LAMPASS, lam'pas, _n._ (_Shak._) a swelling of the roof of the mouth in
horses. [Fr. _lampas_.]
LAMPERN, lam'p[.e]rn, _n._ a river lamprey.
LAMPOON, lam-p[=oo]n', _n._ a personal satire in writing: low
censure.--_v.t._ to assail with personal satire: to satirise:--_pr.p._
lamp[=oo]n'ing; _pa.p._ lamp[=oo]ned'.--_ns._ LAMPOON'ER, one who writes a
lampoon; LAMPOON'RY, practice of lampooning: written personal abuse or
satire. [O. Fr. _lampon_, orig. a drinking-song, with the refrain
_lampons_=let us drink--_lamper_ (or _lapper_, to lap), to drink.]
LAMPREY, lam'pre, _n._ a genus of cartilaginous fishes resembling the eel,
so called from their attaching themselves to rocks or stones by their
mouths. [O. Fr. _lamproie_--Low L. _lampreda_, _lampetra_--L. _lamb[)e]re_,
to lick, _petra_, rock.]
LANA, lä'na, _n._ the tough, close-grained wood of a Guiana tree.
LANATE, -D, l[=a]'n[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ woolly: (_bot._) covered with a
substance resembling wool.--_n._ L[=A]'NARY, a wool-store. [L.
_lanatus_--_lana_, wool.]
LANCASTERIAN, lang-kas-t[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to Joseph _Lancaster_
(1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more
advanced (_monitors_) in primary schools.
LANCASTRIAN, lang-kas'tri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the dukes or the royal
house of _Lancaster_.--_n._ an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as
against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).
LANCE, lans, _n._ (_Spens._) balance, poise. [L. _lanx_, _lancis_, a dish
or scale.]
LANCE, lans, _n._ a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a
small flag: the bearer of a lance.--_v.t._ to pierce with a lance: to open
with a lancet.--_ns._ LANCE'-COR'PORAL, a private soldier doing the duties
of a corporal; LANCE'LET (see AMPHIOXUS); LAN'CER, a light cavalry soldier
armed with a lance: (_pl._) a popular set of quadrilles, first in England
about 1820: the music for such; LANCE'-WOOD, a wood valuable for its
strength and elasticity, brought chiefly from Jamaica, Guiana, &c.--_adjs._
LANCIF'EROUS, bearing a lance; LAN'CIFORM, lance-shaped. [Fr.,--L.
_lancea_; Gr. _longch[=e]_, a lance.]
LANCEGAY, lans'g[=a], _n._ (_obs._) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,--_lance_, a
lance, _zagaye_, a pike. See ASSAGAI.]
LANCEOLATE, -D, lan'se-o-l[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ (_bot._) having the form of a
lance-head: tapering toward both ends--also LAN'CEOLAR.--_adv._
LAN'CEOLATELY. [L. _lanceolatus_--_lanceola_, dim. of _lancea_.]
[Illustration]
LANCET, lan'set, _n._ a surgical instrument used for opening veins,
abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely
pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th
century. [O. Fr. _lancette_, dim. of _lance_.]
LANCH. Same as LAUNCH.
LANCINATE, lan'sin-[=a]t, _v.t._ to lacerate.--_n._ LANCIN[=A]'TION, sharp,
shooting pain. [L. _lancin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to tear.]
LAND, land, _n._ earth, the solid portion of the surface of the globe: a
country: a district: soil: real estate: a nation or people: (_Scot._) a
group of dwellings or tenements under one roof and having a common
entry.--_v.t._ to set on land or on shore.--_v.i._ to come on land or on
shore.--_ns._ LAND'-[=A]'GENT, a person employed by the owner of an estate
to let farms, collect rents, &c.; LAND'-BREEZE, a breeze setting from the
land towards the sea; LAND'-CRAB, a family of crabs which live much or
chiefly on land.--_v.t._ LAND'DAMN (_Shak._), to banish from the
land.--_adj._ LAND'ED, possessing land or estates: consisting in land or
real estate.--_ns._ LAND'ER, one who lands; LAND'FALL, a landslip: an
approach to land after a voyage, also the land so approached; LAND'-FISH
(_Shak._), a fish on land, any one acting contrary to his usual character;
LAND'-FLOOD, a flooding or overflowing of land by water: inundation;
LAND'FORCE, a military force serving on land, as distinguished from a naval
force; LAND'-GRAB'BER, one who acquires land by harsh and grasping means:
one who is eager to occupy land from which others have been evicted;
LAND'-GRAB'BING, the act of the land-grabber; LAND'-HERD, a herd of animals
which feed on land; LAND'-HOLD'ER, a holder or proprietor of land;
LAND'-HUNG'ER, greed for the acquisition of land; LAND'ING, act of going on
land from a vessel: a place for getting on shore: the level part of a
staircase between the flights of steps.--_adj._ relating to the unloading
of a vessel's cargo.--_ns._ LAND'ING-NET, a kind of scoop-net for landing a
fish that has been caught; LAND'ING-PLACE, a place for landing, as from a
vessel; LAND'ING-STAGE, a platform for landing passengers or goods carried
by water, often rising and falling with the tide; LAND'-JOB'BER, a
speculator in land; LAND'-JOB'BING; LAND'LADY, a woman who has property in
land or houses: the mistress of an inn or lodging-house.--_adj._ LAND'LESS
(_Shak._), without land or property.--_v.t._ LAND'LOCK, to enclose by
land.---_adj._ LAND'-LOCKED, almost shut in by land, protected by
surrounding masses of land from the force of wind and waves.--_ns._
LAND'LORD, the owner of land or houses: the master of an inn or
lodging-house; LAND'LORDISM, the authority or united action of the
landholding class; LAND'-LUBB'ER, a landsman (a term used by sailors);
LAND'MARK, anything serving to mark the boundaries of land: any object on
land that serves as a guide to seamen: any distinguishing characteristic;
LAND'-MEAS'URE, a system of square measure used in the measurement of land;
LAND'-MEAS'URING, the art of estimating the superficial content of portions
of land; LAND'-OWN'ER, one who owns land; LAND'-OWN'ERSHIP.--_adj._
LAND'-OWN'ING.--_ns._ LAND'-P[=I]'LOT, (_Milt._), a guide on land;
LAND'-P[=I]'RATE, a highway robber: a fellow who makes a practice of
swindling sailors in port; LAND'RAIL, the crake or corncrake, so named from
its cry; LAND'-RAK'ER (_Shak._), a vagabond; LAND'-REEVE, the assistant to
the land-steward of a great estate; LAND'-ROLL, a clod-crusher; LAND'-SCRIP
(_U.S._), negotiable government certificate entitling to possession of
certain public land by individuals or corporate bodies; LAND'-SHARK, a
land-grabber: one who plunders sailors on shore; LAND'SKIP (same as
LANDSCAPE); LAND'SLIDE, LAND'SLIP, a portion of land that falls down,
generally from the side of a hill, usually due to the undermining effect of
water; LANDS'MAN, LAND'MAN, one who lives or serves on land: one
inexperienced in seafaring; LAND'-SPRING, water lying near the surface,
easily drawn upon by shallow wells; LAND'-STEW'ARD, a person who manages a
landed estate; LAND'-SURVEY'ING (see SURVEYING); LAND'-TAX, a tax upon
land; LAND'-TURN, a land-breeze; LAND'-WAIT'ER, a custom-house officer who
attends on the landing of goods from ships.--_adv._ LAND'WARD, toward the
land.--_adj._ lying toward the land, away from the sea-coast: situated in
or forming part of the country, as opposed to the town: rural.--_n._
LAND'WIND, a wind blowing off the land.--LAND LEAGUE, an association
founded in Ireland by Michael Davitt in 1879, and organised by C. S.
Parnell, to procure reduction and rearrangement of rents, and to promote
the substitution of peasant-proprietors for landlords--condemned as an
illegal conspiracy in 1881; LANDED INTEREST, the combined interest of the
land-holding class in a community.--MAKE THE LAND, to discover the land as
the ship approaches it; SET THE LAND, to observe by the compass how the
shore bears from the ship. [A.S. _land_; Dut., Ger. _land_.]
LANDAMMAN, lan'dam-man, _n._ the president of the Swiss Diet: the head
official in some Swiss cantons.
LANDAU, lan'daw, _n._ a coach or carriage with a top which may be opened
and thrown back. [Ger. _landauer_, from Landau.]
LANDE, land, _n._ an uncultivated healthy plain, esp. a sandy track along
the sea-shore in south-western France. [Fr.]
LANDGRAVE, land'gr[=a]v, _n._ a German graf, count, or earl:--_fem._
LANDGRAVINE (land'gra-v[=e]n).--_n._ LANDGR[=A]'VI[=A]TE, the territory of
a landgrave. [Dut. _landgraaf_--_land_, land, _graaf_, count.]
LAND-LOUPER, land'-lowp'[.e]r, _n._ a vagabond or vagrant.--Also
LAND'-LOP'ER. [Dut. _landloopen_--_land_, land, _loopen_, to ramble; cf.
Ger. _landläufer_.]
LANDSCAPE, land'-sk[=a]p, _n._ the appearance of that portion of land which
the eye can at once view; the aspect of a country, or a picture
representing it.--_ns._ LAND'SCAPE-GAR'DENING, the art of laying out
grounds and so disposing water, buildings, trees, and other plants as to
produce the effect of a picturesque landscape; LAND'SCAPE-PAINT'ER, one who
practises this form of art; LAND'SCAPE-PAINT'ING, the art of representing
natural scenery by painting. [Dut. _landschap_, from _land_ and _-schap_, a
suffix=_-ship_.]
LANDSTHING, läns'ting, _n._ the upper house of the Danish Rigsdag or
parliament. [Dan., _land_, land, _thing_, parliament.]
LANDSTURM, lant'st[=oo]rm, _n._ in Germany and Switzerland, a general levy
in time of national emergency--in the former including all males between
seventeen and forty-five: the force so called out. [Ger., _land_, land,
_sturm_, alarm.]
LANDTAG, lant'tahh, _n._ the legislative assembly of one of the states
forming the modern German empire, as Saxony, Bavaria, &c.: the provincial
assembly of Bohemia or Moravia. [Ger., _land_, country, _tag_, diet, day.]
LANDWEHR, länt'v[=a]r, _n._ a military force in Germany and Austria forming
an army reserve. [Ger., _land_, land, _wehr_, defence.]
LANE, l[=a]n, _n._ an open space between corn-fields, hedges, &c.: a narrow
passage or road: a narrow street: a fixed route kept by a line of vessels
across the ocean.--A BLIND LANE, a cul-de-sac. [A.S. _lane_; Scot, _loan_,
_lonnin_.]
LANE, l[=a]n, a Scotch form of _lone_, _alone_,
LANG, a Scotch form of _long_.--_n._ LANG'SYNE, time long past.--THINK
LANG, to weary.
LANGAHA, lan-gä'hä, _n._ a Madagascar wood-snake, with a flexible scaly
extension on the snout.
LANGET, lang'get, _n._ a strong lace used in women's dress in Holland.
LANGSHAN, lang'shan, _n._ a small black Chinese hen.
LANGSPIEL, lang'sp[=e]l, _n._ a Shetland form of harp.
LANGUAGE, lang'gw[=a]j, _n._ that which is spoken by the tongue: human
speech: speech peculiar to a nation: style or expression peculiar to an
individual: diction: any manner of expressing thought.--_v.t._ to express
in language.--_adjs._ LANG'UAGED, skilled in language; LANG'UAGELESS
(_Shak._), speechless, silent; LANG'UED (_her._), furnished with a
tongue.--DEAD LANGUAGE, one no longer spoken, as opp. to LIVING LANGUAGE,
one still spoken; FLASH LANGUAGE (see FLASH). [Fr. _langage_--_langue_--L.
_lingua_ (old form _dingua_), the tongue, akin to L. _ling[=e]re_, Gr.
_leichein_.]
LANGUE D'OC, long dok, _n._ collective name for the Romance dialects spoken
in the Middle Ages from the Alps to the Pyrenees--the tongue of the
troubadours, often used as synonymous with Provençal, one of its chief
branches. The name itself survived in the province LANGUEDOC, giving name
to a class of wines.--LANGUE D'OUI (long dw[=e]), also LANGUE D'OIL, the
Romance dialect of northern France, the language of the trouvères, the
dominant factor in the formation of modern French. [O. Fr. _langue_--L.
_lingua_, tongue; _de_, of; Prov. _oc_, yes--L. _hoc_, this; O. Fr. _oui_,
_oïl_, yes--L. _hoc illud_, this (is) that, yes.]
LANGUETTE, lang'get, _n._ a 16th-century hood worn by women: the tongue of
a reed of a harmonium or reed-organ: a key of a wind-instrument. [Fr.]
LANGUID, lang'gwid, _adj._ slack or feeble: flagging: exhausted: sluggish:
spiritless.--_adj._ LANGUESC'ENT, growing languid.--_adv._
LANG'UIDLY.--_n._ LANG'UIDNESS. [Fr.,--L. _languidus_--_langu[=e]re_, to be
weak.]
LANGUISH, lang'gwish, _v.i._ to become languid or enfeebled: to lose
strength and animation: to pine: to become dull, as of trade.--_n._
(_Shak._) languishment.--_adjs._ LANG'UISHED, sunken in languor;
LANG'UISHING, expressive of languor, or merely sentimental emotion.--_adv._
LANG'UISHINGLY.--_n._ LANG'UISHMENT, the act or state of languishing:
tenderness of look. [Fr. _languir_, _languiss-_,--L.
_languesc[)e]re_--_langu[=e]re_, to be faint.]
LANGUOR, lang'gwur, _n._ state of being languid or faint: dullness:
listlessness: softness.--_adj._ LANG'UOROUS, full of languor: tedious:
melancholy.--_v.t._ LANG'URE (_Spens._), to languish.
LANIARD. Same as LANYARD.
LANIARY, l[=a]'ni-a-ri, _n._ a place of slaughter: shambles.--_adj._ fitted
for lacerating or tearing. [L. _laniarium_--_lanius_, a butcher.]
LANIFEROUS, lan-if'[.e]r-us, _adj._ wool-bearing.--Also LANIG'EROUS. [L.
_lanifer_, _laniger_--_lana_, wool, _ferre_, _ger[)e]re_, to bear.]
LANK, langk, _adj._ languid or drooping: soft or loose: thin: shrunken:
straight and flat.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to become lank.--_adv._ LANK'LY.--_n._
LANK'NESS.--_adj._ LANK'Y, lank and tall. [A.S. _hlanc_; Dut. _slank_, Ger.
_schlank_, slender.]
LANNER, lan'[.e]r, _n._ a kind of falcon.--_n._ LANN'ARET, the male bird.
[Fr. _lanier_--L. _laniarius_.]
LANOLIN, lan'[=o]-lin, _n._ an unctuous substance, a mixture of the ethers
of cholesterin with fatty acids, used as a basis for ointments, extracted
from wool. [L. _lana_, wool, _oleum_, oil.]
LANSQUENET, lans'ke-net, _n._ a 16th-17th cent. mercenary pikeman: a game
at cards. [Fr.,--Ger. _landsknecht_--_land_, country, _knecht_, a soldier.]
LANT, lant, _n._ stale urine, used in wool-scouring.
LANTERLOO, lant'[.e]r-l[=oo], _n._ a game at cards, commonly _Loo_. [Dut.
_lanterlu_.]
LANTERN, lant'[.e]rn, _n._ a case for holding or carrying a light, the
light chamber of a lighthouse: an ornamental structure surmounting a dome
to give light and to crown the fabric: the upper square cage which
illuminates a corridor or gallery--obs. form, LANT'HORN, from the use of
horn for the sides of lanterns.--_v.t._ to furnish with a lantern.--_n._
LANT'ERN-FLY, any insect of family _Fulgoridæ_, supposed to emit a strong
light in the dark.--_adj._ LANT'ERN-JAWED, thin-faced.--_n.pl._
LANT'ERN-JAWS, thin long jaws.--LANTERN OF THE DEAD, a tower having a small
lighted chamber at the top, once common in French cemeteries; LANTERN
WHEEL, a kind of cog-wheel, in which a circle of bars or spindles between
two heads engages with the cogs of a spur-wheel.--CHINESE LANTERN, a
collapsible paper lantern, generally decorated with flowers; DARK LANTERN,
a lantern having an opaque slide, capable of being partly or wholly shut at
pleasure; MAGIC LANTERN, an optical instrument by means of which magnified
images of small pictures are thrown upon a wall or screen. [Fr.
_lanterne_--L. _lanterna_--Gr. _lampt[=e]r_--_lampein_, to give light.]
LANTHANUM, lan'tha-num, _n._ a metal discovered in 1839 in cerite, a
hydrated silicate of cerium.--Also LAN'TH[=A]NIUM. [Gr. _lanthanein_, to
conceal.]
LANUGINOUS, la-n[=u]'jin-us, _adj._ downy: covered with fine soft
hair.--_n._ LAN[=U]'GO. [Fr.,--L. _lanuginosus_--_lanugo_, down, _lana_,
wool.]
LANX, lanks, _n._ a platter or dish for serving meat at a Roman
table:--_pl._ LAN'CES. [L.]
LANYARD, LANIARD, lan'yard, _n._ a short rope used on board ship for
fastening or stretching, or for convenience in handling articles. [Fr.
_lanière_, perh. from L. _lanarius_, made of wool--_lana_, wool.]
LAOCOÖN, l[=a]-ok'-o-on, _n._ a famous antique group in marble in the
Vatican, representing the Trojan priest _Laocoön_ and his two sons being
crushed in the folds of two enormous serpents.
LAODICEAN, l[=a]-od-i-s[=e]'an, _adj._ lukewarm in religion, like the
Christians of _Laodicea_ (Rev. iii. 14-16).--_n._ LAODIC[=E]'ANISM,
lukewarmness in religion.
LAP, lap, _v.t._ to lick up with the tongue: to wash or flow
against.--_v.i._ to drink by licking up a liquid: to make a sound of such a
kind:--_pr.p._ lap'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lapped.--_n._ a motion or
sound like lapping. [A.S. _lapian_; Low Ger. _lappen_; L. _lamb[)e]re_, Gr.
_laptein_.]
LAP, lap, _n._ the loose or overhanging flap of anything: the part of a
substance extending over or partly over the rear of another, or the extent
of such extension: the part of the clothes lying on the knees when a person
sits down: the part of the body thus covered, esp. with reference to
nursing, &c.: a fold: a course or round of the track, as in foot-racing,
&c.: at euchre, &c., a carrying over to the next game of a surplus of
points from the last: the space over which a steam-engine slide-valve
travels after the closing of the steam-passage to or from the cylinder: a
rotating disc of lead, copper, leather, &c., charged with an abrasive
powder, used in cutting gems, &c.--_v.t._ to lay over or on.--_v.i._ to be
spread on or over: to be turned over or upon.--_ns._ LAP'-BOARD, a flat
wide board resting on the lap, used by tailors and seamstresses; LAP'-DOG,
a small dog fondled in the lap: a pet dog; LAP'FUL, as much as fills a
lap.--_adj._ LAP'-JOINT'ED, having joints formed by overlapping
edges.--_ns._ LAP'-STONE, a stone which shoemakers hold in the lap to
hammer leather on; LAP'-STREAK, a clinker-built boat--also _adj._;
LAP'WORK, work containing lap-joints. [A.S. _læppa_, a loosely hanging
part; Ice. _lapa_, to hang loose, Ger. _lappen_, a rag.]
LAP, lap, _v.t._ to wrap, fold, involve.--_ns._ LAP'PER, one who wraps or
folds: in cotton manufacturing, a machine which compacts the scutched
cotton into a fleece upon the surface of a roller called a lap-roller;
LAP'PING, the process of forming a lap or fleece of fibrous material for
the carding-machine: the rubbing or polishing of a metal surface: the
process of rubbing away the _lands_, or metal between the grooves of a
rifled gun, to increase the bore. [M. E. _wlappen_, being a form of
_wrap_.]
LAPEL, LAPPEL, LAPELLE, la-pel', _n._ the part of the breast of a coat
which laps over and is folded back.--_adj._ LAPELLED'. [Dim. of _lap_.]
LAPIDARY, lap'i-dar-i, _adj._ pertaining to stones and the cutting of
stones: pertaining to inscriptions and monuments.--_n._ a cutter of stones,
esp. precious stones: a dealer in precious stones--also LAPID[=A]'RIAN,
LAP'IDARIST, LAP'IDIST.--_v.t._ LAP'IDATE (_rare_), to pelt with
stones.--_n._ LAPID[=A]'TION, punishment by stoning.--_adj._ LAPID'EOUS,
stony.--_n._ LAPIDESC'ENCE.--_adj._ LAPIDESC'ENT, becoming stone:
petrifying.--_adj._ LAPIDIF'IC.--_n._ LAPIDIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._
LAPID'IFY, to make into stone.--_v.i._ to turn into stone:--_pr.p._
lapid'ifying; _pa.p._ lapid'ified.--_adj._ LAPIL'LIFORM, having the form of
small stones.--_ns._ LAPIL'LUS, a fragment of lava ejected from a
volcano:--_pl._ LAPIL'LI; L[=A]'PIS, a kind of calico-printing with indigo,
the resists acting as methods for other dyes, as madder or quercitron;
L[=A]'PIS-LAZ'ULI, a mineral of beautiful ultramarine colour, used largely
in ornamental and mosaic work, and for sumptuous altars and
shrines.--LAPIS-LAZULI BLUE, a deep blue, sometimes veined with gold, used
in decoration, and in the manufacture of Sèvres and Oriental porcelain;
LAPIS-LAZULI WARE, the name given by Josiah Wedgwood to a particular pebble
ware veined with gold upon blue. [L. _lapidarius_--_lapis_, _lapidis_, a
stone.]
LAPP, lap, _n._ a Laplander.--_n._ LAP'LANDER, a native or inhabitant of
_Lapland_.--_adjs._ LAP'LANDISH; LAPP'ISH.--_n._ the language of the Lapps.
LAPPER-MILK, lap'[.e]r-milk, _n._ (_Scot._) loppered or curdled milk. [Same
word as _lopper_ (_obs._)--M. E. _loper_, curdled, prob. conn. with A.S.
_hléapan_, to leap, run. Cf. _rennet_, _runnet_, from _run_.]
LAPPET, lap'et, _n._ a little lap or flap.--_adj._ LAPP'ETED.--_n._
LAPP'ET-HEAD, a head-dress made with lappets for lace pendants. [Dim. of
_lap_.]
LAPSE, laps, _v.i._ to slip or glide: to pass by degrees: to fall from the
faith or from virtue: to fail in duty: to pass to another proprietor, &c.,
by the negligence of a patron, to become void: to lose certain privileges
by neglect of the necessary conditions.--_n._ a slipping or falling: a
failing in duty: a fault.--_adj._ LAP'SABLE.--THE LAPSED, the name applied
in the early Christian Church to those who, overcome by heathen
persecution, fell away from the faith. [L. _labi_, _lapsus_, to slip or
fall, _lapsus_, a fall, akin to _lap_.]
LAPUTAN, la-p[=u]'tan, _adj._ pertaining to _Laputa_, a flying island
described in Swift's _Gulliver's Travels_ as inhabited by all sorts of
ridiculous projectors: absurd: chimerical.
LAPWING, lap'wing, _n._ the name of a bird of the plover family, also
called _peewit_, from its peculiar cry. [M. E. _lappewinke_--A.S.
_hleápewince_--_hleápan_, to leap or run, and root of _wink_, to turn.]
LAR, lär, _n._ one of a class of local deities, originally Etruscan, but in
Roman usage usually regarded as the tutelary deities of a house:--_pl._
LARES (l[=a]'r[=e]z). [L.]
LAR, lär, _n._ an Etruscan title, really peculiar to the eldest son, but
often mistaken for an integral part of the name.--Also LARS. [L.,--Etruscan
_larth_, lord.]
LARBOARD, lär'b[=o]rd (by sailors, lab'erd), _n._ an obsolete naval term
for the left side of a ship looking from the stern, now, by command of the
Admiralty, replaced by the term _port_, to prevent the mistakes caused by
its resemblance in sound to starboard.--_adj._ pertaining to the port or
left side. [Perh. for a conjectural _lade-bord_, the lading-side--_lade_, a
load, _bord_, board, side.]
LARCENY, lär'sen-i, _n._ the legal term in England and Ireland for
stealing: theft.--_n._ LAR'CENIST, one who commits larceny: a
thief.--_adj._ LAR'CENOUS.--_adv._ LAR'CENOUSLY.--GRAND LARCENY, in
England, larceny of property of the value of one shilling or more; PETTY
LARCENY, larceny of property less in value than one shilling; SIMPLE
LARCENY, as opposed to _Compound larceny_, is larceny uncombined with
aggravating circumstances. [O. Fr. _larrecin_ (Fr. _larcin_)--L.
_latrocinium_--_latro_, a robber.]
LARCH, lärch, _n._ a genus (_Larix_) of coniferous trees, distinct from
firs (_Abies_), with perfectly erect and regularly tapering stem, small
branches, numerous small leaves deciduous and clustered, growing rapidly,
and yielding good timber. [L.,--Gr. _larix_.]
LARD, lärd, _n._ the melted fat of the hog.--_v.t._ to smear with lard: to
stuff with bacon or pork: to fatten: to mix with anything.--_adj._
LARD[=A]'CEOUS.--_ns._ LARD'-OIL, a lubricating and illuminating oil
expressed from lard; LAR'DON, LAR'DOON, a strip of bacon used for
larding.--_adj._ LAR'DY. [O. Fr.,--L. _laridum_, _lardum_; cf. Gr.
_larinos_, fat, _laros_, sweet.]
LARDER, lärd'[.e]r, _n._ a room or place where meat, &c., is kept: stock of
provisions.--_n._ LARD'ERER, one who has charge of a larder. [O. Fr.
_lardier_, a bacon-tub--L. _lardum_.]
LARE, l[=a]r, _n._ obsolete form of _lore_, and of _lair_.
LARGE, larj, _adj._ great in size: extensive: bulky: wide: long: abundant:
liberal: diffuse: (_Shak._, of language) free, licentious.--_adv._
(_naut._) before the wind.--_adjs._ LARGE'-[=A]'CRED, possessing much land;
LARGE'-HAND'ED, having large hands: grasping, greedy: profuse;
LARGE'-HEART'ED, having a large heart or liberal disposition:
generous.--_adv._ LARGE'LY.--_adj._ LARGE'-MIND'ED, characterised by
breadth of view.--_ns._ LARGE'NESS; LAR'GET, a length of iron cut from a
bar and of proper size to roll into a sheet.--AT LARGE, without restraint
or confinement: fully: as a whole, altogether. [Fr.,--L. _largus_.]
LARGESS, LARGESSE, lärj'es, _n._ a present or donation: (_arch._)
liberality.--_n._ LARGIT'ION, giving of largess. [Fr.,--L.
_largitio_--_larg[=i]ri_, to give freely--_largus_.]
LARGO, lär'g[=o], _adj._ (_mus._) slow in time.--_n._ a movement to be
performed in such style.--_adj._ LARGHET'TO, somewhat slow: not so slow as
largo.--_n._ a movement in somewhat slow time.--_adj._ LARGHIS'SIMO,
extremely slow. [It.,--L. _largus_.]
LARIAT, lär'i-at, _n._ a rope for picketing horses while grazing: a lasso.
[Sp. _la reata_--_la_, the, _reata_, a rope for tying animals together.]
LARK, lärk, _n._ a well-known singing-bird.--_v.i._ to catch larks.--_ns._
LARK'S'-HEEL, the Indian cress; LARK'SPUR, a plant with showy flowers, so
called from the spur-shaped formation of calyx and petals. [M. E.
_laverock_--A.S. _láwerce_; Ger. _lerche_.]
LARK, lärk, _n._ a game, frolic.--_v.i._ to frolic, make sport.--_adj._
LAR'KY (_coll._), frolicsome, sportive. [A.S. _lác_, play--_lácan_, to
swing, wave, play.]
LARMIER, lar'mi-[.e]r, _n._ (_archit._) another name for the corona (q.v.):
a horizontal string-course for preventing rain from trickling down the
wall: (_zool._) a tear-bag. [Fr. _larme_, a tear--L. _lacrima_, a tear.]
LARRIKIN, lar'i-kin, _adj._ (_Australian_) rowdy, disorderly.--_n._ a rough
or rowdy.--_n._ LARR'IKINISM.
LARRUP, lar'up, _v.t._ (_coll._) to flog, thrash. [Prob. from Dut.
_larpen_, thresh with flails.]
LARRY, lar'i, _n._ Same as LORRY.
LARUM, lar'um, _n._ alarm: a noise giving notice of danger.--_v.t._
(_obs._) to alarm. [_Alarm_.]
LARUS, l[=a]'rus, _n._ a genus of _Laridæ_, the gulls proper.
LARVA, lär'va, _n._ an insect in its first stage after issuing from the
egg--i.e. in the caterpillar state: a ghost, spectre:--_pl._ LARVÆ
(lär'v[=e]).--_adjs._ LAR'VAL; LAR'VATE, -D, clothed as with a mask;
LAR'VIFORM; LARVIP'AROUS, producing young in a larva-form. [L. _larva_, a
spectre, a mask.]
LARYNX, l[=a]r'ingks, _n._ the upper part of the windpipe: the
throat:--_pl._ LAR'YNGES, LAR'YNXES (_rare_).--_adjs._ LARYN'GEAL,
LARYN'GEAN.--_n._ LARYNGIS'MUS, spasm of the glottis.--_adj._
LARYNGIT'IC.--_n._ LARYNG[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the larynx.--_adj._
LARYNGOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ LARYNGOL'OGIST; LARYNGOL'OGY, the science of the
larynx; LARYNGOPH'ONY, the sound of the voice as heard through the
stethoscope applied over the larynx; LARYNG'OSCOPE, a mirror for examining
the larynx and trachea.--_adj._ LARYNGOSCOP'IC.--_ns._ LARYNGOS'COPIST;
LARYNGOS'COPY; LARYNGOT'OMY, the operation of cutting into the windpipe to
remove obstructions and assist respiration; LARYNGOTRACHEOT'OMY, the
operation of cutting into the windpipe through the cricoid cartilage, the
cricothyroid membrane, and the upper rings of the trachea. [L.,--Gr.
_larynx_, _laryngos_.]
LASCAR, las'kar, _n._ a native East Indian sailor or camp-follower.
[Hind.,--Pers. _lashkari_, a soldier.]
LASCIVIOUS, las-siv'i-us, _adj._ lustful: tending to produce lustful
emotions.--_adv._ LASCIV'IOUSLY.--_n._ LASCIV'IOUSNESS. [L. _lascivus_;
perh. from the same root as _laxus_, loose.]
LASER, l[=a]'ser, _n._ a gum-resin from North Africa, esteemed by the
ancients as a deobstruent and diuretic. [L. _laser_, juice of laserpitium.]
LASERPITIUM, las-er-pish'i-um, _n._ a genus of perennial herbs of the
parsley family--LAS'ERWORT or herb frankincense.--Also _Silphium_. [L.
_laserpicium_, a plant yielding laser.]
LASH, lash, _n._ a thong or cord: the flexible part of a whip: a stroke
with a whip or anything pliant: a stroke of satire, a sharp retort: a
beating or dashing: an eyelash.--_v.t._ to strike with a lash: to dash
against: to fasten or secure with a rope or cord: to censure severely: to
scourge with sarcasm or satire.--_v.i._ to use the whip.--_n._ LASH'ER, one
who lashes or whips: a rope for binding one thing to another; LASH'ING, act
of whipping: a rope for making things fast: a great plenty of
anything--esp. in _pl._--LASH OUT, to kick out, as a horse: to break out
recklessly. [M. E. _lasshe_; Dut. _lasch_, Ger. _lasche_, a joint.]
LASH, lash, _adj._ (_obs._) slow, slack: soft: insipid.--_n._ LASH'ER, the
slack water collected above a weir in a river. [M. E. _lasche_, slack--O.
Fr. _lasche_ (Fr. _lâche_, cowardly)--L. _laxus_, lax.]
LASKET, las'ket, _n._ a loop of line at the foot of a sail, to which to
fasten an extra sail.
LASS, las, _n._ (_fem._ of LAD) a girl, esp. a country girl: a sweetheart:
(_Scot._) a maid-servant.--(Diminutives) LASS'IE, LASS'OCK.--_adj._
LASS'LORN (_Shak._), forsaken by one's mistress. [Prob. a contr. of
_laddess_, formed from _lad_; or directly from W. _llodes_, fem. of
_llawd_, a lad. Mr H. Bradley thinks the association with _lad_ merely
accidental, the word first appearing about 1300 in northern writings as
_lasce_, evidently representing a Scand. _laskw_, the fem. of an adj.
meaning unmarried; cf. Middle Sw. _lösk kona_, unmarried woman.]
LASSITUDE, las'i-t[=u]d, _n._ faintness: weakness: weariness: languor.
[Fr.,--L. _lassitudo_--_lassus_, faint.]
LASSO, las'[=o], _n._ a long rope with a running noose for catching wild
horses, &c.:--_pl._ LASS'OS, LASS'OES.--_v.t._ to catch with the
lasso:--_pr.p._ lass'[=o]ing; _pa.p._ lass'[=o]ed. [Port. _laço_, Sp.
_lazo_--L. _laqueus_, a noose.]
LAST, last, _n._ a wooden mould of the foot on which boots and shoes are
made.--_v.t._ to fit with a last.--_n._ LAST'ER, one who fits the parts of
shoes to lasts: a tool for doing so. [A.S. _lást_, a trace.]
LAST, last, _v.i._ to continue, endure: to escape failure: remain fresh,
unimpaired.--_adj._ LAST'ING, permanent, durable.--_n._ endurance.--_adv._
LAST'INGLY.--_n._ LAST'INGNESS. [A.S. _l['æ]stan_, to keep a track. See
foregoing word.]
LAST, last, _n._ a load, cargo, a weight generally estimated at 4000 lb.,
but varying in different articles.--_n._ LAST'AGE, the lading of a ship:
room for stowing goods in a ship: a duty formerly paid for the right of
carrying goods, &c. [A.S. _hlæst_--_hladan_, to load; Ger. _last_, Ice.
_hlass_.]
LAST, last, _adj._ latest: coming after all the others: final: next before
the present: utmost: meanest: most improbable or unlikely--also
_adv._--_n._ LAST'-COURT, a court held by the jurats in the marshes of Kent
to fix rates chargeable for the preservation of these--also LAST.--_adv._
LAST'LY.--LAST DAY (_Scot._), yesterday; LAST HEIR (_Eng. law_), he to whom
lands come by escheat for want of lawful heirs.--AT LAST, in conclusion
(this from A.S. _on lást_, therefore not from _late_ at all, but from
_last_ (1), which is the A.S. _lást_, a trace); BREATHE ONE'S LAST, to die;
DIE IN THE LAST DITCH, to fight to the bitter end; FIRST AND LAST,
altogether; ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, on the verge of utter failure or
exhaustion; PUT THE LAST HAND TO, to finish, put the finishing touch to;
THE LAST CAST (see CAST); THE LAST DAY, the Day of Judgment; THE LAST DAYS,
TIMES (_B._), the period when the end of the world draws near; TO THE LAST,
to the end: till death. [A contr. of _latest_.]
LASTERY, last'[.e]r-i, _n._ (_Spens._) a red colour.
LAT, lät, _n._ in Indian architecture, an isolated pillar.
LATAKIA, lat-a-k[=e]'a, _n._ a fine kind of tobacco produced at _Latakia_
(_Laodicea ad Mare_) in Syria.