# dictionary

word: Puss
definition:
Puss

Puss
(p&usdot_;s)
n.
[Cf. D. poes, Ir. & Gael. pus.]
1.
A cat; -- a fondling appellation.

2.
A hare; -- so called by sportsmen.

Puss in the corner, a game in which all the players but one occupy corners of a room, or certain goals in the open air, and exchange places, the one without a corner endeavoring to get a corner while it is vacant, leaving some other without one. -- Puss moth (Zool.), any one of several species of stout bombycid moths belonging to Cerura, Harpyia, and allied genera, esp. Harpyia vinuli, of Europe. The larvæ are humpbacked, and have two caudal appendages.


word: Pussy
definition:
Pussy

Pussy
(?)
n.
[Dim. of puss.]
1.
A pet name for a cat; also, an endearing name for a girl.

2.
A catkin of the pussy willow.

3.
The game of tipcat; -- also called pussy cat.

Pussy willow (Bot.), any kind of willow having large cylindrical catkins clothed with long glossy hairs, especially the American Salix discolor; -- called also glaucous willow, and swamp willow.


word: Pustulant
definition:
Pustulant

Pus"tu*lant
(?; 135)
a.
[L. pustulans, p. pr. See Pustulate, v. t.]
(Med.)
Producing pustules.
n. A medicine that produces pustules, as croton oil.


word: Pustular
definition:
Pustular

Pus"tu*lar
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to pustules; as, pustular prominences; pustular eruptions.

2.
Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustulate.


word: Pustulate
definition:
Pustulate

Pus"tu*late
(?)
v. t.
[L. pustulatus, p. p. of pustulare to blister, fr. pustula. See Pustule.]
To form into pustules, or blisters.


word: Pustulated
definition:
Pustulated

Pustulate

{ Pus"tu*late (?), Pus"tu*la`ted (?), }
a.
Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustular; pustulous; as, a pustulate leaf; a pustulate shell or coral.


word: Pustulation
definition:
Pustulation

Pus*tu*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. pustulatio.]
The act of producing pustules; the state of being pustulated.


word: Pustule
definition:
Pustule

Pus"tule
(?; 135)
n.
[L. pustula, and pusula: cf. F. pustule.]
(Med.)
A vesicle or an elevation of the cuticle with an inflamed base, containing pus.

Malignant pustule. See under Malignant.


word: Pustulous
definition:
Pustulous

Pus"tu*lous
(?)
a.
[L. pustulosus, fr. pustula a pustule: cf. F. pustuleux.]
Resembling, or covered with, pustules; pustulate; pustular.


word: Put₃
definition:
Put

Put
(?)
n.
[Cf. W. pwt any short thing, pwt o ddyn a squab of a person, pwtog a short, thick woman.]
A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.

Queer country puts extol Queen Bess's reign.
Bramston.

What droll puts the citizens seem in it all.
F. Harrison.


word: Put₄
definition:
Put

Put
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Put; p. pr. & vb. n. Putting.]
[AS. potian to thrust: cf. Dan. putte to put, to put into, Fries. putje; perh. akin to W. pwtio to butt, poke, thrust; cf. also Gael. put to push, thrust, and E. potter, v. i.]
1.
To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; -- nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put forth = to thrust out).

His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy spiritual employment.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set; figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.

This present dignity,
In which that I have put you.
Chaucer.

I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
Gen. iii. 15.

He put no trust in his servants.
Job iv. 18.

When God into the hands of their deliverer
Puts invincible might.
Milton.

In the mean time other measures were put in operation.
Sparks.

3.
To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.

4.
To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
[Obs.]

No man hath more love than this, that a man put his life for his friends.
Wyclif (John xv. 13).

5.
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express; figuratively, to assume; to suppose; -- formerly sometimes followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a question; to put a case.

Let us now put that ye have leave.
Chaucer.

Put the perception and you put the mind.
Berkeley.

These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
Milton.

All this is ingeniously and ably put.
Hare.

6.
To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.

These wretches put us upon all mischief.
Swift.

Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
Sir W. Scott.

Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.
Milton.

7.
To throw or cast with a pushing motion “overhand,” the hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.

8.
(Mining)
To convey coal in the mine, as from the working to the tramway.
Raymond.

Put case, formerly, an elliptical expression for, put or suppose the case to be.

Put case that the soul after departure from the body may live.
Bp. Hall.

Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
Shak.

Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
Shak.

Sugar hath put down the use of honey.
Bacon.

I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius hoped to put me off with an harangue.
Boyle.

We might put him off with this answer.
Bentley.

For the certain knowledge of that truth
I put you o'er to heaven and to my mother.
Shak.


word: Put₅
definition:
Put

Put
(put; often pŭt in def. 3)
v. i.
1.
To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.

His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.
Dryden.

3.
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.

To put about (Naut.), to change direction; to tack. -- To put back (Naut.), to turn back; to return. “The French . . . had put back to Toulon.” Southey. -- To put forth. (a) To shoot, bud, or germinate. “Take earth from under walls where nettles put forth.” Bacon. (b) To leave a port or haven, as a ship. Shak. -- To put in (Naut.), to enter a harbor; to sail into port. -- To put in for. (a) To make a request or claim; as, to put in for a share of profits. (b) To go into covert; -- said of a bird escaping from a hawk. (c) To offer one's self; to stand as a candidate for. Locke. -- To put off, to go away; to depart; esp., to leave land, as a ship; to move from the shore. -- To put on, to hasten motion; to drive vehemently. -- To put over (Naut.), to sail over or across. -- To put to sea (Naut.), to set sail; to begin a voyage; to advance into the ocean. -- To put up. (a) To take lodgings; to lodge. (b) To offer one's self as a candidate. L'Estrange. -- To put up to, to advance to. [Obs.] “With this he put up to my lord.” Swift. -- To put up with. (a) To overlook, or suffer without recompense, punishment, or resentment; as, to put up with an injury or affront. (b) To take without opposition or expressed dissatisfaction; to endure; as, to put up with bad fare.


word: Put₆
definition:
Put

Put
(?)
n.
1.
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.
put
L'Estrange.

2.
A certain game at cards.
Young.

3.
(Finance)
A privilege which one party buys of another to “put” (deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc., at a certain price and date.
[Brokers' Cant]

A put and a call may be combined in one instrument, the holder of which may either buy or sell as he chooses at the fixed price.
Johnson's Cyc.


word: Putamen
definition:
Putamen

Pu*ta"men
(?)
n.
[L.]
(Bot.)
The shell of a nut; the stone of a drupe fruit. See Endocarp.


word: Putanism
definition:
Putanism

Pu"tan*ism
(?)
n.
[F. putanisme, fr. putain harlot.]
Habitual lewdness or prostitution of a woman; harlotry.


word: Putative
definition:
Putative

Pu"ta*tive
(?)
a.
[L. putativus, fr. putare, putatum, to reckon, suppose, adjust, prune, cleanse. See Pure, and cf. Amputate, Compute, Dispute, Impute.]
Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed; as, the putative father of a child.
putative
E. Hall.

Thus things indifferent, being esteemed useful or pious, became customary, and then came for reverence into a putative and usurped authority.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Puteal
definition:
Puteal

Pu"te*al
(?)
n.
[L., fr. puteus well.]
(Arch.)
An inclosure surrounding a well to prevent persons from falling into it; a well curb.
Weale.


word: Putid
definition:
Putid

Pu"tid
(?)
a.
[L. putidus: cf. F. putide.  Cf. Putrid.]
Rotten; fetid; stinking; base; worthless. Jer. Taylor.
putid
Dr. H. More.


word: Putidness
definition:
Putidness

Putidity

{ Pu*tid"i*ty (?), Pu"tid*ness (?), }
n.
The quality or state of being putrid.


word: Putlog
definition:
Putlog

Put"log`
(?; 277)
n.
(Arch.)
One of the short pieces of timber on which the planks forming the floor of a scaffold are laid, -- one end resting on the ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in the wall temporarily for the purpose.
Oxf. Gloss.


word: put paid to
definition:
put paid to

put paid to
(?)
v. t.
1.
To put an end to.
Hence:
To prove false; to discredit; as, Galileo's observations put paid to the notion that the Earth was the center of the universe.

2.
To defeat; to cause the defeat of.

The Argentine's infamous Hand of God goals when he punched the ball into the net, and a spectacular solo effort put paid to England in the last eight . . .
Sunday Times, 17 May 1998


word: Putredinous
definition:
Putredinous

Pu*tred"i*nous
(?)
a.
[L. putredo rottenness, fr. putrere to be rotten. See Putrid.]
Proceeding from putrefaction, or partaking of the putrefactive process; having an offensive smell; stinking; rotten.


word: Putrefaction
definition:
Putrefaction

Pu`tre*fac"tion
(?)
n.
[L. putrefactio: cf. F. putréfaction. See Putrefy.]
1.
The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter.

&hand_; Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative. Putrefaction is not possible under conditions that preclude the development of living organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptomaïnes.

2.
The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied.
Putrefaction's
Shelley.


word: Putrefactive
definition:
Putrefactive

Pu`tre*fac"tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. putréfactif. See Putrefy.]
1.
Of or pertaining to putrefaction; as, the putrefactive smell or process.
Wiseman.

2.
Causing, or tending to promote, putrefaction.


word: Putrefy
definition:
Putrefy

Pu"tre*fy
(?)
v. t.
[Written also putrify.]
[imp. & p. p. Putrefied (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Putrefying (_;).]
[F. putréfier; L. putrere to be rotten + -ficare (in. comp.) to make; cf. L. putrefacere. See Putrid, and -fy.]
1.
To render putrid; to cause to decay offensively; to cause to be decomposed; to cause to rot.

2.
To corrupt; to make foul.

Private suits do putrefy the public good.
Bacon.

They would but stink, and putrefy the air.
Shak.

3.
To make morbid, carious, or gangrenous; as, to putrefy an ulcer or wound.


word: Putresce
definition:
Putresce

Pu*tresce"
(?)
v. i.
[See Putrescent.]
To become putrescent or putrid; to putrefy.
Ordinarily sewage does not putresce until from twenty-four to sixty hours after its discharge.
Nature.


word: Putrescent
definition:
Putrescent

Pu*tres"cent
(?)
a.
[L. putrescens, p. pr.of putrescere to grow rotten, v. incho. fr. putrere to be rotten. See Putrid.]
1.
Becoming putrid or rotten.

Externally powerful, although putrescent at the core.
Motley.

2.
Of or pertaining to the process of putrefaction; as, a putrescent smell.


word: Putrescible
definition:
Putrescible

Pu*tres"ci*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of putrefaction; liable to become putrid; as, putrescible substances.


word: Putrescible₂
definition:
Putrescible

Pu*tres"ci*ble
n.
A substance, usually nitrogenous, which is liable to undergo decomposition when in contact with air and moisture at ordinary temperatures.


word: Putrescin
definition:
Putrescin

Pu*tres"cin
(?)
n.
(Physiol. Chem.)
A nontoxic diamine, C4H12N2, formed in the putrefaction of the flesh of mammals and some other animals.


word: Putrid
definition:
Putrid

Pu"trid
(?)
a.
[L. putridus, fr. putrere to be rotten, fr. puter, or putris, rotten, fr. putere to stink, to be rotten: cf. F. putride.  See Pus, Foul, a.]
1.
Tending to decomposition or decay; decomposed; rotten; -- said of animal or vegetable matter; as, putrid flesh. See Putrefaction.

2.
Indicating or proceeding from a decayed state of animal or vegetable matter; as, a putrid smell.

Putrid fever (Med.), typhus fever; -- so called from the decomposing and offensive state of the discharges and diseased textures of the body. -- Putrid sore throat (Med.), a gangrenous inflammation of the fauces and pharynx.


word: Putridity
definition:
Putridity

Pu*trid"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. putridité.]
The quality of being putrid; putrefaction; rottenness.


word: Putrifacted
definition:
Putrifacted

Pu"tri*fac`ted
(?)
a.
[See Putrefy.]
Putrefied.
[Obs.]

What vermin bred of putrifacted slime.
Marston.


word: Putrilage
definition:
Putrilage

Pu"tri*lage
(?)
n.
[F. putrilage, L. putrilago putrefaction.]
That which is undergoing putrefaction; the products of putrefaction.


word: Putt
definition:
Putt

Putt
(?)
n.
[Cf. Put, v. t.]
(Golf)
A stroke made on the putting green to play the ball into a hole.


word: Puttee
definition:
Puttee

Put"tee
(?)
[Hind. pa&tsdot_;&tsdot_;i ribbon, brace, tie.]
A kind of gaiter of waterproof cloth wrapped around the leg, used by soldiers, etc.
[Written also putty, puttie.]


word: Putter
definition:
Putter

Put"ter
(?)
n.
1.
One who puts or plates.

2.
Specifically, one who pushes the small wagons in a coal mine, and the like.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Putter₂
definition:
Putter

Putt"er
(?)
n.
(Golf)
(a)
A club with a short shaft and either a wooden or a metal head, used in putting.
(b)
One who putts.


word: Putter₃
definition:
Putter

Put"ter
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Puttered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puttering.]
[See Potter.]
To act inefficiently or idly; to occupy oneself in a liesurely manner; to trifle; to potter; as, to putter around in the garden.


word: Putting
definition:
Putting

Put"ting
(?)
n.
The throwing of a heavy stone, shot, etc., with the hand raised or extended from the shoulder; -- originally, a Scottish game.

Putting stone, a heavy stone used in the game of putting.


word: Putting green
definition:
Putting green

Putt"ing green
(?)
(Golf)
The green, or plot of smooth turf, surrounding a hole.
putting green
Golf Rules.


word: Puttock
definition:
Puttock

Put"tock
(?)
n.
[Cf. Pout a young bird, Poult.]
(Zool.)
(a)
The European kite.
(b)
The buzzard.
(c)
The marsh harrier.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Putty
definition:
Putty

Put"ty
(?)
n.
[F. potée, fr. pot pot; what was formerly called putty being a substance resembling what is now called putty powder, and in part made of the metal of old pots. See Pot.]
1.
A kind of thick paste or cement compounded of whiting, or soft carbonate of lime, and linseed oil, when applied beaten or kneaded to the consistence of dough, -- used in fastening glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes.

2.
(Golf)
A ball made of composition and not gutta percha.
[Colloq.]

Putty powder, an oxide of tin, or of tin and lead in various proportions, much used in polishing glass, metal, precious stones, etc.


word: Putty₂
definition:
Putty

Put"ty
n.
pl. Putties (#)
[Written also puttee, puttie.]
[Hind. pa&tsdot_;&tsdot_;i ribbon, brace, tie.]
A kind of gaiter of waterproof cloth wrapped around the leg, used by soldiers, etc.


word: Putty₃
definition:
Putty

Put"ty
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Puttied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puttying.]
To cement, or stop, with putty.


word: Puttyroot
definition:
Puttyroot

Put"ty*root`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
An American orchidaceous plant (Aplectrum hyemale) which flowers in early summer. Its slender naked rootstock produces each year a solid corm, filled with exceedingly glutinous matter, which sends up later a single large oval evergreen plaited leaf. Called also Adam-and-Eve.


word: put up
definition:
put up

put up
v. t. & i.
1.
to connect a device to a telephone line surreptitiously, so as to listen to or record the conversations of persons on the telephone without their knowledge; -- of telephones, persons, or locations.  Used as police jargon.
[jargon]

Syn. -- wiretap, tap, intercept, bug.


word: put up or shut up
definition:
put up or shut up

put up or shut up
phrase
Do what you claim you can do; -- a challenge to someone who has claimed some ability.
[colloq.]


word: puzzle
definition:
puzzle

puz"zle
(pŭz"z'l)
n.
[For opposal, in the sense of problem. See Oppose, Pose, v.]
1.
Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.

2.
The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.


word: puzzle₂
definition:
puzzle

puz"zle
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. puzzled (pŭz"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. puzzling (pŭz"zlĭng).]
1.
To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.

A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others.
Dr. H. More.

He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.
Addison.

2.
To make intricate; to entangle.

They disentangle from the puzzled skein.
Cowper.

The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate,
Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error.
Addison.

3.
To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.


word: Puzzle
definition:
Puzzle

Puz"zle
v. i.
1.
To be bewildered, or perplexed.

A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing.
L'Estrange.

2.
To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.


word: Puzzle-headed
definition:
Puzzle-headed

Puz"zle-head`ed
a.
Having the head full of confused notions; given to getting perplexed over simple matters; also, characteristic of persons that are so.
Johnson.


word: Puzzler
definition:
Puzzler

Puz"zler
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, puzzles or perplexes.

Hebrew, the general puzzler of old heads.
Brome.


word: Pyemia
definition:
Pyemia

Pyaemia

{ &VerbarPy*æ"mi*a, &VerbarPy*e"mi*a  }
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; pus + _; blood.]
(Med.)
A form of blood poisoning produced by the absorption of pyogenic microorganisms into the blood, usually from a wound or local inflammation. It is characterized by multiple abscesses throughout the body, and is attended with irregularly recurring chills, fever, profuse sweating, and exhaustion.
Py*æ"mic, Py*e"mic (#), a.


word: Pycnaspidean
definition:
Pycnaspidean

Pyc`nas*pid"e*an
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; thick, crowded + _;, _;, a shield.]
(Zool.)
Having the posterior side of the tarsus covered with small irregular scales; -- said of certain birds.


word: Pycnidium
definition:
Pycnidium

Pyc*nid"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Pycnidia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _; crowded.]
(Bot.)
In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced.


word: Pycnodont
definition:
Pycnodont

Pyc"no*dont
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; thick, crowded + _;, _;, a tooth.]
(Paleon.)
Any fossil fish belonging to the Pycnodontini. They have numerous round, flat teeth, adapted for crushing.


word: Pycnodontini
definition:
Pycnodontini

Pyc`no*don"ti*ni
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
An extinct order of ganoid fishes. They had a compressed body, covered with dermal ribs (pleurolepida) and with enameled rhomboidal scales.


word: Pycnogonida
definition:
Pycnogonida

Pyc`no*gon"i*da
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; thick crowded + _; knee.]
(Zool.)
A class of marine arthropods in which the body is small and thin, and the eight legs usually very long; -- called also Pantopoda.

&hand_; The abdomen is rudimentary, and the triangular mouth is at the end of a tubular proboscis. Many of them live at great depths in the sea, and the largest of them measure two feet across the extended legs.


word: Pycnometer
definition:
Pycnometer

Pyc*nom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; dense, compact + -meter.]
(Physics)
A specific gravity bottle; a standard flask for measuring and comparing the densities of liquids.
[Also written pyknometer.]


word: Pycnostyle
definition:
Pycnostyle

Pyc"no*style
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; with the pillars close together; _; close + _; a column, pillar: cf. F. pycnostyle.]
(Anc. Arch.)
See under Intercolumniation.
n. A pycnostyle colonnade.


word: Pyet
definition:
Pyet

Py"et
(?)
n.
A magpie; a piet.
[Prov. Eng.]

Here cometh the worthy prelate as pert as a pyet.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pygal
definition:
Pygal

Py"gal
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; the rump.]
(Anat.)
Situated in the region of the rump, or posterior end of the backbone; -- applied especially to the posterior median plates in the carapace of chelonians.


word: Pygargus
definition:
Pygargus

Pygarg

{ Py"garg (?), &VerbarPy*gar"gus (?), }
[L. pygargus, Gr. _;, literally, white rump; _; the rump + white: cf. F. pygargue.]
1.
(Zool.)
A quadruped, probably the addax, an antelope having a white rump.
Deut. xiv. 5.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
The female of the hen harrier.
(b)
The sea eagle.


word: Pygidium
definition:
Pygidium

Py*gid"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Pygidia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, dim. of _; the rump.]
(Zool.)
The caudal plate of trilobites, crustacean, and certain insects. See Illust. of Limulus and Trilobite.


word: Pygmean
definition:
Pygmean

Pygmy

{ Pyg"my (?), Pyg*me"an (?), }
a.
[L. pygmaeus. See Pygmy.]
Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very small.
Pygmean
Milton.

Pygmy antelope (Zool.), the kleeneboc. -- Pygmy goose (Zool.), any species of very small geese of the genus Nettapus, native of Africa, India, and Australia. -- Pygmy owl (Zool.), the gnome. -- Pygmy parrot (Zool.), any one of several species of very small green parrots (Nasiternæ), native of New Guinea and adjacent islands. They are not larger than sparrows.


word: Pygmy
definition:
Pygmy

Pyg"my
n.
pl. Pygmies (#).
[L. pygmaeus, Gr. _;, fr. _; the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles, about 131 inches.  Cf. Pugnacious, Fist.]
[Written also pigmy.]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged war with the cranes, and were destroyed.

2.
Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf.

3.
One of a race of Central African Negritos found chiefly in the great forests of the equatorial belt. They are the shortest of known races, the adults ranging from less than four to about five feet in stature. They are timid and shy, dwelling in the recesses of the forests, though often on good terms with neighboring Negroes.

Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps.
And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Young.


word: Pygobranchia
definition:
Pygobranchia

Py`go*bran"chi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. pugh` the rump + _; a gill.]
(Zool.)
A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks having the branchiæ in a wreath or group around the anal opening, as in the genus Doris.


word: Pygopod
definition:
Pygopod

Py"go*pod
(?)
n.
[Gr. pygh` rump + -pod.]

1.
(Zool.)
One of the Pygopodes.

2.
(Zool.)
Any species of serpentiform lizards of the family Pygopodidæ, which have rudimentary hind legs near the anal cleft, but lack fore legs.


word: Pygopodes
definition:
Pygopodes

Py*gop"o*des
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A division of swimming birds which includes the grebes, divers, auks, etc., in which the legs are placed far back.


word: Pygostyle
definition:
Pygostyle

Py"go*style
(?)
n.
[Gr. pygh` the rump + _; a pillar.]
(Anat.)
The plate of bone which forms the posterior end of the vertebral column in most birds; the plowshare bone; the vomer. It is formed by the union of a number of the last caudal vertebræ, and supports the uropigium.


word: Pyin
definition:
Pyin

Py"in
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; pus.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
An albuminoid constituent of pus, related to mucin, possibly a mixture of substances rather than a single body.


word: Pyjama
definition:
Pyjama

Py*ja"ma
(?)
n.
[Hind. pāe-jāma, literally, leg clothing.]
In India and Persia, thin loose trowsers or drawers; in Europe and America, drawers worn at night, or a kind of nightdress with legs.  Usually used in the plural.  See pajamas.
[Written also paijama pajama.]
[Chiefly British variant of pajama.]


word: Pajamas₂
definition:
Pajamas

Pyjamas

Py*ja"mas (?), or, chiefly U. S., Pa*ja"mas (_;)
n. pl.
A garment, similar to the Oriental pyjama (which see), adopted among Europeans, Americans, and other Occidentals, for wear in the dressing room and during sleep; also, a suit of drawers and blouse for such wear.


word: Pyla
definition:
Pyla

Py"la
n.
pl. L. Pylæ (#), E. Pylas (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _; an entrance.]
(Anat.)
The passage between the iter and optocœle in the brain.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Pylagore
definition:
Pylagore

Pyl"a*gore
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; Pylæ, or Thermopylæ, where the Amphictyonic council met + _; to assemble: cf. F. pylagore.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
a deputy of a State at the Amphictyonic council.


word: Pylangium
definition:
Pylangium

Py*lan"gi*um
(?)
n.
pl. Pylangia (_;).
[NL., from Gr. _; an entrance + _; a vessel.]
(Anat.)
The first and undivided part of the aortic trunk in the amphibian heart.
Py*lan"gi*al (#), a.


word: Pylon
definition:
Pylon

Py"lon
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a gateway.]
(a)
A low tower, having a truncated pyramidal form, and flanking an ancient Egyptian gateway.

Massive pylons adorned with obelisks in front.
J. W. Draper.

2.
A tower, commonly of steelwork, for supporting either end of a wire, as for a telegraph line, over a long span.

3.
(Aeronautics)
(a)
Formerly, a starting derrick (the use of which is now abandoned) for an aeroplane.
(b)
A post, tower, or the like, as on an aerodrome, or flying ground, serving to bound or mark a prescribed course of flight.


word: Pyloric
definition:
Pyloric

Py*lor"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pylorique.]
(Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pylorus; as, the pyloric end of the stomach.


word: Pylorus
definition:
Pylorus

Py*lo"rus
(?)
n.
pl. Pylori (#).
[L., fr. Gr. _; pylorus, gate keeper; _; a gate + _; watcher, guardian.]
(Anat.)
(a)
The opening from the stomach into the intestine.
(b)
A posterior division of the stomach in some invertebrates.


word: Pyocyanin
definition:
Pyocyanin

Py`o*cy"a*nin
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; pus + _; dark blue.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A blue coloring matter found in the pus from old sores, supposed to be formed through the agency of a species of bacterium (Bacillus pyocyaneus).


word: Pyogenic
definition:
Pyogenic

Py`o*gen"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; pus + root of gi`gnesqai to be born.]
(Med.)
Producing or generating pus.


word: Pyoid
definition:
Pyoid

Py"oid
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; pus + --oid.]
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to pus; of the nature of, or like, pus.

Pyoid corpuscles (Med.), cells of a size larger than pus corpuscles, containing two or more of the latter.


word: Pyopneumothorax
definition:
Pyopneumothorax

Py`op*neu`mo*tho"rax
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; pus + E. pneumothorax.]
(Med.)
Accumulation of air, or other gas, and of pus, in the pleural cavity.


word: Pyoxanthose
definition:
Pyoxanthose

Py`o*xan"those
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; pus + _; yellow.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A greenish yellow crystalline coloring matter found with pyocyanin in pus.


word: Pyracanth
definition:
Pyracanth

Pyr"a*canth
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; fire + _; a thorn, prickly plant.]
(Bot.)
The evergreen thorn (Cratægus Pyracantha), a shrub native of Europe.


word: Pyralid
definition:
Pyralid

Pyr"a*lid
(?)
n.
[L. pyralis, -idis, a kind of winged insect.]
(Zool.)
Any moth of the family Pyralidæ. The species are numerous and mostly small, but some of them are very injurious, as the bee moth, meal moth, hop moth, and clover moth.


word: Pyramid
definition:
Pyramid

Pyr"a*mid
(?)
n.
[L. pyramis, -idis, fr. Gr. _;, _;, of Egyptian origin: cf. F. pyramide.]

1.
A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.

2.
(Geom.)
A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal figure as base and several triangles which have a common vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.

3.
pl.
(Billiards)
The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.
[Eng.]

4.
(Finance)
a fraudulent investment scheme in which the manager promises high profits, but instead of investing the money in a genuine profit-making activity, uses the money from later investors to pay the profits to earlier investors; -- also called pyramid scheme or pyramid operation.  This process inevitably collapses when insufficient new investors are available, leaving the later investors with total or near-total losses of their investments.  The managers usually blame government regulations or interference for the collapse of the scheme, rather than admit fraud.

Altitude of a pyramid (Geom.), the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the plane of the base. -- Axis of a pyramid (Geom.), a straight line drawn from the vertex to the center of the base. -- Earth pyramid. (Geol.) See Earth pillars, under Earth. -- Right pyramid (Geom.) a pyramid whose axis is perpendicular to the base.


word: Pyramid₂
definition:
Pyramid

Pyr"a*mid
(?)
v. i.
(Speculation)
To enlarge one's holding or interest in a series of operations on a continued rise or decline by using the profits to buy or sell additional amounts on a margin, as where one buys on a 10% margin 100 shares of stock quoted at 100, holds it till it rises to 105, and then uses the paper profit to buy 50 shares more, etc. The series of operations constitutes a pyramid.  A similar process of reinvesting gains or winnings (as of a gamble), but not involving operation on margin, is called a parlay.


word: Pyramid₃
definition:
Pyramid

Pyr"a*mid
v. t.
(Speculation)
To use, or to deal in, in a pyramiding transaction. See Pyramid, v. i.


word: Pyramidal
definition:
Pyramidal

Py*ram`i*dal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pyramidal.]

1.
Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid; pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage.

The mystic obelisks stand up
Triangular, pyramidal.
Mrs. Browning.

2.
(Crystallog.)
Same as Tetragonal.

Pyramidal numbers (Math.), certain series of figurate numbers expressing the number of balls or points that may be arranged in the form of pyramids. Thus 1, 4, 10, 20, 35, etc., are triangular pyramidal numbers; and 1, 5, 14, 30, 55, etc., are square pyramidal numbers.


word: Pyramidical
definition:
Pyramidical

Pyramidic

{ Pyr`a*mid"ic (?), Pyr`a*mid"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to a pyramid; having the form of a pyramid; pyramidal.
pyramidical
Goldsmith.
pyramidic
Shenstone.
Pyr`a*mid"ic*al*ly, adv. Pyr`a*mild"ic*al*ness, n.


word: Pyramidion
definition:
Pyramidion

Pyr`a*mid"i*on
(?)
n.
pl. Pyramidia (#).
[NL., from L. pyramis. See Pyramid.]
The small pyramid which crowns or completes an obelisk.


word: Pyramidoid
definition:
Pyramidoid

Py*ram"i*doid
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, pyramid + -id: cf. F. pyramidoïde.]
A solid resembling a pyramid; -- called also pyramoid.
Barlow.


word: Pyrargyrite
definition:
Pyrargyrite

Py*rar"gy*rite
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; fire + _; silver.]
(Min.)
Ruby silver; dark red silver ore. It is a sulphide of antimony and silver, occurring in rhombohedral crystals or massive, and is of a dark red or black color with a metallic adamantine luster.


word: -zin₂
definition:
-zin

Pyrazine

{ Pyr"a*zine (?), n. Also -zin  }
[Pyridine + Gr. _; not + _; life.]
(Org. Chem.)
A feebly basic solid, C4H4N2, obtained by distilling piperazine with zinc dust, and in other ways. Also, by extension, any of various derivatives of the same.


word: Pyre
definition:
Pyre

Pyre
(?)
n.
[L. pure, Gr. _;, fr. _; fire. See Fire.]
A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt.

For nine long nights, through all the dusky air,
The pyres thick flaming shot a dismal glare.
Pope.


word: Pyrena
definition:
Pyrena

Py*re"na
(?)
n.
pl. Pyrenæ (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, the stone of fruit.]
(Bot.)
A nutlet resembling a seed, or the kernel of a drupe.
Gray.


word: Pyrene
definition:
Pyrene

Py"rene
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; fire.]
(Chem.)
One of the less volatile hydrocarbons of coal tar, obtained as a white crystalline substance, C16H10.


word: Pyrenean
definition:
Pyrenean

Pyr`e*ne"an
(?)
a.
[L. Pyrenaei (sc. montes) the Pyrenees, fr. Pyrene, Gr._; a daughter of Bebryx, beloved by Hercules, and buried upon these mountains.]
Of or pertaining to the Pyrenees, a range of mountains separating France and Spain.
n. The Pyrenees.
Shak.


word: Pyrenoid
definition:
Pyrenoid

Py*re"noid
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; like a kernel. See Pyrena, and -oid.]
(Zool.)
A transparent body found in the chromatophores of certain Infusoria.


word: Pyrethrin
definition:
Pyrethrin

Pyr"eth*rin
(?)
n.
[NL. Pyrethrum, generic name of feverfew, Gr. _; feverfew.]
(Chem.)
A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor, and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; -- called also Pyrethrum camphor.


word: Pyrethrine
definition:
Pyrethrine

Pyr"eth*rine
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain (Anacyclus pyrethrum).


word: Pyretic
definition:
Pyretic

Py*ret"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; burning heat, fever, from _; fire: cf. F. pyrétique.]
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to fever; febrile.


word: Pyretology
definition:
Pyretology

Pyr`e*tol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; fever + -logy: cf. F. pyrétologie.]
(Med.)
A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers.
Hooper.


word: Pyrexia
definition:
Pyrexia

Py*rex"i*a
(?)
n.
pl. Pyrexiæ (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _; to be feverish, akin to _; fever.]
(Med.)
The febrile condition.


word: Pyrexical
definition:
Pyrexical

Pyrexial

{ Py*rex"i*al (?), Py*rex"ic*al (?), }
a.
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to fever; feverish.


word: Pyrgom
definition:
Pyrgom

Pyr"gom
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a place furnished with towers, fr. _; a tower.]
(Min.)
A variety of pyroxene; -- called also fassaite.


word: Pyrheliometer
definition:
Pyrheliometer

Pyr*he`li*om"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; fire + _; sun + -meter.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring the direct heating effect of the sun's rays.


word: Pyridic
definition:
Pyridic

Py*rid"ic
(?)
a.
(Physiol. Chem.)
Related to, or formed from, pyridin or its homologues; as, the pyridic bases.


word: Pyridine
definition:
Pyridine

Pyr"i*dine
(?)
n.
[From Gr. _; fire.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, C5H5N, obtained from the distillation of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as nicotine and certain of the ptomaïnes, may be mentioned. See Lutidine.


word: Pyridyl
definition:
Pyridyl

Pyr"i*dyl
(?)
n.
[Pyridine + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical radical, C5H4N, regarded as the essential residue of pyridine, and analogous to phenyl.


word: Pyriform
definition:
Pyriform

Pyr"i*form
(?)
a.
[L. pyrum, pirum, a pear + -form: cf. F. pyriforme, piriforme.]
Having the form of a pear; pear-shaped.


word: Pyrite
definition:
Pyrite

Pyr"ite
(?)
n.
pl. Pyrites (#).
[Cf. F. pyrite. See Pyrites.]
(Min.)
A common mineral of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system; iron pyrites; iron disulphide.

Hence sable coal his massy couch extends,
And stars of gold the sparkling pyrite blends.
E. Darwin.


word: Pyrites
definition:
Pyrites

Py*ri"tes
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; fire. See Pyre.]
(Min.)
A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or yellowish color.

&hand_; The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite, or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when struck with steel.

Arsenical pyrites, arsenopyrite. -- Auriferous pyrites. See under Auriferous. -- Capillary pyrites, millerite. -- Common pyrites, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite. -- Hair pyrites, millerite. -- Iron pyrites. See Pyrite. -- Magnetic pyrites, pyrrhotite. -- Tin pyrites, stannite. -- White iron pyrites, orthorhombic iron disulphide; marcasite.  This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites, etc. -- Yellow pyrites, or Copper pyrites, the sulphide of copper and iron; chalcopyrite.


word: Pyritical
definition:
Pyritical

Pyritic

{ Py*rit"ic (?), Py*rit"ic*al (?), }
a.
(Min.)
Of or pertaining to pyrites; consisting of, or resembling, pyrites.


word: Pyritohedral
definition:
Pyritohedral

Pyr`i*to*he"dral
(?)
a.
[See Pyritohedron.]
(Crystallog.)
Like pyrites in hemihedral form.


word: Pyritohedron
definition:
Pyritohedron

Pyr`i*to*he"dron
(?)
n.
[Pyrite + Gr. _; base.]
(Crystallog.)
The pentagonal dodecahedron, a common form of pyrite.


word: Pyr-
definition:
Pyr-

Pyro-

{ Pyro-, Pyr-  }
[Gr. _;, _;, fire.]
Combining forms designating fire or heat; specifically (Chem.), used to imply an actual or theoretical derivative by the action of heat; as in pyrophosphoric, pyrosulphuric, pyrotartaric, pyrotungstic, etc.


word: Pyroacetic
definition:
Pyroacetic

Pyr`o*a*ce"tic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + acetic: cf. F. pyroacétique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, and designating, a substance (acetone) obtained by the distillation of the acetates. It is now called also pyroacetic ether, and formerly was called pyroacetic spirit.


word: Pyroacid
definition:
Pyroacid

Pyr`o*ac"id
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + acid.]
(Chem.)
An acid obtained by sybjecting another acid to the action of heat.  Cf. Pyro-.


word: Pyroantimonic
definition:
Pyroantimonic

Pyr`o*an`ti*mon"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + antimonic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of antimony analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.


word: Pyroarsenic
definition:
Pyroarsenic

Pyr`o*ar*sen"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + arsenic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to or designating, an acid of arsenic analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.


word: Pyroboric
definition:
Pyroboric

Pyr`o*bo"ric
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + boric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to derived from, or designating, an acid, H2B4O7 (called also tetraboric acid), which is the acid ingredient of ordinary borax, and is obtained by heating boric acid.


word: Pyrocatechin
definition:
Pyrocatechin

Pyr`o*cat"e*chin
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + catechu.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, C6H4(OH)2, of the phenol series, found in various plants; -- so called because first obtained by distillation of gum catechu. Called also catechol, oxyphenol. etc.


word: Pyrochlore
definition:
Pyrochlore

Pyr"o*chlore
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; pale green.]
(Min.)
A niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and resinous luster; -- so called from its becoming grass-green on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.


word: Pyrocitric
definition:
Pyrocitric

Pyr`o*cit"ric
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + citric: cf. F. pyrocitrique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid, and called respectively citraconic, itaconic, and mesaconic acid.


word: Pyrocoll
definition:
Pyrocoll

Pyr"o*coll
(pĭr"o̝*k&obreve_;l)
n.
[Puro- + Gr. ko`lla glue.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance allied to pyrrol, obtained by the distillation of gelatin.


word: Pyroelectric
definition:
Pyroelectric

Pyr`o*e*lec"tric
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + electric.]
(Physics)
Pertaining to, or dependent on, pyroelectricity; receiving electric polarity when heated.


word: Pyroelectric₂
definition:
Pyroelectric

Pyr`o*e*lec"tric
n.
(Physics)
A substance which becomes electrically polar when heated, exhibiting opposite charges of statical electricity at two separate parts, especially the two extremities.


word: Pyroelectricity
definition:
Pyroelectricity

Pyr`o*e`lec*tric"i*ty
(?)
n.
(Physics)
Electricity developed by means of heat; the science which treats of electricity thus developed.


word: Pyrogallic
definition:
Pyrogallic

Pyr`o*gal"lic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + gallic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called pyrogallol. See Pyrogallol.


word: Pyrogallol
definition:
Pyrogallol

Pyr`o*gal"lol
(?)
n.
[Pyrogallic + -ol.]
(Chem.)
A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline substance having acid properties, and hence called also pyrogallic acid. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a developer in photography and in the production of certain dyes.


word: Pyrogen
definition:
Pyrogen

Pyr"o*gen
(?)
n.
[See Pyrogenous.]
1.
Electricity.
[R.]

2.
(Physiol. Chem.)
A poison separable from decomposed meat infusions, and supposed to be formed from albuminous matter through the agency of bacteria.


word: Pyrogenic
definition:
Pyrogenic

Pyr`o*gen"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + -gen + -ic.]
(Physiol.)
Producing heat; -- said of substances, as septic poisons, which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever.


word: Pyrogenous
definition:
Pyrogenous

Py*rog"e*nous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; fire + genous: cf. F. purogène, Gr. _;.]
Produced by fire; igneous.
Mantell. .


word: Pyrognostic
definition:
Pyrognostic

Pyr`og*nos"tic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; to know.]
(Min.)
Of or pertaining to characters developed by the use of heat; pertaining to the characters of minerals when examined before the blowpipe; as, the pyrognostic characters of galena.


word: Pyrognostics
definition:
Pyrognostics

Pyr`og*nos"tics
(?)
n. pl.
(Min.)
The characters of a mineral observed by the use of the blowpipe, as the degree of fusibility, flame coloration, etc.


word: Pyrography
definition:
Pyrography

Py*rog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + -graphy.]
A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning with heated instruments.  One variant is wood burning.


word: Pyrogravure
definition:
Pyrogravure

Py`ro*gra*vure"
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + F. gravure engraving.]
Pyrography; also, a design or picture made by pyrography.


word: Pyrolatry
definition:
Pyrolatry

Py*rol"a*try
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; worship: cf. F. pyrolâtrie.]
The worship of fire.
Young.


word: Pyrolignic
definition:
Pyrolignic

Pyroligneous

{ Pyr`o*lig"ne*ous (?), Pyr`o*lig"nic (?), }
a.
[Pyro-+ L. lignum wood: cf. F. pyroligneux.]
(Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure acetic acid.


word: Pyrolignite
definition:
Pyrolignite

Py`ro*lig"nite
(?)
n.
A crude acetate produced by treating pyroligneous acid with a metal or basic compound; as, pyrolignite of iron (iron liquor).


word: Pyrology
definition:
Pyrology

Py*rol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + -logy: cf. F. pyrologie.]
That branch of physical science which treats of the properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise on heat.


word: Pyrolusite
definition:
Pyrolusite

Pyr`o*lu"site
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; to loose, or _; a loosing.]
(Min.)
Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft.  Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).


word: Pyromagnetic
definition:
Pyromagnetic

Pyr`o*mag*net"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + magnetic.]
(Physics)
Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents.


word: Pyromalic
definition:
Pyromalic

Pyr`o*ma"lic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + malic.]
(Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid.


word: Pyromancy
definition:
Pyromancy

Pyr"o*man`cy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; fire + _; divination: cf. F. pyromancie.]
Divination by means of fire.


word: Pyrometer
definition:
Pyrometer

Py*rom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + -meter: cf. F. pyromètre.]
1.
(Physics)
An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat.

2.
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.

&hand_; It is usually constructed so as to register the change which the heat to be measured produces in the length of some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the intensity of a thermo-electric current.


word: Pyrometrical
definition:
Pyrometrical

Pyrometric

{ Pyr`o*met"ric (?), Pyr`o*met"ric*al  }
a.
[Cf. F. pyrométrique.]
(Physics)
Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as, pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.


word: Pyrometry
definition:
Pyrometry

Py*rom"e*try
(?)
n.
The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat.


word: Pyromorphite
definition:
Pyromorphite

Pyr`o*mor"phite
(?)
n.
[G. pyromorphit, from Gr. _; fire + morfh` form.]
(Min.)
Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; -- so called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.


word: Pyromorphous
definition:
Pyromorphous

Pyr`o*mor"phous
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + -morphous.]
(Min.)
Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.


word: Pyromucic
definition:
Pyromucic

Pyr`o*mu"cic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + mucic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.


word: Pyrone
definition:
Pyrone

Py`rone
(?)
n.
[G. pyron, an abbr. of pyrokoman.]
(Org. Chem.)
An unsaturated cyclic compound, C5H4O2, of which two varieties are known, α and γ. γ-pyrone is the parent substance of several natural yellow dyestuffs.


word: Pyrope
definition:
Pyrope

Pyr"ope
(?)
n.
[L. pyropus a kind of red bronze, fr. Gr. _;; _; fire + _; the eye, face: cf. F. pyrope.]
(Min.)
A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color, frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See the Note under Garnet.


word: Pyrophane
definition:
Pyrophane

Pyr"o*phane
(?)
n.
[See Pyrophanous.]
(Min.)
A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat.


word: Pyrophanous
definition:
Pyrophanous

Py*roph"a*nous
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; to show, pass, to shine.]
Rendered transparent by heat.


word: Pyrophone
definition:
Pyrophone

Pyr"o*phone
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; sound.]
A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths.


word: Pyrophorous
definition:
Pyrophorous

Pyrophoric

{ Pyr`o*phor"ic (?), Py*roph"o*rous (?), }
a.
[Pyro- + Gr. fe`rein to bear.]
Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus.

Pyrophoric iron (Chem.), finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.


word: Pyrophorus
definition:
Pyrophorus

Py*roph"o*rus
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pyrophorous.]
(Old Chem.)
Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.


word: Pyrophosphoric
definition:
Pyrophosphoric

Pyr`o*phos*phor"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + phosphoric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, H4P2O7, which is obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are obtained by heating the phosphates.


word: Pyrophyllite
definition:
Pyrophyllite

Py*roph"yl*lite
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; leaf.]
(Min.)
A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of alumina.


word: Pyroscope
definition:
Pyroscope

Pyr"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + -scope: cf. F. pyroscope.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf.
[R.]


word: Pyrosis
definition:
Pyrosis

Py*ro"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr Gr. _; a burning, an inflammation, fr. _; to burn, fr. _; fire.]
(Med.)
See Water brash, under Brash.


word: Pyrosmalite
definition:
Pyrosmalite

Py*ros"ma*lite
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; odor + -like. ]
(Min.)
A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron and manganese; -- so called from the odor given off before the blowpipe.


word: Pyrosome
definition:
Pyrosome

Pyr"o*some
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + -some body.]
(Zool.)
Any compound ascidian of the genus Pyrosoma. The pyrosomes form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very phosphorescent.


word: Pyrosulphuric
definition:
Pyrosulphuric

Pyr`o*sul*phu"ric
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + -sulphuric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H2S2O7 resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.


word: Pyrotartaric
definition:
Pyrotartaric

Pyr`o*tar*tar"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + tartaric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.


word: Pyrotechnical
definition:
Pyrotechnical

Pyrotechnic

{ Pyr`o*tech"nic (?), Pyr`o*tech"nic*al (?), }
a.
[Pyro- + technic, technical: cf. F. pyrotechnique. See Fire, Technical.]
Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.

Pyrotechnical sponge. See under Sponge.


word: Pyrotechnics
definition:
Pyrotechnics

Pyr`o*tech"nics
(?)
n.
The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of fireworks; pyrotechny.


word: Pyrotechnist
definition:
Pyrotechnist

Pyr`o*tech"nist
(?)
n.
One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks.
Steevens.


word: Pyrotechny
definition:
Pyrotechny

Pyr`o*tech`ny
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. pyrotechnie.]
1.
The use and application of fire in science and the arts.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.

2.
Same as Pyrotechnics.


word: Pyrothonide
definition:
Pyrothonide

Py*roth"o*nide
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; linen.]
(Med.)
A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, -- formerly used as a remedial agent.
Dunglison.


word: Pyrotic
definition:
Pyrotic

Py*rot"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to burn, fr. _;, _;, fire: cf. F. pyrotique.]
Caustic. See Caustic.
n. (Med.) A caustic medicine.


word: Pyrotritartaric
definition:
Pyrotritartaric

Pyr`o*tri`tar*tar"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + tri- + tartaric.]
(Chem.)
Designating an acid which is more commonly called uric acid.


word: Pyrouric
definition:
Pyrouric

Pyr`o*ü"ric
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + uric.]
(Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric.


word: Pyrovanadic
definition:
Pyrovanadic

Pyr`o*va*nad"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + vanadic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.


word: Pyroxanthin
definition:
Pyroxanthin

Pyr`o*xan"thin
(?)
n.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; yellow.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood spirit; -- called also eblanin.


word: Pyroxene
definition:
Pyroxene

Pyr"ox*ene
(?)
n.
[F. pyroxène, from Gr. _; fire + _; a stranger; -- so called because it was supposed to the be a stranger, or of rare occurrence, in igneous rocks,]
(Min.)
A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90°, and also in massive forms which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.

&hand_; The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.


word: Pyroxenic
definition:
Pyroxenic

Pyr`ox*en"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. pyroxénique.]
Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.


word: Pyroxylic
definition:
Pyroxylic

Pyr`ox*yl"ic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + Gr. _; wood.]
(Old Chem.)
Derived from wood by distillation; -- formerly used in designating crude wood spirit.


word: pyroxylin
definition:
pyroxylin

py*rox"y*lin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; -- called also pyroxyle.


word: Pyrrhic
definition:
Pyrrhic

Pyr"rhic
(?)
a.
[L. pyrrhichius, Gr. _; belonging to the _; (sc. _;) a kind of war dance.]
1.
Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance.
pyrrhic
Byron.

2.
(Pros.)
Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.

Pyrrhic victory [From Pyrrhus, king of Epirus.], (a) a victory in which the winning side sustains very heavy losses. (b) any act supposedly benefitting the actor, for which the costs outweight the benefits.


word: Pyrrhic₂
definition:
Pyrrhic

Pyr"rhic
n.
1.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. pyrrhique, fem.]
An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick.

2.
[L. pyrrhichius (sc. pes), Gr. _; (sc. _;): cf. F. pyrrhique, masc.]
(Pros.)
A foot consisting of two short syllables.


word: Pyrrhonic
definition:
Pyrrhonic

Pyrrhonean

{ Pyr*rho"ne*an (?), Pyr*rhon"ic (?), }
a.
[L. Pyrrhonêus: cf. F. pyrrhonien.]
Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.


word: Pyrrhonism
definition:
Pyrrhonism

Pyr"rho*nism
(?)
n.
[From Pyrrho, the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b. c.): cf. F. pyrrhonisme.]
Skepticism; universal doubt.


word: Pyrrhotite
definition:
Pyrrhotite

Pyrrhotine

{ Pyr"rho*tine (?), Pyr"rho*tite (?), }
n.
[Gr. _; flame-colored, fr. _; fire.]
(Min.)
A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster.  It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet.  Called also magnetic pyrites.


word: pyrrole
definition:
pyrrole

pyrrol

pyr"rol, pyr"role
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; flame-colored (from _; fire) + L. oleum oil.]
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous heterocyclic base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other distillates of organic substances, and also produced synthetically as a colorless liquid, C4H5N, having on odor like that of chloroform.  It is the nucleus and origin of a large number of derivatives.  So called because it colors a splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red.


word: Pyrroline
definition:
Pyrroline

Pyr"ro*line
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, C4H7N, obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrole.


word: Pyrula
definition:
Pyrula

Pyr"u*la
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. pyrus a pear.]
(Zool.)
A genus of large marine gastropods having a pear-shaped shell.  It includes the fig-shells. See Illust. in Appendix.


word: Pyrus
definition:
Pyrus

Py"rus
(?)
n.
[L. pyrus, or better pirus, pear tree.]
(Bot.)
A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit. It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb, and mountain ash.


word: Pyruvic
definition:
Pyruvic

Py*ru"vic
(?)
a.
[Pyro- + L. uva a grape.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also pyroracemic acid) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.


word: Pyruvil
definition:
Pyruvil

Py*ru"vil
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together pyruvic acid and urea.


word: Pythagorean
definition:
Pythagorean

Pyth`a*go"re*an
(?)
a.
[L. Pythagoreus, Gr. _;.]
Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c.), or his philosophy.

The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical and mathematical relations of things.
Encyc. Brit.

Pythagorean proposition (Geom.), the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. -- Pythagorean system (Astron.), the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system. -- Pythagorean letter. See Y.


word: Pythagorean₂
definition:
Pythagorean

Pyth`a*go"re*an
(?)
n.
A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.


word: Pythagoreanism
definition:
Pythagoreanism

Pyth`a*go"re*an*ism
(?)
n.
The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans.

As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [B. C.].
Encyc. Brit.


word: Pythagorical
definition:
Pythagorical

Pythagoric

{ Pyth`a*gor"ic (?), Pyth`a*gor"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. Pythagoricus, Gr. _;: cf. F. pythagorique.]
See Pythagorean, a.


word: Pythagorism
definition:
Pythagorism

Py*thag"o*rism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;.]
The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.

&hand_; Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.


word: Pythagorize
definition:
Pythagorize

Py*thag"o*rize
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pythagorized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pythagorizing (?).]
[Gr. _;.]
To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.


word: Pythiad
definition:
Pythiad

Pyth"i*ad
(?)
n.
[See Pythian.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.


word: Pythian
definition:
Pythian

Pyth"i*an
(?)
a.
[L. Pythius, Gr. _; belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.]
Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.

Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.


word: Pythocenic
definition:
Pythocenic

Pyth`o*cen"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; to rot + _; origin.]
Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.


word: Python
definition:
Python

Py"thon
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr. _;.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.

&hand_; The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.

2.
A diviner by spirits.
pythons
4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).


word: Pythoness
definition:
Pythoness

Pyth"o*ness
(?)
n.
[L. pythonissa: cf. F. pythonisse. See Pythian.]
1.
(Gr. Antiq.)
The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.

2.
Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch.
Bp. Hall.


word: Pythonic
definition:
Pythonic

Py*thon"ic
(?)
a.
[L. pythonicus, Gr. _;. See Pythian.]
Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.


word: Pythonism
definition:
Pythonism

Pyth"o*nism
(?)
n.
The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.


word: Pythonomorpha
definition:
Pythonomorpha

Pyth`o*no*mor"pha
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Python, and -morphous.]
(Paleon.)
Same as Mosasauria.


word: Pyuria
definition:
Pyuria

Py*u"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; pus + _; urine.]
(Med.)
A morbid condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.


word: Pyx
definition:
Pyx

Pyx
(?)
n.
[L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi`s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py`xos the box tree or boxwood. See Box a receptacle.]
[Written also pix.]
1.
(R. C. Ch.)
The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved.

2.
A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint.
Mushet.

3.
(Naut.)
The box in which the compass is suspended; the binnacle.
Weale.

4.
(Anat.)
Same as Pyxis.

Pyx cloth (R. C. Ch.), a veil of silk or lace covering the pyx. -- Trial of the pyx, the annual testing, in the English mint, of the standard of gold and silver coins. Encyc. Brit.


word: Pyx₂
definition:
Pyx

Pyx
v. t.
To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in the pyx.
[Eng.]
Mushet.


word: Pyxidium
definition:
Pyxidium

Pyx*id"i*um
(?)
n.
pl. Pyxidia (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, dim. a _; a box. See Pyx.]
(Bot.)
(a)
A pod which divides circularly into an upper and lower half, of which the former acts as a kind of lid, as in the pimpernel and purslane.
(b)
The theca of mosses.


word: Pyxis
definition:
Pyxis

Pyx*is
(?)
n.
[L.]
1.
A box; a pyx.

2.
(Bot.)
A pyxidium.

3.
(Anat.)
The acetabulum. See Acetabulum, 2.


word: Q
definition:
Q

Q
(kū)
the seventeenth letter of the English alphabet, has but one sound (that of k), and is always followed by u, the two letters together being sounded like kw, except in some words in which the u is silent. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 249. Q is not found in Anglo-Saxon, cw being used instead of qu; as in cwic, quick; cwen, queen. The name (kū) is from the French ku, which is from the Latin name of the same letter; its form is from the Latin, which derived it, through a Greek alphabet, from the Phœnician, the ultimate origin being Egyptian.


word: QED
definition:
QED

Q.E.D

Q.E.D, QED
(kū"ē*dē")
interj.
[From Latin, quod erat demonstrandum, i.e. which was demonstrated.]
Which was demonstrated; -- a phrase used after the conclusion of some line of reasoning, especially in mathematical or logical proofs.
[abbrev.]


word: Qua
definition:
Qua

Qua
(?)
conj.
[L., abl. of qui who.]
In so far as; in the capacity or character of; as.

It is with Shelley's biographers qua biographers that we have to deal.
London Spectator.


word: Quab
definition:
Quab

Quab
(?)
n.
[Cf. D. kwab eelpout, Dan. quabbe, G. quabbe, quappe, LG. quabbe a fat lump of flesh, and L. capito a kind of fish with a large head, fr. caput the head, also E. squab.]
An unfledged bird; hence, something immature or unfinished.
Ford.


word: Quack
definition:
Quack

Quack
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Qvacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quacking.]
[Of imitative origin; cf. D. kwaken, G. quacken, quaken, Icel. kvaka to twitter.]

1.
To utter a sound like the cry of a duck.

2.
To make vain and loud pretensions; to boast.
quack
Hudibras.

3.
To act the part of a quack, or pretender.


word: Quack₂
definition:
Quack

Quack
n.
1.
The cry of the duck, or a sound in imitation of it; a hoarse, quacking noise.
Chaucer.

2.
[Cf. Quacksalver.]
A boastful pretender to medical skill; an empiric; an ignorant practitioner.

3.
Hence, one who boastfully pretends to skill or knowledge of any kind not possessed; a charlatan.

Quacks political; quacks scientific, academical.
Carlyle.


word: Quack₃
definition:
Quack

Quack
a.
Pertaining to or characterized by, boasting and pretension; used by quacks; pretending to cure diseases; as, a quack medicine; a quack doctor.


word: Quackery
definition:
Quackery

Quack"er*y
(?)
n.
pl. Quackeries (_;).
The acts, arts, or boastful pretensions of a quack; false pretensions to any art; empiricism.
Carlyle.


word: Quackle
definition:
Quackle

Quac"kle
(?)
v. i. & t.
[imp. & p. p. Quackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quackling (?).]
[Cf.Querken.]
To suffocate; to choke.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Quacksalver
definition:
Quacksalver

Quack"sal*ver
(?)
n.
[D. kwakzalver; cf. kwakzalven to quack or boast of one's salves. See Quack, Salve, n.]
One who boasts of his skill in medicines and salves, or of the efficacy of his prescriptions; a charlatan; a quack; a mountebank.
[Obs.]
Burton.


word: Quade
definition:
Quade

Quad

{ Quad (?), Quade (?) }
a.
[Akin to AS. cw&aemacr_;d, cwead, dung, evil, G. kot, dung, OHG. quāt.]
Evil; bad; baffling; as, a quade wind.
[Obs.]

Sooth play, quad play, as the Fleming saith.
Chaucer.


word: Quadra
definition:
Quadra

Quad"ra
(?)
n.
pl. Quadræ (#).
[L., a square, the socle, a platband, a fillet.]
(Arch.)
(a)
The plinth, or lowest member, of any pedestal, podium, water table, or the like.
(b)
A fillet, or listel.


word: Quadrable
definition:
Quadrable

Quad"ra*ble
(?)
a.
[See Quadrate.]
(Math.)
That may be sqyared, or reduced to an equivalent square; -- said of a surface when the area limited by a curve can be exactly found, and expressed in a finite number of algebraic terms.


word: Quadragenarious
definition:
Quadragenarious

Quad`ra*ge*na"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. quadragenarius, fr. qyadrageni forty each.]
Consisting of forty; forty years old.


word: Quadragene
definition:
Quadragene

Quad"ra*gene
(?)
n.
[LL. quadragena, fr. L. quadrageni forty each, akin to quadraginta forty.]
(R. C. Ch.)
An indulgence of forty days, corresponding to the forty days of ancient canonical penance.


word: Quadragesima
definition:
Quadragesima

Quad`ra*ges"i*ma
(?)
n.
[L., fr. quadragesimus the fortieth, fr. quadraginta forty; akin to quattuor four. See Four.]
(Eccl.)
The forty days of fast preceding Easter; Lent.

Quadragesima Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, about forty days before Easter.


word: Quadragesimal
definition:
Quadragesimal

Quad`ra*ges"i*mal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. quadragésimal.]
Belonging to Lent; used in Lent; Lenten.


word: Quadragesimals
definition:
Quadragesimals

Quad`ra*ges"i*mals
(?)
n. pl.
Offerings formerly made to the mother church of a diocese on Mid-Lent Sunday.


word: Quadrangle
definition:
Quadrangle

Quad"ran`gle
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quadrangulum; quattuor four + angulus an angle. See Four, and Angle a corner.]

1.
(Geom.)
A plane figure having four angles, and consequently four sides; any figure having four angles.

2.
A square or quadrangular space or inclosure, such a space or court surrounded by buildings, esp. such a court in a college or public school in England.


word: Quadrangular
definition:
Quadrangular

Quad*ran"gu*lar
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. quadrangulaire.]
Having four angles, and consequently four sides; tetragonal.
Quad*ran"gu*lar*ly, adv.


word: Quadrans
definition:
Quadrans

Quad"rans
(?)
n.
pl. Quadrantes (#).
[L.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A fourth part of the coin called an as. See 3d As, 2.

2.
The fourth of a penny; a farthing. See Cur.


word: Quadrant
definition:
Quadrant

Quad"rant
(?)
n.
[L. quadrans, -antis, a fourth part, a fourth of a whole, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrant, cadran. See Four, and cf. Cadrans.]
1.
The fourth part; the quarter.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
(Geom.)
The quarter of a circle, or of the circumference of a circle, an arc of 90°, or one subtending a right angle at the center.

3.
(Anal. (Geom.)
One of the four parts into which a plane is divided by the coordinate axes. The upper right-hand part is the first quadrant; the upper left-hand part the second; the lower left-hand part the third; and the lower right-hand part the fourth quadrant.

4.
An instrument for measuring altitudes, variously constructed and mounted for different specific uses in astronomy, surveying, gunnery, etc., consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90°, with an index or vernier, and either plain or telescopic sights, and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction.

Gunner's quadrant, an instrument consisting of a graduated limb, with a plumb line or spirit level, and an arm by which it is applied to a cannon or mortar in adjusting it to the elevation required for attaining the desired range. -- Gunter's quadrant. See Gunter's quadrant, in the Vocabulary. -- Hadley's quadrant, a hand instrument used chiefly at sea to measure the altitude of the sun or other celestial body in ascertaining the vessel's position. It consists of a frame in the form of an octant having a graduated scale upon its arc, and an index arm, or alidade pivoted at its apex. Mirrors, called the index glass and the horizon glass, are fixed one upon the index arm and the other upon one side of the frame, respectively. When the instrument is held upright, the index arm may be swung so that the index glass will reflect an image of the sun upon the horizon glass, and when the reflected image of the sun coincides, to the observer's eye, with the horizon as seen directly through an opening at the side of the horizon glass, the index shows the sun's altitude upon the scale; -- more properly, but less commonly, called an octant. -- Quadrant of altitude, an appendage of the artificial globe, consisting of a slip of brass of the length of a quadrant of one of the great circles of the globe, and graduated. It may be fitted to the meridian, and being movable round to all points of the horizon, serves as a scale in measuring altitudes, azimuths, etc.


word: Quadrantal
definition:
Quadrantal

Quad*ran"tal
(?)
a.
[L. quadrantalis containing the fourth fourth part of a measure.]
(Geom.)
Of or pertaining to a quadrant; also, included in the fourth part of a circle; as, quadrantal space.

Quadrantal triangle, a spherical triangle having one side equal to a quadrant or arc of 90°. -- Quadrantal versor, a versor that expresses rotation through one right angle.


word: Quadrantal₂
definition:
Quadrantal

Quad*ran"tal
n.
[L.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A cubical vessel containing a Roman cubic foot, each side being a Roman square foot; -- used as a measure.

2.
A cube.
[R.]


word: Quadrat
definition:
Quadrat

Quad"rat
(?)
n.
[F. quadrat, cadrat. See Quadrate.]
1.
(Print.)
A block of type metal lower than the letters, -- used in spacing and in blank lines.
quad.

2.
An old instrument used for taking altitudes; -- called also geometrical square, and line of shadows.


word: Quadrate
definition:
Quadrate

Quad"rate
(?)
a.
[L. quadratus squared, p. p. of quadrare to make four-cornered, to make square, to square, to fit, suit, from quadrus square, quattuor four. See Quadrant, and cf. Quadrat, Quarry an arrow, Square.]
1.
Having four equal sides, the opposite sides parallel, and four right angles; square.

Figures, some round, some triangle, some quadrate.
Foxe.

2.
Produced by multiplying a number by itself; square.
Quadrate
Sir T. Browne.

3.
Square; even; balanced; equal; exact.
[Archaic]
quadrate
Howell.

4.
Squared; suited; correspondent.
[Archaic]
quadrate
Harvey.

Quadrate bone (Anat.), a bone between the base of the lower jaw and the skull in most vertebrates below the mammals. In reptiles and birds it articulates the lower jaw with the skull; in mammals it is represented by the malleus or incus.


word: Quadrate₂
definition:
Quadrate

Quad"rate
(?)
n.
[L. quadratum. See Quadrate, a.]
1.
(Geom.)
A plane surface with four equal sides and four right angles; a square; hence, figuratively, anything having the outline of a square.

At which command, the powers militant
That stood for heaven, in mighty quadrate joined.
Milton.

2.
(Astrol.)
An aspect of the heavenly bodies in which they are distant from each other 90°, or the quarter of a circle; quartile. See the Note under Aspect, 6.

3.
(Anat.)
The quadrate bone.


word: Quadrate₃
definition:
Quadrate

Quad"rate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quadrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrating.]
[See Quadrate, a.]
To square; to agree; to suit; to correspond; -- followed by with.
[Archaic]

The objections of these speculatists of its forms do not quadrate with their theories.
Burke.


word: Quadrate₄
definition:
Quadrate

Quad"rate
v. t.
To adjust (a gun) on its carriage; also, to train (a gun) for horizontal firing.


word: Quadratic
definition:
Quadratic

Quad*rat"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. quadratique.]

1.
Of or pertaining to a square, or to squares; resembling a quadrate, or square; square.

2.
(Crystallog.)
Tetragonal.

3.
(Alg.)
Pertaining to terms of the second degree; as, a quadratic equation, in which the highest power of the unknown quantity is a square.


word: Quadratojugal
definition:
Quadratojugal

Quad*ra`to*ju"gal
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
(a)
Of or pertaining to the quadrate and jugal bones.
(b)
Of or pertaining to the quadratojugal bone.
n. The quadratojugal bone.

Quadratojugal bone (Anat.), a bone at the base of the lower jaw in many animals.


word: Quadratrix
definition:
Quadratrix

Quad*ra"trix
(?)
n.
pl. -trixes (#), or -trices (#).
[NL.]
(Geom.)
A curve made use of in the quadrature of other curves; as the quadratrix, of Dinostratus, or of Tschirnhausen.


word: Quadrature
definition:
Quadrature

Quad"ra*ture
(?)
n.
[L. quadratura: cf. F. quadrature. See Quadrate, a.]
1.
(Math.)
The act of squaring; the finding of a square having the same area as some given curvilinear figure; as, the quadrature of a circle; the operation of finding an expression for the area of a figure bounded wholly or in part by a curved line, as by a curve, two ordinates, and the axis of abscissas.

2.
A quadrate; a square.
Milton.

3.
(Integral Calculus)
The integral used in obtaining the area bounded by a curve; hence, the definite integral of the product of any function of one variable into the differential of that variable.

4.
(Astron.)
The position of one heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90°, or a quarter of a circle, as the moon when at an equal distance from the points of conjunction and opposition.

Quadrature of the moon (Astron.), the position of the moon when one half of the disk is illuminated. -- Quadrature of an orbit (Astron.), a point in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn through the empty focus of the orbit.


word: Quadrel
definition:
Quadrel

Quad"rel
(?)
n.
[It. quadrello, LL. quadrellus, fr. L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.]
1.
A square piece of turf or peat.
[Prov. Eng.]

2.
A square brick, tile, or the like.


word: Quadrennial
definition:
Quadrennial

Quad*ren"ni*al
(?)
a.
[L. quadriennium a space of four years; quattuor four + annus year; cf. L. quadriennis. See Quadrate, and Annual.]
1.
Comprising four years; as, a quadrennial period.

2.
Occurring once in four years, or at the end of every four years; as, quadrennial games.


word: Quadri-
definition:
Quadri-

Quad"ri-
(?)
[L., from quattuor four. See Four.]
A combining form meaning four, four times, fourfold; as, quadricapsular, having four capsules.


word: Quadric₂
definition:
Quadric

Quad"ric
n.
(a)
(Alg.)
A quantic of the second degree. See Quantic.
(b)
(Geom.)
A surface whose equation in three variables is of the second degree. Spheres, spheroids, ellipsoids, paraboloids, hyperboloids, also cones and cylinders with circular bases, are quadrics.


word: Quadriceps
definition:
Quadriceps

Quad"ri*ceps
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. qyattuor four + caput head.]
(Anat.)
The great extensor muscle of the knee, divided above into four parts which unite in a single tendon at the knee.


word: Quadricornous
definition:
Quadricornous

Quad`ri*cor"nous
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + L. cornu horn: cf. F. quadricorne.]
(Zool.)
Having four horns, or hornlike organs; as, a quadricornous beetle.


word: Quadridentate
definition:
Quadridentate

Quad`ri*den"tate
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + dentate.]
Having four teeth; as, a quadridentate leaf.


word: Quadrifarious
definition:
Quadrifarious

Quad`ri*fa"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. quadrifarius fourfold, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrifarié.  Cf. Multifarious.]
Arranged in four rows or ranks; as, quadrifarious leaves.
Loudon.


word: Quadrifid
definition:
Quadrifid

Quad"ri*fid
(?)
a.
[L. quadrifidus; quattuor four + findere to cleave: cf. F. quadrifide.]
Divided, or deeply cleft, into four parts; as, a quadrifid perianth; a quadrifid leaf.


word: Quadrifoliate
definition:
Quadrifoliate

Quadrifoil

{ Quad"ri*foil (?), Quad`ri*fo"li*ate (?), }
a.
[Quadri- + L. folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
Four-leaved; having the leaves in whorls of four.


word: Quadriga
definition:
Quadriga

Quad*ri"ga
(?)
n.
pl. Quadrigæ (#).
[L. See Quadrijugous.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
A car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast.


word: Quadrigeminous
definition:
Quadrigeminous

Quadrigeminal

{ Quad`ri*gem"i*nal (?), Quad`ri*gem"i*nous (?), }
a.
[Quadri- + L. gemini twins.]
Fourfold; having four similar parts, or two pairs of similar parts.

Quadrigeminal bodies (Anat.), two pairs of lobes, or elevations, on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals; the optic lobes. The anterior pair are called the nates, and the posterior the testes.


word: Quadrigenarious
definition:
Quadrigenarious

Quad`ri*ge*na"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. quadrigeni, quadringeni, four hundred each.]
Consisting of four hundred.


word: Quadrijugous
definition:
Quadrijugous

Quad*rij"u*gous
(?)
a.
[L. quadrijugus of a team of four; quattuor four + jugum yoke.]
(Bot.)
Pinnate, with four pairs of leaflets; as, a quadrijugous leaf.


word: Quadrilateral
definition:
Quadrilateral

Quad`ri*lat"er*al
(?)
a.
[L. quadrilaterus:  cf. F. quadrilatère, quadrilatéral. See Quadri- and Lateral.]
Having four sides, and consequently four angles; quadrangular.


word: Quadrilateral₂
definition:
Quadrilateral

Quad`ri*lat"er*al
n.
1.
(Geom.)
A plane figure having four sides, and consequently four angles; a quadrangular figure; any figure formed by four lines.

2.
An area defended by four fortresses supporting each other; as, the Venetian quadrilateral, comprising Mantua, Peschiera, Verona, and Legnano.

Complete quadrilateral (Geom.), the figure made up of the six straight lines that can be drawn through four points, A, B, C, I, the lines being supposed to be produced indefinitely.


word: Quadrille
definition:
Quadrille

Qua`dril`lé"
(?)
a.
[F.]
(Art)
Marked with squares, generally by thin lines crossing at right angles and at equal intervals; as, quadrillé paper, or plotting paper.


word: Quadrille₂
definition:
Quadrille

Qua*drille"
(?)
n.
[F. quadrille, n. fem., fr. Sp. cuadrilla meeting of four or more persons or It. quadriglia a band of soldiers, a sort of dance; dim. fr. L. quadra a square, fr. quattuor four. See Quadrate.]
1.
A dance having five figures, in common time, four couples of dancers being in each set.

2.
The appropriate music for a quadrille.


word: Quadrille₃
definition:
Quadrille

Qua*drille"
n.
[F. quadrille, n. masc., cf. It. quadriglio; or perhaps from the Spanish. See Quadrille a dance.]
A game played by four persons with forty cards, being the remainder of an ordinary pack after the tens, nines, and eights are discarded.
Hoyle.


word: Quadrillion
definition:
Quadrillion

Quad*ril"lion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quater four times, akin to quattuor four, E. four; -- formed like million. See Four, Million.]
According to the French notation, which is followed also upon the Continent and in the United States, a unit with fifteen ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, the number produced by involving a million to the fourth power, or the number represented by a unit with twenty-four ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.


word: Quadrilobed
definition:
Quadrilobed

Quadrilobate

{ Quad`ri*lo"bate (?), Quad`ri*lobed (?), }
a.
[Quadri- + lobe: cf. F. quadrilobé.]
Having four lobes; as, a quadrilobate leaf.


word: Quadrilocular
definition:
Quadrilocular

Quad`ri*loc"u*lar
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + locular: cf. F. quadriloculaire.]
Having four cells, or cavities; as, a quadrilocular heart.


word: Quadrin
definition:
Quadrin

Quad"rin
(?)
n.
[OF., fr. L. quadrini four each, fr. quattuor four.]
A small piece of money, in value about a farthing, or a half cent.
[Obs.]


word: Quadrinodal
definition:
Quadrinodal

Quad`ri*nod"al
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + nodal.]
(Math.)
Possessing four nodes; as, quadrinodal curves.


word: Quadrinomial
definition:
Quadrinomial

Quad`ri*no"mi*al
(?)
n.
[Quadri- + nomial, as in binomial: cf. F. quadrinôme.]
(Alg.)
A polynomial of four terms connected by the signs plus or minus.


word: Quadrinominal
definition:
Quadrinominal

Quad`ri*nom"i*nal
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + nominal.]
(Alg.)
Quadrinomial.
Sir W. R. Hamilton.


word: Quadripartite
definition:
Quadripartite

Quad*rip"ar*tite
(?)
a.
[L. quadripartitus, p. p. of quadripartire to divide into four parts; quattuor four + partire to divide: cf. F. quadripartite.]
Divided into four parts.


word: Quadripartition
definition:
Quadripartition

Quad`ri*par*ti"tion
(?)
n.
[L. quadripartitio: cf. F. quadripartition.]
A division or distribution by four, or into four parts; also, a taking the fourth part of any quantity or number.


word: Quadripennate
definition:
Quadripennate

Quad`ri*pen"nate
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + pennate.]
(Zool.)
Having four wings; -- said of insects.


word: Quadriphyllous
definition:
Quadriphyllous

Quad*riph"yl*lous
(?)
a.
[Quadri + Gr. _; leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having four leaves; quadrifoliate.


word: Quadrireme
definition:
Quadrireme

Quad"ri*reme
(?)
n.
[L. quadriremis; quattuor four + remus an oar: cf. F. quadrirème.]
(Antiq.)
A galley with four banks of oars or rowers.


word: Quadrisulcate
definition:
Quadrisulcate

Quad`ri*sul"cate
(?)
a.
[Quadri + sulcate.]
(Zool.)
Having four hoofs; as, a quadrisulcate foot; a quadrisulcate animal.


word: Quadri-syllabical
definition:
Quadri-syllabical

Quadrisyllabic

{ Quad`ri*syl*lab"ic (?), Quad`ri-syl*lab"ic*al (?), }
Having four syllables; of or pertaining to quadrisyllables; as, a quadrisyllabic word.


word: Quadrisyllable
definition:
Quadrisyllable

Quad`ri*syl"la*ble
(?)
n.
[Quadri- + syllable: cf. F. quadrisyllabe.]
A word consisting of four syllables.
De Quincey.


word: Quadrivalence
definition:
Quadrivalence

Quad*riv"a*lence
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence.


word: Quadrivalent
definition:
Quadrivalent

Quad*riv"a*lent
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr.  See Valence.]
(Chem.)
Having a valence of four; capable of combining with, being replaced by, or compared with, four monad atoms; tetravalent; -- said of certain atoms and radicals; thus, carbon and silicon are quadrivalent elements.


word: Quadrivalve
definition:
Quadrivalve

Quad"ri*valve
(?)
a.
[Quadri- + valve:  cf. F. quadrivalve.]
(Bot.)
Dehiscent into four similar parts; four-valved; as, a quadrivalve pericarp.


word: Quadrivial
definition:
Quadrivial

Quad*riv"i*al
(?)
a.
[L. quadrivium a place where four ways meet; quattuor four + via way.]
Having four ways meeting in a point.
B. Jonson.


word: Quadrivium
definition:
Quadrivium

Quad*riv"i*um
(?)
n.
[L.]
The four “liberal arts,” arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy; -- so called by the schoolmen. See Trivium.


word: Quadroon
definition:
Quadroon

Quad*roon"
(?)
n.
[F. quarteron, or Sp. cuarteron. See Quarter a fourth part, and cf. Quarteron.]
The offspring of a mulatto and a white person; a person quarter-blooded.
[Written also quarteron, quarteroon, and quateron.]


word: Quadrumana
definition:
Quadrumana

Quad*ru"ma*na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Quadrumane.]
(Zool.)
A division of the Primates comprising the apes and monkeys; -- so called because the hind foot is usually prehensile, and the great toe opposable somewhat like a thumb. Formerly the Quadrumana were considered an order distinct from the Bimana, which last included man alone.


word: Quadrumane
definition:
Quadrumane

Quad"ru*mane
(?)
n.
[L. quattuor four + manus a hand: cf. F. quadrumane.]
(Zool.)
One of the Quadrumana.


word: Quadrumanous
definition:
Quadrumanous

Quad*ru"ma*nous
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Having four hands; of or pertaining to the Quadrumana.


word: Quadruped
definition:
Quadruped

Quad"ru*ped
(?)
a.
[L. quadrupes, -pedis; quattuor four + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. quadrupède. See Quadrate, and Foot.]
Having four feet.


word: Quadruped₂
definition:
Quadruped

Quad"ru*ped
n.
(Zool.)
An animal having four feet, as most mammals and reptiles; -- often restricted to the mammals.


word: Quadruplane
definition:
Quadruplane

Quad"ru*plane
(?)
n.
[L. quadru- in comp. + E. plane.]
An airplane with four superposed main supporting surfaces. Contrasted with triplane biplane and monoplane.  They are now used only for hobbyist or historical activities.


word: Quadruple
definition:
Quadruple

Quad"ru*ple
(?)
a.
[L. quadruplus, from quattuor four: cf. F.  quadruple. See Quadrate, and cf. Double.]
Fourfold; as, to make quadruple restitution; a quadruple alliance.

Quadruple time (Mus.), that in which each measure is divided into four equal parts.


word: Quadruple₂
definition:
Quadruple

Quad"ru*ple
n.
[Cf. F. quadruple, L. quadruplum.]
four times the sum or number; a fourfold amount; as, to receive to quadruple of the amount in damages.


word: Quadruple₃
definition:
Quadruple

Quad"ru*ple
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quadrupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrupling (?).]
[L. quadruplare: cf. F. quadrupler.]
To multiply by four; to increase fourfold; to double; to double twice.
A. Smith.


word: Quadruple₄
definition:
Quadruple

Quad"ru*ple
v. i.
To be multiplied by four; to increase fourfold; to become four times as much.


word: Quadruplet
definition:
Quadruplet

Quad"ru*plet
(?)
n.
[From Quadruple.]
1.
A collection or combination of four of a kind.

2.
pl
Four children born in the same labor.

3.
A cycle for carrying four riders, so arranged that all the riders can assist in the propulsion.


word: Quadruplex
definition:
Quadruplex

Quad"ru*plex
(?)
a.
[L., from quattuor four + plicare to fold.]
Fourfold; folded or doubled twice.

Quadruplex system (Electric Telegraph), a system by which four messages, two in each direction, may be sent simultaneously over the wire.


word: Quadruplicate
definition:
Quadruplicate

Quad*ru"pli*cate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quadruplicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadruplicating.]
[L. quadruplicatus, p. p. of quadruplicare, fr. quadruple_; fourfold. See Quadruplex.]
To make fourfold; to double twice; to quadruple.


word: Quadruplicate₂
definition:
Quadruplicate

Quad*ru"pli*cate
(?)
a.
[L. quadruplicatus, p. p.]

1.
Fourfold; doubled twice; four times repeated; as, a quadruplicate ratio, or a quadruplicate proportion.

2.
(Math.)
Raised to the fourth power.
[R.]


word: Quadruplication
definition:
Quadruplication

Quad`ru*pli*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. quadruplicatio: cf. F. quadruplication.]
The act of making fourfold; a taking four times the simple sum or amount.


word: Quadruply
definition:
Quadruply

Quad"ru*ply
(?)
adv.
To a fourfold quantity; so as to be, or cause to be, quadruple; as, to be quadruply recompensed.


word: Quaere
definition:
Quaere

Quæ"re
(?)
v. imperative.
[L., imperative of quaerere to seek.]
Inquire; question; see; -- used to signify doubt or to suggest investigation.


word: Quaff
definition:
Quaff

Quaff
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quaffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaffing.]
[For quach, fr. Gael. & Ir. cuach a drinking cup; cf. L. caucus a drinking vessel.  Cf. Quaigh.]
To drink with relish; to drink copiously of; to swallow in large draughts.
Quaffed
Shak.

They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortality and joy.
Milton.


word: Quaff₂
definition:
Quaff

Quaff
(?)
v. i.
To drink largely or luxuriously.

Twelve days the gods their solemn revels keep,
And quaff with blameless Ethiops in the deep.
Dryden.


word: Quagga
definition:
Quagga

Quag"ga
(?)
n.
[Hottentot.]
(Zool.)
A South African wild ass (Equus quagga syn. Hippotigris quagga).  The upper parts are reddish brown, becoming paler behind and behind and beneath, with dark stripes on the face, neck, and fore part of the body.  The species became extinct in the late 1800's, largely due to excessive hunting.


word: Quaggy
definition:
Quaggy

Quag"gy
(?)
a.
[See Quag, Quagmire.]
Of the nature of a quagmire; yielding or trembling under the foot, as soft, wet earth; spongy; boggy.
quaggy
Collins.


word: Quagmire
definition:
Quagmire

Quag"mire`
(?)
n.
[Quake + mire.]
Soft, wet, miry land, which shakes or yields under the feet.
quagmires
Palfrey.


word: Quahaug
definition:
Quahaug

Quahog

{ Qua"hog, Qua"haug  }
(?)
n.
[Abbrev. fr. Narragansett Indian poquaûhock.]
(Zool.)
An American market clam (Venus mercenaria). It is sold in large quantities, and is highly valued as food. Called also round clam, and hard clam.

&hand_; The name is also applied to other allied species, as Venus Mortoni of the Gulf of Mexico.


word: Quaich
definition:
Quaich

Quaigh

{ Quaigh, Quaich  }
(?)
n.
[Gael. cuach.  Cf. Quaff.]
A small shallow cup or drinking vessel.
[Scot.]
[Written also quegh.]


word: Quail
definition:
Quail

Quail
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Qualled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualling.]
[AS. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu violent death, D. kwaal pain, G. qual torment, OHG. quelan to suffer torment, Lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain.  Cf. Quell.]
1.
To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower.

The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor.
Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter.
Longfellow.


word: Quail₂
definition:
Quail

Quail
v. t.
[Cf. Quell.]
To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to subdue.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Quail₃
definition:
Quail

Quail
v. i.
[OF. coaillier, F. cailler, from L. coagulare. See Coagulate.]
To curdle; to coagulate, as milk.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Quail₄
definition:
Quail

Quail
n.
[OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]

1.
(Zool.)
Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail (Coturnix communis), the rain quail (Coturnix Coromandelica) of India, the stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis), and the Australian swamp quail (Synoicus australis).

2.
(Zool.)
Any one of several American partridges belonging to Colinus, Callipepla, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called Virginia quail, and Maryland quail), and the California quail (Calipepla Californica).

3.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.

4.
A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Bustard quail (Zool.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus Turnix, as Turnix taigoor, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail (Turnix ocellatus). See Turnix. -- Button quail (Zool.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as Turnix Sykesii, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India. -- Mountain quail. See under Mountain. -- Quail call, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range. -- Quail dove (Zool.), any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera. -- Quail hawk (Zool.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk (Hieracidea Novæ-Hollandiæ). -- Quail pipe. See Quail call, above. -- Quail snipe (Zool.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; -- called also robin snipe, and brown snipe. -- Sea quail (Zool.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]


word: Quaint
definition:
Quaint

Quaint
(?)
a.
[OE. queint, queynte, coint, prudent, wise, cunning, pretty, odd, OF. cointe cultivated, amiable, agreeable, neat, fr. L. cognitus known, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con + noscere (for gnoscere) to know. See Know, and cf. Acquaint, Cognition.]
1.
Prudent; wise; hence, crafty; artful; wily.
[Obs.]

Clerks be full subtle and full quaint.
Chaucer.

2.
Characterized by ingenuity or art; finely fashioned; skillfully wrought; elegant; graceful; nice; neat.
[Archaic]
queynte
queynte
Chaucer.
quaint
Chapman.

Every look was coy and wondrous quaint.
Spenser.

To show bow quaint an orator you are.
Shak.

3.
Curious and fanciful; affected; odd; whimsical; antique; archaic; singular; unusual; as, quaint architecture; a quaint expression.

Some stroke of quaint yet simple pleasantry.
Macaulay.

An old, long-faced, long-bodied servant in quaint livery.
W. Irving.


word: Quaintise
definition:
Quaintise

Quain"tise
(?)
n.
[OF. cointise.]
1.
Craft; subtlety; cunning.
[Obs.]
Chaucer. R. of Glouces.

2.
Elegance; beauty.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Quake
definition:
Quake

Quake
(kwāk)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quaked (kwākt); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaking.]
[AS. cwacian; cf. G. quackeln.  Cf. Quagmire.]
1.
To be agitated with quick, short motions continually repeated; to shake with fear, cold, etc.; to shudder; to tremble.
Quaking
Chaucer.

She stood quaking like the partridge on which the hawk is ready to seize.
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
To shake, vibrate, or quiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the mountains quake.
quaking
Macaulay.


word: Quake₂
definition:
Quake

Quake
v. t.
[Cf. AS. cweccan to move, shake. See Quake, v. t.]
To cause to quake.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Quake₃
definition:
Quake

Quake
(kwāk)
n.
1.
A tremulous agitation; a quick vibratory movement; a shudder; a quivering.

2.
An earthquake.

Syn. -- earthquake; tremor; temblor.


word: Quaker
definition:
Quaker

Quak"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who quakes.

2.
One of a religious sect founded by George Fox, of Leicestershire, England, about 1650, -- the members of which call themselves Friends. They were called Quakers, originally, in derision. See Friend, n., 4.

Fox's teaching was primarily a preaching of repentance . . . The trembling among the listening crowd caused or confirmed the name of Quakers given to the body; men and women sometimes fell down and lay struggling as if for life.
Encyc. Brit.

3.
(Zool.)
(a)
The nankeen bird.
(b)
The sooty albatross.
(c)
Any grasshopper or locust of the genus Edipoda; -- so called from the quaking noise made during flight.

Quaker buttons. (Bot.) See Nux vomica. -- Quaker gun, a dummy cannon made of wood or other material; -- so called because the sect of Friends, or Quakers, hold to the doctrine, of nonresistance. -- Quaker ladies (Bot.), a low American biennial plant (Houstonia cærulea), with pretty four-lobed corollas which are pale blue with a yellowish center; -- also called bluets, and little innocents.


word: Quaking
definition:
Quaking

Quak"ing
a. & n. from Quake, v.

Quaking aspen (Bot.), an American species of poplar (Populus tremuloides), the leaves of which tremble in the lightest breeze. It much resembles the European aspen. See Aspen. -- Quaking bog, a bog of forming peat so saturated with water that it shakes when trodden upon. -- Quaking grass. (Bot.) (a) One of several grasses of the genus Briza, having slender-stalked and pendulous ovate spikelets, which quake and rattle in the wind.  Briza maxima is the large quaking grass; Briza media and Briza minor are the smaller kinds. (b) Rattlesnake grass (Glyceria Canadensis).


word: Qualification
definition:
Qualification

Qual`i*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. qualification. See Qualify.]
1.
The act of qualifying, or the condition of being qualified.

2.
That which qualifies; any natural endowment, or any acquirement, which fits a person for a place, office, or employment, or which enables him to sustian any character with success; an enabling quality or circumstance; requisite capacity or possession.

There is no qualification for government but virtue and wisdom, actual or presumptive.
Burke.

3.
The act of limiting, or the state of being limited; that which qualifies by limiting; modification; restriction; hence, abatement; diminution; as, to use words without any qualification.


word: Qualificative
definition:
Qualificative

Qual"i*fi*ca*tive
(?)
n.
That which qualifies, modifies, or restricts; a qualifying term or statement.

How many qualificatives, correctives, and restrictives he inserteth in this relation.
Fuller.


word: Qualificator
definition:
Qualificator

Qual"i*fi*ca`tor
(?)
n.
[LL.]
(R. C. Ch.)
An officer whose business it is to examine and prepare causes for trial in the ecclesiastical courts.


word: Qualified
definition:
Qualified

Qual"i*fied
(?)
a.
1.
Fitted by accomplishments or endowments.

2.
Modified; limited; as, a qualified statement.

Qualified fee (Law), a base fee, or an estate which has a qualification annexed to it, the fee ceasing with the qualification, as a grant to A and his heirs, tenants of the manor of Dale. -- Qualified indorsement (Law), an indorsement which modifies the liability of the indorser that would result from the general principles of law, but does not affect the negotiability of the instrument. Story. -- Qualified negative (Legislation), a limited veto power, by which the chief executive in a constitutional government may refuse assent to bills passed by the legislative body, which bills therefore fail to become laws unless upon a reconsideration the legislature again passes them by a certain majority specified in the constitution, when they become laws without the approval of the executive. -- Qualified property (Law), that which depends on temporary possession, as that in wild animals reclaimed, or as in the case of a bailment.


word: Qualifier
definition:
Qualifier

Qual"i*fi`er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, qualifies; that which modifies, reduces, tempers or restrains.


word: Qualify
definition:
Qualify

Qual"i*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Qualified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualifying (?).]
[F. qualifier, LL. qualificare, fr. L. qualis how constituted, as + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Quality, and -Fy.]
1.
To make such as is required; to give added or requisite qualities to; to fit, as for a place, office, occupation, or character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity.

He had qualified himself for municipal office by taking the oaths to the sovereigns in possession.
Macaulay.

2.
To give individual quality to; to modulate; to vary; to regulate.

It hath no larynx . . . to qualify the sound. 
Sir T. Browne.

3.
To reduce from a general, undefined, or comprehensive form, to particular or restricted form; to modify; to limit; to restrict; to restrain; as, to qualify a statement, claim, or proposition.

4.
Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength of, as liquors.

I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire,
But qualify the fire's extreme rage.
Shak.

5.
To soothe; to cure; -- said of persons.
[Obs.]

In short space he has them qualified.
Spenser.


word: Qualify₂
definition:
Qualify

Qual"i*fy
v. i.
1.
To be or become qualified; to be fit, as for an office or employment.

2.
To obtain legal power or capacity by taking the oath, or complying with the forms required, on assuming an office.


word: Qualitative
definition:
Qualitative

Qual"i*ta*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. LL. gualitativus, F. qualitatif.]
Relating to quality; having the character of quality.
Qual"i*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Qualitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which merely determines the constituents of a substance without any regard to the quantity of each ingredient; -- contrasted with quantitative analysis.


word: Quality
definition:
Quality

Qual"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Qualities (#).
[F. qualité, L. qualitas, fr. qualis how constituted, as; akin to E. which. See Which.]
1.
The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; character; sort; rank.

We lived most joyful, obtaining acquaintance with many of the city not of the meanest quality.
Bacon

2.
Special or temporary character; profession; occupation; assumed or asserted rank, part, or position.

I made that inquiry in quality of an antiquary.
Gray.

3.
That which makes, or helps to make, anything such as it is; anything belonging to a subject, or predicable of it; distinguishing property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or virtue; distinctive trait; as, the tones of a flute differ from those of a violin in quality; the great quality of a statesman.

&hand_; Qualities, in metaphysics, are primary or secondary. Primary are those essential to the existence, and even the conception, of the thing, as of matter or spirit Secondary are those not essential to such a conception.

4.
An acquired trait; accomplishment; acquisition.

He had those qualities of horsemanship, dancing, and fencing which accompany a good breeding.
Clarendon.

5.
Superior birth or station; high rank; elevated character.
quality
Bacon.

Quality binding, a kind of worsted tape used in Scotland for binding carpets, and the like. -- The quality, those of high rank or station, as distinguished from the masses, or common people; the nobility; the gentry.

I shall appear at the masquerade dressed up in my feathers, that the quality may see how pretty they will look in their traveling habits.
Addison.


word: Qualm
definition:
Qualm

Qualm
(?)
n.
[AS. cwealm death, slaughter, pestilence, akin to OS. & OHG. qualm. See Quail to cower.]
1.
Sickness; disease; pestilence; death.
[Obs.]

 thousand slain and not of qualm ystorve [dead].
Chaucer.

2.
A sudden attack of illness, faintness, or pain; an agony.
Qualms
Milton.

3.
Especially, a sudden sensation of nausea.

For who, without a qualm, hath ever looked
On holy garbage, though by Homer cooked?
Roscommon.

4.
A prick or scruple of conscience; uneasiness of conscience; compunction.
Dryden.


word: Qualmish
definition:
Qualmish

Qualm"ish
a.
Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea or sickly languor; inclined to vomit.
Shak.


word: Quamoclit
definition:
Quamoclit

Quam"o*clit
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a bean + _; to bend, to slope.]
(Bot.)
Formerly, a genus of plants including the cypress vine (Quamoclit vulgaris, now called Ipomœa Quamoclit). The genus is now merged in Ipomœa.


word: Quandary
definition:
Quandary

Quan"da*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Quandaries (#).
[Prob. fr. OE. wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandræði difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.]
A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.


word: Quandary₂
definition:
Quandary

Quan"da*ry
v. t.
To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty.
[Obs.]
Otway.


word: Quandong
definition:
Quandong

Quan"dong
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
The edible drupaceous fruit of an Australian tree (Fusanus acuminatus) of the Sandalwood family; -- called also quandang.


word: Quant
definition:
Quant

Quant
(?)
n.
A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it from sinking into the mud; a setting pole.


word: Quantic
definition:
Quantic

Quan"tic
(?)
n.
[L. quantus how much. See Quantity.]
(Math.)
A homogeneous algebraic function of two or more variables, in general containing only positive integral powers of the variables, and called quadric, cubic, quartic, etc., according as it is of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or a higher degree. These are further called binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., according as they contain two, three, four, or more variables; thus, the quantic _; is a binary cubic.


word: Quantification
definition:
Quantification

Quan`ti*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[See Quantity.]
Modification by a reference to quantity; the introduction of the element of quantity.

The quantification of the predicate belongs in part to Sir William Hamilton; viz., in its extension to negative propositions.
De Quincey.


word: Quantify
definition:
Quantify

Quan"ti*fy
(?)
v. t.
[L. quantus now much + -fy.]
1.
To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to determine, fix or express the quantity of; to rate.

2.
(Logic)
To make explicit the quantity of; as, to quantify a variable.


word: Quantitative
definition:
Quantitative

Quan"ti*ta*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. quantitatif.]
Relating to quantity.
Quan"ti*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Quantitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which determines the amount or quantity of each ingredient of a substance, by weight or by volume; -- contrasted with qualitative analysis.


word: Quantitive
definition:
Quantitive

Quan"ti*tive
(?)
a.
[See Quantity.]
Estimable according to quantity; quantitative.
Sir K. Digby.


word: Quantity
definition:
Quantity

Quan"ti*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Quantities (#).
[F. quantite, L. quantitas, fr. quantus bow great, how much, akin to quam bow, E. how, who. See Who.]

1.
The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question “How much?”; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size.
(a)
(Logic)
The extent or extension of a general conception, that is, the number of species or individuals to which it may be applied; also, its content or comprehension, that is, the number of its constituent qualities, attributes, or relations.
(b)
(Gram.)
The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is pronounced; as, the long or short quantity of a vowel or syllable.
(c)
(Mus.)
The relative duration of a tone.

2.
That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially (Math.), anything to which mathematical processes are applicable.

&hand_; Quantity is discrete when it is applied to separate objects, as in number; continuous, when the parts are connected, either in succession, as in time, motion, etc., or in extension, as by the dimensions of space, viz., length, breadth, and thickness.

3.
A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities.

The quantity of extensive and curious information which he had picked up during many months of desultory, but not unprofitable, study.
Macaulay.

Quantity of estate (Law), its time of continuance, or degree of interest, as in fee, for life, or for years. Wharton (Law Dict. ) -- Quantity of matter, in a body, its mass, as determined by its weight, or by its momentum under a given velocity. -- Quantity of motion (Mech.), in a body, the relative amount of its motion, as measured by its momentum, varying as the product of mass and velocity. -- Known quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are given. -- Unknown quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are sought.


word: Quantivalence
definition:
Quantivalence

Quan*tiv"a*lence
(?)
n.
[L. quantus how much + E. valence.]
(Chem.)
Valence.
[Archaic]


word: Quantum
definition:
Quantum

Quan"tum
(?)
n.
pl. Quanta (#).
[L., neuter of quantus how great, how much. See Quantity,]
1.
Quantity; amount.
quantum
Burke.

2.
(Math.)
A definite portion of a manifoldness, limited by a mark or by a boundary.
W. K. Clifford.

&VerbarQuantum meruit (_;) [L., as much as he merited] (Law), a count in an action grounded on a promise that the defendant would pay to the plaintiff for his service as much as he should deserve. -- &VerbarQuantum sufficit (_;), or Quantum suff. [L., as much suffices] (Med.), a sufficient quantity; -- abbreviated  q. s. in pharmacy. -- &VerbarQuantum valebat (_;) [L., as much at it was worth] (Law), a count in an action to recover of the defendant, for goods sold, as much as they were worth. Blackstone.


word: Quaquaversal
definition:
Quaquaversal

Qua`qua*ver"sal
(?)
a.
[L. quaqua wheresoever, whithersoever + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn.]
1.
Turning or dipping in any or every direction.

2.
(Geol.)
Dipping toward all points of the compass round a center, as beds of lava round a crater.


word: Quarantine
definition:
Quarantine

Quar"an*tine
(?)
n.
[F. quarantaine, OF. quaranteine, fr. F. quarante forty, L. quadraginta, akin to quattuor four, and E. four: cf. It. quarantina, quarentine. See Four, and cf. Quadragesima.]
1.
A space of forty days; -- used of Lent.

2.
Specifically, the term, originally of forty days, during which a ship arriving in port, and suspected of being infected a malignant contagious disease, is obliged to forbear all intercourse with the shore; hence, such restraint or inhibition of intercourse; also, the place where infected or prohibited vessels are stationed.

&hand_; Quarantine is now applied also to any forced stoppage of travel or communication on account of malignant contagious disease, on land as well as by sea.

3.
(Eng. Law)
The period of forty days during which the widow had the privilege of remaining in the mansion house of which her husband died seized.

Quarantine flag, a yellow flag hoisted at the fore of a vessel or hung from a building, to give warning of an infectious disease; -- called also the yellow jack, and yellow flag.


word: Quarantine₂
definition:
Quarantine

Quar`an*tine"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quarantined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarantining.]
To compel to remain at a distance, or in a given place, without intercourse, when suspected of having contagious disease; to put under, or in, quarantine.


word: Quarl
definition:
Quarl

Quarl
(?)
n.
[Cf. G. qualle.]
(Zool.)
A medusa, or jellyfish.
[R.]

The jellied quarl that flings
At once a thousand streaming stings.
J. R. Drake.


word: Quarrel
definition:
Quarrel

Quar"rel
(?)
n.
[OE. quarel, OF. quarrel, F. carreau, LL. quadrellus, from L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quadrel, Quarry an arrow, Carrel.]
1.
An arrow for a crossbow; -- so named because it commonly had a square head.
[Obs.]

To shoot with arrows and quarrel.
Sir J. Mandeville.

Two arblasts, . . . with windlaces and quarrels.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
(Arch.)
Any small square or quadrangular member
(a)
A square of glass, esp. when set diagonally.
(b)
A small opening in window tracery, of which the cusps, etc., make the form nearly square.
(c)
A square or lozenge-shaped paving tile.

3.
A glazier's diamond.
Simmonds.

4.
A four-sided cutting tool or chisel having a diamond-shaped end.


word: Quarrel₂
definition:
Quarrel

Quar"rel
n.
[OE. querele, OF. querele, F. querelle, fr. L. querela, querella, a complaint, fr. queri to complain. See Querulous.]
1.
A breach of concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses.

I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant.
Lev. xxvi. 25.

On open seas their quarrels they debate.
Dryden.

2.
Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation.

Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him.
Mark vi. 19.

No man hath any quarrel to me.
Shak.

He thought he had a good quarrel to attack him.
Holinshed.

3.
Earnest desire or longing.
[Obs.]
Holland.

To pick a quarrel. See under Pick, v. t.


word: Quarrel₃
definition:
Quarrel

Quar"rel
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quarreled (?) or Quarrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Quarreling or Quarrelling.]
1.
To violate concord or agreement; to have a difference; to fall out; to be or become antagonistic.

Our people quarrel with obedience.
Shak.

But some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed.
Shak.

2.
To dispute angrily, or violently; to wrangle; to scold; to altercate; to contend; to fight.

Beasts called sociable quarrel in hunger and lust.
Sir W. Temple.

3.
To find fault; to cavil; as, to quarrel with one's lot.

I will not quarrel with a slight mistake.
Roscommon.


word: Quarrel₄
definition:
Quarrel

Quar"rel
(?)
v. t.
1.
To quarrel with.
[R.]
quarelled
B. Jonson.

2.
To compel by a quarrel; as, to quarrel a man out of his estate or rights.


word: Quarrel₅
definition:
Quarrel

Quar"rel
(?)
n.
[Written also quarreller.]
One who quarrels or wrangles; one who is quarrelsome.
Shak.


word: Quarreling
definition:
Quarreling

Quar"rel*ing
a.
Engaged in a quarrel; apt or disposed to quarrel; as, quarreling factions; a quarreling mood.
Quar"rel*ing*ly, adv.


word: Quarrellous
definition:
Quarrellous

Quar"rel*lous
(?)
a.
[OF. querelous, F. querelleux, L. querulosus and querulus, fr. queri to complain. See 2d Quarrel.]
Quarrelsome.
[Obs.]
[Written also quarrellous.]
Shak.


word: Quarrelsome
definition:
Quarrelsome

Quar"rel*some
(?)
a.
Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric.


word: Quarry
definition:
Quarry

Quar"ry
(?)
n.
[OE. quarre, OF. quarré square, F. carré, from L. quadratus square, quadrate, quadratum a square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.]
Same as 1st Quarrel.
[Obs.]
Fairfax.


word: Quarry₃
definition:
Quarry

Quar"ry
n.
pl. Quarries (#).
[OE. querre, OF. cuiriée, F. curée, fr. cuir hide, leather, fr. L. corium; the quarry given to the dogs being wrapped in the akin of the beast. See Cuirass.]
1.
(a)
A part of the entrails of the beast taken, given to the hounds.
(b)
A heap of game killed.

2.
The object of the chase; the animal hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks.
quarry
Spenser.

The wily quarry shunned the shock.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Quarry₅
definition:
Quarry

Quar"ry
n.
[OE. quarrere, OF. quariere, F. carrière, LL. quadraria a quarry, whence squared (quadrati) stones are dug, fr. quadratus square. See Quadrate.]
A place, cavern, or pit where stone is taken from the rock or ledge, or dug from the earth, for building or other purposes; a stone pit. See 5th Mine (a).


word: Quarry₆
definition:
Quarry

Quar"ry
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quarried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarrying.]
To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble.


word: Quarry-faced
definition:
Quarry-faced

Quar"ry-faced`
(?)
a.
(Stone Masonry)
Having a face left as it comes from the quarry and not smoothed with the chisel or point; -- said of stones.


word: Quarry-man
definition:
Quarry-man

Quar"ry-man
(?)
n.
pl. Quarrymen (_;).
A man who is engaged in quarrying stones; a quarrier.


word: Quart
definition:
Quart

Quart
(?)
n.
[F. quart, n. masc., fr. L. quartus the fourth, akin to quattuor four. See Four, and cf. 2d Carte, Quarto.]
The fourth part; a quarter; hence, a region of the earth.
[Obs.]

Camber did possess the western quart.
Spenser.


word: Quart₂
definition:
Quart

Quart
n.
[F. quarte, n. fem., fr. quart fourth. See Quart a quarter.]
1.
A measure of capacity, both in dry and in liquid measure; the fourth part of a gallon; the eighth part of a peck; two pints.

&hand_; In imperial measure, a quart is forty English fluid ounces; in wine measure, it is thirty-two American fluid ounces. The United States dry quart contains 67.20 cubic inches, the fluid quart 57.75. The English quart contains 69.32 cubic inches.

2.
A vessel or measure containing a quart.


word: Quart₃
definition:
Quart

Quart
(?)
n.
[See Quart a quarter.]
In cards, four successive cards of the same suit.  Cf. Tierce, 4.
Hoyle.


word: Quartan
definition:
Quartan

Quar"tan
(?)
a.
[F. quartain, in fièvre quartaine, L. quartanus, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.]
Of or pertaining to the fourth; occurring every fourth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quartan ague, or fever.


word: Quartan₂
definition:
Quartan

Quar"tan
n.
1.
(Med.)
An intermittent fever which returns every fourth day, reckoning inclusively, that is, one in which the interval between paroxysms is two days.

2.
A measure, the fourth part of some other measure.


word: Quartane
definition:
Quartane

Quar"tane
(?)
n.
[L. quartus the fourth.]
(Chem.)
Butane, each molecule of which has four carbon atoms.


word: Quartation
definition:
Quartation

Quar*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. quartus the fourth: cf. F. quartation. So called because usually enough silver is added to make the amount of gold in the alloyed button about one fourth.]
(Chem. & Assaying)
The act, process, or result (in the process of parting) of alloying a button of nearly pure gold with enough silver to reduce the fineness so as to allow acids to attack and remove all metals except the gold; -- called also inquartation. Compare Parting.


word: Quartenylic
definition:
Quartenylic

Quar"ten*yl"ic
(?)
a.
[Quartene + -yl + -ic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the acrylic acid series, metameric with crotonic acid, and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from having four carbon atoms in the molecule. Called also isocrotonic acid.


word: Quarter
definition:
Quarter

Quar"ter
(kwär"tẽr)
n.
[F. quartier, L. quartarius a fourth part, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.]
1.
One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc.
(a)
The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds.
(b)
The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal.
Hutton.
(c)
(Astron.)
The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full.
(d)
One limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, including a leg; as, the fore quarters; the hind quarters.
(e)
That part of a boot or shoe which forms the side, from the heel to the vamp.
(f)
(Far.)
That part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, being the side of the coffin.
(g)
A term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter.
(h)
pl.
(Mil.)
The encampment on one of the principal passages round a place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys.
(i)
(Naut.)
The after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent with the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of the slings.
(j)
(Her.)
One of the divisions of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fess point.

&hand_; When two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the other. See Quarter, v. t., 5.

Scouts each coast light-armed scour,
Each quarter, to descry the distant foe.
Milton.

2.
Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.

Swift to their several quarters hasted then
The cumbrous elements.
Milton.

The banter turned as to what quarters each would find.
W. Irving.

He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives.
Clarendon.

Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.
L'Estrange.

3.
Friendship; amity; concord.
[Obs.]
To keep quarter
[Obs.]

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom.
Shak.

I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves.
Bacon.

False quarter, a cleft in the quarter of a horse's foot. -- Fifth quarter, the hide and fat; -- a butcher's term. -- On the quarter (Naut.), in a direction between abeam and astern; opposite, or nearly opposite, a vessel's quarter. -- Quarter aspect. (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate. -- Quarter back (Football), the player who has position next behind center rush, and receives the ball on the snap back. -- Quarter badge (Naut.), an ornament on the side of a vessel near, the stern. Mar. Dict. -- Quarter bill (Naut.), a list specifying the different stations to be taken by the officers and crew in time of action, and the names of the men assigned to each. -- Quarter block (Naut.), a block fitted under the quarters of a yard on each side of the slings, through which the clew lines and sheets are reeved. R. H. Dana, Jr. -- Quarter boat (Naut.), a boat hung at a vessel's quarter. -- Quarter cloths (Naut.), long pieces of painted canvas, used to cover the quarter netting. -- Quarter day, a day regarded as terminating a quarter of the year; hence, one on which any payment, especially rent, becomes due. In matters influenced by United States statutes, quarter days are the first days of January, April, July, and October. In New York and many other places, as between landlord and tenant, they are the first days of May, August, November, and February. The quarter days usually recognized in England are 25th of March (Lady Day), the 24th of June (Midsummer Day), the 29th of September (Michaelmas Day), and the 25th of December (Christmas Day). -- Quarter face, in fine arts, portrait painting, etc., a face turned away so that but one quarter is visible. -- Quarter gallery (Naut.), a balcony on the quarter of a ship. See Gallery, 4. -- Quarter gunner (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the gunner. -- Quarter look, a side glance. [Obs.] B. Jonson. -- Quarter nettings (Naut.), hammock nettings along the quarter rails. -- Quarter note (Mus.), a note equal in duration to half a minim or a fourth of semibreve; a crochet. -- Quarter pieces (Naut.), several pieces of timber at the after-part of the quarter gallery, near the taffrail. Totten. -- Quarter point. (Naut.) See Quarter, n., 1 (n). -- Quarter railing, or Quarter rails (Naut.), narrow molded planks reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway, serving as a fence to the quarter-deck. -- Quarter sessions (Eng. Law), a general court of criminal jurisdiction held quarterly by the justices of peace in counties and by the recorders in boroughs. -- Quarter square (Math.), the fourth part of the square of a number. Tables of quarter squares have been devised to save labor in multiplying numbers. -- Quarter turn, Quarter turn belt (Mach.), an arrangement in which a belt transmits motion between two shafts which are at right angles with each other. -- Quarter watch (Naut.), a subdivision of the full watch (one fourth of the crew) on a man-of- war. -- To give quarter, or To show quarter (Mil.), to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a vanquished enemy. -- To keep quarter. See Quarter, n., 3.


word: Quarter₂
definition:
Quarter

Quar"ter
(kwär"tẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quartered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quartering.]
1.
To divide into four equal parts.

2.
To divide; to separate into parts or regions.

Then sailors quartered heaven.
Dryden.

3.
To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.

They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
Shak.

4.
To furnish as a portion; to allot.
[R.]

This isle . . . 
He quarters to his blue-haired deities.
 Milton.

5.
(Her.)
To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.

&hand_; When only two coats of arms are so combined they are arranged in four compartments. See Quarter, n., 1 (f).


word: Quarter₄
definition:
Quarter

Quar"ter
v. i.
[F. cartayer.]
To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.

Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering.
De Quincey.


word: quarterback
definition:
quarterback

quarterback
n.
(Football)
The player on a football tream who chooses the offensive play and receives the ball from the center at the start of each down.  Compare halfback and fullback.


word: quarterback₂
definition:
quarterback

quarterback
v. i.
(Football)
To play the position of quarterback, in a football game.

Syn. -- play the quarterback, be the quarterback.


word: quarterback sneak
definition:
quarterback sneak

quarterback sneak
n.
(Football)
A play in football in which the quarterback carries the ball directly ahead, immediately or shortly after receiving the snap, sometimes after faking a handoff.


word: Quarter-deck
definition:
Quarter-deck

Quar"ter-deck`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
That part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one.

&hand_; The quarter-deck is reserved as a promenade for the officers and (in passenger vessels) for the cabin passengers.


word: Quartered
definition:
Quartered

Quar"tered
(?)
a.
1.
Divided into four equal parts or quarters; separated into four parts or regions.

2.
Furnished with quarters; provided with shelter or entertainment.

3.
Quarter-sawed; -- said of timber, commonly oak.


word: Quarterfoil
definition:
Quarterfoil

Quar"ter*foil`
(?)
n.
[Quarier + foil: cf. F. quatre.]
(Arch.)
An ornamental foliation having four lobes, or foils.


word: Quarterhung
definition:
Quarterhung

Quar"ter*hung`
(?)
a.
(Ordnance)
Having trunnions the axes of which lie below the bore; -- said of a cannon.


word: Quartering
definition:
Quartering

Quar"ter*ing
a.
1.
(Naut.)
Coming from a point well abaft the beam, but not directly astern; -- said of waves or any moving object.

2.
(Mach.)
At right angles, as the cranks of a locomotive, which are in planes forming a right angle with each other.


word: Quartering₂
definition:
Quartering

Quar"ter*ing
n.
1.
A station.
[Obs.]
Bp. Montagu.

2.
Assignment of quarters for soldiers; quarters.

3.
(Her.)
(a)
The division of a shield containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments.
(b)
One of the different coats of arms arranged upon an escutcheon, denoting the descent of the bearer.

4.
(Arch.)
A series of quarters, or small upright posts. See Quarter, n., 1 (m) (Arch.)
Gwilt.

Quartering block, a block on which the body of a condemned criminal was quartered. Macaulay.


word: Quarterly
definition:
Quarterly

Quar"ter*ly
a.
1.
Containing, or consisting of, a fourth part; as, quarterly seasons.

2.
Recurring during, or at the end of, each quarter; as, quarterly payments of rent; a quarterly meeting.


word: Quarterly₂
definition:
Quarterly

Quar"ter*ly
n.
pl. Quarterlies (_;).
A periodical work published once a quarter, or four times in a year.


word: Quarterly₃
definition:
Quarterly

Quar"ter*ly
adv.
1.
By quarters; once in a quarter of a year; as, the returns are made quarterly.

2.
(Her.)
In quarters, or quarterings; as, to bear arms quarterly; in four or more parts; -- said of a shield thus divided by lines drawn through it at right angles.


word: Quartermaster
definition:
Quartermaster

Quar"ter*mas`ter
(?)
n.
[Quarter + master: cf. F. quartier-maître.]
1.
(Mil.)
An officer whose duty is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies.

2.
(Naut.)
A petty officer who attends to the helm, binnacle, signals, and the like, under the direction of the master.
Totten.

Quartermaster general (Mil.), in the United States a staff officer, who has the rank of brigadier general and is the chief officer in the quartermaster's department; in England, an officer of high rank stationed at the War Office having similar duties; also, a staff officer, usually a general officer, accompanying each complete army in the field. -- Quartermaster sergeant. See Sergeant.


word: Quartern
definition:
Quartern

Quar"tern
(?)
n.
[OE. quarteroun, quartron, F. quarteron, the fourth part of a pound, or of a hundred; cf. L. quartarius a fourth part, quarter of any measure, quartern, gill. See Quarter, and cf. Quarteron, Quadroon.]
1.
A quarter. Specifically: (a) The fourth part of a pint; a gill. (b) The fourth part of a peck, or of a stone (14 ibs.).

2.
A loaf of bread weighing about four pounds; -- called also quartern loaf.
Simmonds.


word: Quarteron
definition:
Quarteron

Quar"ter*on
(?)
n.
[F. See Quartern.]
A quarter; esp., a quarter of a pound, or a quarter of a hundred.
Piers Plowman.


word: Quarterpace
definition:
Quarterpace

Quar"ter*pace`
(?)
n.
(Arch.)
A platform of a staircase where the stair turns at a right angle only. See Halfpace.


word: Quarter-saw
definition:
Quarter-saw

Quar"ter-saw`
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quarter-sawed -sawn; p. pr. & vb. n. Quarter-sawing.]
To saw (a log) into quarters; specif., to saw into quarters and then into boards, as by cutting alternately from each face of a quarter, to secure lumber that will warp relatively little or show the grain advantageously.


word: Quarterstaff
definition:
Quarterstaff

Quar"ter*staff`
(?)
n.
pl. Quarterstaves (_;).
A long and stout staff formerly used as a weapon of defense and offense; -- so called because in holding it one hand was placed in the middle, and the other between the middle and the end.


word: Quartette
definition:
Quartette

Quartet

{ Quar*tet", Quar*tette"  }
(?)
n.
[It. quartetto, dim. of quarto the fourth, a fourth part, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.]
1.
(Mus.)
(a)
A composition in four parts, each performed by a single voice or instrument.
(b)
The set of four person who perform a piece of music in four parts.

2.
(Poet.)
A stanza of four lines.


word: Quartic₂
definition:
Quartic

Quar"tic
(?)
n.
(a)
(Alg.)
A quantic of the fourth degree. See Quantic.
(b)
(Geom.)
A curve or surface whose equation is of the fourth degree in the variables.


word: Quartile
definition:
Quartile

Quar"tile
(?)
n.
[F. quartile aspect, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.]
(Astrol.)
Same as Quadrate.


word: Quartine
definition:
Quartine

Quar"tine
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quartus the fourth.]
(Bot.)
A supposed fourth integument of an ovule, counting from the outside.


word: Quarto
definition:
Quarto

Quar"to
(?)
a.
[L. in quarto in fourth, from quartus the fourth: cf. F. (in) quarto. See Quart.]
Having four leaves to the sheet; of the form or size of a quarto.


word: Quarto₂
definition:
Quarto

Quar"to
n.
pl. Quartos (_;).
Originally, a book of the size of the fourth of sheet of printing paper; a size leaves; in present usage, a book of a square or nearly square form, and usually of large size.


word: Quartz
definition:
Quartz

Quartz
(?)
n.
[G. quarz.]
(Min.)
A form of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), occurring in hexagonal crystals, which are commonly colorless and transparent, but sometimes also yellow, brown, purple, green, and of other colors; also in cryptocrystalline massive forms varying in color and degree of transparency, being sometimes opaque.

&hand_; The crystalline varieties include: amethyst, violet; citrine and false topaz, pale yellow; rock crystal, transparent and colorless or nearly so; rose quartz, rosecolored; smoky quartz, smoky brown. The chief crypto-crystalline varieties are: agate, a chalcedony in layers or clouded with different colors, including the onyx and sardonyx; carnelian and sard, red or flesh-colored chalcedony; chalcedony, nearly white, and waxy in luster; chrysoprase, an apple-green chalcedony; flint, hornstone, basanite, or touchstone, brown to black in color and compact in texture; heliotrope, green dotted with red; jasper, opaque, red yellow, or brown, colored by iron or ferruginous clay; prase, translucent and dull leek-green. Quartz is an essential constituent of granite, and abounds in rocks of all ages. It forms the rocks quartzite (quartz rock) and sandstone, and makes most of the sand of the seashore.


word: Quartziferous
definition:
Quartziferous

Quartz*if"er*ous
(?)
a.
[Quartz + -ferous.]
(Min.)
Consisting chiefly of quartz; containing quartz.


word: Quartzite
definition:
Quartzite

Quartz"ite
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. quartzite.]
(Min.)
Massive quartz occurring as a rock; a metamorphosed sandstone; -- called also quartz rock.


word: Quartzoid
definition:
Quartzoid

Quartz"oid
(?)
n.
[Quartz + -oid.]
(Crystallog.)
A form of crystal common with quartz, consisting of two six-sided pyramids, base to base.


word: Quartzose
definition:
Quartzose

Quartz"ose`
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. quartzeux, G. quarzig.]
(Min.)
Containing, or resembling, quartz; partaking of the nature or qualities of quartz.


word: Quash₂
definition:
Quash

Quash
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quashing.]
[OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. cassare to annihilate, annul, fr. cassus empty, vain, of uncertain origin. The word has been confused with L. quassare to shake, F. casser to break, which is probably of different origin.  Cf. Cashier, v. t.]
(Law)
To abate, annul, overthrow, or make void; as, to quash an indictment.
Blackstone.


word: Quash₃
definition:
Quash

Quash
v. t.
[OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. quassare to shake, shatter, shiver, v. intens. fr. quatere, quassum, to shake, shatter.  Cf. Concussion, Discuss, Rescue, and also Quash to annul.]
1.
To beat down, or beat in pieces; to dash forcibly; to crush.

The whales
Against sharp rocks, like reeling vessels, quashed,
Though huge as mountains, are in pieces dashed.
Waller.

2.
To crush; to subdue; to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely; as, to quash a rebellion.

Contrition is apt to quash or allay all worldly grief.
Barrow.


word: Quasi
definition:
Quasi

Qua"si
(?)
[L.]
As if; as though; as it were; in a manner sense or degree; having some resemblance to; qualified; -- used as an adjective, or a prefix with a noun or an adjective; as, a quasi contract, an implied contract, an obligation which has arisen from some act, as if from a contract; a quasi corporation, a body that has some, but not all, of the peculiar attributes of a corporation; a quasi argument, that which resembles, or is used as, an argument; quasi historical, apparently historical, seeming to be historical.


word: Quasi corporation
definition:
Quasi corporation

Qua"si cor`po*ra"tion
A corporation consisting of a person or body of persons invested with some of the qualities of an artificial person, though not expressly incorporated, esp. the official of certain municipal divisions such as counties, schools districts, and the towns of some States of the United States, certain church officials, as a churchwarden, etc.


word: Quasimodo
definition:
Quasimodo

Quas`i*mo"do
(kwăs`ĭ*m&omacr"do̝)
n.
[So called from the first words of the Latin introit, quasi modo geniti infantes as newborn babes, 1 Pet. ii. 2.]
(R. C. Ch.)
The first Sunday after Easter; Low Sunday.


word: Quasimodo₂
definition:
Quasimodo

Quas`i*mo"do
(kwȧz`e̝*m&omacr"do̝)
prop. n.
(Fiction)
The main character in Victor Hugo's novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.   The novel was first published in French under the title “Notre Dame de Paris”.  Quasimodo is a deformed and ugly hunchback who is bellringer at the cathedral of Notre Dame during the reign of Louis XI.  He rescues a gypsy girl Esmeralda, falsely convicted of a crime and about to be excuted, and carries her to sanctuary in the cathedral.  Near the end of the book he dies while again rescuing her from an abductor.  In a movie made in 1923 Quasimodo was portrayed by the actor Lon Chaney, whose impressive makeup and superb acting drew many plaudits.  His shout of “Sanctuary!  Sanctuary!” when rescuing Esmeralda is still sometimes imitated for humorous or dramatic effect.


word: Quass
definition:
Quass

Quass
(?)
n.
[Russ. kvas'.]
A thin, sour beer, made by pouring warm water on rye or barley meal and letting it ferment, -- much used by the Russians.  Called also kvass.
[written also kvass and quas.]


word: Quassation
definition:
Quassation

Quas*sa"tion
(?)
n.
[L. quassatio, from quassare to shake. See Quash to crush.]
The act of shaking, or the state of being shaken.
Gayton.


word: Quassia
definition:
Quassia

Quas"si*a
(?)
n.
[NL. From the name of a negro, Quassy, or Quash, who prescribed this article as a specific.]
The wood of several tropical American trees of the order Simarubeæ, as Quassia amara, Picræna excelsa, and Simaruba amara. It is intensely bitter, and is used in medicine and sometimes as a substitute for hops in making beer.


word: Quassin
definition:
Quassin

Quas"sin
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. quassine. See Quassia.]
(Chem.)
The bitter principle of quassia, extracted as a white crystalline substance; -- formerly called quassite.
[Written also quassīin, and quassine.]


word: Quat
definition:
Quat

Quat
(?)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(a)
A pustule.
[Obs.]
(b)
An annoying, worthless person.
Shak.


word: Quater-cousin
definition:
Quater-cousin

Qua"ter-cous`in
(?)
n.
[F. quatre four + cousin, E. cousin.]
A cousin within the first four degrees of kindred.


word: Quaternary
definition:
Quaternary

Qua*ter"na*ry
(?)
a.
[L. quaternarius consisting of four each, containing four, fr. quaterni four each, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quaternaire. See Four.]

1.
Consisting of four; by fours, or in sets of four.

2.
(Geol.)
Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary; Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man.


word: Quaternary₂
definition:
Quaternary

Qua*ter"na*ry
n.
[L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F. quaternaire.]
1.
The number four.
Boyle.

2.
(Geol.)
The Quaternary age, era, or formation. See the Chart of Geology.


word: Quaternate
definition:
Quaternate

Qua*ter"nate
(?)
a.
Composed of, or arranged in, sets of four; quaternary; as, quaternate leaves.


word: Quaternion
definition:
Quaternion

Qua*ter"ni*on
(?)
n.
[L. quaternio, fr. quaterni four each. See Quaternary.]
1.
The number four.
[Poetic]

2.
A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken collectively; a group of four words, phrases, circumstances, facts, or the like.

Delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers.
Acts xii. 4.

Ye elements, the eldest birth
 Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run.
Milton.

The triads and quaternions with which he loaded his sentences.
 Sir W. Scott.

3.
A word of four syllables; a quadrisyllable.

4.
(Math.)
The quotient of two vectors, or of two directed right lines in space, considered as depending on four geometrical elements, and as expressible by an algebraic symbol of quadrinomial form.

&hand_; The science or calculus of quaternions is a new mathematical method, in which the conception of a quaternion is unfolded and symbolically expressed, and is applied to various classes of algebraical, geometrical, and physical questions, so as to discover theorems, and to arrive at the solution of problems.
Sir W. R. Hamilton.


word: Quaternity
definition:
Quaternity

Qua*ter"ni*ty
(?)
n.
[LL. quaternitas, fr. L. quaterni four each: cf. F. quaternité.]
1.
The number four.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
The union of four in one, as of four persons; -- analogous to the theological term trinity.


word: Quatorzain
definition:
Quatorzain

Qua*torz"ain
(?)
n.
[See Quatorze.]
A poem of fourteen lines; a sonnet.
R. H. Stoddard.


word: Quatorze
definition:
Quatorze

Qua*torze"
(?)
n.
[F. quatorze fourteen, L. quattuordecim. See Fourteen.]
The four aces, kings, queens, knaves, or tens, in the game of piquet; -- so called because quatorze counts as fourteen points.


word: Quatrain
definition:
Quatrain

Quat"rain
(?)
n.
[F., fr. quatre four, L. quattuor, quatuor. See Four.]
(Pros.)
A stanza of four lines rhyming alternately.
Dryden.


word: Quatrefoil
definition:
Quatrefoil

Quatrefeuille

{ Qua"tre*feuille (?), Qua"tre*foil (?), }
n.
[F. quatre feuilles.]
Same as Quarterfoil.


word: Quattrocento
definition:
Quattrocento

Quat`tro*cen"to
(?)
n. & a.
[It., four hundred, used as an abbreviated expression for the dates beginning with fourteen hundred.]
The fifteenth century, when applied to Italian art or literature; as, the sculpture of the quattrocento; quattrocento style.
Quat`tro*cen"tist (#), n.


word: Quatuor
definition:
Quatuor

Quat"u*or
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quattuor, quatuor, four. See Quartet.]
(Mus.)
A quartet; -- applied chiefly to instrumental compositions.


word: Quaver
definition:
Quaver

Qua"ver
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quavering.]
[OE. quaven to shake, to tremble; cf. LG. quabbeln to shake, to be soft, of fat substances, quabbe a fat lump of flesh, a dewlap, D. kwabbe, and E. quiver, v.]
1.
To tremble; to vibrate; to shake.
Sir I. Newton.

2.
Especially, to shake the voice; to utter or form sound with rapid or tremulous vibrations, as in singing; also, to trill on a musical instrument


word: Quaver₂
definition:
Quaver

Qua"ver
v. t.
To utter with quavers.

We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some sprightly airs of the opera.
Addison.


word: Quaver₃
definition:
Quaver

Qua"ver
n.
1.
A shake, or rapid and tremulous vibration, of the voice, or of an instrument of music.

2.
(Mus.)
An eighth note. See Eighth.


word: Quay
definition:
Quay

Quay
(?)
n.
[F. quai. See Key quay.]
A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience in loading and unloading vessels.
[Written also key.]


word: qubit
definition:
qubit

qu"bit
(kū"bĭt)
(Information theory)
[Shortened from quantum bit.]
A measure of information, being the information that can be stored in one object that can take a quantum state of 0 or 1.  It differs from the classical bit of information theory in that quantum states may assume many intermediate states that are superpositions of the individual discrete states; the quantum states of multiple quantum systems may also be correlated by a phenomenon called entanglement, increasing the complexity of the information storage and retrieval process.  See 4th bit, n.
Michael A. Nielsen, “Rules for a Complex Quantum World”, Scientific American,  Nov. 2002, pp. 67-75.


word: Queach₂
definition:
Queach

Queach
v. i.
[Cf. E. quich, v. i., quick, v. i.; or AS. cweccan to shake.]
To stir; to move. See Quick, v. i.
[Obs.]


word: Queachy
definition:
Queachy

Queach"y
(?)
a.
1.
Yielding or trembling under the feet, as moist or boggy ground; shaking; moving.
queachy
queachy
Drayton.

2.
Like a queach; thick; bushy.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.


word: Quean
definition:
Quean

Quean
(?)
n.
[Originally, a woman, AS. cwene; akin to OS. quena, OHG. quena, Icel. kona, Goth qin_;, and AS. cwén, also to Gr. _; woman, wife, Skr. gnā goddess.  Cf. Queen.]
1.
A woman; a young or unmarried woman; a girl.
[Obs. or Scot.]
Chaucer.

2.
A low woman; a wench; a slut.
quean
Gay.


word: Queasy
definition:
Queasy

Quea"sy
(?)
a.
[Icel. kweisa pain; cf. Norw. kveis sickness after a debauch.]
1.
Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea; inclined to vomit; qualmish.

2.
Fastidious; squeamish; delicate; easily disturbed; unsettled; ticklish.
queasy
Shak.

Some seek, when queasy conscience has its qualms.
Cowper.


word: Quebec group
definition:
Quebec group

Que*bec" group`
(?)
(Geol.)
The middle of the three groups into which the rocks of the Canadian period have been divided in the American Lower Silurian system. See the Chart of Geology.


word: Quebracho
definition:
Quebracho

Que*bra"cho
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
(Bot.)
A Chilian apocynaceous tree (Aspidosperma Quebracho); also, its bark, which is used as a febrifuge, and for dyspnœa of the lung, or bronchial diseases; -- called also white quebracho, to distinguish it from the red quebracho, a Mexican anacardiaceous tree (Loxopterygium Lorentzii) whose bark is said to have similar properties.
J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).


word: Queck
definition:
Queck

Quech

{ Quech (?), Queck (?), }
v. i.
[Cf. Quick, Queach.]
A word occurring in a corrupt passage of Bacon's Essays, and probably meaning, to stir, to move.


word: Queen
definition:
Queen

Queen
(?)
n.
[OE. quen, quene, queen, quean, AS. cwēn wife, queen, woman; akin to OS. quān wife, woman, Icel. kvān wife, queen, Goth. qēns. √221. See Quean.]
1.
The wife of a king.

2.
A woman who is the sovereign of a kingdom; a female monarch; as, Elizabeth, queen of England; Mary, queen of Scots.

In faith, and by the heaven's quene.
Chaucer.

3.
A woman eminent in power or attractions; the highest of her kind; as, a queen in society; -- also used figuratively of cities, countries, etc.
queen
queen
Cowper.

4.
The fertile, or fully developed, female of social bees, ants, and termites.

5.
(Chess)
The most powerful, and except the king the most important, piece in a set of chessmen.

6.
A playing card bearing the picture of a queen; as, the queen of spades.

Queen apple. [Cf. OE. quyne aple quince apple.] A kind of apple; a queening. “Queen apples and red cherries.” Spenser. -- Queen bee (Zool.), a female bee, especially the female of the honeybee. See Honeybee. -- Queen conch (Zool.), a very large West Indian cameo conch (Cassis cameo). It is much used for making cameos. -- Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king. Blackstone. -- Queen dowager, the widow of a king. -- Queen gold, formerly a revenue of the queen consort of England, arising from gifts, fines, etc. -- Queen mother, a queen dowager who is also mother of the reigning king or queen. -- Queen of May. See May queen, under May. -- Queen of the meadow (Bot.), a European herbaceous plant (Spiræa Ulmaria). See Meadowsweet. -- Queen of the prairie (Bot.), an American herb (Spiræa lobata) with ample clusters of pale pink flowers. -- Queen pigeon (Zool.), any one of several species of very large and handsome crested ground pigeons of the genus Goura, native of New Guinea and the adjacent islands. They are mostly pale blue, or ash-blue, marked with white, and have a large occipital crest of spatulate feathers. Called also crowned pigeon, goura, and Victoria pigeon. -- Queen regent, or Queen regnant, a queen reigning in her own right. -- Queen's Bench. See King's Bench. -- Queen's counsel, Queen's evidence. See King's counsel, King's evidence, under King. -- Queen's delight (Bot.), an American plant (Stillinqia sylvatica) of the Spurge family, having an herbaceous stem and a perennial woody root. -- Queen's metal (Metal.), an alloy somewhat resembling pewter or britannia, and consisting essentially of tin with a slight admixture of antimony, bismuth, and lead or copper. -- Queen's pigeon. (Zool.) Same as Queen pigeon, above. -- Queen's ware, glazed English earthenware of a cream color. -- Queen's yellow (Old Chem.), a heavy yellow powder consisting of a basic mercuric sulphate; -- formerly called turpetum minerale, or Turbith's mineral.


word: Queen₃
definition:
Queen

Queen
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Queened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Queening.]
(Chess.)
To make a queen (or other piece, at the player's discretion) of by moving it to the eighth row; as, to queen a pawn.


word: Queencraft
definition:
Queencraft

Queen"craft`
(?)
n.
Craft or skill in policy on the part of a queen.

Elizabeth showed much queencraft in procuring the votes of the nobility.
Fuller.


word: Queenfish
definition:
Queenfish

Queen"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A California sciænoid food fish (Seriphys politus). The back is bluish, and the sides and belly bright silvery. Called also kingfish.


word: Queenhood
definition:
Queenhood

Queen"hood
(?)
n.
The state, personality, or character of a queen; queenliness.
Tennyson.


word: Queening
definition:
Queening

Queen"ing
(?)
n.
[See Queen apple.]
(Bot.)
Any one of several kinds of apples, as summer queening, scarlet queening, and early queening. An apple called the queening was cultivated in England two hundred years ago.


word: Queenliness
definition:
Queenliness

Queen"li*ness
(?)
n.
The quality of being queenly; the; characteristic of a queen; stateliness; eminence among women in attractions or power.


word: Queen olive
definition:
Queen olive

Queen olive
[Cf. Sp. aceituna de la Reina olive of the Queen.]
(Olive Trade)
Properly, a kind of superior olive grown in the region of Seville, Spain. It is large size and oblong shape with a small but long pit; it is cured when green, keeps well, and has a delicate flavor. Loosely, any olive of similar character.


word: Queen-post
definition:
Queen-post

Queen"-post`
(?)
n.
[Arch.]
One of two suspending posts in a roof truss, or other framed truss of similar form. See King-post.


word: Queensland nut
definition:
Queensland nut

Queens"land nut`
(?)
(Bot.)
The nut of an Australian tree (Macadamia ternifolia). It is about an inch in diameter, and contains a single round edible seed, or sometimes two hemispherical seeds. So called from Queensland in Australia.


word: Queer
definition:
Queer

Queer
(kwēr)
a.
[Compar. Queerer (kwēr"ẽr); superl. Queerest.]
[G. quer cross, oblique, athwart (cf. querkopf a queer fellow), OHG. twer, twerh, dwerah; akin to D. dvars, AS, þweorh thwart, bent, twisted, Icel. þverr thwart, transverse, Goth. þwaìrhs angry, and perh. to L. torqyere to twist, and E. through.  Cf. Torture, Through, Thwart, a.]
1.
At variance with what is usual or normal; differing in some odd way from what is ordinary; odd; singular; strange; whimsical; as, a queer story or act.
queer
W. Irving.

2.
Mysterious; suspicious; questionable; as, a queer transaction.
[Colloq.]

3.
homosexual.
[disparaging and offensive]


word: Queer₂
definition:
Queer

Queer
n.
1.
Counterfeit money.
[Slang]

2.
a homosexual.
[disparaging and offensive]

To shove the queer, to put counterfeit money in circulation. [Slang]


word: Queer₃
definition:
Queer

Queer
(kwēr)
v. t.
[From Queer, a.]
1.
To puzzle.
[Prov. Eng. or Slang]

2.
To ridicule; to banter; to rally.
[Slang]

3.
To spoil the effect or success of, as by ridicule; to throw a wet blanket on; to spoil.
[Slang]


word: Queest
definition:
Queest

Queest
(?)
n.
[Cf. Icel. kvisa a kind of bird, kvistr a branch of a tree, and E. cushat.]
(Zool.)
The European ringdove (Columba palumbus); the cushat.
[Written also quist, queeze, quice, queece.]
Ringdove


word: Quell
definition:
Quell

Quell
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quelled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Quelling.]
[See Quail to cower.]

1.
To die.
[Obs.]

Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
Spenser.

2.
To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate.
[R.]

Winter's wrath begins to quell.
Spenser.


word: Quell₂
definition:
Quell

Quell
v. t.
[OE. quellen to kill, AS. cwellan, causative of cwelan to die; akin to OHG. quellen to torment, Icel. kvelja. See Quail to cower.]
1.
To take the life of; to kill.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

The ducks cried as [if] men would them quelle.
Chaucer.

2.
To overpower; to subdue; to put down.

The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority.
Macaulay.

Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt.
Longfellow.

3.
To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease; as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.

Much did his words the gentle lady quell.
Spenser.


word: Queller
definition:
Queller

Quell"er
(?)
n.
1.
A killer; as, Jack the Giant Queller.
[Obs.]
Wyclif (Mark vi. 27).

2.
One who quells; one who overpowers or subdues.


word: Quench
definition:
Quench

Quench
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quenched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quenching.]
[OE. quenchen, AS. cwencan in ācwencan, to extinguish utterly, causative of cwincan, ācwincan, to decrease, disappear; cf. AS. cwīnan, ācwīnan, to waste or dwindle away.]
1.
To extinguish; to overwhelm; to make an end of; -- said of flame and fire, of things burning, and figuratively of sensations and emotions; as, to quench flame; to quench a candle; to quench thirst, love, hate, etc.

Ere our blood shall quench that fire.
Shak.

The supposition of the lady's death
Will quench the wonder of her infamy.
Shak.

2.
To cool suddenly, as heated steel, in tempering.


word: Quench₂
definition:
Quench

Quench
v. i.
To become extinguished; to go out; to become calm or cool.
[R.]

Dost thou think in time
She will not quench!
Shak.


word: Quenchless
definition:
Quenchless

Quench"less
a.
Incapable of being quenched; inextinguishable; as, quenchless fire or fury.
quenchless
Byron.


word: Quenelle
definition:
Quenelle

Que*nelle"
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Cookery)
A kind of delicate forcemeat, commonly poached and used as a dish by itself or for garnishing.


word: Quenouille training
definition:
Quenouille training

Que*nouille train"ing
(?)
[F. quenouille distaff.]
(Hort.)
A method of training trees or shrubs in the shape of a cone or distaff by tying down the branches and pruning.


word: Quercitannic
definition:
Quercitannic

Quer`ci*tan"nic
(kwẽr`sĭ*tăn"nĭk)
a.
[L. quercus an oak + E. tannic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a tannic acid found in oak bark and extracted as a yellowish brown amorphous substance.


word: Quercite
definition:
Quercite

Quer"cite
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, C6H7(OH)5, found in acorns, the fruit of the oak (Quercus).  It has a sweet taste, and is regarded as a pentacid alcohol.


word: Quercitin
definition:
Quercitin

Quer"ci*tin
(kwẽr"sĭ*tĭn)
n.
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance, occurring quite widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, as in apple-tree bark, horse-chestnut leaves, etc., but originally obtained by the decomposition of quercitrin. Called also meletin.


word: Quercitrin
definition:
Quercitrin

Quer"cit*rin
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. quercitrin. See Quercitron.]
(Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from the bark of the oak (Quercus) as a bitter citron-yellow crystalline substance, used as a pigment and called quercitron.


word: Quercitron
definition:
Quercitron

Quer"cit*ron
(?)
n.
[F. quercitron, the name of the name of tree; L. quercus an oak + citrus the citron tree.]
1.
The yellow inner bark of the Quercus tinctoria, the American black oak, yellow oak, dyer's oak, or quercitron oak, a large forest tree growing from Maine to eastern Texas.

2.
Quercitrin, used as a pigment. See Quercitrin.


word: Querele
definition:
Querele

Quer"ele
(?)
n.
[See 2d Quarrel.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A complaint to a court. See Audita Querela.
[Obs.]
Ayliffe.


word: Querent
definition:
Querent

Que"rent
(?)
n.
[L. querens, p. pr. of queri to complain.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A complainant; a plaintiff.


word: Querent₂
definition:
Querent

Que"rent
n.
[L. quaerens, p. pr. of quaerere to search for, to inquire.]
An inquirer.
[Obs.]
Aubrey.


word: Querimonious
definition:
Querimonious

Quer`i*mo"ni*ous
(?)
a.
[L. querimonia a complaint, fr. queri to complain. See Querulous.]
Complaining; querulous; apt to complain.
Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv. -- Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ness, n.


word: Querl
definition:
Querl

Querl
(?)
v. t.
[G. querlen, quirlen, to twirl, to turn round, fr. querl, querl, a twirling stick.  Cf. Twirl.]
To twirl; to turn or wind round; to coil; as, to querl a cord, thread, or rope.
[Local, U.S.]


word: Querl₂
definition:
Querl

Querl
n.
A coil; a twirl; as, the qwerl of hair on the fore leg of a blooded horse.
[Local, U. S.]


word: Quern
definition:
Quern

Quern
(?)
n.
[AS. cweorn, cwyrn; akin to D. kweern, OHG. quirn, Icel. kvern, Sw. qvarn, Dan. quærn, Goth. qairnus (in asiluqaírnus), Lith. qìrnos, and perh. E. corn.]
A mill for grinding grain, the upper stone of which was turned by hand; -- used before the invention of windmills and watermills.
Shak.

They made him at the querne grind.
Chaucer.


word: Querulous
definition:
Querulous

Quer"u*lous
(?)
a.
[L. querulus and querulosus, fr. queri to complain.  Cf. Cry, v., Quarrel a brawl, Quarrelous.]
1.
Given to quarreling; quarrelsome.
[Obs.]
land.

2.
Apt to find fault; habitually complaining; disposed to murmur; as, a querulous man or people.

Enmity can hardly be more annoying that querulous, jealous, exacting fondness.
Macaulay.

3.
Expressing complaint; fretful; whining; as, a querulous tone of voice.


word: Query
definition:
Query

Que"ry
(?)
n.
pl. Queries (#).
[L. quaere, imperative sing. of quaerere, quaesitum to seek or search for, to ask, inquire.  Cf. Acquire, Conquer, Exquisite, Quest, Require.]
1.
A question; an inquiry to be answered or solved.

I shall conclude with proposing only some queries, in order to a . . . search to be made by others.
Sir I. Newton.

2.
A question in the mind; a doubt; as, I have a query about his sincerity.

3.
An interrogation point [?] as the sign of a question or a doubt.


word: Query₂
definition:
Query

Que"ry
v. i.
1.
To ask questions; to make inquiry.

Each prompt to query, answer, and debate.
Pope.

2.
To have a doubt; as, I query if he is right.


word: Query₃
definition:
Query

Que"ry
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Queried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Querying.]
1.
To put questions about; to elicit by questioning; to inquire into; as, to query the items or the amount; to query the motive or the fact.

2.
To address questions to; to examine by questions.

3.
To doubt of; to regard with incredulity.

4.
To write “ query” (qu., qy., or ?) against, as a doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See Quære.


word: Quesal
definition:
Quesal

Que*sal"
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The long-tailed, or resplendent, trogon (Pharomachus mocinno, formerly Trogon resplendens), native of Southern Mexico and Central America. Called also quetzal, and golden trogon.

&hand_; The male is remarkable for the brilliant metallic green and gold colors of his plumage, and for his extremely long plumes, which often exceed three feet in length.


word: Quest
definition:
Quest

Quest
(?)
n.
[OF. queste, F. quête, fr. L. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, to ask.  Cf. Query, Question.]
1.
The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain; search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, etc.

Upon an hard adventure yet in quest.
Spenser.

Cease your quest of love.
Shak.

There ended was his quest, there ceased his care.
Milton.

2.
Request; desire; solicitation.

Gad not abroad at every quest and call
Of an untrained hope or passion.
Herbert.

3.
Those who make search or inquiry, taken collectively.

The senate hath sent about three several quests to search you out.
Shak.

4.
Inquest; jury of inquest.

What lawful quest have given their verdict ?
Shak.


word: Quest₂
definition:
Quest

Quest
v. t.
[Cf. OF. quester, F. quêter. See Quest, n.]
To search for; to examine.
[R.]
Sir T. Herbert.  


word: Quest₃
definition:
Quest

Quest
v. i.
To go on a quest; to make a search; to go in pursuit; to beg.
[R.]

If his questing had been unsuccessful, he appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat.
Macaulay.


word: Questant
definition:
Questant

Quest"ant
(?)
n.
[OF. questant, F. quêtant, p. pr.]
One who undertakes a quest; a seeker.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Question
definition:
Question

Ques"tion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See Quest, n.]
1.
The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and answer.

2.
Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question.

There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
 John iii. 25.

It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for the propagation of the faith.
 Bacon.

3.
Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture.
Blackstone.

He that was in question for the robbery. Shak.
The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question.
Macaulay.

4.
That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query.

But this question asked
Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ?
Milton.

5.
Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question.

6.
Talk; conversation; speech; speech.
[Obs.]
Shak.

In question, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question. -- Leading question. See under Leading. -- Out of question, unquestionably. “Out of question, 't is Maria's hand.” Shak. -- Out of the question. See under Out. -- Past question, beyond question; certainly; undoubtedly; unquestionably. -- Previous question, a question put to a parliamentary assembly upon the motion of a member, in order to ascertain whether it is the will of the body to vote at once, without further debate, on the subject under consideration. The form of the question is: “Shall the main question be now put?” If the vote is in the affirmative, the matter before the body must be voted upon as it then stands, without further general debate or the submission of new amendments. In the House of Representatives of the United States, and generally in America, a negative decision operates to keep the business before the body as if the motion had not been made; but in the English Parliament, it operates to postpone consideration for the day, and until the subject may be again introduced. In American practice, the object of the motion is to hasten action, and it is made by a friend of the measure. In English practice, the object is to get rid of the subject for the time being, and the motion is made with a purpose of voting against it. Cushing. -- To beg the question. See under Beg. -- To the question, to the point in dispute; to the real matter under debate.


word: Question₂
definition:
Question

Ques"tion
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Questioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Questioning.]
[Cf. F. questionner. See Question, n.]
1.
To ask questions; to inquire.

He that questioneth much shall learn much.
Bacon.

2.
To argue; to converse; to dispute.
[Obs.]

I pray you, think you question with the Jew.
Shak.


word: Question₃
definition:
Question

Ques"tion
v. t.
1.
To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by interrogatories; as, to question a witness.

2.
To doubt of; to be uncertain of; to query.

And most we question what we most desire.
Prior.

3.
To raise a question about; to call in question; to make objection to.
question
Milton.

4.
To talk to; to converse with.

With many holiday and lady terms he questioned me.
 Shak.


word: Questionable
definition:
Questionable

Ques"tion*a*ble
(?)
a.
1.
Admitting of being questioned; inviting, or seeming to invite, inquiry.
[R.]

Thou com'st in such a questionable shape
That I will speak to thee.
 Shak.

2.
Liable to question; subject to be doubted or called in question; problematical; doubtful; suspicious.

It is questionable whether Galen ever saw the dissection of a human body.T.
 Baker.


word: Questionableness
definition:
Questionableness

Ques"tion*a*ble*ness
n.
The quality or state of being questionable, doubtful, or suspicious.


word: Questionary₂
definition:
Questionary

Ques"tion*a*ry
n.
1.
One who makes it his business to seek after relics and carry them about for sale.

2.
A set of questions for submission to a group of persons for the purpose of bringing out their resemblances and differences in the matter considered. The questionary method is a recognized form of psychological investigation.


word: Questionist
definition:
Questionist

Ques"tion*ist
n.
1.
A questioner; an inquirer.
[Obs.]

2.
(Eng. Univ.)
A candidate for honors or degrees who is near the time of his examination.


word: questionless
definition:
questionless

ques"tion*less
adv.
Beyond a question or doubt; doubtless; certainly.
[R.]
South.

What it was in the apostles' time, that, questionless, it must be still.
Milton.


word: questionnaire
definition:
questionnaire

ques`tion`naire"
(?)
n.
pl. -naires (F. _;).
[F.]
1.
same as Questionary.

2.
A list of questions, usually on a printed form, to be answered by an individual.  The forms often have blank spaces in which the answers can be written.  Sets of such forms are distributed to groups and the answers used for various purposes, such as to obtain statistical information for social science, political, or marketing research, or to obtain information about a patient for the use of medical practitioners.


word: Questman
definition:
Questman

Quest"man
(?)
n.
pl. Questmen (_;).
One legally empowered to make quest of certain matters, esp. of abuses of weights and measures.
(a)
A churchwarden's assistant; a sidesman.
Blount.
[Obs.]
(b)
A collector of parish rents.
Blount.
[Obs.]


word: Questmonger
definition:
Questmonger

Quest"mon`ger
(?)
n.
One who lays informations, and encourages petty lawsuits.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Questor
definition:
Questor

Ques"tor
(?)
n.
[L. quaestor, contr. fr. quaesitor, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask: cf. F. questeur.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
An officer who had the management of the public treasure; a receiver of taxes, tribute, etc.; treasurer of state.
[Written also quæstor.]

&hand_; At an early period there were also public accusers styled questors, but the office was soon abolished.


word: Questuary
definition:
Questuary

Ques"tu*a*ry
(?)
a.
[L. quaestuarius, from quaestus gain, profit, quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, earn.]
Studious of profit.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Queue
definition:
Queue

Queue
(?)
n.
[F. See Cue.]
(a)
A tail-like appendage of hair; a pigtail.
(b)
A line of persons waiting anywhere.


word: Quibble
definition:
Quibble

Quib"ble
(?)
n.
[Probably fr. quib, quip, but influenced by quillet, or quiddity.]
1.
A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or evasive distinction; an evasion; a cavil.

Quibbles have no place in the search after truth.
 I. Watts.

2.
A pun; a low conceit.


word: Quibble₂
definition:
Quibble

Quib"ble
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quibbling (?).]
1.
To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

2.
To pun; to practice punning.
Cudworth.


word: Quica
definition:
Quica

Qui"ca
(?)
n.
[From the native Brazilian name.]
(Zool.)
A small South American opossum (Didelphys quica), native of Guiana and Brazil. It feeds upon insects, small birds, and fruit.


word: Quich
definition:
Quich

Quich
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. Quinch.]
To stir.
[Obs.]

He could not move nor quich at all.
 Spenser.


word: Quichuan
definition:
Quichuan

Qui"chuan
(?)
a.
Designating, or pertaining to, a linguistic stock of South American Indians, including the majority of the civilized tribes of the ancient Peruvian Empire with some wild tribes never subjugated by the Incas. Most of these Indians are short, but heavy and strong. They are brachycephalic and of remarkably low cranial capacity. Nevertheless, they represent one of the highest of native American civilizations, characterized by agricultural, military, and administrative skill rather than by science or literature, although they were adept potters, weavers, and goldsmiths, and preserved by the aid of the mnemonic quipu a body of legendary lore in part written down since the introduction of writing.


word: Quick
definition:
Quick

Quick
(?)
a.
[Compar. Quicker (?); superl. Quickest.]
[As. cwic, cwicu, cwucu, cucu, living; akin to OS. quik, D. kwik, OHG. quec, chec, G. keck bold, lively, Icel. kvikr living, Goth. qius, Lith. q&ymacr_;vas, Russ. zhivoi, L. vivus living, vivere to live, Gr. bi`os life, Skr. jīva living, jīv to live.  Cf. Biography, Vivid, Quitch grass, Whitlow.]
1.
Alive; living; animate; -- opposed to dead or inanimate.

Not fully quyke, ne fully dead they were.
Chaucer.

The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
2 Tim. iv. 1.

Man is no star, but a quick coal
Of mortal fire.
 Herbert.

&hand_; In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.

2.
Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready.
quick
Shak.

3.
Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick.

Oft he to her his charge of quick return
Repeated.
Milton.

4.
Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper.

The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended.
 Latimer.

5.
Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.

The air is quick there,
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.
 Shak.

6.
Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear.
quick
Shak.

They say that women are so quick.
Tennyson.

7.
Pregnant; with child.
Shak.

Quick grass. (Bot.) See Quitch grass. -- Quick match. See under Match. -- Quick vein (Mining), a vein of ore which is productive, not barren. -- Quick vinegar, vinegar made by allowing a weak solution of alcohol to trickle slowly over shavings or other porous material. -- Quick water, quicksilver water. -- Quick with child, pregnant with a living child.


word: Quick₂
definition:
Quick

Quick
(?)
adv.
In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick.

If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed.
 Locke.


word: Quick₃
definition:
Quick

Quick
n.
1.
That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a living hedge.

The works . . . are curiously hedged with quick.
Evelyn.

2.
The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the quick, to taunt one to the quick; -- used figuratively.

This test nippeth, . . . this toucheth the quick.
Latimer.

How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference !
Fuller.

3.
(Bot.)
Quitch grass.
Tennyson.


word: Quick₄
definition:
Quick

Quick
v. t. & i.
[See Quicken.]
To revive; to quicken; to be or become alive.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Quicken
definition:
Quicken

Quick"en
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. quickened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quickening.]
[AS. cwician. See Quick, a.]
1.
To make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as from death or an inanimate state; hence, to excite; to, stimulate; to incite.

The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead.
Shak.

Like a fruitful garden without an hedge, that quickens the appetite to enjoy so tempting a prize.
 South.

2.
To make lively, active, or sprightly; to impart additional energy to; to stimulate; to make quick or rapid; to hasten; to accelerate; as, to quicken one's steps or thoughts; to quicken one's departure or speed.

3.
(Shipbuilding)
To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make (a curve) sharper; as, to quicken the sheer, that is, to make its curve more pronounced.


word: Quicken₂
definition:
Quicken

Quick"en
v. i.
1.
To come to life; to become alive; to become vivified or enlivened; hence, to exhibit signs of life; to move, as the fetus in the womb.

The heart is the first part that quickens, and the last that dies.
 Ray.

And keener lightnings quicken in her eye.
Pope.

When the pale and bloodless east began
To quicken to the sun.
Tennyson.

2.
To move with rapidity or activity; to become accelerated; as, his pulse quickened.


word: Quickening
definition:
Quickening

Quick"en*ing
n.
1.
The act or process of making or of becoming quick.

2.
(Physiol.)
The first motion of the fetus in the womb felt by the mother, occurring usually about the middle of the term of pregnancy. It has been popularly supposed to be due to the fetus becoming possessed of independent life.


word: Quicken tree
definition:
Quicken tree

Quick"en tree`
(?)
[Probably from quick, and first applied to the aspen or some tree with quivering leaves; cf. G. quickenbaum, quizenbaum, quitschenbaum.  Cf. Quitch grass.]
(Bot.)
The European rowan tree; -- called also quickbeam, and quickenbeam. See Rowan tree.


word: quick-freeze
definition:
quick-freeze

quick-freeze
v. t.
To freeze rapidly so as to preserve the natural juices and flavors; -- usually used of food or other biologicql matter.

Syn. -- flash-freeze.


word: Quicklime
definition:
Quicklime

Quick"lime
(?)
n.
[See Quick, a.]
(Chem.)
Calcium oxide; unslacked lime; -- so called because when wet it develops great heat. See 4th Lime, 2.


word: Quickness
definition:
Quickness

Quick"ness
n.
1.
The condition or quality of being quick or living; life.
[Obs.]

Touch it with thy celestial quickness.
Herbert.

2.
Activity; briskness; especially, rapidity of motion; speed; celerity; as, quickness of wit.

This deed . . . must send thee hence
With fiery quickness.
Shak.

His mind had, indeed, great quickness and vigor.
 Macaulay.

3.
Acuteness of perception; keen sensibility.

Would not quickness of sensation be an inconvenience to an animal that must lie still ?
Locke

4.
Sharpness; pungency of taste.
Mortimer.


word: Quicksand
definition:
Quicksand

Quick"sand`
(?)
n.
Sand easily moved or readily yielding to pressure; especially, a deep mass of loose or moving sand mixed with water, sometimes found at the mouth of a river or along some coasts, and very dangerous, from the difficulty of extricating a person who begins sinking into it.

Life hath quicksands, -- Life hath snares!
Longfellow.


word: Quickset
definition:
Quickset

Quick"set`
(?)
n.
A living plant set to grow, esp. when set for a hedge; specifically, the hawthorn.


word: Quickset₃
definition:
Quickset

Quick"set`
v. t.
To plant with living shrubs or trees for a hedge; as, to quickset a ditch.
Mortimer.


word: Quick-sighted
definition:
Quick-sighted

Quick"-sight`ed
(?)
a.
Having quick sight or acute discernment; quick to see or to discern.
Locke.


word: Quicksilver
definition:
Quicksilver

Quick"sil`ver
(?)
n.
[Quick living + silver; -- so called from its fluidity; cf. G. quecksilber, L. argentum vivum. See Quick, a.]
(Chem.)
The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver.

Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon. -- Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.


word: Quicksilvered
definition:
Quicksilvered

Quick"sil`vered
(?)
a.
Overlaid with quicksilver, or with an amalgam of quicksilver and tinfoil.


word: Quickwork
definition:
Quickwork

Quick"work`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
(a)
All the submerged section of a vessel's planking.
(b)
The planking between the spirketing and the clamps.
(c)
The short planks between the portholes.


word: Quid₂
definition:
Quid

Quid
(kwĭd)
n.
pl. quid.
[Etym. uncertain.]
An English coin, a sovereign.
[Slang, Eng.]

They invited him to come to-morrow, . . . and bring half a quid with him.
Charles Reade.


word: Quid₃
definition:
Quid

Quid
v. t.
(Man.)
To drop from the mouth, as food when partially chewed; -- said of horses.
Youatt.


word: Quiddany
definition:
Quiddany

Quid"da*ny
(?)
n.
[L. cydoneum quince juice, quince wine. See Quince.]
A confection of quinces, in consistency between a sirup and marmalade.


word: Quiddative
definition:
Quiddative

Quid"da*tive
(?)
a.
[See Quiddity.]
Constituting, or containing, the essence of a thing; quidditative.


word: Quiddit
definition:
Quiddit

Quid"dit
(?)
n.
[Cf. Quiddity, Quillet, and Quibble.]
A subtilty; an equivocation.
[Obs.]
Shak.

By some strange quiddit or some wrested clause.
Drayton.


word: Quiddity
definition:
Quiddity

Quid"di*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Quiddities (#).
[LL. quidditas, fr. L. quid what, neut. of quis who, akin to E. who: cf. F. quiddité.]
1.
The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What is it?
quiddity
Bacon.

The quiddity or characteristic difference of poetry as distinguished from prose.
De Quincey.

2.
A trifling nicety; a cavil; a quibble.

We laugh at the quiddities of those writers now.
Coleridge.


word: Quiddle
definition:
Quiddle

Quid"dle
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quiddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiddling (?).]
[L. quid what.]
To spend time in trifling employments, or to attend to useful subjects in an indifferent or superficial manner; to dawdle.


word: Quiddler
definition:
Quiddler

Quiddle

{ Quid"dle (?), Quid"dler (?), }
n.
One who wastes his energy about trifles.
Emerson.


word: Quidnunc
definition:
Quidnunc

Quid"nunc
(?)
n.
[L., what now?]
One who is curious to know everything that passes; one who knows, or pretends to know, all that is going on.
quidnuncs
Motley.


word: Quiesce
definition:
Quiesce

Qui*esce"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quiesced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiescing (?).]
[L. quiescere, akin to quies rest, quiet. See Quiet, a. & n.]
To be silent, as a letter; to have no sound.
M. Stuart.


word: Quiescency
definition:
Quiescency

Quiescence

{ Qui*es"cence (?), Qui*es"cen*cy (?), }
n.
[L. quiescentia, fr. quiescens, p. pr.; cf. F. quiestence. See Quiesce.]
The state or quality of being quiescent.
Quiescence
H. Spencer.

Deeds will be done; -- while be boasts his quiescence.
R. Browning.


word: Quiescent
definition:
Quiescent

Qui*es"cent
(?)
a.
[L. quiescens, -entis, p. pr. of quiescere: cf. F. quiescent. See Quiesce.]
1.
Being in a state of repose; at rest; still; not moving; as, a quiescent body or fluid.

2.
Not ruffed with passion; unagitated; not in action; not excited; quiet; dormant; resting.

In times of national security, the feeling of patriotism . . . is so quiescent that it seems hardly to exist.
Prof. Wilson.

3.
(Gram.)
Not sounded; silent; as, y is quiescent in “day” and “say.”


word: Quiet
definition:
Quiet

Qui"et
(?)
a.
[Compar. Quieter (?); superl. Quietest.]
[L. quietus, p. p. pf quiescere to rest, keep quiet; akin to quies rest, and prob. to E. while, n. See While, and cf. Coy, a., Quiesce, Quietus, Quit, a., Quite, Requiem.]
1.
In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.

They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
Judg. xvi. 2.

2.
Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.

3.
Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience.
quiet
Shak.

That son, who on the quiet state of man
Such trouble brought.
Milton.

4.
Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.

The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
1 Pet. iii. 4.

I will sit as quiet as a lamb.
Shak.

5.
Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.


word: Quiet₂
definition:
Quiet

Qui"et
(?)
n.
[L. quies, -etis. See Quiet, a.]

1.
The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.

2.
Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.

And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet.
Milton.

At quiet, still; peaceful. -- In quiet, quietly. “ I will depart in quiet.” Shak. -- Out of quiet, disturbed; restless. [Obs.] “She is much out of quiet.”  Shak.


word: Quiet₃
definition:
Quiet

Qui"et
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quieted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quieting.]
1.
To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.

2.
To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.

Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.
Shak.


word: Quiet₄
definition:
Quiet

Qui"et
v. i.
To become still, silent, or calm; -- often with down; as, be soon quieted down.


word: Quietism
definition:
Quietism

Qui"et*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. quiétisme.]
1.
Peace or tranquillity of mind; calmness; indifference; apathy; dispassion; indisturbance; inaction.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
The system of the Quietists, who maintained that religion consists in the withdrawal of the mind from worldly interests and anxieties and its constant employment in the passive contemplation of God and his attributes.


word: Quietist
definition:
Quietist

Qui"et*ist
n.
[Cf. F. quiétiste.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of mystics originated in the seventeenth century by Molinos, a Spanish priest living in Rome. See Quietism.


word: Quietly
definition:
Quietly

Qui"et*ly
adv.
1.
In a quiet state or manner; without motion; in a state of rest; as, to lie or sit quietly.

2.
Without tumult, alarm, dispute, or disturbance; peaceably; as, to live quietly; to sleep quietly.

3.
Calmly, without agitation or violent emotion; patiently; as, to submit quietly to unavoidable evils.

4.
Noiselessly; silently; without remark or violent movement; in a manner to attract little or no observation; as, he quietly left the room.


word: Quietness
definition:
Quietness

Qui"et*ness
n.
The quality or state of being quiet; freedom from noise, agitation, disturbance, or excitement; stillness; tranquillity; calmness.

I would have peace and quietness.
Shak.


word: Quietude
definition:
Quietude

Qui"e*tude
n.
[L. quietudo: cf. F. quiétude.]
Rest; repose; quiet; tranquillity.
Shelley.


word: Quietus
definition:
Quietus

Qui*e"tus
(?)
n.
[LL. quietus quit, discharged, L., at rest, quiet, dead. See Quiet, a., and cf. Quit, a.]
Final discharge or acquittance, as from debt or obligation; that which silences claims; (Fig.) rest; death.

When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin.
Shak.


word: Quill
definition:
Quill

Quill
(?)
n.
[Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see Kayless); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir. cuille a quill.]
1.
One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.

2.
A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill.
Sir H. Wotton.

3.
(Zool.)
(a)
A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
(b)
The pen of a squid. See Pen.

4.
(Mus.)
(a)
The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
(b)
The tube of a musical instrument.

He touched the tender stops of various quills.
Milton.

5.
Something having the form of a quill
(a)
The fold or plain of a ruff.
(b)
(Weaving)
A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
(c)
(Mach.)
A hollow spindle.

6.
(Pharm.)
A roll of dried bark; as, a quill of cinnamon or of cinchona.

Quill bit, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a gouge. -- Quill driver, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk. [Jocose] -- Quill nib, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder. Simmonds.


word: Quill₂
definition:
Quill

Quill
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quilling.]
1.
To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.

His cravat seemed quilled into a ruff.
Goldsmith.

2.
To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn.
Judd.


word: Quillaia bark
definition:
Quillaia bark

Quil*la"ia bark`
(?)
(Bot.)
The bark of a rosaceous tree (Quillaja Saponaria), native of Chile.  The bark is finely laminated, and very heavy with alkaline substances, and is used commonly by the Chileans instead of soap.  Also called soap bark.


word: Quillback
definition:
Quillback

Quill"back`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
An American fresh-water fish (Ictiobus cyprinus syn. Carpiodes cyprinus); -- called also carp sucker, sailfish, spearfish, and skimback.


word: Quilled
definition:
Quilled

Quilled
(?)
a.
Furnished with quills; also, shaped like quills.
quilled
Shak.

Quilled suture (Surg.), a variety of stitch in which the threads after being passed deeply through the edges of a wound are secured about two quills or bodies of similar shape, in order to produce a suitable degree of pressure.


word: Quillet
definition:
Quillet

Quil"let
(?)
n.
[L. quidlibet what you please.  Cf. Quiddit, and Quibble.]
Subtilty; nicety; quibble.
quillets
Shak.


word: Quilling
definition:
Quilling

Quill"ing
(?)
n.
(a)
A band of linen, muslin, or the like, fluted, folded, or plaited so as somewhat to resemble a row of quills.
(b)
One of the rounded plaits or flutings of such a band.


word: Quillwort
definition:
Quillwort

Quill"wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
Any plant or species of the genus Isoetes, cryptogamous plants with a cluster of elongated four-tubed rushlike leaves, rising from a corm, and containing spores in their enlarged and excavated bases. There are about seventeen American species, usually growing in the mud under still, shallow water. So called from the shape of the shape of the leaves.


word: Quilt
definition:
Quilt

Quilt
(?)
n.
[OE. quilte, OF. cuilte, L. culcita _; bed, cushion, mattress.  Cf. 2d Counterpoint, Cushion.]
Anything that is quilted; esp., a quilted bed cover, or a skirt worn by women; any cover or garment made by putting wool, cotton, etc., between two cloths and stitching them together; also, any outer bed cover.

The beds were covered with magnificent quilts.
Arbuthnot.


word: Quilt₂
definition:
Quilt

Quilt
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quilted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quilting.]
1.
To stitch or sew together at frequent intervals, in order to confine in place the several layers of cloth and wadding of which a garment, comforter, etc., may be made; as, to quilt a coat.
Dryden.

2.
To wad, as a garment, with warm soft material.

3.
To stitch or sew in lines or patterns.


word: Quilting
definition:
Quilting

Quilt"ing
n.
1.
The act of stitching or running in patterns, as in making a quilt.

2.
A quilting bee. See Bee, 2.

3.
The material used for making quilts.

4.
(Naut.)
A coating of strands of rope for a water vessel.


word: Quinaldine
definition:
Quinaldine

Quin*al"dine
(?)
n.
[Quinoline + aldehyde + aniline.]
(Chem.)
A colorless liquid of a slightly pungent odor, C9H6N.CH3, first obtained as a condensation product of aldehyde and aniline, and regarded as a derivative of quinoline; -- called also methyl quinoline.
[Written also chinaldine.]


word: Quinary
definition:
Quinary

Qui"na*ry
(?)
a.
[L. quinarius, from quini five each, akin to quinque five: cf. F. quinaire. See Five.]
Consisting of five; arranged by fives.
Boyle.

Quinary system (Zool.), a fanciful classification based on the hypothesis that each group contains five types.


word: Quinate
definition:
Quinate

Qui"nate
(?)
a.
[L. quini five each.]
(Bot.)
Growing in sets of five; -- said especially of leaves composed of five leaflets set at the end of a common petiole.


word: Quinazol
definition:
Quinazol

Quin"a*zol
(?)
n.
[Quinoline + azote.]
(Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous base related to cinnoline.
[Written also chinazol.]


word: Quince
definition:
Quince

Quince
(kwĭns)
n.
[Prob. a pl. from OE. quyne, coin, OF. coin, cooin, F. coing, from L. Cydonius a quince tree, as adj., Cydonian, Gr. _; Cydonian, _; _; a quince, fr. _; Cydonia, a city in Crete, _; the Cydonians.  Cf. Quiddany.]
1.
The fruit of a shrub (Cydonia vulgaris) belonging to the same tribe as the apple. It somewhat resembles an apple, but differs in having many seeds in each carpel. It has hard flesh of high flavor, but very acid, and is largely used for marmalade, jelly, and preserves.

2.
(Bot.)
a quince tree or shrub.

Japan quince (Bot.), an Eastern Asiatic shrub (Cydonia Japonica, formerly Pyrus Japonica) and its very fragrant but inedible fruit.  The shrub has very showy flowers, usually red, but sometimes pink or white, and is much grown for ornament. -- Quince curculio (Zool.), a small gray and yellow curculio (Conotrachelus cratægi) whose larva lives in quinces. -- Quince tree (Bot.), the small tree (Cydonia vulgaris) which produces the quince.


word: Quinch
definition:
Quinch

Quinch
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. OD. quincken to quiver, shake, Fries. quink hovering.  Cf. Quich.]
To stir; to wince.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Quincuncial
definition:
Quincuncial

Quin*cun"cial
(?)
[L. quincuncialis, from quincunx. See Quincunx.]

1.
Having the form of a quincunx.

2.
(Bot.)
Having the leaves of a pentamerous calyx or corolla so imbricated that two are exterior, two are interior, and the other has one edge exterior and one interior; as, quincuncial æstivation.

Quincuncial phyllotaxy (Bot.), an arrangement of five leaves in a spiral, each leaf two fifths of a circle from the next.


word: Quincunx
definition:
Quincunx

Quin"cunx
(?)
n.
[L., fr. quinque five + uncia an ounce. The quincunx was marked by five small spots or balls. See Five, and Ounce the weight.]
1.
An arrangement of things by fives in a square or a rectangle, one being placed at each corner and one in the middle; especially, such an arrangement of trees repeated indefinitely, so as to form a regular group with rows running in various directions.

2.
(Astrol.)
The position of planets when distant from each other five signs, or 150°.
Hutton.

3.
(Bot.)
A quincuncial arrangement, as of the parts of a flower in æstivation. See Quincuncial, 2.


word: Quindecagon
definition:
Quindecagon

Quin*dec"a*gon
(?)
n.
[L. quindecim fifteen + Gr. _; angle.]
(Geom.)
A plane figure with fifteen angles, and consequently fifteen sides.


word: Quindecemvir
definition:
Quindecemvir

Quin`de*cem"vir
(?)
n.
pl. E. Quindecemvirs (#), L. Quindecemviri (#).
[L., from quindecim fifteen + vir a man.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
One of a sacerdotal college of fifteen men whose chief duty was to take care of the Sibylline books.


word: Quindecemvirate
definition:
Quindecemvirate

Quin`de*cem"vi*rate
(?)
n.
[L. quindecimviratus.]
The body or office of the quindecemviri.


word: Quindecone
definition:
Quindecone

Quin*dec"one
(?)
n.
[L. quindecim fifteen.]
(Chem.)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C15H26, of the valylene series, produced artificially as an oily liquid.
[Written also quindekone.]


word: Quindecylic
definition:
Quindecylic

Quin`de*cyl"ic
(?)
n.
[L. quindecim fifteen + -yl.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the fatty acid series, containing fifteen atoms of carbon; called also pentadecylic acid.


word: Quinhydrone
definition:
Quinhydrone

Quin*hy"drone
(?)
n.
[Quinone + hydroquinone.]
(Chem.)
A green crystalline substance formed by the union of quinone with hydroquinone, or as an intermediate product in the oxidation of hydroquinone or the reduction of quinone.
[Written also chinhydrone.]


word: Quinible
definition:
Quinible

Quin"i*ble
(?)
n.
[L. quini five each.]
(Mus.)
An interval of a fifth; also, a part sung with such intervals.
[Obs.]
quynyble
Chaucer.


word: Quinic
definition:
Quinic

Quin"ic
(?)
a.
[See Quinine, and cf. Kinic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or connected with, quinine and related compounds; specifically, designating a nonnitrogenous acid obtained from cinchona bark, coffee, beans, etc., as a white crystalline substance.
[Written also chinic, kinic.]


word: Quinicine
definition:
Quinicine

Quin"i*cine
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An uncrystallizable alkaloid obtained by the action of heat from quinine, with which it is isomeric.


word: Quinidine
definition:
Quinidine

Quin"i*dine
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An alkaloid isomeric with, and resembling, quinine, found in certain species of cinchona, from which it is extracted as a bitter white crystalline substance; conchinine. It is used somewhat as a febrifuge.
[Written also chinidine.]


word: Quinine
definition:
Quinine

Qui"nine
(?)
n.
[F. (cf. Sp. quinina), fr. Sp. quina, or quinaquina, Peruvian bark, fr. Peruv. kina, quina, bark.  Cf. Kinic.]
(Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from the bark of several species of cinchona (esp. Cinchona Calisaya) as a bitter white crystalline substance, C20H24N2O2. Hence, by extension (Med.), any of the salts of this alkaloid, as the acetate, chloride, sulphate, etc., employed as a febrifuge or antiperiodic. Called also quinia, quinina, etc.
[Written also chinine.]


word: Quininic
definition:
Quininic

Qui*nin"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid obtained as a yellow crystalline substance by the oxidation of quinine.


word: Quinizarin
definition:
Quinizarin

Qui*niz"a*rin
(?)
[Hydroquinone + alizarin.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance produced artificially. It is isomeric with alizarin.


word: Quinizine
definition:
Quinizine

Quin"i*zine
(?)
n.
[Quinoline + hydrazine.]
(Chem.)
any one of a series of nitrogenous bases, certain of which are used as antipyretics.


word: Quinnat
definition:
Quinnat

Quin"nat
(?)
n.
[From the native name.]
(Zool.)
The California salmon (Oncorhynchus choicha); -- called also chouicha, king salmon, chinnook salmon, and Sacramento salmon. It is of great commercial importance.
[Written also quinnet.]


word: Quinoa
definition:
Quinoa

Qui*no"a
(?)
n.
The seeds of a kind of goosewort (Chenopodium Quinoa), used in Chili and Peru for making porridge or cakes; also, food thus made.


word: Quinogen
definition:
Quinogen

Quin"o*gen
(?)
n.
[Quinine + -gen.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical radical of quinine and related alkaloids.


word: Quinoidine
definition:
Quinoidine

Qui*noid"ine
(?)
n.
[Quinine + -oid.]
(Med. Chem.)
A brownish resinous substance obtained as a by-product in the treatment of cinchona bark.  It consists of a mixture of several alkaloids.
[Written also chinoidine.]


word: Quinoline
definition:
Quinoline

Quin"o*line
(?)
n.
[Quinine + L. oleum oil + -ine.]
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, C9H7N obtained as a pungent colorless liquid by the distillation of alkaloids, bones, coal tar, etc. It the nucleus of many organic bodies, especially of certain alkaloids and related substances; hence, by extension, any one of the series of alkaloidal bases of which quinoline proper is the type.
[Written also chinoline.]


word: Quinology
definition:
Quinology

Qui*nol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Quinine + -logy.]
The science which treats of the cultivation of the cinchona, and of its use in medicine.


word: Quinone
definition:
Quinone

Qui"none
(?)
n.
[Quinine + ketone.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline substance, C6H4O2 (called also benzoketone), first obtained by the oxidation of quinic acid and regarded as a double ketone; also, by extension, any one of the series of which quinone proper is the type.
[Written also chinone, kinone.]


word: Quinovic
definition:
Quinovic

Qui*no"vic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a crystalline acid obtained from some varieties of cinchona bark.
[Written also chinovic, and kinovic.]


word: Quinovin
definition:
Quinovin

Qui*no"vin
(?)
n.
[NL. quina nova the tree Cosmibuena magnifolia, whose bark yields quinovin.]
(Chem.)
An amorphous bitter glucoside derived from cinchona and other barks. Called also quinova bitter, and quinova.
[Written also chinovin, and kinovin.]


word: Quinoxaline
definition:
Quinoxaline

Quin*ox"a*line
(?)
n.
[Quinoline + glyoxal.]
(Chem.)
Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous bases obtained by the union of certain aniline derivatives with glyoxal or with certain ketones.
[Written also chinoxaline.]


word: Quinoxyl
definition:
Quinoxyl

Quin*ox"yl
(?)
n.
[Quinone + oxygen + -yl.]
(Chem.)
The hypothetical radical of certain quinone derivatives related to rhodizonic acid.


word: Quinoyl
definition:
Quinoyl

Qui"noyl
(?)
n.
[Quinone + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A radical of which quinone is the hydride, analogous to phenyl.
[Written also kinoyl.]


word: Quinquagesima
definition:
Quinquagesima

Quin`qua*ges"i*ma
(?)
a.
[L., fr. quinquagesimus the fiftieth, akin to quinquaginta fifty, quinque five. See Five.]
Fiftieth.

Quinquagesima Sunday, the Sunday which is the fiftieth day before Easter, both days being included in the reckoning; -- called also Shrove Sunday.


word: Quinquangular
definition:
Quinquangular

Quin*quan"gu*lar
(?)
a.
[L. quinquanqulus; quinque five + angulus ad angle: cf. F. quinquangulaire.]
Having five angles or corners.


word: Quinquarticular
definition:
Quinquarticular

Quin`quar*tic"u*lar
(?)
a.
[Quinque- + article.]
(Theol.)
Relating to the five articles or points; as, the quinquarticular controversy between Arminians and Calvinists.
[Obs.]
Bp. Sanderson.


word: Quinque-
definition:
Quinque-

Quin"que-
(?)
[L. quinque five. See Five.]
A combining form meaning five, five times, fivefold; as, quinquefid, five-cleft; quinquedentate, five-toothed.


word: Quinquedentated
definition:
Quinquedentated

Quinquedentate

{ Quin`que*den"tate (?), Quin`que*den"ta*ted (?), }
a.
[Quinque- + dentate, -tated: cf. F. quinquédenté.]
Five-toothed; as, a quinquedentate leaf.


word: Quinquefarious
definition:
Quinquefarious

Quin`que*fa"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[From L. quinque five: cf. F. quinquéfarié.  Cf. Bifarious.]
(Bot.)
Arranged in five vertical rows; pentastichous.
Gray.


word: Quinquefid
definition:
Quinquefid

Quin"que*fid
(?)
a.
[Quique- + the root of L. findere to cleave: cf. F. quinquéfide.]
(Bot.)
Sharply cut about halfway to the middle or base into five segments; as, a quinquefid leaf or corolla.


word: Quinquefoliated
definition:
Quinquefoliated

Quinquefoliate

{ Quin`que*fo"li*ate (?), Quin`que*fo"li*a`ted (?), }
a.
[Quinque- + foliate, -ated: cf. F. quinquéfolié, L. quinquefolius.]
(Bot.)
Having five leaves or leaflets.
Gray.


word: Quinquelobared
definition:
Quinquelobared

Quinquelobate

{ Quin`que*lo"bate (?), Quin`que*lo"ba*red (?), }
a.
[Quinque- + lobate, -ated: cf. F. quinquélobé.]
Cut less than halfway into portions, usually somewhat rounded; five-lobed; as, a quinquelobate leaf or corolla.


word: Quinquelocular
definition:
Quinquelocular

Quin`que*loc"u*lar
(?)
a.
[Quinque- + locular: cf. F. quinquéloculaire.]
Having five cells or loculi; five-celled; as, a quinquelocular pericarp.


word: Quinquenerved
definition:
Quinquenerved

Quin"que*nerved`
(?)
a.
[Quinque- + nerve.]
(Bot.)
Having five nerves; -- said of a leaf with five nearly equal nerves or ribs rising from the end of the petiole.


word: Quinquennalia
definition:
Quinquennalia

Quin`quen*na"li*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L., fr. quinquennalis. See Ouinquennial.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
Public games celebrated every five years.


word: Quinquennial
definition:
Quinquennial

Quin*quen"ni*al
(?)
a.
[L. quinquennalis and quinquennis; quinque five + annus year. See Five, and cf. Biennial.]
Occurring once in five years, or at the end of every five years; also, lasting five years. A quinquennial event.


word: Quinquepartite
definition:
Quinquepartite

Quin*quep"ar*tite
(?)
a.
[L. quinquepartitus; quinque five + partitus, p. p. of partire to divide: cf. F. quinquépartite.]

1.
Consisting of five parts.

2.
(Bot.)
Divided into five parts almost to the base.


word: Quinquereme
definition:
Quinquereme

Quin"que*reme
(?)
n.
[L. quinqueremis; quinque five + remus an oar: cf. F. quinquérème]
A galley having five benches or banks of oars; as, an Athenian quinquereme.


word: Quinquevalvular
definition:
Quinquevalvular

Quinquevalve

{ Quin"que*valve (?), Quin`que*val"vu*lar (?), }
a.
[Quinque- + valve, valvular: cf. F. quinquévalve.]
(Bot.)
Having five valves, as a pericarp.


word: Quinquevir
definition:
Quinquevir

Quin"que*vir
(?)
n.
pl; E. Quinquevirs (#), L. Quinqueviri (#).
[L., fr. quinque Five + vir man.]
(Bot. Antiq.)
One of five commissioners appointed for some special object.


word: Quinquivalent
definition:
Quinquivalent

Quin*quiv"a*lent
(?)
a.
[Quinque- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr.  See Valence.]
(Chem.)
Same as Pentavalent.


word: Quinsy
definition:
Quinsy

Quin"sy
(?)
n.
[Contr. fr. squinancy, F. esquinancie, L. cynanche a sort of sore throat, Gr. _; sore throat, dog quinsy, fr. _; dog + _; to choke; cf. also L. synanche sore throat, Gr. _;.  Cf. Hound, Anger, and Cynanche.]
(Med.)
An inflammation of the throat, or parts adjacent, especially of the fauces or tonsils, attended by considerable swelling, painful and impeded deglutition, and accompanied by inflammatory fever. It sometimes creates danger of suffocation; -- called also squinancy, and squinzey.


word: Quint
definition:
Quint

Quint
(?)
n.
[F. quinte, fr. L. quintus, quinta, the fifth, quinque five. See Five.]
1.
A set or sequence of five, as in piquet.

2.
(Mus.)
The interval of a fifth.

3.
one of a set of quintuplets.
[informal]


word: Quintain
definition:
Quintain

Quin"tain
(?)
n.
[F. quintaine, LL. quintana; cf. W. chwintan a kind of hymeneal game.]
An object to be tilted at; -- called also quintel.
[Written also quintin.]

&hand_; A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while riding under, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. “But a quintain, a mere lifeless block.”
Shak.


word: Quintal
definition:
Quintal

Quin"tal
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Sp. quintal, fr. Ar. qintar a weight of 100 lbs., prob. fr. L. centenarius consisting of a hundred, fr. centeni a hundred each, fr. centum a hundred. See Hundred, and cf. Kentle.]
1.
A hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds, according to the scale used.  Cf. Cental.
[Sometimes written and pronounced kentle.]

2.
A metric measure of weight, being 100,000 grams, or 100 kilograms, equal to 220.46 pounds avoirdupois.


word: Quintan
definition:
Quintan

Quin"tan
(?)
a.
[L. quintanus, fr. quintus fifth, quinque five. See Five.]
Occurring as the fifth, after four others also, occurring every fifth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quintan fever.
n. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fifth day, reckoning inclusively, or in which the intermission lasts three days.


word: Quintessence
definition:
Quintessence

Quin*tes"sence
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. quinta essentia fifth essence. See Quint, and Essence.]
1.
The fifth or last and highest essence or power in a natural body. See Ferment oils, under Ferment.
[Obs.]

&hand_; The ancient Greeks recognized four elements, fire, air, water, and earth. The Pythagoreans added a fifth and called it nether, the fifth essence, which they said flew upward at creation and out of it the stars were made. The alchemists sometimes considered alcohol, or the ferment oils, as the fifth essence.

2.
Hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a small quantity; pure or concentrated essence.

Let there be light, said God; and forthwith light
Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure,
Sprung from the deep.
Milton.

3.
The most characteristic form or most perfect example of some type of object.


word: Quintessence₂
definition:
Quintessence

Quin*tes"sence
v. t.
To distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a quintessence.
[R.]
Stirling.
quintessenced
J. A. Symonds.


word: Quintessential
definition:
Quintessential

Quin`tes*sen"tial
(?)
a.
Of the nature of a quintessence; purest; most characteristic.
Quintessential
G. Eliot.


word: Quintette
definition:
Quintette

Quintet

{ Quin*tet", Quin*tette"  }
(?)
n.
[It. quintetto, dim. of quinto the fifth, a fifth part, from L. quintus the fifth: cf. F. quintette. See Quint.]
(Mus.)
A composition for five voices or instruments; also, the set of five persons who sing or play five-part music.


word: Quintic
definition:
Quintic

Quin"tic
(?)
a.
[L. quintus fifth, fr. quinque five.]
(Alg.)
Of the fifth degree or order.
n. (Alg.) A quantic of the fifth degree. See Quantic.


word: Quintile
definition:
Quintile

Quin"tile
(?)
n.
[F. quintil aspect, fr. L. quintus the fifth.]
(Astron.)
The aspect of planets when separated the fifth part of the zodiac, or 72°.
Hutton.


word: Quintilllion
definition:
Quintilllion

Quin*till"lion
(?)
n.
[Formed fr. L. quintus the fifth, after the analogy of million: cf. F. quintillion. See Quint.]
According to the French notation, which is used on the Continent and in America, the cube of a million, or a unit with eighteen ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, a number produced by involving a million to the fifth power, or a unit with thirty ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.


word: Quintine
definition:
Quintine

Quin"tine
(?)
n.
[L. quintus the fifth: cf. F. quintine.]
(Bot.)
The embryonic sac of an ovule, sometimes regarded as an innermost fifth integument.  Cf. Quartine, and Tercine.


word: Quintole
definition:
Quintole

Quin"tole
(?)
n.
[It. quinto fifth.]
(Mus.)
A group of five notes to be played or sung in the time of four of the same species.


word: Quintroon
definition:
Quintroon

Quin*troon"
(?)
n.
[Sp. quinteron the off-spring of a quadroon and a white.]
(Ethnol.)
The off-spring of an octoroon and a white person.


word: Quintuple
definition:
Quintuple

Quin"tu*ple
(?)
a.
[L. quintus fifth: cf. F. quintuple, L. quintuplex.  Cf. Quadruple.]
Multiplied by five; increased to five times the amount; fivefold.

Quintuple time (Mus.), a time having five beats in a measure. It is seldom used.


word: Quintuple₂
definition:
Quintuple

Quin"tu*ple
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quintupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quintupling.]
[Cf. F. quintupler.]
To make fivefold, or five times as much or many.


word: Quintuplet
definition:
Quintuplet

Quin"tu*plet
(?)
n.
[From Quintuple.]
1.
A collection or combination of five of a kind.

2.
pl.
Five children born in the same labor.

3.
(Mus.)
A group of five connected notes; a turn of five notes.

4.
A cycle having five crank shafts and adapted for five riders, all of whom can assist in the propulsion.


word: Quintuple-ribbed
definition:
Quintuple-ribbed

Quintuple-nerved

{ Quin"tu*ple-nerved` (?), Quin"tu*ple-ribbed` (?), }
a.
(Bot.)
The same as Quinquenerved.


word: Quinzaine
definition:
Quinzaine

Quin"zaine
(?)
n.
[F., from quinze fifteen, L. quindecim. See Fifteen.]
The fifteenth day after a feast day, including both in the reckoning.
[Written also quinzain.]


word: Quip
definition:
Quip

Quip
(kwĭp)
n.
[Cf. W. chwip a quick flirt or turn, chwipio to whip, to move briskly, and E. whip.  Cf. Quib, Quibble.]
1.
A smart, sarcastic turn or jest; a taunt; a severe retort; a gibe.

Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles.
Milton.

He was full of joke and jest,
But all his merry quips are o'er.
Tennyson.

2.
A short humorous or witty comment or observation, usually spontaneously formed in response to a prior comment.


word: Quip₂
definition:
Quip

Quip
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quipped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quipping (?).]
To taunt; to treat with quips.

The more he laughs, and does her closely quip.
Spenser.


word: Quipu
definition:
Quipu

Qui"pu
(?)
n.
pl. Quipus (#).
[Peruv. quipu a knot.]
A contrivance employed by the ancient Peruvians, Mexicans, etc., as a substitute for writing and figures, consisting of a main cord, from which hung at certain distances smaller cords of various colors, each having a special meaning, as silver, gold, corn, soldiers. etc. Single, double, and triple knots were tied in the smaller cords, representing definite numbers. It was chiefly used for arithmetical purposes, and to register important facts and events.
[Written also quipo.]
Tylor.

The mysterious science of the quipus . . . supplied the Peruvians with the means of communicating their ideas to one another, and of transmitting them to future generations.
Prescott.


word: Quirboilly
definition:
Quirboilly

Quir"boil*ly`
(?)
n.
[OE. cuir bouilli.]
Leather softened by boiling so as to take any required shape. Upon drying, it becomes exceedingly hard, and hence was formerly used for armor.
[Obs.]
quyrboilly
Chaucer.


word: Quire₃
definition:
Quire

Quire
(kwīr)
n.
[OE. quaer, quair, OF. quayer, cayer, caïer, F. cahier, a book of loose sheets, a quarter of a quire, LL. quaternus, quaternum, sheets of paper packed together, properly, four together, fr. L. quaterni four each, by fours, quattuor four.  See Four and cf. Cahier.]
A collection of twenty-four sheets of paper of the same size and quality, unfolded or having a single fold; one twentieth of a ream.


word: Quirinal
definition:
Quirinal

Quir"i*nal
(kwĭr"ĭ*nal or kwĭ`rī"nal)
a.
[L. Quirinalis, fr. Quirinus, a name of Romulus.]
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the hill Collis Quirinalis, now Monte Quirinale (one of the seven hills of Rome), or a modern royal place situated upon it. Also used substantively.


word: Quirister
definition:
Quirister

Quir"is*ter
(kwĭr"ĭs*tẽr)
n.
[See Quire, Chorister.]
A chorister. See Chorister.
[R.]
Thomson.


word: Quiritation
definition:
Quiritation

Quir`i*ta"tion
(kwĭr`ĭ*tā"shŭn)
n.
[L. quiritatio, fr. quiritare to raise a plaintive cry, v. freq. fr. queri to complain.]
A crying for help.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Quirites
definition:
Quirites

Qui*ri"tes
(kwĭ*rī"tēz)
n. pl.
[L., fr. Cures, a Sabine town.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
Roman citizens.

&hand_; After the Sabines and Romans had united themselves into one community, under Romulus, the name of Quirites was taken in addition to that of Romani, the Romans calling themselves in a civil capacity Quirites, while in a political and military capacity they retained the name of Romani.
Andrews.


word: Quirk
definition:
Quirk

Quirk
(kwẽrk)
n.
[Written also querk.]
[Cf. W. chwiori to turn briskly, or E. queer.]
1.
A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence, an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as, the quirks of a pettifogger.
quirk
Spenser.

We ground the justification of our nonconformity on dark subtilties and intricate quirks.
Barrow.

2.
A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice.
[Obs.]
Quirks
Shak.

3.
A smart retort; a quibble; a shallow conceit.

Some odd quirks and remnants of wit.
Shak.

4.
An irregular air; as, light quirks of music.
Pope.

5.
(Building)
A piece of ground taken out of any regular ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.; -- sometimes written quink.
Gwilt.

6.
(Arch.)
A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex rounded molding.

Quirk molding, a bead between two quirks.


word: Quit
definition:
Quit

Quit
(kwĭt)
n.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small passerine birds native of tropical America. See Banana quit, under Banana, and Guitguit.


word: Quit₂
definition:
Quit

Quit
(kwĭt)
a.
[OE. quite, OF. quite, F. quitte. See Quit, v., Quiet.]
Released from obligation, charge, penalty, etc.; free; clear; absolved; acquitted.
Chaucer.

The owner of the ox shall be quit.
Ex. xxi. 28.

&hand_; This word is sometimes used in the form quits, colloquially; as, to be quits with one, that is, to have made mutual satisfaction of demands with him; to be even with him; hence, as an exclamation: Quits! we are even, or on equal terms. “To cry quits with the commons in their complaints.”
Fuller.


word: Quit₃
definition:
Quit

Quit
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quit or Quitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quitting.]
[OE. quiten, OF. quiter, quitier, cuitier, F. quitter, to acquit, quit, LL. quietare, fr. L. quietare to calm, to quiet, fr. quietus quiet. See Quiet, a., and cf. Quit, a., Quite, Acquit, Requite.]
1.
To set at rest; to free, as from anything harmful or oppressive; to relieve; to clear; to liberate.
[R.]

To quit you of this fear, you have already looked Death in the face; what have you found so terrible in it?
Wake.

2.
To release from obligation, accusation, penalty, or the like; to absolve; to acquit.

There may no gold them quyte.
Chaucer.

God will relent, and quit thee all his debt.
Milton.

3.
To discharge, as an obligation or duty; to meet and satisfy, as a claim or debt; to make payment for or of; to requite; to repay.

The blissful martyr quyte you your meed.
Chaucer.

Enkindle all the sparks of nature
To quit this horrid act.
Shak.

Before that judge that quits each soul his hire.
Fairfax.

4.
To meet the claims upon, or expectations entertained of; to conduct; to acquit; -- used reflexively.

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men.
1 Sam. iv. 9.

Samson hath quit himself
Like Samson.
Milton.

5.
To carry through; to go through to the end.
[Obs.]

Never worthy prince a day did quit
With greater hazard and with more renown.
Daniel.

6.
To have done with; to cease from; to stop; hence, to depart from; to leave; to forsake; as, to quit work; to quit the place; to quit jesting.

Such a superficial way of examining is to quit truth for appearance.
Locke.

To quit cost, to pay; to reimburse. -- To quit scores, to make even; to clear mutually from demands.

Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it?
South.


word: Quitch
definition:
Quitch

Quitch
(kwĭch)
n.
1.
(Bot.)
Same as Quitch grass.

2.
Figuratively: A vice; a taint; an evil.

To pick the vicious quitch
Of blood and custom wholly out of him.
Tennyson.


word: Quitch grass
definition:
Quitch grass

Quitch" grass`
(kwĭch" grȧs`)
[Properly quick grass, being probably so called from its vigorous growth, or from its tenacity of life. See Quick, and cf. Couch grass.]
(Bot.)
A perennial grass (Agropyrum repens) having long running rootstalks, by which it spreads rapidly and pertinaciously, and so becomes a troublesome weed. Also called couch grass, quack grass, quick grass, twitch grass. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Quitclaim
definition:
Quitclaim

Quit"claim`
(kwĭt"klām`)
n.
[Quit, a. + claim.]
(Law)
A release or relinquishment of a claim; a deed of release; an instrument by which some right, title, interest, or claim, which one person has, or is supposed to have, in or to an estate held by himself or another, is released or relinquished, the grantor generally covenanting only against persons who claim under himself.


word: Quitclaim₂
definition:
Quitclaim

Quit"claim`
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quitclaimed (kwĭt"klāmd`); p. pr. & vb. n. Quitclaiming.]
(Law)
To release or relinquish a claim to; to release a claim to by deed, without covenants of warranty against adverse and paramount titles.


word: Quite₂
definition:
Quite

Quite
(kwīt)
adv.
[F. quitte discharged, free, clear; cf. OF. quitement freely, frankly, entirely. See Quit, a.]

1.
Completely; wholly; entirely; totally; perfectly; as, the work is not quite done; the object is quite accomplished; to be quite mistaken.

Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will.
Milton.

The same actions may be aimed at different ends, and arise from quite contrary principles.
Spectator.

2.
To a great extent or degree; very; very much; considerably.
Quite
Macaulay.

He really looks quite concerned.
Landor.

The island stretches along the land and is quite close to it.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).


word: Quitrent
definition:
Quitrent

Quit"rent`
(kwĭt"rĕnt`)
n.
[Quit, a. + rent.]
(Law)
A rent reserved in grants of land, by the payment of which the tenant is quit from other service.
Blackstone.

&hand_; In some of the United States a fee-farm rent is so termed.
Burrill.


word: Quittance
definition:
Quittance

Quit"tance
(kwĭt"tans)
n.
[OE. quitaunce, OF. quitance, F. quittance. See Quit, v. t.]
1.
Discharge from a debt or an obligation; acquittance.

Omittance is no quittance.
Shak.

2.
Recompense; return; repayment.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Quittor
definition:
Quittor

Quit"tor
(kwĭt"tẽr)
n.
[Perhaps for quitture.]
(Far.)
A chronic abscess, or fistula of the coronet, in a horse's foot, resulting from inflammation of the tissues investing the coffin bone.


word: Quitture
definition:
Quitture

Quit"ture
(kwĭt"t&uuptack_;r; 135)
n.
A discharge; an issue.
[Obs.]

To cleanse the quitture from thy wound.
Chapman.


word: Quiver
definition:
Quiver

Quiv"er
(kwĭv"ẽr)
a.
[Akin to AS. cwiferlice anxiously; cf. OD. kuiven, kuiveren.  Cf. Quaver.]
Nimble; active.
[Obs.]
quiver
Shak.


word: Quiver₂
definition:
Quiver

Quiv"er
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Quivered (kwĭv"ẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Quivering.]
[Cf. Quaver.]
To shake or move with slight and tremulous motion; to tremble; to quake; to shudder; to shiver.

The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind.
Shak.

And left the limbs still quivering on the ground.
Addison.


word: Quiver₄
definition:
Quiver

Quiv"er
n.
[OF. cuivre, cuevre, coivre, LL. cucurum, fr. OHG. chohhāri quiver, receptacle, G. köcher quiver; akin to AS. cocor, cocur, cocer, D. koker.  Cf. Cocker a high shoe.]
A case or sheath for arrows to be carried on the person.

Beside him hung his bow
And quiver, with three-bolted thunder stored.
Milton.


word: Quivered
definition:
Quivered

Quiv"ered
(kwĭv"ẽrd)
a.
1.
Furnished with, or carrying, a quiver.
quivered
Milton.

2.
Sheathed, as in a quiver.
quivered
Pope.


word: Qui vive
definition:
Qui vive

Qui` vive"
(ke̝` ve̝v")
[F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.]
The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: “Who comes there?”

To be on the qui vive, to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel.


word: Quixotic
definition:
Quixotic

Quix*ot"ic
(kwĭks*&obreve_;t"ĭk)
a.
1.
Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; prone to pursue unrealizable goals; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded.   See also quixotism.
quixotic
Prescott.

2.
Like the deeds of Don Quixote; ridiculously impractical; unachievable; extravagantly romantic; doomed to failure; as, a quixotic quest.

The word “quixotic” . . . has entered the common language, with the meaning “hopelessly naive and idealistic,” “ridiculously impractical,” “doomed to fail.”   That this epithet can be used now in an exclusively pejorative sense not only shows that we have ceased to read Cervantes and to understand his character, but more fundamentally it reveals that our culture has drifted away from its spiritual roots.
Simon Leys (N. Y. Review of Books, June 11, 1998, p. 35)


word: Quixotism
definition:
Quixotism

Quix"ot*ism
(kwĭks"&obreve_;t*ĭz'm)
n.
That form of delusion which leads to extravagant and absurd undertakings or sacrifices in obedience to a morbidly romantic ideal of duty or honor, as illustrated by the exploits of Don Quixote in knight-errantry.  See quixotic.


word: Quiz
definition:
Quiz

Quiz
(kwĭz)
n.
[It is said that Daly, the manager of a Dublin playhouse, laid a wager that a new word of no meaning should be the common talk and puzzle of the city in twenty-four hours. In consequence of this the letters q u i z were chalked by him on all the walls of Dublin, with an effect that won the wager. Perhaps, however, originally a variant of whiz, and formerly the name of a popular game.]
1.
A riddle or obscure question; an enigma; a ridiculous hoax.

2.
One who quizzes others; as, he is a great quiz.

3.
An odd or absurd fellow.
Smart. Thackeray.

4.
An exercise, or a course of exercises, conducted as a coaching or as an examination.
[Cant, U.S.]


word: Quiz₂
definition:
Quiz

Quiz
(kwĭz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quizzed (kwĭzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Quizzing (kwĭz"zĭng).]
1.
To puzzle; to banter; to chaff or mock with pretended seriousness of discourse; to make sport of, as by obscure questions.

He quizzed unmercifully all the men in the room.
Thackeray.

2.
To peer at; to eye suspiciously or mockingly.

3.
To instruct in or by a quiz. See Quiz, n., 4.
[U.S.]

Quizzing glass, a small eyeglass.


word: Quizzical
definition:
Quizzical

Quiz"zic*al
(kwĭz"zĭ*kal)
a.
Relating to quizzing; given to quizzing; of the nature of a quiz; farcical; sportive.


word: Quob
definition:
Quob

Quob
(kw&obreve_;b)
v. i.
[Cf. Quaver.]
[Written also quop and quab.]
To throb; to quiver.
[Local & Vulgar]


word: Quod
definition:
Quod

Quod
(kw&obreve_;d)
n.
[For quad, abbrev. of quadrangle.]
A quadrangle or court, as of a prison; hence, a prison.
[Slang]
quod
T. Hughes.


word: Quoddies
definition:
Quoddies

Quod"dies
(kw&obreve_;d"dĭz)
n. pl.
Herring taken and cured or smoked near Quoddy Head, Maine, or near the entrance of Passamaquoddy Bay.


word: Quodlibet
definition:
Quodlibet

Quod"li*bet
(kw&obreve_;d"lĭ*bĕt)
n.
[L., what you please.]

1.
A nice point; a subtilty; a debatable point.

These are your quodlibets, but no learning.
P. Fletcher.

2.
(Mus.)
A medley improvised by several performers.


word: Quodlibetarian
definition:
Quodlibetarian

Quod`lib*e*ta"ri*an
(kw&obreve_;d"lĭb*e̝*tā"rĭ*an)
n.
One who discusses any subject at pleasure.


word: Quodlibetical
definition:
Quodlibetical

Quod`li*bet"ic*al
(kw&obreve_;d"lĭ*bĕt"ĭ*kal)
a.
Not restricted to a particular subject; discussed for curiosity or entertainment.
Quod`li*bet"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Quoin
definition:
Quoin

Quoin
(kwoin or koin; 277)
n.
[See Coin, and cf. Coigne.]
1.
(Arch.)
Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of material by which the corner is marked.

&hand_; In stone, the quoins consist of blocks larger than those used in the rest of the building, and cut to dimension. In brickwork, quoins consist of groups or masses of brick laid together, and in a certain imitation of quoins of stone.

2.
A wedgelike piece of stone, wood, metal, or other material, used for various purposes;
as:
(a)
(Masonry)
To support and steady a stone.
(b)
(Gun.)
To support the breech of a cannon.
(c)
(Print.)
To wedge or lock up a form within a chase.
(d)
(Naut.)
To prevent casks from rolling.

Hollow quoin. See under Hollow. -- Quoin post (Canals), the post of a lock gate which abuts against the wall.


word: Quoit
definition:
Quoit

Quoit
(kwoit or koit)
n.
[OE. coite; cf. OF. coitier to spur, press, (assumed) LL. coctare, fr. L. coquere, coctum, to cook, burn, vex, harass, E. cook, also W. coete_; a quoit.]
1.
(a)
A flattened ring-shaped piece of iron, to be pitched at a fixed object in play; hence, any heavy flat missile used for the same purpose, as a stone, piece of iron, etc.
(b)
pl.
A game played with quoits.
Shak.

2.
The discus of the ancients. See Discus.

3.
A cromlech.
[Prov. Eng.]
J. Morley.


word: Quoit₂
definition:
Quoit

Quoit
v. i.
To throw quoits; to play at quoits.

To quoit, to run, and steeds and chariots drive.
Dryden.


word: Quoll
definition:
Quoll

Quoll
(kw&obreve_;l)
n.
(Zool.)
A marsupial of Australia (Dasyurus macrurus), about the size of a cat.


word: Quondam
definition:
Quondam

Quon"dam
(kw&obreve_;n"dăm)
a.
[L., formerly.]
Having been formerly; former; sometime.
quondam
Shak.


word: Quorum
definition:
Quorum

Quo"rum
(kw&omacr"rŭm)
n.
[L., of whom, gen. pl. of qui who, akin to E. who. See the Note below.]
Such a number of the officers or members of any body as is competent by law or constitution to transact business; as, a quorum of the House of Representatives; a constitutional quorum was not present.

&hand_; The term arose from the Latin words, Quorum aliquem vestrum . . . unum esse volumus (of whom we wish some one of you to be one), which were used in the commission formerly issued to justices of the peace in England, by which commission it was directed that no business of certain kinds should be done without the presence of one or more of certain justices specially designated. Justice of the peace and of the quorum designates a class of justices of the peace in some of the United States.


word: Quota
definition:
Quota

Quo"ta
(kw&omacr"tȧ)
n.
[LL., fr. L. quota (sc. pars), fr. quotus which or what in number, of what number, how many, fr. quot how many, akin to quis, qui, who: cf. It. quota a share. See Who.]
1.
A proportional part or share; the share or proportion assigned to each in a division.
Quota
Motley.

2.
a share of effort required to be performed, or a share of resources required to be contributed to some common purpose.


word: Quotable
definition:
Quotable

Quot"a*ble
(kw&omacrt"ȧ*b'l)
a.
Capable or worthy of being quoted; as, a quotable writer; a quotable sentence.


word: Quotation
definition:
Quotation

Quo*ta"tion
(kwo̝*tā"shŭn)
n.
[From Quote.]
1.
The act of quoting or citing.

2.
That which is quoted or cited; a part of a book or writing named, repeated, or adduced as evidence or illustration.
Locke.

3.
(Com.)
The naming or publishing of the current price of stocks, bonds, or any commodity; also, the price named.
4.
Quota; share.
[Obs.]

5.
(Print.)
A piece of hollow type metal, lower than type, and measuring two or more pica ems in length and breadth, used in the blank spaces at the beginning and end of chapters, etc.

Quotation marks (Print.), two inverted commas placed at the beginning, and two apostrophes at the end, of a passage quoted from an author in his own words.


word: Quotationist
definition:
Quotationist

Quo*ta"tion*ist
(kwo̝*tā"shŭn*ĭst)
n.
One who makes, or is given to making, quotations.

The narrow intellectuals of quotationists.
Milton.


word: Quote
definition:
Quote

Quote
(kw&omacrt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Quoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quoting.]
[OF. quoter, F. coter to letter, number, to quote, LL. quotare to divide into chapters and verses, fr. L. quotus. See Quota.]
[Formerly written also cote.]
1.
To cite, as a passage from some author; to name, repeat, or adduce, as a passage from an author or speaker, by way of authority or illustration; as, to quote a passage from Homer.

2.
To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.

3.
(Com.)
To name the current price of.

4.
To notice; to observe; to examine.
[Obs.]
Shak.

5.
To set down, as in writing.
[Obs.]
quoted
Shak.


word: Quoth
definition:
Quoth

Quoth
(kw&omacrth or kwŭth)
v. t.
[AS. cweðan, imp cwæð, pl. cw&aemacr_;don; akin to OS. queðan, OHG. quethan, quedan, Icel. kveða, Goth. qiþan. √22.  Cf. Bequeath.]
Said; spoke; uttered; -- used only in the first and third persons in the past tenses, and always followed by its nominative, the word or words said being the object; as, quoth I, quoth he.
quoth
Shak.


word: Quotha
definition:
Quotha

Quoth"a
(kw&omacrth"ȧ)
interj.
[For quoth 'a, said he, 'a being corrupted from he.]
Indeed; forsooth.

To affront the blessed hillside drabs and thieves
With mended morals, quotha, -- fine new lives !
Mrs. Browning.


word: Quotidian
definition:
Quotidian

Quo*tid"i*an
(kwo̝*tĭd"ĭ*an)
a.
[OE. cotidian, L. quotidianus, fr. quotidie daily; quotus how many + dies day: cf. OF. cotidien, F. quotidien. See Quota, Deity.]
Occurring or returning daily; as, a quotidian fever.


word: Quotidian₂
definition:
Quotidian

Quo*tid"i*an
(kwo̝*tĭd"ĭ*an)
n.
Anything returning daily; especially (Med.), an intermittent fever or ague which returns every day.
Milton.


word: Quotient
definition:
Quotient

Quo"tient
(kw&omacr"shent)
n.
[F., fr. L. quoties how often, how many times, fr. quot how many. See Quota.]

1.
(Arith.)
The number resulting from the division of one number by another, and showing how often a less number is contained in a greater; thus, the quotient of twelve divided by four is three.

2.
(Higher Alg.)
The result of any process inverse to multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.


word: Quotiety
definition:
Quotiety

Quo*ti"e*ty
(kwo̝*tī"e̝*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. quotus of what number, quot how many.]
(Scholastic Philos.)
The relation of an object to number.
Krauth-Fleming.


word: Quotum
definition:
Quotum

Quo"tum
(kw&omacr"tŭm)
n.
[NL., fr. L. quotus of what number. See Quota.]
Part or proportion; quota.
[R.]
quotum
Max Müller.


word: Quo warranto
definition:
Quo warranto

Quo` war*ran"to
(kw&omacr` w&obreve_;r*răn"to̝)
[So called from the Law L. words quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form of the writ. See Which, and Warrant.]
(Law)
A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.
Blackstone.

&hand_; An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now common as a substitute for the writ.
Wharton.


word: R
definition:
R

R
(är)
R, the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a vocal consonant.  It is sometimes called a semivowel, and a liquid. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 178, 179, and 250-254.
R
B. Jonson.

    In words derived from the Greek language the letter h is generally written after r to represent the aspirated sound of the Greek "r, but does not affect the pronunciation of the English word, as rhapsody, rhetoric.
[1913 Webster]
    The English letter derives its form from the Greek through the Latin, the Greek letter being derived from the Phœnician, which, it is believed, is ultimately of Egyptian origin. Etymologically, R is most closely related to l, s, and n; as in bandore, mandole; purple, L. purpura; E. chapter, F. chapitre, L. capitulum; E. was, were; hare, G. hase; E. order, F. ordre, L. ordo, ordinis; E. coffer, coffin.


The three Rs, a jocose expression for reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic, -- the fundamentals of an education.


word: R&D
definition:
R&D

R&D
(är"ăn*dē")
n.
[research and development.]
Research and development; used mostly to refer to the division of a corporation responsible for performing research and developing new products, or the activitie performed by that division; -- a commonly used abbreviation.

Syn. -- R and D, research and development.


word: Ra-
definition:
Ra-

Ra-
A prefix, from the Latin re and ad combined, coming to us through the French and Italian. See Re-, and Ad-.


word: Raash
definition:
Raash

Raash
(räsh)
n.
[Cf. Ar. ra'ash trembling, tremor.]
(Zool.)
The electric catfish.
[Written also raasch.]


word: Rabat
definition:
Rabat

Rab"at
(răb"ăt)
n.
[See Rabot.]
A polishing material made of potter's clay that has failed in baking.


word: Rabat₂
definition:
Rabat

Ra`bat"
(rȧ*bāt")
n.
[F. Cf. Rabato.]
(Eccl.)
(a)
A clerical linen collar.
(b)
A kind of clerical scarf fitted to a collar; as, a black silk rabat.


word: Rabate
definition:
Rabate

Ra*bate"
(rȧ*bāt")
v. t.
[F. rabattre to beat down; pref. re- + abattre. See Abate, and cf. Rebate, v.]
(Falconry)
To recover to the fist, as a hawk.
[Obs.]


word: Rabato
definition:
Rabato

Ra*ba"to
(rȧ*bā"to̝)
n.
[F. rabat, fr. rabattre. See Rabate.]
A kind of ruff for the neck; a turned-down collar; a rebato.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Rabbate
definition:
Rabbate

Rab*bate"
(răb*bāt")
v. t.
[See Rabate.]
To abate or diminish.
[Obs.]
n. Abatement. [Obs.]


word: Rabbet
definition:
Rabbet

Rab"bet
(răb"bĕt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rabbeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rabbeting.]
[F. raboter to plane, plane down,rabot a plane; pref. re- re- + OF. abouter, aboter. See Abut, and cf. Rebut.]
1.
To cut a rabbet in; to furnish with a rabbet.

2.
To unite the edges of, as boards, etc., in a rabbet joint.


word: Rabbet₂
definition:
Rabbet

Rab"bet
n.
[See Rabbet, v., and cf. Rebate, n.]

1.
(Carp.)
A longitudinal channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge or face of any body; especially, one intended to receive another member, so as to break or cover the joint, or more easily to hold the members in place; thus, the groove cut for a panel, for a pane of glass, or for a door, is a rabbet, or rebate.

2.
Same as Rabbet joint, below.

Rabbet joint (Carp.), a joint formed by fitting together rabbeted boards or timbers; -- called also rabbet. -- Rabbet plane, a joiner's plane for cutting a rabbet. Moxon.


word: Rabbi
definition:
Rabbi

Rab"bi
(răr"bī or răr"bĭ; 277)
n.
pl. Rabbis (răr"bīz or răr"bĭz) or Rabbies.
[L., fr. Gr. "rabbi`, Heb. rabī my master, from rab master, lord, teacher, akin to Ar. rabb.]
Master; lord; teacher; -- a Jewish title of respect or honor for a teacher or doctor of the law.
rabbies
Milton.

Be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.
Matt. xxiii. 8.


word: Rabbinical
definition:
Rabbinical

Rabbinic

{ Rab*bin"ic (răb*bĭn"ĭk), Rab*bin"ic*al (răb*bĭn"ĭ*kal), }
a.
[Cf. F. rabbinique.]
Of or pertaining to the rabbins or rabbis, or pertaining to the opinions, learning, or language of the rabbins.
rabbinic
Lowell.

We will not buy your rabbinical fumes.
Milton.


word: Rabbinism
definition:
Rabbinism

Rab"bin*ism
(răb"bĭn*ĭz'm)
n.
[Cf. F. rabbinisme.]
1.
A rabbinic expression or phraseology; a peculiarity of the language of the rabbins.

2.
The teachings and traditions of the rabbins.


word: Rabbinist
definition:
Rabbinist

Rab"bin*ist
(răb"bĭn*ĭst)
n.
[Cf. F. rabbiniste.]
One among the Jews who adhered to the Talmud and the traditions of the rabbins, in opposition to the Karaites, who rejected the traditions.


word: Rabbit
definition:
Rabbit

Rab"bit
(răb"bĭt)
n.
[OE. rabet, akin to OD. robbe, robbeken.]
(Zool.)
Any of the smaller species of the genus Lepus, especially the common European species (Lepus cuniculus), which is often kept as a pet, and has been introduced into many countries. It is remarkably prolific, and has become a pest in some parts of Australia and New Zealand.

&hand_; The common American rabbit (Lepus sylvatica) is similar but smaller. See Cottontail, and Jack rabbit, under 2d Jack. The larger species of Lepus are commonly called hares. See Hare.

Angora rabbit (Zool.), a variety of the domestic rabbit having long, soft fur. -- Rabbit burrow, a hole in the earth made by rabbits for shelter and habitation. -- Rabbit fish. (Zool.) (a) The northern chimaera (Chimaera monstrosa). (b) Any one of several species of plectognath fishes, as the bur fish, and puffer. The term is also locally applied to other fishes. -- Rabbits' ears. (Bot.) See Cyclamen. -- Rabbit warren, a piece of ground appropriated to the breeding and preservation of rabbits. Wright. -- Rock rabbit. (a) (Zool.) See Daman, and Klipdas. (b) the pika. -- Welsh rabbit, a dish of which the chief constituents are melted cheese over toasted bread, flavored in various ways, as with ale, beer, milk, or spices. The name is popularly said to be a corruption of Welsh rare bit, but it is probably merely a humorous designation; -- also called Welsh rarebit.


word: Rabbitry
definition:
Rabbitry

Rab"bit*ry
(răb"bĭt*r&ybreve_;)
n.
A place where rabbits are kept; especially, a collection of hutches for tame rabbits.


word: Rabble
definition:
Rabble

Rab"ble
(răb"b'l)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Iron Manuf.)
An iron bar, with the end bent, used in stirring or skimming molten iron in the process of puddling.


word: Rabble₃
definition:
Rabble

Rab"ble
v. i.
[Akin to D. rabbelen, Prov. G. rabbeln, to prattle, to chatter: cf. L. rabula a brawling advocate, a pettifogger, fr. rabere to rave.  Cf. Rage.]
To speak in a confused manner.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]


word: Rabble₄
definition:
Rabble

Rab"ble
n.
[Probably named from the noise made by it (see Rabble, v. i.) cf. D. rapalje rabble, OF. & Prov. F. rapaille.]
1.
A tumultuous crowd of vulgar, noisy people; a mob; a confused, disorderly throng.

I saw, I say, come out of London, even unto the presence of the prince, a great rabble of mean and light persons.
Ascham.

Jupiter, Mercury, Bacchus, Venus, Mars, and the whole rabble of licentious deities.
Bp. Warburton.

2.
A confused, incoherent discourse; a medley of voices; a chatter.

The rabble, the lowest class of people, without reference to an assembly; the dregs of the people. “The rabble call him ‘lord.'”  Shak.


word: Rabble₅
definition:
Rabble

Rab"ble
a.
Of or pertaining to a rabble; like, or suited to, a rabble; disorderly; vulgar.
[R.]
Dryden.


word: Rabble₆
definition:
Rabble

Rab"ble
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rabbled (răb"b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rabbling (răb"blĭng).]
1.
To insult, or assault, by a mob; to mob; as, to rabble a curate.
Macaulay.

The bishops' carriages were stopped and the prelates themselves rabbled on their way to the house.
J. R. Green.

2.
To utter glibly and incoherently; to mouth without intelligence.
[Obs. or Scot.]
Foxe.

3.
To rumple; to crumple.
[Scot.]


word: Rabblement
definition:
Rabblement

Rab"ble*ment
(răb"b'l*ment)
n.
A tumultuous crowd of low people; a rabble.
rablement
Spenser.

And still, as he refused it, the rabblement hooted.
Shak.


word: Rabdoidal
definition:
Rabdoidal

Rab*doid"al
(răb*doid"al)
a.
[Gr. "ra`bdos a rod + -oid + -al.]
(Anat.)
See Sagittal.
[Written also rhabdoidal.]


word: Rabdology
definition:
Rabdology

Rab*dol"o*gy
(răb*d&obreve_;l"o̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. "ra`bdos rod, stick + -logy: cf. F. rabdologie.]
The method or art of performing arithmetical operations by means of Napier's bones. See Napier's bones.
[Written also rhabdology.]


word: Rabdomancy
definition:
Rabdomancy

Rab"do*man`cy
(răb"do̝*măn`s&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. "ra`bdos rod + -mancy.]
Divination by means of rods or wands.
[Written also rhabdomancy.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Rabid
definition:
Rabid

Rab"id
(răb"ĭd)
a.
[L. rabidus, from rabere to rave. See Rage, n.]
1.
Furious; raging; extremely violent.

The rabid flight
Of winds that ruin ships.
Chapman.

2.
Extreme, unreasonable, or fanatical in opinion; excessively zealous; as, a rabid socialist.

3.
Affected with the distemper called rabies; mad; as, a rabid dog or fox.

4.
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to rabies, or hydrophobia; as, rabid virus.


word: Rabinet
definition:
Rabinet

Rab"i*net
(răb"ĭ*nĕt)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Mil.)
A kind of small ordnance formerly in use.
[Written also rabanet.]
Ainsworth.


word: Rabot
definition:
Rabot

Ra"bot
(rā"b&obreve_;t)
n.
[F.]
A rubber of hard wood used in smoothing marble to be polished.
Knight.


word: Raca
definition:
Raca

Ra"ca
(rā"kȧ)
a.
[Gr. "raka`, from Chaldee rēkā.]
A term of reproach used by the Jews of our Savior's time, meaning “worthless.”

Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council.
Matt. v. 22.


word: Racahout
definition:
Racahout

Ra`ca`hout"
(rȧ`kȧ`ō")
n.
[F. racahout, probably fr. Ar. rāqaut.]
A preparation from acorns used by the Arabs as a substitute for chocolate, and also as a beverage for invalids.


word: Raccoon
definition:
Raccoon

Rac*coon"
(răk*kōn")
n.
[F. raton, prop., a little rat, fr. rat rat, perhaps of German origin. See Rat.]
(Zool.)
A North American nocturnal carnivore (Procyon lotor) allied to the bears, but much smaller, and having a long, full tail, banded with black and gray. Its body is gray, varied with black and white. Called also coon, and mapach.

Raccoon dog (Zool.), the tanate. -- Raccoon fox (Zool.), the cacomixle.


word: Race₂
definition:
Race

Race
(rās)
n.
[OF. raïz, L. radix, -icis. See Radix.]
A root.
race
Shak.

Race ginger, ginger in the root, or not pulverized.


word: Race₃
definition:
Race

Race
n.
[F. race; cf. Pr. & Sp. raza, It. razza; all from OHG. reiza line, akin to E. write. See Write.]

1.
The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed.

The whole race of mankind.
Shak.

Whence the long race of Alban fathers come.
Dryden.

&hand_; Naturalists and ethnographers divide mankind into several distinct varieties, or races. Cuvier refers them all to three, Pritchard enumerates seven, Agassiz eight, Pickering describes eleven. One of the common classifications is that of Blumenbach, who makes five races: the Caucasian, or white race, to which belong the greater part of the European nations and those of Western Asia; the Mongolian, or yellow race, occupying Tartary, China, Japan, etc.; the Ethiopian, or negro race, occupying most of Africa (except the north), Australia, Papua, and other Pacific Islands; the American, or red race, comprising the Indians of North and South America; and the Malayan, or brown race, which occupies the islands of the Indian Archipelago, etc. Many recent writers classify the Malay and American races as branches of the Mongolian. See Illustration in Appendix.

2.
Company; herd; breed.

For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds.
Shak.

3.
(Bot.)
A variety of such fixed character that it may be propagated by seed.

4.
Peculiar flavor, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavor; smack.
race
Shak.

Is it [the wine] of the right race ?
Massinger.

5.
Hence, characteristic quality or disposition.
[Obs.]

And now I give my sensual race the rein.
Shak.

Some . . . great race of fancy or judgment.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Race₄
definition:
Race

Race
n.
[OE. ras, res, rees, AS. r&aemacr_;s a rush, running; akin to Icel. rās course, race. √118.]
1.
A progress; a course; a movement or progression.

2.
Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.

The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.
Bacon.

3.
Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races.

The race is not to the swift.
Eccl. ix. 11.

I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.
Pope.

4.
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.

My race of glory run, and race of shame.
Milton.

5.
A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race; the Race of Alderney.

6.
The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race.

&hand_; The part of the channel above the wheel is sometimes called the headrace, the part below, the tailrace.

7.
(Mach.)
A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc.

Race cloth, a cloth worn by horses in racing, having pockets to hold the weights prescribed. -- Race course. (a) The path, generally circular or elliptical, over which a race is run. (b) Same as Race way, below. -- Race cup, a cup given as a prize to the victor in a race. -- Race glass, a kind of field glass. -- Race horse.  (a) A horse that runs in competition; specifically, a horse bred or kept for running races. (b) A breed of horses remarkable for swiftness in running. (c) (Zool.) The steamer duck. (d) (Zool.) A mantis. -- Race knife, a cutting tool with a blade that is hooked at the point, for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern, -- used in shipbuilding. -- Race saddle, a light saddle used in racing. -- Race track. Same as Race course (a), above. -- Race way, the canal for the current that drives a water wheel.


word: Race₅
definition:
Race

Race
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Raced (rāst); p. pr. & vb. n. Racing (rā"sĭng).]
1.
To run swiftly; to contend in a race; as, the animals raced over the ground; the ships raced from port to port.

2.
(Steam Mach.)
To run too fast at times, as a marine engine or screw, when the screw is lifted out of water by the action of a heavy sea.


word: Race₆
definition:
Race

Race
v. t.
1.
To cause to contend in a race; to drive at high speed; as, to race horses.

2.
To run a race with.


word: Raceabout
definition:
Raceabout

Race"a*bout`
(rās"ȧ*bout`)
n.
(Naut.)
A small sloop-rigged racing yacht carrying about six hundred square feet of sail, distinguished from a knockabout by having a short bowsprit.


word: Racemation
definition:
Racemation

Rac`e*ma"tion
(răs`e̝*mā"shŭn)
n.
[L. racematio a gleaning, fr. racemari to glean, racemus a cluster of grapes. See Raceme.]
1.
A cluster or bunch, as of grapes.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
Cultivation or gathering of clusters of grapes.
[R.]
Bp. Burnet.


word: Raceme
definition:
Raceme

Ra*ceme"
(rȧ*sēm"; 277)
n.
[L. racemus a bunch of berries, a cluster of grapes. See Raisin.]
(Bot.)
A flower cluster with an elongated axis and many one-flowered lateral pedicels, as in the currant and chokecherry.

Compound raceme, one having the lower pedicels developed into secondary racemes.


word: Racemic
definition:
Racemic

Ra*ce"mic
(rȧ*sē"mĭk)
a.
[Cf. F. racémique. See Raceme.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in many kinds of grapes. It is also obtained from tartaric acid, with which it is isomeric, and from sugar, gum, etc., by oxidation. It is a sour white crystalline substance, consisting of a combination of dextrorotatory and levorotatory tartaric acids.
Gregory.


word: Racemiferous
definition:
Racemiferous

Rac`e*mif"er*ous
(răs`e̝*mĭf"ẽr*ŭs)
a.
[L. racemifer bearing clusters; racemus cluster + ferre to bear: cf. F. racémifère.]
(Bot.)
Bearing racemes, as the currant.


word: Racemose
definition:
Racemose

Rac"e*mose`
(răs"e̝*m&omacrs`)
a.
[L. racemosus full of clusters.]
Resembling a raceme; growing in the form of a raceme; as, (Bot.) racemose berries or flowers; (Anat.) the racemose glands, in which the ducts are branched and clustered like a raceme.
Gray.


word: Racer
definition:
Racer

Ra"cer
(rā"sẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, races, or contends in a race; esp., a race horse.

And bade the nimblest racer seize the prize.
Pope.

2.
(Zool.)
The common American black snake.

3.
(Mil.)
One of the circular iron or steel rails on which the chassis of a heavy gun is turned.


word: Race suicide
definition:
Race suicide

Race suicide
The voluntary failure of the members of a race or people to have a number of children sufficient to keep the birth rate equal to the death rate.


word: Rache
definition:
Rache

Rach

{ Rach, Rache (răch) }
n.
[AS. ræcc; akin to Icel. rakki.]
(Zool.)
A dog that pursued his prey by scent, as distinguished from the greyhound.
[Obs.]


word: Rachialgia
definition:
Rachialgia

Ra`chi*al"gi*a
(rā`kĭ*ăl"jĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. "ra`chis backbone + 'a`lgos pain.]
(Med.)
A painful affection of the spine; especially, Pott's disease; also, formerly, lead colic.


word: Rachidian
definition:
Rachidian

Ra*chid"i*an
(rȧ*kĭd"ĭ*an)
a.
[See Rachis.]
(Anat. & Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the rachis; spinal; vertebral. Same as Rhachidian.


word: Rachis
definition:
Rachis

Ra"chis
(rā"kĭs)
n.
pl. E. Rachises (rā"kĭs*ĕz), L. Rachides (răk"ĭ*dēz).
[NL., fr. Gr. "ra`chis, -ios.]
[Written also rhachis.]
1.
(Anat.)
The spine; the vertebral column.

2.
(Bot. & Zool.)
Same as Rhachis.


word: Rachitic
definition:
Rachitic

Ra*chit"ic
(rȧ*kĭt"ĭk)
a.
[Cf. F. rachitique. See Rachitis.]
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to rachitis; affected by rachitis; rickety.


word: Rachitis
definition:
Rachitis

Ra*chi"tis
(rȧ*kī"tĭs)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. "rachi^tis (sc. nosos), fr. "ra`chis, -ios, the spine.]
[Written also rhachitis.]
1.
(Med.)
Literally, inflammation of the spine, but commonly applied to the rickets. See Rickets.

2.
(Bot.)
A disease which produces abortion in the fruit or seeds.
Henslow.


word: Rachitome
definition:
Rachitome

Ra"chi*tome
(rā"kĭ*t&omacrm)
n.
[F., fr. Gr. "ra`chis, -ios, the spine + te`mnein to cut.]
A dissecting instrument for opening the spinal canal.
[Written also rachiotome.]


word: Racial
definition:
Racial

Ra"cial
(rā"shal)
a.
Of or pertaining to a race or family of men; as, the racial complexion.


word: Raciness
definition:
Raciness

Ra"ci*ness
(rā"sĭ*nĕs)
n.
The quality of being racy; peculiar and piquant flavor.

The general characteristics of his [Cobbett's] style were perspicuity, unequaled and inimitable; . . . a purity always simple, and raciness often elegant.
London Times.


word: Rack₂
definition:
Rack

Rack
n.
[AS. hracca neck, hinder part of the head; cf. AS. hraca throat, G. rachen throat, E. retch.]
The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.


word: Rack₃
definition:
Rack

Rack
n.
[See Wreck.]
A wreck; destruction.
[Obs., except in a few phrases.]

Rack and ruin, destruction; utter ruin. [Colloq.] -- To go to rack, to perish; to be destroyed. [Colloq.] “All goes to rack.” Pepys.


word: Rack₄
definition:
Rack

Rack
n.
[Prob. fr. Icel. rek drift, motion, and akin to reka to drive, and E. wrack, wreck. √282.]
Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.
Shak.

The winds in the upper region, which move the clouds above, which we call the rack, . . . pass without noise.
Bacon.

And the night rack came rolling up.
C. Kingsley.


word: Rack₆
definition:
Rack

Rack
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Racked (răkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Racking.]
[See Rack that which stretches, or Rock, v.]
To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse.
Fuller.


word: Rack₈
definition:
Rack

Rack
v. t.
[Cf. OF. vin raqué wine squeezed from the dregs of the grapes.]
To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.

It is in common practice to draw wine or beer from the lees (which we call racking), whereby it will clarify much the sooner.
Bacon.

Rack vintage, wine cleansed and drawn from the lees. Cowell.


word: Rack₉
definition:
Rack

Rack
n.
[Probably fr. D. rek, rekbank, a rack, rekken to stretch; akin to G. reck, reckbank, a rack, recken to stretch, Dan. række, Sw. räcka, Icel. rekja to spread out, Goth. refrakjan to stretch out; cf. L. porrigere, Gr. 'ore`gein. √115.   Cf. Right, a., Ratch.]
1.
An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something.
(a)
An engine of torture, consisting of a large frame, upon which the body was gradually stretched until, sometimes, the joints were dislocated; -- formerly used judicially for extorting confessions from criminals or suspected persons.

During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a rack was introduced into the Tower, and was occasionally used under the plea of political necessity.
Macaulay.

2.
(Mech.)
A bar with teeth on its face, or edge, to work with those of a wheel, pinion, or worm, which is to drive it or be driven by it.

3.
That which is extorted; exaction.
[Obs.]
Sir E. Sandys.

Mangle rack. (Mach.) See under Mangle. n. -- Rack block. (Naut.) See def. 1 (f), above. -- Rack lashing, a lashing or binding where the rope is tightened, and held tight by the use of a small stick of wood twisted around. -- Rack rail (Railroads), a toothed rack, laid as a rail, to afford a hold for teeth on the driving wheel of a locomotive for climbing steep gradients, as in ascending a mountain. -- Rack saw, a saw having wide teeth. -- Rack stick, the stick used in a rack lashing. -- To be on the rack, to suffer torture, physical or mental. -- To live at rack and manger, to live on the best at another's expense. [Colloq.] -- To put to the rack, to subject to torture; to torment.

A fit of the stone puts a king to the rack, and makes him as miserable as it does the meanest subject.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Rack₁₀
definition:
Rack

Rack
(răk)
v. t.
1.
To extend by the application of force; to stretch or strain; specifically, to stretch on the rack or wheel; to torture by an engine which strains the limbs and pulls the joints.

He was racked and miserably tormented.
Foxe.

2.
To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.

Vaunting aloud but racked with deep despair.
Milton.

3.
To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.

The landlords there shamefully rack their tenants.
Spenser.

They [landlords] rack their rents an ace too high.
Gascoigne.

Grant that I may never rack a Scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof.
Fuller.

Try what my credit can in Venice do;
That shall be racked even to the uttermost.
Shak.

4.
(Mining)
To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.

5.
(Naut.)
To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc.

To rack one's brains or To rack one's brains out or To rack one's wits, to exert one's thinking processes to the utmost for the purpose of accomplishing something; as, I racked my brains out trying to find a way to solve the problem.


word: Rackarock
definition:
Rackarock

Rack"a*rock`
(răk"ȧ*r&obreve_;k`)
n.
[Rack to stretch, strain + a + rock.]
A Sprengel explosive consisting of potassium chlorate and mono-nitrobenzene.


word: Racket
definition:
Racket

Rack"et
(răk"ĕt)
n.
[F. raquette; cf. Sp. raqueta, It. racchetta, which is perhaps for retichetta, and fr. L. rete a net (cf. Reticule); or perh. from the Arabic; cf. Ar. rāha the palm of the hand (used at first to strike the ball), and OF. rachette, rasquette, carpus, tarsus.]
[Written also racquet.]
1.
A thin strip of wood, having the ends brought together, forming a somewhat elliptical hoop, across which a network of catgut or cord is stretched. It is furnished with a handle, and is used for catching or striking a ball in tennis and similar games.

Each one [of the Indians] has a bat curved like a crosier, and ending in a racket.
Bancroft.

2.
A variety of the game of tennis played with peculiar long-handled rackets; -- chiefly in the plural.
Chaucer.

3.
A snowshoe formed of cords stretched across a long and narrow frame of light wood.
[Canada]

4.
A broad wooden shoe or patten for a man or horse, to enable him to step on marshy or soft ground.

Racket court, a court for playing the game of rackets.


word: Racket₂
definition:
Racket

Rack"et
v. t.
To strike with, or as with, a racket.

Poor man [is] racketed from one temptation to another.
Hewyt.


word: Racket₃
definition:
Racket

Rack"et
n.
[Gael. racaid a noise, disturbance.]
1.
confused, clattering noise; din; noisy talk or sport.

2.
A carouse; any reckless dissipation.
[Slang]


word: Racket₄
definition:
Racket

Rack"et
n.
1.
A scheme, dodge, trick, or the like; something taking place considered as exciting, trying, unusual, or the like; also, such occurrence considered as an ordeal; as, to work a racket; to stand upon the racket.
[Slang]

2.
an organized illegal activity, such as illegal gambling, bootlegging, or extortion.


word: Racket₅
definition:
Racket

Rack"et
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Racketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Racketing.]
1.
To make a confused noise or racket.

2.
To engage in noisy sport; to frolic.
Sterne.

3.
To carouse or engage in dissipation.
[Slang]


word: Rackett
definition:
Rackett

Rack"ett
(răk"ĕt)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Mus.)
An old wind instrument of the double bassoon kind, having ventages but not keys.


word: Racket-tail
definition:
Racket-tail

Rack"et-tail
(răk"ĕt-tāl)
n.
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of humming birds of the genus Steganura, having two of the tail feathers very long and racket-shaped.


word: Racket-tailed
definition:
Racket-tailed

Rack"et-tailed`
(răk"ĕt-tāld`)
a.
(Zool.)
Having long and spatulate, or racket-shaped, tail feathers.


word: Rack-rent
definition:
Rack-rent

Rack"-rent`
(răk"rĕnt`)
n.
A rent of the full annual value of the tenement, or near it; an excessive or unreasonably high rent.
Blackstone.


word: Rack-renter
definition:
Rack-renter

Rack"-rent`er
(răk"rĕnt`ẽr)
n.
1.
One who is subjected to paying rack-rent.

2.
One who exacts rack-rent.


word: Racktail
definition:
Racktail

Rack"tail`
(răk"tāl`)
n.
(Horol.)
An arm attached to a swinging notched arc or rack, to let off the striking mechanism of a repeating clock.


word: Racovian
definition:
Racovian

Ra*co"vi*an
(rȧ*k&omacr"vĭ*an)
n.
[From Racow.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Socinians or Unitarians in Poland.


word: Racy
definition:
Racy

Ra"cy
(rā"s&ybreve_;)
a.
[Compar. Racier (rā"sĭ*ẽr); superl. Raciest.]
[From Race a tribe, family.]
1.
Having a strong flavor indicating origin; of distinct characteristic taste; tasting of the soil; hence, fresh; rich.

The racy wine,
Late from the mellowing cask restored to light.
Pope.

2.
Hence:
Exciting to the mental taste by a strong or distinctive character of thought or language; peculiar and piquant; fresh and lively; vigorous; spirited.

Our raciest, most idiomatic popular words.
M. Arnold.

Burns's English, though not so racy as his Scotch, is generally correct.
H. Coleridge.

The rich and racy humor of a natural converser fresh from the plow.
Prof. Wilson.

3.
Somewhat suggestive of sexual themes; slightly improper; risqué.

Rich, racy verses, in which we
The soil from which they come, taste, smell, and see.
Cowley.


word: Rad
definition:
Rad

Rad
(răd)
n.
[radiation absorbed dose.]
A unit of measurement of the amount of ionizing radiation absorbed by an object, equal to an energy of 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material (equal to 0.01 gray).


word: radar
definition:
radar

ra"dar
(rā"där)
n.
[acronym from RAdio Detection And Ranging.]
1.
An electronic device designed to detect objects at a distance, and determine their distance from the device, by transmitting a pulse of radio waves and measuring the time required for the echo of the pulse to return to the emitting device; as, the radar showed a plane approaching rapidly.  For more information of radar, see the article What is Radar?.
[acronym]

2.
The method of detecting objects, finding their distance, or determining their speed, by use of a radar{1} device; as, modern radar can detect objects as small as raindrops.


word: Raddle
definition:
Raddle

Rad"dle
(răd"d'l)
n.
[Cf. G. räder, rädel, sieve, or perhaps E. reed.]
1.
A long, flexible stick, rod, or branch, which is interwoven with others, between upright posts or stakes, in making a kind of hedge or fence.

2.
A hedge or fence made with raddles; -- called also raddle hedge.
Todd.

3.
An instrument consisting of a wooden bar, with a row of upright pegs set in it, used by domestic weavers to keep the warp of a proper width, and prevent tangling when it is wound upon the beam of the loom.


word: Raddle₂
definition:
Raddle

Rad"dle
(răd"d'l)
v. t.
To interweave or twist together.

Raddling or working it up like basket work.
De Foe.


word: Raddle₃
definition:
Raddle

Rad"dle
(răd"d'l)
n.
[Cf. Ruddle.]
A red pigment used in marking sheep, and in some mechanical processes; ruddle.
raddle
Thackeray.


word: Radeau
definition:
Radeau

Ra`deau"
(rȧ`d&omacr")
n.
[F.]
A float; a raft.

Three vessels under sail, and one at anchor, above Split Rock, and behind it the radeau Thunderer.
W. Irving.


word: Radial
definition:
Radial

Ra"di*al
(rā"dĭ*al)
a.
[Cf. F. radial. See Radius.]
Of or pertaining to a radius or ray; consisting of, or like, radii or rays; radiated; as, (Bot.) radial projections; (Zool.) radial vessels or canals; (Anat.) the radial artery.

Radial symmetry. (Biol.) See under Symmetry.


word: Radiale
definition:
Radiale

Ra`di*a"le
(rā`dĭ*ā"le̝)
n.
pl. Radialia (rā`dĭ*ā"lĭ*ȧ).
[NL. See Radial.]
1.
(Anat.)
The bone or cartilage of the carpus which articulates with the radius and corresponds to the scaphoid bone in man.

2.
pl.
(Zool.)
Radial plates in the calyx of a crinoid.


word: Radial engine
definition:
Radial engine

Radial engine
(Mach.)
An engine, usually an internal-combustion engine of a certain type (the radial type) having several cylinders arranged radially like the spokes of a complete wheel. The semiradial engine has radiating cylinders on only one side of the crank shaft.


word: Radial tire
definition:
Radial tire

Radial tire
(Automobiles)
a motor vehicle tire in which the cords run at right angles to the plane of the tire (considered as a disk).


word: Radian
definition:
Radian

Ra"di*an
(rā"dĭ*an)
n.
[From Radius.]
(Math.)
An arc of a circle which is equal to the radius, or the angle measured by such an arc.


word: Radiancy
definition:
Radiancy

Radiance

{ Ra"di*ance (rā"dĭ*ans), Ra"di*an*cy (rā"dĭ*an*s&ybreve_;), }
n.
The quality of being radiant; brilliancy; effulgence; vivid brightness; as, the radiance of the sun.

Girt with omnipotence, with radiance crowned.
Milton.

What radiancy of glory,
What light beyond compare !
Neale.


word: Radiant
definition:
Radiant

Ra"di*ant
(rā"dĭ*ant)
a.
[L. radians, -antis, p. pr. of radiare to emit rays or beams, fr. radius ray: cf. F. radiant. See Radius, Ray a divergent line.]
1.
Emitting or proceeding as from a center; resembling rays; radiating; radiate.

2.
Especially, emitting or darting rays of light or heat; issuing in beams or rays; beaming with brightness; emitting a vivid light or splendor; as, the radiant sun.

Mark what radiant state she spreads.
Milton.

3.
Beaming with vivacity and happiness; as, a radiant face.

4.
(Her.)
Giving off rays; -- said of a bearing; as, the sun radiant; a crown radiant.

5.
(Bot.)
Having a raylike appearance, as the large marginal flowers of certain umbelliferous plants; -- said also of the cluster which has such marginal flowers.

6.
(Physics)
Emitted or transmitted by radiation; as, a radiant energy; radiant heat.

Radiant energy (Physics), energy given out or transmitted by radiation, as in the case of light and radiant heat. -- Radiant heat, heat proceeding in right lines, or directly from the heated body, after the manner of light, in distinction from heat conducted or carried by intervening media. -- Radiant point. (Astron.) See Radiant, n., 3.


word: Radiant₂
definition:
Radiant

Ra"di*ant
n.
1.
(Opt.)
The luminous point or object from which light emanates; also, a body radiating light brightly.

2.
(Geom.)
A straight line proceeding from a given point, or fixed pole, about which it is conceived to revolve.

3.
(Astron.)
The point in the heavens at which the apparent paths of shooting stars meet, when traced backward, or whence they appear to radiate.


word: Radiata
definition:
Radiata

Ra`di*a"ta
(rā"dĭ*ā"tȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. radiatus, p. p. See Radiate.]
(Zool.)
An extensive artificial group of invertebrates, having all the parts arranged radially around the vertical axis of the body, and the various organs repeated symmetrically in each ray or spheromere.

&hand_; It includes the cœlenterates and the echinoderms. Formerly, the group was supposed to be a natural one, and was considered one of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.


word: Radiate
definition:
Radiate

Ra"di*ate
(rā"dĭ*āt)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Radiated (rā"dĭ*ā`tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Radiating.]
[L. radiatus, p. p. of radiare to furnish with spokes or rays, to radiate, fr. radius ray. See Radius, Ray a divergent line.]
1.
To emit rays; to be radiant; to shine.

Virtues shine more clear
In them [kings], and radiate like the sun at noon.
Howell.

2.
To proceed in direct lines from a point or surface; to issue in rays, as light or heat.

Light radiates from luminous bodies directly to our eyes.
Locke.


word: Radiate₂
definition:
Radiate

Ra"di*ate
v. t.
1.
To emit or send out in direct lines from a point or points; as, to radiate heat.

2.
To enlighten; to illuminate; to shed light or brightness on; to irradiate.
[R.]


word: Radiate₃
definition:
Radiate

Ra"di*ate
(rā"dĭ*a̝t)
a.
[L. radiatus, p. p.]
1.
Having rays or parts diverging from a center; radiated; as, a radiate crystal.

2.
(Bot.)
Having in a capitulum large ray florets which are unlike the disk florets, as in the aster, daisy, etc.

3.
(Zool.)
Belonging to the Radiata.


word: Radiated
definition:
Radiated

Ra"di*a`ted
(rā"dĭ*ā`tĕd)
a.
1.
Emitted, or sent forth, in rays or direct lines; as, radiated heat.

2.
Formed of, or arranged like, rays or radii; having parts or markings diverging, like radii, from a common center or axis; as, a radiated structure; a radiated group of crystals.

3.
(Zool.)
Belonging to the Radiata.


word: Radiately
definition:
Radiately

Ra"di*ate*ly
(rā"dĭ*a̝t*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
In a radiate manner; with radiation or divergence from a center.


word: Radiate-veined
definition:
Radiate-veined

Ra"di*ate-veined`
(rā"dĭ*a̝t-vānd`)
a.
(Bot.)
Having the principal veins radiating, or diverging, from the apex of the petiole; -- said of such leaves as those of the grapevine, most maples, and the castor-oil plant.


word: Radiatiform
definition:
Radiatiform

Ra`di*at"i*form
(rā`dĭ*ăt"ĭ*fôrm)
a.
(Bot.)
Having the marginal florets enlarged and radiating but not ligulate, as in the capitula or heads of the cornflower.
Gray.


word: Radiation
definition:
Radiation

Ra`di*a"tion
(rā`dĭ*ā"shŭn)
n.
[L. radiatio: cf. F. radiation.]
1.
The act of radiating, or the state of being radiated; emission and diffusion of rays of light; beamy brightness.

2.
The shooting forth of anything from a point or surface, like the diverging rays of light; as, the radiation of heat.


word: Radiator
definition:
Radiator

Ra"di*a`tor
(rā"dĭ*ā`tẽr)
n.
1.
That which radiates or emits rays, whether of light or heat; especially, that part of a heating apparatus from which the heat is radiated or diffused; as, a steam radiator.

2.
Any of various devices for cooling an internal substance by radiation, as a system of rings on a gun barrel for cooling it, or a nest of tubes with large radiating surface for cooling circulating water, as in an automobile.

3.
(Wireless Teleg.)
An oscillator.


word: Radical
definition:
Radical

Rad"i*cal
(răd"ĭ*kal)
a.
[F., fr. L. radicalis having roots, fr. radix, -icis, a root. See Radix.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the root; proceeding directly from the root.

2.
Hence: Of or pertaining to the root or origin; reaching to the center, to the foundation, to the ultimate sources, to the principles, or the like; original; fundamental; thorough-going; unsparing; extreme; as, radical evils; radical reform; a radical party.

The most determined exertions of that authority, against them, only showed their radical independence.
Burke.

3.
(Bot.)
(a)
Belonging to, or proceeding from, the root of a plant; as, radical tubers or hairs.
(b)
Proceeding from a rootlike stem, or one which does not rise above the ground; as, the radical leaves of the dandelion and the sidesaddle flower.

4.
(Philol.)
Relating, or belonging, to the root, or ultimate source of derivation; as, a radical verbal form.

5.
(Math.)
Of or pertaining to a radix or root; as, a radical quantity; a radical sign. See below.

Radical axis of two circles. (Geom.) See under Axis. -- Radical pitch, the pitch or tone with which the utterance of a syllable begins. Rush. -- Radical quantity (Alg.), a quantity to which the radical sign is prefixed; specifically, a quantity which is not a perfect power of the degree indicated by the radical sign; a surd. -- Radical sign (Math.), the sign √ (originally the letter r, the initial of radix, root), placed before any quantity, denoting that its root is to be extracted; thus, √a, or √(a + b). To indicate any other than the square root, a corresponding figure is placed over the sign; thus, &cuberoot_;a, indicates the third or cube root of a. -- Radical stress (Elocution), force of utterance falling on the initial part of a syllable or sound. -- Radical vessels (Anat.), minute vessels which originate in the substance of the tissues.


word: Radical₂
definition:
Radical

Rad"i*cal
(răd"ĭ*kal)
n.
1.
(Philol.)
(a)
A primitive word; a radix, root, or simple, underived, uncompounded word; an etymon.
(b)
A primitive letter; a letter that belongs to the radix.

The words we at present make use of, and understand only by common agreement, assume a new air and life in the understanding, when you trace them to their radicals, where you find every word strongly stamped with nature; full of energy, meaning, character, painting, and poetry.
Cleland.

2.
(Politics)
One who advocates radical changes in government or social institutions, especially such changes as are intended to level class inequalities; -- opposed to conservative.

In politics they [the Independents] were, to use the phrase of their own time, “Root-and-Branch men,” or, to use the kindred phrase of our own, Radicals.
Macaulay.

3.
(Chem.)
(a)
A characteristic, essential, and fundamental constituent of any compound; hence, sometimes, an atom.

As a general rule, the metallic atoms are basic radicals, while the nonmetallic atoms are acid radicals.
J. P. Cooke.

4.
(Alg.)
A radical quantity. See under Radical, a.

An indicated root of a perfect power of the degree indicated is not a radical but a rational quantity under a radical form.
Davies & Peck (Math. Dict.)

5.
(Anat.)
A radical vessel. See under Radical, a.


word: Radicalism
definition:
Radicalism

Rad"i*cal*ism
(răd"ĭ*kal*ĭz'm)
n.
[Cf. F. radicalisme.]
The quality or state of being radical; specifically, the doctrines or principles of radicals in politics or social reform.

Radicalism means root work; the uprooting of all falsehoods and abuses.
F. W. Robertson.


word: Radicality
definition:
Radicality

Rad`i*cal"i*ty
(răd`ĭ*kăl"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
1.
Germinal principle; source; origination.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
Radicalness; relation to a root in essential nature or principle.


word: Radically
definition:
Radically

Rad"i*cal*ly
(răd"ĭ*kal*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
1.
In a radical manner; at, or from, the origin or root; fundamentally; as, a scheme or system radically wrong or defective.

2.
Without derivation; primitively; essentially.
[R.]

These great orbs thus radically bright.
Prior.


word: Radicant
definition:
Radicant

Rad"i*cant
(răd"ĭ*kant)
a.
[L. radicans, p. pr.: cf. F. radicant. See Radicate, a.]
(Bot.)
Taking root on, or above, the ground; rooting from the stem, as the trumpet creeper and the ivy.


word: Radicate
definition:
Radicate

Rad"i*cate
(răd"ĭ*ka̝t)
a.
[L. radicatus, p. p. of radicari to take root, fr. radix. See Radix.]
Radicated.


word: Radicate₃
definition:
Radicate

Rad"i*cate
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Radicated (răd"ĭ*kā`tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Radicating.]
To cause to take root; to plant deeply and firmly; to root.

Time should . . . rather confirm and radicate in us the remembrance of God's goodness.
Barrow.


word: Radicated
definition:
Radicated

Rad"i*ca`ted
(răd"ĭ*kā`tĕd)
a.
Rooted
(a)
(Bot.)
Having roots, or possessing a well-developed root.
(b)
(Zool.)
Having rootlike organs for attachment.


word: Radication
definition:
Radication

Rad`i*ca"tion
(răd"ĭ*kā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. radication.]
1.
The process of taking root, or state of being rooted; as, the radication of habits.

2.
(Bot.)
The disposition of the roots of a plant.


word: Radiciflorous
definition:
Radiciflorous

Ra*dic`i*flo"rous
(rȧ*dĭs`ĭ*fl&omacr"rŭs)
a.
[L. radix, -icis, root + flos, floris, a flower.]
(Bot.)
Rhizanthous.


word: Radiciform
definition:
Radiciform

Ra*dic"i*form
(rȧ*dĭs"ĭ*fôm)
a.
(Bot.)
Having the nature or appearance of a radix or root.


word: Radicle
definition:
Radicle

Rad"i*cle
(răd"ĭ*k'l)
n.
[L. radicula, dim. of radix, -icis, root: cf. F. radicule. See Radix.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The rudimentary stem of a plant which supports the cotyledons in the seed, and from which the root is developed downward; the stem of the embryo; the caulicle.
(b)
A rootlet; a radicel.


word: Radicular
definition:
Radicular

Ra*dic"u*lar
(rȧ*dĭk"&uuptack_;*lẽr)
a.
Of or pertaining to roots, or the root of a plant.


word: Radiculose
definition:
Radiculose

Ra*dic"u*lose`
(rȧ*dĭk"&uuptack_;*l&omacrs`)
a.
(Bot.)
Producing numerous radicles, or rootlets.


word: Radio-
definition:
Radio-

Ra"di*o-
(rā"dĭ*o̝-)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to, or employing, or operated by, radiant energy, specifically that of electromagnetic waves with frequencies between those of infrared radiation and X-rays; hence, pertaining to, or employed in, broadcast radio or television, microwaves, radiotelephones, etc.; as, radio waves.

2.
of or pertaining to broadcast radio; as, a radio program.


word: Radio-₂
definition:
Radio-

Ra"di*o-
(rā"dĭ*o̝-)
A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, a radius or ray; specifically (Anat.), with the radius of the forearm; as, radio-ulnar, radio-muscular, radio-carpal.


word: radioactive
definition:
radioactive

ra`di*o*ac"tive
(rā`dĭ*o̝*ăk"tĭv)
a.
[Radio- + active.]
1.
(Physics)
Capable of luminescence under the action of cathode rays, X rays, or any of the allied forms of radiation.
[obsolete]

2.
(Physics)
of, exhibiting, or caused by radioactivity.


word: radioactivity
definition:
radioactivity

ra`di*o*ac*tiv"i*ty
(rā`dĭ*o̝*ăk*tĭv"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
(Physics)
a form of instability which is a property of the atomic nuclei of certain isotopes, which causes a spontaneous change in the structure of the nucleus, accompanied by emission of energetic radiation.  The radiation emitted is usually sufficient to cause ionization in matter through which it passes, and is therefore called ionizing radiation.  The radiation emitted by most radioactive substances is one of three types: alpha rays, beta rays, or gamma rays.  Some chemical elements have no stable isotopes, and these are referred to as radioactive elements, and the element itself is said to possess radioactivity.
The changes in radioactive nuclei which cause radiation in most cases cause the chemical identity of the nucleus itself to change, as when tritium (an isotope of hydrogen) emits a beta ray and converts to helium.  The radioactive decay process is a first-order reaction, and the rate of decay of a particular isotope can therefore be expressed as the half life of the isotope, which is the time it takes for one half of the remaining undecayed isotope to decay, and is a constant independent of the proportion of original material which has already decayed.  The half life of tritium, for example, is 12.3 years.


word: Radioconductor
definition:
Radioconductor

Ra`di*o*con*duc"tor
(rā`dĭ*o̝*k&obreve_;n*dŭk"tẽr)
n.
(Elec.)
A substance or device that has its conductivity altered in some way by electric waves, as a coherer.


word: Radio-flagellata
definition:
Radio-flagellata

Ra`di*o-flag`el*la"ta
(rā`dĭ*o̝*flăj`ĕl*lā"tȧ)
n. pl.
[NL. See Radiate, and Flagellata.]
(Zool.)
A group of Protozoa having both flagella and pseudopodia.


word: radiograph
definition:
radiograph

ra"di*o*graph
(rā"dĭ*o̝*grăf)
n.
[Radio- + -graph.]
1.
An instrument for measuring and recording solar radiation.

2.
An image or picture produced upon a sensitive surface, as of a photographic or fluorescent plate, by some form of penetrating radiation other than light, as X-rays, beta rays, etc.; esp., a picture of the internal structure of opaque objects traversed by the rays; a skiagraph.  When the picture is produced upon photographic film by X-rays, the picture is usually called an X-ray photo or X-ray.  When an image is produced on photographic film by a radioactive substance in close proximity to the film, in a manner so as to record the spatial distribution of the radioactive substance, the resulting image is called an autoradiograph or autoradiogram.


word: radiograph₂
definition:
radiograph

ra"di*o*graph
(rā"dĭ*o̝*grăf)
v. t.
To make a radiograph of.
ra`di*og"ra*pher (rā`dĭ*&obreve_;g"rȧ*fẽr), n.


word: radiography
definition:
radiography

ra`di*og"ra*phy
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;g"rȧ*f&ybreve_;)
n.
Art or process of making radiographs, radiograms, or autoradiograms.
ra`di*o*graph"ic (rā`dĭ*o̝*grăf"ĭk), ra`di*o*graph"ic*al (rā`dĭ*o̝*grăf"ĭ*kal), a. -- Ra`di*o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Radiolaria
definition:
Radiolaria

Ra`di*o*la"ri*a
(rā`dĭ*o̝*lā"rĭ*ȧ)
n. pl.
[NL. See Radioli.]
(Zool.)
Order of rhizopods, usually having a siliceous skeleton, or shell, and sometimes radiating spicules. The pseudopodia project from the body like rays. It includes the polycystines. See Polycystina.


word: Radiolarian
definition:
Radiolarian

Ra`di*o*la"ri*an
(rā`dĭ*o̝*lā"rĭ*an)
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Radiolaria.
n. One of the Radiolaria.


word: Radioli
definition:
Radioli

Ra*di"o*li
(rȧ*dī"o̝*lī)
n. pl.
sing. Radiolus (rȧ*dī"o̝*lŭs)
[NL., dim. of L. radius radius: cf. L. radiolus a feeble sunbeam.]
(Zool.)
The barbs of the radii of a feather; barbules.


word: Radiolite
definition:
Radiolite

Ra"di*o*lite
(rā"dĭ*o̝*līt)
n.
[L. radius ray + -lite: cf. F. radiolithe.]
(Paleon.)
A hippurite.


word: Radiometer
definition:
Radiometer

Ra`di*om"e*ter
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;m"e̝*tẽr)
n.
[L. radius radius + -meter: cf. F. radiomètre.]
1.
(Naut.)
A forestaff.

2.
(Physics)
An instrument designed for measuring the mechanical effect of radiant energy.

&hand_; It consists of a number of light disks, blackened on one side, placed at the ends of extended arms, supported on a pivot in an exhausted glass vessel. When exposed to rays of light or heat, the arms rotate.


word: Radiometry
definition:
Radiometry

Ra`di*om"e*try
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;m"e̝*tr&ybreve_;)
n.
(Physics)
The use of the radiometer, or the measurement of radiation.
Ra`di*o*met"ric (rā`dĭ*o̝*mĕt"rĭk), a.


word: Radiomicrometer
definition:
Radiomicrometer

Ra`di*o*mi*crom"e*ter
(rā`dĭ*o̝*mi̝*kr&obreve_;m"e̝*tẽr)
n.
[Radio- + micrometer.]
(Physics)
A very sensitive modification or application of the thermopile, used for indicating minute changes of radiant heat, or temperature.


word: Radiophare
definition:
Radiophare

Ra"di*o*phare
(rā"dĭ*o̝*fâr)
n.
[Radio- + phare.]
A radiotelegraphic station serving solely for determining the position of ships. The radius of operation of such stations was restricted by the International Radiotelegraphic Convention (1912) to 30 nautical miles.


word: Radiophone
definition:
Radiophone

Ra"di*o*phone
(rā"dĭ*o̝*f&omacrn)
n.
[Radio- + Gr. fwnh` sound.]
1.
(Physics)
An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of luminous or thermal rays. It is essentially the same as the photophone.

2.
a telephone using radio waves, rather than wires, to convey the voice signal.


word: Radiophony
definition:
Radiophony

Ra`di*oph"o*ny
(rā`dĭ*o̝*&obreve_;f"o̝*n&ybreve_;)
n.
(Physics)
The art or practice of using the radiophone.


word: Radiopticon
definition:
Radiopticon

Ra`di*op"ti*con
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;p"tĭ*k&obreve_;n)
n.
[Radio- + stereopticon.]
See Projector, above.


word: Radioscopy
definition:
Radioscopy

Ra`di*os"co*py
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;s"ko̝*p&ybreve_;)
n.
[Radio- + -scopy.]
Direct observation of objects opaque to light by means of some other form of radiant energy, as x-rays.
Ra`di*o*scop"ic (rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*sk&obreve_;p"ĭk), Ra`di*o*scop"ic*al (rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*sk&obreve_;p"ĭ*kal), a.


word: Radiotelegram
definition:
Radiotelegram

Ra`di*o*tel"e*gram
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*tĕl"e̝*grăm)
n.
A message transmitted by radiotelegraph.


word: Radiotelegraph
definition:
Radiotelegraph

Ra`di*o*tel"e*graph
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*tĕl"e̝*grăf)
n.
[Radio- + telegraph.]
A wireless telegraph.


word: Radiotelegraphic
definition:
Radiotelegraphic

Ra`di*o*tel`e*graph"ic
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*tĕl`e̝*grăf"ĭk)
a.
Of or pertaining to radiotelegraphy; employing, or used or employed in, radiotelegraphy.


word: Radiotelegraphy
definition:
Radiotelegraphy

Ra`di*o*te*leg"ra*phy
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*tĕ*lĕg"rȧ*f&ybreve_;)
n.
[Radio- + telegraphy.]
Telegraphy using the radiant energy of radio waves; wireless telegraphy; -- the term adopted for use by the Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1912.


word: Radiotelephone
definition:
Radiotelephone

Ra`di*o*tel"e*phone
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*tĕl"e̝*f&omacrn)
n.
A wireless telephone, in which the signal is conveyed by radio waves.
Ra`di*o*te*leph"o*ny (#), n.


word: Radiotherapy
definition:
Radiotherapy

Ra`di*o*ther"a*py
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*thĕr"ȧ*p&ybreve_;)
n.
[Radio- + therapy.]
(Med.)
Treatment of disease by means of x-rays or radioactivity.  Radiotherapy of cancer is based on the fact that cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than most other cells in the body.


word: radiothorium
definition:
radiothorium

ra`di*o*tho"ri*um
(rā`dĭ*&obreve_;*thôr"ē*ŭm)
n.
(Chem.)
an earlier name for the thorium isotope thorium-228, given by its discoverer Otto Hahn.  It is a radioactive substance formed as one of series of products in the chain of radioactive decay of thorium.  Its immediate predecessor in the chain is Actinium-228, and it decays by alpha emission to radium-224 with a half-life of 1.91 years.  The name radiothorium was given prior to the full understanding of the nature of isotopes of elements.


word: radious
definition:
radious

ra"di*ous
(rā"dĭ*ŭs)
a.
[L. radiosus.]
1.
Consisting of rays, as light.
[R.]
Berkeley.

2.
Radiating; radiant.
[Obs.]
G. Fletcher.


word: Radish
definition:
Radish

Rad"ish
(răd"ĭsh)
n.
[F. radis; cf. It. radice, Pr. raditz: all fr. L. radix, -icis, a root, an edible root, especially a radish, akin to E. wort. See Wort, and cf. Eradicate, Race a root, Radix.]
(Bot.)
The pungent fleshy root of a well-known cruciferous plant (Raphanus sativus); also, the whole plant.

Radish fly (Zool.), a small two-winged fly (Anthomyia raphani) whose larvae burrow in radishes. It resembles the onion fly. -- Rat-tailed radish (Bot.), an herb (Raphanus caudatus) having a long, slender pod, which is sometimes eaten. -- Wild radish (Bot.), the jointed charlock.


word: Radium
definition:
Radium

Ra`di*um
(rā"dĭ*ŭm)
n.
[NL., fr. L. radius ray.]
(Chem.)
An intensely radioactive metallic element found (combined) in minute quantities in pitchblende, and various other uranium minerals. Symbol, Ra; atomic weight, 226.4.  Radium was discovered by M. and Mme. Curie, of Paris, who in 1902 separated compounds of it by a tedious process from pitchblende.  Its compounds color flames carmine and give a characteristic spectrum.  It is divalent, resembling barium chemically.  The main isotope of radium found in pitchblende, radium-226, has a half-life of 1620 years, decaying first by alpha emission to radon.
Radium preparations are remarkable for maintaining themselves at a higher temperature than their surroundings, and for their radiations, which are of three kinds: alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays (see these terms). The beta and gamma rays seen in radium preparations are in fact due to disintegration of decay products of radium rather than the radium itself.  By reason of these rays they ionize gases, affect photographic plates, cause sores on the skin, and produce many other striking effects. Their degree of activity depends on the proportion of radium present, but not on its state of chemical combination or on external conditions.  The radioactivity of radium is therefore an atomic property, and is due to an inherent instability of the atomic nucleus which causes its decay in a process whose rate is first order. The disintegration of the radium nucleus is only the first in a series of nuclear disintegrations leading to production of a series of elements and isotopes.  The chain has at least seven stages; the successive main products have been studied and are radon, a gaseous radioactive element belonging chemically to the inert noble gas series (originally called  radium emanation or exradio, radium A, radium B, radium C, etc.  The successive products are unstable isotopes of several different elements, each with an atomic weight a little lower than its predecessor. Lead is the stable end product. At the same time, the light gas helium is formed, being generated when the expelled alpha particles (positively charged helium nuclei) acquire electrons.  Radium, in turn, is formed in the pitchblende ore by a slow disintegration of uranium.  Natural radium and also an isotope (radium-228, also called mesothorium I) formed by the decay of thorium, were at one time used to make a luminous paint for watch dials, until the danger of the radioactivity became fully appreciated, and use of such material in watches was discontinued.  See also mesothorium.


word: Radius
definition:
Radius

Ra"di*us
(rā"dĭ*ŭs)
n.
pl. L. Radii (rā"dĭ*ī); E. Radiuses (rā"dĭ*ŭs*ĕz).
[L., a staff, rod, spoke of a wheel, radius, ray. See Ray a divergent line.]
1.
(Geom.)
A right line drawn or extending from the center of a circle to the periphery; the semidiameter of a circle or sphere.

2.
(Anat.)
The preaxial bone of the forearm, or brachium, corresponding to the tibia of the hind limb. See Illust. of Artiodactyla.

&hand_; The radius is on the same side of the limb as the thumb, or pollex, and in man it is so articulated that its lower end is capable of partial rotation about the ulna.

3.
(Bot.)
A ray, or outer floret, of the capitulum of such plants as the sunflower and the daisy. See Ray, 2.

4.
pl.
(Zool.)
(a)
The barbs of a perfect feather.
(b)
Radiating organs, or color-markings, of the radiates.

5.
The movable limb of a sextant or other angular instrument.
Knight.

Radius bar (Mach.), a bar pivoted at one end, about which it swings, and having its other end attached to a piece which it causes to move in a circular arc. -- Radius of curvature. See under Curvature.


word: Radius vector
definition:
Radius vector

Ra"di*us vec"tor
(vĕk"t&obreve_;r)
1.
(Math.)
A straight line (or the length of such line) connecting any point, as of a curve, with a fixed point, or pole, round which the straight line turns, and to which it serves to refer the successive points of a curve, in a system of polar coordinates. See Coordinate, n.

2.
(Astron.)
An ideal straight line joining the center of an attracting body with that of a body describing an orbit around it, as a line joining the sun and a planet or comet, or a planet and its satellite.


word: Radix
definition:
Radix

Ra"dix
(rā"dĭks)
n.
pl. L. Radices (răd"ĭ*sēz), E. Radixes (rā"dĭks*ĕz).
[L. radix, -icis, root. See Radish.]
1.
(Philol.)
A primitive word, from which spring other words; a radical; a root; an etymon.

2.
(Math.)
(a)
A number or quantity which is arbitrarily made the fundamental number of any system; a base. Thus, 10 is the radix, or base, of the common system of logarithms, and also of the decimal system of numeration.
(b)
(Alg.)
A finite expression, from which a series is derived.
[R.]
Hutton.

3.
(Bot.)
The root of a plant.


word: Radon
definition:
Radon

Ra"don
(rā"d&obreve_;n)
n.
(Chem.)
An intensely radioactive gaseous element produced by the radioactive decay of radium-226, which is the main isotope of radium found in pitchblende.  Chemically it is an inert noble gas.  Its atomic symbol is Rn. It has an atomic number of 86.  The radon isotope produced by decay of radium has an atomic weight of 222.017, and this isotope decays by alpha emission with a half-life of 3.82 days.  Numerous other isotopes have been observed, all radioactive and all having half-lives shorter than that of radon-222.  Radon was discovered by M. and Mme. Curie, of Paris, in their studies of the radioactive substances in pitchblende.  Radon was originally called  radium emanation or exradio.


word: Radula
definition:
Radula

Rad"u*la
(răd"&uuptack_;*lȧ)
n.
pl. Radulae (răd"&uuptack_;*lē).
[L., a scraper, fr. radere to scrape.]
(Zool.)
The chitinous ribbon bearing the teeth of mollusks; -- called also lingual ribbon, and tongue. See Odontophore.


word: Raduliform
definition:
Raduliform

Ra*du"li*form
(rȧ*dū"lĭ*fôrm)
a.
[L. radula a scraper + -form.]
Rasplike; as, raduliform teeth.


word: Raff
definition:
Raff

Raff
(rȧf)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Raffed (rȧft); p. pr. & vb. n. Raffing.]
[OF. raffer, of German origin; cf. G. raffen; akin to E. rap to snatch. See Rap, and cf. Riffraff, Rip to tear.]
To sweep, snatch, draw, or huddle together; to take by a promiscuous sweep.
[Obs.]

Causes and effects which I thus raff up together.
Carew.


word: Raff₂
definition:
Raff

Raff
n.
1.
A promiscuous heap; a jumble; a large quantity; lumber; refuse.
raff
Barrow.

2.
The sweepings of society; the rabble; the mob; -- chiefly used in the compound or duplicate, riffraff.

3.
A low fellow; a churl.

Raff merchant, a dealer in lumber and odd refuse. [Prov. Eng.]


word: Raffia
definition:
Raffia

Raf"fi*a
(răf"fĭ*ȧ)
n.
(Bot.)
A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from the leaves of a palm tree of the genus Raphia.
J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).


word: Raffia palm
definition:
Raffia palm

Raf"fi*a palm
(răf"fĭ*ȧ päm`)
(a)
A pinnate-leaved palm (Raphia ruffia) native of Madagascar, and of considerable economic importance on account of the strong fiber (raffia) obtained from its leafstalks.
(b)
The jupati palm.


word: Raffinose
definition:
Raffinose

Raf"fi*nose`
(răf"fĭ*n&omacrs`)
n.
[F. raffiner to refine.]
(Chem.)
A colorless crystalline slightly sweet substance obtained from the molasses of the sugar beet.


word: Raffish
definition:
Raffish

Raff"ish
(rȧf"ĭsh)
a.
Resembling, or having the character of, raff, or a raff; worthless; low.

A sad, raffish, disreputable character.
Thackeray.

2.
Mildly disreputable; disregarding conventional morality; charmingly dissolute{3} or nonconformist.

Tales of his [Ted Kennedy's] drinking and raffish behavior have become part of his public persona, often lumped under a vaster damnation known as “the character issue”.
. . .
He appears to compartmentalize his off-duty conduct and his Senate responsibilities; during dozens of interviews for this article, with friends and foes, not one could cite an instance in which drinking appeared to impair him professionally.  His adversaries grumble about it anyway; friends portray it as relatively harmless and charming.

Orrin Hatch, the conservative Utah Republican who is also a Mormon, tells this story with what he describes as “a tremendous brotherly affection.”   Two days before the Senate adjourned in October 1988, Hatch took a call from Frank Madsen, a former aide who had moved to Boston to supervise 200 young Mormon missionaries.  Would Hatch come speak to them? Would he bring Kennedy?  Would he ask Kennedy to reserve Faneuil Hall for the event?

With some misgivings, Hatch agreed to try.  Shortly before midnight, he found Kennedy and Chris Dodd in the Capitol.  Neither was feeling any pain.

“Ted, I've got a favor to ask.”

Kennedy wrapped an arm around Hatch. “Done!”

Hatch held up a restraining hand. “No, hear me out. You remember my aide, Frank Madsen -- ”

“Great fellow! Great fellow!”

“He's now in Boston -- ”

“My home town! My home town!”

Hatch eventually made his request.  Kennedy assented.  Hatch returned to his office, typed out the agreement and sent it to Kennedy's office.  The next day, Hatch spied Kennedy reading the memo. “Orrin,” Kennedy called in mock horror, “what else did I agree to?”  Three months later, in January 1989, Hatch and Kennedy stood elbow-to-elbow in Faneuil Hall, addressing the Mormon missionaries.
Rick Atkinson, Washington Post, Sept. 29, 1990

3.
Dissolute; rakish.

   Of all such places, Santa Fe may well be the least raffish.  At least in the off-season, it's a town that goes to bed early, showing all the prudent reserve of a city of bankers and claims adjusters.  In the historic center, a visitor searches in vain for tawdry traces of the hard-drinking, wild-womanizing, heavy-gambling cowboy town this once must have been.
Brad Leithauser (“Santa Fe”, in New York Times Magazine / May 13, 2001).

   Over the years, it [Macau] has maintained a downright raffish atmosphere, complete with warring gangsters.
Yvette Ziols.

4.
Vulgarly gaudy; cheap and tawdry; as, a tendency toward gaudy jewelry, bright colors and generally raffish dress.

   A lonely orphan, Lilli, lands a job with a raffish and run-down carnival.  The wide-eyed and innocent orphan is mesmerized by its gritty, tawdry glamour.
Anonymous review of the play Carnival (http://www.kt-online.org/plays/02-carnival-frame.html)

4.
Appealing to or frequented by dissolute or disreputable people; as, a raffish night club.


word: Raffle
definition:
Raffle

Raf"fle
(răf"f'l)
n.
[F. rafle; faire rafle to sweep stakes, fr. rafler to carry or sweep away, rafler tout to sweep stakes; of German origin; cf. G. raffeln to snatch up, to rake. See Raff, v.]
1.
A kind of lottery, in which several persons pay, in shares, the value of something put up as a stake, and then determine by chance (as by casting dice) which one of them shall become the sole possessor.

2.
A game of dice in which he who threw three alike won all the stakes.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.


word: Raffle₃
definition:
Raffle

Raf"fle
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Raffled (răf"f'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Raffling (răf"flĭng).]
To engage in a raffle; as, to raffle for a watch.


word: Raffle₄
definition:
Raffle

Raf"fle
v. t.
To dispose of by means of a raffle; -- often followed by off; as, to raffle off a horse.


word: Rafflesia
definition:
Rafflesia

Raf*fle"si*a
(răf*flē"zhĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL. Named from its discoverer, Sir S. Raffles.]
(Bot.)
A genus of stemless, leafless plants, living parasitically upon the roots and stems of grapevines in Malaysia. The flowers have a carrionlike odor, and are very large, in one species (Rafflesia Arnoldi) having a diameter of two or three feet.


word: Raft₂
definition:
Raft

Raft
n.
[Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. raptr a rafter; akin to Dan. raft, Prov. G. raff a rafter, spar; cf. OHG. rāfo, rāvo, a beam, rafter, Icel. rāf roof.  Cf. Rafter, n.]
1.
A collection of logs, boards, pieces of timber, or the like, fastened together, either for their own collective conveyance on the water, or to serve as a support in conveying other things; a float.

2.
A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is formed in some Western rivers of the United States), which obstructs navigation.
[U.S.]

3.
[Perhaps akin to raff a heap.]
A large collection of people or things taken indiscriminately.
[Slang, U. S.]
raft
W. D. Howells.

Raft bridge. (a) A bridge whose points of support are rafts. (b) A bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened together. -- Raft duck. [The name alludes to its swimming in dense flocks.] (Zool.) (a) The bluebill, or greater scaup duck; -- called also flock duck. See Scaup. (b) The redhead. -- Raft port (Naut.), a large, square port in a vessel's side for loading or unloading timber or other bulky articles; a timber or lumber port.


word: Raft₃
definition:
Raft

Raft
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rafting.]
To transport on a raft, or in the form of a raft; to make into a raft; as, to raft timber.


word: Rafter₂
definition:
Rafter

Raft"er
n.
[AS. ræfter; akin to E. raft, n. See Raft.]
(Arch.)
Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post.

[Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls.
Milton.


word: Rafter₃
definition:
Rafter

Raft"er
v. t.
1.
To make into rafters, as timber.

2.
To furnish with rafters, as a house.

3.
(Agric.)
To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge.
[Eng.]


word: Rag
definition:
Rag

Rag
(răg)
v. t.
[Cf. Icel. rægja to calumniate, OHG. ruogen to accuse, G. rügen to censure, AS. wrēgan, Goth. wr&omacrhjan to accuse.]
To scold or rail at; to rate; to tease; to torment; to banter.
[Prov. Eng.]
Pegge.


word: Rag₂
definition:
Rag

Rag
n.
[OE. ragge, probably of Scand, origin; cf. Icel. rögg a tuft, shagginess, Sw. ragg rough hair.  Cf. Rug, n.]
1.
A piece of cloth torn off; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred; a tatter; a fragment.

Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tossed,
And fluttered into rags.
Milton.

Not having otherwise any rag of legality to cover the shame of their cruelty.
Fuller.

2.
pl.
Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.

And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.
Dryden.

3.
A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin.

The other zealous rag is the compositor.
B. Jonson.

Upon the proclamation, they all came in, both tag and rag.
Spenser.

4.
(Geol.)
A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture.

5.
(Metal Working)
A ragged edge.

6.
A sail, or any piece of canvas.
[Nautical Slang]

Our ship was a clipper with every rag set.
Lowell.

Rag bolt, an iron pin with barbs on its shank to retain it in place. -- Rag carpet, a carpet of which the weft consists of narrow strips of cloth sewed together, end to end. -- Rag dust, fine particles of ground-up rags, used in making papier-maché and wall papers. -- Rag wheel. (a) A chain wheel; a sprocket wheel. (b) A polishing wheel made of disks of cloth clamped together on a mandrel. -- Rag wool, wool obtained by tearing woolen rags into fine bits, shoddy.


word: Rag₃
definition:
Rag

Rag
(răg)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ragged (răgd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ragging (răg"gĭng).]
To become tattered.
[Obs.]


word: Rag₄
definition:
Rag

Rag
v. t.
1.
To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.

2.
To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.


word: Rag₅
definition:
Rag

Rag
v. t.
1.
(Music)
To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time.
[Colloq.]

2.
To dance to ragtime music, esp. in some manner considered indecorous.
[Colloq. or Slang]


word: Ragabrash
definition:
Ragabrash

Ragabash

{ Rag"a*bash` (răg"ȧ*băsh`), Rag"a*brash` (răg"ȧ*brăsh`), }
n.
An idle, ragged person.
Nares. Grose.


word: Ragamuffin
definition:
Ragamuffin

Rag`a*muf"fin
(răg`ȧ*mŭf"fĭn)
n.
[Cf. Ragamofin, the name of a demon in some of the old mysteries.]
1.
A paltry or disreputable fellow; a mean wretch.
Dryden.

2.
A person who wears ragged clothing.
[Colloq.]

3.
(Zool.)
The long-tailed titmouse.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Rage
definition:
Rage

Rage
(rāj)
n.
[F., fr. L. rabies, fr. rabere to rave; cf. Skr. rabh to seize, rabhas violence.  Cf. Rabid, Rabies, Rave.]
1.
Violent excitement; eager passion; extreme vehemence of desire, emotion, or suffering, mastering the will.
rage
Bacon.

He appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat.
Macaulay.

Convulsed with a rage of grief.
Hawthorne.

2.
Especially, anger accompanied with raving; overmastering wrath; violent anger; fury.

torment, and loud lament, and furious rage.
Milton.

3.
A violent or raging wind.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

4.
The subject of eager desire; that which is sought after, or prosecuted, with unreasonable or excessive passion; as, to be all the rage.


word: Rage₂
definition:
Rage

Rage
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Raged (rājd); p. pr. & vb. n. Raging (rā"jĭng).]
[OF. ragier. See Rage, n.]
1.
To be furious with anger; to be exasperated to fury; to be violently agitated with passion.
raged
Milton.

When one so great begins to rage, he is hunted
Even to falling.
Shak.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Dylan Thomas.

2.
To be violent and tumultuous; to be violently driven or agitated; to act or move furiously; as, the raging sea or winds.

Why do the heathen rage?
Ps. ii. 1.

The madding wheels
Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the noise.
Milton.

3.
To ravage; to prevail without restraint, or with destruction or fatal effect; as, the plague raged in Cairo.

4.
To toy or act wantonly; to sport.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Ragged
definition:
Ragged

Rag"ged
(răg"gĕd)
a.
[From Rag, n.]
1.
Rent or worn into tatters, or till the texture is broken; as, a ragged coat; a ragged sail.

2.
Broken with rough edges; having jags; uneven; rough; jagged; as, ragged rocks.

3.
Hence, harsh and disagreeable to the ear; dissonant.
[R.]
ragged
Herbert.

4.
Wearing tattered clothes; as, a ragged fellow.

5.
Rough; shaggy; rugged.

What shepherd owns those ragged sheep?
Dryden.

Ragged lady (Bot.), the fennel flower (Nigella Damascena). -- Ragged robin (Bot.), a plant of the genus Lychnis (Lychnis Flos-cuculi), cultivated for its handsome flowers, which have the petals cut into narrow lobes. -- Ragged sailor (Bot.), prince's feather (Polygonum orientale). -- Ragged school, a free school for poor children, where they are taught and in part fed; -- a name given at first because they came in their common clothing. [Eng.]


word: Raghuvansa
definition:
Raghuvansa

Ragh`u*van"sa
(rŭg`&usdot_;*vŭn"sȧ)
n.
[Skr. Raguva&msdot_;ça.]
A celebrated Sanskrit poem having for its subject the Raghu dynasty.


word: Raglan
definition:
Raglan

Rag"lan
(răg"lan)
n.
1.
A loose overcoat with large sleeves; -- named after Lord Raglan, an English general who was an aide-de-camp to Wellington at Waterlooo.

2.
An overcoat with raglan sleeves.


word: raglan sleeve
definition:
raglan sleeve

rag"lan sleeve`
(răg"lan slēv`)
n.
A sleeve joined to the body of a garment by a long slanting seam starting at the neck and continuing around the armhole.  Contrasted to a set-in sleeve.


word: Ragman₂
definition:
Ragman

Rag"man
n.
[See Ragman's roll.]
A document having many names or numerous seals, as a papal bull.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.


word: Ragman's roll
definition:
Ragman's roll

Rag"man's roll`
(răg"manz r&omacrl`)
[For ragman roll a long list of names, the devil's roll or list; where ragman is of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. ragmenni a craven person, Sw. raggen the devil. Icel. ragmenni is fr. ragr cowardly (another form of argr, akin to AS. earg cowardly, vile, G. arg bad) + menni (in comp.) man, akin to E. man. See Roll, and cf. Rigmarole.]
The rolls of deeds on parchment in which the Scottish nobility and gentry subscribed allegiance to Edward I. of England, A. D. 1296.
[Also written ragman-roll.]


word: Ragnarok
definition:
Ragnarok

Ragnarok

{ Rag"na*rok" (rȧ"nȧ*r&obreve_;k"), &VerbarRag"na*rök" (rȧ"nȧ*rûk") }
n.
[Icel., fr. regin, rögn, gods + rök reason, origin, history; confused with ragna-rökr the twilight of the gods.]
(Norse Myth.)
The so-called “Twilight of the Gods” (called in German Götterdämmerung), the final destruction of the world in the great conflict between the Aesir (gods) on the one hand, and on the other, the giants and the powers of Hel under the leadership of Loki (who is escaped from bondage).


word: Ragout
definition:
Ragout

Ra*gout"
(rȧ*gō")
n.
[F. ragoût, fr. ragoûter to restore one's appetite, fr. L. pref. re- re- + ad to + gustare to taste, gustus taste. See Gust relish.]
A dish made of pieces of meat, stewed, and highly seasoned; as, a ragout of mutton.


word: Ragpicker
definition:
Ragpicker

Rag"pick`er
(răg"pĭk`ẽr)
n.
One who gets a living by picking up rags and refuse things in the streets.


word: Ragtime
definition:
Ragtime

Rag"time`
n.
(Mus.)
a rhythm with a regular accompaniment in two-four time and a melody characterized by syncopation, first recognized in many negro melodies; also a style of American music in this rhythm.


word: Ragguled
definition:
Ragguled

Raguled

{ Ra*guled" (rȧ*gūld"), Rag*guled" (răg*gūld"), }
a.
[Cf. F. raguer to chafe, fret, rub, or E. rag.]
(Her.)
Notched in regular diagonal breaks; -- said of a line, or a bearing having such an edge.


word: Ragweed
definition:
Ragweed

Rag"weed`
(răg"wēd`)
n.
(Bot.)
A common American composite weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia) with finely divided leaves; hogweed.

Great ragweed, a coarse American herb (Ambrosia trifida), with rough three-lobed opposite leaves.


word: Ragwork
definition:
Ragwork

Rag"work`
(răg"wûrk`)
n.
(Masonry)
A kind of rubblework. In the United States, any rubblework of thin and small stones.


word: Ragwort
definition:
Ragwort

Rag"wort`
(răg"wûrt`)
n.
(Bot.)
A name given to several species of the composite genus Senecio.

&hand_; Senecio aureus is the golden ragwort of the United States; Senecio elegans is the purple ragwort of South Africa.


word: Raia
definition:
Raia

Ra"ia
(rā"yȧ)
n.
[L., a ray.  Cf. Ray the fish.]
(Zool.)
A genus of rays which includes the skates. See Skate.


word: Raiae
definition:
Raiae

Ra"iae
(rā"yē)
n. pl.
[NL. See Raia.]
(Zool.)
The order of elasmobranch fishes which includes the sawfishes, skates, and rays; -- called also Rajae, and Rajii.


word: Raid
definition:
Raid

Raid
(rād)
n.
[Icel. reið a riding, raid; akin to E. road. See Road a way.]
1.
A hostile or predatory incursion; an inroad or incursion of mounted men; a sudden and rapid invasion by a cavalry force; a foray.

Marauding chief! his sole delight
The moonlight raid, the morning fight.
Sir W. Scott.

There are permanent conquests, temporary occupations, and occasional raids.
H. Spenser.

&hand_; A Scottish word which came into common use in the United States during the Civil War, and was soon extended in its application.

2.
An attack or invasion for the purpose of making arrests, seizing property, or plundering; as, a raid of the police upon a gambling house; a raid of contractors on the public treasury.
[Colloq. U. S.]


word: Raid₂
definition:
Raid

Raid
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Raided; p. pr. & vb. n. Raiding.]
To make a raid upon or into; as, two regiments raided the border counties.


word: Raiffeisen
definition:
Raiffeisen

Raif"fei`sen
(rīf"ī`z'n)
a.
(Economics)
Designating, or pertaining to, a form of cooperative bank founded among the German agrarian population by Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen (1818-88); as, Raiffeisen banks, the Raiffeisen system, etc. The banks are unlimited-liability institutions making small loans at a low rate of interest, for a designated purpose, to worthy members only.


word: Rail
definition:
Rail

Rail
(rāl)
n.
[OE. reil, re&yogh_;el, AS. hrægel, hrægl, a garment; akin to OHG. hregil, OFries. hreil.]
An outer cloak or covering; a neckerchief for women.
Fairholt.


word: Rail₂
definition:
Rail

Rail
v. i.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
To flow forth; to roll out; to course.
[Obs.]

Streams of tears from her fair eyes forth railing.
Spenser.


word: Rail₃
definition:
Rail

Rail
n.
[Akin to LG. & Sw. regel bar, bolt, G. riegel a rail, bar, or bolt, OHG. rigil, rigel, bar, bolt, and possibly to E. row a line.]
1.
A bar of timber or metal, usually horizontal or nearly so, extending from one post or support to another, as in fences, balustrades, staircases, etc.

2.
(Arch.)
A horizontal piece in a frame or paneling. See Illust. of Style.

3.
(Railroad)
A bar of steel or iron, forming part of the track on which the wheels roll. It is usually shaped with reference to vertical strength, and is held in place by chairs, splices, etc.

4.
(Naut.)
(a)
The stout, narrow plank that forms the top of the bulwarks.
(b)
The light, fencelike structures of wood or metal at the break of the deck, and elsewhere where such protection is needed.

5.
A railroad as a means of transportation; as, to go by rail; a place not accesible by rail.

6.
a railing.

Rail fence. See under Fence. -- Rail guard. (a) A device attached to the front of a locomotive on each side for clearing the rail of obstructions. (b) A guard rail. See under Guard. -- Rail joint (Railroad), a splice connecting the adjacent ends of rails, in distinction from a chair, which is merely a seat. The two devices are sometimes united. Among several hundred varieties, the fish joint is standard. See Fish joint, under Fish. -- Rail train (Iron & Steel Manuf.), a train of rolls in a rolling mill, for making rails for railroads from blooms or billets.


word: Rail₄
definition:
Rail

Rail
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Railed (rāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Railing.]
1.
To inclose with rails or a railing.

It ought to be fenced in and railed.
Ayliffe.

2.
To range in a line.
[Obs.]

They were brought to London all railed in ropes, like a team of horses in a cart.
Bacon.


word: Rail₅
definition:
Rail

Rail
n.
[F. râle, fr. râler to have a rattling in the throat; of German origin, and akin to E. rattle. See Rattle, v.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of limicoline birds of the family Rallidae, especially those of the genus Rallus, and of closely allied genera. They are prized as game birds.

&hand_; The common European water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is called also bilcock, skitty coot, and brook runner. The best known American species are the clapper rail, or salt-marsh hen (Rallus longirostris, var. crepitans); the king, or red-breasted, rail (Rallus elegans) (called also fresh-water marshhen); the lesser clapper, or Virginia, rail (Rallus Virginianus); and the Carolina, or sora, rail (Porzana Carolina). See Sora.

Land rail (Zool.), the corncrake.


word: Rail₆
definition:
Rail

Rail
v. i.
[F. railler; cf. Sp. rallar to grate, scrape, molest; perhaps fr. (assumed) LL. radiculare, fr. L. radere to scrape, grate.  Cf. Rally to banter, Rase.]
To use insolent and reproachful language; to utter reproaches; to scoff; -- followed by at or against, formerly by on.
Shak.

And rail at arts he did not understand.
Dryden.

Lesbia forever on me rails.
Swift.


word: Rail₇
definition:
Rail

Rail
(rāl)
v. t.
1.
To rail at.
[Obs.]
Feltham.

2.
To move or influence by railing.
[R.]

Rail the seal from off my bond.
Shak.


word: Railer
definition:
Railer

Rail"er
(rāl"ẽr)
n.
One who rails; one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches with opprobrious language.


word: Railing
definition:
Railing

Rail"ing
a.
Expressing reproach; insulting.

Angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them.
2 Pet. ii. 11.


word: Railing₂
definition:
Railing

Rail"ing
n.
1.
A barrier made of a rail or of rails, together with vertical supports.  The typical railing in the interior of structures or on porches has a horizontal rail near waist height, and multiple vertical supports.  Its function is usually to provide a safety barrier at the edge of a verticle drop to prevent falls.

2.
Rails in general; also, material for making rails.


word: Raillery
definition:
Raillery

Rail"ler*y
(răl"lẽr*&ybreve_; or rāl"-; 277)
n.
[F. raillerie, fr. railler. See Rail to scoff.]
Pleasantry or slight satire; banter; jesting language; satirical merriment.

Let raillery be without malice or heat.
B. Jonson.

Studies employed on low objects; the very naming of them is sufficient to turn them into raillery.
Addison.


word: Railleur
definition:
Railleur

Rail`leur"
(rȧ`lyẽr" or rȧ`yẽr")
n.
[F.]
A banterer; a jester; a mocker.
[R.]
Wycherley.


word: Railway
definition:
Railway

Railroad

{ Rail"road` (rāl"r&omacrd`), Rail"way` (rāl"wā`), }
n.
1.
A road or way consisting of one or more parallel series of iron or steel rails, patterned and adjusted to be tracks for the wheels of vehicles, and suitably supported on a bed or substructure.

&hand_; The modern railroad is a development and adaptation of the older tramway.

2.
The road, track, etc., with all the lands, buildings, rolling stock, franchises, etc., pertaining to them and constituting one property; as, a certain railroad has been put into the hands of a receiver.

&hand_; Railway is the commoner word in England; railroad the commoner word in the United States.

&hand_; In the following and similar phrases railroad and railway are used interchangeably: --

Atmospheric railway, Elevated railway, etc. See under Atmospheric, Elevated, etc. -- Cable railway. See Cable road, under Cable. -- Ferry railway, a submerged track on which an elevated platform runs, for carrying a train of cars across a water course. -- Gravity railway, a railway, in a hilly country, on which the cars run by gravity down gentle slopes for long distances after having been hauled up steep inclines to an elevated point by stationary engines. -- Railway brake, a brake used in stopping railway cars or locomotives. -- Railway car, a large, heavy vehicle with flanged wheels fitted for running on a railway. [U.S.] -- Railway carriage, a railway passenger car. [Eng.] -- Railway scale, a platform scale bearing a track which forms part of the line of a railway, for weighing loaded cars. -- Railway slide. See Transfer table, under Transfer. -- Railway spine (Med.), an abnormal condition due to severe concussion of the spinal cord, such as occurs in railroad accidents. It is characterized by ataxia and other disturbances of muscular function, sensory disorders, pain in the back, impairment of general health, and cerebral disturbance, -- the symptoms often not developing till some months after the injury. -- Underground railroad Underground railway. (a) A railroad or railway running through a tunnel, as beneath the streets of a city. (b) Formerly, a system of cooperation among certain active antislavery people in the United States prior to 1866, by which fugitive slaves were secretly helped to reach Canada. [In the latter sense railroad, and not railway, was usually used.] “Their house was a principal entrepôt of the underground railroad.” W. D. Howells.


word: Railroad
definition:
Railroad

Rail"road`
v. t.
To carry or send by railroad; usually fig., to send or put through at high speed or in great haste; to hurry or rush unduly; as, to railroad a bill through Condress.
[Colloq., U. S.]


word: Railroading
definition:
Railroading

Rail"road`ing
n.
The construction of a railroad; the business of managing or operating a railroad.
[Colloq. U. S.]


word: Raiment
definition:
Raiment

Rai"ment
(rā"ment)
n.
[Abbrev. fr. arraiment. See Array.]
1.
Clothing in general; vesture; garments; -- usually singular in form, with a collective sense.

Living, both food and raiment she supplies.
Dryden.

2.
An article of dress.
[R. or Obs.]
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Rain₂
definition:
Rain

Rain
(rān)
n.
[OE. rein, AS. regen; akin to OFries. rein, D. & G. regen, OS. & OHG. regan, Icel., Dan., & Sw. regn, Goth. rign, and prob. to L. rigare to water, to wet; cf. Gr. bre`chein to wet, to rain.]
Water falling in drops from the clouds; the descent of water from the clouds in drops.

Rain is water by the heat of the sun divided into very small parts ascending in the air, till, encountering the cold, it be condensed into clouds, and descends in drops.
Ray.

Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain.
Milton.

&hand_; Rain is distinguished from mist by the size of the drops, which are distinctly visible. When water falls in very small drops or particles, it is called mist; and fog is composed of particles so fine as to be not only individually indistinguishable, but to float or be suspended in the air. See Fog, and Mist.

Rain band (Meteorol.), a dark band in the yellow portion of the solar spectrum near the sodium line, caused by the presence of watery vapor in the atmosphere, and hence sometimes used in weather predictions. -- Rain bird (Zool.), the yaffle, or green woodpecker. [Prov. Eng.] The name is also applied to various other birds, as to Saurothera vetula of the West Indies. -- Rain fowl (Zool.), the channel-bill cuckoo (Scythrops Novae-Hollandiae) of Australia. -- Rain gauge, an instrument of various forms for measuring the quantity of rain that falls at any given place in a given time; a pluviometer; an ombrometer. -- Rain goose (Zool.), the red-throated diver, or loon. [Prov. Eng.] -- Rain prints (Geol.), markings on the surfaces of stratified rocks, presenting an appearance similar to those made by rain on mud and sand, and believed to have been so produced. -- Rain quail. (Zool.) See Quail, n., 1. -- Rain water, water that has fallen from the clouds in rain.


word: Rain₃
definition:
Rain

Rain
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Rained (rānd); p. pr. & vb. n. Raining.]
[AS. regnian, akin to G. regnen, Goth. rignjan. See Rain, n.]
1.
To fall in drops from the clouds, as water; -- used mostly with it for a nominative; as, it rains.

The rain it raineth every day.
Shak.

2.
To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tears rained from their eyes.


word: Rain₄
definition:
Rain

Rain
(rān)
v. t.
1.
To pour or shower down from above, like rain from the clouds.

Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.
Ex. xvi. 4.

2.
To bestow in a profuse or abundant manner; as, to rain favors upon a person.


word: Rainbow
definition:
Rainbow

Rain"bow`
(rān"b&omacr`)
n.
[AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See Rain, and Bow anything bent.]
A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite to the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of falling rain.

&hand_; Besides the ordinary bow, called also primary rainbow, which is formed by two refractions and one reflection, there is also another often seen exterior to it, called the secondary rainbow, concentric with the first, and separated from it by a small interval. It is formed by two refractions and two reflections, is much fainter than the primary bow, and has its colors arranged in the reverse order from those of the latter.

Lunar rainbow, a fainter arch or rainbow, formed by the moon. -- Marine rainbow, Sea bow, a similar bow seen in the spray of waves at sea. -- Rainbow trout (Zool.), a bright-colored trout (Salmo irideus), native of the mountains of California, but now extensively introduced into the Eastern States,  Japan, and other countries; -- called also brook trout, mountain trout, and golden trout. -- Rainbow wrasse. (Zool.) See under Wrasse. -- Supernumerary rainbow, a smaller bow, usually of red and green colors only, sometimes seen within the primary or without the secondary rainbow, and in contact with them.


word: Rainfall
definition:
Rainfall

Rain"fall`
(rān"f&asuml_;l`)
n.
A fall or descent of rain; the water, or amount of water, that falls in rain; as, the average annual rainfall of a region.

Supplied by the rainfall of the outer ranges of Sinchul and Singaleleh.
Hooker.


word: Rainy
definition:
Rainy

Rain"y
(rān"&ybreve_;)
a.
[AS. regenig.]
Abounding with rain; wet; showery; as, rainy weather; a rainy day or season.


word: Raip
definition:
Raip

Raip
(rāp)
n.
[Cf. Icel. reip rope.  Cf. Rope.]
A rope; also, a measure equal to a rod.
[Scot.]


word: Raise
definition:
Raise

Raise
(rāz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Raised (rāzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Raising.]
[OE. reisen, Icel. reisa, causative of rīsa to rise. See Rise, and cf. Rear to raise.]

1.
To cause to rise; to bring from a lower to a higher place; to lift upward; to elevate; to heave; as, to raise a stone or weight.

This gentleman came to be raised to great titles.
Clarendon.

The plate pieces of eight were raised three pence in the piece.
Sir W. Temple.

2.
To cause to rise up, or assume an erect position or posture; to set up; to make upright; as, to raise a mast or flagstaff.

They shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Job xiv. 12.

He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind.
Ps. cvii. 25.

Aeneas . . . employs his pains,
In parts remote, to raise the Tuscan swains.
Dryden.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead ?
Acts xxvi. 8.

3.
To cause to arise, grow up, or come into being or to appear; to give rise to; to originate, produce, cause, effect, or the like.
Hence, specifically: --

I will raise forts against thee.
Isa. xxix. 3.

&hand_; In some parts of the United States, notably in the Southern States, raise is also commonly applied to the rearing or bringing up of children.

I was raised, as they say in Virginia, among the mountains of the North.
Paulding.

I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee.
Deut. xviii. 18.

God vouchsafes to raise another world
From him [Noah], and all his anger to forget.
Milton.

Thou shalt not raise a false report.
Ex. xxiii. 1.

Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry.
Dryden.

4.
To cause to rise, as by the effect of leaven; to make light and spongy, as bread.

Miss Liddy can dance a jig, and raise paste.
Spectator.

5.
(Naut.)
(a)
To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it; as, to raise Sandy Hook light.
(b)
To let go; as in the command, Raise tacks and sheets, i. e., Let go tacks and sheets.

6.
(Law)
To create or constitute; as, to raise a use, that is, to create it.
Burrill.

To raise a blockade (Mil.), to remove or break up a blockade, either by withdrawing the ships or forces employed in enforcing it, or by driving them away or dispersing them. -- To raise a check, note, bill of exchange, etc., to increase fraudulently its nominal value by changing the writing, figures, or printing in which the sum payable is specified. -- To raise a siege, to relinquish an attempt to take a place by besieging it, or to cause the attempt to be relinquished. -- To raise steam, to produce steam of a required pressure. -- To raise the wind, to procure ready money by some temporary expedient. [Colloq.] -- To raise Cain, or To raise the devil, to cause a great disturbance; to make great trouble. [Slang]


word: Raised
definition:
Raised

Raised
(rāzd)
a.
1.
Lifted up; showing above the surroundings; as, raised or embossed metal work.

2.
Leavened; made with leaven, or yeast; -- used of bread, cake, etc., as distinguished from that made with cream of tartar, soda, etc.  See Raise, v. t., 4.

Raised beach. See under Beach, n.


word: Raisin
definition:
Raisin

Rai"sin
(rā"z'n)
n.
[F. raisin grape, raisin, L. racemus cluster of grapes or berries; cf. Gr. "ra`x, "rago`s, berry, grape.  Cf. Raceme.]
1.
A grape, or a bunch of grapes.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.

2.
A grape dried in the sun or by artificial heat.

Raisin tree (Bot.), the common red currant bush, whose fruit resembles the small raisins of Corinth called currants. [Eng.] Dr. Prior.


word: Raising
definition:
Raising

Rais"ing
(rāz"ĭng)
n.
1.
The act of lifting, setting up, elevating, exalting, producing, or restoring to life.

2.
Specifically, the operation or work of setting up the frame of a building; as, to help at a raising.
[U.S.]

3.
The operation of embossing sheet metal, or of forming it into cup-shaped or hollow articles, by hammering, stamping, or spinning.

Raising bee, a bee for raising the frame of a building. See Bee, n., 2. [U.S.] W. Irving. -- Raising hammer, a hammer with a rounded face, used in raising sheet metal. -- Raising plate (Carp.), the plate, or longitudinal timber, on which a roof is raised and rests.


word: Raisonne
definition:
Raisonne

Rai`son`né"
(ra̝`zo̝`na̝")
a.
[F. raisonné, p. p. of raisonner to reason.]
Arranged systematically, or according to classes or subjects; as, a catalogue raisonné. See under Catalogue.


word: Rajah
definition:
Rajah

Ra"jah
(rä"jä or rā"jȧ)
n.
[Hind. rājā, Skr. rājan, akin to L. rex, regis. See Regal, a.]
A native prince or king; also, a landholder or person of importance in the agricultural districts.
[India]


word: Rajput
definition:
Rajput

Rajpoot

{ &VerbarRaj`poot", &VerbarRaj`put"  }
(räj`pōt")
n.
[Hind. rāj-pūt, Skr. rāja-putra king's son.]
A Hindoo of the second, or royal and military, caste; a Kshatriya; especially, an inhabitant of the country of Rajpootana, in northern central India.


word: Rake
definition:
Rake

Rake
(rāk)
n.
[AS. race; akin to OD. rake, D. reek, OHG. rehho, G. rechen, Icel. reka a shovel, and to Goth. rikan to heap up, collect, and perhaps to Gr. 'ore`gein to stretch out, and E. rack to stretch.  Cf. Reckon.]
1.
An implement consisting of a headpiece having teeth, and a long handle at right angles to it, -- used for collecting hay, or other light things which are spread over a large surface, or for breaking and smoothing the earth.

2.
A toothed machine drawn by a horse, -- used for collecting hay or grain; a horserake.

3.
[Perhaps a different word.]
(Mining)
A fissure or mineral vein traversing the strata vertically, or nearly so; -- called also rake-vein.

Gill rakes. (Anat.) See under 1st Gill.


word: Rake₂
definition:
Rake

Rake
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Raked (rākt); p. pr. & vb. n. Raking.]
[AS. racian. See 1st Rake.]
1.
To collect with a rake; as, to rake hay; -- often with up; as, he raked up the fallen leaves.

2.
To collect or draw together with laborious industry; to gather from a wide space; to scrape together; as, to rake together wealth; to rake together slanderous tales; to rake together the rabble of a town.

3.
To pass a rake over; to scrape or scratch with a rake for the purpose of collecting and clearing off something, or for stirring up the soil; as, to rake a lawn; to rake a flower bed.

4.
To search through; to scour; to ransack.

The statesman rakes the town to find a plot.
Swift.

5.
To scrape or scratch across; to pass over quickly and lightly, as a rake does.

Like clouds that rake the mountain summits.
Wordsworth.

6.
(Mil.)
To enfilade; to fire in a direction with the length of; in naval engagements, to cannonade, as a ship, on the stern or head so that the balls range the whole length of the deck.

To rake up. (a) To collect together, as the fire (live coals), and cover with ashes. (b) To bring up; to search out and bring to notice again; as, to rake up old scandals.


word: Rake₃
definition:
Rake

Rake
(rāk)
v. i.
1.
To use a rake, as for searching or for collecting; to scrape; to search minutely.

One is for raking in Chaucer for antiquated words.
Dryden.

2.
To pass with violence or rapidity; to scrape along.

Pas could not stay, but over him did rake.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Rake₄
definition:
Rake

Rake
n.
[Cf. dial. Sw. raka to reach, and E. reach.]
The inclination of anything from a perpendicular direction; as, the rake of a roof, a staircase, etc.
(Naut.)
the inclination of a mast or funnel, or, in general, of any part of a vessel not perpendicular to the keel.


word: Rake₅
definition:
Rake

Rake
v. i.
To incline from a perpendicular direction; as, a mast rakes aft.

Raking course (Bricklaying), a course of bricks laid diagonally between the face courses in a thick wall, to strengthen it.


word: Rake₆
definition:
Rake

Rake
n.
[OE. rakel rash; cf. Icel. reikall wandering, unsettled, reika to wander.]
A loose, disorderly, vicious man; a person addicted to lewdness and other scandalous vices; a debauchee; a roué.

An illiterate and frivolous old rake.
Macaulay.


word: Rake₇
definition:
Rake

Rake
v. i.
1.
[Icel. reika.  Cf. Rake a debauchee.]
To walk about; to gad or ramble idly.
[Prov. Eng.]

2.
[See Rake a debauchee.]
To act the rake; to lead a dissolute, debauched life.
Shenstone.

To rake out (Falconry), to fly too far and wide from its master while hovering above waiting till the game is sprung; -- said of the hawk. Encyc. Brit.


word: Rakehell
definition:
Rakehell

Rake"hell`
(rāk"hĕl`)
n.
[See Rakel.]
A lewd, dissolute fellow; a debauchee; a rake.

It seldom doth happen, in any way of life, that a sluggard and a rakehell do not go together.
Barrow.


word: Rakehelly
definition:
Rakehelly

Rakehell

{ Rake"hell`, Rake"hell`y (rāk"hĕl`&ybreve_;), }
a.
Dissolute; wild; lewd; rakish.
[Obs.]
Spenser. B. Jonson.


word: Rakel
definition:
Rakel

Ra"kel
(rä"kĕl)
a.
[OE. See Rake a debauchee.]
Hasty; reckless; rash.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ra"kel*ness, n. [Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Raker
definition:
Raker

Rak"er
(rāk"ẽr)
n.
[See 1st Rake.]
1.
One who, or that which, rakes
(a)
A person who uses a rake.
(b)
A machine for raking grain or hay by horse or other power.
(c)
A gun so placed as to rake an enemy's ship.

2.
(Zool.)
See Gill rakers, under 1st Gill.


word: Rakery
definition:
Rakery

Rak"er*y
(rāk"ẽr*&ybreve_;)
n.
Debauchery; lewdness.

The rakery and intrigues of the lewd town.
R. North.


word: Rakeshame
definition:
Rakeshame

Rake"shame`
(rāk"shām`)
n.
[Cf. Rakehell, Ragabash.]
A vile, dissolute wretch.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Rakestale
definition:
Rakestale

Rake"stale`
(rāk"stāl`)
n.
[Rake the instrument + stale a handle.]
The handle of a rake.

That tale is not worth a rakestele.
Chaucer.


word: Rakee
definition:
Rakee

Raki

{ &VerbarRa`ki", &VerbarRa`kee"  }
(rȧ`kē"; răk"e̝)
n.
[Turk. rāqī arrack.]
A kind of ardent spirits used in southern Europe and the East, distilled from grape juice, grain, etc.


word: Raking
definition:
Raking

Rak"ing
(rāk"ĭng)
n.
1.
The act or process of using a rake; the going over a space with a rake.

2.
A space gone over with a rake; also, the work done, or the quantity of hay, grain, etc., collected, by going once over a space with a rake.


word: Rakish
definition:
Rakish

Rak"ish
(rāk"ĭsh)
a.
Dissolute; lewd; debauched.

The arduous task of converting a rakish lover.
Macaulay.


word: Rakish₂
definition:
Rakish

Rak"ish
(rāk"ĭsh)
a.
(Naut.)
Having a saucy appearance indicative of speed and dash.
Ham. Nav. Encyc.


word: Raku ware
definition:
Raku ware

Ra"ku ware`
(rä"kō wâr`)
A kind of earthenware made in Japan, resembling Satsuma ware, but having a paler color.


word: Rale
definition:
Rale

Râle
(räl)
n.
[F. râle.  Cf. Rail the bird.]
(Med.)
An adventitious sound, usually of morbid origin, accompanying the normal respiratory sounds. See Rhonchus.

&hand_; Various kinds are distinguished by pathologists; differing in intensity, as loud and small; in quality, as moist, dry, clicking, whistling, and sonorous; and in origin, as tracheal, pulmonary, and pleural.


word: Rallentando
definition:
Rallentando

Ral`len*tan"do
(räl`lĕn*tän"do̝)
a.
[It.]
(Mus.)
Slackening; -- a direction to perform a passage with a gradual decrease in time and force; ritardando.


word: Ralliance
definition:
Ralliance

Ral"li*ance
(răl"lĭ*ans)
n.
[Cf. OF. raliance. See Rally to reunite.]
The act of rallying.


word: Rallies
definition:
Rallies

Ral"liés"
(rȧl`yā")
n. pl.
[F., p. p. pl. See Rally, v. t.]
A French political group, also known as the Constitutional Right from its position in the Chambers, mainly monarchists who rallied to the support of the Republic in obedience to the encyclical put forth by Pope Leo XIII. in Feb., 1892.


word: Rally
definition:
Rally

Ral"ly
(răl"l&ybreve_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rallied (răl"lĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rallying.]
[OF. ralier, F. rallier, fr. L. pref. re- + ad + ligare to bind. See Ra-, and 1st Ally.]
To collect, and reduce to order, as troops dispersed or thrown into confusion; to gather again; to reunite.


word: Rally₂
definition:
Rally

Ral"ly
v. i.
1.
To come into orderly arrangement; to renew order, or united effort, as troops scattered or put to flight; to assemble; to unite.

The Grecians rally, and their powers unite.
Dryden.

Innumerable parts of matter chanced just then to rally together, and to form themselves into this new world.
Tillotson.

2.
To collect one's vital powers or forces; to regain health or consciousness; to recuperate.

3.
To recover strength after a decline in prices; -- said of the market, stocks, etc.


word: Rally₃
definition:
Rally

Ral"ly
n.
pl. Rallies (răl"lĭz).
1.
The act or process of rallying (in any of the senses of that word).

2.
A political mass meeting.
[Colloq. U. S.]


word: Rally₄
definition:
Rally

Ral"ly
v. t.
[F. railler. See Rail to scoff.]
To attack with raillery, either in good humor and pleasantry, or with slight contempt or satire.

Honeycomb . . . rallies me upon a country life.
Addison.

Strephon had long confessed his amorous pain,
Which gay Corinna rallied with disdain.
Gay.


word: Ralstonite
definition:
Ralstonite

Ral"ston*ite
(r&asuml_;l"stŭn*īt)
n.
[So named after J. G. Ralston of Norristown, Penn.]
(Min.)
A fluoride of alumina and soda occurring with the Greenland cryolite in octahedral crystals.


word: Ram
definition:
Ram

Ram
(răm)
n.
[AS. ramm, ram; akin to OHG. & D. ram, Prov. G. ramm, and perh. to Icel. ramr strong.]
1.
The male of the sheep and allied animals. In some parts of England a ram is called a tup.

2.
(Astron.)
(a)
Aries, the sign of the zodiac which the sun enters about the 21st of March.
(b)
The constellation Aries, which does not now, as formerly, occupy the sign of the same name.

3.
An engine of war used for butting or battering.
(a)
In ancient warfare, a long beam suspended by slings in a framework, and used for battering the walls of cities; a battering-ram.
(b)
A heavy steel or iron beak attached to the prow of a steam war vessel for piercing or cutting down the vessel of an enemy; also, a vessel carrying such a beak.

4.
A hydraulic ram. See under Hydraulic.

5.
The weight which strikes the blow, in a pile driver, steam hammer, stamp mill, or the like.

6.
The plunger of a hydraulic press.

Ram's horn. (a) (Fort.) A low semicircular work situated in and commanding a ditch. [Written also ramshorn.] Farrow. (b) (Paleon.) An ammonite.


word: Ram₂
definition:
Ram

Ram
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rammed (rămd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ramming.]
1.
To butt or strike against; to drive a ram against or through; to thrust or drive with violence; to force in; to drive together; to cram; as, to ram an enemy's vessel; to ram piles, cartridges, etc.

[They] rammed me in with foul shirts, and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy napkins.
Shak.

2.
To fill or compact by pounding or driving.

A ditch . . . was filled with some sound materials, and rammed to make the foundation solid.
Arbuthnot.


word: Ramadan
definition:
Ramadan

Ram`a*dan"
(răm`ȧ*dăn")
n.
[Ar. rama&dsdot_;ān, or ramazān, properly, the hot month.]
[Written also Ramadhan, Ramadzan, and Rhamadan.]
1.
The ninth Mohammedan month.

2.
The great annual fast of the Mohammedans, kept during daylight through the ninth month.


word: Ramage
definition:
Ramage

Ram"age
(răm"a̝j; 48)
n.
[F., fr. L. ramus a branch.]
1.
Boughs or branches.
[Obs.]
Crabb.

2.
Warbling of birds in trees.
[Obs.]
Drummond.


word: Ramagious
definition:
Ramagious

Ra*ma"gi*ous
(rȧ*mā"jĭ*ŭs)
a.
Wild; not tame.
[Obs.]

Now is he tame that was so ramagious.
Remedy of Love.


word: Ramayana
definition:
Ramayana

Ra*ma"ya*na
(rä*mä"yȧ*nȧ)
n.
[Skr. Rāmāya&nsdot_;a.]
The more ancient of the two great epic poems in Sanskrit.  The hero and heroine are Rama and his wife Sita.


word: Ramberge
definition:
Ramberge

Ram"berge
(răm"bẽrj)
n.
[F., fr. rame oar + barge barge.]
Formerly, a kind of large war galley.


word: Ramble
definition:
Ramble

Ram"ble
(răm"b'l)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Rambled (răm"b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rambling (răm"blĭng).]
[For rammle, fr. Prov. E. rame to roam.  Cf. Roam.]
1.
To walk, ride, or sail, from place to place, without any determinate object in view; to roam carelessly or irregularly; to rove; to wander; as, to ramble about the city; to ramble over the world.

He that is at liberty to ramble in perfect darkness, what is his liberty better than if driven up and down as a bubble by the wind?
Locke.

2.
To talk or write in a discursive, aimless way.

3.
To extend or grow at random.
Thomson.


word: Ramble₂
definition:
Ramble

Ram"ble
n.
1.
A going or moving from place to place without any determinate business or object; an excursion or stroll merely for recreation.

Coming home, after a short Christmas ramble.
Swift.

2.
[Cf. Rammel.]
(Coal Mining)
A bed of shale over the seam.
Raymond.

3.
A section of woods suitable for leisurely walking.

4.
a type of dance; as, the Muskrat ramble.


word: Rambling
definition:
Rambling

Ram"bling
(răm"blĭng)
a.
Roving; wandering; discursive; as, a rambling fellow, talk, or building.


word: Rambooze
definition:
Rambooze

Ram"booze
(răm"bōz)
n.
A beverage made of wine, ale (or milk), sugar, etc.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Rambutan
definition:
Rambutan

Ram*bu"tan
(răm*bō"tăn)
n.
[Malay rambūtan, fr. rambut hair of the head.]
(Bot.)
A Malayan fruit produced by the tree Nephelium lappaceum, and closely related to the litchi nut. It is bright red, oval in shape, covered with coarse hairs (whence the name), and contains a pleasant acid pulp. Called also ramboostan.


word: Ramed
definition:
Ramed

Ramed
(rămd)
a.
Having the frames, stem, and sternpost adjusted; -- said of a ship on the stocks.


word: Rament
definition:
Rament

Ram"ent
(răm"ent)
n.
[L. ramenta, pl.]
1.
A scraping; a shaving.
[Obs.]

2.
pl.
(Bot.)
Ramenta.


word: Ramenta
definition:
Ramenta

Ra*men"ta
(rȧ*mĕn"tȧ)
n. pl.
[L., scrapings.]
(Bot.)
Thin brownish chaffy scales upon the leaves or young shoots of some plants, especially upon the petioles and leaves of ferns.
Gray.


word: Ramequin
definition:
Ramequin

Ram"e*quin
(răm"e̝*kĭn)
n.
[F.]
1.
(Cookery)
A mixture of cheese, eggs, etc., formed in a mold, or served on bread.
[Written also ramekin.]

2.
The porcelian or earthen mold in which ramequins are baked and served, by extension, any dish so used.


word: Ramie
definition:
Ramie

Ram"ie
(răm"e̝)
n.
[From Malay.]
(Bot.)
The grasscloth plant (Bœhmeria nivea); also, its fiber, which is very fine and exceedingly strong; -- called also China grass, and rhea. See Grass-cloth plant, under Grass.


word: Ramification
definition:
Ramification

Ram`i*fi*ca"tion
(răm`ĭ*fĭ*kā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. ramification. See Ramify.]
1.
The process of branching, or the development of branches or offshoots from a stem; also, the mode of their arrangement.

2.
A small branch or offshoot proceeding from a main stock or channel; as, the ramifications of an artery, vein, or nerve.

3.
A division into principal and subordinate classes, heads, or departments; also, one of the subordinate parts; as, the ramifications of a subject or scheme.

4.
The production of branchlike figures.
Crabb.


word: Ramiflorous
definition:
Ramiflorous

Ram`i*flo"rous
(răm`ĭ*fl&omacr"rŭs)
a.
[L. ramus branch + flos, floris, flower.]
(Bot.)
Flowering on the branches.


word: Ramiform
definition:
Ramiform

Ram"i*form
(răm"ĭ*fôrm)
a.
[L. ramus branch + -form.]
(Bot.)
Having the form of a branch.


word: Ramify
definition:
Ramify

Ram"i*fy
(răm"ĭ*fī)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ramified (-fīd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ramifying (?).]
[F. ramifier, LL. ramificare, fr. L. ramus a branch + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
To divide into branches or subdivisions; as, to ramify an art, subject, scheme.


word: Ramify₂
definition:
Ramify

Ram"i*fy
v. i.
1.
To shoot, or divide, into branches or subdivisions, as the stem of a plant.

When they [asparagus plants] . . . begin to ramify.
Arbuthnot.

2.
To be divided or subdivided, as a main subject.


word: Ramigerous
definition:
Ramigerous

Ra*mig"er*ous
(rȧ*mĭj"ẽr*ŭs)
a.
[L. ramus a branch + -gerous.]
(Bot.)
Bearing branches; branched.


word: Ramiparous
definition:
Ramiparous

Ra*mip"a*rous
(rȧ*mĭp"ȧ*rŭs)
a.
[L. ramus + parere to bear.]
(Bot.)
Producing branches; ramigerous.


word: Ramist
definition:
Ramist

Ra"mist
(rā"mĭst)
n.
A follower of Pierre Ramé, better known as Ramus, a celebrated French scholar, who was professor of rhetoric and philosophy at Paris in the reign of Henry II., and opposed the Aristotelians.


word: Ramline
definition:
Ramline

Ram"line
(răm"lĭn)
n.
A line used to get a straight middle line, as on a spar, or from stem to stern in building a vessel.


word: Rammel
definition:
Rammel

Ram"mel
(răm"mĕl)
n.
Refuse matter.
[Obs.]

Filled with any rubbish, rammel and broken stones.
Holland.


word: Rammer
definition:
Rammer

Ram"mer
(răm"mẽr)
n.
One who, or that which, rams or drives.
(a)
An instrument for driving anything with force; as, a rammer for driving stones or piles, or for beating the earth to more solidity.
(b)
A rod for forcing down the charge of a gun; a ramrod.
(c)
(Founding)
An implement for pounding the sand of a mold to render it compact.


word: Ramollescence
definition:
Ramollescence

Ram`ol*les"cence
(răm`&obreve_;l*lĕs"sens)
n.
[F. ramollir to make soft, to soften; pref. re- re- + amollir to soften; a (L. ad) + mollir to soften, L. mollire, fr. mollis soft.]
A softening or mollifying.
[R.]


word: Ramoon
definition:
Ramoon

Ra*moon"
(rȧ*mōn")
n.
(Bot.)
A small West Indian tree (Trophis Americana) of the Mulberry family, whose leaves and twigs are used as fodder for cattle.


word: Ramose
definition:
Ramose

Ra*mose"
(rȧ*m&omacrs")
a.
[L. ramosus, from ramus a branch.]
Branched, as the stem or root of a plant; having lateral divisions; consisting of, or having, branches; full of branches; ramifying; branching; branchy.


word: Ramp
definition:
Ramp

Ramp
(rămp)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ramped (rămt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. Ramping.]
[F. ramper to creep, OF., to climb; of German origin; cf. G. raffen to snatch, LG. & D. rapen. See Rap to snatch, and cf. Romp.]

1.
To spring; to leap; to bound; to rear; to prance; to become rampant; hence, to frolic; to romp.

2.
To move by leaps, or as by leaps; hence, to move swiftly or with violence.

Their bridles they would champ,
And trampling the fine element would fiercely ramp.
Spenser.

3.
To climb, as a plant; to creep up.

With claspers and tendrils, they [plants] catch hold, . . . and so ramping upon trees, they mount up to a great height.
Ray.


word: Ramp₂
definition:
Ramp

Ramp
n.
1.
A leap; a spring; a hostile advance.

The bold Ascalonite
Fled from his lion ramp.
Milton.

2.
A highwayman; a robber.
[Prov. Eng.]

3.
A romping woman; a prostitute.
[Obs.]
Lyly.

4.
[F. rampe.]
(Arch.)
(a)
Any sloping member, other than a purely constructional one, such as a continuous parapet to a staircase.
(b)
A short bend, slope, or curve, where a hand rail or cap changes its direction.

5.
[F. rampe.]
(Fort.)
An inclined plane serving as a communication between different interior levels.


word: Rampage
definition:
Rampage

Ramp"age
(rămp"a̝j; 48)
n.
[See Ramp, v.]
Violent or riotous behavior; a state of excitement, passion, or debauchery; as, to be on the rampage.
[Prov. or Low]
Dickens.


word: Rampage₂
definition:
Rampage

Ramp"age
v. i.
To leap or prance about, as an animal; to be violent; to rage.
[Prov. or Low]


word: Rampageous
definition:
Rampageous

Ram*pa"geous
(răm*pā"jŭs)
a.
Characterized by violence and passion; unruly; rampant.
[Prov. or Low]

In the primitive ages of a rampageous antiquity.
Galt.


word: Rampallian
definition:
Rampallian

Ram*pal"lian
(răm*păl"yan)
n.
[Cf. ramp a prostitute, or rabble.]
A mean wretch.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Rampancy
definition:
Rampancy

Ramp"an*cy
(rămp"an*s&ybreve_;)
n.
The quality or state of being rampant; excessive action or development; exuberance; extravagance.
rampancy
South.


word: Rampant
definition:
Rampant

Ramp"ant
(rămp"ant)
a.
[F., p. pr. of ramper to creep. See Ramp, v.]
1.
Ramping; leaping; springing; rearing upon the hind legs; hence, raging; furious.

The fierce lion in his kind
Which goeth rampant after his prey.
Gower.

[The] lion . . . rampant shakes his brinded mane.
Milton.

2.
Ascending; climbing; rank in growth; exuberant.

The rampant stalk is of unusual altitude.
I. Taylor.

3.
(Her.)
Rising with fore paws in the air as if attacking; -- said of a beast of prey, especially a lion.  The right fore leg and right hind leg should be raised higher than the left.

Rampant arch. (a) An arch which has one abutment higher than the other. (b) Same as Rampant vault, below. -- Rampant gardant (Her.), rampant, but with the face turned to the front. -- Rampant regardant, rampant, but looking backward. -- Rampant vault (Arch.), a continuous wagon vault, or cradle vault, whose two abutments are located on an inclined plane, such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a stairway.


word: Rampart
definition:
Rampart

Ram"part
(răm"pärt)
n.
[F. rempart, OF. rempar, fr. remparer to fortify, se remparer to fence or intrench one's self; pref. re- re- + pref. en- (L. in) + parer to defend, parry, prepare, L. parare to prepare. See Pare.]

1.
That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which secures safety; a defense or bulwark.

2.
(Fort.)
A broad embankment of earth round a place, upon which the parapet is raised. It forms the substratum of every permanent fortification.
Mahan.


word: Rampart₂
definition:
Rampart

Ram"part
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ramparted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ramparting.]
To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or ramparts.

Those grassy hills, those glittering dells,
Proudly ramparted with rocks.
Coleridge.

Rampart gun (Fort.), a cannon or large gun for use on a rampart and not as a fieldpiece.


word: Rampe
definition:
Rampe

Rampe
(rămp)
n.
[In allusion to its supposed aphrodisiac qualities. See Ramp.]
(Bot.)
The cuckoopint.


word: Rampion
definition:
Rampion

Ram"pi*on
(răm"pĭ*ŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. raiponce, Sp. ruiponce, reponche, L. raperonzo, NL. rapuntium, fr. L. rapum, rapa, a turnip, rape.  Cf. Rape a plant.]
(Bot.)
A plant (Campanula Rapunculus) of the Bellflower family, with a tuberous esculent root; -- also called ramps.

&hand_; The name is sometimes given to plants of the genus Phyteuma, herbs of the Bellflower family, and to the American evening primrose (Œnothera biennis), which has run wild in some parts of Europe.


word: Rampire
definition:
Rampire

Ram"pire
(răm"pīr)
n.
A rampart.
[Archaic]

The Trojans round the place a rampire cast.
Dryden.


word: Rampire₂
definition:
Rampire

Ram"pire
v. t.
To fortify with a rampire; to form into a rampire.
[Archaic]
Chapman.
Rampired
R. Browning.


word: Ramrod
definition:
Ramrod

Ram"rod`
(răm"r&obreve_;d`)
n.
The rod used in ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm.


word: Ramshackle
definition:
Ramshackle

Ram"shac*kle
(răm"shăk*k'l)
a.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
Loose; disjointed; falling to pieces; out of repair.

There came . . . my lord the cardinal, in his ramshackle coach.
Thackeray.


word: Ramson
definition:
Ramson

Ram"son
(răm"z'n)
n.
[AS. hramsan, pl., akin to G. rams, Sw. rams, ramslök; cf. Gr. kro`myon onion.]
(Bot.)
A broad-leaved species of garlic (Allium ursinum), common in European gardens; -- called also buckram.


word: Ramsted
definition:
Ramsted

Ram"sted
(răm"stĕd)
n.
(Bot.)
A yellow-flowered weed; -- so named from a Mr. Ramsted who introduced it into Pennsylvania. See Toad flax. Called also Ramsted weed.


word: Ramtil
definition:
Ramtil

Ram"til
(răm"tĭl)
n.
[Bengali ram-til.]
A tropical African asteraceous shrub (Guizotia abyssinica) cultivated for its seeds (called ramtil seeds or niger seeds) which yield a valuable oil used for food and as an illuminant.


word: Ramulose
definition:
Ramulose

Ram"u*lose`
(răm"&uuptack_;*l&omacrs`)
a.
[L. ramulosus, fr. ramulus, dim. of ramus a branch.]
(Nat. Hist.)
Having many small branches, or ramuli.


word: Ramulus
definition:
Ramulus

Ram"u*lus
(răm"&uuptack_;*lŭs)
n.
pl. Ramuli (răm"&uuptack_;*lī).
(Zool.)
A small branch, or branchlet, of corals, hydroids, and similar organisms.


word: Ramus
definition:
Ramus

Ra"mus
(rā"mŭs)
n.
pl. Rami (rā"mī).
(Nat. Hist.)
A branch; a projecting part or prominent process; a ramification.


word: Ramuscule
definition:
Ramuscule

Ra*mus"cule
(rȧ*mŭs"k&uuptack_;l)
n.
[L. ramusculus.]
(Nat. Hist.)
A small ramus, or branch.


word: Rana
definition:
Rana

Ra"na
(rā"nȧ)
n.
[L., a frog.]
(Zool.)
A genus of anurous batrachians, including the common frogs.


word: Ranal
definition:
Ranal

Ra"nal
(rā"nal)
a.
(Bot.)
Having a general affinity to ranunculaceous plants.

Ranal alliance (Bot.), a name proposed by Lindley for a group of natural orders, including Ranunculaceae, Magnoliaceae, Papaveraceae, and others related to them.


word: Rance
definition:
Rance

Rance
(răns)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
1.
A prop or shore.
[Scot.]

2.
A round between the legs of a chair; also called a spreader.


word: Rancescent
definition:
Rancescent

Ran*ces"cent
(răn*sĕs"sent)
a.
[L. rancescens, p. pr. of rancescere, v. incho. from rancere to be rancid.]
Becoming rancid or sour.


word: Ranch
definition:
Ranch

Ranch
(rănch)
v. t.
[Written also raunch.]
[Cf. Wrench.]
To wrench; to tear; to sprain; to injure by violent straining or contortion.
[R.]
Dryden.
raunch
Spenser.


word: Ranch₂
definition:
Ranch

Ranch
n.
[See Rancho.]
A tract of land used for grazing and the rearing of horses, cattle, or sheep. See Rancho, 2.
[Western U. S.]


word: Rancheria
definition:
Rancheria

Ran`che*ri"a
(rȧn`cha̝"rē"ȧ)
n.
[Sp. rancheria.]
1.
A dwelling place of a ranchero.

2.
A small settlement or collection of ranchos, or rude huts, esp. for Indians.
[Sp. Amer. & Southwestern U. S.]

3.
Formerly, in the Philippines, a political division of the pagan tribes.


word: Ranchero
definition:
Ranchero

Ran*che"ro
(răn*chā"ro̝)
n.
pl. Rancheros (răn*chā"r&omacrz).
[Sp.]
[Mexico & Western U. S.]
1.
A herdsman; a peasant employed on a ranch or rancho.

2.
The owner and occupant of a ranch or rancho.


word: Ranchman
definition:
Ranchman

Ranch"man
(rănch"man)
n.
pl. Ranchmen (rănch"men).
An owner or occupant of, or laborer on, a ranch; a herdsman.
[Western U. S.]


word: Rancho
definition:
Rancho

Ran"cho
(răn"cho̝)
n.
pl. Ranchos (răn"ch&omacrz).
[Sp., properly, a mess, mess room.  Cf. 2d Ranch.]
1.
A rude hut, as of posts, covered with branches or thatch, where herdsmen or farm laborers may live or lodge at night.

2.
A large grazing farm where horses and cattle are raised; -- distinguished from hacienda, a cultivated farm or plantation.
[Mexico & California]
Bartlett.


word: Rancid
definition:
Rancid

Ran"cid
(răn"sĭd)
a.
[L. rancidus, fr. rancere to be rancid or rank.]
Having a rank smell or taste, from chemical change or decomposition; musty; as, rancid oil or butter.


word: Rancidity
definition:
Rancidity

Ran*cid"i*ty
(răn*sĭd"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[Cf. F. rancidité.]
The quality or state of being rancid; a rancid scent or flavor, as of old oil.
Ure.


word: Rancor
definition:
Rancor

Ran"cor
(ră&nsmacr_;"kẽr)
n.
[Written also rancour.]
[OE. rancour, OF. rancor, rancur, F. rancune, fr. L. rancor rancidity, rankness; tropically, an old grudge, rancor, fr. rancere to be rank or rancid.]
The deepest malignity or spite; deep-seated enmity or malice; inveterate hatred.
rancour
Chaucer.

It would not be easy to conceive the passion, rancor, and malice of their tongues and hearts.
Burke.

Rancor will out; proud prelate, in thy face
I see thy fury.
Shak.

Rancor is that degree of malice which preys upon the possessor.
Cogan.


word: Rancorous
definition:
Rancorous

Ran"cor*ous
(ră&nsmacr_;"kẽr*ŭs)
a.
[OF. rancuros.]
Full of rancor; evincing, or caused by, rancor; deeply malignant; implacably spiteful or malicious; intensely virulent.

So flamed his eyes with rage and rancorous ire.
Spenser.


word: Rand
definition:
Rand

Rand
(rănd)
n.
[AS. rand, rond; akin to D., Dan., Sw., & G. rand, Icel. rönd, and probably to E. rind.]
1.
A border; edge; margin.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2.
A long, fleshy piece, as of beef, cut from the flank or leg; a sort of steak.
Beau. & Fl.

3.
A thin inner sole for a shoe; also, a leveling slip of leather applied to the sole before attaching the heel.


word: Rand₂
definition:
Rand

Rand
(rănd)
n.
[D.]
(D. pron. rȧnt)
Rim; edge; border.
[South Africa]
2.
The monetary unit of the Union of South Africa.

The Rand, a rocky gold-bearing ridge in South Africa, about thirty miles long, on which Johannesburg is situated; also, the gold-mining district including this ridge.


word: Rand₃
definition:
Rand

Rand
v. i.
[See Rant.]
To rant; to storm.
[Obs.]

I wept, . . . and raved, and randed, and railed.
J. Webster.


word: R and D
definition:
R and D

R and D
(är`ăn*dē")
n.
[research and development.]
research and development; -- used mostly to refer to the division of a corporation responsible for performing research and developing new products; -- a commonly used abbreviation.

Syn. -- R&D.


word: Randall grass
definition:
Randall grass

Ran"dall grass`
(răn"dal grȧs`)
(Bot.)
The meadow fescue (Festuca elatior). See under Grass.


word: Randan
definition:
Randan

Ran"dan
(răn"dăn)
n.
The product of a second sifting of meal; the finest part of the bran.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Randing
definition:
Randing

Rand"ing
(rănd"ĭng)
n.
1.
(Shoemaking)
The act or process of making and applying rands for shoes.

2.
(Mil.)
A kind of basket work used in gabions.


word: Random
definition:
Random

Ran"dom
(răn"dŭm)
n.
[OE. randon, OF. randon force, violence, rapidity, à randon, de randon, violently, suddenly, rapidly, prob. of German origin; cf. G. rand edge, border, OHG. rant shield, edge of a shield, akin to E. rand, n.  See Rand, n.]
1.
Force; violence.
[Obs.]

For courageously the two kings newly fought with great random and force.
E. Hall.

2.
A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard.

Counsels, when they fly
At random, sometimes hit most happily.
Herrick.

O, many a shaft, at random sent,
Finds mark the archer little meant!
Sir W. Scott.

3.
Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball.
Sir K. Digby.

4.
(Mining)
The direction of a rake-vein.
Raymond.


word: Random₂
definition:
Random

Ran"dom
a.
1.
Going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess.

Some random truths he can impart.
Wordsworth.

So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random.
H. Spencer.

2.
(Statistics)
Of, pertaining to, or resulting from a process of selection from a starting set of items, in which the probability of selecting any one object in the starting set is equal to the probability of selecting any other.

3.
(Construction)
of unequal size or shape; made from components of unequal size or shape.

at random in a manner so that all possible results have an equal probability of occurrence; for processes, each possible result is counted separately although the same type of result may occur more than once . -- Random courses (Masonry), courses of stone of unequal thickness. -- Random shot, a shot not directed or aimed toward any particular object, or a shot with the muzzle of the gun much elevated. -- Random work (Masonry), stonework consisting of stones of unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor always with flat beds.


word: Randomize
definition:
Randomize

Ran"dom*ize
v. t.
To arrange or rearrange so that there is no predetermined order; to make random; to select by a random process; to assign (members of a group) into subgroups by a random process.

Syn. -- make random.


word: Range
definition:
Range

Range
(rānj)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ranged (rānjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ranging (rān"jĭng).]
[OE. rengen, OF. rengier, F. ranger, OF. renc row, rank, F. rang; of German origin. See Rank, n.]
1.
To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.

Maccabeus ranged his army by bands.
2 Macc. xii. 20.

2.
To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; -- usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.

It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society.
Burke.

3.
To separate into parts; to sift.
[Obs.]
Holland.

4.
To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.

5.
To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.

Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake.
Gay.

6.
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.

&hand_; Compare the last two senses (5 and 6) with the French ranger une côte.

7.
(Biol.)
To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.


word: Range₂
definition:
Range

Range
v. i.
1.
To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam.

Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees.
Burton.

2.
To have range; to change or differ within limits; to be capable of projecting, or to admit of being projected, especially as to horizontal distance; as, the temperature ranged through seventy degrees Fahrenheit; the gun ranges three miles; the shot ranged four miles.

3.
To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.

And range with humble livers in content.
Shak.

4.
To have a certain direction; to correspond in direction; to be or keep in a corresponding line; to trend or run; -- often followed by with; as, the front of a house ranges with the street; to range along the coast.

Which way the forests range.
Dryden.

5.
(Biol.)
To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region; as, the peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.


word: Range₃
definition:
Range

Range
n.
[From Range, v.: cf. F. rangée.]
1.
A series of things in a line; a row; a rank; as, a range of buildings; a range of mountains.

2.
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.

The next range of beings above him are the immaterial intelligences.
Sir M. Hale.

3.
The step of a ladder; a rung.
Clarendon.

4.
A kitchen grate.
[Obs.]

He was bid at his first coming to take off the range, and let down the cinders.
L'Estrange.

5.
An extended cooking apparatus of cast iron, set in brickwork, and affording conveniences for various ways of cooking; also, a kind of cooking stove.

6.
A bolting sieve to sift meal.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

7.
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.

He may take a range all the world over.
South.

8.
That which may be ranged over; place or room for excursion; especially, a region of country in which cattle or sheep may wander and pasture.

9.
Extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope; discursive power; as, the range of one's voice, or authority.

Far as creation's ample range extends.
Pope.

The range and compass of Hammond's knowledge filled the whole circle of the arts.
Bp. Fell.

A man has not enough range of thought.
Addison.

10.
(Biol.)
The region within which a plant or animal naturally lives.

11.
(Gun.)
(a)
The horizontal distance to which a shot or other projectile is carried.
(b)
Sometimes, less properly, the trajectory of a shot or projectile.
(c)
A place where shooting, as with cannons or rifles, is practiced.

12.
In the public land system of the United States, a row or line of townships lying between two successive meridian lines six miles apart.

&hand_; The meridians included in each great survey are numbered in order east and west from the “principal meridian” of that survey, and the townships in the range are numbered north and south from the “base line,” which runs east and west; as, township No. 6, N., range 7, W., from the fifth principal meridian.

13.
(Naut.)
See Range of cable, below.

Range of accommodation (Optics), the distance between the near point and the far point of distinct vision, -- usually measured and designated by the strength of the lens which if added to the refracting media of the eye would cause the rays from the near point to appear as if they came from the far point. -- Range finder (Gunnery), an instrument, or apparatus, variously constructed, for ascertaining the distance of an inaccessible object, -- used to determine what elevation must be given to a gun in order to hit the object; a position finder. -- Range of cable (Naut.), a certain length of slack cable ranged along the deck preparatory to letting go the anchor. -- Range work (Masonry), masonry of squared stones laid in courses each of which is of even height throughout the length of the wall; -- distinguished from broken range work, which consists of squared stones laid in courses not continuously of even height. -- To get the range of (an object) (Gun.), to find the angle at which the piece must be raised to reach (the object) without carrying beyond.


word: Ranger
definition:
Ranger

Ran"ger
(rān"jẽr)
n.
1.
One who ranges; a rover; sometimes, one who ranges for plunder; a roving robber.

2.
That which separates or arranges; specifically, a sieve.
[Obs.]
ranger
Holland.

3.
A dog that beats the ground in search of game.

4.
One of a body of mounted troops, formerly armed with short muskets, who range over the country, and often fight on foot.

5.
The keeper of a public park or forest; formerly, a sworn officer of a forest, appointed by the king's letters patent, whose business was to walk through the forest, recover beasts that had strayed beyond its limits, watch the deer, present trespasses to the next court held for the forest, etc.
[Eng.]
Rangers in U.S. national parks and national monuments perform a similar function.


word: Rangle
definition:
Rangle

Ran"gle
(răn"g'l)
v. i.
To range about in an irregular manner.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Rangy
definition:
Rangy

Ran"gy
(rān"j&ybreve_;)
a.
[From Range, v. i.]
Inclined or able to range, or rove about, for considerable distances; apt or suited for much roving, -- chiefly used of cattle.


word: Rani
definition:
Rani

Ra"ni
(rä"nē)
n.
[Hind. rānī, Skr. rājnī. See Rajah.]
A queen or princess; the wife of a rajah.
[Written also ranee.]
[India]


word: Ranine
definition:
Ranine

Ra"nine
(rā"nīn)
a.
[L. rana a frog.]
1.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the frogs and toads.

2.
(Anat.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a swelling under the tongue; also, pertaining to the region where the swelling occurs; -- applied especially to branches of the lingual artery and lingual vein.


word: Rank
definition:
Rank

Rank
(ră&nsmacr_;k)
a.
[Compar. Ranker (ră&nsmacr_;k"ẽr); superl. Rankest.]
[AS. ranc strong, proud; cf. D. rank slender, Dan. rank upright, erect, Prov. G. rank slender, Icel. rakkr slender, bold. The meaning seems to have been influenced by L. rancidus, E. rancid.]
1.
Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.

And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
Gen. xli. 5.

2.
Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy.
Rank
Hare.
rankest
Shak.

3.
Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, rank land.
Mortimer.

4.
Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue.
Spenser.

5.
Strong to the taste.
rank
Boyle.

6.
Inflamed with venereal appetite.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Rank modus (Law), an excessive and unreasonable modus. See Modus, 3. -- To set (the iron of a plane, etc.) rank, to set so as to take off a thick shaving. Moxon.


word: Rank₂
definition:
Rank

Rank
adv.
Rankly; stoutly; violently.
[Obs.]

That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
Fairfax.


word: Rank₃
definition:
Rank

Rank
n.
[OE. renk, reng, OF. renc, F. rang, fr. OHG. hring a circle, a circular row, G. ring. See Ring, and cf. Range, n. & v.]
1.
A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of osiers.

Many a mountain nigh
Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still.
Byron.

2.
(Mil.)
A line of soldiers ranged side by side; -- opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 (a).

Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
Shak.

3.
Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.

4.
An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class; an order; a division; as, ranks and orders of men; the highest and the lowest ranks of men, or of other intelligent beings.

5.
Degree of dignity, eminence, or excellence; position in civil or social life; station; degree; grade; as, a writer of the first rank; a lawyer of high rank.

These all are virtues of a meaner rank.
Addison.

6.
Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank.

Rank and file. (a) (Mil.) The whole body of common soldiers, including also corporals. In a more extended sense, it includes sergeants also, excepting the noncommissioned staff. (b) See under 1st File. -- The ranks, the order or grade of common soldiers; as, to reduce a noncommissioned officer to the ranks. -- To fill the ranks, to supply the whole number, or a competent number. -- To take rank of, to have precedence over, or to have the right of taking a higher place than.


word: Rank₄
definition:
Rank

Rank
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ranked (ră&nsmacr_;kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Ranking.]
1.
To place abreast, or in a line.

2.
To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable classes or order; to classify.

Ranking all things under general and special heads.
I. Watts.

Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
Broome.

Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft.
Dr. H. More.

3.
To take rank of; to outrank.
[U.S.]


word: Rank₅
definition:
Rank

Rank
v. i.
1.
To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division.

Let that one article rank with the rest.
Shak.

2.
To have a certain grade or degree of elevation in the orders of civil or military life; to have a certain degree of esteem or consideration; as, he ranks with the first class of poets; he ranks high in public estimation.


word: Rankle
definition:
Rankle

Ran"kle
(ră&nsmacr_;"k'l)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Rankled (-k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rankling (-klĭng).]
[From Rank, a.]
1.
To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively.

A malady that burns and rankles inward.
Rowe.

This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people.
Burke.

2.
To produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom.


word: Rankle₂
definition:
Rankle

Ran"kle
(ră&nsmacr_;"k'l)
v. t.
To cause to fester; to make sore; to inflame.
[R.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Rankly
definition:
Rankly

Rank"ly
(ră&nsmacr_;k"l&ybreve_;)
adv.
With rank or vigorous growth; luxuriantly; hence, coarsely; grossly; as, weeds grow rankly.


word: Ranny
definition:
Ranny

Ran"ny
(răn"n&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. araneus mus, a kind of small mouse.]
(Zool.)
The erd shrew.
[Scot.]


word: Ransack
definition:
Ransack

Ran"sack
(răn"săk)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ransacked (-săkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.]
[OE. ransaken, Icel. rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS. ræsn plank, beam) + the root of sækja to seek, akin to E. seek. See Seek, and cf. Rest repose.]
1.
To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to ransack a house.

To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts.
South.

2.
To plunder; to pillage completely.

Their vow is made
To ransack Troy.
Shak.

3.
To violate; to ravish; to defiour.
[Obs.]

Rich spoil of ransacked chastity.
Spenser.


word: Ransack₂
definition:
Ransack

Ran"sack
v. i.
To make a thorough search.

To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies dead.
Chaucer.


word: Ransack₃
definition:
Ransack

Ran"sack
n.
The act of ransacking, or state of being ransacked; pillage.
[R.]

Even your father's house
Shall not be free from ransack.
J. Webster.


word: Ransom
definition:
Ransom

Ran"som
(răn"sŭm)
n.
[OE. raunson, raunsoun, OF. rançon, raençon, raançon, F. rançon, fr. L. redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem. See Redeem, and cf. Redemption.]
1.
The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners hopeless of ransom.
Dryden.

2.
The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit.

Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems.
Milton.

His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty.
Sir J. Davies.

3.
(O. Eng. Law)
A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
Blackstone.

Ransom bill (Law), a war contract, valid by the law of nations, for the ransom of property captured at sea and its safe conduct into port. Kent.


word: Ransom₂
definition:
Ransom

Ran"som
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ransomed (-sŭmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ransoming.]
[Cf. F. rançonner. See Ransom, n.]
1.
To redeem from captivity, servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a price; to buy out of servitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver; as, to ransom prisoners from an enemy.

2.
To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.
[R.]

Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year.
Berners.


word: Rant
definition:
Rant

Rant
(rănt)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ranted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ranting.]
[OD. ranten, randen, to dote, to be enraged.]
To rave in violent, high-sounding, or extravagant language, without dignity of thought; to be noisy, boisterous, and bombastic in talk or declamation; as, a ranting preacher.

Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes!
Shak.


word: Rant₂
definition:
Rant

Rant
n.
High-sounding language, without importance or dignity of thought; boisterous, empty declamation; bombast; as, the rant of fanatics.

This is a stoical rant, without any foundation in the nature of man or reason of things.
Atterbury.


word: Ranter
definition:
Ranter

Rant"er
(rănt"ẽr)
n.
1.
A noisy talker; a raving declaimer.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
(a)
One of a religious sect which sprung up in 1645; -- called also Seekers. See Seeker.
(b)
One of the Primitive Methodists, who seceded from the Wesleyan Methodists on the ground of their deficiency in fervor and zeal; -- so called in contempt.


word: Rantipole
definition:
Rantipole

Rant"i*pole
(rănt"ĭ*p&omacrl)
n.
[Ranty + pole, poll, head.]
A wild, romping young person.
[Low]
Marryat.


word: Rantipole₃
definition:
Rantipole

Rant"i*pole
v. i.
To act like a rantipole.
[Low]

She used to rantipole about the house.
Arbuthnot.


word: Ranula
definition:
Ranula

Ran"u*la
(răn"&uuptack_;*lȧ)
n.
[L., a little frog, a little swelling on the tongue of cattle, dim. of rana a frog.]
(Med.)
A cyst formed under the tongue by obstruction of the duct of the submaxillary gland.


word: Ranunculaceous
definition:
Ranunculaceous

Ra*nun`cu*la"ceous
(rȧ*nŭ&nsmacr_;`k&uuptack_;*lā"shŭs)
a.
[See Ranunculus.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Ranunculaceae), of which the buttercup is the type, and which includes also the virgin's bower, the monkshood, larkspur, anemone, meadow rue, and peony.


word: Ranunculus
definition:
Ranunculus

Ra*nun"cu*lus
(rȧ*nŭ&nsmacr_;"k&uuptack_;*lŭs)
n.
pl. E. Ranunculuses (rȧ*nŭ&nsmacr_;"k&uuptack_;*lŭs*ĕz), L. Ranunculi (-lī).
[L., a little frog, a medicinal plant, perhaps crowfoot, dim. of rana a frog; cf. raccare to roar.]
(Bot.)
A genus of herbs, mostly with yellow flowers, including crowfoot, buttercups, and the cultivated ranunculi (Ranunculus Asiaticus, Ranunculus aconitifolius, etc.) in which the flowers are double and of various colors.


word: Ranz des vaches
definition:
Ranz des vaches

Ranz" des` vaches"
(räNs" da̝` vȧsh")
[F., the ranks or rows of cows, the name being given from the fact that the cattle, when answering the musical call of their keeper, move towards him in a row, preceded by those wearing bells.]
The name for numerous simple, but very irregular, melodies of the Swiss mountaineers, blown on a long tube called the Alpine horn, and sometimes sung.


word: Rap₂
definition:
Rap

Rap
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Rapped (răpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Rapping.]
[Akin to Sw. rappa to strike, rapp stroke, Dan. rap, perhaps of imitative origin.]
To strike with a quick, sharp blow; to knock; as, to rap on the door.


word: Rap₃
definition:
Rap

Rap
v. t.
1.
To strike with a quick blow; to knock on.

With one great peal they rap the door.
Prior.

2.
(Founding)
To free (a pattern) in a mold by light blows on the pattern, so as to facilitate its removal.


word: Rap₅
definition:
Rap

Rap
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rapped (răpt), usually written Rapt; p. pr. & vb. n. Rapping.]
[OE. rapen; akin to LG. & D. rapen to snatch, G. raffen, Sw. rappa; cf. Dan. rappe sig to make haste, and Icel. hrapa to fall, to rush, hurry. The word has been confused with L. rapere to seize.  Cf. Rape robbery, Rapture, Raff, v., Ramp, v.]
1.
To snatch away; to seize and hurry off.

And through the Greeks and Ilians they rapt
The whirring chariot.
Chapman.

From Oxford I was rapt by my nephew, Sir Edmund Bacon, to Redgrove.
Sir H. Wotton.

2.
To hasten.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.

3.
To seize and bear away, as the mind or thoughts; to transport out of one's self; to affect with ecstasy or rapture; as, rapt into admiration.

I'm rapt with joy to see my Marcia's tears.
Addison.

Rapt into future times, the bard begun.
Pope.

4.
To exchange; to truck.
[Obs. & Low]

5.
To engage in a discussion, converse.

6.
(ca. 1985)
to perform a type of rhythmic talking, often with accompanying rhythm instruments.  It is considered by some as a type of music; see rap music.

To rap and ren, To rap and rend. [Perhaps fr. Icel. hrapa to hurry and ræna plunder, fr. rān plunder, E. ran.] To seize and plunder; to snatch by violence. Dryden. “[Ye] waste all that ye may rape and renne.”  Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
All they could rap and rend and pilfer. Hudibras.
[1913 Webster]
-- To rap out, to utter with sudden violence, as an oath.
[1913 Webster]
A judge who rapped out a great oath. Addison.


word: Rap₆
definition:
Rap

Rap
n.
[Perhaps contr. fr. raparee.]
A popular name for any of the tokens that passed current for a half-penny in Ireland in the early part of the eighteenth century; any coin of trifling value.

Many counterfeits passed about under the name of raps.
Swift.

Tie it [her money] up so tight that you can't touch a rap, save with her consent.
Mrs. Alexander.

Not to care a rap, to care nothing. -- Not worth a rap, worth nothing.


word: Rap₇
definition:
Rap

Rap
n.
1.
conversation; also, rapping.

2.
(ca. 1985)
a type of rhythmic talking, often with accompanying rhythm instruments; rap music.


word: Rapacious
definition:
Rapacious

Ra*pa"cious
(rȧ*pā"shŭs)
a.
[L. rapax, -acis, from rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch away. See Rapid.]

1.
Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force.
rapacious
Motley.

2.
Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence; as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird.

3.
Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as, rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite.

[Thy Lord] redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim
Milton.


word: Rapacity
definition:
Rapacity

Ra*pac"i*ty
(rȧ*păs"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. rapacitas: cf. F. rapacité. See Rapacious.]
1.
The quality of being rapacious; rapaciousness; ravenousness; as, the rapacity of pirates; the rapacity of wolves.

2.
The act or practice of extorting or exacting by oppressive injustice; exorbitant greediness of gain.
rapacity
Sprat.


word: Rape
definition:
Rape

Rape
(rāp)
n.
[F. râpe a grape stalk.]
1.
Fruit, as grapes, plucked from the cluster.
Ray.

2.
The refuse stems and skins of grapes or raisins from which the must has been expressed in wine making.

3.
A filter containing the above refuse, used in clarifying and perfecting malt, vinegar, etc.

Rape wine, a poor, thin wine made from the last dregs of pressed grapes.


word: Rape₂
definition:
Rape

Rape
n.
[Akin to rap to snatch, but confused with L. rapere. See Rap to snatch.]
1.
The act of seizing and carrying away by force; violent seizure; robbery.

And ruined orphans of thy rapes complain.
Sandys.

2.
(Law)
Sexual connection with a woman without her consent. See Age of consent, under Consent, n.

3.
That which is snatched away.
[Obs.]

Where now are all my hopes? O, never more
Shall they revive! nor death her rapes restore.
Sandys.

4.
Movement, as in snatching; haste; hurry.
[Obs.]

5.
(Fig., Colloq.)
An action causing results harmful to a person or thing; as, the rape of the land by mining companies.


word: Rape₃
definition:
Rape

Rape
v. t.
1.
To commit rape upon; to ravish.

2.
(Fig., Colloq.)
To perform an action causing results harmful or very unpleasant to a person or thing; as, women raped first by their assailants, and then by the Justice system.  Corresponds to 2nd rape, n. 5.

To rape and ren. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch.


word: Rape₅
definition:
Rape

Rape
n.
[Icel. hreppr village, district; cf. Icel. hreppa to catch, obtain, AS. hrepian, hreppan, to touch.]
One of six divisions of the county of Sussex, England, intermediate between a hundred and a shire.


word: Rape₆
definition:
Rape

Rape
n.
[L. rapa, rapum, akin to Gr. "ra`pys, "ra`fys, G. rübe.]
(Bot.)
A name given to a variety or to varieties of a plant of the turnip kind, grown for seeds and herbage. The seeds are used for the production of rape oil, and to a limited extent for the food of cage birds.

&hand_; These plants, with the edible turnip, have been variously named, but are all now believed to be derived from the Brassica campestris of Europe, which by some is not considered distinct from the wild stock (Brassica oleracea) of the cabbage. See Cole.

Broom rape. (Bot.) See Broom rape, in the Vocabulary. -- Rape cake, the refuse remaining after the oil has been expressed from the rape seed. -- Rape root. Same as Rape. -- Summer rape. (Bot.) See Colza.


word: Rapeful
definition:
Rapeful

Rape"ful
(rāp"f&usdot_;l)
a.
1.
Violent.
[Obs.]

2.
Given to the commission of rape.
Byron.


word: Raphaelesque
definition:
Raphaelesque

Raph`a*el*esque"
(răf`ȧ*ĕl*ĕsk")
a.
Like Raphael's works; in Raphael's manner of painting.


word: Raphaelism
definition:
Raphaelism

Raph"a*el*ism
(răf"ȧ*ĕl*ĭz'm)
n.
The principles of painting introduced by Raphael, the Italian painter.


word: Raphaelite
definition:
Raphaelite

Raph"a*el*ite
(răf"ȧ*ĕl*īt)
n.
One who advocates or adopts the principles of Raphaelism.


word: Raphany
definition:
Raphany

Raph"a*ny
(răf"ȧ*n&ybreve_;)
n.
[Cf. F. raphanie.]
(Med.)
A convulsive disease, attended with ravenous hunger, not uncommon in Sweden and Germany. It was so called because supposed to be caused by eating corn with which seeds of jointed charlock (Raphanus raphanistrum) had been mixed, but the condition is now known to be a form of ergotism.


word: Raphe
definition:
Raphe

Ra"phe
(rā"fe̝)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. "rafh` a seam or suture, fr. "ra`ptein to sew or stitch together.]
1.
(Anat.)
A line, ridge, furrow, or band of fibers, especially in the median line; as, the raphe of the tongue.

2.
(Bot.)
Same as Rhaphe.


word: Rapid
definition:
Rapid

Rap"id
(răp"ĭd)
a.
[L. rapidus, fr. rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch or hurry away; perhaps akin to Gr. 'arpa`zein: cf. F. rapide.  Cf. Harpy, Ravish.]

1.
Very swift or quick; moving with celerity; fast; as, a rapid stream; a rapid flight; a rapid motion.

Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels.
Milton.

2.
Advancing with haste or speed; speedy in progression; in quick sequence; as, rapid growth; rapid improvement; rapid recurrence; rapid succession.

3.
Quick in execution; as, a rapid penman.


word: Rapids
definition:
Rapids

Rapid

Rap"id, Rap"ids
(răp"ĭdz)
n.
[Cf. F. rapide. See Rapid, a.]
The part of a river where the current moves with great swiftness, but without actual waterfall or cascade; sometimes called whitewater; -- usually used in the plural; as, the Lachine rapids in the St. Lawrence.  For boaters on the river, it is a place that can be hazardous, with danger of capsizing or crashing into large rocks.

Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast,
The rapids are near, and the daylight's past.
Moore.


word: Rapid-firing
definition:
Rapid-firing

Rapid-fire

{ Rap"id-fire`, Rap"id-fir`ing  }
a.
(a)
(Gun.)
Firing shots in rapid succession.
(b)
(Ordnance)
Capable of being fired rapidly; -- applied to single-barreled guns of greater caliber than small arms, mounted so as to be quickly trained and elevated, with a quick-acting breech mechanism operated by a single motion of a crank or lever (abbr. R. F.);
specif.:
In the United States navy, designating such a gun using fixed ammunition or metallic cartridge cases; -- distinguished from breech-loading (abbr. B. L.), applied to all guns loading with the charge in bags, and formerly from quick-fire. Rapid-fire guns in the navy also sometimes include automatic or semiautomatic rapid-fire guns; the former being automatic guns of not less than one inch caliber, firing a shell of not less than one pound weight, the explosion of each cartridge operating the mechanism for ejecting the empty shell, loading, and firing the next shot, the latter being guns that require one operation of the hand at each discharge, to load the gun.
In the United States army, designating such a gun, whether using fixed or separate ammunition, designed chiefly for use in coast batteries against torpedo vessels and the lightly armored batteries or other war vessels and for the protection of defensive mine fields; -- not distinguished from quick-fire.
In Great Britain and Europe used, rarely, as synonymous with quick-fire.


word: Rapid-fire
definition:
Rapid-fire

Rap"id-fire`
a.
Occurring in rapid succession like the shots fired from a machine gun.  See also machine-gun.


word: Rapid-fire mount
definition:
Rapid-fire mount

Rapid-fire mount
(Ordnance)
A mount permitting easy and quick elevation or depression and training of the gun, and fitted with a device for taking up the recoil.


word: Rapidity
definition:
Rapidity

Ra*pid"i*ty
(rȧ*pĭd"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. rapiditas: cf. F. rapidité.]
The quality or state of being rapid; swiftness; celerity; velocity; as, the rapidity of a current; rapidity of speech; rapidity of growth or improvement.


word: Rapier
definition:
Rapier

Ra"pi*er
(rā"pĭ*ẽr)
n.
[F. rapière, perhaps for raspière, and ultimately of German origin, akin to E. rasp, v.]
A straight sword, with a narrow and finely pointed blade, used only for thrusting.

Rapier fish (Zool.), the swordfish. [Obs.] Grew.


word: Rapine
definition:
Rapine

Rap"ine
(răp"ĭn)
n.
[F. rapine; cf. Pr. & It. rapina; all fr. L. rapina, fr. rapere to seize and carry off by force. See Rapid, and cf. Raven rapine.]
1.
The act of plundering; the seizing and carrying away of things by force; spoliation; pillage; plunder.

Men who were impelled to war quite as much by the desire of rapine as by the desire of glory.
Macaulay.

2.
Ravishment; rape.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: rap music
definition:
rap music

rap` mu"sic
(răp` mū"zĭk)
n.
(ca. 1985)
a type of rhythmic talking, often with accompanying rhythm instruments; same as 7th rap, n..


word: Rappage
definition:
Rappage

Rap"page
(răp"pa̝j; 48)
n.
(Founding)
The enlargement of a mold caused by rapping the pattern.


word: Rapparee
definition:
Rapparee

Rap`pa*ree"
(-pȧ*rē")
n.
A wild Irish plunderer, esp. one of the 17th century; -- so called from his carrying a half-pike, called a rapary.
[Written also raparee.]


word: Rappee
definition:
Rappee

Rap*pee"
(răp*pē")
n.
[F. râpé, fr. râper to grate, to rasp. See Rasp, v.]
A pungent kind of snuff made from the darker and ranker kinds of tobacco leaves.


word: Rappel
definition:
Rappel

Rap"pel
(răp"pĕl or răp*pĕl")
n.
[F.  Cf. Repeal.]
(Mil.)
The beat of the drum to call soldiers to arms.


word: Rapper
definition:
Rapper

Rap"per
(răp"pẽr)
n.
[From Rap.]
1.
One who, or that which, raps or knocks; specifically, the knocker of a door.
Sterne.

2.
A forcible oath or lie.
[Slang]
Bp. Parker.

3.
A musician specializing in rap music.


word: Rapport
definition:
Rapport

Rap*port"
(răp*p&omacrrt"; F. rȧ`pôr")
n.
[F., fr. rapporter to bring again or back, to refer; pref. re- re- + apporter to bring, L. apportare.  Cf. Report.]
Relation; proportion; conformity; correspondence; accord.

'T is obvious what rapport there is between the conceptions and languages in every country.
Sir W. Temple.

&VerbarEn` rap`port" (äN` rȧ`pôr") [F.], in accord, harmony, or sympathy; having a mutual, especially a private, understanding; in hypnotism, in that relation of sympathy which permits influence or communication.


word: Rapprochement
definition:
Rapprochement

Rap`proche`ment"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. rapprocher to cause to approach again. See Re-; Approach.]
Act or fact of coming or being drawn near or together; establishment or state of cordial relations.

He had witnessed the gradual rapprochement between the papacy and Austria.
Wilfrid Ward.


word: Rapscallion
definition:
Rapscallion

Rap*scal"lion
(răp*skăl"yŭn)
n.
[See Rascallion.]
A rascal; a good-for-nothing fellow.
[Colloq.]
Howitt.


word: Rapt₂
definition:
Rapt

Rapt
a.
1.
Snatched away; hurried away or along.

Waters rapt with whirling away.
Spenser.

2.
Transported with love, admiration, delight, etc.; enraptured.
rapt
Longfellow.

3.
Wholly absorbed or engrossed, as in work or meditation.
Rapt
Shak.


word: Rapt₃
definition:
Rapt

Rapt
n.
[From F. rapt abduction, rape, L. raptus, fr. rapere to seize and carry off, to transport; or fr. E. rapt, a. See Rapt, a., and Rapid.]
1.
An ecstasy; a trance.
[Obs.]
Bp. Morton.

2.
Rapidity.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Rapt₄
definition:
Rapt

Rapt
v. t.
1.
To transport or ravish.
[Obs.]
Drayton.

2.
To carry away by force.
[Obs.]
Daniel.


word: Raptor
definition:
Raptor

Rap"tor
(răp"tẽr)
n.
[L. raptor, from rapere to ravish. See Rapid.]
A ravisher; a plunderer.
[Obs.]


word: Raptores
definition:
Raptores

Rap*to"res
(răp*t&omacr"rēz)
n. pl.
[NL. See Raptor.]
(Zool.)
An order of birds, same as Accipitres. Called also Raptatores.


word: Raptorial
definition:
Raptorial

Rap*to"ri*al
(răp*t&omacr"rĭ*al)
a.
(Zool.)
(a)
Rapacious; living upon prey; -- said especially of certain birds.
(b)
Adapted for seizing prey; -- said of the legs, claws, etc., of insects, birds, and other animals.
(c)
Of or pertaining to the Raptores. See Illust. (f) of Aves.


word: Rapture
definition:
Rapture

Rap"ture
(răp"t&uuptack_;r; 135)
n.
[L. rapere, raptum, to carry off by force. See Rapid.]
1.
A seizing by violence; a hurrying along; rapidity with violence.
[Obs.]

That 'gainst a rock, or flat, her keel did dash
With headlong rapture.
Chapman.

2.
The state or condition of being rapt, or carried away from one's self by agreeable excitement; violence of a pleasing passion; extreme joy or pleasure; ecstasy.

Music, when thus applied, raises in the mind of the hearer great conceptions; it strengthens devotion, and advances praise into rapture.
Addison.

You grow correct that once with rapture writ.
Pope.

3.
A spasm; a fit; a syncope; delirium.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Rapture₂
definition:
Rapture

Rap"ture
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Raptured (-t&uuptack_;rd; 135); p. pr. & vb. n. Rapturing.]
To transport with excitement; to enrapture.
[Poetic]
Thomson.


word: Rapturous
definition:
Rapturous

Rap"tur*ous
(-ŭs)
a.
Ecstatic; transporting; ravishing; feeling, expressing, or manifesting rapture; as, rapturous joy, pleasure, or delight; rapturous applause.


word: Rare
definition:
Rare

Rare
(râr)
a.
[Cf. Rather, Rath.]
Early.
[Obs.]

Rude mechanicals that rare and late
Work in the market place.
Chapman.


word: Rare₂
definition:
Rare

Rare
a.
[Compar. Rarer (râr"ẽr); superl. Rarest.]
[Cf. AS. hrēr, or E. rare early.  √18.]
Nearly raw; partially cooked; not thoroughly cooked; underdone; as, rare beef or mutton.

New-laid eggs, which Baucis' busy care
Turned by a gentle fire, and roasted rare.
Dryden.

&hand_; This word is in common use in the United States, but in England its synonym underdone is preferred.


word: Rare₃
definition:
Rare

Rare
a.
[Compar. Rarer (râr"ẽr); superl. Rarest.]
[F., fr. L. rarus thin, rare.]
1.
Not frequent; seldom met with or occurring; unusual; as, a rare event.

2.
Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found.

Rare work, all filled with terror and delight.
Cowley.

Above the rest I judge one beauty rare.
Dryden.

3.
Thinly scattered; dispersed.

Those rare and solitary, these in flocks.
Milton.

4.
Characterized by wide separation of parts; of loose texture; not thick or dense; thin; as, a rare atmosphere at high elevations.

Water is nineteen times lighter, and by consequence nineteen times rarer, than gold.
Sir I. Newton.

A perfect union of wit and judgment is one of the rarest things in the world.
Burke.

When any particular piece of money grew very scarce, it was often recoined by a succeeding emperor.
Addison.


word: Raree-show
definition:
Raree-show

Rar"ee-show`
(râr"e̝-sh&omacr`)
n.
[Contr. fr. rarity-show.]
A show carried about in a box; a peep show.
Pope.


word: Rarefaction
definition:
Rarefaction

Rar`e*fac"tion
(răr`e̝*făk"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. raréfaction. See Rarefy.]
The act or process of rarefying; the state of being rarefied; -- opposed to condensation; as, the rarefaction of air.


word: Rarefiable
definition:
Rarefiable

Rar"e*fi`a*ble
(răr"e̝*fī`ȧ*b'l)
a.
[Cf. F. raréfiable.]
Capable of being rarefied.
Boyle.


word: Rarefy
definition:
Rarefy

Rar"e*fy
(răr"e̝*fī; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rarefied (răr"e̝*fīd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rarefying (răr"e̝*fī`ĭng).]
[F. raréfier; L. rarus rare + -ficare (in comp.) to make; cf. L. rarefacere. See -fy.]
To make rare, thin, porous, or less dense; to expand or enlarge without adding any new portion of matter to; -- opposed to condense.


word: Rarely
definition:
Rarely

Rare"ly
(râr"l&ybreve_;)
adv.
1.
In a rare manner or degree; seldom; not often; as, things rarely seen.

2.
Finely; excellently; with rare skill. See 3d Rare, 2.

The person who played so rarely on the flageolet.
Sir W. Scott.

The rest of the apartments are rarely gilded.
Evelyn.


word: Rareness
definition:
Rareness

Rare"ness
n.
The state or quality of being rare.

And let the rareness the small gift commend.
Dryden.


word: Rareripe
definition:
Rareripe

Rare"ripe`
(-rīp`)
a.
[Rare early + ripe.  Cf. Rathripe.]
Early ripe; ripe before others, or before the usual season.


word: Rarity
definition:
Rarity

Rar"i*ty
(răr"ĭ*t&ybreve_;; 277)
n.
pl. Rarities (răr"ĭ*tĭz).
[L. raritas: cf. F. rareté. See Rare.]
1.
The quality or state of being rare; rareness; thinness; as, the rarity (contrasted with the density) of gases.

2.
That which is rare; an uncommon thing; a thing valued for its scarcity.

I saw three rarities of different kinds, which pleased me more than any other shows in the place.
Addison.


word: ras
definition:
ras

ras
(räs)
n.
[from rat sarcoma.]
The name and genetic symbol for a mutant gene that has been identified as one of those associated with certains types of cancer; -- it is a form of oncogene.  It was first observed in rats, but analogues have been found in humans and other animals.

  During the 1960s and 1970s, a great deal of research was done on a class of viruses that affects rodents and birds and causes tumors in those species. The motivation for a lot of this research was the idea that similar viruses might cause tumors in humans, but in fact it's turned out that there are very few viruses that cause tumors in humans. Nevertheless, the study of these rodent viruses has been enormously fruitful in helping us to understand human cancer, and that's the basis of this story.

One of the viruses that was studied in those years had two peculiarities. One was that it had lost most of the genes that it needed to reproduce itself. It could only reproduce if a helper virus was present in the same cell to supply the missing functions. The second peculiarity was that in place of the genes that were required for reproduction of the virus was another gene that had actually been picked up at some point in the history of this virus when it went through rats, and it picked up a rat gene and incorporated it into its own genome.

At the same time that a lot of work was going on on these viruses, other scientists were studying other aspects of tumor formation, in particular, the action of carcinogenic agents, chemicals and X-rays and ultraviolet light. As you all know, human cells can turn into tumor cells under the influence of such agents. The tumor-like properties of those cells are inherited by all the daughter cells through many generations and, moreover, almost all chemicals that turn out to be carcinogens are also able to cause mutations.

Another observation was that in tumor cells, many of the chromosomes seemed to have altered structures. So, all of these observations and others certainly suggested that changes in DNA might be involved in the development of tumor cells. By about 1980, it became possible to test that hypothesis directly.

If you have human tumor cells produced in laboratory dishes or isolated from the tumor itself, then perhaps they have a gene or genes in them which is responsible for the fact that they're tumor cells. If you isolate the DNA from the cells and cut it up into more or less gene-sized pieces and then put it on top of mouse cells growing in a dish, the mouse cells can take up pieces of this DNA, and any mouse cell that picks up a piece of DNA that carries on it a gene that can cause a tumor will begin to grow like tumor cells, and its progeny will grow rapidly and form a tight little cluster on the cell.

Now it's possible to pick such cells off and isolate the DNA from them and also separate the human DNA sequence that might have caused the tumor-like property from the bulk of the mouse sequences and to clone that DNA. And when you do that and put that DNA, which is now pure sequence, back in mouse cells, many of the cells become tumor-like rather than just a rare few. And such a gene, such a DNA sequence, bears the name of an oncogene.

When such DNA segments are cloned, the DNA can also be used to probe, to find out whether matching DNA sequences occur only in tumor cells or whether there are similar DNA sequences in normal cells. And the answer has been for a whole group of oncogenes, that very similar DNA sequences are present in normal cells. To find out just how similar, the sequences of the normal genes were compared with those from the genes that were isolated from these tumor cells.

The first such oncogene isolated was from a human bladder tumor, and everyone was surprised by the results. First of all, the gene isolated from the bladder tumor was almost identical to the normal human gene and almost identical to the gene that was present in the tumor virus that infected rodents that I told you about before. This gene has become known as “ras”, because it was originally isolated from rats with sarcoma, and it caused sarcomas and it's called that, and it's protein is called that. And the only really significant difference between the normal human gene, the bladder tumor gene, and the rodent virus gene was a change in one codon, Codon XII, and therefore a change in amino acids.

So the normal human gene has a sequence GGC, encodes the amino acid glycine, and does not cause tumors. But the bladder tumor gene has GTC; it encodes valine. The rodent virus has AGA; it encodes arginine, and both of these cause tumors. In fact, any change that leads to a loss of the glycine at Codon XII can change this normal gene, ras, into a gene that would cause tumors. So there were two different ways in which the ras gene turned up.  First, as a rat gene in a tumor virus and second of all as the gene that could account for the tumor-like properties of the bladder tumor.

Well by now, many of the questions that occurred to the scientists working on this have occurred to you.  What is the ras protein normally (if anything), and what does the altered ras protein do that differently, and how can a change in one amino acid in a protein change cells from normal to tumor cells?

It turns out that the ras gene and the ras protein are important for a lot of things, but more particularly for regulating the growth of cells. Normal cells need to have a good ras gene in order to grow, in order to make new DNA, to time it all right so they don't grow out of control. Moreover, the ras gene occurs in virtually all living things. For example, yeast cells also have two ras genes. If either one of them is knocked out, the yeast cells can still grow very well and multiply. But if both ras genes are knocked out, the yeast cells cannot multiply, and they die.  Astonishingly, if a human ras gene is applied to these yeast cells, it completely takes the place of the yeast's own ras genes. So we know from this that the ras gene is very important to all living cells and that it's probably been around for a couple billion years, ever since the very first cells were formed on the planet.

So ras does something important and the question is, what does it do?  David Golde told you before about receptors that span cell membranes that bind molecules outside the cell and provide a signal inside the cell, and it turns out that what the ras protein does is to help convey that signal from the receptor at the surface down into the cell and into the gene where it results in a change in gene expression.  The ras protein itself actually sits right under the cell membrane, very well positioned to do this.

Well, how can it do that? To tell you about that I need to tell you a couple of things about the ras protein and what it does.  First of all, ras combines two small molecules called GDP and GTP, and they differ only in the presence of one more phosphate, three in GTP and two in GDP.  This G is related; it's in fact the same kind of molecule as the G that occurs in DNA. Moreover, ras protein can catalyze the removal of one phosphate, so you go from ras GTP to ras GDP and a phosphate is lost. Furthermore, the ras GDP can lose the GDP and pick up the GTP, and there are extra proteins in the cell that foster either this exchange, back to GTP or this loss of the phosphate to GDP. And the whole trick is the ratio of the GTP to the GDP.  So if you have ras GTP, it's active and it stimulates growth, but if you have ras GDP, then it's inactive and you don't stimulate growth.

In fact, the change in Codon XII from a glycine results in a change in the amount of ras GTP, so that there's more ras GTP collecting in the cell than the ras GDP, and therefore the cell is constantly under pressure to make DNA and grow and divide.  And this is the critical reason for this change, this oncogenic change in those versions of ras that cause tumors or are related to tumor formation as opposed to the natural protein.

How can that happen, a small change like that? You've heard a little bit about the importance of shapes of proteins.  If one looks closely at the atoms in the proteins then you see that the whole shape of the protein changes as you go from GTP to GDP.

Now one ras gene and protein all by itself would be interesting, but it turns out that there's a whole family of ras genes and ras proteins.  Two of them are specially similar to the type that I've been describing, and mutations in those genes are associated with a whole variety of human tumors including some that are believed to be the result of the reaction to environmental agents.

A mutant in one of those two related genes, which was also first discovered in a tumor virus, is very frequently associated with human tumors of the colon and rectum.  And again, it's Codon XII in that similar gene that is altered in the oncogenic form of this kind of ras.  Tumors of the colon and rectum are the third most common human malignancy worldwide, and surgical removal of the tumors can actually cure the disease in many cases, but only if the tumor is detected very, very early. Recent work has shown that you can, in fact, detect the change in the gene even by looking at the DNA in the stool of people who are suspected of having the colon tumor.

Even though the mutant DNA only occurs in a very small percentage of the cells in the stool, namely the cells that come from the tumor, not from all the normal cells or all the bacterial cells that are there, it is possible to amplify the amount of a possible abnormal ras gene and test directly for it. So, for example in this test, DNA from the stool of patient #1 matched a probe for the normal ras gene, but DNA isolated from the stool of patient #2 matched a probe not only from a normal ras gene but also from a ras gene with a mutation at Codon XII, thereby permitting a very early diagnosis of a colon tumor and thereby providing real hope that such tumors can be detected early, when the tumor is small enough to be removed surgically with a successful cure.
Maxine Singer (http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/BA/Ras_Gene_and_Cancer.html)


word: Rasante
definition:
Rasante

Ra`sante"
(rȧ`zäNt")
a.
[F., p. pr. of raser to graze.]
(Fort.)
Sweeping; grazing; -- applied to a style of fortification in which the command of the works over each other, and over the country, is kept very low, in order that the shot may more effectually sweep or graze the ground before them.
H. L. Scott.


word: Rascal
definition:
Rascal

Ras"cal
(răs"kal)
n.
[OE. rascaille rabble, probably from an OF. racaille, F. racaille the rabble, rubbish, probably akin to F. racler to scrape, (assumed) LL. rasiculare, rasicare, fr. L. radere, rasum. See Rase, v.]

1.
One of the rabble; a low, common sort of person or creature; collectively, the rabble; the common herd; also, a lean, ill-conditioned beast, esp. a deer.
[Obs.]

He smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand of the rascal.
Wyclif (1 Kings [1 Samuel] vi. 19).

Poor men alone? No, no; the noblest deer hath them [horns] as huge as the rascal.
Shak.

2.
A mean, trickish fellow; a base, dishonest person; a rogue; a scoundrel; a trickster.

For I have sense to serve my turn in store,
And he's a rascal who pretends to more.
Dryden.


word: Rascal₂
definition:
Rascal

Ras"cal
a.
Of or pertaining to the common herd or common people; low; mean; base.
rascal
Spencer.
rascal
Shak.

While she called me rascal fiddler.
Shak.


word: Rascaldom
definition:
Rascaldom

Ras"cal*dom
(-dŭm)
n.
State of being a rascal; rascality; domain of rascals; rascals, collectively.
Emerson.


word: Rascality
definition:
Rascality

Ras*cal"i*ty
(răs*kăl"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Rascalities (răs*kăl"ĭ*tĭz)

1.
The quality or state of being rascally, or a rascal; mean trickishness or dishonesty; base fraud.

2.
The poorer and lower classes of people.
[Obs.]

The chief heads of their clans with their several rascalities
T. Jackson.


word: Rascallion
definition:
Rascallion

Ras*cal"lion
(răs*kăl"yŭn)
n.
[From Rascal]
A low, mean wretch; a rogue; same as rascal, n.. 2; now disused, replaced by rapscalion.
[archaic]
[Written also rascalion.]


word: Rascally
definition:
Rascally

Ras"cal*ly
(răs"kal*l&ybreve_;)
a.
Like a rascal; trickish or dishonest; base; worthless; -- often in humorous disparagement, without implication of dishonesty.

Our rascally porter is fallen fast asleep.
Swift.


word: Rase
definition:
Rase

Rase
(rāz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Rased (rāzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rasing.]
[F. raser, LL. rasare to scrape often, v. freq. fr. L. radere, rasum, to scrape, shave; cf. Skr. rad to scratch, gnaw, L. rodere to gnaw.  Cf. Raze, Razee, Razor, Rodent.]
1.
To rub along the surface of; to graze.
[Obsoles.]

Was he not in the . . . neighborhood to death? and might not the bullet which rased his cheek have gone into his head?
South.

Sometimes his feet rased the surface of the water, and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose.
Beckford.

2.
To rub or scratch out; to erase.
[Obsoles.]

Except we rase the faculty of memory, root and branch, out of our mind.
Fuller.

3.
To level with the ground; to overthrow; to destroy; to raze.
[In this sense raze is generally used.]

Till Troy were by their brave hands rased,
They would not turn home.
Chapman.

&hand_; This word, rase, may be considered as nearly obsolete; graze, erase, and raze, having superseded it.

Rasing iron, a tool for removing old oakum and pitch from the seams of a vessel.


word: Rase₃
definition:
Rase

Rase
n.
1.
A scratching out, or erasure.
[Obs.]

2.
A slight wound; a scratch.
[Obs.]
Hooker.

3.
(O. Eng. Law)
A way of measuring in which the commodity measured was made even with the top of the measuring vessel by rasing, or striking off, all that was above it.
Burrill.


