# dictionary

word: pathologist
definition:
pathologist

pa*thol"o*gist
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pathologiste.]
One skilled in pathology; an investigator in pathology; as, the pathologist of a hospital, whose duty it is to determine the causes of the diseases.


word: pathology
definition:
pathology

pa*thol"o*gy
(-j&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. pathologies (-jĭz).
[Gr. pa`qos a suffering, disease + -logy: cf. F. pathologie.]
1.
(Med.)
The science which treats of diseases, their nature, causes, progress, symptoms, etc.

&hand_; Pathology is general or special, according as it treats of disease or morbid processes in general, or of particular diseases; it is also subdivided into internal and external, or medical and surgical pathology. Its departments are nosology, ætiology, morbid anatomy, symptomatology, and therapeutics, which treat respectively of the classification, causation, organic changes, symptoms, and cure of diseases.

2.
(Med.)
The condition of an organ, tissue, or fluid produced by disease.

Celluar pathology, a theory that gives prominence to the vital action of cells in the healthy and diseased functions of the body. Virchow.


word: Pathopoeia
definition:
Pathopoeia

Path`o*poe"ia
(?)
n.
pl. -ias (#).
[NL., from Gr. paqopoii`:a; pa`qos passion + poiei^n to make.]
(Rhet.)
A speech, or figure of speech, designed to move the passion.
Smart.


word: Pathos
definition:
Pathos

Pa"thos
(pā"th&obreve_;s)
n.
[L., from Gr. pa`qos a suffering, passion, fr. paqei^n, pa`schei^n, to suffer; cf. po`nos toil, L. pati to suffer, E. patient.]
That quality or property of anything which touches the feelings or excites emotions and passions, esp., that which awakens tender emotions, such as pity, sorrow, and the like; contagious warmth of feeling, action, or expression; pathetic quality; as, the pathos of a picture, of a poem, or of a cry.

The combination of incident, and the pathos of catastrophe.
T. Warton.

1.
The quality or character of those emotions, traits, or experiences which are personal, and therefore restricted and evanescent; transitory and idiosyncratic dispositions or feelings as distinguished from those which are universal and deep-seated in character; -- opposed to ethos.

2.
Suffering; the enduring of active stress or affliction.


word: Pathway
definition:
Pathway

Path"way
(?)
n.
A footpath; a beaten track; any path or course. Also used figuratively.
Shak.

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof is no death.
Prov. xii. 28.

We tread the pathway arm in arm.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Patible
definition:
Patible

Pat"i*ble
(?)
a.
[L. patibilis, fr. pati to suffer.]
Sufferable; tolerable; endurable.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Patibulary
definition:
Patibulary

Pa*tib"u*la*ry
(?)
a.
[L. patibulum a gallows: cf. F. patibulaire.]
Of or pertaining to the gallows, or to execution.
[R.]
Carlyle.


word: Patience
definition:
Patience

Pa"tience
(pā"shens)
n.
[F. patience, fr. L. patientia. See Patient.]
1.
The state or quality of being patient; the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression, calamity, etc.

Strengthened with all might, . . . unto all patience and long-suffering.
Col. i. 11.

I must have patience to endure the load.
Shak.

Who hath learned lowliness
From his Lord's cradle, patience from his cross.
Keble.

2.
The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for; forbearance.

Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matt. xviii. 29.

3.
Constancy in labor or application; perseverance.

He learned with patience, and with meekness taught.
Harte.

4.
Sufferance; permission.
[Obs.]
Hooker.

They stay upon your patience.
Shak.

5.
(Bot.)
A kind of dock (Rumex Patientia), less common in America than in Europe; monk's rhubarb.

6.
(Card Playing)
Solitaire.


word: Patient
definition:
Patient

Pa"tient
(pā"shent)
a.
[F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p. pr. of pati to suffer.  Cf. Pathos, Passion.]
1.
Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer or bear.

Patient of severest toil and hardship.
Bp. Fell.

2.
Undergoing pains, trials, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long-suffering.

3.
Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent; as, patient endeavor.

Whatever I have done is due to patient thought.
Sir I. Newton.

4.
Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not overeager; composed.

Not patient to expect the turns of fate.
Prior.

5.
Forbearing; long-suffering.

Be patient toward all men.
1 Thess. v. 14.


word: Patient₂
definition:
Patient

Pa"tient
n.
1.
One who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient.

Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate that it often involves the agent and the patient.
Gov. of Tongue.

2.
A person under medical or surgical treatment; -- correlative to physician or nurse.

Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a pestilent fever.
Sir P. Sidney.

In patient, a patient who receives lodging and food, as treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary. -- Out patient, one who receives advice and medicine, or treatment, from an infirmary.


word: patina
definition:
patina

pat"ina
(păt"ĭ*nȧ; It. pä"te̝*nȧ)
n.
[It., fr. L. patina a dish, a pan, a kind of cake.  Cf. Paten.]
1.
A dish or plate of metal or earthenware; a patella.

2.
(Fine Arts)
The color or incrustation which age gives to works of art; especially, the green rust which covers ancient bronzes, coins, and medals.
Fairholt.


word: Patio
definition:
Patio

Pa"ti*o
(pä"te̝*o̝)
n.
[Sp., a court]
(Metal)
A paved yard or floor where ores are cleaned and sorted, or where ore, salt, mercury, etc., are trampled by horses, to effect intermixture and amalgamation.

&hand_; The patio process is used to reduce silver ores by amalgamation.

2.
In Spain, Spanish America, etc., a court or courtyard of a house or other building; esp., an inner court open to the sky.

3.
(păt"e̝*&omacr`)
A usually paved area adjacent to a dwelling, used for outdoor lounging, dining, receptions of guests, etc.


word: patio furniture
definition:
patio furniture

pa"ti*o fur"ni*ture
Furniture such as chairs, tables, settees or loungers, suited for use on a patio{3}, i.e. such that will not be damaged by exposure to rain, sun or other outdoor elements.


word: patisserie
definition:
patisserie

pa`tis`serie", &VerbarPâ`tis`serie"
(?)
n.
[F. pâtisserie. See Pate.]
1.
Pastry.
Sterne.

2.
a shop selling mostly pastries; a pastry shop.


word: Patness
definition:
Patness

Pat"ness
n.
Fitness or appropriateness; striking suitableness; convenience.

The description with equal patness may suit both.
Barrow.


word: Patois
definition:
Patois

Pa`tois"
(pȧ`twä")
n.
[F.]
A dialect peculiar to the illiterate classes; a provincial form of speech.

The jargon and patois of several provinces.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Patolli
definition:
Patolli

Pa*tol"li
(?)
n.
[Mex. patolli dice.]
An American Indian game analogous to dice, probably originally a method of divination.


word: Patonce
definition:
Patonce

Pa*tonce"
(pȧ*t&obreve_;ns")
a.
[Cf. F. patte d'once paw of an ounce.]
(Her.)
Having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end; -- said of a cross. See Illust. 9 of Cross.


word: Patrial
definition:
Patrial

Pa"tri*al
(pā"trĭ*al)
a.
[L. patria fatherland, country, fr. pater father.]
(Lat. Gram.)
Derived from the name of a country, and designating an inhabitant of the country; gentile; -- said of a noun.
n. A patrial noun. Thus Romanus, a Roman, and Troas, a woman of Troy, are patrial nouns, or patrials.
Andrews.


word: Patriarch
definition:
Patriarch

Pa"tri*arch
(pā"trĭ*ärk)
n.
[F. patriarche, L. patriarcha, Gr. paria`rchhs, fr. paria` lineage, especially on the father's side, race; path`r father + 'archo`s a leader, chief, fr. 'a`rchein to lead, rule. See Father, Archaic.]
1.
The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.

2.
(R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.)
A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.

3.
A venerable old man; an elder.  Also used figuratively.

The patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet.
Longfellow.

The monarch oak, the partiarch of trees.
Dryde.


word: Patriarchal
definition:
Patriarchal

Pa`tri*ar"chal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. patriarcal.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a patriarch or to patriarchs; possessed by, or subject to, patriarchs; as, patriarchal authority or jurisdiction; a patriarchal see; a patriarchal church.

2.
Characteristic of a patriarch; venerable.

About whose patriarchal knee
Late the little children clung.
Tennyson.

3.
(Ethnol.)
Having an organization of society and government in which the head of the family exercises authority over all its generations.

Patriarchal cross (Her.), a cross, the shaft of which is intersected by two transverse beams, the upper one being the smaller. See Illust. (2) of Cross. -- Patriarchal dispensation, the divine dispensation under which the patriarchs lived before the law given by Moses.


word: Patriarchate
definition:
Patriarchate

Pa`tri*ar"chate
(pā`trĭ*är"ka̝t)
n.
[Cf. F. patriarcat.]
1.
The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
The residence of an ecclesiastic patriarch.

3.
(Ethnol.)
A patriarchal form of government or society. See Patriarchal, a., 3.


word: Patriarchdom
definition:
Patriarchdom

Pa"tri*arch*dom
(pā"trĭ*ärk*dŭm)
n.
The office or jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchate.
[R.]


word: Patriarchic
definition:
Patriarchic

Pa`tri*ar"chic
(pā'trĭ*är"kĭk)
a.
[L. patriarchicus, Gr. patriarchiko`s.]
Patriarchal.


word: Patriarchy
definition:
Patriarchy

Pa"tri*arch`y
(?)
n.
[Gr. patriarchi`a.]
1.
The jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchship.
Brerewood.

2.
Government by a patriarch; patriarchism.


word: Patrician
definition:
Patrician

Pa*tri"cian
(?)
a.
[L. patricius, fr. patres fathers or senators, pl. of pater: cf. F. patricien. See Paternal.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.

2.
Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.

Born in the patrician file of society.
Sir W. Scott.

His horse's hoofs wet with patrician blood.
Addison.


word: Patrician₂
definition:
Patrician

Pa*tri"cian
n.
[L. patricius: cf. F. patricien.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
Originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.

2.
A person of high birth; a nobleman.

3.
One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore.
[R.]
Colridge.


word: Patriciate
definition:
Patriciate

Pa*tri"ci*ate
(?)
n.
The patrician class; the aristocracy; also, the office of patriarch.
Milman.


word: Patricide
definition:
Patricide

Pat*ri"cide
(?)
n.
[L. pater father + caedere to kill.  Cf. Parricide.]
1.
The murderer of his father.

2.
The crime of one who murders his father. Same as Parricide.


word: patrikin
definition:
patrikin

patrikin
n.
one related on the father's side.

Syn. -- agnate, patrilineal kin, patrisib, patrilineal sib.


word: patrilineage
definition:
patrilineage

patrilineage
n.
The line of descent traced through the paternal side of the family.

Syn. -- agnation.


word: Patrimonial
definition:
Patrimonial

Pat`ri*mo"ni*al
(?)
a.
[L. patrimonialis: cf. F. patrimonial.]
Of or pertaining to a patrimony; inherited from ancestors; as, a patrimonial estate.


word: Patrimony
definition:
Patrimony

Pat"ri*mo*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Patrimonies (#).
[L. patrimonium, fr. pater father: cf. F. patrimoine. See Paternal.]
1.
A right or estate inherited from one's father; or, in a larger sense, from any ancestor.
patrimony
Shak.

2.
Formerly, a church estate or endowment.
Shipley.


word: Patriot
definition:
Patriot

Pa"tri*ot
(pā"trĭ*&obreve_;t; 277)
n.
[F. patriote; cf. Sp. patriota, It. patriotto; all fr. Gr. patriw`ths a fellow-countryman, fr. pa`trios established by forefathers, fr. path`r father. See Father.]
One who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests.
Bp. Hall.

Such tears as patriots shed for dying laws.
Pope.


word: Patriotic
definition:
Patriotic

Pa`tri*ot"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. patriotique, Gr. patriwtiko`s belonging to a fellow-countryman.]
Inspired by patriotism; actuated by love of one's country; zealously and unselfishly devoted to the service of one's country; as, a patriotic statesman, vigilance.


word: Patriotical
definition:
Patriotical

Pa`tri*ot"ic*al
(?)
a.
Patriotic; that pertains to a patriot.
Pa`tri*ot"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Patriotism
definition:
Patriotism

Pa"tri*ot*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. patriotisme.]
Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country.
Berkley.


word: Patriots' Day
definition:
Patriots' Day

Pa"tri*ots' Day
A legal holiday in the States of Massachusetts and Maine, April 19, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington in 1775. It was first observed in 1894.
[U. S.]


word: Patripassian
definition:
Patripassian

Pa`tri*pas"sian
(?)
n.
[LL. Patripassiani, pl.; L. pater father + pati, passus, to suffer: cf. F. patripassiens.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a body of believers in the early church who denied the independent preëxistent personality of Christ, and who, accordingly, held that the Father suffered in the Son; a monarchian.
Pa`tri*pas"sian*ism (#), n.


word: Patristical
definition:
Patristical

Patristic

{ Pa*tris"tic (?), Pa*tris"tic*al (?), }
a.
[F. patristique. See Paternal.]
Of or pertaining to the Fathers of the Christian church.

The voluminous editor of Jerome and of tons of patristic theology.
I. Taylor.


word: Patristics
definition:
Patristics

Pa*tris"tics
(?)
n.
That departnent of historical theology which treats of the lives and doctrines of the Fathers of the church.


word: Patrizate
definition:
Patrizate

Pa"tri*zate
(?)
v. i.
[L. patrissare, patrizare; cf. Gr. patria`zein.]
To imitate one's father.
[R.]


word: Patrocinate
definition:
Patrocinate

Pa*troc"i*nate
(?)
v. t.
[L. patrocinatus, p. p. of patrocinari to patronize, fr. patronus patron.]
To support; to patronize.
[Obs.]
Urquhart.


word: Patrocination
definition:
Patrocination

Pa*troc`i*na"tion
(?)
n.
The act of patrocinating or patronizing.
[Obs.]
Patrocinations
Bp. Hall.


word: Patrol
definition:
Patrol

Pa*trol"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Patrolled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patrolling.]
[F. patrouiller, O. & Prov. F. patrouiller to paddle, paw about, patrol, fr. patte a paw; cf. D. poot paw, G. pfote, and E. pat, v.]
To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a police district or beat.


word: Patrol₂
definition:
Patrol

Pa*trol"
(pȧ*tr&omacrl")
v. t.
To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman; as, to patrol a frontier; to patrol a beat.


word: Patrol₃
definition:
Patrol

Pa*trol"
n.
[F. patrouille, OF. patouille. See Patrol, v. i.]
1.
(Mil.)
(a)
A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the outposts.
(b)
A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line of outposts, to explore the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts.
(c)
The guard or men who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

2.
Any perambulation of a particular line or district to guard it; also, the men thus guarding; as, a customs patrol; a fire patrol.

In France there is an army of patrols to secure her fiscal regulations.
A. Hamilton.

3.
See Boy Scout.


word: patrolling
definition:
patrolling

patrolling
n.
The activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes.

Syn. -- patrol.


word: Patrolman
definition:
Patrolman

Pa*trol"man
(?)
n.
pl. Patrolmen (_;).
One who patrols; a watchman; especially, a policeman who patrols a particular precinct of a town or city.


word: patrol wagon
definition:
patrol wagon

patrol wagon
n.
An enclosed truck used by police to transport prisoners.

Syn. -- paddy wagon, Black Maria.


word: Patron
definition:
Patron

Pa"tron
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See Paternal, and cf. Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.]
1.
One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
Patron
Shak.
patron
Spenser.

2.
(Rom. Antiq.)
(a)
A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.
(b)
A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.
(c)
An advocate or pleader.

Let him who works the client wrong
Beware the patron's ire.
Macaulay.

3.
One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.

4.
(Eccl. Law)
One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
[Eng.]

5.
A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.

6.
(Naut.)
See Padrone, 2.

Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2.


word: Patron₃
definition:
Patron

Pa"tron
a.
Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.
Dryden.

Patron saint (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual.


word: Patronage
definition:
Patronage

Pa"tron*age
(?)
n.
[F. patronage.  Cf. LL. patronaticum, and L. patronatus.]
1.
Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.

2.
Business custom.
[Commercial Cant]

3.
Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
Addison.

4.
The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.

5.
(Eng. Law)
The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.
Blackstone.


word: Patronal
definition:
Patronal

Pa"tron*al
(?)
a.
[L. patronalis; cf. F. patronal.]
Patron; protecting; favoring.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Patronate
definition:
Patronate

Pa"tron*ate
(?)
n.
[L. patronatus.]
The right or duty of a patron; patronage.
[R.]
Westm. Rev.


word: Patroness
definition:
Patroness

Pa"tron*ess
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. patronnesse.]
A female patron or helper.
Spenser.

Night, best patroness of grief.
Milton.


word: Patronize
definition:
Patronize

Pa"tron*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Patronized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patronizing (?).]
1.
To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid.

The idea has been patronized by two States only.
A. Hamilton.

2.
To trade with customarily; to frequent as a customer.
[Commercial Cant]

3.
To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and protector, toward; -- used in an unfavorable sense; as, to patronize one's equals.


word: Patronizing
definition:
Patronizing

Pa"tron*i`zing
(?)
a.
Showing condescending favor; assuming the manner of airs of a superior toward another.
Pat"ron*i`zing*ly, adv. Thackeray.


word: Patronomatology
definition:
Patronomatology

Pa`tro*nom`a*tol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. path`r, patro`s, a father + E. onomatology.]
That branch of knowledge which deals with personal names and their origin; the study of patronymics.


word: Patronymic
definition:
Patronymic

Pa`tro*nym"ic
(-nĭm"ĭk)
a.
[L. patronymicus, Gr. patrwnymiko`s; path`r father + 'o`noma name: cf. F. patronymique.]
Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.


word: Patronymic₂
definition:
Patronymic

Pa`tro*nym"ic
n.
[Gr. patrwnymiko`n.]
A modification of the father's name borne by the son; a name derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a family; the family name.
M. A. Lower.

&hand_;  In Russia, the patronymic is taken routinely as a middle name, and is commonly used together with the given name in addressing people with whom one is familiar, thus Ivan Ivanovich would be commonly used to address Ivan, whose father was Ivan; likewise Boris Michaelovich would address Boris the son of Michael, and Lena Ivanova would address Lena, the daughter of Ivan.


word: Patroon
definition:
Patroon

Pa*troon"
(?)
n.
[D. patroon a patron, a protector. See Patron.]
One of the proprietors of certain tracts of land with manorial privileges and right of entail, under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.


word: Pattee
definition:
Pattee

Patte

{ &VerbarPat`té" (?), Pat*tee" (?), }
a.
[F. patté, fem. pattée, fr. patte paw, foot.  Cf. Patten.]
(Her.)
Narrow at the inner, and very broad at the other, end, or having its arms of that shape; -- said of a cross. See Illust. (8) of Cross.
[Written also paté, patee.]


word: Patten
definition:
Patten

Pat"ten
(?)
n.
[F. patin a high-heeled shoe, fr. patte paw, foot.  Cf. Panton, Patté.]
1.
A clog or sole of wood, usually supported by an iron ring, worn to raise the feet from the wet or the mud.

The patten now supports each frugal dame.
Gay.

2.
A stilt.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Patter
definition:
Patter

Pat"ter
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pattering.]
[Freq. of pat to strike gently.]
1.
To strike with a quick succession of slight, sharp sounds; as, pattering rain or hail; pattering feet.

The stealing shower is scarce to patter heard.
Thomson.

2.
To mutter; to mumble; as, to patter with the lips.
Tyndale.
[In this sense, and in the following, perh. from paternoster.]

3.
To talk glibly; to chatter; to harangue.
[Colloq.]

I've gone out and pattered to get money.
Mayhew.


word: Patter₂
definition:
Patter

Pat"ter
v. t.
1.
To spatter; to sprinkle.
[R.]
patter
J. R. Drake.

2.
[See Patter, v. i., 2.]
To mutter; as prayers.

[The hooded clouds] patter their doleful prayers.
Longfellow.

To patter flash, to talk in thieves' cant. [Slang]


word: Patter₃
definition:
Patter

Pat"ter
n.
1.
A quick succession of slight sounds; as, the patter of rain; the patter of little feet.

2.
Glib and rapid speech; a voluble harangue.

3.
The cant of a class; patois; as, thieves's patter; gypsies' patter.

4.
The language or oratory of a street peddler, conjurer, or the like, hence, glib talk; a voluble harangue; mere talk; chatter; also, specif., rapid speech, esp. as sometimes introduced in songs.
[Cant or Colloq.]


word: Patterer
definition:
Patterer

Pat"ter*er
(?)
n.
One who patters, or talks glibly; specifically, a street peddler.
[Cant, Eng.]


word: Pattern
definition:
Pattern

Pat"tern
(?)
n.
[OE. patron, F. patron, a patron, also, a pattern. See Patron.]
1.
Anything proposed for imitation; an archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be, or is worthy to be, copied or imitated; as, a pattern of a machine.

I will be the pattern of all patience.
Shak.

2.
A part showing the figure or quality of the whole; a specimen; a sample; an example; an instance.

He compares the pattern with the whole piece.
Swift.

3.
Stuff sufficient for a garment; as, a dress pattern.

4.
Figure or style of decoration; design; as, wall paper of a beautiful pattern.

5.
Something made after a model; a copy.
Shak.

The patterns of things in the heavens.
Heb. ix. 23.

6.
Anything cut or formed to serve as a guide to cutting or forming objects; as, a dressmaker's pattern.

7.
(Founding)
A full-sized model around which a mold of sand is made, to receive the melted metal. It is usually made of wood and in several parts, so as to be removed from the mold without injuring it.

8.
a recognizable characteristic relationship or set of relationships between the members of any set of objects or actions, or the properties of the members; also, the set having a definable relationship between its members.

  Various collections of objects or markings are spoken of as a pattern.  Thus: the distribution of bomb or shell impacts on a target area, or of bullet holes in a target; a set of traits or actions that appear to be consistent throughout the members of a group or over time within a group, as behavioral pattern, traffic pattern, dress pattern; the wave pattern for a spoken word; the pattern of intensities in a spectrum; a grammatical pattern.

9.
(Gun.)
A diagram showing the distribution of the pellets of a shotgun on a vertical target perpendicular to the plane of fire.

10.
the recommended flight path for an airplane to follow as it approaches an airport for a landing.  Same as landing pattern.

11.
an image or diagram containing lines, usually horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, sometimes of varying widths, used to test the resolution of an optical instrument or the accuracy of reproduction of image copying or transmission equipment.  Same as test pattern.

pattern box, pattern chain, or pattern cylinder (Figure Weaving), devices, in a loom, for presenting several shuttles to the picker in the proper succession for forming the figure. -- Pattern card. (a) A set of samples on a card. (b) (Weaving) One of the perforated cards in a Jacquard apparatus. -- Pattern reader, one who arranges textile patterns. -- Pattern wheel (Horology), a count-wheel.


word: Pattern₂
definition:
Pattern

Pat"tern
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Patterned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Patterning.]
1.
To make or design (anything) by, from, or after, something that serves as a pattern; to copy; to model; to imitate.
Milton.

[A temple] patterned from that which Adam reared in Paradise.
Sir T. Herbert.

2.
To serve as an example for; also, to parallel.

To pattern after, to imitate; to follow.


word: patterned
definition:
patterned

patterned
adj.
Having describable patterns, especially patterns of colors.
banded
blotched, blotchy, splotched
brindled, brindle, brinded, tabby
burled
checked, checkered
dappled, mottled
dotted, flecked, specked, speckled, stippled
figured
floral, flowered
laced
marbled, marbleized
moire, watered
pinstriped, pinstripe(prenominal)
slashed, streaked
spotted
sprigged
streaked, streaky
striped, stripy
tessellated
veined, venose
plain, solid


word: patternlike
definition:
patternlike

patternlike
adj.
1.
resembling a pattern or shape or outline.
a gigantic black and patternlike figure against the eastern sky


word: patternmaker
definition:
patternmaker

patternmaker
n.
Someone who makes patterns (as for sewing or carpentery or metalworking).


word: Pattern matching
definition:
Pattern matching

Pat"tern match"ing
(?)
n.
[See pattern.]
(Computers)
A technique in automated data analysis, usually performed on a computer, by which a group of characteristic properties of an unknown object is compared with the comparable groups of characteristics of a set of known objects, to discover the idenity or proper classification of the unknown object.
There are two major types of pattern matching, statistical pattern matching and syntactic pattern matching.  In statistical pattern matching, the criteria used to recognize identity or class membership vary, but in general some combination of the differences in the groups of characteristics of known and unknown objects are considered to be a measure of the difference ("distance") between them, and the closest known object or objects are viewed as presenting the most likely identity or class for the unknown object.  In syntactic pattern matching, a set of known patterns, e.g. as in the possible order of parts of speech in a language, is defined, and the unknown pattern is compared to find that known pattern or patterns which matches the unknown exactly.  In general, statistical pattern matching is used where properties of objects with continuous values are being compared, and syntactic pattern matching where a complex arrangement of at least two different objects may be built by application of a set of rules (a "grammar") for combining the objects in a specified order.  Examples of the latter are natural and formal languages.


word: Pattinson's process
definition:
Pattinson's process

Pat"tin*son's proc"ess
(?)
(Metal.)
A process of desilverizing argentiferous lead by repeated meltings and skimmings, which concentrate the silver in the molten bath, the final skimmings being nearly pure lad. The processwas invented in 1833 by Hugh Lee Pattinson, an English metallurgist.


word: Patulous
definition:
Patulous

Pat"u*lous
(?)
a.
[L. patulus, fr. patere to be open, extend.]
Open; expanded; slightly spreading; having the parts loose or dispersed; as, a patulous calyx; a patulous cluster of flowers.

The eyes are large and patulous.
Sir J. Hill.


word: Pauciloquy
definition:
Pauciloquy

Pau*cil"o*quy
(?)
n.
[L. pauciloquium; paucus little + loqui to speak.]
Brevity in speech.
[R.]


word: Paucispiral
definition:
Paucispiral

Pau`ci*spi"ral
(?)
a.
[L. paucus few + E. spiral.]
(Zool.)
Having few spirals, or whorls; as, a paucispiral operculum or shell.


word: Paucity
definition:
Paucity

Pau"ci*ty
(p&asuml_;"sĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. paucitas, fr. paucus few, little: cf. F. paucité See Few.]
1.
Fewness; smallness of number; scarcity; rarity.
Hooker.

Revelation denies it by the stern reserve, the paucity, and the incompleteness, of its communications.
I. Taylor.

2.
Smallness of quantity; exiguity; insufficiency; as, paucity of blood.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Paugy
definition:
Paugy

Paugie

{ Pau"gie, Pau"gy  }
(?)
n.
pl. Paugies (#).
[Corrupted from Amer. Indian mishcuppauog. See Scup.]
(Zool.)
The scup. See Porgy, and Scup.


word: Pauldron
definition:
Pauldron

Paul"dron
(?)
n.
[See Powldron.]
(Mil. Antiq.)
A piece of armor covering the shoulder at the junction of the body piece and arm piece.


word: Paulianist
definition:
Paulianist

Paulian

{ Pau"li*an (?), Pau"li*an*ist (?), }
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Paul of Samosata, a bishop of Antioch in the third century, who was deposed for denying the divinity of Christ.


word: Paulician
definition:
Paulician

Pau"li*cian
(p&asuml_;"lĭ*shan)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Christian dualists originating in Armenia in the seventh century.  They rejected the Old Testament and the part of the New.


word: Pauline
definition:
Pauline

Pau"line
(p&asuml_;"līn)
a.
[L. Paulinus, fr. Paulus Paul.]
Of or pertaining to the apostle Paul, or his writings; resembling, or conforming to, the writings of Paul; as, the Pauline epistles; Pauline doctrine.

My religion had always been Pauline.
J. H. Newman.


word: Paulist
definition:
Paulist

Paul"ist
(?)
n.
(R. C. Ch.)
A member of The Institute of the Missionary Priests of St. Paul the Apostle, founded in 1858 by the Rev. I. T. Hecker of New York.  The majority of the members were formerly Protestants.


word: Paulownia
definition:
Paulownia

Pau*low"ni*a
(?)
prop. n.
[NL. So named from the Russian princess Anna Pavlovna.]
(Bot.)
A genus of trees of the order Scrophulariaceæ, consisting of one species, Paulownia imperialis.

&hand_; The tree is native to Japan, and has immense heart-shaped leaves, and large purplish flowers in panicles. The capsules contain many little winged seeds, which are beautiful microscopic objects. The tree is hardy in America as far north as Connecticut.


word: Paum
definition:
Paum

Paum
(?)
v. t. & i.
[See Palm to cheat.]
To palm off by fraud; to cheat at cards.
[Obs.]
Swift.


word: Paunch
definition:
Paunch

Paunch
(p&asuml_;nch or pänch; 277)
n.
[OF. panch, pance, F. panse, L. pantex, panticis.]
1.
(Anat.)
The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See Rumen.

2.
(Naut.)
A paunch mat; -- called also panch.

3.
The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper.

4.
A noticeably protruding belly; a potbelly.

Paunch mat (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope, used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing.


word: Paunch₂
definition:
Paunch

Paunch
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Paunched (p&asuml_;ncht or päncht); p. pr. & vb. n. Paunching.]
1.
To pierce or rip the belly of; to eviscerate; to disembowel.
Shak.

2.
To stuff with food.
[Obs.]
Udall.


word: Pauper
definition:
Pauper

Pau"per
(?)
n.
[L. See Poor.]
A very poor person; one without any means of support, especially one dependent on private or public charity.  Also used adjectively; as, pauper immigrants, pauper labor.


word: Pauperism
definition:
Pauperism

Pau"per*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. paupérisme.]
The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons requiring support from the community.
Whatly.


word: Pauperize
definition:
Pauperize

Pau"per*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pauperized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pauperizing (?).]
To reduce to pauperism; as, to pauperize the peasantry.


word: Pauropoda
definition:
Pauropoda

Pau*rop"o*da
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. pay^ros small + -poda.]
(Zool.)
An order of small myriapods having only nine pairs of legs and destitute of tracheæ.


word: Pause
definition:
Pause

Pause
(p&asuml_;z)
n.
[F., fr. L. pausa. See Pose.]
1.
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.

2.
Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.

I stand in pause where I shall first begin.
Shak.

3.
In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.

4.
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.

5.
A break or paragraph in writing.

He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe.
Locke.

6.
(Mus.)
A hold. See 4th Hold, 7.


word: Pause₂
definition:
Pause

Pause
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Paused (p&asuml_;zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Pausing.]
[Cf. F. pauser, L. pausare. See Pause, n., Pose.]
1.
To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest.
pause
Shak.

Pausing a while, thus to herself she mused.
Milton.

2.
To be intermitted; to cease; as, the music pauses.

3.
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
[R.]

Why doth the Jew pause?  Take thy forfeiture.
Shak.

4.
To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to reflect.
[R.]
pause
Shak.

To pause upon, to deliberate concerning. Shak.


word: Pauxi
definition:
Pauxi

Paux"i
(?)
n.
[From the native name: cf. Sp. pauji.]
(Zool.)
A curassow (Ourax pauxi), which, in South America, is often domesticated.


word: Pavan
definition:
Pavan

Pav"an
(?)
n.
[F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp. pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.]
A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its movements to those of the peacock.
[Written also pavane, paven, pavian, and pavin.]


word: Pave
definition:
Pave

Pa`vé"
(?)
n.
[F., from paver to pave. See Pave.]
The pavement.

&VerbarNymphe du pavé (_;), a prostitute who solicits in the street; a streetwalker. [A low euphemism.]


word: Pave₂
definition:
Pave

Pave
(pāv)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Paved (pāvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Paving.]
[F. paver to pave, LL. pavare, from L. pavire to beat, ram, or tread down; cf. Gr. pai`ein to beat, strike.]
1.
To lay or cover with stone, brick, or other material, so as to make a firm, level, or convenient surface for vehicles, horses, carriages, or persons on foot, to travel on; to floor with brick, stone, or other solid material; as, to pave a street; to pave a court.

With silver paved, and all divine with gold.
Dryden.

To pave thy realm, and smooth the broken ways.
Gay.

2.
Fig.: To make smooth, easy, and safe; to prepare, as a path or way; as, to pave the way to promotion; to pave the way for an enterprise.

It might open and pave a prepared way to his own title.
Bacon.


word: paved
definition:
paved

paved
adj.
1.
covered with a firm surface; -- of pathways or roadways.
asphalt, macadam, macadamized, tarmac, tarmacadam
blacktopped
brick
cobblestone, cobblestoned
unpaved

Syn. -- hard-surfaced, surfaced, made-up [British], sealed [Australian].


word: Pavement
definition:
Pavement

Pave"ment
(?)
n.
[F., fr. LL. pavamentum, L. pavimentum. See Pave.]
That with which anything is paved; a floor or covering of solid material, laid so as to make a hard and convenient surface for travel; a paved road or sidewalk; a decorative interior floor of tiles or colored bricks.

The riches of heaven's pavement, trodden gold.
Milton.

Pavement teeth (Zool.), flattened teeth which in certain fishes, as the skates and cestracionts, are arranged side by side, like tiles in a pavement.


word: Pavesade
definition:
Pavesade

Pav`e*sade"
(?)
n.
[F. See Pavise.]
A canvas screen, formerly sometimes extended along the side of a vessel in a naval engagement, to conceal from the enemy the operations on board.


word: Paviin
definition:
Paviin

Pa"vi*in
(pā"vĭ*ĭn)
n.
(Chem.)
A glucoside found in species of the genus Pavia of the Horse-chestnut family.


word: Pavilion
definition:
Pavilion

Pa*vil"ion
(?)
n.
[F. pavillon, fr. L. pavilio a butterfly, also, a tent, because spread out like a butterfly's wings.]
1.
A temporary movable habitation; a large tent; a marquee; esp., a tent raised on posts.
pavilions
Shak.

2.
(Arch.)
A single body or mass of building, contained within simple walls and a single roof, whether insulated, as in the park or garden of a larger edifice, or united with other parts, and forming an angle or central feature of a large pile.

3.
(Mil.)
A flag, colors, ensign, or banner.

4.
(Her.)
Same as Tent (Her.)

5.
That part of a brilliant which lies between the girdle and collet. See Illust. of Brilliant.

6.
(Anat.)
The auricle of the ear; also, the fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube.

7.
A covering; a canopy; figuratively, the sky.

The pavilion of heaven is bare.
Shelley.


word: Pavilion₂
definition:
Pavilion

Pa*vil"ion
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pavilioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pavilioning.]
To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents.

The field pavilioned with his guardians bright.
Milton.


word: Paving
definition:
Paving

Pav"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act or process of laying a pavement, or covering some place with a pavement.

2.
A pavement.


word: Pavior
definition:
Pavior

Pav"ior
(?)
n.
1.
One who paves; a paver.

2.
A machine for laying pavement; a rammer for driving paving stones.

Syn. -- paviour, paving machine.

3.
A brick or slab used for paving.


word: Pavise
definition:
Pavise

Pavis

Pa*vis, Pa*vise
(?)
n.
[OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf. It. pavese, LL. pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.]
(Mil. Antiq.)
A large heavy oblong shield covering the whole body, carried by a pavisor, who sometimes also screened an archer with it.  It was originally carried but sometimes set up in permanent position
[Written also pavis, pavais, pavese, and pavesse.]
Fairholt.


word: Pavlovian
definition:
Pavlovian

Pavlovian
prop. adj.
Of or pertaining to Ivan Pavlov, or the principles of conditioned responses that he investigated; as, a Pavlovian response.
dog


word: Pavo
definition:
Pavo

Pa"vo
(?)
prop. n.
[L., a peacock. See Peacock.]
1.
(Zool.)
A genus of birds, including the peacocks.

2.
(Astron.)
The Peacock, a constellation of the southern hemisphere.


word: Pavone
definition:
Pavone

Pa*vone"
(?)
n.
[Cf. It. pavone, Sp. pavon, fr. L. pavo.]
(Zool.)
A peacock.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Pavonine
definition:
Pavonine

Pav"o*nine
(?)
a.
[L. pavoninus, fr. pavo a peacock. See Peacock.]
1.
(Zool.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Pavo.

2.
Characteristic of a peacock; resembling the tail of a peacock, as in colors; iridescent.
P. Cleaveland.


word: Paw
definition:
Paw

Paw
(p&asuml_;)
n.
[OE. pawe, poue, OF. poe: cf. patte, LG. pote, D. poot, G. pfote.]
1.
The foot of a quadruped having claws, as the lion, dog, cat, etc.

2.
The hand.
[Jocose]
Dryden.

Paw clam (Zool.), the tridacna; -- so called because shaped like an animal's paw.


word: Paw₂
definition:
Paw

Paw
v. i.
To draw the forefoot along the ground; to beat or scrape with the forefoot.
Job xxxix. 21.


word: Paw₃
definition:
Paw

Paw
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pawed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pawing.]
1.
To pass the paw over; to stroke or handle with the paws; hence, to handle fondly or rudely.

2.
To scrape or beat with the forefoot.

His hot courser pawed the Hungarian plane.
Tickell.


word: Pawl
definition:
Pawl

Pawl
(?)
n.
[W. pawl a pole, a stake.  Cf. Pole a stake.]
(Mach.)
A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel.
[Written also paul, or pall.]

Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or Pawl ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.


word: Pawl₂
definition:
Pawl

Pawl
v. t.
To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.

To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan.


word: Pawn₂
definition:
Pawn

Pawn
n.
[OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL. pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pioneer, Peon.]
(Chess)
A man or piece of the lowest rank.


word: Pawn₃
definition:
Pawn

Pawn
n.
[OF. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, F. pan skirt, lappet, piece, from L. pannus. See Pane.]
1.
Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1.

As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not take pawns without use [i. e., interest].
Bacon.

2.
State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a promise.
[R.]

Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.
Shak.

As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness.
Donne.

3.
A stake hazarded in a wager.
[Poetic]

My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage against thy enemies.
Shak.

In pawn, At pawn, in the state of being pledged. “Sweet wife, my honor is at pawn.” Shak. -- Pawn shop, a shop where a pawnbroker does business. -- Pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged.


word: Pawn₄
definition:
Pawn

Pawn
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pawned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pawning.]
1.
To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as, to pawn one's watch.

Syn. -- hock [colloq].

And pawned the last remaining piece of plate.
Dryden.

2.
To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to wager; to hazard.

Pawning his honor to obtain his lust.
Shak.


word: Pawnbroker
definition:
Pawnbroker

Pawn"bro`ker
(?)
n.
One who makes a business of lending money on the security of personal property pledged or deposited in his keeping.


word: Pawnee
definition:
Pawnee

Pawn*ee"
(?)
n.
(Law)
One or two whom a pledge is delivered as security; one who takes anything in pawn.


word: Pawnees
definition:
Pawnees

Paw`nees"
(?)
prop. n. pl.
sing. Pawnee (_;).
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians (called also Loups) who formerly occupied the region of the Platte river, but now (1890) live mostly in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma).  The term is often used in a wider sense to include also the related tribes of Rickarees and Wichitas.  Called also Pani.


word: Pawnor
definition:
Pawnor

Pawner

{ Pawn"er (?), Pawn*or" (?), }
n.
(Law)
One who pawns or pledges anything as security for the payment of borrowed money or of a debt.


word: Pax
definition:
Pax

Pax
(?)
n.
[L. pax peace. See Peace.]
1.
(Eccl.)
The kiss of peace; also, the embrace in the sanctuary now substituted for it at High Mass in Roman Catholic churches.

2.
(R. C. Ch.)
A tablet or board, on which is a representation of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or of some saint and which, in the Mass, was kissed by the priest and then by the people, in mediæval times; an osculatory.  It is still used in communities, confraternities, etc.

Kiss the pax, and be quiet like your neighbors.
Chapman.

3.
Friendship, or a friend; -- esp. in the phrases to make pax with, to make friends with, to be good pax, to be good friends; also, truce; -- used esp. interjectionally.
[Eng. Schoolboy Slang]


word: Paxillus
definition:
Paxillus

Pax*il"lus
(?)
n.
pl. Paxilli (#).
[L., a peg.]
(Zool.)
One of a peculiar kind of spines covering the surface of certain starfishes.  They are pillarlike, with a flattened summit which is covered with minute spinules or granules. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Paxwax
definition:
Paxwax

Pax"wax`
(?)
n.
[For faxvax, fr. AS. feax hair (akin to OHG. fahs) + weaxan to grow. See Wax to grow, and cf. Faxed, Pectinate.]
(Anat.)
The strong ligament of the back of the neck in quadrupeds.  It connects the back of the skull with dorsal spines of the cervical vertebræ, and helps to support the head. Called also paxywaxy and packwax.


word: Pay
definition:
Pay

Pay
(pā)
v. t.
[OF. peier, fr. L. picare to pitch, pix pitch: cf. OF. peiz pitch, F. poix. See Pitch a black substance.]
(Naut.)
To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.


word: Pay₂
definition:
Pay

Pay
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Paid (pād); p. pr. & vb. n. Paying.]
[OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify, appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Peace.]
1.
To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants.

May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy].
P. Plowman.

[She] pays me with disdain.
Dryden.

2.
Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon.

For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you.
B. Jonson.

3.
To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed).
Pay
Matt. xviii. 28.

Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matt. xviii. 26.

If they pay this tax, they starve.
Tennyson.

4.
To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised.

This day have I paid my vows.
Prov. vii. 14.

5.
To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.

Not paying me a welcome.
Shak.

To pay off. (a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off the crew of a ship. (b) To allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind. (c) to bribe. -- To pay one's duty, to render homage, as to a sovereign or other superior. -- To pay out (Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to allow to run out; as, to pay out more cable.  See under Cable. -- To pay the piper, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble. [Colloq.]


word: Pay₃
definition:
Pay

Pay
(pā)
v. i.
To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.
Ps. xxxvii. 21.

2.
Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays.

To pay for. (a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay for their mistakes with loss of property or reputation, sometimes with life. (b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to be mulcted on account of.
[1913 Webster]
'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings. Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
-- To pay off. [Etymol. uncertain.] (a) (Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail. (b) to repay (a debt). -- To pay on. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to redouble blows. [Colloq.] -- To pay round [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To turn the ship's head.


word: Pay₄
definition:
Pay

Pay
n.
1.
Satisfaction; content.
Chaucer.

2.
An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier.

Where only merit constant pay receives.
Pope.

There is neither pay nor plunder to be got.
L'Estrange.

Full pay, the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay; especially, the highest pay or allowance to civil or military officers of a certain rank, without deductions. -- Half pay. See under Half. -- Pay day, the day of settlement of accounts. -- Pay dirt (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the miner. [Western U.S.] -- Pay office, a place where payment is made. -- Pay roll, (a) a roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the amounts due; now usually one word, payroll. (b) the total sum of money which is paid to all employees on payday.


word: Payable
definition:
Payable

Pay"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. payable.  Cf. Pacable.]
1.
That may, can, or should be paid; suitable to be paid; justly due.
Drayton.

Thanks are a tribute payable by the poorest.
South.

2.
(Law)
(a)
That may be discharged or settled by delivery of value.
(b)
Matured; now due.


word: payables
definition:
payables

payables
n.
money that a person or organization expects and is obligated to pay on notes and accounts.


word: Pay Cerps
definition:
Pay Cerps

Pay Cerps
A staff corps in the United States navy, consisting of pay directors, pay inspectors, paymasters, passed assistant paymasters, and assistant paymasters, having relative rank from captain to ensign, respectively.


word: Pay rock
definition:
Pay rock

Pay dirt

{ Pay dirt, Pay rock, etc. }
1.
(Mining)
Earth, rock, etc., which yields a profit to the miner.
[Western U. S.]

2.
a discovery, especially after an exploratory process, which yields a profit or sought-after benefit; -- used especially in the phrase “to hit pay dirt”.


word: Payee
definition:
Payee

Pay*ee"
(?)
n.
The person to whom money is to be, or has been, paid; the person named in a bill or note, to whom, or to whose order, the amount is promised or directed to be paid. See Bill of exchange, under Bill.


word: Payer
definition:
Payer

Pay"er
(?)
n.
One who pays; specifically, the person by whom a bill or note has been, or should be, paid.


word: paying₂
definition:
paying

paying
adj.
yielding material gain or profit; as, paying investments.
unprofitable

Syn. -- profitable.

2.
providing a salary for work performed; as, a paying job.
[prenominal]
unpaid

Syn. -- compensable, remunerative, salaried, stipendiary, gainful.


word: payload
definition:
payload

pay"load`
(pā"l&omacrd`)
n.
The part of a missile or torpedo that carries the explosive charge.

Syn. -- warhead, load.

2.
The goods carried by a large vehicle.

Syn. -- cargo, lading, freight, load, loading, shipment, consignment.


word: Paymaster
definition:
Paymaster

Pay"mas`ter
(?)
n.
One who pays; one who compensates, rewards, or requites; specifically, an officer or agent of a government, a corporation, or an employer, whose duty it is to pay salaries, wages, etc., and keep account of the same.


word: Paymaster-general
definition:
Paymaster-general

Pay"mas`ter-gen"er*al
1.
(a)
(Mil.)
In the United States army, an officer of the rank of brigadier general, who commands the pay department, which is charged with the payment of the officers and men.
(b)
(Nav.)
In the United States navy, the Chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, who has charge of the payment of officers and men and their clothing and subsistence. He has the rank of rear admiral.

2.
In Great Britain, an officer of the Treasury who makes all payments and disbursements, civil as well as military. He is a member of the ministry, but not of the cabinet.


word: Payment
definition:
Payment

Pay"ment
(?)
n.
[F. payment, paiement. See Pay to requite.]
1.
The act of paying, or giving compensation; the discharge of a debt or an obligation.

No man envieth the payment of a debt.
Bacon.

2.
That which is paid; the thing given in discharge of a debt, or an obligation, or in fulfillment of a promise; reward; recompense; requital; return.
Shak.

3.
Punishment; chastisement.
[R.]


word: Payndemain
definition:
Payndemain

Payn`de*main"
(?)
n.
[OF. pain bread + demaine manorial, lordly, own, private. See Payn, and Demesne. Said to be so called from the figure of our Lord impressed upon it.]
The finest and whitest bread made in the Middle Ages; -- called also paynemain, payman.
[Obs.]


word: Payne's process
definition:
Payne's process

Payne's process
(?)
A process for preserving timber and rendering it incombustible by impregnating it successively with solutions of sulphate of iron and calcium chloride in vacuo.
Payn"ize, v. t.


word: Paynize
definition:
Paynize

Payn"ize
(?)
v. t.
[From Mr. Payne, the inventor.]
To treat or preserve, as wood, by a process resembling kyanizing.


word: payoff
definition:
payoff

payoff
n.
1.
profit or gain from an action; -- used broadly; as, lots of effort with little payoff.

2.
retribution, payback.

3.
The act of giving or receiving money or other valuable consideration as a bribe.

Syn. -- bribe.

4.
The money or item given as a bribe.

5.
same as compensation 2.

Syn. -- compensation, remuneration, recompense.

6.
The climax or final result of an event or endeavor; the denoument of a narrative.


word: paysheet
definition:
paysheet

pay"sheet`
n.
1.
the total amount of money paid in wages; as, the company had a large paysheet.

Syn. -- payroll.

2.
a list of employees and their salaries; as, the company had a long paysheet.

Syn. -- payroll.


word: payslip
definition:
payslip

pay"slip`
n.
1.
a slip of paper included with a person's salary payment, that records how much money the person has earned and how much tax or insurance etc. has been taken out.


word: Pay streak
definition:
Pay streak

Pay streak
1.
(Mining)
The zone, parallel to the walls of a vein, in which the ore is concentrated, or any narrow streak of paying ore in less valuable material.

2.
(Oil Boring)
A stratum of oil sand thick enough to make a well pay.


word: Paytine
definition:
Paytine

Pay"tine
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained from a white bark resembling that of the cinchona, first brought from Payta, in Peru.


word: PBS
definition:
PBS

PBS
n.
1.
(Biochem.)
[Initialism]
Phosphate-buffered saline, a saline solution containing a phosphate buffer.

Syn. -- phosphate-buffered saline.

2.
[Initialism]
Public Broadcasting System; a system of non-profit radio and television broadcasting stations.


word: PC
definition:
PC

PC
n.
(Computers)
A personal computer; a computer{2} designed for use by one person at a time; -- contrasted with shared-time computers such as mainframes and minicomputers, which may be accessed by multiple users each operating from a different input device (in the 1990's, usually a terminal).  A personal computer typically uses a microprocessor for its CPU.
[Initialism]

Syn. -- personal computer, microcomputer.


word: PC₂
definition:
PC

PC
(pē`sē")
a.
An initialism for politically correct.
[Initialism]

Syn. -- P. C., politically correct.


word: PCP
definition:
PCP

PCP
n.
A drug originally taken in the form of powder ("dust") for its hallucinogenic effects.

Syn. -- phencyclidine hydrochloride, angel dust.


word: pct
definition:
pct

pct
n.
[Abbreviation of percent.]
Percent; a fractional proportion, multiplied by 100.
[abbreviation]

Syn. -- percentage, percent, per cent.


word: Pd
definition:
Pd

Pd
prop. n.
The chemical symbol for palladium, an element of the platinum group, of atomic number 46.

Syn. -- palladium.


word: Pea₃
definition:
Pea

Pea
n.
pl. Peas (pēz) or Pease (pēz).
[OE. pese, fr. AS. pisa, or OF. peis, F. pois; both fr. L. pisum; cf. Gr. pi`sos, pi`son.  The final s was misunderstood in English as a plural ending.  Cf. Pease.]
1.
(Bot.)
A plant, and its fruit, of the genus Pisum, of many varieties, much cultivated for food.  It has a papilionaceous flower, and the pericarp is a legume, popularly called a pod.

&hand_; When a definite number, more than one, is spoken of, the plural form peas is used; as, the pod contained nine peas; but, in a collective sense, the form pease is preferred; as, a bushel of pease; they had pease at dinner.  This distinction is not always preserved, the form peas being used in both senses.

2.
A name given, especially in the Southern States, to the seed of several leguminous plants (species of Dolichos, Cicer, Abrus, etc.) esp. those having a scar (hilum) of a different color from the rest of the seed.

&hand_; The name pea is given to many leguminous plants more or less closely related to the common pea. See the Phrases, below.

Beach pea (Bot.), a seashore plant, Lathyrus maritimus. -- Black-eyed pea, a West Indian name for Dolichos sphærospermus and its seed. -- Butterfly pea, the American plant Clitoria Mariana, having showy blossoms. -- Chick pea. See Chick-pea. -- Egyptian pea. Same as Chick-pea. -- Everlasting pea. See under Everlasting. -- Glory pea. See under Glory, n. -- Hoary pea, any plant of the genus Tephrosia; goat's rue. -- Issue pea, Orris pea. (Med.) See under Issue, and Orris. -- Milk pea. (Bot.) See under Milk. -- Pea berry, a kind of a coffee bean or grain which grows single, and is round or pea-shaped; often used adjectively; as, pea-berry coffee. -- Pea bug. (Zool.) Same as Pea weevil. -- Pea coal, a size of coal smaller than nut coal. -- Pea crab (Zool.), any small crab of the genus Pinnotheres, living as a commensal in bivalves; esp., the European species (Pinnotheres pisum) which lives in the common mussel and the cockle. -- Pea dove (Zool.), the American ground dove. -- Pea-flower tribe (Bot.), a suborder (Papilionaceæ) of leguminous plants having blossoms essentially like that of the pea. G. Bentham. -- Pea maggot (Zool.), the larva of a European moth (Tortrix pisi), which is very destructive to peas. -- Pea ore (Min.), argillaceous oxide of iron, occurring in round grains of a size of a pea; pisolitic ore. -- Pea starch, the starch or flour of the common pea, which is sometimes used in adulterating wheat flour, pepper, etc. -- Pea tree (Bot.), the name of several leguminous shrubs of the genus Caragana, natives of Siberia and China. -- Pea vine. (Bot.) (a) Any plant which bears peas. (b) A kind of vetch or tare, common in the United States (Lathyrus Americana, and other similar species). -- Pea weevil (Zool.), a small weevil (Bruchus pisi) which destroys peas by eating out the interior. -- Pigeon pea. (Bot.) See Pigeon pea. -- Sweet pea (Bot.), the annual plant Lathyrus odoratus; also, its many-colored, sweet-scented blossoms.


word: Peabody bird
definition:
Peabody bird

Pea"bod*y bird`
(?)
(Zool.)
An American sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) having a conspicuous white throat. The name is imitative of its note. Called also White-throated sparrow.


word: Peace
definition:
Peace

Peace
(?)
n.
[OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten.  Cf. Appease, Fair, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite.]
A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose
(a)
Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies.
(b)
Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law.
(c)
Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience.
(d)
Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord.
pees
Chaucer.

&hand_; Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. “Peace! foolish woman.”
Shak.

At peace, in a state of peace. -- Breach of the peace. See under Breach. -- Justice of the peace. See under Justice. -- Peace of God. (Law) (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God. -- Peace offering. (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person. -- Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a polliceman, sheriff or constable. -- To hold one's peace, to be silent; to refrain from speaking. -- To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another. “I will make your peace with him.” Shak.


word: Peace₂
definition:
Peace

Peace
v. t. & i.
To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop.
[R.]
Peace
Shak.

When the thunder would not peace at my bidding.
Shak.


word: Peaceable
definition:
Peaceable

Peace"a*ble
(?)
a.
[OE. peisible, F. paisible.]
Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome.
Peace"a*ble*ness, n. -- Peace"a*bly, adv.


word: Peaceful
definition:
Peaceful

Peace"ful
(?)
a.
1.
Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war, tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil; as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country; a peaceful end.

2.
Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation; pacific; mild; calm; peaceable; as, peaceful words.


word: peacekeeper
definition:
peacekeeper

peacekeeper
n.
1.
a member of a military force that is assigned (often with international sanction) to preserve peace in a trouble area.

2.
someone who keeps peace; as, she's the peacekeeper in that family.

3.
the pistol of a law officer in the old West.
[U. S. History]


word: peace-loving
definition:
peace-loving

peace-loving
adj.
Inclined or disposed to peace; as, peace-loving citizens.  Opposed to warlike or belligerent.

Syn. -- peaceable, dovish, pacific.


word: Peacemaker
definition:
Peacemaker

Peace"mak`er
(?)
n.
One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance.
Matt. v. 9.


word: peacenik
definition:
peacenik

peacenik
n.
someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations.
[Derog.]

Syn. -- dove.


word: peacetime
definition:
peacetime

peacetime
n.
A period of time during which there is no war; as, civil liberties are valued more highly in peacetime than in war.


word: Peach
definition:
Peach

Peach
(pēch)
v. t.
[See Appeach, Impeach.]
To accuse of crime; to inform against.
[Obs.]
Foxe.


word: Peach₂
definition:
Peach

Peach
v. i.
To turn informer; to betray one's accomplice.
[Obs. or Colloq.]

If I be ta'en, I'll peach for this.
Shak.


word: Peach₃
definition:
Peach

Peach
(pēch)
n.
[OE. peche, peshe, OF. pesche, F. pêche, fr. LL. persia, L. Persicum (sc. malum) a Persian apple, a peach.  Cf. Persian, and Parsee.]
1.
(Bot.)
A well-known high-flavored juicy fruit, containing one or two seeds in a hard almond-like endocarp or stone.  In the wild stock the fruit is hard and inedible.

2.
The tree (Prunus Persica syn. Amygdalus Persica) which bears the peach fruit.

3.
The pale red color of the peach blossom, or the light pinkish yellow of the peach fruit.

Guinea peach, or Sierra Leone peach, the large edible berry of the Sarcocephalus esculentus, a rubiaceous climbing shrub of west tropical Africa. -- Palm peach, the fruit of a Venezuelan palm tree (Bactris speciosa). -- Peach color, the pale red color of the peach blossom. -- Peach-tree borer (Zool.), the larva of a clearwing moth (Aegeria exitiosa, or Sannina, exitiosa) of the family Aegeriidae, which is very destructive to peach trees by boring in the wood, usually near the ground; also, the moth itself.  See Illust. under Borer.


word: Peachblow
definition:
Peachblow

Peach"blow`
a.
(Ceramics)
Of the delicate purplish pink color likened to that of peach blooms; -- applied esp. to a Chinese porcelain, small specimens of which bring great prices in the Western countries.


word: Peach-colored
definition:
Peach-colored

Peach"-col`ored
(pēch"kŭl`ẽrd)
a.
Of the color of a peach blossom.
Peach-colored
Shak.


word: peachwood
definition:
peachwood

peach"wood`
(pēch"wŏd`)
n.
1.
A tropical tree Caesalpinia echinata, having a prickly trunk; its heavy red wood yields a red dye and is used for cabinetry.

Syn. -- Caesalpinia echinata.

2.
The heavy red wood of the Caesalpinia echinata; brazilwood; pernambuco wood.


word: pea coat
definition:
pea coat

peacoat

pea"coat`, pea" coat`
(pē"k&omacrt`)
n.
[Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of a coarse woolen stuff.]
A thick loose double-breasted woolen jacket, or coat, commonly worn by sailors in cold weather; a pea-jacket.

Syn. -- pea coat, peacoat, pea jacket, peajacket, pea-jacket.


word: Peacock
definition:
Peacock

Pea"cock`
(pē"k&obreve_;k`)
n.
[OE. pecok. Pea- in this word is from AS. peá, pāwa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob. of Oriental origin; cf. Gr. taw`s, taw^s, Per. tāus, tāwus, Ar. tāwūs. See Cock the bird.]
1.
(Zool.)
The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo, of which at least two species are known, native of Southern Asia and the East Indies.

&hand_; The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden colors.  The common domesticated species is Pavo cristatus.  The Javan peacock (Pavo muticus) is more brilliantly colored than the common species.

2.
In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a peafowl.

Peacock butterfly (Zool.), a handsome European butterfly (Hamadryas Io) having ocelli like those of peacock. -- Peacock fish (Zool.), the European blue-striped wrasse (Labrus variegatus); -- so called on account of its brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook. -- Peacock pheasant (Zool.), any one of several species of handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron. They resemble the peacock in color.


word: Peacock Throne
definition:
Peacock Throne

Pea"cock` Throne
A famous throne formerly of the kings of Delhi, India, but since 1739, when it was carried off by Nadir Shah, held by the shahs of Persia (now Iran); -- so called from its bearing a fully expanded peacock's tail done in gems.

2.
[metonymically named after the throne on which he sat.]
The office or position of the Shah of Iran; as, to ascend the Peacock Throne.


word: Peag
definition:
Peag

Peag
(pēg)
n.
[Written also peage, peak, peeke.]
[Prob. of North American Indian origin, by shortening of wampumpeag.  RHUD.]
A kind of aboriginal shell money, or wampum, of the Atlantic coast of the United States; -- originally applied only to polished white cylindrical beads.  See also wampum.


word: Pea jacket
definition:
Pea jacket

Pea jacket

Pea-jacket

Pea"-jack`et, Pea" jack`et Pea" jack`et
(?)
n.
[Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of a coarse woolen stuff.]
A thick loose double-breasted woolen jacket, or coat, commonly worn by sailors in cold weather.

Syn. -- pea coat, peacoat, pea jacket.


word: Peak
definition:
Peak

Peak
(pēk)
n.
[OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. peac a sharp-pointed thing.  Cf. Pike.]
1.
A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.
peak
Beau. & Fl.

2.
The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.

Silent upon a peak in Darien.
Keats.

3.
(Naut.)
(a)
The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; -- used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc.
(b)
The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it.
(c)
The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill.
[In the last sense written also pea and pee.]

Fore peak. (Naut.) See under Fore.


word: Peak₂
definition:
Peak

Peak
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Peaked (pēkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Peaking.]
1.
To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.

There peaketh up a mighty high mount.
Holand.

2.
Hence:
To achieve a maximum of numerical value, intensity of activity, popularity, or other characteristic, followed by a decline; as, the stock market peaked in January; his performance as a pitcher peaked in 1990; sales of the XTX model peaked at 20,000 per year.

3.
To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sickly.
peak
Shak.

4.
[Cf. Peek.]
To pry; to peep slyly.
[archaic]
Shak.

Peak arch (Arch.), a pointed or Gothic arch.


word: Peak₃
definition:
Peak

Peak
v. t.
(Naut.)
To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.


word: Peaked
definition:
Peaked

Peaked
(pēkt or pēk"ĕd)
a.
1.
Pointed; ending in a point; as, a peaked roof.

2.
(Oftener pēk"ĕd)
Sickly; not robust.
[Colloq.]


word: Peakish
definition:
Peakish

Peak"ish
a.
1.
Of or relating to a peak; or to peaks; belonging to a mountainous region.
peakish
Drayton.
peakish
Bp. Hall.

2.
Having peaks; peaked.

3.
Having features thin or sharp, as from sickness; hence, sickly.
[Colloq.]


word: Peaky
definition:
Peaky

Peak"y
(pēk"&ybreve_;)
a.
1.
Having a peak or peaks.
Tennyson.

2.
Sickly; peaked.
[Colloq.]


word: Peal₃
definition:
Peal

Peal
n.
[An abbrev. of F. appel a call, appeal, ruffle of a drum, fr. appeller to call, L. appellare. See Appeal.]
1.
A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc.
peal
Hayward.

Whether those peals of praise be his or no.
Shak.

And a deep thunder, peal on peal, afar.
Byron.

2.
A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale; also, the changes rung on a set of bells.

To ring a peal. See under Ring.


word: Peal₄
definition:
Peal

Peal
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pealed (pēld); p. pr. & vb. n. Pealing.]
1.
To utter or give out loud sounds.

There let the pealing organ blow.
Milton.

2.
To resound; to echo.

And the whole air pealed
With the cheers of our men.
Longfellow.


word: Peal₅
definition:
Peal

Peal
v. t.
1.
To utter or give forth loudly; to cause to give out loud sounds; to noise abroad.

The warrior's name,
Though pealed and chimed on all the tongues of fame.
J. Barlow.

2.
To assail with noise or loud sounds.

Nor was his ear less pealed.
Milton.

3.
To pour out.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: peal out
definition:
peal out

peal out
v. i.
To give off a loud pealing sound; to peal.

2.
To accelerate quickly from a stop in a vehicle, especially an automobile, so that the tires grind against the pavement and make a squealing noise while accelerating; -- sometimes performed by young drivers for showy display.
[slang]

Syn. -- drop a patch.


word: Pean
definition:
Pean

Pean
(pēn)
n.
[OF. pene, F. panne.]
(Her.)
One of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or tufts or.


word: Peanism
definition:
Peanism

Pe"an*ism
(pē"an*ĭz'm)
n.
[Gr. paianismo`s, fr. paiani`zein to chant the pæan.]
The song or shout of praise, of battle, or of triumph.
[R.]


word: Peanut
definition:
Peanut

Pea"nut
(pē"nŭt)
n.
(Bot.)
The fruit of a trailing leguminous plant (Arachis hypogæa); also, the plant itself, which is widely cultivated for its fruit.

&hand_; The fruit is a hard pod, usually containing two or three seeds, sometimes but one, which ripen beneath the soil. Called also earthnut, groundnut, and goober.


word: Peanut butter
definition:
Peanut butter

Pea"nut but"ter
A paste made by mixing ground fresh roasted peanuts with a small quantity of water or oil, and used chiefly as a relish on sandwiches, etc.


word: Peanut gallery
definition:
Peanut gallery

Pea"nut gal"ler*y
1.
The cheapest seats in a theater, being typically those farthest from the stage, as in the uppermost balcony.

2.
In a television show for children, the section where visiting children sit as guests during the performance.

3.
Hence:
Any group of children, or the chidren in a group of people; as, let's have no noise from the peanut gallery.
[Colloq.]


word: Pear
definition:
Pear

Pear
(pâr)
n.
[OE. pere, AS. peru, L. pirum: cf. F. poire.  Cf. Perry.]
(Bot.)
The fleshy pome, or fruit, of a rosaceous tree (Pyrus communis), cultivated in many varieties in temperate climates; also, the tree which bears this fruit. See Pear family, below.

Pear blight. (a) (Bot.) A name of two distinct diseases of pear trees, both causing a destruction of the branches, viz., that caused by a minute insect (Xyleborus pyri), and that caused by the freezing of the sap in winter. A. J. Downing. (b) (Zool.) A very small beetle (Xyleborus pyri) whose larvæ bore in the twigs of pear trees and cause them to wither. -- Pear family (Bot.), a suborder of rosaceous plants (Pomeæ), characterized by the calyx tube becoming fleshy in fruit, and, combined with the ovaries, forming a pome. It includes the apple, pear, quince, service berry, and hawthorn. -- Pear gauge (Physics), a kind of gauge for measuring the exhaustion of an air-pump receiver; -- so called because consisting in part of a pear-shaped glass vessel. -- Pear shell (Zool.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Pyrula, native of tropical seas; -- so called from the shape. -- Pear slug (Zool.), the larva of a sawfly which is very injurious to the foliage of the pear tree.


word: Pearl
definition:
Pearl

Pearl
(pẽrl)
n.
A fringe or border.
[Obs.]
v. t. To fringe; to border. [Obs.] See Purl.

Pearl stitch. See Purl stitch, under Purl.


word: Pearl₂
definition:
Pearl

Pearl
n.
[OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See Pear, and cf. Purl to mantle.]
1.
(Zool.)
A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves.  It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle.  Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and at one time compared in value with the precious stones.  Since development of cultured pearls, the relative value has diminished somewhat, though the best pearls are still expensive, and natural pearls even more so.  Artificial pearls may be made of various materials, including material similar to that of natural pearls; these are less expensive than natural or cultured pearls.  See cultured pearl, below.

2.
Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious.

I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.
Shak.

And those pearls of dew she wears.
Milton.

3.
Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.

4.
(Zool.)
A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.

5.
(Zool.)
A light-colored tern.

6.
(Zool.)
One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

7.
A whitish speck or film on the eye.
[Obs.]
Milton.

8.
A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.

9.
(Print.)
A size of type, between agate and diamond.

Ground pearl. (Zool.) See under Ground. -- Pearl barley, kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains. -- Pearl diver, one who dives for pearl oysters. -- Pearl edge, an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace. -- Pearl eye, cataract. [R.] -- Pearl gray, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color. -- Pearl millet, Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata). -- Pearl moss. See Carrageen. -- Pearl moth (Zool.), any moth of the genus Margaritia; -- so called on account of its pearly color. -- Pearl oyster (Zool.), any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Meleagrina, or Margaritifera, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America.  Called also pearl shell, and pearl mussel. -- Pearl powder. See Pearl white, below. -- Pearl sago, sago in the form of small pearly grains. -- Pearl sinter (Min.), fiorite. -- Pearl spar (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster. -- Pearl white. (a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; -- used chiefly as a cosmetic. (b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue. -- cultured pearl, a pearl grown by a pearl oyster into which a round pellet has been placed, to serve as the seed for more predictable growth of the pearl.  The pellet is usually made from mother-of-pearl, and additional layers of nacre are deposited onto the seed by the oyster.  Such pearls, being more easily obtained than natural pearls from wild oysters, are less expensive.


word: Pearl₄
definition:
Pearl

Pearl
v. t.
1.
To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.

2.
To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.


word: Pearl₅
definition:
Pearl

Pearl
v. i.
1.
To resemble pearl or pearls.

2.
To dive or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.


word: Pearlaceous
definition:
Pearlaceous

Pearl*a"ceous
(?)
a.
Resembling pearl or mother-of-pearl; pearly in quality or appearance.

Syn. -- iridescent, nacreous, opalescent, opaline, pearlaceous.


word: Pearlash
definition:
Pearlash

Pearl"ash`
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A white amorphous or granular substance which consists principally of potassium carbonate, and has a strong alkaline reaction.  It is obtained by lixiviating wood ashes, and evaporating the lye, and has been an important source of potassium compounds.  It is used in making soap, glass, etc.


word: pearler
definition:
pearler

pearl"er
n.
A diver who searches for molluscs containing pearls; a pearl diver.

Syn. -- pearl diver.


word: pearlescent
definition:
pearlescent

pearl*es"cent
(pẽr*lĕs"ent)
adj.
1.
Having an iridescent pearl-like surface, giving a play of lustrous rainbowlike colors; nacreous; pearlaceous.

Syn. -- iridescent, nacreous, opalescent, opaline, pearlaceous.


word: Pearl-eyed
definition:
Pearl-eyed

Pearl"-eyed`
(?)
a.
Having a pearly speck in the eye; afflicted with a cataract or cataracts.


word: Pearlfish
definition:
Pearlfish

Pearl"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any fish whose scales yield a pearl-like pigment used in manufacturing artificial pearls, as the bleak, and whitebait.


word: Pearlings
definition:
Pearlings

Pearlins

{ Pearl"ins (?), Pearl"ings (?), }
n. pl.
[Prob. a corruption of purflings. See Purfle.]
A kind of lace of silk or thread.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pearlstone
definition:
Pearlstone

Pearlite

{ Pearl"ite (?), Pearl"stone` (?), }
n.
(Min.)
A glassy volcanic rock of a grayish color and pearly luster, often having a spherulitic concretionary structure due to the curved cracks produced by contraction in cooling. See Illust. under Perlitic.


word: Pearlwort
definition:
Pearlwort

Pearl"wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A name given to several species of Sagina, low and inconspicuous herbs of the Chickweed family.


word: Pearly
definition:
Pearly

Pearl"y
(?)
a.
1.
Containing pearls; abounding with, or yielding, pearls; as, pearly shells.
Milton.

2.
Resembling pearl or pearls; clear; pure; transparent; iridescent; as, the pearly dew or flood.


word: pearly everlasting
definition:
pearly everlasting

pearly everlasting
n.
(Bot.)
an American everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) having foliage with soft wooly hairs and corymbose heads with pearly-white scarious involucres.

Syn. -- cottonweed, Anaphalis margaritacea.


word: Pearmain
definition:
Pearmain

Pear"main
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
The name of several kinds of apples; as, the blue pearmain, winter pearmain, and red pearmain.


word: Peart
definition:
Peart

Peart
(pērt)
a.
[A variant of pert, a.]
Active; lively; brisk; smart; -- often applied to convalescents; as, she is quite peart to-day.
[O. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]

There was a tricksy girl, I wot, albeit clad in gray,
As peart as bird, as straight as bolt, as fresh as flowers in May.
Warner (1592).


word: Peasant
definition:
Peasant

Peas"ant
(?)
n.
[OF. païsant (the i being perh. due to confusion with the p. pr. of verbs), païsan, F. paysan, fr. OF. & F. pays country, fr. L. pagus the country. See Pagan.]
A countryman; a rustic; especially, one of the lowest class of tillers of the soil in European countries.


word: Peasantry
definition:
Peasantry

Peas"ant*ry
(?)
n.
1.
Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics.
peasantry
Goldsmith.

2.
Rusticity; coarseness.
[Obs.]
p. Butler.


word: Pease
definition:
Pease

Pease
(pēz)
n.
obs.pl. Peases (#), Peasen (#).
[See Pea.]
1.
A pea.
[Obs.]
peose
peses
Piers Plowman.

2.
A plural form of Pea. See the Note under Pea.


word: Peasweep
definition:
Peasweep

Peas"weep`
(?)
n.
[So called from its note.]
[Prov. Eng.]
(Zool.)
(a)
The pewit, or lapwing.
(b)
The greenfinch.


word: Peat
definition:
Peat

Peat
(pēt)
n.
[Cf. Pet a fondling.]
A small person; a pet; -- sometimes used contemptuously.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Peat₂
definition:
Peat

Peat
n.
[Prob. for beat, prop., material used to make the fire burn better, fr. AS. bētan to better, mend (a fire), b&omacrt advantage. See Better, Boot advantage.]
A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and fibers, moss, etc., in various stages of decomposition, and found, as a kind of turf or bog, usually in low situations, where it is always more or less saturated with water.  It is often dried and used for fuel.

Peat bog, a bog containing peat; also, peat as it occurs in such places; peat moss. -- Peat moss. (a) The plants which, when decomposed, become peat. (b) A fen producing peat. (c) (Bot.) Moss of the genus Sphagnum, which often grows abundantly in boggy or peaty places. -- Peat reek, the reek or smoke of peat; hence, also, the peculiar flavor given to whisky by being distilled with peat as fuel. [Scot.]


word: Peavy
definition:
Peavy

Peavey

{ Pea"vey, Pea"vy }
(?)
n.
[Said to be from the inventor's name.]
(Lumbering)
A cant hook having the end of its lever armed with a spike; it is used for handling logs.

Syn. -- cant dog.


word: Peba
definition:
Peba

Pe"ba
(pē"bȧ)
n.
[Cf. Pg. peba.]
(Zool.)
An armadillo (Tatusia novemcincta) which is found from Texas to Paraguay; -- called also tatouhou.


word: Pebble
definition:
Pebble

Peb"ble
(?)
n.
[AS. papolstān; cf. L. papula pimple, mote. See Stone.]
1.
A small roundish piece of stone; especially, a stone worn and rounded by the action of water; a pebblestone.
pebbles
Shak.

As children gathering pebbles on the shore.
Milton.

2.
Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian pebble; -- so called by opticians.

Pebble powder, slow-burning gunpowder, in large cubical grains. -- Scotch pebble, varieties of quartz, as agate, chalcedony, etc., obtained from cavities in amygdaloid.


word: Pebble₂
definition:
Pebble

Peb"ble
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pebbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pebbling.]
To grain (leather) so as to produce a surface covered with small rounded prominences.


word: Pebrine
definition:
Pebrine

Pe`brine"
(?)
n.
[F.]
An epidemic disease of the silkworm, characterized by the presence of minute vibratory corpuscles in the blood.


word: Pecan
definition:
Pecan

Pe*can"
(pe̝*kăn")
n.
[Cf. F. pacane the nut.]
(Bot.)
A species of hickory (Carya olivæformis), growing in North America, chiefly in the Mississippi valley and in Texas, where it is one of the largest of forest trees; also, its fruit, a smooth, oblong nut, an inch or an inch and a half long, with a thin shell and well-flavored meat.
[Written also pacane.]


word: Peccability
definition:
Peccability

Pec`ca*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The state or quality of being peccable; liability to sin.

The common peccability of mankind.
Dr. H. More.


word: Peccable
definition:
Peccable

Pec"ca*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. peccable. See Peccant.]
Liable to sin; subject to transgress the divine law.
peccable
Sir W. Scott.


word: Peccadillo
definition:
Peccadillo

Pec`ca*dil"lo
(?)
n.
pl. Peccadillos (#).
[Sp. pecadillo, dim. of pecado a sin, fr. L. peccatum. See Peccant.]
A slight trespass or offense; a petty crime; a trifling fault.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Peccancy
definition:
Peccancy

Pec"can*cy
(?)
n.
[L. peccantia.]
1.
The quality or state of being peccant.

2.
A sin; an offense.
W. Montagu.


word: Peccant
definition:
Peccant

Pec"cant
(?)
a.
[L. peccans, -antis, p. pr. of peccare to sin: cf. F. peccant.]
1.
Sinning; guilty of transgression; criminal; as, peccant angels.
Milton.

2.
Morbid; corrupt; as, peccant humors.
Bacon.

3.
Wrong; defective; faulty.
[R.]
Ayliffe.


word: Peccary
definition:
Peccary

Pec"ca*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Peccaries (#).
[From the native South American name: cf. F. pécari, Sp. pecar.]
(Zool.)
A pachyderm of the genus Dicotyles.

&hand_; The collared peccary, or tajacu (Dicotyles torquatus), is about the size and shape of a small hog, and has a white ring aroung the neck.  It ranges from Arkansas to Brazil.  A larger species (Dicotyles labiatus), with white cheeks, is found in South America.


word: Peccavi
definition:
Peccavi

Pec*ca"vi
(?)
[L.]
I have sinned; -- used colloquially to express confession or acknowledgment of an offense; -- used rarely, superseded by the approximate equivalent mea culpa.
Aubrey.


word: Peck
definition:
Peck

Peck
n.
[Perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite quantity, and fr. peck, v. (below): cf. also F. picotin a peak.]
1.
The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.
peck
Shak.

2.
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
peck
Milton.


word: Peck₂
definition:
Peck

Peck
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pecked (pĕkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking.]
[See Pick, v.]
1.
To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.

2.
Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.

3.
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up.
Addison.

This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas.
Shak.

4.
To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.


word: Peck₃
definition:
Peck

Peck
v. i.
1.
To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument.
Carew.

2.
To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.

[The hen] went pecking by his side.
Dryden.

To peck at, (a) to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease. (a) to eat slowly and in small portions, with litle interest; as, to peck at one's food.


word: Pecker
definition:
Pecker

Peck"er
(pĕk"ẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks holes in trees; a woodpecker.

2.
An instrument for pecking; a pick.
Garth.

3.
The penis; -- an obscene term for the male sexual organ.
[Vulgar]

Syn. -- penis, cock, prick, tool, peter, dick, shaft [all but the first considered obscene].

Flower pecker. (Zool.) See under Flower.


word: Pecopteris
definition:
Pecopteris

Pe*cop"te*ris
(pe̝*k&obreve_;p"te̝*rĭs)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. pe`kein to comb + petri`s a kind of fern.]
(Paleon.)
An extensive genus of fossil ferns; -- so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.


word: Pecora
definition:
Pecora

Pec"o*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. pecus. See Pecuniary.]
(Zool.)
An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes, deer, and cattle.


word: pecs
definition:
pecs

pecs
(pĕks)
n. pl.
(Anat.)
[contraction from pectoral muscles.]
The pectoral muscles; -- a contraction used by body-building and health enthusiasts.   Used similarly to abs and delts.
[informal]


word: Pecten
definition:
Pecten

Pec"ten
(?)
n.
[L. pecten, -inis, a comb, a kind of shellfish. See Pectinate.]
1.
(Anat.)
(a)
A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds, and in many reptiles and fishes; -- also called marsupium.
(b)
The pubic bone.

2.
(Zool.)
Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten, and numerous allied genera (family Pectinidæ); a scallop. See Scallop.

3.
(Zool.)
The comb of a scorpion. See Comb, 4 (b).


word: pectic
definition:
pectic

pec"tic
(pĕk"tĭk)
a.
[Gr. phkto`s curdled.]
(Chem.)
Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous when moist.


word: pectin
definition:
pectin

pec"tin
(pĕk"tĭ)
n.
[Gr. phkto`s curdled, congealed, from phgny`nai to make fast or stiff: cf. F. pectine.]
(Chem.)
One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called vegetable jelly, found very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples, cranberries, etc.  It is extracted as variously colored, translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but become viscous on cooling.  It is commonly used in making fruit jelllies.


word: Pectinal
definition:
Pectinal

Pec"ti*nal
(?)
a.
[L. pecten comb. See Pectinate.]
Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.


word: Pectinated
definition:
Pectinated

Pectinate

{ Pec"ti*na`te (?), Pec"ti*na`ted (?), }
a.
[L. pectinatus, p. pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis, a comb; cf. Gr. pe`kein to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs, E. paxwax.]
1.
Resembling the teeth of a comb.

2.
(Nat. Hist.)
Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles.  See Illust. (e) of Antennæ.

3.
Interlaced, like two combs.
[R.]
pectinated
Sir T. Browne.

Pectinate claw (Zool.), a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.


word: Pectination
definition:
Pectination

Pec`ti*na"tion
(?)
n.
1.
The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
The act of combing; the combing of the head.

3.
(Nat. Hist.)
Comblike toothing.


word: Pectineal
definition:
Pectineal

Pec*tin"e*al
(?)
a.
[See Pecten.]
(Anat.)
(a)
Of or pertaining to the pecten.
(b)
Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.


word: Pectinibranch
definition:
Pectinibranch

Pec*tin"i*branch
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
One of the Pectinibranchiata.  Also used adjectively.


word: Pectinibranchiata
definition:
Pectinibranchiata

Pec`ti*ni*bran`chi*a"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pecten, and Branchia.]
(Zool.)
A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a comblike gill upon the neck.


word: Pectinibranchiate
definition:
Pectinibranchiate

Pec`ti*ni*bran"chi*ate
(?)
a.
[L. pecten, -inis, a comb + E. branchiate.]
(Zool.)
Having pectinated gills.


word: Pectize
definition:
Pectize

Pec*tize"
(pĕk*tīz")
v. i.
[Gr. phkto`s solid.]
To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass.
[R.]
H. Spencer.


word: Pectolite
definition:
Pectolite

Pec"to*lite
(pĕk"to̝*līt)
n.
[L. pecten a comb + -lite.]
(Min.)
A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses.  It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda.


word: Pectoral
definition:
Pectoral

Pec"to*ral
(pĕk"to̝*ral)
a.
[L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.

2.
Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.

3.
(Zool.)
Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper.

Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle.  In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side. -- Pectoral cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. -- Pectoral fins, or Pectorals (Zool.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. -- Pectoral rail. (Zool.) See Land rail (b) under Land. -- Pectoral sandpiper (Zool.), the jacksnipe (b).


word: Pectoral₂
definition:
Pectoral

Pec"to*ral
(?)
n.
[L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectoralis.]
1.
A covering or protecting for the breast.

2.
(Eccl.)
(a)
A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person.
(b)
A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.

3.
A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.


word: Pectoriloquial
definition:
Pectoriloquial

Pec`to*ri*lo"qui*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pectoriloque.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.


word: Pectoriloquy
definition:
Pectoriloquy

Pec`to*ril"o*quy
(?)
n.
[L. pectus, -oris, the breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie.]
(Med.)
The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice, heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation.  It usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural cavity.


word: Pectose
definition:
Pectose

Pec"tose`
(pĕk"t&omacrs`)
n.
[Pectic + cellulose.]
(Chem.)
An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe fruits.  It is associated with cellulose, and is converted into substances of the pectin group.


word: Pectosic
definition:
Pectosic

Pec*to"sic
(pĕk*t&omacr"sĭk)
a.
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose; specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.


word: Pectostraca
definition:
Pectostraca

Pec*tos"tra*ca
(pĕk*t&obreve_;s"trȧ*kȧ)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. phkto`s fixed + 'o`strakon shell of a testacean.]
(Zool.)
A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala and Cirripedia.


word: Peculate
definition:
Peculate

Pec"u*late
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Peculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.]
[L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar.]
To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.

An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism.
Burke.


word: Peculation
definition:
Peculation

Pec`u*la"tion
(?)
n.
The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement.

Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined.
Burke.


word: Peculiar
definition:
Peculiar

Pe*cul"iar
(?)
a.
[L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See Pecuniary.]
1.
One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation.

And purify unto himself a peculiar people.
Titus ii. 14.

Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself.
Hooker.

2.
Particular; individual; special; appropriate.

While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
Milton.

My fate is Juno's most peculiar care.
Dryden.

3.
Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiar appearance.

Beauty, which, either walking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces.
Milton.

For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,
But to the earth some special good doth give.
Shak.


word: Peculiar₂
definition:
Peculiar

Pe*cul"iar
n.
1.
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.

Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven.
South.

2.
(Eng. Canon Law)
A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.

Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone. -- Dean of peculiars. See under Dean, 1.


word: Peculiarity
definition:
Peculiarity

Pe*cul`iar"i*ty
(pe̝*kūl`yăr"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Peculiarities (pe̝*kūl`yăr"ĭ*tĭz).
1.
The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity.
Swift.

2.
That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.

The smallest peculiarity of temper or manner.
Macaulay.

3.
Exclusive possession or right.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Peculiarize
definition:
Peculiarize

Pe*cul"iar*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peculiarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculiarizing (?).]
To make peculiar; to set apart or assign, as an exclusive possession.
[R.]
Dr. John Smith.


word: Peculiarly
definition:
Peculiarly

Pe*cul"iar*ly
adv.
In a peculiar manner; particularly; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.


word: Peculium
definition:
Peculium

Pe*cu"li*um
(?)
n.
[L. See Peculiar.]
1.
(Rom. Law)
The saving of a son or a slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property.
Burrill.

2.
A special fund for private and personal uses.

A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his snuff box and tobacco pouch.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pecuniary
definition:
Pecuniary

Pe*cun"ia*ry
(pe̝*kūn"ya̝*rĭ*l&ybreve_;)
a.
[L. pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money, orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F. pécuniaire. See Fee, and cf. Peculiar.]
1.
Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward.
Burke.


word: Pecunious
definition:
Pecunious

Pe*cu"ni*ous
(?)
a.
[L. pecuniosus, fr. pecunia: cf. F. pécunieux.]
Abounding in money; wealthy; rich.
[Obs.]
Sherwood.


word: Pedage
definition:
Pedage

Ped"age
(pĕd"a̝j)
n.
[LL. pedagium, for pedaticum. See Paage.]
A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to safe-conduct and protection.
[Obs.]
Spelman.


word: Pedagogical
definition:
Pedagogical

Pedagogic

{ Ped`a*gog"ic (?), Ped`a*gog"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. paidagwgiko`s: cf. F. pédagogique. See Pedagogue.]
Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic of, a pedagogue.


word: Pedagogics
definition:
Pedagogics

Ped`a*gog"ics
(?)
n.
The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.


word: Pedagogism
definition:
Pedagogism

Ped"a*gog*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pédagogisme.]
The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues.
Milton.

Avocations of pedantry and pedagogism.
De Foe.


word: Pedagogue
definition:
Pedagogue

Ped"a*gogue
(pĕd"a̝*g&obreve_;g)
n.
[F. pédagogue, L. paedagogus, Gr. paidagwgo`s; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + 'a`gein to lead, guide; cf. 'agwgo`s leading. See Page a servant, Agent.]
1.
(Gr. Antiq.)
A slave who led his master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.

2.
A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster.

3.
One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant.
Goldsmith.


word: Pedagogue₂
definition:
Pedagogue

Ped"a*gogue
v. t.
[Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.]
To play the pedagogue toward.
[Obs.]
Prior.


word: Pedal
definition:
Pedal

Pe"dal
(pē"dal in def 1; 277)
a.
[L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pew.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zool.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.

2.
(pĕd"al)
Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.

Pedal curve or Pedal surface (Geom.), the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. -- Pedal note (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point, under Organ. -- Pedal organ (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.


word: Pedal₂
definition:
Pedal

Pe"dal
(pĕd"al)
n.
[Cf. F. pédale, It. pedale. See Pedal, a.]
1.
(Mech.)
A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.

2.
(Geom.)
A pedal curve or surface.


word: Pedaneous
definition:
Pedaneous

Pe*da"ne*ous
(?)
a.
[L. pedaneus of the size of a foot.]
Going on foot; pedestrian.
[R.]


word: Pedant
definition:
Pedant

Ped"ant
(?)
n.
[F. pédant, It. pedante, fr. Gr. paidey`ein to instruct, from pai^s boy. See Pedagogue.]
1.
A schoolmaster; a pedagogue.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

A pedant that keeps a school i'th' church.
Shak.

2.
One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge.
Addison.

A scholar, yet surely no pedant, was he.
Goldsmith.


word: Pedantical
definition:
Pedantical

Pedantic

{ Pe*dan"tic (?), Pe*dan"tic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation.
pedantical
Shak.


word: Pedantize
definition:
Pedantize

Ped"ant*ize
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. F. pédantiser.]
To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions.
[R.]


word: Pedantry
definition:
Pedantry

Ped"ant*ry
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pédanterie.]
The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation of learning.
pedantry
Cowley.

'T is a practice that savors much of pedantry.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Pedarian
definition:
Pedarian

Pe*da"ri*an
(?)
n.
[L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote; -- so called because he might indicate his opinion by walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote was taken.


word: Pedata
definition:
Pedata

Pe*da"ta
(pe̝*dā"tȧ)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pedate.]
(Zool.)
An order of holothurians, including those that have ambulacral suckers, or feet, and an internal gill.


word: Pedate
definition:
Pedate

Ped"ate
(pĕd"a̝t)
a.
[L. pedatus, p. p. of pedare to furnish with feet, fr. pes, pedis, a foot.]
(Bot.)
Palmate, with the lateral lobes cleft into two or more segments; -- said of a leaf.
Ped"ate*ly, adv.


word: Pedatifid
definition:
Pedatifid

Pe*dat"i*fid
(?)
a.
[Pedate + root of L. findere to split.]
[Colloq.]
Cleft in a pedate manner, but having the lobes distinctly connected at the base; -- said of a leaf.


word: Peddle
definition:
Peddle

Ped"dle
(?)
v. i.
[From Peddler.]
1.
To travel about with wares for sale; to go from place to place, or from house to house, for the purpose of retailing goods; as, to peddle without a license.

2.
To do a small business; to be busy about trifles; to piddle.


word: Peddle₂
definition:
Peddle

Ped"dle
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peddling (?).]
To sell from place to place; to retail by carrying around from customer to customer; to hawk; hence, to retail in very small quantities; as, to peddle vegetables or tinware.


word: Peddler
definition:
Peddler

Ped"dler
(?)
n.
[OE. pedlere, pedlare, also peddare, peoddare, fr. OE. ped a basket, of unknown origin.]
One who peddles; a traveling trader; one who travels about, retailing small wares; a hawker.
[Written also pedlar and pedler.]
peddler
Hakluyt.


word: Peddlery
definition:
Peddlery

Ped"dler*y
(?)
n.
[Written also pedlary and pedlery.]
1.
The trade, or the goods, of a peddler; hawking; small retail business, like that of a peddler.

2.
Trifling; trickery.
[Obs.]
peddleries
Milton.


word: Peddling
definition:
Peddling

Ped"dling
a.
1.
Hawking; acting as a peddler.

2.
Petty; insignificant; trifling; paltry; piddling; -- now less common than piddling.
peddling
Burke.

Syn. -- petty; insignificant; trifling; paltry; piddling.


word: Pederast
definition:
Pederast

Ped"er*ast
(?)
n.
[Gr. paiderasth`s; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + 'era^n to love: cf. F. pédéraste.]
One guilty of pederasty; a sodomite.


word: Pederasty
definition:
Pederasty

Ped"er*as`ty
(?)
n.
[Gr. paiderasti`a: cf. F. pédérastie.]
Sexual activity between two males; sodomy; the “crime against nature”; -- used especially when one partner is a boy.
The term “crime against nature” to refer to homosexual activity is now (2002) seldom used except by religious conservatives.  It was in the 1913 Webster, and is left here for historical purposes.


word: Pederero
definition:
Pederero

Ped`e*re"ro
(?)
n.
[Sp. pedrero, fr. OSp. pedra, Sp. piedra, a stone, L. petra, fr. Gr. pe`tra.  So named because it was at first charged with stones.]
(Mil.)
A term formerly applied to a short piece of chambered ordnance.
[Written also paterero and peterero.]


word: Pedesis
definition:
Pedesis

Pe*de"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. ph`dhsis a leaping.]
Same as Brownian movement, under Brownian.


word: Pedestal
definition:
Pedestal

Ped"es*tal
(?)
n.
[Sp. pedestal; cf. F. piédestal, It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See Foot, and Stall, and Footstall.]
1.
(Arch.)
The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands.  It consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of Column.

Build him a pedestal, and say, “Stand there!”
Cowper.

2.
Hence:
A short free-standing column or column-like object designed to support a work of art or other object; a column serving the same function as the base of a statue.  It may be made of wood, marble, or other suitable material.

3.
(Furniture)
A part of a desk which contains a frame and drawers, stands on the floor, and provides support for the desk surface.  There may be zero, one, or two such pedestals in a desk.

4.
(a)
(Railroad Cars)
A casting secured to the frame of a truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
(b)
(Mach.)
A pillow block; a low housing.
(c)
(Bridge Building)
An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier.

Pedestal coil (steam Heating), a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, -- used in a radiator.


word: Pedestaled
definition:
Pedestaled

Ped"es*taled
(?)
a.
Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively, exalted.
Hawthorne.

Pedestaled haply in a palace court.
Keats.


word: Pedestrial
definition:
Pedestrial

Pe*des"tri*al
(?)
a.
[L. pedester, -esteris, fr. pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédestere. See Pedal.]
Of or pertaining to the feet; employing the foot or feet.


word: Pedestrian
definition:
Pedestrian

Pe*des"tri*an
(?)
a.
1.
Going on foot; performed on foot; as, a pedestrian journey.

2.
Lacking in distinction or imaginativeness; ordinary; commonplace; dull; insipid; prosaic; as, pedestrian prose.


word: Pedestrian₂
definition:
Pedestrian

Pe*des"tri*an
n.
A walker; one who journeys on foot; a foot traveler; specif., a professional walker or runner.


word: Pedestrianism
definition:
Pedestrianism

Pe*des"tri*an*ism
(?)
n.
The act, art, or practice of a pedestrian; walking or running; traveling or racing on foot.


word: Pedestrianize
definition:
Pedestrianize

Pe*des"tri*an*ize
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pedestrianized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pedestrianizing.]
To practice walking; to travel on foot.


word: Pedetentous
definition:
Pedetentous

Ped`e*ten"tous
(?)
a.
[L. pes, pedis, foot + tendere to stretch out: cf. L. tentim by degrees.]
Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously.
[R.]

That pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk.
Sydney Smith.


word: Pedo-
definition:
Pedo-

Pedi-

{ Ped"i- (?), Ped"o- (?) }
[See Foot.]
Combining forms from L. pes, pedis, foot, as pedipalp, pedireme, pedometer.


word: Pediatric
definition:
Pediatric

Ped`i*at"ric
(pĕd`ĭ*ăt"rĭk or pēd`ĭ*ăt"rĭk)
a.
[Gr. pai^s, paido`s, child + 'iatrei`a healing.]
(Med.)
Pertaining to the care and medical treatment of children.


word: Pediatrics
definition:
Pediatrics

Ped`i*at"rics
(?)
n.
That branch of medical science which treats of the hygiene and diseases of infants and children.

Syn. -- paediatrics.


word: pedicab
definition:
pedicab

ped"i*cab
(pĕd"ĭ*kăb)
n.
a tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling); used in the Orient for transporting passengers for hire; as, boys who once pulled rickshaws now pedal pedicabs.

Syn. -- cycle rickshaw.


word: Pedicel
definition:
Pedicel

Ped"i*cel
(?)
n.
[F. pédicelle. See Pedicle.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
A stalk which supports one flower or fruit, whether solitary or one of many ultimate divisions of a common peduncle. See Peduncle, and Illust. of Flower.
(b)
A slender support of any special organ, as that of a capsule in mosses, an air vesicle in algæ, or a sporangium in ferns.

2.
(Zool.)
A slender stem by which certain of the lower animals or their eggs are attached. See Illust. of Aphis lion.

3.
(Anat.)
(a)
The ventral part of each side of the neural arch connecting with the centrum of a vertebra.
(b)
An outgrowth of the frontal bones, which supports the antlers or horns in deer and allied animals.


word: Pedicellaria
definition:
Pedicellaria

Ped`i*cel*la"ri*a
(?)
n.
pl. Pedicellariæ (#).
[NL. See Pedicel.]
(Zool.)
A peculiar forcepslike organ which occurs in large numbers upon starfishes and echini. Those of starfishes have two movable jaws, or blades, and are usually nearly, or quite, sessile; those of echini usually have three jaws and a pedicel. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Pedicellina
definition:
Pedicellina

Ped`i*cel*li"na
(?)
prop. n.
[NL. See Pedicel.]
(Zool.)
A genus of Bryozoa, of the order Entoprocta, having a bell-shaped body supported on a slender pedicel. See Illust. under Entoprocta.


word: Pedicle
definition:
Pedicle

Ped"i*cle
(?)
n.
[L. pediculus a little foot, dim. of pes foot: cf. F. pédicule. See edal, and cf. Pedicel.]
Same as Pedicel.


word: Pedicular
definition:
Pedicular

Pe*dic"u*lar
(?)
a.
[L. pedicularis, fr. pediculus a louse: cf. F. pédiculaire.]
Of or pertaining to lice; having the lousy distemper (phthiriasis); lousy.
Southey.


word: Pediculati
definition:
Pediculati

Pe*dic`u*la"ti
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL. See Pedicle.]
(Zool.)
An order of fishes including the anglers. See Illust. of Angler and Batfish.


word: Pediculina
definition:
Pediculina

Pe*dic`u*li"na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pediculus.]
(Zool.)
A division of parasitic hemipterous insects, including the true lice. See Illust. in Appendix.


word: Pediculus
definition:
Pediculus

Pe*dic"u*lus
(?)
prop. n.
pl. Pediculi (#).
[L., a louse.]
(Zool.)
A genus of wingless parasitic Hemiptera, including the common lice of man. See Louse.


word: Pedicure
definition:
Pedicure

Ped"i*cure
(?)
n.
[Pedi- + L. cura care.]
1.
Professional care of the feet, toes, and toenails.

2.
A single treatment of the feet, toes, and toenails.

3.
One who cares for the feet and nails; a chiropodist.
Ped"i*cure, v. t. -- Ped"i*cur*ism (#), n. -- Ped"i*cur*ist (#), n.


word: Pedigree
definition:
Pedigree

Ped"i*gree
(pĕd"ĭ*grē)
n.
[Of unknown origin; possibly fr. F. par degrés by degrees, -- for a pedigree is properly a genealogical table which records the relationship of families by degrees; or, perh., fr. F. pied de grue crane's foot, from the shape of the heraldic genealogical trees.]
1.
A line of ancestors; descent; lineage; genealogy; a register or record of a line of ancestors.

Alterations of surnames . . . have obscured the truth of our pedigrees.
Camden.

His vanity labored to contrive us a pedigree.
Milton.

I am no herald to inquire of men's pedigrees.
Sir P. Sidney.

The Jews preserved the pedigrees of their tribes.
Atterbury.

2.
(Stock Breeding)
A record of the lineage or strain of an animal, as of a horse.


word: Pedigree clause
definition:
Pedigree clause

Ped"i*gree clause
A clause sometimes inserted in contracts or specifications, requiring that a material of construction, as cement, must be of a brand that has stood the test of a specified number of years' use in an important public work.
[Cant, U. S.]


word: Pediluvy
definition:
Pediluvy

Ped"i*lu`vy
(?)
n.
[Pedi- + L. luere to wash: cf. It. & Sp. pediluvio, F. pédiluve.]
The bathing of the feet, a bath for the feet.
[Obs.]


word: Pedimana
definition:
Pedimana

Pe*dim"a*na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. pes, pedis, foot + manus hand.]
(Zool.)
A division of marsupials, including the opossums.


word: Pedimanous
definition:
Pedimanous

Pe*dim"a*nous
(?)
a.
[See Pedimana.]
(Zool.)
Having feet resembling hands, or with the first toe opposable, as the opossums and monkeys.


word: Pediment
definition:
Pediment

Ped"i*ment
(?)
n.
[L. pes, pedis, a foot. See Foot.]
(Arch.)
Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.


word: Pedioecetes
definition:
Pedioecetes

Pedioecetes
n.
A genus of fowl including the sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus, also called the prairie chicken).

Syn. -- genus Pedioecetes.


word: Pedionomus
definition:
Pedionomus

Pedionomus
prop. n.
A genus of birds including the plains wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) of New South Wales as its only species.  It is the only genus of the family Pedionomidae of the order Passeriformes and the plains wanderer is the only species in the family.  The total world population (as of ca. 2000) is estimated to be 5 to 10 thousand.
See also  http://www.philipmaher.com/plains.htm.

Syn. -- genus Pedionomus.


word: Pedipalpi
definition:
Pedipalpi

Ped`i*pal"pi
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pedipalpus.]
(Zool.)
A division of Arachnida, including the whip scorpions (Thelyphonus) and allied forms.  Sometimes used in a wider sense to include also the true scorpions.


word: Pedipalpus
definition:
Pedipalpus

Ped`i*pal"pus
(?)
n.
pl. Pedipalpi (#).
[NL. See Pes, and Palpus.]
(Zool.)
One of the second pair of mouth organs of arachnids.  In some they are leglike, but in others, as the scorpion, they terminate in a claw.


word: Pedireme
definition:
Pedireme

Ped"i*reme
(?)
n.
[Pedi- + L. remus oar.]
(Zool.)
A crustacean, some of whose feet serve as oars.


word: Pedobaptism
definition:
Pedobaptism

Pe`do*bap"tism
(?)
n.
[Gr. pai^s, paido`s, a child + E. baptism.]
The baptism of infants or of small children.
[Written also pædobaptism.]


word: Pedobaptist
definition:
Pedobaptist

Pe`do*bap"tist
(?)
n.
One who advocates or practices infant baptism.
[Written also pædobaptist.]


word: Pedograph
definition:
Pedograph

Ped"o*graph
(pĕd"o̝*grȧf)
n.
[Gr. pe`don ground + -graph.]
An instrument carried by a pedestrian for automatically making a topographical record of the ground covered during a journey.


word: Pedometer
definition:
Pedometer

Pe*dom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Pedi-, pedo- + -meter: cf. F. pédomètre.]
(Mech.)
An instrument for including the number of steps in walking, and so ascertaining the distance passed over.  It is usually in the form of a watch; an oscillating weight by the motion of the body causes the index to advance a certain distance at each step.


word: Pedometrical
definition:
Pedometrical

Pedometric

{ Ped`o*met"ric (?), Ped`o*met"ric*al (?), }
a.
Pertaining to, or measured by, a pedometer.


word: Pedomotive
definition:
Pedomotive

Ped`o*mo"tive
(?)
a.
[Pedi-, pedo- + -motive.]
Moved or worked by the action of the foot or feet on a pedal or treadle.


word: pedophilia
definition:
pedophilia

pedophilia
n.
A sexual perversion in which children rather than adults most strongly excite sexual desire, and are used as sexual partners.


word: Pedotrophy
definition:
Pedotrophy

Pe*dot"ro*phy
(pe̝*d&obreve_;t"ro̝*f&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. paidotrofi`a, fr. pai^s, paido`s, a child + tre`fein to nourish: cf. F. pédotrophie.]
The art of nourishing children properly.


word: Pedrail
definition:
Pedrail

Ped"rail`
(?)
n.
[See Pedi-; Rail.]
(Mach.)
(a)
A device intended to replace the wheel of a self-propelled vehicle for use on rough roads and to approximate to the smoothness in running of a wheel on a metal track.  The tread consists of a number of rubber shod feet which are connected by ball-and-socket joints to the ends of sliding spokes.  Each spoke has attached to it a small roller which in its turn runs under a short pivoted rail controlled by a powerful set of springs. This arrangement permits the feet to accomodate themselves to obstacles even such as steps or stairs. The pedrail was invented by one B. J. Diplock of London, Eng.
(b)
A vehicle, as a traction engine, having such pedrails.


word: Pedregal
definition:
Pedregal

Pe`dre*gal"
(?)
n.
[Sp., a stony place, fr. piedra stone.]
A lava field.
[Mexico & Western U.S.]


word: Pedro
definition:
Pedro

Pe"dro
(?)
n.
[From Sp. Pedro Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. Pe`tros.]
(Card Playing)
(a)
The five of trumps in certain varieties of auction pitch.
(b)
A variety of auction pitch in which the five of trumps counts five.


word: Peduncle
definition:
Peduncle

Pe*dun"cle
(?)
n.
[Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus, dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédoncule.]
1.
(Bot.)
The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.

&hand_; The ultimate divisions or branches of a peduncle are called pedicels.  In the case of a solitary flower, the stalk would be called a peduncle if the flower is large, and a pedicel if it is small or delicate.

2.
(Zool.)
A sort of stem by which certain shells and barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of Barnacle.

3.
(Anat.)
A band of nervous or fibrous matter connecting different parts of the brain; as, the peduncles of the cerebellum; the peduncles of the pineal gland.


word: Peduncular
definition:
Peduncular

Pe*dun"cu*lar
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pédonculaire.]
Of or pertaining to a peduncle; growing from a peduncle; as, a peduncular tendril.


word: Pedunculata
definition:
Pedunculata

Pe*dun`cu*la"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Peduncle.]
(Zool.)
A division of Cirripedia, including the stalked or goose barnacles.


word: Pedunculated
definition:
Pedunculated

Pedunculate

{ Pe*dun"cu*late (?), Pe*dun"cu*la`ted (?), }
a.
(Biol.)
Having a peduncle; growing on a peduncle; as, a pedunculate flower; a pedunculate eye, as in a lobster.


word: Pee₂
definition:
Pee

Pee
n.
1.
(Naut.)
Bill of an anchor. See Peak, 3 (c).

2.
Urine.

3.
The act of urinating; -- used in the informal take a pee, meaning, to urinate.


word: Peek
definition:
Peek

Peek
(pēk)
v. i.
[OE. piken: cf. F. piquer to pierce, prick, E. pique.  Cf. Peak.]
To look surreptitiously, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.
[Colloq.]


word: peeing
definition:
peeing

pee"ing
(pē"ĭng)
n.
Urination; -- an informal term; as, he doesn't like peeing out of doors.
[Inform.]

Syn. -- pee, pissing, urinating.


word: Peel₂
definition:
Peel

Peel
n.
[F. pelle, L. pala.]
A spadelike implement, variously used, as for removing loaves of bread from a baker's oven; also, a T-shaped implement used by printers and bookbinders for hanging wet sheets of paper on lines or poles to dry. Also, the blade of an oar.


word: Peel₃
definition:
Peel

Peel
v. t.
[Confused with peel to strip, but fr. F. piller to pillage. See Pill to rob, Pillage.]
To plunder; to pillage; to rob.
[Obs.]

But govern ill the nations under yoke,
Peeling their provinces.
Milton.


word: Peel₄
definition:
Peel

Peel
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peeled (pēld); p. pr. & vb. n. Peeling.]
[F. peler to pull out the hair, to strip, to peel, fr. L. pilare to deprive of hair, fr. pilus a hair; or perh. partly fr. F. peler to peel off the skin, perh. fr. L. pellis skin (cf. Fell skin).  Cf. Peruke.]
1.
To strip off the skin, bark, or rind of; to strip by drawing or tearing off the skin, bark, husks, etc.; to flay; to decorticate; as, to peel an orange.

The skillful shepherd peeled me certain wands.
Shak.

2.
To strip or tear off; to remove by stripping, as the skin of an animal, the bark of a tree, etc.


word: Peel₅
definition:
Peel

Peel
v. i.
1.
To lose the skin, bark, or rind; to come off, as the skin, bark, or rind does; -- often used with an adverb; as, the bark peels easily or readily.

2.
To strip naked; to disrobe.  Often used with down .
[nformal]


word: Peele
definition:
Peele

Pee"le
(pē"le̝)
n.
(Zool.)
A graceful and swift South African antelope (Pelea capreola).  The hair is woolly, and ash-gray on the back and sides.  The horns are black, long, slender, straight, nearly smooth, and very sharp.  Called also rheeboc, rhebuck, rhebok, and rehboc.


word: peeled
definition:
peeled

peeled
(pēld)
adj.
Naked; -- used informally.

Syn. -- bare-assed, bare-ass, in the altogether, in the buff, in the raw, raw, naked as a jaybird, stark naked.


word: Peeler₃
definition:
Peeler

Peel"er
n.
A nickname for a policeman; -- so called from Sir Robert Peel.
[British Slang]
See Bobby.


word: Peen
definition:
Peen

Peen
(pēn)
n.
[Cf. G. pinne pane of a hammer.]
(a)
A round-edged, or hemispherical, end to the head of a hammer or sledge, used to stretch or bend metal by indentation.
(b)
The sharp-edged end of the head of a mason's hammer.
[Spelt also pane, pein, and piend.]


word: Peen₂
definition:
Peen

Peen
v. t.
To draw, bend, or straighten, as metal, by blows with the peen of a hammer or sledge.


word: Peep
definition:
Peep

Peep
(pēp)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Peeped (pēpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Peeping.]
[Of imitative origin; cf. OE. pipen, F. piper, pépier, L. pipire, pipare, pipiare, D. & G. piepen. Senses 2 and 3 perhaps come from a transfer of sense from the sound which chickens make upon the first breaking of the shell to the act accompanying it; or perhaps from the influence of peek, or peak.  Cf. Pipe.]
1.
To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.

There was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
Is. x. 14.

2.
To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance; as, the sun peeped over the eastern hills.

When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear.
Dryden.

3.
To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.

Peep through the blanket of the dark.
Shak.

From her cabined loophole peep.
Milton.

Peep sight, an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech.


word: Peep₂
definition:
Peep

Peep
(pēp)
n.
1.
The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.

2.
First outlook or appearance.

Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn.
Gray.

3.
A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.

To take t' other peep at the stars.
Swift.

4.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (Trigna minutilla).
(b)
The European meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis).

Peep show, a small show, or object exhibited, which is viewed through an orifice or a magnifying glass. -- Peep-o'-day boys, the Irish insurgents of 1784; -- so called from their visiting the house of the loyal Irish at day break in search of arms. [Cant]


word: Peeper
definition:
Peeper

Peep"er
(?)
n.
1.
A chicken just breaking the shell; a young bird.

2.
One who peeps; a prying person; a spy.

Who's there? peepers, . . . eavesdroppers?
J. Webster.

3.
The eye; as, to close the peepers.
[Colloq.]


word: Peephole
definition:
Peephole

Peep"hole`
(?)
n.
A hole, or crevice, through which one may peep without being discovered.


word: Peep sight
definition:
Peep sight

Peep sight
An adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech; -- distinguished from an open sight.


word: Peepul tree
definition:
Peepul tree

peepul

pee"pul (pē"pŭl), Pee"pul tree`
(pē"pŭl trē`)
[Hind. pīpal, Skr. pippala.]
(Bot.)
A sacred tree (Ficus religiosa) of the Buddhists, a kind of fig tree which attains great size and venerable age; it lacks the prop roots of the banyan.  See Bo tree.
[Written also pippul tree, and pipal tree.]

Syn. -- pipal, peepul, peepul tree, pipal tree, pipul, sacred fig, bo tree, Ficus religiosa.


word: Peer
definition:
Peer

Peer
(pēr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Peered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peering.]
[OF. parir, pareir equiv. to F. paraître to appear, L. parere.  Cf. Appear.]
1.
To come in sight; to appear.
[Poetic]

So honor peereth in the meanest habit.
Shak.

See how his gorget peers above his gown!
B. Jonson.

2.
[Perh. a different word; cf. OE. piren, LG. piren.  Cf. Pry to peep.]
To look narrowly or curiously or intently; to peep; as, the peering day.
Milton.

Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads.
Shak.

As if through a dungeon grate he peered.
Coleridge.


word: Peer₂
definition:
Peer

Peer
n.
[OE. per, OF. per, F. pair, fr. L. par equal.  Cf. Apparel, Pair, Par, n., Umpire.]
1.
One of the same rank, quality, endowments, character, etc.; an equal; a match; a mate.

In song he never had his peer.
Dryden.

Shall they consort only with their peers?
I. Taylor.

2.
A comrade; a companion; a fellow; an associate.

He all his peers in beauty did surpass.
Spenser.

3.
A nobleman; a member of one of the five degrees of the British nobility, namely, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron; as, a peer of the realm.

A noble peer of mickle trust and power.
Milton.

House of Peers, The Peers, the British House of Lords. See Parliament. -- Spiritual peers, the bishops and archibishops, or lords spiritual, who sit in the House of Lords.


word: Peerage
definition:
Peerage

Peer"age
(?)
n.
[See Peer an equal, and cf. Parage.]
1.
The rank or dignity of a peer.
Blackstone.

2.
The body of peers; the nobility, collectively.

When Charlemain with all his peerage fell.
Milton.


word: Peeress
definition:
Peeress

Peer"ess
n.
The wife of a peer; a woman ennobled in her own right, or by right of marriage.


word: Peery
definition:
Peery

Peerie

{ Peer"ie, Peer"y  }
(?)
a.
[See 1st Peer, 2.]
Inquisitive; suspicious; sharp.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
peery
Sir W. Scott.


word: Peerless
definition:
Peerless

Peer"less
(?)
a.
Having no peer or equal; matchless; superlative.
peerless
Shak.

Unvailed her peerless light.
Milton.


word: Peevish
definition:
Peevish

Pee"vish
(?)
a.
[OE. pevische; of uncertain origin, perh. from a word imitative of the noise made by fretful children + -ish.]
1.
Habitually fretful; easily vexed or fretted; hard to please; apt to complain; querulous; petulant.
peevish
Wordsworth.

She is peevish, sullen, froward.
Shak.

2.
Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction; as, a peevish answer.

3.
Silly; childish; trifling.
[Obs.]

To send such peevish tokens to a king.
Shak.


word: Peevishness
definition:
Peevishness

Pee"vish*ness
n.
The quality of being peevish; disposition to murmur; sourness of temper.


word: peewit
definition:
peewit

peewit
n.
A large crested Old World plover having wattles and spurs; the pewit.

Syn. -- lapwing, green plover, pewit, peevit, peerwit.

2.
Any of several small olive-colored woodland flycatchers of eastern North America.

Syn. -- pewee, peewee, pewit, wood pewee, Contopus virens.


word: Peg
definition:
Peg

Peg
(pĕg)
n.
[OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point, prickle, and E. peak.]
1.
A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg.

2.
A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc.  Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.

3.
One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained.
Shak.

4.
One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage board.

5.
A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase “To take one down a peg.”

To screw papal authority to the highest peg.
Barrow.

And took your grandees down a peg.
Hudibras.

6.
A drink of spirits, usually whisky or brandy diluted with soda water.
[India]
This over, the club will be visited for a “peg,” Anglice drink.
Harper's Mag.

7.
(Baseball)
a hard throw, especially one made to put out a baserunner; as, the peg to the plate went wild.

peg board, a board with multiple small holes into which pegs can be inserted in different arrays so as to form hooks from which to hang tools or other objects for convenient access; it is typically hung from a wall in a workshop. -- Peg ladder, a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted. -- Peg tankard, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. “Drink down to your peg.” Longfellow. -- Peg tooth. See Fleam tooth under Fleam. -- Peg top, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it. -- Screw peg, a small screw without a head, for fastening soles.


word: Peg₂
definition:
Peg

Peg
(pĕg)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pegged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pegging (?).]
1.
To put pegs into; to fasten the parts of with pegs; as, to peg shoes; to confine with pegs; to restrict or limit closely.

I will rend an oak
And peg thee in his knotty entrails.
Shak.

2.
(Cribbage)
To score with a peg, as points in the game; as, she pegged twelwe points.
[Colloq.]

3.
To identify; to recognize; as, she pegged him as a good carpenter; he was pegged as a blowhard as soon as he started speaking; he was pegged as a exceptional player even in high school.

4.
(Baseball)
To throw (a ball); as, he pegged the runner out at second.


word: Peg₃
definition:
Peg

Peg
v. i.
To work diligently, as one who pegs shoes; -- usually with on, at, or away; as, to peg away at a task.


word: Pegador
definition:
Pegador

Pe`ga*dor"
(?)
n.
[Sp., a sticker.]
(Zool.)
A species of remora (Echeneis naucrates). See Remora.


word: Pegasus
definition:
Pegasus

Peg"a*sus
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. Ph`gasos.]
1.
(Gr. Myth.)
A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the body of Medusa when she was slain.  He is noted for causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount Helicon.  On this account he is, in modern times, associated with the Muses, and with ideas of poetic inspiration.

Each spurs his jaded Pegasus apace.
Byron.

2.
(Astron.)
A northen constellation near the vernal equinoctial point.  Its three brightest stars, with the brightest star of Andromeda, form the square of Pegasus.

3.
(Zool.)
A genus of small fishes, having large pectoral fins, and the body covered with hard, bony plates.  Several species are known from the East Indies and China.


word: Pegm
definition:
Pegm

Pegm
(pēm)
n.
[L. pegma a movable stage, Gr. ph^gma, orig., a framework.]
A sort of moving machine employed in the old pageants.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Pegmatite
definition:
Pegmatite

Peg"ma*tite
(?)
n.
[From Gr. _; something fastened together, in allusion to the quartz and feldspar in graphic granite: cf. F. pegmatite. See Pegm.]
(Min.)
(a)
Graphic granite. See under Granite.
(b)
More generally, a coarse granite occurring as vein material in other rocks.


word: Pegmatitic
definition:
Pegmatitic

Peg`ma*tit"ic
(?)
a.
(Min.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, pegmatite; as, the pegmatic structure of certain rocks resembling graphic granite.


word: Pehlevi
definition:
Pehlevi

Peh"le*vi`
(?)
n.
[Parsee Pahlavi.]
An ancient Persian dialect in which words were partly represented by their Semitic equivalents.  It was in use from the 3d century (and perhaps earlier) to the middle of the 7th century, and later in religious writings.
[Written also Pahlavi.]


word: Peignoir
definition:
Peignoir

Pei`gnoir"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. peigner to comb, L. pectinare. See Pectinate.]
A woman's loose dressing sack; hence, a loose morning gown or wrapper.


word: Peirameter
definition:
Peirameter

Pei*ram"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. pei^ra a trial + -meter.]
A dynamometer for measuring the force required to draw wheel carriages on roads of different constructions.
G. Francis.


word: Peirastic
definition:
Peirastic

Pei*ras"tic
(pi̝*răs"tĭk)
a.
[Gr. peirastiko`s, fr. peira^n to try, fr. pei^ra a trial.]
Fitted for trial or test; experimental; tentative; treating of attempts.


word: Pejorative
definition:
Pejorative

Pe*jor"a*tive
(?)
a.
[F. péjoratif, fr. L. pejor, used as compar. of malus evil.]
Implying or imputing evil; depreciatory; disparaging; unfavorable.


word: Pekingese
definition:
Pekingese

Pekinese

Pekinese, Pekingese
n.
a Chinese breed of small short-legged dogs with a long silky coat and broad flat muzzle.

Syn. -- Pekingese, Peke.


word: Pelage
definition:
Pelage

Pel"age
(?)
n.
[F. pelage, fr. L. pilus hair.]
(Zool.)
The covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair.


word: Pelagian
definition:
Pelagian

Pe*la"gi*an
(?)
a.
[L. pelagius, Gr. pela`gios, fr. pe`lagos the sea: cf. F. pélagien.]
Of or pertaining to the sea; marine; pelagic; as, pelagian shells.


word: Pelagian₂
definition:
Pelagian

Pe*la"gi*an
n.
[L. Pelagianus: cf. F. pélagien.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Pelagius, a British monk, born in the later part of the 4th century, who denied the doctrines of hereditary sin, of the connection between sin and death, and of conversion through grace.


word: Pelagic
definition:
Pelagic

Pe*lag"ic
(?)
a.
[L. pelagicus.]
Of or pertaining to the ocean; -- applied especially to animals that live at the surface of the ocean, away from the coast.  Compare benthic.


word: Pelargonic
definition:
Pelargonic

Pel`ar*gon"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also nonoic acid) found in the leaves of the geranium (Pelargonium) and allied plants.


word: Pelargonium
definition:
Pelargonium

Pel`ar*go"ni*um
(?)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. pelargo`s a stork.]
(Bot.)
A large genus of plants of the order Geraniaceæ, differing from Geranium in having a spurred calyx and an irregular corolla.

&hand_; About one hundred and seventy species are known, nearly all of them natives of South Africa, and many having very beautiful blossoms. See the Note under Geranium.


word: Pelasgic
definition:
Pelasgic

Pelasgian

{ Pe*las"gi*an (?), Pe*las"gic (?), }
a.
[L. Pelasgus, Gr. Pelasgo`s a Pelasgian.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the Pelasgians, an ancient people of Greece, of roving habits.

2.
(Zool.)
Wandering.


word: Pelecanidae
definition:
Pelecanidae

Pelecanidae
prop. n.
A natural family of birds consisting of the pelicans.

Syn. -- family Pelecanidae.


word: Pelecaniformes
definition:
Pelecaniformes

Pel`e*can`i*for"mes
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pelican, and -form.]
(Zool.)
Those birds that are related to the pelican; the Totipalmi.


word: Pelecoid
definition:
Pelecoid

Pel"e*coid
(?)
n.
[Gr. pe`lekys a hatchet + -oid.]
(Geom.)
A figure, somewhat hatched-shaped, bounded by a semicircle and two inverted quadrants, and equal in area to the square ABCD inclosed by the chords of the four quadrants.
[Written also pelicoid.]
Math. Dict.


word: pelecypod
definition:
pelecypod

pelecypod
n.
1.
A marine or freshwater mollusk having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together; a member of the Pelecypoda.

Syn. -- bivalve, lamellibranch.


word: pelecypodous
definition:
pelecypodous

pelecypod

pelecypod pelecypodous
adj.
1.
same as lamellibranchiate.

Syn. -- lamellibranch, lamellibranchiate.


word: Pelecypoda
definition:
Pelecypoda

Pel`e*cyp"o*da
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. pe`lekys a hatchet + -poda.]
(Zool.)
Same as Lamellibranchia.


word: Pelerine
definition:
Pelerine

Pel"er*ine
(?)
n.
[F. pèlerine a tippet, fr. pèlerin a pilgrim, fr. L. peregrinus foreign, alien. See Pilgrim.]
A woman's cape; especially, a fur cape that is longer in front than behind.


word: Pele's hair
definition:
Pele's hair

Pe"le's hair
(?)
[After a Hawaiian goddess associated with the crater Kilauea.]
Glass threads or fibers formed by the wind from bits blown from frothy lava or from the tips of lava jets or from bits of liquid lava thrown into the air.  It often collects in thick masses resembling tow.


word: Peleus
definition:
Peleus

Peleus
prop. n.
(Classical Mythology)
A king of the Myrmidons and father of Achilles; he was the son of Aeachus.


word: Pelf
definition:
Pelf

Pelf
(pĕlf)
n.
[OE. pelfir booty, OF. pelfre, akin to pelfrer to plunder, and perh. to E. pillage.  Cf. Pilfer.]
Money; riches; lucre; gain; -- generally conveying the idea of something ill-gotten or worthless.  It has no plural.
pelf
Spenser.
pelf
Burke.

Can their pelf prosper, not got by valor or industry?
Fuller.


word: Pelfry
definition:
Pelfry

Pelfray

{ Pel"fray (?), Pel"fry (?), }
n.
Pelf; also, figuratively, rubbish; trash.
[Obs.]
Cranmer.


word: Pelican
definition:
Pelican

Pel"i*can
(pĕl"ĭ*kan)
n.
[F. pélican, L. pelicanus, pelecanus, Gr. peleka`n, peleka^s, pele`kanos, the woodpecker, and also a water bird of the pelican kind, fr. peleka^n to hew with an ax, fr. pe`lekys an ax, akin to Skr. paraçu.]
[Written also pelecan.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any large webfooted bird of the genus Pelecanus, of which about a dozen species are known.  They have an enormous bill, to the lower edge of which is attached a pouch in which captured fishes are temporarily stored.

&hand_; The American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and the brown species (Pelecanus fuscus) are abundant on the Florida coast in winter, but breed about the lakes in the Rocky Mountains and British America.

2.
(Old Chem.)
A retort or still having a curved tube or tubes leading back from the head to the body for continuous condensation and redistillation.

&hand_; The principle is still employed in certain modern forms of distilling apparatus.

Frigate pelican (Zool.), the frigate bird. See under Frigate. -- Pelican fish (Zool.), deep-sea fish (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) of the order Lyomeri, remarkable for the enormous development of the jaws, which support a large gular pouch. -- Pelican flower (Bot.), the very large and curiously shaped blossom of a climbing plant (Aristolochia grandiflora) of the West Indies; also, the plant itself. -- Pelican ibis (Zool.), a large Asiatic wood ibis (Tantalus leucocephalus).  The head and throat are destitute of feathers; the plumage is white, with the quills and the tail greenish black. -- Pelican in her piety (in heraldry and symbolical art), a representation of a pelican in the act of wounding her breast in order to nourish her young with her blood; -- a practice fabulously attributed to the bird, on account of which it was adopted as a symbol of the Redeemer, and of charity. -- Pelican's foot (Zool.), a marine gastropod shell of the genus Aporrhais, esp. Aporrhais pes-pelicani of Europe.


word: Pelicosauria
definition:
Pelicosauria

Pel`i*co*sau"ri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. peli`ka a wooden bowl (but taken to mean, pelvis) + say^ros a lizard.]
(Paleon.)
A suborder of Theromorpha, including terrestrial reptiles from the Permian formation.


word: Pelioma
definition:
Pelioma

Pe`li*o"ma
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peliwmw, fr. pelio`s livid.]
1.
(Med.)
A livid ecchymosis.

2.
(Min.)
See Peliom.


word: Pelisse
definition:
Pelisse

Pe*lisse"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. pelliceus, pellicius, made of skins, fr. pellis a skin.  Cf. Pelt skin, Pilch, and see 2d Pell.]
An outer garment for men or women, originally of fur, or lined with fur; a lady's or child's long outer garment, made of silk or other fabric.


word: Pell₂
definition:
Pell

Pell
n.
[OF. pel, F. peau, L. pellis a skin. See Fell a skin.]
1.
A skin or hide; a pelt.

2.
A roll of parchment; a parchment record.

Clerk of the pells, formerly, an officer of the exchequer who entered accounts on certain parchment rolls, called pell rolls. [Eng.]


word: Pellagra
definition:
Pellagra

Pel"la*gra
(pĕl"lȧ*grȧ)
n.
[It. pelle skin + agro rough.]
(Med.)
An affection of the skin, characterized by redness, especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal disturbance and nervous symptoms.  It is due to a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3; nicotinic acid) and protein in the diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or, in some cases, by a heavy dependence on maize for food.  It was at one time (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was called Alpine scurvy.  It may also be caused by alcoholism or diease causing an impairment of nutrition.  It is also called St. Ignatius's itch, maidism, mal de la rosa, mal rosso, and psychoneurosis maidica. A variety of pellagra seen in children is called infantile pellagra or kwashiorkor.
[Stedman]


word: Pellagrous
definition:
Pellagrous

Pel*lag"rous
(?)
a.
[It. pellagroso: cf. F. pellagreux.]
(Med.)
Pertaining to, or affected with, or attendant on, pellagra; as, pellagrous insanity.


word: Pellet
definition:
Pellet

Pel"let
(pĕl"lĕt)
n.
[F. pelote, LL. pelota, pilota, fr. L. pila a ball.  Cf. Platoon.]
1.
A little ball; as, a pellet of wax on paper.

2.
A bullet; a ball for firearms.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

As swift as a pellet out of a gun.
Chaucer.

Pellet gun a gun that fires small pellets, less than 3 mm diameter, usually made of metal. -- Pellet molding (Arch.), a narrow band ornamented with smalt, flat disks.


word: Pelletize
definition:
Pelletize

Pelletise

Pel"let*ise, Pel"let*ize
(pĕl"lĕt*īz)
v. t.
To form into small balls; as, to pelletize ore.  The spelling pelletise is mostly British.


word: Pellibranchiata
definition:
Pellibranchiata

Pel`li*bran`chi*a"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. pellis garment + branchia a gill.]
(Zool.)
A division of Nudibranchiata, in which the mantle itself serves as a gill.


word: Pellicle
definition:
Pellicle

Pel"li*cle
(?)
n.
[L. pellicula, dim. of pellis skin: cf. F. pellicule.]
1.
A thin skin or film.

2.
(Chem.)
A thin film formed on the surface of an evaporating solution.


word: Pellitory
definition:
Pellitory

Pel"li*to*ry
(?)
n.
[OE. paritorie, OF. paritoire, F. pariétaire; (cf. It. & Sp. parietaria), L. parietaria the parietary, or pellitory, the wall plant, fr. parietarius belonging to the walls, fr. paries, parietis a wall.  Cf. Parietary.]
(Bot.)
The common name of the several species of the genus Parietaria, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; -- also called wall pellitory, and lichwort.

&hand_; Parietaria officinalis is common on old walls in Europe; Parietaria pennsylvanica is found in the United States; and six or seven more species are found near the Mediterranean, or in the Orient.


word: Pellitory₂
definition:
Pellitory

Pel"li*to*ry
n.
[Sp. pelitre, fr. L. pyrethrum. See Bertram.]
(Bot.)
(a)
A composite plant (Anacyclus Pyrethrum) of the Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also bertram, and pellitory of Spain.
(b)
The feverfew (Chrysanthemum Parthenium); -- so called because it resembles the above.


word: Pellmell
definition:
Pellmell

Pell`mell"
adv.
[F. pêle-mêle, prob. fr. pelle a shovel + mêler to mix, as when different kinds of grain are heaped up and mixed with a shovel. See Pell shovel, Medley.]
In utter confusion; with confused violence.
pellmell
Milton.


word: Pellucid
definition:
Pellucid

Pel*lu"cid
(?)
a.
[L. pellucidus; per (see Per-) + lucidus clear, bright: cf. F. pellucide.]
Transparent; clear; limpid; translucent; not opaque.
Pellucid
Dr. H. More.
Pellucid
Wordsworth.


word: Pellucidness
definition:
Pellucidness

Pellucidity

{ Pel`lu*cid"i*ty (?), Pel*lu"cid*ness (?), }
n.
[L. pelluciditas.]
The quality or state of being pellucid; transparency; translucency; clearness; as, the pellucidity of the air.
Locke.


word: Pelma
definition:
Pelma

Pel"ma
(?)
n.
pl. Pelmata (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. pe`lma.]
(Zool.)
The under surface of the foot.


word: Pelopium
definition:
Pelopium

Pe*lo"pi*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. Pelops, brother of Niobe, Gr. _;.]
(Chem.)
A supposed new metal found in columbite, afterwards shown to be identical with columbium, or niobium.


word: Peloponnesian
definition:
Peloponnesian

Pel`o*pon*ne"sian
(?)
a.
[L. Peloponnesius, fr. Peloponnesus, Gr. _;, lit., the Island of Pelops; _;, _;, Pelops + _; an island.]
Of or pertaining to the Peloponnesus, or southern peninsula of Greece.
n. A native or an inhabitant of the Peloponnesus.


word: Peloponnesus
definition:
Peloponnesus

Peloponnesus
prop. n.
the southern peninsula of Greece.

Syn. -- Peloponnese, Peloponnesian Peninsula.


word: Peloria
definition:
Peloria

Pe*lo"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _; monstrous.]
(Bot.)
Abnormal regularity; the state of certain flowers, which, being naturally irregular, have become regular through a symmetrical repetition of the special irregularity.


word: Pelorus
definition:
Pelorus

Pe*lo"rus
(?)
n.
[After Pelorus, said to have been Hannibal's pilot when he left Italy.]
(Navig.)
An instrument similar to a mariner's compass, but without magnetic needles, and having two sight vanes by which bearings are taken, esp. such as cannot be taken by the compass.


word: Pelota
definition:
Pelota

Pe*lo"ta
(?)
n.
[Sp., lit., ball.]
A Basque, Spanish, and Spanish-American game played in a court, in which a ball is struck with a wickerwork racket.

Syn. -- jai alai.


word: Pelt
definition:
Pelt

Pelt
(pĕlt)
n.
[Cf. G. pelz a pelt, fur, fr. OF. pelice, F. pelisse (see Pelisse); or perh. shortened fr. peltry.]
1.
The skin of a beast with the hair on; a raw or undressed hide; a skin preserved with the hairy or woolly covering on it. See 4th Fell.
Sir T. Browne.

Raw pelts clapped about them for their clothes.
Fuller.

2.
The human skin.
[Jocose]
Dryden.

3.
(Falconry)
The body of any quarry killed by the hawk.

Pelt rot, a disease affecting the hair or wool of a beast.


word: Pelt₂
definition:
Pelt

Pelt
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pelted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pelting.]
[OE. pelten, pulten, pilten, to thrust, throw, strike; cf. L. pultare, equiv. to pulsare (v. freq. fr. pellere to drive), and E. pulse a beating.]
1.
To strike with something thrown or driven; to assail with pellets or missiles, as, to pelt with stones; pelted with hail.

The chidden billows seem to pelt the clouds.
Shak.

2.
To throw; to use as a missile.

My Phillis me with pelted apples plies.
Dryden.


word: Pelt₃
definition:
Pelt

Pelt
v. i.
1.
To throw missiles.
Shak.

2.
To throw out words.
[Obs.]

Another smothered seems to pelt and swear.
Shak.


word: Pelta
definition:
Pelta

Pel"ta
(?)
n.
pl. Peltæ.
[L., a shield, fr. Gr. pe`lth.]
1.
(Antiq.)
A small shield, especially one of an approximately elliptic form, or crescent-shaped.

2.
(Bot.)
A flat apothecium having no rim.


word: Peltated
definition:
Peltated

Peltate

{ Pel"tate (?), Pel"ta*ted (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. pelté. See Pelta.]
Shield-shaped; scutiform; (Bot.) having the stem or support attached to the lower surface, instead of at the base or margin; -- said of a leaf or other organ.
Pel"tate*ly (#), adv.


word: Pelter₂
definition:
Pelter

Pel"ter
(?)
n.
A pinchpenny; a mean, sordid person; a miser; a skinflint.
[Obs.]
pelters
Gascoigne.


word: Peltier effect
definition:
Peltier effect

Pel`tier" ef*fect"
(?)
[After Jean C. A. Peltier, French physicist, the discoverer.]
(Elec.)
The production or absorption of heat at the junction of two metals on the passage of a current. Heat generated by the passage of the current in one direction will be absorbed if the current is reversed.


word: Peltier's cross
definition:
Peltier's cross

Pel`tier's" cross
(?)
(Elec.)
A cross formed of two strips of different metals, to illustrate the Peltier effect.


word: Peltiform
definition:
Peltiform

Pel"ti*form
(?)
a.
[Pelta + -form.]
Shieldlike, with the outline nearly circular; peltate.
Henslow.


word: Pelton wheel
definition:
Pelton wheel

Pel"ton wheel
(?)
(Mech.)
A form of impulse turbine or water wheel, consisting of a row of double cup-shaped buckets arranged round the rim of a wheel and actuated by one or more jets of water playing into the cups at high velocity.


word: Peltry
definition:
Peltry

Pelt"ry
(?)
n.
[F. pelleterie peltry, furriery, fr. pelletier a furrier, fr. OF. pel skin, F. peau, L. pelis. See Pelt a skin, Pell, n., Fell a skin.]
Pelts or skins, collectively; skins with the fur on them; furs.


word: Peludo
definition:
Peludo

Pe*lu"do
(?)
n.
[Sp. peludo hairy.]
(Zool.)
The South American hairy armadillo (Dasypus villosus).


word: Pelure
definition:
Pelure

Pe*lure"
(?)
n.
[F., lit., peel, fr. peler to peel.]
A crisp, hard, thin paper, sometimes used for postage stamps.


word: Pelusiac
definition:
Pelusiac

Pe*lu"si*ac
(?)
a.
[L. Pelusiacus.]
Of or pertaining to Pelusium, an ancient city of Egypt; as, the Pelusiac (or former eastern) outlet of the Nile.


word: Pelvic
definition:
Pelvic

Pel"vic
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pelvis; as, pelvic cellulitis.

Pelvic arch, or Pelvic girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the hind limbs are articulated.  When fully ossified, the arch usually consists of three principal bones on each side, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which are often closely united in the adult, forming the innominate bone. See Innominate bone, under Innominate.


word: Pelvimeter
definition:
Pelvimeter

Pel*vim"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Pelvis + -meter.: cf. F. pelvimètre.]
An instrument for measuring the dimensions of the pelvis.
Coxe.


word: Pelvis
definition:
Pelvis

Pel"vis
(?)
n.
[L., a basin, laver; cf. Gr. _;, _;, bowl.]
1.
(Anat.)
The pelvic arch, or the pelvic arch together with the sacrum. See Pelvic arch, under Pelvic, and Sacrum.

2.
(Zool.)
The calyx of a crinoid.

Pelvis of the kidney (Anat.), the basinlike cavity into which the ureter expands as it joins the kidney.


word: pelycosaur
definition:
pelycosaur

pelycosaur
n.
1.
A large primitive reptile having a tall spinal sail; of the Permian or late Paleozoic in Europe and North America.


word: Pelycosauria
definition:
Pelycosauria

Pelycosauria
prop. n.
1.
An order of extinct reptiles including edaphosaurus and dimetrodon.

Syn. -- order Pelycosauria.


word: Pembroke
definition:
Pembroke

Pembroke
n.
A breed of dog, the smaller and straight-legged variety of Welsh corgi having pointed ears and a short tail.

Syn. -- Pembroke Welsh corgi.


word: Pembroke table
definition:
Pembroke table

Pem"broke ta`ble
(?)
[From Pembroke, a town and shire in Wales.]
A style of four-legged drop-leaf table in vogue in England, chiefly in the later Georgian period.

The characteristic which gives a table the name of Pembroke consists in the drop leaves, which are held up, when the table is open, by brackets which turn under the top.
F. C. Morse.


word: Pemmican
definition:
Pemmican

Pem"mi*can
(?)
n.
[Written also pemican.]
1.
Among the North American Indians, meat cut in thin slices, divested of fat, and dried in the sun.

Then on pemican they feasted.
Longfellow.

2.
Meat, without the fat, cut in thin slices, dried in the sun, pounded, then mixed with melted fat and sometimes dried fruit, and compressed into cakes or in bags. It contains much nutriment in small compass, and is of great use in long voyages of exploration.

3.
A treatise of much thought in little compass.


word: Pemphigus
definition:
Pemphigus

Pem*phi"gus
(?)
n.
[Nl., fr. Gr. _;, _;, a bubble.]
(Med.)
A somewhat rare skin disease, characterized by the development of blebs upon different parts of the body.
Quain.


word: Pen
definition:
Pen

Pen
(pĕn)
n.
[OE. penne, OF. penne, pene, F. penne, fr. L. penna.]
1.
A feather.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
A wing.
[Obs.]
Milton.

3.
An instrument used for writing with ink, formerly made of a reed, or of the quill of a goose or other bird, but now also of other materials, as of steel, gold, etc. Also, originally, a stylus or other instrument for scratching or graving.

Graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock.
Job xix. 24.

4.
Fig.: A writer, or his style; as, he has a sharp pen.
pens
Fuller.

5.
(Zool.)
The internal shell of a squid.

6.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zool.)
A female swan; -- contrasted with cob, the male swan.
[Prov. Eng.]

Bow pen. See Bow-pen. -- Dotting pen, a pen for drawing dotted lines. -- Drawing pen, or Ruling pen, a pen for ruling lines having a pair of blades between which the ink is contained. -- Fountain pen, Geometric pen. See under Fountain, and Geometric. -- Music pen, a pen having five points for drawing the five lines of the staff. -- Pen and ink, or pen-and-ink, executed or done with a pen and ink; as, a pen and ink sketch. -- Pen feather. A pin feather. [Obs.] -- Pen name. See under Name. -- Sea pen (Zool.), a pennatula. [Usually written sea-pen.]


word: Pen₂
definition:
Pen

Pen
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Penned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Penning (?).]
To write; to compose and commit to paper; to indite; to compose; as, to pen a sonnet.
penned
Milton.


word: Pen₃
definition:
Pen

Pen
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Penned (?) or Pent (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Penning.]
[OE. pennen, AS. pennan in on-pennan to unfasten, prob. from the same source as pin, and orig. meaning, to fasten with a peg.See Pin, n. & v.]
To shut up, as in a pen or cage; to confine in a small inclosure or narrow space; to coop up, or shut in; to inclose.
pen
Shak.

Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve.
Milton.


word: Pen₄
definition:
Pen

Pen
n.
1.
[From Pen to shut in.]
A small inclosure; as, a pen for sheep or for pigs.

My father stole two geese out of a pen.
Shak.

2.
[From penitentiary.]
A penitentiary[6]; a prison.
[Slang]


word: Penal
definition:
Penal

Pe"nal
(?)
a.
[L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. pénal. See Pain.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence
(a)
Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code.
(b)
Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal act or offense.
(c)
Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement.
penal
Milton.

Penal code (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment. -- Penal laws, Penal statutes (Law), laws prohibiting certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them. -- Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.] -- Penal suit, Penal action (Law), a suit for penalties.


word: Penality
definition:
Penality

Pe*nal"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. LL. poenalitas. See Penalty.]
The quality or state of being penal; liability to punishment.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Penalize
definition:
Penalize

Pe"nal*ize
(?)
v. t.
1.
To make penal.

2.
(Sport.)
To put a penalty on. See Penalty, 3.
[Eng.]


word: Penalty
definition:
Penalty

Pe"nal*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Penalties (#).
[F. pénalité. See Penal.]
1.
Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass.

Death is the penalty imposed.
Milton.

2.
The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine.

The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
Shak.

3.
A handicap.
[Sporting Cant]

&hand_; The term penalty is in law mostly applied to a pecuniary punishment.

Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill. -- On penalty of, or Under penalty of, on pain of; with exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression.


word: Penance
definition:
Penance

Pen"ance
(?)
n.
[OF. penance, peneance, L. paenitentia repentance. See Penitence.]
1.
Repentance.
[Obs.]
Wyclif (Luke xv. 7).

2.
Pain; sorrow; suffering.
[Obs.]
penance
Chaucer.

3.
(Eccl.)
A means of repairing a sin committed, and obtaining pardon for it, consisting partly in the performance of expiatory rites, partly in voluntary submission to a punishment corresponding to the transgression, imposed by a confessor or other ecclesiastical authority.  Penance is the fourth of seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church.
Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

And bitter penance, with an iron whip.
Spenser.

Quoth he, “The man hath penance done,
And penance more will do.”
Coleridge.

4.
Hence:
Any act performed by a person to atone for an offense to another; an act of atonement.
[Colloq.]


word: Penang lawyer
definition:
Penang lawyer

Pe*nang" law"yer
(?)
[Prob. fr. Malay pīnang līar.]
A kind of walking stick made from the stem of an East Asiatic palm (Licuala acutifida).


word: Penang nut
definition:
Penang nut

Pe*nang" nut`
(?)
[From the native name.]
(Bot.)
The betel nut.
Balfour (Cyc. of India).


word: Penannular
definition:
Penannular

Pen*an"nu*lar
(?)
a.
[L. pene, paene, almost + E. annular.]
Nearly annular; having nearly the form of a ring.
Penannular
D. Wilson.


word: Penates
definition:
Penates

Pe*na"tes
(?)
n. pl.
[L.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
The household gods of the ancient Romans. They presided over the home and the family hearth. See Lar.


word: Pencel
definition:
Pencel

Pen"cel
(?)
n.
[See Pennoncel.]
A small, narrow flag or streamer borne at the top of a lance; -- called also pennoncel.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman. Chaucer.


word: Penchant
definition:
Penchant

Pen`chant"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. pencher to bend, fr. (assumed) LL. pendicare, L. pendere. See Pendant.]
Inclination; decided taste; bias; as, a penchant for art.


word: Penchant₂
definition:
Penchant

Pen`chant"
(?)
n.
(Card Playing)
A game like bézique, or, in the game, any queen and jack of different suits held together.


word: Pencil
definition:
Pencil

Pen"cil
(?)
n.
[OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail.  Cf. Penicil.]
1.
A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors.

With subtile pencil depainted was this storie.
Chaucer.

2.
A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, graphite, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See Graphite.

3.
Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.

4.
(Opt.)
An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.

5.
(Geom.)
A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.

6.
(Med.)
A small medicated bougie.

Pencil case, a holder for pencil lead. -- Pencil flower (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb (Stylosanthes elatior). -- Pencil lead, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder.


word: Pencil₂
definition:
Pencil

Pen"cil
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Penciled (?) or Pencilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Penciling or Pencilling.]
To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw.
Cowper.

Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers.
Harte.

pencil in to write (a tentative  appoinment) on an appointment calendar, so as to reserve time, but to allow the appointment to be readily canceled and replaced with another; -- also used figuratively, with other means of recording appointments.  The notion being that something written in pencil can be more easily changed than something written in ink.  The phrase is commonly used in the early stages of organizing a meeting of multiple persons, before it is known whether all attendees will be free at the suggested time.


word: Penciled
definition:
Penciled

Pen"ciled
(?)
a.
[Written also pencilled.]
1.
Painted, drawn, sketched, or marked with a pencil.

2.
Radiated; having pencils of rays.

3.
(Nat. Hist.)
Marked with parallel or radiating lines.


word: Penciling
definition:
Penciling

Pen"cil*ing
(?)
n.
[Written also pencilling.]
1.
The work of the pencil or bruch; as, delicate penciling in a picture.

2.
(Brickwork)
Lines of white or black paint drawn along a mortar joint in a brick wall.
Knight.


word: Pencillated
definition:
Pencillated

Pencillate

{ Pen"cil*late (?), Pen"cil*la`ted (?), }
a.
Shaped like a pencil; penicillate.


word: Pencraft
definition:
Pencraft

Pen"craft
(?)
n.
1.
Penmanship; skill in writing; chirography.

2.
The art of composing or writing; authorship.

I would not give a groat for that person's knowledge in pencraft.
Sterne.


word: Pend₂
definition:
Pend

Pend
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pending.]
[L. pendere.]
1.
To hang; to depend.
[R.]

Pending upon certain powerful motions.
I. Taylor.

2.
To be undecided, or in process of adjustment.


word: Pend₃
definition:
Pend

Pend
v. t.
[Cf. pen to shut in, or AS. pyndan, E. pound an inclosure.]
To pen; to confine.
[R.]

ended within the limits . . . of Greece.
Udall.


word: Pendant
definition:
Pendant

Pend"ant
(pĕnd"ant)
n.
[F., orig. p. pr. of pendre to hang, L. pendere.  Cf. Pendent, Pansy, Pensive, Poise, Ponder.]
1.
Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character, as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book.

Some hang upon the pendants of her ear.
Pope.

Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions.
Keightley.

2.
Hence:
An ornamental object or piece of jewelry with a hook so that it can be hung from a chain around the neck.

3.
(Arch.)
A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction.  There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features.
pendants
Spenser.

4.
(Fine Arts)
One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.

5.
A pendulum.
[Obs.]
Sir K. Digby.

6.
The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.
[U.S.]
Knight.

Pendant post (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the roof.


word: Pendency
definition:
Pendency

Pend"en*cy
(?)
n.
1.
The quality or state of being pendent or suspended.

2.
The quality or state of being undecided, or in continuance; suspense; as, the pendency of a suit.
Ayliffe.


word: Pendent
definition:
Pendent

Pend"ent
(pĕnd"ent)
a.
[L. pendens, -entis, p. pr. of pendere to hang, to be suspended.  Cf. Pendant.]
1.
Supported from above; suspended; depending; pendulous; hanging; as, a pendent leaf.
pendent
Shak.

Often their tresses, when shaken, with pendent icicles tinkle.
Longfellow.

2.
Jutting over; projecting; overhanging.
pendent
Shak.


word: Pendentive
definition:
Pendentive

Pen*den"tive
(pĕn*dĕnt"ĭv)
n.
[F. pendentif, fr. L. pendere to hang.]
(Arch.)
(a)
The portion of a vault by means of which the square space in the middle of a building is brought to an octagon or circle to receive a cupola.
(b)
The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and springs from, one pier or corbel.


word: Pendicle
definition:
Pendicle

Pen"di*cle
(?)
n.
[Cf. Appendicle.]
An appendage; something dependent on another; an appurtenance; a pendant.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pendicler
definition:
Pendicler

Pen*di*cler
(?)
n.
An inferior tenant; one who rents a pendicle or croft.
[Scot.]
Jamieson.


word: Pending
definition:
Pending

Pend"ing
(?)
a.
[L. pendere to hang, to be suspended.  Cf. Pendent.]
Not yet decided; in continuance; in suspension; as, a pending suit.


word: Pending₂
definition:
Pending

Pend"ing
prep.
1.
During; as, pending the trail.
[Archaic]

2.
Until; awaiting; as, no decision will be taken pending his arrival.


word: Pendragon
definition:
Pendragon

Pen"drag*on
(?)
n.
A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; -- a title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs.

The dread Pendragon, Britain's king of kings.
Tennyson.


word: Penduline
definition:
Penduline

Pen"du`line
(?)
n.
[F. See Pendulum.]
(Zool.)
A European titmouse (Parus pendulinus, syn. Aegithalus pendulinus).  It is noted for its elegant pendulous purselike nest, made of the down of willow trees and lined with feathers.


word: Pendulosity
definition:
Pendulosity

Pen`du*los"i*ty
(?)
n.
[See Pendulous.]
The state or quality of being pendulous.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Pendulous
definition:
Pendulous

Pen"du*lous
(?)
a.
[L. pendulus, fr. pendere to hang.  Cf. Pendant, and cf. Pendulum.]
1.
Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging.
Shak.
pendulous
Milton.

2.
Wavering; unstable; doubtful.
[R.]
pendulous
Atterbury.

3.
(Bot.)
Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper part of the ovary.


word: Pendulousness
definition:
Pendulousness

Pen"du*lous*ness
n.
The quality or state of being pendulous; the state of hanging loosely; pendulosity.


word: Pendulum
definition:
Pendulum

Pen"du*lum
(?)
n.
pl. Pendulums (#).
[NL., fr. L. pendulus hanging, swinging. See Pendulous.]
A body so suspended from a fixed point as to swing freely to and fro by the alternate action of gravity and momentum.  It is used to regulate the movements of clockwork and other machinery.

&hand_; The time of oscillation of a pendulum is independent of the arc of vibration, provided this arc be small.

Ballistic pendulum. See under Ballistic. -- Compensation pendulum, a clock pendulum in which the effect of changes of temperature of the length of the rod is so counteracted, usually by the opposite expansion of differene metals, that the distance of the center of oscillation from the center of suspension remains invariable; as, the mercurial compensation pendulum, in which the expansion of the rod is compensated by the opposite expansion of mercury in a jar constituting the bob; the gridiron pendulum, in which compensation is effected by the opposite expansion of sets of rods of different metals. -- Compound pendulum, an ordinary pendulum; -- so called, as being made up of different parts, and contrasted with simple pendulum. -- Conical pendulum or Revolving pendulum, a weight connected by a rod with a fixed point; and revolving in a horizontal circle about the vertical from that point. -- Pendulum bob, the weight at the lower end of a pendulum. -- Pendulum level, a plumb level. See under Level. -- Pendulum wheel, the balance of a watch. -- Simple pendulum or Theoretical pendulum, an imaginary pendulum having no dimensions except length, and no weight except at the center of oscillation; in other words, a material point suspended by an ideal line.


word: Penelope
definition:
Penelope

Pe*nel"o*pe
(pe̝*nĕl"o̝*pē)
prop. n.
[From. L. Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, the hero of the Odyssey, Gr. Phnelo`ph.]
(Zool.)
A genus of curassows, including the guans.


word: Peneplain
definition:
Peneplain

Pe"ne*plain`
(?)
n.
[L. paene, pene, almost + E. plain.]
(Phys. Geog.)
A land surface reduced by erosion to the general condition of a plain, but not wholly devoid of hills; a base-level plain.


word: Penetrability
definition:
Penetrability

Pen`e*tra*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pénétrabilité.]
The quality of being penetrable; susceptibility of being penetrated, entered, or pierced.
Cheyne.


word: Penetrable
definition:
Penetrable

Pen"e*tra*ble
(?)
a.
[L. penetrabilus: cf. F. pénétrable.]
Capable of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Used also figuratively.

And pierce his only penetrable part.
Dryden.

I am not made of stones,
But penetrable to your kind entreats.
Shak.


word: Penetralia
definition:
Penetralia

Pen`e*tra"li*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L., fr. penetralis penetrating, internal. See Penetrate.]
1.
The recesses, or innermost parts, of any thing or place, especially of a temple or palace.

2.
Hidden things or secrets; privacy; sanctuary; as, the sacred penetralia of the home.


word: Penetrancy
definition:
Penetrancy

Penetrance

{ Pen"e*trance (?), Pen"e*tran*cy (?), }
n.
The quality or state of being penetrant; power of entering or piercing; penetrating power or quality; as, the penetrancy of subtile effluvia.


word: Penetrant
definition:
Penetrant

Pen"e*trant
(?)
a.
[L. penetrans, p. pr. of penetrare: cf. F. pénétrant.]
Having power to enter or pierce; penetrating; sharp; subtile; as, penetrant cold.
Penetrant
Boyle.


word: Penetrate
definition:
Penetrate

Pen"e*trate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Penetrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Penetrating.]
[L. penetratus, p. p. of penetrare to penetrate; akin to penitus inward, inwardly, and perh. to pens with, in the power of, penus store of food, innermost part of a temple.]
1.
To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates darkness.

2.
To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as, to penetrate one's heart with pity.
Shak.

The translator of Homer should penetrate himself with a sense of the plainness and directness of Homer's style.
M. Arnold.

3.
To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult subject; to comprehend; to understand.

Things which here were too subtile for us to penetrate.
Ray.


word: Penetrate₂
definition:
Penetrate

Pen"e*trate
v. i.
To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively.

Preparing to penetrate to the north and west.
J. R. Green.

Born where Heaven's influence scarce can penetrate.
Pope.

The sweet of life that penetrates so near.
Daniel.


word: Penetrating
definition:
Penetrating

Pen"e*tra`ting
(?)
a.
1.
Having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading; sharp; subtile; penetrative; as, a penetrating odor.

2.
Acute; discerning; sagacious; quick to discover; as, a penetrating mind.


word: Penetration
definition:
Penetration

Pen"e*tra`tion
(?)
n.
[L. penetratio: cf. F. pénétration.]
1.
The act or process of penetrating, piercing, or entering; also, the act of mentally penetrating into, or comprehending, anything difficult.

And to each in ward part,
With gentle penetration, though unseen,
Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep.
Milton.

A penetration into the difficulties of algebra.
Watts.

2.
Acuteness; insight; sharp discoverment; sagacity; as, a person of singular penetration.
Walpole.


word: Penetrative
definition:
Penetrative

Pen"e*tra*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pénétratif.]
1.
Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing; as, the penetrative sun.

His look became keen and penetrative.
Hawthorne.

2.
Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart; impressive; as, penetrative shame.
Shak.

3.
Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom.
penetrative
Wordsworth.

Led on by skill of penetrative soul.
Grainger.


word: pen-friend
definition:
pen-friend

pen-friend
n.
A person one comes to know by by frequent friendly correspondence; a pen pal.

Syn. -- pen pal, pen-pal, penfriend.


word: Penguin
definition:
Penguin

Pen"guin
(pĕn"gwĭn)
n.
[Perh. orig. the name of another bird, and fr. W. pen head + gwyn white; or perh. from a native South American name.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri.  They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills.  They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in diving, in which they are very expert.  See King penguin, under Jackass.

&hand_; Penguins are found in the south temperate and antarctic regions.  The king penguins (Aptenodytes Patachonica, and Aptenodytes longirostris) are the largest; the jackass penguins (Spheniscus) and the rock hoppers (Catarractes) congregate in large numbers at their breeding grounds.

2.
(Bot.)
The egg-shaped fleshy fruit of a West Indian plant (Bromelia Pinguin) of the Pineapple family; also, the plant itself, which has rigid, pointed, and spiny-toothed leaves, and is used for hedges.
[Written also pinguin.]

Arctic penguin (Zool.), the great auk. See Auk.


word: Penicil
definition:
Penicil

Pen"i*cil
(pĕn"ĭ*sĭl)
n.
[L. penicillum, penicillus, a painter's brush, a roil of lint, a tent for wounds.]
(mented.)
A tent or pledget for wounds or ulcers.


word: Penicillamine
definition:
Penicillamine

Pen`i*cil"lam*ine
(?)
n.
(Chem., Med.)
A substance (C5H11NO2S) which is a degradation product of the penicillins.  Chemically it is 3-mercapto-D-valine.  It has chelating properties and is used in medicine as an antirheumatic and to chelate copper in cases of hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease).


word: Penicillate
definition:
Penicillate

Pen`i*cil"late
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pénicillé. See Penicil.]
(Biol.)
Having the form of a pencil; furnished with a pencil of fine hairs; ending in a tuft of hairs like a camel's-hair brush, as the stigmas of some grasses.


word: penicillin
definition:
penicillin

pen`i*cil"lin
(pĕn`ĭ*sĭl"lĭn)
n.
[From Penicillium, the fungus genus from which it was first isolated.]
(Chem.)
Any of a variety of substances having a structure containing a beta-lactam ring fused to a thiirane ring, to which a carboxyl group is attached, but most commonly interpreted as benzyl penicillin.  They are notable as powerful antibacterial agents of relatively low toxicity which have found extensive use in medicine for treating bacterial infections.  They are categorized as one of the classes of beta-lactam antibiotic.  They are produced naturally by some fungi and bacteria, and industrial production processes almost invariably start from some form of the penicillin nucleus produced by fermentation of microorganisms.  The fermentation products are then chemically modified to produce derivatives of enhanced potency, safety, or antibacterial spectrum.  The first penicillin to see extensive use clinically (during World War II) was penicillin G, also called benzypenicillin, and commonly simply “penicillin”.

  &hand_;The characteristic portion of the structure characterizing a penicillin is the bicyclic structure 3,3-Dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicylo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid.  The different penicillins have varying acyl groups forming an amide bond with a nitrogen attached to the 6-carbon of this nucleus.  This distinguishes it from the other classes of beta-lactam antibiotic, the cephalosporins, thienamycins and sulfazecin.


word: Penicillinase
definition:
Penicillinase

Pen`i*cil"lin*ase
(?)
n.
(Bioch.)
An enzyme which destroys the antibacterial activity of penicillin by hydrolyzing the amide bond in the beta-lactam ring.  Many penicillinases are known, and are produced by a wide variety of bacteria.  The production of penicillinase is one of the mechanisms by which bacteria may become resistant to penicillins.  Penicillinase production in various bacterial species may be induced, i.e., it may occur only when stimulated by the presence of penicillin in the culture medium, or it may be constitutive, i.e., it may occur whenever the cells are producing protein.  Molecular weights of the various penicillinases tend to cluster near 50,000.


word: Peninsula
definition:
Peninsula

Pen*in"su*la
(?)
n.
[L. peninsula or paeninsula; paene almost + insula an island. See Isle.]
A portion of land nearly surrounded by water, and connected with a larger body by a neck, or isthmus.


word: Peninsular
definition:
Peninsular

Pen*in"su*lar
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. péninsulaire.]
Of or pertaining to a peninsula; as, a peninsular form; peninsular people; the peninsular war.


word: Peninsulate
definition:
Peninsulate

Pen*in"su*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peninsulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peninsulating.]
To form into a peninsula.

South River . . . peninsulates Castle Hill farm.
W. Bentley.


word: Penis
definition:
Penis

Pe"nis
(pē"nĭs)
n.
[L.]
(Anat.)
The erectile external sexual organ of males, used in copulation, and in mammals, also for urination.


word: Penitence
definition:
Penitence

Pen"i*tence
(?)
n.
[F. pénitence, L. paenitentia. See Penitent, and cf. Penance.]
The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance; contrition.
Penitence
Chaucer.

Death is deferred, and penitenance has room
To mitigate, if not reverse, the doom.
Dryden.


word: Penitencer
definition:
Penitencer

Pen"i*ten*cer
(?)
n.
[F. pénitencier.]
A priest who heard confession and enjoined penance in extraordinary cases.
[Written also penitenser.]
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Penitent
definition:
Penitent

Pen"i*tent
(?)
a.
[F. pénitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See Pain.]
1.
Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.

Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.
Milton.

The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
Dryden.

2.
Doing penance.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Penitent₂
definition:
Penitent

Pen"i*tent
n.
1.
One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.

2.
One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.

3.
One under the direction of a confessor.

&hand_; Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.


word: Penitential
definition:
Penitential

Pen`i*ten"tial
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pénitentiel.]
Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential book; penitential tears.
Penitential
Cowper.

Guilt that all the penitential fires of hereafter can not cleanse.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Penitential₂
definition:
Penitential

Pen`i*ten"tial
n.
(R. C. Ch.)
A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called also penitential book.


word: Penitentiary
definition:
Penitentiary

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry
(pĕn`ĭ*tĕn"shȧ*r&ybreve_;)
a.
[Cf. F. pénitentiaire.]
1.
Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.
penitentiary
Abp. Bramhall.

2.
Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.

3.
Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
Penitentiary
Blackstone.


word: Penitentiary₂
definition:
Penitentiary

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry
n.
pl. Penitentiaries (#).
[Cf. F. pénitencier. See Penitent.]
1.
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
One who does penance.
[Obs.]
Hammond.

3.
A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
Shpiley.

4.
That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
Shipley.

5.
(R. C. Ch.)
(a)
An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.  Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope.
(b)
An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

6.
A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor; a prison; a jail.  Colloquially often shortened to pen.


word: Penitentiaryship
definition:
Penitentiaryship

Pen`i*ten"tia*ry*ship
n.
The office or condition of a penitentiary of the papal court.
[R.]
Wood.


word: Penknife
definition:
Penknife

Pen"knife`
(?)
n.
pl. Penknives (#).
[Pen + knife.]
A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and mending quill pens.


word: penlight
definition:
penlight

pen"light`
n.
A small flashlight resembling a fountain pen, often having a clip to permit firm attachment to a pocket.


word: Penman
definition:
Penman

Pen"man
(?)
n.
pl. Penmen (_;).
1.
One who uses the pen; a writer; esp., one skilled in the use of the pen; a calligrapher; a writing master.

2.
An author; a composer.
South.


word: Penmanship
definition:
Penmanship

Pen"man*ship
n.
The use of the pen in writing; the art of writing; style or manner of writing; chirography; as, good or bad penmanship.


word: Pennach
definition:
Pennach

Pen"nach
(pĕn"năsh)
n.
[OF. pennache. See Panache.]
A bunch of feathers; a plume.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Pennant
definition:
Pennant

Pen"nant
(pĕn"nant)
n.
[OE. penon, penoun, pynoun, OF. penon, F. pennon, fr. L. penna feather. See Pen a feather, and cf. Pennon, Pinion.]
(Naut.)
(a)
A small flag; a pennon.  The narrow pennant, or long pennant (called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government vessel in commission.  The board pennant is an oblong, nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a commodore's vessel.
pennants
Drayton.
(b)
A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.


word: Pennated
definition:
Pennated

Pennate

{ Pen"nate (?), Pen"na*ted (?), }
a.
[L. pennatus feathered, winged, from penna feather, wing.]
1.
Winged; plume-shaped.

2.
(Bot.)
Same as Pinnate.


word: Pennatula
definition:
Pennatula

Pen*nat"u*la
(?)
n.
pl. L. Pennatulæ (#), E. Pennatulas (#).
[NL., fr. L. penna a feather.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of Pennatula, Pteroides, and allied genera of Alcyonaria, having a featherlike form; a sea-pen.  The zooids are situated along one edge of the side branches.


word: Pennatulacea
definition:
Pennatulacea

Pen*nat`u*la"ce*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pennatula.]
(Zool.)
A division of alcyonoid corals, including the seapens and related kinds.  They are able to move about by means of the hollow muscular peduncle, which also serves to support them upright in the mud. See Pennatula, and Illust. under Alcyonaria.


word: Penned
definition:
Penned

Penned
(?)
a.
1.
Winged; having plumes.
[Obs.]

2.
Written with a pen; composed.
penned
Shak.

3.
Enclosed in a pen; -- of animals.


word: Penner
definition:
Penner

Pen"ner
(?)
n.
1.
One who pens; a writer.
Sir T. North.

2.
A case for holding pens.
[Obs.]


word: Penniform
definition:
Penniform

Pen"ni*form
(?)
a.
[L. penna feather + -form: cf. F. penniforme.]
Having the form of a feather or plume.


word: Pennigerous
definition:
Pennigerous

Pen*nig"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. penniger; penna feather + gerere to bear.]
(Zool.)
Bearing feathers or quills.


word: Penniless
definition:
Penniless

Pen"ni*less
(?)
a.
[From Penny.]
Destitute of money; impecunious; poor.
Pen"ni*less*ness, n.


word: Pennipotent
definition:
Pennipotent

Pen*nip"o*tent
(?)
a.
[L. pennipotens; penna wing + potens strong.]
Strong of wing; strong on the wing.
[Poetic]
Davies (Holy Roode).


word: Pennoncelle
definition:
Pennoncelle

Pennoncel

{ Pen"non*cel`, Pen"non*celle` (?) }
n.
[OF. penoncel. See Pennant.]
A small pennon borne on a lance.  See Pencel.
[Also spelled penoncel.]


word: Pennsylvanian
definition:
Pennsylvanian

Pennsylvanian
prop. n.
The geological period from 280 million to 310 million years ago; -- it was characterized by a warm climate and abundance of swampy land.

Syn. -- Pennsylvanian period, Upper Carboniferous, Upper Carboniferous period.

2.
A resident of the state of Pennsylvania.


word: Penny
definition:
Penny

Pen"ny
(pĕn"n&ybreve_;)
a.
[Perh. a corruption of pun, for pound.]
Denoting the weight in pounds for one thousand; -- used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.


word: Penny₂
definition:
Penny

Pen*ny
n.
pl. Pennies (#) or Pence (pĕns). Pennies denotes the number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value.
[OE. peni, AS. penig, pening, pending; akin to D. penning, OHG. pfenning, pfenting, G. pfennig, Icel. penningr; of uncertain origin.]
1.
A former English coin, originally of copper, then of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).

&hand_; “The chief Anglo-Saxon coin, and for a long period the only one, corresponded to the denarius of the Continent . . . [and was] called penny, denarius, or denier.” R. S. Poole.   The ancient silver penny was worth about three pence sterling (see Pennyweight).  The old Scotch penny was only one twelfth the value of the English coin.  In the United States the word penny is popularly used for cent.

2.
Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver.
Shak.

3.
Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny.

What penny hath Rome borne,
What men provided, what munition sent?
Shak.

4.
(Script.)
See Denarius.

Penny cress (Bot.), an annual herb of the Mustard family, having round, flat pods like silver pennies (Thlaspi arvense).  Also spelled pennycress. Dr. Prior. -- Penny dog (Zool.), a kind of shark found on the South coast of Britain: the tope. -- Penny pincher, Penny father, a penurious person; a miser; a niggard.  The latter phrase is now obsolete. Robinson (More's Utopia). -- Penny grass (Bot.), pennyroyal. [R.] -- Penny post, a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a mail carrier. -- Penny wise, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving small sums while losing larger; penny-wise; -- used chiefly in the phrase, penny wise and pound foolish.


word: Penny-a-liner
definition:
Penny-a-liner

Pen"ny-a-lin"er
(?)
n.
One who furnishes matter to public journals at so much a line; a poor writer for hire; a hack writer.
Thackeray.


word: pennycress
definition:
pennycress

pennycress
n.
Any of several plants of the genus Thlaspi; see penny cress.
[Also spelled penny cress.]


word: penny-pinching
definition:
penny-pinching

penny-pinching
n.
Extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily.

Syn. -- parsimony, parsimoniousness, thrift.


word: penny-pinching₂
definition:
penny-pinching

penny-pinching
adj.
Scrimping; reluctant to spend money; stingy; miserly; same as cheesparing.

Syn. -- cheeseparing, close.


word: penny-wise
definition:
penny-wise

penny-wise
adj.
1.
Thrifty in small matters only.  Used mostly in the phrase penny-wise and pound foolish.


word: Pennyroyal
definition:
Pennyroyal

Pen`ny*roy"al
(?)
n.
[A corruption of OE. puliall royal. OE. puliall is ultimately derived fr. L. puleium, or pulegium regium (so called as being good against fleas), fr. pulex a flea; and royal is a translation of L. regium, in puleium regium.]
(Bot.)
An aromatic herb (Mentha Pulegium) of Europe; also, a North American plant (Hedeoma pulegioides) resembling it in flavor.

Bastard pennyroyal (Bot.) See Blue curls, under Blue.


word: Pennyweight
definition:
Pennyweight

Pen"ny*weight`
(?)
n.
A troy weight containing twenty-four grains, or the twentieth part of a troy ounce; 1.555 grams; as, a pennyweight of gold or of arsenic.  It is abbreviated dwt or pwt.  It was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the name.


word: Pennywort
definition:
Pennywort

Pen"ny*wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A European trailing herb (Linaria Cymbalaria) with roundish, reniform leaves. It is often cultivated in hanging baskets.

March pennywort, or Water pennywort. (Bot.) See under March.


word: Pennyworth
definition:
Pennyworth

Pen"ny*worth`
(?)
n.
1.
A penny's worth; as much as may be bought for a penny.
pennyworth
Evelyn.

2.
Hence: The full value of one's penny expended; due return for money laid out; a good bargain; a bargain.

The priests sold the better pennyworths.
Locke.

3.
A small quantity; a trifle.
Bacon.


word: Penology
definition:
Penology

Pe*nol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. poinh`, or L. poena, punishment + -logy.]
The science or art of punishment.
[Written also pœnology.]


word: Pensile
definition:
Pensile

Pen"sile
(pĕn"sĭl; 277)
a.
[L. pensilis, fr. pendere to hang: cf. OE. pensil. See Pendant.]
Hanging; suspended; pendent; pendulous.
Bacon.

The long, pensile branches of the birches.
W. Howitt.


word: Pension
definition:
Pension

Pen"sion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. pensio a paying, payment, fr. pendere, pensum, to weight, to pay; akin to pend_;re to hang. See Pendant, and cf. Spend.]
1.
A payment; a tribute; something paid or given.
[Obs.]

The stomach's pension, and the time's expense.
Sylvester.

2.
A stated allowance to a person in consideration of past services; payment made to one retired from service, on account of age, disability, or other cause; also, a regular stipend paid by a government to retired public officers, disabled soldiers, the families of soldiers killed in service, or to meritorious authors, or the like.

To all that kept the city pensions and wages.
1 Esd. iv. 56.

3.
A certain sum of money paid to a clergyman in lieu of tithes.
[Eng.]
Mozley & W.

4.
[F., pronounced _;.]
A boarding house or boarding school in France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.


word: Pension₂
definition:
Pension

Pen"sion
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pensioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pensioning.]
To grant a pension to; to pay a regular stipend to; in consideration of service already performed; -- sometimes followed by off; as, to pension off a servant.

One knighted Blackmore, and one pensioned Quarles.
Pope.


word: Pensionary
definition:
Pensionary

Pen"sion*a*ry
(?)
a.
1.
Maintained by a pension; receiving a pension; as, pensionary spies.
Donne.

2.
Consisting of a pension; as, a pensionary provision for maintenance.


word: Pensionary₂
definition:
Pensionary

Pen"sion*a*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Pensionaries (#).
[Cf. F. pensionnaire.  Cf. Pensioner.]
1.
One who receives a pension; a pensioner.
E. Hall.

2.
One of the chief magistrates of towns in Holland.

Grand pensionary, the title of the prime minister, or or president of the Council, of Holland when a republic.


word: Pensioner
definition:
Pensioner

Pen"sion*er
(?)
n.
1.
One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a dependent.

The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train.
Milton.

Old pensioners . . . of Chelsea Hospital.
Macaulay.

2.
One of an honorable band of gentlemen who attend the sovereign of England on state occasions, and receive an annual pension, or allowance, of £150 and two horses.

3.
[Cf. F. pensionnaire one who pays for his board.  Cf. Pensionary, n.]
In the university of Cambridge, England, one who pays for his living in commons; -- corresponding to commoner at Oxford.
Ld. Lytton.


word: Pensive
definition:
Pensive

Pen"sive
(?)
a.
[F. pensif, fr. penser to think, fr. L. pensare to weigh, ponder, consider, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Pension, Poise.]
1.
Thoughtful, sober, or sad; employed in serious reflection; given to, or favorable to, earnest or melancholy musing.

The pensive secrecy of desert cell.
Milton.

Anxious cares the pensive nymph oppressed.
Pope.

2.
Expressing or suggesting thoughtfulness with sadness; as, pensive numbers.
Prior.


word: Pensiveness
definition:
Pensiveness

Pen"sive*ness
n.
The state of being pensive; serious thoughtfulness; seriousness.
Hooker.


word: Penstemon
definition:
Penstemon

Penstemon
prop. n.
A large genus of subshrubs or herbs having showy blue or purple or red or yellow or white flowers; found mostly in Western North America.

Syn. -- genus Penstemon.


word: Penstock
definition:
Penstock

Pen"stock
(?)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain; perh. fr. pen an inclosure + stock.]
1.
A close conduit or pipe for conducting water, as, to a water wheel, or for emptying a pond, or for domestic uses.

2.
The barrel of a wooden pump.


word: Pent
definition:
Pent

Pent
(pĕnt)
p. p. or a.
[From Pen, v. t.]
Penned or shut up; confined; -- often with up.

Here in the body pent.
J. Montgomery.

No pent-up Utica contracts your powers.
J. M. Sewall.


word: pent-
definition:
pent-

pent-
(pĕnt)
pref.
Same as penta-; -- used as a combining form before vowels, as in pentoxide.


word: Penta-
definition:
Penta-

Pen"ta-
(?)
pref.
[Gr. penta-, a later combining form of pe`nte five. See Five.]
1.
A combining form denoting five; as, pentacapsular; pentagon.

2.
(Chem.)
Denoting the degree of five, either as regards quality, property, or composition; as, pentasulphide, containing five sulfur atoms; pentoxide, containing five oxygen atoms, etc.  Also used adjectively.


word: Pentabasic
definition:
Pentabasic

Pen`ta*ba"sic
(?)
a.
[Penta- + basic.]
(Chem.)
Capable of uniting with five molecules of a monacid base; having five acid hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by a basic radical; -- said of certain acids.


word: Pentachenium
definition:
Pentachenium

Pen`ta*che"ni*um
(?)
n.
[NL. See Penta-, and Achenium.]
(Bot.)
A dry fruit composed of five carpels, which are covered by an epigynous calyx and separate at maturity.


word: Pentachloride
definition:
Pentachloride

Pen`ta*chlo"ride
(?)
n.
[Penta- + chloride.]
(Chem.)
A chloride having five atoms of chlorine in each molecule; as, phosphorus pentachloride.


word: Pentachord
definition:
Pentachord

Pen"ta*chord
(?)
n.
[L. pentachordus five-stringed, Gr. penta`chordos; penta- five + chordh` string.]
1.
An ancient instrument of music with five strings.

2.
An order or system of five sounds.
Busby.


word: Pentacid
definition:
Pentacid

Pen*tac"id
(_;)
a.
[Penta- + acid.]
(Chem.)
Capable of neutralizing, or combining with, five molecules of a monobasic acid; having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by acid residues; -- said of certain complex bases.


word: Pentacle
definition:
Pentacle

Pen"ta*cle
(?)
n.
[Gr. pe`nte five.]
A five-pointed star, also called a pentagram or pentalpha.  See illustr. under pentalpha.  Sometimes referring to a similar figure, such as the figure composed of two equilateral triangles intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star.  It was used in early ornamental art, and also with superstitious import by the astrologers and mystics of the Middle Ages.  The six-pointed star is more comonly called a hexagram, or called Solomon's seal; it resembles the star of David (Magen David)


word: Pentacoccous
definition:
Pentacoccous

Pen`ta*coc"cous
(?)
a.
[See Penta-, Coccus.]
(Bot.)
Composed of five united carpels with one seed in each, as certain fruits.


word: Pentacrinin
definition:
Pentacrinin

Pen*tac"ri*nin
(?)
n.
(Physiol. Chem.)
A red and purple pigment found in certain crinoids of the genus Pentacrinus.


word: Pentacrinite
definition:
Pentacrinite

Pen*tac"ri*nite
(?)
n.
[Penta- + Gr. kri`non a lily.]
(Zool.)
Any species of Pentacrinus.


word: Pentacrinoid
definition:
Pentacrinoid

Pen*tac"ri*noid
(?)
n.
[Pentacrinus + -oid.]
(Zool.)
An immature comatula when it is still attached by a stem, and thus resembles a Pentacrinus.


word: Pentacrinus
definition:
Pentacrinus

Pen*tac"ri*nus
(?)
n.
[NL. See Penta-, and Crinum.]
(Zool.)
A genus of large, stalked crinoids, of which several species occur in deep water among the West Indies and elsewhere.


word: Pentacron
definition:
Pentacron

Pen*ta"cron
(?)
n.
pl. L. Pentacra (#), E. Pentacrons (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. pe`nte five + 'a`kron a summit.]
(Geom.)
A solid having five summits or angular points.


word: Pentacrostic
definition:
Pentacrostic

Pen`ta*cros"tic
(?)
n.
[Penta- + acrostic.]
A set of verses so disposed that the name forming the subject of the acrostic occurs five times -- the whole set of verses being divided into five different parts from top to bottom.


word: Pentad
definition:
Pentad

Pen"tad
(?)
n.
[Gr. penta`s penta`dos, a body of five, fr. pe`nte five.]
(Chem.)
Any element, atom, or radical, having a valence of five, or which can be combined with, substituted for, or compared with, five atoms of hydrogen or other monad; as, nitrogen is a pentad in the ammonium compounds.

2.
Any grouping of five things.


word: Pentadactyle
definition:
Pentadactyle

Pentadactyl

{ Pen`ta*dac"tyl, Pen`ta*dac"tyle  }
(?)
a.
[Gr. pentada`ktylos with five fingers or toes. See Penta-, and Dactyl.]
1.
(Anat.)
Having five digits to the hand or foot.

2.
Having five appendages resembling fingers or toes.


word: Pentadactyloid
definition:
Pentadactyloid

Pen`ta*dac"tyl*oid
(?)
a.
[Pentadactyl + -oid.]
(Anat.)
Having the form of, or a structure modified from, a pentadactyl limb.


word: Pentadecane
definition:
Pentadecane

Pen`ta*dec"ane
(pĕn`tȧ*dĕk"ān)
n.
[Penta- + Gr. de`ka ten.]
(Chem.)
A hydrocarbon of the paraffin series, (C15H32) found in petroleum, tar oil, etc., and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from the fifteen carbon atoms in the molecule.


word: Pentadecatoic
definition:
Pentadecatoic

Pen`ta*dec`a*to"ic
(pĕn`tȧ*dĕk`ȧ*t&omacr"ĭk)
a.
[Penta- + decatoic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, pentadecane, or designating an acid related to it.


word: Pentadecylic
definition:
Pentadecylic

Pen`ta*decyl"ic
(pĕn`tȧ*de̝*sĭl"ĭk)
a.
[Penta- + decylic.]
(Chem.)
Same as Quindecylic.


word: Pentadelphous
definition:
Pentadelphous

Pen`ta*del"phous
(pĕn`tȧ*dĕl"fŭs)
a.
[Penta- + Gr. 'adelfo`s brother.]
(Bot.)
Having the stamens arranged in five clusters, those of each cluster having their filaments more or less united, as the flowers of the linden.


word: Pentafid
definition:
Pentafid

Pen"ta*fid
(pĕn"tȧ*fĭd)
a.
[Penta- + root of L. findere to split.]
(Bot.)
Divided or cleft into five parts.


word: Pentaglot
definition:
Pentaglot

Pen"ta*glot
(pĕn"tȧ*gl&obreve_;t)
n.
[Penta- + -glot, as in polyglot.]
A work in five different tongues.


word: Pentagon
definition:
Pentagon

Pen"ta*gon
(?)
n.
[Gr. penta`gwnon; penta- (see Penta-) + gwni`a angle: cf. L. pentagonium, F. pentagone.]
(Geom.)
A plane figure having five angles, and, consequently, five sides; any figure having five angles.

Regular pentagon, a pentagon in which the angles are all equal, and the sides all equal.


word: Pentagonal
definition:
Pentagonal

Pen*tag"o*nal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pentagonal, pentagone, L. pentagonus, pentagonius, Gr. _;.]
Having five corners or angles.

Pentagonal dodecahedron. See Dodecahedron, and Pyritohedron.


word: Pentagram
definition:
Pentagram

Pen"ta*gram
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, neut. of _; having five lines. See Penta-, and -gram.]
A pentacle or a pentalpha.
pentagram
Tennyson.


word: Pentagraphical
definition:
Pentagraphical

Pentagraphic

{ Pen`ta*graph"ic (?), Pen`ta*graph"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Corrupted fr. pantographic, -ical.]
Pantographic. See Pantograph.


word: Pentagynia
definition:
Pentagynia

Pen`ta*gyn"i*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; (see Penta-) + _; female.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan order of plants, having five styles or pistils.


word: Pentagynous
definition:
Pentagynous

Pentagynian

{ Pen`ta*gyn"i*an (?), Pen*tag"y*nous (?), }
a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to plants of the order Pentagyna; having five styles.


word: Pentahedron
definition:
Pentahedron

Pen`ta*he"dron
(?)
n.
[Penta- + Gr. "e`dra seat, base.]
A solid figure having five sides.


word: Pentail
definition:
Pentail

Pen"tail`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A peculiar insectivore (Ptilocercus Lowii) of Borneo; -- so called from its very long, quill-shaped tail, which is scaly at the base and plumose at the tip.


word: Pentalpha
definition:
Pentalpha

Pen*tal"pha
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;: cf. F. pentalpha. See Penta-, and Alpha.]
A five-pointed star, resembling five alphas joined at their bases; -- used as a symbol.


word: Pentamera
definition:
Pentamera

Pen*tam"e*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pentamerous.]
(Zool.)
An extensive division of Coleoptera, including those that normally have five-jointed tarsi. It embraces about half of all the known species of the Coleoptera.


word: Pentamerous
definition:
Pentamerous

Pen*tam"er*ous
(?)
a.
[Penta- + Gr. _; part.]
1.
(Biol.)
Divided into, or consisting of, five parts; also, arranged in sets, with five parts in each set, as a flower with five sepals, five petals, five, or twice five, stamens, and five pistils.

2.
(Zool.)
Belonging to the Pentamera.


word: Pentamerus
definition:
Pentamerus

Pen*tam"e*rus
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pentamerous.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of extinct Paleozoic brachiopods, often very abundant in the Upper Silurian.

Pentamerus limestone (Geol.), a Silurian limestone composed largely of the shells of Pentamerus.


word: Pentameter
definition:
Pentameter

Pen*tam"e*ter
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;; _; (see Penta-) + _; measure.]
(Gr. & L.Pros.)
A verse of five feet.

&hand_; The dactylic pentameter consists of two parts separated by a diæresis. Each part consists of two dactyls and a long syllable. The spondee may take the place of the dactyl in the first part, but not in the second. The elegiac distich consists of the hexameter followed by the pentameter.
Harkness.


word: Pentamethylene
definition:
Pentamethylene

Pen`ta*meth"yl*ene
(?)
n.
[Penta- + methylene.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical hydrocarbon, C5H10, metameric with the amylenes, and the nucleus of a large number of derivatives; -- so named because regarded as composed of five methylene residues.  Cf. Trimethylene, and Tetramethylene.


word: Pentandria
definition:
Pentandria

Pen*tan"dri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; (see Penta-) + _;, _;, man, male.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan class of plants having five separate stamens.


word: Pentandrous
definition:
Pentandrous

Pentandrian

{ Pen*tan"dri*an (?), Pen*tan"drous (?), }
a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the class Pentadria; having five stamens.


word: Pentane
definition:
Pentane

Pen"tane
(?)
n.
[See Penta-.]
(Chem.)
Any one of the three metameric hydrocarbons, C5H12, of the methane or paraffin series. They are colorless, volatile liquids, two of which occur in petroleum. So called because of the five carbon atoms in the molecule.


word: Pentapetalous
definition:
Pentapetalous

Pen`ta*pet"al*ous
(?)
a.
[Penta- + petal.]
(Bot.)
Having five petals, or flower leaves.


word: Pentaphyllous
definition:
Pentaphyllous

Pen*taph"yl*lous
(?)
a.
[Penta- + Gr. _; leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having five leaves or leaflets.


word: Pentapody
definition:
Pentapody

Pen*tap"o*dy
(?)
n.
[Penta- + Gr. _;, _;, foot.]
(Pros.)
A measure or series consisting of five feet.


word: Pentaptote
definition:
Pentaptote

Pen"tap*tote
(?)
n.
[L. (pl.) pentaptota. Gr. _; with five cases; _; (see Penta-) + _; falling.]
(Gram.)
A noun having five cases.


word: Pentaptych
definition:
Pentaptych

Pen"tap*tych
(?)
n.
[Penta- + Gr. _;, _;, a fold.]
(Fine Arts)
A picture, or combination of pictures, consisting of a centerpiece and double folding doors or wings, as for an altarpiece.


word: Pentarchy
definition:
Pentarchy

Pen"tar*chy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. pentarchie. See Penta-, and -archy.]
A government in the hands of five persons; five joint rulers.
P. Fletcher.
pentarchy
A. Brewer.


word: Pentaspast
definition:
Pentaspast

Pen"ta*spast
(?)
n.
[L. pentaspaston, Gr. _; (see Penta-) + _; to pull: cf. F. pentaspaste.]
A purchase with five pulleys.
[R.]


word: Pentastich
definition:
Pentastich

Pen"ta*stich
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; of five verses; _; (see Penta-) + _; line, verse.]
A composition consisting of five verses.


word: Pentastichous
definition:
Pentastichous

Pen*tas"ti*chous
(?)
a.
[Penta- + Gr. sti`chos a row.]
(Bot.)
Having, or arranged in, five vertical ranks, as the leaves of an apple tree or a cherry tree.


word: Pentastomida
definition:
Pentastomida

Pen`ta*stom"i*da
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. _; (see Penta-) + _; a mouth.]
(Zool.)
Same as Linguatulina.


word: Pentastyle
definition:
Pentastyle

Pen"ta*style
(?)
a.
[Penta- + Gr. _; a pillar.]
(Arch.)
Having five columns in front; -- said of a temple or portico in classical architecture.
n. A portico having five columns.


word: Pentateuch
definition:
Pentateuch

Pen"ta*teuch
(?)
n.
[L. pentateuchus, Gr. _;; _; (see Penta-) + _; a tool, implement, a book, akin to _; to prepare, make ready, and perh. to E. text. See Five, and Text.]
The first five books of the Old Testament, collectively; -- called also the Law of Moses, Book of the Law of Moses, etc.


word: Pentathionic
definition:
Pentathionic

Pen`ta*thi*on"ic
(?)
a.
[Penta- + thionic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of sulphur obtained by leading hydrogen sulphide into a solution of sulphur dioxide; -- so called because it contains five atoms of sulphur.


word: Pentathlon
definition:
Pentathlon

Pen*tath"lon
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;; _; five + _; a contest.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
1.
A fivefold athletic performance peculiar to the great national games of the Greeks, including leaping, foot racing, wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear.

2.
In the modern Olympic Games, a composite contest made up of a running broad jump, throwing the javelin, a 200-meter run, throwing the discus, and a 1500-meter run.


word: Pentatomic
definition:
Pentatomic

Pen`ta*tom"ic
(?)
a.
[Penta- + atomic.]
(Chem.)
(a)
Having five atoms in the molecule.
(b)
Having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution.


word: Pentavalent
definition:
Pentavalent

Pen*tav"a*lent
(?)
a.
[Penta- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.]
(Chem.)
Having a valence of five; -- said of certain atoms and radicals.


word: Penteconter
definition:
Penteconter

Pen"te*con`ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; (sc. _;), fr. _; fifty.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A Grecian vessel with fifty oars.
[Written also pentaconter.]


word: Pentecost
definition:
Pentecost

Pen"te*cost
(?)
n.
[L. pentecoste, Gr. _; (sc. _;) the fiftieth day, Pentecost, fr. _; fiftieth, fr. _; fifty, fr. _; five. See Five, and cf. Pingster.]
1.
A solemn festival of the Jews; -- so called because celebrated on the fiftieth day (seven weeks) after the second day of the Passover (which fell on the sixteenth of the Jewish month Nisan); -- hence called, also, the Feast of Weeks. At this festival an offering of the first fruits of the harvest was made. By the Jews it was generally regarded as commemorative of the gift of the law on the fiftieth day after the departure from Egypt.

2.
A festival of the Roman Catholic and other churches in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles; which occurred on the day of Pentecost; -- called also Whitsunday.
Shak.


word: Pentecostals
definition:
Pentecostals

Pen`te*cos"tals
(?)
n. pl.
Offerings formerly made to the parish priest, or to the mother church, at Pentecost.
Shipley.


word: Pentecoster
definition:
Pentecoster

Pen`te*cos"ter
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; fifty.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
An officer in the Spartan army commanding fifty men.
Mitford.


word: Pentecosty
definition:
Pentecosty

Pen`te*cos"ty
(?)
n.
pl. Pentecosties (#).
[Gr. _;, fr. _; the fiftieth, _; fifty.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A troop of fifty soldiers in the Spartan army; -- called also pentecostys.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).


word: Pentelican
definition:
Pentelican

Pentelic

{ Pen*tel"ic (?), Pen*tel"i*can (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to Mount Pentelicus, near Athens, famous for its fine white marble quarries; obtained from Mount Pentelicus; as, the Pentelic marble of which the Parthenon is built.


word: Penthouse
definition:
Penthouse

Pent"house`
(?)
n.
[A corruption of pentice.]
A shed or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively.
penthouse
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pentine
definition:
Pentine

Pen"tine
(?)
n.
[See Penta-.]
(Chem.)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C5H8, of the acetylene series. Same as Valerylene.


word: Pentoic
definition:
Pentoic

Pen*to"ic
(?)
a.
[See Penta-.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or desingating, an acid (called also valeric acid) derived from pentane.


word: -sane
definition:
-sane

Pentosan

{ Pen"to*san (?), n. Also -sane (?) }
[From Pentose.]
(Chem.)
One of a class of substances (complex carbohydrates widely distributed in plants, as in fruits, gums, woods, hay, etc.) which yield pentoses on hydrolysis.


word: Pentose
definition:
Pentose

Pen"tose
(?)
n.
[Penta- + -ose.]
(Chem.)
Any of a group of sugars of the formula C5H10O5, such as as arabinose or ribose; -- so called from the five carbon atoms in the molecule. They are not fermented by yeast.


word: Pentoxide
definition:
Pentoxide

Pen*tox"ide
(?)
n.
[Penta- + oxide.]
(Chem.)
An oxide containing five atoms of oxygen in each molecule; as, phosphorus pentoxide, P2O5.


word: Pentremites
definition:
Pentremites

Pen`tre*mi"tes
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _; five + L. remus an oar.]
(Zool.)
A genus of crinoids belonging to the Blastoidea. They have five petal-like ambulacra.


word: Pentyl
definition:
Pentyl

Pen"tyl
(?)
n.
[Penta + -yl.]
(Chem.)
The hypothetical radical, C5H11, of pentane and certain of its derivatives. Same as Amyl.


word: Pentylic
definition:
Pentylic

Pen*tyl"ic
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, pentyl; as, pentylic alcohol


word: Pinochle
definition:
Pinochle

Pinocle

Penuchle

{ Pe"nu*chle (?), Pin"o*cle Pin"o*chle (?) }
n.
A game at cards, played with forty-eight cards, being all the cards above the eight spots in two packs.


word: Penult
definition:
Penult

Pe"nult
(?)
n.
[Abbreviated fr. penultima.]
(Gram. & Pros.)
The last syllable but one of a word; the syllable preceding the final one.


word: Penultima
definition:
Penultima

Pe*nul"ti*ma
(?)
n.
[L. (sc. syllaba), fr. penultimus, paenultimus, the last but one; paene almost + ultimus the last.]
Same as Penult.


word: Penultimate
definition:
Penultimate

Pe*nul"ti*mate
(?)
a.
Last but one; as, the penultimate syllable, the last syllable but one of a word.


word: Penumbra
definition:
Penumbra

Pe*num"bra
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. paene almost + umbra shade.]
1.
An incomplete or partial shadow.

2.
(Astron.)
The shadow cast, in an eclipse, where the light is partly, but not wholly, cut off by the intervening body; the space of partial illumination between the umbra, or perfect shadow, on all sides, and the full light.
Sir I. Newton.

&hand_; The faint shade surrounding the dark central portion of a solar spot is also called the penumbra, and sometimes umbra.

3.
(Paint.)
The part of a picture where the shade imperceptibly blends with the light.


word: Penumbrala
definition:
Penumbrala

Pe*num"brala
Of or pertaining to a penumbra; resembling a penumbra; partially illuminated.


word: Penurious
definition:
Penurious

Pe*nu"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[From Penury.]
1.
Excessively sparing in the use of money; sordid; stingy; miserly.
penurious
Milton.

2.
Not bountiful or liberal; scanty.

Here creeps along a poor, penurious stream.
C. Pitt.

3.
Destitute of money; suffering extreme want.
[Obs.]
penurious
Shak.


word: Penury
definition:
Penury

Pen"u*ry
(?)
n.
[L. penuria; cf. Gr. _; hunger, _; poverty, need, _; one who works for his daily bread, a poor man, _; to work for one's daily bread, to be poor: cf. F. pénurie.]
1.
Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme poverty; destitution.
penury
Bacon.

They were exposed to hardship and penury.
Sprat.

It arises in neither from penury of thought.
Landor.

2.
Penuriousness; miserliness.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Peon₂
definition:
Peon

Pe"on
n.
[Sp. peon, or Pg. pe_;o, one who travels on foot, a foot soldier, a pawn in chess. See Pawn in chess.]
1.
A foot soldier; a policeman; also, an office attendant; a messenger.
[India]

2.
A day laborer; a servant; especially, in some of the Spanish American countries, debtor held by his creditor in a form of qualified servitude, to work out a debt.

3.
(Chess)
See 2d Pawn.


word: Peony
definition:
Peony

Pe"o*ny
(pē"o̝*n&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Peonies (pē"o̝*nĭz).
[OE. pione, pioine, pioni, OF. pione, F. pivoine, L. paeonia, Gr. paiwni`a, fr. Pai`wn, Paia`n, the god of healing.  Cf. Pæan.]
(Bot.)
A plant, and its flower, of the ranunculaceous genus Pæonia.  Of the four or five species, one is a shrub; the rest are perennial herbs with showy flowers, often double in cultivation.
[Written also pæony, and piony.]


word: People
definition:
People

Peo"ple
(pē"p'l)
n.
[OE. peple, people, OF. pueple, F. peuple, fr. L. populus.  Cf. Populage, Public, Pueblo.]
1.
The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.

Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Gen. xlix. 10.

The ants are a people not strong.
Prov. xxx. 25.

Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
Rev. x. 11.

Earth's monarchs are her peoples.
Whitter.

A government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.
T. Parker.

&hand_; Peopleis a collective noun, generally construed with a plural verb, and only occasionally used in the plural form (peoples), in the sense of nations or races.

2.
Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; -- sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.

People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
Swift.

People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water.
Arbuthnot.

3.
The mass of community as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.

And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
Addison.

4.
(a)
One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
(b)
One's subjects; fellow citizens; companions; followers.
people
Shak.


word: People₂
definition:
People

Peo"ple
(pē"p'l)
v. t.
[imp. &  p. p. Peopled (pē"p'ld) p. pr. & vb. n.; Peopling (pē"p'lĭng).]
[Cf. OF. popler, puepler, F. puepler.  Cf. Populate.]
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
Peopled
Dryden.

As the gay motes that people the sunbeams.
Milton.


word: People's bank
definition:
People's bank

Peo"ple's bank
(pē"p'lz)
A form of cooperative bank, such as those of Germany; -- a term loosely used for various forms of cooperative financial institutions.


word: People's party
definition:
People's party

People's party
(U. S. Politics)
A party formed in 1891, advocating an increase of the currency, public ownership and operation of railroads, telegraphs, etc., an income tax, limitation in ownership of land, etc.


word: Peorias
definition:
Peorias

Pe*o"ri*as
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Peoria (_;).
(Ethnol.)
An Algonquin tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Illinois.


word: Pepastic
definition:
Pepastic

Pe*pas"tic
(?)
a. & n.
[Gr. pepai`nein to ripen, suppurate: cf. F. pépastique.]
(Med.)
Same as Maturative.


word: Peperino
definition:
Peperino

Peperine

{ Pep"e*rine (?), &VerbarPep`e*ri"no (?), }
n.
[It. peperino, L. piper pepper. So called on account of its color.]
(Geol.)
A volcanic rock, formed by the cementing together of sand, scoria, cinders, etc.


word: Peplis
definition:
Peplis

Pep"lis
(?)
n.
[L., a kind of plant, Gr. pepli`s.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants including water purslane.


word: Peplum
definition:
Peplum

Pep"lum
(?)
n.
pl. E. -lumus, L. -la
[L.]
 A peplos. Hence: An overskirt hanging like an ancient peplos; also, a short fitted skirt attached to a waist or coat.


word: Peplus
definition:
Peplus

Pep"lus
(pĕp"lŭs)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. pe`plos.]
1.
An upper garment worn by Grecian and Roman women.

2.
A kind of kerchief formerly worn by Englishwomen.
[Obs.]
Fairholt.


word: Pepo
definition:
Pepo

Pe"po
(pē"po̝)
n.
[L., a kind of melon, from Gr. pe`pwn.]
(Bot.)
Any fleshy fruit with a firm rind, as a pumpkin, melon, or gourd. See Gourd.


word: Pepper
definition:
Pepper

Pep"per
(pĕp"pẽr)
n.
[OE. peper, AS. pipor, L. piper, fr. Gr. pe`peri, pi`peri, akin to Skr. pippala, pippali.]
1.
A well-known, pungently aromatic condiment, the dried berry, either whole or powdered, of the Piper nigrum.

&hand_; Common pepper, or black pepper, is made from the whole berry, dried just before maturity; white pepper is made from the ripe berry after the outer skin has been removed by maceration and friction.  It has less of the peculiar properties of the plant than the black pepper.  Pepper is used in medicine as a carminative stimulant.

2.
(Bot.)
The plant which yields pepper, an East Indian woody climber (Piper nigrum), with ovate leaves and apetalous flowers in spikes opposite the leaves. The berries are red when ripe. Also, by extension, any one of the several hundred species of the genus Piper, widely dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the earth.

3.
Any plant of the genus Capsicum (of the Solanaceae family, which are unrelated to Piper), and its fruit; red pepper; chili pepper; as, the bell pepper and the jalapeno pepper (both Capsicum annuum) and the habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense); .  These contain varying levels of the substance capsaicin (C18H27O3N), which gives the peppers their hot taste.  The habanero is about 25-50 times hotter than the jalapeno according to a scale developed by Wilbur Scoville in 1912.  See also Capsicum and http://www.chili-pepper-plants.com/.

&hand_; The term pepper has been extended to various other fruits and plants, more or less closely resembling the true pepper, esp. to the common varieties of Capsicum. See Capsicum, and the Phrases, below.

African pepper, the Guinea pepper. See under Guinea. -- Cayenne pepper. See under Cayenne. -- Chinese pepper, the spicy berries of the Xanthoxylum piperitum, a species of prickly ash found in China and Japan. -- Guinea pepper. See under Guinea, and Capsicum. -- Jamaica pepper. See Allspice. -- Long pepper. (a) The spike of berries of Piper longum, an East Indian shrub. (b) The root of Piper methysticum (syn. Macropiper methysticum) of the family Piperaceae.  See Kava. -- Malaguetta pepper, or Meleguetta pepper, the aromatic seeds of the Amomum Melegueta, an African plant of the Ginger family.  They are sometimes used to flavor beer, etc., under the name of grains of Paradise. -- Red pepper. See Capsicum. -- Sweet pepper bush (Bot.), an American shrub (Clethra alnifolia), with racemes of fragrant white flowers; -- called also white alder. -- Pepper box or Pepper caster, a small box or bottle, with a perforated lid, used for sprinkling ground pepper on food, etc. -- Pepper corn. See in the Vocabulary. -- Pepper elder (Bot.), a West Indian name of several plants of the Pepper family, species of Piper and Peperomia. -- Pepper moth (Zool.), a European moth (Biston betularia) having white wings covered with small black specks. -- Pepper pot, a mucilaginous soup or stew of vegetables and cassareep, much esteemed in the West Indies. -- Pepper root. (Bot.). See Coralwort. -- pepper sauce, a condiment for the table, made of small red peppers steeped in vinegar. -- Pepper tree (Bot.), an aromatic tree (Drimys axillaris) of the Magnolia family, common in New Zealand. See Peruvian mastic tree, under Mastic.


word: Pepper₂
definition:
Pepper

Pep"per
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peppered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peppering.]
1.
To sprinkle or season with pepper.

2.
Figuratively: To shower shot or other missiles, or blows, upon; to pelt; to fill with shot, or cover with bruises or wounds; as, to pepper him with buckshot.
peppered
peppered
Shak.


word: Pepper box
definition:
Pepper box

Pep"per box`
(?)
n.
A buttress on the left-hand wall of a fives court as the game is played at Eton College, England.


word: Peppercorn
definition:
Peppercorn

Pep"per*corn`
(?)
n.
1.
A dried berry of the black pepper (Piper nigrum).

2.
Anything insignificant; a particle.


word: Pepper dulse
definition:
Pepper dulse

Pep"per dulse`
(?)
(Bot.)
A variety of edible seaweed (Laurencia pinnatifida) distinguished for its pungency.
[Scot.]
Lindley.


word: Peppergrass
definition:
Peppergrass

Pep"per*grass`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
Any herb of the cruciferous genus Lepidium, especially the garden peppergrass, or garden cress, Lepidium sativum; -- called also pepperwort. All the species have a pungent flavor.
(b)
The common pillwort of Europe (Pilularia globulifera). See Pillwort.


word: Pepperidge
definition:
Pepperidge

Pep"per*idge
(?)
n.
[Cf. NL. berberis, E. barberry.]
(Bot.)
A North American tree (Nyssa multiflora) with very tough wood, handsome oval polished leaves, and very acid berries, -- the sour gum, or common tupelo. See Tupelo.
[Written also piperidge and pipperidge.]

Pepperidge bush (Bot.), the barberry.


word: Peppermint
definition:
Peppermint

Pep"per*mint
(?)
n.
[Pepper + mint.]
1.
(Bot.)
An aromatic and pungent plant of the genus Mentha (Mentha piperita), much used in medicine and confectionery.

2.
A volatile oil (oil of peppermint) distilled from the fresh herb; also, a well-known essence or spirit (essence of peppermint) obtained from it.

3.
A lozenge of sugar flavored with peppermint.

Peppermint camphor. (Chem.) Same as Menthol. -- Peppermint tree (Bot.), a name given to several Australian species of gum tree (Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus piperita, E. odorata, etc.) which have hard and durable wood, and yield an essential oil.


word: peppershaker
definition:
peppershaker

peppershaker
n.
A shaker with a perforated top for sprinkling ground pepper.

Syn. -- pepper box, pepper pot.


word: pepperwood
definition:
pepperwood

pepperwood
n.
A Pacific coast tree (Umbellularia californica) having aromatic foliage and small umbellate flowers followed by olivelike fruit; yields a hard tough wood.

Syn. -- California laurel, California bay tree, Oregon myrtle, spice tree, sassafras laurel, California olive, mountain laurel, Umbellularia californica.


word: Peppery
definition:
Peppery

Pep"per*y
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to pepper; having the qualities of pepper; hot; pungent.

2.
Fig.: Hot-tempered; passionate; choleric.


word: peppy
definition:
peppy

pep"py
adj.
Full of pep; spirited; bouncy{2}; as, the peppy and interesting talk.

Syn. -- bouncing, bouncy, spirited, zippy.


word: Pepsi
definition:
Pepsi

Pepsi
prop. n.
[See Pepsi Cola]
Pepsi Cola; -- a familiar contraction; as, I prefer Pepsi to Coke.

Syn. -- Pepsi Cola.


word: Pepsi-Cola
definition:
Pepsi-Cola

Pepsi Cola

Pepsi Cola, Pepsi-Cola
prop. n.
[A trademark of the Pepsi-Cola Corporation.]
A carbonated soft drink flavored by extract from the cola nut (kola nut).  The nut is found on trees of the species Cola acuminata and Cola nitida.
[Trademark]

Syn. -- Pepsi


word: Pepsin
definition:
Pepsin

Pep"sin
(pĕp"sĭn)
n.
[Gr. pe`psis a cooking, digesting, digestion, fr. pe`ptein, pe`ssein, to cook, digest: cf. F. pepsine.  Cf. Dyspepsia.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A proteolytic enzyme (MW 34,500) contained in the secretory glands of the stomach.  In the gastric juice it is united with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.2 per cent, approximately) and the two together constitute the active portion of the digestive fluid.  It degrades proteins to proteoses and peptides, and is notable for having a very low pH optimum for its activity.  It is the active agent in the gastric juice of all animals.

&hand_; As prepared from the glandular layer of pigs' or calves' stomachs it constitutes an important article of pharmacy.


word: Pepsinogen
definition:
Pepsinogen

Pep*sin"o*gen
(?)
n.
[Pepsin + -gen.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A proenzyme, the antecedent of the enzyme pepsin.  A substance contained in the form of granules in the peptic cells of the gastric glands.  It is readily convertible into pepsin. Also called propepsin.


word: Peptic
definition:
Peptic

Pep"tic
(pĕp"tĭk)
a.
[L. pepticus, Gr. peptiko`s. See Pepsin.]
1.
Relating to digestion; promoting digestion; digestive; as, peptic sauces.

2.
Able to digest.
[R.]

Tolerably nutritive for a mind as yet so peptic.
Carlyle.

3.
(Physiol. Chem.)
Pertaining to pepsin; resembling pepsin in its power of digesting or dissolving albuminous matter; containing or yielding pepsin, or a body of like properties; as, the peptic glands.

peptic ulcer, (Med.) an erosion of the mucous membrane forming the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or lower esophagus, originally believed to be due mostly to the action of gastric juice.  Recently, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has been implicated as a causal agent in many peptic ulcers.  In other cases, the use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as aspirin are believed to be to blame.  Such ulcers may be treated with antibiotics or antisecretory agents that reduce stomach acidity, or both.  Formerly believed to be a chronic illness that could only be managed, it is now viewed as a curable disease.


word: Peptic₂
definition:
Peptic

Pep"tic
n.
1.
An agent that promotes digestion.

2.
pl.
The digestive organs.

Is there some magic in the place,
Or do my peptics differ?
Tennyson.


word: Peptogenous
definition:
Peptogenous

Pep*tog"e*nous
(?)
a.
(Physiol. Chem.)
Capable of yielding, or being converted into, peptone.


word: Peptohydrochloric
definition:
Peptohydrochloric

Pep`to*hy`dro*chlo"ric
(?)
a.
[See Peptone, and Hydrochloric.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
Designating a hypothetical acid (called peptohydrochloric acid, pepsinhydrochloric acid, and chloropeptic acid) which is supposed to be formed when pepsin and dilute (0.1-0.4 per cent) hydrochloric acid are mixed together.
[Archaic]


word: Peptone
definition:
Peptone

Pep"tone
(?)
n.
[Gr. pepto`s cooked.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
(a)
The soluble polypeptides produced by hydrolysis of protein; specifically the soluble peptides into which food is transformed by the action of the gastric and pancreatic juices. Peptones are also formed from protein matter by the action of boiling water and boiling dilute acids.
(b)
Collectively, in a broader sense, all the products resulting from the solution of proteinaceous matter in either gastric or pancreatic juice. In this case, however, intermediate products (albumose bodies), such as antialbumose, hemialbumose, etc., are mixed with the true peptones. Also termed albuminose.

&hand_; Pure peptones are of three kinds, amphopeptone, antipeptone, and hemipeptone, and, unlike most proteins, are not precipitated by saturating their solutions with ammonium sulphate.


word: Peptonize
definition:
Peptonize

Pep"to*nize
(?)
v. t.
(Physiol.)
To convert into peptone; to digest or dissolve by means of a proteolytic ferment; as, peptonized food.


word: Peptonuria
definition:
Peptonuria

Pep`to*nu"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peptone, and Urine.]
(Med.)
The presence of peptone, or a peptonelike body, in the urine; now referred to as proteinuria.
[Archaic]


word: Peptotoxine
definition:
Peptotoxine

Pep`to*tox"ine
(?)
n.
[Peptone + toxic + -ine.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A toxic alkaloid found occasionally associated with the peptones formed from fibrin by pepsinhydrochloric acid.


word: Pequots
definition:
Pequots

Pe"quots
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Pequot (_;).
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited Eastern Connecticut.
[Written also Pequods.]


word: Per-
definition:
Per-

Per-
(?)
[See Per.]
1.
A prefix used to signify through, throughout, by, for, or as an intensive as perhaps, by hap or chance; perennial, that lasts throughout the year; perforce, through or by force; perfoliate, perforate; perspicuous, evident throughout or very evident; perplex, literally, to entangle very much.

2.
(Chem.)
Originally, denoting that the element to the name of which it is prefixed in the respective compounds exercised its highest valence; now, only that the element has a higher valence than in other similar compounds; thus, barium peroxide is the highest oxide of barium; while nitrogen and manganese peroxides, so-called, are not the highest oxides of those elements.


word: Per
definition:
Per

Per
(?)
prep.
[L.  Cf. Far, For-, Pardon, and cf. Par, prep.]
Through; by means of; through the agency of; by; for; for each; as, per annum; per capita, by heads, or according to individuals; per curiam, by the court; per se, by itself, of itself.  Per is also sometimes used with English words.

Per annum, by the year; in each successive year; annually. -- per cent, Per centum, percent, by the hundred; in the hundred; a proportion multiplied by one hundred; -- used esp. of proportions of ingredients, rate or amount of interest, and the like; most commonly used in the shortened form per cent; as, 5 is ten per cent of 50.  It is commonly symbolized with the per cent sign, “%”. -- Per diem, by the day. [For other phrases from the Latin, see Quotations, Phrases, etc., from Foreign Languages, in the Supplement.]


word: Peract
definition:
Peract

Per*act"
(?)
v. t.
[L. peractus, p. p. of peragere.]
To go through with; to perform.
[Obs.]
Sylvester.


word: Peracute
definition:
Peracute

Per`a*cute"
(?)
a.
[L. peracutus. See Per-, and Acute.]
Very sharp; very violent; as, a peracute fever.
[R.]
Harvey.


word: Peradventure
definition:
Peradventure

Per`ad*ven"ture
(?)
adv. & conj.
[OE. per aventure, F. par aventure. See Per, and Adventure.]
By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing.
peradventure
Shak.

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city.
Gen. xviii. 24.


word: Peradventure₂
definition:
Peradventure

Per`ad*ven"ture
n.
Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure.
South.


word: Peraeopod
definition:
Peraeopod

Pe*rae"o*pod
(?)
n.
[Gr. perai^os on the opposite side + -pod.]
(Zool.)
One of the thoracic legs of a crustacean. See Illust. of Crustacea.


word: Peragrate
definition:
Peragrate

Per"a*grate
(?)
v. t.
[L. peragratus, p. p. of peragrate.]
To travel over or through.
[Obs.]


word: Peragration
definition:
Peragration

Per`agra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. peragratio: cf. F. peragration.]
The act or state of passing through any space; as, the peragration of the moon in her monthly revolution.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perambulate
definition:
Perambulate

Per*am"bu*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perambulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perambulating.]
[L. perambulatus, p. p. of perambulare to perambulate; per through + ambulare to walk. See Per-, and Amble.]
To walk through or over; especially, to travel over for the purpose of surveying or examining; to inspect by traversing; specifically, to inspect officially the boundaries of, as of a town or parish, by walking over the whole line.


word: Perambulate₂
definition:
Perambulate

Per*am"bu*late
v. i.
To walk about; to ramble; to stroll; as, he perambulated in the park.


word: perambulating
definition:
perambulating

perambulating
adj.
[pr. p. of perambulate  (definition 2).]
Strolling or walking around; as, in the field we met some perambulating veterans.


word: Perambulation
definition:
Perambulation

Per*am`bu*la"tion
(?)
n.
1.
The act of perambulating; traversing.
Bacon.

2.
An annual survey of boundaries, as of town, a parish, a forest, etc.

3.
A district within which one is authorized to make a tour of inspection.
perambulation
[Obs.]
Holyday.


word: Perambulator
definition:
Perambulator

Per*am"bu*la`tor
(?)
n.
1.
One who perambulates.

2.
A surveyor's instrument for measuring distances. It consists of a wheel arranged to roll along over the ground, with an apparatus of clockwork, and a dial plate upon which the distance traveled is shown by an index. See Odometer.

3.
A low carriage for a child, propelled by pushing; a baby carriage; -- called also pram, in Britain.


word: Perameles
definition:
Perameles

Per`a*me"les
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a pouch + L. meles a badger.]
(Zool.)
Any marsupial of the genus Perameles, which includes numerous species found in Australia. They somewhat resemble rabbits in size and form. See Illust. under Bandicoot.


word: Perbromic
definition:
Perbromic

Per*bro"mic
(?)
a.
[Pref. per- + bromic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid, HBrO4, of bromine.


word: Perbromide
definition:
Perbromide

Per*bro"mide
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A bromide having a higher proportion of bromine than any other bromide of the same substance or series.


word: Percale
definition:
Percale

Per`cale"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A fine cotton fabric, having a linen finish, and often printed on one side, -- used for women's and children's wear, and for bedsheets.


word: Percaline
definition:
Percaline

Per`ca*line"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A fine kind of cotton goods, usually of one color, and with a glossy surface, -- much use for linings.


word: Percarbide
definition:
Percarbide

Per*car"bide
(?)
n.
[Pref. per- + carbide.]
(Chem.)
A compound containing a relatively large amount of carbon.
[R.]


word: Perceive
definition:
Perceive

Per*ceive"
(pẽr*sēv")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perceived (pẽr*sēvd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Perceiving.]
[OF. percevoir, perceveir, L. percipere, perceptum; per (see Per-) + capere to take, receive. See Capacious, and cf. Perception.]
1.
To obtain knowledge of through the senses; to receive impressions from by means of the bodily organs; to take cognizance of the existence, character, or identity of, by means of the senses; to see, hear, or feel; as, to perceive a distant ship; to perceive a discord.
Reid.

2.
To take intellectual cognizance of; to apprehend by the mind; to be convinced of by direct intuition; to note; to remark; to discern; to see; to understand.

Jesus perceived their wickedness.
Matt. xxii. 18.

You may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely.
Shak.

Till we ourselves see it with our own eyes, and perceive it by our own understandings, we are still in the dark.
Locke.

3.
To be affected of influented by.
[R.]

The upper regions of the air perceive the collection of the matter of tempests before the air here below.
Bacon.


word: perceived
definition:
perceived

perceived
(pẽr*sēvd")
adj.
1.
Detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues; as, a perceived threat.

Syn. -- felt, sensed.

2.
Detected by means of the senses; as, a perceived difference in temperature.


word: Perceiver
definition:
Perceiver

Per*ceiv"er
(pẽr*sēv"ẽr)
n.
One who perceives (in any of the senses of the verb).
Milton.


word: percent
definition:
percent

per*cent"
(pẽr*sĕnt")
n.
A proportion multiplied by 100; as, he receives a percent of the proceeds; 3 is 75 percent of 4.  Often symbolized by the character “%”; as, at 6% interest.

Syn. -- percentage, per cent, pct.


word: Percentage
definition:
Percentage

Per*cent"age
(pẽr*sĕnt"a̝j)
n.
[Per cent + -age, as in average. See Per, and Cent.]
(Com.)
A certain rate per cent; the allowance, duty, rate of interest, discount, or commission, on a hundred.


word: Percept
definition:
Percept

Per"cept
(pẽr"sĕpt)
n.
[From L. percipere, perceptum.]
1.
That object or phenomenon which is perceived.
Sir W. Hamilton.

2.
The mental result of perceiving; the sensation of something perceived; that part of the mental state resulting from an act of perception.

The modern discussion between percept and concept, the one sensuous, the other intellectual.
Max Müller.


word: Perceptibility
definition:
Perceptibility

Per*cep`ti*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perceptibilité.]
1.
The quality or state of being perceptible; as, the perceptibility of light or color.

2.
Perception.
[R.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Perceptible
definition:
Perceptible

Per*cep"ti*ble
(pẽr*sĕp"tĭ*b'l)
a.
[L. perceptibilis: cf. F. perceptible. See Perceive.]
Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable; large enough to be perceived; not so small as to be incapable of perception.

With a perceptible blast of the air.
Bacon.


word: Perception
definition:
Perception

Per*cep"tion
(pẽr*sĕp"shŭn)
n.
[L. perceptio: cf. F. perception. See Perceive.]
1.
The act of perceiving; cognizance by the senses or intellect; apprehension by the bodily organs, or by the mind, of what is presented to them; discernment; apprehension; cognition.

2.
(Metaph.)
The faculty of perceiving; the faculty, or peculiar part, of man's constitution by which he has knowledge through the medium or instrumentality of the bodily organs; the act of apperhending material objects or qualities through the senses; -- distinguished from conception.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Matter hath no life nor perception, and is not conscious of its own existence.
Bentley.

3.
The quality, state, or capability, of being affected by something external; sensation; sensibility.
[Obs.]

This experiment discovereth perception in plants.
Bacon.

4.
An idea; a notion.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.

&hand_; “The word perception is, in the language of philosophers previous to Reid, used in a very extensive signification. By Descartes, Malebranche, Locke, Leibnitz, and others, it is employed in a sense almost as unexclusive as consciousness, in its widest signification.  By Reid this word was limited to our faculty acquisitive of knowledge, and to that branch of this faculty whereby, through the senses, we obtain a knowledge of the external world.  But his limitation did not stop here.  In the act of external perception he distinguished two elements, to which he gave the names of perception and sensation.  He ought perhaps to have called these perception proper and sensation proper, when employed in his special meaning.”
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: perceptive
definition:
perceptive

per*cep"tive
(pẽr*sĕp"tĭv)
a.
[Cf. F. perceptif.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the act or power of perceiving; having the faculty or power of perceiving; used in perception.
perceptive
Motley.

2.
Possesing or exhibiting a high degree of understanding, insight, intuition, or analytical skill; as, he gave a perceptive analysis of the situation.


word: perceptivity
definition:
perceptivity

per`cep*tiv"i*ty
(pẽr`sĕp*tĭv"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
The quality or state of being perceptive; power of perception.
Locke.


word: Percesoces
definition:
Percesoces

Per*ces"o*ces
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. perca a perch + esox, -ocis, a pike.]
(Zool.)
An order of fishes including the gray mullets (Mugil), the barracudas, the silversides, and other related fishes.  So called from their relation both to perches and to pikes.


word: perch
definition:
perch

perch
(pẽrch)
n.
[Written also pearch.]
[OE. perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. pe`rkh; cf. perkno`s dark-colored, Skr. p&rsdot_;çni spotted, speckled, and E. freckle.]
(Zool.)
1.
Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several other allied genera of the family Percidæ, as the common American or yellow perch (Perca flavescens syn. Perca Americana), and the European perch (Perca fluviatilis).

2.
Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes belonging to the Percidæ, Serranidæ, and related families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.

Black perch. (a) The black bass. (b) The flasher. (c) The sea bass. -- Blue perch, the cunner. -- Gray perch, the fresh-water drum. -- Red perch, the rosefish. -- Red-bellied perch, the long-eared pondfish. -- Perch pest, a small crustacean, parasitic in the mouth of the perch. -- Silver perch, the yellowtail. -- Stone perch, or Striped perch, the pope. -- White perch, the Roccus Americanus, or Morone Americanus, a small silvery serranoid market fish of the Atlantic coast.


word: Perch
definition:
Perch

Perch
(pẽrch)
n.
[F. perche, L. pertica.]
1.
A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat.

As chauntecleer among his wives all
Sat on his perche, that was in his hall.
Chaucer.

Not making his high place the lawless perch
Of winged ambitions.
Tennyson.

2.
(a)
A measure of length containing five and a half yards; a rod, or pole.
(b)
In land or square measure: A square rod; the 160th part of an acre.
(c)
In solid measure: A mass 161/2 feet long, 1 foot in height, and 11/2 feet in breadth, or 243/4 cubic feet (in local use, from 22 to 25 cubic feet); -- used in measuring stonework.

3.
A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.


word: Perch₂
definition:
Perch

Perch
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Perched (pẽrcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Perching.]
[F. percher. See Perch a pole.]
To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.

Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.
Shak.


word: Perchance
definition:
Perchance

Per*chance"
(pẽr*chȧns")
adv.
[F. par by (L. per) + chance. See Par, and Chance.]
By chance; perhaps; peradventure.


word: Perchant
definition:
Perchant

Perch"ant
(?)
n.
[F.]
A bird tied by the foot, to serve as decoy to other birds by its fluttering.


word: Percher
definition:
Percher

Perch"er
(?)
n.
[From Perch, v. i.]
1.
One who, or that which, perches.
J. Burroughs.

2.
One of the Insessores.

3.
[From Perch a pole.]
A Paris candle anciently used in England; also, a large wax candle formerly set upon the altar.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Percheron
definition:
Percheron

Per"che*ron
(?)
n.
[F.]
One of a breed of draught horses originating in Perche, an old district of France; -- called also Percheron-Norman.


word: Perchloric
definition:
Perchloric

Per*chlo"ric
(?)
a.
[Pref. per- + chloric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HClO4), of chlorine; -- called also hyperchloric.


word: Perchloride
definition:
Perchloride

Per*chlo"ride
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A chloride having a higher proportion of chlorine than any other chloride of the same substance or series.


word: Perchromic
definition:
Perchromic

Per*chro"mic
(?)
a.
[Pref. per- + chromic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a certain one of the highly oxidized compounds of chromium, which has a deep blue color, and is produced by the action of hydrogen peroxide.


word: Perciform
definition:
Perciform

Per"ci*form
(?)
a.
[NL., & L. perca a perch + -form.]
(Zool.)
Pertaining to the Perciformes.


word: Perciformes
definition:
Perciformes

Per`ci*for"mes
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
An extensive order of fishes, including the true perches (Percidæ); the pondfishes (Centrarchidæ); the sciænoids (Sciænidæ); the sparoids (Sparidæ); the serranoids (Serranidæ), and some other related families.


word: Percipiency
definition:
Percipiency

Percipience

{ Per*cip"i*ence (?), Per*cip"i*en*cy (?), }
n.
The faculty, act or power of perceiving; perception.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Percipient
definition:
Percipient

Per*cip"i*ent
(?)
a.
[L. percipiens, -entis, p. pr. of percipere. See Perceive.]
Having the faculty of perception; perceiving; as, a percipient being.
Bentley.
n. One who, or that which, is percipient.
Glanvill.


word: Perclose
definition:
Perclose

Per*close"
(?)
n.
[OF. parclose an inclosed place; L. per through + claudere, clausum, to shut.]
1.
(Eccl. Arch.)
Same as Parclose.

2.
Conclusion; end.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: Percoid
definition:
Percoid

Per"coid
(pẽr"koid)
a.
[L. perca a perch + -oid: cf. F. percoïde.]
(Zool.)
Belonging to, or resembling, the perches, or family Percidæ.
n. Any fish of the genus Perca, or allied genera of the family Percidæ; a percoidean.


word: percoidean
definition:
percoidean

per*coid"e*an
(pẽr*koi"de̝*an)
n.
Any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of the order Perciformes.

Syn. -- percoid fish, percoid.


word: Percolate
definition:
Percolate

Per"co*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Percolated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Percolating.]
[L. percolatus, p. p. of percolare to percolate; per through + colare to strain.]
To cause to pass through fine interstices, as a liquor; to filter; to strain.
Sir M. Hale.


word: Percolate₂
definition:
Percolate

Per"co*late
v. i.
To pass through fine interstices; to filter; as, water percolates through porous stone.


word: Percolation
definition:
Percolation

Per`co*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. percolatio.]
The act or process of percolating, or filtering; filtration; straining. Specifically (Pharm.), the process of exhausting the virtues of a powdered drug by letting a liquid filter slowly through it.


word: Percolator
definition:
Percolator

Per"co*la`tor
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, filters.
percolators
Henfrey.

2.
A type of coffee pot in which the heated water is driven by its boiling action up above a porous canister of coffee held above the level of the water in the pot, and then filters (percolates) back through the coffee thus extracting its essence.

3.
(Pharmacy)
An apparatus for producing an extract from a drug by percolation.


word: Percomorphi
definition:
Percomorphi

Per`co*mor"phi
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. perca perch + Gr. morfh` form.]
(Zool.)
A division of fishes including the perches and related kinds.


word: Perculaced
definition:
Perculaced

Per"cu*laced
(?)
a.
[Prob. corrupt. fr. portcullised.]
(Her.)
Latticed. See Lattice, n., 2.


word: Percurrent
definition:
Percurrent

Per*cur"rent
(?)
a.
[L. percurrens, p. pr. of percurrere to run through; per through + currere to run.]
Running through the entire length.


word: Percursory
definition:
Percursory

Per*cur"so*ry
(?)
a.
[L. percursor one who runs through, fr. percurrere. See Percurrent.]
Running over slightly or in haste; cursory.
[R.]


word: Percuss
definition:
Percuss

Per*cuss"
(pẽr*kŭs")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Percussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Percussing.]
[L. percussus, p. p. of percutere; per + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.]
To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss the chest in medical examination.

Flame percussed by air giveth a noise.
Bacon.


word: Percuss₂
definition:
Percuss

Per*cuss"
v. i.
(Med.)
To strike or tap in an examination by percussion. See Percussion, 3.
Quain.


word: Percussion
definition:
Percussion

Per*cus"sion
(pẽr*kŭsh"ŭn)
n.
[L. percussio: cf. F. percussion. See Percuss.]
1.
The act of percussing, or striking one body against another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report.
Sir I. Newton.

2.
Hence: The effect of violent collision; vibratory shock; impression of sound on the ear.

The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds.
Shak.

3.
(Med.)
The act of tapping or striking the surface of the body in order to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the sound emitted or the sensation imparted to the fingers.  Percussion is said to be immediate if the blow is directly upon the body; if some intervening substance, as a pleximeter, is, used, it is called mediate.

Center of percussion. See under Center. -- Percussion bullet, a bullet containing a substance which is exploded by percussion; an explosive bullet. -- Percussion cap, a small copper cap or cup, containing fulminating powder, and used with a percussion lock to explode gunpowder. -- Percussion fuze. See under Fuze. -- Percussion lock, the lock of a gun that is fired by percussion upon fulminating powder. -- Percussion match, a match which ignites by percussion. -- Percussion powder, powder so composed as to ignite by slight percussion; fulminating powder. -- Percussion sieve, Percussion table, a machine for sorting ores by agitation in running water.


word: percussion instrument
definition:
percussion instrument

per*cus"sion in"stru*ment
(pẽr*kŭsh"ŭn ĭn"strŭ*mĕnt)
n.
A musical instrument which is played by striking, as a drum, cymbal, or xylophone.


word: percussionist
definition:
percussionist

per*cus"sion*ist
(pẽr*kŭsh"ŭn*ĭst)
n.
A musician who plays percussion instruments.

The world-renowned deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie prefers to be thought of as a percussionist who happens to be deaf.


word: Percutient
definition:
Percutient

Per*cu"tient
(?)
a.
[L. percutiens, p. pr. of percutere. See Percuss.]
Striking; having the power of striking.
n. That which strikes, or has power to strike.
Bacon.


word: Perdicine
definition:
Perdicine

Per"di*cine
(?)
a.
[See Perdix.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the family Perdicidæ, or partridges.


word: Per diem
definition:
Per diem

Per di"em
(?)
[L.]
By the day; substantively (chiefly U. S.), an allowance or amount of so much by the day.  Also used adjectivally; as, a per diem allowance.


word: Perdifoil
definition:
Perdifoil

Per"di*foil
(?)
n.
[L. perdere to lose + folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
A deciduous plant; -- opposed to evergreen.
J. Barton.


word: Perdition
definition:
Perdition

Per*di"tion
(pẽr*dĭsh"ŭn)
n.
[F., fr. L. perditio, fr. perdere, perditum, to ruin, to lose; per (cf. Skr. parā away) + -dere (only in comp.) to put; akin to Gr. tiqe`nai, E. do. See Do.]
1.
Entire loss; utter destruction; ruin.

The mere perdition of the Turkish fleet.
Shak.

2.
(religion)
Damnation; the utter loss of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death.

If we reject the truth, we seal our own perdition.
J. M. Mason.

3.
Loss or diminution.
[Obs.]
Shak.

4.
Hell; hades; as, on the path to perdition.


word: Perdix
definition:
Perdix

Per"dix
(pẽr"dĭks)
prop. n.
[L., a partridge, Gr. pe`rdix.]
(Zool.)
A genus of birds including the common European partridge.  Formerly the word was used in a much wider sense to include many allied genera.


word: Perdu
definition:
Perdu

Per*du"
(pẽr*dū" or pẽr"d&uuptack_;)
n.
[See Perdu, a.]
1.
One placed on watch, or in ambush.

2.
A soldier sent on a forlorn hope.
Shak.


word: Perdue
definition:
Perdue

Perdu

{ Per*du", Per*due"  }
(pẽr*dū" or pẽr"d&uuptack_;)
a.
[F. perdu, f. perdue, lost, p. p. of perdre to lose, L. perdere. See Perdition.]
1.
Lost to view; in concealment or ambush.

He should lie perdue who is to walk the round.
Fuller.

2.
Accustomed to, or employed in, desperate enterprises; hence, reckless; hopeless.
perdue
Beau. & Fl.


word: Perduellion
definition:
Perduellion

Per`du*el"lion
(?)
n.
[L. perduellio; per + duellum, bellum, war.]
(Civil Law)
Treason.


word: Perdurable
definition:
Perdurable

Per*dur"a*ble
(pẽr*dūr"ȧ*b'l; 277)
n.
[Cf. F. perdurable, OE. pardurable. See Perdure.]
Very durable; lasting; continuing long.
[Archaic]
Chaucer. Shak.


word: Perduration
definition:
Perduration

Perdurance

{ Per*dur"ance (pẽr*dūr"ans), Per`du*ra"tion (pẽr`d&uuptack_;*rā"shŭn), }
n.
Long continuance.
[Archaic]


word: perdurantism
definition:
perdurantism

per*dur"ant*ism
(pẽr*dūr"ant*ĭz'm)
n.
(Philosophy)
The philosophical view considering the fundamental objects of the real world as extended in the direction of time, so that the objects themselves do not change, though temporal parts may have different properties.  Contrasted to endurantism, a view considering objects to be wholly present at each instant of time.


word: perdurantist
definition:
perdurantist

per*dur"ant*ist
(pẽr*dūr"ant*ĭst)
n.
(Philosophy)
A philosopher who considers the fundamental objects of the real world as extended in the direction of time, so that the objects themselves do not change, though temporal parts may have different properties.  Contrasted to endurantist, one who considers objects to be wholly present at each instant.


word: Perdure
definition:
Perdure

Per*dure"
(pẽr*dūr")
v. i.
[L. perdurare; per through + durare to last.]
To last or endure for a long time; to be perdurable or lasting.
[Archaic]

The mind perdures while its energizing may construct a thousand lines.
Hickok.


word: Perdy
definition:
Perdy

Per*dy"
(?)
adv.
Truly. See Parde.
[Obs.]

Ah, dame! perdy ye have not done me right.
Spenser.


word: Pere₂
definition:
Pere

Père
(pâr)
n.
[F., fr. L. pater. See Father.]
Father; -- often used after French proper names to distinguish a father from his son; as, Dumas père.


word: Peregal
definition:
Peregal

Per*e"gal
(?)
a.
[OF. par very (L. per) + egal equal, L. aequalis.]
Fully equal.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Peregal
Spenser.


word: Peregrinate
definition:
Peregrinate

Per"e*gri*nate
(?)
v. i.
[L. peregrinatus, p. p. of peregrinari to travel. See Pilgrim.]
To travel from place to place, or from one country to another; hence, to sojourn in foreign countries.


word: Peregrination
definition:
Peregrination

Per`e*gri*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. peregrinatio: cf. F. pérégrination.]
A traveling from one country to another; a wandering; sojourn in foreign countries.
peregrination
Bacon.


word: Peregrinator
definition:
Peregrinator

Per"e*gri*na`tor
(pĕr"e̝*grĭ*nā`tẽr)
n.
[L.]
One who peregrinates; one who travels about.


word: Peregrine
definition:
Peregrine

Per"e*grine
(pĕr"e̝*grĭn; 277)
a.
[L. peregrinus. See Pilgrim.]
Foreign; not native; extrinsic or from without; exotic.
[Spelt also pelegrine.]
Peregrine
Bacon.

Peregrine falcon (Zool.), a courageous and swift falcon (Falco peregrinus), remarkable for its wide distribution over all the continents.  The adult plumage is dark bluish ash on the back, nearly black on the head and cheeks, white beneath, barred with black below the throat.  Called also peregrine hawk, duck hawk, game hawk, and great-footed hawk.


word: Peregrinity
definition:
Peregrinity

Per`e*grin"i*ty
(pĕr`e̝*grĭn"ĭt&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. peregrinitas: cf. F. pérégrinité.]
1.
Foreignness; strangeness.
[Obs.]
peregrinity
Johnson.

2.
Travel; wandering.
[R.]
Carlyle.


word: Perempt
definition:
Perempt

Per*empt"
(?)
v. t.
[L. peremptus, p. p. of perimere to take away entirely, to destroy; per (see Per-) + OL. emere to take. See Redeem.]
(Law)
To destroy; to defeat.
[R.]
Ayliffe.


word: Peremption
definition:
Peremption

Per*emp"tion
(?)
n.
[L. peremptio: cf. F. péremption.]
(Law)
A quashing; a defeating.
[Obs.]


word: Peremptory
definition:
Peremptory

Per"emp*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. peremptorius destructive, deadly, decisive, final: cf. F. péremptorie. See Perempt.]
1.
Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final.

Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to get thither.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial; dogmatical.

Be not too positive and peremptory.
Bacon.

Briefly, then, for we are peremptory.
Shak.

3.
Firmly determined; unawed.
[Poetic]
Shak.

Peremptory challenge (Law) See under Challenge. -- Peremptory mandamus, a final and absolute mandamus. -- Peremptory plea, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar.


word: Perennial
definition:
Perennial

Per*en"ni*al
(pĕr*ĕn"nĭ*al)
a.
[L. perennis that lasts the whole year through; per through + annus year. See Per-, and Annual.]
1.
Lasting or continuing through the year; as, perennial fountains.

2.
Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; unceasing; never failing.

The perennial existence of bodies corporate.
Burke.

3.
(Bot.)
Continuing more than two years; as, a perennial steam, or root, or plant.


word: Perennial₂
definition:
Perennial

Per*en"ni*al
n.
(Bot.)
A perennial plant; a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not.


word: Perennibranchiata
definition:
Perennibranchiata

Per*en`ni*bran`chi*a"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Perennial, and Branchia.]
(Zool.)
Those Batrachia which retain their gills through life, as the menobranchus.


word: Perennibranchiate
definition:
Perennibranchiate

Per*en`ni*bran"chi*ate
(?)
a.
[See Perennial, and Branchiate.]
1.
(Anat.)
Having branchæ, or gills, through life; -- said especially of certain Amphibia, like the menobranchus. Opposed to caducibranchiate.

2.
(Zool.)
Belonging to the Perennibranchiata.


word: Perennity
definition:
Perennity

Per*en"ni*ty
(pĕr*ĕn"nĭ*y&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. perennitas.]
The quality of being perennial.
[R.]
Derham.


word: Pererration
definition:
Pererration

Per`er*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. pererrare, pererratum, to wander through.]
A wandering, or rambling, through various places.
[R.]
Howell.


word: Perfect
definition:
Perfect

Per"fect
(pẽr"fĕkt)
a.
[OE. parfit, OF. parfit, parfet, parfait, F. parfait, L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere to carry to the end, to perform, finish, perfect; per (see Per-) + facere to make, do. See Fact.]
1.
Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Cor. xii. 9.

Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun.
Shak.

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Shak.

O most entire perfect sacrifice!
Keble.

God made thee perfect, not immutable.
Milton.

2.
Well informed; certain; sure.

I am perfect that the Pannonians are now in arms.
Shak.

3.
(Bot.)
Hermaphrodite; having both stamens and pistils; -- said of a flower.

Perfect cadence (Mus.), a complete and satisfactory close in the harmony, as upon the tonic preceded by the dominant. -- Perfect chord (Mus.), a concord or union of sounds which is perfectly coalescent and agreeable to the ear, as the unison, octave, fifth, and fourth; a perfect consonance; a common chord in its original position of keynote, third, fifth, and octave. -- Perfect number (Arith.), a number equal to the sum of all its divisors; as, 28, whose aliquot parts, or divisors, are 14, 7, 4, 2, 1. See Abundant number, under Abundant. Brande & C. -- Perfect tense (Gram.), a tense which expresses an act or state completed; also called the perfective tense.


word: Perfect₃
definition:
Perfect

Per"fect
(pẽr*fĕkt" or pẽr"fĕkt; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perfected; p. pr. & vb. n. Perfecting.]
[L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere. See Perfect, a.]
To make perfect; to finish or complete, so as to leave nothing wanting; to give to anything all that is requisite to its nature and kind.

God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us.
1 John iv. 12.

Inquire into the nature and properties of the things, . . . and thereby perfect our ideas of their distinct species.
Locke.

Perfecting press (Print.), a press in which the printing on both sides of the paper is completed in one passage through the machine.


word: perfectability
definition:
perfectability

perfectibility

perfectability, perfectibility
n.
The capability of becoming perfect; as, he believes in the ultimate perfectability of man; -- usually spelled perfectibility.


word: perfected
definition:
perfected

perfected
adj.
1.
Brought into final form; completely formed; -- of plans, ideas, etc.

2.
Refined to a state of excellence; -- of e.g. skills or the products of skills.

Syn. -- finished.


word: Perfectibility
definition:
Perfectibility

Per*fect`i*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perfectibilité.]
The quality or state of being perfectible.


word: Perfectible
definition:
Perfectible

Per*fect"i*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. perfectible.]
Capable of becoming, or being made, perfect.


word: Perfection
definition:
Perfection

Per*fec"tion
(?)
n.
[F. perfection, L. perfectio.]
1.
The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection.

2.
A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
Shak.

What tongue can her perfections tell?
Sir P. Sidney.

To perfection, in the highest degree of excellence; perfectly; as, to imitate a model to perfection.


word: Perfectional
definition:
Perfectional

Per*fec"tion*al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to perfection; characterized by perfection.
[R.]
Bp. Pearson.


word: Perfectionism
definition:
Perfectionism

Per*fec"tion*ism
(?)
n.
1.
The doctrine of the Perfectionists.

2.
A personal attitude which demands perfection in the results of actions.


word: Perfectionist
definition:
Perfectionist

Per*fec"tion*ist
n.
1.
One pretending to perfection; esp., one pretending to moral perfection; one who believes that persons may and do attain to moral perfection and sinlessness in this life.
South.

2.
A person who insists on perfect results from himself or from others, in any endeavor.


word: Perfectionment
definition:
Perfectionment

Per*fec"tion*ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perfectionnement.]
The act of bringing to perfection, or the state of having attained to perfection.
[R.]
I. Taylor.


word: Perfective
definition:
Perfective

Per*fect"ive
(pẽr*fĕk"tĭv)
a.
1.
Tending or conducing to make perfect, or to bring to perfection; -- usually followed by of.
perfective
Fuller.

Actions perfective of their natures.
Ray.

2.
(Gram.)
Denoting an aspect of verbs which indicates completion of an action, and is sometimes explicitly marked in verbal inflection, as in the Russian language; as, the perfective form of a verb.  The use of a perfective form rather than the simple past indicates reference to a completed event, rather than to a process that took place in the past.


word: perfective
definition:
perfective

per*fect"ive
(pẽr*fĕk"tĭv)
n.
1.
(Gram.)
The perfective case or aspect.

2.
(Gram.)
A verb in the perfective case or aspect.


word: Perfectly
definition:
Perfectly

Per"fect*ly
(?)
adv.
In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection; completely; wholly; thoroughly; faultlessly.
Perfectly
Milton.

As many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Matt. xiv. 36.


word: Perfectness
definition:
Perfectness

Per"fect*ness
n.
The quality or state of being perfect; perfection.
perfectness
Col. iii. 14.


word: Perficient
definition:
Perficient

Per*fi"cient
(?)
a.
[L. perficiens, p. pr. of perficere to perform. See Perfect.]
Making or doing thoroughly; efficient; effectual.
[R.]
Blackstone.


word: Perficient₂
definition:
Perficient

Per*fi"cient
n.
One who performs or perfects a work; especially, one who endows a charity.
[R.]


word: Perfidious
definition:
Perfidious

Per*fid"i*ous
(pẽr*fĭd"ĭ*ŭs; 277)
a.
[L. perfidious.]
1.
Guilty of perfidy; violating good faith or vows; false to trust or confidence reposed; treacherous; faithless; as, a perfidious friend.
Shak.

2.
Involving, or characterized by, perfidy.
perfidious
Milton.


word: Perfidy
definition:
Perfidy

Per"fi*dy
(pẽr"fĭ*d&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Perfidies (pẽr"fĭ*dĭz).
[L. perfidia, fr. L. perfidus faithless; per (cf. Skr. parā away) + fides faith: cf. F. perfidie. See Faith.]
The act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness; treachery.

The ambition and perfidy of tyrants.
Macaulay.

His perfidy to this sacred engagement.
DeQuincey.


word: Perflable
definition:
Perflable

Per"fla*ble
(?)
a.
[L. perflabilis. See Perflate.]
Capable of being blown through.
[Obs.]


word: Perflate
definition:
Perflate

Per*flate"
(?)
v. t.
[L. perflatus, p. p. of perflare to blow through.]
To blow through.
[Obs.]
Harvey.


word: Perfoliate
definition:
Perfoliate

Per*fo"li*ate
(?)
a.
[Pref. per- + L. folium leaf.]
1.
(Bot.)
Having the basal part produced around the stem; -- said of leaves which the stem apparently passes directory through.

2.
(Zool.)
Surrounded by a circle of hairs, or projections of any kind.


word: Perforata
definition:
Perforata

Per`fo*ra"ta
(pẽr`fo̝*rā"tȧ)
n. pl.
[NL. See Perforate.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A division of corals including those that have a porous texture, as Porites and Madrepora; -- opposed to Aporosa.
(b)
A division of Foraminifera, including those having perforated shells.


word: Perforate
definition:
Perforate

Per"fo*rate
(pẽr"fo̝*rāt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perforated (pẽr"fo̝*rā`tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Perforating.]
[L. perforatus, p. p. of perforare to perforate; per through + forare to bore. See Bore, v.]
To bore through; to pierce through with a pointed instrument; to make a hole or holes through by boring or piercing; to pierce or penetrate the surface of.
Bacon.


word: Perforated
definition:
Perforated

Perforate

{ Per"fo*rate (pẽr"fo̝*ra̝t), Per"fo*ra`ted (pẽr"fo̝*rā"tĕd), }
a.
Pierced with a hole or holes, or with pores; having transparent dots resembling holes.


word: Perforation
definition:
Perforation

Per`fo*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perforation.]
1.
The act of perforating, or of boring or piercing through.
Bacon.

2.
A hole made by boring or piercing; an aperture.
perforations
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perforator
definition:
Perforator

Per"fo*ra`tor
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perforateur.]
One who, or that which, perforates; esp., a cephalotome.


word: Perforce
definition:
Perforce

Per*force"
(?)
adv.
[F. par (L. per) + force.]
By force; of necessity; at any rate.
Shak.


word: Perform
definition:
Perform

Per*form"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Performed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Performing.]
[OE. performen, parfourmen, parfournen, OF. parfornir, parfournir, to finish, complete; OF. & F. par (see Par) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been influenced by form; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See Furnish.]
1.
To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to accomplish; to execute; to do.

I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me.
Ps. lvii. 2.

Great force to perform what they did attempt.
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a duty; to perform a promise or a vow.

To perform your father's will.
Shak.

3.
To represent; to act; to play; as in drama.

Perform a part thou hast not done before.
Shak.


word: Perform₂
definition:
Perform

Per*form"
v. i.
To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.


word: Performance
definition:
Performance

Per*form"ance
(?)
n.
The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.

Promises are not binding where the performance is impossible.
Paley.

2.
That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character.
performances
Shak.
performances
Macaulay.


word: Performer
definition:
Performer

Per*form"er
(?)
n.
One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfills; as, a good promiser, but a bad performer; especially, one who shows skill and training in any art; as, a performer of the drama; a performer on the harp.


word: Perfume
definition:
Perfume

Per*fume"
(pẽr*fūm")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perfumed (pẽr*fūmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Perfuming.]
[F. parfumer (cf. Sp. perfumar); par (see Par) + fumer to smoke, L. fumare, fr. fumus smoke. See Fume.]
To fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.

And Carmel's flowery top perfumes the skies.
Pope.


word: Perfume₂
definition:
Perfume

Per"fume
(pẽr"fūm or pẽr*fūm"; 277)
n.
[F. parfum; cf. Sp. perfume. See Perfume, v.]
1.
The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance; aroma.

No rich perfumes refresh the fruitful field.
Pope.

2.
A substance that emits an agreeable odor.

And thou shalt make it a perfume.
Ex. xxx. 35.


word: perfumed
definition:
perfumed

per"fumed
(pẽr"fūmd)
adj.
1.
Filled or impregnated with perfume; as, perfumed stationery; a perfumed boudoir.

Syn. -- scented.

2.
Having a natural fragrance; as, the perfumed air of June.

Syn. -- odoriferous, odorous, scented, sweet, sweet-scented, sweet-smelling.


word: Perfumer
definition:
Perfumer

Per*fum"er
(pẽr*fūm"ẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, perfumes.

2.
One whose trade is to make or sell perfumes.


word: Perfumery
definition:
Perfumery

Per*fum"er*y
(pẽr*fūm"ẽr*&ybreve_;)
n.
1.
Perfumes, in general.

2.
[Cf. F. parfumerie.]
The art of preparing perfumes.


word: Perfunctorily
definition:
Perfunctorily

Per*func"to*ri*ly
(pẽr*fŭ&nsmacr_;k"to̝*rĭ*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
In a perfunctory manner; formally; carelessly.
Boyle.


word: Perfunctory
definition:
Perfunctory

Per*func"to*ry
(pẽr*fŭ&nsmacr_;k"to̝*r&ybreve_;)
a.
[L. perfunctorius, fr. perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see Per) + fungi to perform. See Function.]
1.
Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions; a perfunctory greeting.
Macaulay.

2.
Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless.
Perfunctory
Sharp.


word: Perfuncturate
definition:
Perfuncturate

Per*func"tu*rate
(?)
v. t.
To perform in a perfunctory manner; to do negligently.
[R.]


word: Perfuse
definition:
Perfuse

Per*fuse"
(pẽr*fūz")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perfused (pẽr*fūzd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Perfusing.]
[L. perfusus, p. p. of perfundere to pour over; per + fundere to pour.]
1.
To suffuse; to fill full or to excess.
Harvey.

2.
To pass a liquid through or over; as, the isolated kidney was perfused with saline solution.

3.
(Surgery)
To pass (a liquid) through an organ.


word: Pergamentaceous
definition:
Pergamentaceous

Pergamenous

{ Per`ga*me"no*us (?), Per`ga*men*ta"ceous (?), }
a.
[L. pergamena parchment. See Parchment.]
Like parchment.


word: Pergola
definition:
Pergola

Per"go*la
(?)
n.
[It., fr. L. pergula shed, shop, vine arbor.]
Lit., an arbor or bower;
specif.:
(Italian art)
An arbor or trellis treated architecturally, as with stone columns or similar massive structure.


word: Pergolo
definition:
Pergolo

Per"go*lo
(?)
n.
[It.]
A continuous colonnade or arcade; -- applied to the decorative groups of windows, as in Venetian palazzi.


word: Perhaps
definition:
Perhaps

Per*haps"
(pẽr*hăps")
adv.
[Per + hap chance.]
Posibly; by chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be.

And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts viii. 22.


word: Peri-
definition:
Peri-

Per"i-
(pĕr"ĭ-)
[Gr. peri`, prep.]
A prefix used to signify around, by, near, over, beyond, or to give an intensive sense; as, perimeter, the measure around; perigee, point near the earth; periergy, work beyond what is needed; perispherical, quite spherical.


word: Peri
definition:
Peri

Pe"ri
(pē"rĭ)
n.
pl. Peris (pē"rĭz).
[Per. perī a female genus, a fairy.]
(Persian Myth.)
An imaginary being, male or female, like an elf or fairy, represented as a descendant of fallen angels, excluded from paradise till penance is accomplished.
Moore.


word: Perianth
definition:
Perianth

Per"i*anth
(pĕr"ĭ*ănth)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. 'anqos flower: cf. F. périanthe.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The leaves of a flower generally, especially when the calyx and corolla are not readily distinguished.
(b)
A saclike involucre which incloses the young fruit in most hepatic mosses. See Illust. of Hepatica.


word: Periapt
definition:
Periapt

Per"i*apt
(pĕr"ĭ*ăpt)
n.
[Gr. peri`apton, fr. peri`aptos hung about, peria`ptein to hang about; peri` about + 'a`ptein to tie: cf. F. périapte.]
A charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an amulet.
Coleridge.

Now help, ye charming spells and periapts.
Shak.


word: Periastron
definition:
Periastron

Per`i*as"tron
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about + 'a`stron a star.]
(Astron.)
That point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to the latter.


word: Periblast
definition:
Periblast

Per"i*blast
(?)
a.
[Gr. periblasta`nein to grow around. See Peri-, and -blast.]
(Biol.)
The protoplasmic matter which surrounds the entoblast, or cell nucleus, and undergoes segmentation.
Per`i*blas"tic, a.


word: Periblem
definition:
Periblem

Per"i*blem
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + root of Gr. _; to sprout.]
(Bot.)
Nascent cortex, or immature cellular bark.


word: Peribolos
definition:
Peribolos

Pe*rib"o*los
(?)
n.
[Nl., fr. Gr. peri`bolos, fr. peri`bolos, adj., going round, fr. periba`llein to throw round; cf. L. peribolus.]
In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one surrounding a temple.


word: Peribranchial
definition:
Peribranchial

Per`i*bran"chi*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Surrounding the branchiæ; as, a peribranchial cavity.


word: Peribronchial
definition:
Peribronchial

Per`i*bron"chi*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Around the bronchi or bronchial tubes; as, the peribronchial lymphatics.


word: Pericambium
definition:
Pericambium

Per`i*cam"bi*um
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Cambium.]
(Biol.)
A layer of thin-walled young cells in a growing stem, in which layer certain new vessels originate.


word: Pericardial
definition:
Pericardial

Pericardiac

{ Per`i*car"di*ac (?), Per`i*car"di*al (?), }
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to pericardium; situated around the heart.

Pericardial fluid (Physiol.), a serous fluid of a pale yellow color contained in the pericardium.


word: Pericarditus
definition:
Pericarditus

Per`i*car*di"tus
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pericardium, and -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the pericardium.
Dunglison.


word: Pericardium
definition:
Pericardium

Per`i*car"di*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. perika`rdion, fr. perika`rdios about or near the heart; peri` about + kardi`a heart.]
(Anat.)
The double baglike fold of serous membrane which incloses the heart.

&hand_; The inner layer is closely adherent to the outer surface of the heart, and is called the cardiac pericardium.  The outer layer loosely incloses the heart and the adherent inner layer, and is called the parietal pericardium.  At the base of the heart the two layers are continuous, and form a narrow closed cavity filled with fluid, in which the pulsations of the heart cause little friction.


word: Pericarp
definition:
Pericarp

Per"i*carp
(?)
n.
[Gr. perika`rpion; peri` around + karpo`s fruit: cf. F. péricarpe.]
(Bot.)
The ripened ovary; the walls of the fruit. See Illusts. of Capsule, Drupe, and Legume.


word: Pericarpic
definition:
Pericarpic

Pericarpial

{ Per`i*car"pi*al (?), Per`i*car"pic (?) }
a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a pericarp.


word: Pericellular
definition:
Pericellular

Per`i*cel"lu*lar
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Surrounding a cell; as, the pericellular lymph spaces surrounding ganglion cells.


word: Perichaeth
definition:
Perichaeth

Per"i*chaeth
(?)
n.
[See Perichaetium.]
(Bot.)
The leafy involucre surrounding the fruit stalk of mosses; perichaetium; perichete.


word: Perichaetium
definition:
Perichaetium

Per`i*chae"ti*um
(?)
n.
pl. Perichaetia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr.  about + _; flowing hair, foliage.]
(Bot.)
Same as Perichæth.


word: Perichaetous
definition:
Perichaetous

Per`i*chæ"tous
(?)
a.
[See Perichætium.]
(Zool.)
Surrounded by setæ; -- said of certain earthworms (genus Perichætus).


word: Perichondrial
definition:
Perichondrial

Per`i*chon"dri*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the perichondrium; situated around cartilage.


word: Perichondritis
definition:
Perichondritis

Per`i*chon*dri"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Perichondrium, and -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the perichondrium.


word: Perichondrium
definition:
Perichondrium

Per`i*chon"dri*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` around + cho`ndros cartilage.]
(Anat.)
The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests cartilage, except where covering articular surfaces.


word: Periclasite
definition:
Periclasite

Periclase

{ Per"i*clase (?), Per`i*cla"site (?), }
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; to break.]
(Min.)
A grayish or dark green mineral, consisting essentially of magnesia (magnesium oxide), occurring in granular forms or in isometric crystals.


word: Periclinium
definition:
Periclinium

Per`i*clin"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Periclinia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` around + _; a bed.]
(Bot.)
The involucre which surrounds the common receptacle in composite flowers.


word: Periclitate
definition:
Periclitate

Pe*ric"li*tate
(?)
v. t.
[L. periclitatus, p. p. of periclitari, fr. periculum.]
To endanger.
[Obs.]

Periclitating, pardi! the whole family.
Sterne.


word: Periclitation
definition:
Periclitation

Pe*ric`li*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. periclitatio: cf. F. périclitation.]
1.
Trial; experiment.
[Obs.]

2.
The state of being in peril.
[Obs.]


word: Pericope
definition:
Pericope

Pe*ric"o*pe
(?)
n.
[L., section of a book, Gr. _;; peri` around + _; to cut.]
A selection or extract from a book; especially (Theol.), a selection from the Bible, appointed to be read in the churches or used as a text for a sermon.


word: Pericranium
definition:
Pericranium

Per`i*cra"ni*um
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Anat.)
The periosteum which covers the cranium externally; the region around the cranium.


word: Periculum
definition:
Periculum

Pe*ric"u*lum
(?)
n.
pl. Pericula (#).
[L.]
(Rom. & O.Eng. Law)
1.
Danger; risk.

2.
In a narrower, judicial sense: Accident or casus, as distinguished from dolus and culpa, and hence relieving one from the duty of performing an obligation.


word: Pericystitis
definition:
Pericystitis

Per`i*cys*ti"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Cystitis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the bladder.


word: Periderm
definition:
Periderm

Per"i*derm
(?)
n.
1.
(Bot.)
The outer layer of bark.

2.
(Zool.)
The hard outer covering of hydroids and other marine animals; the perisarc.


word: Peridiastole
definition:
Peridiastole

Per`i*di*as"to*le
(?)
n.
(Physiol.)
The almost inappreciable time which elapses between the systole and the diastole of the heart.


word: Peridium
definition:
Peridium

Pe*rid"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Peridia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about + _;, a dim. ending.]
(Bot.)
The envelope or coat of certain fungi, such as the puffballs and earthstars.


word: Peridotite
definition:
Peridotite

Per"i*do*tite
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. péridotite.]
(Min.)
An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite (peridot).  It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite, chromite, etc.  It is often altered to serpentine.

&hand_; The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a more or less altered peridotite.


word: Peridrome
definition:
Peridrome

Per"i*drome
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; running around, fr. _; to run round; peri` round + _; to run: cf. F. péridrome.]
(Archæol.)
The space between the columns and the wall of the cella, in a Greek or a Roman temple.


word: Perienteron
definition:
Perienteron

Per`i*en"te*ron
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Enteron.]
(Anat.)
The primitive perivisceral cavity.


word: Periergy
definition:
Periergy

Per"i*er`gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; overcareful; peri` about, beyond + _; work.]
1.
Excessive care or diligence.
[Obs.]

2.
(Rhet.)
A bombastic or labored style.
[R.]


word: Periganglionic
definition:
Periganglionic

Per`i*gan`gli*on"ic
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Surrounding a ganglion; as, the periganglionic glands of the frog.


word: Perigastric
definition:
Perigastric

Per`i*gas"tric
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Surrounding the stomach; -- applied to the body cavity of Bryozoa and various other Invertebrata.


word: Perigean
definition:
Perigean

Per`i*ge"an
(?)
a.
Pertaining to the perigee.

Perigean tides, those spring tides which occur soon after the moon passes her perigee.


word: Perigeum
definition:
Perigeum

Perigee

{ Per"i*gee (?), Per`i*ge"um (?), }
n.
[NL. perigeum, fr. Gr. peri` about, near + gh^ the earth: cf. F. périgée.]
(Astron.)
That point, in the orbit of the moon or other body orbiting the earth, which is nearest to the earth; -- opposed to apogee.  It is sometimes, but rarely, used of the nearest points of bodies not orbiting the earth, such as of a comet, a planet, etc. Called also epigee, epigeum.


word: Perigenesis
definition:
Perigenesis

Per`i*gen"e*sis
(?)
n.
(Biol.)
A theory which explains inheritance by the transmission of the type of growth force possessed by one generation to another.


word: Perigone
definition:
Perigone

Per"i*gone
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; productive organs.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
Any organ inclosing the essential organs of a flower; a perianth.
(b)
In mosses, the involucral bracts of a male flower.

2.
(Zool.)
A sac which surrounds the generative bodies in the gonophore of a hydroid.


word: Perigord pie
definition:
Perigord pie

Per"i*gord pie`
(?)
[From Périgord, a former province of France.]
A pie made of truffles, much esteemed by epicures.


word: Perigraph
definition:
Perigraph

Per"i*graph
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; outline; _; round, about + _; to write.]
A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything.
[R.]


word: Perigynium
definition:
Perigynium

Per`i*gyn"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Perigynia (#).
[NL. See Perigynous.]
(Bot.)
Some unusual appendage about the pistil, as the bottle-shaped body in the sedges, and the bristles or scales in some other genera of the Sedge family, or Cyperaceæ.


word: Perigynous
definition:
Perigynous

Pe*rig"y*nous
(?)
a.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; woman.]
(Bot.)
Having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on the calyx; -- said of a flower such as that of the cherry or peach.


word: Perihelium
definition:
Perihelium

Perihelion

{ Per`i*hel"ion (?), Per`i*he"li*um (?), }
n.
pl. Perihelia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about, near + "h`lios the sun.]
(Astron.)
That point of the orbit of a planet or comet which is nearest to the sun; -- opposed to aphelion.


word: Peril
definition:
Peril

Per"il
(?)
n.
[F. péril, fr. L. periculum, periclum, akin to peritus experienced, skilled, and E. fare. See Fare, and cf. Experience.]
Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or property to injury, loss, or destruction.

In perils of waters, in perils of robbers.
2 Cor. xi. 26.

Adventure hard
With peril great achieved.
Milton.

At one's peril, or On one's peril, with risk or danger to one; at the hazard of. “On thy soul's peril.” Shak.


word: Peril₂
definition:
Peril

Per"il
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Periled (?) or Perilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Periling or Perilling.]
To expose to danger; to hazard; to risk; as, to peril one's life.


word: Perilla
definition:
Perilla

Pe*ril"la
(?)
prop. n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Bot.)
A genus of labiate herbs, of which one species (Perilla ocimoides, or Perilla Nankinensis) is often cultivated for its purple or variegated foliage.


word: Perilous
definition:
Perilous

Per"il*ous
(?)
a.
[OF. perillous, perilleus, F. périlleux, L. periculosus. See Peril.]
[Written also perillous.]
1.
Full of, attended with, or involving, peril; dangerous; hazardous; as, a perilous undertaking.

Infamous hills, and sandy, perilous wilds.
Milton.

2.
Daring; reckless; dangerous.
[Obs.]
Latimer.

For I am perilous with knife in hand.
Chaucer.


word: Perilymph
definition:
Perilymph

Per"i*lymph
(?)
n.
(Anat.)
The fluid which surrounds the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear, and separates it from the walls of the chambers in which the labyrinth lies.


word: Perilymphangial
definition:
Perilymphangial

Per`i*lym*phan"gi*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Around, or at the side of, a lymphatic vessel.


word: Perilymphatic
definition:
Perilymphatic

Per`i*lym*phat"ic
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
(a)
Pertaining to, or containing, perilymph.
(b)
Perilymphangial.


word: Perimeter
definition:
Perimeter

Per*im"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; peri` around + _; measure: cf. F. périmètre.]
1.
(Geom.)
The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides.

2.
An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.


word: Perimetrical
definition:
Perimetrical

Perimetric

{ Per`i*met"ric (?), Per`i*met"ric*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to the perimeter, or to perimetry; as, a perimetric chart of the eye.


word: Perimorph
definition:
Perimorph

Per"i*morph
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. morfh` form.]
(Min.)
A crystal of one species inclosing one of another species. See Endomorph.


word: Perimysial
definition:
Perimysial

Per`i*my"sial
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
(a)
Surrounding a muscle or muscles.
(b)
Of or pertaining to the perimysium.


word: Perimysium
definition:
Perimysium

Per`i*my"si*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about + my^s muscle.]
(Anat.)
The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a muscle, and sends partitions inwards between the bundles of muscular fibers.


word: Perineoplasty
definition:
Perineoplasty

Per`i*ne"o*plas`ty
(?)
n.
[Perineum + -plasty.]
(Med.)
The act or process of restoring an injured perineum.


word: Perineorrhaphy
definition:
Perineorrhaphy

Per`i*ne*or"rha*phy
(?)
n.
[Perineum + Gr. _; to sew.]
(Med.)
The operation of sewing up a ruptured perineum.


word: Perinephritis
definition:
Perinephritis

Per`i*ne*phri"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Nephritis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the cellular tissue around the kidney.
Per`i*ne*phrit"ic, a.


word: Perineum
definition:
Perineum

Per`i*ne"um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri`naion about + peri`neos.]
(Anat.)
The region which is included within the outlet of the pelvis, and is traversed by the urinogenital canal and the rectum.


word: Perineurial
definition:
Perineurial

Per`i*neu"ri*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Surrounding nerves or nerve fibers; of or pertaining to the perineurium.


word: Perineurium
definition:
Perineurium

Per`i*neu"ri*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about + ney^ron a nerve.]
(Anat.)
The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a bundle of nerve fibers. See Epineurium, and Neurilemma.


word: Perinuclear
definition:
Perinuclear

Per`i*nu"cle*ar
(?)
a.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a nucleus; situated around a nucleus; as, the perinuclear protoplasm.


word: Period
definition:
Period

Pe"ri*od
(?)
n.
[L. periodus, Gr. peri`odos a going round, a way round, a circumference, a period of time; peri` round, about + "odo`s a way: cf. F. période.]
1.
A portion of time as limited and determined by some recurring or cyclic phenomenon, as by the completion of a revolution of one of the heavenly bodies; a division of time, as a series of years, months, or days, in which something is completed, and ready to recommence and go on in the same order; as, the period of the sun, or the earth, or a comet; the period of an electromagnetic wave is the time interval between maxima.

2.
Hence:
A stated and recurring interval of time; more generally, an interval of time specified or left indefinite; a certain series of years, months, days, or the like; a time; a cycle; an age; an epoch; as, the period of the Roman republic.

How by art to make plants more lasting than their ordinary period.
Bacon.

3.
(Geol.)
One of the great divisions of geological time; as, the Tertiary period; the Glacial period.  See the Chart of Geology.

4.
The termination or completion of a revolution, cycle, series of events, single event, or act; hence, a limit; a bound; an end; a conclusion.
Bacon.

So spake the archangel Michael; then paused,
As at the world's great period.
Milton.

Evils which shall never end till eternity hath a period.
Jer. Taylor.

This is the period of my ambition.
Shak.

5.
(Rhet.)
A complete sentence, from one full stop to another; esp., a well-proportioned, harmonious sentence.
periods
Tennyson.

Periods are beautiful when they are not too long.
B. Johnson.

&hand_; The period, according to Heyse, is a compound sentence consisting of a protasis and apodosis; according to Becker, it is the appropriate form for the coordinate propositions related by antithesis or causality.
Gibbs.

6.
(Print.)
The punctuation point [.] that marks the end of a complete sentence, or of an abbreviated word.

7.
(Math.)
One of several similar sets of figures or terms usually marked by points or commas placed at regular intervals, as in numeration, in the extraction of roots, and in circulating decimals.

8.
(Med.)
The time of the exacerbation and remission of a disease, or of the paroxysm and intermission.

9.
(Mus.)
A complete musical sentence.

10.
(Sports)
One of the specified time intervals into which a game is divided; as, there are three periods in a hockey game.

11.
(Education)
One of the specified time intervals into which the academic day is divided; as, my calculus class is in the first period.

12.
The time interval during which a woman is menstruating, or the event of a single menstruation; as, her period was late this month.

The period, the present or current time, as distinguished from all other times.


word: Period₃
definition:
Period

Pe"ri*od
v. i.
To come to a period; to conclude. [Obs.] “You may period upon this, that,” etc.
Felthman.


word: Periodic
definition:
Periodic

Per`i*od"ic
(pẽr`i̝*&obreve_;d"ĭk)
a.
[Pref. per- + iodic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HIO4) of iodine.


word: Periodical
definition:
Periodical

Periodic

{ Pe`ri*od"ic (pē`rĭ*&obreve_;d"ĭk), Pe`ri*od"ic*al (pē`rĭ*&obreve_;d"ĭ*kal), }
a.
[L. periodicus, Gr. periodiko`s: cf. F. périodique.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by periods.

The periodical times of all the satellites.
Sir J. Herschel.

2.
Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical motion of the planets round the sun.

3.
Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning regularly, after a certain period of time.

The periodic return of a plant's flowering.
Henslow.

To influence opinion through the periodical press.
Courthope.

4.
Acting, happening, or appearing, at fixed or somewhat variable intervals; recurring; as, periodical epidemics

5.
(Rhet.)
Of or pertaining to a period; constituting a complete sentence.

Periodic comet (Astron.), a comet that moves about the sun in an elliptic orbit; a comet that has been seen at two of its approaches to the sun. -- Periodic function (Math.), a function whose values recur at fixed intervals as the variable uniformly increases. The trigonomertic functions, as  sin(x), tan(x), etc., are periodic functions. Exponential functions are also periodic, having an imaginary period, and the elliptic functions have not only a real but an imaginary period, and are hence called doubly periodic. -- Periodic law (Chem.), the generalization that the properties of the chemical elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights.  “In other words, if the elements are grouped in the order of their atomic weights, it will be found that nearly the same properties recur periodically throughout the entire series.” The following tabular arrangement of the atomic weights shows the regular recurrence of groups (under I., II., III., IV., etc.), each consisting of members of the same natural family. The gaps in the table indicate the probable existence of unknown elements.  -- Periodic table, Periodic table of the elements (Chem.), A tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, illustrating the periodic law, described above.
[1913 Webster]
&hand_;Note:  A modern version of the periodic table can be found at:
       http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/default.htm
[PJC]


TABLE OF THE PERIODIC LAW OF THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
(The vertical columns contain the periodic groups)
Series1{  2{  3{  4{  5{  6{  7{  8{  9{  10{  11{  12{
--------------------------------------------------------------
  |I.   II.  III.  IV.  V.    VI.  VII.  VIII.
  |                RH4  RH3   RH3  RH         
  |R2O  RO   R3O3  RO2  R2O5  RO3  R2O7  RO4  
--------------------------------------------------------------
H
1
Li
7
Na
23
K
39
(Cu)
63
Rb
85.2
(Ag)
(108)
Cs
133
(-)
(-)
(Au)
(197)
-----------------------------------------------------------------

[1913 Webster]
&hand_; A similar relation had been enunciated in a crude way by Newlands; but the law in its effective form was developed and elaborated by Mendelejeff, whence it is sometimes called Mendelejeff's law.  Important extensions of it were also made by L. Meyer.  By this means Mendelejeff predicted with remarkable accuracy the hypothetical elements ekaboron, ekaluminium, and ekasilicon, afterwards discovered and named respectively scandium, gallium, and germanium.
[1913 Webster]
-- Periodic star (Astron.), a variable star whose changes of brightness recur at fixed periods. -- Periodic time of a heavenly body (Astron.), the time of a complete revolution of the body about the sun, or of a satellite about its primary.


word: Periodical₂
definition:
Periodical

Pe`ri*od"ic*al
n.
A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or regular intervals.


word: Periodically
definition:
Periodically

Pe`ri*od"ic*al*ly
adv.
In a periodical{4} manner; as, flooding occurs periodically in the valley.


word: Periodicity
definition:
Periodicity

Pe`ri*o*dic"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Periodicities (#).
[Cf. F. périodicité.]
The quality or state of being periodical, or regularly recurrent; as, the periodicity in the vital phenomena of plants.
Henfrey.


word: Periodide
definition:
Periodide

Per*i"o*dide
(?)
n.
[Pref. per- + iodide.]
An iodide containing a higher proportion of iodine than any other iodide of the same substance or series.


word: Periodontal
definition:
Periodontal

Per`i*o*don"tal
(pĕr*ĭ*o̝*d&obreve_;n"tal)
a.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, tooth.]
(Anat.)
Surrounding the teeth.


word: periodontitis
definition:
periodontitis

per`i*o*don*ti"tis
(pĕr`ē*o̝*d&obreve_;n*tī"tĭs)
n.
(Med.)
A disease that attacks the gum and bone around the teeth.

Syn. -- periodontal disease.


word: Periodoscope
definition:
Periodoscope

Pe`ri*od"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Period + -scope.]
(Med.)
A table or other means for calculating the periodical functions of women.
Dunglison.


word: Perioecians
definition:
Perioecians

Perioeci

{ &VerbarPer`i*œ"ci, Per`i*œ"cians, }
n. pl.
[NL. perioeci, fr. Gr. _;; peri` around + _; house, dwelling.]
Those who live on the same parallel of latitude but on opposite meridians, so that it is noon in one place when it is midnight in the other. Compare Antœci.


word: Periople
definition:
Periople

Per"i*o*ple
(?)
n.
[F. périople, from Gr. peri` about + _; the hoof of a horse.]
(Anat.)
The external smooth horny layer of the hoof of the horse and allied animals.


word: Perioplic
definition:
Perioplic

Per`i*op"lic
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the periople; connected with the periople.


word: Periosteal
definition:
Periosteal

Per`i*os"te*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated around bone; of or pertaining to the periosteum.


word: Periosteum
definition:
Periosteum

Per`i*os"te*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. perio`steos round the bones; peri` around + 'oste`on a bone: cf. L. periosteon.]
(Anat.)
The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.


word: Periostitis
definition:
Periostitis

Per`i*os*ti"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Periosteum, and -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the periosteum.


word: Periostracum
definition:
Periostracum

Per`i*os"tra*cum
(?)
n.
pl. Periostraca (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` around + _; shell of a testacean.]
(Zool.)
A chitinous membrane covering the exterior of many shells; -- called also epidermis.


word: Periotic
definition:
Periotic

Per`i*o"tic
(?)
a.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _;, _;, the ear.]
(Anat.)
Surrounding, or pertaining to the region surrounding, the internal ear; as, the periotic capsule.
n. A periotic bone.


word: Peripatetic
definition:
Peripatetic

Per`i*pa*tet"ic
(?)
a.
[L. peripateticus, Gr. _;, fr. _; to walk about; peri` about + _; to walk: cf. F. péripatétique.]
1.
Walking about; itinerant.

2.
Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers.
peripatetic
Howell.


word: Peripatetic₂
definition:
Peripatetic

Per`i*pa*tet"ic
n.
1.
One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant.
Tatler.

2.
A disciple of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.


word: Peripateticism
definition:
Peripateticism

Per`i*pa*tet"i*cism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. péripatétisme.]
The doctrines or philosophical system of the peripatetics. See Peripatetic, n., 2.
Lond. Sat. Rev.


word: Peripatus
definition:
Peripatus

Peripatopsis

Pe`ri*pa*top"sis, Pe*rip"a*tus
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri`patos a walking about.]
(Zool.)
The type genus of Peripatopsidae, consisting of onychophorans (lowly organized invertebrates related evolutionarily to the arthropods, also called “walking worms” AND “velvet worms”) found chiefly in Asiatic and African tropical regions, in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and tropical America.

Syn. -- genus Peripatopsis.

 The average resident of the Northern Hemisphere is probably not familiar with the Onychophora; they are restricted to forest regions of South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania.  Shy creatures, able to hide in incredibly tight crevices, these “velvet worms” (about ninety living species known) are rarely seen even in their natural habitat. Yet onychophorans are of great interest to biologists, because they seem to be related to arthropods, and give us an idea of what the ancestors of the arthropods may have been like.  Although they are rare as fossils, a number that have been found from the Cambrian period.  These fossils show that abundant marine relatives of the Onychophora flourished in the seas 520 million years ago.
From: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/onychoph/onychophora.html

  In the 1913 Webster Peripatus was identified with the now disused order Malacopoda (within the phylum arthropoda); however, Malacopoda is now assigned to a group contained within the phylum Onycophora.  The name Peripatus has also been used (possibly erroneously) to designate a specific species, as indicated in the following quotation found on the internet.

  The onychophora, peripatus, is a unique creature, found in New Zealand.  There is no other like peripatus.  It is probably a creature from the dawn of time, as it seems to have a fossil representative of the most early invertebrates: Aysheaia, as may be found in some deposits of Burgess Shale.
    Aside from a lovely name, Peripatus doesn't look much like an earth creature.  It is also frequently colored blue.  It has a mixture of attributes similar to both annelida and arthopoda.  I have also found interesting the arguments taxonomists have had for years over the creature; it's taxonomy has been fussed and fought over, and changed several times.  Mostly, there just isn't anything like it.
    Its pre-historic relative (which looks just like it), lived at a time when mother nature was just begining to make complex, multi-cellular creatures, and most of them (with the exception of the jellyfish) looked like pure experiments in physical design. No decendants remain of them, except Peripatus.  They were all bizzare in the extreme, like something from a sci-fi nightmare.  And they are all gone.
    Except Peripatus.  Peripatus still remains. It is totally bizzare, and totally unique.
Jonathon R. Oglesbee


word: Peripheral
definition:
Peripheral

Pe*riph"er*al
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery; peripheric.

2.
(Anat.)
External; away from the center; on or near the surface; as, the peripheral portion of the nervous system.

3.
Pertaining to minor, unimportant, superficial, or irrelevant aspects of the matter in question; as, peripheral isssues are dealt with in the appendix.


word: Peripherical
definition:
Peripherical

Peripheric

{ Per`i*pher"ic (?), Per`i*pher"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. périphérique. See Periphery.]
See Peripheral.


word: Periphery
definition:
Periphery

Pe*riph"er*y
(?)
n.
pl. Peripheries (#).
[L. peripheria, Gr. perife`reia; peri` around + fe`rein to bear, carry: cf. F. périphérie.]
1.
The outside or superficial portions of a body; the surface.

2.
(Geom.)
The circumference of a circle, ellipse, or other figure.


word: Periphrase
definition:
Periphrase

Per"i*phrase
(?)
n.
[L. periphrasis, Gr. _;, fr. _; to think about, to be expressed periphrastically; _; + _; to speak: cf. F. périphrase. See Phrase.]
(Rhet.)
The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
periphrases
De Quincey.


word: Periphrase₂
definition:
Periphrase

Per"i*phrase
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Periphrased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Periphrasing.]
[Cf. F. périphraser.]
To express by periphrase or circumlocution.


word: Periphrastical
definition:
Periphrastical

Periphrastic

{ Per`i*phras"tic (?), Per`i*phras"tic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. périphrastique.]
Expressing, or expressed, in more words than are necessary; characterized by periphrase; circumlocutory.

Periphrastic conjugation (Gram.), a conjugation formed by the use of the simple verb with one or more auxiliaries.


word: Periplast
definition:
Periplast

Per"i*plast
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; to mold, form.]
(Biol.)
Same as Periblast.
Per`i*plas"tic (#), a.
Huxley.


word: Peripneumony
definition:
Peripneumony

Peripneumonia

{ &VerbarPer`ip*neu*mo"ni*a (?), Per`ip*neu"mo*ny (?), }
n.
[L. peripneumonia, Gr. _;: cf. F. péripneumonie. See Peri-, Pneumonia.]
(Med.)
Pneumonia.
[Obsoles.]


word: Peripneumonic
definition:
Peripneumonic

Per`ip*neu*mon"ic
(?)
a.
[L. peripneumonicus, Gr. _;: cf. F. péripneumonique.]
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to peripneumonia.


word: Periproct
definition:
Periproct

Per"i*proct
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; the anus.]
(Zool.)
The region surrounding the anus, particularly of echinoderms.


word: Periproctitis
definition:
Periproctitis

Per`i*proc*ti"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Proctitus.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the tissues about the rectum.


word: Peripteral
definition:
Peripteral

Pe*rip"ter*al
(?)
a.
[Gr., fr. _; + _; feather, wing, row of columns.]
(Arch.)
Having columns on all sides; -- said of an edifice. See Apteral.


word: Periptery
definition:
Periptery

Pe*rip"ter*y
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; flying round about.]
The region surrounding a moving body, such as the wing of a bird or a gliding aëroplane, within which cyclic or vortical motion of the air occur.


word: Perique
definition:
Perique

Pe*rique"
(?)
n.
[Louisiana F.]
A kind of tobacco with medium-sized leaf, small stem, tough and gummy fiber, raised in Louisiana, and cured in its own juices, so as to be very dark colored, usually black.  It is marketed in tightly wrapped rolls called carottes.


word: Perisarc
definition:
Perisarc

Per"i*sarc
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _;, _;, flesh.]
(Zool.)
The outer, hardened integument which covers most hydroids.


word: Periscian
definition:
Periscian

Pe*ris"cian
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;; peri` around + _; shadow: cf. F. périscien.]
Having the shadow moving all around.


word: Periscii
definition:
Periscii

Periscians

{ Pe*ris"cians (?), &VerbarPe*ris"ci*i (?), }
n. pl.
[NL. See Periscian.]
Those who live within a polar circle, whose shadows, during some summer days, will move entirely round, falling toward every point of the compass.


word: Periscope
definition:
Periscope

Per"i*scope
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + -scope.]
A general or comprehensive view.
[archaic]

2.
An optical instrument of tubular shape containing an arrangement of lenses and mirrors (or prisms), allowing a person to observe a field of view otherwise obstructed, as beyond an obstructing object or (as in submarines) above the surface of the water.


word: Periscopic
definition:
Periscopic

Per`i*scop"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. périscopique.]
Viewing all around, or on all sides.

2.
of or relating to a periscope{2}.

Periscopic spectacles (Opt.), spectacles having concavo-convex or convexo-concave lenses with a considerable curvature corresponding to that of the eye, to increase the distinctness of objects viewed obliquely.


word: Perish
definition:
Perish

Per"ish
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Perished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perishing.]
[OE. perissen, perisshen, F. périr, p. pr. périssant, L. perire to go or run through, come to nothing, perish; per through + ire to go.  Cf. Issue, and see -ish.]
To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost; to die; hence, to wither; to waste away.

I perish with hunger!
Luke xv. 17.

Grow up and perish, as the summer fly.
Milton.

The thoughts of a soul that perish in thinking.
Locke.


word: Perish₂
definition:
Perish

Per"ish
v. t.
To cause perish.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

perish the thought I hope it will never happen; -- a phrase used after mention of a possible undesirable event, sometimes facetiously.


word: Perishable
definition:
Perishable

Per"ish*a*ble
(?)
a.
[F. périssable.]
Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.


word: Perishableness
definition:
Perishableness

Per"ish*a*ble*ness
n.
The quality or state of being perishable; liability to decay or destruction.
Locke.


word: Perisome
definition:
Perisome

Per"i*some
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + -some body.]
(Zool.)
The entire covering of an invertebrate animal, as echinoderm or cœlenterate; the integument.


word: Perisperm
definition:
Perisperm

Per"i*sperm
(?)
n.
[F. périsperme. See Peri-, and Sperm.]
(Bot.)
The albumen of a seed, especially that portion which is formed outside of the embryo sac.
Per`i*sper"mic (#), a.


word: Perispherical
definition:
Perispherical

Perispheric

{ Per`i*spher"ic (?), Per`i*spher"ic*al (?), }
a.
Exactly spherical; globular.


word: Perispomenon
definition:
Perispomenon

Per`i*spom"e*non
(?)
n.
pl. Perispomena (#).
[NL., from Gr. _;, pr. pass. p. of _; to draw around, to circumflex; peri` around + _; to draw.]
(Gr. Gram.)
A word which has the circumflex accent on the last syllable.
Goodwin.


word: Perissad
definition:
Perissad

Per"is*sad
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; odd, from _; over.]
(Chem.)
Odd; not even; -- said of elementary substances and of radicals whose valence is not divisible by two without a remainder.  Contrasted with artiad.
[Archaic]


word: Perissodactyla
definition:
Perissodactyla

Per`is*so*dac"ty*la
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; odd (fr. _; over) + _; finger.]
(Zool.)
A division of ungulate mammals, including those that have an odd number of toes, as the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros; -- opposed to Artiodactyla.


word: Perissological
definition:
Perissological

Per`is*so*log"ic*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. périssologique.]
Redundant or excessive in words.
[R.]


word: Perissology
definition:
Perissology

Per`is*sol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[L. perissologia, Gr. _;; _; odd, superfluous + _; discourse.]
Superfluity of words.
[R.]
G. Campbell.


word: Peristalsis
definition:
Peristalsis

Per`i*stal"sis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peristaltic.]
(Physiol.)
Peristaltic contraction or action.


word: Peristaltic
definition:
Peristaltic

Per`i*stal"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; clasping and compressing, fr. _; to surround, wrap up; _; round + _; to place, arrange: cf. F. péristaltique.]
(Physiol.)
Pertaining to a wormlike wave motion of the intestines, and by analogy, of other flexible tubular structures.  In the body it is produced by a progressive contraction of the muscular fibers of their walls, forcing their contents onwards in the direction of the wave; as, peristaltic movement.
Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Peristeria
definition:
Peristeria

Per`is*te"ri*a
(?)
prop. n.
[NL. See Peristerion.]
(Bot.)
A genus of orchidaceous plants. See Dove plant.


word: Peristerion
definition:
Peristerion

Per`is*te"ri*on
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a dovecote, a kind of verbena, fr. peristera` a dove, pigeon; cf. L. peristereon.]
(Bot.)
The herb vervain (Verbena officinalis).


word: Peristerite
definition:
Peristerite

Pe*ris"ter*ite
(?)
n.
[Gr. peristera` a pigeon.]
(Min.)
A variety of albite, whitish and slightly iridescent like a pigeon's neck.


word: Peristeromorphous
definition:
Peristeromorphous

Pe*ris`ter*o*mor"phous
(?)
a.
[Gr. peristera` a pigeon + -morphous.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the pigeons or Columbæ.


word: Peristeropodous
definition:
Peristeropodous

Pe*ris`ter*op"o*dous
(?)
a.
[Gr. peristera` a pigeon + poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Zool.)
Having pigeonlike feet; -- said of those gallinaceous birds that rest on all four toes, as the curassows and megapods.


word: Peristole
definition:
Peristole

Pe*ris"to*le
(pe̝*rĭs"to̝*le̝)
n.
[NL.: cf. F. péristole. See Peristaltic.]
(Physiol.)
Peristaltic action, especially of the intestines.


word: Peristoma
definition:
Peristoma

Pe*ris"to*ma
(pe̝*rĭs"to̝*mȧ)
n.
pl. Peristomata (pĕr`ĭ*st&obreve_;m"ȧ*tȧ).
[NL.]
Same as Peristome.


word: Peristome
definition:
Peristome

Per"i*stome
(pe̝r"ĭ*st&omacrm)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. sto`ma, sto`matos, mouth.]
1.
(Bot.)
The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell.
(b)
The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal.


word: Peristrephic
definition:
Peristrephic

Per`i*streph"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; to turn round.]
Turning around; rotatory; revolving; as, a peristrephic painting (of a panorama).


word: Peristyle
definition:
Peristyle

Per"i*style
(?)
n.
[L. peristylum, Gr. peri`stylon, peri`stylos; peri` about + sty^los a column: cf. F. péristyle.]
(Arch.)
A range of columns with their entablature, etc.; specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple.  Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade.


word: Perisystole
definition:
Perisystole

Per`i*sys"to*le
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + systole: cf. F. périsystole.]
(Physiol.)
The interval between the diastole and systole of the heart.  It is perceptible only in the dying.


word: Perithecium
definition:
Perithecium

Per`i*the"ci*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` around + _; box.]
(Bot.)
An organ in certain fungi and lichens, surrounding and enveloping the masses of fructification.
Henslow.


word: Peritomous
definition:
Peritomous

Pe*rit"o*mous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; cut off all around. See Peri-, and Tome.]
(Min.)
Cleaving in more directions than one, parallel to the axis.


word: Peritoneum
definition:
Peritoneum

Per`i*to*ne"um
(?)
n.
[L. peritoneum, peritonaeum, Gr. _;, _;, fr. _; to stretch all around or over; peri` around + _; to stretch.]
(Anat.)
The smooth serous membrane which lines the cavity of the abdomen, or the whole body cavity when there is no diaphragm, and, turning back, surrounds the viscera, forming a closed, or nearly closed, sac.
[Written also peritonæum.]


word: Peritonitis
definition:
Peritonitis

Per`i*to*ni"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peritoneum, and -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the peritoneum.


word: Peritreme
definition:
Peritreme

Per"i*treme
(?)
n.
[Pref. peri- + Gr. _; a hole.]
(Zool.)
(a)
That part of the integument of an insect which surrounds the spiracles.
(b)
The edge of the aperture of a univalve shell.


word: Peritricha
definition:
Peritricha

Pe*rit"ri*cha
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. peri` about + _;, _;, hair.]
(Zool.)
A division of ciliated Infusoria having a circle of cilia around the oral disk and sometimes another around the body.  It includes the vorticellas.  See Vorticella.


word: Peritrochium
definition:
Peritrochium

Per`i*tro"chi*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;; peri` around + _; a wheel.]
(Mech.)
The wheel which, together with the axle, forms the axis in peritrochio, which see under Axis.


word: Peritropal
definition:
Peritropal

Per*it"ro*pal
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to turn around; peri` around + _; to turn: cf. F. péritrope.]
1.
Rotatory; circuitous.
[R.]

2.
Having the axis of the seed perpendicular to the axis of the pericarp to which it is attached.


word: Perityphlitis
definition:
Perityphlitis

Per`i*typh*li"tis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Peri-, and Typhlitis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the connective tissue about the cæcum.


word: Perivitelline
definition:
Perivitelline

Per`i*vi*tel"line
(?)
a.
[Pref. peri- + vitelline.]
(Biol.)
Situated around the vitellus, or between the vitellus and zona pellucida of an ovum.


word: Periwig
definition:
Periwig

Per"i*wig
(pĕr"ĭ*wĭg)
n.
[OE. perrwige, perwicke, corrupt. fr. F. perruque; cf. OD. peruyk, from French. See Peruke, and cf. Wig.]
A headdress of false hair, usually covering the whole head, and representing the natural hair; a wig.
Shak.


word: Periwig₂
definition:
Periwig

Per"i*wig
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perwigged (pĕr"ĭ*wĭgd); p. pr. & vb. n. Perwigging (pĕr"ĭ*wĭg*gĭng).]
To dress with a periwig, or with false hair.
Swift.


word: periwigged
definition:
periwigged

periwigged
adj.
Wearing a peruke (a style of wig popular for men in the 17th and 18th centuries).

Syn. -- peruked.


word: Periwinkle
definition:
Periwinkle

Per"i*win`kle
(?)
n.
[From AS. pinewincla a shellfish, in which pine- is fr. L. pina, pinna, a kind of mussel, akin to Gr. _;.  Cf. Winkle.]
(Zool.)
Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina.  The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast.  See Littorina.

&hand_; In America the name is often applied to several large univalves, as Fulgur carica, and Fulgur canaliculata.


word: Periwinkle₂
definition:
Periwinkle

Per"i*win`kle
n.
[OE. pervenke, AS. pervince, fr. L. pervinca.]
(Bot.)
A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.

&hand_; The common perwinkle (Vinca minor) has opposite evergreen leaves and solitary blue or white flowers in their axils. In America it is often miscalled myrtle. See under Myrtle.


word: Perjure
definition:
Perjure

Per"jure
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perjured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perjuring.]
[F. parjurer, L. perjurare, perjerare; per through, over + jurare to swear. See Jury.]
1.
To cause to violate an oath or a vow; to cause to make oath knowingly to what is untrue; to make guilty of perjury; to forswear; to corrupt; -- often used reflexively; as, he perjured himself.

Want will perjure
The ne'er-touched vestal.
Shak.

2.
To make a false oath to; to deceive by oaths and protestations.
[Obs.]

And with a virgin innocence did pray
For me, that perjured her.
J. Fletcher.


word: Perjured
definition:
Perjured

Per"jured
(?)
a.
Guilty of perjury; having sworn falsely; forsworn.
Shak.
Perjured
1 Tim. i. 10.
perjured
Spenser.


word: Perjurer
definition:
Perjurer

Per"jur*er
(?)
n.
One who is guilty of perjury; one who perjures or forswears, in any sense.


word: Perjurous
definition:
Perjurous

Perjurious

{ Per*ju"ri*ous (?), Per"ju*rous (?), }
a.
[L. perjuriosus, perjurus.]
Guilty of perjury; containing perjury.
[Obs.]
Quarles. B. Johnson.


word: Perjury
definition:
Perjury

Per"ju*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Perjuries (#).
[L. perjurium. See Perjure, v.]
1.
False swearing.

2.
(Law)
At common law, a willfully false statement in a fact material to the issue, made by a witness under oath in a competent judicial proceeding.  By statute the penalties of perjury are imposed on the making of willfully false affirmations.

&hand_; If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the United States.


word: Perk
definition:
Perk

Perk
(pẽrk)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perked (pẽrkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Perking.]
[Cf. W. percu to trim, to make smart.]
To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up one's head.
Cowper. Sherburne.

to perk up one's ears to begin to listen attentively; -- usually used when something of interest is mentioned in some discourse, after one's attention had lapsed; as, he perked up his ears when he heard his name mentioned.


word: Perk₂
definition:
Perk

Perk
v. i.
1.
To exalt one's self; to bear one's self loftily.
perk
Barrow.

2.
To act in a jaunty or presumptuous manner.

To perk it, to carry one's self proudly or saucily. Pope.


word: Perkinism
definition:
Perkinism

Per"kin*ism
(pẽr"kĭn*ĭz'm)
n.
(Med.)
A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part; tractoration, -- first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of Norwich, Conn.  See Metallotherapy.
[archaic]


word: Perlid
definition:
Perlid

Per"lid
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any insect of the genus Perla, or family Perlidæ. See Stone fly, under Stone.


word: Perlitic
definition:
Perlitic

Per*lit"ic
(?)
a.
(Min.)
Relating to or resembling perlite, or pearlstone; as, the perlitic structure of certain rocks. See Pearlite.


word: Perlustration
definition:
Perlustration

Per`lus*tra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perlustrare to wander all through, to survey. See 3d Luster.]
The act of viewing all over.
[Archaic]
Howell.


word: Permanency
definition:
Permanency

Permanence

{ Per"ma*nence (?), Per"ma*nen*cy (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. permanence.]
The quality or state of being permanent; continuance in the same state or place; duration; fixedness; as, the permanence of institutions; the permanence of nature.


word: Permanent
definition:
Permanent

Per"ma*nent
(?)
a.
[L. permanens, -entis, p. pr. of permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere to remain: cf. F. permanent. See Per-, and Mansion.]
Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression.

Eternity stands permanent and fixed.
Dryden.

Permanent gases (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called incondensible gases or incoercible gases, before their liquefaction in 1877.  The term is now archaic. -- Permanent way, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished railway; -- so called in distinction from the contractor's temporary way. -- Permanent white (Chem.), barium sulphate (heavy spar), used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the formation of the sulphide.


word: permanent
definition:
permanent

permanent
n.
1.
A wave or curl in the hair that lasts for months and is made durable by treating the hair with chemicals when it is curled.

Syn. -- permanent wave.


word: permanent-press
definition:
permanent-press

permanent-press
n.
aAfabric that has been chemically processed to resist wrinkles and hold its shape.

Syn. -- permanent press, permanent-press fabric, durable press, durable-press fabric.


word: permanent-press₂
definition:
permanent-press

permanent-press
adj.
Having a permanent crease, or remaining unwrinkled without pressing; -- used of fabrics that do not require ironing.

Syn. -- drip-dry.


word: permanent wave
definition:
permanent wave

permanent wave
n.
1.
A wave or curl in the hair that lasts for months and is made durable by treating the hair with chemicals when it is curled.

Syn. -- permanent.

2.
The process of treating the hair with chemicals to create a permanent wave{1}.


word: Permanganate
definition:
Permanganate

Per*man"ga*nate
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A salt of permanganic acid.

Potassium permanganate. (Chem.) See Potassium permanganate, under Potassium.


word: Permanganic
definition:
Permanganic

Per`man*gan"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, one of the higher acids of manganese, HMnO4, which forms salts called permanganates.


word: Permeability
definition:
Permeability

Per`me*a*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perméabilité.]
The quality or state of being permeable.

Magnetic permeability (Physics), the specific capacity of a body for magnetic induction, or its conducting power for lines of magnetic force. Sir W. Thomson.


word: Permeable
definition:
Permeable

Per"me*a*ble
(?)
a.
[L. permeabilis: cf. F. perméable. See Permeate.]
Capable of being permeated, or passed through; yielding passage; passable; penetrable; -- used especially of substances which allow the passage of fluids; as, wood is permeable to oil; glass is permeable to light.
I. Taylor.


word: Permeance
definition:
Permeance

Per"me*ance
(?)
n.
[See Permeant.]
Permeation;
specif.
(Magnetism)
the reciprocal of reluctance.


word: Permeate
definition:
Permeate

Per"me*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Permeated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Permeating.]
[L. permeatus, p. p. of permeare to permeate; per + meare to go, pass.]
1.
To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand.
Woodward.

2.
To enter and spread through; to pervade; as, after the first setback, the team became permeated with pessimism.

God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things.
Cudworth.


word: Permeation
definition:
Permeation

Per`me*a"tion
(?)
n.
The act of permeating, passing through, or spreading throughout, the pores or interstices of any substance.

Here is not a mere involution only, but a spiritual permeation and inexistence.
Bp. Hall.


word: permed
definition:
permed

permed
adj.
[from permanent wave]
Treated with chemicals to make it curly; having been given a permanent wave; -- of hair; as, permed hair.


word: Permian
definition:
Permian

Per"mi*an
(?)
prop. a.
[From the ancient kingdom of Permia, where the Permian formation exists.]
(Geol.)
Belonging or relating to the period, and also to the formation, next following the Carboniferous, and regarded as closing the Carboniferous age and Paleozoic era.
n. The Permian period. See Chart of Geology.


word: Permians
definition:
Permians

Per"mi*ans
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Permian (_;).
(Ethnol.)
A tribe belonging to the Finnic race, and inhabiting a portion of Russia.


word: Permiscible
definition:
Permiscible

Per*mis"ci*ble
(?)
a.
[L. permiscere to mingle; per + miscere to mix.]
Capable of being mixed.


word: Permiss
definition:
Permiss

Per*miss"
(?)
n.
[See Permit.]
A permitted choice; a rhetorical figure in which a thing is committed to the decision of one's opponent.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Permissibility
definition:
Permissibility

Per*mis`si*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality of being permissible; permissibleness; allowableness.


word: Permissible
definition:
Permissible

Per*mis"si*ble
(?)
a.
That may be permitted; allowable; admissible.
Per*mis"si*ble*ness, n. -- Per*mis"si*bly, adv.


word: Permission
definition:
Permission

Per*mis"sion
(pẽr*mĭsh"ŭn)
n.
[L. permissio: cf. F. permission. See Permit.]
The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent; authorization; leave; license or liberty granted.

High permission of all-ruling Heaven.
Milton.

You have given me your permission for this address.
Dryden.


word: Permissive
definition:
Permissive

Per*mis"sive
(pẽr*mĭs"sĭv)
a.
1.
Permitting; granting leave or liberty.
permissive
Milton.

2.
Permitted; tolerated; suffered.
Milton.


word: Permistion
definition:
Permistion

Per*mis"tion
(pẽr*mĭs"chŭn)
n.
[L. permistio, permixtio, fr. permiscere, permistum, and permixtum. See Permiscible.]
The act of mixing; the state of being mingled; mixture.
[Written also permixtion.]


word: Permit
definition:
Permit

Per*mit"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Permitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Permitting.]
[L. permittere, permissum, to let through, to allow, permit; per + mittere to let go, send. See Per-, and Mission.]
1.
To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with.

What things God doth neither command nor forbid . . . he permitteth with approbation either to be done or left undone.
Hooker.

2.
To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive.

Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
Acts xxvi. 1.

3.
To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit.

Let us not aggravate our sorrows,
But to the gods permit the event of things.
Addison.


word: Permit₃
definition:
Permit

Per"mit
(?)
n.
Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.


word: Permit₄
definition:
Permit

Per*mit"
(?)
n.
[Cf. Sp. palamida a kind of scombroid fish.]
(a)
A large pompano (Trachinotus goodei) of the West Indies, Florida, etc.  It becomes about three feet long.
(b)
The round pompano. (Trachinotus falcatus).
[Local, U. S.]


word: Permitter
definition:
Permitter

Per*mit"ter
(?)
n.
One who permits.

A permitter, or not a hinderer, of sin.
J. Edwards.


word: Permulator
definition:
Permulator

Per"mu*la`tor
(?)
n.
(Elec.)
A special form of rotary converter with stationary commutator and rotating brushes, in which the exciting field is induced by the alternating current in a short-circuited magnetic core instead of being produced by an external magnet.


word: Permutable
definition:
Permutable

Per*mut"a*ble
(pẽr*mū"tȧ*b'l)
a.
[Cf. F. permutable.]
Capable of being permuted; exchangeable.
Per*mut"a*ble*ness, n. -- Per*mut"a*bly, adv.


word: Permutation
definition:
Permutation

Per`mu*ta"tion
(pẽr`m&uuptack_;"tā"snŭn)
n.
[L. permutatio: cf. F. permutation. See Permute.]
1.
The act of permuting; exchange of the thing for another; mutual transference; interchange.

The violent convulsions and permutations that have been made in property.
Burke.

2.
(Math.)
(a)
The arrangement of any determinate number of things, as units, objects, letters, etc., in all possible orders, one after the other; -- called also alternation.  Cf. Combination, n., 4.
(b)
Any one of such possible arrangements.

3.
(Law)
Barter; exchange.

Permutation lock, a lock in which the parts can be transposed or shifted, so as to require different arrangements of the tumblers on different occasions of unlocking.


word: Permute
definition:
Permute

Per*mute"
(pẽr*mūt")
v. t.
[L. permutare, permutatum; per + mutare to change: cf. F. permuter.]
1.
To interchange; to transfer reciprocally.

2.
To exchange; to barter; to traffic.
[Obs.]

Bought, trucked, permuted, or given.
Hakluyt.


word: Pernancy
definition:
Pernancy

Per"nan*cy
(pẽr"nan*s&ybreve_;)
n.
[OF. prenance, fr. prendre, prenre, penre, to take, L. prendere, prehendere.]
(Law)
A taking or reception, as the receiving of rents or tithes in kind, the receiving of profits.
Blackstone.


word: Pernicious₂
definition:
Pernicious

Per*ni"cious
a.
[L. perniciosus, from pernicies destruction, from pernecare to kill or slay outright; per + necare to kill, slay: cf. F. pernicieux.  Cf. Nuisance, Necromancy.]
Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.

Let this pernicious hour
Stand aye accursed in the calendar.
Shak.

Pernicious to his health.
Prescott.


word: Pernicketty
definition:
Pernicketty

Pernickety

{ Per*nick"et*y,  Per*nick"et*ty }
(?)
a.
Finical or fussy; full of petty details.
[Colloq.]

Syn. -- finical, finicky, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, persnickety, punctilious.


word: Pernoctation
definition:
Pernoctation

Per`noc*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. pernoctatio, fr. pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox, noctis, night.]
The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all night.
Pernoctation
Jer. Taylor.


word: Pernot furnace
definition:
Pernot furnace

Per"not fur"nace
(?)
[So called from Charles Pernot, its inventor.]
A reverberatory furnace with a circular revolving hearth, -- used in making steel.


word: Pernyi moth
definition:
Pernyi moth

Per"ny*i moth"
(?)
(Zool.)
A silk-producing moth (Attacus Pernyi) which feeds upon the oak.  It has been introduced into Europe and America from China.


word: Peronate
definition:
Peronate

Per"o*nate
(?)
a.
[L. peronatus rough-booted, fr. pero, -onis, a kind of rough boot.]
(Bot.)
A term applied to the stipes or stalks of certain fungi which are covered with a woolly substance which at length becomes powdery.
Henslow.


word: Peroneal
definition:
Peroneal

Per`o*ne"al
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; the fibula.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the fibula; in the region of the fibula.


word: Peronospora
definition:
Peronospora

Peronospora
prop. n.
A genus of destructive downy mildews.

Syn. -- genus Peronospora.


word: Peronosporaceae
definition:
Peronosporaceae

Peronosporaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of parasitic fungi; the downy mildews.

Syn. -- family Peronosporaceae.


word: Peronosporales
definition:
Peronosporales

Peronosporales
prop. n.
An order of chiefly parasitic lower fungi, including the Albuginaceae and Peronosporaceae and Pythiaceae.

Syn. -- order Peronosporales.


word: Peroration
definition:
Peroration

Per`o*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. peroratio, fr. perorate, peroratum, to speak from beginning to end; per + orate to speak. See Per-, and Oration.]
(Rhet.)
The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument.
Burke.


word: Perovskite
definition:
Perovskite

Per*ov"skite
(?)
n.
[From von Perovski, of St. Petersburg.]
(Min.)
A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals.
[Written also Perofskite.]


word: Peroxidation
definition:
Peroxidation

Per*ox`i*da"tion
(?)
n.
Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a peroxide.


word: Peroxide
definition:
Peroxide

Per*ox"ide
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest oxides.  Cf. Per-, 2.


word: Peroxidize
definition:
Peroxidize

Per*ox"i*dize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Peroxidized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peroxidizing.]
(Chem.)
To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.


word: Perpend
definition:
Perpend

Per*pend"
(?)
v. t.
[L. perpendere, perpensum; per + pendere to weight.]
To weight carefully in the mind.
[R.]
Perpend
Shak.


word: Perpender
definition:
Perpender

Per*pend"er
(?)
n.
[F. parpaing, pierre parpaigne; of uncertain origin.]
(Masonry)
A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; -- called also perbend, perpend stone, and perpent stone.


word: Perpendicle
definition:
Perpendicle

Per*pen"di*cle
(?)
n.
[L. perpendiculum; per + pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule.]
Something hanging straight down; a plumb line.
[Obs.]


word: Perpendicular
definition:
Perpendicular

Per`pen*dic"u*lar
(?)
a.
[L. perpendicularis, perpendicularius: cf. F. perpendiculaire. See Perpendicle, Pension.]
1.
Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.

2.
(Geom.)
At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc.

Perpendicular style (Arch.), a name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions.


word: Perpendicular₂
definition:
Perpendicular

Per`pen*dic"u*lar
(?)
n.
1.
A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.

2.
(Geom.)
A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.


word: Perpendicularity
definition:
Perpendicularity

Per`pen*dic`u*lar"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perpendicularité.]
The quality or state of being perpendicular.


word: Perpension
definition:
Perpension

Per*pen"sion
(?)
n.
[See Perpend.]
Careful consideration; pondering.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perpession
definition:
Perpession

Per*pes"sion
(?)
n.
[L. perpessio, fr. perpeti, perpessus, to bear steadfastly; per + pati to bear.]
Suffering; endurance.
[Obs.]
Bp. Pearson.


word: Perpetrate
definition:
Perpetrate

Per"pe*trate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perpetrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetrating.]
[L. perpetratus, p. p. of perpetrare to effect, perpetrare; per + patrare to perform.]
To do or perform; to carry through; to execute, commonly in a bad sense; to commit (as a crime, an offense); to be guilty of; as, to perpetrate a foul deed.

What the worst perpetrate, or best endure.
Young.


word: Perpetration
definition:
Perpetration

Per`pe*tra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perpetratio: cf. F. perpétration.]
1.
The act of perpetrating; a doing; -- commonly used of doing something wrong, as a crime.

2.
The thing perpetrated; an evil action.


word: Perpetrator
definition:
Perpetrator

Per"pe*tra`tor
(?)
n.
[L.]
One who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offense or crime.


word: Perpetuable
definition:
Perpetuable

Per*pet"u*a*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of being perpetuated or continued.

Varieties are perpetuable, like species.
Gray.


word: Perpetual
definition:
Perpetual

Per*pet"u*al
(?)
a.
[OE. perpetuel, F. perpétuel, fr. L. perpetualis, fr. perpetuus continuing throughout, continuous, fr. perpes, -etis, lasting throughout.]
Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous.

Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.
Shak.

Perpetual feast of nectared sweets.
Milton.

Circle of perpetual apparition, or Circle of perpetual occultation. See under Circle. -- Perpetual calendar, a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year. -- Perpetual curacy (Ch. of Eng.), a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. Blackstone. -- Perpetual motion. See under Motion. -- Perpetual screw. See Endless screw, under Screw.


word: Perpetual calendar
definition:
Perpetual calendar

Per*pet"u*al cal"en*dar
A calendar that can be used perpetually or over a wide range of years. That of Capt. Herschel covers, as given below, dates from 1750 to 1961 only, but is capable of indefinite extension.


word: Perpetually
definition:
Perpetually

Per*pet"u*al*ly
adv.
In a perpetual manner; constantly; continually.

The Bible and Common Prayer Book in the vulgar tongue, being perpetually read in churches, have proved a kind of standard for language.
Swift.


word: Perpetualty
definition:
Perpetualty

Per*pet"u*al*ty
(?)
n.
The state or condition of being perpetual.
[Obs.]
Testament of Love.


word: Perpetuate
definition:
Perpetuate

Per*pet"u*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perpetuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetuating.]
[L. perpetuatus, p. p. of perpetuare to perpetuate. See Perpetual.]
To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued, indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to eternize.
Addison. Burke.


word: Perpetuate₂
definition:
Perpetuate

Per*pet"u*ate
(?)
a.
[L. perpetuatus, p. p.]
Made perpetual; perpetuated.
[R.]
Southey.


word: Perpetuation
definition:
Perpetuation

Per*pet`u*a"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perpétuation.]
The act of making perpetual, or of preserving from extinction through an endless existence, or for an indefinite period of time; continuance.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perpetuity
definition:
Perpetuity

Per`pe*tu"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. perpetuitas: cf. F. perpétuité.]
1.
The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the perpetuity of laws.
Bacon.

A path to perpetuity of fame.
Byron.

The perpetuity of a single emotion is insanity.
I. Taylor.

2.
Something that is perpetual.
South.

3.
Endless time.
perpetuity
Shak.

4.
(Annuities)
(a)
The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum becomes equal to the principal.
(b)
The number of years' purchase to be given for an annuity to continue forever.
(c)
A perpetual annuity.

5.
(Law)
(a)
Duration without limitations as to time.
(b)
The quality or condition of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very long period; also, the estate itself so modified or perpetuated.


word: Perplex
definition:
Perplex

Per*plex"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perplexed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perplexing.]
[L. perplexari. See Perplex, a.]
1.
To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts.

No artful wildness to perplex the scene.
Pope.

What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.
Locke.

2.
To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
Perplexd
Shak.

We are perplexed, but not in despair.
2 Cor. iv. 8.

We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind.
Locke.

3.
To plague; to vex; to torment.
Glanvill.


word: Perplex₂
definition:
Perplex

Per*plex"
a.
[L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per + plectere, plexum, to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe. See Per-, and Plait.]
Intricate; difficult.
[Obs.]
Glanvill.


word: Perplexed
definition:
Perplexed

Per*plexed"
(?)
a.
Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled; doubtful; anxious.
Per*plex"ed*ly (#), adv. -- Per*plex"ed*ness, n.


word: Perplexity
definition:
Perplexity

Per*plex"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Perplexities (#).
[L. perplexitas: cf. F. perplexité.]
The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt.

By their own perplexities involved,
They ravel more.
Milton.


word: Perplexiveness
definition:
Perplexiveness

Per*plex"ive*ness
(?)
n.
The quality of being perplexing; tendency to perplex.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Perpotation
definition:
Perpotation

Per`po*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perpotatio, fr. perpotate. See Per-, and Potation.]
The act of drinking excessively; a drinking bout.
[Obs.]


word: Perquisite
definition:
Perquisite

Per"qui*site
(?)
n.
[L. perquisitum, fr. perquisitus, p. p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to seek. See Per-, and Quest.]
1.
Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; -- examples are, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service; the use of a company automobile or other company property.

Syn. -- perk.

The pillage of a place taken by storm was regarded as the perquisite of the soldiers.
Prescott.

The best perquisites of a place are the advantages it gaves a man of doing good.
Addison.

2.
pl.
(Law)
Things gotten by a man's own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent.
Mozley & W.


word: Perquisition
definition:
Perquisition

Per`qui*si"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perquisition.]
A thorough inquiry of search.
[R.]
Berkeley.


word: Perrie
definition:
Perrie

Per"rie
(?)
n.
[F. pierreries, pl., fr. pierre stone, L. petra.]
Precious stones; jewels.
[Obs.]
[Written also perre, perrye, etc.]
Chaucer.


word: Perrier
definition:
Perrier

Per"ri*er
(?)
n.
[OF. perriere, perrier, F. perrier.  Cf. Pederero.]
(Mil.)
A short mortar used formerly for throwing stone shot.
Hakluyt.


word: Perrier₂
definition:
Perrier

Per"ri*er
(?)
prop. n.
The name of a brand of bottled mineral water; a glass or bottle of such water; as, I'll have a Perrier..


word: Perron
definition:
Perron

Per"ron
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Arch.)
An out-of-door flight of steps, as in a garden, leading to a terrace or to an upper story; -- usually applied to mediævel or later structures of some architectural pretensions.


word: Perry
definition:
Perry

Per"ry
(?)
n.
[OF. peré, F. poiré, fr. poire a pear, L. pirum. See Pear the fruit.]
A fermented liquor made from pears; pear cider.
Mortimer.


word: Pers
definition:
Pers

Pers
(?)
a.
[F. pers.]
Light blue; grayish blue; -- a term applied to different shades at different periods.
n. A cloth of sky-blue color. [Obs.] “A long surcoat of pers.”
Chaucer.


word: Persalt
definition:
Persalt

Per"salt`
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A term formerly given to the salts supposed to be formed respectively by neutralizing acids with certain peroxides.
[Obsoles.]


word: Perscrutation
definition:
Perscrutation

Per`scru*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perscrutatio, fr. perscrutari to search through.]
A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny.
Carlyle


word: Persecute
definition:
Persecute

Per"se*cute
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Persecuted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Persecuting.]
[F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and Second.]
1.
To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.

Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Matt. v. 44.

2.
To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
Johnson.


word: Persecution
definition:
Persecution

Per`se*cu"tion
(?)
n.
[F. persécution, L. persecutio.]
1.
The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.

Persecution produces no sincere conviction.
Paley.

2.
The state or condition of being persecuted.
Locke.

3.
A carrying on; prosecution.
[Obs.]


word: Perseid
definition:
Perseid

Per"se*id
(?)
n.
[From Perseus.]
(Astron.)
One of a group of shooting stars which appear yearly about the 10th of August, and cross the heavens in paths apparently radiating from the constellation Perseus.  They are probably fragments of Swift's comet of 1862 (III).


word: Perseus
definition:
Perseus

Per"se*us
(?)
prop. n.
[L., from Gr. Persey`s.]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
A Grecian legendary hero, son of Jupiter and Danaë, who slew the Gorgon Medusa.

2.
(Astron.)
A consellation of the northern hemisphere, near Taurus and Cassiopea. It contains a star cluster visible to the naked eye as a nebula.


word: Perseverance
definition:
Perseverance

Per`se*ver"ance
(pẽr`se̝*vēr"ans)
n.
[F. persévérance, L. perseverantia.]
1.
The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun.
perseverance
Shak.

Whose constant perseverance overcame
Whate'er his cruel malice could invent.
Milton.

2.
Discrimination.
[Obs.]
Sir J. Harrington.

3.
(Theol.)
Continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance, and the perseverance of the saints. See Calvinism.


word: Perseverant
definition:
Perseverant

Per`se*ver"ant
(pẽr`se̝*vēr"ant)
a.
[L. perseverans, -antis, p. pr.: cf. F. persévérant.]
Persevering.
[R.]
Perseverant
Whitby.
Per`se*ver"ant*ly, adv. [R.]


word: Persevere
definition:
Persevere

Per`se*vere"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Persevered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Persevering.]
[F. persévérer, L. perseverare, fr. perseverus very strict; per + severus strict, severe. See Per-, and Severe.]
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.

Thrice happy, if they know
Their happiness, and persevere upright.
Milton.


word: Persevering
definition:
Persevering

Per`se*ver"ing
(?)
a.
Characterized by perseverance; persistent.
Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.


word: Persian
definition:
Persian

Per"sian
(?)
a.
[From Persia: cf. It. Persiano.  Cf. Parsee, Peach, Persic.]
Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their language.

Persian berry, the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius, a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond. -- Persian cat. (Zool.) Same as Angora cat, under Angora. -- Persian columns (Arch.), columns of which the shaft represents a Persian slave; -- called also Persians. See Atlantes. -- Persian drill (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder. -- Persian fire (Med.), malignant pustule. -- Persian powder. See Insect powder, under Insect. -- Persian red. See Indian red (a), under Indian. -- Persian wheel, a noria; a tympanum. See Noria.


word: Persian₂
definition:
Persian

Per"sian
n.
1.
A native or inhabitant of Persia.

2.
The language spoken in Persia.  Ancient Persian of the 3rd to 10th centuries is also called Pahlavi, and modern Persian is also called Farsi.

3.
A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings.
Beck.

4.
pl.
(Arch.)
See Persian columns, under Persian, a.


word: Persic
definition:
Persic

Per"sic
(?)
a.
[L. Persicus.  Cf. Persian.]
Of or relating to Persia.
n. The Persian language.


word: Persicaria
definition:
Persicaria

Per`si*ca"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL., from LL. persicarius a peach tree. See Peach.]
(Bot.)
See Lady's thumb.


word: Persicot
definition:
Persicot

Per"si*cot
(?)
n.
[F. See Peach.]
A cordial made of the kernels of apricots, nectarines, etc., with refined spirit.


word: Persienne
definition:
Persienne

Per`si*enne"
(pẽr`sĭ*ĕn"; pẽr`shĭ*ĕn"; F. pẽr`syĕn")
n.
[F., fem. of presien Persian.]
Properly, printed calico, whether Oriental or of fanciful design with flowers, etc., in Western work.  Hence, as extended in English, material of a similar character.


word: Persiennes
definition:
Persiennes

Per`si*ennes"
(pẽr`sĭ*ĕnz"; F. pẽr`syĕn")
n. pl.
[F.]
Window blinds having movable slats, similar to Venetian blinds.


word: Persiflage
definition:
Persiflage

Per`si`flage"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr. L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare, sifilare.]
Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery.
Hannah More.


word: Persimmon
definition:
Persimmon

Per*sim"mon
(?)
n.
[Virginia Indian.]
(Bot.)
An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and its fruit, found from New York southward.  The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious.

Japanese persimmon, Diospyros Kaki and its red or yellow edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but contains a few large seeds.


word: Persism
definition:
Persism

Per"sism
(?)
n.
An ancient Persian religion, esp. as represented by the Magi; a form of Zoroastrianism.

This system we shall call 'Persism', in order to free ourselves of the popular associations still connected with such terms as magism, Parseeism, and so forth; meaning by 'Persism' the teaching of Zarathustra as it affected the Greek and Latin world.
E. Vernon Arnold.


word: Persist
definition:
Persist

Per*sist"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Persisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persisting.]
[L. persistere; per + sistere to stand or be fixed, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. persister. See Per-, and Stand.]
To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy.

If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisals.
Addison.

Some positive, persisting fops we know,
Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so.
Pope.

That face persists.
It floats up; it turns over in my mind.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Persistency
definition:
Persistency

Persistence

{ Per*sist"ence (?), Per*sist"en*cy (?), }
n.
[See Persistent.]
1.
The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.

2.
The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed
(a)
(Physics)
The persistence of motion.
(b)
(Physiol.)
Visual persistence, or persistence of the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc.


word: Persistent
definition:
Persistent

Per*sist"ent
(?)
a.
[L. persistens, -entis, p. pr. of persistere. See Persist.]
1.
Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

2.
(Biol.)
Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed to deciduous, and caducous.


word: Persisting
definition:
Persisting

Per*sist"ing
a.
Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent.
Per*sist"ing*ly, adv.


word: Persnickety
definition:
Persnickety

Per*snick"et*y
(?)
a.
1.
Finicky or fussy; demanding excessive attention to petty details or niceties; unduly particular; fastidious; -- of people.
[Colloq.]

Syn. -- finical, finicky, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, pernickety, pernicketty, punctilious.

2.
Snobbish; behaving aloofly.
[Colloq.]

Syn. -- pernickety, pernicketty.


word: Person
definition:
Person

Per"son
(pẽr"s'n; 277)
n.
[OE. persone, persoun, person, parson, OF. persone, F. personne, L. persona a mask (used by actors), a personage, part, a person, fr. personare to sound through; per + sonare to sound. See Per-, and cf. Parson.]
1.
A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character.
[Archaic]

His first appearance upon the stage in his new person of a sycophant or juggler.
Bacon.

No man can long put on a person and act a part.
Jer. Taylor.

To bear rule, which was thy part
And person, hadst thou known thyself aright.
Milton.

How different is the same man from himself, as he sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a friend!
South.

2.
The bodily form of a human being; body; outward appearance; as, of comely person.

A fair persone, and strong, and young of age.
Chaucer.

If it assume my noble father's person.
Shak.

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
Milton.

3.
A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or child.

Consider what person stands for; which, I think, is a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection.
Locke.

4.
A human being spoken of indefinitely; one; a man; as, any person present.

5.
A parson; the parish priest.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

6.
(Theol.)
Among Trinitarians, one of the three subdivisions of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost); an hypostasis.
persons
Bk. of Com. Prayer.

7.
(Gram.)
One of three relations or conditions (that of speaking, that of being spoken to, and that of being spoken of) pertaining to a noun or a pronoun, and thence also to the verb of which it may be the subject.

&hand_; A noun or pronoun, when representing the speaker, is said to be in the first person; when representing what is spoken to, in the second person; when representing what is spoken of, in the third person.

8.
(Biol.)
A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the compound Hydrozoa, Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in the narrowest sense, among the higher animals.
Haeckel.

True corms, composed of united personæ . . . usually arise by gemmation, . . . yet in sponges and corals occasionally by fusion of several originally distinct persons.
Encyc. Brit.

Artificial person, or Fictitious person (Law), a corporation or body politic; -- this term is used in contrast with natural person, a real human being.  See also legal person. Blackstone. -- Legal person (Law), an individual or group that is allowed by law to take legal action, as plaintiff or defendent.  It may include natural persons as well as fictitious persons (such as corporations).  -- Natural person (Law), a man, woman, or child, in distinction from a corporation. -- In person, by one's self; with bodily presence, rather than by remote communication; not by representative. “The king himself in person is set forth.” Shak. -- In the person of, in the place of; acting for. Shak.


word: Personable
definition:
Personable

Per"son*a*ble
(pẽr"sŭn*ȧ*b'l)
a.
1.
Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of good appearance; presentable; as, a personable man or woman.

Wise, warlike, personable, courteous, and kind.
Spenser.

The king, . . . so visited with sickness, was not personable.
E. Hall.

2.
(Law)
(a)
Enabled to maintain pleas in court.
Cowell.
(b)
Having capacity to take anything granted.


word: personableness
definition:
personableness

personableness
n.
The complex of attributes that make a person socially attractive.


word: Personage
definition:
Personage

Per"son*age
(pẽr"sŭn*a̝j: 48)
n.
[F. personnage.]
1.
Form, appearance, or belongings of a person; the external appearance, stature, figure, air, and the like, of a person.
personage
Hayward.

The damsel well did view his personage.
Spenser.

2.
Character assumed or represented.
personages
Broome.
personage
Addison.

3.
A notable or distinguished person; a conspicuous or peculiar character; as, an illustrious personage; a comely personage of stature tall.
Spenser.


word: Personal
definition:
Personal

Per"son*al
(pẽr"sŭn*al)
a.
[L. personalis: cf. F. personnel.]
1.
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.

Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Hooker.

2.
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.

The words are conditional, -- If thou doest well, -- and so personal to Cain.
Locke.

3.
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Addison.

4.
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
Personal
Fabyan.

The immediate and personal speaking of God.
White.

5.
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.

6.
(Gram.)
Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.

Personal action (Law), a suit or action by which a man claims a debt or personal duty, or damages in lieu of it; or wherein he claims satisfaction in damages for an injury to his person or property, or the specific recovery of goods or chattels; -- opposed to real action. -- Personal equation. (Astron.) See under Equation. -- Personal estate or Personal property (Law), movables; chattels; -- opposed to real estate or real property.  It usually consists of things temporary and movable, including all subjects of property not of a freehold nature. -- Personal identity (Metaph.), the persistent and continuous unity of the individual person, which is attested by consciousness. -- Personal pronoun (Gram.), one of the pronouns I, thou, he, she, it, and their plurals. -- Personal representatives (Law), the executors or administrators of a person deceased. -- Personal rights, rights appertaining to the person; as, the rights of a personal security, personal liberty, and private property. -- Personal tithes. See under Tithe. -- Personal verb (Gram.), a verb which is modified or inflected to correspond with the three persons.


word: personal computer
definition:
personal computer

personal computer
n.
1.
(Computers)
A computer{2} designed for use by one person at a time; -- contrasted with shared-time computers such as a mainframe, server or minicomputer, which may be accessed by multiple users each operating from a different input device (in the 1990's, usually a terminal or personal computer).   A personal computer typically uses a microprocessor for its CPU.

Syn. -- PC, microcomputer.


word: Personality
definition:
Personality

Per`son*al"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Personalities (#).
[Cf. F. personnalité.  Cf. Personality.]
1.
That which constitutes distinction of person; the externally evident aspects of the character or behavior of a person; individuality.

Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground.
Coleridge.

2.
Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks; as, indulgence in personalities.

Sharp personalities were exchanged.
Macaulay.

3.
(Law)
That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons.
Burrill.

4.
A person who is famous or notable; a celebrity.


word: Personalize
definition:
Personalize

Per"son*al*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Personalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personalizing (?).]
To make personal.
personalize
H. Spencer.


word: personalized
definition:
personalized

personalized
adj.
1.
Made for or directed or adjusted to a particular individual; modified for a particular person; as, personalized luggage; personalized advice.

Syn. -- individualized.

2.
Pointedly referring to or concerning a person's individual personality or intimate affairs, especially offensively; as, personalized criticism.

Syn. -- pointed.


word: Personally
definition:
Personally

Per"son*al*ly
adv.
1.
In a personal manner; by bodily presence; in person; not by representative or substitute; as, to deliver a letter personally.

He, being cited, personally came not.
Grafton.

2.
With respect to an individual; as regards the person; individually; particularly.

She bore a mortal hatred to the house of Lancaster, and personally to the king.
Bacon.

3.
With respect to one's individuality; as regards one's self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.


word: Personalty
definition:
Personalty

Per"son*al*ty
(?)
n.
1.
The state of being a person; personality.
[R.]

2.
(Law)
Personal property, as distinguished from realty or real property.


word: Personate
definition:
Personate

Per"son*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Personated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personating (?).]
[L. personare to cry out, LL., to extol. See Person.]
To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise.
[Obs.]

In fable, hymn, or song so personating
Their gods ridiculous.
Milton.


word: Personate₂
definition:
Personate

Per"son*ate
v. t.
[L. personatus masked, assumed, fictitious, fr. persona a mask. See Person.]
1.
To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; to impersonate{3}; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion.
Hammond.

2.
To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask.
[R.]
personated
Milton.

3.
To personify; to typify; to describe.
Shak.


word: Personate₄
definition:
Personate

Per"son*ate
(?)
a.
[L. personatus masked.]
(Bot.)
Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the flower of the snapdragon.


word: Personation
definition:
Personation

Per`son*a"tion
(?)
n.
The act of personating, or conterfeiting the person or character of another; impersonation.


word: Personification
definition:
Personification

Per*son`i*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. personnification.]
1.
The act of personifying; impersonation; embodiment.
C. Knight.

2.
(Rhet.)
A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstract idea is represented as animated, or endowed with personality; prosopopœia; as, the floods clap their hands.
Milton.


word: Personify
definition:
Personify

Per*son"i*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Personified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personifying (?).]
[Person + -fy: cf. F. personnifier.]
1.
To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent as a rational being.

The poets take the liberty of personifying inanimate things.
Chesterfield.

2.
To be the embodiment or personification of; to impersonate; as, he personifies the law.


word: Personnel
definition:
Personnel

Per`son`nel"
(?)
n.
[F. See Personal.]
The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; -- distinguished from materiel.


word: person to person
definition:
person to person

person-to-person

person-to-person, person to person
adj.
1.
By direct contact between persons.

2.
Without intervening persons.

Syn. -- face-to-face.


word: Persoonia
definition:
Persoonia

Persoonia
prop. n.
A genus of Australian undershrubs to small trees; the geebungs.

Syn. -- genus Persoonia.


word: Perspective
definition:
Perspective

Per*spec"tive
(pẽr*spĕk"tĭv)
a.
[L. perspicere, perspectum, to look through; per + spicere, specere, to look: cf. F. perspectif; or from E. perspective, n. See Spy, n.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the science of vision; optical.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
Pertaining to the art, or in accordance with the laws, of perspective.

Perspective plane, the plane or surface on which the objects are delineated, or the picture drawn; the plane of projection; -- distinguished from the ground plane, which is that on which the objects are represented as standing.  When this plane is oblique to the principal face of the object, the perspective is called oblique perspective; when parallel to that face, parallel perspective. -- Perspective shell (Zool.), any shell of the genus Solarium and allied genera.  See Solarium.


word: Perspective₂
definition:
Perspective

Per*spec"tive
n.
[F. perspective, fr. perspectif: cf. It. perspettiva. See Perspective, a.]
1.
A glass through which objects are viewed.
[Obs.]
perspective
Sir T. Browne.

2.
That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista.
perspective
Goldsmith.

3.
The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by means of which the eye recognizes them as being at a more or less measurable distance. Hence, aërial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects.

Aërial perspective is the expression of space by any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness of color, etc.
Ruskin.

4.
The art and the science of so delineating objects that they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the eye; -- called also linear perspective.

5.
A drawing in linear perspective.

Isometrical perspective, an inaccurate term for a mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of the diagonal of a cube. -- Perspective glass, a telescope which shows objects in the right position.


word: Perspectively
definition:
Perspectively

Per*spec"tive*ly
(pẽr*spĕk"tĭv*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
1.
Optically; as through a glass.
[R.]

You see them perspectively.
Shak.

2.
According to the rules of perspective.


word: Perspectograph
definition:
Perspectograph

Per*spec"to*graph
(pẽr*spĕk"to̝*grȧf)
n.
[L. perspectus (p. p. of perspicere to look through) + -graph.]
An instrument for obtaining, and transferring to a picture, the points and outlines of objects, so as to represent them in their proper geometrical relations as viewed from some one point.


word: Perspectography
definition:
Perspectography

Per`spec*tog"ra*phy
(pẽr`spĕk*t&obreve_;g"rȧ*f&ybreve_;)
n.
The science or art of delineating objects according to the laws of perspective; the theory of perspective.


word: Perspicable
definition:
Perspicable

Per"spi*ca*ble
(pẽr"spĭ*kȧ*b'l)
a.
[L. perspicabilis, fr. perspicere.]
Discernible.
[Obs.]
Herbert.


word: Perspicacious
definition:
Perspicacious

Per`spi*ca"cious
(pẽr`spĭ*kā"shŭs)
a.
[L. perspicax, -acis, fr. perspicere to look through: cf. F. perspicace. See Perspective.]
1.
Having the power of seeing clearly; quick-sighted; sharp of sight.

2.
Fig.: Of acute discernment; keen.


word: Perspicacity
definition:
Perspicacity

Per`spi*cac"i*ty
(pẽr`spĭ*kăs"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. perspicacitas: cf. F. perspicacité. See Perspicacious.]
The state of being perspicacious; acuteness of sight or of intelligence; acute discernment.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perspicience
definition:
Perspicience

Per*spi"cience
(pẽr*spĭsh"ens)
n.
[L. perspicientia, fr. perspiciens, p. p. of perspicere. See Perspective.]
The act of looking sharply.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Perspicil
definition:
Perspicil

Per"spi*cil
(pẽr"spĭ*sĭl)
n.
[LL. perspicilla, fr. L. perspicere to look through.]
An optical glass; a telescope.
[Obs.]
Crashaw.


word: Perspicuity
definition:
Perspicuity

Per`spi*cu"i*ty
(pẽr`spĭ*kū"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. perspicuitas: cf. F. perspicuité.]
1.
The quality or state of being transparent or translucent.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
The quality of being perspicuous to the understanding; clearness of expression or thought.

3.
Sagacity; perspicacity.


word: Perspicuous
definition:
Perspicuous

Per*spic"u*ous
(?)
a.
[L. perspicuus, from perspicere to look through. See Perspective.]
1.
Capable of being through; transparent; translucent; not opaque.
[Obs.]
Peacham.

2.
Clear to the understanding; capable of being clearly understood; clear in thought or in expression; not obscure or ambiguous; as, a perspicuous writer; perspicuous statements.
perspicuous
Shak.


word: Perspirable
definition:
Perspirable

Per*spir"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. perspirable.]
1.
Capable of being perspired.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
Emitting perspiration; perspiring.
[R.]
Bacon.


word: Perspiration
definition:
Perspiration

Per`spi*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. perspiration.]
1.
The act or process of perspiring.

2.
That which is excreted through the skin; sweat.

&hand_; A man of average weight throws off through the skin during 24 hours about 18 ounces of water, 300 grains of solid matter, and 400 grains of carbonic acid gas. Ordinarily, this constant exhalation is not apparent, and the excretion is then termed insensible perspiration.


word: Perspiratory
definition:
Perspiratory

Per*spir"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or producing, perspiration; as, the perspiratory ducts.


word: Perspire
definition:
Perspire

Per*spire"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Perspired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perspiring.]
[L. perspirare to breathe through; per + spirare. See Per-, and Spirit.]
1.
(Physiol.)
To excrete matter through the skin; esp., to excrete fluids through the pores of the skin; to sweat.

2.
To be evacuated or excreted, or to exude, through the pores of the skin; as, a fluid perspires.


word: Perspire₂
definition:
Perspire

Per*spire"
v. t.
To emit or evacuate through the pores of the skin; to sweat; to excrete through pores.

Firs . . . perspire a fine balsam of turpentine.
Smollett.


word: Perstreperous
definition:
Perstreperous

Per*strep"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. perstrepere to make a great noise.]
Noisy; obstreperous.
[Obs.]
Ford.


word: Perstringe
definition:
Perstringe

Per*stringe"
(?)
v. t.
[L. perstringere; per + stringere to bind up, to touch upon.]
1.
To touch; to graze; to glance on.
[Obs.]

2.
To criticise; to touch upon.
[R.]
Evelyn.


word: Persuadable
definition:
Persuadable

Per*suad"a*ble
(?)
a.
That may be persuaded.
Per*suad"a*ble*ness, n. -- Per*suad"a*bly, adv.


word: Persuade
definition:
Persuade

Per*suade"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Persuaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Persuading.]
[L. persuadere, persuasum; per + suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See Per-, and Suasion.]
1.
To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty, expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination by presenting sufficient motives.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Acts xxvi. 28.

We will persuade him, be it possible.
Shak.

2.
To try to influence.
[Obsolescent]

Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.
2 Kings xviii. 32.

3.
To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.

Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.
Heb. vi. 9.

4.
To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to recommend.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Persuaded
definition:
Persuaded

Per*suad"ed
p. p. & a.
Prevailed upon; influenced by argument or entreaty; convinced.
Per*suad"ed*ly, adv. -- Per*suad"ed*ness, n.


word: Persuasible
definition:
Persuasible

Per*sua"si*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. persuasibilis persuasive, F. persuasible persuasible.]
1.
Capable of being persuaded; persuadable.

2.
Persuasive.
[Obs.]
Bale.


word: Persuasion
definition:
Persuasion

Per*sua"sion
(?)
n.
[L. persuasio; Cf. F. persuasion.]
1.
The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.

For thou hast all the arts of fine persuasion.
Otway.

2.
The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion or conviction, which has been induced.

If the general persuasion of all men does so account it.
Hooker.

My firm persuasion is, at least sometimes,
That Heaven will weigh man's virtues and his crimes
With nice attention.
Cowper.

3.
A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion; all persuasions are agreed.

Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.
Jefferson.

4.
The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness.

Is 't possible that my deserts to you
Can lack persuasion?
Shak.

5.
That which persuades; a persuasive.
[R.]


word: Persuasive
definition:
Persuasive

Per*sua"sive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. persuasif.]
Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as, persuasive eloquence.
Persuasive
Milton.


word: Persuasive₂
definition:
Persuasive

Per*sua"sive
n.
That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation.
Per*sua"sive*ly, adv. -- Per*sua"sive*ness, n.


word: Persulphide
definition:
Persulphide

Per*sul"phide
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A sulphide containing more sulphur than some other compound of the same elements; as, iron pyrites is a persulphide; -- formerly called persulphuret.


word: Persulphocyanic
definition:
Persulphocyanic

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a yellow crystalline substance (called also perthiocyanic acid), analogous to sulphocyanic acid, but containing more sulphur.


word: Persulphocyanogen
definition:
Persulphocyanogen

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"o*gen
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An orange-yellow substance, produced by the action of chlorine or boiling dilute nitric acid and sulphocyanate of potassium; -- called also pseudosulphocyanogen, perthiocyanogen, and formerly sulphocyanogen.


word: Pert
definition:
Pert

Pert
(?)
a.
[An aphetic form of OE. & OF. apert open, known, true, free, or impudent. See Apert.]
1.
Open; evident; apert.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.

2.
Lively; brisk; sprightly; smart.
[Obs.]
Shak.

3.
Indecorously free, or presuming; saucy; bold; impertinent.
pert
Addison.

The squirrel, flippant, pert, and full of play.
Cowper.


word: Pertain
definition:
Pertain

Per*tain"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pertained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pertaining.]
[OE. partenen, OF. partenir, fr. L. pertinere to stretch out, reach, pertain; per + tenere to hold, keep. See Per-, and Tenable, and cf. Appertain, Pertinent.]
1.
To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life.

Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth not to them.
Hayward.

2.
To have relation or reference to something.

These words pertain unto us at this time as they pertained to them at their time.
Latimer.


word: Perterebration
definition:
Perterebration

Per*ter`e*bra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perterebratus, p. p. of perterebrare to bore through.]
The act of boring through.
[Obs.]
Ainsworth.


word: Perthite
definition:
Perthite

Perth"ite
(?)
n.
[So called from Perth, in canada.]
(Min.)
A kind of feldspar consisting of a laminated intertexture of albite and orthoclase, usually of different colors.
Per*thit"ic (#), a.


word: Pertinacious
definition:
Pertinacious

Per`ti*na"cious
(?)
a.
[L. pertinax, -acis; per + tenax tenacious. See Per-, and Tenacious.]
1.
Holding or adhering to any opinion, purpose, or design, with obstinacy; perversely persistent; obstinate; as, pertinacious plotters; a pertinacious beggar.

2.
Resolute; persevering; constant; steady.

Diligence is a steady, constant, and pertinacious study.
South.


word: Pertinacity
definition:
Pertinacity

Per`ti*nac"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pertinacité.]
The quality or state of being pertinacious; obstinacy; perseverance; persistency.
Macaulay.


word: Pertinacy
definition:
Pertinacy

Per"ti*na*cy
(?)
n.
[L. pertinere to pertain. See Pertinence.]
The quality or state of being pertinent; pertinence.
[Obs.]


word: Pertinacy₂
definition:
Pertinacy

Per"ti*na*cy
n.
[L. pertinacia, fr. pertinax. See Pertinacious.]
Pertinacity.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Pertinency
definition:
Pertinency

Pertinence

{ Per"ti*nence (?), Per"ti*nen*cy (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. pertinence. See Pertinent.]
The quality or state of being pertinent; justness of relation to the subject or matter in hand; fitness; appositeness; relevancy; suitableness.

The fitness and pertinency of the apostle's discourse.
Bentley.


word: Pertinent
definition:
Pertinent

Per"ti*nent
(?)
a.
[L. pertinens, -entis, p. pr. of pertinere: cf. F. pertinent. See Pertain.]
1.
Belonging or related to the subject or matter in hand; fit or appropriate in any way; adapted to the end proposed; apposite; material; relevant; as, pertinent illustrations or arguments; pertinent evidence.

2.
Regarding; concerning; belonging; pertaining.
[R.]
Pertinent
Hooker.


word: Pertransient
definition:
Pertransient

Per*tran"sient
(?)
a.
[L. pertransiens, p. pr. of pertransire.]
Passing through or over.
[R.]


word: Perturb
definition:
Perturb

Per*turb"
(?)
v. t.
[L. perturbare, perturbatum; per + turbare to disturb, fr. turba a disorder: cf. OF. perturber. See Per-, and Turbid.]
1.
To disturb; to agitate; to vex; to trouble; to disquiet.

Ye that . . . perturb so my feast with crying.
Chaucer.

2.
To disorder; to confuse.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Perturbable
definition:
Perturbable

Per*turb"a*ble
(?)
a.
Liable to be perturbed or agitated; liable to be disturbed or disquieted.


word: Perturbation
definition:
Perturbation

Per`tur*ba"tion
(?)
n.
[L. perturbatio: cf. F. perturbation.]
1.
The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed; esp., agitation of mind.

2.
(Astron.)
A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion; as, the perturbations of the planets are caused by their attraction on each other.
Newcomb.


word: Perturbational
definition:
Perturbational

Per`tur*ba"tion*al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to perturbation, esp. to the perturbations of the planets.
perturbational
Sir J. Herschel.


word: Pertused
definition:
Pertused

Pertuse

{ Per*tuse" (?), Per*tused" (?) }
a.
[L. pertusus, p. p. of pertundere to beat or thrust through, to bore through; per + tundere to beat: cf. F. pertus.  Cf. Pierce.]
Punched; pierced with, or having, holes.


word: Pertusion
definition:
Pertusion

Per*tu"sion
(?)
n.
[L. pertusio.]
The act of punching or piercing with a pointed instrument; as, pertusion of a vein.
[R.]
Arbuthnot.

2.
A punched hole; a perforation.
Bacon.


word: Pertussis
definition:
Pertussis

Per*tus"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. per through, very + tussis cough.]
(Med.)
The whooping cough.


word: Peruke
definition:
Peruke

Per"uke
(?)
n.
[F. perruque, It. perrucca, parrucca, fr. L. pilus hair.  Cf. Periwig, Wig, Peel to strip off, Plush, Pile a hair.]
A wig; a periwig.


word: Perula
definition:
Perula

Per"u*la
(?)
n.
pl. Perulæ (#).
[L., dim. of pera wallet, Gr. _;: cf. F. pérule.]
1.
(Bot.)
One of the scales of a leaf bud.

2.
(Bot.)
A pouchlike portion of the perianth in certain orchides.


word: Perusal
definition:
Perusal

Pe*rus"al
(?)
n.
[From Peruse.]
1.
The act of carefully viewing or examining.
[R.]
Tatler.

2.
The act of reading, especially of reading through or with care.
Woodward.


word: Peruse
definition:
Peruse

Pe*ruse"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perusing.]
[Pref. per- + use.]
1.
To observe; to examine with care.
[R.]

Myself I then perused, and limb by limb
Surveyed.
Milton.

2.
To read through; to read carefully.
Shak.


word: Peruvian
definition:
Peruvian

Pe*ru"vi*an
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. péruvien, Sp. peruviano.]
Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America.
n. A native or an inhabitant of Peru.

Peruvian balsam. See Balsam of Peru, under Balsam. -- Peruvian bark, the bitter bark of trees of various species of Cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy for malarial diseases. This property is due to several alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc., and their compounds; -- called also Jesuit's bark, and cinchona. See Cinchona.


word: Pervade
definition:
Pervade

Per*vade"
(pẽr*vād")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pervaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pervading.]
[L. pervadere, pervasum; per + vadere to go, to walk. See Per-, and Wade.]
1.
To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or interstice; to permeate.

That labyrinth is easily pervaded.
Blackstone.

2.
To pass or spread through the whole extent of; to be diffused throughout.

A spirit of cabal, intrigue, and proselytism pervaded all their thoughts, words, and actions.
Burke.


word: pervaporation
definition:
pervaporation

pervaporation
n.
The concentration of a colloidal solution whose colloid will not pass through a semipermeable membrane; the solution is placed in a bag of the membrane and the solvent is evaporated off.


word: Pervasion
definition:
Pervasion

Per*va"sion
(pẽr*vā"zhŭn)
n.
[L. pervasio. See Pervade.]
The act of pervading, passing, or spreading through the whole extent of a thing.
Boyle.


word: Pervasive
definition:
Pervasive

Per*va"sive
(pẽr*vā"sĭv)
a.
Tending to pervade, or having power to spread throughout; of a pervading quality.
pervasive
M. Arnold.


word: pervasiveness
definition:
pervasiveness

pervasiveness
n.
The quality of filling or spreading throughout; as, the pervasiveness of the odor of cabbage in tenement hallways.


word: Perverse
definition:
Perverse

Per*verse"
(pẽr*vẽrs")
a.
[L. perversus turned the wrong way, not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn: cf. F. pervers. See Pervert.]
1.
Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.

The only righteous in a world perverse.
Milton.

2.
Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.

To so perverse a sex all grace is vain.
Dryden.


word: Perversion
definition:
Perversion

Per*ver"sion
(?)
n.
[L. perversio: cf. F. perversion. See Pervert.]
The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use.
perversions
Bacon.


word: Perversity
definition:
Perversity

Per*ver"si*ty
(?)
n.
[L. perversitas: cf. F. perversité.]
The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.


word: Pervert
definition:
Pervert

Per*vert"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.]
[F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See Per-, and Verse.]
1.
To turn another way; to divert.
[Obs.]

Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath.
Shak.

2.
To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret intentionally; as, to pervert one's words.
Dryden.

He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve.
Milton.


word: Pervert₃
definition:
Pervert

Per"vert
(?)
n.
One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the Synonym of Convert.

That notorious pervert, Henry of Navarre.
Thackeray.


word: Perverter
definition:
Perverter

Per*vert"er
(?)
n.
One who perverts (a person or thing).
perverters
South.
perverter
Bp. Stillingfleet.


word: Pervestigate
definition:
Pervestigate

Per*ves"ti*gate
(?)
v. t.
[L. pervestigatus, p. p. of pervestigare.]
To investigate thoroughly.
[Obs.]


word: Pervestigation
definition:
Pervestigation

Per*ves`ti*ga"tion
(?)
n.
[L. pervestigatio.]
Thorough investigation.
[Obs.]
Chillingworth.


word: Pervicacious
definition:
Pervicacious

Per`vi*ca"cious
(?)
a.
[L. pervicax, -acis.]
Obstinate; willful; refractory.
[Obs.]
Per`vi*ca"cious*ly, adv. -- Per`vi*ca"cious*ness, n. [Obs.]


word: Pervigilation
definition:
Pervigilation

Per*vig`i*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. pervigilatio, fr. pervigilare.]
Careful watching.
[Obs.]


word: Pervious
definition:
Pervious

Per"vi*ous
(?)
a.
[L. pervis; per + via a way. See Per-, and Voyage.]
1.
Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another body or substance; permeable; as, a pervious soil.

[Doors] . . . pervious to winds, and open every way.
Pope.

2.
Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical or mental vision.
[R.]

God, whose secrets are pervious to no eye.
Jer. Taylor.

3.
Capable of penetrating or pervading.
[Obs.]
Prior.

4.
(Zool.)
Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as applied to the nostrils or birds.


word: Perviousness
definition:
Perviousness

Per"vi*ous*ness
n.
The quality or state of being pervious; as, the perviousness of glass.
Boyle.


word: Pes
definition:
Pes

Pes
(pēz)
n.
pl. Pedes .
[L., the foot.]
(Anat.)
The distal segment of the hind limb of vertebrates, including the tarsus and foot.


word: Pesade
definition:
Pesade

Pe*sade"
(pe̝*sād"; F. pe*zȧd")
n.
[F.]
(Man.)
The motion of a horse when, raising his fore quarters, he keeps his hind feet on the ground without advancing; rearing.


word: Pesage
definition:
Pesage

Pes"age
(?)
n.
[F., fr. peser to weigh.]
A fee, or toll, paid for the weighing of merchandise.


word: Pesanted
definition:
Pesanted

Pes"ant*ed
(?)
a.
[F. pesant heavy.]
Made heavy or dull; debased.
[Obs.]
Pesanted
Marston.


word: Peseta
definition:
Peseta

Pe*se"ta
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
A Spanish silver coin, and money of account, equal to about nineteen cents (ca. 1900), and divided into 100 centesimos.  Now replaced by the euro.


word: Peshitto
definition:
Peshitto

Peshito

{ Pe*shit"o (?), Pe*shit"to (?), }
n.
[Syriac peshîtâ simple.]
The earliest Syriac version of the Old Testament, translated from Hebrew; also, the incomplete Syriac version of the New Testament.
[Written also peschito.]


word: Pesky
definition:
Pesky

Pes"ky
(?)
a.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
Pestering; vexatious; troublesome. Used also as an intensive.
[Colloq. & Low, U.S.]
Judd.


word: Peso
definition:
Peso

Pe"so
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
A Spanish dollar; also, an Argentine, Chilian, Colombian, etc., coin, equal to from 75 cents to a dollar; also, a pound weight.


word: Pessary
definition:
Pessary

Pes"sa*ry
(pĕs"sȧ*r&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Pessaries (#).
[L. pessarium, pessum, pessus, Gr. pesso`s: cf. F. pessaire.]
(Med.)
(a)
An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a malposition.
(b)
A medicinal substance in the form of a bolus or mass, designed for introduction into the vagina; a vaginal suppository.


word: pessimal
definition:
pessimal

pes"si*mal
adj.
Least favorable for survival; -- of an organism's environment.

Syn. -- pessimum(prenominal).


word: Pessimism
definition:
Pessimism

Pes"si*mism
(?)
n.
[L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor worse: cf. F. pessimisme.  Cf. Impair.]
1.
(Metaph.)
The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism.

2.
A disposition to take the least hopeful view of a situation.


word: Pessimist
definition:
Pessimist

Pes"si*mist
(?)
n.
[L. pessimus worst: cf. F. pessimiste.]
1.
(Metaph.)
One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; -- opposed to optimist.

2.
One who looks on the dark side of things.


word: Pessimistic
definition:
Pessimistic

Pessimist

{ Pes"si*mist (?), Pes`si*mis"tic (?), }
a.
(Metaph.)
Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterized by pessimism; gloomy; foreboding.
pessimistic
Encyc. Brit.


word: Pessulus
definition:
Pessulus

Pes"su*lus
(?)
n.
pl. Pessuli (#).
[L., a bolt.]
(Anat.)
A delicate bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral extremities of the first pair of bronchial cartilages in the syrinx of birds.


word: Pest
definition:
Pest

Pest
(?)
n.
[L. pestis: cf. F. peste.]
1.
A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.

England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest.
Cowper.

2.
Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance.
pest
South.


word: Pestalozzian
definition:
Pestalozzian

Pes`ta*loz"zi*an
(?)
a.
Belonging to, or characteristic of, a system of elementary education which combined manual training with other instruction, advocated and practiced by Jean Henri Pestalozzi (1746-1827), a Swiss teacher.
n. An advocate or follower of the system of Pestalozzi.


word: Pester
definition:
Pester

Pes"ter
(pĕs"tẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pestered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestering.]
[Abbrev. fr. impester, fr. OF. empaistrier, empestrer, to entangle the feet or legs, to embarrass, F. empêtrer; pref. em-, en- (L. in in) + LL. pastorium, pastoria, a fetter by which horses are prevented from wandering in the pastures, fr. L. pastorius belonging to a herdsman or shepherd, pastor a herdsman. See In, and Pasture, Pastor.]
1.
To trouble; to disturb; to annoy; to harass with petty vexations.

We are pestered with mice and rats.
Dr. H. More.

A multitude of scribblers daily pester the world.
Dryden.

2.
To crowd together in an annoying way; to overcrowd; to infest.
[Obs.]
Milton.

All rivers and pools . . . pestered full with fishes.
Holland.


word: pestered
definition:
pestered

pestered
adj.
Troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances; as, the exasperation of a pestered animal.

Syn. -- annoyed, harassed, harried.


word: Pesterment
definition:
Pesterment

Pes"ter*ment
(?)
n.
The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered; vexation; worry.
pesterment
B. Franklin.


word: Pesterous
definition:
Pesterous

Pes"ter*ous
(?)
a.
Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Pesthouse
definition:
Pesthouse

Pest`house"
(?)
n.
A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any pestilential disease.


word: Pestiduct
definition:
Pestiduct

Pes"ti*duct
(?)
n.
[L. pestis pest + ductus a leading, fr. ducere to lead.]
That which conveys contagion or infection.
[Obs.]
Donne.


word: Pestiferous
definition:
Pestiferous

Pes*tif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. pestiferus, pestifer; pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestifère.]
1.
Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies.
pestiferous
Evelyn.
pestiferous
Burke.

2.
Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious; hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue.

Pestiferous reports of men very nobly held.
Shak.


word: Pestilence
definition:
Pestilence

Pes"ti*lence
(?)
n.
[F. pestilence, L. pestilentia. See Pestilent.]
1.
Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.

The pestilence that walketh in darkness.
Ps. xci. 6.

2.
Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.

I'll pour this pestilence into his ear.
Shak.

Pestilence weed (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot (Petasites vulgaris), so called because formerly considered a remedy for the plague. Dr. Prior.


word: Pestilent
definition:
Pestilent

Pes"ti*lent
(?)
a.
[L. pestilens, -entis, fr. pestis pest: cf. F. pestilent.]
Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous.
pestilent
Milton.
pestilent
Shak.


word: Pestilential
definition:
Pestilential

Pes`ti*len"tial
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pestilentiel.]
1.
Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence.
pestilential
Longfellow.

2.
Hence: Mischievous; noxious; pernicious; morally destructive.

So pestilential, so infectious a thing is sin.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Pestilently
definition:
Pestilently

Pes"ti*lent*ly
(?)
adv.
In a pestilent manner; mischievously; destructively.
pestilently
Dr. H. More.


word: pestillation
definition:
pestillation

pes`til*la"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. pestillum, L. pistillum. See Pestle.]
The act of pounding and bruising with a pestle in a mortar.
Sir T. Browne.


word: pestle
definition:
pestle

pes"tle
(pĕs"t'l or pĕs"'l; 277)
n.
[OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush, akin to Gr. pti`ssein, Skr. pish.  Cf. Pistil.]
1.
An implement for pounding and breaking or braying substances in a mortar; as, to grind with a mortar and pestle.

2.
A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its shape.
[Obs.]
Chapman.

3.
The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig; as, a pestle of pork.


word: pestle₂
definition:
pestle

pes"tle
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Pestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestling (?).]
To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle; to use a pestle.


word: pesto
definition:
pesto

pes"to
(pĕs"to̝)
n.
[It. pesto, pounded, from pestare to pound, crush, fr. LL.  pistare, fr. pinsere.  See also pestle.]
(Cookery)
A sauce used in Italian cuisine, typically made by blending olive oil, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and grated parmesan cheese; it is served hot or cold over pasta, meat, or fish.  Where pine nuts are expensive, sunflower seeds are sometimes substituted.


word: pet
definition:
pet

pet
(pĕt)
n.
[Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to Gael. peata.]
1.
A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.

2.
Any person especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child; as, a teacher's pet.

The love of cronies, pets, and favorites.
Tatler.

3.
[Prob. fr. Pet a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor of a spoiled child.]
A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness.
pet
Tennyson.

4.
Any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately.  Distinguished from animals raised for food or to perform useful tasks, as a draft animal or a farm animal.


word: pet₂
definition:
pet

pet
a.
Petted; indulged; favorite; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory; a pet animal.

Some young lady's pet curate.
F. Harrison.

Pet cock. [Perh. for petty cock.] (Mach.) A little faucet in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of a steam cylinder, to drain it. [Also spelled petcock.]


word: Pet
definition:
Pet

Pet
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Petted; p. pr. & vb. n. Petting.]
To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.


word: Petal
definition:
Petal

Pet"al
(pĕt"al; 277)
n.
[Gr. pe`talon a leaf, a leaf or plate of metal, fr. pe`talos outspread, broad, flat: cf. F. pétale. See Fathom.]
1.
(Bot.)
One of the leaves of the corolla, or the colored leaves of a flower. See Corolla, and Illust. of Flower.

2.
(Zool.)
One of the expanded ambulacra which form a rosette on the black of certain Echini.


word: Petaled
definition:
Petaled

Pet"aled
(pĕt"ald)
a.
(Bot.)
Having petals; as, a petaled flower; -- opposed to apetalous, and much used in compounds; as, one-petaled, three-petaled, etc.


word: Petaline
definition:
Petaline

Pet"al*ine
(pĕt"al*ĭn)
a.
[Cf. F. pétalin.]
(Bot.)
Pertaining to a petal; attached to, or resembling, a petal.


word: Petalism
definition:
Petalism

Pet"al*ism
(pĕt"al*ĭz'm)
n.
[Gr. petalismo`s, fr. pe`talon a leaf: cf. F. pétalisme.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition.  It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.


word: Petalite
definition:
Petalite

Pet"al*ite
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pétalite.]
(Min.)
A rare mineral, occurring crystallized and in cleavable masses, usually white, or nearly so, in color.  It is a silicate of aluminum and lithium.


word: Petalody
definition:
Petalody

Pe*tal"o*dy
(?)
n.
[Petal + Gr. e'i^dos form.]
(Bot.)
The metamorphosis of various floral organs, usually stamens, into petals.


word: Petaloideous
definition:
Petaloideous

Pet`al*oid"e*ous
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Having the whole or part of the perianth petaline.

Petaloideous division, that division of endogenous plants in which the perianth is wholly or partly petaline, embracing the Liliaceæ, Orchidaceæ, Amaryllideæ, etc.


word: Petalosticha
definition:
Petalosticha

Pet`a*los"ti*cha
(?)
PROP. n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. pe`talon a leaf + sti`chos a row.]
(Zool.)
An order of Echini, including the irregular sea urchins, as the spatangoids. See Spatangoid.


word: Petard
definition:
Petard

Pe*tard"
(?)
n.
[F. pétard, fr. péter to break wind, to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.]
(Mil.)
A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates, barricades, drawbridges, etc.  It has been superseded.


word: Petardier
definition:
Petardier

Petardeer

{ Pet`ar*deer", Pet`ar*dier"  }
(?)
n.
[F. pétardier.]
(Mil.)
One who managed a petard.


word: Petasus
definition:
Petasus

Pet"a*sus
(?)
n.
[L., from Gr. pe`tasos.]
(Gr. & Rom. Antiq.)
The winged cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat worn by Greeks and Romans.


word: Petaurist
definition:
Petaurist

Pe*tau"rist
(pe̝*t&asuml_;"rĭst)
n.
[L. petaurista a ropedancer, Gr. petayristh`s, fr. petayri`zein to dance on a rope, fr. pe`tayron a pole, a stage for ropedancers: cf. F. pétauriste.]
(Zool.)
Any flying marsupial of the genera Petaurus, Phalangista, Acrobata, and allied genera.  See Flying mouse, under Flying, and Phalangister.


word: Petaurista
definition:
Petaurista

Petaurista
prop. n.
A genus of very large Asiatic flying squirrels.

Syn. -- genus Petaurista.


word: Petauristidae
definition:
Petauristidae

Petauristidae
prop. n.
A natural family of Old World flying squirrels.

Syn. -- subfamily Petauristidae.


word: petcock
definition:
petcock

pet"cock`
(pĕt"k&obreve_;k`)
n.
A small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression, or for draining a vessel.


word: Petechiae
definition:
Petechiae

Pe*tech"i*æ
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Petechia (_;).
[NL., fr. LL. peteccia; cf. F. pétéchie, It. petecchia, Sp. petequia, Gr. pitta`kion a label, plaster.]
(Med.)
Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like flea-bites, due to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin in malignant fevers, etc.


word: Petechial
definition:
Petechial

Pe*tech"i*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pétéchial, LL. petecchialis.]
(Med.)
Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechiæ; spotted.

Petechial fever, a malignant fever, accompanied with livid spots on the skin.


word: Peter
definition:
Peter

Pe"ter
(pē"tẽr)
prop. n.
A common baptismal name for a man.  The name of one of the twelve apostles of Christ.

Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. -- Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.] -- Peter pence, or Peter's pence. (a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St. Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money. (b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope. -- Peter's fish (Zool.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute.  The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.


word: Peter₂
definition:
Peter

Pet"er
(pē"tẽr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Petered (pē"tẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Petering.]
[Etymol. uncertain.]
To become depleted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out.
[Slang, U.S.]


word: Peterman
definition:
Peterman

Pe"ter*man
(pē"tẽr*măn)
n.
pl. Petermen (pē"tẽr*mĕn).
A fisherman; -- so called after the apostle Peter.
[An obs. local term in Eng.]
Chapman.


word: Petersham
definition:
Petersham

Pe"ter*sham
(pē"tẽr*shăm)
n.
[Named after Lord Petersham.]
A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men's overcoats; also, a coat of that material.


word: Petiolary
definition:
Petiolary

Petiolar

{ Pet"i*o*lar (?), Pet"i*o*la*ry (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. pétiolarie.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to petiole, or proceeding from it; as, a petiolar tendril; growing or supported upon a petiole; as, a petiolar gland; a petiolar bud.


word: Petiolated
definition:
Petiolated

Petiolate

{ Pet"i*o*late (?), Pet"i*o*la`ted (?), }
a.
(Bot. & Zool.)
Having a stalk or petiole; as, a petioleate leaf; the petiolated abdomen of certain Hymenoptera.


word: Petiole
definition:
Petiole

Pet"i*ole
(pĕt"ĭ*&omacrl)
n.
[F. pétiole, fr. L. petiolus a little foot, a fruit stalk; cf. pes, pedis, a foot.]
1.
(Bot.)
A leafstalk; the footstalk of a leaf, connecting the blade with the stem. See Illust. of Leaf.

2.
(Zool.)
A stalk or peduncle.


word: Petiolule
definition:
Petiolule

Pet"i*o*lule
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pétiolule.]
(Bot.)
A small petiole, or the petiole of a leaflet.


word: Petit
definition:
Petit

Pet"it
(pĕt"&ybreve_;; F. pe*te̝")
a.
[F. See Petty.]
Small; little; insignificant; mean; -- Same as Petty.
[Obs., except in legal language.]

By what small, petit hints does the mind catch hold of and recover a vanishing notion.
South.

Petit constable, an inferior civil officer, subordinate to the high constable. -- Petit jury, a jury of twelve men, impaneled to try causes at the bar of a court; -- so called in distinction from the grand jury. -- Petit larceny, the stealing of goods of, or under, a certain specified small value; -- opposed to grand larceny. The distinction is abolished in England. -- Petit maître (_;). [F., lit., little master.] A fop; a coxcomb; a ladies' man. Goldsmith. -- Petit serjeanty (Eng. Law), the tenure of lands of the crown, by the service of rendering annually some implement of war, as a bow, an arrow, a sword, a flag, etc. -- Petit treason, formerly, in England, the crime of killing a person to whom the offender owed duty or subjection, as one's husband, master, mistress, etc.  The crime is now not distinguished from murder.


word: petite
definition:
petite

pe*tite"
(?)
a.
[F., fem. of petit.]
Small, little; -- used especially of a woman or girl, of small size and trim figure; as, her petite figure.

Syn. -- bantam, diminutive, lilliputian, midget, tiny.


word: petite₂
definition:
petite

pe*tite"
(?)
n.
[F., fem. of petit.]
1.
A size category of women's clothing, for women with less than average height.

2.
An aricle of women's clothing classified in the petite{1} size category.

3.
A girl or woman whose figure is best fit by a petite{1} garment.


word: petitio
definition:
petitio

petitio
n.
(Rhetoric, Logic)
The fallacy of assuming the conclusion in the premises; begging the question.

Syn. -- petitio principii.


word: Petition
definition:
Petition

Pe*ti"tion
(?)
n.
[F. pétition, L. petitio, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask, seek; perh. akin to E. feather, or find.]
1.
A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.

A house of prayer and petition for thy people.
1 Macc. vii. 37.

This last petition heard of all her prayer.
Dryden.

2.
A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it.

3.
Specifically:
(Law)
A request to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right, or for the legislature to take a specific action; -- in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind.  The petition may be signed by one or any number of persons.

4.
The written document containing a petition (senses 1 or 2).

Petition of right (Law), a petition to obtain possession or restitution of property, either real or personal, from the Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed in the petition itself. Mozley & W. -- The Petition of Right (Eng. Hist.), the parliamentary declaration of the rights of the people, assented to by Charles I.


word: Petition₂
definition:
Petition

Pe*ti"tion
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Petitioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petitioning.]
To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.

You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my prosperity.
Shak.


word: Petitionarily
definition:
Petitionarily

Pe*ti"tion*a*ri*ly
(?)
adv.
By way of begging the question; by an assumption.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Petitionary
definition:
Petitionary

Pe*ti"tion*a*ry
(?)
a.
1.
Supplicatory; making a petition.

Pardon Rome, and any petitionary countrymen.
Shak.

2.
Containing a petition; of the nature of a petition; as, a petitionary epistle.
Swift.


word: Petit mal
definition:
Petit mal

Pe*tit" mal"
(?)
[F., lit., little sickness.]
(Med.)
The mildest form of epilepsy, with momentary faintness or unconsciousness, but without convulsions; -- opposed to grand mal.


word: Petitor
definition:
Petitor

Pet"i*tor
(?)
n.
[L., fr. petere to seek.]
One who seeks or asks; a seeker; an applicant.
[R.]
Fuller.


word: Petitory
definition:
Petitory

Pet"i*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. petitorius, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask: cf. F. pétitore.]
Petitioning; soliciting; supplicating.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Petitory suit or Petitory action (Admiralty Law), a suit in which the mere title to property is litigated and sought to be enforced, as distinguished from a possessory suit; also (Scots Law), a suit wherein the plaintiff claims something as due him by the defendant. Burrill.


word: Petrary
definition:
Petrary

Pet"ra*ry
(?)
n.
[L. petra stone.  Cf. Sp. petraria, and E. Pederero.]
An ancient war engine for hurling stones.


word: Petrean
definition:
Petrean

Pe*tre"an
(pe̝*trē"an)
a.
[L. petraeus, Gr. petrai^os, fr. pe`tra a rock.]
Of or pertaining to rock.
G. S. Faber.


word: Petrel
definition:
Petrel

Pe"trel
(?)
n.
[F. pétrel; a dim. of the name Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. pe`tros a stone (John i. 42); -- probably so called in allusion to St. Peter's walking on the sea. See Petrify.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family Procellaridæ.  The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera.

Diving petrel, any bird of the genus Pelecanoides.  They chiefly inhabit the southern hemisphere. -- Fulmar petrel, Giant petrel. See Fulmar. -- Pintado petrel, the Cape pigeon. See under Cape. -- Pintado petrel, any one of several small petrels, especially Procellaria pelagica, or Mother Carey's chicken, common on both sides of the Atlantic.


word: Petrescent
definition:
Petrescent

Pe*tres"cent
(?)
a.
[L. petra rock, stone, Gr. pe`tra.]
Petrifying; converting into stone; as, petrescent water.
Boyle.


word: Petrifaction
definition:
Petrifaction

Pet`ri*fac"tion
(?)
n.
[See Petrify.]
1.
The process of petrifying, or changing into stone; conversion of any organic matter (animal or vegetable) into stone, or a substance of stony hardness.

2.
The state or condition of being petrified.

3.
That which is petrified; popularly, a body incrusted with stony matter; an incrustation.

4.
Fig.: Hardness; callousness; obduracy.
Petrifaction
Cudworth.


