Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) (part 2 of 4)

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) (part 2 of 4)

PATRIARCH, p[=a]'tri-ärk, n. one who governs his family by paternal right: (B.) one of the early heads of families from Adam downwards to Abraham, Jacob, and his sons: in Eastern churches, a dignitary superior to an archbishop.--adjs. PATRIARCH'AL, PATRIARCH'IC, belonging or subject to a patriarch: like a patriarch: of the nature of a patriarch.--ns. P[=A]'TRIARCHALISM, the condition of tribal government by a patriarch; P[=A]'TRIARCHATE, the office or jurisdiction of a patriarch or church dignitary: the residence of a patriarch; P[=A]'TRIARCHISM, government by a patriarch; P[=A]'TRIARCHY, a community of related families under the authority of a patriarch. [O. Fr.,--L.,--Gr. patriarch[=e]s--pat[=e]r, father, arch[=e], beginning.]

PATRICIAN, pa-trish'an, n. a nobleman in ancient Rome, being a descendant of one of the fathers or first Roman senators: a nobleman.--adj. pertaining to the ancient senators of Rome or to their descendants: of noble birth.--n. PATRIC'IATE, the position or duties of a patrician: the patrician order. [L. patricius--pater, patris, a father.]

PATRICIDE, pat'ri-s[=i]d, n. the murder or the murderer of one's own father.--adj. PAT'RIC[=I]DAL, relating to patricide or the murder of a father. [L. patricida--pater, patris, father, cæd[)e]re, to kill.]

PATRICO, pat'ri-k[=o], n. (slang) a gipsy or beggars' hedge-priest.--Also PAT'ERCOVE.

PATRIMONY, pat'ri-mun-i, n. a right or estate inherited from a father or from one's ancestors: a church estate or revenue.--adj. PATRIM[=O]'NIAL, pertaining to a patrimony: inherited from ancestors.--adv. PATRIM[=O]'NIALLY. [Fr. patrimoine--L. patrimonium, a paternal estate--pater, patris, a father.]

PATRIOT, p[=a]'tri-ot, or pat'-, n. one who truly loves and serves his fatherland.--adj. devoted to one's country.--adj. P[=A]TRIOT'IC, like a patriot: actuated by a love of one's country: directed to the public welfare.--adv. P[=A]TRIOT'ICALLY.--n. P[=A]'TRIOTISM, quality of being patriotic: love of one's country. [Fr.,--Low L.,--Gr. patri[=o]t[=e]s--patrios--pat[=e]r, a father.]

PATRIPASSIAN, p[=a]-tri-pas'i-an, n. a member of one of the earliest classes of anti-Trinitarian sectaries (2d century), who denied the distinction of three persons in one God, maintaining that the sufferings of the Son could be predicated of the Father. [L. pater, father, pati, passus, to suffer.]

PATRISTIC, -AL, pa-tris'tik, -al, adj. pertaining to the fathers of the Christian Church.--ns. P[=A]'TRIST, one versed in patristics; PATRIS'TICISM, mode of thought, &c., of the fathers.--n.pl. PATRIS'TICS, the knowledge of the fathers as a subject of study--sometimes PATROL'OGY. [Fr., coined from L. pater, patris, a father.]

PATROL, pa-tr[=o]l', v.i. to go the rounds in a camp or garrison: to watch and protect.--v.t. to pass round as a sentry:--pr.p. patr[=o]l'ling; pa.t. and pa.p. patr[=o]lled'.--n. the marching round of a guard in the night: the guard or men who make a patrol: (also PATR[=O]L'MAN) a policeman who walks about a certain beat for a specified time, such policemen collectively. [O. Fr. patrouille, a patrol, patrouiller, to march in the mud, through a form patouiller, from pate (mod. patte), the paw or foot of a beast, of Teut. origin, cf. Ger. patsche, little hand.]

PATRON, p[=a]'trun, n. a protector: one who countenances or encourages: one who has the right to appoint to any office, esp. to a living in the church: a guardian saint:--fem. P[=A]'TRONESS.--v.t. to treat as a patron.--n. P[=A]'TRONAGE, the support given by a patron: guardianship of saints: the right of bestowing offices, privileges, or church benefices.--v.t. (Shak.) to support.--adj. P[=A]'TRONAL.--n. P[=A]TRONIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. P[=A]'TRON[=I]SE, to act as a patron toward: to give countenance or encouragement to: to assume the air of a patron towards.--n. P[=A]'TRON[=I]SER.--adj. P[=A]'TRON[=I]SING.--adv. P[=A]'TRON[=I]SINGLY.--adj. P[=A]'TRONLESS. [Fr.,--L. patronus--pater, patris, a father.]

PATRONYMIC, -AL, pat-r[=o]-nim'ik, -al, adj. derived from the name of a father or an ancestor.--n. PATRONYM'IC, a name taken from one's father or ancestor. [Gr. pat[=e]r, a father, onoma, a name.]

PATROON, p[=a]-tr[=oo]n', n. one who received a grant of land under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.--n. PATROON'SHIP. [Dut.; cf. Patron.]

PATTE, pat, n. a narrow band keeping a belt or sash in its place. [Fr.]

PATTÉ, PATTÉE, pa-t[=a]', adj. (her.) spreading toward the extremity. [O. Fr. patte, a paw.]

PATTEN, pat'en, n. a wooden sole with an iron ring, worn under the shoe to keep it from the wet: the iron hoop attached to the boot in cases of hip-joint disease: the base of a pillar.--v.i. to go about on pattens.--adj. PATT'ENED, provided with pattens. [O. Fr. patin, clog--patte.]

PATTER, pat'[.e]r, v.i. to pat or strike often, as hailstones: to make the sound of short quick steps:--pr.p. patt'ering; pa.t. and pa.p. patt'ered. [A freq. of pat.]

PATTER, pat'[.e]r, v.i. to repeat the Lord's Prayer: to pray: to repeat over and over again indistinctly, to mumble.--v.t. to repeat hurriedly, to mutter.--n. glib talk, chatter: the cant of a class.--ns. PATT'ERER, one who sells articles on the street by speechifying; PATT'ER-SONG, a comic song in which a great many words are sung or spoken very rapidly.--PATTER FLASH, to talk the jargon of thieves. [Pater-noster.]

PATTERN, pat'[.e]rn, n. a person or thing to be copied: a model: an example: style of ornamental work: anything to serve as a guide in forming objects: the distribution of shot in a target at which a gun is fired.--ns. PATT'ERN-BOOK, a book containing designs of lace, &c., or in which patterns of cloth, &c., are pasted; PATT'ERN-BOX, in weaving, a box at each side of a loom containing the various shuttles that may be used; PATT'ERN-CARD, a piece of cardboard on which specimens of cloth are fixed; PATT'ERN-MAK'ER, one who makes the patterns for moulders in foundry-work; PATT'ERN-SHOP, the place in which patterns for a factory are prepared; PATT'ERN-WHEEL, the count-wheel in a clock movement. [Fr. patron, a protector, pattern.]

PATTLE, pat'l, n. a paddle.

PATTY, pat'i, n. a little pie:--pl. PATT'IES.--n. PATT'Y-PAN, a pan in which to bake these. [Fr. pâté.]

PATULOUS, pat'[=u]-lus, adj. spreading.

PAUCITY, paw'sit-i, n. fewness: smallness of number or quantity. [Fr.,--L. paucitas--paucus, few.]

PAUL. Same as PAWL.

PAULDRON, pawl'dron, n. a separable shoulder-plate in medieval armour. [O. Fr. espalleron--espalle, the shoulder.]

PAULICIAN, paw-lish'an, n. a member of a Dualistic Eastern sect, founded about 660, professing peculiar reverence for Paul and his writings.

PAULINE, paw'l[=i]n, adj. of or belonging to the Apostle Paul.--ns. PAUL'INISM, the teaching or theology of Paul; PAUL'INIST, a follower of Paul.

PAULO-POST-FUTURE, paw'l[=o]-p[=o]st-f[=u]'t[=u]r, adj. and n. the future perfect tense in grammar.

PAUNCH, pawnsh, or pänsh, n. the belly: the first and largest stomach of a ruminant.--v.t. to eviscerate.--adj. PAUNCH'Y, big-bellied. [O. Fr. panche (Fr. panse)--L. pantex, panticis.]

PAUPER, paw'p[.e]r, n. a very poor or destitute person: one supported by charity or by some public provision:--fem. PAU'PERESS.--n. PAUPERIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. PAU'PERISE, to reduce to pauperism.--n. PAU'PERISM, state of being a pauper. [L.]

PAUSE, pawz, n. a ceasing: a temporary stop: cessation caused by doubt: suspense: a mark for suspending the voice: (mus.) a mark showing continuance of a note or rest.--v.i. to make a pause.--adjs. PAUS'AL; PAUSE'LESS.--adv. PAUSE'LESSLY.--n. PAUS'ER, one who pauses or deliberates.--adv. PAUS'INGLY, with pauses: by breaks: deliberately. [Fr.,--L. pausa--Gr. pausis, from pauein, to cause to cease.]

PAVAN, pav'an, n. (Shak.) a slow dance, much practised in Spain: music for this dance.--Also PAV'EN, PAV'IN. [Fr.,--Sp. pavana, pavon--L. pavo, peacock; or It., for Padovana, pertaining to Padua.]

PAVE, p[=a]v, v.t. to lay down stone, &c., to form a level surface for walking on: to prepare, as a way or passage: to make easy and smooth in any way.--ns. P[=A]'VAGE, P[=A]'VIAGE, money paid towards paving streets.--adj. P[=A]VED--also P[=A]'VEN.--ns. PAVE'MENT, a paved road, floor, or side-walk, or that with which it is paved; P[=A]'VER, P[=A]'VIER, P[=A]'VIOR, P[=A]'VIOUR, one who lays pavements; P[=A]'VING, the act of laying pavement: pavement.--adj. employed or spent for paving.--PAVE THE WAY, to prepare the way for. [Fr. paver--L. pav[=i]re, to beat hard; cog. with Gr. paiein, to beat.]

PAVID, pav'id, adj. timid. [L. pavidus.]

PAVILION, pa-vil'yun, n. a tent: an ornamental building often turreted or domed: (mil.) a tent raised on posts: a canopy or covering: the outer ear: a flag or ensign carried at the gaff of the mizzenmast.--v.t. to furnish with pavilions: to shelter, as with a tent.--n. PAVIL'ION-ROOF, a roof sloping equally on all sides. [Fr. pavillon--L. papilio, a butterfly, a tent.]

PAVISE, pav'is, n. a shield for the whole body. [Fr.,--Low L. pavensis, prob. from Pavia in Italy.]

PAVON, pav'on, n. a small triangular flag attached to a lance. [L. pavo, a peacock.]

PAVONINE, pav'o-n[=i]n, adj. pertaining to the peacock: resembling the tail of a peacock or made of its feathers: iridescent--also PAV[=O]'NIAN.--n. PAV[=O]NE' (Spens.), the peacock. [L. pavoninus--pavo, pavonis, a peacock.]

PAW, paw, n. the foot of a beast of prey having claws: the hand, used in contempt.--v.i. to draw the forefoot along the ground like a horse.--v.t. to scrape with the forefoot: to handle with the paws: to handle roughly: to flatter.--adj. PAWED, having paws: broad-footed. [O. Fr. poe, powe, prob. Teut.; cf. Dut. poot, Ger. pfote. Perh. related to O. Fr. pate (cf. Patrol). But perh. Celt., as W. pawen, a paw.]

PAWKY, pawk'i, adj. (Scot.) sly, arch, shrewd.

PAWL, pawl, n. a short bar lying against a toothed wheel to prevent a windlass, &c., from running back: a catch or click.--v.t. to stop by means of a pawl. [W. pawl, a stake, conn. with L. palus, a stake.]

PAWN, pawn, n. something given as security for the repayment of money or the performance of a promise: state of being pledged.--v.t. to give in pledge.--ns. PAWN'BROKER, a broker who lends money on pawns or pledges; PAWN'BROKING, the business of a pawnbroker; PAWNEE', one who takes anything in pawn; PAWN'ER, one who gives a pawn or pledge as security for money borrowed; PAWN'SHOP, a shop of a pawnbroker; PAWN'TICKET, a ticket marked with the name of the article, the amount advanced, &c., delivered to the person who has pawned anything.--AT PAWN, pledged, laid away. [O. Fr. pan, prob. from L. pannus, a cloth.]

PAWN, pawn, n. a common piece in chess. [O. Fr. paon, a foot-soldier--Low L. pedo, pedonis, a foot-soldier--L. pes, pedis, the foot.]

PAWN, pawn, n. a gallery.

PAWNEE, paw'n[=e], n. one of a tribe of Indians in North America.--adj. belonging to this tribe.

PAX, paks, n. the kiss of peace (Rom. xvi. 16): a plaque or tablet used in giving the kiss of peace when the mass is celebrated by a high dignitary--a crucifix, a tablet with the image of Christ on the cross upon it, or a reliquary.--PAX VOBIS, PAX VOBISCUM, peace (be) with you. [L.]

PAXWAX, paks'waks, n. the strong tendon in the neck of animals. [Orig. fax-wax--A.S. feax, fex, hair, weaxan, to grow.]

PAY, p[=a], v.t. to satisfy or set at rest: to discharge, as a debt or a duty: to requite with what is deserved: to reward: to punish: to give, render.--v.i. to recompense: to be worth one's trouble: to be profitable:--pa.t. and pa.p. paid.--n. that which satisfies: money given for service: salary, wages.--adj. PAY'ABLE, that may be paid: that ought to be paid: due.--ns. PAY'-BILL, a statement of moneys to be paid, to workmen, soldiers, &c.; PAY'-CLERK, a clerk who pays wages; PAY'-DAY, a regular day for payment, as of wages; PAY'-DIRT, -GRAV'EL, gravel or sand containing enough gold to be worth working; PAYEE', one to whom money is paid; PAY'ER; PAY'-LIST, -ROLL, a list of persons entitled to pay, with the amounts due to each; PAY'MASTER, the master who pays: an officer in the army or navy whose duty it is to pay soldiers, &c.; PAY'MENT, the act of paying: the discharge of a debt by money or its equivalent in value: that which is paid: recompense: reward: punishment; PAY'-OFF'ICE, the place where payments are made; FULL'-PAY, the whole amount of wages, &c., without deductions; HALF'-PAY (see HALF).--PAY DOWN, to pay in cash on the spot; PAY FOR, to make amends for: to bear the expense of; PAY OFF, to discharge: to take revenge upon: to requite: (naut.) to fall away to leeward; PAY OUT, to cause to run out, as rope; PAY ROUND, to turn the ship's head; PAY THE PIPER, to have all expenses to pay.--IN THE PAY OF, hired by. [Fr. payer--L. pac[=a]re, to appease; cf. pax, peace.]

PAY, p[=a], v.t. (naut., and in the proverb 'the devil to pay') to smear with tar, pitch, &c. [Perh. through O. Fr. peier (Sp. empegar) from L. pic[=a]re, to pitch.]

PAYNE, p[=a]n, v.i. (Spens.) to take pains, exert one's self.

PAYNIM, PAINIM, p[=a]'nim, n. a pagan: a heathen. [O. Fr. paienisme, paganism--L. paganismus--paganus, a pagan.]

PAYNISE, p[=a]'n[=i]z, v.t. to harden and preserve, as wood, by successive injections of solutions of calcium or barium sulphide followed by calcium sulphate. [Payne, inventor of the process.]

PAYSAGE, p[=a]'s[=a]j, n. a landscape.--n. PAY'S[=A]GIST, a landscape-painter. [Fr.]

PAYSE, p[=a]z, v.i. (Spens.) to poise, to balance.

PEA, p[=e], n. a climbing annual herb of the bean family, whose seeds are nutritious:--pl. PEAS, a definite number; PEASE, a quantity not numbered.--ns. PEA'-R[=I]'FLE, a rifle throwing a very small bullet; PEAS'COD, PEASE'COD, the pod or pericarp of the pea; PEA'-SHOOT'ER, a small metal tube for blowing peas through; PEA'-STONE, pisolite.--EGYPTIAN PEA, the chick-pea; FRENCH PEA, the common garden pea: (pl.) canned peas made up in France; SPLIT PEAS, peas stripped of their membraneous covering in a mill, used for making pea-soup, or ground into meal; SWEET PEA, a climbing annual with large and fragrant flowers. [M. E. pese, pl. pesen and peses--A.S. pisa, pl. pisan--L. pisum, Gr. pison.]

PEA, p[=e], n. a pea-fowl. See PEACOCK.

PEACE, p[=e]s, n. a state of quiet: freedom from disturbance: freedom from war: friendliness: calm: rest: harmony: silence.--interj. silence: be silent: hist!--adj. PEACE'ABLE, disposed to peace: free from war or disturbance: quiet: tranquil.--n. PEACE'ABLENESS.--adv. PEACE'ABLY.--n. PEACE'-BREAK'ER, one who breaks or disturbs the peace of others.--adj. PEACE'FUL, full of peace: quiet: tranquil: calm: serene.--adv. PEACE'FULLY.--n. PEACE'FULNESS.--adj. PEACE'LESS, without peace.--ns. PEACE'LESSNESS; PEACE'MAKER, one who makes or produces peace; one who reconciles enemies; PEACE'-OFF'ERING, an offering bringing about peace: among the Jews, an offering to God, either in gratitude for past or petition for future mercies (see Lev. iii.; vii. 11-21): satisfaction to an offended person; PEACE'-OFF'ICER, an officer whose duty it is to preserve the peace: a police-officer.--adj. PEACE'-PART'ED (Shak.), dismissed from the world in peace.--n. PEACE'-PAR'TY, a political party advocating the making or the preservation of peace; PEACE'-PIPE (see CALUMET).--PEACE ESTABLISHMENT, the reduced military strength maintained in time of peace; PEACE OF GOD, the ancient cessation from suits between terms, and on Sundays and holy days.--BREACH OF THE PEACE (see BREACH); HOLD ONE'S PEACE, to be silent; KEEP PEACE, abstain from breaking the peace of others; KISS OF PEACE (see KISS); LETTERS OF PEACE (see PACIFY); MAKE ONE'S PEACE WITH, to reconcile or to be reconciled with; QUEEN'S, or KING'S, PEACE, the public peace, for the maintenance of which the sovereign as head of the executive is responsible; SWEAR THE PEACE, to take oath before a magistrate that a certain person ought to be put under bond to keep the peace. [O. Fr. pais (Fr. paix)--L. pax, pacis, peace.]

PEACH, p[=e]ch, v.i. to betray one's accomplice: to become informer.--n. PEACH'ER. [A corr. of impeach.]

PEACH, p[=e]ch, n. a tree with a delicious, juicy fruit: the fruit of this tree.--ns. PEACH'-BLOSS'OM, a canary-yellow colour: pink with a yellowish tinge: a collector's name for a moth, the Thyatira batis; PEACH'-BRAND'Y, a spirit distilled from the fermented juice of the peach.--adj. PEACH'-COL'OURED, of the colour of a peach-blossom: pale red.--ns. PEACH'ERY, a hothouse in which peaches are grown; PEACH'-STONE, the hard nut enclosing the seed within the fruit of the peach; PEACH'-WA'TER, a flavouring extract used in cookery, prepared from the peach.--adj. PEACH'Y.--n. PEACH'-YELL'OWS, a disease that attacks peach-trees in the eastern United States. [O. Fr. pesche (Fr. pêche, It. persica, pesca)--L. Persicum (malum), the Persian (apple).]

PEACOCK, p[=e]'kok, n. a large gallinaceous bird of the pheasant kind, remarkable for the beauty of its plumage, esp. that of its tail:--fem. PEA'HEN.--v.t. to cause to strut like a peacock.--v.i. to strut about proudly.--ns. PEA'CHICK, the young of the pea-fowl; PEA'COCK-FISH, a variegated labroid fish; PEA'-FOWL, the peacock or peahen. [A.S. pawe--L. pavo--Gr. ta[=o]s--Pers. t[=a]wus; and cock (q.v.).]

PEACOD. Same as PEASCOD.

PEA-CRAB, p[=e]'-krab, n. a genus of small crustaceans, which live within the mantle-lobes of mussels, oysters, &c.

PEAG, p[=e]g, n. polished shell-beads used as money among the North American Indians.--Also PEAK (p[=e]k).

PEA-GREEN, p[=e]'-gr[=e]n, adj. a shade of green like the colour of green peas.

PEA-JACKET, p[=e]'-jak'et, n. a coarse thick jacket worn esp. by seamen.--Also PEA'-COAT. [Dut. pij (pron. p[=i]), a coat of coarse thick cloth; jacket.]

PEAK, p[=e]k, n. a point: the pointed end of anything: the top of a mountain: (naut.) the upper outer corner of a sail extended by a gaff or yard, also the extremity of the gaff.--v.i. to rise upward in a peak: to look thin or sickly.--v.t. (naut.) to raise the point (of a gaff) more nearly perpendicular.--adjs. PEAKED, pointed: ending in a point: having a thin or sickly look; PEAK'ING, sickly, pining, sneaking; PEAK'ISH, having peaks: thin or sickly looking; PEAK'Y (Tenn.), having or showing peaks. [M. E. pec--Ir. peac, a sharp thing. Cf. Beak, Pike.]

PEAL, p[=e]l, n. a loud sound: a number of loud sounds one after another: a set of bells tuned to each other: a chime or carillon: the changes rung upon a set of bells.--v.i. to resound like a bell: to utter or give forth loud or solemn sounds.--v.t. to cause to sound loudly: to assail with noise: to celebrate. [For appeal; O. Fr. apel--apeler--L. appell[=a]re, inten. of appell[)e]re, ap- (ad), to, pell[)e]re, to drive.]

PEA-MAGGOT, p[=e]'-mag'ut, n. the caterpillar of a small moth which lays its eggs in pods of peas.

PEAN, p[=e]n, n. one of the heraldic furs, differing from ermine only in the tinctures, the ground being sable and the spots of gold. [O. Fr. panne, a fur. Cf. Pane.]

PEAN. See PÆAN.

PEA-NUT, or Ground-nut. See GROUND.

PEAR, p[=a]r, n. a common fruit of a somewhat conical shape, and very juicy to the taste: the tree on which it grows, allied to the apple.--adj. PEAR'IFORM, PEAR'-SHAPED, shaped like a pear--that is, thick and rounded at one end, and tapering to the other.--n. PEAR'-TREE. [A.S. pera or peru--L. pirum, a pear (whence also Fr. poire).]

PEAR, p[=e]'ar, n. (Spens.). Same as PEER.

PEARL, p[.e]rl, n. a well-known shining gem, found in several kinds of shellfish, but most esp. in the mother-of-pearl oyster: anything round and clear: anything very precious: a jewel: a while speck or film on the eye: (print.) a size of type immediately above diamond, equal to 5 points (about 15 lines to the inch).--adj. made of, or belonging to, pearls.--v.t. to set or adorn with pearls: to make into small round grains.--v.i. to take a rounded form: to become like pearls.--adj. PEARL[=A]'CEOUS, resembling pearls or mother-of-pearl: spotted with white.--ns. PEARL'-ASH, a purer carbonate of potash, obtained by calcining potashes, so called from its pearly-white colour; PEARL'-BAR'LEY, barley after the skin has been ground off (prob. for 'pilled barley,' Fr. orge perlé); PEARL'-BUTT'ON, a button made of mother-of-pearl; PEARL'-DIV'ER, one who dives for pearls.--adj. PEARLED, set with pearls: like pearls: having a border trimmed with narrow lace.--ns. PEARL'-EDGE, a thread edging, a border on some ribbons formed by projecting loops of the threads; PEARL'-EYE, cataract.--adj. PEARL'-EYED, having a white speck on the eye.--ns. PEARL'-FISH'ER, one who fishes for pearls; PEARL'-FISH'ERY, the occupation of fishing for pearls, or the place where it is carried on; PEARL'-FISH'ING; PEARL'-GRAY, a pale gray colour.--adj. of a pale gray colour, like the pearl.--ns. PEARL'INESS, state of being pearly; PEARL'-NAU'TILUS, the pearly nautilus; PEARL'-OYS'TER, the oyster which produces pearls; PEARL'-POW'DER, a cosmetic for improving the appearance of the skin; PEARL'-WHITE, a material made from fish-scales, used in making artificial pearls: a kind of cosmetic.--adj. PEARL'Y, like a pearl, nacreous: yielding pearls: dotted with pearls: clear, transparent: having a pure sweet tone. [Fr. perle, acc. to Diez, prob. either a corr. of L. pirula, a dim. of pirum, a pear, or of L. pilula, dim. of pila, a ball.]

PEARLING, p[.e]rl'ing, n. lace made of silk or other kind of thread.--Also PEARL'IN. [Ir. peirlin, fine linen.]

PEARLING, p[.e]rl'ing, n. the process of removing the outer coat of grain.

PEARMAIN, p[=a]r'm[=a]n, n. a name of several varieties of apple.

PEART, p[=e]rt, adj. lively: saucy: in good health and spirits.--adv. PEART'LY. [Pert.]

PEASANT, pez'ant, n. a countryman: a rustic: one whose occupation is rural labour.--adj. of or relating to peasants, rustic, rural: rude.--n. PEAS'ANTRY, the body of peasants or tillers of the soil: rustics: labourers.--PEASANT PROPRIETOR, a peasant who owns and works his own farm; PEASANTS' WAR, a popular insurrection in Germany, in 1525, stamped out with horrible cruelty. [O. Fr. paisant (Fr. paysan)--pays--L. pagus, a district.]

PEASE, p[=e]z, n. (Spens.) a blow.

PEASE, p[=e]z, indef. pl. of PEA.--ns. PEASE'COD, PEAS'COD, the pericarp of the pea: a peacod; PEASE'-MEAL, PEASE'-PORR'IDGE, PEASE'-SOUP or PEA'-SOUP, meal, porridge, soup, made from pease.

PEASEWEEP, p[=e]z'w[=e]p, n. (prov.) the pewit. [Imit.]

PEAT, p[=e]t, n. decayed vegetable matter like turf, cut out of boggy places, and when dried used for fuel.--ns. PEAT'-BOG, a district covered with peat: a place from which peat is dug--also PEAT'-BED, PEAT'-MOOR, PEAT'-MOSS; PEAT'-HAG, a ditch whence peat has been dug; PEAT'-REEK, the smoke of peat, supposed to add a delicate flavour to whisky; PEAT'-SPADE, a spade having a side wing at right angles for cutting peat in rectangular blocks.--adj. PEAT'Y, like peat: abounding in, or composed of, peat. [True form beat--M. E. beten, to mend a fire--A.S. bétan, to make better--bót, advantage.]

PEBA, p[=e]'ba, n. a South American armadillo.

PEBBLE, peb'l, n. a small roundish ball or stone: transparent and colourless rock-crystal used for glass in spectacles, a fine kind of glass: a large size of gunpowder.--v.t. to give (to leather) a rough appearance with small rounded prominences.--adjs. PEBB'LED, PEBB'LY, full of pebbles.--ns. PEBB'LE-POW'DER, gunpowder consisting of large cubical grains, and burning slowly--also Cube-powder and Prismatic-powder; PEBB'LE-WARE, a kind of fine pottery made of various coloured clays mixed together; PEBB'LING, a way of graining leather with a ribbed or roughened appearance. [A.S. papol-(-stán), a pebble(-stone); akin to L. papula, a pustule.]

PEBRINE, peb'rin, n. a destructive disease of silkworms.--adj. PEB'RINOUS. [Fr.]

PECAN, p[=e]-kan', n. a North American tree whose wood is chiefly used for fuel, also the nut it yields.

PECCABLE, pek'a-bl, adj. liable to sin.--ns. PECCABIL'ITY; PECC'ANCY, sinfulness: transgression.--adj. PECC'ANT, sinning: transgressing: guilty: morbid: offensive: bad.--adv. PECC'ANTLY. [L. peccabilis--pecc[=a]re, -[=a]tum, to sin.]

PECCADILLO, pek-a-dil'lo, n. a little or trifling sin: a petty fault:--pl. PECCADIL'LOS, PECCADIL'LOES. [Sp. pecadillo, dim. of pecado--L. peccatum, a sin.]

PECCARY, pek'ar-i, n. a hog-like quadruped of South America.

PECCAVI, pe-k[=a]'v[=i], I have sinned. [L. 1st pers. sing. perf. indic. act. of pecc[=a]re, I sin.]

PECH, PEGH, peh, v.i. (Scot.) to pant, to breathe hard. [Imit.]

PECHT, peht, n. a corruption of Pict.

PECK, pek, n. a measure of capacity for dry goods=2 gallons, or one-fourth of a bushel: a great amount. [M. E. pekke, prob. from peck, 'to pick up.']

PECK, pek, v.t. to strike with the beak: to pick up with the beak: to eat: to strike with anything pointed: to strike with repeated blows.--ns. PECK'ER, that which pecks: a woodpecker: (slang) spirit, as in 'to keep one's pecker up'=to keep up one's spirits; PECK'ING, the sport of throwing pebbles at birds.--adj. PECK'ISH, somewhat hungry. [Pick.]

PECKSNIFF, pek'snif, n. one who talks large about virtue and benevolence, while at heart a selfish and unprincipled hypocrite.--adj. PECK'SNIFFIAN.--n. PECK'SNIFFIANISM. [From Mr Pecksniff in Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit.]

PECTEN, pek'ten, n. a genus of molluscs, one species of which is the scallop--so called from the valves having ribs radiating from the umbo to the margin like a comb: a membrane on the eyes of birds.--adjs. PECTIN[=A]'CEOUS, like the scallops; PEC'TINAL, of a comb: comb-like: having bones like the teeth of a comb; PEC'TIN[=A]TE, -D, having teeth like a comb: resembling the teeth of a comb.--adv. PEC'TIN[=A]TELY.--n. PECTIN[=A]'TION, the state of being pectinated--adjs. PECTIN[=E]'AL, having a comb-like crest; PEC'TINIBRANCHIATE, having comb-like gills; PEC'TINIFORM, comb-like. [L. pecten, a comb.]

PECTIC, pek'tik, adj. congealing, curdling.--ns. PEC'TIN, PEC'TINE, a soluble gelatinising substance obtained from pectose; PEC'T[=O]SE, a substance yielding pectin, contained in the fleshy pulp of unripe fruit. [Gr. p[=e]ktikos, congealing--p[=e]gnynai, to make solid.]

PECTORAL, pek't[=o]-ral, adj. relating to the breast or chest.--n. armour for the breast: an ornament worn on the breast, esp. the breastplate worn by the ancient Jewish high-priest, and the square of gold, embroidery, &c. formerly worn on the breast over the chasuble by bishops during mass: a pectoral cross: a pectoral fin: a medicine for the chest.--adv. PEC'TORALLY.--n. PECTORIL'OQUY, the sound of the patient's voice heard through the stethoscope when applied to the chest in certain morbid conditions of the lungs.--PECTORAL FINS, the anterior paired fins of fishes; PECTORAL THEOLOGY, a name sometimes applied to the theology of those Christians who make much of experience and emotion, as themselves guides to a knowledge of divine truth--in Neander's phrase, 'Pectus est quod facit theologum.' [Fr.,--L. pectoralis--pectus, pectoris, the breast.]

PECULATE, pek'[=u]-l[=a]t, v.t. to take for one's own use money or property entrusted to one's care: to embezzle: to steal.--ns. PECUL[=A]'TION; PEC'UL[=A]TOR. [L. pecul[=a]ri, -[=a]tus--pec[=u]lium, private property, akin to pecunia, money.]

PECULIAR, p[=e]-k[=u]l'yar, adj. one's own: belonging to no other: appropriate: particular: odd, uncommon, strange.--n. (obs.) private property: a parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary or bishop in whose diocese it is placed.--v.t. PECUL'IARISE, to set apart.--n. PECULIAR'ITY, quality of being peculiar or singular: that which is found in one and in no other: that which marks a person off from others: individuality.--adv. PECUL'IARLY.--n. PEC[=U]'LIUM, private property, esp. that given by a father to a son, &c.--PECULIAR PEOPLE, the people of Israel: a sect of faith-healers, founded in London in 1838, who reject medical aid in cases of disease, and rely on anointing with oil by the elders, and on prayer, with patient nursing. [Fr.,--L. peculiaris--peculium, private property.]

PECUNIARY, p[=e]-k[=u]'ni-ar-i, adj. relating to money: consisting of money.--adv. PEC[=U]'NIARILY.--adj. PEC[=U]'NIOUS, rich. [Fr.,--L. pecuniarius--pecunia, money--pecu-, which appears in L. pecudes (pl.), cattle.]

PED, ped, n. (Spens.) a basket, a hamper. [Pad.]

PEDAGOGUE, ped'a-gog, n. a teacher: a pedant.--v.t. to teach.--adjs. PEDAGOG'IC, -AL, relating to teaching: belonging to, or possessed by, a teacher of children.--ns. PEDAGOG'ICS, PED'AGOGISM, PED'AGOGY, the science of teaching: instruction: discipline. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. paidag[=o]gos--pais, paidos, a boy, ag[=o]gos, a leader--agein, to lead.]

PEDAL, ped'al, adj. pertaining to a foot.--n. any part of a machine transmitting power from the foot: in musical instruments, a lever moved by the foot.--v.i. to work a pedal.--n. P[=E]D[=A]'LE, a foot-cloth in front of an altar: a collection of canons of general councils in the Greek Church.--adjs. P[=E]D[=A]'LIAN, relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; PED'[=A]TE, divided like a foot: (bot.) having the side lobes of a divided leaf also divided into smaller parts, the midribs of which do not run to a common centre as in the palmate leaf.--adv. PED'[=A]TELY.--adj. PEDAT'IFID, divided in a pedate manner, but having the divisions connected at the base.--COMBINATION PEDAL, a metal pedal in organs controlling several stops at once. [L. pedalis--pes, pedis, the foot.]

PEDANT, ped'ant, n. one who makes a vain display of learning: a pretender to knowledge which he does not possess: (Shak.) a pedagogue.--adjs. PEDANT'IC, -AL, displaying knowledge for the sake of showing.--adv. PEDANT'ICALLY, in a pedantic manner.--ns. PEDANT'ICISM, PED'ANTISM.--v.i. PED'ANTISE, to play the pedant.--ns. PEDANTOC'RACY, government by pedants; PED'ANTRY, acts, manners, or character of a pedant: vain display of learning: (Swift) the overrating of any kind of knowledge we pretend to. [Fr.,--It. pedante--L. _pædagogan_s, -antis, teaching--pædagogus, a pedagogue.]

PEDDLE, ped'l, v.i. to travel about with a basket or bundle of goods, esp. of smallwares, for sale: to trifle.--v.t. to retail in small quantities.--ns. PEDD'LER, PED'LAR, PED'LER, a hawker or travelling merchant; PEDD'LERY, PED'LARY, the trade or tricks of a peddler: wares sold by a peddler.--adj. PEDD'LING, unimportant.--n. the trade or tricks of a peddler. [Peddar, pedder, one who carries wares in a ped or basket.]

PEDERASTY, ped'e-rast-i, n. unnatural commerce of males with males, esp. boys.--n. PED'ERAST, one addicted to this vice.--adj. PEDERAST'IC. [Gr., pais, paidos, a boy, erast[=e]s--eraein, to love.]

PEDERERO, ped-e-r[=e]'r[=o], n. an old gun for discharging stones, pieces of iron, &c., also for firing salutes.

PEDESIS, ped-[=e]'sis, n. the rapid oscillation of small particles in a liquid.

PEDESTAL, ped'es-tal, n. anything that serves as a foot or a support: the foot or base of a pillar, &c.: the fixed casting which holds the brasses, in which a shaft turns, called also Axle-guard or Pillow-block.--v.t. to place on a pedestal. [Sp.,--It. piedestallo--L. pes, pedis, the foot, It. stallo, a place.]

PEDESTRIAN, p[=e]-des'tri-an, adj. going on foot: performed on foot: pertaining to common people: vulgar.--n. one journeying on foot: an expert walker, one who practises feats of walking or running.--adj. P[=E]DES'TRIAL, of or pertaining to the foot: pedestrian.--adv. P[=E]DES'TRIALLY.--v.t. P[=E]DES'TRIANISE, to traverse on foot.--n. P[=E]DES'TRIANISM, a going on foot: walking: the practice of a pedestrian. [L. pedestris--pes, pedis.]

PEDETENTOUS, ped-[=e]-ten'tus, adj. proceeding slowly.

PEDIATRICS, ped-i-at'riks, n.pl. that branch of medical science which relates to children and their special diseases.--Also PED'IATRY. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, iatrikos, relating to a physician.]

PEDICEL, ped'i-sel, n. the little footstalk by which a single leaf or flower is fixed on the twig or on the cluster of which it forms a part--also PED'ICLE.--n. PEDICELL[=A]'RIA, a minute structure on the skin of sea-urchins and star-fish, like a stalk with a three or two bladed snapping forceps at the summit.--adjs. PED'ICELLATE, PEDIC'[=U]LATE, provided with a pedicel.--n. PED'ICLE, a fetter for the foot. [Fr. pédicelle--L. pediculus, dim. of pes, pedis, the foot.]

PEDICULUS, p[=e]-dik'[=u]-lus, n. a genus of lice, or an individual of it.--adjs. P[=E]DIC'ULAR, P[=E]DIC'ULOUS, lousy.--ns. P[=E]DICUL[=A]'TION, P[=E]DICUL[=O]'SIS, lousiness.

PEDICURE, ped'i-k[=u]r, n. the treatment of corns, bunions, or the like: one who treats the feet.

PEDIFEROUS, p[=e]-dif'e-rus, adj. footed--also P[=E]DIG'EROUS.--adj. PED'IFORM, foot-shaped.

PEDIGREE, ped'i-gr[=e], n. a line of ancestors: a list, in order, of the ancestors from whom one has descended: lineage: genealogy.--adj. PED'IGREED, having a pedigree. [Skeat suggests Fr. pied de grue, crane's-foot, from its use in the drawing out of pedigrees.]

PEDIMANOUS, p[=e]-dim'a-nus, adj. having all four feet like hands--of the opossums and lemurs.--n. PED'IMANE.

PEDIMENT, ped'i-ment, n. (archit.) a triangular or circular ornament which crowns the fronts of buildings, and serves as a finish to the tops of doors, windows, porticoes, &c.--adjs. PEDIMENT'AL; PED'IMENTED, furnished with a pediment: like a pediment. [L. pedamentum--pes, pedis, the foot.]

PEDIPALP, ped'i-palp, n. a maxillipalp or maxillary palpus.--adj. pertaining to the same.--n.pl. PEDIPAL'PI, an order of Arachnida.--adj. PEDIPAL'POUS.

PEDLAR. See PEDDLE.

PEDOBAPTISM, p[=e]-d[=o]-bap'tizm, n. infant baptism.--n. PEDOBAP'TIST, one who believes in infant baptism. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, baptism.]

PEDOMETER, p[=e]-dom'et-[.e]r, n. an instrument, somewhat like a watch, by which the number of the steps of a pedestrian are registered, from which the distance he has walked is measured.--adj. PEDOMET'RIC. [L. pes, pedis, a foot, Gr. metron, a measure.]

PEDOMOTOR, ped-[=o]-m[=o]'tor, n. a means for applying the foot as a driving power.--adj. PEDOM[=O]'TIVE.

PEDOTROPHY, p[=e]-dot'r[=o]-fi, n. the rearing of children.--adj. PEDOTROPH'IC.--n. PEDOT'ROPHIST. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, trephein, to nourish.]

PEDUM, p[=e]'dum, n. a shepherd's crook. [L.]

PEDUNCLE, p[=e]-dung'kl, n. the stalk by which a cluster of flowers or leaves is joined to a twig or branch--sometimes same as pedicel--also PEDUN'CULUS.--adjs. PEDUN'CULAR, PEDUN'CULATE, -D. [Fr. pedoncule--Low L. pedunculus--L. pes, pedis, the foot.]

PEECE, p[=e]s, n. (Shak.) a fabric, a fortified place.

PEECED, p[=e]sd, adj. (Spens.) imperfect.

PEEK, p[=e]k, v.i. to peep.--n. PEEK'ABOO, a children's game, from the cry made when hiding one's eyes.

PEEL, p[=e]l, v.t. to strip off the skin or bark: to bare.--v.i. to come off as the skin: to lose the skin: (slang) to undress.--n. the skin, rind, or bark: (print.) a wooden pole with short cross-piece for carrying printed sheets to the poles on which they are to be dried: the wash or blade of an oar--not the loom: a mark ([Peel mark]) for cattle, for persons who cannot write, &c.--adj. PEELED, stripped of skin, rind, or bark: plundered.--ns. PEEL'ER, one who peels, a plunderer; PEEL'ING, the act of stripping: that which is stripped off: (print.) the removing of the layers of a paper overlay, to get a lighter impression. [O. Fr. peler, to unskin--L. pil[=a]re, to deprive of hair--pilus, a hair; or pellis, a skin.]

PEEL, p[=e]l, n. a small Border fortress.--Also PEEL'-TOW'ER. [Pile.]

PEEL, p[=e]l, n. a baker's wooden shovel: a fire-shovel. [O. Fr. pele--L. p[=a]la, a spade.]

PEEL, p[=e]l, v.t. to plunder: to pillage. [Pill (v.).]

PEELER, p[=e]l'[.e]r, n. a policeman, from Sir R. Peel, who established the Irish police (1812-18) and improved those in Britain (1828-30).--n. PEEL'ITE, a follower of Peel in the reform of the Corn-laws in 1846.

PEEN, p[=e]n, n. the end of a hammer-head, usually shaped for indenting.--v.t. to strike with such. [Ger. pinne.]

PEENGE, p[=e]nj, v.i. (Scot.) to complain childishly.

PEEP, p[=e]p, v.i. to chirp, or cry as a chicken.--n. the cry of a young chicken. [Fr. piper--L. pip[=a]re.]

PEEP, p[=e]p, v.i. to look through a narrow opening: to look out from concealment: to look slyly or cautiously: to begin to appear.--n. a sly look: a beginning to appear, a glimpse: a narrow view, a slit.--ns. PEEP'ER, one that peeps: a prying person: a chicken just breaking the shell: (slang) the eye; PEEP'-HOLE, a hole through which one may look without being seen; PEEP'-O'-DAY, the first appearance of light in the morning; PEEP'-SHOW, a small show viewed through a small hole, usually fitted with a magnifying-glass; PEEP'-SIGHT, a plate on the breach with a small hole through which a gunner takes his sight.--PEEPING TOM, a prying fellow, esp. one who peeps in at windows; PEEP-O'-DAY BOYS, a band of Protestants in the north of Ireland, in the end of the 18th century--opposed to the Catholic Defenders. [Same as above, Fr. piper, to chirp like a bird, then to beguile, whence peep=to look out slyly.]

PEER, p[=e]r, n. an equal in rank, ability, character, &c.: an associate: a nobleman: a member of the House of Lords:--fem. PEER'ESS.--n. PEER'AGE, the rank or dignity of a peer: the body of peers: a book containing a description of the history, connections, &c. of the different peers.--adj. PEER'LESS, having no peer or equal: matchless.--adv. PEER'LESSLY.--n. PEER'LESSNESS.--HOUSE OF PEERS, the House of Lords; SPIRITUAL PEER, one of the bishops or archbishops qualified to sit as members of the House of Lords; TEMPORAL PEER, one of the members of the House of Lords, other than the bishops. [O. Fr. (Fr. pair),--L. par, paris, equal.]

PEER, p[=e]r, v.i. to look narrowly or closely: to peep: to appear:--pa.t. and pa.p. peered.--adj. PEER'Y, prying, sly. [M. E. piren--Low Ger. piren, orig. pliren, to draw the eyelids together.]

PEERIE, PEERY, p[=e]r'i, n. a top spun with a string.

PEEVERS, p[=e]v'ers, n. (Scot.) the game of hop-scotch.

PEEVISH, p[=e]v'ish, adj. habitually fretful: easily annoyed: hard to please: showing ill-nature: childish.--adv. PEEV'ISHLY.--n. PEEV'ISHNESS. [Prob. imit. of the puling of fretful infants.]

PEEWIT. Same as PEWIT.

PEG, peg, n. a wooden pin for fastening boards, or the soles of shoes: one of the pins on which the strings of a musical instrument are stretched: a reason or excuse for action: a drink of soda-water with brandy, &c.: a degree or step.--v.t. to fasten with a peg: to keep up the market price by buying or selling at a fixed price: to make points during the game of cribbage before the show of hands.--v.i. to work with unremitting effort:--pr.p. peg'ging; pa.t. and pa.p. pegged.--ns. PEG'-FICHED, an English game played with pegs or pointed sticks; PEG'-FLOAT, a machine for rasping away the ends of pegs inside shoes.--adj. PEGGED, fashioned of, or furnished with, pegs.--ns. PEG'GING, the act of fastening with a peg: pegs collectively: a thrashing: determined perseverance in work; PEG'-LEG, a wooden leg of the simplest form, or one who walks on such; PEG'-STRIP, a ribbon of wood cut to the width, &c., of a shoe-peg; PEG'-TANK'ARD, a drinking-vessel having each one's share marked off by a knob; PEG'-TOP, a child's plaything made to spin round by winding a string round it and then rapidly pulling it off: (pl.) a kind of trousers, wide at the top and narrow at the ankles.--adj. shaped like a top.--PEG AWAY, to keep continually working.--TAKE DOWN A PEG, to take down, to humble. [Scand.; as in Dan. pig, a spike.]

PEGASUS, peg'a-sus, n. a winged horse which arose from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa, when she was slain by Perseus: a genus of small fishes with large, wing-like, pectoral fins: one of the constellations in the northern sky.--adj. PEGAS[=E]'AN.

PEGGY, peg'i, n. one of several small warblers, the whitethroat, &c. [Peggy, from Peg=Meg--Margaret.]

PEGMATITE, peg'ma-t[=i]t, n. coarsely crystallised granite.--adj. PEGMATIT'IC.

PEHLEVI, p[=a]'le-v[=e], n. an ancient West Iranian idiom during the period of the Sassanides, largely mixed with Semitic words, and poorer in inflections and terminations than Zend (235-640 A.D.): the characters used in writing this language.--adj. of or pertaining to, or written in, Pehlevi. [Pers.]

PEIGNOIR, p[=e]n-wär', n. a loose wrapper worn by women during their toilet. [Fr.]

PEINCT, p[=a]ngkt, v.t. (Spens.) to paint.

PEINE, p[=a]n, n. a form of punishment by pressing to death--usually Peine forte et dure. [Fr.]

PEIRASTIC, p[=i]-ras'tik, adj. tentative.--n. PEIRAM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the resistances of road-surface to traction. [Gr. peira, a trial.]

PEISE, p[=a]z, v.t. (Spens., Shak.) to poise, to weigh.--n. a weight. [Poise.]

PEJORATION, p[=e]-j[=o]-r[=a]'shun, n. a becoming worse: deterioration.--v.i. P[=E]'JOR[=A]TE.--adj. and n. P[=E]'JOR[=A]TIVE.--n. P[=E]JOR'ITY. [L. pejor, worse, comp. of malus, bad.]

PEKAN, pek'an, n. an American species of Marten--called also Wood-shock, Fisher, and Black-fox.

PEKOE, p[=e]'k[=o], n. a scented black tea. [Chinese.]

PELAGE, pel'[=a]j, n. the hair or wool of a mammal. [Fr.]

PELAGIAN, p[=e]-l[=a]'ji-an, n. one who holds the views of Pelagius, a British monk of the 4th century, who denied original sin.--adj. pertaining to Pelagius.--n. PEL[=A]'GIANISM, the doctrines of Pelagius.

PELAGIC, p[=e]-laj'ik, adj. inhabiting the deep sea, marine, oceanic. [Gr. pelagos, the sea.]

PELARGONIUM, pel-ar-g[=o]'ni-um, n. a vast genus of beautiful flowering plants of order Geraniaceæ.--adj. P[=E]LAR'GIC, stork-like. [Gr. pelargos, stork, the beaked capsules resembling a stork's beak.]

PELASGIC, p[=e]-las'jik, adj. pertaining to the Pelasgians or Pelasgi, a race spread over Greece in prehistoric times, to whom are ascribed many enormous remains built of unhewn stones, without cement--the so-called PELASGIC ARCHITECTURE. Also PELAS'GIAN.

PÊLE-MÊLE. See PELL-MELL, adv.

PELERINE, pel'[.e]r-in, n. a woman's tippet or cape with long ends coming down in front. [Fr., a tippet--pèlerin, a pilgrim--L. peregrinus, foreign.]

PELF, pelf, n. riches (in a bad sense): money. [O. Fr. pelfre, booty; allied to pilfer.]

PELICAN, pel'i-kan, n. a large water-fowl, having an enormous distensible gular pouch: an alembic with tubulated head from which two opposite and crooked beaks extend and enter again the body of the vessel--used for continuous distillation: a dentist's instrument: (her.) a pelican above her nest, with wings indorsed, wounding her breast with her beak in order to feed her young with her blood. [Low L. pelicanus--Gr. pelikan--pelekus, an axe.]

PELIKE, pel'i-k[=e], n. a large vase like the hydria, double-handled. [Gr.]

PELISSE, pe-l[=e]s', n. a cloak of silk or other cloth, with sleeves, worn by ladies: a garment lined with fur, a dragoon's jacket with shaggy lining. [Fr.,--Low L. pellicea (vestis)--L. pellis, a skin.]

PELL, pel, n. a skin or hide: a roll of parchment. [O. Fr. pel (Fr. peau)--L. pellis, a skin or hide.]

PELLAGRA, pe-l[=a]'gra, n. a loathsome skin disease supposed to be common in the rice-producing part of the north of Italy.--n. PELL[=A]'GRIN, one afflicted with pellagra.--adj. PELL[=A]'GROUS, like or afflicted with pellagra. [Gr. pella, skin, agra, seizure.]

PELLET, pel'et, n. a little ball, as of lint or wax: a small rounded boss: a small pill: a ball of shot.--adj. PELL'ETED, consisting of pellets: pelted, as with bullets. [O. Fr. pelote--L. pila, a ball.]

PELLICLE, pel'i-kl, n. a thin skin or film: the film or scum which gathers on liquors.--adj. PELLIC'ULAR.

PELLITORY, pel'i-tor-i, n. a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.--n. PELL'ITORY-OF-SPAIN, a plant which grows in Algeria, the root of which causes in the hands first a sensation of extreme cold, then one of a burning heat. [L. parietaria, the wall-plant--parietarius--paries, parietis, a wall.]

PELL-MELL, pel-mel', adv. in great confusion: promiscuously: in a disorderly manner--also written Pêle-mêle.--n. PELL-MELL' (same as PALL-MALL). [O. Fr. pesle-mesle (Fr. pêle-mêle), -mesle being from O. Fr. mesler (Fr. mêler), to mix--Low L. miscul[=a]re--L. misc[=e]re; and pesle, a rhyming addition, perh. influenced by Fr. pelle, shovel.]

PELLUCID, pe-l[=u]'sid, adj. perfectly clear: letting light through: transparent.--ns. PELL[=U]CID'ITY, PELL[=U]'CIDNESS.--adv. PELL[=U]'CIDLY. [Fr.,--L. pellucidus--per, perfectly, lucidus, clear--luc[=e]re, to shine.]

PELMA, pel'ma, n. the sole of the foot.--n. PELMAT'OGRAM, the impression of the foot. [Gr.]

PELOPID, pel'[=o]-pid, adj. pertaining to Pelops.--n. one of his descendants.

PELOPONNESIAN, pel-[=o]-po-n[=e]'zi-an, adj. of or pertaining to the Peloponnesus or southern part of Greece.--n. an inhabitant or a native of the Peloponnesus.--PELOPONNESIAN WAR, a war between Athens and Sparta (431-404 B.C.). [Gr. Pelops, an ancient Greek hero, n[=e]sos, an island.]

PELORIA, p[=e]-l[=o]'ri-a, n. the appearance of regularity in flowers normally irregular--also PEL'ORISM.--adjs. P[=E]LOR'IATE, P[=E]LOR'IC. [Gr. pel[=o]r, a monster.]

PELT, pelt, n. a raw hide: the quarry or prey of a hawk all torn.--ns. PELT'MONGER, a dealer in skins; PELT'RY, the skins of animals with the fur on them: furs. [M. E. pelt, peltry--O. Fr. pelleterie--pelletier, a skinner--L. pellis, a skin.]

PELT, pelt, v.t. to strike with something thrown: to cast.--v.i. to fall heavily, as rain.--n. a blow from something thrown.--ns. PEL'TER, a shower of missiles, a sharp storm of rain, &c.: a storm of anger; PEL'TING, an assault with a pellet, or with anything thrown. [Cf. Pellet.]

PELTA, pel'ta, n. a light buckler.--n. PEL'TAST, a soldier armed with this.--adjs. PEL'T[=A]TE, -D, shield-shaped; PELTAT'IFID, PEL'TIFORM. [L.,--Gr. pelt[=e].]

PELTING, pel'ting, adj. (Shak.) paltry, contemptible.--adv. PELT'INGLY. [Paltry.]

PELVIS, pel'vis, n. the bony cavity at the lower end of the trunk, forming the lower part of the abdomen.--adjs. PEL'VIC, of or pertaining to the pelvis; PEL'VIFORM, openly cup-shaped.--ns. PELVIM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the diameters of the pelvis; PELVIM'ETRY. [L. pelvis, a basin.]

PEMMICAN, PEMICAN, pem'i-kan, n. a North American Indian preparation, consisting of lean venison, dried, pounded, and pressed into cakes, now made of beef and used in Arctic expeditions, &c.

PEMPHIGUS, pem'fi-gus, n. an affection of the skin with pustules.--adj. PEM'PHIGOID. [Gr.]

PEN, pen, v.t. to shut up: to confine in a small enclosure:--pr.p. pen'ning; pa.t. and pa.p. penned or pent.--n. a small enclosure: a fold for animals: a coop. [A.S. pennan, to shut up, in comp. on pennan, to unpen. Prop. to fasten with a pin.]

PEN, pen, n. one of the large feathers of the wing of a bird: an instrument used for writing, formerly made of the feather of a bird, but now of steel, &c.: style of writing: a female swan--opp. to Cob.--v.t. to write, to commit to paper:--pr.p. pen'ning; pa.t. and pa.p. penned.--adj. PEN'-AND-INK', written, literary: executed with pen and ink, as a drawing.--ns. PEN'-CASE, a holder for a pen or pens; PEN'CRAFT, skill in penmanship: the art of composition; PEN'-DRIV'ER, a clerk; PEN'FUL, what one can write with one dip of ink; PEN'-HOLD'ER, a holder for pens or nibs; PEN'-W[=I]'PER, a piece of cloth, leather, &c. for wiping pens after use; PEN'-WOM'AN, a female writer. [O. Fr. penne--L. penna, a feather.]

PENAL, p[=e]'nal, adj. pertaining to, incurring, or constituting punishment: used for punishment.--v.t. P[=E]'NALISE, to lay under penalty.--adv. P[=E]'NALLY.--PENAL LAWS, laws prohibiting certain actions under penalties; PENAL SERVITUDE, hard labour in a prison as a punishment for crime--introduced in England in 1853 instead of transportation; PENAL STATUTE, a statute imposing a penalty or punishment for crime. [Fr.,--L. poenalis--poena, Gr. poin[=e], punishment.]

PENALTY, pen'al-ti, n. punishment: suffering in person or property for wrong-doing or for breach of a law: a fine or loss which a person agrees to pay or bear in case of his non-fulfilment of some undertaking: a fine.--UNDER PENALTY OF, so as to suffer, or (after a negative) without suffering the punishment of.

PENANCE, pen'ans, n. repentance: external acts performed to manifest sorrow for sin, to seek to atone for the sin and to avert the punishment which, even after the guilt has been remitted, may still remain due to the offence--also the sacrament by which absolution is conveyed (involving contrition, confession, and satisfaction): any instrument of self-punishment.--v.t. to impose penance on: to punish. [O. Fr.; cf. Penitence.]

PENANG-LAWYER, pe-nang'-law'y[.e]r, n. a walking-stick made from the stem of a Penang palm. [Prob. a corr. of Penang liyar, the wild areca.]

PENANNULAR, p[=e]-nan'[=u]-lar, adj. shaped almost like a ring. [L. pæna, almost, annularis, annular.]

PENATES, p[=e]-n[=a]'t[=e]s, n.pl. the household gods of ancient Rome who presided over and were worshipped by each family. [L., from root pen- in L. penitus, within, penetralia, the inner part of anything.]

PENCE, pens, n. plural of penny (q.v.).

PENCHANT, päng'shäng, n. inclination: decided taste: bias. [Fr., pr.p. of pencher, to incline, through a form pendic[=a]re, from L. pend[=e]re, to hang.]

PENCIL, pen'sil, n. a small hair brush for laying on colours: any pointed instrument for writing or drawing without ink: a collection of rays of light converging to a point: the art of painting or drawing.--v.t. to write, sketch, or mark with a pencil: to paint or draw:--pr.p. pen'cilling; pa.t. and pa.p. pen'cilled.--ns. PEN'CIL-CASE, a holder for a pencil; PEN'CIL-COM'PASS, a compass having a pencil on one of its legs for use in drawing.--adjs. PEN'CILLED, written or marked with a pencil: having pencils of rays: radiated: (bot.) marked with fine lines, as with a pencil; PEN'CILLIFORM, having the form of a pencil, as of rays.--ns. PEN'CILLING, the art of writing, sketching, or marking with a pencil: marks made with a pencil: fine lines on flowers or the feathers of birds: a sketch; PEN'CIL-SKETCH, a sketch made with a pencil. [O. Fr. pincel (Fr. pinceau)--L. penicillum, a painter's brush, dim. of penis, a tail.]

PEND, pend, n. (obs.) an enclosure: (Scot.) a narrow close leading off a main street.

PEND, pend, v.i. to hang, as in a balance, to impend.--adj. PEND'ING, hanging: remaining undecided: not terminated.--prep. during.

PENDANT, pen'dant, n. anything hanging, esp. for ornament: an earring: a lamp hanging from the roof: an ornament of wood or of stone hanging downwards from a roof: a long narrow flag, at the head of the principal mast in a royal ship: something attached to another thing of the same kind, an appendix, a companion picture, poem, &c.--ns. PEN'DENCE, PEN'DENCY, a hanging in suspense: state of being undecided.--adj. PEN'DENT, hanging: projecting: supported above the ground or base: (bot.) hanging downwards, as a flower or a leaf.--n. PENDEN'TIVE (archit.), the triangular portion of a dome cut off between two supporting arches at right angles to each other.--adv. PEN'DENTLY.--ns. PEN'DICLE, an appendage: something attached to another, as a privilege, a small piece of ground for cultivation; PEN'D[=U]LET, a pendant. [Fr. pendant, pr.p. of pendre, to hang--L. pendens, -entis--pr.p. of pend[=e]re, to hang.]

PENDRAGON, pen-drag'on, n. a chief leader: an ancient British chief.--n. PENDRAG'ONSHIP. [W. pen, head, dragon, a chief.]

PENDULUM, pen'd[=u]-lum, n. any weight so hung from a fixed point as to swing freely: the swinging weight which regulates the movement of a clock: a lamp, &c., pendent from a ceiling: a guard-ring of a watch by which it is attached to a chain.--adj. PEN'DULAR, relating to a pendulum.--v.i. PEN'DULATE, to swing, vibrate.--adjs. PEN'DULENT, pendulous; PEN'DULINE, building a pendulous nest; PEN'DULOUS, hanging loosely: swinging freely, as the pensile nests of birds: (bot.) hanging downwards, as a flower on a curved stalk.--adv. PEN'DULOUSLY.--ns. PEN'DULOUSNESS, PEN'DULOSITY.--PENDULUM WIRE, a kind of flat steel wire for clock pendulums.--COMPENSATION PENDULUM, a pendulum so constructed that its rod is not altered in length by changes of temperature; COMPOUND PENDULUM, every ordinary pendulum is compound, as differing from a SIMPLE PENDULUM, which is a material point suspended by an ideal line; INVARIABLE PENDULUM, a pendulum for carrying from station to station to be oscillated at each so as to fix the relative acceleration of gravity; LONG and SHORT PENDULUM, a pendulum for determining the absolute force of gravity by means of a bob suspended by a wire of varying length. [L., neut. of pendulus, hanging--pend[=e]re, to hang.]

PENEIAN, p[=e]-n[=e]'yan, adj. relating to the river Peneus in the famous Vale of Tempe in Thessaly.

PENELOPISE, p[=e]-nel'o-p[=i]z, v.i. to act like Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, who undid at night the work she did by day, to gain time from her suitors.

PENETRATE, pen'[=e]-tr[=a]t, v.t. to thrust into the inside: to pierce into: to affect the mind or feelings: to enter and to fill: to understand: to find out.--v.i. to make way: to pass inwards.--ns. PENETRABIL'ITY, PEN'ETRABLENESS.--adj. PEN'ETRABLE, that may be penetrated or pierced by another body: capable of having impressions made upon the mind.--adv. PEN'ETRABLY, so as to be penetrated--n.pl. PENETR[=A]'LIA, the inmost parts of a building: secrets: mysteries.--ns. PEN'ETRANCE, PEN'ETRANCY, the quality of being penetrant.--adjs. PEN'ETRANT, subtle, penetrating; PEN'ETRATING, piercing or entering: sharp: subtle: acute: discerning.--adv. PEN'ETRATINGLY.--n. PENETR[=A]'TION, the act or power of penetrating or entering: acuteness: discernment: the space-penetrating power of a telescope.--adj. PEN'ETRATIVE, tending to penetrate: piercing: sagacious: affecting the mind.--adv. PEN'ETRATIVELY, in a penetrative manner.--n. PEN'ETRATIVENESS, the quality of being penetrative: penetrative power. [L. penetr[=a]re, -[=a]tum--penes, within.]

PEN-FISH, pen'-fish, n. a sparoid fish of genus Calamus.

PENFOLD. Same as PINFOLD.

PENGUIN, pen'gwin, n. an aquatic bird in the southern hemisphere, unable to fly, but very expert in diving--also PIN'GUIN.--n. PEN'GUINERY, a breeding-place of penguins. [Ety. dub.; a corr. of pen-wing, or from W. pen, head, gwen, white.]

PEN-GUN, pen'-gun, n. a pop-gun.

PENICIL, pen'i-sil, n. a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.--adjs. PEN'ICILLATE, PENICIL'LIFORM.--n. PENICIL'LIUM, one of the blue-moulds.

PENINSULA, p[=e]-nin's[=u]-la, n. land so surrounded by water as to be almost an island.--adj. PENIN'SULAR, pertaining to a peninsula: in the form of a peninsula: inhabiting a peninsula.--n. PENINSULAR'ITY, state of being, or of inhabiting, a peninsula: narrow provincialism.--v.t. PENIN'SULATE, to form into a peninsula: to surround almost entirely with water.--PENINSULAR WAR, the war in Spain and Portugal, carried on by Great Britain against Napoleon's marshals (1804-1814).--THE PENINSULA, Spain and Portugal. [L.,--pæne, almost, insula, an island.]

PENIS, p[=e]'nis, n. the characteristic external male organ.--adj. P[=E]'NIAL. [L., a tail.]

PENISTONE, pen'i-st[=o]n, n. a coarse frieze.--PENISTONE FLAGS, a kind of sandstone for paving and building, brought from Penistone in Yorkshire.

PENITENT, pen'i-tent, adj. suffering pain or sorrow for sin: contrite: repentant.--n. one who is sorry for sin: one who has confessed sin, and is undergoing penance.--ns. PEN'ITENCE, PEN'ITENCY, state of being penitent: sorrow for sin.--adj. PENITEN'TIAL, pertaining to, or expressive of, penitence.--n. a book of rules relating to penance.--adv. PENITEN'TIALLY.--adj. PENITEN'TIARY, relating to penance: penitential.--n. a penitent: an office at the court of Rome for examining and issuing secret bulls, dispensations, &c.: a book for guidance in imposing penances: a place for the performance of penance: a house of correction and punishment for offenders.--adv. PEN'ITENTLY.--PENITENTIAL GARMENT, a rough garment worn for penance; PENITENTIAL PSALMS, certain psalms suitable for being sung by penitents, as the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th, 143d. [Fr.,--L. poenitens, -entis--poenit[=e]re, to cause to repent.]

PENKNIFE, pen'n[=i]f, n. a small knife, originally for making and mending quill pens.

PENMAN, pen'man, n. a man skilled in the use of the pen: an author:--pl. PEN'MEN.--n. PEN'MANSHIP, the use of the pen: art or manner of writing.

PENNA, pen'a, n. a feather, esp. one of the large feathers of the wings or tail.--adj. PENN[=A]'CEOUS. [L.]

PENNAL, pen'al, n. a freshman at a German university--so called from their pennales or pen-cases.--n. PENN'ALISM, a system of fagging once in vogue at German universities.

PEN-NAME, pen'-n[=a]m, n. a name, other than his real one, by which an author is known to the public: a nom de plume.

PENNANT, pen'ant, n. a flag many times as long as it is wide: a streamer: a long narrow piece of bunting at the mast-heads of war-ships.--Also PENN'ON. [Pennant is formed from pennon, with excrescent t; pennon is Fr. pennon--L. penna, a wing.]

PENNATE, -D, pen'[=a]t, -ed, adj. winged: (bot.) same as PINNATE.--adj. PENNATIF'ID (see PINNATIFID).--n. PENNE (Spens.), a feather.--adj. PENNED, having wings: winged: written with a pen.--n. PEN'NER, a case for holding pens: (her.) a representation of such carried at the girdle.--adjs. PENNIF'EROUS, PENNIG'EROUS, feathered; PEN'NIFORM, like a feather in form. [L. pennatus--penna, wing.]

PENNILL, pen'il, n. a kind of Welsh verse, in which the singer has to change words and measure according to the variations of his accompanist on the harp. [W. 'a verse,' pl. pennillion.]

PENNON, pen'on, n. a flag, a medieval knight-bachelor's ensign: a long narrow flag: a pinion or wing.--ns. PENN'ONCELLE, a small flag like a pennon; PENN'ONCIER, a knight-bachelor.--adj. PENN'ONED, bearing a pennon. [Cf. Pennant.]

PENNY, pen'i, n. a copper coin (bronze since 1860), originally silver=1/12 of a shilling, or four farthings: a small sum: money in general: (N.T.) a silver coin=7½d.: pound, in fourpenny, sixpenny, tenpenny nails=four, six, ten pound weight to the thousand:--pl. PENNIES (pen'iz), denoting the number of coins; PENCE (pens), the amount of pennies in value.--adjs. PENN'IED, possessed of a penny; PENN'ILESS, without a penny: without money: poor.--ns. PENN'ILESSNESS; PENN'Y-A-LIN'ER, one who writes for a public journal at so much a line: a writer for pay; PENN'Y-A-LIN'ERISM, hack-writing; PENN'Y-DOG, the tope or miller's dog, a kind of shark; PENN'Y-POST, a means of carrying a letter for a penny; PENN'Y-RENT, income; PENN'YWEIGHT, twenty-four grains of troy weight (the weight of a silver penny); PENN'Y-WIS'DOM, prudence in petty matters.--adj. PENN'Y-WISE, saving small sums at the risk of larger: niggardly on improper occasions.--ns. PENN'Y-WORTH, a penny's worth of anything: the amount that can be given for a penny: a good bargain--also PENN''ORTH (coll.); P[=E]'TER'S-PENCE, the name given to an old tribute offered to the Roman Pontiff, now a voluntary contribution.--PENNY FEE (Scot.), a small wage; PENNY GAFF (slang), a low-class theatre; PENNY MAIL (Scot.), rent in money, not in kind: a small sum paid to the superior of land; PENNY WEDDING, a wedding ceremonial in Scotland, at which the invited guests made contributions in money to pay the general expenses.--A PRETTY PENNY, a considerable sum of money; TURN AN HONEST PENNY, to earn money honestly. [A.S. penig, oldest form pending, where pend=Eng. pawn, Ger. pfand, Dut. pand, a pledge, all which are from L. pannus, a rag, a piece of cloth.]

PENNYROYAL, pen'i-roi-al, n. a species of mint, much in use in domestic medicine, in the form of a warm infusion, to promote perspiration and as an emmenagogue. [Corr. from old form pulial, which is traced through O. Fr. to L. puleium regium, the plant pennyroyal--pulex, a flea.]

PENOLOGY, PÆNOLOGY, p[=e]-nol'[=o]-ji, n. the study of punishment in its relation to crime: the management of prisons.--n. PENOL'OGIST. [Gr. poin[=e], punishment, logia, description.]

PENSÉE, pang-s[=a]', n. a thought. [Fr.]

PENSEROSO, pen-se-r[=o]'so, adj. melancholy: thoughtful:--fem. Penser[=o]'sa. [It.]

PENSILE, pen's[=i]l, adj. hanging: suspended.--ns. PEN'SILENESS, PENSIL'ITY. [Fr.,--L.,--pend[=e]re, hang.]

PENSION, pen'shun, n. a stated allowance to a person for past services performed by himself or by some relative: a payment made to a person retired from service on account of age or weakness: a boarding-school or boarding-house on the Continent (pron. pong-siong'): a sum paid to a clergyman in place of tithes.--v.t. to grant a pension to.--adjs. PEN'SIONABLE, entitled, or entitling, to a pension; PEN'SIONARY, receiving a pension: consisting of a pension.--n. one who receives a pension: the syndic or legal adviser of a Dutch town.--ns. PEN'SIONER, one who receives a pension: a dependent: one who pays out of his own income for his commons, chambers, &c. at Cambridge University=an Oxford commoner; PEN'SIONNAIRE.--GRAND PENSIONARY, the president of the States-general of Holland. [Fr.,--L. pension-em--pend[)e]re, pensum, to weigh, pay.]

PENSIVE, pen'siv, adj. thoughtful: reflecting: expressing thoughtfulness with sadness.--adj. PEN'SIVED (Shak.), thought over.--adv. PEN'SIVELY.--n. PEN'SIVENESS, state of being pensive: gloomy thoughtfulness: melancholy. [Fr. pensif--L. pens[=a]re, to weigh--pend[)e]re, to weigh.]

PENSTOCK, pen'stok, n. a trough conveying water to a water-wheel.

PENSUM, pen'sum, n. an extra task given a scholar in punishment.

PENT, pa.t. and pa.p. of pen, to shut up.

PENTACAPSULAR, pen-ta-kap's[=u]-lar, adj. having five capsules.

PENTACHORD, pen'ta-kord, n. a musical instrument with five strings: a diatonic series of five tones.

PENTACLE, pent'a-kl, n. a figure formed by two equilateral triangles intersecting regularly so as to form a six-pointed star: properly a five-pointed object, the same as PENTAGRAM (q.v.), a defence against demons.--adj. PENTAC'ULAR. [O. Fr., but prob. not from Gr. pente, five, but O. Fr. pente, pendre, to hang. As applied to a magical figure prob. a corr. of pentangle, perh. pentacol--pendre, to hang, a, on, col, the neck.]

PENTACOCCOUS, pen-ta-kok'us, adj. (bot.) having five grains or seeds.

PENTACROSTIC, pen-ta-kros'tik, adj. containing five acrostics of the same name.--n. a set of such verses.

PENTACT, pen'takt, adj. five-rayed.--Also PENTAC'TINAL.

PENTAD, pen'tad, n. the number five, a group of five things: a mean of temperature, &c., taken every five days.

PENTADACTYLOUS, pen-ta-dak'ti-lus, adj. having five digits--also PENTADAC'TYL.--n. PENTADAC'TYLISM.

PENTADELPHOUS, pen-ta-del'fus, adj. (bot.) grouped together in five sets.

PENTAGLOT, pen'ta-glot, adj. of five tongues.--n. a work in five languages.

PENTAGON, pen'ta-gon, n. (geom.) a plane figure having five angles and five sides: a fort with five bastions.--adj. PENTAG'ONAL.--adv. PENTAG'ONALLY. [Gr. pentag[=o]non--pente, five, g[=o]nia, angle.]

PENTAGRAM, pen'ta-gram, n. a five-pointed star: a magic figure so called.--This is the proper pentacle.--adj. PENTAGRAMMAT'IC. [Gr. pente, five, gramma, a letter.]

PENTAGRAPH=Pantograph.

PENTAGYNIA, pent-a-jin'i-a, n. (bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five pistils.--n. PENT'AGYN (bot.), a plant having five styles.--adjs. PENTAGYN'IAN, PENTAG'YNOUS. [Gr. pente, five, gyn[=e], a female.]

PENTAHEDRON, pen-ta-h[=e]'dron, n. (geom.) a solid figure bounded by five plane faces.--adj. PENTAH[=E]'DRAL. [Gr. pente, five, hedra, base.]

PENTALPHA, pen-tal'fa, n. a five-pointed star: a pentacle. [Gr. pente, five, alpha.]

PENTAMERON, pen-tam'e-ron, n. a famous collection of fifty folk-tales (Naples 1637) written in the Neapolitan dialect by Giambattista Basile, supposed to be told during five days by ten old women, for the entertainment of a Moorish slave who has usurped the place of the rightful princess. [It. pentamerone.]

PENTAMEROUS, pen-tam'[.e]r-us, adj. (bot.) consisting of or divided into five parts.--PENTAMERUS BEDS (geol.), a name applied to the upper and lower Llandovery rocks, full of the brachiopods called Pentamerus. [Gr. pente, five, meros, part.]

PENTAMETER, pen-tam'e-t[.e]r, n. a verse of five measures or feet.--adj. having five feet.--ELEGIAC PENTAMETER, a verse of six dactylic feet, the third and sixth with the first member only; IAMBIC PENTAMETER, in English, heroic couplets and blank verse. [Gr. pentametros--pente, five, metron, a measure.]

PENTANDRIA, pen-tan'dri-a, n. (bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five stamens.--n. PENTAN'DER, a plant of the class Pentandria.--adjs. PENTAN'DRIAN, PENTAN'DROUS. [Gr. pente, five, an[=e]r, andros, a man, a male.]

PENTANGULAR, pen-tang'g[=u]-lar, adj. having five angles.

PENTAPETALOUS, pen-ta-pet'a-lus, adj. having five petals.

PENTAPHYLLOUS, pen-ta-fil'us, adj. having five leaves. [Gr. pente, five, phyllon, a leaf.]

PENTAPODY, pen-tap'o-di, n. a measure of five feet.

PENTAPOLIS, pen-tap'o-lis, n. a group of five cities.--adj. PENTAPOL'ITAN, esp. of the ancient Pentapolis of Cyrenaica in northern Africa. [Gr. pente, five, polis, a city.]

PENTARCHY, pen'tär-ki, n. government by five persons. [Gr. pente, five, arch[=e], rule.]

PENTASEPALOUS, pen-ta-sep'a-lus, adj. having five sepals.

PENTASPERMOUS, pent-a-sp[.e]r'mus, adj. (bot.) containing five seeds. [Gr. pente, five, sperma, seed.]

PENTASTICH, pen'ta-stik, n. a composition of five verses.--adj. PENTAS'TICHOUS, five-ranked.

PENTASTYLE, pen'ta-st[=i]l, adj. having five columns in front.--n. (archit.) a building with a portico of five columns. [Gr. pente, five, stylos, a pillar.]

PENTASYLLABIC, pen-ta-si-lab'ik, adj. having five syllables.

PENTATEUCH, pen'ta-t[=u]k, n. a name used to denote the Jewish Thorah, the first five books of the Old Testament.--adj. PEN'TATEUCHAL. [Gr. pente, five, teuchos, a book--teuchein, to prepare.]

PENTATHLON, pen-tath'lon, n. a contest consisting of five exercises--wrestling, throwing the discus, spear-throwing, leaping, and running--also PENTATH'LUM.--n. PENTATH'L[=E]TE, one who contests in the pentathlon. [Gr. pente, five, athlon, a contest.]

PENTATONIC, pen-ta-ton'ik, adj. consisting of five tones.

PENTECONTER, pen't[=e]-kon-t[.e]r, n. an ancient Greek ship having fifty oars.

PENTECOST, pen't[=e]-kost, n. a Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after the Passover, in commemoration of the giving of the law: the festival of Whitsuntide, held in remembrance of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the assembled disciples at the feast of Pentecost.--adj. PENTECOST'AL.--n.pl. offerings formerly made to the parish priest at Whitsuntide. [Gr. pent[=e]kost[=e] (h[=e]mera), the fiftieth (day).]

PENTEGRAPH=Pantograph.

PENTELIC, -AN, pen-tel'ik, -an, adj. describing a kind of marble found at Mount Pentelicus near Athens.

PENTETERIC, pen-te-ter'ik, adj. occurring every five years. [Gr., pente, five, etos, a year.]

PENTHEMIMERAL, pen-th[=e]-mim'e-ral, adj. belonging to a metrical group of 2½ feet. [Gr. pente, five, h[=e]mi, half, meros, a part.]

PENTHOUSE, pent'hows, n. a shed projecting from or adjoining a main building: a protection from the weather over a door or a window: anything resembling a penthouse.--v.t. to provide with a penthouse, shelter by means of a shed sloping from a wall, or anything similar. [A corr. of pentice, which is from Fr. appentis--L. appendicium, an appendage.]

PENTICE, pen'tis, n. See PENTHOUSE.

PENTILE=Pantile.

PENTROOF, pent'r[=oo]f, n. a roof with a slope on one side only. [A hybrid word, from Fr. pente, a slope--pendre, to hang, and Eng. roof.]

PENTSTEMON, pent-st[=e]'mon, n. a genus of perennial herbs of the order Scrophularineæ, common in California. [Gr. pente, five, st[=e]m[=o]n, warp, stamen.]

PENTZIA, pent'si-a, n. a genus of South African shrubs, having yellow flowers in small heads, usually in corymbs.--The chief species is Pentzia virgata or the 'sheep-fodder bush.' [Named after C. J. Pentz, a student under Thunberg.]

PENULT, p[=e]-nult', or p[=e]'nult, PENULT'IMA, n. the syllable last but one.--adj. PENULT'IM[=A]TE, last but one.--n. the penult: the last member but one of any series. [L. penultima--pæne, almost, ultimus, last.]

PENUMBRA, p[=e]-num'bra, n. a partial or lighter shadow round the perfect or darker shadow of an eclipse: the part of a picture where the light and shade blend into each other.--adjs. PENUM'BRAL, PENUM'BROUS. [L. pæne, almost, umbra, shade.]

PENURY, pen'[=u]-ri, n. want: absence of means or resources: great poverty.--adj. PEN[=U]'RIOUS, showing penury: not bountiful: too saving: sordid: miserly.--adv. PEN[=U]'RIOUSLY.--n. PEN[=U]'RIOUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. penuria; Gr. peina, hunger, pen[=e]s, poor.]

PEON, p[=e]'on, n. a day-labourer, esp. in South America, one working off a debt by bondage: in India, a foot-soldier, a messenger, a native policeman.--ns. P[=E]'ONAGE, P[=E]'ONISM, this kind of agricultural servitude. [Sp.,--Low L. pedo--L. pes, pedis, a foot.]

PEONY, p[=e]'o-ni, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Ranunculaceæ, with large showy flowers, carmine, in some white. [O. Fr. pione (Fr. pivoine)--L. pæonia, healing--Gr. Pai[=o]n.]

PEOPLE, p[=e]'pl, n. persons generally: the men, women, and children of a country or a nation: the mass of persons as distinguished from the rulers, &c.: an indefinite number: inhabitants: the vulgar: the populace:--pl. PEOPLES (p[=e]'plz), races, tribes.--v.t. to stock with people or inhabitants.--PEOPLE'S PALACE, an institution for the amusement, recreation, and association of the working-classes, as that in the East End of London, inaugurated in 1887.--CHOSEN PEOPLE, the Israelites; GOOD PEOPLE, or FOLK, a popular euphemistic name for the fairies; PECULIAR PEOPLE (see PECULIAR); THE PEOPLE, the populace, the mass. [Fr. peuple--L. populus, prob. reduplicated from root of plebs, people.]

PEOTOMY, p[=e]-ot'[=o]-mi, n. the amputation of the penis. [Gr. peos, the penis, temnein, to cut.]

PEPERIN, pep'e-rin, n. a volcanic tufa found in the Alban Hills near Rome. [It. peperino--pepe, pepper--L. piper, pepper.]

PEPITA, pe-p[=e]'ta, n. a nugget of gold. [Sp.]

PEPLUM, pep'lum, n. an upper robe worn by women in ancient Greece.--Also PEP'LUS. [L.,--Gr. peplos.]

PEPO, p[=e]'p[=o], n. a fruit like that of the gourd. [Gr.]

PEPPER, pep'[.e]r, n. a pungent aromatic condiment consisting of the dried berries of the pepper-plant, entire or powdered: any plant of genus Piper: a plant of genus Capsicum, or one of its pods, whence Cayenne pepper.--v.t. to sprinkle with pepper: to hit or pelt with shot, &c.: to pelt thoroughly: to do for.--adj. PEPP'ER-AND-SALT', of a colour composed of a light ground dotted with fine spots of a dark colour, or of a dark ground with light spots.--ns. PEPP'ER-BOX, a box with a perforated top for sprinkling pepper on food; PEPP'ER-CAKE, a kind of spiced cake or gingerbread; PEPP'ER-CAST'ER, the vessel, on a cruet-stand, from which pepper is sprinkled; PEPP'ERCORN, the berry of the pepper plant: something of little value--PEPPERCORN RENT, a nominal rent; PEPP'ERER, one who sells pepper, a grocer; PEPP'ER-GIN'GERBREAD, hot-spiced gingerbread; PEPP'ER-GRASS, any plant of genus Lepidium; PEPP'ERINESS; PEPP'ERMINT, a species of mint, aromatic and pungent like pepper: a liquor distilled from the plant: a lozenge flavoured with peppermint--Peppermint-drop, a confection so flavoured; PEPP'ER-POT, a West Indian dish, of cassareep, together with flesh or dried fish and vegetables, esp. green okra and chillies: tripe shredded and stewed, with balls of dough and plenty of pepper; PEPP'ER-TREE, a shrub of the cashew family, native to South America, &c.--also PEPPER SHRUB and Chili pepper; PEPP'ERWORT, the dittander.--adj. PEPP'ERY, possessing the qualities of pepper: hot, choleric.--ÆTHIOPIAN PEPPER, the produce of Xylopia Æthiopica; BENIN PEPPER, of Cubeba Clusii; GUINEA PEPPER, or MALEGUETTA PEPPER, of Amomum; JAMAICA PEPPER, or PIMENTO, of species of Eugenia (Myrtaceæ); LONG PEPPER, the fruit of Piper Longum; WHITE PEPPER, the seed freed from the skin and fleshy part of the fruit by soaking in water and rubbing the dried fruit. [A.S. pipor--L. piper--Gr. peperi--Sans. pippala.]

PEPPER'S GHOST, pep'[.e]rs g[=o]st, n. a device for associating on the same stage living persons and phantoms to act together--the phantom produced by a large sheet of unsilvered glass on the stage, practically invisible to the spectators, reflecting to them, along with a visible actor or actors, the appearance of another actor on an understage, himself invisible. [John H. Pepper (b. 1821), the improver and exhibitor of Henry Dircks' invention.]

PEPSIN, PEPSINE, pep'sin, n. one of the essential constituents of the gastric juice: the active agent in fermenting food in the stomach--a hydrolytic ferment.--adj. PEP'TIC, relating to or promoting digestion: having a good digestion.--ns. PEPTIC'ITY, eupepsia; PEP'TICS, digestion considered as a science: the digestive organs; PEP'TOGEN, a substance producing peptone, any preparation that facilitates digestion.--adjs. PEPTOGEN'IC, PEPTOG'ENOUS, PEPTON'IC.--ns. PEP'T[=O]NE, one of a class of albumenoids formed by the action of the chemical ferment pepsin and hydrochloric acid, the latter first converting into a syntonin or acid protein, the former converting this syntonin into peptone--they are soluble in water, are not coagulated by boiling, and pass readily through an animal membrane, being therefore easily absorbed; PEPTONIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. PEP'TONISE, to convert into peptones.--n. PEP'TONOID, a substance like peptone: one of certain food preparations. [Fr.,--Gr. pepsis, digestion--peptein, to digest.]

PEPYSIAN, pep'is-i-an, adj. pertaining to Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), his inimitable diary, or the collection of prints, books, ballads, &c. he bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge.

PER, p[.e]r, prep. through, by means of, according to.--PER ANNUM, year by year: for each year; PER CAPITA, by heads, implying equal rights to two or more persons; PER CENT., per hundred; PER CONTRA, on the contrary: as a set-off; PER DIEM, every day: day by day; PER MENSEM, monthly: by the month; PER SALTUM, at a single leap: all at once; PER SE, by himself, &c.: essentially.

PERACUTE, per-a-k[=u]t', adj. very sharp or violent.

PERADVENTURE, per-ad-vent'[=u]r, adv. by adventure: by chance: perhaps.--n. uncertainty: question.

PERAMBULATE, per-am'b[=u]-l[=a]t, v.t. to walk through or over: to pass through for the purpose of surveying: to survey the boundaries of.--ns. PERAMBUL[=A]'TION, act of perambulating: a survey or inspection by travelling through: the district within which a person has the right of inspection; PERAM'BUL[=A]TOR, one who perambulates: an instrument for measuring distances on roads: a light carriage for a child.--adj. PERAM'BUL[=A]TORY. [L. perambul[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, through, ambul[=a]re, to walk.]

PERCALE, per-käl', n. a closely woven French cambric.--n. PER'CALINE, a glossy cotton cloth. [Fr.]

PERCASE, per-k[=a]s', adv. (Bacon) perchance, perhaps. [L. per, through, by, casus, a chance.]

PERCEABLE, p[.e]rs'a-bl, adj. (Spens.)=Pierceable.

PERCEANT, p[.e]rs'ant, adj. piercing, penetrating.--v.t. PERC'EN (Spens.), to pierce. [Fr. perçant, pr.p. of percer, to pierce.]

PERCEIVE, per-s[=e]v', v.t. to become aware of through the senses: to get knowledge of by the mind: to see: to understand: to discern.--adj. PERCEIV'ABLE (same as PERCEPTIBLE).--adv. PERCEIV'ABLY (same as PERCEPTIBLY).--ns. PERCEIV'ER; PERCEIV'ING (Bacon), perception. [O. Fr. percever--L. percip[)e]re, perceptum--per, perfectly, cap[)e]re, to take.]

PERCENTAGE, per-sen't[=a]j, n. rate per hundred: an allowance of so much for every hundred.--adj. PERCEN'TILE. [Cf. Cent.]

PERCEPT, p[.e]r'sept, n. that which is perceived by means of the senses.--n. PERCEPTIBIL'ITY, quality of being perceptible.--adj. PERCEP'TIBLE, that can be perceived: that may be known by the senses: discernible.--adv. PERCEP'TIBLY.--n. PERCEP'TION, act of perceiving: discernment: (phil.) the faculty of perceiving: the evidence of external objects by our senses.--adjs. PERCEP'TIONAL; PERCEP'TIVE, having the power of perceiving or discerning.--ns. PERCEP'TIVENESS, the faculty or power of perceiving: readiness to perceive; PERCEPTIV'ITY, character or quality of being perceptive: power of perceiving.--adj. PERCEP'T[=U]AL, of the nature of perception.

PERCH, p[.e]rch, n. a genus of fresh-water fishes.--adjs. PERCH'-BACKED, shaped like a perch's back; PER'CIFORM, percoid; PER'CINE, perciform; PER'COID, like the perch: pertaining to the perch family. [Fr. perche--L. perca--Gr. perk[=e], a perch, prob. conn. with perknos, spotted.]

PERCH, p[.e]rch, n. a rod on which birds roost: any high seat or position: a measure=5½ yards: a square measure=30¼ square yards: a pole joining the fore and hind gear of a spring carriage: a frame on which cloth is examined for flaws.--v.i. to sit or roost on a perch: to settle.--v.t. to place, as on a perch.--ns. PERCH'ER, a bird that perches on trees; PERCH'ING, the examination of cloth stretched on a frame for burs, knots, or holes--also called Burling.--adj. insessorial.--ns. PERCH'-PLATE, a plate or block above or below a carriage-reach, at the king-bolt; PERCH'-POLE, an acrobat's climbing-pole; PERCH'-STAY, one of the side-rods bracing the perch to the hind-axle. [Fr. perche--L. pertica, a rod.]

PERCHANCE, per-chans', adv. by chance: perhaps.

PERCHERON, per-she-rong', n. a horse of the Percheron breed, large strong draught-horses, usually dapple-gray--also Norman and Norman Percheron.--adj. pertaining to the foregoing. [Fr.,--Perche, in southern Normandy.]

PERCHLORIC, per-kl[=o]'rik, adj. pertaining to an acid, a syrupy liquid obtained by decomposing potassium perchlorate by means of sulphuric acid.--n. PERCHL[=O]'RATE, a salt of perchloric acid.

PERCIPIENT, per-sip'i-ent, adj. perceiving: having the faculty of perception.--n. one who perceives or who has the power of perceiving.--ns. PERCIP'IENCE, PERCIP'IENCY.

PERCLOSE, per-kl[=o]z', n. an enclosed place: (archit.) a railing separating a tomb or chapel from the rest of the church: (her.) the lower half of a garter with the buckle.--Also PAR'ACLOSE, PARCLOSE'. [O. Fr.,--L. præ, in front, claud[)e]re, clausum, to shut.]

PERCOCT, per-kokt', adj. well-cooked. [L. percoctus, percoqu[)e]re, to cook thoroughly.]

PERCOID, per'koid. See PERCH (1).

PERCOLATE, p[.e]r'k[=o]-l[=a]t, v.t. to strain through pores or small openings, as a liquid: to filter.--v.i. to pass or ooze through very small openings: to filter.--n. a filtered liquid.--ns. PERCOL[=A]'TION, act of filtering; PER'COLATOR, a filtering vessel. [L. percol[=a]re,-[=a]tum--per, through, col[=a]re, to strain.]

PERCURRENT, per-kur'ent, adj. running through the whole length.--adj. PERCUR'SORY, running over slightly or in haste (same as Cursory). [L. percurrens, pr.p. of percurr[)e]re, percursum, to run through.]

PERCUSS, per-kus', v.t. to strike so as to shake: to tap for purposes of diagnosis.--adj. PERCUS'SANT (her.), bent round and striking the side, as a lion's tail--also PERCUSSED'.

PERCUSSION, per-kush'un, n. the forcible striking of one body against another: collision, or the shock produced by it: impression of sound on the ear: (med.) the tapping upon the body to find the condition of an internal organ by the sounds: in the jargon of palmistry, the outer side of the hand.--adjs. PERCUSS'IONAL, PERCUSS'IVE.--ns. PERCUSS'ION-BULL'ET, a bullet so formed as to explode on striking something: an explosive bullet; PERCUS'SION-CAP, a cap of copper partly filled with a substance which explodes when struck, formerly used for firing rifles, &c.; PERCUS'SION-FUSE, a fuse in a projectile set in action by concussion when the projectile strikes the object; PERCUS'SION-HAMM'ER, a small hammer for percussion in diagnosis; PERCUS'SION-LOCK, a kind of lock for a gun in which a hammer strikes upon a percussion-cap on the nipple, igniting the charge; PERCUS'SION-POW'DER, powder which explodes on being struck, called also fulminating powder.--adv. PERCUSS'IVELY.--ns. PERCUSS'OR; PERCUTEUR', an instrument for light percussion in neuralgia, &c.--adj. PERC[=U]'TIENT, striking or having power to strike.--n. that which strikes or has power to strike. [L. percussion-em--percut[)e]re, percussum--per, thoroughly, quat[)e]re, to shake.]

PERCUTANEOUS, per-k[=u]-t[=a]'n[=e]-us, adj. done or applied through or by means of the skin.--adv. PERCUT[=A]'NEOUSLY. [L. per, through, cutis, the skin.]

PERDENDO, per-den'd[=o], adj. (mus.) dying away.--Also PERDEN'DOSI. [It.]

PERDIE, PERDY, p[.e]r'di, adv.=PARDIEU.

PERDITION, per-dish'un, n. utter loss or ruin: the utter loss of happiness in a future state.--n. PER'DITA, a lost woman.--adj. PERDI'TIONABLE. [Fr.,--L. perditio--perd[)e]re, perditum--per, entirely, d[)a]re, to put.]

PERDU, PERDUE, per-d[=u]', adj. lost to view: concealed: being on a forlorn hope or on a desperate enterprise: reckless.--n. (Shak.) one lying in concealment or ambush: one on a forlorn hope. [Fr., pa.p. of perdre, to lose--L. perd[)e]re, to destroy.]

PERDUELLION, per-d[=u]-el'i-on, n. treason. [L.]

PERDURABLE, per'd[=u]-ra-bl, adj. (Shak.) very durable, long continued.--ns. PERDURABIL'ITY, PERD[=U]'RANCE, PERDUR[=A]'TION.--adv. PERD[=U]'RABLY (Shak.), very durably: everlastingly.--v.i. PERDURE', to last for a very long time. [L. perdur[=a]re--per, through, dur[=a]re, to last.]

PEREGAL, per'e-gal, adj. fully equal.--n. equal.

PEREGRINATE, per'[=e]-gri-n[=a]t, v.i. to travel through the country: to travel about from place to place: to live in a foreign country.--adj. foreign.--ns. PEREGRIN[=A]'TION, act of peregrinating or travelling about; PER'EGRIN[=A]TOR, one who travels about.--adj. PER'EGRINE, foreign, not native: migratory, as a bird.--n. a foreigner resident in any country: a kind of falcon.--n. PEREGRIN'ITY, foreignness. [L. peregrin[=a]ri, -[=a]tus--peregrinus, foreign.]

PEREION, pe-r[=i]'on, n. the thorax in crustacea:--pl. PEREI'A.--n. PEREI'OPOD, one of the true thoracic limbs of a crustacean. [Gr. perii[=o]n, pr.p. of periienai, to go about.]

PERELLE, pe-rel', n. Same as PARELLA.

PEREMPTORY, per'emp-t[=o]-ri, adj. preventing debate: authoritative: dogmatical: final, determinate: fully resolved or determined: that must be done.--adv. PER'EMPTORILY.--n. PER'EMPTORINESS. [Fr.,--L. peremptorius--perim[)e]re, peremptum--per, entirely, em[)e]re, to take.]

PERENNIAL, pe-ren'i-al, adj. lasting through the year: perpetual: never failing: growing constantly: (bot.) lasting more than two years: of insects, living more than one year.--n. a plant which lives more than two years.--v.i. PERENN'ATE, to live perennially.--n. PERENN[=A]'TION.--adv. PERENN'IALLY. [L. perennis--per, through, annus, a year.]

PERENNIBRANCHIATE, pe-ren-i-brang'ki-[=a]t, adj. having perennial branchiæ or gills.--Also PERENN'IBRANCH.

PERFECT, p[.e]r'fekt, adj. done thoroughly or completely: completed: without blemish, fault, or error: having neither too much nor too little: entire, very great: in the highest degree: possessing every moral excellence: completely skilled or acquainted: (gram.) expressing an act completed: (bot.) having both stamens and pistils, hermaphrodite.--v.t. (or per-fekt') to make perfect: to finish: to teach fully, to make fully skilled in anything.--ns. PERFECT[=A]'TION (rare); PER'FECTER; PERFECT'I, a body of Catharists in the 12th and 13th centuries, of very strict lives; PERFECTIBIL'ITY, quality of being made perfect.--adj. PERFECT'IBLE, that may be made perfect.--ns. PERFEC'TION, state of being perfect: a perfect quality or acquirement: the highest state or degree; PERFEC'TIONISM (or PERFECTIBIL'ITY), the belief that man in a state of grace may attain to a relative perfection or a state of living without sin in this life; PERFEC'TIONIST, one who pretends to be perfect: one who thinks that moral perfection can be attained in this life: one of the Bible Communists or Free-lovers, a small American sect founded by J. H. Noyes (1811-86), which settled at Oneida in 1848, holding that the gospel if accepted secures freedom from sin.--adj. PERFECT'IVE, tending to make perfect.--advs. PERFECT'IVELY, PER'FECTLY, in a perfect manner: completely: exactly: without fault.--n. PER'FECTNESS, state or quality of being perfect: completeness: perfection: consummate excellence.--PERFECT INSECT, the imago or completely developed form of an insect; PERFECT METALS (see METAL); PERFECT NUMBER, a number equal to the sum of all its divisors, the number itself of course excepted, as 6 = 1 + 2 + 3, 28 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14. [Fr.,--L. perfectus, pa.p. of perfic[)e]re--per, thoroughly, fac[)e]re, to do.]

PERFERVID, per-fer'vid, adj. very fervid: very hot or eager.--n. PERFER'VIDNESS.--PERFERVIDUM INGENIUM, a very ardent disposition. [L. perfervidus, præfervidus--præ, before, fervidus, fervid.]

PERFICIENT, p[.e]r-fish'ent, adj. effectual.--n. one who does a lasting work, esp. who endows a charity.

PERFIDIOUS, per-fid'i-us, adj. faithless: unfaithful: basely violating trust: treacherous.--adv. PERFID'IOUSLY.--ns. PERFID'IOUSNESS, PER'FIDY, treachery. [L. perfidiosus--perfidia, faithlessness.]

PERFOLIATE, -D, per-f[=o]'li-[=a]t, -ed, adj. (bot.) having the stem as it were passing through the blade--of a leaf: having the leaf round the stem at the base: (zool.) surrounded by a circle of hairs, &c., taxicorn. [L. per, through, folium, a leaf.]

PERFORATE, p[.e]r'f[=o]-r[=a]t, v.t. to bore through: to pierce: to make a hole through.--adj. PER'FORABLE, capable of being perforated.--n. PER'FORANS, the long flexor muscle of the toes, or the deep flexor muscle of the fingers.--adjs. PER'FORANT, perforating; PER'FORATE, -D (bot.), pierced with holes: having transparent dots, as the leaves of certain flowers.--n. PERFOR[=A]'TION, act of boring through: a hole through or into anything.--adj. PER'FOR[=A]TIVE, having power to pierce.--ns. PER'FOR[=A]TOR, one who bores, or an instrument for boring; PER'FOR[=A]TUS, the short flexor of the toes, or the superficial flexor of the fingers. [L. perfor[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, through, for[=a]re, to bore.]

PERFORCE, per-f[=o]rs', adv. by force: of necessity.

PERFORM, per-form', v.t. to do thoroughly: to carry out: to achieve: to act, as on the stage.--v.i. to do: to act a part: to play, as on a musical instrument.--adj. PERFOR'MABLE, capable of being performed: practicable.--ns. PERFOR'MANCE, act of performing: a carrying out of something: something done, esp. of a public character: a piece of work: an exhibition in a theatre or a place of amusement: an act or action; PERFOR'MER, one who performs, esp. one who makes a public exhibition of his skill: an actor, an actress, &c.--adj. PERFOR'MING, doing: trained to perform tricks. [O. Fr. parfournir, par--L. per, through, fournir, to furnish.]

PERFUME, p[.e]r'f[=u]m, or p[.e]r-f[=u]m', n. sweet-smelling smoke: sweet scent: anything which yields a sweet odour.--v.t. (p[.e]r-f[=u]m') to fill with a pleasant odour: to scent.--adj. PERF[=U]'MATORY, yielding perfume.--ns. PER'FUME-FOUN'TAIN, a small appliance for throwing a jet or spray of perfume; PERF[=U]'MER, one who or that which perfumes: one who makes or sells perfumes; PERF[=U]'MERY, perfumes in general: the art of preparing perfumes; PER'FUME-SET, a set of articles for the toilet-table.--adj. PER'F[=U]MY. [Fr. parfum--L. per, through, fumus, smoke.]

PERFUNCTORY, per-fungk't[=o]-ri, adj. done merely as a duty to be passed over: performed carelessly or without interest: negligent: slight.--adv. PERFUNC'TORILY, in a careless, half-hearted manner: without zeal or interest.--n. PERFUNC'TORINESS, careless performance: half-heartedness. [L. perfunctorius--perfunctus, pa.p. of perfungi, to execute--per, thoroughly, fungi, to do.]

PERFUSE, per-f[=u]z', v.t. to pour through or over.--n. PERF[=U]'SION.--adj. PERF[=U]'SIVE, sprinkling, or tending to sprinkle. [L. perfusus, poured over--per, through, fund[)e]re, to pour.]

PERGAMENEOUS, per-ga-m[=e]'n[=e]-us, adj. thin and parchment-like in texture.--adj. PERGAMENT[=A]'CEOUS, parchment-like. [L. pergamena, parchment.]

PERGOLA, per'g[=o]-la, n. an arbour, a balcony.--Also PER'GULA. [It.,--L. pergula, a shed.]

PERGUNNAH, p[.e]r-gun'a, n. a sub-division of a zillah or district in India.--Also PARGAN'A. [Hind.]

PERHAPS, per-haps', adv. it may be: possibly.

PERI, p[=e]'ri, n. in Persian mythology, a female elf or fairy, represented as descended from the fallen angels. [Fr. péri--Pers. par[=i], a fairy.]

PERIAGUA, per-i-ä'gwä, n. a canoe hollowed out of a single trunk, a dug-out: a vessel made by cutting a canoe in two lengthwise and inserting a large plank: a large keelless flat-bottomed boat for shoal-water navigation, decked at the ends only, propelled by rowing, or by sails on two masts capable of being struck.--Also PIROGUE'. [Sp. piragua.]

PERIAKTOS, per-i-ak'tos, n. in the ancient Greek theatre a tall prism-shaped frame or screen at the side entrances, each carrying three scenes changed by turning the frames. [Gr.]

PERIANTH, per'i-anth, n. the floral envelope where the calyx and corolla are not easily distinguished. [Gr. peri, around, anthos, a flower.]

PERIAPT, per'i-apt, n. (Shak.) an amulet. [Gr. periapton, something hung round, peri, about, aptos--aptein, to fasten.]

PERIAXIAL, per-i-ak'si-al, adj. surrounding an axis.

PERIBLAST, per'i-blast, n. the protoplasm about the nucleus of a cell.--adj. PERIBLAST'IC. [Gr. peri, about, blastos, a germ.]

PERIBOLOS, pe-rib'o-los, n. a court enclosed by a wall, esp. one containing a temple or a church, the whole outer enclosure of sanctuary or refuge. [Gr. peribolos, encircling--peri, around, ballein, to throw.]

PERICARDIUM, per-i-kär'di-um, n. (anat.) the bag or sac composed of two layers which surrounds the heart.--adjs. PERICAR'DIAC, PERICAR'DIAL, PERICAR'DIAN.--n. PERICARD[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the pericardium. [Late L.,--Gr. perikardion--peri, around, kardia, heart.]

PERICARP, per'i-kärp, n. (bot.) the covering, shell, or rind of fruits: a seed-vessel.--adj. PERICARP'IAL. [Gr. perikarpion--peri, around, karpos, fruit.]

PERICENTRAL, per-i-sen'tral, adj. surrounding a central body.--adj. PERICEN'TRIC.

PERICHONDRIUM, per-i-kon'dri-um, n. the fibrous investment of cartilage. [Gr. peri, about, chondros, cartilage.]

PERICLASE, per'i-kl[=a]z, n. a rare mineral consisting of magnesia with a little iron protoxide. [Gr. peri, about, klasis, fracture.]

PERICLEAN, per-i-kl[=e]'an, adj. of Pericles (died 429 B.C.) or the golden age of art and letters at Athens.

PERICOPE, p[=e]-rik'[=o]-p[=e], n. an extract, esp. the selections from the epistles and gospels for the Sundays of the year. [Gr. peri, around, koptein, to cut.]

PERICRANIUM, per-i-kr[=a]'ni-um, n. (anat.) the membrane that surrounds the cranium.--adj. PERICR[=A]'NIAL.--n. PER'ICR[=A]NY (obs.), the skull. [Late L.,--Gr. perikranion--peri, around, kranion, the skull.]

PERICULUM, p[=e]-rik'[=u]-lum, n. (Scots law) a risk:--pl. PERIC'ULA. [L.]

PERICYSTITIS, per-i-sis-t[=i]'tis, n. inflammation around the bladder. [Gr. peri, around, kystis, the bladder.]

PERIDENTAL, per-i-den'tal, adj. surrounding the teeth.

PERIDERM, per'i-derm, n. the hard integument of some tubularian hydromedusans: (bot.) the outer bark.--adj. PER'IDERMAL. [Gr. peri, about, derma, skin.]

PERIDESMIUM, per-i-des'mi-um, n. (anat.) the areolar tissue round a ligament. [Gr. peri, around, desmos, a band.]

PERIDIUM, p[=e]-rid'i-um, n. the outer coat of a sporophore in angiocarpous fungi.--adj. PERID'IAL.--n. PERID[=I]'OLUM (bot.), an inner peridium inside of which the hymenium is formed. [Gr. p[=e]ridion, dim. of p[=e]ra, a wallet.]

PERIDOTITE, per'i-d[=o]-t[=i]t, n. rock mainly composed of olivine.--n. PER'IDOT, chrysolite.--adj. PERIDOT'IC.

PERIDROME, per'i-dr[=o]m, n. the space between the inner cell or chamber and the surrounding pillars in an ancient temple. [Gr. peridromos, running round--peri, around, dromos, a race.]

PERIEGESIS, per-i-[=e]-j[=e]'sis, n. a progress or journey through. [Gr.]

PERIENTERON, per-i-en'te-ron, n. the primitive perivisceral cavity.--adj. PERIENTER'IC. [Gr. peri, about, enteron, an intestine.]

PERIFIBRUM, per-i-f[=i]'brum, n. the membraneous covering of the spicules and fibre of sponges.

PERIGANGLIONIC, per-i-gang-gli-on'ik, adj. surrounding a ganglion.

PERIGASTRIC, per-i-gas'trik, adj. surrounding the alimentary canal.

PERIGEE, per'i-j[=e], n. (astron.) the point of the moon's orbit at which it is nearest the earth--opp. to Apogee.--adjs. PERIG[=E]'AL, PERIG[=E]'AN. [Gr. peri, near, g[=e], the earth.]

PERIGENESIS, per-i-jen'e-sis, n. wave-generation, the dynamic theory of reproduction by a kind of wave-motion of plastidules.

PERIGLOTTIS, per-i-glot'is, n. the epidermis of the tongue.--adj. PERIGLOTT'IC.

PERIGONE, per'i-g[=o]n, n. (bot.) the same as PERIANTH--also PERIG[=O]'NIUM.--adj. PERIG[=O]'NIAL. [Gr. peri, about, gon[=e], seed.]

PERIGRAPH, per'i-graf, n. an inaccurate delineation of anything.--adj. PERIGRAPH'IC.

PERIGYNOUS, per-ij'i-nus, adj. (bot.) denoting flowers which have the petals and stamens growing on the calyx, or around the pistil.--n. PERIGYN'IUM. [Gr. peri, about, gyn[=e], a female.]

PERIHELION, per-i-h[=e]'li-on, n. the point of the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is nearest to the sun--opp. to Aphelion.--Also PERIH[=E]'LIUM. [Gr. peri, near, h[=e]lios, the sun.]

PERIHEPATIC, per-i-h[=e]-pat'ik, adj. surrounding the liver.

PERIL, per'il, n. danger: a source of danger: exposure to danger.--v.t. to expose to danger:--pr.p. per'illing; pa.t. and pa.p. per'illed.--adj. PER'ILOUS, full of peril: dangerous.--adv. PER'ILOUSLY.--n. PER'ILOUSNESS. [Fr. péril--L. periculum.]

PERILYMPH, per'i-limf, n. the fluid which surrounds the membraneous labyrinth of the ear.

PERIMETER, p[=e]-rim'e-t[.e]r, n. (geom.) the circuit or boundary of any plane figure, or the sum of all its sides: an instrument for measuring the area over which a person can see distinctly.--adjs. PERIMET'RIC, -AL, pertaining to the perimeter.--n. PERIM'ETRY, the act of making perimetrical measurements. [Gr. perimetros--peri, around, metron, measure.]

PERIMORPH, per'i-morf, n. a mineral enclosing another.--adjs. PERIMOR'PHIC, PERIMOR'PHOUS.

PERINEUM, PERINÆUM, per-i-n[=e]'um, n. the lower part of the body between the genital organs and the rectum.--adj. PERIN[=E]'AL. [L.,--Gr.]

PERIOD, p[=e]'ri-ud, n. the time in which anything is performed: (astron.) the time occupied by one of the heavenly bodies in making its revolution: a stated interval of time, at the end of which certain events begin again to go through the same course as before: a series of events: a series of years: length of duration: the time at which anything ends: conclusion: (gram.) a mark at the end of a sentence: (rhet.) a complete sentence.--v.t. (Shak.) to put an end to.--adjs. PERIOD'IC, -AL, pertaining to a period: happening by revolution: occurring at regular intervals: pertaining to periodicals.--ns. PERIOD'ICAL, a magazine or other publication which appears in parts at regular periods; PERIOD'ICALIST, one who writes in a periodical.--adv. PERIOD'ICALLY.--n. PERIODIC'ITY, state of being periodic: tendency to happen over again at regular intervals of time.--PERIODICAL LITERATURE, literature published in magazines, &c.; PERIODIC FUNCTION, one whose operation being iterated a certain number of times restores the variable: a function having a period; PERIODIC INEQUALITY, a disturbance in the motion of a planet due to its position in its orbit relatively to another planet; PERIODIC LAW (chem.), a relation of elements according to their atomic weights. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. periodos--peri, around, hodos, a way.]

PERIOPHTHALMUS, per-i-of-thal'mus, n. a genus of acanthopterous fishes, allied to gobies, with protruding mobile eyes, pectoral fins that can be used as legs.

PERIORBITAL, per-i-or'bi-tal, adj. pertaining to the orbit of the eye.

PERIOSTEUM, per-i-os't[=e]-um, n. a tough fibrous membrane which forms the outer coating of bones.--adjs. PERIOS'T[=E]AL, PERIOS'T[=E]OUS; PERIOSTIT'IC.--n. PERIOST[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the periosteum. [Gr. periosteon--peri, around, osteon, a bone.]

PERIOTIC, per-i-[=o]'tik, adj. surrounding the inner ear.--n. a periotic bone. [Gr. peri, about, ous, [=o]tos, the ear.]

PERIPATETIC, -AL, per-i-pa-tet'ik, -al, adj. walking about: of or pertaining to the philosophy of Aristotle, who taught while walking up and down in the Lyceum at Athens.--n. PERIPATET'IC, an adherent of the philosophy of Aristotle: one accustomed or obliged to walk: (pl.) instruction by lectures.--n. PERIPATET'ICISM, the philosophy of Aristotle. [Gr. peripat[=e]tikos--peri, about, patein, to walk.]

PERIPATUS, pe-rip'[=a]-tus, n. a genus of myriapods.

PERIPETIA, per-i-pe-t[=i]'a, n. the dénouement of a drama.

PERIPHERY, pe-rif'[.e]r-i, n. (geom.) the circumference of a circle or of any closed figure: the outside of anything generally.--adjs. PERIPH'ERAL, PERIPHER'IC, -AL. [L.--Gr. peri, around, pherein, to carry.]

PERIPHRACTIC, per-i-frak'tik, adj. enclosed around. [Gr. peri, about, phrassein, to enclose.]

PERIPHRASE, per'i-fr[=a]z, n. a round-about way of speaking: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea: (rhet.) a figure employed to avoid a trite expression--also PERIPH'RASIS.--v.t. or v.i. to use circumlocution.--adjs. PERIPHRAS'TIC, -AL, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.--adv. PERIPHRAS'TICALLY. [L.,--Gr. periphrasis--peri, about, phrasis, a speaking.]

PERIPLAST, per'i-plast, n. the intercellular substance of an organ or tissue of the body.--adj. PERIPLAST'IC.

PERIPLUS, per'i-plus, n. a circumnavigation. [Gr. peri, around, ploos, plous, a voyage.]

PERIPTERY, pe-rip't[.e]r-i, n. (archit.) a building surrounded by a wing or row of columns.--adjs. PERIP'TERAL, having a periptery or range of columns all round, said of a temple, &c.; PERIP'TEROUS, feathered on all sides: peripteral. [Gr. peripteros--peri, about, pteron, a wing.]

PERIRHINAL, per-i-r[=i]'nal, adj. surrounding the nose.

PERISCII, pe-rish'i-[=i], n.pl. the people within the polar circle, because their shadows, on some days in summer, move round in a complete circle, owing to the fact that on those days the sun does not set.--adj. PERIS'CIAN. [Gr. periskios, throwing a shadow all round; peri, around, skia, a shadow.]

PERISCOPE, per'i-sk[=o]p, n. an instrument like the altiscope, used in directing submarine boats.--adj. PERISCOP'IC. [Gr. peri, about, skopein, to see.]

PERISH, per'ish, v.i. to pass away completely: to waste away: to decay: to lose life: to be destroyed: to be ruined or lost.--ns. PERISHABIL'ITY, PER'ISHABLENESS, the quality of being liable to speedy decay or destruction.--adj. PER'ISHABLE, that may perish: subject to speedy decay.--adv. PER'ISHABLY.--v.i. PER'ISHEN (Spens.), to perish. [O. Fr. perir, pr.p. perissant--L. per[=i]re, to perish--per, completely, [=i]re, to go.]

PERISPERM, per'i-sp[.e]rm, n. (bot.) that which is round a seed, the albumen.--adj. PERISPER'MIC. [Gr. peri, around, sperma, seed.]

PERISPHERIC, -AL, per-i-sfer'ik, -al, adj. globular.

PERISPORE, per'i-sp[=o]r, n. the outer covering of a spore.

PERISSAD, pe-ris'ad, n. (chem.) an atom whose valency is represented by an odd number--opp. to Artiad--also adj. [Gr. perissos, beyond the regular number.]

PERISSODACTYLA, pe-ris-[=o]-dak'ti-la, n. one of the two divisions of the great mammalian order Ungulata, including the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros, distinguished by the third digit of each limb being symmetrical in itself, by the presence of an odd number of digits on the hind-foot, &c.--opp. to Artiodactyla.--adjs. PERISSODAC'TYL, PERISSODAC'TYLATE, PERISSODACTYL'IC, PERISSODAC'TYLOUS. [Gr. perissos, beyond the regular number, daktylos, a finger.]

PERISSOLOGY, per-i-sol'[=o]-ji, n. verbiage.--adj. PERISSOLOG'ICAL, redundant in words.

PERISSOSYLLABIC, pe-ris-o-si-lab'ik, adj. having superfluous syllables.

PERISTALITH, pe-ris'ta-lith, n. a series of standing stones surrounding a barrow or burial-mound. [Gr. peri, around, histanai, to stand, lithos, a stone.]

PERISTALTIC, per-i-stalt'ik, adj. noting the involuntary muscular action of the alimentary canal, by which it forces its contents onwards.--n. PERISTAL'SIS. [Gr. peristaltikos--peristellein, to wrap round--peri, around, stellein, to place.]

PERISTEROPOD, p[=e]-ris'te-r[=o]-pod, adj. pigeon-toed--also n. [Gr. peristera, a pigeon, pous, podos, a foot.]

PERISTOME, per'i-st[=o]m, n. the mouth-parts of echinoderms, &c.: the fringe of hair-like appendages round the rim of the capsule of a moss.

PERISTYLE, per'i-st[=i]l, n. a range of columns round a building or round a square: a court, square, &c., with columns all round.--adj. PERISTY'LAR. [L. peristylium--Gr. peristylon, with pillars round the wall--peri, around, stylos, a column.]

PERITHORACIC, per-i-th[=o]-ras'ik, adj. around the thorax.

PERITOMOUS, pe-rit'[=o]-mus, adj. (min.) cleaving in more directions than one parallel to the axis, the faces being all similar. [Gr. peri, round, temnein, to cut.]

PERITONEUM, PERITONÆUM, per-i-t[=o]-n[=e]'um, n. a serous membrane which encloses all the viscera lying in the abdominal and pelvic cavities.--adjs. PERITON[=E]'AL; PERITONIT'IC.--n. PERITON[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the peritoneum. [Gr. peritoneion--peri, around, teinein, to stretch.]

PERITYPHLITIS, per-i-tif-l[=i]'tis, n. inflammation of the cæcum, appendix, and connective tissue, or of the peritoneum covering cæcum and appendix. [Gr. peri, round, typhlos, blind (the cæcum being the 'blind gut').]

PERIVASCULAR, per-i-vas'k[=u]-lar, adj. surrounding a vascular structure.

PERIVISCERAL, per-i-vis'e-ral, adj. surrounding viscera.

PERIWIG, per'i-wig, n. a peruke or small wig, usually shortened to Wig: an artificial head of hair.--v.t. to dress with a periwig.--adj. PER'IWIG-P[=A]'TED, wearing a periwig. [Old Dut. peruyk--Fr. perruque.]

PERIWINKLE, per'i-wingk-l, n. a creeping evergreen plant, growing in woods. [M. E. peruenke, through A.S. peruincæ, from L. pervinca, vinc[=i]re, to bind.]

PERIWINKLE, per'i-wingk-l, n. a small univalve mollusc: a small shellfish, abundant between tide-marks on the rocks, boiled and eaten as food. [Corrupted by confusion with preceding from A.S. pinewincla--wincle, a whelk; prov. Eng. pin-patch.]

PERJURE, p[.e]r'j[=oo]r, v.t. to swear falsely (followed by a reciprocal pronoun): to cause to swear falsely.--v.i. to be false to one's oath.--n. (Shak.) a perjured person.--adj. PER'JURED, having sworn falsely: being sworn falsely, as an oath.--n. PER'JURER.--adjs. PERJU'RIOUS, PER'JUROUS, guilty of perjury.--n. PER'JURY, false swearing: the breaking of an oath: (law) the crime committed by one who, when giving evidence on oath as a witness in a court of justice, gives evidence which he knows to be false. [Fr.,--L. perjur[=a]re--per-, jur[=a]re, to swear.]

PERK, p[.e]rk, adj. trim: spruce: jaunty: proud.--v.t. to make smart or trim.--v.i. to hold up the head with smartness: to toss or jerk the head.--adj. PERK'Y (Tenn.), perk, trim. [W. perc, trim.]

PERK, p[.e]rk, v.i. (prov.) to peer.--adj. PERK'ING, peering, inquisitive.

PERKIN, per'kin, n. weak perry.

PERLACEOUS=Pearlaceous. See PEARL.

PERLITE, p[.e]r'l[=i]t, n. the name given to some vitreous rocks, as obsidian, which seem as if made up of little pearly or enamel-like spheroids.--adj. PERLIT'IC.

PERLOUS, p[.e]rl'us, adj. (Spens.). Same as PERILOUS.

PERLUSTRATE, per-lus'tr[=a]t, v.t. to survey carefully.--n. PERLUSTR[=A]'TION. [L. perlustr[=a]re, -[=a]tum.]

PERMANENT, p[.e]r'ma-nent, adj. lasting: durable: not subject to change: not to be removed: (zool.) always present.--ns. PER'MANENCE, PER'MANENCY, state or quality of being permanent: continuance in the same state, position, &c.: unlikelihood of change: duration.--adv. PER'MANENTLY.--PERMANENT WAY, the finished road of a railway. [Fr.,--L. perman[=e]re--per, through, man[=e]re, to continue.]

PERMANGANATE, per-man'gan-[=a]t, n. a salt containing manganese.--adj. PERMANGAN'IC.

PERMEATE, p[.e]r'm[=e]-[=a]t, v.t. to pass through the pores of: to penetrate and fill the pores of.--n. PERM[=E]ABIL'ITY.--adj. PER'M[=E]ABLE, that may be permeated or passed through: allowing the passage of liquids.--adv. PER'M[=E]ABLY.--n. PERM[=E][=A]'TION, act of permeating, or state of being permeated.--adj. PERM[=E][=A]'TIVE. [L. permeatus--per, through, me[=a]re, to pass.]

PERMIAN, per'mi-an, n. a group of strata forming the uppermost division of the Palezoic series.

PERMISCIBLE, per-mis'i-bl, adj. capable of being mixed.

PERMIT, per-mit', v.t. to give leave to: to allow to be or to be done: to afford means: to give opportunity:--pr.p. permit'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. permit'ted.--n. (per'mit) a written permission, esp. from a custom-house officer to remove goods.--n. PERMISSIBIL'ITY.--adj. PERMISS'IBLE, that may be permitted: allowable.--adv. PERMISS'IBLY.--n. PERMIS'SION, act of permitting: liberty granted: allowance.--adj. PERMISS'IVE, granting permission or liberty: allowing: granted: not hindered.--adv. PERMISS'IVELY, by permission, without prohibition.--ns. PERMIT'TANCE, permission; PERMITT[=EE]', one to whom permission is granted; PERMIT'TER, one who permits.--PERMISSIVE BILL, a measure embodying the principles of local option for the regulation of the liquor traffic; PERMISSIVE LAWS, laws that permit certain things without enforcing anything. [L. permitt[)e]re, -missum, to let pass through--per, through, mitt[)e]re, to send.]

PERMUTABLE, per-m[=u]'ta-bl, adj. that may be changed one for another.--ns. PERM[=U]'TABLENESS, PERMUTABIL'ITY.--adv. PERM[=U]'TABLY.--ns. PERM[=U]'TANT; PERMUT[=A]'TION, act of changing one thing for another: (math.) the arrangement of things or letters in every possible order.--v.t. PERMUTE'. [L.,--permut[=a]re--per, through, mut[=a]re, to change.]

PERN, p[.e]rn, n. a honey-buzzard.--Also PER'NIS.

PERNICIOUS, per-nish'us, adj. killing utterly: hurtful: destructive: highly injurious.--adv. PERNI'CIOUSLY.--n. PERNI'CIOUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. perniciosus--per, completely, nex, necis, death by violence.]

PERNICKETY, per-nik'e-ti, adj. easily troubled about trifles: (coll.) fastidious.--n. PERNICK'ETINESS.

PERNOCTATION, p[.e]r-nok-t[=a]'shun, n. act of passing the whole night, esp. in prayer or watching: a watch all night. [L. per, through, nox, noctis, night.]

PERONE, per'[=o]-n[=e], n. the fibula or small bone of the leg.--adjs. PER[=O]N[=E]'AL; PER[=O]N[=E][=O]TIB'IAL, pertaining to the perone and the tibia.--n. a muscle from the fibula to the tibia in some marsupials: an anomalous muscle in man, constant in apes, between the inner side of the head of the fibula and the tibia.--n. PERON[=E]'US, one of several fibular muscles. [Fr.,--Gr. peron[=e], the tongue of a buckle.]

PEROPOD, p[=e]'r[=o]-pod, adj. having rudimentary hind limbs, as serpents--also n. [Gr. p[=e]ros, maimed, pous, podos, a foot.]

PERORATION, per-[=o]-r[=a]'shun, n. the conclusion of a speech, usually summing up the points and enforcing the argument.--v.i. PER'ORATE, to make a peroration: (coll.) to make a speech. [Fr.,--L. peroratio--peror[=a]re, to bring a speech to an end--per, through, or[=a]re, to speak--os, oris, the mouth.]

PEROXIDE, per-ox'[=i]d, n. an oxide having a larger proportion of oxygen than any other oxide of the same series.--n. PEROXID[=A]'TION.--v.t. and v.i. PEROX'IDISE.

PERPEND, per-pend', v.t. to weigh in the mind, to consider carefully. [L. perpend[)e]re--per, inten., pend[)e]re, to weigh.]

PERPEND, per'pend, n. in building, a bond-stone or bonder.--Also PER'PEND-STONE, PER'PENT-STONE. [O. Fr. parpaigne, Fr. parpaing.]

PERPENDICULAR, p[.e]r-pen-dik'[=u]-lar, adj. exactly upright: extending in a straight line toward the centre of the earth: (geom.) at right angles to a given line or surface.--n. a perpendicular line or plane.--n. PERPENDICULAR'ITY, state of being perpendicular.--adv. PERPENDIC'ULARLY.--PERPENDICULAR STYLE, a style of Gothic architecture in England which succeeded the Decorated style, prevailing from the end of the 14th to the middle of the 16th century, contemporary with the Flamboyant style in France, marked by stiff and rectilinear lines, mostly vertical window-tracery, depressed or four-centre arch, fan-tracery vaulting, and panelled walls. [Fr.,--L. perpendicularis--perpendiculum, a plumb-line--per, through, pend[)e]re, to weigh.]

PERPETRATE, p[.e]r'p[=e]-tr[=a]t, v.t. to perform or commit (usually in a bad sense): to produce (as a poor pun).--adj. PER'PETRABLE.--ns. PERPETR[=A]'TION, act of committing a crime: the thing perpetrated: an evil action; PER'PETR[=A]TOR. [L. perpetr[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, thoroughly, patr[=a]re, to perform.]

PERPETUAL, per-pet'[=u]-al, adj. never ceasing: everlasting: not temporary.--adv. PERPET'UALLY.--PERPETUAL CURATE, a curate of a parish where there was neither rector nor vicar, the tithes being in the hands of a layman--abolished in 1868, every incumbent not a rector now being a vicar; PERPETUAL MOTION, motion of a machine arising from forces within itself, constantly kept up without any force from without; PERPETUAL SCREW, an endless screw. [Fr. perpétuel--L. perpetuus, continuous.]

PERPETUATE, per-pet'[=u]-[=a]t, v.t. to make perpetual: to cause to last for ever or for a very long time: to preserve from extinction or oblivion.--adj. PERPET'[=U]ABLE, capable of being perpetuated.--n. PERPET'UANCE, the act of making perpetual.--adjs. PERPET'U[=A]TE, -D, made perpetual: continued for an indefinite time.--n. PERPETU[=A]'TION, act of perpetuating or preserving from oblivion: preservation for ever, or for a very long time; PERPET[=U]'ITY, state of being perpetual: endless time: duration for an indefinite period: something lasting for ever: the sum paid for a perpetual annuity: the annuity itself.

PERPLEX, per-pleks', v.t. to make difficult to be understood: to embarrass: to puzzle: to tease with suspense or doubt.--n. (obs.) a difficulty.--adv. PERPLEX'EDLY.--n. PERPLEX'EDNESS.--adj. PERPLEX'ING.--adv. PERPLEX'INGLY.--n. PERPLEX'ITY, state of being perplexed: confusion of mind arising from doubt, &c.: intricacy: embarrassment: doubt. [Fr.,--L. perplexus, entangled--per, completely, plexus, involved, pa.p. of plect[)e]re.]

PERQUISITE, p[.e]r'kwi-zit, n. an allowance granted over and above the settled wages: a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service.--ns. PERQUISI'TION, a strict search: diligent inquiry; PERQUIS'ITOR, the first purchaser of an estate. [L. perquisitum, from perquir[)e]re--per, thoroughly, quær[)e]re, to ask.]

PERRADIAL, p[.e]r-r[=a]'di-al, adj. fundamentally radial.--n. PERR[=A]'DIUS.

PERRIER, per'i-[.e]r, n. a machine for hurling stones.

PERRON, per'on, n. an external flight of steps giving access to the entrance-door of a building.

PERRUQUE, PERRUQUIER. See PERUKE.

PERRY, per'i, n. an agreeable beverage made by fermenting the juice of pears. [Fr. poiré, from poire, a pear--L. pirum.]

PERSANT, p[.e]rs'ant, adj. (Spens.). Same as PERCEANT.

PERSCRUTATION, per-skr[=oo]-t[=a]'shun, n. a thorough search through: a minute inquiry. [L. per, through, scrut[=a]ri, to search carefully.]

PERSE, pers, adj. dark blue, bluish-gray.--n. a dark-blue colour, a cloth of such colour. [O. Fr. pers--L. persicum, a peach.]

PERSECUTE, p[.e]r'se-k[=u]t, v.t. to pursue so as to injure or annoy: to follow after persistently: to annoy or punish, esp. for religious or political opinions.--ns. PERSEC[=U]'TION, act or practice of persecuting: state of being persecuted: a time of general oppression on account of religious opinions; PER'SEC[=U]TOR:--fem. PER'SEC[=U]TRIX. [Fr.,--L. persequi, persecutus--per, thoroughly, sequi, to follow.]

PERSEUS, per's[=u]s, n. a fabled Greek hero, who slew the Gorgon Medusa, and rescued Andromeda from a sea-monster: a constellation in the northern sky. [Gr.]

PERSEVERE, p[.e]r-s[=e]-v[=e]r', v.i. to persist in anything: to pursue anything steadily: to be constant: not to give over.--n. PERSEV[=E]'RANCE, act or state of persevering: continued application to anything which one has begun: a going on till success is met with.--adj. PERSEV[=E]'RING.--adv. PERSEV[=E]'RINGLY.--PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS, the Calvinistic doctrine that those who are effectually called by God cannot fall away so as to be finally lost. [Fr.,--L. persever[=a]re--perseverus, very strict--per, very, severus, strict.]

PERSIAN, p[.e]r'shi-an, adj. of, from, or relating to Persia, its inhabitants, or language.--n. a native of Persia: the language of Persia: (archit.) male figures used instead of columns to support an entablature--also PER'SIC.--PERSIAN APPLE, the peach; PERSIAN BERRY, the fruit of several buckthorns; PERSIAN BLINDS (see PERSIENNE); PERSIAN WHEEL, a large wheel for raising water, fixed vertically with a number of buckets at its circumference.

PERSICOT, per'si-kot, n. a cordial flavoured with kernels of peaches and apricots. [Fr.,--L. persicum, a peach.]

PERSIENNE, per-si-en', n. an Eastern cambric or muslin with coloured printed pattern: (pl.) Persian blinds, outside shutters of thin movable slats in a frame.

PERSIFLAGE, p[.e]r'si-fläzh, n. a frivolous way of talking or treating any subject: banter.--adj. PER'SIFLANT, bantering.--v.i. PER'SIFL[=A]TE (Thackeray).--n. PER'SIFLOUR (Carlyle). [Fr.,--persifler, to banter--L. per, through, Fr. siffler--L. sibil[=a]re, to whistle, to hiss.]

PERSIMMON, PERSIMON, per-sim'on, n. the American date-plum. [Amer. Ind.]

PERSIST, per-sist', v.i. to stand throughout to something begun: to continue in any course, esp. against opposition: to persevere.--ns. PERSIS'TENCE, PERSIS'TENCY, quality of being persistent: perseverance: obstinacy: duration, esp. of an effect after the exciting cause has been removed.--adj. PERSIS'TENT, persisting: pushing on, esp. against opposition: tenacious: fixed: (bot.) remaining till or after the fruit is ripe, as a calyx.--advs. PERSIS'TENTLY; PERSIS'TINGLY.--adj. PERSIS'TIVE (Shak.), persistent. [Fr.,--L. persist[)e]re--per, through, sist[)e]re, to cause to stand--st[=a]re, to stand.]

PERSON, p[.e]r'sun, n. character represented, as on the stage: character: an individual, sometimes used slightingly: a living soul: a human being: the outward appearance, &c.: bodily form: one of the three hypostases or individualities in the triune God: (gram.) a distinction in form, according as the subject of the verb is the person speaking, spoken to, or spoken of.--adj. PER'SONABLE, having a well-formed body or person: of good appearance.--n. PER'SON[=A]GE, a person: character represented: an individual of eminence: external appearance.--adj. PER'SONAL, belonging to a person: having the nature or quality of a person: peculiar to a person or to his private concerns: pertaining to the external appearance: done in person: relating to one's own self: applied offensively to one's character: (gram.) denoting the person.--n. PERSONALIS[=A]'TION, personification.--v.t. PER'SONALISE, to make personal.--ns. PER'SONALISM, the character of being personal; PER'SONALIST, one who writes personal notes; PERSONAL'ITY, that which distinguishes a person from a thing, or one person from another: individuality: a derogatory remark or reflection directly applied to a person--esp. in pl. PERSONAL'ITIES.--adv. PER'SONALLY, in a personal or direct manner: in person: individually.--n. PER'SONALTY (law), all the property which, when a man dies, goes to his executor or administrator, as distinguished from the realty, which goes to his heir-at-law.--v.t. PER'SON[=A]TE, to assume the likeness or character of: to represent: to counterfeit: to feign.--adj. (bot.) mask-like, as in the corollary of the snapdragon: larval, cucullate.--adj. PER'SON[=A]TED, impersonated, feigned, assumed.--ns. PERSON[=A]'TION; PER'SON[=A]TOR.--n. PERSONIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. PER'SONISE, to personify.--n. PERSONNEL', the persons employed in any service, as distinguished from the materiel.--PERSONAL ESTATE, PROPERTY, movable goods or property, as distinguished from freehold or real property, esp. in land; PERSONAL EXCEPTION (Scots law), a ground of objection which applies to an individual and prevents him from doing something which, but for his conduct or situation, he might do; PERSONAL IDENTITY, the continued sameness of the individual person, through all changes both without and within, as testified by consciousness; PERSONAL RIGHTS, rights which belong to the person as a living, reasonable being; PERSONAL SECURITY, security or pledge given by a person, as distinguished from the delivery of some object of value as security; PERSONAL SERVICE, delivery of a message or an order into a person's hands, as distinguished from delivery in any other indirect way; PERSONAL TRANSACTION, something done by a person's own effort, not through the agency of another.--IN PERSON, by one's self, not by a representative. [Fr.,--L. pers[=o]na, a player's mask, perh. from pers[)o]n[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, through, son[=a]re, to sound.]

PERSONA, p[.e]r-s[=o]'na, n. a person.--PERSONA GRATA, a person who is acceptable to those to whom he is sent.--DRAMATIS PERSONÆ, the characters in a play or story. [L.]

PERSONIFY, per-son'i-f[=i], v.t. (rhet.) to treat, look on, or describe as a person: to ascribe to any inanimate object the qualities of a person: to be the embodiment of:--pa.t. and pa.p. person'if[=i]ed.--n. PERSONIFIC[=A]'TION. [L. persona, a person, fac[)e]re, to make.]

PERSPECTIVE, per-spek'tiv, n. a view or a vista: the art of drawing objects on a plane surface, so as to give the picture the same appearance to the eye as the objects themselves: just proportion in all the parts: a telescope or field-glass: a picture in perspective.--adj. pertaining or according to perspective.--adv. PERSPEC'TIVELY.--ns. PERSPEC'TOGRAPH, an instrument for indicating correctly the points and outlines of objects; PERSPECTOG'RAPHY, the science of perspective, or of delineating it.--PERSPECTIVE PLANE, the surface on which the picture of the objects to be represented in perspective is drawn.--IN PERSPECTIVE, according to the laws of perspective. [Fr.,--L. perspic[)e]re, perspectum--per, through, spec[)e]re, to look.]

PERSPICACIOUS, p[.e]r-spi-k[=a]'shus, adj. of clear or acute understanding: quick-sighted.--adv. PERSPIC[=A]'CIOUSLY.--ns. PERSPIC[=A]'CIOUSNESS; PERSPICAC'ITY, state of being acute in discerning: keenness of sight or of understanding; PERSPIC[=U]'ITY, state of being perspicacious: clearness in expressing ideas so as to make them easily understood by others: freedom from obscurity.--adj. PERSPIC'[=U]OUS, that can be seen through: clear to the mind: easily understood: not obscure in any way: evident.--adv. PERSPIC'[=U]OUSLY.--n. PERSPIC'[=U]OUSNESS. [L. perspicax, perspicacis--perspic[)e]re, to see through.]

PERSPIRE, per-sp[=i]r', v.i. and v.t. to emit or to be emitted, as moisture, through the pores of the skin: to sweat.--n. PERSPIRABIL'ITY.--adj. PERSP[=I]R'ABLE, capable of being perspired.--v.i. PER'SPIR[=A]TE (rare), to sweat.--n. PERSPIR[=A]'TION, act of perspiring: that which is perspired: moisture given out through the pores of the skin: sweat.--adj. PERSP[=I]R'ATORY, pertaining to or causing perspiration. [L. perspir[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, through, spir[=a]re, to breathe.]

PERSTRINGE, p[.e]r-strinj', v.t. to criticise.

PERSUADE, per-sw[=a]d', v.t. to influence successfully by argument, advice, &c.: to bring to any particular opinion: to cause to believe: to convince.--adj. PERSUAD'ABLE.--n. PERSUAD'ER.--adj. PERSU[=A]'SIBLE, capable of being persuaded.--ns. PERSU[=A]'SIBLENESS, PERSUASIBIL'ITY; PERSU[=A]'SION, act of persuading: state of being persuaded: settled opinion: a creed: a party adhering to a creed: (Spens.) an inducement.--adjs. PERSU[=A]'SIVE, PERSU[=A]'SORY, having the power to persuade: influencing the mind or passions.--n. that which persuades or wins over.--adv. PERSU[=A]'SIVELY.--n. PERSU[=A]'SIVENESS. [Fr.,--L. persuad[=e]re, -suasum--per, thoroughly, suad[=e]re, to advise.]

PERSUE, p[.e]rs'[=u], n. (Spens.) a track.

PERSULPHATE, p[.e]r-sul'f[=a]t, n. that sulphate of a metal which contains the relatively greater quantity of acid.

PERT, p[.e]rt, adj. (obs.) open: evident: plain. [O. Fr. apert--L. aper[=i]re, apertum, to open.]

PERT, p[.e]rt, adj. forward: saucy: impertinent: too free in speech: (obs.) clever.--n. an impudent person.--adv. PERT'LY.--n. PERT'NESS. [Perk.]

PERTAIN, per-t[=a]n', v.i. to belong: to relate (with to).--ns. PER'TINENCE, PER'TINENCY, state of being pertinent or to the point: fitness for the matter on hand: suitableness: appositeness.--adj. PER'TINENT, pertaining or related to a subject: being to the point: fitted for the matter on hand: fitting or appropriate: suitable: apposite.--adv. PER'TINENTLY.--n. PER'TINENTNESS. [O. Fr. partenir--L. pertin[=e]re--per, thoroughly, ten[=e]re, to hold.]

PERTINACIOUS, p[.e]r-ti-n[=a]'shus, adj. thoroughly tenacious: holding obstinately to an opinion or a purpose: obstinate: unyielding.--adv. PERTIN[=A]'CIOUSLY.--ns. PERTIN[=A]'CIOUSNESS; PERTINAC'ITY, quality of being pertinacious or unyielding: obstinacy: resoluteness. [Fr.,--L. pertinax, -acis, holding fast--per, thoroughly, tenax, tenacious--ten[=e]re, to hold.]

PERTURB, per-turb', v.t. to disturb greatly: to agitate--also PER'TURBATE.--adj. PERTUR'BABLE, that can be agitated or confused.--ns. PERTUR'BANCE, PERTURB[=A]'TION, act of perturbing or state of being perturbed: disquiet of mind: irregular action, esp. (astron.) the disturbance produced in the simple elliptic motion of one heavenly body about another by the action of a third body, or by the non-sphericity of the principal body; PERTUR'BANT, any disturbing thing.--adjs. PERTURB[=A]'TIONAL; PERTUR'BATIVE.--n. PERTUR'BATORY, the power of deflecting the divining-rod by magnetic influence.--p.adj. PERTURBED'.--adv. PERTURB'EDLY.--ns. PERTUR'BER, PERTURB[=A]'TOR:--fem. PER'TURB[=A]TRIX. [Fr.,--L. perturb[=a]re, -[=a]tum--per, thoroughly, turb[=a]re, to disturb--turba, a crowd.]

PERTUSION, p[.e]r-t[=u]'zhon, n. a hole made by a sharp instrument.--adjs. PERT[=U]'SATE, pierced at the apex; PERTUSE', -D, pierced with holes. [L. pertund[)e]re, -tusum--per, through, tund[)e]re, to strike.]

PERTUSSIS, per-tus'is, n. whooping-cough.--adj. PERTUSS'AL.

PERUKE, per-[=u]k', or per'[=u]k, n. an artificial cap of hair: a periwig--also PERRUQUE.--adj. PERUQU[=E]R'IAN, of or pertaining to the making of wigs.--n. PERRU'QUIER, a wigmaker. [Fr. perruque--It. parrucca (Sp. peluca)--L. pilus, hair.]

PERUSE, per-[=u]z', or per-[=oo]z', v.t. to read attentively: to examine carefully or in detail.--ns. PERUSAL (per-[=u]z'al, or per-[=oo]z'al), the act of perusing: careful examination: study: reading; PERUS'ER. [Formed from L. per, thoroughly, uti, usum, to use.]

PERUVIAN, per-[=oo]'vi-an, adj. pertaining to Peru in South America.--n. a native of Peru.--PERUVIAN BALSAM, a fragrant bitterish liquid yielded by a South American tree, used for asthma and in making soaps; PERUVIAN BARK, cinchona (q.v.).

PERVADE, per-v[=a]d', v.t. to go through or penetrate: to spread all over.--n. PERV[=A]'SION.--adj. PERV[=A]'SIVE, tending or having power to pervade. [L. pervad[)e]re, pervasum--per, through, vad[)e]re, to go.]

PERVERSE, per-v[.e]rs', adj. turned aside: obstinate in the wrong: stubborn: vexatious.--adv. PERVERSE'LY.--ns. PERVERSE'NESS, PERVER'SITY, state or quality of being perverse: inclination to oppose: wickedness.--adj. PERVER'SIVE, tending to pervert. [L. perversus, turned the wrong way.]

PERVERT, per-v[.e]rt', v.t. to turn wrong or from the right course: to change from its true use: to corrupt: to turn from truth or virtue.--v.i. to go wrong or out of the right course.--n. (per'vert) one who has changed from a former position: an apostate.--ns. PERVER'SION, the act of perverting: a diverting from the true object: a turning from truth or propriety: misapplication; PERVERT'ER.--adj. PERVERT'IBLE, able to be perverted. [Fr. pervertir--L. pervert[)e]re--per, thoroughly, vert[)e]re, versum, to turn.]

PERVEYAUNCE. Same as PURVEYANCE.

PERVICACIOUS, per-vi-k[=a]'shus, adj. very obstinate.--ns. PERVIC[=A]'CIOUSNESS, PERVICAC'ITY.

PERVIOUS, p[.e]r'vi-us, adj. permeable, penetrable: open, perforate.--adv. PER'VIOUSLY.--n. PER'VIOUSNESS. [L. pervius--per, through, via, a way.]

PESADE, pe-z[=a]d', n. the act or position of a saddle-horse in rearing. [Fr.]

PESETA, pe-s[=a]'ta, n. a silver coin of Spain worth 9½d. [Sp., dim. of pesa, weight.]

PESHITO, pe-sh[=e]'to, n. a translation of the Bible into Syriac, made in the second century.--Also PESHIT'TO. [Syriac, p[)e]shittá, the simple.]

PESHWA, pesh'wa, n. a chief or prince of the Mahrattas.--Also PEISH'WAH.

PESKY, pes'ki, adj. annoying.--adv. PES'KILY.

PESO, p[=a]'so, n. a Spanish dollar. [Sp.,--L. pensum, pend[)e]re, to weigh.]

PESSARY, pes'a-ri, n. an instrument worn in the vagina to remedy displacement of the womb. [Fr. pessaire--Low L. pessarium--Gr. pessos, a pebble.]

PESSIMISM, pes'i-mizm, n. the doctrine that on the whole the world is bad rather than good: a temper of mind that looks too much on the dark side of things: a depressing view of life.--v.i. PESS'IMISE.--n. PESS'IMIST, one who believes that everything is tending to the worst: one who looks too much on the dark side of things--opp. to Optimist.--adjs. PESSIMIS'TIC, -AL. [L. pessimus, worst.]

PEST, pest, n. a deadly disease: a plague: anything destructive: a troublesome person.--n. PEST'HOUSE, a hospital for persons afflicted with any contagious disease.--adj. PESTIF'EROUS, contagious: pestilent: annoying.--adv. PESTIF'EROUSLY.--n. PEST'ILENCE, any contagious deadly disease: anything that is hurtful to the morals.--adjs. PEST'ILENT, producing pestilence: hurtful to health and life: mischievous: corrupt: troublesome; PESTILEN'TIAL, of the nature of pestilence: producing pestilence: destructive.--advs. PESTILEN'TIALLY, PEST'ILENTLY. [Fr. peste--L. pestis, a contagious disease.]

PESTALOZZIAN, pes-ta-lot'si-an, adj. pertaining to graduated object-teaching as originated by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1745-1827).

PESTER, pes't[.e]r, v.t. to disturb, to annoy.--n. a bother.--n. PES'TERER, one who pesters.--adv. PES'TERINGLY.--n. PES'TERMENT, annoyance. [Short for impester, O. Fr. empestrer (Fr. empêtrer), to entangle, from in, in, Low L. pastorium, a foot-shackle--L. pastus, pa.p. of pasc[)e]re, to feed.]

PESTLE, pes'l, or pest'l, n. an instrument for pounding anything in a mortar.--v.t. and v.i. to pound with a pestle: to use a pestle. [O. Fr. pestel--L. pistillum, a pounder, pins[)e]re, pistum, to pound.]

PET, pet, n. any animal tame and fondled: a word of endearment often used to young children: a favourite child: a wilful young woman--also PEAT.--adj. indulged: cherished: favourite.--v.t. to treat as a pet: to fondle:--pr.p. pet'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. pet'ted. [Celt., as Ir. peat, Gael. peata.]

PET, pet, n. a sudden fit of peevishness or slight passion: ill-humour.--v.i. to be peevish, to sulk. [From the above word.]

PETAL, pet'al, n. a flower-leaf: a corolla leaf.--adjs. PET'ALED, PET'ALIFORM, PET'ALOUS, having petals or flower-leaves; PET'ALINE, pertaining to or resembling a petal: attached to a petal.--n. PET'ALISM, a method of ostracism practised in ancient Syracuse, the name being written on an olive-leaf.--adj. PET'ALOID, having the form of a petal--also PETALOI'DEOUS. [Gr. petalon, a leaf.]

PETARD, p[=e]-tärd', n. a kind of mortar filled with gunpowder, fixed to gates, barriers, &c., to break them down by explosion--(Shak.) PETAR': a paper bomb in pyrotechny.--ns. PETARDEER', PETARDIER'.--HOIST WITH ONE'S OWN PETARD (see HOIST). [O. Fr.--péter, to crack or explode--L. ped[)e]re, cog. with Gr. perdein, Eng. fart.]

PETARY, p[=e]'tar-i, n. a peat-bog.

PETASUS, pet'a-sus, n. a low broad-brimmed hat worn by heralds, &c., characteristic of Hermes. [Gr.]

PETAURIST, pe-taw'rist, n. a flying opossum, Australian squirrel, &c.--adj. PETAU'RINE. [Gr.]

PETCHARY, pech'a-ri, n. the gray king-bird.

PETECHIÆ, p[=e]-tek'i-[=e], n.pl. purple spots on the skin.--adj. PETECH'IAL. [L. petigo, a scab.]

PETER, p[=e]'t[.e]r, v.i. in mining, to become exhausted (with out): (fig.) to lose power or value.

PETER, p[=e]'t[.e]r, v.i. to call for trumps at whist, by throwing away a higher card of a suit while holding a smaller.--n. this signal for trumps.

PETEREL. Same as PETREL.

PETERSHAM, p[=e]'t[.e]r-sham, n. a heavy greatcoat, also the rough-napped cloth, generally dark blue, of which it is made. [From Lord Petersham.]

PETER'S-PENCE. See PENNY.

PETIOLE, pet'i-[=o]l, n. the stalk which joins a leaf to the twig or branch: a footstalk--also PET[=I]'OLUS.--adjs. PET'IOLAR, -Y, pertaining to, or growing upon, a petiole; PET'IOL[=A]TE, -D, PET'IOLED, growing on a petiole.--n. PET'IOLULE, a little or partial petiole. [Fr.,--L. petiolus, a little foot--pes, pedis, a foot.]

PETIT, pet'i, adj. small:--fem. PETITE (pe-t[=e]t').--n. PET'IT-MAÎ'TRE, a dandy, a coxcomb generally. [Fr.]

PETITION, p[=e]-tish'un, n. a request generally from an inferior to a superior: a written request presented to a court of law, or to a body of legislators: a prayer: a supplication.--v.t. to present a petition to: to ask as a favour: to supplicate.--adj. PETIT'IONARY, offering or containing a petition: supplicatory.--ns. PETIT'IONER, one who offers a petition or prayer; PETIT'IONING, the act of presenting a petition: entreaty: solicitation; PETIT'IONIST.--adj. PET'ITORY, petitioning.--PETITIO PRINCIPII, the fallacy of begging the question--a taking for granted in argument of that which has yet to be proved. [Fr.,--L. petitio--pet[)e]re, petitum, to ask.]

PETRARY, pe-tr[=a]'ri, n. an engine for hurling stones.

PETRE. Same as SALTPETRE.

PETREAN, p[=e]-tr[=e]'an, adj. pertaining to rock. [L. petræus--Gr. petraios--petra, a rock.]

PETREL, pet'rel, n. a long-winged dusky sea-bird, rarely landing except to lay its eggs, esp. the STORMY PETREL, called by sailors 'Mother Carey's Chickens,' scarcely larger than a lark, the smallest web-footed bird known. [Fr.; from Matt. xiv. 29.]

PETRIFY, pet'ri-f[=i], v.t. to turn into stone: to make hard like a stone: to fix in amazement.--v.i. to become stone, or hard like stone:--pa.t. and pa.p. pet'rified.--n. PETRES'CENCE.--adjs. PETRES'CENT, growing into or becoming stone; PETRIC'OLOUS, inhabiting rocks.--n. PETRIFAC'TION, the act of turning into stone: the state of being turned into stone: that which is made stone: a fossil.--adjs. PETRIFAC'TIVE, PETRIF'IC, changing animal or vegetable substances into stone; PET'RIF[=I]ABLE.--ns. PETROG'ENY, the science of the origin of rocks; PET'ROGLYPH, a rock-carving.--adj. PETROGLYPH'IC.--ns. PETROG'LYPHY, the art of writing on rocks or stones; PETROG'RAPHER, a student of petrography.--adjs. PETROGRAPH'IC, -AL.--adv. PETROGRAPH'ICALLY.--n. PETROG'RAPHY, the study of rocks: petrology.--adj. PETROLOG'ICAL.--adv. PETROLOG'ICALLY.--ns. PETROL'OGIST; PETROL'OGY, the science of the composition and classification of rocks.--adjs. PETR[=O]'SAL, of great hardness: petrous; P[=E]'TROUS, like stone: hard: rocky. [L. petra--Gr. petra, rock, L. fac[)e]re, factum, to make.]

PETRINE, p[=e]'trin, adj. pertaining to, or written by, the Apostle Peter.--n. P[=E]'TRINISM, the Tübingen theory of F. C. Baur (1792-1860) and his school, of a doctrinal trend in primitive Christianity towards Judaism, ascribed to Peter and his party in opposition to Paulinism. [L. Petrinus--Petrus, Peter.]

PETROLEUM, p[=e]-tr[=o]'l[=e]-um, n. a liquid inflammable substance issuing or pumped up from the earth in various parts of the world.--ns. PET'ROL, a spirit obtained from petroleum; PETROLEUR (p[=a]-tro-l[=a]r'), one of those Parisians who, with the help of petroleum, set fire to many of the public buildings of Paris in May 1871: an incendiary:--fem. PETROLEUSE'.--adj. PETROLIF'EROUS, yielding petroleum. [L. petra, rock, oleum, oil.]

PETRONEL, pet'ro-nel, n. a large horse-pistol: a small carbine. [O. Fr. petrinal, the breast--L. pectus.]

PETTED, pet'ed, adj. treated as a pet: indulged.--adj. PETT'ISH, given to take the pet: peevish: fretful.--adv. PETT'ISHLY.--n. PETT'ISHNESS.

PETTICHAPS, PETTY-CHAPS, pet'i-chaps, n. the garden warbler, the willow-warbler, chiff-chaff.

PETTICOAT, pet'i-k[=o]t, n. a loose under-skirt worn by females and little boys: (coll.) a woman: a fisherman's loose canvas or oilcloth skirt: a bell-mouthed piece over the exhaust nozzles in the smoke-box of a locomotive, strengthening and equalising the draught through the boiler-tubes.--adj. feminine: female, as 'petticoat influence.'--n. PETT'ICOAT-AFFAIR', an affair in which a woman is concerned.--n.pl. PETT'ICOAT-BREECH'ES, a loose short breeches worn by men in the 17th century.--adj. PETT'ICOATED.--PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT, government by women, either at home or in the state. [Petty + coat.]

PETTIFOGGER, pet'i-fog-[.e]r, n. a lawyer who practises only in paltry cases.--v.i. PETT'IFOG, to play the pettifogger.--n. PETT'IFOGGERY, mean tricks: quibbles.--adj. PETT'IFOGGING. [Petty, and obs. fog, to cheat (cf. Old Dut. focker).]

PETTITOES, pet'i-t[=o]z, n.pl. the feet of a sucking pig: (Shak.) human feet. [Petty + toe.]

PETTLE, pet'l, v.t. (Scot.) to indulge, pet.

PETTO, pet'o, n. the breast. [It.,--L. pectus, breast.]

PETTY, pet'i, adj. small: of less importance: lower in rank, power, &c.: inconsiderable, insignificant: contemptible.--adv. PETT'ILY.--n. PETT'INESS.--PETTY CASH, small sums of money received or paid; PETTY LARCENY (see LARCENY); PETTY OFFICER, a naval officer with rank corresponding to a non-commissioned officer in the army. [O. Fr. petit.]

PETULANT, pet'[=u]-lant, adj. showing peevish impatience, irritation, or caprice: forward, impudent in manner.--ns. PET'ULANCE, PET'ULANCY, sauciness: peevishness or impatience.--adv. PET'ULANTLY. [L. petulans, -antis--obs. petul[=a]re, dim. of pet[)e]re, to fall upon.]

PETUNIA, p[=e]-t[=u]'ni-a, n. a Brazilian genus of ornamental plants of the nightshade family, with small undivided leaves and showy funnel-form flowers. [Amer. Ind. petun, tobacco.]

PEW, p[=u], n. an enclosed seat in a church.--ns. PEW'-FELL'OW, companion; PEW'-HOLD'ER, one who rents a pew in a church; PEW'-[=O]'PENER, an attendant who opens pews in a church; PEW'-RENT, rent paid for the use of a pew in church. [O. Fr. pui, a raised place--L. podium, a front seat in the amphitheatre--Gr. podion, orig. a footstool--pous, podos, foot.]

PEWIT, p[=e]'wit, n. the lapwing, a bird with a black head and crest, common in moors.--Also P[=E]'WET, PEE'WIT. [Imit.; cf. Dut. piewit or kiewit.]

PEWTER, p[=u]'t[.e]r, n. an alloy of four parts of tin and one of lead: sometimes tin with a little copper and antimony: a vessel made of pewter, esp. a beer-tankard: (slang) prize-money.--adj. made of pewter.--ns. PEW'TERER, one who works in pewter; PEW'TER-MILL, a lapidaries' polishing-wheel for amethyst, agate, &c.--adj. PEW'TERY, belonging to pewter. [O. Fr. peutre (It. peltro), from a Teut. root, seen in Low Ger. spialter, Eng. spelter.]

PFENNIG, pfen'ig, n. a German copper coin, the hundredth part of a mark.--Also PFENN'ING.

PHACITIS, f[=a]-s[=i]'tis, n. inflammation of the crystalline lens of the eye.--n. PHACOCYST[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye.--adj. PH[=A]'COID, lentil-shaped.--n. PH[=A]'COSCOPE. [Gr. phakos, a lentil.]

PHÆNOGAMOUS, PHENOGAMOUS, f[=e]-nog'a-mus, adj. having manifest flowers, phanerogamous.--ns. PHÆ'NOGAM, a phanerogamous plant; PHÆNOG[=A]'MIA=Phanerogamia.--adj. PHÆNOGAM'IC. [Gr. phainein, to show, gamos, marriage.]

PHAETON, f[=a]'e-ton, n. a kind of open pleasure-carriage on four wheels, drawn by one or two horses, from Phaëthon, son of Helios, the sun, whose chariot he attempted to drive: a tropic bird.--adj. PHAËTON'IC.

PHAGEDENA, PHAGEDÆNA, faj-e-d[=e]'na, n. a sloughing ulcer, hospital gangrene.--adjs. PHAGED[=E]'NIC, PHAGEDÆ'NIC. [Gr. phagein, to eat.]

PHAGOCYTE, fag'o-s[=i]t, n. a white or colourless blood-corpuscle--also called leucocyte--an active amoeboid cell, which engulfs both nutritive and harmful particles.--adjs. PHAGOCYT'IC, -AL.--ns. PHAG'OCYTISM, the nature or function of a phagocyte; PHAGOCYT[=O]'SIS, the destruction of microbes by phagocytes. [Gr. phagein, to eat, kytos, a vessel.]

PHALÆNA, f[=a]-l[=e]'na, n. the Linnæan genus including moths.--adj. PHAL[=E]'NOID. [Gr. phalaina, a moth.]

PHALANGE, f[=a]-lanj', n. a phalanx of a digit: any of the joints of an insect's tarsus: a bundle of stamens joined by their filaments: a socialistic community in Fourier's dream of an ideal arrangement of society, consisting of 1800 persons living in a phalanstère--generally in pl., the usual sing. being PH[=A]'LANX (q.v.).--adjs. PHALAN'GAL, PHALAN'G[=E]AL, PHALAN'GIAL, PHALAN'GIAN; PHALAN'GIFORM; PHALANST[=E]'RIAN.--ns. PHALANST[=E]'RIANISM, PHALAN'STERISM; PHAL'ANSTERY, the dwelling of the phalange in the ideal social system of Fourier (1772-1837), a vast structure in the midst of a square league of cultivated land.

PHALANGER, f[=a]-lan'jer, n. a genus of small arboreal Australasian marsupials. [Fr.,--L. phalanx.]

PHALANX, fal'angks, or f[=a]'-, n. a line of battle: a square battalion of heavy-armed infantry drawn up in ranks and files close and deep: any compact body of men: one of the small bones of the fingers and toes:--pl. PHALAN'GES, or PHAL'ANXES. [L.,--Gr. phalangks.]

PHALAROPE, fal'a-r[=o]p, n. a genus of wading birds, forming a sub-family of the snipes. [Gr. phalaris, a coot, pous, a foot.]

PHALLUS, fal'us, n. the symbol of generation which figures in the rites and ceremonies of most primitive peoples: (biol.) the organ of sex.--adj. PHALL'IC.--ns. PHALL'ICISM, PHALL'ISM, the phallic worship.--adj. PHALL'OID. [L.,--Gr. phallos.]

PHANARIOT, fa-nar'i-ot, n. one of the Greeks inhabiting the Fanar quarter of Constantinople--in Turkish history mostly diplomatists, administrators, and bankers, also hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia.--adj. PHANAR'IOT.--Also FANAR'IOT.

PHANEROGAMOUS, fan-e-rog'a-mus, adj. having true flowers containing stamens and pistils--opp. to Cryptogamous--also PHANEROGAM'IC.--n. PHAN'EROGAM, a phanerogamic plant. [Gr. phaneros, visible, gamos, marriage.]

PHANTASM, fan'tazm, n. a vain, airy appearance: a fancied vision: an apparition or spectre--also PHANTAS'MA (Shak.):--pl. PHAN'TASMS, PHANTAS'MATA.--adjs. PHANTAS'MAL; PHANTASM[=A]'LIAN (rare).--n. PHANTASMAL'ITY.--adv. PHANTAS'MALLY.--adjs. PHANTASMAT'IC, -AL; PHANTAS'MIC; PHANTASMOGENET'IC, begetting phantasms.--adv. PHANTASMOGENET'ICALLY.--adj. PHANTASMOLOG'ICAL, pertaining to phantasms as subjects of inquiry.--n. PHANTASMOL'OGY, the science of phantasms. [Gr. phantasma--phantazein, to make visible--phainein, to bring to light--pha-ein, to shine.]

PHANTASMAGORIA, fan-taz-ma-g[=o]'ri-a, n. a fantastic series of illusive images: a gathering of appearances or figures upon a flat surface by a magic-lantern.--adjs. PHANTASMAG[=O]'RIAL, pertaining to or resembling a phantasmagoria; PHANTASMAGOR'IC, -AL. [Gr. phantasma, an appearance, agora, an assembly--ageirein, to gather.]

PHANTASTIC, PHANTASY. See FANTASTIC, FANTASY.--n. PHANT[=A]'SIAST, one of those Docetæ who believed Christ's body to have been a mere phantom.

PHANTOM, fan'tom, n. a phantasm.--adj. illusive, spectral.--adj. PHANTOMAT'IC, relating to a phantom. [O. Fr. fantosme--Gr. phantasma.]

PHARAOH, f[=a]'r[=o], n. a title of the kings of ancient Egypt.--adj. PHARAON'IC. [Heb.,--Egyptian.]

PHARE, fär, n. a lighthouse.--Also PH[=A]'ROS. [Pharos.]

PHARISEE, far'i-s[=e], n. one of a religious school among the Jews, marked by their strict observance of the law and of religious ordinances: any one more careful of the outward forms than of the spirit of religion, a formalist.--adjs. PHARIS[=A]'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or like, the Pharisees: hypocritical.--adv. PHARIS[=A]'ICALLY.--ns. PHARIS[=A]'ICALNESS; PHAR'IS[=A]ISM, PHAR'ISEEISM, the practice and opinions of the Pharisees: strict observance of outward forms in religion without the spirit of it: hypocrisy. [Late L. pharisæus--Gr. pharisaios--Heb. p[=a]r[=u]sh, separated from, parash, to separate.]

PHARMACEUTIC, -AL, fär-ma-s[=u]'tik, -al, adj. pertaining to the knowledge or art of preparing medicines.--adv. PHARMACE[=U]'TICALLY.--ns. PHARMACE[=U]'TICS, the science of preparing medicines; PHARMACE[=U]'TIST, one who practises pharmacy.

PHARMACOPOEIA, fär-ma-k[=o]-p[=e]'ya, n. a book containing directions for the preparation of medicines: a collection of drugs.--adj. PHARMACOPOE'IAL. [Gr. pharmakon, a drug, poiein, to make.]

PHARMACY, fär'ma-si, n. a department of the medical art which consists in the collecting, preparing, preserving, and dispensing of medicines: the art of preparing and mixing medicines: a drug-store.--ns. PHAR'MACIST, a druggist, one skilled in pharmacy; PHARMACOGNOS'TICS, the sum of knowledge about drugs; PHARMACOG'RAPHY, a description of drugs; PHARMACOL'OGIST, one skilled in pharmacology; PHARMACOL'OGY, pharmacy; PHAR'MACON, a drug; PHARMACOP'OLIST, a dealer in drugs. [Fr. pharmacie--L.,--Gr. pharmakon, a drug.]

PHARO=Faro.

PHAROS, f[=a]'ros, n. a lighthouse or beacon, so named from the famous lighthouse on the island of Pharos in the Bay of Alexandria.--n. PHAROL'OGY, the art or science of directing the course of ships by means of light-signals from the shore.

PHARYNX, far'ingks, n. the cleft or cavity forming the upper part of the gullet, and lying behind the nose, mouth, and larynx:--pl. PHAR'YNGES, PHAR'YNXES.--adjs. PHARYN'G[=E]AL; PHARYNGIT'IC, pertaining to pharyngitis.--n. PHARYNG[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx.--adjs. PHARYNGOGLOS'SAL, pertaining to the pharynx and the tongue; -LARYN'GEAL, to that and the larynx; -N[=A]'SAL, and the nose; -[=O]'RAL, and the mouth.--ns. PHARYNGOG'RAPHY, a description of the pharynx; PHARYNG'[=O]SCOPE, an instrument for inspecting the pharynx; PHARYNG'OSCOPY; PHARYNGOT'OMY, the operation of making an incision into the pharynx to remove a tumour. [Late L.,--Gr. pharyngkx, the pharynx.]

PHASE, f[=a]z, n. aspect, appearance, at any stage: an era: the form in which an object or a question presents itself to the mind: the appearance at a given time of the illuminated surface exhibited by a planet--also PH[=A]'SIS:--pl. PHAS'ES.--adj. PHASE'LESS, unchanging. [Gr. phasis--phaein, to shine.]

PHASMA, fas'mä, n. a genus of gressorial orthopterous insects--walking-stick insects, spectre-insects (Phasma), and leaf-insects.

PHEASANT, fez'ant, n. a gallinaceous bird abundant in Britain, and highly valued as food.--n. PHEAS'ANTRY, an enclosure for pheasants, where they may be bred and reared. [O. Fr. faisan--L. Phasiana (avis)--Gr. Phasianos, of Phasis, in Colchis.]

PHEER, f[=e]r, n. (Shak.). Same as FERE, a mate.

PHEESE, f[=e]z, v.t. (Shak.) to beat, to drive off: to worry.--v.i. (U.S.) to worry.--n. worry--better FEEZE.--n. PHEES'AR, one of the mad host's words (Merry Wives, I. iii. 10).

PHELLOPLASTICS, fel-[=o]-plas'tiks, n. modelling in cork.--n. PHELL'OGEN, cork-meristem.--adj. PHELLOGENET'IC. [Gr. phellos, cork, plassein, to form.]

PHENACETIN, f[=e]-nas'e-tin, n. a drug prepared from carbolic acid, good against fevers, insomnia, &c.

PHENAKISTOSCOPE, fen-a-kis't[=o]-sk[=o]p, n. an optical instrument which produces the appearances of objects in motion, as birds flying, &c.--n. PHEN'AKISM (Bacon), deceit. [Gr. phenakistikos--phenakizein--phenax, a cheat.]

PHENIX=Phoenix.

PHENOGAM=Phænogam.

PHENOGAMIA=Phænogamia.

PHENOL, f[=e]'nol. n. phenyl alcohol or carbolic acid. [Fr.]

PHENOLOGY, PHÆNOLOGY, f[=e]-nol'[=o]-ji, n. the branch of biology treating of animal or plant life and development as affected by climate.--adjs. PHENOLOG'IC, -AL.--n. PHENOL'OGIST. [Phenomenology.]

PHENOMENON, f[=e]-nom'e-non, n. an appearance: the appearance which anything makes to our consciousness, as distinguished from what it is in itself: an observed result: a remarkable or unusual person, thing, or appearance:--pl. PHENOM'ENA.--adj. PHENOM'ENAL, pertaining to a phenomenon: of the nature of a phenomenon: so strange as to excite great wonder: out of the common.--v.t. PHENOM'ENALISE, to represent as a phenomenon.--ns. PHENOM'ENALISM, the philosophical doctrine that the phenomenal and the real are identical--that phenomena are the only realities--also Externalism; PHENOM'ENALIST, one who believes in phenomenalism; PHENOMENAL'ITY, the character of being phenomenal.--adv. PHENOM'ENALLY.--v.t. PHENOM'ENISE, to bring into the world of experience.--ns. PHENOM'ENISM, the doctrines of the phenomenists; PHENOM'ENIST, one who believes only what he observes, or phenomena, one who rejects necessary primary principles.--adj. PHENOMEN[=O]LOG'ICAL.--n. PHENOMENOL'OGY, a description of phenomena. [Gr. phainomenon--phainein, to show.]

PHENYL, f[=e]'nil, n. an organic radical found esp. in carbolic acid, benzole, and aniline.--adjs. PH[=E]'NIC, PHENYL'IC. [Fr. phényle.]

PHEON, f[=e]'on, n. (her.) the barbed iron head of a dart: the broad arrow marking property of the Crown.

PHEW, f[=u], interj. an exclamation of disgust.

PHIAL, f[=i]'al, n. a small glass vessel or bottle. [L. phiala--Gr. phial[=e], a vial.]

PHI BETA KAPPA, fi bet-a kap-a, the oldest of the American college Greek letter societies. [From the initial letters of its motto--Philosophia biou kubern[=e]t[=e]s, 'Philosophy is the guide of life.']

PHILADELPHIAN, fil-a-del'fi-an, n. one of a mystic sect emphasising 'brotherly love,' founded in London in 1652 under the influence of Boehme. [Gr. philein, to love, adelphos, a brother.]

PHILANDER, fi-lan'd[.e]r, v.i. to make love: to flirt or coquet.--n. a lover.--n. PHILAN'DERER. [Gr. philandros, loving men--philos, dear--philein, to love, an[=e]r, andros, a man.]

PHILANTHROPY, fi-lan'thr[=o]-pi, n. love of mankind, esp. as shown in good deeds and services to others: goodwill towards all men.--ns. PHIL'ANTHROPE, PHILAN'THROPIST, one who tries to benefit mankind.--adjs. PHILANTHROP'IC, -AL, doing good to others, benevolent.--adv. PHILANTHROP'ICALLY. [L.,--Gr. philanthr[=o]pia--philos, loving, anthr[=o]pos, a man.]

PHILATELY, fi-lat'e-li, n. the study and collection of postage and revenue stamps and labels (also Timbrophily, Timbrology).--adj. PHILATEL'IC.--n. PHILAT'ELIST, one devoted to this pursuit. [Formed in 1865 from Gr. philos, loving, atel[=e]s, free of tax, 'prepaid'--a-, neg., telos, tax.]

PHILHARMONIC, fil-har-mon'ik, adj. loving music. [Gr. philos, loving, harmonia, harmony.]

PHILHELLENIC, fil-he-len'ik, adj. loving Greece.--ns. PHILHEL'LENE, PHILHEL'LENIST, a supporter of Greece, esp. in 1821-32; PHILHEL'LENISM, love of Greece. [Gr. philos, loving, Hell[=e]n, a Greek.]

PHILIBEG, PHILABEG. See FILLIBEG.

PHILIPPIAN, fi-lip'i-an, n. a native of Philippi in Macedonia--also adj.

PHILIPPIC, fil-ip'ik, n. one of the three orations of Demosthenes against Philip of Macedon, or of Cicero against Marc Antony: any discourse full of invective.--v.i. PHIL'IPPISE, to utter such.

PHILISTINE, fil'is-tin, n. one of the ancient inhabitants of south-western Palestine, enemies of the Israelites--also PHILIS'TIAN, and PHILIS'TIM (Milt.): a name applied by German students to shopkeepers and others not connected with the university: an uncultured person.--n. PHIL'ISTINISM.

PHILL-HORSE, fil'-hors, n.=Thill-horse, a shaft-horse.

PHILOGYNY, fil-oj'i-ni, n. love of women.--n. PHILOG'YNIST. [Gr. philos, loving, gyn[=e], a woman.]

PHILOLOGY, fi-lol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of language: the study of etymology, grammar, rhetoric, and literary criticism: (orig.) the knowledge which enabled men to study and explain the classical languages of Greece and Rome.--ns. PHILOL'OGER, PHILOL[=O]'GIAN, PHILOL'OGIST, PHIL'OLOGUE, one versed in philology.--adjs. PHILOLOG'IC, -AL.--adv. PHILOLOG'ICALLY.--COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY, study of languages by comparing their history, forms, and relationships with each other. [L.,--Gr. philologia--philologos, fond of words--philos, loving, logos, discourse.]

PHILOMATH, fil'[=o]-math, n. a lover of learning.--adjs. PHILOMATH'IC, -AL.--n. PHILOM'ATHY, love of learning. [Gr. philomath[=e]s, fond of learning--philos, loving, e-math-on, 2d aorist manthanein, to learn.]

PHILOMEL, fil'[=o]-mel, n. the nightingale.--Also PHILOM[=E]'LA. [Gr. Philomela, daughter of Pandion, king of Athens, changed into a nightingale or swallow.]

PHILOMUSICAL, fil-[=o]-m[=u]'zi-cal, adj. fond of music.

PHILOPENA, fil-[=o]-p[=e]'na, n. a game in which each of two persons eats a twin kernel of a nut, and one pays a forfeit to the other on certain conditions: the gift made as a forfeit, or the twin kernels shared. [Ger. vielliebchen--viel, much, liebchen, sweetheart.]

PHILOPOLEMIC, fil-[=o]-p[=o]-lem'ik, adj. fond of war or of debate.

PHILOPROGENITIVENESS, fil-[=o]-pr[=o]-jen'i-tiv-nes, n. (phren.) the instinctive love of offspring. [Gr. philos, loving, L. progenies, progeny.]

PHILOSOPHER, fi-los'[=o]-f[.e]r, n. a lover of wisdom: one versed in or devoted to philosophy: a metaphysician: one who acts calmly and rationally in all the affairs and changes of life--also PHIL'OSOPHE:--fem. PHILOS'OPHESS.--adjs. PHILOSOPH'IC, -AL, pertaining or according to philosophy: skilled in or given to philosophy: becoming a philosopher: rational: calm.--adv. PHILOSOPH'ICALLY.--v.i. PHILOS'OPHISE, to reason like a philosopher: to form philosophical theories.--ns. PHILOS'OPHISER, a would-be philosopher; PHILOS'OPHISM, would-be philosophy; PHILOS'OPHIST.--adjs. PHILOSOPHIST'IC, -AL.--n. PHILOS'OPHY, the science of being as being: the knowledge of the causes and laws of all phenomena: the collection of general laws or principles belonging to any department of knowledge: reasoning: a particular philosophical system: calmness of temper.--PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, an imaginary stone or mineral compound, long sought after by alchemists as a means of transforming other metals into gold.--MORAL, and NATURAL, PHILOSOPHY (see MORAL, NATURAL). [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. philosophos--philos, a lover, sophos, wise.]

PHILOTECHNIC, -AL, fil-[=o]-tek'nik, -al, adj. fond of the arts.

PHILOZOIC, fil-[=o]-z[=o]'ik, adj. fond of animals.

PHILTRE, PHILTER, fil't[.e]r, n. a charm or spell to excite love. [Fr. philtre--L. philtrum--Gr. philtron--philos, loving, -tron, denoting the agent.]

PHIMOSIS, f[=i]-m[=o]'sis, n. stenosis of the preputial orifice.

PHISNOMY, fis'no-mi, n. (Shak.) the face--a corr. of physiognomy.

PHIZ, fiz, n. (humorous) the face.

PHLEBITIS, fl[=e]-b[=i]'tis, n. inflammation of a vein.--ns. PHLEB'OLITE, a calcareous concretion found in a vein; PHLEBOL'OGY, science of the veins; PHLEB'ORRHAGE, venous hemorrhage.--adjs. PHLEBOTOM'IC, -AL.--v.t. PHLEBOT'OMISE.--ns. PHLEBOT'OMIST; PHLEBOT'OMY, act of letting blood. [Gr. phleps, phlebos, a vein.]

PHLEGETHONTIC, fleg-e-thon'tik, adj. pertaining to or resembling the river Phlegethon, a mythological river of the infernal regions, whose waves rolled torrents of fire, flowing into the lake of Acheron. [Gr. phlegethein--phlegein, to burn.]

PHLEGM, flem, n. one of the four elements of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed: the thick, slimy matter secreted in the throat, and discharged by coughing: sluggishness: indifference: calmness.--adj. PHLEGMAGOGIC (fleg-ma-goj'ik).--ns. PHLEG'MAGOGUE, a medicine expelling phlegm; PHLEGM[=A]'SIA, inflammation, esp. Phlegmasia dolens, puerperal tumid leg.--adjs. PHLEGMAT'IC, -AL, abounding in or generating phlegm: cold: sluggish: not easily excited.--adv. PHLEGMAT'ICALLY.--n. PHLEG'MON, inflammation in the connective tissue.--adjs. PHLEG'MONOID; PHLEGM'Y. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. phlegma, phlegmatos--phlegein, to burn.]

PHLEME=Fleam.

PHLEUM, fl[=e]'um, n. a small genus of annual or perennial grasses--timothy, cat's-tail grass, herd's grass. [Gr. phle[=o]s.]

PHLOEUM, fl[=e]'um, n. the cellular portion of bark next the epidermis--also Epiphloeum and Bast.--n. PHL[=O]'ËM, the bast or liber portion of a vascular bundle. [Gr. phloios, bark.]

PHLOGISTON, fl[=o]-jis'ton, n. an imaginary element, believed in till nearly the end of the 18th century as forming part of every combustible body, which by its disengagement caused burning, or fire in action.--adj. PHLOGIS'TIC (chem.), containing or resembling phlogiston: inflaming: (med.) inflammatory.--v.t. PHLOGIS'TICATE, to combine phlogiston with. [Gr.]

PHLOX, floks, n. a well-known garden plant, so called from its colour. [Gr.,--phlegein, to burn.]

PHLYCTÆNA, PHLYCTENA, flik-t[=e]'na, n. a small vesicle.--adjs. PHLYCT[=E]'NAR; PHLYCT[=E]'NOID; PHLYCT[=E]'NOUS.

PHOBANTHROPY, f[=o]-ban'thr[=o]-pi, n. a morbid dread of mankind.

PHOCINE, f[=o]'sin, adj. pertaining to the seal family.--n. PH[=O]'CA, a seal.--adj. PHOC[=A]'CEAN, relating to the genus Phoca.--n. a seal of this genus.--n. PHOCÆ'NA, a genus of delphinoid odontocete cetaceans--the true porpoises.--adjs. PH[=O]'CAL; PHOCÆ'NINE, like a porpoise. [L. phoca--Gr. ph[=o]k[=e], a seal.]

PHOEBUS, f[=e]'bus, n. the sun-god: the sun:--fem. PHOEBE (f[=e]'b[=e]), the moon. [L.,--Gr. phoibos, bright, phæin, to shine.]

PHOENICIAN, PHENICIAN, f[=e]-nish'an, adj. pertaining to Phoenicia, on the coast of Syria, to its people, language, or arts.--n. an inhabitant of Phoenicia: the language, a Semitic dialect, akin to Hebrew.

PHOENIX, PHENIX, f[=e]'niks, n. a fabulous bird said to have existed for 500 years all alone in the wilderness, and, after burning itself on a funeral pile, to have risen from its own ashes--hence, the emblem of immortality: a paragon. [L.,--Gr. phoinix.]

PHOLAS, f[=o]'las, n. a genus of stone-bearing bivalves, a piddock:--pl. PH[=O]'LADES.--n. PH[=O]'LADITE, a fossil pholad. [Gr.]

PHONATE, f[=o]'n[=a]t, v.t. to utter vocal sounds.--n. PHON[=A]'TION, emission of vocal sounds.--adj. PH[=O]'NATORY, pertaining to phonation.--n. PHONAU'TOGRAPH, an instrument for registering the vibrations of a sounding body.--adj. PHONAUTOGRAPH'IC.--adv. PHONAUTOGRAPH'ICALLY.--n. PHONOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the vibrations of a body.

PHONETIC, -AL, f[=o]-net'ik, -al, adj. pertaining to, or in accordance with, the sound of the voice: representing elementary sounds: vocal.--adv. PHONET'ICALLY.--n. PHONETIC'IAN, a student of phonetics.--v.t. PHONET'ICISE, to make phonetic.--ns. PHONET'ICISM, phonetic character or representation; PHONET'ICIST, one who advocates phonetic-spelling.--n.sing. PHONET'ICS, the science of sounds, esp. of the human voice.--ns. PHONET'IC-SPELL'ING, spelling according to sound: the spelling of words as they are pronounced; PHONETIS[=A]'TION, art of representing sound by phonetic signs.--v.t. PH[=O]'NETISE, to represent phonetically.--ns. PH[=O]'NETISM, sound, pronunciation; PH[=O]'NETIST, a student of phonetics.--adj. PHON'IC, pertaining to sound.--n.sing. PHON'ICS, acoustics.--adj. PHONOCAMP'TIC, reflecting or deflecting sound.--n. PH[=O]'NOLITE, clinkstone. [Gr. ph[=o]netikos--ph[=o]n[=e], a sound.]

PHONOGRAPH, f[=o]'n[=o]-graf, n. a character or mark used to represent a sound (also PH[=O]'NOGRAM): an instrument by which spoken words or other sounds can be recorded, and afterwards given out again almost in the original tones.--ns. PHONOG'RAPHER, PHONOG'RAPHIST, one versed in phonography.--adjs. PHONOGRAPH'IC, -AL.--adv. PHONOGRAPH'ICALLY.--ns. PHONOG'RAPHY, the art of representing each spoken sound by a distinct character: phonetic shorthand; PH[=O]'N[=O]SCOPE, an apparatus for recording music as played, or for testing musical strings: a microphone. [Gr. ph[=o]n[=e], sound, graphein, to write.]

PHONOLOGY, f[=o]-nol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of the sounds of the voice, the manner in which these are combined in any language: phonetics.--adj. PHONOLOG'ICAL.--n. PHONOL'OGIST, one versed in phonology. [Gr. ph[=o]n[=e], sound, logos, discourse.]

PHONOTYPE, f[=o]'n[=o]-t[=i]p, n. a type or sign representing a sound.--adjs. PHONOTYP'IC, -AL, of or belonging to a phonotype, or to phonotypy.--ns. PH[=O]'NOTYPIST; PH[=O]'NOTYPY, the art of representing each of the elementary sounds by different types or distinct characters. [Gr. ph[=o]n[=e], sound, typos, type.]

PHORMINX, for'mingks, n. a kind of cithara. [Gr.]

PHORMIUM, for'mi-um, n. a genus of New Zealand plants of the lily family--New Zealand flax or flax-lily. [Gr. phormion, a plant.]

PHOSPHENE, fos'f[=e]n, n. a brilliant coloured spectrum seen when the finger is pressed into the internal corner of the eye. [Gr. ph[=o]s, light, phainein, to shine.]

PHOSPHORUS, fos'f[=o]-rus, n. the morning-star: a yellowish substance, like wax, inflammable and giving out light in the dark.--n. PHOS'PHATE, a salt formed by the combination of phosphoric acid with a base.--adj. PHOSPHAT'IC, of the nature of, or containing, a phosphate.--ns. PHOS'PHIDE, a compound formed of phosphorus and some other element, as copper or iron; PHOS'PHITE, a salt of phosphorous acid; PHOS'PHOR, the morning-star: (obs.) phosphorus.--v.t. PHOS'PHORATE, to combine or impregnate with phosphorus.--n. PHOS'PHOR-BRONZE, an alloy of copper, tin, and phosphorus.--v.i. PHOSPHORESCE', to shine in the dark like phosphorus.--n. PHOSPHORESC'ENCE.--adjs. PHOSPHORESC'ENT, shining in the dark like phosphorus; PHOSPHOR'IC, PHOS'PHOROUS, pertaining to or obtained from phosphorus.--ns. PHOS'PHORITE, a massive radiated variety of apatite; PHOS'PHURET, a compound of phosphorus with a metal.--adj. PHOS'PHURETTED, combined with phosphorus.--n. PHOS'SY-JAW, phosphorous poisoning.--PHOSPHATIC DIATHESIS (med.), the condition in which there is a tendency in the urine to deposit white gravel. [L.,--Gr.,--ph[=o]sphoros, light-bearer--ph[=o]s, light, phoros, bearing, from pherein, to bear.]

PHOTO, f[=o]'t[=o], n. a colloquial abbreviation of photograph.

PHOTOCHEMISTRY, f[=o]-t[=o]-kem'is-tri, n. that branch of chemistry which treats of the chemical action of light.--adj. PHOTOCHEM'ICAL.--n. PHOTOCHEM'IST.

PHOTOCHROMY, f[=o]'t[=o]-kr[=o]-mi, n. the art of reproducing colours by photography.--adj. PHOTOCHROMAT'IC.--n. PHOTOCHR[=O]'MOTYPE, a photo-process picture printed in colours by any of the ordinary methods of typography in colours. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, chr[=o]ma, colour.]

PHOTO-ENGRAVING, f[=o]'t[=o]-en-gr[=a]'ving, n. a general term including all the various processes of mechanical engraving by the aid of photography.--The term PHOTOG'LYPHY is sometimes applied to photo-engraving by one process or other, often limited to photogravure.--adj. PHOTOGLYPH'IC.

PHOTOGENY, f[=o]-toj'e-ni, n. the art of taking pictures by the action of light on a chemically prepared ground.--adjs. PHOTOGEN'IC, PHOTOG'ENOUS.

PHOTOGRAPHY, f[=o]-tog'ra-fi, n. the art of producing pictures by the action of light on chemically prepared surfaces.--n. PH[=O]'TOGRAPH, a picture so produced.--v.t. to make a picture of by means of photography.--ns. PH[=O]TOG'RAPHER, PH[=O]TOG'RAPHIST.--adj. PH[=O]TOGRAPH'IC, -AL.--adv. PH[=O]TOGRAPH'ICALLY. [Gr. ph[=o]s, light, graphein, to draw.]

PHOTOGRAVURE, f[=o]'t[=o]-gr[=a]-v[=u]r, n. a method of producing by means of photography and the action of acids on a sensitised surface a kind of mezzo-engraving on metal. [Fr.,--Gr. ph[=o]s, light, Fr. gravure, engraving.]

PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY, f[=o]-t[=o]-li-thog'ra-fi, n. a method by which a photograph in line can be developed with ink so as to be transferred to stone as a lithograph.--n. PHOTOLITH'OGRAPH, a print produced by photolithography.--v.t. to reproduce by this aid.--n. PHOTOLITHOG'RAPHER.--adj. PHOTOLITHOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, lithos, a stone, graphein, to write.]

PHOTOLOGY, f[=o]-tol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of light.--adjs. PHOTOLOG'IC, -AL.--n. PHOTOL'OGIST. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, logia--legein, to say.]

PHOTOLYSIS, f[=o]-tol'i-sis, n. (bot.) the movements of protoplasm under the influence of light. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, lysis--lyein, to unloose.]

PHOTOMECHANICAL, f[=o]-t[=o]-m[=e]-kan'i-kal, adj. pertaining to the mechanical production of pictures by the aid of light, as in photo-engraving, &c.

PHOTOMETER, f[=o]-tom'e-t[.e]r, n. an instrument for measuring the intensity of light, esp. for comparing the amount of light coming from different sources.--adjs. PHOTOMET'RIC, -AL.--n. PHOTOM'ETRY, the measurement of the intensity of light. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, m[=e]tron, a measure.]

PHOTOMICROGRAPHY, f[=o]-t[=o]-m[=i]-krog'ra-fi, n. the enlargement of microscopic objects by means of the microscope, and the projection of the enlarged image on a sensitive film.--ns. PHOTOM[=I]'CROGRAPH; PHOTOMICROG'RAPHER.--adj. PHOTOMICROGRAPH'IC. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, mikros, little, graphein, to write.]

PHOTOPHOBIA, f[=o]-t[=o]-f[=o]'bi-a, n. a dread of light.--adj. PHOTOPHOB'IC.

PHOTOPHONE, f[=o]'t[=o]-f[=o]n, n. an apparatus for transmitting articulate speech to a distance along a beam of light. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, ph[=o]n[=e], sound.]

PHOTO-PROCESS, f[=o]'t[=o]-pros'es, n. any process by which is produced, by the agency of photography, a matrix from which prints can be made in ink--photogravure, photolithography, and photozincography.

PHOTOPSIA, f[=o]-top'si-a, n. the condition of having the sensation of light without external cause.--Also PH[=O]'TOPSY.

PHOTO-RELIEF, f[=o]'t[=o]-re-l[=e]f', n. a process of producing plates by means of photography, from which impressions can be taken in an ordinary printing-press.

PHOTOSCULPTURE, f[=o]-t[=o]-skulp't[=u]r, n. the art of taking likenesses in the form of statuettes or medallions by the aid of photography.

PHOTOSPHERE, f[=o]'t[=o]-sf[=e]r, n. the luminous envelope round the sun's globe, which is the source of light. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, sphaira, a sphere.]

PHOTOTHERAPY, f[=o]-t[=o]-ther'a-pi, n. the art of healing (of lupus, &c.) by means of light, electric or other, focussed on the diseased part. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, therapeuein, to heal.]

PHOTOTYPE, f[=o]'t[=o]-t[=i]p, n. a type or plate of the same nature as an engraved plate, produced from a photograph.--n. PH[=O]'TOTYPY_._ [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos, light, typos, type.]

PHOTO-XYLOGRAPHY, f[=o]-t[=o]-z[=i]-log'ra-fi, n. wood-engraving after an impression has been taken on the wood-block by photography. [Gr. ph[=o]s, ph[=o]tos light, xylon, a log of wood, graphein, to write.]

PHOTOZINCOGRAPHY, f[=o]-t[=o]-zing-kog'ra-fi, n. the process of engraving on zinc by taking an impression by photography and etching with acids.--n. PHOTOZINC'OGRAPH, a picture so produced.

PHRASE, fr[=a]z, n. two or more words expressing a single idea by themselves, or showing the manner or style in which a person expresses himself: part of a sentence: a short pithy expression: phraseology: (mus.) a short clause or portion of a sentence.--v.t. to express in words: to style.--n. PHRASE'-BOOK, a book containing or explaining phrases.--adj. PHRASE'LESS, incapable of being described.--ns. PHRASE'-MAN, PHRASE'-MONG'ER, a wordy speaker or writer; PHR[=A]'SEOGRAM, PHR[=A]'SEOGRAPH, a combination of shorthand characters to represent a phrase or sentence.--adjs. PHRASEOLOG'IC, -AL, pertaining to phraseology: consisting of phrases.--adv. PHRASEOLOG'ICALLY.--ns. PHRASEOL'OGIST, a maker or a collector of phrases; PHR[=A]SEOL'OGY, style or manner of expression or arrangement of phrases: peculiarities of diction: a collection of phrases in a language; PHR[=A]'SER, a mere maker or repeater of phrases.--adj. PHR[=A]'SICAL.--n. PHR[=A]'SING, the wording of a speech or passage: (mus.) the grouping and accentuation of the sounds in a melody. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. phrasis--phrazein, to speak.]

PHRATRY, fr[=a]'tri, n. a clan: a brotherhood--also PHR[=A]'TRIA.--adj. PHR[=A]'TRIC. [Gr. phrat[=e]r, a brother.]

PHREN, fren, n. the thinking principle, mind: the diaphragm:--pl. PHRENES.--ns. PHR[=E]NAL'GIA, psychalgia; PHREN[=E]'SIS, delirium, frenzy.--adjs. PHRENET'IC, -AL (also FRENET'IC, -AL), having a disordered mind: frenzied: mad; PHRENIAT'RIC, pertaining to the cure of mental diseases; PHREN'IC, belonging to the diaphragm.--ns. PHREN'ICS, mental philosophy; PHREN'ISM, thought force.--adj. PHRENIT'IC, affected with phrenitis.--ns. PHREN[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the brain; PHRENOG'RAPHY, descriptive psychology; PHRENOPATH'IA, mental disease.--adj. PHRENOPATH'IC.--n. PHRENOPL[=E]'GIA, sudden loss of mental power. [Gr. phr[=e]n, the mind.]

PHRENOLOGY, fr[=e]-nol'[=o]-ji, n. the theory that the various faculties and powers of the mind are connected with certain parts of the brain, and can be known by an examination of the outer surface of the skull: the science by which character can be read by examining the skull.--adjs. PHRENOLOG'IC, -AL.--adv. PHRENOLOG'ICALLY.--n. PHRENOL'OGIST, one who believes or is versed in phrenology. [Gr. phr[=e]n, phrenos, mind, logos, science.]

PHRONESIS, fr[=o]'-n[=e]'sis, n. practical wisdom. [Gr.,--phr[=e]n, mind.]

PHRYGIAN, frij'i-an, adj. pertaining to Phrygia in Asia Minor, or to the Phrygians.--n. a native of Phrygia: a Montanist.--PHRYGIAN CAP, a conical cap with the top turned forward.

PHTHALEIN, thal'e-in, n. one of a very important class of dye-yielding materials formed by the union of phenols with the anhydride of phthalic acid.--adj. PHTHAL'IC, pertaining to naphthalene.--n. PHTHAL'IN, a colourless crystalline compound obtained by reducing phthalein.

PHTHIRIASIS, thi-r[=i]'a-sis, n. the lousy disease--morbus pediculosus. [L.,--Gr.]

PHTHISIS, th[=i]'sis, n. consumption or wasting away of the lungs.--adjs. PHTHIS'IC, -AL (tiz'ik, -al), pertaining to or having phthisis.--n. PHTHISIOLOGY (tiz-i-ol'[=o]-ji), the sum of scientific knowledge about phthisis. [L.,--Gr. phthiein, to waste away.]

PHYCOLOGY, f[=i]-kol'[=o]-ji, n. the knowledge of algæ or sea-weeds.--n. PHYCOG'RAPHY, systematic description of algae.--adj. PHYCOLOG'IC.--n. PHYCOL'OGIST.

PHYLACTERY, fi-lak'te-ri, n. a charm or amulet: among the Jews, a slip of parchment inscribed with certain passages of Scripture, worn on the left arm or forehead: among the early Christians, a case in which relics were preserved.--adjs. PHYLACTER'IC, -AL. [L.,--Gr. phylakt[=e]rion, phylakt[=e]r, a guard--phylassein, to guard.]

PHYLARCH, f[=i]'lark, n. in ancient Greece, the chief of a tribe: in Athens, the commander of the cavalry of a tribe.--ns. PHY'LARCHY, the office of a phylarch; PHYLE (f[=i]'l[=e]), a tribe or clan in ancient Greece.--adj. PHYLET'IC, pertaining to a race or tribe: pertaining to a phylum of the animal kingdom.--n. PHYLUM (f[=i]'lum), any primary division or sub-kingdom of the animal or vegetable kingdom:--pl. PHY'LA.

PHYLLITE, fil'[=i]t, n. clay-slate or argillaceous schist.--adj. PHYLLIT'IC. [Gr.,--phyllon, a leaf.]

PHYLLIUM, fil'i-um, n. a genus of orthopterous insects of family Phasmidæ--leaf-insects or walking-leaves.

PHYLLODIUM, fi-l[=o]'di-um, n. a petiole which usurps the function of a leaf-blade.--adj. PHYLLODIN'EOUS.

PHYLLOID, fil'oid, adj. leaf-like--also PHYLLOI'DEOUS.--ns. PHYL'LOMANCY, divination by leaves; PHYLLOM[=A]'NIA, abnormal production of leaves; PHYL'LOME, foliage.--adj. PHYLLOM'IC.--n. PHYL'LOMORPHY, the reversion of floral organs, as sepals and bracts, to leaves--better PHYL'LODY.

PHYLLOPHAGOUS, fi-lof'a-gus, adj. feeding on leaves.--n. a member of the PHYLLOPH'AGA, a tribe of hymenopterous insects--the saw-flies: a group of lamellicorn beetles which are leaf-eaters--the chafers.

PHYLLOPHOROUS, fi-lof'[=o]-rus, adj. producing leaves: (zool.) having leaf-like organs.

PHYLLOPOD, fil'[=o]-pod, adj. having foliaceous feet--also PHYLLOP'ODOUS.--n. a crustacean of the order Phyllopoda.--adj. PHYLLOPOD'IFORM.

PHYLLORHINE, fil'[=o]-rin, adj. having a nose-leaf.

PHYLLOSTOMATOUS, fil-[=o]-stom'a-tus, adj. leaf-nosed, as a bat.--n. PHYLL'OSTOME, a leaf-nosed bat.--adj. PHYLLOS'TOMINE, leaf-nosed.

PHYLLOTAXIS, fil-[=o]-tak'sis, n. the disposition of leaves on the stem.--Also PHYLL'OTAXY. [Gr. phyllon, a leaf, taxis, arrangement.]

PHYLLOXERA, fil-ok-s[=e]'ra, n. a genus of insects, belonging to a family nearly related to aphides and coccus insects, very destructive to vines. [Gr. phyllon, a leaf, x[=e]ros, dry.]

PHYLOGENY, f[=i]-loj'e-ni, n. a biological term applied to the evolution or genealogical history of a race or tribe--also PHYLOGEN'ESIS.--adv. PHYLOGENET'ICALLY.--adjs. PHYLOGEN'IC, PHYLOGENET'IC. [Gr. phylon, race, genesis, origin.]

PHYSALIA, f[=i]-s[=a]'li-a, n. a genus of large oceanic hydrozoans--Portuguese man-of-war. [Gr. physallis, a plant, bladder--physa, bellows.]

PHYSALITE, fis'a-l[=i]t, n. a coarse topaz.

PHYSETER, fi-s[=e]'t[.e]r, n. a sperm-whale.

PHYSIC, fiz'ik, n. the science of medicine: the art of healing: a medicine: (orig.) natural philosophy, physics.--v.t. to give medicine to:--pr.p. phys'icking; pa.t. and pa.p. phys'icked.--ns. PHYSICIAN (fi-zish'an), one skilled in the use of physic or the art of healing: one who prescribes remedies for diseases: a doctor.--ns. PHYSIC'IANCY, post or office of physician; PHYSIC'IANSHIP; PHYS'IC-NUT, Barbadoes or Purging nut, the seeds of Jatropha curcas.--PHYSIC GARDEN, a botanical garden. [O. Fr.,--Gr. physik[=e], natural--Gr. physis, nature.]

PHYSICAL, fiz'ik-al, adj. pertaining to nature or to natural objects: pertaining to material things: of or pertaining to natural philosophy: known to the senses: pertaining to the body.--n. PHYS'ICALIST, one who thinks that human thought and action are determined by the physical organisation.--adv. PHYS'ICALLY.--ns. PHYS'ICISM (-sizm), belief in the material or physical as opposed to the spiritual; PHYS'ICIST (-sist), a student of nature: one versed in physics: a natural philosopher: one who believes that life is merely a form of physical energy.--PHYSICAL ASTRONOMY, an account of the causes of the motions of the heavenly bodies; PHYSICAL EDUCATION, training of the bodily powers by exercise; PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, an examination of the bodily state of a person; PHYSICAL FORCE, force applied outwardly to the body, as distinguished from persuasion, &c.; PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, an account of the state of the earth in its natural condition--its mountain-chains, ocean-currents, distribution of plants and animals, conditions of climate, &c.; PHYSICAL TRUTH, the agreement of thought with what exists in nature; PHYSICAL WORLD, the world of matter. [Gr. physikos--physis, nature.]

PHYSICS, fiz'iks, n.pl. used as sing. (orig.) equivalent to PHYSICAL SCIENCE--i.e. the science of the order of nature: usually sig. (as distinguished from chemistry) the study of matter and the general properties of matter as affected by energy or force--also called Natural philosophy.--ns. PHYSICOLOG'IC, logic illustrated by physics; PHYS'ICO-THEOL'OGY, theology illustrated by natural philosophy. [L. physica--Gr. physik[=e] (the[=o]ria, theory)--physis, nature.]

PHYSIOCRACY, fiz-i-ok'r[=a]-si, n. the economic doctrine of the physiocrats (François Quesnay, 1694-1744, and his followers), that society should be governed by a natural order inherent in itself, land and its products the only true source of wealth, direct taxation of land the only proper source of revenue.--n. PHYS'IOCRAT, one who maintains these opinions.--adj. PHYSIOCRAT'IC.--n. PHYSIOC'RATISM. [Gr. physis, nature, kratein, to rule.]

PHYSIOGENY, fiz-i-oj'e-ni, n. (biol.) the genesis of function--also PHYSIOGEN'ESIS.--adjs. PHYSIOGENET'IC, PHYSIOGEN'IC.

PHYSIOGNOMY, fiz-i-og'n[=o]-mi, n. the art of judging the qualities of a character from the external appearance, especially from the countenance: expression of countenance: the face as an index of the mind: the general appearance of anything.--adjs. PHYSIOGNOM'IC, -AL.--adv. PHYSIOGNOM'ICALLY.--n.sing. PHYSIOGNOM'ICS (same as PHYSIOGNOMY).--n. PHYSIOG'NOMIST. [For physiognomony--Gr. physiogn[=o]monia--physis, nature, gn[=o]m[=o]n, one who interprets--gn[=o]nai, to know.]

PHYSIOGRAPHY, fiz-i-og'ra-fi, n. an exposition of the principles that underlie physical geography, and including the elements of physical science: an introduction to the study of nature: physical geography.--n. PHYSIOG'RAPHER, one versed in physiography.--adjs. PHYSIOGRAPH'IC, -AL. [Gr. physis, nature, graphein, to describe.]

PHYSIOLATRY, fiz-i-ol'a-tri, n. nature-worship.

PHYSIOLOGY, fiz-i-ol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of the nature and processes of life, of the vital phenomena of animals and plants and the functions of their parts--a branch of biology.--adjs. PHYSIOLOG'IC, -AL.--adv. PHYSIOLOG'ICALLY.--v.i. PHYSIOL'OGISE.--n. PHYSIOL'OGIST. [Gr. physis, nature, logos, science.]

PHYSIOMEDICALISM, fiz-i-[=o]-med'i-kal-izm, n. the system of treating disease with only non-poisonous vegetable drugs.--n. PHYSIOMED'ICALIST.

PHYSIQUE, fiz-[=e]k', n. the physical structure or natural constitution of a person. [Fr.]

PHYSITHEISM, fiz'i-th[=e]-izm, n. the ascribing of physical form and attributes to deity.--adj. PHYSITHEIS'TIC. [Gr. physis, nature, theos, God.]

PHYSIURGIC, fiz-i-ur'jik, adj. produced by natural causes, without man's intervention.

PHYSNOMY, fiz'no-mi, n. (Spens.). Same as PHYSIOGNOMY.

PHYSOCLISTOUS, f[=i]-s[=o]-klis'tus, adj. having no air-bladder, or having it closed, as a fish. [Gr. physa, bellows, kleistos--kleiein, to close.]

PHYSOGRADE, f[=i]'s[=o]-gr[=a]d, adj. moving by a vesicular float. [Gr. physa, bellows, L. gradi, to walk.]

PHYSOPOD, f[=i]'s[=o]-pod, adj. with suckers on the feet. [Gr. physa, bellows, pous, podos, the foot.]

PHYSOSTIGMINE, f[=i]-s[=o]-stig'min, n. a poisonous alkaloid, the active principle of the Calabar bean. [Gr. physa, bellows, stigma, stigma.]

PHYSOSTOMOUS, f[=i]-sos't[=o]-mus, adj. having mouth and air-bladder connected by an air-duct, as a fish. [Gr. physa, bellows, stoma, a mouth.]

PHYTOBRANCHIATE, f[=i]-t[=o]-brang'ki-[=a]t, adj. having leafy gills. [Gr. phyton, a plant, brangchia, gills.]

PHYTOCHEMISTRY, f[=i]-t[=o]-kem'is-tri, n. the chemistry of plants--also PHY'TOCHIMY.--adj. PHYTOCHEM'ICAL.

PHYTOGENESIS, f[=i]-t[=o]-jen'e-sis, n. the theory of the generation of plants--also PHYTOG'ENY.--adjs. PHYTOGENET'IC, -AL. [Gr. phyton, a plant, genesis, birth.]

PHYTOGEOGRAPHY, f[=i]-t[=o]-je-og'ra-fi, n. the geographical distribution of plants.--adjs. PHYTOGEOGRAPH'IC, -AL.

PHYTOGLYPHY, f[=i]-tog'li-fi, n. the art of printing from nature, by taking impressions from plants, &c., on soft metal, from which an electrotype plate is taken.--adj. PHYTOGLYPH'IC. [Gr. phyton, a plant, glyphein, to engrave.]

PHYTOGRAPHY, f[=i]-tog'raf-i, n. the department of botany relating to the particular description of species of plants.--n. PHYTOG'RAPHER.--adj. PHYTOGRAPH'ICAL. [Gr. phyton, a plant, graphein, to write.]

PHYTOID, f[=i]'toid, adj. plant-like, esp. of animals and organs. [Gr. phyton, a plant, eidos, form.]

PHYTOLITHOLOGY, f[=i]-t[=o]-li-thol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of fossils plants.--n. PHYTOLITHOL'OGIST.

PHYTOLOGY, f[=i]-tol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of plants, botany.--adj. PHYTOLOG'ICAL.--n. PHYTOL'OGIST. [Gr. phyton, a plant, logia, discourse.]

PHYTONOMY, f[=i]-ton'[=o]-mi, n. the science of the origin and growth of plants: botany. [Gr. phyton, a plant, nomos, a law.]

PHYTOPATHOLOGY, f[=i]-t[=o]-p[=a]-thol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of the diseases of plants.--adj. PHYTOPATHOLOG'ICAL.--n. PHYTOPATHOL'OGIST.

PHYTOPHAGOUS, f[=i]-tof'a-gus, adj. feeding on plants--also PHYTOPHAG'IC.--ns. PHYTOPH'AGAN; PHYTOPH'AGY. [Gr. phyton, a plant, phagein, to eat.]

PHYTOSIS, f[=i]-t[=o]'sis, n. the presence of vegetable parasites, or the diseases caused by them.

PHYTOTOMY, f[=i]-tot'[=o]-mi, n. the dissection of plants.--n. PHYTOT'OMIST.--adj. PHYTOT'OMOUS. [Gr. phyton, a plant, tomos, a cutting--temnein, to cut.]

PHYTOZOA, f[=i]-t[=o]-z[=o]'a, n.pl. plant-like animals: animals which more or less resemble plants in appearance and habits, such as sponges, sea-anemones, &c.:--sing. PHYTOZ[=O]'ON.--adj. and n. PHYTOZ[=O]'AN. [Gr. phyton, a plant, z[=o]on, an animal.]

PI, PIE, p[=i], n. a mass of types confusedly mixed.--v.t. to reduce to a mixed mass, or to a state of pi, as types. [Cf. Pie, a magpie, &c.]

PIA, p[=e]'a, n. a perennial Polynesian herb, whose fleshy tubers yield arrowroot.

PIACERE, pia-ch[=a]'re, n. (mus.) a piacere, at pleasure.--adj. PIACEVOLE (pia-ch[=a]'v[=o]-le), pleasant, playful. [It.]

PIACULAR, p[=i]-ak'[=u]-lar, adj. serving to appease, expiatory: requiring expiation: atrociously bad.--n. PIACULAR'ITY. [L. piaculum, sacrifice--pi[=a]re, expiate--pius, pious.]

PIAFFE, pi-af', v.i. in horsemanship, to advance at a piaffer.--n. PIAF'FER, a gait in which the feet are lifted in the same succession as the trot, but more slowly.--Also Spanish-walk. [Fr. piaffer.]

PIA MATER, p[=i]'a m[=a]'t[.e]r, n. the vascular membrane investing the brain: (Shak.) the brain. [L.]

PIANOFORTE, pi-ä'no-f[=o]r't[=a], generally shortened to PIANO (pi-an'[=o]), n. a musical instrument furnished with wires struck by little hammers which are moved by keys, so as to produce both soft and strong sounds.--ns. PIANETTE', a small piano; PIANINO (p[=e]-a-n[=e]'n[=o]), an upright pianoforte; PIAN'ISM, the technique of the pianoforte: arrangement of music for the pianoforte.--adv. PIANIS'SIMO, very softly.--n. PIAN'IST, one who plays on the pianoforte, or one well skilled in it.--adv. PIÄN'O (mus.), softly.--ns. PIAN'O-SCHOOL, a school where piano music is taught; PIAN'O-STOOL, a stool on which the player sits at the piano.--BOUDOIR, or CABINET, PIANO, an upright piano. [It., piano, soft--L. planus, plane, forte, strong--L. fortis, strong.]

PIARIST, p[=i]'ar-ist, n. one of a religious congregation for the education of the poor, founded in Rome in 1617 by Joseph Calasanza. [L. pius, pious.]

PIASSAVA, pi-as'a-va, n. a coarse stiff fibre used for rope-making in Brazil.--Also PIASS'ABA. [Port.]

PIASTRE, PIASTER, pi-as't[.e]r, n. a silver coin of varying value, used in Turkey and other countries: the Spanish dollar. [Fr.,--It. piastra.]

PIAZZA, pi-az'a, n. a place or square surrounded by buildings: a walk under a roof supported by pillars.--adj. PIAZZ'IAN. [It.,--L. platea, a place.]

PIBROCH, p[=e]'broh, n. a form of bagpipe music, generally of a warlike character, including marches, dirges, &c. [Gael. piobaireachd, pipe-music--piobair, a piper--piob, a pipe, fear, a man.]

PICA, p[=i]'ka, n. a size of type smaller than English and larger than Small pica, equal to 12 points in the new system of sizes, about 6 lines to the inch, used by printers as a standard unit of measurement for thickness and length of leads, rules, borders, &c.--as 6-to-pica or 10-to-pica, according as 6 or 10 leads set together make a line of pica.--DOUBLE PICA, a size equal to 2 lines of small pica; DOUBLE SMALL PICA, a size of type giving about 3-1/3 lines to the inch; SMALL PICA, a size smaller than pica and larger than long-primer, about 11 points; TWO-LINE PICA, a size of about 3 lines to the inch, equal to 2 lines of pica, or to 24 points. [Pie (2).]

PICA, p[=i]'ka, n. a magpie. [Pie.]

PICADOR, pik-a-d[=o]r', n. a horseman armed with a lance, who commences a bull-fight by pricking the bull with his weapon. [Sp. pica, a pike.]

PICAMAR, pik'a-mär, n. the bitter principle of tar. [L. pix, pitch, amarus, bitter.]

PICARD, pik'ärd, n. a high shoe for men, introduced from France about 1720.

PICAROON, pik-a-r[=oo]n', n. one who lives by his wits: a cheat: a pirate.--adj. PICARESQUE'.--PICARESQUE NOVELS, the tales of Spanish rogue and vagabond life, much in vogue in the 17th century. [Sp. picaron--pícaro, a rogue.]

PICAYUNE, pik-a-y[=oo]n', n. a small coin worth 6¼ cents, current in United States before 1857, and known in different states by different names (fourpence, fippence, fip, sixpence, &c.).--adj. petty. [Carib.]

PICCADILLY, pik'a-dil-i, n. a standing-up collar with the points turned over, first worn about 1870: a high collar worn in the time of James I.: an edging of lace on a woman's broad collar (17th century).

PICCALILLI, pik'a-lil-i, n. a pickle of various vegetable substances with mustard and spices.

PICCANINNY, PICKANINNY, pik'a-nin-i, n. a little child: an African or negro child. [Perh. from Sp. pequeño niño='little child.']

PICCOLO, pik'[=o]-l[=o], n. a flute of small size, having the same compass as an ordinary flute, while the notes all sound an octave higher than their notation.--Also Flauto piccolo, Octave flute, Ottavino. [It.]

PICE, p[=i]s, n.sing. and pl. a money of account and a copper coin, ¼ anna. [Marathi paisa.]

PICEA, p[=i]'s[=e]-a, n. a genus of coniferous trees, including the spruce.

PICEOUS, pish'[=e]-us, adj. pitch-black.

PICIFORM, pis'i-form, adj. like to, or relating to, the woodpecker.

PICK, pik, v.t. to prick with a sharp-pointed instrument: to peck, as a bird: to pierce: to open with a pointed instrument, as a lock: to pluck or gather, as flowers, &c.: to separate or pull apart: to clean with the teeth: to gather: to choose: to select: to call: to seek, as a quarrel: to steal.--v.i. to do anything carefully: to eat by morsels.--n. any sharp-pointed instrument, esp. for loosening and breaking up hard soil, &c.: a picklock: foul matter collecting on printing-types, &c.: right or opportunity of first choice.--n. PICK'-CHEESE, the blue titmouse: the fruit of the mallow.--adj. PICKED (pikt), selected, hence the choicest or best: having spines or prickles, sharp-pointed.--ns. PICK'EDNESS; PICK'ER, one who picks or gathers up: one who removes defects from and finishes electrotype plates: a pilferer; PICK'ING, the act of picking, selecting, gathering, pilfering: that which is left to be picked: dabbing in stone-working: the final finishing of woven fabrics by removing burs, &c.: removing defects from electrotype plates; PICK'LOCK, an instrument for picking or opening locks; PICK'-ME-UP, a stimulating drink; PICK'POCKET, one who picks or steals from other people's pockets; PICK'-PURSE, one who steals the purse or from the purse of another.--adj. PICK'SOME, given to picking and choosing.--n. PICK'-THANK, an officious person who does what he is not desired to do in order to gain favour: a flatterer: a parasite.--v.t. to gain favour by unworthy means.--PICK A HOLE IN ONE'S COAT, to find fault with one; PICK A QUARREL, to find an occasion of quarrelling; PICK AT, to find fault with; PICK FAULT, to seek occasions of fault-finding; PICK OAKUM, to make oakum by untwisting old ropes; PICK OFF, to aim at and kill or wound, as with a rifle; PICK ONE'S WAY, to move carefully; PICK OUT, to make out: to mark with spots of colour, &c.; PICK TO PIECES, to tear asunder: to damage, as character; PICK UP, to improve gradually: to gain strength bit by bit: to take into a vehicle, or into one's company: to get as if by chance.--adj. gathered together by chance. [Celt., as Gael. pioc, to pick, W. pigo; cf. Pike.]

PICKABACK, pik'a-bak, adv. on the back like a pack.--Also PICK'BACK, PICK'APACK.

PICKAXE, pik'aks, n. a picking tool, with a point at one end of the head and a cutting blade at the other, used in digging. [M. E. pikois--O. Fr. picois, a mattock, piquer, to pierce, pic, a pick--Celt.]

PICKEER, pi-k[=e]r', v.i. (obs.) to act as a skirmisher.--n. PICKEER'ER.

PICKEREL, pik'e-rel, n. an American pike: a wading bird, the dunlin. [Pike + er + el.]

PICKET, pik'et, n. a pointed stake used in fortification: a small outpost or guard stationed in front of an army: a number of men sent out by a trades-union to prevent others from working against the wishes or decisions of the union: a game at cards: a punishment inflicted by making a person stand on one foot on a pointed stake.--v.i. to fasten to a stake, as a horse: to post a vanguard: to place a picket at or near.--ns. PICK'ET-FENCE, a fence of pickets or pales; PICK'ET-GUARD, a guard kept in readiness in case of alarm. [Fr. piquet, dim. of pic, a pickaxe.]

PICKLE, pik'l, n. a liquid of salt and water in which flesh and vegetables are preserved: vinegar, &c., in which articles of food are preserved: anything pickled: a disagreeable position: (coll.) a troublesome child.--v.t. to season or preserve with salt, vinegar, &c.--ns. PICK'LE-HERR'ING, a pickled herring: (obs.) a merry-andrew; PICK'LE-WORM, the larva of a pyralid moth.--HAVE A ROD IN PICKLE, to have a punishment ready. [M. E. pikil, prob. pick-le; Dut. pekel; Ger. pökel.]

PICKLE, pik'l, n. (Scot.) a small quantity.--v.t. and v.i. to eat sparingly: to pilfer.

PICKWICKIAN, pik-wik'i-an, adj. relating to or resembling Mr Pickwick, the hero of Dickens's Pickwick Papers.--IN A PICKWICKIAN SENSE, in a merely hypothetical sense--a phrase by which the members of the Pickwick Club explained away unparliamentary language.

PICNIC, pik'nik, n. a short excursion into the country by a pleasure-party who take their own provisions with them: an entertainment in the open air, towards which each person contributes.--v.i. to go on a picnic:--pr.p. pic'nicking; pa.t. and pa.p. pic'nicked.--n. PIC'NICKER. [Prob. pick, to nibble, and nick, for knack, a trifle.]

PICOT, p[=e]-k[=o]', n. a loop in an ornamental edging, the front of a flounce, &c.--adj. PICOTTÉ. [Fr.]

PICOTEE, pik-[=o]-t[=e]', n. a florist's variety of carnation. [From the French botanist Picot, Baron de la Peyrouse, 1744-1818.]

PICQUET. Same as PIQUET.

PICQUÉ-WORK, p[=e]-k[=a]'-wurk, n. decoration by dots or slight depressions.--Also POUNCED-WORK.

PICRA, pik'ra, n. a cathartic powder of aloes and canella. [Gr. pikros, bitter.]

PICRIC, pik'rik, adj. carbazotic.--n. PIC'R[=A]TE, a salt of picric acid.--adj. PIC'R[=A]TED, mixed with a picrate as in a composition for a whistling rocket.--ns. PIC'R[=I]TE, one of the peridotites or olivine-rocks; PICROTOX'INE, a bitter poisonous principle in the seeds of Cocculus indicus.--PICRIC ACID, an acid used as a dye for wool, &c. [Gr. pikros, bitter.]

PICT, pikt, n. one of an ancient race for 5½ centuries (296-844 A.D.) inhabiting eastern Scotland, from the Forth to the Pentland Firth, most probably Celts, but more nearly allied to the Cymry than to the Gael.--adj. PIC'TISH.--PICTISH TOWERS, a name sometimes given to brochs (q.v.); PICTS' HOUSES, a name popularly given in many parts of Scotland to rude underground dwellings or earth-houses; PICTS' WORK, a name sometimes given to the Catrail, the remains of a large earthwork extending for about fifty miles through the counties of Selkirk and Roxburgh. [L. picti, pl. of pa.p. of ping[)e]re, pictum, to paint.]

PICTURE, pik't[=u]r, n. a painting: a likeness in colours: a drawing: painting: a resemblance: an image: a vivid verbal description.--v.t. to paint, to represent by painting: to form a likeness of in the mind: to describe vividly in words.--n. PIC'TOGRAPH, a picture or pictorial sign: a piece of picture-writing.--adj. PICTOGRAPH'IC.--n. PICTOG'RAPHY.--adjs. PICT[=O]'RIAL, PIC'T[=U]RAL, relating to pictures: illustrated by pictures: consisting of pictures.--adv. PICT[=O]'RIALLY.--ns. PIC'T[=U]RAL (Spens.), a picture; PIC'TURE-BOOK, a book of pictures; PIC'TURE-FRAME, a frame surrounding a picture; PIC'TURE-GALL'ERY, a gallery, or large room, in which pictures are hung up for exhibition; PIC'TURE-ROD, a rod running round the upper part of the wall of a room, from which pictures are hung; PIC'TURE-WRIT'ING, the use of pictures to express ideas or relate events. [L. pictura--ping[)e]re, pictum, to paint.]

PICTURESQUE, pik-t[=u]-resk', adj. like a picture: such as would make a good or striking picture: expressing the pleasing beauty of a picture.--adv. PICTURESQUE'LY.--n. PICTURESQUE'NESS. [It. pittoresco--pittura, a picture--L. pictura.]

PICUL, PECUL, pik'ul, n. a Chinese weight of about 133-1/3 lb.

PICUS, p[=i]'kus, n. a Linnæan genus of woodpeckers.

PIDDLE, pid'l, v.i. to deal in trifles: to trifle: to eat with little relish: to make water.--n. PIDD'LER, a trifler.--adj. PIDD'LING, trifling, squeamish. [Peddle.]

PIDDOCK, pid'ok, n. the pholas.

PIDGIN-ENGLISH, pij'in-ing'glish, n. a mixture of corrupted English with Chinese and other words, a sort of lingua franca which grew up between Chinese on the sea-board and foreigners, as a medium of intercommunication in business transactions. [Pidgin, a Chinese corruption of business.]

PIE, p[=i], n. a magpie: (print.) type mixed or unsorted (cf. Pi). [Fr.,--L. pica.]

PIE, p[=i], n. a book which ordered the manner of performing divine service: a service-book: an ordinal.--BY COCK AND PIE (Shak.), a minced oath=By God and the service-book. [Fr.,--L. pica, lit. magpie, from its old black-letter type on white paper resembling the colours of the magpie.]

PIE, p[=i], n. the smallest Indian copper coin, equal to 1/3 of a pice, or 1/12 of an anna. [Marathi p[=a]'[=i], a fourth.]

PIE, p[=i], n. a quantity of meat or fruit baked within a crust of prepared flour.--A FINGER IN THE PIE (see FINGER); HUMBLE-PIE (see HUMBLE); MINCE-PIE (see MINCE); PERIGORD PIE, a pie flavoured with truffles, abundant in Perigord in France. [Perh. Ir. and Gael. pighe, pie.]

PIEBALD, PYEBALD, p[=i]'bawld, adj. of various colours: having spots and patches. [For pie-balled--pie, a magpie, W. bal, a streak on a horse's forehead.]

PIECE, p[=e]s, n. a part of anything: a single article: a definite quantity, as of cloth or paper: an amount of work to be done at one time: a separate performance: a literary or artistic composition: a gun: a coin: a man in chess or draughts: a person, generally a woman, in contempt.--v.t. to enlarge by adding a piece: to patch.--v.i. to unite by a joining of parts: to join.--n.pl. PIECE'-GOODS, cotton, linen, woollen, or silk fabrics sold retail in varying lengths.--adj. PIECE'LESS, not made of pieces: entire.--adv. PIECE'MEAL, in pieces or fragments: by pieces: little by little: bit by bit: gradually.--adj. made of pieces: single: separate.--ns. PIEC'ENER, a piecer; PIEC'ENING, or PIEC'ING, the act of mending, esp. the joining of the ends of yarn, thread, &c. so as to repair breaks; PIEC'ER, a boy or girl employed in a spinning-factory to join broken threads; PIECE'WORK, work done by the piece or quantity rather than by time.--PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE, principal piece: chief event or performance: chief dish at a dinner; PIECE OF EIGHT, the Spanish peso duro ('hard dollar'), bearing the numeral 8, of the value of 8 reals (prob. the sign $ is derived from this); PIECE OUT, to put together bit by bit; PIECE UP, to patch up.--GIVE A PIECE OF ONE'S MIND, to give a rating frankly to any one's face; OF A PIECE, as if of the same piece, the same in nature, &c. [O. Fr. piece--Low L. petium, a piece of land--prob. L. pes, pedis, a foot.]

PIED, p[=i]d, adj. variegated like a magpie: of various colours: spotted.--n. PIED'NESS.

PIELED, p[=e]ld, adj. (Shak.) peeled, bare, bald.

PIEND, p[=e]nd, n. the sharp point or edge of a hammer: a salient angle.

PIEPOWDER, p[=i]'pow-d[.e]r, n. an ancient court held in fairs and markets to administer justice in a rough-and-ready way to all comers--also Court of Dusty Foot.--adj. PIE'POWDERED, with dusty feet. [O. Fr. piepoudreux, a hawker, pied--L. pes, a foot, poudre, powder.]

PIER, p[=e]r, n. the mass of stone-work between the openings in the wall of a building: an arch, bridge, &c.: a stone pillar on which the hinges of a gate are fixed: a mass of stone or wood-work projecting into the sea for landing purposes: a wharf.--ns. PIER'AGE, toll paid for using a pier; PIER'-GLASS, a mirror hung in the space between windows; PIER'-T[=A]'BLE, a table fitted for the space between two windows. [O. Fr. pierre, a stone--L. petra--Gr. petra, a rock.]

PIERCE, p[=e]rs, v.t. to thrust or make a hole through: to enter, or force a way into: to touch or move deeply: to dive into, as a secret.--v.i. to penetrate.--adj. PIERCE'ABLE, capable of being pierced.--n. PIERC'ER, one who, or that which, pierces: any sharp instrument used for piercing: a stiletto.--adj. PIERC'ING.--adv. PIERC'INGLY.--n. PIERC'INGNESS. [O. Fr. percer, prob. pertuisier--pertuis, a hole--L. pertund[)e]re, pertusum, to thrust through.]

PIERIAN, p[=i]-[=e]'ri-an, adj. pertaining to the Muses.--n. PIER'IDES, the nine Muses. [L. Pierius--Mt. Pierus, in Thessaly, the haunt of the Muses.]

PIERROT, pye-r[=o]', n. a buffoon with loose long-sleeved white robe: an 18th-century women's low-cut basque, with sleeves. [Fr.]

PIET, p[=i]'et, n. a pie or magpie. [Pie.]

PIETÀ, p[=e]-[=a]-ta', n. a representation of the Virgin embracing the dead body of Jesus.

PIETRA-DURA, py[=a]'tra-d[=oo]'ra, n. Florentine mosaic-work, in which the inlaid materials are hard stones--jasper, agate, &c.

PIETY, p[=i]'e-ti, n. the quality of being pious: reverence for the Deity, and desire to do His will: love and duty towards parents, friends, or country: sense of duty: dutiful conduct.--ns. P[=I]'ETISM, the doctrine and practice of the pietists; P[=I]'ETIST, one marked by strong devotional feeling: a name first applied to a sect of German religious reformers of deep devotional feeling (end of 17th century).--adjs. PIETIST'IC, -AL. [Fr. piété--L. pietas.]

PIEZOMETER, p[=i]-e-zom'e-t[.e]r, n. an instrument for measuring the compressibility of liquids. [Gr. piezein, to press, metron, a measure.]

PIFFERO, pif'e-r[=o], n. a form of oboe: an organ-stop.

PIG, pig, n. a swine of either gender: an oblong mass of unforged metal, as first extracted from the ore, so called because it is made to flow when melted in channels called pigs, branching from a main channel called the sow.--v.i. to bring forth pigs: to live together like pigs:--pr.p. pig'ging; pa.t. and pa.p. pigged.--adjs. PIG'-EYED, having small dull eyes with heavy lids; PIG'-FACED, looking like a pig.--n. PIG'GERY, a place where pigs are kept.--adj. PIG'GISH, belonging to or like pigs: greedy, said of persons.--n. PIG'GISHNESS.--adj. PIG'HEADED, having a large or ill-formed head: stupidly obstinate.--ns. PIG'HEADEDNESS; PIG'-[=I]'RON, iron in pigs or rough bars; PIG'-LEAD, lead in pigs; PIG'-NUT (same as EARTH-NUT); PIG'SCONCE, a pigheaded fellow: a blockhead; PIG'SKIN, the skin of a pig prepared as a strong leather: a saddle; PIG'-STY, a pen for keeping pigs; PIG'S'-WASH, swill; PIG'S'-WHIS'PER (slang), a low whisper: a very short space of time; PIG'-TAIL, the tail of a pig: the hair of the head tied behind in the form of a pig's tail: a roll of twisted tobacco. [A.S. pecg; Dut. bigge, big.]

PIG, pig, n. an earthen vessel. [Piggin.]

PIGEON, pij'un, n. a well-known bird, the dove: any bird of the dove family.--adjs. PIG'EON-BREAST'ED, having a physical deformity, due to rickets, in which the chest is flattened from side to side, and the sternum or breast-bone is thrown forward; PIG'EON-HEART'ED, timid: fearful.--n. PIG'EON-HOLE, a hole or niche in which pigeons lodge in a dovecot: a division of a case for papers, &c.--v.t. to put into a pigeon-hole: to lay aside and treat with neglect.--n. PIG'EON-HOUSE, a dovecot.--adj. PIG'EON-LIV'ERED, timid: cowardly.--n. PIG'EONRY, a place for keeping pigeons.--adj. PIG'EON-TOED, having feet like pigeons, peristeropod: having turned-in toes. [Fr.,--L. pipio, -onis--pip[=i]re, to chirp.]

PIGGIN, pig'in, n. a small wooden or earthen vessel. [Gael. pigean, dim. of pigeadh, or pige, a pot.]

PIGHT, p[=i]t, v.t. (Spens.) to place, to fix.--adj. placed, fixed, determined. [Pitch, to place.]

PIGMEAN, pig-m[=e]'an, adj. like a pygmy: very small.

PIGMENT, pig'ment, n. paint: any substance used for colouring: that which gives colour to animal and vegetable tissues.--adjs. PIGMENT'AL, PIG'MENTARY.--n. PIG'MENT-CELL, a cell which secrets pigment. [L. pigmentum--ping[)e]re, to paint.]

PIGMY. Same as PYGMY.

PIGNORATION, pig-n[=o]-r[=a]'shun, n. act of giving in pledge: (law) a seizing and detaining of cattle straying and doing damage, till the damage be made good. [L. pignus, -oris, a pledge.]

PIKE, p[=i]k, n. a sharp point: a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head like a spear, formerly used by foot-soldiers: a sharp-pointed hill or summit: a voracious fresh-water fish (so called from its pointed snout).--adj. PIKED, ending in a point.--ns. PIKE'-HEAD, the head of a pike or spear; PIKE'-KEEP'ER, the keeper of a turnpike; PIKE'LET, a tea-cake; PIKE'MAN, a man armed with a pike: a man in charge of a turnpike gate; PIKE'-PERCH, a common percoid fish; PIKE'STAFF, the staff or shaft of a pike: a staff with a pike at the end. [A.S. píc, piic, a pike; Dut. piek, Ger. pike, pieke; or Celt., as Gael. pìc, a pike, W. pig, a point.]

PIKE, p[=i]k, v.i. to go quickly.--n. a turnpike.--n. P[=I]'KER, a tramp.

PILA, p[=i]'la, n. in archæology and art, a mortar. [L.]

PILAR, p[=i]'lar, adj. hairy.--Also PIL'ARY.

PILASTER, pi-las't[.e]r, n. a square column, partly built into, partly projecting from a wall.--adj. PILAS'TERED, furnished with pilasters or inserted pillars. [Fr. pilastre--It. pilastro--L. p[=i]la, a pillar.]

PILAU, pi-law', n. a dish, in origin purely Mohammedan, consisting of meat or fowl, boiled along with rice and spices.--Also PILLAU', PILAW', PILAFF', PILOW'. [Pers. pil[=a]w, pilaw.]

PILCH, pilch, n. (Shak.) a cloak or gown lined with furs: a flannel cloth or wrap for a child.--n. PILCH'ER, one who wears a pilch: a scabbard. [A.S. pylce--Low L. pellicea--L. pellis, skin.]

PILCHARD, pil'chärd, n. a sea-fish like the herring, but thicker and rounder, caught chiefly on the Cornish coast. [Prob. Celt., Ir. pilseir.]

PILE, p[=i]l, n. a roundish mass: a heap of separate objects: combustibles, esp. for burning dead bodies: a large building: a heap of shot or shell: (elect.) a form of battery consisting of a number of dissimilar metal plates laid in pairs one above another, with an acid solution between them: (slang) a large amount of money: a fortune.--v.t. to lay in a pile or heap: to collect in a mass: to heap up: to fill above the brim.--n. P[=I]'LER, one who forms into a heap.--PILE ARMS, to place three muskets with fixed bayonets so that the butts remain firm, the muzzles close together pointing obliquely--also Stack arms. [Fr.,--L. p[)i]la, a ball.]

PILE, p[=i]l, n. a pillar: a large stake driven into the earth to support foundations: a pyramidal figure in a heraldic bearing.--v.t. to drive piles into.--ns. PILE'-DRIV'ER, PILE'-EN'GINE, an engine for driving down piles; PILE'-DWELL'ING, a dwelling built on piles, a lake-dwelling; PILE'WORK, work or foundations made of piles; PILE'-WORM, a worm found eating into the timber of piles and ships: the teredo. [A.S. píl--L. p[=i]la, a pillar.]

PILE, p[=i]l, n. hair, fur: the nap on cloth, esp. if regular and closely set.--v.t. to furnish with pile, to make shaggy.--adj. PILE'-WORN, worn threadbare. [O. Fr. peil, poil--L. p[)i]lus, a hair.]

PILES, p[=i]lz, n.pl. hæmorrhoids. [L. p[)i]la, a ball.]

PILEUM, pil'[=e]-um, n. (ornith.) the top of the head from the base of the bill to the nape--including the forehead or front, the vertex or corona, and the hindhead or occiput:--pl. PIL'[=E]A.

PILEUS, pil'[=e]-us, n. a Roman conical cap: (bot.) the summit of the stipe bearing the hymenium in some fungi:--pl. PIL'EI (-[=i]).--adjs. PIL'[=E]ATE, -D, fitted with a cap: having the form of a cap or hat; PIL'[=E]IFORM.--n. PIL[=E]'OLUS, a little pileus:--pl. PIL[=E]'OLI. [L. pileatus--pileus, a cap of felt.]

PILE-WORT, p[=i]l'-wurt, n. a buttercup, the celandine.

PILFER, pil'f[.e]r, v.i. to steal small things.--v.t. to steal by petty theft.--ns. PIL'FERER; PIL'FERING, PIL'FERY, petty theft.--adv. PIL'FERINGLY. [Pelf.]

PILGARLICK, pil-gar'lik, n. a low fellow--perh. because pilled or made bald by a shameful disease.

PILGRIM, pil'grim, n. one who travels to a distance to visit a sacred place: a wanderer: a traveller: a silk screen formerly attached to the back of a woman's bonnet to protect the neck: (slang) a new-comer.--adj. of or pertaining to a pilgrim: like a pilgrim: consisting of pilgrims.--ns. PIL'GRIMAGE, the journey of a pilgrim: a journey to a shrine or other sacred place: the time taken for a pilgrimage: the journey of life, a lifetime; PIL'GRIM-BOTT'LE, a flat bottle holed at the neck for a cord.--PILGRIM FATHERS, the colonists who went to America in the ship Mayflower, and founded New England in 1620; PILGRIM'S SHELL, a cockle-shell used as a sign that one had visited the Holy Land; PILGRIM'S STAFF, a long staff which pilgrims carried as a sort of badge. [O. Fr. pelegrin (Fr. pèlerin)--L. peregrinus, foreigner, stranger--pereger, a traveller--per, through, ager, land.]

PILIFORM, pil'i-form, adj. slender as a hair.--adjs. PILIF'EROUS, PILIG'EROUS, bearing hairs. [L. pilus, a hair, forma, form.]

PILING, p[=i]'ling, n. the act of piling up: the driving of piles: a series of piles placed in order: pilework.

PILKINS, pil'kinz, n. (prov.) the naked oat, Avena nuda.--Also PILL'AS, PILL'CORN.

PILL, pil, n. a little ball of medicine: anything nauseous which must be accepted: (slang) a doctor: a disagreeable person.--v.t. (slang) to blackball.--n. PILL'-BOX, a box for holding pills: a kind of one-horse carriage. [Fr. pilule--L. pilula, dim. of p[)i]la, a ball.]

PILL, pil, v.t. and v.i. to strip, peel: to deprive of hair.--n. (Spens.) skin. [Peel.]

PILLAGE, pil'[=a]j, n. (Shak.) act of plundering: plunder: spoil, esp. taken in war.--v.t. to plunder or spoil.--v.t. PILL, to rob or plunder.--n. PILL'AGER. [O. Fr.,--piller--L. pil[=a]re, to plunder.]

PILLAR, pil'ar, n. (archit.) a detached support, differing from a column in that it is not necessarily cylindrical, or of classical proportions: one who, or anything that, sustains: something resembling a pillar in appearance.--adj. PILL'ARED, supported by a pillar: having the form of a pillar.--ns. PILL'AR-BOX, a short pillar in a street with receptacle for letters to be sent by post; PILL'ARIST, PILL'AR-SAINT, a person in the early church who crucified the flesh by living on the summit of pillars in the open air, a stylite.--FROM PILLAR TO POST, from one state of difficulty to another: hither and thither. [O. Fr. piler (Fr. pilier)--Low L. pilare--L. p[=i]la, a pillar.]

PILLAU, pil-law', n. See PILAU.

PILLICOCK, pil'i-kok, n. (Shak.) a term of endearment.

PILLION, pil'yun, n. a cushion for a woman behind a horseman: the cushion of a saddle. [Ir. pilliun, Gael. pillean, a pad, a pack-saddle--peall, a skin or mat, L. pellis, skin.]

PILLORY, pil'o-ri, n. a wooden frame, supported by an upright pillar or post, and having holes through which the head and hands of a criminal were put as a punishment, disused in England since 1837.--vs.t. PILL'ORY, PILL'ORISE, to punish in the pillory: to expose to ridicule:--pa.t. and pa.p. pill'oried. [O. Fr. pilori; ety. dub.; Prov. espitlori--Low L. speculatorium, a lookout--L. specularia, a window, speculum, a mirror.]

PILLOW, pil'[=o], n. a cushion filled with feathers, &c., for resting the head on: any cushion: a block of metal for bearing the end of a shaft, or the end of a bowsprit: the socket of a pivot.--v.t. to lay or rest on for support.--v.i. to rest the head on a pillow.--ns. PILL'OW-BIER, -BEER, -CASE, -SLIP, a cover which can be drawn over a pillow; PILL'OW-CUP, a last cup before going to bed.--adjs. PILL'OWED, supported by, or provided with, a pillow; PILL'OWY, like a pillow: soft. [A.S. pyle--L. pulv[=i]nus.]

PILLWORM, pil'wurm, n. the millipede.

PILOCARPUS, p[=i]-l[=o]-kär'pus, n. a shrub about four or five feet high, slightly branched, the branches erect, a native of Brazil.--n. PILOCAR'PINE, an alkaloid isolated from pilocarpus, with sudorific properties. [Gr. pilos, a cap, karpos, fruit.]

PILOSE, p[=i]'l[=o]s, adj. hairy--also P[=I]'LOUS.--n. PILOS'ITY. [L. pilosus--pilus, hair.]

PILOT, p[=i]'lut, n. the steersman of a ship: one who conducts ships in and out of a harbour, along a dangerous coast, &c.: a guide.--v.t. to conduct as a pilot: to direct through dangerous places.--ns. P[=I]'LOTAGE, the skill of a pilot: the act of piloting: the fee or wages of pilots; P[=I]'LOT-BOAT, a boat used by pilots for meeting or leaving ships; P[=I]'LOT-CLOTH, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats; P[=I]'LOT-EN'GINE, a locomotive engine sent on before a train to clear its way, as a pilot; P[=I]'LOT-FISH, a fish of the mackerel family, so called from its having been supposed to guide sharks to their prey; P[=I]'LOT-FLAG, the flag hoisted at the fore by a vessel needing a pilot; P[=I]'LOT-HOUSE, an enclosed place on deck to shelter the steering-gear and the pilot--also Wheel-house; P[=I]'LOT-JACK'ET, a pea-jacket worn by seamen; P[=I]'LOT-WHALE, the caaing-whale (q.v.). [Fr. pilote--Dut. piloot, from peilen, to sound, loot (Ger. loth, Eng. lead), a sounding-lead.]

PILULE, pil'[=u]l, n. a little pill--also PIL'ULA.--adj. PIL'ULAR, pertaining to pills.

PILUM, p[=i]'lum, n. the heavy javelin used by Roman foot-soldiers:--pl. P[=I]'LA. [L.]

PILUS, p[=i]'lus, n. one of the slender hairs on plants:--pl. P[=I]'LI. [L.]

PIMENTO, pi-men'to, n. allspice or Jamaica pepper: the tree producing it.--Also PIMEN'TA. [Port. pimenta--L. pigmentum, paint.]

PIMP, pimp, n. one who procures gratifications for the lust of others: a pander.--v.i. to pander.--adjs. PIMP'ING, petty: mean; PIMP'-LIKE. [Fr. pimper, a nasalised form of piper, to pipe, hence to cheat.]

PIMPERNEL, pim'p[.e]r-nel, n. a plant of the primrose family, with reddish flowers--also Poor man's weather-glass, Red chickweed.--n. PIMPINEL'LA, a genus of umbelliferous plants--anise, pimpernel, breakstone. [Fr. pimprenelle (It. pimpinella), either a corr. of a L. form bipennula, double-winged, dim. of bi-pennis--bis, twice, penna, feather; or from a dim. of L. pampinus, a vine-leaf.]

PIMPLE, pim'pl, n. a pustule: a small swelling.--adjs. PIM'PLED, PIM'PLY, having pimples. [A.S. pipel, nasalised from L. papula, a pustule.]

PIN, pin, n. a piece of wood or of metal used for fastening things together: a peg or nail: a sharp-pointed piece of wire with a rounded head for fastening clothes: anything that holds parts together: a piece of wood set up on end to be knocked down by a bowl, as in skittles: a peg used in musical instruments for fastening the strings: anything of little value.--v.t. to fasten with a pin: to fasten: to enclose: to seize and hold fast:--pr.p. pin'ning; pa.t. and pa.p. pinned.--ns. PIN'-BUTT'OCK (Shak.), a sharp, pointed buttock; PIN'CASE, PIN'CUSHION, a case or cushion for holding pins; PIN'-FEATH'ER, a small or short feather.--adj. PIN'-FEATH'ERED.--ns. PIN'-HOLD, a place where a pin is fixed; PIN'-HOLE, a hole made by a pin: a very small opening; PIN'-MON'EY, money allowed to a wife by her husband for private expenses, originally to buy pins; PIN'NER, one who pins or fastens: a pin-maker: a pinafore: a head-dress with a lappet flying loose; PIN'-POINT, the point of a pin: a trifle; PIN'TAIL, a genus of ducks, one handsome species of which is a winter visitor to many parts of the British coast.--adj. PIN'TAILED, having a long, narrow tail.--n. PIN'-WHEEL, a contrate wheel in which the cogs are pins set into the disc: a form of firework constructed to revolve rapidly while burning.--v.t. PIN'WORK, to work flax-yarn on a wooden pin so as to make it more supple for ease in packing.--PIN-FIRE CARTRIDGE, a cartridge for breech-loading guns; PINS AND NEEDLES, a feeling as of pricking under the skin, formication.--IN MERRY PIN, in a merry humour; ON ONE'S PINS, on one's legs: in good condition. [M. E. pinne, like Ir. and Gael. pinne, and Ger. pinn, from L. pinna or penna, a feather.]

PIN, pin, n. an induration of the membranes of the eye, cataract. [A.S. pinn--Low L. pannus.]

PIÑA-CLOTH, p[=e]'nya-kloth, n. a beautiful fabric made of the fibres of the leaves of the pine-apple plant.

PINAFORE, pin'a-f[=o]r, n. a loose covering of cotton or linen over a child's dress. [Pin + afore.]

PINASTER, pi-nas't[.e]r, n. the cluster-pine.

PINCE-NEZ, pangs'-n[=a], n. a pair of eye-glasses with a spring for catching the nose. [Fr.]

PINCERS. Same as PINCHERS.

PINCH, pinsh, v.t. to grip hard: to squeeze between two hard or firm substances: to squeeze the flesh so as to give pain: to nip: to distress: to gripe.--v.i. to act with force: to bear or press hard: to live sparingly.--n. a close compression with the fingers: what can be taken up between the finger and thumb: an iron bar used as a lever for lifting weights, rolling wheels, &c.: a gripe: distress: oppression.--n. PINCH'COMMONS, a niggard, a miser.--adj. PINCHED, having the appearance of being tightly squeezed: hard pressed by want or cold: narrowed in size.--ns. PINCH'ER, one who, or that which, pinches; PINCH'ERS, PIN'CERS, an instrument for gripping anything firmly, esp. for drawing out nails, &c.; PINCH'FIST, PINCH'GUT PINCH'PENNY, a niggard.--adv. PINCH'INGLY, in a pinching manner.--AT A PINCH, in a case of necessity; KNOW WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES, to know where the cause of trouble or difficulty is. [O. Fr. pincer; prob. Teut., cf. Dut. pitsen, to pinch.]

PINCHBECK, pinsh'bek, n. a yellow alloy of five parts of copper to one of zinc. [From Chris. PINCHBECK, an 18th-century London watchmaker.]

PINDARI, PINDAREE, pin'dar-[=e], n. one of a band of freebooters who, after the overthrow of the Mogul empire in India, grew (1804-17) to be a formidable power in the Central Provinces. [Hind.]

PINDARIC, pin-dar'ik, adj. after the manner of Pindar, one of the first of Greek lyric poets.--n. an ode in imitation of one of Pindar's: an ode of irregular metre.--n. PIN'DARISM, imitation of Pindar.

PINDER, pin'd[.e]r, n. one who impounds stray cattle.--Also PIN'NER. [A.S. pyndan, to shut up--pund. Cf. Pen, v., and Pound, to shut up.]

PINE, p[=i]n, n. a northern cone-bearing, evergreen, resinous tree, furnishing valuable timber.--adj. PIN'EAL.--ns. PIN'EAL-GLAND, a rounded body about the size of a pea, of a slightly yellowish colour, situated upon the anterior pair of corpora quadrigemina, and connected with the optic thalami by two strands of nerve fibres termed its peduncles; PINE'-APP'LE, a tropical plant, and its fruit, shaped like a pine-cone; PINE'-BARR'EN, a level sandy tract growing pines; PINE'-CH[=A]'FER, a beetle which eats pine-leaves.--adjs. PINE'-CLAD, PINE'-CROWNED, clad or crowned with pine-trees.--ns. PINE'-CONE, the cone or strobilus of a pine-tree; PINE'-FINCH, a small fringilline bird of North America; PINE'-HOUSE, a pinery; PINE'-NEED'LE, the circular leaf of the pine-tree; PINE'-OIL, an oil obtained from the resinous exudations of pine and fir trees; PIN'ERY, a place where pine-apples are raised: a pine forest; PIN[=E]'TUM, a plantation of pine-trees: a collection of pine-trees for ornamental purposes; PINE'-WOOD, a wood of pine-trees: pine timber; PINE'-WOOL, a fibrous substance prepared from the leaves of the pine, and used for flannels, hosiery, and blankets in hospitals.--adjs. P[=I]'NIC, pertaining to, or obtained from, the pine: noting an acid consisting of the portion of common resin soluble in cold alcohol; PINIC'OLINE, inhabiting pine-woods; P[=I]'NY, P[=I]'NEY, abounding in pine-trees.--PINE-TREE MONEY, silver money coined at Boston in the 17th century, and so called from the coins bearing the rude figure of a pine-tree on one side. [A.S. pín,--L. p[=i]nus (for pic-nus),--pix, picis, pitch.]

PINE, p[=i]n, v.i. to waste away under pain or mental distress: to languish with longing.--v.t. to grieve for: to bewail.--n. wasting pain: weary suffering.--DONE TO PINE, starved to death. [A.S. pínian, to torment--L. poena, punishment.]

PINFOLD, pin'f[=o]ld, n. a pound or enclosure for cattle.--v.t. to impound. [For pind-fold=pound-fold.]

PING, ping, n. the whistling sound of a bullet.--v.i. to produce such a sound.--n. PING'-PONG, a kind of indoor lawn-tennis, played with battledores or small rackets over a net on a table. [From the sounds made by the strokes on the ball.]

PINGLE, ping'gl, v.i. (prov.) to eat with feeble appetite: to dawdle.--adj. PING'LING, dawdling, feeble.

PINGUID, ping'gwid, adj. fat.--n. PING'UITUDE. [L. pinguis, fat.]

PINGUIN, pin'gwin, n. Same as PENGUIN.

PINION, pin'yun, n. a wing: the joint of a wing most remote from the body of the bird: a small wheel with 'leaves' or teeth working into others.--v.t. to confine the wings of: to cut off the pinion: to confine by binding the arms. [O. Fr. pignon--L. pinna (=penna), wing. Cf. Pen, n.]

PINK, pingk, n. a boat with a narrow stern.--Also PINK'Y. [Dut.; Ger. pinke.]

PINK, pingk, v.t. to stab or pierce, esp. with a sword or rapier: to decorate by cutting small holes or scallops.--n. a stab: an eyelet.--adj. PINKED, pierced or worked with small holes.--n. PINK'ING-[=I]'RON, a tool for pinking or scalloping. [Either through A.S. pyngan, from L. pung[)e]re, to prick; or acc. to Skeat, a nasalised form of pick.]

PINK, pingk, n. a flower of any one of several plants of the genus Dianthus--carnation, &c.: a shade of light-red colour like that of the flower: a scarlet hunting-coat, also the person wearing such: the minnow, from the colour of its abdomen in summer: any type or example of excellence in its kind.--adj. of a pink colour.--n. PINK'INESS.--adj. PINK'ISH, somewhat pink.--n. PINK'-ROOT, the root of the Carolina or Indian pink, a common vermifuge.--PINK OF PERFECTION, the very highest state of perfection: an example of highest perfection.--DUTCH PINK, a yellow lake obtained from quercitron bark: (slang) blood. [Prob. a nasalised form of Celt. pic, a point--from the finely notched edges of the petals.]

PINK, pingk, v.i. to wink: to half-shut.--n. PINK'-EYE, a disease in horses in which the eye turns somewhat red.--adj. PINK'-EYED, having pink eyes like a rabbit: having small or half-shut eyes.--adj. PINK'Y, winking. [Dut. pinken, to wink.]

PINNA, pin'a, n. a single leaflet of a pinnate leaf: a wing, fin, or the like: the auricle of the ear:--pl. PINN'Æ.--adjs. PINN'ATE, -D, shaped like a feather: furnished with wings or fins.--adv. PINN'ATELY.--adjs. PINNAT'IFID, cut as a leaf, half-way down or more, with the divisions narrow or acute; PINNAT'ISECT (bot.), pinnately divided; PINN'IFORM, like a feather or fin: pinnate; PINN'IGRADE, moving by fins--also n.; PINN'IPED, PINNAT'IPED, fin-footed, as a bird; PINN'[=U]LATE, -D.--n. PINN'[=U]LE, one of the branchlets of a pinnate leaf: one of the lateral divisions of the finger-like stalks of an encrinite--also PINN'[=U]LA.--PINNATE LEAF, a compound leaf wherein a single petiole has several leaflets attached to each side of it. [L. pinna, a feather, dim. pinnula.]

PINNACE, pin'[=a]s, n. a small vessel with oars and sails: a boat with eight oars: a man-of-war's boat. [Fr. pinasse--It. pinassa--L. pinus, a pine.]

PINNACLE, pin'a-kl, n. a slender turret: a high point like a spire: the highest point of a mountain, &c.--v.t. to build with pinnacles: to place on a pinnacle. [Fr. pinacle--Low L. pinna-culum, double dim. from L. pinna, a feather.]

PINNER, pin'[.e]r. See PIN.

PINNET, pin'et, n. (Scott) a pinnacle.

PINNOCK, pin'ok, n. the hedge-sparrow.

PINNOED, pin'[=o]d, adj. (Spens.) pinioned.

PINNY, PINNIE, pin'[=i], n. a pinafore. [Pinafore.]

PINNYWINKLE, pin'i-wingk-l, n. an ancient form of torture for the fingers.--Also PINN'IEWINKLE, PIL'NIE-WINKS. [A corr. of periwinkle.]

PINT, p[=i]nt, n. a measure of capacity=½ quart or 4 gills: (med.) 12 ounces.--ns. PINT'-POT, a pot for holding a pint, esp. a pewter pot for beer: a seller or drinker of beer; PINT'-STOUP, a vessel for holding a Scotch pint. [Fr. pinte--Sp. pinta, mark--L. picta, ping[)e]re, to paint.]

PINTADO, pin-tä'do, adj. painted, spotted.--n. the guinea-fowl: chintz, applied to all printed goods.

PINTAIL, PIN-WHEEL. See PIN.

PINTLE, pin'tl, n. a little pin: a long iron bolt: the bolt or pin on which the rudder of a ship turns. [Dim. of pin.]

PINXIT, pingk'sit, v.i. and v.t. he or she painted--used in noting the painter of a picture, as Rubens pinxit. [L., 3d sing. perf. indic. of ping[)e]re, to paint.]

PIONED, p[=i]'[=o]-ned, adj. (Shak.) overgrown with marsh-marigolds, that flower being still called peony around Stratford.

PIONEER, p[=i]-[=o]-n[=e]r', n. one of a party of soldiers who clear the road before an army, sink mines, &c.: one who goes before to prepare the way for others.--v.t. to act as pioneer to.--ns. P[=I]'ONER (Shak.), a pioneer; P[=I]'ONING (Spens.), the work of pioneers: military works. [O. Fr. peonier (Fr. pionnier)--pion, a foot-soldier--Low L. pedo, pedonis, a foot-soldier--L. pes, pedis, a foot.]

PIOUS, p[=i]'us, adj. showing love, affection, or respect towards parents: having reverence and love for the DEITY: proceeding from religious feeling.--adv. P[=I]'OUSLY, in a pious manner.--adj. P[=I]'OUS-MIND'ED, of a pious disposition. [Fr. pieux--L. pius.]

PIP, pip, n. a disease of fowls--also called Roup. [Low L. pipita--L. pipuita, rheum.]

PIP, pip, n. the seed of fruit. [Pippin.]

PIP, pip, n. one of the spots on dice or playing-cards. [Corr. of prov. pick--Fr. pique, a spade, at cards.]

PIP, pip, v.t. (slang) to blackball.

PIP, pip, v.i. to chirp, as a young bird.

PIPE, p[=i]p, n. a musical wind instrument consisting of a long tube: any long tube: a tube of clay, &c., with a bowl at one end for smoking tobacco: a pipeful: the note of a bird: a cask containing two hogsheads.--v.i. to play upon a pipe: to whistle, to chirp: to make a shrill noise.--v.t. to play on a pipe: to call with a pipe, as on board ships: to give forth shrill notes: to supply with pipes, to convey by pipes.--ns. PIP'AGE, conveyance or distribution by pipes; PIPE'-CASE, a box softly lined to protect a pipe; PIPE'CLAY, a fine white plastic clay, very like kaolin, but containing a larger percentage of silica, used for making tobacco-pipes and fine earthenware.--v.t. to whiten with pipeclay: (slang) to blot out, as accounts.--adj. PIPED (p[=i]pt), tubulous or fistulous.--ns. PIPE'-FISH, a genus of fishes in the same order as the seahorse, having a long thin body covered with partially ossified plates, the head long, and the jaws elongated so as to form a tubular snout, hence the name; PIPE'-LAY'ER; PIPE'-LAY'ING, the laying down of pipes for gas, water, &c.; PIPE'-OFF'ICE, formerly an office in the Court of Exchequer in which the clerk of the pipe made out crown-land leases; PIP'ER; PIPE'-ROLL, a pipe-like roll, the earliest among the records of the Exchequer; PIPE'-ST[=A]'PLE, the stalk of a tobacco-pipe: a stalk of grass; PIPE'-STICK, the wooden tube used as the stem of some tobacco-pipes; PIPE'-TONGS, an implement for holding or turning metal pipes or pipe-fittings; PIPE'-TREE, the lilac; PIPE'-WINE (Shak.), wine drawn from the cask, as distinguished from bottled wine; PIPE'-WRENCH, a wrench with one movable jaw, both so shaped as to bite together when placed on a pipe and rotated round it.--PIPE DOWN, to dismiss from muster, as a ship's company; PIPE OFF, to watch a house or person for purposes of theft; PIPE ONE'S EYE, to weep.--DRUNK AS A PIPER, very drunk; PAY THE PIPER, to bear the expense. [A.S. pípe; Dut. pijp, Ger. pfeife.]

PIPERACEOUS, pip-e-r[=a]'shi-us, adj. pertaining to the PIPER[=A]'CEÆ, the pepper family.--adj. PIPER'IC, produced from such plants.--n. PIP'ERINE, an alkaloid found in pepper. [L. piper, pepper.]

PIPETTE, pi-pet', n. a small tube for removing small portions of a fluid from one vessel to another. [Fr.]

PIPI, p[=e]'p[=e], n. the astringent pods of Cæsalpinia pipai, a Brazilian plant used in tanning.

PIPING, p[=i]'ping, adj. uttering a weak, shrill, piping sound, like the sick: sickly: feeble: boiling.--n. act of piping: sound of pipes: a system of pipes for any purpose: small cord used as trimming for dresses, &c.: a slip or cutting taken from a plant with a jointed stem.

PIPISTREL, PIPISTRELLE, pip-is-trel', n. a small reddish-brown bat. [Fr.]

PIPIT, pip'it, n. a genus of birds resembling larks in plumage and wagtails in habits, the most common British species being the titlark.

PIPKIN, pip'kin, n. a small earthen pot. [Pipe.]

PIPPIN, pip'in, n. a kind of apple. [O. Fr. pepin--L. pepo--Gr. pep[=o]n, a melon.]

PIPUL, pip'ul, n. the sacred fig-tree.--Also PIP'AL, PIPP'UL-TREE, PEEP'UL-TREE. [Hind.]

PIPY, p[=i]'pi, adj. like a pipe: tubular.

PIQUANT, p[=e]'kant, adj. stimulating to the taste: of a lively spark.--n. PIQ'UANCY.--adv. PIQ'UANTLY. [Fr. piquant, pr.p. of piquer, to prick.]

PIQUE, p[=e]k, n. an offence taken: a feeling of anger or vexation caused by wounded pride: spite: nicety: punctilio.--v.t. to wound the pride of: to offend: to pride or value (one's self):--pr.p. piq'uing; pa.t. and pa.p. piqued. [Fr. pique, a pike, pique; cf. Pick and Pike.]

PIQUÉ, p[=e]-k[=a]', n. a heavy cotton fabric having a surface corded or with a raised lozenge pattern: a similar pattern produced by quilting with the needle.--n. PIQUÉ-WORK. [Fr.]

PIQUET. Same as PICKET.

PIQUET, pi-ket', n. a game at cards.--n. PIQUE, in piquet, the scoring of 30 points in one hand before the other side scores at all. [Picket.]

PIRAGUA, pi-rä'gwä. Same as PERIAGUA.

PIRATE, p[=i]'r[=a]t, n. one who, without authority, attempts to capture ships at sea: a sea-robber: an armed vessel which, without legal right, plunders other vessels at sea: one who steals or infringes a copyright.--v.t. to rob at sea: to take without permission, as books or writings.--n. P[=I]'RACY, the crime of a pirate: robbery on the high seas: infringement of copyright.--adjs. PIRAT'IC, -AL, pertaining to a pirate: practising piracy.--adv. PIRAT'ICALLY. [Fr.,--L. pirata--Gr. peirat[=e]s--peiraein, to attempt.]

PIRIFORM, pir'i-form, adj. pear-shaped.

PIRN, pirn, n. anything that revolves or twists: a reel, bobbin, &c.: the amount of thread wound on a shuttle or reel.

PIRNIE, pir'ni, n. (Scot.) a striped woollen nightcap.

PIROGUE, pi-r[=o]g'. See PERIAGUA.

PIROUETTE, pir-[=oo]-et', n. a wheeling about, esp. in dancing: the whirling round of a horse on the same ground.--v.i. to execute a pirouette. [Fr.]

PISCES, pis'[=e]z, n. the Fishes, the twelfth sign of the zodiac.--ns. PIS'CARY, right of fishing in another man's waters; PISCATOL'OGY, the scientific study of fishes; PISC[=A]'TOR, an angler:--fem. PISC[=A]'TRIX.--adj. PISCAT[=O]'RIAL, relating to fishes or fishing: fond of fishing--also PIS'CATORY.--n. PIS'CICAPTURE, the taking of fish.--adjs. PISCIC'OLOUS, parasitic upon fishes; PISCICUL'TURAL, pertaining to pisciculture.--ns. PIS'CICULTURE, the rearing of fish by artificial methods; PIS'CICULTURIST, a fish-culturist.--adjs. PIS'CIFORM, in shape like a fish: having the form of a fish; PIS'CINE, pertaining to fishes; PISCIV'OROUS, feeding on fishes. [L. piscis, a fish.]

PISCINA, pis-[=i]'na, n. a basin or tank, esp. one for holding fishes or for growing water-plants: a fish-pond: (archit.) a basin or sink on the south side of the altar in old churches, into which is emptied water used in washing any of the sacred vessels.--adj. PIS'CINAL, belonging to a fish-pond. [L., a fish-pond, a cistern--piscis, a fish.]

PISÉ, p[=e]-z[=a]', n. stiff earth or clay rammed down to form walls or floors. [Fr.]

PISH, pish, interj. expressing contempt. [Imit.]

PISIFORM, p[=i]'si-form, adj. pea-shaped. [L. pisum, pea, forma, shape.]

PISMIRE, pis'm[=i]r, n. an ant or emmet. [Piss, from the strong smell of the ant-hill, A.S. mire, ant.]

PISOLITE, p[=i]'s[=o]-l[=i]t, n. a coarse oolite or concretionary limestone in large globules.--adj. PISOLIT'IC. [Gr. pisos, pea, lithos, stone.]

PISS, pis, v.i. to discharge urine or make water.--ns. PISS'-A-BED (prov.), the dandelion; PISS'ASPHALT, PIS'OPHALT, a variety of bitumen; PISS'-POT, a chamber-pot. [Fr. pisser; imit.]

PISTACHIO, pis-t[=a]'shi-[=o], n. the almond-flavoured pistachio-nut, the fruit of the PIST[=A]'CHIA, a small genus of trees of the cashew family, native to western Asia. [It.,--L. pistacium--Gr. pistakion--Pers. pist[=a].]

PISTAREEN, pis-ta-r[=e]n', n. in West Indies, the peseta.

PISTIL, pis'til, n. (bot.) the female organ in the centre of a flower, consisting of three parts--ovary, style, and stigma.--adjs. PISTILL[=A]'CEOUS, PIS'TILLARY, growing on a pistil: pertaining to, or having the nature of, a pistil; PIS'TILL[=A]TE, having a pistil: having a pistil only; PISTILLIF'EROUS, bearing a pistil without stamens. [Fr.,--L. pistillum, a pestle.]

PISTOL, pis'tol, n. a small hand-gun, held in one hand when fired.--v.t. to shoot with a pistol.--ns. PISTOLEER', one armed with a pistol; PIS'TOLET, a little pistol; PIS'TOL-SHOT. [O. Fr. pistole--It. pistola, said to be from Pistoja (orig. Pistola), a town in Italy.]

PISTOLE, pis't[=o]l, n. a Spanish gold coin=about 16 shillings. [Same as above.]

PISTON, pis'tun, n. a circular plate of metal, or other material, used in pumps, steam-engines, &c., fitting and moving up and down within a tube or hollow cylinder.--n. PIS'TON-ROD, the rod to which the piston is fixed, and which moves up and down with it. [Fr.,--It. pistone--pesto, to pound--L. pins[)e]re, pistum.]

PIT, pit, n. a hole in the earth: a place whence minerals are dug: the bottomless pit: the grave: the abode of evil spirits: a hole used as a trap for wild beasts: the hollow of the stomach, or that under the arm at the shoulder: the indentation left by smallpox: the ground-floor of a theatre: an enclosure in which cocks fight: the shaft of a mine.--v.t. to mark with little hollows: to lay in a pit: to set in competition:--pr.p. pit'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. pit'ted.--ns. PIT'-COAL, coal dug from a pit--not charcoal; PIT'-FRAME, the framework round a mine-shaft; PIT'-HEAD, the ground at the mouth of a pit, and the machinery, &c., on it; PIT'MAN, a man who works in a coal-pit or a saw-pit, esp. the man who works the pumping machinery in the shaft of a mine: (mach.) a rod connecting a rotary with a reciprocating part.--adj. PIT'TED, marked with small pits.--ns. PIT'TING, the act of digging, or of placing in, a pit: a group of pit-marks: a corrosion of the inside of steam-boilers, &c.; PIT'-VILL'AGE, a group of miners' houses near a pit. [A.S. pyt, pytt--L. puteus, a well.]

PITAKA, pit'a-ka, n. a collection of Buddhist scriptures, as made in Tibet. [Sans., 'basket.']

PITAPAT, pit'a-pat, adv. with palpitation or quick beating.--adj. fluttering.--n. a light, quick step: a succession of light taps.--v.i. to step or tread quickly.

PITCH, pich, n. the solid black shining substance obtained by boiling down common tar.--v.t. to smear with pitch.--adjs. PITCH'-BLACK, PITCH'-DARK, dark as pitch: very dark.--ns. PITCH'-BLENDE, a black oxide of uranium; PITCH'-COAL, a kind of bituminous coal: jet; PITCH'INESS, state or quality of being pitchy; PITCH'-PINE, a kind of pine which yields pitch, and is much used in America as fuel; PITCH'-PLAS'TER, a plaster of Burgundy or white pitch; PITCH'-STONE, an old volcanic-like hardened pitch; PITCH'-TREE, the kauri pine, the Amboyna pine, or the Norway spruce.--adj. PITCH'Y, having the qualities of pitch: smeared with pitch: black like pitch: dark: dismal. [A.S. pic--L. pix, pic-is.]

PITCH, pich, v.t. to thrust or fix in the ground: to fix or set in array: to fix the rate or price: to fling or throw: (mus.) to set the keynote of.--v.i. to settle, as something pitched: to come to rest from flight: to fall headlong: to fix the choice: to encamp: to rise and fall, as a ship.--n. a throw or cast from the hand: any point or degree of elevation or depression: degree: degree of slope: a descent: the height of a note in speaking or in music: (mech.) distance between the centres of two teeth in a wheel or a saw, or between the threads of a screw measured parallel to the axis.--ns. PITCHED'-BATT'LE, a battle in which the contending parties have fixed positions: a battle previously arranged for on both sides; PITCH'ER; PITCH'-FAR'THING, chuck-farthing; PITCH'FORK, a fork for pitching hay, &c.: a tuning-fork.--v.t. to lift with a pitchfork: to throw suddenly into any position.--ns. PITCH'ING, the act of throwing: a facing of stone along a bank to protect against the action of water; PITCH'PIPE, a small pipe to pitch the voice or tune with.--PITCH AND PAY (Shak.), pay down at once, pay ready-money; PITCH AND TOSS, a game in which coins are thrown at a mark, the person who throws nearest having the right of tossing all the coins, and keeping those which come down head uppermost; PITCH IN, to begin briskly; PITCH INTO, to assault. [A form of pick.]

PITCHER, pich'[.e]r, n. a vessel for holding water, &c.--n. PITCH'ER-PLANT, a plant with leaves shaped like a pitcher or ascidium--Nepenthes, &c.--PITCHERS HAVE EARS, there may be listeners. [O. Fr. picher--Low L. picarium, a goblet--Gr. b[=i]kos, a wine-vessel, an Eastern word.]

PITEOUS, pit'e-us, adj. showing or feeling pity: fitted to excite pity: mournful: compassionate: paltry.--adv. PIT'EOUSLY.--n. PIT'EOUSNESS. [O. Fr. pitos, piteus. Cf. Pity.]

PITFALL, pit'fawl, n. a pit slightly covered, so that wild beasts may fall into it: any concealed danger.

PITH, pith, n. the marrow or soft substance in the centre of the stems of dicotyledonous plants: force or energy: importance: condensed substance: quintessence.--n. PITH'-BALL, a pellet of pith.--adv. PITH'ILY.--n. PITH'INESS.--adj. PITH'LESS, wanting pith, force, or energy.--n. PITH'-P[=A]'PER, a thin sheet cut from pith for paper: rice-paper.--adj. PITH'Y, full of pith: forcible: strong: energetic. [A.S. pitha; Dut. pit, marrow.]

PITHECUS, pi-th[=e]'kus, n. a name formerly used by zoologists for various groups of apes and monkeys.--ns. PITHECANTHR[=O]'PI, hypothetical ape-men; PITH[=E]'CIA, the genus of South American monkeys which includes the Sakis and allied species.--adj. PITH[=E]'COID. [L.,--Gr. pith[=e]kos, an ape.]

PITHOS, pith'os, n. a large spheroid Greek earthenware vase. [Gr.]

PIT-MIRK, pit'-m[.e]rk, adj. (Scot.) dark as pitch.

PITRI, pit'r[=e], n.pl. the deceased ancestors of a man: in Hindu mythology, an order of divine beings inhabiting celestial regions of their own, and receiving into their society the spirits of those mortals for whom funeral rites have been duly performed. [Sans., 'father,' pl. pitaras.]

PITSAW, pit'saw, n. a large saw for cutting timber, worked by the pit-sawyer in the pit below the log and the top-sawyer on the log.

PITTACAL, pit'a-kal, n. a blue substance obtained from wood-tar oil and used in dyeing. [Gr. pitta, pitch, kalos, beautiful.]

PITTANCE, pit'ans, n. an allowance of food or drink: a dole: a very small portion or quantity. [Fr. pitance, an allowance of food in a monastery--Low L. pietantea--L. pietas, pity.]

PITUITARY, pit'[=u]-i-t[=a]-ri, adj. mucous--also PIT'[=U]ITAL, PIT'[=U]ITOUS.--ns. PIT[=U][=I]'TA, PIT'UITE, phlegm.--PITUITARY BODY, a rounded body of the size of a small bean, situated in the sella turcica in the sphenoid bone on the floor of the cavity of the skull. [L. pituitarius--pituita, mucus.]

PITY, pit'i, n. a strong feeling for or with the sufferings of others: sympathy with distress: a cause or source of pity or grief.--v.t. to feel pity with: to sympathise with:--pa.t. and pa.p. pit'ied.--adj. PIT'IABLE, deserving pity: affecting: wretched.--n. PIT'IABLENESS.--adv. PIT'IABLY.--n. PIT'IER, one who pities.--adj. PIT'IFUL, feeling pity: compassionate: exciting pity: sad: despicable.--adv. PIT'IFULLY.--n. PIT'IFULNESS.--adj. PIT'ILESS, without pity: cruel.--adv. PIT'ILESSLY.--n. PIT'ILESSNESS.--adv. PIT'YINGLY, in a pitying manner.--IT PITIETH ME, YOU, THEM, &c. (Pr. Bk.), it causeth pity in me, you, them, &c. [O. Fr. pite (Fr. pitié, It. pietà)--L. pietas, pietatis--pius, pious.]

PITYRIASIS, pit-i-r[=i]'a-sis, n. the term given to certain of the squamous or scaly diseases of the skin, in which there is a continual throwing off of bran-like scales of epidermis.--adj. PIT'YROID, bran-like. [Gr. pityron, bran.]

PIÙ, p[=u], adv. more.--PIÙ ALLEGRO, quicker. [It.]

PIVOT, piv'ut, n. the pin on which anything turns: the officer or soldier at the flank upon whom a company wheels: that on which anything depends or turns.--adj. PIV'OTAL, of the nature of a pivot: acting as a pivot.--n. PIV'OT-BRIDGE, a form of swing-bridge moving on a vertical pivot.--adj. PIV'OTED, furnished with a pivot or pivots.--ns. PIV'OT-GEAR'ING, a system of gearing permitting the driving-shaft to be swivelled so as to set the machine in any direction with relation to the power; PIV'OT-GUN, a gun mounted on a pivot, so as to be able to turn in any direction; PIV'OTING, the pivot-work in machines; PIV'OT-MAN, the soldier or officer who acts as a pivot (see PIVOT). [Fr. dim. of It. piva, a pipe, a peg, a pin--Low L. pipa.]

PIX, piks, n. Same as PYX.

PIXY, PIXIE, pik'si, n. a small Devonshire fairy.--adj. PIX'Y-LED, bewildered.--ns. PIX'Y-RING, a fairy-ring, a well-marked ring of a different kind of grass, common on meadows and heaths; PIX'Y-STOOL, a toadstool or mushroom. [Puck.]

PIZE, p[=i]z, n. a term used in execration, like pox.

PIZZICATO, pit-si-kä'to, adj. a phrase used in music for the violin or violoncello, to denote that here the strings are to be twitched with the fingers in the manner of a harp or guitar. [It.,--pizzicare, to twitch.]

PIZZLE, piz'l, n. the penis of an animal, as a bull. [Low Ger. pesel.]

PLACABLE, pl[=a]'ka-bl, or plak'a-bl, adj. that may be appeased: relenting: willing to forgive.--ns. PLACABIL'ITY, PL[=A]'CABLENESS.--adv. PL[=A]'CABLY.--v.t. PL[=A]'C[=A]TE, to conciliate.--n. PLAC[=A]'TION, propitiation.--adj. PL[=A]'CATORY, conciliatory. [L. placabilis--plac[=a]re, to appease, akin to plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLACARD, plak'ärd, or pl[=a]-kärd', n. a written or printed paper stuck upon a wall as an advertisement, &c.: a public proclamation: the woodwork and frame of the door of a closet and the like.--v.t. PLACARD (pl[=a]-kärd', or plak'ärd), to publish or notify by placards. [Fr. placard, a bill stuck on a wall--plaque, plate, tablet; acc. to Diez, from Dut. plak, a piece of flat wood.]

PLACCATE, plak'[=a]t, n. See PLACKET.

PLACE, pl[=a]s, n. a broad way in a city: an open space used for a particular purpose: a particular locality: a town: room to dwell, sit, or stand in: the position held by anybody, employment, office, a situation: a mansion with its grounds: proper position or dignity, priority in such: stead: passage in a book: a topic, matter of discourse: in sporting contests, position among the first three.--v.t. to put in any place or condition: to find a home for: to settle: to lend: invest: to ascribe.--n. PLACE'-HUNT'ER, one who seeks eagerly official position or public office.--adj. PLACE'LESS, without place or office.--ns. PLACE'MAN, one who has a place or office under a government:--pl. PLACE'MEN; PLACE'MENT, placing or setting; PLACE'-MONG'ER, one who traffics in appointments to places; PLACE'-NAME, the name of a place or locality: a local name; PLAC'ER.--GIVE PLACE, to make room, to yield; HAVE PLACE, to have existence; IN PLACE, in position: opportune; OUT OF PLACE, inappropriate, unseasonable; TAKE PLACE, to come to pass: to take precedence of. [Fr.,--L. platea, a broad street--Gr. plateia, a street--platys, broad.]

PLACEBO, pl[=a]-s[=e]'bo, n. in the R.C. service of vespers for the dead the name of the first antiphon, which begins with the word: a medicine given to humour or gratify a patient rather than to exercise any curative effect. [L., 'I will please'--plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLACENTA, pla-sen'ta, n. the structure which unites the unborn mammal to the womb of its mother and establishes a nutritive connection between them: (bot.) the portion of the ovary which bears the ovules:--pl. PLACEN'TÆ.--adj. PLACEN'TAL.--n.pl. PLACENT[=A]'LIA, placental mammals.--adjs. PLACENT[=A]'LIAN; PLACEN'TARY, pertaining to, or having, a placenta.--n. a mammal having a placenta.--adjs. PLACEN'TATE, PLACENTIF'EROUS.--ns. PLACENT[=A]'TION, the mode in which the placenta is formed and attached to the womb; PLACENT[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the placenta. [L., a flat cake, akin to Gr. plakous, a flat cake, from plax, plak-os, anything flat.]

PLACER, plas'er, n. a place where the superficial detritus is washed for gold, &c.: hence any place holding treasures. [Sp.]

PLACET, pl[=a]'set, n. a vote of assent in a governing body: permission given, esp. by a sovereign, to publish and carry out an ecclesiastical order, as a papal bull or edict. [L., 'it pleases,' 3d sing. pres. indic. of plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLACID, plas'id, adj. gentle: peaceful.--ns. PLACID'ITY, PLAC'IDNESS.--adv. PLAC'IDLY. [Fr.,--L. placidus--plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLACITORY, plas'i-t[=o]-ri, adj. of or relating to pleas or pleading in courts of law.

PLACITUM, plas'i-tum, n. a public assembly in the Middle Ages, presided over by the sovereign, to consult on affairs of state: a resolution of such an assembly:--pl. PLAC'ITA. [L., from plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLACK, plak, n. a small copper coin formerly current in Scotland, equal in value to the third part of an English penny.--adj. PLACK'LESS, penniless. [O. Fr. plaque, a plate.]

PLACKET, plak'et, n. (Shak.) the slit in a petticoat: a petticoat--hence, a woman: a placcate or additional plate of steel on the lower half of the breast-plate, or back-plate: a leather jacket strengthened with strips of steel. [Fr. plaquet--plaquer, to clap on.]

PLACODERM, plak'o-d[.e]rm, adj. noting an order of fossil fishes having their skin covered with bony plates. [Gr. plax, plakos, anything flat, derma, skin.]

PLACOID, plak'oid, adj. plate-like.--PLACOID FISHES, an order of fishes having placoid scales, irregular plates of hard bone, not imbricated, but placed near together in the skin. [Gr. plax, plakos, anything flat and broad, eidos, form.]

PLACULA, plak'[=u]-la, n. a little plate or plaque.--adjs. PLAC'ULAR, PLAC'UL[=A]TE.

PLAFOND, pla-fond', n. the ceiling of a room, any soffit. [Fr.]

PLAGAL, pl[=a]'gal, adj. in Gregorian music, denoting a mode or melody in which the final is in the middle of the compass instead of at the bottom--opp. to Authentic. [Gr. plagios, sidewise--plagos, a side.]

PLAGIARISE, pl[=a]'ji-ar-[=i]z, v.t. to steal from the writings or ideas of another.--ns. PL[=A]'GIARISM, the act or practice of plagiarising; PL[=A]'GIARIST, one who plagiarises; PL[=A]'GIARY, one who steals the thoughts or writings of others and gives them out as his own: the crime of plagiarism.--adj. practising literary theft. [Fr. plagiaire--L. plagiarius, a kidnapper--plaga, a net.]

PLAGIOCLASE, pl[=a]'ji-[=o]-kl[=a]z, n. a group of triclinic feldspars whose cleavage planes are not at right angles to each other.--adj. PLAGIOCLAS'TIC. [Gr. plagios, oblique, klasis, a fracture.]

PLAGIODONT, pl[=a]'ji-[=o]-dont, adj. having the teeth oblique.

PLAGIOSTOME, pl[=a]'ji-[=o]-st[=o]m, n. a plagiostomous fish, one of the PLAGIOS'TOMI, a division of fishes, including sharks and rays.--adjs. PLAGIOSTOM'ATOUS, PLAGIOS'TOMOUS.

PLAGIOTROPISM, pl[=a]-ji-ot'r[=o]-pizm, n. a mode of turning of the organs of plants in the direction of gravitation or of the ray of light.--adj. PLAGIOTROP'IC.--adv. PLAGIOTROP'ICALLY. [Gr. plagios, oblique, tropos, a turning.]

PLAGIUM, pl[=a]'ji-um, n. the crime of kidnapping.

PLAGUE, pl[=a]g, n. any great natural evil: a deadly disease or pestilence: a very troublesome person or thing, esp. a malignant kind of contagious fever, prevailing epidemically, characterised by buboes, or swellings of the lymphatic glands, by carbuncles and petechiæ.--v.t. to infest with disease or trouble: to harass or annoy:--pr.p. pl[=a]g'uing; pa.t. and pa.p. pl[=a]gued.--ns. PLAGUE'-MARK, -SPOT, a mark or spot of plague or foul disease: a place where disease is constantly present; PLAG'UER, one who plagues, vexes, or annoys; PLAGUE'-SORE.--adv. PLAG'UILY, vexatiously.--adj. PLAGUY (pl[=a]'gi), vexatious: (Shak.) troublesome.--adv. vexatiously.--PLAGUE ON, may a curse rest on.--BE AT THE PLAGUE, to be at the trouble. [O. Fr. plague--L. plaga, a blow; Gr. pl[=e]g[=e].]

PLAICE, pl[=a]s, n. a broad, flat fish, in the same genus as the flounder. [O. Fr. plaïs (Fr. plie)--Low L. platessa, a flat fish--Gr. platys, flat.]

PLAID, plad, or pl[=a]d, n. a loose outer garment of woollen cloth, often of a tartan, or coloured striped pattern, a special dress of the Highlanders of Scotland.--adj. like a plaid in pattern or colours.--adj. PLAID'ED, wearing a plaid: made of plaid cloth.--n. PLAID'ING, a strong woollen twilled fabric. [Gael. plaide, a blanket, contr. of peal-laid, a sheepskin--peall, a skin, cog. with L. pellis, Eng. fell.]

PLAIN, pl[=a]n, v.t. and v.i. to complain: to lament.--ns. PLAIN'ANT, one who complains: a plaintiff; PLAIN'ING (Shak.), complaint. [O. Fr. pleigner (Fr. plaindre)--L. plang[)e]re, to lament.]

PLAIN, pl[=a]n, adj. without elevations, even, flat: level, smooth, without obstructions: free from difficulties, easy, simple: without ornament or beauty, homely: artless: sincere: evident, unmistakable: mere: not coloured, figured, or variegated: not highly seasoned, natural, not cooked or dressed: not trumps at cards.--n. an extent of level land: an open field.--adv. clearly: distinctly.--v.t. (obs.) to make plain.--n.pl. PLAIN'-CLOTHES, clothes worn by an officer when off duty or not in uniform.--ns. PLAIN'-COOK, one able to cook all ordinary dishes; PLAIN'-DEAL'ER, one who deals or speaks his mind plainly.--adj. PLAIN'-DEAL'ING, speaking or acting plainly, candid.--n. candid speaking or acting, sincerity.--adj. PLAIN'-HEART'ED, having a plain or honest heart: sincere.--n. PLAIN'-HEART'EDNESS.--adv. PLAIN'LY.--ns. PLAIN'NESS; PLAIN'-SONG, the music of a recitative-like character and sung in unison, used in the Christian Church of the West from the earliest times, and still in use in all R.C. churches: a simple air without variations: a plain unvarnished statement; PLAIN'-SPEAK'ING, straight-forwardness or bluntness of speech.--adj. PLAIN'-SPOK'EN, speaking with plain, rough sincerity.--n.pl. PLAIN'STANES (Scot.), flagstones, pavement.--n. PLAIN'WORK, plain needlework, as distinguished from embroidery.--PLAIN AS A PIKESTAFF, perfectly plain or clear. [Fr.,--L. pl[=a]nus, plain.]

PLAINT, pl[=a]nt, n. lamentation: complaint: a sad song: (law) the exhibiting of an action in writing by a complainant.--adj. PLAINT'FUL, complaining: expressing sorrow.--n. PLAINT'IFF (Eng. law), one who commences a suit against another--opp. to Defendant.--adj. PLAINT'IVE, complaining: expressing sorrow: sad.--adv. PLAINT'IVELY.--n. PLAINT'IVENESS.--adj. PLAINT'LESS, without complaint: unrepining. [O. Fr. pleinte (Fr. plainte)--L. planctus--plang[)e]re, planctum, to lament.]

PLAISE, pl[=a]s, n. Same as PLAICE.

PLAISTER, pl[=a]s't[.e]r, n. an obsolete form of plaster.

PLAIT, pl[=a]t, n. a fold: a doubling over, as of cloth upon itself: a braid.--v.t. to fold: to double in narrow folds: to interweave.--adj. PLAIT'ED, folded over in narrow folds: braided: interwoven: intricate.--ns. PLAIT'ER, one who plaits or braids: a machine for making plaits, as in cloth; PLAIT'ING, the act of making plaits. [O. Fr. pleit, ploit (Fr. pli)--L. plic[=a]re, -[=a]tum, to fold.]

PLAN, plan, n. a drawing of anything on a plane or flat surface: a drawing of a building as it stands on the ground: a scheme or project for accomplishing a purpose: a contrivance: a method or custom.--v.t. to make a sketch of on a flat surface: to form in design: to lay plans for:--pr.p. plan'ning; pa.t. and pa.p. planned.--adj. PLAN'LESS.--ns. PLAN'NER, one who forms a plan: a projector; WORK'ING-PLAN, a draft on a large scale given to workmen to work from.--PLAN OF CAMPAIGN, the method of conducting the struggle of the Irish tenants against the landlords, organised by the National League in 1886, its officers collecting what they considered a fair rent, and offering it to the landlord, and where he refused to accept it spending it on the support of the persons evicted. [Fr.,--L. planus, flat.]

PLANARIAN, pl[=a]-n[=a]'ri-an, adj. and n. a term practically coextensive with Turbellarian, applicable to the members of the lowest class of worm-like animals, living in fresh and salt water, and sometimes in damp earth.--adjs. PLANAR'IFORM, PLAN[=A]'RIOID. [L. planarius, flat.]

PLANCH, planch, v.t. (Shak.) to cover with planks. [Fr. planche--L. planea.]

PLANCHET, plan'chet, n. a flat piece of metal ready to receive impression as a coin.

PLANCHETTE, plan-shet', n. a small heart-shaped or triangular piece of board resting on three props, two of which are castors and one a pencil-point, which, while a person's fingers are lightly resting on it, sometimes moves, as if of its own accord, and traces with the pencil marks and even words upon a piece of paper below it. [Fr. planchette, a small board.]

PLANE, pl[=a]n, n. (geom.) a surface on which, if any two points be taken, the straight line joining them will lie entirely on the surface: (astron.) a surface thought of as bounded by the line round which a heavenly body moves: any flat or level surface: any incline on which coal is lowered by the effect of gravity: any grade of life or of development.--adj. having the character of a plane: pertaining to, lying in, or forming a plane.--v.t. to make plane or smooth.--adj. PL[=A]'NARY, relating to a plane: flat.--n. PLANE'-T[=A]'BLE, a topographical instrument used in field-mapping, and having a sighting-telescope for observing objects, whose angles may be noted on a paper on the table of the instrument: an inclined table on which ore is dressed.--v.t. to survey with a plane-table.--ns. PLAN'IGRAPH, an instrument for reducing or enlarging drawings; PLANIM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the area of a plane figure.--adjs. PLANIMET'RIC, -AL.--n. PLANIM'ETRY, the mensuration of plane surfaces.--adj. PLANIPET'ALOUS, having flat petals.--ns. PLAN'ISHER, a thin flat-ended tool used for smoothing tin-plate and brasswork: a workman who planishes, esp. one who prepares copper-plates for engravers; PLAN'ISPHERE, a sphere projected on a plane.--adjs. PLANISPHER'IC; PL[=A]NO-CON'CAVE, plane on one side and concave on the other; PL[=A]'NO-CON'ICAL, plane on one side and conical on the other; PL[=A]'NO-CON'VEX, plane on one side and convex on the other.--n. PLANOG'RAPHIST, a map-maker.--adj. PL[=A]'NO-HORIZON'TAL, having a plane horizontal surface or position.--ns. PLANOM'ETER, a plane surface used in machine-making as a gauge for plane surfaces; PLANOM'ETRY, the measurement of plane surfaces.--adj. PL[=A]'NO-SUB'ULATE, smooth and awl-shaped.--PLANE ANGLE, an angle contained by two straight lines in a plane; PLANE FIGURE, a figure all of whose points lie in one plane; PLANE GEOMETRY, the geometry of plane figures; PLANE SAILING, the calculation of a ship's place in its course, as if the earth were flat instead of spherical: easy work; PLANE TRIGONOMETRY, that branch of trigonometry which treats of triangles described on a plane.--INCLINED PLANE (see INCLINE); PERSPECTIVE PLANE (see PERSPECTIVE). [Fr.,--L. planus, plain.]

PLANE, pl[=a]n, n. a carpenter's tool for producing a level or smooth surface.--v.t. to make a surface (as of wood) level by means of a plane.--ns. PL[=A]'NER, a tool or machine for planing: a smooth wooden block used for levelling a form of type; PL[=A]N'ING-MACHINE', a machine for planing wood or metals.--v.t. PLAN'ISH, to make smooth: to polish. [Fr.,--Low L. plan[=a]re, to make level.]

PLANET, plan'et, n. one of the bodies in the solar system which revolve in elliptic orbits round the sun.--n. PLANET[=A]'RIUM, a machine showing the motions and orbits of the planets.--adjs. PLAN'ETARY, pertaining to the planets: consisting of, or produced by, planets: under the influence of a planet: erratic: revolving; PLANET'IC, -AL.--n. PLAN'ETOID, a celestial body having the form or nature of a planet: one of a number of very small planets, often called asteroids, moving round the sun between Mars and Jupiter.--adjs. PLANETOI'DAL; PLAN'ET-STRICK'EN, PLAN'ET-STRUCK (astrol.), affected by the influence of the planets: blasted.--n. PLAN'ETULE, a little planet.--MINOR PLANETS, the numerous group of very small planets which is situated in the solar system between Mars and Jupiter. [Fr. planète--Gr. plan[=e]t[=e]s, wanderer--plan[=a]n, to make to wander.]

PLANE-TREE, pl[=a]n'-tr[=e], n. any one of the several trees constituting the genus Platanus, esp. the oriental or common plane-tree, with its variety the maple-leaved plane-tree, and the American plane-tree, usually called sycamore or buttonwood or buttonball: in Great Britain, the sycamore maple. [Fr. plane--L. platanus--Gr. platanos--platys, broad.]

PLANGENT, plan'jent, adj. resounding: noisy. [L. plangens, -gentis--plang[)e]re, to beat.]

PLANK, plangk, n. a long piece of timber, thicker than a board: one of the principles or aims of an associated party.--v.t. to cover with planks.--n. PLANK'ING, the act of laying planks: a series of planks: work made up of planks.--WALK THE PLANK, to be compelled to walk along a plank projecting over the ship's edge into the sea. [L. planca, a board; cf. Plain, even.]

PLANKTON, plangk'ton, n. pelagic animals collectively. [Gr., planktos, wandering.]

PLANODIA, pl[=a]-n[=o]'di-a, n. a false passage, such as may be made in using a catheter.

PLANT, plant, n. a something living and growing, fixed on the ground and drawing food therefrom by means of its root, and developing into a stem, leaves, and seed: a sprout: any vegetable production: the tools or material of any trade or business: (slang) a trick, dodge, hidden plunder.--v.t. to put into the ground for growth: to furnish with plants: to set in the mind, implant: to establish.--v.i. to set shoots in the ground.--adj. PLANT'ABLE.--ns. PLANT'AGE (Shak.), plants in general, or the vegetable kingdom; PLANT[=A]'TION, a place planted: a wood or grove: (U.S.) a large estate: a colony: act or process of introduction: (Milt.) the act of planting; PLANT'ER, one who plants or introduces: the owner of a plantation; PLANT'-HOUSE, a garden structure designed for the protection and cultivation of the plants of warmer climates than our own; PLANT'ICLE, a young plant; PLANT'ING, the act of setting in the ground for growth: the art of forming plantations of trees: a plantation.--adj. PLANT'LESS, destitute of vegetation.--ns. PLANT'LET, a little plant; PLANT'-LOUSE, a small homopterous insect which infests plants; PLANT'ULE, the embryo of a plant. [A.S. plante (Fr. plante)--L. planta, a shoot, a plant.]

PLANTAIN, plan't[=a]n, n. an important food-plant of tropical countries, so called from its broad leaf: a common roadside plant of several species, with broad leaves and seed-bearing spikes.--PLANTAIN EATER, one of a family of African, arboreal, vegetarian Pie-like birds. [Fr.,--L. plantago, plantaginis.]

PLANTIGRADE, plant'i-gr[=a]d, adj. that walks on the sole of the foot.--n. a plantigrade animal, as the bear.--adj. PLANT'AR, pertaining to the sole of the foot. [L. planta, the sole, gradi, to walk.]

PLANULA, plan'[=u]-la, n. the locomotory embryo of the coelenterates.--adjs. PLAN'ULAR; PLAN'ULIFORM; PLAN'ULOID.

PLANURIA, pl[=a]-n[=u]'ri-a, n. the discharge of urine through an abnormal passage, uroplania.--Also PLAN'URY.

PLAP, plap, v.i. to plash, fall with plashing sound. [Imit.]

PLAQUE, plak, n. a flat piece of metal or other material, used for ornament, as a brooch, &c., or for painting on, to form a wall-picture.--n. PLAQUETTE', a small plaque. [Fr.; cf. Plack.]

PLASH, plash, v.t. to bind and interweave the branches of.--v.i. to bend down a branch.--n. a small branch of a tree partly cut and bound to or twisted among other branches.--n. PLASH'ING, a mode of repairing a hedge by bending the branches and twisting them about each other. [O. Fr. plassier--L. plexus--plect[)e]re, to twist.]

PLASH, plash, n. a dash of water: a puddle: a shallow pool: a splashing sound: a sudden downpour: a flash.--v.i. to dabble in water: to splash.--v.t. to sprinkle with colouring matter, as a wall.--adj. PLASH'Y, full of puddles: watery. [Imit.]

PLASM, plazm, n. a mould or matrix: protoplasm--also PLAS'MA.--adjs. PLASMAT'IC, -AL, plastic, formative; PLAS'MIC, pertaining to plasma, protoplasmic.--ns. PLASM[=O]'DIUM, composite masses of primitive protozoa, in which numerous units are fused, or in rare cases simply combined in close contact; PLAS'MOGEN, true protoplasm; PLASMOG'ONY, the generation of an organism from plasma; PLASMOL'OGY, minute or microscopic anatomy, histology.--v.t. PLAS'MOLYSE.--n. PLASMOL'YSIS, the contraction of the protoplasm in active cells under the action of certain reagents.--adj. PLASMOLYT'IC.

PLASMA, plas'ma, n. a green variety of translucent quartz or silica.--adj. PLAS'MIC. [Gr.,--plassein, to form.]

PLASTER, plas't[.e]r, n. something that can be moulded into figures: a composition of lime, water, and sand for overlaying walls, &c.: (med.) a medicinal agent consisting of an adhesive substance spread upon cloth or leather, so as to stick to the part of the body to which it is applied.--adj. made of plaster.--v.t. to cover with plaster: to cover with a plaster, as a wound: to besmear: (fig.) to smooth over.--ns. PLAS'TERER, one who plasters, or one who works in plaster; PLAS'TERING, the art of covering the internal faces of walls, the partitions and ceiling of a building, with plaster: a covering of plaster: the plasterwork of a building; PLAS'TER-STONE, gypsum.--adj. PLAS'TERY, like plaster, containing plaster.--PLASTER CAST, a copy of an object got by pouring a mixture of plaster of Paris and water into a mould formed from the object; PLASTER OF PARIS, a kind of gypsum, originally found near Paris, used in building and in making casts of figures; POROUS PLASTER, a plaster for application to the body, full of small holes, which prevent it from wrinkling. [A.S. plaster--O. Fr. emplastre--L. emplastrum--Gr. emplastron.]

PLASTIC, plas'tik, adj. having power to give form to: capable of being moulded: of or pertaining to moulding.--ns. PLASTIC'ITY, state or quality of being plastic; PLASTIL[=I]'NA, a modelling clay which remains soft and plastic for a considerable time; PLASTOG'RAPHY, imitation of handwriting. [Gr. plastikos--plassein, to mould.]

PLASTRON, plas'tron, n. a breast-plate: a detachable part of a woman's dress hanging from the throat to the waist: a man's shirt-bosom: a fencer's wadded shield of leather worn on the breast: the ventral part of the shell of a chelonian or testudinate, the lower shell of a turtle or tortoise: the sternum with costal cartilages attached.--adj. PLAS'TRAL.

PLAT, plat, v.t. Same as PLAIT.

PLAT, plat, n. a piece of ground: a piece of ground ornamentally laid out: (obs.) a plan, scheme.--v.t. to make a map or plan of.--n. PLAT'-BAND, a border of flowers in a garden: (archit.) a slightly projecting square moulding, an architrave fascia, a list between flutings. [Plot.]

PLATANE, plat'[=a]n, n. the plane-tree.--Also PLAT'AN. [L. platanus--Gr. platanos--platys, broad.]

PLATE, pl[=a]t, n. something flat: a thin piece of metal: wrought gold and silver: household utensils in gold and silver: a shallow dish nearly flat: an engraved piece of metal.--v.t. to overlay with a coating of plate or metal: to arm or defend with metal plates: to adorn with metal: to beat into thin plates.--n. PLATE'-ARM'OUR, armour of strong metal plates for protecting ships-of-war, &c.--adj. PL[=A]'TED, covered with plates of metal for strength, as ships: covered with a coating of a more precious metal: (zool.) covered with hard scales.--ns. PLATE'-FLEET (Milt.), vessels used for carrying precious metals; PLATE'FUL, as much as a plate will hold; PLATE'-GLASS, a fine kind of glass, cast in thick plates, used for mirrors and large shop-windows; PLATE'-LAY'ER, a workman whose occupation it is to lay the rails of a railway and fix them to the sleepers; PLATE'-MARK, a mark or stamp on gold or silver plate to indicate its purity and the place where it was made; PLATE'-POW'DER, a composition of rouge and prepared chalk used for cleaning gold and silver plate and plated articles; PLATE'-PRINT'ING, the process of printing from engraved plates; PL[=A]'TER, one who plates articles with a coating of gold or silver; PLATE'-RACK, a frame for holding plates, &c., when not in use; PLATE'-WARM'ER, an apparatus in which plates are warmed before the fire; PL[=A]'TING, the covering of an inferior metal with one of the precious metals: a thin coating of metal on another.--adj. PL[=A]'TY, like a plate.--HALF'-PLATE, in photography, a size of plate measuring 4¾ by 6½ in. (4¼ by 5½ in U.S.); QUAR'TER-PLATE, 3¼ by 4¼ in.; WHOLE'-PLATE, 6½ by 8½ in. [O. Fr. plate, fem. of plat, flat--Gr. platys, broad.]

PLATEAU, pla-t[=o]', n. a broad flat space on an elevated position: a tableland:--pl. PLATEAUS, PLATEAUX (pla-t[=o]z'). [Fr.,--O. Fr. platel, dim. of plat.]

PLATEN, plat'en, n. the flat part of a printing-press which comes down upon the form, and by which the impression is made.

PLATFORM, plat'form, n. a raised level surface: a part of a floor raised above the rest to form a standing-place for speakers, workmen, &c.: (mil.) an elevated floor for cannon: a statement of principles to which a body of men declare their adhesion, and on which they act: (Shak.) a scheme, plan.--v.t. (Milt.) to sketch, plan: (Mrs Browning) to support as on a platform.--ns. PLAT'FORM-BRIDGE (Amer.), a movable gangway between the platforms of two railway carriages; PLAT'FORM-CAR, a railway car open all round and without a roof; PLAT'FORM-CRANE, a crane used on a railway platform, or one mounted on a movable truck; PLAT'FORM-SCALE, a weighing-machine with a flat surface for holding the thing to be weighed.--THE PLATFORM, the function of public oratory. [Fr. plate-forme, 'flat form.']

PLATIASMUS, plat-i-as'mus, n. imperfect speech.

PLATINUM, plat'in-um, n. an important metal of a dim silvery appearance, between gold and silver in value, and very difficult to melt--older name PLAT'INA.--adjs. PLATIN'IC; PLATINIF'EROUS.--v.t. PLAT'INISE, to coat with platinum.--ns. PLAT'INOID, one of the metals with which platinum is always found associated--palladium iridium, &c.; PLAT'INOTYPE, a method of producing photographs by means of paper coated with a preparation of platinum: a picture so produced.--adj. PLAT'INOUS, containing or consisting of platinum. [Sp. platina--plata, plate.]

PLATITUDE, plat'i-t[=u]d, n. flatness: that which exhibits dullness of thought: an empty remark made as if it were important.--n. PLATITUDIN[=A]'RIAN, one who indulges in platitudes.--adj. PLATIT[=U]'DINOUS. [Fr.,--plat, flat.]

PLATONIC, -AL, pl[=a]-ton'ik, -al, adj. pertaining to Plato, the Greek philosopher (about 427-347 B.C.), or to his philosophical opinions.--adv. PL[=A]TON'ICALLY.--v.t. and v.i. PL[=A]'TONISE, to reason like Plato.--ns. PL[=A]'TONISM, the philosophical opinions of Plato; PL[=A]'TONIST, PL[=A]TON'IC, a follower of Plato.--PLATONIC LOVE, the love of soul for soul, a love into which sensual desire is supposed not to enter at all.

PLATOON, pla-t[=oo]n', n. a number of recruits assembled for exercise--originally a small body of soldiers in a hollow square, to strengthen the angles of a longer formation: a subdivision of a company. [Fr. peloton, a ball, a knot of men--pelote--L. p[)i]la, a ball.]

PLATTER, plat'[.e]r, n. a large flat plate or dish. [M. E. plater--O. Fr. platel--plat, a plate.]

PLATTING, plat'ing, n. the process of making interwoven work: such work itself.

PLATYCEPHALOUS, plat-i-sef'a-lus, adj. having the vault of the skull flattened.--Also PLATYCEPHAL'IC.

PLATYPUS, plat'i-poos, n. the duck-bill (q.v.). [Gr. platys, flat, pous, a foot.]

PLATYRHINE, plat'i-rin, adj. broad-nosed.--n. a platyrhine monkey.

PLAUDIT, plawd'it, n. a mark of applause: praise bestowed.--adj. PLAUD'ITORY, applauding.--adj. PLAUS'IVE, applauding, approving: (Shak.) plausible. [Shortened from L. plaudite, praise ye, a call for applause, 2d pers. pl. imper. of plaud[)e]re, plausum, to praise.]

PLAUSIBLE, plawz'i-bl, adj. that may be applauded: seemingly worthy of approval or praise: superficially pleasing: apparently right: fair-spoken: popular.--ns. PLAUSIBIL'ITY, PLAUS'IBLENESS, an appearance of being right or worthy of approval: that which seems right and true at first sight.--adv. PLAUS'IBLY. [L. plausibilis--plaud[)e]re, to praise.]

PLAUSTRAL, plä'stral, adj. of or pertaining to a wagon. [L. plaustrum, a wagon.]

PLAY, pl[=a], v.i. to engage in some amusing exercise: to take part in a game, or a piece of diversion: to gamble: to sport: to trifle: to move irregularly or (mech.) freely: to operate: to act in a theatre: to perform on a musical instrument: to practise a trick: to act a character: to act with repeated strokes.--v.t. to put in motion: to perform upon: to perform: to act a sportive part: to compete with.--n. amusement: any exercise for amusement: a contending for victory or for a prize: practice in a contest: gaming: action or use: manner of dealing, as fair-play: a dramatic composition: movement: room for action or motion: liberty of action.--ns. PLAY'-ACT'OR, one who acts a part in a play: an actor; PLAY'-ACT'ORISM, the manner or habits of a play-actor; PLAY'-BILL, a bill or advertisement of a play; PLAY'BOOK, a book of plays or dramas; PLAY'-CLUB, a wooden-headed golf-club used for driving the ball the longest distances; PLAY'-DAY, PLAY'-TIME, a day devoted to play: a holiday; PLAY'ER, one who plays: an actor of plays or dramas: a trifler: a musician: a professional at cricket; PLAY'FELLOW, PLAY'MATE, a fellow or mate in play or amusements.--adj. PLAY'FUL, given to play: sportive.--adv. PLAY'FULLY.--ns. PLAY'FULNESS; PLAY'-G[=O]'ER, one who habitually attends the theatre; PLAY'-G[=O]'ING; PLAY'-GROUND, a ground or place on which to play, esp. that connected with a school; PLAY'-HOUSE, a house where dramatic performances are represented: a theatre; PLAY'ING-CARD, one of a set of fifty-two cards used in playing games; PLAY'-MARE, the hobby-horse, one of the chief parts in the ancient morris-dance; PLAY'THING, anything for playing with: a toy; PLAY'WRIGHT, PLAY'-WRIT'ER, a writer of plays: one who adapts dramatic compositions for the stage.--PLAYED OUT, worked to the end: used up: tired; PLAY FAST AND LOOSE, to act in a tricky, inconstant way: to say one thing and do another; PLAY FINE, at billiards, to strike the object-ball near the edge--opp. to PLAY FULL, to strike it nearer the centre than the edge; PLAY OFF, to show or display; PLAY UP, to make a beginning of playing: to play more vigorously; PLAY UPON, to trifle with: to delude.--A PLAY UPON WORDS, a use of words so as to give them a double meaning; BRING INTO PLAY, to bring into exercise or use; COME INTO PLAY, to come into use; HOLD IN PLAY, to keep the attention of. [A.S. plegan, to play.]

PLEA, pl[=e], n. the defender's answer to the plaintiff's demand or charge: an excuse: an apology: an action in a court of law: urgent entreaty. [O. Fr. plait (Fr. plaid)--Low L. placitum, a decision--L. placet, it pleases, plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLEACH, pl[=e]ch, v.t. to intertwine the branches of, as a hedge: (Shak.) to fold, as the arms. [O. Fr. plesser--L. plec-t[)e]re, plait; Gr. plek-ein, weave.]

PLEAD, pl[=e]d, v.i. to carry on a plea or lawsuit: to argue in support of a cause against another: to seek to persuade: to admit or deny a charge of guilt.--v.t. to discuss by arguments: to allege in pleading or defence: to offer in excuse:--pa.t. and pa.p. plead'ed, or (less correctly and coll.) pled.--adj. PLEAD'ABLE, capable of being pleaded.--n. PLEAD'ER.--adj. PLEAD'ING, imploring.--n. act of pleading or of conducting any cause: (pl.) the statements of the two parties in a lawsuit (law).--adv. PLEAD'INGLY.--PLEAD GUILTY, or NOT GUILTY, to admit, or deny, guilt.--SPECIAL PLEADING, unfair argument aiming rather at victory than at truth. [O. Fr. plaider; cf. Plea.]

PLEASE, pl[=e]z, v.t. to give pleasure to: to delight: to satisfy.--v.i. to like: to think fit: to choose: to give pleasure: used impers., followed by an object, originally dative, of the person=if it please you.--n. PLEAS'ANCE, merriment: a pleasure garden.--adj. PLEAS'ANT, pleasing: agreeable: cheerful: gay: facetious.--adv. PLEAS'ANTLY.--ns. PLEAS'ANTNESS; PLEAS'ANTRY, anything that promotes pleasure: merriment: lively or humorous talk: a trick:--pl. PLEAS'ANTRIES; PLEASE'MAN (Shak.), an officious fellow, a pick-thank; PLEAS'ER, one who pleases or gratifies.--adj. PLEAS'ING, giving pleasure: agreeable: gratifying.--n. (Shak.) pleasure given: (B.) approbation.--adv. PLEAS'INGLY.--n. PLEAS'INGNESS, the quality of giving pleasure.--adj. PLEAS'URABLE, able to give pleasure: delightful: gratifying.--n. PLEAS'URABLENESS.--adv. PLEAS'URABLY.--n. PLEASURE (plezh'[=u]r), agreeable emotions: gratification of the senses or of the mind: what the will prefers: purpose: command: approbation.--v.t. (arch.) to give pleasure to.--ns. PLEAS'URE-BOAT, a boat used for pleasure or amusement; PLEAS'URE-GROUND, ground laid out in an ornamental manner for pleasure; PLEAS'URE-HOUSE, a house to which one retires for recreation or pleasure.--adj. PLEAS'URELESS.--ns. PLEAS'URER, one who seeks pleasure; PLEAS'URE-TRIP, an excursion for pleasure.--AT PLEASURE, whenever and as one pleases. [O. Fr. plaisir (Fr. plaire)--L. plac[=e]re, to please.]

PLEAT, pl[=e]t, v.t. Same as PLAIT.

PLEBEIAN, pl[=e]-b[=e]'an, adj. pertaining to, or consisting of, the common people: popular: vulgar.--n. originally one of the common people of ancient Rome: one of the lower classes.--v.t. PLEBEI'ANISE.--ns. PLEBEI'ANISM, state of being a plebeian: the conduct or manners of plebeians: vulgarity; PLEBIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of making plebeian.--v.t. PLEB'IFY, to make plebeian: to vulgarise. [Fr. plébéien--L. plebeius--plebs, plebis, the common people.]

PLEBISCITE, pleb'i-s[=i]t, n. a decree of an entire nation, obtained by an appeal to universal suffrage, as in France under Napoleon III.: a method of obtaining an expression of opinion upon a certain point from the inhabitants of a district--also PLEBISC[=I]'TUM:--pl. PLEB'ISCITES, PLEBIS'CITA.--adj. PLEB'ISCITARY. [Fr.,--L. plebiscitum, decree of the people--plebs, the people, scitum, a decree--sc[=i]re, to know.]

PLEBS, plebz, n. the common people. [L.]

PLECTOGNATHI, plek-tog'n[=a]-th[=i], n. an order of bony fishes, including file-fishes, globe-fishes, coffer-fishes, sun-fishes.--adjs. PLECTOGNATH'IC, PLECTOG'NATHOUS. [Gr. plectos, plaited, gnathos, a jaw.]

PLECTRUM, plek'trum, n. the quill or other form of instrument by which the strings of the Greek lyre were struck.--Also PLEC'TRE, PLEC'TRON. [L.--Gr.,--pl[=e]ssein, to strike.]

PLED, pled, pa.t. and pa.p. of plead.

PLEDGE, plej, n. something given as a security: one who becomes surety for another: a sentiment of goodwill or friendship expressed by drinking together.--v.t. to give as security: to engage for by promise: to invite to drink by partaking of the cup first: to drink to the health of.--ns. PLEDGEE', the person to whom a thing is pledged; PLEDG'ER.--PLEDGE CARD, a card given, as a remembrancer, to a person who has signed the total abstinence pledge; PLEDGE CUP, a cup for drinking pledges.--HOLD IN PLEDGE, to keep as security; PUT IN PLEDGE, to pawn; TAKE, or SIGN, THE PLEDGE, to give a written promise to abstain from intoxicating liquor. [O. Fr. plege (Fr. pleige); prob. L. præb[=e]re, to afford.]

PLEDGET, plej'et, n. a wad of lint, cotton, &c., as for a wound or sore: an oakum string used in caulking.

PLEIAD, pl[=i]'ad, n. one of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, after death changed into stars:--pl. PLEI'ADS, PLEI'ADES, (astron.) a group of seven or more stars in the shoulder of the constellation Taurus.

PLEIOCENE. Same as PLIOCENE.

PLEIOCHROISM, pl[=i]-ok'r[=o]-izm, n. the property in some crystals, such as some species of topaz, where three distinct colours may be observed on looking through them along three rectangular axes.--Also POL'YCHR[=O]ISM. [Gr. plei[=o]n, ple[=o]n, more, chroa, colour.]

PLEISTOCENE, pl[=i]s't[=o]-s[=e]n, n. (geol.) the name given to the system comprising the older accumulations belonging to the Quaternary or Post-Tertiary division. [Gr. pleistos, most, kainos, recent.]

PLENARY, pl[=e]'n[=a]-ri, adj. full: entire: complete: (law) passing through all its stages--opp. to Summary: having full powers.--adv. PLEN'ARILY.--ns. PLEN'ARINESS; PL[=E]'NARTY, the state of a benefice when occupied; PL[=E]'NIST, one who believes all space to be filled with matter; PLEN'ITUDE, fullness: completeness: repletion; PL[=E]'NUM, space considered as in every part filled with matter.--PLENARY INSPIRATION, inspiration which excludes all mixture of error. [Low L. plenarius--L. ple-nus, full--pl[=e]re, to fill.]

PLENICORN, plen'i-korn, adj. solid-horned, as a ruminant.

PLENILUNAR, plen-i-l[=u]'nar, adj. pertaining to the full moon.

PLENIPOTENCE, pl[=e]-nip'o-tens, n. complete power--also PLENIP'OTENCY.--adj. PLENIP'OTENT, having full power. [L. plenus, full, potens, -entis, powerful.]

PLENIPOTENTIARY, plen-i-po-ten'shi-a-ri, adj. conferring or having full powers.--n. a person invested with full powers, esp. a special ambassador or envoy to some foreign court. [Low L. plenipotentiarius--L. plenus, full, potens, powerful.]

PLENISH, plen'ish, v.t. to furnish: to provide, as a house or farm, with necessary furniture, implements, stock, &c.--n. PLEN'ISHING (Scot.), furniture. [Fr.,--L. plenus, full.]

PLENTY, plen'ti, n. a full supply: all that can be needed: abundance.--adj. being in abundance.--adj. PLEN'T[=E]OUS, fully sufficient: abundant: fruitful: well provided: rich: (B.) giving plentifully.--adv. PLEN'T[=E]OUSLY.--n. PLEN'T[=E]OUSNESS.--adj. PLEN'TIFUL, copious: abundant: yielding abundance.--adv. PLEN'TIFULLY.--n. PLEN'TIFULNESS.--HORN OF PLENTY (see HORN). [O. Fr. plente--L. plenus, full.]

PLEONASM, pl[=e]'o-nazm, n. use of more words than are necessary: (rhet.) a redundant expression.--n. PL[=E]'ONAST, one who is given to pleonasm.--adjs. PLEONAS'TIC, -AL, redundant: using too many words.--adv. PLEONAS'TICALLY. [Gr. pleonasmos--plei[=o]n, more.]

PLEROMA, pl[=e]-r[=o]'ma, n. fullness: abundance: in Gnosticism, divine being, including all æons which emanate from it. [Gr.,--pl[=e]r[=e]s, full.]

PLEROPHORY, pl[=e]-rof'[=o]-ri, n. full conviction.--Also PLEROPH[=O]'RIA.

PLESH, plesh, n. (Spens.) a plash, a pool of water.

PLESIOMORPHISM, pl[=e]-si-[=o]-mor'fizm, n. the property of certain substances of crystallising in similar forms while unlike in chemical composition--also Isogonism.--adjs. PLESIOMOR'PHIC, PLESIOMOR'PHOUS.

PLESIOSAURUS, pl[=e]-zi-o-saw'rus, n. the type or leading genus of a family (Plesiosauridæ) of fossil sea-reptiles, which are characteristic of the Mesozoic systems. [Gr. pl[=e]sios, near, sauros, lizard.]

PLETHORA, pleth'o-ra, n. excessive fullness of blood: over-fullness in any way.--adjs. PLETHORE'TIC, PLETHOR'IC, -AL, afflicted with plethora: superabundant: turgid.--adv. PLETHOR'ICALLY. [Gr. pl[=e]th[=o]r[=e], fullness--pleos, full.]

PLEUGH, pl[=u]h, n. (Scot.) a plough.--n. PLEUGH'-PAID'LE (Scot.), a small spade or 'paddle' for cleaning a plough.

PLEURA, pl[=oo]'ra, n. a delicate serous membrane which covers the lungs and lines the cavity of the chest:--pl. PLEU'RÆ.--adj. PLEU'RAL.--ns. PLEURAPOPH'YSIS, a lateral process of a vertebra, with the morphological character of a rib:--pl. PLEURAPOPH'YSES; PLEURENCH'YMA (bot.), the woody tissue of plants; PLEU'RISY, inflammation of the pleura, the investing membrane of the lung; PLEU'RISY-ROOT, a plant common in the United States, of which the root has medicinal repute, the infusion being used as a diaphoretic and expectorant.--adjs. PLEURIT'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or affected with, pleurisy: causing pleurisy.--ns. PLEUR[=I]'TIS, pleurisy; PLEURODYN'IA, neuralgia of the chest-wall, which may simulate closely the pain of pleurisy; PLEU'RO-PNEUM[=O]'NIA, inflammation of the pleura and lungs, a contagious disease peculiar to cattle. [Gr., a rib.]

PLEURONECTIDÆ, pl[=oo]-ro-nek'ti-d[=e], n.pl. a family of flat-fishes, the flounders. [Gr. pleura, the side, n[=e]kt[=e]s, a swimmer.]

PLEXIMETER, pleks-im'e-t[.e]r, n. a small plate of something hard and elastic, placed on the body, to receive the tap of the fingers or of the hammer in examination by percussion--also PLEXOM'ETER.--adj. PLEXIMET'RIC. [Gr. pl[=e]xis, a striking--pl[=e]ssein, to strike, metron, a measure.]

PLEXURE, pleks'[=u]r, n. the act or process of weaving together: that which is woven together.--adj. PLEX'IFORM, in the form of network: formed into a plexus.--n. PLEX'US, a number of things, as veins, nerves, &c., woven together: a network: (anat.) an interlacing of nerves, vessels, or fibres. [L. plexus, a twining--plect[)e]re, plexum, to twine.]

PLIABLE, pl[=i]'a-bl, adj. easily bent or folded: supple: easily persuaded: yielding to influence.--ns. PLIABIL'ITY, PL[=I]'ABLENESS, quality of being pliable or flexible.--adv. PL[=I]'ABLY, in a pliable manner.--ns. PL[=I]'ANCY, PL[=I]'ANTNESS, the state of being pliant: readiness to be influenced.--adj. PL[=I]'ANT, bending easily: flexible: tractable: easily influenced.--adv. PL[=I]'ANTLY. [Fr. pliable--L. plic[=a]re, to fold.]

PLICA, pl[=i]'ka, n. in the phrase PLICA POLONICA, a disease of the scalp, in which the hairs become matted together by an adhesive and often fetid secretion, occurring in several countries, but esp. in Poland. [L. plic[=a]re, to fold.]

PLICATE, -D, pl[=i]'k[=a]t, -ed, adj. folded like a fan, as a leaf: plaited.--adv. PL[=I]'C[=A]TELY.--ns. PLIC[=A]'TION, PLIC'ATURE, act or process of folding: state of being folded: a fold. [L. plicatus--plic[=a]re, to fold.]

PLIERS, pl[=i]'[.e]rz, n.pl. small pincers for bending.

PLIGHT, pl[=i]t, n. something exposed to risk: security: pledge: engagement: promise.--v.t. to pledge: to promise solemnly: to give as security.--n. PLIGHT'ER, one who, or that which, plights. [A.S. pliht, risk, danger--plión, to imperil; cog. with Dut. pligt, Ger. pflicht, an obligation.]

PLIGHT, pl[=i]t, n. condition: state (either good or bad). [O. Fr. plite--L. plicitus, plic[=a]re, to fold.]

PLIGHT, pl[=i]t, v.t. to plait, to braid, to weave.--n. (Spens.) a plait, a fold. [L. plect[)e]re, freq. of plicäre, to fold.]

PLIM, plim, v.i. (prov.) to swell. [Plump.]

PLIMSOLL'S MARK. See LOAD-LINE, under LOAD.

PLINTH, plinth, n. (archit.) the square at the bottom of the base of a column: the projecting band at the bottom of a wall. [L. plinthus, Gr. plinthos, a brick.]

PLIOCENE, pl[=i]'o-s[=e]n, n. (geol.) the strata more recent than the Miocene or Second Tertiary. [Gr. plei[=o]n, more, kainos, recent.]

PLISKIE, plis'ki, n. (Scot.) condition or plight: a mischievous trick.

PLOD, plod, v.i. to travel slowly and steadily: to study or work on steadily: to toil.--v.t. to get along by slow and heavy walking:--pr.p. plod'ding; pa.t. and pa.p. plod'ded.--n. PLOD'DER, one who plods on: a dull, heavy, laborious man.--adj. PLOD'DING, laborious but slow.--n. slow movement: patient study.--adv. PLOD'DINGLY. [Orig. 'to wade through pools,' from Ir. plod, a pool.]

PLONGE, plonj, n. the descending part of the path of a bomb: the superior slope of a parapet.--Also PLON'GÉE.

PLONGE, plonj, v.t. to cleanse, as open sewers, by stirring with a pole when the tide is ebbing.

PLOP, plop, v.i. to plump into water. [Imit.]

PLOT, plot, n. a small piece of ground: a plan of a field, &c., drawn on paper: a patch or spot on clothes.--v.t. to make a plan of:--pr.p. plot'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. plot'ted. [A.S. plot.]

PLOT, plot, n. a complicated scheme, esp. for a mischievous purpose: a conspiracy: stratagem: the chain of incidents which are gradually unfolded in the story of a play, &c.--v.i. to scheme: to form a scheme of mischief: to conspire.--v.t. to devise:--pr.p. plot'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. plot'ted.--adj. PLOT'FUL.--adj. PLOT'-PROOF, safe from any danger by plots.--ns. PLOT'TER, one who plots: a conspirator; PLOT'TING.--adv. PLOT'TINGLY. [Fr. complot, acc. to Diez, from L. complicitum, pa.p. of complic[=a]re, to fold.]

PLOT, plot, v.t. (Scot.) to scald, steep in very hot water.--n. PLOT'TIE, a kind of mulled wine.

PLOTTER, plot'[.e]r, v.i. to plouter (q.v.).

PLOUGH, plow, n. an instrument for turning up the soil to prepare it for seed: tillage: a joiner's plane for making grooves.--v.t. to turn up with the plough: to make furrows or ridges in: to tear: to divide: to run through, as in sailing: (university slang) to reject in an examination.--v.i. to work with a plough.--adj. PLOUGH'ABLE, capable of being ploughed: arable.--ns. PLOUGH'BOY, a boy who drives or guides horses in ploughing; PLOUGH'ER; PLOUGH'GATE (Scots law), a quantity of land of the extent of 100 acres Scots; PLOUGH'ING; PLOUGH'-[=I]'RON, the coulter of a plough; PLOUGH'-LAND, land suitable for tillage: as much land as could be tilled with one plough, a hide of land; PLOUGH'MAN, a man who ploughs: a husbandman: a rustic:--pl. PLOUGH'MEN; PLOUGH'-MON'DAY, the Monday after Twelfth Day when, according to the old usage, the plough should be set to work again after the holidays; PLOUGH'-TAIL, the end of a plough where the handles are; PLOUGH'-TREE, a plough-handle; PLOUGH'WRIGHT, one who makes and mends ploughs.--PUT ONE'S HAND TO THE PLOUGH, to begin an undertaking.--SNOW PLOUGH, a strong triangular frame of wood for clearing snow off roads, railways, &c., drawn by horses or by a locomotive; STEAM PLOUGH, a plough driven by a stationary steam-engine; THE PLOUGH, the seven bright stars in the constellation of the Great Bear. [Ice. plógr; perh. Celt., Gael. ploc, a block.]

PLOUGHSHARE, plow'sh[=a]r, n. the part of a plough which shears or cuts the ground in the bottom of the furrow. [Plough, and A.S. scear, a share of a plough, a shearing--sceran, to cut.]

PLOUTER, plow't[.e]r, v.i. to paddle in water.--n. (Scot.) a paddling or dabbling in water.

PLOVER, pluv'[.e]r, n. a well-known wading bird. [Fr. pluvier--L. pluvia, rain.]

PLOW, plow. Old spelling of plough.

PLOY, ploi, n. employment: (Scot.) a frolic. [Employ.]

PLUCK, pluk, v.t. to pull off or away: to snatch: to strip, as a fowl of its feathers: (slang) to reject an examinee as inefficient.--n. a single act of plucking.--n. PLUCK'ER.--PLUCK OFF (Shak.), to abate from the rank; PLUCK UP, to pull out by the roots: to summon up, as courage. [A.S. pluccian; akin to Dut. plukken, Ger. pflücken.]

PLUCK, pluk, n. the heart, liver, and lungs of an animal--hence heart, courage, spirit.--adjs. PLUCKED, PLUCK'Y, having pluck or spirit.--adv. PLUCK'ILY.--n. PLUCK'INESS.

PLUFFY, pluf'i, adj. puffy: blown out.--n. PLUFF (Scot.), a puff of smoke or dust.--v.t. to throw out such.

PLUG, plug, n. a block or peg used to stop a hole: a bung: a stopper: a branch from a water-pipe to supply a hose: a flat cake of tobacco: any worn-out or useless article: (slang) a silk hat.--v.t. to stop with a plug: to drive plugs into:--pr.p. plug'ging; pa.t. and pa.p. plugged.--ns. PLUG'GER, one who, or that which, plugs, esp. a dentist's instrument for filling a hollow tooth; PLUG'GING, the act of stopping with a plug: the material of which a plug is made; PLUG'-UG'LY, a street ruffian.--FIRE PLUG, a contrivance by means of which a hose can be fixed to a water-main in case of fire. [Dut. plug, a bung, a peg (Sw. plugg, a peg, Ger. pflock); most prob. Celt., as in Ir., Gael., and W. ploc.]

PLUM, plum, n. a well-known stone fruit of various colours, of the natural order Rosaceæ: the tree producing it: the best part of all: a sum of £100,000, a handsome fortune.--ns. PLUM'-CAKE, a cake containing raisins, currants, &c.; PLUM'-DUFF, a flour-pudding boiled with raisins.--adj. PLUM'MY, full of plums: desirable.--ns. PLUM'-PORR'IDGE, an antiquated dish, of porridge with plums, raisins, &c.; PLUM'-PUDD'ING, a national English dish made of flour and suet, with raisins, currants, and various spices. [A.S. plúme--L. prunum--Gr. prounon.]

PLUMAGE, pl[=oo]m'[=a]j, n. the whole feathers of a bird. [Fr.,--plume, a feather.]

PLUMB, plum, n. a mass of lead or other material, hung on a string, to show the perpendicular position: the perpendicular direction or position.--adj. perpendicular.--adv. perpendicularly.--v.t. to adjust by a plumb-line: to make perpendicular: to sound the depth of, as water by a plumb-line.--n. PLUMB'-BOB, a conoid-shaped metal weight at the end of a plumb-line.--adjs. PLUM'B[=E]AN, PLUM'B[=E]OUS, consisting of, or resembling, lead: stupid; PLUMB'IC, pertaining to, or obtained from, lead; PLUMBIF'EROUS, producing lead.--n. PLUMB'ING, the art of casting and working in lead, &c.--adj. PLUMB'LESS, incapable of being sounded.--ns. PLUMB'-LINE, a line to which a mass of lead is attached to show the perpendicular: a plummet; PLUMB'-RULE, a narrow board with a plumb-line fastened to the top, used to determine a perpendicular. [Fr. plomb--L. plumbum, lead.]

PLUMBAGINEÆ, plum-ba-jin'[=e]-[=e], n.pl. a natural order of oxogenous plants found on seashores and salt-marshes.

PLUMBAGO, plum-b[=a]'go, n. a mineral composed of carbon, iron, and other materials, used for pencils, &c., popularly called 'blacklead:' graphite: a genus of plants with blue or violet flowers.--adj. PLUMBAG'INOUS. [L. plumbum, lead.]

PLUMBER, plum'[.e]r, n. one who works in lead, esp. one who fits into buildings the tanks, pipes, and fittings for conveying water, gas, and sewage.--ns. PLUMB'ER-BLOCK, a metal frame or case for holding the end of a revolving shaft: a pillow-block; PLUMB'ERY, articles of lead: the business of a plumber: a place for plumbing.

PLUME, pl[=oo]m, n. a feather: a tuft of feathers: a feather worn as an ornament: a crest: a token of honour: a prize in a contest.--v.t. to dress the feathers of, as a bird: to adorn with plumes: to strip of feathers: to boast (used reflexively).--ns. PLUMASSIER (pl[=oo]-ma-s[=e]r'), one who prepares or deals in plumes; PLUME'-BIRD, a term sometimes given to the Epimachidæ or long-tailed birds-of-Paradise.--adjs. PLUMED, adorned with feathers; PLUME'LESS.--n. PLUME'LET, a down-feather, a plumule: anything resembling a small plume.--adj. PLUME'-PLUCKED, stripped of plumes: (Shak.) humbled.--n. PLUM'ERY, a display of plumes.--adjs. PLUMIG'EROUS, plumaged; PLU'MIPED, having feathered feet.--n. PLU'MIST, a feather-dresser.--adjs. PLU'MOSE, PLU'MOUS, feathery: plume-like; PLU'MY, covered or adorned with plumes. [O. Fr.,--L. pluma, a small soft feather.]

PLUMMER, PLUMMERY. See PLUMBER, PLUMBERY.

PLUMMET, plum'et, n. a weight of lead hung at a string, used for ascertaining the direction of the earth's attraction, and for sounding depths: a plumb-line. [O. Fr. plomet, dim. of plom, lead.]

PLUMP, plump, adv. falling straight downward (like lead): heavily: suddenly.--adj. downright: unqualified.--v.i. to fall or sink suddenly: to give all one's votes to one candidate where there are more than one to be elected.--v.t. to cause to fall suddenly.--n. (Scot.) a sudden downfall of rain.--n. PLUMP'ER, a vote given to one candidate only when more than one are to be elected: one who so votes: (slang) a downright lie.--adv. PLUMP'LY, fully, without reserve. [Plumb.]

PLUMP, plump, adj. fat and rounded: sleek: in good condition.--v.i. to grow fat or plump: to swell.--v.t. to make plump: to fatten.--ns. PLUMP'ER, a ball kept in the mouth to give the cheeks a rounded appearance; PLUMP'NESS.--adj. PLUMP'Y (Shak.), plump, fat. [Teut.; Dut. plomp, lumpish, Ger. plump.]

PLUMP, plump, n. a cluster: a clump (of persons or things).

PLUMULARIA, pl[=oo]-m[=u]-l[=a]'ri-a, n. a genus of hydrozoa, belonging to the division hydroidea.--adj. PLUMUL[=A]'RIAN. [L. plumula, a little feather.]

PLUMULE, pl[=oo]'m[=u]l, n. (bot.) the first bud of a plant growing from seed, springing from between the cotyledons or seed leaves: a soft feather: a feathery scale on a butterfly's wing.--Also PLUM'ULA. [L. plumula, dim. of pluma, a feather.]

PLUNDER, plun'd[.e]r, v.t. to seize the goods of another by force: to pillage.--n. that which is seized by force: booty: (U.S.) household goods.--ns. PLUN'DERAGE, the stealing of goods on board ship; PLUN'DERER.--adj. PLUN'DEROUS. [Ger. plündern, to pillage--plunder, trash, baggage; akin to Low Ger. plunnen, rags.]

PLUNGE, plunj, v.t. to cast suddenly into water or other fluid: to force suddenly (into): to immerse.--v.i. to sink suddenly into any fluid: to dive: to pitch suddenly forward and throw up the hind-legs, as a horse: to rush into any danger: (slang) to gamble recklessly.--n. act of plunging: act of rushing headlong, as a horse.--n. PLUNG'ER, one who plunges: a diver: a long solid cylinder used as a forcer in pumps: (mil.) a cavalry-man: one who bets heavily.--adj. PLUNG'ING, rushing headlong: aimed from higher ground, as fire upon an enemy.--n. the putting or sinking under water, or other fluid: the act of a horse trying to throw its rider.--PLUNGE BATH, a bath large enough to allow the whole body under water. [O. Fr. plonger--L. plumbum, lead.]

PLUPERFECT, pl[=oo]'p[.e]r-fekt, adj. (gram.) noting that an action happened before some other past action referred to. [A corr. of L. plus-quam-perfectum, (lit.) more than or before perfect.]

PLURAL, pl[=oo]'ral, adj. containing or expressing more than one.--n. (gram.) the form denoting more than one.--n. PLURALIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. PLU'RALISE, to make plural.--v.i. to hold two or more benefices simultaneously.--ns. PLU'RALISM, the state of being plural: the holding by one person of more than one office at once, esp. applied to ecclesiastical livings; PLU'RALIST, one who holds more than one office at one time; PLURAL'ITY, the state of being plural: a number consisting of more than one: the majority: the holding of more than one benefice at one time: the living held by a pluralist.--adv. PLU'RALLY. [Fr.,--L. pluralis--plus, pluris, more.]

PLURILITERAL, pl[=oo]-ri-lit'[.e]r-al, adj. containing more letters than three.

PLURILOCULAR, pl[=oo]-ri-lok'[=u]-lar, adj. multilocular.

PLURIPAROUS, pl[=oo]-rip'a-rus, adj. having several young at a birth.--n. PLURIP'ARA, one who has borne two or more children.

PLURIPRESENCE, pl[=oo]-ri-prez'ens, n. presence in more places than one. [L. plus, more, præsentia, presence.]

PLURISY, pl[=oo]r'i-si, n. (Shak.) superabundance. [L. plus, pluris, more.]

PLUS, plus, adj. more: to be added: positive.--n. the sign (+) prefixed to positive quantities, and set between quantities or numbers to be added together: the sign of addition--opp. to Minus. [L. plus, more.]

PLUSH, plush, n. a variety of cloth woven like velvet, but differing from it in having a longer and more open pile.--adj. PLUSH'Y, of or resembling plush. [Fr. peluche, through Low L., from L. pilus, hair. See PILE, a hairy surface.]

PLUTOCRACY, pl[=oo]-tok'ra-si, n. government by the wealthy.--n. PLU'TOCRAT.--adj. PLUTOCRAT'IC.--ns. PLUTOL'OGIST; PLUTOL'OGY, the science of wealth: political economy. [Gr. ploutokratia--ploutos, wealth, kratia--kratein, to rule.]

PLUTONIAN, pl[=oo]-t[=o]'ni-an, adj. infernal: dark: (geol.) formed by the agency of heat at a depth below the surface of the earth, as granite--also PLUTON'IC.--ns. PLU'TONISM; PLU'TONIST.--PLUTONIC ACTION, the action of volcanic fires under the surface; PLUTONIC ROCKS, rocks formed under the surface by the action of fire, as granite, porphyry, &c.; PLUTONIC THEORY, the theory that the present state of the earth's crust is the result of the action of fire--opp. to Neptunian theory. [L.,--Gr. Plout[=o]nios--Plout[=o]n, Pluto, the god of the nether world.]

PLUVIAL, pl[=oo]'vi-al, adj. pertaining to rain: rainy.--ns. PLU'VIOGRAPH, a self-recording rain-gauge; PLUVIOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the amount of rain that falls.--adjs. PLUVIOMET'RIC, -AL; PLU'VIOUS, rainy. [Fr.,--pluvialis--pluvia, rain.]

PLY, pl[=i], v.t. to work at steadily: to use diligently: to urge: to address with importunity.--v.i. to work steadily: to go in haste: to make regular passages, as a boat, between two ports: (naut.) to make way against the wind:--pa.t. and pa.p. plied.--n. a fold: bent: direction.--n. PLY'ER. [O. Fr. plier, to fold--L. plic[=a]re, to bend.]

PLYERS. Same as PLIERS.

PLYMOUTH BRETHREN, plim'uth breth'ren, n.pl. a rigid religious sect, originating at Plymouth about 1830, out of a reaction against High Church principles and against a dead formalism associated with unevangelical doctrine.--n. PLYM'OUTHISM.

PNEUMA, n[=u]'ma, n. breath: spirit, soul. [Gr.]

PNEUMATIC, -AL, n[=u]-mat'ik, -al, adj. relating to air: consisting of air: moved by air or wind.--n. (coll.) a bicycle fitted with pneumatic tires.--adv. PNEUMAT'ICALLY.--n.sing. PNEUMAT'ICS, the science which treats of air and other elastic fluids or gases.--adj. PNEUMATOLOG'ICAL.--ns. PNEUMATOL'OGIST, one versed in pneumatology; PNEUMATOL'OGY, the science of elastic fluids: pneumatics: the branch of philosophy which treats of spirits or mind: (theol.) the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; PNEUMATOM'ETER, PNEUMOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the quantity of air inhaled into the lungs at a single inspiration.--adj. PNEUMOGAS'TRIC, pertaining to the lungs and the stomach.--n. PNEUM[=O]'NIA, inflammation of the tissues of the lungs--also PNEU'MON[=I]'TIS.--adj. PNEUMON'IC, pertaining to the lungs.--n. a medicine for lung diseases.--PNEUMATIC DESPATCH, a method of sending letters, telegrams, and small parcels through tubes by means of compressed air; PNEUMATIC RAILWAY, a railway along which the carriages are driven by compressed air; PNEUMATIC TROUGH, a trough of wood or iron, filled with water and used for collecting gases for experiment or examination; PNEUMATIC TIRE, a flexible air-inflated tube used as a tire on cycles, &c. [L.,--Gr. pneumatikos--pneum-a, -atos, wind, air--pnein, to blow, to breathe.]

PNYX, niks, n. in ancient Athens, the public place of meeting for deliberation on political affairs: the assembly. [Gr.,--pyknos, crowded.]

POACEÆ, p[=o]-[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], n.pl. a division of the order Gramineæ, the grasses.--n. P[=O]'A, a genus of grasses. [Gr. poa, grass.]

POACH, p[=o]ch, v.t. to dress eggs by breaking them into boiling water. [Perh. Fr. pocher, to put in a pocket--poche, pouch.]

POACH, p[=o]ch, v.i. to intrude on another's preserves in order to steal game.--v.t. to steal game.--ns. POACH'ER, one who poaches or steals game: the widgeon, from its habit of stealing the prey of other ducks; POACH'ING. [O. Fr. pocher, orig. to pocket--poche, pouch.]

POACH, p[=o]ch, v.t. to stab: poke: to tread on, and make slushy.--n. POACH'INESS.--adj. POACH'Y, wet and soft. [O. Fr. pocher, to poke.]

POCHARD, p[=o]'chard, n. a genus of diving ducks which are marine during the greater part of the year. [Poacher, the widgeon.]

POCK, pok, n. a small elevation of the skin containing matter, as in smallpox.--adjs. POCKED, POCK'Y, infected with, or marked by, smallpox.--ns. POCK'MARK, POCK'PIT, the mark, pit, or scar left by a pock.--adj. POCK'PITTED. [A.S. poc, a pustule; Ger. pocke, Dut. pok. The correct pl. form was pocks, erroneously pox, and treated as singular.]

POCKET, pok'et, n. a little pouch or bag, esp. one attached to a dress or to a billiard table: any cavity in which anything can lie: in mining, an irregular cavity filled with veinstone and ore: money, as being carried in the pocket: a bag of wool, &c., containing about 168 lb.--v.t. to put in the pocket: to take stealthily: to conceal:--pr.p. pock'eting; pa.t. and pa.p. pock'eted.--ns. POCK'ET-BOOK, a note-book: a book for holding papers or money carried in the pocket: a book for frequent perusal, to be carried in the pocket; POCK'ET-BOR'OUGH (see BOROUGH); POCK'ET-CLOTH, a pocket-handkerchief; POCK'ETFUL, as much as a pocket will hold; POCK'ET-GLASS, a small looking-glass for the pocket; POCK'ET-HAND'KERCHIEF, a handkerchief carried in the pocket; POCK'ET-HOLE, the opening into a pocket; POCK'ET-KNIFE, a knife with one or more blades folding into the handle for carrying in the pocket; POCK'ET-MON'EY, money carried for occasional expenses; POCK'ET-PICK'ING, act or practice of picking the pocket; POCK'ET-PIS'TOL, a pistol carried in the pocket: a small travelling flask for liquor.--POCKET AN INSULT, AFFRONT, &c., to submit to or put up with it; POCKET EDITION, a small portable edition of a standard book.--IN POCKET, in possession of money; OUT OF POCKET, to lose money by a transaction; PICK A PERSON'S POCKET, to steal from his pocket. [Fr. pochette, dim. of poche, pouch.]

POCKMANTY, pok-man'ti, n. (Scot.) portmanteau.

POCOCURANTE, p[=o]-k[=o]-k[=oo]-ran'te, n. a careless or inattentive person.--ns. POCOCURANT'ISM, carelessness: inaccuracy; POCOCURANT'IST. [It. poco, little, curare, to care.]

POCULIFORM, pok'[=u]-li-form, adj. cup-shaped. [L. poculum, cup.]

POD, pod, n. the covering of the seed of plants, as the pea or bean: a shoal of fishes.--v.i. to fill, as a pod: to produce pods:--pr.p. pod'ding; pa.t. and pa.p. pod'ded. [Allied to pad, anything stuffed.]

PODAGRA, p[=o]-dag'ra, n. gout in the feet.--adjs. POD'AGRAL, PODAG'RIC, -AL, POD'AGROUS, gouty.--n. PODAL'GIA, pain, esp. neuralgia, in the foot. [Gr. pous, podos, the foot, agra, a catching.]

PODARGUS, p[=o]-dar'gus, n. a genus of arboreal and nocturnal birds allied to the true Goatsuckers. [Gr. pous, the foot, argos, swift.]

PODESTA, p[=o]-des'tä, n. a chief magistrate in the medieval Italian republics: an inferior municipal judge. [It.,--L. potestas, power.]

PODGY, poj'i, adj. short and fat: thick.

PODIUM, p[=o]'di-um, n. a continuous pedestal, a stylobate: (anat.) a foot: (bot.) a support, as a foot-stalk.--__adj.__ P[=O]'DIAL.--ns. PODIS'MUS, spasm of the muscles of the foot; P[=O]'DITE, a limb of a crustacean when ambulatory.--__adj.__ PODIT'IC.

PODOCARPUS, pod-[=o]-kär'pus, n. a genus of tropical coniferous trees. [Gr. pous, podos, foot, karpos, fruit.]

PODOPHTHALMA, pod-of-thal'ma, n.pl. a name often applied to a section of Crustacea. [Gr. pous, foot, ophthalmos, the eye.]

PODOPHYLLUM, pod-[=o]-fil'um, n. a genus of plants of the barberry family, the fruit edible, other parts actively cathartic.--n. PODOPHYLL'IN, the resin obtained by means of rectified spirit from its root.--__adj.__ PODOPHYLL'OUS, having compressed leaf-like locomotive organs. [Gr. pous, podos, foot, phyllon, leaf.]

PODURA, p[=o]-d[=u]'ra, n. a genus of apterous insects--spring-tails, snow-fleas. [Gr. pous, foot, oura, tail.]

POE, p[=o]'e, n. the parson-bird of New Zealand.

POEM, p[=o]'em, n. a composition in verse: a composition of high beauty of thought or language, although not in verse.--__adj.__ POEMAT'IC, relating to a poem. [Fr. poème--L. poema--Gr. poi[=e]ma, poiein, to make.]

POENOLOGY. See PENOLOGY.

POEPHAGOUS, p[=o]-ef'a-gus, adj. eating grass.

POESY, p[=o]'e-si, n. the art of composing poems: poetry: a poem: poetical compositions. [Fr. poésie--L. poesis--Gr. poi[=e]sis--poiein, to make.]

POET, p[=o]'et, n. the author of a poem: one skilled in making poetry: one with a strong imagination:--fem. P[=O]'ETESS.--ns. P[=O]'ETASTER, a petty poet: a writer of contemptible verses; P[=O]'ETASTRY.--adjs. POET'IC, -AL, pertaining or suitable to a poet or to poetry: expressed in poetry: marked by poetic language: imaginative.--adv. POET'ICALLY, in a poetic manner.--n.sing. POET'ICS, the branch of criticism which relates to poetry.--n. POET'ICULE, a petty poet.--v.i. P[=O]'ETISE, to write as a poet: to make verses.--ns. P[=O]'ET-LAU'REATE (see LAUREATE); P[=O]'ETRESS (Spens.), a poetess; P[=O]'ETRY, the art of expressing in melodious words the thoughts which are the creations of feeling and imagination: utterance in song: metrical composition.--POETIC JUSTICE, ideal administration of reward and punishment; POETIC LICENSE, a departing from strict fact or rule by a poet for the sake of effect. [Fr. poète--L. poeta--Gr. poi[=e]t[=e]s--poiein, to make.]

POGGE, pog, n. the armed bullhead.

POH, p[=o], interj. exclamation of contempt.

POIGNANT, poin'ant, adj. stinging, pricking: sharp: penetrating: acutely painful: satirical: pungent.--n. POIGN'ANCY, state of being poignant.--adv. POIGN'ANTLY. [O. Fr. poignant, poindre--L. pung[)e]re, to sting.]

POIND, poind, v.t. (Scot.) to seize.--n. POIND'ING (Scots law), the seizing and selling of a debtor's goods under process of law, or under the warrant of a heritable security. [Pound.]

POINT, point, n. anything coming to a sharp end: the mark made by a sharp instrument: (geom.) that which has position but not length, breadth, or thickness: a mark showing the divisions of a sentence: (mus.) a dot at the right hand of a note to lengthen it by one-half: needle-point lace: a very small space: a moment of time: a small affair: a single thing: a single assertion: the precise thing to be considered: anything intended: exact place: degree: the unit of count in a game: (print.) a unit of measurement for type-bodies: an advantage: that which stings, as the point of an epigram: an imaginary relish, in 'potatoes and point:' a lively turn of thought: that which awakens attention: a peculiarity, characteristic: (cricket) the fielder standing at the immediate right of the batsman, and slightly in advance: a signal given by a trumpet: (pl.) chief or excellent features, as of a horse, &c.: the switch or movable rails which allow a train to pass from one line to another.--v.t. to give a point to: to sharpen: to aim: to direct one's attention: to punctuate, as a sentence: to fill the joints of with mortar, as a wall.--v.i. to direct the finger, the eye, or the mind towards an object: to show game by looking, as a dog.--adj. POINT'ED, having a sharp point: sharp: intended for some particular person: personal: keen: telling: (archit.) having sharply-pointed arches, Gothic.--adv. POINT'EDLY.--ns. POINT'EDNESS; POINT'ER, that which points: a dog trained to point out game; POINT'ING, the act of sharpening: the marking of divisions in writing by points or marks: act of filling the crevices of a wall with mortar; POINT'ING-STOCK, a thing to be pointed at, a laughing-stock; POINT'-LACE, a fine kind of lace wrought with the needle.--adj. POINT'LESS, having no point: blunt: dull: wanting keenness or smartness; POINTS'MAN, a man who has charge of the points or switches on a railway; POINT'-SYS'TEM, a standard system of sizes for type-bodies, one point being .0138 inch.--POINT FOR POINT, exactly: all particulars; POINT OF ORDER, a question raised in a deliberative society as to whether proceedings are according to the rules; POINT OF VIEW, the position from which one looks at anything; POINT OUT (B.), to assign; POINTS OF THE COMPASS, the points north, south, east, and west, along with the twenty-eight smaller divisions, marked on the card of the mariner's compass.--At all points, completely; AT, or ON, THE POINT OF, just about to; CARDINAL POINT (see CARDINAL); CARRY ONE'S POINT, to gain what one contends for in controversy; FROM POINT TO POINT, from one particular to another; GIVE POINTS TO, to give odds to: to give an advantageous hint on any subject; IN POINT, apposite; IN POINT OF, with regard to; MAKE A POINT OF, to attach special importance to; STAND UPON POINTS, to be over-scrupulous; Strain a point, to go beyond proper limits; TO THE POINT, appropriate. [O. Fr.,--L. punctum--pung[)e]re, to prick.]

POINT-BLANK, point'-blangk', adj. aimed directly at the mark: direct.--adv. directly.--POINT-BLANK SHOT, a shot fired in a horizontal line towards an object. [Fr. point-blanc, white point.]

POINT-DEVICE, POINT-DEVISE, point'-de-v[=i]s', n. (orig.) a lace worked with devices: anything uncommonly nice and exact.--adj. (arch.) scrupulously neat. [Fr. point, lace, devisé, with a device.]

POINTEL, poin'tel, n. a sharp instrument: any sharp-pointed thing. [O. Fr.,--Low L. punctillum, a little point.]

POISE, poiz, v.t. to balance: to make of equal weight: to examine.--v.i. to hang in suspense.--n. weight: state of balance: equilibrium: a weight which balances another: a regulating power: the weight used in steelyards.--n. POIS'ER, one who, or that which, poises. [O. Fr. poiser (Fr. peser)--L. pens[=a]re, inten. of pend[)e]re, to hang.]

POISON, poi'zn, n. any substance which, introduced into the living organism, tends to destroy its life or impair its health: anything malignant or infectious: that which taints or destroys moral purity.--v.t. to infect or to kill with poison: to taint: to mar: to embitter: to corrupt.--adj. POI'SONABLE.--ns. POI'SONER; POI'SON-FANG, one of two large tubular teeth in the upper jaw of venomous serpents, through which poison passes from glands at their roots when the animal bites; POI'SON-GLAND, a gland which secretes poison; POI'SON-[=I]'VY, a shrub-vine of North America, causing a cutaneous eruption; POI'SON-NUT, the nux vomica.--adj. POI'SONOUS, having the quality of poison: destructive: impairing soundness or purity.--adv. POI'SONOUSLY.--n. POI'SONOUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. potio, a draught--pot[=a]re, to drink.]

POITREL, poi'trel, n. armour to protect the horse's breast. [O. Fr. poitral--L. pectorale, a breast-plate--pectus, the breast.]

POITRINE, poi'trin, n. the breast-plate of a knight.

POKAL, p[=o]'kal, n. an ornamental drinking-vessel.

POKE, p[=o]k, n. a bag: a pouch.--A PIG IN A POKE, a blind bargain, as of a pig bought without being seen. [Prob. Celt., as Ir. poc, a bag.]

POKE, p[=o]k, v.t. to thrust or push against with something pointed: to search for with a long instrument: to thrust at with the horns.--v.i. to grope or feel, as in the dark.--n. act of pushing or thrusting: a thrust: a bonnet having a projecting front worn earlier in the century--also POKE'-BONN'ET.--ns. P[=O]'KER, an iron rod for poking or stirring the fire; PO'KER-DRAW'ING, a design burnt into lime-tree or other wood with 'pokers,' which rather resembled plumbers' soldering irons.--adj. P[=O]'KERISH, like a poker: stiff.--adv. P[=O]'KERISHLY.--adj. P[=O]'KING, drudging, servile.--n. P[=O]'KING-STICK, a small stick or rod of steel formerly used for adjusting the plaits of ruffs.--adj. P[=O]'KY, stupid: dull: confined, with little room: poor, shabby.--POKE FUN AT, to ridicule, make fun of. [Ir. poc, a blow, Gael. puc, to push.]

POKER, p[=o]'k[.e]r, n. a bugbear.--adj. P[=O]'KERISH, causing terror: uncanny.--OLD POKER, the devil.

POKER, p[=o]'k[.e]r, n. a round game at cards, first played in America about 1835. [Ety. uncertain.]

POLABIAN, p[=o]-l[=a]'bi-an, n. one of an ancient Slavic race, belonging to the same group as the Poles, occupying the basin of the lower Elbe.

POLACCA, po-lak'a, n. a species of vessel used in the Mediterranean, with three masts and a jib-boom; the fore and main masts being of one piece, and the mizzen-mast with a top and topmast. [It., 'a Polish vessel.']

POLACK, p[=o]l'ak, n. (Shak.) a Pole.--Also POL'ANDER.

POLAR, p[=o]'lar, adj. pertaining to, or situated near, either of the poles: pertaining to the magnetic poles: having a common meeting-point.--n. (geom.) the line joining the points of contact, of tangents drawn to meet a curve from a point called the pole of the line.--ns.pl. P[=O]LAR-CO-OR'DINATES, co-ordinates defining a point by means of a radius vector and the angle which it makes with a fixed line through the origin; P[=O]'LAR-FOR'CES, forces that act in pairs and in different directions, as in magnetism.--n. POLARIM'ETER, the polariscope.--adj. POLAR[=I]'SABLE, capable of polarisation.--ns. POLARIS[=A]'TION (opt.), a particular modification of rays of light, by the action of certain media or surfaces, so that they cannot be reflected or refracted again in certain directions: state of having polarity; POLAR'ISCOPE, an instrument for polarising light, and analysing its properties.--v.t. P[=O]'LARISE, to give polarity to.--ns. P[=O]'LARISER, that which polarises or gives polarity to; POLAR'ITY, state of having two opposite poles: a condition in certain bodies according to which their properties arrange themselves so as to have opposite powers in opposite directions, as in a magnet with its two poles.--POLAR BEAR, a large white bear found in the Arctic regions; POLAR CIRCLE, a parallel of latitude encircling each of the poles at a distance of 23° 28' from the pole--the north polar being called the arctic, the south the antarctic, circle; POLAR LIGHTS, the aurora borealis or australis. [L. polaris--polus, a pole.]

POLDER, p[=o]l'd[.e]r, n. in the Netherlands, land below the level of the sea or nearest river, which, originally a morass or lake, has been drained and brought under cultivation: a morass. [Prob. cog. with pool.]

POLE, p[=o]l, n. that on which anything turns, as a pivot or axis: one of the ends of the axis of a sphere, esp. of the earth: (physics) one of the two points of a body in which the attractive or repulsive energy is concentrated, as in a magnet: (geom.) a point from which a pencil of rays radiates (see POLAR).--n. POLE'-STAR, a star at or near the pole of the heavens: a guide or director.--POLES OF THE HEAVENS, the two points in the heavens opposite to the poles of the earth--called also Celestial poles. [Fr.,--L. polus--Gr. polos--pelein, to be in motion.]

POLE, p[=o]l, n. a pale or pile: a long piece of wood: an instrument for measuring: a measure of length, 5½ yards: in square measure, 30¼ yards.--v.t. to push or stir with a pole.--v.i. to use a pole.--__adj.__ POLE'-CLIPT (Shak.), hedged in with poles.--UNDER BARE POLES, with all sails furled. [A.S. pál (Ger. pfahl)--L. palus, a stake.]

POLE, p[=o]l, n. a native of Poland.

POLE-AXE, p[=o]l'-aks, n. a battle-axe consisting of an axe-head on a long handle: an axe used by sailors for cutting away rigging of ships. [Orig. pollax, from poll, the head, and axe.]

POLECAT, p[=o]l'kat, n. a kind of weasel, which emits a stink--called also the Fitchet and Foumart. [M. E. polcat; prob. Fr. poule, hen, and cat.]

POLEMARCH, pol'e-mark, n. a title of several officials in ancient Greek states.

POLEMIC, -AL, po-lem'ik, -al, adj. given to disputing: controversial.--n. one who disputes: one who speaks or writes in opposition to another: a controversy.--adv. POLEM'ICALLY.--n.sing. POLEM'ICS, contest or controversy: (theol.) the history of ecclesiastical controversy.--n. POL'EMOSCOPE, a perspective glass so constructed as to give views of objects not lying directly before the eye. [Gr. polemos, war.]

POLEMONIACEÆ, pol-e-m[=o]-ni-[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], n.pl. a natural order of plants--the phlox family.

POLENTA, po-len'ta, n. an Italian dish, the chief ingredients of which are maize, meal, and salt. [It.,--L. polenta, peeled barley.]

POLEY, p[=o]'li, adj. without horns: polled. [Prov. Eng.]

POLIANTHES, pol-i-an'th[=e]z, n. a small genus of ornamental plants of the amaryllis family--the tuberose. [Gr. polios, white, anthos, a flower.]

POLICE, p[=o]-l[=e]s', n. the system of regulations of a city, town, or district for the preservation of order and enforcement of law: the internal government of a state: (short for POLICE'-FORCE) the civil officers employed to preserve order, &c.--v.t. to guard or maintain order in: to put in order.--n.pl. POLICE'-COMMISS'IONERS, a body of men appointed to regulate the appointments and duties of the police.--ns. POLICE'-INSPECT'OR, a superior officer of police who has charge of a department, next in rank to a superintendent; POLICE'-MAG'ISTRATE, one who presides in a police court; POLICE'MAN, a member of a police-force; POLICE'-OFF'ICE, -ST[=A]'TION, the headquarters of the police of a district, used also as a temporary place of confinement; POLICE'-OFF'ICER, -CON'STABLE, a policeman; POLICE'-RATE, a tax levied for the support of the police.--POLICE COURT, a court for trying small offences brought before it by the police. [Fr.,--L. politia--Gr. politeia, the condition of a state--polit[=e]s, a citizen--polis, a city.]

POLICY, pol'i-si, n. the art or manner of regulating or guiding conduct: the method and forms according to which the government and business of a country are carried on: a system of administration guided more by interest than by principle: dexterity of management: prudence: cunning: in Scotland, (esp. in pl.) the pleasure-grounds around a mansion. [O. Fr. policie (Fr. police)--L. politia--Gr. politeia.]

POLICY, pol'i-si, n. a warrant for money in the funds: a writing containing a contract of insurance: a kind of gambling by betting on the numbers to be drawn in a lottery.--n. POL'ICY-HOLD'ER, one who holds a policy or contract of insurance. [Fr. police, a policy--L. polyptychum, a register--Gr. polyptychon--polys, many, ptyx, ptychos, fold.]

POLING, p[=o]'ling, n. act of using a pole for any purpose.

POLISH, p[=o]'lish, adj. relating to Poland or to its people.

POLISH, pol'ish, v.t. to make smooth and glossy by rubbing: to refine: to make elegant.--v.i. to become smooth and glossy.--n. a smooth, glossy surface: refinement of manners: anything used to produce a polish.--adjs. POL'ISHABLE; POL'ISHED, made smooth by rubbing: trained to act with great fineness and exactness: refined: polite.--ns. POL'ISHER, one who, or that which, polishes; POL'ISHING-PASTE, polishing material made in the form of paste; POL'ISHING-POW'DER, polishing material made in the form of powder, as whiting, diamond-dust, &c.; POL'ISHING-SLATE, a mineral used for polishing glass, marble, and metals, composed chiefly of silica, with a little alumina, lime, oxide of iron, and water; POL'ISHMENT. [O. Fr. polir, polissant--L. pol[=i]re, to make to shine.]

POLITE, p[=o]-l[=i]t', adj. polished: smooth: refined: well-bred: obliging.--adv. POLITE'LY.--ns. POLITE'NESS, state or quality of being polite: refinement of manners: good-breeding; POLITESSE', politeness. [L. politus, pa.p. of pol[=i]re.]

POLITIC, p[=o]l'i-tik, adj. pertaining to policy: well-devised: judicious in management: skilled in political affairs: prudent: discreet: cunning: (Shak.) concerned with politics.--adj. POLIT'ICAL, pertaining to polity or government: pertaining to nations, or to parties in a nation who differ in their views of how it ought to be governed: derived from government.--adv. POLIT'ICALLY.--ns. POLIT'ICASTER (Milt.), a petty politician; POLITIC'IAN, one versed in or devoted to politics: a man of artifice and cunning.--adj. (Milt.) politic.--adv. POL'ITICLY.--n.sing. POL'ITICS, the art or science of government: the management of a political party: political affairs or opinions.--adj. POL'ITIQUE (Bacon), political, civil.--n. POL'ITY, the constitution of the government of a state or an institution: civil constitution: a body of people arranged under a system of government.--POLITICAL ECONOMY, the science which treats of the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth; POLITICAL SCIENCE, the science or study of government, as to its principles, aims, methods, &c.--BODY POLITIC, the whole body of a people, as constituting a state. [Fr. politique--Gr. politikos--polit[=e]s, a citizen.]

POLKA, p[=o]l'ka, n. a dance of Bohemian origin, invented in 1830, and introduced into England in 1843--also its tune: a knitted jacket worn by women.--v.i. POLK, to dance a polka. [Bohem. pulka, half, from the half-step prevalent in it; or from Slav. polka, a Polish woman.]

POLL, pol, v.t. (Spens.) to exact from, to plunder.

POLL, pol, n. a familiar name, often of a parrot. [Contr. of Polly, a form of Molly=Mary.]

POLL, p[=o]l, n. the round part of the head, esp. the back of it: a register of heads or persons: the entry of the names of electors who vote for civil officers, such as members of Parliament: an election of civil officers: the place where the votes are taken.--v.t. to remove the top: to cut: to clip: to lop, as the branches of a tree: to enter one's name in a register: to bring to the poll as a voter: to give or to receive a vote.--v.i. to give a vote.--ns. POLL'ARCHY, government by the mob or masses; POLL'-BOOK, a register of voters; POLL'-CLERK, a clerk who assists at the polling of voters.--adj. POLLED, deprived of a poll: lopped: cropped, hence bald: having cast the horns, hence wanting horns.--ns. POLL'ER, one who polls; POLL'-MAN, one who takes the ordinary university degree, without honours; POLL'-TAX, a tax by the poll or head--i.e. on each person.--AT THE HEAD OF THE POLL, having the greatest number of votes at an election. [Old Dut. polle, bol, a ball, top--Ice. kollr, top, head.]

POLLACK, pol'ak, n. a common fish on British coasts, belonging to the cod, haddock, and whiting group.--Also POLL'OCK. [Celt., as in Gael. pollag, a whiting.]

POLLAN, pol'an, n. a fresh-water fish of the family Salmonidæ, a native of lakes in Ireland.

POLLARD, pol'ard, n. a tree having the whole crown cut off, leaving it to send out new branches from the top of the stem: an animal without horns: a coarse kind of bran from wheat.--v.t. to make a pollard of. [Cf. Poll, the head.]

POLLAXE. Same as POLEAXE.

POLLEN, pol'en, n. the fertilising powder contained in the anthers of flowers: the male or fecundating element in flowers.--v.t. to cover with pollen.--adj. POLLEN[=A]'RIOUS, consisting of pollen.--v.t. POLL'ENISE, to supply with pollen.--n. POLL'EN-TUBE, the tube by which the fecundating element is conveyed to the ovule.--adj. POLL'INAR, covered with a fine dust like pollen.--v.t. POLL'INATE, to convey pollen to the stigma of.--n. POLLIN[=A]'TION, the transferring or supplying of pollen to the stigma of a flower, esp. by aid of insects or other external agents.--adj. POLLINIF'EROUS, bearing pollen.--n. POLLIN'IUM, an agglutinated mass of pollen grains.--adjs. POLLINIV'OROUS, feeding upon pollen; POLL'INOSE, covered with a powdery substance like pollen. [L., fine flour.]

POLLENT, pol'ent, adj. powerful: strong. [L. pollens, -entis, pr.p. of poll[=e]re, to be strong.]

POLLEX, pol'eks, n. the thumb or the great-toe:--pl. POLLICES (pol'i-s[=e]z).--adj. POLL'ICAL. [L., the thumb.]

POLLICITATION, po-lis-i-t[=a]'shun, n. a promise, a paper containing such: a promise without mutuality.

POLLIWIG, pol'i-wig, n. a tadpole.--Also POLL'YWIG.

POLLUSION, pol-l[=u]'shun, n. (Shak.) for allusion.

POLLUTE, pol-l[=u]t', v.t. to soil: to defile: to make foul: to taint: to corrupt: to profane: to violate.--adj. defiled.--adj. POLLUT'ED.--adv. POLLUT'EDLY.--ns. POLLUT'EDNESS; POLLUT'ER; POLL[=U]'TION, act of polluting: state of being polluted: defilement. [L. pollu[)e]re, pollutus--pol, towards, lu[)e]re, to wash.]

POLLUX, pol'uks, n. (myth.) the twin brother of Castor: a star in the constellation of the twins. [L.]

POLLY. See POLL (2).

POLO, p[=o]'lo, n. an equestrian game, which may be shortly described as hockey on horseback--of Oriental origin and high antiquity.

POLO, p[=o]'lo, n. a Spanish gipsy dance.

POLONAISE, p[=o]-l[=o]-n[=a]z', n. a light kind of gown looped up at the sides to show an ornamented petticoat: a short overcoat bordered with fur: a Polish national dance of slow movement in ¾ time, during which the dancers march or promenade: music for such a dance. [Fr., 'Polish.']

POLONY, po-l[=o]'ni, n. a dry sausage made of meat partly cooked. [Prob. a corr. of Bologna sausage.]

POLT, p[=o]lt, n. a blow.

POLTROON, pol-tr[=oo]n', n. an idle, lazy fellow: a coward: a dastard: one without spirit.--adj. base, vile, contemptible.--n. POLTROON'ERY, laziness: cowardice: want of spirit. [Fr. poltron--It. poltro (for polstro), lazy--Ger. polster, a bolster.]

POLVERINE, pol'v[.e]r-in, n. the calcined ashes of a Levantine and Syrian plant, used in glass-making. [It. polverino--L. pulvis, pulv[)e]ris, dust.]

POLYACOUSTIC, pol-i-a-kowst'ik, adj. multiplying or magnifying sound.--n. an instrument for effecting this.

POLYACT, pol'i-akt, adj. having numerous rays.--Also POLYAC'TINAL.

POLYAD, pol'i-ad, n. (chem.) an element whose valence is greater than two.

POLYADELPH, pol'i-a-delf, n. a plant having its stamens united in three or more bundles by the filaments.--n.pl. POLYADEL'PHIA, the 18th class in the Linnæan system.--adjs. POLYADEL'PHIAN, POLYADEL'PHOUS.

POLYANDRIA, pol-i-an'dri-a, n. a class of plants in the Linnæan system, having more than twenty stamens inserted on the receptacle.--adjs. POLYAN'DRIAN, POLYAN'DROUS.--n. POLYAN'DRY, the social usage of some races in certain stages of civilisation in which the woman normally forms a union with several husbands. [Gr. polys, many, an[=e]r, andros, a man.]

POLYANTHUS, pol-i-an'thus, n. a kind of primrose much prized and cultivated by florists:--pl. POLYAN'THUSES.--n. POLYAN'THEA, a note-book for keeping choice quotations. [Gr. polys, many, anthos, a flower.]

POLYARCHY, pol'i-ar-ki, n. government by many persons of whatever class.--n. POL'YARCHIST. [Gr. polys, many, archein, to rule.]

POLYATOMIC, pol-i-a-tom'ik, adj. (chem.) noting elements or radicals with an equivalency greater than two: with more than one atom in the molecule.

POLYAUTOGRAPHY, pol-i-aw-tog'ra-fi, n. the art of multiplying copies of one's own handwriting.

POLYBASIC, pol-i-b[=a]'sik, adj. (chem.) capable of combining with more than two univalent bases.

POLYCARPIC, pol-i-kar'pik, adj. fruiting many times or year after year.

POLYCARPOUS, pol-i-kar'pus, adj. having the fruit composed of two or more distinct carpels.

POLYCHORD, pol'i-kord, adj. having many chords.

POLYCHRESTIC, pol-i-kres'tik, adj. admitting of use in various ways.--n. POL'YCHRESTY.

POLYCHROITE, pol-i-kr[=o]'[=i]t, n. safranine.

POLYCHROMATIC, pol-i-kr[=o]-mat'ik, adj. many-coloured--also POLYCHR[=O]'MIC.--adj. POL'YCHROME, having, or tinted with, several or many colours.--n. POL'YCHROMY, decoration or execution in many colours, esp. of statuary or buildings.

POLYCLADOUS, pol-i-kl[=a]'dus, adj. much-branched.--n. POL'YCL[=A]DY, the production of a number of branches where there is normally but one.

POLYCOTYLEDON, pol-i-kot-i-l[=e]'don, n. a plant whose embryo has more than two cotyledons or seed-lobes.--adj. POLYCOTYL[=E]'DONOUS.

POLYCRACY, p[=o]-lik'r[=a]-si, n. government by many rulers.

POLYCROTIC, pol-i-krot'ik, adj. having several beats--of pulses.

POLYDACTYL, pol-i-dak'til, adj. having many digits.--n. a polydactyl animal.--n. POLYDAC'TYLISM, the condition of having many digits.--adj. POLYDAC'TYLOUS.

POLYDIPSIA, pol-i-dip'si-a, n. excessive thirst. [Gr. polys, much, dipsa, thirst.]

POLYERGIC, pol-i-er'jik, adj. acting in many ways.

POLYFOIL, pol'i-foil, n. an opening or ornament consisting of several combined foliations, a combination of more than five foils.--Also adj.

POLYGALACEÆ, pol-i-g[=a]-l[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], n.pl. an order of polypetalous plants--the milkwort family.

POLYGAMY, p[=o]-lig'a-mi, n. the practice of having more than one wife at the same time.--n.pl. POLYG[=A]'MIA, the 23d class in the Linnæan system, embracing plants in which the stamens and pistils are separate in some flowers and associated in others.--adj. POLYG[=A]'MIAN.--n. POLYG'AMIST.--adj. POLYG'AMOUS, relating to polygamy: (bot.) a term applied to plants which bear both unisexual and hermaphrodite flowers, either on the same or on different individual plants. [Gr.,--polys, many, gamos, marriage.]

POLYGASTRIC, pol-i-gas'trik, adj. having, or appearing to have, many stomachs, as an animalcule.--Also POLYGAS'TRIAN.

POLYGENESIS, pol-i-jen'e-sis, n. origin from many separate germs: the theory that organisms sprang from different cells.--adjs. POLYGENET'IC, POLYGEN'IC, POLYG'ENOUS.--ns. POLYG'ENISM; POLYG'ENIST; POLYG'ENY, the multiple genesis of man.

POLYGLOT, pol'i-glot, adj. having or containing many languages.--n. a collection of versions in different languages of the same work, esp. a Bible of this kind: one who understands many languages.--adjs. POLYGLOT'TIC, POLYGLOT'TOUS. [Gr. polys, many, gl[=o]tta, the tongue.]

POLYGON, pol'i-gon, n. a plane figure bound by a number of straight lines: a figure of many angles.--adjs. POLYG'ONAL, POLYG'ONOUS. [L.,--Gr. polyg[=o]non--polys, many, g[=o]nia, a corner.]

POLYGONUM, po-lig'o-num, n. a kind of plant with many joints, as the bistort, knotweed, &c.--n.pl. POLYGON[=A]'CEÆ, an order of apetalous plants, mostly herbs--the buckwheat family. [Gr. polys, many, gonu, a knee.]

POLYGRAM, pol'i-gram, n. a figure consisting of many lines.--adj. POLYGRAMMAT'IC.

POLYGRAPH, pol'i-graf, n. an instrument for multiplying copies of a writing: a collection of different books.--adjs. POLYGRAPH'IC, -AL.--n. POLYG'RAPHY, voluminous writing: art of writing in various ciphers.

POLYGYNY, p[=o]-lij'i-ni, n. polygamy.--n. POL'YGYN, a plant of the order POLYGYN'IA (pl.), the 12th order in the first 13 classes of the Linnæan artificial system of plants, embracing those having flowers with more than twelve styles.--adjs. POLYGYN'IAN, POLYGYN'IC, POLYG'YNOUS. [Gr. polys, many, gyn[=e], woman.]

POLYHEDRON, pol-i-h[=e]'dron, n. a solid body with many bases or sides.--adjs. POLYH[=E]'DRAL, POLYH[=E]'DRICAL, POLYH[=E]'DROUS. [Gr. polys, many, hedra, a base.]

POLYHISTOR, pol-i-his'tor, n. a person of great and varied learning.

POLYHYMNIA, pol-i-him'ni-a, n. the muse of the sublime hymn. [Gr. polys, many, hymnos, a hymn.]

POLYMATHY, p[=o]-lim'a-thi, n. knowledge of many arts and sciences.--n. POL'YMATH, a person possessing this.--adj. POLYMATH'IC.--n. POLYM'ATHIST.

POLYMERISM, p[=o]-lim'[.e]r-ism, n. a particular form of isomerism, the property possessed by several compounds of having similar percentage composition but different molecular weights. [Gr. polys, many, meros, part.]

POLYMORPHOUS, pol-i-mor'fus, adj. having many forms: varying in appearance: taking on many changes--also POLYMOR'PHIC.--ns. POL'YMORPH, an organism showing polymorphism: a substance that crystallises in two or more systems; POLYMOR'PHISM, the property of being polymorphous. [Gr. polys, many, morph[=e], form.]

POLYNESIAN, pol-i-n[=e]'zi-an, adj. pertaining to Polynesia, the numerous groups of islands in the Pacific within or near the tropics.--n. a native of Polynesia. [Gr. polys, many, n[=e]sos, an island.]

POLYNOMIAL, pol-i-n[=o]'mi-al, n. an algebraic quantity of many names or terms--same as multinomial--also POL'YNOME.--adj. of many names or terms.--n. POLYN[=O]'MIALISM. [Gr. polys, many, L. nomen, a name.]

POLYONYMOUS, pol-i-on'i-mus, adj. having many names.--n. POL'YONYM, a name consisting of several terms.--adjs. POLYON'YMAL; POLYONYM'IC, of more than two terms.--ns. POLYON'YMIST; POLYON'YMY, multiplicity of names for the same object.

POLYOPIA, pol-i-[=o]'pi-a, n. multiple vision.--Also POL'YOPY.

POLYOPTRUM, pol-i-op'trum, n. a glass through which objects appear multiplied but diminished.--Also POLYOP'TRON.

POLYORAMA, pol-i-[=o]-ra'ma, n. an optical apparatus presenting many views.

POLYP, POLYPE, pol'ip, n. a name usually applied to an animal like the fresh-water hydra, having a tubular body, and a wreath of many tentacles round the mouth: something with many feet or roots: a pedunculated tumour attached to the surface of a mucous membrane--in the nose, &c.--also POL'YPUS:--pl. POLYPES (pol'ips), POLYPI (pol'i-p[=i]).--ns. POL'YPARY, the horny or chitonous outer covering of a colony of polyps; POL'YPIDE, an individual zoöid of a polyzoarium or compound polyzoan; POLYP'IDOM, an aggregate of polypites or polypides; POL'YPIER, one individual of a compound polyp: a polypidom, polypary, or polyp-stock.--adj. POL'YPOUS. [Gr. polypous--polys, many, pous, foot.]

POLYPETALOUS, pol-i-pet'al-us, adj. with many petals. [Gr. polys, many, petalon, a leaf.]

POLYPHAGOUS, p[=o]-lif'a-gus, adj. eating many different kinds of food.

POLYPHARMACY, pol-i-fär'ma-si n. the prescribing of too many medicines.

POLYPHLOESBOEAN, pol-i-fles-b[=e]'an, adj. loud-roaring. [Homer's frequent description of the sea, polys, much, phloisbos, noise.]

POLYPHONIC, pol-i-fon'ik, adj. capable of being read in more than one way: noting a musical composition of two or more parts, each with an independent melody of its own.--ns. POL'YPH[=O]NISM, POLYPH'ONY; POL'YPH[=O]NIST, a ventriloquist: a contrapuntist. [Gr. polys, many, ph[=o]n[=e], a voice.]

POLYPHYLETIC, pol-i-f[=i]-let'ik, adj. pertaining to many tribes or families: pertaining to the theory that animals are derived from several sources.

POLYPHYLLOUS, pol-i-fil'us, adj. many-leafed.

POLYPLASTIC, pol-i-plas'tik, adj. having or assuming many forms.

POLYPODE, pol'i-p[=o]d, n. an animal with many feet. [Gr. polypous--polys, many, pous, podos, a foot.]

POLYPODIUM, pol-i-p[=o]'di-um, n. a genus of ferns with spore-cases on the back of the frond, distinct, ring-shaped, in roundish sori, destitute of indusium.--n. POL'YPODY, a fern of the genus Polypodium, having the seed-clusters round, and on each side of the midrib. [Gr. polys, many, pous, a foot.]

POLYPOROUS, p[=o]-lip'[=o]-rus, adj. having many pores.

POLYPORUS, p[=o]-lip'or-us, n. a large genus of pore-bearing fungus, which grows on trees, from which amadou is prepared. [Gr. polys, many, poros, a passage.]

POLYPTERUS, p[=o]-lip'te-rus, n. a genus of Ganoid fishes of one species, in the Nile and elsewhere. [Gr. polys, many, pteron, a wing.]

POLYRHIZOUS, pol-i-r[=i]'zus, adj. possessing numerous rootlets.--Also POLYRH[=I]'ZAL.

POLYSCOPE, pol'i-sk[=o]p, n. a multiplying lens: (surg.) an instrument for throwing light into cavities of the body.

POLYSEPALOUS, pol-i-sep'a-lus, adj. having the sepals separate from each other.

POLYSPERM, pol'i-sperm, n. a tree whose fruit contains many seeds.--adjs. POLYSPER'MAL, POLYSPER'MOUS, containing many seeds.

POLYSPOROUS, pol-i-sp[=o]'rus, adj. producing many spores.

POLYSTIGMOUS, pol-i-stig'mus, adj. having many carpels.

POLYSTOME, pol'i-st[=o]m, n. an animal with many mouths.--adj. POLYSTOM'ATOUS.

POLYSTYLE, pol'i-st[=i]l, adj. having many columns.--adj. POLYSTY'LOUS.

POLYSYLLABLE, pol'i-sil-a-bl, n. a word of many or of more than three syllables.--adjs. POLYSYLLAB'IC, -AL.--ns. POLYSYLLAB'ICISM, POLYSYLL'ABISM.

POLYSYLLOGISM, pol-i-sil'[=o]-jizm, n. a combination of syllogisms.--adj. POLYSYLLOGIS'TIC.

POLYSYMMETRICAL, pol-i-si-met'ri-kal, adj. divisible into exactly similar halves by more than one plane.--adv. POLYSYMMET'RICALLY.--n. POLYSYM'METRY.

POLYSYNDETON, pol-i-sin'de-ton, n. (rhet.) figurative repetition of connectives or conjunctions.

POLYSYNTHETIC, -AL, pol-i-sin-thet'ik, -al, adj. made up of many separate elements: formed by the combination of many simple words, as words in the native languages of America.--n. POLYSYN'THESIS.--adv. POLYSYNTHET'ICALLY.--ns. POLYSYNTHET'ICISM, POLYSYN'THETISM, the character of being polysynthetic.

POLYTECHNIC, -AL, pol-i-tek'nik, -al, adj. comprehending many arts.--n. an exhibition of objects illustrating many arts: an institution in which many arts are taught.--ns. POLYTECH'NICS, the science of the mechanical arts; POLYTECH'NIQUE, or POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL, an industrial school in which the technical sciences that rest in great part upon a mathematical basis, such as engineering, architecture, &c., are taught. [Gr. polys, many, techn[=e], an art.]

POLYTHALAMOUS, pol-i-thal'a-mus, adj. having many cells or chambers.

POLYTHEISM, pol'i-th[=e]-izm, n. the doctrine of a plurality of gods.--v.i. POL'YTHEISE, to adhere to, or conform to, polytheism.--n. POL'YTHEIST, a believer in many gods.--adjs. POLYTHEIST'IC, -AL.--adv. POLYTHEIST'ICALLY. [Gr. polys, many, theos, a god.]

POLYTOCOUS, p[=o]-lit'[=o]-kus, adj. producing many or several at a birth.

POLYTRICHUM, p[=o]-lit'ri-kum, n. a genus of mosses, widely distributed in north temperate and arctic countries.--adj. POLYT'RICHOUS, very hairy, densely ciliate. [Gr. polys, many, thrix, thrichos, hair.]

POLYTYPE, pol'i-t[=i]p, n. a cast or fac-simile of an engraving, matter in type, &c., produced by pressing a wood-cut or other plate into semi-fluid metal.--v.t. to reproduce by polytypage--also adj.--n. POL'YTYPAGE, stereotyping by the above method.

POLYZOA, pol-i-z[=o]'a, n.pl. a class of animals forming a crust on stones, shells, &c. under water:--sing. POLYZ[=O]'AN, POLYZ[=O]'ON.--adjs. POL'YZOAN, POLYZO[=A]'RIAL.--ns. POLYZO[=A]'RIUM, a compound polyzoan; POLYZ[=O]'ARY, the polypary or polypidom of a polyzoan.--adjs. POLYZ[=O]'IC, filled with imaginary animals, zoolatrous; POLYZ[=O]'ÖID, consisting of many zoöids. [Gr. polys, many, z[=o]on, an animal.]

POLYZONAL, pol-i-z[=o]'nal, adj. composed of many zones or belts.

POMADE, po-m[=a]d', n. a preparation of fine inodorous fat, such as lard or suet, used instead of liquid oil for the hair--also POM[=A]'TUM.--v.t. to anoint with pomade. [Fr. pommade--It. pomada, pommata, lip-salve--L. pomum, an apple.]

POMANDER, p[=o]-man'd[.e]r, n. (Shak.) a perfumed ball, or box containing perfumes, formerly supposed to ward off infection. [O. Fr. pomme d'ambre, apple of amber.]

POME, p[=o]m, n. an apple or a fruit like an apple: a small globe of silver or the like, filled with hot water, on which in cold weather the priest at mass warms his numbed hands.--n. POM'ACE, the substance of apples or similar fruit: fish-scrap.--n.pl. POM[=A]'CEÆ, a suborder of Rosaceæ--the apple family--also POME'Æ.--adj. POM[=A]'CEOUS, relating to, consisting of, or resembling apples: like pomace.--ns. POME'-CIT'RON, a variety of apple; POM'EROY, the king-apple; POME'-WA'TER (Shak.), a sweet, juicy apple; POMICUL'TURE, pomology.--adjs. POMIF'EROUS (bot.), pome-bearing, applied to all plants producing the larger fruits, as distinguished from berry-bearing; POMOLOG'ICAL.--ns. POMOL'OGIST; POMOL'OGY, the science of garden-fruits. [L. pomum, an apple.]

POMEGRANATE, pom'gran-[=a]t, n. a fruit much cultivated in warm countries, as large as a medium-sized orange, having a thick leathery rind filled with numerous seeds. [O. Fr. pome grenate--L. pomum, an apple, granatum, having many grains.]

POMERANIAN, pom-e-r[=a]'ni-an, adj. pertaining to Pomerania in northern Prussia.--POMERANIAN, or SPITZ, DOG, a cross from the Eskimo dog, about the size of a spaniel, with a sharp-pointed face and an abundant white, creamy, or black coat.

POMFRET-CAKE, pom'fret-k[=a]k, n. a liquorice-cake. [Pontefract in Yorkshire.]

POMMEL, pum'el, n. a knob or ball: the knob on a sword-hilt: the high part of a saddle-bow.--v.t. to beat as with a pommel, or with anything thick or heavy: to beat soundly: to bruise:--pr.p. pomm'elling; pa.t. and pa.p. pomm'elled.--adjs. POMM'ELED, POMM'ELLED (her.), having a rounded knob ending in a smaller one; POMM'ETTY, ending in a small knob, esp. of a cross--also POMM'ELÉ. [O. Fr. pomel (Fr. pommeau)--L. pomum, an apple.]

POMONA, pom-[=o]'na, n. the goddess of fruit and garden produce. [L.--pomum, fruit, apple.]

POM-POM, pom-pom, n. the name given to a one-pounder quick-firing shell gun, from its sound.

POMP, pomp, n. a splendid procession: great show or display: ceremony: splendour: ostentation: grandeur.--adv. POMP[=O]'SO (mus.), in a dignified style.--adj. POMP'OUS, displaying pomp or grandeur: grand: magnificent: dignified: boastful, self-important.--adv. POMP'OUSLY.--ns. POMP'OUSNESS, POMPOS'ITY. [Fr. pompe--L. pompa--Gr. pomp[=e]--pempein, to send.]

POMPADOUR, pom'pa-d[=oo]r, n. an 18th-century head-dress, a fashion of dressing women's hair by brushing it up from the forehead and rolling it over a cushion: a corsage with low square neck: a pattern for silk, with leaves and flowers pink, blue, and gold. [Marquise de Pompadour, 1721-64.]

POMPEIAN, pom-p[=e]'an, adj. pertaining to Pompeii, a city buried by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., excavated since 1755.--n. POMPEI'AN-RED, a red colour like that on the walls of Pompeian houses.

POMPELMOOSE, pom'pel-m[=oo]s, n. the shaddock.--Also POM'PELMOUS, POM'PELO, PUM'ELO.

POMPHOLYX, pom'f[=o]-liks, n. a vesicular eruption chiefly on the palms and soles. [Gr.,--pomphos, a blister.]

POMPION=Pumpion.

POMPON, pom'pon, n. a tuft of feathers, &c., for a hat, the coloured woollen ball on the front of a shako. [Fr.]

PONCEAU, pon-s[=o]', n. a corn-poppy: corn-poppy colour.

PONCEAU, pon-s[=o]', n. a small bridge or culvert. [Fr.]

PONCHO, pon'ch[=o], n. a cloak worn by South American Indians, a blanket with a hole in the middle for the head: camlet or strong worsted.

POND, pond, v.i. (Spens.) to ponder.

POND, pond, n. a pool of standing water.--v.t. to make into a pond.--v.i. to collect into a pond.--ns. PON'DAGE, the amount of water in a pond; POND'-LIL'Y, a plant of the aquatic genus Nymphæa; POND'-TUR'TLE, a terrapin, a mud turtle; POND'WEED, a common aquatic herb. [From A.S. pyndan, to shut in, thus a doublet of pound, an enclosure.]

PONDER, pon'd[.e]r, v.t. to weigh in the mind: to think over: to consider.--v.i. to think (with on and over).--ns. PONDERABIL'ITY, PON'DERABLENESS.--adjs. PON'DERABLE, that may be weighed: having sensible weight; PON'DERAL, ascertained by weight.--ns. PON'DERANCE, PONDER[=A]'TION, weight; PON'DERER, one who ponders.--adv. PON'DERINGLY.--ns. PON'DERLING, a thing of little weight; PON'DERMENT, the act of pondering.--adj. PON'DEROUS, weighty: massive: forcible: important: clumsy or unwieldy by reason of weight.--adv. PON'DEROUSLY.--ns. PON'DEROUSNESS, PONDEROS'ITY, weight: heaviness: heavy matter. [L. ponder[=a]re--pondus, pond[)e]ris, a weight.]

PONE, p[=o]n, n. (U.S.) bread made from Indian corn.

PONENT, p[=o]'nent, adj. (Milt.) western.

PONEROLOGY, pon-[=e]-rol'[=o]-ji, n. (theol.) the doctrine of wickedness. [Gr. pon[=e]ros, bad.]

PONGEE, pon-j[=e]', n. a soft kind of silk, woven in China from the cocoons of a wild silkworm. [Chin.]

PONGO, pong'g[=o], n. a large anthropoid ape of Borneo.

PONIARD, pon'yard, n. a small dagger for stabbing.--v.t. to stab with a poniard. [Fr. poignard--poing, fist (It. pugno)--L. pugnus.]

PONK, pongk, n. (Spens., Shak.) a nocturnal spirit. [A false reading for pouke=Puck.]

PONS, ponz, n. (anat.) a part connecting two parts.--adjs. PON'TIC, PON'TILE, relating to the pons of the brain.--PONS ASIN[=O]RUM, the asses' bridge, a name given to Euclid, i. 5. [L., a bridge.]

PONTAGE, pont'[=a]j, n. a toll paid on bridges: a tax for repairing bridges. [Low L. pontagium--L. pons, pontis, a bridge.]

PONTIC, pon'tik, adj. pertaining to the Pontus, Euxine, or Black Sea, or the regions round it.

PONTIFF, pon'tif, n. (R.C.) a bishop, esp. the pope--originally an ancient Roman high-priest, the PON'TIFEX.--adjs. PONTIF'IC, -AL, of or belonging to a pontiff or to a bishop, esp. the pope: splendid: magnificent.--n. PONTIF'ICAL, an office-book of ecclesiastical ceremonies proper to a bishop.--adv. PONTIF'ICALLY.--n.pl. PONTIF'ICALS, the dress of a priest, bishop, or pope.--n. PONTIF'ICATE, the dignity of a pontiff or high-priest: the office and dignity or reign of a pope.--v.i. to perform the duties of a pontiff.--n. PON'TIFICE (Milt.), bridge-work, a bridge.--PONTIFICAL MASS, mass celebrated by a bishop while wearing his full vestments. [Fr. pontife--L. pontifex, pontificis--_pon_s, pont-is, a bridge, fac[)e]re, to make.]

PONTIL, pon'til, n. an iron rod used in glass-making for revolving the glass while soft.--Also PONTEE', PON'TY. [Fr.,--point, a point.]

PONTINAL, pon'ti-nal, adj. bridging.--n. a bone of the skull of some fishes.

PONTLEVIS, pont-lev'is, n. a drawbridge. [Fr.]

PONTOON, pon-t[=oo]n', n. a flat kind of boat used in forming a bridge for the passage of an army: a bridge of boats: a lighter or barge used for loading or unloading ships--also PON'TON.--ns. PONTONIER', PONTONNIER', one who has charge of a pontoon; PONTOON'-BRIDGE, a platform or roadway supported upon pontoons. [Fr. ponton--L. pons, a bridge.]

PONY, p[=o]'ni, n. a small horse--one less than 13 hands high: (slang) £25: a key or translation of the writings of an author: a small glass of beer.--v.t. to use a crib in translating.--ns. P[=O]'NY-CARR'IAGE, a small carriage drawn by one or more ponies; P[=O]'NY-EN'GINE, a small engine used for shunting wagons, &c.--JERUSALEM PONY, an ass. [Prob. Gael. poniadh.]

POOD, p[=oo]d, n. a Russian weight, 36 lb. avoirdupois.

POODLE, p[=oo]'dl, n. one of a breed of small curly-haired pet dogs, intelligent and affectionate. [Ger. pudel; Low Ger. pudeln, to waddle.]

POOH, p[=oo], interj. of disdain.--v.t. POOH'-POOH, to express contempt for: to sneer at. [Imit.]

POOL, p[=oo]l, n. a small body of water: a deep part of a stream of water.--n. POOL'ER, a stick for stirring a tan-vat. [A.S. pól (Dut. poel, Ger. pfuhl)--Celt., as Ir. and Gael. poll, W. pwll.]

POOL, p[=oo]l, n. the receptacle for the stakes in certain games: the stakes themselves: a set of players at quadrille, &c.: a game played on a billiard-table with six pockets by two or more persons.--v.t. to put into a common fund for redistribution.--v.i. to form a pool. [Fr. poule, orig. a hen--L. pullus, a young animal.]

POON, p[=oo]n, n. name of a tree of India and Burma, very commonly used in the East Indies, particularly in shipbuilding, for planks and spars.--n. POON'-WOOD, the wood of the tree.

POONAC, p[=oo]'nak, n. the cake left after expressing oil from coco-nut pulp.

POOP, p[=oo]p, n. the hinder part of a ship: a deck above the ordinary deck in the after part of a ship.--v.t. to strike the stern, break in the stern of. [Fr. poupe--L. puppis, the poop.]

POOR, p[=oo]r, adj. having little or nothing: without means: needy: spiritless: depressed: (B.) humble: contrite: wanting in appearance: lean: wanting in strength: weak: wanting in value: inferior: wanting in fertility: sterile: wanting in fitness, beauty, or dignity: trifling: paltry: dear (endearingly).--ns. POOR'HOUSE, a house established at the public expense for sheltering the poor: an almshouse; POOR'JOHN (Shak.), a coarse kind of fish, the hake when salted.--n.pl. POOR'-LAWS, laws providing for the support of the poor.--adv. POOR'LY.--ns. POOR'NESS; POOR'-RATE, a rate or tax for the support of the poor; POOR'-ROB'IN, an almanac; POOR'S'-BOX, a box for receiving contributions to the poor.--adj. POOR'-SPIR'ITED, cowardly: mean.--ns. POOR'-SPIR'ITEDNESS, cowardice; POOR'S'-ROLL (Scots law), the list of poor persons who are litigants, but unable to pay the expenses of litigation, and therefore are allowed to sue in formâ pauperis.--POOR MAN OF MUTTON (Scot.), cold mutton broiled, esp. the shoulder; POOR MAN'S HERB, the hedge-hyssop; POOR WILL, a common American bird of the genus Phalænoptilus.--THE POOR, poor people collectively: those depending on public or private charity. [O. Fr. poure, povre (Fr. pauvre)--L. pauper, poor.]

POORTITH, p[=oo]r'tith, n. (Scot.) poverty.

POP, pop, v.i. to make a sharp, quick sound: to dart: to move quickly: to propose marriage.--v.t. to cause to make a sudden report: to thrust suddenly: to bring suddenly into notice: (slang) to pawn:--pr.p. pop'ping; pa.t. and pa.p. popped.--n. a sharp, quick sound or report: an effervescent beverage: (slang) a pistol.--adv. suddenly.--adj. coming without warning.--v.t. POP'-CORN, to parch maize till it bursts open.--n. corn so prepared.--n.pl. POP'-EYES, prominent eyes.--ns. POP'-GUN, a tube and rammer for shooting pellets, which makes a noise by the expansion of compressed air; POP'PER, anything that makes a popping sound; POP'-SHOP, a pawnshop; POP'-WEED, a name for the bladderwort.--POP OFF, to disappear all at once; POP THE QUESTION, to make an offer of marriage. [Imit.]

POPE, p[=o]p, n. the bishop of Rome, head of the R.C. Church: a priest of the Eastern Church: the autocratic head of any church or organisation.--ns. POPE'DOM, office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the pope; POPE'HOOD, POPE'SHIP, the condition of being pope; POPE'LING, a little pope; POP'ERY, the religion of which the pope is the head: Roman Catholicism; POPE'S'-EYE, the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of the thigh of an ox or a sheep; POPE'S'-HEAD, a long-handled brush; POPE'S'-NOSE, the fleshy part of a bird's tail.--adj. POP'ISH, relating to the pope or to popery: taught by popery.--adv. POP'ISHLY.--POPE JOAN, a game at cards in which the eight of diamonds is removed. [A.S. pápa--L. papa, a father.]

POPE, p[=o]p, n. a kind of perch. [Ety. obscure.]

POPINJAY, pop'in-j[=a], n. a parrot: a mark like a parrot, put on a pole to be shot at: a fop or coxcomb. [O. Fr. papegai--Low L. papagallus--Late Gr. papagas, a parrot; prob. Eastern.]

POPJOYING, pop'joi-ing, n. sport: amusement. [Perh. conn. with popinjay.]

POPLAR, pop'lar, n. a tree common in the northern hemisphere, of rapid growth, and having dioecious flowers arranged in catkins, both male and female flowers with an oblique cup-shaped perianth. [O. Fr. poplier--L. p[=o]pulus, poplar-tree.]

POPLIN, pop'lin, n. a kind of cloth consisting of a warp of silk and a weft of worsted, the latter, being thicker than the former, giving a corded appearance. [Fr. popeline. Ety. unknown.]

POPLITEAL, pop-li-t[=e]'al, adj. of or pertaining to the back of the knee.--Also POPLIT'IC. [L. poples, poplitis, the hock.]

POPPET, pop'et, n. a puppet: a piece of timber used to support a vessel while being launched: one of the heads of a lathe. [Puppet.]

POPPLE, pop'l, v.i. to flow, to bob up and down.

POPPY, pop'i, n. a plant having large showy flowers, from one species of which opium is obtained.--adj. POPP'IED, covered or filled with poppies: listless, as the effects of opium.--ns. POPP'Y-HEAD, a carved ornament in wood, often finishing the end of a pew; POPP'Y-OIL, a fixed oil from the seeds of the opium-poppy. [A.S. popig--L. papaver, poppy.]

POPULACE, pop'[=u]-l[=a]s, n. the common people: those who are not distinguished by rank, education, office, &c. [Fr.,--It. popolazzo--L. populus, people.]

POPULAR, pop'[=u]-lar, adj. pertaining to the people: pleasing to, or prevailing among, the people: enjoying the favour of the people: easily understood: inferior: (Shak.) vulgar.--n. POPULARIS[=A]'TION.--v.t. POP'ULARISE, to make popular or suitable to the people: to spread among the people.--ns. POP'ULARISER; POPULAR'ITY, POP'ULARNESS, quality or state of being popular or pleasing to the people: favour with the people: a desire to obtain favour with the people.--adv. POP'ULARLY.--v.t. POP'UL[=A]TE, to people: to furnish with inhabitants.--v.i. to increase in numbers.--adj. populous.--n. POPUL[=A]'TION, act of populating: the number of the inhabitants of any place.--adj. POP'ULOUS, full of people: numerously inhabited: (Shak.) numerous.--adv. POP'ULOUSLY.--n. POP'ULOUSNESS. [Fr. populaire--L. popularis--populus, the people.]

PORAL, p[=o]'ral. See PORE.

PORBEAGLE, por-b[=e]'gl, n. a kind of tope or mackerel-shark. [Fr. porc, a hog + Eng. beagle.]

PORCATE, por'k[=a]t, adj. ridged.

PORCELAIN, pors'l[=a]n, n. a fine earthenware, white, thin, semi-transparent, first made in China: china-ware.--adj. of the nature of porcelain.--adjs. POR'CEL[=A]NOUS, PORCELL[=A]'NEOUS, POR'CELL[=A]NOUS.--n. POR'CELLANITE, a very hard, impure, jaspideous rock.--CAST, or FUSIBLE, PORCELAIN, a milky glass made of silica and cryolite with oxide of zinc; EGG-SHELL PORCELAIN, an extremely thin and translucent porcelain; FALSE PORCELAIN, a name given to the artificial or soft-paste porcelain; FRIT PORCELAIN, a name given to artificial soft-paste English porcelain, from its vitreous nature; TENDER PORCELAIN, a ware imitating hard-paste or natural porcelain. [O. Fr. porcelaine--It. porcellana, the Venus' shell--L. porcella, a young sow--porcus, a pig.]

PORCH, p[=o]rch, n. a building forming an enclosure or protection for a doorway: a portico at the entrance of churches and other buildings: the public porch on the agora of Athens where Zeno the Stoic taught: (fig.) the Stoic philosophy. [O. Fr. porche (It. portico)--L. porticus--porta, a gate.]

PORCINE, por's[=i]n, adj. pertaining to or resembling swine: swinish. [L. porcinus--porcus, a swine.]

PORCUPINE, por'k[=u]-p[=i]n, n. one of the largest of rodent quadrupeds, covered with spines or quills. [O. Fr. porc espin--L. porcus, a pig, spina, a spine.]

PORE, p[=o]r, n. a minute passage in the skin for the perspiration: an opening between the molecules of a body.--adjs. P[=O]'RAL, of or pertaining to pores; P[=O]'RIFORM, in the form of a pore.--ns. P[=O]'RINESS, POROS'ITY, P[=O]'ROUSNESS, quality of being porous--opp. to Density.--adjs. P[=O]'ROSE, containing pores; P[=O]'ROUS, P[=O]'RY, having pores: that can be penetrated by fluid.--adv. P[=O]'ROUSLY. [Fr.,--L. porus--Gr. poros, a passage.]

PORE, p[=o]r, v.i. to look with steady attention on: to study closely.--n. P[=O]'RER. [Peer, to peep.]

PORGY, PORGIE, por'ji, n. a fish of the genus Pagrus.

PORIFERA, p[=o]-rif'e-ra, n.pl. sponges:--sing. POR'IFER.--adjs. PORIF'ERAL, PORIF'EROUS. [L. porus, a pore, ferre, to bear.]

PORISM, por'ism, n. a proposition affirming the possibility of finding such conditions as will render a certain problem capable of innumerable solutions.--adjs. PORISMAT'IC, -AL; PORIS'TIC, -AL, reducing a determinate problem to an indeterminate. [Gr. porizein, to procure--poros, a way.]

PORK, p[=o]rk, n. the flesh of swine: (Milt.) a stupid fellow.--ns. PORK'-BUTCH'ER, one who kills pigs; PORK'-CHOP, a slice from a pig's rib; PORK'ER, a young hog: a pig fed for pork; PORK'LING, a young pig; PORK'-PIE, a pie made of pastry and minced pork.--adj. PORK'Y, fat.--PORK-PIE HAT, a hat somewhat like a pie in shape worn by men and women about the middle of the 19th century. [Fr. porc--L. porcus, a hog.]

PORNOCRACY, p[=o]r-nok'r[=a]-si, n. the influence of courtezans--applied esp. to the dominant influence of certain profligate women over the Papal court in the earlier half of the 10th century.--ns. POR'NOGRAPH, an obscene picture or writing; PORNOG'RAPHER, a writer of such.--adj. PORNOGRAPH'IC.--n. PORNOG'RAPHY, the discussion of prostitution: obscene writing. [Gr. porn[=e], a whore, kratein, to rule.]

POROSIS, p[=o]-r[=o]'sis, n. formation of callus, the knitting together of broken bones.

POROTYPE, p[=o]'r[=o]-t[=i]p, n. a copy of an engraved print made by placing it on chemically prepared paper and subjecting to the action of a gas. [Gr. poros, a pore, typos, an impression.]

PORPENTINE, por'pen-t[=i]n, n. (Shak.) a porcupine.

PORPESS, PORPESSE, por'pes, n. Same as PORPOISE.

PORPHYRIO, por-fir'i-[=o], n. a genus of Rallidæ, the hyacinthine gallinules.

PORPHYROGENITUS, por-fir-[=o]-jen'i-tus, n. a title given to the Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII. (912-959), meaning 'born in the purple.'--n. PORPHYROGEN'ITISM, the Byzantine principle of the first son born after his father's accession succeeding to the throne. [Gr. porphyra, purple, gennain, to beget.]

PORPHYRY, por'fir-i, n. a very hard, variegated rock, of a purple and white colour, used in sculpture (porfido rosso antico): an igneous rock having a ground-mass enclosing crystals of feldspar or quartz.--v.t. POR'PHYRISE, to cause to resemble porphyry: to make of a spotted appearance.--n. POR'PHYRITE, one of the crystalline igneous rocks, which consists principally of plagioclase.--adjs. PORPHYRIT'IC, PORPHYR[=A]'CEOUS, resembling or consisting of porphyry.--n. POR'PHYROID, a crystalline and schistose rock containing porphyritic crystals of feldspar. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr. porphyrites--porphyra, purple.]

PORPOISE, por'pus, n. a genus of Cetecea in the family Delphinidæ, 4 to 8 feet long, gregarious, affording oil and leather--anciently POR'PESS. [O. Fr. porpeis--L. porcus, a hog, piscis, a fish.]

PORPORINO, por-p[=o]-r[=e]'n[=o], n. an old alloy of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, used in place of gold. [It.]

PORRACEOUS, po-r[=a]'shus, adj. greenish like the leek. [L. porrum, a leek.]

PORRECTION, po-rek'shun, n. the action of delivering as by outstretched hands.--adj. PORRECT', extended forward. [L., porrig[)e]re, to stretch out.]

PORRIDGE, por'ij, n. a kind of pudding usually made by slowly stirring oatmeal amongst boiling water: a kind of broth, made by boiling vegetables in water. [Through O. Fr., from Low L. porrata--L. porrum, a leek. The affix -idge (= -age) arose through confusion with pottage.]

PORRIGO, po-r[=i]'g[=o], n. a general name for various skin diseases.--adj. PORRIG'INOUS. [L.]

PORRINGER, por'in-j[.e]r, n. a small dish for porridge: (Shak.) a head-dress shaped like such a dish.--Also PORR'ENGER. [From porrige=porridge, with inserted n as in passenger.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. the larboard or left side of a ship.--v.t. to turn to the left, as the helm.--v.i. to turn to larboard or left. [Ety. dub.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. martial music on the bagpipes. [Gael.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. bearing: demeanour: carriage of the body.--v.t. to hold, as a musket, in a slanting direction upward across the body.--ns. PORTABIL'ITY, PORT'ABLENESS, the state of being portable.--adj. PORT'ABLE, that may be carried: not bulky or heavy.--ns. PORT'AGE, act of carrying: carriage: price of carriage: a space between two rivers, canals, &c., over which goods and boats have to be carried; PORT'ANCE (Spens.), carriage, bearing.--adjs. POR'T[=A]TE (her.), in a position as if being carried; POR'TATILE, portable; POR'TATIVE, easily carried.--ns. PORT'-CRAY'ON, a metallic handle for holding a crayon; PORTE'-BONHEUR', a charm carried for luck; PORTE'-COCHÈRE, a carriage entrance leading from the street into a building; PORTE'-MON'NAIE, a small clasped pocket-book for holding money; PORT'-FIRE, a slow-match or match-cord. [Fr.,--L. port[=a]re, to carry.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. a harbour: a haven or safe station for vessels: a place from which vessels start, and at which they finish their voyages.--n. PORT'-AD'MIRAL, the admiral commanding at a naval port.--n.pl. PORT'-CHARG'ES, payments which a ship has to pay while in harbour.--n. PORT'-WARD'EN, the officer in charge of a port: a harbour-master.--PORT OF CALL, a port where vessels can call for stores or repairs; PORT OF ENTRY, a port where merchandise is allowed by law to enter.--Free port, a port where no duty has to be paid on landing goods. [A.S. port--L. portus; akin to L. porta, a gate.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. a gate or entrance, esp. of a walled town: an opening in the side of a ship for light or air: an opening through which guns can be fired: the lid of a porthole: a passage in a machine for oil, steam, &c.--n. PORT'AGE (Shak.), an opening. [Fr. porte--L. porta, gate.]

PORT, p[=o]rt, n. a dark-red wine from Oporto, Portugal.

PORTA, p[=o]r'ta, n. the part of an organ where its vessels and ducts enter, esp. the transverse fissure of the liver: the foramen of Monro.

PORTAL, p[=o]rt'al, n. a small gate: any entrance: (archit.) the arch over a gate: the lesser of two gates.--PORTAL CIRCULATION, the capillary transmission of venous blood from one organ to another in its passage to the heart; PORTAL SYSTEM, the portal vein with its tributaries, &c.; PORTAL VEIN, the vein which conveys to the liver the venous blood from intestines, spleen, and stomach. [O. Fr. (Fr. portail)--Low L. portale--L. porta, a gate.]

PORTCULLIS, p[=o]rt-kul'is, n. a sliding door of cross timbers pointed with iron, hung over a gateway, so as to be let down in a moment to keep out an enemy: (her.) a lattice: one of the pursuivants of the English College of Heralds: an Elizabethan coin bearing a portcullis on the reverse.--v.t. to obstruct, as with a portcullis. [O. Fr. portecoulisse--porte, a gate, coulisse, a groove--L. col[=a]re, to strain.]

PORTE, p[=o]rt, n. the Turkish government, so called from the 'High Gate,' or 'Sublime Porte,' the chief office of the Ottoman government.

PORTEND, por-tend', v.t. to indicate the future by signs: to betoken: presage.--n. POR'TENT, that which portends or foreshows: an evil omen.--adj. PORTENT'OUS, serving to portend: foreshadowing ill: wonderful, dreadful, prodigious.--adv. PORTENT'OUSLY. [L. portend[)e]re, portentum--pro, forth, tend[)e]re, to stretch.]

PORTER, p[=o]rt'[.e]r, n. a door-keeper or gate-keeper: one who waits at the door to receive messages:--fem. PORT'ERESS, PORT'RESS.--n. PORT'ERAGE, the office or duty of a porter.--PORTER'S LODGE, a house or an apartment near a gate for the use of the porter. [O. Fr. portier--Low L. portarius--L. porta, a gate.]

PORTER, p[=o]rt'[.e]r, n. one who carries burdens for hire: a dark-brown malt liquor, prob. because a favourite drink with London porters.--ns. PORT'ERAGE, carriage: charge made by a porter for carrying goods; PORT'ER-HOUSE, a restaurant; PORT'ERHOUSE-STEAK (U.S.), a choice cut of beef-steak next to the sirloin.--adv. PORT'ERLY, like a porter: coarse. [O. Fr. porteur--L. port[=a]re, to carry.]

PORTFOLIO, p[=o]rt-f[=o]'li-[=o], n. a portable case for loose papers, drawings, &c.: a collection of such papers: the office of a minister of state. [Sp. portafolio--L. port[=a]re, to carry, folium, a leaf.]

PORTHOLE, p[=o]rt'h[=o]l, n. a hole or opening in a ship's side for light and air, or for pointing a gun through. [Port, a gate, and hole.]

PORTICO, p[=o]r'ti-k[=o], n. (archit.) a range of columns in the front of a building: a colonnade: a porch before the entrance to a building: the Stoic philosophy:--pl. POR'TICOES, POR'TICOS.--adj. POR'TICOED, furnished with a portico. [It.,--L. porticus, a porch.]

PORTIÈRE, por-ty[=a]r', n. a curtain hung over the door or doorway of a room. [Fr.]

PORTIFORIUM, p[=o]r-ti-f[=o]'ri-um, n. a breviary:--pl. PORTIF[=O]'RIA.--Also PORT'FORY, PORT'OUS, PORT'UARY.

PORTIFY, p[=o]r'ti-f[=i], v.t. (hum.) to give one's self undue importance. [Port, the wine of that name, -fy, from L. fac[)e]re, to make, from the saying, 'Claret would be port if it could.']

PORTION, p[=o]r'shun, n. a part: an allotment: fate: destiny: dividend: the part of an estate descending to an heir: a wife's fortune.--v.t. to divide into portions: to allot a share: to furnish with a portion.--adj. POR'TIONED, having a portion or endowment.--ns. POR'TIONER, one who portions or assigns shares: (Scots law) the occupier of a small feu or portion of land: one of two or more incumbents on a benefice at one time; POR'TIONIST, one who has an academical allowance: the incumbent of a benefice which has more than one rector or vicar.--adj. POR'TIONLESS, having no portion, dowry, or property.--MARRIAGE PORTION, a gift given by a parent or guardian to a bride on her marriage. [O. Fr.,--L. portio, portionis, akin to pars, a part.]

PORTLAND VASE. See VASE.

PORTLY, p[=o]rt'li, adj. having a dignified port or mien: corpulent: (Shak.) swelling.--n. PORT'LINESS, state of being portly. [Port, bearing.]

PORTMAN, p[=o]rt'man, n. an inhabitant of a port-town, or one of the Cinque Ports.--n. PORT'-MOTE, a mote composed of such citizens.

PORTMANTEAU, port-man't[=o], n. a bag for carrying apparel, &c., on journeys: a hook on which to hang clothing.--Also PORTMAN'TUA (obs.). [Fr.,--porter, to carry, manteau, a cloak.]

PORTOISE, p[=o]r'tiz, n. the gunwale of a boat.--Also PORT'LAST.

PORTRAIT, p[=o]r'tr[=a]t, n. the likeness of a person, esp. of his face: a vivid description in words.--v.t. (obs.) to portray.--ns. POR'TRAITIST, a portrait-painter; POR'TRAITURE, a likeness: the drawing of portraits, or describing in words: a collection of pictures.--v.t. PORTRAY (p[=o]r-tr[=a]'), to paint or draw the likeness of: to describe in words: (obs.) to adorn.--ns. PORTRAY'AL, the act of portraying; PORTRAY'ER.--COMPOSITE PORTRAITS, a method of indicating the facial characteristics of a family or group of persons, while at the same time suppressing the peculiarities of individual members. [O. Fr. portrait, portraire--L. pro, forth, trah[)e]re, to draw.]

PORTREEVE, p[=o]rt'r[=e]v, n. once the name of the principal magistrate in a port-town, esp. in London. [A.S. portgeréfa--port, a port, geréfa, a reeve.]

PORTUGUESE, p[=o]r't[=u]-g[=e]z, adj. of or pertaining to Portugal or to its inhabitants.--n. the people, a single inhabitant, or the language of Portugal.--PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR, a species of Physalia.

PORTULACEÆ, p[=o]r-t[=u]-l[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], n.pl. a natural order of exogenous plants, shrubby or herbaceous, generally succulent, mostly growing in dry places. [L. portulaca, purslane.]

PORZANA, p[=o]r-z[=a]'na, n. an old name of the small European water-rail or crake.

POS, poz, adj. (slang) an abbreviation of positive.

POSADA, p[=o]-sä'dä, n. an inn. [Sp.,--posar, to lodge.]

POSAUNE, p[=o]-zow'ne, n. the trombone. [Ger.]

POSE, p[=o]z, n. a position: an attitude, either natural or assumed.--v.i. to assume an attitude.--v.t. to put in a suitable attitude: to posit. [Fr.,--poser, to place--Low L. pausare, to cease--L. pausa, pause--Gr. pausis. Between Fr. poser and L. pon[)e]re, positum, there has been confusion, which has influenced the derivatives of both words.]

POSE, p[=o]z, v.t. to puzzle: to perplex by questions: to bring to a stand.--ns. P[=O]'SER, one who, or that which, poses: a difficult question; P[=O]'SING.--adv. P[=O]'SINGLY. [M. E. apposen, a corr. of oppose, which in the schools meant to 'argue against.']

POSÉ, po-z[=a]', adj. (her.) standing still.

POSITION, po-zish'un, n. place, situation: attitude: a place taken or to be taken by troops: state of affairs: the ground taken in argument or in a dispute: principle laid down: place in society: method of finding the value of an unknown quantity by assuming one or more values (single, when one is assumed; double, when two).--v.t. POSIT (poz'it), to place in right position or relation: to lay down as something true or granted.--adj. POSI'TIONAL.--STRATEGIC POSITION, a position taken up by troops to check the movements of an enemy. [Fr.,--L.--pon[)e]re, positum, to place.]

POSITIVE, poz'i-tiv, adj. definitely placed or laid down: clearly expressed: really existing: actual: not admitting of any doubt or qualification: decisive: settled by distinct appointment: arbitrarily prescribed, laid down--opp. to Natural: too confident in opinion: fully assured: certain: (gram.) noting the simple form of an adjective--as Positive degree of comparison: (math.) greater than zero, to be added, as Positive quantity: (phot.) having the lights and shades in the picture the same as in the original, instead of being reversed: (electr.) having a relatively high potential--opp. to Negative (q.v.).--n. that which is placed or laid down: that which may be affirmed: reality: a positive picture--opp. to Negative.--adv. POS'ITIVELY.--ns. POS'ITIVENESS, state or quality of being positive: certainty: confidence; POS'ITIVISM, actual or absolute knowledge; POS'ITIVIST, a believer in positivism.--POS'ITIVISM, POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY, the philosophical system originated by Comte (1798-1857)--its foundation the doctrine that man can have no knowledge of anything but phenomena, and that the knowledge of phenomena is relative, not absolute. [Fr.,--L. positivus, fixed by agreement--pon[)e]re, to place.]

POSNET, pos'net, n. a small basin. [O. Fr. pocenet.]

POSOLOGY, p[=o]-sol'[=o]-ji, n. the science of quantity.--adjs. POSOLOG'IC, -AL. [Gr. posos, how much, logia, discourse.]

POSSE, pos'[=e], n. power: possibility.--POSSE COMITATUS, the power of the county: the body of men entitled to be called out by the sheriff to aid in enforcing the law. [L. posse, to be able.]

POSSESS, poz-zes', v.t. to have or hold as an owner: to have the control of: to inform: to seize: to enter into and influence: to put (one's self) in possession (of): (Spens.) to achieve: (Shak.) put in possession of information, convince.--adj. POSSESSED', influenced by some evil spirit, demented.--n. POSSES'SION, act of possessing: the thing possessed: a country taken by conquest: property: state of being possessed, as by an evil spirit: madness.--adjs. POSSES'SIONARY, POSSES'SIVE, pertaining to or denoting possession.--n. POSSES'SIVE (gram.), a pronoun denoting possession: the possessive case.--adv. POSSES'SIVELY.--n. POSSES'SOR, one who possesses: owner: proprietor: occupant.--adj. POSSES'SORY, relating to a possessor or possession: having possession.--GIVE POSSESSION, to put in another's power or occupancy; TAKE POSSESSION, to assume ownership; WRIT OF POSSESSION, a process directing a sheriff to put a person in possession of property recovered in ejectment. [Fr.,--L. possid[=e]re, possessum.]

POSSET, pos'et, n. a dietetic preparation, made by curdling milk with some acidulous liquor, such as wine, ale, or vinegar.--v.t. (Shak.) to curdle.--POSSET CUP, a large cup or covered bowl for posset. [Prob. Ir. pusoid, a posset; cf. W. posel.]

POSSIBLE, pos'i-bl, adj. that may be or happen: that may be done: not contrary to the nature of things.--n. POSSIBIL'ITY, state of being possible: that which is possible: a contingency.--adv. POSS'IBLY. [Fr.,--L. possibilis--posse, to be able.]

POSSUM, pos'um, n. Same as OPOSSUM.

POST, p[=o]st, n. a piece of timber fixed in the ground, generally as a support to something else: a pillar.--v.t. to fix on or to a post, or to any conspicuous position, in a public place: to expose to public reproach, to placard as having failed in an examination, &c.--n. POST'ER, one who posts bills: a large printed bill or placard for posting.--FROM PILLAR TO POST (see PILLAR). [A.S. post--L. postis, a doorpost--pon[)e]re, to place.]

POST, p[=o]st, n. a fixed place, as a military station: a fixed place or stage on a road: an office: one who travels by stages, esp. carrying letters, &c.: a public letter-carrier: an established system of conveying letters: (Shak.) a post-horse: (Shak.) haste: a size of writing-paper, double that of common note-paper (so called from the water-mark, a postman's horn).--v.t. to set or station: to put in the post-office: (book-k.) to transfer from the journal to the ledger: to supply with necessary information, as to post up (cf. Well posted up).--v.i to travel with post-horses, or with speed.--adv. with posthorses: with speed.--ns. POST'AGE, the act of going by post: journey: money paid for conveyance of letters, &c., by post or mail; POST'AGE-STAMP, an adhesive stamp for affixing to letters to show that the postal charge has been paid.--adj. POST'AL, of or pertaining to the mail-service.--ns. POST'-BAG, a mail-bag; POST'-BILL, a way-bill of the letters sent from a post-office; POST'BOY, a boy that rides posthorses, or who carries letters; POST'-CARD, a stamped card on which a message may be sent by post; POST'-CHAISE, POST'-CHAR'IOT, a chaise or carriage with four wheels let for hire for the conveyance of those who travel with posthorses.--v.i. POST'-CHAISE, to travel by post-chaise.--ns. POST'-DAY, the day on which the post or mail arrives or departs; POST'ER, one who travels by post: (Shak.) a courier: one who travels expeditiously: a posthorse.--adj. POST'-FREE, delivered by the post without payment.--n. POSTHASTE', haste in travelling like that of a post.--adj. speedy: immediate.--adv. with haste or speed.--ns. POST'-HORN, a postman's horn: a horn blown by the driver of a mail-coach; POST'HORSE, a horse kept for posting; POST'HOUSE, a house where horses are kept for the use of parties posting: a post-office; POST'MAN, a post or courier: a letter-carrier; POST'MARK, the mark or stamp put upon a letter at a post-office showing the time and place of reception and delivery; POST'MASTER, the manager or superintendent of a post-office: one who supplies posthorses: at Merton College, Oxford, a scholar who is supported on the foundation; POST'MASTER-GEN'ERAL, the minister who is the chief officer of the post-office department; POST'-OFF'ICE, an office for receiving and transmitting letters by post: a department of the government which has charge of the reception and conveyance of letters.--adj. POST'-PAID, having the postage paid, as a letter.--ns. POST'-TIME, the time for the despatch or for the delivery of letters; POST'-TOWN, a town with a post-office.--POSTAL NOTE, a note for a fixed designated sum issued by a postmaster, payable at any office; POSTAL ORDER, an order issued by the postmaster authorising the holder to receive at some particular post-office payment of the sum marked on it. [Fr. poste--L. pon[)e]re, positum, to place.]

POST, p[=o]st, adv. and prep. after, behind--in compounds as Post-abdominal, Post-anal, _Post-axia_l, Post-brachial, Post-canonical, Post-clavicle, Post-embryonic, &c.--adj. POST'-CLASS'ICAL, after those Greek and Latin writers styled classical, but before the medieval.--n. POST'-COMMUN'ION, the part of the eucharistic office after the act of communion.--adj. succeeding communion.--v.t. POSTDATE', to date after the real time.--n. a date on a letter later than the real date on which it was written.--adjs. POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAL, POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, being or happening after the deluge.--ns. POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, one who has lived since the deluge; POST'-EN'TRY, an additional entry of merchandise at a custom-house.--adjs. POST'-EXIL'IC, POST'-EXIL'IAN, after the time of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.--ns. POST'-EXIST'ENCE, future existence; POST'FIX, a letter, syllable, or word fixed to or put after another word, an affix.--v.t. POSTFIX', to add to the end of another word.--adjs. POST'-GL[=A]'CIAL, after the glacial epoch; POST'-GRAD'UATE, belonging to study pursued after graduation; POST'-MERID'IAN, coming after the sun has crossed the meridian: in the afternoon (written P.M.).--n. POST'-MILLEN[=A]'RIAN, one who believes in post-millennialism.--adj. POST'-MILLENN'IAL.--n. POST'-MILLENN'IALISM, the doctrine that the second coming of Christ will follow the millennium.--adj. POST'-MOR'TEM, after death.--n. a post-mortem examination.--adjs. POST'-N[=A]'TAL, after birth; POST'-N[=I]'CENE, after the first general council at Nicæa in 325 A.D.--n. POST'-NOTE, a note issued by a bank, payable at some future time.--adj. POST'-NUP'TIAL, being or happening after marriage.--ns. POST'-[=O]'BIT, a bond or security given by heirs and others entitled to reversionary interests, whereby in consideration of a sum of money presently advanced, the debtor binds himself to pay a much larger sum after the death of some person, or of himself; POST'-POSI'TION, the state of being put back or out of the regular place: (gram.) a word or particle placed after a word--opp. to a preposition, which is placed before.--adjs. POST'-POS'ITIVE; POST'-REMOTE', more remote in subsequent time or order; POST'-TER'TIARY, more recent than the Tertiary.--n. the most recent geological division. [L.]

POST-CAPTAIN, p[=o]st'-kap't[=a]n, n. a captain in the British navy, so called in contradistinction to a commander because his name was 'posted' in the seniority list.

POSTE RESTANTE, p[=o]st res-tant', n. a place in a post-office where letters are kept till called for. [Fr. poste, post-office, and pr.p. of rester, to remain.]

POSTERIOR, pos-t[=e]'ri-or, adj. coming after: later in time or in position: situated behind: hinder.--n. POSTERIOR'ITY, state of being posterior--opp. to Priority.--adv. POST[=E]'RIORLY.--n.pl. POST[=E]'RIORS, short for posterior parts: (hum.) the latter part, buttock.--n. POSTER'ITY, those coming after: succeeding generations: descendants: a race. [L., comp. of posterus, coming after--post, after.]

POSTERN, p[=o]st'[.e]rn, n. a back door or gate: a small private door: (fort.) a covered passage between the main ditch and the outworks of a fort, usually closed by a gate.--adj. back: private. [O. Fr. posterne, posterle--L. posterula, a dim. from posterus.]

POSTHUMOUS, post'[=u]-mus, adj. born after the father's death: published after the death of the author.--adv. POST'HUMOUSLY. [L. posthumus, postumus, superl. of posterus, coming after--post, after.]

POSTICHE, pos-t[=e]sh', adj. added after the work is finished. [Fr.]

POSTIL, pos'til, n. a note in the margin of the Bible, so called because written after the text or other words: a marginal note: (R.C.) a homily read after the gospel.--v.t. and v.i. to make such notes.--n. POSTIL'LA, a sermon or homily explanatory of the gospel in the mass: any sermon.--v.t. and v.i. POS'TILLATE, to write or deliver a postil.--ns. POSTILL[=A]'TION; POS'TILLER, one who comments: a preacher. [O. Fr. postille (It. postilla)--Low L. postilla--L. post illa (verba), after those (words).]

POSTILLION, p[=o]s-til'yun, n. a postboy: one who guides posthorses, or horses in any carriage, riding on one of them. [Fr. postillon.]

POSTLIMINY, post-lim'i-ni, n. the right by which persons or things taken in war by the enemy are restored to their former status upon their coming again under the power of the nation to which they belonged: the return of a prisoner, exile, &c. to his former status.--adjs. POSTLIM'INARY, POSTLIMIN'IARY. [L. postliminium.]

POSTPONE, p[=o]st-p[=o]n', v.t. to put off to a future time: to defer: to delay: to subordinate.--n. POSTPONE'MENT, act of putting off to an after-time: temporary delay--also POSTP[=O]'NENCE (obs.). [L. postpon[)e]re, -positum--post, after, pon[)e]re, to put.]

POST-PRANDIAL, p[=o]st-pran'di-al, adj. after dinner. [L. post, after, prandium, a repast.]

POSTSCRIPT, p[=o]st'skript, n. a part added to a letter after the signature: an addition to a book after it is finished.--adj. POST'SCRIPTAL. [L., from post, after, scriptum, written, pa.p. of scrib[)e]re, to write.]

POSTULATE, pos't[=u]-l[=a]t, v.t. to assume without proof: to take for granted or without positive consent: (eccles.) to ask legitimate authority to admit a nominee by dispensation, when a canonical impediment is supposed to exist.--v.i. to make demands.--n. a position assumed as self-evident: (geom.) a self-evident problem: a petition: a condition for the accomplishment of anything.--ns. POS'TULANT, a candidate; POSTUL[=A]'TION, the act of postulating: solicitation.--adjs. POS'TUL[=A]TORY, supplicatory: assuming or assumed without proof as a postulate; POS'TURAL. [L. postul[=a]re, -[=a]tum, to demand--posc[)e]re, to ask urgently.]

POSTURE, pos't[=u]r, n. the placing or position of the body, esp. of the parts of it with reference to each other: attitude: state or condition: disposition of mind.--v.t. to place in a particular manner.--v.i. to assume an affected manner.--ns. POS'TURE-M[=A]'KER, POS'TURE-MAS'TER, one who teaches or practises artificial postures of the body: an acrobat; POS'TURER, POS'TURIST, an acrobat. [Fr.,--L. positura--pon[)e]re, positum, to place.]

POSY, p[=o]'zi, n. a verse of poetry, esp. a motto or an inscription on a ring: a motto sent with a bouquet: a bouquet. [Poesy.]

POT, pot, n. a metallic vessel for various purposes, esp. for cooking: a drinking vessel: an earthen vessel for plants: the quantity in a pot: (slang) a large sum of money, a prize.--v.t. to preserve in pots: to put in pots: to cook in a pot: to plant in a pot: to drain, as sugar, in a perforated cask: to shoot an enemy.--v.i. (Shak.) to tipple:--pr.p. pot'ting; pa.t. and pa.p. pot'ted.--n. POT'-ALE, refuse from a grain distillery.--adj. POT'-BELL'IED, having a prominent belly.--ns. POT'-BELL'Y, a protuberant belly; POT'-BOIL'ER, a work in art or literature produced merely to secure the necessaries of life; POT'-BOY, a boy in a public-house who carries pots of ale to customers; POT'-COMPAN'ION, a comrade in drinking; POT'-HANG'ER, a hook on which to hang a pot; POT'-HAT, a high-crowned felt hat, worn by men; POT'-HEAD, a stupid person; POT'HERB, any vegetable which is boiled and used as food.--n.pl. POT'-HOLES, holes in the beds of rapid streams, made by an eddying current of water, which gives the stones a gyratory motion.--ns. POT'-HOOK, a hook hung in a chimney for supporting a pot: a letter shaped like a pot-hook; POT'-HOUSE, an ale-house; POT'-HUNT'ER, one who hunts or fishes for profit; POT'-LID, the cover of a pot; POT'-LIQ'UOR, a thin broth in which meat has been boiled; POT'-LUCK, what may happen to be in the pot for a meal without special preparation; POT'-MAN, a pot-companion: a pot-boy; POT'-MET'AL, an alloy of copper and lead; POT'-SHOP, a small public-house; POT'-STICK, a stick for stirring what is being cooked in a pot; POT'STONE, a massive variety of talc-schist, composed of a finely felted aggregate of talc, mica, and chlorite.--adj. POT'-VAL'IANT, brave owing to drink.--POTTED MEATS, meats cooked, seasoned, and hermetically sealed in tins or jars.--GO TO POT, to go to ruin, originally said of old metal, to go into the melting-pot; KEEP THE POT BOILING, to procure the necessaries of life; TAKE POT-LUCK, to accept an invitation to a meal where no preparation for guests has been made. [M. E. pot, from the Celt., as Ir. pota, Gael. poit, W. pot.]

POTABLE, p[=o]'ta-bl, adj. that may be drunk: liquid.--n. something drinkable.--n. P[=O]'TABLENESS. [Fr.,--L. potabilis--p[=o]t[=a]re, to drink.]

POTAMOLOGY, pot-a-mol'[=o]-ji, n. the scientific study of rivers.--n. POTAMOG'RAPHY.--adj. POTAMOLOG'ICAL.

POTASH, pot'ash, n. a powerful alkali, obtained from the ashes of plants--also POTASS'.--n. POT'ASH-WA'TER, a kind of aerated water, which, when of full medicinal strength, contains fifteen grains of the bicarbonate of potash in each bottle--usually much less is put in. [Pot ashes.]

POTASSA, p[=o]-tas'a, n. [Latinised form of potash.]

POTASSIUM, p[=o]-tas'i-um, n. the metallic base of the alkali potash--it is of a bluish colour, and presents a strong metallic lustre. [Potassa.]

POTATION, p[=o]-t[=a]'shun, n. act of drinking: a draught: the liquor drunk.--n. POT[=A]'TOR, a drinker.--adj. P[=O]'T[=A]TORY. [L. potatio--p[=o]t[=a]re, -[=a]tum, to drink.]

POTATO, p[=o]-t[=a]'t[=o], n. one of the tubers of a plant almost universally cultivated for food in the temperate parts of the globe: the plant itself:--pl. POT[=A]'TOES.--ns. POT[=A]'TO-BEE'TLE, a North American beetle which commits fearful ravages among potatoes; POT[=A]'TO-BING (Scot.), a heap of potatoes to be preserved; POT[=A]'TO-B[=O]'GLE (Scot.), a scarecrow; POT[=A]'TO-DISEASE', -ROT, a destructive disease of the potato caused by a parasitic fungus; POT[=A]'TO-FING'ER (Shak.), a fat finger, used in contempt; POT[=A]'TO-FLY, a dipterous insect of the same genus as the radish-fly, whose maggots are often abundant in bad potatoes in autumn.--SMALL POTATOES (U.S.), anything petty or contemptible. [Sp. patata, batata, orig. Haytian.]

POTCH, poch, v.i. (Shak.) to thrust, to push. [Fr. pocher; from root of poke.]

POTCHING-ENGINE, poch'ing-en'jin, n. in paper-making, a machine in which washed rags are bleached.

POTEEN, POTHEEN, po-t[=e]n', n. Irish whisky, esp. that illicitly distilled. [Ir. poitim, I drink.]

POTENT, p[=o]'tent, adj. strong: powerful in a physical or a moral sense: having great authority or influence.--n. a prince, potentate.--ns. P[=O]'TENCE, power: (her.) a marking of the shape of [T shape]: in horology, the stud or counterbridge forming a step for the lower pivot of a verge (also P[=O]'TANCE); P[=O]'TENCY, power: authority: influence; P[=O]'TENTATE, one who possesses power: a prince.--adj. P[=O]TEN'TIAL, powerful, efficacious: existing in possibility, not in reality: (gram.) expressing power, possibility, liberty, or obligation.--n. anything that may be possible: a possibility: the name for a function in the mathematical theory of attractions: the power of a charge or current of electricity to do work.--n. P[=O]TENTIAL'ITY.--adv. P[=O]TEN'TIALLY.--n. P[=O]TEN'TIARY, a person invested with power or influence.--v.t. P[=O]TEN'TIATE, to give power to.--n. P[=O]'TENTITE, a blasting substance.--adv. P[=O]'TENTLY.--n. P[=O]'TENTNESS.--POTENTIAL ENERGY, the power of doing work possessed by a body in virtue of the stresses which result from its position relatively to other bodies. [L. potens--potis, able, esse, to be.]