The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section M, N, and O (part 4 of 5)

The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section M, N, and O (part 4 of 5)

Nes"tor (?), n. (Zoöl.) A genus of parrots with gray heads. of New Zeland and papua, allied to the cockatoos. See Kaka.

Nes*to"ri*an (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) An adherent of Nestorius, patriarch of Constantinople in the fifth century, who has condemned as a heretic for maintaining that the divine and the human natures were not merged into one nature in Christ (who was God in man), and, hence, that it was improper to call Mary the mother of God though she might be called the mother of Christ; also, one of the sect established by the followers of Nestorius in Persia, India, and other Oriental countries, and still in existence. Opposed to Eutychian.

Nes*to"ri*an, a. 1. Of or relating to the Nestorians.

2. Relating to, or resembling, Nestor, the aged warrior and counselor mentioned by Homer; hence, wise; experienced; aged; as, Nestorian caution.

Nes*to"ri*an*ism (?), n. The doctrines of the Nestorian Christians, or of Nestorius.

Net (nt), n. [AS. net; akin to D. net, OS. net, netti, OHG. nezzi, G. netz, Icel. & Dan. net, Sw. nät, Goth. nati; of uncertain origin.] 1. A fabric of twine, thread, or the like, wrought or woven into meshes, and used for catching fish, birds, butterflies, etc.

2. Anything designed or fitted to entrap or catch; a snare; any device for catching and holding.

A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.

Prov. xxix. 5.

In the church's net there are fishes good or bad.

Jer. Taylor.

3. Anything wrought or woven in meshes; as, a net for the hair; a mosquito net; a tennis net.

4. (Geom.) A figure made up of a large number of straight lines or curves, which are connected at certain points and related to each other by some specified law.

Net, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Netted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Netting.] 1. To make into a net; to make in the style of network; as, to net silk.

2. To take in a net; to capture by stratagem or wile.

And now I am here, netted and in the toils.

Sir W. Scott.

3. To inclose or cover with a net; as, to net a tree.

Net, v. i. To form network or netting; to knit.

Net, a. [F. See Neat clean.] 1. Without spot; pure; shining. [Obs.]

Her breast all naked as net ivory.

Spenser.

2. Free from extraneous substances; pure; unadulterated; neat; as, net wine, etc. [R.]

3. Not including superfluous, incidental, or foreign matter, as boxes, coverings, wraps, etc.; free from charges, deductions, etc; as, net profit; net income; net weight, etc. [Less properly written nett.]

Net tonnage (Naut.), the tonnage of a vessel after a deduction from the gross tonnage has been made, to allow space for crew, machinery, etc.

Net, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Netted; p. pr. & vb. n. Netting.] To produce or gain as clear profit; as, he netted a thousand dollars by the operation.

Net"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) An astrophyton.

Neth"er (n"r), a. [OE. nethere, neithere, AS. niðera, fr. the adv. niðer downward; akin to neoðan below, beneath, D. neder down, G. nieder, Sw. nedre below, nether, a. & adv., and also to Skr. ni down. √201. Cf. Beneath.] Situated down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; -- opposed to upper.

'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires.

Milton.

This darksome nether world her light Doth dim with horror and deformity.

Spenser.

All my nether shape thus grew transformed.

Milton.

Neth"er*more` (n"r*mr`), a. Lower, nether. [Obs.] Holland.

Neth"er*most` (-mst`), a. [AS. niðemest. See Nether, and cf. Aftermost.] Lowest; as, the nethermost abyss. Milton.

||Neth"i*nim (?), n. pl. [Heb., pl. of nthn given, granted, a slave of ||the temple, fr. nthan to give.] (jewish Antiq.) Servants of the ||priests and Levites in the menial services about the tabernacle and ||temple.

Net"i*fy (?), v. t. [Net, a. + -fy.] To render neat; to clean; to put in order. [R.] Chapman.

Net"ting (?), n. [From Net, n.] 1. The act or process of making nets or network, or of forming meshes, as for fancywork, fishing nets, etc.

2. A piece of network; any fabric, made of cords, threads, wires, or the like, crossing one another with open spaces between.

3. (Naut.) A network of ropes used for various purposes, as for holding the hammocks when not in use, also for stowing sails, and for hoisting from the gunwale to the rigging to hinder an enemy from boarding. Totten.

Netting needle, a kind of slender shuttle used in netting. See Needle, n., 3.

Net"ting, n. Urine. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Net"tle (?), n. [AS. netele; akin to D. netel, G. nessel, OHG. nezzïla, nazza, Dan. nelde, nälde, Sw. nässla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Urtica, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a stinging sensation. Urtica gracitis is common in the Northern, and U. chamædryoides in the Southern, United States. the common European species, U. urens and U. dioica, are also found in the Eastern united States. U. pilulifera is the Roman nettle of England.

The term nettle has been given to many plants related to, or to some way resembling, the true nettle; as: Australian nettle, a stinging tree or shrub of the genus Laportea (as L. gigas and L. moroides); -- also called nettle tree. -- Bee nettle, Hemp nettle, a species of Galeopsis. See under Hemp. -- Blind nettle, Dead nettle, a harmless species of Lamium. -- False nettle (Bæhmeria cylindrica), a plant common in the United States, and related to the true nettles. -- Hedge nettle, a species of Stachys. See under Hedge. -- Horse nettle (Solanum Carolinense). See under Horse. -- nettle tree. (a) Same as Hackberry. (b) See Australian nettle (above). -- Spurge nettle, a stinging American herb of the Spurge family (Jatropha urens). -- Wood nettle, a plant (Laportea Canadensis) which stings severely, and is related to the true nettles.

Nettle cloth, a kind of thick cotton stuff, japanned, and used as a substitute for leather for various purposes. -- Nettle rash (Med.), an eruptive disease resembling the effects of whipping with nettles. -- Sea nettle (Zoöl.), a medusa.

Net"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nettled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nettling (?).] To fret or sting; to irritate or vex; to cause to experience sensations of displeasure or uneasiness not amounting to violent anger.

The princes were so nettled at the scandal of this affront, that every man took it to himself.

L'Estrange.

Net"tle*bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) the European whitethroat. [Prov. Eng.]

Net"tler (?), n. One who nettles. [R.] Milton.

Net"tles (?), n. pl. [See Knittle.] (Naut.) (a) The halves of yarns in the unlaid end of a rope twisted for pointing or grafting. (b) Small lines used to sling hammocks under the deck beams. (c) Reef points.

Net"tling (?), n. (Rope Making) (a) A process (resembling splicing) by which two ropes are joined end to end so as to form one rope. (b) The process of tying together the ends of yarns in pairs, to prevent tangling.

Net"tling, p. pr. & a. Stinging; irritating.

Nettling cell (Zoöl.), a lasso cell. See under Lasso.

Net"ty (?), a. Like a net, or network; netted. [R.]

Net"-veined` (?), a. Having veins, or nerves, reticulated or netted; as, a net-veined wing or leaf.

Net"work` (?), n. 1. A fabric of threads, cords, or wires crossing each other at certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus leaving spaces or meshes between them.

2. Any system of lines or channels interlacing or crossing like the fabric of a net; as, a network of veins; a network of railroads.

Neu"rad (?), adv. [Gr. &?; nerve + L. ad to.] (Anat.) Toward the neural side; -- opposed to hæmad.

Neu"ral (?), a. [Gr. &?; nerve.] (Anat. & Zoöl.) relating to the nerves or nervous system; taining to, situated in the region of, or on the side with, the neural, or cerebro-spinal, axis; -- opposed to hemal. As applied to vertebrates, neural is the same as dorsal; as applied to invertebrates it is usually the same as ventral. Cf. Hemal.

Neural arch (Anat.), the cartilaginous or bony arch on the dorsal side of the centrum of the vertebra in a segment of the spinal skeleton, usually inclosing a segment of the spinal cord.

Neu*ral"gi*a (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; nerve + &?; pain. See nerve.] (Med.) A disease, the chief symptom of which is a very acute pain, exacerbating or intermitting, which follows the course of a nervous branch, extends to its ramifications, and seems therefore to be seated in the nerve. It seems to be independent of any structural lesion. Dunglison.

Neu*ral"gic (?), a. Of or pertaining to, or having the character of, neuralgia; as, a neuralgic headache.

Neu*ral"gy (?), n. Neuralgia.

Neu*rap`o*phys"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a neurapophysis.

||Neu`ra*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Neurapophyses (#). [NL. See Neuro-, ||and Apophysis.] (Anat.) (a) One of the two lateral processes or ||elements which form the neural arch. (b) The dorsal process of the ||neural arch; neural spine; spinous process.

||Neu*ras`the*ni"a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; nerve + &?; weakness.] ||(Med.) A condition of nervous debility supposed to be dependent upon ||impairment in the functions of the spinal cord.

Neu*ra"tion (?), n. (Biol.) The arrangement or distribution of nerves, as in the leaves of a plant or the wings of an insect; nervation.

Neu*rax"is (?), n. [Neuro- + axis.] (Anat.) See Axis cylinder, under Axis.

Neu`ren*ter"ic (?), a. [Neuro- + enteric.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to both the neuron and the enteron; as, the neurenteric canal, which, in embroys of many vertebrates, connects the medullary tube and the primitive intestine. See Illust. of Ectoderm.

Neu"ri*din (?), n. [From Neurine.] (Physiol. Chem.) a nontoxic base, C5H14N2, found in the putrescent matters of flesh, fish, decaying cheese, etc.

||Neu`ri*lem"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; nerve + &?; peel, skin.] ||(Anat.) (a) The delicate outer sheath of a nerve fiber; the primitive ||sheath. (b) The perineurium.

Neu*ril"i*ty (?), n. [Gr. &?; nerve.] (Physiol.) The special properties and functions of the nerves; that capacity for transmitting a stimulus which belongs to nerves. G. H. Lewes.

Neu"rine (? or ?), n. [Gr. &?; a nerve.] (Physiol. Chem.) A poisonous organic base (a ptomaine) formed in the decomposition of protagon with boiling baryta water, and in the putrefaction of proteid matter. It was for a long time considered identical with choline, a crystalline body originally obtained from bile. Chemically, however, choline is oxyethyl- trimethyl-ammonium hydroxide, while neurine is vinyl-trimethyl- ammonium hydroxide. [Written also neurin.]

Neu"rism (?), n. [Gr. &?; nerve.] (Biol.) Nerve force. See Vital force, under Vital.

||Neu*ri"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; nerve + -itis.] (Med.) ||Inflammation of a nerve.

Neu"ro- (&?;). [Gr. ney^ron nerve.] (Anat.) A combining denoting a nerve, of or pertaining to a nerve or the nervous system.

Neu`ro-cen"tral (?), a. [Neuro- + central.] (Anat.) Between the neural arch and the centrum of a vertebra; as, the neurocentral suture. Huxley.

Neu"ro*chord (?), n., Neu`ro*chor"dal (&?;), a. (Zoöl.) See Neurocord.

Neu*roc"i*ty (?), n. (Physiol.) Nerve force.

Neu"ro*cœle (?), n. [Neuro- + Gr. koi^los a hollow.] (Anat.) The central canal and ventricles of the spinal cord and brain; the myelencephalic cavity.

Neu"ro*cord (?), n. [Neuro- + cord.] (Zoöl.) A cordlike organ composed of elastic fibers situated above the ventral nervous cord of annelids, like the earthworm. -- Neu`ro*cor"dal (#), a.

Neu`ro-ep`i*der"mal (?), a. [Neuro- + epidermal.] (Anat.) Pertaining to, or giving rise to, the central nervous system and epidermis; as, the neuroepidermal, or epiblastic, layer of the blastoderm.

||Neu*rog"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron ligament + &?; glue.] ||(Anat.) The delicate connective tissue framework which supports the ||nervous matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord.

Neu*rog"ra*phy (?), n. [Neuro- + -graphy.] (Anat.) A description of the nerves. Dunglison.

Neu`ro*ker"a*tin (?), n. [Neuro- + keratin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A substance, resembling keratin, present in nerve tissue, as in the sheath of the axis cylinder of medullated nerve fibers. Like keratin it resists the action of most chemical agents, and by decomposition with sulphuric acid yields leucin and tyrosin.

Neu`ro*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to neurology.

Neu*rol"o*gist (?), n. One who is versed in neurology; also, one skilled in the treatment of nervous diseases.

Neu*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Neuro- + -logy.] The branch of science which treats of the nervous system.

||Neu*ro"ma (?), n. [NL. See Neuro- , and -oma.] (Med.) A tumor ||developed on, or connected with, a nerve, esp. one consisting of ||new-formed nerve fibers.

Neu"ro*mere (?), n. [Neuro- + -mere.] (Anat.) A metameric segment of the cerebro-spinal nervous system.

Neu`ro*mus"cu*lar (?), a. [Neuro- + muscular.] (Physiol.) Nervomuscular.

||Neu"ron (?), n.; pl. Neura (#). [NL., from Gr. ney^ron nerve.] ||(Anat.) The brain and spinal cord; the cerebro- spinal axis; ||myelencephalon. B. G. Wilder.

Neu`ro*path"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to neuropathy; of the nature of, or suffering from, nervous disease.

Neu*rop"a*thy (?), n. [Neuro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, to suffer.] (Med.) An affection of the nervous system or of a nerve.

Neu"ro*pod (?), n. [Neuro- + -pod.] (Zoöl.) A neuropodous animal. G. Rolleston.

||Neu`ro*po"di*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a nerve + &?;, dim. of ||&?;, &?;, the foot.] (Zoöl.) The ventral lobe or branch of a ||parapodium.

Neu*rop"o*dous (?), a. [Neuro- + -pod + -ous.] (Zoöl.) Having the limbs on, or directed toward, the neural side, as in most invertebrates; -- opposed to hæmapodous. G. Rolleston.

Neu"ro*pore (?), n. [Neuro- + pore.] (Anat.) An opening at either end of the embryonic neural canal.

Neu*rop"ter (n*rp"tr), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Neuroptera.

||Neu*rop"te*ra (-t*r), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron nerve + ptero`n a ||wing, fr. pte`sqai to fly.] (Zoöl.) An order of hexapod insects ||having two pairs of large, membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth ||organs are adapted for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and ||undergo a complete metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and ||lacewing fly are examples. Formerly, the name was given to a much ||more extensive group, including the true Neuroptera and the ||Pseudoneuroptera.

<! p. 973 !>

Neu*rop"ter*al (n*rp"tr*al), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Neuroptera.

Neu*rop"ter*an (-an), n. (Zoöl.) A neuropter.

||Neu*rop"te*ris (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a nerve + &?; a kind of ||fern.] (Paleon.) An extensive genus of fossil ferns, of which species ||have been found from the Devonian to the Triassic formation.

Neu*rop"ter*ous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Neuropteral.

Neu`ro*sen*sif"er*ous (?), a. [neuro- + sensiferous.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to, or forming, both nerves and sense organs.

||Neu*ro"sis (?), n.; pl. Neuroses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; nerve.] ||(Med.) A functional nervous affection or disease, that is, a disease ||of the nerves without any appreciable change of nerve structure.

Neu`ro*skel"e*tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the neuroskeleton. [R.] Owen.

Neu`ro*skel"e*ton (?), n. [Neuro- + skeleton.] (Anat.) The deep-seated parts of the vertebrate skeleton which are in relation with the nervous axis and locomotion. Owen.

Neu"ro*spast (?), n. [L. neurospaston, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; drawn by strings.] A puppet. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Neu*rot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; nerve.] 1. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves; nervous; as, a neurotic disease.

2. Useful in disorders of, or affecting, the nerves.

Neu*rot"ic, n. 1. A disease seated in the nerves.

2. (Med.) Any toxic agent whose action is mainly directed to the great nerve centers.

Neurotic as a class include all those poisons whose mains action is upon the brain and spinal cord. They may be divided three orders: (a) Cerebral neurotics, or those which affect the brain only. (b) Spinal neurotics, or tetanics, those which affect the spinal cord. (c) Cerebro-spinal neurotics, or those which affect both brain and spinal cord.

Neu"ro*tome (?), n. [See Neurotomy.] 1. An instrument for cutting or dissecting nerves.

2. (Anat.) A neuromere.

Neu`ro*tom"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to neurotomy.

Neu*rot"o*mist (?), n. One who skilled in or practices neurotomy.

Neu*rot"o*my (?), n. [Neuro- + Gr. &?; to cut.] 1. The dissection, or anatomy, of the nervous system.

2. (Med.) The division of a nerve, for the relief of neuralgia, or for other purposes. Dunglison.

||Neu"ru*la (?), n. [NL., dim. of Gr. &?; a nerve.] (Zoöl.) An embryo ||or certain invertebrates in the stage when the primitive band is ||first developed.

Neu"ter (?), a. [L., fr. ne not + uter whether; akin to E. whether. See No, and Whether, and cf. Neither.] 1. Neither the one thing nor the other; on neither side; impartial; neutral. [Archaic]

In all our undertakings God will be either our friend or our enemy; for Providence never stands neuter.

South.

2. (Gram.) (a) Having a form belonging more especially to words which are not appellations of males or females; expressing or designating that which is of neither sex; as, a neuter noun; a neuter termination; the neuter gender. (b) Intransitive; as, a neuter verb.

3. (Biol.) Having no generative organs, or imperfectly developed ones; sexless. See Neuter, n., 3.

Neu"ter, n. 1. A person who takes no part in a contest; one who is either indifferent to a cause or forbears to interfere; a neutral.

The world's no neuter; it will wound or save.

Young.

2. (Gram.) (a) A noun of the neuter gender; any one of those words which have the terminations usually found in neuter words. (b) An intransitive verb.

3. (Biol.) An organism, either vegetable or animal, which at its maturity has no generative organs, or but imperfectly developed ones, as a plant without stamens or pistils, as the garden Hydrangea; esp., one of the imperfectly developed females of certain social insects, as of the ant and the common honeybee, which perform the labors of the community, and are called workers.

Neu"tral (?), a. [L. neutralis, fr. neuter. See Neuter.] 1. Not engaged on either side; not taking part with or assisting either of two or more contending parties; neuter; indifferent.

The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other.

Shaftesbury.

2. Neither good nor bad; of medium quality; middling; not decided or pronounced.

Some things good, and some things ill, do seem, And neutral some, in her fantastic eye.

Sir J. Davies.

3. (Biol.) Neuter. See Neuter, a., 3.

4. (Chem.) Having neither acid nor basic properties; unable to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red; -- said of certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with acid, and alkaline.

Neutral axis, Neutral surface (Mech.), that line or plane, in a beam under transverse pressure, at which the fibers are neither stretched nor compressed, or where the longitudinal stress is zero. See Axis. -- Neutral equilibrium (Mech.), the kind of equilibrium of a body so placed that when moved slighty it neither tends to return to its former position not depart more widely from it, as a perfect sphere or cylinder on a horizontal plane. -- Neutral salt (Chem.), a salt formed by the complete replacement of the hydrogen in an acid or base; in the former case by a positive or basic, in the latter by a negative or acid, element or radical. -- Neutral tint, a bluish gray pigment, used in water colors, made by mixing indigo or other blue some warm color. the shades vary greatly. - - Neutral vowel, the vowel element having an obscure and indefinite quality, such as is commonly taken by the vowel in many unaccented syllables. It is regarded by some as identical with the in up, and is called also the natural vowel, as unformed by art and effort. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 17.

Neu"tral (?), n. A person or a nation that takes no part in a contest between others; one who is neutral.

The neutral, as far as commerce extends, becomes a party in the war.

R. G. Harper.

Neu"tral*ist, n. A neutral; one who professes or practices neutrality. Milman.

Neu*tral"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. neutralité.] 1. The state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side; indifference.

Men who possess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow subjects.

Addison.

2. Indifference in quality; a state neither very good nor bad. [Obs.] Donne.

3. (Chem.) The quality or state of being neutral. See Neutral, a., 4.

4. (International Law) The condition of a nation or government which refrains from taking part, directly or indirectly, in a war between other powers.

5. Those who are neutral; a combination of neutral powers or states.

Armed neutrality, the condition of a neutral power, in time of war, which holds itself ready to resist by force any aggression of either belligerent.

Neu`tral*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. neutralisation.] 1. The act or process of neutralizing, or the state of being neutralized.

2. (Chem.) The act or process by which an acid and a base are combined in such proportions that the resulting compound is neutral. See Neutral, a., 4.

Neu"tral*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Neutralized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Neutralizing (?).] [Cf. F. neutraliser.] 1. To render neutral; to reduce to a state of neutrality.

So here I am neutralized again.

Sir W. Scott.

2. (Chem.) To render inert or imperceptible the peculiar affinities of, as a chemical substance; to destroy the effect of; as, to neutralize an acid with a base.

3. To destroy the peculiar properties or opposite dispositions of; to reduce to a state of indifference or inefficiency; to counteract; as, to neutralize parties in government; to neutralize efforts, opposition, etc.

Counter citations that neutralize each other.

E. Everett.

Neu"tral*i`zer (?), n. One who, or that which, neutralizes; that which destroys, disguises, or renders inert the peculiar properties of a body.

Neu"tral*ly, adv. In a neutral manner; without taking part with either side; indifferently.

||Neu`vaines" (?), n. pl. [F. neuvaine, fr. LL. novena, fr. L. novem. ||See Noon.] (R.C.Ch.) Prayers offered up for nine successive days.

Ne*va"dite (?), n. (Min.) A granitoid variety of rhyolite, common in Nevada.

||Né`vé" (?), n. [F., fr. &?; nix, nivis, snow.] (Geol.) The upper part ||of a glacier, above the limit of perpetual snow. See Glacier.

Nev"en (?), v. t. [Icel. nefna. &radic; 267.] To name; to mention; to utter. [Obs.]

As oft I heard my lord them neven.

Chaucer.

Nev"er (?), adv. [AS. n&?;fre; ne not, no + &?;fre ever.] 1. Not ever; not at any time; at no time, whether past, present, or future. Shak.

Death still draws nearer, never seeming near.

Pope.

2. In no degree; not in the least; not.

Whosoever has a friend to guide him, may carry his eyes in another man's head, and yet see never the worse.

South.

And he answered him to never a word.

Matt. xxvii. 14.

Never is much used in composition with present participles to form adjectives, as in never-ceasing, never-dying, never-ending, never-fading, never-failing, etc., retaining its usual signification.

Never a deal, not a bit. [Obs.] Chaucer.

-- Never so, as never before; more than at any other time, or in any other circumstances; especially; particularly; -- now often expressed or replaced by ever so.

Ask me never so much dower and gift.

Gen. xxxiv. 12.

A fear of battery, . . . though never so well grounded, is no duress.

Blackstone.

Nev"er*more` (?), adv. Never again; at no time hereafter. Testament of Love. Tyndale.

Where springtime of the Hesperides Begins, but endeth nevermore.

Longfellow.

Nev`er*the*lat"er (?), adv. or conj. Nevertheless. [Obs.]

Nev`er*the*less" (?), adv. or conj. [Never + the (see The by that) + less.] Not the less; notwithstanding; in spite of that; yet.

No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

Heb. xii. 11.

Syn. -- However; at least; yet; still. See However.

Nev"ew (?), n. Nephew. [Obs.] Chaucer.

New (?), a. [Compar. Newer (?); superl. Newest.] [OE. OE. newe, AS. niwe, neowe; akin to D. nieuw, OS. niwi, OHG. niuwi, G. neu, Icel. n&?;r, Dan. & Sw. ny, Goth. niujis, Lith. naujas, Russ. novuii, Ir. nua, nuadh, Gael. nuadh, W. newydd, Armor. nevez, L. novus, Gr. &?;, Skr. nava, and prob. to E. now. &radic;263. See Now, and cf. Announce, Innovate, Neophyte, Novel.] 1. Having existed, or having been made, but a short time; having originated or occured lately; having recently come into existence, or into one's possession; not early or long in being; of late origin; recent; fresh; modern; -- opposed to old, as, a new coat; a new house; a new book; a new fashion. "Your new wife." Chaucer.

2. Not before seen or known, although existing before; lately manifested; recently discovered; as, a new metal; a new planet; new scenes.

3. Newly beginning or recurring; starting anew; now commencing; different from has been; as, a new year; a new course or direction.

4. As if lately begun or made; having the state or quality of original freshness; also, changed for the better; renovated; unworn; untried; unspent; as, rest and travel made him a new man.

Steadfasty purposing to lead a new life.

Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Men after long emaciating diets, fat, and almost new.

Bacon.

5. Not of ancient extraction, or of a family of ancient descent; not previously known or famous. Addison.

6. Not habituated; not familiar; unaccustomed.

New to the plow, unpracticed in the trace.

Pope.

7. Fresh from anything; newly come.

New from her sickness to that northern air.

Dryden.

New birth. See under Birth. -- New Church, or New Jerusalem Church, the church holding the doctrines taught by Emanuel Swedenborg. See Swedenborgian. -- New heart (Theol.), a heart or character changed by the power of God, so as to be governed by new and holy motives. -- New land, land ckeared and cultivated for the first time. -- New light. (Zoöl.) See Crappie. -- New moon. (a) The moon in its first quarter, or when it first appears after being invisible. (b) The day when the new moon is first seen; the first day of the lunar month, which was a holy day among the Jews. 2 Kings iv. 23. -- New Red Sandstone (Geol.), an old name for the formation immediately above the coal measures or strata, now divided into the Permian and Trias. See Sandstone. -- New style. See Style. -- New testament. See under Testament. -- New world, the land of the Western Hemisphere; -- so called because not known to the inhabitants of the Eastern Hemisphere until recent times.

Syn. -- Novel; recent; fresh; modern. See Novel.

New (?), adv. Newly; recently. Chaucer.

New is much used in composition, adverbially, in the sense of newly, recently, to quality other words, as in new-born, new-formed, new-found, new- mown.

Of new, anew. [Obs.] Chaucer.

New, v. t. & i. To make new; to renew. [Obs.]

New"born` (?), a. Recently born. Shak.

New"come` (?), a. Recently come.

New"com`er (?), n. One who has lately come.

New"el (?), n. [From New. Cf. Novel.] A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.] Spenser.

New"el (?), n. [OF. nual, F. noyau sone, of fruit, noyau d'escaler newel, fr. L. nucalis like a nut, fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf Nowel the inner wall of a mold, Nucleus..] (Arch.) The upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights, the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones at the landings. See Hollow newel, under Hollow.

New"fan`gle (?), a. [New + fangle.] Eager for novelties; desirous of changing. [Obs.]

So newfangel be they of their meat.

Chaucer.

New"fan`gle, v. t. To change by introducing novelties. [Obs.]

New"fan`gled (?), a. 1. Newmade; formed with the affectation of novelty. "A newfangled nomenclature." Sir W. Hamilton.

2. Disposed to change; inclined to novelties; given to new theories or fashions. "Newfangled teachers." 1 Tim. vi. (heading). "Newfangled men." Latimer.

New"fan`gled*ness, n. Affectation of, or fondness for, novelty; vain or affected fashion or form.

New"fan`gle*ness (?), n. [OE. newefanglenes. See Fangle.] Newfangledness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Proud newfangleness in their apparel.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

New"fan`glist (?), n. One who is eager for novelties or desirous of change. [Obs.] Tooker.

New"fan`gly (?), adv. In a newfangled manner; with eagerness for novelty. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

New`fash"ioned (?), a. Made in a new form, or lately come into fashion.

New"found*land` (?, often &?;), n. 1. An island on the coast of British North America, famed for the fishing grounds in its vicinity.

2. A Newfoundland dog. Tennyson.

Newfoundland dog (Zoöl.), a breed of large dogs, with shaggy hair, which originated in Newfoundland, noted for intelligence, docility, and swimming powers.

New"ing (?), n. [From New, v. t.] Yeast; barm. [Prov. Eng.]

New"ish, a. Somewhat new; nearly new. Bacon.

New"ly, adv. 1. Lately; recently.

He rubbed it o'er with newly gathered mint.

Dryden.

2. Anew; afresh; freshly.

And the refined mind doth newly fashion Into a fairer form.

Spenser.

New"mar`ket (?), n. [From Newmarket, England.] A long, closely fitting cloak.

New`-mod"el (?), v. t. To remodel.

New"ness (?), n. The quality or state of being new; as, the newness of a system; the newness of a scene; newness of life.

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News (nz), n [From New; cf. F. nounelles. News is plural in form, but is commonly used with a singular verb.] 1. A report of recent occurrences; information of something that has lately taken place, or of something before unknown; fresh tidings; recent intelligence.

Evil news rides post, while good news baits.

Milton.

2. Something strange or newly happened.

It is no news for the weak and poor to be a prey to the strong and rich.

L'Estrange.

3. A bearer of news; a courier; a newspaper. [Obs.]

There cometh a news thither with his horse.

Pepys.

News"-book` (?), n. A newspaper. [Obs.]

News"boy` (?), n. A boy who distributes or sells newspapers.

News"-let`ter (?), n. A circular letter, written or printed for the purpose of disseminating news. This was the name given to the earliest English newspapers.

News"man (?), n.; pl. Newsmen (&?;). 1. One who brings news. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. A man who distributes or sells newspapers.

News"mon`ger (?), n. One who deals in news; one who is active in hearing and telling news.

News"pa`per (?), n. A sheet of paper printed and distributed, at stated intervals, for conveying intelligence of passing events, advocating opinions, etc.; a public print that circulates news, advertisements, proceedings of legislative bodies, public announcements, etc.

News"room` (?), n. A room where news is collected and disseminated, or periodicals sold; a reading room supplied with newspapers, magazines, etc.

News"-vnd`er (?), n. A seller of newspapers.

News"-writ`er (?), n. One who gathered news for, and wrote, news-letters. Macaulay.

News"y (?), a. Full of news; abounding in information as to current events. [Colloq.]

Newt (?), n. [OE. ewt, evete, AS. efete, with n prefixed, an ewt being understood as a newt. Cf. Eft.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of small aquatic salamanders. The common British species are the crested newt (Triton cristatus) and the smooth newt (Lophinus punctatus). In America, Diemictylus viridescens is one of the most abundant species.

New*to"ni*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, or his discoveries.

Newtonian philosophy, the philosophy of Sir Isaac Newton; -- applied to the doctrine of the universe as expounded in Newton's "Principia," to the modern or experimental philosophy (as opposed to the theories of Descartes and others), and, most frequently, to the mathematical theory of universal gravitation. -- Newtonian telescope (Astron.), a reflecting telescope, in which rays from the large speculum are received by a plane mirror placed diagonally in the axis, and near the open end of the tube, and thrown at right angles toward one side of the tube, where the image is formed and viewed through the eyeplace. -- Newtonian theory of light. See Note under Light.

New*to"ni*an, n. A follower of Newton.

New"-year` (?), a. Of or pertaining to, or suitable for, the commencement of the year; as, New-year gifts or odes.

New" Year's` Day" (?). the first day of a calendar year; the first day of January. Often colloquially abbreviated to New year's or new year.

New` Zea"land (?). A group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

New Zealand flax. (a) (Bot.) A tall, liliaceous herb (Phormium tenax), having very long, sword-shaped, distichous leaves which furnish a fine, strong fiber very valuable for cordage and the like. (b) The fiber itself. -- New Zealand tea (Bot.), a myrtaceous shrub (Leptospermum scoparium) of New Zealand and Australia, the leaves of which are used as a substitute for tea.

Nex"i*ble (?), a. [L. nexibilis, from nectere, nexum, to bind.] That may be knit together. [R.]

Next (nkst), a., superl. of Nigh. [AS. nhst, niéhst, nhst, superl. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.] 1. Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening. Chaucer.

Her princely guest Was next her side; in order sat the rest.

Dryden.

Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way.

Bunyan.

2. Nearest in time; as, the next day or hour.

3. Adjoining in a series; immediately preceding or following in order.

None could tell whose turn should be the next.

Gay.

4. Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right, or relation; as, the next heir was an infant.

The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Ruth ii. 20.

Next is usually followed by to before an object, but to is sometimes omitted. In such cases next in considered by many grammarians as a preposition.

Next friend (Law), one who represents an infant, a married woman, or any person who can not appear sui juris, in a suit at law.

Next, adv. In the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows next.

||Nex"us (?), n. [L.] Connection; tie.

Man is doubtless one by some subtile nexus . . . extending from the new-born infant to the superannuated dotard.

De Quincey.

||Nez" Per`cés" (?), pl.; sing. Nez PercÉ (&?;). [F., pierced noses.] ||(Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians, mostly inhabiting Idaho.

||Ngi"na (?), n. [Native name.] The gorilla.

Ni*ag"a*ra pe"ri*od (?). (Geol.) A subdivision or the American Upper Silurian system, embracing the Medina, Clinton, and Niagara epoch. The rocks of the Niagara epoch, mostly limestones, are extensively distributed, and at Niagara Falls consist of about eighty feet of shale supporting a greater thickness of limestone, which is gradually undermined by the removal of the shale. See Chart of Geology.

Ni"as (?), n. [F. niais. See Eyas.] A young hawk; an eyas; hence, an unsophisticated person. [Obs.]

Nib (nb), n. [A variabt of neb.] 1. A small and pointed thing or part; a point; a prong. "The little nib or fructifying principle." Sir T. Browne.

2. (Zoöl.) The bill or beak of a bird; the neb.

3. The points of a pen; also, the pointed part of a pen; a short pen adapted for insertion in a holder.

4. One of the handles which project from a scythe snath; also, [Prov. Eng.], the shaft of a wagon.

Nib, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nebbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nibbing.] To furnish with a nib; to point; to mend the point of; as, to nib a pen.

Nibbed (?), a. Having a nib or point.

Nib"ble (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nibbling (?).] [Cf. Nip.] To bite by little at a time; to seize gently with the mouth; to eat slowly or in small bits.

Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep.

Shak.

Nib"ble, v. t. To bite upon something gently or cautiously; to eat a little of a thing, as by taking small bits cautiously; as, fishes nibble at the bait.

Instead of returning a full answer to my book, he manifestly falls a-nibbling at one single passage.

Tillotson.

Nib"ble, n. A small or cautious bite.

Nib"bler (?), n. One who, or that which, nibbles.

Nib"bling*ly (?), adv. In a nibbling manner; cautiously.

Nib"lick (?), n. A kind of golf stick used to lift the ball out of holes, ruts, etc.

||Ni*ca"gua (?), n. (Zoöl.) The laughing falcon. See under laughing.

Nic`a*ra"gua wood` (?). Brazil wood.

Nic"co*lite (?), n. [from NL. niccolum nickel.] (Min.) A mineral of a copper-red color and metallic luster; an arsenide of nickel; -- called also coppernickel, kupfernickel.

Nice (?), a. [Compar. Nicer (?); superl. Nicest.] [OE., foolish, fr. OF. nice ignorant, fool, fr. L. nescius ignorant; ne not + scius knowing, scire to know. perhaps influenced by E. nesh delicate, soft. See No, and Science.] 1. Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate. [Obs.] Gower.

But say that we ben wise and nothing nice.

Chaucer.

2. Of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. [Obs.]

The letter was not nice, but full of charge Of dear import.

Shak.

3. Overscrupulous or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.

Curious not knowing, not exact but nice.

Pope.

And to taste Think not I shall be nice.

Milton.

4. Delicate; refined; dainty; pure.

Dear love, continue nice and chaste.

Donne.

A nice and subtile happiness.

Milton.

5. Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment. "Our author happy in a judge so nice." Pope. "Nice verbal criticism." Coleridge.

6. Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application; exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.

The difference is too nice Where ends the virtue, or begins the vice.

Pope.

7. Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice person; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc. [Loosely & Colloquially]

To make nice of, to be scrupulous about. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; accurate; exact; correct; precise; particular; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious; squeamish; finical; effeminate; silly.

Nice"ly adv. In a nice manner.

Ni"cene (?), a. [L. Nicaenus, fr. Nicaea Nice, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to Nice, a town of Asia Minor, or to the ecumenical council held there a. d. 325.

Nicene Creed (&?;), a summary of Christian faith, composed and adopted by the Council of Nice, against Arianism, a. d. 325, altered and confirmed by the Council of Constantinople, a. d. 381, and by subsequent councils.

Nice"ness (?), n. Quality or state of being nice.

Ni"cer*y (?), n. Nicety. [Colloq.] Chapman.

Ni"ce*ty (?), n.; pl. Niceties (#). [OE. niceté foolishness.] 1. The quality or state of being nice (in any of the senses of that word.).

The miller smiled of her nicety.

Chaucer.

2. Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.

3. A delicate expression, act, mode of treatment, distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.

The fineness and niceties of words.

Locke.

To a nicety, with great exactness or accuracy.

Niche (?), n. [F., fr. It. nicchia, prop., a shell-like recess in a wall, fr. nicchio a shellfish, mussel, fr. L. mytilus.] A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.

Images defended from the injuries of the weather by niches of stone wherein they are placed.

Evelun.

Niched. (&?;), a. Placed in a niche. "Those niched shapes of noble mold." Tennyson.

Nick (&?;), n. [AS. nicor a marine monster; akin to D. nikker a water spite, Icel. nykr, ONG. nihhus a crocodile, G. nix a water sprite; cf. Gr. &?; to wash, Skr. nij. Cf. Nix.] (Northern Myth.) An evil spirit of the waters.

Old Nick, the evil one; the devil. [Colloq.]

Nick, n. [Akin to Nock.] 1. A notch cut into something; as: (a) A score for keeping an account; a reckoning. [Obs.] (b) (Print.) A notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution. W. Savage.

(c) A broken or indented place in any edge or surface; nicks in china.

2. A particular point or place considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.

To cut it off in the very nick.

Howell.

This nick of time is the critical occasion for the gainger of a point.

L'Estrange.

Nick, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nicking.] 1. To make a nick or nicks in; to notch; to keep count of or upon by nicks; as, to nick a stick, tally, etc.

2. To mar; to deface; to make ragged, as by cutting nicks or notches in.

And thence proceed to nicking sashes.

Prior.

The itch of his affection should not then Have nicked his captainship.

Shak.

3. To suit or fit into, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.

Words nicking and resembling one another are applicable to different significations.

Camden.

4. To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch rightly; to strike at the precise point or time.

The just season of doing things must be nicked, and all accidents improved.

L'Estrange.

5. To make a cross cut or cuts on the under side of (the tail of a horse, in order to make him carry it higher).

Nick, v. t. To nickname; to style. [Obs.]

For Warbeck, as you nick him, came to me.

Ford.

{ Nick"ar nut` (?), Nick"ar tree` (?) }. (Bot.) Same as Nicker nut, Nicker tree.

Nick"el (?), n. [G., fr. Sw. nickel, abbrev. from Sw. kopparnickel copper-nickel, a name given in derision, as it was thought to be a base ore of copper. The origin of the second part of the word is uncertain. Cf. Kupfer-nickel, Copper-nickel.] 1. (Chem.) A bright silver-white metallic element. It is of the iron group, and is hard, malleable, and ductile. It occurs combined with sulphur in millerite, with arsenic in the mineral niccolite, and with arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni. Atomic weight 58.6.

On account of its permanence in air and inertness to oxidation, it is used in the smaller coins, for plating iron, brass, etc., for chemical apparatus, and in certain alloys, as german silver. It is magnetic, and is very frequently accompanied by cobalt, both being found in meteoric iron.

2. A small coin made of or containing nickel; esp., a five-cent piece. [Colloq. U.S.]

Nickel silver, an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc; -- usually called german silver; called also argentan.

Nick*el"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, nickel; specifically, designating compounds in which, as contrasted with the nickelous compounds, the metal has a higher valence; as nickelic oxide.

Nick`el*if"er*ous (?), a. [Nickel + -ferous.] Containing nickel; as, nickelferous iron.

Nick"el*ine (? or ?), n. 1. (Chem.) An alloy of nickel, a variety of German silver.

2. (Min.) Niccolite.

Nick"el*ous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, those compounds of nickel in which, as contrasted with the nickelic compounds, the metal has a lower valence; as, nickelous oxide. Frankland.

Nick"er (?), n. [From Nick, v. t.] 1. One of the night brawlers of London formerly noted for breaking windows with half- pence. [Cant] Arbuthnot.

2. The cutting lip which projects downward at the edge of a boring bit and cuts a circular groove in the wood to limit the size of the hole that is bored.

Nick"er nut` (?). A rounded seed, rather smaller than a nutmeg, having a hard smooth shell, and a yellowish or bluish color. The seeds grow in the prickly pods of tropical, woody climbers of the genus Cæsalpinia. C. Bonduc has yellowish seeds; C. Bonducella, bluish gray. [Spelt also neckar nut, nickar nut.]

Nick"er tree` (?). (Bot.) The plant producing nicker nuts. [Written also neckar tree and nickar tree.]

Nick"ing, n. [From Nick, v. t.] (Coal Mining) (a) The cutting made by the hewer at the side of the face. (b) pl. Small coal produced in making the nicking.

Nic"kle (?), n. (Zoöl.) The European woodpecker, or yaffle; -- called also nicker pecker.

Nick"nack` (?), n. See Knickknack.

Nick"nack`er*y (?), n. See Knickknackery.

Nick"name` (?), n. [OE. ekename surname, hence, a nickname, an ekename being understood as a nekename, influenced also by E. nick, v. See Eke, and Name.] A name given in contempt, derision, or sportive familiarity; a familiar or an opprobrious appellation.

Nick"name`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nicknamed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Nicknaming.] To give a nickname to; to call by a nickname.

You nickname virtue; vice you should have spoke.

Shak.

I altogether disclaim what has been nicknamed the doctrine of finality.

Macaulay.

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Ni`co*la"i*tan (?), n. [So called from Nicolas of Antioch, mentioned in Acts vi. 5.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at Ephesus, who are censured in rev. ii. 6, 15.

Ni*co"tian (?), n. [F. nicotiane; -- so called from Nicot, who introduced it into France, a. d. 1560.] Tobacco. [R.] B. Jonson.

Ni*co"tian, a. Pertaining to, or derived from, tobacco. [R.] Bp. Hall.

||Ni*co`ti*a"na (?), n. [NL. See Nicotian.] (Bot.) A genus of American ||and Asiatic solanaceous herbs, with viscid foliage and funnel-shaped ||blossoms. Several species yield tobacco. See Tobacco.

Ni*co"ti*a*nine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotianine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) A white waxy substance having a hot, bitter taste, extracted from tobacco leaves and called also tobacco camphor.

Ni*cot"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Nicotinic.

Ni*cot"i*dine (? or ?), n. [Nicotine + pyridine.] (Chem.) A complex, oily, nitrogenous base, isomeric with nicotine, and obtained by the reduction of certain derivatives of the pyridine group.

Nic"o*tine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) An alkaloid which is the active principle of tobacco. It is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid, having an acrid odor, and an acrid burning taste. It is intensely poisonous. Ure.

Nic`o*tin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, nicotine; nicotic; -- used specifically to designate an acid related to pyridine, obtained by the oxidation of nicotine, and called nicotinic acid.

Nic"tate (?), v. i. [L. nictare, nictatum, from nicere to beckon.] To wink; to nictitate.

Nic*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nictatio &?; cf. F. nictation.] the act of winking; nictitation.

Nic"ti*tate (?), v. i. [See Nictate.] To wink; to nictate.

Nictitating membrane (Anat.), a thin membrane, found in many animals at the inner angle, or beneath the lower lid, of the eye, and capable of being drawn across the eyeball; the third eyelid; the haw.

Nic`ti*ta"tion (?), n. The act of winking.

Nid`a*men"tal (?), a. [L. nidamentum materials for a nest, fr. nidus nest. See Nest.] (Zoöl.) Of, pertaining to, or baring, eggs or egg capsules; as, the nidament capsules of certain gastropods; nidamental glands. See Illust. of Dibranchiata.

Ni"da*ry (?), n. [L. nidus a nest.] A collection of nests. [R.] velyn.

Nide (?), n. [L. nidus a nest: cf. F. nid.] A nestful; a brood; as, a nide of pheasants. [Obs.]

Ni"der*ing (?), a. [See Niding.] Infamous; dastardly. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.

Nidg"er*y (?), n. [See Nidget.] A trifle; a piece of foolery. [Obs.] Skinner.

Nidg"et (?), n. [Written also nigget, nigeot.] [Cf. F. nigaud a booby, fool, OF. niger to play the fool.] A fool; an idiot, a coward. [Obs.] Camden.

Nid"i*fi*cate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidificated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidificating.] [L. nidificare, nidificatum; nidus nest + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy, and cf. nest.] To make a nest.

Where are the fishes which nidificated in trees?

Lowell.

Nid`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nidification.] The act or process of building a nest.

Ni"ding (n"dng), n. [Written also nithing.] [AS. nðing, fr. nð wickness, malice, hatred.] A coward; a dastard; -- a term of utmost opprobrium. [Obs.]

He is worthy to be called a niding.

Howell.

Ni"dor (?), n. [L.] Scent or savor of meat or food, cooked or cooking. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ni"dor*ose` (?), a. Nidorous. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Ni"dor*ous (?), a. [L. nidorosus steaming, reeking: cf. F. nidoreux. See Nidor.] Resembling the smell or taste of roast meat, or of corrupt animal matter. [R.]

Nid"u*lant (?), a. [L. nidulans, p. pr.: cf. F. Nidulant.] 1. Nestling, as a bird in its nest.

2. (Bot.) Lying loose in pulp or cotton within a berry or pericarp, as in a nest.

Nid"u*late (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidulating.] [L. nidulari, fr. nidulus, dim. of nidus a nest.] To make a nest, as a bird. [R.] Cockeram.

Nid`u*la"tion (?), n. The time of remaining in the nest. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Nid"u*lite (?), n. [L. nidulus a little nest.] (Paleon.) A Silurian fossil, formerly supposed to consist of eggs.

||Ni"dus (?), n.; pl. nidi (#). [L. See Nidi, Nest.] A nest: a ||repository for the eggs of birds, insects, etc.; a breeding place; ||esp., the place or substance where parasites or the germs of a ||disease effect lodgment or are developed.

Niece (?), n. [OE. nece, F. nièce, LL. neptia, for L. neptis a granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos. See Nephew.] 1. A relative, in general; especially, a descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a grandson. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Wyclif. Shak.

2. A daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law.

Nief (?), n. See Neif, the fist.

Ni*el"list (?), n. One who practices the style of ornamentation called niello.

Ni*el"lo (?), n. [It. niello, LL. nigellum a black of blackish enamel, fr. L. nigellus, dim. of niger black. See Negro, and cf. Anneal.] 1. A metallic alloy of a deep black color.

2. The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.

3. A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.

4. An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.

Ni"fle (nf"'l), n. [OF.] A trifle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nig"gard (?), n. [Icel. hnöggr niggardly, stingy + -ard; cf. Sw. njugg, AS. hneáw.] A person meanly close and covetous; one who spends grudgingly; a stingy, parsimonious fellow; a miser. Chaucer.

A penurious niggard of his wealth.

Milton.

Be niggards of advice on no pretense.

Pope.

Nig"gard, a. Like a niggard; meanly covetous or parsimonious; niggardly; miserly; stingy.

Nig"gard, v. t. & i. To act the niggard toward; to be niggardly. [R.] Shak.

Nig"gard*ise (?), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nig"gard*ish, a. Somewhat niggard.

Nig"gard*li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being niggard; meanness in giving or spending; parsimony; stinginess.

Niggardliness is not good husbandry.

Addison.

Nig"gard*ly, a. Meanly covetous or avaricious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.

Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is not for the steward to be niggardly.

Bp. Hall.

Syn. -- Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing; miserly; penurious; sordid; stingy. See Avaricious.

Nig"gard*ly, adv. In a niggard manner.

Nig"gard*ness, n. Niggardliness. Sir P. Sidney.

Nig"gard*ous (?), a. Niggardly. [Obs.]

Covetous gathering and niggardous keeping.

Sir T. More.

Nig"gard*ship, n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Nig"gard*y (?), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

nigged (?), n. [Prov. E. nig to clip money.] (Masonry) Hammer-dressed; -- said of building stone.

Nig"ger (?), n. A negro; -- in vulgar derision or depreciation.

Nig"gish (?), a. [See Niggard.] Niggardly. [Obs.]

Nig"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Niggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Niggling (?).] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf. also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Nig"gle, v. t. 1. To trifle or play.

Take heed, daughter, You niggle not with your conscience and religion.

Massinger.

2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.]

3. To fret and snarl about trifles. [Prov. Eng.]

Nig"gler (?), n. One who niggles.

Nigh (?), a. [Compar. Nigher (?); superl. Nighest, or Next (&?;).] [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS. neáh, n&?;h; akin to D. na, adv., OS. nh, a., OHG. nh, G. nah, a., nach to, after, Icel. n (in comp.) nigh, Goth. n&?;hw, n&?;hwa, adv., nigh. Cf. Near, Neighbor, Next.] 1. Not distant or remote in place or time; near.

The loud tumult shows the battle nigh.

Prior.

2. Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh kinsmen." Knolles.

Ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph. ii. 13.

Syn. -- Near; close; adjacent; contiguous; present; neighboring.

Nigh, adv. [AS. neáh, n&?;h. See Nigh, a.] 1. In a situation near in place or time, or in the course of events; near.

He was sick, nigh unto death.

Phil. ii. 27.

He drew not nigh unheard; the angel bright, Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned.

Milton.

2. Almost; nearly; as, he was nigh dead.

Nigh, v. t. & i. To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii. 2).

Nigh, prep. Near to; not remote or distant from. "was not this nigh shore?" Shak.

Nigh"ly, adv. In a near relation in place, time, degree, etc.; within a little; almost. [Obs.]

A cube and a sphere . . . nighly of the same bigness.

Locke.

Nigh"ness, n. The quality or state of being nigh. [R.] "Nighness of blood." Holished.

Night (?), n. [OE. night, niht, AS. neaht, niht; akin to D. nacht, OS. & OHG. naht, G. nacht, Icel. n&?;tt, Sw. natt, Dan. nat, Goth. nachts, Lith. naktis, Russ. noche, W. nos, Ir. nochd, L. nox, noctis, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nakta, nakti. &radic; 265. Cf. Equinox, Nocturnal.] 1. That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight, starlight, or artificial light.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.

Gen. i. 5.

2. Hence: (a) Darkness; obscurity; concealment.

Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night.

Pope.

(b) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. (c) A state of affliction; adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. (d) The period after the close of life; death.

She closed her eyes in everlasting night.

Dryden.

(e) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when nature seems to sleep. "Sad winter's night". Spenser.

Night is sometimes used, esp. with participles, in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, night- blooming, night-born, night-warbling, etc.

Night by night, Night after night, nightly; many nights.

So help me God, as I have watched the night, Ay, night by night, in studying good for England.

Shak.

-- Night bird. (Zoöl.) (a) The moor hen (Gallinula chloropus). (b) The Manx shearwater (Puffinus Anglorum). -- Night blindness. (Med.) See Hemeralopia. - - Night cart, a cart used to remove the contents of privies by night. -- Night churr, (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night crow, a bird that cries in the night. -- Night dog, a dog that hunts in the night, -- used by poachers. -- Night fire. (a) Fire burning in the night. (b) Ignis fatuus; Will-o'-the-wisp; Jask-with-a- lantern. -- Night flyer (Zoöl.), any creature that flies in the night, as some birds and insects. -- night glass, a spyglass constructed to concentrate a large amount of light, so as see objects distinctly at night. Totten. -- Night green, iodine green. -- Night hag, a witch supposed to wander in the night. -- Night hawk (Zoöl.), an American bird (Chordeiles Virginianus), allied to the goatsucker. It hunts the insects on which it feeds toward evening, on the wing, and often, diving down perpendicularly, produces a loud whirring sound, like that of a spinning wheel. Also sometimes applied to the European goatsuckers. It is called also bull bat. -- Night heron (Zoöl.), any one of several species of herons of the genus Nycticorax, found in various parts of the world. The best known species is Nycticorax griseus, or N. nycticorax, of Europe, and the American variety (var. nævius). The yellow-crowned night heron (Nycticorax violaceus) inhabits the Southern States. Called also qua-bird, and squawk. -- Night house, a public house, or inn, which is open at night. -- Night key, a key for unfastening a night latch. -- Night latch, a kind of latch for a door, which is operated from the outside by a key. - - Night monkey (Zoöl.), an owl monkey. -- night moth (Zoöl.), any one of the noctuids. -- Night parrot (Zoöl.), the kakapo. -- Night piece, a painting representing some night scene, as a moonlight effect, or the like. -- Night rail, a loose robe, or garment, worn either as a nightgown, or over the dress at night, or in sickness. [Obs.] -- Night raven (Zoöl.), a bird of ill omen that cries in the night; esp., the bittern. -- Night rule. (a) A tumult, or frolic, in the night; -- as if a corruption, of night revel. [Obs.] (b) Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails, at night.

What night rule now about this haunted grove?

Shak.

-- Night sight. (Med.) See Nyctolopia. -- Night snap, a night thief. [Cant] Beau. & Fl.

-- Night soil, human excrement; -- so called because in cities it is collected by night and carried away for manure. -- Night spell, a charm against accidents at night. -- Night swallow (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night walk, a walk in the evening or night. -- Night walker. (a) One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist; a noctambulist. (b) One who roves about in the night for evil purposes; specifically, a prostitute who walks the streets. -- Night walking. (a) Walking in one's sleep; somnambulism; noctambulism. (b) Walking the streets at night with evil designs. -- Night warbler (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis); -- called also night singer. [prov. Eng.] -- Night watch. (a) A period in the night, as distinguished by the change of watch. (b) A watch, or guard, to aford protection in the night. -- Night watcher, one who watches in the night; especially, one who watches with evil designs. -- Night witch. Same as Night hag, above.

Night"-bloom`ing (?), a. Blooming in the night.

Night-blooming cereus. (Bot.) See Note under Cereus.

Night"cap` (?), n. 1. A cap worn in bed to protect the head, or in undress.

2. A potion of spirit drank at bedtime. [Cant] Wright.

Night"dress` (?), n. A nightgown.

Night"ed, a. 1. Darkness; clouded. [R.] Shak.

2. Overtaken by night; belated. Beau. & Fl.

Night"er*tale (?), n. [Cf. Icel. nttarpel.] period of night; nighttime. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Night"-eyed` (?), a. Capable of seeing at night; sharp-eyed. "Your night-eyed Tiberius." B. Jonson.

Night"fall` (?), n. The close of the day. Swift.

Night"-far`ing (?), a. Going or traveling in the night. Gay.

Night"gown` (?), n. A loose gown used for undress; also, a gown used for a sleeping garment.

Night"in*gale (?), n. [OE. nihtegale,nightingale, AS. nihtegale; niht night + galan to sing, akin to E. yell; cf. D. nachtegaal, OS. nahtigala, OHG. nahtigala, G. nachtigall, Sw. näktergal, Dan. nattergal. See Night, and Yell.] 1. (Zoöl.) A small, plain, brown and gray European song bird (Luscinia luscinia). It sings at night, and is celebrated for the sweetness of its song.

2. (Zoöl.) A larger species (Lucinia philomela), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits; the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Mock nightingale. (Zoöl.) See Blackcap, n., 1 (a).

Night"ish, a. Of or pertaining to night.

Night"jar` (?), n. A goatsucker, esp. the European species. See Illust. of Goatsucker.

Night"less, a. Having no night.

Night"long` (?; 115), a. Lasting all night.

Night"ly, a. Of or pertaining to the night, or to every night; happening or done by night, or every night; as, nightly shades; he kept nightly vigils.

Night"ly, adv. At night; every night.

Night"man (?), n.; pl. Nightmen (&?;). One whose business is emptying privies by night.

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Night"mare` (?), n. [Night + mare incubus. See Mare incubus.] 1. A fiend or incubus formerly supposed to cause trouble in sleep.

2. A condition in sleep usually caused by improper eating or by digestive or nervous troubles, and characterized by a sense of extreme uneasiness or discomfort (as of weight on the chest or stomach, impossibility of motion or speech, etc.), or by frightful or oppressive dreams, from which one wakes after extreme anxiety, in a troubled state of mind; incubus. Dunglison.

3. Hence, any overwhelming, oppressive, or stupefying influence.

Night"shade` (?), n. [AS. nichtscadu.] (Bot.) A common name of many species of the genus Solanum, given esp. to the Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, a low, branching weed with small white flowers and black berries reputed to be poisonous.

Deadly nightshade. Same as Belladonna (a). -- Enchanter's nightshade. See under Enchanter. -- Stinking nightshade. See Henbane. - - Three-leaved nightshade. See Trillium.

Night"shirt` (?), n. A kind of nightgown for men.

Night"time` (?), n. The time from dusk to dawn; -- opposed to daytime.

Night"ward (?), a. Approaching toward night.

Ni*gran"i*line (? or ?), n. [L. niger black + E. aniline.] (Chem.) The complex, nitrogenous, organic base and dyestuff called also aniline black.

Ni*gres"cent (?), a. [L. nigrescens, p. pr. of nigrescere to grow black, fr. niger black. See Negro.] Growing black; changing to a black color; approaching to blackness. Johnson.

Nig`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nigrificare to blacken; niger black + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] The act or process of making black. [R.] Johnson.

Ni"grine (?), n. [L. niger black: cf. F. nigrine.] (Min.) A ferruginous variety of rutile.

Nig"ri*tude (?), n. [L. nigritudo, fr. niger black.] Blackness; the state of being black. Lamb.

Nig"ro*man`cie (?), n. Necromancy. [Obs.]

Nig"ro*man`cien (?), n. A necromancer. [Obs.]

These false enchanters or nigromanciens.

Chaucer.

Ni"gro*sine (? or ?), n. [From L. niger black.] (Chem.) A dark blue dyestuff, of the induline group; -- called also azodiphenyl blue.

||Ni"gua (?), n. [Sp.] (Zoöl.) The chigoe.

||Ni"hil (?), n. [L.] Nothing.

||Nihil album [L., white nothing] (Chem.), oxide of zinc. See under ||Zinc. -- ||Nihil debet [L., he owes nothing] (Law), the general issue ||in certain actions of debt. -- ||Nihil dicit [L., he says nothing] ||(Law), a declinature by the defendant to plead or answer. Tomlins.

Ni"hil*ism (?), n. [L. nihil nothing: cf. F. nihilisme. See Annihilate.] 1. Nothingness; nihility.

2. The doctrine that nothing can be known; scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality.

3. (Politics) The theories and practices of the Nihilists.

Ni"hil*ist, n. [Cf. F. nihiliste. See Nihilism.] 1. One who advocates the doctrine of nihilism; one who believes or teaches that nothing can be known, or asserted to exist.

2. (Politics) A member of a secret association (esp. in Russia), which is devoted to the destruction of the present political, religious, and social institutions.

Ni`hil*is"tic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, nihilism.

Ni*hil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. nihilité. See Nihilism.] Nothingness; a state of being nothing.

Nil (?). [See Nill, v. t.] Will not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nil, n. & a. [L., a contr. of nihil.] Nothing; of no account; worthless; -- a term often used for canceling, in accounts or bookkeeping. A. J. Ellis.

Nile (?), n. [L. Nilus, Gr. &?;.] The great river of Egypt.

Nile bird. (Zoöl.) (a) The wryneck. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The crocodile bird. -- Nile goose (Zoöl.), the Egyptian goose. See Note under Goose, 2.

Nil"gau (?), n. (Zoöl.) see Nylghau.

Nill (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nilling.] [AS. nilan, nyllan; ne not + willan to will. See No, and Will.] Not to will; to refuse; to reject. [Obs.]

Certes, said he, I nill thine offered grace.

Spenser.

Nill, v. i. To be unwilling; to refuse to act.

The actions of the will are "velle" and "nolle," to will and nill.

Burton.

Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not.

Nill, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. neul star, light. Cf. Nebula.] 1. Shining sparks thrown off from melted brass.

2. Scales of hot iron from the forge. Knight.

Ni*lom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the Nile + &?; measure: cf. F. nilomètre.] An instrument for measuring the rise of water in the Nile during its periodical flood.

Ni"lo*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the Nile + &?; to observe.] A Nilometer.

Ni*lot"ic (?), a. [L. Niloticus, fr. Nilus th Nile, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nilotique.] Of or pertaining to the river Nile; as, the Nilotic crocodile.

Nilt (?). [Contr. fr. ne wilt.] Wilt not. [Obs.]

Nim (?), v. t. [imp. Nam (?) or Nimmed (&?;); p. p. Nomen (?) or Nome (&?;).] [AS. niman. &radic; 7. Cf. Nimble.] To take; to steal; to filch. [Obs.]

This canon it in his hand nam.

Chaucer.

Nim*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nimbifer; nimbus a cloud + ferre to bear.] Serving to bring clouds or stormy weather.

Nim"ble (?), a. [Compar. Nimbler (?); superl. Nimblest (?).] [OE. nimel, prob. orig., quick at seizing, fr. nimen to take, AS. niman; akin to D. nemen, G. nehmen, OHG. neman, Icel. nema, Goth. nima, and prob. to Gr. &?; to distribute. &radic; 7. Cf. Nomand, Numb.] Light and quick in motion; moving with ease and celerity; lively; swift.

Through the mid seas the nimble pinnace sails.

Pope.

Nimble is sometimes used in the formation of self- explaining compounds; as, nimble-footed, nimble- pinioned, nimble-winged, etc.

Nimble Will (Bot.), a slender, branching, American grass (Muhlenbergia diffusa), of some repute for grazing purposes in the Mississippi valley.

Syn. -- Agile; quick; active; brisk; lively; prompt.

Nim"ble*ness, n. The quality of being nimble; lightness and quickness in motion; agility; swiftness.

Nim"bless (?), n. Nimbleness. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nim"bly, adv. In a nimble manner; with agility; with light, quick motion.

Nim*bose" (?), a. [L. nimbosus, fr. nimbus cloud.] Cloudy; stormy; tempestuous.

Nim"bus (?), n.; pl. L. Nimbi (#), E. Nimbuses (#). [L., a rain storm, a rain cloud, the cloudshaped which enveloped the gods when they appeared on earth.] 1. (Fine Arts) A circle, or disk, or any indication of radiant light around the heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures, etc.; a halo. See Aureola, and Glory, n., 5.

"The nimbus is of pagan origin." "As an atribute of power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads of evil spirits." Fairholl.

2. (Meteor.) A rain cloud; one of the four principal varieties of clouds. See Cloud.

Ni*mi"e*ty (?), n. [L. nimietas, fr. nimius, a., nimis, adv., too much.] State of being in excess. [R.]

There is a nimiety, a too-muchess, in all Germans.

Coleridge.

Nim"i*ous (?), a. [L. nimius.] Excessive; extravagant; inordinate. [Obs.]

Nim"mer (?), n. [From Nim.] A thief. [Obs.]

Nin (?). [Fr. ne in.] Not in. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nin"com*poop (?), n. [A corruption of non compos.] A fool; a silly or stupid person. [Law]

An old ninnyhammer, a dotard, a nincompoop, is the best language she can afford me.

Addison.

Nine (?), a. [OE. nine, nihen, AS. nigon, nigan; akin to D. & LG. negen, OS. & OFries. nigun, OHG. niun, G. neun, Icel. nu, sw. nio, Dan. ni, Goth. niun, Ir. & Gael. naoi, W. naw, L. novem, Gr. &?;, Skr. navan; of unknown origin. &radic;307. Cf. Novembeer.] Eight and one more; one less than ten; as, nine miles.

Nine men's morris. See Morris. - - Nine points circle (Geom.), a circle so related to any given triangle as to pass through the three points in which the perpendiculars from the angles of the triangle upon the opposite sides (or the sides produced) meet the sides. It also passes through the three middle points of the sides of the triangle and through the three middle points of those parts of the perpendiculars that are between their common point of meeting and the angles of the triangle. The circle is hence called the nine points or six points circle.

Nine, n. 1. The number greater than eight by a unit; nine units or objects.

2. A symbol representing nine units, as 9 or ix.

The Nine, the nine Muses.

Nine"-bark` (?), n. (Bot.) A white-flowered rosaceous shrub (Neillia, or Spiræa, opulifolia), common in the Northern United States. The bark separates into many thin layers, whence the name.

Nine"-eyes` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The lamprey.

Nine"fold` (?), a. Nine times repeated.

Nine"holes` (?), n. pl. A game in which nine holes are made in the ground, into which a ball is bowled.

Nine"-kill`er (?), n. [So called because it is believed to kill and impale on thorns nine birds, etc., in succession.] (Zoöl.) The northern butcher bird.

Nine"pence (?), n.; pl. Ninepences (&?;). 1. An old English silver coin, worth nine pence.

2. A New England name for the Spanish real, a coin formerly current in the United States, as valued at twelve and a half cents.

Nine"pins (?), n. pl. A game played with nine pins, or pieces of wood, set on end, at which a wooden ball is bowled to knock them down; bowling.

In the United States, ten pins are used for this game, which is therefore often called tenpins.

Nine"score` (?), a. Nine times twenty, or one hundred and eighty. -- n. The product of nine times twenty; ninescore units or objects.

Nine"teen` (?), a. [AS. nigont&?;ne, nigont&?;ne. See Nine, and Ten.] Nine and ten; eighteen and one more; one less than twenty; as, nineteen months.

Nine"teen`, n. 1. The number greater than eighteen by a unit; the sum of ten and nine; nineteen units or objects.

2. A symbol for nineteen units, as 19 or xix.

Nine"teenth` (?), a. [Cf. AS. nigonteó&?;a.] 1. Following the eighteenth and preceding the twentieth; coming after eighteen others.

2. Constituting or being one of nineteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

Nine"teenth`, n. 1. The quotient of a unit divided by nineteen; one of nineteen equal parts of anything.

2. The next in order after the eighteenth.

3. (Mus.) An interval of two octaves and a fifth.

Nine"ti*eth (?), a. 1. Next in order after the eighty-ninth.

2. Constituting or being one of ninety equal parts.

Nine"ti*eth, n. 1. The quotient of a unit divided by ninety; one of ninety equal parts of anything.

2. The next in order after the eighty- ninth.

Nine"ty (?), a. [See Nine, and cf. Forty.] Nine times ten; eighty-nine and one more; as, ninety men.

Nine"ty, n.; pl. Nineties (&?;). 1. The sum of nine times ten; the number greater by a unit than eighty-nine; ninety units or objects.

2. A symbol representing ninety units, as 90 or xc.

Nin"ny (?), n.; pl. Ninnies (#). [Cf. It. ninno, ninna, a baby, Sp. niño, niña, child, infant, It. ninna, ninna nanna, lullably, prob. fr. ni, na, as used in singing a child to sleep.] A fool; a simpleton. Shak.

Nin"ny*ham`mer (?), n. A simpleton; a silly person. [Colloq.] Addison.

Ninth (?), a. [From Nine; cf. AS. nigoða.] 1. Following the eight and preceding the tenth; coming after eight others.

2. Constituting or being one of nine equal parts into which anything is divided.

Ninth, n. 1. The quotient of one divided by nine; one of nine equal parts of a thing; the next after the eighth.

2. (Mus.) (a) An interval containing an octave and a second. (b) A chord of the dominant seventh with the ninth added.

Ninth"ly, adv. In the ninth place.

Nin"ut (?), n. (Zoöl.) The magpie. [Prov. Eng.]

Ni"o*bate (?), n. [See Niobium.] (Chem.) Same as Columbate.

Ni"o*be (?), n. [L. Nioba, Niobe, Gr. &?;.] (Class, Myth.) The daughter of Tantalus, and wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her pride in her children provoked Apollo and Diana, who slew them all. Niobe herself was changed by the gods into stone.

Ni*ob"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Same as Columbic.

Ni"o*bite (?), n. (Min.) Same as Columbite.

Ni*o"bi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. & E. Niobe.] (Chem.) A later name of columbium. See Columbium.

Ni*o"po (?), n. A kind of snuff prepared by the natives of Venezuela from the roasted seeds of a leguminous tree (Piptadenia peregrina), thence called niopo tree.

Nip (?), n. [LG. & D. nippen to sip; akin to Dan. nippe, G. nippen.] A sip or small draught; esp., a draught of intoxicating liquor; a dram.

Nip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nipped (?), less properly Nipt; p. pr. & vb. n. Nipping (?).] [OE. nipen; cf. D. niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch, snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen, kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith. knebti.] 1. To catch and inclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon.

May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell, Down, down, and close again, and nip me flat, If I be such a traitress.

Tennyson.

2. To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting with two meeting edges of anything; to clip.

The small shoots . . . must be nipped off.

Mortimer.

3. Hence: To blast, as by frost; to check the growth or vigor of; to destroy.

4. To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to taunt.

And sharp remorse his heart did prick and nip.

Spenser.

To nip in the bud, to cut off at the verycommencement of growth; to kill in the incipient stage.

Nip, n. 1. A seizing or closing in upon; a pinching; as, in the northern seas, the nip of masses of ice.

2. A pinch with the nails or teeth.

3. A small cut, or a cutting off the end.

4. A blast; a killing of the ends of plants by frost.

5. A biting sarcasm; a taunt. Latimer.

6. (Naut.) A short turn in a rope.

Nip and tuck, a phrase signifying equality in a contest. [Low, U.S.]

Nip"per (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, nips.

2. A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are four in number.

3. A satirist. [Obs.] Ascham.

4. A pickpocket; a young or petty thief. [Old Cant]

5. (Zoöl.) (a) The cunner. (b) A European crab (Polybius Henslowii).

Nip"per*kin, n. [See 1st Nip.] A small cup. [Obs.]

Nip"pers (?), n. pl. [From 2d Nip.] 1. Small pinchers for holding, breaking, or cutting.

2. (Mach.) A device with fingers or jaws for seizing an object and holding or conveying it; as, in a printing press, a clasp for catching a sheet and conveying it to the form.

3. (Naut.) A number of rope-yarns wound together, used to secure a cable to the messenger.

Nip"ping (?), a. Biting; pinching; painful; destructive; as, a nipping frost; a nipping wind.

Nip"ping*ly, adv. In a nipping manner.

Nip"pi*tate (?), a. [Cf. 1st Nip.] Peculiary strong and good; -- said of ale or liquor. [Old Cant]

'T will make a cup of wine taste nippitate.

Chapman.

Nip`pi*ta"to (?), n. Strong liquor. [Old Cant] Beau. & Fl.

Nip"ple (?), n. [Formerly neble, a dim. of neb. See Neb, Nib.] 1. (Anat.) The protuberance through which milk is drawn from the breast or mamma; the mammilla; a teat; a pap.

2. The orifice at which any animal liquid, as the oil from an oil bag, is discharged. [R.] Derham.

3. Any small projection or article in which there is an orifice for discharging a fluid, or for other purposes; as, the nipple of a nursing bottle; the nipple of a percussion lock, or that part on which the cap is put and through which the fire passes to the charge.

4. (Mech.) A pipe fitting, consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings.

Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the end of a lead pipe by soldering.

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Nip"ple*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A yellow-flowered composite herb (Lampsana communis), formerly used as an external application to the nipples of women; -- called also dock-cress.

||Nir*va"na (?), n. [Skr. nirva.] In the Buddhist system of religion, ||the final emancipation of the soul from transmigration, and ||consequently a beatific enfrachisement from the evils of worldly ||existence, as by annihilation or absorption into the divine. See ||Buddhism.

Nis (?). [From ne is.] Is not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Ni"san (?), n. [Heb. nsn.] The first month of the Jewish ||ecclesiastical year, formerly answering nearly to the month of April, ||now to March, of the Christian calendar. See Abib.

Ni"sey (?), n.; pl. Nyseys. A simpleton. [Obs.]

||Ni"si (?), conj. [L.] Unless; if not.

In legal proceedings, this word is used to indicate that any order, etc., shall take effect at a given time, unless before that time the order, etc., in modified, or something else is done to prevent its taking effect. Continuance nisi is a conditional continuance of the case till the next term of the court, unless otherwise disposed of in the mean time.

Nisi prius (Law), unless before; -- a phrase applied to terms of court, held generally by a single judge, with a jury, for the trial of civil causes. The term originated in a legal fiction. An issue of fact being made up, it is, according to the English practice, appointed by the entry on the record, or written proceedings, to be tried by a jury from the county of which the proceedings are dated, at Westminster, unless before the day appointed (nisi prius) the judges shall have come to the county in question (which they always do) and there try the cause. See In banc, under Banc.

Nis"te (?). [Contr. from ne wiste.] Wist not; knew not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Ni"sus (?), n. [L., fr. niti, p. p. nisus, to strive.] A striving; an ||effort; a conatus.

A nisus or energizing towards a presented object.

Hickok.

Nit (?), n. [AS. hnitu; akin to D. neet, G. niss, OHG. niz; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, Icel. gnit, Sw. gnet, Dan. gnid, Russ. & Pol. gnida, Bohem. hnida, W. nedd.] (Zoöl.) The egg of a louse or other small insect.

Nit grass (Bot.), a pretty annual European grass (Gastridium lendigerum), with small spikelets somewhat resembling a nit. It is also found in California and Chili.

Ni"ten*cy (?), n. [L. nitens, p. pr. of nitere to shine.] Brightness; luster. [R.]

Ni"ten*cy, n. [From L. nitens, p. pr. of niti to strive.] Endeavor; effort; tendency. [R.] Boyle.

{ Ni"ter, Ni"tre } (?), n. [F. nitre, L. nitrum native soda, natron, Gr. &?;; cf. Ar. nitn, natrn natron. Cf. Natron.] 1. (Chem.) A white crystalline semitransparent salt; potassium nitrate; saltpeter. See Saltpeter.

2. (Chem.) Native sodium carbonate; natron. [Obs.]

For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me.

Jer. ii. 22.

Cubic niter, a deliquescent salt, sodium nitrate, found as a native incrustation, like niter, in Peru and Chili, whence it is known also as Chili saltpeter. -- Niter bush (Bot.), a genus (Nitraria) of thorny shrubs bearing edible berries, and growing in the saline plains of Asia and Northern Africa.

Nith"ing (?), n. [Obs.] See Niding.

Nit"id (?), a. [L. nitidus, fr. nitere. See 3d Neat.] 1. Bright; lustrous; shining. [R.] Boyle.

2. Gay; spruce; fine; -- said of persons. [R.] T. Reeve.

Ni`tra*nil"ic (?), a. [Nitro- + chloranil + -ic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex organic acid produced as a white crystalline substance by the action of nitrous acid on hydroquinone.

Ni*tran"i*line (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + aniline.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of aniline. In general they are yellow crystalline substances.

Ni"trate (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrate.] (Chem.) A salt of nitric acid.

Nitrate of silver, a white crystalline salt (AgNO3), used in photography and as a cauterizing agent; - - called also lunar caustic.

Ni"tra*ted (?), a. 1. (Chem.) Combined, or impregnated, with nitric acid, or some of its compounds.

2. (Photog.) Prepared with nitrate of silver.

Ni"tra*tine (?), n. (Min.) A mineral occurring in transparent crystals, usually of a white, sometimes of a reddish gray, or lemon-yellow, color; native sodium nitrate. It is used in making nitric acid and for manure. Called also soda niter.

Ni"tre (?), n. (Chem.) See Niter.

Ni"tri*a*ry (?), n. [See Niter.] An artificial bed of animal matter for the manufacture of niter by nitrification. See Nitrification, 2.

Ni"tric (?), a. [Cf. F. nitrique. See Niter.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrogen; specifically, designating any one of those compounds in which, as contrasted with nitrous compounds, the element has a higher valence; as, nitric oxide; nitric acid.

Nitric acid, a colorless or yellowish liquid obtained by distilling a nitrate with sulphuric acid. It is powerfully corrosive, being a strong acid, and in decomposition a strong oxidizer. -- Nitric anhydride, a white crystalline oxide of nitrogen (N2O5), called nitric pentoxide, and regarded as the anhydride of nitric acid. -- Nitric oxide, a colorless poisous gas (NO) obtained by treating nitric acid with copper. On contact with the air or with oxygen, it becomes reddish brown from the formation of nitric dioxide or peroxide.

Ni"tride (? or ?), n. [fromNitrogen.] (Chem.) A binary compound of nitrogen with a more metallic element or radical; as, boric nitride.

Ni*trif"er*ous (?), a. [Niter + -ferous.] Bearing niter; yielding, or containing, niter.

Ni`tri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrification. see Nitrify.] 1. (Chem.) (a) The act, process, or result of combining with nitrogen or some of its compounds. (b) The act or process of oxidizing nitrogen or its compounds so as to form nitrous or nitric acid.

2. A process of oxidation, in which nitrogenous vegetable and animal matter in the presence of air, moisture, and some basic substances, as lime or alkali carbonate, is converted into nitrates.

The process is going on at all times in porous soils and in water contaminated with nitrogenous matter, and is supposed to be due to the presence of an organized ferment or ferments, called nitrification ferments. In former times the process was extensively made use of in the production of saltpeter.

Ni"tri*fi`er (?), n. (Chem.) An agent employed in nitrification.

Ni"tri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrifying (?).] [Niter + -fy: cf. F. nitrifer. See Niter.] (Chem.) To combine or impregnate with nitrogen; to convert, by oxidation, into nitrous or nitric acid; to subject to, or produce by, nitrification.

Ni"trile (? or ?), n. [See Nitro- .] (Chem.) Any one of a series of cyanogen compounds; particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.

The nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic nitrile, and methyl cyanide is acetic nitrile.

Ni"trite (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrite. See Niter.] (Chem.) A salt of nitrous acid.

Amyl nitrite, a yellow oily volatile liquid, used in medicine as a depressant and a vaso-dilator. Its inhalation produces an instantaneous flushing of the face.

Ni"tro- (&?;). 1. A combining form or an adjective denoting the presence of niter.

2. (Chem.) A combining form (used also adjectively) designating certain compounds of nitrogen or of its acids, as nitrohydrochloric, nitrocalcite; also, designating the group or radical NO2, or its compounds, as nitrobenzene.

Nitro group, the radical NO2; -- called also nitroxyl.

Ni`tro*ben"zene (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + benzene.] (Chem.) A yellow aromatic liquid (C6H5.NO2), produced by the action of nitric acid on benzene, and called from its odor imitation oil of bitter almonds, or essence of mirbane. It is used in perfumery, and is manufactured in large quantities in the preparation of aniline. Fornerly called also nitrobenzol.

{ Ni`tro*ben"zol, Ni`tro*ben"zole, (&?; or &?;) }, n. See Nitrobenzene.

Ni`tro*cal"cite (?), n. [Nitro- + calcite.] (Min.) Nitrate of calcium, a substance having a grayish white color, occuring in efflorescences on old walls, and in limestone caves, especially where there exists decaying animal matter.

Ni`tro*car"bol (?), n. [Nitro- + carbon + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) See Nitromethane.

Ni`tro*cel"lu*lose` (?), n. [Nitro- + cellulose.] (Chem.) See Gun cotton, under Gun.

Ni`tro-chlo"ro*form (?), n. [Nitro- + chloroform.] (Chem.) Same as Chlorpicrin.

Ni"tro*form (?), n. [Nitro- + formyl.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane, analogous to chloroform, obtained as a colorless oily or crystalline substance, CH.(NO2)3, quite explosive, and having well-defined acid properties.

Ni`tro*gel"a*tin (?), n. [Nitro- + gelatin.] An explosive consisting of gun cotton and camphor dissolved in nitroglycerin. [Written also nitrogelatine.]

Ni`tro*gen (?), n. [L. nitrum natron + -gen: cf. F. nitrogène. See Niter.] (Chem.) A colorless nonmetallic element, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume. It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all organized living tissues, animal or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic weight 14. It was formerly regarded as a permanent noncondensible gas, but was liquefied in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of Geneva.

Ni"tro*gen*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrogenized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrogenizing.] (Chem.) To combine, or impregnate, with nitrogen or its compounds.

Ni*trog"e*nous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, nitrogen; as, a nitrogenous principle; nitrogenous compounds.

Nitrogenous foods. See 2d Note under Food, n., 1.

Ni`tro*glyc"er*in (?), n. [Nitro- + glycerinn.] (Chem.) A liquid appearing like a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish, and consisting of a mixture of several glycerin salts of nitric acid, and hence more properly called glycerin nitrate. It is made by the action of nitric acid on glycerin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in medicine as a neurotic under the name of glonion. [Written also nitroglycerine.]

A great number of explosive compounds have been produced by mixing nitroglycerin with different substances; as, dynamite, or giant powder, nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth; lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with sawdust and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia powder, gunpowder with nitroglycerin; dualin, nitroglycerin with sawdust, or with sawdust and nitrate of potassium and some other substances; lignose, wood fiber and nitroglycerin.

Ni`tro*hy`dro*chlo"ric (?), a. [Nitro- + hydrochloric.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitric and hydrochloric acids.

Nitrohydrochloric acid, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, usually in the proportion of one part of the former to three of the latter, and remarkable for its solvent action on gold and platinum; -- called also nitromuriatic acid, and aqua regia.

Ni"trol (?), n. (Chem.) Any one of a series of hydrocarbons containing the nitro and the nitroso or isonitroso group united to the same carbon atom.

Ni*tro"le*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. nitrum natron + oleum oil.] (Chem.) Nitroglycerin.

Ni*trol"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, derived from, or designating, a nitrol; as, a nitrolic acid.

Ni`tro*mag"ne*site (?), n. [Nitro- + magnesite.] (Chem.) Nitrate of magnesium, a saline efflorescence closely resembling nitrate of calcium.

Ni*trom"e*ter (?), n. [Nitro- + -meter: cf. F. nitromètre.] (Chem.) An apparatus for determining the amount of nitrogen or some of its compounds in any substance subjected to analysis; an azotometer.

Ni`tro*meth"ane (?), n. [Nitro- + methane.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane obtained as a mobile liquid; -- called also nitrocarbol.

Ni`tro*mu`ri*at"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. nitromuriatique. See Nitro-, and Muriatic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or composed of, nitric acid and muriatic acid; nitrohydrochloric. See Nitrohydrochloric.

Ni`tro*ph"nol (?), n. [Nitro- + phenol.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of phenol. They are yellow oily or crystalline substances and have well-defined acid properties, as picric acid.

Ni`tro*prus"sic (? or &?;), a. [Nitro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a complex acid called nitroprussic acid, obtained indirectly by the action of nitric acid on potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate), as a red crystalline unstable substance. It forms salts called nitroprussides, which give a rich purple color with alkaline sulphides.

Ni`tro*prus"side (?), n. See Nitroprussic.

Ni`tro*qui"nol (?), n. [Nitro- + quine + -ol.] (Chem.) A hypothetical nitro derivative of quinol or hydroquinone, not known in the free state, but forming a well defined series of derivatives.

Ni`tro*sac"cha*rin (?), n. [Nitro- + saccharin.] (Chem.) An explosive nitro derivative of certain sugars, analogous to nitroglycerin, gun cotton, etc.

Ni`tro*sal`i*cyl"ic (?), a. [Nitro- + salicylic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a nitro derivative of salicylic acid, called also anilic acid.

Ni*trose" (?), a. (Chem.) See Nitrous.

Ni*tro"so- (&?; or &?;). (Chem.) A prefix (also used adjectively) designating the group or radical NO, called the nitroso group, or its compounds.

Ni*tro"syl (?), n. [Nitroso- + -yl.] (Chem.) the radical NO, called also the nitroso group. The term is sometimes loosely used to designate certain nitro compounds; as, nitrosyl sulphuric acid. Used also adjectively.

Ni`tro*syl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrosyl; as, nitrosylic acid.

Ni"trous (?), a. [L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.

2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.

Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites. -- Nitrous oxide. See Laughing gas.

Ni*trox"yl (?), n. [Nitro- + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The group NO2, usually called the nitro group.

||Ni"trum (?), n. [L., natron. See Niter.] (Old Chem.) Niter.

||Nitrum flammans [L., flaming niter] (Old Chem.), ammonium nitrate; -- ||probably so called because it deflagerates when suddenly heated.

Ni"try (?), a. (Chem.) Nitrous. [Obs.]

Ni"tryl (?), n. [Nitro- + - yl.] (Chem.) A name sometimes given to the nitro group or radical.

Nit"ter (?), n. [From Nit.] (Zoöl.) The horse louse; an insect that deposits nits on horses.

Nit"ti*ly (?), adv. Lousily. [Obs.] Hayward.

Nit"tings (?), n. pl. [Prob. from Nit.] (Mining) The refuse of good ore. Raymond.

Nit"ty (?), a. Full of nits. B. Jonson.

Nit"ty, a. [L. nitidus. See Nitid.] Shining; elegant; spruce. [Obs.] "O sweet, nitty youth." Marston.

Ni"val (?), a. [L. nivalis, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Abounding with snow; snowy. [Obs.] Johnson.

Niv"e*ous (?), a. [L. niveus, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Snowy; resembling snow; partaking of the qualities of snow. Sir T. Browne.

||Ni`vose" (?), n. [F., fr. L. nix. nivis, snow.] The fourth month of ||the French republican calendar [1792-1806]. It commenced December 21, ||and ended January 19. See VendÉmiaire.

Nix (?), n.; fem. Nixe (&?;). [G. Cf. 1st Nick.] (Teut. Myth.) One of a class of water spirits, commonly described as of a mischievous disposition.

The treacherous nixes who entice men to a watery death.

Tylor.

Nix"ie (?), n. See Nix.

||Ni*zam" (?), n. [Hind. & Ar. nizm order, a ruler, fr. Ar. nazama ||arrange, govern.] The title of the native sovereigns of Hyderabad, in ||India, since 1719.

No (?), a. [OE. no, non, the same word as E. none; cf. E. a, an. See None.] Not any; not one; none.

Let there be no strife . . . between me and thee.

Gen. xiii. 8.

That goodness is no name, and happiness no dream.

Byron.

In Old England before a vowel the form non or noon was used. "No man." "Noon apothercary." Chaucer.

<! p. 978 !>

No, adv. [OE. no, na, AS. n; ne not + ever. AS. ne is akin to OHG. ni, Goth. ni, Russ. ne, Ir., Gael. & W. ni, L. ne, Gr. nh (in comp.), Skr. na, and also to E. prefix un-. &radic; 193. See Aye, and cf. Nay, Not, Nice, Nefarious.] Nay; not; not at all; not in any respect or degree; -- a word expressing negation, denial, or refusal. Before or after another negative, no is emphatic.

We do no otherwise than we are willed.

Shak.

I am perplx'd and doubtful whether or no I dare accept this your congratulation.

Coleridge.

There is none righteous, no, not one.

Rom. iii. 10.

No! Nay, Heaven forbid.

Coleridge.

No (?), n.; pl. Noes (&?;). 1. A refusal by use of the wordd no; a denial.

2. A negative vote; one who votes in the negative; as, to call for the ayes and noes; the noes have it.

No*a"chi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to the patriarch Noah, or to his time.

No"ah (?), n. [Heb. Nakh rest.] A patriarch of Biblical history, in the time of the Deluge.

Noah's ark. (a) (Zoöl.) A marine bivalve shell (Arca Noæ), which somewhat resembles an ark, or ship, in form. (b) A child's toy, consisting of an ark-shaped box containing many different wooden animals.

Nob (?), n. [Cf. Knob.] The head. [Low]

Nob, n. [Abbrev. fr. noble.] A person in a superior position in life; a nobleman. [Slang]

Nob"bi*ly (?), adv. In a nobby manner. [Slang]

Nob"bler (?), n. A dram of spirits. [Australia]

Nob"by (?), a. [From 2d Nob.] Stylish; modish; elegant; showy; aristocratic; fashionable. [Slang]

No*bil"ia*ry (?), a. [F. nobiliare. See Noble.] Of or pertaining to the nobility. Fitzed. Hall.

No*bil"ia*ry, n. A history of noble families.

No*bil"i*fy (?), v. t. [L. nobilis noble + -fy.] To make noble; to nobiliate. [Obs.]

No*bil"i*tate (?), v. t. [L. nobilitatus, p. p. of nobilitare.] To make noble; to ennoble; to exalt. [Obs.]

No*bil`i*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. OF. nobilitation.] The act of making noble. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

No*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. nobilitas: cf. OF. nobilité. See Noble.] 1. The quality or state of being noble; superiority of mind or of character; commanding excellence; eminence.

Though she hated Amphialus, yet the nobility of her courage prevailed over it.

Sir P. Sidney.

They thought it great their sovereign to control, And named their pride nobility of soul.

Dryden.

2. The state of being of high rank or noble birth; patrician dignity; antiquity of family; distinction by rank, station, or title, whether inherited or conferred.

I fell on the same argument of preferring virtue to nobility of blood and titles, in the story of Sigismunda.

Dryden.

3. Those who are noble; the collective body of nobles or titled persons in a state; the aristocratic and patrician class; the peerage; as, the English nobility.

No"ble (?), a. [Compar. Nobler (?); superl. Noblest (?).] [F. noble, fr. L. nobilis that can be or is known, well known, famous, highborn, noble, fr. noscere to know. See know.] 1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble heart.

Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong To nobler poets for a nobler song.

Dryden.

2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble edifice.

3. Of exalted rank; of or pertaining to the nobility; distinguished from the masses by birth, station, or title; highborn; as, noble blood; a noble personage.

Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble- minded.

Noble metals (Chem.), silver, gold, and platinum; -- so called from their freedom from oxidation and permanence in air. Copper, mercury, aluminium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium are sometimes included.

Syn. -- Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted; superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal; free.

No"ble, n. 1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer.

2. An English money of account, and, formerly, a gold coin, of the value of 6 s. 8 d. sterling, or about $1.61.

3. (Zoöl.) A European fish; the lyrie.

No"ble, v. t. To make noble; to ennoble. [Obs.]

Thou nobledest so far forth our nature.

Chaucer.

No"ble*man (?), n.; pl. Noblemen (&?;). One of the nobility; a noble; a peer; one who enjoys rank above a commoner, either by virtue of birth, by office, or by patent.

No"ble-mind`ed (?), a. Having a noble mind; honorable; magnanimous. -- No"ble- mind`ed*ness, n.

No"ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being noble; greatness; dignity; magnanimity; elevation of mind, character, or station; nobility; grandeur; stateliness.

His purposes are full honesty, nobleness, and integrity.

Jer. Taylor.

{ No*bless", No*blesse" } (?; 277), n. [F. noblesse. See Noble.] 1. Dignity; greatness; noble birth or condition. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser. B. Jonson.

2. The nobility; persons of noble rank collectively, including males and females. Dryden.

No"ble*wom`an (?), n.; pl. Noblewomen (&?;). A female of noble rank; a peeress.

No"bley (?), n. [OF. nobleie.] 1. The body of nobles; the nobility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Noble birth; nobility; dignity. [Obs.] Chaucer.

No"bly (?), adv. 1. Of noble extraction; as, nobly born or descended.

2. In a noble manner; with greatness of soul; heroically; with magnanimity; as, a deed nobly done.

3. Splendidly; magnificently.

Syn. -- Illustriously; honorably; magnanimously; heroically; worthly; eminently; grandly.

No"bod*y (?), n.; pl. Nobodies (#). [No, a. + body.] 1. No person; no one; not anybody.

2. Hence: A person of no influence or importance; an insignificant or contemptible person. [Colloq.]

No"cake (?), n. [Corrupted fr. Indian nookhik meal. Palfrey.] Indian corn parched, and beaten to powder, -- used for food by the Northern American Indians.

No"cent (?), a. [L. nocens, p. pr. of nocere to hurt. See Nuisance, Noxious.] 1. Doing hurt, or having a tendency to hurt; hurtful; mischievous; noxious; as, nocent qualities. I. Watts.

2. Guilty; -- the opposite of innocent. [Obs.] Foxe.

No"cent, n. A criminal. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

No"cent*ly, adv. Hurtfully; injuriously. [R.]

No"cive (?), a. [L. nocivus, fr. nocere to hurt.] Hurtful; injurious. [R.] Hooker.

Nock (?), n. [See Notch.] 1. A notch.

He took his arrow by the nock.

Chapman.

2. (Naut.) The upper fore corner of a boom sail or of a trysail.

Nock, v. t. To notch; to fit to the string, as an arrow; to string, as a bow. Chapman.

Noc*tam`bu*la"tion (?), n. [L. nox, noctis, night + ambulare to walk: cf. F. noctambulation.] Somnambulism; walking in sleep. Quain.

Noc*tam"bu*lism (?), n. Somnambulism.

Noc*tam"bu*list (?), n. A somnambulist.

Noc*tam"bu*lo (?), n. A noctambulist. [Obs.]

Noc*tid"i*al (?), a. [L. nox, noctos, night + dies day.] Comprising a night and a day; a noctidial day. [R.] Holder.

Noc*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L. noctifer; nox, noctis + ferre to bring.] Bringing night. [Obs.] Johnson.

Noc*til"i*o*nid (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) A South American bat of the genus Noctilio, having cheek pouches and large incisor teeth.

||Noc`ti*lu"ca (?), n.; pl. NoctilucÆ (#). [L. noctiluca something that ||shines by night, fr. nox, noctis, night + lucere to shine, lux ||light.] 1. (Old Chem.) That which shines at night; -- a fanciful name ||for phosphorus.

2. (Zoöl.) A genus of marine flagellate Infusoria, remarkable for their unusually large size and complex structure, as well as for their phosphorescence. The brilliant diffuse phosphorescence of the sea is often due to myriads of Noctilucæ.

Noc*ti*lu"cin (?), n. (Zoöl.) A fatlike substance in certain marine animals, to which they owe their phosphorescent properties.

Noc`ti*lu"cine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Noctiluca.

Noc`ti*lu"cous (?), a. Shining in the night.

Noc*tiv"a*gant (?), a. [L. nox, noctis, night + vagans, p. pr. of vagari to wander about.] (Zoöl.) Going about in the night; night-wandering.

Noc*tiv`a*ga"tion (?), n. A roving or going about in the night. Gayton.

Noc*tiv"a*gous (?), a. [L. noctivagus; nox, noctis + vagus wandering.] Noctivagant.

Noc"to*graph (?), n. [L. nox, noctis, night + -graph.] 1. A kind of writing frame for the blind.

2. An instrument or register which records the presence of watchmen on their beats. Knight.

Noc"tu*a*ry (?; 135), n. [L. noctu by night.] A record of what passes in the night; a nightly journal; -- distinguished from diary. [R.] Addison.

Noc"tu*id (?), n. [From L. nox, noctis, night.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous moths of the family Noctuidæ, or Noctuælitæ, as the cutworm moths, and armyworm moths; -- so called because they fly at night. -- a. Of or pertaining to the noctuids, or family Noctuidæ.

Noc"tule (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. noctua a night owl, fr. nox, noctis, night.] (Zoöl.) A large European bat (Vespertilio, or Noctulina, altivolans).

Noc"turn (?), n. [F. nocturne, fr. L. nocturnus. See Nocturnal, and cf. Nocturne.] 1. An office of devotion, or act of religious service, by night.

2. One of the portions into which the Psalter was divided, each consisting of nine psalms, designed to be used at a night service. Hook.

Noc*tur"nal (?), a. [L. nocturnalis, nocturnus, fr. nox, noctis, night. See Night, and cf. Nocturn.] 1. Of, pertaining to, done or occuring in, the night; as, nocturnal darkness, cries, expedition, etc.; -- opposed to diurnal. Dryden.

2. Having a habit of seeking food or moving about at night; as, nocturnal birds and insects.

Noc*tur"nal, n. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the stars, etc., at sea. I. Watts.

Noc*tur"nal*ly, adv. By night; nightly.

Noc*turne" (?), n. [F. See Nocturn.] (Mus.) A night piece, or serenade. The name is now used for a certain graceful and expressive form of instrumental composition, as the nocturne for orchestra in Mendelsohn's "Midsummer-Night's Dream" music.

Noc"u*ment (?), n. [LL. nocumentum, fr. L. nocere to hurt.] Harm; injury; detriment. [Obs.]

Noc"u*ous (?), a. [L. nocuus, fr. nocere to hurt.] Hurtful; noxious. [R.] -- Noc"u*ous*ly, adv. [R.]

Nod (?), v. i. [OE. nodden; cf. OHG. kn&?;t&?;n, genuot&?;n, to shake, and E. nudge.] 1. To bend or incline the upper part, with a quick motion; as, nodding plumes.

2. To incline the head with a quick motion; to make a slight bow; to make a motion of assent, of salutation, or of drowsiness, with the head; as, to nod at one.

3. To be drowsy or dull; to be careless.

Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.

Pope.

Nod, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nodded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nodding.] 1. To incline or bend, as the head or top; to make a motion of assent, of salutation, or of drowsiness with; as, to nod the head.

2. To signify by a nod; as, to nod approbation.

3. To cause to bend. [Poetic]

By every wind that nods the mountain pine.

Keats.

Nod (?), n. 1. A dropping or bending forward of the upper part or top of anything.

Like a drunken sailor on a mast, Ready with every nod to tumble down.

Shak.

2. A quick or slight downward or forward motion of the head, in assent, in familiar salutation, in drowsiness, or in giving a signal, or a command.

A look or a nod only ought to correct them [the children] when they do amiss.

Locke.

Nations obey my word and wait my nod.

Prior.

The land of Nod, sleep.

Nod"al (?), a. Of the nature of, or relating to, a node; as, a nodal point.

Nodal line, Nodal point, in a vibrating plate or cord, that line or point which remains at rest while the other parts of the body are in a state of vibration.

No"da*ted (?), a. [L. nodatus, p. p. of nodare to make knotty, fr. nodus knot. See Node.] Knotted.

Nodated hyperbola (Geom.), a certain curve of the third order having two branches which cross each other, forming a node.

No*da"tion (?), n. [L. nodatio knottiness.] Act of making a knot, or state of being knotted. [R.]

Nod"der (?), n. One who nods; a drowsy person.

Nod"ding (?), a. Curved so that the apex hangs down; having the top bent downward.

Nod"dle (?), n. [OE. nodil, nodle; perh. fr. nod, because the head is the nodding part of the body, or perh. akin to E. knot; cf. Prov. E. nod the nape of the neck.] 1. The head; - - used jocosely or contemptuously.

Come, master, I have a project in my noddle.

L'Estrange.

2. The back part of the head or neck. [Obs.]

For occasion . . . turneth a bald noddle, after she hath presented her locks in front, and no hold taken.

Bacon.

Nod"dy (?), n.; pl. Noddies (#). [Prob. fr. nod to incline the head, either as in assent, or from drowsiness.] 1. A simpleton; a fool. L'Estrange.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Any tern of the genus Anous, as A. stolidus. (b) The arctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Sometimes also applied to other sea birds.

3. An old game at cards. Halliwell.

4. A small two-wheeled one-horse vehicle.

5. An inverted pendulum consisting of a short vertical flat spring which supports a rod having a bob at the top; -- used for detecting and measuring slight horizontal vibrations of a body to which it is attached.

Node (?), n. [L. nodus; perh. akin to E. knot. Cf. Noose, Nowed.] 1. A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling.

2. Specifically: (a) (Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of a planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary. (b) (Bot.) The joint of a stem, or the part where a leaf or several leaves are inserted. (c) (Dialing) A hole in the gnomon of a dial, through which passes the ray of light which marks the hour of the day, the parallels of the sun's declination, his place in the ecliptic, etc. (d) (Geom.) The point at which a curve crosses itself, being a double point of the curve. See Crunode, and Acnode. (e) (Mech.) The point at which the lines of a funicular machine meet from different angular directions; -- called also knot. W. R. Johnson. (f) (poet.) The knot, intrigue, or plot of a piece. (g) (Med.) A hard concretion or incrustation which forms upon bones attacked with rheumatism, gout, or syphilis; sometimes also, a swelling in the neighborhood of a joint. Dunglison. (h) (Mus) One of the fixed points of a sonorous string, when it vibrates by aliquot parts, and produces the harmonic tones; nodal line or point. (i) (Zoöl.) A swelling.

Ascending node (Astron.), the node at which the body is passing northerly, marked with the symbol , called the Dragon's head. Called also northern node. -- Descending node, the node at which the body is moving southwardly, marked thus , called Dragon's tail. -- Line of nodes, a straight line joining the two nodes of an orbit.

Nod"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the nodes; from a node to the same node again; as, the nodical revolutions of the moon.

Nodical month. See Lunar month, under Month.

No`do*sa"rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Resembling in form or structure a foraminiferous shell of the genus Nodosaria. -- n. (Zoöl.) A foraminifer of the genus Nodosaria or of an allied genus.

No*dose" (?), a. [L. nodosus, fr. nodus knot.] 1. Knotty; having numerous or conspicuous nodes.

2. (Zoöl.) Having nodes or prominences; having the alternate joints enlarged, as the antennæ of certain insects.

No*dos"i*ty (&?;), n. [L. nodositas.] 1. The quality of being knotty or nodose; resemblance to a node or swelling; knottiness. Holland.

2. A knot; a node.

{ No*do"sous (?), No"dous (?) }, a. Nodose; knotty; knotted. [Obs.]

Nod"u*lar (?; 135), a. [Cf. F. nodulaire.] Of, pertaining to, or in the form of, a nodule or knot.

Nod"ule (?), n. [L. nodulus, dim. of nodus knot: cf. F. nodule.] A rounded mass or irregular shape; a little knot or lump.

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Nod"uled (?), a. Having little knots or lumps.

{ Nod"u*lose` (?), Nod"u*lous (?), } a. (Biol.) Having small nodes or knots; diminutively nodose.

No"el (?), n. [F. noël, L. natalis birthday, fr. natalis natal. See Natal.] Same as Nowel.

No*e`ma*tach"o*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; the understanding + &?; swiftness + -graph.] An instrument for determining and registering the duration of more or less complex operations of the mind. Dunglison.

{ No`e*mat"ic (?), No`e*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; the understanding. See Noetic.] Of or pertaining to the understanding. [Obs.] Cudworth.

No*e"mics (?), n. [Gr. &?; the understanding. See Noetic.] The science of the understanding; intellectual science.

No*e"tian (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of the followers of Noetus, who lived in the third century. He denied the distinct personality of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

{ No*et"ic (?), No*et"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to perceive, &?; mind, intellect.] Of or pertaining to the intellect; intellectual.

I would employ the word noetic to express all those cognitions which originate in the mind itself.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Nof (?). [Contr. fr. ne of.] Not of; nor of. [Obs.]

Nog (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. noggin.]

1. A noggin.

2. A kind of strong ale. Halliwell.

Nog, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]

1. A wooden block, of the size of a brick, built into a wall, as a hold for the nails of woodwork.

2. One of the square logs of wood used in a pile to support the roof of a mine.

3. (Shipbuilding) A treenail to fasten the shores.

Nog, v. t. [From 2d Nog.] 1. To fill in, as between scantling, with brickwork.

2. (Shipbuilding) To fasten, as shores, with treenails.

Nog"gen (?), a. [Prop., made of hemp, fr. Prov. E. nogs hemp.] Made of hemp; hence, hard; rough; harsh. [Obs.] Johnson.

Nog"gin (?), n. [Ir. noigin, or Gael. noigean. Cf. lst Nog.] 1. A small mug or cup.

2. A measure equivalent to a gill. [Prov. Eng.]

Nog"ging (?), n. [From Nog, v. t.] Rough brick masonry used to fill in the interstices of a wooden frame, in building.

Noght (?), adv. Not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Noi"ance (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. OE. anoiance.] [Written also noyance.] Annoyance. [Obs.] Tusser.

Noie (?), v. t. To annoy. See Noy. [Obs.]

Noi"er (?), n. An annoyer. [Obs.] Tusser.

Noils (?), n. pl. [Etymol. uncertain.] Waste and knots of wool removed by the comb; combings.

Noint (?), v. t. To anoint. [Obs.] Sir T. North.

Noi"ous (?), a. Annoying; troublesome. [Obs.]

Noise (?), n. [F. noise noisy strife, quarrel, brawl, fr. L. nausea seasickness, sickness, disgust. See Nausea.]

1. Sound of any kind.

The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without noise to us perceived.

Bacon.

Noise is either a sound of too short a duration to be determined, like the report of a cannon; or else it is a confused mixture of many discordant sounds, like the rolling of thunder or the noise of the waves. Nevertheless, the difference between sound and noise is by no means precise. Ganot.

2. Especially, loud, confused, or senseless sound; clamor; din.

3. Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report. "The noise goes." Shak.

What noise have we had about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood!

T. Baker.

Soerates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages.

Spectator.

4. Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band. [Obs.] Milton.

The king has his noise of gypsies.

B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Cry; outcry; clamor; din; clatter; uproar.

Noise, v. i. To sound; to make a noise. Milton.

Noise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Noised (?); p pr. & vb. n. Noising.] 1. To spread by rumor or report.

All these sayings were noised abroad.

Luke i. 65.

2. To disturb with noise. [Obs.] Dryden.

Noise"ful (?), a. Loud; clamorous. [Obs.] Dryden.

Noise"less, a. Making, or causing, no noise or bustle; without noise; silent; as, the noiseless foot of time.

So noiseless would I live.

Dryden.

-- Noise"less*ly, adv. -- Noise"less*ness, n.

Noi*sette" (?), n. (Bot.) A hybrid rose produced in 1817, by a French gardener, Noisette, of Charleston, South Carolina, from the China rose and the musk rose. It has given rise to many fine varieties, as the Lamarque, the Marechal (or Marshal) Niel, and the Cloth of gold. Most roses of this class have clustered flowers and are of vigorous growth. P. Henderson.

Nois"i*ly (?), adv. In a noisy manner.

Nois"i*ness, n. The state or quality of being noisy.

Noi"some (?), a. [For noysome, fr. noy for annoy. See Annoy.] 1. Noxious to health; hurtful; mischievous; unwholesome; insalubrious; destructive; as, noisome effluvia. "Noisome pestilence." Ps. xci. 3.

2. Offensive to the smell or other senses; disgusting; fetid. "Foul breath is noisome." Shak.

-- Noi"some*ly, adv. -- Noi"some*ness, n.

Syn. -- Noxious; unwholesome; insalubrious; mischievous; destructive. -- Noisome, Noxious. These words have to a great extent been interchanged; but there is a tendency to make a distinction between them, applying noxious to things that inflict evil directly; as, a noxious plant, noxious practices, etc., and noisome to things that operate with a remoter influence; as, noisome vapors, a noisome pestilence, etc. Noisome has the additional sense of disqusting. A garden may be free from noxious weeds or animals; but, if recently covered with manure, it may be filled with a noisome smell.

Nois"y (?), a. [Compar. Noisier (?); superl. Noisiest.] [From Noise.] 1. Making a noise, esp. a loud sound; clamorous; vociferous; turbulent; boisterous; as, the noisy crowd.

2. Full of noise. "The noisy town." Dryden.

Nol"de (?). [Contr. fr. ne wolde.] Would not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nole (?), n. [See Noll.] The head. [Obs.] Shak.

||No"li-me-tan"ge*re (?), n. [L., touch me not.]

1. (Bot.) (a) Any plant of a genus of herbs (Impatiens) having capsules which, if touched when ripe, discharge their seeds. -- See Impatiens. (b) The squirting cucumber. See under Cucumber.

2. (Med.) A name formerly applied to several varieties of ulcerous cutaneous diseases, but now restricted to Lupus exedens, an ulcerative affection of the nose.

No*li"tion (?), n. [L. nolle not to will, to be unwilling; ne + velle to will, to be willing.] Adverse action of will; unwillingness; -- opposed to volition.

A nolition and a direct enmity against the lust.

Jer. Taylor.

Noll (?), n. [OE. nol, AS. hnoll top; akin to OHG. hnol top, head.] The head; the noddle. [Obs.]

Nol*le"i*ty (?), n. [L. nolle to be unwilling.] The state of being unwilling; nolition. [R.]

||Nol"le pros"e*qui (?). [L., to be unwilling to prosecute.] (Law) Will ||not prosecute; -- an entry on the record, denoting that a plaintiff ||discontinues his suit, or the attorney for the public a prosecution; ||either wholly, or as to some count, or as to some of several ||defendants.

||No"lo con*ten"de*re (?). [L., I do not wish to contend.] (Law) A ||plea, by the defendant, in a criminal prosecution, which, without ||admitting guilt, subjects him to all the consequences of a plea of ||guilty.

Nol. pros. An abbrev. of Nolle prosequi.

Nol`-pros" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. -prossed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. -prossing.] To discontinue by entering a nolle prosequi; to decline to prosecute.

Nolt (?), n. sing. & pl. Neat cattle. [Prov. Eng.]

||Nom (?), n. [F. See Noun.] Name.

||Nom de guerre (&?;), literally, war name; hence, a fictitious name, ||or one assumed for a time. -- ||Nom de plume (&?;), literally, pen ||name; hence, a name assumed by an author as his or her signature.

||No"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, lit., a feeding. See Name.] (Med.) ||See Canker, n., 1.

Nom"ad (?), n. [L. nomas, - adis, Gr. &?;, &?;, pasturing, roaming without fixed home, fr. &?; a pasture, allotted abode, fr. &?; to distribute, allot, drive to pasture; prob. akin to AS. niman to take, and E. nimble: cf. F. nomade. Cf. Astronomy, Economy, Nimble, Nemesis, Numb, Number.] One of a race or tribe that has no fixed location, but wanders from place to place in search of pasture or game.

Nom"ad, a. Roving; nomadic.

Nom"ade (?), n. [F.] See Nomad, n.

No*ma"di*an (?), n. A nomad. [R.]

No*mad"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Nomad.] Of or pertaining to nomads, or their way of life; wandering; moving from place to place for subsistence; as, a nomadic tribe. -- No*mad"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

Nom"ad*ism (?), n. The state of being a nomad.

Nom"ad*ize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nomadized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nomadizing (?).] To lead the life of a nomad; to wander with flocks and herds for the sake of finding pasturage.

The Vogules nomadize chiefly about the Rivers Irtish, Obi, Kama, and Volga.

W. Tooke.

No"man*cy (?), n. [Cf. F. nomancie, nomance, abbrev. fr. onomancie. See Onomancy.] The art or practice of divining the destiny of persons by the letters which form their names.

No"-man's` land` (?). 1. (Naut.) A space amidships used to keep blocks, ropes, etc.; a space on a ship belonging to no one in particular to care for.

2. Fig.: An unclaimed space or time.

That no-man's land of twilight.

W. Black.

Nom"arch (?), n. [Gr. &?; a district + -arch.] The chief magistrate of a nome or nomarchy.

Nom"arch*y (?), n.; pl. Nomarchies (&?;). A province or territorial division of a kingdom, under the rule of a nomarch, as in modern Greece; a nome.

Nom"bles (?), n. pl. [F. nombles, fr. L. lumbulus, dim. of lumbus a loin. Cf. Numbles, Umbles, Humbles.] The entrails of a deer; the umbles. [Written also numbles.] Johnson.

Nom"bril (?), n. [F. nombril, for OF. lombril, i. e., ombril, with the article, a dim. fr. L. umbilicus the navel. See Navel.] (Her.) A point halfway between the fess point and the middle base point of an escutcheon; -- called also navel point. See Escutcheon.

Nome (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to deal out, distribute.]

1. A province or political division, as of modern Greece or ancient Egypt; a nomarchy.

2. Any melody determined by inviolable rules. [Obs.]

Nome, n. [Cf. Binomial.] (Alg.) [Obs.] See Term.

{ Nome, No"men (?) }, obs. p. p. of Nim. Chaucer.

No"men*cla`tor (?), n. [L., fr. nomen name + calare to call. See Name, and Calendar.] 1. One who calls persons or things by their names.

In Rome, candidates for office were attended each by a nomenclator, who informed the candidate of the names of the persons whom they met and whose votes it was desirable to solicit.

2. One who gives names to things, or who settles and adjusts the nomenclature of any art or science; also, a list or vocabulary of technical names.

No"men*cla`tress (?), n. A female nomenclator.

No`men*cla"tur*al (?), a. Pertaining or according to a nomenclature.

No"men*cla`ture (?), n. [L. nomenclatura: cf. F. nomenclature. See Nomenclator.] 1. A name. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. A vocabulary, dictionary, or glossary. [R.]

3. The technical names used in any particular branch of science or art, or by any school or individual; as, the nomenclature of botany or of chemistry; the nomenclature of Lavoisier and his associates.

No"mi*al (?), n. [Cf. Binomial.] (Alg.) A name or term.

Nom"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a law, custom.] Customary; ordinary; -- applied to the usual English spelling, in distinction from strictly phonetic methods. H Sweet. -- n. Nomic spelling. A. J. Ellis.

Nom"i*nal (?), a. [L. nominalis, fr. nomen, nominis, name. See Name.] 1. Of or pertaining to a name or names; having to do with the literal meaning of a word; verbal; as, a nominal definition. Bp. Pearson.

2. Existing in name only; not real; as, a nominal difference. "Nominal attendance on lectures." Macaulay.

Nom"i*nal, n. 1. A nominalist. [Obs.] Camden.

2. (Gram.) A verb formed from a noun.

3. A name; an appellation.

A is the nominal of the sixth note in the natural diatonic scale.

Moore (Encyc. of Music. )

Nom"i*nal*ism (?), n. The principles or philosophy of the Nominalists.

Nom"i*nal*ist, n. (Metaph.) One of a sect of philosophers in the Middle Ages, who adopted the opinion of Roscelin, that general conceptions, or universals, exist in name only. Reid.

Nom`i*nal*is"tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Nominalists.

Nom"i*nal*ize (?), v. t. To convert into a noun. [Obs.]

Nom"i*nal*ly, adv. In a nominal manner; by name; in name only; not in reality. Burke.

Nom"i*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nominated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nominating (?).] [L. nominatus, p. p. of nominare to nominate, fr. nomen name. See Name.]

1. To mention by name; to name. [Obs.]

To nominate them all, it is impossible.

Shak.

2. To call; to entitle; to denominate. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. To set down in express terms; to state. [Obs.]

Is it so noiminated in the bond?

Shak.

4. To name, or designate by name, for an office or place; to appoint; esp., to name as a candidate for an election, choice, or appointment; to propose by name, or offer the name of, as a candidate for an office or place.

Nom"i*nate*ly (?), adv. By name; particularly; namely. [Obs.] Spelman.

Nom`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. nominatio: cf. F. nomination.]

1. The act of naming or nominating; designation of a person as a candidate for office; the power of nominating; the state of being nominated.

The nomination of persons to places being . . . a flower of his crown, he would reserve to himself.

Clarendon.

2. The denomination, or name. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Nom`i*na*ti"val (?), a. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to the nominative case.

Nom"i*na*tive (?), a. [L. nominativus belonging to a name, nominative.] (Gram.) Giving a name; naming; designating; -- said of that case or form of a noun which stands as the subject of a finite verb. -- n. The nominative case.

Nom"i*na*tive*ly, adv. In the manner of a nominative; as a nominative.

Nom"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who nominates.

Nom`i*nee" (?), n. [See Nominate, and -ee.] A person named, or designated, by another, to any office, duty, or position; one nominated, or proposed, by others for office or for election to office.

Nom"i*nor` (?), n. [See Nominate, and -or.] A nominator. [Obs.] Bentham.

No*moc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; law + -cracy, as in democracy.] Government in accordance with a system of law. Milman.

No*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; law + &?; to write.] A treatise on laws; an exposition of the form proper for laws.

No*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; law + - logy.]

1. The science of law; legislation.

2. The science of the laws of the mind; rational psychology. Sir W. Hamilton.

Nom`o*pel"mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; law, custom + &?; sole of the foot.] (Zoöl.) Having a separate and simple tendon to flex the first toe, or hallux, as do passerine birds.

Nom"o*thete (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; + &?; to assign: cf. F. nomothète.] A lawgiver. [R.]

{ Nom`o*thet"ic (?), Nom`o*thet"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;.] Legislative; enacting laws; as, a nomothetical power. [R.] Bp. Barlow.

Non (?), a. No; not. See No, a. Chaucer.

Non- (?). [L. non, OL. noenu, noenum, fr. neoenum, lit., not one. See None.] A prefix used in the sense of not; un-; in- ; as in nonattention, or non-attention, nonconformity, nonmetallic, nonsuit.

The prefix non- may be joined to the leading word by means of a hyphen, or, in most cases, the hyphen may be dispensed with. The list of words having the prefix non- could easily be lengthened.

Non`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. 1. Want of ability.

2. (Law) An exception taken against a plaintiff in a cause, when he is unable legally to commence a suit.

Non`ac*cept"ance (?), n. A neglect or refusal to accept.

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Non*ac"id (?), a. (Chem.) Destitute of acid properties; hence, basic; metallic; positive; -- said of certain atoms and radicals.

Non`ac*quaint"ance (?), n. Want of acquaintance; the state of being unacquainted.

Non*ac`qui*es"cence (?), n. Refusal of acquiescence; failure to yield or comply.

Non`ad*mis"sion (?), n. Failure to be admitted.

Non`a*dult" (?), a. Not adult; immature.

Non*a`ër*o*bi*ot"ic (?), a. (Biol.) Capable of living without atmospheric oxygen; anaërobiotic.

Non"age (?), n. [LL. nonagium, from L. nonus ninth, novem nine.] (Eccl.) The ninth part of movable goods, formerly payable to the clergy on the death of persons in their parishes. Mozley & W.

Non"age, n. [Pref. non- + age.] Time of life before a person becomes of age; legal immaturity; minority.

The human mind . . . was still in its nonage.

Coleridge.

Non"aged (?), a. Having the quality of nonage; being a minor; immature. W. Browne.

Non`a*ge*na"ri*an (?), n. [L. nonagenarius containing, or consisting of, ninety, fr. nonageni ninety each; akin to novem nine.] A person ninety years old.

Non`a*ges"i*mal (?), a. [L. nonagesimus the ninetieth. See Nonagenarian.] (Astron.) Of or pertaining to the ninetieth degree or to a nonagesimal.

Non`a*ges"i*mal, n. (Astron.) The middle or highest point of the part of the ecliptic which is at any given moment above the horizon. It is the ninetieth degree of the ecliptic, reckoned from the points in which it is intersected by the horizon.

Non"a*gon (?), n. [L. nonus ninth + Gr. &?; angle.] (Math.) A figure or polygon having nine sides and nine angles.

Non*a"gri*an (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) Any moth of the genus Nonagria and allied genera, as the spindleworm and stalk borer.

Non*al`ien*a"tion (?), n. Failure to alienate; also, the state of not being alienated.

Non"ane (?), n. [L. nonus ninth.] (Chem.) One of a group of metameric hydrocarbons C9H20 of the paraffin series; -- so called because of the nine carbon atoms in the molecule. Normal nonane is a colorless volatile liquid, an ingredient of ordinary kerosene.

Non`ap*pear"ance (?), n. Default of appearance, as in court, to prosecute or defend; failure to appear.

Non`ap*point"ment (?), n. Neglect of making appointment; failure to receive an appointment.

Non`ar*riv"al (?), n. Failure to arrive.

||Non` as*sump"sit (?). [L., he did not undertake.] (Law) The general ||plea or denial in an action of assumpsit.

Non`at*tend"ance (?), n. A failure to attend; omission of attendance; nonappearance.

Non`at*ten"tion (?), n. Inattention.

Non`bi*tu"mi*nous (?), a. Containing no bitumen; not bituminous.

Nonce (nns), n. [For the nonce, OE. for the nones, a corruption of for then ones, where n. in then is a relic of AS. m in ðam, dat. of the article and demonstrative pronoun, E. the. See For, Once, and The.] The one or single occasion; the present call or purpose; -- chiefly used in the phrase for the nonce.

The miller was a stout carl for the nones.

Chaucer.

And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce.

Shak.

Nonce word, "a word apparently employed only for the nonce". Murray (New English Dict.).

||Non`cha`lance" (?), n. [F. See Nonchalant.] Indifference; ||carelessness; coolness.

||Non`cha`lant" (?), a. [F., fr. non not (L. non) + chaloir to concern ||one's self for, fr. L. calere to be warm, to be inflamed with desire, ||to be troubled. See Non-, and Caldron.] Indifferent; careless; cool.

Non"cha*lant`ly (?), adv. In a nonchalant, indifferent, or careless manner; coolly.

Non"claim` (?), n. A failure to make claim within the time limited by law; omission of claim.

Non`co*he"sion (?), n. Want of cohesion.

Non`co*in"ci*dence, n. Lack of coincidence.

Non`co*in"ci*dent (?), a. Not coincident.

Non*com"bat*ant (?), n. (Mil.) Any person connected with an army, or within the lines of an army, who does not make it his business to fight, as any one of the medical officers and their assistants, chaplains, and others; also, any of the citizens of a place occupied by an army; also, any one holding a similar position with respect to the navy.

Non`com*mis"sioned (?), a. Not having a commission.

Noncommissioned officer (Mil.), a subordinate officer not appointed by a commission from the chief executive or supreme authority of the State; but by the Secretary of War or by the commanding officer of the regiment.

Non`com*mit"tal (?), n. A state of not being committed or pledged; forbearance or refusal to commit one's self. Also used adjectively.

Non`com*mun"ion (?), n. Neglect or failure of communion.

Non`com*ple"tion (?), n. Lack of completion; failure to complete.

Non`com*pli"ance (?), n. Neglect of compliance; failure to comply.

Non`com*ply"ing (?), a. Neglecting or refusing to comply.

{ ||Non com"pos (?). ||Non com"pos men"tis (?). } [L.] Not of sound mind; not having the regular use of reason; hence, also, as a noun, an idiot; a lunatic; one devoid of reason, either by nature or from accident.

Non"con. (&?;), n. See Noncontent.

Non`con*clud"ing (?), a. Not concluding.

Non`con*cur" (?), v. i. To dissent or refuse to concur.

Non`con*cur"rence (?), n. Refusal to concur.

Non`con*den"si*ble (?), a. Not condensible; incapable of being liquefied; -- said of gases.

Non`con*dens"ing, a. (Steam Engine) Not condensing; discharging the steam from the cylinder at a pressure nearly equal to or above that of the atmosphere and not into a condenser.

Non`con*duct"ing (?), a. Not conducting; not transmitting a fluid or force; thus, in electricity, wax is a nonconducting substance.

Non`con*duc"tion (?), n. The quality of not being able to conduct or transmit; failure to conduct.

Non`con*duct"or (?), n. (Physics) A substance which does not conduct, that is, convey or transmit, heat, electricity, sound, vibration, or the like, or which transmits them with difficulty; an insulator; as, wool is a nonconductor of heat; glass and dry wood are nonconductors of electricity.

Non`con*form"ing (?), a. Not conforming; declining conformity; especially, not conforming to the established church of a country.

Non`con*form"ist, n. One who does not conform to an established church; especially, one who does not conform to the established church of England; a dissenter.

Non*con*form"i*ty (?), n. Neglect or failure of conformity; especially, in England, the neglect or refusal to unite with the established church in its rites and modes of worship.

||Non`con"stat (?), n. [Law L.] It does not appear; it is not plain or ||clear; it does not follow.

Non`con*ta"gious (?), a. Not contagious; not catching; not communicable by contact. -- Non`con*ta"gious*ness, n.

Non`con*tent" (?), n. (British House of Lords) One who gives a negative vote; -- sometimes abridged into noncon. or non con.

{ Non`con*trib"u*ting (?), Non`con*trib"u*to*ry (?) }, a. Not contributing.

Non"da (?), n. (Bot.) The edible plumlike fruit of the Australian tree, Parinarium Nonda.

Non*dec"ane (?), n. [L. nonus ninth + decem ten.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon of the paraffin series, a white waxy substance, C19H40; -- so called from the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Non`de*cid"u*ate (?), a. (Anat.) Characterized by the absence of a decidua; indeciduate.

Non`de*liv"er*y (?), n. A neglect or failure of delivery; omission of delivery.

Non*dep`o*si"tion (?), n. A failure to deposit or throw down.

Non"de*script (?), a. [Pref. non- + L. descriptus described.] Not hitherto described; novel; hence, odd; abnormal; unclassifiable.

Non"de*script, n. A thing not yet described; that of which no account or explanation has been given; something abnormal, or hardly classifiable.

Non`de*vel"op*ment (?), n. Failure or lack of development.

Non`dis*cov"er*y (?), n. Want or failure of discovery.

Non"do (?), n. (Bot.) A coarse umbelliferous plant (Ligusticum actæifolium) with a large aromatic root. It is found chiefly in the Alleghany region. Also called Angelico.

None (?), a. & pron. [OE. none, non, nan, no, na, AS. nn, fr. ne not + n one. &?;. See No, a. & adv., One, and cf. Non-, Null, a.]

1. No one; not one; not anything; -- frequently used also partitively, or as a plural, not any.

There is none that doeth good; no, not one.

Ps. xiv. 3.

Six days ye shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.

Ex. xvi. 26.

Terms of peace yet none Vouchsafed or sought.

Milton.

None of their productions are extant.

Blair.

2. No; not any; -- used adjectively before a vowel, in old style; as, thou shalt have none assurance of thy life.

None of, not at all; not; nothing of; -- used emphatically. "They knew that I was none of the register that entered their admissions in the universities." Fuller. -- None-so-pretty (Bot.), the Saxifraga umbrosa. See London pride (a), under London.

None, n. [F.] Same as Nones, 2.

Non`ef*fect"ive (?), a. 1. Not effective.

2. (Mil.) Not fit or available for duty.

||Non-e"go (?), n. [L., not I.] (Metaph.) The union of being and ||relation as distinguished from, and contrasted with, the ego. See ||Ego.

Non`e*las"tic (?), a. Not having elasticity.

Non`e*lect" (?), n. sing. & pl. (Theol.) A person or persons not elected, or chosen, to salvation.

Non`e*lec"tion (?), n. Failure of election.

{ Non`e*lec"tric (?), Non`e*lec"tric*al (?) }, a. Not electric; conducting electricity.

Non`e*lec"tric, n. (Physics) A substance that is not an electric; that which transmits electricity, as a metal.

{ Non`em*phat"ic (?), Non`em*phat"ic*al (?) }, a. Having no emphasis; unemphatic.

Non*en"ti*ty (?), n.; pl. Nonentities (&?;).

1. Nonexistence; the negation of being.

2. A thing not existing. South.

3. A person or thing of little or no account. [Colloq.]

Non`-E*pis"co*pal (?), a. Not Episcopal; not pertaining to the Episcopal church or system.

Nones (?), n. pl. [L. nonae, so called because it was the ninth day before the ides, fr. nonus ninth, from novem nine. See Nine, Nones, 2, Noon .]

1. (Roman Cal.) The fifth day of the months January, February, April, June, August, September, November, and December, and the seventh day of March, May, July, and October. The nones were nine days before the ides, reckoning inclusively, according to the Roman method.

2. [F. none, fr. L. See Noon.] The canonical office, being a part of the Breviary, recited at noon (formerly at the ninth hour, 3 P. M.) in the Roman Catholic Church.

3. The hour of dinner; the noonday meal. [Obs.]

At my supper and sometimes at nones.

P. Plowman.

Non`es*sen"tial (?), a. Not essential.

Non`es*sen"tial, n. A thing not essential.

||Non` est` fac"tum (?). [Law L. it is not (his) deed.] (Law) The plea ||of the general issue in an action of debt on bond.

||Non` est` in*ven"tus (?). [L., he is not found.] (Law) The return of ||a sheriff on a writ, when the defendant is not found in his county. ||Bouvier.

None"such` (?), n. A person or thing of a sort that there is no other such; something extraordinary; a thing that has not its equal. It is given as a name to various objects, as to a choice variety of apple, a species of medic (Medicago lupulina), a variety of pottery clay, etc.

{ No*net" (?), ||No*net"to (?) }, n. [From L. nonus ninth, like E. duet, fr. L. duo.] (Mus.) A composition for nine instruments, rarely for nine voices.

Non"ett (?), n. (Zoöl.) The titmouse. [Obs.]

Non*ex`e*cu"tion (?), n. Neglect or failure of execution; nonperformance.

Non`ex*ist"ence (?), n. 1. Absence of existence; the negation of being; nonentity. A. Baxter.

2. A thing that has no existence. Sir T. Browne.

Non`ex*ist"ent (?), a. Not having existence.

Non*ex`por*ta"tion (?), n. A failure of exportation; a not exporting of commodities.

Non`ex*ten"sile (?), a. Not extensile; incapable of being stretched.

Non-fea"sance (?), n. [Pref. non- + OF. faisance a doing, fr. faire to do.] (Law) An omission or neglect to do something, esp. that which ought to have been done. Cf. Malfeasance.

Non`ful*fill"ment, n. Neglect or failure to fulfill.

No*nil"lion (?), n. [L. nonus ninth + -illion, as in E. million.] According to the French and American notation, a thousand octillions, or a unit with thirty ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, a million octillions, or a unit with fifty-four ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.

Non*im`por*ta"tion (?), n. Want or failure of importation; a not importing of commodities.

Non`im*port"ing (?), a. Not importing; not bringing from foreign countries.

Non`in*flec"tion*al (?), a. Not admitting of, or characterized by, inflection.

Non`in*hab"it*ant (?), n. One who is not an inhabitant; a stranger; a foreigner; a nonresident.

Non*in`ter*ven"tion (?), n. The state or habit of not intervening or interfering; as, the nonintervention of one state in the affairs of another.

No"ni*us (?), n. [Latinized form of Nunez, the name of a Portuguese mathematician.] A vernier.

Non*join"der (?), n. (Law) The omission of some person who ought to have been made a plaintiff or defendant in a suit, or of some cause of action which ought to be joined.

Non*ju"rant (?), a. Nonjuring.

Non*ju"ring (?), a. [F. jurer to swear, or L. jurare, jurari, to swear, fr. L. jus, juris, right, law, justice. See Jury.] Not swearing allegiance; -- applied to the party in Great Britain that would not swear allegiance to William and Mary, or their successors.

Non*ju"ror (?), n. (Eng. Hist.) One of those adherents of James II. who refused to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary, or to their successors, after the revolution of 1688; a Jacobite.

Non*ju"ror*ism (?), n. (Eng. Hist.) The doctrines, or action, of the Nonjurors.

Non*lim`i*ta"tion (?), n. Want of limitation; failure to limit.

||Non` li"quet (?). [L.] It is not clear; -- a verdict given by a jury ||when a matter is to be deferred to another day of trial.

Non`ma*lig"nant (?), a. Not malignant, as a disease.

Non*man`u*fac"tur*ing (?), a. Not carrying on manufactures.

Non*med"ul*la`ted (?), a. Not medullated; (Anat.) without a medulla or marrow, or without a medullary sheath; as, a nonmedullated nerve fiber.

Non*mem"ber, n. One who is not a member.

Non*mem"ber*ship, n. State of not being a member.

Non"met`al (?), n. (Chem.) Any one of the set of elements which, as contrasted with the metals, possess, produce, or receive, acid rather than basic properties; a metalloid; as, oxygen, sulphur, and chlorine are nonmetals.

Non`me*tal"lic (?), a. 1. Not metallic.

2. (Chem.) Resembling, or possessing the properties of, a nonmetal or metalloid; as, sulphur is a nonmetallic element.

Non*nat"u*ral, a. Not natural; unnatural.

Nonne (?), n. A nun. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Non`ne*ces"si*ty (?), n. Absence of necessity; the quality or state of being unnecessary.

Non`ni*trog"nous (?), a. Devoid of nitrogen; as, a nonnitrogenous principle; a nonnitrogenous food. See the Note under Food, n., 1.

Non*nu"cle*a`ted (?), a. Without a nucleus.

Non"ny (?), n. A silly fellow; a ninny.

Non`o*be"di*ence (?), n. Neglect of obedience; failure to obey.

Non`ob*serv"ance (?), n. Neglect or failure to observe or fulfill.

<! p. 981 !>

||Non` ob*stan"te (?). [L.] 1. Notwithstanding; in opposition to, or in ||spite of, what has been stated, or is to be stated or admitted.

2. (Law) A clause in old English statutes and letters patent, importing a license from the crown to do a thing notwithstanding any statute to the contrary. This dispensing power was abolished by the Bill of Rights.

In this very reign [Henry III.] the practice of dispensing with statutes by a non obstante was introduced.

Hallam.

||Non obstante veredicto [LL.] (Law), a judgment sometimes entered by ||order of the court, for the plaintiff, notwithstanding a verdict for ||the defendant. Stephen.

No*no"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, nonane; as, nonoic acid, which is also called pelargonic acid. Cf. Pelargonic.

Non"one (?), n. [Nonane + - one, suffix denoting the third degree of unsaturation.] (Chem.) Any one of several metameric unsaturated hydrocarbons (C9H14) of the valylene series.

Non`ox*yg"e*nous (?), a. (Chem.) Without oxygen; characterized by the absence of oxygen; as, a nonoxygenous alkaloid.

Non`pa*reil" (?), n. [See Nonpareil, a. ]

1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person; a nonesuch; -- often used as a name.

2. [F. nonpareille.] (Print.) A size of type next smaller than minion and next larger than agate (or ruby).

This line is printed in the type called nonpareil.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) A beautifully colored finch (Passerina ciris), native of the Southern United States. The male has the head and neck deep blue, rump and under parts bright red, back and wings golden green, and the tail bluish purple. Called also painted finch. (b) Any other similar bird of the same genus.

Non`pa*reil", a. [F., from non not + pareil equal, fr. LL. pariculus, dim. of L. par equal. See Non, and Pair, Peer.] Having no equal; peerless.

Non*pay"ment, n. Neglect or failure to pay.

Non`per*form"ance, n. Neglect or failure to perform.

Non*pho`to*bi*ot"ic (?), a. (Biol.) Capable of living without light; as, nonphotobiotic plant cells, or cells which habitually live in darkness.

Non`plane" (?), a. (Math.) Not lying in one plane; -- said of certain curves.

Non"plus (?), n. [L. non not + plus more, further. See Plural.] A state or condition which baffles reason or confounds judgment; insuperable difficulty; inability to proceed or decide; puzzle; quandary.

Both of them are a perfect nonplus and baffle to all human understanding.

South.

Non"plus` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nonplused (?) or Nonplussed; p. pr. & vb. n. Nonplusing or Nonplussing.] To puzzle; to confound; to perplex; to cause to stop by embarrassment.

He has been nonplused by Mr. Dry's desiring him to tell what it was that he endeavored to prove.

Spectator.

Non*prep`a*ra"tion (?), n. Neglect or failure to prepare; want of preparation.

Non*pres`en*ta"tion (?), n. Neglect or failure to present; state of not being presented.

Non`pro*duc"tion, n. A failure to produce or exhibit.

Non`pro*fes"sion*al (?), a. Not belonging to a profession; not done by, or proceeding from, professional men; contrary to professional usage.

Non`pro*fi"cien*cy (?), n. Want of proficiency; failure to make progress.

Non`pro*fi"cient (?), n. One who has failed to become proficient.

Non" pros.` (&?;). An abbreviation of Non prosequitur.

Non`-pros" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nonprossed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Non-prossing (?).] To decline or fail to prosecute; to allow to be dropped (said of a suit); to enter judgment against (a plaintiff who fails to prosecute); as, the plaintiff was non-prossed.

||Non" pro*seq"ui*tur (?). [L. he does not prosecute.] (Law) A judgment ||entered against the plaintiff in a suit where he does not appear to ||prosecute. See Nolle prosequi.

Non`re*cur"rent (?), a. Not recurring.

Non`re*cur"ring (?), a. Nonrecurrent.

Non`re*gard"ance (?), n. Want of due regard; disregard; slight. [Obs.] Shak.

Non`re"gent (?), n. (Eng. Universities) A master of arts whose regency has ceased. See Regent.

Non`ren*di"tion (?), n. Neglect of rendition; the not rendering what is due.

The nonrendition of a service which is due.

S. E. Dwight.

Non`re*sem"blance (?), n. Want of resemblance; unlikeness; dissimilarity.

Non*res"i*dence (?), n. The state or condition of being nonresident, Swift.

Non*res"i*dent (?), a. Not residing in a particular place, on one's own estate, or in one's proper place; as, a nonresident clergyman or proprietor of lands.

Non*res"i*dent, n. A nonresident person; one who does not reside in the State or jurisdiction.

Non`re*sist"ance (?), n. The principles or practice of a nonresistant; passive obedience; submission to authority, power, oppression, or violence without opposition.

Non`re*sist"ant (?), a. Making no resistance.

Non`re*sist"ant, n. One who maintains that no resistance should be made to constituted authority, even when unjustly or oppressively exercised; one who advocates or practices absolute submission; also, one who holds that violence should never be resisted by force.

Non`re*sist"ing, a. Not making resistance.

Non*ru"mi*nant (?), a. Not ruminating; as, a nonruminant animal.

Non`sane" (?), a. Unsound; not perfect; as, a person of nonsane memory. Blackstone.

Non"sense (?), n. [Pref. non- + sense: cf. F. nonsens.]

1. That which is not sense, or has no sense; words, or language, which have no meaning, or which convey no intelligible ideas; absurdity.

2. Trifles; things of no importance.

Nonsense verses, lines made by taking any words which occur, but especially certain words which it is desired to recollect, and arranging them without reference to anything but the measure, so that the rhythm of the lines may aid in recalling the remembrance of the words.

Syn. -- Folly; silliness; absurdity; trash; balderdash.

Non*sen"si*cal (?), a. Without sense; unmeaning; absurd; foolish; irrational; preposterous. -- Non*sen"si*cal*ly, adv. -- Non*sen"si*cal*ness, n.

Non*sen"si*tive (?), a. Not sensitive; wanting sense or perception; not easily affected.

||Non seq"ui*tur (?). [L., it does not follow.] (Logic) An inference ||which does not follow from the premises.

Non*sex"u*al (?), a. Having no distinction of sex; sexless; neuter.

Non*slave"hold`ing (?), a. Not possessing or holding slaves; as, a nonslaveholding State.

Non`so*lu"tion (?), n. Failure of solution or explanation.

Non*sol"ven*cy (?), n. Inability to pay debts; insolvency.

Non*sol"vent (?), a. Not solvent; insolvent.

Non*sol"vent, n. An insolvent.

Non*so"nant (?), a. Not sonant. -- n. A nonsonant or nonvocal consonant.

Non*spar"ing (?), a. Sparing none.

Non*stri"a*ted (?), a. (Nat. Hist.) Without striations; unstriped; as, nonstriated muscle fibers.

Non`sub*mis"sion (?), n. Want of submission; failure or refusal to submit.

Non`sub*mis"sive (?), a. Not submissive.

Non"such (?), n. See Nonesuch.

Non"suit` (?), n. (Law) A neglect or failure by the plaintiff to follow up his suit; a stopping of the suit; a renunciation or withdrawal of the cause by the plaintiff, either because he is satisfied that he can not support it, or upon the judge's expressing his opinion. A compulsory nonsuit is a nonsuit ordered by the court on the ground that the plaintiff on his own showing has not made out his case.

Non"suit`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nonsuited; p. pr. & vb. n. Nonsuiting.] (Law) To determine, adjudge, or record (a plaintiff) as having dropped his suit, upon his withdrawal or failure to follow it up. "When two are joined in a writ, and one is nonsuited." Z. Swift.

Non"suit`, a. Nonsuited. D. A. Tyng.

Non*sure"ty (?), n. Insecurity. [Obs.]

Non*ten"ure (?), n. (Law) A plea of a defendant that he did not hold the land, as affirmed.

Non"term` (?), n. (Law) A vacation between two terms of a court.

Non*tox"ic (?), a. Not toxic.

Non"tro*nite (?), n. [So called because found in the arrondissement of Notron, France.] (Min.) A greenish yellow or green mineral, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron.

Non*u"ni*form`ist (?), n. One who believes that past changes in the structure of the earth have proceeded from cataclysms or causes more violent than are now operating; -- called also nonuniformitarian.

Non*un"ion*ist (?), n. One who does not belong, or refuses to belong, to a trades union.

Non*us"ance (?), n. Neglect of using; failure to use. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Non*us"er (?), 1. A not using; failure to use.

An office may be forfeited by misuser or nonuser.

Blackstone.

2. (Law) Neglect or omission to use an easement or franchise or to assert a right. Kent.

Non*vas"cu*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Destitute of vessels; extravascular.

Non`ver*nac"u*lar (?), a. Not vernacular.

A nonvernacular expression.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Non*vo"cal (?), a. Not vocal; destitute of tone. -- n. A nonvocal consonant.

Non"yl (?), n. [Nonane + - yl.] (Chem.) The hydrocarbon radical, C9H19, derived from nonane and forming many compounds. Used also adjectively; as, nonyl alcohol.

Non"y*lene (?), n. [Nonane + ethylene.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of metameric, unsaturated hydrocarbons C9H18 of the ethylene series.

Non`y*len"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, related to, or designating, nonylene or its compounds; as, nonylenic acid.

No*nyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, nonyl or its compounds; as, nonylic acid.

Noo"dle (?), n. [Cf. Noddle, Noddy.] A simpleton; a blockhead; a stupid person; a ninny. [Low]

The chuckling grin of noodles.

Sydney Smith.

Noo"dle, n. [G. nudel vermicelli.] A thin strip of dough, made with eggs, rolled up, cut into small pieces, and used in soup.

Nook (?), n. [OE. nok; cf. Gael. & Ir. niuc.] A narrow place formed by an angle in bodies or between bodies; a corner; a recess; a secluded retreat.

How couldst thou find this dark, sequestered nook?

Milton.

Nook"-shot`ten (?), a. Full of nooks, angles, or corners. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

That nook-shotten isle of Albion.

Shak.

No`ö*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to noölogy.

No*öl"o*gist (?), n. One versed in noölogy.

No*öl"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the mind + -logy.] The science of intellectual phenomena.

Noon (?), a. No. See the Note under No. [Obs.]

Noon (?), n. [AS. n&?;n, orig., the ninth hour, fr. L. nona (sc. hora) the ninth hour, then applied to the church services (called nones) at that hour, the time of which was afterwards changed to noon. See Nine, and cf. Nones, Nunchion.] 1. The middle of the day; midday; the time when the sun is in the meridian; twelve o'clock in the daytime.

2. Hence, the highest point; culmination.

In the very noon of that brilliant life which was destined to be so soon, and so fatally, overshadowed.

Motley.

High noon, the exact meridian; midday. -- Noon of night, midnight. [Poetic] Dryden.

Noon (?), a. Belonging to midday; occurring at midday; meridional. Young.

Noon, v. i. To take rest and refreshment at noon.

Noon"day` (?), n. Midday; twelve o'clock in the day; noon.

Noon"day` (?), a. Of or pertaining to midday; meridional; as, the noonday heat. "Noonday walks." Addison.

Noon"-flow`er (?), n. (Bot.) The goat's beard, whose flowers close at midday.

Noon"ing, n. A rest at noon; a repast at noon.

Noon"shun (?), n. [Obs.] See Nunchion. Nares.

Noon"stead (?), n. The position of the sun at noon. [Obs.] Drayton.

Noon"tide` (?), n. [From noon + tide time; cf. AS. n&?;ntd the ninth hour.] The time of noon; midday.

Noose (?), n. [Prob. fr. OF. nous, nom. sing. or acc. pl. of nou knot, F. n&?;ud, L. nodus. Cf. Node.] A running knot, or loop, which binds the closer the more it is drawn.

Noose (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Noosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Noosing.] To tie in a noose; to catch in a noose; to entrap; to insnare.

Noot (?). See lst Not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

No"pal (?), n. [Mexican nopalli.] (Bot.) A cactaceous plant (Nopalea cochinellifera), originally Mexican, on which the cochineal insect feeds, and from which it is collected. The name is sometimes given to other species of Cactaceæ.

No"pal*ry (?), n.; pl. Nopalries (&?;). A plantation of the nopal for raising the cochineal insect.

Nope (?), n. (Zoöl.) A bullfinch. [Prov. Eng.]

Nor (?), conj. [OE. nor, contr. from nother. See Neither.] A negative connective or particle, introducing the second member or clause of a negative proposition, following neither, or not, in the first member or clause (as or in affirmative propositions follows either). Nor is also used sometimes in the first member for neither, and sometimes the neither is omitted and implied by the use of nor.

Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass, in your purses, nor scrip for your journey.

Matt. x. 9, 10.

Where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.

Matt. vi. 20.

I love him not, nor fear him.

Shak.

Where neither party is nor true, nor kind.

Shak.

Simois nor Xanthus shall be wanting there.

Dryden.

Nor"bert*ine (?), n. See Premonstrant.

No"ri*a (?), n. [Sp., from Ar. n'&?;ra.] A large water wheel, turned by the action of a stream against its floats, and carrying at its circumference buckets, by which water is raised and discharged into a trough; used in Arabia, China, and elsewhere for irrigating land; a Persian wheel.

No"ri*an (?), a. [From norite.] (Geol.) Pertaining to the upper portion of the Laurentian rocks. T. S. Hunt.

Nor"ice (?), n. Nurse. [Obs.] Chaucer.

No"rie (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) The cormorant. [Prov. Eng.]

Nor"i*mon (?), n.; pl. Norimons (&?;). A Japanese covered litter, carried by men. B. Taylor.

No"rite (?), n. [F., fr. Norvège Norway .] (Min.) A granular crystalline rock consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar (as labradorite) and hypersthene.

No"ri*um (?), n. [NL.] (Chem.) A supposed metal alleged to have been discovered in zircon.

Norm (?), n. [L. norma a rule. See Normal, a.]

1. A rule or authoritative standard; a model; a type.

2. (Biol.) A typical, structural unit; a type. Agassiz.

Nor"ma (?), n. [L.] 1. A norm; a principle or rule; a model; a standard. J. S. Mill.

2. A mason's or a carpenter's square or rule.

3. A templet or gauge.

Nor"mal (?), a. [L. normalis, fr. norma rule, pattern, carpenter's square; prob. akin to noscere to know; cf. Gr. &?; well known, &?; gnomon, also, carpenter's square: cf. F. normal. See Known, and cf. Abnormal, Enormous.]

1. According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.

Deviations from the normal type.

Hallam.

2. (Geom.) According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.

3. (Chem.) Standard; original; exact; typical. Specifically: (a) (Quantitative Analysis) Denoting a solution of such strength that every cubic centimeter contains the same number of milligrams of the element in question as the number of its molecular weight. (b) (Chem.) Denoting certain hypothetical compounds, as acids from which the real acids are obtained by dehydration; thus, normal sulphuric acid and normal nitric acid are respectively S(OH)6, and N(OH)5. (c) (Organ. Chem.) Denoting that series of hydrocarbons in which no carbon atom is united with more than two other carbon atoms; as, normal pentane, hexane, etc. Cf. Iso-.

Normal equations (Method of Least Squares), a set of equations of the first degree equal in number to the number of unknown quantities, and derived from the observations by a specified process. The solution of the normal equations gives the most probable values of the unknown quantities. -- Normal group (Geol.), a group of rocks taken as a standard. Lyell. -- Normal place (of a planet or comet) (Astron.), the apparent place in the heavens of a planet or comet at a specified time, the place having been determined by a considerable number of observations, extending perhaps over many days, and so combined that the accidental errors of observation have largely balanced each other. -- Normal school, a school whose methods of instruction are to serve as a model for imitation; an institution for the training of teachers.

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Syn. -- Normal, Regular, Ordinary. Regular and ordinary are popular terms of well-known signification; normal has now a more specific sense, arising out of its use in science. A thing is normal, or in its normal state, when strictly conformed to those principles of its constitution which mark its species or to the standard of a healthy and natural condition. It is abnormal when it departs from those principles.

Nor"mal (?), n. [Cf. F. normale, ligne normale. See Normal, a.] 1. (Geom.) Any perpendicular.

2. (Geom.) A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that point.

The term normal is also used to denote the distance along the normal line from the curve to the axis of abscissas or to the center of curvature.

Nor"mal*cy (?), n. The quality, state, or fact of being normal; as, the point of normalcy. [R.]

Nor`mal*i*za"tion (?), n. Reduction to a standard or normal state.

Nor"mal*ly, adv. In a normal manner. Darwin.

Nor"man (?), n. [F. normand.] (Naut.) A wooden bar, or iron pin. W. C. Russell.

Nor"man, a. [F. normand, of Scand. origin. See Northman, and cf. Norse.] Of or pertaining to Normandy or to the Normans; as, the Norman language; the Norman conquest.

Norman style (Arch.), a style of architecture which arose in the tenth century, characterized by great massiveness, simplicity, and strength, with the use of the semicircular arch, heavy round columns, and a great variety of ornaments, among which the zigzag and spiral or cable-formed ornaments were prominent.

Nor"man, n. A native or inhabitant of Normandy; originally, one of the Northmen or Scandinavians who conquered Normandy in the 10th century; afterwards, one of the mixed (Norman-French) race which conquered England, under William the Conqueror.

Nor"man*ism (?), n. A Norman idiom; a custom or expression peculiar to the Normans. M. Arnold.

{ Norn (?), Nor"na (?) }, n. [Icel. norn, pl. nornir.]

1. (Scandinavian Myth.) One of the three Fates, Past, Present, and Future. Their names were Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld.

2. A tutelary deity; a genius.

No*ro`pi*an"ic (?), a. [Etymology uncertain.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the aromatic series obtained from opianic acid.

Nor"roy (?), n. [Lit., north king, fr. F. nord north + roi king.] (Her.) The most northern of the English Kings-at-arms. See King-at-arms, under King.

Norse (?), a. [Dan. Norsk, fr. nord north. See North.] Of or pertaining to ancient Scandinavia, or to the language spoken by its inhabitants.

Norse, n. The Norse language.

Norse"man (?), n.; pl. Norsemen (&?;). One of the ancient Scandinavians; a Northman.

Nor"tel*ry (?), n. [Cf. Nurture.] Nurture; education; culture; bringing up. [Obs.]

Nortelry . . . learned at the nunnery.

Chaucer.

North (?), n. [AS. norð; akin to D. noord, G., Sw., & Dan. nord, Icel. norðr. Cf. Norman, Norse.]

1. That one of the four cardinal points of the compass, at any place, which lies in the direction of the true meridian, and to the left hand of a person facing the east; the direction opposite to the south.

2. Any country or region situated farther to the north than another; the northern section of a country.

3. Specifically: That part of the United States lying north of Mason and Dixon's line. See under Line.

North, a. Lying toward the north; situated at the north, or in a northern direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the north, or coming from the north.

North following. See Following, a., 2. -- North pole, that point in the heavens, or on the earth, ninety degrees from the equator toward the north. -- North preceding. See Following, a., 2. -- North star, the star toward which the north pole of the earth very nearly points, and which accordingly seems fixed and immovable in the sky. The star &alpha; (alpha) of the Little Bear, is our present north star, being distant from the pole about 1° 25&prime;, and from year to year approaching slowly nearer to it. It is called also Cynosura, polestar, and by astronomers, Polaris.

North, v. i. To turn or move toward the north; to veer from the east or west toward the north.

North, adv. Northward.

North`east" (?), n. The point between the north and east, at an equal distance from each; the northeast part or region.

North`east", a. Of or pertaining to the northeast; proceeding toward the northeast, or coming from that point; as, a northeast course; a northeast wind.

Northeast passage, a passage or communication by sea between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans along the north coast of Asia.

North`east", adv. Toward the northeast.

North`east"er (?), n. A storm, strong wind, or gale, coming from the northeast.

North`east"er*ly, a. Pertaining to the northeast; toward the northeast, or coming from the northeast.

North`east"er*ly, adv. Toward the northeast.

North`east"ern (?), a. Of or pertaining to the northeast; northeasterly.

{ North`east"ward (?), North`east"ward*ly (?) }, adv. Toward the northeast.

North"er (?), n. A wind from the north; esp., a strong and cold north wind in Texas and the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico.

North"er*li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being northerly; direction toward the north.

North"er*ly, a. Of or pertaining to the north; toward the north, or from the north; northern.

North"er*ly, adv. Toward the north.

North"ern (?), a. [AS. norðerne.]

1. Of or pertaining to the north; being in the north, or nearer to that point than to the east or west.

2. In a direction toward the north; as, to steer a northern course; coming from the north; as, a northern wind.

Northern diver. (Zoöl.) See Loon. -- Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora. -- Northern spy (Bot.), an excellent American apple, of a yellowish color, marked with red.

North"ern*er (?), n. 1. One born or living in the north.

2. A native or inhabitant of the Northern States; -- contradistinguished from Southerner. [U. S.]

North"ern*ly, adv. Northerly. [Obs.] Hakewill.

North"ern*most` (?), a. [Cf. Northmost.] Farthest north.

North"ing, n. 1. (Surv. & Navigation) Distance northward from any point of departure or of reckoning, measured on a meridian; -- opposed to southing.

2. (Astron.) The distance of any heavenly body from the equator northward; north declination.

North"man (nôrth"man), n.; pl. Northmen (-men). [AS. norðman. See North, and Man, and cf. Norman.] One of the inhabitants of the north of Europe; esp., one of the ancient Scandinavians; a Norseman.

North"most` (-mst), a. [AS. norðmest. Cf. Aftermost.] Lying farthest north; northernmost.

Northmost part of the coast of Mozambique.

De Foe.

North"ness, n. A tendency in the end of a magnetic needle to point to the north. Faraday.

North*um"bri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Northumberland in England. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Northumberland.

North"ward (?), a. [AS. norðweard.] Toward the north; nearer to the north than to the east or west point.

{ North"ward (?), North"wards (?) }, adv. Toward the north, or toward a point nearer to the north than to the east or west point.

North"ward*ly, a. Having a northern direction.

North"ward*ly, adv. In a northern direction.

North`west" (?), n. [AS. norðwest.] The point in the horizon between the north and west, and equally distant from each; the northwest part or region.

North`west", a. 1. Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the point between the north and west; being in the northwest; toward the northwest, or coming from the northwest; as, the northwest coast.

2. Coming from the northwest; as, a northwest wind.

Northwest passage, a passage or communication by sea between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans along the north coast of America, long sought for by navigators.

North`west", adv. Toward the northwest.

North`west"er (?), n. A storm or gale from the northwest; a strong northwest wind.

North`west"er*ly, a. Toward the northwest, or from the northwest.

North`west"ern (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or being in, the northwest; in a direction toward the northwest; coming from the northwest; northwesterly; as, a northwestern course.

{ North`west"ward (?), North`west"ward*ly (?), } adv. Toward the northwest.

Nor*we"gi*an (?), a. [Cf. Icel. Noregr, Norvegr, Norway. See North, and Way.] Of or pertaining to Norway, its inhabitants, or its language.

Nor*we"gi*an, n. 1. A native of Norway.

2. That branch of the Scandinavian language spoken in Norway.

Nor*we"gi*um (?), n. [NL. See Norwegian.] (Chem.) A rare metallic element, of doubtful identification, said to occur in the copper-nickel of Norway.

Nor*we"yan (?), a. Norwegian. [Obs.] Shak.

Nose (?), n. [AS. nosu; akin to D. neus, G. nase, OHG. nasa, Icel. nös, Sw. näsa, Dan. näse, Lith. nosis, Russ. nos', L. nasus, nares, Skr. ns, ns. &?; Cf. Nasal, Nasturtium, Naze, Nostril, Nozzle.]

1. (Anat.) The prominent part of the face or anterior extremity of the head containing the nostrils and olfactory cavities; the olfactory organ. See Nostril, and Olfactory organ under Olfactory.

2. The power of smelling; hence, scent.

We are not offended with a dog for a better nose than his master.

Collier.

3. A projecting end or beak at the front of an object; a snout; a nozzle; a spout; as, the nose of a bellows; the nose of a teakettle.

Nose bit (Carp.), a bit similar to a gouge bit, but having a cutting edge on one side of its boring end. -- Nose hammer (Mach.), a frontal hammer. -- Nose hole (Glass Making), a small opening in a furnace, before which a globe of crown glass is held and kept soft at the beginning of the flattening process. -- Nose key (Carp.), a fox wedge. -- Nose leaf (Zoöl.), a thin, broad, membranous fold of skin on the nose of many species of bats. It varies greatly in size and form. -- Nose of wax, fig., a person who is pliant and easily influenced. "A nose of wax to be turned every way." Massinger -- Nose piece, the nozzle of a pipe, hose, bellows, etc.; the end piece of a microscope body, to which an objective is attached. -- To hold, put, or bring one's nose to the grindstone. See under Grindstone. -- To lead by the nose, to lead at pleasure, or to cause to follow submissively; to lead blindly, as a person leads a beast. Shak. -- To put one's nose out of joint, to humiliate one's pride, esp. by supplanting one in the affections of another. [Slang] -- To thrust one's nose into, to meddle officiously in. -- To wipe one's nose of, to deprive of; to rob. [Slang]

Nose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nosing.] 1. To smell; to scent; hence, to track, or trace out.

2. To touch with the nose; to push the nose into or against; hence, to interfere with; to treat insolently.

Lambs . . . nosing the mother's udder.

Tennyson.

A sort of national convention, dubious in its nature . . . nosed Parliament in the very seat of its authority.

Burke.

3. To utter in a nasal manner; to pronounce with a nasal twang; as, to nose a prayer. [R.] Cowley.

Nose (nz), v. i. 1. To smell; to sniff; to scent. Audubon.

2. To pry officiously into what does not concern one.

Nose"bag` (?), n. A bag in which feed for a horse, ox, or the like, may be fastened under the nose by a string passing over the head.

Nose"band` (?), n. That part of the headstall of a bridle which passes over a horse's nose.

Nose"bleed` (?), n. 1. A bleeding at the nose.

2. (Bot.) The yarrow. See Yarrow.

Nosed (?), a. Having a nose, or such a nose; -- chieflay used in composition; as, pug- nosed.

Nose"gay` (?), n. [Nose + gay in the sense of a gay or showy thing.] A bunch of odorous and showy flowers; a bouquet; a posy. Pope.

Nos"el (?), v. t. [See Noursle.] To nurse; to lead or teach; to foster; to nuzzle. [Obs.]

If any man use the Scripture . . . to nosel thee in anything save in Christ, he is a false prophet.

Tyndale.

Nose"less (?), a. Destitute of a nose.

Nose"smart` (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of cress, a pungent cruciferous plant, including several species of the genus Nasturtium.

{ Nose"thirl (?), Nose"thril (?) }, n. Nostril. [Obs.] [Written also nosethurl, nosthrill.] Chaucer.

Nos"ing (?), n. (Arch.) That part of the treadboard of a stair which projects over the riser; hence, any like projection, as the projecting edge of a molding.

No"sle (?), n. [See Nozzle, Nose.] Nozzle. [Obs.]

Nos`o*co"mi*al (?), a. [L. nosocomium a hospital, Gr. &?;; &?; disease + &?; to attend to.] Of or pertaining to a hospital; as, nosocomial atmosphere. Dunglison.

No*sog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; disease + -graphy: cf. F. nosographie.] A description or classification of diseases.

Nos`o*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. nosologique.] Of or pertaining to nosology.

No*sol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. nosologiste.] One versed in nosology.

No*sol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; disease + -logy: cf. F. nosologie.] 1. A systematic arrangement, or classification, of diseases.

2. That branch of medical science which treats of diseases, or of the classification of diseases.

Nos`o*po*et"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; disease + &?; productive, fr. &?; to make.] Producing diseases. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Nost (?). [Contr. from ne wost.] Wottest not; knowest not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nos*tal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a return home + &?; pain.] (Med.) Homesickness; esp., a severe and sometimes fatal form of melancholia, due to homesickness.

Nos*tal"gic (?), a. [Cf. F. nostalgique.] Of or pertaining to nostalgia; affected with nostalgia.

Nos*tal"gy (?), n. Same as Nostalgia.

Nos"toc (?), n. [F.] (Bot.) A genus of algæ. The plants are composed of moniliform cells imbedded in a gelatinous substance.

Nostoc commune is found on the ground, and is ordinarily not seen; but after a rain it swells up into a conspicuous jellylike mass, whish was formerly supposed to have fallen from the sky, whence the popular names, fallen star and star jelly. Also called witches' butter.

Nos"tril (?), n. [OE. nosethril, nosethirl, AS. nospyrl; nos for nosu nose + pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for pyrhel, fr. purh through. &?; See Nose, and Through, and cf. Thrill.]

1. (Anat.) One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares.

In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called a spiracle.

2. Perception; insight; acuteness. [Obs.]

Methinks a man Of your sagacity and clear nostril should Have made another choice.

B. Jonson.

Nos"trum (-trm), n.; pl. Nostrums (-trmz). [Neut. sing. of L. noster ours, fr. nos we. See Us.]

1. A medicine, the ingredients of which are kept secret for the purpose of restricting the profits of sale to the inventor or proprietor; a quack medicine.

2. Any scheme or device proposed by a quack.

The incentives of agitators, the arts of impostors and the nostrums of quacks.

Brougham.

Not (?). [Contr. from ne wot. See 2d Note.] Wot not; know not; knows not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Not, a. Shorn; shaven. [Obs.] See Nott.

Not, adv. [OE. not, noht, nought, naught, the same word as E. naught. See Naught.] A word used to express negation, prohibition, denial, or refusal.

Not one word spake he more than was need.

Chaucer.

Thou shalt not steal.

Ex. xx. 15.

Thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

Job vii. 8.

The question is, may I do it, or may I not do it?

Bp. Sanderson.

Not . . . but, or Not but, only. [Obs. or Colloq.] Chaucer.

||No`ta*bil"i*a (?), n. pl. [Neut. pl. of L. notabilis notable.] Things ||worthy of notice.

Not`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Notabilities (#). [Cf. F. notabilité .] 1. Quality of being notable.

2. A notable, or remarkable, person or thing; a person of note. "Parisian notabilities" Carlyle.

3. A notable saying. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Not"a*ble (?), a. [F. notable, L. notabilis, fr. notare to mark, nota mark, note. See 5th Note.]

1. Capable of being noted; noticeable; plan; evident.

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2. Worthy of notice; remarkable; memorable; noted or distinguished; as, a notable event, person.

Notable in the sense of careful, thrifty, characterized by thrift and capacity (as, a notable housekeeper) is pronounced by many good orthoëpists, nt"*b'l, the derivatives notableness, and notably, being also similarly pronounced with short o in the first syllable.

3. Well-known; notorious. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Not"a*ble (?), n. 1. A person, or thing, of distinction.

2. (French Hist.) One of a number of persons, before the revolution of 1789, chiefly of the higher orders, appointed by the king to constitute a representative body.

Not"a*ble*ness, n. The quality of being notable.

Not"a*bly, adv. In a notable manner.

||No*tæ"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; pertaining to the notum or back.] ||(Zoöl.) The back or upper surface, as of a bird.

No"tal (?), a. [Gr. &?; the back.] Of or pertaining to the back; dorsal.

||No*tan"dum (?), n.; pl. Notanda (#). [L., fr. notare to observe.] A ||thing to be noted or observed; a notable fact; -- chiefly used in the ||plural.

No*ta"ri*al (?), a. [Cf. F. notarial.] Of or pertaining to a notary; done or taken by a notary; as, a notarial seal; notarial evidence or attestation.

No*ta"ri*al*ly, adv. In a notarial manner.

No"ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Notaries (#). [F. notaire, L. notarius notary (in sense 1), fr. nota mark. See 5th Note.]

1. One who records in shorthand what is said or done; as, the notary of an ecclesiastical body.

2. (Eng. & Am. Law) A public officer who attests or certifies deeds and other writings, or copies of them, usually under his official seal, to make them authentic, especially in foreign countries. His duties chiefly relate to instruments used in commercial transactions, such as protests of negotiable paper, ship's papers in cases of loss, damage, etc. He is generally called a notary public.

No"tate (?), a. [L. notatus marked, p. p. of notare to mark. See 5th Note.] (Bot.) Marked with spots or lines, which are often colored. Henslow.

No*ta"tion (?), n. [L. notatio a marking, observing, etymology, fr. notare to mark, nota a mark: cf. F. notation. See 5th Note.] 1. The act or practice of recording anything by marks, figures, or characters.

2. Any particular system of characters, symbols, or abbreviated expressions used in art or science, to express briefly technical facts, quantities, etc. Esp., the system of figures, letters, and signs used in arithmetic and algebra to express number, quantity, or operations.

3. Literal or etymological signification. [Obs.]

"Conscience" is a Latin word, and, according to the very notation of it, imports a double or joint knowledge.

South.

Notch (?), n. [Akin to nock; cf. OD. nock, OSw. nocka. Cf. Nick a notch.]

1. A hollow cut in anything; a nick; an indentation.

And on the stick ten equal notches makes.

Swift.

2. A narrow passage between two elevation; a deep, close pass; a defile; as, the notch of a mountain.

Notch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Notched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Notching.] 1. To cut or make notches in ; to indent; also, to score by notches; as, to notch a stick.

2. To fit the notch of (an arrow) to the string.

God is all sufferance; here he doth show No arrow notched, only a stringless bow.

Herrick.

Notch"board` (?), n. (Carp.) The board which receives the ends of the steps in a staircase.

Notch"ing, n. 1. The act of making notches; the act of cutting into small hollows.

2. The small hollow, or hollows, cut; a notch or notches.

3. (Carp.) A method of joining timbers, scantling, etc., by notching them, as at the ends, and overlapping or interlocking the notched portions.

4. (Engin.) A method of excavating, as in a bank, by a series of cuttings side by side. See also Gulleting.

Notch"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A foul-smelling weed, the stinking goosefoot (Chenopodium Vulvaria).

Note (?), v. t. [AS. hntan to strike against, imp. hnt.] To butt; to push with the horns. [Prov. Eng.]

Note (?). [AS. nt; ne not + wt wot. See Not, and Wot.] Know not; knows not. [Obs.]

Note, n. Nut. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Note, n. [AS. notu use, profit.] Need; needful business. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Note, n. [F. note, L. nota; akin to noscere, notum, to know. See Know.] 1. A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality.

Whosoever appertain to the visible body of the church, they have also the notes of external profession.

Hooker.

She [the Anglican church] has the note of possession, the note of freedom from party titles,the note of life -- a tough life and a vigorous.

J. H. Newman.

What a note of youth, of imagination, of impulsive eagerness, there was through it all !

Mrs. Humphry Ward.

2. A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence.

3. A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.

The best writers have been perplexed with notes, and obscured with illustrations.

Felton.

4. A brief writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute.

5. pl. Hence, a writing intended to be used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a speech or of proceedings.

6. A short informal letter; a billet.

7. A diplomatic missive or written communication.

8. A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note.

9. A list of items or of charges; an account. [Obs.]

Here is now the smith's note for shoeing.

Shak.

10. (Mus.) (a) A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence: (b) A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune. (c) A key of the piano or organ.

The wakeful bird . . . tunes her nocturnal note.

Milton.

That note of revolt against the eighteenth century, which we detect in Goethe, was struck by Winckelmann.

W. Pater.

11. Observation; notice; heed.

Give orders to my servants that they take No note at all of our being absent hence.

Shak.

12. Notification; information; intelligence. [Obs.]

The king . . . shall have note of this.

Shak.

13. State of being under observation. [Obs.]

Small matters . . . continually in use and in note.

Bacon.

14. Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of note.

There was scarce a family of note which had not poured out its blood on the field or the scaffold.

Prescott.

15. Stigma; brand; reproach. [Obs.] Shak.

Note of hand, a promissory note.

Note (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Noted; p. pr. & vb. n. Noting.] [F. noter, L. notare, fr. nota. See Note, n.]

1. To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed; to attend to. Pope.

No more of that; I have noted it well.

Shak.

2. To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.

Every unguarded word . . . was noted down.

Maccaulay.

3. To charge, as with crime (with of or for before the thing charged); to brand. [Obs.]

They were both noted of incontinency.

Dryden.

4. To denote; to designate. Johnson.

5. To annotate. [R.] W. H. Dixon.

6. To set down in musical characters.

To note a bill or draft, to record on the back of it a refusal of acceptance, as the ground of a protest, which is done officially by a notary.

Note"book` (?), n. 1. A book in which notes or memorandums are written.

2. A book in which notes of hand are registered.

Not"ed (?), a. Well known by reputation or report; eminent; celebrated; as, a noted author, or traveler. -- Not"ed*ly, adv. -- Not"ed*ness, n.

Note"ful (?), a. Useful. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Note"less, a. Not attracting notice; not conspicuous.

Noteless as the race from which he sprung.

Sir W. Scott.

Note"less*ness, n. A state of being noteless.

Note"let (?), n. A little or short note; a billet.

Note" pa`per (?). Writing paper, not exceeding in size, when folded once, five by eight inches.

Not"er (?), n. 1. One who takes notice.

2. An annotator. [Obs.]

Note"wor`thy (?), a. Worthy of observation or notice; remarkable.

Noth"er (?), conj. Neither; nor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Noth"ing (?), n. [From no, a. + thing.]

1. Not anything; no thing (in the widest sense of the word thing); -- opposed to anything and something.

Yet had his aspect nothing of severe.

Dryden.

2. Nonexistence; nonentity; absence of being; nihility; nothingness. Shak.

3. A thing of no account, value, or note; something irrelevant and impertinent; something of comparative unimportance; utter insignificance; a trifle.

Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought.

Is. xli. 24.

'T is nothing, says the fool; but, says the friend, This nothing, sir, will bring you to your end.

Dryden.

4. (Arith.) A cipher; naught.

Nothing but, only; no more than. Chaucer. -- To make nothing of. (a) To make no difficulty of; to consider as trifling or important. "We are industrious to preserve our bodies from slavery, but we make nothing of suffering our souls to be slaves to our lusts." Ray. (b) Not to understand; as, I could make nothing of what he said.

Noth"ing, adv. In no degree; not at all; in no wise.

Adam, with such counsel nothing swayed.

Milton.

The influence of reason in producing our passions is nothing near so extensive as is commonly believed.

Burke.

Nothing off (Naut.), an order to the steersman to keep the vessel close to the wind.

Noth`ing*a"ri*an (?), n. One of no certain belief; one belonging to no particular sect.

Noth"ing*ism (?), n. Nihility; nothingness. [R.]

Noth"ing*ness, n. 1. Nihility; nonexistence.

2. The state of being of no value; a thing of no value.

No"tice (?), n. [F., fr. L. notitia a being known, knowledge, fr. noscere, notum, to know. See Know.]

1. The act of noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note.

How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we take of other persons !

I. Watts.

2. Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning.

I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.

Shak.

3. An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.

4. A writing communicating information or warning.

5. Attention; respectful treatment; civility.

To take notice of, to perceive especially; to observe or treat with particular attention.

Syn. -- Attention; regard; remark; note; heed; consideration; respect; civility; intelligence; advice; news.

No"tice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Noticed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Noticing (?).] 1. To observe; to see to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.

2. To show that one has observed; to take public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to notice a book.

This plant deserves to be noticed in this place.

Tooke.

Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed.

Sir W. Hamilton.

3. To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.

Syn. -- To remark; observe; perceive; see; mark; note; mind; regard; heed; mention. See Remark.

No"tice*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being observed; worthy of notice; likely to attract observation; conspicuous.

A noticeable man, with large gray eyes.

Wordsworth.

No"tice*a*bly, adv. In a noticeable manner.

No"ti*cer (?), n. One who notices.

No`ti*da"ni*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; back + &?; comely.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of sharks of the family Notidanidæ, or Hexanchidæ. Called also cow sharks. See Shark.

No`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. notification. See Notify.] 1. The act of notifying, or giving notice; the act of making known; especially, the act of giving official notice or information to the public or to individuals, corporations, companies, or societies, by words, by writing, or by other means.

2. Notice given in words or writing, or by signs.

3. The writing which communicates information; an advertisement, or citation, etc.

No"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Notified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Notifying (?).] [F. notifier, L. notificare; notus known (p. p. of noscere to known) + - ficare (in comp.) to make. See Know, and -fy.]

1. To make known; to declare; to publish; as, to notify a fact to a person.

No law can bind till it be notified or promulged.

Sowth.

2. To give notice to; to inform by notice; to apprise; as, the constable has notified the citizens to meet at the city hall; the bell notifies us of the time of meeting.

The President of the United States has notified the House of Representatives that he has approved and signed the act.

Journal of the Senate, U. S.

This application of notify has been condemned; but it is in constant good use in the United States, and in perfect accordance with the use of certify.

No"tion (?), [L. notio, fr. noscere to know: cf. F. notion. See Know.] 1. Mental apprehension of whatever may be known or imagined; an idea; a conception; more properly, a general or universal conception, as distinguishable or definable by marks or notæ.

What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself to assume under the notion of principles.

Sir I. Newton.

Few agree in their notions about these words.

Cheyne.

That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color, thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the "idea" of hunger, cold, etc.

I. Watts.

Notion, again, signifies either the act of apprehending, signalizing, that is, the remarking or taking note of, the various notes, marks, or characters of an object which its qualities afford, or the result of that act.

Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A sentiment; an opinion.

The extravagant notion they entertain of themselves.

Addison.

A perverse will easily collects together a system of notions to justify itself in its obliquity.

J. H. Newman.

3. Sense; mind. [Obs.] Shak.

4. An invention; an ingenious device; a knickknack; as, Yankee notions. [Colloq.]

5. Inclination; intention; disposition; as, I have a notion to do it. [Colloq.]

No"tion*al (?), a. 1. Consisting of, or conveying, notions or ideas; expressing abstract conceptions.

2. Existing in idea only; visionary; whimsical.

Discourses of speculative and notional things.

Evelyn.

3. Given to foolish or visionary expectations; whimsical; fanciful; as, a notional man.

No`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. A notional or groundless opinion. [R.] Glanvill.

No"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In mental apprehension; in conception; not in reality.

Two faculties . . . notionally or really distinct.

Norris.

No"tion*ate (?), a. Notional. [R.]

No"tion*ist, n. One whose opinions are ungrounded notions. [R.] Bp. Hopkins.

No"tist (?), n. An annotator. [Obs.]

||No`to*bran`chi*a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Notum, and Branchia.] ||(Zoöl.) (a) A division of nudibranchiate mollusks having gills upon ||the back. (b) The Dorsibranchiata.

No`to*bran"chi*ate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Notobranchiata.

No"to*chord (?), n. [Gr. &?; the back + E. chord.] (Anat.) An elastic cartilagelike rod which is developed beneath the medullary groove in the vertebrate embryo, and constitutes the primitive axial skeleton around which the centra of the vertebræ and the posterior part of the base of the skull are developed; the chorda dorsalis. See Illust. of Ectoderm.

No`to*chor"dal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the notochord; having a notochord.

No`to*don"tian (?), n. [Gr. &?; the back + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of bombycid moths belonging to Notodonta, Nerice, and allied genera. The caterpillar of these moths has a hump, or spine, on its back.

||No`to*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. L. Notopodia (#), E. Notopodiums (#). ||[NL., fr. Gr. &?; the back + &?;, &?;, the foot.] (Zoöl.) The dorsal ||lobe or branch of a parapodium. See Parapodium.

No`to*rhi"zal (?), a. [Gr. &?; the back + &?; a root.] (Bot.) Having the radicle of the embryo lying against the back of one of the cotyledons; incumbent.

<! p. 984 !>

No`to*ri"e*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. notoriété. See Notorious.] The quality or condition of being notorious; the state of being generally or publicly known; -- commonly used in an unfavorable sense; as, the notoriety of a crime.

They were not subjects in their own nature so exposed to public notoriety.

Addison.

No*to"ri*ous (?), a. [L. notorius pointing out, making known, fr. noscere, notum, to known: cf. F. notoire. See Know.] Generally known and talked of by the public; universally believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice.

Your goodness, Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.

Shak.

Syn. -- Distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; celebrated; noted; famous; renowned.

-- No*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- No*to"ri*ous*ness, n.

||No*tor"nis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the south, or southwest + &?; ||bird.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds allied to the gallinules, but having ||rudimentary wings and incapable of flight. Notornis Mantelli was ||first known as a fossil bird of New Zealand, but subsequently a few ||individuals were found living on the southern island. It is supposed ||to be now nearly or quite extinct.

||No`to*the"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the south + &?; a wild ||animal.] (Zoöl.) An extinct genus of gigantic herbivorous marsupials, ||found in the Pliocene formation of Australia.

||No`to*tre"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; back + &?; a hole.] (Zoöl.) ||The pouched, or marsupial, frog of South America.

{ Not"-pat`ed (?), Nott"-pat`ed }, a. Same as Nott-headed. [Obs.] Shak.

Not"self` (?), n. (Metaph.) The negative of self. "A cognizance of notself." Sir. W. Hamilton.

Nott (?), a. [AS. hnot shorn.] Shorn. [Obs.]

Nott, v. t. To shear. [Obs.] Stow.

Nott"-head`ed (?), a. Having the hair cut close. [Obs.] Chapman.

||Not*tur"no (?), n. [It.] (Mus.) Same as Nocturne.

||No"tum (?), n.; pl. Nota (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) The back.

||No"tus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] The south wind.

Not"wheat` (?), n. [Nott + wheat.] Wheat not bearded. Carew.

Not`with*stand"ing (?), prep. Without prevention, or obstruction from or by; in spite of.

We gentil women bee Loth to displease any wight, Notwithstanding our great right.

Chaucer's Dream.

Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done.

Dr. H. More.

Notwithstanding was, by Johnson and Webster, viewed as a participle absolute, an English equivalent of the Latin non obstante. Its several meanings, either as preposition, adverb, or conjunction, are capable of being explained in this view. Later grammarians, while admitting that the word was originally a participle, and can be treated as such, prefer to class it as a preposition or disjunctive conjunction.

Syn. -- In spite of; despite. -- Notwithstanding, In spite of, Despite. These words and phrases are often interchanged, but there is a difference between them, chiefly in strength. Notwithstanding is the weaker term, and simply points to some obstacle that may exist; as, I shall go, notwithstanding the rain. In spite or despite of has reference primarily to active opposition to be encountered from others; as, "I'll be, in man's despite, a monarch; " "I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world." Shak. Hence, these words, when applied to things, suppose greater opposition than notwithstanding. We should say. "He was thrust rudely out of doors in spite of his entreaties," rather than "notwithstanding". On the other hand, it would be more civil to say, "Notwithstanding all you have said, I must still differ with you."

Not`with*stand"ing, adv. or conj. [Originally the participle of withstand, with not prefixed.] Nevertheless; however; although; as, I shall go, notwithstanding it rains.

I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it.

1 Kings xi. 11, 12.

They which honor the law as an image of the wisdom of God himself, are, notwithstanding, to know that the same had an end in Christ.

Hooker.

You did wisely and honestly too, notwithstanding She is the greatest beauty in the parish.

Fielding.

Notwithstanding that, notwithstanding; although.

These days were ages to him, notwithstanding that he was basking in the smiles of the pretty Mary.

W. Irving.

Nouch (?), n. [See Ouch.] An ouch; a jewel. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Nou`gat" (?), n. [F.] A cake, sweetmeat, or confectión made with ||almonds or other nuts.

Nought (?), n. & adv. See Naught. Chaucer.

Nould (?). [Contr. fr. ne would.] Would not. [Obs.] "By those who nould repent." Fairfax.

Noule (?), n. [See Noll.] The top of the head; the head or noll. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nou"me*nal (?), a. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to the noumenon; real; -- opposed to phenomenal. G. H. Lewes.

||Nou"me*non (?), n. [NL. fr. Gr. &?; the thing perceived, p. pr. pass. ||of &?; to perceive, &?; the mind.] (Metaph.) The of itself unknown ||and unknowable rational object, or thing in itself, which is ||distinguished from the phenomenon through which it is apprehended by ||the senses, and by which it is interpreted and understood; -- so used ||in the philosophy of Kant and his followers.

Noun (?), n. [OF. noun, nun, num, non, nom, F. nom, fr. L. nomen name. See Name.] (Gram.) A word used as the designation or appellation of a creature or thing, existing in fact or in thought; a substantive.

By some grammarians the term noun is so used as to include adjectives, as being descriptive; but in general it is limited to substantives.

Noun"al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a noun.

Verbs which in whole or in part have shed their old nounal coat.

Earle.

Noun"ize (?), v. t. To change (an adjective, verb, etc.) into a noun. Earle.

Nour"ice (?), n. A nurse. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nour"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nourished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nourishing.] [OE. norisen, norischen, OF. nurir, nurrir, norir, F. norrir, fr. L. nutrire. Cf. Nurse, Nutriment, and see - ish.]

1. To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment.

He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

Is. xliv. 14.

2. To support; to maintain.

Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band.

Shak.

3. To supply the means of support and increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues. "Nourish their contentions." Hooker.

4. To cherish; to comfort.

Ye have nourished your hearts.

James v. 5.

5. To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments. Chaucer.

Nourished up in the words of faith.

1 Tim. iv. 6.

Syn. -- To cherish; feed; supply. See Nurture.

Nour"ish, v. i. 1. To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.

Grains and roots nourish more than their leaves.

Bacon.

2. To gain nourishment. [R.] Bacon.

Nour"ish, n. A nurse. [Obs.] Hoolland.

Nour"ish*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. nourrissable.]

1. Capable of being nourished; as, the nourishable parts of the body. Grew.

2. Capable of giving nourishment. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Nour"ish*er (?), n. One who, or that which, nourishes. Milton.

Nour"ish*ing, a. Promoting growth; nutritious,

Nour"ish*ing*ly, adv. Nutritively; cherishingly.

Nour"ish*ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. norrissement.]

1. The act of nourishing, or the state of being nourished; nutrition.

2. That which serves to nourish; nutriment; food.

Learn to seek the nourishment of their souls.

Hooker.

Nour"i*ture (?), n. Nurture. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nour"sle (?), v. t. [Freq., fr. OE. nourse. See Nurse.] To nurse; to rear; to bring up. [Obs.] [Written also nosel, nousel, nousle, nowsle, nusle, nuzzle, etc.]

She noursled him till years he raught.

Spenser.

||Nous (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; mind.] Intellect; understanding; ||talent; -- used humorously.

{ Nous"el, Nou"sle } (?), v. t. [See Noose.] To insnare; to entrap. [Obs.] Johnson.

{ Nou"the, Now"the (?) }, adv. [Now + the.] Just now; at present. [Obs.]

But thereof needeth not to speak as nouthe.

Chaucer.

No*vac"u*lite (?), n. [L. novacula a sharp knife, razor: cf. F. novaculite.] (Min.) A variety of siliceous slate, of which hones are made; razor stone; Turkey stone; hone stone; whet slate.

No*va"tian (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of the sect of Novatius, or Novatianus, who held that the lapsed might not be received again into communion with the church, and that second marriages are unlawful.

No*va"tian*ism (?), n. The doctrines or principles of the Novatians. Milner.

No*va"tion (?), n. [L. novatio; novus new: cf. F. novation.] 1. Innovation. [Obs.]

I shall easily grant that novations in religion are a main cause of distempers in commonwealths.

Laud.

2. (Law) A substitution of a new debt for an old one; also, the remodeling of an old obligation.

No*va"tor (?), n. An innovator. [Obs.]

Nov"el (?), a. [OF. novel, nuvel, F. nouvel, nouveau, L. novellus, dim. of novus new. See New.] Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.

In civil law, the novel or new constitutions are those which are supplemental to the code, and posterior in time to the other books. These contained new decrees of successive emperors.

Novel assignment (Law), a new assignment or specification of a suit.

Syn. -- New; recent; modern; fresh; strange; uncommon; rare; unusual. -- Novel, New . Everything at its first occurrence is new; that is novel which is so much out of the ordinary course as to strike us with surprise. That is a new sight which is beheld for the first time; that is a novel sight which either was never seen before or is seen but seldom. We have daily new inventions, but a novel one supposes some very peculiar means of attaining its end. Novel theories are regarded with distrust, as likely to prove more ingenious than sound.

Nov"el, n. [F. nouvelle. See Novel, a.]

1. That which is new or unusual; a novelty.

2. pl. News; fresh tidings. [Obs.]

Some came of curiosity to hear some novels.

Latimer.

3. A fictitious tale or narrative, professing to be conformed to real life; esp., one intended to exhibit the operation of the passions, and particularly of love. Dryden.

4. [L. novellae (sc. constitutiones): cf. F. novelles.] (Law) A new or supplemental constitution. See the Note under Novel, a.

Nov`el*ette" (?), n. [Dim. of novel, n. See Novel.] A short novel.

Nov"el*ism (?), n. Innovation. [Obs.]

Nov"el*ist, n. 1. An innovator; an asserter of novelty. [Obs.] Cudworth.

2. [Cf. F. nouvelliste, It. novellista.] A writer of news. [Obs.] Tatler (178).

3. [Cf. F. nouvelliste.] A writer of a novel or novels.

Nov"el*ize (?), v. i. To innovate. [Obs.]

Nov"el*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Novelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Novelizing (?).] 1. To innovate. [Obs.]

2. To put into the form of novels; to represent by fiction. "To novelize history." Sir J. Herschel.

Nov"el*ry (?), n. [OF. novelerie.] Novelty; new things. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nov"el*ty (?), n.; pl. Novelties (#). [OF. novelté, F. nouveauté, L. novellitas.]

1. The quality or state of being novel; newness; freshness; recentness of origin or introduction.

Novelty is the great parent of pleasure.

South.

2. Something novel; a new or strange thing.

No*vem"ber (?), n. [L. November, or Novembris (sc. mensis), the ninth month of the old Roman year, which began with March, fr. novem nine: cf. F. Novembre. See Nine.] The eleventh month of the year, containing thirty days.

Nov"e*na*ry (?), a. [L. novenarius, from novem nine.] Of or pertaining to the number nine.

Nov"e*na*ry, n. The number of nine units; nine, collectively.

No"vene (?), a. [L. novenus nine each, in LL., ninth, fr. L. novem nine.] Relating to, or dependent on, the number nine; novenary. [R.]

The triple and novene division ran throughout.

Milman.

No*ven"ni*al (?), a. [L. novennis of nine years; novem nine + annus year.] Done or recurring every ninth year.

No*ver"cal (?), a. [L. novennis of nine years; novem nine + annus year.] Done or recurring every ninth year.

No*ver"cal (?), a. [L. novercalis, from noverca a stepmother.] Of or pertaining to a stepmother; suitable to, or in the manner of, a stepmother. Derham.

Nov"ice (?), n. [F., from L. novicius, novitius, new, from novus new. See New, and cf. Novitious.]

1. One who is new in any business, profession, or calling; one unacquainted or unskilled; one yet in the rudiments; a beginner; a tyro.

I am young; a novice in the trade.

Dryden.

2. One newly received into the church, or one newly converted to the Christian faith. 1 Tim. iii. 6.

3. (Eccl.) One who enters a religious house, whether of monks or nuns, as a probationist. Shipley.

No poore cloisterer, nor no novys.

Chaucer.

Nov"ice, a. Like a novice; becoming a novice. [Obs.]

Nov"ice*ship (?), n. The state of being a novice; novitiate.

No`vi*lu"nar (?), a. [L. novus new + luna the moon.] Of or pertaining to the new moon. [R.]

No*vi"ti*ate (?), n. [LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.]

1. The state of being a novice; time of initiation or instruction in rudiments.

2. Hence: Time of probation in a religious house before taking the vows.

3. One who is going through a novitiate, or period of probation; a novice. Addison.

4. The place where novices live or are trained. [R.]

No*vi"tious (?), a. [L. novitius, novicius.] Newly invented; recent; new. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Nov"i*ty (?), n. [L. novitas, fr. novus new.] Newness; novelty. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

No"vum (?), n. A game at dice, properly called novem quinque (L., nine five), the two principal throws being nine and five. [Obs.] Shak.

Now (?), adv. [OE. nou, nu, AS. n, nu; akin to D., OS., & OHG. nu, G. nu, nun, Icel., n, Dan., Sw., & Goth. nu, L. nunc, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nu, n. &radic;193. Cf. New.]

1. At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.

I have a patient now living, at an advanced age, who discharged blood from his lungs thirty years ago.

Arbuthnot.

2. Very lately; not long ago.

They that but now, for honor and for plate, Made the sea blush with blood, resign their hate.

Waller.

3. At a time contemporaneous with something spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred to.

The ship was now in the midst of the sea.

Matt. xiv. 24.

4. In present circumstances; things being as they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation.

How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a parasite and a man of honor ?

L'Estrange.

Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is ?

Shak.

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber.

John xviii. 40.

The other great and undoing mischief which befalls men is, by their being misrepresented. Now, by calling evil good, a man is misrepresented to others in the way of slander.

South.

Now and again, now and then; occasionally. -- Now and now, again and again; repeatedly. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Now and then, at one time and another; indefinitely; occasionally; not often; at intervals. "A mead here, there a heath, and now and then a wood." Drayton. -- Now now, at this very instant; precisely now. [Obs.] "Why, even now now, at holding up of this finger, and before the turning down of this." J. Webster (1607). -- Now . . . now, alternately; at one time . . . at another time. "Now high, now low, now master up, now miss." Pope.

Now, a. Existing at the present time; present. [R.] "Our now happiness." Glanvill.

Now, n. The present time or moment; the present.

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past; But an eternal now does ever last.

Cowley.

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Now"a*days` (?), adv. [For now on (OE. an) days. See A-, 1.] In these days; at the present time.

What men of spirit, nowadays, Come to give sober judgment of new plays ?

Garrick.

{ No"way` (?), No"ways` (?), } adv. [No, a. + way. Cf. - wards.] In no manner or degree; not at all; nowise.

But Ireland will noways allow that name unto it.

Fuller.

Nowch (?), n. See Nouch. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nowd (?), n. (Zoöl.) The European gray gurnard (Trigla gurnardus). [Written also knoud.]

Now"ed (?), a. [F. noué, p. p. of nouer to knot, fr. L. nodare. See Nodated.] (Her.) Knotted; tied in a knot, as a serpent.

Now"el (?), n. [See Noel.] [Written also noël.]

1. Christmas; also, a shout of joy at Christmas for the birth of the Savior. [Obs.]

2. (Mus.) A kind of hymn, or canticle, of mediæval origin, sung in honor of the Nativity of our Lord; a Christmas carol. Grove.

Now"el, n. [F. noyau, prop., a kernel. See Noyau, Newel a post.] (Founding) (a) The core, or the inner part, of a mold for casting a large hollow object. (b) The bottom part of a mold or of a flask, in distinction from the cope; the drag.

Nowes (?), n. pl. [From OF. nous. See Noose, Node.] The marriage knot. [Obs.] Crashaw.

No"where` (?), adv. [AS. nhwr. See No, and Where.] Not anywhere; not in any place or state; as, the book is nowhere to be found.

No"whith`er (?), adv. [No + whither.] Not anywhither; in no direction; nowhere. [Archaic] "Thy servant went nowhither." 2 Kings v. 25.

No"wise` (?), adv. [For in no wise. See Wise, n.] Not in any manner or degree; in no way; noways.

Others whose case is nowise different.

Earle.

Nowt (?), n. pl. (Zoöl.) Neat cattle.

Now"the (?). See Nouthe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nox"ious (?), a. [L. noxius, fr. noxa harm; akin to nocere to harm, hurt. Cf. Nuisance, Necromancy.]

1. Hurtful; harmful; baneful; pernicious; injurious; destructive; unwholesome; insalubrious; as, noxious air, food, or climate; pernicious; corrupting to morals; as, noxious practices or examples.

Too frequent an appearance in places of public resort is noxious to spiritual promotions.

Swift.

2. Guilty; criminal. [R.]

Those who are noxious in the eye of the law.

Abp. Bramhall.

Syn. -- Noisome; hurtful; harmful; injurious; destructive; pernicious; mischievous; corrupting; baneful; unwholesome; insalubrious. See Noisome.

-- Nox"ious*ly, adv. -- Nox"ious*ness, n.

Noy (?), v. t. [See Annoy.] To annoy; to vex. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Piers Plowman.

All that noyed his heavy spright.

Spenser.

Noy, n. That which annoys. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Noy"ance (?), n. Annoyance. [Obs.] Spenser.

||Noy`au" (?), n. [F., prop., the stone or nut of a fruit, fr. L. ||nucalis like a nut. See Newel a post.] A cordial of brandy, etc., ||flavored with the kernel of the bitter almond, or of the peach stone, ||etc.

Noy"er (?), n. An annoyer. [Obs.] Tusser.

Noy"ful (?), a. Full of annoyance. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Noyls (?), n. pl. See Noils.

Noy"ous (?), a. Annoying; disagreeable. [Obs.]

Watch the noyous night, and wait for &?; yous day.

Spenser.

No"zle (?), n. Nozzle. [Obs.]

Noz"zle (?), n. [A dim. of nose. &radic;261] [Written also nosle.] 1. The nose; the snout; hence, the projecting vent of anything; as, the nozzle of a bellows.

2. Specifically: (a) A short tube, usually tapering, forming the vent of a hose or pipe. (b) A short outlet, or inlet, pipe projecting from the end or side of a hollow vessel, as a steam-engine cylinder or a steam boiler.

||Nu`ance" (?), n. [F.] A shade of difference; a delicate gradation.

Nub (?), v. t. [Cf. Knob.] To push; to nudge; also, to beckon. [Prov. Eng.]

Nub, n. A jag, or snag; a knob; a protuberance; also, the point or gist, as of a story. [Colloq.]

Nub"bin (?), n. A small or imperfect ear of maize. [Colloq. U. S.]

Nub"ble (?), v. t. [Cf. LG. nubben to knock, cuff.] To beat or bruise with the fist. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

||Nu*bec"u*la (?), n.; pl. Nubeculæ (-l). [L., dim. of nubes cloud.] 1. ||(Astron.) (a) A nebula. (b) pl. Specifically, the Magellanic clouds.

2. (Med.) (a) A slight spot on the cornea. (b) A cloudy object or appearance in urine. Dunglison.

Nu"bi*a (?), n. [From L. nubes cloud.] A light fabric of wool, worn on the head by women; a cloud.

Nu"bi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Nubia in Eastern Africa. -- n. A native of Nubia.

Nu*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nubifer; nubes cloud + ferre to bear: cf. F. nubifère.] Bringing, or producing, clouds.

Nu*big"e*nous (?), a. [L. nubes cloud + -genous.] Born of, or produced from, clouds. [R.]

Nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L. nubilatus, p. p. of nubilare to cloud, fr. nubes cloud.] To cloud. [Obs.]

Nu"bile (?), a. [L. nubilis, fr. nubere to marry: cf. F. nubile. See Nuptial.] Of an age suitable for marriage; marriageable. Prior.

Nu*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. nubilité .] The state of being marriageable. [R.]

{ Nu"bi*lose` (?), Nu"bi*lous (?), } a. [L. nubilosus, nubilus, fr. nubes cloud.] Cloudy. [R.]

Nu"ca*ment (?), n. [L. nucamenta fir cones, fr. nux, nucis, a nut.] (Bot.) A catkin or ament; the flower cluster of the hazel, pine, willow, and the like.

Nu`ca*men*ta"ceous (?), a. [See Nucament.] (Bot.) Like a nut either in structure or in being indehiscent; bearing one-seeded nutlike fruits. [Written also nucumentaceous.]

||Nu*cel"lus (?), n.; pl. Nucelli (#). [NL., dim. of nux, nucis, a ||nut.] (Bot.) See Nucleus, 3 (a).

||Nu"cha (?), n.; pl. Nuch&?; (#). [LL.] (Zoöl.) The back or upper part ||of the neck; the nape.

Nu"chal (?), a. [Cf. F. nucal.] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the back, or nape, of the neck; -- applied especially to the anterior median plate in the carapace of turtles.

Nu*cif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nux, nucis, nut + -ferous.] Bearing, or producing, nuts.

Nu"ci*form (?), a. [L. nux, nucis, nut + -form.] (Bot.) Shaped like a nut; nut-shaped.

Nu"cin (?), n. [L. nux, nucis, a nut.] (Chem.) See Juglone.

{ Nu"cle*al (?), Nu"cle*ar (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a nucleus; as, the nuclear spindle (see Illust. of Karyokinesis) or the nuclear fibrils of a cell; the nuclear part of a comet, etc.

Nu"cle*ate (?), a. [L. nucleatus having a kernel.] Having a nucleus; nucleated.

Nu"cle*ate (?), v. t. [Cf. L. nucleare to become kernelly.] To gather, as about a nucleus or center.

Nu"cle*a`ted (?), a. Having a nucleus; nucleate; as, nucleated cells.

Nu*cle"i*form (?), a. [L. nucleus kernel + -form.] Formed like a nucleus or kernel.

Nu"cle*in (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A constituent of the nuclei of all cells. It is a colorless amorphous substance, readily soluble in alkaline fluids and especially characterized by its comparatively large content of phosphorus. It also contains nitrogen and sulphur.

Nu"cle*o*branch (?), a. (Zoöl.) Belonging to the Nucleobranchiata. -- n. One of the Nucleobranchiata.

||Nu`cle*o*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Nucleus, and Branchia] ||(Zoöl.) See Heteropoda.

||Nu`cle*o*id`i*o*plas"ma (?), n. [NL. See Nucleus, and Idioplasma.] ||(Biol.) Hyaline plasma contained in the nucleus of vegetable cells.

Nu*cle"o*lar (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the nucleolus of a cell.

Nu"cle*o*la`ted (?), a. Having a nucleole, or second inner nucleus.

Nu"cle*ole (?), n. [See Nucleolus.] The nucleus within a nucleus; nucleolus.

Nu*cle"o*lus (?), n.; pl. Nucleoli (#). [L., a little nut, dim. of nucleus.]

1. A little nucleus.

2. (Biol.) A small rounded body contained in the nucleus of a cell or a protozoan.

It was termed by Agassiz the entoblast. In the protozoa, where it may be situated on one side of the nucleus, it is sometimes called the endoplastule, and is supposed to be concerned in the male part of the reproductive process. See Nucleus.

Nu"cle*o*plasm (?), n. [Nucleus + -plasm.] (Biol.) The matter composing the nucleus of a cell; the protoplasm of the nucleus; karyoplasma.

Nu`cle*o*plas"mic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to nucleoplasm; -- esp. applied to a body formed in the developing ovum from the plasma of the nucleus of the germinal vesicle.

Nu"cle*us (?), n.; pl. E. Nucleuses (#), L. Nuclei (#). [L., a kernel, dim. fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf. Newel post.]

1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the central or material portion; -- used both literally and figuratively.

It must contain within itself a nucleus of truth.

I. Taylor.

2. (Astron.) The body or the head of a comet.

3. (Bot.) (a) An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. (b) A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats.

4. (Biol.) A body, usually spheroidal, in a cell or a protozoan, distinguished from the surrounding protoplasm by a difference in refrangibility and in behavior towards chemical reagents. It is more or less protoplasmic, and consists of a clear fluid (achromatin) through which extends a network of fibers (chromatin) in which may be suspended a second rounded body, the nucleolus (see Nucleoplasm). See Cell division, under Division.

The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or endoblast, and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in the female part of the reproductive process. See Karyokinesis.

5. (Zoöl.) (a) The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell. (b) The central part around which additional growths are added, as of an operculum. (c) A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in Tunicata and some mollusks.

||Nu"cu*la (?), n. [L., little nut, dim. of nux, nucis, a nut.] (Zoöl.) ||A genus of small marine bivalve shells, having a pearly interior.

Nu"cule (n"kl), n. [L. nucula a small nut.] (Bot.) Same as Nutlet.

Nu`cu*men*ta"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) See Nucamentaceous.

Nu*da"tion (?), n. [L. nudatio, fr. nudare to make naked, fr. nudus naked. See Nude.] The act of stripping, or making bare or naked.

Nud"dle (?), v. i. To walk quickly with the head bent forward; -- often with along. [Prov. Eng.]

Nude (?), a. [L. nudus. See Naked.]

1. Bare; naked; unclothed; undraped; as, a nude statue.

2. (Law) Naked; without consideration; void; as, a nude contract. See Nudum pactum. Blackstone.

The nude, the undraped human figure in art.

-- Nude"ly, adv.- Nude"ness, n.

Nudge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nudge&?; (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nudging.] [Cf. Prov. G. knütschen to squeeze, pinch, E. Knock.] To touch gently, as with the elbow, in order to call attention or convey intimation.

Nudge (?), n. A gentle push, or jog, as with the elbow.

Nu`di*brach"i*ate (?), a. [L. nudus naked + brachium an arm.] (Zoöl.) Having tentacles without vibratile cilia. Carpenter.

Nu"di*branch (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Nudibranchiata. -- n. One of the Nudibranchiata.

||Nu`di*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Nude, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) ||A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks, having no shell except ||while very young. The gills are naked and situated upon the back or ||sides. See Ceratobranchia.

Nu`di*bran"chi*ate (?), a. & n. (Zoöl.) Same as Nudibranch.

Nu"di*caul (?), a. [L. nudus naked + caulis stem.] (Bot.) Having the stems leafless.

Nu`di*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nudus naked + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See - fy.] The act of making nude.

Nu"di*ty (?), n.; pl. Nudities (#). [Cf. F. nudité .]

1. The quality or state of being nude; nakedness.

2. That which is nude or naked; naked part; undraped or unclothed portion; esp. (Fine Arts), the human figure represented unclothed; any representation of nakedness; -- chiefly used in the plural and in a bad sense.

There are no such licenses permitted in poetry any more than in painting, to design and color obscene nudities.

Dryden.

||Nu"dum pac"tum (?). [L., a nude pact.] (Law) A bare, naked contract, ||without any consideration. Tomlins.

Nu*gac"i*ty (?), n. [L. nugacitas, fr. nugax, -acis, trifling.] Futility; trifling talk or behavior; drollery. [R.] Dr. H. More.

||Nu"gæ (?), n. pl. [L.] Trifles; jests.

Nu*ga"tion (?), n. [Cf. OF. nugation.] The act or practice of trifling. [R.] Bacon.

Nu"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. nugatorius, fr. nugari to trifle, nugae jests, trifles.]

1. Trifling; vain; futile; insignificant.

2. Of no force; inoperative; ineffectual.

If all are pardoned, and pardoned as a mere act of clemency, the very substance of government is made nugatory.

I. Taylor.

Nug"get (?), n. [Earlier niggot, prob. for nigot, an ingot. See Ingot.] A lump; a mass, esp. a native lump of a precious metal; as, a nugget of gold.

Nu"gi*fy (?), v. t. [L. nuggae trifles + -fy.] To render trifling or futile; to make silly. [R.] Coleridge.

Nui"sance (?), n. [OE. noisance, OF. noisance, nuisance, fr. L. nocentia guilt, fr. nocere to hurt, harm; akin to necare to kill. Cf Necromancy, Nocent, Noxious, Pernicious.] That which annoys or gives trouble and vexation; that which is offensive or noxious.

Nuisances are public when they annoy citizens in general; private, when they affect individuals only.

Nui"san*cer (?), n. (Law) One who makes or causes a nuisance.

Nul (?), a. [F. See Null, a.] (Law) No; not any; as, nul disseizin; nul tort.

Null (?), a. [L. nullus not any, none; ne not + ullus any, a dim. of unus one; cf. F. nul. See No, and One, and cf. None.] Of no legal or binding force or validity; of no efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless.

Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null, Dead perfection; no more.

Tennyson.

Null, n. 1. Something that has no force or meaning.

2. That which has no value; a cipher; zero. Bacon.

Null method (Physics.), a zero method. See under Zero.

Null, v. t. [From null, a., or perh. abbrev. from annul.] To annul. [Obs.] Milton.

Null, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] One of the beads in nulled work.

Nulled (?), a. Turned so as to resemble nulls.

Nulled work (Cabinetwork), ornamental turned work resembling nulls or beads strung on a rod.

Nul`li*bi"e*ty (?), n. [L. nullibi nowhere.] The state or condition of being nowhere. [Obs.]

Nul`li*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nullificatio contempt. See Nullify.] The act of nullifying; a rendering void and of no effect, or of no legal effect.

Right of nullification (U. S. Hist.), the right claimed in behalf of a State to nullify or make void, by its sovereign act or decree, an enactment of the general government which it deems unconstitutional.

Nul`li*fid"i*an (?), a. [L. nullus none + fide&?; faith.] Of no faith; also, not trusting to faith for salvation; -- opposed to solifidian. Feltham.

Nul`li*fid"i*an, n. An unbeliever. B. Jonson.

Nul"li*fi`er (?), n. One who nullifies or makes void; one who maintains the right to nullify a contract by one of the parties.

Nul"li*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nullified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nullifying (?).] [L. nullificare; nullus none + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Null, a., and -fy.] To make void; to render invalid; to deprive of legal force or efficacy.

Such correspondence would at once nullify the conditions of the probationary system.

I. Taylor.

Syn. -- To abrogate; revoke; annul; repeal; invalidate; cancel. See Abolish.

Nul"li*pore (?), n. [L. nullus none + porus pope.] (Bot.) A name for certain crustaceous marine algæ which secrete carbonate of lime on their surface, and were formerly thought to be of animal nature. They are now considered corallines of the genera Melobesia and Lithothamnion.

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Nul"li*ty (?), n.; pl. Nullities. [LL. nullitias, fr. L. nullus none: cf. F. nullité . See Null.]

1. The quality or state of being null; nothingness; want of efficacy or force.

2. (Law) Nonexistence; as, a decree of nullity of marriage is a decree that no legal marriage exists.

3. That which is null.

Was it not absurd to say that the convention was supreme in the state, and yet a nullity ?

Macaulay.

Numb (?), a. [OE. nume, nome, prop., seized, taken, p. p. of nimen to take, AS. niman, p. p. numen. &radic;7. See Nimble, Nomad, and cf. Benumb.]

1. Enfeebled in, or destitute of, the power of sensation and motion; rendered torpid; benumbed; insensible; as, the fingers or limbs are numb with cold. "A stony image, cold and numb." Shak.

2. Producing numbness; benumbing; as, the numb, cold night. [Obs.] Shak.

Numb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Numbing (?).] To make numb; to deprive of the power of sensation or motion; to render senseless or inert; to deaden; to benumb; to stupefy.

For lazy winter numbs the laboring hand.

Dryden.

Like dull narcotics, numbing pain.

Tennyson.

Numb"ed*ness (?), n. Numbness. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Num"ber (?), n. [OE. nombre, F. nombre, L. numerus; akin to Gr. &?; that which is dealt out, fr. &?; to deal out, distribute. See Numb, Nomad, and cf. Numerate, Numero, Numerous.] 1. That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.

2. A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.

Ladies are always of great use to the party they espouse, and never fail to win over numbers.

Addison.

3. A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.

4. Numerousness; multitude.

Number itself importeth not much in armies where the people are of weak courage.

Bacon.

5. The state or quality of being numerable or countable.

Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out of number.

2 Esdras iii. 7.

6. Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.

7. That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; -- chiefly used in the plural.

I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came.

Pope.

8. (Gram.) The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.

9. (Math.) The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.

Abstract number, Abundant number, Cardinal number, etc. See under Abstract, Abundant, etc. -- In numbers, in numbered parts; as, a book published in numbers.

Num"ber, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numbered (?); p. pr & vb. n. Numbering.] [OE. nombren, noumbren, F. nombrer, fr. L. numerare, numeratum. See Number, n.]

1. To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.

If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Gen. xiii. 16.

2. To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.

He was numbered with the transgressors.

Is. liii. 12.

3. To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.

4. To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.

Thy tears can not number the dead.

Campbell.

Numbering machine, a machine for printing consecutive numbers, as on railway tickets, bank bills, etc.

Syn. -- To count; enumerate; calculate; tell.

Num"ber*er (?), n. One who numbers.

Num"ber*ful (?), a. Numerous. [Obs.]

Num"ber*less, a. Innumerable; countless.

Num"ber*ous (?), a. Numerous. [Obs.] Drant.

Num"bers (?), n. pl. of Number. The fourth book of the Pentateuch, containing the census of the Hebrews.

Numb"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The torpedo, which numbs by the electric shocks which it gives.

Num"bless (?), n. pl. See Nombles.

Numb"ness (?), n. The condition of being numb; that state of a living body in which it loses, wholly or in part, the power of feeling or motion.

Nu"mer*a*ble (?), a. [L. numerabilis. See Number, v. t.] Capable of being numbered or counted.

Nu"mer*al (?), a. [L. numeralis, fr. numerus number: cf. F. numéral. See Number, n.]

1. Of or pertaining to number; consisting of number or numerals.

A long train of numeral progressions.

Locke.

2. Expressing number; representing number; as, numeral letters or characters, as X or 10 for ten.

Nu"mer*al, n. 1. A figure or character used to express a number; as, the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, etc.; the Roman numerals, I, V, X, L, etc.

2. A word expressing a number.

Nu"mer*al*ly, adv. According to number; in number; numerically.

Nu"mer*a*ry (?), a. [LL. numerarius: cf. F. numéraire.] Belonging to a certain number; counting as one of a collection or body.

A supernumerary canon, when he obtains a prebend, becomes a numerary canon.

Ayliffe.

Nu"mer*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Numerating (?).] [L. numeratus, p. p. of numerare to count. See Number, v.] (Arith.) To divide off and read according to the rules of numeration; as, to numerate a row of figures.

Nu`mer*a"tion (?), n. [L. numeratio a counting out: cf. F. numération.] 1. The act or art of numbering.

Numeration is but still the adding of one unit more, and giving to the whole a new name or sign.

Locke.

2. The act or art of reading numbers when expressed by means of numerals. The term is almost exclusively applied to the art of reading numbers written in the scale of tens, by the Arabic method. Davies & Peck.

For convenience in reading, numbers are usually separated by commas into periods of three figures each, as 1,155,465. According to what is called the "English" system, the billion is a million of millions, a trillion a million of billions, and each higher denomination is a million times the one preceding. According to the system of the French and other Continental nations and also that of the United States, the billion is a thousand millions, and each higher denomination is a thousand times the preceding.

Nu"mer*a*tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to numeration; as, a numerative system. Eng. Cyc.

Nu"mer*a"tor (?), n. [L. numerator: cf. F. numérateur.]

1. One who numbers.

2. (Math.) The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.

In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See Fraction.

{ Nu*mer"ic (?), Nu*mer"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. numérique. See Number, n.]

1. Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement.

Numerical, as opposed to algebraical, is used to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically greater than -3, though algebraically less.

2. The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.] South.

Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with me bemoan the loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the recovery thereof, though not the same numerical volumes.

Fuller.

Numerical equation (Alg.), an equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in numbers; -- distinguished from literal equation. -- Numerical value of an equation or expression, that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and reducing.

Nu*mer"ic, n. (Math.) Any number, proper or improper fraction, or incommensurable ratio. The term also includes any imaginary expression like m + n&radic;- 1, where m and n are real numerics.

Nu*mer"ic*al*ly, adv. In a numerical manner; in numbers; with respect to number, or sameness in number; as, a thing is numerically the same, or numerically different.

Nu"mer*ist (?), n. One who deals in numbers. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Nu"me*ro (?), n. [It., or F. numéro ; both fr. L. numerus number.] Number; -- often abbrev. No.

Nu`mer*os"i*ty (?), n. [L. numerositas.]

1. The state of being numerous; numerousness. [Obs.]

2. Rhythm; harmony; flow. [Obs.]

The numerosity of the sentence pleased the ear.

S. Parr.

Nu"mer*ous (?), a. [L. numerosus. See Number.]

1. Consisting of a great number of units or individual objects; being many; as, a numerous army.

Such and so numerous was their chivalry.

Milton.

2. Consisting of poetic numbers; rhythmical; measured and counted; melodious; musical. [Obs.]

Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous verse.

Milton.

-- Nu"mer*ous*ly, adv. -- Nu"mer*ous*ness, n.

Nu*mid"i*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to ancient Numidia in Northern Africa.

Numidian crane. (Zoöl.) See Demoiselle, 2.

{ Nu`mis*mat"ic (?), Nu`mis*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [L. numisma, nomisma, a piece of money, coin, fr. Gr. &?; anything sanctioned by usage, the current coin, fr. &?; to introduce a custom, or usage, fr. &?; a custom, or usage, fr. &?; to distribute, assign: cf. F. numismatique. See Nomad.] Of or pertaining to coins; relating to the science of coins or medals.

Nu`mis*mat"ics (?), n. [Cf. F. numismatique.] The science of coins and medals.

Nu*mis"ma*tist (?), n. One skilled in numismatics; a numismatologist.

Nu*mis`ma*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [L. numisma, -atis (Gr. &?;) + -graphy.] A treatise on, or description of, coins and medals.

Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in numismatology.

Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [L. numisma, -atis + -logy.] The science which treats of coins and medals, in their relation to history; numismatics.

Num"ma*ry (?), a. [L. nummarius, from nummus a coin.] Of or relating to coins or money.

{ Num"mu*lar (?), Num"mu*la*ry (?), } a. [L. nummularius, fr. nummulus, dim. of nummus a coin: cf. F. nummulaire.]

1. Of or pertaining to coin or money; pecuniary; as, the nummulary talent.

2. (Pathol.) Having the appearance or form of a coin. "Nummular sputa." Sir T. Watson.

Num`mu*la"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) The arrangement of the red blood corpuscles in rouleaux, like piles of coins, as when a drop of human blood is examined under the microscope.

Num"mu*lite (?), n. [L. nummus a coin + -lite: cf. F. nummulite.] (Paleon.) A fossil of the genus Nummulites and allied genera.

||Num`mu*li"tes (?), n. [NL. See Nummulite.] (Paleon.) A genus of ||extinct Tertiary Foraminifera, having a thin, flat, round shell, ||containing a large number of small chambers arranged spirally.

Num`mu*lit"ic (?), a. Of, like, composed of, containing, nummulites; as, nummulitic beds.

Numps (?), n. [Cf. Numb.] A dolt; a blockhead. [Obs.] Bp. Parker.

Num"skull` (?), n. [Numb + skull.] A dunce; a dolt; a stupid fellow. [Colloq.]

They have talked like numskulls.

Arbuthnot.

Num"skulled` (?), a. Stupid; doltish. [Colloq.]

Nun (?), n. [OE. nunne, AS. nunne, fr. L. nonna nun, nonnus monk; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;; of unknown origin. Cf. Nunnery.]

1. A woman devoted to a religious life, who lives in a convent, under the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

They holy time is quiet as a nun Breathless with adoration.

Wordsworth.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A white variety of domestic pigeons having a veil of feathers covering the head. (b) The smew. (c) The European blue titmouse.

Gray nuns (R. C. Ch.), the members of a religious order established in Montreal in 1745, whence branches were introduced into the United States in 1853; -- so called from the color or their robe, and known in religion as Sisters of Charity of Montreal. -- Nun buoy. See under Buoy.

Nun"chion (?), n. [OE. nonechenche, for noneschenche, prop., a noon drink; none noon + schenchen, schenken, skinken, to pour, AS. scencan. See Noon, and Skink, v. i.] A portion of food taken at or after noon, usually between full meals; a luncheon. [Written also noonshun.] Hudibras.

Nun"ci*ate (?), n. One who announces; a messenger; a nuncio. [Obs.] Hoole.

Nun"ci*a*ture (?), n. [L. nunciare, nuntiare, to announce, report, fr. nuncius, nuntius, messenger: cf. F. nonciature, It. nunziatura. See Nuncio.] The office of a nuncio. Clarendon.

Nun"ci*o (?), n.; pl. Nuncios (#). [It. nunzio, nuncio, fr. L. nuncius, nuntius, messenger; perh. akin to novus new, E. new, and thus, one who brings news. Cf. Announce.]

1. A messenger. [Obs.] Shak.

2. The permanent official representative of the pope at a foreign court or seat of government. Distinguished from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than internuncios.

||Nun"ci*us (?), n.; pl. Nuncii (#). [L.] (Roman & Old Eng. Law) (a) A ||messenger. (b) The information communicated.

Nun"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. nuncupatus, p. p. of nuncupare to nuncupate, prob. fr. nomen name + capere to take.] 1. To declare publicly or solemnly; to proclaim formally. [Obs.]

In whose presence did St. Peter nuncupate it ?

Barrow.

2. To dedicate by declaration; to inscribe; as, to nuncupate a book. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Nun`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. nuncupatio.] The act of nuncupating. [Obs.]

Nun*cu"pa*tive (?), a. [L. nuncupativus nominal: cf. F. nuncupatif.] 1. Publicly or solemnly declaratory. [Obs.]

2. Nominal; existing only in name. [Obs.]

3. Oral; not written.

Nuncupative will or testament, a will or testament made by word of mouth only, before witnesses, as by a soldier or seaman, and depending on oral testimony for proof. Blackstone.

Nun*cu"pa*to*ry (?), a. Nuncupative; oral.

Nun"di*nal (?), n. A nundinal letter.

{ Nun"di*nal (?), Nun"di*na*ry (?), } a. [L. nundinalis, nundinarius, fr. nundinae the market day, the weekly market, prop., the ninth day, fr. nundinus belonging to nine days; novem nine + dies day: cf. F. nundinal.] Of or pertaining to a fair, or to a market day.

Nundinal letter, among the Romans, one of the first eight letters of the alphabet, which were repeated successively from the first to the last day of the year. One of these always expressed the market day, which returned every nine days (every eight days by our reckoning).

Nun"di*nate (?), v. i. [L. nundinatus, p. p. of nundinary to attend fairs, to traffic. See Nundinal, a.] To buy and sell at fairs or markets. [Obs.]

Nun`di*na"tion (?), n. [L. nundinatio.] Traffic at fairs; marketing; buying and selling. [Obs.]

Common nundination of pardons.

Abp. Bramhall.

Nun*na"tion (?), n. [From nun, the Arabic name of the letter n: cf. NL. nunnatio, F. nunnation.] (Arabic Gram.) The pronunciation of n at the end of words.

Nun"ner*y (?), n.; pl. Nunneries (#). [OE. nonnerie, OF. nonerie, F. nonnerie, fr. nonne nun, L. nonna. See Nun.] A house in which nuns reside; a cloister or convent in which women reside for life, under religious vows. See Cloister, and Convent.

Nun"nish (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or resembling a nun; characteristic of a nun. -- Nun"nish*ness, n.

Nup (?), n. Same as Nupson. [Obs.]

||Nu"phar (?), n. [Per. n&?;far.] (Bot.) A genus of plants found in the ||fresh-water ponds or lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America; the ||yellow water lily. Cf. Nymphaea.

<! p. 987 !>

Nup"son (?), n. [Of doubtful origin.] A simpleton; a fool. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Nup"tial (?), a. [L. nuptialis, fr. nuptiae marriage, wedding, fr. nubere, nuptum, prop., to cover, to veil, hence, to marry, as the head of the bride was covered with a veil; cf. Gr. &?; bride, nymph: cf. F. nuptial.] Of or pertaining to marriage; done or used at a wedding; as, nuptial rites and ceremonies.

Then, all in heat, They light the nuptial torch.

Milton.

Nup"tial, n.; pl. Nuptials (&?;). Marriage; wedding; nuptial ceremony; -- now only in the plural.

Celebration of that nuptial, which We two have sworn shall come.

Shak.

Preparations . . . for the approaching nuptials.

Prescott.

Nur (?), n. [Cf. Knur.] A hard knot in wood; also, a hard knob of wood used by boys in playing hockey.

I think I'm as hard as a nur, and as tough as whitleather.

W. Howitt.

Nurl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nurling.] [Cf. Knurl.] To cut with reeding or fluting on the edge of, as coins, the heads of screws, etc.; to knurl.

Nurse (?), n. [OE. nourse, nurice, norice, OF. nurrice, norrice, nourrice, F. nourrice, fr. L. nutricia nurse, prop., fem. of nutricius that nourishes; akin to nutrix, -icis, nurse, fr. nutrire to nourish. See Nourish, and cf. Nutritious.] 1. One who nourishes; a person who supplies food, tends, or brings up; as: (a) A woman who has the care of young children; especially, one who suckles an infant not her own. (b) A person, especially a woman, who has the care of the sick or infirm.

2. One who, or that which, brings up, rears, causes to grow, trains, fosters, or the like.

The nurse of manly sentiment and heroic enterprise.

Burke.

3. (Naut.) A lieutenant or first officer, who is the real commander when the captain is unfit for his place.

4. (Zoöl.) (a) A peculiar larva of certain trematodes which produces cercariæ by asexual reproduction. See Cercaria, and Redia. (b) Either one of the nurse sharks.

Nurse shark. (Zoöl.) (a) A large arctic shark (Somniosus microcephalus), having small teeth and feeble jaws; -- called also sleeper shark, and ground shark. (b) A large shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), native of the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, having the dorsal fins situated behind the ventral fins. -- To put to nurse, or To put out to nurse, to send away to be nursed; to place in the care of a nurse. -- Wet nurse, Dry nurse. See Wet nurse, and Dry nurse, in the Vocabulary.

Nurse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nursed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nursing.] 1. To nourish; to cherish; to foster; as: (a) To nourish at the breast; to suckle; to feed and tend, as an infant. (b) To take care of or tend, as a sick person or an invalid; to attend upon.

Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age.

Milton.

Him in Egerian groves Aricia bore, And nursed his youth along the marshy shore.

Dryden.

2. To bring up; to raise, by care, from a weak or invalid condition; to foster; to cherish; -- applied to plants, animals, and to any object that needs, or thrives by, attention. "To nurse the saplings tall." Milton.

By what hands [has vice] been nursed into so uncontrolled a dominion?

Locke.

3. To manage with care and economy, with a view to increase; as, to nurse our national resources.

4. To caress; to fondle, as a nurse does. A. Trollope.

To nurse billiard balls, to strike them gently and so as to keep them in good position during a series of caroms.

Nurse"hound` (?), n. (Zoöl.) See Houndfish.

Nurse"maid` (?), n. A girl employed to attend children.

Nurse"pond`, n. A pond where fish are fed. Walton.

Nurs"er (?), n. One who nurses; a nurse; one who cherishes or encourages growth.

Nurs"er*y (?), n.; pl. Nurseries (#). [Cf. F. nourricerie.] 1. The act of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind nursery." Shak.

2. The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of arts." Shak.

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven.

J. M. Mason.

(d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen.

3. That which is nursed. [R.] Milton.

Nurs"er*y*man (?), n.; pl. Nurserymen (&?;). One who cultivates or keeps a nursery, or place for rearing trees, etc.

Nurs"ing, a. Supplying or taking nourishment from, or as from, the breast; as, a nursing mother; a nursing infant.

Nurs"ling (?), n. [Nurse + - ling.] One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant; a fondling.

I was his nursling once, and choice delight.

Milton.

Nurs"tle (?), v. t. To nurse. See Noursle. [Obs.]

Nur"ture (?), n. [OE. norture, noriture, OF. norriture, norreture, F. nourriture, fr. L. nutritura a nursing, suckling. See Nourish.] 1. The act of nourishing or nursing; thender care; education; training.

A man neither by nature nor by nurture wise.

Milton.

2. That which nourishes; food; diet. Spenser.

Nur"ture (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurtured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nurturing.] 1. To feed; to nourish.

2. To educate; to bring or train up.

He was nurtured where he had been born.

Sir H. Wotton.

Syn. -- To nourish; nurse; cherish; bring up; educate; tend. -- To Nurture, Nourish, Cherish. Nourish denotes to supply with food, or cause to grow; as, to nourish a plant, to nourish rebellion. To nurture is to train up with a fostering care, like that of a mother; as, to nurture into strength; to nurture in sound principles. To cherish is to hold and treat as dear; as, to cherish hopes or affections.

Nus"tle (?), v. t. [Cf. Nuzzle.] To fondle; to cherish. [Obs.]

Nut (?), n. [OE. nute, note, AS. hnutu; akin to D. noot, G. nuss, OHG. nuz, Icel. hnot, Sw. nöt, Dan. nöd.]

1. (Bot.) The fruit of certain trees and shrubs (as of the almond, walnut, hickory, beech, filbert, etc.), consisting of a hard and indehiscent shell inclosing a kernel.

2. A perforated block (usually a small piece of metal), provided with an internal or female screw thread, used on a bolt, or screw, for tightening or holding something, or for transmitting motion. See Illust. of lst Bolt.

3. The tumbler of a gunlock. Knight.

4. (Naut.) A projection on each side of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock in place.

Check nut, Jam nut, Lock nut, a nut which is screwed up tightly against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the first nut. -- Nut buoy. See under Buoy. -- Nut coal, screened coal of a size smaller than stove coal and larger than pea coal; -- called also chestnut coal. - - Nut crab (Zoöl.), any leucosoid crab of the genus Ebalia as, Ebalia tuberosa of Europe. -- Nut grass (Bot.), a plant of the Sedge family (Cyperus rotundus, var. Hydra), which has slender rootstocks bearing small, nutlike tubers, by which the plant multiplies exceedingly, especially in cotton fields. -- Nut lock, a device, as a metal plate bent up at the corners, to prevent a nut from becoming unscrewed, as by jarring. -- Nut pine. (Bot.) See under Pine. -- Nut rush (Bot.), a genus of cyperaceous plants (Scleria) having a hard bony achene. Several species are found in the United States and many more in tropical regions. -- Nut tree, a tree that bears nuts. -- Nut weevil (Zoöl.), any species of weevils of the genus Balaninus and other allied genera, which in the larval state live in nuts.

Nut, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nutted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nutting.] To gather nuts.

Nu"tant (?), a. [L. nutans, p. pr. of nutare to nod, v. intens. fr. nuere (in comp.) to nod; cf. Gr. &?;.] Nodding; having the top bent downward.

Nu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nutatio a nodding, fr. nutare to nod: cf. F. nutation.]

1. The act of nodding.

So from the midmost the nutation spreads, Round and more round, o'er all the sea of heads.

Pope.

2. (Astron.) A very small libratory motion of the earth's axis, by which its inclination to the plane of the ecliptic is constantly varying by a small amount.

3. (Bot.) (a) The motion of a flower in following the apparent movement of the sun, from the east in the morning to the west in the evening. (b) Circumnutation.

Nut"break`er (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) The European nuthatch. (b) The nutcracker.

Nut"-brown` (?), a. Brown as a nut long kept and dried. "The spicy nutbrown ale." Milton.

Nut"crack`er (?), n. 1. An instrument for cracking nuts.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A European bird (Nucifraga caryocatactes), allied to the magpie and crow. Its color is dark brown, spotted with white. It feeds on nuts, seeds, and insects. (b) The American, or Clarke's, nutcracker (Picicorvus Columbianus) of Western North America.

Nut"gall` (?), n. A more or less round gall resembling a nut, esp. one of those produced on the oak and used in the arts. See Gall, Gallnut.

Nut"hatch` (?), n. [OE. nuthake. See 2d Hack.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of birds of the genus Sitta, as the European species (Sitta Europæa). The white-breasted nuthatch (S. Carolinensis), the red-breasted nuthatch (S. Canadensis), the pygmy nuthatch (S. pygmæa), and others, are American.

Nut"hook` (?), n. 1. A hook at the end of a pole to pull down boughs for gathering the nuts.

2. A thief who steals by means of a hook; also, a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors. Shak.

Nut"job`ber (?), n. (Zoöl.) The nuthatch. [Prov. Eng.]

Nut"let (?), n. (Bot.) A small nut; also, the stone of a drupe.

Nut"meg (?), n. [OE. notemuge; note nut + OF. muge musk, of the same origin as E. musk; cf. OF. noix muguette nutmeg, F. noix muscade. See Nut, and Musk.] (Bot.) The kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), a native of the Molucca Islands, but cultivated elsewhere in the tropics.

This fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, of the size of a pear, of a yellowish color without and almost white within. This opens into two nearly equal longitudinal valves, inclosing the nut surrounded by its aril, which is mace The nutmeg is an aromatic, very grateful to the taste and smell, and much used in cookery. Other species of Myristica yield nutmegs of inferior quality.

American, Calabash, or Jamaica, nutmeg, the fruit of a tropical shrub (Monodora Myristica). It is about the size of an orange, and contains many aromatic seeds imbedded in pulp. -- Brazilian nutmeg, the fruit of a lauraceous tree, Cryptocarya moschata. -- California nutmeg, tree of the Yew family (Torreya Californica), growing in the Western United States, and having a seed which resembles a nutmeg in appearance, but is strongly impregnated with turpentine. -- Clove nutmeg, the Ravensara aromatica, a laura ceous tree of Madagascar. The foliage is used as a spice, but the seed is acrid and caustic. -- Jamaica nutmeg. See American nutmeg (above). -- Nutmeg bird (Zoöl.), an Indian finch (Munia punctularia). -- Nutmeg butter, a solid oil extracted from the nutmeg by expression. -- Nutmeg flower (Bot.), a ranunculaceous herb (Nigella sativa) with small black aromatic seeds, which are used medicinally and for excluding moths from furs and clothing. -- Nutmeg liver (Med.), a name applied to the liver, when, as the result of heart or lung disease, it undergoes congestion and pigmentation about the central veins of its lobules, giving it an appearance resembling that of a nutmeg. -- Nutmeg melon (Bot.), a small variety of muskmelon of a rich flavor. -- Nutmeg pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of several species of pigeons of the genus Myristicivora, native of the East Indies and Australia. The color is usually white, or cream-white, with black on the wings and tail. -- Nutmeg wood (Bot.), the wood of the Palmyra palm. -- Peruvian nutmeg, the aromatic seed of a South American tree (Laurelia sempervirens). -- Plume nutmeg (Bot.), a spicy tree of Australia (Atherosperma moschata).

Nut"megged (?), a. Seasoned with nutmeg.

Nut"peck`er (?), n. (Zoöl.) The nuthatch.

Nu"tri*a (?), n. [Sp. nutria an otter, fr. L. lutra, lytra.] The fur of the coypu. See Coypu.

Nu`tri*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nutricatio, fr. nutricare, nutricari, to suckle, nourish, fr. nutrix a nurse.] The act or manner of feeding. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Nu"tri*ent (?), a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.] Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth. -- n. Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which nourishes or promotes growth.

Nu"tri*ment (?), n. [L. nutrimentum, fr. nutrire to nourish. See Nourish.]

1. That which nourishes; anything which promotes growth and repairs the natural waste of animal or vegetable life; food; aliment.

The stomach returns what it has received, in strength and nutriment diffused into all parts of the body.

South.

2. That which promotes development or growth.

Is not virtue in mankind The nutriment that feeds the mind ?

Swift.

Nu`tri*men"tal (?), a. Nutritious.

Nu*tri"tial (?), a. Pertaining to, or connected with, nutrition; nutritious. [Obs.] Chapman.

Nu*tri"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nutrition. See Nutritious.]

1. (Physiol.) In the broadest sense, a process or series of processes by which the living organism as a whole (or its component parts or organs) is maintained in its normal condition of life and growth.

In this wide sense it comprehends digestion, absorption, circulation, assimilation, etc., in fact all of the steps by which the nutritive matter of the food is fitted for incorporation with the different tissues, and the changes which it undergoes after its assimilation, prior to its excretion. See Metabolism.

2. (Physiol.) In a more limited sense, the process by which the living tissues take up, from the blood, matters necessary either for their repair or for the performance of their healthy functions.

3. That which nourishes; nutriment.

Fixed like a plant, on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.

Pope.

Nu*tri"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to nutrition; as, nutritional changes.

Nu*tri"tious (?), a. [L. nutricius, nutritius, from nutrix, -icis, a nurse, nutrire to nourish. See Nurse, Nourish.] Nourishing; promoting growth, or preventing decay; alimental. -- Nu*tri"tious*ly, adv. -- Nu*tri"tious*ness, n.

Nu"tri*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. nutritif.] Of or pertaining to nutrition; as, the nutritive functions; having the quality of nourishing; nutritious; nutrimental; alimental; as, nutritive food or berries.

Nutritive plasma. (Biol.) See Idioplasma. -- Nutritive polyp (Zoöl.), any one of the zooids of a compound hydroid, or coral, which has a mouth and digestive cavity.

-- Nu"tri*tive*ly, adv. -- Nu"tri*tive*ness, n.

Nu"tri*ture (?), n. [L. nutritura, fr. nutrir&?; to nourish.] Nutrition; nourishment. [Obs.] Harvey.

Nut"shell` (?), n. 1. The shell or hard external covering in which the kernel of a nut is inclosed.

2. Hence, a thing of little compass, or of little value.

3. (Zoöl.) A shell of the genus Nucula.

To be, or lie, in a nutshell, to be within a small compass; to admit of very brief or simple determination or statement. "The remedy lay in a nutshell." Macaulay.

Nut"ter (?), n. A gatherer of nuts.

Nut"ting (?), n. The act of gathering nuts.

Nut"ty (?), a. 1. Abounding in nuts.

2. Having a flavor like that of nuts; as, nutty wine.

Nux` vom"i*ca (?). [NL., fr. L. nux &?; nut + vomere to vomit.] The seed of Strychnos Nuxvomica, a tree which abounds on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of the East Indies. From this seed the deadly poisons known as strychnine and brucine are obtained. The seeds are sometimes called Quaker buttons.

Nuz"zle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nuzzied (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Nuzzling (?).] [See Noursle.]

1. To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring up. [Obs.]

The people had been nuzzled in idolatry.

Milton.

2. [Perh. a corruption of nestle. Cf. Nustle.] To nestle; to house, as in a nest.

<! p. 988 !>

Nuz"zle (?), v. i. [Dim. fr. nose. See Nozzle.]

1. To work with the nose, like a swine in the mud.

And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine Sheathed, unaware, the tusk in his soft groin.

Shak.

He charged through an army of lawyers, sometimes . . . nuzzling like an eel in the mud.

Arbuthnot.

2. To go with head poised like a swine, with nose down.

Sir Roger shook his ears, and nuzzled along.

Arbuthnot.

3. [Cf. Nuzzle, v. t., 2.] To hide the head, as a child in the mother's bosom; to nestle.

4. To loiter; to idle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Ny (?). [Contr. fr. ne I.] Not I; nor I. [Obs.]

{ Ny, Nye (?) }, a. & adv. Nigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ny"as (?), n. See Nias.

||Nyc`ta*lo"pi*a (?), n. [L. nyctalopia, fr. nyctalops a nyctalops, Gr. ||&?;. Gr. &?; meant, a person affected either with day blindness or ||with night blindness, and in the former case was derived fr. &?;, ||&?;, night + &?;, &?;, the eye; in the latter, fr. &?; + &?; blind + ||&?;.] (Med.) (a) A disease of the eye, in consequence of which the ||patient can see well in a faint light or at twilight, but is unable ||to see during the day or in a strong light; day blindness. (b) See ||Moonblink.

Some writers (as Quain) use the word in the opposite sense, night blindness. See Hemeralopia.

Nyc"ta*lops (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] One afflicted with nyctalopia.

Nyc"ta*lo`py (?), n. Same as Nyctalopia.

Nyc*the"me*ron (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, night + &?; day.] The natural day and night, or space of twenty-four hours.

Nyc"ti*bune (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American bird of the genus Nyctibius, allied to the goatsuckers.

Nyc`ti*trop"ic (?), a. [From Gr. &?;, &?;, night + &?; turning.] (Bot.) Turning or bending at night into special positions.

Nyctitropic movements of plants usually consist in a folding or drooping of the leaves, the advantage being in lessening the radiation of heat.

Nyc"to*phile (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, night + &?; to love.] (Zoöl.) Any Australian bat of the genus Nyctophilus, having a very simple nasal appendage.

Nye (?), n. [Prob. fr. F. nid nest, brood, L. nidus nest. See Nest, and cf. Eye brood, Nide.] A brood or flock of pheasants.

||Ny*en"tek (?), n. (Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal (Helictis moscatus, or ||H. orientalis), native of Eastern Asia and the Indies. It has a ||dorsal white stripe, and another one across the shoulders. It has a ||strong musky odor.

{ Nyl"ghau, Nyl"gau } (?), n. [Hind. & Per. nlgw, prop., a blue cow; Per. nl blue + gw cow. See Lilac, and Cow the animal.] (Zoöl.) A large Asiatic antelope (Boselaphus, or Portax, tragocamelus), found in Northern India. It has short horns, a black mane, and a bunch of long hair on the throat. The general color is grayish brown. [Written also neelghau, nilgau, and nylghaie.]

Nymph (?), n. [L. nympha nymph, bride, young woman, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nymphe. Cf. Nuptial.]

1. (Class. Myth.) A goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows, or waters.

Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless deep Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas ?

Milton.

2. Hence: A lovely young girl; a maiden; a damsel.

Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remembered.

Shak.

3. (Zoöl.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis.

4. (Zoöl.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.

||Nym"pha (?), n.; pl. Nymphæ (#). [L. See Nymph a goddess.] 1. (Zoöl.) ||Same as Nymph, 3.

2. pl. (Anat.) Two folds of mucous membrane, within the labia, at the opening of the vulva.

||Nym*phæ"a (?), n. [L., the water lily, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A genus of ||aquatic plants having showy flowers (white, blue, pink, or yellow, ||often fragrant), including the white water lily and the Egyptia ||lotus.

Recent critics have endeavored to show that this genus should be called Castalia, and the name Nymphæa transferred to what is now known as Nuphar.

Nymph"al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a nymph or nymphs; nymphean.

||Nym*pha"les (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An extensive family of ||butterflies including the nymphs, the satyrs, the monarchs, the ||heliconias, and others; -- called also brush-footed butterflies.

Nym*phe"an (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Nymph.] Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, nymphs; inhabited by nymphs; as, a nymphean cave.

Nymph"et (?), n. A little or young nymph. [Poetic] "The nymphets sporting there." Drayton.

{ Nymph"ic (?), Nymph"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; bridal.] Of or pertaining to nymphs.

Nym*phip"a*rous (?), a. [Nymph + L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.) Producing pupas or nymphs.

Nymph"ish (?), a. Relating to nymphs; ladylike. "Nymphish war." Drayton.

{ Nymph"like` (?), Nymph"ly (?), } a. Resembling, or characteristic of, a nymph.

Nym"pho*lep`sy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a nymph + &?; to seize.] A species of demoniac enthusiasm or possession coming upon one who had accidentally looked upon a nymph; ecstasy. [R.] De Quincey.

The nympholepsy of some fond despair.

Byron.

Nym`pho*lep"tic (?), a. Under the influence of nympholepsy; ecstatic; frenzied. [Poetic]

Nym`pho*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bride + &?; madness.] (Med.) Morbid and uncontrollable sexual desire in women, constituting a true disease.

Nym"pho*ma`ny (?), n. [Cf. F. nymphomanie.] (Med.) Same as Nymphomania.

Nym*phot"o*my (?), n. [Nympha + Gr. &?; to cut.] (Med.) Excision of the nymphæ.

Nys (?). Is not. See Nis. Chaucer. Spenser.

||Nys*tag"mus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; drowsiness, fr. &?; to nod in ||sleep, to slumber.] (Med.) A rapid involuntary oscillation of the ||eyeballs.

Ny*u"la (?), n. (Zoöl.) A species of ichneumon (Herpestes nyula). Its fur is beautifully variegated by closely set zigzag markings.

O.

O (). 1. O, the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet, derives its form, value, and name from the Greek O, through the Latin. The letter came into the Greek from the Phœnician, which possibly derived it ultimately from the Egyptian. Etymologically, the letter o is most closely related to a, e, and u; as in E. bone, AS. bn; E. stone, AS. stn; E. broke, AS. brecan to break; E. bore, AS. beran to bear; E. dove, AS. dfe; E. toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F. nombre.

The letter o has several vowel sounds, the principal of which are its long sound, as in bone, its short sound, as in nod, and the sounds heard in the words orb, son, do (feod), and wolf (book). In connection with the other vowels it forms several digraphs and diphthongs. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 107-129.

2. Among the ancients, O was a mark of triple time, from the notion that the ternary, or number 3, is the most perfect of numbers, and properly expressed by a circle, the most perfect figure.

O was also anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it (), 11,000.

O (), n.; pl. O's or Oes (z). 1. The letter O, or its sound. "Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes." Tennyson.

2. Something shaped like the letter O; a circle or oval. "This wooden O [Globe Theater]". Shak.

3. A cipher; zero. [R.]

Thou art an O without a figure.

Shak.

O'. [Ir. o a descendant.] A prefix to Irish family names, which signifies grandson or descendant of, and is a character of dignity; as, O'Neil, O'Carrol.

O' (; unaccented ), prep. A shortened form of of or on. "At the turning o' the tide." Shak.

O (), a. [See One.] One. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Alle thre but o God." Piers Plowman.

O (?), interj. An exclamation used in calling or directly addressing a person or personified object; also, as an emotional or impassioned exclamation expressing pain, grief, surprise, desire, fear, etc.

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Ps. cxix. 89.

O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day.

Ps. cxix. 97.

O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and that, an in expressing a wish: "O [I wish] that Ishmael might live before thee !" Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of surprise, indignation, or regret: "O [it is sad] that such eyes should e'er meet other object !" Sheridan Knowles.

A distinction between the use of O and oh is insisted upon by some, namely, that O should be used only in direct address to a person or personified object, and should never be followed by the exclamation point, while Oh (or oh) should be used in exclamations where no direct appeal or address to an object is made, and may be followed by the exclamation point or not, according to the nature or construction of the sentence. Some insist that oh should be used only as an interjection expressing strong feeling. The form O, however, is, it seems, the one most commonly employed for both uses by modern writers and correctors for the press. "O, I am slain !" Shak. "O what a fair and ministering angel !" "O sweet angel !" Longfellow.

O for a kindling touch from that pure flame !

Wordsworth.

But she is in her grave, -- and oh The difference to me !

Wordsworth.

Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness !

Cowper.

We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative and the emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and oh for the latter.

Earle.

O dear, &and; O dear me! [corrupted fr. F. O Dieu! or It. O Dio! O God! O Dio mio! O my God! Wyman.], exclamations expressive of various emotions, but usually promoted by surprise, consternation, grief, pain, etc.

Oad (d), n. See Woad. [Obs.] Coles.

Oaf (f), n. [See Auf.] Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an idiot.

Oaf"ish, a. Like an oaf; simple. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n.

Oak (k), n. [OE. oke, ok, ak, AS. c; akin to D. eik, G. eiche, OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan. eeg.]

1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus. The oaks have alternate leaves, often variously lobed, and staminate flowers in catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut, called an acorn, which is more or less inclosed in a scaly involucre called the cup or cupule. There are now recognized about three hundred species, of which nearly fifty occur in the United States, the rest in Europe, Asia, and the other parts of North America, a very few barely reaching the northern parts of South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of grand proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually hard and tough, and provided with conspicuous medullary rays, forming the silver grain.

2. The strong wood or timber of the oak.

Among the true oaks in America are: Barren oak, or Black-jack, Q. nigra. -- Basket oak, Q. Michauxii. -- Black oak, Q. tinctoria; -- called also yellow or quercitron oak. -- Bur oak (see under Bur.), Q. macrocarpa; -- called also over-cup or mossy-cup oak. -- Chestnut oak, Q. Prinus and Q. densiflora. -- Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Q. prinoides. -- Coast live oak, Q. agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. -- Live oak (see under Live), Q. virens, the best of all for shipbuilding; also, Q. Chrysolepis, of California. -- Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. - - Post oak, Q. obtusifolia. -- Red oak, Q. rubra. -- Scarlet oak, Q. coccinea. -- Scrub oak, Q. ilicifolia, Q. undulata, etc. -- Shingle oak, Q. imbricaria. -- Spanish oak, Q. falcata. -- Swamp Spanish oak, or Pin oak, Q. palustris. -- Swamp white oak, Q. bicolor. -- Water oak, Q. aguatica. -- Water white oak, Q. lyrata. -- Willow oak, Q. Phellos.

Among the true oaks in Europe are: Bitter oak, or Turkey oak, Q. Cerris (see Cerris). -- Cork oak, Q. Suber. -- English white oak, Q. Robur. -- Evergreen oak, Holly oak, or Holm oak, Q. Ilex. -- Kermes oak, Q. coccifera. -- Nutgall oak, Q. infectoria.

Among plants called oak, but not of the genus Quercus, are: African oak, a valuable timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). -- Australian, or She, oak, any tree of the genus Casuarina (see Casuarina). -- Indian oak, the teak tree (see Teak). -- Jerusalem oak. See under Jerusalem. -- New Zealand oak, a sapindaceous tree (Alectryon excelsum). -- Poison oak, the poison ivy. See under Poison. -- Silky, or Silk-bark, oak, an Australian tree (Grevillea robusta).

Green oak, oak wood colored green by the growth of the mycelium of certain fungi. -- Oak apple, a large, smooth, round gall produced on the leaves of the American red oak by a gallfly (Cynips confluens). It is green and pulpy when young. -- Oak beauty (Zoöl.), a British geometrid moth (Biston prodromaria) whose larva feeds on the oak. -- Oak gall, a gall found on the oak. See 2d Gall. -- Oak leather (Bot.), the mycelium of a fungus which forms leatherlike patches in the fissures of oak wood. -- Oak pruner. (Zoöl.) See Pruner, the insect. -- Oak spangle, a kind of gall produced on the oak by the insect Diplolepis lenticularis. -- Oak wart, a wartlike gall on the twigs of an oak. -- The Oaks, one of the three great annual English horse races (the Derby and St. Leger being the others). It was instituted in 1779 by the Earl of Derby, and so called from his estate. -- To sport one's oak, to be "not at home to visitors," signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of one's rooms. [Cant, Eng. Univ.]

Oak"en (?), a. [AS. cen.] Made or consisting of oaks or of the wood of oaks. "In oaken bower." Milton.

Oaken timber, wherewith to build ships.

Bacon.

Oak"er (?), n. See Ocher. [Obs.] Spenser.

Oak"ling (?), n. A young oak. Evelyn.

<! p. 989 !>

Oak"um (?), n. [AS. cumba; pref. &?; (cf.G. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.] 1. The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.

2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight.

White oakum, that made from untarred rope.

Oak"y (?), n. Resembling oak; strong. Bp. Hall.

Oar (?), n [AS. r; akin to Icel. r, Dan. aare, Sw. åra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]

1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.

An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of the boat.

2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.

3. (Zoöl.) An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.

Oar cock (Zoöl), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.] -- Spoon oar, an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the water in rowing. -- To boat the oars, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the boat. -- To feather the oars. See under Feather., v. t. -- To lie on the oars, to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. -- To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited. -- To ship the oars, to place them in the rowlocks. -- To toss the oars, To peak the oars, to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat. - - To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the water alongside of the boat. -- To unship the oars, to take them out of the rowlocks.

Oar, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Oared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oaring.] To row. "Oared himself." Shak.

Oared with laboring arms.

Pope.

Oared (?), a. 1. Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a four- oared boat.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Having feet adapted for swimming. (b) Totipalmate; -- said of the feet of certain birds. See Illust. of Aves.

Oared shrew (Zoöl.), an aquatic European shrew (Crossopus ciliatus); -- called also black water shrew.

Oar"fish` (r"fsh`), n. (Zoöl.) The ribbon fish.

Oar"foot` (-ft`), n. (Zoöl.) Any crustacean of the genus Remipes.

Oar"-foot`ed a. Having feet adapted for swimming.

Oar"less, a. Without oars. Sylvester.

Oar"lock` (r"lk`), n. (Naut.), The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale of a boat, in which the oar rests in rowing. See Rowlock.

Oars"man (rz"man), n.; pl. Oarsmen (-men). One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, an oar; a rower.

At the prow of the boat, rose one of the oarsmen.

Longfellow.

Oars"weed` (r"wd`), n. (Bot.) Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria; tangle; kelp. See Kelp.

Oar"y (r"), a. Having the form or the use of an oar; as, the swan's oary feet. Milton. Addison.

O"as*is ("*ss or *"ss; 277), n.; pl. Oases (-sz). [L., fr. Gr. 'o`asis; cf. Copt. ouahe.] A fertile or green spot in a waste or desert, esp. in a sandy desert.

My one oasis in the dust and drouth Of city life.

Tennyson.

Oast (st), n. [OE. ost, AS. st; cf. Gr. a'i^qos burning heat.] A kiln to dry hops or malt; a cockle. Mortimer.

Oat (t), n.; pl. Oats (ts). [OE. ote, ate, AS. ta, akin to Fries. oat. Of uncertain origin.] 1. (Bot.) A well-known cereal grass (Avena sativa), and its edible grain; -- commonly used in the plural and in a collective sense.

2. A musical pipe made of oat straw. [Obs.] Milton.

Animated oats or Animal oats (Bot.), A grass (Avena sterilis) much like oats, but with a long spirally twisted awn which coils and uncoils with changes of moisture, and thus gives the grains an apparently automatic motion. -- Oat fowl (Zoöl.), the snow bunting; -- so called from its feeding on oats. [Prov. Eng.] -- Oat grass (Bot.), the name of several grasses more or less resembling oats, as Danthonia spicata, D. sericea, and Arrhenatherum avenaceum, all common in parts of the United States. -- To feel one's oats, to be conceited ro self-important. [Slang] -- To sow one's wild oats, to indulge in youthful dissipation. Thackeray. -- Wild oats (Bot.), a grass (Avena fatua) much resembling oats, and by some persons supposed to be the original of cultivated oats.

Oat"cake (?), n. A cake made of oatmeal.

Oat"en (?), a. 1. Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten pipe. Milton.

2. Made of oatmeal; as, oaten cakes.

Oath (th), n.; pl. Oaths (z). [OE. othe, oth, ath, AS. ð; akin to D. eed, OS. ð, G. eid, Icel. eiðr, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. aiþs; cf. OIr. oeth.] 1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven" Shak.

An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.

Bacon.

2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.

3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.

4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing. "A terrible oath" Shak.

Oath"a*ble (?), a. Capable of having an oath administered to. [Obs.] Shak.

Oath"break`ing (?), n. The violation of an oath; perjury. Shak

Oat"meal` (?), n. 1. Meal made of oats. Gay.

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass.

Ob- (?). [L. ob, prep. Cf. Epi-.] A prefix signifying to, toward, before, against, reversely, etc.; also, as a simple intensive; as in oblige, to bind to; obstacle, something standing before; object, lit., to throw against; obovate, reversely, ovate. Ob- is commonly assimilated before c, f, g, and p, to oc-, of-, og-, and op- .

Ob"com*pressed" (?). a. [Pref. ob- + compressed.] Compressed or flattened antero- posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one.

{ Ob*con"ic (?), Ob*con"ic*al (?), } a. [Pref. ob- + conic, conical.] Conical, but having the apex downward; inversely conical.

Ob*cor"date (?), a. [Pref. ob- + cordate.] Heart-shaped, with the attachment at the pointed end; inversely cordate: as, an obcordate petal or leaf.

Ob*dip`lo*stem"o*nous (?), a. [Pref. ob- + diplostemonous.] (Bot.) Having twice as many stamens as petals, those of the outer set being opposite the petals; -- said of flowers. Gray.

Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny (?), n. (Bot.) The condition of being obdiplostemonous.

Ob"dor*mi"tion (?), n. [L. obdormire to fall asleep.] Sleep. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob*duce" (?), v. t. [L. obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere to lead.] To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Ob*duct" (&?;), v. t. [See Obduce.] To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Ob*duc"tion (?), n. [L. obductio.] The act of drawing or laying over, as a covering. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra*cy (?), n. The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart; obstinacy. "Obduracy and persistency." Shak.

The absolute completion of sin in final obduracy.

South.

Ob"du*rate (?), a. [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See Dure.] 1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.

The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary.

Hooker.

Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth?

Shak.

2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. "Obdurate consonants." Swift.

Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets.

There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.

Cowper.

Syn. -- Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible. -- Obdurate, Callous, Hardened. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as. a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity.

-- Ob"du*rate*ly (#), adv. -- Ob"du*rate*ness, n.

Ob"du*rate (?), v. t. To harden. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obduratio.] A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. [Obs.]

Ob*dure" (b*dr"), v. t. To harden. [Obs.] Milton.

{ Ob*dure" (b*dr"), Ob*dured" (b*drd"), } a. Obdurate; hard. [Obs.]

This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured.

Milton.

{ Ob*dure"ness, n., Ob*dur"ed*ness (?), n.} Hardness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"e ("b), n. See Obi.

O*be"ah (?). n. Same as Obi. -- a. Of or pertaining to obi; as, the obeah man. B. Edwards.

O*be"di*ble (?), a. Obedient. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

O*be"di*ence (?), n. [F. obédience, L. obedientia, oboedientia. See Obedient, and cf. Obeisance.]

1. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control.

Government must compel the obedience of individuals.

Ames.

2. Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness. Shak.

3. (Eccl.) (a) A following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman Catholic obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior. (c) One of the three monastic vows. Shipley. (d) The written precept of a superior in a religious order or congregation to a subject.

Canonical obedience. See under Canonical. -- Passive obedience. See under Passive.

O*be`di*en"ci*a*ry (?), n. One yielding obedience. [Obs.] Foxe.

O*be"di*ent (?), a. [OF. obedient, L. obediens, oboediens, -entis. p. pr. of obedire, oboedire, to obey. See Obey.] Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command.

And floating straight, obedient to the stream.

Shak.

The chief his orders gives; the obedient band, With due observance, wait the chief's command.

Pope.

Syn. -- Dutiful; respectful; compliant; submissive.

O*be`di*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. obédientiel.] According to the rule of obedience. [R.]

An obediental subjection to the Lord of Nature.

Sir M. Hale.

O*be"di*ent*ly (?), adv. In an obedient manner; with obedience.

O*bei"sance (?), n. [F. obéissance obedience, fr. obéissant. See Obey, and cf. Obedience, Abaisance.] 1. Obedience. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. A manifestation of obedience; an expression of difference or respect; homage; a bow; a courtesy.

Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance unto the king.

1 Kings i. 16.

O*bei"san*cy (?), n. See Obeisance. [Obs.]

O*bei"sant (?), a. [F. obéissant, p. pr. of obéir to obey.] Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.

||O*be"li*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a spit.] (Anat.) The region of ||the skull between the two parietal foramina where the closure of the ||sagittal suture usually begins.

Ob`e*lis"cal (?), a. Formed like an obelisk.

Ob"e*lisk (?), n. [L. obeliscus, Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F. obélisque.] 1. An upright, four- sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises, and terminating in a pyramid called pyramidion. It is ordinarily monolithic. Egyptian obelisks are commonly covered with hieroglyphic writing from top to bottom.

2. (Print.) A mark of reference; -- called also dagger [&dagger;]. See Dagger, n., 2.

Ob"e*lisk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obelisking.] To mark or designate with an obelisk.

Ob"e*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obelizing (?).] [Gr. &?;, fr. 'obelo`s. See Obelus.] To designate with an obelus; to mark as doubtful or spirituous. [R.]

||Ob"e*lus (?), n.; pl. Obeli (#). [L., fr. Gr. 'obelo`s, prop., a ||spit.] (Print.) A mark [thus —, or ÷]; -- so called as resembling a ||needle. In old MSS. or editions of the classics, it marks suspected ||passages or readings.

Ob*eq"ui*tate (?), v. i. [L. obequitatus, p. p. of obequitare to ride about.] To ride about. [Obs.] -- Ob*eq`ui*ta"tion (#), n. [Obs.] Cockerman.

Ob"er*on (b"r*n), n. [F., fr. OF. Auberon; prob. of Frankish origin.] (Mediæval Mythol.) The king of the fairies, and husband of Titania or Queen Mab. Shak.

Ob`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. oberrate to wander about.] A wandering about. [Obs.] Jonhson.

O*bese" (?). a. [L. obesus eaten away, lean; also, that has eaten itself fat, fat, stout, p. p. of obedere to devour; ob (see Ob-) + edere to eat. See Eat.] Excessively corpulent; fat; fleshy.

O*bese"ness, n. Quality of being obese; obesity.

O*bes"i*ty (?), n.[L. obesitas: cf.F. obésité.] The state or quality of being obese; incumbrance of flesh.

O*bey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obeyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.] [OE. obeyen, F. obéir, fr. L. obedire, oboedire; ob (see Ob-) + audire to hear. See Audible, and cf. Obeisance.] 1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord.

Eph. vi. 1.

Was she the God, that her thou didst obey?

Milton.

2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.

My will obeyed his will.

Chaucer.

Afric and India shall his power obey.

Dryden.

3. To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.

O*bey", v. i. To give obedience.

Will he obey when one commands?

Tennyson.

By some old writers obey was used, as in the French idiom, with the preposition to.

His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.

Rom. vi. 16.

He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights obeying, they performed their courses.

Sir. P. Sidney.

O*bey"er (?), n. One who yields obedience. Holland.

O*bey"ing*ly, adv. Obediently; submissively.

{ Ob*firm" (?), Ob*firm"ate (?), } v. t. [L. obfirmatus, p. p. of obfirmare to make steadfast. See Ob-, and Firm, v. t.] To make firm; to harden in resolution. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. Sheldon.

Ob"fir*ma"tion (?), n. [LL. obfirmatio.] Hardness of heart; obduracy. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ob*fus"cate (?), a. [L. obfuscatus, p. p. of obfuscare to darken; ob (see Ob-) + fuscare, fuscatum, to darken, from fuscus dark.] Obfuscated; darkened; obscured. [Obs.] [Written also offuscate.] Sir. T. Elyot.

Ob*fus"cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obfuscated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obfuscating.] To darken; to obscure; to becloud; hence, to confuse; to bewilder.

His head, like a smokejack, the funnel unswept, and the ideas whirling round and round about in it, all obfuscated and darkened over with fuliginous matter.

Sterne.

Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the intellects of meaner females.

Sir. W. Scott.

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Ob`fus*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obfuscatio.] The act of darkening or bewildering; the state of being darkened. "Obfuscation of the cornea." E. Darwin.

O"bi (?), n. [Prob. of African origin.] 1. A species of sorcery, probably of African origin, practiced among the negroes of the West Indies. [Written also obe and obeah.] De Quincey. B. Edwards.

2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies] B. Edwards.

Ob*im"bri*cate (?), a. [Pref. ob- + imbricate.] (Bot.) Imbricated, with the overlapping ends directed downward.

O"bit (?), n. [OF. obit, L. obitus, fr. obire to go against, to go to meet, (sc. mortem) to die; ob (see Ob-) + ire to go. See Issue.] 1. Death; decease; the date of one's death. Wood.

2. A funeral solemnity or office; obsequies.

3. A service for the soul of a deceased person on the anniversary of the day of his death.

The emoluments and advantages from oblations, obits, and other sources, increased in value.

Milman.

Post obit [L. post obitum]. See Post-obit.

||Ob"i*ter (?), adv. [L., on the way; ob (see Ob-) + iter a going, a ||walk, way.] In passing; incidentally; by the way.

||Obiter dictum (Law), an incidental and collateral opinion uttered by ||a judge. See Dictum, n., 2 (a).

O*bit"u*al (?), a. [L. obitus death. See Obit.] Of or pertaining to obits, or days when obits are celebrated; as, obitual days. Smart.

O*bit"u*a*ri*ly (?), adv. In the manner of an obituary.

O*bit"u*a*ry (?), a. [See Obit.] Of or pertaining to the death of a person or persons; as, an obituary notice; obituary poetry.

O*bit"u*a*ry, n.; pl. Obituaries (#). [Cf. F. obituaire. See Obit.] 1. That which pertains to, or is called forth by, the obit or death of a person; esp., an account of a deceased person; a notice of the death of a person, accompanied by a biographical sketch.

2. (R.C.Ch.) A list of the dead, or a register of anniversary days when service is performed for the dead.

Ob*ject" (b*jkt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objected; p. pr. & vb. n. Objecting.] [L. objectus, p. p. of objicere, obicere, to throw or put before, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + jacere to throw: cf. objecter. See Jet a shooting forth.] 1. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose. [Obs.]

Of less account some knight thereto object, Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.

Fairfax.

Some strong impediment or other objecting itself.

Hooker.

Pallas to their eyes The mist objected, and condensed the skies.

Pope.

2. To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.

He gave to him to object his heinous crime.

Spencer.

Others object the poverty of the nation.

Addison.

The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered.

Whitgift.

Ob*ject", v. i. To make opposition in words or argument; -- usually followed by to. Sir. T. More.

Ob"ject (b"jkt), n. [L. objectus. See Object, v. t.]

1. That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible or tangible; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark.

2. That which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought, study, etc.

Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa quam."

Sir. W. Hamilton.

The object of their bitterest hatred.

Macaulay.

3. That by which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; end; aim; motive; final cause.

Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause . . . . This innovation was probably borrowed from the French.

Sir. W. Hamilton.

Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.

D. Webster.

4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect. [Obs.] Shak.

He, advancing close Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose In glorious object.

Chapman.

5. (Gram.) A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb.

Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses, placed at the end of a telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward the object. Its office is to form an image of the object, which is then viewed by the eyepiece. Called also objective. See Illust. of Microscope. -- Object lesson, a lesson in which object teaching is made use of. -- Object staff. (Leveling) Same as Leveling staff. -- Object teaching, a method of instruction, in which illustrative objects are employed, each new word or idea being accompanied by a representation of that which it signifies; -- used especially in the kindergarten, for young children.

Ob*ject" (?), a. [L. objectus, p. p.] Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. [Obs.]

Ob*ject"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an objection. [R.]

Ob*jec"ti*fy (?), v. t. [Object + -fy.] To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to render objective. J. D. Morell.

Ob*jec"tion (?), n. [L. objectio: cf. F. objection.] 1. The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection. Johnson.

2. That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse reason or argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection to going; unreasonable objections. "Objections against every truth." Tyndale.

3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or R.]

He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs deeply.

Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple.

Ob*jec"tion*a*ble (?), a. Liable to objection; likely to be objected to or disapproved of; offensive; as, objectionable words. -- Ob*jec"tion*a*bly, adv.

Ob"ject*ist (?), n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed. Rev.

Ob*jec"ti*vate (?), v. t. To objectify.

Ob*jec`ti*va"tion (?), n. Converting into an object.

Ob*jec"tive (?), a. [Cf.F. objectif.] 1. Of or pertaining to an object.

2. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; -- an epithet applied to whatever ir exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, and opposed to subjective.

In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows; object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature of the thing known.

Trendelenburg.

Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is real, in opposition to that which is ideal - - what exists in nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the individual.

Sir. W. Hamilton.

Objective has come to mean that which has independent exostence or authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature.

Calderwood (Fleming's Vocabulary).

3. (Gram.) Pertaining to, or designating, the case which follows a transitive verb or a preposition, being that case in which the direct object of the verb is placed. See Accusative, n.

The objective case is frequently used without a governing word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a preposition, as at, in, on, etc., may be supplied.

My troublous dream [on] this night make me sad.

Shak.

To write of victories [in or for] next year.

Hudibras.

Objective line (Perspective), a line drawn on the geometrical plane which is represented or sought to be represented. -- Objective plane (Perspective), any plane in the horizontal plane that is represented. -- Objective point, the point or result to which the operations of an army are directed. By extension, the point or purpose to which anything, as a journey or an argument, is directed.

Syn. -- Objective, Subjective. Objective is applied to things exterior to the mind, and objects of its attention; subjective, to the operations of the mind itself. Hence, an objective motive is some outward thing awakening desire; a subjective motive is some internal feeling or propensity. Objective views are those governed by outward things; subjective views are produced or modified by internal feeling. Sir Walter Scott's poetry is chiefly objective; that of Wordsworth is eminently subjective.

In the philosophy of mind, subjective denotes what is to be referred to the thinking subject, the ego; objective what belongs to the object of thought, the non- ego.

Sir. W. Hamilton

Ob*jec"tive, n. 1. (Gram.) The objective case.

2. An object glass. See under Object, n.

3. Same as Objective point, under Objective, a.

Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv. In the manner or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in the mind.

Ob*jec"tive*ness, n. Objectivity.

Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which produceth light?

Sir M. Hale

Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf.F. objectivité.] The state, quality, or relation of being objective; character of the object or of the objective.

The calm, the cheerfulness, the disinterested objectivity have disappeared [in the life of the Greeks].

M. Arnold.

Ob"ject*ize (?), v. t. To make an object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an object.

In the latter, as objectized by the former, arise the emotions and affections.

Coleridge.

Ob"ject*less, a. Having no object; purposeless.

Ob*ject"or (?), n. [L., an accuser.] One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure.

Ob*jib"ways (?), n. pl. See Chippeways.

Ob*jic"i*ent (?), n. [L. objiciens, p. pr. of objicere to object.] One who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman.

Ob`ju*ra"tion (?), n. [L. objurare to bind by oath; ob (see Ob-) + jurare to swear, fr. jus right.] A binding by oath. [R.] Abp. Bramhall.

Ob*jur"gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objurgated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Objurgating.] [L. objurgatus, p. p. of objurgare to chide; ob (see Ob-) + jurgare to quarrel, scold, fr. jus right, court. See Jury.] To chide; to reprove.

Ob`jur*ga"tion (?), n. [L. objurgatio: cf.F. objurgation.] The act of objurgating; reproof.

While the good lady was bestowing this objurgation on Mr. Ben Allen.

Dickens.

With a strong objurgation of the elbow in his ribs.

Landor.

Ob*jur"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. objurgatorius.] Designed to objurgate or chide; containing or expressing reproof; culpatory. Bancroft.

The objurgatory question of the Pharisees.

Paley.

Ob*lan"ce*o*late (?), a. [Pref. ob- + lanceolate.] Lanceolate in the reversed order, that is, narrowing toward the point of attachment more than toward the apex.

Ob*late" (?), a. [L. oblatus, used as p. p. of offerre to bring forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus. See Tolerate.]

1. (Geom.) Flattened or depressed at the poles; as, the earth is an oblate spheroid.

2. Offered up; devoted; consecrated; dedicated; -- used chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic orders. See Oblate, n.

Oblate ellipsoid or spheroid (Geom.), a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis; an oblatum. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Ob*late", n. [From Oblate, a.] (R. C. Ch.) (a) One of an association of priests or religious women who have offered themselves to the service of the church. There are three such associations of priests, and one of women, called oblates. (b) One of the Oblati.

Ob*late"ness, n. The quality or state of being oblate.

||Ob*la"ti (?), n. pl. [LL., fr. L. oblatus. See Oblate.] (R.C.Ch.) (a) ||Children dedicated in their early years to the monastic state. (b) A ||class of persons, especially in the Middle Ages, who offered ||themselves and their property to a monastery. Addis & Arnold.

Ob*la"tion (?), n. [L. oblatio: cf. F. oblation. See Oblate.] 1. The act of offering, or of making an offering. Locke.

2. Anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice.

A peculiar . . . oblation given to God.

Jer. Taylor.

A pin was the usual oblation.

Sir. W. Scott.

3. A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor.

Ob*la"tion*er (?), n. One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H. More.

Ob*la"trate (?), v. i. [L. oblatratus, p. p. of oblatrare to bark against.] To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]

Ob`la*tra"tion (?), n. The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling. Bp. Hall.

||Ob*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Oblata (#). [NL. See Oblate.] (Geom.) An ||oblate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse ||about its minor axis. Cf. Oblongum.

Ob*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L. oblectatus, p. p. of oblectare.] To delight; to please greatly. [Obs.]

Ob"lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblectatio.] The act of pleasing highly; the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.

Ob"li*ga*ble (?), a. Acknowledging, or complying with, obligation; trustworthy. [R.]

The main difference between people seems to be, that one man can come under obligations on which you can rely, -- is obligable; and another is not.

Emerson.

Ob"li*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obligated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obligating.] [L. obligatus, p. p. of obligare. See Oblige.] 1. To bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a constraining motive. "Obligated by a sense of duty." Proudfit.

That's your true plan -- to obligate The present ministers of state.

Churchill.

2. To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.

That they may not incline or be obligated to any vile or lowly occupations.

Landor.

Ob"li*ga"tion (?), n. [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.] 1. The act of obligating.

2. That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty.

A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson.

Fuller.

3. Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for anouther, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.

Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions.

Whewell.

4. The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; as, to place others under obligations to one.

5. (Law) A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.

Days of obligation. See under Day.

||Ob"li*ga"to (?), a. [It.] See Obbligato.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being obligatory.

Ob"li*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.] Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a soldier.

As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due.

Jer. Taylor.

O*blige" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliging (?).] [OF. obligier, F. obliger, L. obligare; ob (see Ob-) + ligare to bind. See Ligament, and cf. Obligate.] 1. To attach, as by a bond. [Obs.]

He had obliged all the senators and magistrates firmly to himself.

Bacon.

2. To constrain by physical, moral, or legal force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something.

The obliging power of the law is neither founded in, nor to be measured by, the rewards and punishments annexed to it.

South.

Religion obliges men to the practice of those virtues which conduce to the preservation of our health.

Tillotson.

3. To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate.

Thus man, by his own strength, to heaven would soar, And would not be obliged to God for more.

Dryden.

The gates before it are brass, and the whole much obliged to Pope Urban VIII.

Evelyn.

I shall be more obliged to you than I can express.

Mrs. E. Montagu.

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Ob"li*gee" (?), n. [F. obligé, p. p. of obliger. See Oblige.] The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is given. Blackstone.

O*blige"ment (?), n. Obligation. [R.]

I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either of divine or human obligement, that you lay upon me.

Milton.

O*bli"ger (?), n. One who, or that which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.

O*bli"ging, a. Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind.

Mons.Strozzi has many curiosities, and is very obliging to a stranger who desires the sight of them.

Addison.

Syn. -- Civil; complaisant; courteous; kind, -- Obliging, Kind, Complaisant. One is kind who desires to see others happy; one is complaisant who endeavors to make them so in social intercourse by attentions calculated to please; one who is obliging performs some actual service, or has the disposition to do so.

-- O*bli"ging*ly. adv. -- O*bli"ging*ness, n.

Ob`li*gor" (?), n. The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to another. Blackstone.

Ob`li*qua"tion (?), n. [L. obliquatio, fr. obliquare to turn obliquely. See Oblique.] 1. The act of becoming oblique; a turning to one side; obliquity; as, the obliquation of the eyes. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Deviation from moral rectitude. [R.]

Ob*lique" (?), a. [F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr &?; slanting.] [Written also oblike.]

1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.

It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion.

Cheyne.

2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.

The love we bear our friends . . . Hath in it certain oblique ends.

Drayton.

This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power.

De Quincey.

Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy.

Wordworth.

3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.

His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak.

Baker.

Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25°. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.

Ob*lique", n. (Geom.) An oblique line.

Ob*lique", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Obliqued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliquing.] 1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.

Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine.

Sir. W. Scott.

2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half- facing either to the right or left.

Ob*lique"-an`gled (?), a. Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle.

Ob*lique"ly, adv. In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely leveled." Bp. Fell.

Declining from the noon of day, The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray.

Pope

His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others.

Addison.

Ob*lique"ness, n. Quality or state of being oblique.

Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl. Obliquities (#). [L. obliquitas: cf. F. obliquité.] 1. The condition of being oblique; deviation from a right line; deviation from parallelism or perpendicularity; the amount of such deviation; divergence; as, the obliquity of the ecliptic to the equator.

2. Deviation from ordinary rules; irregularity; deviation from moral rectitude.

To disobey [God] . . . imports a moral obliquity.

South.

Ob"lite (?), a. [L. oblitus, p. p. pf oblinere to besmear.] Indistinct; slurred over. [Obs.] "Obscure and oblite mention." Fuller.

Ob*lit"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliterated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliterating.] [L. obliteratus, p. p. of obliterare to obliterate; ob (see Ob-) + litera, littera, letter. See Letter.] 1. To erase or blot out; to efface; to render undecipherable, as a writing.

2. To wear out; to remove or destroy utterly by any means; to render imperceptible; as. to obliterate ideas; to obliterate the monuments of antiquity.

The harsh and bitter feelings of this or that experience are slowly obliterated.

W. Black.

Ob*lit"er*ate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects.

Ob*lit`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. obliteratio: cf.F. oblitération.] The act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction. Sir. M. Hale.

Ob*lit"er*a*tive (?), a. Tending or serving to obliterate.

Ob*liv"i*on (?), n. [L. oblivio, akin to oblivisci to forget: cf. OF. oblivion.] 1. The act of forgetting, or the state of being forgotten; cessation of remembrance; forgetfulness.

Second childishness and mere oblivion.

Shak.

Among our crimes oblivion may be set.

Dryden

The origin of our city will be buried in eternal oblivion.

W. Irving.

2. Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty, or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion. Sir J. Davies.

Syn. -- See Forgetfulness.

Ob*liv"i*ous (?), a. [L. obliviosus: cf.F. oblivieux.]

1. Promoting oblivion; causing forgetfulness. "The oblivious pool." Milton.

She lay in deep, oblivious slumber.

Longfellow.

2. Evincing oblivion; forgetful.

Through are both weak in body and oblivious.

Latimer.

-- Obliv"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob*liv"i*ous*ness, n. Foxe.

Ob*loc"u*tor (?), n. [L. oblocutor, obloquutor, fr. obloqui, oblocutus, to speak against; ob (see Ob-) + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.] A disputer; a gainsayer. [Obs.] Bale.

Ob"long (?), a. [L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F. oblong.] Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.

Ob"long, n. A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad.

The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent.

Sir W. Temple.

||Ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The medulla oblongata. B. G. ||Wilder.

Ob"lon*ga"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar.

Ob"long*ish (?), a. Somewhat oblong.

Ob"long*ly, adv. In an oblong form.

Ob"long*ness, n. State or quality of being oblong.

Ob"long-o"vate (?), a. Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.

||Ob*lon"gum (?), n.; pl. Oblonga (#). [NL. See Oblong.] (Geom.) A ||prolate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse ||about its greater axis. Cf. Oblatum, and see Ellipsoid of revolution, ||under Ellipsoid.

Ob*lo"qui*ous (?), a. Containing obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.

Ob"lo*quy (b"l*kw), n. [L. obloquium, fr. obloqui. See Oblocutor.] 1. Censorious speech; defamatory language; language that casts contempt on men or their actions; blame; reprehension.

Shall names that made your city the glory of the earth be mentioned with obloquy and detraction?

Addison.

2. Cause of reproach; disgrace. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Reproach; odium; censure; contumely; gainsaying; reviling; calumny; slander; detraction.

Ob`luc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle against.] A struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob`mu*tes"cence (b`m*ts"sens), n. [L. obmutescens, p. pr of obmutescere to become dumb; ob (see Ob-) + mutescere to grow dumb, fr. mutus dumb.] 1. A becoming dumb; loss of speech. Sir T. Browne.

2. A keeping silent or mute. Paley.

Ob*nox"ious (b*nk"shs), a. [L. obnoxius; ob (see Ob-) + noxius hurtful. See Noxious.] 1. Subject; liable; exposed; answerable; amenable; -- with to.

The writings of lawyers, which are tied obnoxious to their particular laws.

Bacon.

Esteeming it more honorable to live on the public than to be obnoxious to any private purse.

Milton.

Obnoxious, first or last, To basest things

Milton.

2. Liable to censure; exposed to punishment; reprehensible; blameworthy. "The contrived and interested schemes of . . . obnoxious authors." Bp. Fell.

All are obnoxious, and this faulty land, Like fainting Hester, does before you stand Watching your scepter.

Waller.

3. Offensive; odious; hateful; as, an obnoxious statesman; a minister obnoxious to the Whigs. Burke.

-- Ob*nox"ious*ly, adv. -- Ob*nox"ious*ness, n. South.

Ob*nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L. obnubilatus, p. p. of obnubilare to obscure. See Ob- , and Nubilate.] To cloud; to obscure. [Obs.] Burton. -- Ob*nu"bi*la"tion (#), n. [Obs.] Beddoes.

O"boe (?), n. [It., fr. F. hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.) One of the higher wind instruments in the modern orchestra, yet of great antiquity, having a penetrating pastoral quality of tone, somewhat like the clarinet in form, but more slender, and sounded by means of a double reed; a hautboy.

||Oboe d'amore [It., lit., oboe of love], and ||Oboe di caccia [It., ||lit., oboe of the chase], are names of obsolete modifications of the ||oboe, often found in the scores of Bach and Handel.

O"bo*ist (?), n. A performer on the oboe.

Ob"o*la*ry (?), a. [See Obolus.] Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.] Lamb.

Ob"ole (?), n. [Cf.F. obole. See Obolus.] (Old Pharm.) A weight of twelve grains; or, according to some, of ten grains, or half a scruple. [Written also obol.]

Ob"o*lize (?), v. t. See Obelize.

Ob"o*lo (?), n. [Cf. Obolus.] A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value.

||Ob"o*lus (?), n.;pl. Oboli (#). [L., fr Gr. (&?;)] (Gr.Antiq.) (a) A ||small silver coin of Athens, the sixth part of a drachma, about three ||cents in value. (b) An ancient weight, the sixth part of a drachm.

Ob`o*me"goid (?), a. [Pref. ob- + omegoid.] (Zoöl.) Obversely omegoid.

Ob*o"val (?), a. [Pref. ob- + oval.] Obovate.

Ob*o"vate (?). a. [Pref. ob- + ovate.] (Bot.) Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.

Ob*rep"tion (?), n. [L. obreptio, fr. obrepere, obreptum, to creep up to; ob (see Ob-) + repere to creep.] 1. The act of creeping upon with secrecy or by surprise. [Obs.] Cudworth.

2. (Scots Law) The obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise. Bell.

Ob`rep*ti"tious (?), a. [L. obreptitus. See Obreption.] Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave.

Ob"ro*gate (?), v. t. [L. obrogatus, p. p. of obrogare to obrogate.] To annul indirectly by enacting a new and contrary law, instead of by expressly abrogating or repealing the old one. [Obs.] Bailey.

||Ob"rok (?), n. [Russ. obrok'.] (a) A rent. (b) A poll tax paid by ||peasants absent from their lord's estate. [Russia] Brande & C.

Ob*scene" (?), a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne.]

1. Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as, obscene language; obscene pictures.

Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and uncleanly.

I. Watts.

2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.

A girdle foul with grease b&?;&?;ds his obscene attire.

Dryden.

3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [R.] [A Latinism]

At the cheerful light, The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.

-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n.

Ob*scen"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Obscenities (#). [L. obscentias: cf.F. obscénité.] That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chasity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture.

Mr.Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit.

Dryden.

No pardon vile obscenity should find.

Pope.

Ob*scur"ant (?), n. [L. obscurans, p. pr. of obscurare to obscure.] One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge.

Ob*scur"ant*ism (?), n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.

Ob*scur"ant*ist, n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev.

Ob`scu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obscurativ: cf.F. obscuration. See Obscure, v. t. ] The act or operation of obscuring; the state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse. Sir J. Herschel.

Ob*scure" (?), a. [Compar. Obscurer (?); superl. Obscurest.] [L. obscurus, orig., covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably meaning, to cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to cover: cf.F. obscur. Cf. Sky.]

1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.

His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Prov. xx. 20.

2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.

The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night.

Shak.

The obscure corners of the earth.

Sir J. Davies.

3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O base and obscure vulgar." Shak. "An obscure person." Atterbury.

4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription.

5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.

Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion.

Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.

Ob*scure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obscured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obscuring.] [L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a.] To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights.

Shak.

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured.

Shak.

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this.

Wake.

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame?

Dryden.

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Ob*scure" (?), v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.]

How! There's bad news. I must obscure, and hear it.

Beau. & Fl.

Ob*scure", n. Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.

Ob*scure"ly, adv. In an obscure manner. Milton.

Ob*scure"ment (?), n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret.

Ob*scure"ness, n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall.

Ob*scur"er (?), n. One who, or that which, obscures.

Ob*scu"ri*ty (?), n. [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité.] The quality or state of being obscure; darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty.

Yuo are not for obscurity designed.

Dryden.

They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See Darkness.

Ob"se*crate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obsecrated (?); p. pr. & vb, n. Obsecrating.] [L. obsecratus, p. p. of obsecrare, prop., to ask on religious grounds; ob (see Ob-) + sacrare to declare as sacred, from sacer sacred.] To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [R.]. Cockerman.

Ob"se*cra"tion (?), n. [L. obsecratio: cf. F. obsecration.] 1. The act of obsecrating or imploring; as, the obsecrations of the Litany, being those clauses beginning with "By." Bp. Stillingfeet. Shipley.

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man.

Ob"se*cra*to*ry (?), a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"se*quent (?), a. [L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob- ) + sequi. See Sequence.] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob*se"qui*ence (?), n. Obsequiousness. [R.]

Ob"se*quies (?), n. pl. See Obsequy.

Ob*se"qui*ous (?), a. [L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obséquieux, See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequy.] 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [Obs.]

His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither.

Addison.

2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite.

There lies ever in "obsequious" at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another.

Trench.

3. [See Obsequy.] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow." Shak.

Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ly, adv. 1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly. Dryden.

2. In a manner appropriate to obsequies. [Obs.]

Whilst I a while obsequiously lament The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.

Shak.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being obsequious. South.

Ob"se*quy (?), n.; pl. Obsequies (#). [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi: cf.F. obsèques. See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequious.] 1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural. Spencer.

I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent obsequy and funeral train.

Milton

I will myself Be the chief mourner at his obsequies.

Dryden.

The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his family

J. P. Mahaffy.

2. Obsequiousness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Ob*serv"a*ble (?), a. [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.] Worthy or capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable. Sir. T. Browne.

The difference is sufficiently observable.

Southey.

-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.

Ob*serv"ance (?), n. [F. observance, L. observantia. See Observant.] 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties.

It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance.

Shak.

2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom.

At dances These young folk kept their observances.

Chaucer.

Use all the observance of civility.

Shak.

Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances.

Rogers.

O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances!

Tennyson.

3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.]

Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance.

Chapman.

This is not atheism, But court observance.

Beau. & Fl.

Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations.

Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws.

Roscommon.

Ob*serv"an*cy (?), n. Observance. [Obs.]

||Ob*ser`van"dum (?), n.; pl. Observanda (#). [L.] A thing to be ||observed. Swift.

Ob*serv"ant (?), a. [L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe.]

1. Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits.

Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd.

Pope.

2. Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules.

We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle.

Sir K. Digby.

Ob*serv"ant, n. 1. One who observes forms and rules. [Obs.] Hooker.

2. A sycophantic servant. [Obs.]

Silly ducking observants, That stretch their duties nicely.

Shak.

3. (R.C.Ch.) An Observantine.

Ob`ser*van"tine (?), n. [Fr. observantin.] (R.C.Ch.) One of a branch of the Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to poverty; -- called also Observants.

Ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. In an observant manner.

Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [L. observatio: cf.F. observation.] 1. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.

My observation, which very seldom lies.

Shak.

2. The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.

In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage in making wise observations on our conduct.

I. Watts.

3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. "That's a foolish observation." Shak.

To observations which ourselves we make We grow more partial for the observer's sake.

Pope.

4. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.]

We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.

Jer. Taylor.

5. (Science) (a) The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal. (b) Specifically, the act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc. (c) The information so acquired.

When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature, the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by the observer, the process is called an experiment. Experiment includes observation.

To take an observation (Naut.), to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a vessel's position at sea.

Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance.

Ob`ser*va"tion*al (?), a. Of a pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.

Ob*serv"a*tive (?), a. Observing; watchful.

Ob"ser*va`tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who observes or takes notice. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

2. One who makes a remark. [Obs.] Dryden.

Ob*serv"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Observatories (#). [Cf. F. observatoire.] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies.

The new observatory in Greenwich Park.

Evelyn.

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded.

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire. Farrow.

Ob*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Observed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob (see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed, observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.] 1. To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or commands; to observe civility.

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.

Ex. xii. 17.

He wolde no such cursedness observe.

Chaucer.

Must I budge? Must I observe you?

Shak.

With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will.

Milton.

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army.

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

Ob*serve", v. i. 1. To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend.

2. To make a remark; to comment; -- generally with on or upon.

I have barely quoted . . . without observing upon it.

Pope.

Syn. -- To remark. See Remark.

Ob*serv"er (?), n. 1. One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer.

The observed of all observers.

Shak.

Careful observers may foretell the hour, By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower.

Swift.

2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent observers of old customs." Spenser.

These . . . hearkend unto observers of times.

Deut. xviii. 14.

3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises.

4. A sycophantic follower. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Ob*serv"er*ship (?), n. The office or work of an observer.

Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind. -- Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.

Ob*sess" (?), v. t. [L. obsessus, p. p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see Ob-) + sedere to sit.] To besiege; to beset. Sir T. Elyot.

Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [L. obsessio: cf.F. obsession.] 1. The act of besieging. Johnson.

2. The state of being besieged; -- used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without. Tylor.

Whether by obsession or possession, I will not determine.

Burton.

Ob*sid"i*an (?), n. [L. Obsidianus lapis, so named, according to Pliny, after one Obsidius, who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf.F. obsidiane, obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus lapis, and Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and Obsidius.] (Min.) A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters.

In a thin section it often exhibits a fluidal structure, marked by the arrangement of microlites in the lines of the flow of the molten mass.

Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?), a. [L. obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege, obsidere to besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.] Of or pertaining to a siege.

Obsidional crown (Rom.Antiq.), a crown bestowed upon a general who raised the siege of a beleaguered place, or upon one who held out against a siege.

Ob*sig`il*la"tion (?), n. [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.

Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.

Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L. obsignated, p. p. of obsignare to seal. See Ob-, and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.

Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L. obsignatio.] The act of sealing or ratifying; the state of being sealed or confirmed; confirmation, as by the Holy Spirit.

The spirit of manifestation will but upbraid you in the shame and horror of a sad eternity, if you have not the spirit of obsignation.

Jer. Taylor.

Ob*sig"na*to*ry (?), a. Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel Ward (1643)

Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See Obsolescent.] The state of becoming obsolete.

Ob`so*les"cent (?), a. [L. obsolescens, -entis, p. pr. of obsolescere, to wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob-) + solere to use, be wont.] Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.

Ob"so*lete (?), a. [L. obsoletus, p. p. of obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] 1. No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.

2. (Biol.) Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

Syn. -- Ancient; antiquated; old-fashioned; antique; old; disused; neglected. See Ancient.

Ob"so*lete, v. i. To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. In an obsolete manner.

Ob"so*lete*ness, n. 1. The state of being obsolete, or no longer used; a state of desuetude.

2. (Biol.) Indistinctness; want of development.

Ob"so*let*ism (?), n. A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.

Ob"sta*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.] That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.

If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown.

Shak.

Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction.

Ob"stan*cy (?), n. [L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p. pr. of obstare. See Obstacle.] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

{ Ob*stet"ric (?), Ob*stet"ric*al (?), } a. [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obstétrique. See Obstacle.] Of or pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as, the obstetric art.

Obstetrical toad (Zoöl.), a European toad of the genus Alytes, especially A. obstetricans. The eggs are laid in a string which the male winds around his legs, and carries about until the young are hatched.

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Ob*stet"ri*cate (?), v. i. [L. obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] "Nature does obstetricate." Evelyn.

Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t. To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion (?), n. The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob`ste*tri"cian (?), n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.

Ob`ste*tri"cious (?), a. [See Obstetric.] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [Obs.]

Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious.

Cudworth.

Ob*stet"rics (?), n. [Cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstetric.] The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.

Ob*stet"ri*cy (?), n. Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.

Ob"sti*na*cy (?), n. [See Obstinate.] 1. A fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.

You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract.

Shak.

To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of their terms.

Locke.

2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil.

Syn. -- Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. -- Obstinacy, Pertinacity. Pertinacity denotes great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy. Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy generally in a bad one. "In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error." Sir T. Browne. "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion." South.

Ob"sti*nate (?), a. [L. obstinatus, p. p. of obstinare to set about a thing with firmness, to persist in; ob (see Ob-) + a word from the root of stare to stand. See Stand, and cf. Destine.] 1. Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually implying unreasonableness.

I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking no wine.

Sir W. Temple.

No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate.

Pope.

Of sense and outward things.

Wordsworth.

2. Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.

Syn. -- Stubborn; inflexible; immovable; firm; pertinacious; persistent; headstrong; opinionated; unyielding; refractory; contumacious. See Stubborn.

-- Ob"sti*nate*ly, adv. -- Ob"sti*nate*ness, n.

Ob`sti*na"tion (?), n. [L. obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubbornness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ob`sti*pa"tion (?), n. [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob-) + stipare to press.] 1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.

2. (Med.) Extreme constipation. [Obs.] Hooper.

Ob*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L. obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a noise at; ob (see Ob-) + strepere to make a noise.] Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; clamorous; noisy; vociferous. "The obstreperous city." Wordsworth. "Obstreperous approbation." Addison.

Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks.

B. Jonson.

-- Ob*strep"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob*strep"er*ous*ness, n.

Ob*stric"tion (?), n. [L. obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or about.] The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.

Ob*stringe" (?), v. t. [See Obstriction.] To constrain; to put under obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.

Ob*struct" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see Ob- ) + struere to pile up. See Structure.]

1. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body.

'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear.

Pope.

2. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation. "Th' impatience of obstructed love." Johnson.

Syn. -- To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt; clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.

Ob*struct"er (?), n. One who obstructs or hinders.

Ob*struc"tion (?), n. [L. obstructio.]

1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.

2. That which obstructs or impedes; an obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance.

A popular assembly free from obstruction.

Swift.

3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death. [Poetic]

To die, and go we know not where, To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot.

Shak.

Syn. -- Obstacle; bar; barrier; impediment; clog; check; hindrance. -- Obstruction, Obstacle. The difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology; an obstacle is something standing in the way; an obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove obstructions; we surmount obstacles.

Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an intimate friendship than inequality of fortune.

Collier.

The king expected to meet with all the obstructions and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his way.

Clarendon.

Ob*struc"tion*ism (?), n. The act or the policy of obstructing progress. Lond. Lit. World.

Ob*struc"tion*ist, n. One who hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative body. -- a. Of or pertaining to obstructionists. [Recent]

Ob*struct"ive (?), a. [Cf.F. obstrictif.] Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. -- Ob*struct"ive*ly, adv.

Ob*struct"ive, n. An obstructive person or thing.

Ob"stru*ent (?), a. [L. obstruens, p. pr. of obstruere. See Obstruct.] Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent medicine. Johnson.

Ob"stru*ent, n. Anything that obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an obstruent.

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tion (?), n. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive (?), a. Stupefactive. [Obs.]

Ob*stu"pe*fy (?), v. t. [Cf.L. obstupefacere. See Ob-, and Stupefy.] See Stupefy. [Obs.]

Ob*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obtaining.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob (see Ob-) + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]

1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.]

His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire He who obtains the monarchy of heaven.

Milton.

2. To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.

Some pray for riches; riches they obtain.

Dryden.

By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.

Shak.

It may be that I may obtain children by her.

Gen. xvi. 2.

Syn. -- To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn. See Attain. -- To Obtain, Get, Gain, Earn, Acquire. The idea of getting is common to all these terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of sense, substitute get for either of them; as, to get or to gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment; to get or to earn a living; to get or to acquire a language. To gain is to get by striving; and as this is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us fortuitously. Thus, we gain a victory, we gain a cause, we gain an advantage, etc. To earn is to deserve by labor or service; as, to earn good wages; to earn a triumph. Unfortunately, one does not always get or obtain what he has earned. To obtain implies desire for possession, and some effort directed to the attainment of that which is not immediately within our reach. Whatever we thus seek and get, we obtain, whether by our own exertions or those of others; whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or only for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us gradually in the regular exercise of our abilities, while we obtain what comes in any way, provided we desire it. Thus, we acquire knowledge, property, honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire becomes, to a great extent, permanently our own; as, to acquire a language; to acquire habits of industry, etc.

Ob*tain", v. i. 1. To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.

Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking.

Jer. Taylor.

The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe.

Baker.

2. To prevail; to succeed. [R.] Evelyn.

So run that ye may obtain.

1 Cor. ix. 24.

There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not.

Bacon.

Ob*tain"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being obtained.

Ob*tain"er (?), n. One who obtains.

Ob*tain"ment (?), n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.

Ob*tect"ed (?), a. [L. obtectus, p. p. of obtegere to cover over.] 1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]

2. (Zoöl.) Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.

Ob*tem"per (?), v. t. & i. [See Obtemperate.] (Scots Law) To obey (a judgment or decree).

Ob*tem"per*ate (?), v. t. [L. obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.] To obey. [Obs.] Johnson.

Ob*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see Ob-) + tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.] Dryden

Ob*ten`e*bra"tion (?), n. [L. obtenebrate to make dark.] The act of darkening; the state of being darkened; darkness. [Obs.]

In every megrim or vertigo, there is an obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning round.

Bacon.

Ob*ten"sion (?), n. [L. obtentio. See Obtend.] The act of obtending. [Obs.] Johnson.

Ob*test" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtesting.] [L. obtestari; ob (see Ob-) + testari to witness, fr. testis a witness.] 1. To call to witness; to invoke as a witness. [R.] Dryden.

2. To beseech; to supplicate; to beg for. [R.]

Ob*test", v. i. To protest. [R.] E. Waterhouse.

Ob`tes*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtestatio.] The act of obtesting; supplication; protestation. [R.]

Antonio asserted this with great obtestation.

Evelyn.

Ob`trec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract from through envy. See Detract.] Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.] Barrow.

Ob*trude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n. Obtruding.] [L. obtrudere, obtrusum; ob (see Ob-) + trudere to thrust. See Threat.] 1. To thrust impertinently; to present without warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a company.

The objects of our senses obtrude their particular ideas upon our minds, whether we will or no.

Lock.

2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to urge unduly or against the will. Milton.

Ob*trude", v. i. To thrust one's self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude.

Syn. -- To Obtrude, Intrude. To intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc., without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.

Ob*trud"er (?), n. One who obtrudes. Boyle.

Ob*trun"cate (?), v. t. [L. obtruncatus, p. p. of obtruncare.] To deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]

Ob`trun*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obtruncatio.] The act of lopping or cutting off. [R.] Cockeram.

Ob*tru"sion (?), n. [L. obtrusio. See Obtrude.] 1. The act of obtruding; a thrusting upon others by force or unsolicited; as, the obtrusion of crude opinions on the world.

2. That which is obtruded. Milton.

Ob*tru"sion*ist, n. One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent. Mag.

Ob*tru"sive (?), a. Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. - - Ob*tru"sive*ness, n.

Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired.

Milton.

Ob*tund" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtunded; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtunding.] [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob (see Ob-) + tundere to strike or beat. See Stutter.] To reduce the edge, pungency, or violent action of; to dull; to blunt; to deaden; to quell; as, to obtund the acrimony of the gall. [Archaic] Harvey.

They . . . have filled all our law books with the obtunding story of their suits and trials.

Milton.

Ob*tund"ent (?), n. [L. obtundens, p. pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as demulcent. Forsyth.

Ob*tund"er (?), n. (Med.) That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.

Ob`tu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturation.] The act of stopping up, or closing, an opening. "Deaf by an outward obturation." Bp. Hall.

Ob"tu*ra`tor (?), n. [NL., fr. L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturateur.] 1. That which closes or stops an opening.

2. (Surg.) An apparatus designed to close an unnatural opening, as a fissure of the palate.

Ob"tu*ra`tor, a. (Anat.) Serving as an obturator; closing an opening; pertaining to, or in the region of, the obturator foramen; as, the obturator nerve.

Obturator foramen (Anat.), an opening situated between the public and ischial parts of the innominate bone and closed by the obturator membrane; the thyroid foramen.

Ob*tus"an`gu*lar (?), a. See Obstuseangular.

Ob*tuse" (?). a. [Compar. Obtuser (&?;); superl. Obtusest.] [L. obtusus, p. p. of obtundere to blunt: cf. F. obtus. See Obtund.] 1. Not pointed or acute; blunt; -- applied esp. to angles greater than a right angle, or containing more than ninety degrees.

2. Not having acute sensibility or perceptions; dull; stupid; as, obtuse senses. Milton.

3. Dull; deadened; as, obtuse sound. Johnson.

{ Ob*tuse"-an`gled (?), ob*tuse"-an`gu*lar (?), } a. Having an obtuse angle; as, an obtuse- angled triangle.

Ob*tuse"ly, adv. In an obtuse manner.

Ob*tuse"ness, n. State or quality of being obtuse.

Ob*tu"sion (&?;), n. [L. obtusio, from obtundere to blunt. See Obtund.] 1. The act or process of making obtuse or blunt.

2. The state of being dulled or blunted; as, the obtusion of the senses. Harvey.

Ob*tu"si*ty (?), n. Obtuseness. Lond. Quart. Rev.

Ob*um"brant (?), a. [L. obumbrans, p. pr.] (Zoöl.) Overhanging; as, obumbrant feathers.

Ob*um"brate (?), v. t. [L. obumbratus, p. p. of obumbrare to overshadow, cloud; ob + umbrare to shade.] To shade; to darken; to cloud. [R.] Howell.

Ob`um*bra"tion (?), n. [L. obumbratio.] Act of darkening or obscuring. [R.] Sir T. More.

Ob*un"cous (?), a. [L. obuncus; ob (see Ob-) + uncus hooked.] Hooked or crooked in an extreme degree. Maunder.

Ob*ven"tion (?), n. [L. obvention, fr. obvenire to come before or in the way of, to befall; ob (see Ob-) + venire to come: cf.F. obvention.] The act of happening incidentally; that which happens casually; an incidental advantage; an occasional offering. [Obs.] "Tithes and other obventions." Spenser.

Legacies bequeathed by the deaths of princes and great persons, and other casualities and obventions.

Fuller.

Ob*vers"ant (?), a. [L. obversans, p. pr. of obversari to hover before; ob (see Ob-) + versare to move about.] Conversant; familiar. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ob*verse" (?), a. [L. obversus, p. p. of obvertere. See Obvert.] Having the base, or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a leaf.

Ob"verse (?), n. [Cf.F. obverse, obvers. See Obverse, a.] 1. The face of a coin which has the principal image or inscription upon it; -- the other side being the reverse.

2. Anything necessarily involved in, or answering to, another; the more apparent or conspicuous of two possible sides, or of two corresponding things.

The fact that it [a belief] invariably exists being the obverse of the fact that there is no alternative belief.

H. Spencer.

<! p. 994 !>

Ob*verse"ly (?), adv. In an obverse manner.

Ob*ver"sion (?), n. [L. obversio a turning towards.] 1. The act of turning toward or downward.

2. (Logic) The act of immediate inference, by which we deny the opposite of anything which has been affirmed; as, all men are mortal; then, by obversion, no men are immortal. This is also described as "immediate inference by privative conception." Bain.

Ob*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Obverting.] [L. obvertere; ob (see Ob-) + vertere to turn. See Verse.] To turn toward.

If its base be obverted towards us.

I. Watts.

Ob"vi*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obviated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obviating.] [L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) + viare to go, fr. via way. See Voyage.]

1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]

Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different religion.

Fuller.

2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the necessity of going.

To lay down everything in its full light, so as to obviate all exceptions.

Woodward.

Ob`vi*a"tion (?), n. The act of obviating, or the state of being obviated.

Ob"vi*ous (?), a. [L. obvius; ob (see Ob-) + via way. See Voyage.] 1. Opposing; fronting. [Obs.]

To the evil turn My obvious breast.

Milton.

2. Exposed; subject; open; liable. [Obs.] "Obvious to dispute." Milton.

3. Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the eye or the intellect; plain; evident; apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious remark.

Apart and easy to be known they lie, Amidst the heap, and obvious to the eye.

Pope.

Syn. -- Plain; clear; evident. See Manifest.

-- Ob"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob"vi*ous- ness, n.

{ Ob"vo*lute (?), Ob`vo*lu"ted (?), } a. [L. obvolutus, p. p. of obvolvere to wrap round; ob (see Ob-) + volvere to roll.] Overlapping; contorted; convolute; -- applied primarily, in botany, to two opposite leaves, each of which has one edge overlapping the nearest edge of the other, and secondarily to a circle of several leaves or petals which thus overlap.

O"by (?), n. See Obi.

||O"ca (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) A Peruvian name for certain species of ||Oxalis (O. crenata, and O. tuberosa) which bear edible tubers.

Oc"ca*my (?), n. [A corruption of alchemy.] An alloy imitating gold or silver. [Written also ochimy, ochymy, etc.]

Oc*ca"sion (k*k"zhn), n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr. occidere, occasum, to fall down; ob (see Ob- ) + cadere to fall. See Chance, and cf. Occident.] 1. A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens; occurrence; incident.

The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden excitements, and its arduous occasions.

I. Taylor.

2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience.

Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me.

Rom. vii. 11.

I'll take the occasion which he gives to bring Him to his death.

Waller.

3. An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause.

Her beauty was the occasion of the war.

Dryden.

4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for firearms.

After we have served ourselves and our own occasions.

Jer. Taylor.

When my occasions took me into France.

Burke.

5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion.

Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly.

Spenser.

On occasion, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires; occasionally. "That we might have intelligence from him on occasion," De Foe.

Syn. -- Need; incident; use. See Opportunity.

Oc*ca"sion (k*k"zhn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occasioned (- zhnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Occasioning.] [Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety. South.

If we inquire what it is that occasions men to make several combinations of simple ideas into distinct modes.

Locke.

Oc*ca"sion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being occasioned or caused. Barrow.

Oc*ca"sion*al (?), a. [Cf.F. occasionnel.] 1. Of or pertaining to an occasion or to occasions; occuring at times, but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional remarks, or efforts.

The . . . occasional writing of the present times.

Bagehot.

2. Produced by accident; as, the occasional origin of a thing. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Occasional cause (Metaph.), some circumstance preceding an effect which, without being the real cause, becomes the occasion of the action of the efficient cause; thus, the act of touching gunpowder with fire is the occasional, but not the efficient, cause of an explosion.

Oc*ca"sion*al*ism (?), n. (Metaph.) The system of occasional causes; -- a name given to certain theories of the Cartesian school of philosophers, as to the intervention of the First Cause, by which they account for the apparent reciprocal action of the soul and the body.

Oc*ca`sion*al"i*ty (?), n. Quality or state of being occasional; occasional occurrence. [R.]

Oc*ca"sion*al*ly (?), adv. In an occasional manner; on occasion; at times, as convenience requires or opportunity offers; not regularly. Stewart.

The one, Wolsey, directly his subject by birth; the other, his subject occasionally by his preferment.

Fuller.

Oc*ca"sion*ate (?), v. t. To occasion. [Obs.]

The lowest may occasionate much ill.

Dr. H. More.

Oc*ca"sion*er (?), n. One who, or that which, occasions, causes, or produces. Bp. Sanderson.

Oc*ca"sive (?), a. [L. occasivus, fr. occasus a going down, setting of the heavenly bodies, fr. occidere to fall or down. See Occasion.] Of or pertaining to the setting sun; falling; descending; western.

Oc*ce*ca"tion (?), n. [L. occaecatio, fr. occaecare to make blind; ob + caecare to blind, fr. caecus blind.] The act of making blind, or the state of being blind. [R.] "This inward occecation." Bp. Hall.

Oc"ci*dent (?), n. [F., fr. L. occidens, occidentis, fr. occidents, p. pr. of occidere to fall or go down. See Occasion.] The part of the horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that part of the earth towards the sunset; the west; -- opposed to orient. Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to Asia; now, also, the Western hemisphere. Chaucer.

I may wander from east to occident.

Shak.

Oc`ci*den"tal (?), a. [L. occidentalis; cf. F. occidental.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western; -- opposed to oriental; as, occidental climates, or customs; an occidental planet.

2. Possessing inferior hardness, brilliancy, or beauty; -- used of inferior precious stones and gems, because those found in the Orient are generally superior.

Oc`ci*den"tals (?), n. pl. (Eccl.) Western Christians of the Latin rite. See Orientals. Shipley.

Oc*cid"u*ous (?), a. [L. occiduus, fr. occidere to go down.] Western; occidental. [R.] Blount.

Oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Cf. F. occipital.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occiput, or back part of the head, or to the occipital bone.

Occipital bone (Anat.), the bone which forms the posterior segment of the skull and surrounds the great foramen by which the spinal cord leaves the cranium. In the higher vertebrates it is usually composed of four bones, which become consolidated in the adult. -- Occipital point (Anat.), the point of the occiput in the mesial plane farthest from the ophryon.

Oc*cip"i*tal, n. (Anat.) The occipital bone.

Oc*cip"i*to- (&?;). [See Occiput.] A combining form denoting relation to, or situation near, the occiput; as, occipito-axial; occipito- mastoid.

Oc*cip`i*to*ax"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occipital bone and second vertebra, or axis.

Oc"ci*put (?), n.; pl. L. Occipita (#), E. Occiputs. [L., fr. ob (see Ob-) + caput head. See Chief.] 1. (Anat.) The back, or posterior, part of the head or skull; the region of the occipital bone.

2. (Zoöl.) A plate which forms the back part of the head of insects.

Oc*ci"sion (?), n. [L. occisio, fr. occidere, occisium, to cut down, to kill; ob (see Ob-) + caedere to cut.] A killing; the act of killing. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Oc*clude" (?), v. t. [L. occludere, occlusum; ob (see Ob-) + claudere to shut.] 1. To shut up; to close. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Chem.) To take in and retain; to absorb; -- said especially with respect to gases; as iron, platinum, and palladium occlude large volumes of hydrogen.

Oc*clud"ent (?), a. [L. occludens, p. pr. of occludere.] Serving to close; shutting up. -- n. That which closes or shuts up. Sterne.

Oc*cluse" (?), a. [L. occlusus, p. p. See Occlude.] Shut; closed. [Obs.] Holder.

Oc*clu"sion (?), n. [See Occlude.] 1. The act of occluding, or the state of being occluded.

Constriction and occlusion of the orifice.

Howell.

2. (Med.) The transient approximation of the edges of a natural opening; imperforation. Dunglison.

Occlusion of gases (Chem. & Physics), the phenomenon of absorbing gases, as exhibited by platinum, palladium, iron, or charcoal; thus, palladium absorbs, or occludes, nearly a thousand times its own volume of hydrogen, and in this case a chemical compound seems to be formed.

Oc*crus"tate (?), v. t. [See Ob- , and Crustated.] To incrust; to harden. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Oc*cult" (?), a. [L. occultus, p. p. of occulere to cover up, hide; ob (see Ob- ) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf. F. occulte.] Hidden from the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret; concealed; unknown.

It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its advances as to escape observation.

I. Taylor.

Occult line (Geom.), a line drawn as a part of the construction of a figure or problem, but not to appear in the finished plan. -- Occult qualities, those qualities whose effects only were observed, but the nature and relations of whose productive agencies were undetermined; -- so called by the schoolmen. -- Occult sciences, those sciences of the Middle Ages which related to the supposed action or influence of occult qualities, or supernatural powers, as alchemy, magic, necromancy, and astrology.

Oc*cult", v. t. To eclipse; to hide from sight.

Oc`cul*ta"tion (?), n. [L. occultatio a hiding, fr. occultare, v. intens. of occulere: cf.F. occultation. See Occult.] 1. (Astron.) The hiding of a heavenly body from sight by the intervention of some other of the heavenly bodies; -- applied especially to eclipses of stars and planets by the moon, and to the eclipses of satellites of planets by their primaries.

2. Fig.: The state of being occult.

The reappearance of such an author after those long periods of occultation.

Jeffrey.

Circle of perpetual occultation. See under Circle.

Oc*cult"ed, a. 1. Hidden; secret. [Obs.] Shak.

2. (Astron.) Concealed by the intervention of some other heavenly body, as a star by the moon.

Oc*cult"ing (?), n. Same as Occultation.

Oc*cult"ism (?), n. A certain Oriental system of theosophy. A. P. Sinnett.

Oc*cult"ist, n. An adherent of occultism.

Oc*cult"ly, adv. In an occult manner.

Oc*cult"ness, n. State or quality of being occult.

Oc"cu*pan*cy (?), n. [See Occupant.] The act of taking or holding possession; possession; occupation.

Title by occupancy (Law), a right of property acquired by taking the first possession of a thing, or possession of a thing which belonged to nobody, and appropriating it. Blackstone. Kent.

Oc"cu*pant (?), n. [L. occupans, p. pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant. See Occupy.] 1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing.

This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the first possession of a thing that has no owner.

2. A prostitute. [Obs.] Marston.

Oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. occupatus, p. p. of occupare. See Occupy.] To occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.

Oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. occupatio: cf.F. occupation.] 1. The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.

2. That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade.

Absence of occupation is not rest.

Cowper.

Occupation bridge (Engin.), a bridge connecting the parts of an estate separated by a railroad, a canal, or an ordinary road.

Syn. -- Occupancy; possession; tenure; use; employment; avocation; engagement; vocation; calling; office; trade; profession.

Oc"cu*pi`er (?), n. 1. One who occupies, or has possession.

2. One who follows an employment; hence, a tradesman. [Obs.] "Merchants and occupiers." Holland.

The occupiers of thy merchandise.

Ezek. xxvii. 27.

Oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occupied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Occupying (?).] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L. occupare; ob (see Ob-) + a word akin to capere to take. See Capacious.] 1. To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to possess.

Woe occupieth the fine [/end] of our gladness.

Chaucer.

The better apartments were already occupied.

W. Irving.

2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to take up the room or space of; to cover or fill; as, the camp occupies five acres of ground. Sir J. Herschel.

3. To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of; to employ; to busy.

An archbishop may have cause to occupy more chaplains than six.

Eng. Statute (Hen. VIII. )

They occupied themselves about the Sabbath.

2 Macc. viii. 27.

4. To do business in; to busy one's self with. [Obs.]

All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to occupy the merchandise.

Ezek. xxvii. 9.

Not able to occupy their old crafts.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

5. To use; to expend; to make use of. [Obs.]

All the gold that was occupied for the work.

Ex. xxxviii. 24.

They occupy not money themselves.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

6. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.] Nares.

Oc"cu*py, v. i. 1. To hold possession; to be an occupant. "Occupy till I come." Luke xix. 13.

2. To follow business; to traffic.

Oc*cur" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Occurred(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Occurring (?).] [L. occurrere, occursum; ob (see Ob-) + currere to run. See Course.] 1. To meet; to clash. [Obs.]

The resistance of the bodies they occur with.

Bentley.

2. To go in order to meet; to make reply. [Obs.]

I must occur to one specious objection.

Bentley.

3. To meet one's eye; to be found or met with; to present itself; to offer; to appear; to happen; to take place; as, I will write if opportunity occurs.

In Scripture, though the word heir occur, yet there is no such thing as "heir" in our author's sense.

Locke.

4. To meet or come to the mind; to suggest itself; to be presented to the imagination or memory.

There doth not occur to me any use of this experiment for profit.

Bacon.

Oc*cur"rence (?), n. [Cf. F. occurrence. See Occur.] 1. A coming or happening; as, the occurence of a railway collision.

Voyages detain the mind by the perpetual occurrence and expectation of something new.

I. Watts.

2. Any incident or event; esp., one which happens without being designed or expected; as, an unusual occurrence, or the ordinary occurrences of life.

All the occurrence of my fortune.

Shak.

Syn. -- See Event.

Oc*cur"rent (?), a. [L. occurrens, -entis, p. pr. of occurrere: cf.F. occurrent. See Occur.] Occurring or happening; hence, incidental; accidental.

Oc*cur"rent (?), n. 1. One who meets; hence, an adversary. [Obs.] Holland.

2. Anything that happens; an occurrence. [Obs.]

These we must meet with in obvious occurrents of the world.

Sir T. Browne.

Oc*curse" (?), n. [L. occursus.] Same as Occursion. [Obs.] Bentley.

Oc*cur"sion (?), n. [L. occursio. See Occur.] A meeting; a clash; a collision. [Obs.] Boyle.

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O"cean ("shan), n. [F. océan, L. oceanus, Gr. 'wkeano`s ocean, in Homer, the great river supposed to encompass the earth.] 1. The whole body of salt water which covers more than three fifths of the surface of the globe; -- called also the sea, or great sea.

Like the odor of brine from the ocean Comes the thought of other years.

Longfellow.

2. One of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is regarded as divided, as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans.

3. An immense expanse; any vast space or quantity without apparent limits; as, the boundless ocean of eternity; an ocean of affairs. Locke.

O"cean ("shan), a. Of or pertaining to the main or great sea; as, the ocean waves; an ocean stream. Milton.

O`ce*an"ic (?), a. [Cf.F. océanique. See Ocean.] 1. Of or pertaining to the ocean; found or formed in or about, or produced by, the ocean; frequenting the ocean, especially mid- ocean.

Petrels are the most aërial and oceanic of birds.

Darwin.

2. Of or pertaining to Oceania or its inhabitants.

O`cean*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Ocean + -graphy.] A description of the ocean.

O`cean*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Ocean + -logy.] That branch of science which relates to the ocean.

||O*ce"a*nus (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] (Gr.Myth.) The god of the ||great outer sea, or the river which was believed to flow around the ||whole earth.

O*cel"la*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to ocelli.

O*cel"late (?), a. Same as Ocellated.

O*cel"la*ted (?), a. [L. ocellatus, fr. ocellus a little eye, dim. of oculus an eye.] 1. Resembling an eye.

2. Marked with eyelike spots of color; as, the ocellated blenny.

Ocellated turkey (Zoöl.), the wild turkey of Central America (Meleagris ocellata).

||O*cel"lus (?), n.; pl. Ocelli (#). [L., dim. of oculus an eye.] ||(Zoöl.) (a) A little eye; a minute simple eye found in many ||invertebrates. (b) An eyelike spot of color, as those on the tail of ||the peacock.

O"ce*loid (?), a. [Ocelot + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Resembling the ocelot.

O"ce*lot (?), n. [Mexican ocelotl.] (Zoöl.) An American feline carnivore (Felis pardalis). It ranges from the Southwestern United States to Patagonia. It is covered with blackish ocellated spots and blotches, which are variously arranged. The ground color varies from reddish gray to tawny yellow.

{ O"cher, O"chre } (?), n. [F. ocre, L. ochra, fr. Gr. &?;, from (&?;) pale, pale yellow.] (Min.) (a) A impure earthy ore of iron or a ferruginous clay, usually red (hematite) or yellow (limonite), -- used as a pigment in making paints, etc. The name is also applied to clays of other colors. (b) A metallic oxide occurring in earthy form; as, tungstic ocher or tungstite.

{ O"cher*ous, O"chre*ous } (?), a. [Cf. F. ocreux.] Of or pertaining to ocher; containing or resembling ocher; as, ocherous matter; ocherous soil.

O"cher*y (?), a. Ocherous. [Written also ochrey, ochry.]

Och`i*my (?), n. [Obs.] See Occamy.

||Och*le"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; disturbance, fr. &?; crowd, ||mob.] (Med.) A general morbid condition induced by the crowding ||together of many persons, esp. sick persons, under one roof. G. ||Gregory.

Och*loc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the populace, multitude + &?; to be strong, to rule, &?; strength: cf.F. ochlocratie.] A form of government by the multitude; a mobocracy. Hare.

{ Och`lo*crat`ic (?), Och`lo*crat`ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to ochlocracy; having the form or character of an ochlocracy; mobocratic.

-- Och`lo*crat"ic*al*ly, adv.

O*chra"ceous (?), a. Ocherous.

O"chre (?), n. (Min.) See Ocher.

||O"chre*a (?), n.; pl. Ochreæe (#). [L.] 1. (Antiq.) A greave or ||legging.

2. (Bot.) A kind of sheath formed by two stipules united round a stem.

{ O"chre*ate (?), O"chre*a`ted (?), } a. 1. Wearing or furnished with an ochrea or legging; wearing boots; booted.

A scholar undertook . . . to address himself ochreated unto the vice chancellor.

Fuller.

2. (Bot.) Provided with ochrea, or sheathformed stipules, as the rhubarb, yellow dock, and knotgrass.

O"chre*ous (?), a. See Ocherous.

O"chrey (?), a. See Ochery.

Och`ro*leu"cous (?), a. [Gr. &?; ocher + &?; white.] Yellowish white; having a faint tint of dingy yellow. Gray.

O"chry (?), a. See Ochery.

Och"y*my (?), n. [Obs.] See Occamy.

-ock (?). [AS. -uc.] A suffix used to form diminutives; as, bullock, hillock.

O"cra (?), n. (Bot.) See Okra.

||O"cre*a (?), n. [L.] See Ochrea.

{ O"cre*ate (?), O"cre*a"ted (?), } a. [See Ochrea.] Same as Ochreate, Ochreated.

Oc"ta- (?). A prefix meaning eight. See Octo-.

Oc"ta*chord (?), n. [Gr. &?; with eight strings; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; string, chord: cf.F. octacorde.] (Mus.) An instrument of eight strings; a system of eight tones. [Also written octochord.]

Oc"tad (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the number eight.] (Chem.) An atom or radical which has a valence of eight, or is octavalent.

Oc`ta*e"dral (?), a. See Octahedral.

||Oc`ta*em"e*ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, neut. of &?; of the eighth ||day.] (Eccl.) A fast of eight days before a great festival. Shipley.

Oc"ta*gon (?), n. [Gr. &?; eight- cornered; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; an angle: cf.F. cctogone.] 1. (Geom.) A plane figure of eight sides and eight angles.

2. Any structure (as a fortification) or place with eight sides or angles.

Regular octagon, one in which the sides are all equal, and the angles also are all equal.

Oc*tag"o*nal (?), a. Having eight sides and eight angles.

Oc*tag"y*nous (?), a. [Octa- + Gr. &?; wife.] (Bot.) Having eight pistils or styles; octogynous.

Oc`ta*he"dral (?), a. [See Octahedron.] Having eight faces or sides; of, pertaining to, or formed in, octahedrons; as, octahedral cleavage.

Octahedral borax (Chem.), borax obtained from a saturated solution in octahedral crystals, which contain five molecules of water of crystallization; distinguished from common or prismatic borax. -- Octahedral iron ore (Min.), magnetite.

Oc`ta*he"drite (?), n. (Min.) Titanium dioxide occurring in acute octahedral crystals.

Oc`ta*he"dron (?), n. [Gr.&?;, fr. &?; eight-side; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; seat, base, from &?; to sit.] (Geom.) A solid bounded by eight faces. The regular octahedron is contained by eight equal equilateral triangles.

Oc*tam"er*ous (?), a. [Octa- + Gr. &?; part.] (Biol.) Having the parts in eights; as, an octamerous flower; octamerous mesenteries in polyps.

Oc*tam"e*ter (?), n. [Cf.L. octameter in eight feet. See Octa-, and meter.] (Pros.) A verse containing eight feet; as, --

Deep\'b6 in|to\'b6 the | dark\'b6ness | peer\'b6ing, | long\'b6 I | stood\'b6 there | wond'\'b6ring, | fear\'b6ing.

Poe.

Oc*tan"der (?), n. One of the Octandria.

||Oc*tan"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; (for &?; eight) + &?;, ||&?;, male, man.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants, in which the ||flowers have eight stamens not united to one another or to the ||pistil.

{ Oc*tan"dri*an (?), Oc*tan"drous (?), } a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Octandria; having eight distinct stamens.

Oc"tane (?), n. [See Octa-] . (Chem.) Any one of a group of metametric hydrocarcons (C8H18) of the methane series. The most important is a colorless, volatile, inflammable liquid, found in petroleum, and a constituent of benzene or ligroin.

Oc*tan"gu*lar (?), a. [L. octangulus eight-cornered; octo eight + angulus angle.] Having eight angles; eight-angled. -- Oc*tan"gu*lar*ness, n.

Oc"tant (?), n. [L. octans, - antis. fr. octo eight. See Octave.] 1. (Geom.) The eighth part of a circle; an arc of 45 degrees.

2. (Astron. & Astrol.) The position or aspect of a heavenly body, as the moon or a planet, when half way between conjunction, or opposition, and quadrature, or distant from another body 45 degrees.

3. An instrument for measuring angles (generally called a quadrant), having an arc which measures up to 9O°, but being itself the eighth part of a circle. Cf. Sextant.

4. (Math. & Crystallog.) One of the eight parts into which a space is divided by three coördinate planes.

||Oc"ta*pla (?), n.; etymol. pl., but syntactically sing. [NL., fr.Gr. ||&?; (for &?; eight) + -pla, as in E. hexapla; cf.Gr. &?; eightfold.] ||A portion of the Old Testament prepared by Origen in the 3d century, ||containing the Hebrew text and seven Greek versions of it, arranged ||in eight parallel columns.

Oc`ta*roon" (?), n. See Octoroon.

Oc"ta*style (?), a. See Octostyle.

Oc"ta*teuch (?), n. [L. octateuchus, Gr. &?;.] A collection of eight books; especially, the first eight books of the Old Testament. [R.]

Oc*tav"a*lent (?), a. [Octa- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) Having a valence of eight; capable of being combined with, exchanged for, or compared with, eight atoms of hydrogen; -- said of certain atoms or radicals.

Oc"tave (?), n. [F., fr. L. octava an eighth, fr. octavus eighth, fr. octo eight. See Eight, and cf. Octavo, Utas.] 1. The eighth day after a church festival, the festival day being included; also, the week following a church festival. "The octaves of Easter." Jer. Taylor.

2. (Mus.) (a) The eighth tone in the scale; the interval between one and eight of the scale, or any interval of equal length; an interval of five tones and two semitones. (b) The whole diatonic scale itself.

The ratio of a musical tone to its octave above is 1:2 as regards the number of vibrations producing the tones.

3. (Poet.) The first two stanzas of a sonnet, consisting of four verses each; a stanza of eight lines.

With mournful melody it continued this octave.

Sir P. Sidney.

Double octave. (Mus.) See under Double. -- Octave flute (Mus.), a small flute, the tones of which range an octave higher than those of the German or ordinary flute; -- called also piccolo. See Piccolo.

4. A small cask of wine, the eighth part of a pipe.

Oc"tave (?), a. Consisting of eight; eight. Dryden.

Oc*ta"vo (?), n.;pl. Octavos (#). [L. in octavo; in in + octavo, abl. of octavus. See Octave.] A book composed of sheets each of which is folded into eight leaves; hence, indicating more or less definitely a size of book so made; -- usually written 8vo or 8°.

Oc*ta"vo, a. Having eight leaves to a sheet; as, an octavo form, book, leaf, size, etc.

Oc"tene (?), n. [See Octo-.] (Chem.) Same as Octylene.

Oc*ten"ni*al (?), a. [L. octennium a period of eight years; octo eight + annus year.] Happening every eighth year; also, lasting a period of eight years. Johnson. -- Oc*ten"ni*al*ly, adv.

Oc*tet" (?), n. [From L. octo eight, like E. duet, fr.L. duo. See Octave.] (Mus.) A composition for eight parts, usually for eight solo instruments or voices.

Oc"tic (?), a. [Octo- + - ic.] (Math.) Of the eighth degree or order. -- n. (Alg.) A quantic of the eighth degree.

Oc"tile (?), n. [Cf. F. octil, a. See Octant.] Same as Octant, 2. [R.]

Oc*til"lion (?), n. [L. octo eight + -illion, as in E. million: cf. F. octillion.] According to the French method of numeration (which method is followed also in the United States) the number expressed by a unit with twenty-seven ciphers annexed. According to the English method, the number expressed by a unit with forty-eight ciphers annexed. See Numeration.

{ Oc"to- (?), Oc"ta- (?) }. [L. octo eight, Gr. &?;, with a combining form &?;. Cf. Eight.] A combining form meaning eight; as in octodecimal, octodecimal, octolocular.

Oc"to*ate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of an octoic acid; a caprylate.

Oc*to"ber (?), n. [L., the eighth month of the primitive Roman year, which began in March, fr. octo eight: cf.F. Octobre. See Octave.] 1. The tenth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.

2. Ale or cider made in that month.

The country gentlemen had a posset or drink they called October.

Emerson.

||Oc*toc"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL.] Octocerata.

||Oc`to*cer"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.&?; eight + &?;, a horn.] ||(Zoöl.) A suborder of Cephalopoda including Octopus, Argonauta, and ||allied genera, having eight arms around the head; -- called also ||Octopoda.

Oc"to*chord (?), n. (Mus.) See Octachord.

Oc`todec"i*mo (?), a. [L. octodecim eighteen. See Octavo, Decimal, and -mo.] Having eighteen leaves to a sheet; as, an octodecimo form, book, leaf, size, etc.

Oc`to*dec"i*mo, n.; pl. Octodecimos (&?;). A book composed of sheets each of which is folded into eighteen leaves; hence; indicating more or less definitely a size of book, whose sheets are so folded; -- usually written 18mo or 18°, and called eighteenmo.

Oc`to*den"tate (?), a. [Octo- + dentate.] Having eight teeth.

Oc"to*dont (?), a. [Octo- + Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Octodontidæ, a family of rodents which includes the coypu, and many other South American species.

Oc`to*ed"ric*al (?), a. See Octahedral. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Oc"to*fid (?), a. [Octo- + root of L. findere to split: cf.F. octofide.] (Bot.) Cleft or separated into eight segments, as a calyx.

Oc*tog"a*my (?), n. [Octo- + Gr. &?; marriage.] A marrying eight times. [R.] Chaucer.

Oc`to*ge*na"ri*an (?), n. A person eighty years, or more, of age.

Oc*tog"e*na*ry (?), a. [L. octogenarrus, from octogeni eighty each, octoginta eighty, fr. octo eight. See Eight, Eighty.] Of eighty years of age. "Being then octogenary." Aubrey.

Oc"to*gild (?), n. [Octo- + AS. gild payment.] (Anglo-Saxon Law) A pecuniary compensation for an injury, of eight times the value of the thing.

Oc*tog"o*nal (?), a. See Octagonal. [Obs.]

||Oc`to*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; eight + &?; a woman, ||female.] (Bot.) A Linnaean order of plants having eight pistils.

{ Oc`to*gyn"i*an (?), Oc*tog"y*nous (?), } a. (Bot.) Having eight pistils; octagynous.

Oc*to"ic (?), a. [See Octo-.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, octane; -- used specifically, to designate any one of a group of acids, the most important of which is called caprylic acid.

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Oc`to*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Octo- + locular.] (Bot.) Having eight cells for seeds.

Oc`to*naph"thene (?), n. [Octo- + naphthene.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid hydrocarbon of the octylene series, occurring in Caucasian petroleum.

Oc`to*na*ry (?), a. [L. octonarius, fr. octoni eight each, fr. octo eight.] Of or pertaining to the number eight. Dr. H. More.

Oc`to*noc"u*lar (?), a. [L. octoni eight each + E. ocular.] Having eight eyes. Derham.

Oc`to*pede (?), n. [Octo- + L. pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.) An animal having eight feet, as a spider.

Oc`to*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Octo- + petal.] (Bot.) Having eight petals or flower leaves.

Oc"to*pod (?), n. [Gr. &?; eight- footed; &?; eight + poy`s, podo`s, foot: cf.F. octopode.] (Zoöl.) One of the Octocerata.

||Oc*top"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) (a) Same as Octocerata. (b) ||Same as Arachnida.

||Oc`to*po"di*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; eight + &?; a little ||foot.] (Zoöl.) Same as Octocerata.

Oc"to*pus (?), n. [NL. See Octopod.] (Zoöl.) A genus of eight-armed cephalopods, including numerous species, some of them of large size. See Devilfish,

Oc`to*ra"*di*a`ted (?), a. [Octo- + radiated.] Having eight rays.

Oc`to*roon" (?), n. [L. octo eight + -roon, as in quadroon.] The offspring of a quadroon and a white person; a mestee.

Oc`to*sper"mous (?), a. [Octo- + Cr. &?; seed.] (Bot.) Containing eight seeds.

Oc*tos"ti*chous (?), a. [Octo- + Gr. &?; a row.] (Bot.) In eight vertical ranks, as leaves on a stem.

Oc"to*style (?), a. [Octo- + Gr. &?; a pillar: cf.F. octostyle.] (Arch.) Having eight columns in the front; -- said of a temple or portico. The Parthenon is octostyle, but most large Greek temples are hexastele. See Hexastyle. -- n. An octostyle portico or temple.

{ Oc`to*syl*lab"ic (?), Oc`to*syl*lab"ic*al (?), } a. [L. octosyllabus. See Octo-, and Syllable.] Consisting of or containing eight syllables.

Oc"to*syl`la*ble (?), a. Octosyllabic.

Oc"to*syl`la*ble, n. A word of eight syllables.

Oc"to*yl (&?;), n. [Octoic + -yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical (C8H15O), regarded as the essential residue of octoic acid.

||Oc`troi" (?), n. [F.] 1. A privilege granted by the sovereign ||authority, as the exclusive right of trade granted to a guild or ||society; a concession.

2. A tax levied in money or kind at the gate of a French city on articles brought within the walls.

[Written also octroy.]

Oc"tu*or (?), n. [From L. octo eight + -uor, as in L. quatuor.] (Mus.) See Octet. [R.]

Oc"tu*ple (?), a. [L. octuplus; cf. Gr. &?;: cf.F. octuple.] Eightfold.

Oc"tyl (?), n. [Octane + - yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical regarded as an essential residue of octane, and as entering into its derivatives; as, octyl alcohol.

Oc"tyl*ene (?), n. [Octane + ethylene.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of metameric hydrocarbons (C8H16) of the ethylene series. In general they are combustible, colorless liquids.

Oc*tyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, octyl; as, octylic ether.

Oc"u*lar (?), a. [L. ocularis, ocularius, fr. oculus the eye: cf.F. oculaire. See Eye, and cf. Antler, Inveigle.] 1. Depending on, or perceived by, the eye; received by actual sight; personally seeing or having seen; as, ocular proof. Shak.

Thomas was an ocular witness of Christ's death.

South.

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the eye; optic.

Oc"u*lar, n. (Opt.) The eyepiece of an optical instrument, as of a telescope or microscope.

Oc"u*lar*ly, adv. By the eye, or by actual sight.

Oc"u*la*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; optic; as, oculary medicines. Holland.

{ Oc"u*late (?), Oc"u*la`ted (?), } a. [L. oculatus, fr. oculus eye.] 1. Furnished with eyes.

2. Having spots or holes resembling eyes; ocellated.

Oc`u*li*form (?), a. [L. oculus the eye + form: cf.F. oculiforme.] In the form of an eye; resembling an eye; as, an oculiform pebble.

||Oc`u*li"na (?), n. [NL., fr. L. oculus the eye.] (Zoöl.) A genus of ||tropical corals, usually branched, and having a very volid texture.

||Oc`u*li*na"*ce*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. NL. oculina the name of a ||typical genus.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of corals including many reef- ||building species, having round, starlike calicles.

Oc"u*list (?), n. [L. oculus the eye: cf. F. oculiste.] One skilled in treating diseases of the eye.

Oc"u*lo- (?). A combining form from L. oculus the eye.

Oc`u*lo*mo"tor (?), a. [Oculo- + motor.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the movement of the eye; -- applied especially to the common motor nerves (or third pair of cranial nerves) which supply many of the muscles of the orbit. -- n. The oculomotor nerve.

Oc`u*lo*na"sal (?), a. [Oculo- + nasal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the region of the eye and the nose; as, the oculonasal, or nasal, nerve, one of the branches of the ophthalmic.

||Oc"u*lus (?), n.; pl. Oculi (#). [L., an eye.] 1. An eye; (Bot.) a ||leaf bud.

2. (Arch.) A round window, usually a small one.

O`cy*po"di*an, n. [Gr. 'wky`s swift + poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of crabs which live in holes in the sand along the seashore, and run very rapidly, -- whence the name.

Od (?), n. [G., fr. Gr. &?; passage.] (Physics) An alleged force or natural power, supposed, by Reichenbach and others, to produce the phenomena of mesmerism, and to be developed by various agencies, as by magnets, heat, light, chemical or vital action, etc.; -- called also odyle or the odylic force. [Archaic]

That od force of German Reichenbach Which still, from female finger tips, burnt blue.

Mrs. Browning.

||O`da`lisque" (?), n. [F., fr. Turk. odaliq chambermaid, fr. oda ||chamber, room.] A female slave or concubine in the harem of the ||Turkish sultan. [Written also odahlic, odalisk, and odalik.]

Not of those that men desire, sleek Odalisques, or oracles of mode.

Tennyson.

Odd (?), a. [Compar. Odder (?); superl. Oddest.] [OE. odde, fr.Icel. oddi a tongue of land, a triangle, an odd number (from the third or odd angle, or point, of a triangle), orig., a point, tip; akin to Icel. oddr point, point of a weapon, Sw. udda odd, udd point, Dan. od, AS. ord, OHG. ort, G. ort place (cf. E. point, for change of meaning).] 1. Not paired with another, or remaining over after a pairing; without a mate; unmatched; single; as, an odd shoe; an odd glove.

2. Not divisible by 2 without a remainder; not capable of being evenly paired, one unit with another; as, 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, etc., are odd numbers.

I hope good luck lies in odd numbers.

Shak.

3. Left over after a definite round number has been taken or mentioned; indefinitely, but not greatly, exceeding a specified number; extra.

Sixteen hundred and odd years after the earth was made, it was destroyed in a deluge.

T. Burnet.

There are yet missing of your company Some few odd lads that you remember not.

Shak.

4. Remaining over; unconnected; detached; fragmentary; hence, occasional; inconsiderable; as, odd jobs; odd minutes; odd trifles.

5. Different from what is usual or common; unusual; singular; peculiar; unique; strange. "An odd action." Shak. "An odd expression." Thackeray.

The odd man, to perform all things perfectly, is, in my poor opinion, Joannes Sturmius.

Ascham.

Patients have sometimes coveted odd things.

Arbuthnot.

Locke's Essay would be a very odd book for a man to make himself master of, who would get a reputation by critical writings.

Spectator.

Syn. -- Quaint; unmatched; singular; unusual; extraordinary; strange; queer; eccentric, whimsical; fantastical; droll; comical. See Quaint.

Odd" Fel`low (?). A member of a secret order, or fraternity, styled the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, established for mutual aid and social enjoyment.

Odd"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Oddities (&?;). 1. The quality or state of being odd; singularity; queerness; peculiarity; as, oddity of dress, manners, and the like.

That infinitude of oddities in him.

Sterne.

2. That which is odd; as, a collection of oddities.

Odd"ly, adv. 1. In an odd manner; unevently. [R.]

2. In a peculiar manner; strangely; queerly; curiously. "A figure a little more oddly turned." Locke.

A great black substance, . . . very oddly shaped.

Swift.

3. (Math.) In a manner measured by an odd number.

Odd"ness, n. 1. The state of being odd, or not even.

Take but one from three, and you not only destroy the oddness, but also the essence of that number.

Fotherby.

2. Singularity; strangeness; eccentricity; irregularity; uncouthness; as, the oddness of dress or shape; the oddness of an event. Young.

Odds (dz), n. sing. & pl. [See Odd, a.] 1. Difference in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. "Preëminent by so much odds." Milton. "The fearful odds of that unequal fray." Trench.

The odds Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.

Shak.

There appeared, at least, four to one odds against them.

Swift.

All the odds between them has been the different scope . . . given to their understandings to range in.

Locke.

Judging is balancing an account and determining on which side the odds lie.

Locke.

2. Quarrel; dispute; debate; strife; -- chiefly in the phrase at odds.

Set them into confounding odds.

Shak.

I can not speak Any beginning to this peevish odds.

Shak.

At odds, in dispute; at variance. "These squires at odds did fall." Spenser. "He flashes into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds." Shak. -- It is odds, it is probable. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Odds and ends, that which is left; remnants; fragments; refuse; scraps; miscellaneous articles. "My brain is filled . . . with all kinds of odds and ends." W. Irving.

Ode (?), n. [F., fr. L. ode, oda, Gr. &?; a song, especially a lyric song, contr. fr. &?;, fr. &?; to sing; cf.Skr. vad to speak, sing. Cf. Comedy, Melody, Monody.] A short poetical composition proper to be set to music or sung; a lyric poem; esp., now, a poem characterized by sustained noble sentiment and appropriate dignity of style.

Hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles.

Shak.

O! run; prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at his blessed feet.

Milton.

Ode factor, one who makes, or who traffics in, odes; -- used contemptuously.

Ode"let (?), n. A little or short ode.

O*de"on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;: cf.F. odéon. See Ode.] A kind of theater in ancient Greece, smaller than the dramatic theater and roofed over, in which poets and musicians submitted their works to the approval of the public, and contended for prizes; -- hence, in modern usage, the name of a hall for musical or dramatic performances.

||O*de"um (?), n. [L.] See Odeon.

O"di*ble (?), a. [L. odibilis. See Odium.] Fitted to excite hatred; hateful. [Obs.] Bale.

Od"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to od. See Od. [Archaic] -- Od"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

O"din (?), n. [Icel. &?;; prob.akin to E. wood, a. See Wednesday.] (Northern Myth.) The supreme deity of the Scandinavians; -- the same as Woden, of the German tribes.

There in the Temple, carved in wood, The image of great Odin stood.

Longfellow.

O*din"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to Odin.

O"di*ous (?), a. [L. odiosus, from odium hatred: cf. F. odieux. See Odium.] 1. Hateful; deserving or receiving hatred; as, an odious name, system, vice. "All wickedness will be most odious." Sprat.

He rendered himself odious to the Parliament.

Clarendon.

2. Causing or provoking hatred, repugnance, or disgust; offensive; disagreeable; repulsive; as, an odious sight; an odious smell. Milton.

The odious side of that polity.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Hateful; detestable; abominable; disgusting; loathsome; invidious; repulsive; forbidding; unpopular.

-- O"di*ous`ly. adv. -- O"di*ous*ness, n.

Od"ist (?), n. A writer of an ode or odes.

O"di*um (?), n. [L., fr. odi I hate. Gr. Annoy, Noisome.] 1. Hatred; dislike; as, his conduct brought him into odium, or, brought odium upon him.

2. The quality that provokes hatred; offensiveness.

She threw the odium of the fact on me.

Dryden.

||Odium theologicum (&?;) [L.], the enmity peculiar to contending ||theologians.

Syn. -- Hatred; abhorrence; detestation; antipathy. -- Odium, Hatred. We exercise hatred; we endure odium. The former has an active sense, the latter a passive one. We speak of having a hatred for a man, but not of having an odium toward him. A tyrant incurs odium. The odium of an offense may sometimes fall unjustly upon one who is innocent.

I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully.

Shak.

You have . . . dexterously thrown some of the odium of your polity upon that middle class which you despise.

Beaconsfield.

Od"ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Odized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Odizing.] To charge with od. See Od. [Archaic]

Od"myl (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, stench + -yl.] (Chem.) A volatile liquid obtained by boiling sulphur with linseed oil. It has an unpleasant garlic odor.

O*dom"e*ter (*dm"*tr), n. [Gr. 'odo`metron, 'odo`metros, an instrument for measuring distance; 'odo`s way + me`tron measure: cf. F. odométre, hodométre.] An instrument attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance traversed; also, a wheel used by surveyors, which registers the miles and rods traversed.

O`do*met"ric*al (?), a. [Cf. F. odométrique, hodométrique.] Of or pertaining to the odometer, or to measurements made with it.

O*dom"e*trous (?), a. Serving to measure distance on a road. [R.] Sydney Smith.

O*dom"e*try (?), n. Measurement of distances by the odometer.

||O*don"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] ||(Zoöl.) The division of insects that includes the dragon flies.

||O`don*tal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth ||+ &?; pain.] (Med.) Toothache.

O`don*tal"gic (?), a. [Cf. F. odontalgique.] Of or pertaining to odontalgia. -- n. A remedy for the toothache.

O`don*tal"gy (?), n. (Med.) Same as Odontalgia.

||O`don*ti"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] ||Cutting of the teeth; dentition.

O*don"to- (?). A combining form from Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.

O*don"to*blast (?), n. [Odonto- + -blast.]

1. (Anat.) One of the more or less columnar cells on the outer surface of the pulp of a tooth; an odontoplast. They are supposed to be connected with the formation of dentine.

2. (Zoöl.) One of the cells which secrete the chitinous teeth of Mollusca.

<! p. 997 !>

||O*don`to*ce"te (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth ||+ &?; a whale.] (Zoöl.) A subdivision of Cetacea, including the sperm ||whale, dolphins, etc.; the toothed whales.

O`don*tog"e*ny (?), n. [Odonto- + root of Gr. &?; to be born: cf: F. odontogénie.] (Physiol.) Generetion, or mode of development, of the teeth.

O*don"to*graph (?), n. [Odonto- + -graph.] An instrument for marking or laying off the outlines of teeth of gear wheels.

O*don`to*graph"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to odontography.

O`don*tog"ra*phy (?), n. A description of the teeth.

O*don"toid (?), a. [Gr. &?;; 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; form: cf.F. odontoïde.] (Anat.) (a) Having the form of a tooth; toothlike. (b) Of or pertaining to the odontoid bone or to the odontoid process.

Odontoid bone (Anat.), a separate bone, in many reptiles, corresponding to the odontoid process. - - Odontoid process, or Odontoid peg (Anat.), the anterior process of the centrum of the second vertebra, or axis, in birds and mammals. See Axis.

||O`don*tol"cae (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth ||+ &?; a furrow.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of ostrichlike aquatic ||birds having teeth, which are set in a groove in the jaw. It includes ||Hesperornis, and allied genera. See Hesperornis. [Written also ||Odontholcae, and Odontoholcae.]

O*don"to*lite (?), n. [Odonto- + -lite.] (Min.) A fossil tooth colored a bright blue by phosphate of iron. It is used as an imitation of turquoise, and hence called bone turquoise.

O`don*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Odonto- + -logy: cf.F. odontologie.] The science which treats of the teeth, their structure and development.

||O`don*toph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Odontophore.] (Zoöl.) Same as ||Cephalophora.

O*don"to*phore (?), n. [Odonto- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) A special structure found in the mouth of most mollusks, except bivalves. It consists of several muscles and a cartilage which supports a chitinous radula, or lingual ribbon, armed with teeth. Also applied to the radula alone. See Radula.

O`don*toph"o*rous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having an odontophore.

O*don"to*plast (?), n. [Odonto- + Gr. &?; to form, mold.] (Anat.) An odontoblast.

||O`don*top"te*ryx (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + ||pte`ryx a wing.] (Paleon.) An extinct Eocene bird having the jaws ||strongly serrated, or dentated, but destitute of true teeth. It was ||found near London.

||O*don`tor*ni*"thes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a ||tooth + &?;, &?;, a bird.] (Paleon.) A group of Mesozoic birds having ||the jaws armed with teeth, as in most other vertebrates. They have ||been divided into three orders: Odontolcæ, Odontotormæ, and Saururæ.

O*don"to*stom"a*tous (?), a. [Odonto- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having toothlike mandibles; -- applied to certain insects.

||O*don`to*tor"mae (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + ||&?; a socket.] (Paleon.) An order of extinct toothed birds having the ||teeth in sockets, as in the genus Ichthyornis. See Ichthyornis.

O"dor (?), n. [OE. odor, odour, OF. odor, odour, F. odeur, fr. L. odor; akin to olere to smell, Gr. &?;, Lith. &?; Cf. Olfactory, Osmium, Ozone, Redolent.] [Written also odour.] Any smell, whether fragrant or offensive; scent; perfume.

Meseemed I smelt a garden of sweet flowers, That dainty odors from them threw around.

Spenser.

To be in bad odor, to be out of favor, or in bad repute.

O"dor*a*ment (?), n. [L. odoramentum. See Odorate.] A perfume; a strong scent. [Obs.] Burton.

O"dor*ant (?), a. [L. odorans, -antis, p. pr.] Yielding odors; fragrant. Holland.

O"dor*ate (?), a. [L. odoratus, p. p. of odorare to perfume, fr. odor odor.] Odorous. [Obos.] Bacon.

O"dor*a`ting (?), a. Diffusing odor or scent; fragrant.

O`dor*if"er*ous (?), a. [L. odorifer; odor odor + ferre to bear. See Odoe, and 1st Bear.] Bearing or yielding an odor; perfumed; usually, sweet of scent; fragrant; as, odoriferous spices, particles, fumes, breezes. Milton.

-- O`dor*if"er*ous*ly, adv. -- O`dor*if"er*ous*ness, n.

O"dor*ine (?), n. (Chem.) A pungent oily substance obtained by redistilling bone oil. [Obs.]

O"dor*less, a. Free from odor.

O"dor*ous (?), a. [Written also odourous.] [L. odorus, fr. odor odor: cf. OF. odoros, odoreux.] Having or emitting an odor or scent, esp. a sweet odor; fragrant; sweet-smelling. "Odorous bloom." Keble.

Such fragrant flowers do give most odorous smell.

Spenser.

-- O"dor*ous*ly, adv. -- O"dor*ous*ness, n.

Ods (?), interj. A corruption of God's; -- formerly used in oaths and ejaculatory phrases. "Ods bodikin." "Ods pity." Shak.

{ Od"yl, Od"yle } (?), n. [Gr. &?;, passage + &?; matter or material.] (Physics) See Od. [Archaic].

O*dyl"ic (?), a. (Physics) Of or pertaining to odyle; odic; as, odylic force. [Archaic]

Od"ys*sey (?), n. [L. Odyssea, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Ulysses: cf.F. Odyssée.] An epic poem attributed to Homer, which describes the return of Ulysses to Ithaca after the siege of Troy.

Œ (), a diphthong, employed in the Latin language, and thence in the English language, as the representative of the Greek diphthong oi. In many words in common use, e alone stands instead of œ. Classicists prefer to write the diphthong oe separate in Latin words.

Œ"coid (?), n. [Gr. &?; a house + -oid.] (Anat.) The colorless porous framework, or stroma, of red blood corpuscles from which the zooid, or hemoglobin and other substances of the corpuscles, may be dissolved out.

Œ*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.&?; house + -logy.] (Biol.) The various relations of animals and plants to one another and to the outer world.

Œ`co*nom"ic*al (?), a. See Economical.

Œ`co*nom"ics (?), n. See Economics.

Œ*con"o*my (?), n. See Economy.

Œc`u*men"ic*al (?), a. See Ecumenical.

||Œ*de"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a swelling, tumor, fr. &?; to ||swell.] (Med.) A swelling from effusion of watery fluid in the ||cellular tissue beneath the skin or mucous membrance; dropsy of the ||subcutaneous cellular tissue. [Written also edema.]

Œ*dem"a*tous (?), a. (Med.) Pertaining to, or of the nature of, edema; affected with edema.

{ Œ*il"iad (?), ||Œil"lade` (?), } n. [F. œillade, fr. œel eye. See Eyelent.] A glance of the eye; an amorous look. [Obs.]

She gave strange œillades and most speaking looks.

Shak.

Œ"let (?), n. [See Eyelet.] An eye, bud, or shoot, as of a plant; an oilet. [Obs.] Holland.

Œ*nan"thate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of the supposed œnanthic acid.

Œ*nan"thic (?), a. [Gr. &?; the first shoot of the vine, the vine blossom, the vine; &?; the vine + &?; bloom, &?; flower.] (Chem.) Having, or imparting, the odor characteristic of the bouquet of wine; specifically used, formerly, to designate an acid whose ethereal salts were supposed to occasion the peculiar bouquet, or aroma, of old wine. Cf. Œnanthylic.

Œnanthic acid, an acid obtained from œnanthic ether by the action of alkalies. -- Œnanthic ether, an ethereal substance (not to be confused with the bouquet, or aroma, of wine) found in wine lees, and consisting of a complex mixture of the ethereal salts of several of the higher acids of the acetic acid series. It has an ethereal odor, and it used in flavoring artificial wines and liquors. Called also oil of wine. See Essential oil, under Essential.

Œ*nan"thol (?), n. [œnanthylic + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) An oily substance obtained by the distillation of castor oil, recognized as the aldehyde of œnanthylic acid, and hence called also œnanthaldehyde.

Œ*nan"thone (?), n. [œnanthic + -one] (Chem.) The ketone of œnanthic acid.

Œ*nan"thyl (?), n. [œnnthic + -yl.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical formerly supposed to exist in œnanthic acid, now known to be identical with heptyl.

Œ*nan"thyl*ate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of œnanthylic acid; as, potassium œnanthylate.

Œ`nan*thyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, œnanthyl; specifically, designating an acid formerly supposed to be identical with the acid in œnanthic ether, but now known to be identical with heptoic acid.

Œ`nan*thyl"i*dene (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless liquid hydrocarbon, having a garlic odor; heptine.

Œ*nan"thyl*ous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid formerly supposed to be the acid of œnanthylic ether, but now known to be a mixture of higher acids, especially capric acid. [Obs.]

Œ`no*cy"an (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + &?; a dark-blue substance.] (Chem.) The coloring matter of red wines.

Œ*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + -logy.] Knowledge of wine, scientific or practical.

||Œn`o*ma"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; wine + &?; mania.] (Med.) (a) ||Delirium tremens. Rayer. (b) Dipsomania.

Œn"o*mel (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + &?; honey.] Wine mixed with honey; mead, [R.]

Œ*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + -meter.] See Alcoholometer.

Œ*noph"i*list (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + &?; to love.] A lover of wine. [R.] Thackeray.

Œ`no*thi*on"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; wine + thionic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to an acid now called sulphovinic, or ethyl sulphuric, acid.

O'er (?), prep. & adv. A contr. of Over. [Poetic]

Œ*soph"a*gus, n., Œ`so*phag"e*al, a., etc. Same as Esophagus, Esophageal, etc.

Œs"tri*an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the gadflies. -- n. A gadfly.

Œs"tru*al (?), a. [See Œstrus.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to sexual desire; -- mostly applied to brute animals; as, the œstrual period; œstrual influence.

Œs`tru*a"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) The state of being under œstrual influence, or of having sexual desire.

||Œs"trus (?), n. [L., a gadfly; also, frenzy, fr.Gr. &?; gadfly; ||hence, sting, fury, insane desire, frenzy.] 1. (Zoöl.) A genus of ||gadflies. The species which deposits its larvæ in the nasal cavities ||of sheep is œstrus ovis.

2. A vehement desire; esp. (Physiol.), the periodical sexual impulse of animals; heat; rut.

Of (?), prep. [AS. of of, from, off; akin to D. & OS. af, G. ab off, OHG. aba from, away, Icel., Dan., Sw., & Goth. af, L. ab, Gr. &?;, Skr. apa. Cf. Off, A- (2), Ab-, After, Epi-.] In a general sense, from, or out from; proceeding from; belonging to; relating to; concerning; -- used in a variety of applications; as:

1. Denoting that from which anything proceeds; indicating origin, source, descent, and the like; as, he is of a race of kings; he is of noble blood.

That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke i. 35.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you.

1 Cor. xi. 23.

2. Denoting possession or ownership, or the relation of subject to attribute; as, the apartment of the consul: the power of the king; a man of courage; the gate of heaven. "Poor of spirit." Macaulay.

3. Denoting the material of which anything is composed, or that which it contains; as, a throne of gold; a sword of steel; a wreath of mist; a cup of water.

4. Denoting part of an aggregate or whole; belonging to a number or quantity mentioned; out of; from amongst; as, of this little he had some to spare; some of the mines were unproductive; most of the company.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lam. iii. 22.

It is a duty to communicate of those blessings we have received.

Franklin.

5. Denoting that by which a person or thing is actuated or impelled; also, the source of a purpose or action; as, they went of their own will; no body can move of itself; he did it of necessity.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts.

Josh. xi. 20.

6. Denoting reference to a thing; about; concerning; relating to; as, to boast of one's achievements.

Knew you of this fair work?

Shak.

7. Denoting nearness or distance, either in space or time; from; as, within a league of the town; within an hour of the appointed time.

8. Denoting identity or equivalence; -- used with a name or appellation, and equivalent to the relation of apposition; as, the continent of America; the city of Rome; the Island of Cuba.

9. Denoting the agent, or person by whom, or thing by which, anything is, or is done; by.

And told to her of [by] some.

Chaucer.

He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

Luke iv. 15.

[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.

Luke iv. 1, 2.

The use of the word in this sense, as applied to persons, is nearly obsolete.

10. Denoting relation to place or time; belonging to, or connected with; as, men of Athens; the people of the Middle Ages; in the days of Herod.

11. Denoting passage from one state to another; from. [Obs.] "O miserable of happy." Milton.

12. During; in the course of.

Not be seen to wink of all the day.

Shak.

My custom always of the afternoon.

Shak.

Of may be used in a subjective or an objective sense. "The love of God" may mean, our love for God, or God's love for us.

From is the primary sense of this preposition; a sense retained in off, the same word differently written for distinction. But this radical sense disappears in most of its application; as, a man of genius; a man of rare endowments; a fossil of a red color, or of an hexagonal figure; he lost all hope of relief; an affair of the cabinet; he is a man of decayed fortune; what is the price of corn? In these and similar phrases, of denotes property or possession, or a relation of some sort involving connection. These applications, however all proceeded from the same primary sense. That which proceeds from, or is produced by, a person or thing, either has had, or still has, a close connection with the same; and hence the word was applied to cases of mere connection, not involving at all the idea of separation.

Of consequence, of importance, value, or influence. -- Of late, recently; in time not long past. -- Of old, formerly; in time long past. -- Of one's self, by one's self; without help or prompting; spontaneously.

Why, knows not Montague, that of itself England is safe, if true within itself?

Shak.

Off (?), adv. [OE. of, orig. the same word as R. of, prep., AS. of, adv. & prep. &radic;194. See Of.] In a general sense, denoting from or away from; as:

1. Denoting distance or separation; as, the house is a mile off.

2. Denoting the action of removing or separating; separation; as, to take off the hat or cloak; to cut off, to pare off, to clip off, to peel off, to tear off, to march off, to fly off, and the like.

3. Denoting a leaving, abandonment, departure, abatement, interruption, or remission; as, the fever goes off; the pain goes off; the game is off; all bets are off.

4. Denoting a different direction; not on or towards: away; as, to look off.

5. Denoting opposition or negation. [Obs.]

The questions no way touch upon puritanism, either off or on.

Bp. Sanderson.

From off, off from; off. "A live coal . . . taken with the tongs from off the altar." Is. vi. 6. -- Off and on. (a) Not constantly; not regularly; now and then; occasionally. (b) (Naut.) On different tacks, now toward, and now away from, the land. -- To be off. (a) To depart; to escape; as, he was off without a moment's warning. (b) To be abandoned, as an agreement or purpose; as, the bet was declared to be off. [Colloq.] -- To come off, To cut off, To fall off, To go off, etc. See under Come, Cut, Fall, Go, etc. -- To get off. (a) To utter; to discharge; as, to get off a joke. (b) To go away; to escape; as, to get off easily from a trial. [Colloq.] -- To take off, to mimic or personate. -- To tell off (Mil.), to divide and practice a regiment or company in the several formations, preparatory to marching to the general parade for field exercises. Farrow. -- To be well off, to be in good condition. -- To be ill off, To be badly off, to be in poor condition.

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Off (?), interj. Away; begone; -- a command to depart.

Off, prep. Not on; away from; as, to be off one's legs or off the bed; two miles off the shore. Addison.

Off hand. See Offhand. -- Off side (Football), out of play; -- said when a player has got in front of the ball in a scrimmage, or when the ball has been last touched by one of his own side behind him. -- To be off color, to be of a wrong color. -- To be off one's food, to have no appetite. (Colloq.)

Off, a. 1. On the farther side; most distant; on the side of an animal or a team farthest from the driver when he is on foot; in the United States, the right side; as, the off horse or ox in a team, in distinction from the nigh or near horse or ox; the off leg.

2. Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from his post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent; as, he took an off day for fishing: an off year in politics. "In the off season." Thackeray.

Off side. (a) The right hand side in driving; the farther side. See Gee. (b) (Cricket) See Off, n.

Off, n. (Cricket) The side of the field that is on the right of the wicket keeper.

Of"fal (?), n. [Off + fall.] 1. The rejected or waste parts of a butchered animal.

2. A dead body; carrion. Shak.

3. That which is thrown away as worthless or unfit for use; refuse; rubbish.

The off als of other profession.

South.

Off"cut` (?), n. 1. That which is cut off.

2. (Bookbinding) A portion ofthe printed sheet, in certain sizes of books, that is cut off before folding.

Of*fence" (?), n. See Offense.

Of*fend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offended; p. pr. & vb. n. Offending.] [OF. offendre, L. offendere, offensum; ob (see Ob-) + fendere (in comp.) to thrust, dash. See Defend.] 1. To strike against; to attack; to assail. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

2. To displease; to make angry; to affront.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.

Prov. xviii. 19.

3. To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to annoy; as, strong light offends the eye; to offend the conscience.

4. To transgress; to violate; to sin against. [Obs.]

Marry, sir, he hath offended the law.

Shak.

5. (Script.) To oppose or obstruct in duty; to cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall. [Obs.]

Who hath you misboden or offended.

Chaucer.

If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out . . . And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off.

Matt. v. 29, 3O.

Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.

Ps. cxix. 165.

Of*fend", v. i. 1. To transgress the moral or divine law; to commit a crime; to stumble; to sin.

Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James ii. 10.

If it be a sin to cevet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.

Shak.

2. To cause dislike, anger, or vexation; to displease.

I shall offend, either to detain or give it.

Shak.

To offend against, to do an injury or wrong to; to commit an offense against. "We have offended against the Lord already." 2 Chron. xxviii. 13.

Of*fend"ant (?), n. An offender. [R.] Holland.

Of*fend"er (?), n. One who offends; one who violates any law, divine or human; a wrongdoer.

I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

1 Kings i. 21.

Of*fend"ress (?), n. A woman who offends. Shak.

{ Of*fense", Of*fence" } (?), n. [F., fr. L. offensa. See Offend.] 1. The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury.

Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Rom. iv. 25.

I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories.

Dryden.

2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.

He was content to give them just cause of offense, when they had power to make just revenge.

Sir P. Sidney.

3. A cause or occasion of stumbling or of sin. [Obs.]

Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!

Matt. xviii. 7.

This word, like expense, is often spelled with a c. It ought, however, to undergo the same change with expense, the reasons being the same, namely, that s must be used in offensive as in expensive, and is found in the Latin offensio, and the French offense.

To take offense, to feel, or assume to be, injured or affronted; to become angry or hostile. -- Weapons of offense, those which are used in attack, in distinction from those of defense, which are used to repel.

Syn. -- Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed; misdemeanor; trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime; affront; indignity; outrage; insult.

Of*fense"ful (?), a. Causing offense; displeasing; wrong; as, an offenseful act. [R.]

Of*fense"less, a. Unoffending; inoffensive.

Of*fen"si*ble (?), a. That may give offense. [Obs.]

Of*fen"sion (?), n. [OF., fr. L. offensio an offense.] Assault; attack. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Of*fen"sive (?), a. [Cf.F. offensif. See Offend.]

1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds. "Offensive to the stomach." Bacon.

3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.

League offensive and defensive, a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked.

Syn. -- Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious; abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful; opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant; attacking; invading.

-- Of*fen"sive*ly, adv. -- Of*fen"sive*ness, n.

Of*fen"sive (?), n. The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.

To act on the offensive, to be the attacking party.

Of"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Offering.] [OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L. offerre; ob (see OB-) + ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the same origin. See 1st Bear.] 1. To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with up.

Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.

Ex. xxix. 36.

A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.

1 Pet. ii. 5.

2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.

I offer thee three things.

2 Sam. xxiv. 12.

3. To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness; as, he offered to help me.

4. To attempt; to undertake.

All that offer to defend him.

Shak.

5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.

6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.

Syn. -- To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice; immolate.

Of"fer, v. i. 1. To present itself; to be at hand.

The occasion offers, and the youth complies.

Dryden.

2. To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; -- used with at. "Without offering at any other remedy." Swift.

He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.

L'Estrange.

I will not offer at that I can not master.

Bacon.

Of"fer (?), n. [Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to offer, fr. L. offerre. See Offer, v. t.] 1. The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance. "This offer comes from mercy." Shak.

2. That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.

When offers are disdained, and love denied.

Pope.

3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball. "Some offer and attempt." South.

Of"fer*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being offered; suitable or worthy to be offered.

Of"fer*er (?), n. One who offers; esp., one who offers something to God in worship. Hooker.

Of"fer*ing, n. 1. The act of an offerer; a proffering.

2. That which is offered, esp. in divine service; that which is presented as an expiation or atonement for sin, or as a free gift; a sacrifice; an oblation; as, sin offering.

They are polluted offerings more abhorred Than spotted livers in the sacrifice.

Shak.

3. A sum of money offered, as in church service; as, a missionary offering. Specif.: (Ch. of Eng.) Personal tithes payable according to custom, either at certain seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain occasions as marriages or christenings.

[None] to the offering before her should go.

Chaucer.

Burnt offering, Drink offering, etc. See under Burnt. etc.

Of"fer*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Offertories . [L. offertorium the place to which offerings were brought, in LL. offertory: cf.F. offertoire.] 1. The act of offering, or the thing offered. [Obs. or R.] Bacon. Bp. Fell.

2. (R.C.Ch.) (a) An anthem chanted, or a voluntary played on the organ, during the offering and first part of the Mass. (b) That part of the Mass which the priest reads before uncovering the chalice to offer up the elements for consecration. (c) The oblation of the elements.

3. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) (a) The Scripture sentences said or sung during the collection of the offerings. (b) The offerings themselves.

Of"fer*ture (?), n. [LL. offertura an offering.] Offer; proposal; overture. [Obs.]

More offertures and advantages to his crown.

Milton.

Off"hand` (?), a. Instant; ready; extemporaneous; as, an offhand speech; offhand excuses. -- adv. In an offhand manner; as, he replied offhand.

Of"fice (?), n. [F., fr. L. officium, for opificium; ops ability, wealth, holp + facere to do or make. See Opulent, Fact.] 1. That which a person does, either voluntarily or by appointment, for, or with reference to, others; customary duty, or a duty that arises from the relations of man to man; as, kind offices, pious offices.

I would I could do a good office between you.

Shak.

2. A special duty, trust, charge, or position, conferred by authority and for a public purpose; a position of trust or authority; as, an executive or judical office; a municipal office.

3. A charge or trust, of a sacred nature, conferred by God himself; as, the office of a priest under the old dispensation, and that of the apostles in the new.

Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.

Rom. xi. 13.

4. That which is performed, intended, or assigned to be done, by a particular thing, or that which anything is fitted to perform; a function; -- answering to duty in intelligent beings.

They [the eyes] resign their office and their light.

Shak.

Hesperus, whose office is to bring Twilight upon the earth.

Milton.

In this experiment the several intervals of the teeth of the comb do the office of so many prisms.

Sir I. Newton.

5. The place where a particular kind of business or service for others is transacted; a house or apartment in which public officers and others transact business; as, the register's office; a lawyer's office.

6. The company or corporation, or persons collectively, whose place of business is in an office; as, I have notified the office.

7. pl. The apartments or outhouses in which the domestics discharge the duties attached to the service of a house, as kitchens, pantries, stables, etc. [Eng.]

As for the offices, let them stand at distance.

Bacon.

8. (Eccl.) Any service other than that of ordination and the Mass; any prescribed religious service.

This morning was read in the church, after the office was done, the declaration setting forth the late conspiracy against the king's person.

Evelyn.

Holy office. Same as Inquisition, n., 3. -- Houses of office. Same as def. 7 above. Chaucer. -- Little office (R.C.Ch.), an office recited in honor of the Virgin Mary. -- Office bearer, an officer; one who has a specific office or duty to perform. -- Office copy (Law), an authenticated or certified copy of a record, from the proper office. See Certified copies, under Copy. Abbott. -- Office- found (Law), the finding of an inquest of office. See under Inquest. -- Office holder. See Officeholder in the Vocabulary

Of`fice (?), v. t. To perform, as the duties of an office; to discharge. [Obs.] Shak.

Of"fice*hold"er (?), n. An officer, particularly one in the civil service; a placeman.

Of"fi*cer (?), n. [F. officier. See Office, and cf. Official, n.] 1. One who holds an office; a person lawfully invested with an office, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical; as, a church officer; a police officer; a staff officer. "I am an officer of state." Shak.

2. (U. S. Mil.) Specifically, a commissioned officer, in distinction from a warrant officer.

Field officer, General officer, etc. See under Field, General. etc. -- Officer of the day (Mil.), the officer who, on a given day, has charge for that day of the quard, prisoners, and police of the post or camp. -- Officer of the deck, or Officer of the watch (Naut.), the officer temporarily in charge on the deck of a vessel, esp. a war vessel.

Of"fi*cer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Officered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Officering.] 1. To furnish with officers; to appoint officers over. Marshall.

2. To command as an officer; as, veterans from old regiments officered the recruits.

Of*fi"cial (?), a. [L. officialis: cf. F. officiel. See Office, and cf. Official, n.] 1. Of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine.

That, in the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate.

Shak.

2. Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report.

3. (Pharm.) Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopœia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.

4. Discharging an office or function. [Obs.]

The stomach and other parts official unto nutrition.

Sir T. Browne.

Of*fi"cial, n. [L. officialis a magistrate's servant or attendant: cf.F. official. See Official, a., and cf. Officer.] 1. One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant.

2. An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction. Blackstone.

Of*fi"cial*ism (?), n. The state of being official; a system of official government; also, adherence to office routine; red-tapism.

Officialism may often drift into blunders.

Smiles.

Of*fi`ci*al"i*ty (f*fsh`*l"*t), n. See Officialty.

Of*fi"cial*ly (?), adv. By the proper officer; by virtue of the proper authority; in pursuance of the special powers vested in an officer or office; as, accounts or reports officially verified or rendered; letters officially communicated; persons officially notified.

Of*fi"cial*ty (?), n. [Cf.F. officialité.] The charge, office, court, or jurisdiction of an official. Ayliffe.

Of*fi"ciant (?), n. [L. officians, p. pr. See Officiate.] (Eccl.) The officer who officiates or performs an office, as the burial office. Shipley.

Of*fi"ci*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to an office or an officer; official. [R.] Heylin.

Of*fi"ci*ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Officiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Officiating.] [LL. officiare. See Office.] To act as an officer in performing a duty; to transact the business of an office or public trust; to conduct a public service. Bp. Stillingfleet.

Of*fi"ci*ate, v. t. To discharge, perform, or supply, as an official duty or function. [Obs.]

Merely to officiate light Round this opacous earth.

Milton.

Of*fi"ci*a`tor (?), n. One who officiates. Tylor.

Of*fic"i*nal (?), a. [F., fr. L. officina a workshop, contr.fr. opificina, fr. opifex a workman; opus work + facere to make or do.] 1. Used in a shop, or belonging to it. [Obs. or R.] Johnson.

2. (Pharm.) Kept in stock by apothecaries; -- said of such drugs and medicines as may be obtained without special preparation or compounding; not magistral.

This term is often interchanged with official, but in strict use officinal drugs are not necessarily official. See Official, a., 3.

Of*fi"cious (?), a. [L. officiosus: cf.F. officieux. See Office.] 1. Pertaining to, or being in accordance with, duty. [R.]

If there were any lie in the case, it could be no more than as officious and venial one.

Note on Gen. xxvii. (Douay version).

2. Disposed to serve; kind; obliging. [Archaic]

Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries Officious.

Milton.

They were tolerably well bred, very officious, humane, and hospitable.

Burke.

3. Importunately interposing services; intermeddling in affairs in which one has no concern; meddlesome.

You are too officious In her behalf that scorns your services.

Shak.

Syn. -- Impertinent; meddling. See Impertinent.

-- Of*fi"cious*ly, adv. -- Of*fi"cious*ness, n.

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Off"ing (?), n. [From Off.] That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the shore; as, the ship had ten miles offing; we saw a ship in the offing.

Off"ish, a. Shy or distant in manner. [Colloq. U.S.]

Off"let, n. [Off + let.] A pipe to let off water.

Off"scour`ing (?), n. [Off + scour.] That which is scoured off; hence, refuse; rejected matter; that which is vile or despised. Lam. iii. 45.

Off"scum` (?), n. [Off + scum.] Removed scum; refuse; dross.

Off"set` (?), n. [Off + set. Cf. Set-off.] In general, that which is set off, from, before, or against, something; as: --

1. (Bot.) A short prostrate shoot, which takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc. See Illust. of Houseleek.

2. A sum, account, or value set off against another sum or account, as an equivalent; hence, anything which is given in exchange or retaliation; a set-off.

3. A spur from a range of hills or mountains.

4. (Arch.) A horizontal ledge on the face of a wall, formed by a diminution of its thickness, or by the weathering or upper surface of a part built out from it; -- called also set-off.

5. (Surv.) A short distance measured at right angles from a line actually run to some point in an irregular boundary, or to some object.

6. (Mech.) An abrupt bend in an object, as a rod, by which one part is turned aside out of line, but nearly parallel, with the rest; the part thus bent aside.

7. (Print.) A more or less distinct transfer of a printed page or picture to the opposite page, when the pages are pressed together before the ink is dry or when it is poor.

Offset staff (Surv.), a rod, usually ten links long, used in measuring offsets.

Off*set" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offset; p. pr. & vb. n. Offsetting.] 1. To set off; to place over against; to balance; as, to offset one account or charge against another.

2. To form an offset in, as in a wall, rod, pipe, etc.

Off"set, v. i. (Printing) To make an offset.

Off"shoot` (?), n. [Off + shoot.] That which shoots off or separates from a main stem, channel, family, race, etc.; as, the offshoots of a tree.

Off"shore" (?), a. From the shore; as, an offshore wind; an offshore signal.

Off"skip` (?), n. [Off + - skip, as in landskip.] (Paint.) That part of a landscape which recedes from the spectator into distance. [R.] Fairholt.

Off"spring` (?), n.sing. & pl. [Off + spring.]

1. The act of production; generation. [Obs.]

2. That which is produced; a child or children; a descendant or descendants, however remote from the stock.

To the gods alone Our future offspring and our wives are known.

Dryden.

3. Origin; lineage; family. [Obs.] Fairfax.

{ Of*fus"cate (?), Of`fus*ca`tion (?) }. See Obfuscate, Obfuscation. [Obs.]

Oft (ft; 115), adv. [AS. oft; akin to OS. & G. oft, OHG. ofto, Sw. ofta, Dan. ofte, Icel. opt, Goth. ufta; of uncertain origin. Cf. Often.] Often; frequently; not rarely; many times. [Poetic] Chaucer.

Oft she rejects, but never once offends.

Pope.

Oft, a. Frequent; often; repeated. [Poetic]

Of`ten (?), adv. [Compar. Oftener (?); superl. Oftenest.] [Formerly also ofte, fr. oft. See Oft., adv.] Frequently; many times; not seldom.

Of"ten, a. Frequent; common; repeated. [R.] "Thine often infirmities." 1 Tim. v. 23.

And weary thee with often welcomes.

Beau. & Fl.

Of"ten*ness, n. Frequency. Hooker.

Of"ten*sith (?), adv. [Often + sith time.] Frequently; often. [Obs.]

For whom I sighed have so oftensith.

Gascoigne.

Of"ten*tide" (?), adv. [Often + tide time.] Frequently; often. [Obs.] Robert of Brunne.

Of"ten*times` (?), adv. [Often + time. Cf. -wards.] Frequently; often; many times. Wordsworth.

Oft"er (?), adv. Compar. of Oft. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Oft"times` (?), adv. [Oft + time. Cf. -wards.] Frequently; often. Milton.

Og"am (?), n. Same as Ogham.

Og"do*ad (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, from &?; eight.] A thing made up of eight parts. Milman.

Og`do*as`tich (?), n. [Gr. &?; the eighth + &?; a verse.] A poem of eight lines. [Obs.] Selden

O*gee" (?), n. [F. ogive, augive, LL. augiva, of uncertain origin; cf.LL. ogis a support, prop. L. augere to increase, strengthen, Sp. auge highest point of power or fortune, apogee, Ar. auj, an astronomical term.]

1. (Arch.) A molding, the section of which is the form of the letter S, with the convex part above; cyma reversa. See Illust. under Cyma.

2. Hence, any similar figure used for any purpose.

Ogee arch (Arch.), a pointed arch, each of the sides of which has the curve of an ogee, that is, has a reversed curve near the apex.

O*gee"chee lime` (?). [So named from the Ogeechee River in Georgia.] (Bot.) (a) The acid, olive-shaped, drupaceous fruit of a species of tupelo (Nyssa capitata) which grows in swamps in Georgia and Florida. (b) The tree which bears this fruit.

Og`ga*ni"tion (?), n. [L. oggannire to snarl at; ob (see Ob-) + gannire to yelp.] Snarling; grumbling. [R.] Bp. Montagu.

Og"ham (?), n. [Ir.] A particular kind of writing practiced by the ancient Irish, and found in inscriptions on stones, metals, etc. [Written also ogam.]

O"give (?), n. [F. ogive, OF. augive a pointed arch, LL. augiva a double arch of two at right angles.] (Arch.) The arch or rib which crosses a Gothic vault diagonally.

O"gle (g'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ogled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ogling (?).] [From a Dutch word corresponding to G. äugeln to ogle, fr. auge eye; cf. D. ooglonken to ogle, OD. oogen to cast sheep's eyes upon, ooge eye. See Eye.] To view or look at with side glances, as in fondness, or with a design to attract notice.

And ogling all their audience, ere they speak.

Dryden.

O"gle, n. An amorous side glance or look. Byron.

O"gler (?), n. One who ogles. Addison.

O"gli*o (?), n. See Olio.

O"gre ("gr), n. [F., fr. Sp. ogro, fr. L. Orcus the god of the infernal regions; also, the lower world, hell.] An imaginary monster, or hideous giant of fairy tales, who lived on human beings; hence, any frightful giant; a cruel monster.

His schoolroom must have resembled an ogre's den.

Maccaulay.

O"gre*ish, a. Resembling an ogre; having the character or appearance of an ogre; suitable for an ogre. "An ogreish kind of jocularity." Dickens.

O"gress (?), n. [F. ogresse. See Ogre.] A female ogre. Tennyson.

{ O"gre*ism (?), O"grism (?) }, n. The character or manners of an ogre.

O*gyg"i*an (*jj"*an), a. [L. Ogygius, Gr. 'Ogy`gios.] Of or pertaining to Ogyges, a mythical king of ancient Attica, or to a great deluge in Attica in his days; hence, primeval; of obscure antiquity.

Oh (), interj. [See O, interj.] An exclamation expressing various emotions, according to the tone and manner, especially surprise, pain, sorrow, anxiety, or a wish. See the Note under O.

Ohm (m), n. [So called from the German electrician, G. S. Ohm.] (Elec.) The standard unit in the measure of electrical resistance, being the resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt produces a current of one ampére. As defined by the International Electrical Congress in 1893, and by United States Statute, it is a resistance substantially equal to 109 units of resistance of the C. G. S. system of electro-magnetic units, and is represented by the resistance offered to an unvarying electric current by a column of mercury at the temperature of melting ice 14.4521 grams in mass, of a constant cross-sectional area, and of the length of 106.3 centimeters. As thus defined it is called the international ohm.

Ohm's law (Elec.), the statement of the fact that the strength or intensity of an electrical current is directly proportional to the electro-motive force, and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit.

O*ho" (?), interj. An exclamation of surprise, etc.

-oid (-oid). [Gr. &?;, fr. e'i^dos form, akin to &?; to see, and E. wit: cf.F. -oïde, L. - oïdes.] A suffix or combining form meaning like, resembling, in the form of; as in anthropoid, asteroid, spheroid.

||O*ïd"i*um (?), n. [NL., dim. fr. Gr. w,'o`n egg.] (Bot.) A genus of ||minute fungi which form a floccose mass of filaments on decaying ||fruit, etc. Many forms once referred to this genus are now believed ||to be temporary conditions of fungi of other genera, among them the ||vine mildew (Oïdium Tuckeri), which has caused much injury to grapes.

Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. &?;. Cf. Olive.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin and of varied composition, and they are variously used for food, for solvents, for anointing, lubrication, illumination, etc. By extension, any substance of an oily consistency; as, oil of vitriol.

The mineral oils are varieties of petroleum. See Petroleum. The vegetable oils are of two classes, essential oils (see under Essential), and natural oils which in general resemble the animal oils and fats. Most of the natural oils and the animal oils and fats consist of ethereal salts of glycerin, with a large number of organic acids, principally stearic, oleic, and palmitic, forming respectively stearin, olein, and palmitin. Stearin and palmitin prevail in the solid oils and fats, and olein in the liquid oils. Mutton tallow, beef tallow, and lard are rich in stearin, human fat and palm oil in palmitin, and sperm and cod-liver oils in olein. In making soaps, the acids leave the glycerin and unite with the soda or potash.

Animal oil, Bone oil, Dipple's oil, etc. (Old Chem.), a complex oil obtained by the distillation of animal substances, as bones. See Bone oil, under Bone. -- Drying oils, Essential oils. (Chem.) See under Drying, and Essential. -- Ethereal oil of wine, Heavy oil of wine. (Chem.) See under Ethereal. -- Fixed oil. (Chem.) See under Fixed. -- Oil bag (Zoöl.), a bag, cyst, or gland in animals, containing oil. -- Oil beetle (Zoöl.), any beetle of the genus Meloe and allied genera. When disturbed they emit from the joints of the legs a yellowish oily liquor. Some species possess vesicating properties, and are used instead of cantharides. -- Oil box, or Oil cellar (Mach.), a fixed box or reservoir, for lubricating a bearing; esp., the box for oil beneath the journal of a railway-car axle. -- Oil cake. See under Cake. -- Oil cock, a stopcock connected with an oil cup. See Oil cup. -- Oil color. (a) A paint made by grinding a coloring substance in oil. (b) Such paints, taken in a general sense. -- Oil cup, a cup, or small receptacle, connected with a bearing as a lubricator, and usually provided with a wick, wire, or adjustable valve for regulating the delivery of oil. -- Oil engine, a gas engine worked with the explosive vapor of petroleum. - - Oil gas, inflammable gas procured from oil, and used for lighting streets, houses, etc. -- Oil gland. (a) (Zoöl.) A gland which secretes oil; especially in birds, the large gland at the base of the tail. (b) (Bot.) A gland, in some plants, producing oil. -- Oil green, a pale yellowish green, like oil. -- Oil of brick, empyreumatic oil obtained by subjecting a brick soaked in oil to distillation at a high temperature, -- used by lapidaries as a vehicle for the emery by which stones and gems are sawn or cut. Brande & C. -- Oil of talc, a nostrum made of calcined talc, and famous in the 17th century as a cosmetic. [Obs.] B. Jonson. -- Oil of vitriol (Chem.), strong sulphuric acid; -- so called from its oily consistency and from its forming the vitriols or sulphates. -- Oil of wine, Œnanthic ether. See under Œnanthic. -- Oil painting. (a) The art of painting in oil colors. (b) Any kind of painting of which the pigments are originally ground in oil. -- Oil palm (Bot.), a palm tree whose fruit furnishes oil, esp. Elæis Guineensis. See Elæis. -- Oil sardine (Zoöl.), an East Indian herring (Clupea scombrina), valued for its oil. -- Oil shark (Zoöl.) (a) The liver shark. (b) The tope. -- Oil still, a still for hydrocarbons, esp. for petroleum. -- Oil test, a test for determining the temperature at which petroleum oils give off vapor which is liable to explode. -- Oil tree. (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Ricinus (R. communis), from the seeds of which castor oil is obtained. (b) An Indian tree, the mahwa. See Mahwa. (c) The oil palm. -- To burn the midnight oil, to study or work late at night. -- Volatle oils. See Essential oils, under Essential.

Oil (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Oiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oiling.] To smear or rub over with oil; to lubricate with oil; to anoint with oil.

Oil"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) See Guacharo.

Oil"cloth" (?), n. Cloth treated with oil or paint, and used for marking garments, covering floors, etc.

Oiled (?), a. Covered or treated with oil; dressed with, or soaked in, oil.

Oiled silk, silk rendered waterproof by saturation with boiled oil.

Oil"er (?), n. 1. One who deals in oils.

2. One who, or that which, oils.

Oil"er*y (?), n. [Cf.F. huilerie.] The business, the place of business, or the goods, of a maker of, or dealer in, oils.

Oil"i*ness (?), n. The quality of being oily. Bacon.

Oil"let (?), n. [See Eyelet.] (Arch.) (a) A small opening or loophole, sometimes circular, used in mediæval fortifications. (b) A small circular opening, and ring of moldings surrounding it, used in window tracery in Gothic architecture. [Written also oylet.]

Oil"man (?), n.; pl. Oilmen (&?;). One who deals in oils; formerly, one who dealt in oils and pickles.

Oil"nut` (?), n. (Bot.) The buffalo nut. See Buffalo nut, under Buffalo.

The name is also applied to various nuts and seeds yielding oil, as the butternut, cocoanut, oil-palm nut.

Oil"seed` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) Seed from which oil is expressed, as the castor bean; also, the plant yielding such seed. See Castor bean. (b) A cruciferous herb (Camelina sativa). (c) The sesame.

Oil"skin` (?), n. Cloth made waterproof by oil.

Oil"stone` (?), n. A variety of hone slate, or whetstone, used for whetting tools when lubricated with oil.

Oil"y (?), a. [Compar. Oilier (?); superl. Oiliest.] 1. Consisting of oil; containing oil; having the nature or qualities of oil; unctuous; oleaginous; as, oily matter or substance. Bacon.

2. Covered with oil; greasy; hence, resembling oil; as, an oily appearance.

3. Smoothly subservient; supple; compliant; plausible; insinuating. "This oily rascal." Shak.

His oily compliance in all alterations.

Fuller.

Oily grain (Bot.), the sesame. - - Oily palm, the oil palm.

Oi"ne*ment (?), n. Ointment. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Oi`no*ma"ni*a (?), n. See œnomania.

Oint (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ointed; p. pr & vb. n. Ointing.] [F. oint, p. p. of oindre, L. ungere. See Anoint, Ointment.] To anoint. [Obs.] Dryden.

Oint"ment (?), n. [OE. oinement, OF. oignement, fr.F. oindre to anoint, L. ungere, unguere; akin to Skr. a&?;j, and to G. anke (in Switzerland) butter. The first t in the E. word is due to the influence of anoint. Cf. Anoint, Unguent.] That which serves to anoint; any soft unctuous substance used for smearing or anointing; an unguent.

O*jib"ways (?), n. pl.; sing. Ojibway. (Ethnol.) Same as Chippeways.

||O"jo (?), n. [Sp., prop., an eye.] A spring, surrounded by rushes or ||rank grass; an oasis. [Southwestern U.S.] Bartlett.

Oke (?), n. [Turk. okkah, fr. Ar. kyah, wakyah, prob. fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, an ounce, fr. L. uncia. Cf. Ounce a weight.]

1. A Turkish and Egyptian weight, equal to about 2¾ pounds.

2. An Hungarian and Wallachian measure, equal to about 2½ pints.

O"ken*ite (?), n. [Prob. from Lorenz Oken, a German naturalist.] (Min.) A massive and fibrous mineral of a whitish color, chiefly hydrous silicate of lime.

O"ker (?), n. (Min.) See Ocher.

O"kra (?), n. (Bot.) An annual plant (Abelmoschus, or Hibiscus, esculentus), whose green pods, abounding in nutritious mucilage, are much used for soups, stews, or pickles; gumbo. [Written also ocra and ochra.]

-ol (?). [From alcohol.] (Chem.) A suffix denoting that the substance in the name of which it appears belongs to the series of alcohols or hydroxyl derivatives, as carbinol, glycerol, etc.

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||O"lay (?), n. pl. [Tamil lai.] Palm leaves, prepared for being ||written upon with a style pointed with steel. [Written also ola.] ||Balfour (Cyc. of India).

Old (?), n. Open country. [Obs.] See World. Shak.

Old, a. [Compar. Older (?); superl. Oldest.] [OE. old, ald, AS. ald, eald; akin to D. oud, OS. ald, OFries. ald, old, G. alt, Goth. alpeis, and also to Goth. alan to grow up, Icel. ala to bear, produce, bring up, L. alere to nourish. Cf. Adult, Alderman, Aliment, Auld, Elder.]

1. Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.

Let not old age disgrace my high desire.

Sir P. Sidney.

The melancholy news that we grow old.

Young.

2. Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship. "An old acquaintance." Camden.

3. Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise. "The old schools of Greece." Milton. "The character of the old Ligurians." Addison.

4. Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; -- designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old.

And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?

Cen. xlvii. 8.

In this use old regularly follows the noun that designates the age; as, she was eight years old.

5. Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice.

Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old.

Milton.

6. Long cultivated; as, an old farm; old land, as opposed to new land, that is, to land lately cleared.

7. Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.

8. More than enough; abundant. [Obs.]

If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key.

Shak.

9. Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; -- used disparagingly as a term of reproach.

10. Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay; jolly.

11. Used colloquially as a term of cordiality and familiarity. "Go thy ways, old lad." Shak.

Old age, advanced years; the latter period of life. -- Old bachelor. See Bachelor, 1. -- Old Catholics. See under Catholic. -- Old English. See under English. n., 2. -- Old Nick, Old Scratch, the devil. -- Old lady (Zoöl.), a large European noctuid moth (Mormo maura). -- Old maid. (a) A woman, somewhat advanced in years, who has never been married; a spinster. (b) (Bot.) A West Indian name for the pink-flowered periwinkle (Vinca rosea). (c) A simple game of cards, played by matching them. The person with whom the odd card is left is the old maid. -- Old man's beard. (Bot.) (a) The traveler's joy (Clematis Vitalba). So named from the abundant long feathery awns of its fruit. (b) The Tillandsia usneoides. See Tillandsia. -- Old man's head (Bot.), a columnar cactus (Pilocereus senilis), native of Mexico, covered towards the top with long white hairs. -- Old red sandstone (Geol.), a series of red sandstone rocks situated below the rocks of the Carboniferous age and comprising various strata of siliceous sandstones and conglomerates. See Sandstone, and the Chart of Geology. -- Old school, a school or party belonging to a former time, or preserving the character, manner, or opinions of a former time; as, a gentleman of the old school; -- used also adjectively; as, Old-School Presbyterians. -- Old sledge, an old and well-known game of cards, called also all fours, and high, low, Jack, and the game. -- Old squaw (Zoöl.), a duck (Clangula hyemalis) inhabiting the northern parts of both hemispheres. The adult male is varied with black and white and is remarkable for the length of its tail. Called also longtailed duck, south southerly, callow, hareld, and old wife. -- Old style. (Chron.) See the Note under Style. -- Old Testament. See under Testament. -- Old wife. [In the senses b and cwritten also oldwife.] (a) A prating old woman; a gossip.

Refuse profane and old wives' fables.

1 Tim. iv. 7.

(b) (Zoöl.) The local name of various fishes, as the European black sea bream (Cantharus lineatus), the American alewife, etc. (c) (Zoöl.) A duck; the old squaw. -- Old World, the Eastern Hemisphere.

Syn. -- Aged; ancient; pristine; primitive; antique; antiquated; old-fashioned; obsolete. See Ancient.

Old"en (?), a. Old; ancient; as, the olden time. "A minstrel of the olden stamp." J. C. Shairp.

Old"en, v. i. To grow old; to age. [R.]

She had oldened in that time.

Thackeray.

Old`-fash"ioned (?), a. Formed according to old or obsolete fashion or pattern; adhering to old customs or ideas; as, an old-fashioned dress, girl. "Old-fashioned men of wit." Addison.

This old-fashioned, quaint abode.

Longfellow.

Old`-gen"tle*man*ly (?), a. Pertaining to an old gentleman, or like one. Byron.

Old"ish, a. Somewhat old.

Old` lang syne" (?). See Auld lang syne.

Old`-maid"ish (?), a. Like an old maid; prim; precise; particular.

Old`-maid"ism (?), n. The condition or characteristics of an old maid. G. Eliot.

Old"ness, n. The state or quality of being old; old age.

Old"ster (?), n. [Cf. Youngster.] An old person. [Jocular] H. Kingsley.

Old`-wom`an*ish (?), a. Like an old woman; anile. -- Old`-wom"an*ish*ness, n.

||O"le*a (?), n. [L. olive. See Olive.] (Bot.) A genus of trees ||including the olive.

The Chinese Olea fragrans, noted for its fragrance, and the American devilwood (Olea Americana) are now usually referred to another genus (Osmanthus).

O`le*a"ceous (?), a. [L. oléaceus of the olive tree.] (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants (Oleaceæ), mostly trees and shrubs, of which the olive is the type. It includes also the ash, the lilac, the true jasmine, and fringe tree.

O`le*ag`i*nous (?), a. [L. oleaginus, oleagineus, belonging to the olive, fr. olea olive: cf. F. oléagineux. See Olive, Oil.] Having the nature or qualities of oil; oily; unctuous.

O`le*ag`i*nous*ness, n. Oiliness. Boyle.

||O`le*a"men (?), n. [L.] (Med.) A soft ointment prepared from oil. ||Dunglison.

O`le*an"der (?), n. [F. oléandre (cf. It. oleandro, LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. &?;; &?; rose + &?; tree.] (Bot.) A beautiful evergreen shrub of the Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It is native of the East Indies, but the red variety has become common in the south of Europe. Called also rosebay, rose laurel, and South-sea rose.

Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and death has occured from using its wood for skewers in cooking meat.

O`le*an"drine (?), n. (Chem.) One of several alkaloids found in the leaves of the oleander.

O`le*as"ter (?), n. [L., fr. olea olive tree. See Olive, Oil.] (Bot.) (a) The wild olive tree (Olea Europea, var. sylvestris). (b) Any species of the genus Elæagus. See Eleagnus. The small silvery berries of the common species (Elæagnus hortensis) are called Trebizond dates, and are made into cakes by the Arabs.

O"le*ate (?), n. [Cf.F. oléate.] (Chem.) A salt of oleic acid. Some oleates, as the oleate of mercury, are used in medicine by way of inunction.

O*lec"ra*nal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the olecranon.

O*lec"ra*non (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; elbow + krani`on the head.] (Anat.) The large process at the proximal end of the ulna which projects behind the articulation with the humerus and forms the bony prominence of the elbow.

O*le"fi*ant (?), a. [F. oléfiant, fr.L. oleum oil + -ficare (in comp.). Cf. -Fy.] (Chem.) Forming or producing an oil; specifically, designating a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon called ethylene. [Archaic]

O"le*fine (?), n. [From Olefiant.] (Chem.) Olefiant gas, or ethylene; hence, by extension, any one of the series of unsaturated hydrocarbons of which ethylene is a type. See Ethylene.

O"le*ic (?), a. [L. oleum oil: cf. F. oléique.] (Physiol.Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or contained in, oil; as, oleic acid, an acid of the acrylic acid series found combined with glyceryl in the form of olein in certain animal and vegetable fats and oils, such as sperm oil, olive oil, etc. At low temperatures the acid is crystalline, but melts to an oily liquid above 14&?; C.

O`le*if`er*ous (?), a. [L. oleum oil + -ferous: cf.F. oléifére.] Producing oil; as, oleiferous seeds.

O"le*in (?), n. [L. oleum oil: cf. F. oléine.] (Physiol. Chem.) A fat, liquid at ordinary temperatures, but solidifying at temperatures below 0° C., found abundantly in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms (see Palmitin). It dissolves solid fats, especially at 30-40° C. Chemically, olein is a glyceride of oleic acid; and, as three molecules of the acid are united to one molecule of glyceryl to form the fat, it is technically known as triolein. It is also called elain.

O"lent (?), a. [L. olens, p. pr. of olere to smell.] Scented. [R.] R. Browning.

O`le*o*graph (?), n. [L. oleum oil + -graph.]

1. (Chem.) The form or figure assumed by a drop of oil when placed upon water or some other liquid with which it does not mix.

2. (Painting) A picture produced in oils by a process analogous to that of lithographic printing.

O`le*o*mar"ga*rine (?), n. [L. oleum oil + E. margarine, margarin.] [Written also oleomargarin.] 1. A liquid oil made from animal fats (esp. beef fat) by separating the greater portion of the solid fat or stearin, by crystallization. It is mainly a mixture of olein and palmitin with some little stearin.

2. An artificial butter made by churning this oil with more or less milk.

Oleomargarine was wrongly so named, as it contains no margarin proper, but olein, palmitin, and stearin, a mixture of palmitin and stearin having formerly been called margarin by mistake.

O`le*om`e*ter (?), n. [L. oleum oil + -meter.] (Chem.) An instrument for ascertaining the weight and purity of oil; an elaiometer.

O"le*one (?), n. [L. oleum + - one, 1.] (Chem.) An oily liquid, obtained by distillation of calcium oleate, and probably consisting of the ketone of oleic acid.

O`le*op"tene (?), n. [L. oleum oil + Cr. &?; fleeting.] (Chem.) See Eleoptene. [R.]

O`le*o*res"in (?), n. [L. oleum oil + E. resin.]

1. (Chem.) A natural mixture of a terebinthinate oil and a resin.

2. (Med.) A liquid or semiliquid preparation extracted (as from capsicum, cubebs, or ginger) by means of ether, and consisting of fixed or volatile oil holding resin in solution.

-- O`le*o*res"in*ous (#), a.

{ O"le*ose` (?), O"le*ous (?), } a. [L. oleosus, fr. oleum oil.] Oily. [R.] Ray. Floyer.

O`le*os"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being oily or fat; fatness. [R.] B. Jonson.

Ol`er*a"ceous (?), a. [L. oleraceus, from olus, oleris, garden or pot herbs, vegetables.] Pertaining to pot herbs; of the nature or having the qualities of herbs for cookery; esculent. Sir T. Browne.

Olf (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) The European bullfinch. [Prov.Eng.]

Ol*fac"tion (?), n. [See Olfactory.] (Physiol.) The sense by which the impressions made on the olfactory organs by the odorous particles in the atmosphere are perceived.

Ol*fac"tive (?), a. See Olfactory, a.

Ol*fac"tor (?), n. A smelling organ; a nose. [R.]

Ol*fac"to*ry (?), a. [L. olfactus, p. p. of olfacere to smell; olere to have a smell + facere to make. See Odor, and Fact.] (Physiol.) Of, pertaining to, or connected with, the sense of smell; as, the olfactory nerves; the olfactory cells.

Olfactory organ (Anat.), an organ for smelling. In vertebrates the olfactory organs are more or less complicated sacs, situated in the front part of the head and lined with epithelium innervated by the olfactory (or first cranial) nerves, and sensitive to odoriferous particles conveyed to it in the air or in water.

Ol*fac"to*ry (?), n.; pl. Olfactories (&?;). An olfactory organ; also, the sense of smell; -- usually in the plural.

Ol"i*ban (?), n. (Chem.) See Olibanum.

O*lib"a*num (?), n. [LL., fr. Ar. al-luban frankincense; cf.Gr. &?;, &?;, of Semitic origin.] The fragrant gum resin of various species of Boswellia; Oriental frankincense.

Ol"i*bene (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless mobile liquid of a pleasant aromatic odor obtained by the distillation of olibanum, or frankincense, and regarded as a terpene; -- called also conimene.

{ Ol"id (?), Ol"i*dous (?), } a. [L. olidus, fr. olere to smell.] Having a strong, disagreeable smell; fetid. [Obs.] Boyle. Sir T. Browne.

Ol"i*fant (?), n. [OF.] 1. An elephant. [Obs.]

2. An ancient horn, made of ivory.

Ol`i*gan"drous (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?;, &?;, man, male.] (Bot.) Having few stamens.

Ol`i*gan"thous (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; flower.] (Bot.) Having few flowers.

Ol`i*garch (?), n. A member of an oligarchy; one of the rulers in an oligarchical government.

Ol`i*gar"chal (?), a. Oligarchic. Glover.

{ Ol`i*gar"chic (?), Ol`i*gar"chic*al, } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. oligarchique. See Oligarchy.] Of or pertaining to oligarchy, or government by a few. "Oligarchical exiles." Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Ol"i*gar`chist (?), n. An advocate or supporter of oligarchy.

Ol"i*gar"chy (?), n.; pl. Oligarchies (#). [Gr. &?;; &?; few, little + &?; to rule, govern: cf.F. oligarchie.] A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.

All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list.

Burton.

Ol"i*gist (?), n. [See Oligist, a.] (Min.) Hematite or specular iron ore; -- prob. so called in allusion to its feeble magnetism, as compared with magnetite.

{ Ol"i*gist (?), Ol`i*gis"tic (?), } a. [Gr. &?;, superl. of &?; few, little: cf. F. oligiste.] (Min.) Of or pertaining to hematite.

Ol"i*go- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?;, few, little, small.

Ol"i*go*cene (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; new, recent.] (Geol.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, certain strata which occupy an intermediate position between the Eocene and Miocene periods. -- n. The Oligocene period. See the Chart of Geology.

||Ol`i*go*chæ"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; little, pl., few + &?; ||hair.] (Zoöl.) An order of Annelida which includes the earthworms and ||related species.

Ol"i*go*chete (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Oligochæta.

Ol"i*go*clase (?), n. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; fracture, fr. &?; to break.] (Min.) A triclinic soda-lime feldspar. See Feldspar.

Ol`i*gom"er*ous (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; part.] (Bot.) Having few members in each set of organs; as, an oligomerous flower.

Ol`i*go"my*old (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?;, &?;, a muscle + -oid.] (Anat.) Having few or imperfect syringeal muscles; -- said of some passerine birds (Oligomyodi).

Ol`i*go*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Oligo- + petal.] (Bot.) Having few petals.

Ol`i*go*sep"al*ous (?), a. [Oligo- + sepal.] (Bot.) Having few sepals.

Ol`i*go*sid"er*ite (?), n. [Oligo- + siderite.] (Min.) A meteorite characterized by the presence of but a small amount of metallic iron.

Ol`i*go*sper"mous (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; a seed.] (Bot.) Having few seeds.

Ol`i*got"o*kous (?), a. [Oligo- + Gr. &?; offspring.] (Zoöl.) Producing few young.

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O"li*o (?), n. [Sp. olla a round earthen pot, a dish of boiled or stewed meat, fr. L. olla a pot, dish. Cf. Olla, Olla-podrida.] 1. A dish of stewed meat of different kinds. [Obs.]

Besides a good olio, the dishes were trifling.

Evelyn.

2. A mixture; a medley. Dryden.

3. (Mus.) A collection of miscellaneous pieces.

Ol"i*to*ry (?), a. [L. olitorius belonging to a kitchen gardener, or to vegetables, fr. olitor a kitchen gardener, fr. olus, oleris, vegetables.] Of or pertaining to, or produced in, a kitchen garden; used for kitchen purposes; as, olitory seeds.

At convenient distance towards the olitory garden.

Evelyn.

||O*li"va (?), n. [L. an olive.] (Zoöl.) A genus of polished marine ||gastropod shells, chiefly tropical, and often beautifully colored.

Ol`i*va"ceous (?), a. [L. oliva olive.] Resembling the olive; of the color of the olive; olive- green.

Ol"i*va*ry (?), a. [L. olivarius belonging to olives, fr. oliva an olive: cf. F. olivaire.] (Anat.) Like an olive.

Olivary body (Anat.), an oval prominence on each side of the medulla oblongata; -- called also olive.

Ol`i*vas"ter (?), a. [L. oliva olive: cf.F. olivâtre.] Of the color of the olive; tawny. Sir T. Herbert.

Ol"ive (?), n. [F., fr. L. oliva, akin to Gr. &?;. See Oil.] 1. (Bot.) (a) A tree (Olea Europæa) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated. (b) The fruit of the olive. It has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; -- so called from the form. See Oliva. (b) The oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]

3. (a) The color of the olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green. (b) One of the tertiary colors, composed of violet and green mixed in equal strength and proportion.

4. (Anat.) An olivary body. See under Olivary.

5. (Cookery) A small slice of meat seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or veal.

Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown, olive green, olive-colored, olive-skinned, olive crown, olive garden, olive tree, olive yard, etc.

Bohemian olive (Bot.), a species of Elæagnus (E. angustifolia), the flowers of which are sometimes used in Southern Europe as a remedy for fevers. -- Olive branch. (a) A branch of the olive tree, considered an emblem of peace. (b) Fig.: A child. -- Olive brown, brown with a tinge of green. -- Olive green, a dark brownish green, like the color of the olive. -- Olive oil, an oil expressed from the ripe fruit of the olive, and much used as a salad oil, also in medicine and the arts. -- Olive ore (Min.), olivenite. -- Wild olive (Bot.), a name given to the oleaster or wild stock of the olive; also variously to several trees more or less resembling the olive.

Ol"ive, a. Approaching the color of the olive; of a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.

Ol"ived (?), a. Decorated or furnished with olive trees. [R.] T. Warton.

O*liv"en*ite (?), n. (Min.) An olive-green mineral, a hydrous arseniate of copper; olive ore.

Ol"i*ver (?), n. 1. [OF. oliviere.] An olive grove. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. [F. olivier.] An olive tree. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ol"i*ver, n. A small tilt hammer, worked by the foot.

Ol`i*ve"ri*an (?), n. (Eng. Hist.) An adherent of Oliver Cromwell. Macaulay.

Ol`ive*wood" (?), n. (Bot.) (a) The wood of the olive. (b) An Australian name given to the hard white wood of certain trees of the genus Elæodendron, and also to the trees themselves.

Ol`i*vil (?), n. [Cf. F. olivile.] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance, obtained from an exudation from the olive, and having a bitter-sweet taste and acid proporties. [Written also olivile.] Gregory.

Ol"i*vin (?), n. (Chem.) A complex bitter gum, found on the leaves of the olive tree; -- called also olivite.

Ol"i*vine (?), n. [Cf. F. olivine.] (Min.) A common name of the yellowish green mineral chrysolite, esp. the variety found in eruptive rocks.

Ol"i*vite (?), n. (Chem.) See Olivin.

Ol"la (?), n. [See Olio.] 1. A pot or jar having a wide mouth; a cinerary urn, especially one of baked clay.

2. A dish of stewed meat; an olio; an olla- podrida.

||Ol`la-po*dri"da (?), n. [Sp., lit., a rotten pot. See Olio.] 1. A ||favorite Spanish dish, consisting of a mixture of several kinds of ||meat chopped fine, and stewed with vegetables.

2. Any incongruous mixture or miscellaneous collection; an olio. B. Jonson.

Ol"o*gy (?), n. [See -logy.] A colloquial or humorous name for any science or branch of knowledge.

He had a smattering of mechanics, of physiology, geology, mineralogy, and all other ologies whatsoever.

De Quincey.

||Ol"pe (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] Originally, a leather flask or ||vessel for oils or liquids; afterward, an earthenware vase or pitcher ||without a spout.

||O*lu"sa*trum (?), n. [L. holusatrum, olusatrum; olus garden herb + ||ater black.] (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant, the common Alexanders of ||Western Europe (Smyrnium Olusatrum).

O*lym"pi*ad (*lm"p*d), n. [L. olympias, -adis, Gr. 'olympia`s, -a`dos, fr. 'O`lympos Olympus, a mountain in Macedonia: cf. F. olympiade.] (Greek Antiq.) A period of four years, by which the ancient Greeks reckoned time, being the interval from one celebration of the Olympic games to another, beginning with the victory of Corœbus in the foot race, which took place in the year 776 b.c.; as, the era of the olympiads.

{ O*lym"pi*an (-an), O*lym"pic (- pk), } a. [L. Olympius, Olympicus, Gr. 'Oly`mpios, 'Olympiko`s, fr. 'O`lympos: cf. F. olympique. See Olympiad.] Of or pertaining to Olympus, a mountain of Thessaly, fabled as the seat of the gods, or to Olympia, a small plain in Elis.

Olympic games, or Olympics (Greek Antiq.), the greatest of the national festivals of the ancient Greeks, consisting of athletic games and races, dedicated to Olympian Zeus, celebrated once in four years at Olympia, and continuing five days.

O*lym`pi*on"ic (?), n. [Gr. &?; a conqueror in the Olympic games.] An ode in honor of a victor in the Olympic games. [R.] Johnson.

-o"ma (?). [Gr. &?;, &?;.] A suffix used in medical terms to denote a morbid condition of some part, usually some kind of tumor; as in fibroma, glaucoma.

||Om"a*gra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; shoulder + &?; seizure.] (Med.) ||Gout in the shoulder.

O"ma*has" (?), n. pl.; sing. Omaha (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians who inhabited the south side of the Missouri River. They are now partly civilized and occupy a reservation in Nebraska.

O*man"der wood` (?). [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.) The wood of Diospyros ebenaster, a kind of ebony found in Ceylon.

||O*ma"sum (?), n. [L.] (Anat.) The third division of the stomach of ||ruminants. See Manyplies, and Illust. under Ruminant.

{ Om"ber, Om"bre} (?), n. [F. hombre, fr. Sp. hombre, lit., a man, fr. L. homo. See Human.] A game at cards, borrowed from the Spaniards, and usually played by three persons. Pope.

When ombre calls, his hand and heart are free, And, joined to two, he fails not to make three.

Young.

Om"bre, n. [F., of uncertain origin.] (Zoöl.) A large Mediterranean food fish (Umbrina cirrhosa): -- called also umbra, and umbrine.

Om*brom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; rain + -meter: cf. F. ombrométre.] (Meteorol.) An instrument for measuring the rain that falls; a rain gauge.

O*me"ga (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, i.e., the great or long o. Cf. Mickle.] 1. The last letter of the Greek alphabet. See Alpha.

2. The last; the end; hence, death.

"Omega! thou art Lord," they said.

Tennyson.

Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending; hence, the chief, the whole. Rev. i. 8.

The alpha and omega of science.

Sir J. Herschel.

O*me"goid (?), a. [Omega + - oid.] Having the form of the Greek capital letter Omega ().

Om"e*let (?), n. [F. omelette, OF. amelette, alumete, alumelle, perh. fr. L. lamella. Cf. Lamella.] Eggs beaten up with a little flour, etc., and cooked in a frying pan; as, a plain omelet.

O"men (?), n. [L. omen, the original form being osmen, according to Varro.] An occurrence supposed to portend, or show the character of, some future event; any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; a foreboding; a presage; an augury.

Bid go with evil omen, and the brand Of infamy upon my name.

Milton.

O"men, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Omened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Omening.] To divine or to foreshow by signs or portents; to have omens or premonitions regarding; to predict; to augur; as, to omen ill of an enterprise.

The yet unknown verdict, of which, however, all omened the tragical contents.

Sir W. Scott.

O"mened (?), a. Attended by, or containing, an omen or omens; as, happy-omened day.

O*men"tal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to an omentum or the omenta.

O*men"tum (?), n.; pl. Omenta (#). [L.] (Anat.) A free fold of the peritoneum, or one serving to connect viscera, support blood vessels, etc.; an epiploön.

The great, or gastrocolic, omentum forms, in most mammals, a great sac, which is attached to the stomach and transverse colon, is loaded with fat, and covers more or less of the intestines; the caul. The lesser, or gastrohepatic, omentum connects the stomach and liver and contains the hepatic vessels. The gastrosplenic omentum, or ligament, connects the stomach and spleen.

O"mer (?), n. [Cf. Homer.] A Hebrew measure, the tenth of an ephah. See Ephah. Ex. xvi. 36.

Om`i*let"ic*al (?), a. Homiletical. [Obs.]

Om"i*nate (?), v. t. & i. [L. ominatus, p. p. of ominari to presage, fr. omen.] To presage; to foreshow; to foretoken. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Om`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. ominatio.] The act of ominating; presaging. [Obs.] Fuller.

Om"i*nous (?), a. [L. ominosus, fr. omen. See Omen.] Of or pertaining to an omen or to omens; being or exhibiting an omen; significant; portentous; -- formerly used both in a favorable and unfavorable sense; now chiefly in the latter; foreboding or foreshowing evil; inauspicious; as, an ominous dread.

He had a good ominous name to have made a peace.

Bacon.

In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a heart was accounted ominous.

South.

-- Om"i*nous*ly, adv. -- Om"i*nous*ness, n.

O*mis"si*ble (?), a. Capable of being omitted; that may be omitted.

O*mis"sion (?), n. [L. omissio: cf. F. omission. See Omit.] 1. The act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by propriety or duty.

The most natural division of all offenses is into those of omission and those of commission.

Addison.

2. That which is omitted or is left undone.

O*mis"sive (?), a. [See Omit.] Leaving out; omitting. Bp. Hall. -- O*mis"sive*ly, adv.

O*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Omitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Omitting.] [L. omittere, omissum; ob (see Ob- + mittere to cause to go, let go, send. See Mission.] 1. To let go; to leave unmentioned; not to insert or name; to drop.

These personal comparisons I omit.

Bacon.

2. To pass by; to forbear or fail to perform or to make use of; to leave undone; to neglect.

Her father omitted nothing in her education that might make her the most accomplished woman of her age.

Addison.

O*mit"tance (?), n. The act of omitting, or the state of being omitted; forbearance; neglect. Shak.

O*mit"ter (?), n. One who omits. Fuller.

Om`ma*te"al (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to an ommateum.

||Om`ma*te"um (?), n.; pl. Ommatea (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, the ||eye.] (Zoöl.) A compound eye, as of insects and crustaceans.

||Om`ma*tid"i*um (?), n.; pl. Ommatidia (#). [NL., dim. of Gr. &?;, ||&?;, the eye.] (Zoöl.) One of the single eyes forming the compound ||eyes of crustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates.

Om"ni- (?). [L. omnis all.] A combining form denoting all, every, everywhere; as in omnipotent, all-powerful; omnipresent.

Om"ni*bus (?), n. [L., for all, dat. pl. from omnis all. Cf. Bus.] 1. A long four-wheeled carriage, having seats for many people; especially, one with seats running lengthwise, used in conveying passengers short distances.

2. (Glass Making) A sheet-iron cover for articles in a leer or annealing arch, to protect them from drafts.

Omnibus bill, a legislative bill which provides for a number of miscellaneous enactments or appropriations. [Parliamentary Cant, U.S.] -- Omnibus box, a large box in a theater, on a level with the stage and having communication with it. [Eng.] Thackeray.

Om`ni*cor*po"re*al (?), a. [Omni- + corporeal.] Comprehending or including all bodies; embracing all substance. [R.] Cudworth.

Om*ni"e*ty (?), n. That which is all-pervading or all-comprehensive; hence, the Deity. [R.]

Omniety formed nullity into an essence.

Sir T. Browne.

Om`ni*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L. omnifarius; omnis all + -farius. Cf. Bifarious.] Of all varieties, forms, or kinds. "Omnifarious learning." Coleridge.

Om*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L. omnifer; omnis all + ferre to bear.] All- bearing; producing all kinds.

Om*nif"ic (?), a. [Omni- + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make.] All-creating. "The omnific word." Milton.

Om"ni*form (?), a. [L. omniformis; omnis all + forma form: cf. F. omniforme.] Having every form or shape. Berkeley.

Om`ni*for"mi*ty (?), n. The condition or quality of having every form. Dr. H. More.

Om"ni*fy (?), v. t. [Omni- + -fy.] To render universal; to enlarge. [R.]

Omnify the disputed point into a transcendent, and you may defy the opponent to lay hold of it.

Coleridge.

Om*nig"e*nous (?), a. [L. omniqenus; omnis all + genus kind.] Consisting of all kinds. [R.]

Om"ni*graph (?), n. [Omni- + -graph.] A pantograph. [R.]

Om`ni*pa"ri*ent (?), a. [L. omniparens all-producing; omnis all + parere to bring forth.] Producing or bringing forth all things; all- producing. [R.]

Om`ni*par"i*ty (?), n. [Omni- + -parity.] Equality in every part; general equality.

Om*nip"a*rous (?), a. [See Omniparient.] Producing all things; omniparient.

Om`ni*pa"tient (?), a. [Omni- + patient.] Capable of enduring all things. [R.] Carlyle.

{ Om`ni*per*cip"i*ence (?), Om`ni*per*cip"i*en*cy (?), } n. Perception of everything.

Om`ni*per*cip"i*ent (?), a. [Omni- + percipient.] Perceiving everything. Dr. H. More.

{ Om*nip"o*tence (?), Om*nip"o*ten*cy (?), } n. [L. omnipotentia: cf.F. omnipotence.] 1. The state of being omnipotent; almighty power; hence, one who is omnipotent; the Deity.

Will Omnipotence neglect to save The suffering virtue of the wise and brave?

Pope.

2. Unlimited power of a particular kind; as, love's omnipotence. Denham.

Om*nip"o*tent (?), a. [F., fr.L. omnipotens, -entis; omnis all + potens powerful, potent. See Potent.] 1. Able in every respect and for every work; unlimited in ability; all-powerful; almighty; as, the Being that can create worlds must be omnipotent.

God's will and pleasure and his omnipotent power.

Sir T. More.

2. Having unlimited power of a particular kind; as, omnipotent love. Shak.

The Omnipotent, The Almighty; God.

Milton.

Om*nip"o*tent*ly, adv. In an omnipotent manner.

<! p. 1002 !>

Om`ni*pres"ence (?), n. [Cf. F. omniprésence.] Presence in every place at the same time; unbounded or universal presence; ubiquity.

His omnipresence fills Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives.

Milton.

Om`ni*pres"en*cy (?), n. Omnipresence. [Obs.]

Om`ni*pres"ent (?), a. [Omni- + present: cf.F. omniprésent.] Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitous; as, the omnipresent Jehovah. Prior.

Om`ni*pre*sen"tial (?), a. Implying universal presence. [R.] South.

Om`ni*prev"a*lent (?), a. [Omni- + prevalent.] Prevalent everywhere or in all things. Fuller.

Om*nis"cience (?), n. [Cf. F. omniscience.] The quality or state of being omniscient; - - an attribute peculiar to God. Dryden.

Om*nis"cien*cy (?), n. Omniscience.

Om*nis"cient (?), a. [Omni- + L. sciens, -entis, p. pr. of scire to know: cf. F. omniscient. See Science.] Having universal knowledge; knowing all things; infinitely knowing or wise; as, the omniscient God. -- Om*nis"cient*ly, adv.

For what can scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart Omniscient?

Milton.

Om*nis"cious (?), a. [L. omniscius. See Omniscient.] All-knowing. [Obs.] Hakewill.

Om`ni*spec"tive (?), a. [Omni- + L. spectus, p. p. of specere, spicere, to view.] Beholding everything; capable of seeing all things; all- seeing. [R.] "Omnispective Power!" Boyse.

Om"ni*um (?), n. [L., of all, gen. pl. of omnis all.] (Eng.Stock Exchange) The aggregate value of the different stocks in which a loan to government is now usually funded. M'Culloch.

Om`ni*um-gath"er*um (?), n. [A macaronic compound of L. omnium, gen.pl. of omnis all, and E. gather.] A miscellaneous collection of things or persons; a confused mixture; a medley. [Colloq. & Humorous] Selden.

Om*niv"a*gant (?), a. [Omni + L. vagans, p. pr. of vagari to wander.] Wandering anywhere and everywhere. [R.]

||Om*niv"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Omnivorous.] (Zoöl.) A group of ||ungulate mammals including the hog and the hippopotamus. The term is ||also sometimes applied to the bears, and to certain passerine birds.

Om*niv"o*rous (?), a. [L. omnivorus; omnis all + vorate to eat greedily. See Voracious.] All-devouring; eating everything indiscriminately; as, omnivorous vanity; esp. (Zoöl.), eating both animal and vegetable food. -- Om*niv"o*rous*ness, n.

O"mo- (?). [Gr. &?; the shoulder.] A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, the shoulder or the scapula.

O`mo*hy"oid (?), a. [Omo- + hyoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the shoulder and the hyoid bone; as, the omohyoid muscle.

O"mo*phag"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?; raw + &?; to eat.] Eating raw flesh; using uncooked meat as food; as, omophagic feasts, rites.

Om"o*plate (?), n. [F., from Gr. &?;. See Omo-, and Plate.] (Anat.) The shoulder blade, or scapula.

O*mos"te*gite (?), n. [Omo- + Gr. &?; a roof.] (Zoöl.) The part of the carapace of a crustacean situated behind the cervical groove.

O`mo*ster"nal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the omosternum.

O`mo*ster"num (?), n. [Omo- + sternum.] (Anat.) (a) The anterior element of the sternum which projects forward from between the clavicles in many batrachians and is usually tipped with cartilage. (b) In many mammals, an interarticular cartilage, or bone, between the sternum and the clavicle.

Om"pha*cine (?), a. [Gr. &?;, from &?; an unripe grape or olive: cf.F. omphacin.] Of, pertaining to, or expressed from, unripe fruit; as, omphacine oil.

Om*phal"ic, a. [Gr. &?; having a boss, bossy, fr. &?; the navel. See Navel.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the umbilicus, or navel.

Om"pha*lo- (?). [Gr. &?; the navel.] A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, the umbilicus, or navel.

Om"pha*lo*cele` (?), n. [Gr. &?; the navel + &?; a tumor: cf.F. omphalocéle.] (Med.) A hernia at the navel.

Om"pha*lode (?), n. [Omphalo- + Gr. &?; form.] (Bot.) The central part of the hilum of a seed, through which the nutrient vessels pass into the rhaphe or the chalaza; -- called also omphalodium.

Om"pha*lo*man"cy (?), n. [Omphalo- + -mancy.] Divination by means of a child's navel, to learn how many children the mother may have. Crabb.

Om`pha*lo*mes`a*ra"ic (?), a. [Omphalo- + mesaraic.] (Anat.) Omphalomesenteric.

Om`pha*lo*mes`en*ter"ic (?), a. [Omphalo- + mesenteric.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the umbilicus and mesentery; omphalomesaraic; as, the omphalomesenteric arteries and veins of a fetus.

Om`pha*lop"sy*chite (?), n. [Omphalo- + Gr. &?; breath, spirit, soul: cf. F. omphalopsyque.] (Eccl.Hist.) A name of the Hesychasts, from their habit of gazing upon the navel.

{ Om`pha*lop"ter (?), Om`pha*lop"tic (?), } n. [Gr. &?; the navel + &?; one who looks, &?; belonging to sight: cf.F. omphaloptre.] An optical glass that is convex on both sides. [Obs.] Hutton.

||Om"pha*los (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Anat.) The navel.

Om`pha*lot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the navel + &?; to cut: cf. F. omphalotomie.] (Surg.) The operation of dividing the navel-string.

O"my (?), a. Mellow, as land. [Prov.Eng.] Ray.

On (?), prep. [OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. , Sw. å, Goth. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. 'ana`, Zend ana. &radic;195. Cf. A-, 1, Ana-, Anon.] The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: --

1. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

I stood on the bridge at midnight.

Longfellow.

2. To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.

Matt. xxi. 44.

3. Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

4. At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

5. In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. Shak.

6. Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.

7. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

8. At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.

9. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. "Hence, on thy life." Dryden.

11. By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

12. To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

His blood be on us and on our children.

Matt. xxvii. 25.

13. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

14. Of. [Obs.] "Be not jealous on me." Shak.

Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner?

Shak.

Instances of this usage are common in our older writers, and are sometimes now heard in illiterate speech.

15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.

16. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

On and upon are in general interchangeable. In some applications upon is more euphonious, and is therefore to be preferred; but in most cases on is preferable.

On a bowline. (Naut.) Same as Closehauled. -- On a wind, or On the wind (Naut.), sailing closehauled. -- On a sudden. See under Sudden. -- On board, On draught, On fire, etc. See under Board, Draught, Fire, etc. -- On it, On't, of it. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak. -- On shore, on land; to the shore. -- On the road, On the way, On the wing, etc. See under Road, Way, etc. -- On to, upon; on; to; -- sometimes written as one word, onto, and usually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded in analogy with into.

They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.

Earle.

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