PLURIPAROUS, pl[=oo]-rip'a-rus, _adj._ having several young at a
birth.--_n._ PLURIP'ARA, one who has borne two or more children.
PLURIPRESENCE, pl[=oo]-ri-prez'ens, _n._ presence in more places than one.
[L. _plus_, more, _præsentia_, presence.]
PLURISY, pl[=oo]r'i-si, _n._ (_Shak._) superabundance. [L. _plus_,
_pluris_, more.]
PLUS, plus, _adj._ more: to be added: positive.--_n._ the sign (+) prefixed
to positive quantities, and set between quantities or numbers to be added
together: the sign of addition--opp. to _Minus_. [L. _plus_, more.]
PLUSH, plush, _n._ a variety of cloth woven like velvet, but differing from
it in having a longer and more open pile.--_adj._ PLUSH'Y, of or resembling
plush. [Fr. _peluche_, through Low L., from L. _pilus_, hair. See PILE, a
hairy surface.]
PLUTOCRACY, pl[=oo]-tok'ra-si, _n._ government by the wealthy.--_n._
PLU'TOCRAT.--_adj._ PLUTOCRAT'IC.--_ns._ PLUTOL'OGIST; PLUTOL'OGY, the
science of wealth: political economy. [Gr. _ploutokratia_--_ploutos_,
wealth, _kratia_--_kratein_, to rule.]
PLUTONIAN, pl[=oo]-t[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ infernal: dark: (_geol._) formed by
the agency of heat at a depth below the surface of the earth, as
granite--also PLUTON'IC.--_ns._ PLU'TONISM; PLU'TONIST.--PLUTONIC ACTION,
the action of volcanic fires under the surface; PLUTONIC ROCKS, rocks
formed under the surface by the action of fire, as granite, porphyry, &c.;
PLUTONIC THEORY, the theory that the present state of the earth's crust is
the result of the action of fire--opp. to _Neptunian theory_. [L.,--Gr.
_Plout[=o]nios_--_Plout[=o]n_, Pluto, the god of the nether world.]
PLUVIAL, pl[=oo]'vi-al, _adj._ pertaining to rain: rainy.--_ns._
PLU'VIOGRAPH, a self-recording rain-gauge; PLUVIOM'ETER, an instrument for
measuring the amount of rain that falls.--_adjs._ PLUVIOMET'RIC, -AL;
PLU'VIOUS, rainy. [Fr.,--_pluvialis_--_pluvia_, rain.]
PLY, pl[=i], _v.t._ to work at steadily: to use diligently: to urge: to
address with importunity.--_v.i._ to work steadily: to go in haste: to make
regular passages, as a boat, between two ports: (_naut._) to make way
against the wind:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ plied.--_n._ a fold: bent:
direction.--_n._ PLY'ER. [O. Fr. _plier_, to fold--L. _plic[=a]re_, to
bend.]
PLYERS. Same as PLIERS.
PLYMOUTH BRETHREN, plim'uth breth'ren, _n.pl._ a rigid religious sect,
originating at _Plymouth_ about 1830, out of a reaction against High Church
principles and against a dead formalism associated with unevangelical
doctrine.--_n._ PLYM'OUTHISM.
PNEUMA, n[=u]'ma, _n._ breath: spirit, soul. [Gr.]
PNEUMATIC, -AL, n[=u]-mat'ik, -al, _adj._ relating to air: consisting of
air: moved by air or wind.--_n._ (_coll._) a bicycle fitted with pneumatic
tires.--_adv._ PNEUMAT'ICALLY.--_n.sing._ PNEUMAT'ICS, the science which
treats of air and other elastic fluids or gases.--_adj._
PNEUMATOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ PNEUMATOL'OGIST, one versed in pneumatology;
PNEUMATOL'OGY, the science of elastic fluids: pneumatics: the branch of
philosophy which treats of spirits or mind: (_theol._) the doctrine of the
Holy Spirit; PNEUMATOM'ETER, PNEUMOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the
quantity of air inhaled into the lungs at a single inspiration.--_adj._
PNEUMOGAS'TRIC, pertaining to the lungs and the stomach.--_n._
PNEUM[=O]'NIA, inflammation of the tissues of the lungs--also
PNEU'MON[=I]'TIS.--_adj._ PNEUMON'IC, pertaining to the lungs.--_n._ a
medicine for lung diseases.--PNEUMATIC DESPATCH, a method of sending
letters, telegrams, and small parcels through tubes by means of compressed
air; PNEUMATIC RAILWAY, a railway along which the carriages are driven by
compressed air; PNEUMATIC TROUGH, a trough of wood or iron, filled with
water and used for collecting gases for experiment or examination;
PNEUMATIC TIRE, a flexible air-inflated tube used as a tire on cycles, &c.
[L.,--Gr. _pneumatikos_--_pneum-a_, _-atos_, wind, air--_pnein_, to blow,
to breathe.]
PNYX, niks, _n._ in ancient Athens, the public place of meeting for
deliberation on political affairs: the assembly. [Gr.,--_pyknos_, crowded.]
POACEÆ, p[=o]-[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], _n.pl._ a division of the order _Gramineæ_,
the grasses.--_n._ P[=O]'A, a genus of grasses. [Gr. _poa_, grass.]
POACH, p[=o]ch, _v.t._ to dress eggs by breaking them into boiling water.
[Perh. Fr. _pocher_, to put in a pocket--_poche_, pouch.]
POACH, p[=o]ch, _v.i._ to intrude on another's preserves in order to steal
game.--_v.t._ to steal game.--_ns._ POACH'ER, one who poaches or steals
game: the widgeon, from its habit of stealing the prey of other ducks;
POACH'ING. [O. Fr. _pocher_, orig. to pocket--_poche_, pouch.]
POACH, p[=o]ch, _v.t._ to stab: poke: to tread on, and make slushy.--_n._
POACH'INESS.--_adj._ POACH'Y, wet and soft. [O. Fr. _pocher_, to poke.]
POCHARD, p[=o]'chard, _n._ a genus of diving ducks which are marine during
the greater part of the year. [_Poacher_, the widgeon.]
POCK, pok, _n._ a small elevation of the skin containing matter, as in
smallpox.--_adjs._ POCKED, POCK'Y, infected with, or marked by,
smallpox.--_ns._ POCK'MARK, POCK'PIT, the mark, pit, or scar left by a
pock.--_adj._ POCK'PITTED. [A.S. _poc_, a pustule; Ger. _pocke_, Dut.
_pok_. The correct pl. form was _pocks_, erroneously _pox_, and treated as
singular.]
POCKET, pok'et, _n._ a little pouch or bag, esp. one attached to a dress or
to a billiard table: any cavity in which anything can lie: in mining, an
irregular cavity filled with veinstone and ore: money, as being carried in
the pocket: a bag of wool, &c., containing about 168 lb.--_v.t._ to put in
the pocket: to take stealthily: to conceal:--_pr.p._ pock'eting; _pa.t._
and _pa.p._ pock'eted.--_ns._ POCK'ET-BOOK, a note-book: a book for holding
papers or money carried in the pocket: a book for frequent perusal, to be
carried in the pocket; POCK'ET-BOR'OUGH (see BOROUGH); POCK'ET-CLOTH, a
pocket-handkerchief; POCK'ETFUL, as much as a pocket will hold;
POCK'ET-GLASS, a small looking-glass for the pocket; POCK'ET-HAND'KERCHIEF,
a handkerchief carried in the pocket; POCK'ET-HOLE, the opening into a
pocket; POCK'ET-KNIFE, a knife with one or more blades folding into the
handle for carrying in the pocket; POCK'ET-MON'EY, money carried for
occasional expenses; POCK'ET-PICK'ING, act or practice of picking the
pocket; POCK'ET-PIS'TOL, a pistol carried in the pocket: a small travelling
flask for liquor.--POCKET AN INSULT, AFFRONT, &c., to submit to or put up
with it; POCKET EDITION, a small portable edition of a standard book.--IN
POCKET, in possession of money; OUT OF POCKET, to lose money by a
transaction; PICK A PERSON'S POCKET, to steal from his pocket. [Fr.
_pochette_, dim. of _poche_, pouch.]
POCKMANTY, pok-man'ti, _n._ (_Scot._) portmanteau.
POCOCURANTE, p[=o]-k[=o]-k[=oo]-ran'te, _n._ a careless or inattentive
person.--_ns._ POCOCURANT'ISM, carelessness: inaccuracy; POCOCURANT'IST.
[It. _poco_, little, _curare_, to care.]
POCULIFORM, pok'[=u]-li-form, _adj._ cup-shaped. [L. _poculum_, cup.]
POD, pod, _n._ the covering of the seed of plants, as the pea or bean: a
shoal of fishes.--_v.i._ to fill, as a pod: to produce pods:--_pr.p._
pod'ding; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ pod'ded. [Allied to _pad_, anything stuffed.]
PODAGRA, p[=o]-dag'ra, _n._ gout in the feet.--_adjs._ POD'AGRAL,
PODAG'RIC, -AL, POD'AGROUS, gouty.--_n._ PODAL'GIA, pain, esp. neuralgia,
in the foot. [Gr. _pous_, _podos_, the foot, _agra_, a catching.]
PODARGUS, p[=o]-dar'gus, _n._ a genus of arboreal and nocturnal birds
allied to the true Goatsuckers. [Gr. _pous_, the foot, _argos_, swift.]
PODESTA, p[=o]-des'tä, _n._ a chief magistrate in the medieval Italian
republics: an inferior municipal judge. [It.,--L. _potestas_, power.]
PODGY, poj'i, _adj._ short and fat: thick.
PODIUM, p[=o]'di-um, _n._ a continuous pedestal, a stylobate: (_anat._) a
foot: (_bot._) a support, as a foot-stalk.--__adj.__ P[=O]'DIAL.--_ns._
PODIS'MUS, spasm of the muscles of the foot; P[=O]'DITE, a limb of a
crustacean when ambulatory.--__adj.__ PODIT'IC.
PODOCARPUS, pod-[=o]-kär'pus, _n._ a genus of tropical coniferous trees.
[Gr. _pous_, _podos_, foot, _karpos_, fruit.]
PODOPHTHALMA, pod-of-thal'ma, _n.pl._ a name often applied to a section of
Crustacea. [Gr. _pous_, foot, _ophthalmos_, the eye.]
PODOPHYLLUM, pod-[=o]-fil'um, _n._ a genus of plants of the barberry
family, the fruit edible, other parts actively cathartic.--_n._
PODOPHYLL'IN, the resin obtained by means of rectified spirit from its
root.--__adj.__ PODOPHYLL'OUS, having compressed leaf-like locomotive
organs. [Gr. _pous_, _podos_, foot, _phyllon_, leaf.]
PODURA, p[=o]-d[=u]'ra, _n._ a genus of apterous insects--_spring-tails_,
_snow-fleas_. [Gr. _pous_, foot, _oura_, tail.]
POE, p[=o]'e, _n._ the parson-bird of New Zealand.
POEM, p[=o]'em, _n._ a composition in verse: a composition of high beauty
of thought or language, although not in verse.--__adj.__ POEMAT'IC,
relating to a poem. [Fr. _poème_--L. _poema_--Gr. _poi[=e]ma_, _poiein_, to
make.]
POENOLOGY. See PENOLOGY.
POEPHAGOUS, p[=o]-ef'a-gus, _adj._ eating grass.
POESY, p[=o]'e-si, _n._ the art of composing poems: poetry: a poem:
poetical compositions. [Fr. _poésie_--L. _poesis_--Gr.
_poi[=e]sis_--_poiein_, to make.]
POET, p[=o]'et, _n._ the author of a poem: one skilled in making poetry:
one with a strong imagination:--_fem._ P[=O]'ETESS.--_ns._ P[=O]'ETASTER, a
petty poet: a writer of contemptible verses; P[=O]'ETASTRY.--_adjs._
POET'IC, -AL, pertaining or suitable to a poet or to poetry: expressed in
poetry: marked by poetic language: imaginative.--_adv._ POET'ICALLY, in a
poetic manner.--_n.sing._ POET'ICS, the branch of criticism which relates
to poetry.--_n._ POET'ICULE, a petty poet.--_v.i._ P[=O]'ETISE, to write as
a poet: to make verses.--_ns._ P[=O]'ET-LAU'REATE (see LAUREATE);
P[=O]'ETRESS (_Spens._), a poetess; P[=O]'ETRY, the art of expressing in
melodious words the thoughts which are the creations of feeling and
imagination: utterance in song: metrical composition.--POETIC JUSTICE,
ideal administration of reward and punishment; POETIC LICENSE, a departing
from strict fact or rule by a poet for the sake of effect. [Fr. _poète_--L.
_poeta_--Gr. _poi[=e]t[=e]s_--_poiein_, to make.]
POGGE, pog, _n._ the armed bullhead.
POH, p[=o], _interj._ exclamation of contempt.
POIGNANT, poin'ant, _adj._ stinging, pricking: sharp: penetrating: acutely
painful: satirical: pungent.--_n._ POIGN'ANCY, state of being
poignant.--_adv._ POIGN'ANTLY. [O. Fr. _poignant_, _poindre_--L.
_pung[)e]re_, to sting.]
POIND, poind, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to seize.--_n._ POIND'ING (_Scots law_), the
seizing and selling of a debtor's goods under process of law, or under the
warrant of a heritable security. [_Pound._]
POINT, point, _n._ anything coming to a sharp end: the mark made by a sharp
instrument: (_geom._) that which has position but not length, breadth, or
thickness: a mark showing the divisions of a sentence: (_mus._) a dot at
the right hand of a note to lengthen it by one-half: needle-point lace: a
very small space: a moment of time: a small affair: a single thing: a
single assertion: the precise thing to be considered: anything intended:
exact place: degree: the unit of count in a game: (_print._) a unit of
measurement for type-bodies: an advantage: that which stings, as the point
of an epigram: an imaginary relish, in 'potatoes and point:' a lively turn
of thought: that which awakens attention: a peculiarity, characteristic:
(_cricket_) the fielder standing at the immediate right of the batsman, and
slightly in advance: a signal given by a trumpet: (_pl._) chief or
excellent features, as of a horse, &c.: the switch or movable rails which
allow a train to pass from one line to another.--_v.t._ to give a point to:
to sharpen: to aim: to direct one's attention: to punctuate, as a sentence:
to fill the joints of with mortar, as a wall.--_v.i._ to direct the finger,
the eye, or the mind towards an object: to show game by looking, as a
dog.--_adj._ POINT'ED, having a sharp point: sharp: intended for some
particular person: personal: keen: telling: (_archit._) having
sharply-pointed arches, Gothic.--_adv._ POINT'EDLY.--_ns._ POINT'EDNESS;
POINT'ER, that which points: a dog trained to point out game; POINT'ING,
the act of sharpening: the marking of divisions in writing by points or
marks: act of filling the crevices of a wall with mortar; POINT'ING-STOCK,
a thing to be pointed at, a laughing-stock; POINT'-LACE, a fine kind of
lace wrought with the needle.--_adj._ POINT'LESS, having no point: blunt:
dull: wanting keenness or smartness; POINTS'MAN, a man who has charge of
the points or switches on a railway; POINT'-SYS'TEM, a standard system of
sizes for type-bodies, one point being .0138 inch.--POINT FOR POINT,
exactly: all particulars; POINT OF ORDER, a question raised in a
deliberative society as to whether proceedings are according to the rules;
POINT OF VIEW, the position from which one looks at anything; POINT OUT
(_B._), to assign; POINTS OF THE COMPASS, the points _north_, _south_,
_east_, and _west_, along with the twenty-eight smaller divisions, marked
on the card of the mariner's compass.--At all points, completely; AT, or
ON, THE POINT OF, just about to; CARDINAL POINT (see CARDINAL); CARRY ONE'S
POINT, to gain what one contends for in controversy; FROM POINT TO POINT,
from one particular to another; GIVE POINTS TO, to give odds to: to give an
advantageous hint on any subject; IN POINT, apposite; IN POINT OF, with
regard to; MAKE A POINT OF, to attach special importance to; STAND UPON
POINTS, to be over-scrupulous; Strain a point, to go beyond proper limits;
TO THE POINT, appropriate. [O. Fr.,--L. _punctum_--_pung[)e]re_, to prick.]
POINT-BLANK, point'-blangk', _adj._ aimed directly at the mark:
direct.--_adv._ directly.--POINT-BLANK SHOT, a shot fired in a horizontal
line towards an object. [Fr. _point-blanc_, white point.]
POINT-DEVICE, POINT-DEVISE, point'-de-v[=i]s', _n._ (_orig._) a lace worked
with devices: anything uncommonly nice and exact.--_adj._ (_arch._)
scrupulously neat. [Fr. _point_, lace, _devisé_, with a device.]
POINTEL, poin'tel, _n._ a sharp instrument: any sharp-pointed thing. [O.
Fr.,--Low L. _punctillum_, a little point.]
POISE, poiz, _v.t._ to balance: to make of equal weight: to
examine.--_v.i._ to hang in suspense.--_n._ weight: state of balance:
equilibrium: a weight which balances another: a regulating power: the
weight used in steelyards.--_n._ POIS'ER, one who, or that which, poises.
[O. Fr. _poiser_ (Fr. _peser_)--L. _pens[=a]re_, inten. of _pend[)e]re_, to
hang.]
POISON, poi'zn, _n._ any substance which, introduced into the living
organism, tends to destroy its life or impair its health: anything
malignant or infectious: that which taints or destroys moral
purity.--_v.t._ to infect or to kill with poison: to taint: to mar: to
embitter: to corrupt.--_adj._ POI'SONABLE.--_ns._ POI'SONER; POI'SON-FANG,
one of two large tubular teeth in the upper jaw of venomous serpents,
through which poison passes from glands at their roots when the animal
bites; POI'SON-GLAND, a gland which secretes poison; POI'SON-[=I]'VY, a
shrub-vine of North America, causing a cutaneous eruption; POI'SON-NUT, the
nux vomica.--_adj._ POI'SONOUS, having the quality of poison: destructive:
impairing soundness or purity.--_adv._ POI'SONOUSLY.--_n._ POI'SONOUSNESS.
[Fr.,--L. _potio_, a draught--_pot[=a]re_, to drink.]
POITREL, poi'trel, _n._ armour to protect the horse's breast. [O. Fr.
_poitral_--L. _pectorale_, a breast-plate--_pectus_, the breast.]
POITRINE, poi'trin, _n._ the breast-plate of a knight.
POKAL, p[=o]'kal, _n._ an ornamental drinking-vessel.
POKE, p[=o]k, _n._ a bag: a pouch.--A PIG IN A POKE, a blind bargain, as of
a pig bought without being seen. [Prob. Celt., as Ir. _poc_, a bag.]
POKE, p[=o]k, _v.t._ to thrust or push against with something pointed: to
search for with a long instrument: to thrust at with the horns.--_v.i._ to
grope or feel, as in the dark.--_n._ act of pushing or thrusting: a thrust:
a bonnet having a projecting front worn earlier in the century--also
POKE'-BONN'ET.--_ns._ P[=O]'KER, an iron rod for poking or stirring the
fire; PO'KER-DRAW'ING, a design burnt into lime-tree or other wood with
'pokers,' which rather resembled plumbers' soldering irons.--_adj._
P[=O]'KERISH, like a poker: stiff.--_adv._ P[=O]'KERISHLY.--_adj._
P[=O]'KING, drudging, servile.--_n._ P[=O]'KING-STICK, a small stick or rod
of steel formerly used for adjusting the plaits of ruffs.--_adj._ P[=O]'KY,
stupid: dull: confined, with little room: poor, shabby.--POKE FUN AT, to
ridicule, make fun of. [Ir. _poc_, a blow, Gael. _puc_, to push.]
POKER, p[=o]'k[.e]r, _n._ a bugbear.--_adj._ P[=O]'KERISH, causing terror:
uncanny.--OLD POKER, the devil.
POKER, p[=o]'k[.e]r, _n._ a round game at cards, first played in America
about 1835. [Ety. uncertain.]
POLABIAN, p[=o]-l[=a]'bi-an, _n._ one of an ancient Slavic race, belonging
to the same group as the _Poles_, occupying the basin of the lower Elbe.
POLACCA, po-lak'a, _n._ a species of vessel used in the Mediterranean, with
three masts and a jib-boom; the fore and main masts being of one piece, and
the mizzen-mast with a top and topmast. [It., 'a Polish vessel.']
POLACK, p[=o]l'ak, _n._ (_Shak._) a Pole.--Also POL'ANDER.
POLAR, p[=o]'lar, _adj._ pertaining to, or situated near, either of the
poles: pertaining to the magnetic poles: having a common
meeting-point.--_n._ (_geom._) the line joining the points of contact, of
tangents drawn to meet a curve from a point called the pole of the
line.--_ns.pl._ P[=O]LAR-CO-OR'DINATES, co-ordinates defining a point by
means of a radius vector and the angle which it makes with a fixed line
through the origin; P[=O]'LAR-FOR'CES, forces that act in pairs and in
different directions, as in magnetism.--_n._ POLARIM'ETER, the
polariscope.--_adj._ POLAR[=I]'SABLE, capable of polarisation.--_ns._
POLARIS[=A]'TION (_opt._), a particular modification of rays of light, by
the action of certain media or surfaces, so that they cannot be reflected
or refracted again in certain directions: state of having polarity;
POLAR'ISCOPE, an instrument for polarising light, and analysing its
properties.--_v.t._ P[=O]'LARISE, to give polarity to.--_ns._
P[=O]'LARISER, that which polarises or gives polarity to; POLAR'ITY, state
of having two opposite poles: a condition in certain bodies according to
which their properties arrange themselves so as to have opposite powers in
opposite directions, as in a magnet with its two poles.--POLAR BEAR, a
large white bear found in the Arctic regions; POLAR CIRCLE, a parallel of
latitude encircling each of the poles at a distance of 23° 28' from the
pole--the north polar being called the arctic, the south the antarctic,
circle; POLAR LIGHTS, the aurora borealis or australis. [L.
_polaris_--_polus_, a pole.]
POLDER, p[=o]l'd[.e]r, _n._ in the Netherlands, land below the level of the
sea or nearest river, which, originally a morass or lake, has been drained
and brought under cultivation: a morass. [Prob. cog. with _pool_.]
POLE, p[=o]l, _n._ that on which anything turns, as a pivot or axis: one of
the ends of the axis of a sphere, esp. of the earth: (_physics_) one of the
two points of a body in which the attractive or repulsive energy is
concentrated, as in a magnet: (_geom._) a point from which a pencil of rays
radiates (see POLAR).--_n._ POLE'-STAR, a star at or near the pole of the
heavens: a guide or director.--POLES OF THE HEAVENS, the two points in the
heavens opposite to the poles of the earth--called also _Celestial poles_.
[Fr.,--L. _polus_--Gr. _polos_--_pelein_, to be in motion.]
POLE, p[=o]l, _n._ a pale or pile: a long piece of wood: an instrument for
measuring: a measure of length, 5½ yards: in square measure, 30¼
yards.--_v.t._ to push or stir with a pole.--_v.i._ to use a
pole.--__adj.__ POLE'-CLIPT (_Shak._), hedged in with poles.--UNDER BARE
POLES, with all sails furled. [A.S. _pál_ (Ger. _pfahl_)--L. _palus_, a
stake.]
POLE, p[=o]l, _n._ a native of _Poland_.
[Illustration]
POLE-AXE, p[=o]l'-aks, _n._ a battle-axe consisting of an axe-head on a
long handle: an axe used by sailors for cutting away rigging of ships.
[Orig. _pollax_, from _poll_, the head, and _axe_.]
POLECAT, p[=o]l'kat, _n._ a kind of weasel, which emits a stink--called
also the _Fitchet_ and _Foumart_. [M. E. _polcat_; prob. Fr. _poule_, hen,
and _cat_.]
POLEMARCH, pol'e-mark, _n._ a title of several officials in ancient Greek
states.
POLEMIC, -AL, po-lem'ik, -al, _adj._ given to disputing:
controversial.--_n._ one who disputes: one who speaks or writes in
opposition to another: a controversy.--_adv._ POLEM'ICALLY.--_n.sing._
POLEM'ICS, contest or controversy: (_theol._) the history of ecclesiastical
controversy.--_n._ POL'EMOSCOPE, a perspective glass so constructed as to
give views of objects not lying directly before the eye. [Gr. _polemos_,
war.]
POLEMONIACEÆ, pol-e-m[=o]-ni-[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], _n.pl._ a natural order of
plants--the phlox family.
POLENTA, po-len'ta, _n._ an Italian dish, the chief ingredients of which
are maize, meal, and salt. [It.,--L. _polenta_, peeled barley.]
POLEY, p[=o]'li, _adj._ without horns: polled. [Prov. Eng.]
POLIANTHES, pol-i-an'th[=e]z, _n._ a small genus of ornamental plants of
the amaryllis family--the tuberose. [Gr. _polios_, white, _anthos_, a
flower.]
POLICE, p[=o]-l[=e]s', _n._ the system of regulations of a city, town, or
district for the preservation of order and enforcement of law: the internal
government of a state: (short for POLICE'-FORCE) the civil officers
employed to preserve order, &c.--_v.t._ to guard or maintain order in: to
put in order.--_n.pl._ POLICE'-COMMISS'IONERS, a body of men appointed to
regulate the appointments and duties of the police.--_ns._
POLICE'-INSPECT'OR, a superior officer of police who has charge of a
department, next in rank to a superintendent; POLICE'-MAG'ISTRATE, one who
presides in a police court; POLICE'MAN, a member of a police-force;
POLICE'-OFF'ICE, -ST[=A]'TION, the headquarters of the police of a
district, used also as a temporary place of confinement; POLICE'-OFF'ICER,
-CON'STABLE, a policeman; POLICE'-RATE, a tax levied for the support of the
police.--POLICE COURT, a court for trying small offences brought before it
by the police. [Fr.,--L. _politia_--Gr. _politeia_, the condition of a
state--_polit[=e]s_, a citizen--_polis_, a city.]
POLICY, pol'i-si, _n._ the art or manner of regulating or guiding conduct:
the method and forms according to which the government and business of a
country are carried on: a system of administration guided more by interest
than by principle: dexterity of management: prudence: cunning: in Scotland,
(esp. in _pl._) the pleasure-grounds around a mansion. [O. Fr. _policie_
(Fr. _police_)--L. _politia_--Gr. _politeia_.]
POLICY, pol'i-si, _n._ a warrant for money in the funds: a writing
containing a contract of insurance: a kind of gambling by betting on the
numbers to be drawn in a lottery.--_n._ POL'ICY-HOLD'ER, one who holds a
policy or contract of insurance. [Fr. _police_, a policy--L. _polyptychum_,
a register--Gr. _polyptychon_--_polys_, many, _ptyx_, _ptychos_, fold.]
POLING, p[=o]'ling, _n._ act of using a pole for any purpose.
POLISH, p[=o]'lish, _adj._ relating to _Poland_ or to its people.
POLISH, pol'ish, _v.t._ to make smooth and glossy by rubbing: to refine: to
make elegant.--_v.i._ to become smooth and glossy.--_n._ a smooth, glossy
surface: refinement of manners: anything used to produce a polish.--_adjs._
POL'ISHABLE; POL'ISHED, made smooth by rubbing: trained to act with great
fineness and exactness: refined: polite.--_ns._ POL'ISHER, one who, or that
which, polishes; POL'ISHING-PASTE, polishing material made in the form of
paste; POL'ISHING-POW'DER, polishing material made in the form of powder,
as whiting, diamond-dust, &c.; POL'ISHING-SLATE, a mineral used for
polishing glass, marble, and metals, composed chiefly of silica, with a
little alumina, lime, oxide of iron, and water; POL'ISHMENT. [O. Fr.
_polir_, _polissant_--L. _pol[=i]re_, to make to shine.]
POLITE, p[=o]-l[=i]t', _adj._ polished: smooth: refined: well-bred:
obliging.--_adv._ POLITE'LY.--_ns._ POLITE'NESS, state or quality of being
polite: refinement of manners: good-breeding; POLITESSE', politeness. [L.
_politus_, pa.p. of _pol[=i]re_.]
POLITIC, p[=o]l'i-tik, _adj._ pertaining to policy: well-devised: judicious
in management: skilled in political affairs: prudent: discreet: cunning:
(_Shak._) concerned with politics.--_adj._ POLIT'ICAL, pertaining to polity
or government: pertaining to nations, or to parties in a nation who differ
in their views of how it ought to be governed: derived from
government.--_adv._ POLIT'ICALLY.--_ns._ POLIT'ICASTER (_Milt._), a petty
politician; POLITIC'IAN, one versed in or devoted to politics: a man of
artifice and cunning.--_adj._ (_Milt._) politic.--_adv._
POL'ITICLY.--_n.sing._ POL'ITICS, the art or science of government: the
management of a political party: political affairs or opinions.--_adj._
POL'ITIQUE (_Bacon_), political, civil.--_n._ POL'ITY, the constitution of
the government of a state or an institution: civil constitution: a body of
people arranged under a system of government.--POLITICAL ECONOMY, the
science which treats of the production, distribution, and consumption of
wealth; POLITICAL SCIENCE, the science or study of government, as to its
principles, aims, methods, &c.--BODY POLITIC, the whole body of a people,
as constituting a state. [Fr. _politique_--Gr. _politikos_--_polit[=e]s_, a
citizen.]
POLKA, p[=o]l'ka, _n._ a dance of Bohemian origin, invented in 1830, and
introduced into England in 1843--also its tune: a knitted jacket worn by
women.--_v.i._ POLK, to dance a polka. [Bohem. _pulka_, half, from the
half-step prevalent in it; or from Slav. _polka_, a Polish woman.]
POLL, pol, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to exact from, to plunder.
POLL, pol, _n._ a familiar name, often of a parrot. [Contr. of _Polly_, a
form of _Molly_=_Mary_.]
POLL, p[=o]l, _n._ the round part of the head, esp. the back of it: a
register of heads or persons: the entry of the names of electors who vote
for civil officers, such as members of Parliament: an election of civil
officers: the place where the votes are taken.--_v.t._ to remove the top:
to cut: to clip: to lop, as the branches of a tree: to enter one's name in
a register: to bring to the poll as a voter: to give or to receive a
vote.--_v.i._ to give a vote.--_ns._ POLL'ARCHY, government by the mob or
masses; POLL'-BOOK, a register of voters; POLL'-CLERK, a clerk who assists
at the polling of voters.--_adj._ POLLED, deprived of a poll: lopped:
cropped, hence bald: having cast the horns, hence wanting horns.--_ns._
POLL'ER, one who polls; POLL'-MAN, one who takes the ordinary university
degree, without honours; POLL'-TAX, a tax by the poll or head--i.e. on each
person.--AT THE HEAD OF THE POLL, having the greatest number of votes at an
election. [Old Dut. _polle_, _bol_, a ball, top--Ice. _kollr_, top, head.]
POLLACK, pol'ak, _n._ a common fish on British coasts, belonging to the
cod, haddock, and whiting group.--Also POLL'OCK. [Celt., as in Gael.
_pollag_, a whiting.]
POLLAN, pol'an, _n._ a fresh-water fish of the family _Salmonidæ_, a native
of lakes in Ireland.
POLLARD, pol'ard, _n._ a tree having the whole crown cut off, leaving it to
send out new branches from the top of the stem: an animal without horns: a
coarse kind of bran from wheat.--_v.t._ to make a pollard of. [Cf. _Poll_,
the head.]
POLLAXE. Same as POLEAXE.
POLLEN, pol'en, _n._ the fertilising powder contained in the anthers of
flowers: the male or fecundating element in flowers.--_v.t._ to cover with
pollen.--_adj._ POLLEN[=A]'RIOUS, consisting of pollen.--_v.t._ POLL'ENISE,
to supply with pollen.--_n._ POLL'EN-TUBE, the tube by which the
fecundating element is conveyed to the ovule.--_adj._ POLL'INAR, covered
with a fine dust like pollen.--_v.t._ POLL'INATE, to convey pollen to the
stigma of.--_n._ POLLIN[=A]'TION, the transferring or supplying of pollen
to the stigma of a flower, esp. by aid of insects or other external
agents.--_adj._ POLLINIF'EROUS, bearing pollen.--_n._ POLLIN'IUM, an
agglutinated mass of pollen grains.--_adjs._ POLLINIV'OROUS, feeding upon
pollen; POLL'INOSE, covered with a powdery substance like pollen. [L., fine
flour.]
POLLENT, pol'ent, _adj._ powerful: strong. [L. _pollens_, _-entis_, pr.p.
of _poll[=e]re_, to be strong.]
POLLEX, pol'eks, _n._ the thumb or the great-toe:--_pl._ POLLICES
(pol'i-s[=e]z).--_adj._ POLL'ICAL. [L., the thumb.]
POLLICITATION, po-lis-i-t[=a]'shun, _n._ a promise, a paper containing
such: a promise without mutuality.
POLLIWIG, pol'i-wig, _n._ a tadpole.--Also POLL'YWIG.
POLLUSION, pol-l[=u]'shun, _n._ (_Shak._) for _allusion_.
POLLUTE, pol-l[=u]t', _v.t._ to soil: to defile: to make foul: to taint: to
corrupt: to profane: to violate.--_adj._ defiled.--_adj._
POLLUT'ED.--_adv._ POLLUT'EDLY.--_ns._ POLLUT'EDNESS; POLLUT'ER;
POLL[=U]'TION, act of polluting: state of being polluted: defilement. [L.
_pollu[)e]re_, _pollutus_--_pol_, towards, _lu[)e]re_, to wash.]
POLLUX, pol'uks, _n._ (_myth._) the twin brother of Castor: a star in the
constellation of the twins. [L.]
POLLY. See POLL (2).
POLO, p[=o]'lo, _n._ an equestrian game, which may be shortly described as
hockey on horseback--of Oriental origin and high antiquity.
POLO, p[=o]'lo, _n._ a Spanish gipsy dance.
POLONAISE, p[=o]-l[=o]-n[=a]z', _n._ a light kind of gown looped up at the
sides to show an ornamented petticoat: a short overcoat bordered with fur:
a Polish national dance of slow movement in ¾ time, during which the
dancers march or promenade: music for such a dance. [Fr., 'Polish.']
POLONY, po-l[=o]'ni, _n._ a dry sausage made of meat partly cooked. [Prob.
a corr. of _Bologna sausage_.]
POLT, p[=o]lt, _n._ a blow.
POLTROON, pol-tr[=oo]n', _n._ an idle, lazy fellow: a coward: a dastard:
one without spirit.--_adj._ base, vile, contemptible.--_n._ POLTROON'ERY,
laziness: cowardice: want of spirit. [Fr. _poltron_--It. _poltro_ (for
_polstro_), lazy--Ger. _polster_, a bolster.]
POLVERINE, pol'v[.e]r-in, _n._ the calcined ashes of a Levantine and Syrian
plant, used in glass-making. [It. _polverino_--L. _pulvis_, _pulv[)e]ris_,
dust.]
POLYACOUSTIC, pol-i-a-kowst'ik, _adj._ multiplying or magnifying
sound.--_n._ an instrument for effecting this.
POLYACT, pol'i-akt, _adj._ having numerous rays.--Also POLYAC'TINAL.
POLYAD, pol'i-ad, _n._ (_chem._) an element whose valence is greater than
two.
POLYADELPH, pol'i-a-delf, _n._ a plant having its stamens united in three
or more bundles by the filaments.--_n.pl._ POLYADEL'PHIA, the 18th class in
the Linnæan system.--_adjs._ POLYADEL'PHIAN, POLYADEL'PHOUS.
POLYANDRIA, pol-i-an'dri-a, _n._ a class of plants in the Linnæan system,
having more than twenty stamens inserted on the receptacle.--_adjs._
POLYAN'DRIAN, POLYAN'DROUS.--_n._ POLYAN'DRY, the social usage of some
races in certain stages of civilisation in which the woman normally forms a
union with several husbands. [Gr. _polys_, many, _an[=e]r_, _andros_, a
man.]
POLYANTHUS, pol-i-an'thus, _n._ a kind of primrose much prized and
cultivated by florists:--_pl._ POLYAN'THUSES.--_n._ POLYAN'THEA, a
note-book for keeping choice quotations. [Gr. _polys_, many, _anthos_, a
flower.]
POLYARCHY, pol'i-ar-ki, _n._ government by many persons of whatever
class.--_n._ POL'YARCHIST. [Gr. _polys_, many, _archein_, to rule.]
POLYATOMIC, pol-i-a-tom'ik, _adj._ (_chem._) noting elements or radicals
with an equivalency greater than two: with more than one atom in the
molecule.
POLYAUTOGRAPHY, pol-i-aw-tog'ra-fi, _n._ the art of multiplying copies of
one's own handwriting.
POLYBASIC, pol-i-b[=a]'sik, _adj._ (_chem._) capable of combining with more
than two univalent bases.
POLYCARPIC, pol-i-kar'pik, _adj._ fruiting many times or year after year.
POLYCARPOUS, pol-i-kar'pus, _adj._ having the fruit composed of two or more
distinct carpels.
POLYCHORD, pol'i-kord, _adj._ having many chords.
POLYCHRESTIC, pol-i-kres'tik, _adj._ admitting of use in various
ways.--_n._ POL'YCHRESTY.
POLYCHROITE, pol-i-kr[=o]'[=i]t, _n._ safranine.
POLYCHROMATIC, pol-i-kr[=o]-mat'ik, _adj._ many-coloured--also
POLYCHR[=O]'MIC.--_adj._ POL'YCHROME, having, or tinted with, several or
many colours.--_n._ POL'YCHROMY, decoration or execution in many colours,
esp. of statuary or buildings.
POLYCLADOUS, pol-i-kl[=a]'dus, _adj._ much-branched.--_n._ POL'YCL[=A]DY,
the production of a number of branches where there is normally but one.
POLYCOTYLEDON, pol-i-kot-i-l[=e]'don, _n._ a plant whose embryo has more
than two cotyledons or seed-lobes.--_adj._ POLYCOTYL[=E]'DONOUS.
POLYCRACY, p[=o]-lik'r[=a]-si, _n._ government by many rulers.
POLYCROTIC, pol-i-krot'ik, _adj._ having several beats--of pulses.
POLYDACTYL, pol-i-dak'til, _adj._ having many digits.--_n._ a polydactyl
animal.--_n._ POLYDAC'TYLISM, the condition of having many digits.--_adj._
POLYDAC'TYLOUS.
POLYDIPSIA, pol-i-dip'si-a, _n._ excessive thirst. [Gr. _polys_, much,
_dipsa_, thirst.]
POLYERGIC, pol-i-er'jik, _adj._ acting in many ways.
POLYFOIL, pol'i-foil, _n._ an opening or ornament consisting of several
combined foliations, a combination of more than five foils.--Also _adj._
POLYGALACEÆ, pol-i-g[=a]-l[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], _n.pl._ an order of polypetalous
plants--the milkwort family.
POLYGAMY, p[=o]-lig'a-mi, _n._ the practice of having more than one wife at
the same time.--_n.pl._ POLYG[=A]'MIA, the 23d class in the Linnæan system,
embracing plants in which the stamens and pistils are separate in some
flowers and associated in others.--_adj._ POLYG[=A]'MIAN.--_n._
POLYG'AMIST.--_adj._ POLYG'AMOUS, relating to polygamy: (_bot._) a term
applied to plants which bear both unisexual and hermaphrodite flowers,
either on the same or on different individual plants. [Gr.,--_polys_, many,
_gamos_, marriage.]
POLYGASTRIC, pol-i-gas'trik, _adj._ having, or appearing to have, many
stomachs, as an animalcule.--Also POLYGAS'TRIAN.
POLYGENESIS, pol-i-jen'e-sis, _n._ origin from many separate germs: the
theory that organisms sprang from different cells.--_adjs._ POLYGENET'IC,
POLYGEN'IC, POLYG'ENOUS.--_ns._ POLYG'ENISM; POLYG'ENIST; POLYG'ENY, the
multiple genesis of man.
POLYGLOT, pol'i-glot, _adj._ having or containing many languages.--_n._ a
collection of versions in different languages of the same work, esp. a
Bible of this kind: one who understands many languages.--_adjs._
POLYGLOT'TIC, POLYGLOT'TOUS. [Gr. _polys_, many, _gl[=o]tta_, the tongue.]
POLYGON, pol'i-gon, _n._ a plane figure bound by a number of straight
lines: a figure of many angles.--_adjs._ POLYG'ONAL, POLYG'ONOUS. [L.,--Gr.
_polyg[=o]non_--_polys_, many, _g[=o]nia_, a corner.]
POLYGONUM, po-lig'o-num, _n._ a kind of plant with many joints, as the
bistort, knotweed, &c.--_n.pl._ POLYGON[=A]'CEÆ, an order of apetalous
plants, mostly herbs--the buckwheat family. [Gr. _polys_, many, _gonu_, a
knee.]
POLYGRAM, pol'i-gram, _n._ a figure consisting of many lines.--_adj._
POLYGRAMMAT'IC.
POLYGRAPH, pol'i-graf, _n._ an instrument for multiplying copies of a
writing: a collection of different books.--_adjs._ POLYGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_n._
POLYG'RAPHY, voluminous writing: art of writing in various ciphers.
POLYGYNY, p[=o]-lij'i-ni, _n._ polygamy.--_n._ POL'YGYN, a plant of the
order POLYGYN'IA (_pl._), the 12th order in the first 13 classes of the
Linnæan artificial system of plants, embracing those having flowers with
more than twelve styles.--_adjs._ POLYGYN'IAN, POLYGYN'IC, POLYG'YNOUS.
[Gr. _polys_, many, _gyn[=e]_, woman.]
POLYHEDRON, pol-i-h[=e]'dron, _n._ a solid body with many bases or
sides.--_adjs._ POLYH[=E]'DRAL, POLYH[=E]'DRICAL, POLYH[=E]'DROUS. [Gr.
_polys_, many, _hedra_, a base.]
POLYHISTOR, pol-i-his'tor, _n._ a person of great and varied learning.
POLYHYMNIA, pol-i-him'ni-a, _n._ the muse of the sublime hymn. [Gr.
_polys_, many, _hymnos_, a hymn.]
POLYMATHY, p[=o]-lim'a-thi, _n._ knowledge of many arts and sciences.--_n._
POL'YMATH, a person possessing this.--_adj._ POLYMATH'IC.--_n._
POLYM'ATHIST.
POLYMERISM, p[=o]-lim'[.e]r-ism, _n._ a particular form of isomerism, the
property possessed by several compounds of having similar percentage
composition but different molecular weights. [Gr. _polys_, many, _meros_,
part.]
POLYMORPHOUS, pol-i-mor'fus, _adj._ having many forms: varying in
appearance: taking on many changes--also POLYMOR'PHIC.--_ns._ POL'YMORPH,
an organism showing polymorphism: a substance that crystallises in two or
more systems; POLYMOR'PHISM, the property of being polymorphous. [Gr.
_polys_, many, _morph[=e],_ form.]
POLYNESIAN, pol-i-n[=e]'zi-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Polynesia_, the
numerous groups of islands in the Pacific within or near the tropics.--_n._
a native of Polynesia. [Gr. _polys_, many, _n[=e]sos_, an island.]
POLYNOMIAL, pol-i-n[=o]'mi-al, _n._ an algebraic quantity of many names or
terms--same as _multinomial_--also POL'YNOME.--_adj._ of many names or
terms.--_n._ POLYN[=O]'MIALISM. [Gr. _polys_, many, L. _nomen_, a name.]
POLYONYMOUS, pol-i-on'i-mus, _adj_. having many names.--_n._ POL'YONYM, a
name consisting of several terms.--_adjs._ POLYON'YMAL; POLYONYM'IC, of
more than two terms.--_ns._ POLYON'YMIST; POLYON'YMY, multiplicity of names
for the same object.
POLYOPIA, pol-i-[=o]'pi-a, _n._ multiple vision.--Also POL'YOPY.
POLYOPTRUM, pol-i-op'trum, _n._ a glass through which objects appear
multiplied but diminished.--Also POLYOP'TRON.
POLYORAMA, pol-i-[=o]-ra'ma, _n._ an optical apparatus presenting many
views.
POLYP, POLYPE, pol'ip, _n._ a name usually applied to an animal like the
fresh-water hydra, having a tubular body, and a wreath of many tentacles
round the mouth: something with many feet or roots: a pedunculated tumour
attached to the surface of a mucous membrane--in the nose, &c.--also
POL'YPUS:--_pl._ POLYPES (pol'ips), POLYPI (pol'i-p[=i]).--_ns._ POL'YPARY,
the horny or chitonous outer covering of a colony of polyps; POL'YPIDE, an
individual zoöid of a polyzoarium or compound polyzoan; POLYP'IDOM, an
aggregate of polypites or polypides; POL'YPIER, one individual of a
compound polyp: a polypidom, polypary, or polyp-stock.--_adj._ POL'YPOUS.
[Gr. _polypous_--_polys_, many, _pous_, foot.]
POLYPETALOUS, pol-i-pet'al-us, _adj._ with many petals. [Gr. _polys_, many,
_petalon_, a leaf.]
POLYPHAGOUS, p[=o]-lif'a-gus, _adj._ eating many different kinds of food.
POLYPHARMACY, pol-i-fär'ma-si _n._ the prescribing of too many medicines.
POLYPHLOESBOEAN, pol-i-fles-b[=e]'an, _adj._ loud-roaring. [Homer's
frequent description of the sea, _polys_, much, _phloisbos_, noise.]
POLYPHONIC, pol-i-fon'ik, _adj._ capable of being read in more than one
way: noting a musical composition of two or more parts, each with an
independent melody of its own.--_ns._ POL'YPH[=O]NISM, POLYPH'ONY;
POL'YPH[=O]NIST, a ventriloquist: a contrapuntist. [Gr. _polys_, many,
_ph[=o]n[=e]_, a voice.]
POLYPHYLETIC, pol-i-f[=i]-let'ik, _adj._ pertaining to many tribes or
families: pertaining to the theory that animals are derived from several
sources.
POLYPHYLLOUS, pol-i-fil'us, _adj._ many-leafed.
POLYPLASTIC, pol-i-plas'tik, _adj._ having or assuming many forms.
POLYPODE, pol'i-p[=o]d, _n._ an animal with many feet. [Gr.
_polypous_--_polys_, many, _pous_, _podos_, a foot.]
POLYPODIUM, pol-i-p[=o]'di-um, _n._ a genus of ferns with spore-cases on
the back of the frond, distinct, ring-shaped, in roundish _sori_, destitute
of _indusium_.--_n._ POL'YPODY, a fern of the genus _Polypodium_, having
the seed-clusters round, and on each side of the midrib. [Gr. _polys_,
many, _pous_, a foot.]
POLYPOROUS, p[=o]-lip'[=o]-rus, _adj._ having many pores.
POLYPORUS, p[=o]-lip'or-us, _n._ a large genus of pore-bearing fungus,
which grows on trees, from which amadou is prepared. [Gr. _polys_, many,
_poros_, a passage.]
POLYPTERUS, p[=o]-lip'te-rus, _n._ a genus of Ganoid fishes of one species,
in the Nile and elsewhere. [Gr. _polys_, many, _pteron_, a wing.]
POLYRHIZOUS, pol-i-r[=i]'zus, _adj._ possessing numerous rootlets.--Also
POLYRH[=I]'ZAL.
POLYSCOPE, pol'i-sk[=o]p, _n._ a multiplying lens: (_surg._) an instrument
for throwing light into cavities of the body.
POLYSEPALOUS, pol-i-sep'a-lus, _adj._ having the sepals separate from each
other.
POLYSPERM, pol'i-sperm, _n._ a tree whose fruit contains many
seeds.--_adjs._ POLYSPER'MAL, POLYSPER'MOUS, containing many seeds.
POLYSPOROUS, pol-i-sp[=o]'rus, _adj._ producing many spores.
POLYSTIGMOUS, pol-i-stig'mus, _adj._ having many carpels.
POLYSTOME, pol'i-st[=o]m, _n._ an animal with many mouths.--_adj._
POLYSTOM'ATOUS.
POLYSTYLE, pol'i-st[=i]l, _adj._ having many columns.--_adj._ POLYSTY'LOUS.
POLYSYLLABLE, pol'i-sil-a-bl, _n._ a word of many or of more than three
syllables.--_adjs._ POLYSYLLAB'IC, -AL.--_ns._ POLYSYLLAB'ICISM,
POLYSYLL'ABISM.
POLYSYLLOGISM, pol-i-sil'[=o]-jizm, _n._ a combination of
syllogisms.--_adj._ POLYSYLLOGIS'TIC.
POLYSYMMETRICAL, pol-i-si-met'ri-kal, _adj._ divisible into exactly similar
halves by more than one plane.--_adv._ POLYSYMMET'RICALLY.--_n._
POLYSYM'METRY.
POLYSYNDETON, pol-i-sin'de-ton, _n._ (_rhet._) figurative repetition of
connectives or conjunctions.
POLYSYNTHETIC, -AL, pol-i-sin-thet'ik, -al, _adj._ made up of many separate
elements: formed by the combination of many simple words, as words in the
native languages of America.--_n._ POLYSYN'THESIS.--_adv._
POLYSYNTHET'ICALLY.--_ns._ POLYSYNTHET'ICISM, POLYSYN'THETISM, the
character of being polysynthetic.
POLYTECHNIC, -AL, pol-i-tek'nik, -al, _adj._ comprehending many arts.--_n._
an exhibition of objects illustrating many arts: an institution in which
many arts are taught.--_ns._ POLYTECH'NICS, the science of the mechanical
arts; POLYTECH'NIQUE, or POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL, an industrial school in which
the technical sciences that rest in great part upon a mathematical basis,
such as engineering, architecture, &c., are taught. [Gr. _polys_, many,
_techn[=e]_, an art.]
POLYTHALAMOUS, pol-i-thal'a-mus, _adj._ having many cells or chambers.
POLYTHEISM, pol'i-th[=e]-izm, _n._ the doctrine of a plurality of
gods.--_v.i._ POL'YTHEISE, to adhere to, or conform to, polytheism.--_n._
POL'YTHEIST, a believer in many gods.--_adjs._ POLYTHEIST'IC, -AL.--_adv._
POLYTHEIST'ICALLY. [Gr. _polys_, many, _theos_, a god.]
POLYTOCOUS, p[=o]-lit'[=o]-kus, _adj._ producing many or several at a
birth.
POLYTRICHUM, p[=o]-lit'ri-kum, _n._ a genus of mosses, widely distributed
in north temperate and arctic countries.--_adj._ POLYT'RICHOUS, very hairy,
densely ciliate. [Gr. _polys_, many, _thrix_, _thrichos_, hair.]
POLYTYPE, pol'i-t[=i]p, _n._ a cast or fac-simile of an engraving, matter
in type, &c., produced by pressing a wood-cut or other plate into
semi-fluid metal.--_v.t._ to reproduce by polytypage--also _adj._--_n._
POL'YTYPAGE, stereotyping by the above method.
POLYZOA, pol-i-z[=o]'a, _n.pl._ a class of animals forming a crust on
stones, shells, &c. under water:--_sing._ POLYZ[=O]'AN,
POLYZ[=O]'ON.--_adjs._ POL'YZOAN, POLYZO[=A]'RIAL.--_ns._ POLYZO[=A]'RIUM,
a compound polyzoan; POLYZ[=O]'ARY, the polypary or polypidom of a
polyzoan.--_adjs._ POLYZ[=O]'IC, filled with imaginary animals, zoolatrous;
POLYZ[=O]'ÖID, consisting of many zoöids. [Gr. _polys_, many, _z[=o]on_, an
animal.]
POLYZONAL, pol-i-z[=o]'nal, _adj._ composed of many zones or belts.
POMADE, po-m[=a]d', _n._ a preparation of fine inodorous fat, such as lard
or suet, used instead of liquid oil for the hair--also POM[=A]'TUM.--_v.t._
to anoint with pomade. [Fr. _pommade_--It. _pomada_, _pommata_,
lip-salve--L. _pomum_, an apple.]
POMANDER, p[=o]-man'd[.e]r, _n._ (_Shak._) a perfumed ball, or box
containing perfumes, formerly supposed to ward off infection. [O. Fr.
_pomme d'ambre_, apple of amber.]
POME, p[=o]m, _n._ an apple or a fruit like an apple: a small globe of
silver or the like, filled with hot water, on which in cold weather the
priest at mass warms his numbed hands.--_n._ POM'ACE, the substance of
apples or similar fruit: fish-scrap.--_n.pl._ POM[=A]'CEÆ, a suborder of
_Rosaceæ_--the apple family--also POME'Æ.--_adj._ POM[=A]'CEOUS, relating
to, consisting of, or resembling apples: like pomace.--_ns._ POME'-CIT'RON,
a variety of apple; POM'EROY, the king-apple; POME'-WA'TER (_Shak._), a
sweet, juicy apple; POMICUL'TURE, pomology.--_adjs._ POMIF'EROUS (_bot._),
pome-bearing, applied to all plants producing the larger fruits, as
distinguished from berry-bearing; POMOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ POMOL'OGIST;
POMOL'OGY, the science of garden-fruits. [L. _pomum_, an apple.]
POMEGRANATE, pom'gran-[=a]t, _n._ a fruit much cultivated in warm
countries, as large as a medium-sized orange, having a thick leathery rind
filled with numerous seeds. [O. Fr. _pome grenate_--L. _pomum_, an apple,
_granatum_, having many grains.]
POMERANIAN, pom-e-r[=a]'ni-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Pomerania_ in northern
Prussia.--POMERANIAN, or SPITZ, DOG, a cross from the Eskimo dog, about the
size of a spaniel, with a sharp-pointed face and an abundant white, creamy,
or black coat.
POMFRET-CAKE, pom'fret-k[=a]k, _n._ a liquorice-cake. [_Pontefract_ in
Yorkshire.]
POMMEL, pum'el, _n._ a knob or ball: the knob on a sword-hilt: the high
part of a saddle-bow.--_v.t._ to beat as with a pommel, or with anything
thick or heavy: to beat soundly: to bruise:--_pr.p._ pomm'elling; _pa.t._
and _pa.p._ pomm'elled.--_adjs._ POMM'ELED, POMM'ELLED (_her._), having a
rounded knob ending in a smaller one; POMM'ETTY, ending in a small knob,
esp. of a cross--also POMM'ELÉ. [O. Fr. _pomel_ (Fr. _pommeau_)--L.
_pomum_, an apple.]
POMONA, pom-[=o]'na, _n._ the goddess of fruit and garden produce.
[L.--_pomum_, fruit, apple.]
POM-POM, pom-pom, _n._ the name given to a one-pounder quick-firing shell
gun, from its sound.
POMP, pomp, _n._ a splendid procession: great show or display: ceremony:
splendour: ostentation: grandeur.--_adv._ POMP[=O]'SO (_mus._), in a
dignified style.--_adj._ POMP'OUS, displaying pomp or grandeur: grand:
magnificent: dignified: boastful, self-important.--_adv._
POMP'OUSLY.--_ns._ POMP'OUSNESS, POMPOS'ITY. [Fr. _pompe_--L. _pompa_--Gr.
_pomp[=e]_--_pempein_, to send.]
POMPADOUR, pom'pa-d[=oo]r, _n._ an 18th-century head-dress, a fashion of
dressing women's hair by brushing it up from the forehead and rolling it
over a cushion: a corsage with low square neck: a pattern for silk, with
leaves and flowers pink, blue, and gold. [Marquise de _Pompadour_,
1721-64.]
POMPEIAN, pom-p[=e]'an, _adj._ pertaining to _Pompeii_, a city buried by an
eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., excavated since 1755.--_n._
POMPEI'AN-RED, a red colour like that on the walls of Pompeian houses.
POMPELMOOSE, pom'pel-m[=oo]s, _n._ the shaddock.--Also POM'PELMOUS,
POM'PELO, PUM'ELO.
POMPHOLYX, pom'f[=o]-liks, _n._ a vesicular eruption chiefly on the palms
and soles. [Gr.,--_pomphos_, a blister.]
POMPION=_Pumpion_.
POMPON, pom'pon, _n._ a tuft of feathers, &c., for a hat, the coloured
woollen ball on the front of a shako. [Fr.]
PONCEAU, pon-s[=o]', _n._ a corn-poppy: corn-poppy colour.
PONCEAU, pon-s[=o]', _n._ a small bridge or culvert. [Fr.]
PONCHO, pon'ch[=o], _n._ a cloak worn by South American Indians, a blanket
with a hole in the middle for the head: camlet or strong worsted.
POND, pond, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to ponder.
POND, pond, _n._ a pool of standing water.--_v.t._ to make into a
pond.--_v.i._ to collect into a pond.--_ns._ PON'DAGE, the amount of water
in a pond; POND'-LIL'Y, a plant of the aquatic genus _Nymphæa_;
POND'-TUR'TLE, a terrapin, a mud turtle; POND'WEED, a common aquatic herb.
[From A.S. _pyndan_, to shut in, thus a doublet of _pound_, an enclosure.]
PONDER, pon'd[.e]r, _v.t._ to weigh in the mind: to think over: to
consider.--_v.i._ to think (with _on_ and _over_).--_ns._ PONDERABIL'ITY,
PON'DERABLENESS.--_adjs._ PON'DERABLE, that may be weighed: having sensible
weight; PON'DERAL, ascertained by weight.--_ns._ PON'DERANCE,
PONDER[=A]'TION, weight; PON'DERER, one who ponders.--_adv._
PON'DERINGLY.--_ns._ PON'DERLING, a thing of little weight; PON'DERMENT,
the act of pondering.--_adj._ PON'DEROUS, weighty: massive: forcible:
important: clumsy or unwieldy by reason of weight.--_adv._
PON'DEROUSLY.--_ns._ PON'DEROUSNESS, PONDEROS'ITY, weight: heaviness: heavy
matter. [L. _ponder[=a]re_--_pondus_, _pond[)e]ris_, a weight.]
PONE, p[=o]n, _n._ (_U.S._) bread made from Indian corn.
PONENT, p[=o]'nent, _adj._ (_Milt._) western.
PONEROLOGY, pon-[=e]-rol'[=o]-ji, _n._ (_theol._) the doctrine of
wickedness. [Gr. _pon[=e]ros_, bad.]
PONGEE, pon-j[=e]', _n._ a soft kind of silk, woven in China from the
cocoons of a wild silkworm. [Chin.]
PONGO, pong'g[=o], _n._ a large anthropoid ape of Borneo.
PONIARD, pon'yard, _n._ a small dagger for stabbing.--_v.t._ to stab with a
poniard. [Fr. _poignard_--_poing_, fist (It. _pugno_)--L. _pugnus_.]
PONK, pongk, _n._ (_Spens._, _Shak._) a nocturnal spirit. [A false reading
for _pouke_=_Puck_.]
PONS, ponz, _n._ (_anat._) a part connecting two parts.--_adjs._ PON'TIC,
PON'TILE, relating to the pons of the brain.--PONS ASIN[=O]RUM, the asses'
bridge, a name given to Euclid, i. 5. [L., a bridge.]
PONTAGE, pont'[=a]j, _n._ a toll paid on bridges: a tax for repairing
bridges. [Low L. _pontagium_--L. _pons_, _pontis_, a bridge.]
PONTIC, pon'tik, _adj._ pertaining to the _Pontus_, Euxine, or Black Sea,
or the regions round it.
PONTIFF, pon'tif, _n._ (_R.C._) a bishop, esp. the pope--originally an
ancient Roman high-priest, the PON'TIFEX.--_adjs._ PONTIF'IC, -AL, of or
belonging to a pontiff or to a bishop, esp. the pope: splendid:
magnificent.--_n._ PONTIF'ICAL, an office-book of ecclesiastical ceremonies
proper to a bishop.--_adv._ PONTIF'ICALLY.--_n.pl._ PONTIF'ICALS, the dress
of a priest, bishop, or pope.--_n._ PONTIF'ICATE, the dignity of a pontiff
or high-priest: the office and dignity or reign of a pope.--_v.i._ to
perform the duties of a pontiff.--_n._ PON'TIFICE (_Milt._), bridge-work, a
bridge.--PONTIFICAL MASS, mass celebrated by a bishop while wearing his
full vestments. [Fr. _pontife_--L. _pontifex_, _pontificis_--_pon_s,
_pont-is_, a bridge, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]
PONTIL, pon'til, _n._ an iron rod used in glass-making for revolving the
glass while soft.--Also PONTEE', PON'TY. [Fr.,--_point_, a point.]
PONTINAL, pon'ti-nal, _adj._ bridging.--_n._ a bone of the skull of some
fishes.
PONTLEVIS, pont-lev'is, _n._ a drawbridge. [Fr.]
PONTOON, pon-t[=oo]n', _n._ a flat kind of boat used in forming a bridge
for the passage of an army: a bridge of boats: a lighter or barge used for
loading or unloading ships--also PON'TON.--_ns._ PONTONIER', PONTONNIER',
one who has charge of a pontoon; PONTOON'-BRIDGE, a platform or roadway
supported upon pontoons. [Fr. _ponton_--L. _pons_, a bridge.]
PONY, p[=o]'ni, _n._ a small horse--one less than 13 hands high: (_slang_)
£25: a key or translation of the writings of an author: a small glass of
beer.--_v.t._ to use a crib in translating.--_ns._ P[=O]'NY-CARR'IAGE, a
small carriage drawn by one or more ponies; P[=O]'NY-EN'GINE, a small
engine used for shunting wagons, &c.--JERUSALEM PONY, an ass. [Prob. Gael.
_poniadh_.]
POOD, p[=oo]d, _n._ a Russian weight, 36 lb. avoirdupois.
POODLE, p[=oo]'dl, _n._ one of a breed of small curly-haired pet dogs,
intelligent and affectionate. [Ger. _pudel_; Low Ger. _pudeln_, to waddle.]
POOH, p[=oo], _interj._ of disdain.--_v.t._ POOH'-POOH, to express contempt
for: to sneer at. [Imit.]
POOL, p[=oo]l, _n._ a small body of water: a deep part of a stream of
water.--_n._ POOL'ER, a stick for stirring a tan-vat. [A.S. _pól_ (Dut.
_poel_, Ger. _pfuhl_)--Celt., as Ir. and Gael. _poll_, W. _pwll_.]
POOL, p[=oo]l, _n._ the receptacle for the stakes in certain games: the
stakes themselves: a set of players at quadrille, &c.: a game played on a
billiard-table with six pockets by two or more persons.--_v.t._ to put into
a common fund for redistribution.--_v.i._ to form a pool. [Fr. _poule_,
orig. a hen--L. _pullus_, a young animal.]
POON, p[=oo]n, _n._ name of a tree of India and Burma, very commonly used
in the East Indies, particularly in shipbuilding, for planks and
spars.--_n._ POON'-WOOD, the wood of the tree.
POONAC, p[=oo]'nak, _n._ the cake left after expressing oil from coco-nut
pulp.
POOP, p[=oo]p, _n._ the hinder part of a ship: a deck above the ordinary
deck in the after part of a ship.--_v.t._ to strike the stern, break in the
stern of. [Fr. _poupe_--L. _puppis_, the poop.]
POOR, p[=oo]r, _adj._ having little or nothing: without means: needy:
spiritless: depressed: (_B._) humble: contrite: wanting in appearance:
lean: wanting in strength: weak: wanting in value: inferior: wanting in
fertility: sterile: wanting in fitness, beauty, or dignity: trifling:
paltry: dear (endearingly).--_ns._ POOR'HOUSE, a house established at the
public expense for sheltering the poor: an almshouse; POOR'JOHN (_Shak._),
a coarse kind of fish, the hake when salted.--_n.pl._ POOR'-LAWS, laws
providing for the support of the poor.--_adv._ POOR'LY.--_ns._ POOR'NESS;
POOR'-RATE, a rate or tax for the support of the poor; POOR'-ROB'IN, an
almanac; POOR'S'-BOX, a box for receiving contributions to the
poor.--_adj._ POOR'-SPIR'ITED, cowardly: mean.--_ns._ POOR'-SPIR'ITEDNESS,
cowardice; POOR'S'-ROLL (_Scots law_), the list of poor persons who are
litigants, but unable to pay the expenses of litigation, and therefore are
allowed to sue in _formâ pauperis_.--POOR MAN OF MUTTON (_Scot._), cold
mutton broiled, esp. the shoulder; POOR MAN'S HERB, the hedge-hyssop; POOR
WILL, a common American bird of the genus _Phalænoptilus_.--THE POOR, poor
people collectively: those depending on public or private charity. [O. Fr.
_poure_, _povre_ (Fr. _pauvre_)--L. _pauper_, poor.]
POORTITH, p[=oo]r'tith, _n._ (_Scot._) poverty.
POP, pop, _v.i._ to make a sharp, quick sound: to dart: to move quickly: to
propose marriage.--_v.t._ to cause to make a sudden report: to thrust
suddenly: to bring suddenly into notice: (_slang_) to pawn:--_pr.p._
pop'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ popped.--_n._ a sharp, quick sound or report:
an effervescent beverage: (_slang_) a pistol.--_adv._ suddenly.--_adj._
coming without warning.--_v.t._ POP'-CORN, to parch maize till it bursts
open.--_n._ corn so prepared.--_n.pl._ POP'-EYES, prominent eyes.--_ns._
POP'-GUN, a tube and rammer for shooting pellets, which makes a noise by
the expansion of compressed air; POP'PER, anything that makes a popping
sound; POP'-SHOP, a pawnshop; POP'-WEED, a name for the bladderwort.--POP
OFF, to disappear all at once; POP THE QUESTION, to make an offer of
marriage. [Imit.]
POPE, p[=o]p, _n._ the bishop of Rome, head of the R.C. Church: a priest of
the Eastern Church: the autocratic head of any church or
organisation.--_ns._ POPE'DOM, office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the
pope; POPE'HOOD, POPE'SHIP, the condition of being pope; POPE'LING, a
little pope; POP'ERY, the religion of which the pope is the head: Roman
Catholicism; POPE'S'-EYE, the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of
the thigh of an ox or a sheep; POPE'S'-HEAD, a long-handled brush;
POPE'S'-NOSE, the fleshy part of a bird's tail.--_adj._ POP'ISH, relating
to the pope or to popery: taught by popery.--_adv._ POP'ISHLY.--POPE JOAN,
a game at cards in which the eight of diamonds is removed. [A.S. _pápa_--L.
_papa_, a father.]
POPE, p[=o]p, _n._ a kind of perch. [Ety. obscure.]
POPINJAY, pop'in-j[=a], _n._ a parrot: a mark like a parrot, put on a pole
to be shot at: a fop or coxcomb. [O. Fr. _papegai_--Low L.
_papagallus_--Late Gr. _papagas_, a parrot; prob. Eastern.]
POPJOYING, pop'joi-ing, _n._ sport: amusement. [Perh. conn. with
_popinjay_.]
POPLAR, pop'lar, _n._ a tree common in the northern hemisphere, of rapid
growth, and having dioecious flowers arranged in catkins, both male and
female flowers with an oblique cup-shaped perianth. [O. Fr. _poplier_--L.
_p[=o]pulus_, poplar-tree.]
POPLIN, pop'lin, _n._ a kind of cloth consisting of a warp of silk and a
weft of worsted, the latter, being thicker than the former, giving a corded
appearance. [Fr. _popeline_. Ety. unknown.]
POPLITEAL, pop-li-t[=e]'al, _adj._ of or pertaining to the back of the
knee.--Also POPLIT'IC. [L. _poples_, _poplitis_, the hock.]
POPPET, pop'et, _n._ a puppet: a piece of timber used to support a vessel
while being launched: one of the heads of a lathe. [_Puppet._]
POPPLE, pop'l, _v.i._ to flow, to bob up and down.
POPPY, pop'i, _n._ a plant having large showy flowers, from one species of
which opium is obtained.--_adj._ POPP'IED, covered or filled with poppies:
listless, as the effects of opium.--_ns._ POPP'Y-HEAD, a carved ornament in
wood, often finishing the end of a pew; POPP'Y-OIL, a fixed oil from the
seeds of the opium-poppy. [A.S. _popig_--L. _papaver_, poppy.]
POPULACE, pop'[=u]-l[=a]s, _n._ the common people: those who are not
distinguished by rank, education, office, &c. [Fr.,--It. _popolazzo_--L.
_populus_, people.]
POPULAR, pop'[=u]-lar, _adj._ pertaining to the people: pleasing to, or
prevailing among, the people: enjoying the favour of the people: easily
understood: inferior: (_Shak._) vulgar.--_n._ POPULARIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._
POP'ULARISE, to make popular or suitable to the people: to spread among the
people.--_ns._ POP'ULARISER; POPULAR'ITY, POP'ULARNESS, quality or state of
being popular or pleasing to the people: favour with the people: a desire
to obtain favour with the people.--_adv._ POP'ULARLY.--_v.t._ POP'UL[=A]TE,
to people: to furnish with inhabitants.--_v.i._ to increase in
numbers.--_adj._ populous.--_n._ POPUL[=A]'TION, act of populating: the
number of the inhabitants of any place.--_adj._ POP'ULOUS, full of people:
numerously inhabited: (_Shak._) numerous.--_adv._ POP'ULOUSLY.--_n._
POP'ULOUSNESS. [Fr. _populaire_--L. _popularis_--_populus_, the people.]
PORAL, p[=o]'ral. See PORE.
PORBEAGLE, por-b[=e]'gl, _n._ a kind of tope or mackerel-shark. [Fr.
_porc_, a hog + Eng. _beagle_.]
PORCATE, por'k[=a]t, _adj._ ridged.
PORCELAIN, pors'l[=a]n, _n._ a fine earthenware, white, thin,
semi-transparent, first made in China: china-ware.--_adj._ of the nature of
porcelain.--_adjs._ POR'CEL[=A]NOUS, PORCELL[=A]'NEOUS,
POR'CELL[=A]NOUS.--_n._ POR'CELLANITE, a very hard, impure, jaspideous
rock.--CAST, or FUSIBLE, PORCELAIN, a milky glass made of silica and
cryolite with oxide of zinc; EGG-SHELL PORCELAIN, an extremely thin and
translucent porcelain; FALSE PORCELAIN, a name given to the artificial or
soft-paste porcelain; FRIT PORCELAIN, a name given to artificial soft-paste
English porcelain, from its vitreous nature; TENDER PORCELAIN, a ware
imitating hard-paste or natural porcelain. [O. Fr. _porcelaine_--It.
_porcellana_, the Venus' shell--L. _porcella_, a young sow--_porcus_, a
pig.]
[Illustration]
PORCH, p[=o]rch, _n._ a building forming an enclosure or protection for a
doorway: a portico at the entrance of churches and other buildings: the
public porch on the agora of Athens where Zeno the Stoic taught: (_fig._)
the Stoic philosophy. [O. Fr. _porche_ (It. _portico_)--L.
_porticus_--_porta_, a gate.]
PORCINE, por's[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling swine: swinish. [L.
_porcinus_--_porcus_, a swine.]
PORCUPINE, por'k[=u]-p[=i]n, _n._ one of the largest of rodent quadrupeds,
covered with spines or quills. [O. Fr. _porc espin_--L. _porcus_, a pig,
_spina_, a spine.]
PORE, p[=o]r, _n._ a minute passage in the skin for the perspiration: an
opening between the molecules of a body.--_adjs._ P[=O]'RAL, of or
pertaining to pores; P[=O]'RIFORM, in the form of a pore.--_ns._
P[=O]'RINESS, POROS'ITY, P[=O]'ROUSNESS, quality of being porous--opp. to
_Density_.--_adjs._ P[=O]'ROSE, containing pores; P[=O]'ROUS, P[=O]'RY,
having pores: that can be penetrated by fluid.--_adv._ P[=O]'ROUSLY.
[Fr.,--L. _porus_--Gr. _poros_, a passage.]
PORE, p[=o]r, _v.i._ to look with steady attention on: to study
closely.--_n._ P[=O]'RER. [_Peer_, to peep.]
PORGY, PORGIE, por'ji, _n._ a fish of the genus _Pagrus_.
PORIFERA, p[=o]-rif'e-ra, _n.pl._ sponges:--_sing._ POR'IFER.--_adjs._
PORIF'ERAL, PORIF'EROUS. [L. _porus_, a pore, _ferre_, to bear.]
PORISM, por'ism, _n._ a proposition affirming the possibility of finding
such conditions as will render a certain problem capable of innumerable
solutions.--_adjs._ PORISMAT'IC, -AL; PORIS'TIC, -AL, reducing a
determinate problem to an indeterminate. [Gr. _porizein_, to
procure--_poros_, a way.]
PORK, p[=o]rk, _n._ the flesh of swine: (_Milt._) a stupid fellow.--_ns._
PORK'-BUTCH'ER, one who kills pigs; PORK'-CHOP, a slice from a pig's rib;
PORK'ER, a young hog: a pig fed for pork; PORK'LING, a young pig;
PORK'-PIE, a pie made of pastry and minced pork.--_adj._ PORK'Y,
fat.--PORK-PIE HAT, a hat somewhat like a pie in shape worn by men and
women about the middle of the 19th century. [Fr. _porc_--L. _porcus_, a
hog.]
PORNOCRACY, p[=o]r-nok'r[=a]-si, _n._ the influence of courtezans--applied
esp. to the dominant influence of certain profligate women over the Papal
court in the earlier half of the 10th century.--_ns._ POR'NOGRAPH, an
obscene picture or writing; PORNOG'RAPHER, a writer of such.--_adj._
PORNOGRAPH'IC.--_n._ PORNOG'RAPHY, the discussion of prostitution: obscene
writing. [Gr. _porn[=e]_, a whore, _kratein_, to rule.]
POROSIS, p[=o]-r[=o]'sis, _n._ formation of callus, the knitting together
of broken bones.
POROTYPE, p[=o]'r[=o]-t[=i]p, _n._ a copy of an engraved print made by
placing it on chemically prepared paper and subjecting to the action of a
gas. [Gr. _poros_, a pore, _typos_, an impression.]
PORPENTINE, por'pen-t[=i]n, _n._ (_Shak._) a porcupine.
PORPESS, PORPESSE, por'pes, _n._ Same as PORPOISE.
PORPHYRIO, por-fir'i-[=o], _n._ a genus of _Rallidæ_, the hyacinthine
gallinules.
PORPHYROGENITUS, por-fir-[=o]-jen'i-tus, _n._ a title given to the
Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII. (912-959), meaning 'born in the
purple.'--_n._ PORPHYROGEN'ITISM, the Byzantine principle of the first son
born after his father's accession succeeding to the throne. [Gr.
_porphyra_, purple, _gennain_, to beget.]
PORPHYRY, por'fir-i, _n._ a very hard, variegated rock, of a purple and
white colour, used in sculpture (_porfido rosso antico_): an igneous rock
having a ground-mass enclosing crystals of feldspar or quartz.--_v.t._
POR'PHYRISE, to cause to resemble porphyry: to make of a spotted
appearance.--_n._ POR'PHYRITE, one of the crystalline igneous rocks, which
consists principally of plagioclase.--_adjs._ PORPHYRIT'IC,
PORPHYR[=A]'CEOUS, resembling or consisting of porphyry.--_n._ POR'PHYROID,
a crystalline and schistose rock containing porphyritic crystals of
feldspar. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr. _porphyrites_--_porphyra_, purple.]
PORPOISE, por'pus, _n._ a genus of Cetecea in the family _Delphinidæ_, 4 to
8 feet long, gregarious, affording oil and leather--anciently POR'PESS. [O.
Fr. _porpeis_--L. _porcus_, a hog, _piscis_, a fish.]
PORPORINO, por-p[=o]-r[=e]'n[=o], _n._ an old alloy of quicksilver, tin,
and sulphur, used in place of gold. [It.]
PORRACEOUS, po-r[=a]'shus, _adj._ greenish like the leek. [L. _porrum_, a
leek.]
PORRECTION, po-rek'shun, _n._ the action of delivering as by outstretched
hands.--_adj._ PORRECT', extended forward. [L., _porrig[)e]re_, to stretch
out.]
PORRIDGE, por'ij, _n._ a kind of pudding usually made by slowly stirring
oatmeal amongst boiling water: a kind of broth, made by boiling vegetables
in water. [Through O. Fr., from Low L. _porrata_--L. _porrum_, a leek. The
affix _-idge_ (= _-age_) arose through confusion with _pottage_.]
PORRIGO, po-r[=i]'g[=o], _n._ a general name for various skin
diseases.--_adj._ PORRIG'INOUS. [L.]
PORRINGER, por'in-j[.e]r, _n._ a small dish for porridge: (_Shak._) a
head-dress shaped like such a dish.--Also PORR'ENGER. [From
_porrige_=_porridge_, with inserted _n_ as in _passenger_.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ the larboard or left side of a ship.--_v.t._ to turn to
the left, as the helm.--_v.i._ to turn to larboard or left. [Ety. dub.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ martial music on the bagpipes. [Gael.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ bearing: demeanour: carriage of the body.--_v.t._ to
hold, as a musket, in a slanting direction upward across the body.--_ns._
PORTABIL'ITY, PORT'ABLENESS, the state of being portable.--_adj._
PORT'ABLE, that may be carried: not bulky or heavy.--_ns._ PORT'AGE, act of
carrying: carriage: price of carriage: a space between two rivers, canals,
&c., over which goods and boats have to be carried; PORT'ANCE (_Spens._),
carriage, bearing.--_adjs._ POR'T[=A]TE (_her._), in a position as if being
carried; POR'TATILE, portable; POR'TATIVE, easily carried.--_ns._
PORT'-CRAY'ON, a metallic handle for holding a crayon; PORTE'-BONHEUR', a
charm carried for luck; PORTE'-COCHÈRE, a carriage entrance leading from
the street into a building; PORTE'-MON'NAIE, a small clasped pocket-book
for holding money; PORT'-FIRE, a slow-match or match-cord. [Fr.,--L.
_port[=a]re_, to carry.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ a harbour: a haven or safe station for vessels: a place
from which vessels start, and at which they finish their voyages.--_n._
PORT'-AD'MIRAL, the admiral commanding at a naval port.--_n.pl._
PORT'-CHARG'ES, payments which a ship has to pay while in harbour.--_n._
PORT'-WARD'EN, the officer in charge of a port: a harbour-master.--PORT OF
CALL, a port where vessels can call for stores or repairs; PORT OF ENTRY, a
port where merchandise is allowed by law to enter.--_Free port_, a port
where no duty has to be paid on landing goods. [A.S. _port_--L. _portus_;
akin to L. _porta_, a gate.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ a gate or entrance, esp. of a walled town: an opening
in the side of a ship for light or air: an opening through which guns can
be fired: the lid of a porthole: a passage in a machine for oil, steam,
&c.--_n._ PORT'AGE (_Shak._), an opening. [Fr. _porte_--L. _porta_, gate.]
PORT, p[=o]rt, _n._ a dark-red wine from _Oporto_, Portugal.
PORTA, p[=o]r'ta, _n._ the part of an organ where its vessels and ducts
enter, esp. the transverse fissure of the liver: the foramen of Monro.
PORTAL, p[=o]rt'al, _n._ a small gate: any entrance: (_archit._) the arch
over a gate: the lesser of two gates.--PORTAL CIRCULATION, the capillary
transmission of venous blood from one organ to another in its passage to
the heart; PORTAL SYSTEM, the portal vein with its tributaries, &c.; PORTAL
VEIN, the vein which conveys to the liver the venous blood from intestines,
spleen, and stomach. [O. Fr. (Fr. _portail_)--Low L. _portale_--L. _porta_,
a gate.]
PORTCULLIS, p[=o]rt-kul'is, _n._ a sliding door of cross timbers pointed
with iron, hung over a gateway, so as to be let down in a moment to keep
out an enemy: (_her._) a lattice: one of the pursuivants of the English
College of Heralds: an Elizabethan coin bearing a portcullis on the
reverse.--_v.t._ to obstruct, as with a portcullis. [O. Fr.
_portecoulisse_--_porte_, a gate, _coulisse_, a groove--L. _col[=a]re_, to
strain.]
PORTE, p[=o]rt, _n._ the Turkish government, so called from the 'High
Gate,' or 'Sublime Porte,' the chief office of the Ottoman government.
PORTEND, por-tend', _v.t._ to indicate the future by signs: to betoken:
presage.--_n._ POR'TENT, that which portends or foreshows: an evil
omen.--_adj._ PORTENT'OUS, serving to portend: foreshadowing ill:
wonderful, dreadful, prodigious.--_adv._ PORTENT'OUSLY. [L.
_portend[)e]re_, _portentum_--_pro_, forth, _tend[)e]re_, to stretch.]
PORTER, p[=o]rt'[.e]r, _n._ a door-keeper or gate-keeper: one who waits at
the door to receive messages:--_fem._ PORT'ERESS, PORT'RESS.--_n._
PORT'ERAGE, the office or duty of a porter.--PORTER'S LODGE, a house or an
apartment near a gate for the use of the porter. [O. Fr. _portier_--Low L.
_portarius_--L. _porta_, a gate.]
PORTER, p[=o]rt'[.e]r, _n._ one who carries burdens for hire: a dark-brown
malt liquor, prob. because a favourite drink with London porters.--_ns._
PORT'ERAGE, carriage: charge made by a porter for carrying goods;
PORT'ER-HOUSE, a restaurant; PORT'ERHOUSE-STEAK (_U.S._), a choice cut of
beef-steak next to the sirloin.--_adv._ PORT'ERLY, like a porter: coarse.
[O. Fr. _porteur_--L. _port[=a]re_, to carry.]
PORTFOLIO, p[=o]rt-f[=o]'li-[=o], _n._ a portable case for loose papers,
drawings, &c.: a collection of such papers: the office of a minister of
state. [Sp. _portafolio_--L. _port[=a]re_, to carry, _folium_, a leaf.]
PORTHOLE, p[=o]rt'h[=o]l, _n._ a hole or opening in a ship's side for light
and air, or for pointing a gun through. [_Port_, a gate, and _hole_.]
PORTICO, p[=o]r'ti-k[=o], _n._ (_archit._) a range of columns in the front
of a building: a colonnade: a porch before the entrance to a building: the
Stoic philosophy:--_pl._ POR'TICOES, POR'TICOS.--_adj._ POR'TICOED,
furnished with a portico. [It.,--L. _porticus_, a porch.]
PORTIÈRE, por-ty[=a]r', _n._ a curtain hung over the door or doorway of a
room. [Fr.]
PORTIFORIUM, p[=o]r-ti-f[=o]'ri-um, _n._ a breviary:--_pl._
PORTIF[=O]'RIA.--Also PORT'FORY, PORT'OUS, PORT'UARY.
PORTIFY, p[=o]r'ti-f[=i], _v.t._ (_hum._) to give one's self undue
importance. [_Port_, the wine of that name, _-fy_, from L. _fac[)e]re_, to
make, from the saying, 'Claret would be port if it could.']
PORTION, p[=o]r'shun, _n._ a part: an allotment: fate: destiny: dividend:
the part of an estate descending to an heir: a wife's fortune.--_v.t._ to
divide into portions: to allot a share: to furnish with a portion.--_adj._
POR'TIONED, having a portion or endowment.--_ns._ POR'TIONER, one who
portions or assigns shares: (_Scots law_) the occupier of a small feu or
portion of land: one of two or more incumbents on a benefice at one time;
POR'TIONIST, one who has an academical allowance: the incumbent of a
benefice which has more than one rector or vicar.--_adj._ POR'TIONLESS,
having no portion, dowry, or property.--MARRIAGE PORTION, a gift given by a
parent or guardian to a bride on her marriage. [O. Fr.,--L. _portio_,
_portionis_, akin to _pars_, a part.]
PORTLAND VASE. See VASE.
PORTLY, p[=o]rt'li, _adj._ having a dignified port or mien: corpulent:
(_Shak._) swelling.--_n._ PORT'LINESS, state of being portly. [_Port_,
bearing.]
PORTMAN, p[=o]rt'man, _n._ an inhabitant of a port-town, or one of the
Cinque Ports.--_n._ PORT'-MOTE, a mote composed of such citizens.
PORTMANTEAU, port-man't[=o], _n._ a bag for carrying apparel, &c., on
journeys: a hook on which to hang clothing.--Also PORTMAN'TUA (_obs._).
[Fr.,--_porter_, to carry, _manteau_, a cloak.]
PORTOISE, p[=o]r'tiz, _n._ the gunwale of a boat.--Also PORT'LAST.
PORTRAIT, p[=o]r'tr[=a]t, _n._ the likeness of a person, esp. of his face:
a vivid description in words.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to portray.--_ns._
POR'TRAITIST, a portrait-painter; POR'TRAITURE, a likeness: the drawing of
portraits, or describing in words: a collection of pictures.--_v.t._
PORTRAY (p[=o]r-tr[=a]'), to paint or draw the likeness of: to describe in
words: (_obs._) to adorn.--_ns._ PORTRAY'AL, the act of portraying;
PORTRAY'ER.--COMPOSITE PORTRAITS, a method of indicating the facial
characteristics of a family or group of persons, while at the same time
suppressing the peculiarities of individual members. [O. Fr. _portrait_,
_portraire_--L. _pro_, forth, _trah[)e]re_, to draw.]
PORTREEVE, p[=o]rt'r[=e]v, _n._ once the name of the principal magistrate
in a port-town, esp. in London. [A.S. _portgeréfa_--_port_, a port,
_geréfa_, a reeve.]
PORTUGUESE, p[=o]r't[=u]-g[=e]z, _adj._ of or pertaining to _Portugal_ or
to its inhabitants.--_n._ the people, a single inhabitant, or the language
of Portugal.--PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR, a species of _Physalia_.
PORTULACEÆ, p[=o]r-t[=u]-l[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], _n.pl._ a natural order of
exogenous plants, shrubby or herbaceous, generally succulent, mostly
growing in dry places. [L. _portulaca_, purslane.]
PORZANA, p[=o]r-z[=a]'na, _n._ an old name of the small European water-rail
or crake.
POS, poz, _adj._ (_slang_) an abbreviation of _positive_.
POSADA, p[=o]-sä'dä, _n._ an inn. [Sp.,--_posar_, to lodge.]
POSAUNE, p[=o]-zow'ne, _n._ the trombone. [Ger.]
POSE, p[=o]z, _n._ a position: an attitude, either natural or
assumed.--_v.i._ to assume an attitude.--_v.t._ to put in a suitable
attitude: to posit. [Fr.,--_poser_, to place--Low L. _pausare_, to
cease--L. _pausa_, pause--Gr. _pausis_. Between Fr. _poser_ and L.
_pon[)e]re_, _positum_, there has been confusion, which has influenced the
derivatives of both words.]
POSE, p[=o]z, _v.t._ to puzzle: to perplex by questions: to bring to a
stand.--_ns._ P[=O]'SER, one who, or that which, poses: a difficult
question; P[=O]'SING.--_adv._ P[=O]'SINGLY. [M. E. _apposen_, a corr. of
_oppose_, which in the schools meant to 'argue against.']
POSÉ, po-z[=a]', _adj._ (_her._) standing still.
POSITION, po-zish'un, _n._ place, situation: attitude: a place taken or to
be taken by troops: state of affairs: the ground taken in argument or in a
dispute: principle laid down: place in society: method of finding the value
of an unknown quantity by assuming one or more values (_single_, when one
is assumed; _double_, when two).--_v.t._ POSIT (poz'it), to place in right
position or relation: to lay down as something true or granted.--_adj._
POSI'TIONAL.--STRATEGIC POSITION, a position taken up by troops to check
the movements of an enemy. [Fr.,--L.--_pon[)e]re_, _positum_, to place.]
POSITIVE, poz'i-tiv, _adj._ definitely placed or laid down: clearly
expressed: really existing: actual: not admitting of any doubt or
qualification: decisive: settled by distinct appointment: arbitrarily
prescribed, laid down--opp. to _Natural_: too confident in opinion: fully
assured: certain: (_gram._) noting the simple form of an adjective--as
_Positive degree_ of comparison: (_math._) greater than zero, to be added,
as _Positive quantity_: (_phot._) having the lights and shades in the
picture the same as in the original, instead of being reversed: (_electr._)
having a relatively high potential--opp. to _Negative_ (q.v.).--_n._ that
which is placed or laid down: that which may be affirmed: reality: a
positive picture--opp. to _Negative_.--_adv._ POS'ITIVELY.--_ns._
POS'ITIVENESS, state or quality of being positive: certainty: confidence;
POS'ITIVISM, actual or absolute knowledge; POS'ITIVIST, a believer in
positivism.--POS'ITIVISM, POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY, the philosophical system
originated by Comte (1798-1857)--its foundation the doctrine that man can
have no knowledge of anything but phenomena, and that the knowledge of
phenomena is relative, not absolute. [Fr.,--L. _positivus_, fixed by
agreement--_pon[)e]re_, to place.]
POSNET, pos'net, _n._ a small basin. [O. Fr. _pocenet_.]
POSOLOGY, p[=o]-sol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the science of quantity.--_adjs._
POSOLOG'IC, -AL. [Gr. _posos_, how much, _logia_, discourse.]
POSSE, pos'[=e], _n._ power: possibility.--POSSE COMITATUS, the power of
the county: the body of men entitled to be called out by the sheriff to aid
in enforcing the law. [L. _posse_, to be able.]
POSSESS, poz-zes', _v.t._ to have or hold as an owner: to have the control
of: to inform: to seize: to enter into and influence: to put (_one's self_)
in possession (_of_): (_Spens._) to achieve: (_Shak._) put in possession of
information, convince.--_adj._ POSSESSED', influenced by some evil spirit,
demented.--_n._ POSSES'SION, act of possessing: the thing possessed: a
country taken by conquest: property: state of being possessed, as by an
evil spirit: madness.--_adjs._ POSSES'SIONARY, POSSES'SIVE, pertaining to
or denoting possession.--_n._ POSSES'SIVE (_gram._), a pronoun denoting
possession: the possessive case.--_adv._ POSSES'SIVELY.--_n._ POSSES'SOR,
one who possesses: owner: proprietor: occupant.--_adj._ POSSES'SORY,
relating to a possessor or possession: having possession.--GIVE POSSESSION,
to put in another's power or occupancy; TAKE POSSESSION, to assume
ownership; WRIT OF POSSESSION, a process directing a sheriff to put a
person in possession of property recovered in ejectment. [Fr.,--L.
_possid[=e]re_, _possessum_.]
POSSET, pos'et, _n._ a dietetic preparation, made by curdling milk with
some acidulous liquor, such as wine, ale, or vinegar.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to
curdle.--POSSET CUP, a large cup or covered bowl for posset. [Prob. Ir.
_pusoid_, a posset; cf. W. _posel_.]
POSSIBLE, pos'i-bl, _adj._ that may be or happen: that may be done: not
contrary to the nature of things.--_n._ POSSIBIL'ITY, state of being
possible: that which is possible: a contingency.--_adv._ POSS'IBLY.
[Fr.,--L. _possibilis_--_posse_, to be able.]
POSSUM, pos'um, _n._ Same as OPOSSUM.
POST, p[=o]st, _n._ a piece of timber fixed in the ground, generally as a
support to something else: a pillar.--_v.t._ to fix on or to a post, or to
any conspicuous position, in a public place: to expose to public reproach,
to placard as having failed in an examination, &c.--_n._ POST'ER, one who
posts bills: a large printed bill or placard for posting.--FROM PILLAR TO
POST (see PILLAR). [A.S. _post_--L. _postis_, a doorpost--_pon[)e]re_, to
place.]
POST, p[=o]st, _n._ a fixed place, as a military station: a fixed place or
stage on a road: an office: one who travels by stages, esp. carrying
letters, &c.: a public letter-carrier: an established system of conveying
letters: (_Shak._) a post-horse: (_Shak._) haste: a size of writing-paper,
double that of common note-paper (so called from the water-mark, a
postman's horn).--_v.t._ to set or station: to put in the post-office:
(_book-k._) to transfer from the journal to the ledger: to supply with
necessary information, as to _post up_ (cf. _Well posted up_).--v.i to
travel with post-horses, or with speed.--_adv._ with posthorses: with
speed.--_ns._ POST'AGE, the act of going by post: journey: money paid for
conveyance of letters, &c., by post or mail; POST'AGE-STAMP, an adhesive
stamp for affixing to letters to show that the postal charge has been
paid.--_adj._ POST'AL, of or pertaining to the mail-service.--_ns._
POST'-BAG, a mail-bag; POST'-BILL, a way-bill of the letters sent from a
post-office; POST'BOY, a boy that rides posthorses, or who carries letters;
POST'-CARD, a stamped card on which a message may be sent by post;
POST'-CHAISE, POST'-CHAR'IOT, a chaise or carriage with four wheels let for
hire for the conveyance of those who travel with posthorses.--_v.i._
POST'-CHAISE, to travel by post-chaise.--_ns._ POST'-DAY, the day on which
the post or mail arrives or departs; POST'ER, one who travels by post:
(_Shak._) a courier: one who travels expeditiously: a posthorse.--_adj._
POST'-FREE, delivered by the post without payment.--_n._ POSTHASTE', haste
in travelling like that of a post.--_adj._ speedy: immediate.--_adv._ with
haste or speed.--_ns._ POST'-HORN, a postman's horn: a horn blown by the
driver of a mail-coach; POST'HORSE, a horse kept for posting; POST'HOUSE, a
house where horses are kept for the use of parties posting: a post-office;
POST'MAN, a post or courier: a letter-carrier; POST'MARK, the mark or stamp
put upon a letter at a post-office showing the time and place of reception
and delivery; POST'MASTER, the manager or superintendent of a post-office:
one who supplies posthorses: at Merton College, Oxford, a scholar who is
supported on the foundation; POST'MASTER-GEN'ERAL, the minister who is the
chief officer of the post-office department; POST'-OFF'ICE, an office for
receiving and transmitting letters by post: a department of the government
which has charge of the reception and conveyance of letters.--_adj._
POST'-PAID, having the postage paid, as a letter.--_ns._ POST'-TIME, the
time for the despatch or for the delivery of letters; POST'-TOWN, a town
with a post-office.--POSTAL NOTE, a note for a fixed designated sum issued
by a postmaster, payable at any office; POSTAL ORDER, an order issued by
the postmaster authorising the holder to receive at some particular
post-office payment of the sum marked on it. [Fr. _poste_--L. _pon[)e]re_,
_positum_, to place.]
POST, p[=o]st, _adv._ and _prep._ after, behind--in compounds as
_Post-abdominal_, _Post-anal_, _Post-axia_l, _Post-brachial_,
_Post-canonical_, _Post-clavicle_, _Post-embryonic_, &c.--_adj._
POST'-CLASS'ICAL, after those Greek and Latin writers styled classical, but
before the medieval.--_n._ POST'-COMMUN'ION, the part of the eucharistic
office after the act of communion.--_adj._ succeeding communion.--_v.t._
POSTDATE', to date after the real time.--_n._ a date on a letter later than
the real date on which it was written.--_adjs._ POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAL,
POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, being or happening after the deluge.--_ns._
POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, one who has lived since the deluge; POST'-EN'TRY, an
additional entry of merchandise at a custom-house.--_adjs._ POST'-EXIL'IC,
POST'-EXIL'IAN, after the time of the Babylonian captivity of the
Jews.--_ns._ POST'-EXIST'ENCE, future existence; POST'FIX, a letter,
syllable, or word fixed to or put after another word, an affix.--_v.t._
POSTFIX', to add to the end of another word.--_adjs._ POST'-GL[=A]'CIAL,
after the glacial epoch; POST'-GRAD'UATE, belonging to study pursued after
graduation; POST'-MERID'IAN, coming after the sun has crossed the meridian:
in the afternoon (written P.M.).--_n._ POST'-MILLEN[=A]'RIAN, one who
believes in post-millennialism.--_adj._ POST'-MILLENN'IAL.--_n._
POST'-MILLENN'IALISM, the doctrine that the second coming of Christ will
follow the millennium.--_adj._ POST'-MOR'TEM, after death.--_n._ a
post-mortem examination.--_adjs._ POST'-N[=A]'TAL, after birth;
POST'-N[=I]'CENE, after the first general council at _Nicæa_ in 325
A.D.--_n._ POST'-NOTE, a note issued by a bank, payable at some future
time.--_adj._ POST'-NUP'TIAL, being or happening after marriage.--_ns._
POST'-[=O]'BIT, a bond or security given by heirs and others entitled to
reversionary interests, whereby in consideration of a sum of money
presently advanced, the debtor binds himself to pay a much larger sum after
the death of some person, or of himself; POST'-POSI'TION, the state of
being put back or out of the regular place: (_gram._) a word or particle
placed after a word--opp. to a preposition, which is _placed
before_.--_adjs._ POST'-POS'ITIVE; POST'-REMOTE', more remote in subsequent
time or order; POST'-TER'TIARY, more recent than the Tertiary.--_n._ the
most recent geological division. [L.]
POST-CAPTAIN, p[=o]st'-kap't[=a]n, _n._ a captain in the British navy, so
called in contradistinction to a commander because his name was 'posted' in
the seniority list.
POSTE RESTANTE, p[=o]st res-tant', _n._ a place in a post-office where
letters are kept till called for. [Fr. _poste_, post-office, and pr.p. of
_rester_, to remain.]
POSTERIOR, pos-t[=e]'ri-or, _adj._ coming after: later in time or in
position: situated behind: hinder.--_n._ POSTERIOR'ITY, state of being
posterior--opp. to _Priority_.--_adv._ POST[=E]'RIORLY.--_n.pl._
POST[=E]'RIORS, short for posterior parts: (_hum._) the latter part,
buttock.--_n._ POSTER'ITY, those coming after: succeeding generations:
descendants: a race. [L., comp. of _posterus_, coming after--_post_,
after.]
POSTERN, p[=o]st'[.e]rn, _n._ a back door or gate: a small private door:
(_fort._) a covered passage between the main ditch and the outworks of a
fort, usually closed by a gate.--_adj._ back: private. [O. Fr. _posterne_,
_posterle_--L. _posterula_, a dim. from _posterus_.]
POSTHUMOUS, post'[=u]-mus, _adj._ born after the father's death: published
after the death of the author.--_adv._ POST'HUMOUSLY. [L. _posthumus_,
postumus, superl. of _posterus_, coming after--_post_, after.]
POSTICHE, pos-t[=e]sh', _adj._ added after the work is finished. [Fr.]
POSTIL, pos'til, _n._ a note in the margin of the Bible, so called because
written after the text or other words: a marginal note: (_R.C._) a homily
read after the gospel.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to make such notes.--_n._
POSTIL'LA, a sermon or homily explanatory of the gospel in the mass: any
sermon.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ POS'TILLATE, to write or deliver a
postil.--_ns._ POSTILL[=A]'TION; POS'TILLER, one who comments: a preacher.
[O. Fr. _postille_ (It. _postilla_)--Low L. _postilla_--L. _post illa_
(_verba_), after those (words).]
POSTILLION, p[=o]s-til'yun, _n._ a postboy: one who guides posthorses, or
horses in any carriage, riding on one of them. [Fr. _postillon_.]
POSTLIMINY, post-lim'i-ni, _n._ the right by which persons or things taken
in war by the enemy are restored to their former status upon their coming
again under the power of the nation to which they belonged: the return of a
prisoner, exile, &c. to his former status.--_adjs._ POSTLIM'INARY,
POSTLIMIN'IARY. [L. _postliminium_.]
POSTPONE, p[=o]st-p[=o]n', _v.t._ to put off to a future time: to defer: to
delay: to subordinate.--_n._ POSTPONE'MENT, act of putting off to an
after-time: temporary delay--also POSTP[=O]'NENCE (_obs._). [L.
_postpon[)e]re_, _-positum_--_post_, after, _pon[)e]re_, to put.]
POST-PRANDIAL, p[=o]st-pran'di-al, _adj._ after dinner. [L. _post_, after,
_prandium_, a repast.]
POSTSCRIPT, p[=o]st'skript, _n._ a part added to a letter after the
signature: an addition to a book after it is finished.--_adj._
POST'SCRIPTAL. [L., from _post_, after, _scriptum_, written, pa.p. of
_scrib[)e]re_, to write.]
POSTULATE, pos't[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to assume without proof: to take for
granted or without positive consent: (_eccles._) to ask legitimate
authority to admit a nominee by dispensation, when a canonical impediment
is supposed to exist.--_v.i._ to make demands.--_n._ a position assumed as
self-evident: (_geom._) a self-evident problem: a petition: a condition for
the accomplishment of anything.--_ns._ POS'TULANT, a candidate;
POSTUL[=A]'TION, the act of postulating: solicitation.--_adjs._
POS'TUL[=A]TORY, supplicatory: assuming or assumed without proof as a
postulate; POS'TURAL. [L. _postul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to
demand--_posc[)e]re_, to ask urgently.]
POSTURE, pos't[=u]r, _n._ the placing or position of the body, esp. of the
parts of it with reference to each other: attitude: state or condition:
disposition of mind.--_v.t._ to place in a particular manner.--_v.i._ to
assume an affected manner.--_ns._ POS'TURE-M[=A]'KER, POS'TURE-MAS'TER, one
who teaches or practises artificial postures of the body: an acrobat;
POS'TURER, POS'TURIST, an acrobat. [Fr.,--L. _positura_--_pon[)e]re_,
_positum_, to place.]
POSY, p[=o]'zi, _n._ a verse of poetry, esp. a motto or an inscription on a
ring: a motto sent with a bouquet: a bouquet. [_Poesy._]
POT, pot, _n._ a metallic vessel for various purposes, esp. for cooking: a
drinking vessel: an earthen vessel for plants: the quantity in a pot:
(_slang_) a large sum of money, a prize.--_v.t._ to preserve in pots: to
put in pots: to cook in a pot: to plant in a pot: to drain, as sugar, in a
perforated cask: to shoot an enemy.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to tipple:--_pr.p._
pot'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ pot'ted.--_n._ POT'-ALE, refuse from a grain
distillery.--_adj._ POT'-BELL'IED, having a prominent belly.--_ns._
POT'-BELL'Y, a protuberant belly; POT'-BOIL'ER, a work in art or literature
produced merely to secure the necessaries of life; POT'-BOY, a boy in a
public-house who carries pots of ale to customers; POT'-COMPAN'ION, a
comrade in drinking; POT'-HANG'ER, a hook on which to hang a pot; POT'-HAT,
a high-crowned felt hat, worn by men; POT'-HEAD, a stupid person; POT'HERB,
any vegetable which is boiled and used as food.--_n.pl._ POT'-HOLES, holes
in the beds of rapid streams, made by an eddying current of water, which
gives the stones a gyratory motion.--_ns._ POT'-HOOK, a hook hung in a
chimney for supporting a pot: a letter shaped like a pot-hook; POT'-HOUSE,
an ale-house; POT'-HUNT'ER, one who hunts or fishes for profit; POT'-LID,
the cover of a pot; POT'-LIQ'UOR, a thin broth in which meat has been
boiled; POT'-LUCK, what may happen to be in the pot for a meal without
special preparation; POT'-MAN, a pot-companion: a pot-boy; POT'-MET'AL, an
alloy of copper and lead; POT'-SHOP, a small public-house; POT'-STICK, a
stick for stirring what is being cooked in a pot; POT'STONE, a massive
variety of talc-schist, composed of a finely felted aggregate of talc,
mica, and chlorite.--_adj._ POT'-VAL'IANT, brave owing to drink.--POTTED
MEATS, meats cooked, seasoned, and hermetically sealed in tins or jars.--GO
TO POT, to go to ruin, originally said of old metal, to go into the
melting-pot; KEEP THE POT BOILING, to procure the necessaries of life; TAKE
POT-LUCK, to accept an invitation to a meal where no preparation for guests
has been made. [M. E. _pot_, from the Celt., as Ir. _pota_, Gael. _poit_,
W. _pot._]
POTABLE, p[=o]'ta-bl, _adj._ that may be drunk: liquid.--_n._ something
drinkable.--_n._ P[=O]'TABLENESS. [Fr.,--L. _potabilis_--_p[=o]t[=a]re_, to
drink.]
POTAMOLOGY, pot-a-mol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the scientific study of rivers.--_n._
POTAMOG'RAPHY.--_adj._ POTAMOLOG'ICAL.
POTASH, pot'ash, _n._ a powerful alkali, obtained from the ashes of
plants--also POTASS'.--_n._ POT'ASH-WA'TER, a kind of aerated water, which,
when of full medicinal strength, contains fifteen grains of the bicarbonate
of potash in each bottle--usually much less is put in. [_Pot ashes._]
POTASSA, p[=o]-tas'a, _n._ [Latinised form of _potash_.]
POTASSIUM, p[=o]-tas'i-um, _n._ the metallic base of the alkali potash--it
is of a bluish colour, and presents a strong metallic lustre. [_Potassa._]
POTATION, p[=o]-t[=a]'shun, _n._ act of drinking: a draught: the liquor
drunk.--_n._ POT[=A]'TOR, a drinker.--_adj._ P[=O]'T[=A]TORY. [L.
_potatio_--_p[=o]t[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to drink.]
POTATO, p[=o]-t[=a]'t[=o], _n._ one of the tubers of a plant almost
universally cultivated for food in the temperate parts of the globe: the
plant itself:--_pl._ POT[=A]'TOES.--_ns._ POT[=A]'TO-BEE'TLE, a North
American beetle which commits fearful ravages among potatoes;
POT[=A]'TO-BING (_Scot._), a heap of potatoes to be preserved;
POT[=A]'TO-B[=O]'GLE (_Scot._), a scarecrow; POT[=A]'TO-DISEASE', -ROT, a
destructive disease of the potato caused by a parasitic fungus;
POT[=A]'TO-FING'ER (_Shak._), a fat finger, used in contempt;
POT[=A]'TO-FLY, a dipterous insect of the same genus as the radish-fly,
whose maggots are often abundant in bad potatoes in autumn.--SMALL POTATOES
(_U.S._), anything petty or contemptible. [Sp. _patata_, _batata_, orig.
Haytian.]
POTCH, poch, _v.i._ (_Shak._) to thrust, to push. [Fr. _pocher_; from root
of _poke_.]
POTCHING-ENGINE, poch'ing-en'jin, _n._ in paper-making, a machine in which
washed rags are bleached.
POTEEN, POTHEEN, po-t[=e]n', _n._ Irish whisky, esp. that illicitly
distilled. [Ir. _poitim_, I drink.]
POTENT, p[=o]'tent, _adj._ strong: powerful in a physical or a moral sense:
having great authority or influence.--_n._ a prince, potentate.--_ns._
P[=O]'TENCE, power: (_her._) a marking of the shape of [T shape]: in
horology, the stud or counterbridge forming a step for the lower pivot of a
verge (also P[=O]'TANCE); P[=O]'TENCY, power: authority: influence;
P[=O]'TENTATE, one who possesses power: a prince.--_adj._ P[=O]TEN'TIAL,
powerful, efficacious: existing in possibility, not in reality: (_gram._)
expressing power, possibility, liberty, or obligation.--_n._ anything that
may be possible: a possibility: the name for a function in the mathematical
theory of attractions: the power of a charge or current of electricity to
do work.--_n._ P[=O]TENTIAL'ITY.--_adv._ P[=O]TEN'TIALLY.--_n._
P[=O]TEN'TIARY, a person invested with power or influence.--_v.t._
P[=O]TEN'TIATE, to give power to.--_n._ P[=O]'TENTITE, a blasting
substance.--_adv._ P[=O]'TENTLY.--_n._ P[=O]'TENTNESS.--POTENTIAL ENERGY,
the power of doing work possessed by a body in virtue of the stresses which
result from its position relatively to other bodies. [L. _potens_--_potis_,
able, _esse_, to be.]
POTENTILLA, p[=o]-ten-til'ä, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order
_Rosaceæ_, differing from _Fragaria_ (strawberry) in the fruit having a dry
instead of a succulent receptacle--well-known varieties are _silver-weed_
and _wild strawberry_.
POTHER, poth'[.e]r, _n._ bustle: confusion.--_v.t._ to puzzle: to perplex:
to tease.--_v.i._ to make a pother. [_Potter._]
POTICHE, p[=o]-t[=e]sh', _n._ a vase or jar of rounded form and short
neck.--_n._ POTICHOM[=A]'NIA, the process of coating glass vessels on the
inside with paper or linen decorations. [Fr.]
POTIN, p[=o]-tang', _n._ an old compound of copper, zinc, lead, and tin.
[Fr.]
POTION, p[=o]'shun, _n._ a draught: a liquid medicine: a dose. [Fr.,--L.
_potio_--_p[=o]t[=a]re_, to drink.]
POT-POURRI, p[=o]-p[=oo]-r[=e]', _n._ a ragout of meats, vegetables, &c.: a
mixture of sweet-scented materials, chiefly dried flowers: medley of
musical airs: a literary production composed of unconnected parts. [Fr.
_pot_, pot, _pourrir_, to rot--L. _putr[=e]re_, to putrefy.]
POTSHERD, pot'sh[.e]rd, _n._ a piece of a broken pot--(_obs._) POT'-SHARD,
POT'-SHARE. [_Pot_ and A.S. _sceard_, a shred--_sceran_, to divide.]
POTTAGE, pot'[=a]j, _n._ anything cooked in a pot: a thick soup of meat and
vegetables: oatmeal porridge.--_n._ POT'TINGER, a pottage-maker. [Fr.
_potage_--_pot_.]
POTTER, pot'[.e]r, _n._ one who makes earthenware.--_n._ POTT'ERY,
earthenware vessels: a place where earthenware is manufactured: the
business of a potter.--POTTER'S CLAY, clay used in the making of
earthenware; POTTER'S FIELD, a burial-place for strangers (Matt. xxvii. 7);
POTTER'S WHEEL, a horizontal wheel on which clay vessels are shaped.
POTTER, pot'[.e]r, _v.i._ to be fussily engaged about trifles: to
loiter.--_n._ POTT'ERER. [Prov. _pote_, to push.]
POTTING, pot'ing, _n._ placing in a pot, as plants: preserving in a pot, as
meats.
POTTLE, pot'l, _n._ a little pot: a measure of four pints: a small basket
for fruit.--_adjs._ POTT'LE-BOD'IED, having a body shaped like a pottle;
POTT'LE-DEEP, to the bottom of the tankard.--_n._ POTT'LE-POT (_Shak._), a
drinking-vessel holding two quarts. [_Pot._]
POT-WALLER, pot'-wol'[.e]r, POT-WALLOPER, pot-wol'op-[.e]r, _n._ a
pot-boiler: a voter in certain English boroughs where, before the Reform
Bill of 1832, every one who boiled a pot--i.e. every male householder or
lodger, was entitled to vote--also POT'-WALL'ONER.--_adj._ POT'-WALL'OPING.
[Lit., 'pot-boiler,' the latter part of the word being from an Old Low Ger.
_wallen_, to boil.]
POUCH, powch, _n._ a poke, pocket, or bag: the bag or sac of an
animal.--_v.t._ to put into a pouch: to pocket, submit to.--_adj._ POUCHED,
having a pouch.--POUCHED MOUSE, a genus of small, lean, long-tailed, agile
rodents, with cheek-pouches; POUCHED RAT, a genus of plump, short-tailed
rodents, with cheek-pouches which open externally. [O. Fr. _poche_; cf.
_Poke_, a bag.]
POUCHONG, p[=oo]-shong', _n._ a superior black tea.
POUDRETTE, p[=oo]-dret', _n._ manure of dried night-soil, charcoal, &c.
[Fr.]
POUFFE, p[=oo]f, _n._ in dressmaking, material gathered up into a kind of
knot: a cushion stuffed so as to be very soft.--_n._ POUF, plaited gauze
attached to a head-dress, as in 18th century. [Fr.]
POULAINE, p[=oo]-l[=a]n', _n._ a long, pointed shoe. [O. Fr.]
POULDRED, powl'drd, _adj._ (_Spens._) powdered.
POULP, POULPE, p[=oo]lp, _n._ the octopus. [Fr.--L. _polypus._]
POULT, p[=o]lt, _n._ a little hen or fowl: a chicken.--_ns._ POULT'ER
(_Shak._), POULT'ERER, one who deals in fowls; POULT'-FOOT, a
club-foot.--_adj._ POULT'-FOOT'ED (_arch._), club-footed.--_ns._ POULT'RY,
domestic fowls; POULT'RY-YARD, a yard where poultry are confined and bred.
[Fr. _poulet_, dim. of _poule_, fowl--L. _pullus_, the young of any
animal.]
POULTICE, p[=o]l'tis, _n._ a soft composition of meal, bran, &c. applied to
sores.--_v.t._ to put a poultice upon. [L. _pultes_, pl. of _puls_,
_pultis_ (Gr. _poltos_), porridge.]
POUNCE, powns, _v.i._ to fall (_upon_) and seize with the claws: to dart
suddenly (_upon_).--_v.t._ to ornament with small holes: to strike with the
claws.--_n._ a hawk's claw: the paw of a lion or other animal.--_adj._
POUNCED, furnished with talons. [Orig. to _pierce_, to stamp holes in for
ornament; through Romance forms, from L. _pung[)e]re_, _punctum_.]
POUNCE, powns, _n._ a fine powder for preparing a surface for writing on:
coloured powder sprinkled over holes pricked in paper to form a pattern on
paper underneath.--_v.t._ to sprinkle with pounce, as paper or a
pattern.--_ns._ POUNCE'-BOX, POUN'CET-BOX, a box with a perforated lid for
sprinkling pounce. [Fr. _ponce_, pumice--L. _pumex_, _pumicis_,
pumice-stone.]
POUND, pownd, _n._ long the unit of weight in the western and central
states of Europe, differing, however, in value in all of them--a weight of
16 oz. avoirdupois for general goods, the troy-pound of 12 oz. being for
bullion (the troy lb. is defined as 5760 grains, of which the lb.
avoirdupois contains 7000): the pound sterling, a money of account: a
sovereign or 20s., also represented in Scotland by a note (the POUND SCOTS
is 1/12th of the pound sterling, or 1s. 8d.--of its twenty shillings each
is worth an English penny): (_Spens._) a balance.--_v.t._ (_slang_) to
wager a pound on.--_ns._ POUND'AGE, a charge or tax made on each pound;
POUND'AL, a name sometimes used for the absolute foot pound second unit of
force, which will produce in one pound a velocity of one foot per second,
after acting for one second; POUND'-CAKE, a sweet cake whose ingredients
are measured by weight; POUND'ER, he who has, or that which weighs, many
pounds--used only after a number, as a 12-pounder.--_adj._ POUND'-FOOL'ISH,
neglecting the care of large sums in attending to little ones. [A.S.
_pund_--L. _pondo_, by weight, _pondus_, a weight--_pend[)e]re_, to weigh.]
POUND, pownd, _v.t._ to shut up or confine, as strayed animals.--_n._ an
enclosure in which strayed animals are confined: a level part of a canal
between two locks: a pound-net.--_ns._ POUND'AGE, a charge made for
pounding stray cattle; POUND'-KEEP'ER; POUND'-NET, a kind of weir in
fishing, forming a trap by an arrangement of nets (the _wings_, _leader_,
and _pocket_, _bowl_, or _pound_). [A.S. _pund_, enclosure.]
POUND, pownd, _v.t._ to beat into fine pieces: to bruise: to bray with a
pestle.--_v.i._ to walk with heavy steps.--_n._ POUND'ER. [M. E.
_pounen_--A.S. _punian_, to beat; _-d_ excrescent.]
POUR, p[=o]r, _v.t._ to cause to flow or fall in streams or drops: to throw
with force: to send forth in great quantity: to give vent to: to
utter.--_v.i._ to flow: to issue forth: to rush.--_n._ POUR'ER. [Celt., as
W. _bwrw_, to throw, Gael. _purr_, to push.]
POURBOIRE, p[=oo]r-bwor', _n._ drink-money: a bribe. [Fr. _pour_, for,
_boire_, to drink.]
POURPARLER, p[=oo]r-pär'l[=a], _n._ a conference to arrange for some
important transaction, as the formation of a treaty. [Fr. _pour_=L. _pro_,
before, _parler_, to speak.]
POURPOINT, p[=oo]r'point, _n._ a close-fitting men's quilted garment worn
in the 14th century.
POURTRAHED, p[=oo]r-tr[=a]d', _adj._ (_Spens._) portrayed or drawn.
POURTRAY. Same as PORTRAY.
POUSSE, pows, _n._ (_Spens._) pulse, pease. [_Pulse_ or _pease_.]
POUSSE-CAFÉ, p[=oo]s'-ka-f[=a]', _n._ a cordial served after coffee.
POUSSETTE, p[=oo]s-set', _v.t._ (_Tenn._) to waltz round each other, as two
couples in a contra-dance. [Fr. _poussette_, _pouser_, to push.]
POUT, powt, _v.i._ to push out the lips, in contempt or displeasure: to
look sulky: to push out or be prominent.--_n._ a fit of sulkiness or
ill-humour.--_ns._ POUT'ER, one who pouts: a variety of pigeon, having its
breast inflated; POUT'ING, childish sullenness.--_adv._ POUT'INGLY, in a
pouting or sullen manner. [Ety. dub.; cf. prov. Fr. _pot_, _pout_, lip, Fr.
_bouder_, to pout; W. _pwdu_, pout.]
POVERTY, pov'[.e]r-ti, _n._ the state of being poor: necessity: want:
meanness: defect.--_adjs._ POV'ERTY-STRICK'EN, POV'ERTY-STRUCK, reduced to
a state of poverty: in great suffering from poverty. [O. Fr. _poverte_ (Fr.
_pauvreté_)--L. _paupertas_, _-tatis_--_pauper_, poor.]
POWAN, pow'an, _n._ (_Scot._) the pollan, vendace, or Coregonus.
POWDER, pow'd[.e]r, _n._ dust: any substance in fine particles: gunpowder,
a mixture of charcoal, sulphur, and saltpetre: hair-powder.--_v.t._ to
reduce to powder: to sprinkle with powder: to salt by sprinkling.--_v.i._
to crumble into powder: to use powder for the hair.--_n._ POW'DER-BOX, a
box for toilet-powder, &c.--_adj._ POW'DERED, reduced to powder: sprinkled
with powder: salted.--_ns._ POW'DER-FLASK, POW'DER-HORN, a flask or horn
for carrying powder, fitted with a means of measuring the amount of each
charge; POW'DERING-GOWN, a loose dressing-gown worn while the hair was
being powdered; POW'DERING-TUB, a vessel in which meat is salted: a vessel
in which venereal disease is treated by sweating; POW'DER-MAG'AZINE, a
strongly built place where powder is stored; POW'DER-MILL, a mill in which
gunpowder is made; POW'DER-MINE, an excavation filled with gunpowder for
blasting rocks, &c.; POW'DER-MONK'EY, a boy formerly employed to carry
powder to the gunners on board a ship-of-war; POW'DER-ROOM, the room in a
ship where powder is kept.--_adj._ POW'DERY, resembling or sprinkled with
powder: dusty: friable. [O. Fr. _poudre_--L. _pulvis_, _pulveris_, dust.]
POWER, pow'[.e]r, _n._ that in a person or a thing which enables them to
act on other persons or things: strength: energy: faculty of the mind: any
agency: moving force of anything: right to command: rule: authority:
influence: ability: capacity of suffering: a ruler: a divinity: the result
of the continued multiplication of a quantity by itself any given number of
times: (_optics_) magnifying strength: (_obs._) a great many.--_adjs._
POW'ERED, having power; POW'ERFUL, having great power: mighty: intense:
forcible: efficacious.--_adv._ POW'ERFULLY.--_ns._ POW'ERFULNESS;
POW'ER-HOUSE, a house where mechanical power (esp. electric) is
generated.--_adj._ POW'ERLESS, without power: weak: impotent.--_adv._
POW'ERLESSLY.--_ns._ POW'ERLESSNESS; POW'ER-LOOM, a loom worked by some
mechanical power, as water, steam, &c.--POWER OF ATTORNEY (see ATTORNEY);
POWER OF SALE, a clause in securities and wills empowering property
referred to to be sold on certain conditions; POWERS, or GREAT POWERS (see
GREAT).--ABSOLUTE POWER, power subject to no control by law; CIVIL POWER,
power of governing a state; MECHANICAL POWERS (see MECHANICAL). [O. Fr.
_poer_ (Fr. _pouvoir_)--Low L. _pot-[)e]re_, to be able.]
POWSOWDY, pow-sow'di, _n._ (_Scot._) any mixture of heterogeneous kinds of
food.--Also POWSOW'DIE.
POWTER, pow't[.e]r, _n._ a pigeon, the pouter.
POWWOW, pow'wow, _n._ a Red Indian conjurer: a dance, feast, &c. before an
expedition: any rowdy meeting.--_v.i._ to hold such a meeting: to
deliberate: to perform conjurations.--Also PAW'WAW.
POX, poks, _n._ pustules: an eruptive disease. [Written for _pocks_, pl. of
_pock_.]
POYNANT, poin'ant, _adj._ (_Spens._). Same as POIGNANT.
POZZUOLANA. See PUZZOLANA.
PRACTICE, prak'tis, _n._ the habit of doing anything: frequent use: state
of being used: regular exercise for instruction: performance: method:
medical treatment: exercise of any profession: a rule or method in
arithmetic.--_ns._ PRACTICABIL'ITY, PRAC'TICABLENESS, quality of being
practicable.--_adj._ PRAC'TICABLE, that may be practised, used, or
followed: passable, as a road.--_adv._ PRAC'TICABLY.--_adj._ PRAC'TICAL,
that can be put in practice: useful: applying knowledge to some useful end:
derived from practice.--_ns._ PRACTICAL'ITY; PRAC'TICAL-JOKE, a trick of an
annoying kind played on any one; PRAC'TICAL-KNOWL'EDGE, knowledge which
results in action.--_adv._ PRAC'TICALLY, in a practical way: actually: by
actual trial.--_n._ PRAC'TICALNESS. [M. E. _praktike_--O. Fr.
_practique_--Gr. _praktikos_, fit for doing--_prassein_, to do.]
PRACTICK, PRACTIC, prak'tik, _adj._ (_Spens._, _Shak._) skilful, hence
treacherous, deceitful.
PRACTISE, prak'tis, _v.t._ to put into practice or to do habitually: to
perform: to exercise, as a profession: to use or exercise: to teach by
practice: to commit.--_v.i._ to have or to form a habit: to exercise any
employment or profession: to try artifices.--_n._ PRAC'TISANT (_Shak._), an
agent.--_adj._ PRAC'TISED, skilled through practice.--_n._
PRAC'TISER.--_adj._ PRAC'TISING, actively engaged in professional
employment. [From _practice_.]
PRACTITIONER, prak-tish'un-[.e]r, _n._ one who practises or is engaged in
the exercise of any profession, esp. medicine or law.--GENERAL
PRACTITIONER, one who practises in all the branches of medicine and
surgery. [Older form _practician_--O. Fr. _practicien_.]
PRACTIVE, prak'tiv, _adj._ directly tending towards action.
PRAD, prad, _n._ a horse in thieves' cant.
PRÆ-. See PRE-.
PRÆMUNIRE, PREMUNIRE, pr[=e]-m[=u]-n[=i]'re, _n._ the offence of disregard
or contempt of the king and his government, especially the offence of
introducing papal or other foreign authority into England: the writ founded
on such an offence: the penalty incurred by the offence. [A corr. of L.
_præmon[=e]re_, to cite.]
PRÆNOMEN, pr[=e]-n[=o]'men, _n._ the name prefixed to the family name in
ancient Rome, as _Caius_ in Caius Julius Cæsar: the generic name in zoology
put before the specific name.
PRÆTEXTA, pr[=e]-teks'ta, _n._ the outer garment, bordered with purple,
worn at Rome by the higher magistrates and by free-born children till they
assumed the _toga virilis_. [L., _prætex[)e]re_, to fringe.]
PRÆTOR, PRETOR, pr[=e]'tor, _n._ a magistrate of ancient Rome, next in rank
to the consuls.--_adjs._ PRÆT[=O]'RIAL, PRET[=O]'RIAL, PRÆT[=O]'RIAN,
PRET[=O]'RIAN, pertaining to a prætor or magistrate: authorised or
exercised by the prætor: judicial.--_ns._ PRÆT[=O]'RIUM, PRET[=O]'RIUM, the
official residence of the Roman prætor, proconsul, or governor in a
province: the general's tent in a camp: the council of officers who
attended the general and met in his tent; PRÆ'TORSHIP.--PRÆTORIAN BAND OF
GUARD, the bodyguard of the Roman Emperor; PRÆTORIAN GATE, the gate of a
Roman camp directly in front of the general's tent, and nearest to the
enemy. [L. _prætor_, for _præitor_--_præ_, before, _[=i]re_, _itum_, to
go.]
PRAGMATIC, -AL, prag-mat'ik, -al, _adj._ of or pertaining to public
business: skilled in affairs: active: practical: interfering with the
affairs of others: officious: meddlesome: self-important.--_n._ PRAGMAT'IC,
a man of business, a busybody: a public decree.--_adv._
PRAGMAT'ICALLY.--_ns._ PRAGMAT'ICALNESS, PRAG'MATISM, activity:
earnestness: meddlesomeness; PRAG'MATIST.--PRAGMATIC METHOD, a method of
treating events with reference to their causes, conditions, and
results--also called PRAG'MATISM; PRAGMATIC SANCTION, a special decree
issued by a sovereign, such as that passed by the Emperor Charles VI. of
Germany, securing the crown to Maria Theresa, and which led to the war so
called in 1741. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _pragmatikos_--_pragma_--_pragmatos_,
deed--_prassein_, to do.]
PRAIRIE, pr[=a]'ri, _n._ an extensive meadow or tract of land, level or
rolling, without trees, and covered with tall coarse grass.--_adj._
PRAI'RIED.--_ns._ PRAI'RIE-DOG, a small gregarious North American marmot;
PRAI'RIE-HAWK, the American sparrow-hawk; PRAI'RIE-HEN, a gallinaceous
North American bird: the sharp-tailed grouse; PRAI'RIE-WAR'BLER, an
American warbler, yellow with black spots; PRAI'RIE-WOLF, the coyote.
[Fr.,--Low L. _prataria_, meadow-land--L. _pratum_, a meadow.]
PRAISE, pr[=a]z, _n._ the expression of the honour or value in which any
person or thing is held: commendation on account of excellence or beauty:
tribute of gratitude: a glorifying, as of God in worship: reason or ground
of praise.--_v.t._ to express estimation of: to commend: to honour: to
glorify, as in worship.--_n._ PRAIS'ER, one who praises.--_adv._
PRAISE'WORTHILY.--_n._ PRAISE'WORTHINESS.--_adj._ PRAISE'WORTHY, worthy of
praise: commendable. [O. Fr. _preis_ (Fr. _prix_)--L. _pretium_, price.]
PRÂKRIT, prä'krit, _n._ the collective name of those languages or dialects
which are immediately derived from, or stand in an immediate relation to,
Sanskrit.--_adj._ PRÂKRIT'IC. [Sans. _pr[=a]krita_, the
natural--_prakriti_, nature.]
PRAM, präm, _n._ a flat-bottomed Dutch lighter: a barge fitted as a
floating battery. [Dut. _praam_.]
PRAM, pram, _n._ a vulgar abbrev. of _perambulator_.