COULOMB, koo-lom', _n._ the unit of quantity in measuring current
electricity: the quantity furnished by a current of one ampere in one
second. [From the French physicist, C. A. de _Coulomb_ (1736-1806).]
COULTER. See COLTER.
COUMARINE, koo'ma-rin, _n._ a crystalline compound obtained in Tonka beans,
&c.--also CU'MARIN.--_adjs._ COU'MARIC, COUMARIL'IC.
COUNCIL, kown'sil, _n._ an assembly called together for deliberation or
advice: the body of men constituting such an assembly: the body of men
directing the affairs of the city: an assembly of ecclesiastics met to
regulate doctrine or discipline (_diocesan_, _provincial_, _national_,
_general_, or _oecumenical_).--_ns._ COUN'CIL-BOARD, the board or table
round which a council meets for deliberation: the council itself;
COUN'CIL-CHAM'BER, the room where a council is held; COUN'CILLOR, a member
of a council, esp. of a common council; COUN'CIL-MAN, a member of a
municipal council.--COUNCIL OF WAR, a conference of military or naval
officers called to meet and consult with the commander.--GENERAL COUNCIL,
one called by an invitation to the church at large, also OECUMENICAL, if
received by the Catholic Church in general--as the first seven,
325-787.--IN COUNCIL, in the council-chamber: in giving
advice.--PRIVY-COUNCIL (see PRIVY). [Fr. _concile_--L. _concilium_.]
COUNSEL, kown'sel, _n._ consultation: deliberation: advice: plan: purpose:
one who gives counsel, a barrister or advocate.--_v.t._ to give advice: to
warn:--_pr.p._ coun'selling; _pa.p._ coun'selled.--_n._ COUN'SEL-KEEP'ER
(_Shak._), one who can keep counsel or a secret.--_adjs._ COUN'SEL-KEEP'ING
(_Shak._), keeping counsel or secrets; COUN'SELLABLE, that may be
counselled.--_ns._ COUN'SELLOR, one who counsels: a barrister;
COUN'SELLORSHIP.--COUNSEL OF PERFECTION, a declaration of our Lord's, not
absolutely imperative, but commended as the means of reaching greater
perfection; KEEP COUNSEL, to keep a secret; KING'S COUNSEL (K.C.), a
barrister-at-law appointed by letters-patent--the office is honorary, but
gives the right of precedence in all the courts. [Fr. _conseil_--L.
_consilium_, advice--_consul[)e]re_, to consult.]
COUNT, kownt, _n._ on the Continent, a title of nobility equal in rank to
an English earl:--_fem._ COUNT'ESS, the wife of a count or earl (fem. of
_earl_).--_ns._ COUNT'SHIP, a count's dignity or domain (also used as a
title); COUN'TY, a portion of a country separated for the administration of
justice: a shire; COUN'TY-FAM'ILY, a family of the nobility or gentry
(COUN'TY-PEOPLE), with estates and a seat in the county. [O. Fr.
_conte_--L. _comes_, _comitis_, a companion, _con_, with, _[=i]re_, _itum_,
to go.]
COUNT, kownt, _v.t._ to number, sum up: to ascribe: esteem:
consider.--_v.i._ to add to or increase a number by being counted to it: to
depend.--_n._ act of numbering: the number counted: a particular charge in
an indictment.--_adj._ COUNT'ABLE, capable of being counted.--_ns._
COUNT'ER, he who or that which counts: that which indicates a number: a
piece of metal, &c., used in reckoning: a table on which money is counted
or goods laid; COUNT'ING-HOUSE, COUNT'ING-ROOM, the house or room in which
merchants keep their accounts and transact business.--_adj._ COUNT'LESS,
that cannot be counted: innumerable.--_n._ COUNT'-WHEEL, a wheel with
notched edge controlling the stroke of a clock in sounding the hours. [O.
Fr. _cunter_ (Fr. _compter_)--L. _comput[=a]re_.]
COUNTENANCE, kown'ten-ans, _n._ the face: the expression of the face:
appearance.--_v.t._ to favour or approve.--_n._ COUN'TENANCER.--CHANGE
COUNTENANCE, to change the expression of the face; HIS COUNTENANCE FELL, he
became dejected or angry; IN COUNTENANCE, unabashed--opp. to _Out of
countenance_. [O. Fr. _contenance_--L. _continentia_, restraint,
demeanour--L. _contin[=e]re_, to contain.]
COUNTER, kown't[.e]r, _adv._ against: in opposition.--_adj._ contrary:
opposite.--_n._ that which is counter of opposite: (_mus._) the voice-part
set in immediate contrast with the air: (_fencing_) a parry in which one
foil follows the other in a small circle: the part of a horse's breast
between the shoulders and under the neck: (_naut._) the part of a ship
between the water-line and the knuckle of the stern.--_v.t._ COUNTERACT',
to act counter or in opposition to: to hinder or defeat.--_n._
COUNTERAC'TION.--_adj._ COUNTERACT'IVE, tending to counteract.--_n._ one
who or that which counteracts.--_adv._ COUNTERACT'IVELY.--_ns._
COUN'TER-AG'ENT, anything which counteracts; COUN'TER-APPROACH', a work
thrown up outside a besieged place to command or check the approaches of
the besieger; COUN'TER-ATTRAC'TION, attraction in an opposite
direction.--_adj._ COUN'TER-ATTRACT'IVE, attracting in an opposite
direction.--_v.t._ COUNTERBAL'ANCE, to balance by weight on the opposite
side: to act against with equal weight, power, or influence.--_ns._
COUN'TERBALANCE, an equal weight, power, or agency working in opposition;
COUN'TERBASE (see CONTRABASS); COUN'TER-BATT'ERY (_mil._), a battery
erected to oppose another; COUN'TER-BLAST, something done in opposition to
another thing; COUN'TER-BOND, a bond to protect from contingent loss one
who has given bond for another.--_v.t._ COUN'TER-BRACE (_naut._), to brace
or fasten (the head-yards and after-yards) in opposite ways.--_n._ the
lee-brace of the fore-topsail-yard.--_n._ COUN'TERBUFF, a stroke that stops
motion or causes a recoil.--_v.t._ to drive back by such.--_ns._
COUN'TER-CAST (_Spens._), a contrary cast, counterplot, trick;
COUN'TER-CAST'ER (_Shak._), one who casts accounts: a book-keeper--used in
contempt; COUN'TER-CHANGE, (_Shak._), exchange, reciprocation.--_p.adj._
COUN'TERCHANGED', exchanged: (_her._) intermixed or set one against the
other, as the colours of the field and charge.--_n._ COUN'TER-CHARGE, a
charge brought forward in opposition to another charge.--_v.t._
COUN'TERCHARM, to destroy or dissolve the effects of another charm.--_n._
that which destroys the effects of another charm.--_v.t._ COUN'TER-CHECK,
to check by some obstacle: to rebuke.--_ns._ COUNTER-CHECK', a check in
opposition to another: a rebuke; COUNTER-CLAIM, kown't[.e]r-kl[=a]m, _n._ a
cross-demand brought forward as a partial or complete set-off against
another claim.; COUN'TER-CURR'ENT, a current flowing in an opposite
direction; COUN'TER-DRAIN, a drain alongside a canal, &c., to carry off
water oozing out.--_v.t._ COUN'TERDRAW, to trace on oiled paper or other
transparent material.--_ns._ COUN'TER-EV'IDENCE, evidence brought forward
in opposition to other evidence; COUN'TERFOIL, the corresponding part of a
bank cheque, &c., retained by the giver; COUN'TER-FORCE, an opposing force;
COUN'TER-FORT (_fort._), a buttress, or arch behind the revetments or
retaining walls of the ditches of permanent fortifications; COUN'TER-GAUGE,
an adjustable scribing gauge for marking the measurements of a mortise on a
piece to be tenoned; COUN'TER-GUARD (_fort._), an outwork consisting of two
lines of rampart running parallel to the faces of the bastion, to guard the
bastion from being breached; COUN'TER-IN'FLUENCE, an opposing influence;
COUN'TER-IRR'ITANT, an agent or substance applied to the skin so as to
redden, to vesicate, or to produce pustules, &c.; COUN'TER-IRRIT[=A]'TION,
an artificial irritation produced in one part of the body to act in
opposition to and remove already existing irritation; COUN'TERLIGHT
(_paint._), a light opposite to any object, disturbing the effect of its
light.--_v.i._ COUN'TERMARCH, to march back or in a direction contrary to a
former one.--_n._ a marching backward or in a direction different from a
former one: (_mil._) an evolution by which a body of men change front, and
still retain the same men in the front rank: change of measures.--_n._
COUN'TERMARK, an additional mark put on a bale of goods belonging to
several merchants, so that it may not be opened except in the presence of
all the owners: a mark put on standard metal by the London Goldsmiths'
Company in addition to the artificer's: an artificial cavity made in the
teeth of horses to disguise their age.--_v.t._ COUN'TERMINE, to make a mine
in opposition to: to oppose by means of a countermine: (_fig._) to
frustrate by secret working:--_pr.p._ countermin'ing; _pa.p._
countermined'.--_ns._ COUN'TER-MINE (_mil._), a mine or chamber excavated
by the besieged to counteract or destroy the mines made by the besiegers:
(_fig._) any means of counteraction; COUN'TER-M[=O]'TION, an opposite
motion; COUN'TER-MOVE, -MOVE'MENT, a contrary move, movement.--_v.t._
COUN'TERMURE, to fortify a wall with another wall.--_ns._
COUN'TER-[=O]'PENING, an aperture or vent on the opposite side, or in a
different place; COUN'TER-PACE, a step in opposition to another, a contrary
measure.--_adj._ COUN'TER-PALED (_her._), divided equally, as an
escutcheon, first palewise, then by a line fesswise, with two tinctures
countercharged.--_ns._ COUN'TER-PAROLE', a word in addition to the
password; COUN'TERPART, the part that answers to another part: that which
fits into or completes another, having the qualities which another lacks,
and so an opposite.--_adj._ COUN'TER-PASS'ANT (_her._), denoting two
animals in a coat of arms represented as passing each other the contrary
way.--_n._ COUN'TERPLEA, a replication to a plea or request.--_v.t._
COUNTERPLEAD', to plead the contrary of; COUN'TERPLOT', to plot against in
order to frustrate another plot:--_pr.p._ counterplot'ting; _pa.p._
counterplot'ted.--_n._ a plot or stratagem opposed to another plot.--_v.t._
COUN'TERPOISE, to poise or weigh against or on the opposite side: to act in
opposition to with equal effect.--_n._ an equally heavy weight in the other
scale--(_Spens._) COUN'TERPOYS.--_ns._ COUN'TER-POIS'ON, a poison used as
the antidote of another; COUN'TER-PRES'SURE, opposing pressure;
COUN'TER-PROOF, an inverted impression obtained from a newly printed proof
of an engraving, by laying it, while the ink is still wet, upon plain
paper, and passing it through the press; COUN'TER-REVOL[=U]'TION, a
subsequent revolution counteracting the effect of a previous;
COUN'TER-ROLL, a copy of the rolls relating to appeals, inquests, &c.,
serving as a check on another's roll; COUN'TER-ROUND, a body of officers
which goes to inspect the rounds.--_adj._ COUN'TERS[=A]'LIENT (_her._),
salient in opposite directions.--_n._ COUN'TERSCARP (_fort._), the side of
the ditch nearest to the besiegers and opposite to the scarp.--_v.t._
COUNTERSEAL' (_Shak._), to seal along with others.--_ns._
COUN'TER-SECUR'ITY, security given to one who has become surety for
another; COUN'TER-SENSE, an interpretation contrary to the real
sense.--_v.t._ COUNTERSIGN', to sign on the opposite side of a writing: to
sign in addition to the signature of a superior, to attest the authenticity
of a writing.--_ns._ COUN'TERSIGN, a military private sign or word, which
must be given in order to pass a sentry: a counter-signature;
COUN'TER-SIG'NAL, a signal used as an answer [Illustration] to another;
COUN'TER-SIG'NATURE, a name countersigned to a writing.--_v.t._
COUN'TERSINK, to bevel the edge of a hole, as for the head of a screw-nail
(_a_ _a_ in fig.)--it is usually done by a COUNTERSINK-BIT (_b_ in fig.) in
a brace.--_ns._ COUN'TER-STAND, opposition, resistance;
COUN'TER-STATE'MENT, a statement in opposition to another statement;
COUN'TER-STROKE (_Spens._), a stroke given in return for another stroke;
COUN'TER-TAL'LY, a tally serving as a check to another; COUN'TER-TEN'OR,
name applied to alto when sung by a male voice (so called because a
contrast to tenor); COUN'TER-TIME, the resistance of a horse that
interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manège: resistance,
opposition; COUN'TERTURN, a turn in a play different from what was
expected.--_v.t._ COUNTERVAIL', to be of avail against: to act against with
equal effect: to be of equal value to: to compensate [COUNTER and
AVAIL].--_n._ COUN'TER-VIEW, an opposing view: a posture in which two
persons face each other: opposition: contrast.--_v.t._ COUN'TER-VOTE, to
vote in opposition to; COUN'TER-WEIGH, to weigh against,
counterbalance.--_ns._ COUN'TER-WEIGHT, a weight in an opposite
scale.--_v.i._ COUN'TER-WHEEL, to wheel in an opposite direction.--_n._
COUN'TER-WORK, a work raised in opposition to another.--_v.t._ to work in
opposition to.--_p.adj._ COUN'TER-WROUGHT. [Fr.,--L. _contra_, against.]
COUNTER, kown't[.e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) encounter.--_v.t._ to encounter: to
contradict.
COUNTERFEIT, kown't[.e]r-fit, -f[=e]t, _v.t._ to imitate: to copy without
authority: to forge.--_n._ something false or copied, or that pretends to
be true and original.--_adj._ pretended: made in imitation of: forged:
false.--_n._ COUN'TERFEITER, one who counterfeits.--_adv._ COUN'TERFEITLY,
in a counterfeit manner: falsely.--_n._ COUN'TER-FES'ANCE (_Spens._), act
of counterfeiting: forgery. [O. Fr. _contrefet_, from _contrefaire_, to
imitate--L. _contra_, against, _fac[)e]re_, to do.]
COUNTERMAND, kown-t[.e]r-mand', _v.t._ to give a command in opposition to
one already given: to revoke.--_n._ a revocation of a former order.--_adj._
COUNTERMAND'ABLE. [O. Fr. _contremander_--L. _contra_, against, and
_mand[=a]re_, to order.]
COUNTERPANE, kown't[.e]r-p[=a]n, _n._ a coverlet for a bed, stitched or
woven in squares.--Older form COUN'TERPOINT. [A corr. of O. Fr.
_contrepointe_, which is a corr. of _coultepointe_--L. _culcita puncta_, a
stitched pillow or cover. See QUILT.]
COUNTERPOINT, kown't[.e]r-point, _n._ (_mus._) the art of combining
melodies: the setting of a harmony of one or more parts to a melody: the
art of composition.--_adj._ CONTRAPUNT'AL.--_n._ CONTRAPUNT'IST.
[Fr.,--_contre_, against, _point_, a point.]
COUNTRY, kun'tri, _n._ a rural region as distinct from a town: a tract of
land: the land in which one was born, or in which one resides.--_adj._
belonging to the country: rustic: rude.--_p.adj._ COUN'TRIFIED.--_v.t._
COUN'TRIFY, to make rustic.--_ns._ COUN'TRY-BOX, a country-house;
COUN'TRY-DANCE, a dance practised by country people: a dance in which an
indefinite number of couples can take part, the gentlemen being arranged at
the commencement on one side, and the ladies on the other.--_n.pl._
COUN'TRY-FOLK, the inhabitants of the country.--_ns._ COUN'TRY-HOUSE,
-SEAT, the residence of a country gentleman; COUN'TRYMAN, one who lives in
the country: a farmer: one born in the same country with another;
COUN'TRY-SIDE, a district or part of the country; COUN'TRY-WOMAN, a woman
who dwells in the country: a woman born in the same country.--COUNTRY
COUSIN, a relative from the country, unaccustomed to town sights or
manners; COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, a landed proprietor who resides on his estate
in the country; COUNTRY TOWN, a small town in a rural district, depending
on the agricultural industry of the surrounding country.--GO TO THE
COUNTRY, in parliamentary usage, to appeal to the feeling of the community
by a general election. [O. Fr., _contrée_--Low L. _contrata_, _contrada_,
an extension of L. _contra_, over against.]
COUNTY. See COUNT (1).
COUP, k[=oo], _n._ a blow, stroke, a successful hit: (_billiards_) the act
of putting a ball in a pocket without having hit another ball.--COUP
D'ÉTAT, a sudden or violent stroke of state policy, as that by which Louis
Napoleon subverted the constitution (Dec. 2, 1851); COUP DE GRÂCE, the
finishing blow by which a tortured man is put out of pain, any decisive
stroke generally; COUP DE MAIN, a sudden and overpowering attack; COUP DE
MAÎTRE, a master-stroke; COUP DE THÉÂTRE, a sudden and sensational turn in
a piece: COUP D'OEIL, a general view of a scene or subject taken in at a
glance. [Fr.,--L.,--_colaphos_, a blow.]
COUP, kowp, _v.t._ to exchange or barter.--_n._ COUP'ER, a dealer. [Scot.,
from Ice., _kaupa_, to buy.]
COUP, kowp, _v.t._ to overturn. [Scot.; perh. originally the same word as
COPE.]
COUPÉ, k[=oo]-p[=a], _n._ the front part of a French stagecoach: a
four-wheeled carriage seated for two inside, with a separate seat for the
driver: the front compartment of a railway carriage.--_adj._ COUPED
(_her._), cut evenly off, as the head or limb of an animal. [Fr. _couper_,
to cut.]
COUPEE, koo-p[=e]', _n._ in dancing, a salute to a partner, while resting
on one foot and swinging the other backward or forward. [Fr.,--_couper_, to
cut.]
COUPLE, kup'l, _n._ that which joins two things together: two of a kind
joined together, or connected: two: one pair at a dance: a pair: esp. of
married or betrothed persons: (_statics_) a pair of equal forces acting on
the same body in opposite and parallel directions.--_v.t._ to join
together.--_v.i._ to pair sexually.--_ns._ COUP'LEMENT, union: a couple;
COUP'LER, one who or that which couples or unites; COUP'LET, two lines of
verse that rhyme with each other; COUP'LING, that which connects, an
appliance for transmitting motion in machinery; COUP'LING-BOX, the box or
ring of metal connecting the contiguous ends of two lengths of shafts;
COUP'LING-PIN, a pin or bolt used in coupling machinery.--_adj._
WELL-COUPLED, of a horse, well formed at the part where the back joins the
rump. [O. Fr. _cople_--L. _copula_.]
COUPON, k[=oo]'pong, _n._ a billet, check, or other slip of paper cut off
from its counterpart: one of a series of tickets which are vouchers that
certain payments will be made or services be performed, at various times or
places, in consideration of money paid: a dividend or interest warrant
presented for payment by holders of debentures. [Fr.,--_couper_, to cut
off.]
COUPURE, koo-p[=u]r', _n._ an entrenchment made by the besieged behind a
breach: a passage cut to facilitate sallies. [Fr.,--_couper_, to cut.]
COURAGE, kur'[=a]j, _n._ the quality that enables men to meet dangers
without fear: bravery: spirit.--_interj._ take courage!--_adj._
COUR[=A]'GEOUS, full of courage: brave.--_adv._ COUR[=A]'GEOUSLY.--_n._
COUR[=A]'GEOUSNESS.--DUTCH COURAGE, a fictitious courage induced by
drinking; PLUCK UP ONE'S COURAGE, to nerve one's self to something daring;
THE COURAGE OF ONE'S CONVICTIONS, courage to act up to or consistently with
one's opinions. [O. Fr. _corage_ (Fr. _courage_), from L. _cor_, the
heart.]
COURANT, k[=oo]-ränt', _adj._ (_her._) in a running attitude.--_ns._
COURANTE', COURANT', an old dance with a kind of gliding step. [See
CURRENT.]
COURAP, koo-rap', _n._ an itching skin disease, common in India, with
eruptions on face, breast, groin, &c.
COURB, k[=oo]rb, _v.i._ (_Shak._) to bend, stoop to supplicate.--_adj._
(_Shak._) bent. [Fr.,--L. _curv[=a]re_, to bend.]
COURBARIL, koor'ba-ril, _n._ gum animé.