die in the pain, to be tortured to death. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paining.] [OE. peinen, OF. pener, F. peiner to fatigue. See Pain, n.] 1. To inflict suffering upon as a penalty; to punish. [Obs.] Wyclif (Acts xxii. 5).

2. To put to bodily uneasiness or anguish; to afflict with uneasy sensations of any degree of intensity; to torment; to torture; as, his dinner or his wound pained him; his stomach pained him.

3. To render uneasy in mind; to disquiet; to distress; to grieve; as a child's faults pain his parents.

To pain one's self, to exert or trouble one's self; to take pains; to be solicitous. [Obs.] "She pained her to do all that she might." Chaucer.

Syn. -- To disquiet; trouble; afflict; grieve; aggrieve; distress; agonize; torment; torture.

Pain"ful (?), a. 1. Full of pain; causing uneasiness or distress, either physical or mental; afflictive; disquieting; distressing. Addison.

2. Requiring labor or toil; difficult; executed with laborious effort; as a painful service; a painful march.

Syn. -- Disquieting; troublesome; afflictive; distressing; grievous; laborious; toilsome; difficult; arduous.

Pai"nim (?), n.[OE. painime pagans, paganism, fr. OF. paienisme paganism, LL. paganismus. See Paganism, Pagan.] A pagan; an infidel; -- used also adjectively. [Written also panim and paynim.] Peacham.

Pain"less (?), a. Free from pain; without pain. -- Pain"less*ly, adv. - - Pain"less*ness, n.

Pains (?), n.Labor; toilsome effort; care or trouble taken; -- plural in form, but used with a singular or plural verb, commonly the former.

Pains"tak`er (?), n. One who takes pains; one careful and faithful in all work. Gay.

Pains"tak`ing, a. Careful in doing; diligent; faithful; attentive. "Painstaking men." Harris.

Pains"tak`ing, n. The act of taking pains; carefulness and fidelity in performance. Beau. & Fl.

Paint (pnt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Painted; p. pr. & vb. n. Painting.] [OE. peinten, fr. F. peint, p. p. of peindre to paint, fr. L. pingere, pictum; cf. Gr. poiki`los many-colored, Skr. piç to adorn. Cf. Depict, Picture, Pigment, Pint.] 1. To cover with coloring matter; to apply paint to; as, to paint a house, a signboard, etc.

2. Fig.: To color, stain, or tinge; to adorn or beautify with colors; to diversify with colors.

3. To form in colors a figure or likeness of on a flat surface, as upon canvas; to represent by means of colors or hues; to exhibit in a tinted image; to portray with paints; as, to paint a portrait or a landscape.

4. Fig.: To represent or exhibit to the mind; to describe vividly; to delineate; to image; to depict.

Syn. -- To color; picture; depict; portray; delineate; sketch; draw; describe.

Paint, v. t. 1. To practice the art of painting; as, the artist paints well.

Paint, n. 1. (a) A pigment or coloring substance. (b) The same prepared with a vehicle, as oil, water with gum, or the like, for application to a surface.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Marked with bright colors; as, the painted turtle; painted bunting.

Painted beauty (Zoöl.), a handsome American butterfly (Vanessa Huntera), having a variety of bright colors, -- Painted cup (Bot.), any plant of an American genus of herbs (Castilleia) in which the bracts are usually bright-colored and more showy than the flowers. Castilleia coccinea has brilliantly scarlet bracts, and is common in meadows. -- Painted finch. See Nonpareil. -- Painted lady (Zoöl.), a bright-colored butterfly. See Thistle butterfly. -- Painted turtle (Zoöl.), a common American freshwater tortoise (Chrysemys picta), having bright red and yellow markings beneath.

Paint"er (pnt"r), n. [OE, pantere a noose, snare, F. pantière, LL. panthera, L. panther a hunting net, fr. Gr. panqh`ra; pa^s all + qh`r beast; cf. Ir. painteir a net, gin, snare, Gael. painntear.] (Naut.) A rope at the bow of a boat, used to fasten it to anything. Totten.

Paint"er, n. [Corrupt. of panther.] (Zoöl.) The panther, or puma. [A form representing an illiterate pronunciation, U. S.] J. F. Cooper.

Paint"er, n. [See lst Paint.] One whose occupation is to paint; esp.: (a) One who covers buildings, ships, ironwork, and the like, with paint. (b) An artist who represents objects or scenes in color on a flat surface, as canvas, plaster, or the like.

Painter's colic. (Med.) See Lead colic, under Colic. -- Painter stainer. (a) A painter of coats of arms. Crabb. (b) A member of a livery company or guild in London, bearing this name.

Paint"er*ly (?), a. Like a painter's work. [Obs.] "A painterly glose of a visage." Sir P. Sidney.

Paint"er*ship, n. The state or position of being a painter. [R.] Br. Gardiner.

Paint"ing, n. 1. The act or employment of laying on, or adorning with, paints or colors.

2. (Fine Arts) The work of the painter; also, any work of art in which objects are represented in color on a flat surface; a colored representation of any object or scene; a picture.

Paint"less, a. Not capable of being painted or described. "In paintless patience." Savage.

Pain"ture (?), n. [F. peinture. See Paint, v. t., and cf. Picture.] The art of painting. [Obs.] Chaucer. Dryden.

Paint"y (?), a. Unskillfully painted, so that the painter's method of work is too obvious; also, having too much pigment applied to the surface. [Cant]

Pair (?), n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair, fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. Apparel, Par equality, Peer an equal.]

1. A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; as, a pair or flight of stairs. "A pair of beads." Chaucer. Beau. & Fl. "Four pair of stairs." Macaulay. [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.]

2. Two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes.

3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen.

4. A married couple; a man and wife. "A happy pair." Dryden. "The hapless pair." Milton.

5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows.

6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote. [Parliamentary Cant]

7. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion.

Pairs are named in accordance with the kind of motion they permit; thus, a journal and its bearing form a turning pair, a cylinder and its piston a sliding pair, a screw and its nut a twisting pair, etc. Any pair in which the constraining contact is along lines or at points only (as a cam and roller acting together), is designated a higher pair; any pair having constraining surfaces which fit each other (as a cylindrical pin and eye, a screw and its nut, etc.), is called a lower pair.

Pair royal (pl. Pairs Royal) three things of a sort; -- used especially of playing cards in some games, as cribbage; as three kings, three "eight spots" etc. Four of a kind are called a double pair royal. "Something in his face gave me as much pleasure as a pair royal of naturals in my own hand." Goldsmith. "That great pair royal of adamantine sisters [the Fates]." Quarles. [Written corruptly parial and prial.]

Syn. -- Pair, Flight, Set. Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of equal things (pares), that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair (pack) of cards. A "pair of stairs" is still in popular use, as well as the later expression, "flight of stairs."

Pair, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pairing.] 1. To be joined in paris; to couple; to mate, as for breeding.

To pair off, to separate from a company in pairs or couples; specif. (Parliamentary Cant), to agree with one of the opposite party or opinion to abstain from voting on specified questions or issues. See Pair, n., 6.

Pair, v. t. 1. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, or which complement, or are adapted to one another.

2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions. [Parliamentary Cant]

Pair"ing, n. [See Pair, v. i.] 1. The act or process of uniting or arranging in pairs or couples.

||Pa`is (?), n. [OF. puïs, F. pays, country.] (O. E. Law) The country; the people of the neighborhood.

A trial per pais is a trial by the country, that is, by a jury; and matter in pais is matter triable by the country, or jury.

||Pa`i*sa"no (?), n. [Sp., of the country, &?;ative.] (Zoöl.) The chaparral cock.

Pal (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A mate; a partner; esp., an accomplice or confederate. [Slang]

Pal"ace (?), n. [OE. palais, F. palais, fr. L. palatium, fr. Palatium, one of the seven hills of Rome, &?; which Augustus had his residence. Cf. Paladin.]

1. The residence of a sovereign, including the lodgings of high officers of state, and rooms for business, as well as halls for ceremony and reception. Chaucer.

Palace car. See under Car. -- Palace court, a court having jurisdiction of personal actions arising within twelve miles of the palace at Whitehall. The court was abolished in 1849. [Eng.] Mozley & W.

Pal"a*din (?), n. [F., fr.It. paladino, fr. L. palatinus an officer of the palace. See Palatine.] A knight-errant; a distinguished champion; as, the paladins of Charlemagne. Sir W. Scott.

Pa`læ*og"ra*pher (?), n., Pa`læ*o*graph"ic (&?;), a., etc. See Paleographer, Paleographic, etc.

Pa"læ*o*type (?), n. [Palæo- + -type.] (Phon.) A system of representing all spoken sounds by means of the printing types in common use. Ellis. -- Pa`læ*o*typ"ic*al (#), a. -- Pa`læ*o*typ"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pa*læ`ti*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Palæo- + ætiology.] The science which explains, by the law of causation, the past condition and changes of the earth. -- Pa*læ`ti*o*log"ic*al (#), a.

||Pal"a*ma (?), n.; pl. Palamme (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the palm.] (Zoöl.) A membrane extending between the toes of a bird, and uniting them more or less closely together.

||Pal`a*me"de*æ (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An order, or suborder, including the kamichi, and allied South American birds; -- called also screamers. In many anatomical characters they are allied to the Anseres, but they externally resemble the wading birds.

||Pa*lan"ka (?), n. [Cf. It., Pg., & Sp. palanca, fr.L. palanga, phalanga a pole, Gr.&?; ] (Mil.) A camp permanently intrenched, attached to Turkish frontier fortresses.

Pal`an*quin" (?), n. [F. palanquin, Pg. palanquim, Javan. palangki, OJavan. palangkan, through Prakrit fr. Skr. parya&?;ka, palya&?;ka, bed, couch; pari around (akin to E. pref. peri-) + a&?;ka a hook, flank, probably akin to E. angle fishing tackle. Cf. Palkee.] An inclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the shoulders of men by means of two projecting poles, -- used in India, China, etc., for the conveyance of a single person from place to place. [Written also palankeen.]

Pa*lap"te*ryx (?), n. [Paleo- + apteryx.] (Paleon.) A large extinct ostrichlike bird of New Zealand.

Pal"a*ta*ble (?), a. [From Palate.] Agreeable to the palate or taste; savory; hence, acceptable; pleasing; as, palatable food; palatable advice.

Pal"a*ta*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being agreeable to the taste; relish; acceptableness.

Pal"a*tal (?), a. [Cf. F. palatal.] 1. Of or pertaining to the palate; palatine; as, the palatal bones.

2. (Phonetics) Uttered by the aid of the palate; -- said of certain sounds, as the sound of k in kirk.

Pal"a*tal, n. (Phon.) A sound uttered, or a letter pronounced, by the aid of the palate, as the letters k and y.

Pal"ate (?), n. [L. palatum: cf. F. palais, Of. also palat.] 1. (Anat.) The roof of the mouth.

The fixed portion, or palate proper, supported by the maxillary and palatine bones, is called the hard palate to distinguish it from the membranous and muscular curtain which separates the cavity of the mouth from the pharynx and is called the soft palate, or velum.

2. Relish; taste; liking; -- a sense originating in the mistaken notion that the palate is the organ of taste.

Pa*la"tial (?), a. [L. palatium palace. See Palace.] Of or pertaining to a palace; suitable for a palace; resembling a palace; royal; magnificent; as, palatial structures. "Palatial style." A. Drummond.

Pa*lat"i*nate (?), n. [F. palatinat. See Palatine.] The province or seigniory of a palatine; the dignity of a palatine. Howell.

Pal"a*tine (?), a. [F. palatin, L. palatinus, fr. palatium. See Palace, and cf. Paladin.] Of or pertaining to a palace, or to a high officer of a palace; hence, possessing royal privileges.

Count palatine, County palatine. See under Count, and County. -- Palatine hill, or The palatine, one of the seven hills of Rome, once occupied by the palace of the Cæsars. See Palace.

Pal"a*tine (?), n. 1. One invested with royal privileges and rights within his domains; a count palatine. See Count palatine, under 4th Count.

Palatine bones (Anat.), a pair of bones (often united in the adult) in the root of the mouth, back of and between the maxillaries.

Pal"a*tive (?), a. Pleasing to the taste; palatable. [Obs.] "Palative delights." Sir T. Browne.

Pal"a*tize (?), v. t. To modify, as the tones of the voice, by means of the palate; as, to palatize a letter or sound. -- Pal`a*ti*za"tion (#), n. J. Peile.

Pal"a*to- (?). [From Palate.] A combining form used in anatomy to indicate relation to, or connection with, the palate; as in palatolingual.

||Pal`a*to*na"res (?), n. pl. [NL. See Palato-, and Nares.] (Anat.) The posterior nares. See Nares.

Pal`a*top*ter"y*goid (?), a. [Palato- + pterygoid.] (Anat.) Pertaining to the palatine and pterygoid region of the skull; as, the palatopterygoid cartilage, or rod, from which the palatine and pterygoid bones are developed.

Pa*la"ver (?), n. [Sp. palabra, or Pg. palavra, fr. L. parabola a comparison, a parable, LL., a word. See Parable.]

1. Talk; conversation; esp., idle or beguiling talk; talk intended to deceive; flattery.

2. In Africa, a parley with the natives; a talk; hence, a public conference and deliberation; a debate.

Pa*la"ver, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Palavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palavering.] To make palaver with, or to; to used palaver;to talk idly or deceitfully; to employ flattery; to cajole; as, to palaver artfully.

Pale (?), a. [Compar. Paler (?); superl. Palest.] [F. pâle, fr. pâlir to turn pale, L. pallere to be o&?; look pale. Cf. Appall, Fallow, pall, v. i., Pallid.]

1. Wanting in color; not ruddy; dusky white; pallid; wan; as, a pale face; a pale red; a pale blue. "Pale as a forpined ghost." Chaucer.

2. Not bright or brilliant; of a faint luster or hue; dim; as, the pale light of the moon.

Pale is often used in the formation of self- explaining compounds; as, pale-colored, pale-eyed, pale-faced, pale-looking, etc.

Pale, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paling.] To turn pale; to lose color or luster. Whittier.

Pale, n. [F. pal, fr. L. palus: cf. D. paal. See Pol&?; a stake, and lst Pallet.] 1. A pointed stake or slat, either driven into the ground, or fastened to a rail at the top and bottom, for fencing or inclosing; a picket.

2. That which incloses or fences in; a boundary; a limit; a fence; a palisade. "Within one pale or hedge." Robynson (More's Utopia).

3. A space or field having bounds or limits; a limited region or place; an inclosure; -- often used figuratively. "To walk the studious cloister's pale." Milton. "Out of the pale of civilization." Macaulay.

5. (Her.) One of the greater ordinaries, being a broad perpendicular stripe in an escutcheon, equally distant from the two edges, and occupying one third of it.

English pale (Hist.), the limits or territory within which alone the English conquerors of Ireland held dominion for a long period after their invasion of the country in 1172. Spencer.

Pale, v. t. To inclose with pales, or as with pales; to encircle; to encompass; to fence off.

1. (Bot.) (a) The interior chaff or husk of grasses. (b) One of the chaffy scales or bractlets growing on the receptacle of many compound flowers, as the Coreopsis, the sunflower, etc.

2. (Zoöl.) A pendulous process of the skin on the throat of a bird, as in the turkey; a dewlap.

Pa`le*a"ceous (?), a. [L. palea chaff.] (Bot.) Chaffy; resembling or consisting of paleæ, or chaff; furnished with chaff; as, a paleaceous receptacle.

Pa`le*arc"tic (?), a. [Paleo- + arctic.] Belonging to a region of the earth's surface which includes all Europe to the Azores, Iceland, and all temperate Asia.

Paled (?), a. [See 5th Pale.] 1. Striped. [Obs.] "[Buskins] . . . paled part per part." Spenser.

||Pa`le*ëch`i*noi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Paleo-, and Echinoidea.] (Zoöl.) An extinct order of sea urchins found in the Paleozoic rocks. They had more than twenty vertical rows of plates. Called also Palæechini. [Written also Palæechinoidea.]

Pale"face` (?), n. A white person; -- an appellation supposed to have been applied to the whites by the American Indians. J. F. Cooper.

||Pa`le*ich"thy*es (?), n. pl. [NL. See Paleo-, and Ichthyology.] (Zoöl.) A comprehensive division of fishes which includes the elasmobranchs and ganoids. [Written also Palæichthyes.]

Pale"ly (?), adv. [From Pale, a.] In a pale manner; dimly; wanly; not freshly or ruddily. Thackeray.

Pal`em*pore" (?), n. A superior kind of dimity made in India, -- used for bed coverings. [Written also palampore, palampoor, etc.] De Colange.

Pale"ness (?), n. The quality or condition of being pale; want of freshness or ruddiness; a sickly whiteness; lack of color or luster; wanness.

Pa*len"que (?), n. pl. (Ethnol.) A collective name for the Indians of Nicaragua and Honduras.

Pa"le*o- (?). [Gr. &?;, adj.] A combining form meaning old, ancient; as, palearctic, paleontology, paleothere, paleography. [Written also palæo-.]

Pa`le*o*bot"a*ny (?), n. [Paleo- + botany.] That branch of paleontology which treats of fossil plants.

||Pa`le*o*car"ida (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ancient + &?;, &?;, &?;, a kind of crustacean.] (Zoöl.) Same as Merostomata. [Written also Palæocarida.]

||Pa`le*o*cri*noi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Paleo-, and Crinoidea.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of Crinoidea found chiefly in the Paleozoic rocks.

Pa`le*o*crys"tic (?), a. [Paleo- + Gr. &?; ice.] Of, pertaining to, or derived from, a former glacial formation.

Pa`le*o*gæ"an (?), a. [Paleo- + Gr. &?; the eart] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Eastern hemisphere. [Written also palæogæan.]

{ Pa`le*o*graph"ic (?), Pa`le*o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. paléographique.] Of or pertaining to paleography.

Pa`le*og"ra*phy, n. [Paleo- + -graphy: cf. F. paléographie.] 1. An ancient manner of writing; ancient writings, collectively; as, Punic paleography.

2. The study of ancient inscriptions and modes of writing; the art or science of deciphering ancient writings, and determining their origin, period, etc., from external characters; diplomatics.

||Pa*le"o*la (?), n.; pl. Paleolæ (#). [NL., dim. of L. palea.] (Bot.) A diminutive or secondary palea; a lodicule.

Pa"le*o*lith (?), n. [Paleo- + -lith.] (Geol.) A relic of the Paleolithic era.

Pa`le*o*lith"ic (?), a. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to an era marked by early stone implements. The Paleolithic era (as proposed by Lubbock) includes the earlier half of the "Stone Age;" the remains belonging to it are for the most part of extinct animals, with relics of human beings.

Pa`le*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Paleo- + -logy.] The study or knowledge of antiquities, esp. of prehistoric antiquities; a discourse or treatise on antiquities; archæology .

Pa`le*on`to*graph"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the description of fossil remains.

Pa`le*on*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Paleo- + Gr. &?; existing things + -graphy.] The description of fossil remains.

Pa`le*on`to*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to paleontology. -- Pa`le*on`to*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pa`le*on*tol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. paléontologiste.] One versed in paleontology.

Pa`le*on*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Paleo- + Gr. &?; existing things + -logy. Cf. Ontology.] The science which treats of the ancient life of the earth, or of fossils which are the remains of such life.

Pa`le*or`ni*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Paleo- + ornithology.] The branch of paleontology which treats of fossil birds.

Pa`le*o*sau"rus (?), n.[NL., fr. Gr. &?; ancient + &?; a lizard.] (Paleon.) A genus of fossil saurians found in the Permian formation.

Pa`le*o*tech"nic (?), a. [Paleo- + technic.] Belonging to, or connected with, ancient art. "The paleotechnic men of central France." D. Wilson.

Pa"le*o*there (?), n. [F. paléothère.] (Paleon.) Any species of Paleotherium.

Pa`le*o*the"ri*an (?), a. [F. paléothérien.] (Paleon.) Of or pertaining to Paleotherium.

||Pa`le*o*the"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ancient + &?; beast.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of herbivorous Tertiary mammals, once supposed to have resembled the tapir in form, but now known to have had a more slender form, with a long neck like that of a llama. [Written also Palæotherium.]

Pa`le*o*the"roid (?), [Paleothere + -oid.] (Paleon.) Resembling Paleotherium. -- n. An animal resembling, or allied to, the paleothere.

Pa"le*ous (?), a. [L. palea chaff.] Chaffy; like chaff; paleaceous. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pa`le*o*zo"ic (?), a. [Paleo- + Gr. &?; life, fr. &?; to live.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to, or designating, the older division of geological time during which life is known to have existed, including the Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous ages, and also to the life or rocks of those ages. See Chart of Geology.

Pa`le*o*zo*ö"o*gy (?), n. [Paleo- + zoölogy.] The science of extinct animals, a branch of paleontology.

Pa*les"tra (?), n.; pl. L. Palestræ (#), E. Palestras (#). [NL., fr. L. palaestra, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to wrestle.] [Written also palæstra.] (Antiq.) (a) A wrestling school; hence, a gymnasium, or place for athletic exercise in general. (b) A wrestling; the exercise of wrestling.

{ Pa*les"tri*an (?), Pa*les"tric (?), Pa*les"tric*al (?), } a. [L. palaestricus, Gr. &?;] Of or pertaining to the palestra, or to wrestling.

||Pal"e*tot (?), n. [F. paletot, OF. palletoc, prob. fr. L. palla (see Palla) + F. toque cap, and so lit., a frock with a cap or hood; cf. Sp. paletoque.] (a) An overcoat. Dickens. (b) A lady's outer garment, -- of varying fashion.

1. (Paint.) A thin, oval or square board, or tablet, with a thumb hole at one end for holding it, on which a painter lays and mixes his pigments. [Written also pallet.]

2. (Anc. Armor) One of the plates covering the points of junction at the bend of the shoulders and elbows. Fairholt.

Palette knife, a knife with a very flexible steel blade and no cutting edge, rounded at the end, used by painters to mix colors on the grinding slab or palette. -- To set the palette (Paint.), to lay upon it the required pigments in a certain order, according to the intended use of them in a picture. Fairholt.

Pale"wise` (?), adv. (Her.) In the manner of a pale or pales; by perpendicular lines or divisions; as, to divide an escutcheon palewise.

Pal"frey (?), n. [OE. palefrai, OF. palefrei, F. palefroi, LL. palafredus, parafredus, from L. paraveredus a horse for extraordinary occasions, an extra post horse; Gr. &?; along, beside + L. veredus a post horse.]

1. A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as distinguished from a war horse. Chaucer.

Pa"li (?), n. [Ceylonese, fr. Skr. pli row, line, series, applied to the series of Buddhist sacred texts.] A dialect descended from Sanskrit, and like that, a dead language, except when used as the sacred language of the Buddhist religion in Farther India, etc.

Pal`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. palus a stake + -ficare (in comp.) to make: cf. F. palification. See -fy.] The act or practice of driving piles or posts into the ground to make it firm. [R.] Sir H. Wotton.

Pa"li*form (?), a. (Zoöl.) Resembling a palus; as, the paliform lobes of the septa in corals.

Pa*lil"o*gy (?), n. [L. palilogia, Gr. &?;; &?; again + &?; to speak.] (Rhet.) The repetition of a word, or part of a sentence, for the sake of greater emphasis; as, "The living, the living, he shall praise thee." Is. xxxviii. 19.

Pal"imp*sest (?), n. [L. palimpsestus, Gr. &?; scratched or scraped again, &?; a palimpsest; &?; again + &?; to rub, rub away: cf. F. palimpseste.] A parchment which has been written upon twice, the first writing having been erased to make place for the second. Longfellow.

Pal"in*drome (?), n. [Gr. &?; running back again; &?; again + &?; to run: cf. F. palindrome.] A word, verse, or sentence, that is the same when read backward or forward; as, madam; Hannah; or Lewd did I live, & evil I did dwel.

{ Pal`in*drom"ic (?), Pal`in*drom"ic*al (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, or like, a palindrome.

Pal"ing (?), n. 1. Pales, in general; a fence formed with pales or pickets; a limit; an inclosure.

2. The act of placing pales or stripes on cloth; also, the stripes themselves. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Paling board, one of the slabs sawed from the sides of a log to fit it to be sawed into boards. [Eng.]

{ Pal`in*gen"e*sis (?), Pal`in*gen"e*sy (?), } n. [Gr. &?;; &?; again + &?; birth: cf. F. palingénésie. See Genesis.]

1. A new birth; a re-creation; a regeneration; a continued existence in different manner or form.

2. (Biol.) That form of evolution in which the truly ancestral characters conserved by heredity are reproduced in development; original simple descent; -- distinguished from kenogenesis. Sometimes, in zoölogy, the abrupt metamorphosis of insects, crustaceans, etc.

Pal`in*ge*net"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to palingenesis: as, a palingenetic process. - - Pal`in*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

Pal"i*node (?), n. [L. palinodia, from Gr. &?;; &?; again + &?; a song. See Ode.] 1. An ode recanting, or retracting, a former one; also, a repetition of an ode.

Pal`i*no"di*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a palinode, or retraction. J. Q. Adams.

Pal`inu"rus (?), n. [So called from L. Palinurus, the pilot of Æneas.] (Naut.) An instrument for obtaining directly, without calculation, the true bearing of the sun, and thence the variation of the compass

Pal`i*sade" (?), n. [F. palissade, cf. Sp. palizada, It. palizzata, palizzo, LL. palissata; all fr. L. palus a stake, pale. See Pale a stake.] 1. (Fort.) A strong, long stake, one end of which is set firmly in the ground, and the other is sharpened; also, a fence formed of such stakes set in the ground as a means of defense.

Palisade cells (Bot.), vertically elongated parenchyma cells, such as are seen beneath the epidermis of the upper surface of many leaves. -- Palisade worm (Zoöl.), a nematoid worm (Strongylus armatus), parasitic in the blood vessels of the horse, in which it produces aneurisms, often fatal.

Pal`i*sade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Palisaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Palisading.] [Cf. F. palissader.] To surround, inclose, or fortify, with palisades.

Pal`is*san"der (?), n. [F. palissandre.] (Bot.) (a) Violet wood. (b) Rosewood.

Pal"is*sy (?), a. Designating, or of the nature of, a kind of pottery made by Bernard Palissy, in France, in the 16th centry.

Palissy ware, glazed pottery like that made by Bernard Palissy; especially, that having figures of fishes, reptiles, etc., in high relief.

||Pal"kee (?), n. [Hind. plk; of the same origin as E. palanquin.] A palanquin. Malcom.

Pall, n. [OE. pal, AS. pæl, from L. pallium cover, cloak, mantle, pall; cf. L. palla robe, mantle.] 1. An outer garment; a cloak mantle.

2. A kind of rich stuff used for garments in the Middle Ages. [Obs.] Wyclif (Esther viii. 15).

4. (Her.) A figure resembling the Roman Catholic pallium, or pall, and having the form of the letter Y.

5. A large cloth, esp., a heavy black cloth, thrown over a coffin at a funeral; sometimes, also, over a tomb.

6. (Eccl.) A piece of cardboard, covered with linen and embroidered on one side; -- used to put over the chalice.

Pall, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Palled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palling.] [Either shortened fr. appall, or fr. F. pâlir to grow pale. Cf. Appall, Pale, a.] To become vapid, tasteless, dull, or insipid; to lose strength, life, spirit, or taste; as, the liquor palls.

Pall, v. t. 1. To make vapid or insipid; to make lifeless or spiritless; to dull; to weaken. Chaucer.

||Pal"la (?), n. [L. See Pall a cloak.] (Rom. Antuq.) An oblong rectangular piece of cloth, worn by Roman ladies, and fastened with brooches.

Pal*la"di*an (?), a. (Arch.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a variety of the revived classic style of architecture, founded on the works of Andrea Palladio, an Italian architect of the 16th century.

Pal*la"dic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, palladium; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with palladious compounds.

Pal*la"di*ous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, palladium; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which palladium has a lower valence as compared with palladic compounds.

1. (Gr. Antiq.) Any statue of the goddess Pallas; esp., the famous statue on the preservation of which depended the safety of ancient Troy.

2. Hence: That which affords effectual protection or security; a safeguard; as, the trial by jury is the palladium of our civil rights. Blackstone.

Pal*la"di*um, n. [NL.] (Chem.) A rare metallic element of the light platinum group, found native, and also alloyed with platinum and gold. It is a silver-white metal resembling platinum, and like it permanent and untarnished in the air, but is more easily fusible. It is unique in its power of occluding hydrogen, which it does to the extent of nearly a thousand volumes, forming the alloy Pd₂H. It is used for graduated circles and verniers, for plating certain silver goods, and somewhat in dentistry. It was so named in 1804 by Wollaston from the asteroid Pallas, which was discovered in 1802. Symbol Pd. Atomic weight, 106.2.

Pal*la"di*um*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Palladiumized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palladiumizing (?).] To cover or coat with palladium. [R.]

Pal"lah (?), n. (Zoöl.) A large South African antelope (Æpyceros melampus). The male has long lyrate and annulated horns. The general color is bay, with a black crescent on the croup. Called also roodebok.

Pal"las (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Gr. Myth.) Pallas Athene, the Grecian goddess of wisdom, called also Athene, and identified, at a later period, with the Roman Minerva.

Pall"bear*er (?), n. One of those who attend the coffin at a funeral; -- so called from the pall being formerly carried by them.

Pal"let (?), n. [OE. paillet, F. paillet a heap of straw, fr. paille straw, fr. L. palea chaff; cf. Gr. &?; fine meal, dust, Skr. pala straw, palva chaff. Cf. Paillasse.] A small and mean bed; a bed of straw. Milton.

Pal"let, n. [Dim. of pale. See Pale a stake.] (Her.) A perpendicular band upon an escutcheon, one half the breadth of the pale.

Pal"let, n. [F. palette: af. It. paletta; prop. and orig., a fire shovel, dim. of L. pala a shovel, spade. See Peel a shovel.] 1. (Paint.) Same as Palette.

2. (Pottery) (a) A wooden implement used by potters, crucible makers, etc., for forming, beating, and rounding their works. It is oval, round, and of other forms. (b) A potter's wheel.

3. (Gilding) (a) An instrument used to take up gold leaf from the pillow, and to apply it. (b) A tool for gilding the backs of books over the bands.

4. (Brickmaking) A board on which a newly molded brick is conveyed to the hack. Knight.

5. (Mach.) (a) A click or pawl for driving a ratchet wheel. (b) One of the series of disks or pistons in the chain pump. Knight.

6. (Horology) One of the pieces or levers connected with the pendulum of a clock, or the balance of a watch, which receive the immediate impulse of the scape-wheel, or balance wheel. Brande & C.

7. (Mus.) In the organ, a valve between the wind chest and the mouth of a pipe or row of pipes.

8. (Zoöl.) One of a pair of shelly plates that protect the siphon tubes of certain bivalves, as the Teredo. See Illust. of Teredo.

Pal"li*al (?), a. [L. pallium a mantle. See Pall.] (Zoöl.) Of or pretaining to a mantle, especially to the mantle of mollusks; produced by the mantle; as, the pallial line, or impression, which marks the attachment of the mantle on the inner surface of a bivalve shell. See Illust. of Bivalve.

Pallial chamber (Zoöl.), the cavity inclosed by the mantle. -- Pallial sinus (Zoöl.), an inward bending of the pallial line, near the posterior end of certain bivalve shells, to receive the siphon. See Illust. of Bivalve.

Pal"li*a*ment (?), n. [LL. palliare to clothe, fr. L. pallium a manltle. See Pall the garment.] A dress; a robe. [Obs.] Shak.

Pal"liard (?), n. [F. paillard, orig., one addicted to the couch, fr. paille straw. See Pallet a small bed.]

Pal"li*ate (?), a. [L. palliatus, fr. pallium a cloak. See Pall the garment.] 1. Covered with a mant&?;e; cloaked; disguised. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pal"li*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Palliated(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palliating(?).] 1. To cover with a mantle or cloak; to cover up; to hide. [Obs.]

2. To cover with excuses; to conceal the enormity of, by excuses and apologies; to extenuate; as, to palliate faults.

3. To reduce in violence; to lessen or abate; to mitigate; to ease withhout curing; as, to palliate a disease.

Syn. -- To cover; cloak; hide; extenuate; conceal. -- To Palliate, Extenuate, Cloak. These words, as here compared, are used in a figurative sense in reference to our treatment of wrong action. We cloak in order to conceal completely. We extenuate a crime when we endeavor to show that it is less than has been supposed; we palliate a crime when we endeavor to cover or conceal its enormity, at least in part. This naturally leads us to soften some of its features, and thus palliate approaches extenuate till they have become nearly or quite identical. "To palliate is not now used, though it once was, in the sense of wholly cloaking or covering over, as it might be, our sins, but in that of extenuating; to palliate our faults is not to hide them altogether, but to seek to diminish their guilt in part." Trench.

Pal`li*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. palliation.] 1. The act of palliating, or state of being palliated; extenuation; excuse; as, the palliation of faults, offenses, vices.

3. That which cloaks or covers; disguise; also, the state of being covered or disguised. [Obs.]

Pal"li*a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. palliatif.] Serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate.

Pal"lid (?), a. [L. pallidus, fr. pallere to be or look pale. See pale, a.] Deficient in color; pale; wan; as, a pallid countenance; pallid blue. Spenser.

Pal"lid*ness, n. The quality or state of being pallid; paleness; pallor; wanness.

Pal`li*o*bran"chi*ate (?), a. [See Pallium, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) Having the pallium, or mantle, acting as a gill, as in brachiopods.

||Pal"li*um (?), n.; pl. L. Pallia(&?;), E. Palliums (#). [L. See Pall the garment.] 1. (Anc. Costume) A large, square, woolen cloak which enveloped the whole person, worn by the Greeks and by certain Romans. It is the Roman name of a Greek garment.

2. (R.C.Ch.) A band of white wool, worn on the shoulders, with four purple crosses worked on it; a pall.

The wool is obtained from two lambs brought to the basilica of St. Agnes, Rome, and blessed. It is worn by the pope, and sent to patriarchs, primates, and archbishops, as a sign that they share in the plenitude of the episcopal office. Befoer it is sent, the pallium is laid on the tomb of St. Peter, where it remains all night.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) The mantle of a bivalve. See Mantle. (b) The mantle of a bird.

Pall`-mall" (?), n. [OF. palemail, It. pallamagio; palla a ball (of German origin, akin to E. ball) + magio hammer, fr. L. malleus. See lst Ball, and Mall a beetle.] A game formerly common in England, in which a wooden ball was driven with a mallet through an elevated hoop or ring of iron. The name was also given to the mallet used, to the place where the game was played, and to the street, in London, still called Pall Mall. [Written also pail-mail and pell-mell.] Sir K. Digby. Evelyn.

Pal*lo"ne (?), n. [It., a large ball, fr. palla ball. See Balloon.] An Italian game, played with a large leather ball.

Pal"lor (?), n. [L., fr. pallere to be or look pale. See Pale, a.] Paleness; want of color; pallidity; as, pallor of the complexion. Jer. Taylor.

Palm (?), n. [OE. paume, F. paume, L. palma, Gr. &?;, akin to Skr. pni hand, and E. fumble. See Fumble, Feel, and cf. 2d Palm.] 1. (Anat.) The inner and somewhat concave part of the hand between the bases of the fingers and the wrist.

2. A lineal measure equal either to the breadth of the hand or to its length from the wrist to the ends of the fingers; a hand; -- used in measuring a horse's height.

In Greece, the palm was reckoned at three inches. The Romans adopted two measures of this name, the lesser palm of 2.91 inches, and the greater palm of 8.73 inches. At the present day, this measure varies in the most arbitrary manner, being different in each country, and occasionally varying in the same. Internat. Cyc.

3. (Sailmaking) A metallic disk, attached to a strap, and worn the palm of the hand, -- used to push the needle through the canvas, in sewing sails, etc.

4. (Zoöl.) The broad flattened part of an antler, as of a full-grown fallow deer; -- so called as resembling the palm of the hand with its protruding fingers.

Palm, n. [AS. palm, L. palma; -- so named fr. the leaf resembling a hand. See lst Palm, and cf. Pam.]

1. (Bot.) Any endogenous tree of the order Palmæ or Palmaceæ; a palm tree.

Palms are perennial woody plants, often of majestic size. The trunk is usually erect and rarely branched, and has a roughened exterior composed of the persistent bases of the leaf stalks. The leaves are borne in a terminal crown, and are supported on stout, sheathing, often prickly, petioles. They are usually of great size, and are either pinnately or palmately many-cleft. There are about one thousand species known, nearly all of them growing in tropical or semitropical regions. The wood, petioles, leaves, sap, and fruit of many species are invaluable in the arts and in domestic economy. Among the best known are the date palm, the cocoa palm, the fan palm, the oil palm, the wax palm, the palmyra, and the various kinds called cabbage palm and palmetto.

2. A branch or leaf of the palm, anciently borne or worn as a symbol of victory or rejoicing.

3. Hence: Any symbol or token of superiority, success, or triumph; also, victory; triumph; supremacy. "The palm of martyrdom." Chaucer.

Molucca palm (Bot.), a labiate herb from Asia (Molucella lævis), having a curious cup-shaped calyx. -- Palm cabbage, the terminal bud of a cabbage palm, used as food. -- Palm cat (Zoöl.), the common paradoxure. -- Palm crab (Zoöl.), the purse crab. -- Palm oil, a vegetable oil, obtained from the fruit of several species of palms, as the African oil palm (Elæis Guineensis), and used in the manufacture of soap and candles. See Elæis. -- Palm swift (Zoöl.), a small swift (Cypselus Batassiensis) which frequents the palmyra and cocoanut palms in India. Its peculiar nest is attached to the leaf of the palmyra palm. -- Palm toddy. Same as Palm wine. -- Palm weevil (Zoöl.), any one of mumerous species of very large weevils of the genus Rhynchophorus. The larvæ bore into palm trees, and are called palm borers, and grugru worms. They are considered excellent food. -- Palm wine, the sap of several species of palms, especially, in India, of the wild date palm (Phœnix sylvestrix), the palmyra, and the Caryota urens. When fermented it yields by distillation arrack, and by evaporation jaggery. Called also palm toddy. -- Palm worm, or Palmworm. (Zoöl.) (a) The larva of a palm weevil. (b) A centipede.

Palm (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Palmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palming.] 1. To handle. [Obs.] Prior.

3. To impose by fraud, as by sleight of hand; to put by unfair means; -- usually with off.

Pal*ma"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to palms; of the nature of, or resembling, palms.

||Pal"ma Chris"ti (?). [L., palm of Christ.] (Bot.) A plant (Ricinus communis) with ornamental peltate and palmately cleft foliage, growing as a woody perennial in the tropics, and cultivated as an herbaceous annual in temperate regions; -- called also castor-oil plant. [Sometimes corrupted into palmcrist.]

Pal"mar (?), a. [L. palmaris, fr. palma the palm of the hand: cf. F. palmaire.] 1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or corresponding with, the palm of the hand.

||Pal*ma"ri*um (?), n.; pl. Palmaria (#). [NL. See Palmar.] (Zoöl.) One of the bifurcations of the brachial plates of a crinoid.

Pal"ma*ry, a. [L. palmarius, palmaris, belonging to palms, deserving the palm or prize, fr. palma a palm.] Worthy of the palm; palmy; preëminent; superior; principal; chief; as, palmary work. Br. Horne.

{ Pal"mate (?), Pal"ma*ted (?), } a. [L. palmatus marked with the palm of a hand, from palma the palm of the hand.]

2. (Bot.) Spreading from the apex of a petiole, as the divisions of a leaf, or leaflets, so as to resemble the hand with outspread fingers. Gray.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) Having the anterior toes united by a web, as in most swimming birds; webbed. See Illust. (i) under Aves. (b) Having the distal portion broad, flat, and more or less divided into lobes; -- said of certain corals, antlers, etc.

Pal*mat"i*fid (?), a. [L. palmatus palmate + root of findere to split.] (Bot.) Palmate, with the divisions separated but little more than halfway to the common center.

Pal*mat"i*lobed (?), a. [L. palmatus palmate + E. lobed.] (Bot.) Palmate, with the divisions separated less than halfway to the common center.

{ Pal*mat"i*sect (?), Pal*mat`i*sect"ed (?), } a. [L. palmatus palmate + secare to cut.] (Bot.) Divided, as a palmate leaf, down to the midrib, so that the parenchyma is interrupted.

Palm"crist (?), n. The palma Christi. (Jonah iv. 6, margin, and Douay version, note.)

Palmed deer (Zoöl.), a stag of full growth, bearing palms. See lst Palm, 4.

Palm"er (?), n. [From Palm, v. t.] One who palms or cheats, as at cards or dice.

Palm"er, n.[From Palm the tree.] A wandering religious votary; especially, one who bore a branch of palm as a token that he had visited the Holy Land and its sacred places. Chaucer.

2. (Angling) Short for Palmer fly, an artificial fly made to imitate a hairy caterpillar; a hackle.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Palm"er*worm` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any hairy caterpillar which appears in great numbers, devouring herbage, and wandering about like a palmer. The name is applied also to other voracious insects. Joel. i. 4. (b) In America, the larva of any one of several moths, which destroys the foliage of fruit and forest trees, esp. the larva of Ypsolophus pometellus, which sometimes appears in vast numbers.

Pal*mette" (?), n. [F., dim. of palme a palm.] A floral ornament, common in Greek and other ancient architecture; -- often called the honeysuckle ornament.

Pal*met"to (?), n. [Dim. of palm the tree: cf. Sp. palmito.] (Bot.) A name given to palms of several genera and species growing in the West Indies and the Southern United States. In the United States, the name is applied especially to the Chamærops, or Sabal, Palmetto, the cabbage tree of Florida and the Carolinas. See Cabbage tree, under Cabbage.

Royal palmetto, the West Indian Sabal umbraculifera, the trunk of which, when hollowed, is used for water pipes, etc. The leaves are used for thatching, and for making hats, ropes, etc. -- Saw palmetto, Sabal serrulata, a native of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. The nearly impassable jungle which it forms is called palmetto scrub.

Pal"mic (?), a. [Cf. F. palmique.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi); -- formerly used to designate an acid now called ricinoleic acid. [Obsoles.]

||Pal`mi*dac"ty*les (?), n. pl. [NL. See Palm, and Dactyl.] (Zoöl.) A group of wading birds having the toes webbed, as the avocet.

Pal*mif"er*ous (?), a.[L. palmifer; palma a palm + ferre to bear: cf. F. palmifère.] Bearing palms.

Pal"mi*grade (?), a. [L. palma palm of the hand + gradi to walk.] (Zoöl.) Putting the whole foot upon the ground in walking, as some mammals.

Pal"min (?), n. [From palma Christi: cf. F. palmine.] (Chem.) (a) A white waxy or fatty substance obtained from castor oil. (b) Ricinolein. [Obs.]

Pal"mi*ped (?), a.[L. palmipes, -edis, broad-footed; palma the palm of the hand + pes a foot; cf. F. palmipède.] (Zoöl.) Web-footed, as a water fowl. -- n. A swimming bird; a bird having webbed feet.

Pal"mis*ter (?), n. [From Palm of the hand.] One who practices palmistry Bp. Hall.

Pal`mis*try (?), n.[See Palmister.] 1. The art or practice of divining or telling fortunes, or of judging of character, by the lines and marks in the palm of the hand; chiromancy. Ascham. Cowper.

Pal"mite (?), n. [From Palm.] (Bot.) A South African plant (Prionium Palmita) of the Rush family, having long serrated leaves. The stems have been used for making brushes.

Pal*mit"ic (?), a. (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, palmitin or palm oil; as, palmitic acid, a white crystalline body belonging to the fatty acid series. It is readily soluble in hot alcohol, and melts to a liquid oil at 62° C.

Pal"mi*tin (?), n. [So called because abundant in palm oil.] (Physiol. Chem.) A solid crystallizable fat, found abundantly in animals and in vegetables. It occurs mixed with stearin and olein in the fat of animal tissues, with olein and butyrin in butter, with olein in olive oil, etc. Chemically, it is a glyceride of palmitic acid, three molecules of palmitic acid being united to one molecule of glyceryl, and hence it is technically called tripalmitin, or glyceryl tripalmitate.

Pal`mi*tol"ic (?), a. [Palmitic + -oleic + ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an artificial acid of the oleic acid series, isomeric with linoleic acid.

Palm" Sun`day (?). (Eccl.) The Sunday next before Easter; -- so called in commemoration of our Savior's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the multitude strewed palm branches in the way.

Palm"y (?), a. 1. Bearing palms; abounding in palms; derived from palms; as, a palmy shore. Pope.

Pal*my"ra (?), n. (Bot.) A species of palm (Borassus flabelliformis) having a straight, black, upright trunk, with palmate leaves. It is found native along the entire northern shores of the Indian Ocean, from the mouth of the Tigris to New Guinea. More than eight hundred uses to which it is put are enumerated by native writers. Its wood is largely used for building purposes; its fruit and roots serve for food, its sap for making toddy, and its leaves for thatching huts.

Pa*lo"la (?), n. [Fr. the native name.] (Zoöl.) An annelid (Palola viridis) which, at certain seasons of the year, swarms at the surface of the sea about some of the Pacific Islands, where it is collected for food.

Palp, v. t. [L. palpare: cf. F. palper.] To have a distinct touch or feeling of; to feel. [Obs.]

Pal`pa*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being palpable, or perceptible by the touch. Arbuthnot.

Pal"pa*ble (?), a. [F. palpable, L. palpabilis, fr. palpare to feel, stroke; cf. palpus the soft palm of the hand.] 1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form. Shak.

2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors. "Three persons palpable." P. Plowman.

Pal*pa"tion (?), n. [L. palpatio, fr. palpare. See Palpable.] 1. Act of touching or feeling.

||Pal*pa"tor (?), n. [L., a stroker.] (Zoöl.) One of a family of clavicorn beetles, including those which have very long maxillary palpi.

Pal"pe*bral (?), a. [L. palpebralis, fr. palpebra: cf. F. palpébral.] Of or pertaining to the eyelids.

Pal"pi*corn (?), n. [See Palpus, and Cornu.] (Zoöl.) One of a group of aquatic beetles (Palpicornia) having short club-shaped antennæ, and long maxillary palpi.

Pal"pi*fer (?), n. [Palpus + L. ferre to bear.] (Zoöl.) Same as Palpiger.

Pal"pi*form (?), a. [Palpus + -form: cf. F. palpiforme.] (Zoöl.) Having the form of a palpus.

Pal"pi*ger (?), n. [See Palpigerous.] (Zoöl.) That portion of the labium which bears the palpi in insects.

Pal*pig"er*ous (?), a. [Palpus + -gerous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing a palpus. Kirby.

Pal"pi*tant (?), a. [L. palpitans, p. pr.] Palpitating; throbbing; trembling. Carlyle.

Pal"pi*tate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Palpitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palpitating(?).] [L. palpitare, palpitatum, v. intens. fr. pappare. See Palpable.] To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to flutter; -- said specifically of the heart when its action is abnormal, as from excitement.

Pal`pi*ta"tion (?), n. [L. palpitatio: cf. F. palpitation.] A rapid pulsation; a throbbing; esp., an abnormal, rapid beating of the heart as when excited by violent exertion, strong emotion, or by disease.

Pal"po*cil (?), n. [See Palpus, and Cilium.] (Zoöl.) A minute soft filamentary process springing from the surface of certain hydroids and sponges.

||Pal"pus (?), n.; pl. Palpi (#). [NL. See Palp.] (Zoöl.) A feeler; especially, one of the jointed sense organs attached to the mouth organs of insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and annelids; as, the mandibular palpi, maxillary palpi, and labial palpi. The palpi of male spiders serve as sexual organs. Called also palp. See Illust. of Arthrogastra and Orthoptera.

Pals"grave` (?), n. [D. paltsgraaf; palts palace (l. palatium) + graaf count; cf. G. pfalzgraf. See Palace, and Landgrave.] (Ger. Hist.) A count or earl who presided in the domestic court, and had the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany.

Pals"gra*vine` (?), n.[D. paltsgravin: cf. G. pfalzgrafin.] The consort or widow of a palsgrave.

Pal"si*cal (?), a.[From Palsy.] Affected with palsy; palsied; paralytic. [R.] Johnson.

Pal"stave` (?), n. [Dan. paalstav.] A peculiar bronze adz, used in prehistoric Europe about the middle of the bronze age. Dawkins.

Pal"sy (?), n.; pl. Palsies (#). [OE. palesie, parlesy, OF. paralesie, F. paralysie, L. paralysis. See Paralysis.] (Med.) Paralysis, complete or partial. See Paralysis. "One sick of the palsy." Mark ii. 3.

Bell's palsy, paralysis of the facial nerve, producing distortion of one side of the face; -- so called from Sir Charles Bell, an English surgeon who described it. -- Scrivener's palsy. See Writer's cramp, under Writer. -- Shaking palsy, paralysis agitans, a disease usually occurring in old people, characterized by muscular tremors and a peculiar shaking and tottering gait.

Pal"sy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Palsied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Palsying.] To affect with palsy, or as with palsy; to deprive of action or energy; to paralyze.

Pal"sy*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) The cowslip (Primula veris); -- so called from its supposed remedial powers. Dr. Prior.

Pal"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paltered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paltering.] [See Paltry.] 1. To haggle. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

2. To act in insincere or deceitful manner; to play false; to equivocate; to shift; to dodge; to trifle.

Pal"ter, v. t. To trifle with; to waste; to squander in paltry ways or on worthless things. [Obs.] "Palter out your time in the penal statutes." Beau. & Fl.

Pal"ter*ly, a. & adv. Paltry; shabby; shabbily; paltrily. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "In palterly clothes." Pepys.

Pal"tock (?), n. [See Paletot.] A kind of doublet; a jacket. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Pal"try (?), a. [Compar. Paltrier (&?;); superl. Paltriest.] [Cf. Prov. E. paltry refuse, rubbish, LG. paltering ragged, palte, palter, a rag, a tatter, Dan. pialt, Sw. palta, pl. paltor.] Mean; vile; worthless; despicable; contemptible; pitiful; trifling; as, a paltry excuse; paltry gold. Cowper.

Pa*lu"dal (?), a. [L. palus, - udis, a marsh.] Of or pertaining to marshes or fens; marshy. [R.]

Paludal fever, malarial fever; -- so called because generated in marshy districts.

||Pa*lu`da*men*tum (?), n.; pl. Paladumenta (&?;). (Rom. Antiq.) A military cloak worn by a general and his principal officers.

||Pal`u*dic"o*læ (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. palus, -udis, a marsh + colere to inhabit.] (Zoöl.) A division of birds, including the cranes, rails, etc.

Pa*lu"di*cole (?), a. [Cf. F. paludicole.] (Zoöl.) Marsh-inhabiting; belonging to the Paludicolæ

||Pal`u*di"na (?), n.; pl. L. Paludinæ (#), E. Paludinas (#). [NL., fr. L. palus, -udis, a marsh, pool.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of freshwater pectinibranchiate mollusks, belonging to Paludina, Melantho, and allied genera. They have an operculated shell which is usually green, often with brown bands. See Illust. of Pond snail, under Pond.

Pal"u*dine (?), a. [L. palus, -udis, a marsh.] Of or pertaining to a marsh. Buckland.

Pa*lu"di*nous (?), a. 1. (Zoöl.) (a) Paludinal. (b) Like or pertaining to the genus Paludina.

Pa*lu"dism (?), n. (Med.) The morbid phenomena produced by dwelling among marshes; malarial disease or disposition.

Pal"u*dose` (?), a.[L. paludosus marshy.] Growing or living in marshy places; marshy.

||Pal"u*lus (?), n.; pl. Paluli (#). [NL., dim. of L. palus a stake.] (Zoöl.) Same as Palus.

||Pa"lus (?), n.; pl. Pali (#). [L., a stake.] (Zoöl.) One of several upright slender calcareous processes which surround the central part of the calicle of certain corals.

Pa*lus"tral (?), a. [L. paluster, -ustris.] Of or pertaining to a bog or marsh; boggy. [R.]

Pal"y (?), a. [From Pale, a.] Pale; wanting color; dim. [Poetic] Shak. Whittier.

Pal"y, a. [Cf. F. palé. See Pale a stake.] (Her.) Divided into four or more equal parts by perpendicular lines, and of two different tinctures disposed alternately.

Pam (?), n. [From Palm victory; cf. trump, fr. triumph.] The knave of clubs. [Obs.] Pope.

Pam"pas (?), n. pl. [Sp., fr. Peruv. pampa a field, plain.] Vast plains in the central and southern part of the Argentine Republic in South America. The term is sometimes used in a wider sense for the plains extending from Bolivia to Southern Patagonia.

Pampas cat (Zoöl.), a South American wild cat (Felis pajeros). It has oblique transverse bands of yellow or brown. It is about three and a half feet long. Called also straw cat. -- Pampas deer (Zoöl.), a small, reddish-brown, South American deer (Cervus, or Blastocerus, campestris). -- Pampas grass (Bot.), a very tall ornamental grass (Gynerium argenteum) with a silvery-white silky panicle. It is a native of the pampas of South America.

Pam"per (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pampered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pampering.] [Cf. LG. pampen, slampampen, to live luxuriously, pampe thick pap, and E. pap.]

1. To feed to the full; to feed luxuriously; to glut; as, to pamper the body or the appetite. "A body . . . pampered for corruption." Dr. T. Dwight.

2. To gratify inordinately; to indulge to excess; as, to pamper pride; to pamper the imagination. South.

Pam"pered (?), a. Fed luxuriously; indulged to the full; hence, luxuriant. "Pampered boughs." Milton. "Pampered insolence." Pope. -- Pam"pered*ness, n. Bp. Hall.

||Pam*pe"ro (?), n.[Sp., fr. pampa a plain.] A violent wind from the west or southwest, which sweeps over the pampas of South America and the adjacent seas, often doing great damage. Sir W. Parish.

Pam*pe"ros (?), n. pl.; sing. Pampero (&?;). [Sp. American.] (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians inhabiting the pampas of South America.

Pam"phlet (?), n. [OE. pamflet, pamfilet, paunflet, possibly fr. OF. palme the palm of the hand, F. paume (see Palm) + OF. fueillet a leaf, dim. of fueil, m., F. feuille, f., fr. L. folium, pl. folia, thus meaning, a leaf to be held in the hand; or perh. through old French, fr. L. Pamphila, a female historian of the first century who wrote many epitomes; prob., however, fr. OF. Pamflette, the Old French name given to Pamphilus, a poem in Latin verse of the 12th century, pamphlets being named from the popularity of this poem.] 1. A writing; a book. Testament of love.

2. A small book consisting of a few sheets of printed paper, stitched together, often with a paper cover, but not bound; a short essay or written discussion, usually on a subject of current interest.

Pam*pin"i*form (?), a. [L. pampinus a tendril + -form.] (Anat.) In the form of tendrils; -- applied especially to the spermatic and ovarian veins.

Pam"pre (?), n. [F. pampre a vine branch, L. pampinus.] (Sculp.) An ornament, composed of vine leaves and bunches of grapes, used for decorating spiral columns.

Pam`pro*dac"tyl*ous (?), a. [Pan- + Gr. &?; forward + &?; finger.] (Zoöl.) Having all the toes turned forward, as the colies.

{ Pan- (?), Pan"ta- (?), Pan"to- (?) }. [Gr. &?;, m., &?;,neut., gen. &?;, all.] Combining forms signifying all, every; as, panorama, pantheism, pantagraph, pantograph. Pan- becomes pam- before b or p, as pamprodactylous.

2. (Fort.) The distance comprised between the angle of the epaule and the flanked angle.

Pan, v. t. & i. [Cf. F. pan skirt, lappet, L. pannus a cloth, rag, W. panu to fur, to full.] To join or fit together; to unite. [Obs.] Halliwell.

Pan (?), n. [Hind. pn, Skr. parna leaf.] The betel leaf; also, the masticatory made of the betel leaf, etc. See &?;etel.

||Pan (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Myth.) The god of shepherds, guardian of bees, and patron of fishing and hunting. He is usually represented as having the head and trunk of a man, with the legs, horns, and tail of a goat, and as playing on the shepherd's pipe, which he is said to have invented.

Pan, n. [OE. panne, AS. panne; cf. D. pan, G. pfanne, OHG. pfanna, Icel., Sw., LL., & Ir. panna, of uncertain origin; cf. L. patina, E. paten.] 1. A shallow, open dish or vessel, usually of metal, employed for many domestic uses, as for setting milk for cream, for frying or baking food, etc.; also employed for various uses in manufacturing. "A bowl or a pan." Chaucer.

2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See Vacuum pan, under Vacuum.

4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain; the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium. Chaucer.

6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See Hard pan, under Hard.

Flash in the pan. See under Flash. -- To savor of the pan, to suggest the process of cooking or burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical. Ridley. Southey.

Pan, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Panned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Panning.] (Mining) To separate, as gold, from dirt or sand, by washing in a kind of pan. [U. S.]

Pan, v. i. 1. (Mining) To yield gold in, or as in, the process of panning; -- usually with out; as, the gravel panned out richly.

2. To turn out (profitably or unprofitably); to result; to develop; as, the investigation, or the speculation, panned out poorly. [Slang, U. S.]

Pan"a*base (?), n. [Pan- + base. So called in allusion to the number of metals contained in it.] (Min.) Same as Tetrahedrite.

Pan`a*ce"a (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; all-healing; &?;, &?;, all + &?; to heal.]

1. A remedy for all diseases; a universal medicine; a cure-all; catholicon; hence, a relief or solace for affliction.

Pan`a*ce"an (?), a. Having the properties of a panacea. [R.] "Panacean dews." Whitehead.

Pa*nache" (?), n. [F., fr. L. penna a feather. See Pen a feather.] A plume or bunch of feathers, esp. such a bunch worn on the helmet; any military plume, or ornamental group of feathers.

{ Pa*na"da (?), Pa*nade" (?), } n. [Sp. panada, fr. L. panis bread: cf. F. panade. See Pantry.] Bread boiled in water to the consistence of pulp, and sweetened or flavored. [Written also panado.]

Pan`a*ma" hat` (?). A fine plaited hat, made in Central America of the young leaves of a plant (Carludovica palmata).

Pan`-A*mer"i*can (?), a. [See Pan- .] Of or pertaining to both North and South America.

Pan`-An"gli*can (?), a. [Pan- + Anglican.] (Eccl.) Belonging to, or representing, the whole Church of England; used less strictly, to include the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States; as, the Pan- Anglican Conference at Lambeth, in 1888.

Pan"a*ry (?), a. [L. panis bread.] Of or pertaining to bread or to breadmaking.

Pan"cake` (?), n. A thin cake of batter fried in a pan or on a griddle; a griddlecake; a flapjack. "A pancake for Shrove Tuesday." Shak.

Pan"carte` (?), n. [F., fr. LL. pancharta. See Pan-, and Carte.] A royal charter confirming to a subject all his possessions. [Obs.] Holinshed.

Panch"way (?), n. [Hind. pan&?;oi.] (Naut.) A Bengalese four-oared boat for passengers. [Written also panshway and paunchwas.] Malcom.

Pan*crat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; all- powerful.] (Opt.) Having all or many degrees of power; having a great range of power; -- said of an eyepiece made adjustable so as to give a varying magnifying power.

{ Pan*crat"ic (?), Pan*crat"ic*al (?), } a. [See Pancratium.] Of or pertaining to the pancratium; athletic. Sir T. Browne

||Pan*cra"ti*um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a complete contest, fr. &?; all-powerful; &?;, &?;, all + &?; strength.]

2. (Bot.) A genus of Old World amaryllideous bulbous plants, having a funnel-shaped perianth with six narrow spreading lobes. The American species are now placed in the related genus Hymenocallis.

Pan"cre*as (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, all + &?; flesh, meat: cf. F. pancréas.] (Anat.) The sweetbread, a gland connected with the intestine of nearly all vertebrates. It is usually elongated and light-colored, and its secretion, called the pancreatic juice, is discharged, often together with the bile, into the upper part of the intestines, and is a powerful aid in digestion. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus.

Pan`cre*at"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pancréatique.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pancreas; as, the pancreatic secretion, digestion, ferments.

Pancreatic juice (Physiol.), a colorless alkaline fluid secreted intermittently by the pancreatic gland. It is one of the most important of the digestive fluids, containing at least three distinct ferments, trypsin, steapsin and an amylolytic ferment, by which it acts upon all three classes of food stuffs. See Pancreas.

Pan"cre*a*tin (?), n. [See Pancreas.] (Physiol. Chem.) One of the digestive ferments of the pancreatic juice; also, a preparation containing such a ferment, made from the pancreas of animals, and used in medicine as an aid to digestion.

By some the term pancreatin is restricted to the amylolytic ferment of the pancreatic juice, by others it is applied to trypsin, and by still others to steapsin.

Pan"da (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small Asiatic mammal (Ailurus fulgens) having fine soft fur. It is related to the bears, and inhabits the mountains of Northern India.

||Pan*da"nus (?), n. [NL., fr. Malay pandan.] (Bot.) A genus of endogenous plants. See Screw pine.

Pandean pipes, a primitive wind instrument, consisting of a series of short hollow reeds or pipes, graduated in length by the musical scale, and fastened together side by side; a syrinx; a mouth organ; -- said to have been invented by Pan. Called also Pan's pipes and Panpipes.

Pan"dect (?), n. [L. pandecta, pandectes, Gr. &?; all-receiving, all-containing; &?;, &?;, all + &?; to receive: cf. F. pandectes, pl.] 1. A treatise which comprehends the whole of any science.

2. pl. The digest, or abridgment, in fifty books, of the decisions, writings, and opinions of the old Roman jurists, made in the sixth century by direction of the emperor Justinian, and forming the leading compilation of the Roman civil law. Kent.

Pan*dem"ic (?), a. [L. pandemus, Gr. &?;, &?;; &?;, &?;, all + &?; the people: cf. F. pandémique.] Affecting a whole people or a number of countries; everywhere epidemic. -- n. A pandemic disease. Harvey.

Pan`de*mo"ni*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;, &?;, all + &?; a demon.] 1. The great hall or council chamber of demons or evil spirits. Milton.

Pan"der (?), n. [From Pandarus, a leader in the Trojan army, who is represented by Chaucer and Shakespeare as having procured for Troilus the possession of Cressida.]

Pan"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pandered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pandering.] To play the pander for.

Pan"der*ly, a. Having the quality of a pander. "O, you panderly rascals." Shak.

Pan*der"mite (?), n. [From Panderma, a port on the Black Sea from which it is exported.] (Min.) A hydrous borate of lime, near priceite.

Pan*dic`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. pandiculari to stretch one's self, fr. pandere to spread out.] A stretching and stiffening of the trunk and extremities, as when fatigued and drowsy.

Pan*do"ra (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. Pandw`ra; pa^s, pa^n, all + dw^ron a gift.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A beautiful woman (all-gifted), whom Jupiter caused Vulcan to make out of clay in order to punish the human race, because Prometheus had stolen the fire from heaven. Jupiter gave Pandora a box containing all human ills, which, when the box was opened, escaped and spread over the earth. Hope alone remained in the box. Another version makes the box contain all the blessings of the gods, which were lost to men when Pandora opened it.

2. (Zoöl.) A genus of marine bivalves, in which one valve is flat, the other convex.

Pan"dore (?), n. [F. See Bandore.] An ancient musical instrument, of the lute kind; a bandore. [Written also pandoran.]

Pan"dour (?), n. One of a class of Hungarian mountaineers serving in the Austrian army; -- so called from Pandur, a principal town in the region from which they originally came. [Written also pandoor.]

Pan*dow"dy (?), n. A deep pie or pudding made of baked apples, or of sliced bread and apples baked together, with no bottom crust.

{ Pan"du*rate, Pan*du"ri*form (?), } a. [L. pandura a pandore + -form: cf. F. panduriforme.] Obovate, with a concavity in each side, like the body of a violin; fiddle-shaped; as, a panduriform leaf; panduriform color markings of an animal.

Pane, n. [OE. pan part, portion of a thing, F. pan a skirt, lappet, part or piece of a wall, side, fr. L. pannus a cloth, fillet, rag; akin to E. vane. See Vane, and cf. Panel, Pawn pledge.] 1. A division; a distinct piece, limited part, or compartment of any surface; a patch; hence, a square of a checkered or plaided pattern.

2. One of the openings in a slashed garment, showing the bright colored silk, or the like, within; hence, the piece of colored or other stuff so shown.

3. (Arch.) (a) A compartment of a surface, or a flat space; hence, one side or face of a building; as, an octagonal tower is said to have eight panes. (b) Especially, in modern use, the glass in one compartment of a window sash.

4. In irrigating, a subdivision of an irrigated surface between a feeder and an outlet drain.

5. (a) One of the flat surfaces, or facets, of any object having several sides. (b) One of the eight facets surrounding the table of a brilliant cut diamond.

Paned (?), a. 1. Having panes; provided with panes; also, having openings; as, a paned window; paned window sash. "Paned hose." Massinger.

Pan`e*gyr"ic (?), n. [L. panegyricus, Gr. panhgyrico`s: cf. F. panégyrique. See Panegyric, a.] An oration or eulogy in praise of some person or achievement; a formal or elaborate encomium; a laudatory discourse; laudation. See Synonym of Eulogy.

{ Pan`e*gyr"ic (?), Pan`e*gyr"ic*al (?), } a. [L. panegyricus, Gr. panhgyrico`s, from &?; an assembly of the people, a high festival; pa^, pa^n all + &?;, an assembly.] Containing praise or eulogy; encomiastic; laudatory. "Panegyric strains." Pope. -- Pan`e*gyr"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pa*neg"y*ris (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;. See Panegyric.] A festival; a public assembly. [Obs.] S. Harris.

Pan"e*gyr`ist (?), n. [L. panegyrista, Gr. &?; one who attends a &?;: cf. &?; to celebrate or attend a public festival, to make a set speech, esp. a panegyric, in a public assembly. See Panegyric.] One who delivers a panegyric; a eulogist; one who extols or praises, either by writing or speaking.

Pan"e*gy*rize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Panegyrized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Panegyrizing (?).] [Gr. &?;. See Panegyrist.] To praise highly; to extol in a public speech; to write or deliver a panegyric upon; to eulogize.

Pan"el (?), n. [Orig., a little piece; OF. panel, pannel, F. panneau, dim. of pan skirt, lappet, part or piece of a wall, side. See 2d Pane.] 1. (Arch.) A sunken compartment with raised margins, molded or otherwise, as in ceilings, wainscotings, etc.

2. (Law) (a) A piece of parchment or a schedule, containing the names of persons summoned as jurors by the sheriff; hence, more generally, the whole jury. Blackstone. (b) (Scots Law) A prisoner arraigned for trial at the bar of a criminal court. Burrill.

3. Formerly, a piece of cloth serving as a saddle; hence, a soft pad beneath a saddletree to prevent chafing.

4. (Joinery) A board having its edges inserted in the groove of a surrounding frame; as, the panel of a door.

6. (Painting) A slab or plank of wood upon which, instead of canvas, a picture is painted.

7. (Mining) (a) A heap of dressed ore. (b) One of the districts divided by pillars of extra size, into which a mine is laid off in one system of extracting coal.

8. (Dressmaking) A plain strip or band, as of velvet or plush, placed at intervals lengthwise on the skirt of a dress, for ornament.

9. A portion of a framed structure between adjacent posts or struts, as in a bridge truss.

Panel game, a method of stealing money in a panel house. -- Panel house, a house of prostitution in which the rooms have secret entrances to facilitate theft by accomplices of the inmates. -- Panel saw, handsaw with fine teeth, -- used for cutting out panels, etc. -- Panel thief, one who robs in a panel house.

Pan"el (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paneled (?) or Panelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Paneling or Panelling.] To form in or with panels; as, to panel a wainscot.

Paneled back (Arch.), the paneled work covering the window back. See Window back.

Pan`el*a"tion (?), n. The act of impaneling a jury. [Obs.] [Written also panellation.] Wood.

Pan*eu"lo*gism (?), n. [See Pan-, Eulogy.] Eulogy of everything; indiscriminate praise. [R.]

Pang (?), n. [Prob. for older prange. Cf. Prong.] A paroxysm of extreme pain or anguish; a sudden and transitory agony; a throe; as, the pangs of death.

Pang, v. t. To torture; to cause to have great pain or suffering; to torment. [R.] Shak.

Pan*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Pan- + genesis.] (Biol.) An hypothesis advanced by Darwin in explanation of heredity.

The theory rests on the assumption, that the whole organization, in the sense of every separate atom or unit, reproduces itself, the cells throwing off minute granules called gemmules, which circulate freely throughout the system and multiply by subdivision. These gemmules collect in the reproductive organs and products, or in buds, so that the egg or bud contains gemmules from all parts of the parent or parents, which in development give rise to cells in the offspring similar to those from which they were given off in the parent. The hypothesis also assumes that these gemmules need not in all cases develop into cells, but may lie dormant, and be transmitted from generation to generation without producing a noticeable effect until a case of atavism occurs.

Pan"go*lin (?), n. [Malay pang&?;lang.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of Manis, Pholidotus, and related genera, found in Africa and Asia. They are covered with imbricated scales, and feed upon ants. Called also scaly ant-eater.

Pan*goth"ic (?), a. [Pan- + Gothic.] Of, pertaining to, or including, all the Gothic races. "Ancestral Pangothic stock." Earle.

Pan`hel*len"ic (?), a. [See Panhellenium.] Of or pertaining to all Greece, or to Panhellenism; including all Greece, or all the Greeks.

Pan`hel*le"ni*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, all + &?; the Greeks.] (Gr. Antiq.) An assembly or association of Greeks from all the states of Greece.

Pan"ic (?), n. [L. panicum.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass; also, the edible grain of some species of panic grass.

Pan"ic, a. [Gr. &?; of or pertaining to &?; Pan, to whom the causing of sudden fright was ascribed: cf. F. panique.] Extreme or sudden and causeless; unreasonable; - - said of fear or fright; as, panic fear, terror, alarm. "A panic fright." Dryden.

Pan"ic, n. [Gr. &?; (with or without &?; fear): cf. F. panigue. See Panic, a.] 1. A sudden, overpowering fright; esp., a sudden and groundless fright; terror inspired by a trifling cause or a misapprehension of danger; as, the troops were seized with a panic; they fled in a panic.

2. By extension: A sudden widespread fright or apprehension concerning financial affairs.

Pan"i*cle (?), n. [L. panicula a tuft on plants, dim. of panus the thread wound upon the bobbin in a shuttle; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;; prob. akin to E. pane: cf. F. panicule. See 2d Pane.] (Bot.) A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end.

Pan"i*cled (?), a. (Bot.) Furnished with panicles; arranged in, or like, panicles; paniculate.

{ Pan"ic-strick`en (?), Pan"ic-struck` (?) }, a. Struck with a panic, or sudden fear. Burke.

{ Pa*nic"u*late (?), Pa*nic"u*la`ted (?), } a. [See Panicle.] (Bot) Same as Panicled.

||Pan"i*cum (?), n. [L., panic grass.] (Bot.) A genus of grasses, including several hundred species, some of which are valuable; panic grass.

Pan*id`i*o*mor"phic (?), a. [Pan- + idiomorphic.] (Geol.) Having a completely idiomorphic structure; -- said of certain rocks.

Pan`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. panis bread + -ficare (in comp.) to make: cf. F. panification.] The act or process of making bread. Ure.

Pan*is"lam*ism (?), n. [Pan- + Islamism.] A desire or plan for the union of all Mohammedan nations for the conquest of the world.

Pa*niv"o*rous (?), a. [L. panis bread + vorare to devour.] Eating bread; subsisting on bread.

Pan"nage (?), n. [OF. pasnage, LL. pasnadium, pastinaticum, fr. pastionare to feed on mast, as swine, fr. L. pastio a pasturing, grazing. See Pastor.] (O. Eng. Law) (a) The food of swine in the woods, as beechnuts, acorns, etc.; -- called also pawns. (b) A tax paid for the privilege of feeding swine in the woods.

3. (Mil.) A carriage for conveying a mortar and its bed, on a march. Farrow.

Pan"nier (?), n. [F. panier, fr. L. panarium a bread basket, fr. panis bread. Cf. Pantry.] 1. A bread basket; also, a wicker basket (used commonly in pairs) for carrying fruit or other things on a horse or an ass Hudibras.

2. (Mil. Antiq.) A shield of basket work formerly used by archers as a shelter from the enemy's missiles.

4. A framework of steel or whalebone, worn by women to expand their dresses; a kind of bustle.

Pan"ni*kel (?), n. [See Pan a dish.] The brainpan, or skull; hence, the crest. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pan"ni*kin (?), n. [Dim. of pan a dish.] A small pan or cup. Marryat. Thackeray.

Pan"nose` (?), a. [See Pannus.] (Bot.) Similar in texture or appearance to felt or woolen cloth.

||Pan"nus (?), n. [L., cloth. See 2d Pane.] (Med.) A very vascular superficial opacity of the cornea, usually caused by granulation of the eyelids. Foster.

Pan`o*is"tic (?), a. [Pan- + Gr. &?; an egg.] (Zoöl.) Producing ova only; -- said of the ovaries of certain insects which do not produce vitelligenous cells.

Pan`om*phe"an (?), a. [L. panomphaeus, Gr. &?;.] Uttering ominous or prophetic voices; divining. [R.]

Pan"o*ply (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, all + &?; tool, implement, in pl., armor, arms.] Defensive armor in general; a full suit of defensive armor. Milton.

1. A prison so contructed that the inspector can see each of the prisoners at all times, without being seen.

Pan`o*ra"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, all + &?; that which is seen, a view, fr. &?; to see. See Pan- , and Wary.]

2. A picture presenting a view of objects in every direction, as from a central point.

3. A picture representing scenes too extended to be beheld at once, and so exhibited a part at a time, by being unrolled, and made to pass continuously before the spectator.

{ Pan`o*ram"ic (?), Pan`o*ram"ic*al (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, or like, a panorama.

Pa*nor"pi*an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus Panorpa. -- n. Same as Panorpid.

Pa*nor"pid (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any neuropterous insect of the genus Panorpa, and allied genera. The larvæ feed on plant lice.

Pan*phar"ma*con (?), n. [NL. See Pan- , and Pharmacon.] A medicine for all diseases; a panacea. [R.]

Pan`pres`by*te"ri*an (?), a. [Pan- + Presbyterian.] Belonging to, or representative of, those who hold Presbyterian views in all parts of the world; as, a Panpresbyterian council.

{ Pan`sclav"ic (?), Pan`sclav"ism (?), Pan`sclav"ist, Pan`scla*vo"ni*an (?) }. See Panslavic, Panslavism, etc.

Pan"shon (?), n. An earthen vessel wider at the top than at the bottom, -- used for holding milk and for various other purposes. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Pan"sied (?), a. [From Pansy.] Covered or adorned with pansies. "The pansied grounds." Darwin.

Pan`slav"ism (?), n. A scheme or desire to unite all the Slavic races into one confederacy.

Pan*soph"ic*al (?), a. [See Pansophy.] All-wise; claiming universal knowledge; as, pansophical pretenders. [R.] John Worthington.

Pan"so*phy (?), n. [Pan- + Gr. &?; wisdom, &?; wise: cf. F. pansophie.] Universal wisdom; esp., a system of universal knowledge proposed by Comenius (1592 -- 1671), a Moravian educator. [R.] Hartlib.

{ Pan*sper"ma*tist (?), Pan"sper`mist (?), } n. (Biol.) A believer in panspermy; one who rejects the theory of spontaneous generation; a biogenist.

Pan`sper"mic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to panspermy; as, the panspermic hypothesis.

Pan"sper`my (?), n. [Pan- + Gr. &?; a seed.] (Biol.) (a) The doctrine of the widespread distribution of germs, from which under favorable circumstances bacteria, vibrios, etc., may develop. (b) The doctrine that all organisms must come from living parents; biogenesis; -- the opposite of spontaneous generation.

Pan*ste`re*o*ra"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, all + &?; solid + &?; a view.] A model of a town or country, in relief, executed in wood, cork, pasteboard, or the like. Brande & C.

Pan"sy (?), n.; pl. Pansies (#). [F. Pensée thought, pansy, fr. penser to think, L. pensare to weigh, ponder. See Pensive.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Viola (V. tricolor) and its blossom, originally purple and yellow. Cultivated varieties have very large flowers of a great diversity of colors. Called also heart's-ease, love-in-idleness, and many other quaint names.

Pant (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Panted; p. pr. & vb. n. Panting.] [Cf. F. panteler to gasp for breath, OF. panteisier to be breathless, F. pantois out of breath; perh. akin to E. phantom, the verb prob. orig. meaning, to have the nightmare.] 1. To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp.

3. To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb; -- said of the heart. Spenser.

Pan*tag"ru*el*ism (?), n. [From Pantagruel, one of the characters of Rabelais.] 1. The theory or practice of the medical profession; -- used in burlesque or ridicule.

Pan`ta*let" (?), n. [Dim. of pantaloon.] One of the legs of the loose drawers worn by children and women; particularly, the lower part of such a garment, coming below the knee, often made in a separate piece; -- chiefly in the plural.

Pan`ta*loon" (?), n. [F. pantalon, fr. It. pantalone, a masked character in the Italian comedy, who wore breeches and stockings that were all of one piece, from Pantaleone, the patron saint of Venice, which, as a baptismal name, is very frequent among the Venetians, and is applied to them by the other Italians as a nickname, fr. Gr. &?;, lit., all lion, a Greek personal name.] 1. A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes. Addison.

2. pl. A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one.

Pan`ta*loon"er*y (?), n. 1. The character or performances of a pantaloon; buffoonery. [R.] Lamb.

Pan`ta*scop"ic (?), a. Viewing all; taking a view of the whole. See under Camera.

||Pan`ta*stom"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, all + &?;, &?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) One of the divisions of Flagellata, including the monads and allied forms.

Pan*tech"ni*con (?), n. [NL. See Pan- , and Technic.] A depository or place where all sorts of manufactured articles are collected for sale.

Pan"ter (?), n.[F. panetier. See Pantry.] A keeper of the pantry; a pantler. [Obs.] Tyndale.

Pan`teu*ton"ic (?), a. [Pan- + Teutonic.] Of or pertaining to all the Teutonic races.

Pan"the*ism (?), n. [Pan- + theism.] The doctrine that the universe, taken or conceived of as a whole, is God; the doctrine that there is no God but the combined force and laws which are manifested in the existing universe; cosmotheism.

{ Pan`the*is"tic (?), Pan`the*is"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to pantheism; founded in, or leading to, pantheism. -- Pan`the*is"tic*al*ly, adv.

Pan`the*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Pan- + theology.] A system of theology embracing all religions; a complete system of theology.

Pan*the"on (?), n. [L. pantheon, pantheum, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;), fr. &?; of all gods; &?;, &?;, all + &?; a god: cf. F. panthéon. See Pan-, and Theism.] 1. A temple dedicated to all the gods; especially, the building so called at Rome.

2. The collective gods of a people, or a work treating of them; as, a divinity of the Greek pantheon.

Pan"ther (?), n. [OE. pantere, F. panthère, L. panthera, Gr. &?;, prob. fr. Skr. pundrka a tiger.]

1. (Zoöl.) A large dark-colored variety of the leopard, by some zoölogists considered a distinct species. It is marked with large ringlike spots, the centers of which are darker than the color of the body.

2. (Zoöl.) In America, the name is applied to the puma, or cougar, and sometimes to the jaguar.

Panther cat (Zoöl.), the ocelot. -- Panther cowry (Zoöl.), a spotted East Indian cowry (Cypræa pantherina); -- so called from its color.

Pan"ther*ine (?), a. Like a panther, esp. in color; as, the pantherine snake (Ptyas mucosus) of Brazil.

Pan"tile` (?), n. [5th pan + tile.] (Arch.) A roofing tile, of peculiar form, having a transverse section resembling an elongated S laid on its side (&?;).

Pan`ti*soc"ra*cy (?), n. [Panto- + Gr. &?; equal + &?; to rule.] A Utopian community, in which all should rule equally, such as was devised by Coleridge, Lovell, and Southey, in their younger days.

Pan`ti*soc"ra*tist (?), n. One who favors or supports the theory of a pantisocracy. Macaulay.

Pan"tler (?), n. [F. panetier. See Panter, Pantry.] The servant or officer, in a great family, who has charge of the bread and the pantry. [Obs.] Shak.

Pan`to*chro*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Panto- + chronometer.] An instrument combining a compass, sundial, and universal time dial. Brande & C.

Pan*to"fle (?), n. [F. pantoufle.] A slipper for the foot. [Written also pantable and pantoble.]

Pan"to*graph (?), n. [Panto- + -graph: cf. F. pantographe.] An instrument for copying plans, maps, and other drawings, on the same, or on a reduced or an enlarged, scale. [Written also pantagraph, and incorrectly pentagraph.]

Skew pantograph, a kind of pantograph for drawing a copy which is inclined with respect to the original figure; -- also called plagiograph.

{ Pan`to*graph"ic (?), Pan`to*graph"ic*al (?) }, a. [Cf. F. pantographique.] Of or pertaining to a pantograph; relating to pantography.

Pan*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Cf. F. pantographie.] A general description; entire view of an object.

Pan*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Panto- + -logy.] A systematic view of all branches of human knowledge; a work of universal information.

Pan*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Panto- + -meter: cf. F. pantomètre.] An instrument for measuring angles for determining elevations, distances, etc.

Pan*tom"e*try (?), n. Universal measurement. [R.] -- Pan`to*met"ric (#), a. [R.]

Pan"to*mime (?), n. [F., fr. L. pantomimus, Gr. &?;, lit., all-imitating; &?;, &?;, all + &?; to imitate: cf. It. pantomimo. See Mimic.] 1. A universal mimic; an actor who assumes many parts; also, any actor. [Obs.]

2. One who acts his part by gesticulation or dumb show only, without speaking; a pantomimist.

3. A dramatic representation by actors who use only dumb show; hence, dumb show, generally.

4. A dramatic and spectacular entertainment of which dumb acting as well as burlesque dialogue, music, and dancing by Clown, Harlequin, etc., are features.

Pan"to*mime, a. Representing only in mute actions; pantomimic; as, a pantomime dance.

{ Pan`to*mim"ic (?), Pan`to*mim"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. pantomimique.] Of or pertaining to the pantomime; representing by dumb show. "Pantomimic gesture." Bp. Warburton. -- Pan`to*mim"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pan"ton (?), n. [F. patin. See Patten.] (Far.) A horseshoe to correct a narrow, hoofbound heel.

Pan*toph"a*gist (?), n. [See Pantophagous.] A person or an animal that has the habit of eating all kinds of food.

Pan*toph"a*gous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, all + &?; to eat.] Eating all kinds of food.

Pan*toph"a*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] The habit or power of eating all kinds of food.

||Pan*top"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL. See Panto-, & -poda.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pycnogonida.

Pan`to*scop"ic (?), a. [Panto- + -scope + -ic.] Literally, seeing everything; -- a term applied to eyeglasses or spectacles divided into two segments, the upper being designed for distant vision, the lower for vision of near objects.

Pan"try (?), n.; pl. Pantries (#). [OE. pantrie, F. paneterie, fr. panetier pantler, LL. panetarius baker, panetus small loaf of bread, L. panis bread. Cf. Company, Pannier, Pantler.] An apartment or closet in which bread and other provisions are kept.

Pan*ur"gic (?), a. [Cf. Gr. &?; knavish.] Skilled in all kinds of work. "The panurgic Diderot." J. Morley.

Pan"ur*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, properly, ready to do anything; hence, knavish, roguish; &?;, &?;, all + &?; work.] Skill in all kinds of work or business; craft. [R.] Bailey.

Pan*zo"ism (?), n. [Pan- + Gr. &?; an animal.] (Biol.) A term used to denote all of the elements or factors which constitute vitality or vital energy. H. Spencer.

||Pa"o*lo (?), n. [It. Cf. Paul.] An old Italian silver coin, worth about ten cents.

2. A rounded, nipplelike hill or peak; anything resembling a nipple in shape; a mamelon. Macaulay.

Pap, n. [Cf. D. pap, G. pappe, both perh. fr. L. papa, pappa, the word with which infants call for food: cf. It. pappa.] 1. A soft food for infants, made of bread boiled or softtened in milk or water.

2. Nourishment or support from official patronage; as, treasury pap. [Colloq. & Contemptuous]

Pa*pa" (?), n. [F. papa, L. papa; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, a child's word meaning father. Cf. Pope.]

Pa`pa*bo"te (?), n. [Probably of Creole origin.] (Zoöl.) The upland plover. [Local, U. S.]

Pa"pa*cy (?), n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father, bishop. See Pope.] 1. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction.

3. The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense.

Pa*pa"in (?), n. [From Papaw.] (Physiol. Chem.) A proteolytic ferment, like trypsin, present in the juice of the green fruit of the papaw (Carica Papaya) of tropical America.

1. Of or pertaining to the pope of Rome; proceeding from the pope; ordered or pronounced by the pope; as, papal jurisdiction; a papal edict; the papal benediction. Milman.

2. Of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church. "Papal Christians." Bp. Burnet.

Pa*pal"i*ty (?), n. [LL. papalitas: cf. F. papauté.] The papacy. [Obs.] Ld. Berners. Milton.

Pa`pa*pho"bi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. L. papa bishop + Gr. &?; to fear.] Intense fear or dread of the pope, or of the Roman Catholic Church. [R.]

Pa"par*chy (?), n. [L. papa bishop + -archy.] Government by a pope; papal rule.

||Pa*pa"ver (?), n. [L., poppy.] (Bot.) A genus of plants, including the poppy.

Pa*pav`er*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants (Papaveraceæ) of which the poppy, the celandine, and the bloodroot are well-known examples.

Pa*pav"er*ine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid found in opium. It has a weaker therapeutic action than morphine.

Pa*pav"er*ous (?), a. Of or pertaining to the poppy; of the nature of the poppy. Sir T. Browne.

Pa*paw" (?), n. [Prob. from the native name in the West Indies; cf. Sp. papayo papaw, papaya the fruit of the papaw.] [Written also pawpaw.] 1. (Bot.) A tree (Carica Papaya) of tropical America, belonging to the order Passifloreæ. It has a soft, spongy stem, eighteen or twenty feet high, crowned with a tuft of large, long-stalked, palmately lobed leaves. The milky juice of the plant is said to have the property of making meat tender. Also, its dull orange-colored, melon-shaped fruit, which is eaten both raw and cooked or pickled.

2. (Bot.) A tree of the genus Asimina (A. triloba), growing in the western and southern parts of the United States, and producing a sweet edible fruit; also, the fruit itself. Gray.

2. (Zoöl.) A large spiral East Indian marine shell (Turbinella rapha); -- so called because used by native priests to hold the oil for anointing.

Pape (?), n. [Cf. F. pape, fr. L. papa. See Pope.] A spiritual father; specifically, the pope. [Obs.]

Pa"per (?), n. [F. papier, fr. L. papyrus papyrus, from which the Egyptians made a kind of paper, Gr. &?;. Cf. Papyrus.] 1. A substance in the form of thin sheets or leaves intended to be written or printed on, or to be used in wrapping. It is made of rags, straw, bark, wood, or other fibrous material, which is first reduced to pulp, then molded, pressed, and dried.

3. A printed or written instrument; a document, essay, or the like; a writing; as, a paper read before a scientific society.

4. A printed sheet appearing periodically; a newspaper; a journal; as, a daily paper.

5. Negotiable evidences of indebtedness; notes; bills of exchange, and the like; as, the bank holds a large amount of his paper.

6. Decorated hangings or coverings for walls, made of paper. See Paper hangings, below.

7. A paper containing (usually) a definite quantity; as, a paper of pins, tacks, opium, etc.

8. A medicinal preparation spread upon paper, intended for external application; as, cantharides paper.

Paper is manufactured in sheets, the trade names of which, together with the regular sizes in inches, are shown in the following table. But paper makers vary the size somewhat.

In the manufacture of books, etc., a sheet, of whatever size originally, is termed, when folded once, a folio; folded twice, a quarto, or 4to; three times, an octavo, or 8vo; four times, a sextodecimo, or 16mo; five times, a 32mo; three times, with an offcut folded twice and set in, a duodecimo, or 12mo; four times, with an offcut folded three times and set in, a 24mo.

Paper is often used adjectively or in combination, having commonly an obvious signification; as, paper cutter or paper-cutter; paper knife, paper-knife, or paperknife; paper maker, paper-maker, or papermaker; paper mill or paper-mill; paper weight, paper-weight, or paperweight, etc.

Business paper, checks, notes, drafts, etc., given in payment of actual indebtedness; -- opposed to accommodation paper. -- Fly paper, paper covered with a sticky preparation, -- used for catching flies. -- Laid paper. See under Laid. -- Paper birch (Bot.), the canoe birch tree (Betula papyracea). -- Paper blockade, an ineffective blockade, as by a weak naval force. -- Paper boat (Naut.), a boat made of water-proof paper. -- Paper car wheel (Railroad), a car wheel having a steel tire, and a center formed of compressed paper held between two plate- iron disks. Forney. -- Paper credit, credit founded upon evidences of debt, such as promissory notes, duebills, etc. -- Paper hanger, one who covers walls with paper hangings. -- Paper hangings, paper printed with colored figures, or otherwise made ornamental, prepared to be pasted against the walls of apartments, etc.; wall paper. -- Paper house, an audience composed of people who have come in on free passes. [Cant] -- Paper money, notes or bills, usually issued by government or by a banking corporation, promising payment of money, and circulated as the representative of coin. -- Paper mulberry. (Bot.) See under Mulberry. -- Paper muslin, glazed muslin, used for linings, etc. -- Paper nautilus. (Zoöl.) See Argonauta. -- Paper reed (Bot.), the papyrus. - - Paper sailor. (Zoöl.) See Argonauta. -- Paper stainer, one who colors or stamps wall paper. De Colange. -- Paper wasp (Zoöl.), any wasp which makes a nest of paperlike material, as the yellow jacket. -- Paper weight, any object used as a weight to prevent loose papers from being displaced by wind, or otherwise. -- Parchment paper. See Papyrine. -- Tissue paper, thin, gauzelike paper, such as is used to protect engravings in books. -- Wall paper. Same as Paper hangings, above. -- Waste paper, paper thrown aside as worthless or useless, except for uses of little account. -- Wove paper, a writing paper with a uniform surface, not ribbed or watermarked.

Pa"per (?), a. Of or pertaining to paper; made of paper; resembling paper; existing only on paper; unsubstantial; as, a paper box; a paper army.

Pa"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Papered(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Papering.] 1. To cover with paper; to furnish with paper hangings; as, to paper a room or a house.

Pa"per*y (?), a. Like paper; having the thinness or consistence of paper. Gray.

Pa*pes"cent (?), a. [From Pap soft food.] Containing or producing pap; like pap. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Pa"pess (?), n. [F. papesse.] A female pope; i. e., the fictitious pope Joan. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

||Pa`pe*terie" (?), n. [F., paper manufacture, fr. papier paper.] A case or box containing paper and materials for writing.

Pa"phi*an (?), a. [L. Paphius, Gr. &?;, from &?; the city Paphos.] Of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus, having a celebrated temple of Venus; hence, pertaining to Venus, or her rites.

||Pa`pier"-ma`ché" (?), n. [F. papier mâché, lit., chewed or mashed paper.] A hard and strong substance made of a pulp from paper, mixed with sise or glue, etc. It is formed into various articles, usually by means of molds.

Formerly it included numerous species which are now placed in other genera. By many writers it is now restricted to the swallow- tailed butterflies, like Papilio polyxenes, or asterias, and related species.

2. (Bot.) (a) Having a winged corolla somewhat resembling a butterfly, as in the blossoms of the bean and pea. (b) Belonging to that suborder of leguminous plants (Papilionaceæ) which includes the bean, pea, vetch, clover, and locust.

||Pa*pil`i*o"nes (?), n. pl. [NL. See Papilio.] (Zoöl.) The division of Lepidoptera which includes the butterflies.

Pa*pil"la (?), n.; pl. Papillæ (#). [L., a nipple, pimple.] Any minute nipplelike projection; as, the papillæ of the tongue.

Pap"il*la*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. papillaire.] Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a papilla or papillæ; bearing, or covered with, papillæ; papillose.

Pap"il*late (?), v. t. & i. To cover with papillæ; to take the form of a papilla, or of papillæ.

Pa*pil"li*form (?), a. [Papilla + -form.] Shaped like a papilla; mammilliform.

||Pap`il*lo"ma (?), n.; pl. Papillomata (#). [NL. See Papilla, and - Oma.] (Med.) A tumor formed by hypertrophy of the papillæ of the skin or mucous membrane, as a corn or a wart. Quain.

Pap`il*lo"ma*tous (?), a. (Med.) Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, papillomata.

Pap"il*lose` (?), a. [Cf. F. papilleux.] Covered with, or bearing, papillæ; resembling papillæ; papillate; papillar; papillary.

Pap"il*lote (?), n. [F., fr. papillon a butterfly.] a small piece of paper on which women roll up their hair to make it curl; a curl paper.

Pa*pil"lu*late (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a minute papilla in the center of a larger elevation or depression.

Pa"pi*on (?), n. [Prob. from native name: cf. Sp. papion.] (Zoöl.) A West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), allied to the chacma. Its color is generally chestnut, varying in tint.

Pa"pism (?), n. [F. papisme. See Pape, Pope.] Popery; -- an offensive term. Milton.

Pa"pist (?), n. [F. papiste. See Pape, Pope.] A Roman catholic; one who adheres to the Church of Rome and the authority of the pope; -- an offensive designation applied to Roman Catholics by their opponents.

{ Pa*pis"tic (?), Pa*pis"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. papistique.] Of or pertaining to the Church of Rome and its doctrines and ceremonies; pertaining to popery; popish; -- used disparagingly. "The old papistic worship." T. Warton. -- Pa*pis"tic*al*ly, adv.

Pa"pist*ry (?), n. The doctrine and ceremonies of the Church of Rome; popery. [R.] Whitgift.

Pa"pized (?), a. [From Pape.] Conformed to popery. [Obs.] "Papized writers." Fuller.

Pap"pus (?), n. [L., an old man or grandfather; hence, a substance resembling gray hairs, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) The hairy or feathery appendage of the achenes of thistles, dandelions, and most other plants of the order Compositæ; also, the scales, awns, or bristles which represent the calyx in other plants of the same order.

Pap"u*ars (?), n. pl.; sing. Papuan (&?;). (Ethnol.) The native black race of Papua or New Guinea, and the adjacent islands.

1. (Med.) A pimple; a small, usually conical, elevation of the cuticle, produced by congestion, accumulated secretion, or hypertrophy of tissue; a papule. Quain.

2. (Zoöl.) One of the numerous small hollow processes of the integument between the plates of starfishes.

2. (Med.) Consisting of papules; characterized by the presence of papules; as, a papular eruption.

Pap"u*lous (?), a. [Cf. F. pap&?;leux.] Covered with, or characterized by, papulæ; papulose.

Pap`y*ra"ceous (?), a. [L. papyraceus made of papyrus.] Made of papyrus; of the consistency of paper; papery.

Pap"y*rine (?), n. [Cf. F. papyrin made of paper. See Paper.] Imitation parchment, made by soaking unsized paper in dilute sulphuric acid.

Pa*pyr"o*graph (?), n. [Papyrus + -graph.] An apparatus for multiplying writings, drawings, etc., in which a paper stencil, formed by writing or drawing with corrosive ink, is used. The word is also used of other means of multiplying copies of writings, drawings, etc. See Copygraph, Hectograph, Manifold.

Pap`y*rog"ra*phy (?), n. The process of multiplying copies of writings, etc., by means of the papyrograph. -- Pap`y*ro*graph"ic (#), a.

Pa*py"rus (?), n.; pl. Papyri (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;. See Paper.] 1. (Bot.) A tall rushlike plant (Cyperus Papyrus) of the Sedge family, formerly growing in Egypt, and now found in Abyssinia, Syria, Sicily, etc. The stem is triangular and about an inch thick.

2. The material upon which the ancient Egyptians wrote. It was formed by cutting the stem of the plant into thin longitudinal slices, which were gummed together and pressed.

3. A manuscript written on papyrus; esp., pl., written scrolls made of papyrus; as, the papyri of Egypt or Herculaneum.

Par, prep. [F., fr. L. per. See Per.] By; with; -- used frequently in Early English in phrases taken from the French, being sometimes written as a part of the word which it governs; as, par amour, or paramour; par cas, or parcase; par fay, or parfay.

1. Equal value; equality of nominal and actual value; the value expressed on the face or in the words of a certificate of value, as a bond or other commercial paper.

At par, at the original price; neither at a discount nor at a premium. -- Above par, at a premium. -- Below par, at a discount. -- On a par, on a level; in the same condition, circumstances, position, rank, etc.; as, their pretensions are on a par; his ability is on a par with his ambition. -- Par of exchange. See under Exchange. -- Par value, nominal value; face value.

Par"a- (?). [Gr. para` beside; prob. akin to E. for- in forgive. Cf. For-.] 1. A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox, that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism.

2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting: (a) Likeness, similarity, or connection, or that the substance resembles, but is distinct from, that to the name of which it is prefixed; as paraldehyde, paraconine, etc.; also, an isomeric modification. (b) Specifically: (Organ. Chem.) That two groups or radicals substituted in the benzene nucleus are opposite, or in the respective positions 1 and 4; 2 and 5; or 3 and 6, as paraxylene; paroxybenzoic acid. Cf. Ortho-, and Meta-. Also used adjectively.

||Pa*ra" (?), n. [Turk., fr. Per. prah a piece.] A piece of Turkish money, usually copper, the fortieth part of a piaster, or about one ninth of a cent.

Par`a*ban"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to pass over.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid which is obtained by the oxidation of uric acid, as a white crystalline substance (C₃N₂H₂O₃); -- also called oxalyl urea.

Par"a*blast (?), n. [Cf. Gr. &?; to grow beside. See Para-, and -blast.] (Biol.) A portion of the mesoblast (of peripheral origin) of the developing embryo, the cells of which are especially concerned in forming the first blood and blood vessels. C. S. Minot.

Par`a*blas"tic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the parablast; as, the parablastic cells.

Par"a*ble (?), a. [L. parabilis, fr. parare to provide.] Procurable. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Par"a*ble, n. [F. parabole, L. parabola, fr. Gr. &?; a placing beside or together, a comparing, comparison, a parable, fr. &?; to throw beside, compare; para` beside + &?; to throw; cf. Skr. gal to drop. Cf. Emblem, Gland, Palaver, Parabola, Parley, Parabole, Symbol.] A comparison; a similitude; specifically, a short fictitious narrative of something which might really occur in life or nature, by means of which a moral is drawn; as, the parables of Christ. Chaucer.

Pa*rab"o*la (?), n.; pl. Parabolas (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; -- so called because its axis is parallel to the side of the cone. See Parable, and cf. Parabole.] (Geom.) (a) A kind of curve; one of the conic sections formed by the intersection of the surface of a cone with a plane parallel to one of its sides. It is a curve, any point of which is equally distant from a fixed point, called the focus, and a fixed straight line, called the directrix. See Focus. (b) One of a group of curves defined by the equation y = axⁿ where n is a positive whole number or a positive fraction. For the cubical parabola n = 3; for the semicubical parabola n = . See under Cubical, and Semicubical. The parabolas have infinite branches, but no rectilineal asymptotes.

||Pa*rab"o*le (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;. See Parable.] (Rhet.) Similitude; comparison.

{ Par`a*bol"ic (?), Par`a*bol"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. paraboliko`s figurative: cf. F. parabolique. See Parable.]

1. Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.

2. [From Parabola.] (Geom.) (a) Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve. (b) Generated by the revolution of a parabola, or by a line that moves on a parabola as a directing curve; as, a parabolic conoid.

Parabolic conoid, a paraboloid; a conoid whose directing curve is a parabola. See Conoid. -- Parabolic mirror (Opt.), a mirror having a paraboloidal surface which gives for parallel rays (as those from very distant objects) images free from aberration. It is used in reflecting telescopes. -- Parabolic spindle, the solid generated by revolving the portion of a parabola cut off by a line drawn at right angles to the axis of the curve, about that line as an axis. -- Parabolic spiral, a spiral curve conceived to be formed by the periphery of a semiparabola when its axis is wrapped about a circle; also, any other spiral curve having an analogy to the parabola.

Par`a*bol"ic*al*ly (pr`*bl"*kal*l), adv. 1. By way of parable; in a parabolic manner.

Par`a*bol"i*form (-*fôrm), a. [Parabola + -form.] Resembling a parabola in form.

Pa*rab"o*lism (p*rb"*lz'm), n. [From Parabola.] (Alg.) The division of the terms of an equation by a known quantity that is involved in the first term. [Obs.]

Pa*rab"o*loid (-loid), n. [Parabola + -oid: cf. F. paraboloïde.] (Geom.) The solid generated by the rotation of a parabola about its axis; any surface of the second order whose sections by planes parallel to a given line are parabolas.

The term paraboloid has sometimes been applied also to the parabolas of the higher orders. Hutton.

||Par`a*bron"chi*um (?), n.; pl. Parabronchia (#). [NL. See Para-, Bronchia.] (Anat.) One of the branches of an ectobronchium or entobronchium.

Par`a*cel"si*an (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or in conformity with, the practice of Paracelsus, a Swiss physician of the 15th century. Ferrand.

Par`a*cel"si*an, n. A follower of Paracelsus or his practice or teachings. Hakewill.

||Par`a*cen*te"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to pierce at the side, to tap.] (Med.) The perforation of a cavity of the body with a trocar, aspirator, or other suitable instrument, for the evacuation of effused fluid, pus, or gas; tapping.

{ Par`a*cen"tric (?), Par`a*cen"tric*al (?), } a. [Pref. para- + centric, - ical: cf. F. paracentrique.] Deviating from circularity; changing the distance from a center.

Paracentric curve (Math.), a curve having the property that, when its plane is placed vertically, a body descending along it, by the force of gravity, will approach to, or recede from, a fixed point or center, by equal distances in equal times; -- called also a paracentric. -- Paracentric motton or velocity, the motion or velocity of a revolving body, as a planet, by which it approaches to, or recedes from, the center, without reference to its motion in space, or to its motion as reckoned in any other direction.

Par`a*chor"dal (?), a. [Pref. para- + chordal.] (Anat.) Situated on either side of the notochord; -- applied especially to the cartilaginous rudiments of the skull on each side of the anterior part of the notochord. -- n. A parachordal cartilage.

Pa*rach"ro*nism (?), n. [Pref. para- + Gr. &?; time: cf. F. parachronisme.] An error in chronology, by which the date of an event is set later than the time of its occurrence. [R.]

Par"a*chrose (?), a. [Gr. &?; false coloring; para` beside, beyond + &?; color.] (Min.) Changing color by exposure Mohs.

Par"a*chute (?), n. [F., fr. paper to ward off, guard + chute a fall. See Parry, and Chute, Chance.]

1. A contrivance somewhat in the form of an umbrella, by means of which a descent may be made from a balloon, or any eminence.

2. (Zoöl.) A web or fold of skin which extends between the legs of certain mammals, as the flying squirrels, colugo, and phalangister.

Par"a*clete (?), n. [L. paracletus, Gr. &?;, from &?; to call to one, to exhort, encourage; para` beside + &?; to call.] An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; -- a term applied to the Holy Spirit.

Par`ac*mas"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Para-, and Acme.] (Med.) Gradually decreasing; past the acme, or crisis, as a distemper. Dunglison.

Par`a*con"ic (?), a. [Pref. para- + aconitic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid obtained as a deliquescent white crystalline substance, and isomeric with itaconic, citraconic, and mesaconic acids.

Par`a*co"nine (?), n. [Pref. para- + conine.] (Chem.) A base resembling and isomeric with conine, and obtained as a colorless liquid from butyric aldehyde and ammonia.

||Par`a*co*rol"la (?), n. [Pref. para- + corolla.] (Bot.) A secondary or inner corolla; a corona, as of the Narcissus.

Par`a*cros"tic (?), n. [Pref. para- + acrostic.] A poetical composition, in which the first verse contains, in order, the first letters of all the verses of the poem. Brande & C.

Par`a*cy*an"o*gen (?), n. [Pref. para- + cyanogen.] (Chem.) A polymeric modification of cyanogen, obtained as a brown or black amorphous residue by heating mercuric cyanide.

||Par`a*dac"ty*lum, n.; pl. Paradactyla (#). [NL. See Para-, and Dactyl.] (Zoöl.) The side of a toe or finger.

Pa*rade" (?), n. [F., fr. Sp. parada a halt or stopping, an assembling for exercise, a place where troops are assembled to exercise, fr. parar to stop, to prepare. See Pare, v. t.] 1. The ground where a military display is held, or where troops are drilled.

2. (Mil.) An assembly and orderly arrangement or display of troops, in full equipments, for inspection or evolutions before some superior officer; a review of troops. Parades are general, regimental, or private (troop, battery, or company), according to the force assembled.

4. That which is displayed; a show; a spectacle; an imposing procession; the movement of any body marshaled in military order; as, a parade of firemen.

Dress parade, Undress parade. See under Dress, and Undress. -- Parade rest, a position of rest for soldiers, in which, however, they are required to be silent and motionless. Wilhelm.

Syn. -- Ostentation; display; show. -- Parade, Ostentation. Parade is a pompous exhibition of things for the purpose of display; ostentation now generally indicates a parade of virtues or other qualities for which one expects to be honored. "It was not in the mere parade of royalty that the Mexican potentates exhibited their power." Robertson. "We are dazzled with the splendor of titles, the ostentation of learning, and the noise of victories." Spectator.

Pa*rade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Parading.] [Cf. F. parader.] 1. To exhibit in a showy or ostentatious manner; to show off.

2. To assemble and form; to marshal; to cause to maneuver or march ceremoniously; as, to parade troops.

Pa*rade", v. i. 1. To make an exhibition or spectacle of one's self, as by walking in a public place.

2. To assemble in military order for evolutions and inspection; to form or march, as in review.

Par"a*digm (?), n. [F. paradigme, L. paradigma, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to show by the side of, to set up as an example; para` beside + &?; to show. See Para-, and Diction.]

1. An example; a model; a pattern. [R.] "The paradigms and patterns of all things." Cudworth.

2. (Gram.) An example of a conjugation or declension, showing a word in all its different forms of inflection.

{ Par`a*dig*mat"ic (?), Par`a*dig*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. paradeigmatiko`s.] Exemplary. -- Par`a*dig*mat"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

Par`a*dig*mat"ic, n. (Eccl. Hist.) A writer of memoirs of religious persons, as examples of Christian excellence.

Par`a*dig"ma*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paradigmatized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paradigmatizing (?).] [Gr. paradeigmati`zein. See Paradigm.] To set forth as a model or example. [Obs.] Hammond.

{ Par`a*di*sa"ic (?), Par`a*di*sa"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to, or resembling, paradise; paradisiacal. "Paradisaical pleasures." Gray.

Par"a*dise (?), n. [OE. & F. paradis, L. paradisus, fr. Gr. para`deisos park, paradise, fr. Zend pairidaza an inclosure; pairi around (akin to Gr. &?;) + diz to throw up, pile up; cf. Skr. dih to smear, and E. dough. Cf. Parvis.]

3. A place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight; hence, a state of happiness.

4. (Arch.) An open space within a monastery or adjoining a church, as the space within a cloister, the open court before a basilica, etc.

Fool's paradise. See under Fool, and Limbo. -- Grains of paradise. (Bot.) See Melequeta pepper, under Pepper. -- Paradise bird. (Zoöl.) Same as Bird of paradise. Among the most beautiful species are the superb (Lophorina superba); the magnificent (Diphyllodes magnifica); and the six-shafted paradise bird (Parotia sefilata). The long-billed paradise birds (Epimachinæ) also include some highly ornamental species, as the twelve-wired paradise bird (Seleucides alba), which is black, yellow, and white, with six long breast feathers on each side, ending in long, slender filaments. See Bird of paradise in the Vocabulary. -- Paradise fish (Zoöl.), a beautiful fresh-water Asiatic fish (Macropodus viridiauratus) having very large fins. It is often kept alive as an ornamental fish. -- Paradise flycatcher (Zoöl.), any flycatcher of the genus Terpsiphone, having the middle tail feathers extremely elongated. The adult male of T. paradisi is white, with the head glossy dark green, and crested. -- Paradise grackle (Zoöl.), a very beautiful bird of New Guinea, of the genus Astrapia, having dark velvety plumage with brilliant metallic tints. -- Paradise nut (Bot.), the sapucaia nut. See Sapucaia nut. [Local, U. S.] -- Paradise whidah bird. (Zoöl.) See Whidah.

Par"a*dise (?), v. t. To affect or exalt with visions of felicity; to entrance; to bewitch. [R.] Marston.

{ Par`a*dis"i*ac (?), Par`a*di*si"a*cal (?), } a. [L. paradisiacus.] Of or pertaining to paradise; suitable to, or like, paradise. C. Kingsley. T. Burnet. "A paradisiacal scene." Pope.

Par`a*dos (?), n.; pl. Paradoses (#). [F., fr. parer to defend + dos back, L. dorsum.] (Fort.) An intercepting mound, erected in any part of a fortification to protect the defenders from a rear or ricochet fire; a traverse. Farrow.

Par`a*dox (?), n.; pl. Paradoxes (#). [F. paradoxe, L. paradoxum, fr. Gr. &?;; para` beside, beyond, contrary to + &?; to think, suppose, imagine. See Para-, and Dogma.] A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion; an assertion or sentiment seemingly contradictory, or opposed to common sense; that which in appearance or terms is absurd, but yet may be true in fact.

2. Inclined to paradoxes, or to tenets or notions contrary to received opinions. Southey.

||Par`a*dox"i*des (?), n. [NL.] (Paleon.) A genus of large trilobites characteristic of the primordial formations.

Par`a*dox*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Paradox + -logy.] The use of paradoxes. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Par`a*dox"ure (-dks"r), n. [Gr. para`doxos incredible, paradoxical + o'yra` tail. So called because its tail is unlike that of the other animals to which it was supposed to be related.] (Zoöl.) Any species of Paradoxurus, a genus of Asiatic viverrine mammals allied to the civet, as the musang, and the luwack or palm cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). See Musang.

{ Par"af*fin (pr"f*fn), Par"af*fine (?) }, n. [F. paraffine, fr. L. parum too little + affinis akin. So named in allusion to its chemical inactivity.] (Chem.) A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum, etc., by distillation. It is used as an illuminant and lubricant. It is very inert, not being acted upon by most of the strong chemical reagents. It was formerly regarded as a definite compound, but is now known to be a complex mixture of several higher hydrocarbons of the methane or marsh-gas series; hence, by extension, any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, of the same chemical series; thus coal gas and kerosene consist largely of paraffins.

In the present chemical usage this word is spelt paraffin, but in commerce it is commonly spelt paraffine.

Native paraffin. See Ozocerite. - - Paraffin series. See Methane series, under Methane.

Par"age, n. [F., fr. L. par, adj., equal. Cf. Peerage, Peer an equal.] 1. (Old Eng. Law) Equality of condition, blood, or dignity; also, equality in the partition of an inheritance. Spelman.

2. (Feudal Law) Equality of condition between persons holding unequal portions of a fee. Burrill.

Par`a*gen"e*sis (pr`*jn"*ss), n. [Pref. para- + genesis.] (Min.) The science which treats of minerals with special reference to their origin.

Par`a*gen"ic (-k), a. [Pref. para- + the root of ge`nos birth.] (Biol.) Originating in the character of the germ, or at the first commencement of an individual; -- said of peculiarities of structure, character, etc.

Par`a*glob"u*lin (-glb"*ln), n. [Pref. para- + globulin.] (Physiol. Chem.) An albuminous body in blood serum, belonging to the group of globulins. See Fibrinoplastin.

||Par`a*glos"sa (-gls"s), n.; pl. Paraglossæ (- s). [NL., from Gr. para` beside + glw^ssa tongue.] (Zoöl.) One of a pair of small appendages of the lingua or labium of certain insects. See Illust. under Hymenoptera.

Pa*rag"na*thous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having both mandibles of equal length, the tips meeting, as in certain birds.

||Pa*rag"na*thus (?), n.; pl. Paragnathi (#). [NL. See Para-, and Gnathic.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the two lobes which form the lower lip, or metastome, of Crustacea. (b) One of the small, horny, toothlike jaws of certain annelids.

||Par`a*go"ge (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, from &?; to lead beside, protract; para` beside + &?; to lead.] 1. (Gram.) The addition of a letter or syllable to the end of a word, as withouten for without.

{ Par`a*gog"ic (?), Par`a*gog"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. paragogique.] Of, pertaining to, or constituting, a paragoge; added to the end of, or serving to lengthen, a word.

Paragogic letters, in the Semitic languages, letters which are added to the ordinary forms of words, to express additional emphasis, or some change in the sense.

Par"a*gon (?), n. [OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. &?; to rub against; para` beside + &?; whetstone; cf. LGr. &?; a polishing stone.] 1. A companion; a match; an equal. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. A model or pattern; a pattern of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. Udall.

4. (Print.) A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type.

1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

Pa*rag"o*nite (?), n. [From Gr. &?;, p. pr. of &?; to mislead.] (Min.) A kind of mica related to muscovite, but containing soda instead of potash. It is characteristic of the paragonite schist of the Alps.

Par"a*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?; that which one writes beside. See Paragraph.] A pun.

||Pa`ra*gran"di*ne (?), n. [It., from parare to parry + grandine hail.] An instrument to avert the occurrence of hailstorms. See Paragrêle. Knight.

Par"a*graph (?), n. [F. paragraphe, LL. paragraphus, fr. Gr. para`grafos (sc. grammh`) a line or stroke drawn in the margin, fr. paragra`fein to write beside; para` beside + gra`fein to write. See Para- , and Graphic, and cf. Paraph.] 1. Originally, a marginal mark or note, set in the margin to call attention to something in the text, e. g., a change of subject; now, the character ¶, commonly used in the text as a reference mark to a footnote, or to indicate the place of a division into sections.

This character is merely a modification of a capital P (the initial of the word paragraph), the letter being reversed, and the black part made white and the white part black for the sake of distinctiveness.

2. A distinct part of a discourse or writing; any section or subdivision of a writing or chapter which relates to a particular point, whether consisting of one or many sentences. The division is sometimes noted by the mark &?;, but usually, by beginning the first sentence of the paragraph on a new line and at more than the usual distance from the margin.

3. A brief composition complete in one typographical section or paragraph; an item, remark, or quotation comprised in a few lines forming one paragraph; as, a column of news paragraphs; an editorial paragraph.

Par"a*graph, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paragraphed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paragraphing.]

{ Par`a*graph"ic (?), Par`a*graph"ic*al (?), } a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, a paragraph or paragraphs. -- Par`a*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.

Par`a*gra*phis"tic*al (?), a. Of or relating to a paragraphist. [R.] Beau. & Fl.

Pa*ra" grass` (?). (Bot.) A valuable pasture grass (Panicum barbinode) introduced into the Southern United States from Brazil.

||Pa`ra`grêle" (?), n. [F., fr. parer to guard + grêle hail.] A lightning conductor erected, as in a vineyard, for drawing off the electricity in the atmosphere in order to prevent hailstorms. [France] Knight.

Par`a*guay"an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Paraguay. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Paraguay.

Par"ail (?), n. See Apparel. [Obs.] "In the parail of a pilgrim." Piers Plowman.

Par`a*lac"tic (?), a. [Pref. para- + lactic.] (Physiol. Chem.) Designating an acid called paralactic acid. See Lactic acid, under Lactic.

Par`al*bu"min (?), n. [Pref. para- + albumin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A proteidlike body found in the fluid from ovarian cysts and elsewhere. It is generally associated with a substance related to, if not identical with, glycogen.

Par*al"de*hyde (?), n. [Pref. para- + aldehyde.] (Chem.) A polymeric modification of aldehyde obtained as a white crystalline substance.

||Par`a*leip"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to leave on one side, to omit; para` beside + &?; to leave.] (Rhet.) A pretended or apparent omission; a figure by which a speaker artfully pretends to pass by what he really mentions; as, for example, if an orator should say, "I do not speak of my adversary's scandalous venality and rapacity, his brutal conduct, his treachery and malice." [Written also paralepsis, paralepsy, paralipsis.]

Pa*ra"li*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; near the sea; para` beside + &?; the sea.] A dweller by the sea. [R.]

||Par`a*li*pom"e*non (?), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. paraleipome`nwn of things omitted, pass. p. pr. (neuter genitive plural) fr. &?; to omit.] A title given in the Douay Bible to the Books of Chronicles.

In the Septuagint these books are called Paraleipome`nwn prw^ton and dey`teron, which is understood, after Jerome's explanation, as meaning that they are supplementary to the Books of Kings W. Smith.

{ Par`al*lac"tic (?), Par`al*lac"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. parallactique.] Of or pertaining to a parallax.

Par"al*lax (?), n. [Gr. &?; alternation, the mutual inclination of two lines forming an angle, fr. &?; to change a little, go aside, deviate; para` beside, beyond + &?; to change: cf. F. parallaxe. Cf. Parallel.] 1. The apparent displacement, or difference of position, of an object, as seen from two different stations, or points of view.

2. (Astron.) The apparent difference in position of a body (as the sun, or a star) as seen from some point on the earth's surface, and as seen from some other conventional point, as the earth's center or the sun.

Annual parallax, the greatest value of the heliocentric parallax, or the greatest annual apparent change of place of a body as seen from the earth and sun; as, the annual parallax of a fixed star. -- Binocular parallax, the apparent difference in position of an object as seen separately by one eye, and then by the other, the head remaining unmoved. -- Diurnal, or Geocentric, parallax, the parallax of a body with reference to the earth's center. This is the kind of parallax that is generally understood when the term is used without qualification. -- Heliocentric parallax, the parallax of a body with reference to the sun, or the angle subtended at the body by lines drawn from it to the earth and sun; as, the heliocentric parallax of a planet. -- Horizontal parallax, the geocentric parallx of a heavenly body when in the horizon, or the angle subtended at the body by the earth's radius. -- Optical parallax, the apparent displacement in position undergone by an object when viewed by either eye singly. Brande & C. -- Parallax of the cross wires (of an optical instrument), their apparent displacement when the eye changes its position, caused by their not being exactly in the focus of the object glass. -- Stellar parallax, the annual parallax of a fixed star.

Par"al*lel (?), a. [F. parallèle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?; of one another, fr. &?; other, akin to L. alius. See Allien.] 1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.

Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant.

2. Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with.

3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage. Addison.

Parallel bar. (a) (Steam Eng.) A rod in a parallel motion which is parallel with the working beam. (b) One of a pair of bars raised about five feet above the floor or ground, and parallel to each other, -- used for gymnastic exercises. -- Parallel circles of a sphere, those circles of the sphere whose planes are parallel to each other. -- Parallel columns, or Parallels (Printing), two or more passages of reading matter printed side by side, for the purpose of emphasizing the similarity or discrepancy between them. -- Parallel forces (Mech.), forces which act in directions parallel to each other. -- Parallel motion. (a) (Mach.) A jointed system of links, rods, or bars, by which the motion of a reciprocating piece, as a piston rod, may be guided, either approximately or exactly in a straight line. Rankine. (b) (Mus.) The ascending or descending of two or more parts at fixed intervals, as thirds or sixths. -- Parallel rod (Locomotive Eng.), a metal rod that connects the crank pins of two or more driving wheels; -- called also couping rod, in distinction from the connecting rod. See Illust. of Locomotive, in App. -- Parallel ruler, an instrument for drawing parallel lines, so constructed as to have the successive positions of the ruling edge parallel to each other; also, one consisting of two movable parts, the opposite edges of which are always parallel. - - Parallel sailing (Naut.), sailing on a parallel of latitude. -- Parallel sphere (Astron. & Geog.), that position of the sphere in which the circles of daily motion are parallel to the horizon, as to an observer at either pole. -- Parallel vise, a vise having jaws so guided as to remain parallel in all positions.

Par"al*lel (?), n. 1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.

3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity.

4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.

5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart.

6. (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map.

7. (Mil.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.

8. (Print.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ||) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.

Limiting parallels. See under Limit, v. t. -- Parallel of altitude (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar. -- Parallel of declination (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the equator. -- Parallel of latitude. (a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above. (b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the ecliptic.

Par"al*lel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paralleled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paralleling (?).] 1. To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.

2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.

Par"al*lel`a*ble (?), a. Capable of being paralleled, or equaled. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Par"al*lel*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to place side by side, or parallel: cf. F. parallélisme.]

3. Similarity of construction or meaning of clauses placed side by side, especially clauses expressing the same sentiment with slight modifications, as is common in Hebrew poetry; e. g.: --

Par`al*lel*is"tic (?), a. Of the nature of a parallelism; involving parallelism.

Par"al*lel*ly, adv. In a parallel manner; with parallelism. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Par`al*lel"o*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; parallel + &?; to write: cf. F. parallélogramme. See Parallel, and -gram.] (Geom.) A right-lined quadrilateral figure, whose opposite sides are parallel, and consequently equal; -- sometimes restricted in popular usage to a rectangle, or quadrilateral figure which is longer than it is broad, and with right angles.

Parallelogram of velocities, forces, accelerations, momenta, etc. (Mech.), a parallelogram the diagonal of which represents the resultant of two velocities, forces, accelerations, momenta, etc., both in quantity and direction, when the velocities, forces, accelerations, momenta, etc., are represented in quantity and direction by the two adjacent sides of the parallelogram.

Par`al*lel`o*gram*mat"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to a parallelogram; parallelogrammic.

{ Par`al*lel`o*gram"mic (?), Par`al*lel`o*gram"mic*al (?), } a. Having the properties of a parallelogram. [R.]

Par`al*lel`o*pi"ped (?), n. [Gr. &?; a body with parallel surfaces; &?; parallel + &?; a plane surface, &?; on the ground, or level with it, level, flat; &?; on + &?; the ground: cf. F. parallélopipède.] (Geom.) A solid, the faces of which are six parallelograms, the opposite pairs being parallel, and equal to each other; a prism whose base is a parallelogram.

Par`a*log"ic*al (?), a. Containing paralogism; illogical. "Paralogical doubt." Sir T. Browne.

Pa*ral"o*gism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to reason falsely; para` beside + &?; to reason, &?; discourse, reason: cf. F. paralogisme.] (Logic) A reasoning which is false in point of form, that is, which is contrary to logical rules or formulæ; a formal fallacy, or pseudo- syllogism, in which the conclusion does not follow from the premises.

Pa*ral"o*gize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paralogized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paralogizing (?).] [Gr. &?;.] To reason falsely; to draw conclusions not warranted by the premises. [R.]

Pa*ral"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; para` beside, beyond + &?; reason.] False reasoning; paralogism.

Pa*ral"y*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to loosen, dissolve, or disable at the side; para` beside + &?; to loosen. See Para-, and Loose, and cf. Palsy.] (Med.) Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively. "Utter paralysis of memory." G. Eliot.

Par`a*lyt"ic (?), a. [L. paralyticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. paralytique.] 1. Of or pertaining to paralysis; resembling paralysis.

Paralytic secretion (Physiol.), the fluid, generally thin and watery, secreted from a gland after section or paralysis of its nerves, as the pralytic saliva.

Par`a*ly*za"tion (?), n. The act or process of paralyzing, or the state of being paralyzed.

Par"a*lyze (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paralyzed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paralyzing (?).] [F. paralyser. See Paralysis.]

2. Fig.: To unnerve; to destroy or impair the energy of; to render ineffective; as, the occurrence paralyzed the community; despondency paralyzed his efforts.

Par"am (?), n. (Chem.) A white crystalline nitrogenous substance (C₂H₄N₄); -- called also dicyandiamide.

Par`a*mag*net"ic (?), a. [Pref. para- + magnetic.] Magnetic, as opposed to diamagnetic. -- n. A paramagnetic substance. Faraday. -- Par`a*mag*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

Par`a*ma*le"ic (?), a. [Pref. para- + maleic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from malic acid, and now called fumaric acid. [Obs.]

Par`a*ma"lic (?), a. [Pref. para- + malic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid metameric with malic acid.

Par`a*mas"toid (?), a. [Pref. para- + mastoid.] (Anat.) Situated beside, or near, the mastoid portion of the temporal bone; paroccipital; -- applied especially to a process of the skull in some animals.

Par`a*mat"ta (?), n. [So named from Paramatta, in Australia.] A light fabric of cotton and worsted, resembling bombazine or merino. Beck (Draper's Dict.)

Par"a*ment (?), n. [Sp. paramento, from parar to prepare, L. parare.] Ornamental hangings, furniture, etc., as of a state apartment; rich and elegant robes worn by men of rank; -- chiefly in the plural. [Obs.]

Par"a*mere (?), n. [Pref. para- + -mere.] (Zoöl.) One of the symmetrical halves of any one of the radii, or spheromeres, of a radiate animal, as a starfish.

Pa*ram"e*ter (?), n. [Pref. para- + -meter: cf. F. paramètre.] 1. (a) (Math.) A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family. Brande & C. (b) Specifically (Conic Sections), in the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.

The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section is called the latus rectum.

2. (Crystallog.) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species.

||Par`a*me*tri"tis (?), n. [NL. See Para-, and Metritis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the cellular tissue in the vicinity of the uterus.

Par`a*mi*og"ra*pher (?), n. [Gr. &?; proverb + -graph + -er.] A collector or writer of proverbs. [R.]

Par`a*mi"tome (?), n. [Pref. para- + mitome.] (Biol.) The fluid portion of the protoplasm of a cell.

||Pa"ra*mo (?), n.; pl. Paramos (#). [Sp. pæramo.] A high, bleak plateau or district, with stunted trees, and cold, damp atmosphere, as in the Andes, in South America.

Par"a*morph (?), n. [Pref. para- + Gr. &?; form.] (Min.) A kind of pseudomorph, in which there has been a change of physical characters without alteration of chemical composition, as the change of aragonite to calcite.

Par`a*mor"phism (?), n. (Min.) The change of one mineral species to another, so as to involve a change in physical characters without alteration of chemical composition.

Par`a*mor"phous (?), a. (Min.) Relating to paramorphism; exhibiting paramorphism.

Par"a*mount (?), a. [OF. par amont above; par through, by (L. per) + amont above. See Amount.] Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all others; chief; supreme; preëminent; as, a paramount duty. "A traitor paramount." Bacon.

Lady paramount (Archery), the lady making the best score. -- Lord paramount, the king.

Par"a*mour (?), n. [F. par amour, lit., by or with love. See 2d Par, and Amour.] 1. A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or wife; -- used of a man or a woman.

{ Par"a*mour`, Par"a*mours` (?) }, adv. By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes written as two words. [Obs.]

Par*am"y*lum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + &?; starch.] (Chem.) A substance resembling starch, found in the green frothy scum formed on the surface of stagnant water.

Par`a*naph"tha*lene (?), n. [Pref. para- + naphthalene.] (Chem.) Anthracene; -- called also paranaphthaline. [Obs.]

||Par`a*noi"a (pr`*noi"), n. [NL., fr. Gr. para`noia.] (Med.) Mental derangement; insanity.

Par*an"thra*cene (?), n. [Pref. para- + anthracene.] (Chem.) An inert isomeric modification of anthracene.

Par`a*nu"cle*us (?), n. [Pref. para- + nucleus.] (Biol.) Some as Nucleolus.

Par"a*nymph (?), n. [L. paranymphus, Gr. &?;; para` beside, near + &?; a bride: cf. F. paranymphe.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) (a) A friend of the bridegroom who went with him in his chariot to fetch home the bride. Milton. (b) The bridesmaid who conducted the bride to the bridegroom.

Par`a*pec"tin (?), n. [Pref. para- + pectin.] (Chem.) A gelatinous modification of pectin.

Par"a*pegm (?), n. [L. parapegma, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to fix beside; para` beside + &?; to fix: cf. F. parapegme.] An engraved tablet, usually of brass, set up in a public place.

Parapegms were used for the publication of laws, proclamations, etc., and the recording of astronomical phenomena or calendar events.

Par`a*pep"tone (?), n. [Pref. para- + peptone.] (Phisiol. Chem.) An albuminous body formed in small quantity by the peptic digestion of proteids. It can be converted into peptone by pancreatic juice, but not by gastric juice.

Par"a*pet (?), n. [F., fr. It. parapetto, fr. parare to ward off, guard (L. parare to prepare, provide) + petto the breast, L. pectus. See Parry, and Pectoral.]

1. (Arch.) A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like.

2. (Fort.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork. See Illust. of Casemate.

Par`a*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Pref. para- + petal.] (Bot.) Growing by the side of a petal, as a stamen.

Par"aph (?), n. [F. paraphe, parafe, contr. fr. paragraphe.] A flourish made with the pen at the end of a signature. In the Middle Ages, this formed a sort of rude safeguard against forgery. Brande & C.

Par"aph, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paraphed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paraphing.] [Cf. F. parapher, parafer.] To add a paraph to; to sign, esp. with the initials.

||Par`a*pher"na (?), n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Law) The property of a woman which, on her marriage, was not made a part of her dower, but remained her own.

Par`a*pher"nal (?), a. [Cf. F. paraphernal.] Of or pertaining to paraphernalia; as, paraphernal property. Kent.

Par`a*pher*na"li*a (?), n. pl. [LL. paraphernalia bona, fr. L. parapherna, pl., parapherna, Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?; a bride's dowry, fr. fe`rein to bring. See 1st Bear.]

1. (Law) Something reserved to a wife, over and above her dower, being chiefly apparel and ornaments suited to her degree.

||Par`a*phi*mo"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; beyond + &?; to muzzle.] (Med.) A condition in which the prepuce, after being retracted behind the glans penis, is constricted there, and can not be brought forward into place again.

Par`a*phos*phor"ic (?), a. [Pref. para- + phosphoric.] (Chem.) Pyrophosphoric. [Obs.]

||Par`a*phrag"ma (-frg"m), n.; pl. Paraphragmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + &?;, &?;, an inclosure.] (Zoöl.) One of the outer divisions of an endosternite of Crustacea. -- Par`a*phrag"mal (#), a.

Par"a*phrase (pr"*frz), n. [L. paraphrasis, Gr. para`frasis, from parafra`zein to say the same thing in other words; para` beside + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. paraphrase. See Para-, and Phrase.] A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase.

Par"a*phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paraphrased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paraphrasing (?).] To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language.

Par"a*phrast (?), n. [L. paraphrastes, Gr. &?;: cf. F. paraphraste.] A paraphraser. T. Warton.

{ Par`a*phras"tic (?), Par`a*phras"tic*al (?), } a. [Gr.&?;: cf. F. paraphrastique.] Paraphrasing; of the nature of paraphrase; explaining, or translating in words more clear and ample than those of the author; not literal; free. -- Par`a*phras"tic*al*ly, adv.

||Pa*raph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Paraphyses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + &?; growth.] (Bot.) A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other flowerless plants.

{ ||Par`a*ple"gi*a (?), Par"a*ple`gy (?), } n. [NL. paraplegia, fr. Gr. &?; hemiplegia, fr. &?; to strike at the side; para` beside + &?; to strike: cf. F. paraplégie.] (Med.) Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides, caused usually by disease of the spinal cord. -- Par`a*pleg"ic (#), a.

||Par`a*pleu"ra (?), n.; pl. Parapleuræ (#). [NL. See Para-, and 2d Pleura.] (Zoöl.) A chitinous piece between the metasternum and the pleuron of certain insects.

||Par`a*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Parapodia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + &?;, dim. of &?; foot.] (Zoöl.) One of the lateral appendages of an annelid; -- called also foot tubercle.

They may serve for locomotion, respiration, and sensation, and often contain spines or setæ. When well developed, a dorsal part, or notopodium, and a ventral part, or neuropodium, are distinguished.

Par`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Parapophyses (#). [NL. See Para-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.) The ventral transverse, or capitular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra. -- Par*ap`o*phys"ic*al (#), a.

||Pa*rap"te*rum (?), n.; pl. Paraptera (#). [NL. See Para-, and Pteron.] (Zoöl.) A special plate situated on the sides of the mesothorax and metathorax of certain insects.

{ Par`a*quet" (?), Par`a*qui"to (?), } n. [See Paroquet.] (Zoöl.) See Parrakeet.

Par"a*sang (?), n. [L. parasanga, Gr. &?;, from Old Persian; cf. Per. farsang.] A Persian measure of length, which, according to Herodotus and Xenophon, was thirty stadia, or somewhat more than three and a half miles. The measure varied in different times and places, and, as now used, is estimated at from three and a half to four English miles.

||Par`a*sce"ni*um (?), n.; pl. Parascenia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?; stage.] (Greek & Rom. Antiq.) One of two apartments adjoining the stage, probably used as robing rooms.

||Par`a*sce"ve (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;, lit., preparation.] 1. Among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath. [Obs.] Mark xv. 42 (Douay ver.)

Par`a*sche*mat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to change from the true form.] Of or pertaining to a change from the right form, as in the formation of a word from another by a change of termination, gender, etc. Max Müller.

||Par`a*se*le"ne (?), n.; pl. Paraselenæ (#). [NL., from Gr. para` beside + &?; the moon: cf. F. parasélène.] (Meteor.) A mock moon; an image of the moon which sometimes appears at the point of intersection of two lunar halos. Cf. Parhelion.

||Par`a*si"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) (a) An artificial group formerly made for parasitic insects, as lice, ticks, mites, etc. (b) A division of copepod Crustacea, having a sucking mouth, as the lerneans. They are mostly parasites on fishes. Called also Siphonostomata.

Par"a*si`tal (?), a. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to parasites; parasitic.

Par"a*site (?), n. [F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr. &?;, lit., eating beside, or at the table of, another; para` beside + &?; to feed, from &?; wheat, grain, food.]

1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant.

2. (Bot.) (a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices it absorbs; -- sometimes, but erroneously, called epiphyte. (b) A plant living on or within an animal, and supported at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus Torrubia.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) An animal which lives during the whole or part of its existence on or in the body of some other animal, feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice, tapeworms, etc. (b) An animal which steals the food of another, as the parasitic jager. (c) An animal which habitually uses the nest of another, as the cowbird and the European cuckoo.

{ Par`a*sit"ic (?), Par`a*sit"ic*al (?), } a. [L. parasiticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. parasitique.]

1. Of the nature of a parasite; fawning for food or favors; sycophantic. "Parasitic preachers." Milton.

2. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to parasites; living on, or deriving nourishment from, some other living animal or plant. See Parasite, 2 & 3.

Par`a*sit"i*cide (?), n. [Parasite + L. caedere to kill.] Anything used to destroy parasites. Quain.

1. The state or behavior of a parasite; the act of a parasite. "Court parasitism." Milton.

Par"a*sol` (?), n. [F., fr. Sp. or Pg. parasol, or It. parasole; It. parare to ward off, Sp. & Pg. parar (L. parare to prepare) + It. sole sun, Sp. & Pg. sol (L. sol). See Parry, Solar.] A kind of small umbrella used by women as a protection from the sun.

Par`a*sphe"noid (?), a. [Pref. para- + sphenoid.] (Anat.) Near the sphenoid bone; - - applied especially to a bone situated immediately beneath the sphenoid in the base of the skull in many animals. -- n. The parasphenoid bone.

Pa*ras"ti*chy (?), n. [Pref. para- + Gr. &?; a row.] (Bot.) A secondary spiral in phyllotaxy, as one of the evident spirals in a pine cone.

||Par`a*syn*ax"is (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, from &?; to assemble illegally or secretly.] (Civil Law) An unlawful meeting.

Par`a*syn*thet"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Para-, and Synthetic.] Formed from a compound word. "Parasynthetic derivatives." Dr. Murray.

Par`a*tac"tic (?), a. (Gram.) Of pertaining to, or characterized by, parataxis.

||Par`a*tax"is (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a placing beside, fr. &?; to place beside.] (Gram.) The mere ranging of propositions one after another, without indicating their connection or interdependence; -- opposed to syntax. Brande & C.

||Pa*rath"e*sis (?), n.; pl. Paratheses (#). [NL., from Gr. &?; a putting beside, from &?; to put beside.]

2. (Rhet.) A parenthetical notice, usually of matter to be afterward expanded. Smart.

||Pa`ra`ton`nerre" (?), n. [F., fr. parer to parry + tonnerre thunderbolt.] A conductor of lightning; a lightning rod.

Par*aun"ter (?), adv. [Par + aunter.] Peradventure. See Paraventure. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Pa*rauque" (?), n. (Zoöl.) A bird (Nyctidromus albicollis) ranging from Texas to South America. It is allied to the night hawk and goatsucker.

Par`a*vail" (?), a. [OF. par aval below; par through (L. per) + aval down; a- (L. ad) + val (L. vallis) a valley. Cf. Paramount.] (Eng. Law) At the bottom; lowest. Cowell.

In feudal law, the tenant paravail is the lowest tenant of the fee, or he who is immediate tenant to one who holds over of another. Wharton.

{ Par"a*vant` (?), Par"a*vant` (?), } adv. [OF. par avant. See Par, and lst Avaunt.]

Par`a*ven"ture (?), adv. [Par + aventure.] Peradventure; perchance. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Par`a*xan"thin (?), n. [Pref. Para- + xanthin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A crystalline substance closely related to xanthin, present in small quantity in urine.

Par*ax"i*al (?), a. [Pref. para- + axial.] (Anat.) On either side of the axis of the skeleton.

Par`a*xy"lene (?), n. (Chem.) A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series obtained as a colorless liquid by the distillation of camphor with zinc chloride. It is one of the three metamers of xylene. Cf. Metamer, and Xylene.

Par"boil` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parboiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parboiling.] [OE. parboilen, OF. parbouillir to cook well; par through (see Par) + bouillir to boil, L. bullire. The sense has been influenced by E. part. See lst Boil.] 1. To boil or cook thoroughly. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Par"break` (?), v. i. & t. [Par + break.] To throw out; to vomit. [Obs.] Skelton.

Par"buc`kle (?), n. (a) A kind of purchase for hoisting or lowering a cylindrical burden, as a cask. The middle of a long rope is made fast aloft, and both parts are looped around the object, which rests in the loops, and rolls in them as the ends are hauled up or payed out. (b) A double sling made of a single rope, for slinging a cask, gun, etc.

Par"buc`kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parbuckled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parbuckling (?).] To hoist or lower by means of a parbuckle. Totten.

Par"cel (?), n. [F. parcelle a small part, fr. (assumed) LL. particella, dim. of L. pars. See Part, n., and cf. Particle.] 1. A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part. [Archaic] "A parcel of her woe." Chaucer.

2. (Law) A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.

3. An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.

4. A number or quantity of things put up together; a bundle; a package; a packet.

Bill of parcels. See under 6th Bill. -- Parcel office, an office where parcels are received for keeping or forwarding and delivery. -- Parcel post, that department of the post office concerned with the collection and transmission of parcels. -- Part and parcel. See under Part.

Par"cel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parceled (?) or Parcelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Parceling or Parcelling.]

1. To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often with out or into. "Their woes are parceled, mine are general." Shak.

3. To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.

To parcel a rope (Naut.), to wind strips of tarred canvas tightly arround it. Totten. -- To parcel a seam (Naut.), to cover it with a strip of tarred canvas.

Par"cel, a. & adv. Part or half; in part; partially. Shak. [Sometimes hyphened with the word following.]

2. (Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.

Par"cel-mele` (?), adv. [See Parcel, and Meal a part.] By parcels or parts. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Par"ce*na*ry (?), n. [See Parcener, partner.] (Law) The holding or occupation of an inheritable estate which descends from the ancestor to two or more persons; coheirship.

It differs in many respects from joint tenancy, which is created by deed or devise. In the United States there is no essential distinction between parcenary and tenancy in common. Wharton. Kent.

Par"ce*ner (?), n. [Of. parçonnier, parsonnier, fr. parzon, parçun, parcion, part, portion, fr. L. partitio a division. See Partition, and cf. Partner.] (Law) A coheir, or one of two or more persons to whom an estate of inheritance descends jointly, and by whom it is held as one estate.

Parch (pärch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parching.] [OE. perchen to pierce, hence used of a piercing heat or cold, OF. perchier, another form of percier, F. percer. See Pierce.] 1. To burn the surface of; to scorch; to roast over the fire, as dry grain; as, to parch the skin; to parch corn.

2. To dry to extremity; to shrivel with heat; as, the mouth is parched from fever.

Parch, v. i. To become scorched or superficially burnt; to be very dry. "Parch in Afric sun." Shak.

Parch"ing (pärch"ng), a. Scorching; burning; drying. "Summer's parching heat." Shak. -- Parch"ing*ly, adv.

Parch"ment (-ment), n. [OE. parchemin, perchemin, F. parchemin, LL. pergamenum, L. pergamena, pergamina, fr. L. Pergamenus of or belonging to Pergamus an ancient city of Mysia in Asia Minor, where parchment was first used.] 1. The skin of a lamb, sheep, goat, young calf, or other animal, prepared for writing on. See Vellum.

Par"close (?), n. [OF. See Perclose.] (Eccl. Arch.) A screen separating a chapel from the body of the church. [Written also paraclose and perclose.] Hook.

Pard (pärd), n. [L. pardus, Gr. pa`rdos; cf. Skr. pdku tiger, panther.] (Zoöl.) A leopard; a panther.

Par"dale (pär"dl), n. [L. pardalis, Gr. pa`rdalis. Cf. Pard.] (Zoöl.) A leopard. [Obs.] Spenser.

{ Par*de" (?), Par*die" (?) }, adv. or interj. [F. pardi, for par Dieu by God.] Certainly; surely; truly; verily; -- originally an oath. [Written also pardee, pardieux, perdie, etc.] [Obs.]

Pardine lynx (Zoöl.), a species of lynx (Felis pardina) inhabiting Southern Europe. Its color is rufous, spotted with black.

Par"do (?), n. [Pg. pardao, fr. Skr. pratpa splendor, majesty.] A money of account in Goa, India, equivalent to about 2s. 6d. sterling. or 60 cts.

Par"don (?), n. [F., fr. pardonner to pardon. See Pardon, v. t.] 1. The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution.

Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction; as, I crave your pardon; or in indicating that one has not understood another; as, I beg pardon.

4. (Law) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amenesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.

Par"don, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pardoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pardoning.] [Either fr. pardon, n., or from F. pardonner, LL. perdonare; L. per through, thoroughly, perfectly + donare to give, to present. See Par- , and Donation.] 1. To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the punishment of crime; to free from penalty; -- applied to the offender.

2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.

Pardon me, forgive me; excuse me; -- a phrase used also to express courteous denial or contradiction.

Par"don*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. pardonnable.] Admitting of pardon; not requiring the excution of penalty; venial; excusable; -- applied to the offense or to the offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit.

Par"don*a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being pardonable; as, the pardonableness of sin. Bp. Hall.

Par"don*ing, a. Relating to pardon; having or exercising the right to pardon; willing to pardon; merciful; as, the pardoning power; a pardoning God.

Pare (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paring.] [F. parer to pare, as a horse's hoofs, to dress or curry, as, leather, to clear, as anchors or cables, to parry, ward off, fr. L. parare to prepare. Cf. Empire, Parade, Pardon, Parry, Prepare.] 1. To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof.

2. To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin, ring, or outside part, from anything; -- followed by off or away; as; to pare off the ring of fruit; to pare away redundancies.

Par`e*gor"ic (?), a. [L. paregoricus, Gr. &?;, from &?; addressing, encouraging, soothing; para` beside + &?; an assembly: cf. F. parégorique. See Allegory.] Mitigating; assuaging or soothing pain; as, paregoric elixir.

Par`e*gor"ic, n. (Med.) A medicine that mitigates pain; an anodyne; specifically, camphorated tincture of opium; -- called also paregoric elexir.

Pa*rel"con (?), n. [Gr. &?; to draw aside, to be redundant; para` beside + &?; to draw.] (Gram.) The addition of a syllable or particle to the end of a pronoun, verb, or adverb.

Par`e*lec`tro*nom"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) Of or relating to parelectronomy; as, the parelectronomic part of a muscle.

Par*e`lec*tron"o*my (?), n. [Pref. para- + electro- + Gr. &?; law.] (Physiol.) A condition of the muscles induced by exposure to severe cold, in which the electrical action of the muscle is reversed.

{ ||Pa*rel"la (?), ||Pa`relle (?), } n. [Cf. F. parelle.] (Bot.) (a) A name for two kinds of dock (Rumex Patientia and R. Hydrolapathum). (b) A kind of lichen (Lecanora parella) once used in dyeing and in the preparation of litmus.

||Pa*rem"bo*le (&?;), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; an insertion beside. See Para-, and Embolus.] (Rhet.) A kind of parenthesis.

||Par`emp*to"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a coming in beside; para` beside + &?; to fall in.] Same as Parembole.

Pa*ren"chy*ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to pour in beside; para` beside + &?; in + &?; to pour: cf. F. parenchyme.] (Biol.) The soft celluar substance of the tissues of plants and animals, like the pulp of leaves, to soft tissue of glands, and the like.

{ Par`en*chym"a*tous (?), Pa*ren"chy*mous (?), } a. [Cf. F. parenchymateux.] Of, pertaining to, or connected with, the parenchyma of a tissue or an organ; as, parenchymatous degeneration.

||Pa*ren"e*sis (?), n. [L. paraenesis, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to advise.] Exhortation. [R.]

{ Par`e*net"ic (?), Par`e*net"io*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. parénétique.] Hortatory; encouraging; persuasive. [R.] F. Potter.

Par"ent (?), n. [L. parens, - entis; akin to parere to bring forth; cf. Gr. &?; to give, beget: cf. F. parent. Cf. Part.] 1. One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a mother.

2. That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as, idleness is the parent of vice.

Parent cell. (Biol.) See Mother cell, under Mother, also Cytula. -- Parent nucleus (Biol.), a nucleus which, in cell division, divides, and gives rise to two or more daughter nuclei. See Karyokinesis, and Cell division, under Division.

Par"ent*age (?), n. [Cf. F. parentage relationship.] Descent from parents or ancestors; parents or ancestors considered with respect to their rank or character; extraction; birth; as, a man of noble parentage. "Wilt thou deny thy parentage?" Shak.

Pa*ren"tal (?), a. [L. parentalis.] 1. Of or pertaining to a parent or to parents; as, parental authority; parental obligations.

2. Becoming to, or characteristic of, parents; tender; affectionate; devoted; as, parental care.

Par`en*ta"tion (?), n. [L. parentatio, fr. parentare to offer a solemn sacrifice in honor of deceased parents. See Parent.] Something done or said in honor of the dead; obsequies. [Obs.] Abp. Potter.

Par"en`tele` (?), n. [F. parentèle, L. parentela.] Kinship; parentage. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pa*ren"the*sis (?), n.; pl. Parentheses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to put in beside, insert; para` beside + &?; in + &?; to put, place. See Para-, En-, 2, and Thesis.]

1. A word, phrase, or sentence, by way of comment or explanation, inserted in, or attached to, a sentence which would be grammatically complete without it. It is usually inclosed within curved lines (see def. 2 below), or dashes. "Seldom mentioned without a derogatory parenthesis." Sir T. Browne.

2. (Print.) One of the curved lines () which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase.

Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign; but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by commas are logically parenthetical. In def. 1, the phrase "by way of comment or explanation" is inserted for explanation, and the sentence would be grammatically complete without it. The present tendency is to avoid using the distinctive marks, except when confusion would arise from a less conspicuous separation.

Pa*ren"the*size (?), v. t. To make a parenthesis of; to include within parenthetical marks. Lowell.

{ Par`en*thet"ic (?), Par`en*thet"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. Gr. &?;.] 1. Of the nature of a parenthesis; pertaining to, or expressed in, or as in, a parenthesis; as, a parenthetical clause; a parenthetic remark.

Par`en*thet"ic*al*ly, adv. In a parenthetical manner; by way of parenthesis; by parentheses.

Par"ent*hood (?), n. The state of a parent; the office or character of a parent.

Pa*ren"ti*cide (?), n. [L. parenticida a parricide; parens parent + caedere to kill.]

Par*ep`i*did"y*mis (?), n. [NL. See Para-, and Epididymis.] (Anat.) A small body containing convoluted tubules, situated near the epididymis in man and some other animals, and supposed to be a remnant of the anterior part of the Wolffian body.

Par"er (?), n. [From Pare, v. t.] One who, or that which, pares; an instrument for paring.

Par"er*gy (?), n. [L. parergon, Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?; work.] Something unimportant, incidental, or superfluous. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

||Par"e*sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to let go; &?; from + &?; to send.] (Med.) Incomplete paralysis, affecting motion but not sensation.

Par*eth"moid (?), a. [Pref. para- + ethmoid.] (Anat.) Near or beside the ethmoid bone or cartilage; -- applied especially to a pair of bones in the nasal region of some fishes, and to the ethmoturbinals in some higher animals. -- n. A parethmoid bone.

{ Par*forn" (?), Par*fourn" (?) }, v. t. To perform. [Obs.] Chaucer. Piers Plowman.

Par"gas*ite (?), n. [So called from Pargas, in Finland.] (Min.) A dark green aluminous variety of amphibole, or hornblende.

Par"get (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pargeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pargeting.] [OE. pargeten, also spargeten, sparchen; of uncertain origin.] 1. To coat with parget; to plaster, as walls, or the interior of flues; as, to parget the outside of their houses. Sir T. Herbert.

Par"get*ing, n. [Written also pargetting.] Plasterwork; esp.: (a) A kind of decorative plasterwork in raised ornamental figures, formerly used for the internal and external decoration of houses. (b) In modern architecture, the plastering of the inside of flues, intended to give a smooth surface and help the draught.

Par"get*o*ry (?), n. Something made of, or covered with, parget, or plaster. [Obs.] Milton.

Par*hel"ion (?), n.; pl. Parhelia (#). [L. parelion, Gr. &?;, &?;; para` beside + &?; the sun.] A mock sun appearing in the form of a bright light, sometimes near the sun, and tinged with colors like the rainbow, and sometimes opposite to the sun. The latter is usually called an anthelion. Often several mock suns appear at the same time. Cf. Paraselene.

Par"i- (?). [L. par, paris, equal.] A combining form signifying equal; as, paridigitate, paripinnate.

Pa"ri*ah (?), n. [From Tamil paraiyan, pl. paraiyar, one of the low caste, fr. parai a large drum, because they beat the drums at certain festivals.]

1. One of an aboriginal people of Southern India, regarded by the four castes of the Hindoos as of very low grade. They are usually the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See Caste. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

Pariah dog (Zoöl.), a mongrel race of half-wild dogs which act as scavengers in Oriental cities. -- Pariah kite (Zoöl.), a species of kite (Milvus govinda) which acts as a scavenger in India.

Pa"ri*an (?), a. [L. Parius.] Of or pertaining to Paros, an island in the Ægean Sea noted for its excellent statuary marble; as, Parian marble.

Parian chronicle, a most ancient chronicle of the city of Athens, engraved on marble in the Isle of Paros, now among the Arundelian marbles.

2. A ceramic ware, resembling unglazed porcelain biscuit, of which are made statuettes, ornaments, etc.

||Par`i*dig`i*ta"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pari-, and Digitate.] (Zoöl.) Same as Artiodactyla.

Par`i*dig"i*tate (?), a. (Anat.) Having an even number of digits on the hands or the feet. Qwen.

||Pa"ri*es (?), n.; pl. Parietes (#). [See Parietes.] (Zoöl.) The triangular middle part of each segment of the shell of a barnacle.

Pa*ri"e*tal (?), a. [L. parietalis, fr. paries, -ietis, a wall: cf. F. pariétal. Cf. Parietary, Pellitory.]

1. Of or pertaining to a wall; hence, pertaining to buildings or the care of them.

3. (Anat.) (a) Of pertaining to the parietes. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the parietal bones, which form the upper and middle part of the cranium, between the frontals and occipitals.

4. (Bot.) Attached to the main wall of the ovary, and not to the axis; -- said of a placenta.

2. (Zoöl.) One of the special scales, or plates, covering the back of the head in certain reptiles and fishes.

Pa*ri"e*ta*ry, n. [L. parietaria, fr. parietarius parietal. Cf. Pellitory, Parietal.] (Bot.) Any one of several species of Parietaria. See 1st Pellitory.

1. (Anat.) The walls of a cavity or an organ; as, the abdominal parietes; the parietes of the cranium.

Pa`ri*et"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in the lichen Parmelia parietina, and called also chrysophanic acid.

Pa*ri"e*tine (?), n. [L. parietinus parietal: cf. parietinae ruined walls.] A piece of a fallen wall; a ruin. [Obs.] Burton.

Pa*ri"e*to- (&?;). (Anat.) A combining form used to indicate connection with, or relation to, the parietal bones or the parietal segment of the skull; as, the parieto-mastoid suture.

Pa*rig"e*nin (?), n. [Parillin + -gen + -in.] (Chem.) A curdy white substance, obtained by the decomposition of parillin.

Pa*ril"lin (?), n. [Shortened fr. sarsaparillin.] (Chem.) A glucoside resembling saponin, found in the root of sarsaparilla, smilax, etc., and extracted as a bitter white crystalline substance; -- called also smilacin, sarsaparilla saponin, and sarsaparillin.

Par"ing (?), n. [From Pare, v. t.] 1. The act of cutting off the surface or extremites of anything.

Par`i*pin"nate (?), a. [Pari- + pinnate.] (Bot.) Pinnate with an equal number of leaflets on each side; having no odd leaflet at the end.

Par"is (?), n. [From Paris, the son of Priam.] (Bot.) A plant common in Europe (Paris quadrifolia); herb Paris; truelove. It has been used as a narcotic.

It much resembles the American genus Trillium, but has usually four leaves and a tetramerous flower.

Paris green. See under Green, n. -- Paris white (Chem.), purified chalk used as a pigment; whiting; Spanish white.

Par"ish (?), n. [OE. parishe, paresche, parosche, OF. paroisse, parosse, paroiche, F. paroisse, L. parochia, corrupted fr. paroecia, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; dwelling beside or near; para` beside + &?; a house, dwelling; akin to L. vicus village. See Vicinity, and cf. Parochial.]

1. (Eccl. & Eng. Law) (a) That circuit of ground committed to the charge of one parson or vicar, or other minister having cure of souls therein. Cowell. (b) The same district, constituting a civil jurisdiction, with its own officers and regulations, as respects the poor, taxes, etc.

Populous and extensive parishes are now divided, under various parliamentary acts, into smaller ecclesiastical districts for spiritual purposes. Mozley & W.

2. An ecclesiastical society, usually not bounded by territorial limits, but composed of those persons who choose to unite under the charge of a particular priest, clergyman, or minister; also, loosely, the territory in which the members of a congregation live. [U. S.]

Par"ish, a. Of or pertaining to a parish; parochial; as, a parish church; parish records; a parish priest; maintained by the parish; as, parish poor. Dryden.

Parish clerk. (a) The clerk or recording officer of a parish. (b) A layman who leads in the responses and otherwise assists in the service of the Church of England. -- Parish court, in Louisiana, a court in each parish.

Pa*rish"ion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a parish; parochial. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Pa*rish"ion*er (?), n. [F. paroissien, LL. parochianus.] One who belongs to, or is connected with, a parish.

Pa*ri"sian (?), n. [Cf. F. parisen.] A native or inhabitant of Paris, the capital of France.

Par`i*sol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; almost equal, evenly balanced + -logy.] The use of equivocal or ambiguous words. [R.]

{ Par`i*syl*lab"ic (?), Par`i*syl*lab"ic*al (?), } a. [Pari- + syllabic, -ical: cf. F. parisyllabique.] Having the same number of syllables in all its inflections.

Par"i*tor (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. apparitor: cf. L. paritor a servant, attendant.] An apparitor. "Summoned by an host of paritors." Dryden.

Par"i*ty (?), n. [L. paritas, fr. par, paris, equal: cf. F. parité. See Pair, Peer an equal.] The quality or condition of being equal or equivalent; A like state or degree; equality; close correspondence; analogy; as, parity of reasoning. "No parity of principle." De Quincey.

Park (?), n. [AS. pearroc, or perh. rather fr. F. parc; both being of the same origin; cf. LL. parcus, parricus, Ir. & Gael. pairc, W. park, parwg. Cf. Paddock an inclosure, Parrock.] 1. (Eng. Law) A piece of ground inclosed, and stored with beasts of the chase, which a man may have by prescription, or the king's grant. Mozley & W.

2. A tract of ground kept in its natural state, about or adjacent to a residence, as for the preservation of game, for walking, riding, or the like. Chaucer.

3. A piece of ground, in or near a city or town, inclosed and kept for ornament and recreation; as, Hyde Park in London; Central Park in New York.

4. (Mil.) A space occupied by the animals, wagons, pontoons, and materials of all kinds, as ammunition, ordnance stores, hospital stores, provisions, etc., when brought together; also, the objects themselves; as, a park of wagons; a park of artillery.

5. A partially inclosed basin in which oysters are grown. [Written also parc.]

Park of artillery. See under Artillery. -- Park phaeton, a small, low carriage, for use in parks.

Park, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parking.] 1. To inclose in a park, or as in a park.

2. (Mil.) To bring together in a park, or compact body; as, to park the artillery, the wagons, etc.

||Par*ke"ri*a (?), n. [NL. So named from W. K. Parker, a British zoölogist.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large arenaceous fossil Foraminifera found in the Cretaceous rocks. The species are globular, or nearly so, and are of all sizes up to that of a tennis ball.

Parkes"ine (?), n. [So called from Mr. Parkes, the inventor.] A compound, originally made from gun cotton and castor oil, but later from different materials, and used as a substitute for vulcanized India rubber and for ivory; -- called also xylotile.

Park"leaves` (?), n. (Bot.) A European species of Saint John's-wort; the tutsan. See Tutsan.

Par"lance (?), n. [OF., fr. F. parler to speak. See Parley.] Conversation; discourse; talk; diction; phrase; as, in legal parlance; in common parlance.

{ ||Par*lan"do (?), ||Par*lan"te (?), } a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.) Speaking; in a speaking or declamatory manner; to be sung or played in the style of a recitative.

Parle (?), v. i. [F. parler. See Parley.] To talk; to converse; to parley. [Obs.] Shak.

Par"ley (?), n.; pl. Parleys (#). [F. parler speech, talk, fr. parler to speak, LL. parabolare, fr. L. parabola a comparison, parable, in LL., a word. See Parable, and cf. Parliament, Parlor.] Mutual discourse or conversation; discussion; hence, an oral conference with an enemy, as with regard to a truce.

To beat a parley (Mil.), to beat a drum, or sound a trumpet, as a signal for holding a conference with the enemy.

Par"ley, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Parleyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parleying.] To speak with another; to confer on some point of mutual concern; to discuss orally; hence, specifically, to confer orally with an enemy; to treat with him by words, as on an exchange of prisoners, an armistice, or terms of peace.

Par"lia*ment (?), n. [OE. parlement, F. parlement, fr. parler to speak; cf. LL. parlamentum, parliamentum. See Parley.] 1. A parleying; a discussion; a conference. [Obs.]

2. A formal conference on public affairs; a general council; esp., an assembly of representatives of a nation or people having authority to make laws.

3. The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons, sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws.

Thought the sovereign is a constituting branch of Parliament, the word is generally used to denote the three estates named above.

4. In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the several principal judicial courts.

Parliament heel, the inclination of a ship when made to careen by shifting her cargo or ballast. -- Parliament hinge (Arch.), a hinge with so great a projection from the wall or frame as to allow a door or shutter to swing back flat against the wall. -- Long Parliament, Rump Parliament. See under Long, and Rump.

Par`lia*men*ta"ri*an, n. 1. (Eng. Hist.) One who adhered to the Parliament, in opposition to King Charles I. Walpole.

2. One versed in the rules and usages of Parliament or similar deliberative assemblies; as, an accomplished parliamentarian.

3. According to the rules and usages of Parliament or of deliberative bodies; as, a parliamentary motion.

Parliamentary agent, a person, usually a solicitor, professionally employed by private parties to explain and recommend claims, bills, etc., under consideration of Parliament. [Eng.] -- Parliamentary train, one of the trains which, by act of Parliament, railway companies are required to run for the conveyance of third-class passengers at a reduced rate. [Eng.]

Par"lor (?), n. [OE. parlour, parlur, F. parloir, LL. parlatorium. See Parley.] [Written also parlour.] A room for business or social conversation, for the reception of guests, etc. Specifically: (a) The apartment in a monastery or nunnery where the inmates are permitted to meet and converse with each other, or with visitors and friends from without. Piers Plowman. (b) In large private houses, a sitting room for the family and for familiar guests, -- a room for less formal uses than the drawing-room. Esp., in modern times, the dining room of a house having few apartments, as a London house, where the dining parlor is usually on the ground floor. (c) Commonly, in the United States, a drawing- room, or the room where visitors are received and entertained.

"In England people who have a drawing-room no longer call it a parlor, as they called it of old and till recently." Fitzed. Hall.

Par"lous (?), a. [For perlous, a contr. fr. perilous.] 1. Attended with peril; dangerous; as, a parlous cough. [Archaic] "A parlous snuffing." Beau. & Fl.

2. Venturesome; bold; mischievous; keen. [Obs.] "A parlous boy." Shak. "A parlous wit." Dryden. -- Par"lous*ly, adv. [Obs.] -- Par"lous*ness, n. [Obs.]

Par`me*san" (?), a. [F. parmesan, It. parmigiano.] Of or pertaining to Parma in Italy.

Parmesan cheese, a kind of cheese of a rich flavor, though from skimmed milk, made in Parma, Italy.

||Par*nas"si*a (?), n. [NL.] (Bot.) A genus of herbs growing in wet places, and having white flowers; grass of Parnassus.

Par*nas"sian, n. [See Parnassus.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to the genus Parnassius. They inhabit the mountains, both in the Old World and in America.

Par*nas"sus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Anc. Geog. & Gr. Myth.) A mountain in Greece, sacred to Apollo and the Muses, and famous for a temple of Apollo and for the Castalian spring.

Grass of Parnassus. (Bot.) See under Grass, and Parnassia. -- To climb Parnassus, to write poetry. [Colloq.]

Par`oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Pref. para- + occipital.] (Anat.) Situated near or beside the occipital condyle or the occipital bone; paramastoid; -- applied especially to a process of the skull in some animals.

Pa*ro"chi*al (?), a. [LL. parochialis, from L. parochia. See Parish.] Of or pertaining to a parish; restricted to a parish; as, parochial duties. "Parochial pastors." Bp. Atterbury. Hence, limited; narrow. "The parochial mind." W. Black.

Pa*ro"chi*al*ism (?), n. The quality or state of being parochial in form or nature; a system of management peculiar to parishes.

Pa*ro"chi*al*ly, adv. In a parochial manner; by the parish, or by parishes. Bp. Stillingfleet.

Pa*ro"chi*an (?), a. [See Parochial, Parishioner.] Parochial. [Obs.] "Parochian churches." Bacon.

{ Pa*rod"ic (?), Pa*rod"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. parodique.] Having the character of parody.

Par"o*dist (?), n. [Cf. F. parodiste.] One who writes a parody; one who parodies. Coleridge.

Par"o*dy (?), n.; pl. Parodies (#). [L. parodia, Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?; a song: cf. F. parodie. See Para-, and Ode.]

1. A writing in which the language or sentiment of an author is mimicked; especially, a kind of literary pleasantry, in which what is written on one subject is altered, and applied to another by way of burlesque; travesty.

Par"o*dy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parodied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parodying.] [Cf. F. parodier.] To write a parody upon; to burlesque.

2. (Law) Oral declaration; word of mouth; also, a writing not under seal. Blackstone.

Pa*rol", a. Given or done by word of mouth; oral; also, given by a writing not under seal; as, parol evidence.

Parol arrest (Law), an arrest in pursuance of a verbal order from a magistrate. -- Parol contract (Law), any contract not of record or under seal, whether oral or written; a simple contract. Chitty. Story.

Pa*role" (?), n. [F. parole. See Parley, and cf. Parol.] 1. A word; an oral utterance. [Obs.]

2. Word of promise; word of honor; plighted faith; especially (Mil.), promise, upon one's faith and honor, to fulfill stated conditions, as not to bear arms against one's captors, to return to custody, or the like.

3. (Mil.) A watchword given only to officers of guards; -- distinguished from countersign, which is given to all guards.

Pa*role", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paroled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paroling.] (Mil.) To set at liberty on parole; as, to parole prisoners.

Par`o*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. fr. &?;, fr. &?; to grant; &?; by, near + &?; to speak together, agree. See Homologous.] (Rhet.) A concession to an adversary in order to strengthen one's own argument.

||Par`o*no*ma"si*a (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to form a word by a slight change; para` beside + &?; to name, fr. &?; a name.] (Rhet.) A play upon words; a figure by which the same word is used in different senses, or words similar in sound are set in opposition to each other, so as to give antithetical force to the sentence; punning. Dryden.

{ Par`o*no*mas"tic (?), Par`o*no*mas"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to paronomasia; consisting in a play upon words.

||Par`o*nych"i*a (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; para` beside + &?;, &?;, a nail.] (Med.) A whitlow, or felon. Quincy.

Pa*ron"y*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; para` beside, near + &?; a name.] 1. Having the same derivation; allied radically; conjugate; -- said of certain words, as man, mankind, manhood, etc.

2. Having a similar sound, but different orthography and different meaning; -- said of certain words, as al&?; and awl; hair and hare, etc.

Pa*ron"y*my, n. The quality of being paronymous; also, the use of paronymous words.

||Par`o*öph"o*ron (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; (see Para-) + &?; an egg + &?; to bear.] (Anat.) A small mass of tubules near the ovary in some animals, and corresponding with the parepididymis of the male.

Par"o*quet` (?), n. [F. perroquet, or Sp. periquito; both prob. orig. meaning, little Peter. See Parrot.] (Zoöl.) Same as Parrakeet. [Written also paroket, parroquet, and perroquet.]

Paroquet auk or auklet (Zoöl.), a small auk (Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus) inhabiting the coast and islands of Alaska. The upper parts are dark slate, under parts white, bill orange red. Called also perroquet auk.

||Pa*ror"chis (?), n. [NL. See Para- , and Orchis.] (Anat.) The part of the epididymis; or the corresponding part of the excretory duct of the testicle, which is derived from the Wolffian body.

Pa*ros"te*al (?), (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to parostosis; as, parosteal ossification.

||Par`os*to"sis (?), n. [NL. See Para-, and Ostosis.] (Physiol.) Ossification which takes place in purely fibrous tracts; the formation of bone outside of the periosteum.

Pa*rot"ic (?), a. [See Parotid.] (Anat.) On the side of the auditory capsule; near the external ear.

Pa*rot"id (?), a. [L. parotis, -idis, Gr. &?;, &?;; para` beside, near + &?;, &?;, the ear: cf. F. parotide. ] (Anat.) (a) Situated near the ear; -- applied especially to the salivary gland near the ear. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the parotid gland.

Parotid gland (Anat.), one of the salivary glands situated just in front of or below the ear. It is the largest of the salivary glands in man, and its duct opens into the interior of the mouth opposite the second molar of the upper jaw.

Par`o*ti"tis (?), n. [NL. See Parotid, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the parotid glands.

Par"o*toid (?), a. [Parotid + -oid.] (Anat.) Resembling the parotid gland; -- applied especially to cutaneous glandular elevations above the ear in many toads and frogs. -- n. A parotoid gland.

||Pa*rou"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;. See Parusia.] (a) The nativity of our Lord. (b) The last day. Shipley.

||Par`o*va"ri*um (?), n. [NL. See Para-, and Ovarium.] (Anat.) A group of tubules, a remnant of the Wolffian body, often found near the ovary or oviduct; the epoöphoron.

Par"ox*ysm (?), n. [F. paroxysme, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to sharpen, irritate; para` beside, beyond + &?; to sharpen, from &?; sharp.] 1. (Med.) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. Arbuthnot.

2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or action; a convulsion; a fit.

Par`ox*ys"mal (?), a. Of the nature of a paroxysm; characterized or accompanied by paroxysms; as, a paroxysmal pain; paroxysmal temper. -- Par`ox*ys"mal*ly, adv.

Par*ox"y*tone (?), n. [Gr. &?;, a. See Para-, and Oxytone.] (Gr. Gram.) A word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable.

1. A body of seats on the floor of a music hall or theater nearest the orchestra; but commonly applied to the whole lower floor of a theater, from the orchestra to the dress circle; the pit.

Par"quet*ed, a. Formed in parquetry; inlaid with wood in small and differently colored figures.

Par"quet*ry (?), n. [F. parqueterie, fr. parquet inlaid flooring, fr. parquet, dim. of parc an inclosure. See Park.] A species of joinery or cabinet-work consisting of an inlay of geometric or other patterns, generally of different colors, -- used especially for floors.

Parr (?), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. bradan a salmon.] (Zoöl.) (a) A young salmon in the stage when it has dark transverse bands; -- called also samlet, skegger, and fingerling. (b) A young leveret.

{ Par"ra*keet` (?), Par"a*keet` }, n. [See Paroquet.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small parrots having a graduated tail, which is frequently very long; -- called also paroquet and paraquet.

Many of the Asiatic and Australian species belong to the genus Paleornis; others belong to Polytelis, Platycercus, Psephotus, Euphema, and allied genera. The American parrakeets mostly belong to the genus Conurus, as the Carolina parrakeet (C. Carolinensis).

{ Par"ral (?), Par"rel (?), } n. [F. appareil. See Apparel, n.] 1. (Naut.) The rope or collar by which a yard or spar is held to the mast in such a way that it may be hoisted or lowered at pleasure. Totten.

||Par*ra"qua (?), n. (Zoöl.) A curassow of the genus Ortalida, allied to the guan.

||Par*rhe"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; para` beside, beyond + &?; a speaking.] (Rhet.) Boldness or freedom of speech.

Par"ri*ci`dal (?), a. [L. parricidalis, parricidialis. See Parricide.] Of or pertaining to parricide; guilty of parricide.

Par"ri*cide (?), n. [F., fr. L. parricida; pater father + caedere to kill. See Father, Homicide, and cf. Patricide.]

1. Properly, one who murders one's own father; in a wider sense, one who murders one's father or mother or any ancestor.

2. [L. parricidium.] The act or crime of murdering one's own father or any ancestor.

Par"rock (?), n. [AS. pearruc, pearroc. See Park.] A croft, or small field; a paddock. [Prov. Eng.]

Par"rot (?), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. Paroquet, Petrel, Petrify.] 1. (Zoöl.) In a general sense, any bird of the order Psittaci.

2. (Zoöl.) Any species of Psittacus, Chrysotis, Pionus, and other genera of the family Psittacidæ, as distinguished from the parrakeets, macaws, and lories. They have a short rounded or even tail, and often a naked space on the cheeks. The gray parrot, or jako (P. erithacus) of Africa (see Jako), and the species of Amazon, or green, parrots (Chrysotis) of America, are examples. Many species, as cage birds, readily learn to imitate sounds, and to repeat words and phrases.

Carolina parrot (Zoöl.), the Carolina parrakeet. See Parrakeet. -- Night parrot, or Owl parrot. (Zoöl.) See Kakapo. -- Parrot coal, cannel coal; -- so called from the crackling and chattering sound it makes in burning. [Eng. & Scot.] -- Parrot green. (Chem.) See Scheele's green, under Green, n. -- Parrot weed (Bot.), a suffrutescent plant (Bocconia frutescens) of the Poppy family, native of the warmer parts of America. It has very large, sinuate, pinnatifid leaves, and small, panicled, apetalous flowers. -- Parrot wrasse, Parrot fish (Zoöl.), any fish of the genus Scarus. One species (S. Cretensis), found in the Mediterranean, is esteemed by epicures, and was highly prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Par"rot*ry (?), n. Servile imitation or repetition. [R.] Coleridge. "The supine parrotry." Fitzed. Hall.

Par"rot's-bill` (?), n. [So called from the resemblance of its curved superior petal to a parrot's bill.] (Bot.) The glory pea. See under Glory.

Par"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parrying.] [F. paré, p. p. of parer. See Pare, v. t.]

1. To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm. Locke.

Par"ry, v. i. To ward off, evade, or turn aside something, as a blow, argument, etc. Locke.

Par"ry, n.; pl. Parries (&?;). A warding off of a thrust or blow, as in sword and bayonet exercises or in boxing; hence, figuratively, a defensive movement in debate or other intellectual encounter.

Parse (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parsed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parsing.] [L. pars a part; pars orationis a part of speech. See Part, n.] (Gram.) To resolve into its elements, as a sentence, pointing out the several parts of speech, and their relation to each other by government or agreement; to analyze and describe grammatically.

Par"see (?), n. [Hind. & Per. prs a Persian, a follower of Zoroaster, a fire worshiper. Cf. Persian.]

1. One of the adherents of the Zoroastrian or ancient Persian religion, descended from Persian refugees settled in India; a fire worshiper; a Gheber.

Par`si*mo"ni*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. parcimonieux. See Parsimony.] Exhibiting parsimony; sparing in expenditure of money; frugal to excess; penurious; niggardly; stingy. -- Par`si*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv. -- Par`si*mo"ni*ous*ness, n.

Syn. -- Covetous; niggardly; miserly; penurious; close; saving; mean; stingy; frugal. See Avaricious.

Par"si*mo*ny (?), n. [L. parsimonia, parcimonia; cf. parcere to spare, parsus sparing: cf. F. parcimonie.] Closeness or sparingness in the expenditure of money; -- generally in a bad sense; excessive frugality; niggardliness. Bacon.

Syn. -- Economy; frugality; illiberality; covetousness; closeness; stinginess. See Economy.

Pars"ley (?), n. [OE. persely, persil, F. persil, L. petroselinum rock parsley, Gr. &?;; &?; stone + &?; parsley. Cf. Celery.] (Bot.) An aromatic umbelliferous herb (Carum Petroselinum), having finely divided leaves which are used in cookery and as a garnish.

Fool's parsley. See under Fool. - - Hedge parsley, Milk parsley, Stone parsley, names given to various weeds of similar appearance to the parsley. -- Parsley fern (Bot.), a small fern with leaves resembling parsley (Cryptogramme crispa). -- Parsley piert (Bot.), a small herb (Alchemilla arvensis) formerly used as a remedy for calculus.

Pars"nip (?), n. [OE. parsnepe, from a French form, fr. L. pastinaca; cf. pastinare to dig up, pastinum a kind of dibble; cf. OF. pastenade, pastenaque.] (Bot.) The aromatic and edible spindle-shaped root of the cultivated form of the Pastinaca sativa, a biennial umbelliferous plant which is very poisonous in its wild state; also, the plant itself.

Cow parsnip. See Cow parsnip. -- Meadow parsnip, the European cow parsnip. - - Poison parsnip, the wild stock of the parsnip. -- Water parsnip, any plant of the umbelliferous genus Sium, the species of which are poisonous.

Par"son (?), n. [OE. persone person, parson, OF. persone, F. personne person, LL. persona (sc. ecclesiae), fr. L. persona a person. See Person.]

1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of souls.

2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.

Parson bird (Zoöl.), a New Zealand bird (Prosthemadera Novæseelandiæ) remarkable for its powers of mimicry and its ability to articulate words. Its color is glossy black, with a curious tuft of long, curly, white feathers on each side of the throat. It is often kept as a cage bird.

Par"son*age (?), n. 1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A certain portion of lands, tithes, and offerings, for the maintenance of the parson of a parish.

2. The glebe and house, or the house only, owned by a parish or ecclesiastical society, and appropriated to the maintenance or use of the incumbent or settled pastor.

{ Par*son"ic (?), Par*son"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a parson; clerical.

Par"son*ish (?), a. Appropriate to, or like, a parson; -- used in disparagement. [Colloq.]

Part (?), n. [F. part, L. pars, gen. partis; cf. parere to bring forth, produce. Cf. Parent, Depart, Parcel, Partner, Party, Portion.] 1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity, mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.

2. Hence, specifically: (a) An equal constituent portion; one of several or many like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is divided, or of which it is composed; proportional division or ingredient.

(b) A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ; an essential element.

(c) A constituent of character or capacity; quality; faculty; talent; -- usually in the plural with a collective sense. "Men of considerable parts." Burke. "Great quickness of parts." Macaulay.

(d) Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural. "The uttermost part of the heaven." Neh. i. 9.

(e) (Math.) Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a certain number of times, will exactly make that quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; -- the opposite of multiple. Also, a line or other element of a geometrical figure.

3. That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share; portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office.

4. Hence, specifically: (a) One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction.

(b) A particular character in a drama or a play; an assumed personification; also, the language, actions, and influence of a character or an actor in a play; or, figuratively, in real life. See To act a part, under Act.

(c) (Mus.) One of the different melodies of a concerted composition, which heard in union compose its harmony; also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc.

For my part, so far as concerns me; for my share. -- For the most part. See under Most, a. -- In good part, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a friendly manner. Hooker. -- In ill part, unfavorably; with displeasure. -- In part, in some degree; partly. -- Part and parcel, an essential or constituent portion; -- a reduplicative phrase. Cf. might and main, kith and kin, etc. "She was . . . part and parcel of the race and place." Howitt. -- Part of speech (Gram.), a sort or class of words of a particular character; thus, the noun is a part of speech denoting the name of a thing; the verb is a part of speech which asserts something of the subject of a sentence. -- Part owner (Law), one of several owners or tenants in common. See Joint tenant, under Joint. -- Part singing, singing in which two or more of the harmonic parts are taken. -- Part song, a song in two or more (commonly four) distinct vocal parts. "A part song differs from a madrigal in its exclusion of contrapuntual devices; from a glee, in its being sung by many voices, instead of by one only, to each part." Stainer & Barrett.

Syn. -- Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece; share; constituent. See Portion, and Section.

Part (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parted; p. pr. & vb. n. Parting.] [F. partir, L. partire, partiri, p. p. partitus, fr. pars, gen. partis, a part. See Part, n.]

1. To divide; to separate into distinct parts; to break into two or more parts or pieces; to sever. "Thou shalt part it in pieces." Lev. ii. 6.

2. To divide into shares; to divide and distribute; to allot; to apportion; to share.

3. To separate or disunite; to cause to go apart; to remove from contact or contiguity; to sunder.

5. To separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion; as, to part gold from silver.

To part a cable (Naut.), to break it. -- To part company, to separate, as travelers or companions.

Part, v. i. 1. To be broken or divided into parts or pieces; to break; to become separated; to go asunder; as, rope parts; his hair parts in the middle.

2. To go away; to depart; to take leave; to quit each other; hence, to die; -- often with from.

3. To perform an act of parting; to relinquish a connection of any kind; -- followed by with or from.

4. To have a part or share; to partake. [Obs.] "They shall part alike." 1 Sam. xxx. 24.

Par*take" (?), v. i. [imp. Partook (?); p. p. Partaken (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Partaking.] [Part + take.]

1. To take a part, portion, lot, or share, in common with others; to have a share or part; to participate; to share; as, to partake of a feast with others. "Brutes partake in this faculty." Locke.

2. To have something of the properties, character, or office; -- usually followed by of.

2. To admit to a share; to cause to participate; to give a part to. [Obs.] Spencer.

Par"tan (?), n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. partan.] (Zoöl.) An edible British crab. [Prov. Eng.]

3. (Bot.) Cleft so that the divisions reach nearly, but not quite, to the midrib, or the base of the blade; -- said of a leaf, and used chiefly in composition; as, three- parted, five-parted, etc. Gray.

Par*terre" (?), n. [F., fr. par on, by (L. per)+terre earth, ground, L. terra. See Terrace.] 1. (Hort.) An ornamental and diversified arrangement of beds or plots, in which flowers are cultivated, with intervening spaces of gravel or turf for walking on.

Par*then"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a maid, virgin.] Of or pertaining to the Spartan Partheniæ, or sons of unmarried women.

Par`the*no*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Gr. parqe`nos a virgin + E. genesis.] 1. (Biol.) The production of new individuals from virgin females by means of ova which have the power of developing without the intervention of the male element; the production, without fertilization, of cells capable of germination. It is one of the phenomena of alternate generation. Cf. Heterogamy, and Metagenesis.

2. (Bot.) The production of seed without fertilization, believed to occur through the nonsexual formation of an embryo extraneous to the embrionic vesicle.

Par`the*no*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.) Of, pertaining to, or produced by, parthenogenesis; as, parthenogenetic forms. -- Par`the*no*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv.

Par"the*non (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. Parqenw`n, fr.parqe`nos a virgin, i. e., Athene, the Greek goddess called also Pallas.] A celebrated marble temple of Athene, on the Acropolis at Athens. It was of the pure Doric order, and has had an important influence on art.

||Par*then"o*pe (pär*thn"*p), n. [L., the name of a Siren, fr. Gr. Parqeno`pn.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) One of the Sirens, who threw herself into the sea, in despair at not being able to beguile Ulysses by her songs.

2. One of the asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, discovered by M. de Gasparis in 1850.

Par"thi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to ancient Parthia, in Asia. -- n. A native of Parthia.

Parthian arrow, an arrow discharged at an enemy when retreating from him, as was the custom of the ancient Parthians; hence, a parting shot.

Par"tial (?), a. [F., fr. LL. partials, fr. L. pars, gen. partis, a part; cf. (for sense 1) F. partiel. See Part, n.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse of the moon. "Partial dissolutions of the earth." T. Burnet.

2. Inclined to favor one party in a cause, or one side of a question, more then the other; baised; not indifferent; as, a judge should not be partial.

3. Having a predelection for; inclined to favor unreasonably; foolishly fond. "A partial parent." Pope.

4. (Bot.) Pertaining to a subordinate portion; as, a compound umbel is made up of a several partial umbels; a leaflet is often supported by a partial petiole.

Partial differentials, Partial differential coefficients, Partial differentiation, etc. (of a function of two or more variables), the differentials, differential coefficients, differentiation etc., of the function, upon the hypothesis that some of the variables are for the time constant. -- Partial fractions (Alg.), fractions whose sum equals a given fraction. -- Partial tones (Music), the simple tones which in combination form an ordinary tone; the overtones, or harmonics, which, blending with a fundamental tone, cause its special quality of sound, or timbre, or tone color. See, also, Tone.

Par"tial*ism (?), n. Partiality; specifically (Theol.), the doctrine of the Partialists.

2. (Theol.) One who holds that the atonement was made only for a part of mankind, that is, for the elect.

Par`ti*al"i*ty (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. partialité.] 1. The quality or state of being partial; inclination to favor one party, or one side of a question, more than the other; undue bias of mind.

2. A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to others; special taste or liking; as, a partiality for poetry or painting. Roget.

Par"tial*ly adv. 1. In part; not totally; as, partially true; the sun partially eclipsed. Sir T. Browne.

2. In a partial manner; with undue bias of mind; with unjust favor or dislike; as, to judge partially. Shak.

Part`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. [From Partible.] The quality or state of being partible; divisibility; separability; as, the partibility of an inherttance.

Part"i*ble (?), a. [L. partibilis, fr. partire to part, divide, fr. L. pars: cf. F. partible. See Part.] Admitting of being parted; divisible; separable; susceptible of severance or partition; as, an estate of inheritance may be partible. "Make the molds partible." Bacon.

Par*tic"i*pa*ble (?), a. Capable of being participated or shared. [R.] Norris.

Par*tic"i*pant (?), a. [L. participans, p. pr. of participare: cf. F. participant. See Participate.] Sharing; participating; having a share of part. Bacon.

Par*tic"i*pate (?), a. [L. participatus, p. p. of participare to participate; pars, partis, part + capere to take. See Part, and Capacious.] Acting in common; participating. [R.] Shak.

Par*tic"i*pate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Participated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Participating.] To have a share in common with others; to take a part; to partake; -- followed by in, formely by of; as, to participate in a debate. Shak.

Par*tic"i*pate, v. t. 1. To partake of; to share in; to receive a part of. [R.]

Par*tic`i*pa"tion (?), n. [F. participation, L. participatio.] 1. The act or state of participating, or sharing in common with others; as, a participation in joy or sorrows.

Par*tic"i*pa`tor (?), n. [L.] One who participates, or shares with another; a partaker.

Par`ti*cip"i*al (?), a. [L. participialis: cf. E. participal. See Participle.] Having, or partaking of, the nature and use of a participle; formed from a participle; as, a participial noun. Lowth.

Par`ti*cip"i*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Participialized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Participializing.] To form into, or put in the form of, a participle. [R.]

Par"ti*ci*ple (?), n. [F. participe, L. participium, fr. particeps sharing, participant; pars, gen. partis, a part + capere to take. See Participate.] 1. (Gram.) A part of speech partaking of the nature both verb and adjective; a form of a verb, or verbal adjective, modifying a noun, but taking the adjuncts of the verb from which it is derived. In the sentences: a letter is written; being asleep he did not hear; exhausted by toil he will sleep soundly, -- written, being, and exhaustedare participles.

Present participles, called also imperfect, or incomplete, participles, end in -ing. Past participles, called also perfect, or complete, participles, for the most part end in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n. A participle when used merely as an attribute of a noun, without reference to time, is called an adjective, or a participial adjective; as, a written constitution; a rolling stone; the exhausted army. The verbal noun in -ing has the form of the present participle. See Verbal noun, under Verbal, a.

Par"ti*cle (?), n. [L. particula, dim of pars, gen partis, a part: cf. F. particule. See Part, and cf. Parcel.] 1. A minute part or portion of matter; a morsel; a little bit; an atom; a jot; as, a particle of sand, of wood, of dust.

2. Any very small portion or part; the smallest portion; as, he has not a particle of patriotism or virtue.

3. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A crumb or little piece of concecrated host. (b) The smaller hosts distributed in the communion of the laity. Bp. Fitzpatrick.

4. (Gram.) A subordinate word that is never inflected (a preposition, conjunction, interjection); or a word that can not be used except in compositions; as, ward in backward, ly in lovely.

Par*tic"u*lar (?), a. [OE. particuler, F. particulier, L. particularis. See Particle.] 1. Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation. Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular. "Thine own particular wrongs." Shak.

3. Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party.

4. Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.

5. (Law) (a) Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder. (b) Holding a particular estate; as, a particular tenant. Blackstone.

6. (Logic) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; -- opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.

Particular average. See under Average. -- Particular Baptist, one of a branch of the Baptist denomination the members of which hold the doctrine of a particular or individual election and reprobation. -- Particular lien (Law), a lien, or a right to retain a thing, for some charge or claim growing out of, or connected with, that particular thing. -- Particular redemption, the doctrine that the purpose, act, and provisions of redemption are restricted to a limited number of the human race. See Calvinism.

Syn. -- Minute; individual; respective; appropriate; peculiar; especial; exact; specific; precise; critical; circumstantial. See Minute.

Par*tic"u*lar (?), n. 1. A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story.

2. Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc. [Obs.]

3. (Law) One of the details or items of grounds of claim; -- usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.

Bill of particulars. See under Bill. - - In particular, specially; peculiarly. "This, in particular, happens to the lungs." Blackmore. -- To go into particulars, to relate or describe in detail or minutely.

Par*tic"u*lar*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. particularisme.] 1. A minute description; a detailed statement. [R.]

3. (German Politics) Devotion to the interests of one's own kingdom or province rather than to those of the empire.

Par*tic"u*lar*ist, n. [Cf. F. particulariste.] One who holds to particularism. -- Par*tic`u*lar*is"tic, a.

Par*tic`u*lar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Particularities (#). [Cf. F. particularité.] 1. The state or quality of being particular; distinctiveness; circumstantiality; minuteness in detail.

2. That which is particular; as: (a) Peculiar quality; individual characteristic; peculiarity. "An old heathen altar with this particularity." Addison. (b) Special circumstance; minute detail; particular. "Even descending to particularities." Sir P. Sidney. (c) Something of special or private concern or interest.

Par*tic"u*lar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Particularized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Particularizing (?).] [Cf. F. particulariser.] To give as a particular, or as the particulars; to mention particularly; to give the particulars of; to enumerate or specify in detail.

Par*tic"u*lar*ize, v. i. To mention or attend to particulars; to give minute details; to be circumstantial; as, to particularize in a narrative.

Par*tic"u*lar*ly, adv. 1. In a particular manner; expressly; with a specific reference or interest; in particular; distinctly.

2. In an especial manner; in a high degree; as, a particularly fortunate man; a particularly bad failure.

2. Referring to, or produced by, particles, such as dust, minute germs, etc. [R.]

2. Given when departing; as, a parting shot; a parting salute. "Give him that parting kiss." Shak.

Parting fellow, a partner. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Parting pulley. See under Pulley. -- Parting sand (Founding), dry, nonadhesive sand, sprinkled upon the partings of a mold to facilitate the separation. -- Parting strip (Arch.), in a sash window, one of the thin strips of wood let into the pulley stile to keep the sashes apart; also, the thin piece inserted in the window box to separate the weights. -- Parting tool (Mach.), a thin tool, used in turning or planing, for cutting a piece in two.

Par"ting (?), n. 1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted; division; separation. "The parting of the way." Ezek. xxi. 21.

4. (Founding) The surface of the sand of one section of a mold where it meets that of another section.

5. (Chem.) The separation and determination of alloys; esp., the separation, as by acids, of gold from silver in the assay button.

8. (Min.) Lamellar separation in a crystallized mineral, due to some other cause than cleavage, as to the presence of twinning lamellæ.

Par"ti*san (?), n. [F., fr. It. partigiano. See Party, and cf. Partisan a truncheon.] [Written also partizan.] 1. An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an interest. "The violence of a partisan." Macaulay.

2. (Mil.) (a) The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy. (b) Any member of such a corps.

Par"ti*san, a. [Written also partizan.] 1. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.

2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.

Par"ti*san, n. [F. pertuisane, prob. fr. It. partigiana, influenced in French by OF. pertuisier to pierce. It was prob. so named as the weapon of some partisans, or party men. Cf. Partisan one of a corps of light troops.] A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.

Par"ti*san*ship, n. The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party; feelings or conduct appropriate to a partisan.

Par"tite (?), a. [L. partitus, p. p. of partire to part, divide, from pars. See Part, and cf. Party, a.] (Bot.) Divided nearly to the base; as, a partite leaf is a simple separated down nearly to the base.

Par*ti"tion (?), n. [F. partition, L. partitio. See Part, v.] 1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted; separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a kingdom.

2. That which divides or separates; that by which different things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space; specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or apartment of a house, an inclosure, or the like, from another; as, a brick partition; lath and plaster partitions.

3. A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment. [R.] "Lodged in a small partition." Milton.

4. (Law.) The servance of common or undivided interests, particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent of parties, or by compulsion of law.

Partition of numbers (Math.), the resolution of integers into parts subject to given conditions. Brande & C.

Par*ti"tion (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Partitioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Partitioning.] 1. To divide into parts or shares; to divide and distribute; as, to partition an estate among various heirs.

2. To divide into distinct parts by lines, walls, etc.; as, to partition a house.

Par"ti*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. partitif.] (Gram.) Denoting a part; as, a partitive genitive.

Part"let (?), n. [Dim. of part.] 1. A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but laterby women alone; a ruff. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers. "Dame Partlett, the hen." Shak.

Part"ly, adv. In part; in some measure of degree; not wholly. "I partly believe it." 1 Cor. xi. 18.

Part"ner (?), n. [For parcener, influenced by part.] 1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate; a sharer. "Partner of his fortune." Shak. Hence: (a) A husband or a wife. (b) Either one of a couple who dance together. (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.

2. (Law) An associate in any business or occupation; a member of a partnership. See Partnership.

3. pl. (Naut.) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like.

Syn. -- Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker; participator; companion; comrade; mate.

Part"ner*ship, n. 1. The state or condition of being a partner; as, to be in partnership with another; to have partnership in the fortunes of a family or a state.

3. An alliance or association of persons for the prosecution of an undertaking or a business on joint account; a company; a firm; a house; as, to form a partnership.

4. (Law) A contract between two or more competent persons for joining together their money, goods, labor, and skill, or any or all of them, under an understanding that there shall be a communion of profit between them, and for the purpose of carrying on a legal trade, business, or adventure. Kent. Story.

Community of profit is absolutely essential to, though not necessary the test of, a partnership.

Limited partnership, a form of partnership in which the firm consists of one or more general partners, jointly and severally responsible as ordinary partners, and one or more special partners, who are not liable for the debts of the partnership beyond the amount of cash they contribute as capital. -- Partnership in commendam, the title given to the limited partnership (F. société en commandité) of the French law, introduced into the code of Louisiana. Burrill. -- Silent partnership, the relation of partnership sustained by a person who furnishes capital only.

Par"tridge (?), n. [OE. partriche, pertriche, OF. pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix, -icis, fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) 1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of the genus Perdix and several related genera of the family Perdicidæ, of the Old World. The partridge is noted as a game bird.

The common European, or gray, partridge (Perdix cinerea) and the red-legged partridge (Caccabis rubra) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known species.

2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to Colinus, and allied genera. [U.S.]

Among them are the bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) of the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge (Oreortyx pictus) of California; the Massena partridge (Cyrtonyx Montezumæ); and the California partridge (Callipepla Californica).

Bamboo partridge (Zoöl.), a spurred partridge of the genus Bambusicola. Several species are found in China and the East Indies. -- Night partridge (Zoöl.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.] -- Painted partridge (Zoöl.), a francolin of South Africa (Francolinus pictus). -- Partridge berry. (Bot.) (a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant (Mitchella repens) of the order Rubiaceæ, having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs with the ovaries united, and producing the berries which remain over winter; also, the plant itself. (b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens); also, the plant itself. -- Partridge dove (Zoöl.) Same as Mountain witch, under Mountain. -- Partridge pea (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb (Cassia Chamæcrista), common in sandy fields in the Eastern United States. -- Partridge shell (Zoöl.), a large marine univalve shell (Dolium perdix), having colors variegated like those of the partridge. -- Partridge wood (a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It is obtained from tropical America, and one source of it is said to be the leguminous tree Andira inermis. Called also pheasant wood. (b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for walking sticks and umbrella handles. -- Sea partridge (Zoöl.), an Asiatic sand partridge (Ammoperdix Bonhami); -- so called from its note. -- Snow partridge (Zoöl.), a large spurred partridge (Lerwa nivicola) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia. -- Spruce partridge. See under Spruce. -- Wood partridge, or Hill partridge (Zoöl.), any small Asiatic partridge of the genus Arboricola.

Par*tu"ri*ent (?), a. [L. parturiens, p. pr. of parturire to desire to bring forth, fr. parere, partum, to bring forth. See Parent.] Bringing forth, or about to bring forth, young; fruitful. Jer. Tailor.

Par*tu`ri*fa"cient (?), n. [L. parturire to desire to bring forth + facere to make.] (Med.) A medicine tending to cause parturition, or to give relief in childbearing. Dunglison.

Par`tu*ri"tion (?), n. [L. parturitio, fr. parturire: cf. F. parturition. See Parturient.] 1. The act of bringing forth, or being delivered of, young; the act of giving birth; delivery; childbirth.

Par"ty (?), n.; pl. Parties (#). [F. parti and partie, fr. F. partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See Part, v.] 1. A part or portion. [Obs.] "The most party of the time." Chaucer.

2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy.

3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment; especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on special service.

4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party.

5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract.

6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant.

7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another.

"For several generations, our ancestors largely employed party for person; but this use of the word, when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike, more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to leave it in their undisputed possession." Fitzed. Hall.

Party jury (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as one which is half natives and half foreigners. -- Party man, a partisan. Swift. -- Party spirit, a factious and unreasonable temper, not uncommonly shown by party men. Whately. -- Party verdict, a joint verdict. Shak. -- Party wall. (a) (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between two adjoining properties, usually having half its thickness on each property. (b) (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a block or row.

Par"ty, a. [F. parti divided, fr. partir to divide. See Part, v., and cf. Partite.] 1. (Her.) Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; as, an escutcheon party per pale.

{ Par"ty-col`ored, Par"ti-col`ored } (?), a. Colored with different tints; variegated; as, a party-colored flower. "Parti-colored lambs." Shak.

Par`um*bil"ic*al (?), a. [Pref. para- + umbilical.] (Anat.) Near the umbilicus; -- applied especially to one or more small veins which, in man, connect the portal vein with the epigastric veins in the front wall of the abdomen.

||Pa*ru"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; presence, fr. &?; to be present; para` beside + &?; to be.] (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which the present tense is used instead of the past or the future, as in the animated narration of past, or in the prediction of future, events.

Par`va*nim"i*ty (?), n. [L. parvus little + animus mind.] The state or quality of having a little or ignoble mind; pettiness; meanness; -- opposed to magnanimity. De Quincey.

Par"ve*nu` (?), n. [F., prop. p. p. of parvenir to attain to, to succeed, to rise to high station, L. pervenire to come to; per through + venire to come. See Par, prep., and Come.] An upstart; a man newly risen into notice.

{ Par"vis, Par"vise } (?), n. [F. parvis, fr. LL. paravisus, fr. L. paradisus. See Paradise.] a court of entrance to, or an inclosed space before, a church; hence, a church porch; -- sometimes formerly used as place of meeting, as for lawyers. Chaucer.

{ Par"vi*tude (?), Par"vi*ty (?), } n. [L. parvitas, fr. parvus little: cf. OF. parvité.] Littleness. [Obs.] Glanvill. Ray.

Par"vo*lin (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A nonoxygenous ptomaine, formed in the putrefaction of albuminous matters, especially of horseflesh and mackerel.

Par"vo*line (?), n. (Chem.) A liquid base, C&?;H&?;N, of the pyridine group, found in coal tar; also, any one of the series of isometric substances of which it is the type.

{ Pasch (?), ||Pas"cha (?), } n. [AS. pascha, L. pascha, Gr. &?;, fr. Heb. pesach, fr. psach to pass over: cf. OF. pasque, F. pâque. Cf. Paschal, Paas, Paque.] The passover; the feast of Easter.

Pasch egg. See Easter egg, under Easter. -- Pasch flower. See Pasque flower, under Pasque.

Pas"chal (?), a. [L. paschalis: cf. F. pascal. See Pasch.] Of or pertaining to the passover, or to Easter; as, a paschal lamb; paschal eggs. Longfellow.

Paschal candle (R. C. Ch.), a large wax candle, blessed and placed on the altar on Holy Saturday, or the day before Easter. -- Paschal flower. See Pasque flower, under Pasque.

Pash (?), v. t. [Prob. of imitative origin, or possibly akin to box to fight with the fists.] To strike; to crush; to smash; to dash in pieces. [Obs.] P. Plowman. "I'll pash him o'er the face." Shak.

Pash, n. [Scot., the pate. Cf. Pash, v. t.] 1. The head; the poll. [R.] "A rough pash." Shak.

Pa*sha" (?), n. [Turk. psh, bsh; cf. Per. bsh, bdshh; perh. a corruption of Per. pdishh. Cf. Bashaw, Padishah, Shah.] An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey, as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The earlier form was bashaw. [Written also pacha.]

There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of three tails being the highest.

Pa*sha"lic (?), n. [Written also pachalic.] [Turk.] The jurisdiction of a pasha.

{ Pas`i*graph"ic (?), Pas`i*graph"ic*al (?) } a. Of or pertaining to pasigraphy.

Pa*sig"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; for all (dat. pl. of &?; all) + -graphy.] A system of universal writing, or a manner of writing that may be understood and used by all nations. Good.

Pas"i*la`ly (?), n. [Gr. &?; for all (dat. pl. of &?; all) + &?; talking.] A form of speech adapted to be used by all mankind; universal language.

Pas"py (?), n. [F. passe-pied.] A kind of minuet, in triple time, of French origin, popular in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and for some time after; -- called also passing measure, and passymeasure. Percy Smith.

Pasque flower (Bot.), a name of several plants of the genus Anemone, section Pulsatilla. They are perennial herbs with rather large purplish blossoms, which appear in early spring, or about Easter, whence the common name. Called also campana.

Pas"quin (?), n. [It. pasquino a mutilated statue at Rome, set up against the wall of the place of the Orsini; -- so called from a witty cobbler or tailor, near whose shop the statue was dug up. On this statue it was customary to paste satiric papers.] A lampooner; also, a lampoon. See Pasquinade.

Pas`quin*ade" (?), n. [F. pasquinade, It. pasquinata.] A lampoon or satirical writing. Macaulay.

Pass (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Passed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Passing.] [F. passer, LL. passare, fr. L. passus step, or from pandere, passum, to spread out, lay open. See Pace.] 1. To go; to move; to proceed; to be moved or transferred from one point to another; to make a transit; -- usually with a following adverb or adverbal phrase defining the kind or manner of motion; as, to pass on, by, out, in, etc.; to pass swiftly, directly, smoothly, etc.; to pass to the rear, under the yoke, over the bridge, across the field, beyond the border, etc. "But now pass over [i. e., pass on]." Chaucer.

2. To move or be transferred from one state or condition to another; to change possession, condition, or circumstances; to undergo transition; as, the business has passed into other hands.

3. To move beyond the range of the senses or of knowledge; to pass away; hence, to disappear; to vanish; to depart; specifically, to depart from life; to die.

4. To move or to come into being or under notice; to come and go in consciousness; hence, to take place; to occur; to happen; to come; to occur progressively or in succession; to be present transitorily.

5. To go by or glide by, as time; to elapse; to be spent; as, their vacation passed pleasantly.

6. To go from one person to another; hence, to be given and taken freely; as, clipped coin will not pass; to obtain general acceptance; to be held or regarded; to circulate; to be current; -- followed by for before a word denoting value or estimation. "Let him pass for a man." Shak.

7. To advance through all the steps or stages necessary to validity or effectiveness; to be carried through a body that has power to sanction or reject; to receive legislative sanction; to be enacted; as, the resolution passed; the bill passed both houses of Congress.

8. To go through any inspection or test successfully; to be approved or accepted; as, he attempted the examination, but did not expect to pass.

9. To be suffered to go on; to be tolerated; hence, to continue; to live along. "The play may pass." Shak.

10. To go unheeded or neglected; to proceed without hindrance or opposition; as, we let this act pass.

11. To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess. [Obs.] "This passes, Master Ford." Shak.

14. (Law) To be conveyed or transferred by will, deed, or other instrument of conveyance; as, an estate passes by a certain clause in a deed. Mozley & W.

16. (Card Playing & other games) To decline to take an optional action when it is one's turn, as to decline to bid, or to bet, or to play a card; in euchre, to decline to make the trump.

17. In football, hockey, etc., to make a pass; to transfer the ball, etc., to another player of one's own side.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

To bring to pass, To come to pass. See under Bring, and Come. -- To pass away, to disappear; to die; to vanish. "The heavens shall pass away." 2 Pet. iii. 10. "I thought to pass away before, but yet alive I am." Tennyson. -- To pass by, to go near and beyond a certain person or place; as, he passed by as we stood there. -- To pass into, to change by a gradual transmission; to blend or unite with. -- To pass on, to proceed. -- To pass on or upon. (a) To happen to; to come upon; to affect. "So death passed upon all men." Rom. v. 12. "Provided no indirect act pass upon our prayers to define them." Jer. Taylor. (b) To determine concerning; to give judgment or sentence upon. "We may not pass upon his life." Shak. -- To pass off, to go away; to cease; to disappear; as, an agitation passes off. -- To pass over, to go from one side or end to the other; to cross, as a river, road, or bridge.

Pass (?), v. t. 1. In simple, transitive senses; as: (a) To go by, beyond, over, through, or the like; to proceed from one side to the other of; as, to pass a house, a stream, a boundary, etc. (b) Hence: To go from one limit to the other of; to spend; to live through; to have experience of; to undergo; to suffer. "To pass commodiously this life." Milton.

(c) To go by without noticing; to omit attention to; to take no note of; to disregard.

(e) To go successfully through, as an examination, trail, test, etc.; to obtain the formal sanction of, as a legislative body; as, he passed his examination; the bill passed the senate.

2. In causative senses: as: (a) To cause to move or go; to send; to transfer from one person, place, or condition to another; to transmit; to deliver; to hand; to make over; as, the waiter passed bisquit and cheese; the torch was passed from hand to hand.

(b) To cause to pass the lips; to utter; to pronounce; hence, to promise; to pledge; as, to pass sentence. Shak.

(c) To cause to advance by stages of progress; to carry on with success through an ordeal, examination, or action; specifically, to give legal or official sanction to; to ratify; to enact; to approve as valid and just; as, he passed the bill through the committee; the senate passed the law. (e) To put in circulation; to give currency to; as, to pass counterfeit money. "Pass the happy news." Tennyson. (f) To cause to obtain entrance, admission, or conveyance; as, to pass a person into a theater, or over a railroad.

4. (Naut.) To take a turn with (a line, gasket, etc.), as around a sail in furling, and make secure.

Passed midshipman. See under Midshipman. -- To pass a dividend, to omit the declaration and payment of a dividend at the time when due. -- To pass away, to spend; to waste. "Lest she pass away the flower of her age." Ecclus. xlii. 9. -- To pass by. (a) To disregard; to neglect. (b) To excuse; to spare; to overlook. -- To pass off, to impose fraudulently; to palm off. "Passed himself off as a bishop." Macaulay. -- To pass (something) on or upon (some one), to put upon as a trick or cheat; to palm off. "She passed the child on her husband for a boy." Dryden. -- To pass over, to overlook; not to note or resent; as, to pass over an affront.

Pass, n. [Cf. F. pas (for sense 1), and passe, fr. passer to pass. See Pass, v. i.] 1. An opening, road, or track, available for passing; especially, one through or over some dangerous or otherwise impracticable barrier; a passageway; a defile; a ford; as, a mountain pass.

2. (Fencing) A thrust or push; an attempt to stab or strike an adversary. Shak.

3. A movement of the hand over or along anything; the manipulation of a mesmerist.

4. (Rolling Metals) A single passage of a bar, rail, sheet, etc., between the rolls.

6. Permission or license to pass, or to go and come; a psssport; a ticket permitting free transit or admission; as, a railroad or theater pass; a military pass.

Pass boat (Naut.), a punt, or similar boat. -- Pass book. (a) A book in which a trader enters articles bought on credit, and then passes or sends it to the purchaser. (b) See Bank book. -- Pass box (Mil.), a wooden or metallic box, used to carry cartridges from the service magazine to the piece. -- Pass check, a ticket of admission to a place of entertainment, or of readmission for one who goes away in expectation of returning.

Pass"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. passable.] 1. Capable of being passed, traveled, navigated, traversed, penetrated, or the like; as, the roads are not passable; the stream is passablein boats.

2. Capable of being freely circulated or disseminated; acceptable; generally receivable; current.

3. Such as may be allowed to pass without serious objection; tolerable; admissable; moderate; mediocre.

{ ||Pas`sa*ca*glia (?), ||Pas`sa*ca*glio (?), } n. [Sp. pasacalle a certain tune on the guitar, prop., a tune played in passing through the streets.] (Mus.) An old Italian or Spanish dance tune, in slow three-four measure, with divisions on a ground bass, resembling a chaconne.

{ Pas*sade" (?), Pas*sa"do (?), } n. [F. passade; cf. Sp. pasada. See Pass, v. i.] 1. (Fencing) A pass or thrust. Shak.

2. (Man.) A turn or course of a horse backward or forward on the same spot of ground.

Pas"sage (?), n. [F. passage. See Pass, v. i.] 1. The act of passing; transit from one place to another; movement from point to point; a going by, over, across, or through; as, the passage of a man or a carriage; the passage of a ship or a bird; the passage of light; the passage of fluids through the pores or channels of the body.

2. Transit by means of conveyance; journey, as by water, carriage, car, or the like; travel; right, liberty, or means, of passing; conveyance.

4. Removal from life; decease; departure; death. [R.] "Endure thy mortal passage." Milton.

5. Way; road; path; channel or course through or by which one passes; way of exit or entrance; way of access or transit. Hence, a common avenue to various apartments in a building; a hall; a corridor.

6. A continuous course, process, or progress; a connected or continuous series; as, the passage of time.

7. A separate part of a course, process, or series; an occurrence; an incident; an act or deed. "In thy passages of life." Shak.

8. A particular portion constituting a part of something continuous; esp., a portion of a book, speech, or musical composition; a paragraph; a clause.

12. In parliamentary proceedings: (a) The course of a proposition (bill, resolution, etc.) through the several stages of consideration and action; as, during its passage through Congress the bill was amended in both Houses. (b) The advancement of a bill or other proposition from one stage to another by an affirmative vote; esp., the final affirmative action of the body upon a proposition; hence, adoption; enactment; as, the passage of the bill to its third reading was delayed. "The passage of the Stamp Act." D. Hosack.

In passage, in passing; cursorily. "These . . . have been studied but in passage." Bacon. - - Middle passage, Northeast passage, Northwest passage. See under Middle, Northeast, etc. -- Of passage, passing from one place, region, or climate, to another; migratory; -- said especially of birds. "Birds of passage." Longfellow. -- Passage hawk, a hawk taken on its passage or migration. -- Passage money, money paid for conveyance of a passenger, -- usually for carrying passengers by water.

Pas"sa*ger (?), n. [See Passenger.] A passenger; a bird or boat of passage. [Obs.] Ld. Berners.

Pas"sant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of passer. See Pass, v. i.] 1. Passing from one to another; in circulation; current. [Obs.]

4. (Her.) Walking; -- said of any animal on an escutcheon, which is represented as walking with the dexter paw raised.

{ ||Pas`sé", masc. ||Pas`sé"e, fem. } (?), a. [F.] Past; gone by; hence, past one's prime; worn; faded; as, a passée belle. Ld. Lytton.

Passe"garde` (?), n. [F.] (Anc. Armor) A ridge or projecting edge on a shoulder piece to turn the blow of a lance or other weapon from the joint of the armor.

Passe"ment (?), n. [F.] Lace, gimp, braid etc., sewed on a garment. Sir W. Scott.

Passe*men"terie (E. ps*mn"tr; F. pä`s'mäN`t'r"), n. [F.] Beaded embroidery for women's dresses.

Pas"sen*ger (?), n. [OE. & F. passager. See Passage, and cf. Messenger.] 1. A passer or passer-by; a wayfarer. Shak.

2. A traveler by some established conveyance, as a coach, steamboat, railroad train, etc.

Passenger falcon (Zoöl.), a migratory hawk. Ainsworth. -- Passenger pigeon (Zoöl.), the common wild pigeon of North America (Ectopistes migratorius), so called on account of its extensive migrations.

||Passe" par`tout" (?), n. [F., from passer to pass + partout everywhere.] 1. That by which one can pass anywhere; a safe-conduct. [Obs.] Dryden.

3. A light picture frame or mat of cardboard, wood, or the like, usually put between the picture and the glass, and sometimes serving for several pictures.

||Pas"se*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. passer a sparrow.] (Zoöl.) An order, or suborder, of birds, including more that half of all the known species. It embraces all singing birds (Oscines), together with many other small perching birds.

Pas"ser*ine (?), a. [L. passerinus, fr. passer a sparrow.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Passeres.

Pas`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. passibilitas: cf. F. passibilité.] The quality or state of being passible; aptness to feel or suffer; sensibility. Hakewill.

Pas"si*ble (?), a. [L. passibilis, fr. pati, to suffer: cf. F. passible. See Passion.] Susceptible of feeling or suffering, or of impressions from external agents.

||Pas"si*flo"ra (?), n. [NL., from L. passio passion (fr. pati, passus, to suffer) + flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.) A genus of plants, including the passion flower. It is the type of the order Passifloreæ, which includes about nineteen genera and two hundred and fifty species.

||Pas"sim (?), adv. [L.] Here and there; everywhere; as, this word occurs passim in the poem.

Pass"ing (?), n. The act of one who, or that which, passes; the act of going by or away.

Passing bell, a tolling of a bell to announce that a soul is passing, or has passed, from its body (formerly done to invoke prayers for the dying); also, a tolling during the passing of a funeral procession to the grave, or during funeral ceremonies. Sir W. Scott. Longfellow.

Pass"ing, a. 1. Relating to the act of passing or going; going by, beyond, through, or away; departing.

2. Exceeding; surpassing, eminent. Chaucer. "Her passing deformity." Shak.

Passing note (Mus.), a character including a passing tone. -- Passing tone (Mus.), a tone introduced between two other tones, on an unaccented portion of a measure, for the sake of smoother melody, but forming no essential part of the harmony.

Pass"ing, adv. Exceedingly; excessively; surpassingly; as, passing fair; passing strange. "You apprehend passing shrewdly." Shak.

Pas"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L. passio, fr. pati, passus, to suffer. See Patient.] 1. A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross. "The passions of this time." Wyclif (Rom. viii. 18).

2. The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; -- opposed to action.

3. Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents. [R.]

4. The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill. "A passion fond even to idolatry." Macaulay. "Her passion is to seek roses." Lady M. W. Montagu.

Passion flower (Bot.), any flower or plant of the genus Passiflora; -- so named from a fancied resemblance of parts of the flower to the instruments of our Savior's crucifixion.

The flowers are showy, and the fruit is sometimes highly esteemed (see Granadilla, and Maypop). The roots and leaves are generally more or less noxious, and are used in medicine. The plants are mostly tendril climbers, and are commonest in the warmer parts of America, though a few species are Asiatic or Australian.

Passion music (Mus.), originally, music set to the gospel narrative of the passion of our Lord; after the Reformation, a kind of oratorio, with narrative, chorals, airs, and choruses, having for its theme the passion and crucifixion of Christ. -- Passion play, a mystery play, in which the scenes connected with the passion of our Savior are represented dramatically. -- Passion Sunday (Eccl.), the fifth Sunday in Lent, or the second before Easter. -- Passion Week, the last week but one in Lent, or the second week preceding Easter. "The name of Passion week is frequently, but improperly, applied to Holy Week." Shipley.

Syn. -- Passion, Feeling, Emotion. When any feeling or emotion completely masters the mind, we call it a passion; as, a passion for music, dress, etc.; especially is anger (when thus extreme) called passion. The mind, in such cases, is considered as having lost its self- control, and become the passive instrument of the feeling in question.

Pas"sion (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Passioned (?); p. pr & vb. n. Passioning.] To give a passionate character to. [R.] Keats.

Pas"sion, v. i. To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated. [Obs.] "Dumbly she passions, frantically she doteth." Shak.

Pas"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to passion or the passions; exciting, influenced by, or ministering to, the passions. -- n. A passionary.

Pas"sion*a*ry (?), n. [L. passionarius: cf. F. passionaire.] A book in which are described the sufferings of saints and martyrs. T. Warton.

Pas"sion*ate (?), a. [LL. passionatus: cf. F. passionné.] 1. Capable or susceptible of passion, or of different passions; easily moved, excited or agitated; specifically, easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered; as, a passionate nature.

2. Characterized by passion; expressing passion; ardent in feeling or desire; vehement; warm; as, a passionate friendship. "The passionate Pilgrim." Shak.

Pas"sion*ate*ly (?), adv. 1. In a passionate manner; with strong feeling; ardently.

Pas"sion*ist, n. (R. C. Ch.) A member of a religious order founded in Italy in 1737, and introduced into the United States in 1852. The members of the order unite the austerities of the Trappists with the activity and zeal of the Jesuits and Lazarists. Called also Barefooted Clerks of the Most Holy Cross.

Pas"sion*less (?), a. Void of passion; without anger or emotion; not easily excited; calm. "Self-contained and passionless." Tennyson.

Pas"sive (?), a. [L. passivus: cf. F. passif. See Passion.] 1. Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving impressions or influences; as, they were passive spectators, not actors in the scene.

2. Receiving or enduring without either active sympathy or active resistance; without emotion or excitement; patient; not opposing; unresisting; as, passive obedience; passive submission.

3. (Chem.) Inactive; inert; not showing strong affinity; as, red phosphorus is comparatively passive.

4. (Med.) Designating certain morbid conditions, as hemorrhage or dropsy, characterized by relaxation of the vessels and tissues, with deficient vitality and lack of reaction in the affected tissues.

Passive congestion (Med.), congestion due to obstruction to the return of the blood from the affected part. -- Passive iron (Chem.), iron which has been subjected to the action of heat, of strong nitric acid, chlorine, etc. It is then not easily acted upon by acids. -- Passive movement (Med.), a movement of a part, in order to exercise it, made without the assistance of the muscles which ordinarily move the part. -- Passive obedience (as used by writers on government), obedience or submission of the subject or citizen as a duty in all cases to the existing government. -- Passive prayer, among mystic divines, a suspension of the activity of the soul or intellectual faculties, the soul remaining quiet, and yielding only to the impulses of grace. -- Passive verb, or Passive voice (Gram.), a verb, or form of a verb, which expresses the effect of the action of some agent; as, in Latin, doceor, I am taught; in English, she is loved; the picture is admired by all; he is assailed by slander.

Syn. -- Inactive; inert; quiescent; unresisting; unopposing; suffering; enduring; submissive; patient.

Pas"sive*ness, n. The quality or state of being passive; unresisting submission.

Pas*siv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. passivité.] 1. Passiveness; -- opposed to activity. Jer. Taylor.

2. (Physics) The tendency of a body to remain in a given state, either of motion or rest, till disturbed by another body; inertia. Cheyne.

3. (Chem.) The quality or condition of any substance which has no inclination to chemical activity; inactivity.

Pass"man (?), n.; pl. Passmen (&?;). One who passes for a degree, without honors. See Classman, 2. [Eng. Univ.]

Pass"o`ver (?), n. [Pass + over. See Pasch.] (Jewish Antiq.) (a) A feast of the Jews, instituted to commemorate the sparing of the Hebrews in Egypt, when God, smiting the firstborn of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the Israelites which were marked with the blood of a lamb. (b) The sacrifice offered at the feast of the passover; the paschal lamb. Ex. xii.

Pass`-pa*role" (?), n. [F. passe- parole.] (Mil.) An order passed from front to rear by word of mouth.

Pass"port (&?;), n. [F. passeport, orig., a permission to leave a port or to sail into it; passer to pass + port a port, harbor. See Pass, and Port a harbor.] 1. Permission to pass; a document given by the competent officer of a state, permitting the person therein named to pass or travel from place to place, without molestation, by land or by water.

2. A document carried by neutral merchant vessels in time of war, to certify their nationality and protect them from belligerents; a sea letter.

3. A license granted in time of war for the removal of persons and effects from a hostile country; a safe- conduct. Burrill.

4. Figuratively: Anything which secures advancement and general acceptance. Sir P. Sidney.

||Pas"sus (?), n.; pl. L. Passus, E. Passuses (&?;). [L., a step, a pace. See Pace.] A division or part; a canto; as, the passus of Piers Plowman. See 2d Fit.

Pass"word` (?), n. A word to be given before a person is allowed to pass; a watchword; a countersign. Macaulay.

Pas"sy*meas`ure (?), n. [Corrupted fr. It. passamezzo.] [Obs.] See Paspy. Shak.

Past (?), a. [From Pass, v.] Of or pertaining to a former time or state; neither present nor future; gone by; elapsed; ended; spent; as, past troubles; past offences. "Past ages." Milton.

Past, n. A former time or state; a state of things gone by. "The past, at least, is secure." D. Webster.

Past, prep. 1. Beyond, in position, or degree; further than; beyond the reach or influence of. "Who being past feeling." Eph. iv. 19. "Galled past endurance." Macaulay.

Paste (?), n. [OF. paste, F. pâte, L. pasta, fr. Gr. &?; barley broth; cf. &?; barley porridge, &?; sprinkled with salt, &?; to sprinkle. Cf. Pasty, n., Patty.] 1. A soft composition, as of flour moistened with water or milk, or of earth moistened to the consistence of dough, as in making potter's ware.

2. Specifically, in cookery, a dough prepared for the crust of pies and the like; pastry dough.

3. A kind of cement made of flour and water, starch and water, or the like, -- used for uniting paper or other substances, as in bookbinding, etc., -- also used in calico printing as a vehicle for mordant or color.

4. A highly refractive vitreous composition, variously colored, used in making imitations of precious stones or gems. See Strass.

5. A soft confection made of the inspissated juice of fruit, licorice, or the like, with sugar, etc.

Paste, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pasting.] To unite with paste; to fasten or join by means of paste.

Paste"board` (?), n. 1. A stiff thick kind of paper board, formed of several single sheets pasted one upon another, or of paper macerated and pressed into molds, etc.

Pas"tel (?), n. [F.; cf. It. pastello. Cf. Pastil.] 1. A crayon made of a paste composed of a color ground with gum water. [Sometimes incorrectly written pastil.] "Charming heads in pastel." W. Black.

2. (Bot.) A plant affording a blue dye; the woad (Isatis tinctoria); also, the dye itself.

2. A slip of paper, usually bearing a name, intended to be pasted by the voter, as a substitute, over another name on a printed ballot. [Cant, U.S.]

Pas"tern (?), n. [Of. pasturon, F. pâturon, fr. OF. pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a pasturing. See Pasture.] 1. The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals, between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of Horse.

The upper bone, or phalanx, of the foot is called the great pastern bone; the second, the small pastern bone; and the third, in the hoof, the coffin bone.

Pastern joint, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.

Pas*teur"ism (?), n. [Fr. Pasteur, a French scientist.] 1. A method of treatment, devised by Pasteur, for preventing certain diseases, as hydrophobia, by successive inoculations with an attenuated virus of gradually increasing strength.

Pas*teur`i*za"tion (?), n. A process devised by Pasteur for preventing or checking fermentation in fluids, such as wines, milk, etc., by exposure to a temperature of 140° F., thus destroying the vitality of the contained germs or ferments.

||Pas*tic"ci*o (?), n. [It., fr. pasta. See Paste.] 1. A medley; an olio. [R.] H. Swinburne.

2. (Fine Arts) (a) A work of art imitating directly the work of another artist, or of more artists than one. (b) A falsified work of art, as a vase or statue made up of parts of original works, with missing parts supplied.

{ Pas"til (?), Pas*tille" (?), } n. [F. pastille, L. pastillusa pastus food. See Pasture, and cf. Pastel.] 1. (Pharmacy) A small cone or mass made of paste of gum, benzoin, cinnamon, and other aromatics, -- used for fumigating or scenting the air of a room.

Pas"time` (?), n. [Pass + time: cf. F. passetemps.] That which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably; sport; amusement; diversion.

Pas"tor (?), n. [L., fr. pascere, pastum, to pasture, to feed. Cf. Pabulum, Pasture, Food.] 1. A shepherd; one who has the care of flocks and herds.

2. A guardian; a keeper; specifically (Eccl.), a minister having the charge of a church and parish.

3. (Zoöl.) A species of starling (Pastor roseus), native of the plains of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Its head is crested and glossy greenish black, and its back is rosy. It feeds largely upon locusts.

Pas"tor*al (?), a. [L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See Pastor.] 1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.

2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.

Pastoral staff (Eccl.), a staff, usually of the form of a shepherd's crook, borne as an official emblem by a bishop, abbot, abbess, or other prelate privileged to carry it. See Crook, and Crosier. -- Pastoral Theology, that part of theology which treats of the duties of pastors.

Pas"tor*al (?), n. 1. A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic.

2. (Mus.) A cantata relating to rural life; a composition for instruments characterized by simplicity and sweetness; a lyrical composition the subject of which is taken from rural life. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

3. (Eccl.) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese; also (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish.

||Pas`to*ra"le (?), n. [It.] 1. (Mus.) A composition in a soft, rural style, generally in 6-8 or 12-8 time.

Pas"tor*ate (?), n. [Cf. F. pastorat. See Pastor.] The office, state, or jurisdiction of a pastor.

Pas"try (?), n.; pl. Pastries (&?;). 1. The place where pastry is made. [Obs.] Shak.

2. Articles of food made of paste, or having a crust made of paste, as pies, tarts, etc.

Pastry cook, one whose occupation is to make pastry; as, the pastry cook of a hotel.

Pas"tur*age (?), n. [OF. pasturage, F. pâturage. See Pasture.] 1. Grazing ground; grass land used for pasturing; pasture.

Pas"ture (?), n. [OF. pasture, F. pâture, L. pastura, fr. pascere, pastum, to pasture, to feed. See Pastor.] 1. Food; nourishment. [Obs.]

2. Specifically: Grass growing for the food of cattle; the food of cattle taken by grazing.

Pas"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pastured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pasturing.] To feed, esp. to feed on growing grass; to supply grass as food for; as, the farmer pastures fifty oxen; the land will pasture forty cows.

Pas"tur*er (?), n. One who pastures; one who takes cattle to graze. See Agister.

Pas"ty (?), a. Like paste, as in color, softness, stickness. "A pasty complexion." G. Eliot.

Pas"ty, n.; pl. Pasties (#). [OF. pasté, F. pâté. See Paste, and cf. Patty.] A pie consisting usually of meat wholly surrounded with a crust made of a sheet of paste, and often baked without a dish; a meat pie. "If ye pinch me like a pasty." Shak. "Apple pasties." Dickens.

Pat (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patting.] [Cf. G. patschen, Prov. G. patzen, to strike, tap.] To strike gently with the fingers or hand; to stroke lightly; to tap; as, to pat a dog.

Pat, a. [Cf. pat a light blow, D. te pas convenient, pat, where pas is fr. F. passer to pass.] Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely. "Pat allusion." Barrow.

||Pa`tache" (?), n. [F. & Sp. patache, P. patacho.] (Naut.) A tender to a fleet, formerly used for conveying men, orders, or treasure. [Spain & Portugal]

||Pa*ta"gi*um (?), n.; pl. Patagia (#). [L., an edge or border.] 1. (Anat.) In bats, an expansion of the integument uniting the fore limb with the body and extending between the elongated fingers to form the wing; in birds, the similar fold of integument uniting the fore limb with the body.

2. (Zoöl.) One of a pair of small vesicular organs situated at the bases of the anterior wings of lepidopterous insects. See Illust. of Butterfly.

Pat`a*go"ni*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Patagonia. -- n. A native of Patagonia.

Pat"a*mar (?), n. [From the native name.] (Naut.) A vessel resembling a grab, used in the coasting trade of Bombay and Ceylon. [Written also pattemar.]

Pa*tas" (?), n. (Zoöl.) A West African long-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ruber); the red monkey.

Pat`a*vin"i*ty (?), n. [L. patavinitas, fr. Patavium: cf. F. patavinité] The use of local or provincial words, as in the peculiar style or diction of Livy, the Roman historian; -- so called from Patavium, now Padua, the place of Livy's nativity.

Patch (?), n. [OE. pacche; of uncertain origin, perh. for placche; cf. Prov. E. platch patch, LG. plakk, plakke.] 1. A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it, esp. upon an old garment to cover a hole.

2. Hence: A small piece of anything used to repair a breach; as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.

3. A small piece of black silk stuck on the face, or neck, to hide a defect, or to heighten beauty.

4. (Gun.) A piece of greased cloth or leather used as wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.

5. Fig.: Anything regarded as a patch; a small piece of ground; a tract; a plot; as, scattered patches of trees or growing corn.

6. (Mil.) A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the effect of dispart, in sighting.

7. A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool. [Obs. or Colloq.] "Thou scurvy patch." Shak.

Patch ice, ice in overlapping pieces in the sea. -- Soft patch, a patch for covering a crack in a metallic vessel, as a steam boiler, consisting of soft material, as putty, covered and held in place by a plate bolted or riveted fast.

Patch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patching.] 1. To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather, or the like; as, to patch a coat.

2. To mend with pieces; to repair with pieces festened on; to repair clumsily; as, to patch the roof of a house.

4. To make of pieces or patches; to repair as with patches; to arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner; -- generally with up; as, to patch up a truce. "If you'll patch a quarrel." Shak.

Patch"er*y (?), n. Botchery; covering of defects; bungling; hypocrisy. [R.] Shak.

{ Pa*tchou"li, Pa*tchou"ly } (?), n. [CF. F. patchouli; prob. of East Indian origin.] 1. (Bot.) A mintlike plant (Pogostemon Patchouli) of the East Indies, yielding an essential oil from which a highly valued perfume is made.

Patchouly camphor (Chem.), a substance homologous with and resembling borneol, found in patchouly oil.

Patch"work` (?), n. Work composed of pieces sewed together, esp. pieces of various colors and figures; hence, anything put together of incongruous or ill-adapted parts; something irregularly clumsily composed; a thing putched up. Swift.

2. (Fort.) A kind of platform with a parapet, usually of an oval form, and generally erected in marshy grounds to cover a gate of a fortified place. [R.]

Pate (?), n. [Cf. LG. & Prov. G. pattkopf, patzkopf, scabby head; patt, patz, scab + kopf head.] 1. The head of a person; the top, or crown, of the head. [Now generally used in contempt or ridicule.]

Pat"ed (?), a. Having a pate; -- used only in composition; as, long-pated; shallow- pated.

Pat`e*fac"tion (?), n. [L. patefactio, fr. patefacere to open; patere to lie open + facere to make.] The act of opening, disclosing, or manifesting; open declaration. Jer. Taylor.

||Pat"e*la (?), n. [Hind. patel.] A large flat-bottomed trading boat peculiar to the river Ganges; -- called also puteli.

||Pa*tel"la (?), n.; pl. Patellæ (#). [L., a small pan, the kneepan, dim. of patina, patena, a pan, dish.] 1. A small dish, pan, or vase.

3. (Zoöl.) A genus of marine gastropods, including many species of limpets. The shell has the form of a flattened cone. The common European limpet (Patella vulgata) is largely used for food.

4. (Bot.) A kind of apothecium in lichens, which is orbicular, flat, and sessile, and has a special rim not a part of the thallus.

Pa*tel"li*form (?), a. [Patella + form: cf. F. pattelliforme.] 1. Having the form of a patella.

||Pa*tel"lu*la (?), n.; pl. Patellulæ (#). [NL., dim. of L. patella. See Patella.] (Zoöl.) A cuplike sucker on the feet of certain insects.

Pat"en (?), n. [LL. patina, patena, fr. L. patina, patena, a pan; cf. L. patere to be open, E. patent, and Gr. &?; a kind of flat dish: cf. F. patène. Cf. Patina.] 1. A plate. [Obs.]

2. (Eccl.) The place on which the consecrated bread is placed in the Eucharist, or on which the host is placed during the Mass. It is usually small, and formed as to fit the chalice, or cup, as a cover.

||Pa*te"na (?), n. [Cf. Pg. patena a paten.] A grassy expanse in the hill region of Ceylon.

Pa"ten*cy (?), n. [See Patent.] 1. The condition of being open, enlarged, or spread.

Pat"ent (pt"ent or pt"ent), a. [L. patens, -entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. Fathom.] 1. (Oftener pronounced pt"ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous.

2. Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter.

3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a patent right; patent medicines.

4. (Bot.) Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the steam or branch; as, a patent leaf.

Patent leather, a varnished or lacquered leather, used for boots and shoes, and in carriage and harness work. -- Patent office, a government bureau for the examination of inventions and the granting of patents. -- Patent right. (a) The exclusive right to an invention, and the control of its manufacture. (b) (Law) The right, granted by the sovereign, of exclusive control of some business of manufacture, or of the sale of certain articles, or of certain offices or prerogatives. -- Patent rolls, the registers, or records, of patents.

Pat"ent, n. [Cf. F. patente. See Patent, a.] 1. A letter patent, or letters patent; an official document, issued by a sovereign power, conferring a right or privilege on some person or party. Specifically: (a) A writing securing to an invention. (b) A document making a grant and conveyance of public lands.

In the United States, by the act of 1870, patents for inventions are issued for seventeen years, without the privilege of renewal except by act of Congress.

2. The right or privilege conferred by such a document; hence, figuratively, a right, privilege, or license of the nature of a patent.

Pat"ent, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patented; p. pr. & vb. n. Patenting.] To grant by patent; to make the subject of a patent; to secure or protect by patent; as, to patent an invention; to patent public lands.

Pat`ent*ee" (?), n. One to whom a grant is made, or a privilege secured, by patent. Bacon.

Pat"ent-ham"mered (?), a. (Stone Cutting) Having a surface dressed by cutting with a hammer the head of which consists of broad thin chisels clamped together.

||Pat"e*ra (?), n.; pl. Pateræ(&?;). [ L., fr. patere to lie open.] 1. A saucerlike vessel of earthenware or metal, used by the Greeks and Romans in libations and sacrificies.

2. (Arch.) A circular ornament, resembling a dish, often worked in relief on friezes, and the like.

||Pa`ter*fa*mil`i*as (?), n.; pl. Pateresfamilias (#). [L., fr. pater father + familias, gen. of familia family.] (Rom. Law) The head of a family; in a large sense, the proprietor of an estate; one who is his own master.

Pa*ter"nal (?), a. [L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf. F. paternel. See Father.] 1. Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a father; as, paternal care. "Under paternal rule." Milton.

Paternal government (Polit. Science), the assumption by the governing power of a quasi-fatherly relation to the people, involving strict and intimate supervision of their business and social concerns, upon the theory that they are incapable of managing their own afffairs.

Pa*ter"nal*ism (?), n. (Polit. Science) The theory or practice of paternal government. See Paternal government, under Paternal. London Times.

Pa*ter"ni*ty (?), n. [L. paternitas: cf. F. paternité. See Paternal.] 1. The relation of a father to his child; fathership; fatherhood; family headship; as, the divine paternity.

2. Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, the paternity of a child.

Pa"ter*nos`ter (?), n. [L., Our Father.] 1. The Lord's prayer, so called from the first two words of the Latin version.

Paternoster pump, Paternoster wheel, a chain pump; a noria. -- Paternoster while, the space of time required for repeating a paternoster. Udall.

Path (pth), n.; pl. Paths (pz). [As. pæð, pað; akin to D. pad, G. pfad, of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. pa`tos, Skr. patha, path. √21.] 1. A trodden way; a footway.

2. A way, course, or track, in which anything moves or has moved; route; passage; an established way; as, the path of a meteor, of a caravan, of a storm, of a pestilence. Also used figuratively, of a course of life or action.

Path (p), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pathed (pd); pr.p. & vb. n. Pathing.] To make a path in, or on (something), or for (some one). [R.] "Pathing young Henry's unadvised ways." Drayton.

Path`e*mat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a suffering, &?;, to suffer.] Of, pertaining to, or designating, emotion or suffering. [R.] Chalmers.

Pa*thet"ic (?), a. [L. patheticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, to suffer: cf. F. pathétique. See Pathos.] 1. Expressing or showing anger; passionate. [Obs.]

2. Affecting or moving the tender emotions, esp. pity or grief; full of pathos; as, a pathetic song or story. "Pathetic action." Macaulay.

Pathetic muscle (Anat.), the superior oblique muscle of the eye. -- Pathetic nerve (Anat.), the fourth cranial, or trochlear, nerve, which supplies the superior oblique, or pathetic, muscle of the eye. -- The pathetic, a style or manner adapted to arouse the tender emotions.

Pa*thet"ic*al (?), a. Pathetic. [R.] -- Pa*thet"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Pa*thet"ic*al*ness, n.

Path"find`er (?), n. One who discovers a way or path; one who explores untraversed regions.

Path"ic (?), n. [L. pathicus, Gr. &?;, passive, fr. &?;, &?;, to suffer] A male who submits to the crime against nature; a catamite. [R.] B. Jonson.

Path"less (?), a. Having no beaten path or way; untrodden; impenetrable; as, pathless woods.

Path"o*gene (?), n. [See Pathogenic.] (Biol.) One of a class of virulent microörganisms or bacteria found in the tissues and fluids in infectious diseases, and supposed to be the cause of the disease; a pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium; -- opposed to zymogene.

Path`o*gen"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; disease + the root of &?; birth.] (Med. & Biol.) Of or pertaining to pathogeny; producting disease; as, a pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium.

Pa*thog"e*ny (?), n. (Med.) (a) The generation, and method of development, of disease; as, the pathogeny of yellow fever is unsettled. (b) That branch of pathology which treats of the generation and development of disease.

Pa*thog`no*mon"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; skilled in judging of diseases; &?; a disease + &?; skilled: cf. F. pathognomonique. See Gnomic.] (Med.) Specially or decisively characteristic of a disease; indicating with certainty a disease; as, a pathognomonic symptom.

Pa*thog"no*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; passion + &?; a judgment, fr. &?;, &?;, to know.] Expression of the passions; the science of the signs by which human passions are indicated.

{ Path`o*log"ic (?), Path`o*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pathologique.] Of or pertaining to pathology. -- Path`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pa*thol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. pathologiste.] One skilled in pathology; an investigator in pathology; as, the pathologist of a hospital, whose duty it is to determine the causes of the diseases.

Pa*thol"o*gy (-j), n.; pl. Pathologies (-jz). [Gr. pa`qos a suffering, disease + -logy: cf. F. pathologie.] (Med.) The science which treats of diseases, their nature, causes, progress, symptoms, etc.

Pathology is general or special, according as it treats of disease or morbid processes in general, or of particular diseases; it is also subdivided into internal and external, or medical and surgical pathology. Its departments are nosology, ætiology, morbid anatomy, symptomatology, and therapeutics, which treat respectively of the classification, causation, organic changes, symptoms, and cure of diseases.

Celluar pathology, a theory that gives prominence to the vital action of cells in the healthy and diseased function of the body. Virchow.

||Path`o*pœ"la (?), n.; pl. -ias (#). [NL., from Gr. &?;; &?; passion + &?; to make.] (Rhet.) A speech, or figure of speech, designed to move the passion. Smart.

Pa"thos (?), n. [L., from Gr. pa`qos a suffering, passion, fr. &?;, &?;, to suffer; cf. &?; toil, L. pati to suffer, E. patient.] That quality or property of anything which touches the feelings or excites emotions and passions, esp., that which awakens tender emotions, such as pity, sorrow, and the like; contagious warmth of feeling, action, or expression; pathetic quality; as, the pathos of a picture, of a poem, or of a cry.

Path"way (?), n. A footpath; a beaten track; any path or course. Also used figuratively. Shak.

Pat"i*ble (?), a. [L. patibilis, fr. pati to suffer.] Sufferable; tolerable; endurable. [Obs.] Bailey.

Pa*tib"u*la*ry (?), a. [L. patibulum a gallows: cf. F. patibulaire.] Of or pertaining to the gallows, or to execution. [R.] Carlyle.

Pa"tience (?), n. [F. patience, fr. L. patientia. See Patient.] 1. The state or quality of being patient; the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression, calamity, etc.

2. The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for; forbearance.

5. (Bot.) A kind of dock (Rumex Patientia), less common in America than in Europe; monk's rhubarb.

Syn. -- Patience, Resignation. Patience implies the quietness or self-possession of one's own spirit under sufferings, provocations, etc.; resignation implies submission to the will of another. The Stoic may have patience; the Christian should have both patience and resignation.

Pa"tient (?), a. [F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p. pr. of pati to suffer. Cf. Pathos, Passion.] 1. Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer or bear.

2. Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long-suffering.

3. Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent; as, patient endeavor.

4. Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not overeager; composed.

Pa"tient, n. 1. ONe who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient.

2. A person under medical or surgical treatment; -- correlative to physician or nurse.

In patient, a patient who receives lodging and food, as treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary. -- Out patient, one who receives advice and medicine, or treatment, from an infirmary.

Pa"tient, v. t. To compose, to calm. [Obs.] "Patient yourself, madam." Shak.

{ Pat"in (?), Pat"ine }, n. A plate. See Paten. "Inlaid with patines of bright gold." Shak.

Pat"ina (?), n. [It., fr. L. patina a dish, a pan, a kind of cake. Cf. Paten.] 1. A dish or plate of metal or earthenware; a patella.

2. (Fine Arts) The color or incrustation which age gives to works of art; especially, the green rust which covers ancient bronzes, coins, and medals. Fairholt.

||Pa"ti*o (pä"t*), n. [Sp., a court] (Metal) A paved yard or floor where ores are cleaned and sorted, or where ore, salt, mercury, etc., are trampled by horses, to effect intermixture and amalgamation.

Pa`tois" (?), n. [F.] A dialect peculiar to the illiterate classes; a provincial form of speech.

Pa*tonce" (?), a. [Cf. F. patte d'once paw of an ounce.] (Her.) Having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end; -- said of a cross. See Illust. 9 of Cross.

Pa"tri*al (?), a. [L. patria fatherland, country, fr. pater father.] (Lat. Gram.) Derived from the name of a country, and designating an inhabitant of the country; gentile; -- said of a noun. -- n. A patrial noun. Thus Romanus, a Roman, and Troas, a woman of Troy, are patrial nouns, or patrials. Andrews.

Pa"tri*arch (?), n. [F. patriarche, L. patriarcha, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; lineage, especially on the father's side, race; &?; father + &?; a leader, chief, fr. &?; to lead, rule. See Father, Archaic.] 1. The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.

2. (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.

Pa`tri*ar"chal (?), a. [Cf. F. patriarcal.] 1. Of or pertaining to a patriarch or to patriarchs; possessed by, or subject to, patriarchs; as, patriarchal authority or jurisdiction; a patriarchal see; a patriarchal church.

3. (Ethnol.) Having an organization of society and government in which the head of the family exercises authority over all its generations.

Patriarchal cross (Her.), a cross, the shaft of which is intersected by two transverse beams, the upper one being the smaller. See Illust. (2) of Cross. -- Patriarchal dispensation, the divine dispensation under which the patriarchs lived before the law given by Moses.

Pa`tri*ar"chate (p>amac/`tr*är"kt), n. [Cf. F. patriarcat.] 1. The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch. Jer. Taylor.

3. (Ethnol.) A patriarchal form of government or society. See Patriarchal, a., 3.

Pa"tri*arch*dom (?), n. The office or jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchate. [R.]

Pa"tri*arch`y (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] 1. The jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchship. Brerewood.

Pa*tri"cian (?), a. [L. patricius, fr. patres fathers or senators, pl. of pater: cf. F. patricien. See Paternal.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.

2. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.

Pa*tri"cian, n. [L. patricius: cf. F. patricien.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) Originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.

3. One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore. [R.] Colridge.

Pa*tri"ci*ate (?), n. The patrician class; the aristocracy; also, the office of patriarch. Milman.

Pat*ri"cide (?), n. [L. pater father + caedere to kill. Cf. Parricide.] 1. The murderer of his father.

Pat`ri*mo"ni*al (?), a. [L. patrimonialis: cf. F. patrimonial.] Of or pertaining to a patrimony; inherited from ancestors; as, a patrimonial estate.

Pat"ri*mo*ny (?), n.; pl. Patrimonies (#). [L. patrimonium, fr. pater father: cf. F. patrimoine. See Paternal.] 1. A right or estate inherited from one's father; or, in a larger sense, from any ancestor. "'Reave the orphan of his patrimony." Shak.

Pa"tri*ot (?), n. [F. patriote; cf. Sp. patriota, It. patriotto; all fr. Gr. &?; a fellow-countryman, fr. &?; established by forefathers, fr. &?; father. See Father.] One who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests. Bp. Hall.

Pa`tri*ot"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. patriotique, Gr. &?; belonging to a fellow-countryman.] Inspired by patriotism; actuated by love of one's country; zealously and unselfishly devoted to the service of one's country; as, a patriotic statesman, vigilance.

Pa`tri*ot"ic*al (?), a. Patriotic; that pertains to a patriot. -- Pa`tri*ot"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pa"tri*ot*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. patriotisme.] Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country. Berkley.

Pa`tri*pas"sian (?), n. [LL. Patripassiani, pl.; L. pater father + pati, passus, to suffer: cf. F. patripassiens.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a body of believers in the early church who denied the independent preëxistent personality of Christ, and who, accordingly, held that the Father suffered in the Son; a monarchian. -- Pa`tri*pas"sian*ism (#), n.

{ Pa*tris"tic (?), Pa*tris"tic*al (?), } a. [F. patristique. See Paternal.] Of or pertaining to the Fathers of the Christian church.

Pa*tris"tics (?), n. That departnent of historical theology which treats of the lives and doctrines of the Fathers of the church.

Pa"tri*zate (?), v. i. [L. patrissare, patrizare;cf. Gr. &?;.] To imitate one's father. [R.]

Pa*troc"i*nate (?), v. t. [L. patrocinatus, p. p. of patrocinari to patronize, fr. patronus patron.] To support; to patronize. [Obs.] Urquhart.

Pa*troc`i*na"tion (?), n. The act of patrocinating or patronizing. [Obs.] "Patrocinations of treason." Bp. Hall.

Pa*trol" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Patrolled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patrolling.] [F. patrouiller, O. & Prov. F. patrouiller to paddle, paw about, patrol, fr. patte a paw; cf. D. poot paw, G. pfote, and E. pat, v.] To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a police district or beat.

Pa*trol" (?), v.t To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman; as, to patrol a frontier; to patrol a beat.

Pa*trol", n. [F. patrouille, OF. patouille. See Patrol, v. i.] 1. (Mil.) (a) A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the outposts. (b) A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line of outposts, to explore the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts. (c) The guard or men who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

2. Any perambulation of a particular line or district to guard it; also, the men thus guarding; as, a customs patrol; a fire patrol.

Pa*trol"man (?), n.; pl. Patrolmen (&?;). One who patrols; a watchman; especially, a policeman who patrols a particular precinct of a town or city.

Pa"tron (?), n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See Paternal, and cf. Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.] 1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. "Patron of my life and liberty." Shak. "The patron of true holiness." Spenser.

2. (Rom. Antiq.) (a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him. (b) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself. (c) An advocate or pleader.

3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.

Pa"tron, v. t. To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pa"tron, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden.

Patron saint (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual.

Pa"tron*age (?), n. [F. patronage. Cf. LL. patronaticum, and L. patronatus.] 1. Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.

4. The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.

5. (Eng. Law) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Blackstone.

Pa"tron*age, v. t. To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.] Shak.

Pa"tron*al (?), a. [L. patronalis; cf. F. patronal.] Patron; protecting; favoring. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pa"tron*ate (?), n. [L. patronatus.] The right or duty of a patron; patronage. [R.] Westm. Rev.

Pa"tron*ess (?), n. [Cf. F. patronnesse.] A female patron or helper. Spenser.

Pa"tron*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patronized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patronizing (?).] 1. To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid.

3. To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and protector, toward; -- used in an unfavorable sense; as, to patronize one's equals.

Pa"tron*i`zing (?), a. Showing condescending favor; assuming the manner of airs of a superior toward another. -- Pat"ron*i`zing*ly, adv. Thackeray.

Pa`tro*nom`a*yol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a father + E. onomatology.] That branch of knowledge which deals with personal names and their origin; the study of patronymics.

Pa`tro*nym"ic (?), a. [L. patronymicus, Gr. &?;; &?; father + &?; name: cf. F. patronymique.] Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.

Pa`tro*nym"ic, n. [Gr. &?;.] A modification of the father's name borne by the son; a name derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a family; the family name. M. A. Lower.

Pa*troon" (?), n. [D. patroon a patron, a protector. See Patron.] One of the proprietors of certain tracts of land with manorial privileges and right of entail, under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.

{ ||Pat`té" (?), Pat*tee" (?), } a. [F. patté, fem. pattée, fr. patte paw, foot. Cf. Patten.] (Her.) Narrow at the inner, and very broad at the other, end, or having its arms of that shape; -- said of a cross. See Illust. (8) of Cross. [Written also paté, patee.]

Pat"ten (?), n. [F. patin a high- heeled shoe, fr. patte paw, foot. Cf. Panton, Patté.] 1. A clog or sole of wood, usually supported by an iron ring, worn to raise the feet from the wet or the mud.

Pat"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pattering.] [Freq. of pat to strike gently.] 1. To strike with a quick succession of slight, sharp sounds; as, pattering rain or hail; pattering feet.

2. To mutter; to mumble; as, to patter with the lips. Tyndale. [In this sense, and in the following, perh. from paternoster.]

Pat"ter, v. t. 1. To spatter; to sprinkle. [R.] "And patter the water about the boat." J. R. Drake.

Pat"ter, n. 1. A quick succession of slight sounds; as, the patter of rain; the patter of little feet.

Pat"ter*er (?), n. One who patters, or talks glibly; specifically, a street peddler. [Cant, Eng.]

Pat"tern (?), n. [OE. patron, F. patron, a patron, also, a pattern. See Patron.] 1. Anything proposed for imitation; an archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be, or is worthy to be, copied or imitated; as, a pattern of a machine.

2. A part showing the figure or quality of the whole; a specimen; a sample; an example; an instance.

4. Figure or style of decoration; design; as, wall paper of a beautiful pattern.

6. Anything cut or formed to serve as a guide to cutting or forming objects; as, a dressmaker's pattern.

7. (Founding) A full-sized model around which a mold of sand is made, to receive the melted metal. It is usually made of wood and in several parts, so as to be removed from the mold without injuring it.

Pattern box, chain, or cylinder (Figure Weaving), devices, in a loom, for presenting several shuttles to the picker in the proper succession for forming the figure. -- Pattern card. (a) A set of samples on a card. (b) (Weaving) One of the perforated cards in a Jacquard apparatus. -- Pattern reader, one who arranges textile patterns. -- Pattern wheel (Horology), a count- wheel.

Pat"tern, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patterned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patterning.] 1. To make or design (anything) by, from, or after, something that serves as a pattern; to copy; to model; to imitate. Milton.

Pat"u*lous (?), a. [L. patulus, fr. patere to be open, extend.] Open; expanded; slightly spreading; having the parts loose or dispersed; as, a patulous calyx; a patulous cluster of flowers.

Pau*cil"o*quy (?), n. [L. pauciloquium; paucus little + loqui to speak.] Brevity in speech. [R.]

Pau`ci*spi"ral (?), a. [L. paucus few + E. spiral.] (Zoöl.) Having few spirals, or whorls; as, a paucispiral operculum or shell.

Pau"ci*ty (?), n. [L. paucitas, fr. paucus few, little: cf. F. paucité See Few.] 1. Fewness; smallness of number; scarcity. Hooker.

2. Smallnes of quantity; exiguity; insufficiency; as, paucity of blood. Sir T. Browne.

{ Pau"gie, Pau"gy } (?), n.; pl. Paugies (#). [Corrupted from Amer. Indian mishcuppauog. See Scup.] (Zoöl.) The scup. See Porgy, and Scup.

Pau*hau"gen (?), n. [North Amer. Indian.] (Zoöl.) The menhaden; -- called also poghaden.

Paul"dron (?), n. [See Powldron.] (Mil. Antiq.) A piece of armor covering the shoulder at the junction of the body piece and arm piece.

{ Pau"li*an (?), Pau"li*an*ist (?), } n. (Eccl. Hist.) A follower of Paul of Samosata, a bishop of Antioch in the third century, who was deposed for denying the divinity of Christ.

Pau"li*cian (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of Christian dualists originating in Armenia in the seventh century. They rejected the Old Testament and the part of the New.

Pau"line (?), a. [L. Paulinus, fr. Paulus Paul.] Of or pertaining to the apostle Paul, or his writings; resembling, or conforming to, the writings of Paul; as, the Pauline epistles; Pauline doctrine.

Paul"ist (?), n. (R. C. Ch.) A member of The Institute of the Missionary Priests of St. Paul the Apostle, founded in 1858 by the Rev. I. T. Hecker of New York. The majority of the members were formerly Protestants.

||Pau*low"ni*a (?), n. [NL. So named from the Russian princess Anna Pavlovna.] (Bot.) A genus of trees of the order Scrophulariaceæ, consisting of one species, Paulownia imperialis.

The tree is native to Japan, and has immense heart-shaped leaves, and large purplish flowers in panicles. The capsules contain many little winged seeds, which are beautiful microscopic objects. The tree is hardy in America as far north as Connecticut.

Paum (?), v. t. & i. [See Palm to cheat.] To palm off by fraud; to cheat at cards. [Obs.] Swift.

Paunce (?), n. [See Pansy.] (Bot.) The pansy. "The pretty paunce." Spenser.

Paunch (?), n. [OF. panch, pance, F. panse, L. pantex, panticis.] 1. (Anat.) The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See Rumen.

Paunch mat (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope, used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing.

Paunch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paunched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paunching.] 1. To pierce or rip the belly of; to eviscerate; to disembowel. Shak.

Pau"per (?), n. [L. See Poor.] A poor person; especially, one development on private or public charity. Also used adjectively; as, pouper immigrants, pouper labor.

Pau"per*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. paupérisme.] The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons requiring support from the community. Whatly.

Pau`per*i*za"tion (?), n. The act or process of reducing to pauperism. C. Kingsley.

Pau"per*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pauperized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pauperizing (?).] To reduce to pauperism; as, to pauperize the peasantry.

||Pau*rop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; small + -poda.] (Zoöl.) An order of small myriapods having only nine pairs of legs and destitute of tracheæ.

Pause (?), n. [F., fr. L. pausa. See Pose.] 1. A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.

3. In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.

4. In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.

Pause, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pausing.] [Cf. F. pauser, L. pausare. See Pause, n., Pose.] 1. To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest. "Tarry, pause a day or two." Shak.

4. To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to reflect. [R.] "Take time to pause." Shak.

||Paux"i (?), n. [From the native name: cf. Sp. pauji.] (Zoöl.) A curassow (Ourax pauxi), which, in South America, is often domesticated.

Pav"an (?), n. [F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp. pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.] A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its movements to those of the peacock. [Written also pavane, paven, pavian, and pavin.]

||Nymphe du pavé (&?;), a prostitute who solicits in the street. [A low euphemism.]

Pave (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paving.] [F. paver to pave, LL. pavare, from L. pavire to beat, ram, or tread down; cf. Gr. &?; to beat, strike.] 1. To lay or cover with stone, brick, or other material, so as to make a firm, level, or convenient surface for horses, carriages, or persons on foot, to travel on; to floor with brick, stone, or other solid material; as, to pave a street; to pave a court.

2. Fig.: To make smooth, easy, and safe; to prepare, as a path or way; as, to pave the way to promotion; to pave the way for an enterprise.

Pave"ment (?), n. [F., fr. LL. pavamentum, L. pavimentum. See Pave.] That with which anythingis paved; a floor or covering of solid material, laid so as to make a hard and convenient surface for travel; a paved road or sidewalk; a decorative interior floor of tiles or colored bricks.

Pavement teeth (Zoöl.), flattened teeth which in certain fishes, as the skates and cestracionts, are arranged side by side, like tiles in a pavement.

Pave"ment, v. t. To furnish with a pavement; to pave. [Obs.] "How richly pavemented!" Bp. Hall.

Pav"er (?), n. One who paves; one who lays a pavement. [Written also pavier and pavior.]

Pav`e*sade" (?), n. [F. See Pavise.] A canvas screen, formerly sometimes extended along the side of a vessel in a naval engagement, to conceal from the enemy the operations on board.

Pa"vi*age (?), n. (Law) A contribution or a tax for paving streets or highways. Bouvier.

Pav"id (?), a. [L. pavidus, from pavere to be afraid.] Timid; fearful. [R.] Thackeray.

Pa"vi*in (p"v*n), n. (Chem.) A glucoside found in species of the genus Pavia of the Horse-chestnut family.

Pa*vil"ion (?), n. [F. pavillon, fr. L. pavilio a butterfly, also, a tent, because spread out like a butterfly's wings.] 1. A temporary movable habitation; a large tent; a marquee; esp., a tent raised on posts. "[The] Greeks do pitch their brave pavilions." Shak.

2. (Arch.) A single body or mass of building, contained within simple walls and a single roof, whether insulated, as in the park or garden of a larger edifice, or united with other parts, and forming an angle or central feature of a large pile.

5. That part of a brilliant which lies between the girdle and collet. See Illust. of Brilliant.

6. (Anat.) The auricle of the ear; also, the fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube.

Pa*vil"ion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pavilioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pavilioning.] To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents.

Pav"ing (?), n. 1. The act or process of laying a pavement, or covering some place with a pavement.

Pa*vise (?), n. [OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf. It. pavese, LL. pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.] (Mil. Antiq.) A large shield covering the whole body, carried by a pavisor, who sometimes screened also an archer with it. [Written also pavais, pavese, and pavesse.] Fairholt.

||Pa"vo (?), n. [L., a peacock. See Peacock.] 1. (Zoöl.) A genus of birds, including the peacocks.

Pa"von (?), n. A small triangular flag, esp. one attached to a knight's lance; a pennon.

Pa*vone" (?), n. [Cf. It. pavone, Sp. pavon, fr. L. pavo.] (Zoöl.) A peacock. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pav"o*nine (?), a. [L. pavoninus, fr. pavo a peacock. See Peacock.] 1. (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus Pavo.

2. Characteristic of a peacock; resembling the tail of a peacock, as in colors; iridescent. P. Cleaveland.

Paw (p), n. [OE. pawe, poue, OF. poe: cf. patte, LG. pote, D. poot, G. pfote.] 1. The foot of a quadruped having claws, as the lion, dog, cat, etc.

Paw clam (Zoöl.), the tridacna; - - so called because shaped like an animal's paw.

Paw, v. i. To draw the forefoot along the ground; to beat or scrape with the forefoot. Job xxxix. 21.

Paw, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pawed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pawing.] 1. To pass the paw over; to stroke or handle with the paws; hence, to handle fondly or rudely.

Paw"ky (?), a. [Cf. AS. pæcean to deceive.] Arch; cunning; sly. [Scot.] Jamieson.

Pawl (?), n. [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake.] (Mach.) A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.]

Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.

Pawn, n. [OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL. pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pioneer, Peon.] (Chess) A man or piece of the lowest rank.

Pawn, n. [OF. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, F. pan skirt, lappet, piece, from L. pannus. See Pane.] 1. Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1.

In pawn, At pawn, in the state of being pledged. "Sweet wife, my honor is at pawn." Shak. -- Pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged.

Pawn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pawned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pawning.] 1. To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as, to pawn one's watch.

2. To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to wager; to hazard.

Pawn"bro`ker (?), n. One who makes a business of lending money on the security of personal property pledged or deposited in his keeping.

Pawn*ee" (?), n. (Law) One or two whom a pledge is delivered as security; one who takes anything in pawn.

Paw`nees" (?), n. pl.; sing. Pawnee (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians (called also Loups) who formerly occupied the region of the Platte river, but now live mostly in the Indian Territory. The term is often used in a wider sense to include also the related tribes of Rickarees and Wichitas. Called also Pani.

{ Pawn"er (?), Pawn*or" (?), } n. (Law) One who pawns or pledges anything as security for the payment of borrowed money or of a debt.

Pax (?), n. [L. pax peace. See Peace.] 1. (Eccl.) The kiss of peace; also, the embrace in the sanctuary now substituted for it at High Mass in Roman Catholic churches.

2. (R. C. Ch.) A tablet or board, on which is a representation of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or of some saint and which, in the Mass, was kissed by the priest and then by the people, in mediæval times; an osculatory. It is still used in communities, confraternities, etc.

Pax"il*lose` (?), a. [L. paxillus a small stake.] (Geol.) Resembling a little stake.

||Pax*il"lus (?), n.; pl. Paxilli (#). [L., a peg.] (Zoöl.) One of a peculiar kind of spines covering the surface of certain starfishes. They are pillarlike, with a flattened summit which is covered with minute spinules or granules. See Illustration in Appendix.

Pax"wax` (?), n. [For faxvax, fr. AS. fea&?; hair (akin to OHG. fahs) + weaxan to grow. See Wax to grow, and cf. Faxed, Pectinate.] (Anat.) The strong ligament of the back of the neck in quadrupeds. It connects the back of the skull with dorsal spines of the cervical vertebræ, and helps to support the head. Called also paxywaxy and packwax.

Pay (?), v. t. [OF. peier, fr. L. picare to pitch, i&?; pitch: cf. OF. peiz pitch, F. poix. See Pitch a black substance.] (Naut.) To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.

Pay, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paid (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paying.] [OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify, appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Peace.] 1. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants.

2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon.

3. To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed). "Pay me that thou owest." Matt. xviii. 28.

4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised.

5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.

To pay off. (a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off the crew of a ship. (b) To allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind. -- To pay one's duty, to render homage, as to a sovereign or other superior. -- To pay out (Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to allow to run out; as, to pay out more cable. See under Cable. -- To pay the piper, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble. [Colloq.]

Pay (p), v. i. To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.

2. Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays.

To pay for. (a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay for their mistakes with loss of property or reputation, sometimes with life. (b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to be mulcted on account of.

-- To pay off. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail. -- To pay on. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to redouble blows. [Colloq.] -- To pay round [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To turn the ship's head.

2. An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier.

Full pay, the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay; especially, the highest pay or allowance to civil or military officers of a certain rank, without deductions. -- Half pay. See under Half. -- Pay day, the day of settlement of accounts. -- Pay dirt (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the miner. [Western U.S.] -- Pay office, a place where payment is made. -- Pay roll, a roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the amounts due.

Pay"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. payable. Cf. Pacable.] 1. That may, can, or should be paid; suitable to be paid; justly due. Drayton.

2. (Law) (a) That may be discharged or settled by delivery of value. (b) Matured; now due.

Pay*ee" (?), n. The person to whom money is to be, or has been, paid; the person named in a bill or note, to whom, or to whose order, the amount is promised or directed to be paid. See Bill of exchange, under Bill.

Pay"er (?), n. One who pays; specifically, the person by whom a bill or note has been, or should be, paid.

Pay"mas`ter (?), n. One who pays; one who compensates, rewards, or requites; specifically, an officer or agent of a government, a corporation, or an employer, whose duty it is to pay salaries, wages, etc., and keep account of the same.

Pay"ment (?), n. [F. payment, paiement. See Pay to requite.] 1. The act of paying, or giving compensation; the discharge of a debt or an obligation.

2. That which is paid; the thing given in discharge of a debt, or an obligation, or in fulfillment of a promise; reward; recompense; requital; return. Shak.

Payn (?), n. [OF. & F. pain, fr. L. panis bread.] Bread. Having Piers Plowman.

Payn`de*main" (?), n. [OF. pain bread + demaine manorial, lordly, own, private. See Payn, and Demesne. Said to be so called from the figure of our Lord impressed upon it.] The finest and whitest bread made in the Middle Ages; -- called also paynemain, payman. [Obs.]

Payn"ize (?), v. t. [From Mr. Payne, the inventor.] To treat or preserve, as wood, by a process resembling kyanizing.

Pay"tine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid obtained from a white bark resembling that of the cinchona, first brought from Payta, in Peru.

Pea (?), n. [OF. peis. See Poise.] The sliding weight on a steelyard. [Written also pee.]

Pea, n.; pl. Peas (#) or Pease (#). [OE. pese, fr. AS. pisa, or OF. peis, F. pois; both fr. L. pisum; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;. The final s was misunderstood in English as a plural ending. Cf. Pease.] 1. (Bot.) A plant, and its fruit, of the genus Pisum, of many varieties, much cultivated for food. It has a papilionaceous flower, and the pericarp is a legume, popularly called a pod.

When a definite number, more than one, is spoken of, the plural form peas is used; as, the pod contained nine peas; but, in a collective sense, the form pease is preferred; as, a bushel of pease; they had pease at dinner. This distinction is not always preserved, the form peas being used in both senses.

2. A name given, especially in the Southern States, to the seed of several leguminous plants (species of Dolichos, Cicer, Abrus, etc.) esp. those having a scar (hilum) of a different color from the rest of the seed.

The name pea is given to many leguminous plants more or less closely related to the common pea. See the Phrases, below.

Beach pea (Bot.), a seashore plant, Lathyrus maritimus. -- Black-eyed pea, a West Indian name for Dolichos sphærospermus and its seed. -- Butterfly pea, the American plant Clitoria Mariana, having showy blossoms. -- Chick pea. See Chick-pea. -- Egyptian pea. Same as Chick-pea. -- Everlasting pea. See under Everlasting. -- Glory pea. See under Glory, n. -- Hoary pea, any plant of the genus Tephrosia; goat's rue. -- Issue pea, Orris pea. (Med.) See under Issue, and Orris. -- Milk pea. (Bot.) See under Milk. -- Pea berry, a kind of a coffee bean or grain which grows single, and is round or pea-shaped; often used adjectively; as, pea-berry coffee. -- Pea bug. (Zoöl.) Same as Pea weevil. -- Pea coal, a size of coal smaller than nut coal. -- Pea crab (Zoöl.), any small crab of the genus Pinnotheres, living as a commensal in bivalves; esp., the European species (P. pisum) which lives in the common mussel and the cockle. -- Pea dove (Zoöl.), the American ground dove. -- Pea-flower tribe (Bot.), a suborder (Papilionaceæ) of leguminous plants having blossoms essentially like that of the pea. G. Bentham. -- Pea maggot (Zoöl.), the larva of a European moth (Tortrix pisi), which is very destructive to peas. -- Pea ore (Min.), argillaceous oxide of iron, occurring in round grains of a size of a pea; pisolitic ore. -- Pea starch, the starch or flour of the common pea, which is sometimes used in adulterating wheat flour, pepper, etc. -- Pea tree (Bot.), the name of several leguminous shrubs of the genus Caragana, natives of Siberia and China. -- Pea vine. (Bot.) (a) Any plant which bears peas. (b) A kind of vetch or tare, common in the United States (Lathyrus Americana, and other similar species). -- Pea weevil (Zoöl.), a small weevil (Bruchus pisi) which destroys peas by eating out the interior. -- Pigeon pea. (Bot.) See Pigeon pea. -- Sweet pea (Bot.), the annual plant Lathyrus odoratus; also, its many-colored, sweet-scented blossoms.

Pea"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The wryneck; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]

Pea"bod*y bird` (?). (Zoöl.) An American sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) having a conspicuous white throat. The name is imitative of its note. Called also White- throated sparrow.

Peace (?), n. [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease, Fair, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite.] A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose; specifically: (a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies. (b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law. (c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience. (d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord. "The eternal love and pees." Chaucer.

Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. "Peace! foolish woman." Shak.

At peace, in a state of peace. -- Breach of the peace. See under Breach. -- Justice of the peace. See under Justice. -- Peace of God. (Law) (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God. -- Peace offering. (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person. -- Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a sheriff or constable. -- To hold one's peace, to be silent; to refrain from speaking. -- To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another. "I will make your peace with him." Shak.

Peace, v. t. & i. To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop. [R.] "Peace your tattlings." Shak.

Peace"a*ble (?), a. [OE. peisible, F. paisible.] Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome. -- Peace"a*ble*ness, n. -- Peace"a*bly, adv.

Syn. -- Peaceful; pacific; tranquil; quiet; mild; undisturbed; serene; still. -- Peaceable, Peaceful. Peaceable describes the state of an individual, nation, etc., in reference to external hostility, attack, etc.; peaceful, in respect to internal disturbance. The former denotes "in the spirit of peace;" latter; "in the possession or enjoyment of peace." A peaceable adjustment of difficulties; a peaceful life, scene.

Peace"break`er (?), n. One who disturbs the public peace. -- Peace"break`ing, n.

Peace"ful (?), a. 1. Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war, tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil; as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country; a peaceful end.

2. Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation; pacific; mild; calm; peaceable; as, peaceful words.

Peace"mak`er (?), n. One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance. Matt. v. 9.

Peach (?), v. t. [See Appeach, Impeach.] To accuse of crime; to inform against. [Obs.] Foxe.

Peach (?), n. [OE. peche, peshe, OF. pesche, F. pêche, fr. LL. persia, L. Persicum (sc. malum) a Persian apple, a peach. Cf. Persian, and Parsee.] (Bot.) A well-known high-flavored juicy fruit, containing one or two seeds in a hard almond-like endocarp or stone; also, the tree which bears it (Prunus, or Amygdalus Persica). In the wild stock the fruit is hard and inedible.

Guinea, or Sierra Leone, peach, the large edible berry of the Sarcocephalus esculentus, a rubiaceous climbing shrub of west tropical Africa. -- Palm peach, the fruit of a Venezuelan palm tree (Bactris speciosa). -- Peach color, the pale red color of the peach blossom. -- Peach-tree borer (Zoöl.), the larva of a clearwing moth (Ægeria, or Sannina, exitiosa) of the family Ægeriidæ, which is very destructive to peach trees by boring in the wood, usually near the ground; also, the moth itself. See Illust. under Borer.

Peach"-col`ored (?), a. Of the color of a peach blossom. "Peach-colored satin." Shak.

Pea"cock` (?), n. [OE. pecok. Pea- in this word is from AS. peá, pwa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob. of Oriental origin; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, Per. tus, twus, Ar. twu&?;s. See Cock the bird.] 1. (Zoöl.) The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo, of which at least two species are known, native of Southern Asia and the East Indies.

The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden colors. The common domesticated species is Pavo cristatus. The Javan peacock (P. muticus) is more brilliantly colored than the common species.

Peacock butterfly (Zoöl.), a handsome European butterfly (Hamadryas Io) having ocelli like those of peacock. -- Peacock fish (Zoöl.), the European blue-striped wrasse (Labrus variegatus); -- so called on account of its brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook. -- Peacock pheasant (Zoöl.), any one of several species of handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron. They resemble the peacock in color.

Pea"fowl` (?), n. [See Peacock.] (Zoöl.) The peacock or peahen; any species of Pavo.

Pea"-jack`et (?), n. [Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of a coarse woolen stuff.] A thick loose woolen jacket, or coat, much worn by sailors in cold weather.

Peak (?), n. [OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. peac a sharp- pointed thing. Cf. Pike.] 1. A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap. "Run your beard into a peak." Beau. & Fl.

2. The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.

3. (Naut.) (a) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; -- used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc. (b) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it. (c) The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill. [In the last sense written also pea and pee.]

Peak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peaking.] 1. To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.

2. To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sicky. "Dwindle, peak, and pine." Shak.

Peak, v. t. (Naut.) To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.

Peak"ish, a. 1. Of or relating to a peak; or to peaks; belonging to a mountainous region. "Her peakish spring." Drayton. "His peakish dialect." Bp. Hall.

Peal (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin. [Prov. Eng.]

Peal, n. [An abbrev. of F. appel a call, appeal, ruffle of a drum, fr. appeller to call, L. appellare. See Appeal.] 1. A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc. "A fair peal of artillery." Hayward.

2. A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale; also, the changes rung on a set of bells.

Peal, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pealed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pealing.] 1. To utter or give out loud sounds.

Peal, v. t. 1. To utter or give forth loudly; to cause to give out loud sounds; to noise abroad.

Pean (?), n. [OF. pene, F. panne.] (Her.) One of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or tufts or.

Pe"an*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to chant the pæan.] The song or shout of praise, of battle, or of triumph. [R.]

Pea"nut (?), n. (Bot.) The fruit of a trailing leguminous plant (Arachis hypogæa); also, the plant itself, which is widely cultivated for its fruit.

The fruit is a hard pod, usually containing two or three seeds, sometimes but one, which ripen beneath the soil. Called also earthnut, groundnut, and goober.

Pear (pâr), n. [OE. pere, AS. peru, L. pirum: cf. F. poire. Cf. Perry.] (Bot.) The fleshy pome, or fruit, of a rosaceous tree (Pyrus communis), cultivated in many varieties in temperate climates; also, the tree which bears this fruit. See Pear family, below.

Pear blight. (a) (Bot.) A name of two distinct diseases of pear trees, both causing a destruction of the branches, viz., that caused by a minute insect (Xyleborus pyri), and that caused by the freezing of the sap in winter. A. J. Downing. (b) (Zoöl.) A very small beetle (Xyleborus pyri) whose larvæ bore in the twigs of pear trees and cause them to wither. -- Pear family (Bot.), a suborder of rosaceous plants (Pomeæ), characterized by the calyx tube becoming fleshy in fruit, and, combined with the ovaries, forming a pome. It includes the apple, pear, quince, service berry, and hawthorn. -- Pear gauge (Physics), a kind of gauge for measuring the exhaustion of an air-pump receiver; -- so called because consisting in part of a pear-shaped glass vessel. -- Pear shell (Zoöl.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Pyrula, native of tropical seas; -- so called from the shape. -- Pear slug (Zoöl.), the larva of a sawfly which is very injurious to the foliage of the pear tree.

Pearl (?), n. A fringe or border. [Obs.] -- v. t. To fringe; to border. [Obs.] See Purl.

Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See Pear, and cf. Purl to mantle.] 1. (Zoöl.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of- pearl. Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones.

6. (Zoöl.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

8. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.

Ground pearl. (Zoöl.) See under Ground. -- Pearl barley, kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains. -- Pearl diver, one who dives for pearl oysters. -- Pearl edge, an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace. -- Pearl eye, cataract. [R.] -- Pearl gray, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color. -- Pearl millet, Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata). -- Pearl moss. See Carrageen. -- Pearl moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the genus Margaritia; -- so called on account of its pearly color. -- Pearl oyster (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Meleagrina, or Margaritifera, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called also pearl shell, and pearl mussel. -- Pearl powder. See Pearl white, below. -- Pearl sago, sago in the form of small pearly grains. -- Pearl sinter (Min.), fiorite. -- Pearl spar (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster. -- Pearl white. (a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; -- used chiefly as a cosmetic. (b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue.

Pearl (?), a. Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl.

Pearl, v. t. 1. To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.

2. To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.

Pearl*a"ceous (?), a. Resembling pearl or mother-of-pearl; pearly in quality or appearance.

Pearl"ash` (?), n. (Chem.) A white amorphous or granular substance which consists principally of potassium carbonate, and has a strong alkaline reaction. It is obtained by lixiviating wood ashes, and evaporating the lye, and has been an important source of potassium compounds. It is used in making soap, glass, etc.

Pearl"-eyed` (?), a. Having a pearly speck in the eye; afflicted with the cataract.

Pearl"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any fish whose scales yield a pearl-like pigment used in manufacturing artificial pearls, as the bleak, and whitebait.

{ Pearl"ins (?), Pearl"ings (?), } n. pl. [Prob. a corruption of purflings. See Purfle.] A kind of lace of silk or thread. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

{ Pearl"ite (?), Pearl"stone` (?), } n. (Min.) A glassy volcanic rock of a grayish color and pearly luster, often having a spherulitic concretionary structure due to the curved cracks produced by contraction in cooling. See Illust. under Perlitic.

Pearl"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A name given to several species of Sagina, low and inconspicuous herbs of the Chickweed family.

Pearl"y (?), a. 1. Containing pearls; abounding with, or yielding, pearls; as, pearly shells. Milton.

2. Resembling pearl or pearls; clear; pure; transparent; iridescent; as, the pearly dew or flood.

Pear"main (?), n. (Bot.) The name of several kinds of apples; as, the blue pearmain, winter pearmain, and red pearmain.

Peart (?), a. [A variant of pert, a.] Active; lively; brisk; smart; -- often applied to convalescents; as, she is quite peart to-day. [O. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]

Peas"ant (?), n. [OF. païsant (the i being perh. due to confusion with the p. pr. of verbs), païsan, F. paysan, fr. OF. & F. pays country, fr. L. pagus the country. See Pagan.] A countryman; a rustic; especially, one of the lowest class of tillers of the soil in European countries.

Peas"ant*ry (?), n. 1. Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics. "A bold peasantry." Goldsmith.

Pease (?), n.; obs.pl. Peases (#), Peasen (#). [See Pea.] 1. A pea. [Obs.] "A peose." "Bread . . . of beans and of peses." Piers Plowman.

Peas"weep` (?), n. [So called from its note.] [Prov. Eng.] (Zoöl.) (a) The pewit, or lapwing. (b) The greenfinch.

Peat (?), n. [Cf. Pet a fondling.] A small person; a pet; -- sometimes used contemptuously. [Obs.] Shak.

Peat, n. [Prob. for beat, prop., material used to make the fire burn better, fr. AS. b&?;tan to better, mend (a fire), b&?;t advantage. See Better, Boot advantage.] A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and fibers, moss, etc., in various stages of decomposition, and found, as a kind of turf or bog, usually in low situations, where it is always more or less saturated with water. It is often dried and used for fuel.

Peat bog, a bog containing peat; also, peat as it occurs in such places; peat moss. -- Peat moss. (a) The plants which, when decomposed, become peat. (b) A fen producing peat. (c) (Bot.) Moss of the genus Sphagnum, which often grows abundantly in boggy or peaty places. -- Peat reek, the reek or smoke of peat; hence, also, the peculiar flavor given to whisky by being distilled with peat as fuel. [Scot.]

Pe"ba (?), n. [Cf. Pg. peba.] (Zoöl.) An armadillo (Tatusia novemcincta) which is found from Texas to Paraguay; -- called also tatouhou.

Peb"ble (?), n. [AS. papolstn; cf. L. papula pimple, mote. See Stone.] 1. A small roundish stone or bowlder; especially, a stone worn and rounded by the action of water; a pebblestone. "The pebbles on the hungry beach." Shak.

2. Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian pebble; -- so called by opticians.

Pebble powder, slow-burning gunpowder, in large cubical grains. -- Scotch pebble, varieties of quartz, as agate, chalcedony, etc., obtained from cavities in amygdaloid.

Peb"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pebbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pebbling.] To grain (leather) so as to produce a surface covered with small rounded prominences.

Peb"ble*stone` (?). A pebble; also, pebbles collectively. "Chains of pebblestone." Marlowe.

||Pe`brine" (?), n. [F.] An epidemic disease of the silkworm, characterized by the presence of minute vibratory corpuscles in the blood.

Pe*can" (?), n. [Cf. F. pacane the nut.] (Bot.) A species of hickory (Carya olivæformis), growing in North America, chiefly in the Mississippi valley and in Texas, where it is one of the largest of forest trees; also, its fruit, a smooth, oblong nut, an inch or an inch and a half long, with a thin shell and well-flavored meat. [Written also pacane.]

Pec`ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being peccable; lability to sin.

Pec"ca*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. peccable. See Peccant.] Liable to sin; subject to transgress the divine law. "A frail and peccable mortal." Sir W. Scott.

Pec`ca*dil"lo (?), n.; pl. Peccadillos (#). [Sp. pecadillo, dim. of pecado a sin, fr. L. peccatum. See Peccant.] A slight trespass or offense; a petty crime or fault. Sir W. Scott.

Pec"cant (?), a. [L. peccans, -antis, p. pr. of peccare to sin: cf. F. peccant.] 1. Sinning; guilty of transgression; criminal; as, peccant angels. Milton.

Pec"ca*ry (?), n.; pl. Peccaries (#). [From the native South American name: cf. F. pécari, Sp. pecar.] (Zoöl.) A pachyderm of the genus Dicotyles.

The collared peccary, or tajacu (Dicotyles torquatus), is about the size and shape of a small hog, and has a white ring aroung the neck. It ranges from Arkansas to Brazil. A larger species (D. labiatus), with white cheeks, is found in South America.

||Pec*ca"vi (?). [L.] I have sinned; -- used colloquially to express confession or acknowledgment of an offense. Aubrey.

Peck, n. [Perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite quantity, and fr. peck, v. (below): cf. also F. picotin a peak.] 1. The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat. "A peck of provender." Shak.

2. A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. "A peck of uncertainties and doubts." Milton.

Peck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pecked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking.] [See Pick, v.] 1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.

2. Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.

3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up. Addison.

4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.

Peck, v. i. 1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew.

To peck at, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease.

Peck (?), n. A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.

Peck"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks holes in trees; a woodpecker.

Peck"ish, a. Inclined to eat; hungry. [Colloq.] "When shall I feel peckish again?" Beaconsfield.

||Pe*cop"te*ris (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to comb + &?; a kind of fern.] (Paleon.) An extensive genus of fossil ferns; -- so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.

||Pec"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pecus. See Pecuniary.] (Zoöl.) An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes, deer, and cattle.

Pec"ten (?), n. [L. pecten, - inis, a comb, a kind of shellfish. See Pectinate.] 1. (Anat.) (a) A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds, and in many reptiles and fishes; -- also called marsupium. (b) The pubic bone.

2. (Zoöl.) Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten, and numerous allied genera (family Pectinidæ); a scallop. See Scallop.

Pec"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; curdled.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous when moist.

Pec"tin (?), n. [Gr. &?; curdled, congealed, from &?; to make fast or stiff: cf. F. pectine.] (Chem.) One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called vegetable jelly, found very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples, cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored, translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but become viscous on cooling.

Pec"ti*nal (?), a. [L. pecten comb. See Pectinate.] Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.

{ Pec"ti*na`te (?), Pec"ti*na`ted (?), } a. [L. pectinatus, p. pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis, a comb; cf. Gr. &?; to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs, E. paxwax.] 1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See Illust. (e) of Antennæ.

3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] "Our fingers pectinated, or shut together." Sir T. Browne.

Pectinate claw (Zoöl.), a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.

Pec`ti*na"tion (?), n. 1. The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated. Sir T. Browne.

Pec*tin"e*al (?), a. [See Pecten.] (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the pecten. (b) Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.

Pec*tin"i*branch (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Pectinibranchiata. Also used adjectively.

||Pec`ti*ni*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pecten, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a comblike gill upon the neck.

Pec`ti*ni*bran"chi*ate (?), a. [L. pecten, -inis, a comb + E. branchiate.] (Zoöl.) Having pectinated gills.

Pec*tize" (?), v. i. [Gr. &?; solid.] To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass. [R.] H. Spencer.

Pec"to*lite (?), n. [L. pecten a comb + -lite.] (Min.) A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda.

Pec"to*ral (?), a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.] 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.

2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.

3. (Zoöl.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper.

Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side. -- Pectorial cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. - - Pectorial fins, or Pectorials (Zoöl.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. -- Pectorial rail. (Zoöl.) See Land rail (b) under Land. -- Pectorial sandpiper (Zoöl.), the jacksnipe (b).

Pec"to*ral (?), n. [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectorials.] 1. A covering or protecting for the breast.

2. (Eccl.) (a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person. (b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.

Pec`to*ri*lo"qui*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pectoriloque.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.

Pec`to*ril"o*quy (?), n. [L. pectus, -oris, the breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie.] (Med.) The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice, heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation. It usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural cavity.

Pec"tose` (?), n. [Pectic + cellulose.] (Chem.) An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe fruits. It is associated with cellulose, and is converted into substances of the pectin group.

Pec*to"sic (?), a. (Chem.)Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose; specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.

||Pec*tos"tra*ca (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; fixed + &?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala and Cirripedia.

||Pec"tus (?), n.; pl. Pectora (#). [L., the breast.] (Zoöl.) The breast of a bird.

Pec"u*late (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.] [L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar.] To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.

Pec`u*la"tion (?), n. The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement.

Pec"u*la`tor (?), n. [L.] One who peculates. "Peculators of the public gold." Cowper.

Pe*cul"iar (?), a. [L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See Pecuniary.] 1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation.

Syn. -- Peculiar, Special, Especial. Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar (as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial. They mark simply the relation of species to genus, and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, etc.

Pe*cul"iar, n. 1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.

2. (Eng. Canon Law) A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.

Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone. -- Dean of peculiars. See under Dean, 1.

Pe*cul`iar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Peculiarities (&?;). 1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity. Swift.

2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.

Pe*cul"iar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pecularized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pecularizing (?).] To make peculiar; to set appart or assign, as an exclusive possession. [R.] Dr. John Smith.

Pe*cul"iar*ly, adv. In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.

Pe*cul"iar*ness, n. The quality or state of being peculiar; peculiarity. Mede.

||Pe*cu"li*um (?), n. [L. See Peculiar.] 1. (Rom. Law) The saving of a son or a slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property. Burrill.

Pe*cun"ia*ry (?), a. [L. pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money, orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F. pécuniaire. See Fee, and cf. Peculiar.] 1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward. Burke.

Pe*cu"ni*ous (?), a. [L. pecuniosus, fr. pecunia: cf. F. pécunieux.] Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. [Obs.] Sherwood.

Ped (?), n. [OE. See Peddler.] A basket; a hammer; a pannier. [Obs.] Halliwell.

Ped"age (?), n. [LL. pedagium, for pedaticum. See Paage.] A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to safe-conduct and protection. [Obs.] Spelman.

{ Ped`a*gog"ic (?), Ped`a*gog"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pédagogique. See Pedagogue.] Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic of, a pedagogue.

Ped`a*gog"ics (?), n. The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.

Ped"a*gog*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. pédagogisme.] The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues. Milton.

Ped"a*gogue (?), n. [F. pédagogue, L. paedagogus, Gr. &?;; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + &?; to lead, guide; cf. &?; leading. See Page a servant, Agent.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A slave who led his master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.

2. A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster.

3. One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant. Goldsmith.

Ped"a*gogue, v. t. [Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.] To play the pedagogue toward. [Obs.] Prior.

Ped"a*go`gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pédagogie.] Pedagogics; pedagogism. South.

Pe"dal (?), a. [L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pew.] 1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zoöl.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.

Pedal curve or surface (Geom.), the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. -- Pedal note (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point, under Organ. -- Pedal organ (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.

Pe"dal (?), n. [Cf. F. pédale, It. pedale. See Pedal, a.] 1. (Mech.) A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.

Pe*da"li*an (?), a. Relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; pedal. [R.] Maunder.

Pe*da"ne*ous (?), a. [L. pedaneus of the size of a foot.] Going on foot; pedestrian. [R.]

Ped"ant (?), n. [F. pédant, It. pedante, fr. Gr. &?; to instruct, from pai^s boy. See Pedagogue.] 1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge. Addison.

{ Pe*dan"tic (?), Pe*dan"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation. "Figures pedantical." Shak.

Ped"ant*ism (?), n. The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. [Obs.]

Ped"ant*ize (?), v. i. [Cf. F. pédantiser.] To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. [R.]

Ped`an*toc"ra*cy (?), n. [Pedant + democracy.] The sway of pedants. [R.] J. S. Mill.

Ped"ant*ry (?), n. [Cf. F. pédanterie.] The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation of learning. "This pedantry of quotation." Cowley.

Pe*da"ri*an (?), n. [L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.] (Rom. Antiq.) One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote; -- so called because he might indicate his opinion by walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote was taken.

Ped"a*ry (?), n.; pl. Pedaries (#). [L. pedarius of the foot.] A sandal. [Obs.] Latimer.

||Pe*da"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pedate.] (Zoöl.) An order of holothurians, including those that have ambulacral suckers, or feet, and an internal gill.

Ped"ate (?), a. [L. pedatus, p. p. of pedare to furnish with feet, fr. pes, pedis, a foot.] (Bot.) Palmate, with the lateral lobes cleft into two or more segments; -- said of a leaf. -- Ped"ate*ly, adv.

Pe*dat"i*fid (?), a. [Pedate + root of L. findere to split.] [Colloq.] Cleft in a pedate manner, but having the lobes distinctly connected at the base; -- said of a leaf.

Ped"dle (?), v. i. [From Peddler.] 1. To travel about with wares for sale; to go from place to place, or from house to house, for the purpose of retailing goods; as, to peddle without a license.

Ped"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peddling (?).] To sell from place to place; to retail by carrying around from customer to customer; to hawk; hence, to retail in very small quantities; as, to peddle vegetables or tinware.

Ped"dler (?), n. [OE. pedlere, pedlare, also peddare, peoddare, fr. OE. ped a basket, of unknown origin.] One who peddles; a traveling trader; one who travels about, retailing small wares; a hawker. [Written also pedlar and pedler.] "Some vagabond huckster or peddler." Hakluyt.

Ped"dler*y (?), n. [Written also pedlary and pedlery.] 1. The trade, or the goods, of a peddler; hawking; small retail business, like that of a peddler.

2. Trifling; trickery. [Obs.] "Look . . . into these their deceitful peddleries." Milton.

2. Petty; insignificant. "The miserable remains of a peddling commerce." Burke.

Ped"er*ast (?), n. [Gr. paiderasth`s; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + 'era^n to love: cf. F. pédéraste.] One guilty of pederasty; a sodomite.

Ped"er*as`ty (?), n. [Gr. paiderasti`a: cf. F. pédérastie.] The crime against nature; sodomy.

Ped`e*re"ro (?), n. [Sp. pedrero, fr. OSp. pedra, Sp. piedra, a stone, L. petra, fr. Gr. &?;. So named because it was at first charged with stones.] (Mil.) A term formerly applied to a short piece of chambered ordnance. [Written also paterero and peterero.]

||Pe*de"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a leaping.] Same as Brownian movement, under Brownian.

Ped"es*tal (?), n. [Sp. pedestal; cf. F. piédestal, It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See Foot, and Stall, and Footstall.] 1. (Arch.) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands. It consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of Column.

2. (a) (Railroad Cars) A casting secured to the frame of a truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box. (b) (Mach.) A pillow block; a low housing. (c) (Bridge Building) An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier.

Pedestal coil (steam Heating), a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, -- used in a radiator.

Ped"es*taled (?), a. Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively, exalted. Hawthorne.

Pe*des"tri*al (?), a. [L. pedester, -esteris, fr. pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédestere. See Pedal.] Of or pertaining to the feet; employing the foot or feet.

Pe*des"tri*an (?), a. Going on foot; performed on foot; as, a pedestrian journey.

Pe*des"tri*an, n. A walker; one who journeys on foot; a foot traveler; specif., a professional walker or runner.

Pe*des"tri*an*ism (?), n. The act, art, or practice of a pedestrian; walking or running; traveling or racing on foot.

Pe*des"tri*an*ize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pedestrianized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pedestrianizing.] To practice walking; to travel on foot.

Pe*des"tri*ous (?), a. Going on foot; not winged. [Obs.] "Pedestrious animals." Sir T. Browne.

Ped`e*ten"tous (?), a. [L. pes, pedis, foot + tendere to stretch out: cf. L. tentim by degrees.] Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously. [R.]

{ Ped"i- (?), Ped"o- (?) }. [See Foot.] Combining forms from L. pes, pedis, foot, as pedipalp, pedireme, pedometer.

Pe"di*al (?), a. Pertaining to the foot, or to any organ called a foot; pedal. Dana.

Ped"i*cel (?), n. [F. pédicelle. See Pedicle.] 1. (Bot.) (a) A stalk which supports one flower or fruit, whether solitary or one of many ultimate divisions of a common peduncle. See Peduncle, and Illust. of Flower. (b) A slender support of any special organ, as that of a capsule in mosses, an air vesicle in algæ, or a sporangium in ferns.

2. (Zoöl.) A slender stem by which certain of the lower animals or their eggs are attached. See Illust. of Aphis lion.

3. (Anat.) (a) The ventral part of each side of the neural arch connecting with the centrum of a vertebra. (b) An outgrowth of the frontal bones, which supports the antlers or horns in deer and allied animals.

||Ped`i*cel*la"ri*a (?), n.; pl. Pedicellariæ (#). [NL. See Pedicel.] (Zoöl.) A peculiar forcepslike organ which occurs in large numbers upon starfishes and echini. Those of starfishes have two movable jaws, or blades, and are usually nearly, or quite, sessile; those of echini usually have three jaws and a pedicel. See Illustration in Appendix.

||Ped`i*cel*li"na (?), n. [NL. See Pedicel.] (Zoöl.) A genus of Bryozoa, of the order Entoprocta, having a bell-shaped body supported on a slender pedicel. See Illust. under Entoprocta.

Ped"i*cle (?), n. [L. pediculus a little foot, dim. of pes foot: cf. F. pédicule. See edal, and cf. Pedicel.] Same as Pedicel.

Pe*dic"u*lar (?), a. [L. pedicularis, fr. pediculus a louse: cf. F. pédiculaire.] Of or pertaining to lice; having the lousy distemper (phthiriasis); lousy. Southey.

||Pe*dic`u*la"ti (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pedicle.] (Zoöl.) An order of fishes including the anglers. See Illust. of Angler and Batfish.

||Pe*dic`u*li"na (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pediculus.] (Zoöl.) A division of parasitic hemipterous insects, including the true lice. See Illust. in Appendix.

||Pe*dic"u*lus (?), n.; pl. Pediculi (#). [L., a louse.] (Zoöl.) A genus of wingless parasitic Hemiptera, including the common lice of man. See Louse.

Pe*dig"er*ous (?), a. [Pedi- + -gerous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing or having feet or legs.

Ped"i*gree (?), n. [Of unknown origin; possibly fr. F. par degrés by degrees, -- for a pedigree is properly a genealogical table which records the relationship of families by degrees; or, perh., fr. F. pied de grue crane's foot, from the shape of the heraldic genealogical trees.] 1. A line of ancestors; descent; lineage; genealogy; a register or record of a line of ancestors.

2. (Stock Breeding) A record of the lineage or strain of an animal, as of a horse.

Ped"i*lu`vy (?), n. [Pedi- + L. luere to wash: cf. It. & Sp. pediluvio, F. pédiluve.] The bathing of the feet, a bath for the feet. [Obs.]

||Pe*dim"a*na (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pes, pedis, foot + manus hand.] (Zoöl.) A division of marsupials, including the opossums.

Ped"i*mane (?), n. [Cf. F. pédimane.] (Zoöl.) A pedimanous marsupial; an opossum.

Pe*dim"a*nous (?), a. [See Pedimana.] (Zoöl.) Having feet resembling hands, or with the first toe opposable, as the opossums and monkeys.

Ped"i*ment (?), n. [L. pes, pedis, a foot. See Foot.] (Arch.) Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.

||Ped`i*pal"pi (?), n pl. [NL. See Pedipalpus.] (Zoöl.) A division of Arachnida, including the whip scorpions (Thelyphonus) and allied forms. Sometimes used in a wider sense to include also the true scorpions.

Ped`i*pal"pus (?), n.; pl. Pedipalpi (#). [NL. See Pes, and Palpus.] (Zoöl.) One of the second pair of mouth organs of arachnids. In some they are leglike, but in others, as the scorpion, they terminate in a claw.

Ped"i*reme (?), n. [Pedi- + L. remus oar.] (Zoöl.) A crustacean, some of whose feet serve as oars.

Pe`do*bap"tism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a child + E. baptism.] The baptism of infants or of small children. [Written also pædobaptism.]

Pe`do*bap"tist (?), n. One who advocates or practices infant baptism. [Written also pædobaptist.]

Ped"o*man`cy (?), n. [Pedi- + -mancy.] Divination by examining the soles of the feet.

Pe*dom"e*ter (?), n. [Pedi-, pedo- + -meter: cf. F. pédomètre.] (Mech.) An instrument for including the number of steps in walking, and so ascertaining the distance passed over. It is usually in the form of a watch; an oscillating weight by the motion of the body causes the index to advance a certain distance at each step.

{ Ped`o*met"ric (?), Ped`o*met"ric*al (?), } a. Pertaining to, or measured by, a pedometer.

Ped`o*mo"tive (?), a. [Pedi-, pedo- + -motive.] Moved or worked by the action of the foot or feet on a pedal or treadle.

Pe*dot"ro*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, a child + &?; to nourish: cf. F. pédotrophie.] The art of nourishing children properly.

||Pe`dre*gal" (?), n. [Sp., a stony place, fr. piedra stone.] A lava field. [Mexico & Western U.S.]

Pe*dun"cle (?), n. [Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus, dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédoncule.] 1. (Bot.) The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.

The ultimate divisions or branches of a peduncle are called pedicels. In the case of a solitary flower, the stalk would be called a peduncle if the flower is large, and a pedicel if it is small or delicate.

2. (Zoöl.) A sort of stem by which certain shells and barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of Barnacle.

3. (Anat.) A band of nervous or fibrous matter connecting different parts of the brain; as, the peduncles of the cerebellum; the peduncles of the pineal gland.

Pe*dun"cu*lar (?), a. [Cf. F. pédonculaire.] Of or pertaining to a peduncle; growing from a peduncle; as, a peduncular tendril.

||Pe*dun`cu*la"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Peduncle.] (Zoöl.) A division of Cirripedia, including the stalked or goose barnacles.

{ Pe*dun"cu*late (?), Pe*dun"cu*la`ted (?), } a. (Biol.) Having a peduncle; growing on a peduncle; as, a pedunculate flower; a pedunculate eye, as in a lobster.

Peek (?), v. i. [OE. piken: cf. F. piquer to pierce, prick, E. pique. Cf. Peak.] To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep. [Colloq.]

Peel (?), n. [OE. pel. Cf. Pile a heap.] A small tower, fort, or castle; a keep. [Scot.]

Peel, n. [F. pelle, L. pala.] A spadelike implement, variously used, as for removing loaves of bread from a baker's oven; also, a T-shaped implement used by printers and bookbinders for hanging wet sheets of paper on lines or poles to dry. Also, the blade of an oar.

Peel, v. t. [Confused with peel to strip, but fr. F. piller to pillage. See Pill to rob, Pillage.] To plunder; to pillage; to rob. [Obs.]

Peel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peeled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peeling.] [F. peler to pull out the hair, to strip, to peel, fr. L. pilare to deprive of hair, fr. pilus a hair; or perh. partly fr. F. peler to peel off the skin, perh. fr. L. pellis skin (cf. Fell skin). Cf. Peruke.] 1. To strip off the skin, bark, or rind of; to strip by drawing or tearing off the skin, bark, husks, etc.; to flay; to decorticate; as, to peel an orange.

2. To strip or tear off; to remove by stripping, as the skin of an animal, the bark of a tree, etc.

Peel, v. i. To lose the skin, bark, or rind; to come off, as the skin, bark, or rind does; -- often used with an adverb; as, the bark peels easily or readily.

Pee"le (?), n. (Zoöl.) A graceful and swift South African antelope (Pelea capreola). The hair is woolly, and ash-gray on the back and sides. The horns are black, long, slender, straight, nearly smooth, and very sharp. Called also rheeboc, and rehboc.

Peel"er, n. A nickname for a policeman; -- so called from Sir Robert Peel. [British Slang] See Bobby.

Peen (?), n. [Cf. G. pinne pane of a hammer.] (a) A round-edged, or hemispherical, end to the head of a hammer or sledge, used to stretch or bend metal by indentation. (b) The sharp-edged end of the head of a mason's hammer. [Spelt also pane, pein, and piend.]

Peen, v. t. To draw, bend, or straighten, as metal, by blows with the peen of a hammer or sledge.

Peep (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peeped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peeping.] [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. pipen, F. piper, pépier, L. pipire, pipare, pipiare, D. & G. piepen. Senses 2 and 3 perhaps come from a transfer of sense from the sound which chickens make upon the first breaking of the shell to the act accompanying it; or perhaps from the influence of peek, or peak. Cf. Pipe.] 1. To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.

2. To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.

Peep sight, an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech.

4. (Zoöl.) (a) Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (Trigna minutilla). (b) The European meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis).

Peep show, a small show, or object exhibited, which is viewed through an orifice or a magnifying glass. -- Peep-o'-day boys, the Irish insurgents of 1784; -- so called from their visiting the house of the loyal Irish at day break in search of arms. [Cant]

Peep"hole` (?), n. A hole, or crevice, through which one may peep without being discovered.

Pee"pul tree` (?). [Hind. ppal, Skr. pippala.] (Bot.) A sacred tree (Ficus religiosa) of the Buddhists, a kind of fig tree which attains great size and venerable age. See Bo tree. [Written also pippul tree, and pipal tree.]

Peer (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peering.] [OF. parir, pareir equiv. to F. paraître to appear, L. parere. Cf. Appear.] 1. To come in sight; to appear. [Poetic]

2. [Perh. a different word; cf. OE. piren, LG. piren. Cf. Pry to peep.] To look narrowly or curiously or intently; to peep; as, the peering day. Milton.

Peer, n. [OE. per, OF. per, F. pair, fr. L. par equal. Cf. Apparel, Pair, Par, n., Umpire.] 1. One of the same rank, quality, endowments, character, etc.; an equal; a match; a mate.

3. A nobleman; a member of one of the five degrees of the British nobility, namely, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron; as, a peer of the realm.

House of Peers, The Peers, the British House of Lords. See Parliament. -- Spiritual peers, the bishops and archibishops, or lords spiritual, who sit in the House of Lords.

Peer"age (?), n. [See Peer an equal, and cf. Parage.] 1. The rank or dignity of a peer. Blackstone.

Peer"ess, n. The wife of a peer; a woman ennobled in her own right, or by right of marriage.

{ Peer"ie, Peer"y } (?), a. [See 1st Peer, 2.] Inquisitive; suspicious; sharp. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] "Two peery gray eyes." Sir W. Scott.

Peer"less (?), a. Having no peer or equal; matchless; superlative. "Her peerless feature." Shak.

Pee"vish (?), a. [OE. pevische; of uncertain origin, perh. from a word imitative of the noise made by fretful children + -ish.] 1. Habitually fretful; easily vexed or fretted; hard to please; apt to complain; querulous; petulant. "Her peevish babe." Wordsworth.

2. Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction; as, a peevish answer.

Syn. -- Querulous; petulant; cross; ill-tempered; testy; captious; discontented. See Fretful.

Pee"vish*ness, n. The quality of being peevish; disposition to murmur; sourness of temper.

Peg (?), n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point, prickle, and E. peak.] 1. A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg.

2. A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.

3. One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained. Shak.

Peg ladder, a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted. -- Peg tankard, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. "Drink down to your peg." Longfellow. -- Peg tooth. See Fleam tooth under Fleam. -- Peg top, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it. -- Screw peg, a small screw without a head, for fastening soles.

Peg (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pegged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pegging (?).] 1. To put pegs into; to fasten the parts of with pegs; as, to peg shoes; to confine with pegs; to restrict or limit closely.

2. (Cribbage) To score with a peg, as points in the game; as, she pegged twelwe points. [Colloq.]

Peg, v. i. To work diligently, as one who pegs shoes; -- usually with on, at, or away; as, to peg away at a task.

||Pe`ga*dor" (?), n. [Sp., a sticker.] (Zoöl.) A species of remora (Echeneis naucrates). See Remora.

Peg"a*soid (?), a. [Pegasus + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to Pegasus.

Peg"a*sus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the body of Medusa when she was slain. He is noted for causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount Helicon. On this account he is, in modern times, associated with the Muses, and with ideas of poetic inspiration.

2. (Astron.) A northen constellation near the vernal equinoctial point. Its three brightest stars, with the brightest star of Andromeda, form the square of Pegasus.

3. (Zoöl.) A genus of small fishes, having large pectoral fins, and the body covered with hard, bony plates. Several species are known from the East Indies and China.

Pegm (?), n. [L. pegma a movable stage, Gr. &?;, orig., a framework.] A sort of moving machine employed in the old pageants. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Peg"ma*tite (?), n. [From Gr. &?; something fastened together, in allusion to the quartz and feldspar in graphic granite: cf. F. pegmatite. See Pegm.] (Min.) (a) Graphic granite. See under Granite. (b) More generally, a coarse granite occurring as vein material in other rocks.

Peg`ma*tit"ic (?), a. (Min.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, pegmatite; as, the pegmatic structure of certain rocks resembling graphic granite.

Peg"ma*toid (?), a. [Pegmatite + -oid.] (Min.) Resembling pegmatite; pegmatic.

Peg"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. phgh` fountain + -mancy.] Divination by fountains. [R.]

Peh"le*vi` (?), n. [Parsee Pahlavi.] An ancient Persian dialect in which words were partly represented by their Semitic equivalents. It was in use from the 3d century (and perhaps earlier) to the middle of the 7th century, and later in religious writings. [Written also Pahlavi.]

Pei*ram"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; a trail + -meter.] A dynamometer for measuring the force required to draw wheel carriages on roads of different constructions. G. Francis.

Pei*ras"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to try, fr. &?; a trail.] Fitted for trail or test; experimental; tentative; treating of attempts.

Peise (?), n. [See Poise.] A weight; a poise. [Obs.] "To weigh pence with a peise." Piers Plowman.

Pe*jor"a*tive (?), a. [F. péjoratif, fr. L. pejor, used as compar. of malus evil.] Implying or imputing evil; depreciatory; disparaging; unfavorable.

Pek"oe (?), n. [Chin. pih-hoau: cf. F. pekoë] A kind of black tea. [Written also pecco.]

Pel"age (?), n. [F. pelage, fr. L. pilus hair.] (Zoöl.) The covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair.

Pe*la"gi*an (?), a. [L. pelagius, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; the sea: cf. F. pélagien.] Of or pertaining to the sea; marine; pelagic; as, pelagian shells.

Pe*la"gi*an, n. [L. Pelagianus: cf. F. pélagien.] (Eccl. Hist.) A follower of Pelagius, a British monk, born in the later part of the 4th century, who denied the doctrines of hereditary sin, of the connection between sin and death, and of conversion through grace.

Pe*la"gi*an, a. [Cf. F. pélagien.] Of or pertaining to Pelagius, or to his doctrines.

Pe*lag"ic (?), a. [L. pelagicus.] Of or pertaining to the ocean; -- applied especially to animals that live at the surface of the ocean, away from the coast.

Pel`ar*gon"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also nonoic acid) found in the leaves of the geranium (Pelargonium) and allied plants.

||Pel`ar*go"ni*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a stork.] (Bot.) A large genus of plants of the order Geraniaceæ, differing from Geranium in having a spurred calyx and an irregular corolla.

About one hundred and seventy species are known, nearly all of them natives of South Africa, and many having very beautiful blossoms. See the Note under Geranium.

{ Pe*las"gi*an (?), Pe*las"gic (?), } a. [L. Pelasgus, Gr. &?; a Pelasgian.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Pelasgians, an ancient people of Greece, of roving habits.

||Pel`e*can`i*for"mes (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pelican, and -form.] (Zoöl.) Those birds that are related to the pelican; the Totipalmi.

Pel"e*coid (?), n. [Gr. &?; a hatchet + -oid.] (Geom.) A figure, somewhat hatched-shaped, bounded by a semicircle and two inverted quadrants, and equal in area to the square ABCD inclosed by the chords of the four quadrants. [Written also pelicoid.] Math. Dict.

||Pel`e*cyp"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a hatchet + -poda.] (Zoöl.) Same as Lamellibranchia.

Pel"er*ine (?), n. [F. pèlerine a tippet, fr. pèlerin a pilgrim, fr. L. peregrinus foreign, alien. See Pilgrim.] A woman's cape; especially, a fur cape that is longer in front than behind.

Pelf (?), n. [OE. pelfir booty, OF. pelfre, akin to pelfrer to plunder, and perh. to E. pillage. Cf. Pilfer.] Money; riches; lucre; gain; -- generally conveying the idea of something ill-gotten or worthless. It has no plural. "Mucky pelf." Spenser. "Paltry pelf." Burke.

{ Pel"fray (?), Pel"fry (?), } n. Pelf; also, figuratively, rubbish; trash. [Obs.] Cranmer.

Pel"i*can (?), n. [F. pélican, L. pelicanus, pelecanus, Gr. &?;, &?;, &?;, the woodpecker, and also a water bird of the pelican kind, fr. &?; to hew with an ax, akin to Skr. paraçu.] [Written also pelecan.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any large webfooted bird of the genus Pelecanus, of which about a dozen species are known. They have an enormous bill, to the lower edge of which is attached a pouch in which captured fishes are temporarily stored.

The American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and the brown species (P. fuscus) are abundant on the Florida coast in winter, but breed about the lakes in the Rocky Mountains and British America.

2. (Old Chem.) A retort or still having a curved tube or tubes leading back from the head to the body for continuous condensation and redistillation.

The principle is still employed in certain modern forms of distilling apparatus.

Frigate pelican (Zoöl.), the frigate bird. See under Frigate. -- Pelican fish (Zoöl.), deep-sea fish (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) of the order Lyomeri, remarkable for the enormous development of the jaws, which support a large gular pouch. -- Pelican flower (Bot.), the very large and curiously shaped blossom of a climbing plant (Aristolochia grandiflora) of the West Indies; also, the plant itself. -- Pelican ibis (Zoöl.), a large Asiatic wood ibis (Tantalus leucocephalus). The head and throat are destitute of feathers; the plumage is white, with the quills and the tail greenish black. -- Pelican in her piety (in heraldry and symbolical art), a representation of a pelican in the act of wounding her breast in order to nourish her young with her blood; -- a practice fabulously attributed to the bird, on account of which it was adopted as a symbol of the Redeemer, and of charity. -- Pelican's foot (Zoöl.), a marine gastropod shell of the genus Aporrhais, esp. Aporrhais pes-pelicani of Europe.

||Pel`i*co*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a wooden bowl (but taken to mean, pelvis) + &?; a lizard.] (Paleon.) A suborder of Theromorpha, including terrestrial reptiles from the Permian formation.

Pe"li*om (?), n. [See Pelioma.] (Min.) A variety of iolite, of a smoky blue color; pelioma.

||Pe`li*o"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; livid.] 1. (Med.) A livid ecchymosis.

Pe*lisse" (?), n. [F., fr. L. pelliceus, pellicius, made of skins, fr. pellis a skin. Cf. Pelt skin, Pilch, and see 2d Pell.] An outer garment for men or women, originally of fur, or lined with fur; a lady's outer garment, made of silk or other fabric.

Pell (?), v. t. [Cf. Pelt, v. t.] To pelt; to knock about. [Obs.] Holland.

Pell, n. [OF. pel, F. peau, L. pellis a skin. See Fell a skin.] 1. A skin or hide; a pelt.

Clerk of the pells, formerly, an officer of the exchequer who entered accounts on certain parchment rolls, called pell rolls. [Eng.]

Pel"la*gra (pl"l*gr), n. (Med.) An erythematous affection of the skin, with severe constitutional and nervous symptoms, endemic in Northern Italy.

Pel"let (?), n. [F. pelote, LL. pelota, pilota, fr. L. pila a ball. Cf. Platoon.] 1. A little ball; as, a pellet of wax &?; paper.

Pel"let*ed, a. Made of, or like, pellets; furnished with pellets. [R.] "This pelleted storm." Shak.

||Pel`li*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. pellis garment + branchia a gill.] (Zoöl.) A division of Nudibranchiata, in which the mantle itself serves as a gill.

Pel"li*cle (?), n. [L. pellicu&?;a, dim. of pellis skin: cf. F. pellicule.] 1. A thin skin or film.

Pel*li"le (?), n. (Zoöl.) The redshank; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]

Pel"li*to*ry (?), n. [OE. paritorie, OF. paritoire, F. pariétaire; (cf. It. & Sp. parietaria), L. parietaria the parietary, or pellitory, the wall plant, fr. parietarus belonging to the walls, fr. paries, parietis a wall. Cf. Parietary.] (Bot.) The common name of the several species of the genus Parietaria, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; -- also called wall pellitory, and lichwort.

Parietaria officinalis is common on old walls in Europe; P. pennsylvanica is found in the United States; and six or seven more species are found near the Mediterranean, or in the Orient.

Pel"li*to*ry, n. [Sp. pelitre, fr. L. pyrethrum. See Bertram.] (Bot.) (a) A composite plant (Anacyclus Pyrethrum) of the Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also bertram, and pellitory of Spain. (b) The feverfew (Chrysanthemum Parthenium); -- so called because it resembles the above.

Pell`mell", adv. [F. pêle- mêle, prob. fr. pelle a shovel + mêler to mix, as when different kinds of grain are heaped up and mixed with a shovel. See Pell shovel, Medley.] In utter confusion; with confused violence. "Men, horses, chariots, crowded pellmell." Milton.

Pel*lu"cid (?), a. [L. pellucidus; per (see Per-) + lucidus clear, bright: cf. F. pellucide.] Transparent; clear; limpid; translucent; not opaque. "Pellucid crystal." Dr. H. More. "Pellucid streams." Wordsworth.

{ Pel`lu*cid"i*ty (?), Pel*lu"cid*ness (?), } n. [L. pelluciditas.] The quality or state of being pellucid; transparency; translucency; clearness; as, the pellucidity of the air. Locke.

||Pel"ma (?), n.; pl. Pelmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) The under surface of the foot.

Pe*lo"pi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Pelops, brother of Niobe, Gr. &?;.] (Chem.) A supposed new metal found in columbite, afterwards shown to be identical with columbium, or niobium.

Pel`o*pon*ne"sian (?), a. [L. Peloponnesius, fr. Peloponnesus, Gr. &?;, lit., the Island of Pelops; &?;, &?;, Pelops + &?; an island.] Of or pertaining to the Peloponnesus, or southern peninsula of Greece. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of the Peloponnesus.

||Pe*lo"ri*a (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; monstrous.] (Bot.) Abnormal regularity; the state of certain flowers, which, being naturally irregular, have become regular through a symmetrical repetition of the special irregularity.

Pelt (?), n. [Cf. G. pelz a pelt, fur, fr. OF. pelice, F. pelisse (see Pelisse); or perh. shortened fr. peltry.] 1. The skin of a beast with the hair on; a raw or undressed hide; a skin preserved with the hairy or woolly covering on it. See 4th Fell. Sir T. Browne.

Pelt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pelted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pelting.] [OE. pelten, pulten, pilten, to thrust, throw, strike; cf. L. pultare, equiv. to pulsare (v. freq. fr. pellere to drive), and E. pulse a beating.] 1. To strike with something thrown or driven; to assail with pellets or missiles, as, to pelt with stones; pelted with hail.

||Pel"ta (?), n.; pl. Peltæ. [L., a shield, fr. Gr. &?;.] 1. (Antiq.) A small shield, especially one of an approximately elliptic form, or crescent-shaped.

{ Pel"tate (?), Pel"ta*ted (?), } a. [Cf. F. pelté. See Pelta.] Shield-shaped; scutiform; (Bot.) having the stem or support attached to the lower surface, instead of at the base or margin; -- said of a leaf or other organ. -- Pel"tate*ly (#), adv.

Pel"ter (?), n. A pinchpenny; a mean, sordid person; a miser; a skinflint. [Obs.] "Let such pelters prate." Gascoigne.

Pel"ti*form (?), a. [Pelta + - form.] Shieldlike, with the outline nearly circular; peltate. Henslow.

Pelt"ry (?), n. [F. pelleterie peltry, furriery, fr. pelletier a furrier, fr. OF. pel skin, F. peau, L. pelis. See Pelt a skin, Pell, n., Fell a skin.] Pelts or skins, collectively; skins with the fur on them; furs.

||Pe*lu"do (?), n. [Sp. peludo hairy.] (Zoöl.) The South American hairy armadillo (Dasypus villosus).

Pe*lu"si*ac (?), a. [L. Pelusiacus.] Of or pertaining to Pelusium, an ancient city of Egypt; as, the Pelusiac (or former eastern) outlet of the Nile.

Pel"vic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pelvis; as, pelvic cellulitis.

Pelvic arch, or Pelvic girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the hind limbs are articulated. When fully ossified, the arch usually consists of three principal bones on each side, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which are often closely united in the adult, forming the innominate bone. See Innominate bone, under Innominate.

Pel*vim"e*ter (?), n. [Pelvis + -meter.: cf. F. pelvimètre.] An instrument for measuring the dimensions of the pelvis. Coxe.

Pel"vis (?), n. [L., a basin, laver; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, bowl.] 1. (Anat.) The pelvic arch, or the pelvic arch together with the sacrum. See Pelvic arch, under Pelvic, and Sacrum.

Pelvis of the kidney (Anat.), the basinlike cavity into which the ureter expands as it joins the kidney.

Pem"mi*can (?), n. [Written also pemican.] 1. Among the North American Indians, meat cut in thin slices, divested of fat, and dried in the sun.

2. Meat, without the fat, cut in thin slices, dried in the sun, pounded, then mixed with melted fat and sometimes dried fruit, and compressed into cakes or in bags. It contains much nutriment in small compass, and is of great use in long voyages of exploration.

||Pem*phi"gus (?), n. [Nl., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a bubble.] (Med.) A somewhat rare skin disease, characterized by the development of blebs upon different part of the body. Quain.

Pen (?), n. [OE. penne, OF. penne, pene, F. penne, fr. L. penna.] 1. A feather. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. An instrument used for writing with ink, formerly made of a reed, or of the quill of a goose or other bird, but now also of other materials, as of steel, gold, etc. Also, originally, a stylus or other instrument for scratching or graving.

4. Fig.: A writer, or his style; as, he has a sharp pen. "Those learned pens." Fuller.

Bow pen. See Bow-pen. -- Dotting pen, a pen for drawing dotted lines. -- Drawing, or Ruling, pen, a pen for ruling lines having a pair of blades between which the ink is contained. -- Fountain pen, Geometric pen. See under Fountain, and Geometric. -- Music pen, a pen having five points for drawing the five lines of the staff. -- Pen and ink, or pen- and-ink, executed or done with a pen and ink; as, a pen and ink sketch. -- Pen feather. A pin feather. [Obs.] -- Pen name. See under Name. -- Sea pen (Zoöl.), a pennatula. [Usually written sea- pen.]

Pen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Penning (?).] To write; to compose and commit to paper; to indite; to compose; as, to pen a sonnet. "A prayer elaborately penned." Milton.

Pen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penned (?) or Pent (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Penning.] [OE. pennen, AS. pennan in on-pennan to unfasten, prob. from the same source as pin, and orig. meaning, to fasten with a peg.See Pin, n. & v.] To shut up, as in a pen or cage; to confine in a small inclosure or narrow space; to coop up, or shut in; to inclose. "Away with her, and pen her up." Shak.

Pen, n. [From Pen to shut in.] A small inclosure; as, a pen for sheep or for pigs.

Pe"nal (?), a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. pénal. See Pain.] Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as: (a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code. (b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penalact of offense. (c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement. "Adamantine chains and penal fire." Milton.

Penal code (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment. -- Penal laws, Penal statutes (Law), laws prohibited certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them. -- Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.] -- Penal suit, Penal action (Law), a suit for penalties.

Pe*nal"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. LL. poenalitas. See Penalty.] The quality or state of being penal; lability to punishment. Sir T. Browne.

Pe"nal*ty (?), n.; pl. Penalties (#). [F. pénalité. See Penal.] 1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass.

2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine.

Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill. -- On, or Under, penalty of, on pain of; with exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression.

Pen"ance (?), n. [OF. penance, peneance, L. paenitentia repentance. See Penitence.] 1. Repentance. [Obs.] Wyclif (Luke xv. 7).

2. Pain; sorrow; suffering. [Obs.] "Joy or penance he feeleth none." Chaucer.

3. (Eccl.) A means of repairing a sin committed, and obtaining pardon for it, consisting partly in the performance of expiatory rites, partly in voluntary submission to a punishment corresponding to the transgression. Penance is the fourth of seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Schaff- Herzog Encyc.

Pen"ance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penanced (?).] To impose penance; to punish. "Some penanced lady elf." Keats.

Pe*nang" nut` (?). [From the native name.] (Bot.) The betel nut. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

Pen*an"nu*lar (?), a. [L. pene, paene, almost + E. annular.] Nearly annular; having nearly the form of a ring. "Penannular relics." D. Wilson.

||Pe*na"tes (?), n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) The household gods of the ancient Romans. They presided over the home and the family hearth. See Lar.

Pen"aunt (?), n. [OF. penant, peneant. See Penitent.] A penitent. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pen"cel (?), n. [See Pennoncel.] A small, narrow flag or streamer borne at the top of a lance; -- called also pennoncel. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. Chaucer.

||Pen`chant" (?), n. [F., fr. pencher to bend, fr. (assumed) LL. pendicare, L. pendere. See Pendant.] Inclination; decided taste; bias; as, a penchant for art.

Pen"cil (?), n. [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.] 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors.

2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See Graphite.

3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.

4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.

5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.

Pencil case, a holder for pencil lead. - - Pencil flower (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb (Stylosanthes elatior). -- Pencil lead, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder.

Pen"cil, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penciled (?) or Pencilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Penciling or Pencilling.] To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper.

Pen"ciled (?), a. [Written also pencilled.] 1. Painted, drawn, sketched, or marked with a pencil.

Pen"cil*ing (?), n. [Written also pencilling.] 1. The work of the pencil or bruch; as, delicate penciling in a picture.

2. (Brickwork) Lines of white or black paint drawn along a mortar joint in a brick wall. Knight.

Pend, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pending.] [L. pendere.] 1. To hang; to depend. [R.]

Pend, v. t. [Cf. pen to shut in, or AS. pyndan, E. pound an inclosure.] To pen; to confine. [R.]

Pend"ant (?), n. [F., orig. p. pr. of pendre to hang, L. pendere. Cf. Pendent, Pansy, Pensive, Poise, Ponder.] 1. Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character; as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book.

2. (Arch.) A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction. There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features. "[A bridge] with . . . pendants graven fair." Spenser.

3. (Fine Arts) One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.

Pendant post (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the roof.

2. The quality or state of being undecided, or in continuance; suspense; as, the pendency of a suit. Ayliffe.

Pend"ent (?), a. [L. pendens, -entis, p. pr. of pendere to hang, to be suspended. Cf. Pendant.] 1. Supported from above; suspended; depending; pendulous; hanging; as, a pendent leaf. "The pendent world." Shak.

2. Jutting over; projecting; overhanging. "A vapor sometime like a . . . pendent rock." Shak.

Pen*den"tive (?), n. [F. pendentif, fr. L. pendere to hang.] (Arch.) (a) The portion of a vault by means of which the square space in the middle of a building is brought to an octagon or circle to receive a cupola. (b) The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and springs from, one pier or corbel.

Pen"dice (?), n. [Cf. Pentice.] A sloping roof; a lean-to; a penthouse. [Obs.] Fairfax.

Pen"di*cle (?), n. [Cf. Appendicle.] An appendage; something dependent on another; an appurtenance; a pendant. Sir W. Scott.

Pen*di*cler (?), n. An inferior tenant; one who rents a pendicle or croft. [Scot.] Jamieson.

Pend"ing (?), a. [L. pendere to hang, to be suspended. Cf. Pendent.] Not yet decided; in continuance; in suspense; as, a pending suit.

Pen"drag*on (?), n. A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; -- a title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs.

||Pen"du`line (?), n. [F. See Pendulum.] (Zoöl.) A European titmouse (Parus, or Ægithalus, pendulinus). It is noted for its elegant pendulous purselike nest, made of the down of willow trees and lined with feathers.

Pen`du*los"i*ty (?), n. [See Pendulous.] The state or quality of being pendulous. Sir T. Browne.

Pen"du*lous (?), a. [L. pendulus, fr. pendere to hang. Cf. Pendant, and cf. Pendulum.] 1. Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging. Shak. "The pendulous round earth." Milton.

2. Wavering; unstable; doubtful. [R.] "A pendulous state of mind." Atterbury.

3. (Bot.) Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper part of the ovary.

Pen"du*lous*ness, n. The quality or state of being pendulous; the state of hanging loosely; pendulosity.

Pen"du*lum (?), n.; pl. Pendulums (#). [NL., fr. L. pendulus hanging, swinging. See Pendulous.] A body so suspended from a fixed point as to swing freely to and fro by the alternate action of gravity and momentum. It is used to regulate the movements of clockwork and other machinery.

The time of oscillation of a pendulum is independent of the arc of vibration, provided this arc be small.

Ballistic pendulum. See under Ballistic. -- Compensation pendulum, a clock pendulum in which the effect of changes of temperature of the length of the rod is so counteracted, usually by the opposite expansion of differene metals, that the distance of the center of oscillation from the center of suspension remains invariable; as, the mercurial compensation pendulum, in which the expansion of the rod is compensated by the opposite expansion of mercury in a jar constituting the bob; the gridiron pendulum, in which compensation is effected by the opposite expansion of sets of rodsof different metals. -- Compound pendulum, an ordinary pendulum; -- so called, as being made up of different parts, and contrasted with simple pendulum. -- Conical or Revolving, pendulum, a weight connected by a rod with a fixed point; and revolving in a horizontal cyrcle about the vertical from that point. -- Pendulum bob, the weight at the lower end of a pendulum. -- Pendulum level, a plumb level. See under Level. -- Pendulum wheel, the balance of a watch. -- Simple or Theoretical, pendulum, an imaginary pendulum having no dimensions except length, and no weight except at the center of oscillation; in other words, a material point suspended by an ideal line.

||Pe*nel"o*pe (p*nl"*p), n. [From. L. Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, the hero of the Odyssey, Gr. Phnelo`ph.] (Zoöl.) A genus of curassows, including the guans.

Pen`e*tra*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pénétrabilité.] The quality of being penetrable; susceptibility of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Cheyne.

Pen"e*tra*ble (?), a. [L. penetrabilus: cf. F. pénétrable.] Capable of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Used also figuratively.

||Pen`e*tra"li*a (?), n. pl. [L., fr. penetralis penetrating, internal. See Penetrate.] 1. The recesses, or innermost parts, of any thing or place, especially of a temple or palace.

2. Hidden things or secrets; privacy; sanctuary; as, the sacred penetralia of the home.

{ Pen"e*trance (?), Pen"e*tran*cy (?), } n. The quality or state of being penetrant; power of entering or piercing; penetrating power of quality; as, the penetrancy of subtile effluvia.

Pen"e*trant (?), a. [L. penetrans, p. pr. of penetrare: cf. F. pénétrant.] Having power to enter or pierce; penetrating; sharp; subtile; as, penetrant cold. "Penetrant and powerful arguments." Boyle.

Pen"e*trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penetrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Penetrating.] [L. penetratus, p. p. of penetrare to penetrate; akin to penitus inward, inwardly, and perh. to pens with, in the power of, penus store of food, innermost part of a temple.] 1. To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates darkness.

2. To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as, to penetrate one's heart with pity. Shak.

3. To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult subject; to comprehend; to understand.

Pen"e*tra`ting (?), a. 1. Having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading; sharp; subtile; penetrative; as, a penetrating odor.

Pen"e*tra`tion (?), n. [L. penetratio: cf. F. pénétration.] 1. The act or process of penetrating, piercing, or entering; also, the act of mentally penetrating into, or comprehending, anything difficult.

2. Acuteness; insight; sharp discoverment; sagacity; as, a person of singular penetration. Walpole.

Syn. -- Discernment; sagacity; acuteness; sharpness; discrimination. See Discernment, and Sagacity.

Pen"e*tra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. pénétratif.] 1. Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing; as, the penetrative sun.

2. Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart; impressive; as, penetrative shame. Shak.

3. Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom. "The penetrative eye." Wordsworth.

Pen"guin (?), n. [Perh. orig. the name of another bird, and fr. W. pen head + gwyn white; or perh. from a native South American name.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri. They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills. They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in diving, in which they are very expert. See King penguin, under Jackass.

Penguins are found in the south temperate and antarctic regions. The king penguins (Aptenodytes Patachonica, and A. longirostris) are the largest; the jackass penguins (Spheniscus) and the rock hoppers (Catarractes) congregate in large numbers at their breeding grounds.

2. (Bot.) The egg-shaped fleshy fruit of a West Indian plant (Bromelia Pinguin) of the Pineapple family; also, the plant itself, which has rigid, pointed, and spiny- toothed leaves, and is used for hedges. [Written also pinguin.]

Pen*i"ble (?), a. [OF. penible. Cf. Painable.] Painstaking; assidous. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pen"i*cil (?), n. [L. penicillum, penicillus, a painter's brush, a roil of lint, a tent for wounds.] (mented.) A tent or pledget for wounds or ulcers.

Pen`i*cil"late (?), a. [Cf. F. pénicillé. See Penicil.] (Biol.) Having the form of a pencil; furnished with a pencil of fine hairs; ending in a tuft of hairs like a camel's-hair brush, as the stigmas of some grasses.

Pen*in"su*la (?), n. [L. peninsula or paeninsula; paene almost + insula an island. See Isle.] A portion of land nearly surrounded by water, and connected with a larger body by a neck, or isthmus.

Pen*in"su*lar (?), a. [Cf. F. péninsulaire.] Of or pertaining to a peninsula; as, a peninsular form; peninsular people; the peninsular war.

Pen*in"su*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peninsulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peninsulating.] To form into a peninsula.

Pen"i*tence (?), n. [F. pénitence, L. paenitentia. See Penitent, and cf. Penance.] The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance; contrition. "Penitence of his old guilt." Chaucer.

Pen"i*ten*cer (?), n. [F. pénitencier.] A priest who heard confession and enjoined penance in extraordinary cases. [Written also penitenser.] [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pen"i*tent (?), a. [F. pénitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See Pain.] 1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.

Pen"i*tent, n. 1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.

Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.

Pen`i*ten"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. pénitentiel.] Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential book; penitential tears. "Penitential stripes." Cowper.

Pen`i*ten"tial, n. (R. C. Ch.) A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called also penitential book.

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. pénitentiaire.] 1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. "A penitentiary tax." Abp. Bramhall.

3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation. "Penitentiary houses." Blackstone.

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry, n.; pl. Penitentiaries (#). [Cf. F. pénitencier. See Penitent.] 1. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance. [Obs.] Bacon.

5. (R. C. Ch.) (a) An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope. (b) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

6. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry*ship, n. The office or condition of a penitentiary of the papal court. [R.] Wood.

Pen"knife` (?), n.; pl. Penknives (#). [Pen + knife.] A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and mending quill pens.

Pen"man (?), n.; pl. Penmen (&?;). 1. One who uses the pen; a writer; esp., one skilled in the use of the pen; a calligrapher; a writing master.

Pen"man*ship, n. The use of the pen in writing; the art of writing; style or manner of writing; chirography; as, good or bad penmanship.

||Pen"na (?), n.; pl. Pennæ (#). [L.] (Zoöl.) A perfect, or normal, feather.

Pen"nach (?), n. [OF. pennache. See Panache.] A bunch of feathers; a plume. [Obs.] Holland.

Pen"nached (?), a. [Cf. OF. pennaché. See Panache.] Variegated; striped. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Pen"nage (?), n. [L. penna feather.] Feathery covering; plumage. [Obs.] Holland.

Pen"nant (?), n. [OE. penon, penoun, pynoun, OF. penon, F. pennon, fr. L. penna feather. See Pen a feather, and cf. Pennon, Pinion.] (Naut.) (a) A small flag; a pennon. The narrow, or long, pennant (called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government vessel in commission. The board pennant is an oblong, nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a commodore's vessel. "With flags and pennants trimmed." Drayton. (b) A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.

{ Pen"nate (?), Pen"na*ted (?), } a. [L. pennatus feathered, winged, from penna feather, wing.] 1. Winged; plume- shaped.

||Pen*nat"u*la (?), n.; pl. L. Pennatulæ (#), E. Pennatulas (#). [NL., fr. L. penna a feather.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Pennatula, Pteroides, and allied genera of Alcyonaria, having a featherlike form; a sea-pen. The zooids are situated along one edge of the side branches.

||Pen*nat`u*la"ce*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pennatula.] (Zoöl.) A division of alcyonoid corals, including the seapens and related kinds. They are able to move about by means of the hollow muscular peduncle, which also serves to support them upright in the mud. See Pennatula, and Illust. under Alcyonaria.

Pen"ni*form (?), a. [L. penna feather + -form: cf. F. penniforme.] Having the form of a feather or plume.

Pen*nig"er*ous (?), a. [L. penniger; penna feather + gerere to bear.] (Zoöl.) Bearing feathers or quills.

Pen"ni*less (?), a. [From Penny.] Destitute of money; impecunious; poor. -- Pen"ni*less*ness, n.

Pen"ni*nerved` (?), a. [L. penna feather + E. nerve.] Pinnately veined or nerved.

Pen*nip"o*tent (?), a. [L. pennipotens; penna wing + potens strong.] Strong of wing; strong on the wing. [Poetic] Davies (Holy Roode).

{ Pen"non*cel`, Pen"non*celle` (?) }, n. [OF. penoncel. See Pennant.] See Pencel.

Pen"ny (?), a. [Perh. a corruption of pun, for pound.] Denoting pound weight for one thousand; -- used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.

Pen*ny, n.; pl. Pennies (#) or Pence (&?;). Pennies denotes the number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value. [OE. peni, AS. penig, pening, pending; akin to D. penning, OHG. pfenning, pfenting, G. pfennig, Icel. penningr; of uncertain origin.] 1. An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).

"The chief Anglo-Saxon coin, and for a long period the only one, corresponded to the denarius of the Continent . . . [and was] called penny, denarius, or denier." R. S. Poole. The ancient silver penny was worth about three pence sterling (see Pennyweight). The old Scotch penny was only one twelfth the value of the English coin. In the United States the word penny is popularly used for cent.

Penny cress (Bot.), an annual herb of the Mustard family, having round, flat pods like silver pennies (Thlaspi arvense). Dr. Prior. -- Penny dog (Zoöl.), a kind of shark found on the South coast of Britain: the tope. -- Penny father, a penurious person; a niggard. [Obs.] Robinson (More's Utopia). -- Penny grass (Bot.), pennyroyal. [R.] -- Penny post, a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a mail carrier. -- Penny wise, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving small sums while losing larger; -- used chiefly in the phrase, penny wise and pound foolish.

Pen"ny-a-lin"er (?), n. One who furnishes matter to public journals at so much a line; a poor writer for hire; a hack writer. Thackeray.

Pen`ny*roy"al (?), n. [A corruption of OE. puliall royal. OE. puliall is ultimately derived fr. L. puleium, or pulegium regium (so called as being good against fleas), fr. pulex a flea; and royal is a translation of L. regium, in puleium regium.] (Bot.) An aromatic herb (Mentha Pulegium) of Europe; also, a North American plant (Hedeoma pulegioides) resembling it in flavor.

Pen"ny*weight` (?), n. A troy weight containing twenty-four grains, or the twentieth part of an ounce; as, a pennyweight of gold or of arsenic. It was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the name.

Pen"ny*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A European trailing herb (Linaria Cymbalaria) with roundish, reniform leaves. It is often cultivated in hanging baskets.

Pen"ny*worth` (?), n. 1. A penny's worth; as much as may be bought for a penny. "A dear pennyworth." Evelyn.

2. Hence: The full value of one's penny expended; due return for money laid out; a good bargain; a bargain.

Pe*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, or L. poena, punishment + -logy.] The science or art of punishment. [Written also pœnology.]

Pen"sile (?), a. [L. pensilis, fr. pendere to hang: cf. OE. pensil. See Pendant.] Hanging; suspended; pendent; pendulous. Bacon.

Pen"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L. pensio a paying, payment, fr. pendere, pensum, to weight, to pay; akin to pend&?;re to hang. See Pendant, and cf. Spend.] 1. A payment; a tribute; something paid or given. [Obs.]

2. A stated allowance to a person in consideration of past services; payment made to one retired from service, on account of age, disability, or other cause; especially, a regular stipend paid by a government to retired public officers, disabled soldiers, the families of soldiers killed in service, or to meritorious authors, or the like.

3. A certain sum of money paid to a clergyman in lieu of tithes. [Eng.] Mozley & W.

4. [F., pronounced &?;.] A boarding house or boarding school in France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.

Pen"sion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pensioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pensioning.] To grant a pension to; to pay a regular stipend to; in consideration of service already performed; -- sometimes followed by off; as, to pension off a servant.

Pen"sion*a*ry (?), a. 1. Maintained by a pension; receiving a pension; as, pensionary spies. Donne.

Pen"sion*a*ry (?), n.; pl. Pensionaries (#). [Cf. F. pensionnaire. Cf. Pensioner.] 1. One who receives a pension; a pensioner. E. Hall.

Grand pensionary, the title of the prime minister, or or president of the Council, of Holland when a republic.

Pen"sion*er (?), n. 1. One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a dependent.

2. One of an honorable band of gentlemen who attend the sovereign of England on state occasions, and receive an annual pension, or allowance, of £150 and two horses.

3. [Cf. F. pensionnaire one who pays for his board. Cf. Pensionary, n.] In the university of Cambridge, England, one who pays for his living in commons; -- corresponding to commoner at Oxford. Ld. Lytton.

Pen"sive (?), a. [F. pensif, fr. penser to think, fr. L. pensare to weigh, ponder, consider, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Pension, Poise.] 1. Thoughtful, sober, or sad; employed in serious reflection; given to, or favorable to, earnest or melancholy musing.

2. Expressing or suggesting thoughtfulness with sadness; as, pensive numbers. Prior.

Pen"sive*ness, n. The state of being pensive; serious thoughtfulness; seriousness. Hooker.

Pen"stock (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain; perh. fr. pen an inclosure + stock.] 1. A close conduit or pipe for conducting water, as, to a water wheel, or for emptying a pond, or for domestic uses.

Pent (?), p. p. or a. [From Pen, v. t.] Penned or shut up; confined; -- often with up.

Pen"ta- (?). [Gr. &?;, a later combining form of &?; five. See Five.] 1. A combining form denoting five; as, pentacapsular; pentagon.

2. (Chem.) Denoting the degree of five, either as regards quality, property, or composition; as, pentasulphide; pentoxide, etc. Also used adjectively.

Pen`ta*ba"sic (?), a. [Penta- + basic.] (Chem.) Capable of uniting with five molecules of a monacid base; having five acid hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by a basic radical; -- said of certain acids.

Pen`ta*cap"su*lar (?), a. [Penta- + capsular.] (Bot.) Having five capsules.

Pen`ta*che"ni*um (?), n. [NL. See Penta-, and Achenium.] (Bot.) A dry fruit composed of five carpels, which are covered by an epigynous calyx and separate at maturity.

Pen`ta*chlo"ride (?), n. [Penta- + chloride.] (Chem.) A chloride having five atoms of chlorine in each molecule.

Pen"ta*chord (?), n. [L. pentachordus five-stringed, Gr. &?;; &?; five + &?; string.] 1. An ancient instrument of music with five strings.

Pen*tac"id (&?;), a. [Penta- + acid.] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing, or combining with, five molecules of a monobasic acid; having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by acid residues; -- said of certain complex bases.

Pen"ta*cle (?), n. [Gr. &?; five.] A figure composed of two equilateral triangles intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star, -- used in early ornamental art, and also with superstitious import by the astrologers and mystics of the Middle Ages.

Pen`ta*coc"cous (?), a. [See Penta- , Coccus.] (Bot.) Composed of five united carpels with one seed in each, as certain fruits.

Pen*tac"ri*nin (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A red and purple pigment found in certain crinoids of the genus Pentacrinus.

Pen*tac"ri*nite (?), n. [Penta- + Gr. &?; a lily.] (Zoöl.) Any species of Pentacrinus.

Pen*tac"ri*noid (?), n. [Pentacrinus + -oid.] (Zoöl.) An immature comatula when it is still attached by a stem, and thus resembles a Pentacrinus.

||Pen*tac"ri*nus (?), n. [NL. See Penta-, and Crinum.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large, stalked crinoids, of which several species occur in deep water among the West Indies and elsewhere.

Pen*ta"cron (?), n.; pl. L. Pentacra (#), E. Pentacrons (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; five + &?; a summit.] (Geom.) A solid having five summits or angular points.

Pen`ta*cros"tic (?), n. [Penta- + acrostic.] A set of verses so disposed that the name forming the subject of the acrostic occurs five times -- the whole set of verses being divided into five different parts from top to bottom.

Pen"tad (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a body of five, fr. &?; five.] (Chem.) Any element, atom, or radical, having a valence of five, or which can be combined with, substituted for, or compared with, five atoms of hydrogen or other monad; as, nitrogen is a pentad in the ammonium compounds.

{ Pen`ta*dac"tyl, Pen`ta*dac"tyle } (?), a. [Gr. &?; with five fingers or toes. See Penta- , and Dactyl.] 1. (Anat.) Having five digits to the hand or foot.

Pen`ta*dac"tyl*oid (?), a. [Pentadactyl + -oid.] (Anat.) Having the form of, or a structure modified from, a pentadactyl limb.

Pen`ta*dec"ane (?), n. [Penta- + Gr. &?; ten.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon of the paraffin series, (C₁₅H₃₂) found in petroleum, tar oil, etc., and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from the fifteen carbon atoms in the molecule.

Pen`ta*dec`a*to"ic (?), a. [Penta- + decatoic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, pentadecane, or designating an acid related to it.

Pen`ta*del"phous (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; brother.] (Bot.) Having the stamens arranged in five clusters, those of each cluster having their filaments more or less united, as the flowers of the linden.

Pen"ta*fid (?), a. [Penta- + root of L. findere to split.] (Bot.) Divided or cleft into five parts.

Pen"ta*glot (?), n. [Penta- + -glot, as in polyglot.] A work in five different tongues.

Pen"ta*gon (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; (see Penta-) + gwni`a angle: cf. L. pentagonium, F. pentagone.] (Geom.) A plane figure having five angles, and, consequently, five sides; any figure having five angles.

Regular pentagon, a pentagon in which the angles are all equal, and the sides all equal.

Pen*tag"o*nal (?), a. [Cf. F. pentagonal, pentagone, L. pentagonus, pentagonius, Gr. &?;.] Having five corners or angles.

Pen*tag"o*nal*ly, adv. In the form of a pentagon; with five angles. Sir T. Browne.

Pen"ta*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?;, neut. of &?; having five lines. See Penta-, and -gram.] A pentacle or a pentalpha. "Like a wizard pentagram." Tennyson.

{ Pen`ta*graph"ic (?), Pen`ta*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Corrupted fr. pantographic, - ical.] Pantographic. See Pantograph.

||Pen`ta*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; (see Penta-) + &?; female.] (Bot.) A Linnæan order of plants, having five styles or pistils.

{ Pen`ta*gyn"i*an (?), Pen*tag"y*nous (?), } a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to plants of the order Pentagyna; having five styles.

Pen`ta*he"dron (?), n. [Penta- + Gr. "e`dra seat, base.] A solid figure having five sides.

Pen"tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A peculiar insectivore (Ptilocercus Lowii) of Borneo; -- so called from its very long, quill-shaped tail, which is scaly at the base and plumose at the tip.

||Pen*tal"pha (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;: cf. F. pentalpha. See Penta-, and Alpha.] A five-pointed star, resembling five alphas joined at their bases; -- used as a symbol.

||Pen*tam"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pentamerous.] (Zoöl.) An extensive division of Coleoptera, including those that normally have five-jointed tarsi. It embraces about half of all the known species of the Coleoptera.

Pen*tam"er*ous (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; part.] 1. (Biol.) Divided into, or consisting of, five parts; also, arranged in sets, with five parts in each set, as a flower with five sepals, five petals, five, or twice five, stamens, and five pistils.

||Pen*tam"e*rus (?), n. [NL. See Pentamerous.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct Paleozoic brachiopods, often very abundant in the Upper Silurian.

Pentamerus limestone (Geol.), a Silurian limestone composed largely of the shells of Pentamerus.

Pen*tam"e*ter (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; (see Penta-) + &?; measure.] (Gr. & L.Pros.) A verse of five feet.

The dactylic pentameter consists of two parts separated by a diæresis. Each part consists of two dactyls and a long syllable. The spondee may take the place of the dactyl in the first part, but not in the second. The elegiac distich consists of the hexameter followed by the pentameter. Harkness.

Pen`ta*meth"yl*ene (?), n. [Penta- + methylene.] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon, C₅H₁₀, metameric with the amylenes, and the nucleus of a large number of derivatives; -- so named because regarded as composed of five methylene residues. Cf. Trimethylene, and Tetramethylene.

||Pen*tan"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; (see Penta-) + &?;, &?;, man, male.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants having five separate stamens.

{ Pen*tan"dri*an (?), Pen*tan"drous (?), } a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the class Pentadria; having five stamens.

Pen"tane (?), n. [See Penta-.] (Chem.) Any one of the three metameric hydrocarbons, C₅H₁₂, of the methane or paraffin series. They are colorless, volatile liquids, two of which occur in petroleum. So called because of the five carbon atoms in the molecule.

Pen*tan"gu*lar (?), a. [Penta- + angular.] Having five corners or angles. [R.]

Pen`ta*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Penta- + petal.] (Bot.) Having five petals, or flower leaves.

Pen*taph"yl*lous (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Having five leaves or leaflets.

Pen*tap"o*dy (?), n. [Penta- + Gr. &?;, &?;, foot.] (Pros.) A measure or series consisting of five feet.

Pen"tap*tote (?), n. [L. (pl.) pentaptota. Gr. &?; with five cases; &?; (see Penta-) + &?; falling.] (Gram.) A noun having five cases.

Pen"tap*tych (?), n. [Penta- + Gr. &?;, &?;, a fold.] (Fine Arts) A picture, or combination of pictures, consisting of a centerpiece and double folding doors or wings, as for an altarpiece.

Pen"tar*chy (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pentarchie. See Penta-, and -archy.] A government in the hands of five persons; five joint rulers. P. Fletcher. "The pentarchy of the senses." A. Brewer.

Pen"ta*spast (?), n. [L. pentaspaston, Gr. &?; (see Penta-) + &?; to pull: cf. F. pentaspaste.] A purchase with five pulleys. [R.]

Pen`ta*sper"mous (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; seed.] (Bot.) Containing five seeds.

Pen"ta*stich (?), n. [Gr. &?; of five verses; &?; (see Penta-) + &?; line, verse.] A composition consisting of five verses.

Pen*tas"ti*chous (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; a row.] (Bot.) Having, or arranged in, five vertical ranks, as the leaves of an apple tree or a cherry tree.

||Pen`ta*stom"i*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. &?; (see Penta-) + &?; a mouth.] (Zoöl.) Same as Linguatulina.

Pen"ta*style (?), a. [Penta- + Gr. &?; a pillar.] (Arch.) Having five columns in front; - - said of a temple or portico in classical architecture. -- n. A portico having five columns.

Pen"ta*teuch (?), n. [L. pentateuchus, Gr. &?;; &?; (see Penta-) + &?; a tool, implement, a book, akin to &?; to prepare, make ready, and perh. to E. text. See Five, and Text.] The first five books of the Old Testament, collectively; -- called also the Law of Moses, Book of the Law of Moses, etc.

Pen`ta*thi*on"ic (?), a. [Penta- + thionic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of sulphur obtained by leading hydrogen sulphide into a solution of sulphur dioxide; -- so called because it contains five atoms of sulphur.

||Pen*tath"lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; five + &?; a contest.] (Gr. Antiq.) A fivefold athletic performance peculiar to the great national games of the Greeks, including leaping, foot racing, wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear.

Pen`ta*tom"ic (?), a. [Penta- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Having five atoms in the molecule. (b) Having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution.

Pen*tav"a*lent (?), a. [Penta- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) Having a valence of five; -- said of certain atoms and radicals.

Pen"te*con`ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; (sc. &?;), fr. &?; fifty.] (Gr. Antiq.) A Grecian vessel with fifty oars. [Written also pentaconter.]

Pen"te*cost (?), n. [L. pentecoste, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;) the fiftieth day, Pentecost, fr. &?; fiftieth, fr. &?; fifty, fr. &?; five. See Five, and cf. Pingster.] 1. A solemn festival of the Jews; -- so called because celebrated on the fiftieth day (seven weeks) after the second day of the Passover (which fell on the sixteenth of the Jewish month Nisan); -- hence called, also, the Feast of Weeks. At this festival an offering of the first fruits of the harvest was made. By the Jews it was generally regarded as commemorative of the gift of the law on the fiftieth day after the departure from Egypt.

2. A festival of the Roman Catholic and other churches in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles; which occurred on the day of Pentecost; -- called also Whitsunday. Shak.

Pen`te*cos"tals (?), n. pl. Offerings formerly made to the parish priest, or to the mother church, at Pentecost. Shipley.

Pen`te*cos"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; fifty.] (Gr. Antiq.) An officer in the Spartan army commanding fifty men. Mitford.

Pen`te*cos"ty (?), n.; pl. Pentecosties (#). [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; the fiftieth, &?; fifty.] (Gr. Antiq.) A troop of fifty soldiers in the Spartan army; -- called also pentecostys. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

{ Pen*tel"ic (?), Pen*tel"i*can (?), } a. Of or pertaining to Mount Pentelicus, near Athens, famous for its fine white marble quarries; obtained from Mount Pentelicus; as, the Pentelic marble of which the Parthenon is built.

Pent"house` (?), n. [A corruption of pentice.] A shed or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively. "The penthouse of his eyes." Sir W. Scott.

Pent"house`, a. Leaning; overhanging. "Penthouse lid." Shak. "My penthouse eyebrows." Dryden.

Pen"tice (?), n. [F. appentis a penthouse. See Append.] A penthouse. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

Pen"tine (?), n. [See Penta-.] (Chem.) An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C₅H₈, of the acetylene series. Same as Valerylene.

Pen*to"ic (?), a. [See Penta-.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or desingating, an acid (called also valeric acid) derived from pentane.

Pen*tox"ide (?), n. [Penta- + oxide.] (Chem.) An oxide containing five atoms of oxygen in each molecule; as, phosphorus pentoxide, P₂O₅.

||Pen`tre*mi"tes (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; five + L. remus an oar.] (Zoöl.) A genus of crinoids belonging to the Blastoidea. They have five petal-like ambulacra.

Pent"roof` (?), n. [F. pente slope + E. roof, or from penthouse roof.] See Lean-to.

Pen"tyl (?), n. [Penta + - yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical, C₅H₁₁, of pentane and certain of its derivatives. Same as Amyl.

Pen*tyl"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, pentyl; as, pentylic alcohol

{ Pe"nu*chle (?), Pin"o*cle (?) }, n. A game at cards, played with forty-eight cards, being all the cards above the eight spots in two packs.

Pe"nult (?), n. [Abbreviated fr. penultima.] (Gram. & Pros.) The last syllable but one of a word; the syllable preceding the final one.

Pe*nul"ti*ma (?), n. [L. (sc. syllaba), fr. penultimus, paenultimus, the last but one; paene almost + ultimus the last.] Same as Penult.

Pe*nul"ti*mate (?), a. Last but one; as, the penultimate syllable, the last syllable but one of a word.

Pe*num"bra (?), n. [NL., fr. L. paene almost + umbra shade.] 1. An incomplete or partial shadow.

2. (Astron.) The shadow cast, in an eclipse, where the light is partly, but not wholly, cut off by the intervening body; the space of partial illumination between the umbra, or perfect shadow, on all sides, and the full light. Sir I. Newton.

The faint shade surrounding the dark central portion of a solar spot is also called the penumbra, and sometimes umbra.

3. (Paint.) The part of a picture where the shade imperceptibly blends with the light.

Pe*num"brala. Of or pertaining to a penumbra; resembling a penumbra; partially illuminated.

Pe*nu"ri*ous (?), a. [From Penury.] 1. Excessively sparing in the use of money; sordid; stingy; miserly. "A penurious niggard of his wealth." Milton.

3. Destitute of money; suffering extreme want. [Obs.] "My penurious band." Shak.

Syn. -- Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; miserly; niggardly; stingy. See Avaricious.

Pen"u*ry (?), n. [L. penuria; cf. Gr. &?; hunger, &?; poverty, need, &?; one who works for his daily bread, a poor man, &?; to work for one's daily bread, to be poor: cf. F. pénurie.] 1. Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme poverty; destitution. "A penury of military forces." Bacon.

Pen"wip`er (?), n. A cloth, or other material, for wiping off or cleaning ink from a pen.

Pen"wom`an (?), n.; pl. Penwomen (&?;). A female writer; an authoress. Johnson.

Pe"on, n. [Sp. peon, or Pg. pe&?;o, one who travels on foot, a foot soldier, a pawn in chess. See Pawn in chess.] 1. A foot soldier; a policeman; also, an office attendant; a messenger. [India]

2. A day laborer; a servant; especially, in some of the Spanish American countries, debtor held by his creditor in a form of qualified servitude, to work out a debt.

Pe"o*ny (?), n.; pl. Peonies (#). [OE. pione, pioine, pioni, OF. pione, F. pivoine, L. paeonia, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, the god of healing. Cf. Pæan.] (Bot.) A plant, and its flower, of the ranunculaceous genus Pæonia. Of the four or five species, one is a shrub; the rest are perennial herbs with showy flowers, often double in cultivation. [Written also pæony, and piony.]

Peo"ple (?), n. [OE. peple, people, OF. pueple, F. peuple, fr. L. populus. Cf. Populage, Public, Pueblo.] 1. The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.

Peopleis a collective noun, generally construed with a plural verb, and only occasionally used in the plural form (peoples), in the sense of nations or races.

2. Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; -- sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.

3. The mass of comunity as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.

4. With a possessive pronoun: (a) One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English. (b) One's subjects; fellow citizens; companions; followers. "You slew great number of his people." Shak.

Syn. -- People, Nation. When speaking of a state, we use people for the mass of the community, as distinguished from their rulers, and nation for the entire political body, including the rulers. In another sense of the term, nation describes those who are descended from the same stock; and in this sense the Germans regard themselves as one nation, though politically subject to different forms of government.

Peo"ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peopled p. pr. & vb. n. Peopling (&?;).] [Cf. OF. popler, puepler, F. puepler. Cf. Populate.] To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate. "Peopled heaven with angels." Dryden.

Peo"pled (?), a. Stocked with, or as with, people; inhabited. "The peopled air." Gray.

Peo"pler (?), n. A settler; an inhabitant. "Peoplers of the peaceful glen." J. S. Blackie.

Pe*o"ri*as (?), n. pl.; sing. Peoria (&?;). (Ethnol.) An Algonquin tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Illinois.

Pe*pas"tic (?), a. & n. [Gr. &?; to ripen, suppurate: cf. F. pépastique.] (Med.) Same as Maturative.

{ Pep"e*rine (?), ||Pep`e*ri"no (?), } n. [It. peperino, L. piper pepper. So called on account of its color.] (Geol.) A volcanic rock, formed by the cementing together of sand, scoria, cinders, etc.

||Pep"lis (?), n. [L., a kind of plant, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A genus of plants including water purslane.

||Pep"lus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] 1. An upper garment worn by Grecian and Roman women.

||Pe"po (?), n. [L., a kind of melon, from Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) Any fleshy fruit with a firm rind, as a pumpkin, melon, or gourd. See Gourd.

Pep"per (?), n. [OE. peper, AS. pipor, L. piper, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, akin to Skr. pippala, pippali.] 1. A well-known, pungently aromatic condiment, the dried berry, either whole or powdered, of the Piper nigrum.

Common, or black, pepper is made from the whole berry, dried just before maturity; white pepper is made from the ripe berry after the outer skin has been removed by maceration and friction. It has less of the peculiar properties of the plant than the black pepper. Pepper is used in medicine as a carminative stimulant.

2. (Bot.) The plant which yields pepper, an East Indian woody climber (Piper nigrum), with ovate leaves and apetalous flowers in spikes opposite the leaves. The berries are red when ripe. Also, by extension, any one of the several hundred species of the genus Piper, widely dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the earth.

3. Any plant of the genus Capsicum, and its fruit; red pepper; as, the bell pepper.

The term pepper has been extended to various other fruits and plants, more or less closely resembling the true pepper, esp. to the common varieties of Capsicum. See Capsicum, and the Phrases, below.

African pepper, the Guinea pepper. See under Guinea. -- Cayenne pepper. See under Cayenne. -- Chinese pepper, the spicy berries of the Xanthoxylum piperitum, a species of prickly ash found in China and Japan. -- Guinea pepper. See under Guinea, and Capsicum. -- Jamaica pepper. See Allspice. -- Long pepper. (a) The spike of berries of Piper longum, an East Indian shrub. (b) The root of Piper, or Macropiper, methysticum. See Kava. -- Malaguetta, or Meleguetta, pepper, the aromatic seeds of the Amomum Melegueta, an African plant of the Ginger family. They are sometimes used to flavor beer, etc., under the name of grains of Paradise. -- Red pepper. See Capsicum. -- Sweet pepper bush (Bot.), an American shrub (Clethra alnifolia), with racemes of fragrant white flowers; -- called also white alder. -- Pepper box or caster, a small box or bottle, with a perforated lid, used for sprinkling ground pepper on food, etc. -- Pepper corn. See in the Vocabulary. -- Pepper elder (Bot.), a West Indian name of several plants of the Pepper family, species of Piper and Peperomia. -- Pepper moth (Zoöl.), a European moth (Biston betularia) having white wings covered with small black specks. -- Pepper pot, a mucilaginous soup or stew of vegetables and cassareep, much esteemed in the West Indies. -- Pepper root. (Bot.). See Coralwort. -- pepper sauce, a condiment for the table, made of small red peppers steeped in vinegar. -- Pepper tree (Bot.), an aromatic tree (Drimys axillaris) of the Magnolia family, common in New Zealand. See Peruvian mastic tree, under Mastic.

Pep"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peppered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peppering.] 1. To sprinkle or season with pepper.

2. Figuratively: To shower shot or other missiles, or blows, upon; to pelt; to fill with shot, or cover with bruises or wounds. "I have peppered two of them." "I am peppered, I warrant, for this world." Shak.

Pep"per dulse` (?). (Bot.) A variety of edible seaweed (Laurencia pinnatifida) distinguished for its pungency. [Scot.] Lindley.

Pep"per*er (?), n. A grocer; -- formerly so called because he sold pepper. [Obs.]

Pep"per*grass` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) Any herb of the cruciferous genus Lepidium, especially the garden peppergrass, or garden cress, Lepidium sativum; -- called also pepperwort. All the species have a pungent flavor. (b) The common pillwort of Europe (Pilularia globulifera). See Pillwort.

Pep"per*idge (?), n. [Cf. NL. berberis, E. barberry.] (Bot.) A North American tree (Nyssa multiflora) with very tough wood, handsome oval polished leaves, and very acid berries, -- the sour gum, or common tupelo. See Tupelo. [Written also piperidge and pipperidge.]

Pep"per*mint (?), n. [Pepper + mint.] 1. (Bot.) An aromatic and pungent plant of the genus Mentha (M. piperita), much used in medicine and confectionery.

2. A volatile oil (oil of peppermint) distilled from the fresh herb; also, a well-known essence or spirit (essence of peppermint) obtained from it.

Peppermint camphor. (Chem.) Same as Menthol. -- Peppermint tree (Bot.), a name given to several Australian species of gum tree (Eucalyptus amygdalina, E. piperita, E. odorata, etc.) which have hard and durable wood, and yield an essential oil.

Pep"per*y (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to pepper; having the qualities of pepper; hot; pungent.

Pep"sin (?), n. [Gr. &?; a cooking, digesting, digestion, fr. &?;, &?;, to cook, digest: cf. F. pepsine. Cf. Dyspepsia.] (Physiol. Chem.) An unorganized proteolytic ferment or enzyme contained in the secretory glands of the stomach. In the gastric juice it is united with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.2 per cent, approximately) and the two together constitute the active portion of the digestive fluid. It is the active agent in the gastric juice of all animals.

As prepared from the glandular layer of pigs' or calves' stomachs it constitutes an important article of pharmacy.

Pep*sin"o*gen (?), n. [Pepsin + -gen.] (Physiol. Chem.) The antecedent of the ferment pepsin. A substance contained in the form of granules in the peptic cells of the gastric glands. It is readily convertible into pepsin. Also called propepsin.

Pep"tic (?), a. [L. pepticus, Gr. &?;. See Pepsin.] 1. Relating to digestion; promoting digestion; digestive; as, peptic sauces.

3. (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to pepsin; resembling pepsin in its power of digesting or dissolving albuminous matter; containing or yielding pepsin, or a body of like properties; as, the peptic glands.

Pep"to*gen (?), n. [Peptone + -gen.] (Physiol.) A substance convertible into peptone.

Pep*tog"e*nous (?), a. (Physiol. Chem.) Capable of yielding, or being converted into, peptone.

Pep`to*hy`dro*chlo"ric (?), a. [See Peptone, and Hydrochloric.] (Physiol. Chem.) Designating a hypothetical acid (called peptohydrochloric acid, pepsinhydrochloric acid, and chloropeptic acid) which is supposed to be formed when pepsin and dilute (0.1-0.4 per cent) hydrochloric acid are mixed together.

Pep"tone (?), n. [Gr. &?; cooked.] (Physiol. Chem.) (a) The soluble and diffusible substance or substances into which albuminous portions of the food are transformed by the action of the gastric and pancreatic juices. Peptones are also formed from albuminous matter by the action of boiling water and boiling dilute acids. (b) Collectively, in a broader sense, all the products resulting from the solution of albuminous matter in either gastric or pancreatic juice. In this case, however, intermediate products (albumose bodies), such as antialbumose, hemialbumose, etc., are mixed with the true peptones. Also termed albuminose.

Pure peptones are of three kinds, amphopeptone, antipeptone, and hemipeptone, and, unlike the albumose bodies, are not precipitated by saturating their solutions with ammonium sulphate.

Pep"to*nize (?), v. t. (Physiol.) To convert into peptone; to digest or dissolve by means of a proteolytic ferment; as, peptonized food.

Pep"to*noid (?), n. [Peptone + -oid.] (Physiol. Chem.) A substance related to peptone.

||Pep`to*nu"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See Peptone, and Urine.] (Med.) The presence of peptone, or a peptonelike body, in the urine.

Pep`to*tox"ine (?), n. [Peptone + toxic + -ine.] (Physiol. Chem.) A toxic alkaloid found occasionally associated with the peptones formed from fibrin by pepsinhydrochloric acid.

Pe"quots (?), n. pl.; sing. Pequot (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited Eastern Connecticut. [Written also Pequods.]

Per- (?). [See Per.] 1. A prefix used to signify through, throughout, by, for, or as an intensive as perhaps, by hap or chance; perennial, that lasts throughout the year; perforce, through or by force; perfoliate, perforate; perspicuous, evident throughout or very evident; perplex, literally, to entangle very much.

2. (Chem.) Originally, denoting that the element to the name of which it is prefixed in the respective compounds exercised its highest valence; now, only that the element has a higher valence than in other similar compounds; thus, barium peroxide is the highest oxide of barium; while nitrogen and manganese peroxides, so-called, are not the highest oxides of those elements.

Per (?), prep. [L. Cf. Far, For-, Pardon, and cf. Par, prep.] Through; by means of; through the agency of; by; for; for each; as, per annum; per capita, by heads, or according to individuals; per curiam, by the court; per se, by itself, of itself. Per is also sometimes used with English words.

Per annum, by the year; in each successive year; annually. -- Per cent, Per centum, by the hundred; in the hundred; -- used esp. of proportions of ingredients, rate or amount of interest, and the like; commonly used in the shortened form per cent. -- Per diem, by the day. [For other phrases from the Latin, see Quotations, Phrases, etc., from Foreign Languages, in the Supplement.]

Per*act" (?), v. t. [L. peractus, p. p. of peragere.] To go through with; to perform. [Obs.] Sylvester.

Per`a*cute" (?), a. [L. peracutus. See Per-, and Acute.] Very sharp; very violent; as, a peracute fever. [R.] Harvey.

Per`ad*ven"ture (?), adv. & conj. [OE. per aventure, F. par aventure. See Per, and Adventure.] By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing. "If peradventure he speak against me." Shak.

Per`ad*ven"ture, n. Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure. South.

Pe*ræ"o*pod (?), n. [Gr. &?; on the opposite side + -pod.] (Zoöl.) One of the thoracic legs of a crustacean. See Illust. of Crustacea.

Per"a*grate (?), v. t. [L. peragratus, p. p. of peragrate.] To travel over or through. [Obs.]

Per`agra"tion (?), n. [L. peragratio: cf. F. peragration.] The act or state of passing through any space; as, the peragration of the moon in her monthly revolution. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Per*am"bu*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perambulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perambulating.] [L. perambulatus, p. p. of perambulare to perambulate; per through + ambulare to walk. See Per-, and Amble.] To walk through or over; especially, to travel over for the purpose of surveying or examining; to inspect by traversing; specifically, to inspect officially the boundaries of, as of a town or parish, by walking over the whole line.

Per*am"bu*late, v. i. To walk about; to ramble; to stroll; as, he perambulated in the park.

3. A district within which one is authorized to make a tour of inspection. "The . . . bounds of his own perambulation." [Obs.] Holyday.

2. A surveyor's instrument for measuring distances. It consists of a wheel arranged to roll along over the ground, with an apparatus of clockwork, and a dial plate upon which the distance traveled is shown by an index. See Odometer.

||Per`a*me"les (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a pouch + L. meles a badger.] (Zoöl.) Any marsupial of the genus Perameles, which includes numerous species found in Australia. They somewhat resemble rabbits in size and form. See Illust. under Bandicoot.

Per*bro"mic (?), a. [Pref. per- + bromic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid, HBrO₄, of bromine.

Per*bro"mide (?), n. (Chem.) A bromide having a higher proportion of bromine than any other bromide of the same substance or series.

||Per"ca (?), n. [L., a perch.] (Zoöl.) A genus of fishes, including the fresh-water perch.

||Per`cale" (?), n. [F.] A fine cotton fabric, having a linen finish, and often printed on one side, - - used for women's and children's wear.

||Per`ca`line" (?), n. [F.] A fine kind of French cotton goods, usually of one color.

Per*car"bide (?), n. [Pref. per- + carbide.] (Chem.)A compound containing a relatively large amount of carbon. [R.]

Per*car"bu*ret (?), n. [Pref. per- + carburet.] (Chem.) A percarbide. [Obsoles.]

Per*car"bu*ret`ed, a. (Chem.) Combined with a relatively large amount of carbon.

Per*case" (?), adv. [OE. per cas. See Parcase.] Perhaps; perchance. [Obs.] Bacon.

Per*ceiv"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being perceived; perceptible. -- Per*ceiv"a*bly, adv.

Per*ceiv"ance (?), n. Power of perceiving. [Obs.] "The senses and common perceivance." Milton.

Per*ceive" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perceived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perceiving.] [OF. percevoir, perceveir, L. percipere, perceptum; per (see Per-) + capere to take, receive. See Capacious, and cf. Perception.] 1. To obtain knowledge of through the senses; to receive impressions from by means of the bodily organs; to take cognizance of the existence, character, or identity of, by means of the senses; to see, hear, or feel; as, to perceive a distant ship; to perceive a discord. Reid.

2. To take intellectual cognizance of; to apprehend by the mind; to be convinced of by direct intuition; to note; to remark; to discern; to see; to understand.

Syn. -- To discern; distinguish; observe; see; feel; know; understand. -- To Perceive, Discern. To perceive a thing is to apprehend it as presented to the senses or the intellect; to discern is to mark differences, or to see a thing as distinguished from others around it. We may perceive two persons afar off without being able to discern whether they are men or women. Hence, discern is often used of an act of the senses or the mind involving close, discriminating, analytical attention. We perceive that which is clear or obvious; we discern that which requires much attention to get an idea of it. "We perceive light, darkness, colors, or the truth or falsehood of anything. We discern characters, motives, the tendency and consequences of actions, etc." Crabb.

Per*ceiv"er (?), n. One who perceives (in any of the senses of the verb). Milton.

Per*cent"age (?), n. [Per cent + -age, as in average. See Per, and Cent.] (Com.) A certain rate per cent; the allowance, duty, rate of interest, discount, or commission, on a hundred.

Per"cept (?), n. [From L. percipere, perceptum.] That which is perceived. Sir W. Hamilton.

Per*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. perceptibilité.] 1. The quality or state of being perceptible; as, the perceptibility of light or color.

Per*cep"ti*ble (?), a. [L. perceptibilis: cf. F. perceptible. See Perceive.] Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable.

Per*cep"tion (?), n. [L. perceptio: cf. F. perception. See Perceive.] 1. The act of perceiving; cognizance by the senses or intellect; apperhension by the bodily organs, or by the mind, of what is presented to them; discernment; apperhension; cognition.

2. (Metaph.) The faculty of perceiving; the faculty, or peculiar part, of man's constitution by which he has knowledge through the medium or instrumentality of the bodily organs; the act of apperhending material objects or qualities through the senses; -- distinguished from conception. Sir W. Hamilton.

3. The quality, state, or capability, of being affected by something external; sensation; sensibility. [Obs.]

"The word perception is, in the language of philosophers previous to Reid, used in a very extensive signification. By Descartes, Malebranche, Locke, Leibnitz, and others, it is employed in a sense almost as unexclusive as consciousness, in its widest signification. By Reid this word was limited to our faculty acquisitive of knowledge, and to that branch of this faculty whereby, through the senses, we obtain a knowledge of the external world. But his limitation did not stop here. In the act of external perception he distinguished two elements, to which he gave the names of perception and sensation. He ought perhaps to have called these perception proper and sensation proper, when employed in his special meaning." Sir W. Hamilton.

Per*cep"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. perceptif.] Of or pertaining to the act or power of perceiving; having the faculty or power of perceiving; used in perception. "His perceptive and reflective faculties." Motley.

Per`cep*tiv"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being perceptive; power of perception. Locke.

||Per*ces"o*ces (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. perca a perch + esox, -ocis, a pike.] (Zoöl.) An order of fishes including the gray mullets (Mugil), the barracudas, the silversides, and other related fishes. So called from their relation both to perches and to pikes.

Perch (prch), n. [Written also pearch.] [OE. perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. pe`rkh; cf. perkno`s dark-colored, Skr. pçni spotted, speckled, and E. freckle.] (Zoöl.) 1. Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several other allied genera of the family Percidæ, as the common American or yellow perch (Perca flavescens, or Americana), and the European perch (P. fluviatilis).

2. Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes belonging to the Percidæ, Serranidæ, and related families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.

Black perch. (a) The black bass. (b) The flasher. (c) The sea bass. -- Blue perch, the cunner. -- Gray perch, the fresh-water drum. -- Red perch, the rosefish. -- Red-bellied perch, the long- eared pondfish. -- Perch pest, a small crustacean, parasitic in the mouth of the perch. -- Silver perch, the yellowtail. -- Stone, or Striped, perch, the pope. -- White perch, the Roccus, or Morone, Americanus, a small silvery serranoid market fish of the Atlantic coast.

Perch (?), n. [F. perche, L. pertica.] 1. A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat.

2. (a) A measure of length containing five and a half yards; a rod, or pole. (b) In land or square measure: A square rod; the 160th part of an acre. (c) In solid measure: A mass 16½ feet long, 1 foot in height, and 1½ feet in breadth, or 24¾ cubic feet (in local use, from 22 to 25 cubic feet); -- used in measuring stonework.

Perch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perching.] [F. percher. See Perch a pole.] To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.

Per*chance" (?), adv. [F. par by (L. per) + chance. See Par, and Chance.] By chance; perhaps; peradventure.

Perch"ant (?), n. [F.] A bird tied by the foot, to serve as decoy to other birds by its fluttering.

Perch"er (?), n. [From Perch, v. i.] 1. One who, or that which, perches. J. Burroughs.

3. [From Perch a pole.] A Paris candle anciently used in England; also, a large wax candle formerly set upon the altar. [Obs.] Bailey.

Per"che*ron (?), n. [F.] One of a breed of draught horses originating in Perche, an old district of France; -- called also Percheron-Norman.

Per*chlo"ric (?), a. [Pref. per- + chloric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HClO₄), of chlorine; -- called also hyperchloric.

Per*chlo"ride (?), n. (Chem.) A chloride having a higher proportion of chlorine than any other chloride of the same substance or series.

Per*chro"mic (?), a. [Pref. per- + chromic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a certain one of the highly oxidized compounds of chromium, which has a deep blue color, and is produced by the action of hydrogen peroxide.

Per"ci*form (?), a. [NL., & L. perca a perch + -form.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Perciformes.

||Per`ci*for"mes (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An extensive tribe or suborder of fishes, including the true perches (Percidæ); the pondfishes (Centrarchidæ); the sciænoids (Sciænidæ); the sparoids (Sparidæ); the serranoids (Serranidæ), and some other related families.

{ Per*cip"i*ence (?), Per*cip"i*en*cy (?), } n. The faculty, act or power of perceiving; perception. Mrs. Browning.

Per*cip"i*ent (?), a. [L. percipiens, -entis, p. pr. of percipere. See Perceive.] Having the faculty of perception; perceiving; as, a percipient being. Bentley. -- n. One who, or that which, is percipient. Glanvill.

Per*close" (?), n. [OF. parclose an inclosed place; L. per through + claudere, clausum, to shut.] 1. (Eccl. Arch.) Same as Parclose.

Per"coid (?), a. [L. perca a perch + -oid: cf. F. percoïde.] (Zoöl.) Belonging to, or resembling, the perches, or family Percidæ. -- n. Any fish of the genus Perca, or allied genera of the family Percidæ.

Per"co*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Percolated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Percolating.] [L. percolatus, p. p. of percolare to percolate; per through + colare to strain.] To cause to pass through fine interstices, as a liquor; to filter; to strain. Sir M. Hale.

Per"co*late, v. i. To pass through fine interstices; to filter; as, water percolates through porous stone.

Per`co*la"tion (?), n. [L. percolatio.] The act or process of percolating, or filtering; filtration; straining. Specifically (Pharm.), the process of exhausting the virtues of a powdered drug by letting a liquid filter slowly through it.

Per"co*la`tor (?), n. One who, or that which, filters. "[Tissues] act as percolators." Henfrey.

||Per`co*mor"phi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. perca perch + Gr. &?; form.] (Zoöl.) A division of fishes including the perches and related kinds.

Per"cu*laced (?), a. [Prob. corrupt. fr. portcullised.] (Her.) Latticed. See Lattice, n., 2.

Per*cur"rent (?), a. [L. percurrens, p. pr. of percurrere to run through; per through + currere to run.] Running through the entire length.

Per*cur"so*ry (?), a. [L. percursor one who runs through, fr. percurrere. See Percurrent.] Running over slightly or in haste; cursory. [R.]

Per*cuss" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Percussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Percussing.] [L. percussus, p. p. of percutere; per + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.] To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss the chest in medical examination.

Per*cuss", v. i. (Med.) To strike or tap in an examination by percussion. See Percussion, 3. Quain.

Per*cus"sion (?), n. [L. percussio: cf. F. percussion. See Percuss.] 1. The act of percussing, or striking one body against another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report. Sir I. Newton.

2. Hence: The effect of violent collision; vibratory shock; impression of sound on the ear.

3. (Med.) The act of tapping or striking the surface of the body in order to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the sound emitted or the sensation imparted to the fingers. Percussion is said to be immediate if the blow is directly upon the body; if some interventing substance, as a pleximeter, is, used, it is called mediate.

Center of percussion. See under Center. -- Percussion bullet, a bullet containing a substance which is exploded by percussion; an explosive bullet. -- Percussion cap, a small copper cap or cup, containing fulminating powder, and used with a percussion lock to explode gunpowder. -- Percussion fuze. See under Fuze. -- Percussion lock, the lock of a gun that is fired by percussion upon fulminating powder. -- Percussion match, a match which ignites by percussion. -- Percussion powder, powder so composed as to ignite by slight percussion; fulminating powder. -- Percussion sieve, Percussion table, a machine for sorting ores by agitation in running water.

Per*cu"tient (?), a. [L. percutiens, p. pr. of percutere. See Percuss.] Striking; having the power of striking. -- n. That which strikes, or has power to strike. Bacon.

Per"di*cine (?), a. [See Perdix.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the family Perdicidæ, or partridges.

Per"di*foil (?), n. [L. perdere to lose + folium leaf.] (Bot.) A deciduous plant; - - opposed to evergreen. J. Barton.

Per*di"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. perditio, fr. perdere, perditum, to ruin, to lose; per (cf. Skr. par away) + -dere (only in comp.) to put; akin to Gr. &?;, E. do. See Do.] 1. Entire loss; utter destruction; ruin; esp., the utter loss of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death.

Per*di"tion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being ruined; worthy of perdition. [R.] Pollok.

||Per"dix (pr"dks), n. [L., a partridge, Gr. pe`rdix.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds including the common European partridge. Formerly the word was used in a much wider sense to include many allied genera.

Per*du" (pr*d" or pr"d), n. [See Perdu, a.] 1. One placed on watch, or in ambush.

{ Per*du", Per*due" } (pr*d" or pr"d), a. [F. perdu, f. perdue, lost, p. p. of perdre to lose, L. perdere. See Perdition.] 1. Lost to view; in concealment or ambush; close.

2. Accustomed to, or employed in, desperate enterprises; hence, reckless; hopeless. "A perdue captain." Beau. & Fl.

Per`du*el"lion (?), n. [L. perduellio; per + duellum, bellum, war.] (Civil Law) Treason.

Per*dur"a*ble (pr*dr"*b'l; 277), n. [Cf. F. perdurable, OE. pardurable. See Perdure.] Very durable; lasting; continuing long. [Archaic] Chaucer. Shak.

{ Per*dur"ance (pr*dr"ans), Per`du*ra"tion (pr`d*r"shn), } n. Long continuance. [Archaic]

Per*dure" (pr*dr"), v. i. [L. perdurare; per through + durare to last.] To last or endure for a long time; to be perdurable or lasting. [Archaic]

Per*e"gal (?), a. [OF. par very (L. per) + egal equal, L. aequalis.] Fully equal. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Peregal to the best." Spenser.

Per"e*gri*nate (?), v. i. [L. peregrinatus, p. p. of peregrinari to travel. See Pilgrim.] To travel from place to place, or from one country to another; hence, to sojourn in foreign countries.

Per"e*gri*nate (?), a. [L. peregrinatus, p. p.] Having traveled; foreign. [Obs.] Shak.

Per`e*gri*na"tion (?), n. [L. peregrinatio: cf. F. pérégrination.] A traveling from one country to another; a wandering; sojourn in foreign countries. "His peregrination abroad." Bacon.

Per"e*grine (?), a. [L. peregrinus. See Pilgrim.] Foreign; not native; extrinsic or from without; exotic. [Spelt also pelegrine.] "Peregrine and preternatural heat." Bacon.

Peregrine falcon (Zoöl.), a courageous and swift falcon (Falco peregrinus), remarkable for its wide distribution over all the continents. The adult plumage is dark bluish ash on the back, nearly black on the head and cheeks, white beneath, barred with black below the throat. Called also peregrine hawk, duck hawk, game hawk, and great-footed hawk.

Per`e*grin"i*ty (?), n. [L. peregrinitas: cf. F. pérégrinité.] 1. Foreignness; strangeness. [Obs.] "Somewhat of a peregrinity in their dialect." Johnson.

Per*empt" (?), v. t. [L. peremptus, p. p. of perimere to take away entirely, to destroy; per (see Per-) + OL. emere to take. See Redeem.] (Law) To destroy; to defeat. [R.] Ayliffe.

Per*emp"tion (?), n. [L. peremptio: cf. F. péremption.] (Law) A quashing; a defeating. [Obs.]

Per"emp*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a peremptory manner; absolutely; positively. Bacon.

Per"emp*to*ry (?), a. [L. peremptorius destructive, deadly, decisive, final: cf. F. péremptorie. See Perempt.] 1. Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final.

Peremptory challenge (Law) See under Challenge. -- Peremptory mandamus, a final and absolute mandamus. -- Peremptory plea, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar.

Syn. -- Decisive; positive; absolute; authoritative; express; arbitrary; dogmatical.

Per*en"ni*al (?), a. [L. perennis that lasts the whole year through; per through + annus year. See Per-, and Annual.] 1. ing or continuing through the year; as, perennial fountains.

2. Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; unceasing; never failing.

3. (Bot.) Continuing more than two years; as, a perennial steam, or root, or plant.

Syn. -- Perpetual; unceasing; never failing; enduring; continual; permanent; uninterrupted.

Per*en"ni*al, n. (Bot.) A perennial plant; a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not.

||Per*en`ni*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Perennial, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) Those Batrachia which retain their gills through life, as the menobranchus.

Per*en`ni*bran"chi*ate (?), a. [See Perennial, and Branchiate.] 1. (Anat.) Having branchæ, or gills, through life; -- said especially of certain Amphibia, like the menobranchus. Opposed to caducibranchiate.

Per*en"ni*ty (?), n. [L. perennitas.] The quality of being perennial. [R.] Derham.

Per`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. pererrare, pererratum, to wander through.] A wandering, or rambling, through various places. [R.] Howell.

Per"fect (?), a. [OE. parfit, OF. parfit, parfet, parfait, F. parfait, L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere to carry to the end, to perform, finish, perfect; per (see Per-) + facere to make, do. See Fact.] 1. Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.

Perfect cadence (Mus.), a complete and satisfactory close in harmony, as upon the tonic preceded by the dominant. -- Perfect chord (Mus.), a concord or union of sounds which is perfectly coalescent and agreeable to the ear, as the unison, octave, fifth, and fourth; a perfect consonance; a common chord in its original position of keynote, third, fifth, and octave. -- Perfect number (Arith.), a number equal to the sum of all its divisors; as, 28, whose aliquot parts, or divisors, are 14, 7, 4, 2, 1. See Abundant number, under Abundant. Brande & C. -- Perfect tense (Gram.), a tense which expresses an act or state completed.

Syn. -- Finished; consummate; complete; entire; faultless; blameless; unblemished.

Per"fect (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perfected; p. pr. & vb. n. Perfecting.] [L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere. See Perfect, a.] To make perfect; to finish or complete, so as to leave nothing wanting; to give to anything all that is requisite to its nature and kind.

Perfecting press (Print.), a press in which the printing on both sides of the paper is completed in one passage through the machine.

Per"fect*er (?), n. One who, or that which, makes perfect. "The . . . perfecter of our faith." Barrow.

Per*fect`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. perfectibilité.] The quality or state of being perfectible.

Per*fect"i*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. perfectible.] Capable of becoming, or being made, perfect.

Per*fec"tion (?), n. [F. perfection, L. perfectio.] 1. The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection.

2. A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence. Shak.

To perfection, in the highest degree of excellence; perfectly; as, to imitate a model to perfection.

Per*fec"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to perfection; characterized by perfection. [R.] Bp. Pearson.

Per*fec"tion*ist, n. One pretending to perfection; esp., one pretending to moral perfection; one who believes that persons may and do attain to moral perfection and sinlessness in this life. South.

Per*fec"tion*ment (?), n. [Cf. F. perfectionnement.] The act of bringing to perfection, or the state of having attained to perfection. [R.] I. Taylor.

Per*fect"ive (?), a. Tending or conducing to make perfect, or to bring to perfection; -- usually followed by of. "A perfective alteration." Fuller.

Per"fect*ly (?), adv. In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection; completely; wholly; throughly; faultlessly. "Perfectly divine." Milton.

Per"fect*ness, n. The quality or state of being perfect; perfection. "Charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Col. iii. 14.

Per*fer"vid (?), a. [Pref. per- + fervid.] Very fervid; too fervid; glowing; ardent.

Per*fi"cient (?), a. [L. perficiens, p. pr. of perficere to perform. See Perfect.] Making or doing throughly; efficient; effectual. [R.] Blackstone.

Per*fi"cient, n. One who performs or perfects a work; especially, one who endows a charity. [R.]

Per*fid"i*ous (pr*fd"*s; 277), a. [L. perfidious.] 1. Guilty of perfidy; violating good faith or vows; false to trust or confidence reposed; teacherous; faithless; as, a perfidious friend. Shak.

2. Involving, or characterized by, perfidy. "Involved in this perfidious fraud." Milton.

Per"fi*dy (pr"f*d), n.; pl. Perfidies (- dz). [L. perfidia, fr. L. perfidus faithless; per (cf. Skr. par away) + fides faith: cf. F. perfidie. See Faith.] The act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness; treachery.

Per*fix" (pr"fks), v. t. [Pref. per- + fix.] To fix surely; to appoint. [Obs.]

Per"fla*ble (?), a. [L. perflabilis. See Perflate.] Capable of being blown through. [Obs.]

Per*flate" (?), v. t. [L. perflatus, p. p. of perflare to blow through.] To blow through. [Obs.] Harvey.

Per*fla"tion (?), n. [L. perflatio.] The act of perflating. [Obs.] Woodward.

Per*fo"li*ate (?), a. [Pref. per- + L. folium leaf.] 1. (Bot.) Having the basal part produced around the stem; -- said of leaves which the stem apparently passes directory through.

Per`fo*ra"ta (pr`f*r"t), n. pl. [NL. See Perforate.] (Zoöl.) (a) A division of corals including those that have a porous texture, as Porites and Madrepora; -- opposed to Aporosa. (b) A division of Foraminifera, including those having perforated shells.

Per"fo*rate (pr"f*rt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perforated (- r`td); p. pr. & vb. n. Perforating.] [L. perforatus, p. p. of perforare to perforate; per through + forare to bore. See Bore, v.] To bore through; to pierce through with a pointed instrument; to make a hole or holes through by boring or piercing; to pierce or penetrate the surface of. Bacon.

{ Per"fo*rate (pr"f*rt), Per"fo*ra`ted (pr"f*r"td), } a. Pierced with a hole or holes, or with pores; having transparent dots resembling holes.

Per`fo*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perforation.] 1. The act of perforating, or of boring or piercing through. Bacon.

2. A hole made by boring or piercing; an aperture. "Slender perforations." Sir T. Browne.

Per"fo*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. perforatif.] Having power to perforate or pierce.

Per"fo*ra`tor (?), n. [Cf. F. perforateur.] One who, or that which, perforates; esp., a cephalotome.

Per*force" (?), adv. [F. par (L. per) + force.] By force; of necessary; at any rate. Shak.

Per*form" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Performed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Performing.] [OE. performen, parfourmen, parfournen, OF. parfornir, parfournir, to finish, complete; OF. & F. par (see Par) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been influenced by form; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See Furnish.] 1. To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to accomplish; to execute; to do.

2. To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a duty; to perform a promise or a vow.

Syn. -- To accomplish; do; act; transact; achieve; execute; discharge; fulfill; effect; complete; consummate. See Accomplish.

Per*form", v. i. To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.

Per*form"a*ble (?), a. Admitting of being performed, done, or executed; practicable.

Per*form"ance (?), n. The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.

2. That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character. "Her walking and other actual performances." Shak. "His musical performances." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Completion; consummation; execution; accomplishment; achievement; production; work; act; action; deed; exploit; feat.

Per*form"er (?), n. One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfills; as, a good promiser, but a bad performer; especially, one who shows skill and training in any art; as, a performer of the drama; a performer on the harp.

Per"fri*cate (?), v. t. [L. perfricatus, p. p. of perfricare.] To rub over. Bailey.

Per*fume" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perfumed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perfuming.] [F. parfumer (cf. Sp. perfumar); par (see Par) + fumer to smoke, L. fumare, fr. fumus smoke. See Fume.] To fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.

Per"fume (?), n. [F. parfum; cf. Sp. perfume. See Perfume, v.] 1. The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance; aroma.

Per*func"to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a perfunctory manner; formally; carelessly. Boyle.

Per*func"to*ry (?), a. [L. perfunctorius, fr. perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see Per) + fungi to perform. See Function.] 1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions. Macaulay.

2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless. "Perfunctory in his devotions." Sharp.

Per*func"tu*rate (?), v. t. To perform in a perfunctory manner; to do negligently. [R.]

Per*fuse" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perfused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perfusing.] [L. perfusus, p. p. of perfundere to pour over; per + fundere to pour.] To suffuse; to fill full or to excess. Harvey.

{ Per`ga*me"no*us (?), Per`ga*men*ta"ceous (?), } a. [L. pergamena parchment. See Parchment.] Like parchment.

Per*haps" (?), adv. [Per + hap chance.] By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be.

Per"i- (?). [Gr. &?;, prep.] A prefix used to signify around, by, near, over, beyond, or to give an intensive sense; as, perimeter, the measure around; perigee, point near the earth; periergy, work beyond what is needed; perispherical, quite spherical.

Pe"ri (?), n.; pl. Peris (#). [Per. per a female genus, a fairy.] (Persian Myth.) An imaginary being, male or female, like an elf or fairy, represented as a descendant of fallen angels, excluded from paradise till penance is accomplished. Moore.

Per"i*anth (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; flower: cf. F. périanthe.] (Bot.) (a) The leaves of a flower generally, especially when the calyx and corolla are not readily distinguished. (b) A saclike involucre which incloses the young fruit in most hepatic mosses. See Illust. of Hepatica.

Per"i*apt (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; hung about, &?; to hang about; &?; about + &?; to tie: cf. F. périapte.] A charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an amulet. Coleridge.

Per`i*as"tral (?), a. Among or around the stars. "Comets in periastral passage." R. A. Proctor.

Per`i*as"tron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?; a star.] (Astron.) That point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to the latter.

Per"i*blast (?), a. [Gr. &?; to grow around. See Peri-, and -blast.] (Biol.) The protoplasmic matter which surrounds the entoblast, or cell nucleus, and undergoes segmentation. -- Per`i*blas"tic, a.

Per"i*blem (?), n. [Pref. peri- + root of Gr. &?; to sprout.] (Bot.) Nascent cortex, or immature cellular bark.

||Pe*rib"o*los (?), n. [Nl., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, adj., going round, fr. &?; to throw round; cf. L. peribolus.] In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one surrounding a temple.

Per`i*bran"chi*al (?), a. (Anat.) Surrounding the branchiæ; as, a peribranchial cavity.

Per`i*bran"chi*al (?), a. (Anat.) Around the bronchi or bronchial tubes; as, the peribronchial lymphatics.

||Per`i*cam"bi*um (?), n. [NL. See Peri-, and Cambium.] (Biol.) A layer of thin-walled young cells in a growing stem, in which layer certain new vessels originate.

{ Per`i*car"di*ac (?), Per`i*car"di*al (?), } a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to pericardium; situated around the heart.

Pericardial fluid (Physiol.), a serous fluid of a pale yellow color contained in the pericardium.

||Per`i*car*di"tus (?), n. [NL. See Pericardium, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the pericardium. Dunglison.

Per`i*car"di*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; about or near the heart; &?; about + &?; heart.] (Anat.) The double baglike fold of serous membrane which incloses the heart.

The inner layer is closely adherent to the outer surface of the heart, and is called the cardiac pericardium. The outer layer loosely incloses the heart and the adherent inner layer, and is called the parietal pericardium. At the base of the heart the two layers are continuous, and form a narrow closed cavity filled with fluid, in which the pulsations of the heart cause little friction.

Per"i*carp (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; fruit: cf. F. péricarpe.] (Bot.) The ripened ovary; the walls of the fruit. See Illusts. of Capsule, Drupe, and Legume.

{ Per`i*car"pi*al (?), Per`i*car"pic (?) }, a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a pericarp.

Per`i*cel"lu*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Surrounding a cell; as, the pericellular lymph spaces surrounding ganglion cells.

Per"i*chæth (?), n. [See Perichætium.] (Bot.) The leafy involucre surrounding the fruit stalk of mosses; perichætium; perichete.

||Per`i*chæ"ti*um (?), n.; pl. Perichætia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?; flowing hair, foliage.] (Bot.) Same as Perichæth.

Per`i*chæ"tous (?), a. [See Perichætium.] (Zoöl.) Surrounded by setæ; -- said of certain earthworms (genus Perichætus).

Per`i*chon"dri*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the perichondrium; situated around cartilage.

||Per`i*chon*dri"tis (?), n. [NL. See Perichondrium, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the perichondrium.

||Per`i*chon"dri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; around + &?; cartilage.] (Anat.) The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests cartilage, except where covering articular surfaces.

Per`i*chor"dal (?), a. Around the notochord; as, a perichordal column. See Epichordal.

{ Per"i*clase (?), Per`i*cla"site (?), } n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; to break.] (Min.) A grayish or dark green mineral, consisting essentially of magnesia (magnesium oxide), occurring in granular forms or in isometric crystals.

||Per`i*clin"i*um (?), n.; pl. Periclinia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; around + &?; a bed.] (Bot.) The involucre which surrounds the common receptacle in composite flowers.

Pe*ric"li*tate (?), v. t. [L. periclitatus, p. p. of periclitari, fr. periculum.] To endanger. [Obs.]

Pe*ric`li*ta"tion (?), n. [L. periclitatio: cf. F. périclitation.] 1. Trial; experiment. [Obs.]

||Pe*ric"o*pe (?), n. [L., section of a book, Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; to cut.] A selection or extract from a book; especially (Theol.), a selection from the Bible, appointed to be read in the churches or used as a text for a sermon.

Per`i*cra"ni*um (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The periosteum which covers the cranium externally; the region around the cranium.

Pe*ric"u*lous (?), a. [L. periculosus. See Perilous.] Dangerous; full of peril. [Obs.]

||Pe*ric"u*lum (?), n.; pl. Pericula (#). [L.] (Rom. & O.Eng. Law) 1. Danger; risk.

2. In a narrower, judicial sense: Accident or casus, as distinguished from dolus and culpa, and hence relieving one from the duty of performing an obligation.

2. (Zoöl.) The hard outer covering of hydroids and other marine animals; the perisarc.

||Per`i*di*as"to*le (?), n. (Physiol.) The almost inappreciable time which elapses between the systole and the diastole of the heart.

||Pe*rid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Peridia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?;, a dim. ending.] (Bot.) The envelope or coat of certain fungi, such as the puffballs and earthstars.

Per"i*do*tite (?), n. [Cf. F. péridotite.] (Min.) An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite (peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite, chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.

The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a more or less altered peridotite.

Per"i*drome (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; running around, fr. &?; to run round; &?; round + &?; to run: cf. F. péridrome.] (Archæol.) The space between the columns and the wall of the cella, in a Greek or a Roman temple.

||Per`i*en"te*ron (?), n. [NL. See Peri-, and Enteron.] (Anat.) The primitive perivisceral cavity.

Per"i*er`gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; overcareful; &?; about, beyond + &?; work.] 1. Excessive care or diligence. [Obs.]

Per`i*gan`gli*on"ic (?), a. (Anat.) Surrounding a ganglion; as, the periganglionic glands of the frog.

Per`i*gas"tric (?), a. (Zoöl.) Surrounding the stomach; -- applied to the body cavity of Bryozoa and various other Invertebrata.

Perigean tides, those spring tides which occur soon after the moon passes her perigee.

{ Per"i*gee (?), Per`i*ge"um (?), } n. [NL. perigeum, fr. Gr. &?; about, near + &?; the earth: cf. F. périgée.] (Astron.) That point in the orbit of the moon which is nearest to the earth; -- opposed to apogee. It is sometimes, but rarely, used of the nearest points of other orbits, as of a comet, a planet, etc. Called also epigee, epigeum.

Per`i*gen"e*sis (?), n. (Biol.) A theory which explains inheritance by the transmission of the type of growth force possessed by one generation to another.

Per"i*gone (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; productive organs.] 1. (Bot.) (a) Any organ inclosing the essential organs of a flower; a perianth. (b) In mosses, the involucral bracts of a male flower.

2. (Zoöl.) A sac which surrounds the generative bodies in the gonophore of a hydroid.

Per"i*gord pie` (?). [From Périgord, a former province of France.] A pie made of truffles, much esteemed by epicures.

Per"i*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; outline; &?; round, about + &?; to write.] A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything. [R.]

||Per`i*gyn"i*um (?), n.; pl. Perigynia (#). [NL. See Perigynous.] (Bot.) Some unusual appendage about the pistil, as the bottle-shaped body in the sedges, and the bristles or scales in some other genera of the Sedge family, or Cyperaceæ.

Pe*rig"y*nous (?), a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; woman.] (Bot.) Having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on the calyx; -- said of flower such as that of the cherry or peach.

{ Per`i*hel"ion (?), Per`i*he"li*um (?), } n.; pl. Perihelia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about, near + &?; the sun.] (Astron.) That point of the orbit of a planet or comet which is nearest to the sun; -- opposed to aphelion.

Per"il (?), n. [F. péril, fr. L. periculum, periclum, akin to peritus experienced, skilled, and E. fare. See Fare, and cf. Experience.] Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or property to injury, loss, or destruction.

At, or On, one's peril, with risk or danger to one; at the hazard of. "On thy soul's peril." Shak.

Per"il, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Periled (?) or Perilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Periling or Perilling.] To expose to danger; to hazard; to risk; as, to peril one's life.

||Pe*ril"la (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.) A genus of labiate herbs, of which one species (Perilla ocimoides, or P. Nankinensis) is often cultivated for its purple or variegated foliage.

Per"il*ous (?), a. [OF. perillous, perilleus, F. périlleux, L. periculosus. See Peril.] [Written also perillous.] 1. Full of, attended with, or involving, peril; dangerous; hazardous; as, a perilous undertaking.

Per"i*lymph (?), n. (Anat.) The fluid which surrounds the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear, and separates it from the walls of the chambers in which the labyrinth lies.

Per`i*lym*phan"gi*al (?), a. (Anat.) Around, or at the side of, a lymphatic vessel.

Per`i*lym*phat"ic (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, or containing, perilymph. (b) Perilymphangial.

Per*im"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; measure: cf. F. périmètre.] 1. (Geom.) The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides.

{ Per`i*met"ric (?), Per`i*met"ric*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the perimeter, or to perimetry; as, a perimetric chart of the eye.

Per*im"e*try (?), n. The art of using the perimeter; measurement of the field of vision.

Per"i*morph (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; form.] (Min.) A crystal of one species inclosing one of another species. See Endomorph.

Per`i*my"sial (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Surrounding a muscle or muscles. (b) Of or pertaining to the perimysium.

||Per`i*my"si*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?; muscle.] (Anat.) The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a muscle, and sends partitions inwards between the bundles of muscular fibers.

Per`i*ne"o*plas`ty (?), n. [Perineum + -plasty.] (Med.) The act or process of restoring an injured perineum.

Per`i*ne*or"rha*phy (?), n. [Perineum + Gr. &?; to sew.] (Med.) The operation of sewing up a ruptured perineum.

||Per`i*ne*phri"tis (?), n. [NL. See Peri-, and Nephritis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the cellular tissue around the kidney. -- Per`i*ne*phrit"ic, a.

||Per`i*ne"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Anat.) The region which is included within the outlet of the pelvis, and is traversed by the urinogenital canal and the rectum.

Per`i*neu"ri*al (?), a. (Anat.) Surrounding nerves or nerve fibers; of or pertaining to the perineurium.

||Per`i*neu"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?; a nerve.] (Anat.) The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a bundle of nerve fibers. See Epineurium, and Neurilemma.

Per`i*nu"cle*ar (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a nucleus; situated around a nucleus; as, the perinuclear protoplasm.

Pe"ri*od (?), n. [L. periodus, Gr. &?; a going round, a way round, a circumference, a period of time; &?; round, about + &?; a way: cf. F. période.] 1. A portion of time as limited and determined by some recurring phenomenon, as by the completion of a revolution of one of the heavenly bodies; a division of time, as a series of years, months, or days, in which something is completed, and ready to recommence and go on in the same order; as, the period of the sun, or the earth, or a comet.

2. Hence: A stated and recurring interval of time; more generally, an interval of time specified or left indefinite; a certain series of years, months, days, or the like; a time; a cycle; an age; an epoch; as, the period of the Roman republic.

3. (Geol.) One of the great divisions of geological time; as, the Tertiary period; the Glacial period. See the Chart of Geology.

4. The termination or completion of a revolution, cycle, series of events, single event, or act; hence, a limit; a bound; an end; a conclusion. Bacon.

5. (Rhet.) A complete sentence, from one full stop to another; esp., a well-proportioned, harmonious sentence. "Devolved his rounded periods." Tennyson.

The period, according to Heyse, is a compound sentence consisting of a protasis and apodosis; according to Becker, it is the appropriate form for the coördinate propositions related by antithesis or causality. Gibbs.

6. (Print.) The punctuation point [.] that marks the end of a complete sentence, or of an abbreviated word.

7. (Math.) One of several similar sets of figures or terms usually marked by points or commas placed at regular intervals, as in numeration, in the extraction of roots, and in circulating decimals.

8. (Med.) The time of the exacerbation and remission of a disease, or of the paroxysm and intermission.

The period, the present or current time, as distinguished from all other times.

Syn. -- Time; date; epoch; era; age; duration; limit; bound; end; conclusion; determination.

Pe"ri*od, v. i. To come to a period; to conclude. [Obs.] "You may period upon this, that," etc. Felthman.

Per`i*od"ic (?), a. [Pref. per- + iodic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HIO&?;) of iodine.

{ Pe`ri*od"ic (?), Pe`ri*od"ic*al (?), } a. [L. periodicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. périodique.] 1. Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by periods.

2. Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical motion of the planets round the sun.

3. Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning regularly, after a certain period of time; acting, happening, or appearing, at fixed intervals; recurring; as, periodical epidemics.

Periodic comet (Astron.), a comet that moves about the sun in an elliptic orbit; a comet that has been seen at two of its approaches to the sun. -- Periodic function (Math.), a function whose values recur at fixed intervals as the variable uniformly increases. The trigonomertic functions, as sin x, tan x, etc., are periodic functions. Exponential functions are also periodic, having an imaginary period, and the elliptic functions have not only a real but an imaginary period, and are hence called doubly periodic. -- Periodic law (Chem.), the generalization that the properties of the chemical elements are periodic functions of their atomic wieghts. "In other words, if the elements are grouped in the order of their atomic weights, it will be found that nearly the same properties recur periodically throughout the entire series." The following tabular arrangement of the atomic weights shows the regular recurrence of groups (under I., II., III., IV., etc.), each consisting of members of the same natural family. The gaps in the table indicate the probable existence of unknown elements.

A similar relation had been enunciated in a crude way by Newlands; but the law in its effective form was developed and elaborated by Mendelejeff, whence it is sometimes called Mendelejeff's law. Important extensions of it were also made by L. Meyer. By this means Mendelejeff predicted with remarkable accuracy the hypothetical elements ekaboron, ekaluminium, and ekasilicon, afterwards discovered and named respectively scandium, gallium, and germanium.

-- Periodic star (Astron.), a variable star whose changes of brightness recur at fixed periods. -- Periodic time of a heavenly body (Astron.), the time of a complete revolution of the body about the sun, or of a satellite about its primary.

Pe`ri*od"ic*al, n. A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or regular intervals.

Pe`ri*o*dic"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Periodicities (#). [Cf. F. périodicité.] The quality or state of being periodical, or regularly recurrent; as, the periodicity in the vital phenomena of plants. Henfrey.

Per*i"o*dide (?), n. [Pref. per- + iodide.] An iodide containing a higher proportion of iodine than any other iodide of the same substance or series.

Per`i*o*don"tal (?), a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?;, &?;, tooth.] (Anat.) Surrounding the teeth.

Pe`ri*od"o*scope (?), n. [Period + -scope.] (Med.) A table or other means for calculating the periodical functions of women. Dunglison.

{ ||Per`i*œ"ci, Per`i*œ"cians, } n. pl. [NL. perioeci, fr. Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; house, dwelling.] Those who live on the same parallel of latitude but on opposite meridians, so that it is noon in one place when it is midnight in the other. Compare Antœci.

Per"i*o*ple (?), n. [F. périople, from Gr. &?; about + &?; the hoof of a horse.] (Anat.) The external smooth horny layer of the hoof of the horse and allied animals.

Per`i*op"lic (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the periople; connected with the periople.

Per`i*os"te*al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated around bone; of or pertaining to the periosteum.

||Per`i*os"te*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; round the bones; &?; around + &?; a bone: cf. L. periosteon.] (Anat.) The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.

||Per`i*os*ti"tis (?), n. [NL. See Periosteum, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the periosteum.

||Per`i*os"tra*cum (?), n.; pl. Periostraca (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; around + &?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) A chitinous membrane covering the exterior of many shells; -- called also epidermis.

Per`i*o"tic (?), a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the ear.] (Anat.) Surrounding, or pertaining to the region surrounding, the internal ear; as, the periotic capsule. -- n. A periotic bone.

Per`i*pa*tet"ic (?), a. [L. peripateticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to walk about; &?; about + &?; to walk: cf. F. péripatétique.] 1. Walking about; itinerant.

2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers. "The true peripatetic school." Howell.

Per`i*pa*tet"ic, n. 1. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant. Tatler.

Per`i*pa*tet"i*cism (?), n. [Cf. F. péripatétisme.] The doctrines or philosophical system of the peripatetics. See Peripatetic, n., 2. Lond. Sat. Rev.

||Pe*rip"a*tus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a walking about.] (Zoöl.) A genus of lowly organized arthropods, found in South Africa, Australia, and tropical America. It constitutes the order Malacopoda.

Pe*riph"er*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery; peripheric.

2. (Anat.) External; away from the center; as, the peripheral portion of the nervous system.

{ Per`i*pher"ic (?), Per`i*pher"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. périphérique. See Periphery.] See Peripheral.

Pe*riph"er*y (?), n.; pl. Peripheries (#). [L. peripheria, Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; to bear, carry: cf. F. périphérie.] 1. The outside or superficial portions of a body; the surface.

Per"i*phrase (?), n. [L. periphrasis, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to think about, to be expressed periphrastically; &?; + &?; to speak: cf. F. périphrase. See Phrase.] (Rhet.) The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. "To describe by enigmatic periphrases." De Quincey.

Per"i*phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Periphrased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Periphrasing.] [Cf. F. périphraser.] To express by periphrase or circumlocution.

{ Per`i*phras"tic (?), Per`i*phras"tic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. périphrastique.] Expressing, or expressed, in more words than are necessary; characterized by periphrase; circumlocutory.

Periphrastic conjugation (Gram.), a conjugation formed by the use of the simple verb with one or more auxiliaries.

Per"i*plast (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; to mold, form.] (Biol.) Same as Periblast. -- Per`i*plas"tic (#), a. Huxley.

{ ||Per`ip*neu*mo"ni*a (?), Per`ip*neu"mo*ny (?), } n. [L. peripneumonia, Gr. &?;: cf. F. péripneumonie. See Peri-, Pneumonia.] (Med.) Pneumonia. (Obsoles.)

Per`ip*neu*mon"ic (?), a. [L. peripneumonicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. péripneumonique.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to peripneumonia.

Per"i*proct (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; the anus.] (Zoöl.) The region surrounding the anus, particularly of echinoderms.

||Per`i*proc*ti"tis (?), n. [NL. See Peri-, and Proctitus.] (Med.) Inflammation of the tissues about the rectum.

Pe*rip"ter*al (?), a. [Gr., fr. &?; + &?; feather, wing, row of columns.] (Arch.) Having columns on all sides; -- said of an edifice. See Apteral.

Per"i*sarc (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?;, &?;, flesh.] (Zoöl.) The outer, hardened integument which covers most hydroids.

Pe*ris"cian (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; shadow: cf. F. périscien.] Having the shadow moving all around.

{ Pe*ris"cians (?), ||Pe*ris"ci*i (?), } n. pl. [NL. See Periscian.] Those who live within a polar circle, whose shadows, during some summer days, will move entirely round, falling toward every point of the compass.

Per"i*scope (?), n. [Pref. peri- + -scope.] A general or comprehensive view. [R.]

Per`i*scop"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. périscopique.] Viewing all around, or on all sides.

Periscopic spectacles (Opt.), spectacles having concavo-convex or convexo-concave lenses with a considerable curvature corresponding to that of the eye, to increase the distinctness of objects viewed obliquely.

Per"ish (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perishing.] [OE. perissen, perisshen, F. périr, p. pr. périssant, L. perire to go or run through, come to nothing, perish; per through + ire to go. Cf. Issue, and see -ish.] To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost; to die; hence, to wither; to waste away.

Per"ish*a*ble (?), a. [F. périssable.] Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.

Per"ish*a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being perishable; liability to decay or destruction. Locke.

Per"ish*ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. perissement.] The act of perishing. [R.] Udall.

||Per`i*so"ma (?), n.; pl. Perisomata (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Perisome.

Per"i*some (?), n. [Pref. peri- + -some body.] (Zoöl.) The entire covering of an invertebrate animal, as echinoderm or cœlenterate; the integument.

Per"i*sperm (?), n. [F. périsperme. See Peri-, and Sperm.] (Bot.) The albumen of a seed, especially that portion which is formed outside of the embryo sac. -- Per`i*sper"mic (#), a.

||Per`i*spom"e*non (?), n.; pl. Perispomena (#). [NL., from Gr. &?;, pr. pass. p. of &?; to draw around, to circumflex; &?; around + &?; to draw.] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the circumflex accent on the last syllable. Goodwin.

Per"is*sad (?), a. [Gr. &?; odd, from &?; over.] (Chem.) Odd; not even; -- said of elementary substances and of radicals whose valence is not divisible by two without a remainder. Contrasted with artiad.

||Per`is*so*dac"ty*la (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; odd (fr. &?; over) + &?; finger.] (Zoöl.) A division of ungulate mammals, including those that have an odd number of toes, as the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros; -- opposed to Artiodactyla.

Per`is*so*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. périssologique.] Redundant or excessive in words. [R.]

Per`is*sol"o*gy (?), n. [L. perissologia, Gr. &?;; &?; odd, superfluous + &?; discourse.] Superfluity of words. [R.] G. Campbell.

||Per`i*stal"sis (?), n. [NL. See Peristaltic.] (Physiol.) Peristaltic contraction or action.

Per`i*stal"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; clasping and compressing, fr. &?; to surround, wrap up; &?; round + &?; to place, arrange: cf. F. péristaltique.] (Physiol.) Applied to the peculiar wormlike wave motion of the intestines and other similar structures, produced by the successive contraction of the muscular fibers of their walls, forcing their contents onwards; as, peristaltic movement. -- Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly (#), adv.

||Per`is*te"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See Peristerion.] (Bot.) A genus of orchidaceous plants. See Dove plant.

||Per`is*te"ri*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a dovecote, a kind of verbena, fr. &?; a dove, pigeon; cf. L. peristereon.] (Bot.) The herb vervain (Verbena officinalis).

Pe*ris"ter*ite (?), n. [Gr. &?; a pigeon.] (Min.) A variety of albite, whitish and slightly iridescent like a pigeon's neck.

Pe*ris`ter*o*mor"phous (?), a. [Gr. &?; a pigeon + -morphous.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the pigeons or Columbæ.

Pe*ris`ter*op"o*dous (?), a. [Gr. &?; a pigeon + &?;, &?;, foot.] (Zoöl.) Having pigeonlike feet; -- said of those gallinaceous birds that rest on all four toes, as the curassows and megapods.

Pe*ris"to*le (?), n. [NL.: cf. F. péristole. See Peristaltic.] (Physiol.) Peristaltic action, especially of the intestines.

Per"i*stome (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?;, &?;, mouth.] 1. (Bot.) The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell. (b) The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal.

Per`i*streph"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to turn round.] Turning around; rotatory; revolving; as, a peristrephic painting (of a panorama).

Per"i*style (?), n. [L. peristylum, Gr. &?;, &?;; &?; about + &?; a column: cf. F. péristyle.] (Arch.) A range of columns with their entablature, etc.; specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade.

Per`i*sys"to*le (?), n. [Pref. peri- + systole: cf. F. périsystole.] (Physiol.) The interval between the diastole and systole of the heart. It is perceptible only in the dying.

||Per`i*the"ci*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; around + &?; box.] (Bot.) An organ in certain fungi and lichens, surrounding and enveloping the masses of fructification. Henslow.

Pe*rit"o*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; cut off all around. See Peri-, and Tome.] (Min.) Cleaving in more directions than one, parallel to the axis.

Per`i*to*ne"al (?), a. [Cf. F. péritonéal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the peritoneum.

Per`i*to*ne"um (?), n. [L. peritoneum, peritonaeum, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to stretch all around or over; &?; around + &?; to stretch.] (Anat.) The smooth serous membrane which lines the cavity of the abdomen, or the whole body cavity when there is no diaphragm, and, turning back, surrounds the viscera, forming a closed, or nearly closed, sac. [Written also peritonæum.]

||Per`i*to*ni"tis (?), n. [NL. See Peritoneum, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the peritoneum.

Per"i*treme (?), n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. &?; a hole.] (Zoöl.) (a) That part of the integument of an insect which surrounds the spiracles. (b) The edge of the aperture of a univalve shell.

||Pe*rit"ri*cha (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; about + &?;, &?;, hair.] (Zoöl.) A division of ciliated Infusoria having a circle of cilia around the oral disk and sometimes another around the body. It includes the vorticellas. See Vorticella.

||Per`i*tro"chi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; around + &?; a wheel.] (Mech.) The wheel which, together with the axle, forms the axis in peritrochio, which see under Axis.

Per*it"ro*pal (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to turn around; &?; around + &?; to turn: cf. F. péritrope.] 1. Rotatory; circuitous. [R.]

2. Having the axis of the seed perpendicular to the axis of the pericarp to which it is attached.

||Per`i*typh*li"tis (?), n. [NL. See Peri-, and Typhlitis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the connective tissue about the cæcum.

Per`i*vas"cu*lar (?), a. Around the blood vessels; as, perivascular lymphatics.

Per`i*vis"cer*al (?), a. (Anat.) Around the viscera; as, the perivisceral cavity.

Per`i*vi*tel"line (?), a. [Pref. peri- + vitelline.] (Biol.) Situated around the vitellus, or between the vitellus and zona pellucida of an ovum.

Per"i*wig (?), n. [OE. perrwige, perwicke, corrupt. fr. F. perruque; cf. OD. peruyk, from French. See Peruke, and cf. Wig.] A headdress of false hair, usually covering the whole head, and representing the natural hair; a wig. Shak.

Per"i*wig, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perwigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perwigging (?).] To dress with a periwig, or with false hair. Swift.

Per"i*win`kle (?), n. [From AS. pinewincla a shellfish, in which pine- is fr. L. pina, pinna, a kind of mussel, akin to Gr. &?;. Cf. Winkle.] (Zoöl.) Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See Littorina.

In America the name is often applied to several large univalves, as Fulgur carica, and F. canaliculata.

Per"i*win`kle, n. [OE. pervenke, AS. pervince, fr. L. pervinca.] (Bot.) A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.

The common perwinkle (Vinca minor) has opposite evergreen leaves and solitary blue or white flowers in their axils. In America it is often miscalled myrtle. See under Myrtle.

Per"jure (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perjured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perjuring.] [F. parjurer, L. perjurare, perjerare; per through, over + jurare to swear. See Jury.] 1. To cause to violate an oath or a vow; to cause to make oath knowingly to what is untrue; to make guilty of perjury; to forswear; to corrupt; -- often used reflexively; as, he perjured himself.

Syn. -- To Perjure, Forswear. These words have been used interchangeably; but there is a tendency to restrict perjure to that species of forswearing which constitutes the crime of perjury at law, namely, the willful violation of an oath administered by a magistrate or according to law.

Per"jure, n. [L. perjurus: cf. OF. parjur, F. parjure.] A perjured person. [Obs.] Shak.

Per"jured (?), a. Guilty of perjury; having sworn falsely; forsworn. Shak. "Perjured persons." 1 Tim. i. 10. "Their perjured oath." Spenser.

Per"jur*er (?), n. One who is guilty of perjury; one who perjures or forswears, in any sense.

{ Per*ju"ri*ous (?), Per"ju*rous (?), } a. [L. perjuriosus, perjurus.] Guilty of perjury; containing perjury. [Obs.] Quarles. B. Johnson.

Per"ju*ry (?), n.; pl. Perjuries (#). [L. perjurium. See Perjure, v.] 1. False swearing.

2. (Law) At common law, a willfully false statement in a fact material to the issue, made by a witness under oath in a competent judicial proceeding. By statute the penalties of perjury are imposed on the making of willfully false affirmations.

If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the United States.

Perk (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perking.] [Cf. W. percu to trim, to make smart.] To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up one's head. Cowper. Sherburne.

Perk, v. i. To exalt one's self; to bear one's self loftily. "To perk over them." Barrow.

Per"kin*ism (?), n. (Med.) A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part; tractoration, -- first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of Norwich, Conn. See Metallotherapy.

Per"lid (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any insect of the genus Perla, or family Perlidæ. See Stone fly, under Stone.

Per*lit"ic (?), a. (Min.) Relating to or resembling perlite, or pearlstone; as, the perlitic structure of certain rocks. See Pearlite.

Per`lus*tra"tion (?), n. [L. perlustrare to wander all through, to survey. See 3d Luster.] The act of viewing all over. [Archaic] Howell.

{ Per"ma*nence (?), Per"ma*nen*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. permanence.] The quality or state of being permanent; continuance in the same state or place; duration; fixedness; as, the permanence of institutions; the permanence of nature.

Per"ma*nent (?), a. [L. permanens, -entis, p. pr. of permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere to remain: cf. F. permanent. See Per-, and Mansion.] Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression.

Permanent gases (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called incondensible or incoercible gases, before their liquefaction in 1877. -- Permanent way, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished railway; -- so called in distinction from the contractor's temporary way. -- Permanent white (Chem.), barium sulphate (heavy spar), used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the formation of the sulphide.

Potassium permanganate. (Chem.) See Potassium permanganate, under Potassium.

Per`man*gan"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, one of the higher acids of manganese, HMnO₄, which forms salts called permanganates.

Per*man"sion (?), n. [L. permansio. See Permanent.] Continuance. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Per`me*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. perméabilité.] The quality or state of being permeable.

Magnetic permeability (Physics), the specific capacity of a body for magnetic induction, or its conducting power for lines of magnetic force. Sir W. Thomson.

Per"me*a*ble (?), a. [L. permeabilis: cf. F. perméable. See Permeate.] Capable of being permeated, or passed through; yielding passage; passable; penetrable; -- used especially of substances which allow the passage of fluids; as, wood is permeable to oil; glass is permeable to light. I. Taylor.

Per"me*ant (?), a. [L. permeans, p. pr.] Passing through; permeating. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Per"me*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Permeated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Permeating.] [L. permeatus, p. p. of permeare to permeate; per + meare to go, pass.] 1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand. Woodward.

Per`me*a"tion (?), n. The act of permeating, passing through, or spreading throughout, the pores or interstices of any substance.

Per"mi*an (?), a. [From the ancient kingdom of Permia, where the Permian formation exists.] (Geol.) Belonging or relating to the period, and also to the formation, next following the Carboniferous, and regarded as closing the Carboniferous age and Paleozoic era. -- n. The Permian period. See Chart of Geology.

Per"mi*ans (?), n. pl.; sing. Permian (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe belonging to the Finnic race, and inhabiting a portion of Russia.

Per*mis"ci*ble (?), a. [L. permiscere to mingle; per + miscere to mix.] Capable of being mixed.

Per*miss" (?), n. [See Permit.] A permitted choice; a rhetorical figure in which a thing is committed to the decision of one's opponent. [Obs.] Milton.

Per*mis`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being permissible; permissibleness; allowableness.

Per*mis"si*ble (?), a. That may be permitted; allowable; admissible. -- Per*mis"si*ble*ness, n. -- Per*mis"si*bly, adv.

Per*mis"sion (?), n. [L. permissio: cf. F. permission. See Permit.] The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent; authorization; leave; license or liberty granted.

Syn. -- Leave; liberty; license. -- Leave, Permission. Leave implies that the recipient may decide whether to use the license granted or not. Permission is the absence on the part of another of anything preventive, and in general, at least by implication, signifies approval.

Per*mis"sive (?), a. 1. Permitting; granting leave or liberty. "By his permissive will." Milton.

Per*mis"tion (?), n. [L. permistio, permixtio, fr. permiscere, permistum, and permixtum. See Permiscible.] The act of mixing; the state of being mingled; mixture. [Written also permixtion.]

Per*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Permitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Permitting.] [L. permittere, permissum, to let through, to allow, permit; per + mittere to let go, send. See Per-, and Mission.] 1. To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with.

2. To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive.

Syn. -- To allow; let; grant; admit; suffer; tolerate; endure; consent to. -- To Allow, Permit, Suffer, Tolerate. To allow is more positive, denoting (at least originally and etymologically) a decided assent, either directly or by implication. To permit is more negative, and imports only acquiescence or an abstinence from prevention. The distinction, however, is often disregarded by good writers. To suffer has a stronger passive or negative sense than to permit, sometimes implying against the will, sometimes mere indifference. To tolerate is to endure what is contrary to will or desire. To suffer and to tolerate are sometimes used without discrimination.

Per"mit (?), n. Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.

Per*mit"tance (?), n. The act of permitting; allowance; permission; leave. Milton.

Per*mut"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. permutable.] Capable of being permuted; exchangeable. -- Per*mut"a*ble*ness, n. -- Per*mut"a*bly, adv.

Per`mu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. permutatio: cf. F. permutation. See Permute.] 1. The act of permuting; exchange of the thing for another; mutual transference; interchange.

2. (Math.) (a) The arrangement of any determinate number of things, as units, objects, letters, etc., in all possible orders, one after the other; -- called also alternation. Cf. Combination, n., 4. (b) Any one of such possible arrangements.

Permutation lock, a lock in which the parts can be transposed or shifted, so as to require different arrangements of the tumblers on different occasions of unlocking.

Per*mute" (?), v. t. [L. permutare, permutatum; per + mutare to change: cf. F. permuter.] 1. To interchange; to transfer reciprocally.

Pern (?), v. t. [See Pernancy.] To take profit of; to make profitable. [Obs.] Sylvester.

Per"nan*cy (?), n. [OF. prenance, fr. prendre, prenre, penre, to take, L. prendere, prehendere.] (Law) A taking or reception, as the receiving of rents or tithes in kind, the receiving of profits. Blackstone.

Per*ni"cion (?), n. [See 2d Pernicious.] Destruction; perdition. [Obs.] hudibras.

Per*ni"cious (?), a. [L. pernix, -icis.] Quick; swift (to burn). [R.] Milton.

Per*ni"cious, a. [L. perniciosus, from pernicies destruction, from pernecare to kill or slay outright; per + necare to kill, slay: cf. F. pernicieux. Cf. Nuisance, Necromancy.] Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.

Syn. -- Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious; baneful; deleterious; hurtful; mischievous.

Per*nic"i*ty (?), n. [L. pernicitas. See 1st Pernicious.] Swiftness; celerity. [R.] Ray.

Per`noc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. pernoctatio, fr. pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox, noctis, night.] The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all night. "Pernoctation in prayer." Jer. Taylor.

Per"nor (?), n. [See Pern, v.] (Law) One who receives the profits, as of an estate.

Per"not fur"nace (?). [So called from Charles Pernot, its inventor.] A reverberatory furnace with a circular revolving hearth, -- used in making steel.

Per"ny*i moth" (?). (Zoöl.) A silk- producing moth (Attacus Pernyi) which feeds upon the oak. It has been introduced into Europe and America from China.

Per*of"skite (?), n. [From von Perovski, of St.Petersburg.] (Min.) A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals. [Written also Perovskite.]

Per"o*nate (?), a. [L. peronatus rough&?;booted, fr. pero, -onis, a kind of rough boot.] (Bot.) A term applied to the stipes or stalks of certain fungi which are covered with a woolly substance which at length becomes powdery. Henslow.

Per`o*ne"al (?), a. [Gr. &?; the fibula.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the fibula; in the region of the fibula.

Per"o*rate (?), v. i. [See Peroration.] To make a peroration; to harangue. [Colloq.]

Per`o*ra"tion (?), n. [L. peroratio, fr. perorate, peroratum, to speak from beginning to end; per + orate to speak. See Per-, and Oration.] (Rhet.) The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument. Burke.

Per*ox`i*da"tion (?), n. Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a peroxide.

Per*ox"ide (?), n. (Chem.) An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest oxides. Cf. Per-, 2.

Per*ox"i*dize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peroxidized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peroxidizing.] (Chem.) To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.

Per*pend" (?), v. t. [L. perpendere, perpensum; per + pendere to weight.] To weight carefully in the mind. [R.] "Perpend my words." Shak.

Per*pend"er (?), n. [F. parpaing, pierre parpaigne; of uncertain origin.] (Masonry) A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; -- called also perbend, perpend stone, and perpent stone.

Per*pen"di*cle (?), n. [L. perpendiculum; per + pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule.] Something hanging straight down; a plumb line. [Obs.]

Per`pen*dic"u*lar (?), a. [L. perpendicularis, perpendicularius: cf. F. perpendiculaire. See Perpendicle, Pension.] 1. Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.

2. (Geom.) At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc.

Perpendicular style (Arch.), a name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions.

Per`pen*dic"u*lar (?), n. 1. A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.

2. (Geom.) A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.

Per`pen*dic`u*lar"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. perpendicularité.] The quality or state of being perpendicular.

Per*pen"sion (?), n. [See Perpend.] Careful consideration; pondering. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Per*pes"sion (?), n. [L. perpessio, fr. perpeti, perpessus, to bear steadfastly; per + pati to bear.] Suffering; endurance. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Per"pe*trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perpetrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetrating.] [L. perpetratus, p. p. of perpetrare to effect, perpetrare; per + patrare to perform.] To do or perform; to carry through; to execute, commonly in a bad sense; to commit (as a crime, an offense); to be guilty of; as, to perpetrate a foul deed.

Per`pe*tra"tion (?), n. [L. perpetratio: cf. F. perpétration.] 1. The act of perpetrating; a doing; -- commonly used of doing something wrong, as a crime.

Per"pe*tra`tor (?), n. [L.] One who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offense or crime.

Per*pet"u*al (?), a. [OE. perpetuel, F. perpétuel, fr. L. perpetualis, fr. perpetuus continuing throughout, continuous, fr. perpes, -etis, lasting throughout.] Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous.

Circle of perpetual apparition, or occultation. See under Circle. -- Perpetual calendar, a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year. -- Perpetual curacy (Ch. of Eng.), a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. Blackstone. -- Perpetual motion. See under Motion. -- Perpetual screw. See Endless screw, under Screw.

Syn. -- Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant; constant; eternal. See Constant.

Per*pet"u*al*ty (?), n. The state or condition of being perpetual. [Obs.] Testament of Love.

Per*pet"u*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perpetuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetuating.] [L. perpetuatus, p. p. of perpetuare to perpetuate. See Perpetual.] To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued, indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to eternize. Addison. Burke.

Per*pet"u*ate (?), a. [L. perpetuatus, p. p.] Made perpetual; perpetuated. [R.] Southey.

Per*pet`u*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perpétuation.] The act of making perpetual, or of preserving from extinction through an endless existence, or for an indefinite period of time; continuance. Sir T. Browne.

Per`pe*tu"i*ty (?), n. [L. perpetuitas: cf. F. perpétuité.] 1. The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the perpetuity of laws. Bacon.

3. Endless time. "And yet we should, for perpetuity, go hence in debt." Shak.

4. (Annuities) (a) The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum becomes equal to the principal. (b) The number of years' purchase to be given for an annuity to continue forever. (c) A perpetual annuity.

5. (Law) (a) Duration without limitations as to time. (b) The quality or condition of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very long period; also, the estate itself so modified or perpetuated.

Per*plex" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perplexed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perplexing.] [L. perplexari. See Perplex, a.] 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts.

2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. "Perplexd beyond self-explication." Shak.

Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass.

Per*plex", a. [L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per + plectere, plexum, to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe. See Per-, and Plait.] Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] Glanvill.

Per*plexed" (?), a. Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled; doubtful; anxious. -- Per*plex"ed*ly (#), adv. -- Per*plex"ed*ness, n.

Per*plex"ing (?), a. Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. "Perplexing thoughts." Milton.

Per*plex"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Perplexities (#). [L. perplexitas: cf. F. perplexité.] The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt.

Per*plex"ive*ness (?), n. The quality of being perplexing; tendency to perplex. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Per`po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. perpotatio, fr. perpotate. See Per-, and Potation.] The act of drinking excessively; a drinking bout. [Obs.]

Per"qui*site (?), n. [L. perquisitum, fr. perquisitus, p. p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to seek. See Per-, and Quest.] 1. Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service.

2. pl. (Law) Things gotten by a man's own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent. Mozley & W.

Per"qui*sit*ed, a. Supplied with perquisites. [Obs.] "Perquisited varlets frequent stand." Savage.

Per`qui*si"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perquisition.] A thorough inquiry of search. [R.] Berkeley.

Per*ra"di*al (?), a. (Zoöl.) Situated around the radii, or radial tubes, of a radiate.

Per"rie (?), n. [F. pierreries, pl., fr. pierre stone, L. petra.] Precious stones; jewels. [Obs.] [Written also perre, perrye, etc.] Chaucer.

Per"ri*er (?), n. [OF. perriere, perrier, F. perrier. Cf. Pederero.] (Mil.) A short mortar used formerly for throwing stone shot. Hakluyt.

Per"ry (?), n. [OF. peré, F. poiré, fr. poire a pear, L. pirum. See Pear the fruit.] A fermented liquor made from pears; pear cider. Mortimer.

Pers (?), a. [F. pers.] Light blue; grayish blue; -- a term applied to different shades at different periods. -- n. A cloth of sky-blue color. [Obs.] "A long surcoat of pers." Chaucer.

Per"salt` (?), n. (Chem.) A term formerly given to the salts supposed to be formed respectively by neutralizing acids with certain peroxides. [Obsoles.]

Per"sant (?), a. [F. perçant, p. pr. of percer to pierce.] Piercing. [Obs.] Spenser.

Per`scru*ta"tion (?), n. [L. perscrutatio, fr. perscrutari to search through.] A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny. Carlyle

Per"se*cute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persecuted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Persecuting.] [F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and Second.] 1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.

2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.

Per`se*cu"tion (?), n. [F. persécution, L. persecutio.] 1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.

Per"se*cu`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. persécuteur.] One who persecutes, or harasses. Shak.

Per"se*id (?), n. (Astron.) One of a group of shooting stars which appear yearly about the 10th of August, and cross the heavens in paths apparently radiating from the constellation Perseus. They are beleived to be fragments once connected with a comet visible in 1862.

Per"se*us (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A Grecian legendary hero, son of Jupiter and Danaë, who slew the Gorgon Medusa.

2. (Astron.) A consellation of the northern hemisphere, near Taurus and Cassiopea. It contains a star cluster visible to the naked eye as a nebula.

Per`se*ver"ance (?), n. [F. persévérance, L. perseverantia.] 1. The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness." Shak.

3. (Theol.) Continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance, and the perseverance of the saints. See Calvinism.

Per`se*ver"ant (?), a. [L. perseverans, -antis, p. pr.: cf. F. persévérant.] Persevering. [R.] "Perseverant faith." Whitby. -- Per`se*ver"ant*ly, adv. [R.]

Per`se*vere" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Persevered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Persevering.] [F. persévérer, L. perseverare, fr. perseverus very strict; per + severus strict, severe. See Per-, and Severe.] To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.

Syn. -- To Persevere, Continue, Persist. The idea of not laying aside is common to these words. Continue is the generic term, denoting simply to do as one has done hitherto. To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from a desire to obtain our end. To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. Persist is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy in pursuing an unworthy aim.

Per`se*ver"ing (?), a. Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.

Per"sian (?), a. [From Persia: cf. It. Persiano. Cf. Parsee, Peach, Persic.] Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their language.

Persian berry, the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius, a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond. -- Persian cat. (Zoöl.) Same as Angora cat, under Angora. -- Persian columns (Arch.), columns of which the shaft represents a Persian slave; -- called also Persians. See Atlantes. -- Persian drill (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder. -- Persian fire (Med.), malignant pustule. -- Persian powder. See Insect powder, under Insect. -- Persian red. See Indian red (a), under Indian. -- Persian wheel, a noria; a tympanum. See Noria.

Per"sic (?), a. [L. Persicus. Cf. Persian.] Of or relating to Persia. -- n. The Persian language.

||Per`si*ca"ri*a (?), n. [NL., from LL. persicarius a peach tree. See Peach.] (Bot.) See Lady's thumb.

Per"si*cot (?), n. [F. See Peach.] A cordial made of the kernels of apricots, nectarines, etc., with refined spirit.

||Per`si`flage" (?), n. [F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr. L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare, sifilare.] Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery. Hannah More.

||Per`si`fleur (?), n. [F.] One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz. Carlyle.

Per*sim"mon (?), n. [Virginia Indian.] (Bot.) An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious.

Japanese persimmon, Diospyros Kaki and its red or yellow edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but contains a few large seeds.

Per"sis (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A kind of coloring matter obtained from lichens.

Per*sist" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Persisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persisting.] [L. persistere; per + sistere to stand or be fixed, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. persister. See Per-, and Stand.] To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; - - sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy.

{ Per*sist"ence (?), Per*sist"en*cy (?), } n. [See Persistent.] 1. The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.

2. The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed; as: (a) (Physics) The persistence of motion. (b) (Physiol.) Visual persistence, or persistence of the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc.

Per*sist"ent (?), a. [L. persistens, -entis, p. pr. of persistere. See Persist.] 1. Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

2. (Biol.) Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed to deciduous, and caducous.

Per*sist"ing, a. Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent. -- Per*sist"ing*ly, adv.

Per*solve" (?), v. t. [L. persolvere.] To pay wholly, or fully. [Obs.] E. Hall.

Per"son (?), n. [OE. persone, persoun, person, parson, OF. persone, F. personne, L. persona a mask (used by actors), a personage, part, a person, fr. personare to sound through; per + sonare to sound. See Per-, and cf. Parson.] 1. A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character. [Archaic]

2. The bodily form of a human being; body; outward appearance; as, of comely person.

3. A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or child.

6. (Theol.) Among Trinitarians, one of the three subdivisions of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost); an hypostasis. "Three persons and one God." Bk. of Com. Prayer.

7. (Gram.) One of three relations or conditions (that of speaking, that of being spoken to, and that of being spoken of) pertaining to a noun or a pronoun, and thence also to the verb of which it may be the subject.

A noun or pronoun, when representing the speaker, is said to be in the first person; when representing what is spoken to, in the second person; when representing what is spoken of, in the third person.

8. (Biol.) A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the compound Hydrozoa Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in the narrowest sense, among the higher animals. Haeckel.

Artificial, or Fictitious, person (Law), a corporation or body politic. blackstone. -- Natural person (Law), a man, woman, or child, in distinction from a corporation. -- In person, by one's self; with bodily presence; not by representative. "The king himself in person is set forth." Shak. -- In the person of, in the place of; acting for. Shak.

Per"son (?), v. t. To represent as a person; to personify; to impersonate. [Obs.] Milton.

||Per*so"na (?), n.; pl. Personæ (#). [L.] (Biol.) Same as Person, n., 8.

Per"son*a*ble (?), a. 1. Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of good appearance; presentable; as, a personable man or woman.

2. (Law) (a) Enabled to maintain pleas in court. Cowell. (b) Having capacity to take anything granted.

Per"son*age (?), n. [F. personnage.] 1. Form, appearance, or belongings of a person; the external appearance, stature, figure, air, and the like, of a person. "In personage stately." Hayward.

2. Character assumed or represented. "The actors and personages of this fable." Broome. "Disguised in a false personage." Addison.

3. A notable or distinguished person; a conspicious or peculiar character; as, an illustrious personage; a comely personage of stature tall. Spenser.

Per"son*al (?), a. [L. personalis: cf. F. personnel.] 1. Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.

2. Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.

3. Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms. Addison.

4. Done in person; without the intervention of another. "Personal communication." Fabyan.

5. Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.

Personal action (Law), a suit or action by which a man claims a debt or personal duty, or damages in lieu of it; or wherein he claims satisfaction in damages for an injury to his person or property, or the specific recovery of goods or chattels; -- opposed to real action. -- Personal equation. (Astron.) See under Equation. -- Personal estate or property (Law), movables; chattels; -- opposed to real estate or property. It usually consists of things temporary and movable, including all subjects of property not of a freehold nature. -- Personal identity (Metaph.), the persistent and continuous unity of the individual person, which is attested by consciousness. -- Personal pronoun (Gram.), one of the pronouns I, thou, he, she, it, and their plurals. -- Personal representatives (Law), the executors or administrators of a person deceased. -- Personal rights, rights appertaining to the person; as, the rights of a personal security, personal liberty, and private property. -- Personal tithes. See under Tithe. -- Personal verb (Gram.), a verb which is modified or inflected to correspond with the three persons.

Per"son*al*ism (?), n. The quality or state of being personal; personality. [R.]

Per`son*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Personalities (#). [Cf. F. personnalité. Cf. Personality.] 1. That which constitutes distinction of person; individuality.

2. Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks; as, indulgence in personalities.

3. (Law) That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons. Burrill.

Per"son*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Personalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personalizing (?).] To make personal. "They personalize death." H. Spencer.

Per"son*al*ly, adv. 1. In a personal manner; by bodily presence; in person; not by representative or substitute; as, to deliver a letter personally.

2. With respect to an individual; as regards the person; individually; particularly.

3. With respect to one's individuality; as regards one's self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.

Per"son*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Personated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personating (?).] [L. personare to cry out, LL., to extol. See Person.] To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise. [Obs.]

Per"son*ate, v. t. [L. personatus masked, assumed, fictitious, fr. persona a mask. See Person.] 1. To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion. Hammond.

2. To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask. [R.] "A personated mate." Milton.

Per"son*ate (?), a. [L. personatus masked.] (Bot.) Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the flower of the snapdragon.

Per`son*a"tion (?), n. The act of personating, or conterfeiting the person or character of another.

Per"son*a`tor (?), n. One who personates. "The personators of these actions." B. Jonson.

Per*son`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. personnification.] 1. The act of personifying; impersonation; embodiment. C. Knight.

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstract idea is represented as animated, or endowed with personality; prosopop&?;ia; as, the floods clap their hands. "Confusion heards his voice." Milton.

Per*son"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Personified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personifying (?).] [Person + -fy: cf. F. personnifier.] 1. To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent as a rational being.

2. To be the embodiment or personification of; to impersonate; as, he personifies the law.

||Per`son`nel" (?), n. [F. See Personal.] The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; -- distinguished from matériel.

Per*spec"tive (?), a. [L. perspicere, perspectum, to look through; per + spicere, specere, to look: cf. F. perspectif; or from E. perspective, n. See Spy, n.] 1. Of or pertaining to the science of vision; optical. [Obs.] Bacon.

Perspective plane, the plane or surface on which the objects are delineated, or the picture drawn; the plane of projection; -- distinguished from the ground plane, which is that on which the objects are represented as standing. When this plane is oblique to the principal face of the object, the perspective is called oblique perspective; when parallel to that face, parallel perspective. -- Perspective shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Solarium and allied genera. See Solarium.

Per*spec"tive, n. [F. perspective, fr. perspectif: cf. It. perspettiva. See Perspective, a.] 1. A glass through which objects are viewed. [Obs.] "Not a perspective, but a mirror." Sir T. Browne.

2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista. "The perspective of life." Goldsmith.

3. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by means of which the eye recognized them as being at a more or less measurable distance. Hence, aërial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects.

4. The art and the science of so delineating objects that they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the eye; -- called also linear perspective.

Isometrical perspective, an inaccurate term for a mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of the diagonal of a cube. -- Perspective glass, a telescope which shows objects in the right position.

Per*spec"to*graph (?), n. [L. perspectus (p. p. of perspicere to look through) + - graph.] An instrument for obtaining, and transferring to a picture, the points and outlines of objects, so as to represent them in their proper geometrical relations as viewed from some one point.

Per`spec*tog"ra*phy (?), n. The science or art of delineating objects according to the laws of perspective; the theory of perspective.

Per"spi*ca*ble (?), a. [L. perspicabilis, fr. perspicere.] Discernible. [Obs.] Herbert.

Per`spi*ca"cious (?), a. [L. perspicax, -acis, fr. perspicere to look through: cf. F. perspicace. See Perspective.] 1. Having the power of seeing clearly; quick-sighted; sharp of sight.

Per`spi*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. perspicacitas: cf. F. perspicacité. See Perspicacious.] The state of being perspicacious; acuteness of sight or of intelligence; acute discernment. Sir T. Browne.

Per*spi"cience (?), n. [L. perspicientia, fr. perspiciens, p. p. of perspicere. See Perspective.] The act of looking sharply. [Obs.] Bailey.

Per"spi*cil (?), n. [LL. perspicilla, fr. L. perspicere to look through.] An optical glass; a telescope. [Obs.] Crashaw.

Per`spi*cu"i*ty (?), n. [L. perspicuitas: cf. F. perspicuité.] 1. The quality or state of being transparent or translucent. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. The quality of being perspicuous to the understanding; clearness of expression or thought.

Syn. -- Clearness; perspicuousness; plainness; distinctness; lucidity; transparency. See Clearness.

Per*spic"u*ous (?), a. [L. perspicuus, from perspicere to look through. See Perspective.] 1. Capable of being through; transparent; translucent; not opaque. [Obs.] Peacham.

2. Clear to the understanding; capable of being clearly understood; clear in thought or in expression; not obscure or ambiguous; as, a perspicuous writer; perspicuous statements. "The purpose is perspicuous." Shak.

Per*spir"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. perspirable.] 1. Capable of being perspired. Sir T. Browne.

Per`spi*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perspiration.] 1. The act or process of perspiring.

A man of average weight throws off through the skin during 24 hours about 18 ounces of water, 300 grains of solid matter, and 400 grains of carbonic acid gas. Ordinarily, this constant exhalation is not apparent, and the excretion is then termed insensible perspiration.

Per*spir"a*to*ry (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or producing, perspiration; as, the perspiratory ducts.

Per*spire" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perspired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perspiring.] [L. perspirare to breathe through; per + spirare. See Per-, and Spirit.] 1. (Physiol.) To excrete matter through the skin; esp., to excrete fluids through the pores of the skin; to sweat.

2. To be evacuated or excreted, or to exude, through the pores of the skin; as, a fluid perspires.

Per*spire", v. t. To emit or evacuate through the pores of the skin; to sweat; to excrete through pores.

Per*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L. perstrepere to make a great noise.] Noisy; obstreperous. [Obs.] Ford.

Per*stringe" (?), v. t. [L. perstringere; per + stringere to bind up, to touch upon.] 1. To touch; to graze; to glance on. [Obs.]

Per*suad"a*ble (?), a. That may be persuaded. -- Per*suad"a*ble*ness, n. -- Per*suad"a*bly, adv.

Per*suade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persuaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Persuading.] [L. persuadere, persuasum; per + suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See Per- , and Suasion.] 1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty, expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination by presenting sufficient motives.

3. To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.

4. To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to recommend. Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- To convince; induce; prevail on; win over; allure; entice. See Convince.

Per*suade" (?), v. i. To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion. Shak.

Per*suad"ed, p. p. & a. Prevailed upon; influenced by argument or entreaty; convinced. -- Per*suad"ed*ly, adv. -- Per*suad"ed*ness, n.

Per*suad"er (?), n. One who, or that which, persuades or influences. "Powerful persuaders." Milton.

Per*sua"si*ble (?), a. [Cf. L. persuasibilis persuasive, F. persuasible persuasible.] 1. Capable of being persuaded; persuadable.

Per*sua"sion (?), n. [L. persuasio; Cf. F. persuasion.] 1. The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.

2. The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion or conviction, which has been induced.

3. A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion; all persuasions are agreed.

Per*sua"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. persuasif.] Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as, persuasive eloquence. "Persuasive words." Milton.

Per*sua"sive, n. That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation. -- Per*sua"sive*ly, adv. -- Per*sua"sive*ness, n.

Per*sul"phide (?), n. (Chem.) A sulphide containing more sulphur than some other compound of the same elements; as, iron pyrites is a persulphide; -- formerly called persulphuret.

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a yellow crystalline substance (called also perthiocyanic acid), analogous to sulphocyanic acid, but containing more sulphur.

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"o*gen (?), n. (Chem.) An orange-yellow substance, produced by the action of chlorine or boiling dilute nitric acid and sulphocyanate of potassium; -- called also pseudosulphocyanogen, perthiocyanogen, and formerly sulphocyanogen.

Pert (?), a. [An aphetic form of OE. & OF. apert open, known, true, free, or impudent. See Apert.] 1. Open; evident; apert. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

3. Indecorously free, or presuming; saucy; bold; impertinent. "A very pert manner." Addison.

Per*tain" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pertained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pertaining.] [OE. partenen, OF. partenir, fr. L. pertinere to stretch out, reach, pertain; per + tenere to hold, keep. See Per-, and Tenable, and cf. Appertain, Pertinent.] 1. To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life.

Per*ter`e*bra"tion (?), n. [L. perterebratus, p. p. of perterebrare to bore through.] The act of boring through. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Perth"ite (?), n. [So called from Perth, in canada.] (Min.) A kind of feldspar consisting of a laminated intertexture of albite and orthoclase, usually of different colors. -- Per*thit"ic (#), a.

Per`ti*na"cious (?), a.[L. pertinax, -acis; per + tenax tenacious. See Per-, and Tenacious.] 1. Holding or adhering to any opinion, purpose, or design, with obstinacy; perversely persistent; obstinate; as, pertinacious plotters; a pertinacious beggar.

Syn. -- Obstinate; stubborn; inflexible; unyielding; resolute; determined; firm; constant; steady.

Per`ti*nac"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pertinacité.] The quality or state of being pertinacious; obstinacy; perseverance; persistency. Macaulay.

Per"ti*na*cy (?), n. [L. pertinere to pertain. See Pertinence.] The quality or state of being pertinent; pertinence. [Obs.]

Per"ti*na*cy, n. [L. pertinacia, fr. pertinax. See Pertinacious.] Pertinacity. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Per"ti*nence (?), Per"ti*nen*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. pertinence. See Pertinent.] The quality or state of being pertinent; justness of relation to the subject or matter in hand; fitness; appositeness; relevancy; suitableness.

Per"ti*nent (?), a. [L. pertinens, -entis, p. pr. of pertinere: cf. F. pertinent. See Pertain.] 1. Belonging or related to the subject or matter in hand; fit or appropriate in any way; adapted to the end proposed; apposite; material; relevant; as, pertinent illustrations or arguments; pertinent evidence.

2. Regarding; concerning; belonging; pertaining. [R.] "Pertinent unto faith." Hooker.

Per*tran"sient (?), a. [L. pertransiens, p. pr. of pertransire.] Passing through or over. [R.]

Per*turb" (?), v. t. [L. perturbare, perturbatum; per + turbare to disturb, fr. turba a disorder: cf. OF. perturber. See Per-, and Turbid.] 1. To disturb; to agitate; to vex; to trouble; to disquiet.

Per*turb"a*ble (?), a. Liable to be perturbed or agitated; liable to be disturbed or disquieted.

Per*turb"ance (?), n. Disturbance; perturbation. [R.] "Perturbance of the mind." Sharp.

Per"tur*bate (?), v. t. [From L. perturbatus, p. p.] To perturb. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Per`tur*ba"tion (?), n. [L. perturbatio: cf. F. perturbation.] 1. The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed; esp., agitation of mind.

2. (Astron.) A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion; as, the perturbations of the planets are caused by their attraction on each other. Newcomb.

Per`tur*ba"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to perturbation, esp. to the perturbations of the planets. "The perturbational theory." Sir J. Herschel.

Per"tur*ba*tive (?), a. Tending to cause perturbation; disturbing. Sir J. Herschel.

Per*turbed" (?), a. Agitated; disturbed; troubled. Shak. -- Per*turb"ed*ly, adv.

{ Per*tuse" (?), Per*tused" (?) }, a. [L. pertusus, p. p. of pertundere to beat or thrust through, to bore through; per + tundere to beat: cf. F. pertus. Cf. Pierce.] Punched; pierced with, or having, holes.

Per*tu"sion (?), n. [L. pertusio.] The act of punching or piercing with a pointed instrument; as, pertusion of a vein. [R.] Arbuthnot.

||Per*tus"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. L. per through, very + tussis cough.] (Med.) The whooping cough.

Per"uke (?), n. [F. perruque, It. perrucca, parrucca, fr. L. pilus hair. Cf. Periwig, Wig, Peel to strip off, Plush, Pile a hair.] A wig; a periwig.

||Per"u*la (?), n.; pl. Perulæ (#). [L., dim. of pera wallet, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pérule.] 1. (Bot.) One of the scales of a leaf bud.

Pe*rus"al (?), n. [From Peruse.] 1. The act of carefully viewing or examining. [R.] Tatler.

Pe*ruse" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perusing.] [Pref. per- + use.] 1. To observe; to examine with care. [R.]

Pe*ru"vi*an (?), a. [Cf. F. péruvien, Sp. peruviano.] Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Peru.

Peruvian balsam. See Balsam of Peru, under Balsam. -- Peruvian bark, the bitter bark of trees of various species of Cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy for malarial diseases. This property is due to several alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc., and their compounds; -- called also Jesuit's bark, and cinchona. See Cinchona.

Per*vade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pervaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pervading.] [L. pervadere, pervasum; per + vadere to go, to walk. See Per-, and Wade.] 1. To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or interstice; to permeate.

Per*va"sion (?), n. [L. pervasio. See Pervade.] The act of pervading, passing, or spreading through the whole extent of a thing. Boyle.

Per*va"sive (?), a. Tending to pervade, or having power to spread throughout; of a pervading quality. "Civilization pervasive and general." M. Arnold.

Per*verse" (?), a. [L. perversus turned the wrong way, not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn: cf. F. pervers. See Pervert.] 1. Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.

2. Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.

Syn. -- Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable; intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious. -- Perverse, Froward. One who is froward is capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.

Per*verse"ness, n. The quality or state of being perverse. "Virtue hath some perverseness." Donne.

Per*ver"sion (?), n. [L. perversio: cf. F. perversion. See Pervert.] The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use. "Violations and perversions of the laws." Bacon.

Per*ver"si*ty (?), n. [L. perversitas: cf. F. perversité.] The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.

Per*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.] [F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See Per-, and Verse.] 1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.]

2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to pervert one's words. Dryden.

Per*vert", v. i. To become perverted; to take the wrong course. [R.] Testament of Love.

Per"vert (?), n. One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the Synonym of Convert.

Per*vert"er (?), n. One who perverts (a person or thing). "His own parents his perverters." South. "A perverter of his law." Bp. Stillingfleet.

Per*ves"ti*gate (?), v. t. [L. pervestigatus, p. p. of pervestigare.] To investigate thoroughly. [Obs.]

Per*ves`ti*ga"tion (?), n. [L. pervestigatio.] Thorough investigation. [Obs.] Chillingworth.

Per"vi*al (?), a. [See Pervious.] Pervious. [Obs.] -- Per"vi*al*ly, adv. [Obs.] Chapman.

Per`vi*ca"cious (?), a. [L. pervicax, -acis.] Obstinate; willful; refractory. [Obs.] -- Per`vi*ca"cious*ly, adv. -- Per`vi*ca"cious*ness, n. [Obs.]

Per*vig`i*la"tion (?), n. [L. pervigilatio, fr. pervigilare.] Careful watching. [Obs.]

Per"vi*ous (?), a. [L. pervis; per + via a way. See Per-, and Voyage.] 1. Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another body or substance; permeable; as, a pervious soil.

2. Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical or mental vision. [R.]

4. (Zoöl.) Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as applied to the nostrils or birds.

Per"vi*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being pervious; as, the perviousness of glass. Boyle.

||Pes (?), n.; pl. Pedes . [L., the foot.] (Anat.) The distal segment of the hind limb of vertebrates, including the tarsus and foot.

Pe*sade" (?), n. [F.] (Man.) The motion of a horse when, raising his fore quarters, he keeps his hind feet on the ground without advancing; rearing.

Pes"age (?), n. [F., fr. peser to weigh.] A fee, or toll, paid for the weighing of merchandise.

Pes"ant*ed (?), a. [F. pesant heavy.] Made heavy or dull; debased. [Obs.] "Pesanted to each lewd thought's control." Marston.

||Pe*se"ta (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish silver coin, and money of account, equal to about nineteen cents, and divided into 100 centesimos.

{ Pe*shit"o (?), Pe*shit"to (?), } n. [Syriac peshîtâ simple.] The earliest Syriac version of the Old Testament, translated from Hebrew; also, the incomplete Syriac version of the New Testament. [Written also peschito.]

Pes"ky (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Pestering; vexatious; troublesome. Used also as an intensive. [Colloq. & Low, U.S.] Judd.

||Pe"so (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish dollar; also, an Argentine, Chilian, Colombian, etc., coin, equal to from 75 cents to a dollar; also, a pound weight.

Pes"sa*ry (?), n.; pl. Pessaries (#). [L. pessarium, pessum, pessus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pessaire.] (Med.) (a) An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a malposition. (b) A medicinal substance in the form of a bolus or mass, designed for introduction into the vagina; a vaginal suppository.

Pes"si*mism (?), n. [L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf. Impair.] 1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism.

Pes"si*mist (?), n. [L. pessimus worst: cf. F. pessimiste.] 1. (Metaph.) One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; -- opposed to optimist.

{ Pes"si*mist (?), Pes`si*mis"tic (?), } a. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterized by pessimism; gloomy; foreboding. "Giving utterance to pessimistic doubt." Encyc. Brit.

Pes"si*mize (?), v. i. To hold or advocate the doctrine of pessimism. London Sat. Rev.

||Pes"su*lus (?), n.; pl. Pessuli (#). [L., a bolt.] (Anat.) A delicate bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral extremities of the first pair of bronchial cartilages in the syrinx of birds.

Pest (?), n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.] 1. A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.

2. Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance. "A pest and public enemy." South.

Pes`ta*loz"zi*an (?), a. Belonging to, or characteristic of, a system of elementary education which combined manual training with other instruction, advocated and practiced by Jean Henri Pestalozzi (1746-1827), a Swiss teacher. -- n. An advocate or follower of the system of Pestalozzi.

Pes"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pestered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestering.] [Abbrev. fr. impester, fr. OF. empaistrier, empestrer, to entangle the feet or legs, to embarrass, F. empêtrer; pref. em-, en- (L. in in) + LL. pastorium, pastoria, a fetter by which horses are prevented from wandering in the pastures, fr. L. pastorius belonging to a herdsman or shepherd, pastor a herdsman. See In, and Pasture, Pastor.] 1. To trouble; to disturb; to annoy; to harass with petty vexations.

2. To crowd together in an annoying way; to overcrowd; to infest. [Obs.] Milton.

Pes"ter*ment (?), n. The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered; vexation; worry. "The trouble and pesterment of children." B. Franklin.

Pes"ter*ous (?), a.Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pest`house" (?), n. A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any pestilential disease.

Pes"ti*duct (?), n. [L. pestis pest + ductus a leading, fr. ducere to lead.] That which conveys contagion or infection. [Obs.] Donne.

Pes*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pestiferus, pestifer; pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestifère.] 1. Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies. "Poor, pestiferous creatures begging alms." Evelyn. "Unwholesome and pestiferous occupations." Burke.

2. Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious; hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue.

Pes"ti*lence (?), n. [F. pestilence, L. pestilentia. See Pestilent.] 1. Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.

2. Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.

Pestilence weed (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot (Petasites vulgaris), so called because formerly considered a remedy for the plague. Dr. Prior.

Pes"ti*lent (?), a. [L. pestilens, -entis, fr. pestis pest: cf. F. pestilent.] Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous. "Corrupt and pestilent." Milton. "What a pestilent knave is this same!" Shak.

Pes`ti*len"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. pestilentiel.] 1. Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence. "Sends the pestilential vapors." Longfellow.

Pes"ti*lent*ly (?), adv. In a pestilent manner; mischievously; destructively. "Above all measure pestilently noisome." Dr. H. More.

Pes`til*la"tion (?), n. [LL. pestillum, L. pistillum. See Pestle.] The act of pounding and bruising with a pestle in a mortar. Sir T. Browne.

Pes"tle (ps"'l; 277), n. [OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush, akin to Gr. &?;, Skr. pish. Cf. Pistil.] 1. An implement for pounding and breaking or braying substances in a mortar.

2. A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its shape. [Obs.] Chapman.

3. The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig; as, a pestle of pork.

Pes"tle (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestling (?).] To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle; to use a pestle.

Pet (?), n. [Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to Gael. peata.] 1. A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.

2. Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.

3. [Prob. fr. Pet a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor of a spoiled child.] A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness. "In a pet she started up." Tennyson.

Pet, a. Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory.

Pet cock. [Perh. for petty cock.] (Mach.) A little faucet in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of a steam cylinder, to drain it.

Pet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petted; p. pr. & vb. n. Petting.] To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.

Pet"al (?), n. [Gr. &?; a leaf, a leaf or plate of metal, fr. &?; outspread, broad, flat: cf. F. pétale. See Fathom.] 1. (Bot.) One of the leaves of the corolla, or the colored leaves of a flower. See Corolla, and Illust. of Flower.

2. (Zoöl.) One of the expanded ambulacra which form a rosette on the black of certain Echini.

Pet"aled (?), a. (Bot.) Having petals; as, a petaled flower; -- opposed to apetalous, and much used in compounds; as, one-petaled, three-petaled, etc.

Pe*tal"i*form (?), a. (Bot.) Having the form of a petal; petaloid; petal-shaped.

Pet"al*ine (?), a. [Cf. F. pétalin.] (Bot.) Pertaining to a petal; attached to, or resembling, a petal.

Pet"al*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a leaf: cf. F. pétalisme.] (Gr. Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.

Pet"al*ite (?), n. [Cf. F. pétalite.] (Min.) A rare mineral, occurring crystallized and in cleavable masses, usually white, or nearly so, in color. It is a silicate of aluminia and lithia.

Pe*tal"o*dy (?), n. [Petal + Gr. &?; form.] (Bot.) The metamorphosis of various floral organs, usually stamens, into petals.

Pet"al*oid (?), a. [Petal + - oid: cf. F. pétaloïde.] (Bot.) Petaline.

Pet`al*oid"e*ous (?), a. (Bot.) Having the whole or part of the perianth petaline.

Petaloideous division, that division of endogenous plants in which the perianth is wholly or partly petaline, embracing the Liliaceæ, Orchidaceæ, Amaryllideæ, etc.

||Pet`a*los"ti*cha (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a leaf + &?; a row.] (Zoöl.) An order of Echini, including the irregular sea urchins, as the spatangoids. See Spatangoid.

Pe*tard" (?), n. [F. pétard, fr. péter to break wind, to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.] (Mil.) A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates, barricades, drawbridges, etc. It has been superseded.

{ Pet`ar*deer", Pet`ar*dier" } (?), n. [F. pétardier.] (Mil.) One who managed a petard.

||Pet"a*sus (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) The winged cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat worn by Greeks and Romans.

Pe*tau"rist (?), n. [L. petaurista a ropedancer, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to dance on a rope, fr. &?; a pole, a stage for ropedancers: cf. F. pétauriste.] (Zoöl.) Any flying marsupial of the genera Petaurus, Phalangista, Acrobata, and allied genera. See Flying mouse, under Flying, and Phalangister.

||Pe*tech"i*æ (?), n. pl.; sing. Petechia (&?;). [NL., fr. LL. peteccia; cf. F. pétéchie, It. petecchia, Sp. petequia, Gr. &?; a label, plaster.] (Med.) Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like flea-bites, due to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin in malignant fevers, etc.

Pe*tech"i*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pétéchial, LL. petecchialis.] (Med.) Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechiæ; spotted.

Petechial fever, a malignant fever, accompanied with livid spots on the skin.

Pe"ter (?), n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the apostles,

Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. -- Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.] -- Peter pence, or Peter's pence. (a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St.Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money. (b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope. -- Peter's fish (Zoöl.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.

Pet"er (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Petered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petering.] [Etymol. uncertain.] To become exhausted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out. [Slang, U.S.]

Pe"ter*man (?), n.; pl. Petermen (&?;). A fisherman; -- so called after the apostle Peter. [An obs. local term in Eng.] Chapman.

Pe"ter*sham (?), n. [Named after Lord Petersham.] A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men's overcoats; also, a coat of that material.

{ Pet"i*o*lar (?), Pet"i*o*la*ry (?), } a. [Cf. F. pétiolarie.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to petiole, or proceeding from it; as, a petiolar tendril; growing or supported upon a petiole; as, a petiolar gland; a petiolar bud.

{ Pet"i*o*late (?), Pet"i*o*la`ted (?), } a. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Having a stalk or petiole; as, a petioleate leaf; the petiolated abdomen of certain Hymenoptera.

Pet"i*ole (?), n. [F. pétiole, fr. L. petiolus a little foot, a fruit stalk; cf. pes, pedis, a foot.] 1. (Bot.) A leafstalk; the footstalk of a leaf, connecting the blade with the stem. See Illust. of Leaf.

Pet"i*o*lule (?), n. [Cf. F. pétiolule.] (Bot.) A small petiole, or the petiole of a leaflet.

Pet"it (?), a. [F. See Petty.] Small; little; insignificant; mean; -- Same as Petty. [Obs., except in legal language.]

Petit constable, an inferior civil officer, subordinate to the high constable. -- Petit jury, a jury of twelve men, impaneled to try causes at the bar of a court; -- so called in distinction from the grand jury. -- Petit larceny, the stealing of goods of, or under, a certain specified small value; -- opposed to grand larceny. The distinction is abolished in England. -- Petit maître (&?;). [F., lit., little master.] A fop; a coxcomb; a ladies' man. Goldsmith. -- Petit serjeanty (Eng. Law), the tenure of lands of the crown, by the service of rendering annually some implement of war, as a bow, an arrow, a sword, a flag, etc. -- Petit treason, formerly, in England, the crime of killing a person to whom the offender owed duty or subjection, as one's husband, master, mistress, etc. The crime is now not distinguished from murder.

Pe*ti"tion (?), n. [F. pétition, L. petitio, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask, seek; perh. akin to E. feather, or find.] 1. A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.

2. A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; -- in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.

Petition of right (Law), a petition to obtain possession or restitution of property, either real or personal, from the Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed in the petition itself. Mozley & W. -- The Petition of Right (Eng. Hist.), the parliamentary declaration of the rights of the people, assented to by Charles I.

Pe*ti"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petitioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petitioning.] To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.

Pe*ti"tion*a*ri*ly (?), adv. By way of begging the question; by an assumption. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Containing a petition; of the nature of a petition; as, a petitionary epistle. Swift.

Pet"i*tor (?), n. [L., fr. petere to seek.] One who seeks or asks; a seeker; an applicant. [R.] Fuller.

Pet"i*to*ry (?), a. [L. petitorius, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask: cf. F. pétitore.] Petitioning; soliciting; supplicating. Sir W. Hamilton.

Petitory suit or action (Admiralty Law), a suit in which the mere title to property is litigated and sought to be enforced, as distinguished from a possessory suit; also (Scots Law), a suit wherein the plaintiff claims something as due him by the defendant. Burrill.

Pet"ra*ry (?), n. [L. petra stone. Cf. Sp. petraria, and E. Pederero.] An ancient war engine for hurling stones.

Pe*tre"an (p*tr"an), a. [L. petraeus, Gr. petrai^os, fr. pe`tra a rock.] Of or pertaining to rock. G. S. Faber.

Pe"trel (?), n. [F. pétrel; a dim. of the name Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. &?; a stone (John i. 42); -- probably so called in allusion to St. Peter's walking on the sea. See Petrify.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family Procellaridæ. The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera.

Diving petrel, any bird of the genus Pelecanoides. They chiefly inhabit the southern hemisphere. -- Fulmar petrel, Giant petrel. See Fulmar. -- Pintado petrel, the Cape pigeon. See under Cape. -- Pintado petrel, any one of several small petrels, especially Procellaria pelagica, or Mother Carey's chicken, common on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pe*tres"cent (?), a. [L. petra rock, stone, Gr. &?;.] Petrifying; converting into stone; as, petrescent water. Boyle.

Pet`ri*fac"tion (?), n. [See Petrify.] 1. The process of petrifying, or changing into stone; conversion of any organic matter (animal or vegetable) into stone, or a substance of stony hardness.

3. That which is petrified; popularly, a body incrusted with stony matter; an incrustation.

4. Fig.: Hardness; callousness; obduracy. "Petrifaction of the soul." Cudworth.

Pet`ri*fac"tive (?), a. 1. Having the quality of converting organic matter into stone; petrifying.

Pet`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. pétrification. See Petrify.] 1. See Petrifaction.

Pet"ri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petrifying (?).] [L. petra rock, Gr. &?; (akin to &?; a stone) + -fy: cf. F. pétrifier. Cf. Parrot, Petrel, Pier.] 1. To convert, as any animal or vegetable matter, into stone or stony substance.

2. To make callous or obdurate; to stupefy; to paralyze; to transform; as by petrifaction; as, to petrify the heart. Young. "Petrifying accuracy." Sir W. Scott.

Pet"ri*fy, v. i. 1. To become stone, or of a stony hardness, as organic matter by calcareous deposits.

Pet"ro- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?; a rock, &?; a stone; as, petrology, petroglyphic.

Pe*trog"a*le (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a rock + &?; a weasel.] (Zoöl.) Any Australian kangaroo of the genus Petrogale, as the rock wallaby (P. penicillata).

Pe*trog"ly*phy (?), n. [Petro + Gr. &?; to carve.] The art or operation of carving figures or inscriptions on rock or stone.

2. The scientific description of rocks; that department of science which investigates the constitution of rocks; petrology.

Pet`ro*hy"oid (?), a. [Petro + hyoid.] (Anat.) Pertaining to petrous, oe periotic, portion of the skull and the hyoid arch; as, the petrohyoid muscles of the frog.

Pet`ro*la"tum (?), n. (Chem. & Pharm.) A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. U. S. Pharm.

Petrolatum is the official name for the purified product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names for substances essentially the same, but differing slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility.

Pe*tro"le*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. petra a rock + oleum oil: cf. F. pétrole. Cf. Petrify, and Oil.] Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc.

Petroleum spirit, a volatile liquid obtained in the distillation of crude petroleum at a temperature of 170° Fahr., or below. The term is rather loosely applied to a considerable range of products, including benzine and ligroin. The terms petroleum ether, and naphtha, are sometimes applied to the still more volatile products, including rhigolene, gasoline, cymogene, etc.

{ ||Pé`tro`leur" (?), n. m. ||Pé`tro`leuse" (?), n. f. }[F.] One who makes use of petroleum for incendiary purposes.

Pet"ro*line (?), n. (Chem.) A paraffin obtained from petroleum from Rangoon in India, and practically identical with ordinary paraffin.

Pe*trol"o*gy (?), n. [Petro + -logy.] 1. The department of science which is concerned with the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with their classification: lithology.

Pet`ro*mas"toid (?), a. [Petro + mastoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the petrous and mastoid parts of the temporal bone, periotic.

Pet`ro*nel (?), n. [OF. petrinal, fr. peitrine, petrine, the breast, F. poitrine; so called because it was placed against the breast in order to fire. See Poitrel.] A sort of hand cannon, or portable firearm, used in France in the 15th century.

Pe*tro"sal (?), a. [See Petrous.] (Anat.) (a) Hard; stony; petrous; as, the petrosal bone; petrosal part of the temporal bone. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the petrous, or petrosal, bone, or the corresponding part of the temporal bone.

Petrosal bone (Anat.), a bone corresponding to the petrous portion of the temporal bone of man; or one forming more or less of the periotic capsule.

Pe*tro"sal, n. (Anat.) (a) A petrosal bone. (b) The auditory capsule. Owen.

Pet`ro*ste"a*rine (?), n. [Petro + stearine.] A solid unctuous material, of which candles are made.

Pe"trous (?), a. [L. petrosus, fr. petra a stone.] 1. Like stone; hard; stony; rocky; as, the petrous part of the temporal bone. Hooper.

Pet"ti*coat (?), n. (Zoöl.) [Petty + coat.] A loose under-garment worn by women, and covering the body below the waist.

Petticoat government, government by women, whether in politics or domestic affairs. [Colloq.] -- Petticoat pipe (Locomotives), a short, flaring pipe surrounding the blast nozzle in the smoke box, to equalize the draft.

Pet"ti*fog (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pettifogged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pettifogging (?).] [Petty + fog to pettifog.] To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way. "He takes no money, but pettifogs gratis." S. Butler.

Pet"ti*fog, v. t. To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to pettifog a claim. [Colloq.]

Pet"ti*fog`ger (?), n. A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer.

Pet"ti*fog`ger*y (?), n.; pl. - ies (&?;). The practice or arts of a pettifogger; disreputable tricks; quibbles.

Pet`ti*fog"u*lize (?), v. i. To act as a pettifogger; to use contemptible tricks. De Quincey.

Pet"ti*ness, n. The quality or state of being petty or paltry; littleness; meanness.

Pet"tish (?), a. [From Pet.] Fretful; peevish; moody; capricious; inclined to ill temper. "A pettish kind of humor." Sterne. -- Pet"tish*ly, adv. -- Pet"tish*ness, n.

Pet"ti*toes (?), n. pl. [Petty + toes.] The toes or feet of a pig, -- often used as food; sometimes, in contempt, the human feet. Shak.

Pet"ty (?), a. [Compar. Pettier (?); superl. Pettiest.] [OE. petit, F. petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E. piece. Cf. Petit.] Little; trifling; inconsiderable; also, inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; a petty prince. Denham.

Petty averages. See under Average. -- Petty cash, money expended or received in small items or amounts. -- Petty officer, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc., corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.

For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty treason, See Petit.

Syn. -- Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling; trivial; unimportant; frivolous.

Pet"ty*chaps (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of small European singing birds of the subfamily Sylviinæ, as the willow warbler, the chiff- chaff, and the golden warbler (Sylvia hortensis).

Pet"ty*whin (?), n. [Petty + whin.] (Bot.) The needle furze. See under Needle.

{ Pet"u*lance (?), Pet"u*lan*cy (?), } n. [L. petulania: cf. F. pétulance. See Petulant.] The quality or state of being petulant; temporary peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. "The petulancy of our words." B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Petulance, Peevishness. -- Peevishness implies the permanence of a sour, fretful temper; petulance implies temporary or capricious irritation.

Pet"u*lant (?), a. [L. petulans, -antis, prop., making slight attacks upon, from a lost dim. of petere to fall upon, to attack: cf. F. pétulant. See Petition.] 1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton. [Obs.] Burton.

2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill- natured freakishness; irritable. "Petulant moods." Macaulay.

Pe*tul"ci*ty (?), n. [See Petulcous.] Wantonness; friskiness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pe*tul"cous (?), a. [L. petulcus. Cf. Petulant.] Wanton; frisky; lustful. [Obs.] J. V. Cane.

Pe*tu"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Braz. petun tobacco.] (Bot.) A genus of solanaceous herbs with funnelform or salver-shaped corollas. Two species are common in cultivation, Petunia violacera, with reddish purple flowers, and P. nyctaginiflora, with white flowers. There are also many hybrid forms with variegated corollas.

{ Pe*tunse", Pe*tuntse", Pe*tuntze" } (?), n. [From Chinese.] Powdered fledspar, kaolin, or quartz, used in the manufacture of porcelain.

Pet"worth mar"ble (?). A kind of shell marble occurring in the Wealden clay at Petworth, in Sussex, England; -- called also Sussex marble.

Petz"ite (?), n. [From Petz, who analyzed it.] (Min.) A telluride of silver and gold, related to hessite.

Peu*ced"a*nin (?), n. (Chem.) A tasteless white crystalline substance, extracted from the roots of the sulphurwort (Peucedanum), masterwort (Imperatoria), and other related plants; -- called also imperatorin.

Peu"cil (?), n. [Gr. &?; pine tree.] (Chem.) A liquid resembling camphene, obtained by treating turpentine hydrochloride with lime. [Written also peucyl.]

Pew (?), n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony, fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other distinguished persons sat, Gr. &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, foot; -- hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or support for the foot). See Foot, and cf. Podium, Poy.] 1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by low partitions, and have long seats upon which several persons may sit; -- sometimes called slip. Pews were originally made square, but are now usually long and narrow.

2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] Pepys. Milton.

Pe"wee (?), n. [So called from its note.] 1. (Zoöl.) A common American tyrant flycatcher (Sayornis phœbe, or S. fuscus). Called also pewit, and phœbe.

Wood pewee (Zoöl.), a bird (Contopus virens) similar to the pewee (See Pewee, 1), but of smaller size.

Pe"wit (?), n. [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. OD. piewit, D. kievit, G. kibitz.] (Zoöl.) (a) The lapwing. (b) The European black-headed, or laughing, gull (Xema ridibundus). See under Laughing. (c) The pewee. [Written also peevit, peewit, pewet.]

Pew"ter (?), n. [OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter.] 1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.

2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots.

Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.

Pew"ter*er (?), n. One whose occupation is to make utensils of pewter; a pewtersmith. Shak.

Pex"i*ty (?), n. [L. pexitas, fr. pexus woolly, nappy, p. p. of pectere to comb.] Nap of cloth. [Obs.]

Pey"er's glands` (?). [So called from J. K. Peyer, who described them in 1677.] (Anat.) Patches of lymphoid nodules, in the walls of the small intestiness; agminated glands; -- called also Peyer's patches. In typhoid fever they become the seat of ulcers which are regarded as the characteristic organic lesion of that disease.

Pey"trel (?), n. [OF. peitral. See Poitrel.] (Anc. Armor) The breastplate of a horse's armor or harness. [Spelt also peitrel.] See Poitrel. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Pe*zi"za (?), n. [NL., corrupt. from L. pezica a sessile mushroom, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, a foot.] (Bot.) A genus of fungi embracing a great number of species, some of which are remarkable for their regular cuplike form and deep colors.

Pez"i*zoid (?), a. [Peziza + - oid.] (Bot.) Resembling a fungus of the genus Peziza; having a cuplike form.

||Pfen"nig (?), n.; pl. Pfennigs (#), G. Pfennige (#). [G. See Penny.] A small copper coin of Germany. It is the hundredth part of a mark, or about a quarter of a cent in United States currency.

||Pha*cel"lus (?), n.; pl. Phacelli (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bundle of fagots.] (Zoöl.) One of the filaments on the inner surface of the gastric cavity of certain jellyfishes.

Phac"o*chere (?), n. [Gr. &?; a lentil seed, a wart + &?; a pig.] (Zoöl.) The wart hog.

Phac"o*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; lentil + -lite.] (Min.) A colorless variety of chabazite; the original was from Leipa, in Bohemia.

||Pha"cops (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a lentil + &?;, &?;, the eye.] (Paleon.) A genus of trilobites found in the Silurian and Devonian formations. Phacops bufo is one of the most common species.

Phæ*a"cian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Phæacians, a fabulous seafaring people fond of the feast, the lyre, and the dance, mentioned by Homer.

||Phæ`no*ga"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. &?; to show + &?; marriage.] (Bot.) The class of flowering plants including all which have true flowers with distinct floral organs; phanerogamia.

Phæ*nog"a*mous (?), a. (Bot.) Having true flowers with with distinct floral organs; flowering.

Phæ"o*spore (?), n. [Gr. &?; dusky + E. spore.] (Bot.) A brownish zoöspore, characteristic of an order (Phæosporeæ) of dark green or olive-colored algæ. -- Phæ`o*spor"ic (#), a.

Pha"ë*thon (?), n. [L., Phaëthon (in sense 1), fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, to shine. See Phantom.] 1. (Class. Myth.) The son of Helios (Phœbus), that is, the son of light, or of the sun. He is fabled to have obtained permission to drive the chariot of the sun, in doing which his want of skill would have set the world on fire, had he not been struck with a thunderbolt by Jupiter, and hurled headlong into the river Po.

Pha"ë*ton (?), n. [F. phaéton a kind of carriage, fr. Phaéthon Phaëthon, the son of Helios. See Phaëthon.] 1. A four-wheeled carriage (with or without a top), open, or having no side pieces, in front of the seat. It is drawn by one or two horses.

3. (Zoöl.) A handsome American butterfly (Euphydryas, or Melitæa, Phaëton). The upper side of the wings is black, with orange-red spots and marginal crescents, and several rows of cream-colored spots; -- called also Baltimore.

Phag`e*de"na (?), n. [L. phagedaena, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to eat.] (Med.) (a) A canine appetite; bulimia. [Obs.] (b) Spreading, obstinate ulceration.

{ Phag`e*den"ic (?), Phag`e*den"ic*AL (?), } a. [L. phagedaenicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. phagédénique.] (Med.) Of, like, or pertaining to, phagedena; used in the treatment of phagedena; as, a phagedenic ulcer or medicine. -- n. A phagedenic medicine.

Phag"o*cyte (?), n. [Gr. &?; to eat + &?; a hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) A leucocyte which plays a part in retrogressive processes by taking up (eating), in the form of fine granules, the parts to be removed.

||Pha*i`no*pep"la (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; shining + &?; robe.] (Zoöl.) A small crested passerine bird (Phaïnopepla nitens), native of Mexico and the Southern United States. The adult male is of a uniform glossy blue-black; the female is brownish. Called also black flycatcher.

Phak"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; a lentil, or lenticular body + -scope.] (Physiol.) An instrument for studying the mechanism of accommodation.

||Pha*læ"na (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a kind od moth.] (Zoöl.) A linnæan genus which included the moths in general.

Pha*læ"nid (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a kind od moth.] (Zoöl.) Any moth of the family Phalænidæ, of which the cankerworms are examples; a geometrid.

{ Pha*lan"ge*al (?), Pha*lan"gal (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the phalanges. See Phalanx, 2.

Pha*lan"ger (?), n. [Cf. F. phalanger. See Phalanx.] (Zoöl.) Any marsupial belonging to Phalangista, Cuscus, Petaurus, and other genera of the family Phalangistidæ. They are arboreal, and the species of Petaurus are furnished with lateral parachutes. See Flying phalanger, under Flying.

Pha*lan"gid (?), n.; pl. Phalangides (&?;). (Zoöl.) One of the Phalangoidea.

Pha*lan"gi*ous (?), a. [L. phalangium a kind of venomous spider, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a spider. Cf. Phalanx.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Phalangoidea.

Pha*lan"gist (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any arboreal marsupial of the genus Phalangista. The vulpine phalangist (P. vulpina) is the largest species, the full grown male being about two and a half feet long. It has a large bushy tail.

{ Phal`an*gis"ter (?), Phal`an*gis"tine (?), } n. (Zoöl.) Same as Phalangist.

Phal"an*gite (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. phalangite.] A soldier belonging to a phalanx. [Obs.]

||Phal`an*goi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Phalangium the daddy longlegs (see Phalangious) + Gr. &?; form.] (Zoöl.) A division of Arachnoidea, including the daddy longlegs or harvestman (Phalangium) and many similar kinds. They have long, slender, many-jointed legs; usually a rounded, segmented abdomen; and chelate jaws. They breathe by tracheæ. Called also Phalangides, Phalangidea, Phalangiida, and Opilionea.

Phal`an*ste"ri*an (?), a. [F. phalanstérien, a. & n.] Of or pertaining to phalansterianism.

Phal`an*ste"ri*an, n. One who favors the system of phalansteries proposed by Fourier.

{ Pha*lan"ster*ism (?), Phal`an*ste"ri*an*ism (?), } n. A system of phalansteries proposed by Fourier; Fourierism.

Phal"an*ster*y (?), n.; pl. -ies (#). [F. phalanstère, fr. Gr. &?; a phalanx + &?; firm, solid.] 1. An association or community organized on the plan of Fourier. See Fourierism.

Pha"lanx (?), n.; pl. Phalanxes (#), L. Phalanges (#). [L., from Gr. &?;.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A body of heavy-armed infantry formed in ranks and files close and deep. There were several different arrangements, the phalanx varying in depth from four to twenty-five or more ranks of men. "In cubic phalanx firm advanced." Milton.

2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union.

4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.

5. [pl. Phalanges.] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers.

Phal"a*rope (?), n. [Gr. &?; having a patch of white + &?;, &?;, a foot: cf. F. phalarope.] (Zoöl.) Any species of Phalaropus and allied genera of small wading birds (Grallæ), having lobate toes. They are often seen far from land, swimming in large flocks. Called also sea goose.

Phal"lism (?), n. The worship of the generative principle in nature, symbolized by the phallus.

Phal"lus (?), n.; pl. Phalli (&?;). [L., a phallus (in sense 1), Gr. &?;.] 1. The emblem of the generative power in nature, carried in procession in the Bacchic orgies, or worshiped in various ways.

2. (Anat.) The penis or clitoris, or the embryonic or primitive organ from which either may be derived.

3. (Bot.) A genus of fungi which have a fetid and disgusting odor; the stinkhorn.

Phan"er*ite (?), a. [Gr. &?; visible, from &?; to bring to light.] Evident; visible.

Phanerite series (Geol.), the uppermost part of the earth's crust, consisting of deposits produced by causes in obvious operation.

||Phan`er*o*car"pæ (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; evident + &?; fruit (but taken to mean, ovary).] (Zoöl.) Same as Acraspeda.

Phan`er*o*co*don"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; evident + &?; a bell.] (Zoöl.) Having an umbrella- shaped or bell-shaped body, with a wide, open cavity beneath; -- said of certain jellyfishes.

Phan`er*o*crys"tal*line (?), a. [Gr. &?; visible + E. crystalline.] (Geol.) Distinctly crystalline; -- used of rocks. Opposed to cryptocrystalline.

||Phan`er*o*dac"ty*la (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; evident + &?; finger.] (Zoöl.) Same as Saururæ.

||Phan`er*o*ga"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; visible (fr. &?; to bring to light) + &?; marriage.] (Bot.) That one of the two primary divisions of the vegetable kingdom which contains the phanerogamic, or flowering, plants.

{ Phan`er*o*gam"ic (?), Phan`er*og"a*mous (?), } a. Having visible flowers containing distinct stamens and pistils; -- said of plants.

Phan`er*o*glos"sal (?), a. [Gr. &?; evident + &?; tongue.] (Zoöl.)Having a conspicious tongue; -- said of certain reptiles and insects.

Phan"ta*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; image + -scope.] An optical instrument or toy, resembling the phenakistoscope, and illustrating the same principle; -- called also phantasmascope.

Phan"tasm (?), n. [L. phantasma. See Phantom, and cf. Fantasm.] [Spelt also fantasm.] 1. An image formed by the mind, and supposed to be real or material; a shadowy or airy appearance; sometimes, an optical illusion; a phantom; a dream.

2. A mental image or representation of a real object; a fancy; a notion. Cudworth.

Phan*tas`ma*go"ri*a (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a phantasm + &?; an assembly, fr. &?; to gather: cf. F. phantasmagorie.] 1. An optical effect produced by a magic lantern. The figures are painted in transparent colors, and all the rest of the glass is opaque black. The screen is between the spectators and the instrument, and the figures are often made to appear as in motion, or to merge into one another.

3. Fig.: A medley of figures; illusive images. "This mental phantasmagoria." Sir W. Scott.

Phan*tas`ma*go"ri*al (?), a. Of, relating to, or resembling phantasmagoria; phantasmagoric.

Phan*tas`ma*gor"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to phantasmagoria; phantasmagorial. Hawthorne.

Phan*tas"mal (?), a. Pertaining to, of the nature of, or resembling, a phantasm; spectral; illusive.

Phan*tas`ma*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, phantasm + -graphy.] A description of celestial phenomena, as rainbows, etc.

Phan"tom (?), n. [OE. fantome, fantosme, fantesme, OF. fantôme, fr. L. phantasma, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to show. See Fancy, and cf. Phaëton, Phantasm, Phase.] That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image.

Phantom ship. See Flying Dutchman, under Flying. -- Phantom tumor (Med.), a swelling, especially of the abdomen, due to muscular spasm, accumulation of flatus, etc., simulating an actual tumor in appearance, but disappearing upon the administration of an anæsthetic.

Pha"raoh (?), n. [Heb. parh; of Egyptian origin: cf. L. pharao, Gr. &?;. Cf. Faro.] 1. A title by which the sovereigns of ancient Egypt were designated.

Pharaoh's chicken (Zoöl.), the gier-eagle, or Egyptian vulture; -- so called because often sculpured on Egyptian monuments. It is nearly white in color. -- Pharaoh's rat (Zoöl.), the common ichneumon.

Phar`a*on"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pharaonique.] Of or pertaining to the Pharaohs, or kings of ancient Egypt.

{ Phar`i*sa"ic (fr`*s"k), Phar`i*sa"ic*al (-*kal), } a. [L. Pharisaicus, Gr. Farisai:ko`s: cf. F. pharisaïque. See Pharisee.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the Pharisees. "The Pharisaic sect among the Jews." Cudworth.

2. Hence: Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial; formal; hypocritical; self-righteous. "Excess of outward and pharisaical holiness." Bacon. "Pharisaical ostentation." Macaulay.

Phar`i*sa"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. pharisaisme.] 1. The notions, doctrines, and conduct of the Pharisees, as a sect. Sharp.

2. Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners. "A piece of pharisaism." Hammond.

Phar`i*se"an (?), a. [L. Pharisaeus, Gr. Farisai^os.] Following the practice of Pharisees; Pharisaic. [Obs.] "Pharisean disciples." Milton.

Phar"i*see (fr"*s), n. [L. Pharisaeus, Gr. Farisai^os, from Heb. prash to separate.] One of a sect or party among the Jews, noted for a strict and formal observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretensions to superior sanctity led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.

{ Phar`ma*ceu"tic (fär`m*s"tk), Phar`ma*ceu"tic*al (-t*kal), } a. [L. pharmaceuticus, Gr. farmakeytiko`s, fr. farmakey`ein: cf. F. pharmaceutique. See Pharmacy.] Of or pertaining to the knowledge or art of pharmacy, or to the art of preparing medicines according to the rules or formulas of pharmacy; as, pharmaceutical preparations. -- Phar`ma*ceu"tic*al*ly, adv.

Pharmaceutical chemistry, that department of chemistry which ascertains or regulates the composition of medicinal substances.

Phar`ma*ceu"tist (?), n. One skilled in pharmacy; a druggist. See the Note under Apothecary.

Phar`ma*co*dy*nam"ics (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon medicine + E. dynamics.] That branch of pharmacology which considers the mode of action, and the effects, of medicines. Dunglison.

Phar`ma*cog*no"sis (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug + gnw^sis a knowing.] That branch of pharmacology which treats of unprepared medicines or simples; -- called also pharmacography, and pharmacomathy.

Phar`ma*cog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug + -graphy.] See Pharmacognosis.

Phar*mac"o*lite (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon drug, poisonous drug + -lite: cf. F. pharmacolithe.] (Min.) A hydrous arsenate of lime, usually occurring in silky fibers of a white or grayish color.

Phar`ma*col"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. pharmacologiste.] One skilled in pharmacology.

Phar`ma*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon drug + -logy: cf. F. pharmacologie.] 1. Knowledge of drugs or medicines; the art of preparing medicines.

Phar`ma*com"a*thy (?), n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug + manqa`nein to learn.] See Pharmacognosis.

Phar"ma*con (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. fa`rmakon.] A medicine or drug; also, a poison. Dunglison.

Phar`ma*co*pœ"ia (?), n. [NL., from Gr. farmakopoii:`a the preparation of medicines; fa`rmakon medicine + poiei^n to make.] 1. A book or treatise describing the drugs, preparations, etc., used in medicine; especially, one that is issued by official authority and considered as an authoritative standard.

Phar`ma*cop"o*list (?), n. [L. pharmacopola, Gr. farmakopw`lhs; fa`rmakon medicine + pwlei^n to sell.] One who sells medicines; an apothecary.

Phar`ma*co*sid"er*ite (?), n. [Gr. &?; drug, poison + E. siderite.] (Min.) A hydrous arsenate of iron occurring in green or yellowish green cubic crystals; cube ore.

Phar"ma*cy (?), n. [OE. fermacie, OF. farmacie, pharmacie, F. pharmacie, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to administer or use medicines, fr. &?; medicine.] 1. The art or practice of preparing and preserving drugs, and of compounding and dispensing medicines according to prescriptions of physicians; the occupation of an apothecary or a pharmaceutical chemist.

Pha*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a lighthouse + -logy.] The art or science which treats of lighthouses and signal lights.

Pha"ros (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; an island in the Bay of Alexandria, where king Ptolemy Philadelphus built a famous lighthouse.] A lighthouse or beacon for the guidance of seamen.

Phar`yn*ge"al (?), a. [See Pharynx.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pharynx; in the region of the pharynx.

Phar`yn*ge"al, n. (Anat.) A pharyngeal bone or cartilage; especially, one of the lower pharyngeals, which belong to the rudimentary fifth branchial arch in many fishes, or one of the upper pharyngeals, or pharyngobranchials, which are the dorsal elements in the complete branchial arches.

||Phar`yn*gi"tis (?), n. [NL. See Pharynx, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the pharynx.

Pha*ryn`go*bran"chi*al (?), a. [Pharynx + branchial.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pharynx and the branchiæ; -- applied especially to the dorsal elements in the branchial arches of fishes. See Pharyngeal. -- n. A pharyngobranchial, or upper pharyngeal, bone or cartilage.

||Pha*ryn`go*bran"chi*i (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pharynx, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) Same as Leptocardia.

||Phar`yn*gog"na*thi (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pharynx, and Gnathic.] (Zoöl.) A division of fishes in which the lower pharyngeal bones are united. It includes the scaroid, labroid, and embioticoid fishes.

Pha*ryn`go*lar`yn*ge"al (?), a. [Pharynx + laryngeal.] Of or pertaining both to pharynx and the larynx.

||Pha*ryn`gop*neus"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the pharynx + &?; to breathe.] (Zoöl.) A group of invertebrates including the Tunicata and Enteropneusta. -- Pha*ryn`gop*neus"tal (#), a.

Pha*ryn"go*tome (?), n. (Surg.) An instrument for incising or scarifying the tonsils, etc.

Phar`yn*got"o*my (?), n. [Pharynx + Gr. &?; to cut: cf. F. pharyngotomie.] (Surg.) (a) The operation of making an incision into the pharynx, to remove a tumor or anything that obstructs the passage. (b) Scarification or incision of the tonsils.

Phar"ynx (?), n.; pl. pharynges (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;: cf. F. pharynx.] (Anat.) The part of the alimentary canal between the cavity of the mouth and the esophagus. It has one or two external openings through the nose in the higher vertebrates, and lateral branchial openings in fishes and some amphibias.

Phas"co*lome (?), n. [Gr. &?; pouch + &?; mouse.] (Zoöl.) A marsupial of the genus Phascolomys; a wombat.

Phase (?), n.; pl. Phases (#). [NL. phasis, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to make to appear: cf. F. phase. See Phenomenon, Phantom, and Emphasis.] 1. That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.

2. Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view; as, the problem has many phases.

3. (Astron.) A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form of enlightened disk; as, the phases of the moon or planets. See Illust. under Moon.

4. (Physics) Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.

Pha"sel (?), n. [L. phaselus, phaseolus, Gr. &?;, &?;: cf. F. phaséole, faséole. Cf. Fesels.] The French bean, or kidney bean.

Phase"less (?), a. Without a phase, or visible form. [R.] "A phaseless and increasing gloom." Poe.

||Pha*se"o*lus (?), n. [L.] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants, including the Lima bean, the kidney bean, the scarlet runner, etc. See Bean.

Pha`se*o*man"nite (?), n. [So called because found in the unripe fruit of the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).] (Chem.) Same as Inosite.

{ Phasm (?), Phas"ma (?), } n. [L. phasma, Gr. &?;. See Phase.] An apparition; a phantom; an appearance. [R.] Hammond. Sir T. Herbert.

Phas"mid (?), n. [See Phasm. Probably so called from its mimicking, or appearing like, inanimate objects.] (Zoöl.) Any orthopterous insect of the family Phasmidæ, as a leaf insect or a stick insect.

Phas"sa*chate (?), n. [Gr. &?; the wood pigeon + &?; the agate.] (Min.) The lead-colored agate; -- so called in reference to its color.

Phat"a*gin (?), n. [Cf. Gr. &?;; perhaps from native name.] (Zoöl.) The long-tailed pangolin (Manis tetradactyla); -- called also ipi.

Pheas"ant (?), n. [OE. fesant, fesaunt, OF. faisant, faisan, F. faisan, L. phasianus, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;) the Phasian bird, pheasant, fr. &?; a river in Colchis or Pontus.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large gallinaceous birds of the genus Phasianus, and many other genera of the family Phasianidæ, found chiefly in Asia.

The common, or English, pheasant (Phasianus Colchicus) is now found over most of temperate Europe, but was introduced from Asia. The ring-necked pheasant (P. torquatus) and the green pheasant (P. versicolor) have been introduced into Oregon. The golden pheasant (Thaumalea picta) is one of the most beautiful species. The silver pheasant (Euplocamus nychthemerus) of China, and several related species from Southern Asia, are very beautiful.

Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.

Fireback pheasant. See Fireback. -- Gold, or Golden, pheasant (Zoöl.), a Chinese pheasant (Thaumalea picta), having rich, varied colors. The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and the under parts are scarlet. -- Mountain pheasant (Zoöl.), the ruffed grouse. [Local, U.S.] -- Pheasant coucal (Zoöl.), a large Australian cuckoo (Centropus phasianus). The general color is black, with chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also pheasant cuckoo. The name is also applied to other allied species. -- Pheasant duck. (Zoöl.) (a) The pintail. (b) The hooded merganser. -- Pheasant parrot (Zoöl.), a large and beautiful Australian parrakeet (Platycercus Adelaidensis). The male has the back black, the feathers margined with yellowish blue and scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing coverts and cheeks light blue, the crown, sides of the neck, breast, and middle of the belly scarlet. -- Pheasant's eye. (Bot.) (a) A red-flowered herb (Adonis autumnalis) of the Crowfoot family; -- called also pheasant's-eye Adonis. (b) The garden pink (Dianthus plumarius); - - called also Pheasant's-eye pink. -- Pheasant shell (Zoöl.), any marine univalve shell of the genus Phasianella, of which numerous species are found in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a pheasant. -- Pheasant wood. (Bot.) Same as Partridge wood (a), under Partridge. -- Sea pheasant (Zoöl.), the pintail. -- Water pheasant. (Zoöl.) (a) The sheldrake. (b) The hooded merganser.

Pheas"ant*ry (?), n. [Cf. F. faisanderie.] A place for keeping and rearing pheasants. Gwilt.

Pheese (?), v. t. To comb; also, to beat; to worry. [Obs. or Local] See Feaze, v.

Phel"lo*derm (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + -derm.] (Bot.) A layer of green parenchimatous cells formed on the inner side of the phellogen.

Phel"lo*gen (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + - gen.] (Bot.) The tissue of young cells which produces cork cells.

Phel`lo*plas"tics (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + &?; to mold.] Art of modeling in cork.

Phen"a*cite (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, impostor, deceiver.] (Min.) A glassy colorless mineral occurring in rhombohedral crystals, sometimes used as a gem. It is a silicate of glucina, and receives its name from its deceptive similarity to quartz.

Phen`a*kis"to*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; a deceiver + -scope.] A revolving disk on which figures drawn in different relative attitudes are seen successively, so as to produce the appearance of an object in actual motion, as an animal leaping, etc., in consequence of the persistence of the successive visual impressions of the retina. It is often arranged so that the figures may be projected upon a screen.

Phe*nan"threne (?), n. [Phenyl + antracene.] (Chem.) A complex hydrocarbon, C₁₄H₁₀, found in coal tar, and obtained as a white crystalline substance with a bluish fluorescence.

Phe*nan"thri*dine (?), n. [Phenanthrene + pyridine.] (Chem.) A nitrogenous hydrocarbon base, C₁₃H₉N, analogous to phenanthrene and quinoline.

Phe*nan"thro*line (?), n. [Phenanthrene + quinoline.] (Chem.) Either of two metameric nitrogenous hydrocarbon bases, C₁₂H₈N₂, analogous to phenanthridine, but more highly nitrogenized.

Phe"ne*tol (?), n. [Phenyl + ethyl + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) The ethyl ether of phenol, obtained as an aromatic liquid, C₆H₅.O.C₂H₅.

Phe"nic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, phenyl or phenol.

Phen"i*cine (?), n. [Gr. foi^nix purple red: cf. F. phénicine.] (Chem.) (a) A purple powder precipitated when a sulphuric solution of indigo is diluted with water. (b) A coloring matter produced by the action of a mixture of strong nitric and sulphuric acids on phenylic alcohol. Watts.

Phe*ni"cious (?), a. [L. phoeniceus, Gr. foini`keos, from &?; purple red.] Of a red color with a slight mixture of gray. Dana.

Phen`i*cop"ter (?), n. [L. phoenicopterus, Gr. foiniko`pteros, i. e., red- feathered; foi^nix, foi`nikos, purple red + ptero`n feather: cf. F. phénicoptère.] (Zoöl.) A flamingo.

Phe"nix (?), n.; pl. Phenixes (#). [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.] [Written also phœnix.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes. Hence, an emblem of immortality.

{ Phen`o*ga"mi*an (?), Phen`o*gam"ic (?), Phe*nog"a*mous (?) }, a. Same as Phænogamian, Phænogamic, etc.

Phe"nol (?), n. [Gr. &?; to show + - ol: cf. F. phénol.] (Chem.) 1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, C₆H₅OH, produced by the destructive distillation of many organic bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy oil from coal tar.

It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote, which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is of the type of alcohols, and is called also phenyl alcohol, but has acid properties, and hence is popularly called carbolic acid, and was formerly called phenic acid. It is a powerful caustic poison, and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.

2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which phenol proper is the type.

Glacial phenol (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or carbolic acid. -- Phenol acid (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of the fatty acid series; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol acid. -- Phenol alcohol (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol. -- Phenol aldehyde (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds having both phenol and aldehyde properties. - - Phenol phthalein. See under Phthalein.

Phe"no*late (?), n. [Phenol + -ate.] (Chem.) A compound of phenol analogous to a salt.

Phe*nom"e*nal (?), a. [Cf. F. phénoménal.] Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory. -- Phe*nom"e*nal*ly, adv.

Phe*nom"e*nal*ism (?), n. (Metaph.) That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to phenomena only, whether material or spiritual.

Phe*nom`e*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Phenomenon + -logy: cf. F. phénoménologie.] A description, history, or explanation of phenomena. "The phenomenology of the mind." Sir W. Hamilton.

Phe*nom"e*non (?), n.; pl. Phenomena (#). [L. phaenomenon, Gr. faino`menon, fr. fai`nesqai to appear, fai`nein to show. See Phantom.] 1. An appearance; anything visible; whatever, in matter or spirit, is apparent to, or is apprehended by, observation; as, the phenomena of heat, light, or electricity; phenomena of imagination or memory.

2. That which strikes one as strange, unusual, or unaccountable; an extraordinary or very remarkable person, thing, or occurrence; as, a musical phenomenon.

Phe"nose` (?), n. [Phenyl + dextrose.] (Chem.) A sweet amorphous deliquescent substance obtained indirectly from benzene, and isometric with, and resembling, dextrose.

Phe"nyl (?), n. [Gr. &?; to bring to light + -yl: cf. F. phényle. So called because it is a by-product of illuminating gas.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical (C₆H₅) regarded as the essential residue of benzene, and the basis of an immense number of aromatic derivatives.

Phenyl hydrate (Chem.), phenol or carbolic acid. -- Phenyl hydrazine (Chem.), a nitrogenous base (C₆H₅.N₂H₃) produced artificially as a colorless oil which unites with acids, ketones, etc., to form well-crystallized compounds.

Phe`nyl*am"ine (?), n. [Phenyl + amine.] (Chem.) Any one of certain class of organic bases regarded as formed from ammonia by the substitution of phenyl for hydrogen.

Phe"nyl*ene (?), n. (Chem.) A hypothetic radical (C₆H₄) occurring in certain derivatives of benzene; as, phenylene diamine.

Phe*nyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, phenyl.

Phe"on (?), n. [Prob. from Old French.] (Her.) A bearing representing the head of a dart or javelin, with long barbs which are engrailed on the inner edge.

Phi"al (?), n. [F. fiole, L. phiala a broad, flat, shallow cup or bowl, Gr. &?;. cf. Vial.] A glass vessel or bottle, especially a small bottle for medicines; a vial.

Phi"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phialed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phialing.] To put or keep in, or as in, a phial.

Phil`a*del"phi*an (?), a. [Gr. filadelfia brotherly love, from fila`delfos brotherly; fi`los loved, loving, friendly + 'adelfo`s brother.] Of or pertaining to Ptolemy Philadelphus, or to one of the cities named Philadelphia, esp. the modern city in Pennsylvania.

2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a society of mystics of the seventeenth century, -- called also the Family of Love. Tatler.

Phil`a*le"thist (?), n. [Philo- + Gr. &?; truth.] A lover of the truth. [Obs.] Brathwait.

Phi*lan"der (?), v. i. [Gr. &?; fond of men; &?; loving + &?; man.] To make love to women; to play the male flirt.

Phi*lan"der, n. (Zoöl.) (a) A South American opossum (Didelphys philander). (b) An Australian bandicoot (Perameles lagotis).

Phi*lan"der*er (?), n. One who hangs about women; a male flirt. [R.] C. Kingsley.

{ Phil`an*throp"ic (?), Phil`an*throp"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. philanthropique.] Of or pertaining to philanthropy; characterized by philanthropy; loving or helping mankind; as, a philanthropic enterprise. -- Phil`an*throp"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phil`an*throp"i*nism (?), n. A system of education on so-called natural principles, attempted in Germany in the last century by Basedow, of Dessau.

Phi*lan"thro*pist (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; loving + &?; man: cf. F. philanthrope.] One who practices philanthropy; one who loves mankind, and seeks to promote the good of others.

Phi*lan`thro*pis"tic (?), a. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, a philanthropist. [R.] Carlyle.

Phi*lan"thro*py (?), n. [L. philanthropia, Gr. &?;: cf. F. philanthropie.] Love to mankind; benevolence toward the whole human family; universal good will; desire and readiness to do good to all men; -- opposed to misanthropy. Jer. Taylor.

Phi*lat"e*list (?), n. One versed in philately; one who collects postage stamps.

Phi*lat"e*ly (?), n. [Philo- + Gr. &?; exemption from tax; cf. frank to send free.] The collection of postage stamps of various issues.

Phil"a*to*ry (?), n. [OF. filatiere, philatiere. See Phylactery.] (Eccl.) A kind of transparent reliquary with an ornamental top.

Phil"au*ty (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; loving + &?; self.] Self-love; selfishness. [Obs.] Beaumont.

Phil`har*mon"ic (?), a. [Philo- + Gr. &?; harmony: cf. F. philharmonique.] Loving harmony or music.

Phil*hel"lene (?), n. A friend of Greece, or of the Greeks; a philhellenist. Emerson.

Phil*hel"len*ist, n. [Philo- + Gr. &?; a Greek: cf. F. philhellène.] A friend of Greece; one who supports the cause of the Greeks; particularly, one who supported them in their struggle for independence against the Turks; a philhellene.

Phil"ip (?), n. [So called from their notes.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European hedge sparrow. (b) The house sparrow. Called also phip. [Prov. Eng.]

Phi*lip"pi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Philippi, a city of ancient Macedonia. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Philippi.

Phi*lip"pic (?), n. [L. Philippicus belonging to Philip, Philippic, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Philip, &?; fond of horses: cf. F. philippique.] 1. Any one of the series of famous orations of Demosthenes, the Grecian orator, denouncing Philip, king of Macedon.

Phi*lip"pi*um (?), n. [NL. So named from Philippe Plantamour, of Geneva, Switzerland.] (Chem.) A rare and doubtful metallic element said to have been discovered in the mineral samarskite.

Phil"ip*pize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Philippized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Philippizing.] [Gr. &?; to be on Philip's side.] 1. To support or advocate the cause of Philip of Macedon.

Phi*lis"ter (?), n. [G.] A Philistine; -- a cant name given to townsmen by students in German universities.

Phi*lis"tine (?), n. [L. Philistinus, Heb. Phlishth, pl. Phlishthm.] 1. A native or an inhabitant of ancient Philistia, a coast region of southern Palestine.

3. A person deficient in liberal culture and refinement; one without appreciation of the nobler aspirations and sentiments of humanity; one whose scope is limited to selfish and material interests. [Recent] M. Arnold.

Phi*lis"tin*ism (?), n. The condition, character, aims, and habits of the class called Philistines. See Philistine, 3. [Recent] Carlyle.

Phil"lips*ite (?), n. [So named after John Phillips, an English mineralogist.] (Min.) (a) A hydrous silicate of aluminia, lime, and soda, a zeolitic mineral commonly occurring in complex twin crystals, often cruciform in shape; -- called also christianite.

Phil*lyg"e*nin (?), n. [Phillyrin + -gen + -in.] (Chem.) A pearly crystalline substance obtained by the decomposition of phillyrin.

||Phil*lyr"e*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Bot.) A genus of evergreen plants growing along the shores of the Mediterranean, and breading a fruit resembling that of the olive.

Phil"ly*rin (?), n. (Chem.) A glucoside extracted from Phillyrea as a bitter white crystalline substance. It is sometimes used as a febrifuge.

Philo-. A combining form from Gr. fi`los loving, fond of, attached to; as, philosophy, philotechnic.

Phi*log"y*nist (?), n. [See Philogyny.] A lover or friend of women; one who esteems woman as the higher type of humanity; -- opposed to misogynist.

Phi*log"y*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; loving + &?; woman.] Fondness for women; uxoriousness; -- opposed to misogyny. [R.] Byron.

Phi*lol"o*ger (?), n. [Cf. L. philologus a man of letters, Gr. &?;, originally, fond of talking; hence, fond of learning and literature; &?; loving + &?; speech, discourse.] A philologist. Burton.

{ Phil`o*log"ic*al (?), Phil`o*log"ic (?), } a. [Cf. F. philologique.] Of or pertaining to philology. -- Phil`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phi*lol"o*gize (?), v. i. To study, or make critical comments on, language. Evelyn.

Phi*lol"o*gy (?), n. [L. philologia love of learning, interpretation, philology, Gr. &?;: cf. F. philologie. See Philologer.] 1. Criticism; grammatical learning. [R.] Johnson.

2. The study of language, especially in a philosophical manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of human speech, the relation of different tongues to one another, and historical development of languages; linguistic science.

Philology comprehends a knowledge of the etymology, or origin and combination of words; grammar, the construction of sentences, or use of words in language; criticism, the interpretation of authors, the affinities of different languages, and whatever relates to the history or present state of languages. It sometimes includes rhetoric, poetry, history, and antiquities.

Phil"o*math (?), n. [Gr. &?;; fi`los loving, a friend + ma`qh learning, fr. &?;, &?;, to learn.] A lover of learning; a scholar. Chesterfield.

Phil`o*math"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. philomathique.] 1. Of or pertaining to philomathy.

Phil"o*mel (?), n. Same as Philomela, the nightingale. [Poetic] Milton. Cowper.

Phil`o*me"la (?), n. [L. philomela, Gr. &?;, according to the legend, from &?; Philomela (daughter of Pandion, king of Athens), who was changed into a nightingale.] 1. The nightingale; philomel. Shak.

Phil"o*mot (?), a. [See Filemot.] Of the color of a dead leaf. [Obs.] Addison.

Phil`o*pe"na (?), n. [Probably a corruption fr. G. vielliebchen, LG. vielliebken, or D. veelliebken, a philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr. &?; a friend, and L. poena penalty, from an idea that the gift was a penalty of friendship or love.] A present or gift which is made as a forfeit in a social game that is played in various ways; also, the game itself. [Written also fillipeen and phillippine.]

One of the ways may be stated as follows: A person finding a nut with two kernels eats one, and gives the other to a person of the opposite sex, and then whichever says philopena first at the next meeting wins the present. The name is also applied to the kernels eaten.

{ Phil`o*po*lem"ic (?), Phil`o*po*lem"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; fond of war, warlike; &?; loving + &?; war.] Fond of polemics or controversy. [R.]

Phil`o*pro*gen"i*tive*ness, n. [Philo- + L. progenies offspring.] (Phren.) The love of offspring; fondness for children.

Phi*los"o*phas`ter (?), n. [L., a bad philosopher, fr. philosophus: cf. OF. philosophastre.] A pretender to philosophy. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Phi*los"o*phate (?), v. i. [L. philosophatus, p. p. of philosophari to philosophize.] To play the philosopher; to moralize. [Obs.] Barrow.

Phi*los`o*pha"tion (?), n. Philosophical speculation and discussion. [Obs.] Sir W. Petty.

Phil"o*sophe (?), n. [F., a philosopher.] A philosophaster; a philosopher. [R.] Carlyle.

Phi*los"o*pheme (?), n. [Gr. &?;, from &?; to love knowledge.] A philosophical proposition, doctrine, or principle of reasoning. [R.]

Phi*los"o*pher (?), n. [OE. philosophre, F. philosophe, L. philosophus, Gr. &?;; &?; loving + &?; wise. Cf. Philosophy.] 1. One who philosophizes; one versed in, or devoted to, philosophy.

2. One who reduces the principles of philosophy to practice in the conduct of life; one who lives according to the rules of practical wisdom; one who meets or regards all vicissitudes with calmness.

Philosopher's stone, an imaginary stone which the alchemists formerly sought as instrument of converting the baser metals into gold.

{ Phil`o*soph"ic (?), Phil`o*soph"ic*al (?), } a. [L. philosophicus: cf. F. philosophique.] Of or pertaining to philosophy; versed in, or imbued with, the principles of philosophy; hence, characterizing a philosopher; rational; wise; temperate; calm; cool. -- Phil`o*soph"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phi*los"o*phism (?), n. [Cf. F. philosophisme.] Spurious philosophy; the love or practice of sophistry. Carlyle.

{ Phi*los`o*phis"tic (?), Phi*los`o*phis"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the love or practice of sophistry. [R.]

Phi*los"o*phize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Philosophized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Philosophizing (?).] To reason like a philosopher; to search into the reason and nature of things; to investigate phenomena, and assign rational causes for their existence.

Phi*los"o*phy (?), n.; pl. Philosophies (#). [OE. philosophie, F. philosophie, L. philosophia, from Gr. &?;. See Philosopher.] 1. Literally, the love of, including the search after, wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and laws.

When applied to any particular department of knowledge, philosophy denotes the general laws or principles under which all the subordinate phenomena or facts relating to that subject are comprehended. Thus philosophy, when applied to God and the divine government, is called theology; when applied to material objects, it is called physics; when it treats of man, it is called anthropology and psychology, with which are connected logic and ethics; when it treats of the necessary conceptions and relations by which philosophy is possible, it is called metaphysics.

"Philosophy has been defined: tionscience of things divine and human, and the causes in which they are contained; -- the science of effects by their causes; -- the science of sufficient reasons; -- the science of things possible, inasmuch as they are possible; -- the science of things evidently deduced from first principles; -- the science of truths sensible and abstract; -- the application of reason to its legitimate objects; -- the science of the relations of all knowledge to the necessary ends of human reason; -- the science of the original form of the ego, or mental self; -- the science of science; -- the science of the absolute; -- the scienceof the absolute indifference of the ideal and real." Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A particular philosophical system or theory; the hypothesis by which particular phenomena are explained.

3. Practical wisdom; calmness of temper and judgment; equanimity; fortitude; stoicism; as, to meet misfortune with philosophy.

Philosophy of the Academy, that of Plato, who taught his disciples in a grove in Athens called the Academy. -- Philosophy of the Garden, that of Epicurus, who taught in a garden in Athens. -- Philosophy of the Lyceum, that of Aristotle, the founder of the Peripatetic school, who delivered his lectures in the Lyceum at Athens. -- Philosophy of the Porch, that of Zeno and the Stoics; -- so called because Zeno of Citium and his successors taught in the porch of the Poicile, a great hall in Athens.

Phil`o*stor"gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; loving + &?; affection.] Natural affection, as of parents for their children. [R.]

{ Phil`o*tech"nic (?), Phil`o*tech"nic*al (?), } a. [Philo- + Gr. &?; an art: cf. F. philotechnique.] Fond of the arts. [R.]

Phil"ter (?), n. [F. philtre, L. philtrum, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to love, &?; dear, loving.] A potion or charm intended to excite the passion of love. [Written also philtre.] Addison.

Phil"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Philtered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Philtering.] 1. To impregnate or mix with a love potion; as, to philter a draught.

2. To charm to love; to excite to love or sexual desire by a potion. Gov. of Tongue.

||Phi*mo"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a muzzling, fr. &?; muzzle.] (Med.) A condition of the penis in which the prepuce can not be drawn back so as to uncover the glans penis.

Phiz (?), n.; pl. Phizes (#). [Contr. fr. physiognomy.] The face or visage. [Colloq.] Cowper.

||Phle*bi"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a vein + -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of a vein.

Phleb"o*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?; + -gram.] (Physiol.) A tracing (with the sphygmograph) of the movements of a vein, or of the venous pulse.

{ Phleb"o*lite (?), Phleb"o*lith (?), } n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a vein + -lite, - lith.] (Med.) A small calcareous concretion formed in a vein; a vein stone.

Phle*bol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a vein + -logy.] A branch of anatomy which treats of the veins.

Phle*bot"o*mist (?), n. [Cf. F. phlébotomiste.] (Med.) One who practiced phlebotomy.

Phle*bot"o*mize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phlebotomized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phlebotomizing (?).] [Cf. F. phlébotomiser.] To let blood from by opening a vein; to bleed. [R.] Howell.

Phle*bot"o*my (?), n. [L. phlebotomia, Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, a vein + &?; to cut: cf. F. phlébotomie. Cf. Fleam.] (Med.) The act or practice of opening a vein for letting blood, in the treatment of disease; venesection; bloodletting.

Phlegm (?), n. [F. phlegme, flegme, L. phlegma, fr. Gr. &?; a flame, inflammation, phlegm, a morbid, clammy humor in the body, fr. &?; to burn. Cf. Phlox, Flagrant, Flame, Bleak, a., and Fluminate.] 1. One of the four humors of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed. See Humor. Arbuthnot.

2. (Physiol.) Viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory and digestive passages.

3. (Old Chem.) A watery distilled liquor, in distinction from a spirituous liquor. Crabb.

4. Sluggishness of temperament; dullness; want of interest; indifference; coldness.

Phleg"ma*gogue (?), n. [Gr. &?; carrying of phlegm; &?; phlegm + &?; to lead.] (Old Med.) A medicine supposed to expel phlegm.

||Phleg*ma"si*a (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;. See Phlegm.] (Med.) An inflammation; more particularly, an inflammation of the internal organs.

Phleg*mat"ic (?), a. [L. phlegmaticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. phlegmatique.] 1. Watery. [Obs.] "Aqueous and phlegmatic." Sir I. Newton.

2. Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution. Harvey.

3. Generating or causing phlegm. "Cold and phlegmatic habitations." Sir T. Browne.

4. Not easily excited to action or passion; cold; dull; sluggish; heavy; as, a phlegmatic person. Addison.

Phlegmatic temperament (Old Physiol.), lymphatic temperament. See under Lymphatic.

Phleg"mon (?), n. [L. phlegmone, phlegmon, inflammation beneath the skin, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to burn: cf. F. phlegmon.] (Med.) Purulent inflammation of the cellular or areolar tissue.

Phleg"mon*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. phlegmoneux.] Having the nature or properties of phlegmon; as, phlegmonous pneumonia. Harvey.

||Phle"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a kind of marsh plant.] (Bot.) A genus of grasses, including the timothy (Phleum pratense), which is highly valued for hay; cat's-tail grass. Gray.

Phlo"ëm (?), n. [Gr. &?; bark.] (Bot.) That portion of fibrovascular bundles which corresponds to the inner bark; the liber tissue; -- distinguished from xylem.

Phlo*gis"tic (?), a. 1. (Old Chem.) Of or pertaining to phlogiston, or to belief in its existence.

Phlo*gis"ti*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phlogisticated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phlogisticating.] (Old Chem.) To combine phlogiston with; -- usually in the form and sense of the p. p. or the adj.; as, highly phlogisticated substances.

Phlo*gis`ti*ca"tion (?), n. (Old Chem.) The act or process of combining with phlogiston.

Phlo*gis"ton (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; burnt, set on fire, fr. &?; to set on fire, to burn, fr. &?;, &?;, a flame, blaze. See Phlox.] (Old Chem.) The hypothetical principle of fire, or inflammability, regarded by Stahl as a chemical element.

This was supposed to be united with combustible (phlogisticated) bodies and to be separated from incombustible (dephlogisticated) bodies, the phenomena of flame and burning being the escape of phlogiston. Soot and sulphur were regarded as nearly pure phlogiston. The essential principle of this theory was, that combustion was a decomposition rather than the union and combination which it has since been shown to be.

Phlo*gog"e*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?;, &?; fire + -genous.] (Med.) Causing inflammation.

Phlog"o*pite (?), n. [Gr. &?; firelike.] (Min.) A kind of mica having generally a peculiar bronze- red or copperlike color and a pearly luster. It is a silicate of aluminia, with magnesia, potash, and some fluorine. It is characteristic of crystalline limestone or dolomite and serpentine. See Mica.

||Phlo*go"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; burning heat.] (Med.) Inflammation of external parts of the body; erysipelatous inflammation.

Phlo*ram"ine (?), n. [Phlorlucin + amine.] (Chem.) A basic amido derivative of phloroglucin, having an astringent taste.

Phlo*ret"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, or designating, an organic acid obtained by the decomposition of phloretin.

Phlor"e*tin (?), n. [From Phlorizin.] (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline substance obtained by the decomposition of phlorizin, and formerly used to some extent as a substitute for quinine.

Phlor"i*zin (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, bark + &?; root.] (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline glucoside extracted from the root bark of the apple, pear, cherry, plum, etc. [Formerly also written phloridzin.]

Phlor`o*glu"cin (?), n. [Phloretin + Gr. &?; sweet.] (Chem.) A sweet white crystalline substance, metameric with pyrogallol, and obtained by the decomposition of phloretin, and from certain gums, as catechu, kino, etc. It belongs to the class of phenols. [Called also phloroglucinol.]

Phlo"rol (?), n. [Phloretic + -ol.] (Chem.) A liquid metameric with xylenol, belonging to the class of phenols, and obtained by distilling certain salts of phloretic acid.

Phlo"rone (?), n. [Phlorol + quinone.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance having a peculiar unpleasant odor, resembling the quinones, and obtained from beechwood tar and coal tar, as also by the oxidation of xylidine; -- called also xyloquinone.

Phlox (?), n. [L., a kind of flower, fr. Gr. &?; flame, fr. &?; to burn.] (Bot.) A genus of American herbs, having showy red, white, or purple flowers.

Phlox worm (Zoöl.), the larva of an American moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga). It is destructive to phloxes. -- Phlox subulata, the moss pink. See under Moss.

Phlyc*ten"u*lar (?), a. [Gr. &?; a blister or pustule.] (Med.) Characterized by the presence of small pustules, or whitish elevations resembling pustules; as, phlyctenular ophthalmia.

||Pho"ca (?), n. [L., a seal, fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of seals. It includes the common harbor seal and allied species. See Seal.

Pho*cen"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; a porpoise.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to dolphin oil or porpoise oil; - - said of an acid (called also delphinic acid) subsequently found to be identical with valeric acid. Watts.

Pho"cine (?), a. [L. phoca a seal.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the seal tribe; phocal.

||Pho`co*don"ti*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a seal + &?;, &?;, a tooth.] (Zoöl.) A group of extinct carnivorous whales. Their teeth had compressed and serrated crowns. It includes Squalodon and allied genera.

Phœ"bus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; pure, bright.] 1. (Class. Myth.) Apollo; the sun god.

Phœ*ni"cian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Phœnica. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Phœnica.

||Phœ`ni*cop"te*rus (?), n. [NL. See Phenicopter.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds which includes the flamingoes.

||Phœ"nix (?), n. [L., a fabulous bird. See Phenix.] 1. Same as Phenix. Shak.

||Pho"las (?), n.; pl. Pholades (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a kind of mollusk.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Pholas, or family Pholadidæ. They bore holes for themselves in clay, peat, and soft rocks.

Pho"nal (?), a.[Gr. &?; the voice.] Of or relating to the voice; as, phonal structure. Max Müller.

Pho`nas*cet"ics (?), n. [Gr. &?; to practice the voice; &?; voice + &?; to practice.] Treatment for restoring or improving the voice.

Pho*na"tion (?), n. [Gr. &?; the voice.] The act or process by which articulate sounds are uttered; the utterance of articulate sounds; articulate speech.

Pho*nau"to*graph (?), n. [Phono- + Gr. &?; self + -graph.] (Physics) An instrument by means of which a sound can be made to produce a visible trace or record of itself. It consists essentially of a resonant vessel, usually of paraboloidal form, closed at one end by a flexible membrane. A stylus attached to some point of the membrane records the movements of the latter, as it vibrates, upon a moving cylinder or plate.

Pho*nei"do*scope (?), n. [Phono- + Gr. &?; form + -scope.] (Physics) An instrument for studying the motions of sounding bodies by optical means. It consists of a tube across the end of which is stretched a film of soap solution thin enough to give colored bands, the form and position of which are affected by sonorous vibrations.

Pho*net"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a sound, tone; akin to Gr. &?; to speak: cf. F. phonétique. See Ban a proclamation.] 1. Of or pertaining to the voice, or its use.

2. Representing sounds; as, phonetic characters; -- opposed to ideographic; as, a phonetic notation.

Phonetic spelling, spelling in phonetic characters, each representing one sound only; -- contrasted with Romanic spelling, or that by the use of the Roman alphabet.

Pho*net"ics (?), n. 1. The doctrine or science of sounds; especially those of the human voice; phonology.

Pho`ne*ti*za"tion (?), n. The act, art, or process of representing sounds by phonetic signs.

Phon"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; sound: cf. F. phonique.] Of or pertaining to sound; of the nature of sound; acoustic. Tyndall.

Pho"no- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?; sound, tone; as, phonograph, phonology.

Phono (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American butterfly (Ithonia phono) having nearly transparent wings.

Pho`no*camp"tic (?), a. [Phono- + Gr. &?; to bend: cf. F. phonocamptique.] Reflecting sound. [R.] "Phonocamptic objects." Derham.

Pho"no*gram (?), n. [Phono- + -gram.] 1. A letter, character, or mark used to represent a particular sound.

Pho"no*graph (?), n. [Phono- + -graph.] 1. A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography.

2. (Physics) An instrument for the mechanical registration and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech, etc. It consists of a rotating cylinder or disk covered with some material easily indented, as tinfoil, wax, paraffin, etc., above which is a thin plate carrying a stylus. As the plate vibrates under the influence of a sound, the stylus makes minute indentations or undulations in the soft material, and these, when the cylinder or disk is again turned, set the plate in vibration, and reproduce the sound.

2. One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, the phonograph. See Phonograph, 2.

{ Pho`no*graph"ic (?), Pho`no*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. phonographique.] 1. Of or pertaining to phonography; based upon phonography.

Pho*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Phono- + -graphy.] 1. A description of the laws of the human voice, or sounds uttered by the organs of speech.

2. A representation of sounds by distinctive characters; commonly, a system of shorthand writing invented by Isaac Pitman, or a modification of his system, much used by reporters.

The consonants are represented by straight lines and curves; the vowels by dots and short dashes; but by skilled phonographers, in rapid work, most vowel marks are omitted, and brief symbols for common words and combinations of words are extensively employed. The following line is an example of phonography, in which all the sounds are indicated: --

Pho"no*lite (?), n. [Phono- + -lite: cf. F. phonolithe.] (Min.) A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite, haüynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when struck; -- called also clinkstone.

Pho*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Phono- + -logy.] The science or doctrine of the elementary sounds uttered by the human voice in speech, including the various distinctions, modifications, and combinations of tones; phonetics. Also, a treatise on sounds.

Pho*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Phono- + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring sounds, as to their intensity, or the frequency of the vibrations.

Pho`no*mo"tor (?), n. [Phono- + -motor.] (Physics) An instrument in which motion is produced by the vibrations of a sounding body.

Pho"no*scope (?), n. [Phono- + -scope.] (Physics) (a) An instrument for observing or exhibiting the motions or properties of sounding bodies; especially, an apparatus invented by König for testing the quality of musical strings. (b) An instrument for producing luminous figures by the vibrations of sounding bodies.

Pho"no*type (-tp), n. [Phono- + -type.] A type or character used in phonotypy.

{ Pho`no*typ"ic (?), Pho`no*typ"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phonotypy; as, a phonotypic alphabet.

Pho*not"y*py (?), n. A method of phonetic printing of the English language, as devised by Mr. Pitman, in which nearly all the ordinary letters and many new forms are employed in order to indicate each elementary sound by a separate character.

||Phor"minx (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] A kind of lyre used by the Greeks. Mrs. Browning.

||Phor"mi*um (?), n. [NL. fr. Gr. &?; a plaited mat, a kind of plant.] (Bot.) A genus of liliaceous plants, consisting of one species (Phormium tenax). See Flax-plant.

Phor"one (?), n. [Camphor + acetone.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance, having a geraniumlike odor, regarded as a complex derivative of acetone, and obtained from certain camphor compounds.

||Pho*ro"nis (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Phoronis, a surname of Io, Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A remarkable genus of marine worms having tentacles around the mouth. It is usually classed with the gephyreans. Its larva (Actinotrocha) undergoes a peculiar metamorphosis.

Phor`o*nom"ics (?), n. [Gr. &?; a carrying, motion + &?; a law.] The science of motion; kinematics. [R.] Weisbach.

Phos"gene (?), a. [Gr. &?; light + the root of &?; to be born: cf. F. phosgène.] (Old Chem.) Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- formerly used specifically to designate a gas now called carbonyl chloride. See Carbonyl.

Phos"gen*ite (?), n. (Min.) A rare mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of a white, yellow, or grayish color and adamantine luster. It is a chlorocarbonate of lead.

Phos"pham (?), n. [Phosphorus + ammonia.] (Chem.) An inert amorphous white powder, PN₂H, obtained by passing ammonia over heated phosphorus. [Spelt also phosphame.] -- Phos"pham"ic (#), a.

Phos*phat"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus, phosphoric acid, or phosphates; as, phosphatic nodules.

Phosphatic diathesis (Med.), a habit of body which leads to the undue excretion of phosphates with the urine.

||Phos`pha*tu"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See Phosphate, and Urine.] (Med.) The excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine.

Phos"phene (?), n. [Gr. &?; light + &?; to show.] (Physiol.) A luminous impression produced through excitation of the retina by some cause other than the impingement upon it of rays of light, as by pressure upon the eyeball when the lids are closed. Cf. After-image.

Phos"phine (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, PH₃, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen.

It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke.

Phos*phin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals, and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation.

Phos*phon"ic (?), a. [Phosphoric + sulphonic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical, and analogous to the sulphonic acid.

Phos*pho"ni*um (?), n. [Phosphorus + ammonium.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical PH₄, analogous to ammonium, and regarded as the nucleus of certain derivatives of phosphine.

Phos"phor (?), n. [Cf. G. phosphor. See Phosphorus.] 1. Phosphorus. [Obs.] Addison.

2. The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; Lucifer. [Poetic] Pope. Tennyson.

Phos"phor*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phosphorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorating.] (Chem.) To impregnate, or combine, with phosphorus or its compounds; as, phosphorated oil.

Phos"phor-bronze` (?), n. [Phosphor + bronze.] (Metal.) A variety of bronze possessing great hardness, elasticity, and toughness, obtained by melting copper with tin phosphide. It contains one or two per cent of phosphorus and from five to fifteen per cent of tin.

Phos`phor*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Phosphoresced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorescing (?).] To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a phosphoric light.

Phos`phor*es"cence (?), n. [Cf. F. phosphorescence.] 1. The quality or state of being phosphorescent; or the act of phosphorescing.

Phos`phor*es"cent (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorescent.] Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance.

Phos*phor"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorique.] 1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling, or containing, from us; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a higher valence as contrasted with the phosphorous compounds.

Glacial phosphoric acid. (Chem.) (a) Metaphosphoric acid in the form of glassy semitransparent masses or sticks. (b) Pure normal phosphoric acid. -- Phosphoric acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H₃PO₄, which is the most highly oxidized acid of phosphorus, and forms an important and extensive series of compounds, viz., the phosphates. -- Soluble phosphoric acid, Insoluble phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid combined in acid salts, or in neutral or basic salts, which are respectively soluble and insoluble in water or in plant juices. -- Reverted phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid changed from acid (soluble) salts back to neutral or basic (insoluble) salts.

Phos`phor*it"ic (?), a. (Min.) Pertaining to phosphorite; resembling, or of the nature of, phosphorite.

Phos`phor*o*gen"ic (?), a. [Phosphorus + -gen + -ic.] Generating phosphorescence; as, phosphorogenic rays.

Phos*phor"o*scope (?), n. [Phosphorus + -scope.] (Physics) An apparatus for observing the phosphorescence produced in different bodies by the action of light, and for measuring its duration.

Phos"phor*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphoreux.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling or containing phosphorus; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a lower valence as contrasted with phosphoric compounds; as, phosphorous acid, H₃PO₃.

Phos"phor*us (?), n.; pl. Phosphori (#). [L., the morning star, Gr. &?;, lit., light bringer; &?; light + &?; to bring.] 1. The morning star; Phosphor.

2. (Chem.) A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, -- whence its name. It always occurs compined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0.

3. (Chem.) Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.

Bologna phosphorus (Chem.), sulphide of barium, which shines in the dark after exposure to light; -- so called because this property was discovered by a resident of Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds having similar properties. -- Metallic phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel at a high temperature. -- Phosphorus disease (Med.), a disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms. -- Red, or Amorphous, phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction surface on which safety matches are ignited. -- Solar phosphori (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.

Phos"phor*yl (?), n. [Phosphorus + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical PO, regarded as the typical nucleus of certain compounds.

Phos"phu*ret`ed (?), a. (Chem.) Impregnated, or combined, with phosphorus. [Obsoles.] [Written also phosphuretted.]

Pho"tic (?), a. [Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light.] (Physiol.) Relating to the production of light by the lower animals.

Pho"tics (?), n. (Physics) The science of light; -- a general term sometimes employed when optics is restricted to light as a producing vision. Knight.

Pho"to- (?). A combining form from Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light; as, photography, phototype, photometer.

Pho`to*bi*ot"ic (?), a. [Photo- + biotic.] (Biol.) Requiring light to live; incapable of living without light; as, photobiotic plant cells.

Pho`to*chem"ic*al (?), a. [Photo- + chemical.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to chemical action of light, or produced by it; as, the photochemical changes of the visual purple of the retina.

Pho`to*chem"is*try (?), n. [Photo- + chemistry.] (Chem.) The branch of chemistry which relates to the effect of light in producing chemical changes, as in photography.

{ Pho`to*chro"mic (?), Pho`to*chro*mat"ic (?), } a. Of or pertaining to photochromy; produced by photochromy.

Pho*toch"ro*my (?), n. [Photo- + Gr. &?; color.] The art or process of reproducing colors by photography.

Pho"to*drome (?), n. [Photo- + Gr. &?; to run.] (Physics) An apparatus consisting of a large wheel with spokes, which when turning very rapidly is illuminated by momentary flashes of light passing through slits in a rotating disk. By properly timing the succession of flashes the wheel is made to appear to be motionless, or to rotate more or less slowly in either direction.

Pho`to-e*lec"tric (?), a. [Photo- + electric.] Acting by the operation of both light and electricity; -- said of apparatus for producing pictures by electric light.

Pho`to-e*lec"tro*type (?), n. (Print.) An electrotype plate formed in a mold made by photographing on prepared gelatine, etc.

Pho`to-en*grav"ing (?), n. [Photo- + engraving.] The process of obtaining an etched or engraved plate from the photographic image, to be used in printing; also, a picture produced by such a process.

Pho`to-ep"i*nas`ty (?), n. [See Photo-, and Epinastic.] (Bot.) A disproportionately rapid growth of the upper surface of dorsiventral organs, such as leaves, through the stimulus of exposure to light. Encyc. Brit.

Pho`to*gal`va*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + galvanography.] The art or process of making photo-electrotypes. Sir D. Brewster.

Pho"to*gen (?), n. [Photo- + - gen.] (Chem.) A light hydrocarbon oil resembling kerosene. It is obtained by distilling coal, paraffin, etc., and is used as a lubricant, illuminant, etc. [Written also photogene.]

Pho`to*gen"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to photogeny; producing or generating light.

Pho`to*glyph"ic (?), a. [Photo- + Gr. &?; to engrave.] Pertaining to the art of engraving by the action of light. [Written also photoglyptic.]

Photoglyphic engraving, a process of etching on copper, steel, or zinc, by means of the action of light and certain chemicals, so that from the plate impressions may be taken. Sir D. Brewster.

Pho"to*graph (?), n. [Photo- + -graph.] A picture or likeness obtained by photography.

Pho"to*graph, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Photographed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Photographing (?).] To take a picture or likeness of by means of photography; as, to photograph a view; to photograph a group.

{ Pho`to*graph"ic (?), Pho`to*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. photographique.] Of or pertaining to photography; obtained by photography; used ib photography; as a photographic picture; a photographic camera. -- Pho`to*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.

Photographic printing, the process of obtaining pictures, as on chemically prepared paper, from photographic negatives, by exposure to light.

Pho*tog"ra*phom"e*ter (?), n. [Photograph + -meter.] (Photog.) An instrument for determining the sensibility of the plates employed in photographic processes to luminous rays.

Pho*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + -graphy: cf. F. photographie.] 1. The science which relates to the action of light on sensitive bodies in the production of pictures, the fixation of images, and the like.

The well-focused optical image is thrown on a surface of metal, glass, paper, or other suitable substance, coated with collodion or gelatin, and sensitized with the chlorides, bromides, or iodides of silver, or other salts sensitive to light. The exposed plate is then treated with reducing agents, as pyrogallic acid, ferrous sulphate, etc., to develop the latent image. The image is then fixed by washing off the excess of unchanged sensitive salt with sodium hyposulphite (thiosulphate) or other suitable reagents.

Pho`to*grav"ure (?), n. [F.] A photoengraving; also, the process by which such a picture is produced.

Pho`to*he"li*o*graph (?), n. [Photo- + heliograph.] (Physics) A modified kind of telescope adapted to taking photographs of the sun.

Pho`to*lith"o*graph (?), n. [Photo- + lithograph.] A lithographic picture or copy from a stone prepared by the aid of photography.

Pho`to*lith"o*graph, v. t. To produce (a picture, a copy) by the process of photolithography.

Pho`to*li*thog"ra*pher (?), n. One who practices, or one who employs, photolithography.

Pho`to*lith`o*graph"ic (?), n. Of or pertaining to photolithography; produced by photolithography.

{ Pho`to*log"ic (?), Pho`to*log"ic*al (?), } a. Pertaining to photology, or the doctrine of light.

Pho*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Photo- + -logy: cf. F. photologie.] The doctrine or science of light, explaining its nature and phenomena; optics.

Pho`to*mag"net*ism (?), n. The branch of science which treats of the relation of magnetism to light.

Pho`to*me*chan"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or designating, any photographic process in which a printing surface is obtained without the intervention of hand engraving.

Pho*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Photo- + -meter: cf. F. photomètre.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of light, or, more especially, for comparing the relative intensities of different lights, or their relative illuminating power.

{ Pho`to*met"ric (?), Pho`to*met"ric*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. photométrique.] Of or pertaining to photometry, or to a photometer.

Pho*tom"e*try (?), n. [Cf. F. photométrie.] That branch of science which treats of the measurement of the intensity of light.

Pho`to*mi"cro*graph (f`t*m"kr*grf), n. [Photo- + micro + -graph.] 1. An enlarged or macroscopic photograph of a microscopic object. See Microphotograph.

Pho`to*pho"bi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light + &?; fear.] (Med.) A dread or intolerance of light. Sir T. Watson.

Pho"to*phone (?), n. [Photo- + Gr. &?; sound.] (Physics) An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of rays of light. A. G. Bell.

Pho*top"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light + &?; sight.] (Med.) An affection of the eye, in which the patient perceives luminous rays, flashes, coruscations, etc. See phosphene.

Pho`to*re*lief" (?), n. A printing surface in relief, obtained by photographic means and subsequent manipulations. Knight.

Pho"to*scope (?), n. [Photo- + -scope.] (Physics) Anything employed for the observation of light or luminous effects.

Pho`to*sculp"ture (?), n. [Photo- + sculpture.] A process in which, by means of a number of photographs simultaneously taken from different points of view on the same level, rough models of the figure or bust of a person or animal may be made with great expedition.

Pho"to*sphere (?), n. [Photo- + sphere.] A sphere of light; esp., the luminous envelope of the sun.

Pho*tot"o*nus (?), n. [NL. See Photo- , and Tone.] (Bot.) A motile condition in plants resulting from exposure to light. -- Pho`to*ton"ic (#), a.

Pho`to*trop"ic (?), a. [Photo- + Gr. &?; to turn.] (Bot.) Same as Heliotropic.

Pho"to*type (?), n. [Photo- + -type.] A plate or block with a printing surface (usually in relief) obtained from a photograph; also, any one of the many methods of processes by which such a printing surface is obtained.

Pho`to*xy*log"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + xylography.] The process of producing a representation of an object on wood, by photography, for the use of the wood engraver.

Pho`to*zin"co*graph (?), n. A print made by photozincography. -- Pho`to*zin`co*graph"ic, a.

Pho`to*zin*cog"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + zincography.] A process, analogous to photolithography, for reproducing photographed impressions transferred to zinc plate.

Phrag"mo*cone (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a fence, an inclosure + &?; a cone.] (Zoöl.) The thin chambered shell attached to the anterior end of a belemnite. [Written also phragmacone.]

Phras"al (?), a. Of the nature of a phrase; consisting of a phrase; as, a phrasal adverb. Earlc.

Phrase (?), n. [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to speak.] 1. A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.

2. A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human.

3. A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression. "Phrases of the hearth." Tennyson.

A composition consists first of sentences, or periods; these are subdivided into sections, and these into phrases.

Phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phrased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phrasing.] [Cf. F. phraser.] To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style. "These suns -- for so they phrase 'em." Shak.

2. (Mus.) To group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well. See Phrase, n., 4.

Phra"se*o*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?; a phrase + -gram.] (Phonography) A symbol for a phrase.

{ Phra`se*o*log"ic (?), Phra`se*o*log"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phraseology; consisting of a peculiar form of words. "This verbal or phraseological answer." Bp. Pearson.

Phra`se*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, phrase + -logy: cf. F. phraséologie.] 1. Manner of expression; peculiarity of diction; style.

2. (Mus.) The act or method of grouping the notes so as to form distinct musical phrases.

Phra"try (?), n.; pl. Phratries (#). [Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) A subdivision of a phyle, or tribe, in Athens.

Phre*at"ic (?), a. [F. phréatique, from Gr. &?;, &?;, a well.] (Geol.) Subterranean; -- applied to sources supplying wells.

{ Phre*net"ic (?), Phre*net"ic*al (?), } a. [L. phreneticus, Gr. &?;, &?;: cf. F. phrénétique. See Frantic, and cf. Frenetic.] Relating to phrenitis; suffering from frenzy; delirious; mad; frantic; frenetic. -- Phre*net"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phren"ic (?), a.[Gr. &?;, &?;, the midriff, or diaphragm, the heart, the mind: cf. F. phrénique.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the diaphragm; diaphragmatic; as, the phrenic nerve.

Phren"ics (?), n. That branch of science which relates to the mind; mental philosophy. [R.]

||Phre*ni"tis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;.] 1. (Med.) Inflammation of the brain, or of the meninges of the brain, attended with acute fever and delirium; -- called also cephalitis.

Phre"no*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the migriff + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for registering the movements of the diaphragm, or midriff, in respiration.

Phren`o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to phrenology. -- Phren`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phre*nol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. phrénologiste.] One versed in phrenology; a craniologist.

Phre*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the mind + -logy: cf. F. phrénologie.] 1. The science of the special functions of the several parts of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the brain.

2. In popular usage, the physiological hypothesis of Gall, that the mental faculties, and traits of character, are shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.

Gall marked out on his model of the head the places of twenty-six organs, as round inclosures with vacant interspaces. Spurzheim and Combe divided the whole scalp into oblong and conterminous patches. Encyc. Brit.

Phre`no*mag"net*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the mind + E. magnetism.] The power of exciting the organs of the brain by magnetic or mesmeric influence.

Phre"no*sin (?), n. [See Phrenic.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous body, related to cerebrin, supposed to exist in the brain.

||Phryg`a*ne"i*des (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Phryganea, the typical genus, fr. Gr. &?; a dry stick.] (Zoöl.) A tribe of neuropterous insects which includes the caddice flies; -- called also Trichoptera. See Trichoptera. [Written also Phryganides.]

Phryg"i*an (?), a. [L. Phrygius, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Phrygia, a country of Asia Minor.] Of or pertaining to Phrygia, or to its inhabitants.

Phrygian mode (Mus.), one of the ancient Greek modes, very bold and vehement in style; -- so called because fabled to have been invented by the Phrygian Marsyas. Moore (Encyc. of Music). -- Phrygian stone, a light, spongy stone, resembling a pumice, -- used by the ancients in dyeing, and said to be drying and astringent.

Phthal"e*in (?), n. [See Phthalic.] (Chem.) One of a series of artificial organic dyes made as condensation products of the phenols with phthalic acid, and well represented by phenol phthaleïn. Their alkaline solutions are fluorescent.

Phenol phthalein, a white or yellowish white crystalline substance made from phthalic acid and phenol. Its solution in alkalies is brilliant red, but is decolorized by acids, and as this reaction is exceedingly delicate it is used as an indicator.

Phthal"ic (?), a. [Naphthalene + -ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a dibasic acid obtained by the oxidation of naphthalene and allied substances.

Phthalic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, C₆H₄.(CO₂H)₂, analogous to benzoic acid, and employed in the brilliant dyestuffs called the phthaleins.

Phthal"ide (?), n. [Phthalyl + anhydride.] (Chem.) A lactone obtained by reduction of phthalyl chloride, as a white crystalline substance; hence, by extension, any one of the series of which phthalide proper is the type. [Written also phthalid.]

Phthal"i*mide (?), n. [Phthalic + imide.] (Chem.) An imido derivative of phthalic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance, C₆H₄.(CO)₂NH, which has itself (like succinimide) acid properties, and forms a series of salts. Cf. Imido acid, under Imido.

Phthal"in (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance obtained by reduction from phthaleïn, into which it is easily converted by oxidation; hence, any one of the series of which phthalin proper is the type.

Phthal"yl (?), n. [Phthalic + -yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical of phthalic acid.

||Phthi*ri"a*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; louse.] (Med.) A disease (morbus pediculous) consisting in the excessive multiplication of lice on the human body.

Phthis"ic*al (?), a. [L. phthisicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. phthisique. See Phthisis.] Of or pertaining to phthisis; affected with phthisis; wasting; consumptive.

Phthis"ick*y (?), a. Having phthisis, or some symptom of it, as difficulty in breathing.

Phthis`i*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Phthisis + -logy.] (Med.) A treatise on phthisis. Dunglison.

{ ||Phthis`ip*neu*mo"ni*a (?), Phthis`ip*neu"mo*ny (?), } n. [NL. See Phthisis, Pneumonia.] (Med.) Pulmonary consumption.

Phthi"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to pass or waste away: cf. F. phthisie.] (Med.) A wasting or consumption of the tissues. The term was formerly applied to many wasting diseases, but is now usually restricted to pulmonary phthisis, or consumption. See Consumption.

Phthon"gal (?), a. [Gr. &?; voice.] Formed into, or characterized by, voice; vocalized; -- said of all the vowels and the semivowels, also of the vocal or sonant consonants g, d, b, l, r, v, z, etc.

Phthon*gom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; voice + -meter.] An instrument for measuring vocal sounds. Whewell.

Phthor (?), n. [F. phthore, Gr. &?; to destroy.] (Old Chem.) Fluorine. [Written also phthor.]

Phy"co*chrome (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + &?; color.] (Bot.) A bluish green coloring matter of certain algæ.

{ Phy`co*cy"a*nin (?), Phy`co*cy"a*nine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + E. cyanin.] A blue coloring matter found in certain algæ.

{ Phy`co*e*ryth"rin (?), Phy`co*e*ryth"rine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + E. erythrin, - ine.] A red coloring matter found in algæ of the subclass Florideæ.

Phy*cog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + -graphy.] A description of seaweeds.

Phy*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + -logy.] The science of algæ, or seaweeds; algology.

||Phy`co*ma"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; seaweed + L. mater mother.] (Bot.) A gelatin in which the algæ spores have been supposed to vegetate.

Phy`co*phæ"ine (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + (&?;) dusky.] A brown coloring matter found in certain algæ.

{ Phy`co*xan"thin (?), Phy`co*xan"thine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + &?; yellow.] A yellowish coloring matter found in certain algæ.

{ Phyl`ac*ter"ic (?), Phyl`ac*ter"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phylacteries.

Phy*lac"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Phylacteries (#). [OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylactère, L. phylacterium, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a watcher, guard, &?; to watch, guard. Cf. Philatory.] 1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.

2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.

Phy*lac"to*carp (?), n. [Gr. &?; to guard + &?; fruit.] (Zoöl.) A branch of a plumularian hydroid specially modified in structure for the protection of the gonothecæ.

{ ||Phy*lac`to*læ"ma (?), ||Phy*lac`to*læ"ma*ta (?), } n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to guard + &?; the gullet.] (Zoöl.) An order of fresh-water Bryozoa in which the tentacles are arranged on a horseshoe-shaped lophophore, and the mouth is covered by an epistome. Called also Lophopoda, and hippocrepians.

Phy*lac`to*læ"ma*tous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Phylactolæma.

{ ||Phy*lac`to*le"ma (?), ||Phy*lac`to*le"ma*ta (?), } n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Phylactolæma.

Phy"larch (?), n. [L. phylarchus, Gr. &?;. See Phyle, and -arch.] (Gr. Antiq.) The chief of a phyle, or tribe.

Phy"larch*y (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] The office of a phylarch; government of a class or tribe.

||Phy"le (?), n.; pl. Phylæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a body of men united by ties of blood or habitation.] A local division of the people in ancient Athens; a clan; a tribe.

Phyl"lite (?), n. [See Phylo-.] (Min.) (a) A mineral related to ottrelite. (b) Clay slate; argillaceous schist.

Phyl"lo- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?; a leaf; as, phyllopod, phyllotaxy.

||Phyl`lo*bran"chi*a (?), n.; pl. Phyllobranciæ (#). [NL. See Phyllo-, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) A crustacean gill composed of lamellæ.

||Phyl`lo*cla"di*um (?), n.; pl. Phyllocladia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a leaf + &?; a sprout.] (Bot.) A flattened stem or branch which more or less resembles a leaf, and performs the function of a leaf as regards respiration and assimilation.

Phyl`lo*cy"a*nin (?), n. [Phyllo- + cyanin.] (Chem.) A blue coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll. [Written also phyllocyanine.]

Phyl"lo*cyst (?), n. [Phyllo- + cyst.] (Zoöl.) The cavity of a hydrophyllium.

||Phyl*lo"di*um (?), n.; pl. Phyllodia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; leaflike; &?; leaf + &?; form.] (Bot.) A petiole dilated into the form of a blade, and usually with vertical edges, as in the Australian acacias.

Phyl"lo*dy (?), n. [See Phyllodium.] (Bot.) A retrograde metamorphosis of the floral organs to the condition of leaves.

Phyl`lo*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Phyllo- + mania.] (Bot.) An abnormal or excessive production of leaves.

Phyl"lome (?), n. [Gr. &?; foliage, fr. &?; a leaf.] (Bot.) A foliar part of a plant; any organ homologous with a leaf, or produced by metamorphosis of a leaf.

||Phyl`lo*mor*pho"sis (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, Morphosis.] (Bot.) The succession and variation of leaves during different seasons. R. Brown.

Phyl*loph"a*gan (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to eat.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of a group of marsupials including the phalangists. (b) One of a tribe of beetles which feed upon the leaves of plants, as the chafers.

Phyl*loph"o*rous (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Bot.) Leaf-bearing; producing leaves.

||Phyl*lop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a leaf + -poda.] (Zoöl.) An order of Entomostraca including a large number of species, most of which live in fresh water. They have flattened or leaflike legs, often very numerous, which they use in swimming. Called also Branchiopoda.

In some, the body is covered with a bivalve shell (Holostraca); in others, as Apus, by a shield-shaped carapace (Monostraca); in others, like Artemia, there is no carapace, and the body is regularly segmented. Sometimes the group is made to include also the Cladocera.

Phyl"lo*rhine (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the nose.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Phyllorhina and other related genera of bats that have a leaflike membrane around the nostrils.

||Phyl`lo*so"ma (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, and -some body.] (Zoöl.) The larva of the spiny lobsters (Palinurus and allied genera). Its body is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent; the legs are very long. Called also glass-crab, and glass- shrimp.

Phyl"lo*stome (fl"l*stm), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.) Any bat of the genus Phyllostoma, or allied genera, having large membranes around the mouth and nose; a nose-leaf bat.

{ Phyl"lo*tax`y (?), Phyl"lo*tax`is (?), } n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ta`xis order.] (Bot.) The order or arrangement of leaves on the stem; the science of the relative position of leaves.

Phyl"lous (?), a. (Bot.) Homologous with a leaf; as, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils are phyllous organs.

Phyl`lo*xan"thin (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; yellow.] (Bot.) A yellow coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll.

Phyl`lox*e"ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; leaf + &?; dry.] 1. (Zoöl.) A small hemipterous insect (Phylloxera vastatrix) allied to the aphids. It attacks the roots and leaves of the grapevine, doing great damage, especially in Europe.

It exists in several forms, some of which are winged, other wingless. One form produces galls on the leaves and twigs, another affects the roots, causing galls or swellings, and often killing the vine.

{ Phy`lo*gen"e*sis (?), Phy*log"e*ny (?), } n. [Gr. &?; tribe + E. genesis, or root of Gr. &?; to be born.] The history of genealogical development; the race history of an animal or vegetable type; the historic exolution of the phylon or tribe, in distinction from ontogeny, or the development of the individual organism, and from biogenesis, or life development generally.

Phy*lo*ge*net"ic (?), a. Relating to phylogenesis, or the race history of a type of organism. -- Phy*lo*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

||Phy"lon (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; race, tribe.] (Biol.) A tribe.

||Phy"lum (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL. See Phylon.] (Zoöl.) One of the larger divisions of the animal kingdom; a branch; a grand division.

||Phy"ma (?), n.; pl. Phymata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to produce.] (Med.) A tubercle on any external part of the body.

||Phy"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows.] (Zoöl.) A genus of fresh-water Pulmonifera, having reversed spiral shells. See Pond snail, under Pond.

||Phy*sa"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bladder, fr. &?; a bellows.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the Portuguese man-of- war.

It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The American species (Physalia arethusa) is brilliantly colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors, graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.

||Phy*sa"li*æ (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An order of Siphonophora which includes Physalia.

||Phys`e*ma"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a blowing.] (Zoöl.) A group of simple marine organisms, usually classed as the lowest of the sponges. They have inflated hollow bodies.

Phy*se"ter (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to blow: cf. F. physétère.] 1. (Zoöl.) The genus that includes the sperm whale.

Phys`i*an"thro*py (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; man.] The philosophy of human life, or the doctrine of the constitution and diseases of man, and their remedies.

Phys"ic (?), n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. &?; to produce, grow, akin to E. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique.] 1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory or practice of medicine. "A doctor of physik." Chaucer.

2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.

Physic nut (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (Jatropha Curcas), and its seeds, which are well flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities.

Phys"ic (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Physiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Physicking (?).] 1. To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine to, esp. a cathartic; to operate on as a cathartic; to purge.

Phys"ic*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created existences); in accordance with the laws of nature; also, of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and navies are the physical force of a nation; the body is the physical part of man.

2. Of or pertaining to physics, or natural philosophy; treating of, or relating to, the causes and connections of natural phenomena; as, physical science; physical laws. "Physical philosophy." Pope.

3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.

4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative. [Obs.] "Physical herbs." Sir T. North.

Physical astronomy, that part of astronomy which treats of the causes of the celestial motions; specifically, that which treats of the motions resulting from universal gravitation. -- Physical education, training of the bodily organs and powers with a view to the promotion of health and vigor. -- Physical examination (Med.), an examination of the bodily condition of a person. -- Physical geography. See under Geography. -- Physical point, an indefinitely small portion of matter; a point conceived as being without extension, yet having physical properties, as weight, inertia, momentum, etc.; a material point. -- Physical signs (Med.), the objective signs of the bodily state afforded by a physical examination.

Phys"ic*al*ly, adv. In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally.

Phy*si"cian (?), n. [OE. fisician, fisicien, OF. physucien, a physician, in F., a natural philosopher, an experimentalist in physics. See Physic.] 1. A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine.

2. Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.

Phy*si"cianed (?), a. Licensed as a physician. [Obs.] "A physicianed apothecary." Walpole.

Phys"i*cism (?), n. The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with, physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion.

2. (Biol.) A believer in the theory that the fundamental phenomena of life are to be explained upon purely chemical and physical principles; -- opposed to vitalist.

Phys"i*co- (?). [Fr. Gr. &?; natural, physical.] A combining form, denoting relation to, or dependence upon, natural causes, or the science of physics.

Phys`i*co*chem"ic*al (?), a. [Physico- + chemical.] Involving the principles of both physics and chemistry; dependent on, or produced by, the joint action of physical and chemical agencies. Huxley.

Phys`i*col"o*gy (?), n. [Physico- + -logy.] Physics. [R.] -- Phys`i*col"o*gist (#), n. [R.]

Phys`i*co-math`e*mat"ics (?), n. [Physico- + mathematics.] Mixed mathematics.

Phys`i*co-phi*los"o*phy (?), n. [Physico- + philosophy.] The philosophy of nature.

Phys`i*co-the*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Physico- + theology.] Theology or divinity illustrated or enforced by physics or natural philosophy.

Phys"ics (?), n. [See Physic.] The science of nature, or of natural objects; that branch of science which treats of the laws and properties of matter, and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies; natural philosophy.

Chemistry, though a branch of general physics, is commonly treated as a science by itself, and the application of physical principles which it involves constitute a branch called chemical physics, which treats more especially of those physical properties of matter which are used by chemists in defining and distinguishing substances.

Phys"i*o*crat (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; to rule.] One of the followers of Quesnay of France, who, in the 18th century, founded a system of political economy based upon the supremacy of natural order. F. A. Walker. -- Phys`i*o*crat"ic (#), a.

Phys`i*og"e*ny (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + root of &?; to be born.] (Biol.) The germ history of the functions, or the history of the development of vital activities, in the individual, being one of the branches of ontogeny. See Morphogeny. Haeckel.

{ Phys`i*og*nom"ic (?), Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. physiognomonique.] Of or pertaining to physiognomy; according with the principles of physiognomy. -- Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phys`i*og"no*mist (?), n. [Cf. F. physiognomiste.] 1. One skilled in physiognomy. Dryden.

Phys`i*og"no*mize (?), v. t. To observe and study the physiognomy of. [R.] Southey.

Phys`i*og"no*my (?), n.; pl. Physiognomies (#). [OE. fisonomie, phisonomie, fisnamie, OF. phisonomie, F. physiognomie, physiognomonie, from Gr. &?;; fy`sis nature + &?; one who knows or examines, a judge, fr. &?;, &?;, to know. See Physic, and Know, and cf. Phiz.] 1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper, and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the outward appearance, especially by the features of the face.

2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as denoting character.

4. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without reference to its scientific characteristics; as, the physiognomy of a plant, or of a meteor.

Phys`i*og"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + go`nos birth.] The birth of nature. [R.] Coleridge.

{ Phys`i*o*graph"ic (?), Phys`i*o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. physiographique.] Of or pertaining to physiography.

Phys`i*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + -graphy: cf. F. physiographie.] The science which treats of the earth's exterior physical features, climate, life, etc., and of the physical movements or changes on the earth's surface, as the currents of the atmosphere and ocean, the secular variations in heat, moisture, magnetism, etc.; physical geography.

Phys`i*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; service.] The worship of the powers or agencies of nature; materialism in religion; nature worship. "The physiolatry of the Vedas." M. Williams.

Phys`i*o*log"ic (?), a. [L. physiologicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. physiologique.] Physiological.

Phys`i*o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to physiology; relating to the science of the functions of living organism; as, physiological botany or chemistry.

Phys`i*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. physiologiste.] One who is versed in the science of physiology; a student of the properties and functions of animal and vegetable organs and tissues.

Phys`i*ol"o*gize (?), v. i. To speculate in physiology; to make physiological investigations. Cudworth.

Phys`i*ol"o*gy (?), n.; pl. Physiologies (#). [L. physiologia, Gr. &?;; fy`sis nature + &?; discourse: cf. F. physiologie.] 1. The science which treats of the phenomena of living organisms; the study of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life.

It is divided into animal and vegetable physiology, dealing with animal and vegetable life respectively. When applied especially to a study of the functions of the organs and tissues in man, it is called human physiology.

Mental physiology, the science of the functions and phenomena of the mind, as distinguished from a philosophical explanation of the same.

Phys`i*oph"y*ly (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; a clan.] (Biol.) The tribal history of the functions, or the history of the paleontological development of vital activities, -- being a branch of phylogeny. See Morphophyly. Haeckel.

Phy*sique" (?), n. [F. See Physic.] The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person.

||Phys`o*clis"ti (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; to close.] (Zoöl.) An order of teleost in which the air bladder has no opening.

Phys"o*grade (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bellows + L. gradi to walk, go.] (Zoöl.) Any siphonophore which has an air sac for a float, as the Physalia.

||Phy*soph"o*ræ (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) An order of Siphonophora, furnished with an air sac, or float, and a series of nectocalyces. See Illust. under Nectocalyx.

||Phy*sop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + -poda.] (Zoöl.) Same as Thysanoptera.

Phy`so*stig"mine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean (the seed of Physostigma venenosum), and extracted as a white, tasteless, substance, amorphous or crystalline; -- formerly called eserine, with which it was regarded as identical.

||Phy*sos"to*mi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; mouth.] (Zoöl.) An order of fishes in which the air bladder is provided with a duct, and the ventral fins, when present, are abdominal. It includes the salmons, herrings, carps, catfishes, and others.

Phy*sos"to*mous (?), a. (Zoöl.) (a) Having a duct to the air bladder. (b) Pertaining to the Physostomi.

||Phy*tel"e*phas (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a plant + &?; the elephant; also, ivory.] (Bot.) A genus of South American palm trees, the seeds of which furnish the substance called vegetable ivory.

Phy*tiv"o*rous (?), a. [Phyto- + L. vorare to eat greedily.] Feeding on plants or herbage; phytophagous; as, phytivorous animals. Ray.

Phy"to- (?). [See Physic.] A combining form from Gr. fyto`n a plant; as, phytochemistry, phytography.

Phy"to*chem"is*try (?), n. [Phyto- + chemistry.] Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable chemistry. R. Hunt.

Phy*toch"i*my (?), n. [F. phytochimie; Gr. &?; a plant + F. chimie chemistry.] Phytochemistry. [Obsoles.]

{ Phy`to*gen"e*sis (?), Phy*tog"e*ny (?), } n. [Phyto- + genesis, or root of Gr. &?; to be born.] The doctrine of the generation of plants.

Phy`to*ge*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + geography.] The geographical distribution of plants.

Phy*tog"ly*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to engrave.] See Nature printing, under Nature.

Phy`to*graph"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. phytographique.] Of or pertaining to phytography.

Phy*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + -graphy: cf. F. phytographie.] The science of describing plants in a systematic manner; also, a description of plants.

||Phy`to*lac"ca (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; plant + It. lacca lac.] (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants, some of them having berries which abound in intensely red juice; poke, or pokeweed.

Phy"to*lite (?), n. [Phyto- + -lite: cf. F. phytolithe.] An old name for a fossil plant.

Phy`to*li*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + lithology.] The branch of science which treats of fossil plants; -- usually called paleobotany, sometimes paleophytology.

Phy`to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. phytologique.] Of or pertaining to phytology; botanical.

Phy*tol"o*gist (?), n. One skilled in phytology; a writer on plants; a botanist. Evelyn.

Phy*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + -logy: cf. F. phytologie.] The science of plants; a description of the kinds and properties of plants; botany. Sir T. Browne.

{ Phy"to*mer (?), Phy*tom"e*ron (?), } n. [NL. phytomeron, fr. Gr. &?; plant + &?; share.] (Bot.) An organic element of a flowering plant; a phyton.

||Phy"ton (?), n.; pl. Phytons (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; plant.] (Bot.) One of the parts which by their repetition make up a flowering plant, each being a single joint of a stem with its leaf or leaves; a phytomer.

Phy*ton"o*my (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; law: cf. F. phytonomie.] The science of the origin and growth of plants.

Phy`to*pa*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + pathology.] The science of diseases to which plants are liable.

||Phy*toph"a*ga (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a plant + &?; to eat.] (Zoöl.) A division of Hymenoptera; the sawflies.

Phy*toph"a*gous (?), a. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to eat.] (Zoöl.) Feeding on plants; herbivorous; as, a phytophagous animal.

Phy*tot"o*my (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to cut.] The dissection of plants; vegetable anatomy.

||Phy`to*zo*a"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Phytozoön.] (Zoöl.) Same as Infusoria.

||Phy`to*zo"ön (?), n.; pl. Phytozoa (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; + &?; an animal.] (Zoöl.) A plantlike animal. The term is sometimes applied to zoöphytes.

Pi (?), n. [See Pica, Pie magpie, service-book.] (Print.) A mass of type confusedly mixed or unsorted. [Written also pie.]

Pi, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pieing (?).] (Print.) To put into a mixed and disordered condition, as type; to mix and disarrange the type of; as, to pi a form. [Written also pie.]

Pi"a*cle (?), n. [L. piaculum a propitiatory sacrifice, that which requires expiation, a wicked action, fr. piare to appease, to expiate, pius pious.] A heinous offense which requires expiation. [R.] Howell.

Pi*ac"u*lar (?), a. [L. piacularis: cf. F. piaculaire.] 1. Expiatory; atoning. Sir G. C. Lewis.

2. Requiring expiation; criminal; atrociously bad. "Piacular pollution." De Quincey.

Pi*ac`u*lar"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being piacular; criminality; wickedness. De Quincey.

||Pi"a ma"ter (?). [NL., fr. L. pia (fem. of pius tender, kind) + mater mother.] (Anat.) The delicate and highly vascular membrane immediately investing the brain and spinal cord.

||Pian (?), n. [Pg. pian, epian, or. Sp. pian; from the native name in South America: cf. F. pian.] (Med.) The yaws. See Yaws.

Pi"a*net` (?), n. [Cf. Pie magpie.] (Zoöl.) (a) The magpie. [Written also pianate, and pyenate.] (b) The lesser woodpecker. [Obs.] Bailey.

||Pi`a*ni"no (?), n. [It., dim. of piano, adj. See Piano.] (Mus.) A pianette, or small piano.

||Pi`a*nis"si*mo (?), a.[It., superl. of piano.] (Mus.) Very soft; -- a direction to execute a passage as softly as possible. (Abbrev. pp.)

Pi*an"ist (?), n. [Cf. F. pianiste, It. pianista.] A performer, esp. a skilled performer, on the piano.

||Pi*a"no (?), a. & adv. [It., even, smooth, soft, fr. L. planus even, level.] (Mus.) Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev. p.)

{ Pi*an"o (?), Pi*an"o*for`te (?), } n. [It. piano soft (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see Plain, a.) + It. forte strong, fr. L. fortis (see Fort).] (Mus.) A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys.

Dumb piano. See Digitorium. -- Grand piano. See under Grand. -- Square piano, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong case. -- Upright piano, one with an upright frame and vertical wires.

Pi*an"o*graph (?), n. [Piano + -graph.] (Mus.) A form of melodiograph applied to a piano.

Pi"a*pec (?), n. [Cf. Pie a magpie.] (Zoöl.) A West African pie (Ptilostomus Senegalensis).

Pi"a*rist (?), n. [L. pius pious.] (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order who are the regular clerks of the Scuole Pie (religious schools), an institute of secondary education, founded at Rome in the last years of the 16th century. Addis & Arnold.

Pi*as"sa*va (?), n. [Pg. piasaba.] A fibrous product of two Brazilian palm trees (Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia Piassaba), -- used in making brooms, and for other purposes. Called also piaçaba and piasaba.

Pi*as"ter (?), n. [F. piastre, It. piastra a thin plate of metal, a dollar, LL. piastra, fr. L. emplastrum. See Plaster.] A silver coin of Spain and various other countries. See Peso. The Spanish piaster (commonly called peso, or peso duro) is of about the value of the American dollar. The Italian piaster, or scudo, was worth from 80 to 100 cents. The Turkish and Egyptian piasters are now worth about four and a half cents.

Pi*a"tion (?), n. [L. piatio. See Piacle.] The act of making atonement; expiation. [Obs.]

||Pi*at"ti (?), n. pl. [It., prop., plates.] (Mus.) Cymbals. [Written also pyatti.]

Pi*az"za (?), n.; pl. Piazzas (#). [It., place, square, market place, L. platea street, courtyard. See Place.] An open square in a European town, especially an Italian town; hence (Arch.), an arcaded and roofed gallery; a portico. In the United States the word is popularly applied to a veranda.

Pib"corn` (?), n. [W. pib pipe + corn horn.] (Mus.) A wind instrument or pipe, with a horn at each end, -- used in Wales.

Pi"broch (?), n. [Gael. piobaireachd pipe music, fr. piobair a piper, fr. pioba pipe, bagpipe, from English. See Pipe, n.] A Highland air, suited to the particular passion which the musician would either excite or assuage; generally applied to those airs that are played on the bagpipe before the Highlanders when they go out to battle. Jamieson.

Pic (?), n. [Cf. F. pic.] A Turkish cloth measure, varying from 18 to 28 inches.

Pi"ca (?), n. [L. pica a pie, magpie; in sense 3 prob. named from some resemblance to the colors of the magpie. Cf. Pie magpie.] 1. (Zoöl.) The genus that includes the magpies.

2. (Med.) A vitiated appetite that craves what is unfit for food, as chalk, ashes, coal, etc.; chthonophagia.

4. (Print.) A size of type next larger than small pica, and smaller than English.

Pica is twice the size of nonpareil, and is used as a standard of measurement in casting leads, cutting rules, etc., and also as a standard by which to designate several larger kinds of type, as double pica, two-line pica, four-line pica, and the like.

Small pica (Print.), a size of type next larger than long primer, and smaller than pica.

||Pic`a*dor" (?), n. [Sp.] A horseman armed with a lance, who in a bullfight receives the first attack of the bull, and excites him by picking him without attempting to kill him.

Pic"a*mar` (?), n. [L. pix, picis, pitch + amarus bitter.] (Chem.) An oily liquid hydrocarbon extracted from the creosote of beechwood tar. It consists essentially of certain derivatives of pyrogallol.

Pic"ard (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of Adamites in the fifteenth century; -- so called from one Picard of Flanders. See Adamite.

Pic`a*resque" (?), a. [F., fr. Sp. picaro rogue.] Applied to that class of literature in which the principal personage is the Spanish picaro, meaning a rascal, a knave, a rogue, an adventurer.

||Pi*ca"ri*æ (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. picus a woodpecker.] (Zoöl.) An extensive division of birds which includes the woodpeckers, toucans, trogons, hornbills, kingfishers, motmots, rollers, and goatsuckers. By some writers it is made to include also the cuckoos, swifts, and humming birds.

Pi*ca"ri*an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Picariæ. -- n. One of the Picariæ.

Pic`a*roon" (?), n. [Sp. picaron, aug. of picaro roguish, n., a rogue.] One who plunders; especially, a plunderer of wrecks; a pirate; a corsair; a marauder; a sharper. Sir W. Temple.

Pic`a*yune" (?), n. [From the language of the Caribs.] A small coin of the value of six and a quarter cents. See Fippenny bit. [Local, U.S.]

Pic`a*yun"ish (?), a. Petty; paltry; mean; as, a picayunish business. [Colloq. U.S.]

{ Pic"ca*dil (?), Pic`ca*dil"ly (?), } n. [OF. piccagilles the several divisions of pieces fastened together about the brim of the collar of a doublet, a dim. fr. Sp. picado, p. p. of picar to prick. See Pike.] A high, stiff collar for the neck; also, a hem or band about the skirt of a garment, -- worn by men in the 17th century.

Pic"cage (?), n. [LL. piccadium, fr. F. piquer to prick.] (O. Eng. Law) Money paid at fairs for leave to break ground for booths. Ainsworth.

Pic"ca*lil`li (?), n. A pickle of various vegetables with pungent species, -- originally made in the East Indies.

||Pic"co*lo (?), n. [It., small.] 1. (Mus.) A small, shrill flute, the pitch of which is an octave higher than the ordinary flute; an octave flute.

Pice (?), n. [Hind. pais] A small copper coin of the East Indies, worth less than a cent. Malcom.

||Pic"e*a (?), n. [L., the pitch pine, from pix, picis, pitch.] (Bot.) A genus of coniferous trees of the northen hemisphere, including the Norway spruce and the American black and white spruces. These trees have pendent cones, which do not readily fall to pieces, in this and other respects differing from the firs.

Pi"cene (?), n. [See Piceous.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon (C&?;H&?;) extracted from the pitchy residue of coal tar and petroleum as a bluish fluorescent crystalline substance.

Pic"e*ous (?), a. [L. piceus, fr. pix, picis, pitch.] Of or pertaining to pitch; resembling pitch in color or quality; pitchy.

Pi"chey (?), n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) A Brazilian armadillo (Dasypus minutus); the little armadillo. [Written also pichiy.]

||Pi`chi*ci*a"go (?), n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) A small, burrowing, South American edentate (Chlamyphorus truncatus), allied to the armadillos. The shell is attached only along the back. [Written also pichyciego.]

Pich"u*rim bean` (?). (Bot.) The seed of a Brazilian lauraceous tree (Nectandra Puchury) of a taste and smell between those of nutmeg and of sassafras, -- sometimes used medicinally. Called also sassafras nut.

||Pi"ci (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. picus a woodpecker.] (Zoöl.) A division of birds including the woodpeckers and wrynecks.

||Pic`i*for"mes (?), n. pl. [NL. See Picus, and -Form.] (Zoöl.) A group of birds including the woodpeckers, toucans, barbets, colies, kingfishes, hornbills, and some other related groups.

Pi"cine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the woodpeckers (Pici), or to the Piciformes.

Pick (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Picked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Picking.] [OE. picken, pikken, to prick, peck; akin to Icel. pikka, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke, D. pikken, G. picken, F. piquer, W. pigo. Cf. Peck, v., Pike, Pitch to throw.] 1. To throw; to pitch. [Obs.]

2. To peck at, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.

3. To separate or open by means of a sharp point or points; as, to pick matted wool, cotton, oakum, etc.

5. To pull apart or away, especially with the fingers; to pluck; to gather, as fruit from a tree, flowers from the stalk, feathers from a fowl, etc.

6. To remove something from with a pointed instrument, with the fingers, or with the teeth; as, to pick the teeth; to pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket.

7. To choose; to select; to separate as choice or desirable; to cull; as, to pick one's company; to pick one's way; -- often with out. "One man picked out of ten thousand." Shak.

8. To take up; esp., to gather from here and there; to collect; to bring together; as, to pick rags; -- often with up; as, to pick up a ball or stones; to pick up information.

To pick at, to tease or vex by pertinacious annoyance. -- To pick a bone with. See under Bone. -- To pick a thank, to curry favor. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia). -- To pick off. (a) To pluck; to remove by picking. (b) To shoot or bring down, one by one; as, sharpshooters pick off the enemy. -- To pick out. (a) To mark out; to variegate; as, to pick out any dark stuff with lines or spots of bright colors. (b) To select from a number or quantity. -- To pick to pieces, to pull apart piece by piece; hence [Colloq.], to analyze; esp., to criticize in detail. -- To pick a quarrel, to give occasion of quarrel intentionally. -- To pick up. (a) To take up, as with the fingers. (b) To get by repeated efforts; to gather here and there; as, to pick up a livelihood; to pick up news.

2. To do anything nicely or carefully, or by attending to small things; to select something with care.

3. To steal; to pilfer. "To keep my hands from picking and stealing." Book of Com. Prayer.

To pick up, to improve by degrees; as, he is picking up in health or business. [Colloq. U.S.]

Pick, n. [F. pic a pickax, a pick. See Pick, and cf. Pike.] 1. A sharp-pointed tool for picking; -- often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock.

2. (Mining & Mech.) A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes pointed at both ends, wielded by means of a wooden handle inserted in the middle, -- used by quarrymen, roadmakers, etc.; also, a pointed hammer used for dressing millstones.

3. A pike or spike; the sharp point fixed in the center of a buckler. [Obs.] "Take down my buckler . . . and grind the pick on 't." Beau. & Fl.

5. That which would be picked or chosen first; the best; as, the pick of the flock.

6. (Print.) A particle of ink or paper imbedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face, and occasioning a spot on a printed sheet. MacKellar.

7. (Painting) That which is picked in, as with a pointed pencil, to correct an unevenness in a picture.

8. (Weawing) The blow which drives the shuttle, -- the rate of speed of a loom being reckoned as so many picks per minute; hence, in describing the fineness of a fabric, a weft thread; as, so many picks to an inch.

Pick dressing (Arch.), in cut stonework, a facing made by a pointed tool, leaving the surface in little pits or depressions. -- Pick hammer, a pick with one end sharp and the other blunt, used by miners.

Pick"a*back` (?), adv. On the back or shoulders; as, to ride pickback. [Written also pickapack, pickback, and pickpack.]

Pick"a*nin`ny (?), n.; pl. Pickaninnies (#). [Cf. Sp. pequeño little, young.] A small child; especially, a negro or mulatto infant. [U.S. & West Indies]

{ Pick"ax`, Pick"axe` } (?), n. [A corruption of OE. pikois, pikeis, F. picois, fr. pic. See Pick, n.] A pick with a point at one end, a transverse edge or blade at the other, and a handle inserted at the middle; a hammer with a flattened end for driving wedges and a pointed end for piercing as it strikes. Shak.

Picked dogfish. (Zoöl.) See under Dogfish. -- Picked out, ornamented or relieved with lines, or the like, of a different, usually a lighter, color; as, a carriage body dark green, picked out with red.

Pick*eer" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pickeered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pickeering.] [F. picorer to go marauding, orig., to go to steal cattle, ultimately fr. L. pecus, pecoris, cattle; cf. F. picorée, Sp. pecorea robbery committed by straggling soldiers.] To make a raid for booty; to maraud; also, to skirmish in advance of an army. See Picaroon. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

Pick"er (?), n. [From Pick.] 1. One who, or that which, picks, in any sense, - - as, one who uses a pick; one who gathers; a thief; a pick; a pickax; as, a cotton picker. "Pickers and stealers." Shak.

2. (Mach.) A machine for picking fibrous materials to pieces so as to loosen and separate the fiber.

3. (Weaving) The piece in a loom which strikes the end of the shuttle, and impels it through the warp.

Pick"er*el (?), n. [Dim. of Pike.] [Written also pickerell.] 1. A young or small pike. [Obs.]

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of freshwater fishes of the genus Esox, esp. the smaller species. (b) The glasseye, or wall-eyed pike. See Wall-eye.

The federation, or chain, pickerel (Esox reticulatus) and the brook pickerel (E. Americanus) are the most common American species. They are used for food, and are noted for their voracity. About the Great Lakes the pike is called pickerel.

Pickerel weed (Bot.), a blue-flowered aquatic plant (Pontederia cordata) having large arrow-shaped leaves. So called because common in slow-moving waters where pickerel are often found.

Pick"er*ing (?), n. [Probably a corruption of Pickerel.] (Zoöl.) The sauger of the St.Lawrence River.

Pick"er*y (?), n. [From Pick to steal; or perhaps from Pickeer.] Petty theft. [Scot.] Holinshed.

Pick"et (?), n. [F. piquet, properly dim. of pique spear, pike. See Pike, and cf. Piquet.] 1. A stake sharpened or pointed, especially one used in fortification and encampments, to mark bounds and angles; or one used for tethering horses.

3. [Probably so called from the picketing of the horses.] (Mil.) A detached body of troops serving to guard an army from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the enemy; -- called also outlying picket.

4. By extension, men appointed by a trades union, or other labor organization, to intercept outsiders, and prevent them from working for employers with whom the organization is at variance. [Cant]

5. A military punishment, formerly resorted to, in which the offender was forced to stand with one foot on a pointed stake.

Inlying picket (Mil.), a detachment of troops held in camp or quarters, detailed to march if called upon. -- Picket fence, a fence made of pickets. See def. 2, above. -- Picket guard (Mil.), a guard of horse and foot, always in readiness in case of alarm. -- Picket line. (Mil.) (a) A position held and guarded by small bodies of men placed at intervals. (b) A rope to which horses are secured when groomed. -- Picketpin, an iron pin for picketing horses.

Pick"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Picketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Picketing.] 1. To fortify with pointed stakes.

5. pl. The pulverized shells of oysters used in making walks. [Eng.] Simmonds.

Pic"kle, n. [Cf. D. pekel. Probably a dim. fr. Pick, v. t., alluding to the cleaning of the fish.] 1. (a) A solution of salt and water, in which fish, meat, etc., may be preserved or corned; brine. (b) Vinegar, plain or spiced, used for preserving vegetables, fish, eggs, oysters, etc.

3. (Founding) A bath of dilute sulphuric or nitric acid, etc., to remove burnt sand, scale rust, etc., from the surface of castings, or other articles of metal, or to brighten them or improve their color.

To be in a pickle, to be in disagreeable position; to be in a condition of embarrassment, difficulty, or disorder. "How cam'st thou in this pickle?" Shak. - - To put a rod in pickle, to prepare a particular reproof, punishment, or penalty for future application.

Pic"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pickled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pickling (?).] 1. To preserve or season in pickle; to treat with some kind of pickle; as, to pickle herrings or cucumbers.

2. To give an antique appearance to; -- said of copies or imitations of paintings by the old masters.

Pic"kle-her"ring (?), n. 1. A herring preserved in brine; a pickled herring. [Obs.] Shak.

Pick"mire` (?), n. [So called from its picking its food from the mire.] (Zoöl.) The pewit, or black-headed gull. [Prov. Eng.]

Pick"pen`ny (?), n.; pl. Pickpennies (&?;). A miser; also, a sharper. Dr. H. More.

Pick"pock`et (?), n. One who steals purses or other articles from pockets. Bentley.

Pick"purse` (?), n. One who steals purses, or money from purses. Latimer. Shak.

Pick"thank` (?), n. One who strives to put another under obligation; an officious person; hence, a flatterer. Used also adjectively.

Pi"cle (pk"'l), n. [Prob. fr. pightel or pingle.] A small piece of land inclosed with a hedge; a close. [Obs.] [Written also pickle.]

Pic"nic (?), n. [Cf. F. piquenique. See Pick, v., and cf. Knickknack.] Formerly, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table; now, an excursion or pleasure party in which the members partake of a collation or repast (usually in the open air, and from food carried by themselves).

Pic"nic (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Picnicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Picnicking (?).] To go on a picnic, or pleasure excursion; to eat in public fashion.

Pic"o*line (?), n. [L. pix, picis, pitch + oleum oil + -ine.] (Chem.) Any one of three isometric bases (C₆H₇N) related to pyridine, and obtained from bone oil, acrolein ammonia, and coal-tar naphtha, as colorless mobile liquids of strong odor; -- called also methyl pyridine.

{ Pic`o*tee" (?), Pic`o*tine" (?), } n. [F. picoté dotted, picked.] (Bot.) A variety of carnation having petals of a light color variously dotted and spotted at the edges.

Pi"cra (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; sharp, bitter.] (Med.) The powder of aloes with canella, formerly officinal, employed as a cathartic.

Pi"cric (?), a. [Gr. &?; bitter.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a strong organic acid (called picric acid), intensely bitter.

Picric acid is obtained by treating phenol with strong nitric acid, as a brilliant yellow crystalline substance, C₆H₂(NO₂)₃.OH. It is used in dyeing silk and wool, and also in the manufacture of explosives, as it is very unstable when heated. Called also trinitrophenol, and formerly carbazotic acid.

Pic"rite (?), n. [From Gr. &?; bitter.] (Min.) A dark green igneous rock, consisting largely of chrysolite, with hornblende, augite, biotite, etc.

Pic"ro*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; bitter + -lite.: cf. F. picrolithe.] (Min.) A fibrous variety of serpentine.

Pic"ro*mel (?), n. [Gr. &?; bitter + &?; honey: cf. F. picromel.] (Old Chem.) A colorless viscous substance having a bitter-sweet taste.

It was formerly supposed to be the essential principle of the bile, but is now known to be a mixture, principally of salts of glycocholic and taurocholic acids.

Pic`ro*tox"in (?), n. [Gr. &?; bitter + toxic + -in.] (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline substance found in the cocculus indicus. It is a peculiar poisonous neurotic and intoxicant, and consists of a mixture of several neutral substances.

Pi"cryl (?), n. [Picric + - yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical of picric acid, analogous to phenyl.

Pict"ish (?), a. Of or pertaining to Picts; resembling the Picts. "The Pictish peer." Byron.

Pic"to*graph (?), n. [See Picture, and -graph.] A picture or hieroglyph representing and expressing an idea. -- Pic`to*graph"ic (#), a.

Pic*to"ri*al (?), a. [L. pictorius, fr. pictor a painter, fr. pingere to paint. See Paint.] Of or pertaining to pictures; illustrated by pictures; forming pictures; representing with the clearness of a picture; as, a pictorial dictionary; a pictorial imagination. "Pictorial rhetoric." Ruskin. -- Pic*to"ri*al*ly, adv.

Picts (?), n. pl.; sing. Pict (&?;). [L. Picti; cf. AS. Peohtas.] (Ethnol.) A race of people of uncertain origin, who inhabited Scotland in early times.

Pic"ture (?), n. [L. pictura, fr. pingere, pictum, to paint: cf. F. peinture. See Paint.] 1. The art of painting; representation by painting. [Obs.]

2. A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.

3. An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.

Picture is often used adjectively, or in forming self-explaining compounds; as, picture book or picture- book, picture frame or picture-frame, picture seller or picture-seller, etc.

Picture gallery, a gallery, or large apartment, devoted to the exhibition of pictures. -- Picture red, a rod of metal tube fixed to the walls of a room, from which pictures are hung. -- Picture writing. (a) The art of recording events, or of expressing messages, by means of pictures representing the actions or circumstances in question. Tylor. (b) The record or message so represented; as, the picture writing of the American Indians.

Syn. -- Picture, Painting. Every kind of representation by drawing or painting is a picture, whether made with oil colors, water colors, pencil, crayons, or India ink; strictly, a painting is a picture made by means of colored paints, usually applied moist with a brush.

Pic"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pictured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Picturing.] To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind. "I . . . do picture it in my mind." Spenser.

Pic"tured (?), a. Furnished with pictures; represented by a picture or pictures; as, a pictured scene.

Pic`tur*esque" (?), a. [It. pittoresco: cf. F. pittoresque. See Pictorial.] Forming, or fitted to form, a good or pleasing picture; representing with the clearness or ideal beauty appropriate to a picture; expressing that peculiar kind of beauty which is agreeable in a picture, natural or artificial; graphic; vivid; as, a picturesque scene or attitude; picturesque language.

Pic"tur*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Picturized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Picturizing.] [R.] 1. To picture.

Pic"ul (?), n. [Jav. & Malay pikul, fr. pikul to carry on the back, to carry a burden; n., a man's burden.] A commercial weight varying in different countries and for different commodities. In Borneo it is 135 lbs.; in China and Sumatra, 133½ lbs.; in Japan, 133 lbs.; but sometimes 130 lbs., etc. Called also, by the Chinese, tan. [Written also pecul, and pecal.]

Pic"u*let (?), n. [Dim. of Picus.] (Zoöl.) Any species of very small woodpeckers of the genus Picumnus and allied genera. Their tail feathers are not stiff and sharp at the tips, as in ordinary woodpeckers.

||Pi"cus (?), n.; pl. Pici (#). [L., a woodpecker.] (Zoöl.) A genus of woodpeckers, including some of the common American and European species.

Pid"dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Piddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piddling (?).] [Cf. dial. Sw. pittla to keep picking at, Sw. peta to pick.] 1. To deal in trifles; to concern one's self with trivial matters rather than with those that are important. Ascham.

Pid"dling (?), a.Trifling; trivial; frivolous; paltry; -- applied to persons and things.

Pid"dock (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) Any species of Pholas; a pholad. See Pholas.

Pie (?), n. [OE. pie, pye; cf. Ir. & Gael. pighe pie, also Gael. pige an earthen jar or pot. Cf. Piggin.] 1. An article of food consisting of paste baked with something in it or under it; as, chicken pie; venison pie; mince pie; apple pie; pumpkin pie.

Pie, n. [F. pie, L. pica; cf. picus woodpecker, pingere to paint; the bird being perhaps named from its colors. Cf. Pi, Paint, Speight.] 1. (Zoöl.) (a) A magpie. (b) Any other species of the genus Pica, and of several allied genera. [Written also pye.]

By cock and pie, an adjuration equivalent to "by God and the service book." Shak. -- Tree pie (Zoöl.), any Asiatic bird of the genus Dendrocitta, allied to the magpie. -- Wood pie. (Zoöl.) See French pie, under French.

Pie"bald` (?), a. [Pie the party- colored bird + bald.] 1. Having spots and patches of black and white, or other colors; mottled; pied. "A piebald steed of Thracian strain." Dryden.

Piece (?), n. [OE. pece, F. pièce, LL. pecia, petia, petium, probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. peth a thing, a part, portion, a little, Armor. pez, Gael. & Ir. cuid part, share. Cf. Petty.] 1. A fragment or part of anything separated from the whole, in any manner, as by cutting, splitting, breaking, or tearing; a part; a portion; as, a piece of sugar; to break in pieces.

2. A definite portion or quantity, as of goods or work; as, a piece of broadcloth; a piece of wall paper.

3. Any one thing conceived of as apart from other things of the same kind; an individual article; a distinct single effort of a series; a definite performance; especially: (a) A literary or artistic composition; as, a piece of poetry, music, or statuary. (b) A musket, gun, or cannon; as, a battery of six pieces; a following piece. (c) A coin; as, a sixpenny piece; -- formerly applied specifically to an English gold coin worth 22 shillings. (d) A fact; an item; as, a piece of news; a piece of knowledge.

4. An individual; -- applied to a person as being of a certain nature or quality; often, but not always, used slightingly or in contempt. "If I had not been a piece of a logician before I came to him." Sir P. Sidney.

Of a piece, of the same sort, as if taken from the same whole; like; -- sometimes followed by with. Dryden. -- Piece of eight, the Spanish piaster, formerly divided into eight reals. -- To give a piece of one's mind to, to speak plainly, bluntly, or severely to (another). Thackeray. -- Piece broker, one who buys shreds and remnants of cloth to sell again. -- Piece goods, goods usually sold by pieces or fixed portions, as shirtings, calicoes, sheetings, and the like.

Piece, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pieced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piecing (?).] 1. To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or pieces; to patch; as, to piece a garment; -- often with out. Shak.

Piece (?), v. i. To unite by a coalescence of parts; to fit together; to join. "It pieced better." Bacon.

Piece"meal` (?), adv. [OE. pecemele; pece a piece + AS. m&?;lum, dat. pl. of m&?;l part. See Meal a portion.] 1. In pieces; in parts or fragments. "On which it piecemeal brake." Chapman.

Piece"meal`, a. Made up of parts or pieces; single; separate. "These piecemeal guilts." Gov. of Tongue.

Piece"ner (?), n. 1. One who supplies rolls of wool to the slubbing machine in woolen mills.

Piece"work` (?), n. Work done by the piece or job; work paid for at a rate based on the amount of work done, rather than on the time employed.

Pied (?), a. [From Pie the party- colored bird.] Variegated with spots of different colors; party- colored; spotted; piebald. "Pied coats." Burton. "Meadows trim with daisies pied." Milton.

Pied antelope (Zoöl.), the bontebok. -- Pied-billed grebe (Zoöl.), the dabchick. -- Pied blackbird (Zoöl.), any Asiatic thrush of the genus Turdulus. -- Pied finch (Zoöl.) (a) The chaffinch. (b) The snow bunting. [Prov. Eng.] -- Pied flycatcher (Zoöl.), a common European flycatcher (Ficedula atricapilla). The male is black and white.

Pied"mont (?), a. [F. pied foot + mont mountain.] (Geol.) Noting the region of foothills near the base of a mountain chain.

Pied"mont*ite (?), n. (Min.) A manganesian kind of epidote, from Piedmont. See Epidote.

||Pié`douche" (?), n. [F., fr. It. peduccio console, corbel.] A pedestal of small size, used to support small objects, as busts, vases, and the like.

||Pi*e"no (?), a. [It., fr. L. plenus full.] (Mus.) Full; having all the instruments.

Pie"plant` (?), n. (Bot.) A plant (Rheum Rhaponticum) the leafstalks of which are acid, and are used in making pies; the garden rhubarb.

{ Pie"pou`dre, Pie"pow`der } (?), n. [Lit., dustyfoot, i. e., dusty-footed dealers, fr. F. pied foot + poudreux dusty.] (O. Eng. Law) An ancient court of record in England, formerly incident to every fair and market, of which the steward of him who owned or had the toll was the judge. Blackstone.

Pier (?), n. [OE. pere, OF. piere a stone, F. pierre, fr. L. petra, Gr. &?;. Cf. Petrify.] 1. (Arch.) (a) Any detached mass of masonry, whether insulated or supporting one side of an arch or lintel, as of a bridge; the piece of wall between two openings. (b) Any additional or auxiliary mass of masonry used to stiffen a wall. See Buttress.

Abutment pier, the pier of a bridge next the shore; a pier which by its strength and stability resists the thrust of an arch. -- Pier glass, a mirror, of high and narrow shape, to be put up between windows. -- Pier table, a table made to stand between windows.

Pierce (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pierced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing (?).] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier, parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare, fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F. pertuis a hole. Cf. Contuse, Parch, Pertuse.] 1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. "I pierce . . . her tender side." Dryden.

2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to pass into or through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the ship.

3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery. "Pierced with grief." Pope.

Pierce, v. i. To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and figuratively.

Pier"cel (?), n. [Cf. F. perce.] A kind of gimlet for making vents in casks; -- called also piercer.

Pier"cer (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, pierces or perforates; specifically: (a) An instrument used in forming eyelets; a stiletto. (b) A piercel.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The ovipositor, or sting, of an insect. (b) An insect provided with an ovipositor.

Pier"cing (?), a. Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence." Shak.

Pi*e"ri*an (?), a. [L. Pierius, from Mount Pierus, in Thessaly, sacred to the Muses.] Of or pertaining to Pierides or Muses.

Pi"er*id (?), n. [See Peirides.] (Zoöl.) Any butterfly of the genus Pieris and related genera. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.

||Pi*er"i*des (?), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. &?;. See Pierian.] (Class. Myth.) The Muses.

Pi"et (p"t), n. [Dim. of Pie a magpie: cf. F. piette a smew.] (Zoöl.) (a) The dipper, or water ouzel. [Scot.] (b) The magpie. [Prov.Eng.]

Jay piet (Zoöl.), the European jay. [Prov.Eng.] -- Sea piet (Zoöl.), the oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]

||Pi*e*tà" (p**tä"), n. [It.] (Fine Arts) A representation of the dead Christ, attended by the Virgin Mary or by holy women and angels. Mollett.

Pi"e*tism (p"*tz'm), n. [Cf. G. pietismus, F. piétisme.] 1. The principle or practice of the Pietists.

Pi"e*tist (?), n. [Cf. G. pietist, F. piétiste. See Piety.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a class of religious reformers in Germany in the 17th century who sought to revive declining piety in the Protestant churches; -- often applied as a term of reproach to those who make a display of religious feeling. Also used adjectively.

{ Pi`e*tis"tic (?), Pi`e*tis"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the Pietists; hence, in contempt, affectedly or demonstratively religious. Addison.

||Pi*e"tra du"ra (?). [It., hard stone.] (Fine Arts) Hard and fine stones in general, such as are used for inlay and the like, as distinguished from the softer stones used in building; thus, a Florentine mosaic is a familiar instance of work in pietra dura, though the ground may be soft marble.

Pi"e*ty (?), n. [F. piété; cf. It. pietà; both fr. L. pietas piety, fr. pius pious. See Pious, and cf. Pity.] 1. Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of his character; loving obedience to the will of God, and earnest devotion to his service.

2. Duty; dutifulness; filial reverence and devotion; affectionate reverence and service shown toward parents, relatives, benefactors, country, etc.

Pie"wipe` (?), n. [So called from its note.] (Zoöl.) The lapwing, or pewit. [Prov. Eng.]

Pi`e*zom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; to press + -meter: cf. F. piézomètre.] 1. (Physics) An instrument for measuring the compressibility of liquids.

2. (Physics) A gauge connected with a water main to show the pressure at that point.

{ ||Pif"fe*ro (?), ||Pif"fa*ra (?), } n. [It. piffero.] (Mus.) A fife; also, a rude kind of oboe or a bagpipe with an inflated skin for reservoir.

Pig, n. [Cf. D. big, bigge, LG. bigge, also Dan. pige girl, Sw. piga, Icel. pka.] 1. The young of swine, male or female; also, any swine; a hog. "Two pigges in a poke." Chaucer.

3. [Cf. Sow a channel for melted iron.] An oblong mass of cast iron, lead, or other metal. See Mine pig, under Mine.

Masked pig. (Zoöl.) See under Masked. -- Pig bed (Founding), the bed of sand in which the iron from a smelting furnace is cast into pigs. -- Pig iron, cast iron in pigs, or oblong blocks or bars, as it comes from the smelting furnace. See Pig, 4. -- Pig yoke (Naut.), a nickname for a quadrant or sextant. -- A pig in a poke (that is, bag), a blind bargain; something bought or bargained for, without the quality or the value being known. [Colloq.]

Pig, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pigging (?).] 1. To bring forth (pigs); to bring forth in the manner of pigs; to farrow.

Pi"geon (?), n. [F., fr. L. pipio a young pipping or chirping bird, fr. pipire to peep, chirp. Cf. Peep to chirp.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any bird of the order Columbæ, of which numerous species occur in nearly all parts of the world.

The common domestic pigeon, or dove, was derived from the Old World rock pigeon (Columba livia). It has given rise to numerous very remarkable varieties, such as the carrier, fantail, nun, pouter, tumbler, etc. The common wild pigeons of the Eastern United States are the passenger pigeon, and the Carolina dove. See under Passenger, and Dove. See, also, Fruit pigeon, Ground pigeon, Queen pigeon, Stock pigeon, under Fruit, Ground, etc.

Blue pigeon (Zoöl.), an Australian passerine bird (Graucalus melanops); -- called also black-faced crow. -- Green pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of Old World pigeons belonging to the family Treronidæ. -- Imperial pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of the large Asiatic fruit pigeons of the genus Carpophada. - - Pigeon berry (Bot.), the purplish black fruit of the pokeweed; also, the plant itself. See Pokeweed. -- Pigeon English [perhaps a corruption of business English], an extraordinary and grotesque dialect, employed in the commercial cities of China, as the medium of communication between foreign merchants and the Chinese. Its base is English, with a mixture of Portuguese and Hindoostanee. Johnson's Cyc. -- Pigeon grass (Bot.), a kind of foxtail grass (Setaria glauca), of some value as fodder. The seeds are eagerly eaten by pigeons and other birds. - - Pigeon hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A small American falcon (Falco columbarius). The adult male is dark slate-blue above, streaked with black on the back; beneath, whitish or buff, streaked with brown. The tail is banded. (b) The American sharp- shinned hawk (Accipiter velox, or fuscus). -- Pigeon hole. (a) A hole for pigeons to enter a pigeon house. (b) See Pigeonhole. (c) pl. An old English game, in which balls were rolled through little arches. Halliwell. -- Pigeon house, a dovecote. -- Pigeon pea (Bot.), the seed of Cajanus Indicus; a kind of pulse used for food in the East and West Indies; also, the plant itself. -- Pigeon plum (Bot.), the edible drupes of two West African species of Chrysobalanus (C. ellipticus and C. luteus). -- Pigeon tremex. (Zoöl.) See under Tremex. -- Pigeon wood (Bot.), a name in the West Indies for the wood of several very different kinds of trees, species of Dipholis, Diospyros, and Coccoloba. -- Pigeon woodpecker (Zoöl.), the flicker. -- Prairie pigeon. (Zoöl.) (a) The upland plover. (b) The golden plover. [Local, U.S.]

Pi"geon (?), v. t. To pluck; to fleece; to swindle by tricks in gambling. [Slang] Smart.

Pi"geon-breast`ed (?), a. Having a breast like a pigeon, -- the sternum being so prominent as to constitute a deformity; chicken-breasted.

Pi"geon-heart`ed (?), a. Timid; easily frightened; chicken-hearted. Beau. & Fl.

Pi"geon*hole` (?), n. A small compartment in a desk or case for the keeping of letters, documents, etc.; -- so called from the resemblance of a row of them to the compartments in a dovecote. Burke.

Pi"geon*hole`, v. t. To place in the pigeonhole of a case or cabinet; hence, to put away; to lay aside indefinitely; as, to pigeonhole a letter or a report.

Pig"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of salt-water grunts; -- called also hogfish. (b) A sculpin. The name is also applied locally to several other fishes.

Pig"foot` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A marine fish (Scorpæna porcus), native of Europe. It is reddish brown, mottled with dark brown and black.

Pig"gin (?), n. [Scot.; cf. Gael. pigean, dim. of pigeadh, pige, an earthen jar, pitcher, or pot, Ir. pigin, pighead, W. piccyn.] A small wooden pail or tub with an upright stave for a handle, -- often used as a dipper.

Pig"-head`ed (?), a. Having a head like a pig; hence, figuratively: stupidity obstinate; perverse; stubborn. B. Jonson. -- Pig"-head`ed*ness, n.

Pight (?), imp. & p. p. of Pitch, to throw; -- used also adjectively. Pitched; fixed; determined. [Obs.]

Pigh"tel (?), n. [Cf. Pight, Picle.] A small inclosure. [Written also pightle.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Pig"-jawed` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, with the upper incisors in advance of the lower; -- said of dogs.

Pig"ment (?), n. [L. pigmentum, fr. the root of pingere to paint: cf. F. pigment. See Paint, and cf. Pimento, Orpiment.] 1. Any material from which a dye, a paint, or the like, may be prepared; particularly, the refined and purified coloring matter ready for mixing with an appropriate vehicle.

2. (Physiol.) Any one of the colored substances found in animal and vegetable tissues and fluids, as bilirubin, urobilin, chlorophyll, etc.

Pigment cell (Physiol.), a small cell containing coloring matter, as the pigmented epithelial cells of the choroid and iris, or the pigmented connective tissue cells in the skin of fishes, reptiles, etc.

{ Pig*men"tal (?), Pig"men*ta*ry (?), } a. Of or pertaining to pigments; furnished with pigments. Dunglison.

Pigmentary degeneration (Med.), a morbid condition in which an undue amount of pigment is deposited in the tissues.

Pig`men*ta"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) A deposition, esp. an excessive deposition, of coloring matter; as, pigmentation of the liver.

Pig"ment*ed (?), a. Colored; specifically (Biol.), filled or imbued with pigment; as, pigmented epithelial cells; pigmented granules.

Pig"ner*ate (?), v. t. [L. pigneratus, p. p. of pignerate to pledge.] 1. To pledge or pawn. [Obs.]

Pig`no*ra"tion (?), n. [LL. pignoratio, L. pigneratio, fr. pignerate to pledge, fr. pignus, gen. -ous and -eris, a pledge, a pawn: cf. F. pignoration.] 1. The act of pledging or pawning.

2. (Civil Law) The taking of cattle doing damage, by way of pledge, till satisfaction is made. Burrill.

Pig"nut (?), n. (Bot.) (a) See Groundnut (d). (b) The bitter- flavored nut of a species of hickory (Carya glabra, or porcina); also, the tree itself.

Pig"skin` (?), n. The skin of a pig, -- used chiefly for making saddles; hence, a colloquial or slang term for a saddle.

Pigs"ney (?), n. [Perh. a dim. of Dan. pige a girl, or Sw. piga; or from E. pig's eye.] A word of endearment for a girl or woman. [Obs.] [Written also pigsnie, pigsny, etc.] Chaucer.

Pig"-stick`ing (?), n. Boar hunting; -- so called by Anglo-Indians. [Colloq.] Tackeray.

Pig"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A name of several annual weeds. See Goosefoot, and Lamb's- quarters.

Pig"wid`geon (?), n. [Written also pigwidgin and pigwiggen.] A cant word for anything petty or small. It is used by Drayton as the name of a fairy.

Pi"ka (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of rodents of the genus Lagomys, resembling small tailless rabbits. They inhabit the high mountains of Asia and America. Called also calling hare, and crying hare. See Chief hare.

Pike (?), n. [F. pique; perhaps of Celtic origin; cf. W. pig a prick, a point, beak, Arm. pik pick. But cf. also L. picus woodpecker (see Pie magpie), and E. spike. Cf. Pick, n. & v., Peak, Pique.] 1. (Mil.) A foot soldier's weapon, consisting of a long wooden shaft or staff, with a pointed steel head. It is now superseded by the bayonet.

2. A pointed head or spike; esp., one in the center of a shield or target. Beau. & Fl.

8. (Zoöl.) sing. & pl. A large fresh-water fish (Esox lucius), found in Europe and America, highly valued as a food fish; -- called also pickerel, gedd, luce, and jack.

Blue pike, grass pike, green pike, wall-eyed pike, and yellow pike, are names, not of true pike, but of the wall-eye. See Wall-eye.

Gar pike. See under Gar. -- Pike perch (Zoöl.), any fresh-water fish of the genus Stizostedion (formerly Lucioperca). See Wall-eye, and Sauger. -- Pike pole, a long pole with a pike in one end, used in directing floating logs. -- Pike whale (Zoöl.), a finback whale of the North Atlantic (Balænoptera rostrata), having an elongated snout; -- called also piked whale. -- Sand pike (Zoöl.), the lizard fish. -- Sea pike (Zoöl.), the garfish (a).

Piked (?), a. Furnished with a pike; ending in a point; peaked; pointed. "With their piked targets bearing them down." Milton.

Pike`-de*vant" (?), n. [Pike point (fr. F. pique) + F. devant before.] A pointed beard. [Obs.]

{ Pike"let (?), Pike"lin (?), } n. A light, thin cake or muffin. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

Pike"man (?), n.; pl. Pikeman (&?;). 1. A soldier armed with a pike. Knolles.

2. A staff with a spike in the lower end, to guard against slipping. Sir W. Scott.

Pi*las"ter (?), n. [F. pilastre, It. pilastro, LL. pilastrum, fr. L. pila a pillar. See Pillar.] (Arch.) An upright architectural member right-angled in plan, constructionally a pier (See Pier, 1 (b)), but architecturally corresponding to a column, having capital, shaft, and base to agree with those of the columns of the same order. In most cases the projection from the wall is one third of its width, or less.

Pilch (?), n. [AS. pylce, pylece, LL. pellicia. See Pelisse, and Pelt skin.] A gown or case of skin, or one trimmed or lined with fur. [Obs.]

Pil"chard (?), n. [Cf. It. pilseir, W. pilcod minnows.] (Zoöl.) A small European food fish (Clupea pilchardus) resembling the herring, but thicker and rounder. It is sometimes taken in great numbers on the coast of England.

Pil"crow (?), n. [A corruption of Paragraph.] (Print.) a paragraph mark, ¶. [Obs.] Tusser.

Pile (?), n. [L. pilus hair. Cf. Peruke.] 1. A hair; hence, the fiber of wool, cotton, and the like; also, the nap when thick or heavy, as of carpeting and velvet.

Pile, n. [L. pilum javelin. See Pile a stake.] The head of an arrow or spear. [Obs.] Chapman.

Pile, n. [AS. pl arrow, stake, L. pilum javelin; but cf. also L. pila pillar.] 1. A large stake, or piece of timber, pointed and driven into the earth, as at the bottom of a river, or in a harbor where the ground is soft, for the support of a building, a pier, or other superstructure, or to form a cofferdam, etc.

2. [Cf. F. pile.] (Her.) One of the ordinaries or subordinaries having the form of a wedge, usually placed palewise, with the broadest end uppermost.

Pile bridge, a bridge of which the roadway is supported on piles. -- Pile cap, a beam resting upon and connecting the heads of piles. -- Pile driver, or Pile engine, an apparatus for driving down piles, consisting usually of a high frame, with suitable appliances for raising to a height (by animal or steam power, the explosion of gunpowder, etc.) a heavy mass of iron, which falls upon the pile. -- Pile dwelling. See Lake dwelling, under Lake. -- Pile plank (Hydraul. Eng.), a thick plank used as a pile in sheet piling. See Sheet piling, under Piling. -- Pneumatic pile. See under Pneumatic. -- Screw pile, one with a screw at the lower end, and sunk by rotation aided by pressure.

Pile, v. t. To drive piles into; to fill with piles; to strengthen with piles.

To sheet-pile, to make sheet piling in or around. See Sheet piling, under 2nd Piling.

Pile, n. [F. pile, L. pila a pillar, a pier or mole of stone. Cf. Pillar.] 1. A mass of things heaped together; a heap; as, a pile of stones; a pile of wood.

6. (Elec.) A vertical series of alternate disks of two dissimilar metals, as copper and zinc, laid up with disks of cloth or paper moistened with acid water between them, for producing a current of electricity; -- commonly called Volta's pile, voltaic pile, or galvanic pile.

The term is sometimes applied to other forms of apparatus designed to produce a current of electricity, or as synonymous with battery; as, for instance, to an apparatus for generating a current of electricity by the action of heat, usually called a thermopile.

7. [F. pile pile, an engraved die, L. pila a pillar.] The reverse of a coin. See Reverse.

Pile, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piling.] 1. To lay or throw into a pile or heap; to heap up; to collect into a mass; to accumulate; to amass; -- often with up; as, to pile up wood. "Hills piled on hills." Dryden. "Life piled on life." Tennyson.

To pile arms or muskets (Mil.), to place three guns together so that they may stand upright, supporting each other; to stack arms.

{ Pi"le*ate (?), Pi"le*a`ted (?), } a. [L. pileatus, fr. pileus a felt cap or hat.] 1. Having the form of a cap for the head.

Pileated woodpecker (Zoöl.), a large American woodpecker (Ceophloeus pileatus). It is black, with a bright red pointed crest. Called also logcock, and woodcock.

Piled (?), a. [From 2d Pile.] Having a pile or point; pointed. [Obs.] "Magus threw a spear well piled." Chapman.

Piled, a. [From 1d Pile.] Having a pile or nap. "Three-piled velvet." L. Barry (1611).

Piled, a. [From 6d Pile.] (Iron Manuf.) Formed from a pile or fagot; as, piled iron.

Pi*le"i*form (?), a. [Pileus + -form.] Having the form of a pileus or cap; pileate.

Pile"ment (?), n. [From Pile to lay into a heap.] An accumulation; a heap. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

||Pi*len"tum (?), n.; pl. Pilenta (#). [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) An easy chariot or carriage, used by Roman ladies, and in which the vessels, etc., for sacred rites were carried.

||Pi`le*o*rhi"za (?), n.; pl. Pilorhizæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a cap + &?; root.] (Bot.) A cap of cells which covers the growing extremity of a root; a rootcap.

Pi"le*ous (?), a. [See Pilous.] Consisting of, or covered with, hair; hairy; pilose.

Piles (?), n. pl. [L. pila a ball. Cf. Pill a medicine.] (Med.) The small, troublesome tumors or swellings about the anus and lower part of the rectum which are technically called hemorrhoids. See Hemorrhoids. [The singular pile is sometimes used.]

Pi"le*us (?), n.; pl. Pilei (#). [L., a felt cap.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A kind of skull cap of felt.

Pile"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A plant (Ranunculus Ficaria of Linnæus) whose tuberous roots have been used in poultices as a specific for the piles. Forsyth.

Pil"fer (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pilfered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pilfering.] [OF. pelfrer. See Pelf.] To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.

Pil"fer*ing, a. Thieving in a small way. Shak. -- n. Petty theft. -- Pil"fer*ing*ly, adv.

Pil*gar"lic (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] One who has lost his hair by disease; a sneaking fellow, or one who is hardly used.

Pil"grim (?), n. [OE. pilgrim, pelgrim, pilegrim, pelegrim; cf. D. pelgrim, OHG. piligrm, G. pilger, F. pèlerin, It. pellegrino; all fr. L. peregrinus a foreigner, fr. pereger abroad; per through + ager land, field. See Per-, and Acre, and cf. Pelerine, Peregrine.] 1. A wayfarer; a wanderer; a traveler; a stranger.

2. One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See Palmer. P. Plowman.

Pil"grim, a. Of or pertaining to a pilgrim, or pilgrims; making pilgrimages. "With pilgrim steps." Milton.

Pilgrim fathers, a name popularly given to the one hundred and two English colonists who landed from the Mayflower and made the first settlement in New England at Plymouth in 1620. They were separatists from the Church of England, and most of them had sojourned in Holland.

Pil"grim*age (?), n. [OE. pilgrimage, pelgrinage; cf. F. pèlerinage.] 1. The journey of a pilgrim; a long journey; especially, a journey to a shrine or other sacred place. Fig., the journey of human life. Shak.

Pil"grim*ize (?), v. i. To wander as a pilgrim; to go on a pilgrimage. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

||Pi*lid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pildia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; a cap.] (Zoöl.) The free-swimming, hat-shaped larva of certain nemertean worms. It has no resemblance to its parent, and the young worm develops in its interior.

Pi*lif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pilus hair + -ferous: cf. F. pilifère.] 1. Bearing a single slender bristle, or hair.

Pil"i*form (?), a. [L. pilus hair + -form.] (Bot.) Resembling hairs or down.

Pi*lig"er*ous (?), a. [L. pilus hair + -gerous: cf. F. piligère.] Bearing hair; covered with hair or down; piliferous.

2. (Iron Manuf.) The process of building up, heating, and working, fagots, or piles, to form bars, etc.

Pil"ing, n. [See Pile a stake.] A series of piles; piles considered collectively; as, the piling of a bridge.

Pug piling, sheet piles connected together at the edges by dovetailed tongues and grooves. -- Sheet piling, a series of piles made of planks or half logs driven edge to edge, -- used to form the walls of cofferdams, etc.

Pill (?), n. [Cf. Peel skin, or Pillion.] The peel or skin. [Obs.] "Some be covered over with crusts, or hard pills, as the locusts." Holland.

Pill, v. t. [Cf. L. pilare to deprive of hair, and E. pill, n. (above).] 1. To deprive of hair; to make bald. [Obs.]

Pill (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pilling.] [F. piller, L. pilare; cf. It. pigliare to take. Cf. Peel to plunder.] To rob; to plunder; to pillage; to peel. See Peel, to plunder. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pill (?), n. [F. pilute, L. pilula a pill, little ball, dim. of L. pila a ball. Cf. Piles.] 1. A medicine in the form of a little ball, or small round mass, to be swallowed whole.

2. Figuratively, something offensive or nauseous which must be accepted or endured. Udall.

Pill beetle (Zoöl.), any small beetle of the genus Byrrhus, having a rounded body, with the head concealed beneath the thorax. -- Pill bug (Zoöl.), any terrestrial isopod of the genus Armadillo, having the habit of rolling itself into a ball when disturbed. Called also pill wood louse.

Pil"lage (?), n. [F., fr. piller to plunder. See Pill to plunder.] 1. The act of pillaging; robbery. Shak.

2. That which is taken from another or others by open force, particularly and chiefly from enemies in war; plunder; spoil; booty.

Syn. -- Plunder; rapine; spoil; depredation. -- Pillage, Plunder. Pillage refers particularly to the act of stripping the sufferers of their goods, while plunder refers to the removal of the things thus taken; but the words are freely interchanged.

Pil"lage, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pillaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pillaging (?).] To strip of money or goods by open violence; to plunder; to spoil; to lay waste; as, to pillage the camp of an enemy.

Pil"lar (?), n. [OE. pilerF. pilier, LL. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, fr. L. pila a pillar. See Pile a heap.] 1. The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or post; also, a column or shaft not supporting a superstructure, as one erected for a monument or an ornament.

2. Figuratively, that which resembles such a pillar in appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay; as, the Pillars of Hercules; a pillar of the state. "You are a well-deserving pillar." Shak.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church. [Obs.] Skelton.

4. (Man.) The center of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns.

From pillar to post, hither and thither; to and fro; from one place or predicament to another; backward and forward. [Colloq.] -- Pillar saint. See Stylite. -- Pillars of the fauces. See Fauces, 1.

Pil"lar, a. (Mach.) Having a support in the form of a pillar, instead of legs; as, a pillar drill.

Pil"lared (?), a. Supported or ornamented by pillars; resembling a pillar, or pillars. "The pillared arches." Sir W. Scott. "Pillared flame." Thomson.

||Pil*lau" (?), n. [Per. & Turk. pilau.] An Oriental dish consisting of rice boiled with mutton, fat, or butter. [Written also pilau.]

Pilled (?), a. [See 3rd Pill.] Stripped of hair; scant of hair; bald. [Obs.] "Pilled beard." Chaucer.

Pill"er*y (?), n.; pl. Pilleries (&?;). Plunder; pillage. [Obs.] Daniel.

Pil"lion (?), n. [Ir. pillin, pilliun (akin to Gael. pillean, pillin), fr. Ir. & Gael. pill, peall, a skin or hide, prob. fr. L. pellis. See Pell, n., Fell skin.] A panel or cushion saddle; the under pad or cushion of saddle; esp., a pad or cushion put on behind a man's saddle, on which a woman may ride.

Pil"lo*rize (?), v. t. To set in, or punish with, the pillory; to pillory. [R.]

Pil"lo*ry (?), n.; pl. Pillories (#). [F. pilori; cf. Pr. espitlori, LL. piloricum, pilloricum, pellericum, pellorium, pilorium, spilorium; perhaps from a derivative of L. speculari to look around, observe. Cf. Speculate.] A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having holes through which the head and hands of an offender were thrust so as to be exposed in front of it. Shak.

Pil"lo*ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pilloried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pillorying.] [Cf. F. pilorier.] 1. To set in, or punish with, the pillory. "Hungering for Puritans to pillory." Macaulay.

Pil"low (?), n. [OE. pilwe, AS. pyle, fr. L. pilvinus.] 1. Anything used to support the head of a person when reposing; especially, a sack or case filled with feathers, down, hair, or other soft material.

2. (Mach.) A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block. [R.]

Lace pillow, a cushion used in making hand- wrought lace. -- Pillow bier [OE. pilwebere; cf. LG. büre a pillowcase], a pillowcase; pillow slip. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Pillow block (Mach.), a block, or standard, for supporting a journal, as of a shaft. It is usually bolted to the frame or foundation of a machine, and is often furnished with journal boxes, and a movable cover, or cap, for tightening the bearings by means of bolts; -- called also pillar block, or plumber block. -- Pillow lace, handmade lace wrought with bobbins upon a lace pillow. -- Pillow of a plow, a crosspiece of wood which serves to raise or lower the beam. -- Pillow sham, an ornamental covering laid over a pillow when not in use. -- Pillow slip, a pillowcase.

Pil"low (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pillowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pillowing.] To rest or lay upon, or as upon, a pillow; to support; as, to pillow the head.

Pil"low*case` (?), n. A removable case or covering for a pillow, usually of white linen or cotton cloth.

Pil"lowed (?), a. Provided with a pillow or pillows; having the head resting on, or as on, a pillow.

Pill"worm` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any myriapod of the genus Iulus and allied genera which rolls up spirally; a galleyworm. See Illust. under Myriapod.

Pill"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Pilularia; minute aquatic cryptograms, with small pill-shaped fruit; -- sometimes called peppergrass.

Pi`lo*car"pine (?), n. [From NL. Pilocarpus pennatifolius jaborandi; L. pilus hair + Gr. karpo`s fruit: cf. F. pilocarpine.] (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from jaborandi (Pilocarpus pennatifolius) as a white amorphous or crystalline substance which has a peculiar effect on the vasomotor system.

Pi*lose" (?), a. [L. pilosus, fr. pilus hair. See Pile.] 1. Hairy; full of, or made of, hair.

3. (Bot.) Covered with long, slender hairs; resembling long hairs; hairy; as, pilose pubescence.

Pi*los"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pilosité.] The quality or state of being pilose; hairiness. Bacon.

Pi"lot (?), n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet, sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. & G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) + lood lead, akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he who throws the lead. See Pail, and Lead a metal.] 1. (Naut.) One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman. Dryden.

2. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees.

3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course.

Pilot balloon, a small balloon sent up in advance of a large one, to show the direction and force of the wind. -- Pilot bird. (Zoöl.) (a) A bird found near the Caribbee Islands; -- so called because its presence indicates to mariners their approach to these islands. Crabb. (b) The black- bellied plover. [Local, U.S.] -- Pilot boat, a strong, fast-sailing boat used to carry and receive pilots as they board and leave vessels. -- Pilot bread, ship biscuit. -- Pilot cloth, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats. -- Pilot engine, a locomotive going in advance of a train to make sure that the way is clear. -- Pilot fish. (Zoöl) (a) A pelagic carangoid fish (Naucrates ductor); -- so named because it is often seen in company with a shark, swimming near a ship, on account of which sailors imagine that it acts as a pilot to the shark. (b) The rudder fish (Seriola zonata). -- Pilot jack, a flag or signal hoisted by a vessel for a pilot. -- Pilot jacket, a pea jacket. -- Pilot nut (Bridge Building), a conical nut applied temporarily to the threaded end of a pin, to protect the thread and guide the pin when it is driven into a hole. Waddell. -- Pilot snake (Zoöl.) (a) A large North American snake (Coluber obsoleus). It is lustrous black, with white edges to some of the scales. Called also mountain black snake. (b) The pine snake. -- Pilot whale. (Zoöl.) Same as Blackfish, 1.

Pi"lot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piloted; p. pr. & vb. n. Piloting.] [Cf. F. piloter.] 1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is dangerous.

2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or difficulties. "The art of piloting a state." Berkeley.

Pi"lot*age (?), n. [Cf. F. pilotage.] 1. The pilot's skill or knowledge, as of coasts, rocks, bars, and channels. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

{ Pi"lot*ism (?), Pi"lot*ry (?), } n. Pilotage; skill in the duties of a pilot. [R.]

Pil"u*lar (?), a. Of or pertaining to pills; resembling a pill or pills; as, a pilular mass.

Pil"u*lous (?), a. [L. pilula a pill. See Pill.] Like a pill; small; insignificant. [R.] G. Eliot.

Pi*mar"ic (?), a. [NL. pinum maritima, an old name for P. Pinaster, a pine which yields galipot.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in galipot, and isomeric with abietic acid.

Pi*mel"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; fat.] (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or designating, a substance obtained from certain fatty substances, and subsequently shown to be a mixture of suberic and adipic acids. (b) Designating the acid proper (C₅H₁₀(CO₂/H)₂) which is obtained from camphoric acid.

Pim"e*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; fat.] (Min.) An apple-green mineral having a greasy feel. It is a hydrous silicate of nickel, magnesia, aluminia, and iron.

Pi"ment (?), n. [F. See Pimento.] Wine flavored with spice or honey. See Pigment, 3. [Obs.]

Pi*men"to (?), n. [Sp. pimiento, pimienta; cf. Pg. pimenta, F. piment; all fr. L. pigmentum a paint, pigment, the juice of plants; hence, something spicy and aromatic. See Pigment.] (Bot.) Allspice; -- applied both to the tree and its fruit. See Allspice.

Pimp (pmp), n. [Cf. F. pimpant smart, sparkish; perh. akin to piper to pipe, formerly also, to excel. Cf. Pipe.] One who provides gratification for the lust of others; a procurer; a pander. Swift.

Pimp, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pimped (pmt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. Pimping.] To procure women for the gratification of others' lusts; to pander. Dryden.

Pim"per*nel (?), n. [F. pimprenelle; cf. Sp. pimpinela, It. pimpinella; perh. from LL. bipinnella, for bipinnula two-winged, equiv. to L. bipennis; bis twice + penna feather, wing. Cf. Pen a feather.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Anagallis, of which one species (A. arvensis) has small flowers, usually scarlet, but sometimes purple, blue, or white, which speedily close at the approach of bad weather.

||Pim"pil*lo (?), n. (Bot.) A West Indian name for the prickly pear (Opuntia); -- called also pimploes.

Pim"pi*nel (?), n. [See Pimpernel.] (Bot.) The burnet saxifrage. See under Saxifrage.

Pimp"ing (?), a. [Cf. G. pimpelig, pimpelnd, sickly, weak.] 1. Little; petty; pitiful. [Obs.] Crabbe.

Pim"ple (?), n. [AS. ppelian to blister; cf. L. papula pimple.] 1. (Med.) Any small acuminated elevation of the cuticle, whether going on to suppuration or not. "All eyes can see a pimple on her nose." Pope.

2. Fig.: A swelling or protuberance like a pimple. "A pimple that portends a future sprout." Cowper.

Pin (?), v. t. [Cf. Pen to confine, or Pinfold.] To inclose; to confine; to pen; to pound.

Pin, n. [OE. pinne, AS. pinn a pin, peg; cf. D. pin, G. pinne, Icel. pinni, W. pin, Gael. & Ir. pinne; all fr. L. pinna a pinnacle, pin, feather, perhaps orig. a different word from pinna feather. Cf. Fin of a fish, Pen a feather.] 1. A piece of wood, metal, etc., generally cylindrical, used for fastening separate articles together, or as a support by which one article may be suspended from another; a peg; a bolt.

2. Especially, a small, pointed and headed piece of brass or other wire (commonly tinned), largely used for fastening clothes, attaching papers, etc.

4. That which resembles a pin in its form or use; as: (a) A peg in musical instruments, for increasing or relaxing the tension of the strings. (b) A linchpin. (c) A rolling-pin. (d) A clothespin. (e) (Mach.) A short shaft, sometimes forming a bolt, a part of which serves as a journal. See Illust. of Knuckle joint, under Knuckle. (f) (Joinery) The tenon of a dovetail joint.

5. One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each man should drink.

6. The bull's eye, or center, of a target; hence, the center. [Obs.] "The very pin of his heart cleft." Shak.

9. An ornament, as a brooch or badge, fastened to the clothing by a pin; as, a Masonic pin.

Banking pin (Horol.), a pin against which a lever strikes, to limit its motion. -- Pin drill (Mech.), a drill with a central pin or projection to enter a hole, for enlarging the hole, or for sinking a recess for the head of a bolt, etc.; a counterbore. -- Pin grass. (Bot.) See Alfilaria. -- Pin hole, a small hole made by a pin; hence, any very small aperture or perforation. -- Pin lock, a lock having a cylindrical bolt; a lock in which pins, arranged by the key, are used instead of tumblers. -- Pin money, an allowance of money, as that made by a husband to his wife, for private and personal expenditure. -- Pin rail (Naut.), a rail, usually within the bulwarks, to hold belaying pins. Sometimes applied to the fife rail. Called also pin rack. -- Pin wheel. (a) A contrate wheel in which the cogs are cylindrical pins. (b) (Fireworks) A small coil which revolves on a common pin and makes a wheel of yellow or colored fire.

Pin (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinning.] [See Pin, n.] To fasten with, or as with, a pin; to join; as, to pin a garment; to pin boards together. "As if she would pin her to her heart." Shak.

Pi"ña cloth` (?). A fine material for ladies' shawls, scarfs, handkerchiefs, etc., made from the fiber of the pineapple leaf, and perhaps from other fibrous tropical leaves. It is delicate, soft, and transparent, with a slight tinge of pale yellow.

Pin"a*coid (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a tablet + -oid.] (Crystallog.) A plane parallel to two of the crystalline axes.

Pi*nac"o*lin (?), n. [Pinacone + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) A colorless oily liquid related to the ketones, and obtained by the decomposition of pinacone; hence, by extension, any one of the series of which pinacolin proper is the type. [Written also pinacoline.]

Pin"a*cone (?), n. [From Gr. &?;, &?;, a tablet. So called because it unites with water so as to form tablet- shaped crystals.] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance related to the glycols, and made from acetone; hence, by extension, any one of a series of substances of which pinacone proper is the type. [Written also pinakone.]

||Pin`a*co*the"ca (?), n. [L. pinacotheca, fr. Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, a picture + &?; repisitory.] A picture gallery.

Pin"a*fore` (?), n. [Pin + afore.] An apron for a child to protect the front part of dress; a tier.

Pi*nas"ter (?), n. [L., fr. pinus a pine.] (Bot.) A species of pine (Pinus Pinaster) growing in Southern Europe.

||Pi"nax (?), n.; pl. Pinaces (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; tablet.] A tablet; a register; hence, a list or scheme inscribed on a tablet. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

||Pince`-nez" (?), n. [F. pincer to pinch + nez nose.] Eyeglasses kept on the nose by a spring.

Pin"cers (?), n. pl. [Cf. F. pince pinchers, fr. pincer to pinch. See Pinch, Pinchers.] See Pinchers.

Pinch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinching.] [F. pincer, probably fr. OD. pitsen to pinch; akin to G. pfetzen to cut, pinch; perhaps of Celtic origin. Cf. Piece.] 1. To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies.

4. Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.

5. To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.

Pinch, v. i. 1. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.

Pinch, n. 1. A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.

2. As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.

4. A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar.

At a pinch, On a pinch, in an emergency; as, he could on a pinch read a little Latin.

Pinch"beck (?), n. [Said to be from the name of the inventor; cf. It. prencisbecco.] An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold; a yellow metal, composed of about three ounces of zinc to a pound of copper. It is much used as an imitation of gold in the manufacture of cheap jewelry.

Pinch"beck, a. Made of pinchbeck; sham; cheap; spurious; unreal. "A pinchbeck throne." J. A. Symonds.

Pinch"cock` (?), n. A clamp on a flexible pipe to regulate the flow of a fluid through the pipe.

Pinch"ers (?), n. pl. [From Pinch.] An instrument having two handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot; -- used for griping things to be held fast, drawing nails, etc.

This spelling is preferable to pincers, both on account of its derivation from the English pinch, and because it represents the common pronunciation.

Pinch"ing, a. Compressing; nipping; griping; niggardly; as, pinching cold; a pinching parsimony.

Pinching bar, a pinch bar. See Pinch, n., 4. -- Pinching nut, a check nut. See under Check, n.

Pin"coff*in (?), n. [From Pincoff, an English manufacturer.] A commercial preparation of garancin, yielding fine violet tints.

Pinc"pinc` (?), n. [Named from its note.] (Zoöl.) An African wren warbler. (Drymoica textrix).

{ Pin"dal (?), Pin"dar (?), } n. [D. piendel.] (Bot.) The peanut (Arachis hypogæa); -- so called in the West Indies.

Pin*dar"ic (?), a. [L. Pindaricus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; (L. Pindarus) Pindar: cf. F. pindarique.] Of or pertaining to Pindar, the Greek lyric poet; after the style and manner of Pindar; as, Pindaric odes. -- n. A Pindaric ode.

Pin"der (?), n. [AS. pyndan to pen up, fr. pund a pound.] One who impounds; a poundkeeper. [Obs.]

Pine (?), n. [AS. pn, L. poena penalty. See Pain.] Woe; torment; pain. [Obs.] "Pyne of hell." Chaucer.

Pine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pining.] [AS. pnan to torment, fr. pn torment. See 1st Pine, Pain, n. & v.] 1. To inflict pain upon; to torment; to torture; to afflict. [Obs.] Chaucer. Shak.

2. To languish; to lose flesh or wear away, under any distress or anexiety of mind; to droop; -- often used with away. "The roses wither and the lilies pine." Tickell.

3. To languish with desire; to waste away with longing for something; -- usually followed by for.

Pine, n. [AS. pn, L. pinus.] 1. (Bot.) Any tree of the coniferous genus Pinus. See Pinus.

There are about twenty-eight species in the United States, of which the white pine (P. Strobus), the Georgia pine (P. australis), the red pine (P. resinosa), and the great West Coast sugar pine (P. Lambertiana) are among the most valuable. The Scotch pine or fir, also called Norway or Riga pine (Pinus sylvestris), is the only British species. The nut pine is any pine tree, or species of pine, which bears large edible seeds. See Pinon.

The spruces, firs, larches, and true cedars, though formerly considered pines, are now commonly assigned to other genera.

Ground pine. (Bot.) See under Ground. -- Norfolk Island pine (Bot.), a beautiful coniferous tree, the Araucaria excelsa. -- Pine barren, a tract of infertile land which is covered with pines. [Southern U.S.] -- Pine borer (Zoöl.), any beetle whose larvæ bore into pine trees. -- Pine finch. (Zoöl.) See Pinefinch, in the Vocabulary. -- Pine grosbeak (Zoöl.), a large grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator), which inhabits the northern parts of both hemispheres. The adult male is more or less tinged with red. -- Pine lizard (Zoöl.), a small, very active, mottled gray lizard (Sceloporus undulatus), native of the Middle States; -- called also swift, brown scorpion, and alligator. -- Pine marten. (Zoöl.) (a) A European weasel (Mustela martes), called also sweet marten, and yellow-breasted marten. (b) The American sable. See Sable. -- Pine moth (Zoöl.), any one of several species of small tortricid moths of the genus Retinia, whose larvæ burrow in the ends of the branchlets of pine trees, often doing great damage. - - Pine mouse (Zoöl.), an American wild mouse (Arvicola pinetorum), native of the Middle States. It lives in pine forests. -- Pine needle (Bot.), one of the slender needle-shaped leaves of a pine tree. See Pinus. -- Pine-needle wool. See Pine wool (below). -- Pine oil, an oil resembling turpentine, obtained from fir and pine trees, and used in making varnishes and colors. -- Pine snake (Zoöl.), a large harmless North American snake (Pituophis melanoleucus). It is whitish, covered with brown blotches having black margins. Called also bull snake. The Western pine snake (P. Sayi) is chestnut-brown, mottled with black and orange. -- Pine tree (Bot.), a tree of the genus Pinus; pine. -- Pine-tree money, money coined in Massachusetts in the seventeenth century, and so called from its bearing a figure of a pine tree. -- Pine weevil (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of weevils whose larvæ bore in the wood of pine trees. Several species are known in both Europe and America, belonging to the genera Pissodes, Hylobius, etc. -- Pine wool, a fiber obtained from pine needles by steaming them. It is prepared on a large scale in some of the Southern United States, and has many uses in the economic arts; -- called also pine-needle wool, and pine- wood wool.

Pi"ne*al (?), a. [L. pinea the cone of a pine, from pineus of the pine, from pinus a pine: cf. F. pinéale.] Of or pertaining to a pine cone; resembling a pine cone.

Pineal gland (Anat.), a glandlike body in the roof of the third ventricle of the vertebrate brain; -- called also pineal body, epiphysis, conarium. In some animals it is connected with a rudimentary eye, the so-called pineal eye, and in other animals it is supposed to be the remnant of a dorsal median eye.

Pine"ap`ple (?), n. (Bot.) A tropical plant (Ananassa sativa); also, its fruit; -- so called from the resemblance of the latter, in shape and external appearance, to the cone of the pine tree. Its origin is unknown, though conjectured to be American.

{ Pine"-clad` (?), Pine"-crowned` (?), } a. Clad or crowned with pine trees; as, pine-clad hills.

Pine"drops` (?), n. (Bot.) A reddish herb (Pterospora andromedea) of the United States, found parasitic on the roots of pine trees.

Pine"finch` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) A small American bird (Spinus, or Chrysomitris, spinus); -- called also pine siskin, and American siskin. (b) The pine grosbeak.

||Pi*nen"chy*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a tablet + -enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.) Tabular parenchyma, a form of cellular tissue in which the cells are broad and flat, as in some kinds of epidermis.

Pine"sap` (?), n. (Bot.) A reddish fleshy herb of the genus Monotropa (M. hypopitys), formerly thought to be parasitic on the roots of pine trees, but more probably saprophytic.

||Pi*ne"tum (?), n. [L., a pine grove.] A plantation of pine trees; esp., a collection of living pine trees made for ornamental or scientific purposes.

Pine"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A low, bushy, nearly leafless herb (Hypericum Sarothra), common in sandy soil in the Eastern United States.

Pin"ey, a. [Of East Indian origin.] A term used in designating an East Indian tree (the Vateria Indica or piney tree, of the order Dipterocarpeæ, which grows in Malabar, etc.) or its products.

Piney dammar, Piney resin, Piney varnish, a pellucid, fragrant, acrid, bitter resin, which exudes from the piney tree (Vateria Indica) when wounded. It is used as a varnish, in making candles, and as a substitute for incense and for amber. Called also liquid copal, and white dammar. -- Piney tallow, a solid fatty substance, resembling tallow, obtained from the roasted seeds of the Vateria Indica; called also dupada oil. -- Piney thistle (Bot.), a plant (Atractylis gummifera), from the bark of which, when wounded, a gummy substance exudes.

Pin"-eyed` (?), a. (Bot.) Having the stigma visible at the throad of a gamopetalous corolla, while the stamens are concealed in the tube; -- said of dimorphous flowers. The opposite of thrum-eyed.

Pin"feath`er (?), n. A feather not fully developed; esp., a rudimentary feather just emerging through the skin.

Pin"feath`ered (?), a. Having part, or all, of the feathers imperfectly developed.

Pin"fish` (?), n. [So called from their sharp dorsal spines.] (Zoöl.) (a) The sailor's choice (Diplodus, or Lagodon, rhomboides). (b) The salt-water bream (Diplodus Holbrooki).

Both are excellent food fishes, common on the coast of the United States south of Cape Hatteras. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Pin"fold` (?), n. [For pindfold. See Pinder, Pound an inclosure, and Fold an inclosure.] A place in which stray cattle or domestic animals are confined; a pound; a penfold. Shak.

Ping (?), n. [Probably of imitative origin.] The sound made by a bullet in striking a solid object or in passing through the air.

Ping, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pinged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinging.] To make the sound called ping.

Pin"gle (?), n. [Perhaps fr. pin to impound.] A small piece of inclosed ground. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Pin*guic"u*la (?), n. [NL., fr. L. pinguiculus somewhat fat, fattish.] (Bot.) See Butterwort.

Pin"guid (?), a. [L. pinguis fat.] Fat; unctuous; greasy. [Obs.] "Some clays are more pinguid." Mortimer.

Pin*guid"i*nous (?), a. [L. pinguedo fatness, fr. pinguis fat.] Containing fat; fatty. [Obs.]

Pin"gui*tude (?), n. [L. pinguitudo, from pinguis fat.] Fatness; a growing fat; obesity. [R.]

Pi"nic (&?;), a. [L. pinus pine.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to the pine; obtained from the pine; formerly, designating an acid which is the chief constituent of common resin, -- now called abietic, or sylvic, acid.

Pin"ion (?), n. (Zoöl.) A moth of the genus Lithophane, as L. antennata, whose larva bores large holes in young peaches and apples.

Pin"ion, n. [OF. pignon a pen, F., gable, pinion (in sense 5); cf. Sp. piñon pinion; fr. L. pinna pinnacle, feather, wing. See Pin a peg, and cf. Pen a feather, Pennat, Pennon.] 1. A feather; a quill. Shak.

5. (Mech.) A cogwheel with a small number of teeth, or leaves, adapted to engage with a larger wheel, or rack (see Rack); esp., such a wheel having its leaves formed of the substance of the arbor or spindle which is its axis.

Lantern pinion. See under Lantern. -- Pinion wire, wire fluted longitudinally, for making the pinions of clocks and watches. It is formed by being drawn through holes of the shape required for the leaves or teeth of the pinions.

Pin"ion (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinioning.] 1. To bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the wings. Bacon.

3. To disable or restrain, as a person, by binding the arms, esp. by binding the arms to the body. Shak.

4. Hence, generally, to confine; to bind; to tie up. "Pinioned up by formal rules of state." Norris.

Pin"ite (?), n. [So called from Pini, a mine in Saxony.] (Min.) A compact granular cryptocrystalline mineral of a dull grayish or greenish white color. It is a hydrous alkaline silicate, and is derived from the alteration of other minerals, as iolite.

Pi"nite (?), n. [L. pinus the pine tree.] 1. (Paleon.) Any fossil wood which exhibits traces of having belonged to the Pine family.

2. (Chem.) A sweet white crystalline substance extracted from the gum of a species of pine (Pinus Lambertina). It is isomeric with, and resembles, quercite.

Pink (?), n. [D. pink.] (Naut.) A vessel with a very narrow stern; -- called also pinky. Sir W. Scott.

Pink, v. i. [D. pinken, pinkoogen, to blink, twinkle with the eyes.] To wink; to blink. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

Pink, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinking.] [OE. pinken to prick, probably a nasalized form of pick.] 1. To pierce with small holes; to cut the edge of, as cloth or paper, in small scallops or angles.

Pink, n. [Perh. akin to pick; as if the edges of the petals were picked out. Cf. Pink, v. t.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to several plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus, and to their flowers, which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.

2. A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red with more or less white; -- so called from the common color of the flower. Dryden.

3. Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection of something. "The very pink of courtesy." Shak.

4. (Zoöl.) The European minnow; -- so called from the color of its abdomen in summer. [Prov. Eng.]

Bunch pink is Dianthus barbatus. -- China, or Indian, pink. See under China. -- Clove pink is Dianthus Caryophyllus, the stock from which carnations are derived. -- Garden pink. See Pheasant's eye. -- Meadow pink is applied to Dianthus deltoides; also, to the ragged robin. -- Maiden pink, Dianthus deltoides. -- Moss pink. See under Moss. -- Pink needle, the pin grass; -- so called from the long, tapering points of the carpels. See Alfilaria. -- Sea pink. See Thrift.

Pink, a. Resembling the garden pink in color; of the color called pink (see 6th Pink, 2); as, a pink dress; pink ribbons.

Pink eye (Med.), a popular name for an epidemic variety of ophthalmia, associated with early and marked redness of the eyeball. -- Pink salt (Chem. & Dyeing), the double chlorides of (stannic) tin and ammonium, formerly much used as a mordant for madder and cochineal. -- Pink saucer, a small saucer, the inner surface of which is covered with a pink pigment.

Pinked (?), a. Pierced with small holes; worked in eyelets; scalloped on the edge. Shak.

2. The act or method of decorating fabrics or garments with a pinking iron; also, the style of decoration; scallops made with a pinking iron.

Pinking iron. (a) An instrument for scalloping the edges of ribbons, flounces, etc. (b) A sword. [Colloq.]

Pink"root` (?), n. 1. (Med.) The root of Spigelia Marilandica, used as a powerful vermifuge; also, that of S. Anthelmia. See definition 2 (below).

2. (Bot.) (a) A perennial North American herb (Spigelia Marilandica), sometimes cultivated for its showy red blossoms. Called also Carolina pink, Maryland pinkroot, and worm grass. (b) An annual South American and West Indian plant (Spigelia Anthelmia).

Pink"ster (?), n. [D. pinkster, pinksteren, fr. Gr. &?;. See Pentecost.] Whitsuntide. [Written also pingster and pinxter.]

Pinkster flower (Bot.), the rosy flower of the Azalea nudiflora; also, the shrub itself; -- called also Pinxter blomachee by the New York descendants of the Dutch settlers.

Pink"-sterned` (?), a. [See 1st Pink.] (Naut.) Having a very narrow stern; -- said of a vessel.

||Pin"na (?), n.; pl. Pinnæ (#), E. Pinnas (#). [L., a feather.] 1. (Bot.) (a) A leaflet of a pinnate leaf. See Illust. of Bipinnate leaf, under Bipinnate. (b) One of the primary divisions of a decompound leaf.

3. [L. pinna, akin to Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) Any species of Pinna, a genus of large bivalve mollusks found in all warm seas. The byssus consists of a large number of long, silky fibers, which have been used in manufacturing woven fabrics, as a curiosity.

Pin"nace (?), n. [F. pinasse; cf. It. pinassa, pinazza, Sp. pinaza; all from L. pinus a pine tree, anything made of pine, e.g., a ship. Cf. Pine a tree.] 1. (Naut.) (a) A small vessel propelled by sails or oars, formerly employed as a tender, or for coast defence; -- called originally, spynace or spyne. (b) A man-of-war's boat.

Pin"na*cle (?), n. [OE. pinacle, F. pinacle, L. pinnaculum, fr. pinna pinnacle, feather. See Pin a peg.] 1. (Arch.) An architectural member, upright, and generally ending in a small spire, -- used to finish a buttress, to constitute a part in a proportion, as where pinnacles flank a gable or spire, and the like. Pinnacles may be considered primarily as added weight, where it is necessary to resist the thrust of an arch, etc.

Pin"na*cle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinnacled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pinnacling (?).] To build or furnish with a pinnacle or pinnacles. T. Warton.

{ Pin"nate (?), Pin"na*ted (?), } a. [L. pinnatus feathered, fr. pinna a feather. See Pin a peg, Pen feather.] 1. (Bot.) Consisting of several leaflets, or separate portions, arranged on each side of a common petiole, as the leaves of a rosebush, a hickory, or an ash. See Abruptly pinnate, and Illust., under Abruptly.

Pin*nat"i*fid (?), a. [L. pinnatus feathered + root of findere to split: cf. F. pinnatifide.] (Bot.) Divided in a pinnate manner, with the divisions not reaching to the midrib.

Pin*nat`i*lo"bate (?), a. [See Pinnate, and Lobate.] (Bot.) Having lobes arranged in a pinnate manner.

Pin*nat"i*ped (?), a. [L. pinnatus feathered + pes, pedis foot: cf. F. pinnatipède.] (Zoöl.) Having the toes bordered by membranes; fin-footed, as certain birds.

2. (Costume) (a) A headdress like a cap, with long lappets. (b) An apron with a bib; a pinafore. (c) A cloth band for a gown. [Obs.]

Pin"ner, n. [See Pin to pound.] One who pins or impounds cattle. See Pin, v. t. [Obs.]

Pin"ni*form (?), a. [L. pinna feather, fin + -form.] Shaped like a fin or feather. Sir J. Hill.

||Pin`ni*gra"da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. pinna a feather + gradi to walk, move.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pinnipedia.

Pin"ni*grade (?), n. (Zoöl.) An animal of the seal tribe, moving by short feet that serve as paddles.

Pin"ni*ped (?), n. [L. pinna feather, fin + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pinnipède.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the Pinnipedia; a seal. (b) One of the Pinnipedes.

||Pin`ni*pe"di*a (?), n. pl. [NL. So called because their webbed feet are used as paddles or fins.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of aquatic carnivorous mammals including the seals and walruses; -- opposed to Fissipedia.

Pin"nock (?), n. [Of uncertain origin.] (Zoöl.) (a) The hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The tomtit.

Pin"no*there (?), n. [Gr. &?; a pinna + &?; an animal.] (Zoöl.) A crab of the genus pinnotheres. See Oyster crab, under Oyster.

Pin"nu*late (?), a. [See Pinnule.] (Bot.) Having each pinna subdivided; -- said of a leaf, or of its pinnæ.

Pin"nule (?), n. [L. pinnula, dim. of pinna feather: cf. F. pinnule.] 1. (Bot.) One of the small divisions of a decompound frond or leaf. See Illust. of Bipinnate leaf, under Bipinnate.

2. (Zoöl.) Any one of a series of small, slender organs, or parts, when arranged in rows so as to have a plumelike appearance; as, a pinnule of a gorgonia; the pinnules of a crinoid.

Pin"ny*win`kles (?), n. pl. An instrument of torture, consisting of a board with holes into which the fingers were pressed, and fastened with pegs. [Written also pilliewinkles.] [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Pi*nole" (?), n. 1. An aromatic powder used in Italy in the manufacture of chocolate.

2. Parched maize, ground, and mixed with sugar, etc. Mixed with water, it makes a nutritious beverage.

Piñ"on (?), n. [Sp. piñon.] (Bot.) (a) The edible seed of several species of pine; also, the tree producing such seeds, as Pinus Pinea of Southern Europe, and P. Parryana, cembroides, edulis, and monophylla, the nut pines of Western North America. (b) See Monkey's puzzle. [Written also pignon.]

Pint (?), n. [OE. pinte, F. pinte, fr. Sp. pinta spot, mark, pint, fr. pintar to paint; a mark for a pint prob. having been made on or in a larger measure. See Paint.] A measure of capacity, equal to half a quart, or four gills, -- used in liquid and dry measures. See Quart.

Pin*ta"do (?), n.; pl. Pintados (#). [Sp., painted, fr. pintar to paint.] (Zoöl.) Any bird of the genus Numida. Several species are found in Africa. The common pintado, or Guinea fowl, the helmeted, and the crested pintados, are the best known. See Guinea fowl, under Guinea.

Pin"tail` (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) A northern duck (Dafila acuta), native of both continents. The adult male has a long, tapering tail. Called also gray duck, piketail, piket-tail, spike- tail, split-tail, springtail, sea pheasant, and gray widgeon.

2. (Zoöl.) The sharp-tailed grouse of the great plains and Rocky Mountains (Pediocætes phasianellus); -- called also pintailed grouse, pintailed chicken, springtail, and sharptail.

Pin"-tailed` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a tapered tail, with the middle feathers longest; -- said of birds.

2. (Mech.) An upright pivot pin; as: (a) The pivot pin of a hinge. (b) A hook or pin on which a rudder hangs and turns. (c) A pivot about which the chassis swings, in some kinds of gun carriages. (d) A kingbolt of a wagon.

Pin"tos (?), n. pl.; sing. Pinto (&?;). [Sp., painted, mottled.] (Eyhnol.) A mountain tribe of Mexican Indians living near Acapulco. They are remarkable for having the dark skin of the face irregularly spotted with white. Called also speckled Indians.

Pin"ule (?), n. [Cf. Pinnule.] (Astron.) One of the sights of an astrolabe. [Obs.]

||Pi"nus (?), n. [L., a pine tree.] (Bot.) A large genus of evergreen coniferous trees, mostly found in the northern hemisphere. The genus formerly included the firs, spruces, larches, and hemlocks, but is now limited to those trees which have the primary leaves of the branchlets reduced to mere scales, and the secondary ones (pine needles) acicular, and usually in fascicles of two to seven. See Pine.

Pin"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Lechea, low North American herbs with branching stems, and very small and abundant leaves and flowers.

Pin"worm` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small nematoid worm (Oxyurus vermicularis), which is parasitic chiefly in the rectum of man. It is most common in children and aged persons.

||Pinx"it (?). [L., perfect indicative 3d sing. of pingere to paint.] A word appended to the artist's name or initials on a painting, or engraved copy of a painting; as, Rubens pinxit, Rubens painted (this).

Pin"y (?), a. Abounding with pines. [Written also piney.] "The piny wood." Longfellow.

Pi"o*ned (?), a. A Shakespearean word of disputed meaning; perh., "abounding in marsh marigolds."

Pi`o*neer" (?), n. [F. pionier, orig., a foot soldier, OF. peonier, fr. OF. peon a foot soldier, F. pion. See Pawn in chess.] 1. (Mil.) A soldier detailed or employed to form roads, dig trenches, and make bridges, as an army advances.

2. One who goes before, as into the wilderness, preparing the way for others to follow; as, pioneers of civilization; pioneers of reform.

Pi`o*neer", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pioneered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pioneering.] To go before, and prepare or open a way for; to act as pioneer.

Pi"ot (?), n. [See Piet.] (Zoöl.) The magpie. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Holland.

Pi"ous (?), a. [L. pius: cf. F. pieux.] 1. Of or pertaining to piety; exhibiting piety; reverential; dutiful; religious; devout; godly. "Pious hearts." Milton. "Pious poetry." Johnson.

2. Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds.

Pip (?), n. [OE. pippe, D. pip, or F. pépie; from LL. pipita, fr. L. pituita slime, phlegm, rheum, in fowls, the pip. Cf. Pituite.] A contagious disease of fowls, characterized by hoarseness, discharge from the nostrils and eyes, and an accumulation of mucus in the mouth, forming a "scale" on the tongue. By some the term pip is restricted to this last symptom, the disease being called roup by them.

Pip, n. [Formerly pippin, pepin. Cf. Pippin.] (Bot.) A seed, as of an apple or orange.

Pip, n. [Perh. for pick, F. pique a spade at cards, a pike. Cf. Pique.] One of the conventional figures or "spots" on playing cards, dominoes, etc. Addison.

Pip, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pipped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pipping.] [See Peep.] To cry or chirp, as a chicken; to peep.

Pi*pa (?), n.; pl. Pipas (&?;). (Zoöl.) The Surinam toad (Pipa Americana), noted for its peculiar breeding habits.

The male places the eggs on the back of the female, where they soon become inclosed in capsules formed by the thickening of the skin. The incubation of the eggs takes place in the capsules, and the young, when hatched, come forth with well developed legs.

Pip"age (?), n. Transportation, as of petroleum oil, by means of a pipe conduit; also, the charge for such transportation.

Pipe (?), n. [AS. ppe, probably fr. L. pipare, pipire, to chirp; of imitative origin. Cf. Peep, Pibroch, Fife.] 1. A wind instrument of music, consisting of a tube or tubes of straw, reed, wood, or metal; any tube which produces musical sounds; as, a shepherd's pipe; the pipe of an organ. "Tunable as sylvan pipe." Milton.

2. Any long tube or hollow body of wood, metal, earthenware, or the like: especially, one used as a conductor of water, steam, gas, etc.

3. A small bowl with a hollow steam, -- used in smoking tobacco, and, sometimes, other substances.

4. A passageway for the air in speaking and breathing; the windpipe, or one of its divisions.

9. A roll formerly used in the English exchequer, otherwise called the Great Roll, on which were taken down the accounts of debts to the king; -- so called because put together like a pipe. Mozley & W.

10. (Naut.) A boatswain's whistle, used to call the crew to their duties; also, the sound of it.

11. [Cf. F. pipe, fr. pipe a wind instrument, a tube, fr. L. pipare to chirp. See Etymol. above.] A cask usually containing two hogsheads, or 126 wine gallons; also, the quantity which it contains.

Pipe fitter, one who fits pipes together, or applies pipes, as to an engine or a building. -- Pipe fitting, a piece, as a coupling, an elbow, a valve, etc., used for connecting lengths of pipe or as accessory to a pipe. -- Pipe office, an ancient office in the Court of Exchequer, in which the clerk of the pipe made out leases of crown lands, accounts of cheriffs, etc. [Eng.] -- Pipe tree (Bot.), the lilac and the mock orange; -- so called because their were formerly used to make pipe stems; -- called also pipe privet. -- Pipe wrench, or Pipetongs, a jawed tool for gripping a pipe, in turning or holding it. -- To smoke the pipe of peace, to smoke from the same pipe in token of amity or preparatory to making a treaty of peace, -- a custom of the American Indians.

Pipe, v. i. 1. To play on a pipe, fife, flute, or other tubular wind instrument of music.

2. (Naut.) To call, convey orders, etc., by means of signals on a pipe or whistle carried by a boatswain.

3. To emit or have a shrill sound like that of a pipe; to whistle. "Oft in the piping shrouds." Wordsworth.

4. (Metal.) To become hollow in the process of solodifying; -- said of an ingot, as of steel.

Pipe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piping.] 1. To perform, as a tune, by playing on a pipe, flute, fife, etc.; to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe.

Pipe" clay` (kl`). A plastic, unctuous clay of a grayish white color, -- used in making tobacco pipes and various kinds of earthenware, in scouring cloth, and in cleansing soldiers' equipments.

Pipe"clay`, v. t. 1. To whiten or clean with pipe clay, as a soldier's accouterments.

Pipe"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any lophobranch fish of the genus Siphostoma, or Syngnathus, and allied genera, having a long and very slender angular body, covered with bony plates. The mouth is small, at the end of a long, tubular snout. The male has a pouch on his belly, in which the incubation of the eggs takes place.

Pipe"lay`er (?), n., or Pipe" lay`er. 1. One who lays conducting pipes in the ground, as for water, gas, etc.

2. (Polit. Cant) A politician who works in secret; -- in this sense, usually written as one word. [U.S.]

Pipe"lay`ing, n., or Pipe" lay`ing. 1. The laying of conducting pipes underground, as for water, gas, etc.

2. (Polit. Cant) The act or method of making combinations for personal advantage secretly or slyly; -- in this sense, usually written as one word. [U.S.]

Pipe"mouth` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any fish of the genus Fistularia; -- called also tobacco pipefish. See Fistularia.

Pip"er (?), n. 1. (Mus.) One who plays on a pipe, or the like, esp. on a bagpipe. "The hereditary piper and his sons." Macaulay.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A common European gurnard (Trigla lyra), having a large head, with prominent nasal projection, and with large, sharp, opercular spines. (b) A sea urchin (Goniocidaris hystrix) having very long spines, native of both the American and European coasts.

Pip`er*a"ceous (?), a. [L. piper pepper.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the order of plants (Piperaceæ) of which the pepper (Piper nigrum) is the type. There are about a dozen genera and a thousand species, mostly tropical plants with pungent and aromatic qualities.

Pi*per"ic (p*pr"k), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, or designating, a complex organic acid found in the products of different members of the Pepper family, and extracted as a yellowish crystalline substance.

Pi*per"i*dine (?), n. (Chem.) An oily liquid alkaloid, C₅H₁₁N, having a hot, peppery, ammoniacal odor. It is related to pyridine, and is obtained by the decomposition of piperine.

Pip"er*ine (?), n. [L. piper pepper: cf. F. piperin, piperine.] (Chem.) A white crystalline compound of piperidine and piperic acid. It is obtained from the black pepper (Piper nigrum) and other species.

Pip`er*o"nal (?), n. (Chem.) A white crystalline substance obtained by oxidation of piperic acid, and regarded as a complex aldehyde.

Pi*per"y*lene (?), n. [Piperidine + acetylene.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon obtained by decomposition of certain piperidine derivatives.

Pipe"stem` (?), n. The hollow stem or tube of a pipe used for smoking tobacco, etc.

Pipe"stone` (?), n. A kind of clay slate, carved by the Indians into tobacco pipes. Cf. Catlinite.

Pi*pette" (?), n. [F., dim. of pipe.] A small glass tube, often with an enlargement or bulb in the middle, and usually graduated, -- used for transferring or delivering measured quantities.

Pipe"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of a genus (Eriocaulon) of aquatic or marsh herbs with soft grass-like leaves.

Pip"ing (pp"ng), a. [From Pipe, v.] 1. Playing on a musical pipe. "Lowing herds and piping swains." Swift.

2. Peaceful; favorable to, or characterized by, the music of the pipe rather than of the drum and fife. Shak.

Piping crow, Piping crow shrike, Piping roller (Zoöl.), any Australian bird of the genus Gymnorhina, esp. G. tibicen, which is black and white, and the size of a small crow. Called also caruck. -- Piping frog (Zoöl.), a small American tree frog (Hyla Pickeringii) which utters a high, shrill note in early spring. -- Piping hot, boiling hot; hissing hot; very hot. [Colloq.] Milton.

Pip"ing, n. 1. A small cord covered with cloth, -- used as trimming for women's dresses.

4. A piece cut off to be set or planted; a cutting; also, propagation by cuttings.

{ Pi*pis"trel (?), Pip`i*strelle" (?), } n. [F. pipistrelle, It. pipistrello.] (Zoöl.) A small European bat (Vesperugo pipistrellus); -- called also flittermouse.

Pip"it (?), n. [So named from its call note.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging to Anthus and allied genera, of the family Motacillidæ. They strongly resemble the true larks in habits, colors, and the great length of the hind claw. They are, therefore, often called titlarks, and pipit larks.

The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis); the tree pipit, or tree lark (A. trivialis); and the rock pipit, or sea lark (A. obscurus) are well-known European species. The common American pipit, or brown lark, is Anthus Pensilvanicus. The Western species (A. Spraguei) is called the American skylark, on account of its musical powers.

Pip"pin (?), n. [Probably fr. OE. pippin a seed, as being raised from the seed. See Pip a seed.] (Bot.) (a) An apple from a tree raised from the seed and not grafted; a seedling apple. (b) A name given to apples of several different kinds, as Newtown pippin, summer pippin, fall pippin, golden pippin.

Pi"pra (?), n.; pl. Pipras (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a woodpecker.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small clamatorial birds belonging to Pipra and allied genera, of the family Pipridæ. The male is usually glossy black, varied with scarlet, yellow, or sky blue. They chiefly inhabit South America.

Pi"prine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the pipras, or the family Pipridæ.

Pip*sis"se*wa (?), n. [From American Indian.] (Bot.) A low evergreen plant (Chimaphila umbellata), with narrow, wedge-lanceolate leaves, and an umbel of pretty nodding fragrant blossoms. It has been used in nephritic diseases. Called also prince's pine.

Pi"quant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of piquer to prick or sting. See Pike.] Stimulating to the taste; giving zest; tart; sharp; pungent; as, a piquant anecdote. "As piquant to the tongue as salt." Addison. "Piquant railleries." Gov. of Tongue.

||Pi`qué" (?), n. [F., p. p. of piquer to prick.] A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, -- used as a dress goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc.

Pique (?), n. [F., fr. piquer. See Pike.] 1. A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; irritation of the feelings, as through wounded pride; stinging vexation.

3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one.

Syn. -- Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite. Pique, Spite, Grudge. Pique denotes a quick and often transient sense of resentment for some supposed neglect or injury, but it is not marked by malevolence. Spite is a stronger term, denoting settled ill will or malice, with a desire to injure, as the result of extreme irritation. Grudge goes still further, denoting cherished and secret enmity, with an unforgiving spirit. A pique is usually of recent date; a grudge is that which has long subsisted; spite implies a disposition to cross or vex others.

Pique, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piqued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piquing (?).] [F. piquer. See Pike.] 1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to offend; to excite to anger.

2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. Prior.

Syn. -- To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle; sting; goad; stimulate.

Pique, v. i. To cause annoyance or irritation. "Every &?;erse hath something in it that piques." Tatler.

Pi*quet" (?), n. [F., prob. fr. pique. See Pique, Pike, and Picket.] A game at cards played between two persons, with thirty-two cards, all the deuces, threes, fours, fives, and sixes, being set aside. [Written also picket and picquet.]

Pi"ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Piracies (#). [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. &?;. See Pirate.] 1. The act or crime of a pirate.

2. (Common Law) Robbery on the high seas; the taking of property from others on the open sea by open violence; without lawful authority, and with intent to steal; -- a crime answering to robbery on land.

By statute law several other offenses committed on the seas (as trading with known pirates, or engaging in the slave trade) have been made piracy.

3. "Sometimes used, in a quasi- figurative sense, of violation of copyright; but for this, infringement is the correct and preferable term." Abbott.

Pi*ram"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; trial + -meter.] A dynamometer for ascertaining the power required to draw carriages over roads.

Pi`ra*ru"cu (?), n. [From the native South American name.] (Zoöl.) Same as Arapaima.

Pi"rate (?), n. [L. pirata, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to attempt, undertake, from making attempts or attacks on ships, &?; an attempt, trial; akin to E. peril: cf. F. pirate. See Peril.] 1. A robber on the high seas; one who by open violence takes the property of another on the high seas; especially, one who makes it his business to cruise for robbery or plunder; a freebooter on the seas; also, one who steals in a harbor.

2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels on the high seas.

3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the work of an author without permission.

Pirate perch (Zoöl.), a fresh- water percoid fish of the United States (Aphredoderus Sayanus). It is of a dark olive color, speckled with blackish spots.

Pi"rate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pirated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pirating.] [Cf. F. pirater.] To play the pirate; to practice robbery on the high seas.

Pi"rate, v. t. To publish, as books or writings, without the permission of the author.

Pi*rat"ic*al (?), a. [L. piraticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. piratique.] Of or pertaining to a pirate; acquired by, or practicing, piracy; as, a piratical undertaking. "Piratical printers." Pope. -- Pi*rat"ic*al*ly, adv.

||Pi*ra"ya (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoöl.) A large voracious fresh-water fish (Serrasalmo piraya) of South America, having lancet-shaped teeth.

Pir"ie, n. [See Pear.] (Bot.) A pear tree. [Written also pery, pyrie.] [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Pi`ri*ri"gua (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoöl.) A South American bird (Guira guira) allied to the cuckoos.

Pirn (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A quill or reed on which thread or yarn is wound; a bobbin; also, the wound yarn on a weaver's shuttle; also, the reel of a fishing rod. [Scot.]

Pi*rogue" (?), n. [Originally an American Indian word: cf. F. pirogue, Sp. piroga, piragua.] A dugout canoe; by extension, any small boat. [Written variously periauger, perogue, piragua, periagua, etc.]

Pir`ou*ette" (?), n. [F.; of uncertain origin.] 1. A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing.

Pir`ou*ette", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pirouetted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pirouetting.] [F. pirouetter.] To perform a pirouette; to whirl, like a dancer.

{ Pir"ry, Pir"rie } (?), n. [Cf. Scot. pirr a gentle breeze, Icel. byrr a prosperous wind, bylr a blast of wind.] A rough gale of wind. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Pis"ca*ry (?), n. [L. piscarius relating to fishes or to fishing, fr. piscis a fish.] (Law) The right or privilege of fishing in another man's waters. Blackstone.

Pis*ca"tion (?), n. [L. piscatio, fr. piscari to fish.] Fishing; fishery. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

{ Pis`ca*to"ri*al (?), Pis"ca*to*ry (?), } a. [L. piscatorius, fr. piscator a fisherman, fr. piscari to fish, fr. piscis a fish. See Fish the animal.] Of or pertaining to fishes or fishing. Addison.

||Pis"ces (?), n. pl. [L. piscis a fish.] 1. (Astron.) (a) The twelfth sign of the zodiac, marked in almanacs. (b) A zodiacal constellation, including the first point of Aries, which is the vernal equinoctial point; the Fish.

2. (Zoöl.) The class of Vertebrata that includes the fishes. The principal divisions are Elasmobranchii, Ganoidei, and Teleostei.

Pis`ci*cul"ture (?), n. [L. piscis a fish + E. culture.] Fish culture. See under Fish.

Pis"ci*form (?), a. [L. piscis fish + -form.] Having the form of a fish; resembling a fish.

||Pis*ci"na (?), n. [L., a certain, fishpond, fr. piscis a fish.] (Arch.) A niche near the altar in a church, containing a small basin for rinsing altar vessels.

Pis"ci*nal (?), a. [L. piscinalis: cf. F. piscinal.] Belonging to a fishpond or a piscina.

Pis"cine (?), a. [L. piscis a fish.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a fish or fishes; as, piscine remains.

Pis*civ"o*rous (?), a. [L. piscis a fish + vorare to devour: cf. F. piscivore.] (Zoöl.) Feeding or subsisting on fish.

||Pi`sé" (?), n. [F. pisé, from piser to stamp, pound, L. pisare.] (Arch.) A species of wall made of stiff earth or clay rammed in between molds which are carried up as the wall rises; -- called also pisé work. Gwilt.

Pi"si*form (?), a. [L. pisum a pea + -form: cf. F. pisiforme.] Resembling a pea or peas in size and shape; as, a pisiform iron ore.

Pi"si*form, n. (Anat.) A small bone on the ulnar side of the carpus in man and many mammals. See Illust. of Artiodactyla.

Pis"mire (?), n. [Piss + mire; so called because it discharges a moisture vulgarly considered urine. See Mire an ant.] (Zoöl.) An ant, or emmet.

Pi"so*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; a pea + - lite: cf. F. pisolithe.] (Min.) A variety of calcite, or calcium carbonate, consisting of aggregated globular concretions about the size of a pea; -- called also peastone, peagrit.

Oölite is similar in structure, but the concretions are as small as the roe of a fish.

Pi`so*lit"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pisolithique.] (Min.) Composed of, containing, or resembling, pisolite.

Piss (?), v. t. & i. [OE. pissen, F. pisser; akin to It. pisciare, D. & G. pissen, Dan. pisse, Icel. pissa.] To discharge urine, to urinate. Shak.

Piss"a*bed` (?), n. (Bot.) A name locally applied to various wild plants, as dandelion, bluet, oxeye daisy, etc.

Pis"sas*phalt (?), n. [L. pissasphaltus, Gr. &?;; &?; pitch + &?; asphalt: cf. F. pissasphalte.] (Min.) Earth pitch; a soft, black bitumen of the consistence of tar, and of a strong smell. It is inflammable, and intermediate between petroleum and asphalt. [Written also pisasphaltum, pisasphalt, etc.]

Pis*ta"chio (?), n. [It. pistacchio (cf. Sp. pistacho, F. pistache), fr. L. pistacium, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. Per. pistah. Cf. Fistinut.] (Bot.) The nut of the Pistacia vera, a tree of the order Anacardiaceæ, containing a kernel of a pale greenish color, which has a pleasant taste, resembling that of the almond, and yields an oil of agreeable taste and odor; -- called also pistachio nut. It is wholesome and nutritive. The tree grows in Arabia, Persia, Syria, and Sicily. [Written also pistachia.]

||Pis*ta"ci*a (?), n. [NL. See Pistachio.] (Bot.) The name of a genus of trees, including the tree which bears the pistachio, the Mediterranean mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus), and the species (P. Terebinthus) which yields Chian or Cyprus turpentine.

Pis"ta*cite (?), n. [Cf. F. pistacite. So called from its green color. See Pistachio.] (Min.) Epidote.

Pis`ta*reen" (?), n. An old Spanish silver coin of the value of about twenty cents.

Piste (?), n. [F., fr. L. pisere, pinsere, pistum, to pound.] (Min.) The track or tread a horseman makes upon the ground he goes over. Johnson.

Pis"til (?), n. [L. pistillum, pistillus, a pestle: cf. F. pistil. See Pestle.] (Bot.) The seed-bearing organ of a flower. It consists of an ovary, containing the ovules or rudimentary seeds, and a stigma, which is commonly raised on an elongated portion called a style. When composed of one carpel a pistil is simple; when composed of several, it is compound. See Illust. of Flower, and Ovary.

Pis`til*la"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Growing on, or having nature of, the pistil; of or pertaining to a pistil. Barton.

Pis"til*late (?), a. (Bot.) Having a pistil or pistils; -- usually said of flowers having pistils but no stamens.

Pis`til*la"tion (?), n. [L. pistillum a pestle.] The act of pounding or breaking in a mortar; pestillation. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

||Pis`til*lid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pistillida (#). [NL., fr. E. pistil.] (Bot.) Same as Archegonium.

Pis`til*lif"er*ous (?), a. [Pistil + -ferous: cf. F. pistillifère.] (Bot.) Pistillate.

Pis"til*lo*dy (?), n. [Pistil + Gr. &?; form.] (Bot.) The metamorphosis of other organs into pistils.

Pis"tol (?), n. [F. pistole, pistolet, It. pistola; prob. from a form Pistola, for Pistoja, a town in Italy where pistols were first made. Cf. Pistole.] The smallest firearm used, intended to be fired from one hand, -- now of many patterns, and bearing a great variety of names. See Illust. of Revolver.

Pistol carbine, a firearm with a removable but-piece, and thus capable of being used either as a pistol or a carbine. -- Pistol pipe (Metal.), a pipe in which the blast for a furnace is heated, resembling a pistol in form. -- Pistol shot. (a) The discharge of a pistol. (b) The distance to which a pistol can propel a ball.

Pis"tol, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pistoled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pistoling.] [Cf. F. pistoler.] To shoot with a pistol. "To pistol a poacher." Sydney Smith.

Pis*tole" (?), n. [F., probably a name given in jest in France to a Spanish coin. Cf. Pistol.] The name of certain gold coins of various values formerly coined in some countries of Europe. In Spain it was equivalent to a quarter doubloon, or about $3.90, and in Germany and Italy nearly the same. There was an old Italian pistole worth about $5.40.

Pis`to*leer" (?), n. [Cf. F. pistolier.] One who uses a pistol. [R.] Carlyle.

Pis"to*let` (?), n. [F., a dim. of pistole.] A small pistol. Donne. Beau. & Fl.

Pis"ton (?), n. [F. piston; cf. It. pistone piston, also pestone a large pestle; all fr. L. pinsere, pistum, to pound, to stamp. See Pestle, Pistil.] (Mach.) A sliding piece which either is moved by, or moves against, fluid pressure. It usually consists of a short cylinder fitting within a cylindrical vessel along which it moves, back and forth. It is used in steam engines to receive motion from the steam, and in pumps to transmit motion to a fluid; also for other purposes.

Piston head (Steam Eng.), that part of a piston which is made fast to the piston rod. -- Piston rod, a rod by which a piston is moved, or by which it communicates motion. -- Piston valve (Steam Eng.), a slide valve, consisting of a piston, or connected pistons, working in a cylindrical case which is provided with ports that are traversed by the valve.

Pit (?), n. [OE. pit, put, AS. pytt a pit, hole, L. puteus a well, pit.] 1. A large cavity or hole in the ground, either natural or artificial; a cavity in the surface of a body; an indentation; specifically: (a) The shaft of a coal mine; a coal pit. (b) A large hole in the ground from which material is dug or quarried; as, a stone pit; a gravel pit; or in which material is made by burning; as, a lime pit; a charcoal pit. (c) A vat sunk in the ground; as, a tan pit.

3. A covered deep hole for entrapping wild beasts; a pitfall; hence, a trap; a snare. Also used figuratively.

4. A depression or hollow in the surface of the human body; as: (a) The hollow place under the shoulder or arm; the axilla, or armpit. (b) See Pit of the stomach (below). (c) The indentation or mark left by a pustule, as in smallpox.

5. Formerly, that part of a theater, on the floor of the house, below the level of the stage and behind the orchestra; now, in England, commonly the part behind the stalls; in the United States, the parquet; also, the occupants of such a part of a theater.

6. An inclosed area into which gamecocks, dogs, and other animals are brought to fight, or where dogs are trained to kill rats. "As fiercely as two gamecocks in the pit." Locke.

7. [Cf. D. pit, akin to E. pith.] (Bot.) (a) The endocarp of a drupe, and its contained seed or seeds; a stone; as, a peach pit; a cherry pit, etc. (b) A depression or thin spot in the wall of a duct.

Cold pit (Hort.), an excavation in the earth, lined with masonry or boards, and covered with glass, but not artificially heated, -- used in winter for the storing and protection of half-hardly plants, and sometimes in the spring as a forcing bed. -- Pit coal, coal dug from the earth; mineral coal. -- Pit frame, the framework over the shaft of a coal mine. -- Pit head, the surface of the ground at the mouth of a pit or mine. -- Pit kiln, an oven for coking coal. -- Pit martin (Zoöl.), the bank swallow. [Prov. Eng.] -- Pit of the stomach (Anat.), the depression on the middle line of the epigastric region of the abdomen at the lower end of the sternum; the infrasternal depression. -- Pit saw (Mech.), a saw worked by two men, one of whom stands on the log and the other beneath it. The place of the latter is often in a pit, whence the name. -- Pit viper (Zoöl.), any viperine snake having a deep pit on each side of the snout. The rattlesnake and copperhead are examples. - - Working pit (Min.), a shaft in which the ore is hoisted and the workmen carried; -- in distinction from a shaft used for the pumps.

Pit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pitted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pitting.] 1. To place or put into a pit or hole.

2. To mark with little hollows, as by various pustules; as, a face pitted by smallpox.

3. To introduce as an antagonist; to set forward for or in a contest; as, to pit one dog against another.

||Pi"ta (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) (a) A fiber obtained from the Agave Americana and other related species, -- used for making cordage and paper. Called also pita fiber, and pita thread. (b) The plant which yields the fiber.

Pit`a*ha"ya (?), n. [Sp., prob. from the native name.] (Bot.) A cactaceous shrub (Cereus Pitajaya) of tropical America, which yields a delicious fruit.

Pit"a*pat` (?), adv. [An onomatopoetic reduplication of pat a light, quick blow.] In a flutter; with palpitation or quick succession of beats. Lowell. "The fox's heart went pitapat." L'Estrange.

Pit"a*pat`, n. A light, repeated sound; a pattering, as of the rain. "The pitapat of a pretty foot." Dryden.

Pitch (?), n. [OE. pich, AS. pic, L. pix; akin to Gr. &?;.] 1. A thick, black, lustrous, and sticky substance obtained by boiling down tar. It is used in calking the seams of ships; also in coating rope, canvas, wood, ironwork, etc., to preserve them.

Amboyna pitch, the resin of Dammara australis. See Kauri. -- Burgundy pitch. See under Burgundy. -- Canada pitch, the resinous exudation of the hemlock tree (Abies Canadensis); hemlock gum. -- Jew's pitch, bitumen. -- Mineral pitch. See Bitumen and Asphalt. -- Pitch coal (Min.), bituminous coal. -- Pitch peat (Min.), a black homogeneous peat, with a waxy luster. -- Pitch pine (Bot.), any one of several species of pine, yielding pitch, esp. the Pinus rigida of North America.

Pitch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pitched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pitching.] [See Pitch, n.] 1. To cover over or smear with pitch. Gen. vi. 14.

Pitch (?), v. t. [OE. picchen; akin to E. pick, pike.] 1. To throw, generally with a definite aim or purpose; to cast; to hurl; to toss; as, to pitch quoits; to pitch hay; to pitch a ball.

2. To thrust or plant in the ground, as stakes or poles; hence, to fix firmly, as by means of poles; to establish; to arrange; as, to pitch a tent; to pitch a camp.

3. To set, face, or pave with rubble or undressed stones, as an embankment or a roadway. Knight.

Pitched battle, a general battle; a battle in which the hostile forces have fixed positions; -- in distinction from a skirmish. -- To pitch into, to attack; to assault; to abuse. [Slang]

Pitch, v. i. 1. To fix or place a tent or temporary habitation; to encamp. "Laban with his brethren pitched in the Mount of Gilead." Gen. xxxi. 25.

4. To plunge or fall; esp., to fall forward; to decline or slope; as, to pitch from a precipice; the vessel pitches in a heavy sea; the field pitches toward the east.

Pitch and pay, an old aphorism which inculcates ready-money payment, or payment on delivery of goods. Shak.

Pitch, n. 1. A throw; a toss; a cast, as of something from the hand; as, a good pitch in quoits.

Pitch and toss, a game played by tossing up a coin, and calling "Heads or tails;" hence: To play pitch and toss with (anything), to be careless or trust to luck about it. "To play pitch and toss with the property of the country." G. Eliot. -- Pitch farthing. See Chuck farthing, under 5th Chuck.

2. (Cricket) That point of the ground on which the ball pitches or lights when bowled.

3. A point or peak; the extreme point or degree of elevation or depression; hence, a limit or bound.

6. The point where a declivity begins; hence, the declivity itself; a descending slope; the degree or rate of descent or slope; slant; as, a steep pitch in the road; the pitch of a roof.

7. (Mus.) The relative acuteness or gravity of a tone, determined by the number of vibrations which produce it; the place of any tone upon a scale of high and low.

Musical tones with reference to absolute pitch, are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet; with reference to relative pitch, in a series of tones called the scale, they are called one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Eight is also one of a new scale an octave higher, as one is eight of a scale an octave lower.

8. (Mining) The limit of ground set to a miner who receives a share of the ore taken out.

9. (Mech.) (a) The distance from center to center of any two adjacent teeth of gearing, measured on the pitch line; -- called also circular pitch. (b) The length, measured along the axis, of a complete turn of the thread of a screw, or of the helical lines of the blades of a screw propeller. (c) The distance between the centers of holes, as of rivet holes in boiler plates.

Concert pitch (Mus.), the standard of pitch used by orchestras, as in concerts, etc. -- Diametral pitch (Gearing), the distance which bears the same relation to the pitch proper, or circular pitch, that the diameter of a circle bears to its circumference; it is sometimes described by the number expressing the quotient obtained by dividing the number of teeth in a wheel by the diameter of its pitch circle in inches; as, 4 pitch, 8 pitch, etc. -- Pitch chain, a chain, as one made of metallic plates, adapted for working with a sprocket wheel. -- Pitch line, or Pitch circle (Gearing), an ideal line, in a toothed gear or rack, bearing such a relation to a corresponding line in another gear, with which the former works, that the two lines will have a common velocity as in rolling contact; it usually cuts the teeth at about the middle of their height, and, in a circular gear, is a circle concentric with the axis of the gear; the line, or circle, on which the pitch of teeth is measured. -- Pitch of a roof (Arch.), the inclination or slope of the sides expressed by the height in parts of the span; as, one half pitch; whole pitch; or by the height in parts of the half span, especially among engineers; or by degrees, as a pitch of 30°, of 45°, etc.; or by the rise and run, that is, the ratio of the height to the half span; as, a pitch of six rise to ten run. Equilateral pitch is where the two sloping sides with the span form an equilateral triangle. -- Pitch of a plane (Carp.), the slant of the cutting iron. -- Pitch pipe, a wind instrument used by choristers in regulating the pitch of a tune. -- Pitch point (Gearing), the point of contact of the pitch lines of two gears, or of a rack and pinion, which work together.

Pitch"blende` (?), n. [1st pitch + blende.] (Min.) A pitch-black mineral consisting chiefly of the oxide of uranium; uraninite. See Uraninite.

Pitch"er (?), n. 1. One who pitches anything, as hay, quoits, a ball, etc.; specifically (Baseball), the player who delivers the ball to the batsman.

Pitch"er (?), n. [OE. picher, OF. pichier, OHG. pehhar, pehhri; prob. of the same origin as E. beaker. Cf. Beaker.] 1. A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a spout or protruding lip and a handle; a water jug or jar with a large ear or handle.

2. (Bot.) A tubular or cuplike appendage or expansion of the leaves of certain plants.

American pitcher plants, the species of Sarracenia. See Sarracenia. -- Australian pitcher plant, the Cephalotus follicularis, a low saxifragaceous herb having two kinds of radical leaves, some oblanceolate and entire, others transformed into little ovoid pitchers, longitudinally triple-winged and ciliated, the mouth covered with a lid shaped like a cockleshell. -- California pitcher plant, the Darlingtonia California. See Darlingtonia. -- Pitcher plant, any plant with the whole or a part of the leaves transformed into pitchers or cuplike organs, especially the species of Nepenthes. See Nepenthes.

Pitch"er*ful (?), n.; pl. Pitcherfuls (&?;). The quantity a pitcher will hold.

Pitch"-faced` (?), a. (Stone Cutting) Having the arris defined by a line beyond which the rock is cut away, so as to give nearly true edges; -- said of squared stones that are otherwise quarry-faced.

Pitch"fork` (?), n. A fork, or farming utensil, used in pitching hay, sheaves of grain, or the like.

Pitch"ing, n. 1. The act of throwing or casting; a cast; a pitch; as, wild pitching in baseball.

3. (Hydraul. Eng.) A facing of stone laid upon a bank to prevent wear by tides or currents.

Pitching piece (Carp.), the horizontal timber supporting the floor of a platform of a stairway, and against which the stringpieces of the sloping parts are supported.

Pitch"stone` (?), n. (Geol.) An igneous rock of semiglassy nature, having a luster like pitch.

Pitch"work` (?), n. The work of a coal miner who is paid by a share of his product.

Pitch"y (?), a. [From 1st Pitch.] 1. Partaking of the qualities of pitch; resembling pitch.

Pit"e*ous (?), a. [OE. pitous, OF. pitos, F. piteux. See Pity.] 1. Pious; devout. [Obs.]

2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope.

3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser.

Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate.

Pit"fall` (?), n. A pit deceitfully covered to entrap wild beasts or men; a trap of any kind. Sir T. North.

Pit"fall`ing, a. Entrapping; insnaring. [R.] "Full of . . . contradiction and pitfalling dispenses." Milton.

Pith (?), n. [AS. pi&?;a; akin to D. pit pith, kernel, LG. peddik. Cf. Pit a kernel.] 1. (Bot.) The soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of cellular tissue.

2. (a) (Zoöl.) The spongy interior substance of a feather. (b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow.

3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, the speech lacked pith.

Pith, v. t. (Physiol.) To destroy the central nervous system of (an animal, as a frog), as by passing a stout wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal.

||Pi*the"ci (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an ape.] (Zoöl.) A division of mammals including the apes and monkeys. Sometimes used in the sense of Primates.

Pith"e*coid (?), a. [Gr. &?; an ape + -oid.] (Zoöl.) 1. Of or pertaining to the genus Pithecia, or subfamily Pithecinæ, which includes the saki, ouakari, and other allied South American monkeys.

2. Of or pertaining to the anthropoid apes in particular, or to the higher apes of the Old World, collectively.

Pith"less, a. Destitute of pith, or of strength; feeble. Dryden. "Pithless argumentation." Glandstone.

Pith"some (?), a. Pithy; robust. [R.] "Pithsome health and vigor." R. D. Blackmore.

Pith"y (?), a. [Compar. Pithier (?); superl. Pithiest.] 1. Consisting wholly, or in part, of pith; abounding in pith; as, a pithy stem; a pithy fruit.

Pithy gall (Zoöl.), a large, rough, furrowed, oblong gall, formed on blackberry canes by a small gallfly (Diastrophus nebulosus).

Pit"i*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF. pitiable, F. pitoyable.] Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness.

Pit"i*ful (?), a. 1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind; merciful; sympathetic.

3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable; paltry; contemptible; despicable.

Pit"i*less, a. 1. Destitute of pity; hard-hearted; merciless; as, a pitilessmaster; pitiless elements.

Pit"man (?), n.; pl. Pitmen (&?;). 1. One who works in a pit, as in mining, in sawing timber, etc.

2. (Mach.) The connecting rod in a sawmill; also, sometimes, a connecting rod in other machinery.

Pi*tot's" tube` (?). (Hydraul.) A bent tube used to determine the velocity of running water, by placing the curved end under water, and observing the height to which the fluid rises in the tube; a kind of current meter.

Pit"pan` (?), n. A long, flat- bottomed canoe, used for the navigation of rivers and lagoons in Central America. Squier.

Pit"ta (pt"t), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of a large group of bright-colored clamatorial birds belonging to Pitta, and allied genera of the family Pittidæ. Most of the species are varied with three or more colors, such as blue, green, crimson, yellow, purple, and black. They are called also ground thrushes, and Old World ant thrushes; but they are not related to the true thrushes.

The pittas are most abundant in the East Indies, but some inhabit Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. They live mostly upon the ground, and feed upon insects of various kinds.

Pit"ta*cal (pt"t*kl), n. [Gr. pi`tta, pi`ssa, pitch + kalo`s beautiful: cf. F. pittacale.] (Chem.) A dark blue substance obtained from wood tar. It consists of hydrocarbons which when oxidized form the orange-yellow eupittonic compounds, the salts of which are dark blue.

Pit"tance (pt"tans), n. [OE. pitance, pitaunce, F. pitance; cf. It. pietanza, LL. pitancia, pittantia, pictantia; perh. fr. L. pietas pity, piety, or perhaps akin to E. petty. Cf. Petty, and Pity.] 1. An allowance of food bestowed in charity; a mess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole. "A good pitaunce." Chaucer.

2. A meager portion, quantity, or allowance; an inconsiderable salary or compensation. "The small pittance of learning they received." Swift.

Pit"ted (-td), a. 1. Marked with little pits, as in smallpox. See Pit, v. t., 2.

2. (Bot.) Having minute thin spots; as, pitted ducts in the vascular parts of vegetable tissue.

Pit"ter (?), n. A contrivance for removing the pits from peaches, plums, and other stone fruit.

Pit"ter, v. i. To make a pattering sound; to murmur; as, pittering streams. [Obs.] R. Greene.

Pit"tle-pat`tle (?), v. i. To talk unmeaningly; to chatter or prattle. [R.] Latimer.

Pi*tu"i*ta*ry (?), a. [L. pituita phlegm, pituite: cf. F. pituitarie.] (Anat.) (a) Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities. (b) Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa.

Pituitary body or gland (Anat.), a glandlike body of unknown function, situated in the pituitary fossa, and connected with the infundibulum of the brain; the hypophysis. -- Pituitary fossa (Anat.), the ephippium.

Pit"u*ite (?), n. [L. pituita: cf. F. pituite. Cf. Pip a disease of fowls.] Mucus, phlegm.

Pi*tu"i*tous (?), a. [L. pituitosus: cf. F. pituiteux.] Consisting of, or resembling, pituite or mucus; full of mucus; discharging mucus.

Pit"y (?), n.; pl. Pities (#). [OE. pite, OF. pité, pitié, F. pitié, L. pietas piety, kindness, pity. See Pious, and cf. Piety.] 1. Piety. [Obs.] Wyclif.

2. A feeling for the sufferings or distresses of another or others; sympathy with the grief or misery of another; compassion; fellow-feeling; commiseration.

3. A reason or cause of pity, grief, or regret; a thing to be regretted. "The more the pity." Shak.

In this sense, sometimes used in the plural, especially in the colloquialism: "It is a thousand pities."

Syn. -- Compassion; mercy; commiseration; condolence; sympathy, fellow-suffering; fellow-feeling. -- Pity, Sympathy, Compassion. Sympathy is literally fellow-feeling, and therefore requiers a certain degree of equality in situation, circumstances, etc., to its fullest exercise. Compassion is deep tenderness for another under severe or inevitable misfortune. Pity regards its object not only as suffering, but weak, and hence as inferior.

Pit"y (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pitied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pitying.] 1. To feel pity or compassion for; to have sympathy with; to compassionate; to commiserate; to have tender feelings toward (any one), awakened by a knowledge of suffering.

Pit"y*ing, a. Expressing pity; as, a pitying eye, glance, or word. -- Pit"y*ing*ly, adv.

||Pit`y*ri"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, lit., bran.] (Med.) A superficial affection of the skin, characterized by irregular patches of thin scales which are shed in branlike particles.

||Pityriasis versicolor [NL.] (Med.), a parasitic disease of the skin, characterized by the development of reddish or brownish patches.

Pit"y*roid (?), a. [Gr. &?; bran + - oid.] Having the form of, or resembling, bran. Smart.

||Pi"ù (?), adv. [It., fr. L. plus. See Plus.] (Mus.) A little more; as, più allegro, a little more briskly.

Piv"ot (?), n. [F.; prob. akin to It. piva pipe, F. pipe. See Pipe.] 1. A fixed pin or short axis, on the end of which a wheel or other body turns.

2. The end of a shaft or arbor which rests and turns in a support; as, the pivot of an arbor in a watch.

3. Hence, figuratively: A turning point or condition; that on which important results depend; as, the pivot of an enterprise.

4. (Mil.) The officer or soldier who simply turns in his place whike the company or line moves around him in wheeling; -- called also pivot man.

Pivot bridge, a form of drawbridge in which one span, called the pivot span, turns about a central vertical axis. -- Pivot gun, a gun mounted on a pivot or revolving carriage, so as to turn in any direction. -- Pivot tooth (Dentistry), an artificial crown attached to the root of a natural tooth by a pin or peg.

Piv"ot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pivoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pivoting.] To place on a pivot. Clarke.

Piv"ot*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a pivot or turning point; belonging to, or constituting, a pivot; of the nature of a pivot; as, the pivotalopportunity of a career; the pivotal position in a battle.

{ Pix"y, Pix"ie } (?), n.; pl. Pixies (#). [For Pucksy, from Puck.] 1. An old English name for a fairy; an elf. [Written also picksy.]

2. (Bot.) A low creeping evergreen plant (Pyxidanthera barbulata), with mosslike leaves and little white blossoms, found in New Jersey and southward, where it flowers in earliest spring.

Pixy ring, a fairy ring or circle. [Prov. Eng.] -- Pixy stool (Bot.), a toadstool or mushroom. [Prov. Eng.]

||Piz`zi*ca"to (?). [It., pinched.] (Mus.) A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.)

Piz"zle (?), n. [Cf. Prov. G. pissel, pesel, peisel, peserich, D. pees a tendon or spring.] The penis; -- so called in some animals, as the bull. Shak.

Pla`ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. placabilitas: cf. F. placabilité.] The quality or state of being placable or appeasable; placable disposition.

Pla"ca*ble (?), a. [L. placabilis, fr. placare to quiet, pacify: cf. F. placable. See Placate.] Capable of being appeased or pacified; ready or willing to be pacified; willing to forgive or condone.

Pla*card" (?), n. [F., fr. plaquer to lay or clap on, plaque plate, tablet; probably from Dutch, cf. D. plakken to paste, post up, plak a flat piece of wood.] 1. A public proclamation; a manifesto or edict issued by authority. [Obs.]

2. Permission given by authority; a license; as, to give a placard to do something. [Obs.] ller.

3. A written or printed paper, as an advertisement or a declaration, posted, or to be posted, in a public place; a poster.

4. (Anc. Armor) An extra plate on the lower part of the breastplate or backplate. Planché.

5. [Cf. Placket.] A kind of stomacher, often adorned with jewels, worn in the fifteenth century and later.

Pla*card", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Placarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Placarding.] 1. To post placards upon or within; as, to placard a wall, to placard the city.

Pla"cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Placated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Placating.] [L. placatus, p. p. of placare to placate, akin to placere to please. See Please.] To appease; to pacify; to concilate. "Therefore is he always propitiated and placated." Cudworth.

Pla*ca"tion (?), n. [L. placatio.] The act of placating. [R.] Puttenham (1589).

Place (?), n. [F., fr. L. platea a street, an area, a courtyard, from Gr. platei^a a street, properly fem. of platy`s, flat, broad; akin to Skr. pthu, Lith. platus. Cf. Flawn, Piazza, Plate, Plaza.] 1. Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.

2. A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end. "Hangman boys in the market place." Shak.

3. A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country.

4. Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling. "The enervating magic of place." Hawthorne.

5. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied). "In place of Lord Bassanio." Shak.

7. Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.

9. (Astron.) Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; -- usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude.

Place of arms (Mil.), a place calculated for the rendezvous of men in arms, etc., as a fort which affords a safe retreat for hospitals, magazines, etc. Wilhelm. -- High place (Script.), a mount on which sacrifices were offered. "Him that offereth in the high place." Jer. xlviii. 35. -- In place, in proper position; timely. -- Out of place, inappropriate; ill-timed; as, his remarks were out of place. -- Place kick (Football), the act of kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground. -- Place name, the name of a place or locality. London Academy. -- To give place, to make room; to yield; to give way; to give advantage. "Neither give place to the devil." Eph. iv. 27. "Let all the rest give place." Shak. -- To have place, to have a station, room, or seat; as, such desires can have no place in a good heart. -- To take place. (a) To come to pass; to occur; as, the ceremony will not take place. (b) To take precedence or priority. Addison. (c) To take effect; to prevail. "If your doctrine takes place." Berkeley. "But none of these excuses would take place." Spenser. - - To take the place of, to be substituted for.

Syn. -- Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location; site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust; ground; room; stead.

Place (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Placed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Placing (?).] [Cf. F. placer. See Place, n.] 1. To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis.

2. To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position; to surround with particular circumstances or relations in life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life; as, in whatever sphere one is placed.

4. To set; to fix; to repose; as, to place confidence in a friend. "My resolution 's placed." Shak.

||Pla*ce"bo (?), n. [L., I shall please, fut. of placere to please.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The first antiphon of the vespers for the dead.

To sing placebo, to agree with one in his opinion; to be complaisant to. Chaucer.

Place"man (?), n.; pl. Placemen (&?;). One who holds or occupies a place; one who has office under government. Sir W. Scott.

Place"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. placement.] 1. The act of placing, or the state of being placed.

Pla*cen"ta (?), n.; pl. L. Placentæ (#), E. Placentas (#). [L., a cake, Gr. &?; a flat cake, from &?; flat, fr. &?;, &?;, anything flat and broad.] 1. (Anat.) The vascular appendage which connects the fetus with the parent, and is cast off in parturition with the afterbirth.

In most mammals the placenta is principally developed from the allantois and chorion, and tufts of vascular villi on its surface penetrate the blood vessels of the parental uterus, and thus establish a nutritive and excretory connection between the blood of the fetus and that of the parent, though the blood itself does not flow from one to the other.

2. (Bot.) The part of a pistil or fruit to which the ovules or seeds are attached.

Pla*cen"tal (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to the placenta; having, or characterized by having, a placenta; as, a placental mammal.

||Plac`en*ta"li*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of Mammalia including those that have a placenta, or all the orders above the marsupials.

Pla*cen"ta*ry (?), a. Having reference to the placenta; as, the placentary system of classification.

Plac`en*ta"tion (?), n. 1. (Anat.) The mode of formation of the placenta in different animals; as, the placentation of mammals.

2. (Bot.) The mode in which the placenta is arranged or composed; as, axile placentation; parietal placentation.

Plac`en*tif"er*ous (?), a. [Placenta + -ferous.] (Bot. & Zoöl.) Having or producing a placenta.

Pla*cen"ti*form (?), a. [Placenta + -form.] (Bot.) Having the shape of a placenta, or circular thickened disk somewhat thinner about the middle.

Pla*cen"tious (?), a. [See Please.] Pleasing; amiable. [Obs.] "A placentious person." Fuller.

Plac"er (?), n. [Sp.] A deposit of earth, sand, or gravel, containing valuable mineral in particles, especially by the side of a river, or in the bed of a mountain torrent. [U.S.]

||Pla"cet (?), n. [L. placet it pleases.] 1. A vote of assent, as of the governing body of a university, of an ecclesiastical council, etc.

2. The assent of the civil power to the promulgation of an ecclesiastical ordinance. Shipley.

Plac"id (?), a. [L. placidus, originally, pleasing, mild, from placere to please: cf. F. placide. See Please.] Pleased; contented; unruffied; undisturbed; serene; peaceful; tranquil; quiet; gentle. "That placid aspect and meek regard." Milton. "Sleeping . . . the placid sleep of infancy." Macaulay.

Pla*cid"i*ty (?), n. [L. placiditas: cf. F. placidité.] The quality or state of being placid; calmness; serenity. Hawthorne.

Plac"it (?), n. [L. placitum. See Plea.] A decree or determination; a dictum. [Obs.] "The placits and opinions of other philosophers." Evelyn.

Plac"i*to*ry (?), a. [See Placit.] Of or pertaining to pleas or pleading, in courts of law. [Obs.] Clayton.

||Plac"i*tum (?), n.; pl. Placita (#). [LL. See Placit.] 1. A public court or assembly in the Middle Ages, over which the sovereign president when a consultation was held upon affairs of state. Brande & C.

Plack (?), n. [F. plaque a plate of metal. Cf. Plaque.] A small copper coin formerly current in Scotland, worth less than a cent.

Plack"et (?), n. [F. plaquer to lay or clap on. See Placard.] 1. A petticoat, esp. an under petticoat; hence, a cant term for a woman. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

2. The opening or slit left in a petticoat or skirt for convenience in putting it on; -- called also placket hole.

Plac"o*derm (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, tablet + &?; skin.] (Paleon.) One of the Placodermi.

Plac`o*der"mal (?), a. (Paleon.) Of or pertaining to the placoderms; like the placoderms.

||Plac`o*der"mi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a tablet + &?; skin.] (Paleon.) An extinct group of fishes, supposed to be ganoids. The body and head were covered with large bony plates. See Illust. under Pterichthys, and Coccosteus.

||Plac`o*ga*noi"de*i (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a tablet + NL. ganoidei. See Ganoidei.] (Zoöl.) A division of ganoid fishes including those that have large external bony plates and a cartilaginous skeleton.

Plac"oid (?), a. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a tablet + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Platelike; having irregular, platelike, bony scales, often bearing spines; pertaining to the placoids.

Plac"oid, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any fish having placoid scales, as the sharks. (b) One of the Placoides.

||Pla*coi"des (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A group of fishes including the sharks and rays; the Elasmobranchii; -- called also Placoidei.

||Pla*coph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?;, &?;, tablet + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) A division of gastropod Mollusca, including the chitons. The back is covered by eight shelly plates. Called also Polyplacophora. See Illust. under Chiton, and Isopleura.

||Pla"ga (?), n.; pl. Plagæ (#). [L. plga a blow, a welt, a stripe.] (Zoöl.) A stripe of color.

Pla"gal (?), a. [F., from Gr. &?; sidewise, slanting.] (Mus.) Having a scale running from the dominant to its octave; -- said of certain old church modes or tunes, as opposed to those called authentic, which ran from the tonic to its octave.

Plagal cadence, a cadence in which the final chord on the tonic is preceded by the chord on the subdominant.

Plage (?), n. [F., fr. L. plaga.] A region; country. [Obs.] "The plages of the north." Chaucer.

Pla"gia*rism (?), n. [Cf. F. plagiarisme.] 1. The act or practice of plagiarizing.

Pla"gia*rist (?), n. One who plagiarizes; or purloins the words, writings, or ideas of another, and passes them off as his own; a literary thief; a plagiary.

Pla"gia*rize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plagiarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plagiarizing.] To steal or purloin from the writings of another; to appropriate without due acknowledgement (the ideas or expressions of another).

Pla"gia*ry (?), n.; pl. Plagiaries (#). [L. plagiarius a kidnaper, a literary thief, fr. plagium kidnaping; cf. plaga a net, perh. akin to E. plait: cf. F. plagiaire.] 1. A manstealer; a kidnaper. [Obs.]

2. One who purloins another's expressions or ideas, and offers them as his own; a plagiarist. Dryden.

Pla`gi*he"dral (?), a. [Gr. &?; oblique + &?; base, seat.] (Crystallog.) Having an oblique spiral arrangement of planes, as levogyrate and dextrogyrate crystals.

Pla`gi*o*ce*phal"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; oblique + &?; the head.] (Anat.) Having an oblique lateral deformity of the skull.

Pla"gi*o*clase (?), n. [Gr. &?; oblique + &?; to break.] (Min.) A general term used of any triclinic feldspar. See the Note under Feldspar.

Pla"gi*o*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; oblique. So called in allusion to its usually oblique crystallization.] (Min.) A sulphide of lead and antimony, of a blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster.

||Pla`gi*os"to*mi (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; slanting + &?;, &?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) An order of fishes including the sharks and rays; -- called also Plagiostomata.

||Pla`gi*o*trem"a*ta (?), n. pl.; [NL., fr. Gr. &?; slanting + &?;, &?;, a hole.] (Zoöl.) Same as Lepidosauria.

Pla`gi*o*trop"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; aslant + &?; to turn.] (Bot.) Having the longer axis inclined away from the vertical line.

Pla*gose" (?), a. [L. plagosus. See Plague.] Fond of flogging; as, a plagose master. [R.]

Plague (?), n. [L. plaga a blow, stroke, plague; akin to Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to strike; cf. L. plangere to strike, beat. Cf. Plaint.] 1. That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation. Shak.

2. (Med.) An acute malignant contagious fever, that often prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times visited the large cities of Europe with frightful mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London plague. "A plague upon the people fell." Tennyson.

Cattle plague. See Rinderpest. -- Plague mark, Plague spot, a spot or mark of the plague; hence, a token of something incurable.

Plague, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plagued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plaguing.] 1. To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.

Syn. -- To vex; torment; distress; afflict; harass; annoy; tease; tantalize; trouble; molest; embarrass; perplex.

Plague"ful (?), a. Abounding, or infecting, with plagues; pestilential; as, plagueful exhalations.

Pla"gui*ly (?), adv. In a plaguing manner; vexatiously; extremely. [Colloq.] "Ronsard is so plaguily stiff and stately." Landor.

Pla"guy (?), a. Vexatious; troublesome; tormenting; as, a plaguy horse. [Colloq.] Also used adverbially; as, "He is so plaguy proud." Shak.

Plaice (?), n. [F. plaise, plais, prob. fr. L. platessa flatish, plaice. See Place.] (Zoöl.) (a) A European food fish (Pleuronectes platessa), allied to the flounder, and growing to the weight of eight or ten pounds or more. (b) A large American flounder (Paralichthys dentatus; called also brail, puckermouth, and summer flounder. The name is sometimes applied to other allied species. [Written also plaise.]

Plaice mouth, a mouth like that of a plaice; a small or wry mouth. [R.] B. Jonson.

Plaid (?), n. [Gael. plaide a blanket or plaid, contr. fr. peallaid a sheepskin, fr. peall a skin or hide. CF. Pillion.] 1. A rectangular garment or piece of cloth, usually made of the checkered material called tartan, but sometimes of plain gray, or gray with black stripes. It is worn by both sexes in Scotland.

2. Goods of any quality or material of the pattern of a plaid or tartan; a checkered cloth or pattern.

Plaid, a. Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scotch plaid; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another; as, plaid muslin.

Plaid"ed, a. 1. Of the material of which plaids are made; tartan. "In plaided vest." Wordsworth.

Plain (?), v. i. [OE. playne, pleyne, fr. F. plaindre. See Plaint.] To lament; to bewail; to complain. [Archaic & Poetic] Milton.

Plain, v. t. To lament; to mourn over; as, to plain a loss. [Archaic & Poetic] Sir J. Harrington.

Plain, a. [Compar. Plainer (?); superl. Plainest.] [F., level, flat, fr. L. planus, perhaps akin to E. floor. Cf. Llano, Piano, Plan, Plane level, a level surface.] 1. Without elevations or depressions; flat; level; smooth; even. See Plane.

3. Not intricate or difficult; evident; manifest; obvious; clear; unmistakable. "'T is a plain case." Shak.

4. (a) Void of extraneous beauty or ornament; without conspicious embellishment; not rich; simple. (b) Not highly cultivated; unsophisticated; free from show or pretension; simple; natural; homely; common. "Plain yet pious Christians." Hammond. "The plain people." A. Lincoln. (c) Free from affectation or disguise; candid; sincere; artless; honest; frank. "An honest mind, and plain." Shak. (d) Not luxurious; not highly seasoned; simple; as, plain food. (e) Without beauty; not handsome; homely; as, a plain woman. (f) Not variegated, dyed, or figured; as, plain muslin. (g) Not much varied by modulations; as, a plain tune.

Plain battle, open battle; pitched battle. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Plain chant (Mus.) Same as Plain song, below. -- Plain chart (Naut.), a chart laid down on Mercator's projection. -- Plain dealer. (a) One who practices plain dealing. (b) A simpleton. [Obs.] Shak. -- Plain dealing. See under Dealing. -- Plain molding (Join.), molding of which the surfaces are plain figures. -- Plain sewing, sewing of seams by simple and common stitches, in distinct from fancy work, embroidery, etc.; -- distinguished also from designing and fitting garments. -- Plain song. (a) The Gregorian chant, or canto fermo; the prescribed melody of the Roman Catholic service, sung in unison, in tones of equal length, and rarely extending beyond the compass of an octave. (b) A simple melody. -- Plain speaking, plainness or bluntness of speech.

Syn. -- Level; flat; smooth; open; artless; unaffected; undisguised; frank; sincere; honest; candid; ingenuous; unembellished; downright; blunt; clear; simple; distinct; manifest; obvious; apparent. See Manifest.

Plain, adv. In a plain manner; plainly. "To speak short and pleyn." Chaucer. "To tell you plain." Shak.

Plain, n. [Cf. OF. plaigne, F. plaine. See Plain, a.] 1. Level land; usually, an open field or a broad stretch of land with an even surface, or a surface little varied by inequalities; as, the plain of Jordan; the American plains, or prairies.

Plain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plained (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Plaining.] [Cf. Plane, v.] 1. To plane or level; to make plain or even on the surface. [R.]

Plain"ant (?), n. [See 1st Plain.] (Law) One who makes complaint; the plaintiff. [Obs.]

Plain"-deal`ing (?), a. Practicing plain dealing; artless. See Plain dealing, under Dealing. Shak.

Plain"-heart`ed (?), a. Frank; sincere; artless. Milton. -- Plain"- heart`ed*ness, n.

Plain"-laid` (?), a. (Naut.) Consisting of strands twisted together in the ordinary way; as, a plain-laid rope. See Illust. of Cordage.

Plain"-spo`ken (?), a. Speaking with plain, unreserved sincerity; also, spoken sincerely; as, plain-spoken words. Dryden.

Plaint (?), n. [OE. plainte, pleynte, F. plainte, fr. L. plangere, planctum (plancta, fem. p. p.), to beat, beat the breast, lament. Cf. Complain, Plague, Plangent.] 1. Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation; complaint; hence, a mournful song; a lament. Chaucer."The Psalmist's mournful plaint." Wordsworth.

3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to a court, in which a person sets forth his cause of action; the exhibiting of an action in writing. Blackstone.

Plaint"ful (?), a. Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an audible voice. "My plaintful tongue." Sir P. Sidney.

Plain"tiff (?), n. [F. plaintif making complaint, plaintive; in Old French equiv. to plaignant complainant, prosecutor, fr. plaindre. See Plaint, and cf. Plaintive.] (Law) One who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; -- opposed to defendant.

Plain"tive (?), a. [F. plaintif. See Plaintiff, n.] 1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. Dryden.

2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. "The most plaintive ditty." Landor.

Plaint"less (?), a. Without complaint; unrepining. "Plaintless patience." Savage.

Plait (?), n. [OE. playte, OF. pleit, L. plicatum, plicitum, p. p. of plicare to fold, akin to plectere to plait. See Ply, and cf. Plat to weave, Pleat, Plight fold.] 1. A flat fold; a doubling, as of cloth; a pleat; as, a box plait.

Plait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plaited; p. pr. & vb. n. Plaiting.] 1. To fold; to double in narrow folds; to pleat; as, to plait a ruffle.

2. To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid; to plat; as, to plait hair; to plait rope.

Plait"ed, a. Folded; doubled over; braided; figuratively, involved; intricate; artful.

Plan (?), n. [F., fr. L. planus flat, level. See Plain, a.] 1. A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or the representation or delineation of a horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a graphic representation; a diagram.

2. A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.

Syn. -- Scheme; draught; delineation; plot; sketch; project; design; contrivance; device. See Scheme.

Plan, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planning.] 1. To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by a diagram.

2. To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as, to plan the conquest of a country.

||Pla*na"ri*a (?), n.; pl. L. Planariæ (#), E. -rias (#). [NL. See Planary.] (Zoöl.) Any species of turbellarian worms belonging to Planaria, and many allied genera. The body is usually flat, thin, and smooth. Some species, in warm countries, are terrestrial.

Pla*na"ri*an (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Planarida, or Dendrocœla; any turbellarian worm. -- Pla*na"ri*an, a.

||Pla*nar"i*da (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of Turbellaria; the Dendrocœla.

Pla"na*ry (?), a. [L. planarius level. See Plane, a.] Of or pertaining to a plane. [R.]

Planch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planching.] [F. planche a board, plank. See Plank.] To make or cover with planks or boards; to plank. [Obs.] "To that vineyard is a planched gate." Shak.

Planch"er (?), n. [F., planche. See Planch.] 1. A floor of wood; also, a plank. [Obs.] Bacon.

Planch"et (?), n. [F. planchette a small board, dim. of planche. See Planch.] A flat piece of metal; especially, a disk of metal ready to be stamped as a coin.

Plan`chette" (?), n. [F. See Planchet.] 1. A circumferentor. See Circumferentor.

2. A small tablet of wood supported on casters and having a pencil attached. The characters produced by the pencil on paper, while the hand rests on the instrument and it is allowed to move, are sometimes translated as of oracular or supernatural import.

Planch"ing (?), n. The laying of floors in a building; also, a floor of boards or planks.

Plane (?), n. [F., fr. L. platanus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; broad; -- so called on account of its broad leaves and spreading form. See Place, and cf. Platane, Plantain the tree.] (Bot.) Any tree of the genus Platanus.

The Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) is a native of Asia. It rises with a straight, smooth, branching stem to a great height, with palmated leaves, and long pendulous peduncles, sustaining several heads of small close-sitting flowers. The seeds are downy, and collected into round, rough, hard balls. The Occidental plane (Platanus occidentalis), which grows to a great height, is a native of North America, where it is popularly called sycamore, buttonwood, and buttonball, names also applied to the California species (Platanus racemosa).

Plane (?), a. [L. planus: cf. F. plan. See Plan, a.] Without elevations or depressions; even; level; flat; lying in, or constituting, a plane; as, a plane surface.

In science, this word (instead of plain) is almost exclusively used to designate a flat or level surface.

Plane angle, the angle included between two straight lines in a plane. -- Plane chart, Plane curve. See under Chart and Curve. -- Plane figure, a figure all points of which lie in the same plane. If bounded by straight lines it is a rectilinear plane figure, if by curved lines it is a curvilinear plane figure. -- Plane geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the relations and properties of plane figures. -- Plane problem, a problem which can be solved geometrically by the aid of the right line and circle only. -- Plane sailing (Naut.), the method of computing a ship's place and course on the supposition that the earth's surface is a plane. -- Plane scale (Naut.), a scale for the use of navigators, on which are graduated chords, sines, tangents, secants, rhumbs, geographical miles, etc. -- Plane surveying, surveying in which the curvature of the earth is disregarded; ordinary field and topographical surveying of tracts of moderate extent. -- Plane table, an instrument used for plotting the lines of a survey on paper in the field. -- Plane trigonometry, the branch of trigonometry in which its principles are applied to plane triangles.

Plane, n. [F. plane, L. plana. See Plane, v. & a.] 1. (Geom.) A surface, real or imaginary, in which, if any two points are taken, the straight line which joins them lies wholly in that surface; or a surface, any section of which by a like surface is a straight line; a surface without curvature.

2. (Astron.) An ideal surface, conceived as coinciding with, or containing, some designated astronomical line, circle, or other curve; as, the plane of an orbit; the plane of the ecliptic, or of the equator.

3. (Mech.) A block or plate having a perfectly flat surface, used as a standard of flatness; a surface plate.

4. (Joinery) A tool for smoothing boards or other surfaces of wood, for forming moldings, etc. It consists of a smooth-soled stock, usually of wood, from the under side or face of which projects slightly the steel cutting edge of a chisel, called the iron, which inclines backward, with an apperture in front for the escape of shavings; as, the jack plane; the smoothing plane; the molding plane, etc.

Objective plane (Surv.), the horizontal plane upon which the object which is to be delineated, or whose place is to be determined, is supposed to stand. -- Perspective plane. See Perspective. -- Plane at infinity (Geom.), a plane in which points infinitely distant are conceived as situated. -- Plane iron, the cutting chisel of a joiner's plane. -- Plane of polarization. (Opt.) See Polarization. -- Plane of projection. (a) The plane on which the projection is made, corresponding to the perspective plane in perspective; -- called also principal plane. (b) (Descriptive Geom.) One of the planes to which points are referred for the purpose of determining their relative position in space. -- Plane of refraction or reflection (Opt.), the plane in which lie both the incident ray and the refracted or reflected ray.

Plane, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planing.] [Cf. F. planer, L. planare, fr. planus. See Plane, a., Plain, a., and cf. Planish.] 1. To make smooth; to level; to pare off the inequalities of the surface of, as of a board or other piece of wood, by the use of a plane; as, to plane a plank.

Plane`-par"al*lel (?), a. (Optics) Having opposite surfaces exactly plane and parallel, as a piece of glass.

Plan"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, planes; a planing machine; esp., a machine for planing wood or metals.

2. (Print.) A wooden block used for forcing down the type in a form, and making the surface even. Hansard.

Plan"er tree` (?). [From J. S. Planer, a German botanist.] (Bot.) A small-leaved North American tree (Planera aquatica) related to the elm, but having a wingless, nutlike fruit.

Plan"et (?), n. [OE. planete, F. planète, L. planeta, fr. Gr. &?;, and &?; a planet; prop. wandering, fr. &?; to wander, fr. &?; a wandering.] 1. (Astron.) A celestial body which revolves about the sun in an orbit of a moderate degree of eccentricity. It is distinguished from a comet by the absence of a coma, and by having a less eccentric orbit. See Solar system.

The term planet was first used to distinguish those stars which have an apparent motion through the constellations from the fixed stars, which retain their relative places unchanged. The inferior planets are Mercury and Venus, which are nearer to the sun than is the earth; the superior planets are Mars, the asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which are farther from the sun than is the earth. Primary planets are those which revolve about the sun; secondary planets, or moons, are those which revolve around the primary planets as satellites, and at the same time revolve with them about the sun.

Planet gear. (Mach.) See Epicyclic train, under Epicyclic. -- Planet wheel, a gear wheel which revolves around the wheel with which it meshes, in an epicyclic train.

Plan`e*ta"ri*um (?), n. [NL.: cf. F. planétaire. See Planetary.] An orrery. See Orrery.

Plan"et*a*ry (?), a. [Cf. L. planetarius an astrologer, F. planétaire planetary. See Planet.] 1. Of or pertaining to the planets; as, planetary inhabitants; planetary motions; planetary year.

3. (Astrol.) Under the dominion or influence of a planet. "Skilled in the planetary hours." Drayton.

5. Having the nature of a planet; erratic; revolving; wandering. "Erratical and planetary life." Fuller.

Planetary days, the days of the week as shared among the planets known to the ancients, each having its day. Hutton. -- Planetary nebula, a nebula exhibiting a uniform disk, like that of a planet.

{ Pla*net"ic (?), Pla*net"ic*al (?), } a. [L. planeticus, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to planets. Sir T. Browne.

Plan"et*oid (?), n. [Planet + -oid.] (Astron.) A body resembling a planet; an asteroid.

{ Plan"et-strick`en (?), Plan"et-struck` (?), } a. Affected by the influence of planets; blasted. Milton.

Plan"gen*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being plangent; a beating sound. [R.]

Plan"gent (?), a. [L. plangens, -entis, fr. plangere to beat. See Plaint.] Beating; dashing, as a wave. [R.] "The plangent wave." H. Taylor.

{ Plan"i- (?), Plan"o- (?) }. [L. planus. See Plane, a.] Combining forms signifying flat, level, plane; as planifolious, planimetry, plano- concave.

Plan"i*form (?), a. (Anat.) Having a plane surface; as, a planiform, gliding, or arthrodial articulation.

Pla*nim"e*ter (?), n. [Plani- + -meter. Cf. Planometer.] An instrument for measuring the area of any plane figure, however irregular, by passing a tracer around the bounding line; a platometer.

{ Plan`i*met"ric (?; 277), Plan`i*met"ric*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. planimétrique.] Of or pertaining to planimetry.

Pla*nim"e*try (?), n. [Cf. F. planimétrie.] The mensuration of plane surfaces; -- distinguished from stereometry, or the mensuration of volumes.

Planing machine. (a) See Planer. (b) A complex machine for planing wood, especially boards, containing usually a rapidly revolving cutter, which chips off the surface in small shavings as the piece to be planed is passed under it by feeding apparatus.

||Pla`ni*pen"ni*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. planus plane + penna wing.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of Neuroptera, including those that have broad, flat wings, as the ant-lion, lacewing, etc. Called also Planipennes.

Plan"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planishing.] [OF. planir, F. planer. See Plane, v., and -ish.] To make smooth or plane, as a metallic surface; to condense, toughen, and polish by light blows with a hammer.

Planishing rolls (Coining), rolls between which metal strips are passed while cold, to bring them to exactly the required thickness.

Plan"i*sphere (?), n. [Plani- + sphere: cf. F. planisphère. See Plain, and Sphere.] The representation of the circles of the sphere upon a plane; especially, a representation of the celestial sphere upon a plane with adjustable circles, or other appendages, for showing the position of the heavens, the time of rising and setting of stars, etc., for any given date or hour.

Plank (?), n. [OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche, fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, anything flat and broad. Cf. Planch.] 1. A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only in being thicker. See Board.

3. One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform. [Cant]

Plank road, or Plank way, a road surface formed of planks. [U.S.] -- To walk the plank, to walk along a plank laid across the bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives practiced by pirates.

Plank (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planking.] 1. To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a ship. "Planked with pine." Dryden.

2. To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash; as, to plank money in a wager. [Colloq. U.S.]

4. (Wooden Manuf.) To splice together the ends of slivers of wool, for subsequent drawing.

Planked shad, shad split open, fastened to a plank, and roasted before a wood fire.

Plank"ing, n. 1. The act of laying planks; also, planks, collectively; a series of planks in place, as the wooden covering of the frame of a vessel.

Plank"-sheer` (?), n. (Shipbuilding) The course of plank laid horizontally over the timberheads of a vessel's frame.

Plan"o*blast (?), n. [Gr. &?; to wander + -blast.] (Zoöl.) Any free-swimming gonophore of a hydroid; a hydroid medusa.

Pla"no-con"cave (?), a. [Plano- + concave.] Plane or flat on one side, and concave on the other; as, a plano-concave lens. See Lens.

Pla"no-con"ic*al (?), a. [Plano- + conical.] Plane or flat on one side, and conical on the other. Grew.

Pla"no-con"vex (?), a. [Plano- + convex.] Plane or flat on one side, and convex on the other; as, a plano-convex lens. See Convex, and Lens.

Pla"no-hor`i*zon"tal (?), a. [Plano- + horizontal.] Having a level horizontal surface or position. Lee.

Pla*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Plano- + -meter. Cf. Planimeter.] An instrument for gauging or testing a plane surface. See Surface gauge, under Surface.

Pla*nom"e*try (?), n. (Mech.) The art or process of producing or gauging a plane surface.

Pla"no-or*bic"u*lar (?), a. [Plano- + orbicular.] Plane or flat on one side, and spherical on the other.

||Pla*nor"bis (?), n. [NL., fr. L. planus flat + orbis a circle.] (Zoöl.) Any fresh-water air-breathing mollusk belonging to Planorbis and other allied genera, having shells of a discoidal form.

Pla"no-su"bu*late (?), a. [Plano- + subulate.] Smooth and awl-shaped. See Subulate.

Plant (?), n. [AS. plante, L. planta.] 1. A vegetable; an organized living being, generally without feeling and voluntary motion, and having, when complete, a root, stem, and leaves, though consisting sometimes only of a single leafy expansion, or a series of cellules, or even a single cellule.

Plants are divided by their structure and methods of reproduction into two series, phænogamous or flowering plants, which have true flowers and seeds, and cryptogamous or flowerless plants, which have no flowers, and reproduce by minute one-celled spores. In both series are minute and simple forms and others of great size and complexity.

As to their mode of nutrition, plants may be considered as self-supporting and dependent. Self-supporting plants always contain chlorophyll, and subsist on air and moisture and the matter dissolved in moisture, and as a general rule they excrete oxygen, and use the carbonic acid to combine with water and form the material for their tissues. Dependent plants comprise all fungi and many flowering plants of a parasitic or saprophytic nature. As a rule, they have no chlorophyll, and subsist mainly or wholly on matter already organized, thus utilizing carbon compounds already existing, and not excreting oxygen. But there are plants which are partly dependent and partly self-supporting.

The movements of climbing plants, of some insectivorous plants, of leaves, stamens, or pistils in certain plants, and the ciliary motion of zoöspores, etc., may be considered a kind of voluntary motion.

2. A bush, or young tree; a sapling; hence, a stick or staff. "A plant of stubborn oak." Dryden.

4. (Com.) The whole machinery and apparatus employed in carrying on a trade or mechanical business; also, sometimes including real estate, and whatever represents investment of capital in the means of carrying on a business, but not including material worked upon or finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or a railroad.

6. (Zoöl.) (a) An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from one of natural growth. (b) A young oyster suitable for transplanting. [Local, U.S.]

Plant bug (Zoöl.), any one of numerous hemipterous insects which injure the foliage of plants, as Lygus lineolaris, which damages wheat and trees. -- Plant cutter (Zoöl.), a South American passerine bird of the genus Phytotoma, family Phytotomidæ. It has a serrated bill with which it cuts off the young shoots and buds of plants, often doing much injury. -- Plant louse (Zoöl.), any small hemipterous insect which infests plants, especially those of the families Aphidæ and Psyllidæ; an aphid.

Plant (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planted; p. pr. & vb. n. Planting.] [AS. plantian, L. plantare. See Plant, n.] 1. To put in the ground and cover, as seed for growth; as, to plant maize.

3. To furnish, or fit out, with plants; as, to plant a garden, an orchard, or a forest.

5. To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to settle; to establish; as, to plant a colony.

6. To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of; as, to plant Christianity among the heathen.

7. To set firmly; to fix; to set and direct, or point; as, to plant cannon against a fort; to plant a standard in any place; to plant one's feet on solid ground; to plant one's fist in another's face.

Plant"age (?), n. A word used once by Shakespeare to designate plants in general, or anything that is planted.

Plan"tain (?), n. [Cf. F. plantain- arbre, plantanier, Sp. plántano, plátano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb (Musa paradisiaca) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See Musa.

2. The fruit of this plant. It is long and somewhat cylindrical, slightly curved, and, when ripe, soft, fleshy, and covered with a thick but tender yellowish skin. The plantain is a staple article of food in most tropical countries, especially when cooked.

Plantain cutter, or Plantain eater (Zoöl.), any one of several large African birds of the genus Musophaga, or family Musophagidæ, especially Musophaga violacea. See Turaco. They are allied to the cuckoos. -- Plantain squirrel (Zoöl.), a Java squirrel (Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains. -- Plantain tree (Bot.), the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above).

Plan"tain, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. Plant.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the P. major, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe, but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all parts of the world.

Indian plantain. (Bot.) See under Indian. -- Mud plantain, a homely North American aquatic plant (Heteranthera reniformis), having broad, reniform leaves. -- Rattlesnake plantain, an orchidaceous plant (Goodyera pubescens), with the leaves blotched and spotted with white. -- Ribwort plantain. See Ribwort. -- Robin's plantain, the Erigeron bellidifolium, a common daisylike plant of North America. -- Water plantain, a plant of the genus Alisma, having acrid leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against hydrophobia. Loudon.

Plant"al (?), a. [L. planta a plant.] Belonging to plants; as, plantal life. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Plan"tar (?), a. [L. plantaris, fr. planta the sole of the foot.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sole of the foot; as, the plantar arteries.

Plan*ta"tion (?), n. [L. plantatio: cf. F. plantation.] 1. The act or practice of planting, or setting in the earth for growth. [R.]

2. The place planted; land brought under cultivation; a piece of ground planted with trees or useful plants; esp., in the United States and West Indies, a large estate appropriated to the production of the more important crops, and cultivated by laborers who live on the estate; as, a cotton plantation; a coffee plantation.

Plant"-cane` (?), n. A stalk or shoot of sugar cane of the first growth from the cutting. The growth of the second and following years is of inferior quality, and is called rattoon.

Plant"-eat`ing (?), a. Eating, or subsisting on, plants; as, a plant-eating beetle.

Plant"ed (?), a. (Joinery) Fixed in place, as a projecting member wrought on a separate piece of stuff; as, a planted molding.

Plant"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, plants or sows; as, a planterof corn; a machine planter.

2. One who owns or cultivates a plantation; as, a sugar planter; a coffee planter.

3. A colonist in a new or uncultivated territory; as, the first planters in Virginia.

Plant"er*ship, n. The occupation or position of a planter, or the management of a plantation, as in the United States or the West Indies.

Plant"i*cle (?), n. [Dim. of Plant.] A young plant, or plant in embryo. E. Darwin.

||Plan`ti*gra"da (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A subdivision of Carnivora having plantigrade feet. It includes the bears, raccoons, and allied species.

Plan"ti*grade (?), a. [L. planta sole of the foot + gradi to walk: cf. F. plantigrade.] (Zoöl.) (a) Walking on the sole of the foot; pertaining to the plantigrades. (b) Having the foot so formed that the heel touches the ground when the leg is upright.

Plan"ti*grade, n. (Zoöl.) A plantigrade animal, or one that walks or steps on the sole of the foot, as man, and the bears.

Plant"ing (?), n. 1. The act or operation of setting in the ground for propagation, as seeds, trees, shrubs, etc.; the forming of plantations, as of trees; the carrying on of plantations, as of sugar, coffee, etc.

Plan*toc"ra*cy (?), n. [Planter + -cracy, as in democracy.] Government by planters; planters, collectively. [R.]

Plant"ule (?), n. [F., dim. of plante a plant, L. planta.] (Bot.) The embryo which has begun its development in the act of germination.

||Plan"u*la (?), n.; pl. Planulæ (#). [L., a little plane.] 1. (Biol.) In embryonic development, a vesicle filled with fluid, formed from the morula by the divergence of its cells in such a manner as to give rise to a central space, around which the cells arrange themselves as an envelope; an embryonic form intermediate between the morula and gastrula. Sometimes used as synonymous with gastrula.

2. (Zoöl.) The very young, free- swimming larva of the cœlenterates. It usually has a flattened oval or oblong form, and is entirely covered with cilia.

Planx"ty (?), n. [Cf. L. plangere to mourn aloud.] (Mus.) An Irish or Welsh melody for the harp, sometimes of a mournful character.

Plaque (?), n. [F. Cf. Plack, and see Placard.] Any flat, thin piece of metal, clay, ivory, or the like, used for ornament, or for painting pictures upon, as a slab, plate, dish, or the like, hung upon a wall; also, a smaller decoration worn on the person, as a brooch.

Plash (?), n. [OD. plasch. See Plash, v.] 1. A small pool of standing water; a puddle. Bacon. "These shallow plashes." Barrow.

Plash, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Plashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plashing.] [Cf. D. plassen, G. platschen. Cf. Splash.] To dabble in water; to splash. "Plashing among bedded pebbles." Keats.

2. To splash or sprinkle with coloring matter; as, to plash a wall in imitation of granite.

Plash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plashed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Plashing.] [OF. plaissier, plessier, to bend. Cf. Pleach.] To cut partly, or to bend and intertwine the branches of; as, to plash a hedge. Evelyn.

Plash, n. The branch of a tree partly cut or bent, and bound to, or intertwined with, other branches.

Plash"ing, n. 1. The cutting or bending and intertwining the branches of small trees, as in hedges.

2. The dashing or sprinkling of coloring matter on the walls of buildings, to imitate granite, etc.

Plash"oot (?), n. A hedge or fence formed of branches of trees interlaced, or plashed. [Obs.] Carew.

Plash"y (?), a. [From 1st Plash.] 1. Watery; abounding with puddles; splashy. "Plashy fens." Milton. "The plashy earth." Wordsworth.

Plasm (?), n. [L. plasma anything formed or molded, that which is molded, Gr. &?;, &?;, from &?; to form, mold: cf. F. plasme. Cf. Plasma.] 1. A mold or matrix in which anything is cast or formed to a particular shape. [R.] Woodward.

Plas"ma (?), n. [See Plasm.] 1. (Min.) A variety of quartz, of a color between grass green and leek green, which is found associated with common chalcedony. It was much esteemed by the ancients for making engraved ornaments.

2. (Biol.) The viscous material of an animal or vegetable cell, out of which the various tissues are formed by a process of differentiation; protoplasm.

4. (Med.) A mixture of starch and glycerin, used as a substitute for ointments. U. S. Disp.

Blood plasma (Physiol.), the colorless fluid of the blood, in which the red and white blood corpuscles are suspended. -- Muscle plasma (Physiol.), the fundamental part of muscle fibers, a thick, viscid, albuminous fluid contained within the sarcolemma, which on the death of the muscle coagulates to a semisolid mass.

{ Plas*mat"ic (?), Plas*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;.] 1. Forming; shaping; molding. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to plasma; having the character of plasma; containing, or conveying, plasma.

Plas*ma"tion (?), n. [L. plasmatio.] The act of forming or molding. [R.] Grafton.

Plas*ma"tor (?), n. [L.] A former; a fashioner. [R.] "The sovereign plasmator, God Almighty." Urquhart.

Plas"min (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A proteid body, separated by some physiologists from blood plasma. It is probably identical with fibrinogen.

Plas*mo"di*al (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to, or like, a plasmodium; as, the plasmodial form of a life cycle.

||Plas*mo"di*um (?), n.; pl. Plasmodia (#). [NL. See Plasma.] 1. (Biol.) A jellylike mass of free protoplasm, without any union of amœboid cells, and endowed with life and power of motion.

2. (Zoöl.) A naked mobile mass of protoplasm, formed by the union of several amœbalike young, and constituting one of the stages in the life cycle of Mycetozoa and other low organisms.

Plas"mo*gen (?), n. [Plasma + -gen.] (Biol.) The important living portion of protoplasm, considered a chemical substance of the highest elaboration. Germ plasm and idioplasm are forms of plasmogen.

||Plas"son (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to form.] (Biol.) The albuminous material composing the body of a cytode.

It is considered simpler than protoplasm of an ordinary cell in that it has not undergone differentiation into the inner cell nucleus and the outer cell substance. Haeckel.

Plas"ter (?), n. [AS., a plaster (in sense 1), fr. L. emplastrum, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to daub on, stuff in; &?; in + &?; to mold: cf. OF. plastre a plaster (in sense 2), F. plâtre. Cf. Plastic, Emplaster, Piaster.] [Formerly written also plaister.] 1. (Med.) An external application of a consistency harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking plaster.

2. A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions of houses. See Mortar.

3. Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings, etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertilizer.

Plaster cast, a copy of an object obtained by pouring plaster of Paris mixed with water into a mold. -- Plaster of Paris. [So called because originally brought from a suburb of Paris.] (Chem.) Anhydrous calcium sulphate, or calcined gypsum, which forms with water a paste which soon sets or hardens, and is used for casts, moldings, etc. The term is loosely applied to any plaster stone or species of gypsum. -- Plaster of Paris bandage (Surg.), a bandage saturated with a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a perfectly fitting splint. -- Plaster stone, any species of gypsum. See Gypsum.

Plas"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plastered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plastering.] [Cf. OF. plastrer to plaster (in sense 2), F. plâtrer.] 1. To cover with a plaster, as a wound or sore.

3. Fig.: To smooth over; to cover or conceal the defects of; to hide, as with a covering of plaster. Bale.

Plas"ter*er (?), n. 1. One who applies plaster or mortar. "Thy father was a plasterer." Shak.

2. One who makes plaster casts. "The plasterer doth make his figures by addition." Sir H. Wotton.

Plas"ter*ly, a. Resembling plaster of Paris. [R.] "Out of gypseous or plasterly ground." Fuller.

Plas"ter*work` (?), n. Plastering used to finish architectural constructions, exterior or interior, especially that used for the lining of rooms. Ordinarly, mortar is used for the greater part of the work, and pure plaster of Paris for the moldings and ornaments.

-plas"tic (-pls"tk). [Gr. &?; fit for molding, plastic, fr. &?; to mold, to form.] A combining form signifying developing, forming, growing; as, heteroplastic, monoplastic, polyplastic.

Plas"tic (pls"tk), a. [L. plasticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to form, mold: cf. F. plastique.] 1. Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator. Prior.

2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.

3. Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or modeling; -- said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the graphic arts.

Plastic clay (Geol.), one of the beds of the Eocene period; -- so called because used in making pottery. Lyell. -- Plastic element (Physiol.), one that bears within the germs of a higher form. -- Plastic exudation (Med.), an exudation thrown out upon a wounded surface and constituting the material of repair by which the process of healing is effected. -- Plastic foods. (Physiol.) See the second Note under Food. -- Plastic force. (Physiol.) See under Force. -- Plastic operation, an operation in plastic surgery. -- Plastic surgery, that branch of surgery which is concerned with the repair or restoration of lost, injured, or deformed parts of the body.

Plas*tic"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. plasticité.] 1. The quality or state of being plastic.

{ Plas"tid (?), Plas"tide (?), } n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a creator.] 1. (Biol.) A formative particle of albuminous matter; a monad; a cytode. See the Note under Morphon. Haeckel.

2. (Bot.) One of the many minute granules found in the protoplasm of vegetable cells. They are divided by their colors into three classes, chloroplastids, chromoplastids, and leucoplastids.

||Plas`ti*do*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, creator + &?; animal.] (Zoöl.) Same as Protoza.

Plas"ti*dule (?), n. [Dim. fr. Plastid.] (Biol.) One of the small particles or organic molecules of protoplasm. Haeckel.

Plas"tin (?), n. [Gr. &?; to form, mold.] (Biol.) A substance associated with nuclein in cell nuclei, and by some considered as the fundamental substance of the nucleus.

Plas*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; fored, molded + &?; to write.] 1. The art of forming figures in any plastic material.

Plas"tron (?), n. [F. plastron breastplate, plastron, LL. plastra a thin plate of metal. See Plaster.] 1. A piece of leather stuffed or padded, worn by fencers to protect the breast. Dryden.

3. (Anat.) The ventral shield or shell of tortoises and turtles. See Testudinata.

4. A trimming for the front of a woman's dress, made of a different material, and narrowing from the shoulders to the waist.

-plas"ty (?). [Gr. &?; to mold, form.] A combining form denoting the act or process of forming, development, growth; as, autoplasty, perineoplasty.

Plat (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Platted; p. pr. & vb. n. Platting.] [See Plait.] To form by interlaying interweaving; to braid; to plait. "They had platted a crown of thorns." Matt. xxvii. 29.

Plat, n. [Cf. Plat flat, which perh. caused this spelling, and Plot a piece of ground.] A small piece or plot of ground laid out with some design, or for a special use; usually, a portion of flat, even ground.

2. A plot; a plan; a design; a diagram; a map; a chart. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "To note all the islands, and to set them down in plat." Hakluyt.

Plat"an (?), n. [L. platanus. See Plane the tree.] [Written also platane.] The plane tree. Tennyson.

Plat"a*nist (?), n. [L. platanista a sort of fish, Gr. &?;: cf. F. plataniste.] (Zoöl.) The soosoo.

||Plat"a*nus (?), n. [See Plane the tree.] (Bot.) A genus of trees; the plane tree.

Plat"band` (?), n. [F. plate- bande; plat, plate, flat, level + bande a band.] 1. A border of flowers in a garden, along a wall or a parterre; hence, a border.

2. (Arch.) (a) A flat molding, or group of moldings, the width of which much exceeds its projection, as the face of an architrave. (b) A list or fillet between the flutings of a column.

Plate (?), n. [OF. plate a plate of metal, a cuirsas, F. plat a plate, a shallow vessel of silver, other metal, or earth, fr. plat flat, Gr. &?;. See Place, n.] 1. A flat, or nearly flat, piece of metal, the thickness of which is small in comparison with the other dimensions; a thick sheet of metal; as, a steel plate.

3. Domestic vessels and utensils, as flagons, dishes, cups, etc., wrought in gold or silver.

4. Metallic ware which is plated, in distinction from that which is genuine silver or gold.

5. A small, shallow, and usually circular, vessel of metal or wood, or of earth glazed and baked, from which food is eaten at table.

6. [Cf. Sp. plata silver.] A piece of money, usually silver money. [Obs.] "Realms and islands were as plates dropp'd from his pocket." Shak.

7. A piece of metal on which anything is engraved for the purpose of being printed; hence, an impression from the engraved metal; as, a book illustrated with plates; a fashion plate.

8. A page of stereotype, electrotype, or the like, for printing from; as, publisher's plates.

9. That part of an artificial set of teeth which fits to the mouth, and holds the teeth in place. It may be of gold, platinum, silver, rubber, celluloid, etc.

10. (Arch.) A horizontal timber laid upon a wall, or upon corbels projecting from a wall, and supporting the ends of other timbers; also used specifically of the roof plate which supports the ends of the roof trusses or, in simple work, the feet of the rafters.

12. (Photog.) A sheet of glass, porcelain, metal, etc., with a coating that is sensitive to light.

Plate is sometimes used in an adjectival sense or in combination, the phrase or compound being in most cases of obvious signification; as, plate basket or plate-basket, plate rack or plate-rack.

Home plate. (Baseball) See Home base, under Home. -- Plate armor. (a) See Plate, n., 2. (b) Strong metal plates for protecting war vessels, fortifications, and the like. -- Plate bone, the shoulder blade, or scapula. -- Plate girder, a girder, the web of which is formed of a single vertical plate, or of a series of such plates riveted together. -- Plate glass. See under Glass. -- Plate iron, wrought iron plates. -- Plate layer, a workman who lays down the rails of a railway and fixes them to the sleepers or ties. -- Plate mark, a special mark or emblematic figure stamped upon gold or silver plate, to indicate the place of manufacture, the degree of purity, and the like; thus, the local mark for London is a lion. -- Plate paper, a heavy spongy paper, for printing from engraved plates. Fairholt. -- Plate press, a press with a flat carriage and a roller, -- used for printing from engraved steel or copper plates. -- Plate printer, one who prints from engraved plates. -- Plate printing, the act or process of printing from an engraved plate or plates. -- Plate tracery. (Arch.) See under Tracery. - - Plate wheel (Mech.), a wheel, the rim and hub of which are connected by a continuous plate of metal, instead of by arms or spokes.

Plate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plated; p. pr. & vb. n. Plating.] 1. To cover or overlay with gold, silver, or other metals, either by a mechanical process, as hammering, or by a chemical process, as electrotyping.

Pla*teau" (?), n.; pl. F. Plateaux (F. &?;; E. &?;), E. Plateaus (#). [F., fr. OF. platel, properly a little plate. See Plate.] 1. A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area of land; a table- land.

Plate"ful (?), n.; pl. Platefuls (&?;). Enough to fill a plate; as much as a plate will hold.

Plate"-gilled` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having flat, or leaflike, gills, as the bivalve mollusks.

Plat"en (?), n. [F. platine, fr. plat flat. See Plate, and cf. Platin.] (Mach.) (a) The part of a printing press which presses the paper against the type and by which the impression is made. (b) Hence, an analogous part of a typewriter, on which the paper rests to receive an impression. (c) The movable table of a machine tool, as a planer, on which the work is fastened, and presented to the action of the tool; -- also called table.

Plat"er (?), n. One who plates or coats articles with gold or silver; as, a silver plater.

Plat`er*esque" (?), a. [Sp. resco, from plata silver.] (Arch.) Resembling silver plate; -- said of certain architectural ornaments.

Plat"e*trope (?), n. [Gr. &?; breadth + &?; to turn.] (Anat.) One of a pair of a paired organs.

Plat"form` (?), n. [Plat, a. + -form: cf. F. plateforme.] 1. A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern. Used also figuratively. [Obs.] Bacon.

3. Any flat or horizontal surface; especially, one that is raised above some particular level, as a framework of timber or boards horizontally joined so as to form a roof, or a raised floor, or portion of a floor; a landing; a dais; a stage, for speakers, performers, or workmen; a standing place.

4. A declaration of the principles upon which a person, a sect, or a party proposes to stand; a declared policy or system; as, the Saybrook platform; a political platform. "The platform of Geneva." Hooker.

5. (Naut.) A light deck, usually placed in a section of the hold or over the floor of the magazine. See Orlop.

Platform car, a railway car without permanent raised sides or covering; a f&?;at. -- Platform scale, a weighing machine, with a flat platform on which objects are weighed.

Platina mohr, platinum black. -- Platina yellow, a pigment prepared from platinum.

Plat"ing (?), n. 1. The art or process of covering anything with a plate or plates, or with metal, particularly of overlaying a base or dull metal with a thin plate of precious or bright metal, as by mechanical means or by electro-magnetic deposition.

Pla*tin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, platinum; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which the element has a higher valence, as contrasted with the platinous compounds; as, platinic chloride (PtCl₄).

Plat`i*ni*chlo"ric (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid consisting of platinic chloride and hydrochloric acid, and obtained as a brownish red crystalline substance, called platinichloric, or chloroplatinic, acid.

Plat`i*nif"er*ous (?), a. [Platinum + -ferous.] Yielding platinum; as, platiniferous sand.

Plat`i*ni*rid"i*um (?), n. (Chem. & Min.) A natural alloy of platinum and iridium occurring in grayish metallic rounded or cubical grains with platinum.

Plat"i*nize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Platinized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Platinizing (?).] To cover or combine with platinum.

Plat`i*no*chlo"ric (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid consisting of platinous chloride and hydrochloric acid, called platinochloric, or chloroplatinous, acid.

Plat`i*no*chlo"ride (?), n. (Chem.) A double chloride of platinum and some other metal or radical; a salt of platinochloric acid.

Plat`i*no*cy*an"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid compound of platinous cyanide and hydrocyanic acid. It is obtained as a cinnaber-red crystalline substance.

Plat`i*no*cy"a*nide (?), n. (Chem.) A double cyanide of platinum and some other metal or radical; a salt of platinocyanic acid.

Plat"i*noid, n. (Chem.) An alloy of German silver containing tungsten; -- used for forming electrical resistance coils and standards.

Plat"i*no*type (?), n. [Platinum + -type.] (Photog.) 1. A permanent photographic picture or print in platinum black.

Plat"i*nous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, platinum; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which the element has a lower valence, as contrasted with the platinic compounds; as, platinous chloride (PtCl₂).

Plat"i*num (?), n. [NL., fr. Sp. platina, from plata silver, LL. plata a thin plate of metal. See Plate, and cf. Platina.] (Chem.) A metallic element, intermediate in value between silver and gold, occurring native or alloyed with other metals, also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible, and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 194.3. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.

Platinum black (Chem.), a soft, dull black powder, consisting of finely divided metallic platinum obtained by reduction and precipitation from its solutions. It absorbs oxygen to a high degree, and is employed as an oxidizer. -- Platinum lamp (Elec.), a kind of incandescent lamp of which the luminous medium is platinum. See under Incandescent. -- Platinum metals (Chem.), the group of metallic elements which in their chemical and physical properties resemble platinum. These consist of the light platinum group, viz., rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium, whose specific gravities are about 12; and the heavy platinum group, viz., osmium, iridium, and platinum, whose specific gravities are over 21. -- Platinum sponge (Chem.), metallic platinum in a gray, porous, spongy form, obtained by reducing the double chloride of platinum and ammonium. It absorbs oxygen, hydrogen, and certain other gases, to a high degree, and is employed as an agent in oxidizing.

Plat"i*tude (?), n. [F., from plat flat. See Plate.] 1. The quality or state of being flat, thin, or insipid; flat commonness; triteness; staleness of ideas of language.

2. A thought or remark which is flat, dull, trite, or weak; a truism; a commonplace.

Plat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an (?), n. One addicted to uttering platitudes, or stale and insipid truisms. "A political platitudinarian." G. Eliot.

Plat`i*tu"di*nous (?), a. Abounding in platitudes; of the nature of platitudes; uttering platitudes. -- Plat`i*tu"di*nous*ness, n.

{ Pla*ton"ic (?), Pla*ton"ic*al (?), } a. [L. Platonicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. platonique.] 1. Of or pertaining to Plato, or his philosophy, school, or opinions.

Platonic bodies, the five regular geometrical solids; namely, the tetrahedron, hexahedron or cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron. -- Platonic love, a pure, spiritual affection, subsisting between persons of opposite sex, unmixed with carnal desires, and regarding the mind only and its excellences; -- a species of love for which Plato was a warm advocate. -- Platonic year (Astron.), a period of time determined by the revolution of the equinoxes, or the space of time in which the stars and constellations return to their former places in respect to the equinoxes; -- called also great year. This revolution, which is caused by the precession of the equinoxes, is accomplished in about 26,000 years. Barlow.

Pla"to*nism (?), n. [Cf. F. Platonisme.] 1. The doctrines or philosophy by Plato or of his followers.

Plato believed God to be an infinitely wise, just, and powerful Spirit; and also that he formed the visible universe out of preëxistent amorphous matter, according to perfect patterns of ideas eternally existent in his own mind. Philosophy he considered as being a knowledge of the true nature of things, as discoverable in those eternal ideas after which all things were fashioned. In other words, it is the knowledge of what is eternal, exists necessarily, and is unchangeable; not of the temporary, the dependent, and changeable; and of course it is not obtained through the senses; neither is it the product of the understanding, which concerns itself only with the variable and transitory; nor is it the result of experience and observation; but it is the product of our reason, which, as partaking of the divine nature, has innate ideas resembling the eternal ideas of God. By contemplating these innate ideas, reasoning about them, and comparing them with their copies in the visible universe, reason can attain that true knowledge of things which is called philosophy. Plato's professed followers, the Academics, and the New Platonists, differed considerably from him, yet are called Platonists. Murdock.

2. An elevated rational and ethical conception of the laws and forces of the universe; sometimes, imaginative or fantastic philosophical notions.

Pla"to*nist (?), n. One who adheres to the philosophy of Plato; a follower of Plato. Hammond.

Pla"to*nize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Platonized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Platonizing.] To adopt the opinion of Plato or his followers. Milner.

Pla"to*nize, v. t. To explain by, or accomodate to, the Platonic philosophy. Enfield.

Pla*toon" (?), n. [F. peloton a ball of thread, a knot or group of men, a platoon, from pelote a ball formed of things wound round. See Pellet.] (Mil.) (a) Formerly, a body of men who fired together; also, a small square body of soldiers to strengthen the angles of a hollow square. (b) Now, in the United States service, half of a company.

Platt"deutsch` (?), n. The modern dialects spoken in the north of Germany, taken collectively; modern Low German. See Low German, under German.

Plat"ten (?), v. t. [See Plat, a.] (Glass Making) To flatten and make into sheets or plates; as, to platten cylinder glass.

Plat"ter, n. [Probably fr. OF. platel, F. plateau. See Plateau.] A large plate or shallow dish on which meat or other food is brought to the table.

Plat"ting (?), n. Plaited strips or bark, cane, straw, etc., used for making hats or the like.

Plat"y- (?). A combining form from Gr. platy`s broad, wide, flat; as, platypus, platycephalous.

{ Plat`y*ce*phal"ic (?), Plat`y*ceph"a*lous (?), } a. [Platy + Gr. &?; head.] (Anat.) Broad-headed.

Plat`yc*ne"mic (?), a. [Platy + Gr. &?; leg: cf. F. platycnémique.] (Anat.) Of, relating to, or characterized by, platycnemism.

Plat`y*cœ"li*an (?), a. [Platy + Gr. &?; hollow.] (Anat.) Flat at the anterior and concave at the posterior end; -- said of the centra of the vertebræ of some extinct dinouaurs.

||Plat`y*el*min"thes (?), n. pl. [NL. See Platy-, and Helminthes.] (Zoöl.) A class of helminthes including the cestodes, or tapeworms, the trematodes, and the turbellarians. Called also flatworms.

||Plat`y*hel"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Platyelminthes. [Written also Platyelmia.]

Pla*tym"e*ter (?), n. [Platy + -meter.] (Elec.) An apparatus for measuring the capacity of condensers, or the inductive capacity of dielectrics.

Plat"y*pod (?), n. [Platy + - pod.] (Zoöl.) An animal having broad feet, or a broad foot.

||Pla*typ"te*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; broad + &?; a wing.] (Zoöl.) A division of Pseudoneuroptera including the species which have four broad, flat wings, as the termites, or white-ants, and the stone flies (Perla).

Plat"y*pus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; + &?; foot.] (Zoöl.) The duck mole. See under Duck.

Plat"y*rhine (?), a. [Platy + Gr. &?;, &?;, nose.] (Anat.) Having the nose broad; -- opposed to leptorhine. -- n. (Zoöl.) One of the Platyrhini.

||Plat`y*rhi"ni (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; broad + &?;, &?;, nose.] (Zoöl.) A division of monkeys, including the American species, which have a broad nasal septum, thirty-six teeth, and usually a prehensile tail. See Monkey. [Written also Platyrrhini.]

Plau"dit (?), n. [From L. plaudite do ye praise (which was said by players at the end of a performance), 2d pers. pl. imperative of plaudere. Cf. Plausible.] A mark or expression of applause; praise bestowed.

Syn. -- Acclamation; applause; encomium; commendation; approbation; approval.

Plau`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. plausibilité.] 1. Something worthy of praise. [Obs.]

Plau"si*ble (?), a. [L. plausibilis praiseworthy, from plaudere, plausum, to applaud, clap the hands, strike, beat.] 1. Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable; ready. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.

2. Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing; apparently right; specious; as, a plausible pretext; plausible manners; a plausible delusion. "Plausible and popular arguments." Clarendon.

Syn. -- Plausible, Specious. Plausible denotes that which seems reasonable, yet leaves distrust in the judgment. Specious describes that which presents a fair appearance to the view and yet covers something false. Specious refers more definitely to the act or purpose of false representation; plausible has more reference to the effect on the beholder or hearer. An argument may by specious when it is not plausible because its sophistry is so easily discovered.

Plau"sive (?), a. [L. plaudere, plausum, to applaud.] 1. Applauding; manifesting praise. Young.

Play (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Played (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Playing.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G. pflegen; of unknown origin. √28. Cf. Plight, n.] 1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

3. To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

6. To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

To play into a person's hands, to act, or to manage matters, to his advantage or benefit. -- To play off, to affect; to feign; to practice artifice. -- To play upon. (a) To make sport of; to deceive.

(b) To use in a droll manner; to give a droll expression or application to; as, to play upon words.

Play, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.

3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.

6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

To play off, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks. -- To play one's cards, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive. -- Played out, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [Colloq.]

2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. "The next who comes in play." Dryden.

5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action. "To give them play, front and rear." Milton.

9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

Play actor, an actor of dramas. Prynne. -- Play debt, a gambling debt. Arbuthnot. -- Play pleasure, idle amusement. [Obs.] Bacon. -- A play upon words, the use of a word in such a way as to be capable of double meaning; punning. -- Play of colors, prismatic variation of colors. -- To bring into play, To come into play, to bring or come into use or exercise. -- To hold in play, to keep occupied or employed.

||Pla"ya (?), n. [Sp.] A beach; a strand; in the plains and deserts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, a broad, level spot, on which subsequently becomes dry by evaporation. Bartlett.

Play"bill` (?), n. A printed programme of a play, with the parts assigned to the actors.

Play"book` (?), n. A book of dramatic compositions; a book of the play. Swift.

Play"er (?), n. 1. One who plays, or amuses himself; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler. Shak.

4. One who plays on an instrument of music. "A cunning player on a harp." 1 Sam. xvi. 16.

Play"fere` (?), n. [Play + 1st fere.] A playfellow. [Obs.] [Also, playfeer, playphere.] Holinsheld.

Play"ful (?), a. Sportive; gamboling; frolicsome; indulging a sportive fancy; humorous; merry; as, a playful child; a playful writer. -- Play"ful*ly, adv. -- Play"ful*ness, n.

Play"go`er (?), n. One who frequents playhouses, or attends dramatic performances.

Play"go`ing, a. Frequenting playhouses; as, the playgoing public. -- n. The practice of going to plays.

Play"ground` (?), n. A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of a school.

Play"house` (?), n. [AS. pleghs.] 1. A building used for dramatic exhibitions; a theater. Shak.

Play"some (?), a. Playful; wanton; sportive. [R.] R. Browning. -- Play"some*ness, n. [R.]

Plea (?), n. [OE. plee, plai, plait, fr. OF. plait, plaid, plet, LL. placitum judgment, decision, assembly, court, fr. L. placitum that which is pleasing, an opinion, sentiment, from placere to please. See Please, and cf. Placit, Plead.] 1. (Law) That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.

2. (Law) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.

3. That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology. "Necessity, the tyrant's plea." Milton.

Pleach (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleached (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleaching.] [Cf. OF. plaissier to bend, and also F. plisser to plait, L. plicare, plicitum, to fold, lay, or wind together. Cf. Plash to pleach.] To unite by interweaving, as branches of trees; to plash; to interlock. "The pleached bower." Shak.

Plead (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead (?) or Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE. pleden, plaiden, OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum. See Plea.] 1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.

2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea. Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.

Plead (?), v. t. 1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.

2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty. Kent.

3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors. Spenser.

Plead"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being pleaded; capable of being alleged in proof, defense, or vindication; as, a right or privilege pleadable at law. Dryden.

Plead"er (?), n. [F. plaideur.] 1. One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an advotate.

2. (Law) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as, a special pleader.

Plead"ing, n. The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.

Plead"ings (?), n. pl. (Law) The mutual pleas and replies of the plaintiff and defendant, or written statements of the parties in support of their claims, proceeding from the declaration of the plaintiff, until issue is joined, and the question made to rest on some single point. Blackstone.

Pleas"ance (?), n. [F. plaisance. See Please.] 1. Pleasure; merriment; gayety; delight; kindness. [Archaic] Shak. "Full great pleasance." Chaucer. "A realm of pleasance." Tennyson.

Pleas"ant (?), a. [F. plaisant. See Please.] 1. Pleasing; grateful to the mind or to the senses; agreeable; as, a pleasant journey; pleasant weather.

2. Cheerful; enlivening; gay; sprightly; humorous; sportive; as, pleasant company; a pleasant fellow.

Syn. -- Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable; cheerful; good- humored; enlivening; gay; lively; merry; sportive; humorous; jocose; amusing; witty. -- Pleasant, Pleasing, Agreeable. Agreeable is applied to that which agrees with, or is in harmony with, one's tastes, character, etc. Pleasant and pleasing denote a stronger degree of the agreeable. Pleasant refers rather to the state or condition; pleasing, to the act or effect. Where they are applied to the same object, pleasing is more energetic than pleasant; as, she is always pleasant and always pleasing. The distinction, however, is not radical and not rightly observed.

Pleas"ant*ry (?), n.; pl. Pleasantries (#). [F. plaisanterie. See Pleasant.] That which denotes or promotes pleasure or good humor; cheerfulness; gayety; merriment; especially, an agreeable playfulness in conversation; a jocose or humorous remark; badinage.

Please (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleased; p. pr. & vb. n. Pleasing.] [OE. plesen, OF. plaisir, fr. L. placere, akin to placare to reconcile. Cf. Complacent, Placable, Placid, Plea, Plead, Pleasure.] 1. To give pleasure to; to excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to make glad; to gratify; to content; to satisfy.

3. To be the will or pleasure of; to seem good to; -- used impersonally. "It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." Col. i. 19.

To be pleased in or with, to have complacency in; to take pleasure in. -- To be pleased to do a thing, to take pleasure in doing it; to have the will to do it; to think proper to do it. Dryden.

Please (?), v. i. 1. To afford or impart pleasure; to excite agreeable emotions.

2. To have pleasure; to be willing, as a matter of affording pleasure or showing favor; to vouchsafe; to consent.

Pleased (?), a. Experiencing pleasure. -- Pleas"ed*ly (#), adv. -- Pleas"ed*ness, n.

Please"man (?), n. An officious person who courts favor servilely; a pickthank. [Obs.] Shak.

Pleas"ing, a. Giving pleasure or satisfaction; causing agreeable emotion; agreeable; delightful; as, a pleasing prospect; pleasing manners. "Pleasing harmony." Shak. "Pleasing features." Macaulay. -- Pleas"ing*ly, adv. -- Pleas"ing*ness, n.

Pleas"ur*a*ble (?), a. Capable of affording pleasure or satisfaction; gratifying; abounding in pleasantness or pleasantry.

Pleas"ure (?), n. [F. plaisir, originally an infinitive. See Please.] 1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of something good, delightful, or satisfying; -- opposed to pain, sorrow, etc.

2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self- indulgence; frivolous or dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; -- opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. "Not sunk in carnal pleasure." Milton.

3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. "He will do his pleasure on Babylon." Isa. xlviii. 14.

At pleasure, by arbitrary will or choice. Dryden. -- To take pleasure in, to have enjoyment in. Ps. cxlvii. 11.

Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure ground; pleasure house, etc.

Syn. -- Enjoyment; gratification; satisfaction; comfort; solace; joy; gladness; delight; will; choice; preference; purpose; command; favor; kindness.

Pleas"ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleasured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleasuring.] To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. Shak.

Pleas"ure, v. i. To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go pleasuring.

Plebe (plb), n. [F. plèbe, fr. L. plebs.] 1. The common people; the mob. [Obs.]

2. [Cf. Plebeian.] A member of the lowest class in the military academy at West Point. [Cant, U.S.]

Ple*be"ian (pl*b"yan), a. [L. plebeius, from plebs, plebis, the common people: cf. F. plébéien.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.

2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as, plebeian sports; a plebeian throng.

Ple*be"ian, n. 1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.

Ple*be"ian*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. plébéianisme.] 1. The quality or state of being plebeian.

Ple*be"ian*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plebeianized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plebeianizing.] To render plebeian, common, or vulgar.

Ple*bic"o*list (?), n. [L. plebs the common people + colere to cultivate.] One who flatters, or courts the favor of, the common people; a demagogue. [R.]

Pleb`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. plebs the common people + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] A rendering plebeian; the act of vulgarizing. [R.]

Pleb"i*scite (?), n. [F. plébiscite, fr. L. plebiscitum.] A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National Constitution of 1791. [Written also plebiscit.]

||Ple`bis*ci"tum (?), n. [L., fr. plebs, plebis, common people + scitum decree.] (Rom. Antiq.) A law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate.

Plec"tog*nath (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Plectognathi. - - n. One of the Plectognathi.

||Plec*to"gna*thi (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; twisted (fr. &?; to plait, twist) + &?; jaw.] (Zoöl.) An order of fishes generally having the maxillary bone united with the premaxillary, and the articular united with the dentary.

The upper jaw is immovably joined to the skull; the ventral fins are rudimentary or wanting; and the body is covered with bony plates, spines, or small rough ossicles, like shagreen. The order includes the diodons, filefishes, globefishes, and trunkfishes.

{ Plec`tog*nath"ic (?), Plec-tog"na*thous (?), } a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Plectognathi.

||Plec`to*spon"dy*li (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; plaited + &?;, &?;, a vertebra.] (Zoöl.) An extensive suborder of fresh-water physostomous fishes having the anterior vertebræ united and much modified; the Eventognathi.

||Plec"trum (?), n.; pl. L. Plectra (#), E. Plectrums (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; anything to strike with, fr.&?; to strike.] A small instrument of ivory, wood, metal, or quill, used in playing upon the lyre and other stringed instruments.

Pledge (?), n. [OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL. plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. √28. Cf. Prebend, Replevin.] 1. (Law) The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.

Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is essential to it. In all these points it differs from a mortgage [see Mortgage]; and in the last, from the hypotheca of the Roman law. See Hypotheca. Story. Kent.

2. (Old Eng. Law) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. "I am Grumio's pledge." Shak.

4. Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties. "That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope." Milton.

5. A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges.

6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.

Dead pledge. [A translation of LL. mortuum vadium.] (Law) A mortgage. See Mortgage. -- Living pledge. [A translation of LL. vivum vadium.] (Law) The conveyance of an estate to another for money borrowed, to be held by him until the debt is paid out of the rents and profits. -- To hold in pledge, to keep as security. -- To put in pledge, to pawn; to give as security.

Pledge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pledged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pledging.] [Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See Pledge, n.] 1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.

2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.

4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.

5. To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first, and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will; hence, to drink the health of; to toast.

Pledg*ee" (?), n. The one to whom a pledge is given, or to whom property pledged is delivered.

{ Pledge*or", Pledg*or" } (?), n. (Law) One who pledges, or delivers anything in pledge; a pledger; -- opposed to pledgee.

This word analogically requires the e after g, but the spelling pledgor is perhaps commoner.

3. (Med.) A compress, or small flat tent of lint, laid over a wound, ulcer, or the like, to exclude air, retain dressings, or absorb the matter discharged.

||Ple*gep"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (&?;) a stroke + -poda. In allusion to the rapid strokes of the vibrating cilia.] (Zoöl.) Same as Infusoria.

Ple"ia*des (?; 277), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. (&?;)] 1. (Myth.) The seven daughters of Atlas and the nymph Pleione, fabled to have been made by Jupiter a constellation in the sky.

2. (Astron.) A group of small stars in the neck of the constellation Taurus. Job xxxviii. 31.

Alcyone, the brightest of these, a star of the third magnitude, was considered by Mädler the central point around which our universe is revolving, but there is no sufficient evidence of such motion. Only six pleiads are distinctly visible to the naked eye, whence the ancients supposed that a sister had concealed herself out of shame for having loved a mortal, Sisyphus.

Plein, a. [OF. & F., fr. L. plenus.] Full; complete. [Obs.] "Plein remission." Chaucer. -- Plein"ly, adv.

Plei*oph"yl*lous (?), a. [Gr. &?; more + &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Having several leaves; -- used especially when several leaves or leaflets appear where normally there should be only one.

Pleis"to*cene (?), a. [Gr. &?; most + &?; new.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the epoch, or the deposits, following the Tertiary, and immediately preceding man. -- n. The Pleistocene epoch, or deposits.

Ple"nal (?), a. [L. plenus full. Cf. Plenary.] Full; complete; as, a plenal view or act. [Obs.]

Ple"na*ry (?), a. [LL. plenarius, fr. L. plenus full. See Plenty.] Full; entire; complete; absolute; as, a plenary license; plenary authority.

Plenary indulgence (R. C. Ch.), an entire remission of temporal punishment due to, or canonical penance for, all sins. -- Plenary inspiration. (Theol.) See under Inspiration.

Ple"ni*corn (?), n. [L. plenus full + cornu horn.] (Zoöl.) A ruminant having solid horns or antlers, as the deer. Brande & C.

Plen`i*lu"na*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to the full moon. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Plen"i*lune (?), n. [L. plenilunium; plenus full + luna the moon.] The full moon. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

{ Ple*nip"o*tence (?), Ple*nip"o*ten*cy (?), } n. The quality or state of being plenipotent. [R.]

Ple*nip"o*tent (?), a. [L. plenus full + potens, -entis, potent.] Possessing full power. [R.] Milton.

Plen`i*po*ten"ti*a*ry (?), n.; pl. Plenipotentiaries (#). [LL. plenipotentiarius: cf. F. plénipotentiaire.] A person invested with full power to transact any business; especially, an ambassador or envoy to a foreign court, with full power to negotiate a treaty, or to transact other business.

Plen`i*po*ten"ti*a*ry, a. Containing or conferring full power; invested with full power; as, plenipotentiary license; plenipotentiary ministers. Howell.

Ple"nist (?), n. [L. plenus full; cf. F. pléniste.] One who holds that all space is full of matter.

Plen"i*tude (?), n. [L. plenitudo, fr. plenus full; cf. F. plenitude.] 1. The quality or state of being full or complete; fullness; completeness; abundance; as, the plenitude of space or power.

Plen"te*ous (?), a. [From Plenty.] 1. Containing plenty; abundant; copious; plentiful; sufficient for every purpose; as, a plenteous supply. "Reaping plenteous crop." Milton.

2. Yielding abundance; productive; fruitful. "The seven plenteous years." Gen. xli. 34.

Plen"ti*ful (?), a. 1. Containing plenty; copious; abundant; ample; as, a plentiful harvest; a plentiful supply of water.

Plen"ty (?), n.; pl. Plenties (#), in Shak. [OE. plentee, plente, OF. plenté, fr. L. plenitas, fr. plenus full. See Full, a., and cf. Complete.] Full or adequate supply; enough and to spare; sufficiency; specifically, abundant productiveness of the earth; ample supply for human wants; abundance; copiousness. "Plenty of corn and wine." Gen. xxvii. 28. "Promises Britain peace and plenty." Shak.

||Ple"num (?), n. [L., fr. plenus full.] That state in which every part of space is supposed to be full of matter; -- opposed to vacuum. G. Francis.

Ple*och"ro*ism (?), n. [Gr.&?; mor&?; + &?; color.] (Crystallog.) The property possessed by some crystals, of showing different colors when viewed in the direction of different axes.

Ple`o*mor"phic (?), a. Pertaining to pleomorphism; as, the pleomorphic character of bacteria.

Ple`o*mor"phism (?), n. [Gr. &?; more + &?; form.] 1. (Crystallog.) The property of crystallizing under two or more distinct fundamental forms, including dimorphism and trimorphism.

2. (Biol.) The theory that the various genera of bacteria are phases or variations of growth of a number of Protean species, each of which may exhibit, according to undetermined conditions, all or some of the forms characteristic of the different genera and species.

Ple"o*nasm, (&?;), n. [L. pleonasmus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be more than enough, to abound, fr.&?;, neut. of &?;, more, compar. of &?; much. See Full, a., and cf. Poly-, Plus.] (Rhet.) Redundancy of language in speaking or writing; the use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; as, I saw it with my own eyes.

Ple"o*naste, n. [Gr.&?; abundant, rich; cf. F. pléonaste.] (Min.) A black variety of spinel.

{ Ple`o*nas"tic (?), Ple`o*nas"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. pléonastique.] Of or pertaining to pleonasm; of the nature of pleonasm; redundant.

Ple"o*pod (?), n.; pl. E. Pleopods (#), L. Pleopoda (#). [Gr. &?; to swim + -pod.] (Zoöl.) One of the abdominal legs of a crustacean. See Illust. under Crustacea.

Ple"rome (?), n. [Gr. &?; that which fills up, fr. &?; to fill.] (Bot.) The central column of parenchyma in a growing stem or root.

Ple*roph"o*ry (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; full + &?; to bear.] Fullness; full persuasion. "A plerophory of assurance." Bp. Hall.

Ple`si*mor"phism (?), n. [Gr. &?; near + &?; form.] (Crystallog.) The property possessed by some substances of crystallizing in closely similar forms while unlike in chemical composition.

||Ple`si*o*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Plesiosaurus.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of Mesozoic marine reptiles including the genera Plesiosaurus, and allied forms; -- called also Sauropterygia.

||Ple`si*o*sau"rus (?), n.; pl. Plesiosauri (#). [NL., fr. Gr &?; near + &?; a lizard.] (Paleon.) A genus of large extinct marine reptiles, having a very long neck, a small head, and paddles for swimming. It lived in the Mesozoic age.

Pleth"o*ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be or become full. Cf. Pleonasm.] 1. Overfullness; especially, excessive fullness of the blood vessels; repletion; that state of the blood vessels or of the system when the blood exceeds a healthy standard in quantity; hyperæmia; -- opposed to anæmia.

Ple*thor"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; cf. F. pléthorique.] Haeving a full habit of body; characterized by plethora or excess of blood; as, a plethoric constitution; -- used also metaphorically. "Plethoric phrases." Sydney Smith. "Plethoric fullness of thought." De Quincey.

{ ||Pleth"ron (?), ||Pleth"rum (?), } n.; pl. Plethra (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) A long measure of 100 Greek, or 101 English, feet; also, a square measure of 10,000 Greek feet.

||Pleth"ys*mo*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; an enlargement + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for determining and registering the variations in the size or volume of a limb, as the arm or leg, and hence the variations in the amount of blood in the limb.

Pleth`ys*mog"ra*phy (?), n. (Physiol.) The study, by means of the plethysmograph, of the variations in size of a limb, and hence of its blood supply.

Pleu"ra, n.; pl. L. Pleuræ (#), E. Pleuras (#). [NL., n. fem., fr. Gr. &?; a rib, the side.] 1. (Anat.) (a) The smooth serous membrane which closely covers the lungs and the adjacent surfaces of the thorax; the pleural membrane. (b) The closed sac formed by the pleural membrane about each lung, or the fold of membrane connecting each lung with the body wall.

Pleu"ral (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pleura or pleuræ, or to the sides of the thorax.

||Pleu*ral"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; rib + &?; pain.] (Med.) Pain in the side or region of the ribs.

||Pleu`ra*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Pleurapophyses (#). [NL. See Pleura, and Apophysis.] (Anat.) One of the ventral processes of a vertebra, or the dorsal element in each half of a hemal arch, forming, or corresponding to, a vertebral rib. -- Pleu*rap`o*phys"i*al (#), a. Owen.

Pleu*ren"chy*ma (?), n. [Gr. &?; side + &?;, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.) A tissue consisting of long and slender tubular cells, of which wood is mainly composed.

Pleu"ri*sy (?), n. [F. pleurésie, L. pleurisis, pleuritis, Gr pleyri^tis (sc. no`sos), fr. pleyra` rib, side.] (Med.) An inflammation of the pleura, usually accompanied with fever, pain, difficult respiration, and cough, and with exudation into the pleural cavity.

Pleurisy root. (Bot.) (a) The large tuberous root of a kind of milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) which is used as a remedy for pleuritic and other diseases. (b) The plant itself, which has deep orange-colored flowers; -- called also butterfly weed.

{ Pleu*rit"ic (?), Pleu*rit"ic*al (?), } a. [L. pleuriticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pleurétique.] (Med.) (a) Of or pertaining to pleurisy; as, pleuritic symptoms. (b) Suffering from pleurisy.

Pleu"ro- (?). [See Pleura.] A combining form denoting relation to a side; specif., connection with, or situation in or near, the pleura; as, pleuroperitoneum.

||Pleu`ro*brach"i*a (?), n. [NL. See Pleuro-, and Brachium.] (Zoöl.) A genus of ctenophores having an ovate body and two long plumose tentacles.

Pleu"ro*branch (?), n. [See Pleuro- , and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) Any one of the gills of a crustacean that is attached to the side of the thorax.

||Pleu`ro*bran"chi*a (?), n.; pl. Pleuroeranchiæ (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pleurobranch.

Pleu"ro*carp (?), n. [Pleuro- + Gr. &?; fruit.] (Bot.) Any pleurocarpic moss.

{ Pleu`ro*car"pic (?), Pleu`ro*car"pous (?), } a. (Bot.) Side-fruited; -- said of those true mosses in which the pedicels or the capsules are from lateral archegonia; -- opposed to acrocarpous.

||Pleu`ro*cen"trum (?), n. [NL. see Pleuro-, and Centrum.] (Anat.) One of the lateral elements in the centra of the vertebræ in some fossil batrachians.

||Pleu*rod"e*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the side + &?; the neck.] (Zoöl.) A group of fresh-water turtles in which the neck can not be retracted, but is bent to one side, for protection. The matamata is an example.

Pleu"ro*dont (?), a. [Pleuro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, a tooth.] (Anat.) Having the teeth consolidated with the inner edge of the jaw, as in some lizards.

||Pleu`ro*dyn"i*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; side + &?; pain.] (Med.) A painful affection of the side, simulating pleurisy, usually due to rheumatism.

||Pleu"ron (?), n.; pl. Pleura (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a rib.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the sides of an animal. (b) One of the lateral pieces of a somite of an insect. (c) One of lateral processes of a somite of a crustacean.

Pleu`ro*nec"toid (?), a. [NL. Pleuronectes, name of a genus (fr. Gr. &?; rib + &?; a swimmer) + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Pleuronectidæ, or Flounder family.

Pleu`ro*per`i*car"di*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pleura and pericardium.

Pleu`ro*per`ip*neu"mo*ny (?), n. [Pleuro- + peripneumony.] (Med.) Pleuropneumonia.

Pleu`ro*per`i*to*ne"al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pleural and peritoneal membranes or cavities, or to the pleuroperitoneum.

Pleu`ro*per`i*to*ne"um (?), n. [Pleuro- + peritoneum.] (Anat.) The pleural and peritoneal membranes, or the membrane lining the body cavity and covering the surface of the inclosed viscera; the peritoneum; -- used especially in the case of those animals in which the body cavity is not divided.

Peritoneum is now often used in the sense of pleuroperitoneum, the pleuræ being regarded as a part of the peritoneum, when the body cavity is undivided.

Pleu`ro*pneu*mo"ni*a (?), n. [Pleuro- + pneumonia.] (Med.) Inflammation of the pleura and lungs; a combination of pleurisy and pneumonia, esp. a kind of contagions and fatal lung plague of cattle.

||Pleu*rop"te*ra (?), n. pl [NL., fr. Gr. &?; side + &?; wing.] (Zoöl.) A group of Isectivora, including the colugo.

||Pleu`ro*sig"ma (?), n. [NL. See Pleuro-, and Sigma.] (Bot.) A genus of diatoms of elongated elliptical shape, but having the sides slightly curved in the form of a letter S. Pleurosigma angulatum has very fine striations, and is a favorite object for testing the high powers of microscopes.

||Pleu*ros"te*on (?), n.; pl. L. Pleurostea (#), E. -ons (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a rib + &?; a bone.] (Anat.) The antero- lateral piece which articulates the sternum of birds.

||Pleu`ro*thot"o*nus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. pleyro`qen from the side + to`nos a stretching.] (Med.) A species of tetanus, in which the body is curved laterally. Quain. Dunglison.

||Pleu*rot"o*ma (?), n.; pl. L. Pleurotomæ (#), E. Pleurotomas (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the side + tomh` a cut.] (Zoöl.) Any marine gastropod belonging to Pleurotoma, and ether allied genera of the family Pleurotmidæ. The species are very numerous, especially in tropical seas. The outer lip has usually a posterior notch or slit.

Plex"i*form (?), a. [Plexus + -form: cf. F. Plexiforme.] Like network; complicated. Quincy.

Plex*im"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; stroke, percussion (from &?; to strike) + -meter.] (Med.) A small, hard, elastic plate, as of ivory, bone, or rubber, placed in contact with body to receive the blow, in examination by mediate percussion. [Written also plexometer.]

Plex"ure (?), n. [See Plexus.] The act or process of weaving together, or interweaving; that which is woven together. H. Brooke.

Plex"us (?), n.; pl. L. Plexus, E. Plexuses (#). [L., a twining, braid, fr. plectere, plexum, to twine, braid.] 1. (Anat.) A network of vessels, nerves, or fibers.

2. (Math.) The system of equations required for the complete expression of the relations which exist between a set of quantities. Brande & C.

Pli`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being pliable; flexibility; as, pliability of disposition. "Pliability of movement." Sir W. Scott.

Pli"a*ble (?), a. [F., fr. plier to bend, to fold. See Ply, v.] 1. Capable of being plied, turned, or bent; easy to be bent; flexible; pliant; supple; limber; yielding; as, willow is a pliable plant.

2. Flexible in disposition; readily yielding to influence, arguments, persuasion, or discipline; easy to be persuaded; -- sometimes in a bad sense; as, a pliable youth. "Pliable she promised to be." Dr. H. More.

Pli"an*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being pliant in sense; as, the pliancy of a rod. "Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind." Wordsworth.

Pli"ant (?), a. [F. pliant, p. pr. of plier to bend. See Ply, v.] 1. Capable of plying or bending; readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe; limber; plastic; as, a pliant thread; pliant wax. Also used figuratively: Easily influenced for good or evil; tractable; as, a pliant heart.

2. Favorable to pliancy. [R.] "A pliant hour." Shak. -- Pli"ant*ly, adv. -- Pli"ant*ness, n.

||Pli"ca (?), n. [LL., a fold, fr. L. plicare to fold. See Ply, v.] 1. (Med.) A disease of the hair (Plica polonica), in which it becomes twisted and matted together. The disease is of Polish origin, and is hence called also Polish plait. Dunglison.

2. (Bot.) A diseased state in plants in which there is an excessive development of small entangled twigs, instead of ordinary branches.

{ Pli"cate (?), Pli"ca*ted (?), } a. [L. plicatus, p. p. of plicare to fold.] Plaited; folded like a fan; as, a plicate leaf. -- Pli"cate*ly (#), adv.

Plic"a*ture (?), n. [L. plicatura, fr. plicare to fold.] A fold; a doubling; a plication. Dr. H. More.

Plic`i*den"tine (?), n. [LL. plica fold + E. dentine.] (Anat.) A form of dentine which shows sinuous lines of structure in a transverse section of the tooth.

Pli"ers (?), n. pl. [From Ply to bend, fold.] A kind of small pinchers with long jaws, -- used for bending or cutting metal rods or wire, for handling small objects such as the parts of a watch, etc.

Pli"form (?), a. [Ply a fold + -form.] In the form of a ply, fold, or doubling. [Obs.] Pennant.

Plight, v. t. [OE. pliten; probably through Old French, fr. LL. plectare, L. plectere. See Plait, Ply.] To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait.[Obs.] "To sew and plight." Chaucer.

Plight (?), n. A network; a plait; a fold; rarely a garment. [Obs.] "Many a folded plight." Spenser.

Plight, n. [OE. pliht danger, engagement, AS. pliht danger, fr. pleón to risk; akin to D. plicht duty, G. pflicht, Dan. pligt. √28. Cf. Play.] 1. That which is exposed to risk; that which is plighted or pledged; security; a gage; a pledge. "That lord whose hand must take my plight." Shak.

2. [Perh. the same word as plight a pledge, but at least influenced by OF. plite, pliste, ploit, ploi, a condition, state; cf. E. plight to fold, and F. pli a fold, habit, plier to fold, E. ply.] Condition; state; -- risk, or exposure to danger, often being implied; as, a luckless plight. "Your plight is pitied." Shak.

Plight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Plighting.] [AS. plihtan to expose to danger, pliht danger;cf. D. verplichten to oblige, engage, impose a duty, G. verpflichten, Sw. förplikta, Dan. forpligte. See Plight, n.] 1. To pledge; to give as a pledge for the performance of some act; as, to plight faith, honor, word; -- never applied to property or goods. " To do them plighte their troth." Piers Plowman.

Plim (?), v. i. [Cf. Plump.] To swell, as grain or wood with water. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

Plim"soll's mark` (?). (Naut.) A mark conspicuously painted on the port side of all British sea-going merchant vessels, to indicate the limit of submergence allowed by law; -- so called from Samuel Plimsoll, by whose efforts the act of Parliament to prevent overloading was procured.

Plinth (?), n. [L. plinthus, Gr. &?; a brick or tile, a plinth, perh. akin to E. flint: cf. F. plinthe.] (Arch.) In classical architecture, a vertically faced member immediately below the circular base of a column; also, the lowest member of a pedestal; hence, in general, the lowest member of a base; a sub-base; a block upon which the moldings of an architrave or trim are stopped at the bottom. See Illust. of Column.

Pli"o*cene (?), a. [Written also pleiocene.] [Gr. &?; more + &?; new, recent.] (Geol.) Of, pertaining to, or characterizing, the most recent division of the Tertiary age.

||Pli`o*hip"pus (?), n. [NL., fr. E. pliocene + Gr. &?; horse.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of horses from the Pliocene deposits. Each foot had a single toe (or hoof), as in the common horse.

||Pli`o*sau"rus (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; greater + &?; lizard.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of marine reptiles allied to Plesiosaurus, but having a much shorter neck.

Plitt (?), n. [Russ. plete.] An instrument of punishment or torture resembling the knout, used in Russia.

Ploc (?), n. [F.] (Naut.) A mixture of hair and tar for covering the bottom of a ship.

||Plo"ce (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; complication, fr. &?; to entwine.] (Rhet.) A figure in which a word is separated or repeated by way of emphasis, so as not only to signify the individual thing denoted by it, but also its peculiar attribute or quality; as, "His wife's a wife indeed." Bailey.

Plod (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Plodded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plodding.] [Gf. Gael. plod a clod, a pool; also, to strike or pelt with a clod or clods.] 1. To travel slowly but steadily; to trudge. Shak.

2. To toil; to drudge; especially, to study laboriously and patiently. "Plodding schoolmen." Drayton.

Plod"ding (?), a. Progressing in a slow, toilsome manner; characterized by laborious diligence; as, a plodding peddler; a plodding student; a man of plodding habits. --Plod"ding*ly, adv.

Plonge (?), v. t. [See Plunge.] To cleanse, as open drains which are entered by the tide, by stirring up the sediment when the tide ebbs.

||Plon`gée" (?), n. [F. See Plunge.] (Mil.) A slope or sloping toward the front; as, the plongée of a parapet; the plongée of a shell in its course. [Sometimes written plonge.]

Plot (?), n. [AS. plot; cf. Goth. plats a patch. Cf. Plat a piece of ground.] 1. A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot. Shak.

3. (Surv.) A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.

Plot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plotted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plotting.] To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.

Plot, n. [Abbrev. from complot.] 1. Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.

2. A share in such a plot or scheme; a participation in any stratagem or conspiracy. [Obs.]

3. Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue. [Obs.] "A man of much plot." Denham.

4. A plan; a purpose. "No other plot in their religion but serve God and save their souls." Jer. Taylor.

5. In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.

Plot (plt), v. i. 1. To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against a government or those who administer it; to conspire. Shak.

Plot, v. t. To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly. "Plotting an unprofitable crime." Dryden. "Plotting now the fall of others." Milton

Plo*ti"nist (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) A disciple of Plotinus, a celebrated Platonic philosopher of the third century, who taught that the human soul emanates from the divine Being, to whom it reunited at death.

Plot"ter (?), n. One who plots or schemes; a contriver; a conspirator; a schemer. Dryden.

Plov"er (?), n. [OF. plovier, F. pluvier, prop., the rain bird, fr. LL. (assumed) pluviarius, fr. L. pluvia rain, from pluere to rain; akin to E. float, G. fliessen to flow. See Float.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of limicoline birds belonging to the family Charadridæ, and especially those belonging to the subfamily Charadrinsæ. They are prized as game birds.

2. (Zoöl.) Any grallatorial bird allied to, or resembling, the true plovers, as the crab plover (Dromas ardeola); the American upland, plover (Bartramia longicauda); and other species of sandpipers.

Among the more important species are the blackbellied, or blackbreasted, plover (Charadrius squatarola) of America and Europe; -- called also gray plover, bull-head plover, Swiss plover, sea plover, and oxeye; the golden plover (see under Golden); the ring or ringed plover (Ægialitis hiaticula). See Ringneck. The piping plover (Ægialitis meloda); Wilson's plover (Æ. Wilsonia); the mountain plover (Æ. montana); and the semipalmated plover (Æ. semipalmata), are all small American species.

Bastard plover (Zoöl.), the lapwing. -- Long-legged, or yellow- legged, plover. See Tattler. -- Plover's page, the dunlin. [Prov. Eng.] -- Rock plover, or Stone plover, the black-bellied plover. [Prov. Eng.] -- Whistling plover. (a) The golden plover. (b) The black-bellied plover.

{ Plow, Plough } (plou), n. [OE. plouh, plou, AS. plh; akin to D. ploeg, G. pflug, OHG. pfluog, pfluoh, Icel. plgr, Sw. plog, Dan. ploug, plov, Russ. plug', Lith. plugas.] 1. A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining plow.

Ice plow, a plow used for cutting ice on rivers, ponds, etc., into cakes suitable for storing. [U. S.] -- Mackerel plow. See under Mackerel. - - Plow alms, a penny formerly paid by every plowland to the church. Cowell. -- Plow beam, that part of the frame of a plow to which the draught is applied. See Beam, n., 9. -- Plow Monday, the Monday after Twelth Day, or the end of Christmas holidays. -- Plow staff. (a) A kind of long-handled spade or paddle for cleaning the plowshare; a paddle staff. (b) A plow handle. -- Snow plow, a structure, usually -shaped, for removing snow from sidewalks, railroads, etc., -- drawn or driven by a horse or a locomotive.

{ Plow, Plough, } v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plowed (ploud) or Ploughed; p. pr. & vb. n. Plowing or Ploughing.] 1. To turn up, break up, or trench, with a plow; to till with, or as with, a plow; as, to plow the ground; to plow a field.

2. To furrow; to make furrows, grooves, or ridges in; to run through, as in sailing.

3. (Bookbinding) To trim, or shave off the edges of, as a book or paper, with a plow. See Plow, n., 5.

4. (Joinery) To cut a groove in, as in a plank, or the edge of a board; especially, a rectangular groove to receive the end of a shelf or tread, the edge of a panel, a tongue, etc.

To plow in, to cover by plowing; as, to plow in wheat. -- To plow up, to turn out of the ground by plowing.

{ Plow, Plough } (plou), v. i. To labor with, or as with, a plow; to till or turn up the soil with a plow; to prepare the soil or bed for anything. Shak.

{ Plow"bote`, Plough"bote` } (?), n. (Eng. Law) Wood or timber allowed to a tenant for the repair of instruments of husbandry. See Bote.

{ Plow"boy`, Plough"boy` }, n. A boy that drives or guides a team in plowing; a young rustic.

{ Plow"foot`, Plough"foot` } (?), n. An adjustable staff formerly attached to the plow beam to determine the depth of the furrow. Piers Plowman.

{ Plow"gate`, Plough"gate` } (?), n. The Scotch equivalent of the English word plowland.

{ Plow"land`, Ploug"land` } (?), n. 1. Land that is plowed, or suitable for tillage.

2. (O. Eng. Law) the quantity of land allotted for the work of one plow; a hide.

{ Plow"man, Plough"man } (?), n.; pl. -men (&?;). 1. One who plows, or who holds and guides a plow; hence, a husbandman. Chaucer. Macaulay.

Plowman's spikenard (Bot.), a European composite weed (Conyza squarrosa), having fragrant roots. Dr. Prior.

{ Plow"point`, Plough"point` } (?), n. A detachable share at the extreme front end of the plow body.

{ Plow"share`, Plough"share" } (?), n. The share of a plow, or that part which cuts the slice of earth or sod at the bottom of the furrow.

Ploy, v. i. [Prob. abbrev. fr. deploy.] (Mil.) To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deploy. Wilhelm.

Ploy"ment (?), n. (Mil.) The act or movement of forming a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deployment.

Pluck (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plucked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plucking.] [AS. pluccian; akin to LG. & D. plukken, G. pflücken, Icel. plokka, plukka, Dan. plukke, Sw. plocka. &?;27.] 1. To pull; to draw.

2. Especially, to pull with sudden force or effort, or to pull off or out from something, with a twitch; to twitch; also, to gather, to pick; as, to pluck feathers from a fowl; to pluck hair or wool from a skin; to pluck grapes.

To pluck away, to pull away, or to separate by pulling; to tear away. -- To pluck down, to pull down; to demolish; to reduce to a lower state. -- to pluck off, to pull or tear off; as, to pluck off the skin. -- to pluck up. (a) To tear up by the roots or from the foundation; to eradicate; to exterminate; to destroy; as, to pluck up a plant; to pluck up a nation. Jer. xii. 17. (b) To gather up; to summon; as, to pluck up courage.

Pluck, v. i. To make a motion of pulling or twitching; -- usually with at; as, to pluck at one's gown.

2. [Prob. so called as being plucked out after the animal is killed; or cf. Gael. & Ir. pluc a lump, a knot, a bunch.] The heart, liver, and lights of an animal.

4. The act of plucking, or the state of being plucked, at college. See Pluck, v. t., 4.

Pluck"y (?), a. [Compar. Pluckier (?); superl. Pluckiest.] Having pluck or courage; characterized by pluck; displaying pluck; courageous; spirited; as, a plucky race.

Pluff (?), v. t. [Prob. of imitative origin.] To throw out, as smoke, dust, etc., in puffs. [Scot.]

Pluff, n. 1. A puff, as of smoke from a pipe, or of dust from a puffball; a slight explosion, as of a small quantity of gunpowder. [Scot.]

Plug (?), n. [Akin to D. plug, G. pflock, Dan. plök, plug, Sw. plugg; cf. W. ploc.] 1. Any piece of wood, metal, or other substance used to stop or fill a hole; a stopple.

Fire plug, a street hydrant to which hose may be attached. [U. S.] -- Hawse plug (Naut.), a plug to stop a hawse hole. -- Plug and feather. (Stone Working) See Feather, n., 7. -- Plug centerbit, a centerbit ending in a small cylinder instead of a point, so as to follow and enlarge a hole previously made, or to form a counterbore around it. -- Plug rod (Steam Eng.) , a rod attached to the beam for working the valves, as in the Cornish engine. -- Plug valve (Mech.), a tapering valve, which turns in a case like the plug of a faucet.

Plug (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plugged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plugging (?).] To stop with a plug; to make tight by stopping a hole.

Plum (?), n. [AS. plme, fr. L. prunum; akin to Gr. &?;, &?;. Cf. Prune a dried plum.]

1. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of the Prunus domestica, and of several other species of Prunus; also, the tree itself, usually called plum tree.

Two or three hundred varieties of plums derived from the Prunus domestica are described; among them the greengage, the Orleans, the purple gage, or Reine Claude Violette, and the German prune, are some of the best known.

Among the true plums are; Beach plum, the Prunus maritima, and its crimson or purple globular drupes, -- Bullace plum. See Bullace. -- Chickasaw plum, the American Prunus Chicasa, and its round red drupes. -- Orleans plum, a dark reddish purple plum of medium size, much grown in England for sale in the markets. -- Wild plum of America, Prunus Americana, with red or yellow fruit, the original of the Iowa plum and several other varieties.

Among plants called plum, but of other genera than Prunus, are; Australian plum, Cargillia arborea and C. australis, of the same family with the persimmon. -- Blood plum, the West African Hæmatostaphes Barteri. -- Cocoa plum, the Spanish nectarine. See under Nectarine. -- Date plum. See under Date. -- Gingerbread plum, the West African Parinarium macrophyllum. -- Gopher plum, the Ogeechee lime. -- Gray plum, Guinea plum. See under Guinea. -- Indian plum, several species of Flacourtia.

3. A handsome fortune or property; formerly, in cant language, the sum of £100,000 sterling; also, the person possessing it.

Plum bird, Plum budder (Zoöl.), the European bullfinch. -- Plum gouger (Zoöl.), a weevil, or curculio (Coccotorus scutellaris), which destroys plums. It makes round holes in the pulp, for the reception of its eggs. The larva bores into the stone and eats the kernel. -- Plum weevil (Zoöl.), an American weevil which is very destructive to plums, nectarines, cherries, and many other stone fruits. It lays its eggs in crescent-shaped incisions made with its jaws. The larva lives upon the pulp around the stone. Called also turk, and plum curculio. See Illust. under Curculio.

Plum"age (plm"j), n. [F., from plume a feather.] (Zoöl.) The entire clothing of a bird.

It consist of the contour feathers, or the ordinary feathers covering the head, neck, and body; the tail feathers, with their upper and lower coverts; the wing feathers, including primaries, secondaries, and tertiaries, with their coverts; and the down which lies beneath the contour feathers. See Illust. under Bird.

Plu*mas"sa*ry (?), n. [Cf. F. plumasseau.] A plume or collection of ornamental feathers.

||Plu`mas`sier" (?), n. [F.] One who prepares or deals in ornamental plumes or feathers.

Plumb (plm), n. [F. plomb, L. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or bullet; cf. Gr. mo`lybos, mo`libos, mo`lybdos. Cf. Plummet, Plunge.] A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See Plumb line, below.

Plumb bob. See Bob, 4. -- Plumb joint, in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by solder. -- Plumb level. See under Level. -- Plumb line. (a) The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet. (b) A line directed to the center of gravity of the earth. -- Plumb rule, a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Plumb, a. Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.

Plumb, adv. In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. "Plumb down he falls." Milton.

Plumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plumbed (plmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Plumbing (plm"ng).] 1. To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular; as, to plumb a building or a wall.

2. To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.

Plum*ba"gin (plm*b"jn), n. [L. plumbago leadwort, fr. plumbum lead; cf. F. plombagin.] (Chem.) A crystalline substance said to be found in the root of a certain plant of the Leadwort (Plumbago) family.

Plum`ba*gin"e*ous (plm`b*jn"*s), a. (Bot.) Pertaining to natural order (Plumbagineæ) of gamopetalous herbs, of which Plumbago is the type. The order includes also the marsh rosemary, the thrift, and a few other genera.

Plum*bag"i*nous (?), a. Resembling plumbago; consisting of, or containing, plumbago; as, a plumbaginous slate.

2. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants with pretty salver-shaped corollas, usually blue or violet; leadwort.

{ Plum"be*an (?), Plum"be*ous (?), } a. [L. plumbeus, from plumbum the metal lead.] 1. Consisting of, or resembling, lead. J. Ellis.

Plumb"er (?), n. [F. plombier. See Plumb.] One who works in lead; esp., one who furnishes, fits, and repairs lead, iron, or glass pipes, and other apparatus for the conveyance of water, gas, or drainage in buildings.

Plum"bic (?), a. [From Plumbum.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, resembling, or containing, lead; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which it has a higher valence as contrasted with plumbous compounds; as, plumbic oxide.

Plum*bif"er*ous (?), a. [Plumbum + -ferous.] Producing or containing lead. Kirwan.

Plumb"ing (?), n. 1. The art of casting and working in lead, and applying it to building purposes; especially, the business of furnishing, fitting, and repairing pipes for conducting water, sewage, etc. Gwilt.

2. The lead or iron pipes, and other apparatus, used in conveying water, sewage, etc., in a building.

Plum"bism (?), n. [From Plumbum.] (Med.) A diseased condition, produced by the absorption of lead, common among workers in this metal or in its compounds, as among painters, typesetters, etc. It is characterized by various symptoms, as lead colic, lead line, and wrist drop. See under Colic, Lead, and Wrist.

Plum"bous (?), a. [From Plumbum.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, lead; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which it has a lower valence as contrasted with plumbic compounds.

1. A feather; esp., a soft, downy feather, or a long, conspicuous, or handsome feather.

3. A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers.

4. A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward. "Ambitious to win from me some plume." Milton.

5. (Bot.) A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.

Plume bird (Zoöl.), any bird that yields ornamental plumes, especially the species of Epimarchus from New Guinea, and some of the herons and egrets, as the white heron of Florida (Ardea candidissima). -- Plume grass. (Bot) (a) A kind of grass (Erianthus saccharoides) with the spikelets arranged in great silky plumes, growing in swamps in the Southern United States. (b) The still finer E. Ravennæ from the Mediterranean region. The name is sometimes extended to the whole genus. -- Plume moth (Zoöl.), any one of numerous small, slender moths, belonging to the family Pterophoridæ. Most of them have the wings deeply divided into two or more plumelike lobes. Some species are injurious to the grapevine. -- Plume nutmeg (Bot.), an aromatic Australian tree (Atherosperma moschata), whose numerous carpels are tipped with long plumose persistent styles.

Plume, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plumed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pluming.] [Cf. F. plumer to pluck, to strip, L. plumare to cover with feathers.] 1. To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or prink.

2. To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel. [Obs.] Bacon. Dryden.

4. To pride; to vaunt; to boast; -- used reflexively; as, he plumes himself on his skill. South.

Plumed adder (Zoöl.), an African viper (Vipera, or Clotho cornuta), having a plumelike structure over each eye. It is venomous, and is related to the African puff adder. Called also horned viper and hornsman. -- Plumed partridge (Zoöl.), the California mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus). See Mountain quail, under Mountain.

Plu"mi*corn (?), n. [L. pluma feather + cornu horn.] (Zoöl.) An ear tuft of feathers, as in the horned owls.

Plu*mig"er*ous (?), a. [L. plumiger; pluma a feather + gerere to bear.] Feathered; having feathers. Bailey

Plu*mil"i*form (?), a. [L. plumula, or plumella a little feather (dim. of pluma feather) + -form.] Having the of a plume or feather. [R.]

Plu"mi*ped (?), a. [L. plumipes, -edis; pluma a feather + pes: cf. F. plumipède.] (Zoöl.) Having feet covered with feathers. -- n. A plumiped bird.

Plum"met (?), n. [OE. plommet, OF. plommet, fr. plom, plum, lead, F. plomb. See Plumb.] 1. A piece of lead attached to a line, used in sounding the depth of water.

Plum"ming (?), n. [See Plumb.] (Min.) The operation of finding, by means of a mine dial, the place where to sink an air shaft, or to bring an adit to the work, or to find which way the lode inclines.

Plum"my (?), a. [From Plum.] Of the nature of a plum; desirable; profitable; advantageous. [Colloq.] "For the sake of getting something plummy." G. Eliot.

{ Plu*mose" (?), Plu"mous (?), } a. [L. plumosus, fr. pluma feather: cf. F. plumeux.]

2. Having hairs, or other párts, arranged along an axis like a feather; feathery; plumelike; as, a plumose leaf; plumose tentacles.

Plump (plmp), a. [Compar. Plumper (-r); superl. Plumpest.] [OE. plomp rude, clumsy; akin to D. plomp, G., Dan., & Sw. plump; probably of imitative origin. Cf. Plump, adv.] Well rounded or filled out; full; fleshy; fat; as, a plump baby; plump cheeks. Shak.

Plump, n. A knot; a cluster; a group; a crowd; a flock; as, a plump of trees, fowls, or spears. [Obs.]

Plump, v. i. [Cf. D. plompen, G. plumpen, Sw. plumpa, Dan. plumpe. See Plump, a.] 1. To grow plump; to swell out; as, her cheeks have plumped.

2. To drop or fall suddenly or heavily, all at once."Dulcissa plumps into a chair." Spectator.

Plump, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plumped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plumping.] 1. To make plump; to fill (out) or support; -- often with up.

2. To cast or let drop all at once, suddenly and heavily; as, to plump a stone into water.

Plump, adv. [Cf. D. plomp, interj., G. plump, plumps. Cf. Plump, a. & v.] Directly; suddenly; perpendicularly. "Fall plump." Beau. & Fl.

Plump"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, plumps or swells out something else; hence, something carried in the mouth to distend the cheeks.

2. (English Elections) A vote given to one candidate only, when two or more are to be elected, thus giving him the advantage over the others. A person who gives his vote thus is said to plump, or to plump his vote.

||Plu"mu*la (?), n.; pl. L. Plumule (#), E.-las (#). [L. See Plumule.] 1. (Bot.) A plumule.

||Plu`mu*la"ri*a (?), n.; pl. L. Plumularlæ (#), E. Plumularias (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Any hydroid belonging to Plumularia and other genera of the family Plumularidæ. They generally grow in plumelike forms.

Plu"mule (?), n. [L. plumula, dim. of pluma a feather; cf. F. plumule.] 1. (Bot.) The first bud, or gemmule, of a young plant; the bud, or growing point, of the embryo, above the cotyledons. See Illust. of Radicle. Gray.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A down feather. (b) The aftershaft of a feather. See Illust. under Feather. (c) One of the featherlike scales of certain male butterflies.

Plu"mu*lose" (?), a. Having hairs branching out laterally, like the parts of a feather.

Plum"y (?), a. Covered or adorned with plumes, or as with plumes; feathery. "His plumy crest." Addison. "The plumy trees." J. S. Blackie.

Plun"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plundered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plundering.] [G. plündern to plunder, plunder frippery, baggage.] 1. To take the goods of by force, or without right; to pillage; to spoil; to sack; to strip; to rob; as, to plunder travelers.

2. To take by pillage; to appropriate forcibly; as, the enemy plundered all the goods they found.

Plun"der (?), n. 1. The act of plundering or pillaging; robbery. See Syn. of Pillage.

2. That which is taken by open force from an enemy; pillage; spoil; booty; also, that which is taken by theft or fraud. "He shared in the plunder." Cowper.

3. Personal property and effects; baggage or luggage. [Slang, Southwestern U.S.]

Plun"der*age (?), n. (Mar. Law) The embezzlement of goods on shipboard. Wharton.

Plunge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plunged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plunging (?).] [OE. ploungen, OF. plongier, F. plonger, fr. (assumed) LL. plumbicare, fr. L. plumbum lead. See Plumb.] 1. To thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse; to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly; to thrust; as, to plunge the body into water; to plunge a dagger into the breast. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge a nation into war. "To plunge the boy in pleasing sleep." Dryden.

Plunge, v. i. 1. To thrust or cast one's self into water or other fluid; to submerge one's self; to dive, or to rush in; as, he plunged into the river. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge into debt.

3. To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in hazardous speculations. [Cant]

Plunging fire (Gun.), firing directed upon an enemy from an elevated position.

Plunge, n. 1. The act of thrusting into or submerging; a dive, leap, rush, or pitch into, or as into, water; as, to take the water with a plunge.

2. Hence, a desperate hazard or act; a state of being submerged or overwhelmed with difficulties. [R.]

3. The act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse.

Plunge bath, an immersion by plunging; also, a large bath in which the bather can wholly immerse himself. -- Plunge, or plunging, battery (Elec.), a voltaic battery so arranged that the plates can be plunged into, or withdrawn from, the exciting liquid at pleasure.

2. A long solid cylinder, used, instead of a piston or bucket, as a forcer in pumps.

4. (Pottery) A boiler in which clay is beaten by a wheel to a creamy consistence. Knight.

Plunger bucket, a piston, without a valve, in a pump. -- Plunger pole, the pump rod of a pumping engine. -- Plunger pump, a pump, as for water, having a plunger, instead of a piston, to act upon the water. It may be single-acting or double-acting

Plun"ket (?), n. A kind of blue color; also, anciently, a kind of cloth, generally blue.

Plu"per`fect (?), a. [L. plus more + perfectus perfect; cf. F. plus-que-parfait, L. plusquamperfectum.] More than perfect; past perfect; -- said of the tense which denotes that an action or event was completed at or before the time of another past action or event. -- n. The pluperfect tense; also, a verb in the pluperfect tense.

Plu"ral (?), a. [L. pluralis, from plus, pluris, more; cf. F. pluriel, OF. plurel. See Plus.] Relating to, or containing, more than one; designating two or more; as, a plural word.

Plural number (Gram.), the number which designates more than one. See Number, n., 8.

Plu"ral, n. (Gram.) The plural number; that form of a word which expresses or denotes more than one; a word in the plural form.

Plu"ral*ism (?), n. 1. The quality or state of being plural, or in the plural number.

2. (Eccl.) The state of a pluralist; the holding of more than one ecclesiastical living at a time. [Eng.]

Plu"ral*ist, n. (Eccl.) A clerk or clergyman who holds more than one ecclesiastical benefice. [Eng.]

Plu*ral"i*ty (?), n.; pl. pluralities (#). [L. pluralitas: cf. F. pluralité.] 1. The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one; a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb.

2. The greater number; a majority; also, the greatest of several numbers; in elections, the excess of the votes given for one candidate over those given for another, or for any other, candidate. When there are more than two candidates, the one who receives the plurality of votes may have less than a majority. See Majority.

Plurality of benefices (Eccl.), the possession by one clergyman of more than one benefice or living. Each benefice thus held is called a plurality. [Eng.]

Plu"ral*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pluralized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pluralizing (?).] 1. To make plural by using the plural termination; to attribute plurality to; to express in the plural form.

Plu"ral*ize, v. i. 1. To take a plural; to assume a plural form; as, a noun pluralizes. Earle.

Plu"ri- (?). [See Plus.] A combining form from L. plus, pluris, more, many; as pluriliteral.

||Plu"ri*es (?), n. [So called from L. pluries many times, often, which occurs in the first clause.] (Law) A writ issued in the third place, after two former writs have been disregarded. Mozley & W.

Plu`ri*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L. plurifarius, fr. L. plus, pluris, many. Cf. Bifarious.] Of many kinds or fashions; multifarious.

Plu`ri*fo"li*o*late (?), a. [Pluri- + foliolate.] (Bot.) Having several or many leaflets.

Plu`ri*lit"er*al (?), a. [Pluri- + literal.] Consisting of more letters than three. - - n. A pluriliteral word.

Plu`ri*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Pluri- + locular.] Having several cells or loculi; specifically (Bot.), having several divisions containing seeds; as, the lemon and the orange are plurilocular fruits.

Plurilocular sporangia (Bot.), many- celled sporangia, each cell containing a single spore, as in many algæ.

Plu*rip"a*rous (?), a. [Pluri- + L. parere to bring forth.] Producing several young at a birth; as, a pluriparous animal.

Plu`ri*par"tite (?), a. [Pluri- + partite.] (Bot.) Deeply divided into several portions.

Plu`ri*pres"ence (?), n. [Pluri- + presence.] Presence in more places than one. [R.] Johnson.

Plu"ri*sy (?), n. [L. plus, pluris, more.] Superabundance; excess; plethora. [Obs.] Shak.

Plus (?), a. [L., more; akin to Gr. &?;, &?;, and E. full. See Full, a., and cf. Più, Pleonasm.]

1. (Math.) More, required to be added; positive, as distinguished from negative; -- opposed to minus.

Plus sign (Math.), the sign (+) which denotes addition, or a positive quantity.

Plush (?), n. [F. pluche, peluche (cf. It. peluzzo), fr. L. pilus hair. See pile hair, and cf. Peruke.] A textile fabric with a nap or shag on one side, longer and softer than the nap of velvet. Cowper.

Plu"tar*chy (?), n. [Gr. &?; wealth + -archy.] Plutocracy; the rule of wealth. [R.]

||Plu"te*us (?), n.; pl. L. Plutei (#), E. Pluteuses (#). [L., a shed.] (Zoöl.) The free-swimming larva of sea urchins and ophiurans, having several long stiff processes inclosing calcareous rods.

Plu"to (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Class. Myth.) The son of Saturn and Rhea, brother of Jupiter and Neptune; the dark and gloomy god of the Lower World.

Pluto monkey (Zoöl.), a long- tailed African monkey (Cercopithecus pluto), having side whiskers. The general color is black, more or less grizzled; the frontal band is white.

Plu*toc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; wealth + &?; to be strong, to rule, fr.&?; strength: cf. F. plutocratie.] A form of government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the wealthy classes; government by the rich; also, a controlling or influential class of rich men.

Plu"to*crat (?), n. One whose wealth gives him power or influence; one of the plutocracy.

Plu`to*crat"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to plutocracy; as, plutocratic ideas. Bagehot.

Plu*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; wealth + -logy.] The science which treats of wealth.

Plu*to"ni*an (?), a. [L. Plutonius, Gr. &?;: cf. F. plutonien.] Plutonic. Poe.

Plu*ton"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See Pluto.] 1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to the interior of the earth; subterranean.

2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the Plutonists; igneous; as, the Plutonic theory.

Plutonic action (Geol.), the influence of volcanic heat and other subterranean forces under pressure. -- Plutonic rocks (Geol.), granite, porphyry, and some other igneous rocks, supposed to have consolidated from a melted state at a great depth from the surface. Cf. Intrusive rocks, under Intrusive. -- Plutonic theory. (Geol.) See Plutonism.

Plu"to*nism (?), n. [Cf. F. plutonisme.] The theory, early advanced in geology, that the successive rocks of the earth\'b6s crust were formed by igneous fusion; -- opposed to the Neptunian theory.

Plu"to*nist (?), n. [Cf. F. plutoniste.] One who adopts the geological theory of igneous fusion; a Plutonian. See Plutonism.

Plu"tus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Class. Myth.) The son of Jason and Ceres, and the god of wealth. He was represented as bearing a cornucopia, and as blind, because his gifts were bestowed without discrimination of merit.

Plu"vi*al, a. [L. pluvialis, fr. pluvia rain: cf. F. pluvial. See Plover.] 1. Of or pertaining to rain; rainy. [R.]

Plu"vi*al, n. [LL. pluviale a garment which keeps off the rain: cf. F. pluvial.] A priest's cope.

Plu`vi*om"e*ter (?), n. [L. pluvia rain + -meter: cf. F. pluviomètre.] An instrument for ascertaining the amount of rainfall at any place in a given time; a rain gauge.

Plu`vi*o*met"ric*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pluviométrique.] Of or pertaining to a pluviometer; determined by a pluviometer.

||Plu`vi`ôse" (?), n. [F. See Pluvious.] The fifth month of the French republican calendar adopted in 1793. It began January 20, and ended February 18. See Vendémiaire.

Plu"vi*ous (?), a. [L. pluviosus, pluvius, fr. pluvia rain: cf. F. pluvieux. See Pluvial, a.] Abounding in rain; rainy; pluvial. Sir T. Browne.

Ply (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plying (?).] [OE. plien, F. plier to fold, to bend, fr. L. plicare; akin to Gr. &?;, G. flechten. Cf. Apply, Complex, Display, Duplicity, Employ, Exploit, Implicate, Plait, Pliant, Flax.] 1. To bend. [Obs.]

2. To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink.

2. To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially, to do something by repeated actions; to go back and forth; as, a steamer plies between certain ports.

Ply, n. [Cf. F. pli, fr. plier. See Ply, v.] 1. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord. Arbuthnot.

Ply is used in composition to designate folds, or the number of webs interwoven; as, a three-ply carpet.

Ply"er (?), n. One who, or that which, plies; specifically: (a) pl. A kind of balance used in raising and letting down a drawbridge. It consists of timbers joined in the form of a St. Andrew's cross. (b) pl. See Pliers.

Plym"outh Breth"ren (?). The members of a religious sect which first appeared at Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy. Also called Brethren, Christian Brethren, Plymouthists, etc. The Darbyites are a division of the Brethren.

Pne*om"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; to breathe + -meter.] (Physiol.) A spirometer.

{ Pneu*mat"ic (?), Pneu*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [L. pneumaticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, wind, air, &?; to blow, breathe; cf. OHG. fnehan: cf. F. pneumatique. Cf. Pneumonia.] 1. Consisting of, or resembling, air; having the properties of an elastic fluid; gaseous; opposed to dense or solid.

2. Of or pertaining to air, or to elastic fluids or their properties; pertaining to pneumatics; as, pneumatic experiments. "Pneumatical discoveries." Stewart.

3. Moved or worked by pressure or flow of air; as, a pneumatic instrument; a pneumatic engine.

4. (Biol.) Fitted to contain air; Having cavities filled with air; as, pneumatic cells; pneumatic bones.

Pneumatic action, or Pneumatic lever (Mus.), a contrivance for overcoming the resistance of the keys and other movable parts in an organ, by causing compressed air from the wind chest to move them. -- Pneumatic dispatch, a system of tubes, leading to various points, through which letters, packages, etc., are sent, by the flow and pressure of air. -- Pneumatic elevator, a hoisting machine worked by compressed air. -- Pneumatic pile, a tubular pile or cylinder of large diameter sunk by atmospheric pressure. -- Pneumatic pump, an air-exhausting or forcing pump. -- Pneumatic railway. See Atmospheric railway, under Atmospheric. -- Pneumatic syringe, a stout tube closed at one end, and provided with a piston, for showing that the heat produced by compressing a gas will ignite substances. -- Pneumatic trough, a trough, generally made of wood or sheet metal, having a perforated shelf, and used, when filled with water or mercury, for collecting gases in chemical operations. -- Pneumatic tube. See Pneumatic dispatch, above.

Pneu`ma*tic"i*ty (?), n. (Biol.) The state of being pneumatic, or of having a cavity or cavities filled with air; as, the pneumaticity of the bones of birds.

1. That branch of science which treats of the mechanical properties of air and other elastic fluids, as of their weight, pressure, elasticity, etc. See Mechanics.

2. (Philos. & Theol.) The scientific study or knowledge of spiritual beings and their relations to God, angels, and men.

Pneu"ma*to- (n"m*t- or n*mt"-). A combining form from Gr. pney^ma, pney`matos, wind, air, breath, respiration; as, pneumatograph, pneumatology.
[1913 Webster]

Pneu*mat"o*cele (?), n. [Pneumato- + Gr. &?; a tumor; cf. F. pneumatocèle.] (Med.) A distention of the scrotum by air; also, hernia of the lungs.

Pneu*mat"o*cyst (?), n. [Pneumato- + cyst.] (Zoöl.) A cyst or sac of a siphonophore, containing air, and serving as a float, as in Physalia.

Pneu*mat"o*garm (?), n. [Pneumato- + -gram.] (Physiol.) A tracing of the respiratory movements, obtained by a pneumatograph or stethograph.

Pneu*mat"o*graph (?), n. [Pneumato- + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for recording the movements of the thorax or chest wall during respiration; -- also called stethograph.

Pneu`ma*to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pneumatologique.] Of or pertaining to pneumatology.

Pneu`ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. pneumatologiste.] One versed in pneumatology.

Pneu`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Pneumato- + -logy: cf. F. pneumatologie.] 1. The doctrine of, or a treatise on, air and other elastic fluids. See Pneumatics, 1.

2. (Philos. & Theol.) The science of spiritual being or phenomena of any description.

Pneu`ma*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Pneumato- + -meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the amount of force exerted by the lungs in respiration.

Pneu*mat"o*phore (?), n. [Pneumato- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) One of the Pneumonophora.

Pneu"mo- (?). A combining form from Gr. pney`mwn, pney`monos, a lung; as, pneumogastric, pneumology.

Pneu`mo*coc"cus (?), n. [See Pneumo- , and Coccus.] (Biol.) A form of micrococcus found in the sputum (and elsewhere) of persons suffering with pneumonia, and thought to be the cause of this disease.

Pneu`mo*gas"tric (?), a. [Pneumo- + gastric.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the lungs and the stomach. -- n. The pneumogastric nerve.

Pneumogastric nerve (Anat.), one of the tenth pair of cranial nerves which are distributed to the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, and spleen, and, in fishes and many amphibia, to the branchial apparatus and also to the sides of the body.

Pneu*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Pneumo- + -graphy.] A description of the lungs. Dunglison.

Pneu*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Pneumo- + -logy.] (Anat.) The science which treats of the lungs.

Pneu*mom"e*try (?), n. Measurement of the capacity of the lungs for air. Dunglison.

Pneu*mo"ni*a (n*m"n*), n. [NL., fr. Gr. pneymoni`a, fr. pney`mwn, pl. pney`mones the lungs, also, pley`mwn, which is perh. the original form. Cf. Pneumatio, Pulmonary.] (Med.) Inflammation of the lungs.

Catarrhal pneumonia, or Broncho- pneumonia, is inflammation of the lung tissue, associated with catarrh and with marked evidences of inflammation of bronchial membranes, often chronic; -- also called lobular pneumonia, from its affecting single lobules at a time. -- Croupous pneumonia, or ordinary pneumonia, is an acute affection characterized by sudden onset with a chill, high fever, rapid course, and sudden decline; -- also called lobar pneumonia, from its affecting a whole lobe of the lung at once. See under Croupous. -- Fibroid pneumonia is an inflammation of the interstitial connective tissue lying between the lobules of the lungs, and is very slow in its course, producing shrinking and atrophy of the lungs.

Pneu*mon"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pneumonique.] (a) Of or pertaining to the lungs; pulmonic. (b) Of or pertaining to pneumonia; as, pneumonic symptoms.

||Pneu`mo*ni"tis (?), n. [NL. See Pneumo-, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the lungs; pneumonia.

Pneu`mo*nom"e*ter (?), n. [See Pneumo-, and -meter.] (Physiol.) A spirometer; a pneumometer.

||Pneu`mo*noph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a lung + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) The division of Siphonophora which includes the Physalia and allied genera; -- called also Pneumatophoræ.

||Pneu`mo*öt"o*ka (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pneumo-, and Oöticoid.] (Zoöl.) Same as Sauropsida.

||Pneu*moph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pneumonophora.] (Zoöl.) (Zoöl.) A division of holothurians having an internal gill, or respiratory tree.

Pneu`mo*skel"e*ton (?), n. [Pneumo- + skeleton.] (Zoöl.) A chitinous structure which supports the gill in some invertebrates.

Pneu`mo*ther"a*py (?), n. [Gr. &?; air + therapy.] (Med.) The treatment of disease by inhalations of compressed or rarefied air.

Pneu`mo*tho"rax (?), n. [Gr. &?; air + E. thorax.] (Med.) A condition in which air or other gas is present in the cavity of the chest; -- called also pneumatothorax.

||Pni*ga"li*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; nightmare, fr. &?; to throttle.] (Med.) Nightmare.

Pnyx (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) The place at Athens where the meetings of the people were held for making decrees, etc.

Po"a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; grass.] (Bot.) A genus of grasses, including a great number of species, as the kinds called meadow grass, Kentucky blue grass, June grass, and spear grass (which see).

Poach (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poaching.] [F. pocher to place in a pocket, to poach eggs (the yolk of the egg being as it were pouched in the white), from poche pocket, pouch. See Pouch, v. & n.] 1. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel. Bacon.

2. To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as game; hence, to plunder. Garth.

Poach, v. i. To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits or for salmon.

Poach, v. t. [Cf. OF. pocher to thrust or dig out with the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. pouce thumb, L. pollex, and also E. poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to thrust against.] 1. To stab; to pierce; to spear, \as fish. [Obs.] Carew.

Poach"ard (?), n. [From Poach to stab.] [Written also pocard, pochard.] (Zoöl.) (a) A common European duck (Aythya ferina); -- called also goldhead, poker, and fresh-water, or red-headed, widgeon. (b) The American redhead, which is closely allied to the European poachard.

Red-crested poachard (Zoöl.), an Old World duck (Branta rufina). -- Scaup poachard, the scaup duck. -- Tufted poachard, a scaup duck (Aythya, or Fuligula cristata), native of Europe and Asia.

Poach"er (?), n. 1. One who poaches; one who kills or catches game or fish contrary to law.

Poach"y (?), a. [See Poach to stab.] Wet and soft; easily penetrated by the feet of cattle; -- said of land

{ Poak, Poake } (?), n. Waste matter from the preparation of skins, consisting of hair, lime, oil, etc.

Po"can (?), n. (Bot.) The poke (Phytolacca decandra); -- called also pocan bush.

Pock (?), n. [OE. pokke, AS. pocc, poc; akin to D. pok, G. pocke, and perh. to E. poke a pocket. Cf. Pox.] (Med.) A pustule raised on the surface of the body in variolous and vaccine diseases.

Pock"et (?), n. [OE. poket, Prov. F. & OF. poquette, F. pochette, dim. fr. poque, pouque, F. poche; probably of Teutonic origin. See Poke a pocket, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and Pouch.] 1. A bag or pouch; especially; a small bag inserted in a garment for carrying small articles, particularly money; hence, figuratively, money; wealth.

2. One of several bags attached to a billiard table, into which the balls are driven.

3. A large bag or sack used in packing various articles, as ginger, hops, cowries, etc.

In the wool or hop trade, the pocket contains half a sack, or about 168 Ibs.; but it is a variable quantity, the articles being sold by actual weight.

4. (Arch.) A hole or space covered by a movable piece of board, as in a floor, boxing, partitions, or the like.

5. (Mining.) (a) A cavity in a rock containing a nugget of gold, or other mineral; a small body of ore contained in such a cavity. (b) A hole containing water.

6. (Nat.) A strip of canvas, sewn upon a sail so that a batten or a light spar can placed in the interspace.

Pocket is often used adjectively, or in the formation of compound words usually of obvious signification; as, pocket comb, pocket compass, pocket edition, pocket handkerchief, pocket money, pocket picking, or pocket-picking, etc.

Out of pocket. See under Out, prep. -- Pocket borough, a borough "owned" by some person. See under Borough. [Eng.] -- Pocket gopher (Zoöl.), any one of several species of American rodents of the genera Geomys, and Thomomys, family Geomydæ. They have large external cheek pouches, and are fossorial in their habits. they inhabit North America, from the Mississippi Valley west to the Pacific. Called also pouched gopher. -- Pocket mouse (Zoöl.), any species of American mice of the family Saccomyidæ. They have external cheek pouches. Some of them are adapted for leaping (genus Dipadomys), and are called kangaroo mice. They are native of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, etc. -- Pocket piece, a piece of money kept in the pocket and not spent. -- Pocket pistol, a pistol to be carried in the pocket. -- Pocket sheriff (Eng. Law), a sheriff appointed by the sole authority of the crown, without a nomination by the judges in the exchequer. Burrill.

Pock"et (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pocketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pocketing.] 1. To put, or conceal, in the pocket; as, to pocket the change.

To pocket a ball (Billiards), to drive a ball into a pocket of the table. -- To pocket an insult, affront, etc., to receive an affront without open resentment, or without seeking redress. "I must pocket up these wrongs." Shak.

Pock"et*book` (?), n. A small book or case for carrying papers, money, etc., in the pocket; also, a notebook for the pocket.

Pock"et*ful (?), n.; pl. Pocketfuls (&?;). As much as a pocket will hold; enough to fill a pocket; as, pocketfuls of chestnuts.

Pock"et*knife` (?), n.; pl. -knives (&?;). A knife with one or more blades, which fold into the handle so as to admit of being carried in the pocket.

Pock"-pud`ding (?), n. A bag pudding; a name of reproach or ridicule formerly applied by the Scotch to the English.

Pock"wood` (?), n. [So called because formerly used as a specific for the pock.] (Bot.) Lignum- vitæ.

Pock"y (?), a. [Compar. Pockier (?); superl. Pockiest.] Full of pocks; affected with smallpox or other eruptive disease. Bp. Hall.

||Po"co (?), adv. [It.] (Mus.) A little; -- used chiefly in phrases indicating the time or movement; as, poco più allegro, a little faster; poco largo, rather slow.

||Poco a poco [It.] (Mus.) Little by little; as, poco a poco crescendo, gradually increasing in loudness.

Po`co*cu*ran"te (?), n. [It. poco curante caring little.] A careless person; a trifler. [R.]

Po*co"son (?), n. Low, wooded grounds or swamps in Eastern Maryland and Virginia. [Written also poquoson.] Washington.

Poc"u*lent (?), a. [L. poculentus, fr. poculum a cup.] Fit for drink. [Obs.] "Some those herbs which are not esculent, are . . . poculent." Bacon.

Poc"u*li*form (?), a. [L. poculum a cup + -form: cf. F. poculiforme.] Having the shape of a goblet or drinking cup.

-pod (?). [See Foot.] A combining form or suffix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as, decapod, an animal having ten feet; phyllopod, an animal having leaflike feet; myriapod, hexapod.

Pod (?), n. [Probably akin to pudding, and perhaps the same word as pad a cushion; cf. also Dan. pude pillow, cushion, and also E. cod a husk, pod.] 1. A bag; a pouch. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Tusser.

2. (Bot.) A capsule of plant, especially a legume; a dry dehiscent fruit. See Illust. of Angiospermous.

3. (Zoöl.) A considerable number of animals closely clustered together; -- said of seals.

Pod auger, or pod bit, an auger or bit the channel of which is straight instead of twisted.

Pod, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Podded; p. pr. & vb. n. Podding.] To swell; to fill; also, to produce pods.

-po*da (?). A New Latin plural combining form or suffix from Gr. &?;, &?;, foot; as, hexapoda, myriapoda. See -pod.

Pod"a*gra (?), n. [L. See Podagric.] (Med.) Gout in the joints of the foot; - - applied also to gout in other parts of body.

{ Po*dag"ric (?), Po*dag"ric*al (?), } a. [L. podagricus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; gout in the feet; &?;, &?;, Foot + &?; a catching.]

Po*dal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, foot + &?; pain.] (Med.) pain in the foot, due to gout, rheumatism, etc.

||Po*dar"thrum (?), n.; pl. Podarthra (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, foot + &?; joint.] (Anat.) The foot joint; in birds, the joint between the metatarsus and the toes.

Po*des"ta (?), n. [It. podestà, fr. L. potestas power, magistracy. See Potent.]

1. One of the chief magistrates of the Italian republics in the Middle Ages. Brande & C.

||Po*de"ti*um (?), n.; pl. Podetia (#), E. Podetiums (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, foot.] (Bot.) A stalk which bears the fructification in some lichens, as in the so-called reindeer moss.

Pod"i*cal (?), a. [L. podex, podicis, the anus.] (Zoöl.) Anal; -- applied to certain organs of insects.

||Pod"i*ceps (?), n. [NL., fr. L. podex, podicis, anus + pes foot.] (Zoöl.) See Grebe.

||Po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Podia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, foot. See Pew.] 1. (Arch.) A low wall, serving as a foundation, a substructure, or a terrace wall. It is especially employed by archæologists in two senses: (a) The dwarf wall surrounding the arena of an amphitheater, from the top of which the seats began. (b) The masonry under the stylobate of a temple, sometimes a mere foundation, sometimes containing chambers. See Illust. of Column.

Pod"o- (?). [See Foot.] A combining form or prefix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as, podocarp, podocephalous, podology.

Pod"o*branch (?), n. [See Podo-, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) One of the branchiæ attached to the bases of the legs in Crustacea.

||Pod`o*bran"chi*a (?), n., pl. Podobranchiæ (-). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Podobranch.

Pod"o*carp (?), n. [Podo- + Gr. karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.) A stem, or footstalk, supporting the fruit.

Pod`o*ceph"a*lous (?), a. [Podo- + Gr. &?; head.] (Bot.) Having a head of flowers on a long peduncle, or footstalk.

||Pod`o*gyn"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + gynh` woman.] (Bot.) Same as Basigynium

||Pod`oph*thal"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Podophthalmic.] (Zoöl.) The stalk-eyed Crustacea, -- an order of Crustacea having the eyes supported on movable stalks. It includes the crabs, lobsters, and prawns. Called also Podophthalmata, and Decapoda.

{ Pod`oph*thal"mic (?), Pod`oph*thal"mous (?), } a. [Podo- + Gr. &?; an eye.] (Zoöl.) (a) Having the eyes on movable footstalks, or pedicels. (b) Of or pertaining to the Podophthalmia.

Pod`o*phyl"lin (?), n. [From Podophyllum.] (Chem.) A brown bitter gum extracted from the rootstalk of the May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). It is a complex mixture of several substances.

Pod`o*phyl"lous (?), a. 1. (Zoöl.) Having thin, flat, leaflike locomotive organs.

2. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or composing, the layer of tissue, made up of laminæ, beneath a horse's hoof.

||Pod`o*phyl"lum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + &?; leaf.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of herbs of the Barberry family, having large palmately lobed peltate leaves and solitary flower. There are two species, the American Podohyllum peltatum, or May apple, the Himalayan P. Emodi.

2. (Med.) The rhizome and rootlet of the May apple (Podophyllum peltatum), -- used as a cathartic drug.

Pod"o*scaph (?), n. [Podo- + Gr. &?; boat.] A canoe-shaped float attached to the foot, for walking on water.

Pod"o*sperm (?), n. [Podo- + Gr. &?; seed: cf. F. podosperme.] (Bot.) The stalk of a seed or ovule.

||Pod`o*stom"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + &?;, &?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) An order of Bryozoa of which Rhabdopleura is the type. See Rhabdopleura.

||Pod`o*the"ca (?), n.; pl. Podothecæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + &?; case.] (Zoöl.) The scaly covering of the foot of a bird or reptile.

||Po*dri"da (?), n. [Sp., rotten.] A miscellaneous dish of meats. See Olla-podrida.

Po*du"ra (?), n.; pl. L. Poduræ (#), E. Poduras (#). [NL.; Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + &?; tail.] Any small leaping thysanurous insect of the genus Podura and related genera; a springtail.

Podura scale (Zoöl.), one of the minute scales with which the body of a podura is covered. They are used as test objects for the microscope.

Po*du"rid (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of Podura or allied genera. -- a. Pertaining to the poduras.

Pœ`ci*lit"ic (?), a. [Gr. poiki`los many-colored, variegated.] (Geol.) (a) Mottled with various colors; variegated; spotted; -- said of certain rocks. (b) Specifically: Of or pertaining to, or characterizing, Triassic and Permian sandstones of red and other colors. [Also written poikilitic.]

Pœ*cil"o*pod (?), n. [Cf. F. pœcilopode.] (Zoöl.) One of the Pœcilopoda. Also used adjectively.

||Pœ`ci*lop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; variegated, manifold + -poda.] (Zoöl.) (a) Originally, an artificial group including many parasitic Entomostraca, together with the horseshoe crabs (Limuloidea). (b) By some recent writers applied to the Merostomata.

Po"em (?), n. [L. poëma, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to make, to compose, to write, especially in verse: cf. F. poëme.] 1. A metrical composition; a composition in verse written in certain measures, whether in blank verse or in rhyme, and characterized by imagination and poetic diction; -- contradistinguished from prose; as, the poems of Homer or of Milton.

2. A composition, not in verse, of which the language is highly imaginative or impassioned; as, a prose poem; the poems of Ossian.

Po`em*at"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;.] Pertaining to a poem, or to poetry; poetical. [R.] Coleridge.

Po*e"na*mu (?), n. (Min.) A variety of jade or nephrite, -- used in New Zealand for the manufacture of axes and weapons.

||Po*eph"a*ga (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pohfa`gos grass eating; po`a grass + fagei^n to eat.] (Zoöl.) A group of herbivorous marsupials including the kangaroos and their allies. -- Po*eph"a*gous (#), a.

Po"e*sy (?), n. [F. poésie (cf. It. poesia), L. poesis, from Gr. &?;. from &?; to make. Cf. Posy.]

1. The art of composing poems; poetical skill or faculty; as, the heavenly gift of poesy. Shak.

Po"et (?), n. [F. poëte, L. poëta, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to make. Cf. Poem.] One skilled in making poetry; one who has a particular genius for metrical composition; the author of a poem; an imaginative thinker or writer.

Po"et*as`ter (?), n. An inferior rhymer, or writer of verses; a dabbler in poetic art.

{ Po*et"ic (?), Po*et"ic*al (?), } a. [L. poëticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. poétiquee.] 1. Of or pertaining to poetry; suitable for poetry, or for writing poetry; as, poetic talent, theme, work, sentiments. Shak.

2. Expressed in metrical form; exhibiting the imaginative or the rhythmical quality of poetry; as, a poetical composition; poetical prose.

Po*et"ics (?), n. [Cf. F. poétique, L. poëtica, poëtice, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;.] The principles and rules of the art of poetry. J. Warton.

Po"et*ize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Poetized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poetizing.] [Cf. F. poétiser.] To write as a poet; to compose verse; to idealize.

Po"et*ry (?), n. [OF. poeterie. See Poet.] 1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression.

2. Imaginative language or composition, whether expressed rhythmically or in prose. Specifically: Metrical composition; verse; rhyme; poems collectively; as, heroic poetry; dramatic poetry; lyric or Pindaric poetry. "The planetlike music of poetry." Sir P. Sidney.

Pogy is often confounded with porgy, and therefore incorrectly applied to various fishes.

Po"i (?), n. A national food of the Hawaiians, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.

{ Poi"ci*le (?), or Pœ"ci*le (?) }, n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; (sc. &?;); cf. L. poecile.] The frescoed porch or gallery in Athens where Zeno taught. R. Browning.

Poign"an*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being poignant; as, the poignancy of satire; the poignancy of grief. Swift.

Poign"ant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent.] 1. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. "His poignant spear." Spenser. "Poynaunt sauce." Chaucer.

Poi"ki*lo*cyte (poi"k*l*st), n. [Gr. poiki`los diversified, changeable + ky`tos hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) An irregular form of corpuscle found in the blood in cases of profound anæmia, probably a degenerated red blood corpuscle.

{ Poi`ki*lo*ther"mal (-thr"mal), Poi`ki*lo*ther"mic (-thr"mk), } a. [Gr. poiki`los changeable + E. thermal, thermic.] (Physiol.) Having a varying body temperature. See Homoiothermal.

||Poin`ci*a"na (?), n. [NL. Named after M. de Poinci, a governor of the French West Indies.] (Bot.) A prickly tropical shrub (Cæsalpinia, formerly Poinciana, pulcherrima), with bipinnate leaves, and racemes of showy orange-red flowers with long crimson filaments.

The genus Poinciana is kept up for three trees of Eastern Africa, the Mascarene Islands, and India.

Poind (poind), v. t. [See Pound to confine.] 1. To impound, as cattle. [Obs. or Scot.] Flavel.

Poind"er (-r), n. 1. The keeper of a cattle pound; a pinder. [Obs. or Scot.] T. Adams.

||Poin*set"ti*a (poin*st"t*), n. [NL. Named after Joel R. Poinsett of South Carolina.] (Bot.) A Mexican shrub (Euphorbia pulcherrima) with very large and conspicuous vermilion bracts below the yellowish flowers.

Point, n. [F. point, and probably also pointe, L. punctum, puncta, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See Pungent, and cf. Puncto, Puncture.] 1. That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of anything, esp. the sharp end of a piercing instrument, as a needle or a pin.

2. An instrument which pricks or pierces, as a sort of needle used by engravers, etchers, lace workers, and others; also, a pointed cutting tool, as a stone cutter's point; -- called also pointer.

3. Anything which tapers to a sharp, well- defined termination. Specifically: A small promontory or cape; a tract of land extending into the water beyond the common shore line.

4. The mark made by the end of a sharp, piercing instrument, as a needle; a prick.

5. An indefinitely small space; a mere spot indicated or supposed. Specifically: (Geom.) That which has neither parts nor magnitude; that which has position, but has neither length, breadth, nor thickness, -- sometimes conceived of as the limit of a line; that by the motion of which a line is conceived to be produced.

7. A mark of punctuation; a character used to mark the divisions of a composition, or the pauses to be observed in reading, or to point off groups of figures, etc.; a stop, as a comma, a semicolon, and esp. a period; hence, figuratively, an end, or conclusion.

8. Whatever serves to mark progress, rank, or relative position, or to indicate a transition from one state or position to another, degree; step; stage; hence, position or condition attained; as, a point of elevation, or of depression; the stock fell off five points; he won by tenpoints. "A point of precedence." Selden. "Creeping on from point to point." Tennyson.

9. That which arrests attention, or indicates qualities or character; a salient feature; a characteristic; a peculiarity; hence, a particular; an item; a detail; as, the good or bad points of a man, a horse, a book, a story, etc.

10. Hence, the most prominent or important feature, as of an argument, discourse, etc.; the essential matter; esp., the proposition to be established; as, the point of an anecdote. "Here lies the point." Shak.

12. (Mus.) A dot or mark used to designate certain tones or time; as: (a) (Anc. Mus.) A dot or mark distinguishing or characterizing certain tones or styles; as, points of perfection, of augmentation, etc.; hence, a note; a tune. "Sound the trumpet - - not a levant, or a flourish, but a point of war." Sir W. Scott. (b) (Mod. Mus.) A dot placed at the right hand of a note, to raise its value, or prolong its time, by one half, as to make a whole note equal to three half notes, a half note equal to three quarter notes.

13. (Astron.) A fixed conventional place for reference, or zero of reckoning, in the heavens, usually the intersection of two or more great circles of the sphere, and named specifically in each case according to the position intended; as, the equinoctial points; the solstitial points; the nodal points; vertical points, etc. See Equinoctial Nodal.

14. (Her.) One of the several different parts of the escutcheon. See Escutcheon.

15. (Naut.) (a) One of the points of the compass (see Points of the compass, below); also, the difference between two points of the compass; as, to fall off a point. (b) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See Reef point, under Reef.

16. (Anc. Costume) A a string or lace used to tie together certain parts of the dress. Sir W. Scott.

17. Lace wrought the needle; as, point de Venise; Brussels point. See Point lace, below.

20. (Cricket) A fielder who is stationed on the off side, about twelve or fifteen yards from, and a little in advance of, the batsman.

21. The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game; as, the dog came to a point. See Pointer.

22. (Type Making) A standard unit of measure for the size of type bodies, being one twelfth of the thickness of pica type. See Point system of type, under Type.

25. (Fencing) A movement executed with the saber or foil; as, tierce point.

The word point is a general term, much used in the sciences, particularly in mathematics, mechanics, perspective, and physics, but generally either in the geometrical sense, or in that of degree, or condition of change, and with some accompanying descriptive or qualifying term, under which, in the vocabulary, the specific uses are explained; as, boiling point, carbon point, dry point, freezing point, melting point, vanishing point, etc.

At all points, in every particular, completely; perfectly. Shak. -- At point, In point, At, In, or On, the point, as near as can be; on the verge; about (see About, prep., 6); as, at the point of death; he was on the point of speaking. "In point to fall down." Chaucer. "Caius Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered himself so valiantly as brought day on his side." Milton. -- Dead point. (Mach.) Same as Dead center, under Dead. -- Far point (Med.), in ophthalmology, the farthest point at which objects are seen distinctly. In normal eyes the nearest point at which objects are seen distinctly; either with the two eyes together (binocular near point), or with each eye separately (monocular near point). -- Nine points of the law, all but the tenth point; the greater weight of authority. -- On the point. See At point, above. -- Point lace, lace wrought with the needle, as distinguished from that made on the pillow. -- Point net, a machine-made lace imitating a kind of Brussels lace (Brussels ground). -- Point of concurrence (Geom.), a point common to two lines, but not a point of tangency or of intersection, as, for instance, that in which a cycloid meets its base. -- Point of contrary flexure, a point at which a curve changes its direction of curvature, or at which its convexity and concavity change sides. -- Point of order, in parliamentary practice, a question of order or propriety under the rules. -- Point of sight (Persp.), in a perspective drawing, the point assumed as that occupied by the eye of the spectator. -- Point of view, the relative position from which anything is seen or any subject is considered. -- Points of the compass (Naut.), the thirty-two points of division of the compass card in the mariner's compass; the corresponding points by which the circle of the horizon is supposed to be divided, of which the four marking the directions of east, west, north, and south, are called cardinal points, and the rest are named from their respective directions, as N. by E., N. N. E., N. E. by N., N. E., etc. See Illust. under Compass. -- Point paper, paper pricked through so as to form a stencil for transferring a design. -- Point system of type. See under Type. -- Singular point (Geom.), a point of a curve which possesses some property not possessed by points in general on the curve, as a cusp, a point of inflection, a node, etc. -- To carry one's point, to accomplish one's object, as in a controversy. -- To make a point of, to attach special importance to. -- To make, or gain, a point, accomplish that which was proposed; also, to make advance by a step, grade, or position. -- To mark, or score, a point, as in billiards, cricket, etc., to note down, or to make, a successful hit, run, etc. -- To strain a point, to go beyond the proper limit or rule; to stretch one's authority or conscience. -- Vowel point, in Hebrew, and certain other Eastern and ancient languages, a mark placed above or below the consonant, or attached to it, representing the vowel, or vocal sound, which precedes or follows the consonant.

Point (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pointed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pointing.] [Cf. F. pointer. See Point, n.] 1. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut, forge, grind, or file to an acute end; as, to point a dart, or a pencil. Used also figuratively; as, to point a moral.

2. To direct toward an abject; to aim; as, to point a gun at a wolf, or a cannon at a fort.

4. To supply with punctuation marks; to punctuate; as, to point a composition.

6. To give particular prominence to; to designate in a special manner; to indicate, as if by pointing; as, the error was pointed out. Pope.

8. (Masonry) To fill up and finish the joints of (a wall), by introducing additional cement or mortar, and bringing it to a smooth surface.

To point a rope (Naut.), to taper and neatly finish off the end by interweaving the nettles. -- To point a sail (Naut.), to affix points through the eyelet holes of the reefs. -- To point off, to divide into periods or groups, or to separate, by pointing, as figures. -- To point the yards (of a vessel) (Naut.), to brace them so that the wind shall strike the sails obliquely. Totten.

Point (point), v. i. 1. To direct the point of something, as of a finger, for the purpose of designating an object, and attracting attention to it; -- with at.

2. To indicate the presence of game by fixed and steady look, as certain hunting dogs do.

To point at, to treat with scorn or contempt by pointing or directing attention to. -- To point well (Naut.), to sail close to the wind; -- said of a vessel.

Point"al (?), n. [From Point: cf. F. pointal an upright wooden prop, OF. pointille a prick or prickle.]

2. A kind of pencil or style used with the tablets of the Middle Ages. "A pair of tablets [i. e., tablets] . . . and a pointel." Chaucer.

Point`-blank" (?), n. [F. point point + blanc white.] 1. The white spot on a target, at which an arrow or other missile is aimed. [Obs.] Jonson.

2. (Mil.) (a) With all small arms, the second point in which the natural line of sight, when horizontal, cuts the trajectory. (b) With artillery, the point where the projectile first strikes the horizontal plane on which the gun stands, the axis of the piece being horizontal.

Point`-blank", a. 1. Directed in a line toward the object aimed at; aimed directly toward the mark.

2. Hence, direct; plain; unqualified; -- said of language; as, a point-blank assertion.

Point-blank range, the extent of the apparent right line of a ball discharged. -- Point-blank shot, the shot of a gun pointed directly toward the object to be hit.

{ Point`-de*vice", Point`-de*vise" } (?), a. [OE. at point devis; at at + point point, condition + devis exact, careful, OF. devis fixed, set. See Device.] Uncommonly nice and exact; precise; particular.

2. Characterized by sharpness, directness, or pithiness of expression; terse; epigrammatic; especially, directed to a particular person or thing.

Pointed arch (Arch.), an arch with a pointed crown. -- Pointed style (Arch.), a name given to that style of architecture in which the pointed arch is the predominant feature; -- more commonly called Gothic.

Point"er (?), n. One who, or that which, points. Specifically: (a) The hand of a timepiece. (b) (Zoöl.) One of a breed of dogs trained to stop at scent of game, and with the nose point it out to sportsmen. (c) pl. (Astron.) The two stars (Merak and Dubhe) in the Great Bear, the line between which points nearly in the direction of the north star. See Illust. of Ursa Major. (b) pl. (Naut.) Diagonal braces sometimes fixed across the hold.

2. The act of designating, as a position or direction, by means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.

4. The act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.

5. The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.

6. (Sculpt.) The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.

Point`ing*stock` (?), n. An object of ridicule or scorn; a laughingstock. Shak.

Point"less, a. Having no point; blunt; wanting keenness; obtuse; as, a pointless sword; a pointless remark.

Point"let*ed (?), a. (Bot.) Having a small, distinct point; apiculate. Henslow.

Points"man (?), n.; pl. - men (-men). A man who has charge of railroad points or switches. [Eng.]

Poise (?), n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr. L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out. Cf. Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.] [Formerly written also peise.] 1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness. "Weights of an extraordinary poise." Evelyn.

2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.

3. The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. Bentley.

Poise (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poised, (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Poising.] [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh, balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il pèse, fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Poise, n., and cf. Pensive.] [Formerly written also peise.] 1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.

Poise, v. i. To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.

Poi"son (?), n. [F. poison, in Old French also, a potion, fr. L. potio a drink, draught, potion, a poisonous draught, fr. potare to drink. See Potable, and cf. Potion.] 1. Any agent which, when introduced into the animal organism, is capable of producing a morbid, noxious, or deadly effect upon it; as, morphine is a deadly poison; the poison of pestilential diseases.

2. That which taints or destroys moral purity or health; as, the poison of evil example; the poison of sin.

Poison ash. (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Amyris (A. balsamifera) found in the West Indies, from the trunk of which a black liquor distills, supposed to have poisonous qualities. (b) The poison sumac (Rhus venenata). [U. S.] -- Poison dogwood (Bot.), poison sumac. -- Poison fang (Zoöl.), one of the superior maxillary teeth of some species of serpents, which, besides having the cavity for the pulp, is either perforated or grooved by a longitudinal canal, at the lower end of which the duct of the poison gland terminates. See Illust. under Fang. -- Poison gland (Biol.), a gland, in animals or plants, which secretes an acrid or venomous matter, that is conveyed along an organ capable of inflicting a wound. -- Poison hemlock (Bot.), a poisonous umbelliferous plant (Conium maculatum). See Hemlock. -- Poison ivy (Bot.), a poisonous climbing plant (Rhus Toxicodendron) of North America. It is common on stone walls and on the trunks of trees, and has trifoliate, rhombic-ovate, variously notched leaves. Many people are poisoned by it, if they touch the leaves. See Poison sumac. Called also poison oak, and mercury. -- Poison nut. (Bot.) (a) Nux vomica. (b) The tree which yields this seed (Strychnos Nuxvomica). It is found on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts. -- Poison oak (Bot.), the poison ivy; also, the more shrubby Rhus diversiloba of California and Oregon. -- Poison sac. (Zoöl.) Same as Poison gland, above. See Illust. under Fang. -- Poison sumac (Bot.), a poisonous shrub of the genus Rhus (R. venenata); -- also called poison ash, poison dogwood, and poison elder. It has pinnate leaves on graceful and slender common petioles, and usually grows in swampy places. Both this plant and the poison ivy (Rhus Toxicodendron) have clusters of smooth greenish white berries, while the red-fruited species of this genus are harmless. The tree (Rhus vernicifera) which yields the celebrated Japan lacquer is almost identical with the poison sumac, and is also very poisonous. The juice of the poison sumac also forms a lacquer similar to that of Japan.

Syn. -- Venom; virus; bane; pest; malignity. -- Poison, Venom. Poison usually denotes something received into the system by the mouth, breath, etc. Venom is something discharged from animals and received by means of a wound, as by the bite or sting of serpents, scorpions, etc. Hence, venom specifically implies some malignity of nature or purpose.

Poi"son, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poisoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poisoning.] [Cf. OF. poisonner, F. empoissoner, L. potionare to give to drink. See Poison, n.]

1. To put poison upon or into; to infect with poison; as, to poison an arrow; to poison food or drink. "The ingredients of our poisoned chalice." Shak.

3. To taint; to corrupt; to vitiate; as, vice poisons happiness; slander poisoned his mind.

Poi"son*a*ble (?), a. 1. Capable of poisoning; poisonous. [Obs.] "Poisonable heresies." Tooker.

Poi"son*ous (?), a. Having the qualities or effects of poison; venomous; baneful; corrupting; noxious. Shak. -- Poi"son*ous*ly, adv. -- Poi"son*ous*ness, n.

Poi"trel (?), n. [OE. poitrel, F. poitrail, fr. L. pectorale a breastplate, fr. pectoralis, a. See Pectoral, a.] (Anc. Armor) The breastplate of the armor of a horse. See Peytrel. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Poke (?), n. (Bot.) A large North American herb of the genus Phytolacca (P. decandra), bearing dark purple juicy berries; -- called also garget, pigeon berry, pocan, and pokeweed. The root and berries have emetic and purgative properties, and are used in medicine. The young shoots are sometimes eaten as a substitute for asparagus, and the berries are said to be used in Europe to color wine.

Poke, n. [AS. poca, poha, pohha; akin to Icel. poki, OD. poke, and perh. to E. pock; cf. also Gael. poca, and OF. poque. Cf. Pock, Pocket, Pouch.] 1. A bag; a sack; a pocket. "He drew a dial from his poke." Shak.

To boy a pig a poke (that is, in a bag), to buy a thing without knowledge or examination of it. Camden.

Poke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poking.] [Cf. LG. poken to prick, pierce, thrust, pok a dagger, knife, D. pook, G. pocken to beat, also Ir. poc a blow, Gael. puc to push.] 1. To thrust or push against or into with anything pointed; hence, to stir up; to excite; as, to poke a fire.

To poke fun, to excite fun; to joke; to jest. [Colloq.] -- To poke fun at, to make a butt of; to ridicule. [Colloq.]

Poke, v. i. To search; to feel one's way, as in the dark; to grope; as, to poke about.

Poke, n. 1. The act of poking; a thrust; a jog; as, a poke in the ribs. Ld. Lytton.

2. A lazy person; a dawdler; also, a stupid or uninteresting person. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

3. A contrivance to prevent an animal from leaping or breaking through fences. It consists of a yoke with a pole inserted, pointed forward. [U.S.]

Poke"bag` (?), n. [So called in allusion to its baglike nest.] (Zoöl.) The European long- tailed titmouse; -- called also poke-pudding. [Prov. Eng.]

2. That which pokes or is used in poking, especially a metal bar or rod used in stirring a fire of coals.

Poker picture, a picture formed in imitation of bisterwashed drawings, by singeing the surface of wood with a heated poker or other iron. Fairholt.

Pok"er, n. [Of uncertain etymol.] A game at cards derived from brag, and first played about 1835 in the Southwestern United States. Johnson's Cyc.

Pok"er, n. [Cf. Dan. pokker the deuce, devil, also W. pwci, a hobgoblin, bugbear, and E. puck.] Any imagined frightful object, especially one supposed to haunt the darkness; a bugbear. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pok"er*ish, a. Infested by pokers; adapted to excite fear; as, a pokerish place. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pok"ing-stick` (?), n. A small stick or rod of steel, formerly used in adjusting the plaits of ruffs. Shak.

Po*lac"ca (?), n. [It. polacca, polaccra, polacra; cf. F. polaque, polacre, Sp. polacre,] [Written also polacre.] 1. (Naut.) A vessel with two or three masts, used in the Mediterranean. The masts are usually of one piece, and without tops, caps, or crosstrees.

Po"lar (?), a. [Cf. F. polaire. See Pole of the earth.] 1. Of or pertaining to one of the poles of the earth, or of a sphere; situated near, or proceeding from, one of the poles; as, polar regions; polar seas; polar winds.

2. Of or pertaining to the magnetic pole, or to the point to which the magnetic needle is directed.

3. (Geom.) Pertaining to, reckoned from, or having a common radiating point; as, polar coördinates.

Polar axis, that axis of an astronomical instrument, as an equatorial, which is parallel to the earths axis. -- Polar bear (Zoöl.), a large bear (Ursus, or Thalarctos, maritimus) inhabiting the arctic regions. It sometimes measures nearly nine feet in length and weighs 1,600 pounds. It is partially amphibious, very powerful, and the most carnivorous of all the bears. The fur is white, tinged with yellow. Called also White bear. See Bear. -- Polar body, cell, or globule (Biol.), a minute cell which separates by karyokinesis from the ovum during its maturation. In the maturation of ordinary ova two polar bodies are formed, but in parthogenetic ova only one. The first polar body formed is usually larger than the second one, and often divides into two after its separation from the ovum. Each of the polar bodies removes maternal chromatin from the ovum to make room for the chromatin of the fertilizing spermatozoön; but their functions are not fully understood. -- Polar circles (Astron. & Geog.), two circles, each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to the obliquity of the ecliptic, or about 23° 28′, the northern called the arctic circle, and the southern the antarctic circle. -- Polar clock, a tube, containing a polarizing apparatus, turning on an axis parallel to that of the earth, and indicating the hour of the day on an hour circle, by being turned toward the plane of maximum polarization of the light of the sky, which is always 90° from the sun. -- Polar coördinates. See under 3d Coördinate. -- Polar dial, a dial whose plane is parallel to a great circle passing through the poles of the earth. Math. Dict. -- Polar distance, the angular distance of any point on a sphere from one of its poles, particularly of a heavenly body from the north pole of the heavens. -- Polar equation of a line or surface, an equation which expresses the relation between the polar coördinates of every point of the line or surface. -- Polar forces (Physics), forces that are developed and act in pairs, with opposite tendencies or properties in the two elements, as magnetism, electricity, etc. -- Polar hare (Zoöl.), a large hare of Arctic America (Lepus arcticus), which turns pure white in winter. It is probably a variety of the common European hare (L. timidus). -- Polar lights, the aurora borealis or australis. -- Polar, or Polaric, opposition or contrast (Logic), an opposition or contrast made by the existence of two opposite conceptions which are the extremes in a species, as white and black in colors; hence, as great an opposition or contrast as possible. -- Polar projection. See under Projection. -- Polar spherical triangle (Spherics), a spherical triangle whose three angular points are poles of the sides of a given triangle. See 4th Pole, 2. -- Polar whale (Zoöl.), the right whale, or bowhead. See Whale.

Po"lar (?), n. (Conic Sections) The right line drawn through the two points of contact of the two tangents drawn from a given point to a given conic section. The given point is called the pole of the line. If the given point lies within the curve so that the two tangents become imaginary, there is still a real polar line which does not meet the curve, but which possesses other properties of the polar. Thus the focus and directrix are pole and polar. There are also poles and polar curves to curves of higher degree than the second, and poles and polar planes to surfaces of the second degree.

Po"lar*i*ly (?), adv. In a polary manner; with polarity. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Po`lar*im"e*ter (?), n. [Polar + -meter.] (Opt.) An instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light, or the proportion of polarized light, in a partially polarized ray.

Po`lar*im"e*try (?), n. (Opt.) The art or process of measuring the polarization of light.

||Po*la"ris (?), n. [NL. See Polar.] (Astron.) The polestar. See North star, under North.

Po*lar"i*scope (?), n. [Polar + -scope.] (Opt.) An instrument consisting essentially of a polarizer and an analyzer, used for polarizing light, and analyzing its properties.

Po*lar`i*scop"ic (?), a. (Opt.) Of or pertaining to the polariscope; obtained by the use of a polariscope; as, polariscopic observations.

Po`lar*is"co*py (?), n. (Opt.) The art or rocess of making observations with the polariscope.

Po`lar*is"tic (?), a. Pertaining to, or exhibiting, poles; having a polar arrangement or disposition; arising from, or dependent upon, the possession of poles or polar characteristics; as, polaristic antagonism.

Po*lar"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. polarité.] 1. (Physics) That quality or condition of a body in virtue of which it exhibits opposite, or contrasted, properties or powers, in opposite, or contrasted, parts or directions; or a condition giving rise to a contrast of properties corresponding to a contrast of positions, as, for example, attraction and repulsion in the opposite parts of a magnet, the dissimilar phenomena corresponding to the different sides of a polarized ray of light, etc.

2. (Geom.) A property of the conic sections by virtue of which a given point determines a corresponding right line and a given right line determines a corresponding point. See Polar, n.

2. (Opt.) A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat, in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in different directions.

If a beam of light, which has been reflected from a plate of unsilvered glass at an angle of about 56°, be received upon a second plate of glass similar to the former, and at the same angle of incidence, the light will be readily reflected when the two planes of incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be reflected when the two planes of incidence are perpendicular to each other. The light has, therefore, acquired new properties by reflection from the first plate of glass, and is called polarized light, while the modification which the light has experienced by this reflection is called polarization. The plane in which the beam of light is reflected from the first mirror is called the plane of polarization. The angle of polarization is the angle at which a beam of light must be reflected, in order that the polarization may be the most complete. The term polarization was derived from the theory of emission, and it was conceived that each luminous molecule has two poles analogous to the poles of a magnet; but this view is not now held. According to the undulatory theory, ordinary light is produced by vibrations transverse or perpendicular to the direction of the ray, and distributed as to show no distinction as to any particular direction. But when, by any means, these, vibrations are made to take place in one plane, the light is said to be plane polarized. If only a portion of the vibrations lie in one plane the ray is said to be partially polarized. Light may be polarized by several methods other than by reflection, as by refraction through most crystalline media, or by being transmitted obliquely through several plates of glass with parallel faces. If a beam of polarized light be transmitted through a crystal of quartz in the direction of its axis, the plane of polarization will be changed by an angle proportional to the thickness of the crystal. This phenomenon is called rotatory polarization. A beam of light reflected from a metallic surface, or from glass surfaces under certain peculiar conditions, acquires properties still more complex, its vibrations being no longer rectilinear, but circular, or elliptical. This phenomenon is called circular or elliptical polarization.

3. (Elec.) An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic battery, or the electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the deposition upon them of the gases liberated by the action of the current. It is chiefly due to the hydrogen, and results in an increase of the resistance, and the setting up of an opposing electro- motive force, both of which tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing through the cell.

Po"lar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Polarizing (?).] [Cf. F. polariser.] To communicate polarity to.

Po"lar*i`zer (?), n. (Physics) That which polarizes; especially, the part of a polariscope which receives and polarizes the light. It is usually a reflecting plate, or a plate of some crystal, as tourmaline, or a doubly refracting crystal.

Po"lar*y (?), a. Tending to a pole; having a direction toward a pole. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

||Po`la`touche" (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) A flying squirrel (Sciuropterus volans) native of Northern Europe and Siberia; -- called also minene.

Pol"der (?), n. [D.] A tract of low land reclaimed from the sea by of high embankments. [Holland & Belgium]

Pold"way` (?), n. [Cf. Poledavy.] A kind of coarse bagging, -- used for coal sacks. Weale.

Pole (?), n. [Cf. G. Pole a Pole, Polen Poland.] A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.

Pole, n. [As. pl, L. palus, akin to pangere to make fast. Cf. Pale a stake, Pact.] 1. A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back. (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported. (c) A Maypole. See Maypole. (d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a sign by barbers and hairdressers. (e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines, are trained.

2. A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5&?; yards, or a square measure equal to 30&?; square yards; a rod; a perch. Bacon.

Pole bean (Bot.), any kind of bean which is customarily trained on poles, as the scarlet runner or the Lima bean. -- Pole flounder (Zoöl.), a large deep-water flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), native of the northern coasts of Europe and America, and much esteemed as a food fish; -- called also craig flounder, and pole fluke. -- Pole lathe, a simple form of lathe, or a substitute for a lathe, in which the work is turned by means of a cord passing around it, one end being fastened to the treadle, and the other to an elastic pole above. -- Pole mast (Naut.), a mast formed from a single piece or from a single tree. -- Pole of a lens (Opt.), the point where the principal axis meets the surface. -- Pole plate (Arch.), a horizontal timber resting on the tiebeams of a roof and receiving the ends of the rafters. It differs from the plate in not resting on the wall.

Pole, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poling.] 1. To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops.

Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. &?; a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to &?; to move: cf. F. pôle.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole.

2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian.

3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle.

Magnetic pole. See under Magnetic. -- Poles of the earth, or Terrestrial poles (Geog.), the two opposite points on the earth's surface through which its axis passes. -- Poles of the heavens, or Celestial poles, the two opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide with the earth's axis produced, and about which the heavens appear to revolve.

{ Pole"ax`, Pole"axe` } (?), n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See Poll head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.

Pole"cat` (?), n. [Probably fr. F. poule hen, and originally, a poultry cat, because it feeds on poultry. See Poultry.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small European carnivore of the Weasel family (Putorius fœtidus). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called also fitchet, foulmart, and European ferret. (b) The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Pole"da`vy (?), n. [Etymology uncertain.] A sort of coarse canvas; poldway. [Obs.] Howell.

Pol"e*march (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; war + &?; leader, from &?; to be first.] (Gr. Antiq.) In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high military and civil officer.

Po*lem"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; warlike, fr.&?; war: cf. F. polémique.] 1. Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

2. Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer. South.

Po*lem"ic, n. 1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

Po*lem"ic*al (?), a. Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- Po*lem"ic*al*ly, adv.

Po*lem"ics (?), n. [Cf. F. polémique.] The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

Pol`e*mo`ni*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Polemoniaceæ), which includes Polemonium, Phlox, Gilia, and a few other genera.

||Pol`e*mo"ni*um (?). n. [NL., fr. Gr.&?; a kind of plant.] (Bot.) A genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the Jacob's ladder and the Greek valerian.

Po*lem"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; war + -scope: cf. F. polémoscope.] An opera glass or field glass with an oblique mirror arranged for seeing objects do not lie directly before the eye; -- called also diagonal, or side, opera glass.

Pol"e*my (?), n. [See Polemic.] Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]

||Po*len"ta (?), n. [It., fr. L. polenta peeled barley.] Pudding made of Indian meal; also, porridge made of chestnut meal. [Italy]

Pole"star` (?), n. 1. Polaris, or the north star. See North star, under North.

Pole"wards (?), adv. Toward a pole of the earth. "The regions further polewards." Whewell.

Pole"wig (?), n. [Cf. Polliwig.] (Zoöl.) The European spotted goby (Gobius minutus); -- called also pollybait. [Prov. Eng.]

Po"ley, a. Without horns; polled. [Prov. Eng.] "That poley heifer." H. Kingsley.

Po"li*a*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; to become gray.] (Min.) Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as hard as quartz.

Po*lice" (?), n. [F., fr. L. politia the condition of a state, government, administration, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be a citizen, to govern or administer a state, fr. &?; citizen, fr. &?; city; akin to Skr. pur, puri. Cf. Policy polity, Polity.] 1. A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.

2. That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.

3. The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.

4. (Mil.) Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.

5. The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state &?; a camp as to cleanliness.

Police commissioner, a civil officer, usually one of a board, commissioned to regulate and control the appointment, duties, and discipline of the police. -- Police constable, or Police officer, a policeman. -- Police court, a minor court to try persons brought before it by the police. -- Police inspector, an officer of police ranking next below a superintendent. -- Police jury, a body of officers who collectively exercise jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes, etc.; -- so called in Louisiana. Bouvier. -- Police justice, or Police magistrate, a judge of a police court. -- Police offenses (Law), minor offenses against the order of the community, of which a police court may have final jurisdiction. -- Police station, the headquarters of the police, or of a section of them; the place where the police assemble for orders, and to which they take arrested persons.

Po*lice", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Policed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Policing.] 1. To keep in order by police.

Po*liced" (?), a. Regulated by laws for the maintenance of peace and order, enforced by organized administration. "A policed kingdom." Howell.

Po*lice"man (?), n.; pl. Policemen (&?;). A member of a body of police; a constable.

Pol"i*cy (?), n.; pl. Policies (#). [L. politia, Gr. &?;; cf. F. police, Of. police. See Police, n.] 1. Civil polity. [Obs.]

2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.

3. The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.

4. Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.

5. Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.

Pol"i*cy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Policied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Policying.] To regulate by laws; to reduce to order. [Obs.] "Policying of cities." Bacon.

Pol"i*cy, n. [F. police; cf. Pr. polissia, Sp. pólizia, It. pólizza; of uncertain origin; cf. L. pollex thumb (as being used in pressing the seal), in LL. also, seal; or cf. LL. politicum, poleticum, polecticum, L. polyptychum, account book, register, fr. Gr. &?; having many folds or leaves; &?; many + &?; fold, leaf, from &?; to fold; or cf. LL. apodixa a receipt.] 1. A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.

2. The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance.

3. A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.

Interest policy, a policy that shows by its form that the assured has a real, substantial interest in the matter insured. -- Open policy, one in which the value of the goods or property insured is not mentioned. -- Policy book, a book to contain a record of insurance policies. -- Policy holder, one to whom an insurance policy has been granted. -- Policy shop, a gambling place where one may bet on the numbers which will be drawn in lotteries. -- Valued policy, one in which the value of the goods, property, or interest insured is specified. -- Wager policy, a policy that shows on the face of it that the contract it embodies is a pretended insurance, founded on an ideal risk, where the insured has no interest in anything insured.

Pol"ing (?), n. [From Pole a stick.] 1. The act of supporting or of propelling by means of a pole or poles; as, the poling of beans; the poling of a boat.

2. (Gardening) The operation of dispersing worm casts over the walks with poles.

3. One of the poles or planks used in upholding the side earth in excavating a tunnel, ditch, etc.

Pol"ish (?), a. [From Pole a Polander.] Of or pertaining to Poland or its inhabitants. - - n. The language of the Poles.

Pol"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Polishing.] [F. polir, L. polire. Cf. Polite, -ish] 1. To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; to overspread with luster; as, to polish glass, marble, metals, etc.

2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, coarseness, or rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to polish life or manners. Milton.

To polish off, to finish completely, as an adversary. [Slang] W. H. Russell.

Pol"ish, v. i. To become smooth, as from friction; to receive a gloss; to take a smooth and glossy surface; as, steel polishes well. Bacon.

Pol"ish, n. 1. A smooth, glossy surface, usually produced by friction; a gloss or luster.

Pol"ished (?), a. Made smooth and glossy, as by friction; hence, highly finished; refined; polite; as, polished plate; polished manners; polished verse.

Pol"ish*er (?), n. One who, or that which, polishes; also, that which is used in polishing. Addison.

Polishing iron, an iron burnisher; esp., a small smoothing iron used in laundries. -- Polishing slate. (a) A gray or yellow slate, found in Bohemia and Auvergne, and used for polishing glass, marble, and metals. (b) A kind of hone or whetstone; hone slate. -- Polishing snake, a tool used in cleaning lithographic stones. -- Polishing wheel, a wheel or disk coated with, or composed of, abrading material, for polishing a surface.

Po*lite" (?), a. [Compar. Politer (?); superl. Politest.] [L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See Polish, v.] 1. Smooth; polished. [Obs.]

2. Smooth and refined in behavior or manners; well bred; courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.

3. Characterized by refinement, or a high degree of finish; as, polite literature. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Polished; refined; well bred; courteous; affable; urbane; civil; courtly; elegant; genteel.

Po*lite"ly (?), adv. 1. In a polished manner; so as to be smooth or glossy. [Obs.] Milton.

2. The quality or state of being polite; refinement of manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance; obliging attentions.

Syn. -- Courtesy; good breeding; refinement; urbanity; courteousness; affability; complaisance; civility; gentility; courtliness. -- Politeness, Courtesy. Politeness denotes that ease and gracefulness of manners which first sprung up in cities, connected with a desire to please others by anticipating their wants and wishes, and studiously avoiding whatever might give them pain. Courtesy is, etymologically, the politeness of courts. It displays itself in the address and manners; it is shown more especially in receiving and entertaining others, and is a union of dignified complaisance and kindness.

Pol"i*tic (?), a. [L. politicus political, Gr. &?; belonging to the citizens or to the state, fr.&?; citizen: cf. F. politique. See Police, and cf. ePolitical.] 1. Of or pertaining to polity, or civil government; political; as, the body politic. See under Body.

2. Pertaining to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong; -- said of things; as, a politic treaty. "Enrich'd with politic grave counsel." Shak.

3. Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious; and in a bad sense, artful; unscrupulous; cunning; -- said of persons.

Syn. -- Wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary; artful; cunning.

Po*lit"i*cal (?), a. 1. Having, or conforming to, a settled system of administration. [R.] "A political government." Evelyn.

2. Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics; relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a political writer. "The political state of Europe." Paley.

3. Of or pertaining to a party, or to parties, in the state; as, his political relations were with the Whigs.

Political economy, that branch of political science or philosophy which treats of the sources, and methods of production and preservation, of the material wealth and prosperity of nations.

Po*lit"i*cas`ter (?), n. [Cf. It. politicastro.] A petty politician; a pretender in politics. Milton.

1. One versed or experienced in the science of government; one devoted to politics; a statesman.

2. One primarily devoted to his own advancement in public office, or to the success of a political party; -- used in a depreciatory sense; one addicted or attached to politics as managed by parties (see Politics, 2); a schemer; an intriguer; as, a mere politician.

Pol`i*ti"cian, a. Cunning; using artifice; politic; artful. "Ill-meaning politician lords." Milton.

Pol"i*tic*ly (?), adv. In a politic manner; sagaciously; shrewdly; artfully. Pope.

Pol"i*tics (?), n. [Cf. F. politique, Gr. &?; (sc.&?;). See Politic.] 1. The science of government; that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and government of a nation or state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals.

2. The management of a political party; the conduct and contests of parties with reference to political measures or the administration of public affairs; the advancement of candidates to office; in a bad sense, artful or dishonest management to secure the success of political candidates or parties; political trickery.

Pol"i*tize (?), v. i. To play the politician; to dispute as politicians do. [Obs.] Milton.

Pol"i*ture (?), n. [L. politura, fr. polire to polish. See Polish, v.] Polish; gloss. [Obs.] Donne.

Pol"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Polities (#). [L. politia, Gr. &?;: cf. F. politie. See 1st Policy, Police.] 1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a nation or state; the framework or organization by which the various departments of government are combined into a systematic whole. Blackstone. Hooker.

2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the foundation of any human institution.

Syn. -- Policy. -- Polity, Policy. These two words were originally the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result; as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further sense of skillful or cunning management.

Po*litz`er*i*za"tion (?), n. (Med.) The act of inflating the middle ear by blowing air up the nose during the act of swallowing; -- so called from Prof. Politzer of Vienna, who first practiced it.

Pol"ka (?), n. [Pol. Polka a Polish woman: cf. F. & G. polka.] 1. A dance of Polish origin, but now common everywhere. It is performed by two persons in common time.

2. (Mus.) A lively Bohemian or Polish dance tune in 2-4 measure, with the third quaver accented.

Poll (?), n. [From Polly, The proper name.] A parrot; -- familiarly so called.

Poll, n. [Gr. &?; the many, the rabble.] One who does not try for honors, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman. [Cambridge Univ., Eng.]

Poll (?), n. [Akin to LG. polle the head, the crest of a bird, the top of a tree, OD. pol, polle, Dan. puld the crown of a hat.] 1. The head; the back part of the head. "All flaxen was his poll." Shak.

3. Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an election.

4. The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as, the close of the poll.

5. pl. The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls.

Poll book, a register of persons entitled to vote at an election. -- Poll evil (Far.), an inflammatory swelling or abscess on a horse's head, confined beneath the great ligament of the neck. -- Poll pick (Mining), a pole having a heavy spike on the end, forming a kind of crowbar. -- Poll tax, a tax levied by the head, or poll; a capitation tax.

Poll, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Polling.] 1. To remove the poll or head of; hence, to remove the top or end of; to clip; to lop; to shear; as, to poll the head; to poll a tree.

2. To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow or crop; -- sometimes with off; as, to poll the hair; to poll wool; to poll grass.

6. To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, esp. for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by one.

7. To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call forth, as votes or voters; as, he polled a hundred votes more than his opponent.

8. (Law) To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight line without indentation; as, a polled deed. See Dee&?; poll. Burrill.

To poll a jury, to call upon each member of the jury to answer individually as to his concurrence in a verdict which has been rendered.

Pol"lack (?), n. [Cf. G. & D. pollack, and Gael. pollag a little pool, a sort of fish.] (Zoöl.) (a) A marine gadoid food fish of Europe (Pollachius virens). Called also greenfish, greenling, lait, leet, lob, lythe, and whiting pollack. (b) The American pollock; the coalfish.

Pol"lan (?), n. [Cf. Gael. pollag a kind of fish.] (Zoöl.) A lake whitefish (Coregonus pollan), native of Ireland. In appearance it resembles a herring.

Pol"lard (?), n. [From Poll the head.] 1. A tree having its top cut off at some height above the ground, that may throw out branches. Pennant.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) A fish, the chub. (b) A stag that has cast its antlers. (c) A hornless animal (cow or sheep).

Pol"lard, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pollarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pollarding.] To lop the tops of, as trees; to poll; as, to pollard willows. Evelyn.

Polled (?), a. Deprived of a poll, or of something belonging to the poll. Specifically: (a) Lopped; -- said of trees having their tops cut off. (b) Cropped; hence, bald; -- said of a person. "The polled bachelor." Beau. & Fl. (c) Having cast the antlers; -- said of a stag. (d) Without horns; as, polled cattle; polled sheep.

Pol"len (?), n. [L. pollen fine flour, fine dust; cf. Gr. &?;] 1. Fine bran or flour. [Obs.] Bailey.

2. (Bot.) The fecundating dustlike cells of the anthers of flowers. See Flower, and Illust. of Filament.

Pollen grain (Bot.), a particle or call of pollen. -- Pollen mass, a pollinium. Gray. -- Pollen sac, a compartment of an anther containing pollen, -- usually there are four in each anther. -- Pollen tube, a slender tube which issues from the pollen grain on its contact with the stigma, which it penetrates, thus conveying, it is supposed, the fecundating matter of the grain to the ovule.

Pol`len*if"er*ous (?), a. [Pollen + -ferous.] (Bot.) Producing pollen; polliniferous.

Pol"len*in (?), n. [Cf. F. pollénine.] (Chem.) A substance found in the pollen of certain plants. [R.]

Pol"len*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pollenized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pollenizing (?).] To supply with pollen; to impregnate with pollen.

Poll"er (?), n. [From Poll] One who polls; specifically: (a) One who polls or lops trees. (b) One who polls or cuts hair; a barber. [R.] (c) One who extorts or plunders. [Obs.] Baex>. (d) One who registplws votplws, or one who enters his name as a voter.

||Pol"lex (?), n.; pl. Pollices (#). [the thumb.] (Anat.) The first, or preaxial, digit of the fore limb, corresponding to the hallux in the hind limb; the thumb. In birds, the pollex is the joint which bears the bastard wing.

Pol"li*cate (?), a. [L. pollex, pollicis, a thumb.] (Zoöl.) Having a curved projection or spine on the inner side of a leg joint; -- said of insects.

Pol*lic`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. pollicitatio, fr. pollicitari to promise, v. intens. fr. polliceri to promise: cf. F. pollicitation.] 1. A voluntary engagement, or a paper containing it; a promise. Bp. Burnet.

2. (Roman Law) A promise without mutuality; a promise which has not been accepted by the person to whom it is made. Bouvier.

Pol"li*nate (?), v. t. (Bot.) To apply pollen to (a stigma). -- Pol`li*na"tion (#), n. (Bot.)

||Pol*linc"tor (?), n. [L., fr. pollingere.] (Rom. Antiq.) One who prepared corpses for the funeral.

Poll"ing (?), n. [See Poll the head.] 1. The act of topping, lopping, or cropping, as trees or hedges.

Polling booth, a temporary structure where the voting at an election is done; a polling place.

Pol`li*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pollen, -inis, pollen + -ferous: cf. F. pollinifère.] (Bot.) Producing pollen; polleniferous.

||Pol*lin"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pollinia (#). [NL. See Pollen.] (Bot.) A coherent mass of pollen, as in the milkweed and most orchids.

Pol"li*nose` (?), a. [L. pollen, -inis, dust.] (Zoöl.) Having the surface covered with a fine yellow dust, like pollen.

{ Pol"li*wig (?), Pol"li*wog (?) }, n. [OE. polwigle. Cf. Poll head, and Wiggle.] (Zoöl.) A tadpole; -- called also purwiggy and porwigle.

Pol"lock (?), n. [See Pollack.] (Zoöl.) A marine gadoid fish (Pollachius carbonarius), native both of the European and American coasts. It is allied to the cod, and like it is salted and dried. In England it is called coalfish, lob, podley, podling, pollack, etc.

Pol"lu*cite (?), n. [See Pollux, and 4th Castor.] (Min.) A colorless transparent mineral, resembling quartz, occurring with castor or castorite on the island of Elba. It is a silicate of alumina and cæsia. Called also pollux.

Pol*lute" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Polluting.] [L. pollutus, p. p. of polluere to defile, to pollute, from a prep. appearing only in comp. + luere to wash. See Position, Lave.] 1. To make foul, impure, or unclean; to defile; to taint; to soil; to desecrate; -- used of physical or moral defilement.

3. (Jewish Law) To render ceremonially unclean; to disqualify or unfit for sacred use or service, or for social intercourse.

Syn. -- To defile; soil; contaminate; corrupt; taint; vitiate; debauch; dishonor; ravish.

Pol*lut"ed, a. Defiled; made unclean or impure; debauched. -- Pol*lut"ed*ly, adv. -- Pol*lut"ed*ness, n.

Pol*lut"ing, a. Adapted or tending to pollute; causing defilement or pollution. -- Pol*lut"ing*ly, adv.

Pol*lu"tion (?), n. [L. pollutio: cf. F. pollution.] 1. The act of polluting, or the state of being polluted (in any sense of the verb); defilement; uncleanness; impurity.

2. (Med.) The emission of semen, or sperm, at other times than in sexual intercourse. Dunglison.

||Pol"lux (?), n. [L., the twin brother of castor; also, the constellation.] 1. (Astron.) A fixed star of the second magnitude, in the constellation Gemini. Cf. 3d Castor.

Po"lo (?), n. [Of Eastern origin; -- properly, the ball used in the game.] 1. A game of ball of Eastern origin, resembling hockey, with the players on horseback.

2. A similar game played on the ice, or on a prepared floor, by players wearing skates.

Po`lo*naise" (?), a. [F. polonais, polonaise, Polish.] Of or pertaining to the Poles, or to Poland. [Written also Polonese.]

Po`lo*naise" (?), n. [Written also Polonese and Polonoise.] 1. The Polish language.

2. An article of dress for women, consisting of a body and an outer skirt in one piece.

3. (Mus.) A stately Polish dance tune, in 3-4 measure, beginning always on the beat with a quaver followed by a crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a polacca.

Po*lo"ny (?), n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. Bologna.] A kind of sausage made of meat partly cooked.

Polt (?), n. [Cf. E. pelt, L. pultare to beat, strike.] A blow or thump. Halliwell. -- a. Distorted.

{ Polt"-foot` (?), Polt"-foot`ed (?), } a. Having a distorted foot, or a clubfoot or clubfeet. B. Jonson.

Pol*troon" (?), n. [F. poltron, from It. poltrone an idle fellow, sluggard, coward, poltro idle, lazy, also, bed, fr. OHG. polstar, bolstar, cushion, G. polster, akin to E. bolster. See Bolster.] An arrant coward; a dastard; a craven; a mean-spirited wretch. Shak.

Pol*troon"er*y (?), n. [F. poltronnerie; cf. It. poltroneria.] Cowardice; want of spirit; pusillanimity.

Pol"ve*rine (?), n. [It. polverino, fr. polvere &?;ust, L. pulvis, - veris. See Powder.] Glassmaker's ashes; a kind of potash or pearlash, brought from the Levant and Syria, -- used in the manufacture of fine glass.

Pol"y- (?). [See Full, a.] A combining form or prefix from Gr. poly`s, many; as, polygon, a figure of many angles; polyatomic, having many atoms; polychord, polyconic.

Po"ly (?), n. [L. polium, the name of a plant, perhaps Teucrium polium, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A whitish woolly plant (Teucrium Polium) of the order Labiatæ, found throughout the Mediterranean region. The name, with sundry prefixes, is sometimes given to other related species of the same genus. [Spelt also poley.]

Pol`y*ac"id (?), a. [Poly- + acid.] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monobasic acid; having more than one hydrogen atom capable of being replaced by acid radicals; -- said of certain bases; as, calcium hydrate and glycerin are polyacid bases.

Pol`y*a*cous"tic (?), a. [Poly- + acoustic: cf. F. polyacoustique.] Multiplying or magnifying sound. -- n. A polyacoustic instrument.

||Pol`y*a"cron (?), n.; pl. Polyacra (#), E. Polyacrons (#). [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + 'a`kron summit.] (Geom.) A solid having many summits or angular points; a polyhedron.

||Pol`y*ac*tin"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Poly-, and Actinia.] (Zoöl.) An old name for those Anthozoa which, like the actinias, have numerous simple tentacles.

||Pol`y*a*del"phi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?; brother.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants having stamens united in three or more bodies or bundles by the filaments.

{ Pol`y*a*del"phi*an (?), Pol`y*a*del"phous (?), } a. (Bot.) Belonging to the class Polyadelphia; having stamens united in three or more bundles.

||Pol`y*an"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polyandry.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of monoclinous or hermaphrodite plants, having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.

Pol`y*an"dric (?), a. [Cf. polyandrique.] Pertaining to, or characterized by, polyandry; mating with several males. "Polyandric societies." H. Spencer.

Pol`y*an"drous (?), a. (Bot.) Belonging to the class Polyandria; having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.

Pol`y*an"dry (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?;, &?;, man, male: cf. F. polyandrie.] The possession by a woman of more than one husband at the same time; -- contrasted with monandry.

Pol`y*an"thus (?), n.; pl. Polyanthuses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; rich in flowers; poly`s many + &?; flower.] [Written also polyanthos.] (Bot.) (a) The oxlip. So called because the peduncle bears a many-flowered umbel. See Oxlip. (b) A bulbous flowering plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Tazetta, or N. polyanthus of some authors). See Illust. of Narcissus.

Pol"y*ar`chist (?), n. One who advocates polyarchy; -- opposed to monarchist. Cudworth.

Pol"y*ar`chy (?), n. [Poly- + -archy: cf. F. polyarchie. Cf. Polarchy.] A government by many persons, of whatever order or class. Cudworth.

Pol`y*a*tom"ic (?), a. [Poly- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Having more than one atom in the molecule; consisting of several atoms. (b) Having a valence greater than one. [Obs.]

Pol`y*au*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Poly- + autography.] The act or practice of multiplying copies of one's own handwriting, or of manuscripts, by printing from stone, -- a species of lithography.

Pol`y*ba"sic (?), a. [Poly- + basic.] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monacid base; having several hydrogen atoms capable of being replaced by basic radicals; -- said of certain acids; as, sulphuric acid is polybasic.

Pol`y*ba"site (?), n. [See Polybasic.] (Min.) An iron-black ore of silver, consisting of silver, sulphur, and antimony, with some copper and arsenic.

||Pol`y*bran"chi*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Poly-, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) A division of Nudibranchiata including those which have numerous branchiæ on the back.

Pol`y*bro"mide (?), n. [Poly- + bromide.] (Chem.) A bromide containing more than one atom of bromine in the molecule.

Pol`y*car"pel*la*ry (?), a. (Bot.) Composed of several or numerous carpels; -- said of such fruits as the orange.

{ Pol`y*car"pic (?), Pol`y*car"pous (?), } a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; fruit.] (Bot.) (a) Bearing fruit repeatedly, or year after year. (b) Having several pistils in one flower.

||Pol`y*chæ"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many + &?; hair.] (Zoöl.) One of the two principal groups of Chætopoda. It includes those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of setæ. See Illust. under Parapodia.

Pol`y*chlo"ride (?), n. [Poly- + chloride.] (Chem.) A chloride containing more than one atom of chlorine in the molecule.

Pol`y*chœr"a*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; wide-ruling.] A government by many chiefs, princes, or rules. [Obs.] Cudworth.

Pol"y*chord (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; string, cord.] Having many strings.

Pol"y*chord, n. (Mus.) (a) A musical instrument of ten strings. (b) An apparatus for coupling two octave notes, capable of being attached to a keyed instrument.

Pol"y*chrest (?), n. [Gr. &?; useful for many purposes; poly`s many + &?; useful, fr. &?; to use: cf. F. polychreste.] (Med.) A medicine that serves for many uses, or that cures many diseases. [Obs.]

Polychrest salt (Old Med. Chem.), potassium sulphate, specifically obtained by fusing niter with sulphur.

Pol"y*chro*ite (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; color: cf. F. polychroïte.] (Chem.) The coloring matter of saffron; -- formerly so called because of the change of color on treatment with certain acids; -- called also crocin, and safranin.

Pol`y*chro"mate (?), n. [See Polychromic.] (Chem.) A salt of a polychromic acid.

Pol`y*chro"mate, n. [See Polychromatic.] (Chem.) A compound which exhibits, or from which may be prepared, a variety of colors, as certain solutions derived from vegetables, which display colors by fluorescence.

Pol`y*chro*mat"ic (?), a. [Poly- + chromatic.] Showing a variety, or a change, of colors.

Polychromatic acid (Old Chem.), a substance obtained by the action of nitric acid on aloes.

Pol"y*chrome (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; color.] (Chem.) Esculin; -- so called in allusion to its fluorescent solutions. [R.]

Pol"y*chrome, a. [Cf. F. polychrome.] Executed in the manner of polychromy; as, polychrome printing.

Pol`y*chro"mic (?), a. [Poly- + (sense 1) Gr. &?;, or (sense 2) chromic.] 1. Polychromatic.

2. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, any one of several acids (known only in their salts) which contain more than one atom of chromium.

Pol`y*chro"mous (?), a. Of or pertaining to polychromy; many-colored; polychromatic.

Pol"y*chro`my (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; color.] (Anc. Art) The art or practice of combining different colors, especially brilliant ones, in an artistic way.

Pol`y*chro"ni*ous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; for a long time, &?; time.] Enduring through a long time; chronic.

Pol`y*clin"ic (?), n. [Poly- + clinic.] (Med.) A clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated; especially, an institution in which clinical instruction is given in all kinds of disease.

Pol`y*con"ic (?), a. [Poly- + conic.] Pertaining to, or based upon, many cones.

Polyconic projection (Map Making), a projection of the earth's surface, or any portion thereof, by which each narrow zone is projected upon a conical surface that touches the sphere along this zone, the conical surface being then unrolled. This projection differs from conic projection in that latter assumes but one cone for the whole map. Polyconic projection is that in use in the United States coast and geodetic survey.

Pol`y*cot`y*le"don (?), n. [Poly- + cotyledon: cf. F. polycotylédone.] (Bot.) A plant that has many, or more than two, cotyledons in the seed. -- Pol`y*cot`y*led"on*ous (#), a.

Pol`y*cot`y*led"on*a*ry (?), a. [Poly- + cotyledonary.] (Anat.) Having the villi of the placenta collected into definite patches, or cotyledons.

Po*lyc"ra*cy (?), n. [Poly- + -cracy, as in democracy.] Government by many rulers; polyarchy.

Pol`y*crot"ic (pl`*krt"k), a. [Poly- + Gr. krotei^n to beat.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to polycrotism; manifesting polycrotism; as, a polycrotic pulse; a polycrotic pulse curve.

Po*lyc"ro*tism (?), n. (Physiol.) That state or condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve, or sphygmogram, shows several secondary crests or elevations; -- contrasted with monocrotism and dicrotism.

Pol`y*cys"tid (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the Polycystidea. (b) One of the Polycystina. -- a. Pertaining to the Polycystidea, or the Polycystina.

||Pol`y*cys*tid"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Poly-, and Cystidea.] (Zoöl.) A division of Gregarinæ including those that have two or more internal divisions of the body.

||Pol`y*cys*ti"na (?), n. pl. [NL. See Poly-, and Cyst.] (Zoöl.) A division of Radiolaria including numerous minute marine species. The skeleton is composed of silica, and is often very elegant in form and sculpture. Many have been found in the fossil state.

Pol`y*cys"tine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Polycystina. -- n. One of the Polycystina.

||Pol`y*cyt*ta"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?;, dim. fr. &?; a hollow vessel.] (Zoöl.) A division of Radiolaria. It includes those having one more central capsules.

Pol`y*dac"tyl*ism (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; finger: cf. F. polydactylisme.] (Anat.) The possession of more that the normal number of digits.

||Pol`y*dip"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s much + &?; thirst.] (Med.) Excessive and constant thirst occasioned by disease.

Pol`y*ei"dic (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; form.] (Zoöl.) Passing through several distinct larval forms; -- having several distinct kinds of young.

Pol`y*em"bry*o*nate (?), a. [Poly- + embryonate.] (Bot.) Consisting of, or having, several embryos; polyembryonic.

Pol`y*em"bry*o*ny (?), n. [See Poly- , and Embryo.] (Bot.) The production of two or more embryos in one seed, due either to the existence and fertilization of more than one embryonic sac or to the origination of embryos outside of the embryonic sac.

||Po*lyg"a*la (?), n. [L., milkwort, fr. Gr. &?;; poly`s much + &?; milk.] A genus of bitter herbs or shrubs having eight stamens and a two-celled ovary (as the Seneca snakeroot, the flowering wintergreen, etc.); milkwort.

Pol`y*ga*la"ceous (?), a. Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Polygalaceæ) of which Polygala is the type.

Po*lyg"a*lic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, Polygala; specifically, designating an acrid glucoside (called polygalic acid, senegin, etc.), resembling, or possibly identical with, saponin.

||Pol`y*ga"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polygamous.] (Bot.) (a) A Linnæan class of plants, characterized by having both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant. (b) A name given by Linnæus to file orders of plants having syngenesious flowers.

Po*lyg"a*mist (?), n. [Cf. F. polygamiste, polygame, Gr. &?;, a.] One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.

Po*lyg"a*mize (?), v. i. To practice polygamy; to marry several wives. Sylvester. Coleridge.

Po*lyg"a*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; living &?; polygamy; poly`s many + &?; marriage. Cf. Bigamy.]

1. Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as, polygamous marriages; -- opposed to monogamous.

3. (Bot.) Belonging to the Polygamia; bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant.

Po*lyg"a*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;; cf. F. polygamie.] 1. The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time; -- opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the East practiced polygamy. See the Note under Bigamy, and cf. Polyandry.

3. (Bot.) The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Pol`y*gas"tric (-trk), a. [Poly- + gastric: cf. F. polygastrique.] 1. (Anat.) Having several bellies; -- applied to muscles which are made up of several bellies separated by short tendons.

||Pol`y*gas"tri*ca (-tr*k), n. pl. [NL. So called because they were supposed to have several stomachs, or digestive cavities.] (Zoöl.) The Infusoria. [Obs.]

{ Pol`y*gen"e*sis (-jn"*ss), Po*lyg"e*ny (p*lj"*n), } n. [Poly- + genesis, or root of Gr. gi`gnesqai to be born.] (Biol.) The theory that living organisms originate in cells or embryos of different kinds, instead of coming from a single cell; -- opposed to monogenesis.

Pol`y*ge*net"ic (?), a. 1. Having many distinct sources; originating at various places or times.

Polygenetic mountain range (Geol.), one which is composite, or consists of two or more monogenetic ranges, each having had its own history of development. Dana.

Po*lyg"e*nism (p*lj"*nz'm), n. [Cf. F. polygénisme.] (Biol.) The doctrine that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair.

Po*lyg"e*nist (-nst), n. (Biol.) One who maintains that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair; -- opposed to monogenist.

Po*lyg"e*nous (?), a. [Poly- + -genous: cf. Gr. &?; of many families.] Consisting of, or containing, many kinds; as, a polygenous mountain. Kirwan.

Pol"y*glot (?), a. [Gr. poly`glwttos many-tongued; poly`s many + glw^tta, glw^ssa, tongue, language: cf. F. polyglotte.] 1. Containing, or made up, of, several languages; as, a polyglot lexicon, Bible.

Pol"y*glot, n. 1. One who speaks several languages. [R.] "A polyglot, or good linguist." Howell.

2. A book containing several versions of the same text, or containing the same subject matter in several languages; esp., the Scriptures in several languages.

Pol`y*glot"tous (?), a. [See Polyglot.] Speaking many languages; polyglot. [R.] "The polyglottous tribes of America." Max Müller.

Pol"y*gon (?), n. [Gr. poly`gwnos polygonal; poly`s many + gwni`a angle: cf. F. polygone.] (Geom.) A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four sides; any figure having many angles.

Polygon of forces (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of which, taken successively, represent, in length and direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure represents the resultant of those forces. Cf. Parallelogram of forces, under Parallelogram.

Pol`y*go*na"ceous (?), a. [See Polygonum.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of apetalous plants (Polygonaceæ), of which the knotweeds (species of Polygonum) are the type, and which includes also the docks (Rumex), the buckwheat, rhubarb, sea grape (Coccoloba), and several other genera.

Pol`y*go*neu"tic (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; offspring.] (Zoöl.) Having two or more broods in a season.

Pol`y*go*nom"e*try (?), n. [Polygon + -metry.] The doctrine of polygons; an extension of some of the principles of trigonometry to the case of polygons.

||Po*lyg"o*num (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a kind of plant; poly`s many + go`ny the knee, a joint of a plant. So called in allusion to the numerous joints.] (Bot.) A genus of plants embracing a large number of species, including bistort, knotweed, smartweed, etc.

||Pol`y*gor"di*us (?), n. [NL. See Poly-, and Gordius.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine annelids, believed to be an ancient or ancestral type. It is remarkable for its simplicity of structure and want of parapodia. It is the type of the order Archiannelida, or Gymnotoma. See Loeven's larva.

Pol"y*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?; marked with many stripes; poly`s many + &?; a line.] A figure consisting of many lines. [R.] Barlow.

Pol"y*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; writing much; poly`s much, many + &?; to write: cf. F. polygraphe.] 1. An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a manifold writer; a copying machine.

2. In bibliography, a collection of different works, either by one or several authors. Brande & C.

{ Pol`y*graph"ic (?), Pol`y*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. polygraphique.] Pertaining to, or employed in, polygraphy; as, a polygraphic instrument.

Po*lyg"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; poly`s much + gra`fein to write: cf. F. polygraphie.] 1. Much writing; writing of many books. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pol"y*grooved` (?), a. [Poly- + groove.] Having many grooves; as, a polygrooved rifle or gun (referring to the rifling).

Pol"y*gyn (?), n. [Cf. F. polygyne. See Polygyny.] (Bot.) A plant of the order Polygynia.

||Pol`y*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polygyny.] (Bot.) A Linnæan order of plants having many styles.

{ Pol`y*gyn"i*an (?), Po*lyg"y*nous (?), } a. (Bot.) Having many styles; belonging to the order Polygynia.

Po*lyg"y*ny (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; woman, wife.] The state or practice of having several wives at the same time; marriage to several wives. H. Spenser.

Pol`y*ha"lite (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; salt.] (Min.) A mineral usually occurring in fibrous masses, of a brick-red color, being tinged with iron, and consisting chiefly of the sulphates of lime, magnesia, and soda.

{ Pol`y*he"dral (?), Pol`y*hed"ric*al (?), } a. [See Polyhedron.] (Geom.) Having many sides, as a solid body.

Polyhedral angle, an angle bounded by three or more plane angles having a common vertex.

Pol`y*he"dron (?), n.; pl. E. Polyhedrons. (#), L. Polyhedra (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; with many seats or sides; poly`s many + &?; a seat or side: cf. F. polyèdre.] 1. (Geom.) A body or solid contained by many sides or planes.

Pol`y*his"tor (?), n. [Gr. &?; very learned.] One versed in various learning. [R.]

Pol`y*hym"ni*a (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; hymn.] (Anc. Myth.) The Muse of lyric poetry.

Pol`y*i"o*dide (?), n. (Chem.) A iodide having more than one atom of iodine in the molecule.

Po*lyl"o*quent (?), a. [Poly- + L. loquens, p. pr. of logui to speak.] Garrulous; loquacious. [R.]

Pol`y*mas"tism (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; a breast.] (Anat.) The condition of having more than two mammæ, or breasts.

Pol`y*math"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. polymathique. See Polymathy.] Pertaining to polymathy; acquainted with many branches of learning.

Po*lym"a*thist (?), n. One versed in many sciences; a person of various learning.

Po*lym"a*thy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; poly`s much + &?;, &?;, to learn.] The knowledge of many arts and sciences; variety of learning. Johnson.

Pol`y*me*nis"cous (?), a. [See Poly- , and Meniscus.] (Zoöl.) Having numerous facets; -- said of the compound eyes of insects and crustaceans.

Pol"y*mer (?), n. [See Polymeric.] (Chem.) Any one of two or more substances related to each other by polymerism; specifically, a substance produced from another substance by chemical polymerization. [Formerly also written polymere.]

Pol`y*mer"ic (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; part.] (Chem.) Having the same percentage composition (that is, having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight), but different molecular weights; -- often used with with; thus, cyanic acid (CNOH), fulminic acid (C₂N₂O₂H₂), and cyanuric acid (C₃N₃O₃H₃), are polymeric with each other.

The figures expressing the number of atoms of each element in a number of polymeric substances are respectively multiples and factors of each other, or have some simple common divisor. The relation may be merely a numerical one, as in the example given above, or a chemical one, as in the case of aldehyde, paraldehyde, and metaldehyde.

Po*lym"er*ism (?), n. (Chem.) (a) The state, quality, or relation of two or more polymeric substances. (b) The act or process of forming polymers.

Pol`y*mer`i*za"tion (?), n. (Chem.) The act or process of changing to a polymeric form; the condition resulting from such change.

Pol"y*mer*ize (?), v. t. (Chem.) To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde.

Pol"y*mer*ize, v. i. (Chem.) To change into another substance having the same atomic proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming paraldehyde.

Po*lym"er*ous (?), a. 1. (Bot.) Having many parts or members in each set. Gray.

Pol"ym*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; full of moss; poly`s much + &?; moss.] (Min.) A stone marked with dendrites and black lines, and so disposed as to represent rivers, marshes, etc.

Pol"y*morph (?), n. [Gr. &?; multiform; poly`s many + &?; form: cf. F. polymorphe.] (Crystallog.) A substance capable of crystallizing in several distinct forms; also, any one of these forms. Cf. Allomorph.

2. (Biol.) (a) The capability of assuming different forms; the capability of widely varying in form. (b) Existence in many forms; the coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents.

||Pol`y*mor*pho"sis (?), n. [NL. See Poly-, and Morphosis.] (Zoöl.) The assumption of several structural forms without a corresponding difference in function; -- said of sponges, etc.

Pol`y*mor"phous (?), a. 1. Having, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or styles; as, a polymorphous author. De Quincey.

2. (Biol.) Having, or occurring in, several distinct forms; -- opposed to monomorphic.

Po`ly-moun"tain (?), n. (Bot.) (a) Same as Poly, n. (b) The closely related Teucrium montanum, formerly called Polium montanum, a plant of Southern Europe. (c) The Bartsia alpina, a low purple-flowered herb of Europe.

Po*lym"y*oid (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?;, &?;, muscle + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Having numerous vocal muscles; of or pertaining to the Polymyodæ.

Pol"y*neme (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; thread.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of tropical food fishes of the family Polynemidæ. They have several slender filaments, often very long, below the pectoral fin. Some of them yield isinglass of good quality. Called also threadfish.

Pol`y*ne"moid (?), a. [Polyneme + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the polynemes, or the family Polynemidæ.

Pol`y*ne"sian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Polynesia (the islands of the eastern and central Pacific), or to the Polynesians.

Pol`y*ne"sians (?), n. pl.; sing. Polynesian. (Ethnol.) The race of men native in Polynesia.

Po*lyn"i*a (?), n. [Russ. poluineia a warm place in water, i. e., a place which does not freeze.] The open sea supposed to surround the north pole. Kane.

Pol`y*no"mi*al (?), n. [Poly- + -nomial, as in monomial, binomial: cf. F. polynôme.] (Alg.) An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the signs plus or minus; as, a² - 2ab + b².

Pol`y*no"mi*al, a. 1. Containing many names or terms; multinominal; as, the polynomial theorem.

2. Consisting of two or more words; having names consisting of two or more words; as, a polynomial name; polynomial nomenclature.

Pol`y*nu"cle*ar (?), a. [Poly- + nuclear.] (Biol.) Containing many nuclei.

Pol`y*nu*cle"o*lar (?), a. [Poly- + nucleolar.] (Biol.) Having more than one nucleolus.

Pol`y*on"o*mous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?;, &?;, name: cf. Gr. &?;.] Having many names or titles; polyonymous. Sir W. Jones.

Pol`y*on"o*my (?), n. [Cf. Gr. &?; a multitude of names.] The use of a variety of names for the same object. G. S. Faber.

{ Pol`y*op"tron (?), Pol`y*op"trum (?), } n. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many + &?; seen.] (Opt.) A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but diminished in size. [R.]

Pol`y*o*ra"ma (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; a sight, view.] A view of many objects; also, a sort of panorama with dissolving views.

Pol"yp (?), n. [L. polypus, Gr. &?;, &?;, literally, many-footed; poly`s many + &?;, &?;, foot: cf. F. polype. See Poly- and Foot, and cf. Polypode, Polypody, Poulp.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or coral. (b) One of the Anthozoa. (c) pl. Same as Anthozoa. See Anthozoa, Madreporaria, Hydroid. [Written also polype.]

Fresh-water polyp, the hydra. -- Polyp stem (Zoöl.), that portion of the stem of a siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.

Po*lyp"a*rous (?), a. [Poly- + L. parere to produce.] Producing or bearing a great number; bringing forth many.

Pol"y*pa*ry (?), n.; pl. Polyparies (#). [See Polyp.] (Zoöl.) Same as Polypidom.

Pol`y*pe*ryth"rin (?), n. [Polyp + Gr. &?; red.] (Physiol. Chem.) A coloring matter found in many simple Anthozoa and some hydroids.

Pol`y*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Poly- + petal.] (Bot.) Consisting of, or having, several or many separate petals; as, a polypetalous corolla, flower, or plant. Martyn.

Po*lyph"a*gous (?), a. [L. polyphagus, Gr. &?;; poly`s much, many + &?; to eat: cf. F. polyphage.] Eating, or subsisting on, many kinds of food; as, polyphagous animals.

Po*lyph""a*gy (?), n. The practice or faculty of subsisting on many kinds of food.

Pol`y*phar"ma*cy (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; the using of medicine, fr. &?; medicine: cf. F. polypharmacie.] (Med.) (a) The act or practice of prescribing too many medicines. (b) A prescription made up of many medicines or ingredients. Dunglison.

Pol`y*phe"mus (?), n. [L. Polyphemus the one-eyed Cyclops who was blinded by Ulysses.] (Zoöl.) A very large American moth (Telea polyphemus) belonging to the Silkworm family (Bombycidæ). Its larva, which is very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak, chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces a large amount of strong silk. Called also American silkworm.

Pol"y*phone (?), n. A character or vocal sign representing more than one sound, as read, which is pronounced rd or rd.

Pol`y*phon"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; sound: cf. F. polyphone.] 1. Having a multiplicity of sounds.

3. (Mus.) Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; -- opposed to homophonic, or monodic.

Po*lyph"o*nist (?), n. 1. A proficient in the art of multiplying sounds; a ventriloquist.

Po*lyph"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] 1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo.

3. (Mus.) Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See Counterpoint.

Pol"y*phore (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Bot.) A receptacle which bears many ovaries.

Pol`y*phy*let"ic (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; clan.] (Biol.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, descent from more than one root form, or from many different root forms; polygenetic; -- opposed to monophyletic.

Po*lyph"yl*lous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Many-leaved; as, a polyphyllous calyx or perianth.

Pol"y*pide (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the ordinary zooids of the Bryozoa. [Spellt also polypid.]

Po*lyp"i*dom (?), n. [Polypus + L. domus house.] (Zoöl.) A coral, or corallum; also, one of the coral-like structure made by bryozoans and hydroids.

Pol*y*pif"er*ous (?), a. [Polypus + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing polyps, or polypites.

Pol`y*pip"a*rous (?), a. [Polypus + L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.) Producing polyps.

Pol"y*pite (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding zooids, or polyps, of a coral, hydroid, or siphonophore; a hydranth. See Illust. of Campanularian. (b) Sometimes, the manubrium of a hydroid medusa.

||Pol`y*pla*coph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Poly-, and Placophora.] (Zoöl.) See Placophora.

Pol`y*plas"tic (?), a. [Poly- + -plastic.] (Biol.) Assuming, or having the power of assuming, many forms; as, a polyplastic element which does not preserve its original shape.

Pol`y*pode (?), n. [Cf. F. polypode. See Polypody.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Polypodium; polypody. [Written also polypod.]

Pol"y*pode, n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the wood louse, milleped: cf. F. polypode. See Polyp.] (Zoöl.) An animal having many feet; a myriapod.

Pol"y*po`di*um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. of &?;. See Polyp, and cf. 2d Polypode.] (Bot.) A genus of plants of the order Filices or ferns. The fructifications are in uncovered roundish points, called sori, scattered over the inferior surface of the frond or leaf. There are numerous species.

Pol"y*poid (?), a. [Polyp + - oid.] 1. (Zoöl.) Like a polyp; having the nature of a polyp, but lacking the tentacles or other parts.

2. (Med.) Resembling a polypus in appearance; having a character like that of a polypus.

||Pol`y*po*me*du"sæ (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polyp, and Medusa.] (Zoöl.) Same as Hydrozoa.

||Po*lyp"o*rus (?), n.; pl. Polypori (#). [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?; a pore.] (Bot.) A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute pores; also, any fungus of this genus.

Polyporus fomentarius was formerly dried and cut in slices for tinder, called amadou. P. betulinus is common in America, and forms very large thick white semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several species of Polyporous are considered edible.

Pol"y*pous (?), a. [Cf. F. polypeux. See Polyp.] Of the nature of a polypus; having many feet or roots, like the polypus; affected with polypus.

{ Pol`y*prag*mat"ic (?), Pol`y*prag*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Poly- + pragmatic, - ical.] Overbusy; officious. [R.] Heywood.

Pol`y*prag"ma*ty (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; business.] The state of being overbusy. [R.]

||Pol`y*pro`to*don"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?; first + &?;, &?;, tooth.] (Zoöl.) A division of marsupials in which there are more fore incisor teeth in each jaw.

||Po*lyp`te*roi"de*i (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polypterus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of existing ganoid fishes having numerous fins along the back. The bichir, or Polypterus, is the type. See Illust. under Crossopterygian.

Po*lyp`te*rus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?; feather, wing.] (Zoöl.) An African genus of ganoid fishes including the bichir.

||Pol`yp*to"ton (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; having, or being in, many cases; poly`s many + &?; case.] (Rhet.) A figure by which a word is repeated in different forms, cases, numbers, genders, etc., as in Tennyson's line, -- "My own heart's heart, and ownest own, farewell."

Pol"y*pus (?), n.; pl. E. Polypuses (#), L. Polypi (#). [L. See Polyp.] 1. (Zoöl.) Same as Polyp.

2. (Med.) A tumor, usually with a narrow base, somewhat resembling a pear, -- found in the nose, uterus, etc., and produced by hypertrophy of some portion of the mucous membrane.

Pol`y*rhi"zous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; root.] (Bot.) Having numerous roots, or rootlets.

Pol`y*sche"ma*tist (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; form, manner.] Having, or existing in, many different forms or fashions; multiform.

Pol"y*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; farseeing; poly`s much, many + &?; to view: cf. F. polyscope.] 1. (Opt.) A glass which makes a single object appear as many; a multiplying glass. Hutton.

2. (Med.) An apparatus for affording a view of the different cavities of the body.

Pol`y*sep"al*ous (?), a. [Poly- + sepal.] (Bot.) Having the sepals separate from each other.

Pol`y*si*lic"ic (?), a. [Poly- + silicic.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to compounds formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid.

Polysilicic acid (Chem.), any one of a series of acids formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid, with elimination of water.

Pol"y*spast (?), n. [L. polyspaston, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; drawn by several cords; poly`s many + &?; to draw: cf. F. polyspaste.] (Surg.) A machine consisting of many pulleys; specifically, an apparatus formerly used for reducing luxations.

Pol`y*sper"mous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; seed.] (Bot.) Containing many seeds; as, a polyspermous capsule or berry. Martyn.

Pol"y*sper`my (?), n. (Biol.) Fullness of sperm, or seed; the passage of more than one spermatozoön into the vitellus in the impregnation of the ovum.

||Pol`y*stom"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many + &?;, &?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) A division of trematode worms having more two suckers. Called also Polystomea and Polystoma.

Pol"y*stome (?), a. [Gr. &?; many- mouthed; poly`s + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having many mouths.

Pol"y*stome, n. (Zoöl.) An animal having many mouths; -- applied to Protozoa.

Pol"y*style (?), a. [Gr. &?; with many columns; poly`s many + &?; column: cf. F. polystyle.] (Arch.) Having many columns; -- said of a building, especially of an interior part or court; as, a polystyle hall. -- n. A polystyle hall or edifice.

Pol`y*sul"phide (?), n. [Poly- + sulphide.] (Chem.) A sulphide having more than one atom of sulphur in the molecule; -- contrasted with monosulphide.

{ Pol`y*syl*lab"ic (?), Pol`y*syl*lab"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; syllable: cf. F. polysyllabique.] Pertaining to a polysyllable; containing, or characterized by, polysyllables; consisting of more than three syllables.

Pol"y*syl`la*ble (?), n. [Poly- + syllable.] A word of many syllables, or consisting of more syllables than three; -- words of less than four syllables being called monosyllables, dissyllables, and trisyllables.

Pol`y*syn*det"ic (?), a. Characterized by polysyndeton, or the multiplication of conjunctions. -- Pol`y*syn*det"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

||Pol`y*syn"de*ton (?), n. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many + &?; bound together, fr. &?; to bind together; &?; with + &?; to bind.] (Rhet.) A figure by which the conjunction is often repeated, as in the sentence, "We have ships and men and money and stores." Opposed to asyndeton.

Pol`y*syn"the*sis (?), n. [Poly- + synthesis.] 1. The act or process of combining many separate elements into a whole.

2. (Philol.) The formation of a word by the combination of several simple words, as in the aboriginal languages of America; agglutination. Latham.

Pol`y*syn*thet"ic (-sn*tht"k), a. [Poly- + synthetic.] Characterized by polysynthesis; agglutinative.

Polysynthetic twinning (Min.), repeated twinning, like that of the triclinic feldspar, producing fine parallel bands in alternately reversed positions.

Pol`y*tech"nic (pl`*tk"nk), a. [Gr. poly`technos; poly`s many + te`chnh an art: cf. F. polytechnique.] Comprehending, or relating to, many arts and sciences; -- applied particularly to schools in which many branches of art and science are taught with especial reference to their practical application; also to exhibitions of machinery and industrial products.

||Pol`y*tha*la"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Polythalamous.] (Zoöl.) A division of Foraminifera including those having a manychambered shell.

Pol`y*thal"a*mous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; a chamber.] (Zoöl.) Many-chambered; -- applied to shells of Foraminifera and cephalopods. See Illust. of Nautilus.

Pol"y*the*ism (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. &?; cf. F. polythéisme.] The doctrine of, or belief in, a plurality of gods.

Pol"y*the*ist, n. [Cf. F. polythéiste.] One who believes in, or maintains the doctrine of, a plurality of gods.

{ Pol`y*the*is"tic (?), Pol`y*the*is"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to polytheism; characterized by polytheism; professing or advocating polytheism; as, polytheistic worship; a polytheistic author, or nation. -- Pol`y*the*is"tic*al*ly, adv.

Pol"y*the*ize (?), v. i. To adhere to, advocate, or inculcate, the doctrine of polytheism. Milman.

Pol`y*the"lism (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. qhlh` a nipple.] (Anat.) The condition of having more than two teats, or nipples.

Po*lyt"o*cous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; poly`s many + &?; offspring.] 1. (Bot.) Bearing fruit repeatedly, as most perennial plants; polycarpic.

Po*lyt"o*mous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. &?; a cutting, fr. &?; to cut.] (Bot.) Subdivided into many distinct subordinate parts, which, however, not being jointed to the petiole, are not true leaflets; -- said of leaves. Henslow.

Pol`y*tung"stic (?), a. (Chem.) Containing several tungsten atoms or radicals; as, polytungstic acid.

Polytungstic acid (Chem.), any one of several complex acids of tungsten containing more than one atom of tungsten.

Pol"y*type (?), n. [Poly- + - type.] (Print.) A cast, or facsimile copy, of an engraved block, matter in type, etc. (see citation); as, a polytype in relief.

Pol"y*type, a. (Print.) Of or pertaining to polytypes; obtained by polytyping; as, a polytype plate.

Pol"y*type, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polytyped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Polytyping (?).] (Print.) To produce a polytype of; as, to polytype an engraving.

||Pol`y*u"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See Poly- , and Urine.] (Med.) A persistently excessive flow of watery urine, with low specific gravity and without the presence of either albumin or sugar. It is generally accompanied with more or less thirst.

Po*lyv"a*lent (?), a. [Poly- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valent.] (Chem.) Multivalent.

||Pol`y*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + &?; an animal.] (Zoöl.) Same as Bryozoa. See Illust. under Bryozoa, and Phylactolæmata.

Pol`y*zo"an (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any species of Polyzoa; one of the Polyzoa. (b) A polyzoön.

||Pol`y*zo*a"ri*um (?), n.; pl. Polyzoaria (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Polyzoary.

Polyzonal lens (Opt.), a lens made up of pieces arranged zones or rings, -- used in the lanterns of lighthouses.

||Pol`y*zo"ön (?), n.; pl. Polyzoa (#). [NL. See Polyzoan.] (Zoöl.) One of the individual zooids forming the compound organism of a polyzoan.

Pom"ace (?; 277), n. [L. ponum a fruit, LL., an apple: cf. LL. pomagium, pomacium.] The substance of apples, or of similar fruit, crushed by grinding.

Po`ma*cen"troid (?), a. [Gr. &?; a cover + &?; a prickle + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Pomacentridæ, a family of bright-colored tropical fishes having spiny opercula; -- often called coral fishes.

Po*ma"ceous (?), a. [LL. ponum an apple.] 1. (Bot.) (a) Like an apple or pear; producing pomes. (b) Of or pertaining to a suborder (Pomeæ) of rosaceous plants, which includes the true thorn trees, the quinces, service berries, medlars, and loquats, as well as the apples, pears, crabs, etc.

Po*made" (?; 277), n. [F. pommade pomatum, OF. pomade cider (cf. Sp. pomada, It. pomata, LL. pomata a drink made of apples), from L. pomum fruit, LL., an apple. Cf. Pomatum.] 1. Cider. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

2. Perfumed ointment; esp., a fragrant unguent for the hair; pomatum; -- originally made from apples.

Po*man"der (?), n. [Sp. poma.] (a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of a ball. (b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by ladies, as at the end of a chain; -- more properly pomander box. [Obs.] Bacon.

Po"ma*rine (?), a. [Gr. &?; a lid + &?;, &?;, nose.] (Zoöl.) Having the nostril covered with a scale.

Pomarine jager (Zoöl.), a North Atlantic jager (Stercorarius pomarinus) having the elongated middle tail feathers obtuse. The adult is black.

Po*ma"tum (?), n. [See Pomade.] A perfumed unguent or composition, chiefly used in dressing the hair; pomade. Wiseman.

Pome (?), n. [L. pomum a fruit: cf. F. pomme apple. Cf. Pomade.] 1. (Bot.) A fruit composed of several cartilaginous or bony carpels inclosed in an adherent fleshy mass, which is partly receptacle and partly calyx, as an apple, quince, or pear.

2. (R. C. Ch.) A ball of silver or other metal, which is filled with hot water, and used by the priest in cold weather to warm his hands during the service.

Pome, v. i. [Cf. F. pommer. See Pome, n.] To grow to a head, or form a head in growing. [Obs.]

Pome"gran`ate (?; 277), n. [OE. pomgarnet, OF. pome de grenate, F. grenade, L. pomum a fruit + granatus grained, having many grains or seeds. See Pome, and Garnet, Grain.] 1. (Bot.) The fruit of the tree Punica Granatum; also, the tree itself (see Balaustine), which is native in the Orient, but is successfully cultivated in many warm countries, and as a house plant in colder climates. The fruit is as large as an orange, and has a hard rind containing many rather large seeds, each one separately covered with crimson, acid pulp.

Pom"e*lo (?), n. [Cf. Pompelmous.] A variety of shaddock, called also grape fruit.

Pome"ly (?), a. [OF. pomelé, F. pommelé. See Pome.] Dappled. [Obs.] "Pomely gray." Chaucer.

Pom`e*ra"ni*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Pomerania, a province of Prussia on the Baltic Sea. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Pomerania.

Pome"wa`ter (?), n. A kind of sweet, juicy apple. [Written also pomwater.] Shak.

Pom"ey (?), n.; pl. Pomeys (#). [F. pommé grown round, or like an apple, p. p. of pommer to pome.] (Her.) A figure supposed to resemble an apple; a roundel, -- always of a green color.

Pom"fret (?), n. [Perhaps corrupt. fr. Pg. pampano a kind of fish.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of two or more species of marine food fishes of the genus Stromateus (S. niger, S. argenteus) native of Southern Europe and Asia. (b) A marine food fish of Bermuda (Brama Raji).

Po*mif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pomifer; pomum fruit + ferre to bear: cf. F. pomifère.] (Bot.) (a) Bearing pomes, or applelike fruits. (b) Bearing fruits, or excrescences, more or less resembling an apple.

||Pom`mé" (?), a. [F. See Pomey.] (Her.) Having the ends terminating in rounded protuberances or single balls; -- said of a cross.

||Pomme` blanche" (?). [F., literally, white apple.] The prairie turnip. See under Prairie.

Pom"mel (?), n. [OE. pomel, OF. pomel, F. pommeau, LL. pomellus, fr. L. pomum fruit, LL. also, an apple. See Pome.] A knob or ball; an object resembling a ball in form; as: (a) The knob on the hilt of a sword. Macaulay. (b) The knob or protuberant part of a saddlebow. (c) The top (of the head). Chaucer. (d) A knob forming the finial of a turret or pavilion.

Pom"mel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pommeled (?) or Pommelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pommeling or Pommelling.] To beat soundly, as with the pommel of a sword, or with something knoblike; hence, to beat with the fists. [Written also pummel.]

Pom*mel"ion (?), n. [See Pommel: cf. LL. pomilio pygmy.] (Mil.) The cascabel, or hindmost knob, of a cannon. [R.]

||Pom`met`té" (?), a. [F.] Having two balls or protuberances at each end; -- said of a cross.

Po*mol"o*gy (?), n. [L. pomum fruit + -logy: cf. F. pomologie.] The science of fruits; a treatise on fruits; the cultivation of fruits and fruit trees.

Po*mo"na (?), n. [L., from pomum fruit.] (Class. Myth.) The goddess of fruits and fruit trees.

Pomp (?), n. [OE. pompe, F. pompe, L. pompa, fr. Gr. &?; a sending, a solemn procession, pomp, fr. &?; to send. Cf. Pump a shoe.] 1. A procession distinguished by ostentation and splendor; a pageant. "All the pomps of a Roman triumph." Addison.

Syn. -- Display; parade; pageant; pageantry; splendor; state; magnificence; ostentation; grandeur; pride.

Pom"pa*dour (?), n. A crimson or pink color; also, a style of dress cut low and square in the neck; also, a mode of dressing the hair by drawing it straight back from the forehead over a roll; -- so called after the Marchioness de Pompadour of France. Also much used adjectively.

Pom"pa*no (?), n. [Sp. pámpano.] [Written also pampano.] (Zoöl.) 1. Any one of several species of marine fishes of the genus Trachynotus, of which four species are found on the Atlantic coast of the United States; -- called also palometa.

They have a brilliant silvery or golden luster, and are highly esteemed as food fishes. The round pompano (T. thomboides) and the Carolina pompano (T. Carolinus) are the most common. Other species occur on the Pacific coast.

2. A California harvest fish (Stromateus simillimus), highly valued as a food fish.

Pompano shell (Zoöl.), a small bivalve shell of the genus Donax; -- so called because eaten by the pompano. [Florida]

Pom"pel*mous (?), n.; pl. Pompelmouses (#). [D. pompelmoes; cf. G. pompelmuse, F. pamplemousse, and F. pompoléon.] (Bot.) A shaddock, esp. one of large size.

Pom"pet (?), n. [OF. pompette.] (Print.) The ball formerly used to ink the type.

Pom"pho*lyx (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a bubble, the slag on the surface of smelted ore, from &?; a blister.] 1. (Old Chem.) Impure zinc oxide.

2. (Med.) A skin disease in which there is an eruption of bullæ, without inflammation or fever.

Pom*pil"lion (?), n. An ointment or pomatum made of black poplar buds. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Pom"pire (?), n. [L. pomum a fruit, LL. also, an apple + pirum a pear.] A pearmain. [Obs.]

2. (Mil.) A tuft or ball of wool, or the like, sometimes worn by soldiers on the front of the hat, instead of a feather.

Pom*pos"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Pomposities (&?;). The quality or state of being pompous; pompousness. Thackeray.

||Pom*po"so (?), a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.) Grand and dignified; in grand style.

Pomp"ous (?), a. [F. pompeux, L. pomposus. See Pomp.] 1. Displaying pomp; stately; showy with grandeur; magnificent; as, a pompous procession.

2. Ostentatious; pretentious; boastful; vainlorious; as, pompous manners; a pompous style. "Pompous in high presumption." Chaucer.

Pon"cho (?), n.; pl. Ponchos (&?;). [Sp.] 1. A kind of cloak worn by the Spanish Americans, having the form of a blanket, with a slit in the middle for the head to pass through. A kind of poncho made of rubber or painted cloth is used by the mounted troops in the United States service.

Pond (?), n. [Probably originally, an inclosed body of water, and the same word as pound. See Pound an inclosure.] A body of water, naturally or artificially confined, and usually of less extent than a lake. "Through pond or pool." Milton.

Pond hen (Zoöl.), the American coot. See Coot (a). -- Pond lily (Bot.), the water lily. See under Water, and Illust. under Nymphæa. -- Pond snail (Zoöl.), any gastropod living in fresh-water ponds or lakes. The most common kinds are air- breathing snails (Pulmonifera) belonging to Limnæa, Physa, Planorbis, and allied genera. The operculated species are pectinibranchs, belonging to Melantho, Valvata, and various other genera. -- Pond spice (Bot.), an American shrub (Tetranthera geniculata) of the Laurel family, with small oval leaves, and axillary clusters of little yellow flowers. The whole plant is spicy. It grows in ponds and swamps from Virginia to Florida. -- Pond tortoise, Pond turtle (Zoöl.), any freshwater tortoise of the family Emydidæ. Numerous species are found in North America.

Pond (?), v. t. To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by damming.

Pon"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pondered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pondering.] [L. ponderare, fr. pondus, ponderis, a weight, fr. pendere to weigh: cf. F. pondérer. See Pendant, and cf. Pound a weight.]

2. To weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to examine carefully; to consider attentively.

Syn. -- To Ponder, Consider, Muse. To consider means to view or contemplate with fixed thought. To ponder is to dwell upon with long and anxious attention, with a view to some practical result or decision. To muse is simply to think upon continuously with no definite object, or for the pleasure it gives. We consider any subject which is fairly brought before us; we ponder a concern involving great interests; we muse on the events of childhood.

Pon"der, v. i. To think; to deliberate; to muse; -- usually followed by on or over. Longfellow.

Pon`der*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pondérabilité.] The quality or state of being ponderable.

Pon"der*a*ble (?), a. [L. ponderabilis: cf. F. pondérable.] Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight. -- Pon"der*a*ble*ness, n.

Pon"der*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pondéral.] Estimated or ascertained by weight; -- distinguished from numeral; as, a ponderal drachma. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Pon"der*ance (?), n. [L. ponderans, p. pr. of ponderare to weigh: cf. OF. ponderant of weight.] Weight; gravity. [R.] Gregory.

Pon"der*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to weight; as, a ponderary system. [R.] M'Culloch.

Pon"der*ate (?), v. t. [L. ponderatus, p. p. of ponderare. See Ponder.] To consider; to ponder. [R.]

Pon`der*a"tion (?), n. [L. ponderatio: cf. F. pondération.] The act of weighing. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Pon`der*os"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Ponderosities (#). [OF. ponderosité.] The quality or state of being ponderous; weight; gravity; heaviness, ponderousness; as, the ponderosity of gold. Ray.

Pon"der*ous (?), a. [L. ponderosus, from pondus, -eris, a weight: cf. F. pondéreux. See Ponder.] 1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant.

2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and settled project." Shak.

3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke.

Pond"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of American fresh-water fishes belonging to the family Centrarchidæ; -- called also pond perch, and sunfish.

The common pondfish of New England (Lepomis gibbosus) is called also bream, pumpkin seed, and sunny. See Sunfish. The long-eared pondfish (Lepomis auritus) of the Eastern United States is distinguished by its very long opercular flap.

Pond"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) Any aquatic plant of the genus Potamogeton, of which many species are found in ponds or slow-moving rivers.

Choke pondweed, an American water weed (Anarcharis, or Elodea, Canadensis.) See Anacharis. -- Horned pondweed, the Zannichellia palustris, a slender, branching aquatic plant, having pointed nutlets.

Pone (pn), n. [Of Amer. Indian origin.] A kind of johnnycake. [Written also paune.] [Southern U. S.]

Po"nent (?), a. [OF., fr. It. ponente, properly, setting (applied to the setting sun), fr. L. ponens, p. pr. of ponere to set, put.] Western; occidental. [R.]

Pon*gee" (?), n. [Of East Indian origin.] A fabric of undyed silk from India and China.

Pon*ghee" (?), n. [From the native name.] A Buddhist priest of the higher orders in Burmah. Malcom.

Pon"go (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any large ape; especially, the chimpanzee and the orang- outang.

Pon"iard (?), n. [F. poignard (cf. It. pugnale, Sp. puñal), fr. L. pugio, -onis; probably akin to pugnus fist, or fr. pugnus fist, as held in the fist. See Pugnacious.] A kind of dagger, -- usually a slender one with a triangular or square blade.

Pon"iard, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poniarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Poniarding.] To pierce with a poniard; to stab. Cowper.

Po`ni*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. ponere to place.] The capability of being placed or located. [Obs.] Barrow.

||Pons (?), n.; pl. Pontes (#). [L., a bridge.] (Anat.) A bridge; -- applied to several parts which connect others, but especially to the pons Varolii, a prominent band of nervous tissue situated on the ventral side of the medulla oblongata and connected at each side with the hemispheres of the cerebellum; the mesocephalon. See Brain.

||Pons asinorum. [L., literally, bridge of asses.] See Asses' bridge, under Ass.

Pon"tage (?; 48), n. [LL. pontagium, from L. pons, pontis, a bridge: cf. F. pontage.] (O. Eng. Law) A duty or tax paid for repairing bridges. Ayliffe.

Pon*tee" (?), n. [F. pontil, pontis.] (Glass Making) An iron rod used by glass makers for manipulating the hot glass; -- called also, puntil, puntel, punty, and ponty. See Fascet.

Pon"tic (?), a. [L. Ponticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; the sea, especially, the Black Sea.] Of or pertaining to the Pontus, Euxine, or Black Sea.

Pon"tiff (?), n. [F. pontife, L. pontifex, -ficis; pons, pontis, a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere to make. Cf. Pontoon.] A high priest. Especially: (a) One of the sacred college, in ancient Rome, which had the supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion, at the head of which was the Pontifex Maximus. Dr. W. Smith. (b) (Jewish Antiq.) The chief priest. (c) (R. C. Ch.) The pope.

Pon*tif"ic (?), a. [Cf. L. pontificius.] 1. Relating to, or consisting of, pontiffs or priests. "The pontific college with their augurs and flamens." Milton.

Pon*tif"ic*al (?), a. [L. pontificalis: cf. F. pontifical. See Pontiff.] 1. Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as, pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.

Pon*tif"ic*al, n. [F.] 1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff. South.

2. pl. The dress and ornaments of a pontiff. "Dressed in full pontificals." Sir W. Scott.

Pon*tif`i*cal"i*ty (?), n. The state and government of the pope; the papacy. [R.] Bacon.

Pon*tif"i*cate (?), n. [L. pontificatus: cf. F. pontificat. See Pontiff.] 1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope. Addison.

Pon"ti*fice (?), n. [L. pons, pontis, a bridge + facere to make. Cf. Pontiff.] Bridgework; structure or edifice of a bridge. [R.] Milton.

Pon`ti*fi"cial (?), a. [L. pontificius.] Papal; pontifical. [Obs.] "Pontificial writers." Burton.

Pon`ti*fi"cian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the pontiff or pope. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pon`ti*fi"cian, n. One who adheres to the pope or papacy; a papist. [Obs.] Bp. Montagu.

Pon"tile (?), a. [L. pontilis pertaining to a bridge.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pons Varolii. See Pons.

Pon"tine (?), a. [L. Pontinus or Pomptinus, an appellation given to a district in Latium, near Pometia.] Of or pertaining to an extensive marshy district between Rome and Naples. [Written also Pomptine.]

Pont"le*vis (?), n. [F., properly, a drawbridge.] (Man.) The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously.

Pon*toon" (?), n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L. ponto, -onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. &?; path, Skr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf. Punt a boat.] 1. (Mil.) A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.

2. (Naut.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc., chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.

Pontoon bridge, a bridge formed with pontoons. -- Pontoon train, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.

The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form.

Pon*toon"ing, n. The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon bridges. "Army instruction in pontooning." Gen. W. T. Shermah.

Pont`vo*lant" (?; F. ?), n. [F. pont bridge + volant flying.] (Mil.) A kind of light bridge, used in sieges, for surprising a post or outwork which has but a narrow moat; a flying bridge.

Po"ny (?), n.; pl. Ponies (&?;). [Written also poney.] [Gael. ponaidh.] 1. A small horse.

3. A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting lessons; a crib. [College Cant]

Pony chaise, a light, low chaise, drawn by a pony or a pair of ponies. -- Pony engine, a small locomotive for switching cars from one track to another. [U.S.] -- Pony truck (Locomotive Engine), a truck which has only two wheels. -- Pony truss (Bridge Building), a truss which has so little height that overhead bracing can not be used.

Pood (?), n. [Russ. pud'.] A Russian weight, equal to forty Russian pounds or about thirty-six English pounds avoirdupois.

Poo"dle (?), n. [G. pudel.] (Zoöl.) A breed of dogs having curly hair, and often showing remarkable intelligence in the performance of tricks.

Pooh (?), interj. [Of. imitative origin; cf. Icel. p.] Pshaw! pish! nonsense! -- an expression of scorn, dislike, or contempt.

Pooh`-pooh" (?), v. t. To make light of; to treat with derision or contempt, as if by saying pooh! pooh! [Colloq.] Thackeray.

||Poo"koo (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoöl.) A red African antelope (Kobus Vardoni) allied to the water buck.

Pool (?), n. [AS. pl; akin to LG. pool, pohl, D. poel, G. pfuhl; cf. Icel. pollr, also W. pwll, Gael. poll.] 1. A small and rather deep collection of (usually) fresh water, as one supplied by a spring, or occurring in the course of a stream; a reservoir for water; as, the pools of Solomon. Wyclif.

2. A small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle. "The filthy mantled pool beyond your cell." Shak.

Pool, n. [F. poule, properly, a hen. See Pullet.] [Written also poule.] 1. The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has contributed a snare; also, the receptacle for the stakes.

2. A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the entrance fee for all who engage in the game; a game of skill in pocketing the balls on a pool table.

This game is played variously, but commonly with fifteen balls, besides one cue ball, the contest being to drive the most balls into the pockets.

3. In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays a certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds being divided among the winners.

5. A combination of persons contributing money to be used for the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the aggregate of the sums so contributed; as, the pool took all the wheat offered below the limit; he put $10,000 into the pool.

6. (Railroads) A mutual arrangement between competing lines, by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then distributed pro rata according to agreement.

7. (Law) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to different people in a community, in a common fund, to be charged with common liabilities.

Pin pool, a variety of the game of billiards in which small wooden pins are set up to be knocked down by the balls. -- Pool ball, one of the colored ivory balls used in playing the game at billiards called pool. -- Pool snipe (Zoöl.), the European redshank. [Prov. Eng.] -- Pool table, a billiard table with pockets.

Pool, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pooled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pooling.] To put together; to contribute to a common fund, on the basis of a mutual division of profits or losses; to make a common interest of; as, the companies pooled their traffic.

Pool, v. i. To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial, speculative, or gambling transaction.

Pool"ing, n. (Law) The act of uniting, or an agreement to unite, an aggregation of properties belonging to different persons, with a view to common liabilities or profits.

Poon (?), n. [Canarese ponne.] A name for several East Indian, or their wood, used for the masts and spars of vessels, as Calophyllum angustifolium, C. inophullum, and Sterculia fœtida; -- called also peon.

Poo"nac (?), n. A kind of oil cake prepared from the cocoanut. See Oil cake, under Cake.

Poon"ga oil` (?). A kind of oil used in India for lamps, and for boiling with dammar for pitching vessels. It is pressed from the seeds of a leguminous tree (Pongamia glabra).

Poop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pooped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pooping.] [Cf. D. poepen. See Pop.] To make a noise; to pop; also, to break wind.

Poop, n. [F. poupe; cf. Sp. & Pg. popa, It. poppa; all fr. L. puppis.] (Naut.) A deck raised above the after part of a vessel; the hindmost or after part of a vessel's hull; also, a cabin covered by such a deck. See Poop deck, under Deck. See also Roundhouse.

Poop, v. t. (Naut.) (a) To break over the poop or stern, as a wave. "A sea which he thought was going to poop her." Lord Dufferin. (b) To strike in the stern, as by collision.

Pooped (?), p. p. & a. (Naut.) (a) Having a poop; furnished with a poop. (b) Struck on the poop.

Poop"ing (?), n. (Naut.) The act or shock of striking a vessel's stern by a following wave or vessel.

Poor (?), a. [Compar. Poorer (?; 254); superl. Poorest.] [OE. poure or povre, OF. povre, F. pauvre, L. pauper; the first syllable of which is probably akin to paucus few (see Paucity, Few), and the second to parare to prepare, procure. See Few, and cf. Parade, Pauper, Poverty.] 1. Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; indigent.

It is often synonymous with indigent and with necessitous denoting extreme want. It is also applied to persons who are not entirely destitute of property, but who are not rich; as, a poor man or woman; poor people.

2. (Law) So completely destitute of property as to be entitled to maintenance from the public.

3. Hence, in very various applications: Destitute of such qualities as are desirable, or might naturally be expected; as: (a) Wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean; emaciated; meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc. "Seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed." Gen. xli. 19. (b) Wanting in strength or vigor; feeble; dejected; as, poor health; poor spirits. "His genius . . . poor and cowardly." Bacon. (c) Of little value or worth; not good; inferior; shabby; mean; as, poor clothes; poor lodgings. "A poor vessel." Clarendon. (d) Destitute of fertility; exhausted; barren; sterile; -- said of land; as, poor soil. (e) Destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor discourse; a poor picture. (f) Without prosperous conditions or good results; unfavorable; unfortunate; unconformable; as, a poor business; the sick man had a poor night. (g) Inadequate; insufficient; insignificant; as, a poor excuse.

4. Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and sometimes as a word of contempt.

5. Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek. "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Matt. v. 3.

Poor law, a law providing for, or regulating, the relief or support of the poor. -- Poor man's treacle (Bot.), garlic; -- so called because it was thought to be an antidote to animal poison. [Eng] Dr. Prior. -- Poor man's weatherglass (Bot.), the red-flowered pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), which opens its blossoms only in fair weather. -- Poor rate, an assessment or tax, as in an English parish, for the relief or support of the poor. -- Poor soldier (Zoöl.), the friar bird. -- The poor, those who are destitute of property; the indigent; the needy. In a legal sense, those who depend on charity or maintenance by the public. "I have observed the more public provisions are made for the poor, the less they provide for themselves." Franklin.

Poor (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small European codfish (Gadus minutus); -- called also power cod.

Poor"house` (?), n. A dwelling for a number of paupers maintained at public expense; an almshouse; a workhouse.

Poor"-john` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small European fish, similar to the cod, but of inferior quality.

Poor"ly, adv. 1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort; as, to live poorly.

2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage; as, to do poorly in business.

Poor"ly, a. Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health. "Having been poorly in health." T. Scott.

Poor"ness, n. The quality or state of being poor (in any of the senses of the adjective). Bacon.

Poor"-spir`it*ed (?), a. Of a mean spirit; cowardly; base. -- Poor"-spir`it*ed*ness, n.

Poor"-will` (?), n. [So called in imitation of its note.] (Zoöl.) A bird of the Western United States (Phalænoptilus Nutalli) allied to the whip- poor-will.

Poor"-wil`lie (?), n. [So called in imitation of its note.] (Zoöl.) The bar-tailed godwit. [Prov. Eng.]

Pop (?), n. [Of imitative origin. Cf. Poop.] 1. A small, sharp, quick explosive sound or report; as, to go off with a pop. Addison.

2. An unintoxicating beverage which expels the cork with a pop from the bottle containing it; as, ginger pop; lemon pop, etc. Hood.

Pop corn. (a) Corn, or maize, of peculiar excellence for popping; especially, a kind the grains of which are small and compact. (b) Popped corn; which has been popped.

Pop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Popped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Popping.] 1. To make a pop, or sharp, quick sound; as, the muskets popped away on all sides.

2. To enter, or issue forth, with a quick, sudden movement; to move from place to place suddenly; to dart; -- with in, out, upon, off, etc.

3. To burst open with a pop, when heated over a fire; as, this corn pops well.

Pop, v. t. 1. To thrust or push suddenly; to offer suddenly; to bring suddenly and unexpectedly to notice; as, to pop one's head in at the door.

2. To cause to pop; to cause to burst open by heat, as grains of Indian corn; as, to pop corn or chestnuts.

To pop off, to thrust away, or put off promptly; as, to pop one off with a denial. Locke. -- To pop the question, to make an offer of marriage to a lady. [Colloq.] Dickens.

Pop (?), adv. Like a pop; suddenly; unexpectedly. "Pop goes his plate." Beau. & Fl.

Pope (?), n. [AS. ppa, L. papa father, bishop. Cf. Papa, Papal.] 1. Any ecclesiastic, esp. a bishop. [Obs.] Foxe.

2. The bishop of Rome, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. See Note under Cardinal.

Pope Joan, a game at cards played on a round board with compartments. -- Pope's eye, the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of the thigh of an ox or sheep. R. D. Blackmore. -- Pope's nose, the rump, or uropygium, of a bird. See Uropygium.

Pope"dom (?), n. [AS. ppedm.] 1. The place, office, or dignity of the pope; papal dignity. Shak.

Pop"e*lote (?), n. A word variously explained as "a little puppet," "a little doll," or "a young butterfly." Cf. Popet. [Obs.]

Pop"er*y (?), n. The religion of the Roman Catholic Church, comprehending doctrines and practices; -- generally used in an opprobrious sense.

Pop"gun` (?), n. A child's gun; a tube and rammer for shooting pellets, with a popping noise, by compression of air.

Pop"in*jay (?), n. [OE. popingay, papejay, OF. papegai, papegaut; cf. Pr. papagai, Sp. & Pg. papagayo, It. pappagallo, LGr. &?;, NGr. &?;; in which the first syllables are perhaps imitative of the bird's chatter, and the last either fr. L. gallus cock, or the same word as E. jay, F. geai. Cf. Papagay.]

3. A trifling, chattering, fop or coxcomb. "To be so pestered with a popinjay." Shak.

Pop"ish (?), a. Of or pertaining to the pope; taught or ordained by the pope; hence, of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church; -- often used opprobriously. -- Pop"ish*ly, adv. -- Pop"ish*ness, n.

Pop"lar (?), n. [OE. popler, OF. poplier, F. peuplier, fr. L. populus poplar.] (Bot.) 1. Any tree of the genus Populus; also, the timber, which is soft, and capable of many uses.

The aspen poplar is Populus tremula and P. tremuloides; Balsam poplar is P. balsamifera; Lombardy poplar (P. dilatata) is a tall, spiry tree; white poplar is Populus alba.

Pop"lin (?), n. [F. popeline, papeline.] A fabric of many varieties, usually made of silk and worsted, -- used especially for women's dresses.

Pop*lit"e*al (?; 277), a. [From L. poples, -itis, the ham.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the ham; in the region of the ham, or behind the knee joint; as, the popliteal space.

Pop"per (?), n. A utensil for popping corn, usually a wire basket with a long handle.

2. (Naut.) One of certain upright timbers on the bilge ways, used to support a vessel in launching. Totten.

Pop"pied (?), a. [See 1st Poppy.] 1. Mingled or interspersed with poppies. "Poppied corn." Keats.

2. Affected with poppy juice; hence, figuratively, drugged; drowsy; listless; inactive. [R.]

Pop"ple (?), v. i. [Cf. Pop.] To move quickly up and down; to bob up and down, as a cork on rough water; also, to bubble. Cotton.

Pop"py (?), n.; pl. Poppies (#). [OE. popy, AS. popig, L. papaver.] (Bot.) Any plant or species of the genus Papaver, herbs with showy polypetalous flowers and a milky juice. From one species (Papaver somniferum) opium is obtained, though all the species contain it to some extent; also, a flower of the plant. See Illust. of Capsule.

California poppy (Bot.), any yellow- flowered plant of the genus Eschscholtzia. -- Corn poppy. See under Corn. -- Horn, or Horned, poppy. See under Horn. -- Poppy bee (Zoöl.), a leaf-cutting bee (Anthocopa papaveris) which uses pieces cut from poppy petals for the lining of its cells; -- called also upholsterer bee. -- Prickly poppy (Bot.), Argemone Mexicana, a yellow-flowered plant of the Poppy family, but as prickly as a thistle. -- Poppy seed, the seed the opium poppy (P. somniferum). -- Spatling poppy (Bot.), a species of Silene (S. inflata). See Catchfly.

{ Pop"py (?), Pop"py*head` (?), } n. [F. poupée doll, puppet. See Puppet.] (Arch.) A raised ornament frequently having the form of a final. It is generally used on the tops of the upright ends or elbows which terminate seats, etc., in Gothic churches.

Pop"u*lace (?), n. [F. populace, fr. It. popolaccio, popolazzo, fr. popolo people, L. populus. See People.] The common people; the vulgar; the multitude, -- comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank, office, education, or profession. Pope.

Pop"u*lar (?), a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf. F. populaire. See People.] 1. Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body of the people, as distinguished from a select portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections. "Popular states." Bacon. "So the popular vote inclines." Milton.

2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain.

3. Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.

4. Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a popular law; a popular administration.

6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.] Johnson.

Popular action (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute. Blackstone.

||Pop`u*la"res (?), n. pl. [L.] The people or the people's party, in ancient Rome, as opposed to the optimates.

Pop`u*lar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Popularities (#). [L. popularitas an effort to please the people: cf. F. popularité.] 1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book.

2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.

3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap.

4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.] "Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition." Holland.

Pop`u*lar*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of making popular, or of introducing among the people.

Pop"u*lar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Popularized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Popularizing (?).] [Cf. F. populariser.] To make popular; to make suitable or acceptable to the common people; to make generally known; as, to popularize philosophy. "The popularizing of religious teaching." Milman.

Pop"u*lar*ly, adv. In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story was popularity reported.

Pop"u*lar*ness, n. The quality or state of being popular; popularity. Coleridge.

Pop"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Populated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Populating.] To furnish with inhabitants, either by natural increase or by immigration or colonization; to cause to be inhabited; to people.

Pop`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. populatio: cf. F. population.] 1. The act or process of populating; multiplication of inhabitants.

2. The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.

Pop"u*li*cide` (?), n. [L. populus people + caedere to kill.] Slaughter of the people. [R.]

Pop"u*lin (?), n. [L. populus poplar: cf. F. populine.] (Chem.) A glycoside, related to salicin, found in the bark of certain species of the poplar (Populus), and extracted as a sweet white crystalline substance.

Pop`u*los"i*ty (?), n. [L. populositas: cf. F. populosité.] Populousness.[Obs.]

Pop"u*lous (?), a. [L. populosus, fr. populus people: cf. F. populeux.] 1. Abounding in people; full of inhabitants; containing many inhabitants in proportion to the extent of the country.

4. Numerous; in large number. [Obs.] "The dust . . . raised by your populous troops." Shak.

Po*raille" (?), n. [OF. pouraille. See Poor.] Poor people; the poor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Por"bea`gle (?), n. (Zoöl.) A species of shark (Lamna cornubica), about eight feet long, having a pointed nose and a crescent-shaped tail; -- called also mackerel shark. [Written also probeagle.]

Por"cate (?), a. [L. porca a ridge between two furrows.] (Zoöl.) Having grooves or furrows broader than the intervening ridges; furrowed.

Por"ce*lain (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It. porcellana, orig., the porcelain shell, or Venus shell (Cypræa porcellana), from a dim. fr. L. porcus pig, probably from the resemblance of the shell in shape to a pig's back. Porcelain was called after this shell, either on account of its smoothness and whiteness, or because it was believed to be made from it. See Pork.] A fine translucent or semitransculent kind of earthenware, made first in China and Japan, but now also in Europe and America; -- called also China, or China ware.

Ivory porcelain, porcelain with a surface like ivory, produced by depolishing. See Depolishing. -- Porcelain clay. See under Clay. -- Porcelain crab (Zoöl.), any crab of the genus Porcellana and allied genera (family Porcellanidæ). They have a smooth, polished carapace. -- Porcelain jasper. (Min.) See Porcelanite. -- Porcelain printing, the transferring of an impression of an engraving to porcelain. -- Porcelain shell (Zoöl.), a cowry.

Por"ce*lain*ized (?), a. (Geol.) Baked like potter's lay; -- applied to clay shales that have been converted by heat into a substance resembling porcelain.

{ Por`ce*la"ne*ous (?), Por`cel*la"ne*ous (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining to porcelain; resembling porcelain; as, porcelaneous shells.

2. (Zoöl.) Having a smooth, compact shell without pores; -- said of certain Foraminifera.

Por"ce*la*nite (?), n. [Cf. F. porcelanite.] (Min.) A semivitrified clay or shale, somewhat resembling jasper; -- called also porcelain jasper.

Porch (?), n. [F. porche, L. porticus, fr. porta a gate, entrance, or passage. See Port a gate, and cf. Portico.] 1. (Arch.) A covered and inclosed entrance to a building, whether taken from the interior, and forming a sort of vestibule within the main wall, or projecting without and with a separate roof. Sometimes the porch is large enough to serve as a covered walk. See also Carriage porch, under Carriage, and Loggia.

The Porch, a public portico, or great hall, in Athens, where Zeno, the philosopher, taught his disciples; hence, sometimes used as equivalent to the school of the Stoics. It was called "h poiki`lh stoa`. [See Poicile.]

Por"cine (?), a. [L. porcinus, from porcus a swine. See Pork.] Of or pertaining to swine; characteristic of the hog. "Porcine cheeks." G. Eliot.

Por"cu*pine (?), n. [OE. porkepyn, porpentine, OF. porc-espi, F. porc- épic (cf. It. porco spino, porco spinoso, Sp. puerco espino, puerco espin, fr. L. porcus swine + spina thorn, spine). The last part of the French word is perhaps a corruption from the It. or Sp.; cf. F. épi ear, a spike of grain, L. spica. See Pork, Spike a large nail, Spine.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any Old Word rodent of the genus Hystrix, having the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines or quills, sometimes a foot long. The common species of Europe and Asia (Hystrix cristata) is the best known.

2. (Zoöl.) Any species of Erethizon and related genera, native of America. They are related to the true porcupines, but have shorter spines, and are arboreal in their habits. The Canada porcupine (Erethizon dorsatus) is a well known species.

Porcupine ant-eater (Zoöl.), the echidna. -- Porcupine crab (Zoöl.), a large spiny Japanese crab (Acantholithodes hystrix). -- Porcupine disease (Med.). See Ichthyosis. -- Porcupine fish (Zoöl.), any plectognath fish having the body covered with spines which become erect when the body is inflated. See Diodon, and Globefish. -- Porcupine grass (Bot.), a grass (Stipa spartea) with grains bearing a stout twisted awn, which, by coiling and uncoiling through changes in moisture, propels the sharp-pointed and barbellate grain into the wool and flesh of sheep. It is found from Illinois westward. See Illustration in Appendix. -- Porcupine wood (Bot.), the hard outer wood of the cocoa palm; -- so called because, when cut horizontally, the markings of the wood resemble the quills of a porcupine.

Pore (?), n. [F., fr. L. porus, Gr. &?; a passage, a pore. See Fare, v.] 1. One of the minute orifices in an animal or vegetable membrane, for transpiration, absorption, etc.

2. A minute opening or passageway; an interstice between the constituent particles or molecules of a body; as, the pores of stones.

Pore, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poring.] [OE. poren, of uncertain origin; cf. D. porren to poke, thrust, Gael. purr.] To look or gaze steadily in reading or studying; to fix the attention; to be absorbed; -- often with on or upon, and now usually with over."Painfully to pore upon a book." Shak.

Pore"blind` (?), a. [Probably influenced by pore, v. See Purblind.] Nearsighted; shortsighted; purblind. [Obs.] Bacon.

Por"gy (?), n.; pl. Porgies (#). [See Paugie.] (Zoöl.) (a) The scup. (b) The sailor's choice, or pinfish. (c) The margate fish. (d) The spadefish. (e) Any one of several species of embiotocoids, or surf fishes, of the Pacific coast. The name is also given locally to several other fishes, as the bur fish. [Written also porgee, porgie, and paugy.]

||Po*rif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear.] (Zoöl.) A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongiæ, Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongiæ, Keratosa or Fibrospongiæ, and Silicea.

Po"ri*form (?), a. [L. porus pore + -form: cf. F. poriforme.] Resembling a pore, or small puncture.

Po"rime (?), n. [Gr. &?; practicable.] (Math.) A theorem or proposition so easy of demonstration as to be almost self-evident. [R.] Crabb.

Po"rism (?), n. [Gr. &?; a thing procured, a deduction from a demonstration, fr. &?; to bring, provide: cf. F. porisme.] 1. (Geom.) A proposition affirming the possibility of finding such conditions as will render a certain determinate problem indeterminate or capable of innumerable solutions. Playfair.

Three books of porisms of Euclid have been lost, but several attempts to determine the nature of these propositions and to restore them have been made by modern geometers.

{ Po`ris*mat"ic (?), Po`ris*mat"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a porism; poristic.

{ Po*ris"tic (?), Po*ris"tic*al (?), } a.[Gr. &?; for providing, &?; provided.] Of or pertaining to a porism; of the nature of a porism.

Po"rite (?), n. [Cf. F. porite. See Pore, n.] (Zoöl.) Any coral of the genus Porites, or family Poritidæ.

||Po*ri"tes (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. po`ros a pore.] (Zoöl.) An important genus of reef-building corals having small twelve-rayed calicles, and a very porous coral. Some species are branched, others grow in large massive or globular forms.

Pork (?), n. [F. porc, L. porcus hog, pig. See Farrow a litter of pigs, and cf. Porcelain, Porpoise.] The flesh of swine, fresh or salted, used for food.

Pork"et (?), n. [Dim. of F. porc. See Pork.] A young hog; a pig. [R.] Dryden. W. Howitt.

Pork"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) The coarse-grained brownish yellow wood of a small tree (Pisonia obtusata) of Florida and the West Indies. Also called pigeon wood, beefwood, and corkwood.

Por`ne*ras"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; harlot + &?; to love.] Lascivious; licentious. [R.] F. Harrison.

Por`no*graph"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to pornography; lascivious; licentious; as, pornographic writing.

Por*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a harlot + -graphy.] 1. Licentious painting or literature; especially, the painting anciently employed to decorate the walls of rooms devoted to bacchanalian orgies.

Po*ros"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. porosité.] The quality or state of being porous; -- opposed to density.

Po*rot"ic (?), n. [Gr. &?; callus.] (Med.) A medicine supposed to promote the formation of callus.

Por"ous (?), a. [Cf. F. poreux. See Pore, n.] Full of pores; having interstices in the skin or in the substance of the body; having spiracles or passages for fluids; permeable by liquids; as, a porous skin; porous wood. "The veins of porous earth." Milton.

Por"phy*rite (?), n. (Min.) A rock with a porphyritic structure; as, augite porphyrite.

Por`phy*rit"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. porphyritique.] (Min.) Relating to, or resembling, porphyry, that is, characterized by the presence of distinct crystals, as of feldspar, quartz, or augite, in a relatively fine-grained base, often aphanitic or cryptocrystalline.

Por`phy*ri*za"tion (?), n. The act of porphyrizing, or the state of being porphyrized.

Por`phy*rize (?), v. t. [Cf. F. porphyriser, Gr. &?; to purplish.] To cause to resemble porphyry; to make spotted in composition, like porphyry.

Por`phy*ro*gen"i*tism (?), n. [LL. porphyro genitus, fr. Gr. &?;; &?; purple + root of &?; to be born.] The principle of succession in royal families, especially among the Eastern Roman emperors, by which a younger son, if born after the accession of his father to the throne, was preferred to an elder son who was not so born. Sir T. Palgrave.

Por"phy*ry (?), n.; pl. Porphyries (#). [F. porphyre, L. porphyrites, fr. Gr. &?; like purple, fr. &?; purple. See Purple.] (Geol.) A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles.

Porphyry shell (Zoöl.), a handsome marine gastropod shell (Oliva porphyria), having a dark red or brown polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.

||Por"pi*ta (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; brooch.] (Zoöl.) A genus of bright-colored Siphonophora found floating in the warmer parts of the ocean. The individuals are round and disk-shaped, with a large zooid in the center of the under side, surrounded by smaller nutritive and reproductive zooids, and by slender dactylozooids near the margin. The disk contains a central float, or pneumatocyst.

Por"poise (?), n. [OE. porpeys, OF. porpeis, literally, hog fish, from L. porcus swine + piscis fish. See Pork, and Fish.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any small cetacean of the genus Phocæna, especially P. communis, or P. phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer.

Skunk porpoise, or Bay porpoise (Zoöl.), a North American porpoise (Lagenorhynchus acutus), larger than the common species, and with broad stripes of white and yellow on the sides. See Illustration in Appendix.

||Por`po*ri"no (?), n. [It.] A composition of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, forming a yellow powder, sometimes used by mediæval artists, for the sake of economy, instead of gold. Fairholt.

Por*ra"ceous (?), a. [L. porraceus, from porrum, porrus, a leek.] Resembling the leek in color; greenish. [R.] "Porraceous vomiting." Wiseman.

Por*rect" (?), a. [L. porrectus, p. p. of porrigere to stretch out before one's self, to but forth.] Extended horizontally; stretched out.

Por*rec"tion (?), n. [L. porrectio: cf. F. porrection.] The act of stretching forth.

Por"ret (?), n. [F. porrette, fr. L. porrum, porrus, leek. See Porraceous.] A scallion; a leek or small onion. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Por"ridge (?), n. [Probably corrupted fr. pottage; perh. influenced by OE. porree a kind of pottage, OF. porrée, fr. L. porrum, porrus, leek. See Pottage, and cf. Porringer.] A food made by boiling some leguminous or farinaceous substance, or the meal of it, in water or in milk, making of broth or thin pudding; as, barley porridge, milk porridge, bean porridge, etc.

Por"rin*ger (?), n. [OE. pottanger, for pottager; cf. F. potager a soup basin. See Porridge.] A porridge dish; esp., a bowl or cup from which children eat or are fed; as, a silver porringer. Wordsworth.

Port (?), n. [From Oporto, in Portugal, i. e., &?; porto the port, L. portus. See Port harbor.] A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.

Port, n. [AS. port, L. portus: cf. F. port. See Farm, v., Ford, and 1st, 3d, & 4h Port.] 1. A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.

2. In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence they depart and where they finish their voyages.

Free port. See under Free. -- Port bar. (Naut,) (a) A boom. See Boom, 4, also Bar, 3. (b) A bar, as of sand, at the mouth of, or in, a port. -- Port charges (Com.), charges, as wharfage, etc., to which a ship or its cargo is subjected in a harbor. -- Port of entry, a harbor where a customhouse is established for the legal entry of merchandise. -- Port toll (Law), a payment made for the privilege of bringing goods into port. -- Port warden, the officer in charge of a port; a harbor master.

Port (?), n. [F. porte, L. porta, akin to portus; cf. AS. porte, fr. L. porta. See Port a harbor, and cf. Porte.] 1. A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal. [Archaic]

2. (Naut.) An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also, the shutters which close such an opening.

3. (Mach.) A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid, as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in a valve seat, or valve face.

Air port, Bridle port, etc. See under Air, Bridle, etc. -- Port bar (Naut.), a bar to secure the ports of a ship in a gale. -- Port lid (Naut.), a lid or hanging for closing the portholes of a vessel. -- Steam port, ∧ Exhaust port (Steam Engine), the ports of the cylinder communicating with the valve or valves, for the entrance or exit of the steam, respectively.

Port, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ported; p. pr. & vb. n. Porting.] [F. porter, L. portare to carry. See Port demeanor.] 1. To carry; to bear; to transport. [Obs.]

2. (Mil.) To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.

Port, n. [F. port, fr. porter to carry, L. portare, prob. akin to E. fare, v. See Port harbor, and cf. Comport, Export, Sport.] The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port. Spenser.

Port, n. [Etymology uncertain.] (Naut.) The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.

Port, v. t. (Naut.) To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; -- said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.

||Por"ta (?), n.; pl. Portæ (#). [L., a gate. See Port a hole.] (Anat.) (a) The part of the liver or other organ where its vessels and nerves enter; the hilus. (b) The foramen of Monro. B. G. Wilder.

Port`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being portable; fitness to be carried.

Port"a*ble (?), a. [L. portabilis, fr. portare to carry: cf. F. portable. See Port demeanor.] 1. Capable of being borne or carried; easily transported; conveyed without difficulty; as, a portable bed, desk, engine. South.

Portable forge. See under Forge. -- Portable steam engine. See under Steam engine.

Port"age (?; 48), n. [From 2d Port.] (Naut.) (a) A sailor's wages when in port. (b) The amount of a sailor's wages for a voyage.

Por"tage (?), n. [F., from porter to carry. See Port to carry.] 1. The act of carrying or transporting.

Por"tage (?), v. t. & i. To carry (goods, boats, etc.) overland between navigable waters.

Por"tage group` (?). [So called from the township of Portage in New York.] (Geol.) A subdivision of the Chemung period in American geology. See Chart of Geology.

Por"ta*gue (?), n. [See Portuguese.] A Portuguese gold coin formerly current, and variously estimated to be worth from three and one half to four and one half pounds sterling. [Obs.] [Written also portegue and portigue.]

Por"tal (?), n. [OF. portal, F. portail, LL. portale, fr. L. porta a gate. See Port a gate.] 1. A door or gate; hence, a way of entrance or exit, especially one that is grand and imposing.

2. (Arch.) (a) The lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions. (b) Formerly, a small square corner in a room separated from the rest of the apartment by wainscoting, forming a short passage to another apartment. (c) By analogy with the French portail, used by recent writers for the whole architectural composition which surrounds and includes the doorways and porches of a church.

3. (Bridge Building) The space, at one end, between opposite trusses when these are terminated by inclined braces.

Portal bracing (Bridge Building), a combination of struts and ties which lie in the plane of the inclined braces at a portal, serving to transfer wind pressure from the upper parts of the trusses to an abutment or pier of the bridge.

Por"tal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a porta, especially the porta of the liver; as, the portal vein, which enters the liver at the porta, and divides into capillaries after the manner of an artery.

Portal is applied to other veins which break up into capillaries; as, the renal portal veins in the frog.

||Por`ta*men"to (?), n. [It., fr. portare to carry.] (Mus.) In singing, or in the use of the bow, a gradual carrying or lifting of the voice or sound very smoothly from one note to another; a gliding from tone to tone.

Por"tass (?), n. [OF. porte-hors a kind of prayer book, so called from being portable; cf. LL. portiforium.] A breviary; a prayer book. [Written variously portace, portasse, portesse, portise, porthose, portos, portus, portuse, etc.] [Obs.] Spenser. Camden.

Por"tate (?), a. [L. portatus, p. p. of portare to carry.] (Her.) Borne not erect, but diagonally athwart an escutcheon; as, a cross portate.

2. (Physics) Capable of holding up or carrying; as, the portative force of a magnet, of atmospheric pressure, or of capillarity.

Port`cray"on (?), n. [F. porte- crayon; porter to carry + crayon a crayon.] A metallic handle with a clasp for holding a crayon.

Port*cul"lis (?), n. [OF. porte coulisse, coleïce, a sliding door, fr. L. colare, colatum, to filter, to strain: cf. F. couler to glide. See Port a gate, and cf. Cullis, Colander.] 1. (Fort.) A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy. "Let the portcullis fall." Sir W. Scott.

2. An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth, struck for the use of the East India Company; -- so called from its bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.

Port*cul"lis, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portcullised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Portcullising.] To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar. [R.] Shak.

Porte (?), n. [F. porte a gate, L. porta. See Port a gate.] The Ottoman court; the government of the Turkish empire, officially called the Sublime Porte, from the gate (port) of the sultan's palace at which justice was administered.

||Porte"-co`chère" (?), n. [F. See Port a gate, and Coach.] (Arch.) A large doorway allowing vehicles to drive into or through a building. It is common to have the entrance door open upon the passage of the porte-cochère. Also, a porch over a driveway before an entrance door.

Porte"mon*naie` (?), n. [F., fr. porter to carry + monnaie money.] A small pocketbook or wallet for carrying money.

Por*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portended; p. pr. & vb. n. Portending.] [L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend.] 1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs. Bacon.

2. To stretch out before. [R.] "Doomed to feel the great Idomeneus' portended steel." Pope.

Syn. -- To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur; presage; foreshadow; threaten.

Por*tent" (?; 277), n. [L. portentum. See Portend.] That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign. Shak.

Por*tent"ous (?), a. [L. portentosus.] 1. Of the nature of a portent; containing portents; foreshadowing, esp. foreshadowing ill; ominous.

2. Hence: Monstrous; prodigious; wonderful; dreadful; as, a beast of portentous size. Roscommon.

Por"ter (?), n. [F. portier, L. portarius, from porta a gate, door. See Port a gate.] A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who waits at the door to receive messages. Shak.

Por"ter, n. [F. porteur, fr. porter to carry, L. portare. See Port to carry.] 1. A carrier; one who carries or conveys burdens, luggage, etc.; for hire.

2. (Forging) A bar of iron or steel at the end of which a forging is made; esp., a long, large bar, to the end of which a heavy forging is attached, and by means of which the forging is lifted and handled in hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar.

3. A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.

Porter is said to be so called as having been first used chiefly by the London porters, and this application of the word is supposed to be not older than 1750.

Por"ter*age (?), n. 1. The work of a porter; the occupation of a carrier or of a doorkeeper.

Porterhouse steak, a steak cut from a sirloin of beet, including the upper and under part.

Port"fire` (?), n. A case of strong paper filled with a composition of niter, sulphur, and mealed powder, -- used principally to ignite the priming in proving guns, and as an incendiary material in shells.

Port*fol"io (?), n. [F. portefeuille; porter to carry + feuille a leaf. See Port to carry, and Folio.] 1. A portable case for holding loose papers, prints, drawings, etc.

2. Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or member of the cabinet; as, to receive the portfolio of war; to resign the portfolio.

Port"glave (?), n. [F. porte- glaive; porter to carry + glaive a sword.] A sword bearer. [Obs.]

{ Port"greve` (?), Port"grave` (?), }[AS. portgerfa; port a harbor + gerfa a reeve or sheriff. See Reeve a steward, and cf. Portreeve.] In old English law, the chief magistrate of a port or maritime town.; a portreeve. [Obs.] Fabyan.

Port"hook` (?), n. (Naut.) One of the iron hooks to which the port hinges are attached. J. Knowles.

Por"ti*co, n.; pl. Porticoes (#) or Porticos. [It., L. porticus. See Porch.] (Arch.) A colonnade or covered ambulatory, especially in classical styles of architecture; usually, a colonnade at the entrance of a building.

||Por`tière"" (?), n. [F., fr. porte gate, door. See Port a gate.] A curtain hanging across a doorway.

Por"tin*gal (?), a. Of or pertaining to Portugal; Portuguese. [Obs.] -- n. A Portuguese. [Obs.]

Por"tion (?), n. [F., from L. portio, akin to pars, partis, a part. See Part, n.] 1. That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.

2. A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off or separated from the whole.

4. The part of an estate given to a child or heir, or descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance.

Syn. -- Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend. -- Portion, Part. Part is generic, having a simple reference to some whole. Portion has the additional idea of such a division as bears reference to an individual, or is allotted to some object; as, a portion of one's time; a portion of Scripture.

Por"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Portioning.] 1. To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel; to distribute.

Por"tion*ist (?), n. 1. A scholar at Merton College, Oxford, who has a certain academical allowance or portion; -- corrupted into postmaster. Shipley.

2. (Eccl.) One of the incumbents of a benefice which has two or more rectors or vicars.

Port"land ce*ment" (?). A cement having the color of the Portland stone of England, made by calcining an artificial mixture of carbonate of lime and clay, or sometimes certain natural limestones or chalky clays. It contains a large proportion of clay, and hardens under water.

Port"land stone" (?). A yellowish-white calcareous freestone from the Isle of Portland in England, much used in building.

Port"land vase` (?). A celebrated cinerary urn or vase found in the tomb of the Emperor Alexander Severus. It is owned by the Duke of Portland, and kept in the British Museum.

Port"li*ness (?), n. 1. The quality or state of being portly; dignity of mien or of personal appearance; stateliness.

Port"ly, a. [From Port demeanor.] 1. Having a dignified port or mien; of a noble appearance; imposing.

Port"man (?), n.; pl. Portmen (&?;). An inhabitant or burgess of a port, esp. of one of the Cinque Ports.

Port*man"teau (?), n.; pl. Portmanteaus (#). [F. porte-manteau; porter to carry + manteau a cloak, mantle. See Port to carry, and Mantle.] A bag or case, usually of leather, for carrying wearing apparel, etc., on journeys. Thackeray.

Port"mote` (?), n. In old English law, a court, or mote, held in a port town. [Obs.] Blackstone.

Por"toir (?), n. [OF., fr. porter to bear.] One who, or that which, bears; hence, one who, or that which, produces. [Obs.]

Por"toise (?), n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship.

To lower the yards a-portoise, to lower them to the gunwale. -- To ride a portoise, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind.

Port"pane (?), n. [From L. portare to carry + panis bread; prob. through French.] A cloth for carrying bread, so as not to touch it with the hands. [Obs.]

Por"trait (?), n. [F., originally p. p. of portraire to portray. See Portray.] 1. The likeness of a person, painted, drawn, or engraved; commonly, a representation of the human face painted from real life.

The meaning of the word is sometimes extended so as to include a photographic likeness.

2. Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of a person; as, a portrait in words.

Portrait bust, or Portrait statue, a bust or statue representing the actual features or person of an individual; -- in distinction from an ideal bust or statue.

Por"trai*ture (?; 135), n. [F. portraiture.] 1. A portrait; a likeness; a painted resemblance; hence, that which is copied from some example or model.

Por"trai*ture, v. t. To represent by a portrait, or as by a portrait; to portray. [R.] Shaftesbury.

Por*tray" (?), v. t. [Written also pourtray.] [imp. & p. p. portrayed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Portraying.] [OE. pourtraien, OF. portraire, pourtraire, F. portraire, fr. L. protrahere, protractum, to draw or drag forth; pro forward, forth + trahere to draw. See Trace, v. t., and cf. Protract.] 1. To paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray a king on horseback.

Port-roy"al*ist (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of the dwellers in the Cistercian convent of Port Royal des Champs, near Paris, when it was the home of the Jansenists in the 17th century, among them being Arnauld, Pascal, and other famous scholars. Cf. Jansenist.

Port"sale` (?), n. [Port gate + sale.] Public or open sale; auction. [Obs.] Holland.

Por"tu*guese (?), a. [Cf. F. portugais, Sp. portugues, Pg. portuguez.] Of or pertaining to Portugal, or its inhabitants. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Portugal; people of Portugal.

||Por`tu*la"ca (?), n. [L., purslane.] (Bot.) A genus of polypetalous plants; also, any plant of the genus.

Portulaca oleracea is the common purslane. P. grandiflora is a South American herb, widely cultivated for its showy crimson, scarlet, yellow, or white, ephemeral blossoms.

Por`tu*la*ca"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Portulacaceæ), of which Portulaca is the type, and which includes also the spring beauty (Claytonia) and other genera.

||Po`sé" (?), a. [F., placed, posed.] (Her.) Standing still, with all the feet on the ground; -- said of the attitude of a lion, horse, or other beast.

Pose (?), n. [AS. gepose; of uncertain origin; cf. W. pas a cough, Skr. ks to cough, and E. wheeze.] A cold in the head; catarrh. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pose (?), n. [F. pose, fr. poser. See Pose, v. t.] The attitude or position of a person; the position of the body or of any member of the body; especially, a position formally assumed for the sake of effect; an artificial position; as, the pose of an actor; the pose of an artist's model or of a statue.

Pose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Posed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posing.] [F. poser to place, to put, L. pausare to pause, in LL. also, to place, put, fr. L. pausa a pause, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to make to cease, prob. akin to E. few. In compounds, this word appears corresponding to L. ponere to put, place, the substitution in French having been probably due to confusion of this word with L. positio position, fr. ponere. See Few, and cf. Appose, Dispose, Oppose, Pause, Repose, Position.] To place in an attitude or fixed position, for the sake of effect; to arrange the posture and drapery of (a person) in a studied manner; as, to pose a model for a picture; to pose a sitter for a portrait.

Pose, v. i. To assume and maintain a studied attitude, with studied arrangement of drapery; to strike an attitude; to attitudinize; figuratively, to assume or affect a certain character; as, she poses as a prude.

Pose, v. t. [Shortened from appose, for oppose. See 2d Appose, Oppose.] 1. To interrogate; to question. [Obs.] "She . . . posed him and sifted him." Bacon.

2. To question with a view to puzzling; to embarrass by questioning or scrutiny; to bring to a stand.

Posed (?), a. Firm; determined; fixed. "A most posed . . . and grave behavior." [Obs.] Urquhart.

Pos"er (?), n. One who, or that which, puzzles; a difficult or inexplicable question or fact. Bacon.

Pos"it (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Posited; p. pr. & vb. n. Positing.] [L. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.] 1. To dispose or set firmly or fixedly; to place or dispose in relation to other objects. Sir M. Hale.

2. (Logic) To assume as real or conceded; as, to posit a principle. Sir W. Hamilton.

Po*si"tion (?), n. [F. position, L. positio, fr. ponere, positum, to put, place; prob. for posino, fr. an old preposition used only in comp. (akin to Gr. &?;) + sinere to leave, let, permit, place. See Site, and cf. Composite, Compound, v., Depone, Deposit, Expound, Impostor, Opposite, Propound, Pose, v., Posit, Post, n.]

1. The state of being posited, or placed; the manner in which anything is placed; attitude; condition; as, a firm, an inclined, or an upright position.

2. The spot where a person or thing is placed or takes a place; site; place; station; situation; as, the position of man in creation; the fleet changed its position.

3. Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's position; to appear in a false position.

4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's position.

5. (Arith.) A method of solving a problem by one or two suppositions; -- called also the rule of trial and error.

Angle of position (Astron.), the angle which any line (as that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of declination. -- Double position (Arith.), the method of solving problems by proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the difference of the results with those of the numbers, deducing the correction to be applied to one of them to obtain the true result. -- Guns of position (Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed for quick movements. -- Position finder (Mil.), a range finder. See under Range. -- Position micrometer, a micrometer applied to the tube of an astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in the field of view. -- Single position (Arith.), the method of solving problems, in which the result obtained by operating with an assumed number is to the true result as the number assumed is to the number required. -- Strategic position (Mil.), a position taken up by an army or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of checking or observing an opposing force.

Syn. -- Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture; proposition; assertion; thesis.

Po*si"tion (?), v. t. To indicate the position of; to place. [R.] Encyc. Brit.

Pos"i*tive (?), a. [OE. positif, F. positif, L. positivus. See Position.] 1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative. "Positive good." Bacon.

2. Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing circumstances or relations; absolute; -- opposed to relative; as, the idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes individuals.

3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; -- opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.

4. Hence: Not admitting of any doubt, condition, qualification, or discretion; not dependent on circumstances or probabilities; not speculative; compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable; decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth; positive proof. "'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions." Shak.

5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; said of laws.

6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.

7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation. Swift.

8. (Photog.) Corresponding with the original in respect to the position of lights and shades, instead of having the lights and shades reversed; as, a positive picture.

9. (Chem.) (a) Electro- positive. (b) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.

Positive crystals (Opt.), a doubly refracting crystal in which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, as quartz and ice; -- opposed to negative crystal, or one in which this characteristic is reversed, as Iceland spar, tourmaline, etc. -- Positive degree (Gram.), that state of an adjective or adverb which denotes simple quality, without comparison or relation to increase or diminution; as, wise, noble. -- Positive electricity (Elec), the kind of electricity which is developed when glass is rubbed with silk, or which appears at that pole of a voltaic battery attached to the plate that is not attacked by the exciting liquid; -- formerly called vitreous electricity; -- opposed to negative electricity. -- Positive eyepiece. See under Eyepiece. -- Positive law. See Municipal law, under Law. -- Positive motion (Mach.), motion which is derived from a driver through unyielding intermediate pieces, or by direct contact, and not through elastic connections, nor by means of friction, gravity, etc.; definite motion. -- Positive philosophy. See Positivism. -- Positive pole. (a) (Elec.) The pole of a battery or pile which yields positive or vitreous electricity; -- opposed to negative pole. (b) (Magnetism) The north pole. [R.] -- Positive quantity (Alg.), an affirmative quantity, or one affected by the sign plus [+]. -- Positive rotation (Mech.), left-handed rotation. -- Positive sign (Math.), the sign [+] denoting plus, or more, or addition.

4. (Photog.) A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a negative. R. Hunt.

Pos"i*tive*ly, adv. In a positive manner; absolutely; really; expressly; with certainty; indubitably; peremptorily; dogmatically; -- opposed to negatively.

Positively charged or electrified (Elec.), having a charge of positive electricity; -- opposed to negatively electrified.

Pos"i*tive*ness, n. The quality or state of being positive; reality; actualness; certainty; confidence; peremptoriness; dogmatism. See Positive, a.

Pos"i*tiv*ism (?), n. A system of philosophy originated by M. Auguste Comte, which deals only with positives. It excludes from philosophy everything but the natural phenomena or properties of knowable things, together with their invariable relations of coexistence and succession, as occurring in time and space. Such relations are denominated laws, which are to be discovered by observation, experiment, and comparison. This philosophy holds all inquiry into causes, both efficient and final, to be useless and unprofitable.

Pos"net (?), n. [OF. poçonet, dim. of poçon a pot, a vessel.] A little basin; a porringer; a skillet.

{ Pos`o*log"ic (?), Pos`o*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. posologique.] Pertaining to posology.

Po*sol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; how much + -logy: cf. F. posologie.] (Med.) The science or doctrine of doses; dosology.

Pos"po*lite (?), n. [Pol. pospolite ruszenie a general summons to arms, an arriere-ban; pospolity general + ruszenie a stirring.] A kind of militia in Poland, consisting of the gentry, which, in case of invasion, was summoned to the defense of the country.

||Pos"se com`i*ta"tus (?). [L. posse to be able, to have power + LL. comitatus a county, from comes, comitis, a count. See County, and Power.]

1. (Law) The power of the county, or the citizens who may be summoned by the sheriff to assist the authorities in suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which is forcibly opposed. Blackstone.

The word comitatus is often omitted, and posse alone used. "A whole posse of enthusiasts." Carlyle.

Pos*sess" (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Possessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Possessing.] [L. possessus, p. p. of possidere to have, possess, from an inseparable prep. (cf. Position) + sedere to sit. See Sit.] 1. To occupy in person; to hold or actually have in one's own keeping; to have and to hold.

2. To have the legal title to; to have a just right to; to be master of; to own; to have; as, to possess property, an estate, a book.

4. To enter into and influence; to control the will of; to fill; to affect; -- said especially of evil spirits, passions, etc. "Weakness possesseth me." Shak.

5. To put in possession; to make the owner or holder of property, power, knowledge, etc.; to acquaint; to inform; -- followed by of or with before the thing possessed, and now commonly used reflexively.

Syn. -- To have; hold; occupy; control; own. -- Possess, Have. Have is the more general word. To possess denotes to have as a property. It usually implies more permanence or definiteness of control or ownership than is involved in having. A man does not possess his wife and children: they are (so to speak) part of himself. For the same reason, we have the faculties of reason, understanding, will, sound judgment, etc.: they are exercises of the mind, not possessions.

Pos*ses"sion (?), n. [F. possession, L. possessio.] 1. The act or state of possessing, or holding as one's own.

2. (Law) The having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command; actual seizin or occupancy; ownership, whether rightful or wrongful.

Possession may be either actual or constructive; actual, when a party has the immediate occupancy; constructive, when he has only the right to such occupancy.

3. The thing possessed; that which any one occupies, owns, or controls; in the plural, property in the aggregate; wealth; dominion; as, foreign possessions.

4. The state of being possessed or controlled, as by an evil spirit, or violent passions; madness; frenzy; as, demoniacal possession.

To give possession, to put in another's power or occupancy. -- To put in possession. (a) To invest with ownership or occupancy; to provide or furnish with; as, to put one in possession of facts or information. (b) (Law) To place one in charge of property recovered in ejectment or writ of entry. -- To take possession, to enter upon, or to bring within one's power or occupancy. -- Writ of possession (Law), a precept directing a sheriff to put a person in peaceable possession of property recovered in ejectment or writ of entry.

Pos*ses"sion*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to possession; arising from possession.

Pos*ses"sion*er (?), n. 1. A possessor; a property holder. [Obs.] "Possessioners of riches." E. Hall.

2. An invidious name for a member of any religious community endowed with property in lands, buildings, etc., as contrasted with mendicant friars. [Obs.] Wyclif.

Pos`ses*si"val (?), a. Of or pertaining to the possessive case; as, a possessival termination. Earle.

Pos*sess"ive (?), a. [L. possessivus: cf. F. possessif.] Of or pertaining to possession; having or indicating possession.

Possessive case (Eng. Gram.), the genitive case; the case of nouns and pronouns which expresses ownership, origin, or some possessive relation of one thing to another; as, Homer's admirers; the pear's flavor; the dog's faithfulness. -- Possessive pronoun, a pronoun denoting ownership; as, his name; her home; my book.

Pos*sess"or (?), n. [L.: cf. F. possesseur.] One who possesses; one who occupies, holds, owns, or controls; one who has actual participation or enjoyment, generally of that which is desirable; a proprietor. "Possessors of eternal glory." Law.

Pos*sess"o*ry (?), a. [L. possessorius: cf. F. possessoire.] Of or pertaining to possession, either as a fact or a right; of the nature of possession; as, a possessory interest; a possessory lord.

Possessory action or suit (Law), an action to regain or obtain possession of something. See under Petitory.

Pos"set (?), n. [W. posel curdled milk, posset.] A beverage composed of hot milk curdled by some strong infusion, as by wine, etc., -- much in favor formerly. "I have drugged their posset." Shak.

Pos"set, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Posseted; p. pr. & vb. n. Posseting.] 1. To curdle; to turn, as milk; to coagulate; as, to posset the blood. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To treat with possets; to pamper. [R.] "She was cosseted and posseted." O. W. Holmes.

Pos`si*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Possibilities (#). [F. possibilité, L. possibilitas.] 1. The quality or state of being possible; the power of happening, being, or existing. "All possibility of error." Hooker. "Latent possibilities of excellence." Johnson.

2. That which is possible; a contingency; a thing or event that may not happen; a contingent interest, as in real or personal estate. South. Burrill.

Pos"si*ble (?), a. [F., fr. L. possibilis, fr. posse to be able, to have power; potis able, capable + esse to be. See Potent, Am, and cf. Host a landlord.] Capable of existing or occurring, or of being conceived or thought of; able to happen; capable of being done; not contrary to the nature of things; -- sometimes used to express extreme improbability; barely able to be, or to come to pass; as, possibly he is honest, as it is possible that Judas meant no wrong.

Pos"si*bly, adv. In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may recover.

Pos"sum (?), n. [Shortened from opossum.] (Zoöl.) An opossum. [Colloq. U. S.]

To play possum, To act possum, to feign ignorance, indifference or inattention, with the intent to deceive; to dissemble; -- in allusion to the habit of the opossum, which feigns death when attacked or alarmed.

Post- (pst). [L. post behind, after; cf. Skr. paçcbehind, afterwards.] A prefix signifying behind, back, after; as, postcommissure, postdot, postscript.

Post, a. [F. aposter to place in a post or position, generally for a bad purpose.] Hired to do what is wrong; suborned. [Obs.] Sir E. Sandys.

Post, n. [AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to place. See Position, and cf. 4th Post.] 1. A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed, or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially when intended as a stay or support to something else; a pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a house.

Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is used in composition, in such words as king-post, queen- post, crown-post, gatepost, etc.

2. The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt. [Obs.]

From pillar to post. See under Pillar. -- Knight of the post. See under Knight. -- Post hanger (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft, adapted to be fastened to a post. -- Post hole, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post in. -- Post mill, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of the wind varies. -- Post and stall (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine.

Post, n. [F. poste, LL. posta station, post (where horses were kept), properly, a fixed or set place, fem. fr. L. positus placed, p. p. of ponere. See Position, and cf. Post a pillar.] 1. The place at which anything is stopped, placed, or fixed; a station. Specifically: (a) A station, or one of a series of stations, established for the refreshment and accommodation of travelers on some recognized route; as, a stage or railway post. (b) A military station; the place at which a soldier or a body of troops is stationed; also, the troops at such a station. (c) The piece of ground to which a sentinel's walk is limited.

2. A messenger who goes from station; an express; especially, one who is employed by the government to carry letters and parcels regularly from one place to another; a letter carrier; a postman.

3. An established conveyance for letters from one place or station to another; especially, the governmental system in any country for carrying and distributing letters and parcels; the post office; the mail; hence, the carriage by which the mail is transported.

4. Haste or speed, like that of a messenger or mail carrier. [Obs.] "In post he came." Shak.

6. A station, office, or position of service, trust, or emolument; as, the post of duty; the post of danger.

Post and pair, an old game at cards, in which each player a hand of three cards. B. Jonson. -- Post bag, a mail bag. -- Post bill, a bill of letters mailed by a postmaster. -- Post chaise, or Post coach, a carriage usually with four wheels, for the conveyance of travelers who travel post. -- Post day, a day on which the mall arrives or departs. -- Post hackney, a hired post horse. Sir H. Wotton. -- Post horn, a horn, or trumpet, carried and blown by a carrier of the public mail, or by a coachman. -- Post horse, a horse stationed, intended, or used for the post. -- Post hour, hour for posting letters. Dickens. -- Post office. (a) An office under governmental superintendence, where letters, papers, and other mailable matter, are received and distributed; a place appointed for attending to all business connected with the mail. (b) The governmental system for forwarding mail matter. -- Postoffice order. See Money order, under Money. -- Post road, or Post route, a road or way over which the mail is carried. -- Post town. (a) A town in which post horses are kept. (b) A town in which a post office is established by law. -- To ride post, to ride, as a carrier of dispatches, from place to place; hence, to ride rapidly, with as little delay as possible. -- To travel post, to travel, as a post does, by relays of horses, or by keeping one carriage to which fresh horses are attached at each stopping place.

Post (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Posted; p. pr. & vb. n. Posting.] 1. To attach to a post, a wall, or other usual place of affixing public notices; to placard; as, to post a notice; to post playbills.

Formerly, a large post was erected before the sheriff's office, or in some public place, upon which legal notices were displayed. This way of advertisement has not entirely gone of use.

2. To hold up to public blame or reproach; to advertise opprobriously; to denounce by public proclamation; as, to post one for cowardice.

4. To assign to a station; to set; to place; as, to post a sentinel. "It might be to obtain a ship for a lieutenant, . . . or to get him posted." De Quincey.

5. (Bookkeeping) To carry, as an account, from the journal to the ledger; as, to post an account; to transfer, as accounts, to the ledger.

7. To inform; to give the news to; to make (one) acquainted with the details of a subject; -- often with up.

To post off, to put off; to delay. [Obs.] "Why did I, venturously, post off so great a business?" Baxter. -- To post over, to hurry over. [Obs.] Fuller.

Post, v. i. [Cf. OF. poster. See 4th Post.] 1. To travel with post horses; figuratively, to travel in haste. "Post seedily to my lord your husband." Shak.

2. (Man.) To rise and sink in the saddle, in accordance with the motion of the horse, esp. in trotting. [Eng.]

Post`-ab*do"men (?), n. [Pref. post- + abdomen.] (Zoöl.) That part of a crustacean behind the cephalothorax; -- more commonly called abdomen.

Post"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being carried by, or as by, post. [Obs.] W. Montagu.

Post"age (?), n. The price established by law to be paid for the conveyance of a letter or other mailable matter by a public post.

Postage stamp, a government stamp required to be put upon articles sent by mail in payment of the postage, esp. an adhesive stamp issued and sold for that purpose.

Post"al (?), a. [Cf. F. postal.] Belonging to the post office or mail service; as, postal arrangements; postal authorities.

Postal card, or Post card, a card sold by the government for transmission through the mails, at a lower rate of postage than a sealed letter. The message is written on one side of the card, and the direction on the other. -- Postal money order. See Money order, under Money. -- Postal note, an order payable to bearer, for a sum of money (in the United States less than five dollars under existing law), issued from one post office and payable at another specified office. -- Postal Union, a union for postal purposes entered into by the most important powers, or governments, which have agreed to transport mail matter through their several territories at a stipulated rate.

Post*a"nal (?), a. [Pref. post- + anal.] (Anat.) Situated behind, or posterior to, the anus.

Post*ax"i*al (?), a. [Pref. post- + axial.] (Anat.) Situated behind any transverse axis in the body of an animal; caudal; posterior; especially, behind, or on the caudal or posterior (that is, ulnar or fibular) side of, the axis of a vertebrate limb.

Post"-cap`tain (?), n. A captain of a war vessel whose name appeared, or was "posted," in the seniority list of the British navy, as distinguished from a commander whose name was not so posted. The term was also used in the United States navy; but no such commission as post-captain was ever recognized in either service, and the term has fallen into disuse.

||Post"ca`va (?), n.; pl. Postcavæ . [NL. See Post-, and Cave, n.] (Anat.) The inferior vena cava. -- Post"ca`val (#), a. B. G. Wilder.

Post*clav"i*cle (?), n. [Pref. post- + clavicle.] (Anat.) A bone in the pectoral girdle of many fishes projecting backward from the clavicle. -- Post`*cla*vic"u*lar (#), a.

Post*com"mis*sure (?), n. [Pref. post- + commisure.] (Anat.) A transverse commisure in the posterior part of the roof of the third ventricle of the brain; the posterior cerebral commisure. B. G. Wilder.

Post`com*mun"ion (?), n. [Pref. post- + communion.] 1. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) The concluding portion of the communion service.

2. (R. C. Ch.) A prayer or prayers which the priest says at Mass, after the ablutions.

||Post*cor"nu (?), n.; pl. Postcornua (#). [NL. See Post-, and Cornu.] (Anat.) The posterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

Post"date` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postdated; p. pr. & vb. n. Postdating.] [Pref. post- + date.] 1. To date after the real time; as, to postdate a contract, that is, to date it later than the time when it was in fact made.

Post"date`, n. A date put to a bill of exchange or other paper, later than that when it was actually made.

{ Post`di*lu"vi*al (?), Post`di*lu"vi*an (?), } a. [Pref. post- + diluvial, diluvian.] Being or happening after the flood in Noah's days.

Post"-dis*sei"zin (?), n. [Pref. post- + disseizin.] (O. Eng. Law) A subsequent disseizin committed by one of lands which the disseizee had before recovered of the same disseizor; a writ founded on such subsequent disseizin, now abolished. Burrill. Tomlins.

Post`-dis*sei"zor (?), n. [Pref. post- + disseizor.] (O. Eng. Law) A person who disseizes another of lands which the disseizee had before recovered of the same disseizor. Blackstone.

||Post"e*a (?), n. [L., after these or those (things), afterward.] (Law) The return of the judge before whom a cause was tried, after a verdict, of what was done in the cause, which is indorsed on the nisi prius record. Wharton.

Post"en*try (?), n. [Pref. post- + entry.] 1. A second or subsequent, at the customhouse, of goods which had been omitted by mistake.

Post"er (?), n. 1. A large bill or placard intended to be posted in public places.

Post"er, n. 1. One who posts, or travels expeditiously; a courier. "Posters of the sea and land." Shak.

Pos*te"ri*or (ps*t"r*r), a. [L. posterior, compar. of posterus coming after, from post after. See Post-.] 1. Later in time; hence, later in the order of proceeding or moving; coming after; -- opposed to prior.

3. (Anat.) At or toward the caudal extremity; caudal; -- in human anatomy often used for dorsal.

4. (Bot.) On the side next the axis of inflorescence; -- said of an axillary flower. Gray.

Pos*te`ri*or"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. postériorité.] The state of being later or subsequent; as, posteriority of time, or of an event; -- opposed to priority.

Pos*ter"i*ty (?), n. [L. posteritas: cf. F. postérité. See Posterior.] 1. The race that proceeds from a progenitor; offspring to the furthest generation; the aggregate number of persons who are descended from an ancestor of a generation; descendants; -- contrasted with ancestry; as, the posterity of Abraham.

Pos"tern (?), n. [OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr. L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See Posterior.] 1. Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any small door or gate.

2. (Fort.) A subterraneous passage communicating between the parade and the main ditch, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks. Mahan.

Pos"te*ro- (&?;). A combining form meaning posterior, back; as, postero-inferior, situated back and below; postero-lateral, situated back and at the side.

Post`ex*ist" (?), v. i. [Pref. post- + exist.] To exist after; to live subsequently. [Obs. or R.]

Post`ex*ist"ent (?), a. Existing or living after. [R.] "Postexistent atoms." Cudworth.

Post"fact` (?), a. [See Post-, and Fact.] Relating to a fact that occurs after another.

Post"fact`, n. A fact that occurs after another. "Confirmed upon the postfact." Fuller.

Post"-fine` (?), n. [Pref. post- + fine.] (O. Eng. Law) A duty paid to the king by the cognizee in a fine of lands, when the same was fully passed; -- called also the king's silver.

Post"fix (?), n.; pl. Postfixes (#). [Pref. post- + -fix, as in prefix: cf. F. postfixe.] (Gram.) A letter, syllable, or word, added to the end of another word; a suffix. Parkhurst.

Post*fix" (?), v. t. To annex; specifically (Gram.), to add or annex, as a letter, syllable, or word, to the end of another or principal word; to suffix. Parkhurst.

Post*fron"tal (?), a. [Pref. post- + frontal.] (Anat.) Situated behind the frontal bone or the frontal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone back of and below the frontal in many animals. -- n. A postfrontal bone.

||Post*fur"ca (?), n.; pl. Postfurcæ (#). [NL., fr. post behind + furca a fork.] (Zoöl.) One of the internal thoracic processes of the sternum of an insect.

Post*gen"i*ture (?; 135), n. [Pref. post- + L. genitura birth, geniture.] The condition of being born after another in the same family; -- distinguished from primogeniture. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Post*gle"noid (?), a. [Pref. post- + glenoid.] (Anat.) Situated behind the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone.

Post`haste" (?), n. Haste or speed in traveling, like that of a post or courier. Shak.

Post`haste, adv. With speed or expedition; as, he traveled posthaste; to send posthaste. Shak.

Pos*thet"o*my (?), n. [Gr. po`sqh prepuce + te`mnein to cut.] (Med.) Circumcision. Dunglison.

Post"house` (?), n. 1. A house established for the convenience of the post, where relays of horses can be obtained.

Post"hu*mous (?; 277), a. [L. posthumus, postumus, properly, last; hence, late born (applied to children born after the father's death, or after he had made his will), superl. of posterus, posterior. See Posterior.] 1. Born after the death of the father, or taken from the dead body of the mother; as, a posthumous son or daughter.

2. Published after the death of the author; as, posthumous works; a posthumous edition.

3. Being or continuing after one's death; as, a posthumous reputation. Addison. Sir T. Browne.

Pos"tic (?), a. [L. posticus, fr. post after, behind.] Backward. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pos"ti*cous (?), a. [L. posticus.] (Bot.) (a) Posterior. (b) Situated on the outer side of a filament; -- said of an extrorse anther.

Pos"til (?), n. [F. postille, apostille, LL. postilla, probably from L. post illa (sc. verba) after those (words). Cf. Apostil.] 1. Originally, an explanatory note in the margin of the Bible, so called because written after the text; hence, a marginal note; a comment.

2. (R. C. Ch. & Luth. Ch.) A short homily or commentary on a passage of Scripture; as, the first postils were composed by order of Charlemagne.

Pos"til, v. t. [Cf. LL. postillare.] To write marginal or explanatory notes on; to gloss. Bacon.

Pos"til, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Postiled (&?;) or Postilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Postiling or Postilling.] To write postils, or marginal notes; to comment; to postillate.

Pos"til*er (?), n. [Written also postiller.] One who writers marginal notes; one who illustrates the text of a book by notes in the margin. Sir T. Browne.

Pos*til"ion (?), n. [F. postillon, It. postiglione, fr. posta post. See Post a postman.] One who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when one pair only is used. [Written also postillion.]

Pos"til*late (?), v. t. [LL. postillatus, p. p. of postillare.] To explain by marginal notes; to postil.

Pos`til*la"tion (?), n. [LL. postillatio.] The act of postillating; exposition of Scripture in preaching.

Pos"til*la`tor (?), n. [LL.] One who postillates; one who expounds the Scriptures verse by verse.

2. (Bookkeeping) The act of transferring an account, as from the journal to the ledger.

Post`li*min"i*ar (?), a. [See Postliminium.] Contrived, done, or existing subsequently. "Postliminious after applications of them to their purposes." South.

Post`li*min"i*a*ry (?), a. Pertaining to, or involving, the right of postliminium.

{ ||Post`li*min"i*um (?), Post*lim"i*ny (?), } n. [L. postliminium, post after + limen, liminis, a threshold.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) The return to his own country, and his former privileges, of a person who had gone to sojourn in a foreign country, or had been banished, or taken by an enemy. Burrill.

2. (Internat. Law) The right by virtue of which persons and things taken by an enemy in war are restored to their former state when coming again under the power of the nation to which they belonged. Kent.

Post"lude (?), n. [Pref. post- + -lude, as in prelude.] (Med.) A voluntary at the end of a service.

Post"man (?), n.; pl. Postmen (&?;). 1. A post or courier; a letter carrier.

2. (Eng. Law) One of the two most experienced barristers in the Court of Exchequer, who have precedence in motions; -- so called from the place where he sits. The other of the two is called the tubman. Whishaw.

Post"mark` (?), n. The mark, or stamp, of a post office on a letter, giving the place and date of mailing or of arrival.

Post"mark`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postmarked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postmarking.] To mark with a post-office stamp; as, to postmark a letter or parcel.

Post"mas`ter (?), n. 1. One who has charge of a station for the accommodation of travelers; one who supplies post horses.

2. One who has charge of a post office, and the distribution and forwarding of mails.

Post"mas`ter-gen"er*al (?), n.; pl. Postmasters-general. The chief officer of the post-office department of a government. In the United States the postmaster-general is a member of the cabinet.

Post`me*rid"i*an (?), a. [L. postmeridianus; post after + meridianus. See Meridian.] 1. Coming after the sun has passed the meridian; being in, or belonging to, the afternoon. (Abbrev. P. M.)

||Post-mor"tem (?), a. [L., after death.] After death; as, post-mortem rigidity.

Post-mortem examination (Med.), an examination of the body made after the death of the patient; an autopsy.

||Post*na"res (?), n. pl. [NL. See Post-, and Nares.] (Anat.) The posterior nares. See Nares.

Post*na"tal (?), a. [Pref. post- + natal.] After birth; subsequent to birth; as, postnatal infanticide; postnatal diseases.

Post"nate (?), a. [LL. postnatus second or subsequently born; L. post after + natus born.] Subsequent. "The graces and gifts of the spirit are postnate." [Archaic] Jer. Taylor.

Post" note` (?). (Com.) A note issued by a bank, payable at some future specified time, as distinguished from a note payable on demand. Burrill.

Post*nup"tial (?), a. [Pref. post- + nuptial.] Being or happening after marriage; as, a postnuptial settlement on a wife. Kent.

{ Post-o"bit (?), n., or Post-o"bit bond` }. [Pref. post- + obit.] (Law) A bond in which the obligor, in consideration of having received a certain sum of money, binds himself to pay a larger sum, on unusual interest, on the death of some specified individual from whom he has expectations. Bouvier.

||Post*ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Oblongata.] (Anat.) The posterior part of the medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

Post*oc"u*lar (?), a. & n. [Pref. post- + ocular.] (Zoöl.) Same as Postorbital.

Post*o"ral (?), a. [Pref. post- + oral.] (Anat.) Situated behind, or posterior to, the mouth.

Post*or"bit*al (?), a. [Pref. post- + orbital.] (Anat. & Zoöl.) Situated behind the orbit; as, the postorbital scales of some fishes and reptiles. -- n. A postorbital bone or scale.

Post*pal"a*tine (?), a. [Pref. post- + palatine.] (Anat.) Situated behind the palate, or behind the palatine bones.

Post*pli"o*cene (?), a. (Geol.) [Pref. post- + pliocene.] Of or pertaining to the period immediately following the Pliocene; Pleistocene. Also used as a noun. See Quaternary.

Post*pone" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postponed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postponing.] [L. postponere, postpositum; post after + ponere to place, put. See Post-, and Position.] 1. To defer to a future or later time; to put off; also, to cause to be deferred or put off; to delay; to adjourn; as, to postpone the consideration of a bill to the following day, or indefinitely.

2. To place after, behind, or below something, in respect to precedence, preference, value, or importance.

Post*pone"ment (?), n. The act of postponing; a deferring, or putting off, to a future time; a temporary delay. Macaulay.

Post*pon"ence (?), n. [From L. postponens, p. pr.] The act of postponing, in sense 2. [Obs.] Johnson.

Post*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postposing.] [F. postposer. See Post-, and Pose, v. t.] To postpone. [Obs.] Fuller.

Post*pos"it (?), v. t. [L. postpositus, p. p. See Postpone.] To postpone. [Obs.] Feltham.

Post`po*si"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. postposition. See Postpone.] 1. The act of placing after, or the state of being placed after. "The postposition of the nominative case to the verb." Mede.

2. A word or particle placed after, or at the end of, another word; -- distinguished from preposition.

Post*pos"i*tive (?), a. [See Postpone.] Placed after another word; as, a postpositive conjunction; a postpositive letter. - - Post*pos"i*tive*ly, adv.

Post*pran"di*al (?), a. [Pref. post- + prandial.] Happening, or done, after dinner; after- dinner; as, postprandial speeches.

Pos*tre`mo*gen"i*ture (?; 135), n. [L. postremus last + genitura birth, geniture.] The right of the youngest born. Mozley & W.

Post`re*mote" (?), a. [Pref. post- + remote.] More remote in subsequent time or order.

Post"rid`er (?), n. One who rides over a post road to carry the mails. Bancroft.

||Post*scap"u*la (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Scapula.] (Anat.) The part of the scapula behind or below the spine, or mesoscapula.

Post*scap"u*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the postscapula; infraspinous.

||Post*sce"ni*um (?), n. [L., fr. post + scena a scene.] The part of a theater behind the scenes; the back part of the stage of a theater.

Post*scribe" (?), v. t. [L. postscribere. See Postscript.] To make a postscript. [R.] T. Adams.

Post"script (?), n. [L. postscriptus, (assumed) p. p. of postscribere to write after; post after + scribere to write: cf. F. postscriptum. See Post-, and Scribe.] A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and signed by the writer; an addition made to a book or composition after the main body of the work has been finished, containing something omitted, or something new occurring to the writer. [Abbrev. P. S.]

Post"script*ed, a. Having a postscript; added in a postscript. [R.] J. Q. Adams.

||Post`scu*tel"lum (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Scutellum.] (Zoöl.) The hindermost dorsal piece of a thoracic somite of an insect; the plate behind the scutellum.

Post*sphe"noid (?), a. [Pref. post- + sphenoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the posterior part of the sphenoid bone.

Post-tem"po*ral (?), a. [Pref. post- + temporal.] (Anat.) Situated back of the temporal bone or the temporal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone which usually connects the supraclavicle with the skull in the pectoral arch of fishes. -- n. A post-temporal bone.

Post*ter"ti*a*ry (?), a. [Pref. post- + tertiary.] (Geol.) Following, or more recent than, the Tertiary; Quaternary.

||Post"-tra`gus (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Tragus.] (Anat.) A ridge within and behind the tragus in the ear of some animals.

Post`-tym*pan"ic (?), a. [Pref. post- + tympanic.] (Anat.) Situated behind the tympanum, or in the skull, behind the auditory meatus.

Pos"tu*lant (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. postulans, p. pr. of postulare. See Postulate.] One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.

Pos"tu*late (?), n. [L. postulatum a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to pray: cf. F. postulat. See Pray.] 1. Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.

2. (Geom.) The enunciation of a self- evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.

Pos"tu*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating.] 1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions.

Pos"tu*la`ted (?), a. Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. Sir T. Browne.

Pos`tu*la"tion (?), n. [L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation.] The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.

Pos"tu*la*to*ry (?), a. [L. postulatorius.] Of the nature of a postulate. Sir T. Browne.

||Pos`tu*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Postulata (#). [L. See Postulate, n.] A postulate. Addison.

Pos"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.] 1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude.

3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.

Pos"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posturing.] To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model. Howell.

Pos"ture, v. i. 1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or contortionist; also, to pose.

||Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Postzygapophyses (#). [NL. See Post- , and Zygapophysis.] (Anat.) A posterior zygapophysis.

Po"sy (?), n.; pl. Posies (#). [Contr. fr. poesy.] 1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring. "The posy of a ring." Shak.

2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. "Bridegroom's posies." Spenser.

Pot (?), n. [Akin to LG. pott, D. pot, Dan. potte, Sw. potta, Icel. pottr, F. pot; of unknown origin.] 1. A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.

3. The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale. "Give her a pot and a cake." De Foe.

4. A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.

Jack pot. See under 2d Jack. -- Pot cheese, cottage cheese. See under Cottage. -- Pot companion, a companion in drinking. -- Pot hanger, a pothook. -- Pot herb, any plant, the leaves or stems of which are boiled for food, as spinach, lamb's-quarters, purslane, and many others. -- Pot hunter, one who kills anything and everything that will help to fill has bag; also, a hunter who shoots game for the table or for the market. -- Pot metal. (a) The metal from which iron pots are made, different from common pig iron. (b) An alloy of copper with lead used for making large vessels for various purposes in the arts. Ure. (c) A kind of stained glass, the colors of which are incorporated with the melted glass in the pot. Knight. -- Pot plant (Bot.), either of the trees which bear the monkey-pot. -- Pot wheel (Hydraul.), a noria. -- To go to pot, to go to destruction; to come to an end of usefulness; to become refuse. [Colloq.] Dryden. J. G. Saxe.

Pot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potted; p. pr. & vb. n. Potting.] To place or inclose in pots; as: (a) To preserve seasoned in pots. "Potted fowl and fish." Dryden. (b) To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs. (c) To drain; as, to pot sugar, by taking it from the cooler, and placing it in hogsheads, etc., having perforated heads, through which the molasses drains off. B. Edwards. (d) (Billiards) To pocket.

Po"ta*ble (?), a. [F., fr. L. potabilis, fr. potare to drink; akin to Gr. po`tos a drinking, po`sis a drink, Skr. p to drink, OIr. ibim I drink. Cf. Poison, Bib, Imbibe.] Fit to be drunk; drinkable. "Water fresh and potable." Bacon. -- n. A potable liquid; a beverage. "Useful in potables." J. Philips.

Pot"a*ger (?), n. [F. fr. potage soup, porridge. See Pottage.] A porringer. [Obs.] Grew.

Po*ta"mi*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; river.] (Zoöl.) A river tortoise; one of a group of tortoises (Potamites, or Trionychoidea) having a soft shell, webbed feet, and a sharp beak. See Trionyx.

Pot`a*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -graphy.] An account or description of rivers; potamology.

Pot`a*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -logy.] A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on rivers; potamography.

||Pot`a*mo*spon"gi*æ (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; river + &?; a sponge.] (Zoöl.) The fresh-water sponges. See Spongilla.

Po"tance (?), n. [F. potence. See Potence, Potency.] (Watch Making) The stud in which the bearing for the lower pivot of the verge is made.

Pot"ash` (?), n. [Pot + ash.] (Chem.) (a) The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance, KOH, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; -- hence called also caustic potash. (b) The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white crystalline (pearlash).

Po*tas"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. E. potash.] (Chem.) (a) Potassium oxide. [Obs.] (b) Potassium hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash.

Pot`ass*am"ide (?), n. [Potassium + amide.] (Chem.) A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in ammonia.

Po*tas"si*um (?), n. [NL. See Potassa, Potash.] (Chem.) An Alkali element having atomic number 19, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.1. Symbol K (Kalium).

It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs and chemicals.

Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO₄, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; -- used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. -- Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar, under Cream.

Pot`ass*ox"yl (?), n. [Potassium + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.

Po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. potatio, fr. potare. See Potable.] 1. The act of drinking. Jer. Taylor.

Po*ta"to (?), n.; pl. Potatoes (#). [Sp. patata potato, batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.) (a) A plant (Solanum tuberosum) of the Nightshade family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which there are numerous varieties used for food. It is native of South America, but a form of the species is found native as far north as New Mexico. (b) The sweet potato (see below).

Potato beetle, Potato bug. (Zoöl.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species. -- Potato fly (Zoöl.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (L. vittata), and the gray (L. cinerea, or Fabricii) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister. -- Potato rot, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zoöl.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zoöl.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomœa Pes-Capræ, a kind of morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed leaves. [West Indies] -- Sweet potato (Bot.), a climbing plant (Ipomœa Balatas) allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this plant before it was to the Solanum tuberosum, and this is the "potato" of the Southern United States. -- Wild potato. (Bot.) (a) A vine (Ipomœa pandurata) having a pale purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy places in the United States. (b) A similar tropical American plant (I. fastigiata) which it is thought may have been the original stock of the sweet potato.

Po"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. potatorius, from potare to drink.] Of or pertaining to drinking. Ld. Lytton.

Pot"boil`er (?), n. A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living. [Cant]

Pot"boy` (?), n. A boy who carries pots of ale, beer, etc.; a menial in a public house.

Potch (?), v. i. [Cf. Poach to stab.] To thrust; to push. [Obs.] "I 'll potch at him some way." Shak.

Potcher engine (Paper Making), a machine in which washed rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.

Po*teen" (?), n. [Cf. Ir. potaim, poitim, I drink, poitin a small pot.] Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry. [Written also potheen, and potteen.]

Po"te*lot (?), n. [F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.] (Old Chem. & Min.) Molybdenum sulphide.

Po"tence (?), n. [F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L., might, power. See Potency.] Potency; capacity. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

Po"ten*cy (?), n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis, potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence, Puissance.] The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. "Drugs of potency." Hawthorne.

Po"tent (?), a. [L. potens, - entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.] 1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. "Harsh and potent injuries." Shak.

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom." Shak.

3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

Syn. -- Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.

Po"ten*tate (?), n. [LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See Potent, a.] One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch.

Po*ten"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.] 1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential. [Obs.] "And hath in his effect a voice potential." Shak.

Potential cautery. See under Cautery. -- Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy. -- Potential mood, or mode (Gram.), that form of the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty, power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can write.

Po*ten"tial, n. 1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially. Bacon.

2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually exhibited.

Po*ten"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Potentiating.] To render active or potent. Coleridge.

Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter (?), n. [Potential + -meter.] (Elec.) An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials or electro-motive forces.

Po"ten*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentized; p. pr. & vb. n. Potentizing.] To render the latent power of (anything) available. Dunglison.

Po"tent*ly (?), adv. With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously. "You are potently opposed." Shak.

Po"tent*ness, n. The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency; efficacy.

Po"tes*tate (?), n. A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. "An irous potestate." Chaucer.

Po*tes"ta*tive (?), a. [L. potestativus, fr. potestas power: cf. F. potestatif. See Potent.] Authoritative. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Pot"gun` (?), n. 1. A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar. [Obs.] "Twelve potguns of brass." Hakluyt.

Poth"er (?), n. [Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke. Cf. Potter, Pudder.] Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother. [Written also potter, and pudder.] "What a pother and stir!" Oldham. "Coming on with a terrible pother." Wordsworth.

Poth"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pothering.] To harass and perplex; to worry. "Pothers and wearies himself." Locke.

Pot"hole` (?), n. A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.

Pot"hook` (?), n. 1. An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over an open fire.

2. A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a scrawled writing. "I long to be spelling her Arabic scrawls and pothooks." Dryden.

{ ||Po`ti*cho*ma"ni*a (?), ||Po`ti*cho*ma"nie (?), } n. [F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain vase + manie mania.] The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the appearance of painted ware.

Po"tion (?), n. [L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F. potion. See Poison.] A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine. Shak.

Potlid valve, a valve covering a round hole or the end of a pipe or pump barrel, resembling a potlid in form.

Pot"luck` (?), n. Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for a meal.

Pot"man (?), n.; pl. Potmen (&?;). 1. A pot companion. [Obs.] Life of A. Wood (1663).

||Po*too" (?), n. (Zoöl.) A large South American goatsucker (Nyctibius grandis).

||Po`to*roo" (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any small kangaroo belonging to Hypsiprymnus, Bettongia, and allied genera, native of Australia and Tasmania. Called also kangaroo rat.

Pot`pour`ri" (?), n. [F., fr. pot pot + pourri, p. p. of pourrir to rot, L. putrere. Cf. Olla-podrida.] A medley or mixture. Specifically: (a) A ragout composed of different sorts of meats, vegetables, etc., cooked together. (b) A jar or packet of flower leaves, perfumes, and spices, used to scent a room. (c) A piece of music made up of different airs strung together; a medley. (d) A literary production composed of parts brought together without order or bond of connection.

Pots"dam group` (&?;). (Geol.) A subdivision of the Primordial or Cambrian period in American geology; -- so named from the sandstone of Potsdam, New York. See Chart of Geology.

Pot"sherd` (?), n. [Pot + sherd or shard.] A piece or fragment of a broken pot. Job ii. 8.

Pot"stone` (?), n. (Min.) A variety of steatite sometimes manufactured into culinary vessels.

Pot"tage (?; 48), n. [F. potage, fr. pot pot. See Pot, and cf. Porridge, Porringer.] A kind of food made by boiling vegetables or meat, or both together, in water, until soft; a thick soup or porridge. [Written also potage.] Chaucer.

Pot"ter (?), n. [Cf. F. potier.] 1. One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels. Ps. ii. 9.

Potter's asthma (Med.), emphysema of the lungs; -- so called because very prevalent among potters. Parkers. -- Potter's clay. See under Clay. -- Potter's field, a public burial place, especially in a city, for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals; -- so named from the field south of Jerusalem, mentioned in Matt. xxvii. 7. -- Potter's ore. See Alquifou. -- Potter's wheel, a horizontal revolving disk on which the clay is molded into form with the hands or tools. "My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel." Shak. -- Potter wasp (Zoöl.), a small solitary wasp (Eumenes fraternal) which constructs a globular nest of mud and sand in which it deposits insect larvæ, such as cankerworms, as food for its young.

Pot"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pottered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pottering.] [Cf. W. pwtio to poke, or OD. poteren to search one thoroughly, Sw. påta, peta, to pick, E. pother, put.] 1. To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to pother.

Pot"ter, v. t. To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Pottern ore, a species of ore which, from its aptness to vitrify like the glazing of potter's wares, the miners call by this name. Boyle.

Pot"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Potteries (#). [F. poterie, fr. pot. See Pot.] 1. The vessels or ware made by potters; earthenware, glazed and baked.

2. The act of placing in a pot; as, the potting of plants; the potting of meats for preservation.

3. The process of putting sugar in casks for cleansing and draining. [West Indies] B. Edwards.

Pot"tle (?), n. [OE. potel, OF. potel, dim. of pot. See Pot.] 1. A liquid measure of four pints.

Pottle draught, taking a pottle of liquor at one draught. [ Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

||Pot"to (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) A nocturnal mammal (Perodictius potto) of the Lemur family, found in West Africa. It has rudimentary forefingers. Called also aposoro, and bush dog. (b) The kinkajou.

Pott's" dis*ease" (?). (Med.) Caries of the vertebræ, frequently resulting in curvature of the spine and paralysis of the lower extremities; -- so named from Percival Pott, an English surgeon.

Pott's fracture, a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, with displacement of the tibia. Dunglison.

Pot"u*lent (?), a. [L. potulentus, fr. potus a drinking, drink, fr. potare to drink.] 1. Fit to drink; potable. [Obs.] Johnson.

Pot"-wal`lop*er (?), n. 1. A voter in certain boroughs of England, where, before the passage of the reform bill of 1832, the qualification for suffrage was to have boiled (walloped) his own pot in the parish for six months.

Pouch (?), n. [F. poche a pocket, pouch, bag; probably of Teutonic origin. See Poke a bag, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder.] 1. A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.

2. That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch; as: (a) A protuberant belly; a paunch; -- so called in ridicule. (b) (Zoöl.) A sac or bag for carrying food or young; as, the cheek pouches of certain rodents, and the pouch of marsupials. (c) (Med.) A cyst or sac containing fluid. S. Sharp. (d) (Bot.) A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's purse. (e) A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain, etc., from shifting.

Pouch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pouched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouching.] 1. To put or take into a pouch.

Pouched (?), a. (Zoöl.) (a) Having a marsupial pouch; as, the pouched badger, or the wombat. (b) Having external cheek pouches; as, the pouched gopher. (c) Having internal cheek pouches; as, the pouched squirrels.

Pouched dog. (Zoöl.) See Zebra wolf, under Zebra. -- Pouched frog (Zoöl.), the nototrema, the female of which has a dorsal pouch in which the eggs are hatched, and in which the young pass through their brief tadpole stage. -- Pouched gopher, or Pouched rat. (Zoöl.) See Pocket gopher, under Pocket. -- Pouched mouse. (Zoöl.) See Pocket mouse, under Pocket.

Pouch"-shell` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small British and American pond snail (Bulinus hypnorum).

Poudre marchant [see Merchant], a kind of flavoring powder used in the Middle Ages. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pou*drette" (?), n. [F., dim. of poudre dust, powder. See Powder.] A manure made from night soil, dried and mixed with charcoal, gypsum, etc.

Pou*laine" (?), n. [F. soulier à la poulaine.] A long pointed shoe. See Cracowes.

{ Poulp, Poulpe (?) }, n. [F. poulpe, fr. L. polypus. See Polyp.] (Zoöl.) Same as Octopus.

Musk poulp (Zoöl.), a Mediterranean octopod (Eledone moschata) which emits a strong odor of musk.

Poult (?), n. [OF. pulte, F. poulet, dim. of poule fowl. See Pullet.] A young chicken, partridge, grouse, or the like. King. Chapman.

Poul"tice (?), n. [L. puls, pl. pultes, a thick pap; akin to Gr. po`ltos. Cf. Pulse seeds.] A soft composition, as of bread, bran, or a mucilaginous substance, to be applied to sores, inflamed parts of the body, etc.; a cataplasm. "Poultice relaxeth the pores." Bacon.

Poul"tice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poulticed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poulticing (?).] To apply a poultice to; to dress with a poultice.

Poul"try (?), n. [From Poult.] Domestic fowls reared for the table, or for their eggs or feathers, such as cocks and hens, capons, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

Pounce (?), n. [F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex, -icis, pumice. See Pumice.] 1. A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, -- formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.

2. Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making patterns through perforated designs, -- used by embroiderers, lace makers, etc.

Pounce box, a box for sprinkling pounce. -- Pounce paper, a transparent paper for tracing.

Pounce (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing (?).] To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a pattern.

Pounce, n. [Prob. through French, from an assumed LL. punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See Puncheon, Punch, v. t.] 1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey. Spenser. Burke.

Pounce, v. t. 1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. [Archaic]

2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of ornament. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Pounce, v. i. To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively.

Pounced (?), a. 1. Furnished with claws or talons; as, the pounced young of the eagle. Thomson.

2. Ornamented with perforations or dots. [Obs.] "Gilt bowls pounced and pierced." Holinshed.

Poun"cet box` (?). [Cf. F. poncette, fr. ponce pounce. See Pounce a powder.] A box with a perforated lid, for sprinkling pounce, or for holding perfumes. Shak.

Poun"cing (?), n. 1. The art or practice of transferring a design by means of pounce.

Pound (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pounding.] [OE. pounen, AS. punian to bruise. Cf. Pun a play on words.] 1. To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.

2. To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.

Pound, n. [AS. pund an inclosure: cf. forpyndan to turn away, or to repress, also Icel. pynda to extort, torment, Ir. pont, pond, pound. Cf. Pinder, Pinfold, Pin to inclose, Pond.] 1. An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold. Shak.

3. (Fishing) A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.

Pound covert, a pound that is close or covered over, as a shed. -- Pound overt, a pound that is open overhead.

Pound, n.; pl. Pounds (#), collectively Pound or Pounds. [AS. pund, fr. L. pondo, akin to pondus a weight, pendere to weigh. See Pendant.] 1. A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.

The pound in general use in the United States and in England is the pound avoirdupois, which is divided into sixteen ounces, and contains 7,000 grains. The pound troy is divided into twelve ounces, and contains 5,760 grains. 144 pounds avoirdupois are equal to 175 pounds troy weight. See Avoirdupois, and Troy.

2. A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.

The pound sterling was in Saxon times, about a. d. 671, a pound troy of silver, and a shilling was its twentieth part; consequently the latter was three times as large as it is at present. Peacham.

Pound"age (?), n. 1. A sum deducted from a pound, or a certain sum paid for each pound; a commission.

2. A subsidy of twelve pence in the pound, formerly granted to the crown on all goods exported or imported, and if by aliens, more. [Eng.] Blackstone.

3. (Law) The sum allowed to a sheriff or other officer upon the amount realized by an execution; -- estimated in England, and formerly in the United States, at so much of the pound. Burrill. Bouvier.

Pound"age, v. t. To collect, as poundage; to assess, or rate, by poundage. [R.]

Pound"age, n. [See 3d Pound.] 1. Confinement of cattle, or other animals, in a public pound.

Pound"al (?), n. [From 5th Pound.] (Physics & Mech.) A unit of force based upon the pound, foot, and second, being the force which, acting on a pound avoirdupois for one second, causes it to acquire by the of that time a velocity of one foot per second. It is about equal to the weight of half an ounce, and is 13,825 dynes.

Pound"-breach` (?), n. The breaking of a public pound for releasing impounded animals. Blackstone.

Pound"cake` (?), n. A kind of rich, sweet cake; -- so called from the ingredients being used by pounds, or in equal quantities.

3. A person or thing, so called with reference to a certain number of pounds in value, weight, capacity, etc.; as, a cannon carrying a twelve-pound ball is called a twelve pounder.

Before the English reform act of 1867, one who was an elector by virtue of paying ten pounds rent was called a ten pounder.

2. A pounded or pulverized substance. [R.] "Covered with the poundings of these rocks." J. S. Blackie.

Pound"*rate` (?), n. A rate or proportion estimated at a certain amount for each pound; poundage.

Pou*part's" lig"a*ment (?). (Anat.) A ligament, of fascia, extending, in most mammals, from the ventral side of the ilium to near the symphysis of the pubic bones.

Pour (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouring.] [OE. pouren, of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwrw to cast, throw, shed, bwrw gwlaw to rain.] 1. To cause to flow in a stream, as a liquid or anything flowing like a liquid, either out of a vessel or into it; as, to pour water from a pail; to pour wine into a decanter; to pour oil upon the waters; to pour out sand or dust.

2. To send forth as in a stream or a flood; to emit; to let escape freely or wholly.

Pour, v. i. To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people poured out of the theater.

Pour, n. A stream, or something like a stream; a flood. [Colloq.] "A pour of rain." Miss Ferrier.

||Pour`par`ler" (?), n. [F.] (Diplomacy) A consultation preliminary to a treaty.

Pour`par"ty (?), n.; pl. Pourparties (#). [See Purparty.] (Law) A division; a divided share.

Pour"point (?), n. [F.] A quilted military doublet or gambeson worn in the 14th and 15th centuries; also, a name for the doublet of the 16th and 17th centuries worn by civilians.

Pous*sette" (p*st"), n. [F., pushpin, fr. pousser to push. See Push.] A movement, or part of a figure, in the contradance. Dickens.

Pout (pt), n. [F. poulet. See Poult.] The young of some birds, as grouse; a young fowl. Carew.

Pout (pout), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pouting.] [OE. pouten, of uncertain origin; cf. Prov. pot lip, Prov. F. potte, faire la potte to pout, W. pwdu to pout, be sullen, poten, potten, a paunch, belly.] 1. To thrust out the lips, as in sullenness or displeasure; hence, to look sullen.

Pout, n. A sullen protrusion of the lips; a fit of sullenness. "Jack's in the pouts." J. & H. Smith.

Eel pout. (Zoöl.) See Eelpout. -- Horn pout, or Horned pout. (Zoöl.) See Bullhead (b).

2. [Cf. E. pout, and G. puter turkey.] (Zoöl.) A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for the extent to which it is able to dilate its throat and breast.

Pov"er*ty (pv"r*t), n. [OE. poverte, OF. poverté, F. pauvreté, fr. L. paupertas, fr. pauper poor. See Poor.] 1. The quality or state of being poor or indigent; want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need. "Swathed in numblest poverty." Keble.

2. Any deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired, or that constitute richness; as, poverty of soil; poverty of the blood; poverty of ideas.

Poverty grass (Bot.), a name given to several slender grasses (as Aristida dichotoma, and Danthonia spicata) which often spring up on old and worn-out fields.

Syn. -- Indigence; penury; beggary; need; lack; want; scantiness; sparingness; meagerness; jejuneness. Poverty, Indigence, Pauperism. Poverty is a relative term; what is poverty to a monarch, would be competence for a day laborer. Indigence implies extreme distress, and almost absolute destitution. Pauperism denotes entire dependence upon public charity, and, therefore, often a hopeless and degraded state.

{ Pow"an (?), Pow"en (?) }, n. (Zoöl.) A small British lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeoides, or C. ferus); -- called also gwyniad and lake herring.

Pow"der (?), n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.

2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.

Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc. -- Powder down (Zoöl.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers. -- Powder- down feather (Zoöl.), one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation. - - Powder-down patch (Zoöl.), a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers. -- Powder hose, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines. Farrow. -- Powder hoy (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag. -- Powder magazine, or Powder room. See Magazine, 2. -- Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine. -- Powder monkey (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy. -- Powder post. See Dry rot, under Dry. -- Powder puff. See Puff, n.

Pow"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Powdered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering.] [F. poudrer.] 1. To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.

2. To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.

Pow"der, v. i. 1. To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.

Pow"der*flask` (?), n. A flask in which gunpowder is carried, having a charging tube at the end.

Powdering tub. (a) A tub or vessel in which meat is corned or salted. (b) A heated tub in which an infected lecher was placed for cure. [Obs.] Shak.

Pow"der-post`ed (?), a. Affected with dry rot; reduced to dust by rot. See Dry rot, under Dry. [U.S.]

Pow"der*y (?), a. 1. Easily crumbling to pieces; friable; loose; as, a powdery spar.

Pow"dike (?), n. [Scot. pow, pou, a pool, a watery or marshy place, fr. E. pool.] A dike a marsh or fen. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Pow"er, n. [OE. pouer, poer, OF. poeir, pooir, F. pouvoir, n. & v., fr. LL. potere, for L. posse, potesse, to be able, to have power. See Possible, Potent, and cf. Posse comitatus.] 1. Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power. "One next himself in power, and next in crime." Milton.

2. Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm. "The power of fancy." Shak.

3. Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted upon; susceptibility; -- called also passive power; as, great power of endurance.

4. The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion; sway; command; government.

5. The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity. "The powers of darkness." Milton.

7. A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o&?; good things. [Colloq.] Richardson.

8. (Mech.) (a) The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power.

The English unit of power used most commonly is the horse power. See Horse power.

(b) A mechanical agent; that from which useful mechanical energy is derived; as, water power; steam power; hand power, etc. (c) Applied force; force producing motion or pressure; as, the power applied at one and of a lever to lift a weight at the other end.

This use in mechanics, of power as a synonym for force, is improper and is becoming obsolete.

(d) A machine acted upon by an animal, and serving as a motor to drive other machinery; as, a dog power.

Power is used adjectively, denoting, driven, or adapted to be driven, by machinery, and not actuated directly by the hand or foot; as, a power lathe; a power loom; a power press.

9. (Math.) The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number.

10. (Metaph.) Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc. I. Watts.

11. (Optics) The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.

12. (Law) An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment. Wharton.

13. Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.

Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the winds and waves, electricity and magnetism, gravitation, etc., or of animal and intelligent beings; and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity.

Mechanical powers. See under Mechanical. -- Power loom, or Power press. See Def. 8 (d), note. -- Power of attorney. See under Attorney. -- Power of a point (relative to a given curve) (Geom.), the result of substituting the coördinates of any point in that expression which being put equal to zero forms the equation of the curve; as, x² + y² - 100 is the power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x² + y² - 100 = 0.

Pow"er*a*ble (?), a. 1. Capable of being effected or accomplished by the application of power; possible. [R.] J. Young.

Pow"er*ful (?), a. 1. Full of power; capable of producing great effects of any kind; potent; mighty; efficacious; intense; as, a powerful man or beast; a powerful engine; a powerful argument; a powerful light; a powerful vessel.

Pow"er*less, a. Destitute of power, force, or energy; weak; impotent; not able to produce any effect. -- Pow"er*less*ly, adv. -- Pow"er*less*ness, n.

Powl"dron (?), n. [OF. espauleron, from espaule shoulder, F. épaule.] Same as Pauldron.

2. Conjuration attended with great noise and confusion, and often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or in war, and for other purposes.

3. Hence: Any assembly characterized by noise and confusion; a noisy frolic or gathering. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pow"wow`, v. i. 1. To use conjuration, with noise and confusion, for the cure of disease, etc., as among the North American Indians.

Pox (?), n. [For pocks, OE. pokkes. See Pock. It is plural in form but is used as a singular.] (Med.) Strictly, a disease by pustules or eruptions of any kind, but chiefly or wholly restricted to three or four diseases, -- the smallpox, the chicken pox, and the vaccine and the venereal diseases.

Pox, when used without an epithet, as in imprecations, formerly signified smallpox; but it now signifies syphilis.

Pox, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poxed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poxing.] To infect with the pox, or syphilis.

Poy (?), n. [OF. apui, apoi, a support, prop., staff, F. appui, fr. OF. apuier, apoier, to support, F. appuyer, fr. à to (L. ad) + OF. pui, poi, a rising ground, hill, L. podium. See Podium, Pew.] 1. A support; -- used in composition; as, teapoy.

3. A long boat hook by which barges are propelled against the stream. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Poyn"tel (?), n. [See Pointal.] (Arch.) Paving or flooring made of small squares or lozenges set diagonally. [Formerly written pointal.]

Poy"ou (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus). Called also sixbanded armadillo.

{ Poz`zu*o*la"na (?), Poz`zo*la"*na (?) }, n. [It.] Volcanic ashes from Pozzuoli, in Italy, used in the manufacture of a kind of mortar which hardens under water.

Praam (?), n. [D. praam; cf. G. prahm, F. prame; all of Slavonic origin, from a word akin to E. fare. See Fare.] (Naut.) A flat- bottomed boat or lighter, -- used in Holland and the Baltic, and sometimes armed in case of war. [Written also pram, and prame.]

2. Artful; deceitful; skillful. [Obs.] "Cunning sleights and practick knavery." Spenser.

Prac"ti*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being practicable; practicableness; feasibility. "The practicability of such a project." Stewart.

Prac"ti*ca*ble (?), a. [LL. practicare to act, transact, fr. L. practicus active, Gr. &?;: cf. F. practicable, pratiquer to practice. See Practical.] 1. That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done or accomplished with available means or resources; feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a practicable good.

2. Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon; a practicable road.

Practicable breach (Mil.), a breach which admits of approach and entrance by an assailing party.

Syn. -- Possible; feasible. -- Practicable, Possible. A thing may be possible, i. e., not forbidden by any law of nature, and yet may not now be practicable for want of the means requisite to its performance.

Prac"ti*cal (?), a. [L. practicus active, Gr. &?; fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. &?; to do, work, effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique. Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.] 1. Of or pertaining to practice or action.

2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry. "Man's practical understanding." South. "For all practical purposes." Macaulay.

3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

Practical joke, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of which consists in something done, in distinction from something said; esp., a trick played upon a person.

Prac`ti*cal"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being practical; practicalness.

Prac"ti*cal*ly (?), adv. 1. In a practical way; not theoretically; really; as, to look at things practically; practically worthless.

2. By means of practice or use; by experience or experiment; as, practically wise or skillful; practically acquainted with a subject.

3. In practice or use; as, a medicine practically safe; theoretically wrong, but practically right.

Prac"ti*cal*ize (?), v. t. To render practical. [R.] "Practicalizing influences." J. S. Mill.

Prac"tice (?), n. [OE. praktike, practique, F. pratique, formerly also, practique, LL. practica, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; practical. See Practical, and cf. Pratique, Pretty.] 1. Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.

3. Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness. [R.] "His nice fence and his active practice." Shak.

5. Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music.

6. Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.

7. Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; -- usually in a bad sense. [Obs.] Bacon.

8. (Math.) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.

9. (Law) The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts. Bouvier.

Prac"tice (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Practiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Practicing (?).] [Often written practise, practised, practising.] 1. To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. "Incline not my heart . . . practice wicked works." Ps. cxli. 4.

2. To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine.

2. To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music.

4. To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do. "Aught but Talbot's shadow whereon to practice your severity." Shak.

Prac"tice, v. i. [Often written practise.] 1. To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano.

4. To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.

Prac"ticed (?), a. [Often written practised.] 1. Experienced; expert; skilled; as, a practiced marksman. "A practiced picklock." Ld. Lytton.

Prac"ti*cer (?), n. [Often written practiser.] 1. One who practices, or puts in practice; one who customarily performs certain acts. South.

Prac*ti"cian (?), n. [F. praticien, OF. also practicien.] One who is acquainted with, or skilled in, anything by practice; a practitioner.

The analogy of the English language requires that the noun and verb which are pronounced alike should agree in spelling. Thus we have notice (n. & v.), noticed, noticing, noticer; poultice (n. & v.); apprentice (n. & v.); office (n. & v.), officer (n.); lattice (n.), latticed (a.); benefice (n.), beneficed (a.), etc. Cf. sacrifice (&?;; n. & v.), surmise (&?;; n. & v.), promise (&?;; n. & v.); compromise (&?;; n. & v.), etc. Contrast advice (&?;; n.), and advise (&?;); device (&?;), and devise (&?;), etc.

Prac*ti"tion*er (?), n. [From Practician.] 1. One who is engaged in the actual use or exercise of any art or profession, particularly that of law or medicine. Crabbe.

Prac"tive (?), a. Doing; active. [Obs.] Sylvester. -- Prac"tive*ly, adv. [Obs.]

||Præ"ca`va (?), n. [NL. See Pre-, and 1st Cave.] (Anat.) The superior vena cava. -- Præ"ca`val (#), a. B. G. Wilder.

Præc"i*pe (?), n. [L., imperative of praecipere to give rules or precepts. See Precept.] (Law) (a) A writ commanding something to be done, or requiring a reason for neglecting it. (b) A paper containing the particulars of a writ, lodged in the office out of which the writ is to be issued. Wharton.

||Præ"co*ces (?), n. pl. [NL. See Precocious.] (Zoöl.) A division of birds including those whose young are able to run about when first hatched.

||Præ*cog"ni*ta (?), n. pl. [L. praecognitus, p. p. of praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.] This previously known, or which should be known in order to understand something else.

Præ*com"mis*sure (?), n. [Pref. præ + commissure.] (Anat.) A transverse commissure in the anterior part of the third ventricle of the brain; the anterior cerebral commissure.

||Præ*cor"di*a (?), n. [L., fr. prae before + cor, cordis, the heart.] (Anat.) The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.

||Præ*cor"nu (?), n.; pl. Præcornua (#). [NL. See Pre-, and Cornu.] (Anat.) The anterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

||Præm`u*ni"re (?), n. [Corrupted from L. praemonere to forewarn, cite. See Admonish.] (Eng. Law) (a) The offense of introducing foreign authority into England, the penalties for which were originally intended to depress the civil power of the pope in the kingdom. (b) The writ grounded on that offense. Wharton. (c) The penalty ascribed for the offense of præmunire.

The penalties of præmunire were subsequently applied to many other offenses; but prosecutions upon a præmunire are at this day unheard of in the English courts. Blackstone.

Præm`u*ni"re, v. t. 1. To subject to the penalties of præmunire. [Obs.] T. Ward.

||Præ*na"res (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pre-, Nares.] (Anat.) The anterior nares. See Nares. B. G. Wilder.

Præ*no"men (?), n.; pl. Prænomina (#). [L., fr. prae before + nomen name.] (Rom. Antiq.) The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc.

Præ`no*min"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a prænomen. [Obs.] M. A. Lower.

Præ`o*per"cu*lum, n. [NL.] (Anat.) Same as Preoperculum. -- Præ`o*per"cu*lar, a.

Præ*o"ral, n., Præ*pu"bis, n., Præ*scap"u*la, n., Præ*scu"tum, n., Præ*ster"num, n. Same as Preoral, Prepubis, Prescapula, etc.

Præ*tex"ta (?), n.; pl. Prætextæ (#), E. Prætextas (#). [L. (sc. toga), fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, to fringe, border; prae before + texere to weave.] (Rom. Antiq.) A white robe with a purple border, worn by a Roman boy before he was entitled to wear the toga virilis, or until about the completion of his fourteenth year, and by girls until their marriage. It was also worn by magistrates and priests.

||Præ*to"res (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pretor.] (Zoöl.) A division of butterflies including the satyrs.

{ Prag*mat"ic (?), Prag*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [L. pragmaticus busy, active, skilled in business, especially in law and state affairs, systematic, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a thing done, business, fr. &?; to do: cf. F. pragmatique. See Practical.] 1. Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or manner.

2. Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way; officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome. "Pragmatical officers of justice." Sir W. Scott.

3. Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects, rather than with details and circumstances; -- said of literature. "Pragmatic history." Sir W. Hamilton. "Pragmatic poetry." M. Arnold.

Pragmatic sanction, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters; -- a term derived from the Byzantine empire. In European history, two decrees under this name are particularly celebrated. One of these, issued by Charles VII. of France, A. D. 1438, was the foundation of the liberties of the Gallican church; the other, issued by Charles VI. of Germany, A. D. 1724, settled his hereditary dominions on his eldest daughter, the Archduchess Maria Theresa.

Prag"ma*tism (?), n. The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method.

Prag"ma*tize (?), v. t. To consider, represent, or embody (something unreal) as fact; to materialize. [R.] "A pragmatized metaphor." Tylor.

||Prai`ri`al" (?), n. [F., fr. prairie meadow.] The ninth month of the French Republican calendar, which dated from September 22, 1792. It began May, 20, and ended June 18. See Vendemiaire.

Prai"rie (?), n. [F., an extensive meadow, OF. praerie, LL. prataria, fr. L. pratum a meadow.] 1. An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies and the Rocky mountains.

Prairie chicken (Zoöl.), any American grouse of the genus Tympanuchus, especially T. Americanus (formerly T. cupido), which inhabits the prairies of the central United States. Applied also to the sharp- tailed grouse. -- Prairie clover (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Petalostemon, having small rosy or white flowers in dense terminal heads or spikes. Several species occur in the prairies of the United States. -- Prairie dock (Bot.), a coarse composite plant (Silphium terebinthaceum) with large rough leaves and yellow flowers, found in the Western prairies. -- Prairie dog (Zoöl.), a small American rodent (Cynomys Ludovicianus) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like that of a dog. Called also prairie marmot. -- Prairie grouse. Same as Prairie chicken, above. -- Prairie hare (Zoöl.), a large long-eared Western hare (Lepus campestris). See Jack rabbit, under 2d Jack. -- Prairie hawk, Prairie falcon (Zoöl.), a falcon of Western North America (Falco Mexicanus). The upper parts are brown. The tail has transverse bands of white; the under parts, longitudinal streaks and spots of brown. -- Prairie hen. (Zoöl.) Same as Prairie chicken, above. -- Prairie itch (Med.), an affection of the skin attended with intense itching, which is observed in the Northern and Western United States; -- also called swamp itch, winter itch. -- Prairie marmot. (Zoöl.) Same as Prairie dog, above. -- Prairie mole (Zoöl.), a large American mole (Scalops argentatus), native of the Western prairies. -- Prairie pigeon, plover, or snipe (Zoöl.), the upland plover. See Plover, n., 2. -- Prairie rattlesnake (Zoöl.), the massasauga. -- Prairie snake (Zoöl.), a large harmless American snake (Masticophis flavigularis). It is pale yellow, tinged with brown above. -- Prairie squirrel (Zoöl.), any American ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus, inhabiting prairies; -- called also gopher. -- Prairie turnip (Bot.), the edible turnip-shaped farinaceous root of a leguminous plant (Psoralea esculenta) of the Upper Missouri region; also, the plant itself. Called also pomme blanche, and pomme de prairie. -- Prairie warbler (Zoöl.), a bright-colored American warbler (Dendroica discolor). The back is olive yellow, with a group of reddish spots in the middle; the under parts and the parts around the eyes are bright yellow; the sides of the throat and spots along the sides, black; three outer tail feathers partly white. -- Prairie wolf. (Zoöl.) See Coyote.

Prais"a*ble (?), a. Fit to be praised; praise-worthy; laudable; commendable. Wyclif (2 Tim. ii. 15).

Praise (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Praised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Praising.] [OE. preisen, OF. preisier, prisier, F. priser, L. pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price, n., and cf. Appreciate, Praise, n., Prize, v.] 1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; -- applied to a person or his acts. "I praise well thy wit." Chaucer.

2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; -- applied especially to the Divine Being.

Syn. -- To commend; laud; eulogize; celebrate; glorify; magnify. -- To Praise, Applaud, Extol. To praise is to set at high price; to applaud is to greet with clapping; to extol is to bear aloft, to exalt. We may praise in the exercise of calm judgment; we usually applaud from impulse, and on account of some specific act; we extol under the influence of high admiration, and usually in strong, if not extravagant, language.

Praise, n. [OE. preis, OF. preis price, worth, value, estimation. See Praise, v., Price.] 1. Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.

Praise may be expressed by an individual, and thus differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are always the expression of the approbation of numbers, or public commendation.

2. Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.

Syn. -- Encomium; honor; eulogy; panegyric; plaudit; applause; acclaim; eclat; commendation; laudation.

Praise"wor`thy (?), a. Worthy of praise or applause; commendable; as, praiseworthy action; he was praiseworthy. Arbuthnot.

Pra"krit (?), n. [Skr. prkta original, natural, usual, common, vulgar.] Any one of the popular dialects descended from, or akin to, Sanskrit; -- in distinction from the Sanskrit, which was used as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.

Prance (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pranced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prancing (?).] [OE. prauncen; probably akin to prank, v. t. See Prank.] 1. To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle.

3. To walk or strut about in a pompous, showy manner, or with warlike parade. Swift.

Pran"di*al (?), a. [L. prandium a repast.] Of or pertaining to a repast, especially to dinner.

||Pran"gos (?), n. [From the native name in Afghanistan.] (Bot.) A genus of umbelliferous plants, one species of which (P. pabularia), found in Thibet, Cashmere, Afghanistan, etc., has been used as fodder for cattle. It has decompound leaves with very long narrow divisions, and a highly fragrant smell resembling that of new clover hay.

Prank (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pranked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pranking.] [Cf. E. prink, also G. prangen, prunken, to shine, to make a show, Dan. prange, prunke, Sw. prunka, D. pronken.] To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously; -- often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See Prink.

Prank, n. A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic. Spenser.

Prank"er (?), n. One who dresses showily; a prinker. "A pranker or a dancer." Burton.

Prase (?), n. [L. prasius, fr. Gr. &?; of a leek-green, fr. Gr. &?; a leek: cf. F. prase.] (Min.) A variety of cryptocrystalline of a leek-green color.

Pra"se*o- (?). [Gr. &?; leek-green, green, fr. &?; a leek.] A combining form signifying green; as, praseocobalt, a green variety of cobalt.

Pra`se*o*dym"i*um (?), n. [Praseo- + didymium.] (Chem.) An elementary substance, one of the constituents of didymium; -- so called from the green color of its salts. Symbol Ps. Atomic weight 143.6.

Pra"se*o*lite (?), n. [Praseo- + -lite.] (Min.) A variety of altered iolite of a green color and greasy luster.

Pras"i*nous (?), a. [L. prasinus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a leek.] Grass-green; clear, lively green, without any mixture. Lindley.

Prate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prating.] [Akin to LG. & D. praten, Dan. prate, Sw. & Icel. prata.] To talk much and to little purpose; to be loquacious; to speak foolishly; to babble.

Prate, v. t. To utter foolishly; to speak without reason or purpose; to chatter, or babble.

Prate, n. [Akin to LG. & D. praat, Sw. prat.] Talk to little purpose; trifling talk; unmeaning loquacity.

Pra"tin*cole (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any bird of the Old World genus Glareola, or family Glareolidæ, allied to the plovers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail.

Prat"ique (?), n. [F.; cf. It. pratica, Sp. practica. See Practice.] 1. (Com.) Primarily, liberty of converse; intercourse; hence, a certificate, given after compliance with quarantine regulations, permitting a ship to land passengers and crew; -- a term used particularly in the south of Europe.

2. Practice; habits. [Obs.] "One of English education and pratique." R. North.

Prat"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prattled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prattling (?).] [Freq. of prate.] To talk much and idly; to prate; hence, to talk lightly and artlessly, like a child; to utter child's talk.

Prat"tle, v. t. To utter as prattle; to babble; as, to prattle treason. Addison.

Prat"tle, n. Trifling or childish tattle; empty talk; loquacity on trivial subjects; prate; babble.

Prav"i*ty (?), n. [L. pravitas, from pravus crooked, perverse.] Deterioration; degeneracy; corruption; especially, moral crookedness; moral perversion; perverseness; depravity; as, the pravity of human nature. "The pravity of the will." South.

Prawn (?), n. [OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a sea mussel.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn is Palæmon serratus.

Prax*in"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; action + -scope.] (Opt.) An instrument, similar to the phenakistoscope, for presenting to view, or projecting upon a screen, images the natural motions of real objects.

Prax"is (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to do. See Practice.] 1. Use; practice; especially, exercise or discipline for a specific purpose or object. "The praxis and theory of music." Wood.

2. An example or form of exercise, or a collection of such examples, for practice.

Pray (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Praying.] [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan, frnan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fraíhnan. Cf. Deprecate, Imprecate, Precarious.] To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.

I pray, or (by ellipsis) Pray, I beg; I request; I entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go.

Pray, v. t. 1. To address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat; to implore; to beseech.

3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a soul out of purgatory. Milman.

To pray in aid. (Law) (a) To call in as a helper one who has an interest in the cause. Bacon. (b) A phrase often used to signify claiming the benefit of an argument. See under Aid. Mozley & W.

Prayer (&?;; 277), n. [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. prière, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.] 1. The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body. "Their meek preyere." Chaucer

2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.

3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.

Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers. -- Prayer meeting, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.

Prayer"ful (?), a. Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional. "The prayerful man." J. S. Blackie. -- Prayer"ful*ly, adv. -- Prayer"ful*ness, n.

Prayer"less (?; 277), a. Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God; without prayer. "The next time you go prayerless to bed." Baxter.

Praying insect, locust, or mantis (Zoöl.), a mantis, especially Mantis religiosa. See Mantis. -- Praying machine, or Praying wheel, a wheel on which prayers are pasted by Buddhist priests, who then put the wheel in rapid revolution. Each turn in supposed to have the efficacy of an oral repetition of all the prayers on the wheel. Sometimes it is moved by a stream.

Pre- (?). [L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to E. for, prep.: cf. F. pré-. See Pro-, and cf. Prior.] A prefix denoting priority (of time, place, or rank); as, precede, to go before; precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to fix or place before; preëminent eminent before or above others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as in prepotent, very potent. [Written also præ-.]

Preach (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preaching.] [OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. prêcher, fr. L. praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known, dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL. praedictare. See Diction, and cf. Predicate, Predict.] 1. To proclaim or publish tidings; specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly on a religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon.

2. To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse in the manner of a preacher.

Preach, v. t. 1. To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue.

2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public teaching. "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." Ps. xl. 9.

4. To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching. [R.] "As ye are preached." Southey.

To preach down, to oppress, or humiliate by preaching. Tennyson. -- To preach up, to exalt by preaching; to preach in support of; as, to preach up equality.

Preach, n. [Cf. F. prêche, fr. prêcher. See Preach, v.] A religious discourse. [Obs.] Hooker.

Preach"er (?), n. [Cf. OF. preeschierre, prescheur, F. prêcheur, L. praedicator.] 1. One who preaches; one who discourses publicly on religious subjects.

Preach"er*ship, n. The office of a preacher. "The preachership of the Rolls." Macaulay.

Preach"i*fy (?), v. i. [Preach + -fy.] To discourse in the manner of a preacher. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

Preach"ing, n. The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse; serious, earnest advice. Milner.

Preaching cross, a cross, sometimes surmounting a pulpit, erected out of doors to designate a preaching place. -- Preaching friars. See Dominican.

Preach"man (?), n.; pl. Preachmen (&?;). A preacher; -- so called in contempt. [Obs.] Howell.

Preach"ment (?), n. A religious harangue; a sermon; -- used derogatively. Shak.

Pre*ad"am*ite (?), n. [Cf. F. préadamite.] 1. An inhabitant of the earth before Adam.

Pre*ad`am*it"ic (?), a. Existing or occurring before Adam; preadamic; as, preadamitic periods.

Pre"am`ble (?), n. [LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before + ambulare to walk: cf. F. préambule. See Amble.] A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

Pre"am`ble, v. t. & i. To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] Feltham. Milton.

Pre*am"bu*la*ry (?), a. [Cf. OF. preambulaire.] Of or pertaining to a preamble; introductory; contained or provided for in a preamble. "A preambulary tax." [R.] Burke.

Pre*am"bu*late (?), v. i. [L. praeambulare. See Preamble.] To walk before. [R.] Jordan.

Pre*am"bu*lous (?), a. [See Preamble, n.] See Perambulatory. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pre*an`te*nul"ti*mate (?), a. Being or indicating the fourth syllable from the end of a word, or that before the antepenult.

Pre*ap`pre*hen"sion (?), n. An apprehension or opinion formed before examination or knowledge. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Prease (?), v. t. & i. To press; to crowd. [Obs.] -- n. A press; a crowd. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pre`a*tax"ic (?), a. (Med.) Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; -- applied to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia.

Pre*au"di*ence (?), n. (Eng. Law) Precedence of rank at the bar among lawyers. Blackstone.

Pre*ax"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of any transverse axis in the body of an animal; anterior; cephalic; esp., in front, or on the anterior, or cephalic (that is, radial or tibial) side of the axis of a limb.

Preb"end (prb"nd), n. [F. prébende (cf. It. & Sp. prebenda), from L. praebenda, from L. praebere to hold forth, afford, contr. fr. praehibere; prae before + habere to have, hold. See Habit, and cf. Provender.] 1. A payment or stipend; esp., the stipend or maintenance granted to a prebendary out of the estate of a cathedral or collegiate church with which he is connected. See Note under Benefice.

Dignitary prebend, one having jurisdiction annexed to it. -- Simple prebend, one without jurisdiction.

Pre*ben"dal (pr*bn"dal), a. Of or pertaining to a prebend; holding a prebend; as, a prebendal priest or stall. Chesterfield.

Preb"en*da*ry (prb"n*d*r), n. [LL. praebendarius: cf. F. prébendaire. See Prebend.] 1. A clergyman attached to a collegiate or cathedral church who enjoys a prebend in consideration of his officiating at stated times in the church. See Note under Benefice, n., 3. Hook.

Preb"en*date (?), v. t. [LL. praebendatus, p. p. of praebendari.] To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a prebend. [Obs.] Grafton.

Pre*bron"chi*al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the bronchus; -- applied especially to an air sac on either side of the esophagus of birds.

Pre*cal"cu*late (?), v. t. To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange. Masson.

Pre"cant (?), n. [L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to pray.] One who prays. [R.] Coleridge.

Pre*ca"ri*ous (?), a. [L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray.] 1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. Addison.

2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. "Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal. -- Precarious, Uncertain. Precarious in stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified "granted to entreaty," and, hence, "wholly dependent on the will of another." Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties.

Pre*ca"tion (?), n. [L. precatio.] The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. Cotton.

{ Prec"a*tive (?), Prec"a*to*ry (?), } a. [L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious.] Suppliant; beseeching. Bp. Hopkins.

Precatory words (Law), words of recommendation, request, entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases creating a trust. Jarman.

Pre*cau"tion (?), n. [F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution.] 1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.

Pre*cau"tion, v. t. [Cf. F. précautionner.] 1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.

Pre*cau"tion*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals.

Pre*cau"tious (?), a. Taking or using precaution; precautionary. -- Pre*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*cau"*tious*ness, n.

Pre*cede" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See Pre-, and Cede.] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.

3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]

{ Pre*ced"ence (?), Pre*ced"en*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. précédence. See Precede.] 1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.

Pre*ced"ent (?), a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede.] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon.

Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.

Prec"e*dent (?), n. 1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example.

2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [Obs.]

4. (Law) A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases. Wharton.

Syn. -- Example; antecedent. -- Precedent, Example. An example in a similar case which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no authority out of itself. A precedent is something which comes down to us from the past with the sanction of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in literature, and precedents in law.

Prec"e*dent*ed, a. Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind. Walpole.

Prec`e*den"tial (?), a. Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for imitation; as, precedential transactions.

2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

Pre*cel" (?), v. t. & i. [See Precellence.] To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] Howell.

{ Pre*cel"lence (?), Pre*cel"len*cy (?), } n. [L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.] Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] Sheldon.

Pre*cel"lent (?), a. [L. praecellens, p. pr.] Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] Holland.

Pre*cen"tor (?), n. [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See Chant.] A leader of a choir; a directing singer. Specifically: (a) The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also the chanter or master of the choir. Hook. (b) The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches.

Pre"cept (?), n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.] 1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.

Syn. -- Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See Doctrine.

Pre*cep"tive (?), a. [L. praeceptivus.] Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.

Pre*cep"tor (?), n. [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. précepteur. See Precept.] 1. One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.

Pre*cep"to*ry, n.; pl. Preceptories (#). [LL. praeceptoria an estate assigned to a preceptor, from L. praeceptor a commander, ruler, teacher, in LL., procurator, administrator among the Knights Templars. See Preceptor.] A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.

Pre*cep"tress (?), n. A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.

Pre*ces"sion (?), n. [L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. précession. See Precede.] The act of going before, or forward.

Lunisolar precession. (Astron.) See under Lunisolar. -- Planetary precession, that part of the precession of the equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets alone. -- Precession of the equinoxes (Astron.), the slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at the rate of 50.2″ annually, caused by the action of the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal rotation; -- so called because either equinox, owing to its westerly motion, comes to the meridian sooner each day than the point it would have occupied without the motion of precession, and thus precedes that point continually with reference to the time of transit and motion.

Pre*ces"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement of the equinoxes.

Pre"cinct (?; 277), n. [LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See Pre-, and Cincture.] 1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; -- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state. "The precincts of light." Milton.

2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct.

3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support. [U.S.]

Pre`ci*os"i*ty (?), n. Preciousness; something precious. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pre"cious (?), a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.] 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. "The precious bane." Milton.

2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.

Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. -- Precious stones, gems; jewels.

Pre"cious*ly, adv. In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.

Pre"cious*ness, n. The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.

Prec"i*pice (?), n. [F. précipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief.] 1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.

Pre*cip"i*ent (?), a. [L. praecipiens, p. pr. See Precept.] Commanding; directing.

Pre*cip"i*ta*ble (?), a. Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See Precipitate, n. (Chem.)

{ Pre*cip"i*tance (?), Pre*cip"i*tan*cy (?), } n. [From Precipitant.] The quality or state of being precipitant, or precipitate; headlong hurry; excessive or rash haste in resolving, forming an opinion, or executing a purpose; precipitation; as, the precipitancy of youth. "Precipitance of judgment." I. Watts.

Pre*cip"i*tant (?), a. [L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. précipitant. See Precipitate.] 1. Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately.

2. Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless. Jer. Taylor. "Precipitant rebellion." Eikon Basilike.

Pre*cip"i*tant, n. (Chem.) Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.

Pre*cip"i*tant*ly, adv. With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. Milton.

Pre*cip"i*tant*ness, n. The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice.] 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon.

2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor.

4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité.] 1. (Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface.

Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.) (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH₂.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precipitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precipitating.] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height.

2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict.

3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol.

Pre*cip"i*tate*ly (?), adv. In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. Swift.

Pre*cip`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praecipitatio: cf. F. précipitation.] 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.

3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. "The precipitation of inexperience." Rambler.

Pre*cip"i*ta`tor (?), n. [L. praecipitator an overthrower.] One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness. Hammond.

Prec`i*pi"tious (?), a. Precipitous. [Obs.] -- Prec`i*pi"tious*ly, adv. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Pre*cip"i*tous (?), a. [L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See Precipice.] 1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.

3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. "Marian's low, precipitous ‘Hush!'" Mrs. Browning.

||Pré`cis" (pr`s"), n. [F. See Precise.] A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary.

Pre*cise" (?), a. [L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise, p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae before + caedere to cut: cf. F. précis. Cf. Concise.] 1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality.

2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious. Addison.

Syn. -- Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous; punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See Accurate.

2. An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans.

Pre*ci"sian*ism (?), n. The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian. Milton.

Pre*ci"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. précision, L. praecisio a cutting off. See Precise.] The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness.

Syn. -- Preciseness; exactness; accuracy; nicety. -- Precision, Preciseness. Precision is always used in a good sense; as, precision of thought or language; precision in military evolutions. Preciseness is sometimes applied to persons or their conduct in a disparaging sense, and precise is often used in the same way.

Pre*ci"sive (?), a. Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction. I. Watts.

Pre*clude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding.] [L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close, v.] 1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede.

2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation.

Pre*clu"sion (?), n. [L. praeclusio. See Preclude.] The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.

Pre*clu"sive (?), a. Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering. -- Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv.

Pre*co"cious (?), a. [L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot.] 1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.

{ Pre*co"cious*ness, Pre*coc"i*ty (?), } n. [Cf. F. précocité.] The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness.

Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an (?), n. One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pre*cog"i*tate (?), v. t. [L. praecogitatus, p. p. of praecogitare. See Pre-, and Cogitate.] To cogitate beforehand. [R.] Sherwood.

Pre*cog`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praecogitatio.] Previous cogitation. [R.] Bailey.

Pre`cog*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praecognitio, fr. praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.] 1. Previous cognition. Fotherby.

2. (Scots Law) A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution. Erskine.

Pre*cog"nosce (?), v. t. [L. praecognoscere to foreknow.] (Scots Law) To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.

Pre`com*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precomposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing.] To compose beforehand. Johnson.

Pre`con*ceit" (?), n. An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception. Hooker.

Pre`con*ceive" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconceived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconceiving.] To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to form a previous notion or idea of.

Pre`con*cep"tion (?), n. The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.

Pre`con*cert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconcerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconcerting.] To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.

Pre*con"cert (?), n. Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.

Pre`con*cert"ed (?), a. Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ly, adv. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ness, n.

Pre`con*demn` (?), v. t. To condemn beforehand. -- Pre*con`dem*na"tion (#), n.

Pre`con*di"tion (?), n. A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.

Pre*con"i*zate (?), v. t. [Cf. F. préconiser.] To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

Pre*con`i*za"tion (?), n. [L. praeconium a crying out in public, fr. praeco, - onis, a crier, a herald: cf. F. préconisation.] 1. A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation. Bp. Hall.

2. (Eccl.) A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. Addis & Arnold.

Pre`con*sign" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconsigned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconsigning.] To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.

Pre`con*tract" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precontracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Precontracting.] To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.

Pre`con*tract" (?), v. i. To make a previous contract or agreement. Ayliffe.

Pre*con"tract (?), n. A contract preceding another; especially (Law), a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it. Abbott.

Pre*cor"a*coid (?), n. (Anat.) The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

Pre*cor"di*al (?), a. [Pref. pre- + L. cor, cordis, heart: cf. F. précordial.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the præcordia.

Pre*cru"ral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse.

Pre*cur"sive (?), a. Preceding; introductory; precursory. "A deep precursive sound." Coleridge.

Pre*cur"sor (?), n. [L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course.] One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.

Pre*cur"so*ry (?), a. [L. praecursorius.] Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever.

Pre*da"cean (?), n. [L. praeda prey.] (Zoöl.) A carnivorous animal. Kirby.

Pre*da"ceous (?), a. [L. praeda prey. See Prey.] Living by prey; predatory. Derham.

Pre"dal (?), a. [L. praeda prey.] Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory. [R.] Boyse.

Pre*date" (?), v. t. To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter.

Pre*da"tion (?), n. [L. praedatio, fr. praedari to plunder.] The act of pillaging. E. Hall.

Pred"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey.] 1. Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. "A predatory war." Macaulay.

Prede (?), v. i. [L. praedari. See Prey.] To prey; to plunder. [Obs.] Holinshed.

Pre`de*cease (?), v. t. To die sooner than. "If children predecease progenitors." Shak.

Pre"de*cease` (?), n. The death of one person or thing before another. [R.] Brougham.

Pred`e*ces"sive (?), a. Going before; preceding. "Our predecessive students." Massinger.

Pred`e*ces"sor (?; 277), n. [L. praedecessor; prae before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F. prédécesseur. See Decease.] One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.

Pre`de*clare" (?), v. t. To declare or announce beforehand; to preannounce. Milman.

||Pre*del"la (?), n. [It.] The step, or raised secondary part, of an altar; a superaltar; hence, in Italian painting, a band or frieze of several pictures running along the front of a superaltar, or forming a border or frame at the foot of an altarpiece.

Pre`de*sign" (?), v. t. To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine. Mitford.

Pre*des"ig*nate (?), a. (Logic) A term used by Sir William Hamilton to define propositions having their quantity indicated by a verbal sign; as, all, none, etc.; -- contrasted with preindesignate, defining propositions of which the quantity is not so indicated.

Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian controversy. Waterland.

Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an, n. One who believes in or supports the doctrine of predestination. Dr. H. More.

Pre*des"ti*nate (?), a. [L. praedestinatus, p. p. of praedestinare to predestine; prae before + destinare to determine. See Destine.] Predestinated; foreordained; fated. "A predestinate scratched face." Shak.

Pre*des"ti*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predestinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predestinating.] [Cf. Predestine.] To predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose or decree; to preëlect.

Syn. -- To predetermine; foreordain; preordain; decree; predestine; foredoom.

Pre*des`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L. praedestinatio: cf. F. prédestination.] 1. The act of predestinating.

2. (Theol.) The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all events; especially, the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery. See Calvinism.

Pre*des"ti*na*tive (?), a. Determining beforehand; predestinating. [R.] Coleridge.

Pre*des"ti*na`tor (?), n. [Cf. F. prédestinateur.] 1. One who predestinates, or foreordains.

Pre*des"tine (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predestined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predestining.] [Cf. F. prédestiner. See Predestinate.] To decree beforehand; to foreordain; to predestinate. Young.

Pre`de*ter"mi*na*ble (?), a. Capable of being determined beforehand. Coleridge.

Pre`de*ter"mi*nate (?), a. Determined beforehand; as, the predeterminate counsel of God.

Pre`de*ter`mi*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. prédétermination.] The act of previous determination; a purpose formed beforehand; as, the predetermination of God's will. Hammond.

Pre`de*ter"mine (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predetermined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predermining.] [Pref. pre- + determine: cf. F. prédéterminer.] 1. To determine (something) beforehand. Sir M. Hale.

Pre"di*al (?), a. [L. praedium a farm, estate: cf. F. prédial.] 1. Consisting of land or farms; landed; as, predial estate; that is, real estate. Ayliffe.

Pre*di`as*tol"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic friction sound.

Pred`i*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being predicable, or affirmable of something, or attributed to something. Reid.

Pred"i*ca*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. prédicable, L. praedicabilis praiseworthy. See Predicate.] Capable of being predicated or affirmed of something; affirmable; attributable.

Pred"i*ca*ble, n. 1. Anything affirmable of another; especially, a general attribute or notion as affirmable of, or applicable to, many individuals.

2. (Logic) One of the five most general relations of attributes involved in logical arrangements, namely, genus, species, difference, property, and accident.

Pre*dic"a*ment (?), n. [Cf. F. prédicament, L. praedicamentum. See Predicate.] 1. A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state; especially, an unfortunate or trying position or condition. "O woeful sympathy; piteous predicament!" Shak.

Pre*dic`a*men"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a predicament. John Hall (1646).

Pred"i*cant (?), a. [L. praedicans, -antis, p. pr. of praedicare. See Predicate.] Predicating; affirming; declaring; proclaiming; hence; preaching. "The Roman predicant orders." N. Brit. Rev.

Pred"i*cant, n. One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a preaching friar; a Dominican.

Pred"i*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predicating.] [L. praedicatus, p. p. of praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim. See Preach.] 1. To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.

Predicate is sometimes used in the United States for found or base; as, to predicate an argument on certain principles; to predicate a statement on information received. Predicate is a term in logic, and used only in a single case, namely, when we affirm one thing of another. "Similitude is not predicated of essences or substances, but of figures and qualities only." Cudworth.

Pred"i*cate, v. i. To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation. Sir M. Hale.

Pred"i*cate (?), n. [L. praedicatum, neut. of praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. prédicat. See Predicate, v. t.] 1. (Logic) That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, "Paper is white," "Ink is not white," whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink.

2. (Gram.) The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.

Pred`i*ca"tion (?), n. [L. praedicatio: cf. F. prédication.] 1. The act of predicating, or of affirming one thing of another; affirmation; assertion. Locke.

Pred"i*ca*tive (?), a. [L. praedicativus.] Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term. -- Pred"i*ca*tive*ly, adv.

Pred"i*ca*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. L. praedicatorius praising.] Affirmative; positive. Bp. Hall.

Pre`di*crot"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) A term applied to the pulse wave sometimes seen in a pulse curve or sphygmogram, between the apex of the curve and the dicrotic wave.

Pre*dict" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Predicting.] [L. praedictus, p. p. of praedicere to predict; prae before + dicere to say, tell. See Diction, and cf. Preach.] To tell or declare beforehand; to foretell; to prophesy; to presage; as, to predict misfortune; to predict the return of a comet.

Syn. -- To foretell; prophesy; prognosticate; presage; forebode; foreshow; bode.

Pre*dic"tion (?), n. [L. praedictio: cf. F. prédiction.] The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold; prophecy.

Syn. -- Prophecy; prognostication; foreboding; augury; divination; soothsaying; vaticination.

Pre*dict"ive (?), a. [L. praedictivus.] Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding. - - Pre*dict"ive*ly, adv.

Pre`di*gest" (?), v. t. (Med.) To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion.

Pre`di*ges"tion (?), n. 1. Digestion too soon performed; hasty digestion. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. (Med.) Artificial digestion of food for use in illness or impaired digestion.

Pre`di*lec"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + L. dilectus, p. p. diligere to prefer: cf. F. prédilection. See Diligent.] A previous liking; a prepossession of mind in favor of something; predisposition to choose or like; partiality. Burke.

Pre`dis*po"nent (?), a. Disposing beforehand; predisposing. -- n. That which predisposes.

Predisponent causes. (Med.) See Predisposing causes, under Predispose. Dunglison.

Pre`dis*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predisposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predisposing.] [Pref. pre- + dispose: cf. F. prédisposer.] 1. To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship.

2. To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease.

Predisposing causes (Med.), causes which render the body liable to disease; predisponent causes.

Pre*dis`po*si"tion (?), n.[Pref. pre- + disposition: cf. F. prédisposition.] 1. The act of predisposing, or the state of being predisposed; previous inclination, tendency, or propensity; predilection; -- applied to the mind; as, a predisposition to anger.

2. Previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression, or purpose; susceptibility; -- applied to material things; as, the predisposition of the body to disease.

Pre*dom"i*nance (?), n. [Cf. F. prédominance.] 1. The quality or state of being predominant; superiority; ascendency; prevalence; predomination.

Pre*dom"i*nant (?), a. [Cf. F. prédominant. See Predominante.] Having the ascendency over others; superior in strength, influence, or authority; prevailing; as, a predominant color; predominant excellence.

Syn. -- Prevalent; superior; prevailing; ascendant; ruling; reigning; controlling; overruling.

Pre*dom"i*nate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Predominated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predominating.] [Pref. pre- + dominate: cf. F. prédominer.] To be superior in number, strength, influence, or authority; to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule; to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart.

Pre*dom`i*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. prédomination.] The act or state of predominating; ascendency; predominance. W. Browne.

Pre*dor"sal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the back; immediately in front, or on the ventral side the dorsal part of the vertebral column.

Pre"dy (?), a. [Cf. F. prêt ready.] Cleared and ready for engagement, as a ship. Smart.

Pre*ëm"i*nence (?), n. [F. prééminence, L. praeeminentia. See Preëminent.] The quality or state of being preëminent; superiority in prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, preëminence in honor.

Pre*ëm"i*nent (?), a. [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. prééminent. See Pre-, and Eminent.] Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preëminent in guilt.

Pre`ëm*ploy (?), v. t. To employ beforehand. "Preëmployed by him." Shak.

Pre*ëmpt" (?; 215), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Preëmpted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëmpting.] [See Preëmption.] To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preëmption.

Pre*ëmp"tion (?; 215), n. [Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. préemption. See Redeem.] The act or right of purchasing before others. Specifically: (a) The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others. [Eng.] (b) The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants. Abbott.

Pre*ëmp"tion*er (?), n. One who holds a prior right to purchase certain public land. Abbott.

Pre*ëmp"tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to preëmption; having power to preëmpt; preëmpting.

Pre*ëmpt"or (?; 215), n. [Cf. L. praeemptor.] One who preëmpts; esp., one who preëmpts public land.

Preen (?), n. [AS. preón a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prjnn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.] A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] [See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.] 1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. Derham.

Pre`ën*gage" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëngaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preëngaging (?).] To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously; to preoccupy.

Pre`ën*gage"ment (?), n. Prior engagement, obligation, or attachment, as by contract, promise, or affection.

Pre`ë*ter"ni*ty (?), n. Infinite previous duration. [R.] "The world's preëternity." Cudworth.

Pre`ëx*am"ine (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëxamined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxamining.] To examine beforehand.

Pre`ëx*ist" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxisting.] To exist previously; to exist before something else.

Pre`ëx*ist"ence (?), n. 1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else.

2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a doctrine held by certain philosophers. Addison.

Pre`ëx*ist"ent (?), a. Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a preëxistent state. Pope.

Pre`ëx*ist"ent*ism (?), n. (Philos.) The theory of a preëxistence of souls before their association with human bodies. Emerson.

Pre`ëx*is`ti*ma"tion (?), n. Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pref"ace (?; 48), n. [F. préface; cf. Sp. prefacio, prefacion, It. prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio, fr. praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari, fatus, to speak. See Fate.] 1. Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

2. (R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass. Addis & Arnold.

Proper preface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.

Pref"ace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefacing.] To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse.

Pref"a*to*ry (?), a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.

Pre"fect (?), n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. préfet.] 1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. [France] Brande & C.

3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. Shipley.

Pre"fec*ture (?; 277), n. [L. praefectura: cf. F. préfecture.] The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.

Pre*fec`un*da"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.

Pre*fer" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.] [F. préférer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st Bear.] 1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass. [Obs.] "Though maidenhood prefer bigamy." Chaucer.

3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.

4. To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed by to, before, or above.

Preferred stock, stock which takes a dividend before other capital stock; -- called also preference stock and preferential stock.

Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness. J. S. Mill.

Pref"er*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. préférable.] Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme. Addison.

Pref"er*ence (?), n. [Cf. F. préférence.] 1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.

2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?

Pref`er*en"tial (?), a. Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.

Pre*fer"ment (?), n. 1. The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference. [R.]

2. The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion.

3. A position or office of honor or profit; as, the preferments of the church.

Pref"i*dent (?), a. [Cf. L. praefidens overconfident. See Pre-, and Confident.] Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. [Obs.] Baxter.

Pre*fig"u*rate (?), v. t. [L. praefiguratus, p. p. See Prefigure.] To prefigure. [R.] Grafton.

Pre*fig`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L. praefiguratio.] The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured.

Pre*fig"ur*a*tive (?), a. Showing by prefiguration. "The prefigurative atonement." Bp. Horne.

Pre*fig"ure (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefigured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefiguring.] [F. préfigurer, or L. praefigurare, praefiguratum; prae before + figurare to figure. See Figure, and cf. Prefigurate.] To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow. "Whom all the various types prefigured." South.

Pre*fig"ure*ment (?), n. The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured. Carlyle.

Pre*fine" (?), v. t. [L. praefinire; prae before + finire to limit, determine: cf. F. préfiner.] To limit beforehand. [Obs.] Knolles.

Pre*fi"nite (?), a. [L. praefinitus, p. p.] Prearranged. [Obs.] " Set and prefinite time." Holland.

Pref`i*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praefinitio.] Previous limitation. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Pre*fix" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefixed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing.] [L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. préfix fixed beforehand, determined, préfixer to prefix. See Fix.]

1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.

2. To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently. [Obs.] " Prefixed bounds. " Locke.

Pre"fix (?), n. [Cf. F. préfixe.] That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.

Pre`flo*ra"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + L. flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.) Æstivation.

Pre*form" (&?;), v. t. [L. praeformare. See Pre-, and Form.] To form beforehand, or for special ends. "Their natures and preformed faculties. " Shak.

Pre`for*ma"tion (?), n. (Biol.) An old theory of the preëxistence of germs. Cf. Emboîtement.

Pre*form"a*tive (?), n. A formative letter at the beginning of a word. M. Stuart.

Pre*fron"tal (?), a. (Anat. & Zoöl.) Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and fishes. -- n. A prefrontal bone or scale.

Pre*ful"gen*cy (?), n. [L. praefulgens, p. pr. of praefulgere to shine forth. See Pre-, and Fulgent.] Superior brightness or effulgency. [R.] Barrow.

Preg"na*ble (?), a., [F. prenable. See Impregnable.] Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort. [R.] Cotgrave.

Preg"nan*cy (?), n. 1. The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with young.

2. Figuratively: The quality of being heavy with important contents, issue, significance, etc.; unusual consequence or capacity; fertility. Fuller.

Preg"nant (?), a. [L. praegnans, -antis; prae before + genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. prégnant. See Gender, 2d Kin.]

1. Being with young, as a female; having conceived; great with young; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to bring forth.

2. Heavy with important contents, significance, or issue; full of consequence or results; weighty; as, pregnant replies. " A pregnant argument." Prynne. " A pregnant brevity." E. Everett.

3. Full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc.; as, a pregnant youth. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Pregnant construction (Rhet.), one in which more is implied than is said; as, the beasts trembled forth from their dens, that is, came forth trembling with fright.

Preg"nant, a. [F. prenant taking. Cf. Pregnable.] Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt. [Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity." Shak.

Preg"nant*ly, adv. Unresistingly; openly; hence, clearly; evidently. [Obs.] Shak.

Pre"gra*vate (?), v. t. [L. praegravatus, p. p. of praegravare to be heavy upon, fr. praegravis very heavy.] To bear down; to depress. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pre*gus"tant (?), a. [L. praegustans, p. pr. of praegustare to taste beforehand; prae before + gustare to taste.] Tasting beforehand; having a foretaste. [R.] Ed. Rev.

Pre`gus*ta"tion (?), n. The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste. [R.] Dr. Walker (1678).

||Pre*hal"lux (?), n. [NL. See Pre- , and Hallux.] (Anat.) An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux.

Pre*hend" (&?;), v. t. [L. prehendere. See Prehensile.] To lay hold of; to seize. [Obs.] Middleton.

Pre*hen"sile (?), a. [L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere to lay hold of, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere (in comp.), akin to E. get: cf. F. préhensile. See Get, and cf. Prison, Prize, n.] Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey.

Pre*hen"sion (?), n. [L. prehensio; cf. F. préhension. See Prehensile.] The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the hand or other member.

Pre`his*tor"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to a period before written history begins; as, the prehistoric ages; prehistoric man.

Prehn"ite (?), n. [So called from the German Colonel Prehn, who first found it.] (Min.) A pale green mineral occurring in crystalline aggregates having a botryoidal or mammillary structure, and rarely in distinct crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime.

Prehn*it"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a tetrabasic acid of benzene obtained as a white crystalline substance; -- probably so called from the resemblance of the wartlike crystals to the mammillæ on the surface of prehnite.

Pre`in*des"ig*nate (?), a. (Logic.) Having no sign expressive of quantity; indefinite. See Predesignate.

Pre`in*struct" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preinstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Preinstructing.] To instruct previously or beforehand. Dr. H. More.

Pre*in`ti*ma"tion (?), n. Previous intimation; a suggestion beforehand. T. Scott.

Pre*judge" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudged (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudging.] [Pref. pre + judge: cf. F. préjuger. Cf. Prejudicate, Prejudice.] To judge before hearing, or before full and sufficient examination; to decide or sentence by anticipation; to condemn beforehand.

Pre*judg"ment (?), n. The act of prejudging; decision before sufficient examination.

Pre*ju"di*cal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the determination of some matter not previously decided; as, a prejudical inquiry or action at law.

Pre*ju"di*cant (?), a. [L. praejudicans, p. pr.] Influenced by prejudice; biased. [R.] " With not too hasty and prejudicant ears." Milton.

Pre*ju"di*cate (?), a. [L. praejudicatus, p. p. of praejudicare to prejudge; prae before + judicare to judge. See Judge.] 1. Formed before due examination. "Ignorance and prejudicate opinions." Jer. Taylor.

2. Biased by opinions formed prematurely; prejudiced. "Prejudicate readers." Sir T. Browne.

Pre*ju"di*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicating.] [Cf. Prejudge.] To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; to prejudge.

Pre*ju`di*ca"tion (?), n. 1. The act of prejudicating, or of judging without due examination of facts and evidence; prejudgment.

2. (Rom. Law) (a) A preliminary inquiry and determination about something which belongs to a matter in dispute. (b) A previous treatment and decision of a point; a precedent.

Pre*ju"di*ca*tive (?), a. Forming a judgment without due examination; prejudging. Dr. H. More.

Prej"u*dice (?), n. [F. préjudice, L. praejudicium; prae before + judicium judgment. See Prejudicate, Judicial.] 1. Foresight. [Obs.]

2. An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge.

3. (Law) A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.

Syn. -- Prejudgment; prepossession; bias; harm; hurt; damage; detriment; mischief; disadvantage.

Prej"u*dice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicing (?).] [Cf. F. préjudicier. See Prejudice, n.] 1. To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman.

2. To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause.

Prej`u*di"cial (?), a. [L. praejudicialis belonging to a preceding judgment: cf. F. préjudiciel.]

1. Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices; as, to look with a prejudicial eye. [Obs.] Holyday.

2. Tending to obstruct or impair; hurtful; injurious; disadvantageous; detrimental. Hooker.

Prel"a*cy (?), n.; pl. Prelacies (#). [LL. praelatia. See Prelate; cf. Prelaty.] 1. The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates.

2. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. "Divers of the reverend prelacy, and other most judicious men." Hooker.

Pre"lal (?), a. [L. prelum a press.] Of or pertaining to printing; typographical. [Obs.] Fuller.

Prel"ate (?; 48), n. [F. prélat, LL. praelatus, fr. L. praelatus, used as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from a different root. See Elate.] A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church.

This word and the words derived from it are often used invidiously, in English ecclesiastical history, by dissenters, respecting the Established Church system.

{ Pre*lat"ic (?), Pre*lat"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to prelates or prelacy; as, prelatical authority. Macaulay.

Pre*lat"ic*al*ly, adv. In a prelatical manner; with reference to prelates. Milton.

Pre*la"tion (?), n. [L. praelatio: cf. F. prélation. See Prelate, and cf. Prefer.] The setting of one above another; preference. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Prel"a*tist (?), n. One who supports of advocates prelacy, or the government of the church by prelates; hence, a high-churchman. Hume.

Prel"a*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prelatized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prelatizing (?).] To bring under the influence of prelacy. Palfrey.

Prel"a*tize, v. i. To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical functions.

{ Prel"a*ture (?; 135), Prel"a*ture*ship }, n. [F. prélature, or LL. praelatura.] The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. Milman.

Pre*lect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prelected; p. pr. & vb. n. Prelecting.] [L. praelectus, p. p. of praelegere to read before. See Pre-, and Lection.] To read publicly, as a lecture or discourse.

Pre*lec"tion (?), n. [L. praelectio.] A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company. "The prelections of Faber." Sir M. Hale.

Pre*lec"tor (?), n. [L. praelector.] A reader of lectures or discourses; a lecturer. Sheldon.

Pre`li*ba"tion (?), n. [L. praelibatio, fr. praelibare to taste beforehand: cf. F. prelibation.] 1. A tasting beforehand, or by anticipation; a foretaste; as, a prelibation of heavenly bliss.

Pre*lim"i*na*ry (?), a. [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. préliminaire. Cf. Limit.] Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.

Syn. -- Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.

Pre*lim"i*na*ry, n.; pl. Preliminaries (&?;). That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.

Pre"lude (?), n. [F. prélude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.] An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture.

Syn. -- Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.

Pre*lude" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. préluder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.

Pre*lude", v. t. 1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.

Pre*lud"er (?), n. One who, or that which, preludes; one who plays a prelude. Mason.

Pre*lud"i*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory. [R.]

Pre*lum"bar (?), a. (Anat.) Situated immediately in front of the loins; -- applied to the dorsal part of the abdomen.

Pre*lu"sive (?), a. [See Prelude.] Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that something of a like kind is to follow. "Prelusive drops." Thomson. --Pre*lu"sive*ly, adv.

Pre`ma*ture" (?), a. [L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.] 1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.

3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report.

Pre`ma*tu"ri*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. prématurité.] The quality or state of being premature; early, or untimely, ripeness; as, the prematurity of genius.

||Pre"max*il"la (?), n.; pl. Premaxillæ (#). [NL. See Pre-, and Maxilla.] (Anat.) A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillæ become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.

Pre*max"il*la*ry (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the maxillary bones; pertaining to the premaxillæ; intermaxillary. -- n. A premaxilla.

Pre*med"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premeditated (-t`t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Premeditating.] [L. praemeditatus, p. p. of praemeditari; prae before + meditari to meditate. See Meditate.] To think on, and revolve in the mind, beforehand; to contrive and design previously; as, to premeditate robbery.

Pre*med"i*tate, v. i. To think, consider, deliberate, or revolve in the mind, beforehand.

Pre*med"i*tate (?), a. [L. praemeditatus, p. p.] Premeditated; deliberate. [Archaic] Bp. Burnet.

Pre*med`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praemeditatio: cf. F. préméditation.] The act of meditating or contriving beforehand; previous deliberation; forethought.

Pre*mer"it (?), v. t. To merit or deserve beforehand. [Obs.] Eikon Basi&?;&?;ke.

{ Pre"mi*al (?), Pre"mi*ant (?), } a. [L. praemialis. See Premium.] Serving to reward; rewarding. [R.] Baxter.

Prem"i*ces (?), n. pl. [F. prémices, L. primitiae. See Primitia.] First fruits. [Obs.] Dryden.

Pre"mi*er (?), a. [F. premier, fr. L. primarius of the first rank, principal, fr. primus the first. See Primary, Prime, a.] 1. First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister. Camden. Swift.

Pre"mi*ous (?), a. [L. praemiosus, fr. praemium a premium.] Rich in gifts. [R.] Clarke.

Prem"ise (?), n.; pl. Premises (&?;). [Written also, less properly, premiss.] [F. prémisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission.] 1. A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.

2. (Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment.

3. pl. (Law) Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted.

4. pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.

Pre*mise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.] [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.] 1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously. [Obs.]

2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings.

Pre*mise" (?), v. i. To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. Swift.

Pre"mi*um (?), n.; pl. Premiums (#). [L. praemium, originally, what one has got before or better than others; prae before + emere to take, buy. See Redeem.] 1. A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or scholarship, for discoveries, etc.

2. Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus; -- sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally signifying a sum in addition to the capital.

3. A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind.

4. A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his stock at a premium.

Pre*mo"lar (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the molar teeth. -- n. An anterior molar tooth which has replaced a deciduous molar. See Tooth.

Pre*mon"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premonished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premonishing.] [Pref. pre- + monish: cf. L. praemonere.] To forewarn; to admonish beforehand. [R.] Herrick.

Pre*mon"ish*ment (?), n. Previous warning or admonition; forewarning. Sir H. Wotton.

Pre`mo*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praemonitio. See Premonish.] Previous warning, notice, or information; forewarning; as, a premonition of danger.

Pre*mon"i*tor (?), n. [L. praemonitor.] One who, or that which, gives premonition.

Pre*mon"i*to*ry (?), a. [L. praemonitorius.] Giving previous warning or notice; as, premonitory symptoms of disease. -- Pre*mon"i*to*ri*ly (#), adv.

Pre*mon"strate (?), v. t. [L. praemonstratus, p. p. of praemonstrare; prae before + monstrate to show.] To show beforehand; to foreshow. [R.] Herbert.

Pre*mon`stra*ten"sian (?), n. [F. prémontré, fr. Prémontré, fr. L. pratum monstratum.] (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order of regular canons founded by St. Norbert at Prémontré, in France, in 1119. The members of the order are called also White Canons, Norbertines, and Premonstrants.

Pre`mon*stra"tion (?), n. [L. praemonstratio.] A showing beforehand; foreshowing.

Pre*mon"stra*tor (?), n. [L. praemonstrator.] One who, or that which, premonstrates. [R.]

Pre*morse" (?), a. [L. praemorsus, p. p. of praemordere to bite off; prae before + mordere to bite.] Terminated abruptly, or as it bitten off.

Premorse root or leaves (Bot.), such as have an abrupt, ragged, and irregular termination, as if bitten off short.

Pre`mo*sa"ic (?), a. Relating to the time before Moses; as, premosaic history.

Pre*mo"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + motion.] Previous motion or excitement to action.

Prem`u*nite" (?), v. t. [L. praemunitus, p. p. of praemunire to fortify in front; prae before + munire to fortify.] To fortify beforehand; to guard against objection. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Pre`mu*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praemunitio: cf. F. prémunition.] The act of fortifying or guarding against objections. [Obs.]

Pre*mu"ni*to*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to a premunire; as, a premunitory process.

Pre*na"sal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the nose, or in front of the nasal chambers.

Pren"der (?), n. [F. prendre to take, fr. L. prehendere to take.] (Law) The power or right of taking a thing before it is offered. Burrill.

Pre*nom"i*nate (?), a. [L. praenominatus, p. p. of praenominare to give the prenomen to, to prenominate, fr. praenomen prenomen.] Forenamed; named beforehand. [R.] "Prenominate crimes." Shak.

Pre*nom"i*nate (?), v. t. To forename; to name beforehand; to tell by name beforehand. Shak.

Pre*nom`i*na*tion (?), n. The act of prenominating; privilege of being named first. Sir T. Browne.

Pre*nos"tic (?), n. [L. praenoscere to foreknow; prae before + noscere, notum, to know.] A prognostic; an omen. [Obs.] Gower.

Pre*note" (?), v. t. [L. praenotare; prae before + notare to note.] To note or designate beforehand. Foxe.

Pre*no"tion (?), n. [L. praenotio: cf. F. prénotion. See Prenostic.] A notice or notion which precedes something else in time; previous notion or thought; foreknowledge. Bacon.

Pren*sa"tion (?), n. [L. prensatio, from prensare, prehensare, v. freq. from prehendere to seize.] The act of seizing with violence. [Obs.] Barrow .

Pren"tice (?), n. [Aphetic form of apprentice.] An apprentice. [Obs. or Colloq.] Piers Plowman. "My accuser is my prentice." Shak.

Pre*nun`ci*a"tion (?), n. [L. praenunciatio, fr. praenunciare to announce beforehand. See Pre-, and Announce.] The act of announcing or proclaiming beforehand. [Obs.]

Pre*nun"cious (?), a. [L. praenuncius.] Announcing beforehand; presaging. [Obs.] Blount.

||Pre*ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL. See Pre-, and Oblongata.] (Anat.) The anterior part of the medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

Pre*oc"cu*pan*cy (?), n. [See Preoccupate.] The act or right of taking possession before another; as, the preoccupancy of wild land.

Pre*oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. praeoccupatus, p. p. of praeoccupare to preoccupy. See Preoccupy.]

1. To anticipate; to take before. [Obs.] "Fear preoccupateth it [death]." Bacon.

Pre*oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. praeoccupatio: cf. F. préoccupation.] 1. The act of preoccupying, or taking possession of beforehand; the state of being preoccupied; prepossession.

Pre*oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-pd); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying (?).] [Cf. F. préoccuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy.] 1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held.

2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.

Pre*oc"u*lar (?), a. (Zoöl.) Placed just in front of the eyes, as the antennæ of certain insects. -- n. One of the scales just in front of the eye of a reptile or fish.

Pre*om"i*nate (?), v. t. To ominate beforehand; to portend. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pre`o*per"cu*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the operculum; pertaining to the preoperculum. -- n. The preoperculum.

||Pre`o*per"cu*lum (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The anterior opercular bone in fishes.

Pre`o*pin"ion (?), n. Opinion previously formed; prepossession; prejudice. Sir T. Browne.

Pre*o"ral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral bands.

Pre`or*dain" (?), v. t. [Pref. pre + ordain: cf. L. praeordinare.] To ordain or appoint beforehand: to predetermine: to foreordain. Milton.

Pre*or"der (?), v. t. To order to arrange beforehand; to foreordain. Sir W. Hamilton.

Pre*or"di*nate (?), a. [L. praeordinatus, p. p. See Preordain.] Preordained. [R.] Sir T. Elyot.

Pre*or`di*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. préordination.] The act of foreordaining: previous determination. "The preordination of God." Bale.

Pre*par"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prepared. "Medicine preparable by art." Boyle.

1. The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.

2. The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for war.

3. That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a preparatory act or measure.

4. That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination. Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. (c) Something prepared for use in cookery.

6. (Mus.) The holding over of a note from one chord into the next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See Suspension.

Pre*par"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. préparatif.] Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory.

1. That which has the power of preparing, or previously fitting for a purpose; that which prepares. "A preparative unto sermons." Hooker.

2. That which is done in the way of preparation. "Necessary preparatives for our voyage." Dryden.

Pre*par"a*tor (?), n. [L. praeparator.] One who prepares beforehand, as subjects for dissection, specimens for preservation in collections, etc. Agassiz.

Pre*par"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. praeparatorius: cf. F. préparatoire.] Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.

Pre*pare" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepare&?; (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preparing.] [F. préparer, L. praeparare; prae before + parare to make ready. See Pare.]

1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.

2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment. Milton.

Syn. -- To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form; make; make; ready.

Pre*pare" (&?;), v. i. 1. To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to prepare for a hostile invasion. "Bid them prepare for dinner." Shak.

2. To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.

Pre*pared" (?), a. Made fit or suitable; adapted; ready; as, prepared food; prepared questions. -- Pre*par"ed*ly (#), adv. Shak. -- Pre*par"ed*ness, n.

Pre*par"er (?), n. One who, or that which, prepares, fits, or makes ready. Wood.

Pre*pay" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepaid (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prepaying.] To pay in advance, or beforehand; as, to prepay postage.

Pre*pense" (?), v. t. [Pref. pre + F. penser to think. See Pansy.] To weigh or consider beforehand; to premeditate. [Obs.] Spenser. Sir T. Elyot.

Pre*pense", a. [See Pansy, and cf. Prepense, v. t.] Devised, contrived, or planned beforehand; preconceived; premeditated; aforethought; -- usually placed after the word it qualifies; as, malice prepense.

{ Pre*pol"lence (?), Pre*pol"len*cy (?), } n. [L. praepollentia.] The quality or state of being prepollent; superiority of power; predominance; prevalence. [R.] Coventry.

Pre*pol"lent (?), a. [L. praepollens, p. p. of praepollere to surpass in power; prae before + pollere to be powerful.] Having superior influence or power; prevailing; predominant. [R.] Boyle.

||Pre*pol"lent (?), n.; pl. Prepollices (#). [NL. See Pre-, Pollex.] (Anat.) An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial side of the pollex.

{ Pre*pon"der*ance (?), Pre*pon"der*an*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. prépondérance.] 1. The quality or state of being preponderant; superiority or excess of weight, influence, or power, etc.; an outweighing.

2. (Gun.) The excess of weight of that part of a canon behind the trunnions over that in front of them.

Pre*pon"der*ant (?), a. [L. praeponderans, -antis: cf. F. prépondérant. See Preponderate.] Preponderating; outweighing; overbalancing; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a preponderant weight; of preponderant importance. -- Pre*pon"der*ant*ly, adv.

Pre*pon"der*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preponderated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preponderating.] [L. praeponderatus, p. p. of praeponderare; prae before + ponderare to weigh, fr., pondus, ponderis, a weight. See Ponder.] 1. To outweigh; to overpower by weight; to exceed in weight; to overbalance.

Pre*pon"der*ate, v. i. To exceed in weight; hence, to incline or descend, as the scale of a balance; figuratively, to exceed in influence, power, etc.; hence; to incline to one side; as, the affirmative side preponderated.

Pre*pon`der*a"tion (?), n. [L. praeponderatio.] The act or state of preponderating; preponderance; as, a preponderation of reasons. I. Watts.

Pre*pose" (?), v. t. [F. préposer; pref. pré- (L. prae before) + poser. See Pose.] To place or set before; to prefix. [Obs.] Fuller.

Prep`o*si"tion (?), n. [L. praepositio, fr. praeponere to place before; prae before + ponere to put, place: cf. F. préposition. See Position, and cf. Provost.]

1. (Gram.) A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word; a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other word; -- so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running.

Prep`o*si"tion*al (?), a. [Cf. F. prépositionnel.] Of or pertaining to a preposition; of the nature of a preposition. Early. -- Prep`o*si"tion*al*ly, adv.

Pre*pos"i*tive (?), a. [L. praepositivus: cf. F. prépositif.] (Gram.) Put before; prefixed; as, a prepositive particle. -- n. A prepositive word. Tooke.

||Pre*pos"i*tor (?), n. [NL.] A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor. Todd.

Pre*pos"i*ture (?), n. [L. praepositura. See Preposition, and cf. Provost.] The office or dignity of a provost; a provostship. Lowth.

Pre`pos*sess" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepossessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prepossessing.]

2. To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.

Pre`pos*sess"ing (?), a. Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence, favor, esteem, or love; attractive; as, a prepossessing manner. -- Pre`pos*sess"ing*ly, adv.

2. Preoccupation of the mind by an opinion, or impression, already formed; preconceived opinion; previous impression; bias; -- generally, but not always, used in a favorable sense; as, the prepossessions of childhood. "The prejudices and prepossessions of the country." Sir W. Scott.

Pre`*pos*sess"or (?), n. One who possesses, or occupies, previously. R. Brady.

Pre*pos"ter*ous (?), a.[L. praeposterus; prae before + posterus coming after, latter. See Posterior.]

2. Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end; utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd; perverted. "Most preposterous conclusions." Shak.

Syn. -- Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish; monstrous. See Absurd.

1. The quality or condition of being prepotent; predominance. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. (Biol.) The capacity, on the part of one of the parents, as compared with the other, to transmit more than his or her own share of characteristics to their offspring.

1. Very powerful; superior in force, influence, or authority; predominant. Plaifere.

Pre`pro*vide" (?), v. t. To provide beforehand. "The materials preprovided." Fuller.

Pre*pu"bic (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of, or anterior to, the pubis; pertaining to the prepubis.

||Pre*pu"bis (?), n. [NL. See Pre- , and Pubis.] (Anat.)A bone or cartilage, of some animals, situated in the middle line in front of the pubic bones.

{ Pre*raph"a*el*ism (?), Pre*raph"a*el*i`tism (?), } n. (Fine Arts) The doctrine or practice of a school of modern painters who profess to be followers of the painters before Raphael. Its adherents advocate careful study from nature, delicacy and minuteness of workmanship, and an exalted and delicate conception of the subject.

Pre*raph"a*el*ite (?), a. Of or pertaining to the style called preraphaelitism; as, a preraphaelite figure; a preraphaelite landscape. Ruskin.

Pre*raph"a*el*ite, n. One who favors or practices art as it was before Raphael; one who favors or advocates preraphaelitism.

Pre*reg"nant (?), n. One who reigns before another; a sovereign predecessor. [R.] Warner.

Pre*req"ui*site (?), a. Previously required; necessary as a preliminary to any proposed effect or end; as, prerequisite conditions of success.

Pre*req"ui*site, n. Something previously required, or necessary to an end or effect proposed.

Pre`re*solve" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Preresolved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preresolving.] To resolve beforehand; to predetermine. Sir E. Dering.

Pre*rog"a*tive (?), n. [F. prérogative, from L. praerogativa precedence in voting, preference, privilege, fr. praerogativus that is asked before others for his opinion, that votes before or first, fr. praerogare to ask before another; prae before + rogare to ask. See Rogation.]

1. An exclusive or peculiar privilege; prior and indefeasible right; fundamental and essential possession; -- used generally of an official and hereditary right which may be asserted without question, and for the exercise of which there is no responsibility or accountability as to the fact and the manner of its exercise.

The term came into general use in the conflicts between the Crown and Parliaments of Great Britain, especially in the time of the Stuarts.

Prerogative Court (Eng. Law), a court which formerly had authority in the matter of wills and administrations, where the deceased left bona notabilia, or effects of the value of five pounds, in two or more different dioceses. Blackstone. -- Prerogative office, the office in which wills proved in the Prerogative Court were registered.

Pre*rog"a*tived (?), a. Endowed with a prerogative, or exclusive privilege. [R.] Shak.

Pre"sage (?), n. [F. présage, L. praesagium, from praesagire. See Presage, v. t. ]

1. Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a prognostic; an omen; an augury. "Joy and shout - - presage of victory." Milton.

2. Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power; foreknowledge; presentiment.

Pre*sage" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presaged (-sjd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Presaging. ] [F. présager, L. praesagire: prae before + sagire to perceive acutely or sharply. See Sagacious.]

Pre*sage", v. i. To form or utter a prediction; -- sometimes used with of. Dryden.

2. That which is presaged, or foretold. [R.] "Ominous presagement before his end. " Sir H. Wotton.

Pre*sa"ger (?), n. One who, or that which, presages; a foreteller; a foreboder. Shak.

||Pres`by*o"pi*a (?) [NL., from Gr. &?; old, n., an old man + &?;, &?;, the eye.] (Med.) A defect of vision consequent upon advancing age. It is due to rigidity of the crystalline lens, which produces difficulty of accommodation and recession of the near point of vision, so that objects very near the eyes can not be seen distinctly without the use of convex glasses. Called also presbytia.

Pres`by*op"ic (?), a. Affected by presbyopia; also, remedying presbyopia; farsighted.

2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) One ordained to the second order in the ministry; -- called also priest.

Pres*byt"er*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a presbyter or presbytery; presbyterial.

Pres*byt"er*ate (?), n. [L. presbyteratus: cf. F. presbytérat.] A presbytery; also, presbytership. Heber.

Pres`by*te"ri*al (?), a. [Cf. F. presbytéral.] Presbyterian. "Presbyterial government." Milton.

Pres`by*te"ri*an (?), a. [Cf. F. presbytérien.] Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of a communion so governed.

Pres`by*te"ri*an, n. [Cf. F. presbytérien.] One who maintains the validity of ordination and government by presbyters; a member of the Presbyterian church.

Pres`by*te"ri*an*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. presbytérianisme.] That form of church government which invests presbyters with all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also, the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken collectively.

Pres"by*ter*y (?), n.; pl. Presbyteries (#). [L. presbyterium, Gr. &?;. See Presbyter, and cf. Presbyterium.]

2. (Presbyterian Ch.) A judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.

4. (a) (Arch.) That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest. (b) The residence of a priest or clergyman. Gwilt.

||Pre*scap"u*la (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The part of the scapula in front of, or above, the spine, or mesoscapula.

Pre*scap"u*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the prescapula; supraspinous.

Pre"sci*ence (pr"sh*ens or - shens; 277), n. [F. prescience, L. praescientia. See Prescient.] Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight.

Pre"sci*ent (pr"sh*ent or - shent), a. [L. praesciens, - entis, p. pr. of praescire to foreknow; prae before + scire to know: cf. F. prescient. See Science.] Having knowledge of coming events; foreseeing; conscious beforehand. Pope.

Pre*scind" (pr*snd"), v. t. [L. praescindere to cut off in front; prae before + scindere to cut asunder: cf. F. prescinder.]

2. (Metaph.) To consider by a separate act of attention or analysis. Sir W. Hamilton.

Pre*scind"ent (?), a. [L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr. scire to know.] Cutting off; abstracting. [R.] Cheyne.

Pre"scious (pr"shs), a. [L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr. scire to know.] Foreknowing; having foreknowledge; as, prescious of ills. [R.] Dryden.

Pre*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prescribed (?); p. pr & vb. n. Prescribing.] [L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae before + scriebe to write. See Scribe.]

1. To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct.

2. (Med.) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed quinine.

3. (Med.) To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.

4. (Law) To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that is, by a custom having the force of law.

Pre"script (?), a. [L. praescriptus, p. p. of praescribere: cf. F. prescrit. See Prescribe.] Directed; prescribed. " A prescript from of words." Jer. Taylor.

Pre*scrip`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being prescriptible. Story.

Pre*scrip"ti*ble (pr*skrp"t*b'l), a. [Cf. F. prescriptible.] Depending on, or derived from, prescription; proper to be prescribed. Grafton.

Pre*scrip"tion (-shn), n. [F. prescription, L. praescriptio, an inscription, preface, precept, demurrer, prescription (in sense 3), fr. praescribere. See Prescribe.]

1. The act of prescribing, directing, or dictating; direction; precept; also, that which is prescribed.

2. (Med.) A direction of a remedy or of remedies for a disease, and the manner of using them; a medical recipe; also, a prescribed remedy.

3. (Law) A prescribing for title; the claim of title to a thing by virtue of immemorial use and enjoyment; the right or title acquired by possession had during the time and in the manner fixed by law. Bacon.

Prescription differs from custom, which is a local usage, while prescription is personal, annexed to the person only. Prescription only extends to incorporeal rights, such as aright of way, or of common. What the law gives of common rights is not the subject of prescription. Blackstone. Cruise. Kent. In Scotch law, prescription is employed in the sense in which limitation is used in England and America, namely, to express that operation of the lapse of time by which obligations are extinguished or title protected. Sir T. Craig. Erskine.

Pre*scrip"tive (?), a. [L. praescriptivus of a demurrer or legal exception.] (Law) Consisting in, or acquired by, immemorial or long-continued use and enjoyment; as, a prescriptive right of title; pleading the continuance and authority of long custom.

||Pre*scu"tum (?), n.; pl. Prescuta (&?;). [NL. See Præ-, and Scutum.] (Zoöl.) The first of the four pieces composing the dorsal part, or tergum, of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is usually small and inconspicuous.

Pre"se*ance (?), n. [F. préséance. See Preside.] Priority of place in sitting.[Obs.] Carew.

Pres"ence (?), n. [F. présence, L. praesentia. See Present.] 1. The state of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence.

2. The place in which one is present; the part of space within one's ken, call, influence, etc.; neighborhood without the intervention of anything that forbids intercourse.

3. Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.

4. The whole of the personal qualities of an individual; person; personality; especially, the person of a superior, as a sovereign.

6. Port, mien; air; personal appearence. "Rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect." Bacon.

Presence chamber, or Presence room, the room in which a great personage receives company. Addison. " Chambers of presence." Bacon. -- Presence of mind, that state of the mind in which all its faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden emergencies.

Pre`sen*sa"tion (?), n. Previous sensation, notion, or idea. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Pre*sen"sion (?), n. [L. praesensio, fr. praesentire to perceive beforehand. See Presentient.] Previous perception. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pres"ent (?), a. [F. présent, L. praesens,-entis, that is before one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be before; prae before + esse to be. See Essence.]

1. Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.

2. Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance.

3. Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. "A present recompense." "A present pardon." Shak.

Present tense (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am writing, I write, or I do write.

Pres"ent, n. [Cf. F. présent. See Present, a.] 1. Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present.

2. pl. (Law) Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, " Know all men by these presents," that is, by the writing itself, " per has literas praesentes; " -- in this sense, rarely used in the singular.

3. (Gram.) A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense.

At present, at the present time; now. -- For the present, for the tine being; temporarily. -- In present, at once, without delay. [Obs.] "With them, in present, half his kingdom; the rest to follow at his death." Milton.

Pre*sent" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presented; p. pr. & vb. n. Presenting.] [F. présenter, L. praesentare, fr. praesens, a. See Present, a.] 1. To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior.

2. To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance.

3. To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.

4. To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.

5. Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts.

7. In specific uses; (a) To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.

(b) To nominate for support at a public school or other institution . Lamb. (c) To lay before a public body, or an official, for consideration, as before a legislature, a court of judicature, a corporation, etc.; as, to present a memorial, petition, remonstrance, or indictment. (d) To lay before a court as an object of inquiry; to give notice officially of, as a crime of offence; to find or represent judicially; as, a grand jury present certain offenses or nuisances, or whatever they think to be public injuries. (e) To bring an indictment against . [U.S] (f) To aim, point, or direct, as a weapon; as, to present a pistol or the point of a sword to the breast of another.

Pesent arms (Mil.), the command in response to which the gun is carried perpendicularly in front of the center of the body, and held there with the left hand grasping it at the lower band, and the right hand grasping the small of the stock, in token of respect, as in saluting a superior officer; also, the position taken at such a command.

Pre*sent", v. i. (Med.) To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; -- said of a part of an infant during labor.

Pres"ent (?), n. [F. présent .] Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present.

Pre*sent" (?), n. (Mil.) The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.

Pre*sent"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. présentable.] 1. Capable or admitting of being presented; suitable to be exhibited, represented, or offered; fit to be brought forward or set forth; hence, fitted to be introduced to another, or to go into society; as, ideas that are presentable in simple language; she is not presentable in such a gown.

2. Admitting of the presentation of a clergiman; as, a church presentable. [R.] Ayliffe.

Pres`en*ta"ne*ous (?), a. [L. praesentaneus. See Present, a.] Ready; quick; immediate in effect; as, presentaneous poison. [Obs.] Harvey.

Pres`en*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praesentatio a showing, representation: cf. F. présentation.] 1. The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal.

3. That which is presented or given; a present; a gift, as, the picture was a presentation. [R.]

4. (Eccl.) The act of offering a clergyman to the bishop or ordinary for institution in a benefice; the right of presenting a clergyman.

5. (Med.) The particular position of the child during labor relatively to the passage though which it is to be brought forth; -- specifically designated by the part which first appears at the mouth of the uterus; as, a breech presentation.

Presentation copy, a copy of a book, engraving, etc., presented to some one by the author or artist, as a token of regard.

Pre*sent"a*tive (?), a. 1. (Eccl.) Having the right of presentation, or offering a clergyman to the bishop for institution; as, advowsons are presentative, collative, or donative. Blackstone.

2. Admitting the presentation of a clergyman; as, a presentative parsonage. Spelman.

3. (Metaph.) Capable of being directly known by, or presented to, the mind; intuitive; directly apprehensible, as objects; capable of apprehending, as faculties.

Pres`en*tee" (?), n. [F. présenté, p. p. See Present, v. t. ] One to whom something is presented; also, one who is presented; specifically (Eccl.), one presented to benefice. Ayliffe.

Pre*sen"tial (?), a. [LL. praesentialis.] Implying actual presence; present, immediate. [Obs.]

Pre*sen"tient (?), a. [L. praesentiens, p. pr. of praesentire to perceive beforehand; prae before + sentire to feel.] Feeling or perceiving beforehand.

Pres`en*tif"ic (?), a. [L. praesens, -entis, present + facere to make.] Making present. [Obs.]

Pre*sen"ti*ment (?), n. [Pref. pre- + sentiment: cf. F. pressentiment. See Presentient.] Previous sentiment, conception, or opinion; previous apprehension; especially, an antecedent impression or conviction of something unpleasant, distressing, or calamitous, about to happen; anticipation of evil; foreboding.

Pre*sen`ti*men"tal (?), a. Of nature of a presentiment; foreboding. [R.] Coleridge.

Pre*sent"ive (?), a. (Philol.) Bringing a conception or notion directly before the mind; presenting an object to the memory of imagination; -- distinguished from symbolic.

2. At once; without delay; forthwith; also, less definitely, soon; shortly; before long; after a little while; by and by. Shak.

Pre*sent"ment (?), n. 1. The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; presentation. " Upon the heels of my presentment." Shak.

3. (Law) (a) The notice taken by a grand jury of any offence from their own knowledge or observation, without any bill of indictment laid before them, as, the presentment of a nuisance, a libel, or the like; also, an inquisition of office and indictment by a grand jury; an official accusation presented to a tribunal by the grand jury in an indictment, or the act of offering an indictment; also, the indictment itself. (b) The official notice (formerly required to be given in court) of the surrender of a copyhold estate. Blackstone.

Presentment of a bill of exchange, the offering of a bill to the drawee for acceptance, or to the acceptor for payment. See Bill of exchange, under Bill.

Pres"ent*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being present; presence. [Obs.] "Presentness of mind in danger." Clarendon.

Pres`en*toir" (?), n. [Formed after analogy of French.] An ornamental tray, dish, or the like, used as a salver.

Pres`er*va"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. préservation.] The act or process of preserving, or keeping safe; the state of being preserved, or kept from injury, destruction, or decay; security; safety; as, preservation of life, fruit, game, etc.; a picture in good preservation.

Pre*serv"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. préservatif.] Having the power or quality of preserving; tending to preserve, or to keep from injury, decay, etc.

Pre*serv"a*tive, n. That which preserves, or has the power of preserving; a presevative agent.

Pre*serv"a*to*ry, n.; pl. Preservatories (&?;). 1. A preservative. [Obs.] Whitlock.

2. A room, or apparatus, in which perishable things, as fruit, vegetables, etc., can be preserved without decay.

Pre*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preserved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preserving.] [F. préserver, from L. prae before + servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe beforehand. See Serve.] 1. To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect.

2. To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, as sugar, salt, etc.; to season and prepare for remaining in a good state, as fruits, meat, etc.; as, to preserve peaches or grapes.

3. To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve appearances; to preserve silence.

Syn. -- To keep; save; secure; uphold; sustain; defend; spare; protect; guard; shield. See Keep.

Pre*serve", n. 1. That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; -- commonly in the plural.

2. A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for purposes of sport, or for food.

Pre*serv"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, preserves, saves, or defends, from destruction, injury, or decay; esp., one who saves the life or character of another. Shak.

Pre*side" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Presided; p. pr. & vb. n. Presiding.] [L. praesidere; prae before + sedere to sit: cf. F. présider. See Sit.] 1. To be set, or to sit, in the place of authority; to occupy the place of president, chairman, moderator, director, etc.; to direct, control, and regulate, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public meeting; to preside over the senate.

Pres"i*den*cy (?), n.; pl. Presidencies (#). [Cf. F. présidence.] 1. The function or condition of one who presides; superintendence; control and care.

3. The term during which a president holds his office; as, during the presidency of Madison.

4. One of the three great divisions of British India, the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidencies, each of which had a council of which its governor was president.

Pres"i*dent, a. Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest authority; presiding. [R.]

Pres"i*dent, n. [F. président, L. praesidens, -entis, p. pr. of praesidere. See Preside.] 1. One who is elected or appointed to preside; a presiding officer, as of a legislative body. Specifically: (a) The chief officer of a corporation, company, institution, society, or the like. (b) The chief executive officer of the government in certain republics; as, the president of the United States.

Pres`i*den"tial (?), a. 1. Presiding or watching over. "Presidential angels." Glanvill.

2. Of or pertaining to a president; as, the presidential chair; a presidential election.

Pres"i*dent*ship (?), n. The office and dignity of president; presidency. Hooker.

{ Pre*sid"i*al (?), Pre*sid"i*a*ry (?), } a. [L. praesidialis and praesidiarius, fr. praesidium a presiding over, defense, guard. See Preside.] Of or pertaining to a garrison; having a garrison.

Pre*sid"i*a*ry, n. [L. praesidiarium.] A guard. [Obs.] "Heavenly presidiaries." Bp. Hall.

||Pre*si"di*o (?), n. [Sp.] A place of defense; a fortress; a garrison; a fortress; a garrison or guardhouse.

Pre*sig`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [&?;. praesignificatio. See Presignify.] The act of signifying or showing beforehand.

Pre*sig"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presignified (?); imp. & p. p. Presignifying.] [L. praesignificare; prae before + significare to signify.] To intimate or signify beforehand; to presage.

Pre*sphe"noid (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the sphenoid bone; of or pertaining to the anterior part of the sphenoid bone (i. e., the presphenoid bone).

Presphenoid bone (Anat.), the anterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone in front of the basisphenoid. It is usually a separate bone in the young or fetus, but becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult.

Pre`sphe*noid"al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the presphenoid bone; presphenoid.

Press (?), n. (Zoöl.) An East Indian insectivore (Tupaia ferruginea). It is arboreal in its habits, and has a bushy tail. The fur is soft, and varies from rusty red to maroon and to brownish black.

Press, v. t. [Corrupt. fr. prest ready money advanced, a loan; hence, earnest money given soldiers on entering service. See Prest, n.] To force into service, particularly into naval service; to impress.

Press, n. [For prest, confused with press.] A commission to force men into public service, particularly into the navy.

Press gang, or Pressgang, a detachment of seamen under the command of an officer empowered to force men into the naval service. See Impress gang, under Impress. -- Press money, money paid to a man enlisted into public service. See Prest money, under Prest, a.

Press, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pressing.] [F. presser, fr. L. pressare to press, fr. premere, pressum, to press. Cf. Print, v.] 1. To urge, or act upon, with force, as weight; to act upon by pushing or thrusting, in distinction from pulling; to crowd or compel by a gradual and continued exertion; to bear upon; to squeeze; to compress; as, we press the ground with the feet when we walk; we press the couch on which we repose; we press substances with the hands, fingers, or arms; we are pressed in a crowd.

2. To squeeze, in order to extract the juice or contents of; to squeeze out, or express, from something.

3. To squeeze in or with suitable instruments or apparatus, in order to compact, make dense, or smooth; as, to press cotton bales, paper, etc.; to smooth by ironing; as, to press clothes.

7. To exercise very powerful or irresistible influence upon or over; to constrain; to force; to compel.

8. To try to force (something upon some one); to urge or inculcate with earnestness or importunity; to enforce; as, to press divine truth on an audience.

9. To drive with violence; to hurry; to urge on; to ply hard; as, to press a horse in a race.

Press differs from drive and strike in usually denoting a slow or continued application of force; whereas drive and strike denote a sudden impulse of force.

Press, v. i. 1. To exert pressure; to bear heavily; to push, crowd, or urge with steady force.

2. To move on with urging and crowding; to make one's way with violence or effort; to bear onward forcibly; to crowd; to throng; to encroach.

3. To urge with vehemence or importunity; to exert a strong or compelling influence; as, an argument presses upon the judgment.

Press, n. [F. presse. See 4th Press.] 1. An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or building containing a press or presses.

Presses are differently constructed for various purposes in the arts, their specific uses being commonly designated; as, a cotton press, a wine press, a cider press, a copying press, etc. See Drill press.

3. The art or business of printing and publishing; hence, printed publications, taken collectively, more especially newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them; as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a curse.

4. An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of articles; as, a clothes press. Shak.

6. Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a press of engagements.

7. A multitude of individuals crowded together; &?; crowd of single things; a throng.

Cylinder press, a printing press in which the impression is produced by a revolving cylinder under which the form passes; also, one in which the form of type or plates is curved around a cylinder, instead of resting on a flat bed. -- Hydrostatic press. See under Hydrostatic. -- Liberty of the press, the free right of publishing books, pamphlets, or papers, without previous restraint or censorship, subject only to punishment for libelous, seditious, or morally pernicious matters. -- Press bed, a bed that may be folded, and inclosed, in a press or closet. Boswell. -- Press of sail, (Naut.), as much sail as the state of the wind will permit.

Presser bar, or Presser wheel (Knitting machine), a bar or wheel which closes the barbs of the needles to enable the loops of the yarn to pass over them. -- Presser foot, the part of a sewing machine which rests on the cloth and presses it down upon the table of the machine.

Press"ing, a. Urgent; exacting; importunate; as, a pressing necessity. -- Press"ing*ly, adv.

Pres"sion (?), n. [L. pressio: cf. F. pression. See 4th Press.] 1. The act of pressing; pressure. Sir I. Newton.

Pres`si*ros"ter (?), n. [L. presssus pressed (p. p. of premere) + rostrum beak: cf. F. pressirostre. See 4th Press.] (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of wading birds (Pressirostres) including those which have a compressed beak, as the plovers.

Pres"sive (?), a. Pressing; urgent; also, oppressive; as, pressive taxation. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Press"man (?), n.; pl. Pressmen (&?;). 1. One who manages, or attends to, a press, esp. a printing press.

Press"man, n. [See 2d Press.] One of a press gang, who aids in forcing men into the naval service; also, one forced into the service.

Press"or (?), a. (Physiol.) Causing, or giving rise to, pressure or to an increase of pressure; as, pressor nerve fibers, stimulation of which excites the vasomotor center, thus causing a stronger contraction of the arteries and consequently an increase of the arterial blood pressure; -- opposed to depressor. Landois & Stirling.

2. The juice of the grape extracted by the press; also, a fee paid for the use of a wine press.

Pres"sure (?; 138), n. [OF., fr. L. pressura, fr. premere. See 4th Press.] 1. The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed; compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of the hand.

2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.

6. (Mech.) The action of a force against some obstacle or opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust, distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference to the amount upon a unit's area.

Atmospheric pressure, Center of pressure, etc. See under Atmospheric, Center, etc. -- Back pressure (Steam engine), pressure which resists the motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam which does not find free outlet. -- Fluid pressure, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. Rankine. -- Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.

Press"work` (?), n. The art of printing from the surface of type, plates, or engravings in relief, by means of a press; the work so done. MacKellar.

Prest, a. [OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. L. praestus ready. Cf. Presto.] 1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.]

Prest money, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted into the British service; -- so called because it bound those that received it to be ready for service when called upon.

Prest, n. [OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. OF. prester to lend, F. prêter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before + stare to stand. See Pre-, and Stand, and cf. Press to force into service.] 1. Ready money; a loan of money. [Obs.]

2. (Law) A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining in his hands. Cowell.

Pres*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praestatio a performing, paying, fr. praestare: cf. F. prestation.] (O. Eng. Law) A payment of money; a toll or duty; also, the rendering of a service. Burrill.

Prestation money, a sum of money paid yearly by archdeacons and other dignitaries to their bishop.

Pres"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, from &?; to kindle or burn, and &?; to blow up, swell out by blowing.] 1. A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set on fire. [Obs.]

2. pl. One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger or other excitement. [Obs.]

Pres"ter, n. [OF. prestre. See Priest.] A priest or presbyter; as, Prester John. [Obs.]

Pre*ster"num (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre*ster"nal (#), a.

Pres`ti*dig"i*tal (?), a. Nimble- fingered; having fingers fit for prestidigitation, or juggling. [R.] "His prestidigital hand." Charles Reade.

Pres`ti*dig"i*ta`tor (?), n. [L. praesto ready + digitus finger: cf. F. prestidigitateur.] One skilled in legerdemain or sleight of hand; a juggler.

Pres"tige (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. praestigum delusion, illusion, praestigae deceptions, jugglers' tricks, prob. fr. prae before + the root of stinguere to extinguish, originally, to prick. See Stick, v.] 1. Delusion; illusion; trick. [Obs.]

2. Weight or influence derived from past success; expectation of future achievements founded on those already accomplished; force or charm derived from acknowledged character or reputation. "The prestige of his name must go for something." Sir G. C. Lewis.

Pres*tig`i*a"tion (?), n. [L. praestigiare to deceive by juggling tricks, fr. praestigae. See Prestige.] Legerdemain; prestidigitation. [Obs.]

Pres*tig"i*a`tor (?), n. [L. praestigiator.] A juggler; prestidigitator. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Pres*tig"i*ous (?), a. [L. praestigiosus.] Practicing tricks; juggling. [Obs.] Cotton Mather.

Pres"ti*mo*ny (?), n. [LL. praestimonium, fr. L. praestare to furnish, supply: cf. F. prestimonie. See Prest, n.] (Canon Law) A fund for the support of a priest, without the title of a benefice. The patron in the collator.

||Pres*tis"si*mo (?), adv. [It., superl. of presto.] (Mus.) Very quickly; with great rapidity.

Pres"to (?), adv. [It. or Sp. presto quick, quickly. See Prest, a.] 1. Quickly; immediately; in haste; suddenly.

2. (Mus.) Quickly; rapidly; -- a direction for a quick, lively movement or performance; quicker than allegro, or any rate of time except prestissimo.

Pre*stric"tion (?), n. [L. praestrictio a binding fast, fr. praestringere. See Pre-, and Stringent.] Obstruction, dimness, or defect of sight. [Obs.] Milton.

Pre*sul"tor (?), n. [L. praesultor; prae before + salire to dance.] A leader in the dance. [R.]

Pre*sum"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. présumable.] Such as may be presumed or supposed to be true; that seems entitled to belief without direct evidence.

Pre*sume" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presumed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Presuming.] [F. présumer, L. praesumere, praesumptum; prae before + sumere to take. See Assume, Redeem.] 1. To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained.

2. To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose.

Pre*sume", v. i. 1. To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far.

2. To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the ground of confidence.

Pre*sump"tion (?; 215), n. [L. praesumptio: cf. F. présomption, OF. also presumpcion. See Presume.] 1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof.

2. Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition; as, the presumption is that an event has taken place.

3. That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is probable but not conclusive. "In contradiction to these very plausible presumptions." De Quincey.

4. The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery.

Conclusive presumption. See under Conclusive. -- Presumption of fact (Law), an argument of a fact from a fact; an inference as to the existence of one fact not certainly known, from the existence of some other fact known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of something, without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief. Burrill. Best. Wharton. -- Presumption of law (Law), a postulate applied in advance to all cases of a particular class; e. g., the presumption of innocence and of regularity of records. Such a presumption is rebuttable or irrebuttable.

Pre*sump"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. présomptif.] 1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof.

Presumptive evidence (Law), that which is derived from circumstances which necessarily or usually attend a fact, as distinct from direct evidence or positive proof; indirect or circumstantial evidence. "Presumptive evidence of felony should be cautiously admitted." Blackstone. The distinction, however, between direct and presumptive (or circumstantial) evidence is now generally abandoned; all evidence being now more or less direct and more or less presumptive. -- Presumptive heir. See Heir presumptive, under Heir.

Pre*sump"tive*ly, adv. By presumption, or supposition grounded or probability; presumably.

Pre*sump"tu*ous (?; 135), a. [L. praesumptuosus: cf. F. présomptueux, OF. also presumptuous. See Presumption.] 1. Full of presumption; presuming; overconfident or venturesome; audacious; rash; taking liberties unduly; arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander; presumptuous conduct.

2. Founded on presumption; as, a presumptuous idea. "False, presumptuous hope." Milton.

3. Done with hold design, rash confidence, or in violation of known duty; willful. "Keep back the servant also from presumptuous sins." Ps. xix. 13.

Syn. -- Overconfident; foolhardy; rash; presuming; forward; arrogant; insolent.

Pre`sup*pos"al (?), n. Presupposition. [R.] "Presupposal of knowledge." Hooker.

Pre`sup*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presupposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Presupposing.] [Pref. pre- + suppose: cf. F. présupposer.] To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator.

Pre*sup`po*si"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + supposition: cf. F. présupposition.] 1. The act of presupposing; an antecedent implication; presumption.

Pre`sys*tol"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) Preceding the systole or contraction of the heart; as, the presystolic friction sound.

Pre*tence" (?), n., Pre*tence"ful, a., Pre*tence"*less, a. See Pretense, Pretenseful, Pretenseless.

Pre*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretending.] [OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F. prétendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward, pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch. See Tend, v. t. ] 1. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.

2. To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden. [R.]

3. To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.

5. To hold before one; to extend. [Obs.] "His target always over her pretended." Spenser.

Pre*tend", v. i. 1. To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; -- usually with to. "Countries that pretend to freedom." Swift.

2. To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep. "[He] pretended to drink the waters." Macaulay.

Pre*tend"ed, a. Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended friend. -- Pre*tend"ed*ly, adv.

Pre*tend"er (?), n. 1. One who lays claim, or asserts a title (to something); a claimant. Specifically, The pretender (Eng. Hist.), the son or the grandson of James II., the heir of the royal family of Stuart, who laid claim to the throne of Great Britain, from which the house was excluded by law.

Pre*tend"ing*ly, adv. As by right or title; arrogantly; presumptuously. Collier.

{ Pre*tense", Pre*tence } (?), n. [LL. praetensus, for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See Pretend, and cf. Tension.] 1. The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension. Spenser.

2. The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as, pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on pretense of revenging Cæsar's death.

3. That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint.

Syn. -- Mask; appearance; color; show; pretext; excuse. -- Pretense, Pretext. A pretense is something held out as real when it is not so, thus falsifying the truth. A pretext is something woven up in order to cover or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or reasons. Pretext is often, but not always, used in a bad sense.

Pre*tensed" (?), a. Pretended; feigned. [Obs.] -- Pre*tens"ed*ly (#), adv. [Obs.]

Pre*ten"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. prétention. See Pretend, Tension.] 1. The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.

2. A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.

Pre*ten"ta*tive (?), a. [Pref. pre- + tentative: cf. L. praetentare to try beforehand.] Fitted for trial beforehand; experimental. [R.] Sir H. Wotton.

Pre*ten"tious (?), a. [Cf. F. prétentieux. See Pretend.] Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is one's; presuming; assuming. -- Pre*ten"tious*ly, adv. - - Pre*ten"tious*ness, n.

Pre"ter- (?). [L. praeter past, beyond, originally a compar. of prae before. See For, prep.] A prefix signifying past, by, beyond, more than; as, preter- mission, a permitting to go by; preternatural, beyond or more than is natural. [Written also præter.]

Pre*te"ri*ent (?), a. [L. praeteriens, p. pr. See Preterit.] Passed through; antecedent; previous; as, preterient states. [R.]

Pre`ter*im*per"fect (?), a. & n. [Pref. preter- + imperfect.] (Gram.) Old name of the tense also called imperfect.

Pret"er*ist (?), n. [Pref. preter- + -ist.] 1. One whose chief interest is in the past; one who regards the past with most pleasure or favor.

2. (Theol.) One who believes the prophecies of the Apocalypse to have been already fulfilled. Farrar.

Pret"er*it (?; 277), a. [L. praeteritus, p. p. of praeterire to go or pass by; praeter beyond, by + ire to go: cf. F. prétérit. See Issue.] [Written also preterite and præterite.] 1. (Gram.) Past; -- applied to a tense which expresses an action or state as past.

Pre`ter*i"tion (?; 277), n. [L. praeteritio: cf. F. prétérition.] 1. The act of passing, or going past; the state of being past. Bp. Hall.

2. (Rhet.) A figure by which, in pretending to pass over anything, a summary mention of it is made; as, "I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just." Called also paraleipsis.

3. (Law) The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs who is entitled to a portion. Bouvier.

Pre*ter"i*tive (?), a. (Gram.) Used only or chiefly in the preterit or past tenses, as certain verbs.

Pre`ter*lapsed" (?), a. [L. praeterlapsus, p. p. of praeterlabi to glide by. See Preter-, Lapse.] Past; as, preterlapsed ages. [R.] Glanvill.

Pre`ter*le"gal (?), a. [Pref. preter- + legal.] Exceeding the limits of law. [R.]

Pre`ter*mis"sion (?), n. [L. praetermissio. See Pretermit.] 1. The act of passing by or omitting; omission. Milton.

Pre`ter*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretermitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretermitting.] [L. praetermittere, praetermissum; praeter beyond + mittere to send. See Mission.] To pass by; to omit; to disregard. Bacon.

Pre`ter*nat"u*ral (?; 135), a. [Pref. preter + natural.] Beyond of different from what is natural, or according to the regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in childbirth) or labor.

Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ism (?), n. The state of being preternatural; a preternatural condition.

Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ly (?; 135), adv. In a preternatural manner or degree. Bacon.

Pre`ter*per"fect (?), a. & n. [Pref. preter- + perfect.] (Gram.) Old name of the tense also called preterit.

Pre`ter*plu"per`fect (?), a. & n. [Pref. preter- + pluperfect.] (Gram.) Old name of the tense also called pluperfect.

Pre`ter*vec"tion (?), n. [L. praetervectio, fr. praetervehere to carry beyond. See Invection.] The act of carrying past or beyond. [R.] Abp. Potter.

Pre*tex" (?), v. t. [L. praetexere. See Pretext.] To frame; to devise; to disguise or excuse; hence, to pretend; to declare falsely. [Obs.]

Pre"text (?; 277), n. [F. prétexte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See Text.] Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.

Pre"tor (?), n. [L. praetor, for praeitor, fr. praeire to go before; prae before + ire to go. See Issue.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A civil officer or magistrate among the ancient Romans.

Originally the pretor was a kind of third consul; but at an early period two pretors were appointed, the first of whom (praetor urbanus) was a kind of mayor or city judge; the other (praetor peregrinus) was a judge of cases in which one or both of the parties were foreigners. Still later, the number of pretors, or judges, was further increased.

Pre*to"ri*an (?), a. [L. praetorians: cf. F. prétorien.] Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power or authority.

Pretorian bands or guards, or Pretorians (Rom. Hist.), the emperor's bodyguards, instituted by the Emperor Augustus in nine cohorts of 1,000 men each. -- Pretorian gate (Rom. Antiq.), that one of the four gates in a camp which lay next the enemy. Brande & C.

||Pre*to"ri*um (?), n. [L. praetorium, fr. praetor.] 1. The general's tent in a Roman camp; hence, a council of war, because held in the general's tent.

2. The official residence of a governor of a province; hence, a place; a splendid country seat.

Pret"ti*ness, n. The quality or state of being pretty; -- used sometimes in a disparaging sense.

Pret"ty (?), a. [Compar. Prettier (?); superl. Prettiest.] [OE. prati, AS. prættig, prætig, crafty, sly, akin to præt, prætt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky, prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic; cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution, practice, plot. See Practice.] 1. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.

2. Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty fortune. "Wavering a pretty while." Evelyn.

4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.

Pret"ty (?), adv. In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; -- less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.

Pre*typ"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretypified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pretypifying.] To prefigure; to exhibit previously in a type. Bp. Pearson.

Pret"zel (?), n. [G. pretzel, bretzel. Cf. Bretzel.] A kind of German biscuit or cake in the form of a twisted ring, salted on the outside.

Pre*vail" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prevailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prevailing.] [F. prévaloir, OF. prevaleir, L. praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or worth. See Valiant.] 1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to succeed; -- sometimes with over or against.

2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day.

3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait.

Pre*vail"ing, a. 1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive. Shak.

2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.

Prev"a*lence (?), n. [L. praevalentia: cf. F. prévalence. See Prevail.] The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.

Prev"a*lent (?), a. [L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of praevalere. See Prevail.] 1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious.

2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease.

Syn. -- Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful. -- Prevalent, Prevailing. What customarily prevails is prevalent; as, a prevalent fashion. What actually prevails is prevailing; as, the prevailing winds are west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it actually prevailing.

Pre*var"i*cate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prevaricated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prevaricating.] [L. praevaricatus, p. p. of praevaricari to walk crookedly, to collude; prae before + varicare to straddle, fr. varicus straddling, varus bent. See Varicose.] 1. To shift or turn from one side to the other, from the direct course, or from truth; to speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble; as, he prevaricates in his statement.

2. (Civil Law) To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.

3. (Eng. Law) To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.

Syn. -- To evade; equivocate; quibble; shuffle. -- Prevaricate, Evade, Equivocate. One who evades a question ostensibly answers it, but really turns aside to some other point. He who equivocate uses words which have a double meaning, so that in one sense he can claim to have said the truth, though he does in fact deceive, and intends to do it. He who prevaricates talks all round the question, hoping to "dodge" it, and disclose nothing.

Pre*var"i*cate, v. t. To evade by a quibble; to transgress; to pervert. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Pre*var`i*ca"tion (?), n. [L. praevaricatio: cf. F. prévarication.] 1. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing.

3. (Law) (a) (Roman Law) The collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution. (b) (Common Law) A false or deceitful seeming to undertake a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it. Cowell.

Pre*var"i*ca`tor (?), n. [L. praevaricator: cf. F. prévaricateur.] 1. One who prevaricates.

2. (Roman Law) A sham dealer; one who colludes with a defendant in a sham prosecution.

Prev"e*nance (?), n. [F. prévenance.] (Metaph.) A going before; anticipation in sequence or order. "The law of prevenance is simply the well-known law of phenomenal sequence." Ward.

Prev"e*nan*cy (?), n. The act of anticipating another's wishes, desires, etc., in the way of favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness. [Obs.] Sterne.

Pre*vene" (?), v. t. & i. [F. prévenir, L. praevenire. See Prevent.] To come before; to anticipate; hence, to hinder; to prevent. [Obs.] Philips.

Pre*ven"i*ent (?), a. [L. praeveniens, p. pr.] Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. "Prevenient grace descending." Milton.

Pre*vent" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prevented; p. pr. & vb. n. Preventing.] [L. praevenire, praeventum; prae before + venire to come. See Come.] 1. To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct. [Obs.]

3. To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart. "This vile purpose to prevent." Shak.

Pre*vent"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prevented or hindered; as, preventable diseases.

Pre*vent"a*tive (?), n. That which prevents; -- incorrectly used instead of preventive.

Pre*vent"er (?), n. 1. One who goes before; one who forestalls or anticipates another. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. One who prevents or obstructs; a hinderer; that which hinders; as, a preventer of evils or of disease.

Preventer bolts, or Preventer plates (Naut.), fixtures connected with preventers to reënforce other rigging. -- Preventer stay. (Naut.) Same as Preventer, 3.

Pre*ven"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. prévention.] 1. The act of going, or state of being, before. [Obs.]

2. Anticipation; esp., anticipation of needs or wishes; hence, precaution; forethought. [Obs.] Hammond. Shak.

3. The act of preventing or hindering; obstruction of action, access, or approach; thwarting. South.

2. Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease.

Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling. [Eng]

Pre*vent"ive, n. That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic.

Pre*ver"te*bral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated immediately in front, or on the ventral side, of the vertebral column; prespinal.

Pre"vi*ous (?), a. [L. praevius going before, leading the way; prae before + via the way. See Voyage.] Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a previous illness.

Previous question. (Parliamentary Practice) See under Question, and compare Closure. -- Previous to, before; -- often used adverbially for previously. "Previous to publication." M. Arnold. "A policy . . . his friends had advised previous to 1710." J. H. Newman.

Pre"vi*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being previous; priority or antecedence in time.

Pre*vise" (?), v. t. [L. praevisus, p. p. of praevidere to foresee; prae before + videre to see. See Vision.] 1. To foresee. [R.]

Pre*vi"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. prévision.] Foresight; foreknowledge; prescience. H. Spencer.

Pre*voy"ant (?), a. [F. prévoyant.] Foreseeing; prescient. [R.] Mrs. Oliphant.

Pre*warn" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Prewarned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prewarning.] To warn beforehand; to forewarn. [R.]

Prey (?), n. [OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda, probably for praeheda. See Prehensile, and cf. Depredate, Predatory.] Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.

2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.

Beast of prey, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the flesh of other animals.

Prey (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preying.] [OF. preier, preer, L. praedari, fr. praeda. See Prey, n.] To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by violence.

To prey on or upon. (a) To take prey from; to despoil; to pillage; to rob. Shak. (b) To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize and devour. Shak. (c) To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away; as, the trouble preyed upon his mind. Addison.

Prey"er (?), n. One who, or that which, preys; a plunderer; a waster; a devourer. Hooker.

||Pre*zyg`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Prezygapophyses (#). [NL. See Pre- , and Zygapophysis.] (Anat.) An anterior zygapophysis.

Pri"an (?), n. [Cornish, clayey ground, from pri clay.] (Mining) A fine, white, somewhat friable clay; also, the ore contained in a mixture of clay and pebbles. [Written also pryan.]

Pri`a*pe"an (?), n. [Cf. L. Priapeius pertaining to Priapus.] (Lat. Pros.) A species of hexameter verse so constructed as to be divisible into two portions of three feet each, having generally a trochee in the first and the fourth foot, and an amphimacer in the third; -- applied also to a regular hexameter verse when so constructed as to be divisible into two portions of three feet each. Andrews.

Pri"a*pism, n. [L. priapismus, Gr. &?;, from Priapus the god of procreation, the penis, Gr. &?;: cf. F. priapisme.] (Med.) More or less permanent erection and rigidity of the penis, with or without sexual desire.

||Pri*ap`u*la"ce*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Priapism.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of Gephyræa, having a cylindrical body with a terminal anal opening, and usually with one or two caudal gills.

Price (?), n. [OE. pris, OF. pris, F. prix, L. pretium; cf. Gr. &?; I sell &?; to buy, Skr. pa&?; to buy, OI. renim I sell. Cf. Appreciate, Depreciate, Interpret, Praise, n. & v., Precious, Prize.] 1. The sum or amount of money at which a thing is valued, or the value which a seller sets on his goods in market; that for which something is bought or sold, or offered for sale; equivalent in money or other means of exchange; current value or rate paid or demanded in market or in barter; cost. "Buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa. lv. 1.

Price current, or Price list, a statement or list of the prevailing prices of merchandise, stocks, specie, bills of exchange, etc., published statedly or occasionally.

Price, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Priced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pricing.] 1. To pay the price of. [Obs.]

Priced (?), a. Rated in price; valued; as, high-priced goods; low-priced labor.

Price"ite (?), n. [From Thomas Price of San Francisco.] (Min.) A hydrous borate of lime, from Oregon.

Price"less, a. 1. Too valuable to admit of being appraised; of inestimable worth; invaluable.

Prick (?), n. [AS. prica, pricca, pricu; akin to LG. prick, pricke, D. prik, Dan. prik, prikke, Sw. prick. Cf. Prick, v.] 1. That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and slender thing; a pointed instrument; a goad; a spur, etc.; a point; a skewer.

2. The act of pricking, or the sensation of being pricked; a sharp, stinging pain; figuratively, remorse. "The pricks of conscience." A. Tucker.

3. A mark made by a pointed instrument; a puncture; a point. Hence: (a) A point or mark on the dial, noting the hour. [Obs.] "The prick of noon." Shak. (b) The point on a target at which an archer aims; the mark; the pin. "They that shooten nearest the prick." Spenser. (c) A mark denoting degree; degree; pitch. [Obs.] "To prick of highest praise forth to advance." Spenser. (d) A mathematical point; -- regularly used in old English translations of Euclid. (e) The footprint of a hare. [Obs.]

Prick (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pricked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pricking.] [AS. prician; akin to LG. pricken, D. prikken, Dan. prikke, Sw. pricka. See Prick, n., and cf. Prink, Prig.] 1. To pierce slightly with a sharp- pointed instrument or substance; to make a puncture in, or to make by puncturing; to drive a fine point into; as, to prick one with a pin, needle, etc.; to prick a card; to prick holes in paper.

2. To fix by the point; to attach or hang by puncturing; as, to prick a knife into a board. Sir I. Newton.

3. To mark or denote by a puncture; to designate by pricking; to choose; to mark; -- sometimes with off.

4. To mark the outline of by puncturing; to trace or form by pricking; to mark by punctured dots; as, to prick a pattern for embroidery; to prick the notes of a musical composition. Cowper.

5. To ride or guide with spurs; to spur; to goad; to incite; to urge on; -- sometimes with on, or off.

6. To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse. "I was pricked with some reproof." Tennyson.

7. To make sharp; to erect into a point; to raise, as something pointed; -- said especially of the ears of an animal, as a horse or dog; and usually followed by up; -- hence, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have the attention and interest strongly engaged. "The courser . . . pricks up his ears." Dryden.

10. (Naut) (a) To run a middle seam through, as the cloth of a sail. (b) To trace on a chart, as a ship's course.

11. (Far.) (a) To drive a nail into (a horse's foot), so as to cause lameness. (b) To nick.

Prick, v. i. 1. To be punctured; to suffer or feel a sharp pain, as by puncture; as, a sore finger pricks.

Prick"-eared` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having erect, pointed ears; -- said of certain dogs.

Prick"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, pricks; a pointed instrument; a sharp point; a prickle.

4. (Naut.) A small marline spike having generally a wooden handle, -- used in sailmaking. R. H. Dana, Ir.

Prick"et (?), n. [Perhaps so called from the state of his horns. See Prick, and cf. Brocket.] (Zoöl.) A buck in his second year. See Note under 3d Buck. Shak.

Prick"ing, n. 1. The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point. "There is that speaketh like the prickings of a sword." Prov. xii. 18 [1583].

2. (Far.) (a) The driving of a nail into a horse's foot so as to produce lameness. (b) Same as Nicking.

4. The mark or trace left by a hare's foot; a prick; also, the act of tracing a hare by its footmarks. [Obs.]

Prick"ing-up (?), n. (Arch.) The first coating of plaster in work of three coats upon laths. Its surface is scratched once to form a better key for the next coat. In the United States called scratch coat. Brande & C.

Pric"kle (?), n. [AS. pricele, pricle; akin to LG. prickel, D. prikkel. See Prick, n.] 1. A little prick; a small, sharp point; a fine, sharp process or projection, as from the skin of an animal, the bark of a plant, etc.; a spine. Bacon.

2. A kind of willow basket; -- a term still used in some branches of trade. B. Jonson.

Prick"li*ness (?), n. [From Prickly.] The quality of being prickly, or of having many prickles.

Prick"louse` (?), n. A tailor; -- so called in contempt. [Old slang] L'Estrange.

Prick"ly, a. Full of sharp points or prickles; armed or covered with prickles; as, a prickly shrub.

Prickly ash (Bot.), a prickly shrub (Xanthoxylum Americanum) with yellowish flowers appearing with the leaves. All parts of the plant are pungent and aromatic. The southern species is X. Carolinianum. Gray. -- Prickly heat (Med.), a noncontagious cutaneous eruption of red pimples, attended with intense itching and tingling of the parts affected. It is due to inflammation of the sweat glands, and is often brought on by overheating the skin in hot weather. -- Prickly pear (Bot.), a name given to several plants of the cactaceous genus Opuntia, American plants consisting of fleshy, leafless, usually flattened, and often prickly joints inserted upon each other. The sessile flowers have many petals and numerous stamens. The edible fruit is a large pear-shaped berry containing many flattish seeds. The common species of the Northern Atlantic States is Opuntia vulgaris. In the South and West are many others, and in tropical America more than a hundred more. O. vulgaris, O. Ficus-Indica, and O. Tuna are abundantly introduced in the Mediterranean region, and O. Dillenii has become common in India. -- Prickly pole (Bot.), a West Indian palm (Bactris Plumierana), the slender trunk of which bears many rings of long black prickles. -- Prickly withe (Bot.), a West Indian cactaceous plant (Cereus triangularis) having prickly, slender, climbing, triangular stems. -- Prickly rat (Zoöl.), any one of several species of South American burrowing rodents belonging to Ctenomys and allied genera. The hair is usually intermingled with sharp spines.

Prick"mad`am (?), n. [F. trique- madame. Cf. Tripmadam.] (Bot.) A name given to several species of stonecrop, used as ingredients of vermifuge medicines. See Stonecrop.

Prick"song` (?; 115), n. [See Prick, v. t., 4.] Music written, or noted, with dots or points; -- so called from the points or dots with which it is noted down. [Obs.]

Prick"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) A shrub (Euonymus Europæus); -- so named from the use of its wood for goads, skewers, and shoe pegs. Called also spindle tree.

Pride (?), n. [Cf. AS. lamprede, LL. lampreda, E. lamprey.] (Zoöl.) A small European lamprey (Petromyzon branchialis); -- called also prid, and sandpiper.

Pride, n. [AS. prte; akin to Icel. prði honor, ornament, pr&?;&?;a to adorn, Dan. pryde, Sw. pryda; cf. W. prydus comely. See Proud.] 1. The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

2. A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble self- esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; proud delight; -- in a good sense.

3. Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain.

4. That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self- esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.

6. Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life.

7. Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness; hence, lust; sexual desire; esp., an excitement of sexual appetite in a female beast. [Obs.]

Pride of India, or Pride of China. (Bot.) See Margosa. -- Pride of the desert (Zoöl.), the camel.

Syn. -- Self-exaltation; conceit; hauteur; haughtiness; lordliness; loftiness. -- Pride, Vanity. Pride is a high or an excessive esteem of one's self for some real or imagined superiority, as rank, wealth, talents, character, etc. Vanity is the love of being admired, praised, exalted, etc., by others. Vanity is an ostentation of pride; but one may have great pride without displaying it. Vanity, which is etymologically "emptiness," is applied especially to the exhibition of pride in superficialities, as beauty, dress, wealth, etc.

Pride, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prided; p. pr. & vb. n. Priding.] To indulge in pride, or self-esteem; to rate highly; to plume; -- used reflexively. Bp. Hall.

Prid"i*an (?), a. [L. pridianus.] Of or pertaining to the day before, or yesterday. [R.] Thackeray.

Pri"er (?), n. [From Pry.] One who pries; one who inquires narrowly and searches, or is inquisitive.

Priest (?), n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. preóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. &?; elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of &?; an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.]

1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation.

2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests. "The priests of Dagon." 1 Sam. v. 5.

In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated priests.

Priest"cap` (?), n. (Fort.) A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also swallowtail.

Priest"craft` (?), n. Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the religious motives or credulity of others.

Priest"er*y (?), n. Priests, collectively; the priesthood; -- so called in contempt. [R.] Milton.

Priest"ess, n. A woman who officiated in sacred rites among pagans. Abp. Potter.

Priest"hood (?), n. 1. The office or character of a priest; the priestly function. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order of priests.

Priest"ism (?), n. The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the priesthood. [R.]

Priest"ly, a. Of or pertaining to a priest or the priesthood; sacerdotal; befitting or becoming a priest; as, the priestly office; a priestly farewell. Shak.

Priest"-rid`den (?), a. Controlled or oppressed by priests; as, a priest-ridden people. Swift.

Prig (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prigging (?).] [A modification of prick.] To haggle about the price of a commodity; to bargain hard. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

2. [Perhaps orig., to ride off with. See Prick, v. t.] To filch or steal; as, to prig a handkerchief. [Cant]

Prig"gish (?), a. Like a prig; conceited; pragmatical. -- Prig"gish*ly, adv. -- Prig"gish-ness, n.

Prig"gism (?), n. 1. The quality or state of being priggish; the manners of a prig. Ed. Rev.

Prill, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] 1. (Mining) (a) A nugget of virgin metal. (b) Ore selected for excellence.

Prim, a. [OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp, thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, a.] Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim regularity; a prim person. Swift.

Prim, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Primmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Primming.] To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected preciseness; to prink.

Pri"ma*cy (?), n. [LL. primatia, fr. L. primas, -atis, one of the first or principal, chief, fr. primus first: cf. F. primatie. See Prime, a.] 1. The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy. [R.] De Quincey.

2. The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England.

||Pri"ma don"na (?); pl. E. Prima donnas (#), It. Prime (#) Donne (#). [It., fr. primo, prima, the first + donna lady, mistress. See Prime, a., and Donna.] The first or chief female singer in an opera.

||Pri"ma fa"ci*e (?). [L., from abl. of primus first + abl. of facies appearance.] At first view; on the first appearance.

Prima facie evidence (of a fact) (Law), evidence which is sufficient to establish the fact unless rebutted. Bouvier.

Pri"mage (?; 48), n. [F.] (Com.) A charge in addition to the freight; originally, a gratuity to the captain for his particular care of the goods (sometimes called hat money), but now belonging to the owners or freighters of the vessel, unless by special agreement the whole or part is assigned to the captain. Homans.

Pri"mal (?), a. [LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See Prime, a.] First; primary; original; chief.

Pri"ma*ri*ly (?), adv. In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place; in the first intention; originally.

Pri"ma*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being primary, or first in time, in act, or in intention. Norris.

Pri"ma*ry (?), a. [L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F. primaire. See Prime, a., and cf. Premier, Primero.] 1. First in order of time or development or in intention; primitive; fundamental; original.

2. First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools.

3. First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance.

5. (Chem.) Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement.

Primary alcohol (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess the group CH₂.OH, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from secondary ∧ tertiary alcohols. -- Primary amine (Chem.), an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from secondary ∧ tertiary amines. -- Primary amputation (Surg.), an amputation for injury performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has passed away, and before symptoms of inflammation supervene. -- Primary axis (Bot.), the main stalk which bears a whole cluster of flowers. -- Primary colors. See under Color. -- Primary meeting, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc. See Caucus. -- Primary pinna (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded. -- Primary planets. (Astron.) See the Note under Planet. -- Primary qualities of bodies, such are essential to and inseparable from them. -- Primary quills (Zoöl.), the largest feathers of the wing of a bird; primaries. -- Primary rocks (Geol.), a term early used for rocks supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also primitive rocks. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in use. -- Primary salt (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical. -- Primary syphilis (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis, including the period from the development of the original lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general constitutional infection. -- Primary union (Surg.), union without suppuration; union by the first intention.

Pri"ma*ry, n.; pl. Primaries (&?;). 1. That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.

3. (Zoöl.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See Plumage, and Illust. of Bird.

4. (Astron.) A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet.

Pri"mate (?), n. [OE. primat, F. primat, L. primas, -atis one of the first, chief, fr. primus the first. See Prime, a.] 1. The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop.

||Pri*ma"tes (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The highest order of mammals. It includes man, together with the apes and monkeys. Cf. Pitheci.

Pri*ma"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. primatial.] Primatical. [R.] D'Anville (Trans. ).

Prime (?), a. [F., fr. L. primus first, a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See Prior, a., Foremost, Former, and cf. Prim, a., Primary, Prince.] 1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary. "Prime forests." Tennyson.

In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive, except in the phrase prime cost.

2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister. "Prime virtues." Dryden.

3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth.

Prime and ultimate ratio. (Math.). See Ultimate. -- Prime conductor. (Elec.) See under Conductor. -- Prime factor (Arith.), a factor which is a prime number. -- Prime figure (Geom.), a figure which can not be divided into any other figure more simple than itself, as a triangle, a pyramid, etc. -- Prime meridian (Astron.), the meridian from which longitude is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington. -- Prime minister, the responsible head of a ministry or executive government; applied particularly to that of England. -- Prime mover. (Mech.) (a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of power. Especially: Muscular force; the weight and motion of fluids, as water and air; heat obtained by chemical combination, and applied to produce changes in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other fluids; and electricity, obtained by chemical action, and applied to produce alternation of magnetic force. (b) An engine, or machine, the object of which is to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by some natural source, and apply them to drive other machines; as a water wheel, a water-pressure engine, a steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc. (c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any undertaking or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover in English antislavery agitation. -- Prime number (Arith.), a number which is exactly divisible by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11. -- Prime vertical (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes through the east and west points of the horizon. -- Prime-vertical dial, a dial in which the shadow is projected on the plane of the prime vertical. -- Prime-vertical transit instrument, a transit instrument the telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime vertical, -- used for observing the transit of stars over this circle.

Prime (?), n. 1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring. Chaucer.

2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection. "Cut off in their prime." Eustace. "The prime of youth." Dryden.

4. [F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See Prime, a.] The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds.

Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day, reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter, that is, 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these senses, and also in the sense of def. 1, above.

6. (Chem.) Any number expressing the combining weight or equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1. [Obs. or Archaic]

8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [′]. See 2d Inch, n., 1.

Prime, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Primed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Priming.] [From Prime, a.] 1. To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge.

2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall.

3. To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

To prime a pump, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition.

3. To work so that foaming occurs from too violent ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and be carried along with, the steam that is formed; -- said of a steam boiler.

Prim"er (?), n. One who, or that which, primes; specifically, an instrument or device for priming; esp., a cap, tube, or water containing percussion powder or other compound for igniting a charge of gunpowder.

Prim"er, a. [OF. primer, primier, premier, F. premier. See Premier.] First; original; primary. [Obs.] "The primer English kings." Drayton.

Primer fine (O. Eng. Law), a fine due to the king on the writ or commencement of a suit by fine. Blackstone. -- Primer seizin (Feudal Law), the right of the king, when a tenant in capite died seized of a knight's fee, to receive of the heir, if of full age, one year's profits of the land if in possession, and half a year's profits if the land was in reversion expectant on an estate for life; -- now abolished. Blackstone.

Prim"er (?), n. [Originally, the book read at prime, the first canonical hour. LL. primae liber. See Prime, n., 4.] 1. Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a work of elementary religious instruction.

2. A small elementary book for teaching children to read; a reading or spelling book for a beginner.

3. (Print.) A kind of type, of which there are two species; one, called long primer, intermediate in size between bourgeois and small pica [see Long primer]; the other, called great primer, larger than pica.

Pri*me"ro (?), n. [Sp. primera, fr. primero first, from L. primarius. See Premier.] A game at cards, now unknown. Shak.

Prim"er*ole (?), n. (Bot.) See Primrose. [Obs.] "She was a primerole." Chaucer.

Pri*me"val (?), a. [L. primaevus; primus first + aevum age. See Prime, a., and Age.] Belonging to the first ages; pristine; original; primitive; primary; as, the primeval innocence of man. "This is the forest primeval." Longfellow.

Pri*me"val*ly, adv. In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times; originally. Darwin.

Pri`mi*ge"ni*al (?), a. First born, or first of all; original; primary. See Primogenial.

{ Pri`mi*ge"ni*ous (?), Pri*mig"e*nous (?), } a. [L. primigenus, primigenius. See Primogeniture.] First formed or generated; original; primigenial. Bp. Hall.

Pri"mine (?), n. [L. primus first: cf. F. primine.] (Bot.) The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule.

This word has been used by some writers to denote the inner integument, which is formed earlier than the outer. Cf. Secundine.

Prim"ing (?), n. 1. The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.

2. (Paint.) The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface.

3. (Steam Eng.) The carrying over of water, with the steam, from the boiler, as into the cylinder.

Priming of the tide. See Lag of the tide, under 2d Lag. -- Priming tube, a small pipe, filled with a combustible composition for firing cannon. -- Priming valve (Steam Eng.), a spring safety valve applied to the cylinder of a steam engine for discharging water carried into the cylinder by priming. -- Priming wire, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming.

||Pri*mip"a*ra (?), n. [L., fr. primus first + parere to bring forth.] (Med.) A woman who bears a child for the first time.

Pri*mip"a*rous (?), a. [See Primipara.] Belonging to a first birth; bearing young for the first time.

Pri*mip"i*lar (?), a. [L. primipilaris, fr. primipilus the centurion of the first cohort of a Roman legion, fr. primus pilus the division made up of the triarii in the Roman army.] Of or pertaining to the captain of the vanguard of a Roman army. Barrow.

||Pri*mi"ti*a (?), n.; pl. Primitiæ (#) (Primitias (#), obs.). [L. primitiae, pl., fr. primus first. Cf. Premices.] (Eng. Law) The first fruit; the first year's whole profit of an ecclesiastical preferment.

Pri*mi"tial (?), a. Being of the first production; primitive; original. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Prim"i*tive (?), a. [L. primitivus, fr. primus the first: cf. F. primitif. See Prime, a.] 1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as, primitive innocence; the primitive church. "Our primitive great sire." Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to a former time; old- fashioned; characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of dress.

Primitive axes of coördinate (Geom.), that system of axes to which the points of a magnitude are first referred, with reference to a second set or system, to which they are afterward referred. -- Primitive chord (Mus.), that chord, the lowest note of which is of the same literal denomination as the fundamental base of the harmony; -- opposed to derivative. Moore (Encyc. of Music). -- Primitive circle (Spherical Projection), the circle cut from the sphere to be projected, by the primitive plane. -- Primitive colors (Paint.), primary colors. See under Color. -- Primitive Fathers (Eccl.), the acknowledged Christian writers who flourished before the Council of Nice, A. D. 325. Shipley. -- Primitive groove (Anat.), a depression or groove in the epiblast of the primitive streak. It is not connected with the medullary groove, which appears later and in front of it. -- Primitive plane (Spherical Projection), the plane upon which the projections are made, generally coinciding with some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator or a meridian. -- Primitive rocks (Geol.), primary rocks. See under Primary. -- Primitive sheath. (Anat.) See Neurilemma. -- Primitive streak or trace (Anat.), an opaque and thickened band where the mesoblast first appears in the vertebrate blastoderm.

Syn. -- First; original; radical; pristine; ancient; primeval; antiquated; old-fashioned.

Prim"i*tive, n. An original or primary word; a word not derived from another; -- opposed to derivative.

3. According to the original rule or ancient practice; in the ancient style. South.

Prim"i*tive*ness, n. The quality or state of being primitive; conformity to primitive style or practice.

Prim"ness, n. The quality or state of being prim; affected formality or niceness; preciseness; stiffness.

Pri`mo*ge"ni*al (?), a. [See Primigenial.] First born, made, or generated; original; primary; elemental; as, primogenial light. Glanvill.

Pri`mo*gen"i*tive (?), a. [See Primogeniture.] Of or pertaining to primogeniture. [R.]

Pri`mo*gen"i*tor (?), n. [LL., fr. L. primus first + genitor a begetter.] The first ancestor; a forefather.

Pri`mo*gen"i*ture (?; 135), n. [LL., fr. L. primus first + genitura a begetting, birth, generation, fr. genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. primogéniture, L. primogenitus firstborn. See Prime, a., and Genus, Kin.] 1. The state of being the firstborn of the same parents; seniority by birth among children of the same family.

2. (Eng. Law) The exclusive right of inheritance which belongs to the eldest son. Thus in England the right of inheriting the estate of the father belongs to the eldest son, and in the royal family the eldest son of the sovereign is entitled to the throne by primogeniture. In exceptional cases, among the female children, the crown descends by right of primogeniture to the eldest daughter only and her issue. Blackstone.

Pri`mo*gen"i*ture*ship (?), n. The state or privileges of the firstborn. Burke.

Pri*mor"di*al (?), a. [L. primordialis, from primordium the first beginning; primus first + ordiri to begin a web, to begin: cf. F. primordial.] 1. First in order; primary; original; of earliest origin; as, primordial condition. "The primordial facts of our intelligent nature." Sir W. Hamilton.

2. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the lowest beds of the Silurian age, corresponding to the Acadian and Potsdam periods in American geology. It is called also Cambrian, and by many geologists is separated from the Silurian.

3. (Biol.) Originally or earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ; as, a primordial leaf; a primordial cell.

Pri*mor"di*al*ism (?), n. Devotion to, or persistence in, conditions of the primordial state. H. Spencer.

Pri*mor"di*al*ly, adv. At the beginning; under the first order of things; originally.

Pri*mor"di*an (?), n. [L. primordius first of all, fr. primordium.] (Bot.) A name given to several kinds of plums; as, red primordian, amber primordian, etc.

Primp (?), v. i. & t. [Cf. Prim, a.] To be formal or affected in dress or manners; -- often with up. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.

Prim"rose` (?), n. [OE. primerole, F. primerole, a derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See Prime, a.] (Bot.) (a) An early flowering plant of the genus Primula (P. vulgaris) closely allied to the cowslip. There are several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also primerole, primerolles. (b) Any plant of the genus Primula.

Evening primrose, an erect biennial herb (Enothera biennis), with yellow vespertine flowers, common in the United States. The name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus. -- Primrose peerless, the two-flowered Narcissus (N. biflorus). [Obs.]

Prim"rose`, a. Of or pertaining to the primrose; of the color of a primrose; -- hence, flowery; gay. "The primrose path of dalliance." Shak.

||Prim"u*la (?), n. [LL. See Primrose.] (Bot.) The genus of plants including the primrose (Primula vera).

Prim`u*la"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to an order of herbaceous plants (Primulaceæ), of which the primrose is the type, and the pimpernel, the cyclamen, and the water violet are other examples.

||Pri"mum mob"i*le (?). [L., first cause of motion.] (Astron.) In the Ptolemaic system, the outermost of the revolving concentric spheres constituting the universe, the motion of which was supposed to carry with it all the inclosed spheres with their planets in a daily revolution from east to west. See Crystalline heavens, under Crystalline.

||Pri"mus (?), n. [L., the first.] One of the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, who presides at the meetings of the bishops, and has certain privileges but no metropolitan authority. Internat. Cyc.

Prim"y (?), a. [From Prime, a.] Being in its prime. [Obs.] "The youth of primy nature." Shak.

Prince (?), n. [F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See Prime, a., and Capacious.] 1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; - - originally applied to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female. Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).

2. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal family; as, princes of the blood. Shak.

3. A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in different countries. In England it belongs to dukes, marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is always one of the royal family.

4. The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class or profession; one who is preëminent; as, a merchant prince; a prince of players. "The prince of learning." Peacham.

Prince-Albert coat, a long double-breasted frock coat for men. -- Prince of the blood, Prince consort, Prince of darkness. See under Blood, Consort, and Darkness. -- Prince of Wales, the oldest son of the English sovereign. -- Prince's feather (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs (Amarantus caudatus and Polygonum orientale), with apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved panicled spikes. -- Prince's metal, Prince Rupert's metal. See under Metal. Prince's pine. (Bot.) See Pipsissewa.

Prince"li*ness (?), n. The quality of being princely; the state, manner, or dignity of a prince.

Prince"ly, a. 1. Of or relating to a prince; regal; royal; of highest rank or authority; as, princely birth, character, fortune, etc.

2. Suitable for, or becoming to, a prince; grand; august; munificent; magnificent; as, princely virtues; a princely fortune. "Most princely gifts." Shak.

Prin"cess (?), n. [F. princesse. See Prince, and cf. Princesse.] 1. A female prince; a woman having sovereign power, or the rank of a prince. Dryden.

Prin*cesse" (?), a. [F., a princess.] A term applied to a lady's long, close-fitting dress made with waist and skirt in one.

Prince"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) The wood of two small tropical American trees (Hamelia ventricosa, and Cordia gerascanthoides). It is brownish, veined with lighter color.

Prin"ci*fied (?), a. [Prince + L. -ficare (in comp.).] Imitative of a prince. [R. & Colloq.] Thackeray.

Prin"ci*pal (?), a. [F., from L. principalis. See Prince.] 1. Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case.

Principal axis. See Axis of a curve, under Axis. -- Principal axes of a quadric (Geom.), three lines in which the principal planes of the solid intersect two and two, as in an ellipsoid. -- Principal challenge. (Law) See under Challenge. -- Principal plane. See Plane of projection (a), under Plane. -- Principal of a quadric (Geom.), three planes each of which is at right angles to the other two, and bisects all chords of the quadric perpendicular to the plane, as in an ellipsoid. -- Principal point (Persp.), the projection of the point of sight upon the plane of projection. -- Principal ray (Persp.), the line drawn through the point of sight perpendicular to the perspective plane. -- Principal section (Crystallog.), a plane passing through the optical axis of a crystal.

Prin"ci*pal, n. 1. A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; -- distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.

2. Hence: (Law) (a) The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, -- as distinguished from an accessory. (b) A chief obligor, promisor, or debtor, -- as distinguished from a surety. (c) One who employs another to act for him, -- as distinguished from an agent. Wharton. Bouvier. Burrill.

3. A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous. Specifically: (a) (Com.) A capital sum of money, placed out at interest, due as a debt or used as a fund; -- so called in distinction from interest or profit. (b) (Arch. & Engin.) The construction which gives shape and strength to a roof, -- generally a truss of timber or iron, but there are roofs with stone principals. Also, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing. (c) (Mus.) In English organs the chief open metallic stop, an octave above the open diapason. On the manual it is four feet long, on the pedal eight feet. In Germany this term corresponds to the English open diapason. (d) (O. Eng. Law) A heirloom; a mortuary. Cowell. (e) pl. The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing. Spenser. J. H. Walsh. (f) One of turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and center of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned. Oxf. Gloss. (g) A principal or essential point or rule; a principle. [Obs.]

Prin`ci*pal"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Principalities (#). [L. principalitas preëminence, excellence: cf. F. principalité, principauté. See Principal.] 1. Sovereignty; supreme power; hence, superiority; predominance; high, or the highest, station. Sir P. Sidney.

2. A prince; one invested with sovereignty. "Next upstood Nisroch, of principalities the prime." Milton.

3. The territory or jurisdiction of a prince; or the country which gives title to a prince; as, the principality of Wales.

Prin"ci*pal*ly (?), adv. In a principal manner; primarily; above all; chiefly; mainly.

Prin"ci*pate (?), n. [L. principatus: cf. F. principat.] Principality; supreme rule. [Obs.] Barrow.

||Prin*cip"i*a (?), n. pl. [L. principium. See Principle.] First principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as. Newton's Principia.

Prin*cip"i*ant (?), a. [L. principians, p. pr. of principiare to begin, fr. principium. See Principle.] Relating to principles or beginnings. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Prin*cip"i*ate (?), v. t. [See Principiant.] To begin; to initiate. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Prin*cip`i*a"tion (?), n. Analysis into primary or elemental parts. [Archaic] Bacon.

Prin"ci*ple (?), n. [F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, - cipis. See Prince.] 1. Beginning; commencement. [Obs.]

2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.

4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.

5. A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.

6. (Chem.) Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.

Bitter principle, Principle of contradiction, etc. See under Bitter, Contradiction, etc.

Prin"ci*ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Principled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Principling (?).] To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.

{ Prin"cock (?), Prin"cox (?), } n. [Prim + cock.] A coxcomb; a pert boy. [Obs.]

Prink (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prinked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prinking.] [Probably a nasalized form of prick. See Prick, v. t., and cf. Prig, Prank.] To dress or adjust one's self for show; to prank.

Prink, v. t. To prank or dress up; to deck fantastically. "And prink their hair with daisies." Cowper.

Print (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Printed; p. pr. & vb. n. Printing.] [Abbrev. fr. imprint. See Imprint, and Press to squeeze.] 1. To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea, etc., into or upon something.

2. To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure.

3. Specifically: To strike off an impression or impressions of, from type, or from stereotype, electrotype, or engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the typesetting, presswork, etc., of (a book or other publication); as, to print books, newspapers, pictures; to print an edition of a book.

5. (Photog.) To take (a copy, a positive picture, etc.), from a negative, a transparent drawing, or the like, by the action of light upon a sensitized surface.

Printed goods, textile fabrics printed in patterns, especially cotton cloths, or calicoes.

Print, v. i. 1. To use or practice the art of typography; to take impressions of letters, figures, or electrotypes, engraved plates, or the like.

Print, n. [See Print, v., Imprint, n.] 1. A mark made by impression; a line, character, figure, or indentation, made by the pressure of one thing on another; as, the print of teeth or nails in flesh; the print of the foot in sand or snow.

2. A stamp or die for molding or impressing an ornamental design upon an object; as, a butter print.

3. That which receives an impression, as from a stamp or mold; as, a print of butter.

4. Printed letters; the impression taken from type, as to excellence, form, size, etc.; as, small print; large print; this line is in print.

5. That which is produced by printing. Specifically: (a) An impression taken from anything, as from an engraved plate. "The prints which we see of antiquities." Dryden. (b) A printed publication, more especially a newspaper or other periodical. Addison. (c) A printed cloth; a fabric figured by stamping, especially calico or cotton cloth. (d) A photographic copy, or positive picture, on prepared paper, as from a negative, or from a drawing on transparent paper.

Blue print, a copy in white lines on a blue ground, of a drawing, plan, tracing, etc., or a positive picture in blue and white, from a negative, produced by photographic printing on peculiarly prepared paper. -- In print. (a) In a printed form; issued from the press; published. Shak. (b) To the letter; with accurateness. "All this I speak in print." Shak. -- Out of print. See under Out. -- Print works, a factory where cloth, as calico, is printed.

Print"er (?), n. One who prints; especially, one who prints books, newspapers, engravings, etc., a compositor; a typesetter; a pressman.

Printer's devil, Printer's gauge. See under Devil, and Gauge. -- Printer's ink. See Printing ink, below.

Print"er*y (?), n. A place where cloth is printed; print works; also, a printing office. [R.]

Print"ing, n. The act, art, or practice of impressing letters, characters, or figures on paper, cloth, or other material; the business of a printer, including typesetting and presswork, with their adjuncts; typography; also, the act of producing photographic prints.

Block printing. See under Block. -- Printing frame (Photog.), a shallow box, usually having a glass front, in which prints are made by exposure to light. -- Printing house, a printing office. -- Printing ink, ink used in printing books, newspapers, etc. It is composed of lampblack or ivory black mingled with linseed or nut oil, made thick by boiling and burning. Other ingredients are employed for the finer qualities. Ure. -- Printing office, a place where books, pamphlets, or newspapers, etc., are printed. -- Printing paper, paper used in the printing of books, pamphlets, newspapers, and the like, as distinguished from writing paper, wrapping paper, etc. -- Printing press, a press for printing, books, newspaper, handbills, etc. -- Printing wheel, a wheel with letters or figures on its periphery, used in machines for paging or numbering, or in ticket-printing machines, typewriters, etc.; a type wheel.

Pri"or (?), a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.] Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.

Pri"or, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.] (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.

Conventical, or Conventual, prior, a prior who is at the head of his own house. See the Note under Priory. -- Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.

Pri"or*ate (?), n. [LL. prioratus: cf. F. priorat.] The dignity, office, or government, of a prior. T. Warton.

Pri"or*ess, n. [OF. prioresse.] A lady superior of a priory of nuns, and next in dignity to an abbess.

Pri*or"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. priorité. See Prior, a.] 1. The quality or state of being prior or antecedent in time, or of preceding something else; as, priority of application.

Priority of debts, a superior claim to payment, or a claim to payment before others.

Pri"o*ry (?), n.; pl. Priories (#). [Cf. LL. prioria. See Prior, n.] A religious house presided over by a prior or prioress; -- sometimes an offshoot of, an subordinate to, an abbey, and called also cell, and obedience. See Cell, 2.

Of such houses there were two sorts: one where the prior was chosen by the inmates, and governed as independently as an abbot in an abbey; the other where the priory was subordinate to an abbey, and the prior was placed or displaced at the will of the abbot.

Alien priory, a small religious house dependent on a large monastery in some other country.

Pris"age (?; 48), n. [OF. prisage a praising, valuing, taxing; cf. LL. prisagium prisage; or from F. prise a taking, capture, prize. See Prize.] (O. Eng. Law) (a) A right belonging to the crown of England, of taking two tuns of wine from every ship importing twenty tuns or more, -- one before and one behind the mast. By charter of Edward I. butlerage was substituted for this. Blackstone. (b) The share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea which belongs to the king or admiral.

Pris*cil"lian*ist (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) A follower of Priscillian, bishop of Avila in Spain, in the fourth century, who mixed various elements of Gnosticism and Manicheism with Christianity.

Prism (prz'm), n. [L. prisma, Gr. pri`sma, fr. pri`zein, pri`ein, to saw: cf. F. prisme.] 1. (Geom.) A solid whose bases or ends are any similar, equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are parallelograms.

Prisms of different forms are often named from the figure of their bases; as, a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, a rhombic prism, etc.

2. (Opt.) A transparent body, with usually three rectangular plane faces or sides, and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases; -- used in experiments on refraction, dispersion, etc.

3. (Crystallog.) A form the planes of which are parallel to the vertical axis. See Form, n., 13.

Achromatic prism (Opt.), a prism composed usually of two prisms of different transparent substances which have unequal dispersive powers, as two different kinds of glass, especially flint glass and crown glass, the difference of dispersive power being compensated by giving them different refracting angles, so that, when placed together so as to have opposite relative positions, a ray of light passed through them is refracted or bent into a new position, but is free from color. -- Nicol's prism, Nicol prism. [So called from Wm. Nicol, of Edinburgh, who first proposed it.] (Opt.) An instrument for experiments in polarization, consisting of a rhomb of Iceland spar, which has been bisected obliquely at a certain angle, and the two parts again joined with transparent cement, so that the ordinary image produced by double refraction is thrown out of the field by total reflection from the internal cemented surface, and the extraordinary, or polarized, image alone is transmitted.

{ Pris*mat"ic (?), Pris*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. prismatique.] 1. Resembling, or pertaining to, a prism; as, a prismatic form or cleavage.

2. Separated or distributed by a prism; formed by a prism; as, prismatic colors.

Prismatic borax (Chem.), borax crystallized in the form of oblique prisms, with ten molecules of water; -- distinguished from octahedral borax. -- Prismatic colors (Opt.), the seven colors into which light is resolved when passed through a prism; primary colors. See Primary colors, under Color. -- Prismatic compass (Surv.), a compass having a prism for viewing a distant object and the compass card at the same time. -- Prismatic spectrum (Opt.), the spectrum produced by the passage of light through a prism.

Pris*mat"ic*al*ly, adv. In the form or manner of a prism; by means of a prism.

Pris`ma*toid"al (?), a. [Gr. &?;, &?;, prism + -oid: F. prismatoïde.] Having a prismlike form. Ure.

Pris"moid (prz"moid), n. [Cf. F. prismtoïde.] A body that approaches to the form of a prism.

Pris"on (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of, to seize. See Prehensile, and cf. Prize, n., Misprision.] 1. A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence, a place or state o&?; confinement, restraint, or safe custody.

2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority.

Prison bars, or Prison base. See Base, n., 24. -- Prison breach. (Law) See Note under 3d Escape, n., 4. -- Prison house, a prison. Shak. -- Prison ship (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement of prisoners. -- Prison van, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to and from prison.

Pris"on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prisoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prisoning.] 1. To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain from liberty.

Pris"on*er (?), n. [F. prisonnier.] 1. One who is confined in a prison. Piers Plowman.

2. A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive; as, a prisoner at the bar of a court. Bouvier.

Pris"tin*ate (?), a. Pristine; primitive. [Obs.] "Pristinate idolatry." Holinshed.

Pris"tine (?), a. [L. pristinus, akin to prior: cf. F. pristin. See Prior, a.] Belonging to the earliest period or state; original; primitive; primeval; as, the pristine state of innocence; the pristine manners of a people; pristine vigor.

Pritch (?), n. [See Prick.] 1. A sharp-pointed instrument; also, an eelspear. [Prov. Eng.]

Pritch"el (?), n. A tool employed by blacksmiths for punching or enlarging the nail holes in a horseshoe.

Prith"ee (?), interj. A corruption of pray thee; as, I prithee; generally used without I. Shak.

Prit"tle-prat`tle (?), n. [See Prattle.] Empty talk; trifling loquacity; prattle; -- used in contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.] Abp. Bramhall.

Pri"va*cy (?), n.; pl. Privacies (#). [See Private.] 1. The state of being in retirement from the company or observation of others; seclusion.

2. A place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat; solitude; retirement.

Pri*va"do (?), n. [Sp., fr. L. privatus. See Private.] A private friend; a confidential friend; a confidant. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pri"vate (?; 48), a. [L. privatus apart from the state, peculiar to an individual, private, properly p. p. of privare to bereave, deprive, originally, to separate, fr. privus single, private, perhaps originally, put forward (hence, alone, single) and akin to prae before. See Prior, a., and cf. Deprive, Privy, a.] 1. Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.

2. Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.

3. Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life. Shak.

4. Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.

Private act or statute, a statute exclusively for the settlement of private and personal interests, of which courts do not take judicial notice; -- opposed to a general law, which operates on the whole community. -- Private nuisance or wrong. See Nuisance. -- Private soldier. See Private, n., 5. -- Private way, a right of private passage over another man's ground. Kent.

3. Privacy; retirement. [Archaic] "Go off; I discard you; let me enjoy my private." Shak.

5. (Mil.) A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer. Macaulay.

Pri`va*teer" (pr`v*tr"), n. [From Private.] 1. An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See Letters of marque, under Marque.

Pri`va*teer", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Privateered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Privateering.] To cruise in a privateer.

Pri`va*teers"man (?), n.; pl. Privateersmen (&?;). An officer or seaman of a privateer.

2. In a manner affecting an individual; personally; not officially; as, he is not privately benefited.

Pri*va"tion (pr*v"shn), n. [L. privatio: cf. F. privation. See Private.] 1. The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation. Bacon.

2. The state of being deprived or destitute of something, especially of something required or desired; destitution; need; as, to undergo severe privations.

Priv"a*tive (?), a. [L. privativus: cf. F. privatif. See Private.] 1. Causing privation; depriving.

3. (Gram.) Implying privation or negation; giving a negative force to a word; as, alpha privative; privative particles; -- applied to such prefixes and suffixes as a- (Gr. &?;), un-, non-, -less.

2. (Logic) A term indicating the absence of any quality which might be naturally or rationally expected; -- called also privative term.

Priv"a*tive*ly, adv. In a privative manner; by the absence of something; negatively. [R.] Hammond.

Priv"et (?), n. [Cf. Scot. privie, Prov. E. prim-print, primwort. Prob. for primet, and perh. named from being cut and trimmed. See, Prim, a., and cf. Prime to prune, Prim, n., Prie, n.] (Bot.) An ornamental European shrub (Ligustrum vulgare), much used in hedges; -- called also prim.

Egyptian privet. See Lawsonia. -- Evergreen privet, a plant of the genus Rhamnus. See Alatern. -- Mock privet, any one of several evergreen shrubs of the genus Phillyrea. They are from the Mediterranean region, and have been much cultivated for hedges and for fancifully clipped shrubberies.

Priv"i*lege (?), n. [F. privilège, L. privilegium an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus private + lex, legis, law. See Private, and Legal.]

1. A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.

Breach of privilege. See under Breach. -- Question of privilege (Parliamentary practice), a question which concerns the security of a member of a legislative body in his special privileges as such. -- Water privilege, the advantage of having machinery driven by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [ U. S.] -- Writ of privilege (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit. Blackstone.

Syn. -- Prerogative; immunity; franchise; right; claim; liberty. -- Privilege, Prerogative. Privilege, among the Romans, was something conferred upon an individual by a private law; and hence, it denotes some peculiar benefit or advantage, some right or immunity, not enjoyed by the world at large. Prerogative, among the Romans, was the right of voting first; and, hence, it denotes a right of precedence, or of doing certain acts, or enjoying certain privileges, to the exclusion of others. It is the privilege of a member of Congress not to be called in question elsewhere for words uttered in debate. It is the prerogative of the president to nominate judges and executive officers. It is the privilege of a Christian child to be instructed in the true religion. It is the prerogative of a parent to govern and direct his children.

Priv"i*lege (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Privileged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Privileging.] [Cf. F. privilégier.]

1. To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest.

2. To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.

Priv"i*leged (?), a. Invested with a privilege; enjoying a peculiar right, advantage, or immunity.

Privileged communication. (Law) (a) A communication which can not be disclosed without the consent of the party making it, -- such as those made by a client to his legal adviser, or by persons to their religious or medical advisers. (b) A communication which does not expose the party making it to indictment for libel, -- such as those made by persons communicating confidentially with a government, persons consulted confidentially as to the character of servants, etc. -- Privileged debts (Law), those to which a preference in payment is given out of the estate of a deceased person, or out of the estate of an insolvent. Wharton. Burrill. -- Privileged witnesses (Law) witnesses who are not obliged to testify as to certain things, as lawyers in relation to their dealings with their clients, and officers of state as to state secrets; also, by statute, clergymen and physicans are placed in the same category, so far as concerns information received by them professionally.

Priv"i*ly, adv. In a privy manner; privately; secretly. Chaucer. 2 Pet. ii. 1.

Priv"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Privities (-tz). [From Privy, a.: cf. F. privauté extreme familiarity.]

2. Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a private concern; cognizance implying consent or concurrence.

5. (Law) A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as to some particular transaction; mutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property.

1. Of or pertaining to some person exclusively; assigned to private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse. " Privee knights and squires." Chaucer.

3. Appropriated to retirement; private; not open to the public. " Privy chambers." Ezek. xxi. 14.

4. Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction; secretly cognizant; privately knowing.

Privy chamber, a private apartment in a royal residence. [Eng.] -- Privy council (Eng. Law), the principal council of the sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers and other persons chosen by the king or queen. Burrill. -- Privy councilor, a member of the privy council. -- Privy purse, moneys set apart for the personal use of the monarch; also, the title of the person having charge of these moneys. [Eng.] Macaulay. -- Privy seal or signet, the seal which the king uses in grants, etc., which are to pass the great seal, or which he uses in matters of subordinate consequence which do not require the great seal; also, elliptically, the principal secretary of state, or person intrusted with the privy seal. [Eng.] -- Privy verdict, a verdict given privily to the judge out of court; -- now disused. Burrill.

1. (Law) A partaker; a person having an interest in any action or thing; one who has an interest in an estate created by another; a person having an interest derived from a contract or conveyance to which he is not himself a party. The term, in its proper sense, is distinguished from party. Burrill. Wharton.

Prize (prz), n. [F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p. p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some senses, as 2 (b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and also Price.]

1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.

2. Hence, specifically; (a) (Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel. Kent. Brande & C. (b) An honor or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.

Prize court, a court having jurisdiction of all captures made in war on the high seas. Bouvier. -- Prize fight, an exhibition contest, esp. one of pugilists, for a stake or wager. -- Prize fighter, one who fights publicly for a reward; -- applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. Pope. -- Prize fighting, fighting, especially boxing, in public for a reward or wager. -- Prize master, an officer put in charge or command of a captured vessel. -- Prize medal, a medal given as a prize. -- Prize money, a dividend from the proceeds of a captured vessel, etc., paid to the captors. -- Prize ring, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the system and practice of prize fighting. -- To make prize of, to capture. Hawthorne.

Prize (?), v. t. To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written also prise.]

Prize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prizing.] [F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.] [Formerly written also prise. ]

2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem. "[I] do love, prize, honor you. " Shak.

Prize, n. [F. prix price. See 3d Prize. ] Estimation; valuation. [Obs.] Shak.

Priz"er (?), n. [See 3d Prize.] One who estimates or sets the value of a thing; an appraiser. Shak.

Priz"er, n. [See 1st Prize.] One who contends for a prize; a prize fighter; a challenger. [Obs.] Shak.

Priz"ing, n. [See 2d Prize.] The application of a lever to move any weighty body, as a cask, anchor, cannon, car, etc. See Prize, n., 5.

Pro- (?). [L. pro, or Gr. &?;. See Pro.] A prefix signifying before, in front, forth, for, in behalf of, in place of, according to; as, propose, to place before; proceed, to go before or forward; project, to throw forward; prologue, part spoken before (the main piece); propel, prognathous; provide, to look out for; pronoun, a word instead of a noun; proconsul, a person acting in place of a consul; proportion, arrangement according to parts.

||Pro, prep. [L.; akin to prae before, Gr. &?;, and E. for. See For, prep., and cf. Prior, a.] A Latin preposition signifying for, before, forth.

Pro confesso [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a particular case which the pleading on the other side does not deny. -- Pro rata. [L. See Prorate.] In proportion; proportion. -- Pro re nata [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as matters are.

Pro, adv. For, on, or in behalf of, the affirmative side; -- in contrast with con.

Pro and con, for and against, on the affirmative and on the negative side; as, they debated the question pro and con; -- formerly used also as a verb. -- Pros and cons, the arguments or reasons on either side.

Pro"a (?), n. [Malay pr&?;, prh&?;.] (Naut.) A sailing canoe of the Ladrone Islands and Malay Archipelago, having its lee side flat and its weather side like that of an ordinary boat. The ends are alike. The canoe is long and narrow, and is kept from overturning by a cigar-shaped log attached to a frame extending several feet to windward. It has been called the flying proa, and is the swiftest sailing craft known.

Pro*at"las (?), n. [Pref. pro- + atlas.] (Anat.) A vertebral rudiment in front of the atlas in some reptiles.

Prob`a*bil"i*o*rist (?), n. [From L. probabilior, compar. of probabilis probable.] (Casuistry) One who holds, in opposition to the probabilists, that a man is bound to do that which is most probably right.

Prob"a*bil*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. probabilisme.] The doctrine of the probabilists.

1. One who maintains that certainty is impossible, and that probability alone is to govern our faith and actions.

2. (Casuistry) One who maintains that a man may do that which has a probability of being right, or which is inculcated by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem to him still more probable.

Prob`a*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Probabilities (#). [L. probabilitas: cf. F. probabilité.]

1. The quality or state of being probable; appearance of reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption; likelihood.

2. That which is or appears probable; anything that has the appearance of reality or truth.

3. (Math.) Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number of favorable chances to the whole number of chances, favorable and unfavorable. See 1st Chance, n., 5.

Prob"a*ble (?), a. [L. probabilis, fr. probare to try, approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See Prove, and cf. Provable.]

2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.

3. Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption. Blackstone.

Probable cause (Law), a reasonable ground of presumption that a charge is, or my be, well founded. - - Probable error (of an observation, or of the mean of a number), that within which, taken positively and negatively, there is an even chance that the real error shall lie. Thus, if 3″ is the probable error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3″ are equal to the chances that it is less. The probable error is computed from the observations made, and is used to express their degree of accuracy. -- The probable, that which is within the bounds of probability; that which is not unnatural or preternatural; -- opposed to the marvelous.

Pro*bal"i*ty (?), n. Probability. [Obs.] "With as great probality." Holland.

Pro"bang (?), n. [See Probe.] A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.

2. (Law) (a) Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate of its having been proved. Bouvier. Burrill. (b) The right or jurisdiction of proving wills.

Pro"bate, a. Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a probate record.

Probate Court, or Court of Probate, a court for the probate of wills. -- Probate duty, a government tax on property passing by will. [Eng.]

Pro"bate (?), v. t. To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the executor has probated the will.

Pro*ba"tion (?), n. [L. probatio, fr. probare to try, examine, prove: cf. F. probation. See Prove.]

2. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation. Hence, specifically: (a) The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule. (b) The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor. (c) Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state.

2. A student in divinity, who, having received certificates of good morals and qualifications from his university, is admitted to several trials by a presbytery, and, on acquitting himself well, is licensed to preach. [Scot.]

Pro"ba*tive (?), a. [L. probativus: cf. F. probatif.] Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence. South.

2. (O. Eng. Law) One who, when indicted for crime, confessed it, and accused others, his accomplices, in order to obtain pardon; a state's evidence.

Pro"ba*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. probatoire.] 1. Serving for trial; probationary. Abp. Bramhall.

Probe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Probed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Probing.] [L. probare to try, examine. See Prove.]

2. Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly. Dryden.

Probe, n. (Surg.) An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc. Parr.

Probe, or Probe-pointed, scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button at the end. Wiseman.

Probe"-point`ed (?), a. (Surg.) Having a blunt or button-shaped extremity; -- said of cutting instruments.

Prob"i*ty (?), n. [F. probité, fr. L. probitas, fr. probus good, proper, honest. Cf. Prove.] Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence; honesty; rectitude; uprightness. "Probity of mind." Pope.

Syn. -- Probity, Integrity. Probity denotes unimpeachable honesty and virtue, shown especially by the performance of those obligations, called imperfect, which the laws of the state do not reach, and can not enforce. Integrity denotes a whole-hearted honesty, and especially that which excludes all injustice that might favor one's self. It has a peculiar reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfer of property, and the execution of trusts for others.

Prob"lem (?), n. [F. problème, L. problema, fr. Gr. &?; anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. &?; to throw or lay before; &?; before, forward + &?; to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. Bacon.

2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.

Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles.

Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass. -- Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.

{ Prob`lem*at"ic (?), Prob`lem*at"ic*al (?), } a. [L. problematicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. problématique.] Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. -- Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.

Prob"lem*a*tize (?), v. t. To propose problems. [R.] "Hear him problematize." B. Jonson.

Pro*bos"ci*date (?), a. [See Proboscis.] (Zoöl.) Having a proboscis; proboscidial.

||Pro`bos*cid"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis.] (Zoöl.) An order of large mammals including the elephants and mastodons.

Pro`bos*cid"i*an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Proboscidea. -- n. One of the Proboscidea.

1. (Zoöl.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda, and of Winkle.

2. (Zoöl.) A subdivision of the tænioglossate gastropods, including the fig-shells (Pyrula), the helmet shells (Cassis), the tritons, and allied genera.

Pro`bos*cid"i*form (?), a. Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform mouth.

Pro*bos"cis (?), n.; pl. Proboscides (#). [L. fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; to feed, graze.] 1. (Zoöl.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.

The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxillæ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera.

2. (Zoöl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded.

The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix.

Pro*ca"cious (?), a. [L. procax, -acis, fr. procare to ask, demand.] Pert; petulant; forward; saucy. [R.] Barrow.

Pro*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. procacitas.] Forwardness; pertness; petulance. [R.] Burton.

||Pro*cam"bi*um (?), n. [NL. See Pro- , and Cambium.] (Bot.) The young tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its component cells have begun to be differentiated. Sachs.

Pro`cat*arc"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; beginning beforehand. fr. &?; to begin first; &?; before + &?; to begin; &?; intens. + &?; to begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.) Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]

The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes.

||Pro`cat*arx"is (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; first beginning.] (Med.) The kindling of a disease into action; also, the procatarctic cause. Quincy.

||Pro`ce*den"do (?), n. [Abl. of the gerundive of L. procedere. see Proceed.] (Law) (a) A writ by which a cause which has been removed on insufficient grounds from an inferior to a superior court by certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the same court, to be proceeded in there. (b) In English practice, a writ issuing out of chancery in cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment. (c) A writ by which the commission of the justice of the peace is revived, after having been suspended. Tomlins. Burrill.

Pro*ce"dure (?), n. [F. procédure. See Proceed.] 1. The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct. "The true procedure of conscience." South.

2. A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding. "Gracious procedures." I. Taylor.

Pro*ceed" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Proceeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Proceeding.] [F. procéder. fr. L. procedere, processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to move. See Cede.] 1. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey.

2. To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.

3. To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun.

4. To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design.

Pro*ceed"ing, n. 1. The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; progress or movement from one thing to another; a measure or step taken in a course of business; a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a violent proceeding.

2. pl. (Law) The course of procedure in the prosecution of an action at law. Blackstone.

Proceedings of a society, the published record of its action, or of things done at its meetings.

Pro"ceeds (?), n. pl. That which comes forth or results; effect; yield; issue; product; sum accruing from a sale, etc.

Proc`e*leus*mat"ic (?), a. [L. proceleusmaticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to rouse to action beforehand; &?; + &?; to incite; cf. F. procéleusmatique.]

2. (Pros.) Consisting of four short syllables; composed of feet of four short syllables each.

Pro`cel*la"ri*an (?), n. [L. procella a storm.] (Zoöl.) One of a family of oceanic birds (Procellaridæ) including the petrels, fulmars, and shearwaters. They are often seen in great abundance in stormy weather.

Pro*cel"lous (?), a. [L. procellosus, fr. procella a storm.] Stormy. [Obs.] Bailey.

Pro`ce*phal"ic (?), a. [Pref. pro- + cephalic.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to, or forming, the front of the head.

Procephalic lobe (Zoöl.), that part of the head of an invertebrate animal which is in front of the mouth.

Pro*cep"tion (?), n. [Pref. pro- + L. capere to take.] Preoccupation. [Obs.] Eikon Basilik&?;.

Pro*cer"e*brum (?), n. [Pref. pro- + cerebrum.] (Anat.) The prosencephalon.

||Proc"e*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. procer &?; chief.] (Zoöl.) An order of large birds; the Ratitæ; -- called also Proceri.

Proc"er*ite (?), n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?; &?; horn.] (Zoöl.) The segment next to the flagellum of the antennæ of Crustacea.

Pro*cer"i*ty (?), n. [L. proceritas.] Height of stature; tallness. [R.] Johnson.

1. The act of proceeding; continued forward movement; procedure; progress; advance. "Long process of time." Milton.

2. A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process; processes of nature.

4. (Anat. & Zoöl.) Any marked prominence or projecting part, especially of a bone; anapophysis.

5. (Law) The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the defendant into court to answer to the action; -- a generic term for writs of the class called judicial.

Deacon's process [from H. Deacon, who introduced it] (Chem.), a method of obtaining chlorine gas by passing hydrochloric acid gas over heated slag which has been previously saturated with a solution of some metallic salt, as sulphate of copper. -- Final process (Practice), a writ of execution in an action at law. Burrill. -- In process, in the condition of advance, accomplishment, transaction, or the like; begun, and not completed. -- Jury process (Law), the process by which a jury is summoned in a cause, and by which their attendance is enforced. Burrill. -- Leblanc's process (Chem.), the process of manufacturing soda by treating salt with sulphuric acid, reducing the sodium sulphate so formed to sodium sulphide by roasting with charcoal, and converting the sodium sulphide to sodium carbonate by roasting with lime. -- Mesne process. See under Mesne. -- Process milling, the process of high milling for grinding flour. See under Milling. -- Reversible process (Thermodynamics), any process consisting of a cycle of operations such that the different operations of the cycle can be performed in reverse order with a reversal of their effects.

1. The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous course. Bp. Pearson.

2. That which is moving onward in an orderly, stately, or solemn manner; a train of persons advancing in order; a ceremonious train; a retinue; as, a procession of mourners; the Lord Mayor's procession.

3. (Eccl.) An orderly and ceremonial progress of persons, either from the sacristy to the choir, or from the choir around the church, within or without. Shipley.

4. pl. (Eccl.) An old term for litanies which were said in procession and not kneeling. Shipley.

Procession of the Holy Ghost, a theological term applied to the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son, the Eastern Church affirming that the Spirit proceeds from the Father only, and the Western Church that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Shipley. -- Procession week, a name for Rogation week, when processions were made; Cross-week. Shipley.

Pro*ces"sion, v. t. (Law) To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] "To procession the lands of such persons as desire it." Burrill.

Pro*ces"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a procession; consisting in a procession.

1. (R. C. Ch.) A service book relating to ecclesiastical processions. J. Gregory.

2. A hymn, or other selection, sung during a church procession; as, the processional was the 202d hymn.

Pro*ces"sion*a*ry (?), a. [Cf. LL. processionarius, F. processionnaire.] Pertaining to a procession; consisting in processions; as, processionary service.

Processionary moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the genus Cnethocampa, especially C. processionea of Europe, whose larvæ make large webs on oak trees, and go out to feed in regular order. They are covered with stinging hairs.

3. An officer appointed to procession lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] Burrill.

Pro*ces"sion*ing, n. A proceeding prescribed by statute for ascertaining and fixing the boundaries of land. See 2d Procession. [ Local, U. S.] Bouvier.

||Pro`cès" ver`bal" (?). [ F.] (French Law) An authentic minute of an official act, or statement of facts.

Pro"chein (?), a. [F. prochain, fr. L. (assumed) proximanus, fr. proximus.] Next; nearest.

Pro*chor"dal (?), a. [Pref. pro + chordal.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the notochord; -- applied especially to parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the skull.

Pro"chro*nism (?), n. [Gr. &?; preceding in time; &?; before + &?; time: cf. F. prochronisme.] The dating of an event before the time it happened; an antedating; -- opposed to metachronism.

{ Proc"i*dence, ||Proc*i*den"ti*a (?), }, n. [L. procidentia, fr. procidens, p. pr. of procidere to fall down forward.] (Med.) A falling down; a prolapsus. [R.] Parr.

Pro*cinct" (?), n. [L. procinctus, fr. procingere, procinctum, to gird up.] A state of complete readiness for action. [Obs.] "War in procinct." Milton.

Pro*claim" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proclaimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proclaiming.] [OE. proclamen, L. proclamare; pro before, forward + clamare to call or cry out: cf. F. proclamer. See Claim.]

1. To make known by public announcement; to give wide publicity to; to publish abroad; to promulgate; to declare; as, to proclaim war or peace.

2. That which is proclaimed, publicly announced, or officially declared; a published ordinance; as, the proclamation of a king; a Thanksgiving proclamation.

Pro*clit"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to lean forward; &?; forward + &?; to lean or incline. Cf. Enclitic.] (Gr. Gram.) Leaning forward; -- said of certain monosyllabic words which are so closely attached to the following word as not to have a separate accent.

Pro*clive" (?), a. [L. proclivis sloping, inclined; pro forward + clivus hill: cf. F. proclive. See Declivity, and cf. Proclivous.] Having a tendency by nature; prone; proclivous. [R.] Mrs. Browning.

1. Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency. "A proclivity to steal." Abp. Bramhall.

Pro*cœle" (?), n. [Pref. pro + Gr. &?; hollow.] (Anat.) A lateral cavity of the prosencephalon; a lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

||Pro*cœ"li*a (?), n.; pl. Procœliæ (&?;). [ NL.] (Anat.) Same as Procœle.

||Pro*cœ"li*a, n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of Crocodilia, including the true crocodiles and alligators, in which the dorsal vertebræ are concave in front.

Pro*cœ"li*an (?), a. [See Procœle.] (Anat & Zoöl.) Concave in front; as, procœlian vertebræ, which have the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior convex.

Pro*cœ"li*an, n. (Zoöl.) A reptile having procœlian vertebræ; one of the Procœlia.

Pro*con"sul (?), n. [L., fr. pro for + consul consul.] (Rom. Antiq.) An officer who discharged the duties of a consul without being himself consul; a governor of, or a military commander in, a province. He was usually one who had previously been consul.

{ Pro*con"su*lar (?), Pro*con"su*la*ry (?), } a. [L. proconsularis: cf. F. proconsulaire.]

Pro*con"su*late (?), n. [L. proconsulatus: cf. F. proconsulat.] The office jurisdiction of a proconsul, or the term of his office.

Pro*cras"ti*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procrastinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrastinating.] [L. procrastinatus, p. p. of procrastinare to procrastinate; pro forward + crastinus of to-morrow, fr. cras to-morrow.] To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance. Dr. H. More.

Pro*cras`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L. procrastinatio: cf. F. procrastination.] The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness.

Pro*cras"ti*na`tor (?), n. One who procrastinates, or defers the performance of anything.

Pro"cre*ant (?), a. [L. procreans, p. pr. of procreare. See Procreate.] Generating; producing; productive; fruitful; assisting in procreation. [R.] "His pendent bed and procreant cradle." Shak.

Pro"cre*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procreated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procreating.] [L. procreatus, p. p. of procreare; pro forward, forth + create to create.] To generate and produce; to beget; to engender.

Pro`cre*a"tion (?), n. [F. procréation, L, procreatio.] The act of begetting; generation and production of young. South.

||Pro"cris (?), n. [L., the wife of Cephalus, Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) Any species of small moths of the genus Procris. The larvæ of some species injure the grapevine by feeding in groups upon the leaves.

Pro*crus"te*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Procrustes, or the mode of torture practiced by him; producing conformity by violent means; as, the Procrustean treatment; a Procrustean limit. See Procrustes.

Pro*crus"te*an*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procrusteanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrusteanizing (?).] To stretch or contract according to some rule or standard.

Pro*crus"tes (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to beat out, to stretch; &?; forward + &?; to strike.] (Gr. Antiq.) A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; -- whence the metaphorical phrase, the bed of Procrustes.

||Proc*ti"tis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; anus + -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the rectum.

Proc"to*cele (?), n. [Gr. &?; anus + &?; tumor.] (Med.) Inversion and prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum, from relaxation of the sphincter, with more or less swelling; prolapsus ani. Dunglison.

||Proc`to*dæ"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the anus + &?; to divide.] (Anat.) See Mesenteron.

Proc"tor (?), n. [OE. proketour, contr. fr. procurator. See Procurator.] One who is employed to manage to affairs of another. Specifically: (a) A person appointed to collect alms for those who could not go out to beg for themselves, as lepers, the bedridden, etc.; hence a beggar. [Obs.] Nares. (b) (Eng. Law) An officer employed in admiralty and ecclesiastical causes. He answers to an attorney at common law, or to a solicitor in equity. Wharton. (c) (Ch. of Eng.) A representative of the clergy in convocation. (d) An officer in a university or college whose duty it is to enforce obedience to the laws of the institution.

Proc"tor, v. t. To act as a proctor toward; to manage as an attorney or agent. Bp. Warburton.

Proc"tor*age (?), n. Management by a proctor, or as by a proctor; hence, control; superintendence; -- in contempt. "The fogging proctorage of money." Milton.

Proc*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a proctor, esp. an academic proctor; magisterial.

Proc"tor*ship (?), n. The office or dignity of a proctor; also, the term of his office. Clarendon.

Proc*tot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; anus + &?; to cut.] (Surg.) An incision into the rectum, as for the division of a stricture.

||Proc"tu*cha (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; anus + &?; to have.] (Zoöl.) (a) A division of Turbellaria including those that have an intestine terminating posteriorly. (b) The Nemertina.

Pro*cum"bent (?), a. [L. procumbens, -entis, p. pr. of procumbere to fall, bend, or lean forward; pro forward + cumbere (in comp.), akin to cubare to lie down: cf. F. procombant. Cf. Incumbent.]

2. (Bot.) Lying on the ground, but without putting forth roots; trailing; prostrate; as, a procumbent stem.

Proc"u*ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Procuracies (#). [LL. procuratia: cf. F. procuratie. See Procuration, and cf,. Proxy.]

3. The instrument by which a person is empowered to transact the affairs of another; a proxy.

4. (Ch. of Eng.) A sum of money paid formerly to the bishop or archdeacon, now to the ecclesiastical commissioners, by an incumbent, as a commutation for entertainment at the time of visitation; -- called also proxy.

Proc"u*ra`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. procurateur. See Procure, and cf. Proctor. ]

1. (Law) One who manages another's affairs, either generally or in a special matter; an agent; a proctor. Chaucer. Shak.

2. (Rom. Antiq.) A governor of a province under the emperors; also, one who had charge of the imperial revenues in a province; as, the procurator of Judea.

Proc`u*ra*to"ri*al (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to a procurator, or proctor; made by a proctor. Ayliffe.

Pro*cu"ra*to*ry (?), a. [L. procuratorius.] Tending to, or authorizing, procuration.

Pro*cure" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procuring.] [F. procurer, L. procurare, procuratum, to take care of; pro for + curare to take care, fr. cura care. See Cure, and cf. Proctor, Proxy.]

1. To bring into possession; to cause to accrue to, or to come into possession of; to acquire or provide for one's self or for another; to gain; to get; to obtain by any means, as by purchase or loan.

1. One who procures, or obtains; one who, or that which, brings on, or causes to be done, esp. by corrupt means.

2. One who procures the gratification of lust for another; a pimp; a pander. South.

Pro"cy*on (?), n. [L., a constellation which rises before the Dog Star, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a dog. ]

1. (Astron.) A star of the first magnitude in the constellation Canis Minor, or the Little Dog.

Prod (?), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. brod goad, prickle, sting, and E. brad, also W. procio to poke, thrust.]

1. A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a goad, an awl, a skewer, etc.

3. A light kind of crossbow; -- in the sense, often spelled prodd. Fairholt.

Prod, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prodded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prodding.] To thrust some pointed instrument into; to prick with something sharp; as, to prod a soldier with a bayonet; to prod oxen; hence, to goad, to incite, to worry; as, to prod a student. H. Taylor.

Prod"i*gal (?), a. [L. prodigus, from prodigere to drive forth, to squander away; pro forward, forth + agere to drive; cf. F. prodigue. See Agent. ] Given to extravagant expenditure; expending money or other things without necessity; recklessly or viciously profuse; lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as, a prodigal man; the prodigal son; prodigal giving; prodigal expenses.

Prod"i*gal, n. One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure; a waster; a spendthrift. "Noble prodigals of life." Trench.

Prod`i*gal"i*ty (?), n. [F. prodigalité, L. prodigalitas. See Prodigal.] Extravagance in expenditure, particularly of money; excessive liberality; profusion; waste; -- opposed to frugality, economy, and parsimony."The prodigality of his wit." Dryden.

Prod"i*gal*ize (?), v. i. To act as a prodigal; to spend liberally. Sherwood.

Prod"i*gal*ly, adv. In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense; extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate prodigally dissipated.

Prod"i*gence (?), n. [L. prodigentia, fr. prodigens, p. pr. of prodigere. See Prodigal. ] Waste; profusion; prodigality. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Pro*di"gious (?), a. [L. prodigiosus, fr. prodigium a prodigy; cf. F. prodigieux. See Prodigy.]

1. Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful; portentous. [Obs. or R.] Spenser.

2. Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder. "Prodigious might." Milton.

Syn. -- Huge; enormous; monstrous; portentous; marvelous; amazing; astonishing; extraordinary.

Pro*di"gious*ness, n. The quality or state of being prodigious; the state of having qualities that excite wonder or astonishment; enormousness; vastness.

Prod"i*gy (?), n.; pl. Prodigies (#). [ L. prodigium; pro before + (perh.) a word appearing in adagium adage: cf. F. prodige. Cf. Adage. ]

1. Something extraordinary, or out of the usual course of nature, from which omens are drawn; a portent; as, eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed prodigies.

2. Anything so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment; a marvel; as, a prodigy of learning.

3. A production out of ordinary course of nature; an abnormal development; a monster. B. Jonson.

Pro*di"tion (?), n. [L. proditio, from prodere to give forth, betray: cf. OF. prodition.] Disclosure; treachery; treason. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

2. Apt to make unexpected revelations. [Obs.] "Nature is proditorious." Sir H. Wotton.

Prod"ro*mal (?), a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to prodromes; as, the prodromal stage of a disease.

Pro"drome (?), n. [Gr. &?; running before; &?; before + &?; to run: cf. F. prodrome.] A forerunner; a precursor.

2. A preliminary course or publication; -- used esp. in the titles of elementary works.

Pro*duce" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Produced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Producing (?).] [L. producere, productum, to bring forward, beget, produce; pro forward, forth + ducere to lead. See Duke.]

1. To bring forward; to lead forth; to offer to view or notice; to exhibit; to show; as, to produce a witness or evidence in court.

2. To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or growth; to give birth to; to bear; to generate; to propagate; to yield; to furnish; as, the earth produces grass; trees produce fruit; the clouds produce rain.

3. To cause to be or to happen; to originate, as an effect or result; to bring about; as, disease produces pain; vice produces misery.

4. To give being or form to; to manufacture; to make; as, a manufacturer produces excellent wares.

5. To yield or furnish; to gain; as, money at interest produces an income; capital produces profit.

6. To draw out; to extend; to lengthen; to prolong; as, to produce a man's life to threescore. Sir T. Browne.

7. (Geom.) To extend; -- applied to a line, surface, or solid; as, to produce a side of a triangle.

Pro*duce", v. i. To yield or furnish appropriate offspring, crops, effects, consequences, or results.

Prod"uce (?; 277), n. That which is produced, brought forth, or yielded; product; yield; proceeds; result of labor, especially of agricultural labors; hence, specifically, agricultural products.

Pro*du"cent (?), n. [L. producens, p. pr.] One who produces, or offers to notice. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

2. One who grows agricultural products, or manufactures crude materials into articles of use.

3. (Iron & Steel Manuf.) A furnace for producing combustible gas which is used for fuel.

Pro*du"ci*ble (?), a. Capable of being produced, brought forward, brought forth, generated, made, or extended. -- Pro*du"ci*ble*ness, n.

1. Anything that is produced, whether as the result of generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of the brain.

2. (Math.) The number or sum obtained by adding one number or quantity to itself as many times as there are units in another number; the number resulting from the multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.

Syn. -- Produce; production; fruit; result; effect; consequence; outcome; work; performance.

1. To produce; to bring forward. "Producted to . . . examination." [Obs.] Foxe.

Pro*duct`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state of being productible; producibility. Ruskin.

Pro*duct"i*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. productible.] Capable of being produced; producible.

Pro*duc"tile (?), a. [L. productilis, fr. producere to stretch out.] Capable of being extended or prolonged; extensible; ductile.

Pro*duc"tion (?), n. [L. productio a lengthening, prolonging: cf. F. production. See Produce. ]

1. The act or process or producing, bringing forth, or exhibiting to view; as, the production of commodities, of a witness.

2. That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether naturally, or by the application of intelligence and labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius.

1. Having the quality or power of producing; yielding or furnishing results; as, productive soil; productive enterprises; productive labor, that which increases the number or amount of products.

2. Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing; originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements.

Pro`duc*tiv"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being productive; productiveness. Emerson.

||Pro*duc"tus (?), n. [NL. See Product.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of brachiopods, very characteristic of the Carboniferous rocks.

Pro`e*gu"mi*nal (?), a. [Gr. &?;, p. pr. of &?; to lead the way: cf. F. proégumène.] (Med.) Serving to predispose; predisposing; as, a proeguminal cause of disease.

Pro"em (?), n. [L. prooemium, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; way, course or strain of a song: cf. F. proème.] Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.

Pro*em"bry*o (?), n. [Pref. pro- + embryo. ] (Bot.) (a) The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo. (b) The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.

Pro`emp*to"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; to fall in before; &?; before + &?; in + &?; to fall.] (Chron.) The addition of a day to the lunar calendar. [R.] See Metemptosis.

Pro"face (?), interj. [OF. prou face, prou fasse; prou profit + faire to make, do.] Much good may it do you! -- a familiar salutation or welcome. [Obs.]

Prof`a*na"tion (?), n. [L. profanatio: cf. F. profanation. See Profane, v. t.] 1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God.

2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with undue publicity, or lack of delicacy.

Pro*fane" (?), a. [F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane.]

1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place. "Profane authors." I. Disraeli.

3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue. 1 Tim. i. 9.

Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious.

Pro*fane", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profaned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Profaning.] [L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See Profane, a.]

1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.

2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.

Pro*fane"ness, n. The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.

Pro*fan"er (?), n. One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles what is holy; one who uses profane language. Hooker.

1. The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.

Pro*fec"tion (?), n. [See Proficient.] A setting out; a going forward; advance; progression. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pro`fec*ti"tious (?), a. [L. profectitius, fr. proficisci to set out, proceed.] Proceeding from, as from a parent; derived, as from an ancestor. [R.]

Pro"fert (?), n. [L., he brings forward, 3d pers. pr. of proferre. See Proffer. ] (Law) The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open court, or an allegation that it is in court.

Pro*fess" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.] [F. profès, masc., professe, fem., professed (monk or nun), L. professus, p. p. of profiteri to profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See Confess.]

1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely. "Hear me profess sincerely." Shak.

2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of.

3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.

Pro*fess" (?), v. i. 1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to confess. Drayton.

Pro*fessed" (?), a. Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian.

The professed (R. C. Ch.) , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit.

Pro*fes"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L. professio. See Profess, v.] 1. The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.

2. That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere.

3. That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry.

The three professions, or learned professions, are, especially, theology, law, and medicine.

4. The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him.

5. (Eccl. Law.) The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.

Pro*fes"sion*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct. "Pride, not personal, but professional." Macaulay. "A professional sneerer." De Quincey.

2. Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; -- opposed to amateur.

Pro*fes"sion*al, n. A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.

Pro*fes"sion*al*ism (?), n. The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation; -- opposed to amateurism.

Pro*fes"sion*al*ly, adv. In a professional manner or capacity; by profession or calling; in the exercise of one's profession; one employed professionally.

Pro*fess"or (?), n. [L., a teacher, a public teacher: cf. F. professeur. See Profess.] 1. One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church. "Professors of religion." Bacon.

2. One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy.

Pro`fes*so"ri*al (?), a. [L. professorius: cf. F. professorial.] Of or pertaining to a professor; as, the professional chair; professional interest.

Pro`fes*so"ri*al*ism (?), n. The character, manners, or habits of a professor. [R.]

Pro`fes*so"ri*ate (?), n. 1. The body of professors, or the professorial staff, in a university or college.

Pro*fess"or*ship (?), n. The office or position of a professor, or public teacher. Walton.

Pro*fes"so*ry (?), a. [L. professorius.] Of or pertaining to a professor; professorial. [R.] Bacon.

Prof"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proffered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proffering.] [OE. profren, proferen, F. proférer, fr. L. proferre to bring forth or forward, to offer; pro forward + ferre to bring. See Bear to produce.] 1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship. Shak.

2. To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake. [R.] Milton.

Prof"fer, n. 1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship.

{ Pro*fi"cience (?), Pro*fi"cien*cy (?) }, n. The quality of state of being proficient; advance in the acquisition of any art, science, or knowledge; progression in knowledge; improvement; adeptness; as, to acquire proficiency in music.

Pro*fi"cient (?), n. [L. proficiens, -entis, p. pr. of proficere to go forward, make progress; pro forward + facere to make. See Fact, and cf. Profit, (&?;)] One who has made considerable advances in any business, art, science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as, proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music, etc.

Pro*fi"cient (?), a. Well advanced in any branch of knowledge or skill; possessed of considerable acquirements; well-skilled; versed; adept,

Pro*fic"u*ous (?), a. [L. proficuus.] Profitable; advantageous; useful. [Obs.] Harvey.

Pro"file (?), n. [It. profilo, fr. L. pro before + filum a thread, an outline, shape: cf. F. profil. See File arow, and cf. Purfle, Purl, a fringe.] 1. An outline, or contour; as, the profile of an apple.

2. (Paint & Sculp.) A human head represented sidewise, or in a side view; the side face or half face.

3. (a) (Arch.) A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of moldings and the like. (b) (Civil Engin.) A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc.

Profile paper (Civil Engin.), paper ruled with vertical and horizontal lines forming small oblong rectangles, adapted for drawing profiles.

Pro"file, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Profiling] [Cf. F. profiler, It. profilare. See Profile, n.] 1. to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an architectural member.

Pro"fil*ing, n. (Fort.) In the construction of fieldworks, the erection at proper intervals of wooden profiles, to show to the workmen the sectional form of the parapets at those points.

Pro"fit (?), n. [F., fr. L. profectus advance, progress, profit, fr. profectum. See Proficient.] 1. Acquisition beyond expenditure; excess of value received for producing, keeping, or selling, over cost; hence, pecuniary gain in any transaction or occupation; emolument; as, a profit on the sale of goods.

2. Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences; benefit; avail; gain; as, an office of profit,

Prof"it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profited; p. pr. & vb. n. Profiting.] [F. profiter. See Profit, n.] To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit; to advantage; to avail; to aid; as, truth profits all men.

Prof"it, v. i. 1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to gain; to advance.

Prof"it*a*ble (?), a. [F. profitable.] Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.

Prof"li*ga*cy (?), n. [See Profligate, a.] The quality of state of being profligate; a profligate or very vicious course of life; a state of being abandoned in moral principle and in vice; dissoluteness.

Prof"li*gate (?), a. [L. profligatus, p. p. of profligare to strike or dash to the ground, to destroy; pro before + a word akin to fligere to strike. See Afflict.]

2. Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch.

Syn. -- Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved; vicious; wicked. See Abandoned.

Prof"li*gate, n. An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person. "Such a profligate as Antony." Swift.

Prof"li*gate (?), v. t. To drive away; to overcome. [A Latinism] [Obs.] Harvey.

Prof"li*gate*ness, n. The quality of being profligate; an abandoned course of life; profligacy.

Prof`li*ga"tion (?), n. [L. profligatio.] Defeat; rout; overthrow. [Obs.] Bacon.

Prof"lu*ence (?), n. [L. profluentia.] Quality of being profluent; course. [R.] Sir H. Wotton.

Prof"lu*ent (?), a. [L. profluens, p. pr. of profluere; pro forward + fluere to flow.] Flowing forward, [R.] "In the profluent stream." Milton.

Pro*found", a. [F. profond, L. profundus; pro before, forward + fundus the bottom. See Found to establish, Bottom lowest part.] 1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a great depth; deep. "A gulf profound." Milton.

2. Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a profound scholar; profound wisdom.

3. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading; overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a profound sleep. "Profound sciatica." Shak.

4. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.

Pro*found", v. t. To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pro*found"ness, n. The quality or state of being profound; profundity; depth. Hooker.

Pro*ful"gent (?), a. [Pref. pro- + L. fulgere to shine.] Shining forth; brilliant; effulgent. [Obs.] "Profulgent in preciousness." Chaucer.

Pro*fun"di*ty (?), n.; pl. -ties (#). [L. profunditas: cf. F. profondite. See Profound.] The quality or state of being profound; depth of place, knowledge, feeling, etc. "The vast profundity obscure." Milton.

Pro*fuse" (?), a. [L. profusus, p. p. of profundere to pour forth or out; pro forward, forth + fundere to pour: cf. F. profus. See Fuse to melt.] 1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality.

2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament." Kames.

Syn. -- Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant. -- Profuse, Lavish, Prodigal. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. Dryden.

Pro*fuse" (?), v. t. To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander. [Obs.] Chapman.

2. Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a profusion of commodities. Addison.

Prog (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Progged (&?;). p. pr. & vb. n. Progging.] [Cf. D. prachen, G. prachern, Dan. prakke, Sw. pracka, to beg, L. procare, procari, to ask, demand, and E. prowl.] 1. To wander about and beg; to seek food or other supplies by low arts; to seek for advantage by mean shift or tricks. [Low]

Prog, n. 1. Victuals got by begging, or vagrancy; victuals of any kind; food; supplies. [Slang] Swift.

Pro*gen"er*ate (?), v. t. [L. progeneratus, p. p. of progenerare to beget; pro forth, forward + generare to generate.] To beget; to generate; to produce; to procreate; as, to progenerate a race. [R.] Landor.

Pro*gen`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. progeneratio.] The act of begetting; propagation. [R.]

Pro*gen"i*tor (?), n. [OF. progeniteur, L. progenitor, fr. progignere, progenitum, to bring forth, to beget; pro forth + gignere to beget. See Gender kind.] An ancestor in the direct line; a forefather.

Prog"e*ny (?), n. [OE. progenie, F. progénie, fr. L. progenies, fr. progignere. See Progenitor.] Descendants of the human kind, or offspring of other animals; children; offspring; race, lineage. " Issued from the progeny of kings." Shak.

||Pro*glot"tis (?), n.; pl. Proglottides (#). [NL. fr. Gr. &?; the tip of the tongue; &?; forward + &?; the tongue.] (Zoöl) One of the free, or nearly free, segments of a tapeworm. It contains both male and female reproductive organs, and is capable of a brief independent existence.

||Prog"na*thi (?), n. pl. [NL. See Prognathous.] (Zoöl) A comprehensive group of mankind, including those that have prognathous jaws.

Prog"na*thous (?), a. [Gr. &?; before + &?; the jaw] (Anat.) Having the jaws projecting beyond the upper part of the face; -- opposed to orthognathous. See Gnathic index, under Gnathic.

Prog"ne (?), n. [L., a swallow, traditionally said to be fr. Progne (The sister of Philomela), who was changed into a swallow, Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) (a) A swallow. (b) A genus of swallows including the purple martin. See Martin. (c) An American butterfly (Polygonia, or Vanessa, Progne). It is orange and black above, grayish beneath, with an L-shaped silver mark on the hind wings. Called also gray comma.

Prog*no"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to know beforehand; &?; before + &?; to know. See Know.] (Med.) The act or art of foretelling the course and termination of a disease; also, the outlook afforded by this act of judgment; as, the prognosis of hydrophobia is bad.

Prog*nos"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Prognosis.] Indicating something future by signs or symptoms; foreshowing; aiding in prognosis; as, the prognostic symptoms of a disease; prognostic signs.

Prog*nos"tic, n. [L. prognosticum, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pronostic, prognostic. See Prognostic, a.]

1. That which prognosticates; a sign by which a future event may be known or foretold; an indication; a sign or omen; hence, a foretelling; a prediction.

2. (Med.) A sign or symptom indicating the course and termination of a disease. Parr.

Prog*nos"tic*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prognosticated or foretold. Sir T. Browne.

Prog*nos"ti*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prognosticated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prognosticating.] [See Prognostic.] To indicate as future; to foretell from signs or symptoms; to prophesy; to foreshow; to predict; as, to prognosticate evil. Burke.

Syn. -- To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; presage; predict; prophesy.

1. The act of foreshowing or foretelling something future by present signs; prediction.

Prog*nos"ti*ca`tor (?), n. One who prognosticates; a foreknower or foreteller of a future course or event by present signs. Isa. xlvii. 13.

1. (Gr. Antiq.) Any law, which, after it had passed the Athenian senate, was fixed on a tablet for public inspection previously to its being proposed to the general assembly of the people.

2. An edict published for public information; an official bulletin; a public proclamation.

Pro"gramme (?), n. [L. programma a public proclamation, manifesto, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to write before or in public; &?; before, forth + &?; to write; cf. F. programme. See Graphic.] That which is written or printed as a public notice or advertisement; a scheme; a prospectus; especially, a brief outline or explanation of the order to be pursued, or the subjects embraced, in any public exercise, performance, or entertainment; a preliminary sketch.

Programme music (Mus.), descriptive instrumental music which requires an argument or programme to explain the meaning of its several movements.

Prog"ress (?; 277), n. [L. progressus, from progredi, p. p. progressus, to go forth or forward; pro forward + gradi to step, go: cf. F. progrès. See Grade.]

1. A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance; specifically: (a) In actual space, as the progress of a ship, carriage, etc. (b) In the growth of an animal or plant; increase. (c) In business of any kind; as, the progress of a negotiation; the progress of art. (d) In knowledge; in proficiency; as, the progress of a child at school. (e) Toward ideal completeness or perfection in respect of quality or condition; -- applied to individuals, communities, or the race; as, social, moral, religious, or political progress.

2. A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.

Pro*gress" (?; formerly pronounced like Progress, n.), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Progressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Progressing.]

1. To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing. "As his recovery progressed." Thackeray.

Prog"ress (?; see Progress, v. i.), v. t. To make progress in; to pass through. [Obs.] Milton.

3. (Math.) Regular or proportional advance in increase or decrease of numbers; continued proportion, arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonic.

4. (Mus.) A regular succession of tones or chords; the movement of the parts in harmony; the order of the modulations in a piece from key to key.

Arithmetical progression, a progression in which the terms increase or decrease by equal differences, as the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 1010, 8, 6, 4, 2 by the difference 2.

-- Geometrical progression, a progression in which the terms increase or decrease by equal ratios, as the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 6464, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 by a continual multiplication or division by 2.

-- Harmonic progression, a progression in which the terms are the reciprocals of quantities in arithmetical progression, as ½, ¼, , , .

Pro*gres"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to progression; tending to, or capable of, progress.

2. One who maintains the doctrine of progression in organic forms; -- opposed to uniformitarian. H. Spencer.

1. Moving forward; proceeding onward; advancing; evincing progress; increasing; as, progressive motion or course; -- opposed to retrograde.

Progressive euchre or whist, a way of playing at card parties, by which after every game, the losers at the first table go to the last table, and the winners at all the tables, except the first, move up to the next table. -- Progressive muscular atrophy (Med.), a nervous disorder characterized by continuous atrophy of the muscles.

Progue, n. A sharp point; a goad. [Scot. & Local, U. S.] -- v. t. To prick; to goad. [ Scot. & Local, U. S.].

Pro*hib"it (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prohibited; p. pr. & vb. n. Prohibiting.] [L. prohibitus, p. p. of prohibere to prohibit; pro before, forth + habere to have, hold. See Habit.]

1. To forbid by authority; to interdict; as, God prohibited Adam from eating of the fruit of a certain tree; we prohibit a person from doing a thing, and also the doing of the thing; as, the law prohibits men from stealing, or it prohibits stealing.

Prohibit was formerly followed by to with the infinitive, but is now commonly followed by from with the verbal noun in -ing.

Syn. -- To forbid; interdict; debar; prevent; hinder. -- Prohibit, Forbid. To forbid is Anglo-Saxon, and is more familiar; to prohibit is Latin, and is more formal or official. A parent forbids his child to be out late at night; he prohibits his intercourse with the profane and vicious.

Pro*hib"it*er (?), n. One who prohibits or forbids; a forbidder; an interdicter.

1. The act of prohibiting; a declaration or injunction forbidding some action; interdict.

2. Specifically, the forbidding by law of the sale of alcoholic liquors as beverages.

Writ of prohibition (Law), a writ issued by a superior tribunal, directed to an inferior court, commanding the latter to cease from the prosecution of a suit depending before it. Blackstone.

1. One who favors prohibitory duties on foreign goods in commerce; a protectionist.

2. One who favors the prohibition of the sale (or of the sale and manufacture) of alcoholic liquors as beverages.

Pro*hib"it*ive, a. [Cf. F. prohibitif.] That prohibits; prohibitory; as, a tax whose effect is prohibitive.

Pro*hib"it*o*ry (?), a. [L. prohibitorius.] Tending to prohibit, forbid, or exclude; implying prohibition; forbidding; as, a prohibitory law; a prohibitory price.

Proin (proin), v. t. [See Prune to trim.] To lop; to trim; to prune; to adorn. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Proj"ect (?; 277), n. [OF. project, F. projet, fr. L. projectus, p. p. of projicere to project; pro forward + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth, and cf. Projet.]

2. That which is projected or designed; something intended or devised; a scheme; a design; a plan.

Syn. -- Design; scheme; plan; purpose. -- Project, Design. A project is something of a practical nature thrown out for consideration as to its being done. A design is a project when matured and settled, as a thing to be accomplished. An ingenious man has many projects, but, if governed by sound sense, will be slow in forming them into designs. See also Scheme.

Pro*ject" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Projected; p. pr. & vb. n. Projecting.] [Cf. OF. projecter, F. projeter.]

2. To cast forward or revolve in the mind; to contrive; to devise; to scheme; as, to project a plan.

3. (Persp.) To draw or exhibit, as the form of anything; to delineate; as, to project a sphere, a map, an ellipse, and the like; -- sometimes with on, upon, into, etc.; as, to project a line or point upon a plane. See Projection, 4.

1. To shoot forward; to extend beyond something else; to be prominent; to jut; as, the cornice projects; branches project from the tree.

2. Caused or imparted by impulse or projection; impelled forward; as, projectile motion. Arbuthnot.

1. A body projected, or impelled forward, by force; especially, a missile adapted to be shot from a firearm.

2. pl. (Mech.) A part of mechanics which treats of the motion, range, time of flight, etc., of bodies thrown or driven through the air by an impelling force.

2. A jutting out; also, a part jutting out, as of a building; an extension beyond something else.

3. The act of scheming or planning; also, that which is planned; contrivance; design; plan. Davenant.

4. (Persp.) The representation of something; delineation; plan; especially, the representation of any object on a perspective plane, or such a delineation as would result were the chief points of the object thrown forward upon the plane, each in the direction of a line drawn through it from a given point of sight, or central point; as, the projection of a sphere. The several kinds of projection differ according to the assumed point of sight and plane of projection in each.

Conical projection, a mode of representing the sphere, the spherical surface being projected upon the surface of a cone tangent to the sphere, the point of sight being at the center of the sphere. -- Cylindric projection, a mode of representing the sphere, the spherical surface being projected upon the surface of a cylinder touching the sphere, the point of sight being at the center of the sphere. -- Globular, Gnomonic, Orthographic, projection,etc. See under Globular, Gnomonic, etc. -- Mercator's projection, a mode of representing the sphere in which the meridians are drawn parallel to each other, and the parallels of latitude are straight lines whose distance from each other increases with their distance from the equator, so that at all places the degrees of latitude and longitude have to each other the same ratio as on the sphere itself. -- Oblique projection, a projection made by parallel lines drawn from every point of a figure and meeting the plane of projection obliquely. -- Polar projection, a projection of the sphere in which the point of sight is at the center, and the plane of projection passes through one of the polar circles. -- Powder of projection (Alchemy.), a certain powder cast into a crucible or other vessel containing prepared metal or other matter which is to be thereby transmuted into gold. -- Projection of a point on a plane (Descriptive Geom.), the foot of a perpendicular to the plane drawn through the point. -- Projection of a straight line of a plane, the straight line of the plane connecting the feet of the perpendiculars let fall from the extremities of the given line.

Pro*ject"or (?), n. [Cf. F. projeteur.] One who projects a scheme or design; hence, one who forms fanciful or chimerical schemes. L'Estrange.

Pro*jec"ture (?), n. [L. projectura: cf. F. projecture.] A jutting out beyond a surface.

||Pro`jet" (?), n. [F. See Project, n.] A plan proposed; a draft of a proposed measure; a project.

Pro*lapse" (?), n. [L. prolapsus, fr. prolapsus, p. p. of prolabi to fall forward; pro forward + labi to glide, fall.] (Med.) The falling down of a part through the orifice with which it is naturally connected, especially of the uterus or the rectum. Dunglison.

Pro*lap"sion (?), n. [L. prolapsio.] (Med.) Prolapse. [ Written also prolaption.] [Obs.]

Pro"late (?), a. [L. prolatus, used as p. p. of proferre to bring forth, to extend; pro + latus, p. p. See Pro-, and Tolerate. ] Stretched out; extended; especially, elongated in the direction of a line joining the poles; as, a prolate spheroid; -- opposed to oblate.

Prolate cycloid. See the Note under Cycloid. -- Prolate ellipsoid or spheroid (Geom.), a figure generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its major axis. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Pro*late" (?), v. t. To utter; to pronounce. [Obs.] "Foun-der-ed; prolate it right." B. Jonson.

3. (Mus.) A mediæval method of determining of the proportionate duration of semibreves and minims. Busby.

||Pro*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Prolata (#). [ NL. See Prolate.] (Geom.) A prolate spheroid. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Pro"leg (?), n. [Pref. pro- for, in place of + leg.] (Zoöl.) One of the fleshy legs found on the abdominal segments of the larvæ of Lepidoptera, sawflies, and some other insects. Those of Lepidoptera have a circle of hooks. Called also proped, propleg, and falseleg.

Pro"leg`ate (?; 48), n. [L. prolegatus; pro for + legatus legate.] (Rom. Hist.) The deputy or substitute for a legate.

Prol`e*gom"e*na*ry (?), a. Of the nature of a prolegomenon; preliminary; introductory; prefatory.

||Prol`e*gom"e*non (?), n.; pl. Prolegomena (#). [ NL., fr. Gr. &?;, properly neut. pass. p. pr. of &?; to say beforehand; &?; before + &?; to say.] A preliminary remark or observation; an introductory discourse prefixed to a book or treatise. D. Stokes (1659). Sir W. Scott.

||Pro*lep"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, from &?; to take beforehand; &?; before + &?; to take.]

1. (Rhet.) (a) A figure by which objections are anticipated or prevented. Abp. Bramhall. (b) A necessary truth or assumption; a first or assumed principle.

2. (Chron.) An error in chronology, consisting in an event being dated before the actual time.

3. (Gram.) The application of an adjective to a noun in anticipation, or to denote the result, of the action of the verb; as, to strike one dumb.

1. Of or pertaining to prolepsis; anticipative. "A far-seeing or proleptic wisdom." De Quincey.

3. (Med.) Anticipating the usual time; -- applied to a periodical disease whose paroxysms return at an earlier hour at every repetition.

Pro*lep"tics (?), n. (Med.) The art and science of predicting in medicine. Laycock.

||Pro`lé`taire" (?), n. [F. See Proletary.] One of the common people; a low person; also, the common people as a class or estate in a country.

Prol`e*ta"ri*an (?), a. [L. proletarius. See Proletary.] Of or pertaining to the proletaries; belonging to the commonalty; hence, mean; vile; vulgar. "Every citizen, if he were not a proletarian animal kept at the public cost." De Quincey. -- n. A proletary.

Prol`e*ta"ri*at (?), n. [F.] The indigent class in the State; the body of proletarians.

Prol`e*ta"ri*ate (?), n. The lower classes; beggars. "The Italian proletariate." J. A. Symonds.

Prol"e*ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Proletaries (#). [ L. proletarius, fr. proles offspring. Cf. Prolétaire.] (Rom. Antiq.) A citizen of the lowest class, who served the state, not with property, but only by having children; hence, a common person.

Prol"i*cide (?), n. [L. proles offspring + caedere to kill.] The crime of destroying one's offspring, either in the womb or after birth. Bouvier.

1. (Biol.) The continuous development of cells in tissue formation; cell formation. Virchow.

2. (Zoöl.) The production of numerous zooids by budding, especially when buds arise from other buds in succession.

1. (Bot.) Bearing offspring; -- applied to a flower from within which another is produced, or to a branch or frond from which another rises, or to a plant which is reproduced by buds or gemmæ.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Producing young by budding. (b) Producing sexual zooids by budding; -- said of the blastostyle of a hydroid. (c) Producing a cluster of branchlets from a larger branch; -- said of corals.

Proliferous cyst (Med.), a cyst that produces highly-organized or even vascular structures. Paget.

Pro*lif"ic (?), a. [F. prolifique, fr. L. proles offspring (from pro for, forward + the root of alere to nourish) + facere to make. See Adult, Old, and Fact.]

1. Having the quality of generating; producing young or fruit; generative; fruitful; productive; -- applied to plants producing fruit, animals producing young, etc.; -- usually with the implied idea of frequent or numerous production; as, a prolific tree, female, and the like.

2. Serving to produce; fruitful of results; active; as, a prolific brain; a controversy prolific of evil.

Pro*lif"ic*al (?), a. Producing young or fruit abundantly; fruitful; prolific. -- Pro*lif"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pro*lif"ic*ate (?), v. t. [See Prolific.] To make prolific; to fertilize; to impregnate. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Bot.) Reproduction by the growth of a plant, or part of a plant, directly from an older one, or by gemmæ.

Pro*lif"ic*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being prolific; fruitfulness; prolificacy.

Pro*lix" (?; 277), a. [L. prolixus extended, long, prolix, probably fr. pro before, forward + liqui to flow, akin to liquidus liquid; cf. OL. lixa water: cf. F. prolixe. See Liquid.]

1. Extending to a great length; unnecessarily long; minute in narration or argument; excessively particular in detail; -- rarely used except with reference to discourse written or spoken; as, a prolix oration; a prolix poem; a prolix sermon.

2. Indulging in protracted discourse; tedious; wearisome; -- applied to a speaker or writer.

Syn. -- Long; diffuse; prolonged; protracted; tedious; tiresome; wearisome. -- Prolix, Diffuse. A prolix writer delights in circumlocution, extended detail, and trifling particulars. A diffuse writer is fond of amplifying, and abounds in epithets, figures, and illustrations. Diffuseness often arises from an exuberance of imagination; prolixity is generally connected with a want of it.

Pro*lix"ious (?), a. Dilatory; tedious; superfluous. [Obs.] "Lay by all nicety, and prolixious blushes." Shak.

Pro*lix"i*ty (?), n. [L. prolixitas: cf. F. prolixité.] The quality or state of being prolix; great length; minute detail; as, prolixity in discourses and writings. "For fulsomeness of his prolixitee." Chaucer.

Proll (?), v. t. [See Prowl.] [imp. & p. p. Prolled (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Prolling.] To search or prowl after; to rob; to plunder. [Obs.] Barrow.

Prol`o*cu"tor (?), n. [L., from proloqui, p. p. prolocutus, to speak out; pro for + loqui to speak.]

Pro"lo*gize (?), v. i. [Gr. &?;. See Prologue.] To deliver a Prologue. [R.] Whewell.

Pro"logue (?), n. [F., fr. L. prologus, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to say beforehand; &?; before + &?; to say. See Logic.]

1. The preface or introduction to a discourse, poem, or performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales;" esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance

Pro"logue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prologued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prologuing.] To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue. [R.] Shak.

Pro*long" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prolonged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prolonging.] [F. prolonger, L. prolongare; pro before, forth + longus long. See Long, a., and cf. Prolongate, Purloin. ]

2. To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days.

Pro*long"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prolonged; as, life is prolongable by care.

Pro*lon"gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prolongated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prolongating.] [L. prolongatus, p. p. of prolongare. See Prolong.] To prolong; to extend in space or in time. [R.]

Pro*longe" (?), n. [F. See Prolong.] (Field Artillery) A rope with a hook and a toggle, sometimes used to drag a gun carriage or to lash it to the limber, and for various other purposes.

Pro*long"er (?), n. One who, or that which, causes an extension in time or space.

Pro*lu"sion (?), n. [L. prolusio, fr. proludere to prelude; pro before + ludere to play: cf. F. prolusion, It. prolusione.] A trial before the principal performance; a prelude; hence, an introductory essay or exercise. "Domestic prolusions." Thackeray.

Prom`a*na"tion (?), n. [Pref. pro- + L. manatio a flowing, fr. manare to flow.] The act of flowing forth; emanation; efflux. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Prom`e*nade" (?), n. [F. (with a foreign suffix), from promener to lead, take for a walk, se promener to walk, from L. prominare to drive forward or along; pro forward + minare to drive animals. See Amenable, Menace.]

Prom`e*nade", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Promenaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Promenading.] To walk for pleasure, display, or exercise.

Pro*mer"it (?), v. t. [L. promeritus, p. p. of promerere to deserve; pro before + merere to merit.]

||Prom"e*rops (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; bee-eater.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of very brilliant birds belonging to Promerops, Epimarchus, and allied genera, closely related to the paradise birds, and mostly native of New Guinea. They have a long curved beak and a long graduated tail.

||Pro*me"the*a (?), n. [NL. See Prometheus.] (Zoöl.) A large American bombycid moth (Callosamia promethea). Its larva feeds on the sassafras, wild cherry, and other trees, and suspends its cocoon from a branch by a silken band.

Pro*me"the*an (?), n. (Old Chem.) (a) An apparatus for automatic ignition. (b) A kind of lucifer match.

Pro*me"the*us (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, from &?; to have forethought for.] (Class. Myth.) The son of Iapetus (one of the Titans) and Clymene, fabled by the poets to have surpassed all mankind in knowledge, and to have formed men of clay to whom he gave life by means of fire stolen from heaven. Jupiter, being angry at this, sent Mercury to bind Prometheus to Mount Caucasus, where a vulture preyed upon his liver.

{ Prom"i*nence (?), Prom"i*nen*cy (?), } n. [L. prominentia: cf. F. prominence. See Prominent. ]

1. The quality or state of being prominent; a standing out from something; conspicuousness.

Solar prominences. (Astron.) See Solar Protuberances, under Protuberance.

Prom"i*nent (?), a. [L. prominens, -entis, p. pr. of prominere to jut out, to project; pro before, forward + minere (in comp.) to jut, project: cf. F. prominent. See Imminent, Eminent.]

1. Standing out, or projecting, beyond the line surface of something; jutting; protuberant; in high relief; as, a prominent figure on a vase.

2. Hence; Distinctly manifest; likely to attract attention from its size or position; conspicuous; as, a prominent feature of the face; a prominent building.

Prominent' moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the family Notodontidæ; a notodontian; -- so called because the larva has a hump or prominence on its back. Several of the species are injurious to fruit trees.

Pro*mis"cu*ous (?), a. [L. promiscuus; pro before, in place of, for + miscere to mix. See Mix. ]

1. Consisting of individuals united in a body or mass without order; mingled; confused; undistinguished; as, a promiscuous crowd or mass.

2. Distributed or applied without order or discrimination; not restricted to an individual; common; indiscriminate; as, promiscuous love or intercourse.

Prom"ise (?), a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr. promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro forward, for + mittere to send. See Mission. ]

1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.

2. (Law) An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made. Chitty. Parsons. Burrill.

3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. Shak.

1. To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money. "To promise aid." Shak.

2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain. Milton.

3. To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.

Promised land. See Land of promise, under Land. -- To promise one's self. (a) To resolve; to determine; to vow. (b) To be assured; to have strong confidence.

2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.

Prom"is*ing, a. Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance; as, promising person; a promising day. -- Prom"is*ing*ly, adv.

Prom"is*or (?), n. (Law) One who engages or undertakes; a promiser. Burrill.

Prom"is*so*ry (?), a. Containing a promise or binding declaration of something to be done or forborne.

Promissory note (Law), a written promise to pay to some person named, and at a time specified therein, or on demand, or at sight, a certain sum of money, absolutely and at all events; -- frequently called a note of hand. Kent. Byles. Story.

Prom"on*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Promontories (#). [ L. promonturium, promunturium; pro before + mons, montis, mountain: cf. F. promontoire. See Mount, n.]

1. (Phys. Geog.) A high point of land or rock projecting into the sea beyond the line of coast; a headland; a high cape.

2. (Anat.) A projecting part. Especially: (a) The projecting angle of the ventral side of the sacrum where it joins the last lumbar vertebra. (b) A prominence on the inner wall of the tympanum of the ear.

Pro*mor`pho*log"ic*al (?), a. (Biol.) Relating to promorphology; as, a promorphological conception.

Pro`mor*phol"o*gist (?), n. (Biol.) One versed in the science of promorphology.

Pro`mor*phol"o*gy (?), n. [Pref. pro- + morphology.] (Biol.) Crystallography of organic forms; -- a division of morphology created by Haeckel. It is essentially stereometric, and relates to a mathematical conception of organic forms. See Tectology.

Pro*mote" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Promoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Promoting.] [L. promotus, p. p. of promovere to move forward, to promote; pro forward + movere to move. See Move.]

1. To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of (any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a business venture. "Born to promote all truth." Milton.

2. To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise; to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer.

Syn. -- To forward; advance; further; patronize; help; exalt; prefer; elevate; dignify.

Pro*mote", v. i. To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform against a person. [Obs.]

Pro*mot"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, forwards, advances, or promotes; an encourager; as, a promoter of charity or philosophy. Boyle.

2. Specifically, one who sets on foot, and takes the preliminary steps in, a scheme for the organization of a corporation, a joint-stock company, or the like.

Pro*mo"tion (-m"shn), n. [L. promotio: cf. F. promotion.] The act of promoting, advancing, or encouraging; the act of exalting in rank or honor; also, the condition of being advanced, encouraged, or exalted in honor; preferment. Milton.

Pro*move" (?), v. t. [See Promote.] To move forward; to advance; to promote. [Obs.] Bp. Fell.

Prompt (prmt; 215), a. [Compar. Prompter (?); superl. Promptest.] [F. prompt, L. promptus, properly, brought forth (to light or view), hence, visible, evident, at hand, ready, quick, -- p. p. of promere to take or bring forth; pro forth + emere to take. See Redeem. ]

1. Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons.

2. Done or rendered quickly, readily, or immediately; given without delay or hesitation; -- said of conduct; as, prompt assistance.

Syn. -- Ready; expeditious; quick; agile; alert; brisk; nimble. -- Prompt, Ready, Expeditious. One who is ready is prepared to act at the moment. One who is prompt acts at the moment. One who is expeditious carries through an undertaking with constant promptness.

Prompt, n. (Com.) A limit of time given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods. See Prompt-note.

1. To assist or induce the action of; to move to action; to instigate; to incite.

2. One who reminds another, as an actor or an orator, of the words to be spoken next; specifically, one employed for this purpose in a theater.

Prompt"i*tude (?), n. [F., fr. L. promptitudo. See Prompt, a.] The quality of being prompt; quickness of decision and action when occasion demands; alacrity; as, promptitude in obedience.

Prompt"-note` (?), n. (Com.) A memorandum of a sale, and time when payment is due, given to the purchaser at a sale of goods.

Promp"tu*a*ry, n. [L. promptuarium, fr. promptuarius belonging to distribution, distributing: cf, F. promptuaire. See Prompt, a.] That from which supplies are drawn; a storehouse; a magazine; a repository. Woodward.

Promp"ture (?; 135), n. [See Prompt, a.] Suggestion; incitement; prompting. [R.] Shak. Coleridge.

Pro*mul"gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Promulgated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Promulgating.] [L. promulgatus, p. p. of promulgare to promulgate; of unknown origin. Cf. Promulge.] To make known by open declaration, as laws, decrees, or tidings; to publish; as, to promulgate the secrets of a council.

Pro`mul*ga"tion (?), n. [L. promulgatio: cf. F. promulgation.] The act of promulgating; publication; open declaration; as, the promulgation of the gospel. South.

Pro*mulge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Promulged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Promulging (?).] [Cf. F. promulguer. See Promulgate.] To promulgate; to publish or teach. Blackstone.

Pro*mul"ger (?), n. One who promulges or publishes what was before unknown. Atterbury.

||Pro*mus"cis (?), n. [L., corruption of proboscis.] (Zoöl.) The proboscis of hemipterous insects. See Illust. under Hemiptera.

||Pro*na"os (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; temple.] (Arch.) The porch or vestibule of a temple.

Pro"nate (?), a. [L. pronatus, p. p. of pronare to bend forward. See Prone.] Somewhat prone; inclined; as, pronate trees. Kane.

Pro*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. pronation.] (Physiol.) (a) The act of turning the palm or palmar surface of the forefoot downward. (b) That motion of the forearm whereby the palm or palmar, surface is turned downward. (c) The position of the limb resulting from the act of pronation. Opposed to supination.

Prone (?), a. [L. pronus, akin to Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. pravana sloping, inclined, and also to L. pro forward, for. See Pro-.]

3. Headlong; running downward or headlong. "Down thither prone in flight." Milton.

4. Sloping, with reference to a line or surface; declivous; inclined; not level.

5. Inclined; propense; disposed; -- applied to the mind or affections, usually in an ill sense. Followed by to. "Prone to mischief." Shak.

1. The quality or state of being prone, or of bending downward; as, the proneness of beasts is opposed to the erectness of man.

4. Inclination of mind, heart, or temper; propension; disposition; as, proneness to self- gratification.

||Pro*neph"ros (?), ||Pro*neph"ron (&?;), n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; a kidney.] (Anat.) The head kidney. See under Head.

Prong (?), n. [Cf. D. prangen to pinch, press, LG. prange a stick, or W. procio to thrust, E. prowl, pang.]

2. The tine of a fork, or of a similar instrument; as, a fork of two or three prongs.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) A sharp projection, as of an antler. (b) The fang of a tooth.

Pronged (?), a. Having prongs or projections like the tines of a fork; as, a three-pronged fork.

Prong"horn` (?), n. (Zoöl.) An American antelope (Antilocapra Americana), native of the plain near the Rocky Mountains. The upper parts are mostly yellowish brown; the under parts, the sides of the head and throat, and the buttocks, are white. The horny sheath of the horns is shed annually. Called also cabrée, cabut, prongbuck, and pronghorned antelope.

Pro*nom"i*nal (?), a. [L. pronominalis: cf. F. pronominal. See Pronoun.] Belonging to, or partaking of the nature of, a pronoun.

Pro*nom"i*nal*ize (?), v. t. To give the effect of a pronoun to; as, to pronominalize the substantives person, people, etc. Early.

Pro*nom"i*nal*ly, adv. In a pronominal manner&?; with the nature or office of a pronoun; as a pronoun.

||Pro`non`cé" (?), a. [F. See Pronounce.] Strongly marked; decided, as in manners, etc.

||Pro*no"tum (?), n.; pl. Pronota (#). [NL. See Pro-, and Notum.] (Zoöl.) The dorsal plate of the prothorax in insects. See Illust. of Coleoptera.

Pro"noun (?), n. [Pref. pro- + noun: cf. F. pronom, L. pronomen. See Noun.] (Gram.) A word used instead of a noun or name, to avoid the repetition of it. The personal pronouns in English are I, thou or you, he, she, it, we, ye, and they.

Pro*nounce" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pronounced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pronounging (?).] [F. prononcer, L. pronunciare; pro before, forth + nunciare, nuntiare, to announce. See Announce.]

1. To utter articulately; to speak out or distinctly; to utter, as words or syllables; to speak with the proper sound and accent as, adults rarely learn to pronounce a foreign language correctly.

2. To utter officially or solemnly; to deliver, as a decree or sentence; as, to pronounce sentence of death.

3. To speak or utter rhetorically; to deliver; to recite; as, to pronounce an oration.

4. To declare or affirm; as, he pronounced the book to be a libel; he pronounced the act to be a fraud.

1. To give a pronunciation; to articulate; as, to pronounce faultlessly. Earle.

2. To make declaration; to utter on opinion; to speak with confidence. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Pro*nounce"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. L. pronunciabilis declarative.] Capable of being pronounced.

Pro*nounced" (?), a. [F. prononcé.] Strongly marked; unequivocal; decided. [A Gallicism]

Pro*nounce"ment (?), n. The act of pronouncing; a declaration; a formal announcement.

Pro*noun"cer (?), n. One who pronounces, utters, or declares; also, a pronouncing book.

Pro*noun"cing (?), a. Pertaining to, or indicating, pronunciation; as, a pronouncing dictionary.

Pro*nu"bi*al (?), a. [L. pronuba bridesmaid; pro before + nubere to marry.] Presiding over marriage. [R.]

Pro*nu"cle*us (?), n.; pl. Pronuclei (-). [NL. See Pro-, and Nucleus.] (Biol.) One of the two bodies or nuclei (called male and female pronuclei) which unite to form the first segmentation nucleus of an impregnated ovum.

In the maturing of the ovum preparatory to impregnation, a part of the germinal vesicle (see Polar body, under Polar) becomes converted into a number of small vesicles, which aggregate themselves into a single clear nucleus. which travels towards the center of the egg and is called the female pronucleus. In impregnation, the spermatozoön which enters the egg soon loses its tail, while the head forms a nucleus, called the male pronucleus, which gradually travels towards the female pronucleus and eventually fuses with it, forming the first segmentation nucleus.

Pro*nun`ci*a*men"to (?), n. A proclamation or manifesto; a formal announcement or declaration.

Pro*nun`ci*a"tion (?; 277), n. [F. pronunciation, L. pronunciatio. See Pronounce.]

1. The act of uttering with articulation; the act of giving the proper sound and accent; utterance; as, the pronunciation of syllables of words; distinct or indistinct pronunciation.

3. (Rhet.) The art of manner of uttering a discourse publicly with propriety and gracefulness; -- now called delivery. J. Q. Adams.

Proof (?), n. [OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba, fr. probare to prove. See Prove.]

1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.

2. That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments that induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.

Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of evidence, evidence is the medium of proof. Cf. Demonstration, 1.

3. The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression, or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.

5. (Print.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; -- called also proof sheet.

6. (Math.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.

7. Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof. [Obs.] Shak.

Artist's proof, a very early proof impression of an engraving, or the like; -- often distinguished by the artist's signature. -- Proof reader, one who reads, and marks correction in, proofs. See def. 5, above.

Syn. -- Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; trial; demonstration. See Testimony.

2. Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.

Proof charge (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball, greater than the service charge, fired in an arm, as a gun or cannon, to test its strength. -- Proof impression. See under Impression. -- Proof load (Engin.), the greatest load than can be applied to a piece, as a beam, column, etc., without straining the piece beyond the elastic limit. -- Proof sheet. See Proof, n., 5. - - Proof spirit (Chem.), a strong distilled liquor, or mixture of alcohol and water, containing not less than a standard amount of alcohol. In the United States "proof spirit is defined by law to be that mixture of alcohol and water which contains one half of its volume of alcohol, the alcohol when at a temperature of 60° Fahrenheit being of specific gravity 0.7939 referred to water at its maximum density as unity. Proof spirit has at 60° Fahrenheit a specific gravity of 0.93353, 100 parts by volume of the same consisting of 50 parts of absolute alcohol and 53.71 parts of water," the apparent excess of water being due to contraction of the liquids on mixture. In England proof spirit is defined by Act 58, George III., to be such as shall at a temperature of 51° Fahrenheit weigh exactly the part of an equal measure of distilled water. This contains 49.3 per cent by weight, or 57.09 by volume, of alcohol. Stronger spirits, as those of about 60, 70, and 80 per cent of alcohol, are sometimes called second, third, and fourth proof spirits respectively. -- Proof staff, a straight-edge used by millers to test the flatness of a stone. -- Proof stick (Sugar Manuf.), a rod in the side of a vacuum pan, for testing the consistency of the sirup. -- Proof text, a passage of Scripture used to prove a doctrine.

Proof`-arm" (?), v. t. To arm with proof armor; to arm securely; as, to proof-arm herself. [R.] Beau. & Fl.

Proof"less, a. Wanting sufficient evidence to induce belief; not proved. Boyle. -- Proof"less*ly, adv.

Proof"-proof`, a. Proof against proofs; obstinate in the wrong. "That might have shown to any one who was not proof-proof." Whateley.

||Pro*ös"tra*cum (?), n.; pl. Proöstraca (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) The anterior prolongation of the guard of the phragmocone of belemnites and allied fossil cephalopods, whether horny or calcareous. See Illust. of Phragmocone.

Pro*ö"tic (?), a. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, an ear.] (Anat.) In front of the auditory capsule; -- applied especially to a bone, or center of ossification, in the periotic capsule. -- n. A proötic bone.

Prop (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propping.] [Akin to LG. & D. proppen to cram, stuff, thrust into, stop, G. pfropfen, Dan. proppe, Sw. proppa; of uncertain origin, cf. G. pfropfen to graft, fr. L. propago set, layer of a plant, slip, shoot. Cf. 3d. Prop, Propagate.] To support, or prevent from falling, by placing something under or against; as, to prop up a fence or an old building; (Fig.) to sustain; to maintain; as, to prop a declining state. Shak.

Prop, n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper, cork, Sw. propp, G. pfropf. See Prop, v.] That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building. "Two props of virtue." Shak.

{ Pro`pæ*deu"tic (?), Pro`pæ*deu"tic*al (?) }, a. [Gr. &?; to teach beforehand; &?; before + &?; to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. &?;, &?;, a child.] Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction; introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.

Pro`pæ*deu"tics (?), n. The preliminary learning connected with any art or science; preparatory instruction.

1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by natural generation or production.

2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said of tenets, doctrines, or principles.

Prop`a*gan"da (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda fide: cf. F. propagande. See Propagate.]

1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622, charged with the management of missions. (b) The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in all parts of the world.

2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine or a system of principles.

Prop`a*gan"dism (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandisme.] The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions.

Prop`a*gan"dist (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandiste.] A person who devotes himself to the spread of any system of principles. "Political propagandists." Walsh.

Prop"a*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating.] [L. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro-, and cf. Pact, Prop, Prune, v. t.]

1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.

2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light.

3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion.

Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote.

Prop"a*gate, v. i. To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly.

1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants.

2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel. Bacon.

Prop"a*ga`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. propagateur.] One who propagates; one who continues or multiplies.

||Pro*pag"u*lum (?), n.; pl. Propagula (#). [NL. See Propagate.] (Bot.) A runner terminated by a germinating bud.

Pro"pane (?), n. [Propyl + methane.] (Chem.) A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, C₃H₈, of the paraffin series, occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also made artificially; -- called also propyl hydride.

Pro*par"gyl (?), n. [Propinyl + Gr. &?; silver + -yl. So called because one hydrogen atom may be replaced by silver.] (Chem.) Same as Propinyl.

Pro`par*ox"y*tone (?), n. [Gr. &?;. See Pro-, and Paroxytone.] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the acute accent on the antepenult.

Pro"ped (?), n. [Pref. pro- + L. pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.) Same as Proleg.

Pro*pel" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propelled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propelling.] [L. propellere, propulsum; pro forward + pellere to drive. See Pulse a beating.] To drive forward; to urge or press onward by force; to move, or cause to move; as, the wind or steam propels ships; balls are propelled by gunpowder.

2. A contrivance for propelling a steam vessel, usually consisting of a screw placed in the stern under water, and made to revolve by an engine; a propeller wheel.

Propeller wheel,the screw, usually having two or more blades, used in propelling a vessel.

Pro*pend" (?), v. i. [L. propendere, propensum; pro forward, forth + pendere to hang. See Pendent.] To lean toward a thing; to be favorably inclined or disposed; to incline; to tend. [R.] Shak.

Pro*pend"ent (?), a. [L. propendens, p. pr.] Inclining forward or toward. South.

Pro*pense" (?), a. [L. propensus, p. p. See Propend.] Leaning toward, in a moral sense; inclined; disposed; prone; as, women propense to holiness. Hooker. -- Pro*pense"ly, adv. -- Pro*pense"ness, n.

Pro*pen"sion (?), n. [L. propensio: cf. F. propension. See Propend, Propense.] The quality or state of being propense; propensity. M. Arnold.

Pro*pen"si*ty (?), n.; pl. Propensities (&?;). The quality or state of being propense; natural inclination; disposition to do good or evil; bias; bent; tendency. "A propensity to utter blasphemy." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Disposition; bias; inclination; proclivity; proneness; bent; tendency.

Pro"pe*nyl (?), n. [Propene + -yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, C₃H₅, isomeric with allyl and glyceryl, and regarded as the essential residue of glycerin. Cf. Allyl, and Glyceryl.

Pro*pep"sin (?), n. [Pref. pro- + pepsin.] (Physiol. Chem.) See Persinogen.

Pro*pep"tone (?), n. [Pref. pro- + peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.) A product of gastric digestion intermediate between albumin and peptone, identical with hemialbumose.

Prop"er (?), a. [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. "His proper good" [i. e., his own possessions]. Chaucer. "My proper son." Shak.

2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites.

3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress.

4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic] "Thou art a proper man." Chaucer.

5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to common; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city.

6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper.

7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge.

In proper, individually; privately. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Proper flower or corolla (Bot.), one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower. -- Proper fraction (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator. -- Proper nectary (Bot.), a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower. -- Proper noun (Gram.), a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to common noun; as, John, Boston, America. -- Proper perianth or involucre (Bot.), that which incloses only a single flower. -- Proper receptacle (Bot.), a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification.

Prop"er, adv. Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good. [Colloq & Vulgar]

Prop"er*ate (?), v. t. & i. [L. properatus, p. p. of properare to hasten.] To hasten, or press forward. [Obs.]

Prop`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. properatio.] The act of hastening; haste. [Obs.] T. Adams.

||Pro*per`i*spom"e*non (?), n.; pl. Properispomena (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to circumflex on the penult; &?; before + &?; to circumflex. See Perispomenon.] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the circumflex accent on the penult.

1. In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted. Milton.

Prop"er*tied (?), a. Possessing property; holding real estate, or other investments of money. "The propertied and satisfied classes." M. Arnold.

Prop"er*ty (?), n.; pl. Properties (#). [OE. proprete, OF. propreté property, F. propreté neatness, cleanliness, propriété property, fr. L. proprietas. See Proper, a., and cf. Propriety.]

1. That which is proper to anything; a peculiar quality of a thing; that which is inherent in a subject, or naturally essential to it; an attribute; as, sweetness is a property of sugar.

In physical science, the properties of matter are distinguished to the three following classes: 1. Physical properties, or those which result from the relations of bodies to the physical agents, light, heat, electricity, gravitation, cohesion, adhesion, etc., and which are exhibited without a change in the composition or kind of matter acted on. They are color, luster, opacity, transparency, hardness, sonorousness, density, crystalline form, solubility, capability of osmotic diffusion, vaporization, boiling, fusion, etc. 2. Chemical properties, or those which are conditioned by affinity and composition; thus, combustion, explosion, and certain solutions are reactions occasioned by chemical properties. Chemical properties are identical when there is identity of composition and structure, and change according as the composition changes. 3. Organoleptic properties, or those forming a class which can not be included in either of the other two divisions. They manifest themselves in the contact of substances with the organs of taste, touch, and smell, or otherwise affect the living organism, as in the manner of medicines and poisons.

2. An acquired or artificial quality; that which is given by art, or bestowed by man; as, the poem has the properties which constitute excellence.

3. The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of a thing; ownership; title.

4. That to which a person has a legal title, whether in his possession or not; thing owned; an estate, whether in lands, goods, or money; as, a man of large property, or small property.

5. pl. All the adjuncts of a play except the scenery and the dresses of the actors; stage requisites.

Literary property. (Law) See under Literary. -- Property man, one who has charge of the "properties" of a theater.

||Proph"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to show beforehand. See Pro-, and Phasis.] (Med.) Foreknowledge of a disease; prognosis.

Proph"e*cy (?), n.; pl. Prophecies (#), [OE. prophecie, OF. profecie, F. prophétie, L. prophetia, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be an interpreter of the gods, to prophesy, fr. &?; prophet. See Prophet.] 1. A declaration of something to come; a foretelling; a prediction; esp., an inspired foretelling.

2. (Script.) A book of prophecies; a history; as, the prophecy of Ahijah. 2 Chron. ix. 29.

Proph"e*sy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prophesied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prophesying (?).] [See Prophecy.] 1. To foretell; to predict; to prognosticate.

2. To give instruction in religious matters; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to preach; to exhort; to expound. Ezek. xxxvii. 7.

Proph"et (?), n. [F. prophète, L. propheta, fr. Gr. &?;, literally, one who speaks for another, especially, one who speaks for a god an interprets his will to man, fr. &?; to say beforehand; &?; for, before + &?; to say or speak. See Fame. ]

2. One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc.

School of the prophets (Anc. Jewish Hist.), a school or college in which young men were educated and trained for public teachers or members of the prophetic order. These students were called sons of the prophets.

{ Pro*phet"ic (?), Pro*phet"ic*al (?) }, a. [L. propheticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. prophétique.] Containing, or pertaining to, prophecy; foretelling events; as, prophetic writings; prophetic dreams; -- used with of before the thing foretold.

Pro*phet"ic*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being prophetical; power or capacity to foretell.

Proph"et*ize (?), v. i. [L. prophetizare, Gr. &?;: cf. F. prophétiser. Cf. Prophesy.] To give predictions; to foreshow events; to prophesy. [R.] "Prophetizing dreams." Daniel.

||Pro*phrag"ma (?), n.; pl. Prophragmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?;, &?;, fence, screen. ] (Zoöl.) An internal dorsal chitinous process between the first two divisions of the thorax of insects.

Proph`y*lac"tic (?), n. [Cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.) A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive.

{ Proph`y*lac"tic (?), Proph`y*lac"tic*al (?) }, a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to guard against; &?; before + &?; to guard: cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.) Defending or preserving from disease; preventive. Coxe.

||Proph`y*lax"is (?), n. [NL. See Prophylactic.] (Med.) The art of preserving from, or of preventing, disease; the observance of the rules necessary for the preservation of health; preservative or preventive treatment.

Pro*pice" (?), a. [OE., fr. F. propice, See Propitious.] Fit; propitious. [Obs.] E. Hall.

Pro"pi*dene (?), n. [Propyl + ethylidene.] (Chem.) The unsymmetrical hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, CH₃.CH₂.CH, analogous to ethylidene, and regarded as the type of certain derivatives of propane; -- called also propylidene.

Prop`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. propinatio. See Propine.] The act of pledging, or drinking first, and then offering the cup to another. [Obs.] Abp. Potter.

1. To pledge; to offer as a toast or a health in the manner of drinking, that is, by drinking first and passing the cup. [Obs.]

Pro*pin"qui*ty (?), n. [L. propinquitas, from propinquus near, neighboring, from prope near.]

Pro"pi*nyl (?), n. [Propine + -yl.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical regarded as an essential residue of propine and allied compounds.

Pro`pi*ol"ic (?), a. [Propionic + tetrolic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also propargylic acid) of the acetylene or tetrolic series, analogous to propionic acid, and obtained as a white crystalline substance.

Pro"pi*one (?), n. (Chem.) The ketone of propionic acid, obtained as a colorless fragrant liquid.

Pro`pi*on"ic (?), a. [Proto- + Gr. pi`wn fat.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid which is produced in the distillation of wood, in the fermentation of various organic substances, as glycerin, calcium lactate, etc., and is obtained as a colorless liquid having a sharp, pungent odor. Propionic acid is so called because it is the first or lowest member of the fatty acid series whose salts have a fatty feel.

Pro"pi*o*nyl (?), n. (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C₃H₅O, regarded as the essential residue of propionic acid and certain related compounds.

||Prop`i*the"cus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before, for + &?; ape.] (Zoöl.) A genus including the long-tailed, or diadem, indris. See Indris.

Pro*pi"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propitiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propitiating.] [L. propitiatus, p. p. of propitiare to propitiate, fr. propitius favorable. See Propitious.] To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to conciliate.

1. The act of appeasing the wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.

2. (Theol.) That which propitiates; atonement or atoning sacrifice; specifically, the influence or effects of the death of Christ in appeasing the divine justice, and conciliating the divine favor.

Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry (?), a. [L. propitiatorius: cf. F. propitiatoire.] Having the power to make propitious; pertaining to, or employed in, propitiation; expiatory; as, a propitiatory sacrifice. Sharp.

Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry, n. [L. propitiatorium.] (Jewish Antiq.) The mercy seat; -- so called because a symbol of the propitiated Jehovah. Bp. Pearson.

Pro*pi"tious (?), a. [L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]

1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze.

2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; - - said of a person or a divinity. Milton.

Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences.

Pro"plasm (?), n. [L. proplasma, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a thing formed, fr. &?; to mold.] A mold; a matrix. [R.] Woodward.

Prop"leg` (?), n. [So called because it props up or supports the body.] (Zoöl.) Same as Proleg.

Pro*po"di*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the propodialia, or the parts of the limbs to which they belong.

||Pro*po`di*a"le (?), n.; pl. Propodialia. (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, foot.] (Anat.) The bone of either the upper arm or the thing, the propodialia being the humerus and femur.

Prop"o*dite (?), n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, foot.] (Zoöl.) The sixth joint of a typical leg of a crustacean; usually, the penultimate joint.

||Pro*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Propodia (#). [NL. See Propodiale.] (Zoöl.) (a) The anterior portion of the foot of a mollusk. (b) The segment which forms the posterior part of the thorax of a hymenopterous insect. [Written also propodeum.]

Pro"po*lis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; city.] Same as Bee glue, under Bee.

Pro*pone" (?), v. t. [L. proponere to propose. See Propound.] To propose; to bring forward.

Pro*por"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. proportio; pro before + portio part or share. See Portion.]

1. The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body.

2. Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion. "Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." Rom. xii. 6.

3. The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot.

5. (Math.) (a) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth.

Proportion in the mathematical sense differs from ratio. Ratio is the relation of two quantities of the same kind, as the ratio of 5 to 10, or the ratio of 8 to 16. Proportion is the sameness or likeness of two such relations. Thus, 5 to 10 as 8 to 16; that is, 5 bears the same relation to 10 as 8 does to 16. Hence, such numbers are said to be in proportion. Proportion is expressed by symbols thus:

(b) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional.

Continued proportion, Inverse proportion, etc. See under Continued, Inverse, etc. -- Harmonical, or Musical, proportion, a relation of three or four quantities, such that the first is to the last as the difference between the first two is to the difference between the last two; thus, 2, 3, 6, are in harmonical proportion; for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. Thus, 24, 16, 12, 9, are harmonical, for 24:9::8:3. -- In proportion, according as; to the degree that. "In proportion as they are metaphysically true, they are morally and politically false." Burke.

Pro*por"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proportioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proportioning.] [Cf. F. proportionner. Cf. Proportionate, v.] 1. To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income.

Pro*por"tion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being proportioned, or made proportional; also, proportional; proportionate. -- Pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness, n.

Pro*por"tion*al (?), a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.] 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. Milton.

3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter.

Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic. -- Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale. -- Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale.

Pro*por"tion*al, n. 1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean proportional.

Pro*por`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. proportionnalité.] The state of being in proportion. Coleridge.

Pro*por"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In proportion; in due degree; adapted relatively; as, all parts of the building are proportionally large. Sir I. Newton.

Pro*por"tion*ate (?), a. [L. proportionatus. See Proportion.] Adjusted to something else according to a proportion; proportional. Longfellow.

Pro*por"tion*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proportionated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proportionating.] [Cf. Proportion, v.] To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate, or to due comparative relation; to proportion; as, to proportionate punishment to crimes.

Pro*por"tion*ate*ly (&?;), adv. In a proportionate manner; with due proportion; proportionally.

Pro*por"tion*ate*ness, n. The quality or state of being proportionate. Sir M. Hale.

Pro*pos"al (?), n. [From Propose.] 1. That which is proposed, or propounded for consideration or acceptance; a scheme or design; terms or conditions proposed; offer; as, to make proposals for a treaty of peace; to offer proposals for erecting a building; to make proposals of marriage. "To put forth proposals for a book." Macaulay.

2. (Law) The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an intended business transaction, which, with acceptance, constitutes a contract.

Pro*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proposing.] [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for, forward) + poser to place. See Pose, v.] 1. To set forth. [Obs.]

2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to propose a person for office.

3. To set before one's self or others as a purpose formed; hence, to purpose; to intend.

2. To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes.

Pro*pose", n. [F. propos, L. propositum. See Propound, Purpose, n.] Talk; discourse. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*pos"er (?), n. 1. One who proposes or offers anything for consideration or adoption.

Prop`o*si"tion (?), n. [L. propositio: cf. F. proposition. See Propound.] 1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering. "Oblations for the altar of proposition." Jer. Taylor.

2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as, the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was not accepted.

3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith; creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss.

4. (Gram. & Logic) A complete sentence, or part of a sentence consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula; a thought expressed or propounded in language; a from of speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a subject; as, snow is white.

5. (Math.) A statement in terms of a truth to be demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed.

It is called a theorem when it is something to be proved, and a problem when it is something to be done.

6. (Rhet.) That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.

7. (Poetry) The part of a poem in which the author states the subject or matter of it.

Leaves of proposition (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread. Wyclif (Luke vi. 4).

Syn. -- Proposal; offer; statement; declaration. -- Proposition, Proposal. These words are both from the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here compared they mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. A proposition is something presented for discussion or consideration; as, propositions of peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If the proposition is favorably received, it is usually followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.

Prop`o*si"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or in the nature of, a proposition; considered as a proposition; as, a propositional sense. I. Watts.

Pro*pound" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Propounding.] [From earlier propone, L. proponere, propositum, to set forth, propose, propound; pro for, before + ponere to put. See Position, and cf. Provost.] 1. To offer for consideration; to exhibit; to propose; as, to propound a question; to propound an argument. Shak.

2. (Eccl.) To propose or name as a candidate for admission to communion with a church.

Pro*pound"er (?), n. One who propounds, proposes, or offers for consideration. Chillingworth.

Pro*pre"tor (?), n. [L. propraetor; pro for, before + praetor a pretor.] (Rom. Antiq.) A magistrate who, having been pretor at home, was appointed to the government of a province. [Written also proprætor.]

Pro*pri"e*ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Proprietaries (#). [L. proprietarius: cf. F. propriétaire. See Propriety, and cf. Proprietor.] 1. A proprietor or owner; one who has exclusive title to a thing; one who possesses, or holds the title to, a thing in his own right. Fuller.

3. (Eccl.) A monk who had reserved goods and effects to himself, notwithstanding his renunciation of all at the time of profession.

Pro*pri"e*ta*ry, a. [L. proprietarius.] Belonging, or pertaining, to a proprietor; considered as property; owned; as, proprietary medicine.

Proprietary articles, manufactured articles which some person or persons have exclusive right to make and sell. U. S. Statutes.

Pro*pri"e*tor (?), n. [For older proprietary: cf. F. propriétarie.] One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything, whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of farm or of a mill.

Pro*pri`e*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to ownership; proprietary; as, proprietorial rights.

Pro*pri"e*ty (?), n.; pl. Proprieties (#). [F. propriété, L. proprietas, fr. proprius one's own, proper. See Property, Proper.] 1. Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal title; property. [Obs.] "Onles this propriety be exiled." Robynson (More's Utopia).

2. That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or quality; peculiarity. [Obs.] Bacon.

3. The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with established principles, rules, or customs; fitness; appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language, manners, etc. "The rule of propriety," Locke.

Pro*proc"tor (?), n. [Pref. pro- + proctor.] [Eng. Univ.] A assistant proctor. Hook.

Props (?), n. pl. A game of chance, in which four sea shells, each called a prop, are used instead of dice.

||Prop`te*ryg"i*um (?), n.; pl. Propterygia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; a fin.] (Anat.) The anterior of three principal cartilages in the fins of some fishes. -- Prop`ter*yg"i*al (#), a.

Pro*pugn" (?), v. t. [L. propugnare; pro for + pugnare to fight.] To contend for; to defend; to vindicate. [Obs.] Hammond.

Pro`pug*na"tion (?), n. [L. propugnatio.] Means of defense; defense. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*pugn"er (?), n. A defender; a vindicator. "Zealous propugners." Gov. of Tongue.

Pro`pul*sa"tion (?), n. [L. propulsatio. See Propulse.] The act of driving away or repelling; a keeping at a distance. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pro*pulse" (?), v. t. [L. propulsare, v. intens. from propellere to propel. See Propel.] To repel; to drive off or away. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Pro*pul"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. propulsion. See Propel.] 1. The act driving forward or away; the act or process of propelling; as, steam propulsion.

Pro*pul"sive (?), a. Tending, or having power, to propel; driving on; urging. "[The] propulsive movement of the verse." Coleridge.

Pro"pyl (?), n. [Propionic + - yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C₃H₇, regarded as the essential residue of propane and related compounds.

||Prop`y*læ"um (?), n.; pl. Propylæa (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a gate.] (Anc. Classical Arch.) Any court or vestibule before a building or leading into any inclosure.

Pro"pyl*ene (?), n. [Cf. F. propylène.] (Chem.) A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon (C₃H₆) of the ethylene series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is produced artificially in various ways. Called also propene.

Pro*pyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, propyl; as, propylic alcohol.

||Prop"y*lon, n.; pl. Propyla (#). [NL., from Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a gate.] (Anc. Arch.) The porch, vestibule, or entrance of an edifice.

||Pro` ra"ta (?). [L.] In proportion; proportionately; according to the share, interest, or liability of each.

Pro*rat"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prorated, or divided proportionately. [U.S.]

Pro*rate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prorating.] [From L. pro rata (sc. parte) according to a certain part, in proportion.] To divide or distribute proportionally; to assess pro rata. [U.S.]

Prore (?), n. [L. prora, Gr. &?;: cf. It. & Sp. prora. See Prow, n.] The prow or fore part of a ship. [Poetic] "Galleys with vermilion prores." Pope.

Pro*rec"tor (?), n. [NL. See Pro- , and Rector.] An officer who presides over the academic senate of a German university. Heyse.

Pro*rep"tion (?), n. [L. prorepere, proreptum, to creep forth; pro + repere.] A creeping on.

Pro*rhi"nal (?), a. [Pref. pro- + rhinal.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the nasal chambers.

Pro`ro*ga"tion (?), n. [L. prorogatio: cf. F. prorogation.] 1. The act of counting in duration; prolongation. [Obs.] South.

2. The act of proroguing; the ending of the session of Parliament, and postponing of its business, by the command of the sovereign. [Eng.]

After an adjournment all things continue as they were at the adjournment; whereas, after a prorogation, bill introduced and nut passed are as if they had never been begun at all. Mozley & W.

Pro*rogue" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorogued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proroguing (?).] [F. proroger, L. prorogare, prorogatum; pro forward + rogare to ask, to ask one for his opinion or vote, or about a law. See Rogation.] 1. To protract; to prolong; to extend. [Obs.]

2. To defer; to delay; to postpone; as, to proroguedeath; to prorogue a marriage. Shak.

3. To end the session of a parliament by an order of the sovereign, thus deferring its business.

Pro*rup"tion (?), n. [L. proruptio, fr. prorumpere, proruptum, to break forth; pro forth + rumpere to break.] The act or state of bursting forth; a bursting out. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

{ Pro*sa"ic (?), Pro*sa"ic*al (?), } a. [L. prosaius, from prosa prose: cf. F,. prosaïque. See Prose.] 1. Of or pertaining to prose; resembling prose; in the form of prose; unpoetical; writing or using prose; as, a prosaic composition. Cudworth.

2. Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy; as, a prosaic person. Ed. Rev.

Pro*sa"i*cism (?), n. The quality or state of being prosaic; a prosaic manner or style. [R.] Poe.

Pro"sa*ism (?), n. That which is in the form of prose writing; a prosaic manner. Coleridge.

Pro"sa*ist (?; 277), n. A writer of prose; an unpoetical writer. "An estimable prosaist." I. Taylor.

Pro*sce"ni*um (?), n.; pl. Proscenia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a tent, a wooden stage, the stage. See Scene.] 1. (Anc. Theater) The part where the actors performed; the stage.

2. (Modern Theater) The part of the stage in front of the curtain; sometimes, the curtain and its framework.

||Pro*sco"lex (?), n.; pl. Proscolices (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?;, &?;, a worm.] (Zoöl.) An early larval form of a trematode worm; a redia. See Redia.

Pro*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proscribed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proscribing.] [L. proscribere, proscriptum, to write before, to publish, proscribe; pro before + scribere to write. See Scribe. The sense of this word originated in the Roman practice of writing the names of persons doomed to death, and posting the list in public.] 1. To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed each other's adherents.

2. To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as, the Puritans proscribed theaters.

Pro*scrib"er (?), n. One who, or that which, proscribes, denounces, or prohibits.

Pro"script (?), n. [See Proscribe.] 1. A proscription; a prohibition; an interdict. [R.]

Pro*scrip"tion (?), n. [L. proscriptio: cf. F. proscription.] 1. The act of proscribing; a dooming to death or exile; outlawry; specifically, among the ancient Romans, the public offer of a reward for the head of a political enemy; as, under the triumvirate, many of the best Roman citizens fell by proscription.

2. The state of being proscribed; denunciation; interdiction; prohibition. Macaulay.

Pro*scrip"tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to proscription; consisting in, or of the nature of, proscription; proscribing. Burke. -- Pro*scrip"tive*ly, adv.

Prose (?), n. [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.] 1. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; -- contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition.

2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.

Prose, a. 1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.

2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.

Prose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing.] 1. To write in prose.

Pro*sec"tor (?), n. [L., an anatomist, from prosecare to cut up; pro before + secare to cut.] One who makes dissections for anatomical illustration; usually, the assistant of a professional anatomist.

Pros"e*cute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosecuted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prosecuting.] [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow, pursue. See Pursue.]

1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim.

2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.

3. (Law) To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot.

2. (Law) To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. Blackstone.

Pros`e*cu"tion (?), n. [L. prosecutio a following.] 1. The act or process of prosecuting, or of endeavoring to gain or accomplish something; pursuit by efforts of body or mind; as, the prosecution of a scheme, plan, design, or undertaking; the prosecution of war.

2. (Law) (a) The institution and carrying on of a suit in a court of law or equity, to obtain some right, or to redress and punish some wrong; the carrying on of a judicial proceeding in behalf of a complaining party, as distinguished from defense. (b) The institution, or commencement, and continuance of a criminal suit; the process of exhibiting formal charges against an offender before a legal tribunal, and pursuing them to final judgment on behalf of the state or government, as by indictment or information. (c) The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted. Blackstone. Burrill. Mozley & W.

Pros"e*cu`tor (?), n. [Cf. L. prosecutor an attendant.] 1. One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or business.

2. (Law) The person who institutes and carries on a criminal suit against another in the name of the government. Blackstone.

Pros"e*lyte (?), n. [OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F. proselytus, Gr. &?;, adj., that has come, n., a new comer, especially, one who has come over from heathenism to the Jewish religion; &?; toward, to + (prob.) the root of &?; to come.] A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte.

Pros"e*lyte, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proselyted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proselyting.] To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over. Dr. H. More.

Pros"e*ly*tism (?), n. [Cf. F. prosélytisme.] 1. The act or practice of proselyting; the making of converts to a religion or a religious sect, or to any opinion, system, or party.

Pros"e*ly*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. proselytized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proselytizing (?).] To convert to some religion, system, opinion, or the like; to bring, or cause to come, over; to proselyte.

Pro*sem"i*na*ry (?), n. A seminary which prepares pupils for a higher institution. T. Warton.

Pro*sem`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. proseminare, proseminatum, to disseminate.] Propagation by seed. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Pros`en*ceph"a*lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; toward, near to + E. encephalon.] [Sometimes abbreviated to proen.] (Anat.) (a) The anterior segment of the brain, including the cerebrum and olfactory lobes; the forebrain. (b) The cerebrum. Huxley.

Pros*en"chy*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; near + -enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.) A general term applied to the tissues formed of elongated cells, especially those with pointed or oblique extremities, as the principal cells of ordinary wood.

Pro*sil"i*en*cy (?), n. [L. prosilere to leap forth.] The act of leaping forth or forward; projection. "Such prosiliency of relief." Coleridge.

Pros`i*met"ric*al (?), a. [Prose + metrical.] Consisting both of prose and verse. Clarke.

||Pro*sim"i*æ (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pro-. and Simia.] (Zoöl.) Same as Lemuroidea.

Pros"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being prosy; tediousness; tiresomeness.

Pros"ing, n. Writing prose; speaking or writing in a tedious or prosy manner. Sir W. Scott.

Pro*si"phon (?), n. [Pref. pro- for + siphon.] (Zoöl.) A minute tube found in the protoconch of ammonites, and not connected with the true siphon.

Pro*slav"er*y (?), a. [Pref. pro- + slavery.] Favoring slavery. -- n. Advocacy of slavery.

||Pros`o*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; forward, further + &?; a gill.] (Zoöl.) The highest division, or subclass, of gastropod mollusks, including those that have the gills situated anteriorly, or forward of the heart, and the sexes separate.

Pros"o*cœle (?), n. [Gr. &?; forward + &?; hollow.] (Anat.) The entire cavity of the prosencephalon. B. G. Wilder.

||Pros`o*cœ"li*a (?), n.; pl. Prosocœlle (#), [NL.] (Anat.) Same as Prosocœle.

Pro*sod"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. prosodique, L. prosodiacus.] Of or pertaining to prosody; according to the rules of prosody. -- Pro*sod"ic*al*ly, adv.

Pros"o*dy (?), n. [L. prosodia the tone or accent of a syllable, Gr. &?; a song sung to, or with, an accompanying song, the accent accompanying the pronunciation; &?; to + &?; song, ode: cf. F. prosodie. See Ode.] That part of grammar which treats of the quantity of syllables, of accent, and of the laws of versification or metrical composition.

||Pro*so"ma (?), n.; pl. Prosomata. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?;, &?;, body.] (Zoöl.) The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod; the thorax of an arthropod.

||Pros`o*pal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; face + &?; pain.] (Med.) Facial neuralgia.

||Pros`o*po*ceph`a*la (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pro`swpon face, appearance + &?; head.] (Zoöl.) Same as Scaphopoda.

Pros`o*po*lep"sy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; pro`swpon a face, a person + &?; a taking, receiving, &?; to take.] Respect of persons; especially, a premature opinion or prejudice against a person, formed from his external appearance. [R.] Addison.

||Pros`o*po*pœ"ia (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; pro`swpon a face, a person + &?; to make.] (Rhet.) A figure by which things are represented as persons, or by which things inanimate are spoken of as animated beings; also, a figure by which an absent person is introduced as speaking, or a deceased person is represented as alive and present. It includes personification, but is more extensive in its signification.

||Pros`o*pul`mo*na"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; forward + L. pulmo a lung.] (Zoöl.) A division of pulmonate mollusks having the breathing organ situated on the neck, as in the common snail.

Pros"pect (?), n. [L. prospectus, fr. prospicere, prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere, spicere, look, to see: cf. OF. prospect. See Spy, v., and cf. Prospectus.] 1. That which is embraced by eye in vision; the region which the eye overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook.

2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape.

4. Relative position of the front of a building or other structure; face; relative aspect.

5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future state. Locke.

6. That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success. "To brighter prospects born." Cowper.

Pros"pect, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospected; p. pr. & vb. n. Prospecting.] To look over; to explore or examine for something; as, to prospect a district for gold.

Pros"pect, v. i. To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the like; as, to prospect for gold.

Pro*spec"tion (?), n. The act of looking forward, or of providing for future wants; foresight.

Pro*spec"tive (?), a. [L. prospectivus: cf. F. prospectif. See Prospect, n.] 1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective. [Obs.]

2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; -- opposed to retrospective.

3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit.

Pro*spec"tive (?), n. 1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect. Sir H. Wotton.

Pros"pect*or (?), n. [L., one who looks out.] One who prospects; especially, one who explores a region for minerals and precious metals.

Pro*spec"tus (?), n. [L., a prospect, sight, view: cf. F. prospectus. See Prospect.] A summary, plan, or scheme of something proposed, affording a prospect of its nature; especially, an exposition of the scheme of an unpublished literary work.

Pros"per (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prospering.] [F. prospérer v. i., or L. prosperare, v. i., or L. prosperare, v. t., fr. prosper or prosperus. See Prosperous.] To favor; to render successful. "Prosper thou our handiwork." Bk. of Common Prayer.

Pros"per, v. i. 1. To be successful; to succeed; to be fortunate or prosperous; to thrive; to make gain.

Pros*per"i*ty (?), n. [F. prospérité, L. prosperitas. See Prosperous.] The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity.

Pros"per*ous (&?;), a. [L. prosperus or prosper, originally, answering to hope; pro according to + the root of sperare to hope. See Despair.] 1. Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful.

2. Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful; as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a prosperous man or nation.

Syn. -- Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable; auspicious; lucky. See Fortunate.

||Pros"phy*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; to + &?; to grow.] (Med.) A growing together of parts; specifically, a morbid adhesion of the eyelids to each other or to the eyeball. Dunglison.

Pro*spi"cience (?), n. [L. prospicientia, fr. prospiciens, p. pr. of prospicere. See Prospect.] The act of looking forward.

Pros"tate (?), a.[Gr. &?; standing before, fr. &?; to set before; &?; before + &?; to set: cf. F. prostate.] (Anat.) Standing before; -- applied to a gland which is found in the males of most mammals, and is situated at the neck of the bladder where this joins the urethra. -- n. The prostate gland.

||Pros`ta*ti"tis (?), n. [NL. See Prostate, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the prostate.

Pros`ter*na"tion (?), n. [F. See Prostration.] Dejection; depression. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Pro*ster"num (?), n. [NL. See Pro- and Sternum.] (Zoöl.) The ventral plate of the prothorax of an insect.

||Pros"the*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; an addition, fr. &?; to put to, to add; &?; to + &?; to put, place.] 1. (Surg.) The addition to the human body of some artificial part, to replace one that is wanting, as a log or an eye; -- called also prothesis.

2. (Gram.) The prefixing of one or more letters to the beginning of a word, as in beloved.

Pros*thet"ic (?), a. [Cf. Gr. &?; disposed to add, &?; put on.] Of or pertaining to prosthesis; prefixed, as a letter or letters to a word.

Pros*tib"u*lous (?), a. [L. prostibulum prostitute.] Of or pertaining to prostitutes or prostitution; meretricious. [Obs.] Bale.

Pros"ti*tute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostituted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prostituting.] [L. prostitutus, p. p. of prostituere to prostitute; pro before, forth + statuere to put, place. See Statute.] 1. To offer, as a woman, to a lewd use; to give up to lewdness for hire. "Do not prostitute thy daughter." Lev. xix. 29.

2. To devote to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to prostitute official powers. Milton.

Pros"ti*tute, a. [L. prostitutus, p. p.] Openly given up to lewdness; devoted to base or infamous purposes.

Pros"ti*tute, n. [L. prostituta.] 1. A woman giver to indiscriminate lewdness; a strumpet; a harlot.

2. A base hireling; a mercenary; one who offers himself to infamous employments for hire.

Pros`ti*tu"tion (?), n. [L. prostitutio: cf. F. prostitution.] 1. The act or practice of prostituting or offering the body to an indiscriminate intercourse with men; common lewdness of a woman.

2. The act of setting one's self to sale, or of devoting to infamous purposes what is in one's power; as, the prostitution of abilities; the prostitution of the press. "Mental prostitution." Byron.

Pros"ti*tu`tor (?), n. [L.] One who prostitutes; one who submits himself, of or offers another, to vile purposes. Bp. Hurd.

||Pro*sto"mi*um (?), n.; pl. Prostomia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?;, &?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) That portion of the head of an annelid situated in front of the mouth. -- Pro*sto"mi*al (#), a.

Pros"trate (?), a. [L. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere to prostrate; pro before, forward + sternere to spread out, throw down. See Stratum.] 1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate. Elyot.

Pros"trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prostrating.] 1. To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants. Evelyn.

2. to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.

3. To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself. Milman.

4. To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.

Pros*tra"tion (?), n. [L. prostratio: cf. F. prostration.] 1. The act of prostrating, throwing down, or laying fiat; as, the prostration of the body.

2. The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and worship.

3. The condition of being prostrate; great depression; lowness; dejection; as, a postration of spirits. "A sudden prostration of strength." Arbuthnot.

4. (Med.) A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital energies; great oppression of natural strength and vigor.

Prostration, in its medical use, is analogous to the state of a spring lying under such a weight that it is incapable of action; while exhaustion is analogous to the state of a spring deprived of its elastic powers. The word, however, is often used to denote any great depression of the vital powers.

Pro"style (?), a. [L. prostylus, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; pillar, column: cf. F. prostyle.] (Arch.) Having columns in front. -- n. A prostyle portico or building.

Pro*sy"lo*gism (?), n. [Pref. pro- + syllogism.] (Logic) A syllogism preliminary or logically essential to another syllogism; the conclusion of such a syllogism, which becomes a premise of the following syllogism.

Pro*tac"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; placing or placed before, fr. &?; to place in front; &?; before + &?; to arrange.] Giving a previous narrative or explanation, as of the plot or personages of a play; introductory.

Pro"ta*gon (?), n. [Proto- + Gr. &?; a contest. See. Protagonist. So called because it was the first definitely ascertained principle of the brain.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous phosphorized principle found in brain tissue. By decomposition it yields neurine, fatty acids, and other bodies.

Pro*tag"o*nist (?), n. [Gr. &?;; prw^tos first + &?; an actor, combatant, fr. &?; a contest.] One who takes the leading part in a drama; hence, one who takes lead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the like.

Pro"ta*min (?), n. [Gr. prw^tos first.] (Physiol. Chem.) An amorphous nitrogenous substance found in the spermatic fluid of salmon. It is soluble in water, which an alkaline reaction, and unites with acids and metallic bases.

Pro*tan"dric (?), a. [Proto- + Gr. &?;, &?;, a man.] (Zoöl.) Having male sexual organs while young, and female organs later in life. -- Pro*tan"trism (#), n.

||Prot"a*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to stretch before, forward; &?; before + &?; to stretch.] 1. A proposition; a maxim. Johnson.

2. (Gram.) The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; -- opposed to apodosis. See Apodosis.

3. The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to epitasis. B. Jonson.

Pro*tat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;: cf. L. protaticus, F. protatique.] Of or pertaining to the protasis of an ancient play; introductory.

Pro`te*a"ceous (?), a. [From Proteus.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Proteaceæ, an order of apetalous evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or of Australia.

Pro"te*an (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus. " Protean transformations." Cudworth.

2. Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amœba is a protean animalcule.

Pro*tect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protected; p. pr. & vb. n. Protecting.] [L. protectus, p. p. of protegere, literally, to cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument.] To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children.

Pro*tec"tion (?), n. [L. protectio: cf. F. protection.] 1. The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense; shelter; as, the weak need protection.

3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport.

4. (Polit. Econ.) A theory, or a policy, of protecting the producers in a country from foreign competition in the home market by the imposition of such discriminating duties on goods of foreign production as will restrict or prevent their importation; -- opposed to free trade.

Writ of protection. (Law) (a) A writ by which the king formerly exempted a person from arrest; -- now disused. [Eng.] Blackstone. (b) A judicial writ issued to a person required to attend court, as party, juror, etc., intended to secure him from arrest in coming, staying, and returning.

Pro*tec"tion*ism (?), n. (Polit. Econ.) The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4.

Pro*tec"tion*ist, n. (Polit. Econ.) One who favors protection. See Protection, 4.

Pro*tect"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. protectif.] Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. " The favor of a protective Providence." Feltham.

Protective coloring (Zoöl.), coloring which serves for the concealment and preservation of a living organism. Cf. Mimicry. Wallace. -- Protective tariff (Polit. Econ.), a tariff designed to secure protection (see Protection, 4.), as distinguished from a tariff designed to raise revenue. See Tariff, and Protection, 4.

Pro*tect"or (?), n. [L.: cf. F. protecteur.] 1. One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury, evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron.

2. (Eng. Hist.) One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A cardinal, from one of the more considerable Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same relation to a college, religious order, etc.

Lord Protector (Eng. Hist.), the title of Oliver Cromwell as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth (1653-1658).

Pro*tect"or*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a protector; protectorial; as, protectoral power.

Pro*tect"or*ate (?), n. [Cf. F. protectorat.] 1. Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.

2. The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.

{ Pro*tect"ress (?), Pro*tect"rix (?), } n. [NL. protectrix.] A woman who protects.

{ ||Pro`té`gé" (?), n. m. ||Pro`té`gée" (?), n. f.} [F., p. p. of protéger. See Protect.] One under the care and protection of another.

Pro"te*id (?), n. [Gr. prw^tos first.] (Physiol. Chem.) One of a class of amorphous nitrogenous principles, containing, as a rule, a small amount of sulphur; an albuminoid, as blood fibrin, casein of milk, etc. Proteids are present in nearly all animal fluids and make up the greater part of animal tissues and organs. They are also important constituents of vegetable tissues. See 2d Note under Food. -- Pro"te*id, a.

||Pro`te*id"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proteus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) An order of aquatic amphibians having prominent external gills and four legs. It includes Proteus and Menobranchus (Necturus). Called also Proteoidea, and Proteida.

Pro*te"i*form (?), a. (Zoöl.) Changeable in form; resembling a Proteus, or an amœba.

Pro"te*in (?), n. [Gr. prw^tos first: cf. prwtei^on the first place.] (Physiol. Chem.) A body now known as alkali albumin, but originally considered to be the basis of all albuminous substances, whence its name.

Pro`te*i*na"*ceous (?), a. (Physiol. Chem.) Of or related to protein; albuminous; proteid.

Pro"te*les (?), n. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A South Africa genus of Carnivora, allied to the hyenas, but smaller and having weaker jaws and teeth. It includes the aard-wolf.

Pro*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protended; p. pr. & vb. n. Protending.] [L. protendere, protensum; pro before, forth + tendere to stretch.] To hold out; to stretch forth. [Obs.]

Pro*tense" (?), n. [See Protend.] Extension.[Obs.] " By due degrees and long protense." Spenser.

Pro*ten"sion (?), n. [L. protensio.] A drawing out; extension. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

||Pro`te*ol"y*sis (?), n. [NL. See Proteolytic.] (Physiol. Chem.) The digestion or dissolving of proteid matter by proteolytic ferments.

Pro`te*o*lyt"ic (?), a. [Proteid + Gr. &?; to loose.] (Physiol.) Converting proteid or albuminous matter into soluble and diffusible products, as peptones. " The proteolytic ferment of the pancreas." Foster.

Pro`ter*an"drous (?), a. [Gr. &?; earlier (fr. &?; before) + &?;, &?;, man, male.] (Bot.) Having the stamens come to maturity before the pistil; -- opposed to proterogynous.

Pro`ter*an"thous (?), a. [Gr. &?; earlier (fr. &?; before) + &?; flower.] (Bot.) Having flowers appearing before the leaves; -- said of certain plants. Gray.

Pro`te*rog"ly*pha (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; to carve.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of serpents including those that have permanently erect grooved poison fangs, with ordinary teeth behind them in the jaws. It includes the cobras, the asps, and the sea snakes. Called also Proteroglyphia.

Pro`ter*og"y*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?; earlier (fr. &?; before) + &?; woman, female.] (Bot.) Having the pistil come to maturity before the stamens; protogynous; -- opposed to proterandrous.

||Pro`te*ro*sau"rus (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; earlier (fr. &?; before) + &?; a lizard.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of reptiles of the Permian period. Called also Protosaurus.

Pro*ter"vi*ty (?), n. [L. protervitas, from protervus violent.] Peevishness; petulance. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pro*test" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Protested; p. pr. & vb. n. Protesting.] [F. protester, L. protestari, pro before + testari to be a witness, testis a witness. See Testify.] 1. To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow.

2. To make a solemn declaration (often a written one) expressive of opposition; -- with against; as, he protest against your votes. Denham.

Syn. -- To affirm; asseverate; assert; aver; attest; testify; declare; profess. See Affirm.

Pro*test", v. t. 1. To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to proclaim; to display; as, to protest one's loyalty.

2. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to.

To protest a bill or note (Law), to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by the nonacceptance or the nonpayment of the bill or note, as the case may be. This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix. Kent. Story.

Pro"test (?), n. [Cf. F. protêt, It. protesto. See Protest, v.] 1. A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal objection against some act; especially, a formal and solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in Parliament.

2. (Law) (a) A solemn declaration in writing, in due form, made by a notary public, usually under his notarial seal, on behalf of the holder of a bill or note, protesting against all parties liable for any loss or damage by the nonacceptance or nonpayment of the bill, or by the nonpayment of the note, as the case may be. (b) A declaration made by the master of a vessel before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer, upon his arrival in port after a disaster, stating the particulars of it, and showing that any damage or loss sustained was not owing to the fault of the vessel, her officers or crew, but to the perils of the sea, etc., ads the case may be, and protesting against them. (c) A declaration made by a party, before or while paying a tax, duty, or the like, demanded of him, which he deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and asserting his rights and claims, in order to show that the payment was not voluntary. Story. Kent.

Prot"es*tant (?), n. [F. protestant, fr. L. protestans, -antis, p. pr. of protestare. See Protest, v.] One who protests; -- originally applied to those who adhered to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers, and appealed to a general council; -- now used in a popular sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the Roman Catholic or the Greek Church.

2. Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; as, Protestant writers.

Prot"es*tant*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. protestantisme.] The quality or state of being protestant, especially against the Roman Catholic Church; the principles or religion of the Protestants.

Prot"es*tant*ly, adv. Like a Protestant; in conformity with Protestantism. [R.] Milton.

Prot`es*ta"tion (?), n. [L. protestatio: cf. F. protestation. See Protest.] 1. The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent. " The protestation of our faith." Latimer.

2. (Law) Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.

Prot"es*ta`tor (?), n. [Cf. F. protestateur.] One who makes protestation; a protester.

Pro*test"er (?), n. 1. One who protests; one who utters a solemn declaration. Shak.

Pro"te*us (?), n. [L., Gr. &?;.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of aquatic eel-shaped amphibians found in caves in Austria. They have permanent external gills as well as lungs. The eyes are small and the legs are weak. (b) A changeable protozoan; an amœba.

{ Pro`tha*la"mi*on (?), Pro`tha*la"mi*um (?), } n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; chamber, especially, the bridal chamber.] A song in celebration of a marriage. Drayton.

||Pro*thal"li*um (?), n.; pl. Prothallia (#). [NL.] (Bot.) Same as Prothallus.

||Pro*thal"lus (?), n.; pl. Prothalli (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + &?; a young shoot.] (Bot.) The minute primary growth from the spore of ferns and other Pteridophyta, which bears the true sexual organs; the oöphoric generation of ferns, etc.

||Proth"e*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a placing in public, fr. &?; to set before; &?; before + &?; to set, put.] 1. (Eccl.) A credence table; -- so called by the Eastern or Greek Church.

Pro*thet"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to prothesis; as, a prothetic apparatus.

{ Pro*thon"o*ta*ry (?), or Pro*ton"o*ta*ry (?) }, n.; pl> -ries (#). [LL. protonotarius, fr. Gr. prw^tos first + L. notarius a shorthand writer, a scribe: cf. F. protonotaire.] 1. A chief notary or clerk. " My private prothonotary." Herrick.

2. Formerly, a chief clerk in the Court of King's Bench and in the Court of Common Pleas, now superseded by the master. [Eng.] Wharton. Burrill.

4. (R. C. Ch.) Formerly, one who had the charge of writing the acts of the martyrs, and the circumstances of their death; now, one of twelve persons, constituting a college in the Roman Curia, whose office is to register pontifical acts and to make and preserve the official record of beatifications.

Prothonotary warbler (Zoöl.), a small American warbler (Protonotaria citrea). The general color is golden yellow, the back is olivaceous, the rump and tail are ash- color, several outer tail feathers are partly white.

Pro*tho"rax (?), n. [Pref. pro- + thorax.] (Zoöl.) The first or anterior segment of the thorax in insects. See Illusts. of Butterfly and Coleoptera.

||Pro* thy`a*lo*so"ma (?), n.; pl. Prothyalosomata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. prw^tos first + "y`alos glass + &?;, &?;, body.] (Biol.) The investing portion, or spherical envelope, surrounding the eccentric germinal spot of the germinal vesicle.

||Pro*tis"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. prw`tistos first.] (Zoöl.) A provisional group in which are placed a number of low microscopic organisms of doubtful nature. Some are probably plants, others animals.

||Pro*tis"ton (?), n.; pl. Protista (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) One of the Protista.

Pro"to- (?). [Gr. prw^tos first, a superl. fr. pro` before. See Pro-.] 1. A combining form prefix signifying first, primary, primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr; protomorphic, primitive in form; protoplast, a primordial organism; prototype, protozoan.

2. (Chem.) (a) Denoting the first or lowest of a series, or the one having the smallest amount of the element to the name of which it is prefixed; as protoxide, protochloride, etc. (b) Sometimes used as equivalent to mono-, as indicating that the compound has but one atom of the element to the name of which it is prefixed. Also used adjectively.

Pro`to*ca*non"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the first canon, or that which contains the authorized collection of the books of Scripture; -- opposed to deutero- canonical.

Pro`to*cat`e*chu"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid which is obtained as a white crystalline substance from catechin, asafetida, oil of cloves, etc., and by distillation itself yields pyrocatechin.

Pro`to*cer"cal (?), a. [Proto- + Gr. &?; the tail.] (Zoöl.) Having a caudal fin extending around the end of the vertebral column, like that which is first formed in the embryo of fishes; diphycercal.

||Pro`to*coc"cus (?), n. [NL. See Proto-, and Coccus.] (Bot.) A genus of minute unicellular algæ including the red snow plant (Protococcus nivalis).

Pro"to*col (?), n. [F. protocole, LL. protocollum, fr. Gr. &?; the first leaf glued to the rolls of papyrus and the notarial documents, on which the date was written; prw^tos the first (see Proto-) + &?; glue.] 1. The original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty, dispatch, or other instrument. Burrill.

3. (Diplomacy) (a) A preliminary document upon the basis of which negotiations are carried on. (b) A convention not formally ratified. (c) An agreement of diplomatists indicating the results reached by them at a particular stage of a negotiation.

Pro"to*col, v. i. To make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue protocols. Carlyle.

Pro"to*conch (?), n. [Proto- + conch.] (Zoöl.) The embryonic shell, or first chamber, of ammonites and other cephalopods.

Pro`to-Dor*ic (?), a. [Proto- + Doric.] (Arch.) Pertaining to, or designating, architecture, in which the beginnings of the Doric style are supposed to be found.

Pro"to*gine (?), n. [Proto- + root of Gr. &?; to be born: cf. F. protogyne.] (Min.) A kind of granite or gneiss containing a silvery talcose mineral.

Pro*tog"y*nous (?), a. [Proto + Gr. gynh` a woman.] (Bot.) Same as Proterogynous.

||Pro`to*hip"pus (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; first + &?; horse.] (Paleon.) A genus of fossil horses from the Lower Pliocene. They had three toes on each foot, the lateral ones being small.

Pro"to*mar`tyr (?), n. [LL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; first + &?; martyr: cf. F. protomartyr. See Proto- , and Martyr.] The first martyr; the first who suffers, or is sacrificed, in any cause; -- applied esp. to Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Pro`to*mer"ite (?), n. [Proto- + -mere + -ite.] (Zoöl.) The second segment of one of the Gregarinæ.

Pro`to*mor"phic (?), a. [Proto- + Gr. &?; form.] (Biol.) Having the most primitive character; in the earliest form; as, a protomorphic layer of tissue. H. Spencer.

||Pro`to*ne"ma (?), n.; pl. Protonemata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; first + &?;, &?;, a thread.] (Bot.) The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of which stem and leaf buds may be developed.

Pro`to*ör"gan*ism (?), n. [Proto- + organism.] (Biol.) An organism whose nature is so difficult to determine that it might be referred to either the animal or the vegetable kingdom.

||Pro`to*pap"as (&?;), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a chief priest.] (Gr. Ch.) A protopope.

Pro"to*phyte (?), n. [Proto- + Gr. &?; a plant.] (Bot.) Any unicellular plant, or plant forming only a plasmodium, having reproduction only by fission, gemmation, or cell division.

The protophytes (Protophyta) are by some botanists considered an independent branch or class of the vegetable kingdom, and made to include the lowest forms of both fungi and algæ, as slime molds, Bacteria, the nostocs, etc. Cf. Carpophyte, and Oöphyte.

Pro"to*pine (?), n. [Proto- + opium.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted as a white crystalline substance.

Pro"to*plasm (?), n. [Proto- + Gr. &?; form, fr. &?; to mold.] (Biol.) The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the so-called " physical basis of life;" the original cell substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.

The lowest forms of animal and vegetable life (unicellular organisms) consist of simple or unaltered protoplasm; the tissues of the higher organisms, of differentiated protoplasm.

Pro`to*plas"mic (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to the first formation of living bodies.

2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to protoplasm; consisting of, or resembling, protoplasm.

Pro"to*plast (?), n. [L. protoplastus the first man, Gr. &?; formed or created first; &?; first + &?; formed, fr. &?; to form.]

1. The thing first formed; that of which there are subsequent copies or reproductions; the original.

2. (Biol.) A first-formed organized body; the first individual, or pair of individuals, of a species.

||Pro`to*plas"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of fresh-water rhizopods including those that have a soft body and delicate branched pseudopodia. The genus Gromia is one of the best-known.

Pro*top"o*dite (?), n. [Proto- + Gr. &?;, &?;, foot.] (Zoöl.) The basal portion, or two proximal and more or less consolidated segments, of an appendage of a crustacean.

Pro"to*pope (?), n. [Proto- + pope: cf. F. protopope, Russ. protopop'.] (Gr. Ch.) One of the clergy of first rank in the lower order of secular clergy; an archpriest; -- called also protopapas.

||Pro*top"te*rus (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; first + &?; a feather (taken to mean, fin).] (Zoöl.) See Komtok.

Pro"to*salt (?), n. [Proto- + salt.] (Chem.) A salt derived from a protoxide base. [Obs.]

Pro`to*sil"i*cate (?), n. [Proto- + silicate.] (Chem.) A silicate formed with the lowest proportion of silicic acid, or having but one atom of silicon in the molecule.

Pro`to*so"mite (?), n. [Proto- + somite.] (Zoöl.) One of the primitive segments, or metameres, of an animal.

Pro`to*sul"phide (?), n. [Proto- + sulphide.] (Chem.) That one of a series of sulphides of any element which has the lowest proportion of sulphur; a sulphide with but one atom of sulphur in the molecule.

Pro`to*sul"phu*ret (?), n. [Proto- + sulphuret.] (Chem.) A protosulphide. [Obs.]

||Pro`to*the"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. prw^tos first + qhri`on, dim. of qh`r beast.] (Zoöl.) Same as Monotremata.

||Pro`to*tra`che*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proto-, and Trachea.] (Zoöl.) Same as Malacopoda.

Pro"to*type (?), n. [F., from L. prototypus original, primitive, Gr. &?;, &?;; &?; first + &?; type, model. See Proto-, and Type] An original or model after which anything is copied; the pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied, cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype.

Pro`to*ver"te*bra (?), n.; pl. Protovertebræ . [Proto- + vertebra.] (Anat.) One of the primitive masses, or segments, into which the mesoblast of the vertebrate embryo breaks up on either side of the anterior part of the notochord; a mesoblastic, or protovertebral, somite. See Illust. of Ectoderm.

The protovertebræ were long regarded as rudiments of the permanent vertebræ, but they are now known to give rise to the dorsal muscles and other structures as well as the vertebral column. See Myotome.

Pro*tox"ide (?), n. [Proto- + oxide: cf. F. protoxide.] (Chem.) That one of a series of oxides having the lowest proportion of oxygen. See Proto-, 2 (b).

protoxide of nitrogen, laughing gas, now called hyponitrous oxide. See under Laughing.

Pro*tox"i*dize (?), v. t. (Chem.) To combine with oxygen, as any elementary substance, in such proportion as to form a protoxide.

||Pro`to*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; first + &?; an animal.] (Zoöl.) The lowest of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.

The entire animal consists of a single cell which is variously modified; but in many species a number of these simple zooids are united together so as to form a compound body or organism, as in the Foraminifera and Vorticellæ. The reproduction takes place by fission, or by the breaking up of the contents of the body after encystment, each portion becoming a distinct animal, or in other ways, but never by true eggs. The principal divisions are Rhizopoda, Gregarinæ, and Infusoria. See also Foraminifera, Heliozoa, Protoplasta, Radiolaria, Flagellata, Ciliata.

Pro`to*zo"an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Protozoa. -- n. One of the Protozoa.

2. (Geol.) Containing remains of the earliest discovered life of the globe, which included mollusks, radiates and protozoans.

||Pro`to*zo"ön (-n), n.; pl. Protozoa (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the Protozoa. (b) A single zooid of a compound protozoan.

Pro`to*zo"ö*nite (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the primary, or first-formed, segments of an embryonic arthropod.

||Pro*tra`che*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pro-, and Trachea.] (Zoöl.) Same as Malacopoda.

Pro*tract" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protracted; p. pr. vb. n. Protracting.] [L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See Portrait, Portray.] 1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a war.

2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty. Shak.

3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.

4. (Zoöl.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract.

Pro*tract", n. [L. protractus.] Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] Spenser.

Protracted meeting,a religious meeting continued for many successive days. [U. S.]

Pro*trac"tion (?), n. [L. protractio.] 1. A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay; as, the protraction of a debate.

2. (Surv.) (a) The act or process of making a plot on paper. (b) A plot on paper.

Pro*tract"ive (?), a. Drawing out or lengthening in time; prolonging; continuing; delaying.

Pro*tract"or (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, protracts, or causes protraction.

2. A mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring angles on paper, used in drawing or in plotting. It is of various forms, semicircular, rectangular, or circular.

3. (Surg.) An instrument formerly used in extracting foreign or offensive matter from a wound.

4. (Anat.) A muscle which extends an organ or part; -- opposed to retractor.

Pro*trep"tic*al (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to turn forward, to urge on.] Adapted to persuade; hortatory; persuasive. [Obs.] Bp. Ward.

Pro*trude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protruded; p. pr. & vb. n. Protruding.] [L. protrudere, protrusum; pro forward + trudere to thrust. See Threat.]

2. To thrust out, as through a narrow orifice or from confinement; to cause to come forth.

Pro*trude", v. i. To shoot out or forth; to be thrust forward; to extend beyond a limit; to project.

Pro*tru"sile (?), a. Capable of being protruded or thrust out; protractile; protrusive.

Pro*tru"sion (?), n. 1. The act of protruding or thrusting forward, or beyond the usual limit.

Pro*tru"sive (?), a. 1. Thrusting or impelling forward; as, protrusive motion. E. Darwin.

Pro*tu"ber*ance (?), n. [Cf. F. protubérance. See Protuberant.] That which is protuberant swelled or pushed beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; a swelling or tumor on the body; a prominence; a bunch or knob; an elevation.

Solar protuberances (Astron.), certain rose-colored masses on the limb of the sun which are seen to extend beyond the edge of the moon at the time of a solar eclipse. They may be discovered with the spectroscope on any clear day. Called also solar prominences. See Illust. in Append.

Syn. -- Projection, Protuberance. protuberance differs from projection, being applied to parts that rise from the surface with a gradual ascent or small angle; whereas a projection may be at a right angle with the surface.

Pro*tu"ber*an*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being protuberant; protuberance; prominence.

Pro*tu"ber*ant (?), a. [L. protuberans, -antis, p. pr. of protuberare. See Protuberate.] Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant joint; a protuberant eye. -- Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly, adv.

Pro*tu"ber*ate (?), v. i. [L. protuberare; pro forward + tuber a hump, protuberance. See Tuber.] To swell, or be prominent, beyond the adjacent surface; to bulge out. S. Sharp.

Pro*tu`ber*a"tion (?), n. The act of swelling beyond the surrounding surface. Cooke (1615).

||Pro`tu*re"ter (?), n. [NL. See Proto-, Ureter.] (Anat.) The duct of a pronephros. Haeckel.

Pro"tyle (?), n. [Proto- + Gr. &?; stuff, material.] (Chem. & Astron.) The hypothetical homogeneous cosmic material of the original universe, supposed to have been differentiated into what are recognized as distinct chemical elements.

Proud (?), a. [Compar. Prouder (?); superl. Proudest.] [OE. proud, prout, prud, prut, AS. prt; akin to Icel. prðr stately, handsome, Dan. prud handsome. Cf. Pride.] 1. Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as: (a) Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous.

(b) Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem; exulting (in); elated; -- often with of; as, proud of one's country. "Proud to be checked and soothed." Keble.

2. Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation; worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent; admirable; ostentatious. "Of shadow proud." Chapman. "Proud titles." Shak. " The proud temple's height." Dryden.

3. Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the females of some animals. Sir T. Browne.

Proud is often used with participles in the formation of compounds which, for the most part, are self-explaining; as, proud-crested, proud-minded, proud-swelling.

Proud flesh (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.

Proud"ly, adv. In a proud manner; with lofty airs or mien; haughtily; arrogantly; boastfully.

Proust"ite (?), n. [From the French chemist, J. L. Proust.] (Min.) A sulphide of arsenic and silver of a beautiful cochineal-red color, occurring in rhombohedral crystals, and also massive; ruby silver.

Prov"a*ble (?), a. [See Prove, and cf. Probable.] Capable of being proved; demonstrable. -- Prov"a*ble*ness, n. -- Prov"a*bly, adv.

Pro*vant" (?), v. t. To supply with provender or provisions; to provide for. [Obs.] Nash.

Prov"ant (?), a. Provided for common or general use, as in an army; hence, common in quality; inferior. "A poor provant rapier." B. Jonson.

Prove (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proving.] [OE. prover, F. prouver, fr. L. probare to try, approve, prove, fr. probus good, proper. Cf. Probable, Proof, Probe.] 1. To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test or standard; to test; as, to prove the strength of gunpowder or of ordnance; to prove the contents of a vessel by a standard measure.

2. To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence.

3. To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.

4. To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by trial; to experience; to suffer.

5. (Arith.) To test, evince, ascertain, or verify, as the correctness of any operation or result; thus, in subtraction, if the difference between two numbers, added to the lesser number, makes a sum equal to the greater, the correctness of the subtraction is proved.

6. (Printing) To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.

Syn. -- To try; verify; justify; confirm; establish; evince; manifest; show; demonstrate.

2. To be found by experience, trial, or result; to turn out to be; as, a medicine proves salutary; the report proves false. "The case proves mortal." Arbuthnot.

3. To succeed; to turn out as expected. [Obs.] "The experiment proved not." Bacon.

Pro*vect" (?), a. [L. provectus, p. p. of provehere to carry forward.] Carried forward; advanced. [Obs.] "Provect in years." Sir T. Flyot.

Pro*vec"tion (?), n. [L. provectio an advancement.] (Philol.) A carrying forward, as of a final letter, to a following word; as, for example, a nickname for an ekename.

Pro*ved"i*tor (?), n. [It. proveditore, provveditore, fr. provedere, L. providere. See Provide, and cf. Purveyor, Provedore.] One employed to procure supplies, as for an army, a steamer, etc.; a purveyor; one who provides for another. Jer. Taylor.

Prov"e*dore (?), n. [Cf. Sp. proveedor. See Proveditor.] A proveditor; a purveyor.

Prov"en (?), p. p. or a. Proved. "Accusations firmly proven in his mind." Thackeray.

Not proven (Scots Law), a verdict of a jury that the guilt of the accused is not made out, though not disproved. Mozley & W.

||Pro`ven`çal" (?), a. [F., fr. Provence, fr. L. provincia province. See Provincial.] Of or pertaining to Provence or its inhabitants.

Prov"ence rose` (?). [Provence the place + rose.] (a) The cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia). (b) A name of many kinds of roses which are hybrids of Rosa centifolia and R. Gallica.

Prov"en*der (?), n. [OE. provende, F. provende, provisions, provender, fr. LL. praebenda (prae and pro being confused), a daily allowance of provisions, a prebend. See Prebend.] 1. Dry food for domestic animals, as hay, straw, corn, oats, or a mixture of ground grain; feed. "Hay or other provender." Mortimer.

||Pro`ven*tri"u*lus (?), n. [NL. See Pro-, and Ventricle.] (Anat.) The glandular stomach of birds, situated just above the crop.

Prov"erb (?), n. [OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L. proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See Verb.] 1. An old and common saying; a phrase which is often repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage. Chaucer. Bacon.

2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable.

Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims.

Pro*ver"bi*al (?), a. [L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial.] 1. Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial.

2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. "A proverbial obscurity." Sir T. Browne.

Pro*ver"bi*al*ist, n. One who makes much use of proverbs in speech or writing; one who composes, collects, or studies proverbs.

Pro*ver"bi*al*ize (?), v. t. & i. [Cf. F. proverbialiser.] To turn into a proverb; to speak in proverbs.

Pro*ver"bi*al*ly, adv. In a proverbial manner; by way of proverb; hence, commonly; universally; as, it is proverbially said; the bee is proverbially busy.

Pro*vex"i*ty (?), n. [L. provehere to advance. Cf. Provect.] Great advance in age. [Obs.]

Pro*vide" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provided; p. pr. & vb. n. Providing.] [L. providere, provisum; pro before + videre to see. See Vision, and cf. Prudent, Purvey.] 1. To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare. "Provide us all things necessary." Shak.

3. To furnish; to supply; -- formerly followed by of, now by with. "And yet provided him of but one." Jer. Taylor. "Rome . . . was well provided with corn." Arbuthnot.

4. To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done.

6. To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor. Prescott.

Pro*vide", v. i. 1. To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; -- followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child.

2. To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work.

Pro*vid"ed (?), conj. On condition; by stipulation; with the understanding; if; -- usually followed by that; as, provided that nothing in this act shall prejudice the rights of any person whatever.

This word is strictly a participle, and the word being is understood, the participle provided agreeing with the whole sentence absolute, and being equivalent to this condition being previously stipulated or established.

Prov"i*dence (?), n. [L. providentia: cf. F. providence. See Provident, and cf. Prudence.] 1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation.

2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.

3. (Theol.) A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction.

Prov"i*dent (?), a. [L. providens, -entis, p. pr. of providere: cf. F. provident. See Provide, and cf. Prudent.] Foreseeing wants and making provision to supply them; prudent in preparing for future exigencies; cautious; economical; -- sometimes followed by of; as, aprovident man; an animal provident of the future.

Prov`i*den"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. providentiel.] Effected by, or referable to, divine direction or superintendence; as, the providential contrivance of thing; a providential escape. -- Prov"i*den"tial*ly, adv.

Prov"i*dent*ness, n. The quality or state of being provident; carefulness; prudence; economy.

Pro*vid"er (?), n. One who provides, furnishes, or supplies; one who procures what is wanted.

Prov"i*dore (?), n. [See Provedore.] One who makes provision; a purveyor. [R.] De Foe.

Prov"ince (?), n. [F., fr. L. provincia; prob. fr. pro before, for + the root of vincere to conquer. See Victor.] 1. (Roman Hist.) A country or region, more or less remote from the city of Rome, brought under the Roman government; a conquered country beyond the limits of Italy. Wyclif (Acts xiii. 34). Milton.

2. A country or region dependent on a distant authority; a portion of an empire or state, esp. one remote from the capital. "Kingdoms and provinces." Shak.

4. A region under the supervision or direction of any special person; the district or division of a country, especially an ecclesiastical division, over which one has jurisdiction; as, the province of Canterbury, or that in which the archbishop of Canterbury exercises ecclesiastical authority.

5. The proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere.

6. Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada, having a governor, a local legislature, and representation in the Dominion parliament. Hence, colloquially, The Provinces, the Dominion of Canada.

Pro*vin"cial (?), a. [L. provincialis: cf. F. provincial. See Province, and cf. Provencal.] 1. Of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as, a provincial government; a provincial dialect.

2. Exhibiting the ways or manners of a province; characteristic of the inhabitants of a province; not cosmopolitan; countrified; not polished; rude; hence, narrow; illiberal. "Provincial airs and graces." Macaulay.

3. Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical province, or to the jurisdiction of an archbishop; not ecumenical; as, a provincial synod. Ayliffe.

2. (R. C. Ch.) A monastic superior, who, under the general of his order, has the direction of all the religious houses of the same fraternity in a given district, called a province of the order.

Pro*vin"cial*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. provincialisme.] A word, or a manner of speaking, peculiar to a province or a district remote from the mother country or from the metropolis; a provincial characteristic; hence, narrowness; illiberality. M. Arnold.

Pro*vin`ci*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being provincial; peculiarity of language characteristic of a province. T. Warton.

Pro*vin"cial*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provincialized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Provincializing (?).] To render provincial. M. Arnold.

Pro*vin"ci*ate (?), v. t. To convert into a province or provinces. [Obs.] Howell.

Pro*vine" (?), v. i. [F. provingner, fr. provin a set, layer of a plant, OF. provain, from L. propago, -aginis, akin to propagare to propagate. See Propagate, Prune, v. t.] To lay a stock or branch of a vine in the ground for propagation. [Obs.] Johnson.

Pro*vi"sion (?), n. [L. provisio: cf. F. provision. See Provide.] 1. The act of providing, or making previous preparation. Shak.

2. That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation.

3. Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; -- often in the plural.

4. That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions.

5. (R. C. Ch.) A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.

6. (Eng. Hist.) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation. Blackstone.

Pro*vi"sion (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provisioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Provisioning.] To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.

Pro*vi"sion*al (?), a. [Cf. F. provisionnel.] Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the time being; -- used of partial or temporary arrangements; as, a provisional government; a provisional treaty.

Pro*vi"sion*al*ly, adv. By way of provision for the time being; temporarily. Locke.

Pro*vi"so (?), n.; pl. Provisos (#). [L., (it) being provided, abl. of provisus, p. p. of providere. See Provide, and cf. Purview.] An article or clause in any statute, agreement, contract, grant, or other writing, by which a condition is introduced, usually beginning with the word provided; a conditional stipulation that affects an agreement, contract, law, grant, or the like; as, the contract was impaired by its proviso.

Pro*vi"sor (?), n. [L., fr. providere: cf. F. proviseur. See Provide.] 1. One who provides; a purveyor. [Obs.] "The chief provisor of our horse." Ford.

2. (R. C. Ch.) (a) The purveyor, steward, or treasurer of a religious house. Cowell. (b) One who is regularly inducted into a benefice. See Provision, 5. P. Plowman.

3. (Eng. Hist.) One who procures or receives a papal provision. See Provision, 6.

Pro*vi"so*ri*ly (?), adv. In a provisory manner; conditionally; subject to a proviso; as, to admit a doctrine provisorily. Sir W. Hamilton.

Pro*vi"sor*ship (?), n. The office or position of a provisor. [R.] J. Webster.

Pro*vi"so*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. provisoire.] 1. Of the nature of a proviso; containing a proviso or condition; conditional; as, a provisory clause.

Prov`o*ca"tion (?), n. [F. provocation, L. provocatio. See Provoke.] 1. The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger. Fabyan.

2. That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of resentment; as, to give provocation. Paley.

4. (Law) Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed, under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to excuse an assault made in retort or redress.

Pro*vo"ca*tive (?), a. [L. provocativus: cf. OF. provocatif.] Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; exciting.

Pro*vo"ca*tive, n. Anything that is provocative; a stimulant; as, a provocative of appetite.

Pro*voke" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provoked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Provoking.] [F. provoquer, L. provocare to call forth; pro forth + vocare to call, fr. vox, vocis, voice, cry, call. See Voice.] To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate.

Syn. -- To irritate; arouse; stir up; awake; excite; incite; anger. See Irritate.

Pro*voke"ment (?), n. The act that which, provokes; one who excites anger or other passion, or incites to action; as, a provoker of sedition.

Pro*vok"ing, a. Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending to awaken passion or vexation; as, provoking words or treatment. -- Pro*vok"ing*ly, adv.

Prov"ost (?), n. [OF. provost (L. prae and pro being confused), F. prevôt, fr. L. praepositus placed before, a chief, fr. praeponere to place before: cf. AS. prfost, prfast. See Preposition, and cf. Propound.] 1. A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over, something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns; as, the provost of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to the mayor of other cities; the provost of a college, answering to president; the provost or head of certain collegiate churches.

In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge who had cognizance of civil causes. The grand provost of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the king's house, and over its officers.

Provost marshal (often pronounced &?;). (a) (Mil.) An officer appointed in every army, in the field, to secure the prisoners confined on charges of a general nature. He also performs such other duties pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations of the service or the commander's orders impose upon him. (b) (Nav.) An officer who has charge of prisoners on trial by court-martial, serves notices to witnesses, etc.

Prow (?), n. [F. proue (cf. Sp. & Pg. proa, It. prua), L. prora, Gr. &?;, akin to &?; before. See Pro-, and cf. Prore.] The fore part of a vessel; the bow; the stem; hence, the vessel itself. Wordsworth.

Prow, a. [Compar. Prower (?); superl. Prowest.] [OF. prou, preu, F. preux, fr. L. pro, prod, in prodesse to be useful. See Pro-, and cf. Prude.] Valiant; brave; gallant; courageous. [Archaic] Tennyson.

Prow, n. [OE. & OF. prou. See Prow, a.] Benefit; profit; good; advantage. [Obs.]

Prow"ess (?), n. [OF. proece, proesce, F. prouesse. See Prow, a.] Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery and skill; gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness. Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.

Prowl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prowled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prowling.] [OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain origin, perh. for proglen, a dim. of prog to beg, or proke to poke. Cf. Proke.] 1. To rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner; esp., to search in, as for prey or booty.

Prowl, v. i. To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to prey; to plunder.

Prowl"ing, a. Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving stealthily, as for prey. "A prowling wolf." Milton. -- Prowl"ing*ly, adv.

Prox (?), n. [Cf. Proxy.] "The ticket or list of candidates at elections, presented to the people for their votes." [Rhode Island] Bartlett.

Prox"ene (?), n. [Cf. &?;; &?; before + &?; a guest, stranger: cf. F. proxène.] (Gr. Antiq.) An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state.

Prox"e*net (?), n. [L. proxeneta, Gr. &?;.] A negotiator; a factor. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Prox"i*mad (?), adv. [Proximal + L. ad to.] (Anat.) Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally.

Prox"i*mal (?), a. 1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of dependence; proximate.

2. (Biol.) (a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as, the proximal part of a limb. (b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the proximal bones of a limb. Opposed to distal.

Prox"i*mate (?), a. [L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.] Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. "Proximate ancestors." J. S. Harford.

Proximate analysis (Chem.), an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis. -- Proximate cause. (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or predisposing cause. I. Watts. (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. -- Proximate principle (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc.

Prox"ime (?), a. [L. proximus. See Proximate.] Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.]

Prox*im"i*ty (?), n. [L. proximitas: cf. F. proximité See Proximate, and cf. Propinquity, Approach.] The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance.

Prox"i*mo (?). [L., on the next, abl. of proximus next.] In the next month after the present; -- often contracted to prox.; as, on the 3d proximo.

Prox"y (?), n.; pl. Proxies (#). [Contr. from procuracy. Cf. Proctor.] 1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity.

3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.

4. (Eng. Law) The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts. Burrill.

Prox"y, v. i. To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another. [R.]

Pruce (?), n. [OE. for Prussia: cf. F. Prusse.] Prussian leather. [Obs.] Dryden.

Prude (?), n. [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest; shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of + fete woman. See Prow, a., Prowess.] A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudence in conduct and speech.

Pru"dence (?), n. [F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from providentia. See Prudent, and cf. Providence.] The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

Syn. -- Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom.

Pru"dent (?), a. [L. prudens, -entis, contr. from providens: cf. F. prudent. See Provident.] 1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior.

2. Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.

Syn. -- Cautious; wary; circumspect; considerate; discreet; judicious; provident; economical; frugal.

Pru*den"tial (?), a. 1. Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives. " A prudential line of conduct." Sir W. Scott.

2. Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee.

Pru*den"tial, n. That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; -- usually in the pl.

Pru*den"tial*ist, n. One who is governed by, or acts from, prudential motives. [R.] Coleridge.

Pru*den`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being prudential. Sir T. Browne.

Prud"er*y (?), n.; pl. Pruderies (#). [F. pruderie. See Prude.] The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness. Cowper.

Prud*homme" (?), n. [F. prud'homme. cf. Prude.] A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under 3d Commune, 1.

Prud"ish (?), a. Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners.

Pru"i*nose` (?), a. [L. pruinosus, fr. pruina hoarfrost.] Frosty; covered with fine scales, hairs, dust, bloom, or the like, so as to give the appearance of frost.

Prune (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pruned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning.] [OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See Provine.] 1. To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay. Thackeray.

Prune, n. [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See Plum.] A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes.

German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup. -- Prune tree. (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Prunus (P. domestica), which produces prunes. (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis. -- South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis).

||Pru*nel"la (?), n. [NL., perhaps from G. bræune quinsy, croup.] (Med.) (a) Angina, or angina pectoris. (b) Thrush.

{ Pru*nel"la, Pru*nel"lo, } n. [F. prunelle, probably so called from its color resembling that of prunes. See Prune, n.] A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making shoes; a kind of lasting; -- formerly used also for clergymen's gowns.

Pru*nelle" (?), n. [F., dim. of prune. See Prune, n.] A kind of small and very acid French plum; -- applied especially to the stoned and dried fruit.

Pru*nel"lo (?), n. [F. prunelle, dim. of prune. See Prune a plum.] A species of dried plum; prunelle.

2. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of beetles whose larvæ gnaw the branches of trees so as to cause them to fall, especially the American oak pruner (Asemum mœstum), whose larva eats the pith of oak branches, and when mature gnaws a circular furrow on the inside nearly to the bark. When the branches fall each contains a pupa.

2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her feathers; leavings. Beau. & Fl.

Pruning hook, or Pruning knife, cutting instrument used in pruning trees, etc. -- Pruning shears, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.

||Pru"nus (?), n. [L., a plum tree.] (Bot.) A genus of trees with perigynous rosaceous flowers, and a single two-ovuled carpel which usually becomes a drupe in ripening.

Originally, this genus was limited to the plums, then, by Linnæus, was made to include the cherries and the apricot. Later botanists separated these into several genera, as Prunus, Cerasus, and Armeniaca, but now, by Bentham and Hooker, the plums, cherries, cherry laurels, peach, almond, and nectarine are all placed in Prunus.

{ Pru"ri*ence (?), Pru"ri*en*cy (?), } n. The quality or state of being prurient.

Pru"ri*ent (?), a. [L. pruries, - entis, p. pr. of prurire to itch. Cf. Freeze.] Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. -- Pru"ri*ent*ly, adv.

Pru*rig"i*nous (?), a. [L. pruriginosus: cf. F. prurigineux.] (Med.) Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by, or of the nature of, prurigo.

||Pru*ri"go (?), n. [L., an itching, the itch, fr. prurire to itch.] (Med.) A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color.

Prus"sian (?), a. [From Prussia, the country: cf. F. prussien.] Of or pertaining to Prussia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Prussia.

Prussian blue (Chem.), any one of several complex double cyanides of ferrous and ferric iron; specifically, a dark blue amorphous substance having a coppery luster, obtained by adding a solution of potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate of potash) to a ferric salt. It is used in dyeing, in ink, etc. Called also Williamson's blue, insoluble Prussian blue, Berlin blue, etc. -- Prussian carp (Zoöl.) See Gibel. -- Prussian green. (Chem.) Same as Berlin green, under Berlin.

Prus"si*ate (?), n. [Cf. F. prussiate.] (Chem.) A salt of prussic acid; a cyanide.

Red prussiate of potash. See Potassium ferricyanide, under Ferricyanide. -- Yellow prussiate of potash. See Potassium ferrocyanide, under Ferrocyanide.

Prus"sic (?), a. [Cf. F. prussique.] (Old Chem.) designating the acid now called hydrocyanic acid, but formerly called prussic acid, because Prussian blue is derived from it or its compounds. See Hydrocyanic.

Pru*ten"ic (?), a. (Astron.) Prussian; -- applied to certain astronomical tables published in the sixteenth century, founded on the principles of Copernicus, a Prussian.

Pry (?), n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n.] A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]

Pry pole, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin, and stands facing the windlass.

Pry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prying.] To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]

Pry, v. i. [OE. prien. Cf. Peer to peep.] To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." Chaucer.

||Pryt`a*ne"um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; prytanis.] (Gr. Antiq.) A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers.

||Pryt"a*nis (?), n.; pl. Prytanes (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) A member of one of the ten sections into which the Athenian senate of five hundred was divided, and to each of which belonged the presidency of the senate for about one tenth of the year.

Pryt"a*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) The period during which the presidency of the senate belonged to the prytanes of the section.

Psalm (?), n. [OE. psalm, salm, AS. sealm, L. psalmus, psalma, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to pull, twitch, to play upon a stringed instrument, to sing to the harp: cf. OF. psalme, salme, F. psaume.] 1. A sacred song; a poetical composition for use in the praise or worship of God.

2. Especially, one of the hymns by David and others, collected into one book of the Old Testament, or a modern metrical version of such a hymn for public worship.

Psalm, v. t. To extol in psalms; to sing; as, psalming his praises. Sylvester.

Psalm"ist (?), n. [L. psalmista, Gr. &?;: cf. F. psalmiste. See Psalm.] 1. A writer or composer of sacred songs; -- a title particularly applied to David and the other authors of the Scriptural psalms.

{ Psal*mod"ic (?), Psal*mod"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. psalmodique.] Relating to psalmody.

Psal"mo*dize (?), v. i. To practice psalmody. " The psalmodizing art." J. G. Cooper.

Psal"mo*dy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; psalm + &?; a song, an ode: cf. F. psalmodie, LL. psalmodia. See Psalm, and Ode.] The act, practice, or art of singing psalms or sacred songs; also, psalms collectively, or a collection of psalms.

{ Psal*mog"ra*pher (?), Psal*mog"ra*phist (?), } n. [L. psalmographus, Gr. &?;; &?; a psalm + &?; to write.] A writer of psalms, or sacred songs and hymns.

Psal*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Cf. F. psalmographie.] The act or practice of writing psalms, or sacred songs.

Psal"ter (?), n. [OE. psauter, sauter, OF. sautier, psaltier, F. psautier, from L. psalterium. See Psaltery.] 1. The Book of Psalms; -- often applied to a book containing the Psalms separately printed.

2. Specifically, the Book of Psalms as printed in the Book of Common Prayer; among the Roman Catholics, the part of the Breviary which contains the Psalms arranged for each day of the week.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A rosary, consisting of a hundred and fifty beads, corresponding to the number of the psalms.

||Psal*te"ri*um (?), n.; pl. Psalteria (#). [L., a psaltery.] (Anat.) (a) The third stomach of ruminants. See Manyplies. (b) The lyra of the brain.

Psal"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Psalteries (#). [OE. sautrie, OF. psalterie, F. psaltérion, L. psalterium psaltery, psalter, from Gr. &?;, fr. &?;. See Psalm, Psalter.] A stringed instrument of music used by the Hebrews, the form of which is not known.

Psam"mite (?), n. [Gr. &?; sandy, from &?; sand: cf. F. psammite.] (Min.) A species of micaceous sandstone. -- Psam*mit"ic (#), a.

Psar"o*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; speckled + -lite.] (Paleon.) A silicified stem of tree fern, found in abundance in the Triassic sandstone.

Psel"lism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to stammer.] Indistinct pronunciation; stammering.

Pse"phism (?), n. [Gr. &?; a decree, fr. &?; to vote with a pebble, fr. &?; pebble.] (Gr. Antiq.) A proposition adopted by a majority of votes; especially, one adopted by vote of the Athenian people; a statute. J. P. Mahaffy.

||Pseu`dæs*the"si*a (?), n. [NL. See Pseudo-, and Æsthesia.] (Physiol.) False or imaginary feeling or sense perception such as occurs in hypochondriasis, or such as is referred to an organ that has been removed, as an amputated foot.

Pseu*dem"bry*o (?), n. [Pseudo- + embryo.] (Zoöl.) (a) A false embryo. (b) An asexual form from which the true embryo is produced by budding.

{ Pseu*dep`i*graph"ic (?), Pseu*dep`i*graph"ic (?), } a. Of or pertaining to pseudepigraphy.

Pseu`de*pig"ra*phous (?), a. [Gr. &?; falsely inscribed. See Pseudo-, and Epigraphy.] Inscribed with a false name. Cudworth.

Pseud*hæ"mal (?), a. [Pseudo- + hæmal.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the vascular system of annelids.

Pseudhæmal fluid, the circulatory fluid, or blood, of annelids, analogous to the blood of vertebrates. It is often red, but is sometimes green or colorless. -- Pseudhæmal vessels, the blood vessels of annelids.

Pseu"do- (?). [Gr. pseydh`s lying, false, akin to psey`dein to belie; cf. psydro`s lying, psy`qos a lie.] A combining form or prefix signifying false, counterfeit, pretended, spurious; as, pseudo-apostle, a false apostle; pseudo-clergy, false or spurious clergy; pseudo-episcopacy, pseudo- form, pseudo-martyr, pseudo-philosopher. Also used adjectively.

Pseu`do*bac*te"ri*a (?), n. pl. [Pseudo- + bacteria.] (Biol.) Microscopic organic particles, molecular granules, powdered inorganic substances, etc., which in form, size, and grouping resemble bacteria.

The globules which divide and develop in form of chains are organized beings; when this does not occur, we are dealing with pseudobacteria. Sternberg.

||Pseu`do*blep"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s false + ble`psis sight.] (Med.) False or depraved sight; imaginary vision of objects. Forsyth.

||Pseu`do*bran"chi*a (?), n.; pl. Pseudobranchiæ (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Branchia.] (Anat.) A rudimentary branchia, or gill. -- Pseu`do*bran"chi*al (#), a.

Pseu"do-bulb` (?), n. [Pseudo- + bulb.] (Bot.) An aërial corm, or thickened stem, as of some epiphytic orchidaceous plants.

Pseu"do*carp (?), n. [Pseudo- + Gr. &?; fruit.] (Bot.) That portion of an anthocarpous fruit which is not derived from the ovary, as the soft part of a strawberry or of a fig.

Pseu`do-chi"na (?), n. [Pseudo- + china.] (Bot.) The false china root, a plant of the genus Smilax (S. Pseudo-china), found in America.

||Pseu`do*cœ"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s false + &?; hollow.] (Anat.) The fifth ventricle in the mammalian brain. See Ventricle. B. G. Wilder.

Pseu"do-cone` (?), n. [Pseudo- + cone.] (Zoöl.) One of the soft gelatinous cones found in the compound eyes of certain insects, taking the place of the crystalline cones of others.

Pseu`do-cu"mene (?), n. [Pseudo- + cumene.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series, metameric with mesitylene and cumene, found in coal tar, and obtained as a colorless liquid.

Pseu`do-dip"ter*al (?), a. [Pseudo- + dipteral: cf. F. pseudodiptère.] (Arch.) Falsely or imperfectly dipteral, as a temple with the inner range of columns surrounding the cella omitted, so that the space between the cella wall and the columns is very great, being equal to two intercolumns and one column. -- n. A pseudo-dipteral temple.

Pseu"do*dox (?), a. [Gr. pseydo`doxos; pseydh`s false + do`xa an opinion.] Not true in opinion or doctrine; false. -- n. A false opinion or doctrine. "To maintain the atheistical pseudodox which judgeth evil good, and darkness light." T. Adams.

||Pseu`do*fi*la"ri*a (?), n.; pl. Pseudofilari&?; (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Filaria.] (Zoöl.) One of the two elongated vibratile young formed by fission of the embryo during the development of certain Gregarinæ.

Pseu`do-ga*le"na (?), n. [Pseudo- + galena.] (Min.) False galena, or blende. See Blende (a).

Pseu"do*graph (?), n. [See Pseudography.] A false writing; a spurious document; a forgery.

Pseu*dog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; pseydh`s false + &?; to write.] False writing; forgery.

||Pseu`do*hal"ter (?), n.; pl. Pseudohalteres (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Halteres.] (Zoöl.) One of the rudimentary front wings of certain insects (Stylops). They resemble the halteres, or rudimentary hind wings, of Diptera.

Pseu"do-heart` (?), n. [Pseudo- + heart.] (Zoöl.) Any contractile vessel of invertebrates which is not of the nature of a real heart, especially one of those pertaining to the excretory system.

Pseu`do-hy`per*thoph"ic (?), a. [Pseudo- + hypertrophic.] (Med.) Falsely hypertrophic; as, pseudo-hypertrophic paralysis, a variety of paralysis in which the muscles are apparently enlarged, but are really degenerated and replaced by fat.

Pseu*dol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; pseydh`s false + &?; speech: cf. F. pseudologie.] Falsehood of speech. Arbuthnot.

Pseu`do-me*tal"lic (?), a. [Pseudo- + metallic.] Falsely or imperfectly metallic; -- said of a kind of luster, as in minerals.

Pseu`do-mon`o*cot`y*led"on*ous (?), a. [Pseudo- + monocotyledonous.] (Bot.) Having two coalescent cotyledons, as the live oak and the horse- chestnut.

2. (Crystallog.) A pseudomorphous crystal, as a crystal consisting of quartz, but having the cubic form of fluor spar, the fluor crystal having been changed to quartz by a process of substitution.

Pseu`do*mor"phism (?), n. (Crystallog.) The state of having, or the property of taking, a crystalline form unlike that which belongs to the species.

Pseu`do*mor"phous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; pseydh`s false + &?; form: cf. F. pseudomorphe.] Not having the true form.

Pseudomorphous crystal, one which has a form that does not result from its own powers of crystallization.

||Pseu`do*nav`i*cel"la (?), n.; pl. Pseudonavicullæ (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pseudonavicula.

||Pseu`do*na*vic"u*la (?), n.; pl. Pseudonaviculæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s false + NL. navicula, a genus of diatoms. See Navicular.] (Zoöl.) One of the minute spindle-shaped embryos of Gregarinæ and some other Protozoa.

||Pseu`do*neu*rop"te*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pseudo-, and Neuroptera.] (Zoöl.) division of insects (Zoöl.) reticulated wings, as in the Neuroptera, but having an active pupa state. It includes the dragon flies, May flies, white ants, etc. By some zoölogists they are classed with the Orthoptera; by others, with the Neuroptera.

Pseu`do*neu*rop"ter*ous (?), a. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Pseudoneuroptera.

Pseu"do*nym (?), n. [Cf. F. pseudonyme. See Pseudonymous.] A fictitious name assumed for the time, as by an author; a pen name. [Written also pseudonyme.]

Pseu*don"y*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; pseydh`s false + &?;, &?;, a name: cf. F. pseudonyme. See Pseudo-, and Name.] Bearing a false or fictitious name; as, a pseudonymous work. -- Pseu*don"y*mous*ly, adv. -- Pseu*don"y*mous*ness, n.

Pseu`do-pe*rip"ter*al (?), a. [Pseudo- + peripteral: cf. F. pseudopériptère.] (Arch.) Falsely or imperfectly peripteral, as a temple having the columns at the sides attached to the walls, and an ambulatory only at the ends or only at one end. -- n. A pseudo-peripteral temple. Oxf. Gloss.

||Pseu"do*pod (?), n. [Pseudo- + -pod.] 1. (Biol.) Any protoplasmic filament or irregular process projecting from any unicellular organism, or from any animal or plant call.

Pseu`do*po"di*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a pseudopod, or to pseudopodia. See Illust. of Heliozoa.

||Pseu`do*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Pseudopodia (&?;). [NL.] Same as Pseudopod.

||Pseu`do*pu"pa (?), n.; pl. L. Pseudopupæ (#), E. Pseudopupas (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Pupa.] (Zoöl.) A stage intermediate between the larva and pupa of bees and certain other hymenopterous insects.

Pseu`do*rhab"dite (?), n. [Pseudo- + Gr. &?; a rod.] (Zoöl.) One of the peculiar rodlike corpuscles found in the integument of certain Turbellaria. They are filled with a soft granular substance.

Pseu"do*scope (?), n. [Pseudo- + -scope.] (Opt.) An instrument which exhibits objects with their proper relief reversed; -- an effect opposite to that produced by the stereoscope. Wheatstone.

Pseu`do*scop"ic (?), a. (Opt.) Of, pertaining to, or formed by, a pseudoscope; having its parts appearing with the relief reversed; as, a pseudoscopic image.

||Pseu`do*scor`pi*o"nes (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pseudo-, and Scorpion.] (Zoöl.) An order of Arachnoidea having the palpi terminated by large claws, as in the scorpions, but destitute of a caudal sting; the false scorpions. Called also Pseudoscorpii, and Pseudoscorpionina. See Illust. of Book scorpion, under Book.

Pseu"do*sphere` (?), n. [Pseudo- + sphere.] (Geom.) The surface of constant negative curvature generated by the revolution of a tractrix. This surface corresponds in non-Euclidian space to the sphere in ordinary space. An important property of the surface is that any figure drawn upon it can be displaced in any way without tearing it or altering in size any of its elements.

Pseu"do*spore` (?), n. [Pseudo- + spore.] (Bot.)A peculiar reproductive cell found in some fungi.

||Pseu`do*stel"la (?), n.; pl. -læ. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s false + L. stella star.] (Astron.) Any starlike meteor or phenomenon. [R.]

||Pseu*dos"to*ma (?), n.; pl. Pseudostomata (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Stoma.] (Anat.) A group of cells resembling a stoma, but without any true aperture among them.

Pseu`do-sym"me*try (?), n. [Pseudo- + symmetry.] (Crystallog.) A kind of symmetry characteristic of certain crystals which from twinning, or other causes, come to resemble forms of a system other than that to which they belong, as the apparently hexagonal prisms of aragonite.

||Pseu`do*te*tram"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pseudo-, and Tetramerous.] (Zoöl.) A division of beetles having the fifth tarsal joint minute and obscure, so that there appear to be but four joints. -- Pseu`do*te*tram"er*al (#), a.

||Pseu`do*tin"e*a (&?;), n.; pl. Pseudotineæ (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Tinea.] (Zoöl.) The bee moth, or wax moth (Galleria).

Pseu`do*tur"bi*nal (?), a. [Pseudo- + turbinal.] (Anat.) See under Turbinal.

Pseu*do"va*ry (?), n.; pl. Pseudovaries (#). [Pseudo- + ovary.] (Zoöl.) The organ in which pseudova are produced; -- called also pseudovarium.

||Pseu*do"vum (?), n.; pl. Pseudova (#). [NL. See Pseudo-, and Ovum.] (Zoöl.) An egglike germ produced by the agamic females of some insects and other animals, and by the larvæ of certain insects. It is capable of development without fertilization. See Illust. of Pædogenesis.

Pshaw (?), interj. [Of imitative origin.] Pish! pooch! -- an exclamation used as an expression of contempt, disdain, dislike, etc. [Written also psha.]

Pshaw (?), v. i. To express disgust or contemptuous disapprobation, as by the exclamation " Pshaw!"

Psi`lan*throp"ic (?), a. [see Psilanthropist.] Pertaining to, or embodying, psilanthropy. "A psilanthropic explanation." Coleridge.

Psi*lan"thro*pist (?), n. [Gr. &?; bare, mere + &?; a man.] One who believes that Christ was a mere man. Smart.

Psi*lol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr &?; mere + - logy.] Love of empty of empty talk or noise. Coleridge.

Psi*lom"e*lane (?), n. [Gr. &?; bare + &?;, &?;, black.] (Min.) A hydrous oxide of manganese, occurring in smooth, botryoidal forms, and massive, and having an iron-black or steel-gray color.

||Psi`lo*pæ"des (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr.&?; bare + &?;, &?;, offspring.] (Zoöl.) birds whose young at first have down on the pterylæ only; - - called also Gymnopædes.

Psi`lo*pæd"ic (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having down upon the pterylæ only; -- said of the young of certain birds.

Psi*los"o*pher, n. [Gr. &?; bare, mere + &?; wise.] A superficial or narrow pretender to philosophy; a sham philosopher.

{ Psit*ta"ceous (?), Psit"ta*cid (?), } a. [L. psittacus a parrot, Gr. &?;: cf. F. psittacide.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the parrots, or the Psittaci. -- n. One of the Psittaci.

||Psit"ta*ci (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The order of birds which comprises the parrots.

Psit`ta-co-ful"*vine (?), n. [Gr. &?; a parrot + L. fulvus yellow.] A yellow pigment found in the feathers of certain parrots.

Pso"as (?), n. [Gr. &?; a muscle of the loin: cf. f. psoas.] (Anat.) An internal muscle arising from the lumbar vertebræ and inserted into the femur. In man there are usually two on each side, and the larger one, or great psoas, forms a part of the iliopsoas.

||Pso"ra (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Med.) A cutaneous disease; especially, the itch.

||Pso*ri"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; psora.] (Med.) (a) The state of being affected with psora. [Obs.] (b) A cutaneous disease, characterized by imbricated silvery scales, affecting only the superficial layers of the skin.

Pso"ric (?), a. [L. psoricus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. psorique.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to psora.

Pso"ro*sperm (?), n. [Gr. &?; itching + &?; seed.] (Zoöl.) A minute parasite, usually the young of Gregarinæ, in the pseudonavicula stage.

Psy`cha*gog"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Psychagogue.] Attractive; persuasive. J. Morley.

Psy"chal (?), a. [See Psychical.] Of or pertaining to the soul; psychical. Bayne.

Psy"che (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. PSychh` Psyche, fr. psychh` the soul.] 1. (Class Myth.) A lovely maiden, daughter of a king and mistress of Eros, or Cupid. She is regarded as the personification of the soul.

Psy"chi*an (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any small moth of the genus Psyche and allied genera (family Psychidæ). The larvæ are called basket worms. See Basket worm, under Basket.

{ ||Psy*chi`a*tri"a (?), Psy*chi"a*try (?), } n. [NL. psychiatria, fr. Gr. &?; the mind + &?; healing.] (Med.) The application of the healing art to mental diseases. Dunglison.

{ Psy"chic (?), Psy"chic*al (?), } a. [L. psychicus, Gr. &?;, fr. psychh` the soul, mind; cf. &?; to blow: cf. F. psychique.] 1. Of or pertaining to the human soul, or to the living principle in man.

This term was formerly used to express the same idea as psychological. Recent metaphysicians, however, have employed it to mark the difference between psychh` the living principle in man, and pney^ma the rational or spiritual part of his nature. In this use, the word describes the human soul in its relation to sense, appetite, and the outer visible world, as distinguished from spiritual or rational faculties, which have to do with the supersensible world. Heyse.

2. Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and diseases; mental; -- contrasted with physical.

Psychical blindness, Psychical deafness (Med.), forms of nervous disease in which, while the senses of sight and hearing remain unimpaired, the mind fails to appreciate the significance of the sounds heard or the images seen. -- Psychical contagion, the transference of disease, especially of a functional nervous disease, by mere force of example. -- Psychical medicine, that department of medicine which treats of mental diseases.

Psy"chism (?), n. [Cf. F. psychisme.] (Philos.) The doctrine of Quesne, that there is a fluid universally diffused, end equally animating all living beings, the difference in their actions being due to the difference of the individual organizations. Fleming.

Psy"cho- (?). A combining form from Gr. psychh` the soul, the mind, the understanding; as, psychology.

Psy`cho*gen"e*sis (?), n. Genesis through an internal force, as opposed to natural selection.

Psy*chog"ra*phy (?), n. [Psycho- + -graphy.] 1. A description of the phenomena of mind.

{ Psy`cho*log"ic (?), Psy`cho*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. psychologique.] Of or pertaining to psychology. See Note under Psychic. -- Psy`cho*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Psy*chol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. psychologiste.] One who is versed in, devoted to, psychology.

Psy*chol"o*gy (?), n. pl. Psychologies (&?;). [Psycho- + -logy: cf. F. psychologie. See Psychical.] The science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul.

Psy*chom"a*chy (?), n. [L. psychomachia, fr. Gr. psychh` the soul + &?; fight: cf. &?; desperate fighting.] A conflict of the soul with the body.

Psy"cho*man`cy (?), n. [Psycho- + -mancy: cf. F. psychomancie.] Necromancy.

Psy*chom"e*try (?), n. [Psycho- + -metry.] (Physiol.) The art of measuring the duration of mental processes, or of determining the time relations of mental phenomena. -- Psy`cho*met"ric (#), a.

Psy`cho-mo"tor (?), a. [Psycho- + motor.] Of or pertaining to movement produced by action of the mind or will.

Psy"cho*pan"ny*chism (?), n. [Psycho- + Gr. &?; to spend all night long; &?;, &?;, all + &?; night.] (Theol.) The doctrine that the soul falls asleep at death, and does not wake until the resurrection of the body. -- Psy`cho*pan"ny*chism (#), n.

Psy*chop"a*thy (?), n. [Psycho- + Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Med.) Mental disease. See Psychosis, 2. -- Psy`cho*path"ic, a. -- Psy*chop"a*thist, n.

Psy`cho*phys"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to psychophysics; involving the action or mutual relations of the psychical and physical in man.

Psychophysical time (Physiol.), the time required for the mind to transform a sensory impression into a motor impulse. It is an important part of physiological or reaction time. See under Reaction.

Psy`cho*phys"ics (?), n. [Psycho- + physics.] The science of the connection between nerve action and consciousness; the science which treats of the relations of the psychical and physical in their conjoint operation in man; the doctrine of the relation of function or dependence between body and soul.

Psy"cho*pomp (?), n. [Gr. &?;; psychh` the soul + &?; to send: cf. F. psychopompe.] (Myth.) A leader or guide of souls . J. Fiske.

2. (Med.) A disease of the mind; especially, a functional mental disorder, that is, one unattended with evident organic changes.

Psy`cho*zo"ic (?), a. [Psycho- + Gr. &?; life.] (Geol.)Designating, or applied to the Era of man; as, the psychozoic era.

Psy*chrom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. psychro`s cold + -meter: cf. F. psychromètre.] An instrument for measuring the tension of the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere, being essentially a wet and dry bulb hygrometer.

Psy`chro*met"ric*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the psychrometer or psychrometry.

||Psyl"la (?), n.; pl. Psyllæ (#). [NL., from Gr. &?; a flea.] (Zoöl.) Any leaping plant louse of the genus Psylla, or family Psyllidæ.

Ptar"mi*gan (?), n. [Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan, tarmonach.] (Zoöl.) Any grouse of the genus Lagopus, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter.

They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common European species is Lagopus mutus. The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (L. Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (L. albus) is found in both Europe and America.

||Pte`no*glos"sa (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.&?; feathered + &?; tongue.] (Zoöl.) A division of gastropod mollusks having the teeth of the radula arranged in long transverse rows, somewhat like the barbs of a feather.

Pte*ran"o*don (?), n. [Gr. &?; wing + &?; priv. + &?;, &?;, a tooth.] (Paleon.) A genus of American Cretaceous pterodactyls destitute of teeth. Several species are known, some of which had an expanse of wings of twenty feet or more.

||Pte*ran`o*don"ti*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.) A group of pterodactyls destitute of teeth, as in the genus Pteranodon.

||Pte*rich"thys (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; wing + &?; fish.] (Paleon.) A genus of Devonian fossil fishes with winglike appendages. The head and most of the body were covered with large bony plates. See Placodermi.

Pter`i*dol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a fern + -logy.] That department of botany which treats of ferns.

Pter`i*do*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a fern + E. mania.] A madness, craze, or strong fancy, for ferns. [R.] C. Kingsley.

||Pter`i*doph"y*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?;, &?;, a fern + &?; a plant.] (Bot.) A class of flowerless plants, embracing ferns, horsetails, club mosses, quillworts, and other like plants. See the Note under Cryptogamia. -- Pter"i*do*phyte` (#), n.

This is a modern term, devised to replace the older ones acrogens and vascular Cryptogamia.

||Pter`o*bran"chi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a wing + &?; &?;.] (Zoöl.) An order of marine Bryozoa, having a bilobed lophophore and an axial cord. The genus Rhabdopleura is the type. Called also Podostomata. See Rhabdopleura.

||Pte*roc"e*ras (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a wing + &?; a horn.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large marine gastropods having the outer border of the lip divided into lobes; -- called also scorpion shell.

||Pter`o*cle"tes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr Pterocles, the typical genus, fr. Gr. &?; feather + &?;, &?;, a key, tongue of a clasp.] (Zoöl.) A division of birds including the sand grouse. They are in some respects intermediate between the pigeons and true grouse. Called also Pteroclomorphæ.

Pter`o*dac"tyl (?), n. [Gr. &?; a wing + &?; finger, toe: cf. F. ptérodactyle.] (Paleon.) An extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. See Illustration in Appendix.

Pter`o*glos"sal (?), a. [Gr. &?; a feather + &?; tongue.] (Zoöl.) Having the tongue finely notched along the sides, so as to have a featherlike appearance, as the toucans.

Pte"ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a wing.] (Anat.) The region of the skull, in the temporal fossa back of the orbit, where the great wing of the sphenoid, the temporal, the parietal, and the frontal hones approach each other.

||Pter`o*pap"pi (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a feather, a bird + &?; a grandfather.] (Zool.) Same as Odontotormæ.

Pter"o*phore (?), n. [Gr. &?; a feather + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) Any moth of the genus Pterophorus and allied genera; a plume moth. See Plume moth, under Plume.

Pter"o*pod (?), n. [Gr. &?; wing-footed; &?; a feather, wing + &?;, &?;, foot: cf. F. ptéropode.] (Zoöl.) One of the Pteropoda.

||Pte*rop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A class of Mollusca in which the anterior lobes of the foot are developed in the form of broad, thin, winglike organs, with which they swim at near the surface of the sea.

The Pteropoda are divided into two orders: Cymnosomata, which have the body entirely naked and the head distinct from the wings; and Thecosomata, which have a delicate transparent shell of various forms, and the head not distinct from the wings.

||Pter`o*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic age; the pterodactyls; -- called also Pterodactyli, and Ornithosauria.

The wings were formed, like those of bats, by a leathery expansion of the skin, principally supported by the greatly enlarged outer or " little" fingers of the hands. The American Cretaceous pterodactyls had no teeth. See Pteranodontia, and Pterodactyl.

||Pter`o*stig"ma (?), n.; pl. Pterostigmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; wing + &?;, &?;, a mark.] (Zoöl.) A thickened opaque spot on the wings of certain insects.

Pte*ro"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; wing + &?;, &?;, ear.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to, or designating, a bone between the proötic and epiotic in the dorsal and outer part of the periotic capsule of many fishes. -- n. The pterotic bone.

The pterotic bone is so called because fancied in some cases to resemble in form a bird's wing

||Pte*ryg"i*um (?), n.; pl. E. Pterygiums (#), L. Pterygia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, properly a dim, akin to &?; a feather.] (Med.) A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye.

Pter"y*goid (?), a. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a wing + -oid.] (Anat.) (a) Like a bird's wing in form; as, a pterygoid bone. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pterygoid bones, pterygoid processes, or the whole sphenoid bone. -- n. A pterygoid bone.

Pterygoid bone (Anat.), a bone which corresponds to the inner plate of the pterygoid process of the human skull, but which, in all vertebrates below mammals, is not connected with the posterior nares, but serves to connect the palatine bones with the point of suspension of the lower jaw. -- Pterygoid process (Anat.), a process projecting downward from either side of the sphenoid bone, in man divided into two plates, an inner and an outer. The posterior nares pass through the space, called the pterygoid fossa, between the processes.

Pter`y*go*max"il*la*ry (?), a. [Pterygoid + maxillary.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the inner pterygoid plate, or pterygoid bone, and the lower jaw.

Pter`y*go*pal"a*tine (?), a. [Pterygoid + palatine.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pterygoid processes and the palatine bones.

||Pter`y*go*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Pterygopodia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a fin + &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, a foot.] (Anat.) A specially modified part of the ventral fin in male elasmobranchs, which serves as a copulatory organ, or clasper.

Pter`y*go*quad"rate (?), a. [Pterygoid + quadrate.] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or representing the pterygoid and quadrate bones or cartilages.

||Pte*ry"la (?), n.; pl. Pterylæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; feather + &?; wood, forest.] (Zoöl.) One of the definite areas of the skin of a bird on which feathers grow; -- contrasted with apteria.

Pter`y*log"ra*phy (?), n. [Pteryla + -graphy.] (Zoöl.) The study or description of the arrangement of feathers, or of the pterylæ, of birds.

||Pter`y*lo"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. NL. & E. pteryla.] (Zoöl.) The arrangement of feathers in definite areas.

||Ptil`o*pæ"des (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a feather + &?;, &?;, offspring.] (Zoöl.) Same as Dasypædes.

Ptil`o*pæd"ic (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having nearly the whole surface of the skin covered with down; dasypædic; -- said of the young of certain birds.

||Pti*lop"te*ri (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a downy feather + &?; wing.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds including only the penguins.

||Pti*lo"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr &?; a feather.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pterylosis.

Ptis"an (?), n. [L. ptisana peeled barley, barley water, Gr. &?;, from &?; to peel, husk; cf. F. ptisane, tisane.] 1. A decoction of barley with other ingredients; a farinaceous drink.

2. (Med.) An aqueous medicine, containing little, if any, medicinal agent; a tea or tisane.

Ptol`e*ma"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer.

Ptolemaic system (Astron.), the system maintained by Ptolemy, who supposed the earth to be fixed in the center of the universe, with the sun and stars revolving around it. This theory was received for ages, until superseded by the Copernican system.

Pto"ma*ine (?), n. [From Gr. &?; a dead body.] (Physiol. Chem.) One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the leucomaines.

||Pto"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a falling.] (Med.) Drooping of the upper eyelid, produced by paralysis of its levator muscle.

Pty"a*lin (?), n. [Gr. &?; spittle. See Ptyalism.] (Physiol. Chem.) An unorganized amylolytic ferment, on enzyme, present in human mixed saliva and in the saliva of some animals.

Pty"a*lism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to spit much, fr. &?; spittle, fr. &?; to spit: cf. F. ptyalisme.] Salivation, or an excessive flow of saliva. Quain.

Ptys"ma*gogue (?), n. [Gr. &?; spittle + &?; driving: cf. F. ptysmagogue.] (Med.) A medicine that promotes the discharge of saliva.

||Ptyx"is (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a folding.] (Bot.) The way in which a leaf is sometimes folded in the bud.

Pub"ble (?), a. [Perhaps fr. bubble.] Puffed out, pursy; pudgy; fat. [Obs.] Drant.

Pu"ber*al (?), a. [From L. puber, pubes, grown up, adult.] Of or pertaining to puberty.

Pu"ber*ty (?), n. [L. pubertas, fr. puber, pubes, adult: cf. F. puberté.] 1. The earliest age at which persons are capable of begetting or bearing children, usually considered, in temperate climates, to be about fourteen years in males and twelve in females.

Pu"bes (?), n. [L., the hair which appears on the body at puberty, from pubes adult.] 1. (Anat.) (a) The hair which appears upon the lower part of the hypogastric region at the age of puberty. (b) Hence (as more commonly used), the lower part of the hypogastric region; the pubic region.

2. (Bot.) The down of plants; a downy or villous substance which grows on plants; pubescence.

Pu*bes"cence (?), n. [Cf. F. pubescence.] 1. The quality or state of being pubescent, or of having arrived at puberty. Sir T. Browne.

2. A covering of soft short hairs, or down, as one some plants and insects; also, the state of being so covered.

Pu*bes"cent (?), a. [L. pubescens, -entis, p. pr. of pubescere to reach puberty, to grow hairy or mossy, fr. pubes pubes: cf. F. pubescent.] 1. Arrived at puberty.

2. Covered with pubescence, or fine short hairs, as certain insects, and the leaves of some plants.

Pu"bic (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pubes; in the region of the pubes; as, the pubic bone; the pubic region, or the lower part of the hypogastric region. See Pubes. (b) Of or pertaining to the pubis.

||Pu"bis (?), n. [NL. See Pubes.] (Anat.) The ventral and anterior of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis; sharebone; pubic bone.

Pub"lic (?), a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people: cf. F. public. See People.] 1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury.

2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.

3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house. "The public street." Shak.

Public act or statute (Law), an act or statute affecting matters of public concern. Of such statutes the courts take judicial notice. -- Public credit. See under Credit. -- Public funds. See Fund, 3. -- Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. -- Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or statute. -- Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance. -- Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3. -- Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc. -- Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed at the public cost.

Pub"lic, n. 1. The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people; as, an author's public.

In public, openly; before an audience or the people at large; not in private or secrecy. "We are to speak in public." Shak.

Pub"li*can (?), n. [L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See Public.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A farmer of the taxes and public revenues; hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior officers of this class were often oppressive in their exactions, and were regarded with great detestation.

2. The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to retail beer, spirits, or wine.

Pub`li*ca"tion (?), n. [L. publicatio confiscation: cf. F. publication. See Publish.] 1. The act of publishing or making known; notification to the people at large, either by words, writing, or printing; proclamation; divulgation; promulgation; as, the publication of the law at Mount Sinai; the publication of the gospel; the publication of statutes or edicts.

2. The act of offering a book, pamphlet, engraving, etc., to the public by sale or by gratuitous distribution.

3. That which is published or made known; especially, any book, pamphlet, etc., offered for sale or to public notice; as, a daily or monthly publication.

Publication of a libel (Law), such an exhibition of a libel as brings it to the notice of at least one person other than the person libeled. -- Publication of a will (Law), the delivery of a will, as his own, by a testator to witnesses who attest it.

Pub"li*cist (?), n. [Cf. F. publiciste.] A writer on the laws of nature and nations; one who is versed in the science of public right, the principles of government, etc.

Pub*lic"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. publicité.] The quality or state of being public, or open to the knowledge of a community; notoriety; publicness.

Pub"lic*ly (?), adv. 1. With exposure to popular view or notice; without concealment; openly; as, property publicly offered for sale; an opinion publicly avowed; a declaration publicly made.

Pub"lic*ness, n. 1. The quality or state of being public, or open to the view or notice of people at large; publicity; notoriety; as, the publicness of a sale.

2. The quality or state of belonging to the community; as, the publicness of property. Boyle.

Pub"lic-spir`it*ed (?), a. 1. Having, or exercising, a disposition to advance the interest of the community or public; as, public- spirited men.

2. Dictated by a regard to public good; as, a public-spirited project or measure. Addison.

Pub"lish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Published (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Publishing.] [F. publier, L. publicare, publicatum. See Public, and -ish.] 1. To make public; to make known to mankind, or to people in general; to divulge, as a private transaction; to promulgate or proclaim, as a law or an edict.

2. To make known by posting, or by reading in a church; as, to publish banns of marriage.

3. To send forth, as a book, newspaper, musical piece, or other printed work, either for sale or for general distribution; to print, and issue from the press.

4. To utter, or put into circulation; as, to publish counterfeit paper. [U.S.]

To publish a will (Law), to acknowledge it before the witnesses as the testator's last will and testament.

Syn. -- To announce; proclaim; advertise; declare; promulgate; disclose; divulge; reveal. See Announce.

Pub"lish*ment (?), n. 1. The act or process of making publicly known; publication.

2. A public notice of intended marriage, required by the laws of some States. [U.S.]

Puc*coon" (?), n. [From the American Indian name.] (Bot.) Any one of several plants yielding a red pigment which is used by the North American Indians, as the bloodroot and two species of Lithospermum (L. hirtum, and L. canescens); also, the pigment itself.

Puce (?), a. [F., fr. puce a flea, L. pulex, pulicis.] Of a dark brown or brownish purple color.

||Pu*celle" (?), n. [F., fr. LL. pulicella, fr. L. pullus a young animal. See Pullet.] A maid; a virgin. [Written also pucel.] [Obs.]

Pu"ce*ron (?), n. [F., from puce a flea. See Puce.] (Zoöl.) Any plant louse, or aphis.

Pu"cher*ite (?), n. [So named from the Pucher Mine, in Saxony.] (Min.) Vanadate of bismuth, occurring in minute reddish brown crystals.

Puck (?), n. [OE. pouke; cf. OSw. puke, Icel. pki an evil demon, W. pwca a hobgoblin. Cf. Poker a bugbear, Pug.] 1. (Mediæval Myth.) A celebrated fairy, "the merry wanderer of the night;" -- called also Robin Goodfellow, Friar Rush, Pug, etc. Shak.

Puck"er (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Puckered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puckering.] [From Poke a pocket, small bag.] To gather into small folds or wrinkles; to contract into ridges and furrows; to corrugate; -- often with up; as, to pucker up the mouth. "His skin [was] puckered up in wrinkles." Spectator.

2. A state of perplexity or anxiety; confusion; bother; agitation. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]

Puck"er*y (?), a. 1. Producing, or tending to produce, a pucker; as, a puckery taste. Lowell.

Puck"ish, a. [From Puck.] Resembling Puck; merry; mischievous. "Puckish freaks." J. R. Green.

Pud"den*ing (?), n. [Probably fr. pudden, for pudding, in allusion to its softness.] (Naut.) (a) A quantity of rope-yarn, or the like, placed, as a fender, on the bow of a boat. (b) A bunch of soft material to prevent chafing between spars, or the like.

Pud"der (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puddered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puddering.] [Cf. Pother.] To make a tumult or bustle; to splash; to make a pother or fuss; to potter; to meddle.

Pud"der, v. t. To perplex; to embarrass; to confuse; to bother; as, to pudder a man. Locke.

Pud"der, n. A pother; a tumult; a confused noise; turmoil; bustle. "All in a pudder." Milton.

Pud"ding (?), n. [Cf. F. boudin black pudding, sausage, L. botulus, botellus, a sausage, G. & Sw. pudding pudding, Dan. podding, pudding, LG. puddig thick, stumpy, W. poten, potten, also E. pod, pout, v.] 1. A species of food of a soft or moderately hard consistence, variously made, but often a compound of flour or meal, with milk and eggs, etc.

3. An intestine; especially, an intestine stuffed with meat, etc.; a sausage. Shak.

Pudding grass (Bot.), the true pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium), formerly used to flavor stuffing for roast meat. Dr. Prior. -- Pudding pie, a pudding with meat baked in it. Taylor (1630). -- Pudding pipe (Bot.), the long, cylindrical pod of the leguminous tree Cassia Fistula. The seeds are separately imbedded in a sweetish pulp. See Cassia. -- Pudding sleeve, a full sleeve like that of the English clerical gown. Swift. -- Pudding stone. (Min.) See Conglomerate, n., 2. -- Pudding time. (a) The time of dinner, pudding being formerly the dish first eaten. [Obs.] Johnson. (b) The nick of time; critical time. [Obs.]

Pud"dle (?), n. [OE. podel; cf. LG. pudel, Ir. & Gael. plod pool.] 1. A small quantity of dirty standing water; a muddy plash; a small pool. Spenser.

2. Clay, or a mixture of clay and sand, kneaded or worked, when wet, to render it impervious to water.

Pud"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Puddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puddling (?).] 1. To make foul or muddy; to pollute with dirt; to mix dirt with (water).

2. (a) To make dense or close, as clay or loam, by working when wet, so as to render impervious to water. (b) To make impervious to liquids by means of puddle; to apply puddle to.

3. To subject to the process of puddling, as iron, so as to convert it from the condition of cast iron to that of wrought iron. Ure.

Puddled steel, steel made directly from cast iron by a modification of the puddling process.

Pud"dle-ball` (?), n. The lump of pasty wrought iron as taken from the puddling furnace to be hammered or rolled.

Pud"dle-bar" (?), n. An iron bar made at a single heat from a puddle-ball hammering and rolling.

Pud"dler (?), n. One who converts cast iron into wrought iron by the process of puddling.

Pud"dling (?), n. 1. (Hydraul. Engin.) (a) The process of working clay, loam, pulverized ore, etc., with water, to render it compact, or impervious to liquids; also, the process of rendering anything impervious to liquids by means of puddled material. (b) Puddle. See Puddle, n., 2.

2. (Metal.) The art or process of converting cast iron into wrought iron or steel by subjecting it to intense heat and frequent stirring in a reverberatory furnace in the presence of oxidizing substances, by which it is freed from a portion of its carbon and other impurities.

Puddling furnace, a reverberatory furnace in which cast iron is converted into wrought iron or into steel by puddling.

Pud"dly (?), a. Consisting of, or resembling, puddles; muddy; foul. "Thick puddly water." Carew.

Pud"dock (?), n. [For paddock, or parrock, a park.] A small inclosure. [Written also purrock.] [Prov. Eng.]

Pu"den*cy (?), n. [L. pudens, p. pr. of pudere to be ashamed.] Modesty; shamefacedness. "A pudency so rosy." Shak.

||Pu*den"da (?), n. pl. [L., from pudendus that of which one ought to be ashamed, fr. pudere to be ashamed.] (Anat.) The external organs of generation.

||Pu*den"dum (?), n. [NL. See Pudenda.] (Anat.) The external organs of generation, especially of the female; the vulva.

Pudg"y (?), a. Short and fat or sturdy; dumpy; podgy; as, a short, pudgy little man; a pudgy little hand. Thackeray.

Pu"dic (?), a. [L. pudicus modest, fr. pudere to be ashamed: cf. F. pudique.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the external organs of generation.

Pu*dic"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pudicité, L. pudicitia.] Modesty; chastity. Howell.

Pu"du (?), n. (Zoöl.) A very small deer (Pudua humilis), native of the Chilian Andes. It has simple spikelike antlers, only two or three inches long.

Pue (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puing.] To make a low whistling sound; to chirp, as birds. Halliwell.

Pueb"lo (?), n. [Sp., a village, L. populus people. See People.] A communistic building erected by certain Indian tribes of Arizona and New Mexico. It is often of large size and several stories high, and is usually built either of stone or adobe. The term is also applied to any Indian village in the same region.

Pueblo Indians (Ethnol.), any tribe or community of Indians living in pueblos. The principal Pueblo tribes are the Moqui, the Zuñi, the Keran, and the Tewan.

Pu"er (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] The dung of dogs, used as an alkaline steep in tanning. Simmonds.

Puerco beds (Geol.), a name given to certain strata belonging to the earliest Eocene. They are developed in Northwestern New Mexico, along the Rio Puerco, and are characterized by their mammalian remains.

Pu"er*ile (?), a. [L. puerilis, fr. puer a child, a boy: cf. F. puéril.] Boyish; childish; trifling; silly.

Pu`er*il"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Puerilities (#). [L. puerilitas: cf. F. puérilité.] 1. The quality of being puerile; childishness; puerileness. Sir T. Browne.

2. That which is puerile or childish; especially, an expression which is flat, insipid, or silly.

Pu*er"per*al (?), a. [L. puerpera a lying-in woman; puer child + parere to bear: cf. F. puerpéral.] Of or pertaining to childbirth; as, a puerperal fever.

Puff (pf), n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan. puf, D. pof; of imitative origin. Cf. Buffet.] 1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff. " To every puff of wind a slave." Flatman.

2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: (a) A puffball. (b) a kind of light pastry. (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.

3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal.

Puff adder. (Zoöl.) (a) Any South African viper belonging to Clotho and allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have the power of greatly distending their bodies when irritated. The common puff adder (Vipera, or Clotho arietans) is the largest species, becoming over four feet long. The plumed puff adder (C. cornuta) has a plumelike appendage over each eye. (b) A North American harmless snake (Heterodon platyrrhinos) which has the power of puffing up its body. Called also hog-nose snake, flathead, spreading adder, and blowing adder. -- Puff bird (Zoöl.), any bird of the genus Bucco, or family Bucconidæ. They are small birds, usually with dull- colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail feathers. See Barbet (b).

Puff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puffed (pft); p. pr. & vb. n. Puffing.] [Akin to G. puffen to pop, buffet, puff, D. poffen to pop, puffen to blow, Sw. puffa to push, to cuff, Dan. puffe to pop, thump. See Puff, n.] 1. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.

5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.

3. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.

4. To inflate with pride, flattery, self- esteem, or the like; -- often with up.

5. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly. " Puffed with wonderful skill." Macaulay.

Puff"ball` (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of ball-shaped fungus (Lycoperdon giganteum, and other species of the same genus) full of dustlike spores when ripe; -- called also bullfist, bullfice, puckfist, puff, and puffin.

Puff"er (?), n. 1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant commendation.

2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. Bouvier.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of Tetrodon and Diodon; -- called also blower, puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.

Puf"fin (pf"fn), n. [Akin to puff.] 1. (Zoöl.) An arctic sea bird Fratercula arctica) allied to the auks, and having a short, thick, swollen beak, whence the name; -- called also bottle nose, cockandy, coulterneb, marrot, mormon, pope, and sea parrot.

The name is also applied to other related species, as the horned puffin (F. corniculata), the tufted puffin (Lunda cirrhata), and the razorbill.

Puffing adder. (Zoöl.) Same as Puff adder (b), under Puff. -- Puffing pig (Zoöl.), the common porpoise.

Puff"ing*ly, adv. In a puffing manner; with vehement breathing or shortness of breath; with exaggerated praise.

Puff"-leg` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of beautiful humming birds of the genus Eriocnemis having large tufts of downy feathers on the legs.

Puff"-legged` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a conspicuous tuft of feathers on the legs.

Puff"y (?), a. 1. Swelled with air, or any soft matter; tumid with a soft substance; bloated; fleshy; as, a puffy tumor. " A very stout, puffy man." Thackeray.

Pug (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pugged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pugging.] [Cf. G. pucken to thump. beat.]

2. To fill or stop with clay by tamping; to fill in or spread with mortar, as a floor or partition, for the purpose of deadening sound. See Pugging, 2.

Pug mill, a kind of mill for grinding and mixing clay, either for brickmaking or the fine arts; a clay mill. It consists essentially of an upright shaft armed with projecting knives, which is caused to revolve in a hollow cylinder, tub, or vat, in which the clay is placed.

Pug, n. [Corrupted fr. puck. See Puck.] 1. An elf, or a hobgoblin; also same as Puck. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

7. (Zoöl.) One of a small breed of pet dogs having a short nose and head; a pug dog.

Pug"ging (?), n. [See Pug, v. t.] 1. The act or process of working and tempering clay to make it plastic and of uniform consistency, as for bricks, for pottery, etc.

2. (Arch.) Mortar or the like, laid between the joists under the boards of a floor, or within a partition, to deaden sound; -- in the United States usually called deafening.

Pu"gil (?), n. [L. pugillus, pugillum, a handful, akin to pugnus the fist.] As much as is taken up between the thumb and two first fingers. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pu"gil*ism (?), n. [L. pugil a pugilist, boxer, akin to pugnus the fist. Cf. Pugnacious, Fist.] The practice of boxing, or fighting with the fist.

Pu"gil*ist, n. [L. pugil.] One who fights with his fists; esp., a professional prize fighter; a boxer.

Pug*na"cious (?), a. [L. pugnax, -acis, fr. pugnare to fight. Cf. Pugilism, Fist.] Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n.

Pug*nac"i*ty (?), n. [L. pugnacitas: cf. F. pugnacité.] Inclination or readiness to fight; quarrelsomeness. " A national pugnacity of character." Motley.

Pug-nose eel (Zoöl.), a deep- water marine eel (Simenchelys parasiticus) which sometimes burrows into the flesh of the halibut.

Puis"ne (p"n), a. [See Puny.] 1. Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent. [Obs.] " A puisne date to eternity." Sir M. Hale.

3. (Law) Younger or inferior in rank; junior; associate; as, a chief justice and three puisne justices of the Court of Common Pleas; the puisne barons of the Court of Exchequer. Blackstone.

Puis"ne, n. One who is younger, or of inferior rank; a junior; esp., a judge of inferior rank.

Pu"is*sance, n. [F., fr. puissant. See Puissant, and cf. Potency, Potance, Potence.] Power; strength; might; force; potency. " Youths of puissance." Tennyson.

In Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, puissance and puissant are usually dissyllables.

Pu"is*sant (?), a. [F., originally, a p. pr. formed fr. L. posse to be able: cf. L. potens powerful. See Potent.] Powerful; strong; mighty; forcible; as, a puissant prince or empire. " Puissant deeds." Milton.

||Puit (?), n. [F. puits, from L. puteus well.] A well; a small stream; a fountain; a spring. [Obs.]

Puke (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puking.] [Cf. G. spucken to spit, and E. spew.] To eject the contests of the stomach; to vomit; to spew.

Puke, a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Of a color supposed to be between black and russet. Shak.

This color has by some been regarded as the same with puce; but Nares questions the identity.

Pu"las (?), n. [Skr. palça.] (Bot.) The East Indian leguminous tree Butea frondosa. See Gum Butea, under Gum. [Written also pales and palasa.]

Pul"chri*tude (?), n. [L. pulchritudo, fr. pulcher beautiful.] 1. That quality of appearance which pleases the eye; beauty; comeliness; grace; loveliness.

Pule (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puling.] [F. piauler; cf. L. pipilare, pipire, to peep, pip, chirp, and E. peep to chirp.] 1. To cry like a chicken. Bacon.

||Pu"lex (?), n. [L., a flea.] (Zoöl.) A genus of parasitic insects including the fleas. See Flea.

Pu"li*cene (?), a. [From L. pulex, pulicis, a flea.] Pertaining to, or abounding in, fleas; pulicose.

{ Pu"li*cose` (?), Pu"li*cous (?), } a. [L. pulicosus, from pulex, a flea.] Abounding with fleas.

Pull (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pulled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pulling.] [AS. pullian; cf. LG. pulen, and Gael. peall, piol, spiol.] 1. To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly.

3. To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch.

4. To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one; as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar.

5. (Horse Racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning; as, the favorite was pulled.

6. (Print.) To take or make, as a proof or impression; -- hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.

To pull and haul, to draw hither and thither. " Both are equally pulled and hauled to do that which they are unable to do. " South. -- To pull down, to demolish; to destroy; to degrade; as, to pull down a house. " In political affairs, as well as mechanical, it is easier to pull down than build up." Howell. " To raise the wretched, and pull down the proud." Roscommon. -- To pull a finch. See under Finch. -- To pull off, take or draw off.

Pull (?), v. i. To exert one's self in an act or motion of drawing or hauling; to tug; as, to pull at a rope.

To pull apart, to become separated by pulling; as, a rope will pull apart. -- To pull up, to draw the reins; to stop; to halt. -- To pull through, to come successfully to the end of a difficult undertaking, a dangerous sickness, or the like.

Pull, n. 1. The act of pulling or drawing with force; an effort to move something by drawing toward one.

4. A knob, handle, or lever, etc., by which anything is pulled; as, a drawer pull; a bell pull.

6. The act of drinking; as, to take a pull at the beer, or the mug. [Slang] Dickens.

7. Something in one's favor in a comparison or a contest; an advantage; means of influencing; as, in weights the favorite had the pull. [Slang]

8. (Cricket) A kind of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the side.

Pull"back` (?), n. 1. That which holds back, or causes to recede; a drawback; a hindrance.

2. (Arch) The iron hook fixed to a casement to pull it shut, or to hold it party open at a fixed point.

Pul"len (?), n. [Cf. L. pullinus belonging to young animals. See Pullet.] Poultry. [Obs.]

Pul"let (?), n. [OE. polete, OF. polete, F. poulette, dim. of poule a hen, fr. L. pullus a young animal, a young fowl. See Foal, and cf. Poult, Poultry, Pool stake.] A young hen, or female of the domestic fowl.

Pul"ley (?), n.; pl. Pulleys (#). [F. poulie, perhaps of Teutonic origin (cf. Poll, v. t.); but cf. OE. poleine, polive, pulley, LL. polanus, and F. poulain, properly, a colt, fr. L. pullus young animal, foal (cf. Pullet, Foal). For the change of sense, cf. F. poutre beam, originally, a filly, and E. easel.] (Mach.) A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.

The pulley, as one of the mechanical powers, consists, in its simplest form, of a grooved wheel, called a sheave, turning within a movable frame or block, by means of a cord or rope attached at one end to a fixed point. The force, acting on the free end of the rope, is thus doubled, but can move the load through only half the space traversed by itself. The rope may also pass over a sheave in another block that is fixed. The end of the rope may be fastened to the movable block, instead of a fixed point, with an additional gain of power, and using either one or two sheaves in the fixed block. Other sheaves may be added, and the power multiplied accordingly. Such an apparatus is called by workmen a block and tackle, or a fall and tackle. See Block. A single fixed pulley gives no increase of power, but serves simply for changing the direction of motion.

Band pulley, or Belt pulley, a pulley with a broad face for transmitting power between revolving shafts by means of a belt, or for guiding a belt. -- Cone pulley. See Cone pulley. -- Conical pulley, one of a pair of belt pulleys, each in the shape of a truncated cone, for varying velocities. -- Fast pulley, a pulley firmly attached upon a shaft. -- Loose pulley, a pulley loose on a shaft, to interrupt the transmission of motion in machinery. See Fast and loose pulleys, under Fast. -- Parting pulley, a belt pulley made in semicircular halves, which can be bolted together, to facilitate application to, or removal from, a shaft. -- Pulley block. Same as Block, n. 6. -- Pulley stile (Arch.), the upright of the window frame into which a pulley is fixed and along which the sash slides. -- Split pulley, a parting pulley.

Pull"man car` (?). [Named after Mr. Pullman, who introduced them.] A kind of sleeping car; also, a palace car; -- often shortened to Pullman.

Pul"lu*late (?), v. i. [L. pullulatus, p. p. of pullulare to sprout, from pullulus a young animal, a sprout, dim. of pullus. See pullet.] To germinate; to bud; to multiply abundantly. Warburton.

Pul`lu*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. pullulation.] A germinating, or budding. Dr. H. More.

||Pul"lus (?), n.; pl. Pulli (#). [L.] (Zoöl.) A chick; a young bird in the downy stage.

||Pul`mo*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.], Pul`mo*bran"chi*ate. (&?;), a. & n. (Zoöl.) Same as Pulmonibranchiata, - ate.

Pul`mo*cu*ta"ne*ous (?), a. [L. pulmo a lung + E. cutaneous.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the lungs and the akin; as, the pulmocutaneous arteries of the frog.

||Pul`mo*gas`te*rop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL. & E. Gasteropoda.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pulmonata.

Pul"mo*grade (?), a. [L. pulmo a lung + gradi to walk.] (Zoöl.) Swimming by the expansion and contraction, or lunglike movement, of the body, or of the disk, as do the medusæ.

Pul*mom"e*ter (?), n. [L. pulmo a lung + -meter.] (Physiol.) A spirometer.

Pul"mo*na"ri*an (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any arachnid that breathes by lunglike organs, as the spiders and scorpions. Also used adjectively.

Pul"mo*na*ry (?), a. [L. pulmonarius, from pulmo, -onis, a lung; of uncertain origin, perh. named from its lightness, and akin to E. float: cf. F. pulmonaire. Cf. Pneumonia.] Of or pertaining to the lungs; affecting the lungs; pulmonic.

Pul"mo*na*ry, n. [Cf. F. pulmonaire. See Pulmonary, a. ] (Bot.) Lungwort. Ainsworth.

||Pul`mo*na"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from L. pulmo, -onis, a lung.] (Zoöl.) An extensive division, or sub-class, of hermaphrodite gastropods, in which the mantle cavity is modified into an air-breathing organ, as in Helix, or land snails, Limax, or garden slugs, and many pond snails, as Limnæa and Planorbis.

Pul"mo*nate (?), a. (Zoöl.) (a) Having breathing organs that act as lungs. (b) Pertaining to the Pulmonata. -- n. One of the Pulmonata.

||Pul`mo*ni*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pulmo, -onis, a lung + Gr. &?; a gill.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pulmonata.

Pul*mon"ic (?), a. [L. pulmo, -onis, a lung: cf. F. pulmonique.] Relating to, or affecting the lungs; pulmonary. -- n. A pulmonic medicine.

||Pul`mo*nif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pulmoniferous.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pulmonata.

Pul`mo*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pulmo, -onis, a lung + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Having lungs; pulmonate.

Pulp (?), n. [L. pulpa flesh, pith, pulp of fruit: cf. F. pulpe.] A moist, slightly cohering mass, consisting of soft, undissolved animal or vegetable matter. Specifically: (a) (Anat.) A tissue or part resembling pulp; especially, the soft, highly vascular and sensitive tissue which fills the central cavity, called the pulp cavity, of teeth. (b) (Bot.) The soft, succulent part of fruit; as, the pulp of a grape. (c) The exterior part of a coffee berry. B. Edwards. (d) The material of which paper is made when ground up and suspended in water.

Pulp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pulped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pulping.] 1. To reduce to pulp.

Pul`pa*toon" (?), n. [F. poulpeton, poupeton, a sort of ragout.] A kind of delicate confectionery or cake, perhaps made from the pulp of fruit. [Obs.] Nares.

1. An elevated place, or inclosed stage, in a church, in which the clergyman stands while preaching.

Pul"pit, a. Of or pertaining to the pulpit, or preaching; as, a pulpit orator; pulpit eloquence.

Pul*pit*eer" (?), n. One who speaks in a pulpit; a preacher; -- so called in contempt. Howell.

Pul*pit"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the pulpit; suited to the pulpit. [R.] -- Pul*pit"ic*al*ly, adv. [R.] Chesterfield.

Pul"pit*ry (?), n. The teaching of the pulpit; preaching. [R. & Obs.] " Mere pulpitry." Milton.

Pulp"ous (?), a. [L. pulposus: cf. F. pulpeux. See Pulp.] Containing pulp; pulpy. " Pulpous fruit." J. Philips. -- Pulp"ous*ness, n.

Pulp"y (?), n. Like pulp; consisting of pulp; soft; fleshy; succulent; as, the pulpy covering of a nut; the pulpy substance of a peach or a cherry.

Pul"sate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pulsated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pulsating.] [L. pulsatus, p. p. of pulsare to beat, strike, v. intens. fr. pellere to beat, strike, drive. See Pulse a beating, and cf. Pulse, v.] To throb, as a pulse; to beat, as the heart.

Pul"sa*tile (?), a. [Cf. It. pulsatile, Sp. pulsatil.] 1. Capable of being struck or beaten; played by beating or by percussion; as, a tambourine is a pulsatile musical instrument.

||Pul`sa*til"la (?), n. [NL.] (Bot.) A genus of ranunculaceous herbs including the pasque flower. This genus is now merged in Anemone. Some species, as Anemone Pulsatilla, Anemone pratensis, and Anemone patens, are used medicinally.

Pul*sa"tion (?), n. [L. pulsatio a beating or striking: cf. F. pulsation.] 1. (Physiol.) A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the pulse.

3. A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as in the propagation of sounds.

4. (Law) Any touching of another's body willfully or in anger. This constitutes battery.

Pul"sa*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. pulsatoire.] Capable of pulsating; throbbing. Sir H. Wotton. .

Pulse (?), n. [OE. puls, L. puls, pultis, a thick pap or pottage made of meal, pulse, etc. See Poultice, and cf. Pousse.] Leguminous plants, or their seeds, as beans, pease, etc.

Pulse, n. [OE. pous, OF. pous, F. pouls, fr. L. pulsus (sc. venarum), the beating of the pulse, the pulse, from pellere, pulsum, to beat, strike; cf. Gr. &?; to swing, shake, &?; to shake. Cf. Appeal, Compel, Impel, Push.] 1. (Physiol.) The beating or throbbing of the heart or blood vessels, especially of the arteries.

In an artery the pulse is due to the expansion and contraction of the elastic walls of the artery by the action of the heart upon the column of blood in the arterial system. On the commencement of the diastole of the ventricle, the semilunar valves are closed, and the aorta recoils by its elasticity so as to force part of its contents into the vessels farther onwards. These, in turn, as they already contain a certain quantity of blood, expand, recover by an elastic recoil, and transmit the movement with diminished intensity. Thus a series of movements, gradually diminishing in intensity, pass along the arterial system (see the Note under Heart). For the sake of convenience, the radial artery at the wrist is generally chosen to detect the precise character of the pulse. The pulse rate varies with age, position, sex, stature, physical and psychical influences, etc.

2. Any measured or regular beat; any short, quick motion, regularly repeated, as of a medium in the transmission of light, sound, etc.; oscillation; vibration; pulsation; impulse; beat; movement.

Pulse glass, an instrument consisting to a glass tube with terminal bulbs, and containing ether or alcohol, which the heat of the hand causes to boil; -- so called from the pulsating motion of the liquid when thus warmed. -- Pulse wave (Physiol.), the wave of increased pressure started by the ventricular systole, radiating from the semilunar valves over the arterial system, and gradually disappearing in the smaller branches.

-- To feel one's pulse. (a) To ascertain, by the sense of feeling, the condition of the arterial pulse. (b) Hence, to sound one's opinion; to try to discover one's mind.

Pulse, v. i. To beat, as the arteries; to move in pulses or beats; to pulsate; to throb. Ray.

Pulse, v. t. [See Pulsate, Pulse a beating.] To drive by a pulsation; to cause to pulsate. [R.]

Pul*sif"ic (?), a. [Pulse + L. facere to make.] Exciting the pulse; causing pulsation.

Pul"sion (?), n. [L. pulsio, fr. pellere, pulsum, to drive: cf. F. pulsion.] The act of driving forward; propulsion; -- opposed to suction or traction. [R.]

Pul"sive (?), a. Tending to compel; compulsory. [R.] "The pulsive strain of conscience." Marston.

1. A device, with valves, for raising water by steam, partly by atmospheric pressure, and partly by the direct action of the steam on the water, without the intervention of a piston; -- also called vacuum pump.

Pul*ta"ceous (?), a. [Cf. F. pultacé. See 1st Pulse.] Macerated; softened; nearly fluid.

||Pu"lu (?), n. A vegetable substance consisting of soft, elastic, yellowish brown chaff, gathered in the Hawaiian Islands from the young fronds of free ferns of the genus Cibotium, chiefly C. Menziesii; -- used for stuffing mattresses, cushions, etc., and as an absorbent.

Pul"ver*ate (?), v. t. [L. pulveratus, p. p. of pulverare to pulverize. See Pulverize.] To beat or reduce to powder or dust; to pulverize. [R.]

Pul"ver*ine (?), n. [L. pulvis, pulveris, dust, powder; cf. F. pulvérin.] Ashes of barilla. Ure.

Pul`ver*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. pulvérisation.] The action of reducing to dust or powder.

Pul"ver*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pulverized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pulverizing (?).] [F. pulvériser, L. pulverizare, fr. pulvis dust, powder. See Powder.] To reduce of fine powder or dust, as by beating, grinding, or the like; as, friable substances may be pulverized by grinding or beating, but to pulverize malleable bodies other methods must be pursued.

Pul"ver*ize, v. i. To become reduced to powder; to fall to dust; as, the stone pulverizes easily.

Pul"ver*ous (?), a. [Cf. L. pulvereus, from pulvis, pulveris, dust, powder.] Consisting of dust or powder; like powder.

Pul*ver"u*lence (?), n. The state of being pulverulent; abundance of dust or powder; dustiness.

Pul*ver"u*lent (?), a. [L. pulverulentus, fr. pulvis, pulveris, dust, powder: cf. F. pulvérulent.] Consisting of, or reducible to, fine powder; covered with dust or powder; powdery; dusty.

Pul"vil (?), n. [It. polviglio, fr. L. pulvis, pulveris, dust, powder: cf. Sp. polvillo.] A sweet-scented powder; pulvillio. [Written also pulville.] [Obs.] Gay.

{ Pul*vil"li*o (?), Pul*vil"lo (?), } n. [See Pulvil.] A kind of perfume in the form of a powder, formerly much used, -- often in little bags.

||Pul*vil"lus (?), n.; pl. Pulvilli (#). [L., a little cushion.] (Zoöl.) One of the minute cushions on the feet of certain insects.

||Pul*vi"nar (?), n. [L., a cushion.] (Anat.) A prominence on the posterior part of the thalamus of the human brain.

{ Pul"vi*nate (?), Pul"vi*na`ted (?), } a. [L. pulvinatus, fr. pulvinus a cushion, an elevation.] 1. (Arch.) Curved convexly or swelled; as, a pulvinated frieze. Brande & C.

Pul*vin"ic (?), a. [From Vulpinic, by transposition of the letters.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained by the decomposition of vulpinic acid, as a white crystalline substance.

||Pul*vin"u*lus (?), n.; pl. Pulvinuli (#). [L., a little mound.] (Zoöl.) Same as Pulvillus.

Pu"ma (p"m), n. [Peruv. puma.] (Zoöl.) A large American carnivore (Felis concolor), found from Canada to Patagonia, especially among the mountains. Its color is tawny, or brownish yellow, without spots or stripes. Called also catamount, cougar, American lion, mountain lion, and panther or painter.

Pu"mi*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pumicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pumicating.] [L. pumicatus, p. p. of pumicare to pumicate, fr. pumex. See Pumice.] To make smooth with pumice. [R.]

Pum"ice (?), n. [L. pumex, pumicis, prob. akin to spuma foam: cf. AS. pumic- stn. Cf. Pounce a powder, Spume.] (Min.) A very light porous volcanic scoria, usually of a gray color, the pores of which are capillary and parallel, giving it a fibrous structure. It is supposed to be produced by the disengagement of watery vapor without liquid or plastic lava. It is much used, esp. in the form of powder, for smoothing and polishing. Called also pumice stone.

Pum"iced (?), a. (Far.) Affected with a kind of chronic laminitis in which there is a growth of soft spongy horn between the coffin bone and the hoof wall. The disease is called pumiced foot, or pumice foot.

Pu*mi`ceous (?), a. [L. pumiceus.] Of or pertaining to pumice; resembling pumice.

Pu*mic"i*form (?), a. [Pumice + -form.] Resembling, or having the structure of, pumice.

Pump (pmp), n. [Probably so called as being worn for pomp or ornament. See Pomp.] A low shoe with a thin sole. Swift.

Pump, n. [Akin to D. pomp, G. pumpe, F. pompe; of unknown origin.] An hydraulic machine, variously constructed, for raising or transferring fluids, consisting essentially of a moving piece or piston working in a hollow cylinder or other cavity, with valves properly placed for admitting or retaining the fluid as it is drawn or driven through them by the action of the piston.

for various kinds of pumps, see Air pump, Chain pump, and Force pump; also, under Lifting, Plunger, Rotary, etc.

Circulating pump (Steam Engine), a pump for driving the condensing water through the casing, or tubes, of a surface condenser. -- Pump brake. See Pump handle, below. -- Pump dale. See Dale. -- Pump gear, the apparatus belonging to a pump. Totten. -- Pump handle, the lever, worked by hand, by which motion is given to the bucket of a pump. -- Pump hood, a semicylindrical appendage covering the upper wheel of a chain pump. -- Pump rod, the rod to which the bucket of a pump is fastened, and which is attached to the brake or handle; the piston rod. -- Pump room, a place or room at a mineral spring where the waters are drawn and drunk. [Eng.] -- Pump spear. Same as Pump rod, above. -- Pump stock, the stationary part, body, or barrel of a pump. -- Pump well. (Naut.) See Well.

Pump, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pumped (pmt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. pumping.] 1. To raise with a pump, as water or other liquid.

2. To draw water, or the like, from; to from water by means of a pump; as, they pumped the well dry; to pump a ship.

3. Figuratively, to draw out or obtain, as secrets or money, by persistent questioning or plying; to question or ply persistently in order to elicit something, as information, money, etc.

Pump"er (?), n. One who pumps; the instrument or machine used in pumping. Boyle.

Pump"er*nick`el (?), n. [G.] A sort of bread, made of unbolted rye, which forms the chief food of the Westphalian peasants. It is acid but nourishing.

Pumping engine, a steam engine and pump combined for raising water. See Steam engine.

Pump"kin (?), n. [For older pompion, pompon, OF. pompon, L. pepo, peponis, Gr. &?;, properly, cooked by the sun, ripe, mellow; -- so called because not eaten till ripe. Cf. Cook, n.] (Bot.) A well-known trailing plant (Cucurbita pepo) and its fruit, -- used for cooking and for feeding stock; a pompion.

Pumpkin seed. (a) The flattish oval seed of the pumpkin. (b) (Zoöl.) The common pondfish.

Pu"my (?), a. [Cf. Prov. E. pummer big, large, and E. pomey pommel.] Large and rounded. [Obs.]

Pun, n. [Cf. Pun to pound, Pound to beat.] A play on words which have the same sound but different meanings; an expression in which two different applications of a word present an odd or ludicrous idea; a kind of quibble or equivocation. Addison.

Pun, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Punned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Punning.] To make puns, or a pun; to use a word in a double sense, especially when the contrast of ideas is ludicrous; to play upon words; to quibble. Dryden.

Punch (?), n. [Hind. pnch five, Skr. pa&?;can. So called because composed of five ingredients, viz., sugar, arrack, spice, water, and lemon juice. See Five.] A beverage composed of wine or distilled liquor, water (or milk), sugar, and the juice of lemon, with spice or mint; -- specifically named from the kind of spirit used; as rum punch, claret punch, champagne punch, etc.

Milk punch, a sort of punch made with spirit, milk, sugar, spice, etc. -- Punch bowl, a large bowl in which punch is made, or from which it is served. -- Roman punch, a punch frozen and served as an ice.

Punch, n. [Abbrev, fr. punchinello.] The buffoon or harlequin of a puppet show.

Punch and Judy, a puppet show in which a comical little hunchbacked Punch, with a large nose, engages in altercation with his wife Judy.

Punch (?), n. [Prov. E. Cf. Punchy.] 1. A short, fat fellow; anything short and thick.

Punch, v. t. [OE. punchen, perhaps the same word as E. punish: or cf. E. bunch.] To thrust against; to poke; as, to punch one with the end of a stick or the elbow.

Punch, n. [Abbrev. fr. puncheon.] 1. A tool, usually of steel, variously shaped at one end for different uses, and either solid, for stamping or for perforating holes in metallic plates and other substances, or hollow and sharpedged, for cutting out blanks, as for buttons, steel pens, jewelry, and the like; a die.

Bell punch. See under Bell. -- Belt punch (Mach.), a punch, or punch pliers, for making holes for lacings in the ends of driving belts. -- Punch press. See Punching machine, under Punch, v. i. -- Punch pliers, pliers having a tubular, sharp- edged steel punch attached to one of the jaws, for perforating leather, paper, and the like.

Punch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Punching.] [From Punch, n., a tool; cf. F. poinçonner.] To perforate or stamp with an instrument by pressure, or a blow; as, to punch a hole; to punch ticket.

Punching machine, or Punching press, a machine tool for punching holes in metal or other material; -- called also punch press.

Punch"eon (?), n. [F. poinçon awl, bodkin, crown, king-post, fr. L. punctio a pricking, fr. pungere to prick. See Pungent, and cf. Punch a tool, Punction.]

2. (Carp.) A short, upright piece of timber in framing; a short post; an intermediate stud. Oxf. Gloss.

3. A split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed; as, a floor made of puncheons. [U.S.] Bartlett.

4. [F. poinçon, perh. the same as poinçon an awl.] A cask containing, sometimes 84, sometimes 120, gallons.

Pun`chi*nel"lo (?), n. [It. pulcinella, probably originally a word of endearment, dim. of pulcina, pulcino, a chicken, from L. pullicenus, pullus. See Pullet.] A punch; a buffoon; originally, in a puppet show, a character represented as fat, short, and humpbacked. Spectator.

Punch"y (?), a. [Perhaps for paunchy, from paunch. See 3d Punch.] Short and thick, or fat.

{ Punc"ta*ted (?), Punc"ta*ted (?), } a. [From L. punctum point. See Point .] 1. Pointed; ending in a point or points.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Dotted with small spots of color, or with minute depressions or pits.

Punc*ta"tor (?), n. One who marks with points. specifically, one who writes Hebrew with points; -- applied to a Masorite. E. Robinson.

Punc*tic"u*lar (?), a. Comprised in, or like, a point; exact. [Obs. & R.] Sir T. Browne.

Punc"ti*form (?), a. [L. punctum point + -form.] Having the form of a point.

Punc*til"io (pk*tl"y), n.; pl. Punctilios (- yz). [It. puntiglio, or Sp. puntillo, dim. fr. L. punctum point. See Point, n.] A nice point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or proceeding; particularity or exactness in forms; as, the punctilios of a public ceremony.

Punc*til"ious (-ys), a. [Cf. It. puntiglioso, Sp. puntilloso.] Attentive to punctilio; very nice or exact in the forms of behavior, etiquette, or mutual intercourse; precise; exact in the smallest particulars. "A punctilious observance of divine laws." Rogers. "Very punctilious copies of any letters." The Nation.

Punc"tion (?), n. [L. punctio, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick: cf. F. ponction. Cf. Puncheon.] A puncturing, or pricking; a puncture.

Punc"tu*al (?), a. [F. ponctuel (cf. Sp. puntual, It. puntuale), from L. punctum point. See Point.] 1. Consisting in a point; limited to a point; unextended. [R.] "This punctual spot." Milton.

3. Appearing or done at, or adhering exactly to, a regular or an appointed time; precise; prompt; as, a punctual man; a punctual payment. "The race of the undeviating and punctual sun." Cowper.

Punc"tu*al*ist (?), n. One who is very exact in observing forms and ceremonies. Milton.

Punc`tu*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. ponctualité.] The quality or state of being punctual; especially, adherence to the exact time of an engagement; exactness.

Punc"tu*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punctuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Punctuating.] [Cf. F. ponctuer. See Punctual.] To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points or stops which mark the proper pauses in expressing the meaning.

Punc`tu*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. ponctuation.] (Gram.) The act or art of punctuating or pointing a writing or discourse; the art or mode of dividing literary composition into sentences, and members of a sentence, by means of points, so as to elucidate the author's meaning.

Punctuation, as the term is usually understood, is chiefly performed with four points: the period [.], the colon [:], the semicolon [;], and the comma [,]. Other points used in writing and printing, partly rhetorical and partly grammatical, are the note of interrogation [?], the note of exclamation [!], the parentheses [()], the dash [--], and brackets []. It was not until the 16th century that an approach was made to the present system of punctuation by the Manutii of Venice. With Caxton, oblique strokes took the place of commas and periods.

Punc"tu*a*tive (?), a. Of or belonging to points of division; relating to punctuation.

Punc"tu*a`tor (?), n. One who punctuates, as in writing; specifically, a punctator.

{ Punc"tu*late (?), Punc"tu*la`ted (?), } a. [L. punctulum, dim. of punctum point.] Marked with small spots.

||Punctum cæcum. [L., blind point.] (Anat.) Same as Blind spot, under Blind. -- ||Punctum proximum, near point. See under Point. -- ||Punctum remotum, far point. See under Point. -- ||Punctum vegetationis [L., point of vegetation] (Bot.), the terminal cell of a stem, or of a leaf bud, from which new growth originates.

Punc"ture (?), n. [L. punctura, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See Pungent.] 1. The act of puncturing; perforating with something pointed.

2. A small hole made by a point; a slight wound, bite, or sting; as, the puncture of a nail, needle, or pin.

Punc"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punctured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puncturing.] To pierce with a small, pointed instrument, or the like; to prick; to make a puncture in; as, to puncture the skin.

Punc"tured (?), a. 1. Having the surface covered with minute indentations or dots.

2. (Med.) Produced by puncture; having the characteristics of a puncture; as, a punctured wound.

Pun"dit (?), n. [Hind. pandit, Skr. pandita a learned man.] A learned man; a teacher; esp., a Brahman versed in the Sanskrit language, and in the science, laws, and religion of the Hindoos; in Cashmere, any clerk or native official. [Written also pandit.] [India]

Pu"nese (?), n. [F. punaise, fr. punais stinking, fr. L. putere.] (Zoöl.) A bedbug. [R or Obs.]

Pung (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A kind of plain sleigh drawn by one horse; originally, a rude oblong box on runners. [U.S.]

Pun"gen*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being pungent or piercing; keenness; sharpness; piquancy; as, the pungency of ammonia. "The pungency of menaces." Hammond.

Pun"gent (?), a. [L. pungens, -entis, p. pr. of pungere, punctum, to prick. Cf. Compunction, Expunge, Poignant, Point, n., Puncheon, Punctilio, Punt, v. t.] 1. Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.

Syn. -- Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging.

Pun"gled (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Shriveled or shrunken; -- said especially of grain which has lost its juices from the ravages of insects, such as the wheat midge, or Trips (Thrips cerealium).

Pung"y (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A small sloop or shallop, or a large boat with sails.

Pu"nic (?), a. [L. Punicus pertaining to Carthage, or its inhabitants, fr. Poeni the Carthaginians.]

2. Characteristic of the ancient Carthaginians; faithless; treacherous; as, Punic faith.

{ Pu*ni"ceous (?), Pu*ni"cial (?), } a. [L. puniceus, fr. Punicus Punic.] Of a bright red or purple color. [R.]

Pu"ni*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being puny; littleness; pettiness; feebleness.

Pun"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Punishing.] [OE. punischen, F. punir, from L. punire, punitum, akin to poena punishment, penalty. See Pain, and -ish.] 1. To impose a penalty upon; to afflict with pain, loss, or suffering for a crime or fault, either with or without a view to the offender's amendment; to cause to suffer in retribution; to chasten; as, to punish traitors with death; a father punishes his child for willful disobedience.

2. To inflict a penalty for (an offense) upon the offender; to repay, as a fault, crime, etc., with pain or loss; as, to punish murder or treason with death.

Syn. -- To chastise; castigate; scourge; whip; lash; correct; discipline. See Chasten.

Pun"ish*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. punissable.] Deserving of, or liable to, punishment; capable of being punished by law or right; -- said of person or offenses.

2. Any pain, suffering, or loss inflicted on a person because of a crime or offense.

3. (Law) A penalty inflicted by a court of justice on a convicted offender as a just retribution, and incidentally for the purposes of reformation and prevention.

Pu*ni"tion (?), n. [L. punitio: cf. F. punition. See Punish.] Punishment. [R.] Mir. for Mag.

Pu"ni*tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to punishment; involving, awarding, or inflicting punishment; as, punitive law or justice.

Punk (?), n. [Cf. Spunk.] 1. Wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and useful for tinder; touchwood.

||Pun"ka (?), n. [Hind. pankh fan.] A machine for fanning a room, usually a movable fanlike frame covered with canvas, and suspended from the ceiling. It is kept in motion by pulling a cord. [Hindostan] [Written also punkah.] Malcom.

Pun"net (?), n. [Cf. Ir. buinne a shoot, branch.] A broad, shallow basket, for displaying fruit or flowers.

Pun*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Pun + - logy.] The art or practice of punning; paronomasia. [R.] Pope.

Pun"ster (?), n. One who puns, or is skilled in, or given to, punning; a quibbler; a low wit.

Punt (?), v. i. [F. ponter, or It. puntare, fr. L. punctum point. See Point.] To play at basset, baccara, faro. or omber; to gamble.

Punt, n. [AS., fr. L. ponto punt, pontoon. See Pontoon.] (Naut.) A flat-bottomed boat with square ends. It is adapted for use in shallow waters.

Punt, v. t. 1. To propel, as a boat in shallow water, by pushing with a pole against the bottom; to push or propel (anything) with exertion. Livingstone.

2. (Football) To kick (the ball) before it touches the ground, when let fall from the hands.

Punt"er (?), n.[Cf. F. ponte. See Punt, v. t.] One who punts; specifically, one who plays against the banker or dealer, as in baccara and faro. Hoyle.

Pun"to (?), n. [It. punto, L. punctum point. See Point.] (Fencing) A point or hit.

||Punto diritto [It.], a direct stroke or hit. -- ||Punto reverso [It. riverso reverse], a backhanded stroke. Halliwell. "Ah, the immortal passado! the punto reverso!" Shak.

Pu"ny (?), a. [Compar. Punier (?); superl. Puniest.] [F. puîté younger, later born, OF. puisné; puis afterwards (L. post; see Post-) + né born, L. natus. See Natal, and cf. Puisne.] Imperfectly developed in size or vigor; small and feeble; inferior; petty.

Pup (?), n. [See Puppy.] (Zoöl.) (a) A young dog; a puppy. (b) a young seal.

Pup, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pupped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pupping.] To bring forth whelps or young, as the female of the canine species.

Pu"pa (?), n.; pl. L. Pup&?; (#), E. Pupas (#). [L. pupa girl. doll, puppet, fem. of pupus. Cf. Puppet.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any insect in that stage of its metamorphosis which usually immediately precedes the adult, or imago, stage.

Among insects belonging to the higher orders, as the Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, the pupa is inactive and takes no food; in the lower orders it is active and takes food, and differs little from the imago except in the rudimentary state of the sexual organs, and of the wings in those that have wings when adult. The term pupa is sometimes applied to other invertebrates in analogous stages of development.

2. (Zoöl.) A genus of air- breathing land snails having an elongated spiral shell.

Coarctate, or Obtected, pupa, a pupa which is incased in the dried-up skin of the larva, as in many Diptera. -- Masked pupa, a pupa whose limbs are bound down and partly concealed by a chitinous covering, as in Lepidoptera.

Pu"pal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a pupa, or the condition of a pupa.

Pu*pig"er*ous, a. [Pupa + - gerous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing or containing a pupa; -- said of dipterous larvæ which do not molt when the pupa is formed within them.

Pu"pil (?), n. [F. pupille, n. fem., L. pupilla the pupil of the eye, originally dim. of pupa a girl. See Puppet, and cf. Pupil a scholar.] (Anat.) The aperture in the iris; the sight, apple, or black of the eye. See the Note under Eye, and Iris.

Pin-hole pupil (Med.), the pupil of the eye when so contracted (as it sometimes is in typhus, or opium poisoning) as to resemble a pin hole. Dunglison.

Pu"pil, n. [F. pupille, n. masc. & fem., L. pupillus, pupilla, dim. of pupus boy, pupa girl. See Puppet, and cf. Pupil of the eye.] 1. A youth or scholar of either sex under the care of an instructor or tutor.

3. (Civil Law) A boy or a girl under the age of puberty, that is, under fourteen if a male, and under twelve if a female.

Pu`pil*lar"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pupillarité. See Pupillary.] (Scots Law) The period before puberty, or from birth to fourteen in males, and twelve in females.

Pu"pil*la*ry (?), a. [L. pupillaris: cf. F. pupillaire. See Pupil.] 1. Of or pertaining to a pupil or ward. Johnson.

Pu`pil*lom"e*ter (?), n. [L. pupilla pupil of the eye + -meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the size of the pupil of the pupil of the eye.

||Pu*pip"a*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pupiparous.] (Zoöl.) A division of Diptera in which the young are born in a stage like the pupa. It includes the sheep tick, horse tick, and other parasites. Called also Homaloptera.

Pu*pip"a*rous (?), a. [Pupa + L. parere to bring forth.] (Zoöl.) (a) Bearing, or containing, a pupa; -- said of the matured larvæ, or larval skins, of certain Diptera. (b) Of or pertaining to the Pupipara.

||Pu*piv"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Pupivorous.] (Zoöl.) A group of parasitic Hymenoptera, including the ichneumon flies, which destroy the larvæ and pupæ of insects.

Pu*piv"o*rous (?), a. [Pupa + L. vorare to devour.] (Zoöl.) Feeding on the pupæ of insects.

Pup"pet (?), n. [OE. popet, OF. poupette; akin to F. poupée a doll, probably from L. puppa, pupa, a girl, doll, puppet. Cf. Poupeton, Pupa, Pupil, Puppy.] [Written also poppet.] 1. A small image in the human form; a doll.

2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play.

3. One controlled in his action by the will of another; a tool; -- so used in contempt. Sir W. Scott.

Puppet master. Same as Puppetman. -- Puppet play, a puppet show. -- Puppet player, one who manages the motions of puppets. -- Puppet show, a mock drama performed by puppets moved by wires. -- Puppet valve, a valve in the form of a circular disk, which covers a hole in its seat, and opens by moving bodily away from the seat while remaining parallel with it, -- used in steam engines, pumps, safety valves, etc. Its edge is often beveled, and fits in a conical recess in the seat when the valve is closed. See the valves shown in Illusts. of Plunger pump, and Safety valve, under Plunger, and Safety.

Pup"pet*ish (?), a. Resembling a puppet in appearance or action; of the nature of a puppet.

Pup"pet*ry (?), n. Action or appearance resembling that of a puppet, or puppet show; hence, mere form or show; affectation.

Pup"py (?), n.; pl. Puppies (#). [F. poupée doll, puppet. See Puppet, and cf. Pup, n.] 1. (Zoöl.) The young of a canine animal, esp. of the common dog; a whelp.

Pup"py, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puppied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puppying.] To bring forth whelps; to pup.

Pup"py*hood (?), n. The time or state of being a puppy; the time of being young and undisciplined.

Pup"py*ism (?), n. Extreme meanness, affectation, conceit, or impudence. A. Chalmers.

Pur (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Purred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purring.] [Of imitative origin; cf. Prov. G. purren.] To utter a low, murmuring, continued sound, as a cat does when pleased. [Written also purr.]

Pur, n. The low, murmuring sound made by a cat to express contentment or pleasure. [Written also purr.]

||Pu*ra"na (?), n. [Skr. pur&?;, properly. old, ancient, fr. pur formerly.] One of a class of sacred Hindoo poetical works in the Sanskrit language which treat of the creation, destruction, and renovation of worlds, the genealogy and achievements of gods and heroes, the reigns of the Manus, and the transactions of their descendants. The principal Puranas are eighteen in number, and there are the same number of supplementary books called Upa Puranas.

Pur"beck beds` (?). [So called from the Isle of Purbeck in England.] (Geol.) The strata of the Purbeck stone, or Purbeck limestone, belonging to the Oölitic group. See the Chart of Geology.

Pur"blind` (?), a. [For pure- blind, i. e., wholly blind. See Pure, and cf. Poreblind.] 1. Wholly blind. "Purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight." Shak.

2. Nearsighted, or dim-sighted; seeing obscurely; as, a purblind eye; a purblind mole.

Pur"chas*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being bought, purchased, or obtained for a consideration; hence, venal; corrupt.

Pur"chase (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purchased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purchasing.] [OE. purchasen, porchacen, OF. porchacier, purchacier, to pursue, to seek eagerly, F. pourchasser; OF. pour, por, pur, for (L. pro) + chacier to pursue, to chase. See Chase.] 1. To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain, obtain, or acquire. Chaucer.

2. To obtain by paying money or its equivalent; to buy for a price; as, to purchase land, or a house.

3. To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or sacrifice, etc.; as, to purchase favor with flattery.

5. (Law) (a) To acquire by any means except descent or inheritance. Blackstone. (b) To buy for a price.

6. To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; as, to purchase a cannon.

Pur"chase, v. i. 1. To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to exert one's self. [Obs.]

Pur"chase (?; 48), n. [OE. purchds, F. pourchas eager pursuit. See Purchase, v. t.] 1. The act of seeking, getting, or obtaining anything. [Obs.]

3. The acquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.

4. That which is obtained, got, or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition. Chaucer. B. Jonson.

5. That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent. "The scrip was complete evidence of his right in the purchase." Wheaton.

6. Any mechanical hold, or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle, capstan, and the like; also, the apparatus, tackle, or device by which the advantage is gained.

7. (Law) Acquisition of lands or tenements by other means than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement. Blackstone.

Purchase criminal, robbery. [Obs.] Spenser. -- Purchase money, the money paid, or contracted to be paid, for anything bought. Berkeley. -- Worth, or At, [so many] years' purchase, a phrase by which the value or cost of a thing is expressed in the length of time required for the income to amount to the purchasing price; as, he bought the estate at a twenty years' purchase. To say one's life is not worth a day's purchase in the same as saying one will not live a day, or is in imminent peril.

Pur"chas*er (?), n. 1. One who purchases; one who acquires property for a consideration, generally of money; a buyer; a vendee.

2. (Law) One who acquires an estate in lands by his own act or agreement, or who takes or obtains an estate by any means other than by descent or inheritance.

Pur"dah (?), n. [Per. parda a curtain.] A curtain or screen; also, a cotton fabric in blue and white stripes, used for curtains. McElrath.

Pure (?), a. [Compar. Purer (?); superl. Purest.] [OE. pur, F. pur, fr. L. purus; akin to putus pure, clear, putare to clean, trim, prune, set in order, settle, reckon, consider, think, Skr. p&?; to clean, and perh. E. fire. Cf. Putative.] 1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; free from mixture or combination; clean; mere; simple; unmixed; as, pure water; pure clay; pure air; pure compassion.

2. Free from moral defilement or quilt; hence, innocent; guileless; chaste; -- applied to persons. "Keep thyself pure." 1 Tim. v. 22.

3. Free from that which harms, vitiates, weakens, or pollutes; genuine; real; perfect; -- applied to things and actions. "Pure religion and impartial laws." Tickell. "The pure, fine talk of Rome." Ascham.

5. (Phonetics) Of a single, simple sound or tone; -- said of some vowels and the unaspirated consonants.

Pure-impure, completely or totally impure. "The inhabitants were pure-impure pagans." Fuller. -- Pure blue. (Chem.) See Methylene blue, under Methylene. -- Pure chemistry. See under Chemistry. -- Pure mathematics, that portion of mathematics which treats of the principles of the science, or contradistinction to applied mathematics, which treats of the application of the principles to the investigation of other branches of knowledge, or to the practical wants of life. See Mathematics. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ) -- Pure villenage (Feudal Law), a tenure of lands by uncertain services at the will of the lord. Blackstone.

Syn. -- Unmixed; clear; simple; real; true; genuine; unadulterated; uncorrupted; unsullied; untarnished; unstained; stainless; clean; fair; unspotted; spotless; incorrupt; chaste; unpolluted; undefiled; immaculate; innocent; guiltless; guileless; holy.

Pured (?), a. Purified; refined. [Obs.] "Bread of pured wheat." "Pured gold." Chaucer.

||Pu`rée" (?), n. [F.] A dish made by boiling any article of food to a pulp and rubbing it through a sieve; as, a purée of fish, or of potatoes; especially, a soup the thickening of which is so treated.

Pur"file (?), n. [See Purfle.] A sort of ancient trimming of tinsel and thread for women's gowns; -- called also bobbinwork. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Pur"fle (?), v. t. [OF. pourfiler; pour for + fil a thread, L. filum. See Profile, and cf. Purl a border.] 1. To decorate with a wrought or flowered border; to embroider; to ornament with metallic threads; as, to purfle with blue and white. P. Plowman.

2. (Her.) To ornament with a bordure of emines, furs, and the like; also, with gold studs or mountings.

{ Pur"fle (?), Pur"flew (?), } n. 1. A hem, border., or trimming, as of embroidered work.

Purfled work (Arch.), delicate tracery, especially in Gothic architecture.

Pur"fling (?), n. Ornamentation on the border of a thing; specifically, the inlaid border of a musical instrument, as a violin.

Pur"ga*ment (?), n. [L. purgamentum offscourings, washings, expiatory sacrifice. See Purge.] 1. That which is excreted; excretion. [Obs.]

Pur*ga"tion (?), n. [L. purgatio: cf. F. purgation. See Purge.] 1. The act of purging; the act of clearing, cleansing, or putifying, by separating and carrying off impurities, or whatever is superfluous; the evacuation of the bowels.

2. (Law) The clearing of one's self from a crime of which one was publicly suspected and accused. It was either canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof used in the spiritual court was, that the person suspected take his oath that he was clear of the matter objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with him to make oath that they believes he swore truly; or vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. See Ordeal. Wharton.

Pur"ga*tive (?), a. [L. purgativus: cf. F. purgatif.] Having the power or quality of purging; cathartic. -- n. (Med.) A purging medicine; a cathartic.

{ Pur`ga*to"ri*al (?), Pur`ga*to"ri*an (?), } a. Of or pertaining to purgatory; expiatory.

Pur"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. purgatorius.] Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory. Burke.

Pur"ga*to*ry, n. [Cf. F. purgatoire.] A state or place of purification after death; according to the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven.

Purge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purging (?).] [F. purger, L. purgare; purus pure + agere to make, to do. See Pure, and Agent.] 1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous. "Till fire purge all things new." Milton.

2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.

4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.

5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.

6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.

7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often followed by away.

2. To have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic.

2. That which purges; especially, a medicine that evacuates the intestines; a cathartic. Arbuthnot.

Pur"ger (?), n. One who, or that which, purges or cleanses; especially, a cathartic medicine.

Pur"ger*y (?), n. The part of a sugarhouse where the molasses is drained off from the sugar.

Purging flax (Bot.), an annual European plant of the genus Linum (L. catharticum); dwarf wild flax; -- so called from its use as a cathartic medicine.

Pur"ging, n. (Med.) The act of cleansing; excessive evacuations; especially, diarrhea.

Pu`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [F. purification, L. purificatio. See Purify.] 1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating and removing from anything that which is impure or noxious, or heterogeneous or foreign to it; as, the purification of liquors, or of metals.

2. The act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by removing any pollution or defilement.

3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations.

Pu"ri*fi*ca*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. purificatif.] Having power to purify; tending to cleanse. [R.]

Pu*rif"i*ca*to*ry (?), a. [L. purificatorius.] Serving or tending to purify; purificative.

Pu"ri*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, purifies or cleanses; a cleanser; a refiner.

Pu"ri*form (p"r*fôrm), a. [L. pus, puris, pus + -form: cf. F. puriforme.] (Med.) In the form of pus.

Pu"ri*fy (-f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purifying (?).] [F. purifier, L. purificare; purus pure + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Pure, and -fy.] 1. To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture, or imperfection; to free from extraneous or noxious matter; as, to purify liquors or metals; to purify the blood; to purify the air.

2. Hence, in figurative uses: (a) To free from guilt or moral defilement; as, to purify the heart.

(c) To free from improprieties or barbarisms; as, to purify a language. Sprat.

||Pu"rim (?), n. [Heb. pr, pl. prm, a lot.] A Jewish festival, called also the Feast of Lots, instituted to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the machinations of Haman. Esther ix. 26.

Pur"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. purisme.] Rigid purity; the quality of being affectedly pure or nice, especially in the choice of language; over-solicitude as to purity. "His political purism." De Quincey.

Pur"ist, n. [Cf. F. puriste.] 1. One who aims at excessive purity or nicety, esp. in the choice of language.

2. One who maintains that the New Testament was written in pure Greek. M. Stuart.

{ Pu*ris"tic (?), Pu*ris"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to purists or purism.

Pu"ri*tan (?), n. [From Purity.] 1. (Eccl. Hist.) One who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the first two Stuarts, opposed traditional and formal usages, and advocated simpler forms of faith and worship than those established by law; -- originally, a term of reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early population of New England.

The Puritans were afterward distinguished as Political Puritans, Doctrinal Puritans, and Puritans in Discipline. Hume.

2. One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; -- often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has overstrict notions.

Pu"ri*tan, a. Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or characteristic of, the Puritans.

{ Pu`ri*tan"ic (?), Pu`ri*tan"ic*al (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.

2. Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid; -- often used by way of reproach or contempt.

Pu"ri*tan*ize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puritanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puritanizing (?).] To agree with, or teach, the doctrines of Puritans; to conform to the practice of Puritans. Bp. Montagu.

Pu"ri*ty (?), n. [OE. purete, purte, OF. purté, F. pureté, from L. puritas, fr. purus pure. See Pure.] The condition of being pure. Specifically: (a) freedom from foreign admixture or deleterious matter; as, the purity of water, of wine, of drugs, of metals. (b) Cleanness; freedom from foulness or dirt. "The purity of a linen vesture." Holyday. (c) Freedom from guilt or the defilement of sin; innocence; chastity; as, purity of heart or of life. (d) Freedom from any sinister or improper motives or views. (e) Freedom from foreign idioms, or from barbarous or improper words or phrases; as, purity of style.

Pur"kin*je's cells` (?). [From J. E. Purkinje, their discoverer.] (Anat.) Large ganglion cells forming a layer near the surface of the cerebellum.

Purl (?), v. t. [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See Purfle.] To decorate with fringe or embroidery. "Nature's cradle more enchased and purled." B. Jonson.

Purl, n. 1. An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band.

2. An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance.

Purl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Purled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purling.] [Cf. Sw. porla, and E. pur to murmur as a cat.] 1. To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through obstructions.

2. [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See Pearl, v. & n.] To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.

Purl, n. [See 3d Purl.] 1. A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.

2. A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.

3. [Perh. from F. perler, v. See Purl to mantle.] Malt liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices. "Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite." Addison. "Drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes." Dickens.

Pur"lieu (?), n. [Corrupted (by influence of lieu place) fr. OF. puralée, poralée (equiv. to LL. perambulatio a survey of boundaries, originally, a going through); por (L. pro, confused, however, with L. per through) + alée. See Pro-, and Alley.] [Written also pourlieu.] 1. Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, having been unlawfully added to the forest, was afterwards severed from it, and disafforested so as to remit to the former owners their rights.

2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent district; environs; neighborhood. "The purlieus of St. James."

{ Pur"lin, Pur"line } (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Arch.) In root construction, a horizontal member supported on the principals and supporting the common rafters.

Purl"ing (?), n. [See 3d Purl.] The motion of a small stream running among obstructions; also, the murmur it makes in so doing.

Pur*loin" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purloined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purloining.] [OF. purloignier, porloignier, to retard, delay; pur, por, pour, for (L. pro) + loin far, far off (L. longe). See Prolong, and cf. Eloign.] To take or carry away for one's self; hence, to steal; to take by theft; to filch.

Pur"par`ty (?), n. [OF. pourpartie; pour for + partie a part; cf. OF. purpart a respective part.] (Law) A share, part, or portion of an estate allotted to a coparcener. [Written also purpart, and pourparty.]

Pur"ple (?), n.; pl. Purples (#). [OE. purpre, pourpre, OF. purpre, porpre, pourpre, F. pourpre, L. purpura purple fish, purple dye, fr. Gr. &?; the purple fish, a shell from the purple dye was obtained, purple dye; cf. &?; dark (said of the sea), purple, &?; to grow dark (said of the sea), to be troubled; perh. akin to L. furere to rage, E. fury: cf. AS. purpure. Cf. Porphyry, Purpure.] 1. A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.

The ancient words which are translated purple are supposed to have been used for the color we call crimson. In the gradations of color as defined in art, purple is a mixture of red and blue. When red predominates it is called violet, and when blue predominates, hyacinth.

2. Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.

3. Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth. "He was born in the purple." Gibbon.

5. (Zoöl.) Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (B. arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.

Purple is sometimes used in composition, esp. with participles forming words of obvious signification; as, purple- colored, purple-hued, purple-stained, purple- tinged, purple-tinted, and the like.

French purple. (Chem.) Same as Cudbear. -- Purple of Cassius. See Cassius. -- Purple of mollusca (Zoöl.), a coloring matter derived from certain mollusks, which dyes wool, etc., of a purple or crimson color, and is supposed to be the substance of the famous Tyrian dye. It is obtained from Ianthina, and from several species of Purpura, and Murex. -- To be born in the purple, to be of princely birth; to be highborn.

Pur"ple, a. 1. Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe.

2. Imperial; regal; -- so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.

Purple bird (Zoöl.), the European purple gallinule. See under Gallinule. -- Purple copper ore. (Min.) See Bornite. -- Purple grackle (Zoöl.), the crow blackbird. See under Crow. -- Purple martin. See under Martin. -- Purple sandpiper. See under Sandpiper. -- Purple shell. See Ianthina.

Pur"ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purpled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purpling.] To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.

Pur"ple*heart` (?), n. (Bot.) A strong, durable, and elastic wood of a purplish color, obtained from several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Copaifera (Copaifera pubiflora, Copaifera bracteata, and Copaifera officinalis). Used for decorative veneering. See Copaiba.

Pur"port (?), n. [OF. purport; pur, pour, for (L. pro) + porter to bear, carry. See Port demeanor.]

Pur"port, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purported; p. pr. & vb. n. Purporting.] [OF. purporter, pourporter. See Purport, n.] To intend to show; to intend; to mean; to signify; to import; -- often with an object clause or infinitive.

Pur"pose (?), n. [OF. purpos, pourpos, propos, L. propositum. See Propound.] 1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.

In purpose, Of purpose, On purpose, with previous design; with the mind directed to that object; intentionally. On purpose is the form now generally used.

Pur"pose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purposing.] [OF. purposer, proposer. See Propose.] 1. To set forth; to bring forward. [Obs.]

2. To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause. Chaucer.

Pur"pose, v. i. To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pur"posed*ly (?), adv. In a purposed manner; according to purpose or design; purposely.

Pur"pose*ful (?), a. Important; material. "Purposeful accounts." Tylor. -- Pur"pose*ful*ly, adv.

Pur"pose*less, a. Having no purpose or result; objectless. Bp. Hall. -- Pur"pose*less*ness, n.

Pur"pose*ly, adv. With purpose or design; intentionally; with predetermination; designedly.

Pur"pos*er (?), n. 1. One who brings forward or proposes anything; a proposer. [Obs.]

Pur"po*sive (?), a. Having or indicating purpose or design. "Purposive characters." Bastian.

Pur*pres"ture (?), n. [Probably corrupted (see Prest) fr. OF. pourprisure, fr. pourprendre: cf. LL. purprestura. Cf. Purprise.] (Law) Wrongful encroachment upon another's property; esp., any encroachment upon, or inclosure of, that which should be common or public, as highways, rivers, harbors, forts, etc. [Written also pourpresture.]

Pur"prise (?), n. [OF. pourpris,fr. pourprendre to take away entirely; pour for + prendre to take.] A close or inclosure; the compass of a manor. Bacon.

||Pur"pu*ra (?), n. [L., purple, purple fish: cf. F. purpura. See Purple.] 1. (Med.) A disease characterized by livid spots on the skin from extravasated blood, with loss of muscular strength, pain in the limbs, and mental dejection; the purples. Dunglison.

2. (Zoöl.) A genus of marine gastropods, usually having a rough and thick shell. Some species yield a purple dye.

Pur"pure (?), n. [L. purpura purple. See Purple.] (Her.) Purple, -- represented in engraving by diagonal lines declining from the right top to the left base of the escutcheon (or from sinister chief to dexter base).

Pur*pu"re*o- (?). A combining form signifying of a purple or purple-red color. Specif. (Chem.), used in designating certain brilliant purple-red compounds of cobaltic chloride and ammonia, similar to the roseocobaltic compounds. See Cobaltic.

2. (Chem.) Pertaining to or designating, a nitrogenous acid contained in uric acid. It is not known in the pure state, but forms well-known purple-red compounds (as murexide), whence its name.

Pur"pu*rin (?), n. (Chem.) A dyestuff resembling alizarin, found in madder root, and extracted as an orange or red crystalline substance.

Pur`pu*rip"a*rous (?), a. [L. purpura purple + parere to produce.] (Biol.) Producing, or connected with, a purple-colored secretion; as, the purpuriparous gland of certain gastropods.

Pur`pu*rog"e*nous (?), a. [L. purpura purple + -genous.] (Biol.) Having the power to produce a purple color; as, the purpurogenous membrane, or choroidal epithelium, of the eye. See Visual purple, under Visual.

Pur"ree (?), n. [Hind. peori yellow.] (Chem.) A yellow coloring matter. See Euxanthin.

Purse (?), n. [OE. purs, pors, OF. burse, borse, bourse, F. bourse, LL. bursa, fr. Gr. &?; hide, skin, leather. Cf. Bourse, Bursch, Bursar, Buskin.] 1. A small bag or pouch, the opening of which is made to draw together closely, used to carry money in; by extension, any receptacle for money carried on the person; a wallet; a pocketbook; a portemonnaie. Chaucer.

3. A sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.

4. A specific sum of money; as: (a) In Turkey, the sum of 500 piasters. (b) In Persia, the sum of 50 tomans.

Light purse, or Empty purse, poverty or want of resources. -- Long purse, or Heavy purse, wealth; riches. -- Purse crab (Zoöl.), any land crab of the genus Birgus, allied to the hermit crabs. They sometimes weigh twenty pounds or more, and are very strong, being able to crack cocoanuts with the large claw. They chiefly inhabit the tropical islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, living in holes and feeding upon fruit. Called also palm crab. -- Purse net, a fishing net, the mouth of which may be closed or drawn together like a purse. Mortimer. -- Purse pride, pride of money; insolence proceeding from the possession of wealth. Bp. Hall. -- Purse rat. (Zoöl.) See Pocket gopher, under Pocket. -- Sword and purse, the military power and financial resources of a nation.

Purse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pursed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pursing.] 1. To put into a purse.

2. To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.

Purse"ful (?), n.; pl. Pursefuls (&?;). All that is, or can be, contained in a purse; enough to fill a purse.

Purse"-proud` (?), a. Affected with purse pride; puffed up with the possession of riches.

1. (Naut.) A commissioned officer in the navy who had charge of the provisions, clothing, and public moneys on shipboard; -- now called paymaster.

2. A clerk on steam passenger vessels whose duty it is to keep the accounts of the vessels, such as the receipt of freight, tickets, etc.

Purs"lane (?), n. [OF. porcelaine, pourcelaine (cf. It. porcellana), corrupted fr. L. porcilaca for portulaca.] (Bot.) An annual plant (Portulaca oleracea), with fleshy, succulent, obovate leaves, sometimes used as a pot herb and for salads, garnishing, and pickling.

Flowering purslane, or Great flowered purslane, the Portulaca grandiflora. See Portulaca. -- Purslane tree, a South African shrub (Portulacaria Afra) with many small opposite fleshy obovate leaves. -- Sea purslane, a seashore plant (Arenaria peploides) with crowded opposite fleshy leaves. -- Water purslane, an aquatic plant (Ludwiqia palustris) but slightly resembling purslane.

Pur*su"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being, or fit to be, pursued, followed, or prosecuted. Sherwood.

Pur*su"ance (?), n. [See Pursuant.] 1. The act of pursuing or prosecuting; a following out or after.

Pur*su"ant (?), a. [From Pursue: cf. OE. poursuiant. Cf. Pursuivant.] Acting in consequence or in prosecution (of anything); hence, agreeable; conformable; following; according; -- with to or of.

Pur*sue" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pursued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pursuing.] [OE. pursuen, porsuen, OF. porsivre, poursuivre, poursuir, F. poursuivre, fr. L. prosequi; pro forward + sequi to follow. See Sue, and cf. Prosecute, Pursuivant.] 1. To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.

2. To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law.

3. To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course.

4. To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue. " Insatiate to pursue vain war." Milton.

3. (Law) To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor. Burrill.

Pur*su"er (?), n. 1. One who pursues or chases; one who follows in haste, with a view to overtake.

Pur*suit" (?), n. [F. poursuite, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, v. t.] 1. The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy. Clarendon.

2. A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.

3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.

Curve of pursuit (Geom.), a curve described by a point which is at each instant moving towards a second point, which is itself moving according to some specified law.

Pur"sui*vant (?), n. [F. poursuivant, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, and cf. Pursuant.] [Written also poursuivant.] 1. (Heralds' College) A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively.

Pur"sy (?), a. [OF. pourcif, poulsif, poussif, fr. pousser to push, thrust, heave, OF. also poulser: cf. F. pousse the heaves, asthma. See Push.] Fat and short-breathed; fat, short, and thick; swelled with pampering; as, pursy insolence. Shak.

Pur"te*nance (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. appurtenance.] That which pertains or belongs to something; esp., the heard, liver, and lungs of an animal. [Obs.] " The purtenaunces of purgatory." Piers Plowman.

{ Pu"ru*lence (?), Pu"ru*len*cy (?), } n. [L. purulentia: cf. F. purulence.] (Med.) The quality or state of being purulent; the generation of pus; also, the pus itself. Arbuthnot.

Pu"ru*lent (?), a. [L. purulentus, fr. pus, puris, pus, matter: cf. F. purulent. See Pus.] (Med.) Consisting of pus, or matter; partaking of the nature of pus; attended with suppuration; as, purulent inflammation.

Pur*vey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purveyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Purveying.] [OE. purveien, porveien, OF. porveeir, porveoir, F. pourvoir, fr. L. providere. See Provide, and cf. Purview.] 1. To furnish or provide, as with a convenience, provisions, or the like.

Pur*vey", v. i. 1. To purchase provisions; to provide; to make provision. Chaucer. Milton.

2. To pander; -- with to. " Their turpitude purveys to their malice." [R.] Burke.

Pur*vey"ance (?), n. [Cf. F. pourvoyance.] 1. The act or process of providing or procuring; providence; foresight; preparation; management. Chaucer.

3. (Eng. Law) A providing necessaries for the sovereign by buying them at an appraised value in preference to all others, and oven without the owner's consent. This was formerly a royal prerogative, but has long been abolished. Wharton.

Pur*vey"or (?), n. [OE. porveour, OF. pourveor, F. pourvoyeur. See Purvey, and cf. Proveditor.] 1. One who provides victuals, or whose business is to make provision for the table; a victualer; a caterer.

2. An officer who formerly provided, or exacted provision, for the king's household. [Eng.]

Pur"view (?), n. [OF. purveu, pourveu, F. pourvu, provided, p. p. of OF. porveoir, F. pourvoir. See Purvey, View, and cf. Proviso.] 1. (a) (Law) The body of a statute, or that part which begins with " Be it enacted, " as distinguished from the preamble. Cowell. (b) Hence: The limit or scope of a statute; the whole extent of its intention or provisions. Marshall.

Pus (?), n. [L., akin to Gr. &?;, &?;, and to E. foul: cf. F. pus. See Foul, a.] (Med.) The yellowish white opaque creamy matter produced by the process of suppuration. It consists of innumerable white nucleated cells floating in a clear liquid.

Pu"sane (?), n. (Anc. Armor) A piece of armor for the breast; often, an addition to, or reënforcement of. the breastplate; -- called also pesane.

Pu"sey*ism (?), n. (Ch. of Eng.) The principles of Dr. Pusey and others at Oxford, England, as exhibited in various publications, esp. in a series which appeared from 1833 to 1841, designated " Tracts for the Times;" tractarianism. See Tractarianism.

Pu"sey*ite, n. One who holds the principles of Puseyism; -- often used opprobriously.

Push (?), n. [Probably F. poche. See Pouch.] A pustule; a pimple. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Bacon.

Push, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pushed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pushing.] [OE. possen, pussen, F. pousser, fr. L. pulsare, v. intens. fr. pellere, pulsum, to beat, knock, push. See Pulse a beating, and cf. Pursy.] 1. To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; -- opposed to draw.

3. To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far. " To push his fortune." Dryden.

Push, v. i. 1. To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword. Shak.

2. To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.

2. Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.

3. An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.

4. The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push.

Push"ing, a. Pressing forward in business; enterprising; driving; energetic; also, forward; officious, intrusive. -- Push"ing*ly, adv.

Pu"sil (?), a. [L. pusillus very little.] Very small; little; petty. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pu`sil*la*nim"i*ty (?), n. [L. pusillanimitas: cf. F. pusillanimité.] The quality of being pusillanimous; weakness of spirit; cowardliness.

Pu`sil*lan"i*mous (?), a. [L. pusillanimis; pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a boy, E. puerile) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime. See Animosity.] 1. Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean- spirited; spiritless; cowardly; -- said of persons, as, a pusillanimous prince.

2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. "A low and pusillanimous spirit." Burke.

Syn. -- Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid; weak; feeble.

Puss (ps), n. [Cf. D. poes, Ir. & Gael. pus.] 1. A cat; - - a fondling appellation.

Puss in the corner, a game in which all the players but one occupy corners of a room, or certain goals in the open air, and exchange places, the one without a corner endeavoring to get a corner while it is vacant, leaving some other without one. -- Puss moth (Zoöl.), any one of several species of stout bombycid moths belonging to Cerura, Harpyia, and allied genera, esp. Harpyia vinuli, of Europe. The larvæ are humpbacked, and have two caudal appendages.

Pussy (?), n. [Dim. of puss.] 1. A pet name for a cat; also, an endearing name for a girl.

Pussy willow (Bot.), any kind of willow having large cylindrical catkins clothed with long glossy hairs, especially the American Salix discolor; -- called also glaucous willow, and swamp willow.

Pus"tu*lant (?; 135), a. [L. pustulans, p. pr. See Pustulate, v. t.] (Med.) Producing pustules. -- n. A medicine that produces pustules, as croton oil.

Pus"tu*lar (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to pustules; as, pustular prominences; pustular eruptions.

Pus"tu*late (?), v. t. [L. pustulatus, p. p. of pustulare to blister, fr. pustula. See Pustule.] To form into pustules, or blisters.

{ Pus"tu*late (?), Pus"tu*la`ted (?), } a. Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustular; pustulous; as, a pustulate leaf; a pustulate shell or coral.

Pus*tu*la"tion (?), n. [L. pustulatio.] The act of producing pustules; the state of being pustulated.

Pus"tule (?; 135), n. [L. pustula, and pusula: cf. F. pustule.] (Med.) A vesicle or an elevation of the cuticle with an inflamed base, containing pus.

Pus"tu*lous (?), a. [L. pustulosus, fr. pustula a pustule: cf. F. pustuleux.] Resembling, or covered with, pustules; pustulate; pustular.

Put (?), n. [Cf. W. pwt any short thing, pwt o ddyn a squab of a person, pwtog a short, thick woman.] A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.

Put (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Put; p. pr. & vb. n. Putting.] [AS. potian to thrust: cf. Dan. putte to put, to put into, Fries. putje; perh. akin to W. pwtio to butt, poke, thrust; cf. also Gael. put to push, thrust, and E. potter, v. i.] 1. To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; -- nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put forth = to thrust out).

2. To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set; figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.

3. To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.

5. To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express; figuratively, to assume; to suppose; -- formerly sometimes followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a question; to put a case.

7. To throw or cast with a pushing motion "overhand," the hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.

8. (Mining) To convey coal in the mine, as from the working to the tramway. Raymond.

Put case, formerly, an elliptical expression for, put or suppose the case to be.

-- To put about (Naut.), to turn, or change the course of, as a ship. -- To put away. (a) To renounce; to discard; to expel. (b) To divorce. -- To put back. (a) To push or thrust backwards; hence, to hinder; to delay. (b) To refuse; to deny.

(c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to an earlier hour. (d) To restore to the original place; to replace. -- To put by. (a) To turn, set, or thrust, aside. "Smiling put the question by." Tennyson. (b) To lay aside; to keep; to sore up; as, to put by money. -- To put down. (a) To lay down; to deposit; to set down. (b) To lower; to diminish; as, to put down prices. (c) To deprive of position or power; to put a stop to; to suppress; to abolish; to confute; as, to put down rebellion or traitors.

(d) To subscribe; as, to put down one's name. -- To put forth. (a) To thrust out; to extend, as the hand; to cause to come or push out; as, a tree puts forth leaves. (b) To make manifest; to develop; also, to bring into action; to exert; as, to put forth strength. (c) To propose, as a question, a riddle, and the like. (d) To publish, as a book. -- To put forward. (a) To advance to a position of prominence or responsibility; to promote. (b) To cause to make progress; to aid. (c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to a later hour. -- To put in. (a) To introduce among others; to insert; sometimes, to introduce with difficulty; as, to put in a word while others are discoursing. (b) (Naut.) To conduct into a harbor, as a ship. (c) (Law) To place in due form before a court; to place among the records of a court. Burrill. (d) (Med.) To restore, as a dislocated part, to its place. -- To put off. (a) To lay aside; to discard; as, to put off a robe; to put off mortality. "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet." Ex. iii. 5. (b) To turn aside; to elude; to disappoint; to frustrate; to baffle.

(c) To delay; to defer; to postpone; as, to put off repentance. (d) To get rid of; to dispose of; especially, to pass fraudulently; as, to put off a counterfeit note, or an ingenious theory. (e) To push from land; as, to put off a boat. -- To put on or upon. (a) To invest one's self with, as clothes; to assume. "Mercury . . . put on the shape of a man." L'Estrange. (b) To impute (something) to; to charge upon; as, to put blame on or upon another. (c) To advance; to promote. [Obs.] "This came handsomely to put on the peace." Bacon. (d) To impose; to inflict. "That which thou puttest on me, will I bear." 2 Kings xviii. 14. (e) To apply; as, to put on workmen; to put on steam. (f) To deceive; to trick. "The stork found he was put upon." L'Estrange. (g) To place upon, as a means or condition; as, he put him upon bread and water. "This caution will put them upon considering." Locke. (h) (Law) To rest upon; to submit to; as, a defendant puts himself on or upon the country. Burrill. -- To put out. (a) To eject; as, to put out and intruder. (b) To put forth; to shoot, as a bud, or sprout. (c) To extinguish; as, to put out a candle, light, or fire. (d) To place at interest; to loan; as, to put out funds. (e) To provoke, as by insult; to displease; to vex; as, he was put out by my reply. [Colloq.] (f) To protrude; to stretch forth; as, to put out the hand. (g) To publish; to make public; as, to put out a pamphlet. (h) To confuse; to disconcert; to interrupt; as, to put one out in reading or speaking. (i) (Law) To open; as, to put out lights, that is, to open or cut windows. Burrill. (j) (Med.) To place out of joint; to dislocate; as, to put out the ankle. (k) To cause to cease playing, or to prevent from playing longer in a certain inning, as in base ball. -- To put over. (a) To place (some one) in authority over; as, to put a general over a division of an army. (b) To refer.

(c) To defer; to postpone; as, the court put over the cause to the next term. (d) To transfer (a person or thing) across; as, to put one over the river. -- To put the hand to or unto. (a) To take hold of, as of an instrument of labor; as, to put the hand to the plow; hence, to engage in (any task or affair); as, to put one's hand to the work. (b) To take or seize, as in theft. "He hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods." Ex. xxii. 11. -- To put through, to cause to go through all conditions or stages of a progress; hence, to push to completion; to accomplish; as, he put through a measure of legislation; he put through a railroad enterprise. [U.S.] -- To put to. (a) To add; to unite; as, to put one sum to another. (b) To refer to; to expose; as, to put the safety of the state to hazard. "That dares not put it to the touch." Montrose. (c) To attach (something) to; to harness beasts to. Dickens. -- To put to a stand, to stop; to arrest by obstacles or difficulties. -- To put to bed. (a) To undress and place in bed, as a child. (b) To deliver in, or to make ready for, childbirth. -- To put to death, to kill. -- To put together, to attach; to aggregate; to unite in one. -- To put this and that (or two and two) together, to draw an inference; to form a correct conclusion. -- To put to it, to distress; to press hard; to perplex; to give difficulty to. "O gentle lady, do not put me to 't." Shak. -- To put to rights, to arrange in proper order; to settle or compose rightly. -- To put to the sword, to kill with the sword; to slay. -- To put to trial, or on trial, to bring to a test; to try. -- To put trust in, to confide in; to repose confidence in. -- To put up. (a) To pass unavenged; to overlook; not to punish or resent; to put up with; as, to put up indignities. [Obs.] "Such national injuries are not to be put up." Addison. (b) To send forth or upward; as, to put up goods for sale. (d) To start from a cover, as game. "She has been frightened; she has been put up." C. Kingsley. (e) To hoard. "Himself never put up any of the rent." Spelman. (f) To lay side or preserve; to pack away; to store; to pickle; as, to put up pork, beef, or fish. (g) To place out of sight, or away; to put in its proper place; as, put up that letter. Shak. (h) To incite; to instigate; -- followed by to; as, he put the lad up to mischief. (i) To raise; to erect; to build; as, to put up a tent, or a house. (j) To lodge; to entertain; as, to put up travelers. -- To put up a job, to arrange a plot. [Slang]

Syn. -- To place; set; lay; cause; produce; propose; state. -- Put, Lay, Place, Set. These words agree in the idea of fixing the position of some object, and are often used interchangeably. To put is the least definite, denoting merely to move to a place. To place has more particular reference to the precise location, as to put with care in a certain or proper place. To set or to lay may be used when there is special reference to the position of the object.

Put (put; often pt in def. 3), v. i. 1. To go or move; as, when the air first puts up. [Obs.] Bacon.

To put about (Naut.), to change direction; to tack. -- To put back (Naut.), to turn back; to return. "The French . . . had put back to Toulon." Southey. -- To put forth. (a) To shoot, bud, or germinate. "Take earth from under walls where nettles put forth." Bacon. (b) To leave a port or haven, as a ship. Shak. -- To put in (Naut.), to enter a harbor; to sail into port. -- To put in for. (a) To make a request or claim; as, to put in for a share of profits. (b) To go into covert; -- said of a bird escaping from a hawk. (c) To offer one's self; to stand as a candidate for. Locke. -- To put off, to go away; to depart; esp., to leave land, as a ship; to move from the shore. -- To put on, to hasten motion; to drive vehemently. -- To put over (Naut.), to sail over or across. -- To put to sea (Naut.), to set sail; to begin a voyage; to advance into the ocean. -- To put up. (a) To take lodgings; to lodge. (b) To offer one's self as a candidate. L'Estrange. -- To put up to, to advance to. [Obs.] "With this he put up to my lord." Swift. -- To put up with. (a) To overlook, or suffer without recompense, punishment, or resentment; as, to put up with an injury or affront. (b) To take without opposition or expressed dissatisfaction; to endure; as, to put up with bad fare.

Put (?), n. 1. The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball. "A forced put." L'Estrange.

3. A privilege which one party buys of another to "put" (deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc., at a certain price and date. [Brokers' Cant]

Pu"tage (?; 48), n. [OF. putage.] Prostitution or fornication on the part of a woman.

||Pu*ta"men (?), n. [L.] (Bot.) The shell of a nut; the stone of a drupe fruit. See Endocarp.

Pu"tan*ism (?), n. [F. putanisme, fr. putain harlot.] Habitual lewdness or prostitution of a woman; harlotry.

Pu"ta*tive (?), a. [L. putativus, fr. putare, putatum, to reckon, suppose, adjust, prune, cleanse. See Pure, and cf. Amputate, Compute, Dispute, Impute.] Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed; as, the putative father of a child. "His other putative (I dare not say feigned) friends." E. Hall.

||Pu"te*al (?), n. [L., fr. puteus well.] (Arch.) An inclosure surrounding a well to prevent persons from falling into it; a well curb. Weale.

Pu"tid (?), a. [L. putidus: cf. F. putide. Cf. Putrid.] Rotten; fetid; stinking; base; worthless. Jer. Taylor. "Thy putid muse." Dr. H. More.

Put"log` (?; 277), n. (Arch.) One of the short pieces of timber on which the planks forming the floor of a scaffold are laid, -- one end resting on the ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in the wall temporarily for the purpose. Oxf. Gloss.

Put"-off` (?; 115), n. A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an excuse. L'Estrange.

Pu"tour (?), n. [See Put a prostitute.] A keeper of a brothel; a procurer. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pu*tred"i*nous (?), a. [L. putredo rottenness, fr. putrere to be rotten. See Putrid.] Proceeding from putrefaction, or partaking of the putrefactive process; having an offensive smell; stinking; rotten.

Pu`tre*fac"tion (?), n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F. putréfaction. See Putrefy.] 1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter.

Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative. Putrefaction is not possible under conditions that preclude the development of living organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptomaïnes.

2. The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied. "Putrefaction's breath." Shelley.

Pu`tre*fac"tive (?), a. [Cf. putréfactif. See Putrefy.] 1. Of or pertaining to putrefaction; as, the putrefactive smell or process. Wiseman.

Pu"tre*fy (?), v. t. [Written also putrify.] [imp. & p. p. Putrefied (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Putrefying (&?;).] [F. putréfier; L. putrere to be rotten + - ficare (in. comp.) to make; cf. L. putrefacere. See Putrid, and -fy.] 1. To render putrid; to cause to decay offensively; to cause to be decomposed; to cause to rot.

Pu*tres"cent (?), a. [L. putrescens, p. pr.of putrescere to grow rotten, v. incho. fr. putrere to be rotten. See Putrid.] 1. Becoming putrid or rotten.

Pu*tres"ci*ble (?), a. Capable of putrefaction; liable to become putrid; as, putrescible substances.

Pu*tres"ci*ble, n. A substance, usually nitrogenous, which is liable to undergo decomposition when in contact with air and moisture at ordinary temperatures.

Pu*tres"cin (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A nontoxic diamine, C₄H₁₂N₂, formed in the putrefaction of the flesh of mammals and some other animals.

Pu"trid (?), a. [L. putridus, fr. putrere to be rotten, fr. puter, or putris, rotten, fr. putere to stink, to be rotten: cf. F. putride. See Pus, Foul, a.] 1. Tending to decomposition or decay; decomposed; rotten; -- said of animal or vegetable matter; as, putrid flesh. See Putrefaction.

2. Indicating or proceeding from a decayed state of animal or vegetable matter; as, a putrid smell.

Putrid fever (Med.), typhus fever; -- so called from the decomposing and offensive state of the discharges and diseased textures of the body. -- Putrid sore throat (Med.), a gangrenous inflammation of the fauces and pharynx.

Pu*trid"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. putridité.] The quality of being putrid; putrefaction; rottenness.

Pu"tri*lage (?), n. [F. putrilage, L. putrilago putrefaction.] That which is undergoing putrefaction; the products of putrefaction.

2. Specifically, one who pushes the small wagons in a coal mine, and the like. [Prov. Eng.]

Put"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puttered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puttering.] [See Potter.] To act inefficiently or idly; to trifle; to potter.

Put"ting (?), n. The throwing of a heavy stone, shot, etc., with the hand raised or extended from the shoulder; -- originally, a Scottish game.

Put"tock (?), n. [Cf. Pout a young bird, Poult.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European kite. (b) The buzzard. (c) The marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.]

Put"ty (?), n. [F. potée, fr. pot pot; what was formerly called putty being a substance resembling what is now called putty powder, and in part made of the metal of old pots. See Pot.] A kind of thick paste or cement compounded of whiting, or soft carbonate of lime, and linseed oil, when applied beaten or kneaded to the consistence of dough, -- used in fastening glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes.

Putty powder, an oxide of tin, or of tin and lead in various proportions, much used in polishing glass, metal, precious stones, etc.

Put"ty, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Puttied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puttying.] To cement, or stop, with putty.

Put"ty*root` (?), n. (Bot.) An American orchidaceous plant (Aplectrum hyemale) which flowers in early summer. Its slender naked rootstock produces each year a solid corm, filled with exceedingly glutinous matter, which sends up later a single large oval evergreen plaited leaf. Called also Adam-and-Eve.

Put"-up (?), a. Arranged; plotted; -- in a bad sense; as, a put-up job. [Colloq.]

Puz"zel (?), n. [Cf. F. pucelle a virgin.] A harlot; a drab; a hussy. [Obs.] Shak.

Puz"zle (?), n. [For opposal, in the sense of problem. See Oppose, Pose, v.] 1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.

Puz"zle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Puzzled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puzzling (?).] 1. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.

3. To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.

Puz"zle*dom (?), n. The domain of puzzles; puzzles, collectively. C. Kingsley.

||Py*æ"mi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; pus + &?; blood.] (Med.) A form of blood poisoning produced by the absorption into the blood of morbid matters usually originating in a wound or local inflammation. It is characterized by the development of multiple abscesses throughout the body, and is attended with irregularly recurring chills, fever, profuse sweating, and exhaustion.

Pyc`nas*pid"e*an (?), a. [Gr. &?; thick, crowded + &?;, &?;, a shield.] (Zoöl.) Having the posterior side of the tarsus covered with small irregular scales; -- said of certain birds.

||Pyc*nid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pycnidia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; crowded.] (Bot.) In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced.

Pyc"nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; thick.] (Min.) A massive subcolumnar variety of topaz.

Pyc"no*dont (?), n. [Gr. &?; thick, crowded + &?;, &?;, a tooth.] (Paleon.) Any fossil fish belonging to the Pycnodontini. They have numerous round, flat teeth, adapted for crushing.

||Pyc`no*don"ti*ni (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An extinct order of ganoid fishes. They had a compressed body, covered with dermal ribs (pleurolepida) and with enameled rhomboidal scales.

||Pyc`no*gon"i*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; thick crowded + &?; knee.] (Zoöl.) A class of marine arthropods in which the body is small and thin, and the eight legs usually very long; -- called also Pantopoda.

The abdomen is rudimentary, and the triangular mouth is at the end of a tubular proboscis. Many of them live at great depths in the sea, and the largest of them measure two feet across the extended legs.

Pyc*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; dense, compact + -meter.] (Physics) A specific gravity bottle; a standard flask for measuring and comparing the densities of liquids. [Also written pyknometer.]

Pyc"no*style (?), a. [Gr. &?; with the pillars close together; &?; close + &?; a column, pillar: cf. F. pycnostyle.] (Anc. Arch.) See under Intercolumniation. -n. A pycnostyle colonnade.

||Py`e*li"tis (?). n. [Gr. basin + - itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney.

Py"gal (?), a. [Gr. &?; the rump.] (Anat.) Situated in the region of the rump, or posterior end of the backbone; -- applied especially to the posterior median plates in the carapace of chelonians.

{ Py"garg (?), ||Py*gar"gus (?), }[L. pygargus, Gr. &?;, literally, white rump; &?; the rump + white: cf. F. pygargue.] 1. (Zoöl.) A quadruped, probably the addax, an antelope having a white rump. Deut. xiv. 5.

||Py*gid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pygidia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; the rump.] (Zoöl.) The caudal plate of trilobites, crustacean, and certain insects. See Illust. of Limulus and Trilobite.

{ Pyg"my (?), Pyg*me"an (?), } a. [L. pygmaeus. See Pygmy.] Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very small. " Like that Pygmean race." Milton.

Pygmy antelope (Zoöl.), the kleeneboc. -- Pygmy goose (Zoöl.), any species of very small geese of the genus Nettapus, native of Africa, India, and Australia. -- Pygmy owl (Zoöl.), the gnome. -- Pygmy parrot (Zoöl.), any one of several species of very small green parrots (Nasiternæ), native of New Guinea and adjacent islands. They are not larger than sparrows.

Pyg"my, n.; pl. Pygmies (#). [L. pygmaeus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles, about 131 inches. Cf. Pugnacious, Fist.] [Written also pigmy.] 1. (Class. Myth.) One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged war with the cranes, and were destroyed.

||Py`go*bran"chi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pugh` the rump + &?; a gill.] (Zoöl.) A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks having the branchiæ in a wreath or group around the anal opening, as in the genus Doris.

2. (Zoöl.) Any species of serpentiform lizards of the family Pygopodidæ, which have rudimentary hind legs near the anal cleft, but lack fore legs.

||Py*gop"o*des (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of swimming birds which includes the grebes, divers, auks, etc., in which the legs are placed far back.

Py"go*style (?), n. [Gr. pygh` the rump + &?; a pillar.] (Anat.) The plate of bone which forms the posterior end of the vertebral column in most birds; the plowshare bone; the vomer. It is formed by the union of a number of the last caudal vertebræ, and supports the uropigium.

Py"in (?), n. [Gr. &?; pus.] (Physiol. (Chem.) An albuminoid constituent of pus, related to mucin, possibly a mixture of substances rather than a single body.

||Py*ja"ma (?), n. [Hind. pe- jma, literally, leg clothing.] In India and Persia, thin loose trowsers or drawers; in Europe and America, drawers worn at night, or a kind of nightdress with legs. [Written also paijama.]

||Py"la n.; pl. L. Pylæ (#), E. Pylas (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an entrance.] (Anat.) The passage between the iter and optocœle in the brain. B. G. Wilder.

Pyl"a*gore (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; Pylæ, or Thermopylæ, where the Amphictyonic council met + &?; to assemble: cf. F. pylagore.] (Gr. Antiq.) a deputy of a State at the Amphictyonic council.

||Py*lan"gi*um (?), n.; pl. Pylangia (&?;). [NL., from Gr. &?; an entrance + &?; a vessel.] (Anat.) The first and undivided part of the aortic trunk in the amphibian heart. -- Py*lan"gi*al (#), a.

||Py"lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a gateway.] (a) A low tower, having a truncated pyramidal form, and flanking an ancient Egyptian gateway.

(b) An Egyptian gateway to a large building (with or without flanking towers).

Py*lor"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pylorique.] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pylorus; as, the pyloric end of the stomach.

||Py*lo"rus (?), n.; pl. Pylori (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; pylorus, gate keeper; &?; a gate + &?; watcher, guardian.] (Anat.) (a) The opening from the stomach into the intestine. (b) A posterior division of the stomach in some invertebrates.

Py`o*cy"a*nin (?), n. [Gr. &?; pus + &?; dark blue.] (Physiol. (Chem.) A blue coloring matter found in the pus from old sores, supposed to be formed through the agency of a species of bacterium (Bacillus pyocyaneus).

Py`o*gen"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; pus + root of &?; to be born.] (Med.) Producing or generating pus.

Py"oid (?), a. [Gr. &?; pus + -- oid.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to pus; of the nature of, or like, pus.

Pyoid corpuscles (Med.), cells of a size larger than pus corpuscles, containing two or more of the latter.

Py`op*neu`mo*tho"rax (?), n. [Gr. &?; pus + E. pneumothorax.] (Med.) Accumulation of air, or other gas, and of pus, in the pleural cavity.

Py`o*xan"those (?), n. [Gr. &?; pus + &?; yellow.] (Physiol. (Chem.) A greenish yellow crystalline coloring matter found with pyocyanin in pus.

Pyr"a*canth (?), n. [Gr. &?; fire + &?; a thorn, prickly plant.] (Bot.) The evergreen thorn (Cratægus Pyracantha), a shrub native of Europe.

Pyr"a*lid (?), n. [L. pyralis, -idis, a kind of winged insect.] (Zoöl.) Any moth of the family Pyralidæ. The species are numerous and mostly small, but some of them are very injurious, as the bee moth, meal moth, hop moth, and clover moth.

Pyr"a*mid (?), n. [L. pyramis, -idis, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, of Egyptian origin: cf. F. pyramide.]

1. A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.

2. (Geom.) A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal figure as base and several triangles which have a common vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.

3. pl. (Billiards) The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot. [Eng.]

Altitude of a pyramid (Geom.), the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the plane of the base. -- Axis of a pyramid (Geom.), a straight line drawn from the vertex to the center of the base. -- Earth pyramid. (Geol.) See Earth pillars, under Earth. -- Right pyramid (Geom.) a pyramid whose axis is perpendicular to the base.

1. Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid; pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage.

Pyramidal numbers (Math.), certain series of figurate numbers expressing the number of balls or points that may be arranged in the form of pyramids. Thus 1, 4, 10, 20, 35, etc., are triangular pyramidal numbers; and 1, 5, 14, 30, 55, etc., are square pyramidal numbers.

Py*ram"i*dal (?), n. (Anat.) One of the carpal bones. See Cuneiform, n., 2 (b).

{ Pyr`a*mid"ic (?), Pyr`a*mid"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a pyramid; having the form of a pyramid; pyramidal. " A pyramidical rock." Goldsmith. "Gold in pyramidic plenty piled." Shenstone. -- Pyr`a*mid"ic*al*ly, adv. Pyr`a*mild"ic*al*ness, n.

||Pyr`a*mid"i*on (?), n.; pl. Pyramidia (#). [NL., from L. pyramis. See Pyramid.] The small pyramid which crowns or completes an obelisk.

Py*ram"i*doid (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, pyramid + -id: cf. F. pyramidoïde.] A solid resembling a pyramid; -- called also pyramoid. Barlow.

Py*rar"gy*rite (?), n. [Gr. &?; fire + &?; silver.] (Min.) Ruby silver; dark red silver ore. It is a sulphide of antimony and silver, occurring in rhombohedral crystals or massive, and is of a dark red or black color with a metallic adamantine luster.

Pyre (?), n. [L. pure, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; fire. See Fire.] A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt.

||Py*re"na (?), n.; pl. Pyrenæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, the stone of fruit.] (Bot.) A nutlet resembling a seed, or the kernel of a drupe. Gray.

Py"rene (?), n. [Gr. &?; fire.] (Chem.) One of the less volatile hydrocarbons of coal tar, obtained as a white crystalline substance, C₁₆H₁₀.

Pyr`e*ne"an (?), a. [L. Pyrenaei (sc. montes) the Pyrenees, fr. Pyrene, Gr.&?; a daughter of Bebryx, beloved by Hercules, and buried upon these mountains.] Of or pertaining to the Pyrenees, a range of mountains separating France and Spain. -- n. The Pyrenees. Shak.

Py*re"noid (?), n. [Gr. &?; like a kernel. See Pyrena, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) A transparent body found in the chromatophores of certain Infusoria.

Pyr"eth*rin (?), n. [NL. Pyrethrum, generic name of feverfew, Gr. &?; feverfew.] (Chem.) A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor, and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; -- called also Pyrethrum camphor.

Pyr"eth*rine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain (Anacyclus pyrethrum).

Py*ret"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; burning heat, fever, from &?; fire: cf. F. pyrétique.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to fever; febrile.

Pyr`e*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; fever + -logy: cf. F. pyrétologie.] (Med.) A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers. Hooper.

||Py*rex"i*a (?), n.; pl. Pyrexiæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to be feverish, akin to &?; fever.] (Med.) The febrile condition.

{ Py*rex"i*al (?), Py*rex"ic*al (?), } a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to fever; feverish.

Pyr"gom (?), n. [Gr. &?; a place furnished with towers, fr. &?; a tower.] (Min.) A variety of pyroxene; -- called also fassaite.

Pyr*he`li*om"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; fire + &?; sun + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the direct heating effect of the sun's rays.

Py*rid"ic (?), a. (Physiol. Chem.) Related to, or formed from, pyridin or its homologues; as, the pyridic bases.

Pyr"i*dine (?), n. [From Gr. &?; fire.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous base, C₅H₅N, obtained from the distillation of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as nicotine and certain of the ptomaïnes, may be mentioned. See Lutidine.

Pyr"i*dyl (?), n. [Pyridine + -yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical, C₅H₄N, regarded as the essential residue of pyridine, and analogous to phenyl.

Pyr"i*form (?), a. [L. pyrum, pirum, a pear + -form: cf. F. pyriforme, piriforme.] Having the form of a pear; pear- shaped.

Pyr"ite (?), n.; pl. Pyrites (#). [Cf. F. pyrite. See Pyrites.] (Min.) A common mineral of a pale brass- yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system; iron pyrites; iron disulphide.

Py*ri"tes (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; fire. See Pyre.] (Min.) A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or yellowish color.

The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite, or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when struck with steel.

Arsenical pyrites, arsenopyrite. -- Auriferous pyrites. See under Auriferous. -- Capillary pyrites, millerite. -- Common pyrites, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite. -- Hair pyrites, millerite. -- Iron pyrites. See Pyrite. -- Magnetic pyrites, pyrrhotite. -- Tin pyrites, stannite. -- White iron pyrites, orthorhombic iron disulphide; marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites, etc. -- Yellow, or Copper, pyrites, the sulphide of copper and iron; chalcopyrite.

{ Py*rit"ic (?), Py*rit"ic*al (?), } a. (Min.) Of or pertaining to pyrites; consisting of, or resembling, pyrites.

Pyr`i*tif"er*ous (?), a. [Pyrites + -ferous.] (Min.) Containing or producing pyrites.

Pyr`i*to*he"dral (?), a. [See Pyritohedron.] (Crystallog.) Like pyrites in hemihedral form.

Pyr`i*to*he"dron (?), n. [Pyrite + Gr. &?; base.] (Crystallog.) The pentagonal dodecahedron, a common form of pyrite.

Pyr`i*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; of fire + -logy.] The science of blowpipe analysis.

{ Pyro-, Pyr- }. [Gr. &?;, &?;, fire.] Combining forms designating fire or heat; specifically (Chem.), used to imply an actual or theoretical derivative by the action of heat; as in pyrophosphoric, pyrosulphuric, pyrotartaric, pyrotungstic, etc.

Pyr`o*a*ce"tic (?), a. [Pyro- + acetic: cf. F. pyroacétique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, and designating, a substance (acetone) obtained by the distillation of the acetates. It is now called also pyroacetic ether, and formerly was called pyroacetic spirit.

Pyr`o*ac"id (?), n. [Pyro- + acid.] (Chem.) An acid obtained by sybjecting another acid to the action of heat. Cf. Pyro-.

Pyr`o*an`ti*mon"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + antimonic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of antimony analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.

Pyr`o*ar*sen"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + arsenic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to or designating, an acid of arsenic analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.

Pyr`o*bo"ric (?), a. [Pyro- + boric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to derived from, or designating, an acid, H₂B₄O₇ (called also tetraboric acid), which is the acid ingredient of ordinary borax, and is obtained by heating boric acid.

Pyr`o*cat"e*chin (?), n. [Pyro- + catechu.] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance, C₆H₄(OH)₂, of the phenol series, found in various plants; -- so called because first obtained by distillation of gum catechu. Called also catechol, oxyphenol. etc.

Pyr"o*chlore (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; pale green.] (Min.) A niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and resinous luster; -- so called from its becoming grass-green on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.

Pyr`o*cit"ric (?), a. [Pyro- + citric: cf. F. pyrocitrique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid, and called respectively citraconic, itaconic, and mesaconic acid.

Pyr"o*coll (pr"*kl), n. [Puro- + Gr. ko`lla glue.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance allied to pyrrol, obtained by the distillation of gelatin.

Pyr`o*e*lec"tric (?), a. [Pyro- + electric.] (Physics) Pertaining to, or dependent on, pyroelectricity; receiving electric polarity when heated.

Pyr`o*e*lec"tric, n. (Physics) A substance which becomes electrically polar when heated, exhibiting opposite charges of statical electricity at two separate parts, especially the two extremities.

Pyr`o*e`lec*tric"i*ty (?), n. (Physics) Electricity developed by means of heat; the science which treats of electricity thus developed.

Pyr`o*gal"late (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of pyrogallic acid; an ether of pyrogallol.

Pyr`o*gal"lic (?), a. [Pyro- + gallic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called pyrogallol. See Pyrogallol.

Pyr`o*gal"lol (?), n. [Pyrogallic + -ol.] (Chem.) A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline substance having acid properties, and hence called also pyrogallic acid. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a developer in photography and in the production of certain dyes.

2. (Physiol. Chem.) A poison separable from decomposed meat infusions, and supposed to be formed from albuminous matter through the agency of bacteria.

Pyr`o*gen"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + -gen + -ic.] (Physiol.) Producing heat; -- said of substances, as septic poisons, which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever.

Py*rog"e*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?; fire + genous: cf. F. purogène, Gr. &?;.] Produced by fire; igneous. Mantell. .

Pyr`og*nos"tic (?), a. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; to know.] (Min.) Of or pertaining to characters developed by the use of heat; pertaining to the characters of minerals when examined before the blowpipe; as, the pyrognostic characters of galena.

Pyr`og*nos"tics (?), n. pl. (Min.) The characters of a mineral observed by the use of the blowpipe, as the degree of fusibility, flame coloration, etc.

Py*rog"ra*phy (?), n. [Pyro- + -graphy.] A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning with heated instruments.

Py*rol"a*try (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; worship: cf. F. pyrolâtrie.] The worship of fire. Young.

{ Pyr`o*lig"ne*ous (?), Pyr`o*lig"nic (?), } a. [Pyro-+ L. lignum wood: cf. F. pyroligneux.] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure acetic acid.

Pyr`o*lith"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + lithic.] (Old Chem.) Same as Pyrouric, or Cyanuric.

Py*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Pyro- + - logy: cf. F. pyrologie.] That branch of physical science which treats of the properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise on heat.

Pyr`o*lu"site (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; to loose, or &?; a loosing.] (Min.) Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft. Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).

Pyr`o*mag*net"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + magnetic.] (Physics) Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents.

Pyr`o*ma"lic (?), a. [Pyro- + malic.] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid.

Pyr"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; fire + &?; divination: cf. F. pyromancie.] Divination by means of fire.

Pyr"o*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Pyro- + mania.] An insane disposition to incendiarism.

Pyr`o*man"tic, n. [Cf. Gr. &?;.] One who pretends to divine by fire. Sir T. Herbert.

Py*rom"e*ter (?), n. [Pyro- + -meter: cf. F. pyromètre.] 1. (Physics) An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat.

2. (Physics) An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.

It is usually constructed so as to register the change which the heat to be measured produces in the length of some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the intensity of a thermo-electric current.

{ Pyr`o*met"ric (?), Pyr`o*met"ric*al } a. [Cf. F. pyrométrique.] (Physics) Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as, pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.

Py*rom"e*try (?), n. The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat.

Pyr`o*mor"phite (?), n. [G. pyromorphit, from Gr. &?; fire + &?; form.] (Min.) Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; -- so called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.

Pyr`o*mor"phous (?), a. [Pyro- + -morphous.] (Min.) Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.

Pyr`o*mu"cic (?), a. [Pyro- + mucic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.

Pyr"ope (?), n. [L. pyropus a kind of red bronze, fr. Gr. &?;; &?; fire + &?; the eye, face: cf. F. pyrope.] (Min.) A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color, frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See the Note under Garnet.

Pyr"o*phane (?), n. [See Pyrophanous.] (Min.) A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat.

Py*roph"a*nous (?), a. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; to show, pass, to shine.] Rendered transparent by heat.

Pyr"o*phone (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; sound.] A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths.

{ Pyr`o*phor"ic (?), Py*roph"o*rous (?), } a. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; to bear.] Light- producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus.

Pyrophoric iron (Chem.), finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.

||Py*roph"o*rus (?), n. [NL. See Pyrophorous.] (Old Chem.) Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.

Pyr`o*phos*phor"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + phosphoric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, H₄P₂O₇, which is obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are obtained by heating the phosphates.

Py*roph"yl*lite (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; leaf.] (Min.) A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of alumina.

Pyr"o*scope (?), n. [Pyro- + - scope: cf. F. pyroscope.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf. [R.]

||Py*ro"sis (?), n. [NL., fr Gr. &?; a burning, an inflammation, fr. &?; to burn, fr. &?; fire.] (Med.) See Water brash, under Brash.

Py*ros"ma*lite (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; odor + -like. ] (Min.) A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron and manganese; -- so called from the odor given off before the blowpipe.

Pyr"o*some (?), n. [Pyro- + - some body.] (Zoöl.) Any compound ascidian of the genus Pyrosoma. The pyrosomes form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very phosphorescent.

Pyr`o*sul*phu"ric (?), a. [Pyro- + -sulphuric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H₂S₂O₇ resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.

Pyr`o*tar*tar"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + tartaric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.

{ Pyr`o*tech"nic (?), Pyr`o*tech"nic*al (?), } a. [Pyro- + technic, technical: cf. F. pyrotechnique. See Fire, Technical.] Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.

Pyr`o*tech"nics (?), n. The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of fireworks; pyrotechny.

Pyr`o*tech"nist (?), n. One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks. Steevens.

Pyr`o*tech`ny (?), n. [Cf. F. pyrotechnie.] 1. The use and application of fire in science and the arts. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Py*roth"o*nide (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; linen.] (Med.) A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, -- formerly used as a remedial agent. Dunglison.

Py*rot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to burn, fr. &?;, &?;, fire: cf. F. pyrotique.] Caustic. See Caustic. -- n. (Med.) A caustic medicine.

Pyr`o*tri`tar*tar"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + tri- + tartaric.] (Chem.) Designating an acid which is more commonly called uric acid.

Pyr`o*ü"ric (?), a. [Pyro- + uric.] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric.

Pyr`o*va*nad"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + vanadic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.

Pyr`o*xan"thin (?), n. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; yellow.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood spirit; -- called also eblanin.

Pyr"ox*ene (?), n. [F. pyroxène, from Gr. &?; fire + &?; a stranger; -- so called because it was supposed to the be a stranger, or of rare occurrence, in igneous rocks,] (Min.) A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90°, and also in massive forms which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.

The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.

Pyr`ox*en"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pyroxénique.] Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.

Pyr`ox*yl"ic (?), a. [Pyro- + Gr. &?; wood.] (Old Chem.) Derived from wood by distillation; -- formerly used in designating crude wood spirit.

Py*rox"y*lin (?), n. (Chem.) A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; -- called also pyroxyle.

Pyr"rhic (?), a. [L. pyrrhichius, Gr. &?; belonging to the &?; (sc. &?;) a kind of war dance.] 1. Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. " ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet." Byron.

2. (Pros.) Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.

Pyr"rhic, n. 1. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. pyrrhique, fem.] An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick.

2. [L. pyrrhichius (sc. pes), Gr. &?; (sc. &?;): cf. F. pyrrhique, masc.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short syllables.

{ Pyr*rho"ne*an (?), Pyr*rhon"ic (?), } a. [L. Pyrrhonêus: cf. F. pyrrhonien.] Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.

Pyr"rho*nism (?), n. [From Pyrrho, the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b. c.): cf. F. pyrrhonisme.] Skepticism; universal doubt.

{ Pyr"rho*tine (?), Pyr"rho*tite (?), } n. [Gr. &?; flame-colored, fr. &?; fire.] (Min.) A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites.

Pyr"rol (?), n. [Gr. &?; flame-colored (from &?; fire) + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) A nitrogenous base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other distillates of organic substances, and also produced synthetically as a colorless liquid, C₄H₅N, having on odor like that of chloroform. It is the nucleus and origin of a large number of derivatives. So called because it colors a splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red.

Pyr"ro*line (?), n. (Chem.) A nitrogenous base, C₄H₇N, obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrol.

||Pyr"u*la (?), n. [NL., fr. L. pyrus a pear.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large marine gastropods. having a pear-shaped shell. It includes the fig-shells. See Illust. in Appendix.

||Py"rus (?), n. [L. pyrus, or better pirus, pear tree.] (Bot.) A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit. It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb, and mountain ash.

Py*ru"vic (?), a. [Pyro- + L. uva a grape.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also pyroracemic acid) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.

Py*ru"vil (?), n. (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together pyruvic acid and urea.

Pyth`a*go"re*an (?), a. [L. Pythagoreus, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c.), or his philosophy.

Pythagorean proposition (Geom.), the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. -- Pythagorean system (Astron.), the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system. -- Pythagorean letter. See Y.

Pyth`a*go"re*an (?), n. A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.

{ Pyth`a*gor"ic (?), Pyth`a*gor"ic*al (?), } a.[L. Pythagoricus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pythagorique.] See Pythagorean, a.

Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.

Py*thag"o*rize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pythagorized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pythagorizing (?).] [Gr. &?;.] To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.

Pyth"i*ad (?), n. [See Pythian.] (Gr. Antiq.) The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.

Pyth"i*an (?), a. [L. Pythius, Gr. &?; belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.

Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.

Pyth`o*cen"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to rot + &?; origin.] Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.

Py"thon (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr. &?;.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.

The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.

2. A diviner by spirits. "[Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons." 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).

Pyth"o*ness (?), n. [L. pythonissa: cf. F. pythonisse. See Pythian.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.

2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch. Bp. Hall.

Py*thon"ic (?), a. [L. pythonicus, Gr. &?;. See Pythian.] Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.

Pyth"o*nism (?), n. The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.

||Pyth`o*no*mor"pha (?), n. pl. [NL. See Python, and -morphous.] (Paleon.) Same as Mosasauria.

||Py*u"ri*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; pus + &?; urine.] (Med.) A morbid condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.

Pyx (?), n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi`s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py`xos the box tree or boxwood. See Box a receptacle.] [Written also pix.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved.

2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint. Mushet.

Pyx cloth (R. C. Ch.), a veil of silk or lace covering the pyx. -- Trial of the pyx, the annual testing, in the English mint, of the standard of gold and silver coins. Encyc. Brit.

Pyx, v. t. To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in the pyx. [Eng.] Mushet.

||Pyx*id"i*um (?), n.; pl. Pyxidia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. a &?; a box. See Pyx.] (Bot.) (a) A pod which divides circularly into an upper and lower half, of which the former acts as a kind of lid, as in the pimpernel and purslane. (b) The theca of mosses.

Q (k), the seventeenth letter of the English alphabet, has but one sound (that of k), and is always followed by u, the two letters together being sounded like kw, except in some words in which the u is silent. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 249. Q is not found in Anglo-Saxon, cw being used instead of qu; as in cwic, quick; cwen, queen. The name (k) is from the French ku, which is from the Latin name of the same letter; its form is from the Latin, which derived it, through a Greek alphabet, from the Phœnician, the ultimate origin being Egyptian.

Etymologically, q or qu is most nearly related to a (ch, tch), p, q, and wh; as in cud, quid, L. equus, ecus, horse, Gr. &?;, whence E. equine, hippic; L. quod which, E. what; L. aquila, E. eaqle; E. kitchen, OE. kichene, AS. cycene, L. coquina.

Qua (?), conj. [L., abl. of qui who.] In so far as; in the capacity or character of; as.

Quab (?), n. [Cf. D. kwab eelpout, Dan. quabbe, G. quabbe, quappe, LG. quabbe a fat lump of flesh, and L. capito a kind of fish with a large head, fr. caput the head, also E. squab.] An unfledged bird; hence, something immature or unfinished. Ford.

Quack (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qvacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quacking.] [Of imitative origin; cf. D. kwaken, G. quacken, quaken, Icel. kvaka to twitter.]

2. To make vain and loud pretensions; to boast. " To quack of universal cures." Hudibras.

Quack, n. 1. The cry of the duck, or a sound in imitation of it; a hoarse, quacking noise. Chaucer.

2. [Cf. Quacksalver.] A boastful pretender to medical skill; an empiric; an ignorant practitioner.

3. Hence, one who boastfully pretends to skill or knowledge of any kind not possessed; a charlatan.

Quack, a. Pertaining to or characterized by, boasting and pretension; used by quacks; pretending to cure diseases; as, a quack medicine; a quack doctor.

Quack"er*y (?), n.; pl. Quackeries (&?;). The acts, arts, or boastful pretensions of a quack; false pretensions to any art; empiricism. Carlyle.

Quac"kle (?), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Quackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quackling (?).] [Cf.Querken.] To suffocate; to choke. [Prov. Eng.]

Quack"sal*ver (?), n. [D. kwakzalver; cf. kwakzalven to quack or boast of one's salves. See Quack, Salve, n.] One who boasts of his skill in medicines and salves, or of the efficacy of his prescriptions; a charlatan; a quack; a mountebank. [Obs.] Burton.

{ Quad (?), Quade (?) }, a. [Akin to AS. cwd, cwead, dung, evil, G. kot, dung, OHG. qut.] Evil; bad; baffling; as, a quade wind. [Obs.]

||Quad"ra (?), n.; pl. Quadræ (#). [L., a square, the socle, a platband, a fillet.] (Arch.) (a) The plinth, or lowest member, of any pedestal, podium, water table, or the like. (b) A fillet, or listel.

Quad"ra*ble (?), a.[See Quadrate.] (Math.) That may be sqyared, or reduced to an equivalent square; -- said of a surface when the area limited by a curve can be exactly found, and expressed in a finite number of algebraic terms.

Quad`ra*ge*na"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadragenarius, fr. qyadrageni forty each.] Consisting of forty; forty years old.

Quad"ra*gene (?), n. [LL. quadragena, fr. L. quadrageni forty each, akin to quadraginta forty.] (R. C. Ch.) An indulgence of forty days, corresponding to the forty days of ancient canonical penance.

||Quad`ra*ges"i*ma (?), n. [L., fr. quadragesimus the fortieth, fr. quadraginta forty; akin to quattuor four. See Four.] (Eccl.) The forty days of fast preceding Easter; Lent.

Quadragesima Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, about forty days before Easter.

Quad`ra*ges"i*mal (?), a. [Cf. F. quadragésimal.] Belonging to Lent; used in Lent; Lenten.

Quad`ra*ges"i*mals (?), n. pl. Offerings formerly made to the mother church of a diocese on Mid- Lent Sunday.

Quad"ran`gle (?), n. [F., fr. L. quadrangulum; quattuor four + angulus an angle. See Four, and Angle a corner.]

1. (Geom.) A plane figure having four angles, and consequently four sides; any figure having four angles.

2. A square or quadrangular space or inclosure, such a space or court surrounded by buildings, esp. such a court in a college or public school in England.

Quad*ran"gu*lar (?), a. [Cf. F. quadrangulaire.] Having four angles, and consequently four sides; tetragonal. -- Quad*ran"gu*lar*ly, adv.

||Quad"rans (?), n.; pl. Quadrantes (#). [L.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A fourth part of the coin called an as. See 3d As, 2.

Quad"rant (?), n. [L. quadrans, -antis, a fourth part, a fourth of a whole, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrant, cadran. See Four, and cf. Cadrans.] 1. The fourth part; the quarter. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. (Geom.) The quarter of a circle, or of the circumference of a circle, an arc of 90°, or one subtending a right angle at the center.

3. (Anal. (Geom.) One of the four parts into which a plane is divided by the coördinate axes. The upper right-hand part is the first quadrant; the upper left-hand part the second; the lower left-hand part the third; and the lower right-hand part the fourth quadrant.

4. An instrument for measuring altitudes, variously constructed and mounted for different specific uses in astronomy, surveying, gunnery, etc., consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90°, with an index or vernier, and either plain or telescopic sights, and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction.

Gunner's quadrant, an instrument consisting of a graduated limb, with a plumb line or spirit level, and an arm by which it is applied to a cannon or mortar in adjusting it to the elevation required for attaining the desired range. -- Gunter's quadrant. See Gunter's quadrant, in the Vocabulary. -- Hadley's quadrant, a hand instrument used chiefly at sea to measure the altitude of the sun or other celestial body in ascertaining the vessel's position. It consists of a frame in the form of an octant having a graduated scale upon its arc, and an index arm, or alidade pivoted at its apex. Mirrors, called the index glass and the horizon glass, are fixed one upon the index arm and the other upon one side of the frame, respectively. When the instrument is held upright, the index arm may be swung so that the index glass will reflect an image of the sun upon the horizon glass, and when the reflected image of the sun coincides, to the observer's eye, with the horizon as seen directly through an opening at the side of the horizon glass, the index shows the sun's altitude upon the scale; -- more properly, but less commonly, called an octant. -- Quadrant of altitude, an appendage of the artificial globe, consisting of a slip of brass of the length of a quadrant of one of the great circles of the globe, and graduated. It may be fitted to the meridian, and being movable round to all points of the horizon, serves as a scale in measuring altitudes, azimuths, etc.

Quad*ran"tal (?), a. [L. quadrantalis containing the fourth fourth part of a measure.] (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a quadrant; also, included in the fourth part of a circle; as, quadrantal space.

Quadrantal triangle, a spherical triangle having one side equal to a quadrant or arc of 90°. -- Quadrantal versor, a versor that expresses rotation through one right angle.

Quad*ran"tal, n. [L.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A cubical vessel containing a Roman cubic foot, each side being a Roman square foot; -- used as a measure.

Quad"rat (?), n. [F. quadrat, cadrat. See Quadrate.] 1. (Print.) A block of type metal lower than the letters, -- used in spacing and in blank lines. [Abbrev. quad.]

2. An old instrument used for taking altitudes; -- called also geometrical square, and line of shadows.

Quad"rate (?), a. [L. quadratus squared, p. p. of quadrare to make four-cornered, to make square, to square, to fit, suit, from quadrus square, quattuor four. See Quadrant, and cf. Quadrat, Quarry an arrow, Square.] 1. Having four equal sides, the opposite sides parallel, and four right angles; square.

2. Produced by multiplying a number by itself; square. " Quadrate and cubical numbers." Sir T. Browne.

3. Square; even; balanced; equal; exact. [Archaic] " A quadrate, solid, wise man." Howell.

4. Squared; suited; correspondent. [Archaic] " A generical description quadrate to both." Harvey.

Quadrate bone (Anat.), a bone between the base of the lower jaw and the skull in most vertebrates below the mammals. In reptiles and birds it articulates the lower jaw with the skull; in mammals it is represented by the malleus or incus.

Quad"rate (?), n. [L. quadratum. See Quadrate, a.] 1. (Geom.) A plane surface with four equal sides and four right angles; a square; hence, figuratively, anything having the outline of a square.

2. (Astrol.) An aspect of the heavenly bodies in which they are distant from each other 90°, or the quarter of a circle; quartile. See the Note under Aspect, 6.

Quad"rate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quadrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrating.] [See Quadrate, a.] To square; to agree; to suit; to correspond; -- followed by with. [Archaic]

Quad"rate, v. t. To adjust (a gun) on its carriage; also, to train (a gun) for horizontal firing.

1. Of or pertaining to a square, or to squares; resembling a quadrate, or square; square.

3. (Alg.) Pertaining to terms of the second degree; as, a quadratic equation, in which the highest power of the unknown quantity is a square.

Quad*rat"ics (?), n. (Alg.) That branch of algebra which treats of quadratic equations.

Quad*ra`to*ju"gal (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the quadrate and jugal bones. (b) Of or pertaining to the quadratojugal bone. -- n. The quadratojugal bone.

Quadratojugal bone (Anat.), a bone at the base of the lower jaw in many animals.

Quad*ra"trix (?), n.; pl. -trixes (#), or -trices (#). [NL.] (Geom.) A curve made use of in the quadrature of other curves; as the quadratrix, of Dinostratus, or of Tschirnhausen.

Quad"ra*ture (?), n. [L. quadratura: cf. F. quadrature. See Quadrate, a.] 1. (Math.) The act of squaring; the finding of a square having the same area as some given curvilinear figure; as, the quadrature of a circle; the operation of finding an expression for the area of a figure bounded wholly or in part by a curved line, as by a curve, two ordinates, and the axis of abscissas.

3. (Integral Calculus) The integral used in obtaining the area bounded by a curve; hence, the definite integral of the product of any function of one variable into the differential of that variable.

4. (Astron.) The position of one heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90°, or a quarter of a circle, as the moon when at an equal distance from the points of conjunction and opposition.

Quadrature of the moon (Astron.), the position of the moon when one half of the disk is illuminated. -- Quadrature of an orbit (Astron.), a point in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn through the empty focus of the orbit.

Quad"rel (?), n. [It. quadrello, LL. quadrellus, fr. L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.] 1. A square piece of turf or peat. [Prov. Eng.]

Quad*ren"ni*al (?), a. [L. quadriennium a space of four years; quattuor four + annus year; cf. L. quadriennis. See Quadrate, and Annual.] 1. Comprising four years; as, a quadrennial period.

2. Occurring once in four years, or at the end of every four years; as, quadrennial games.

||Quad*ren"ni*um (?), n. [NL. See Quadrennial.] A space or period of four years.

Quad"ri- (?). [L., from quattuor four. See Four.] A combining form meaning four, four times, fourfold; as, quadricapsular, having four capsules.

Quad"ric, n. (a) (Alg.) A quantic of the second degree. See Quantic. (b) (Geom.) A surface whose equation in three variables is of the second degree. Spheres, spheroids, ellipsoids, paraboloids, hyperboloids, also cones and cylinders with circular bases, are quadrics.

Quad`ri*cap"su*lar (?), a. [Quadri- + capsular.] (Bot.) Having four capsules.

||Quad"ri*ceps (?), n. [NL., fr. L. qyattuor four + caput head.] (Anat.) The great extensor muscle of the knee, divided above into four parts which unite in a single tendon at the knee.

Quad`ri*cor"nous (?), a. [Quadri- + L. cornu horn: cf. F. quadricorne.] (Zoöl.) Having four horns, or hornlike organs; as, a quadricornous beetle.

Quad`ri*den"tate (?), a. [Quadri- + dentate.] Having four teeth; as, a quadridentate leaf.

Quad`ri*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadrifarius fourfold, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrifarié. Cf. Multifarious.] Arranged in four rows or ranks; as, quadrifarious leaves. Loudon.

Quad"ri*fid (?), a. [L. quadrifidus; quattuor four + findere to cleave: cf. F. quadrifide.] Divided, or deeply cleft, into four parts; as, a quadrifid perianth; a quadrifid leaf.

{ Quad"ri*foil (?), Quad`ri*fo"li*ate (?), } a. [Quadri- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.) Four-leaved; having the leaves in whorls of four.

Quad`ri*fur"ca*ted (?), a. [Quadri- + furcated.] Having four forks, or branches.

||Quad*ri"ga (?), n.; pl. Quadrigæ (#). [L. See Quadrijugous.] (Rom. Antiq.) A car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast.

{ Quad`ri*gem"i*nal (?), Quad`ri*gem"i*nous (?), } a. [Quadri- + L. gemini twins.] Fourfold; having four similar parts, or two pairs of similar parts.

Quadrigeminal bodies (Anat.), two pairs of lobes, or elevations, on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals; the optic lobes. The anterior pair are called the nates, and the posterior the testes.

Quad`ri*ge*na"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadrigeni, quadringeni, four hundred each.] Consisting of four hundred.

Quad*rij"u*gous (?), a. [L. quadrijugus of a team of four; quattuor four + jugum yoke.] (Bot.) Pinnate, with four pairs of leaflets; as, a quadrijugous leaf.

Quad`ri*lat"er*al (?), a. [L. quadrilaterus: cf. F. quadrilatère, quadrilatéral. See Quadri- and Lateral.] Having four sides, and consequently four angles; quadrangular.

Quad`ri*lat"er*al, n. 1. (Geom.) A plane figure having four sides, and consequently four angles; a quadrangular figure; any figure formed by four lines.

2. An area defended by four fortresses supporting each other; as, the Venetian quadrilateral, comprising Mantua, Peschiera, Verona, and Legnano.

Complete quadrilateral (Geom.), the figure made up of the six straight lines that can be drawn through four points, A, B, C, I, the lines being supposed to be produced indefinitely.

Qua*drille" (?), n. [F. quadrille, n. fem., fr. Sp. cuadrilla meeting of four or more persons or It. quadriglia a band of soldiers, a sort of dance; dim. fr. L. quadra a square, fr. quattuor four. See Quadrate.] 1. A dance having five figures, in common time, four couples of dancers being in each set.

Qua*drille", n. [F. quadrille, n. masc., cf. It. quadriglio; or perhaps from the Spanish. See Quadrille a dance.] A game played by four persons with forty cards, being the remainder of an ordinary pack after the tens, nines, and eights are discarded. Hoyle.

Quad*ril"lion (?), n. [F., fr. L. quater four times, akin to quattuor four, E. four; -- formed like million. See Four, Million.] According to the French notation, which is followed also upon the Continent and in the United States, a unit with fifteen ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, the number produced by involving a million to the fourth power, or the number represented by a unit with twenty-four ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.

{ Quad`ri*lo"bate (?), Quad`ri*lobed (?), } a. [Quadri- + lobe: cf. F. quadrilobé.] Having four lobes; as, a quadrilobate leaf.

Quad`ri*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Quadri- + locular: cf. F. quadriloculaire.] Having four cells, or cavities; as, a quadrilocular heart.

Quad"rin (?), n. [OF., fr. L. quadrini four each, fr. quattuor four.] A small piece of money, in value about a farthing, or a half cent. [Obs.]

Quad`ri*nod"al (?), a. [Quadri- + nodal.] (Math.) Possessing four nodes; as, quadrinodal curves.

Quad`ri*no"mi*al (?), n. [Quadri- + nomial, as in binomial: cf. F. quadrinôme.] (Alg.) A polynomial of four terms connected by the signs plus or minus.

Quad`ri*nom"i*nal (?), a. [Quadri- + nominal.] (Alg.) Quadrinomial. Sir W. R. Hamilton.

Quad*rip"ar*tite (?), a. [L. quadripartitus, p. p. of quadripartire to divide into four parts; quattuor four + partire to divide: cf. F. quadripartite.] Divided into four parts.

Quad`ri*par*ti"tion (?), n. [L. quadripartitio: cf. F. quadripartition.] A division or distribution by four, or into four parts; also, a taking the fourth part of any quantity or number.

Quad`ri*pen"nate (?), a. [Quadri- + pennate.] (Zoöl.) Having four wings; -- said of insects.

Quad*riph"yl*lous (?), a. [Quadri + Gr. &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Having four leaves; quadrifoliate.

Quad"ri*reme (?), n. [L. quadriremis; quattuor four + remus an oar: cf. F. quadrirème.] (Antiq.) A galley with four banks of oars or rowers.

Quad`ri*sec"tion (?), n. [Quadri- + section.] A subdivision into four parts.

Quad`ri*sul"cate (?), a. [Quadri + sulcate.] (Zoöl.) Having four hoofs; as, a quadrisulcate foot; a quadrisulcate animal.

{ Quad`ri*syl*lab"ic (?), Quad`ri-syl*lab"ic*al (?), }Having four syllables; of or pertaining to quadrisyllables; as, a quadrisyllabic word.

Quad`ri*syl"la*ble (?), n. [Quadri- + syllable: cf. F. quadrisyllabe.] A word consisting of four syllables. De Quincey.

Quad*riv"a*lence (?), n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence.

Quad*riv"a*lent (?), a. [Quadri- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) Having a valence of four; capable of combining with, being replaced by, or compared with, four monad atoms; tetravalent; -- said of certain atoms and radicals; thus, carbon and silicon are quadrivalent elements.

Quad"ri*valve (?), a. [Quadri- + valve: cf. F. quadrivalve.] (Bot.) Dehiscent into four similar parts; four-valved; as, a quadrivalve pericarp.

Quad*riv"i*al (?), a. [L. quadrivium a place where four ways meet; quattuor four + via way.] Having four ways meeting in a point. B. Jonson.

||Quad*riv"i*um (?), n. [L.] The four "liberal arts," arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy; -- so called by the schoolmen. See Trivium.

Quad*roon" (?), n. [F. quarteron, or Sp. cuarteron. See Quarter a fourth part, and cf. Quarteron.] The offspring of a mulatto and a white person; a person quarter-blooded. [Written also quarteron, quarteroon, and quateron.]

||Quad*ru"ma*na (?), n. pl. [NL. See Quadrumane.] (Zoöl.) A division of the Primates comprising the apes and monkeys; -- so called because the hind foot is usually prehensile, and the great toe opposable somewhat like a thumb. Formerly the Quadrumana were considered an order distinct from the Bimana, which last included man alone.

Quad"ru*mane (?), n. [L. quattuor four + manus a hand: cf. F. quadrumane.] (Zoöl.) One of the Quadrumana.

Quad*ru"ma*nous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having four hands; of or pertaining to the Quadrumana.

Quad"ru*ped (?), a. [L. quadrupes, -pedis; quattuor four + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. quadrupède. See Quadrate, and Foot.] Having four feet.

Quad"ru*ped, n. (Zoöl.) An animal having four feet, as most mammals and reptiles; -- often restricted to the mammals.

Quad*ru"pe*dal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having four feet; of or pertaining to a quadruped.

Quad"ru*ple (?), a. [L. quadruplus, from quattuor four: cf. F. quadruple. See Quadrate, and cf. Double.] Fourfold; as, to make quadruple restitution; a quadruple alliance.

Quadruple time (Mus.), that in which each measure is divided into four equal parts.

Quad"ru*ple, n. [Cf. F. quadruple, L. quadruplum.] four times the sum or number; a fourfold amount; as, to receive to quadruple of the amount in damages.

Quad"ru*ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quadrupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrupling (?).] [L. quadruplare: cf. F. quadrupler.] To multiply by four; to increase fourfold; to double; to double twice. A. Smith.

Quad"ru*ple, v. i. To be multiplied by four; to increase fourfold; to become four times as much.

Quad"ru*plex (?), a. [L., from quattuor four + plicare to fold.] Fourfold; folded or doubled twice.

Quadruplex system (Electric Telegraph), a system by which four messages, two in each direction, may be sent simultaneously over the wire.

Quad*ru"pli*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quadruplicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadruplicating.] [L. quadruplicatus, p. p. of quadruplicare, fr. quadruple&?; fourfold. See Quadruplex.] To make fourfold; to double twice; to quadruple.

1. Fourfold; doubled twice; four times repeated; as, a quadruplicate ratio, or a quadruplicate proportion.

Quad`ru*pli*ca"tion (?), n. [L. quadruplicatio: cf. F. quadruplication.] The act of making fourfold; a taking four times the simple sum or amount.

Quad"ru*ply (?), adv. To a fourfold quantity; so as to be, or cause to be, quadruple; as, to be quadruply recompensed.

||Quæ"re (?), v. imperative. [L., imperative of quaerere to seek.] Inquire; question; see; - - used to signify doubt or to suggest investigation.

Quaff (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quaffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaffing.] [For quach, fr. Gael. & Ir. cuach a drinking cup; cf. L. caucus a drinking vessel. Cf. Quaigh.] To drink with relish; to drink copiously of; to swallow in large draughts. "Quaffed off the muscadel." Shak.

Quag (?), n. A quagmire. [R.] "Crooked or straight, through quags or thorny dells." Cowper.

Quag"ga (?), n. [Hottentot.] (Zoöl.) A South African wild ass (Equus, or Hippotigris, quagga). The upper parts are reddish brown, becoming paler behind and behind and beneath, with dark stripes on the face, neck, and fore part of the body.

Quag"gy (?), a.[See Quag, Quagmire.] Of the nature of a quagmire; yielding or trembling under the foot, as soft, wet earth; spongy; boggy. "O'er the watery strath, or quaggy moss." Collins.

Quag"mire` (?), n. [Quake + mire.] Soft, wet, miry land, which shakes or yields under the feet. "A spot surrounded by quagmires, which rendered it difficult of access." Palfrey.

{ Qua"hog, Qua"haug } (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. Narragansett Indian poquaûhock.] (Zoöl.) An American market clam (Venus mercenaria). It is sold in large quantities, and is highly valued as food. Called also round clam, and hard clam.

The name is also applied to other allied species, as Venus Mortoni of the Gulf of Mexico.

{ Quaigh, Quaich } (?), n. [Gael. cuach. Cf. Quaff.] A small shallow cup or drinking vessel. [Scot.] [Written also quegh.]

Quail (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qualled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualling.] [AS. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu violent death, D. kwaal pain, G. qual torment, OHG. quelan to suffer torment, Lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain. Cf. Quell.] 1. To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower.

Quail, v. t. [Cf. Quell.] To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to subdue. [Obs.] Spenser.

Quail, v. i. [OF. coaillier, F. cailler, from L. coagulare. See Coagulate.] To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. [Obs.] Holland.

Quail, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]

1. (Zoöl.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail (C. communis), the rain quail (C. Coromandelica) of India, the stubble quail (C. pectoralis), and the Australian swamp quail (Synoicus australis).

2. (Zoöl.) Any one of several American partridges belonging to Colinus, Callipepla, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called Virginia quail, and Maryland quail), and the California quail (Calipepla Californica).

3. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.

4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird.[Obs.] Shak.

Bustard quail (Zoöl.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus Turnix, as T. taigoor, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail (T. ocellatus). See Turnix. -- Button quail (Zoöl.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as T. Sykesii, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India. -- Mountain quail. See under Mountain. -- Quail call, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range. -- Quail dove (Zoöl.), any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera. -- Quail hawk (Zoöl.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk (Hieracidea Novæ-Hollandiæ). -- Quail pipe. See Quail call, above. -- Quail snipe (Zoöl.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; -- called also robin snipe, and brown snipe. -- Sea quail (Zoöl.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]

Quaint (?), a. [OE. queint, queynte, coint, prudent, wise, cunning, pretty, odd, OF. cointe cultivated, amiable, agreeable, neat, fr. L. cognitus known, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con + noscere (for gnoscere) to know. See Know, and cf. Acquaint, Cognition.] 1. Prudent; wise; hence, crafty; artful; wily. [Obs.]

2. Characterized by ingenuity or art; finely fashioned; skillfully wrought; elegant; graceful; nice; neat. [Archaic] " The queynte ring." " His queynte spear." Chaucer. " A shepherd young quaint." Chapman.

3. Curious and fanciful; affected; odd; whimsical; antique; archaic; singular; unusual; as, quaint architecture; a quaint expression.

Syn. -- Quaint, Odd, Antique. Antique is applied to that which has come down from the ancients, or which is made to imitate some ancient work of art. Odd implies disharmony, incongruity, or unevenness. An odd thing or person is an exception to general rules of calculation and procedure, or expectation and common experience. In the current use of quaint, the two ideas of odd and antique are combined, and the word is commonly applied to that which is pleasing by reason of both these qualities. Thus, we speak of the quaint architecture of many old buildings in London; or a quaint expression, uniting at once the antique and the fanciful.

Quain"tise (?), n. [OF. cointise.] 1. Craft; subtlety; cunning. [Obs.] Chaucer. R. of Glouces.

Quair (?), n. [See 3d Quire.] A quire; a book. [Obs.] "The king's quhair." James I. (of Scotland).

Quake (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaking.] [AS. cwacian; cf. G. quackeln. Cf. Quagmire.] 1. To be agitated with quick, short motions continually repeated; to shake with fear, cold, etc.; to shudder; to tremble. "Quaking for dread." Chaucer.

2. To shake, vibrate, or quiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the mountains quake. " Over quaking bogs." Macaulay.

Quake, v. t. [Cf. AS. cweccan to move, shake. See Quake, v. t.] To cause to quake. [Obs.] Shak.

Quake, n. A tremulous agitation; a quick vibratory movement; a shudder; a quivering.

2. One of a religious sect founded by George Fox, of Leicestershire, England, about 1650, -- the members of which call themselves Friends. They were called Quakers, originally, in derision. See Friend, n., 4.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) The nankeen bird. (b) The sooty albatross. (c) Any grasshopper or locust of the genus (Edipoda; -- so called from the quaking noise made during flight.

Quaker buttons. (Bot.) See Nux vomica. -- Quaker gun, a dummy cannon made of wood or other material; -- so called because the sect of Friends, or Quakers, hold to the doctrine, of nonresistance. -- Quaker ladies (Bot.), a low American biennial plant (Houstonia cærulea), with pretty four- lobed corollas which are pale blue with a yellowish center; -- also called bluets, and little innocents.

Quak"er*ism (?), n. The peculiar character, manners, tenets, etc., of the Quakers.

Quaking aspen (Bot.), an American species of poplar (Populus tremuloides), the leaves of which tremble in the lightest breeze. It much resembles the European aspen. See Aspen. -- Quaking bog, a bog of forming peat so saturated with water that it shakes when trodden upon. -- Quaking grass. (Bot.) (a) One of several grasses of the genus Briza, having slender-stalked and pendulous ovate spikelets, which quake and rattle in the wind. Briza maxima is the large quaking grass; B. media and B. minor are the smaller kinds. (b) Rattlesnake grass (Glyceria Canadensis).

Qual"i*fi`a*ble (?), a. Capable of being qualified; abatable; modifiable. Barrow.

Qual`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. qualification. See Qualify.] 1. The act of qualifying, or the condition of being qualified.

2. That which qualifies; any natural endowment, or any acquirement, which fits a person for a place, office, or employment, or which enables him to sustian any character with success; an enabling quality or circumstance; requisite capacity or possession.

3. The act of limiting, or the state of being limited; that which qualifies by limiting; modification; restriction; hence, abatement; diminution; as, to use words without any qualification.

Qual"i*fi*ca*tive (?), n. That which qualifies, modifies, or restricts; a qualifying term or statement.

Qual"i*fi*ca`tor (?), n. [LL.] (R. C. Ch.) An officer whose business it is to examine and prepare causes for trial in the ecclesiastical courts.

Qualified fee (Law), a base fee, or an estate which has a qualification annexed to it, the fee ceasing with the qualification, as a grant to A and his heirs, tenants of the manor of Dale. -- Qualified indorsement (Law), an indorsement which modifies the liability of the indorser that would result from the general principles of law, but does not affect the negotiability of the instrument. Story. -- Qualified negative (Legislation), a limited veto power, by which the chief executive in a constitutional government may refuse assent to bills passed by the legislative body, which bills therefore fail to become laws unless upon a reconsideration the legislature again passes them by a certain majority specified in the constitution, when they become laws without the approval of the executive. -- Qualified property (Law), that which depends on temporary possession, as that in wild animals reclaimed, or as in the case of a bailment.

Syn. -- Competent; fit; adapted. -- Qualified, Competent. Competent is most commonly used with respect to native endowments and general ability suited to the performance of a task or duty; qualified with respect to specific acquirements and training.

Qual"i*fied`ly, adv. In the way of qualification; with modification or qualification.

Qual"i*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, qualifies; that which modifies, reduces, tempers or restrains.

Qual"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Qualified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualifying (?).] [F. qualifier, LL. qualificare, fr. L. qualis how constituted, as + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Quality, and -Fy.] 1. To make such as is required; to give added or requisite qualities to; to fit, as for a place, office, occupation, or character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity.

3. To reduce from a general, undefined, or comprehensive form, to particular or restricted form; to modify; to limit; to restrict; to restrain; as, to qualify a statement, claim, or proposition.

4. Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength of, as liquors.

Syn. -- To fit; equip; prepare; adapt; capacitate; enable; modify; soften; restrict; restrain; temper.

Qual"i*fy, v. i. 1. To be or become qualified; to be fit, as for an office or employment.

2. To obtain legal power or capacity by taking the oath, or complying with the forms required, on assuming an office.

Qual"i*ta*tive (?), a. [Cf. LL. gualitativus, F. qualitatif.] Relating to quality; having the character of quality. -- Qual"i*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Qualitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which merely determines the constituents of a substance without any regard to the quantity of each ingredient; -- contrasted with quantitative analysis.

Qual"i*tied (?), a. Furnished with qualities; endowed. [Obs.] "He was well qualitied." Chapman.

Qual"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Qualities (#). [F. qualité, L. qualitas, fr. qualis how constituted, as; akin to E. which. See Which.] 1. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; character; sort; rank.

2. Special or temporary character; profession; occupation; assumed or asserted rank, part, or position.

3. That which makes, or helps to make, anything such as it is; anything belonging to a subject, or predicable of it; distinguishing property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or virtue; distinctive trait; as, the tones of a flute differ from those of a violin in quality; the great quality of a statesman.

Qualities, in metaphysics, are primary or secondary. Primary are those essential to the existence, and even the conception, of the thing, as of matter or spirit Secondary are those not essential to such a conception.

5. Superior birth or station; high rank; elevated character. "Persons of quality." Bacon.

Quality binding, a kind of worsted tape used in Scotland for binding carpets, and the like. -- The quality, those of high rank or station, as distinguished from the masses, or common people; the nobility; the gentry.

Syn. -- Property; attribute; nature; peculiarity; character; sort; rank; disposition; temper.

Qualm (?), n. [AS. cwealm death, slaughter, pestilence, akin to OS. & OHG. qualm. See Quail to cower.] 1. Sickness; disease; pestilence; death. [Obs.]

2. A sudden attack of illness, faintness, or pain; an agony. " Qualms of heartsick agony." Milton.

4. A prick or scruple of conscience; uneasiness of conscience; compunction. Dryden.

Qualm"ish, a. Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea or sickly languor; inclined to vomit. Shak.

Quam"o*clit (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bean + &?; to bend, to slope.] (Bot.) Formerly, a genus of plants including the cypress vine (Quamoclit vulgaris, now called Ipomœa Quamoclit). The genus is now merged in Ipomœa.

Quan"da*ry (?), n.; pl. Quandaries (#). [Prob. fr. OE. wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandræði difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.] A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.

Quan"da*ry, v. t. To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty. [Obs.] Otway.

Quan"dong (?), n. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of an Australian tree (Fusanus acuminatus) of the Sandalwood family; -- called also quandang.

Quan"net (?), n. A flat file having the handle at one side, so as to be used like a plane.

Quant (?), n. A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it from sinking into the mud; a setting pole.

Quan"tic (?), n. [L. quantus how much. See Quantity.] (Math.) A homogeneous algebraic function of two or more variables, in general containing only positive integral powers of the variables, and called quadric, cubic, quartic, etc., according as it is of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or a higher degree. These are further called binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., according as they contain two, three, four, or more variables; thus, the quantic &?; is a binary cubic.

Quan`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [See Quantity.] Modification by a reference to quantity; the introduction of the element of quantity.

Quan"ti*fy (?), v. t. [L. quantus now much + -fy.] To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to fix or express the quantity of; to rate.

Quan"ti*ta*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. quantitatif.] Relating to quantity. -- Quan"ti*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Quantitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which determines the amount or quantity of each ingredient of a substance, by weight or by volume; -- contrasted with qualitative analysis.

Quan"ti*tive (?), a. [See Quantity.] Estimable according to quantity; quantitative. Sir K. Digby.

Quan"ti*ty (?), n.; pl. Quantities (#). [F. quantite, L. quantitas, fr. quantus bow great, how much, akin to quam bow, E. how, who. See Who.]

1. The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question "How much?"; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size. Hence, in specific uses: (a) (Logic) The extent or extension of a general conception, that is, the number of species or individuals to which it may be applied; also, its content or comprehension, that is, the number of its constituent qualities, attributes, or relations. (b) (Gram.) The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is pronounced; as, the long or short quantity of a vowel or syllable. (c) (Mus.) The relative duration of a tone.

2. That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially (Math.), anything to which mathematical processes are applicable.

Quantity is discrete when it is applied to separate objects, as in number; continuous, when the parts are connected, either in succession, as in time, motion, etc., or in extension, as by the dimensions of space, viz., length, breadth, and thickness.

3. A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities.

Quantity of estate (Law), its time of continuance, or degree of interest, as in fee, for life, or for years. Wharton (Law Dict. ) -- Quantity of matter, in a body, its mass, as determined by its weight, or by its momentum under a given velocity. -- Quantity of motion (Mech.), in a body, the relative amount of its motion, as measured by its momentum, varying as the product of mass and velocity. -- Known quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are given. -- Unknown quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are sought.

Quan*tiv"a*lence (?), n. [L. quantus how much + E. valence.] (Chem.) Valence. [Archaic]

Quan"tum (?), n.; pl. Quanta (#). [L., neuter of quantus how great, how much. See Quantity,] 1. Quantity; amount. "Without authenticating . . . the quantum of the charges." Burke.

2. (Math.) A definite portion of a manifoldness, limited by a mark or by a boundary. W. K. Clifford.

||Quantum meruit (&?;) [L., as much as he merited] (Law), a count in an action grounded on a promise that the defendant would pay to the plaintiff for his service as much as he should deserve. -- ||Quantum sufficit (&?;), or Quantum suff. [L., as much suffices] (Med.), a sufficient quantity. -- ||Quantum valebat (&?;) [L., as much at it was worth] (Law), a count in an action to recover of the defendant, for goods sold, as much as they were worth. Blackstone.

Qua`qua*ver"sal (?), a. [L. quaqua wheresoever, whithersoever + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn.] 1. Turning or dipping in any or every direction.

2. (Geol.) Dipping toward all points of the compass round a center, as beds of lava round a crater.

Quar"an*tine (?), n. [F. quarantaine, OF. quaranteine, fr. F. quarante forty, L. quadraginta, akin to quattuor four, and E. four: cf. It. quarantina, quarentine. See Four, and cf. Quadragesima.] 1. A space of forty days; -- used of Lent.

2. Specifically, the term, originally of forty days, during which a ship arriving in port, and suspected of being infected a malignant contagious disease, is obliged to forbear all intercourse with the shore; hence, such restraint or inhibition of intercourse; also, the place where infected or prohibited vessels are stationed.

Quarantine is now applied also to any forced stoppage of travel or communication on account of malignant contagious disease, on land as well as by sea.

3. (Eng. Law) The period of forty days during which the widow had the privilege of remaining in the mansion house of which her husband died seized.

Quarantine flag, a yellow flag hoisted at the fore of a vessel or hung from a building, to give warning of an infectious disease; -- called also the yellow jack, and yellow flag.

Quar`an*tine" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quarantined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarantining.] To compel to remain at a distance, or in a given place, without intercourse, when suspected of having contagious disease; to put under, or in, quarantine.

Quar"rel (?), n. [OE. quarel, OF. quarrel, F. carreau, LL. quadrellus, from L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quadrel, Quarry an arrow, Carrel.] 1. An arrow for a crossbow; -- so named because it commonly had a square head. [Obs.]

2. (Arch.) Any small square or quadrangular member; as: (a) A square of glass, esp. when set diagonally. (b) A small opening in window tracery, of which the cusps, etc., make the form nearly square. (c) A square or lozenge-shaped paving tile.

Quar"rel, n. [OE. querele, OF. querele, F. querelle, fr. L. querela, querella, a complaint, fr. queri to complain. See Querulous.] 1. A breach of concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses.

2. Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation.

Syn. -- Brawl; broil; squabble; affray; feud; tumult; contest; dispute; altercation; contention; wrangle.

Quar"rel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quarreled (?) or Quarrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Quarreling or Quarrelling.] 1. To violate concord or agreement; to have a difference; to fall out; to be or become antagonistic.

2. To dispute angrily, or violently; to wrangle; to scold; to altercate; to contend; to fight.

Quar"rel (?), v. t. 1. To quarrel with. [R.] "I had quarelled my brother purposely." B. Jonson.

Quar"rel (?), n. [Written also quarreller.] One who quarrels or wrangles; one who is quarrelsome. Shak.

Quar"rel*et (?), n. A little quarrel. See 1st Quarrel, 2. [Obs.] "Quarrelets of pearl [teeth]." Herrick.

Quar"rel*ing, a. Engaged in a quarrel; apt or disposed to quarrel; as, quarreling factions; a quarreling mood. -- Quar"rel*ing*ly, adv.

Quar"rel*lous (?), a. [OF. querelous, F. querelleux, L. querulosus and querulus, fr. queri to complain. See 2d Quarrel.] Quarrelsome. [Obs.] [Written also quarrellous.] Shak.

Quar"rel*some (?), a. Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric.

Syn. -- Pugnacious; irritable; irascible; brawling; choleric; fiery; petulant.

Quar"ry (?), n. [OE. quarre, OF. quarré square, F. carré, from L. quadratus square, quadrate, quadratum a square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.] Same as 1st Quarrel. [Obs.] Fairfax.

Quar"ry, n.; pl. Quarries (#). [OE. querre, OF. cuiriée, F. curée, fr. cuir hide, leather, fr. L. corium; the quarry given to the dogs being wrapped in the akin of the beast. See Cuirass.] 1. (a) A part of the entrails of the beast taken, given to the hounds. (b) A heap of game killed.

2. The object of the chase; the animal hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks. "The stone- dead quarry." Spenser.

Quar"ry, n. [OE. quarrere, OF. quariere, F. carrière, LL. quadraria a quarry, whence squared (quadrati) stones are dug, fr. quadratus square. See Quadrate.] A place, cavern, or pit where stone is taken from the rock or ledge, or dug from the earth, for building or other purposes; a stone pit. See 5th Mine (a).

Quar"ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quarried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarrying.] To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble.

Quar"ry-faced` (?), a. (Stone Masonry) Having a face left as it comes from the quarry and not smoothed with the chisel or point; -- said of stones.

Quar"ry-man (?), n.; pl. Quarrymen (&?;). A man who is engaged in quarrying stones; a quarrier.

Quart (?), n. [F. quart, n. masc., fr. L. quartus the fourth, akin to quattuor four. See Four, and cf. 2d Carte, Quarto.] The fourth part; a quarter; hence, a region of the earth. [Obs.]

Quart, n. [F. quarte, n. fem., fr. quart fourth. See Quart a quarter.] 1. A measure of capacity, both in dry and in liquid measure; the fourth part of a gallon; the eighth part of a peck; two pints.

In imperial measure, a quart is forty English fluid ounces; in wine measure, it is thirty-two American fluid ounces. The United States dry quart contains 67.20 cubic inches, the fluid quart 57.75. The English quart contains 69.32 cubic inches.

Quart (?), n. [See Quart a quarter.] In cards, four successive cards of the same suit. Cf. Tierce, 4. Hoyle.

Quar"tan (?), a. [F. quartain, in fièvre quartaine, L. quartanus, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] Of or pertaining to the fourth; occurring every fourth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quartan ague, or fever.

Quar"tan, n. 1. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fourth day, reckoning inclusively, that is, one in which the interval between paroxysms is two days.

Quar"tane (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth.] (Chem.) Butane, each molecule of which has four carbon atoms.

Quar*ta"tion (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth: cf. F. quartation. So called because usually enough silver is added to make the amount of gold in the alloyed button about one fourth.] (Chem. & Assaying) The act, process, or result (in the process of parting) of alloying a button of nearly pure gold with enough silver to reduce the fineness so as to allow acids to attack and remove all metals except the gold; -- called also inquartation. Compare Parting.

Quar"ten*yl"ic (?), a. [Quartene + -yl + -ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the acrylic acid series, metameric with crotonic acid, and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from having four carbon atoms in the molecule. Called also isocrotonic acid.

Quar"ter (?), n. [F. quartier, L. quartarius a fourth part, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] 1. One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc. Hence, specifically: (a) The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds. (b) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal. Hutton. (c) (Astron.) The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full. (d) One limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, including a leg; as, the fore quarters; the hind quarters. (e) That part of a boot or shoe which forms the side, from the heel to the vamp. (f) (Far.) That part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, being the side of the coffin. (g) A term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter. (h) pl. (Mil.) The encampment on one of the principal passages round a place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. (i) (Naut.) The after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent with the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of the slings. (j) (Her.) One of the divisions of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fess point.

When two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the other. See Quarter, v. t., 5.

(k) One of the four parts into which the horizon is regarded as divided; a cardinal point; a direction' principal division; a region; a territory.

(l) A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris. (m) (Arch.) A small upright timber post, used in partitions; -- in the United States more commonly called stud. (n) (Naut.) The fourth part of the distance from one point of the compass to another, being the fourth part of 11° 15′, that is, about 2° 49′; -- called also quarter point.

Hence, specifically: (a) (Naut.) A station at which officers and men are posted in battle; -- usually in the plural. (b) Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; -- usually in the plural.

(c) pl. (Mil.) A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters. (d) Treatment shown by an enemy; mercy; especially, the act of sparing the life a conquered enemy; a refraining from pushing one's advantage to extremes.

3. Friendship; amity; concord. [Obs.] To keep quarter, to keep one's proper place, and so be on good terms with another. [Obs.]

False quarter, a cleft in the quarter of a horse's foot. -- Fifth quarter, the hide and fat; -- a butcher's term. -- On the quarter (Naut.), in a direction between abeam and astern; opposite, or nearly opposite, a vessel's quarter. -- Quarter aspect. (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate. - - Quarter back (Football), the player who has position next behind center rush, and receives the ball on the snap back. -- Quarter badge (Naut.), an ornament on the side of a vessel near, the stern. Mar. Dict. -- Quarter bill (Naut.), a list specifying the different stations to be taken by the officers and crew in time of action, and the names of the men assigned to each. -- Quarter block (Naut.), a block fitted under the quarters of a yard on each side of the slings, through which the clew lines and sheets are reeved. R. H. Dana, Jr. -- Quarter boat (Naut.), a boat hung at a vessel's quarter. -- Quarter cloths (Naut.), long pieces of painted canvas, used to cover the quarter netting. -- Quarter day, a day regarded as terminating a quarter of the year; hence, one on which any payment, especially rent, becomes due. In matters influenced by United States statutes, quarter days are the first days of January, April, July, and October. In New York and many other places, as between landlord and tenant, they are the first days of May, August, November, and February. The quarter days usually recognized in England are 25th of March (Lady Day), the 24th of June (Midsummer Day), the 29th of September (Michaelmas Day), and the 25th of December (Christmas Day). -- Quarter face, in fine arts, portrait painting, etc., a face turned away so that but one quarter is visible. -- Quarter gallery (Naut.), a balcony on the quarter of a ship. See Gallery, 4. -- Quarter gunner (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the gunner. -- Quarter look, a side glance. [Obs.] B. Jonson. -- Quarter nettings (Naut.), hammock nettings along the quarter rails. -- Quarter note (Mus.), a note equal in duration to half a minim or a fourth of semibreve; a crochet. -- Quarter pieces (Naut.), several pieces of timber at the after-part of the quarter gallery, near the taffrail. Totten. -- Quarter point. (Naut.) See Quarter, n., 1 (n). -- Quarter railing, or Quarter rails (Naut.), narrow molded planks reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway, serving as a fence to the quarter-deck. -- Quarter sessions (Eng. Law), a general court of criminal jurisdiction held quarterly by the justices of peace in counties and by the recorders in boroughs. -- Quarter square (Math.), the fourth part of the square of a number. Tables of quarter squares have been devised to save labor in multiplying numbers. -- Quarter turn, Quarter turn belt (Mach.), an arrangement in which a belt transmits motion between two shafts which are at right angles with each other. -- Quarter watch (Naut.), a subdivision of the full watch (one fourth of the crew) on a man-of- war. -- To give, or show, quarter (Mil.), to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a vanquished enemy. -- To keep quarter. See Quarter, n., 3.

Quar"ter (kwär"tr), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quartered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quartering.] 1. To divide into four equal parts.

3. To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.

5. (Her.) To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.

When only two coats of arms are so combined they are arranged in four compartments. See Quarter, n., 1 (f).

Quar"ter, v. i. [F. cartayer.] To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.

Quar"ter-deck` (?), n. (Naut.) That part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one.

The quarter-deck is reserved as a promenade for the officers and (in passenger vessels) for the cabin passengers.

Quar"ter*foil` (?), n. [Quarier + foil: cf. F. quatre.] (Arch.) An ornamental foliation having four lobes, or foils.

Quar"ter*hung` (?), a. (Ordnance) Having trunnions the axes of which lie below the bore; -- said of a cannon.

Quar"ter*ing, a. 1. (Naut.) Coming from a point well abaft the beam, but not directly astern; -- said of waves or any moving object.

2. (Mach.) At right angles, as the cranks of a locomotive, which are in planes forming a right angle with each other.

3. (Her.) (a) The division of a shield containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments. (b) One of the different coats of arms arranged upon an escutcheon, denoting the descent of the bearer.

4. (Arch.) A series of quarters, or small upright posts. See Quarter, n., 1 (m) (Arch.) Gwilt.

Quartering block, a block on which the body of a condemned criminal was quartered. Macaulay.

Quar"ter*ly, a. 1. Containing, or consisting of, a fourth part; as, quarterly seasons.

2. Recurring during, or at the end of, each quarter; as, quarterly payments of rent; a quarterly meeting.

Quar"ter*ly, n.; pl. Quarterlies (&?;). A periodical work published once a quarter, or four times in a year.

Quar"ter*ly, adv. 1. By quarters; once in a quarter of a year; as, the returns are made quarterly.

2. (Her.) In quarters, or quarterings; as, to bear arms quarterly; in four or more parts; -- said of a shield thus divided by lines drawn through it at right angles.

Quar"ter*mas`ter (?), n. [Quarter + master: cf. F. quartier-maître.] 1. (Mil.) An officer whose duty is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies.

2. (Naut.) A petty officer who attends to the helm, binnacle, signals, and the like, under the direction of the master. Totten.

Quartermaster general (Mil.), in the United States a staff officer, who has the rank of brigadier general and is the chief officer in the quartermaster's department; in England, an officer of high rank stationed at the War Office having similar duties; also, a staff officer, usually a general officer, accompanying each complete army in the field. -- Quartermaster sergeant. See Sergeant.

Quar"tern (?), n.[OE. quarteroun, quartron, F. quarteron, the fourth part of a pound, or of a hundred; cf. L. quartarius a fourth part, quarter of any measure, quartern, gill. See Quarter, and cf. Quarteron, Quadroon.] 1. A quarter. Specifically: (a) The fourth part of a pint; a gill. (b) The fourth part of a peck, or of a stone (14 ibs.).

2. A loaf of bread weighing about four pounds; -- called also quartern loaf. Simmonds.

Quar"ter*on (?), n. [F. See Quartern.] A quarter; esp., a quarter of a pound, or a quarter of a hundred. Piers Plowman.

Quar"ter*pace` (?), n. (Arch.) A platform of a staircase where the stair turns at a right angle only. See Halfpace.

Quar"ter*staff` (?), n.; pl. Quarterstaves (&?;). A long and stout staff formerly used as a weapon of defense and offense; -- so called because in holding it one hand was placed in the middle, and the other between the middle and the end.

{ Quar*tet", Quar*tette" } (?), n. [It. quartetto, dim. of quarto the fourth, a fourth part, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] 1. (Mus.) (a) A composition in four parts, each performed by a single voice or instrument. (b) The set of four person who perform a piece of music in four parts.

Quar"tic (?), n. (a) (Alg.) A quantic of the fourth degree. See Quantic. (b) (Geom.) A curve or surface whose equation is of the fourth degree in the variables.

Quar"tile (?), n. [F. quartile aspect, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate.

Quar"tine (?), n. [F., fr. L. quartus the fourth.] (Bot.) A supposed fourth integument of an ovule, counting from the outside.

Quar"to (?), a. [L. in quarto in fourth, from quartus the fourth: cf. F. (in) quarto. See Quart.] Having four leaves to the sheet; of the form or size of a quarto.

Quar"to, n.; pl. Quartos (&?;). Originally, a book of the size of the fourth of sheet of printing paper; a size leaves; in present usage, a book of a square or nearly square form, and usually of large size.

Quartz (?), n. [G. quarz.] (Min.) A form of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO₂), occurring in hexagonal crystals, which are commonly colorless and transparent, but sometimes also yellow, brown, purple, green, and of other colors; also in cryptocrystalline massive forms varying in color and degree of transparency, being sometimes opaque.

The crystalline varieties include: amethyst, violet; citrine and false topaz, pale yellow; rock crystal, transparent and colorless or nearly so; rose quartz, rosecolored; smoky quartz, smoky brown. The chief crypto-crystalline varieties are: agate, a chalcedony in layers or clouded with different colors, including the onyx and sardonyx; carnelian and sard, red or flesh- colored chalcedony; chalcedony, nearly white, and waxy in luster; chrysoprase, an apple-green chalcedony; flint, hornstone, basanite, or touchstone, brown to black in color and compact in texture; heliotrope, green dotted with red; jasper, opaque, red yellow, or brown, colored by iron or ferruginous clay; prase, translucent and dull leek-green. Quartz is an essential constituent of granite, and abounds in rocks of all ages. It forms the rocks quartzite (quartz rock) and sandstone, and makes most of the sand of the seashore.

Quartz*if"er*ous (?), a. [Quartz + -ferous.] (Min.) Consisting chiefly of quartz; containing quartz.

Quartz"ite (?), n. [Cf. F. quartzite.] (Min.) Massive quartz occurring as a rock; a metamorphosed sandstone; -- called also quartz rock.

Quartz"oid (?), n. [Quartz + - oid.] (Crystallog.) A form of crystal common with quartz, consisting of two six-sided pyramids, base to base.

Quartz"ose` (?), a. [Cf. F. quartzeux, G. quarzig.] (Min.) Containing, or resembling, quartz; partaking of the nature or qualities of quartz.

Quash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quashing.] [OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. cassare to annihilate, annul, fr. cassus empty, vain, of uncertain origin. The word has been confused with L. quassare to shake, F. casser to break, which is probably of different origin. Cf. Cashier, v. t.] (Law) To abate, annul, overthrow, or make void; as, to quash an indictment. Blackstone.

Quash, v. t. [OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. quassare to shake, shatter, shiver, v. intens. fr. quatere, quassum, to shake, shatter. Cf. Concussion, Discuss, Rescue, and also Quash to annul.] 1. To beat down, or beat in pieces; to dash forcibly; to crush.

2. To crush; to subdue; to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely; as, to quash a rebellion.

Qua"si (?). [L.] As if; as though; as it were; in a manner sense or degree; having some resemblance to; qualified; -- used as an adjective, or a prefix with a noun or an adjective; as, a quasi contract, an implied contract, an obligation which has arisen from some act, as if from a contract; a quasi corporation, a body that has some, but not all, of the peculiar attributes of a corporation; a quasi argument, that which resembles, or is used as, an argument; quasi historical, apparently historical, seeming to be historical.

Quas`i*mo"do (?), n. [So called from the first words of the Latin introit, quasi modo geniti infantes as newborn babes, 1 Pet. ii. 2.] (R. C. Ch.) The first Sunday after Easter; Low Sunday.

Quass (?), n. [Russ. kvas'.] A thin, sour beer, made by pouring warm water on rye or barley meal and letting it ferment, -- much used by the Russians. [written also quas.]

Quas*sa"tion (?), n. [L. quassatio, from quassare to shake. See Quash to crush.] The act of shaking, or the state of being shaken. Gayton.

Quas"si*a (?), n. [NL. From the name of a negro, Quassy, or Quash, who prescribed this article as a specific.] The wood of several tropical American trees of the order Simarubeæ, as Quassia amara, Picræna excelsa, and Simaruba amara. It is intensely bitter, and is used in medicine and sometimes as a substitute for hops in making beer.

Quas"sin (?), n. [Cf. F. quassine. See Quassia.] (Chem.) The bitter principle of quassia, extracted as a white crystalline substance; -- formerly called quassite. [Written also quassin, and quassine.]

Quat (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (a) A pustule. [Obs.] (b) An annoying, worthless person. Shak.

Qua"ter-cous`in (?), n. [F. quatre four + cousin, E. cousin.] A cousin within the first four degrees of kindred.

Qua*ter"na*ry (?), a. [L. quaternarius consisting of four each, containing four, fr. quaterni four each, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quaternaire. See Four.]

2. (Geol.) Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary; Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man.

Qua*ter"na*ry, n. [L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F. quaternaire.] 1. The number four. Boyle.

Qua*ter"nate (?), a. Composed of, or arranged in, sets of four; quaternary; as, quaternate leaves.

Qua*ter"ni*on (?), n. [L. quaternio, fr. quaterni four each. See Quaternary.] 1. The number four. [Poetic]

2. A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken collectively; a group of four words, phrases, circumstances, facts, or the like.

4. (Math.) The quotient of two vectors, or of two directed right lines in space, considered as depending on four geometrical elements, and as expressible by an algebraic symbol of quadrinomial form.

The science or calculus of quaternions is a new mathematical method, in which the conception of a quaternion is unfolded and symbolically expressed, and is applied to various classes of algebraical, geometrical, and physical questions, so as to discover theorems, and to arrive at the solution of problems. Sir W. R. Hamilton.

Qua*ter"ni*on, v. t. To divide into quaternions, files, or companies. Milton.

Qua*ter"ni*ty (?), n. [LL. quaternitas, fr. L. quaterni four each: cf. F. quaternité.] 1. The number four. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. The union of four in one, as of four persons; -- analogous to the theological term trinity.

Qua*torz"ain (?), n. [See Quatorze.] A poem of fourteen lines; a sonnet. R. H. Stoddard.

Qua*torze" (?), n. [F. quatorze fourteen, L. quattuordecim. See Fourteen.] The four aces, kings, queens, knaves, or tens, in the game of piquet; -- so called because quatorze counts as fourteen points.

Quat"rain (?), n. [F., fr. quatre four, L. quattuor, quatuor. See Four.] (Pros.) A stanza of four lines rhyming alternately. Dryden.

{ Qua"tre*feuille (?), Qua"tre*foil (?), } n. [F. quatre feuilles.] Same as Quarterfoil.

Quat"u*or (?), n. [F., fr. L. quattuor, quatuor, four. See Quartet.] (Mus.) A quartet; -- applied chiefly to instrumental compositions.

Qua"ver, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quavering.] [OE. quaven to shake, to tremble; cf. LG. quabbeln to shake, to be soft, of fat substances, quabbe a fat lump of flesh, a dewlap, D. kwabbe, and E. quiver, v.] 1. To tremble; to vibrate; to shake. Sir I. Newton.

2. Especially, to shake the voice; to utter or form sound with rapid or tremulous vibrations, as in singing; also, to trill on a musical instrument

Qua"ver, n. 1. A shake, or rapid and tremulous vibration, of the voice, or of an instrument of music.

Quay (?), n. [F. quai. See Key quay.] A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience in loading and unloading vessels. [Written also key.]

Queach, v. i. [Cf. E. quich, v. i., quick, v. i.; or AS. cweccan to shake.] To stir; to move. See Quick, v. i. [Obs.]

Queach"y (?), a. 1. Yielding or trembling under the feet, as moist or boggy ground; shaking; moving. "The queachy fens." "Godwin's queachy sands." Drayton.

Quean (?), n. [Originally, a woman, AS. cwene; akin to OS. quena, OHG. quena, Icel. kona, Goth qin&?;, and AS. cwén, also to Gr. &?; woman, wife, Skr. gn goddess. Cf. Queen.] 1. A woman; a young or unmarried woman; a girl. [Obs. or Scot.] Chaucer.

Quea"si*ness, n. The state of being queasy; nausea; qualmishness; squeamishness. Shak.

Quea"sy (?), a. [Icel. kweisa pain; cf. Norw. kveis sickness after a debauch.] 1. Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea; inclined to vomit; qualmish.

2. Fastidious; squeamish; delicate; easily disturbed; unsettled; ticklish. " A queasy question." Shak.

Que*bec" group` (?). (Geol.) The middle of the three groups into which the rocks of the Canadian period have been divided in the American Lower Silurian system. See the Chart of Geology.

||Que*bra"cho (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) A Chilian apocynaceous tree (Aspidosperma Quebracho); also, its bark, which is used as a febrifuge, and for dyspnœa of the lung, or bronchial diseases; -- called also white quebracho, to distinguish it from the red quebracho, a Mexican anacardiaceous tree (Loxopterygium Lorentzii) whose bark is said to have similar properties. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Queb"rith (?), n. [OE. quebrit, quibrith, Ar. kibrt.] (Alchemy) Sulphur. [Obs.]

{ Quech (?), Queck (?), } v. i. [Cf. Quick, Queach.] A word occurring in a corrupt passage of Bacon's Essays, and probably meaning, to stir, to move.

Queen (?), n. [OE. quen, quene, queen, quean, AS. cwn wife, queen, woman; akin to OS. qun wife, woman, Icel. kvn wife, queen, Goth. qns. √221. See Quean.] 1. The wife of a king.

2. A woman who is the sovereign of a kingdom; a female monarch; as, Elizabeth, queen of England; Mary, queen of Scots.

3. A woman eminent in power or attractions; the highest of her kind; as, a queen in society; -- also used figuratively of cities, countries, etc. " This queen of cities." " Albion, queen of isles." Cowper.

5. (Chess) The most powerful, and except the king the most important, piece in a set of chessmen.

Queen apple. [Cf. OE. quyne aple quince apple.] A kind of apple; a queening. "Queen apples and red cherries." Spenser. -- Queen bee (Zoöl.), a female bee, especially the female of the honeybee. See Honeybee. -- Queen conch (Zoöl.), a very large West Indian cameo conch (Cassis cameo). It is much used for making cameos. -- Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king. Blackstone. -- Queen dowager, the widow of a king. -- Queen gold, formerly a revenue of the queen consort of England, arising from gifts, fines, etc. -- Queen mother, a queen dowager who is also mother of the reigning king or queen. -- Queen of May. See May queen, under May. -- Queen of the meadow (Bot.), a European herbaceous plant (Spiræa Ulmaria). See Meadowsweet. -- Queen of the prairie (Bot.), an American herb (Spiræa lobata) with ample clusters of pale pink flowers. -- Queen pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of several species of very large and handsome crested ground pigeons of the genus Goura, native of New Guinea and the adjacent islands. They are mostly pale blue, or ash-blue, marked with white, and have a large occipital crest of spatulate feathers. Called also crowned pigeon, goura, and Victoria pigeon. -- Queen regent, or Queen regnant, a queen reigning in her own right. -- Queen's Bench. See King's Bench. -- Queen's counsel, Queen's evidence. See King's counsel, King's evidence, under King. -- Queen's delight (Bot.), an American plant (Stillinqia sylvatica) of the Spurge family, having an herbaceous stem and a perennial woody root. -- Queen's metal (Metal.), an alloy somewhat resembling pewter or britannia, and consisting essentially of tin with a slight admixture of antimony, bismuth, and lead or copper. -- Queen's pigeon. (Zoöl.) Same as Queen pigeon, above. -- Queen's ware, glazed English earthenware of a cream color. -- Queen's yellow (Old Chem.), a heavy yellow powder consisting of a basic mercuric sulphate; -- formerly called turpetum minerale, or Turbith's mineral.

Queen, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Queened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Queening.] (Chess.) To make a queen (or other piece, at the player's discretion) of by moving it to the eighth row; as, to queen a pawn.

Queen"dom (?), n. The dominion, condition, or character of a queen. Mrs. Browning.

Queen"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A California sciænoid food fish (Seriphys politus). The back is bluish, and the sides and belly bright silvery. Called also kingfish.

Queen"hood (?), n. The state, personality, or character of a queen; queenliness. Tennyson.

Queen"ing (?), n. [See Queen apple.] (Bot.) Any one of several kinds of apples, as summer queening, scarlet queening, and early queening. An apple called the queening was cultivated in England two hundred years ago.

Queen"li*ness (?), n. The quality of being queenly; the; characteristic of a queen; stateliness; eminence among women in attractions or power.

Queen"-post` (?), n. [Arch.] One of two suspending posts in a roof truss, or other framed truss of similar form. See King-post.

Queens"land nut` (?). (Bot.) The nut of an Australian tree (Macadamia ternifolia). It is about an inch in diameter, and contains a single round edible seed, or sometimes two hemispherical seeds. So called from Queensland in Australia.

Queen" truss (?). (Arch.) A truss framed with queen-posts; a queen-post truss.

Queer (?), a. [Compar. Queerer (?); superl. Queerest.] [G. quer cross, oblique, athwart (cf. querkopf a queer fellow), OHG. twer, twerh, dwerah; akin to D. dvars, AS, þweorh thwart, bent, twisted, Icel. þverr thwart, transverse, Goth. þwaìrhs angry, and perh. to L. torqyere to twist, and E. through. Cf. Torture, Through, Thwart, a.] 1. At variance with what is usual or normal; differing in some odd way from what is ordinary; odd; singular; strange; whimsical; as, a queer story or act. " A queer look." W. Irving.

Queest (?), n. [Cf. Icel. kvisa a kind of bird, kvistr a branch of a tree, and E. cushat.] (Zoöl.) The European ringdove (Columba palumbus); the cushat. [Written also quist, queeze, quice, queece.] See Ringdove.

Quell (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quelled (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Quelling.] [See Quail to cower.]

Quell, v. t. [OE. quellen to kill, AS. cwellan, causative of cwelan to die; akin to OHG. quellen to torment, Icel. kvelja. See Quail to cower.] 1. To take the life of; to kill. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease; as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.

Syn. -- to subdue; crush; overpower; reduce; put down; repress; suppress; quiet; allay; calm; pacify.

Quell"er (?), n. 1. A killer; as, Jack the Giant Queller. [Obs.] Wyclif (Mark vi. 27).

Quel"li*o (?), n. [Sp. cuello, L. collum neck.] A ruff for the neck. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

||Quelque"chose` (?), n. [F. quelque chose something.] A trifle; a kickshaw. Donne.

Queme (?), v. t. & i. [AS. cwman, akin to cuman to come. √23.] To please. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Quench (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quenched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quenching.] [OE. quenchen, AS. cwencan in cwencan, to extinguish utterly, causative of cwincan, cwincan, to decrease, disappear; cf. AS. cwnan, cwnan, to waste or dwindle away.] 1. To extinguish; to overwhelm; to make an end of; -- said of flame and fire, of things burning, and figuratively of sensations and emotions; as, to quench flame; to quench a candle; to quench thirst, love, hate, etc.

Quench"less, a. Incapable of being quenched; inextinguishable; as, quenchless fire or fury. "Once kindled, quenchless evermore." Byron.

Que*nelle" (?), n. [F.] (Cookery) A kind of delicate forcemeat, commonly poached and used as a dish by itself or for garnishing.

Que*nouille train"ing (?). [F. quenouille distaff.] (Hort.) A method of training trees or shrubs in the shape of a cone or distaff by tying down the branches and pruning.

Quer`ci*tan"nic (?), a. [L. quercus an oak + E. tannic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a tannic acid found in oak bark and extracted as a yellowish brown amorphous substance.

Quer"cite (?), n. (Chem.) A white crystalline substance, C₆H₇(OH)₅, found in acorns, the fruit of the oak (Quercus). It has a sweet taste, and is regarded as a pentacid alcohol.

Quer"ci*tin (?), n. (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance, occurring quite widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, as is apple-tree bark, horse- chestnut leaves, etc., but originally obtained by the decomposition of quercitrin. Called also meletin.

Quer"cit*rin (?), n. [Cf. F. quercitrin. See Quercitron.] (Chem.) A glucoside extracted from the bark of the oak (Quercus) as a bitter citron-yellow crystalline substance, used as a pigment and called quercitron.

Quer"cit*ron (?), n. [F. quercitron, the name of the name of tree; L. quercus an oak + citrus the citron tree.] 1. The yellow inner bark of the Quercus tinctoria, the American black oak, yellow oak, dyer's oak, or quercitron oak, a large forest tree growing from Maine to eastern Texas.

||Quer"cus (?), n. [L., an oak.] (Bot.) A genus of trees constituted by the oak. See Oak.

Quer"ele (?), n. [See 2d Quarrel.] (O. Eng. Law) A complaint to a court. See Audita Querela. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

Que"rent (?), n. [L. querens, p. pr. of queri to complain.] (O. Eng. Law) A complainant; a plaintiff.

Que"rent, n. [L. quaerens, p. pr. of quaerere to search for, to inquire.] An inquirer. [Obs.] Aubrey.

Quer`i*mo"ni*ous (?), a. [L. querimonia a complaint, fr. queri to complain. See Querulous.] Complaining; querulous; apt to complain. -- Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv. -- Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ness, n.

Quer"i*mo*ny (?), n. [L. querimonia.] A complaint or complaining. [Obs.] E. Hall.

Querk"en (?), v. t. [Icel. kverk throat. &?;.] To stifle or choke. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Querl (?), v. t. [G. querlen, quirlen, to twirl, to turn round, fr. querl, querl, a twirling stick. Cf. Twirl.] To twirl; to turn or wind round; to coil; as, to querl a cord, thread, or rope. [Local, U.S.]

Querl, n. A coil; a twirl; as, the qwerl of hair on the fore leg of a blooded horse. [Local, U. S.]

Quern (?), n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn; akin to D. kweern, OHG. quirn, Icel. kvern, Sw. qvarn, Dan. quærn, Goth. qairnus (in asiluqaírnus), Lith. qìrnos, and perh. E. corn.] A mill for grinding grain, the upper stone of which was turned by hand; -- used before the invention of windmills and watermills. Shak.

Quer"po (?), n. The inner or body garments taken together. See Cuerpo. Dryden.

Quer"que*dule (?), n. [L. querquedula.] (Zool.) (a) A teal. (b) The pintail duck.

Quer"u*lous (?), a. [L. querulus and querulosus, fr. queri to complain. Cf. Cry, v., Quarrel a brawl, Quarrelous.] 1. Given to quarreling; quarrelsome. [Obs.] land.

2. Apt to find fault; habitually complaining; disposed to murmur; as, a querulous man or people.

Syn. -- Complaining; bewailing; lamenting; whining; mourning; murmuring; discontented; dissatisfied.

Que"ry (?), n.; pl. Queries (#). [L. quaere, imperative sing. of quaerere, quaesitum to seek or search for, to ask, inquire. Cf. Acquire, Conquer, Exquisite, Quest, Require.] 1. A question; an inquiry to be answered or solved.

Que"ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Queried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Querying.] 1. To put questions about; to elicit by questioning; to inquire into; as, to query the items or the amount; to query the motive or the fact.

4. To write " query" (qu., qy., or ?) against, as a doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See Quære.

Que*sal" (?), n. (Zoöl.) The long-tailed, or resplendent, trogon (Pharomachus mocinno, formerly Trogon resplendens), native of Southern Mexico and Central America. Called also quetzal, and golden trogon.

The male is remarkable for the brilliant metallic green and gold colors of his plumage, and for his extremely long plumes, which often exceed three feet in length.

Quest (?), n. [OF. queste, F. quête, fr. L. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, to ask. Cf. Query, Question.] 1. The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain; search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, etc.

Quest, v. t. [Cf. OF. quester, F. quêter. See Quest, n.] To search for; to examine. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

Quest, v. i. To go on a quest; to make a search; to go in pursuit; to beg. [R.]

Quest"ant (?), n. [OF. questant, F. quêtant, p. pr.] One who undertakes a quest; a seeker. [Obs.] Shak.

Ques"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See Quest, n.] 1. The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and answer.

2. Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question.

3. Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. Blackstone.

5. Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question.

In question, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question. -- Leading question. See under Leading. -- Out of question, unquestionably. "Out of question, 't is Maria's hand." Shak. -- Out of the question. See under Out. -- Past question, beyond question; certainly; undoubtedly; unquestionably. -- Previous question, a question put to a parliamentary assembly upon the motion of a member, in order to ascertain whether it is the will of the body to vote at once, without further debate, on the subject under consideration. The form of the question is: "Shall the main question be now put?" If the vote is in the affirmative, the matter before the body must be voted upon as it then stands, without further general debate or the submission of new amendments. In the House of Representatives of the United States, and generally in America, a negative decision operates to keep the business before the body as if the motion had not been made; but in the English Parliament, it operates to postpone consideration for the day, and until the subject may be again introduced. In American practice, the object of the motion is to hasten action, and it is made by a friend of the measure. In English practice, the object is to get rid of the subject for the time being, and the motion is made with a purpose of voting against it. Cushing. -- To beg the question. See under Beg. -- To the question, to the point in dispute; to the real matter under debate.

Ques"tion, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Questioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Questioning.] [Cf. F. questionner. See Question, n.] 1. To ask questions; to inquire.

Ques"tion, v. t. 1. To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by interrogatories; as, to question a witness.

3. To raise a question about; to call in question; to make objection to. "But have power and right to question thy bold entrance on this place." Milton.

Syn. -- To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert; dispute. -- Question, Inquire, Interrogate. To inquire is merely to ask for information, and implies no authority in the one who asks. To interrogate is to put repeated questions in a formal or systematic fashion to elicit some particular fact or facts. To question has a wider sense than to interrogate, and often implies an attitude of distrust or opposition on the part of the questioner.

Ques`tion*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or condition of being questionable. Stallo.

Ques"tion*a*ble (?), a. 1. Admitting of being questioned; inviting, or seeming to invite, inquiry. [R.]

2. Liable to question; subject to be doubted or called in question; problematical; doubtful; suspicious.

Syn. -- Disputable; debatable; uncertain; doubtful; problematical; suspicious.

Ques"tion*a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being questionable, doubtful, or suspicious.

Ques"tion*a*ry (?), a. Inquiring; asking questions; testing. "Questionary epistles." Pope.

Ques"tion*a*ry, n. One who makes it his business to seek after relics and carry them about for sale.

Ques"tion*er (?), n. One who asks questions; an inquirer. "Little time for idle questioners." Tennyson.

2. (Eng. Univ.) A candidate for honors or degrees who is near the time of his examination.

Ques"tion*less, adv. Beyond a question or doubt; doubtless; certainly.[R.] South.

Quest"man (?), n.; pl. Questmen (&?;). One legally empowered to make quest of certain matters, esp. of abuses of weights and measures. Specifically: (a) A churchwarden's assistant; a sidesman. Blount. [Obs.] (b) A collector of parish rents. Blount. [Obs.]

Quest"mon`ger (?), n. One who lays informations, and encourages petty lawsuits. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ques"tor (?), n. [L. quaestor, contr. fr. quaesitor, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask: cf. F. questeur.] (Rom. Antiq.) An officer who had the management of the public treasure; a receiver of taxes, tribute, etc.; treasurer of state. [Written also quæstor.]

At an early period there were also public accusers styled questors, but the office was soon abolished.

Quest"rist (?), n. [See Quest.] A seeker; a pursuer. [Obs.] "Hot questrists after him." Shak.

Ques"tu*a*ry (?), a. [L. quaestuarius, from quaestus gain, profit, quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, earn.] Studious of profit. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Ques"tu*a*ry, n. One employed to collect profits. [R.] "The pope's questuaries." Jer. Taylor.

Queue (?), n. [F. See Cue.] (a) A tail-like appendage of hair; a pigtail. (b) A line of persons waiting anywhere.

Quib"ble (?), n. [Probably fr. quib, quip, but influenced by quillet, or quiddity.] 1. A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or evasive distinction; an evasion; a cavil.

Quib"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quibbling (?).] 1. To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

Qui"ca (?), n. [From the native Brazilian name.] (Zoöl.) A small South American opossum (Didelphys quica), native of Guiana and Brazil. It feeds upon insects, small birds, and fruit.

Quick (?), a. [Compar. Quicker (?); superl. Quickest.] [As. cwic, cwicu, cwucu, cucu, living; akin to OS. quik, D. kwik, OHG. quec, chec, G. keck bold, lively, Icel. kvikr living, Goth. qius, Lith. qvas, Russ. zhivoi, L. vivus living, vivere to live, Gr. bi`os life, Skr. jva living, jv to live. Cf. Biography, Vivid, Quitch grass, Whitlow.] 1. Alive; living; animate; -- opposed to dead or inanimate.

In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.

2. Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready. " A quick wit." Shak.

4. Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper.

6. Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear. "To have an open ear, a quick eye." Shak.

Quick grass. (Bot.) See Quitch grass. -- Quick match. See under Match. -- Quick vein (Mining), a vein of ore which is productive, not barren. -- Quick vinegar, vinegar made by allowing a weak solution of alcohol to trickle slowly over shavings or other porous material. -- Quick water, quicksilver water. -- Quick with child, pregnant with a living child.

Syn. -- Speedy; expeditious; swift; rapid; hasty; prompt; ready; active; brisk; nimble; fleet; alert; agile; lively; sprightly.

Quick (?), adv. In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick.

Quick, n. 1. That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a living hedge.

2. The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the quick, to taunt one to the quick; -- used figuratively.

Quick, v. t. & i. [See Quicken.] To revive; to quicken; to be or become alive. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Quick"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. quickened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quickening.] [AS. cwician. See Quick, a.] 1. To make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as from death or an inanimate state; hence, to excite; to, stimulate; to incite.

2. To make lively, active, or sprightly; to impart additional energy to; to stimulate; to make quick or rapid; to hasten; to accelerate; as, to quicken one's steps or thoughts; to quicken one's departure or speed.

3. (Shipbuilding) To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make (a curve) sharper; as, to quicken the sheer, that is, to make its curve more pronounced.

Syn. -- To revive; resuscitate; animate; reinvigorate; vivify; refresh; stimulate; sharpen; incite; hasten; accelerate; expedite; dispatch; speed.

Quick"en, v. i. 1. To come to life; to become alive; to become vivified or enlivened; hence, to exhibit signs of life; to move, as the fetus in the womb.

2. To move with rapidity or activity; to become accelerated; as, his pulse quickened.

2. (Physiol.) The first motion of the fetus in the womb felt by the mother, occurring usually about the middle of the term of pregnancy. It has been popularly supposed to be due to the fetus becoming possessed of independent life.

Quick"en tree` (?). [Probably from quick, and first applied to the aspen or some tree with quivering leaves; cf. G. quickenbaum, quizenbaum, quitschenbaum. Cf. Quitch grass.] (Bot.) The European rowan tree; -- called also quickbeam, and quickenbeam. See Rowan tree.

Quick"lime (?), n. [See Quick, a.] (Chem.) Calcium oxide; unslacked lime; -- so called because when wet it develops great heat. See 4th Lime, 2.

Quick"ness, n. 1. The condition or quality of being quick or living; life. [Obs.]

2. Activity; briskness; especially, rapidity of motion; speed; celerity; as, quickness of wit.

Syn. -- Velocity; celerity; rapidity; speed; haste; expedition; promptness; dispatch; swiftness; nimbleness; fleetness; agility; briskness; liveliness; readiness; sagacity; shrewdness; shrewdness; sharpness; keenness.

Quick"sand` (?), n. Sand easily moved or readily yielding to pressure; especially, a deep mass of loose or moving sand mixed with water, sometimes found at the mouth of a river or along some coasts, and very dangerous, from the difficulty of extricating a person who begins sinking into it.

Quick"set` (?), n. A living plant set to grow, esp. when set for a hedge; specifically, the hawthorn.

Quick"set`, v. t. To plant with living shrubs or trees for a hedge; as, to quickset a ditch. Mortimer.

Quick"-sight`ed (?), a. Having quick sight or acute discernment; quick to see or to discern. Locke.

Quick"sil`ver (?), n. [Quick living + silver; -- so called from its fluidity; cf. G. quecksilber, L. argentum vivum. See Quick, a.] (Chem.) The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver.

Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon. -- Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.

Quick"sil`vered (?), a. Overlaid with quicksilver, or with an amalgam of quicksilver and tinfoil.

Quick"step` (?), n. (Mus.) A lively, spirited march; also, a lively style of dancing.

Quick"-wit`ted*ness, n. Readiness of wit. "Celtic quick-wittedness." M. Arnold.

Quick"work` (?), n. (Naut.) A term somewhat loosely used to denote: (a) All the submerged section of a vessel's planking. (b) The planking between the spirketing and the clamps. (c) The short planks between the portholes.

Quid (?), n. [See Cud.] A portion suitable to be chewed; a cud; as, a quid of tobacco.

Quid, v. t. (Man.) To drop from the mouth, as food when partially chewed; -- said of horses. Youatt.

Quid"da*ny (?), n. [L. cydoneum quince juice, quince wine. See Quince.] A confection of quinces, in consistency between a sirup and marmalade.

Quid"da*tive (?), a. [See Quiddity.] Constituting, or containing, the essence of a thing; quidditative.

Quid"dit (?), n. [Cf. Quiddity, Quillet, and Quibble.] A subtilty; an equivocation. [Obs.] Shak.

Quid"di*ty (?), n.; pl. Quiddities (#). [LL. quidditas, fr. L. quid what, neut. of quis who, akin to E. who: cf. F. quiddité.] 1. The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What is it? " The degree of nullity and quiddity." Bacon.

Quid"dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quiddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiddling (?).] [L. quid what.] To spend time in trifling employments, or to attend to useful subjects in an indifferent or superficial manner; to dawdle.

{ Quid"dle (?), Quid"dler (?), } n. One who wastes his energy about trifles. Emerson.

Quid"nunc (?), n. [L., what now?] One who is curious to know everything that passes; one who knows, or pretends to know, all that is going on. "The idle stories of quidnuncs." Motley.

Qui*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quiesced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiescing (?).] [L. quiescere, akin to quies rest, quiet. See Quiet, a. & n.] To be silent, as a letter; to have no sound. M. Stuart.

{ Qui*es"cence (?), Qui*es"cen*cy (?), } n. [L. quiescentia, fr. quiescens, p. pr.; cf. F. quiestence. See Quiesce.] The state or quality of being quiescent. "Quiescence, bodily and mental." H. Spencer.

Qui*es"cent (?), a. [L. quiescens, -entis, p. pr. of quiescere: cf. F. quiescent. See Quiesce.] 1. Being in a state of repose; at rest; still; not moving; as, a quiescent body or fluid.

2. Not ruffed with passion; unagitated; not in action; not excited; quiet; dormant; resting.

Qui"et (?), a. [Compar. Quieter (?); superl. Quietest.] [L. quietus, p. p. pf quiescere to rest, keep quiet; akin to quies rest, and prob. to E. while, n. See While, and cf. Coy, a., Quiesce, Quietus, Quit, a., Quite, Requiem.] 1. In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.

3. Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience. " So quiet and so sweet a style." Shak.

4. Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.

5. Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.

Syn. -- Still; tranquil; calm; unruffled; smooth; unmolested; undisturbed; placid; peaceful; mild; peaceable; meek; contented.

1. The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.

2. Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.

At quiet, still; peaceful. -- In quiet, quietly. " I will depart in quiet." Shak. -- Out of quiet, disturbed; restless. [Obs.] "She is much out of quiet." Shak.

Qui"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quieted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quieting.] 1. To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.

2. To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.

Qui"et, v. i. To become still, silent, or calm; -- often with down; as, be soon quieted down.

Qui"et*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. quiétisme.] 1. Peace or tranquillity of mind; calmness; indifference; apathy; dispassion; indisturbance; inaction.

2. (Eccl. Hist.) The system of the Quietists, who maintained that religion consists in the withdrawal of the mind from worldly interests and anxieties and its constant employment in the passive contemplation of God and his attributes.

Qui"et*ist, n. [Cf. F. quiétiste.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of mystics originated in the seventeenth century by Molinos, a Spanish priest living in Rome. See Quietism.

Qui"et*ly, adv. 1. In a quiet state or manner; without motion; in a state of rest; as, to lie or sit quietly.

2. Without tumult, alarm, dispute, or disturbance; peaceably; as, to live quietly; to sleep quietly.

3. Calmly, without agitation or violent emotion; patiently; as, to submit quietly to unavoidable evils.

4. Noiselessly; silently; without remark or violent movement; in a manner to attract little or no observation; as, he quietly left the room.

Qui"et*ness, n. The quality or state of being quiet; freedom from noise, agitation, disturbance, or excitement; stillness; tranquillity; calmness.

Qui"e*tude, n. [L. quietudo: cf. F. quiétude.] Rest; repose; quiet; tranquillity. Shelley.

Qui*e"tus (?), n. [LL. quietus quit, discharged, L., at rest, quiet, dead. See Quiet, a., and cf. Quit, a.] Final discharge or acquittance, as from debt or obligation; that which silences claims; (Fig.) rest; death.

Quill (?), n. [Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see Kayless); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir. cuille a quill.] 1. One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.

2. A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill. Sir H. Wotton.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine. (b) The pen of a squid. See Pen.

4. (Mus.) (a) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments. (b) The tube of a musical instrument.

5. Something having the form of a quill; as: (a) The fold or plain of a ruff. (b) (Weaving) A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle. (c) (Mach.) A hollow spindle.

Quill bit, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a gouge. -- Quill driver, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk. [Jocose] -- Quill nib, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder. Simmonds.

Quill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quilling.] 1. To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.

Quil*la"ia bark` (?). (Bot.) The bark of a rosaceous tree (Quillaja Saponaria), native of Chili. The bark is finely laminated, and very heavy with alkaline substances, and is used commonly by the Chilians instead of soap. Also called soap bark.

Quill"back` (?), n. (Zoöl.) An American fresh-water fish (Ictiobus, or Carpiodes, cyprinus); -- called also carp sucker, sailfish, spearfish, and skimback.

Quilled (?), a. Furnished with quills; also, shaped like quills. "A sharp-quilled porcupine." Shak.

Quilled suture (Surg.), a variety of stitch in which the threads after being passed deeply through the edges of a wound are secured about two quills or bodies of similar shape, in order to produce a suitable degree of pressure.

Quil"let (?), n. [L. quidlibet what you please. Cf. Quiddit, and Quibble.] Subtilty; nicety; quibble. "Nice, sharp quillets of the law." Shak.

Quill"ing (?), n. (a) A band of linen, muslin, or the like, fluted, folded, or plaited so as somewhat to resemble a row of quills. (b) One of the rounded plaits or flutings of such a band.

Quill"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant or species of the genus Isoetes, cryptogamous plants with a cluster of elongated four-tubed rushlike leaves, rising from a corm, and containing spores in their enlarged and excavated bases. There are about seventeen American species, usually growing in the mud under still, shallow water. So called from the shape of the shape of the leaves.

Quilt (?), n. [OE. quilte, OF. cuilte, L. culcita &?; bed, cushion, mattress. Cf. 2d Counterpoint, Cushion.] Anything that is quilted; esp., a quilted bed cover, or a skirt worn by women; any cover or garment made by putting wool, cotton, etc., between two cloths and stitching them together; also, any outer bed cover.

Quilt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quilted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quilting.] 1. To stitch or sew together at frequent intervals, in order to confine in place the several layers of cloth and wadding of which a garment, comforter, etc., may be made; as, to quilt a coat. Dryden.

Quilt"ing, n. 1. The act of stitching or running in patterns, as in making a quilt.

Quin (?), n. (Zoöl.) A European scallop (Pecten opercularis), used as food. [Prov. Eng.]

Quin*al"dine (?), n. [Quinoline + aldehyde + aniline.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid of a slightly pungent odor, C₉H₆N.CH₃, first obtained as a condensation product of aldehyde and aniline, and regarded as a derivative of quinoline; -- called also methyl quinoline. [Written also chinaldine.]

Qui"na*ry (?), a. [L. quinarius, from quini five each, akin to quinque five: cf. F. quinaire. See Five.] Consisting of five; arranged by fives. Boyle.

Quinary system (Zoöl.), a fanciful classification based on the hypothesis that each group contains five types.

Qui"nate (?), a. [L. quini five each.] (Bot.) Growing in sets of five; -- said especially of leaves composed of five leaflets set at the end of a common petiole.

Quin"a*zol (?), n. [Quinoline + azote.] (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous base related to cinnoline. [Written also chinazol.]

Quince (kwns), n. [Prob. a pl. from OE. quyne, coin, OF. coin, cooin, F. coing, from L. Cydonius a quince tree, as adj., Cydonian, Gr. &?; Cydonian, &?; &?; a quince, fr. &?; Cydonia, a city in Crete, &?; the Cydonians. Cf. Quiddany.] 1. The fruit of a shrub (Cydonia vulgaris) belonging to the same tribe as the apple. It somewhat resembles an apple, but differs in having many seeds in each carpel. It has hard flesh of high flavor, but very acid, and is largely used for marmalade, jelly, and preserves.

Japan quince (Bot.), an Eastern Asiatic shrub (Cydonia, formerly Pyrus, Japonica) and its very fragrant but inedible fruit. The shrub has very showy flowers, usually red, but sometimes pink or white, and is much grown for ornament. -- Quince curculio (Zoöl.), a small gray and yellow curculio (Conotrachelus cratægi) whose larva lives in quinces. -- Quince tree (Bot.), the small tree (Cydonia vulgaris) which produces the quince.

Quinch (?), v. i. [Cf. OD. quincken to quiver, shake, Fries. quink hovering. Cf. Quich.] To stir; to wince. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. (Bot.) Having the leaves of a pentamerous calyx or corolla so imbricated that two are exterior, two are interior, and the other has one edge exterior and one interior; as, quincuncial æstivation.

Quincuncial phyllotaxy (Bot.), an arrangement of five leaves in a spiral, each leaf two fifths of a circle from the next.

Quin"cunx (?), n. [L., fr. quinque five + uncia an ounce. The quincunx was marked by five small spots or balls. See Five, and Ounce the weight.] 1. An arrangement of things by fives in a square or a rectangle, one being placed at each corner and one in the middle; especially, such an arrangement of trees repeated indefinitely, so as to form a regular group with rows running in various directions.

2. (Astrol.) The position of planets when distant from each other five signs, or 150°. Hutton.

3. (Bot.) A quincuncial arrangement, as of the parts of a flower in æstivation. See Quincuncial, 2.

Quin*dec"a*gon (?), n. [L. quindecim fifteen + Gr. &?; angle.] (Geom.) A plane figure with fifteen angles, and consequently fifteen sides.

||Quin`de*cem"vir (?), n.; pl. E. Quindecemvirs (#), L. Quindecemviri (#). [L., from quindecim fifteen + vir a man.] (Rom. Antiq.) One of a sacerdotal college of fifteen men whose chief duty was to take care of the Sibylline books.

Quin`de*cem"vi*rate (?), n. [L. quindecimviratus.] The body or office of the quindecemviri.

Quin*dec"one (?), n. [L. quindecim fifteen.] (Chem.) An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C₁₅H₂₆, of the valylene series, produced artificially as an oily liquid. [Written also quindekone.]

Quin`de*cyl"ic (?), n. [L. quindecim fifteen + -yl.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the fatty acid series, containing fifteen atoms of carbon; called also pentadecylic acid.

Quin*hy"drone (?), n. [Quinone + hydroquinone.] (Chem.) A green crystalline substance formed by the union of quinone with hydroquinone, or as an intermediate product in the oxidation of hydroquinone or the reduction of quinone. [Written also chinhydrone.]

Quin"i*ble (?), n. [L. quini five each.] (Mus.) An interval of a fifth; also, a part sung with such intervals. [Obs.] "He sang . . . a loud quynyble." Chaucer.

Quin"ic (?), a. [See Quinine, and cf. Kinic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or connected with, quinine and related compounds; specifically, designating a nonnitrogenous acid obtained from cinchona bark, coffee, beans, etc., as a white crystalline substance. [Written also chinic, kinic.]

Quin"i*cine (?), n. (Chem.) An uncrystallizable alkaloid obtained by the action of heat from quinine, with which it is isomeric.

Quin"i*dine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid isomeric with, and resembling, quinine, found in certain species of cinchona, from which it is extracted as a bitter white crystalline substance; conchinine. It is used somewhat as a febrifuge. [Written also chinidine.]

Qui"nine (?), n. [F. (cf. Sp. quinina), fr. Sp. quina, or quinaquina, Peruvian bark, fr. Peruv. kina, quina, bark. Cf. Kinic.] (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from the bark of several species of cinchona (esp. Cinchona Calisaya) as a bitter white crystalline substance, C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂. Hence, by extension (Med.), any of the salts of this alkaloid, as the acetate, chloride, sulphate, etc., employed as a febrifuge or antiperiodic. Called also quinia, quinina, etc. [Written also chinine.]

Qui*nin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid obtained as a yellow crystalline substance by the oxidation of quinine.

Qui*niz"a*rin (?), [Hydroquinone + alizarin.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance produced artificially. It is isomeric with alizarin.

Quin"i*zine (?), n. [Quinoline + hydrazine.] (Chem.) any one of a series of nitrogenous bases, certain of which are used as antipyretics.

Quin"nat (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoöl.) The California salmon (Oncorhynchus choicha); -- called also chouicha, king salmon, chinnook salmon, and Sacramento salmon. It is of great commercial importance. [Written also quinnet.]

||Qui*no"a (?), n. The seeds of a kind of goosewort (Chenopodium Quinoa), used in Chili and Peru for making porridge or cakes; also, food thus made.

Quin"o*gen (?), n. [Quinine + -gen.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical of quinine and related alkaloids.

Qui*noid"ine (?), n. [Quinine + -oid.] (Med. (Chem.) A brownish resinous substance obtained as a by-product in the treatment of cinchona bark. It consists of a mixture of several alkaloids. [Written also chinoidine.]

Quin"o*line (?), n. [Quinine + L. oleum oil + -ine.] (Chem.) A nitrogenous base, C₉H₇N obtained as a pungent colorless liquid by the distillation of alkaloids, bones, coal tar, etc. It the nucleus of many organic bodies, especially of certain alkaloids and related substances; hence, by extension, any one of the series of alkaloidal bases of which quinoline proper is the type. [Written also chinoline.]

Qui*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Quinine + -logy.] The science which treats of the cultivation of the cinchona, and of its use in medicine.

Qui"none (?), n. [Quinine + ketone.] (Chem.) A crystalline substance, C₆H₄O₂ (called also benzoketone), first obtained by the oxidation of quinic acid and regarded as a double ketone; also, by extension, any one of the series of which quinone proper is the type. [Written also chinone, kinone.]

Qui*no"vic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a crystalline acid obtained from some varieties of cinchona bark. [Written also chinovic, and kinovic.]

Qui*no"vin (?), n. [NL. quina nova the tree Cosmibuena magnifolia, whose bark yields quinovin.] (Chem.) An amorphous bitter glucoside derived from cinchona and other barks. Called also quinova bitter, and quinova. [Written also chinovin, and kinovin.]

Quin*ox"a*line (?), n. [Quinoline + glyoxal.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous bases obtained by the union of certain aniline derivatives with glyoxal or with certain ketones. [Written also chinoxaline.]

Quin*ox"yl (?), n. [Quinone + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical of certain quinone derivatives related to rhodizonic acid.

Qui"noyl (?), n. [Quinone + - yl.] (Chem.) A radical of which quinone is the hydride, analogous to phenyl. [Written also kinoyl.]

Quin`qua*ges"i*ma (?), a. [L., fr. quinquagesimus the fiftieth, akin to quinquaginta fifty, quinque five. See Five.] Fiftieth.

Quinquagesima Sunday, the Sunday which is the fiftieth day before Easter, both days being included in the reckoning; -- called also Shrove Sunday.

Quin*quan"gu*lar (?), a. [L. quinquanqulus; quinque five + angulus ad angle: cf. F. quinquangulaire.] Having five angles or corners.

Quin`quar*tic"u*lar (?), a. [Quinque- + article.] (Theol.) Relating to the five articles or points; as, the quinquarticular controversy between Arminians and Calvinists. [Obs.] Bp. Sanderson.

Quin"que- (?). [L. quinque five. See Five.] A combining form meaning five, five times, fivefold; as, quinquefid, five-cleft; quinquedentate, five-toothed.

Quin"que*an`gled (?), a. [Quinque- + angle.] Having five angles; quinquangular.

{ Quin`que*den"tate (?), Quin`que*den"ta*ted (?), } a. [Quinque- + dentate, - tated: cf. F. quinquédenté.] Five- toothed; as, a quinquedentate leaf.

Quin`que*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [From L. quinque five: cf. F. quinquéfarié. Cf. Bifarious.] (Bot.) Arranged in five vertical rows; pentastichous. Gray.

Quin"que*fid (?), a. [Quique- + the root of L. findere to cleave: cf. F. quinquéfide.] (Bot.) Sharply cut about halfway to the middle or base into five segments; as, a quinquefid leaf or corolla.

{ Quin`que*fo"li*ate (?), Quin`que*fo"li*a`ted (?), } a. [Quinque- + foliate, - ated: cf. F. quinquéfolié, L. quinquefolius.] (Bot.) Having five leaves or leaflets. Gray.

Quin`que*lit"er*al (?), a. [Quinque- + literal.] Consisting of five letters.

{ Quin`que*lo"bate (?), Quin`que*lo"ba*red (?), } a. [Quinque- + lobate, -ated: cf. F. quinquélobé.] Cut less than halfway into portions, usually somewhat rounded; five-lobed; as, a quinquelobate leaf or corolla.

Quin`que*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Quinque- + locular: cf. F. quinquéloculaire.] Having five cells or loculi; five-celled; as, a quinquelocular pericarp.

Quin"que*nerved` (?), a. [Quinque- + nerve.] (Bot.) Having five nerves; -- said of a leaf with five nearly equal nerves or ribs rising from the end of the petiole.

||Quin`quen*na"li*a (?), n. pl. [L., fr. quinquennalis. See Ouinquennial.] (Rom. Antiq.) Public games celebrated every five years.

Quin*quen"ni*al (?), a. [L. quinquennalis and quinquennis; quinque five + annus year. See Five, and cf. Biennial.] Occurring once in five years, or at the end of every five years; also, lasting five years. A quinquennial event.

Quin*quep"ar*tite (?), a. [L. quinquepartitus; quinque five + partitus, p. p. of partire to divide: cf. F. quinquépartite.]

Quin"que*reme (?), n. [L. quinqueremis; quinque five + remus an oar: cf. F. quinquérème] A galley having five benches or banks of oars; as, an Athenian quinquereme.

Quin"que*syl`la*ble (?), n. [Quinque- + syllable.] A word of five syllables.

{ Quin"que*valve (?), Quin`que*val"vu*lar (?), } a. [Quinque- + valve, valvular: cf. F. quinquévalve.] (Bot.) Having five valves, as a pericarp.

||Quin"que*vir (?), n.; pl; E. Quinquevirs (#), L. Quinqueviri (#). [L., fr. quinque Five + vir man.] (Bot. Antiq.) One of five commissioners appointed for some special object.

Quin*quiv"a*lent (?), a. [Quinque- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) Same as Pentavalent.

Quin"sy (?), n. [Contr. fr. squinancy, F. esquinancie, L. cynanche a sort of sore throat, Gr. &?; sore throat, dog quinsy, fr. &?; dog + &?; to choke; cf. also L. synanche sore throat, Gr. &?;. Cf. Hound, Anger, and Cynanche.] (Med.) An inflammation of the throat, or parts adjacent, especially of the fauces or tonsils, attended by considerable swelling, painful and impeded deglutition, and accompanied by inflammatory fever. It sometimes creates danger of suffocation; -- called also squinancy, and squinzey.

Quint (?), n. [F. quinte, fr. L. quintus, quinta, the fifth, quinque five. See Five.] 1. A set or sequence of five, as in piquet.

Quin"tain (?), n. [F. quintaine, LL. quintana; cf. W. chwintan a kind of hymeneal game.] An object to be tilted at; -- called also quintel. [Written also quintin.]

A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while riding under, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. "But a quintain, a mere lifeless block." Shak.

Quin"tal (?), n. [F., fr. Sp. quintal, fr. Ar. qintar a weight of 100 lbs., prob. fr. L. centenarius consisting of a hundred, fr. centeni a hundred each, fr. centum a hundred. See Hundred, and cf. Kentle.] 1. A hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds, according to the scale used. Cf. Cental. [Sometimes written and pronounced kentle.]

2. A metric measure of weight, being 100,000 grams, or 100 kilograms, equal to 220.46 pounds avoirdupois.

Quin"tan (?), a. [L. quintanus, fr. quintus fifth, quinque five. See Five.] Occurring as the fifth, after four others also, occurring every fifth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quintan fever. -- n. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fifth day, reckoning inclusively, or in which the intermission lasts three days.

Quin*tes"sence (?), n. [F., fr. L. quinta essentia fifth essence. See Quint, and Essence.] 1. The fifth or last and highest essence or power in a natural body. See Ferment oils, under Ferment. [Obs.]

The ancient Greeks recognized four elements, fire, air, water, and earth. The Pythagoreans added a fifth and called it nether, the fifth essence, which they said flew upward at creation and out of it the stars were made. The alchemists sometimes considered alcohol, or the ferment oils, as the fifth essence.

2. Hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a small quantity; pure or concentrated essence.

Quin*tes"sence, v. t. To distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a quintessence. [R.] Stirling. "Truth quintessenced and raised to the highest power." J. A. Symonds.

Quin`tes*sen"tial (?), a. Of the nature of a quintessence; purest. "Quintessential extract of mediocrity." G. Eliot.

{ Quin*tet", Quin*tette" } (?), n. [It. quintetto, dim. of quinto the fifth, a fifth part, from L. quintus the fifth: cf. F. quintette. See Quint.] (Mus.) A composition for five voices or instruments; also, the set of five persons who sing or play five-part music.

Quin"tic (?), a. [L. quintus fifth, fr. quinque five.] (Alg.) Of the fifth degree or order. -- n. (Alg.) A quantic of the fifth degree. See Quantic.

Quin"tile (?), n. [F. quintil aspect, fr. L. quintus the fifth.] (Astron.) The aspect of planets when separated the fifth part of the zodiac, or 72°. Hutton.

Quin*till"lion (?), n. [Formed fr. L. quintus the fifth, after the analogy of million: cf. F. quintillion. See Quint.] According to the French notation, which is used on the Continent and in America, the cube of a million, or a unit with eighteen ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, a number produced by involving a million to the fifth power, or a unit with thirty ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.

Quin"tine (?), n. [L. quintus the fifth: cf. F. quintine.] (Bot.) The embryonic sac of an ovule, sometimes regarded as an innermost fifth integument. Cf. Quartine, and Tercine.

Quin"tole (?), n. [It. quinto fifth.] (Mus.) A group of five notes to be played or sung in the time of four of the same species.

Quin"tu*ple (?), a. [L. quintus fifth: cf. F. quintuple, L. quintuplex. Cf. Quadruple.] Multiplied by five; increased to five times the amount; fivefold.

Quintuple time (Mus.), a time having five beats in a measure. It is seldom used.

Quin"tu*ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quintupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quintupling.] [Cf. F. quintupler.] To make fivefold, or five times as much or many.

{ Quit"tu*ple-nerved` (?), Quin"tu*ple-ribbed` (?), } a. (Bot.) The same as Quinquenerved.

Quin"zaine (?), n. [F., from quinze fifteen, L. quindecim. See Fifteen.] The fifteenth day after a feast day, including both in the reckoning. [Written also quinzain.]

Quinze (?), n. [F.] A game at cards in which the object is to make fifteen points.

Quip (?), n. [Cf. W. chwip a quick flirt or turn, chwipio to whip, to move briskly, and E. whip. Cf. Quib, Quibble.] A smart, sarcastic turn or jest; a taunt; a severe retort; a gibe.

Quip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quipped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quipping (?).] To taunt; to treat with quips.

||Qui"pu (?), n.; pl. Quipus (#). [Peruv. quipu a knot.] A contrivance employed by the ancient Peruvians, Mexicans, etc., as a substitute for writing and figures, consisting of a main cord, from which hung at certain distances smaller cords of various colors, each having a special meaning, as silver, gold, corn, soldiers. etc. Single, double, and triple knots were tied in the smaller cords, representing definite numbers. It was chiefly used for arithmetical purposes, and to register important facts and events. [Written also quipo.] Tylor.

Quir"boil*ly` (kwr"boi*l`), n. [OE. cuir bouilli.] Leather softened by boiling so as to take any required shape. Upon drying, it becomes exceedingly hard, and hence was formerly used for armor. [Obs.] "His jambeux were of quyrboilly." Chaucer.

Quire (kwr), n. [OE. quaer, quair, OF. quayer, cayer, caïer, F. cahier, a book of loose sheets, a quarter of a quire, LL. quaternus, quaternum, sheets of paper packed together, properly, four together, fr. L. quaterni four each, by fours, quattuor four. See Four, and cf. Cahier.] A collection of twenty-four sheets of paper of the same size and quality, unfolded or having a single fold; one twentieth of a ream.

Quir"is*ter (kwr"s*tr), n. [See Quire, Chorister.] A chorister. See Chorister. [R.] Thomson.

Quir`i*ta"tion (kwr`*t"shn), n. [L. quiritatio, fr. quiritare to raise a plaintive cry, v. freq. fr. queri to complain.] A crying for help. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

||Qui*ri"tes (kw*r"tz), n. pl. [L., fr. Cures, a Sabine town.] (Rom. Antiq.) Roman citizens.

After the Sabines and Romans had united themselves into one community, under Romulus, the name of Quirites was taken in addition to that of Romani, the Romans calling themselves in a civil capacity Quirites, while in a political and military capacity they retained the name of Romani. Andrews.

Quirk (kwrk), n. [Written also querk.] [Cf. W. chwiori to turn briskly, or E. queer.] 1. A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence, an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as, the quirks of a pettifogger. "Some quirk or . . . evasion." Spenser.

2. A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice. [Obs.] "Quirks of joy and grief." Shak.

5. (Building) A piece of ground taken out of any regular ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.; -- sometimes written quink. Gwilt.

6. (Arch.) A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex rounded molding.

Quirt (kwrt), n. A rawhide whip plaited with two thongs of buffalo hide. T. Roosevelt.

Quit (kwt), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small passerine birds native of tropical America. See Banana quit, under Banana, and Guitguit.

Quit (kwt), a. [OE. quite, OF. quite, F. quitte. See Quit, v., Quiet.] Released from obligation, charge, penalty, etc.; free; clear; absolved; acquitted. Chaucer.

This word is sometimes used in the form quits, colloquially; as, to be quits with one, that is, to have made mutual satisfaction of demands with him; to be even with him; hence, as an exclamation: Quits! we are even, or on equal terms. "To cry quits with the commons in their complaints." Fuller.

Quit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quit or Quitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quitting.] [OE. quiten, OF. quiter, quitier, cuitier, F. quitter, to acquit, quit, LL. quietare, fr. L. quietare to calm, to quiet, fr. quietus quiet. See Quiet, a., and cf. Quit, a., Quite, Acquit, Requite.] 1. To set at rest; to free, as from anything harmful or oppressive; to relieve; to clear; to liberate. [R.]

2. To release from obligation, accusation, penalty, or the like; to absolve; to acquit.

3. To discharge, as an obligation or duty; to meet and satisfy, as a claim or debt; to make payment for or of; to requite; to repay.

4. To meet the claims upon, or expectations entertained of; to conduct; to acquit; -- used reflexively.

6. To have done with; to cease from; to stop; hence, to depart from; to leave; to forsake; as, to quit work; to quit the place; to quit jesting.

To quit cost, to pay; to reimburse. -- To quit scores, to make even; to clear mutually from demands.

Syn. -- To leave; relinquish; resign; abandon; forsake; surrender; discharge; requite. -- Quit, Leave. Leave is a general term, signifying merely an act of departure; quit implies a going without intention of return, a final and absolute abandonment.

Quitch" grass` (kwch" grs`). [Properly quick grass, being probably so called from its vigorous growth, or from its tenacity of life. See Quick, and cf. Couch grass.] (Bot.) A perennial grass (Agropyrum repens) having long running rootstalks, by which it spreads rapidly and pertinaciously, and so becomes a troublesome weed. Also called couch grass, quack grass, quick grass, twitch grass. See Illustration in Appendix.

Quit"claim` (kwt"klm`), n. [Quit, a. + claim.] (Law) A release or relinquishment of a claim; a deed of release; an instrument by which some right, title, interest, or claim, which one person has, or is supposed to have, in or to an estate held by himself or another, is released or relinquished, the grantor generally covenanting only against persons who claim under himself.

Quit"claim`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quitclaimed (-klmd`); p. pr. & vb. n. Quitclaiming.] (Law) To release or relinquish a claim to; to release a claim to by deed, without covenants of warranty against adverse and paramount titles.

Quite (kwt), adv. [F. quitte discharged, free, clear; cf. OF. quitement freely, frankly, entirely. See Quit, a.]

1. Completely; wholly; entirely; totally; perfectly; as, the work is not quite done; the object is quite accomplished; to be quite mistaken.

2. To a great extent or degree; very; very much; considerably. "Quite amusing." Macaulay.

Quit"rent` (kwt"rnt`), n. [Quit, a. + rent.] (Law) A rent reserved in grants of land, by the payment of which the tenant is quit from other service. Blackstone.

Quit"tance (-tans), n. [OE. quitaunce, OF. quitance, F. quittance. See Quit, v. t.] 1. Discharge from a debt or an obligation; acquittance.

Quit"tor (-tr), n. [Perhaps for quitture.] (Far.) A chronic abscess, or fistula of the coronet, in a horse's foot, resulting from inflammation of the tissues investing the coffin bone.

Quiv"er (kwv"r), a. [Akin to AS. cwiferlice anxiously; cf. OD. kuiven, kuiveren. Cf. Quaver.] Nimble; active. [Obs.] " A little quiver fellow." Shak.

Quiv"er, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quivered (-rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Quivering.] [Cf. Quaver.] To shake or move with slight and tremulous motion; to tremble; to quake; to shudder; to shiver.

Quiv"er, n. [OF. cuivre, cuevre, coivre, LL. cucurum, fr. OHG. chohhri quiver, receptacle, G. köcher quiver; akin to AS. cocor, cocur, cocer, D. koker. Cf. Cocker a high shoe.] A case or sheath for arrows to be carried on the person.

Quiv"ered (-rd), a. 1. Furnished with, or carrying, a quiver. "Like a quivered nymph with arrows keen." Milton.

2. Sheathed, as in a quiver. "Whose quills stand quivered at his ear." Pope.

||Qui` vive" (k` vv"). [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: "Who comes there?"

To be on the qui vive, to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel.

Quix*ot"ic (kwks*t"k), a. Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded. "Feats of quixotic gallantry." Prescott.

Quix"ot*ism (kwks"t*z'm), n. That form of delusion which leads to extravagant and absurd undertakings or sacrifices in obedience to a morbidly romantic ideal of duty or honor, as illustrated by the exploits of Don Quixote in knight-errantry.

Quiz (kwz), n. [It is said that Daly, the manager of a Dublin playhouse, laid a wager that a new word of no meaning should be the common talk and puzzle of the city in twenty-four hours. In consequence of this the letters q u i z were chalked by him on all the walls of Dublin, with an effect that won the wager. Perhaps, however, originally a variant of whiz, and formerly the name of a popular game.] 1. A riddle or obscure question; an enigma; a ridiculous hoax.

4. An exercise, or a course of exercises, conducted as a coaching or as an examination. [Cant, U.S.]

Quiz (kwz), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quizzed (kwzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Quizzing (-zng).] 1. To puzzle; to banter; to chaff or mock with pretended seriousness of discourse; to make sport of, as by obscure questions.

Quiz"zic*al (-z*kal), a. Relating to quizzing; given to quizzing; of the nature of a quiz; farcical; sportive.

Quob (kwb), v. i. [Cf. Quaver.] [Written also quop and quab.] To throb; to quiver. [Local & Vulgar]

Quod (kwd), n. [For quad, abbrev. of quadrangle.] A quadrangle or court, as of a prison; hence, a prison. [Slang] "Flogged or whipped in quod." T. Hughes.

Quod"dies (kwd"dz), n. pl. Herring taken and cured or smoked near Quoddy Head, Maine, or near the entrance of Passamaquoddy Bay.

Quod`lib*e*ta"ri*an (- lb**t"r*an), n. One who discusses any subject at pleasure.

Quod`li*bet"ic*al (- l*bt"*kal), a. Not restricted to a particular subject; discussed for curiosity or entertainment. -- Quod`li*bet"ic*al*ly, adv.

Quoin (kwoin or koin; 277), n. [See Coin, and cf. Coigne.] 1. (Arch.) Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of material by which the corner is marked.

In stone, the quoins consist of blocks larger than those used in the rest of the building, and cut to dimension. In brickwork, quoins consist of groups or masses of brick laid together, and in a certain imitation of quoins of stone.

2. A wedgelike piece of stone, wood, metal, or other material, used for various purposes; as: (a) (Masonry) To support and steady a stone. (b) (Gun.) To support the breech of a cannon. (c) (Print.) To wedge or lock up a form within a chase. (d) (Naut.) To prevent casks from rolling.

Hollow quoin. See under Hollow. - - Quoin post (Canals), the post of a lock gate which abuts against the wall.

Quoit (kwoit or koit), n. [OE. coite; cf. OF. coitier to spur, press, (assumed) LL. coctare, fr. L. coquere, coctum, to cook, burn, vex, harass, E. cook, also W. coeten a quoit.] 1. (a) A flattened ring-shaped piece of iron, to be pitched at a fixed object in play; hence, any heavy flat missile used for the same purpose, as a stone, piece of iron, etc. (b) pl. A game played with quoits. Shak.

Quoll (kwl), n. (Zoöl.) A marsupial of Australia (Dasyurus macrurus), about the size of a cat.

Quon"dam (kwn"dm), a. [L., formerly.] Having been formerly; former; sometime. "This is the quondam king." Shak.

Quon"dam, n. A person dismissed or ejected from a position. [R.] "Make them quondams; . . . cast them out of their office." Latimer.

Quo"rum (kw"rm), n. [L., of whom, gen. pl. of qui who, akin to E. who. See the Note below.] Such a number of the officers or members of any body as is competent by law or constitution to transact business; as, a quorum of the House of Representatives; a constitutional quorum was not present.

The term arose from the Latin words, Quorum aliquem vestrum . . . unum esse volumus (of whom we wish some one of you to be one), which were used in the commission formerly issued to justices of the peace in England, by which commission it was directed that no business of certain kinds should be done without the presence of one or more of certain justices specially designated. Justice of the peace and of the quorum designates a class of justices of the peace in some of the United States.

Quo"ta (kw"t), n. [LL., fr. L. quota (sc. pars), fr. quotus which or what in number, of what number, how many, fr. quot how many, akin to quis, qui, who: cf. It. quota a share. See Who.] A proportional part or share; the share or proportion assigned to each in a division. "Quota of troops and money." Motley.

Quot"a*ble (kwt"*b'l), a. Capable or worthy of being quoted; as, a quotable writer; a quotable sentence.

2. That which is quoted or cited; a part of a book or writing named, repeated, or adduced as evidence or illustration. Locke.

3. (Com.) The naming or publishing of the current price of stocks, bonds, or any commodity; also, the price named.

5. (Print.) A piece of hollow type metal, lower than type, and measuring two or more pica ems in length and breadth, used in the blank spaces at the beginning and end of chapters, etc.

Quotation marks (Print.), two inverted commas placed at the beginning, and two apostrophes at the end, of a passage quoted from an author in his own words.

Quo*ta"tion*ist (kw*t"shn*st), n. One who makes, or is given to making, quotations.

Quote (kwt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quoting.] [OF. quoter, F. coter to letter, number, to quote, LL. quotare to divide into chapters and verses, fr. L. quotus. See Quota.] [Formerly written also cote.] 1. To cite, as a passage from some author; to name, repeat, or adduce, as a passage from an author or speaker, by way of authority or illustration; as, to quote a passage from Homer.

2. To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.

5. To set down, as in writing. [Obs.] "He's quoted for a most perfidious slave." Shak.

Syn. -- To cite; name; adduce; repeat. -- Quote, Cite. To cite was originally to call into court as a witness, etc., and hence denotes bringing forward any thing or person as evidence. Quote usually signifies to reproduce another's words; it is also used to indicate an appeal to some one as an authority, without adducing his exact words.

Quoth (kwth or kwth), v. t. [AS. cweðan, imp. cwæð, pl. cwdon; akin to OS. queðan, OHG. quethan, quedan, Icel. kveða, Goth. qiþan. √22. Cf. Bequeath.] Said; spoke; uttered; -- used only in the first and third persons in the past tenses, and always followed by its nominative, the word or words said being the object: as, quoth I, quoth he. "Let me not live, quoth he." Shak.

Quoth"a (-), interj. [For quoth 'a said he, 'a being corrupted from he.] Indeed; forsooth.

Quo*tid"i*an (kw*td"*an), a. [OE. cotidian, L. quotidianus, fr. quotidie daily; quotus how many + dies day: cf. OF. cotidien, F. quotidien. See Quota, Deity.] Occurring or returning daily; as, a quotidian fever.

Quo*tid"i*an (kw*td"*an), n. Anything returning daily; especially (Med.), an intermittent fever or ague which returns every day. Milton.

Quo"tient (kw"shent), n. [F., fr. L. quoties how often, how many times, fr. quot how many. See Quota.]

1. (Arith.) The number resulting from the division of one number by another, and showing how often a less number is contained in a greater; thus, the quotient of twelve divided by four is three.

2. (Higher Alg.) The result of any process inverse to multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.

Quo*ti"e*ty (kw*t"*t), n. [L. quotus of what number, quot how many.] (Scholastic Philos.) The relation of an object to number. Krauth-Fleming.

Quo"tum (kw"tm), n. [NL., fr. L. quotus of what number. See Quota.] Part or proportion; quota. [R.] "A very small quotum." Max Müller.

||Quo` war*ran"to (kw` wr*rn"t). [So called from the Law L. words quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form of the writ. See Which, and Warrant.] (Law) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers. Blackstone.

An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now common as a substitute for the writ. Wharton.

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The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section P and Q

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Version published 1913

by the C. & G. Merriam Co.
Springfield, Mass.
Under the direction of
Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section P and Q

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Version published 1913

by the C. & G. Merriam Co. Springfield, Mass. Under the direction of Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

by the C. & G. Merriam Co.
Springfield, Mass.
Under the direction of
Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D.