Lar*gi"tion (?), [L. largitio, fr. largiri, p. p. largitus, to give
bountifully.] The bestowment of a largess or gift. [Obs.]
||Lar"go (?), a. & adv. [It., large, L. largus, See Large.] (Mus.) Slow
||or slowly; -- more so than adagio; next in slowness to grave, which
||is also weighty and solemn. -- n. A movement or piece in largo time.
||
Lar"i*at (lr"*t), n. [Sp. la reata the rope; la the + reata rope. Cf.
Reata.] A long, slender rope made of hemp or strips of hide, esp. one
with a noose; -- used as a lasso for catching cattle, horses, etc., and
for picketing a horse so that he can graze without wandering. [Mexico &
Western U.S.]
<! p. 831 !>
Lar"i*at (lr"*t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lariated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Lariating.] To secure with a lariat fastened to a stake, as a horse or
mule for grazing; also, to lasso or catch with a lariat. [Western U.S.]
La"rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Gull family (Laridæ).
Lar`ix*in"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, or derived from, the larch (Larix);
as, larixinic acid.
Lark (lärk), n. [Perh fr. AS. lc play, sport. Cf. Lake, v. i.] A
frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Lark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Larked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Larking.] To
sport; to frolic. [Colloq.]
Lark, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. lwerce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG.
lewerke, OHG. lrahha, G. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lerke, Icel. lævirki.]
(Zoöl.) Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus Alauda
and allied genera (family Alaudidæ). They mostly belong to Europe,
Asia, and Northern Africa. In America they are represented by the shore
larks, or horned larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have
holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and, usually, dull, sandy
brown colors.
The European skylark, or lark of the poets (Alauda arvensis), is of a
brown mottled color, and is noted for its clear and sweet song, uttered
as it rises and descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is
considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are killed for the
markets. Other well-known European species are the crested, or tufted,
lark (Alauda cristata), and the wood lark (A. arborea). The pipits, or
titlarks, of the genus Anthus (family Motacillidæ) are often called
larks. See Pipit. The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella,
are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The Australian bush lark
is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See Shore lark.
Lark bunting (Zoöl.), a fringilline bird (Calamospiza melanocorys)
found on the plains of the Western United States. -- Lark sparrow
(Zoöl.), a sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), found in the Mississippi
Valley and the Western United States.
Lark, v. i. To catch larks; as, to go larking.
Lark"-col`ored (?), a. Having the sandy brown color of the European
larks.
Lark"er (?), n. [See 3d Lark, for sense 1, and 1st Lark, for sense 2.]
1. A catcher of larks.