LIBRARY, l[=i]'brar-i, _n._ a building or room containing a collection of
books: a collection of books.--_ns._ LIBR[=A]'RIAN, the keeper of a
library; LIBR[=A]'RIANSHIP. [L. _librarium_--_liber_, a book.]
LIBRATE, l[=i]'br[=a]t, _v.t._ to poise: to balance.--_v.i._ to move
slightly: to be poised.--_n._ LIBR[=A]'TION, balancing: a state of
equipoise: a slight swinging motion.--_adj._ L[=I]'BRATORY.--LIBRATION OF
THE MOON, an apparent irregularity in the moon's motion, whereby its globe
seems to turn slightly round to each side alternately. [L. _libr[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_--_libra_, balance.]
LIBRETTO, li-bret'[=o], _n._ a book of the words of an opera or other
musical composition: the text itself.--_n._ LIBRETT'IST, a writer of
librettos. [It., dim. of _libro_--L. _liber_, a book.]
LIBYAN, lib'yan, _adj._ of _Libya_, northern Africa from Egypt to the
Atlantic.--_n._ a native thereof.
LICE, l[=i]s, _pl._ of _louse_.
LICENSE, LICENCE, l[=i]'sens, _n._ a being allowed: leave: grant of
permission, as for manufacturing a patented article or for the sale of
intoxicants: the document by which authority is conferred: excess or abuse
of freedom: a departure from rules or standards in art or
literature.--_v.t._ L[=I]'CENSE, to grant license to: to authorise or
permit.--_adj._ L[=I]'CENSABLE.--_ns._ LICENSEE', one to whom license is
granted; L[=I]'CENSER, one who grants license or permission: one authorised
to license; L[=I]'CENSURE, act of licensing; LICEN'TIATE, among
Presbyterians, a person authorised by a Presbytery to preach: on the
Continent, an academical dignity, forming the step from the baccalaureate
to the doctorate.--_adj._ LICEN'TIOUS, indulging in excessive freedom:
given to the indulgence of the animal passions: dissolute.--_adv._
LICEN'TIOUSLY.--_n._ LICEN'TIOUSNESS.--HIGH LICENSE, a mode of regulating
the traffic in alcoholic drinks by exacting a comparatively large sum for
the privilege of selling such; SPECIAL LICENSE, license given by the
Archbishop of Canterbury permitting the marriage of two specified persons
without banns, and at a place and time other than those prescribed by law.
[Fr.,--L. _licentia_--_licet_.]
LICHEN, l[=i]'ken, lich'en, _n._ one of an order of cellular flowerless
plants: an eruption on the skin.--_adjs._ L[=I]'CHENED, covered with
lichens; LICHEN'IC, pertaining to lichens; L[=I]'CHENIFORM.--_ns._
L[=I]'CHENINE, a starch-like substance, found in Iceland moss and other
lichens; L[=I]'CHENIST, LICHENOG'RAPHER, one versed in LICHENOG'RAPHY, the
description of lichens.--_adjs._ LICHENOGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_n._ LICHENOL'OGY,
the department of botany relating to lichens.--_adj._ L[=I]'CHENOUS,
abounding in, or pertaining to, lichens. [L.,--Gr.
_leich[=e]n_--_leichein_, to lick.]
[Illustration]
LICHGATE, lich'g[=a]t, _n._ a churchyard gate with a porch to rest the bier
under.--_ns._ LICH'WAKE, the wake or watch held over a dead body--also
_Likewake_, _Lykewake_, and even _Latewake_; LICH'WAY, the path by which
the dead are carried to the grave. [M. E. _lich_--A.S. _líc_ (Ger.
_leiche_), _geat_, a gate.]