CANTALOUP, kan'ta-loop, _n._ a small, ribbed variety of musk-melon.
[Fr.,--It. _Cantalupo_, a town near Rome, where it was first grown in
Europe.]
CANTANKEROUS, kan-tang'k[.e]r-us, _adj._ cross-grained: perverse in
temper.--_adv._ CANTAN'KEROUSLY.--_n._ CANTAN'KEROUSNESS. [M. E. _contak_,
quarrelling.]
CANTAR, kan'tär, _n._ a Turkish weight of 100 rotls or pounds.
CANTATA, kan-tä'ta, _n._ originally the name applied to a sort of musical
narrative by one person, accompanied by a single instrument; subsequently
an air was introduced--the modern concert-aria: now also a choral work,
either sacred, and similar to, but shorter than the oratorio, or secular,
either lyric or dramatic, but not intended for the stage.--_ns._ CANTA'TE,
the 98th Psalm, from its opening words in Latin, 'Cantate Domino;'
CAN'TATRICE, a female singer. [It.,--L. _cant[=a]re_, freq. of _can[)e]re_,
to sing.]
CANTEEN, kan-t[=e]n', _n._ a tin vessel used by soldiers for holding
liquors: a barrack-tavern, or refreshment-house for the use of the
soldiers. [Fr. _cantine_--It. _cantina_, a cellar; further der. uncertain.]
CANTER, kan't[.e]r, _n._ an easy gallop.--_v.i._ to move at an easy
gallop.--_v.t._ to make to canter. [Orig. _Canterbury-gallop_, from the
easy pace at which the pilgrims rode to the shrine at Canterbury.]
CANTERBURY, kan't[.e]r-ber-ri, _n._ a stand with divisions in it for
holding books, music, &c.--CANTERBURY BELLS (see CAMPANULA).
CANTHARIDES, kan-thar'i-d[=e]z, _n.pl._ Spanish flies, used for
blistering.--_adjs._ CANTHAR'IDAL, CANTHARID'IAN, CANTHARID'IC, composed of
cantharides.--_n._ CANTHAR'IDINE, the active principle of blistering-flies.
[L. _cantharis_, beetle, pl. _cantharides_.]
CANTHARUS, kan'tha-rus, _n._ a large two-handled drinking-cup: a laver in
the atrium before ancient churches;--_pl._ CAN'THAR[=I], [L.]
CANTHUS, kan'thus, _n._ the angle formed by the junction of the eyelids:
one of the upper and lower or anterior and posterior extremities of the
compound eyes of insects:--_pl._ CAN'THI (-th[=i]). [Gr. _kanthos_, corner
of the eye.]
CANTICLE, kan'ti-kl, _n._ a song: a non-metrical hymn, esp. one of those
used in the public services of the church, as the _Benedicite_: (_pl._) the
Song of Solomon.--_n._ CAN'TICUM, a canticle: a part-song in an ancient
play. [L. _canticulum_, dim of _canticum_.]
CANTILENA, kan-ti-l[=e]'na, _n._ a ballad or light song: a cantus firmus or
melody for church use: a singing exercise or solfeggio. [L.]
CANTILEVER, kan'ti-l[=e]v-[.e]r, _n._ a large bracket used in architecture
for supporting cornices, balconies, and even stairs--the principle has been
applied in the construction of bridges to support enormous weights.--Also
CAN'TALIVER. [Prob. made up of CANT, angle, and Fr. _lever_, to raise.]
CANTILLATE, kan'ti-l[=a]t, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to chant, intone.--_n._
CANTILL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ CAN'TILLATORY.
CANTION, kan'shun, _n._ (_Spens._) a song.
CANTLE, kan'tl, _n._ a fragment or edge of anything: the protuberant part
of the back of a saddle: (_Scot._) the top of the head.--_v.t._ to cut a
piece from: to divide.--_ns._ CANT'LET, a fragment, cantle; CANT'LING, the
lower course of bricks enclosing a brick-clamp. [CANT, edge.]
CANTO, kan't[=o], _n._ division of a song or poem: the treble or leading
melody.--_n._ CAN'TOR, the leader of the singing in a church, a
precentor.--_adjs._ CANT[=O]'RIAL; CANT[=O]'RIS (gen. of L. _cantor_), of
or belonging to the cantor or precentor.--_n._ CAN'TUS, a melody, esp. an
ecclesiastical style of music.--CANTO FERMO, the simple melody of the hymns
and chants used in the Christian Church of the West from the earliest
times. [It.,--L. _cantus_--_can[)e]re_, to sing.]
CANTON, kan'tun, _n._ a division of territory, constituting in Switzerland
a separate government, in France a subdivision of an arrondissement:
(_her._) an ordinary of a shield, being a square occupying generally the
dexter, sometimes the sinister, chief of the field.--_v.t._ to divide into
cantons: to allot quarters to troops.--_adjs._ CAN'TONAL, pertaining to or
divided into cantons; CAN'TONED (_archit._), ornamented at the corners with
projecting pilasters: (_her._) placed in the midst of charges occupying the
corners.--_n._ CAN'TONMENT (also pronounced can-t[=oo]n'ment), the
temporary quarters of troops when taking part in manoeuvres or active
operations: in India, permanent military towns, distinct and at some little
distance from the principal cities. [O. Fr. _canton_; It. _cantone_,
corner, district--_canto_, a corner: cf. CANT (2).]
CANTOR. See under CANTO.
CANTRED, kan'tred, _n._ a division of the country: a hundred. [W.
_cantref_--_cant_, hundred, and _tref_, town.]
CANTRIP, kan'trip, _n._ a freak or wilful piece of trickery: a witch's
spell. [Scot.; ety. unknown; Jamieson suggested _cant_, to turn over,
_raip_, a roap.]
CANTUARIAN, kan-t[=u]-[=a]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to Canterbury as the
archiepiscopal see of the primate of the Church of England. [Low L.
_Cantuarius_, _Cantuarensis_--A.S. _Cantware_ (pl.), the people of Kent.]
CANTY, kan'ti, _adj._ cheerful, lively.--_n._ CAN'TINESS. [Scot.; cf. Low
Ger. _kantig_.]
CANVAS, kan'vas, _n._ a coarse cloth made of hemp, used for sails, tents,
&c., and for painting on: the sails of a ship.--_v.t._ to cover with
canvas.--_ns._ CAN'VAS-BACK, a North American duck, very good eating, its
back ashy white, crossed by broken, zigzag, dark lines; CAN'VAS-CLIMB'ER
(_Shak._), a sailor; CAN'VAS-STRETCH'ER, a wooden frame on which canvas is
stretched for oil-painting; CAN'VAS-WORK, embroidery upon cloth over which
canvas has been laid to guide the stitches: an embroidery in Berlin wool on
silk canvas with plush-stitch.--UNDER CANVAS, having the sails unfurled,
under sail: living in tents. [O. Fr. _canevas_--L. and Gr. _cannabis_,
hemp.]
CANVASS, kan'vas, _v.t._ to sift, examine: to discuss: to solicit votes,
contributions, &c.--_v.i._ to solicit votes, &c. (with _for_).--_n._ close
examination: a seeking or solicitation.--_n._ CAN'VASSER. [From CANVAS.]
CANY, k[=a]n'i, _adj._ (_Milton_) made of canes.
CANYON. Same as CAÑON.
CANZONE, kan-z[=o]'n[=a], _n._ a song or air in two or more parts, with
passages of fugue and imitation: a series of stanzas in Italian poetry, of
various metrical arrangements, and restricted to no set themes--(_dim._)
CANZONET', CANZONETTE'. [It., a song (Fr. _chanson_), L. _cantion-em_,
_can[)e]re_, to sing.]
CAOUTCHOUC, kow'chuk, _n._ the highly elastic juice or gum of a plant which
grows in South America and Asia: india-rubber. [Fr.--Carib. _cahuchu_.]
CAP, kap, _n._ a woman's head-dress of muslin, or the like: a boy's
head-dress, any kind of unbrimmed covering for the head: a cap-like
covering of any kind: a cover: the top.--_v.t._ to put on a cap, as the
official cap of a degree in some colleges: to outdo or surpass: to cover
the end or top: to raise the cap in token of respect:--_pr.p._ cap'ping;
_pa.p._ capped.--_n._ CAP'-CASE, a small travelling-case, a chest.--CAP AND
BELLS, the characteristic marks of a professional jester; CAP A STORY,
QUOTATION, VERSE, &c., to follow one up with another, or with its proper
continuation or conclusion; CAP IN HAND, symbolic of reverence or
submission; CAP OF LIBERTY, or _Phrygian bonnet_, the conical cap given to
a Roman slave on enfranchisement, now the symbol of republicanism; CAP OF
MAINTENANCE (see MAINTENANCE).--A FEATHER IN ONE'S CAP, something giving
distinction: something to be proud of.--BLACK CAP, that put on by the judge
before pronouncing sentence of death; COLLEGE CAP, the so-called square
mortarboard, or trencher-cap, worn at English colleges.--PERCUSSION CAP, a
small copper cylinder, closed at one end, for conveniently holding the
detonating powder which is exploded by the act of percussion in
percussion-arms.--SET ONE'S CAP AT, of a woman, to set herself to captivate
a man's fancy.--THE CAP FITS, the allusion hits or suits; THROW UP ONE'S
CAP, in token of immoderate joy. [A.S. _cæppe_--Low L. _cappa_, a cape or
cope.]
CAP, kap, _n._ a wooden drinking-bowl, with two handles. [Scot., prob. from
A.S. _copp_, a cup; prob. Scand. _koppr_.]
CAPA, kä'pa, _n._ a Spanish cloak: fine Cuban tobacco for the outsides of
cigars. [Sp.]
CAPABLE, k[=a]p'a-bl, _adj._ having ability, power, or skill to do:
qualified, competent.--_ns._ CAPABIL'ITY, CAP'ABLENESS. [Fr.,--Low L.
_capabilis_--L. _cap[)e]re_, to hold, take.]
CAPACITY, kap-as'i-ti, _n._ power of holding or grasping a thing: room:
volume: power of mind: character: position enabling one to do
something.--_adj._ CAP[=A]'CIOUS, including much: roomy: wide:
extensive.--_adv._ CAP[=A]'CIOUSLY.--_n._ CAP[=A]'CIOUSNESS.--_v.t._
CAPAC'ITATE, to make capable: to qualify; CAPACITY FOR HEAT, power of
absorbing heat.--LEGAL CAPACITY, the power to alter one's rights or duties
by the exercise of free-will, or responsibility to punishment for one's
acts. [Fr.,--L. _capacitas_,--_cap[)e]re_, to take, hold.]
CAP-À-PIE, kap-a-p[=e]', _adv._ from head to foot, referring to arming, as
a knight. [O. Fr. _cap a pie_ (mod. _de pied en cap_)--L. _caput_, head,
and _pes_, foot.]
CAPARISON, ka-par'is-un, _n._ the covering of a horse: a rich cloth laid
over a war-horse: dress and ornaments generally.--_v.t._ to cover with a
cloth, as a horse: to dress very richly.--_adj._ CAPAR'ISONED. [Fr.
_caparaçon_--Sp. _caparazon_, augmentative of _capa_, a cape, cover--Low L.
_cappa_.]
CAPE, k[=a]p, _n._ a covering for the shoulders attached as a tippet to a
coat or cloak: a sleeveless cloak. [O. Fr. _cape_--Low L. _cappa_.]
CAPE, k[=a]p, _n._ a head or point of land running into the sea: a
headland: a wine produced in Cape Colony.--_v.i._ (_naut._) to keep a
course.--THE CAPE, for the Cape Colony. [Fr. _cap_--L. _caput_, the head.]
CAPELIN, kap'e-lin, _n._ a small fish of the smelt family, extremely
abundant on the coasts of Newfoundland, and much used as bait in the
cod-fishery.--Also CAP'LIN. [Fr. and Sp. _capelan_.]
CAPELINE, kap'e-lin, _n._ a small iron skull-cap worn by archers in the
middle ages: a light woollen hood worn by ladies going out to an evening
party: a surgical bandage for the head.--Also CAP'ELLINE. [Fr.,--Low L.
_capella_--_capa_, a cap.]
CAPELLET, kap'e-let, _n._ a wen-like swelling on a horse's elbow, or on the
back part of his hock. [Fr.,--Low L. _capella_--_capa_, a cap.]
CAPELL-MEISTER. Same as KAPELLMEISTER (q.v.).
CAPER, k[=a]'p[.e]r, _n._ the pickled flower-bud of the caper-shrub, much
grown in Sicily. It has an agreeable pungency of taste, with a slight
bitterness, and is much used in sauces, along with boiled mutton, &c.--_n._
C[=A]'PER-TEA, a black tea with a knotty curled leaf. [L. and Gr.
_capparis_.]
CAPER, k[=a]'p[.e]r, _v.i._ to leap or skip like a goat: to dance in a
frolicsome manner.--_n._ a leap: a prank.--_n._ C[=A]'PERER, a dancer.--TO
CUT A CAPER, to dance or act fantastically. [See CAPRIOLE.]
CAPERCAILZIE, k[=a]-per-k[=a]l'yi, _n._ a species of grouse, almost equal
in size to a turkey, and the largest of the gallinaceous birds of
Europe.--Also CAPERCAIL'LIE. [Gael. _capull coilie_, large woodcock.]
CAPERNAITE, kap-er'na-[=i]t, _n._ a polemical term applied to a believer in
transubstantiation--from John, vi. 52.--_adj._ CAPERNAIT'IC.--_adv._
CAPERNAIT'ICALLY. [_Capernaum_, a town in Galilee.]
CAPERNOITIE, kap-er-noi'ti, _n._ (_Scot._) head, noddle.--_n._
CAPERNOI'TEDNESS.--_adjs._ CAPERNOI'TY, CAPERNOI'TED, peevish: crabbed.
CAPIAS, k[=a]'pi-as, _n._ a judicial writ, commanding the sheriff to arrest
the person named in it. [L. _capias_, thou mayst take--L. _cap[)e]re_, to
take.]
CAPIBARA. Same as CAPYBARA.
CAPILLAIRE, kap-il-l[=a]r', _n._ (_orig._) a syrup extracted from the
maiden-hair fern: a simple syrup flavoured with orange-flower water. [Fr.,
'maiden-hair'--L. _capillaris_. See CAPILLARY.]
CAPILLAMENT, ka-pil'a-ment, _n._ a filament or fine fibre. [L.
_capillamentum_--_capillus_, hair.]
CAPILLARY, kap'il-a-ri, or ka-pil'a-ri, _adj._ as fine or minute as a hair:
having a very small bore, as a tube.--_n._ a tube with a bore as fine as a
hair: (_pl._) the minute vessels that unite the veins and arteries in
animals.--_adj._ CAPILLACEOUS (kap-i-l[=a]'shi-us), hair-like,
capillary.--_n._ CAPILLAR'ITY, a name given to certain phenomena which
appear when open tubes, having a very small bore, are placed in vessels
containing liquids--e.g., if placed in water, the level of the water in the
tube will be above that of the general surface.--_adj._ CAP'ILLOSE, hairy.
[L. _capillaris_--_capillus_, hair, akin to _caput_, the head, akin to Eng.
HEAD.]
CAPITAL, kap'it-al, _adj._ relating to the head: involving the loss of the
head; chief: principal: excellent.--_n._ the head or top part of a column
or pillar: the chief or most important thing: the chief city of a country:
a large letter, such as used on title-pages, &c.: the stock or money for
carrying on any business.--_n._ CAPITALIS[=A]'TION, the act of converting
into capital: printing with capital letters.--_v.t._ CAP'ITAL[=I]SE, to
convert into capital or money.--_ns._ CAP'ITALISM, condition of possessing
capital: the economic system which generates capitalists; CAP'ITALIST, one
who has capital or money.--_adv._ CAP'ITALLY, chiefly: principally:
excellently: by capital punishment.--_adj._ CAP'ITATE (_bot._), growing in
or shaped like a head.--_ns._ CAPIT[=A]'TION, a numbering of every head or
individual: a tax on every head; CAPITE (kap'it-i), an ancient English
tenure (_Shak._).--CIRCULATING OR FLOATING CAPITAL consists of the wages
paid to the workmen, and of the raw material used up in the processes of
industry, &c.; FIXED CAPITAL consists of buildings, machines, tools,
&c.--HOLD LANDS IN CAPITE, to hold them directly from the sovereign.--MAKE
CAPITAL OUT OF, to turn to advantage. [O. Fr. _capitel_--L.
_capitalis_--_caput_, the head.]
CAPITAN, kap-i-tan', or kap'i-tan, _n._ the chief admiral of the Turkish
fleet.--_n._ CAPITAN'O, a head-man. [See CAPTAIN.]
CAPITOL, kap'it-ol, _n._ the temple of Jupiter at Rome, built on the
_Capitoline_ hill: (_U.S._) the house where Congress meets.--_adjs._
CAPIT[=O]'LIAN, CAPIT'OLINE. [L. _Capitolium_--_caput_, the head.]
CAPITULAR, kap-it'[=u]l-ar, _n._ a statute passed in a chapter or
ecclesiastical court: a member of a chapter--also CAPIT'ULARY.--_adj._
relating or belonging to a chapter in a cathedral.--_adv._ CAPIT'ULARLY.
[See CHAPTER.]
CAPITULATE, kap-it'[=u]l-[=a]t, _v.i._ to treat: to draw up terms of
agreement: to yield or surrender on certain conditions or heads.--_ns._
CAPIT'ULANT; CAPITUL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ CAPIT'ULATORY, recapitulatory. [Low
L. _capitulatus_, pa.p. of _capitul[=a]re_, to arrange under
heads--_capitulum_, a chapter.]
CAPITULUM, ka-pit'[=u]-lum, _n._ (_bot._) a close head of sessile flowers,
as in COMPOSITÆ: (_anat._) the head of a bone, esp. of a rib--also
CAPITEL'LUM.--_adj._ CAPIT'ULAR. [L., dim. of _caput_, head.]
CAPLE, CAPUL, k[=a]'pl, _n._ a horse. [M. E. _capel_; cf. Ice. _kapall_;
Ir. _capall_; prob. from Low L. _caballus_, a horse.]
CAPNOMANCY, kap'no-man-si, _n._ divination by means of smoke. [Gr.
_kapnos_, smoke, _manteia_, divination.]