LAMARCKISM, la-mär'kizm, _n._ the theory of the French naturalist, J. B. P.
A. de Monet de _Lamarck_ (1744-1829), that species have developed by the
efforts of organisms to adapt themselves to new conditions--also
LAMARCK'IANISM.---_adj._ LAMARCK'IAN.
LAMB, lam, _n._ the young of a sheep: the flesh of the young sheep: one
innocent and gentle as a lamb: the Saviour of the world.--_v.i._ to bring
forth young, as sheep.--_ns._ LAMB'-ALE, a feast at the time of
lamb-shearing; LAMB'KIN, LAMB'LING, LAMB'IE (_Scot._), a little
lamb.--_adj._ LAMB'-LIKE, like a lamb: gentle.--_ns._ LAMB'SKIN, the skin
of a lamb dressed with the wool on, for mats, &c.: the skin of a lamb
dressed for gloves: a kind of woollen cloth resembling this;
LAMB'S'-LETT'UCE (same as CORN-SALAD); LAMB'S'-WOOL, fine wool: a wholesome
old English beverage composed of ale and the pulp of roasted apples, with
sugar and spices.--THE LAMB, LAMB OF GOD, the Saviour, typified by the
paschal lamb. [A.S. _lamb_; Ger. _lamm_, Dut. _lam_.]
LAMBATIVE, lam'ba-tiv, _adj._ to be taken by licking.--_n._ a medicine of
such a kind.
LAMBDA, lam'da, _n._ the Greek letter corresponding to Roman _l_.--_n._
LAMB'DACISM, a too frequent use of words containing _l_: a defective
pronunciation of _r_, making it like _l_.--_adjs._ LAMB'DOID, -AL, shaped
like the Greek capital [GREEK: L]--applied in anatomy to the suture between
the occipital and the two parietal bones of the skull. [Gr.,--Heb.
_lamedh_.]
LAMBENT, lam'bent, _adj._ moving about as if touching lightly: gliding
over: flickering.--_n._ LAM'BENCY, the quality of being lambent: that which
is lambent. [L. _lambens_--_lamb[)e]re_, to lick.]
LAMBOYS, lam'boiz, _n.pl._ kilted flexible steel-plates worn skirt-like
from the waist. [O. Fr.]
LAMBREQUIN, lam'bre-kin, _n._ a strip of cloth, leather, &c., hanging from
a window, doorway, or mantelpiece, as a drapery: an ornamental covering, as
of cloth, attached to a helmet. [Fr.]
LAME, l[=a]m, _adj._ disabled in the limbs: hobbling: unsatisfactory:
imperfect.--_v.t._ to make lame: to cripple: to render imperfect.--_n._
LAME'-DUCK (_slang_), a bankrupt.--_adv._ LAME'LY.--_n._ LAME'NESS.--_adj._
LAM'ISH, a little lame: hobbling. [A.S. _lama_, lame; Dut. _lam_, Ger.
_lahm_.]
LAMELLA, lä-mel'a, _n._ a thin plate or scale:--_pl._ LAMELL'Æ.--_adjs._
LAM'ELLAR, LAM'ELLATE.--_n.pl._ LAMELLIBRANCHI[=A]'TA, a class of
shell-fishes or molluscs in which the shell consists of two limy plates,
lying one on each side of the body.--_adjs._ LAMELLIBRANCH'IATE;
LAMELL'ICORN.--_n.pl._ LAMELLICOR'NES, a very numerous family of
beetles--the cockchafer, &c.--_adjs._ LAMELLIF'EROUS, producing lamellæ;
LAMELL'IFORM, lamellar in form; LAMELLIROS'TRAL, having a lamellose bill;
LAM'ELLOSE, full of lamellæ, lamellated in structure. [L.]
LAMENT, la-ment', _v.i._ to utter grief in outcries: to wail: to
mourn.--_v.t._ to mourn for: to deplore.--_n._ sorrow expressed in cries:
an elegy or mournful ballad.--_adj._ LAM'ENTABLE, deserving or expressing
sorrow: sad: pitiful, despicable.--_adv._ LAM'ENTABLY.--_n._
LAMENT[=A]'TION, act of lamenting: audible expression of grief: wailing:
(_pl._, _B._) a book of Jeremiah.--_p.adj._ LAMENT'ED, bewailed:
mourned.--_adv._ LAMENT'INGLY, with lamentation. [Fr. _lamenter_--L.
_lament[=a]ri_.]
LAMETER, LAMITER, l[=a]'met-[.e]r, _n._ a cripple.