LEPIDODENDRON, lep-i-do-den'dron, _n._ a common fossil plant of the
Carboniferous strata, the stem covered with ovate leaf-scars arranged
spirally. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _dendron_, a tree.]
LEPIDOPTERA, lep-i-dop't[.e]r-a, _n.pl._ an order of insects, with four
wings covered with fine scales--butterfly, moth, &c.--_adjs._
LEPIDOP'TERAL, LEPIDOP'TEROUS. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _pteron_, a
wing.]
LEPIDOSAURIA, lep-i-do-sawr'i-a, _n._ a sub-class or sub-order of Reptilia,
with scales and plates--the ophidians and lacertilians, not crocodilians
and chelonians. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, _sauros_, a lizard.]
LEPIDOSIREN, lep-i-do-s[=i]'ren, _n._ one of the Amazon mud-fishes or
Dipnoi. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, Eng. _siren_.]
LEPIDOSTEUS, lep-i-dos'te-us, _n._ a genus of fishes with rhomboid scales
hard like bone. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _osteon_, a bone.]
LEPORINE, lep'o-r[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling the hare. [L.
_leporinus_--_lepus_, _lep[)o]ris_, the hare.]
LEPPED, lep'd, _pa.t._ (_Spens._) leaped.
LEPRECHAUN, LEPRECHAWN, lep'r[=e]-kawn, _n._ a small-sized brownie who
helps Irish housewives, mends shoes, grinds meal, &c. [Ir. _luchorpan_,
_lu_, small, _corpan_, _corp_, a body--L. _corpus_.]
LEPROSY, lep'ro-si, _n._ a name applied to several different cutaneous
diseases of contagious character, now confined to _lepra cutanea_,
_elephantiasis_, _Græcorum_, or _Leontiasis_.--_n._ LEP'RA, leprosy: a
scurfy, mealy substance on the surface of some plants.--_adjs._ LEP'ROSE,
scale-like or scurf-like; LEP'ROUS, affected with leprosy.--_adv._
LEP'ROUSLY.--_ns._ LEP'ROUSNESS, LEPROS'ITY. [See LEPER.]
LEPTOCARDIAN, lep-to-kär'di-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Leptocardii_, the
lowest group of true vertebrates, the lancelets.--_n._ a lancelet,
branchiostome, or amphioxus. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kardia_, heart.]
LEPTOCEPHALIC, lep-to-se-fal'ik, _adj._ having a narrow skull, as in
certain flat-fishes. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kephal[=e]_, the head.]
LEPTODACTYL, lep-to-dak'til, _adj._ having small or slender toes. [Gr.
_leptos_, thin, _daktylos_, a finger.]
LEPTOLOGY, lep-tol'o-ji, _n._ minute description. [Gr. _leptos_, thin,
_logia_--_legein_, to speak.]
LEPTON, lep'ton, _n._ the smallest of modern Greek coins, 100 to the
drachma. [Gr.,--_leptos_, small.]
LEPTORRHINE, lep't[=o]-rin, _adj._ with small nose or slender snout. [Gr.
_leptos_, thin, _hris_, _hrinos_, nose.]
LEPTOSPERMUM, lep-to-sper'mum, _n._ a genus of Australian trees and shrubs,
evergreens, with leaves like those of myrtles--the tea-tree, &c. [Gr.
_leptos_, thin, _sperma_, seed.]
LERE, l[=e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) learning a lesson.--_v.t._ to learn: to
teach. [_Learn._]
LESBIAN, les'bi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the island of _Lesbos_ in the
Ægean Sea, and the adjoining part of the coast of Asia Minor, together
forming Æolis, the home of a famous school of lyric poets, including Alcæus
and Sappho: amatory, erotic.
LESE-MAJESTIE, l[=e]z'-maj'es-ti, _n._ any crime committed against the
sovereign power in a state, treason.--Also LEZE'-MAJ'ESTY. [O. Fr.,--Low L.
_læsa majestas_--L. _læsa_--_læd[)e]re_, to hurt, _majestas_, majesty.]
LESION, l[=e]'zhun, _n._ a hurt: (_med._) an injury or wound. [Fr.,--L.
_læsion-em_--_læd[)e]re_, _læsum_, to hurt.]
LESS, les, _adj._ (serves as comp. of _little_) diminished:
smaller.--_adv._ not so much: in a lower degree.--_n._ a smaller portion:
(_B._) the inferior or younger. [A.S. _l['æ]ssa_, less, _l['æ]s_ (adv.);
comparative form from a root _lasinn_, feeble, found also in Goth.
_lasiws_, weak, Ice. _las_, weakness, not conn. with _little_.]
LESSEE, les-s[=e]', _n._ one to whom a lease is granted.
LESSEN, les'n, _v.t._ to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to
degrade.--_v.i._ to become less, shrink.
LESSER, les'[.e]r, _adj._ (_B._) less: smaller: inferior. [A double comp.
formed from _less_.]
LESSON, les'n, _n._ a portion of Scripture appointed to be read in divine
service: that which a pupil learns at a time: a precept or doctrine
inculcated: instruction derived from experience: severe lecture.--_v.t._ to
give a lesson to. [Fr. _leçon_--L. _lection-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]
LESSOR, les'or, _n._ one who grants a lease.
LEST, lest, _conj._ that not: for fear that. [From the A.S. phrase _ðý læs
ðe_ (for the reason less that=L. _quominus_), the first word being dropped,
while the others coalesced into _lest_.]
LEST, lest, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to listen.
LET, let, _v.t._ to slacken or loose restraint upon: to give leave or power
to: to allow, permit, suffer: to grant to a tenant or hirer: to cause (with
infin. without _to_):--_pr.p._ let'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ let.--_n._ a
letting for hire.--_ns._ LET'TER; LET'TING.--LET ALONE, to leave out, not
to mention.--_adj._ passive, inactive--also _n._ (_Shak._)
forbearance.--LET BLOOD, to open a vein and let the blood run out; LET
DOWN, to allow to fall: to bring down; LET GO, to cease holding: to pass by
or disregard; LET IN, to allow to enter: to take in or swindle; LET INTO,
to admit to the knowledge of; LET OFF, to allow to go free without
punishment, to excuse from payment, &c.; LET ON, to allow a thing to be
believed, to pretend; LET ONE'S SELF LOOSE, to let go restraint on words or
actions, to indulge in extravagant talk or conduct; LET OUT, to allow to
get free, to let some secret become known; LET SLIP, to allow to escape: to
lose sight of; LET WELL ALONE, to let things remain as they are from fear
of making them worse. [A.S. _l['æ]tan_, to permit, pt.t. _lét_, _leót_, pp.
_læten_; Ger. _lassen_, Fr. _laisser_, to permit.]
LET, let, _v.t._ (_B._) to prevent.--_n._ (_law_) hinderance, obstruction:
delay.--_n._ LET'TER. [A.S. _lettan_, to hinder--_læt_, slow.]
LETCH, lech, _n._ strong desire: a crotchet.
LETHAL, l[=e]'thal, _adj._ death-dealing: deadly: mortal.--_n._ LETHE
(_Shak._), death.--_adj._ LETHIF'EROUS, carrying death. [L.
_lethalis_--_lethum_, _letum_, death.]
LETHARGY, leth'ar-ji, _n._ heavy unnatural slumber: dullness.--_v.t._
(_Shak._) to make lethargic.--_adjs._ LETHAR'GIC, -AL, pertaining to
lethargy: unnaturally sleepy: dull.--_adv._ LETHAR'GICALLY.--_n._
LETHAR'GICNESS, the state of being lethargic: morbid sleepiness.--_v.t._
LETH'ARGISE. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _l[=e]thargia_, drowsy
forgetfulness--_l[=e]th[=e]_, forgetfulness.]
LETHE, l[=e]'th[=e], _n._ one of the rivers of hell causing forgetfulness
of the past to all who drank of it: oblivion.--_adj._ LETH[=E]'AN, of
Lethe: oblivious. [Gr.,--_l[=e]th[=o]_, old form of _lanthanein_, to
forget.]
LETTER, let'[.e]r, _n._ a conventional mark to express a sound: a written
or printed message: literal meaning: a printing-type: (_pl._) learning,
literary culture.--_v.t._ to stamp letters upon.--_ns._ LETT'ER-BAL'ANCE, a
balance for testing the weight of a letter for post; LETT'ER-BOARD
(_print._), board on which matter in type is placed for keeping or
convenience in handling; LETT'ER-BOOK, a book in which letters or copies of
letters are kept; LETT'ER-BOX, a box in a post-office, at the door of a
house, &c., for receiving letters; LETT'ER-CARR'IER, a postman;
LETT'ER-CASE, a portable writing-desk.--_adj._ LETT'ERED, marked with
letters: educated: versed in literature: belonging to learning (LETTERED
PROOF and PROOF BEFORE LETTERS; see PROOF).--_ns._ LETT'ERER;
LETT'ER-FOUND'ER, one who founds or casts letters or types; LETT'ERING, the
act of impressing letters: the letters impressed.--_adj._ LETT'ERLESS,
illiterate.--_ns._ LETT'ER-MISS'IVE, an official letter on matters of
common interest, sent to members of a church: a letter from the sovereign
addressed to a dean and chapter, naming the person they are to elect
bishop--also _Royal letter_; LETT'ERN (same as LECTERN);
LETT'ER-OF-CRED'IT, a letter authorising credit or cash to a certain sum to
be paid to the bearer; LETT'ER-OF-MARQUE (märk), a commission given to a
private ship by a government to make reprisals on the vessels of another
state.--_adj._ LETT'ER-PER'FECT, kept in the memory exactly (of an actor's
part, &c.).--_ns._ LETT'ERPRESS, letters impressed or matter printed from
type, as distinguished from engraving: a copying-press;
LETT'ERS-P[=A]'TENT, a writing conferring a patent or authorising a person
to enjoy some privilege, so called because written on open sheets of
parchment; LETT'ER-STAMP, a post-office implement for defacing a
postage-stamp: a stamp for imprinting dates, &c., on letters or papers;
LETT'ER-WOOD, the heart-wood of a tree found in British Guiana, dark brown,
with darker spots somewhat resembling hieroglyphics; LETT'ER-WRIT'ER, one
who writes letters, esp. for hire: a book containing forms for imitation in
writing letters.--LETTER OF INDICATION (see CIRCULAR); LETTERS OF
ADMINISTRATION, a document issued by court appointing an administrator of
an intestate estate; LETTERS REQUISITORY, or ROGATORY, an instrument by
which a court of one country asks that of another to take certain evidence
on its behalf; LETTRE DE CACHET (see CACHET). [Fr. _lettre_--L. _littera_.]
LETTIC, let'ik, _adj._ of or pertaining to the _Letts_ or Lithuanians, or
to their language.--Also LETT'ISH.
LETTING, let'ing, _n._ the act of granting to a tenant: the act of giving
to a contractor.
LETTUCE, let'is, _n._ a plant containing a milky juice, its leaves used as
a salad. [O. Fr. _laictuce_ (Fr. _laitue_)--L. _lactuca_--_lac_, milk.]
LEUCÆMIA, l[=u]-s[=e]'mi-a, _n._ a disease in which the number of white
corpuscles in the blood is greatly increased, with changes in the lymphatic
tissues, enlargement of the spleen, &c.--Also LEUCOCYTHÆ'MIA. [Gr.
_leukos_, white, _haima_, blood.]
LEUCINE, l[=u]'sin, _n._ a product of the decomposition of albuminous
materials occurring in many of the juices of the animal body. [Gr.
_leukos_, white.]
LEUCISCUS, l[=u]-sis'kus, _n._ a genus of fresh-water fishes of the
Cyprinoid family, including the roach, dace, chub, minnow, &c. [Gr.
_leukos_, white.]
LEUCITE, l[=u]'s[=i]t, _n._ a whitish mineral occurring only in volcanic
rocks.--_adj._ LEUCIT'IC. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]
LEUCOCYTE, l[=u]'k[=o]-s[=i]t, _n._ a white corpuscle of the blood or lymph
(see PHAGOCYTE).--_adj._ LEUCOCYT'IC.--_ns._ LEUCOCYTOG'ENESIS, the
production of leucocytes; LEUCOCYT[=O]'SIS, the presence of an excessive
number of white corpuscles in the blood.
LEUCOCYTHÆMIA. See LEUCÆMIA.
LEUCOL, l[=u]'kol, _n._ an organic base obtained by the distillation of
coal-tar. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]
LEUCOMA, l[=u]-k[=o]'ma, _n._ a white opacity of the cornea, the result of
acute inflammation. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]
LEUCOMAINE, l[=u]'k[=o]-m[=a]n, _n._ an alkaloid found in living animal
tissue:--opp. to _Ptomaine_ (q.v.).
LEUCORRHOEA, l[=u]-k[=o]-r[=e]'a, _n._ an abnormal mucous or muco-purulent
discharge from the vagina, the whites. [Gr. _leukos_, white,
_hroia_--_hrein_, to flow.]
LEUCOSIS, l[=u]-k[=o]'sis, _n._ whiteness of skin, pallor.--_ns._ LEUCISM
(l[=u]'sizm), whiteness resulting from lack of colour, albinism;
LEUCOP'ATHY, albinism.--_adj._ LEU'COUS, white, albinotic. [Gr. _leukos_,
white.]
LEVANT, le-vant', _n._ the point where the sun rises: the East: the coasts
of the Mediterranean east of Italy.--_adj._ LEV'ANT, or L[=E]'VANT,
eastern.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, a strong easterly wind in the Levant.--_adj._
LEVANT'INE, belonging to the Levant. [Fr. _levant_--L. _lev[=a]re_, to
raise.]
LEVANT, le-vant', _v.i._ to decamp.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, one who runs away
dishonourably, who dodges paying his bets, &c. [Sp. _levantar_, to move--L.
_lev[=a]re_, to raise.]
LEVATOR, le-v[=a]'tor, _n._ that which raises (of a muscle):--opp. to
_Depressor_. [L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]
LEVEE, lev'[=a], lev'[=e], le-v[=e]', _n._ a morning assembly of visitors:
an assembly received by a sovereign or other great personage.--_v.t._ to
attend the levee of. [Fr. _lever_, to rise.]
LEVEE, le-v[=e]', _n._ an artificial bank, as that of the Lower
Mississippi: a quay. [Fr.]
LEVEL, lev'el, _n._ a horizontal line or surface: a surface without
inequalities: proper position: usual elevation: state of equality: the line
of direction: an instrument for showing the horizontal.--_adj._ horizontal:
even, smooth: even with anything else: uniform: well-balanced, sound of
judgment: in the same line or plane: equal in position or dignity.--_v.t._
to make horizontal: to make flat or smooth: to make equal: to take
aim:--_pr.p._ lev'elling; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lev'elled.--_ns._
LEV'EL-CROSS'ING, or GRADE'-CROSS'ING, a place at which a common road
crosses a railway at the same level; LEV'ELLER, one who levels or makes
equal, esp. one of an ultra-republican and revolutionary sect or party
which grew up in the parliamentary army in 1647, crushed by Cromwell in
1649; LEV'ELLING, the act of making uneven surfaces level: the process of
finding the differences in level between different points on the surface of
the earth by means of a LEVELLING INSTRUMENT, consisting of a telescope
carrying a parallel and sensitive spirit-level, adjustable by means of
screws; LEV'ELLING-ROD, -STAFF, an instrument used in levelling, in
conjunction with a levelling instrument, or with a spirit-level and a
telescope.--_adv._ LEV'ELLY, evenly.--_n._ LEV'ELNESS, state of being
level, even, or equal.--LEVEL DOWN or UP, to lower or raise to the same
level or status; DO ONE'S LEVEL BEST (_coll._) to do one's utmost. [O. Fr.
_livel_, _liveau_ (Fr. _niveau_)--L. _libella_, a plummet, dim. of _libra_,
a balance.]
[Illustration]
LEVER, l[=e]'v[.e]r, _n._ a bar of metal or other substance turning on a
support called the fulcrum or prop, for imparting pressure or motion from a
source of power to a resistance--of three kinds, according to the relative
positions of the power, weight, and fulcrum: (_fig._) anything which exerts
influence: any one of various tools on the principle defined above--in
surgery, dentistry, &c.: a removable rod or bar inserted in a machine, to
be operated by hand leverage.--_ns._ L[=E]'VERAGE, the mechanical power
gained by the use of the lever: advantage gained for any purpose;
L[=E]'VER-WATCH, a watch having a vibrating lever in the mechanism of the
escapement. [Fr. _levier_--_lever_--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]
LEVER, l[=e]'v[.e]r, _adv._ an obsolete comp. of _lief_.
LEVERET, lev'[.e]r-et, _n._ a hare in its first year. [O. Fr. _levret_ (Fr.
_lièvre_)--L. _lepus_, _lep[)o]ris_, a hare.]
LEVIABLE, lev'i-a-bl, _adj._ able to be levied or assessed.
LEVIATHAN, le-v[=i]'a-than, _n._ (_B._) a huge aquatic animal in Job xli.,
here a crocodile; in Isa. xxvii. 1, apparently the great python of Egyptian
monuments: anything of huge size: any huge sea-monster, as in Ps. civ. 26.
[Heb. _livy[=a]th[=a]n_--_l[=a]v[=a]h_, to cleave.]
LEVIGATE, lev'i-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to make smooth: to grind to a fine,
impalpable powder.--_adj._ made smooth, polished.--_adj._ LEV'IGABLE,
capable of being ground down to fine powder.--_n._ LEVIG[=A]'TION. [L.
_l[=e]vig[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_l[=e]vis_, smooth; Gr. _leios_, akin to
_level_.]
LEVIGATE, lev'i-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to lighten, belittle. [L. _l[)e]vig[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_--_l[)e]vis_, light.]
LEVIN, lev'n, _n._ (_Spens._) lightning.--Also LEV'EN.
LEVIRATE, lev'i-r[=a]t, _n._ marriage between a man and a childless
brother's widow--an obligation amongst the ancient Hebrews.--_adj._
LEVIRAT'ICAL.--_n._ LEVIR[=A]'TION. [L. _levir_, a brother-in-law.]
LEVITATION, lev-i-t[=a]'shun, _n._ act of rendering light: the floating in
the air of heavy bodies believed in by spiritualists.--_v.t._ LEV'ITATE, to
cause to float.
LEVITE, l[=e]'v[=i]t, _n._ a descendant of _Levi_: an inferior priest of
the ancient Jewish Church.--_adjs._ LEVIT'IC, -AL.--_adv._
LEVIT'ICALLY.--_n._ LEVIT'ICUS, the third book of the Old
Testament.--LEVITICAL DEGREES, the degrees of kindred within which marriage
was forbidden in Lev. xviii. 6-18.
LEVITY, lev'it-i, _n._ lightness of weight: lightness of temper or conduct:
thoughtlessness: disposition to trifle: vanity. [L.
_levitat-em_--_l[)e]vis_, light.]
LEVOGYRATE (LÆV-), l[=e]-v[=o]-j[=i]'r[=a]t, _adj._ causing to turn toward
the left hand.--_n._ LEVOGYR[=A]'TION.--_adj._ LEVOGY'ROUS.
LEVULOSE, lev'[=u]-l[=o]s, _n._ a sugar isomeric with dextrose, but turning
the plane of polarisation to the left. [L. _lævus_, left.]
LEVY, lev'i, _v.t._ to raise: to collect by authority, as an army or a
tax:--_pr.p._ lev'ying; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lev'ied.--_n._ the act of
collecting by authority: the troops so collected. [L. _lev[=a]re_, to
raise.]