# dictionary

word: Carry₂
definition:
Carry

Car"ry
v. i.
1.
To act as a bearer; to convey anything; as, to fetch and carry.

2.
To have propulsive power; to propel; as, a gun or mortar carries well.

3.
To hold the head; -- said of a horse; as, to carry well i. e., to hold the head high, with arching neck.

4.
(Hunting)
To have earth or frost stick to the feet when running, as a hare.
Johnson.

To carry on, to behave in a wild, rude, or romping manner. [Colloq.]


word: Carry₃
definition:
Carry

Car"ry
(?)
n.
pl. Carries (#)
A tract of land, over which boats or goods are carried between two bodies of navigable water; a carrying place; a portage.
[U.S.]


word: Carryall
definition:
Carryall

Car"ry*all`
(?)
n.
[Corrupted fr. cariole.]
A light covered carriage, having four wheels and seats for four or more persons, usually drawn by one horse.


word: Carrying
definition:
Carrying

Car"ry*ing
n.
The act or business of transporting from one place to another.

Carrying place, a carry; a portage. -- Carrying trade, the business of transporting goods, etc., from one place or country to another by water or land; freighting.

We are rivals with them in . . . the carrying trade.
Jay.


word: Carse
definition:
Carse

Carse
(kärs)
n.
[Of Celtic origin; cf. W. cars bog, fen. carsen reed, Armor. kars, korsen, bog plant, reed.]
Low, fertile land; a river valley.
[Scot.]
Jomieson.


word: carsick
definition:
carsick

car"sick`
(kär"sĭk`)
adj.
feeling nauseous due to the movement of a car or other land vehicle; -- similar to airsick and seasick.


word: Cart
definition:
Cart

Cart
(kärt)
n.
[AS. cræt; cf. W. cart, Ir. & Gael. cairt, or Icel. kartr. Cf. Car.]
1.
A common name for various kinds of vehicles, as a Scythian dwelling on wheels, or a chariot.
cart
Shak.

2.
A two-wheeled vehicle for the ordinary purposes of husbandry, or for transporting bulky and heavy articles.

Packing all his goods in one poor cart.
Dryden.

3.
A light business wagon used by bakers, grocerymen, butchers, etc.

4.
An open two-wheeled pleasure carriage.

Cart horse, a horse which draws a cart; a horse bred or used for drawing heavy loads; -- also spelled carthorse. -- Cart rope, a stout rope for fastening a load on a cart; any strong rope. -- To put the cart before the horse, To get the cart before the horse, or To set the cart before the horse, to invert the order of related facts or ideas, as by putting an effect for a cause; to do things in an improper order.


word: Cart₂
definition:
Cart

Cart
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Carted; p. pr. & vb. n. Carting.]
1.
To carry or convey in a cart.

2.
To expose in a cart by way of punishment.

She chuckled when a bawd was carted.
Prior.


word: Cartbote
definition:
Cartbote

Cart"bote`
(?)
n.
[Cart + bote.]
(Old Eng. Law.)
Wood to which a tenant is entitled for making and repairing carts and other instruments of husbandry.


word: Carte₂
definition:
Carte

Quarte

{ Carte. &VerbarQuarte (?), }
n.
[F. quarte, prop., a fourth. Cf. Quart.]
(Fencing)
A position in thrusting or parrying, with the inside of the hand turned upward and the point of the weapon toward the adversary's right breast.


word: Carte blanche
definition:
Carte blanche

Carte` blanche"
(?)
[F., fr. OF. carte paper + -blanc, blanche, white. See 1st Card.]
A blank paper, with a person's signature, etc., at the bottom, given to another person, with permission to superscribe what conditions he pleases. Hence: Unconditional terms; unlimited authority.


word: Carte de visite
definition:
Carte de visite

Carte" de vi*site`
(?)
pl. Cartes de visite (_;)
[F.]
1.
A visiting card.

2.
A photographic picture of the size formerly in use for a visiting card.


word: Cartel
definition:
Cartel

Car*tel"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. LL. cartellus a little paper, dim. fr. L. charta. See 1st Card.]

1.
(Mil.)
An agreement between belligerents for the exchange of prisoners.
Wilhelm.

2.
A letter of defiance or challenge; a challenge to single combat.
[Obs.]

He is cowed at the very idea of a cartel.,
Sir W. Scott.
Cartel, or Cartel ship, a ship employed in the exchange of prisoners, or in carrying propositions to an enemy; a ship beating a flag of truce and privileged from capture.


word: Carter
definition:
Carter

Cart"er
(?)
n.
1.
A charioteer.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
A man who drives a cart; a teamster.

3.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any species of Phalangium; -- also called harvestman
(b)
A British fish; the whiff.


word: Cartesian
definition:
Cartesian

Car*te"sian
(?)
a.
[From Renatus Cartesius, Latinized from of René Descartes: cf. F. cartésien.]
Of or pertaining to the French philosopher René Descartes, or his philosophy.

The Cartesion argument for reality of matter.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Cartesian coordinates (Geom), distance of a point from lines or planes; -- used in a system of representing geometric quantities, invented by Descartes. -- Cartesian devil, a small hollow glass figure, used in connection with a jar of water having an elastic top, to illustrate the effect of the compression or expansion of air in changing the specific gravity of bodies. -- Cartesion oval (Geom.), a curve such that, for any point of the curve mr + m′r′ = c, where r and r′ are the distances of the point from the two foci and m, m′ and c are constant; -- used by Descartes.


word: Carthaginian
definition:
Carthaginian

Car`tha*gin"i*an
a.
Of a pertaining to ancient Carthage, a city of northern Africa.
n. A native or inhabitant of Carthage.


word: Carthamin
definition:
Carthamin

Car"tha*min
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A red coloring matter obtained from the safflower, or Carthamus tinctorius.


word: cart horse
definition:
cart horse

carthorse

cart"horse`, cart" horse`
n.
a horse kept for pulling carts; a horse bred or used for drawing heavy loads.

Syn. -- drayhorse.


word: Carthusian
definition:
Carthusian

Car*thu"sian
(?)
n.
[LL. Cartusianus, Cartusiensis, from the town of Chartreuse, in France.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
A member of an exceeding austere religious order, founded at Chartreuse in France by St. Bruno, in the year 1086.


word: Cartilage
definition:
Cartilage

Car"ti*lage
(?)
n.
[L. cartilago; cf. F. cartilage.]
(Anat.)
A translucent, elastic tissue; gristle.

&hand_; Cartilage contains no vessels, and consists of a homogeneous, intercellular matrix, in which there are numerous minute cavities, or capsules, containing protoplasmic cells, the cartilage corpuscul. See Illust under Duplication.

Articular cartilage, cartilage that lines the joints. -- Cartilage bone (Anat.), any bone formed by the ossification of cartilage. -- Costal cartilage, cartilage joining a rib with he sternum. See Illust. of Thorax.


word: Cartilaginification
definition:
Cartilaginification

Car`ti*la*gin`i*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. cartilago, -laginis, cartilage + facere to make.]
The act or process of forming cartilage.
Wright.


word: Cartilaginous
definition:
Cartilaginous

Car`ti*lag"i*nous
(?)
a.
[L. cartilaginosus: cf. F. cartilagineux.]
1.
Of or pertaining to cartilage; gristly; firm and tough like cartilage.

2.
(Zool.)
Having the skeleton in the state of cartilage, the bones containing little or no calcareous matter; said of certain fishes, as the sturgeon and the sharks.


word: Cartist
definition:
Cartist

Car"tist
(?)
n.
[Sp. cartista, fr. carta paper, document (cf. Pg. carta). See Charta; cf. Chartist.]
In Spain and Portugal, one who supports the constitution.


word: cart load
definition:
cart load

cartload

cartload, cart load
n.
as much as will fill or load a cart; the quantity that a cart holds. In excavating and carting sand, gravel, earth, etc., one third of a cubic yard of the material before it is loosened is estimated to be a cart load.


word: Cartogram
definition:
Cartogram

Car"to*gram
(?)
n.
[F. cartogramme.]
A map showing geographically, by shades or curves, statistics of various kinds; a statistical map.


word: Cartographical
definition:
Cartographical

Cartographic

{ Car`to*graph"ic (?), Car`to*graph"ic*al (?) }
a.
Of or pertaining to cartography.


word: Cartography
definition:
Cartography

Car*tog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. cartographie. See Card, and -graphy.]
The art or business of forming charts or maps.


word: Cartomancy
definition:
Cartomancy

Car"to*man`cy
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. cartomancie. See Card, and -mancy.]
The art of telling fortunes with cards.


word: Carton
definition:
Carton

Car"ton
(kär"t&obreve_;n)
n.
[F. See Cartoon.]
Pasteboard for paper boxes; also, a pasteboard box.

&VerbarCarton pierre (_;), a species of papier-maché, imitating stone or bronze sculpture. Knight.


word: Cartoon
definition:
Cartoon

Car*toon"
(?)
n.
[F. carton (cf. It. cartone pasteboard, cartoon); fr. L. charta. See 1st card.]

1.
A design or study drawn of the full size, to serve as a model for transferring or copying; -- used in the making of mosaics, tapestries, fresco pantings and the like; as, the cartoons of Raphael.

2.
A large pictorial sketch, as in a journal or magazine; esp. a pictorial caricature; as, the cartoons of “Puck.”

3.
same as comic strip.

4.
a motion picture consisting of a series of frames, each being a photograph of a drawing rather than a frame produced by filming a scene of true action, and in which the objects are displaced slightly in succeeding frames so as to give the appearance of motion when projected as a motion picture on the screen.  The types of characters portrayed in such films are often similar or identical to those in a comic strip.


word: cartouche
definition:
cartouche

Cartouch

Car*touch", car*touche"
(?)
n.
pl. Cartouches (#).
[F. cartouche, It. cartuccia, cartoccio, cornet, cartouch, fr. L. charta paper. See 1st Card, and cf. Cartridge.]

1.
(Mil.)
(a)
A roll or case of paper, etc., holding a charge for a firearm; a cartridge
(b)
A cartridge box.
(c)
A wooden case filled with balls, to be shot from a cannon.
(d)
A gunner's bag for ammunition
(e)
A military pass for a soldier on furlough.

2.
(Arch.)
(a)
A cantalever, console, corbel, or modillion, which has the form of a scroll of paper
(b)
A tablet for ornament, or for receiving an inscription, formed like a sheet of paper with the edges rolled up; hence, any tablet of ornamental form.

3.
(Egyptian Antiq.)
An oval figure on monuments, and in papyri, containing the name of a sovereign.


word: Cartridge
definition:
Cartridge

Car"tridge
(kär"trĭj)
n.
[Formerly cartrage, corrupted fr. F. cartouche. See Cartouch.]
(Mil.)
A complete charge for a firearm, contained in, or held together by, a case, capsule, or shell of metal, pasteboard, or other material.

Ball cartridge, a cartridge containing a projectile. -- Blank cartridge, a cartridge without a projectile. -- Center-fire cartridge, a cartridge in which the fulminate occupies an axial position usually in the center of the base of the capsule, instead of being contained in its rim. In the Prussian needle gun the fulminate is applied to the middle of the base of the bullet. -- Rim-fire cartridge, a cartridge in which the fulminate is contained in a rim surrounding its base. -- Cartridge bag, a bag of woolen cloth, to hold a charge for a cannon. -- Cartridge belt, a belt having pockets for cartridges. -- Cartridge box, a case, usually of leather, attached to a belt or strap, for holding cartridges. -- Cartridge paper. (a) A thick stout paper for inclosing cartridges. (b) A rough tinted paper used for covering walls, and also for making drawings upon.


word: cartroad
definition:
cartroad

cartroad
n.
any road or path affording passage especially a rough one.

Syn. -- track, cart track.


word: Cartulary
definition:
Cartulary

Car"tu*la*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Cartularies.
[LL. cartularium, chartularium, fr. L. charta paper: cf. F. cartulaire. See 1st Card.]

1.
A register, or record, as of a monastery or church.

2.
An ecclesiastical officer who had charge of records or other public papers.


word: cartwheel
definition:
cartwheel

cartwheel
n.
1.
the type of wheel used on a cart; it typically has wooden spokes and a metal rim.

2.
an acrobatic maneuver in which the arms and legs are outstretched like the spokes of a wheel, and the body is turned sideways through one or more revolutions, by first touching the hands and then the feet to the ground, in rapid succession so as to mimic the rolling of a wheel; in the course of this feat, the person performing it is alternately upright and upside-down.

3.
a silver dollar; a dollar made of silver.
[Colloq.]


word: Carucage
definition:
Carucage

Car"u*cage
(?)
n.
[LL. carrucagium (OF. charuage.), fr. LL. carruca plow, fr. L. carruca coach.]

1.
(Old Eng. Law.)
A tax on every plow or plowland.

2.
The act of plowing.
[R.]


word: Carucate
definition:
Carucate

Car"u*cate
(?)
n.
[LL. carucata, carrucata. See Carucage.]
A plowland; as much land as one team can plow in a year and a day; -- by some said to be about 100 acres.
Burrill.


word: Caruncula
definition:
Caruncula

Caruncle

{ Car"un*cle (?), &VerbarCa*run"cu*la (?), }
n.
[L. caruncula a little piece of flesh, dim. of caro flesh.]
1.
(Anat.)
A small fleshy prominence or excrescence; especially the small, reddish body, the caruncula lacrymalis, in the inner angle of the eye.

2.
(Bot.)
An excrescence or appendage surrounding or near the hilum of a seed.

3.
(Zool.)
A naked, flesh appendage, on the head of a bird, as the wattles of a turkey, etc.


word: Carunculous
definition:
Carunculous

Caruncular

{ Ca*run"cu*lar (?), Ca*run"cu*lous (?), }
a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, a caruncle; furnished with caruncles.


word: Carunculated
definition:
Carunculated

Carunculate

{ Ca*run"cu*late (?), Ca*run"cu*la`ted (?), }
a.
Having a caruncle or caruncles; caruncular.


word: Carus
definition:
Carus

Ca"rus
(kā"rŭs)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ka`ros.]
(Med.)
Coma with complete insensibility; deep lethargy.


word: Carvacrol
definition:
Carvacrol

Car"va*crol
(kär"vȧ*kr&omacrl)
n.
(Chem.)
A thick oily liquid, C10H13.OH, of a strong taste and disagreeable odor, obtained from oil of caraway (Carum carui).


word: Carve
definition:
Carve

Carve
(kärv)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Carved (kärvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Carving.]
[AS. ceorfan to cut, carve; akin to D. kerven, G. kerben, Dan. karve, Sw. karfva, and to Gr. gra`fein to write, orig. to scratch, and E. -graphy. Cf. Graphic.]
1.
To cut.
[Obs.]

Or they will carven the shepherd's throat.
Spenser.

2.
To cut, as wood, stone, or other material, in an artistic or decorative manner; to sculpture; to engrave.

Carved with figures strange and sweet.
Coleridge.

3.
To make or shape by cutting, sculpturing, or engraving; to form; as, to carve a name on a tree.

An angel carved in stone.
Tennyson.

We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone.
C. Wolfe.

4.
To cut into small pieces or slices, as meat at table; to divide for distribution or apportionment; to apportion.
carve
Shak.

5.
To cut: to hew; to mark as if by cutting.

My good blade carved the casques of men.
Tennyson.

A million wrinkles carved his skin.
Tennyson.

6.
To take or make, as by cutting; to provide.

Who could easily have carved themselves their own food.
South.

7.
To lay out; to contrive; to design; to plan.

Lie ten nights awake carving the fashion of a new doublet.
Shak.

To carve out, to make or get by cutting, or as if by cutting; to cut out.  “[Macbeth] with his brandished steel . . . carved out his passage.”  Shak.

Fortunes were carved out of the property of the crown.
Macaulay.


word: Carve₂
definition:
Carve

Carve
v. i.
1.
To exercise the trade of a sculptor or carver; to engrave or cut figures.

2.
To cut up meat; as, to carve for all the guests.


word: carved
definition:
carved

carved
adj.
formed by carving or having a design carved into the surface.
sliced

Syn. -- carven.


word: Carvel
definition:
Carvel

Car"vel
(?)
n.
[Contr. fr. caravel.]
1.
Same as Caravel.

2.
A species of jellyfish; sea blubber.
Sir T. Herbert.


word: Carvelbuilt
definition:
Carvelbuilt

Car"vel*built
(?)
a.
(Shipbuilding)
Having the planks meet flush at the seams, instead of lapping as in a clinker-built vessel.


word: Carven
definition:
Carven

Car"ven
(?)
a.
Wrought by carving; ornamented by carvings; carved.
[Poetic]

A carven bowl well wrought of beechen tree.
Bp. Hall.

The carven cedarn doors.
Tennyson.

A screen of carven ivory.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Carvene
definition:
Carvene

Car"vene
(?)
n.
[F. carvi caraway.]
An oily substance, C10H16, extracted from oil caraway.


word: Carver
definition:
Carver

Carv"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who carves; one who shapes or fashions by carving, or as by carving; esp. one who carves decorative forms, architectural adornments, etc.
carver's
Dodsley.

The carver of his fortunes.
Sharp (Richardson's Dict. )

2.
One who carves or divides meat at table.

3.
A large knife for carving.


word: Carving
definition:
Carving

Carv"ing
n.
1.
The act or art of one who carves.

2.
A piece of decorative work cut in stone, wood, or other material.
Carving
Sir W. Temple.

3.
The whole body of decorative sculpture of any kind or epoch, or in any material; as, the Italian carving of the 15th century.


word: Carvist
definition:
Carvist

Car"vist
(?)
n.
[A corruption of carry fist.]
(Falconary)
A hawk which is of proper age and training to be carried on the hand; a hawk in its first year.
Booth.


word: Caryatid₂
definition:
Caryatid

Car`y*at"id
(?)
n.
pl. Caryatids (#).
[See Caryatides.]
(Arch.)
A draped female figure supporting an entablature, in the place of a column or pilaster.


word: Caryatides
definition:
Caryatides

Car`y*at"i*des
(?)
n. pl.
[L., fr. Gr. _; (_;) priestesses in the temple of Diana (the Greek Artemis) at Caryæ (Gr. _;), a village in Laconia; as an architectural term, caryatids.]
(Arch)
Caryatids.

&hand_; Corresponding male figures were called Atlantes, Telamones, and Persians.


word: Caryophyllaceous
definition:
Caryophyllaceous

Car`y*o*phyl*la"ceous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; clove tree; _; nut + _; leaf.]
(Bot.)
(a)
Having corollas of five petals with long claws inclosed in a tubular, calyx, as the pink
(b)
Belonging to the family of which the pink and the carnation are the types.


word: Caryophyllales
definition:
Caryophyllales

Caryophyllales
n.
an order of plants which corresponds approximately to the older group Centrospermae.

Syn. -- order Caryophyllales, Chenopodiales, order-Chenopodiales.


word: Caryophyllidae
definition:
Caryophyllidae

Caryophyllidae
n.
a group of families of mostly flowers having basal or free-central placentation and trinucleate pollen (binucleate pollen is commoner in flowering plants); it contains 14 families including: Caryophyllaceae (carnations and pinks); Aizoaceae; Amaranthaceae; Batidaceae; Chenopodiaceae; Cactaceae (order Opuntiales); Nyctaginaceae; Phytolaccaceae; it corresponds approximately to order Caryophyllales; it is sometimes classified as a superorder.

Syn. -- subclass Caryophyllidae.


word: Caryophyllin
definition:
Caryophyllin

Car`y*oph"yl*lin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A tasteless and odorless crystalline substance, extracted from cloves, polymeric with common camphor.


word: Caryopsis
definition:
Caryopsis

Car`y*op"sis
(?)
n.
pl. Caryopses (#).
[NL., fr. gr. _; hut, kernel + _; sight, form.]
(Bot.)
A one-celled, dry, indehiscent fruit, with a thin membranous pericarp, adhering closely to the seed, so that fruit and seed are incorporated in one body, forming a single grain, as of wheat, barley, etc.


word: Casa
definition:
Casa

Ca"sa
(?)
n.
[Sp. or It., fr. L. casa  cabin.]
A house or mansion.
[Sp. Amer. & Phil. Islands]
I saw that Enriquez had made no attempt to modernize the old casa, and that even the garden was left in its lawless native luxuriance.
Bret Harte.


word: Casanova
definition:
Casanova

Casanova
n.
1.
an Italian adventurer (Giovanni Giacomo Casanova; b. 1725; d. 1798) who wrote vivid accounts of his sexual encounters.

2.
any man noted for his amorous adventures.


word: casava
definition:
casava

casava
n.
any of several plants of the genus Manihot having fleshy roots yielding a nutritious starch.

Syn. -- cassava.


word: Cascabel
definition:
Cascabel

Cas"ca*bel
(?)
n.
[Sp. cascabel a little bell, also (fr. the shape), a knob at the breech end of a cannon.]
The projection in rear of the breech of a cannon, usually a knob or breeching loop connected with the gun by a neck. In old writers it included all in rear of the base ring. [See Illust. of Cannon.]


word: Cascade
definition:
Cascade

Cas*cade"
(kăs*kād")
n.
[F. cascade, fr. It. cascata, fr. cascare to fall.]
A fall of water over a precipice, as in a river or brook; a waterfall less than a cataract.

The silver brook . . . pours the white cascade.
Longjellow.

Now murm'ring soft, now roaring in cascade.
Cowper.


word: Cascade method
definition:
Cascade method

Cas*cade" meth"od
(Physics)
A method of attaining successively lower temperatures by utilizing the cooling effect of the expansion of one gas in condensing another less easily liquefiable, and so on.


word: Cascade system
definition:
Cascade system

Cascade system
(Elec.)
A system or method of connecting and operating two induction motors so that the primary circuit of one is connected to the secondary circuit of the other, the primary circuit of the latter being connected to the source of supply; also, a system of electric traction in which motors so connected are employed. The cascade system is also called tandem system, or concatenated system; the connection a cascade connection, tandem connection, or concatenated connection, or a concatenation; and the control of the motors so obtained a tandem control, or concatenation control.
In the cascade system of traction the cascade connection is used for starting and for low speeds up to half speed. For full speed the short-circuited motor is cut loose from the other motor and is either left idle or (commonly) connected direct to the line.


word: Cascalho
definition:
Cascalho

Cas*cal"ho
(?)
n.
[Pg., a chip of stone, gravel.]
A deposit of pebbles, gravel, and ferruginous sand, in which the Brazilian diamond is usually found.


word: cascara
definition:
cascara

cascara
n.
the dried bark of the cascara buckthorn used as a laxative; -- called also cascara sagrada.

Syn. -- chittam bark, chittem bark.


word: Cascara buckthorn
definition:
Cascara buckthorn

Cas"ca*ra buck"thorn`
(?)
(Bot.)
The buckthorn (Rhamnus Purshiana) of the Pacific coast of the United States, which yields cascara sagrada.


word: Cascara sagrada
definition:
Cascara sagrada

Cas"ca*ra sa*gra"da
(kȧs"kȧ*rȧ sȧ*grä"dȧ)
[Sp.]
Holy bark; the bark of the California buckthorn (Rhamnus Purshianus), used as a mild cathartic or laxative; -- called also cascara.


word: Cascarilla
definition:
Cascarilla

Cas`ca*ril"la
(?)
n.
[Sp., small thin bark, Peruvian bark, dim. of cáscara bark.]
(Bot.)
A euphorbiaceous West Indian shrub (Croton Eleutheria); also, its aromatic bark.

Cascarilla bark (or Cascarilla) (Med.), the bark of Croton Eleutheria.  It has an aromatic odor and a warm, spicy, bitter taste, and when burnt emits a musky odor. It is used as a gentle tonic, and sometimes, for the sake of its fragrance, mixed with smoking tobacco, when it is said to occasion vertigo and intoxication.


word: Cascarillin
definition:
Cascarillin

Cas`ca*ril"lin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A white, crystallizable, bitter substance extracted from oil of cascarilla.


word: Cascaron
definition:
Cascaron

Cas`ca*ron"
(?)
n.
[Sp. cascarón.]
Lit., an eggshell; hence, an eggshell filled with confetti to be thrown during balls, carnivals, etc.
[Western U. S.]


word: Case
definition:
Case

Case
(kās)
n.
[OF. casse, F. caisse (cf. It. cassa), fr. L. capsa chest, box, case, fr. capere to take, hold. See Capacious, and cf. 4th Chase, Cash, Enchase, 3d Sash.]

1.
A box, sheath, or covering; as, a case for holding goods; a case for spectacles; the case of a watch; the case (capsule) of a cartridge; a case (cover) for a book.

2.
A box and its contents; the quantity contained in a box; as, a case of goods; a case of instruments.

3.
(Print.)
A shallow tray divided into compartments or “boxes” for holding type.

&hand_; Cases for type are usually arranged in sets of two, called respectively the upper and the lower case. The upper case contains capitals, small capitals, accented and marked letters, fractions, and marks of reference: the lower case contains the small letters, figures, marks of punctuation, quadrats, and spaces.

4.
An inclosing frame; a casing; as, a door case; a window case.

5.
(Mining)
A small fissure which admits water to the workings.
Knight.


word: Case₂
definition:
Case

Case
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Casing.]
1.
To cover or protect with, or as with, a case; to inclose.

The man who, cased in steel, had passed whole days and nights in the saddle.
Prescott.

2.
To strip the skin from; as, to case a box.
[Obs.]


word: Case₃
definition:
Case

Case
n.
[F. cas, fr. L. casus, fr. cadere to fall, to happen. Cf. Chance.]
1.
Chance; accident; hap; opportunity.
[Obs.]

By aventure, or sort, or cas.
Chaucer.

2.
That which befalls, comes, or happens; an event; an instance; a circumstance, or all the circumstances; condition; state of things; affair; as, a strange case; a case of injustice; the case of the Indian tribes.

In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge.
Deut. xxiv. 13.

If the case of the man be so with his wife.
Matt. xix. 10.

And when a lady's in the case
You know all other things give place.
Gay.

You think this madness but a common case.
Pope.

I am in case to justle a constable,
Shak.

3.
(Med. & Surg.)
A patient under treatment; an instance of sickness or injury; as, ten cases of fever; also, the history of a disease or injury.

A proper remedy in hypochondriacal cases.
Arbuthnot.

4.
(Law)
The matters of fact or conditions involved in a suit, as distinguished from the questions of law; a suit or action at law; a cause.

Let us consider the reason of the case, for nothing is law that is not reason.
Sir John Powell.

Not one case in the reports of our courts.
Steele.

5.
(Gram.)
One of the forms, or the inflections or changes of form, of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, which indicate its relation to other words, and in the aggregate constitute its declension; the relation which a noun or pronoun sustains to some other word.

Case is properly a falling off from the nominative or first state of word; the name for which, however, is now, by extension of its signification, applied also to the nominative.
J. W. Gibbs.

&hand_; Cases other than the nominative are oblique cases. Case endings are terminations by which certain cases are distinguished. In old English, as in Latin, nouns had several cases distinguished by case endings, but in modern English only that of the possessive case is retained.

Action on the case (Law), according to the old classification (now obsolete), was an action for redress of wrongs or injuries to person or property not specially provided against by law, in which the whole cause of complaint was set out in the writ; -- called also trespass on the case, or simply case. -- All a case, a matter of indifference. [Obs.] “It is all a case to me.” L'Estrange. -- Case at bar. See under Bar, n. -- Case divinity, casuistry. -- Case lawyer, one versed in the reports of cases rather than in the science of the law. -- Case stated or Case agreed on (Law), a statement in writing of facts agreed on and submitted to the court for a decision of the legal points arising on them. -- A hard case, an abandoned or incorrigible person. [Colloq.] -- In any case, whatever may be the state of affairs; anyhow. -- In case, or In case that, if; supposing that; in the event or contingency; if it should happen that.  “In case we are surprised, keep by me.” W. Irving. -- In good case, in good condition, health, or state of body. -- To put a case, to suppose a hypothetical or illustrative case.


word: caseate
definition:
caseate

caseate
v. i.
1.
to turn into cheese; -- of milk.

2.
to undergo caseation; -- of dead tissue.


word: Caseation
definition:
Caseation

Ca`se*a"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. caséation. See Casein.]
(Med.)
A degeneration of animal tissue into a cheesy or curdy mass.


word: Case-bay
definition:
Case-bay

Case"-bay`
(?)
n.
(Arch.)
(a)
The space between two principals or girders
(b)
One of the joists framed between a pair of girders in naked flooring.


word: casebook
definition:
casebook

case"book`
n.
a book in which detailed written records of cases are kept and which are a source of information for subsequent work.  Such books are often used as supplements to texts in law schools.


word: cased
definition:
cased

cased
adj.
1.
covered or protected with or as if with a case; as, knights cased in steel.

Syn. -- encased, incased.

2.
same as bound; -- of books.

Syn. -- covered.


word: Caseharden
definition:
Caseharden

Case"hard`en
(?)
v. t.
1.
To subject to a process which converts the surface of iron into steel.

2.
To render insensible to good influences.


word: Casehardened
definition:
Casehardened

Case"hard`ened
(?)
a.
1.
Having the surface hardened, as iron tools.

2.
Hardened against, or insusceptible to, good influences; rendered callous by persistence in wrongdoing or resistance of good influences; -- said of persons.


word: Casehardening
definition:
Casehardening

Case"hard`en*ing
n.
The act or process of converting the surface of iron into steel.
Ure.

&hand_; Casehardening is now commonly effected by cementation with charcoal or other carbonizing material, the depth and degree of hardening (carbonization) depending on the time during which the iron is exposed to the heat. See Cementation.


word: Caseic
definition:
Caseic

Ca"se*ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. caséique, fr. L. caseus cheese.]
Of or pertaining to cheese; as, caseic acid.


word: Casein
definition:
Casein

Ca"se*in
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. caséine, fr. L. caseur cheese. Cf. Cheese.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A proteid substance present in both the animal and the vegetable kingdom. In the animal kingdom it is chiefly found in milk, and constitutes the main part of the curd separated by rennet; in the vegetable kingdom it is found more or less abundantly in the seeds of leguminous plants. Its reactions resemble those of alkali albumin.
[Written also caseine.]


word: Case knife
definition:
Case knife

Case" knife`
(?)
1.
A knife carried in a sheath or case.
Addison.

2.
A large table knife; -- so called from being formerly kept in a case.


word: Casemate
definition:
Casemate

Case"mate
(?)
n.
[F. casemate, fr. It. casamatta, prob. from casa house + matto, f. matta, mad, weak, feeble, dim. from the same source as E. -mate in checkmate.]

1.
(Fort.)
A bombproof chamber, usually of masonry, in which cannon may be placed, to be fired through embrasures; or one capable of being used as a magazine, or for quartering troops.

2.
(Arch.)
A hollow molding, chiefly in cornices.


word: Casement
definition:
Casement

Case"ment
(?)
n.
[Shortened fr. encasement. See Incase 1st Case, and cf. Incasement.]
(Arch.)
A window sash opening on hinges affixed to the upright side of the frame into which it is fitted. (Poetically) A window.

A casement of the great chamber window.
Shak.


word: Caseose
definition:
Caseose

Ca"se*ose
(?)
n.
[Casein + -ose.]
(Physiol.Chem.)
A soluble product (proteose) formed in the gastric and pancreatic digestion of casein and caseinogen.


word: Caseous
definition:
Caseous

Ca"se*ous
(?)
a.
[L. caseus. Cf. Casein.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, cheese; having the qualities of cheese; cheesy.

Caseous degeneration, a morbid process, in scrofulous or consumptive persons, in which the products of inflammation are converted into a cheesy substance which is neither absorbed nor organized.


word: Casern
definition:
Casern

Ca"sern
(?)
n.
[F. caserne.]
A lodging for soldiers in garrison towns, usually near the rampart; barracks.
Bescherelle.


word: Case shot
definition:
Case shot

Case" shot`
(?)
(Mil.)
A collection of small projectiles, inclosed in a case or canister.

&hand_; In the United States a case shot is a thin spherical or oblong cast-iron shell containing musket balls and a bursting charge, with a time fuse; -- called in Europe shrapnel. In Europe the term case shot is applied to what in the United States is called canister.
Wilhelm.


word: Case system
definition:
Case system

Case system
(Law)
The system of teaching law in which the instruction is primarily a historical and inductive study of leading or selected cases, with or without the use of textbooks for reference and collateral reading.


word: Cash
definition:
Cash

Cash
(kăsh)
n.
[F. caisse case, box, cash box, cash. See Case a box.]
A place where money is kept, or where it is deposited and paid out; a money box.
[Obs.]

This bank is properly a general cash, where every man lodges his money.
Sir W. Temple.

£20,000 are known to be in her cash.
Sir R. Winwood.

2.
(Com.)
(a)
Ready money; especially, coin or specie; but also applied to bank notes, drafts, bonds, or any paper easily convertible into money
(b)
Immediate or prompt payment in current funds; as, to sell goods for cash; to make a reduction in price for cash.

Cash account (Bookkeeping), an account of money received, disbursed, and on hand. -- Cash boy, in large retail stores, a messenger who carries the money received by the salesman from customers to a cashier, and returns the proper change. [Colloq.] -- Cash credit, an account with a bank by which a person or house, having given security for repayment, draws at pleasure upon the bank to the extent of an amount agreed upon; -- called also bank credit and cash account. -- Cash sales, sales made for ready, money, in distinction from those on which credit is given; stocks sold, to be delivered on the day of transaction.


word: Cash₂
definition:
Cash

Cash
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Casing.]
To pay, or to receive, cash for; to exchange for money; as, cash a note or an order.


word: Cash₄
definition:
Cash

Cash
n. sing. & pl.
A Chinese coin.

&hand_; In 1913 the cash (Chinese tsien) was the only current coin made by the chinese government. It is a thin circular disk of a very base alloy of copper, with a square hole in the center. 1,000 to 1,400 cash were equivalent to a dollar.


word: cashable
definition:
cashable

cashable
adj.
able to be converted into ready money; as, a cashable check; cashable gambling chips.

Syn. -- redeemable.


word: Cashbook
definition:
Cashbook

Cash"book
(kăsh"bŏk)
n.
(Bookkeeping)
A book in which is kept a register of money received or paid out.


word: Cashew
definition:
Cashew

Ca*shew"
(kȧ*shō")
n.
[F. acajou, for cajou, prob. from Malay kāyu tree; cf. Pg. acaju, cf. Acajou.]
1.
(Bot.)
A tree (Anacardium occidentale) of the same family which the sumac. It is native in tropical America, but is now naturalized in all tropical countries. Its fruit, a kidney-shaped nut, grows at the extremity of an edible, pear-shaped hypocarp, about three inches long.

2.
the cashew nut.

Cashew nut, the large, kidney-shaped fruit of the cashew, which is edible after the caustic oil has been expelled from the shell by roasting the nut.


word: Cashier
definition:
Cashier

Cash*ier"
(kăsh*ēr")
n.
[F. caissier, fr. caisse. See Cash.]
One who has charge of money; a cash keeper; the officer who has charge of the payments and receipts (moneys, checks, notes), of a bank or a mercantile company.


word: Cashier₂
definition:
Cashier

Cash*ier"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cashiered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cashiering.]
[Earlier cash, fr. F. casser to break, annul, cashier, fr. L. cassare, equiv. to cassum reddere, to annul; cf. G. cassiren. Cf. Quash to annul, Cass.]
1.
To dismiss or discard; to discharge; to dismiss with ignominy from military service or from an office or place of trust.

They have cashiered several of their followers.
Addison.

He had insolence to cashier the captain of the lord lieutenant's own body guard.
Macaulay.

2.
To put away or reject; to disregard.
[R.]

Connections formed for interest, and endeared

By selfish views, [are] censured and cashiered.
Cowper.

They absolutely cashier the literal express sense of the words.
Sowth.


word: Cashierer
definition:
Cashierer

Cash*ier"er
(?)
n.
One who rejects, discards, or dismisses; as, a cashierer of monarchs.
[R.]
Burke.


word: Cashier's check
definition:
Cashier's check

Cash*ier's" check
(?)
(Banking)
A check drawn by a bank upon its own funds, signed by the cashier.


word: Cashmere
definition:
Cashmere

Cash"mere
(?)
n.
1.
A rich stuff for shawls, scarfs, etc., originally made in Cashmere from the soft wool found beneath the hair of the goats of Cashmere, Tibet, and the Himalayas. Some cashmere, of fine quality, is richly embroidered for sale to Europeans.

2.
A dress fabric made of fine wool, or of fine wool and cotton, in imitation of the original cashmere.

Cashmere shawl, a rich and costly shawl made of cashmere; -- often called camel's-hair shawl.


word: Cashmerette
definition:
Cashmerette

Cash`me*rette"
(?)
n.
A kind of dress goods, made with a soft and glossy surface like cashmere.


word: Cashoo
definition:
Cashoo

Ca*shoo"
(?)
n.
[F. cachou, NL. catechu, Cochin-Chin. cay cau from the tree called mimosa, or areca catechu. Cf. Catechu.]
See Catechu.


word: Cash railway
definition:
Cash railway

Cash railway
A form of cash carrier in which a small carrier or car travels upon a kind of track.


word: Cash register
definition:
Cash register

Cash register
A device for recording the amount of cash received, usually having an automatic adding machine and a money drawer and exhibiting the amount of the sale.


word: Casing
definition:
Casing

Cas"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act or process of inclosing in, or covering with, a case or thin substance, as plaster, boards, etc.

2.
An outside covering, for protection or ornament, or to precent the radiation of heat.

3.
An inclosing frame; esp. the framework around a door or a window. See Case, n., 4.


word: Casino
definition:
Casino

Ca*si"no
(?)
n.
pl. E. Casinos (#), It. Casini (#).
[It. casino, dim. of casa house, fr. L. casa cottage. Cf. Cassing.]
1.
A small country house.

2.
A building or room used for meetings, or public amusements, for dancing, etc., sometimes having gambling tables or devices.

3.
A game at cards. See Cassino.

4.
a business establishment for which the primary business is gambling, having various types of gambling tables, such as blackjack or roulette, and usually also slot machines, and sometimes other forms of gambling, such as poker; also, the main room of such an establishment where the gambling is conducted; as, the Trump casinos in Atlantic City.


word: casino-hotel
definition:
casino-hotel

casino-hotel
n.
a business establishment that combines a casino and a hotel.

Syn. -- hotel-casino.

2.
a building that houses both a hotel and a casino.

Syn. -- hotel-casino.


word: Cask
definition:
Cask

Cask
(kȧsk)
n.
[Sp. casco potsherd, skull, helmet, prob. fr. cascar to break, fr. L. Quassure to break. Cf. Casque, Cass.]
1.
Same as Casque.
[Obs.]

2.
A barrel-shaped vessel made of staves headings, and hoops, usually fitted together so as to hold liquids. It may be larger or smaller than a barrel.

3.
The quantity contained in a cask.

4.
A casket; a small box for jewels.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Casket
definition:
Casket

Cas"ket
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. casquet, dim. of casque belmet, fr. Sp. casco.]
1.
A small chest or box, esp. of rich material or ornamental character, as for jewels, etc.

The little casket bring me hither.
Shak.

2.
A kind of burial case.
[U. S.]

3.
Anything containing or intended to contain something highly esteemed
(a)
The body.
Shak.
(b)
The tomb.
Milton
(c)
A book of selections.
[poetic]

They found him dead . . . an empty casket.
Shak.


word: Casque
definition:
Casque

Casque
(kȧsk)
n.
[F. casque, fr. Sp. casco See Cask.]
A piece of defensive or ornamental armor (with or without a vizor) for the head and neck; a helmet.

His casque overshadowed with brilliant plumes.
Prescott.


word: Cass
definition:
Cass

Cass
(kăs)
v. t.
[F. casser, LL. cassare, fr. L. cassus empty, hollow, and perhaps influenced by L. quassare to shake, shatter, v. intens. of quatere to shake. Cf. Cashier, v. t., Quash, Cask.]
To render useless or void; to quash; to annul; to reject; to send away.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: Cassareep
definition:
Cassareep

Cas"sa*reep
(kăs"sȧ*rēp)
n.
A condiment made from the sap of the bitter cassava (Manihot utilissima) deprived of its poisonous qualities, concentrated by boiling, and flavored with aromatics. See Pepper pot.


word: Cassate
definition:
Cassate

Cas"sate
(?)
v. t.
[LL. cassare. See Cass.]
To render void or useless; to vacate or annul.
[Obs.]


word: Cassation
definition:
Cassation

Cas*sa"tion
(?)
n.
[F. cassation. See Cass.]
The act of annulling.

A general cassation of their constitutions.
Motley.

Court of cassation, the highest court of appeal in France, which has power to quash (Casser) or reverse the decisions of the inferior courts.


word: Cassava
definition:
Cassava

Cas"sa*va
(kăs"sȧ*vȧ)
n.
[F. cassave, Sp. cazabe, fr. kasabi, in the language of Haiti.]
1.
(Bot.)
A shrubby euphorbiaceous plant of the genus Manihot, with fleshy rootstocks yielding an edible starch; -- called also manioc.

&hand_; There are two species, bitter and sweet, from which the cassava of commerce is prepared in the West Indies, tropical America, and Africa. The bitter (Manihot utilissima) is the more important; this has a poisonous sap, but by grating, pressing, and baking the root the poisonous qualities are removed. The sweet (Manihot Aipi) is used as a table vegetable.

2.
A nutritious starch obtained from the rootstocks of the cassava plant, used as food and in making tapioca.


word: Cassava wood
definition:
Cassava wood

Cas"sa*va wood`
(?)
(Bot.)
A West Indian tree (Turpinia occidentalis) of the family Staphyleaceæ.


word: Cassel earth
definition:
Cassel earth

Cassel brown

{ Cas"sel brown, Cas"sel earth  }
(?)
A brown pigment of varying permanence, consisting of impure lignite. It was found originally near Cassel (now Kassel), Germany.


word: Casse Paper
definition:
Casse Paper

Cas"se Pa"per
(?)
[F. papier cassé. See Cass.]
Broken paper; the outside quires of a ream.


word: Casserole
definition:
Casserole

Cas"se*role
(#)
n.
[F. a saucepan, dim. from casse a basin.]
1.
(Chem.)
A small round dish with a handle, usually of porcelain.

2.
(Cookery)
A mold (in the shape of a hollow vessel or incasement) of boiled rice, mashed potato or paste, baked, and afterwards filled with vegetables or meat.


word: Casse-tete
definition:
Casse-tete

Casse`-tête"
(kȧs`tāt")
n.
[F., fr. casser to break (see 2d Quash) + tête head.]
A small war club, esp. of savages; -- so called because of its supposed use in crushing the skull.


word: Cassette
definition:
Cassette

Cassette

Cas`sette" Cas`sette"
(?)
n.
[F., prop., a casket, dim. of casse a case. See 1st Case.]
1.
Same as Seggar.

2.
a small case to hold a removable part of some mechanism, designed for convenience in inserting and removing the working part.  Most commonly referring to a tape cassette, made mostly of plastic, which holds a reel of magnetic tape for tape players or tape recorders or video cassette recorders.  The term may refer, as for tape cassettes, to the integrated case plus tape, or sometimes only to the case itself separate from the contents.


word: Cassia
definition:
Cassia

Cas"sia
(kăsh"ȧ)
n.
[L. cassia and casia, Gr. kassi`a and kasi`a; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. qetsīāh, fr. qātsa' to cut off, to peel off.]
1.
(Bot.)
A genus of leguminous plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees) of many species, most of which have purgative qualities. The leaves of several species furnish the senna used in medicine.

2.
The bark of several species of Cinnamomum grown in China, etc.; Chinese cinnamon.  It is imported as cassia, but commonly sold as cinnamon, from which it differs more or less in strength and flavor, and the amount of outer bark attached.

&hand_; The medicinal “cassia” (Cassia pulp) is the laxative pulp of the pods of a leguminous tree (Cassia fistula or Pudding-pipe tree), native in the East Indies but naturalized in various tropical countries.

Cassia bark, the bark of Cinnamomum cassia, etc. The coarser kinds are called Cassia lignea, and are often used to adulterate true cinnamon. -- Cassia buds, the dried flower buds of several species of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia, atc..). -- Cassia oil, oil extracted from cassia bark and cassia buds; -- called also oil of cinnamon.


word: Cassican
definition:
Cassican

Cas"si*can
(?)
n.
[NL. cassicus helmeted, fr. L. cassis a belmet.]
(Zool.)
An American bird of the genus Cassicus, allied to the starlings and orioles, remarkable for its skillfully constructed and suspended nest; the crested oriole. The name is also sometimes given to the piping crow, an Australian bird.


word: Cassideous
definition:
Cassideous

Cas*sid"e*ous
(?)
a.
[L. Cassis helmet.]
(Bot.)
Helmet-shaped; -- applied to a corolla having a broad, helmet-shaped upper petal, as in aconite.


word: cassie
definition:
cassie

cassie
n.
a type of tropical American thorny shrub or small tree (Acacia farnesiana); it bears fragrant yellow flowers used in making perfumery.

Syn. -- huisache, mimosa bush, sweet wattle, sweet acacia, scented wattle, flame tree, Acacia farnesiana.


word: Cassidony
definition:
Cassidony

Cas"si*do*ny
(?)
n.
[Cf. LL. cassidonium, F. cassidoine. See Chalcedony.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The French lavender (Lavandula Stœchas)
(b)
The goldilocks (Chrysocoma Linosyris) and perhaps other plants related to the genus Gnaphalium or cudweed.


word: Cassimere
definition:
Cassimere

Cas"si*mere
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. casimir, prob. of the same origin as E. cashmere. Cf. Kerseymere.]
A thin, twilled, woolen cloth, used for men's garments.
[Written also kerseymere.]


word: Cassinette
definition:
Cassinette

Cas`si*nette"
(?)
n.
[Cf. Sp. casinete, G. cassinet.]
A cloth with a cotton warp, and a woof of very fine wool, or wool and silk.


word: Cassino
definition:
Cassino

Cas*si"no
(?)
n.
[It. casino a small house, a gaming house. See casino.]
A game at cards, played by two or more persons, usually for twenty-one points.

Great cassino, the ten of diamonds. -- Little cassino, the two of spades.


word: Cassioberry
definition:
Cassioberry

Cas"si*o*ber`ry
(?)
n.
[NL. cassine, from the language of the Florida Indians.]
The fruit of the Viburnum obovatum, a shrub which grows from Virginia to Florida.


word: Cassiopeia
definition:
Cassiopeia

Cas`si*o*pe"ia
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Astron.)
A constellation of the northern hemisphere, situated between Cepheus and Perseus; -- so called in honor of the wife of Cepheus, a fabulous king of Ethiopia.

Cassiopeia's Chair, a group of six stars, in Cassiopeia, somewhat resembling a chair.


word: Cassiterite
definition:
Cassiterite

Cas*sit"er*ite
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; tin.]
(Min.)
Native tin dioxide; tin stone; a mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of reddish brown color, and brilliant adamantine luster; also massive, sometimes in compact forms with concentric fibrous structure resembling wood (wood tin), also in rolled fragments or pebbly (Stream tin). It is the chief source of metallic tin. See Black tin, under Black.


word: Cassius
definition:
Cassius

Cas"sius
(?)
n.
[From the name of the discoverer, A. Cassius, a German physician of the 17th centry.]
A brownish purple pigment, obtained by the action of some compounds of tin upon certain salts of gold. It is used in painting and staining porcelain and glass to give a beautiful purple color. Commonly called Purple of Cassius.


word: Cassock
definition:
Cassock

Cas"sock
(?)
n.
[F. casaque, fr. It. casacca, perh. fr. L. casa cottage, in It., house; or of Slavic origin.]

1.
A long outer garment formerly worn by men and women, as well as by soldiers as part of their uniform.

2.
(Eccl.)
A garment resembling a long frock coat worn by the clergy of certain churches when officiating, and by others as the usually outer garment.


word: Cassonade
definition:
Cassonade

Cas`son*ade"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. casson, for caisson a large chest. This sugar comes from Brazil in large chests.]
Raw sugar; sugar not refined.
Mc Elrath.


word: Cassowary
definition:
Cassowary

Cas"so*wa*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Cassowaries (#).
[Malay kasuāri.]
(Zool.)
A large bird, of the genus Casuarius, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird, and runs with great rapidity. Other species inhabit New Guinea, Australia, etc.


word: Cassumuniar
definition:
Cassumuniar

Cassumunar

{ Cas`su*mu"nar (?), Cas`su*mu"ni*ar (?), }
n.
[Hind.]
(Med.)
A pungent, bitter, aromatic, gingerlike root, obtained from the East Indies.


word: Cast
definition:
Cast

Cast
(kȧst)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cast; p. pr. & vb. n. Casting.]
[Cf. Dan. kaste, Icel. & Sw. kasta; perh. akin to L. gerere to bear, carry. E. jest.]
1.
To send or drive by force; to throw; to fling; to hurl; to impel.

Uzziah prepared . . . slings to cast stones.
2 Chron. xxvi. 14.

Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Acts. xii. 8.

We must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts. xxvii. 26.

2.
To direct or turn, as the eyes.

How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!
Shak.

3.
To drop; to deposit; as, to cast a ballot.

4.
To throw down, as in wrestling.
Shak.

5.
To throw up, as a mound, or rampart.

Thine enemies shall cast a trench [bank] about thee.
Luke xix. 48.

6.
To throw off; to eject; to shed; to lose.

His filth within being cast.
Shak.

Neither shall your vine cast her fruit.
Mal. iii. 11

The creatures that cast the skin are the snake, the viper, etc.
Bacon.

7.
To bring forth prematurely; to slink.

Thy she-goats have not cast their young.
Gen. xxi. 38.

8.
To throw out or emit; to exhale.
[Obs.]

This . . . casts a sulphureous smell.
Woodward.

9.
To cause to fall; to shed; to reflect; to throw; as, to cast a ray upon a screen; to cast light upon a subject.

10.
To impose; to bestow; to rest.

The government I cast upon my brother.
Shak.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord.
Ps. iv. 22.

11.
To dismiss; to discard; to cashier.
[Obs.]

The state can not with safety cast him.

12.
To compute; to reckon; to calculate; as, to cast a horoscope.
cast
Shak.

You cast the event of war, my noble lord.
Shak.

13.
To contrive; to plan.
[Archaic]

The cloister . . . had, I doubt not, been cast for [an orange-house].
Sir W. Temple.

14.
To defeat in a lawsuit; to decide against; to convict; as, to be cast in damages.

She was cast to be hanged.
Jeffrey.

Were the case referred to any competent judge, they would inevitably be cast.
Dr. H. More.

15.
To turn (the balance or scale); to overbalance; hence, to make preponderate; to decide; as, a casting voice.

How much interest casts the balance in cases dubious!
South.

16.
To form into a particular shape, by pouring liquid metal or other material into a mold; to fashion; to found; as, to cast bells, stoves, bullets.

17.
(Print.)
To stereotype or electrotype.

18.
To fix, distribute, or allot, as the parts of a play among actors; also to assign (an actor) for a part.

Our parts in the other world will be new cast.
Addison.

To cast anchor (Naut.) See under Anchor. -- To cast a horoscope, to calculate it. -- To cast a horse, sheep, or other animal, to throw with the feet upwards, in such a manner as to prevent its rising again. -- To cast a shoe, to throw off or lose a shoe, said of a horse or ox. -- To cast aside, to throw or push aside; to neglect; to reject as useless or inconvenient. -- To cast away. (a) To throw away; to lavish; to waste. “Cast away a life” Addison. (b) To reject; to let perish.  “Cast away his people.” Rom. xi. 1. “Cast one away.” Shak. (c) To wreck. “Cast away and sunk.” Shak. -- To cast by, to reject; to dismiss or discard; to throw away. -- To cast down, to throw down; to destroy; to deject or depress, as the mind.  “Why art thou cast down. O my soul?” Ps. xiii. 5. -- To cast forth, to throw out, or eject, as from an inclosed place; to emit; to send out. -- To cast in one's lot with, to share the fortunes of. -- To cast in one's teeth, to upbraid or abuse one for; to twin. -- To cast lots. See under Lot. -- To cast off. (a) To discard or reject; to drive away; to put off; to free one's self from. (b) (Hunting) To leave behind, as dogs; also, to set loose, or free, as dogs. Crabb. (c) (Naut.) To untie, throw off, or let go, as a rope. -- To cast off copy, (Print.), to estimate how much printed matter a given amount of copy will make, or how large the page must be in order that the copy may make a given number of pages. -- To cast one's self on or To cast one's self upon to yield or submit one's self unreservedly to, as to the mercy of another. -- To cast out, to throw out; to eject, as from a house; to cast forth; to expel; to utter. -- To cast the lead (Naut.), to sound by dropping the lead to the bottom. -- To cast the water (Med.), to examine the urine for signs of disease. [Obs.]. -- To cast up. (a) To throw up; to raise. (b) To compute; to reckon, as the cost. (c) To vomit. (d) To twit with; to throw in one's teeth.


word: Cast₂
definition:
Cast

Cast
(kȧst)
v. i.
1.
To throw, as a line in angling, esp, with a fly hook.

2.
(Naut.)
To turn the head of a vessel around from the wind in getting under weigh.

Weigh anchor, cast to starboard.
Totten.

3.
To consider; to turn or revolve in the mind; to plan; as, to cast about for reasons.

She . . . cast in her mind what manner of salution this should be.
Luke. i. 29.

4.
To calculate; to compute.
[R.]

Who would cast and balance at a desk.
Tennyson.

5.
To receive form or shape in a mold.

It will not run thin, so as to cast and mold.
Woodward.

6.
To warp; to become twisted out of shape.

Stuff is said to cast or warp when . . . it alters its flatness or straightness.
Moxon.

7.
To vomit.

These verses . . . make me ready to cast.
B. Jonson.


word: Cast₄
definition:
Cast

Cast
n.
[Cf. Icel., Dan., & Sw. kast.]
1.
The act of casting or throwing; a throw.

2.
The thing thrown.

A cast of dreadful dust.
Dryden.

3.
The distance to which a thing is or can be thrown.
cast
Luke xxii. 41.

4.
A throw of dice; hence, a chance or venture.

An even cast whether the army should march this way or that way.
Sowth.

I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the die.
Shak.

5.
That which is throw out or off, shed, or ejected; as, the skin of an insect, the refuse from a hawk's stomach, the excrement of a earthworm.

6.
The act of casting in a mold.

And why such daily cast of brazen cannon.
Shak.

7.
An impression or mold, taken from a thing or person; amold; a pattern.

8.
That which is formed in a mild; esp. a reproduction or copy, as of a work of art, in bronze or plaster, etc.; a casting.

9.
Form; appearence; mien; air; style; as, a peculiar cast of countenance.
cast
Pope.

An heroic poem, but in another cast and figure.
Prior.

And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.
Shak.

10.
A tendency to any color; a tinge; a shade.

Gray with a cast of green.
Woodward.

11.
A chance, opportunity, privilege, or advantage; specifically, an opportunity of riding; a lift.
[Scotch]

We bargained with the driver to give us a cast to the next stage.
Smollett.

If we had the cast o' a cart to bring it.
Sir W. Scott.

12.
The assignment of parts in a play to the actors.

13.
(Falconary)
A flight or a couple or set of hawks let go at one time from the hand.
Grabb.

As when a cast of falcons make their flight.
Spenser.

14.
A stoke, touch, or trick.
[Obs.]

This was a cast of Wood's politics; for his information was wholly false.
Swift.

15.
A motion or turn, as of the eye; direction; look; glance; squint.

The cast of the eye is a gesture of aversion.
Bacon.

And let you see with one cast of an eye.
Addison.

This freakish, elvish cast came into the child's eye.
Hawthorne.

16.
A tube or funnel for conveying metal into a mold.

17.
Four; that is, as many as are thrown into a vessel at once in counting herrings, etc; a warp.

18.
Contrivance; plot, design.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

A cast of the eye, a slight squint or strabismus. -- Renal cast (Med.), microscopic bodies found in the urine of persons affected with disease of the kidneys; -- so called because they are formed of matter deposited in, and preserving the outline of, the renal tubes. -- The last cast, the last throw of the dice or last effort, on which every thing is ventured; the last chance.


word: Castalian
definition:
Castalian

Cas*ta"li*an
(?)
a.
[L. Castalius]
Of or pertaining to Castalia, a mythical fountain of inspiration on Mt. Parnassus sacred to the Muses.
Milton.


word: Castanea
definition:
Castanea

Cas*ta"ne*a
(?)
n.
[L., a chestnut, fr. Gr. _;.]
(Bot.)
A genus of nut-bearing trees or shrubs including the chestnut and chinquapin.


word: Castanets
definition:
Castanets

Cas"ta*nets
n. pl.
[F. castagnettes, Sp. castañetas, fr. L. castanea (Sp. castaña) a chestnut. So named from the resemblance to two chestnuts, or because chestnuts were first used for castanets. See Chestnut.]
Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars.

&hand_; The singular, castanet, is used of one of the pair, or, sometimes, of the pair forming the instrument.

The dancer, holding a castanet in each hand, rattles them to the motion of his feet.
Moore (Encyc. of Music).


word: Castanopsis
definition:
Castanopsis

Castanopsis
n.
a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs of warm regions valued for their foliage; found in southeastern U.S. and eastern Australia and northern New Zealand.

Syn. -- genus Castanopsis.


word: Castanospermum
definition:
Castanospermum

Castanospermum
n.
1.
a genus consisting of one species, the Moreton Bay chestnut.

Syn. -- genus Castanospermum.


word: Castaway
definition:
Castaway

Cast"a*way
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, is cast away or shipwrecked.

2.
One who is ruined; one who has made moral shipwreck; a reprobate.

Lest . . . when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Cor. ix. 27.


word: Caste
definition:
Caste

Caste
(?)
n.
[Pg. casta race, lineage, fr. L. castus pure, chaste: cf. F. caste, of same origin.]
1.
One of the hereditary classes into which the Hindu are divided according to the laws of Brahmanism.

&hand_; The members of the same caste are theoretically of equal rank, and same profession or occupation, and may not eat or intermarry with those not of their own caste. The original are four, viz., the Brahmans, or sacerdotal order; the Kshatriyas, or soldiers and rulers; the Vaisyas, or husbandmen and merchants; and the Sudras, or laborers and mechanics.  Men of no caste are Pariahs, outcasts.  Numerous mixed classes, or castes, have sprung up in the progress of time.

2.
A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly hold intercourse among themselves.

The tinkers then formed an hereditary caste.
Macaulay.

To lose caste, to be degraded from the caste to which one has belonged; to lose social position or consideration.


word: Castellan
definition:
Castellan

Cas"tel*lan
(?)
n.
[OF. castelain, F. châtelain, L. castellanus pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a caste, LL., a governor of a castle, fr. L. castellum castle, citadel, dim. of castrum fortified place. See Castle, and cf. Chatelaine.]
A governor or warden of a castle.


word: Castellany
definition:
Castellany

Cas"tel*la*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Castellanies (#).
[LL. castellania.]
The lordship of a castle; the extent of land and jurisdiction appertaining to a castle.


word: Castellated
definition:
Castellated

Cas"tel*la`ted
(?)
a.
[LL. castellatus, fr. castellare. See Castle.]
1.
Inclosed within a building; as, a fountain or cistern castellated.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

2.
Furnished with turrets and battlements, like a castle; built in the style of a castle.


word: Castellation
definition:
Castellation

Cas`tel*la"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. castellation, fr. castellare, fr. L. castellum. See Castle.]
The act of making into a castle.


word: Caster
definition:
Caster

Cast"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who casts; as, caster of stones, etc. ; a caster of cannon; a caster of accounts.

2.
A vial, cruet, or other small vessel, used to contain condiments at the table; as, a set of casters.

3.
A stand to hold a set of cruets.

4.
A small wheel on a swivel, on which furniture is supported and moved.


word: Castigate
definition:
Castigate

Cas"ti*gate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Castigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Castigating.]
[L. castigatus, p. p. of castigare to correct, punish; castus pure, chaste + agere to move, drive. See Caste, and cf. Chasten.]
1.
To punish by stripes; to chastise by blows; to chasten; also, to chastise verbally; to reprove; to criticise severely.

2.
To emend; to correct.
[Obs.]


word: Castigation
definition:
Castigation

Cas`ti*ga"tion
(?)
n.
[L. catigatio.]

1.
Corrective punishment; chastisement; reproof; pungent criticism.

The keenest castigation of her slanderers.
W. Irving.

2.
Emendation; correction.
[Obs.]


word: Castigatory
definition:
Castigatory

Cas`ti*ga*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. castigatorius.]
Punitive in order to amendment; corrective.


word: Castigatory₂
definition:
Castigatory

Cas"ti*ga*to*ry
n.
An instrument formerly used to punish and correct arrant scolds; -- called also a ducking stool, or trebucket.
Blacktone.


word: Castile soap
definition:
Castile soap

Cas"tile soap`
(?)
[From Castile, or Castilia, a province in Spain, from which it originally came.]
A kind of fine, hard, white or mottled soap, made with olive oil and soda; also, a soap made in imitation of the above-described soap.


word: Castilian
definition:
Castilian

Cas*til"ian
(?)
n.
[Sp. castellano, from Castila, NL. Castilia, Castella. Castile, which received its name from the castles erected on the frontiers as a barrier against the Moors.]
1.
An inhabitant or native of Castile, in Spain.

2.
The Spanish language as spoken in Castile.


word: Casting
definition:
Casting

Cast"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act of one who casts or throws, as in fishing.

2.
The act or process of making casts or impressions, or of shaping metal or plaster in a mold; the act or the process of pouring molten metal into a mold.

3.
That which is cast in a mold; esp. the mass of metal so cast; as, a casting in iron; bronze casting.

4.
The warping of a board.
Brande & C.

5.
The act of casting off, or that which is cast off, as skin, feathers, excrement, etc.

Casting of draperies, the proper distribution of the folds of garments, in painting and sculpture. -- Casting line (Fishing), the leader; also, sometimes applied to the long reel line. -- Casting net, a net which is cast and drawn, in distinction from a net that is set and left. -- Casting voice, Casting vote, the decisive vote of a presiding officer, when the votes of the assembly or house are equally divided. “When there was an equal vote, the governor had the casting voice.” B. Trumbull. -- Casting weight, a weight that turns a balance when exactly poised.


word: Cast iron
definition:
Cast iron

Cast" i`ron
(?)
Highly carbonized iron, the direct product of the blast furnace; -- used for making castings, and for conversion into wrought iron and steel. It can not be welded or forged, is brittle, and sometimes very hard. Besides carbon, it contains sulphur, phosphorus, silica, etc.


word: Castle
definition:
Castle

Cas"tle
(?)
n.
[AS. castel, fr. L. castellum, dim. of castrum a fortified place, castle.]
1.
A fortified residence, especially that of a prince or nobleman; a fortress.

The house of every one is to him castle and fortress, as well for his defense againts injury and violence, as for his repose.
Coke.

Our castle's strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn.
Shak.

&hand_; Originally the mediæval castle was a single strong tower or keep, with a palisaded inclosure around it and inferior buidings, such as stables and the like, and surrounded by a moat; then such a keep or donjon, with courtyards or baileys and accessory buildings of greater elaboration a great hall and a chapel, all surrounded by defensive walls and a moat, with a drawbridge, etc. Afterwards the name was retained by large dwellings that had formerly been fortresses, or by those which replaced ancient fortresses.
2.
Any strong, imposing, and stately mansion.

3.
A small tower, as on a ship, or an elephant's back.

4.
A piece, made to represent a castle, used in the game of chess; a rook.

Castle in the air, a visionary project; a baseless scheme; an air castle; -- sometimes called a castle in Spain (F. Château en Espagne).


word: Castle₂
definition:
Castle

Cas"tle
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Castled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Castling (?).]
(Chess)
To move the castle to the square next to king, and then the king around the castle to the square next beyond it, for the purpose of covering the king.


word: Castlebuilder
definition:
Castlebuilder

Cas"tle*build`er
(?)
n.
Fig.: one who builds castles in the air or forms visionary schemes.


word: Castled
definition:
Castled

Cas"tled
(?)
a.
Having a castle or castles; supporting a castle; as, a castled height or crag.

2.
Fortified; turreted; as, castled walls.


word: Castle-guard
definition:
Castle-guard

Cas"tle-guard`
(?)
n.
1.
The guard or defense of a castle.

2.
(O. Eng. Law)
A tax or imposition an a dwelling within a certain distance of a castle, for the purpose of maintaining watch and ward in it; castle-ward.

3.
A feudal tenure, obliging the tenant to perform service within the realm, without limitation of time.


word: Castling
definition:
Castling

Cast"ling
(?)
n.
That which is cast or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Cast-off
definition:
Cast-off

Cast"-off`
(?)
a.
Cast or laid aside; thrown away; discarded; as, cast-off clothes.

Syn. -- discarded, junked, scrap(prenominal), waste.


word: Castor
definition:
Castor

Cas"tor
(?)
n.
[L. castor the beaver, Gr. _;; of uncertain origin.]
1.
(Zool.)
A genus of rodents, including the beaver. See Beaver.

2.
Castoreum. See Castoreum.

3.
A hat, esp. one made of beaver fur; a beaver.

I have always been known for the jaunty manner in which I wear my castor.
Sir W. Scott.

4.
A heavy quality of broadcloth for overcoats.


word: Castor₃
definition:
Castor

Cas"tor
(?)
n.
[L.]
(Astron.)
the northernmost of the two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, the other being Pollux.


word: Castorite
definition:
Castorite

Castor

{ Cas"tor, Cas"tor*ite (?), }
n.
[The minerals castor and pollux were so named because found together on the island of Elba. See Castor and Pollux.]
(Min.)
A variety of the mineral called petalite, from Elba.


word: Castor and Pollux
definition:
Castor and Pollux

Cas"tor and Pol"lux
(?)
[Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Jupiter and Leda.]
(Naut.)
See Saint Elmo's fire, under Saint.


word: Castor bean
definition:
Castor bean

Cas"tor bean`
(?)
(Bot.)
The bean or seed of the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi.)


word: Castoreum
definition:
Castoreum

Cas*to"re*um
(?)
n.
[L. See Castor.]
A peculiar bitter orange-brown substance, with strong, penetrating odor, found in two sacs between the anus and external genitals of the beaver; castor; -- used in medicine as an antispasmodic, and by perfumers.


word: Castoroides
definition:
Castoroides

Castoroides
n.
a genus of extinct beavers of the Pleistocene; of eastern and southern U.S.

Syn. -- genus Castoroides.


word: Castorin
definition:
Castorin

Cas"to*rin
(kăs"to̝*rĭn)
n.
[From 1st Castor.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline substance obtained from castoreum.


word: Castor oil
definition:
Castor oil

Cas"tor oil
(kăs"tẽr oil`)
A mild cathartic oil, expressed or extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi. When fresh the oil is inodorous and insipid.

Castor-oil plant. Same as Palma Christi.


word: Castrametation
definition:
Castrametation

Cas`tra*me*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[F. castramétation, fr. L. castra camp + metari to measure off, fr. meta limit.]
(Mil.)
The art or act of encamping; the making or laying out of a camp.


word: Castrate
definition:
Castrate

Cas"trate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Castrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Castrating.]
[L. castrarus, p; p. of castrare to castrate, asin to Skr. çastra knife.]
1.
To deprive of the testicles; to emasculate; to geld; to alter.

2.
To cut or take out; esp. to remove anything erroneous, or objectionable from, as the obscene parts of a writing; to expurgate.

My . . . correspondent . . . has sent me the following letter, which I have castrated in some places.
Spectator.


word: castrated
definition:
castrated

castrated
adj.
deprived of reproductive organs or sexual attributes.

Syn. -- altered, neutered, unsexed, fixed.


word: Castrato
definition:
Castrato

Cas*tra"to
(?)
n.
[L., properly p. p. of castrare. See Castrate.]
A male person castrated for the purpose of improving his voice for singing; an artificial, or male, soprano.
Swift.


word: Castrel
definition:
Castrel

Cas"trel
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. crécerelle, cristel, OF. crecel, cercele. Cf. Kestrel.]
(Zool.)
See Kestrel.


word: Castrensial
definition:
Castrensial

Cas*tren"sial
(?)
a.
[L. castrensis, fr. castra camp.]
Belonging to a camp.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Castries
definition:
Castries

Castries
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of St. Lucia.  Population (2000) = 13,600.


word: Casual
definition:
Casual

Cas"u*al
(?)
a.
[OE. casuel, F. casuel, fr. L. casualis, fr. casus fall, accident, fr. cadere to fall. See Case.]
1.
Happening or coming to pass without design, and without being foreseen or expected; accidental; fortuitous; coming by chance.

Casual breaks, in the general system.
W. Irving.

2.
Coming without regularity; occasional; incidental; as, casual expenses.

A constant habit, rather than a casual gesture.
Hawthorne.


word: Casual₂
definition:
Casual

Cas"u*al
n.
One who receives relief for a night in a parish to which he does not belong; a vagrant.


word: Casualty
definition:
Casualty

Cas"u*al*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Casualties (#).
[F. casualité, LL. casualitas.]
1.
That which comes without design or without being foreseen; contingency.

Losses that befall them by mere casualty.
Sir W. Raleigh.

2.
Any injury of the body from accident; hence, death, or other misfortune, occasioned by an accident; as, an unhappy casualty.

3.
pl.
(Mil. & Naval)
Numerical loss caused by death, wounds, discharge, or desertion.

Casualty ward, A ward in a hospital devoted to the treatment of injuries received by accident.


word: Casuaridae
definition:
Casuaridae

Casuaridae
n.
a natural family of large ostrichlike birds; the cassowaries.

Syn. -- family Casuaridae.


word: Casuariiformes
definition:
Casuariiformes

Casuariiformes
n.
an order of ratite birds comprising the cassowaries and emus.

Syn. -- order Casuariiformes.


word: Casuarina
definition:
Casuarina

Cas`u*a*ri"na
(?)
n.
[NL., supposed to be named from the resemblance of the twigs to the feathers of the cassowary, of the genus Casuarius.]
(Bot.)
A genus of leafless trees or shrubs, with drooping branchlets of a rushlike appearance, mostly natives of Australia. Some of them are large, producing hard and heavy timber of excellent quality, called beefwood from its color.


word: Casuarinaceae
definition:
Casuarinaceae

Casuarinaceae
n.
a natural family of plants having only one genus, Casuarina.

Syn. -- family Casuarinaceae.


word: Casuarinales
definition:
Casuarinales

Casuarinales
n.
an order of chiefly Australian trees and shrubs comprising the casuarinas, having only one family, Casuarinaceae.

Syn. -- order Casuarinales.


word: Casuarius
definition:
Casuarius

Casuarius
n.
the type and sole genus of the Casuaridae; the cassowaries.

Syn. -- genus Casuarius.


word: Casuist
definition:
Casuist

Cas"u*ist
(?)
n.
[L. casus fall, case; cf. F. casuiste. See Casual.]
One who is skilled in, or given to, casuistry.

The judment of any casuist or learned divine concerning the state of a man's soul, is not sufficient to give him confidence.
South.


word: Casuistical
definition:
Casuistical

Casuistic

{ Cas`u*is"tic (?), Cas`u*is"tic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to casuists or casuistry; as, casuistic thinking.


word: Casuistry
definition:
Casuistry

Cas"u*ist*ry
(?)
a.
1.
The science or doctrine of dealing with cases of conscience, of resolving questions of right or wrong in conduct, or determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do by rules and principles drawn from the Scriptures, from the laws of society or the church, or from equity and natural reason; the application of general moral rules to particular cases.

The consideration of these nice and puzzling question in the science of ethics has given rise, in modern times, to a particular department of it, distinguished by the title of casuistry.
Stewart.

Casuistry in the science of cases (i.e., oblique deflections from the general rule).
De Quincey.

2.
Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.


word: Casus
definition:
Casus

Ca"sus
(?)
n.
[L.]
An event; an occurrence; an occasion; a combination of circumstances; a case; an act of God. See the Note under Accident.

Casus belli, an event or combination of events which is a cause war, or may be alleged as a justification of war. -- Casus fortuitus, an accident against which due prudence could not have provided. See Act of God, under Act. -- Casus omissus, a case not provided for by the statute.


word: cat
definition:
cat

cat
(kăt)
n.
[AS. cat; akin to D. & Dan. kat, Sw. katt, Icel. köttr, G. katze, kater, Ir. cat, W. cath, Armor. kaz, LL. catus, Bisc. catua, NGr. ga`ta, ga`tos, Russ. & Pol. kot, Turk. kedi, Ar. qitt; of unknown origin. Cf. Kitten.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any animal belonging to the natural family Felidae, and in particular to the various species of the genera Felis, Panthera, and Lynx.  The domestic cat is Felis domestica.  The European wild cat (Felis catus) is much larger than the domestic cat.  In the United States the name wild cat is commonly applied to the bay lynx (Lynx rufus).  The larger felines, such as the lion, tiger, leopard, and cougar, are often referred to as cats, and sometimes as big cats.  See Wild cat, and Tiger cat.

&hand_; The domestic cat includes many varieties named from their place of origin or from some peculiarity; as, the Angora cat; the Maltese cat; the Manx cat; the Siamese cat.

  Laying aside their often rancorous debate over how best to preserve the Florida panther, state and federal wildlife officials, environmentalists, and independent scientists endorsed the proposal, and in 1995 the eight cats [female Texas cougars] were brought from Texas and released. . . .
   Uprooted from the arid hills of West Texas, three of the imports have died, but the remaining five adapted to swamp life and have each given birth to at least one litter of kittens.
Mark Derr (N. Y. Times, Nov. 2, 1999, Science Times p. F2).

The word cat is also used to designate other animals, from some fancied resemblance; as, civet cat, fisher cat, catbird, catfish shark, sea cat.

2.
(Naut.)
(a)
A strong vessel with a narrow stern, projecting quarters, and deep waist.  It is employed in the coal and timber trade.
(b)
A strong tackle used to draw an anchor up to the cathead of a ship.
Totten.

3.
A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.), having six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position it is placed.

4.
An old game;
specifically:
(a)
The game of tipcat and the implement with which it is played. See Tipcat.
(b)
A game of ball, called, according to the number of batters, one old cat, two old cat, etc.

5.
same as cat o' nine tails; as, British sailors feared the cat.

6.
A catamaran.

Angora cat, blind cat, See under Angora, Blind. -- Black cat the fisher. See under Black. -- Cat and dog, like a cat and dog; quarrelsome; inharmonious.  “I am sure we have lived a cat and dog life of it.” Coleridge. -- Cat block (Naut.), a heavy iron-strapped block with a large hook, part of the tackle used in drawing an anchor up to the cathead. -- Cat hook (Naut.), a strong hook attached to a cat block. -- Cat nap, a very short sleep. [Colloq.] -- Cat o' nine tails, an instrument of punishment consisting of nine pieces of knotted line or cord fastened to a handle; -- formerly used to flog offenders on the bare back. -- Cat's cradle, game played, esp. by children, with a string looped on the fingers so, as to resemble small cradle.  The string is transferred from the fingers of one to those of another, at each transfer with a change of form. See Cratch, Cratch cradle. -- To bell the cat, to perform a very dangerous or very difficult task; -- taken metaphorically from a fable about a mouse who proposes to put a bell on a cat, so as to be able to hear the cat coming.  -- To let the cat out of the bag, to tell a secret, carelessly or willfully. [Colloq.] -- Bush cat, the serval. See Serval.


word: Cat
definition:
Cat

Cat
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Catted; p. pr. & vb. n. Catting.]
(Naut.)
To bring to the cathead; as, to cat an anchor. See Anchor.
Totten.


word: Cata
definition:
Cata

Cat"a
(?)
[Gr. kata`.]
The Latin and English form of a Greek preposition, used as a prefix to signify down, downward, under, against, contrary or opposed to, wholly, completely; as in cataclysm, catarrh. It sometimes drops the final vowel, as in catoptric; and is sometimes changed to cath, as in cathartic, catholic.


word: Catabaptist
definition:
Catabaptist

Cat`a*bap"tist
(?)
n.
[Pref. cata + aptist. See Baptist.]
(Eccl.)
One who opposes baptism, especially of infants.
[Obs.]
Featley.


word: Catabasion
definition:
Catabasion

Cat`a*ba"sion
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. kataba`sion.]
A vault under altar of a Greek church.


word: catabolic
definition:
catabolic

catabolic
adj.
[Formerly spelled katabolic.]
1.
Of or pertaining to catabolism; as, catabolic processes, which give rise to substances (katastates) of decreasing complexity and increasing stability.

2.
characterized by destructive metabolism; contrasted with anabolic.


word: catabolism
definition:
catabolism

catabolism
n.
the breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy, in living organisms; destructive or downward metabolism; -- a form of metabolism, opposed to anabolism. See also Disassimilation.
[Formerly spelled katabolism.]

Syn. -- katabolism, dissimilation, destructive metabolism.


word: Catacala
definition:
Catacala

Catacala
n.
a genus of moths whose larvae are cutworms: underwings.

Syn. -- genus Catacala.


word: Catacaustic
definition:
Catacaustic

Cat`a*caus"tic
(?)
a.
[Pref. cata + caustic.]
(Physics)
Relating to, or having the properties of, a caustic curve formed by reflection. See Caustic, a.
Nichol.


word: Catachresis
definition:
Catachresis

Cat`a*chre"sis
(?)
n.
[L. fr. Gr. _; misuse, fr. _; to misuse; kata` against + _; to use.]
(Rhet.)
A figure by which one word is wrongly put for another, or by which a word is wrested from its true signification; as, “To take arms against a sea of troubles”. Shak. “Her voice was but the shadow of a sound.” Young.


word: Catachrestical
definition:
Catachrestical

Catachrestic

{ Cat`a*chres"tic (?), Cat`a*chres"tic*al (?), }
a.
Belonging to, or in the manner of, a catachresis; constituting,  characterized by or given to catachresis; wrested from its natural sense or form; forced; far-fetched.

[A] catachrestical and improper way of speaking.
Jer. Taylor.


word: cataclinal
definition:
cataclinal

cataclinal
adj.
(Geol)
running in the direction of the dip in surrounding rock strata; -- of valleys and rivers.  Opposite of anaclinal.


word: Cataclysm
definition:
Cataclysm

Cat"a*clysm
(?)
n.
[L. cataclysmos, Gr. kataklysmo`s, from _; to dash over, inundate; kata` downward, against + _; to wash or dash over: cf. F. cataclysme.]
1.
An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge.

2.
(Geol.)
Any violent catastrophe, involving sudden and extensive changes of the earth's surface.


word: Cataclysmic
definition:
Cataclysmic

Cataclysmal

{ Cat`a*clys"mal (?), Cat`a*clys"mic (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to a cataclysm.


word: Cataclysmist
definition:
Cataclysmist

Cat`a*clys"mist
(?)
n.
One who believes that the most important geological phenomena have been produced by cataclysms.


word: Catacomb
definition:
Catacomb

Cat"a*comb
(?)
n.
[It. catacomba, fr. L. catacumba perh. from Gr. kata` downward, down + ky`mbh cavity.]
A cave, grotto, or subterraneous place of large extent used for the burial of the dead; -- commonly in the plural.

&hand_; The terms is supposed to have been applied originally to the tombs under the church of St. Sebastian in Rome. The most celebrated catacombs are those near Rome, on the Appian Way, supposed to have been the place or refuge and interment of the early Christians; those of Egypt, extending for a wide distance in the vicinity of Cairo; and those of Paris, in abandoned stone quarries, excavated under a large portion of the city.


word: cata-cornered
definition:
cata-cornered

cata-cornered
adj.
having a slanted or oblique direction.

Syn. -- bias, catacorner, catercorner, cater-cornered, catty-corner, catty-cornered, diagonal, kitty-corner, kitty-cornered, oblique, skew, skewed, slanted.


word: Catacoustic
definition:
Catacoustic

Cat`a*cous"tic
(?)
n.
[Pref. cata + acoustics: cf. F. caraconstique.]
(Physics)
That part of acoustics which treats of reflected sounds or echoes See Acoustics.
Hutton.


word: Catacrotic
definition:
Catacrotic

Cat`a*crot"ic
(?)
a.
[Cata- + Gr. _; a beating.]
(Physiol.)
Designating, pertaining to, or characterized by, that form of pulse tracing, or sphygmogram, in which the descending portion of the curve is marked by secondary elevations due to two or more expansions of the artery in the same beat.
Ca*tac"rotism (#), n.


word: Catadicrotism
definition:
Catadicrotism

Cat`a*di"cro*tism
(?)
n.
[Cata- + dicrotism.]
(Physiol.)
Quality or state of being catacrotic.
Cat`a*di*crot"ic (#), a.


word: Catadioptrical
definition:
Catadioptrical

Catadioptric

{ Cat`a*di*op"tric (?), Cat`a*di*op"tric*al (?), }
a.
[Pref. cata + dioptric: cf. F. catadioptrique.]
(Physics)
Pertaining to, produced by, or involving, both the reflection and refraction of light; as, a catadioptric light.
Hutton.


word: Catadioptrics
definition:
Catadioptrics

Cat`a*di*op"trics
(?)
n.
The science which treats of catadioptric phenomena, or of the used of catadioptric instruments.


word: Catadrome
definition:
Catadrome

Cat"a*drome
(?)
n.
[Gr. kata`dromos race course; kata` down + dro`mos course.]
1.
A race course.

2.
(Mach.)
A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights.


word: Catadromous
definition:
Catadromous

Ca*tad"ro*mous
(?)
a.
[Gr. kata` down + dro`mos a running.]
1.
(Bot.)
Having the lowest inferior segment of a pinna nearer the rachis than the lowest superior one; -- said of a mode of branching in ferns, and opposed to anadromous.

2.
(Zool.)
Living in fresh water, and going to the sea to spawn; -- opposed to anadromous, and said of the eel.


word: Catafalque
definition:
Catafalque

Cat"a*falque`
(?)
n.
[F., fr. It. catafalco, scaffold, funeral canopy; of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. catafalso, cadahalso, cadalso, Pr. casafalc, OF. chafaut. Cf. Scaffold.]
A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial.


word: Catagmatic
definition:
Catagmatic

Cat`*ag*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; fracture, fr. _; to break in places; kata` down + 'agny`nai to break: cf. F. catagmatique.]
(Med.)
Having the quality of consolidating broken bones.


word: Cataian
definition:
Cataian

Ca*ta"ian
(?)
n.
A native of Cathay or China; a foreigner; -- formerly a term of reproach.
Shak.


word: Catalan
definition:
Catalan

Cat"a*lan
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Catalonia.
n. A native or inhabitant of Catalonia; also, the language of Catalonia.

Catalan furnace, Catalan forge (Metal.), a kind of furnace for producing wrought iron directly from the ore. It was formerly much used, esp. in Catalonia, and is still used in some parts of the United States and elsewhere.


word: catalase
definition:
catalase

catalase
n.
an enzyme found in most plant and animal cells that functions as an oxidative catalyst; it decomposes hydrogen peroxide into hydrogen and water.


word: Catalectic
definition:
Catalectic

Cat`a*lec"tic
(?)
a.
[L. catalecticus, Gr. _; incomplete, fr. _; to leave off; kata` down, wholly + lh`gein to stop.]
1.
(Pros.)
Wanting a syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot; as, a catalectic verse.

2.
(Photog. & Chem.)
Incomplete; partial; not affecting the whole of a substance.
Abney.


word: Catalepsis
definition:
Catalepsis

Catalepsy

{ Cat"a*lep`sy (?), &VerbarCat`a*lep"sis (?), }
n.
[NL. catalepsis, fr. Gr. _; a seizure, fr. _; to seize upon; kata` down + _; to take, seize.]
(Med.)
A sudden suspension of sensation and volition, the body and limbs preserving the position that may be given them, while the action of the heart and lungs continues.


word: Cataleptic
definition:
Cataleptic

Cat`a*lep"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. katalhptiko`s.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, catalepsy; affected with catalepsy; as, a cataleptic fit.


word: Catallacta
definition:
Catallacta

Cat`al*lac"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;. See Catallactics.]
(Zool.)
A division of Protozoa, of which Magosphæra is the type. They exist both in a myxopod state, with branched pseudopodia, and in the form of ciliated bodies united in free, spherical colonies.


word: Catallactics
definition:
Catallactics

Cat`al*lac"tics
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; to exchange; kata` wholly + _; to change.]
The science of exchanges, a branch of political economy.


word: Catalogize
definition:
Catalogize

Cat"a*lo*gize
(?)
v. t.
To insert in a catalogue; to register; to catalogue.
[R.]
Coles.


word: Catalogue
definition:
Catalogue

Cat"a*logue
(?)
n.
[F., fr. catalogus, fr. Gr. _; a counting up, list, fr. _; to count up; kata` down, completely + _; to say.]
A list or enumeration of names, or articles arranged methodically, often in alphabetical order; as, a catalogue of the students of a college, or of books, or of the stars.

Card catalogue, a catalogue, as of books, having each item entered on a separate card, and the cards arranged in cases by subjects, or authors, or alphabetically. -- Catalogue raisonné (?) [F.], a catalogue of books, etc., classed according to their subjects.


word: Catalogue₂
definition:
Catalogue

Cat"a*logue
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Catalogued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cataloguing (?).]
To make a list or catalogue; to insert in a catalogue.


word: Cataloguer
definition:
Cataloguer

Cat"a*log`uer
(?)
n.
A maker of catalogues; esp. one skilled in the making of catalogues.


word: Catalpa
definition:
Catalpa

Ca*tal"pa
(?)
n.
[From the language of the Indians of Carolina, where Catesby discovered this tree in the year 1726.]
(Bot.)
A genus of American and East Indian trees, of which the best known species are the Catalpa bignonioides, a large, ornamental North American tree, with spotted white flowers and long cylindrical pods, and the Catalpa speciosa, of the Mississipi valley; -- called also Indian bean.


word: catalufa
definition:
catalufa

catalufa
n.
a type of brightly colored carnivorous fish (Priacanthus arenatus) of the West Atlantic and West Indies waters.

Syn. -- Priacanthus arenatus.


word: Catalyse
definition:
Catalyse

Cat"a*lyse`
(kăt"ȧ*līz)
v. t.
[ML., fr. Gr. _; dissolution, fr. _; to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly + _; to loose.]
same as catalyze.


word: Catalysis
definition:
Catalysis

Ca*tal"y*sis
(?)
n.
pl. Catalyse.
(#)
[ML., fr. Gr. _; dissolution, fr. _; to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly + _; to loose.]

1.
Dissolution; degeneration; decay.
[R.]

Sad catalysis and declension of piety.
Evelyn.

2.
(Chem.)
(a)
A process by which a chemical reaction is accelerated in the presence of certain agents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by mere contact. It is now believed that such reactions are attended with the formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so that by alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric acid; or catalysis in the action of enzymes (as diastase, or ptyalin) on starch.
(b)
The catalytic force.


word: catalyst
definition:
catalyst

catalyst
n.
1.
(Chem.)
a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected; as, thousands of enzymes serve in concert as calaysts to produce the sequence of reactions we call “life”; the industrial production of cheap ammonia depended on finding a good catalyst.

2.
something that serves as a precipitating occasion for an event; as, the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country.
A catalyst is never the main cause of an event, but may serve to hasten events for which the underlying causes are present prior to the appearance or occurrence of the catalyst.

3.
something or someone that causes events to happen with itself being changed.


word: Catalytic
definition:
Catalytic

Cat`a*ly"tic
(?)
a.
Relating to, or causing, catalysis.
catalytic
Ure.

Catalytic force, that form of chemical energy formerly supposed to determine catalysis.


word: Catalytic₂
definition:
Catalytic

Cat`a*lyt"ic
n.
(Chem.)
An agent employed in catalysis, as platinum black, aluminium chloride, etc.


word: catalyze
definition:
catalyze

catalyze
v. t.
1.
1
(chemistry)
to cause (a chemical reaction) to proceed more quickly by contacting the reactant(s) with another substance; as, moisture catalyzes the oxidation of iron in air.
[Also spelled catalyse.]

Syn. -- change by catalysis, cause to catalyze.


word: Catamaran
definition:
Catamaran

Cat`a*ma*ran"
n.
[The native East Indian name.]
1.
A kind of raft or float, consisting of two or more logs or pieces of wood lashed together, and moved by paddles or sail; -- used as a surf boat and for other purposes on the coasts of the East and West Indies and South America. Modified forms are much used in the lumber regions of North America, and at life-saving stations.

2.
Any vessel with twin hulls, whether propelled by sails or by steam; esp., one of a class of double-hulled pleasure boats remarkable for speed.

3.
A kind of fire raft or torpedo bat.

The incendiary rafts prepared by Sir Sidney Smith for destroying the French flotilla at Boulogne, 1804, were called catamarans.
Knight.

4.
A quarrelsome woman; a scold.
[Colloq.]


word: Catamenia
definition:
Catamenia

Cat`a*me"nia
(kăt`ȧ*mē"nĭ*ȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. ta` katamh`nia.]
(Med.)
The monthly courses of women; menstrual discharges; menses.


word: Catamenial
definition:
Catamenial

Cat`a*me"ni*al
(kăt`ȧ*mē"nĭ*al)
a.
[Gr. katamh`nios  monthly; kata` down, back, again + mh`n month.]
Pertaining to the catamenia, or menstrual discharges.


word: Catamite
definition:
Catamite

Cat"a*mite
(kăt"ȧ*mīt)
n.
[L. Catamitus, an old form of Ganymedes Ganymede, Gr. Ganymh`dhs.]
A boy kept for unnatural purposes.


word: Catamount
definition:
Catamount

Cat"a*mount
(kăt"ȧ*mount)
n.
[Cat + mount; cf. Sp. gato montes mountain cat.]
(Zool.)
The cougar. Applied also, in some parts of the United States, to the lynx.


word: cat-a-mountain
definition:
cat-a-mountain

catamountain

cat"a*moun`tain, cat"-a-moun`tain
n.
1.
the bushy-tailed European wildcat (Felis silvestris) resembling the domestic tabby and regarded as the ancestor of the domestic cat.

Syn. -- European wildcat, Felis silvestris.


word: Catanadromous
definition:
Catanadromous

Cat"a*nad`ro*mous
(?)
a.
[Gr. kata` down + 'ana` up + dro`mos running, course.]
(Zool.)
Ascending and descending fresh streams from and to the sea, as the salmon; anadromous.
[R.]


word: Catapasm
definition:
Catapasm

Cat"a*pasm
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to besprinkle; kata` down, wholly + _; to strew, or sprinkle.]
(Med.)
A compound medicinal powder, used by the ancients to sprinkle on ulcers, to absorb perspiration, etc.
Dunglison.


word: Catapetalous
definition:
Catapetalous

Cat`a*pet"al*ous
(?)
a.
[Pref. cata + petalous.]
(Bot.)
Having the petals held together by stamens, which grow to their bases, as in the mallow.


word: Cataphonics
definition:
Cataphonics

Cat`a*phon"ics
(?)
n.
[Pref. cata + phonic: cf. F. cataphonique.]
(Physics)
That branch of acoustics which treats of reflected sounds; catacoustics.


word: Cataphract
definition:
Cataphract

Cat"a*phract
(kăt"ȧ*frăkt)
n.
[L. cataphractes, Gr. _;, fr. _; covered, fr. _; to cover; kata` down, wholly + fra`ssein to inclose.]

1.
(Mil. Antiq.)
Defensive armor used for the whole body and often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale armor of some eastern nations.

2.
A horseman covered with a cataphract.

Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears.
Milton.

3.
(Zool.)
The armor or plate covering some fishes.


word: Cataphracted
definition:
Cataphracted

Cat"a*phract`ed
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Covered with a cataphract, or armor of plates, scales, etc.; or with that which corresponds to this, as horny or bony plates, hard, callous skin, etc.


word: Cataphysical
definition:
Cataphysical

Cat`a*phys"ic*al
a.
[Pref. cata + physical.]
Unnatural; contrary to nature.
[R.]

Some artists . . . have given to Sir Walter Scott a pile of forehead which is unpleassing and cataphysical.
De Quincey.


word: Cataplasm
definition:
Cataplasm

Cat"a*plasm
(?)
n.
[L. cataplasma, Gr. _;, fr. _; to spread over; kata` down, wholly + _; to form, mold.]
(Med.)
A soft and moist substance applied externally to some part of the body; a poultice.
Dunglison.


word: Cataplexy
definition:
Cataplexy

Cat"a*plex`y
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; amazement: cf. Apoplexy.]
(Med.)
A morbid condition caused by an overwhelming shock or extreme fear and marked by rigidity of the muscles.
Cat`a*plec"tic (#), a.


word: Catapult
definition:
Catapult

Cat"a*pult
(?)
n.
[L. catapulta, Gr. _;, prob. from kata` down + _; to shake, hurl.]

1.
(Mil. Antiq.)
An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.

2.
A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.


word: Cataract
definition:
Cataract

Cat"a*ract
(?)
n.
[L. cataracta, catarracles, a waterfall, Gr. _;, _;, fr. _; to break down; in the passive, to fall or rush down (of tumors) to burst; kata` down + _; to break.]
1.
A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall.

2.
(Surg.)
An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light and impairs or destroys the sight.

3.
(Mach.)
A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; -- sometimes called dashpot.


word: Catarrh
definition:
Catarrh

Ca*tarrh"
(?)
n.
[L. catarrhus, Gr. _;, _;, a running down, rheum, fr. _;; kata` down + _; to flow. See Stream.]
(Med.)
An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an altertion in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as, catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder.

&hand_; In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.


word: Catarrhal
definition:
Catarrhal

Ca*tarrh"al
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, produced by, or attending, catarrh; of the nature of catarrh.


word: Catarrhine
definition:
Catarrhine

Cat"ar*rhine
(?)
n.
[Gr. kata`rris with hanging or curved nose; kata` down + "ri`s, "rino`s nose.]
(Zool.)
One of the Catarrhina, a division of Quadrumana, including the Old World monkeys and apes which have the nostrils close together and turned downward. See Monkey.


word: Catastaltic
definition:
Catastaltic

Cat`a*stal"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to check; kata` down, wholy + _; to set.]
(Med.)
Checking evacuations through astringent or styptic qualities.


word: Catastasis
definition:
Catastasis

Ca*tas"ta*sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to set; kata` down + _; to place.]
1.
(Rhet.)
That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter to be discussed.

2.
(Med.)
The state, or condition of anything; constitution; habit of body.


word: Catasterism
definition:
Catasterism

Ca*tas"ter*ism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to place among the stars.]
A placing among the stars; a catalogue of stars.

The catasterisms of Eratosthenes.
Whewell.


word: Catastrophe
definition:
Catastrophe

Ca*tas"tro*phe
(?)
n.
[L. catastropha, Gr. _;, fr. _; to turn up and down, to overturn; kata` down + _; to turn.]
1.
An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things; a final event, usually of a calamitous or disastrous nature; hence, sudden calamity; great misfortune.

The strange catastrophe of affairs now at London.
Bp. Burnet.

The most horrible and portentous catastrophe that nature ever yet saw.
Woodward.

2.
The final event in a romance or a dramatic piece; a denouement, as a death in a tragedy, or a marriage in a comedy.

3.
(Geol.)
A violent and widely extended change in the surface of the earth, as, an elevation or subsidence of some part of it, effected by internal causes.
Whewell.


word: Catastrophism
definition:
Catastrophism

Ca*tas"tro*phism
(?)
n.
(Geol.)
The doctrine that the geological changes in the earth's crust have been caused by the sudden action of violent physical causes; -- opposed to the doctrine of uniformism.


word: catatonia
definition:
catatonia

cat`a*ton"ia
n.
[Gr. katatonos, stretching down, depressed, fr. kata` down + to`nos stretching, straining, tone (sound). Stedman.]
(Psychiatry)
an abnormal behavioral syndrome characterized by stupor, negativism, and muscular rigidity, sometimes alternating with purposeless excitement, and seen most frequently in schizophrenia; called also catatonic schizophrenia.


word: catatonic
definition:
catatonic

cat`a*ton"ic
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to catatonia; suffering from catatonia.

2.
appearing mentally stupefied, unresponsive, and motionless, or almost so; seemingly unaware of one's environment.
[Colloq.]


word: Catawba
definition:
Catawba

Ca*taw"ba
(?)
n.
1.
A well known light red variety of American grape.

2.
A light-colored, sprightly American wine from the Catawba grape.


word: Catawbas
definition:
Catawbas

Ca*taw"bas
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Catawba.
(Ethnol.)
An Appalachian tribe of Indians which originally inhabited the regions near the Catawba river and the head waters of the Santee.


word: Catbird
definition:
Catbird

Cat"bird
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
An American bird (Galeoscoptes Carolinensis), allied to the mocking bird, and like it capable of imitating the notes of other birds, but less perfectly. Its note resembles at times the mewing of a cat.


word: Catboat
definition:
Catboat

Cat"boat`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
A small sailboat, with a single mast placed as far forward as possible, carring a sail extended by a gaff and long boom. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: catbrier
definition:
catbrier

catbrier
n.
a very prickly woody vine of eastern U.S. (Smilax rotundifolia) growing in tangled masses, having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries.

Syn. -- bullbrier, greenbrier, horsebrier, brier, briar, Smilax rotundifolia.


word: Catcall
definition:
Catcall

Cat"call`
(?)
n.
A sound like the cry of a cat, such as is made in playhouses to express dissatisfaction with a play; also, a small shrill instrument for making such a noise.

Upon the rising of the curtain. I was very much surprised with the great consort of catcalls which was exhibited.
Addison.


word: Catch
definition:
Catch

Catch
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Caught (?) or Catched (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Catching. Catched is rarely used.]
[OE. cacchen, OF. cachier, dialectic form of chacier to hunt, F. chasser, fr. (assumend) LL. captiare, for L. capture, V. intens. of capere to take, catch. See Capacious, and cf. Chase, Case a box.]

1.
To lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball.

2.
To seize after pursuing; to arrest; as, to catch a thief.
caught
Judg. i. 6.

3.
To take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish.

4.
Hence: To insnare; to entangle.
catch
Mark xii. 13.

5.
To seize with the senses or the mind; to apprehend; as, to catch a melody.
catch
Tennyson.

6.
To communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building.

7.
To engage and attach; to please; to charm.

The soothing arts that catch the fair.
Dryden.

8.
To get possession of; to attain.

Torment myself to catch the English throne.
Shak.

9.
To take or receive; esp. to take by sympathy, contagion, infection, or exposure; as, to catch the spirit of an occasion; to catch the measles or smallpox; to catch cold; the house caught fire.

10.
To come upon unexpectedly or by surprise; to find; as, to catch one in the act of stealing.

11.
To reach in time; to come up with; as, to catch a train.

To catch fire, to become inflamed or ignited. -- to catch it to get a scolding or beating; to suffer punishment. [Colloq.] -- To catch one's eye, to interrupt captiously while speaking. [Colloq.] “You catch me up so very short.” Dickens. -- To catch up, to snatch; to take up suddenly.


word: Catch₂
definition:
Catch

Catch
(?)
v. i.
1.
To attain possession.
[Obs.]

Have is have, however men do catch.
Shak.

2.
To be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open.

3.
To take hold; as, the bolt does not catch.

4.
To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate.

Does the sedition catch from man to man?
Addison.

To catch at, to attempt to seize; to be eager to get or use. “[To] catch at all opportunities of subverting the state.” Addison. -- To catch up with, to come up with; to overtake.


word: Catch₃
definition:
Catch

Catch
n.
1.
Act of seizing; a grasp.
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
That by which anything is caught or temporarily fastened; as, the catch of a gate.

3.
The posture of seizing; a state of preparation to lay hold of, or of watching he opportunity to seize; as, to lie on the catch.
[Archaic]
Addison.

The common and the canon law . . . lie at catch, and wait advantages one againt another.
T. Fuller.

4.
That which is caught or taken; profit; gain; especially, the whole quantity caught or taken at one time; as, a good catch of fish.

Hector shall have a great catch if he knock out either of your brains.
Shak.

5.
Something desirable to be caught, esp. a husband or wife in matrimony.
[Colloq.]
Marryat.

6.
pl.
Passing opportunities seized; snatches.

It has been writ by catches with many intervals.
Locke.

7.
A slight remembrance; a trace.

We retain a catch of those pretty stories.
Glanvill.

8.
(Mus.)
A humorous canon or round, so contrived that the singers catch up each other's words.


word: Catch-basin
definition:
Catch-basin

Catch"-ba`sin
(?)
n.
A cistern or vault at the point where a street gutter discharges into a sewer, to catch bulky matters which would not pass readily through the sewer.
Knight.


word: Catch crop
definition:
Catch crop

Catch crop
Any crop grown between the rows of another crop or intermediate between two crops in ordinary rotation in point of time.
Catch"-crop`ping, n.
Radishes . . . are often grown as a catch crop with other vegetables.
L. H. Bailey.


word: Catchdrain
definition:
Catchdrain

Catch"drain`
(?)
n.
A ditch or drain along the side of a hill to catch the surface water; also, a ditch at the side of a canal to catch the surplus water.


word: Catcher
definition:
Catcher

Catch"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, catches.

2.
(Baseball)
The player who stands behind the batsman to catch the ball.


word: Catchfly
definition:
Catchfly

Catch"fly
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A plant with the joints of the stem, and sometimes other parts, covered with a viscid secretion to which small insects adhere. The species of Silene are examples of the catchfly.


word: Catching₂
definition:
Catching

Catch"ing
n.
The act of seizing or taking hold of.

Catching bargain (Law), a bargain made with an heir expectant for the purchase of his expectancy at an inadequate price. Bouvier.


word: Catch-meadow
definition:
Catch-meadow

Catch"-mead`ow
(?)
n.
A meadow irrigated by water from a spring or rivulet on the side of hill.


word: Catchment
definition:
Catchment

Catch"ment
(?)
n.
A surface of ground on which water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.


word: Catchpenny
definition:
Catchpenny

Catch"pen*ny
(?)
a.
Made or contrived for getting small sums of money from the ignorant or unwary; as, a catchpenny book; a catchpenny show.
n. Some worthless catchpenny thing.


word: Catsup
definition:
Catsup

Catchup

{ Catch"up (?), Cat"sup (?) }
n.
[Probably of East Indian origin, because it was originally a kind of East Indian pickles.  Cf. also Malay kĕchap fish sauce. MW10.]
A pureed table sauce made predominantly from tomatoes, flavored with onions, sugar, salt and spices; called also tomato ketchup. The term is also applied to pureed sauces containing mushrooms, walnuts, etc., being called in such cases mushroom ketchup, walnut ketchup, etc.
[Written also ketchup.]


word: Catchweight
definition:
Catchweight

Catch"weight`
(?)
adv.
(Horseracing)
Without any additional weight; without being handicapped; as, to ride catchweight.


word: Catchword
definition:
Catchword

Catch"word`
(?)
n.
1.
Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue.

2.
(Print.)
The first word of any page of a book after the first, inserted at the right hand bottom corner of the preceding page for the assistance of the reader. It is seldom used in modern printing.

3.
A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc.


word: Catchwork
definition:
Catchwork

Catch"work`
(?)
n.
A work or artificial water-course for throwing water on lands that lie on the slopes of hills; a catchdrain.


word: Catchy
definition:
Catchy

Catch"y
(?)
a.
1.
Apt or tending to catch the fancy or attention; catching; taking; as, catchy music.

2.
Tending to catch or insnare; entangling; -- usually used fig.; as, a catchy question.

3.
Consisting of, or occuring in, disconnected parts or snatches; changeable; as, a catchy wind.

It [the fox's scent] is . . . flighty or catchy, if variable.
Encyc. of Sport.


word: Catechetical
definition:
Catechetical

Catechetic

{ Cat`e*chet"ic (?), Cat`e*chet"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;. See Catechise.]
Relating to or consisting in, asking questions and receiving answers, according to the ancient manner of teaching.

Socrates introduced a catechetical method of arguing.
Addison.


word: Catechetics
definition:
Catechetics

Cat`e*chet"ics
(?)
n.
The science or practice of instructing by questions and answers.


word: Catechin
definition:
Catechin

Cat"e*chin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
One of the tannic acids (C15H14O6), extracted from catechu as a white, crystalline substance; -- called also catechuic acid, catechinic acid, cyanidol, and catechuin.  It is a flavonoid found generally in higher woody plants, and is used in dyeing and tanning.


word: Catechise
definition:
Catechise

Cat"e*chise
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Catechised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Catechising.]
[L. catechizare, Gr. _;, equiv. to _; to resound, sound a thing into one's ears, impress it upon one by word of mouth; _; + _; to sound, _; a sound.]

1.
To instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, -- esp. in regard to points of religious faith.

2.
To question or interrogate; to examine or try by questions; -- sometimes with a view to reproof, by eliciting from a person answers which condemn his own conduct.
Swift.


word: Catechism
definition:
Catechism

Cat"e*chism
(-kĭz'm)
n.
[L. catechismus, fr. Gr. See Catechise.]
1.
A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.

2.
A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.

The Jews, even till this day, have their catechisms.
Hooker.

The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly.


word: Catechismal
definition:
Catechismal

Cat`e*chis"mal
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to a catechism, having the form of questions and answers; catechetical.


word: Catechist
definition:
Catechist

Cat"e*chist
(kăt"e̝*kĭst)
n.
[L. catechista, fr. Gr.]
One who instructs by question and answer, especially in religions matters.


word: Catechistical
definition:
Catechistical

Catechistic

{ Cat`e*chis"tic (-kĭs"tĭk), Cat`e*chis"tic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to a catechist or to a catechism.
Dr. H. More.


word: catechol
definition:
catechol

cat"e*chol
(kăt"ĕ*k&asuml_;l`)
n.
[.]
any of a group of chemicals having a benzene ring substituted with two hydroxyl groups in ortho position, especially ortho-dihydroxybenzene itself (C6H6O2), also called pyrocatechol, used in photography and as a reagent.


word: catecholamine
definition:
catecholamine

catecholamine
n.
[catechol + amine.]
any of a group of chemicals including epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland.  They function as nerotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system.  Also, any structurally related chemical substance, whether natural or synthetic.


word: Catechu
definition:
Catechu

Cat"e*chu
(?)
n.
[See Cashoo.]
(Chem.)
A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and evaporation from the Acacia catechu, and several other plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the arts. It is also known by the names terra japonica, cutch, gambier, etc.
Ure. Dunglison.


word: Catechumen
definition:
Catechumen

Cat"e*chu`men
(?)
n.
[L. catechumenus, Gr. kathchoy`menos instructed, from kathchei^n. See Catechise.]
(Eccl.)
One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a neophyte; in the primitive church, one officially recognized as a Christian, and admitted to instruction preliminary to admission to full membership in the church.


word: Catechumenate
definition:
Catechumenate

Cat`e*chu"men*ate
(?)
n.
The state or condition of a catechumen or the time during which one is a catechumen.


word: Catechumenical
definition:
Catechumenical

Cat`e*chu*men"i*cal
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to catechumens; as, catechumenical instructions.


word: Categorematic
definition:
Categorematic

Cat`e*gor`e*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; predicate. See Category.]
(Logic.)
Capable of being employed by itself as a term; -- said of a word.


word: Categorical
definition:
Categorical

Cat`e*gor"ic*al
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to a category.

2.
Not hypothetical or relative; admitting no conditions or exceptions; declarative; absolute; positive; express; as, a categorical proposition, or answer.

The scriptures by a multitude of categorical and intelligible decisions . . . distinguish between the things seen and temporal and those that are unseen and eternal.
I. Taylor.


word: Categorically
definition:
Categorically

Cat`e*gor"ic*al*ly
adv.
Absolutely; directly; expressly; positively; as, to affirm categorically.


word: Categoricalness
definition:
Categoricalness

Cat`e*gor"ic*al*ness
n.
The quality of being categorical, positive, or absolute.
A. Marvell.


word: Categorist
definition:
Categorist

Cat"e*go*rist
(?)
n.
One who inserts in a category or list; one who classifies.
Emerson.


word: Category
definition:
Category

Cat"e*go*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Categories (#).
[L. categoria, Gr. _;, fr. _; to accuse, affirm, predicate; _; down, against + _; to harrangue, assert, fr. _; assembly.]
1.
(Logic.)
One of the highest classes to which the objects of knowledge or thought can be reduced, and by which they can be arranged in a system; an ultimate or undecomposable conception; a predicament.

The categories or predicaments -- the former a Greek word, the latter its literal translation in the Latin language -- were intended by Aristotle and his followers as an enumeration of all things capable of being named; an enumeration by the summa genera i.e., the most extensive classes into which things could be distributed.
J. S. Mill.

2.
Class; also, state, condition, or predicament; as, we are both in the same category.

There is in modern literature a whole class of writers standing within the same category.
De Quincey.


word: Catel
definition:
Catel

Cat"el
(?)
n.
[See Chattel.]
Property; -- often used by Chaucer in contrast with rent, or income.

“For loss of catel may recovered be,
But loss of tyme shendeth us,” quod he.
Chaucer.


word: Catelectrode
definition:
Catelectrode

Cat`e*lec"trode
(?)
n.
[Pref. cata + elecrode.]
(Physics)
The negative electrode or pole of a voltaic battery.
Faraday.


word: Catelectrotonic
definition:
Catelectrotonic

Cat`e*lec`tro*ton"ic
(?)
a.
(Physics)
Relating to, or characterized by, catelectrotonus.


word: Catelectrotonus
definition:
Catelectrotonus

Cat`e*lec*trot"o*nus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; down + _; (see Electro-) + _; tone.]
(Physics)
The condition of increased irritability of a nerve in the region of the cathode or negative electrode, on the passage of a current of electricity through it.


word: Catena
definition:
Catena

Ca*te"na
(?)
n.
pl. Catene (#).
[L., a chain.]
A chain or series of things connected with each other.

I have . . . in no case sought to construct those catenæ of games, which it seems now the fashion of commentators to link together.
C. J. Ellicott.


word: Catenarian
definition:
Catenarian

Catenary

{ Cat"e*na*ry (?), Cat`e*na"ri*an (?), }
a.
[L. catenarius, fr. catena a chain. See Chain.]
Relating to a chain; like a chain; as, a catenary curve.


word: Catenary
definition:
Catenary

Cat"e*na*ry
n.
pl. Catenaries (_;).
(Geol.)
The curve formed by a rope or chain of uniform density and perfect flexibility, hanging freely between two points of suspension, not in the same vertical line.


word: Catenate
definition:
Catenate

Cat"e*nate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Catenated; p. pr. & vb. n. Catenating.]
[L. catenatus, p. p. of catenare, fr. catena chain. See Chain.]
To connect, in a series of links or ties; to chain.
E. Darwin.


word: Catenation
definition:
Catenation

Cat`e*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. catenatio.]
Connection of links or union of parts, as in a chain; a regular or connected series. See Concatenation.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Catenulate
definition:
Catenulate

Ca*ten"u*late
(?)
a.
[L. catenuia, dim. of catena chain.]
1.
Consisting of little links or chains.

2.
(Zool.)
Chainlike; -- said both or color marks and of indentations when arranged like the links of a chain, as on shells, etc.


word: Cater
definition:
Cater

Ca"ter
(?)
n.
[OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator, fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare; L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to take, seize. Cf. Acater, Capacious.]
A provider; a purveyor; a caterer.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Cater₂
definition:
Cater

Ca"ter
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Catered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Catering.]
[From Cater, n.]
1.
To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions.

[He] providently caters for the sparrow.
Shak.

2.
By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for or to.


word: Cateran
definition:
Cateran

Cat"e*ran
(?)
n.
[Gael. ceatharnach. Cf. Kern Irish foot soldier.]
A Highland robber: a kind of irregular soldier.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Caterer
definition:
Caterer

Ca"ter*er
(?)
n.
One who caters.

The little fowls in the air have God for Their provider and caterer.
Shelton.


word: Caterpillar
definition:
Caterpillar

Cat"er*pil`lar
(?)
n.
[OE. catyrpel, corrupted fr. OF. chatepelouse, or cate pelue, fr. chate, F. chatte, she-cat, fem. of chat, L. catus + L. pilosus hairy, or F. pelu hairy, fr. L. pilus hair. See Cat, and Pile hair.]
1.
(Zool.)
The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm.

2.
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars.

Caterpillar catcher, or Caterpillar eater (Zool.), a bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on caterpillars. The name is also given to several other birds. -- Caterpillar hunter (Zool.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the family Carabidæ which feed habitually upon caterpillars.


word: Caterpillar track
definition:
Caterpillar track

Cat"er*pil`lar track
(?)
n.
an endless belt looped over several wheels, used in pairs in place of wheels to propel vehicles, such as tractors or military tanks, over rough ground.


word: caterpillar-tracked
definition:
caterpillar-tracked

caterpillar-tracked
adj.
having caterpillar treads or tracks on the wheels; as, a caterpillar-tracked earthmover.

Syn. -- caterpillar.


word: Caterwaul
definition:
Caterwaul

Cat"er*waul
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Caterwauled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Caterwauling.]
[Cat + waul, wawl, to cry as a cat.]
To cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
Coleridge.


word: Caterwauling
definition:
Caterwauling

Cat"er*waul`ing
n.
The cry of cats; a harsh, disagreeable noise or cry like the cry of cats.
Shak.


word: Cates
definition:
Cates

Cates
(?)
n. pl.
[Cf. Acates, and see Cater, n.]
Provisions; food; viands; especially, luxurious food; delicacies; dainties.
Shak.

Cates for which Apicius could not pay.
Shurchill.

Choicest cates and the fiagon's best spilth.
R. Browning.


word: Catfish
definition:
Catfish

Cat"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A name given in the United States to various species of siluroid fishes; as, the yellow cat (Amiurus natalis); the bind cat (Gronias nigrilabrus); the mud cat (Pilodictic oilwaris), the stone cat (Noturus flavus); the sea cat (Arius felis), etc.  This name is also sometimes applied to the wolf fish. See Bullhrad.


word: Catgut
definition:
Catgut

Cat"gut`
(?)
n.
[Cat + gut.]
1.
A cord of great toughness made from the intestines of animals, esp. of sheep, used for strings of musical instruments, etc.

2.
A sort of linen or canvas, with wide interstices.


word: Catharist
definition:
Catharist

Cath"a*rist
(?)
n.
[LL. catharista, fr. Gr. _; clean, pure.]
One aiming at or pretending to a greater purity of like than others about him; -- applied to persons of various sects. See Albigenses.


word: Cat-harping
definition:
Cat-harping

Cat"-harp`ing
n.
(Naut.)
One of the short ropes or iron cramps used to brace in the shrouds toward the masts so a to give freer sweep to the yards.


word: Catharsis
definition:
Catharsis

Ca*thar"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;. See Cathartic.]
(Med.)
1.
A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.
2.
(Psychotherapy)
The process of relieving an abnormal excitement by reëstablishing the association of the emotion with the memory or idea of the event that first caused it, and of eliminating it by complete expression (called the abreaction).


word: Catharical
definition:
Catharical

Cathartic

{ Ca*thar"tic (?), Ca*thar"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to cleanse, fr. _; pure; akin to F. chaste.]
1.
(Med.)
Cleansing the bowels; promoting evacuations by stool; purgative.

2.
Of or pertaining to the purgative principle of senna, as cathartic acid.


word: Cathartic
definition:
Cathartic

Ca*thar"tic
n.
[Gr. _;.]
(Med.)
A medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a purgative of moderate activity.

&hand_; The cathartics are more energetic and certain in action that the laxatives, which simply increase the tendency to alvine evacuation; and less powerful and irritaint that the drastic purges, which cause profuse, repeated, and watery evacuations.


word: cathartin
definition:
cathartin

ca*thar"tin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
The bitter, purgative principle of senna. It is a glucoside with the properties of a weak acid; -- called also cathartic acid, and cathartina.


word: Cathay
definition:
Cathay

Ca*thay"
(?)
n.
China; -- an old name for the Celestial Empire, said have been introduced by Marco Polo and to be a corruption of the Tartar name for North China (Khitai, the country of the Khitans.)

Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay.
Tennyson.


word: Cathead
definition:
Cathead

Cat"head`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
A projecting piece of timber or iron near the bow of vessel, to which the anchor is hoisted and secured.


word: Cathedra
definition:
Cathedra

Cath"e*dra
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _; seat. See Chair.]
The official chair or throne of a bishop, or of any person in high authority.

Ex cathedra [L., from the chair], in the exercise of one's office; with authority.

The Vatican Council declares that the Pope, is infallible “when he speaks ex cathedra.”
Addis & Arnold's Cath. Dict.


word: Cathedral
definition:
Cathedral

Ca*the"dral
(?)
n.
[LL. cathedralis (sc. ecclesia): cf. F. cathédrale. See Cathedra.]
The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair (Cathedra) or throne.


word: Cathedral₂
definition:
Cathedral

Ca*the"dral
a.
[LL. cathedralis: cf. F. cathédral.]

1.
Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service.

2.
Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative.

Now, what solemnity can be more required for the pope to make a cathedral determination of an article!
Jer. Taylor.

3.
Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks.
Pope.


word: Cathedrated
definition:
Cathedrated

Cath`e*dra"ted
(?)
a.
[From Cathedra.]
Relating to the chair or office of a teacher.
[Obs.]


word: Catheretic
definition:
Catheretic

Cath`e*ret"ic
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to bring down or raze; _; down + _; to take.]
(Med.)
A mild kind caustic used to reduce warts and other excrescences.
Dunglison.


word: Catherine wheel
definition:
Catherine wheel

Cath"er*ine wheel`
(?)
[So called from St. Catherine of Alexandria, who is represented with a wheel, in allusion to her martyrdom.]
1.
(Geoth.Arth.)
Same as Rose window and Wheel window. Called also Catherine-wheel window.

2.
(Pyrotechny)
A revolving piece of fireworks resembling in form the window of the same name.
[Written also Catharine wheel.]


word: Catheter
definition:
Catheter

Cath"e*ter
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _; a thing let down or put in, catheter, fr. _; to send down, to let down; _; + _; to send.]
(Med.)
The name of various instruments for passing along mucous canals, esp. applied to a tubular instrument to be introduced into the bladder through the urethra to draw off the urine.

Eustachian catheter. See under Eustachian. -- Prostatic catheter, one adapted for passing an enlarged prostate.


word: Catheterization
definition:
Catheterization

Catheterism

{ Cath"e*ter*ism (?), Cath`e*ter*i*za"tion (?), }
n.
(Med.)
The operation of introducing a catheter.


word: Catheterize
definition:
Catheterize

Cath"e*ter*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Catheterized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Catheterizing.]
(Med.)
To operate on with a catheter.
Dunglison.


word: Cathetometer
definition:
Cathetometer

Cath`e*tom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[From Gr. _; vertical height + -meter.]
An instrument for the accurate measurement of small differences of height; esp. of the differences in the height of the upper surfaces of two columns of mercury or other fluid, or of the same column at different times. It consists of a telescopic leveling apparatus (d), which slides up or down a perpendicular metallic standard very finely graduated (bb). The telescope is raised or depressed in order to sight the objects or surfaces, and the differences in vertical height are thus shown on the graduated standard.
[Written also kathetometer.]


word: Cathetus
definition:
Cathetus

Cath"e*tus
(?)
n.
pl. catheti (#).
[L., fr. Gr. _; a perpendicular line, fr. _; let down, fr. _;. See Catheter.]
(Geom.)
One line or radius falling perpendicularly on another; as, the catheti of a right-angled triangle, that is, the two sides that include the right angle.
Barlow.


word: Cathexis
definition:
Cathexis

Cath*ex"is
(?)
n.
[Gr. ka`qexis, keeping.]
1.
(Psychiatry)
the process of investing mental, emotional, or libidinal energy or significance in an object, person, or idea.

2.
(Psychiatry)
the emotional or libidinal energy invested in an object, person, or idea.


word: Cathode
definition:
Cathode

Cath"ode
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; descent; _; down + _; way.]
(Physics)
The part of a voltaic battery by which the electric current leaves substances through which it passes, or the surface at which the electric current passes out of the electrolyte; the negative pole; -- opposed to anode.
Faraday.

Cathode ray (Phys.), a kind of ray generated at the cathode in a vacuum tube, by the electrical discharge.


word: Cathodic
definition:
Cathodic

Ca*thod"ic
(kȧ*th&obreve_;d"ĭk)
a.
(Physiol.)
A term applied to the centrifugal, or efferent, course of the nervous influence.
Marshall Hall.


word: Cathodegraph
definition:
Cathodegraph

Cathodograph

{ Ca*thod"o*graph (?), n. Also Ca*thod"e*graph (?) }
[Cathode + -graph.]
(Physics)
A picture produced by the Roentgen rays; a radiograph.


word: Cat-hole
definition:
Cat-hole

Cat"-hole`
(kăt"h&omacrl`)
n.
(Naut.)
One of two small holes astern, above the gunroom ports, through which hawsers may be passed.


word: Catholic
definition:
Catholic

Cath"o*lic
(kăth"o̝*ĭk)
a.
[L. catholicus, Gr. kaqoliko`s, universal, general; kata` down, wholly + "o`los whole, probably akin to E. solid: cf. F. catholique.]
1.
Universal or general; as, the catholic faith.

Men of other countries [came] to bear their part in so great and catholic a war.
Southey.

&hand_; This epithet, which is applicable to the whole Christian church, or its faith, is claimed by Roman Catholics to belong especially to their church, and in popular usage is so limited.

2.
Not narrow-minded, partial, or bigoted; liberal; as, catholic tastes.

3.
Of or pertaining to, or affecting the Roman Catholics; as, the Catholic emancipation act.

Catholic epistles, the epistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church; being those of James, Peter, Jude, and John.


word: Catholic₂
definition:
Catholic

Cath"o*lic
n.
1.
A person who accepts the creeds which are received in common by all parts of the orthodox Christian church.

2.
An adherent of the Roman Catholic church; a Roman Catholic.

Old Catholic, the name assumed in 1870 by members of the Roman Catholic church, who denied the ecumenical character of the Vatican Council, and rejected its decrees, esp. that concerning the infallibility of the pope, as contrary to the ancient Catholic faith.


word: Catholicism
definition:
Catholicism

Ca*thol"i*cism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. catholicisme.]

1.
The state or quality of being catholic or universal; catholicity.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Liberality of sentiment; breadth of view.

3.
The faith of the whole orthodox Christian church, or adherence thereto.

4.
The doctrines or faith of the Roman Catholic church, or adherence thereto.


word: Catholicity
definition:
Catholicity

Cath`o*lic"i*ty
(?)
n.
1.
The state or quality of being catholic; universality.

2.
Liberality of sentiments; catholicism.

3.
Adherence or conformity to the system of doctrine held by all parts of the orthodox Christian church; the doctrine so held; orthodoxy.

4.
Adherence to the doctrines of the church of Rome, or the doctrines themselves.


word: Catholicon
definition:
Catholicon

Ca*thol"i*con
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, neut. _;, universal. See Catholic.]
(Med.)
A remedy for all diseases; a panacea.


word: Catholicos
definition:
Catholicos

Ca*thol"i*cos
(?)
n.
[NL. See Catholic.]
(Eccl.)
The spiritual head of the Armenian church, who resides at Etchmiadzin, Russia, and has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over, and consecrates the holy oil for, the Armenians of Russia, Turkey, and Persia, including the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Sis.

&hand_; The Patriarch of Constantinople is the civil head of the Armenians in Turkey.


word: Catilinarian
definition:
Catilinarian

Cat`i*li*na"ri*an
(?)
a.
[L. Catilinarius.]
Pertaining to Catiline, the Roman conspirator; resembling Catiline's conspiracy.


word: Cation
definition:
Cation

Cat"i*on
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; downward + _; going, p. pr. of _; to go.]
(Chem.)
a positively charged atom, radical, or molecule, which in electrolysis migrates to the cathode; a positive ion; -- opposed to anion.
Faraday.


word: cationic
definition:
cationic

cationic
adj.
(Chem.)
of or pertaining to cations; having a net positive charge; positively ionic; -- said of ions.  Contrasted with anionic.


word: Catkin
definition:
Catkin

Cat"kin
(kăt"kĭn)
n.
[Cat + -kin.]
(Bot.)
An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.


word: Catling
definition:
Catling

Cat"ling
(?)
n.
[Cat + -ing.]
1.
A little cat; a kitten.
catling
Drummond.

2.
Catgut; a catgut string.
[R.]
Shak.

3.
(Surg.)
A double-edged, sharp-pointed dismembering knife.
[Spelt also catlin.]
Crobb.


word: Catlinite
definition:
Catlinite

Cat"lin*ite
(?)
n.
[From George Catlin, an American traveler.]
A red clay from the Upper Missouri region, used by the Indians for their pipes.


word: Catmint
definition:
Catmint

Catnip

{ Cat"nip` (?), Cat"mint` (?), }
n.
(Bot.)
A well-know plant of the genus Nepeta (Nepeta Cataria), somewhat like mint, having a string scent, and sometimes used in medicine. It is so called because cats have a peculiar fondness for it.


word: Cato-cathartic
definition:
Cato-cathartic

Cat`o-ca*thar"tic
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; down + _; serving to purge. See Cathartic.]
(Med.)
A remedy that purges by alvine discharges.


word: Catonian
definition:
Catonian

Ca*to"ni*an
(?)
a.
[L. Catonionus.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the stern old Roman, Cato the Censor; severe; inflexible.


word: cat-o'-nine-tails
definition:
cat-o'-nine-tails

Cat o' nine tails

Cat" o' nine" tails`, cat"-o'-nine"-tails`
n.
1.
a whip used as an instrument of punishment consisting of nine pieces of knotted line or cord fastened to a handle; -- formerly used to flog offenders on the bare back; -- called also the cat.  It was used in the British Navy to maintain discipline on board sailing ships.

Syn. -- cat.


word: Catoptron
definition:
Catoptron

Catopter

{ Ca*top"ter (?), Ca*top"tron (?), }
n.
[Gr. _; mirror, fr. _; visible.]
A reflecting optical glass or instrument; a mirror.
[Obs.]


word: Catoptrical
definition:
Catoptrical

Catoptric

{ Ca*top"tric (?), Ca*top"tric*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;. See Catopter.]
Of or pertaining to catoptrics; produced by reflection.

Catoptric light, a light in which the rays are concentrated by reflectors into a beam visible at a distance.


word: Catoptrics
definition:
Catoptrics

Ca*top"trics
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. catoptrique. See Catropric.]
(Physics)
That part of optics which explains the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; -- formerly called anacamptics.


word: Catoptromancy
definition:
Catoptromancy

Ca*top"tro*man`cy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; mirror + -mancy. See Catopter.]
(Antiq.)
A species of divination, which was performed by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an ill omen; if fresh and healthy, it was favorable.


word: Cat-salt
definition:
Cat-salt

Cat"-salt`
(?)
n.
A sort of salt, finely granulated, formed out of the bittern or leach brine.


word: Cat's-eye
definition:
Cat's-eye

Cat's"-eye`
(kăts"ī`)
n.
(Min.)
A variety of quartz or chalcedony, exhibiting opalescent reflections from within, like the eye of a cat. The name is given to other gems affording like effects, esp. the chrysoberyl.


word: Cat's-foot
definition:
Cat's-foot

Cat's`-foot
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A plant (Nepeta Glechoma) of the same genus with catnip; ground ivy.


word: Catskill period
definition:
Catskill period

Cats"kill pe`ri*od
(?)
(Geol.)
The closing subdivision of the Devonian age in America. The rocks of this period are well developed in the Catskill mountains, and extend south and west under the Carboniferous formation. See the Diagram under Geology.


word: Catso
definition:
Catso

Cat"so
(?)
n.
pl. Catsos (#).
[It. cazzo.]
A base fellow; a rogue; a cheat.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Cat's-paw
definition:
Cat's-paw

Cat's"-paw`
(?)
n.
1.
(Naut.)
(a)
A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air.
(b)
A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope, into which a tackle may be hooked.

2.
A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.

&hand_; In this sense the term refers to the fable of the monkey using the cat's paw to draw the roasting chestnuts out of the fire.


word: Catstick
definition:
Catstick

Cat"stick`
(?)
n.
A stick or club employed in the game of ball called cat or tipcat.
Massinger.


word: Catstitch
definition:
Catstitch

Cat"stitch
(kăt"stĭch)
v. t.
(Needlework)
To fold and sew down the edge of with a coarse zigzag stitch.


word: Cat-tail
definition:
Cat-tail

cattail

cat"tail, Cat"-tail
(kăt"tāl)
n.
(Bot.)
A tall erect rush or flag (Typha latifolia) growing widely in fresh and salt marshes, with long, flat, sword-shaped leaves, having clusters of small brown flowers in a dense cylindrical spike at the top of the stem; -- called also bulrush and reed mace. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See Catkin.

&hand_; The lesser cat-tail is Typha angustifolia.


word: cattalo
definition:
cattalo

cattalo
n.
hardy breed of cattle resulting from crossing domestic cattle with the American buffalo; it yields leaner beef than conventional breeds; it is called also beefalo.

Syn. -- beefalo.


word: Cattle
definition:
Cattle

Cat"tle
(kăt"t'l)
n. pl.
[OE. calet, chatel, goods, property, OF. catel, chatel, LL. captale, capitale, goods, property, esp. cattle, fr. L. capitals relating to the head, chief; because in early ages beasts constituted the chief part of a man's property. See Capital, and cf. Chattel.]
Quadrupeds of the Bovine family; sometimes, also, including all domestic quadrupeds, as sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, and swine.

Belted cattle, Black cattle. See under Belted, Black. -- Cattle guard, a trench under a railroad track and alongside a crossing (as of a public highway). It is intended to prevent cattle from getting upon the track. -- cattle louse (Zool.), any species of louse infecting cattle. There are several species. The Hæmatatopinus eurysternus and Hæmatatopinus vituli are common species which suck blood; Trichodectes scalaris eats the hair. -- Cattle plague, the rinderpest; called also Russian cattle plague. -- Cattle range, or Cattle run, an open space through which cattle may run or range. [U. S.] Bartlett. -- Cattle show, an exhibition of domestic animals with prizes for the encouragement of stock breeding; -- usually accompanied with the exhibition of other agricultural and domestic products and of implements.


word: cattleya
definition:
cattleya

cattleya
n.
any orchid of the genus Cattleya characterized by a hood-shaped three-lobed lip enclosing the column; they are among the most popular and most extravagantly beautiful orchids known.  Called also cattleya orchid.


word: catty-cornered
definition:
catty-cornered

catty-corner

catty-corner catty-cornered
adj.
1.
Having a slanted or oblique direction.

Syn. -- bias, catacorner, cata-cornered, catercorner, cater-cornered, diagonal, kitty-corner, kitty-cornered, oblique, skew, skewed, slanted.


word: catwalk
definition:
catwalk

catwalk
n.
1.
A narrow walkway projecting from a stage into the seating area of a theater; it is used, e. g. by models displaying clothes on it at a fashion show.  Called also runway.

2.
A narrow walkway high in the air to allow workers access to parts of a structure otherwise difficult to reach.  Catwalks are located, e.g. above a stage in a theater, between parts of a building, along the side of a bridge, on the outside of a railroad car, on the outside of a large storage tank, etc.


word: Caucasia
definition:
Caucasia

Caucasia
n.
(Geog.)
a large mountainous region between the Black and Caspian seas.

Syn. -- Caucasus.


word: Caucasus
definition:
Caucasus

Caucasus
n.
1.
(Geog.)
a large region between the Black and Caspian seas.

Syn. -- Caucasia.

2.
(Geog.)
the mountain range located between the Black and Caspian seas.


word: Caucasian
definition:
Caucasian

Cau*ca"sian
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Caucasus, a mountainous region between the Black and Caspian seas.

2.
Of or pertaining to the white races of mankind, of whom the people about Mount Caucasus were formerly taken as the type.


word: Caucasian₂
definition:
Caucasian

Cau*ca"sian
n.
1.
A native or inhabitant of the Caucasus, esp. a Circassian or Georgian.

2.
A member of any of the white races of mankind.


word: Caucus
definition:
Caucus

Cau"cus
(?)
n.
[Etymology uncertain. Mr. J. H. Trumbull finds the origin of caucus in the N. A. Indian word cawcawwassough or caú cau-as'u one who urges or pushes on, a promoter. See citation for an early use of the word caucus.]
A meeting, especially a preliminary meeting, of persons belonging to a party, to nominate candidates for public office, or to select delegates to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding measures of party policy; a political primary meeting.

This day learned that the caucus club meets, at certain times, in the garret of Tom Dawes, the adjutant of the Boston regiment.
John Adams's Diary [Feb. , 1763].


word: Caucus₂
definition:
Caucus

Cau"cus
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Caucused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Caucusing.]
To hold, or meet in, a caucus or caucuses.


word: Caudad
definition:
Caudad

Cau"dad
(?)
adv.
[L. cauda tail + ad to.]
(Zool.)
Backwards; toward the tail or posterior part.


word: Cauda galli
definition:
Cauda galli

Cau"da gal*li
(_;)
[L., tail of a cock.]
(Paleon.)
A plume-shaped fossil, supposed to be a seaweed, characteristic of the lower Devonian rocks; as, the cauda galli grit.

Cauda galli epoch (Geol.), an epoch at the begining of the Devonian age in eastern America, so named from the characteristic gritty sandstone marked with impressions of Cauda galli. See the Diagram under Geology.


word: Caudal
definition:
Caudal

Cau"dal
(?)
a.
[L. Cauda tail. Cf. Coward.]
Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a tail; having a tail-like appendage.

The male widow-bird, remarkable for his caudal plumes.
Darwin.

Caudal fin (Zool.), the terminal fin (or “tail”) of a fish.


word: Caudated
definition:
Caudated

Caudate

{ Cau"date (?), Cau"da*ted (?). }
a.
[L. cauda tail.]
Having a tail; having a terminal appendage like a tail.  Opposite of acaudate.


word: Caudex
definition:
Caudex

Cau"dex
(?)
n.
pl. L. Caudices (#), E. Caudexes (#).
[L.]
(Bot.)
The stem of a tree., esp. a stem without a branch, as of a palm or a tree fern; also, the perennial rootstock of an herbaceous plant.


word: Caudicula
definition:
Caudicula

Caudicle

{ Cau"di*cle (?), &VerbarCau*dic"u*la (?), }
n.
[Dim. of L. cauda tail, appendage.]
(Bot.)
A slender, elastic process, to which the masses of pollen in orchidaceous plants are attached.


word: Caudle
definition:
Caudle

Cau"dle
(?)
n.
[OF. caudel, F. chaudeau, dim. of LL calidum a sweet drink, fr. L. caidus warm. See Caldron.]
A kind of warm drink for sick persons, being a mixture of wine with eggs, bread, sugar, and spices.


word: Caudle₂
definition:
Caudle

Cau"dle
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Caudled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Caudling (?).]
1.
To make into caudle.

2.
Too serve as a caudle to; to refresh.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Cauf
definition:
Cauf

Cauf
(?)
n.
[Perh. akin to Celtic caff, cav, cau, L. cavus hollow, or to L. caphinus, Gr. _; basket.]
A chest with holes for keeping fish alive in water.
Philips.


word: Caul
definition:
Caul

Caul
(k&asuml_;l)
n.
[OE. calle, kelle, prob. fr. F. cale; cf. Ir. calla a veil.]
1.
A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net.
Spenser.

2.
(Anat.)
The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum. See Omentum.

The caul serves for the warming of the lower belly.
Ray.

3.
A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth; -- called also a veil.

It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chrysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses.
Grose.

I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas.
Dickens.


word: Caulescent
definition:
Caulescent

Cau*les"cent
(?)
a.
[L. caulis stalk, stem: cf. F. caulescent.]
(Bot.)
Having a leafy stem.


word: Caulicle
definition:
Caulicle

Cau"li*cle
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A short caulis or stem, esp. the rudimentary stem seen in the embryo of a seed; -- otherwise called a radicle.


word: Cauliculus
definition:
Cauliculus

Cau*lic"u*lus
(k&asuml_;*lĭk"&uuptack_;*lŭs)
n.
pl. Cauliculi (-lī).
[L. cauliculus little stalk, dim. of caulis.]
(Arch.)
In the Corinthian capital, one of the eight stalks rising out of the lower leafage and terminating in leaves which seem to support the volutes. See Illust. of Corinthian order, under Corinthian.


word: Cauliflower
definition:
Cauliflower

Cau"li*flow`er
(?)
n.
[F. choufleur, modified by E. Cole. L. caulis, and by E. flower; F. chou cabbage is fr. L. caulis stalk, cabbage, and fleur flower is fr. L. flos flower. See Cole, and Flower.]
1.
(Bot.)
An annual variety of Brassica oleracea, or cabbage, of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.

2.
The edible head or “curd” of a cauliflower plant.


word: Caulis
definition:
Caulis

Cau"lis
(?)
n.
pl. Caules (#).
[L., a stem.]
(Bot.)
An herbaceous or woody stem which bears leaves, and may bear flowers.


word: Caulk
definition:
Caulk

Caulk
(?)
v. t.
1.
See Calk, v..

2.
to fill in the seams or cracks of, with a waterproof material such as caulk.


word: Caulk₂
definition:
Caulk

Caulk
(?)
n.
1.
See Calk.

2.
a viscous semisolid material of varying composition used to fill in seams of objects which are exposed to water, such as wooden ships or bath tiles; -- called also calk and caulking.  After applying in a semisolid form, the material hardens and dries to form a waterproof seal.  It is used in the process of caulking.  It is sometimes applied together with a rope-like cord to fill larger seams.


word: caulked
definition:
caulked

caulked
adj.
1.
having cracks and crevices stopped up with a filler such as caulk.  Contrasted with uncaulked.
weather-stripped

Syn. -- calked, chinked, stopped-up.

2.
having the seams between planks packed with waterproof material; -- of boats and ships.

Syn. -- calked.


word: caulking
definition:
caulking

caulk"ing
n.
1.
the process of sealing cracks and crevices with a filler such as caulk{2}.

2.
same as caulk{2}, n..


word: Caulocarpous
definition:
Caulocarpous

Cau`lo*car"pous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; stem + karpo`s fruit.]
(Bot.)
Having stems which bear flowers and fruit year after year, as most trees and shrubs.


word: Caulome
definition:
Caulome

Cau"lome
(?)
n.
[Gr. kalo`s stem + -ome as in rhizome.]
(Bot.)
A stem structure or stem axis of a plant, viewed as a whole.
Cau*lom"ic (#), a.


word: Cauponize
definition:
Cauponize

Cau"po*nize
(?)
v. i.
[L. cauponari, fr. caupo huckster, innkeeper.]
To sell wine or victuals.
[Obs.]
Warburfon.


word: Causal
definition:
Causal

Caus"al
(?)
a.
[L. causalis. See Cause.]
Relating to a cause or causes; inplying or containing a cause or causes; expressing a cause; causative.

Causal propositions are where two propositions are joined by causal words.
Watts.


word: Causal₂
definition:
Causal

Caus"al
n.
A causal word or form of speech.

Anglo-Saxon drencan to drench, causal of Anglo-Saxon drincan to drink.
Skeat.


word: Causality
definition:
Causality

Cau*sal"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Causalities (_;)
1.
The agency of a cause; the action or power of a cause, in producing its effect.

The causality of the divine mind.
Whewell.

2.
(Phren.)
The faculty of tracing effects to their causes.
G. Combe.


word: Causally
definition:
Causally

Caus"al*ly
(?)
adv.
According to the order or series of causes; by tracing effects to causes.


word: Causation
definition:
Causation

Cau*sa"tion
(?)
n.
The act of causing; also the act or agency by which an effect is produced.

The kind of causation by which vision is produced.
Whewell.

Law of universal causation, the theoretical or asserted law that every event or phenomenon results from, or is the sequel of, some previous event or phenomenon, which being present, the other is certain to take place.


word: Causative
definition:
Causative

Caus"a*tive
(?)
a.
[L. causativus pertaining to a lawsuit (causa), but in the English sense from E. cause.]
1.
Effective, as a cause or agent; causing.

Causative in nature of a number of effects.
Bacon.

2.
Expressing a cause or reason; causal; as, the ablative is a causative case.


word: Causator
definition:
Causator

Cau*sa"tor
(k&asuml_;*zā"t&obreve_;r)
n.
[See Cause.]
One who causes.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Cause
definition:
Cause

Cause
(k&asuml_;z)
n.
[F. cause, fr. L. causa. Cf. Cause, v., Kickshaw.]
1.
That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.

Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be.
Locke.

2.
That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.

3.
Sake; interest; advantage.
[Obs.]

I did it not for his cause.
2 Cor. vii. 12.

4.
(Law)
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.

5.
Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.

What counsel give you in this weighty cause!
Shak.

6.
The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.

God befriend us, as our cause is just.
Shak.

The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.
Burke.

Efficient cause, the agent or force that produces a change or result. -- Final cause, the end, design, or object, for which anything is done. -- Formal cause, the elements of a conception which make the conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the idea viewed as a formative principle and cooperating with the matter. -- Material cause, that of which anything is made. -- Proximate cause. See under Proximate. -- To make common cause with, to join with in purposes and aims. Macaulay.


word: Cause₂
definition:
Cause

Cause
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Caused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Causing.]
[F. causer, fr. cause, fr. L. causa. See Cause, n., and cf. Acouse.]
To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; -- usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.

I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.
Gen. vii. 4.

Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
Col. iv. 16.


word: Causeless
definition:
Causeless

Cause"less
a.
1. Self-originating; uncreated.

2.
Without just or sufficient reason; groundless.

My fears are causeless and ungrounded.
Denham.


word: Causerie
definition:
Causerie

Cause`rie"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. causer to chat.]
Informal talk or discussion, as about literary matters; light conversation; chat.


word: Causeuse
definition:
Causeuse

Cau`seuse"
(ko̝`zẽz")
n.
[F., fr. causer to talk.]
A kind of sofa for two persons. A tête-à-tête.


word: Causey
definition:
Causey

Causeway

{ Cause"way (k&asuml_;z"wa̝), Cau"sey ((k&asuml_;"z&ybreve_;), }
n.
[OE. cauci, cauchie, OF. cauchie, F. chaussée, from LL. (via) calciata, fr calciare to make a road, either fr. L. calx lime, hence, to pave with limestone (cf. E. chalk), or from L. calceus shoe, from calx heel, hence, to shoe, pave, or wear by treading.]
A way or road raised above the natural level of the ground, serving as a dry passage over wet or marshy ground.

But that broad causeway will direct your way.
Dryden.

The other way Satan went down
The causey to Hell-gate.
Milton.


word: Causeyed
definition:
Causeyed

Causewayed

{ Cause"wayed (?), Cau"seyed (?). }
a.
Having a raised way (causeway or causey); paved.
Sir W. Scott. C. Bronté.


word: Causidical
definition:
Causidical

Cau*sid"i*cal
(?)
a.
[L. causidicakis; causa a cause in law + dicare to say.]
Pertaining to an advocate, or to the maintenance and defense of suits.


word: Caustical
definition:
Caustical

Caustic

{ Caus"tic (?), Caus"tic*al (?), }
a.
[L. caustucs, Ge. _;, fr. _; to burn. Cf. Calm, Ink.]
1.
Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing.

2.
Severe; satirical; sharp; as, a caustic remark.

Caustic curve (Optics), a curve to which the ray of light, reflected or refracted by another curve, are tangents, the reflecting or refracting curve and the luminous point being in one plane. -- Caustic lime. See under Lime. -- Caustic potash, Caustic soda (Chem.), the solid hydroxides potash, KOH, and soda, NaOH, or solutions of the same. -- Caustic silver, nitrate of silver, lunar caustic. -- Caustic surface (Optics), a surface to which rays reflected or refracted by another surface are tangents. Caustic curves and surfaces are called catacaustic when formed by reflection, and diacaustic when formed by refraction.


word: Caustic
definition:
Caustic

Cau"stic
n.
[L. causticum (sc. medicamentum). See Caustic, a.]
1.
Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.

2.
(Optics)
A caustic curve or caustic surface.


word: Causticily
definition:
Causticily

Caus*tic"i*ly
(?)
n.
1.
The quality of being caustic; corrosiveness; as, the causticity of potash.

2.
Severity of language; sarcasm; as, the causticity of a reply or remark.


word: Cautel
definition:
Cautel

Cau"tel
(?)
n.
[F. cautèle, L. cautela, fr. cavere to be on one's guard, to take care.]
1.
Caution; prudence; wariness.
[Obs.]
Fulke.

2.
Craft; deceit; falseness.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Cautelous
definition:
Cautelous

Cau"te*lous
(?)
a.
[F. cauteleux, LL. cautelosus. See Cautel.]
1.
Caution; prudent; wary.
[Obs.]
Cautelous
Drayton.

2.
Crafty; deceitful; false.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Cauter
definition:
Cauter

Cau"ter
(?)
n.
[F. cautère, L. cauterium, fr. Gr. _; a branding iron, fr. _; to burn. Cf. Caustic, Cautery.]
A hot iron for searing or cauterizing.
Minsheu.


word: Cauterization
definition:
Cauterization

Cau`ter*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. cautèrisation.]
(Med.)
The act of searing some morbid part by the application of a cautery or caustic; also, the effect of such application.


word: Cauterize
definition:
Cauterize

Cau"ter*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cauterized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cauterizing.]
[L. cauterizare, Gr. _;, fr. a branding iron: cf. F. cautérised.. See cauter.]
1.
To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic.
Dunglison.

2.
To sear, as the conscience.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Cautery
definition:
Cautery

Cau"ter*y
(?)
n.
pl. Cauteries (#).
[L. cauterium, Gr. _;. See Cauter.]
1.
(Med.)
A burning or searing, as of morbid flesh, with a hot iron, or by application of a caustic that will burn, corrode, or destroy animal tissue.

2.
The iron of other agent in cauterizing.

Actual cautery, a substance or agent (as a hot iron) which cauterizes or sears by actual heat; or the burning so effected. -- Potential cautery, a substance which cauterizes by chemical action; as, lunar caustic; also, the cauterizing produced by such substance.


word: Caution
definition:
Caution

Cau"tion
(?)
n.
[F. caution a security, L. cautio, fr. cavere (For scavere) to be on one's guard, to take care (orig.) to be on the watch, see; akin to E. show.]
1.
A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.

2.
Security; guaranty; bail.
[R.]

The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
Clarendon.

3.
Precept or warning against evil of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.

In way of caution I must tell you.
Shak.

4.
(Civil & Scots Law)
A pledge, bond, or other security for the performance of an obligation either in or out of judicial proceedings; the promise or contract of one not for himself but another; security.

Caution money, money deposited by way of security or guaranty, as by a student at an English university.


word: Caution₂
definition:
Caution

Cau"tion
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cautioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cautioning.]
To give notice of danger to; to warn; to exhort [one] to take heed.

You cautioned me against their charms.
Swift.


word: Cautionary
definition:
Cautionary

Cau"tion*a*ry
(?)
a.
1.
Conveying a caution, or warning to avoid danger; as, cautionary signals.

2.
Given as a pledge or as security.

He hated Barnevelt, for his getting the cautionary towns out of his hands.
Bp. Burnet.

3.
Wary; cautious.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Cautionary block
definition:
Cautionary block

Cau"tion*a*ry block
(Railroads)
A block in which two or more trains are permitted to travel, under restrictions imposed by a caution card or the like.


word: Cautious
definition:
Cautious

Cau"tious
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. cautus, fr. caver. See Caution.]
Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general.

Cautious feeling for another's pain.
Byron.

Be swift to hear; but cautious of your tongue.
Watts.


word: Cavalcade
definition:
Cavalcade

Cav"al*cade`
(?)
n.
[F. cavalcade, fr. It. cavalcata, fr. cavalcare to go on horseback, fr. LL. caballicare, fr. L. caballus an inferior horse, Gr. _;. Cf. Cavalier, Cavalry.]
A procession of persons on horseback; a formal, pompous march of horsemen by way of parade.

He brought back war-worn cavalcade to the city.
Prescott.


word: Cavaliero
definition:
Cavaliero

Cavalero

{ Cav`a*le"ro, Cav`a*lie"ro (kăv`ȧ*lē"ro), }
n.
[Sp. caballero. See Cavalier.]
A cavalier; a gallant; a libertine.
Shak.


word: Cavalier
definition:
Cavalier

Cav`a*lier"
(kăv`ȧ*lēr")
n.
[F. cavalier, It. cavaliere, LL. caballarius, fr. L. caballus. See Cavalcade, and cf. Chevalier, Caballine.]
1.
A military man serving on horseback; a knight.

2.
A gay, sprightly, military man; hence, a gallant.

3.
One of the court party in the time of king Charles I. as contrasted with a Roundhead or an adherent of Parliament.
Clarendon.

4.
(Fort.)
A work of more than ordinary height, rising from the level ground of a bastion, etc., and overlooking surrounding parts.


word: Cavalier₂
definition:
Cavalier

Cav`a*lier"
a.
offhand; unceremonious; gay; easy; frank.  Opposed to serious.

The plodding, persevering scupulous accuracy of the one, and the easy, cavalier, verbal fluency of the other, form a complete contrast.
Hazlitt.

2.
High-spirited.
[Obs.]
cavalier
Suckling.

3.
Supercilious; haughty; disdainful; curt; brusque.

4.
Of or pertaining to the party of King Charles I.
Cavalier
Beaconsfield.


word: Cavalierly
definition:
Cavalierly

Cav`a*lier"ly
adv.
In a supercilious, disdainful, or haughty manner; arrogantly.
Junius.


word: Cavally
definition:
Cavally

Ca*val"ly
(?)
n.
[Cf. Pg. cavalla a kind of fish; Sp. caballa; prob. fr. Pg. cavallo horse, Sp. caballa.]
(Zool.)
A carangoid fish of the Atlantic coast (Caranx hippos): -- called also horse crevallé. [See Illust. under Carangoid.]


word: Cavalry
definition:
Cavalry

Cav"al*ry
(?)
n.
[F. cavalerie, fr. It. cavalleria. See Cavalier, and cf. chivalry.]
(Mil.)
That part of military force which serves on horseback.

&hand_; Heavy cavalry and light cavalry are so distinguished by the character of their armament, and by the size of the men and horses.


word: cavalry-sword
definition:
cavalry-sword

cavalry-sword
n.
a stout sword with a curved blade and thick back.

Syn. -- saber, sabre.


word: Cavatina
definition:
Cavatina

Ca`va*ti"na
(?)
n.
[It.]
(Mus.)
Originally, a melody of simpler form than the aria; a song without a second part and a da capo; -- a term now variously and vaguely used.


word: Cave
definition:
Cave

Cave
(kāv)
n.
[F. cave, L. cavus hollow, whence cavea cavity. Cf. Cage.]
1.
A hollow place in the earth, either natural or artificial; a subterraneous cavity; a cavern; a den.

2.
Any hollow place, or part; a cavity.
[Obs.]
cave
Bacon.

3.
(Eng. Politics)
A coalition or group of seceders from a political party, as from the Liberal party in England in 1866. See Adullam, Cave of, in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.

Cave bear (Zool.), a very large fossil bear (Ursus spelæus) similar to the grizzly bear, but large; common in European caves. -- Cave dweller, a savage of prehistoric times whose dwelling place was a cave. Tylor. -- Cave hyena (Zool.), a fossil hyena found abundanty in British caves, now usually regarded as a large variety of the living African spotted hyena. -- Cave lion (Zool.), a fossil lion found in the caves of Europe, believed to be a large variety of the African lion. -- Bone cave. See under Bone.


word: Cave₂
definition:
Cave

Cave
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Caved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Caving.]
[Cf. F. caver. See Cave, n.]
To make hollow; to scoop out.
[Obs.]

The mouldred earth cav'd the banke.
Spenser.


word: Cave₃
definition:
Cave

Cave
v. i.
1.
To dwell in a cave.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
[See To cave in, below.]
To fall in or down; as, the sand bank caved. Hence (Slang), to retreat from a position; to give way; to yield in a disputed matter.

To cave in. [Flem. inkalven.] (a) To fall in and leave a hollow, as earth on the side of a well or pit. (b) To submit; to yield. [Slang] H. Kingsley.


word: Caveat
definition:
Caveat

Ca"ve*at
(?)
n.
[L. caved let him beware, pres. subj. of cavere to be on one's guard to, beware.]

1.
(Law)
A notice given by an interested party to some officer not to do a certain act until the party is heard in opposition; as, a caveat entered in a probate court to stop the proving of a will or the taking out of letters of administration, etc.
Bouvier.

2.
(U. S. Patent Laws)
A description of some invention, designed to be patented, lodged in the patent office before the patent right is applied for, and operating as a bar to the issue of letters patent to any other person, respecting the same invention.

&hand_; A caveat is operative for one year only, but may be renewed.

3.
Intimation of caution; warning; protest.

We think it right to enter our caveat against a conclusion.
Jeffrey.

Caveat emptor [L.] (Law), let the purchaser beware, i. e., let him examine the article he is buying, and act on his own judgment.


word: Caveating
definition:
Caveating

Ca"ve*a`ting
(?)
n.
(Fencing)
Shifting the sword from one side of an adversary's sword to the other.


word: Cavendish
definition:
Cavendish

Cav"en*dish
(?)
n.
Leaf tobacco softened, sweetened, and pressed into plugs or cakes.

Cut cavendish, the plugs cut into long shreds for smoking.


word: Cavern
definition:
Cavern

Cav"ern
(?)
n.
[L. caverna, fr. cavus hollow: cf. F. caverne.]
A large, deep, hollow place in the earth; a large cave.


word: Caverned
definition:
Caverned

Cav"erned
(?)
a.
1.
Containing caverns.

The wolves yelled on the caverned hill.
Byron.

2.
Living in a cavern.
Caverned
Pope.


word: Cavernous
definition:
Cavernous

Cav"ern*ous
(?)
a.
[L. cavernosus: cf. F. caverneux.]
1.
Full of caverns; resembling a cavern or large cavity; hollow.

2.
Filled with small cavities or cells.

3.
Having a sound caused by a cavity.

Cavernous body, a body of erectile tissue with large interspaces which may be distended with blood, as in the penis or clitoris. -- Cavernous respiration, a peculiar respiratory sound andible on auscultation, when the bronchial tubes communicate with morbid cavities in the lungs.


word: Cavernulous
definition:
Cavernulous

Ca*ver"nu*lous
(?)
a.
[L. cavernula, dim. of caverna cavern.]
Full of little cavities; as, cavernulous metal.
Black.


word: Cavezon
definition:
Cavezon

Cavesson

{ Cav"es*son (?), Cav"e*zon (?), }
n.
[F. caveçon, augm. fr. LL. capitium a head covering hood, fr. L. caput head. Cf. Caberzon.]
(Man.)
A kind of noseband used in breaking and training horses.
[Written also caveson, causson.]
White.


word: Cavetto
definition:
Cavetto

Ca*vet"to
(kȧ*vĕt"to̝)
n.
[It. cavetto, fr. cavo hollow, L. cavus.]
(Arch.)
A concave molding; -- used chiefly in classical architecture.  See Illust. of Column.


word: Caviare
definition:
Caviare

Caviar

{ Cav"i*ar (?), Ca*viare" (?), }
n.
[F. caviar, fr. It. caviale, fr. Turk. Havīār.]
The roes of the sturgeon, prepared and salted; -- used as a relish, esp. in Russia.

&hand_; Caviare was considered a delicacy, by some, in Shakespeare's time, but was not relished by most. Hence Hamlet says of a certain play. “'T was caviare to the general,” i. e., above the taste of the common people.


word: Cavicornia
definition:
Cavicornia

Cav`i*cor"ni*a
(kăv`ĭ*kôr"nĭ*ȧ)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A group of ruminants whose horns are hollow, and planted on a bony process of the front, as the ox.


word: Cavil
definition:
Cavil

Cav"il
(kăv"ĭl)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Caviled or Cavilled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Caviling or Cavilling.]
[L. cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.]
To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault without good reason.

You do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract.
Shak.


word: Cavil₃
definition:
Cavil

Cav"il
n.
A captious or frivolous objection.

All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief.
Shak.


word: Caviller
definition:
Caviller

Caviler

{ Cav"il*er or Cav"il*ler (-ẽr), }
n.
One who cavils.

Cavilers at the style of the Scriptures.
Boyle.


word: Caviling
definition:
Caviling

Cav"il*ing
a.
Disposed to cavil; finding fault without good reason. See Captious.

His depreciatory and caviling criticism.
Lewis.


word: Cavillation
definition:
Cavillation

Cav`il*la"tion
(-lā"shŭn)
n.
[F. cavillation, L. cavillatio.]
Frivolous or sophistical objection.
[Obs.]
Hooker.


word: Cavillous
definition:
Cavillous

Cavilous

{ Cav"il*ous or Cav"il*lous (?), }
a.
[L. cavillosus.]
Characterized by caviling, or disposed to cavil; quibbing.
[R.]


word: Cavin
definition:
Cavin

Cav"in
(?)
n.
[F. See Cave.]
(Mil.)
A hollow way, adapted to cover troops, and facilitate their aproach to a place.
Farrow.


word: Cavity
definition:
Cavity

Cav"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Cavities (#).
[L. cavus hollow: cf. F. cavité.]
1.
Hollowness.
[Obs.]

The cavity or hollowness of the place.
Goodwin.

2.
A hollow place; a hollow; as, the abdominal cavity.

An instrument with a small cavity, like a small spoon
Arbuthnot.

Abnormal spaces or excavations are frequently formed in the lungs, which are designated cavities or vomicæ.
Quain.

Body cavity, the cœlum. See under Body.


word: Cavo-rilievo
definition:
Cavo-rilievo

Ca"vo-ri*lie"vo
(?)
n.
[It.]
(Sculp.)
Hollow relief; sculpture in relief within a sinking made for the purpose, so no part of it projects beyond the plain surface around.


word: Cavort
definition:
Cavort

Ca*vort"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Cavorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Cavorting.]
To prance ostentatiously; -- said of a horse or his rider.
[Local slang, U. S.]


word: Cavy
definition:
Cavy

Ca"vy
(?)
n.
pl. Cavies (_;).
[NL. cavia, fr. Brazilian cabiai: cf. F. cabiai.]
(Zool.)
A rodent of the genera Cavia and Dolichotis, as the guinea pig (Cavia cobaya). Cavies are natives of South America.

Water cavy (Zool.), The capybara.


word: Caw
definition:
Caw

Caw
(k&asuml_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Cawed (k&asuml_;d); p. pr. & vb. n. Cawing.]
[Imitative. √22 Cf. Chough.]
To cry like a crow, rook, or raven.

Rising and cawing at the gun's report.
Shak.


word: Cawk
definition:
Cawk

Cawk
(k&asuml_;k)
n.
[Prov. E. cauk limestone. A doublet of chalk.]
(Min.)
An opaque, compact variety of barite, or heavy spar.
[Also written cauk.]


word: Caxton
definition:
Caxton

Cax"ton
(?)
n.
(Bibliog.)
Any book printed by William Caxton, the first English printer.
Hansard.


word: Cayenne
definition:
Cayenne

Cay*enne
(?)
n.
[From Cayenne, a town and island in French Guiana, South America.]
Cayenne pepper.

Cayenne pepper. (a) (Bot.) A species of Capsicum (Capsicum frutescens) with small and intensely pungent fruit. (b) A very pungent spice made by drying and grinding the fruits or seeds of several species of the genus Capsicum, esp. Capsicum annuum and Capsicum Frutescens; -- called also red pepper. It is used chiefly as a condiment.


word: Cayman
definition:
Cayman

Cay"man
(kā"man)
n.
[From the language of Guiana: cf. Sp. caiman.]
(Zool.)
The south America alligator. See Alligator.
[Sometimes written caiman.]


word: Cayo
definition:
Cayo

Ca"yo
(?)
n.
pl. -yos (#)
[Sp.]
A small island or ledge of rock in the water; a key.
[Sp. Am.]


word: Cayugas
definition:
Cayugas

Ca*yu"gas
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Cayuga.
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting western New-York, forming part of the confederacy called the Five Nations.


word: Cazic
definition:
Cazic

Cazique

{ Ca*zique", Ca*zic"  }
(?)
n.
[Sp. Cacique, fr. the language of Haiti.]
A chief or petty king among some tribes of Indians in America.


word: CB
definition:
CB

CB
n.
same as citizens' band; that portion of the radio frequency spectrum allocated by the FCC for the use of individual citizens for short-distance personal or business use, from either fixed or mobile stations.  Also used attributively, as CB radio.
[acronym]

Syn. -- Citizens' Band.


word: CBC
definition:
CBC

CBC
n.
the complete blood count; a clinical test which counts the number of white and red blood cells and the number of platelets in one cubic milimeter of blood.
[acronym]

Syn. -- complete blood count, blood profile.


word: Cd
definition:
Cd

Cd
n.
1.
the chemical suymbol for cadmium, a metallic element of atomic number 48.

Syn. -- cadmium.

2.
the abbreviation for the candela, the basic unit of luminous intensity adopted under the System International d'Unites.
[abbr.]

Syn. -- candle, candela, standard candle.


word: CD
definition:
CD

CD
n.
1.
an acronym for compact disk, a disk-shaped recording of binary data that is smaller than a phonograph record, and is recorded and played back by a compact disk player, an electronic device containing  a laser.  The term is also used generically to refer to the medium as a data storage medium.

Syn. -- compact disc, compact disk.

2.
a compact disk player.
[informal]

3.
an acronym for certificate of deposit, a debt instrument issued by a bank for a fixed time period, usually paying interest.

Syn. -- certificate of deposit.


word: CD-R
definition:
CD-R

CD-R
n.
[from Compact Disk-Recordable.]
a recordable compact disk; a compact disc on which you can write only once and thereafter is read-only.

Syn. -- compact disc recordable, CD-WO, compact disc write-once.


word: CD-ROM
definition:
CD-ROM

CD-ROM
n.
a compact disk that is used with a computer (rather than with an audio system); a large amount of digital information can be stored and accessed but it cannot be altered by the user.

Syn. -- compact disc read-only memory.


word: CD-WO
definition:
CD-WO

CD-WO
n.
[from Compact Disk-Write Once.]
A recordable compact disk; a compact disc on which you can write only once and thereafter is read-only.

Syn. -- CD-R, compact disc recordable, compact disc write-once.


word: Ce
definition:
Ce

Ce
n.
the chemical symbol for cerium, the most abundant element of the rare-earth group.

Syn. -- cerium.


word: Cease
definition:
Cease

Cease
(sēs)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ceased (sēst); p. pr. & vb. n. Ceasing.]
[OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser, fr. L. cessare, v. intensive fr. cedere to withdraw. See Cede , and cf. Cessation.]
1.
To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over; to desist; as, the noise ceased.
cease
Prov. xx. 3.

2.
To be wanting; to fail; to pass away.

The poor shall never cease out of the land.
Deut. xv. 11.


word: Cease₂
definition:
Cease

Cease
v. t.
To put a stop to; to bring to an end.

But he, her fears to cease
Sent down the meek-eyed peace.
Milton.

Cease, then, this impious rage.
Milton


word: Cebidae
definition:
Cebidae

Cebidae
prop. n.
A natural family including all the New World monkeys except marmosets and tamarins.

Syn. -- family Cebidae.


word: Cebu
definition:
Cebu

Cebu
prop. n.
1.
one of the Visayan islands of the central Philippines, important for its fine harbor.

2.
an important seaport on the Island of Cebu in the Philippines.


word: Cebuan
definition:
Cebuan

Cebuan
prop. n.
1.
An inhabitant of the island of Cebu; a member of the Visayan (or Bisayan) people of the Philippines.

2.
The language of the people of Cebu in the Philippines; its lexicon contributes to the official language of the Philippines.

Syn. -- Cebuano.


word: Cebuano
definition:
Cebuano

Cebuano
prop. n.
The language of the people of Cebu in the Philippines; its lexicon contributes to the official languag of the Philippines.

Syn. -- Cebuan.


word: Cecidomyia
definition:
Cecidomyia

Cec`i*do*my"i*a
(sĕs`ĭ*do̝*mī"ĭ*ȧ)
prop. n.
[Nl., fr. Gr. khki`s, khki^dos, a gall nut + myi^a a fly.]
(Zool.)
A genus of small dipterous files, including several very injurious species, as the Hessian fly. See Hessian fly.


word: Cecidomyidae
definition:
Cecidomyidae

Cecidomyidae
prop. n.
A natural family comprising the gall midges.

Syn. -- family Cecidomyidae.


word: cecity
definition:
cecity

ce"ci*ty
(sē"sĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. caecitas, fr. caecus blind: cf. F. cécité.]
Blindness.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Cecropiaceae
definition:
Cecropiaceae

Cecropiaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of insects, in some classifications included in family Moraceae.

Syn. -- family Cecropiaceae.


word: cecum
definition:
cecum

cecum
n.
The caecum, the cavity in which the large intestine begins and into which the ileum opens.

Syn. -- caecum, blind gut.


word: cecutiency
definition:
cecutiency

ce*cu"tien*cy
(se̝*kū"*shen*s&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. caecutire to be blind, fr. caecus blind.]
Partial blindness, or a tendency to blindness.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: cedar
definition:
cedar

ce"dar
(sē"dẽr)
n.
[AS. ceder, fr. L. cedrus, Gr. ke`dros.]
(Bot.)
The name of several evergreen trees.  The wood is remarkable for its durability and fragrant odor.

&hand_; The cedar of Lebanon is the Cedrus Libani; the white cedar (Cupressus thyoides) is now called Chamœcyparis sphæroidea; American red cedar is the Juniperus Virginiana; Spanish cedar, the West Indian Cedrela odorata. Many other trees with odoriferous wood are locally called cedar.


word: cedar waxwing
definition:
cedar waxwing

ce"dar wax"wing
n.
(Zool.)
a species of chatterer (Bombycilla cedrorum, formerly Ampelis cedrorum) widely distributed over temperate North America, so named from its frequenting cedar trees; -- called also cedar bird, cherry bird, Canada robin, and American waxwing.  It is a brownish bird about 7 inches long, between the size of a robin and a sparrow, has a crest on the head, a black face mask, and a yellow-tipped tail.  The name comes from the black color of the tips of the wings, like that of a black sealing wax.  They sometimes are seen in flocks.


word: cedarwood
definition:
cedarwood

ce"dar*wood`
n.
The durable aromatic wood of any of numerous cedar and cedarlike trees; especially the wood of the red cedar, often used for cedar chests.

Syn. -- cedar.


word: cede
definition:
cede

cede
(sēd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. ceded; p. pr. & vb. n. ceding.]
[L. cedere to withdraw, yield; akin to cadere to fall, and to E. chance; cf. F. céder.]
To yield or surrender; to give up; to resign; as, to cede a fortress, a province, or country, to another nation, by treaty.

The people must cede to the government some of their natural rights.
Jay.


word: cedilla
definition:
cedilla

ce*dil"la
(se̝*dĭl"lȧ)
n.
[Sp. cedilla, cf. F. cédille; dim. of zeta, the Gr. name of the letter z, because this letter was formerly written after the c, to give it the sound of s.]
A mark placed under the letter c [thus, ç], to show that it is to be sounded like s, as in façade.


word: Cedrat
definition:
Cedrat

Ce"drat
(sē"drăt)
n.
[Cf. F. cédrat. See Cedar.]
(Bot.)
Properly the citron, a variety of Citrus medica, with large fruits, not acid, and having a high perfume.


word: Cedrene
definition:
Cedrene

Ce"drene
(sē"drēn)
n.
(Chem.)
A rich aromatic oil, C15H24, extracted from oil of red cedar, and regarded as a polymeric terpene; also any one of a class of similar substances, as the essential oils of cloves, cubebs, juniper, etc., of which cedrene proper is the type.
[Written also cedren.]


word: Cedrine
definition:
Cedrine

Ce"drine
(sē"drĭn; 277)
a.
[L. cedrinus, Gr. ke`drinos. See Cedar.]
Of or pertaining to cedar or the cedar tree.


word: Cedule
definition:
Cedule

Ced"ule
(sĕd"&uuptack_;l)
n.
[F. cédule, fr. L. shedula. See Shedule.]
A scroll; a writing; a schedule.
[Obs.]


word: Ceduous
definition:
Ceduous

Ced"u*ous
(sĕd"&uuptack_;*ŭs)
a.
[L. caeduus, fr. caedere to cut down.]
Fit to be felled.
[Obs.]
Eyelyn.


word: Ceiba
definition:
Ceiba

Ceiba
n.
a genus of tropical American trees with palmately compound leaves and showy bell-like flowers.

Syn. -- genus Ceiba.


word: ceibo
definition:
ceibo

ceibo
n.
a small South American spiny tree (Erythrina crista-galli) with dark crimson and scarlet flowers solitary or clustered.

Syn. -- crybaby tree, cry-baby tree, common coral tree, Erythrina crista-galli.


word: Ceil
definition:
Ceil

Ceil
(sēl)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ceiled (sēld); p. pr. & vb. n. Ceiling.]
[From an older noun, fr. F. ciel heaven, canopy, fr. L. caelum heaven, vault, arch, covering; cf. Gr. koi^los hollow.]
1.
To overlay or cover the inner side of the roof of; to furnish with a ceiling; as, to ceil a room.

The greater house he ceiled with fir tree.
2 Chron. iii. 5

2.
To line or finish a surface, as of a wall, with plaster, stucco, thin boards, or the like.


word: Ceiling
definition:
Ceiling

Ceil"ing
n.
[See Cell, v. t.]
1.
(Arch.)
(a)
The inside lining of a room overhead; the under side of the floor above; the upper surface opposite to the floor.
(b)
The lining or finishing of any wall or other surface, with plaster, thin boards, etc.; also, the work when done.

2.
(Naut.)
The inner planking of a vessel.

Camp ceiling. See under Camp. -- Ceiling boards, Thin narrow boards used to ceil with.


word: Ceinture
definition:
Ceinture

Cein`ture"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A cincture, girdle, or belt; -- chiefly used in English as a dressmaking term.


word: Celadon
definition:
Celadon

Cel"a*don
(?)
n.
[F.]
A pale sea-green color; also, porcelain or fine pottery of this tint.


word: Celandine
definition:
Celandine

Cel"an*dine
(sĕl"ăn*dīn)
n.
[OE. celidoine, OF. celidoine, F. chélidoine, fr. L. chelidonia (sc. herba), fr. chelidonius pertaining to the swallow, Gr. chelido`nios, fr. chelidw`n the swallow, akin to L. hirundo a swallow.]
(Bot.)
A perennial herbaceous plant (Chelidonium majus) of the poppy family, with yellow flowers. It is used as a medicine in jaundice, etc., and its acrid saffron-colored juice is used to cure warts and the itch; -- called also greater celandine and swallowwort.

Lasser celandine, the pilewort (Ranunculus Ficaria).


word: Celastrus
definition:
Celastrus

Celastrus
n.
the type genus of the Celastraceae, comprising the plants called climbing bittersweet; bittersweet and shrubby bittersweet; they are woody vines and shrubs native chiefly to Asia and Australia, bearing yellow to orange capsules which open to expose red-coated seeds.  See also bittersweet{3b}.

Syn. -- genus Celastrus.


word: Celature
definition:
Celature

Cel"a*ture
(?)
n.
[L. caelatura, fr. caelare to engrave in relief.]
1.
The act or art of engraving or embossing.

2.
That which is engraved.
[Obs.]
Hakewill.


word: Celebrant
definition:
Celebrant

Cel"e*brant
(?)
n.
[L. celebrans, p. pr. of celebrare. See Celebrate.]
One who performs a public religious rite; -- applied particularly to an officiating priest in the Roman Catholic Church, as distinguished from his assistants.


word: Celebrate
definition:
Celebrate

Cel"e*brate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Celebrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Celebrating.]
[L. celebratus, p. p. of celebrare to frequent, to celebrate, fr. celeber famous.]
1.
To extol or honor in a solemn manner; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High.

2.
To honor by solemn rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly; to keep; as, to celebrate a birthday.

From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.
Lev. xxiii. 32.

3.
To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to solemnize; to perform with appropriate rites; as, to celebrate a marriage.
We are called upon to commemorate a revolution as surprising in its manner as happy in its consequences.
Atterbury.

Earth, water, air, and fire, with feeling glee,
Exult to celebrate thy festival.
Thomson.


word: Celebrated
definition:
Celebrated

Cel"e*bra`ted
(?)
a.
Having celebrity; distinguished; renowned.

Celebrated for the politeness of his manners.
Macaulay.


word: Celebration
definition:
Celebration

Cel`e*bra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. celebratio.]
The act, process, or time of celebrating.

His memory deserving a particular celebration.
Clarendok.

Celebration of Mass is equivalent to offering Mass
Cath. Dict.

To hasten the celebration of their marriage.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Celebrity
definition:
Celebrity

Ce*leb"ri*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Celebrities (#).
[L. celebritas: cf. F. célébrité.]
1.
Celebration; solemnization.
[Obs.]

The celebrity of the marriage.
Bacon.

2.
The state or condition of being celebrated; fame; renown; as, the celebrity of Washington.

An event of great celebrity in the history of astronomy.
Whewell.

3.
A person of distinction or renown; -- usually in the plural; as, he is one of the celebrities of the place.


word: Celeriac
definition:
Celeriac

Ce*le"ri*ac
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
Turnip-rooted celery, a from of celery with a large globular root, which is used for food.


word: Celerity
definition:
Celerity

Ce*ler"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. celeritas, from celer swiftm speedy: sf. F. célérité.]
Rapidity of motion; quickness; swiftness.

Time, with all its celerity, moves slowly to him whose whole employment is to watch its flight.
Johnson.


word: Celery
definition:
Celery

Cel"er*y
(?)
n.
[F. céleri, cf. Prov. It. seleno, seler; fr. Gr. _; parsley, in Lgr. & NGr. celery. Cf. Parsley.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the Parsley family (Apium graveolens), of which the blanched leafstalks are used as a salad.


word: celesta
definition:
celesta

celesta
n.
(Mus.)
a musical instrument consisting of graduated steel plates that are struck by hammers activated by a keyboard.


word: Celestial
definition:
Celestial

Ce*les"tial
(?)
a.
[OF. celestial, celestied, fr. L. caelestic, fr. caelum heaved. See Cell.]
1.
Belonging to the aërial regions, or visible heavens.
celestial
Shak.

2.
Of or pertaining to the spiritual heaven; heavenly; divine.
Celestial
Celestial
Milton.

3.
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Chinese, or Celestial, Empire, of the Chinese people.

Celestial city, heaven; the heavenly Jerusalem. Bunyan. -- Celestial empire, China; -- so called from the Chinese words, tien chan, Heavenly Dynasty, as being the kingdom ruled over by the dynasty appointed by heaven. S. W. Williams.


word: Celestial₂
definition:
Celestial

Ce*les"tial
n.
1.
An inhabitant of heaven.
Pope.

2.
A native of China; a Chinaman; a Chinese.
[Colloq.]


word: Celestify
definition:
Celestify

Ce*les"ti*fy
(?)
v. t.
[L. caelestis heavenly + -fly.]
To make like heaven.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Celestite
definition:
Celestite

Celestine

{ Cel"es*tine (?), Cel"es*tite (?), }
n.
[LL. caelestinus bine.]
(Min.)
Native strontium sulphate, a mineral so named from its occasional delicate blue color. It occurs crystallized, also in compact massive and fibrous forms.


word: Celestinian
definition:
Celestinian

Celestine

{ Cel"es*tine (?), Cel`es*tin"i*an (?), }
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A monk of the austere branch of the Franciscan Order founded by Celestine V. in the 13th centry.


word: Celibacy
definition:
Celibacy

Ce*lib"a*cy
(?)
n.
[See Celibate, n.]
The state of being unmarried; single life, esp. that of a bachelor, or of one bound by vows not to marry.
celibacy
Hallom.


word: Celibate
definition:
Celibate

Cel"i*bate
(?)
n.
[L. aelibatus, fr. caelebs unmarried, single.]
1.
Celibate state; celibacy.
[Obs.]

He . . . preferreth holy celibate before the estate of marriage.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
One who is unmarried, esp. a bachelor, or one bound by vows not to marry.


word: Celidography
definition:
Celidography

Cel`i*dog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _; stain, spot + -graphy: cf. F. célidographie.]
A description of apparent spots on the disk of the sun, or on planets.


word: Cell
definition:
Cell

Cell
(?)
n.
[OF. celle, fr. L. cella; akin to celare to hide, and E. hell, helm, conceal. Cf. Hall.]
1.
A very small and close apartment, as in a prison or in a monastery or convent; the hut of a hermit.

The heroic confessor in his cell.
Macaulay.

2.
A small religious house attached to a monastery or convent.
Cells
Milman.

3.
Any small cavity, or hollow place.

4.
(Arch.)
(a)
The space between the ribs of a vaulted roof.
(b)
Same as Cella.

5.
(Elec.)
A jar of vessel, or a division of a compound vessel, for holding the exciting fluid of a battery.

6.
(Biol.)
One of the minute elementary structures, of which the greater part of the various tissues and organs of animals and plants are composed.

&hand_; All cells have their origin in the primary cell from which the organism was developed. In the lowest animal and vegetable forms, one single cell constitutes the complete individual, such being called unicelluter orgamisms. A typical cell is composed of a semifluid mass of protoplasm, more or less granular, generally containing in its center a nucleus which in turn frequently contains one or more nucleoli, the whole being surrounded by a thin membrane, the cell wall. In some cells, as in those of blood, in the amœba, and in embryonic cells (both vegetable and animal), there is no restricting cell wall, while in some of the unicelluliar organisms the nucleus is wholly wanting. See Illust. of Bipolar.

Air cell. See Air cell. -- Cell development (called also cell genesis, cell formation, and cytogenesis), the multiplication, of cells by a process of reproduction under the following common forms; segmentation or fission, gemmation or budding, karyokinesis, and endogenous multiplication. See Segmentation, Gemmation, etc. -- Cell theory. (Biol.) See Cellular theory, under Cellular.


word: Cell₂
definition:
Cell

Cell
(sĕl)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Celled (sĕld).]
To place or inclose in a cell.
Celled
[R.]
Warner.


word: Cella
definition:
Cella

Cel"la
(?)
n.
[L.]
(Arch.)
The part inclosed within the walls of an ancient temple, as distinguished from the open porticoes.


word: Cellar
definition:
Cellar

Cel"lar
(?)
n.
[OE. celer, OF. celier, F. celier, fr. L. cellarium a receptacle for food, pantry, fr. cella storeroom. See Cell.]
A room or rooms under a building, and usually below the surface of the ground, where provisions and other stores are kept.


word: Cellarage
definition:
Cellarage

Cel"lar*age
(?)
n.
1.
The space or storerooms of a cellar; a cellar.
Sir W. Scott.

You hear this fellow in the cellarage.
Shak.

2.
Chare for storage in a cellar.


word: Cellarer
definition:
Cellarer

Cel"lar*er
(?)
n.
[LL. cellararius, equiv. to L. cellarius steward: cf. F. cellérier. See Cellar.]
(Eccl.)
A steward or butler of a monastery or chapter; one who has charge of procuring and keeping the provisions.


word: Cellaret
definition:
Cellaret

Cel`lar*et"
(?)
n.
[Dim of cellar.]
A receptacle, as in a dining room, for a few bottles of wine or liquor, made in the form of a chest or coffer, or a deep drawer in a sideboard, and usually lined with metal.


word: Cellepore
definition:
Cellepore

Cel"le*pore
(?)
n.
[L. cella cell + porus, Gr. _;, passage.]
(Zool.)
A genus of delicate branching corals, made up of minute cells, belonging to the Bryozoa.


word: Cello
definition:
Cello

Cel"lo
(chĕl"lo̝)
n.
pl. E. Cellos (chĕl"lo̝z), It. Celli (chĕl"lē).
A contraction for Violoncello.


word: cellophane
definition:
cellophane

cellophane
(sĕl"o̝*fān`)
n.
a transparent paper-like product made of regenerated cellulose, produced in sheets and rolls, which is impervious to moisture and germs, and which is used to wrap candy, cigarettes, and a wide variety of other products for distribution and retail sale; as, a pack of cigarettes in a cellophane wrapper.


word: Cellular
definition:
Cellular

Cel"lu*lar
(sĕl"ŭ*lẽr; 135)
a.
[L. cellula a little cell: cf. F. cellulaire. See Cellule.]
1.
Consisting of, or containing, cells; of or pertaining to a cell or cells.

2.
porous; containing cavities.

3.
pertaining to or using a system of transmission of telephone signals by radio, in which areas are divided into geographical parts (cells), each of which is served by a transmitter whose range is limited to that region, thus permitting a single transmission frequency to be used simulataneously in different parts of the same area.  Cellular telephones are typically small and battery powered, allowing a subscriber with such a telephone to carry the telephone in a pocket or purse, over the entire area served, and to be contacted by a single telephone number.  The system became widespread and popular in the 1980's and 1990's; as, cellular telephones sometimes lose their link unpredictably.

Cellular plants, Cellular cryptogams (Bot.), those flowerless plants which have no ducts or fiber in their tissue, as mosses, fungi, lichens, and algæ. -- Cellular theory, or Cell theory (Biol.), a theory, according to which the essential element of every tissue, either vegetable or animal, is a cell; the whole series of cells having been formed from the development of the germ cell and by differentiation converted into tissues and organs which, both in plants and animals, are to be considered as a mass of minute cells communicating with each other. -- Cellular tissue. (a) (Anat.) See conjunctive tissue under Conjunctive. (b) (Bot.) Tissue composed entirely of parenchyma, and having no woody fiber or ducts.


word: Cellule
definition:
Cellule

Cel"lule
(sĕl"ūl)
n.
[L. cellula a small apartment, dim. of cella: cf. F. cellule. See Cell.]
A small cell.


word: cellulite
definition:
cellulite

cel"lu*lite`
(sĕl"ŭ*līt` or sĕl"ŭ*lēt`)
n.
small lumpy deposits of body fat esp. on women's thighs and buttocks.  Not used as a technical term.


word: Cellulitis
definition:
Cellulitis

Cel`lu*li"tis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. cellula + -itis.]
An inflammantion of the cellular or areolar tissue, esp. of that lying immediately beneath the skin.


word: Celluloid
definition:
Celluloid

Cel"lu*loid`
(sĕl"&uuptack_;*loid)
n.
[Cellulose + -oid.]
A substance composed essentially of gun cotton and camphor, and when pure resembling ivory in texture and color, but variously colored to imitate coral, tortoise shell, amber, malachite, etc. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry and many small articles, as combs, brushes, collars, and cuffs; -- originally called xylonite.


word: Cellulose₂
definition:
Cellulose

Cel"lu*lose`
n.
(Chem.)
The substance which constitutes the essential part of the solid framework of plants, of ordinary wood, cotton, linen, paper, etc. It is also found to a slight extent in certain animals, as the tunicates. It is a carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, isomeric with starch, and is convertible into starches and sugars by the action of heat and acids. When pure, it is a white amorphous mass. See Starch, Granulose, Lignin.

Unsized, well bleached linen paper is merely pure cellulose.
Goodale.

Starch cellulose, the delicate framework which remains when the soluble part (granulose) of starch is removed by saliva or pepsin. Goodale.


word: Celosia
definition:
Celosia

Celosia
n.
a genus of annual or perennial herbs or vines of tropical and subtropical America and Asia and Africa.

Syn. -- genus Celosia.


word: Celotomy
definition:
Celotomy

Ce*lot"o*my
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; hernia + _; to cut.]
(Med.)
The act or operation of cutting, to relieve the structure in strangulated hernia.
[Frequently written kelotomy.]


word: Celsiture
definition:
Celsiture

Cel"si*ture
(?)
n.
[L. celstudo, from celsus high: cf. celsitude.]
Height; altitude.
[Obs.]


word: Celsius
definition:
Celsius

Cel"si*us
(?)
n.
The Celsius thermometer or scale, so called from Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, who invented it. It is the same as the centigrade thermometer or scale.


word: Celt
definition:
Celt

Celt
(sĕlt; kĕlt)
n.
[L. Celtae, Gr. Keltoi`, Ke`ltai, pl.: cf. W. Celtiad one that dwells in a covert, an inhabitant of the wood, a Celt, fr. celt covert, shelter, celu to hide.]
One of an ancient race of people, who formerly inhabited a great part of Central and Western Europe, and whose descendants at the present day occupy Ireland, Wales, the Highlands of Scotland, and the northern shores of France.
[Written also Kelt. The letter C was pronounced hard in Celtic languages.]


word: Celt₂
definition:
Celt

Celt
n.
[LL. celts a chisel.]
(Archæol.)
A weapon or implement of stone or metal, found in the tumuli, or barrows, of the early Celtic nations.


word: Celtiberian
definition:
Celtiberian

Celt`i*be"ri*an
(?)
a.
[L. Celtiber, Celtibericus.]
Of or pertaining to the ancient Celtiberia (a district in Spain lying between the Ebro and the Tagus) or its inhabitants the Celtiberi (Celts of the river Iberus).
n. An inhabitant of Celtiberia.


word: Celtic
definition:
Celtic

Celt"ic
(sĕlt"ĭk; kĕlt"ĭk)
a.
[L. Celticus, Gr. Keltiko`s. See Celt.]
Of or pertaining to the Celts; as, Celtic people, tribes, literature, tongue.
[Written also Keltic.]


word: Celtic₂
definition:
Celtic

Celt"ic
n.
The language of the Celts.

&hand_; The remains of the old Celtic language are found in the Gaelic, the Erse or Irish; the Manx, and the Welsh and its cognate dialects Cornish and Bas Breton.


word: Celticism
definition:
Celticism

Celt"i*cism
(sĕl"tĭ*sĭz'm)
n.
A custom of the Celts, or an idiom of their language.
Warton.


word: Celtium
definition:
Celtium

Cel"ti*um
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Chem.)
The first proposed name for a supposed new element of the rare-earth group, accompanying lutecium and scandium in the gadolinite earths. It is now considered identical to Lutetium. The proposed symbol was Ct (no period), but this name and symbol are no longer used.


word: celtuce
definition:
celtuce

celtuce
n.
1.
a type of lettuce (Lactuca sativa asparagina) valued especially for its edible stems.

Syn. -- stem lettuce, Lactuca sativa asparagina.

2.
a salad green having characteristics of both lettuce and celery; stems eaten either raw or cooked.


word: Cement
definition:
Cement

Ce*ment"
(sĕ*mĕnt" or sĕm"ĕnt)
n.
[OF. cement, ciment, F. ciment, fr. L. caementum a rough, unhewn stone, pieces or chips of marble, from which mortar was made, contr. fr. caedimentum, fr. caedere to cut, prob. akin to scindere to cleave, and to E. shed, v. t.]
1.
Any substance used for making bodies adhere to each other, as mortar, glue, etc.

2.
A kind of calcined limestone, or a calcined mixture of clay and lime, for making mortar which will harden under water.

3.
The powder used in cementation. See Cementation, n., 2.

4.
Bond of union; that which unites firmly, as persons in friendship, or men in society.
cement

5.
(Anat.)
The layer of bone investing the root and neck of a tooth; -- called also cementum.

Hydraulic cement. See under Hydraulic.


word: Cement₂
definition:
Cement

Ce*ment"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cemented; p. pr. & vb. n. Cementing.]
[Cf. F. cimenter. See Cement, n.]
1.
To unite or cause to adhere by means of a cement.
Bp. Burnet.

2.
To unite firmly or closely.
Shak.

3.
To overlay or coat with cement; as, to cement a cellar bottom.


word: Cemental
definition:
Cemental

Ce*ment"al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to cement, as of a tooth; as, cemental tubes.
R. Owen.


word: Cementation
definition:
Cementation

Cem`en*ta"tion
(?)
n.
1.
The act or process of cementing.

2.
(Chem.)
A process which consists in surrounding a solid body with the powder of other substances, and heating the whole to a degree not sufficient to cause fusion, the physical properties of the body being changed by chemical combination with powder; thus iron becomes steel by cementation with charcoal, and green glass becomes porcelain by cementation with sand.


word: Cementitious
definition:
Cementitious

Cem`en*ti"tious
(?)
a.
[L. caementitius pertaining to quarry stones. See Cement, n. ]
Of the nature of cement.
[R.]
Forsyth.


word: Cemetery
definition:
Cemetery

Cem"e*ter*y
(?)
n.
pl. Cemeteries (_;).
[L. cemeterium, Gr. _; a sleeping chamber, burial place, fr. _; to put to sleep.]
A place or ground set apart for the burial of the dead; a graveyard; a churchyard; a necropolis.


word: Cenanthy
definition:
Cenanthy

Ce*nan"thy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; empty + _; a flower.]
(Bot.)
The absence or suppression of the essential organs (stamens and pistil) in a flower.


word: Cenatory
definition:
Cenatory

Cen"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. cenatorius, fr. cenare to dine, sup, fr. cena, coena, dinner, supper.]
Of or pertaining to dinner or supper.
[R.]

The Romans washed, were anointed, and wore a cenatory garment.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Cenobite
definition:
Cenobite

Cen"o*bite
(?)
n.
[L. coenobita, fr. Gr. koino`bios; koino`s common + bi`os life: cf. F. cénobite.]
One of a religious order, dwelling in a convent, or a community, in opposition to an anchoret, or hermit, who lives in solitude.
Gibbon.


word: Cenobitical
definition:
Cenobitical

Cenobitic

{ Cen`o*bit"ic (?), Cen`o*bit"ic*al (?) }
a.
[Cf. F. cénobitique.]
Of or pertaining to a cenobite.


word: Cenobitism
definition:
Cenobitism

Cen"o*bi*tism
(?)
n.
The state of being a cenobite; the belief or practice of a cenobite.
Milman.


word: Cenogamy
definition:
Cenogamy

Ce*nog"a*my
(se̝*n&obreve_;g"ȧ*m&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. koino`s common + ga`mos marriage.]
The state of a community which permits promiscuous sexual intercourse among its members, as in certain societies practicing communism.


word: cenogenesis
definition:
cenogenesis

cen`o*gen"e*sis
n.
[Gr. _; new + E. genesis.]
(Biol.)
The introduction during embryonic development of characters or structure not present in the earlier evolutionary history of the strain or species (as addition of the placenta in mammalian evolution); a modified evolution, in which nonprimitive characters make their appearance in consequence of a secondary adaptation of the embryo to the peculiar conditions of its environment; -- distinguished from palingenesis.
[Also spelled caenogenesis and formerly kenogenesis.]


word: Cenotaph
definition:
Cenotaph

Cen"o*taph
(se̝n"o̝*tȧf)
n.
[Gr. kenota`fion; keno`s empty + ta`fos burial, tomb: cf. F. cénotaphe.]
An empty tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person who is buried elsewhere.
Dryden.

A cenotaph in Westminster Abbey.
Macaulay.


word: Cenotaphy
definition:
Cenotaphy

Cen"o*taph`y
(?)
n.
A cenotaph.
[R.]

Lord Cobham honored him with a cenotaphy.
Macaulay.


word: Cenozoic
definition:
Cenozoic

Ce`no*zo"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; recent + _; life.]
(Geol.)
Belonging to the most recent division of geological time, including the tertiary, or Age of mammals, and the Quaternary, or Age of man. [Written also cænozoic, cainozoic, kainozoic.] See Geology.

&hand_; This word is used by many authors as synonymous with Tertiary, the Quaternary Age not being included.


word: Cense
definition:
Cense

Cense
(?)
n.
[OF. cense, F. cens, L. census. See Census.]
1.
A census; -- also, a public rate or tax.
[Obs.]
Howell. Bacon.

2.
Condition; rank.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Cense₂
definition:
Cense

Cense
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Censed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Censing.]
[Abbrev. from incense.]
To perfume with odors from burning gums and spices.

The Salii sing and cense his altars round.
Dryden.


word: Censer
definition:
Censer

Cen"ser
(?)
n.
[For incenser, fr. OF. encensier, F. encensoir, fr. LL. incensarium, incensorium, fr. L. incensum incense. See Incense, and cf. Incensory.]
A vessel for perfumes; esp. one in which incense is burned.

&hand_; The ecclesiastical censer is usually cup-shaped, has a cover pierced with holes, and is hung by chains. The censer bearer swings it to quicken the combustion.

Her thoughts are like the fume of frankincense
Which from a golden censer forth doth rise.
Spenser.


word: Censor
definition:
Censor

Cen"sor
(?)
n.
[L. censor, fr. censere to value, tax.]
1.
(Antiq.)
One of two magistrates of Rome who took a register of the number and property of citizens, and who also exercised the office of inspector of morals and conduct.

2.
One who is empowered to examine manuscripts before they are committed to the press, and to forbid their publication if they contain anything obnoxious; -- an official in some European countries.

3.
One given to fault-finding; a censurer.

Nor can the most circumspect attention, or steady rectitude, escape blame from censors who have no inclination to approve.
Rambler.

4.
A critic; a reviewer.

Received with caution by the censors of the press.
W. Irving.


word: censored
definition:
censored

censored
adj.
suppressed or subjected to censorship; as, the censored press in some countries.  Opposite of uncensored.


word: Censorial
definition:
Censorial

Cen*so"ri*al
(?)
a.
1.
Belonging to a censor, or to the correction of public morals.
Junius.

2.
Full of censure; censorious.

The censorial declamation of Juvenal.
T. Warton.


word: Censorious
definition:
Censorious

Cen*so"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. censorius pertaining to the censor. See Censor.]
1.
Addicted to censure; apt to blame or condemn; severe in making remarks on others, or on their writings or manners.

A dogmatical spirit inclines a man to be consorious of his neighbors.
Watts.

2.
Implying or expressing censure; as, censorious remarks.


word: Censorship
definition:
Censorship

Cen"sor*ship
(?)
n.
The office or power of a censor; as, to stand for a censorship.
Holland.

The press was not indeed at that moment under a general censorship.
Macaulay.


word: Censual
definition:
Censual

Cen"su*al
(?)
a.
[L. censualis, fr. census.]
Relating to, or containing, a census.

He caused the whole realm to be described in a censual roll.
Sir R. Baker.


word: Censurable
definition:
Censurable

Cen"sur*a*ble
(?)
a.
Deserving of censure; blamable; culpable; reprehensible; as, a censurable person, or censurable conduct.


word: Censure
definition:
Censure

Cen"sure
(?)
n.
[L. censura fr. censere: cf. F. censure. Cf. Censor.]
1.
Judgment either favorable or unfavorable; opinion.
[Obs.]

Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Shak.

2.
The act of blaming or finding fault with and condemning as wrong; reprehension; blame.

Both the censure and the praise were merited.
Macaulay.

3.
Judicial or ecclesiastical sentence or reprimand; condemnatory judgment.

Excommunication or other censure of the church.
Bp. Burnet.


word: Censure₂
definition:
Censure

Cen"sure
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Censured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Censuring.]
[Cf. F. ensurer.]
1.
To form or express a judgment in regard to; to estimate; to judge.
[Obs.]
censure
Beau. & Fl.

2.
To find fault with and condemn as wrong; to blame; to express disapprobation of.

I may be censured that nature thus gives way to loyalty.
Shak.

3.
To condemn or reprimand by a judicial or ecclesiastical sentence.
Shak.


word: Census
definition:
Census

Cen"sus
(?)
n.
[L. census, fr. censere. See Censor.]
1.
(Bot. Antiq.)
A numbering of the people, and valuation of their estate, for the purpose of imposing taxes, etc.; -- usually made once in five years.

2.
An official registration of the number of the people, the value of their estates, and other general statistics of a country.

&hand_; A general census of the United States was first taken in 1790, and one has been taken at the end of every ten years since.


word: Cent
definition:
Cent

Cent
(?)
n.
[F. cent hundred, L. centum. See Hundred.]
1.
A hundred; as, ten per cent, the proportion of ten parts in a hundred.

2.
A United States coin, the hundredth part of a dollar, formerly made of copper, now of copper, tin, and zinc.

3.
An old game at cards, supposed to be like piquet; -- so called because 100 points won the game.
Nares.


word: Cental
definition:
Cental

Cen"tal
(?)
n.
[L. centum a hundred.]
A weight of one hundred pounds avoirdupois; -- called in many parts of the United States a Hundredweight.


word: Cental₂
definition:
Cental

Cen"tal
n.
Relating to a hundred.

Cental system, the method of buying and selling by the cental, or hundredweight.


word: Centare
definition:
Centare

Cen"tare`
(?)
n.
[F. centiare; centi- (L. centum) + -are.]
A measure of area, the hundredth part of an are; one square meter, or about 11/5 square yards.


word: Centaur
definition:
Centaur

Cen"taur
(sĕn"t&asuml_;r)
n.
[L. centaurus, Gr. Ke`ntayros.]

1.
(Class. Myth.)
A fabulous being, represented as half man and half horse.

2.
(Astron.)
A constellation in the southern heavens between Hydra and the Southern Cross.


word: Centaurea
definition:
Centaurea

Cen`tau*re"a
(?)
prop. n.
[NL. See Centaury.]
(Bot.)
A large genus of composite plants, related to the thistles and including the cornflower or bluebottle (Centaurea Cyanus) and the star thistle (Centaurea Calcitrapa).


word: Centaurium
definition:
Centaurium

Centaurium
prop. n.
A genus of low-growing herbs mostly of the northern hemisphere having flowers with protruding spirally twisted anthers.

Syn. -- genus Centaurium.


word: Centaurus
definition:
Centaurus

Centaurus
n.
a conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere near the Southern Cross.

Syn. -- Centaur, The Centaur.


word: Centauromachy
definition:
Centauromachy

Cen`tau*rom"a*chy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; centaur + _; battle.]
(Ancient Art)
A fight in which centaurs take part, -- a common theme for relief sculpture, as in the Parthenon metopes.


word: Centaury
definition:
Centaury

Cen"tau*ry
(sĕn"t&asuml_;*r&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. centaureum and centauria, Gr. kentay`rion, kentay`reion, and kentayri`h, fr. the Centaur Chiron.]
(Bot.)
A gentianaceous plant not fully identified. The name is usually given to the Erytheræa Centaurium and the Chlora perfoliata of Europe, but is also extended to the whole genus Sabbatia, and even to the unrelated Centaurea.


word: centavo
definition:
centavo

centavo
n.
a fractional monetary unit of several countries such as El Salvador, St. Thomas and Principe, Brazil,  Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, and Portugal.


word: Centenarian
definition:
Centenarian

Cen`te*na"ri*an
(?)
a.
Of or relating to a hundred years.
n. A person a hundred years old.


word: Centenary
definition:
Centenary

Cen"te*na*ry
(?)
a.
[L. centenarius, fr. centum a hundred.]
1.
Relating to, or consisting of, a hundred.

2.
Occurring once in every hundred years; centennial.
Centenary
Fuller.


word: Centenary₂
definition:
Centenary

Cen"te*na*ry
n.
pl. Centenaries (_;).
1.
The aggregate of a hundred single things; specifically, a century.
centenary
Hakewill.

2.
A commemoration or celebration of an event which occurred a hundred years before.


word: Centennial
definition:
Centennial

Cen*ten"ni*al
(?)
a.
[L. centum a hundred + annus year.]
1.
Relating to, or associated with, the commemoration of an event that happened a hundred years before; as, a centennial ode.

2.
Happening once in a hundred years; as, centennial jubilee; a centennial celebration.

3.
Lasting or aged a hundred years.

That opened through long lines
Of sacred ilex and centennial pines.
Longfellow.


word: Centennial₂
definition:
Centennial

Cen*ten"ni*al
n.
The celebration of the hundredth anniversary of any event; a centenary.
[U. S.]


word: Centennial State
definition:
Centennial State

Centennial State
Colorado; -- a nickname alluding to the fact that it was admitted to the Union in the centennial year, 1876.


word: center
definition:
center

cen"ter
(sĕn"tẽr)
n.
[F. centre, fr. L. centrum, fr. Gr. ke`ntron any sharp point, the point round which a circle is described, fr. kentei^n to prick, goad.]
1.
A point equally distant from the extremities of a line, figure, or body, or from all parts of the circumference of a circle; the middle point or place.

2.
The middle or central portion of anything.

3.
A principal or important point of concentration; the nucleus around which things are gathered or to which they tend; an object of attention, action, or force; as, a center of attraction.

4.
The earth.
[Obs.]
Shak.

5.
Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who support the existing government. They sit in the middle of the legislative chamber, opposite the presiding officer, between the conservatives or monarchists, who sit on the right of the speaker, and the radicals or advanced republicans who occupy the seats on his left, See Right, and Left.

6.
(Arch.)
A temporary structure upon which the materials of a vault or arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting.

7.
(Mech.)
(a)
One of the two conical steel pins, in a lathe, etc., upon which the work is held, and about which it revolves.
(b)
A conical recess, or indentation, in the end of a shaft or other work, to receive the point of a center, on which the work can turn, as in a lathe.

&hand_; In a lathe the live center is in the spindle of the head stock; the dead center is on the tail stock. Planer centers are stocks carrying centers, when the object to be planed must be turned on its axis.

Center of an army, the body or troops occupying the place in the line between the wings. -- Center of a curve or Center of a surface (Geom.) (a) A point such that every line drawn through the point and terminated by the curve or surface is bisected at the point. (b) The fixed point of reference in polar coordinates. See Coordinates. -- Center of curvature of a curve (Geom.), the center of that circle which has at any given point of the curve closer contact with the curve than has any other circle whatever. See Circle. -- Center of a fleet, the division or column between the van and rear, or between the weather division and the lee. -- Center of gravity (Mech.), that point of a body about which all its parts can be balanced, or which being supported, the whole body will remain at rest, though acted upon by gravity. -- Center of gyration (Mech.), that point in a rotating body at which the whole mass might be concentrated (theoretically) without altering the resistance of the intertia of the body to angular acceleration or retardation. -- Center of inertia (Mech.), the center of gravity of a body or system of bodies. -- Center of motion, the point which remains at rest, while all the other parts of a body move round it. -- Center of oscillation, the point at which, if the whole matter of a suspended body were collected, the time of oscillation would be the same as it is in the actual form and state of the body. -- Center of percussion, that point in a body moving about a fixed axis at which it may strike an obstacle without communicating a shock to the axis. -- Center of pressure (Hydros.), that point in a surface pressed by a fluid, at which, if a force equal to the whole pressure and in the same line be applied in a contrary direction, it will balance or counteract the whole pressure of the fluid.


word: Centre
definition:
Centre

Center

{ Cen"ter, Cen"tre  }
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Centered or Centred (sĕn"tẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Centering or Centring.]
1.
To be placed in a center; to be central.

2.
To be collected to a point; to be concentrated; to rest on, or gather about, as a center.

Where there is no visible truth wherein to center, error is as wide as men's fancies.
Dr. H. More.

Our hopes must center in ourselves alone.
Dryden.


word: Centre₂
definition:
Centre

Center

{ Cen"ter , Cen"tre  }
(?)
v. t.
1.
To place or fix in the center or on a central point.
Milton.

2.
To collect to a point; to concentrate.

Thy joys are centered all in me alone.
Prior.

3.
(Mech.)
To form a recess or indentation for the reception of a center.


word: Centrebit
definition:
Centrebit

Centerbit

{ Cen"ter*bit`, Cen"tre*bit`, }
n.
An instrument turning on a center, for boring holes. See Bit, n., 3.


word: Centreboard
definition:
Centreboard

Centerboard

{ Cen"ter*board`, Cen"tre*board, }
(sĕn"tẽr*b&omacrrd`)
n.
(Naut.)
A retractable or sliding keel used on sailboats, formed of a broad board or slab of wood or metal which may be raised into a water-tight case amidships, when in shallow water, or may be lowered to increase the area of lateral resistance and prevent drifting to leeward when the vessel is beating to windward. It is used in vessels of all sizes along the coast of the United States

Syn. -- centreboard, drop keel, sliding keel.


word: centered
definition:
centered

centered
(sĕn"tẽrd)
adj.
1.
being or placed in the center.

2.
concentrated on or clustered around a central point or purpose.

Syn. -- centred, centralized, focused.


word: centerfield
definition:
centerfield

center field

cen"ter*field", cen"ter field"
(sĕn"tẽr*fēld")
n.
(Baseball)
The part of the outfield directly ahead of the catcher.

Syn. -- center.


word: Centrepiece
definition:
Centrepiece

Centerpiece

{ Cen"ter*piece`, Cen"tre*piece`  }
(sĕn"tẽr*pēs`)
n.
1.
An ornament to be placed in the center, as of a table, ceiling, atc.; a central article or figure.

2.
Specifically:
An arrangement of flowers placed in the center of a table as an ornament while dining.

3.
The central or most important feature of an activity, plan, or object; as, the centerpiece of her campaign was a proposal to slash taxes.


word: Centre punch
definition:
Centre punch

Center punch

{ Center punch, or Centre punch }
(Mech.)
(a)
A punch for making indentations or dots in a piece of work, as for suspension between lathe centers, etc.
(b)
A punch for punching holes in sheet metal, having a small conical center to insure correct locating.


word: Centre seal
definition:
Centre seal

Center seal

{ Cen"ter seal, or Cen"tre seal,}
(Gas Manuf.)
A compound hydraulic valve for regulating the passage of the gas through a set of purifiers so as to cut out each one in turn for the renewal of the lime.


word: center seal
definition:
center seal

centre seal

{Center seal, Centre seal }
(Gas Manuf.)
A compound hydraulic valve for regulating the passage of the gas through a set of purifiers so as to cut out each one in turn for the renewal of the lime.


word: Centesimal
definition:
Centesimal

Cen*tes"i*mal
(?)
a.
[L. centesimus the hundredth, fr. centum a hundred: cf. F. centésimal.]
Hundredth.
n. A hundredth part.

The neglect of a few centesimals.
Arbuthnot.


word: Centesimation
definition:
Centesimation

Cen*tes`i*ma"tion
(?)
n.
[L. centesimore to take out or select every hundredth, fr. centesimus hundredth.]
(Mil.)
The infliction of the death penalty upon one person in every hundred, as in cases of mutiny.


word: Centesimo
definition:
Centesimo

Cen*tes"i*mo
(sĕn"tĕs"ĭ*mo̝)
n.
pl. -mi (sĕn"tĕs"ĭ*mē).
[It. & Sp.]
A copper coin of Italy and Spain equivalent to a centime.


word: Centicipitous
definition:
Centicipitous

Cen`ti*cip"i*tous
(?)
a.
[L. centiceps, -cipitis; centum a hunder + caput head.]
Hundred-headed.


word: Centifidous
definition:
Centifidous

Cen*tif"i*dous
(?)
a.
[L. centifidus; centum + findere to split.]
Divided into a hundred parts.


word: Centifolious
definition:
Centifolious

Cen`ti*fo"li*ous
(?)
a.
[L. centifolius; centum + folium leaf.]
Having a hundred leaves.


word: Centigrade
definition:
Centigrade

Cen"ti*grade
(?)
a.
[L. centum a hundred + gradus degree: cf. F. centigrade.]
Consisting of a hundred degrees; graduated into a hundred divisions or equal parts.
Specifically:
Of or pertaining to the centigrade thermometer; as, 10° centigrade (or 10° C.).  In measurements, abreviated C.

Centigrade thermometer, a thermometer having the zero or 0 at the point indicating the freezing state of water, and the distance between that and the point indicating the boiling state of water divided into one hundred degrees.  It is called also the Celsius thermometer, from Anders Celsius, the originator of this scale.  Measurements are reported as ° C.


word: Centigramme
definition:
Centigramme

Centigram

{ Cen"ti*gram (?), Cen"ti*gramme (?), }
n.
[F. centigramme; centi- (L. centum) + gramme.  See Gram.]
The hundredth part of a gram; a mass equal to .15432 of a grain.  See 3rd Gram.


word: Centilitre
definition:
Centilitre

Centiliter

{ Cen"ti*li`ter, Cen"ti*li`tre  }
(?)
n.
[F. centilitre; centi (L. centum) + litre. See Liter.]
The hundredth part of a liter; a measure of volume or capacity equal to a little more than six tenths (0.6102) of a cubic inch, or one third (0.338) of a fluid ounce.


word: Centiloquy
definition:
Centiloquy

Cen*til"o*quy
(?)
n.
[L. centum hundred + logui to speak.]
A work divided into a hundred parts.
[R.]
Burton.


word: Centime
definition:
Centime

Cen`time"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. centesimus. See Centesimal.]
(F. Coinage)
The hundredth part of a franc; a small French copper coin and money of account.


word: Centimetre
definition:
Centimetre

Centimeter

{ Cen"ti*me`ter, Cen"ti*me`tre  }
(?)
n.
[F. centimètre; centi- (L. centum) + mètre. See Meter.]
The hundredth part of a meter; a measure of length equal to rather more than thirty-nine hundredths (0.3937) of an inch. See Meter.


word: Centinody
definition:
Centinody

Cen*tin"o*dy
(?)
n.
[L. centum a hundred + nodus knot: cf. F. centinode.]
(Bot.)
A weed with a stem of many joints (Illecebrum verticillatum); also, the Polygonum aviculare or knotgrass.


word: Centipede
definition:
Centipede

Cen"ti*pede
(?)
n.
[L. centipeda; centum a hundred + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. centipède.]
(Zool.)
A species of the Myriapoda; esp. the large, flattened, venomous kinds of the order Chilopoda, found in tropical climates. they are many-jointed, and have a great number of feet.
[Formerly also chi`lioi centiped (_;).]


word: Centistere
definition:
Centistere

Cen"ti*stere
(?)
n.
[F. centistère; centi- (l. centum) + stère.]
The hundredth part of a stere, equal to 0.353 cubic feet.


word: Centner
definition:
Centner

Cent"ner
(?)
n.
[Cf. G. centner a hundred-weight, fr. L. centenarius of a hundred, fr. centum a hundred.]
1.
(Metal. & Assaying)
A weight divisible first into a hundred parts, and then into smaller parts.

&hand_; The metallurgists use a weight divided into a hundred equal parts, each one pound; the whole they call a centner: the pound is divided into thirty-two parts, or half ounces; the half ounce into two quarters; and each of these into two drams.  But the assayers use different weights. With them a centner is one dram, to which the other parts are proportioned.

2.
The commercial hundredweight in several of the continental countries, varying in different places from 100 to about 112 pounds.


word: Cento
definition:
Cento

Cen"to
(?)
n.
pl. Centos (#).
[L. cento a garment of several pieces sewed together, patchwork, a poem made up of various verses of another poem.]
A literary or a musical composition formed by selections from different authors disposed in a new order.


word: Centonism
definition:
Centonism

Cen"to*nism
(?)
n.
The composition of a cento; the act or practice of composing a cento or centos.


word: Central
definition:
Central

Cen"tral
(?)
a.
[L. centralis, fr. centrum: cf. F. central. See Center.]
Relating to the center; situated in or near the center or middle; containing the center; of or pertaining to the parts near the center; equidistant or equally accessible from certain points.

Central force (Math.), a force acting upon a body towards or away from a fixed or movable center. -- Center sun (Astron.), a name given to a hypothetical body about which Mädler supposed the solar system together with all the stars in the Milky Way, to be revolving. A point near Alcyone in the Pleiades was supposed to possess characteristics of the position of such a body.


word: Centrale
definition:
Centrale

Central

{ Cen"tral (?), &VerbarCen*tra"le (?), }
n.
[NL. centrale, fr. L. centralis.]
(Anat.)
The central, or one of the central, bones of the carpus or or tarsus. In the tarsus of man it is represented by the navicular.


word: Centralism
definition:
Centralism

Cen"tral*ism
(?)
n.
1.
The state or condition of being central; the combination of several parts into one whole; centralization.

2.
The system by which power is centralized, as in a government.


word: Centrality
definition:
Centrality

Cen*tral"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Centralities (_;).
The state of being central; tendency towards a center.

Meantime there is a great centrality, a centripetence equal to the centrifugence.
R. W. Emerson.


word: Centralization
definition:
Centralization

Cen`tral*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. centralisation.]
The act or process of centralizing, or the state of being centralized; the act or process of combining or reducing several parts into a whole; as, the centralization of power in the general government; the centralization of commerce in a city.


word: Centralize
definition:
Centralize

Cen"tral*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Centralized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Centralizing.]
[Cf. F. centraliser.]
To draw or bring to a center point; to gather into or about a center; to bring into one system, or under one control.

[To] centralize the power of government.
Bancroft.


word: centralized
definition:
centralized

centralized
adj.
1.
drawn toward a center or brought under the control of a central authority; as, centralized control of emergency relief efforts; centralized government.  Opposite of decentralized.

2.
concentrated on or clustered around a central point or purpose; -- contrasting with distributed.

Syn. -- centered, centred, focused.


word: centralizing
definition:
centralizing

centralizing
adj. prenom.
causing to concentrate at a center.  Opposite of decentralizing.
centripetal, unifying(prenominal)


word: central nervous system
definition:
central nervous system

central nervous system
n.
the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord; -- abbreviated CNS.

Syn. -- CNS.


word: Centranthus
definition:
Centranthus

Centranthus
n.
a genus of southern European herbs and subshrubs.

Syn. -- genus Centranthus.


word: centrarchid
definition:
centrarchid

centrarchid
n.
any of a group of small carnivorous freshwater percoid fishes of North America usually having a laterally compressed body and metallic luster: crappies; black bass; bluegills; pumpkinseed.

Syn. -- sunfish.


word: Centrarchidae
definition:
Centrarchidae

Centrarchidae
n.
a natural family of fish comprising the sunfishes.  See sunfish.

Syn. -- family Centrarchidae.


word: Centrical
definition:
Centrical

Centric

{ Cen"tric (?), Cen"tric*al (?), }
a.
Placed in the center or middle; central; situated at or near a center.

At York or some other centrical place.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Centrifugal
definition:
Centrifugal

Cen*trif"u*gal
(?)
a.
[L. centrum center + fugere to flee.]
1.
Tending, or causing, to recede from the center.

2.
(Bot.)
(a)
Expanding first at the summit, and later at the base, as a flower cluster.
(b)
Having the radicle turned toward the sides of the fruit, as some embryos.

Centrifugal force (Mech.), a force whose direction is from a center.

&hand_; When a body moves in a circle with uniform velocity, a force must act on the body to keep it in the circle without change of velocity. The direction of this force is towards the center of the circle. If this force is applied by means of a string to the body, the string will be in a state of tension. To a person holding the other end of the string, this tension will appear to be directed toward the body as if the body had a tendency to move away from the center of the circle which it is describing. Hence this latter force is often called centrifugal force. The force which really acts on the body being directed towards the center of the circle is called centripetal force, and in some popular treatises the centripetal and centrifugal forces are described as opposing and balancing each other. But they are merely the different aspects of the same stress.
Clerk Maxwell.

Centrifugal impression (Physiol.), an impression (motor) sent from a nerve center outwards to a muscle or muscles by which motion is produced. -- Centrifugal machine, A machine for expelling water or other fluids from moist substances, or for separating liquids of different densities by centrifugal action; a whirling table. -- Centrifugal pump, a machine in which water or other fluid is lifted and discharged through a pipe by the energy imparted by a wheel or blades revolving in a fixed case. Some of the largest and most powerful pumps are of this kind.


word: Centrifugal filter
definition:
Centrifugal filter

Cen*trif"u*gal fil"ter
A filter, as for sugar, in which a cylinder with a porous or foraminous periphery is rapidly rotated so as to drive off liquid by centrifugal action.


word: centrifugate
definition:
centrifugate

centrifugate
v. t.
to drive out; to subject to the action of a centrifuge.

Syn. -- centrifuge.


word: centrifuge
definition:
centrifuge

centrifuge
n.
an apparatus having containers for liquids arrayed around a central pivot and rotated at a high speed, thus generating centrifugal force on the liquid, and separating substances (such as particles of solid or globules of an immiscible liquid) mixed together in suspension within the liquid.  Suspensions which would settle only very slowly or not at all under gravity can be made to separate quickly in such a device.
The containers for holding the liquid  in a centrifuge are held in a metal frame called the head or trunnion.  The solid material collected at teh bottom of the liquid container is called the pellet. A centrifuge designed to run at very high speeds and thus generate very high centrifugal force is called an ultracentrifuge.

Syn. -- extractor, separator.


word: centrifuge₂
definition:
centrifuge

centrifuge
v. t.
1
to drive out; to subject to the action of a centrifuge.

Syn. -- centrifugate.


word: centrifuge out
definition:
centrifuge out

centrifuge out
v. t.
to separate (particles in a suspension) from a liquid by centrifugation.

Syn. -- centrifugate.


word: Centrifugence
definition:
Centrifugence

Cen*trif"u*gence
(?)
n.
The property or quality of being centrifugal.
R. W. Emerson.


word: centriole
definition:
centriole

centriole
n.
(Biol.)
one of two small cylindrical cell organelles composes of nine triplet microtubules, which form the asters during mitosis.


word: Centripetal
definition:
Centripetal

Cen*trip"e*tal
(?)
a.
[L. centrum center + petere to move toward.]
1.
Tending, or causing, to approach the center.

2.
(Bot.)
(a)
Expanding first at the base of the inflorescence, and proceeding in order towards the summit.
(b)
Having the radicle turned toward the axis of the fruit, as some embryos.

3.
Progressing by changes from the exterior of a thing toward its center; as, the centripetal calcification of a bone.
R. Owen.

Centripetal force (Mech.), a force whose direction is towards a center, as in case of a planet revolving round the sun, the center of the system, See Centrifugal force, under Centrifugal. -- Centripetal impression (Physiol.), an impression (sensory) transmitted by an afferent nerve from the exterior of the body inwards, to the central organ.


word: Centriscoid
definition:
Centriscoid

Cen*tris"coid
(?)
a.
[NL. Centriscus (r. Gr. _; a kind of fish) + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Allied to, or resembling, the genus Centriscus, of which the bellows fish is an example.


word: Centrobaric
definition:
Centrobaric

Cen`tro*bar"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. (_;) _; a treatise of Archimedes on finding the center of gravity, fr. _; gravitating toward the center; _; center + _; weight.]
Relating to the center of gravity, or to the process of finding it.

Centrobaric method (Math.), a process invented for the purpose of measuring the area or the volume generated by the rotation of a line or surface about a fixed axis, depending upon the principle that every figure formed by the revolution of a line or surface about such an axis has for measure the product of the line or surface by the length of the path of its center of gravity; -- sometimes called theorem of Pappus, also, incorrectly, Guldinus's properties. See Barycentric calculus, under Calculus.


word: Centrode
definition:
Centrode

Cen"trode
(sĕn"tr&omacrd)
n.
(Kinematics)
In two figures having relative motion, one of the two curves which are the loci of the instantaneous center.


word: Centroid
definition:
Centroid

Cen"troid
(sĕn"troid)
n.
[L. centrum + -oid.]
The center of mass, inertia, or gravity of a body or system of bodies.


word: centrolecithal
definition:
centrolecithal

cen`tro*lec"i*thal
(sĕn`tro̝*lĕs"ĭ*thal)
a.
[Gr. ke`ntron center + le`kiqos yolk of an egg.]
(Biol.)
Having the food yolk placed at the center of the ovum, segmentation being either regular or unequal.
Balfour.


word: centrolinead
definition:
centrolinead

cen`tro*lin"e*ad
(sĕn`tro̝*lĭn"e̝*ăd)
n.
An instrument for drawing lines through a point, or lines converging to a center.


word: Centrolineal
definition:
Centrolineal

Cen`tro*lin"e*al
(sĕn`tro̝*lĭn"e̝*al)
a.
[L. centrum + linea line.]
Converging to a center; -- applied to lines drawn so as to meet in a point or center.


word: centromere
definition:
centromere

centromere
n.
(Biol.)
a specialized condensed region of a chromosomes that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape.


word: centromeric
definition:
centromeric

centromeric
adj.
(Biol.)
pertaining to the centromere, the dense specialized portion of a chromosome to which the spindle attaches during mitosis.


word: Centropomidae
definition:
Centropomidae

Centropomidae
n.
a natural family of fishes comprising the robalos (also called snooks).

Syn. -- family Centropomidae.


word: Centropomus
definition:
Centropomus

Centropomus
n.
the type genus of the Centropomidae, comprising the snooks, and including Centropomus undecimalis, a large bony sport fish also esteemed as food.

Syn. -- genus Centropomus.


word: Centrospermae
definition:
Centrospermae

Centrospermae
n.
used in former classification systems; approximately synonymous with order Caryophyllales.

Syn. -- group Centrospermae.


word: Centrosome
definition:
Centrosome

Cen"tro*some`
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; center + -_; the body.]
(Biol.)
A peculiar rounded body lying near the nucleus of a cell. It is regarded as the dynamic element by means of which the machinery of cell division is organized.


word: Centrosphere
definition:
Centrosphere

Cen"tro*sphere
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; centre + sphere.]
1.
(Geol.)
The nucleus or central part of the earth, forming most of its mass; -- disting. from lithosphere, hydrosphere, etc.

2.
(Biol.)
The central mass of an aster from which the rays extend and within which the centrosome lies when present; the attraction sphere. The name has been used both as excluding and including the centrosome, and also to designate a modified mass of protoplasm about a centrosome whether aster rays are developed or not.


word: Centrostaltic
definition:
Centrostaltic

Cen`tro*stal"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; center + _; checking.]
(Physiol.)
A term applied to the action of nerve force in the spinal center.
Marshall Hall.


word: Centrum
definition:
Centrum

Cen"trum
(?)
n.
pl. E. Centrums (#), L. Centra (#).
[L., center.]
(Anat.)
The body, or axis, of a vertebra. See Vertebra.


word: Centumvir
definition:
Centumvir

Cen*tum"vir
(?)
n.
pl. Centumviri (#).
[L., fr. centum hundred + Vir man.]
(Rom. Hist.)
One of a court of about one hundred judges chosen to try civil suits. Under the empire the court was increased to 180, and met usually in four sections.


word: Centumviral
definition:
Centumviral

Cen*tum"vi*ral
(?)
a.
[L. centumvitalis.]
Of or pertaining to the centumviri, or to a centumvir.


word: Centumvirate
definition:
Centumvirate

Cen*tum"vi*rate
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. centumvirat.]
The office of a centumvir, or of the centumviri.


word: Centuple
definition:
Centuple

Cen"tu*ple
(?)
a.
[L. centuplex; centum + plicare to fold; cf. F. centuple.]
Hundredfold.


word: Centuplicate
definition:
Centuplicate

Cen*tu"pli*cate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Centuplicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Centuplicating.]
[L. centuplicare. See Centuple, a.]
To make a hundredfold; to repeat a hundred times.
[R.]
Howell.


word: Centurial
definition:
Centurial

Cen*tu"ri*al
(?)
a.
[L. See Century.]
Of or pertaining to a century; as, a centurial sermon.
[R.]


word: Centuriate
definition:
Centuriate

Cen*tu"ri*ate
(?)
a.
[L. centuriatus, p. p. of centuriare to divide (men) into centuries.]
Pertaining to, or divided into, centuries or hundreds.
[R.]
Holland.


word: Centurist
definition:
Centurist

Centuriator

{ Cen*tu"ri*a`tor (?), Cen"tu*rist (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. centuriateur.]
An historian who distinguishes time by centuries, esp. one of those who wrote the “Magdeburg Centuries.” See under Century.
[R.]


word: Centurion
definition:
Centurion

Cen*tu"ri*on
(?)
n.
[L. centurio, fr. centuria; cf. F. centurion. See Century.]
(Rom. Hist.)
A military officer who commanded a minor division of the Roman army; a captain of a century.

A centurion of the hand called the Italian band.
Acts x. 1.


word: Century
definition:
Century

Cen"tu*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Centuries (#).
[L. centuria (in senses 1 & 3), fr. centum a hundred: cf. F. centurie. See Cent.]
1.
A hundred; as, a century of sonnets; an aggregate of a hundred things.
[Archaic.]

And on it said a century of prayers.
Shak.

2.
A period of a hundred years; as, this event took place over two centuries ago.

&hand_; Century, in the reckoning of time, although often used in a general way of any series of hundred consecutive years (as, a century of temperance work), usually signifies a division of the Christian era, consisting of a period of one hundred years ending with the hundredth year from which it is named; as, the first century (a. d. 1-100 inclusive); the seventh century (a.d. 601-700); the eighteenth century (a.d. 1701-1800). With words or phrases connecting it with some other system of chronology it is used of similar division of those eras; as, the first century of Rome (A.U.C.  1-100).

3.
(Rom. Antiq.)
(a)
A division of the Roman people formed according to their property, for the purpose of voting for civil officers.
(b)
One of sixty companies into which a legion of the army was divided. It was Commanded by a centurion.

Century plant (Bot.), the Agave Americana, formerly supposed to flower but once in a century; -- hence the name. See Agave. -- The Magdeburg Centuries, an ecclesiastical history of the first thirteen centuries, arranged in thirteen volumes, compiled in the 16th century by Protestant scholars at Magdeburg.


word: Ceorl
definition:
Ceorl

Ceorl
(kĕôrl or chẽrl)
n.
[AS. See Churl, n.]
(O. Eng. Hist.)
A freeman of the lowest class; one not a thane or of the servile classes; a churl.


word: Cepaceous
definition:
Cepaceous

Ce*pa"ceous
(?)
a.
[L. cepa, caepa, onion.]
Of the nature of an onion, as in odor; alliaceous.


word: Cepevorous
definition:
Cepevorous

Ce*pev"o*rous
(?)
a.
[L. cepa an onion + varare to devour.]
Feeding upon onions.
[R.]
Sterling.


word: Cephalad
definition:
Cephalad

Ceph"a*lad
(?)
adv.
[Gr. kefalh` head + L. ad toward.]
(Zool.)
Forwards; towards the head or anterior extremity of the body; opposed to caudad.


word: Cephalalgy
definition:
Cephalalgy

Cephalalgia

{ &VerbarCeph`a*lal"gi*a (?), Ceph"a*lal`gy (?), }
n.
[L. cephalalgia, Gr. _;; _; + _; pain: cf. F. céphalalgie.]
(Med.)
Pain in the head; headache.


word: Cephalalgic
definition:
Cephalalgic

Ceph`a*lal"gic
(?)
a.
[L. cephalalgicus, Gr. _;.]
(Med.)
Relating to, or affected with, headache.
n. A remedy for the headache.


word: Cephalaspis
definition:
Cephalaspis

Ceph`a*las"pis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head + _; a shield.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of fossil ganoid fishes found in the old red sandstone or Devonian formation. The head is large, and protected by a broad shield-shaped helmet prolonged behind into two lateral points.


word: Cephalata
definition:
Cephalata

Ceph`a*la"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head.]
(Zool.)
A large division of Mollusca, including all except the bivalves; -- so called because the head is distinctly developed. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Cephalic
definition:
Cephalic

Ce*phal"ic
(?)
a.
[L. cephalicus, Gr. _;, fr. kefalh` head: cf. F. céphalique.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the head. See the Note under Anterior.

Cephalic index (Anat.), the ratio of the breadth of the cranium to the length, which is taken as the standard, and equal to 100; the breadth index. -- Cephalic vein, a large vein running from the back of the head alond the arm; -- so named because the ancients used to open it for disorders of the head. Dunglison.


word: cephalin
definition:
cephalin

ceph"a*lin
(kĕf"ȧ*lĭn)
n.
[Gr. kefalh` the head; it was supposed by Thudichum to exist in brain tissue.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
One of a group of phospholipids (nitrogenous phosphorized fatty substances), present in all living cells and particularly evident in nervous tissue.  The cephalins consist of glycerol phosphate in which the two free hydroxyls of the glycerol are esterified with fatty acids, and the phosphate forms an ester linkage to the hydroxyl of ethanolamine.  The phosphate may be linked to the alpha (end) or beta (middle) hydroxyl of the glycerol portion. The natural isomers are of the alpha form, and have the general formula R.O.CH2.CHOR′.CH2.O.PO2.O.CH2.CH2.NH2, where R and R′ are the acyl residues of long-chain fatty acids, which may be the same or different.
[Also spelled kephalin.]

Syn. -- phosphatidylethanolamine.


word: Cephalism
definition:
Cephalism

Ceph"a*lism
(?)
n.
[Gr. kefalh` head.]
(Anthropol.)
Form or development of the skull; as, the races of man differ greatly in cephalism.


word: Cephalization
definition:
Cephalization

Ceph`a*li*za"tion
(?)
n.
Domination of the head in animal life as expressed in the physical structure; localization of important organs or parts in or near the head, in animal development.
Dana.


word: Cephalo
definition:
Cephalo

Ceph"a*lo
(?)
[Gr. kefalh` head.]
A combining form denoting the head, of the head, connected with the head; as, cephalosome, cephalopod.


word: Cephalocercal
definition:
Cephalocercal

Ceph`a*lo*cer"cal
(?)
a.
[Cephalo- + Gr. ke`rkos tail.]
(Zool.)
Relating to the long axis of the body.


word: Cephalomere
definition:
Cephalomere

Ceph"a*lo*mere
(?)
n.
[Cephalo- + -mere.]
(Zool.)
One of the somites (arthromeres) which make up the head of arthropods.
Packard.


word: Cephalometer
definition:
Cephalometer

Ceph`a*lom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Cephalo- + -meter.]
(Med.)
An instrument measuring the dimensions of the head of a fetus during delivery.


word: Cephalometry
definition:
Cephalometry

Ceph`a*lom"e*try
(?)
n.
(Anthropometry)
The measurement of the heads of living persons.
Ceph`a*lo*met"ric (#),a.


word: Cephalophora
definition:
Cephalophora

Ceph`a*loph"o*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head + fe`rein to bear.]
(Zool.)
The cephalata.


word: Cephalopode
definition:
Cephalopode

Cephalopod

{ Ceph"a*lo*pod (sĕf"ȧ*lo̝*p&obreve_;d), Ceph"a*lo*pode (sĕf"ȧ*lo̝*p&omacrd) }
n.
(Zool.)
One of the Cephalopoda.


word: Cephalopoda
definition:
Cephalopoda

Ceph`a*lop"o*da
(sĕf`ȧ*l&obreve_;p"o̝*dȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., gr. Gr. kefalh` head + -poda: cf. F. céphalopode.]
(Zool.)
The highest class of Mollusca.

&hand_; They have, around the front of the head, a group of elongated muscular arms, which are usually furnished with prehensile suckers or hooks.  The head is highly developed, with large, well organized eyes and ears, and usually with a cartilaginous brain case.  The higher forms, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopi, swim rapidly by ejecting a jet of water from the tubular siphon beneath the head.  They have a pair of powerful horny jaws shaped like a parrot's beak, and a bag of inklike fluid which they can eject from the siphon, thus clouding the water in order to escape from their enemies.  They are divided into two orders, the Dibranchiata, having two gills and eight or ten sucker-bearing arms, and the Tetrabranchiata, with four gills and numerous arms without suckers.  The latter are all extinct except the Nautilus. See Octopus, Squid, Nautilus.


word: Cephalopodous
definition:
Cephalopodous

Cephalopodic

{ Ceph`a*lo*pod"ic (sĕf`ȧ*lo̝*p&obreve_;d"ĭk), Ceph`a*lop"o*dous (?), }
a.
(Zool.)
Belonging to, or resembling, the cephalopods.


word: Cephaloptera
definition:
Cephaloptera

Ceph`a*lop"te*ra
(sĕf`ȧ*l&obreve_;p"te̝*rȧ)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head + ptero`n wing.]
(Zool.)
One of the generic names of the gigantic ray (Manta birostris) of the family Mobulidae, known as devilfish, sea devil, manta and manta ray.  It is common on the coasts of South Carolina, Florida, and farther south, and is sometimes found as far north as New York Bay.  Some of them grow to enormous size, becoming twenty feet of more across the body, and weighing more than a ton.


word: Cephalosome
definition:
Cephalosome

Ceph"a*lo*some
(sĕf"ȧ*lo̝*s&omacrm
n.
[Cephalo- + -some body.]
(Zool.)
The anterior region or head of insects and other arthropods.
Packard.


word: Cephalosporin
definition:
Cephalosporin

Ceph"a*lo*spor`in
(sĕf"ȧ*lo̝*sp&omacrr`ĭn)
n.
[from Cephalosporium, a fungus producing the first of the series discovered.]
(Chem.)
any of a class of chemical substances, some of which have therapeutically useful antibacterial activity, whose structure contains a beta-lactam ring fused to a six-membered ring containing a sulfur and a nitrogen atom.  The first of the series, cephalosporin C, was discovered by G. Brotzu in 1955 in the culture broth of a Cephalosporium species found off the coast of Sardinia.  Other cephalosporins have been found to be produced by species of soil bacteria (actinomycetes).  Many semisynthetic analogs have been tested for antibacterial effect, and several of them have found use as important clinically useful antibacterial agents, some of which may be taken orally for treatment of bacterial infections.  The cephalosporins are the second class of beta-lactam antibiotic to be discovered, the first being the penicillins and more recent classes being the thienamycins and sulfazecins.  The cephamycins are a variant of cephalosporins with a methoxyl group on the beta-lactam ring, rendering them more resistant to penicillinases.  Among the cephalosporins which have been found clinically useful are cephalexin, cephaloridine, and cephalothin.


word: Cephalostyle
definition:
Cephalostyle

Ceph"a*lo*style
(sĕf"ȧ*lo̝*stīl)
n.
[Cephalo- + Gr. sty^los a pillar.]
(Anat.)
The anterior end of the notochord and its bony sheath in the base of cartilaginous crania.


word: Cephalothorax
definition:
Cephalothorax

Ceph`a*lo*tho"rax
(?)
n.
[Cephalo- + thorax.]
(Zool.)
The anterior portion of any one of the Arachnida and higher Crustacea, consisting of the united head and thorax.


word: Cephalotome
definition:
Cephalotome

Ceph"a*lo*tome
(?)
n.
[Cephalo- + Gr. _; to cut.]
(Med.)
An instrument for cutting into the fetal head, to facilitate delivery.


word: Cephalotomy
definition:
Cephalotomy

Ceph`a*lot"o*my
(?)
n.
1.
Dissection or opening of the head.

2.
(Med.)
Craniotomy; -- usually applied to bisection of the fetal head with a saw.


word: Cephalotribe
definition:
Cephalotribe

Ceph"a*lo*tribe
(?)
n.
[Cephalo- + Gr. to rub, grind.]
An obstetrical instrument for performing cephalotripsy.


word: Cephalotripsy
definition:
Cephalotripsy

Ceph"a*lo*trip`sy
(?)
n.
[See Cephalotribe.]
(Med.)
The act or operation of crushing the head of a fetus in the womb in order to effect delivery.


word: Cephalotrocha
definition:
Cephalotrocha

Ceph`a*lot"ro*cha
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head + _; wheel.]
(Zool.)
A kind of annelid larva with a circle of cilia around the head.


word: Cephalous
definition:
Cephalous

Ceph"a*lous
(?)
a.
[Gr. kefalh` head.]
(Zool.)
Having a head; -- applied chiefly to the Cephalata, a division of mollusks.


word: Cepheus
definition:
Cepheus

Ce"pheus
(?)
n.
(Astron.)
A northern constellation near the pole. Its head, which is in the Milky Way, is marked by a triangle formed by three stars of the fourth magnitude. See Cassiopeia.


word: CER
definition:
CER

CER
n.
a conditioned emotional response, an emotional response that has been acquired by conditioning.
[acronym]

Syn. -- conditioned emotional response, conditioned emotion.


word: Ceraceous
definition:
Ceraceous

Ce*ra"ceous
(?)
a.
[L. cera wax.]
Having the texture and color of new wax; like wax; waxy.


word: Ceramic
definition:
Ceramic

Ce*ram"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; earthenware. Cf. Keramic.]
Of or pertaining to pottery; relating to the art of making earthenware; as, ceramic products; ceramic ornaments for ceilings.


word: Ceramics
definition:
Ceramics

Ce*ram"ics
(?)
n.
[See Ceramic.]
1.
The art of making things of baked clay; as pottery, tiles, etc.

2.
pl.
Work formed of clay in whole or in part, and baked; as, vases, urns, etc.
Knight.


word: Cerargyrite
definition:
Cerargyrite

Ce*rar"gy*rite
(se̝*rär"j&ybreve_;*rīt)
n.
[Gr. ke`ras horn + 'a`rgyros silver.]
(Min.)
Native silver chloride, a mineral of a white to pale yellow or gray color, darkening on exposure to the light. It may be cut by a knife, like lead or horn (hence called horn silver).


word: ceras
definition:
ceras

ceras
n.
one of the often brightly colored and branching hornlike structures on the backs of nudibranchs and other related mollusks that serve as gills.


word: Cerastium
definition:
Cerastium

Cerastium
n.
a genus of weedy plants of the pink family, comprising the mouse-ear chickweeds.

Syn. -- genus Cerastium.


word: Cerasin
definition:
Cerasin

Cer"a*sin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A white amorphous substance, the insoluble part of cherry gum; -- called also meta-arabinic acid.

2.
(Chem.)
A gummy mucilaginous substance; -- called also bassorin, tragacanthin, etc.


word: Cerastes
definition:
Cerastes

Ce*ras"tes
(?)
n.
[L., a horned serpent, fr. Gr. kera`sths horned, fr. ke`ras horn.]
(Zool.)
A genus of poisonous African serpents, with a horny scale over each eye; the horned viper.


word: Cerate
definition:
Cerate

Ce"rate
(?)
n.
[L. ceratum, ceratm, fr. cera wax.]
(Med.)
An unctuous preparation for external application, of a consistence intermediate between that of an ointment and a plaster, so that it can be spread upon cloth without the use of heat, but does not melt when applied to the skin.

&hand_; Cerate consists essentially of wax (for which resin or spermaceti is sometimes substituted) mixed with oil, lard, and various medicinal ingredients. The cerate (formerly called simple cerate) of the United States Pharmacopoeia is a mixture of three parts of white wax and seven parts of lard.


word: Ceratine
definition:
Ceratine

Cer"a*tine
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; the fallacy called “the horns.” fr. ke`ras a horn.]
(Lagic.)
Sophistical.


word: Ceratobranchia
definition:
Ceratobranchia

Cer`a*to*bran"chi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, ke`ratos, horn + _;, n. pl., gills.]
(Zool.)
A group of nudibranchiate Mollusca having on the back papilliform or branched organs serving as gills.


word: Ceratobranchial
definition:
Ceratobranchial

Cer`a*to*bran"chi*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Pertaining to the bone, or cartilage, below the epibranchial in a branchial arch.
n. A ceratobranchial bone, or cartilage.


word: Ceratodus
definition:
Ceratodus

Ce*rat"o*dus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, ke`ratos horn + _; tooth.]
(Zool.)
A genus of ganoid fishes, of the order Dipnoi, first known as Mesozoic fossil fishes; but recently two living species have been discovered in Australian rivers. They have lungs so well developed that they can leave the water and breathe in air. In Australia they are called salmon and baramunda. See Dipnoi, and Archipterygium.


word: Ceratohyal
definition:
Ceratohyal

Cer`a*to*hy"al
(?)
a.
[Gr. ke`ras horn + the letter Υ.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to the bone, or cartilage, below the epihyal in the hyoid arch.
n. A ceratohyal bone, or cartilage, which, in man, forms one of the small horns of the hyoid.


word: Ceratophyllaceae
definition:
Ceratophyllaceae

Ceratophyllaceae
n.
a natural family coextensive with the genus Ceratophyllum; the hornworts.

Syn. -- family Ceratophyllaceae.


word: Ceratophyllum
definition:
Ceratophyllum

Ceratophyllum
n.
the sole genus constituting the family Ceratophyllaceae; the hornworts.

Syn. -- genus Ceratophyllum.


word: Ceratopogonidae
definition:
Ceratopogonidae

Ceratopogonidae
n.
a natural family of insects including the biting midges and sand flies.

Syn. -- family Ceratopogonidae.


word: Ceratopsia
definition:
Ceratopsia

Ceratopsia
n.
a suborder of extinct animals including triceratops.

Syn. -- suborder Ceratopsia.


word: ceratopsian
definition:
ceratopsian

ceratopsian
n.
any of several four-footed herbivorous horned dinosaurs with enormous beaked skulls, of the late Cretaceous in North America and Mongolia.

Syn. -- horned dinosaur.


word: Ceratopsidae
definition:
Ceratopsidae

Ceratopsidae
n.
an extinct family of American ceratopsian dinosaurs.

Syn. -- family Ceratopsidae.


word: Ceratosaurus
definition:
Ceratosaurus

Cer`a*to*sau"rus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras a horn + _; lizard.]
(Paleon.)
A swift-running bipedal carnivorous American Jurassic dinosaur allied to the European Megalosaurus. The animal was nearly twenty feet in length, and the skull bears a bony short horn between the nostrils on the united nasal bones. See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Ceratospongiae
definition:
Ceratospongiae

Cer`a*to*spon"gi*æ
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, ke`ratos horn + _; sponge.]
(Zool.)
An order of sponges in which the skeleton consists of horny fibers. It includes all the commercial sponges.


word: ceratozamia
definition:
ceratozamia

ceratozamia
n.
(Bot.)
a small cycad of the genus Ceratozamia having a short scaly woody trunk and fernlike foliage and woody cones; Mexico.


word: Ceraunics
definition:
Ceraunics

Ce*rau"nics
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; thunder and lightning.]
That branch of physics which treats of heat and electricity.
R. Park.


word: Ceraunoscope
definition:
Ceraunoscope

Ce*rau"no*scope
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; thunder and lightning + -scope.]
An instrument or apparatus employed in the ancient mysteries to imitate thunder and lightning.
T. Moore.


word: Cerberean
definition:
Cerberean

Cer*be"re*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to, or resembling, Cerberus.
[Written also Cerberian.]

With wide Cerberean mouth.
Milton.


word: Cerberus
definition:
Cerberus

Cer"be*rus
(?)
n.
[L. Cerberus (in sense 1), gr. _;.]

1.
(Class. Myth.)
A monster, in the shape of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.

2.
(Zool.)
A genus of East Indian serpents, allied to the pythons; the bokadam.


word: Cercaria
definition:
Cercaria

Cer*ca"ri*a
(?)
n.
pl. Cercarle (_;)
[NL., fr. Gr. ke`rkos tail.]
(Zool.)
The larval form of a trematode worm having the shape of a tadpole, with its body terminated by a tail-like appendage.


word: Cercarian
definition:
Cercarian

Cer*ca"ri*an
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Of, like, or pertaining to, the Cercariæ.
n. One of the Cercariæ.


word: Cercopidae
definition:
Cercopidae

Cercopidae
n.
a natural family comprising the froghoppers or spittlebugs.

Syn. -- family Cercopidae.


word: Cercopithecidae
definition:
Cercopithecidae

Cercopithecidae
n.
a natural family of Old World monkeys including the guenon, baboon, colobus monkey, langur, macaque, mandrill, mangabey, patas, and proboscis monkey.

Syn. -- family Cercopithecidae.


word: Cercopithecus
definition:
Cercopithecus

Cercopithecus
n.
type genus of the Cercopithecidae, consisting of one genus of guenons.

Syn. -- genus Cercopithecus.


word: Cercopod
definition:
Cercopod

Cer"co*pod
(?)
n.
[Gr. ke`rkos tail + -pod.]
(Zool.)
One of the jointed antenniform appendages of the posterior somites of certain insects.
Packard.


word: Cercospora
definition:
Cercospora

Cercospora
n.
form genus of imperfect fungi that are leaf parasites with long slender spores.

Syn. -- genus Cercospora.


word: Cercosporella
definition:
Cercosporella

Cercosporella
n.
form genus of imperfect fungi lacking pigment in the spores and conidiophores.

Syn. -- genus Cercosporella.


word: Cere
definition:
Cere

Cere
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax: cf. F. cire.]
(Zool.)
The soft naked sheath at the base of the beak of birds of prey, parrots, and some other birds. See Beak.


word: Cere₂
definition:
Cere

Cere
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cering.]
[L. cerare, fr. cera wax: cf. F. cirer.]
To wax; to cover or close with wax.
Wiseman.


word: Cereal
definition:
Cereal

Ce"re*al
(?)
a.
[L. Cerealis pert. to Ceres, and hence, to agriculture. See Ceres.]
Of or pertaining to the grasses which are cultivated for their edible seeds (as wheat, maize, rice, etc.), or to their seeds or grain.


word: Cereal₂
definition:
Cereal

Ce"re*al
n.
Any grass cultivated for its edible grain, or the grain itself; -- usually in the plural.


word: Cerealia
definition:
Cerealia

Ce`re*a"li*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L. See Cereal.]

1.
(Antiq.)
Public festivals in honor of Ceres.

2.
The cereals.
Crabb.


word: Cerealin
definition:
Cerealin

Ce"re*a*lin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous substance closely resembling diastase, obtained from bran, and possessing the power of converting starch into dextrin, sugar, and lactic acid.
Watts.


word: Cerebellous
definition:
Cerebellous

Cerebellar

{ Cer`e*bel"lar (?), Cer`e*bel"lous (?), }
a.
(Anat.)
of or pertaining to the cerebellum; as, the cerebellar artery.


word: Cerebellum
definition:
Cerebellum

Cer`e*bel"lum
(?)
n.
pl. E. Cerebellums (_;), L. Cerebella (_;)
[L., dim. of cerebrum brain.]
(Anat.)
The large lobe of the hind brain in front of and above the medulla; the little brain. It controls combined muscular action. See Brain.


word: Cerebral
definition:
Cerebral

Cer"e*bral
(?)
a.
[L. cerebrum brain; akin to Gr. ka`ra head: cf. F. cérébral. See Cheer.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the cerebrum.

Cerebral apoplexy. See under Apoplexy.


word: Cerebral₂
definition:
Cerebral

Cer"e*bral
n.
[A false translation of the Skr. mūrdhanya, lit., head-sounds.]
One of a class of lingual consonants in the East Indian languages. See Lingual, n.

&hand_; Prof. W. D. Whitney calls these letters linguals, and this is their usual designation in the United States.


word: Cerebralism
definition:
Cerebralism

Cer"e*bral*ism
(?)
n.
(Philos.)
The doctrine or theory that psychical phenomena are functions or products of the brain only.


word: Cerebrate
definition:
Cerebrate

Cer"e*brate
(?)
v. i.
(Physiol.)
To exhibit mental activity; to have the brain in action.


word: Cerebric
definition:
Cerebric

Cer"e*bric
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the brain.

Cerebric acid (Physiol. Chem.), a name formerly sometimes given to cerebrin.


word: Cerebrifugal
definition:
Cerebrifugal

Cer`e*brif"u*gal
(?)
a.
[Cerebrum + L. fugere to flee.]
(Physiol.)
Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the brain to the spinal cord, and so transfer cerebral impulses (centrifugal impressions) outwards.


word: Cerebrin
definition:
Cerebrin

Cer"e*brin
(?)
n.
[From Cerebrum.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A nonphosphorized, nitrogenous substance, obtained from brain and nerve tissue by extraction with boiling alcohol. It is uncertain whether it exists as such in nerve tissue, or is a product of the decomposition of some more complex substance.


word: Cerebripetal
definition:
Cerebripetal

Cer`e*brip"e*tal
(?)
a.
[Cerebrum + L. petere to seek.]
(Physiol.)
Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the spinal cord to the brain and so transfer sensations (centripetal impressions) from the exterior inwards.


word: Cerebritis
definition:
Cerebritis

Cer`e*bri"tis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. E. cerebrum + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the cerebrum.


word: Cerebroid
definition:
Cerebroid

Cer"e*broid
(?)
a.
[Cerebrum + -oid.]
Resembling, or analogous to, the cerebrum or brain.


word: Cerebrology
definition:
Cerebrology

Cer`e*brol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Cerebrum + -logy.]
The science which treats of the cerebrum or brain.


word: Cerebropathy
definition:
Cerebropathy

Cer`e*brop"a*thy
(?)
n.
[Cerebrum + Gr. _; suffering.]
(Med.)
A hypochondriacal condition verging upon insanity, occurring in those whose brains have been unduly taxed; -- called also brain fag.


word: Cerebroscopy
definition:
Cerebroscopy

Cer`e*bros"co*py
(?)
n.
[Cerebrum + -scopy.]
(Med.)
Examination of the brain for the diagnosis of disease; esp., the act or process of diagnosticating the condition of the brain by examination of the interior of the eye (as with an ophthalmoscope).
Buck.


word: Cerebrose
definition:
Cerebrose

Cer`e*brose"
(?)
n.
[From Cerebrum.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A sugarlike body obtained by the decomposition of the nitrogenous non-phosphorized principles of the brain.


word: Cerebro-spinal
definition:
Cerebro-spinal

Cer`e*bro-spi"nal
(?)
a.
[Cerebrum + spinal.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebro-spinal fluid (Physiol.), a serous fluid secreted by the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. -- Cerebro-spinal meningitis, Cerebro-spinal fever (Med.), a dangerous epidemic, and endemic, febrile disease, characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, giving rise to severe headaches, tenderness of the back of the neck, paralysis of the ocular muscles, etc. It is sometimes marked by a cutaneous eruption, when it is often called spotted fever. It is not contagious.


word: Cerebrum
definition:
Cerebrum

Cer"e*brum
(?)
n.
pl. E. Cerebrums (#), L. Cerebra (#).
[L., the brain.]
(Anat.)
The anterior, and in man the larger, division of the brain; the seat of the reasoning faculties and the will. See Brain.


word: Cerecloth
definition:
Cerecloth

Cere"cloth`
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax + E. cloth.]
A cloth smeared with melted wax, or with some gummy or glutinous matter.

Linen, besmeared with gums, in manner of cerecloth.
Bacon.


word: Cerement
definition:
Cerement

Cere"ment
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax: cf. F. cirement.]
(a)
A cerecloth used for the special purpose of enveloping a dead body when embalmed.
(b)
Any shroud or wrapping for the dead.


word: Ceremonial
definition:
Ceremonial

Cer`e*mo"ni*al
(?)
a.
[L. caerimonialis: cf. F. cérimonial. See Ceremony.]
1.
Relating to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites.

Ceremonial observances and outward show.
Hallam.

2.
Observant of forms; ceremonious. [In this sense ceremonious is now preferred.]
Donne.

He moves in the dull ceremonial track.
Druden.


word: Ceremonial₂
definition:
Ceremonial

Cer`e*mo"ni*al
n.
1.
A system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law, or established by custom, in religious worship, social intercourse, or the courts of princes; outward form.

The gorgeous ceremonial of the Burgundian court.
Prescott.

2.
The order for rites and forms in the Roman Catholic church, or the book containing the rules prescribed to be observed on solemn occasions.


word: Ceremonially
definition:
Ceremonially

Cer`e*mo"ni*al*ly
adv.
According to rites and ceremonies; as, a person ceremonially unclean.


word: Ceremonious
definition:
Ceremonious

Cer`e*mo"ni*ous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. cérémonieux, L. Caerimoniosus.]
1.
Consisting of outward forms and rites; ceremonial. [In this sense ceremonial is now preferred.]

The ceremonious part of His worship.
South.

2.
According to prescribed or customary rules and forms; devoted to forms and ceremonies; formally respectful; punctilious.
Ceremonious
Addison.

Too ceremonious and traditional.
Shak.


word: Ceremony
definition:
Ceremony

Cer"e*mo*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Ceremonies (#).
[F. cérémonie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.]
1.
Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies.

According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover].
Numb. ix. 3

Bring her up the high altar, that she may
The sacred ceremonies there partake.
Spenser.

[The heralds] with awful ceremony
And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim
A solemn council.
Milton.

2.
Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority.

Ceremony was but devised at first
To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . 
But where there is true friendship there needs none.
Shak.

Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them.
Chesterfield.

3.
A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc.
[Obs.]

Disrobe the images,
If you find them decked with ceremonies.
 . . . Let no images
Be hung with Cæsar's trophies.
Shak.

4.
A sign or prodigy; a portent.
[Obs.]

Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet, now they fright me.
Shak.

Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion. -- Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.


word: Ceres
definition:
Ceres

Ce"res
(?)
n.
[L., Ceres, also corn, grain, akin to E. create.]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
The daughter of Saturn and Ops or Rhea, the goddess of corn and tillage.

2.
(Actron.)
The first discovered asteroid.


word: Ceresin
definition:
Ceresin

Cer"e*sin
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax.]
(Chem.)
A white wax, made by bleaching and purifying ozocerite, and used as a substitute for beeswax.


word: Cereus
definition:
Cereus

Ce"re*us
(?)
n.
[L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named from the resemblance of one species to the columnar shape of a wax candle.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives of America, from California to Chili.

&hand_; Although several species flower in the night, the name Night-blooming cereus is specially applied to the Cereus grandiflorus, which is cultivated for its beautiful, shortlived flowers. The Cereus giganteus, whose columnar trunk is sometimes sixty feet in height, is a striking feature of the scenery of New Mexico, Texas, etc.


word: Cerevis
definition:
Cerevis

Cer"e*vis
(sĕr"e̝*vĭs; G. tsĕr`ẽ*vēs")
n.
[G., fr. L. cerevisia, cervisia, beer.]
A small visorless cap, worn by members of German student corps. It is made in the corps colors, and usually bears the insignia of the corps.


word: Ceria
definition:
Ceria

Ce"ri*a
(sē"rĭ*ȧ)
n.
(Chem.)
Cerium oxide, CeO2, a white infusible substance constituting about one per cent of the material of the common incandescent mantle.


word: Cerin
definition:
Cerin

Ce"rin
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax + -in: cf. L. cerinus wax-colored.]
1.
(Chem.)
A waxy substance extracted by alcohol or ether from cork; sometimes applied also to the portion of beeswax which is soluble in alcohol.
Watts.

2.
(Min.)
A variety of the mineral allanite.


word: Cerinthian
definition:
Cerinthian

Ce*rin"thi*an
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of an ancient religious sect, so called from Cerinthus, a Jew, who attempted to unite the doctrines of Christ with the opinions of the Jews and Gnostics.
Hook.


word: Ceriph
definition:
Ceriph

Cer"iph
(?)
n.
(Type Founding)
One of the fine lines of a letter, esp. one of the fine cross strokes at the top and bottom of letters.
[Spelt also seriph.]
Savage.


word: Cerise
definition:
Cerise

Ce*rise"
(?)
a.
[F., a cherry. See Cherry.]
Cherry-colored; a light bright red; -- applied to textile fabrics, especially silk.


word: Cerite
definition:
Cerite

Ce"rite
(?)
n.
[Gr. ke`ras horn.]
(Zool.)
A gastropod shell belonging to the family Cerithiïdæ; -- so called from its hornlike form.


word: Cerite₂
definition:
Cerite

Ce"rite
n.
[From Cherium.]
(Min.)
A mineral of a brownish of cherry-red color, commonly massive. It is a hydrous silicate of cerium and allied metals.


word: Cerium
definition:
Cerium

Ce"ri*um
(?)
n.
[Named by Berzelius in 1803 from the asteroid Ceres, then just discovered (1801).]
(Chem.)
A rare metallic element, occurring in the minerals cerite, allanite, monazite, etc.  Symbol Ce.  Atomic weight 141.5. It resembles iron in color and luster, but is soft, and both malleable and ductile. It tarnishes readily in the air.


word: Cernuous
definition:
Cernuous

Cer"nu*ous
(?)
a.
[L. cernuus with the face turned toward the earth.]
(Bot.)
Inclining or nodding downward; pendulous; drooping; -- said of a bud, flower, fruit, or the capsule of a moss.


word: Cero
definition:
Cero

Ce"ro
(?)
n.
[Corrupt. fr. Sp. sierra saw, sawfish, cero.]
(Zool.)
A large and valuable fish of the Mackerel family, of the genus Scomberomorus.  Two species are found in the West Indies and less commonly on the Atlantic coast of the United States, -- the common cero (Scomberomorus caballa), called also kingfish, and spotted, or king, cero (Scomberomorus regalis).


word: Cerographical
definition:
Cerographical

Cerographic

{ Ce`ro*graph"ic (?), Ce`ro*graph"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to cerography.


word: Cerography
definition:
Cerography

Ce*rog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Gr. khro`s wax + -graphy.]

1.
The art of making characters or designs in, or with, wax.

2.
A method of making stereotype plates from inscribed sheets of wax.


word: Cerolite
definition:
Cerolite

Cer"o*lite
(?)
n.
[Gr. khro`s wax + -lite.]
(Min.)
A hydrous silicate of magnesium, allied to serpentine, occurring in waxlike masses of a yellow or greenish color.


word: Ceroma
definition:
Ceroma

Ce*ro"ma
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _; ointment for wrestlers, the place for wrestling, fr. khroy^n to wax over, fr. khro`s wax.]
1.
The unguent (a composition of oil and wax) with which wrestlers were anointed among the ancient Romans.

2.
(Anc. Arch.)
That part of the baths and gymnasia in which bathers and wrestlers anointed themselves.

3.
(Zool.)
The cere of birds.


word: Ceromancy
definition:
Ceromancy

Cer"o*man`cy
(?)
n.
[Gr. khro`s wax + -mancy.]
Divination by dropping melted wax in water.


word: Ceroon
definition:
Ceroon

Ce*roon"
(?)
n.
[See Seroon.]
A bale or package. covered with hide, or with wood bound with hide; as, a ceroon of indigo, cochineal, etc.


word: Ceroplastic
definition:
Ceroplastic

Ce`ro*plas"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; for modeling in wax; khro`s wax + _; to form, mold.]
(Fine arts)
(a)
Relating to the art of modeling in wax.
(b)
Modeled in wax; as, a ceroplastic figure.


word: Ceroplasty
definition:
Ceroplasty

Ceroplastics

{ Ce`ro*plas"tics (?), Ce`ro*plas"ty (?), }
n.
[Gr. _; (sc. _; art): cf. F. céroplastique.]
The art of modeling in wax.


word: Cerosin
definition:
Cerosin

Cer"o*sin
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax.]
(Chem.)
A waxy substance obtained from the bark of the sugar cane, and crystallizing in delicate white laminæ.


word: Cerotene
definition:
Cerotene

Cer"o*tene
(?)
n.
[L. cerotum a pomade. See Cerate.]
(Chem.)
A white waxy solid obtained from Chinese wax, and by the distillation of cerotin.


word: Cerotic
definition:
Cerotic

Ce*rot"ic
(?)
a.
[See Cerotene.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax or Chinese wax; as, cerotic acid or alcohol.


word: Cerotin
definition:
Cerotin

Cer"o*tin
(?)
n.
[See Cerotene.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, C27H55.OH, obtained from Chinese wax, and regarded as an alcohol of the paraffin series; -- called also cerotic alcohol, ceryl alcohol.


word: Cerotype
definition:
Cerotype

Ce"ro*type`
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; wax + -type.]
A printing process of engraving on a surface of wax spread on a steel plate, for electrotyping.


word: Cerrial
definition:
Cerrial

Cer"ri*al
(?)
a.
[L. cerreus, fr. cerrus a kind of oak.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the cerris.

Chaplets green of cerrial oak.
Dryden.


word: Cerris
definition:
Cerris

Cer"ris
(?)
n.
[L. cerrus.]
(Bot.)
A species of oak (Quercus cerris) native in the Orient and southern Europe; -- called also bitter oak and Turkey oak.


word: Certain
definition:
Certain

Cer"tain
(?)
a.
[F. certain, fr. (assumed) LL. certanus, fr. L. certus determined, fixed, certain, orig. p. p. of cernere to perceive, decide, determine; akin to Gr. _; to decide, separate, and to E. concern, critic, crime, riddle a sieve, rinse, v.]
1.
Assured in mind; having no doubts; free from suspicions concerning.

To make her certain of the sad event.
Dryden.

I myself am certain of you.
Wyclif.

2.
Determined; resolved; -- used with an infinitive.

However, I with thee have fixed my lot,
Certain to undergo like doom.
Milton.

3.
Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.

The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Dan. ii. 45.

4.
Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.

Virtue that directs our ways
Through certain dangers to uncertain praise.
Dryden.

Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.
Shak.

5.
Unfailing; infallible.

I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper.
Mead.

6.
Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.

The people go out and gather a certain rate every day.
Ex. xvi. 4.

7.
Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; -- sometimes used independenty as a noun, and meaning certain persons.

It came to pass when he was in a certain city.
Luke. v. 12.

About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace und decorum.
Macaulay.

For certain, assuredly. -- Of a certain, certainly.


word: Certainty
definition:
Certainty

Cer"tain*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Certainties (#).
[OF. certaineté.]
1.
The quality, state, or condition, of being certain.

The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes.
Fisher Ames.

2.
A fact or truth unquestionable established.

Certainties are uninteresting and sating.
Landor.

3.
(Law)
Clearness; freedom from ambiguity; lucidity.

Of a certainty, certainly.


word: Certes
definition:
Certes

Cer"tes
(?)
adv.
[F. certes, for à certes, fr. L. certus. See Certain.]
Certainly; in truth; verily.
[Archaic]

Certes it great pity was to see
Him his nobility so foul deface.
Spenser.


word: Certhiidae
definition:
Certhiidae

Certhiidae
n.
a natural family of birds cosisting of several species of creepers, such as Certhia americana, the tree creeper.

Syn. -- family Certhiidae.


word: certifiable
definition:
certifiable

certifiable
adj.
1.
presenting symptoms of mental illness sufficient for legal commitment to a mental institution.

Syn. -- certified.

2.
capable of being guaranteed or certified: a certifiable fact.


word: Certificate
definition:
Certificate

Cer*tif"i*cate
(?)
n.
[F. certificat, fr. LL. certificatus made certain, p. p. of certificare. See tify.]
1.
A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, certificate of good behavior.

2.
A written declaration legally authenticated.

Trial by certificate, a trial which the testimony of the person certifying is the only proper criterion of the point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate of the proper officer in writing, under his seal. Blackstone.


word: Certificate₂
definition:
Certificate

Cer*tif"i*cate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Certificated; p. pr. & vb. n. Certificating.]
[See Certify.]

1.
To verify or vouch for by certificate.

2.
To furnish with a certificate; as, to certificate the captain of a vessel; a certificated teacher.


word: certificated
definition:
certificated

certificated
adj.
officially documented; -- of people.

Syn. -- credentialed, documented.


word: Certification
definition:
Certification

Cer`ti*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. certificatio: cf. F. certification.]
The act of certifying.


word: certified
definition:
certified

certified
adj.
1.
endorsed authoritatively as having met certain requirements; guranteed; as, certified milk; certified mail; a certified check.  Opposite of uncertified.
certificated, credentialed, documented
guaranteed
See also certifiable.

2.
legally insane according to clinical criteria.

Syn. -- certifiable.

3.
holding appropriate documentation and officially on record as qualified to perform a specified function or practice a specified skill.

Syn. -- qualified.


word: certified check
definition:
certified check

certified check
n.
a check drawn on a bank and bearing marks from that bank guaranteeing that funds have been reserved for payment.


word: Certify
definition:
Certify

Cer"ti*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Certified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Certifying.]
[F. certifier, LL. certificare; L. certus certain + facere to make. See Certain, and cf. Certificate, v. t.]
1.
To give cetain information to; to assure; to make certain.

We certify the king, that . . . thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
Ezra iv. 16.

2.
To give certain information of; to make certain, as a fact; to verify.
Hammond.

The industry of science at once certifies and greatly extends our knowledge of the vastness of the creation.
I. Taylor.

3.
To testify to in writing; to make a declaration concerning, in writing, under hand, or hand and seal.

The judges shall certify their opinion to the chancellor, and upon such certificate the decree is usually founded.
Blackstone.

Certified check, A bank check, the validity of which is certified by the bank on which it is drawn.


word: Certiorari
definition:
Certiorari

Cer`ti*o*ra"ri
(?)
n.
[So named from the emphatic word certiorari in the Latin form of the writ, which read certiorar volumus we wish to be certified.]
(Law)
A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of a inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice, or that errors and irregularities may be corrected. It is obtained upon complaint of a party that he has not received justice, or can not have an impartial trial in the inferior court.

&hand_; A certiorari is the correct process to remove the proceedings of a court in which cases are tried in a manner different from the course of the common law, as of county commissioners. It is also used as an auxiliary process in order to obtain a full return to some other process.
Bouvier.


word: Certitude
definition:
Certitude

Cer"ti*tude
(?)
n.
[LL. certitudo, fr. L. certus: cf. F.  certitude. See Certain.]
Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty.
J. H. Newman.


word: Cerulean
definition:
Cerulean

Ce*ru"le*an
(?)
a.
[L. caeruleus.]
Sky-colored; blue; azure.
Cowper.

Blue, blue, as if that sky let fall

A flower from its cerulean wall.
Bryant.


word: Cerulein
definition:
Cerulein

Ce*ru"le*in
(?)
n.
[L. caeruleus sky-blue.]
(Chem.)
A fast dyestuff, C20H8O6, made by heating gallein with strong sulphuric acid. It dyes mordanted fabrics green.


word: Cerulenin
definition:
Cerulenin

Ce`ru*len"in
(?)
n.
[isolated from Cephalosporium caerulens.]
(Chem.)
an antifungal antibiotic, C12H17NO3.  It inhibits the growth of yeasts by interfering with the synthesis of sterols and fatty acids.


word: Cerulescent
definition:
Cerulescent

Ce`ru*les"cent
(?)
a.
[L. caeruleus sky-blue + -escent.]
Tending to cerulean; light bluish.


word: Ceruleum
definition:
Ceruleum

Ce*ru"le*um
(?)
n.
[NL.]
A greenish blue pigment prepared in various ways, consisting essentially of cobalt stannate. Unlike other cobalt blues, it does not change color by gaslight.


word: Cerulific
definition:
Cerulific

Cer`u*lif"ic
(?)
a.
[L. caerulus dark blue + facere to make.]
Producing a blue or sky color.
[R.]


word: Cerumen
definition:
Cerumen

Ce*ru"men
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. cera wax.]
(Physiol.)
The yellow, waxlike secretion from the glands of the external ear; the earwax.


word: Ceruminous
definition:
Ceruminous

Ce*ru"mi*nous
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Pertaining to, or secreting, cerumen; as, the ceruminous glands.


word: Ceruse
definition:
Ceruse

Ce"ruse
(?)
n.
[F. céruse, L. cerussa.]
1.
White lead, used as a pigment. See White lead, under White.

2.
A cosmetic containing white lead.

To distinguish ceruse from natural bloom.
Macaulay.

3.
(Min.)
The native carbonate of lead.


word: Cerussite
definition:
Cerussite

Cerusite

{ Ce"ru*site (?), Ce"rus*site (?), }
n.
(Min.)
Native lead carbonate; a mineral occurring in colorless, white, or yellowish transparent crystals, with an adamantine, also massive and compact.


word: Cervelat
definition:
Cervelat

Cer"ve*lat
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Mus.)
An ancient wind instrument, resembling the bassoon in tone.


word: Cervical
definition:
Cervical

Cer"vi*cal
a.
[L. cervix, -icis, neck: cf. F. cervical.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the neck; as, the cervical vertebræ.


word: Cervicide
definition:
Cervicide

Cer"vi*cide
(?)
n.
[L. cervus deer + caedere to kill.]
The act of killing deer; deer-slaying.
[R.]


word: cervid
definition:
cervid

cervid
n.
any member of the family Cervidae, a type of deer distinguished from the Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers.

Syn. -- deer.


word: Cervidae
definition:
Cervidae

Cervidae
n.
a natural family of deer including the reindeer, moose, elks, muntjacs, and roe deer.

Syn. -- family Cervidae.


word: Cervine
definition:
Cervine

Cer"vine
(?)
a.
[L. cervinus, fr. cervus deer: cf. F. cervin.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the deer, or to the family Cervidæ.


word: Cervix
definition:
Cervix

Cer"vix
(?)
n.
pl. E. Cervixes (#), L. Cervices (#).
[L.]
(Anat.)
The neck; also, the necklike portion of any part, as of the womb. See Illust. of Bird.


word: Cervus
definition:
Cervus

Cer"vus
(?)
n.
[L., a deer.]
(Zool.)
A genus of ruminants, including the red deer and other allied species.

&hand_; Formerly all species of deer were included in the genus Cervus.


word: Ceryl
definition:
Ceryl

Ce"ryl
(?)
n.
[L. cera wax + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A radical, C27H55 supposed to exist in several compounds obtained from Chinese wax, beeswax, etc.


word: cesarian₂
definition:
cesarian

cesarean

cesarean, cesarian
n.
Same as cesarean section.

Syn. -- cesarean section, cesarian section, caesarean section, C-section, cesarean, caesarean.


word: cesarean section
definition:
cesarean section

cesarean section
n.
(Surg.)
the operation of taking a child from the womb by cutting through the walls of the abdomen and uterus; -- so called because Julius Cæsar is reported to have been brought into the world by such an operation; -- called also caesarean.

Syn. -- caesarean section, cesarian section, caesarian section, C-section, cesarean, cesarian.


word: cesium
definition:
cesium

cesium
n.
the chemical element of atomic number 55.  It is a univalent element, the most electropositive metal.  Symbol Cs; atomic weight 132.905.  IT has a melting point of 28.4° C.

Syn. -- caesium, Cs.


word: Cespitine
definition:
Cespitine

Ces"pi*tine
(?)
n.
[L. caespes, caespitis, a turf.]
An oil obtained by distillation of peat, and containing various members of the pyridine series.


word: Cespititious
definition:
Cespititious

Ces"pi*ti`tious
(?)
a.
[L. caespiticius, fr. caespes turf.]
Same as Cespitious.
[R.]
Gough.


word: Cespitose
definition:
Cespitose

Ces"pi*tose`
(?)
a.
[L. caespes turf.]
(Bot.)
Having the form a piece of turf, i. e., many stems from one rootstock or from many entangled rootstocks or roots.
[Written also cæspitose.]


word: Cespitous
definition:
Cespitous

Ces"pi*tous
(?)
a.
[See Cespitose.]
Pertaining to, consisting, of resembling, turf; turfy.

A cespitous or turfy plant has many stems from the same root, usually forming a close, thick carpet of matting.
Martyn.


word: Cess
definition:
Cess

Cess
(?)
n.
[For sess, conts. from Assess.]
1.
A rate or tax.
[Obs. or Prof. Eng. & Scot.]
Spenser.

2.
Bound; measure.
[Obs.]

The poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess.
Shak.


word: Cess₂
definition:
Cess

Cess
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Cessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cessing.]
To rate; to tax; to assess.
Spenser.


word: Cessant
definition:
Cessant

Ces"sant
(?)
a.
[L. cessans, p. pr. of cessare. See Cease.]
Inactive; dormant
[Obs.]
W. Montagu.


word: Cessation
definition:
Cessation

Ces*sa"tion
(sĕs*sā"shŭn)
n.
[F. cessation, L. cessatio, fr. cessare. See Cease.]
A ceasing or discontinuance, as of action, whether temporary or final; a stop; as, a cessation of the war.

The temporary cessation of the papal iniquities.
Motley.

The day was yearly observed for a festival by cessation from labor.
Sir J. Hayward.

Cessation of arms (Mil.), an armistice, or truce, agreed to by the commanders of armies, to give time for a capitulation, or for other purposes.


word: Cessavit
definition:
Cessavit

Ces*sa"vit
(?)
n.
[L., he has ceased.]
[O. Eng. Law]
A writ given by statute to recover lands when the tenant has for two years failed to perform the conditions of his tenure.


word: Cesser
definition:
Cesser

Ces"ser
(?)
n.
[From Cess, v. i.]
(Law)
a neglect of a tenant to perform services, or make payment, for two years.


word: Cessible
definition:
Cessible

Ces"si*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. cessible. See Cession.]
Giving way; yielding.
[Obs.]
Ces`si*bil"i*ty (#), n. [Obs.]
Sir K. Digby.


word: Cession
definition:
Cession

Ces"sion
(?)
n.
[L. cessio, fr. cedere to give way: cf. F. Cession. See Cede.]
1.
A yielding to physical force.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
Concession; compliance.
[Obs.]

3.
A yielding, or surrender, as of property or rights, to another person; the act of ceding.

A cession of the island of New Orleans.
Bancroft.

4.
(Eccl. Law)
The giving up or vacating a benefice by accepting another without a proper dispensation.

5.
(Civil Law)
The voluntary surrender of a person's effects to his creditors to avoid imprisonment.


word: Cessionary
definition:
Cessionary

Ces"sion*a*ry
(?)
a.
[LL. cessionarius, from cessionare to cede, fr. L. cessio: cf. F. cessionnaire. See Cession.]
Having surrendered the effects; as, a cessionary bankrupt.
Martin.


word: Cessor
definition:
Cessor

Ces"sor
(?)
n.
[From Cess, v. i. Cf. Cesser.]
(Law)
One who neglects, for two years, to perform the service by which he holds lands, so that he incurs the danger of the writ of cessavit. See Cessavit.
Cowell.


word: Cesspipe
definition:
Cesspipe

Cess"pipe`
(sĕs"pīp`)
n.
A pipe for carrying off waste water, etc., from a sink or cesspool.
Knight.


word: Cesspool
definition:
Cesspool

Cess"pool`
(-pōl`)
n.
[See Sesspol.]
A cistern in the course, or the termination, of a drain, to collect sedimentary or superfluous matter; a privy vault; any receptacle of filth.
[Written also sesspool.]


word: Cestidae
definition:
Cestidae

Cestidae
n.
A family of invertebrates coextensive with the order Cestida; ctenophores having a greatly flattened and elongated body.

Syn. -- family Cestidae.


word: Cestoda
definition:
Cestoda

Ces*tod"a
(sĕs*t&omacrd"ȧ)
prop. n.
[NL., gr. Gr. kesto`s girdle + -oid.]
(Zool.)
A subclass of parasitic worms of the class Cestoidea.  In some classifications, it is not differentiated from the parent class.


word: cestode
definition:
cestode

ces"tode
(sĕs"t&omacrd)
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Cestoidea.
n. One of the Cestoidea.


word: Cestoidea
definition:
Cestoidea

Ces*toid"e*a
(sĕs*toid"e̝*ȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., gr. Gr. kesto`s girdle + -oid.]
(Zool.)
A class of parasitic worms of the phylum Platyhelminthes (formerly Platelminthes) of which the tapeworms are the most common examples.  The body is flattened, and usually but not always long, and composed of numerous joints or segments, each of which may contain a complete set of male and female reproductive organs. They have neither mouth nor intestine. See Tapeworm.
[Written also Cestoidea.]

Syn. -- class Cestoidea, Cestoidea.


word: Cestraciont
definition:
Cestraciont

Ces*tra"ci*ont
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a kind of fish.]
(Zool.)
A shark of the genus Cestracion, and of related genera. The posterior teeth form a pavement of bony plates for crushing shellfish. Most of the species are extinct. The Port Jackson shark and a similar one found in California are living examples.


word: Cestus
definition:
Cestus

Ces"tus
(?)
n.
[L. cestus girdle, Gr. _;, lit., stitched, embroidered.]
1.
(Antiq.)
A girdle; particularly that of Aphrodite (or Venus) which gave the wearer the power of exciting love.

2.
(Zool.)
A genus of Ctenophora. The typical species (Cestus Veneris) is remarkable for its brilliant iridescent colors, and its long, girdlelike form.


word: Cestus₂
definition:
Cestus

Ces"tus
n.
[L. caestus, and cestus.]
(Antiq.)
A covering for the hands of boxers, made of leather bands, and often loaded with lead or iron.


word: Cestui
definition:
Cestui

Cestuy

{ &VerbarCes"tuy or &VerbarCes"tui (?), }
pron.
[Norm. F.]
(Law)
He; the one.

Cestuy que trust (_;) [norm. F.], a person who has the equitable and beneficial interest in property, the legal interest in which is vested in a trustee. Wharton. -- Cestuy que use (_;) [Norm. F.], a person for whose use land, etc., is granted to another.


word: Cetacea
definition:
Cetacea

Ce*ta"ce*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from L. cetus whale, Gr. _;.]
(Zool.)
An order of marine mammals, including the whales. Like ordinary mammals they breathe by means of lungs, and bring forth living young which they suckle for some time. The anterior limbs are changed to paddles; the tail flukes are horizontal. There are two living suborders:
(a)
The Mysticete or whalebone whales, having no true teeth after birth, but with a series of plates of whalebone [see Baleen.] hanging down from the upper jaw on each side, thus making a strainer, through which they receive the small animals upon which they feed.
(b)
The Denticete, including the dolphins and sperm whale, which have teeth. Another suborder (Zeuglodontia) is extinct. The Sirenia were formerly included in the Cetacea, but are now made a separate order.


word: Cetene
definition:
Cetene

Ce"tene
(?)
n.
[See Cete.]
(Chem.)
An oily hydrocarbon, C16H32, of the ethylene series, obtained from spermaceti.


word: Ceterach
definition:
Ceterach

Cet"e*rach
(?)
n.
[F. cétérac, fr. Ar. shetrak.]
(Bot.)
A species of fern with fronds (Asplenium Ceterach).


word: Cetewale
definition:
Cetewale

Cet"e*wale
(?)
n.
[OF. citoal, F. zedoaire. See Zedoary.]
Same as Zedoary.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Cetin
definition:
Cetin

Ce"tin
(?)
n.
[L. cetus whale.]
(Chem.)
A white, waxy substance, forming the essential part of spermaceti.


word: Cetology
definition:
Cetology

Ce*tol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; whale + -logy: cf. F. cétologie.]
The description or natural history of cetaceous animals.


word: Cetraric
definition:
Cetraric

Ce*trar"ic
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or derived from, the lichen, Iceland moss (Cetaria Islandica).

Cetraric acid. See Cetrarin.


word: Cetrarin
definition:
Cetrarin

Cet"ra*rin
(?)
n.
[From Cetraria Islandica, the scientific name of Iceland moss.]
(Chem.)
A white substance extracted from the lichen, Iceland moss (Cetraria Islandica). It consists of several ingredients, among which is cetraric acid, a white, crystalline, bitter substance.


word: Cetyl
definition:
Cetyl

Ce"tyl
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; whale + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A radical, C16H33, not yet isolated, but supposed to exist in a series of compounds homologous with the ethyl compounds, and derived from spermaceti.


word: Cetylic
definition:
Cetylic

Ce*tyl"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, spermaceti.

Cetylic alcohol (Chem.), a white, waxy, crystalline solid, obtained from spermaceti, and regarded as homologous with ordinary, or ethyl, alcohol; ethal; -- called also cetyl alcohol.


word: Ceylanite
definition:
Ceylanite

Cey"lan*ite
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Ceylan Ceylon.]
(Min.)
A dingy blue, or grayish black, variety of spinel. It is also called pleonaste.
[Written also ceylonite.]


word: Ceylon
definition:
Ceylon

Ceylon
n.
the former name of an island republic in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of India, now called Sri Lanka.  It is an independent nation with an area of 25,332 sq. mi. and a population of about 14 million people.

Syn. -- Sri Lanka.


word: Ceylonese
definition:
Ceylonese

Cey`lon*ese"
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Ceylon; -- since the change of name, replaced by Sri Lankan.
n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of Ceylon; -- since the change of name, replaced by Sri Lankan.


word: C. G. S.
definition:
C. G. S.

C. G. S.
An abbreviation for Centimeter, Gram, Second. -- applied to a system of units much employed in physical science, based upon the centimeter as the unit of length, the gram as the unit of weight or mass, and the second as the unit of time.


word: C. G. T.
definition:
C. G. T.

C. G. T.
An abbreviation for Confédération Générale du Travail (the French syndicalist labor union).


word: Cha
definition:
Cha

Cha
(chä)
n.
[Chin. ch‘a.]
[Also chaa, chais, tsia, etc.]
Tea; -- the Chinese (Mandarin) name, used generally in early works of travel, and now for a kind of rolled tea used in Central Asia.
A pot with hot water . . . made with the powder of a certain herb called chaa, which is much esteemed.
Tr. J. Van Linschoten's Voyages (1598).


word: Cabazite
definition:
Cabazite

Chabasite

{ Chab"a*site (kăb"ȧ*sīt), Cab"a*zite (kăb"ȧ*zīt), }
n.
[Gr. chabazi`os one of twenty species of stones mentioned in the poem Peri` li`qwn, ascribed to Orpheus.]
(Min.)
A mineral occuring in glassy rhombohedral crystals, varying in color from white to yellow or red. It is essentially a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime. Called also chabasie.


word: Chablis
definition:
Chablis

Cha*blis"
(shȧ*blē")
n.
[F.]
A white wine made near Chablis, a town in France.

2.
a white wine resembling Chablis{1}, but made elsewhere, as in California.


word: Chabuk
definition:
Chabuk

Chabouk

{ &VerbarCha*bouk", &VerbarCha*buk" (?), }
n.
[Hind. chābuk horsewhip.]
A long whip, such as is used in the East in the infliction of punishment.
Balfour.


word: cha-cha
definition:
cha-cha

cha-cha
n.
a modern ballroom dance from Latin America; it uses two slow steps followed by three quick small steps, with swaying movements of the hips, and has many variations of movements based on that rhythm.

Syn. -- cha-cha.


word: Chachalaca
definition:
Chachalaca

Cha`cha*la"ca
(?)
n.
[Native name, prob. given in imitation of its cry.]
(Zool.)
The Texan guan (Ortalis vetula).
[written also chiacalaca.]


word: Chack
definition:
Chack

Chack
(chăk)
v. i.
To toss up the head frequently, as a horse to avoid the restraint of the bridle.


word: Chacma
definition:
Chacma

Chac"ma
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
A large species of African baboon (Cynocephalus porcarius); -- called also ursine baboon. [See Illust. of Baboon.]


word: Chaconne
definition:
Chaconne

Cha*conne"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Sp. chacona.]
(Mus.)
An old Spanish dance in moderate three-four measure, like the Passacaglia, which is slower. Both are used by classical composers as themes for variations.


word: Chaenopsis
definition:
Chaenopsis

Chaenopsis
n.
a genus of clinid fishes consisting of the pikeblennies.

Syn. -- genus Chaenopsis.


word: Chaeronea
definition:
Chaeronea

Chaeronea
n.
(Greek antiquity)
either of two battles in ancient Greece, one in which Philip of Macedon defeated the Athenians and Thebans (338 BC), or another in which Sulla defeated Mithridates (86 BC).


word: chaeta
definition:
chaeta

chae"ta
(kē"tȧ)
n.
pl. chaetae (kē"tē)
[NL., fr. Gr. chai`th hair.]
(Zool.)
a stiff chitinous seta or bristle especially of an annelid worm.


word: Chaetetes
definition:
Chaetetes

Chæ*te"tes
(?)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. chai`th hair.]
(Zool.)
A genus of fossil corals, common in the lower Silurian limestones.


word: Chaetodont
definition:
Chaetodont

Chæ"to*dont
(?)
n.
[Gr. chai`th hair + _;, _;, tooth.]
(Zool.)
A marine fish of the family Chætodontidæ. The chætodonts have broad, compressed bodies, and usually bright colors.


word: Chaetodontidae
definition:
Chaetodontidae

Chaetodontidae
n.
a natural family comprising the butterfly fishes.

Syn. -- family Chaetodontidae.


word: chaetognath
definition:
chaetognath

chaetognath
n.
any worm of the Chaetognatha; transparent marine worm with horizontal lateral and caudal fins and a row of movable curved spines at each side of the mouth.

Syn. -- arrowworm.


word: Chaetognatha
definition:
Chaetognatha

Chaetognatha

Chae*tog"na*tha, &VerbarChæ*tog"na*tha
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; hair + _; jaw.]
(Zool)
a phylum consisting of the arrowworms, a group of small active transparent free-swimming marine worms, of which the genus Sagitta is the type. They have groups of curved spines on each side of the head.

Syn. -- phylum Chaetognatha.


word: Chaetopoda
definition:
Chaetopoda

Chæ*top"o*da
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; hair + -poda.]
(Zool.)
A very extensive order of Annelida (segmented worms), characterized by the presence of lateral setæ, or spines, on most or all of the segments.  They are divided into two principal groups: Oligochæta, including the earthworms and allied forms, and Polychæta, including most of the marine species.


word: Chaetotaxy
definition:
Chaetotaxy

Chæ"to*tax`y
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; hair + _; arrangement.]
(Zool.)
The arrangement of bristles on an insect.


word: Chafe
definition:
Chafe

Chafe
(chāf)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chafed (chāft); p pr. & vb. n. Chafing.]
[OE. chaufen to warm, OF. chaufer, F. chauffer, fr. L. calefacere, calfacere, to make warm; calere to be warm + facere to make. See Caldron.]
1.
To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm.

To rub her temples, and to chafe her skin.
Spenser.

2.
To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate.

Her intercession chafed him.
Shak.

3.
To fret and wear by rubbing; as, to chafe a cable.

Two slips of parchment which she sewed round it to prevent its being chafed.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Chafe₂
definition:
Chafe

Chafe
v. i.
To rub; to come together so as to wear by rubbing; to wear by friction.

Made its great boughs chafe together.
Longfellow.

The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores.
Shak.

2.
To be worn by rubbing; as, a cable chafes.

3.
To have a feeling of vexation; to be vexed; to fret; to be irritated.
Spenser.

He will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter.
Shak.


word: Chafe₃
definition:
Chafe

Chafe
n.
1.
Heat excited by friction.

2.
Injury or wear caused by friction.

3.
Vexation; irritation of mind; rage.

The cardinal in a chafe sent for him to Whitehall.
Camden.


word: Chafer
definition:
Chafer

Chaf"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who chafes.

2.
A vessel for heating water; -- hence, a dish or pan.

A chafer of water to cool the ends of the irons.
Baker.


word: Chafer₂
definition:
Chafer

Chaf"er
n.
[AS. ceafor; akin to D. kever, G këfer.]
(Zool.)
A kind of beetle; the cockchafer. The name is also applied to other species; as, the rose chafer.


word: Chafery
definition:
Chafery

Chaf"er*y
(?)
n.
[See Chafe, v. t.]
(Iron Works)
An open furnace or forge, in which blooms are heated before being wrought into bars.


word: Chaffwax
definition:
Chaffwax

Chafewax

{ Chafe"wax` (?), or Chaff"wax` (?), }
n.
(Eng. Law)
Formerly a chancery officer who fitted wax for sealing writs and other documents.


word: Chaff
definition:
Chaff

Chaff
(?)
n.
[AC. ceaf; akin to D. kaf, G. kaff.]

1.
The glumes or husks of grains and grasses separated from the seed by threshing and winnowing, etc.

So take the corn and leave the chaff behind.
Dryden.

Old birds are not caught with caff.
Old Proverb.

2.
Anything of a comparatively light and worthless character; the refuse part of anything.

The chaff and ruin of the times.
Shak.

3.
Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.

By adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it. In this way chaff is very useful.
Ywatt.

4.
Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.

5.
(Bot.)
The scales or bracts on the receptacle, which subtend each flower in the heads of many Compositæ, as the sunflower.
Gray.

Chaff cutter, a machine for cutting, up straw, etc., into “chaff” for the use of cattle.


word: Chaff₂
definition:
Chaff

Chaff
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Chaffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaffing.]
To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.


word: Chaff₃
definition:
Chaff

Chaff
v. t.
To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz.

Morgan saw that his master was chaffing him.
Thackeray.

A dozen honest fellows . . . chaffed each other about their sweethearts.
C. Kingsley.


word: Chaffer₂
definition:
Chaffer

Chaf"fer
(?)
n.
[OE. chaffare, cheapfare; AS. ceáp a bargain, price + faru a journey; hence, originally, a going to barain, to market. See Cheap, and Fare.]
Bargaining; merchandise.
[Obs.]
Holished.


word: Chaffer₃
definition:
Chaffer

Chaf"fer
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Chaffered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaffering.]
[OE. chaffaren, fr. chaffare, chapfare, cheapfare, a bargaining. See Chaffer, n.]

1.
To treat or dispute about a purchase; to bargain; to haggle or higgle; to negotiate.

To chaffer for preferments with his gold.
Dryden.

2.
To talk much and idly; to chatter.
Trench.


word: Chaffer₄
definition:
Chaffer

Chaf"fer
v. t.
1.
To buy or sell; to trade in.

He chaffered chairs in which churchmen were set.
Spenser.

2.
To exchange; to bandy, as words.
Spenser.


word: Chaffinch
definition:
Chaffinch

Chaf"finch
(?)
n.
[Cf. Chiff-chaff.]
(Zool.)
A bird of Europe (Fringilla cœlebs), having a variety of very sweet songs, and highly valued as a cage bird; -- called also copper finch.


word: Chaffing
definition:
Chaffing

Chaff"ing
(?)
n.
The use of light, frivolous language by way of fun or ridicule; raillery; banter.


word: Chaffy
definition:
Chaffy

Chaff"y
(?)
a.
1.
Abounding in, or resembling, chaff.

Chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail.
Coleridge.

2.
Light or worthless as chaff.

Slight and chaffy opinion.
Glanvill.

3.
(Bot.)
(a)
Resembling chaff; composed of light dry scales.
(b)
Bearing or covered with dry scales, as the under surface of certain ferns, or the disk of some composite flowers.


word: Chafing
definition:
Chafing

Chaf"ing
(?)
n.
[See Chafe, v. t.]
The act of rubbing, or wearing by friction; making by rubbing.

Chafing dish, a dish or vessel for cooking on the table, or for keeping food warm, either by coals, by a lamp, or by hot water; a portable grate for coals. -- Chafing gear (Naut.), any material used to protect sails, rigging, or the like, at points where they are exposed to friction.


word: Chagas' disease
definition:
Chagas' disease

Chagas' disease
n.
[Carlos Chagas, a physician in Brazil, 1879-1934]
a form of trypanosomiasis caused by infection with Trypamosoma cruzi, found principally in South America.  It is transmitted by certain species of reduviid bugs, and has natural reservoirs in dogs, armadillos, rodents and other domestic and wild mammals.
Stedman's Med. Dict.
Dorland's Illustr. Med. Dict.

Syn. -- South Amercian trypanosomiasis, Chagas-Cruz disease.


word: Chagres fever
definition:
Chagres fever

Cha"gres fe"ver
(?)
(Med.)
A form of malarial fever occurring along the Chagres River, Panama.


word: Chagrin
definition:
Chagrin

Cha*grin"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. chagrin shagreen, a particular kind of rough and grained leather; also a rough fishskin used for graters and files; hence (Fig.), a gnawing, corroding grief. See Shagreen.]
Vexation; mortification.

I must own that I felt rather vexation and chagrin than hope and satisfaction.
Richard Porson.

Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin.
Pope.


word: Chagrin₂
definition:
Chagrin

Cha*grin"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chagrined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chargrining.]
[Cf. F. chagriner See Chagrin, n.]
To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.


word: chagrined
definition:
chagrined

chagrined
adj.
feeling vexed, especially due to feeling inferior or unworthy and hence embarrassed; as, chagrined at the poor sales of his book.

Syn. -- embarrassed, mortified.


word: Chain
definition:
Chain

Chain
(chān)
n.
[F. chaîne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate.]
1.
A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc.

[They] put a chain of gold about his neck.
Dan. v. 29.

2.
That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.

Driven down
To chains of darkness and the undying worm.
Milton.

3.
A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas.

4.
(Surv.)
An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.

&hand_; One commonly in use is Gunter's chain, which consists of one hundred links, each link being seven inches and ninety-two one hundredths in length; making up the total length of rods, or sixty-six, feet; hence, a measure of that length; hence, also, a unit for land measure equal to four rods square, or one tenth of an acre.

5.
pl.
(Naut.)
Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

6.
(Weaving)
The warp threads of a web.
Knight.

Chain belt (Mach.), a belt made of a chain; -- used for transmitting power. -- Chain boat, a boat fitted up for recovering lost cables, anchors, etc. -- Chain bolt (a) (Naut.) The bolt at the lower end of the chain plate, which fastens it to the vessel's side. (b) A bolt with a chain attached for drawing it out of position. -- Chain bond. See Chain timber. -- Chain bridge, a bridge supported by chain cables; a suspension bridge. -- Chain cable, a cable made of iron links. -- Chain coral (Zool.), a fossil coral of the genus Halysites, common in the middle and upper Silurian rocks. The tubular corallites are united side by side in groups, looking in an end view like links of a chain. When perfect, the calicles show twelve septa. -- Chain coupling. (a) A shackle for uniting lengths of chain, or connecting a chain with an object. (b) (Railroad) Supplementary coupling together of cars with a chain. -- Chain gang, a gang of convicts chained together. -- Chain hook (Naut.), a hook, used for dragging cables about the deck. -- Chain mail, flexible, defensive armor of hammered metal links wrought into the form of a garment. -- Chain molding (Arch.), a form of molding in imitation of a chain, used in the Normal style. -- Chain pier, a pier suspended by chain. -- Chain pipe (Naut.), an opening in the deck, lined with iron, through which the cable is passed into the lockers or tiers. -- Chain plate (Shipbuilding), one of the iron plates or bands, on a vessel's side, to which the standing rigging is fastened. -- Chain pulley, a pulley with depressions in the periphery of its wheel, or projections from it, made to fit the links of a chain. -- Chain pumps. See in the Vocabulary. -- Chain rule (Arith.), a theorem for solving numerical problems by composition of ratios, or compound proportion, by which, when several ratios of equality are given, the consequent of each being the same as the antecedent of the next, the relation between the first antecedent and the last consequent is discovered. -- Chain shot (Mil.), two cannon balls united by a shot chain, formerly used in naval warfare on account of their destructive effect on a ship's rigging. -- Chain stitch. See in the Vocabulary. -- Chain timber. (Arch.) See Bond timber, under Bond. -- Chain wales. (Naut.) Same as Channels. -- Chain wheel. See in the Vocabulary. -- Closed chain, Open chain (Chem.), terms applied to the chemical structure of compounds whose rational formulæ are written respectively in the form of a closed ring (see Benzene nucleus, under Benzene), or in an open extended form. -- Endless chain, a chain whose ends have been united by a link.


word: Chain₂
definition:
Chain

Chain
v. t.
[imp. p. p. Chained (chānd); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaining.]
1.
To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.

Chained behind the hostile car.
Prior.

2.
To keep in slavery; to enslave.

And which more blest? who chained his country, say
Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day?
Pope.

3.
To unite closely and strongly.

And in this vow do chain my soul to thine.
Shak.

4.
(Surveying)
To measure with the chain.

5.
To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.


word: chained
definition:
chained

chained
adj.
bound with chains; as, prisoners chained together to prevent escape.

Syn. -- enchained, in chains(predicate).


word: chainlike
definition:
chainlike

chainlike
adj.
having a form resembling a chain; as, chainlike clusters of bacteria.

Syn. -- catenulate.


word: Chain pump
definition:
Chain pump

Chain" pump`
(?)
A pump consisting of an endless chain, running over a drum or wheel by which it is moved, and dipping below the water to be raised. The chain has at intervals disks or lifts which fit the tube through which the ascending part passes and carry the water to the point of discharge.


word: chains
definition:
chains

chains
(chāns)
n.
metal shackles connected by chains, used to bind hands or legs; as, he was kept two weeks in chains.

Syn. -- iron, irons, chain.


word: chainsaw
definition:
chainsaw

chain"saw`
(chān"s&asuml_;)
n.
a portable power saw having teeth that are linked to form an endless chain, rotated about two pivot points by a power mechanism, such as an electric motor or a gasoline engine.
They are used to efficiently cut trees, logs, or thick branches out  of doors.

Syn. -- chain saw.


word: Chain stitch
definition:
Chain stitch

Chain" stitch`
(?)
1.
An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; -- used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery.

2.
(Machine Sewing)
A stitch in which the looping of the thread or threads forms a chain on the under side of the work; the loop stitch, as distinguished from the lock stitch. See Stitch.


word: Chain wheel
definition:
Chain wheel

Chain" wheel`
(?)
1.
A chain pulley, or sprocket wheel.

2.
An inversion of the chain pump, by which it becomes a motor driven by water.


word: Chainwork
definition:
Chainwork

Chain"work`
(?)
n.
Work looped or linked after the manner of a chain; chain stitch work.


word: Chair
definition:
Chair

Chair
(châr)
n.
[OE. chaiere, chaere, OF. chaiere, chaere, F. chaire pulpit, fr. L. cathedra chair, armchair, a teacher's or professor's chair, Gr. _; down + _; seat, _; to sit, akin to E. sit. See Sit, and cf. Cathedral, chaise.]

1.
A movable single seat with a back.

2.
An official seat, as of a chief magistrate or a judge, but esp. that of a professor; hence, the office itself.

The chair of a philosophical school.
Whewell.

A chair of philology.
M. Arnold.

3.
The presiding officer of an assembly; a chairman; as, to address the chair.

4.
A vehicle for one person; either a sedan borne upon poles, or two-wheeled carriage, drawn by one horse; a gig.
Shak.

Think what an equipage thou hast in air,
And view with scorn two pages and a chair.
Pope.

5.
An iron block used on railways to support the rails and secure them to the sleepers.

Chair days, days of repose and age. -- To put into the chair, to elect as president, or as chairman of a meeting. Macaulay. -- To take the chair, to assume the position of president, or of chairman of a meeting.


word: Chair₂
definition:
Chair

Chair
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chaired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chairing.]
1.
To place in a chair.

2.
To carry publicly in a chair in triumph.
[Eng.]

3.
To function as chairperson of (a meeting, committee, etc.); as, he chaired the meeting.


word: Chairman
definition:
Chairman

Chair"man
(?)
n.
pl. Chairmen (_;)
1.
The presiding officer of a committee, or of a public or private meeting, or of any organized body.

2.
One whose business it is to cary a chair or sedan.

Breaks watchmen's heads and chairmen's glasses.
Prior.


word: chairperson
definition:
chairperson

chairperson
n.
the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization; -- same as chair{3} or chairman{1}, but used to achieve a sex-neutral register.

Syn. -- president, chairman, chairwoman, chair.


word: chairwoman
definition:
chairwoman

chairwoman
n.
a female officer who presides at the meetings of a committee, meeting, or organization; a female chairperson.

Syn. -- president, chairman, chair, chairperson.


word: Chaise
definition:
Chaise

Chaise
(shāz)
n.
[F. chaise seat, or chair, chaise or carriage, for chaire, from a peculiar Parisian pronunciation. See Chair.]
1.
A two-wheeled carriage for two persons, with a calash top, and the body hung on leather straps, or thorough-braces. It is usually drawn by one horse.

2.
Loosely
a carriage in general.
Cowper.


word: Chaja
definition:
Chaja

Cha"ja
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
The crested screamer of Brazil (Palamedea chavaria syn. Chauna chavaria), so called in imitation of its notes; -- called also chauna, and faithful kamichi. It is often domesticated and is useful in guarding other poultry. See Kamichi.


word: Chalaza
definition:
Chalaza

Cha*la"za
(?)
n.
pl. E. Chalazas, L. Chalazæ (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _; hail, pimple.]
1.
(Bot.)
The place on an ovule, or seed, where its outer coats cohere with each other and the nucleus.

2.
(Biol.)
A spiral band of thickened albuminous substance which exists in the white of the bird's egg, and serves to maintain the yolk in its position; the treadle.


word: Chalazion
definition:
Chalazion

Cha*la"zi*on
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; dim. of _; hail, pimple.]
(Med.)
A small circumscribed tumor of the eyelid caused by retention of secretion, and by inflammation of the Melbomian glands.


word: Chalazogamy
definition:
Chalazogamy

Chal`a*zog"a*my
(?)
n.
[Chalaza + -gamy, as in polygamy.]
(Bot.)
A process of fecundation in which the pollen tube penetrates to the embryosac through the tissue of the chalaza, instead of entering through the micropyle. It was originally discovered by Treub in Casuarina, and has since been found to occur regularly in the families Betulaceæ and Juglandaceæ. Partial chalazogamy is found in Ulmus, the tube here penetrating the nucleus midway between the chalaza and micropyle.
Chal`a*zo*gam"ic (#), a.


word: Chalcanthite
definition:
Chalcanthite

Chal*can"thite
(?)
n.
[L. chalcanthum a solution of blue vitriol, Gr. _;.]
(Min.)
Native blue vitriol. See Blue vitriol, under Blue.


word: Chalcedony
definition:
Chalcedony

Chal*ced"o*ny
(kăl*sĕd"o̝*n&ybreve_; or kăl"se̝*do̝*n&ybreve_;; 277)
n.
pl. Chalcedonies (-nĭz).
[ L. chalcedonius, fr. Gr. CHalkhdw`n Chalcedon, a town in Asia Minor, opposite to Byzantium: cf. calcédoine, OE. calcidoine, casidoyne. Cf. Cassidony.]
(Min.)
A cryptocrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, having usually a whitish color, and a luster nearly like wax.
[Written also calcedony.]

&hand_; When chalcedony is variegated with with spots or figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it is called agate; and if by reason of the thickness, color, and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for being carved into cameos, it is called onyx. Chrysoprase is green chalcedony; carnelian, a flesh red, and sard, a brownish red variety.


word: Chalchihuitl
definition:
Chalchihuitl

Chal`chi*huitl"
(chȧl`che̝*we̝tl")
n.
(Min.)
The Mexican name for turquoise. See Turquoise.


word: Chalcid fly
definition:
Chalcid fly

Chal"cid fly`
(?)
[From Gr. chalko`s copper; in allusion to its metallic colors.]
(Zool.)
One of a numerous family of hymenopterous insects (Chalcididæ. Many are gallflies, others are parasitic on insects.


word: Chalcidian
definition:
Chalcidian

Chal*cid"i*an
(?)
n.
[L. chalcis a lizard, Gr. chalki`s.]
(Zool.)
One of a tropical family of snakelike lizards (Chalcidæ), having four small or rudimentary legs.


word: Chalcocite
definition:
Chalcocite

Chal"co*cite
(?)
n.
[Gr. chalko`s brass.]
(Min.)
Native copper sulphide, called also copper glance, and vitreous copper; a mineral of a black color and metallic luster.
[Formerly written chalcosine.]


word: Chalcographist
definition:
Chalcographist

Chalcographer

{ Chal*cog"ra*pher (?), Chal*cog"ra*phist (?), }
n.
An engraver on copper or brass; hence, an engraver of copper plates for printing upon paper.


word: Chalcography
definition:
Chalcography

Chal*cog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Gr. chalko`s copper, brass + -graphy.]
The act or art of engraving on copper or brass, especially of engraving for printing.


word: Chalcopyrite
definition:
Chalcopyrite

Chal`co*pyr"ite
(?)
n.
[Gr. chalko`s brass + E. pyrite. So named from its color.]
(Min.)
Copper pyrites, or yellow copper ore; a common ore of copper, containing copper, iron, and sulphur. It occurs massive and in tetragonal crystals of a bright brass yellow color.


word: Chaldaic
definition:
Chaldaic

Chal*da"ic
(?)
a.
[L. Chaldaicus.]
Of or pertaining to Chaldea.
n. The language or dialect of the Chaldeans; Chaldee.


word: Chaldean
definition:
Chaldean

Chal*de"an
(?)
a.
[L. Chaldaeus.]
Of or pertaining to Chaldea.
n. (a) A native or inhabitant of Chaldea. (b) A learned man, esp. an astrologer; -- so called among the Eastern nations, because astrology and the kindred arts were much cultivated by the Chaldeans. (c) Nestorian.


word: Chaldee
definition:
Chaldee

Chal"dee
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Chaldea.
n. The language or dialect of the Chaldeans; eastern Aramaic, or the Aramaic used in Chaldea.

Chaldee Paraphrase, A targum written in Aramaic.


word: Chalder
definition:
Chalder

Chaldrich

{ Chal"drich (?), Chal"der (?), }
n.
[Icel. tjaldr.]
(Zool.)
A kind of bird; the oyster catcher.


word: Chaldron
definition:
Chaldron

Chal"dron
(?)
n.
[OF. chaldron, F. chaudron kettle. The same word as caldron.]
An English dry measure, being, at London, 36 bushels heaped up, or its equivalent weight, and more than twice as much at Newcastle. Now used exclusively for coal and coke.

&hand_; In the United States the chaldron is ordinarily 2,940 lbs, but at New York it is 2,500 lbs.
De Colange.


word: Chalet
definition:
Chalet

Cha*let"
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
A herdsman's hut in the mountains of Switzerland.

Chalets are summer huts for the Swiss herdsmen.
Wordsworth.

2.
A summer cottage or country house in the Swiss mountains; any country house built in the style of the Swiss cottages.


word: Chalice
definition:
Chalice

Chal"ice
(?)
n.
[OR. chalis, calice, OF. chalice, calice, F. calice, fr. L. calix, akin to Gr. _; and E. helmet. Cf. Calice, Calyx.]
A cup or bowl; especially, the cup used in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.


word: Chalk
definition:
Chalk

Chalk
(ch&asuml_;k)
n.
[AS. cealc lime, from L. calx limestone. See Calz, and Cawk.]
1.
(Min.)
A soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone.

2.
(Fine Arts)
Finely prepared chalk, used as a drawing implement; also, by extension, a compound, as of clay and black lead, or the like, used in the same manner. See Crayon.

Black chalk, a mineral of a bluish color, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; a variety of argillaceous slate. -- By a long chalk, by a long way; by many degrees. [Slang] Lowell. -- Chalk drawing (Fine Arts), a drawing made with crayons. See Crayon. -- Chalk formation. See Cretaceous formation, under Cretaceous. -- Chalk line, a cord rubbed with chalk, used for making straight lines on boards or other material, as a guide in cutting or in arranging work. -- Chalk mixture, a preparation of chalk, cinnamon, and sugar in gum water, much used in diarrheal affection, esp. of infants. -- Chalk period. (Geol.) See Cretaceous period, under Cretaceous. -- Chalk pit, a pit in which chalk is dug. -- Drawing chalk. See Crayon, n., 1. -- French chalk, steatite or soapstone, a soft magnesian mineral. -- Red chalk, an indurated clayey ocher containing iron, and used by painters and artificers; reddle.


word: Chalk₂
definition:
Chalk

Chalk
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chalked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chalking.]
1.
To rub or mark with chalk.

2.
To manure with chalk, as land.
Morimer.

3.
To make white, as with chalk; to make pale; to bleach.
Tennyson.

Let a bleak paleness chalk the door.
Herbert.

To chalk out, to sketch with, or as with, chalk; to outline; to indicate; to plan. [Colloq.] “I shall pursue the plan I have chalked out.”  Burke.


word: chalkboard
definition:
chalkboard

chalk"board`
(ch&asuml_;k"b&omacrrd`)
n.
a dark sheet of slate used as a surface for writing on, with chalk.

Syn. -- blackboard.


word: chalk line
definition:
chalk line

chalk" line`
(ch&asuml_;k" līn`)
n.
1.
a string impregnated with powdered chalk, used in construction to mark a straight line on a surface, such as a wall.  The string is held taut on the surface between the two end points of the line to be made, the center of the line is drawn away from the surface, and the string is released and snapped against the surface, leaving a line of chalk in the desired location.

2.
the line of chalk on a surface left by a chalk line{1}.


word: Chalkstone
definition:
Chalkstone

Chalk"stone`
(?)
n.
1.
A mass of chalk.

As chalkstones . . . beaten in sunder.
Isa. xxvii. 9.

2.
(Med.)
A chalklike concretion, consisting mainly of urate of sodium, found in and about the small joints, in the external ear, and in other situations, in those affected with gout; a tophus.


word: Chalky
definition:
Chalky

Chalk"y
(?)
a.
Consisting of, or resembling, chalk; containing chalk; as, a chalky cliff; a chalky taste.


word: Challenge
definition:
Challenge

Chal"lenge
(?)
n.
[OE. chalenge claim, accusation, challenge, OF. chalenge, chalonge, claim, accusation, contest, fr. L. calumnia false accusation, chicanery. See Calumny.]
1.
An invitation to engage in a contest or controversy of any kind; a defiance; specifically, a summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.

A challenge to controversy.
Goldsmith.

2.
The act of a sentry in halting any one who appears at his post, and demanding the countersign.

3.
A claim or demand.
[Obs.]

There must be no challenge of superiority.
Collier.

4.
(Hunting)
The opening and crying of hounds at first finding the scent of their game.

5.
(Law)
An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a certain person or persons shall not sit in trial upon him or his cause.
Blackstone

6.
An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote. The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered.
[U. S.]

Challenge to the array (Law), an exception to the whole panel. -- Challenge to the favor, the alleging a special cause, the sufficiency of which is to be left to those whose duty and office it is to decide upon it. -- Challenge to the polls, an exception taken to any one or more of the individual jurors returned. -- Peremptory challenge, a privilege sometimes allowed to defendants, of challenging a certain number of jurors (fixed by statute in different States) without assigning any cause. -- Principal challenge, that which the law allows to be sufficient if found to be true.


word: Challenge₂
definition:
Challenge

Chal"lenge
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Challenged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Challenging.]
[OE. chalengen to accuse, claim, OF. chalengier, chalongier, to claim, accuse, dispute, fr. L. calumniar to attack with false accusations. See Challenge, n., and cf. Calumniate.]
1.
To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy.

I challenge any man to make any pretense to power by right of fatherhood.
Locke.

2.
To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat.

By this I challenge him to single fight.
Shak.

3.
To claim as due; to demand as a right.

Challenge better terms.
Addison.

4.
To censure; to blame.
[Obs.]

He complained of the emperors . . . and challenged them for that he had no greater revenues . . . from them.
Holland.

5.
(Mil.)
To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with  “Who comes there?”

6.
To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.

7.
(Law)
To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.

8.
To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter.
[U. S.]

To challenge to the array, favor, polls. See under Challenge, n.


word: Challenge₃
definition:
Challenge

Chal"lenge
v. i.
To assert a right; to claim a place.

Where nature doth with merit challenge.
Shak.


word: challenged
definition:
challenged

challenged
adj.
1.
having doubts expressed about its truth.

Syn. -- disputed, questioned.

2.
handicapped or disabled; -- used as a euphemism, especially in combinations; as, physically challenged; mentally challenged.


word: challenging
definition:
challenging

challenging
adj.
1.
requiring full use of one's abilities or resources; as, challenging task.

Syn. -- ambitious, demanding.

2.
disposed to or engaged in defiance of established authority.

Syn. -- insubordinate, resistant, resistive.


word: Challis
definition:
Challis

Chal"lis
(?)
n.
[F. chaly, challis, a stuff made of goat's hair.]
A soft and delicate woolen, or woolen and silk, fabric, for ladies' dresses.
[Written also chally.]


word: Chalybean
definition:
Chalybean

Cha*lyb"e*an
(?)
a.
[L. chalybeïus, fr. chalybs steel, Gr. _;.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the Chalybes, an ancient people of Pontus in Asia Minor, celebrated for working in iron and steel.

2.
Of superior quality and temper; -- applied to steel.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Chalybeate
definition:
Chalybeate

Cha*lyb"e*ate
(?)
a.
[NL. chalybeatus, fr. chalubeïus. See Chalubean.]
Impregnated with salts of iron; having a taste like iron; as, chalybeate springs.


word: Chalybeate₂
definition:
Chalybeate

Cha*lyb"e*ate
n.
Any water, liquid, or medicine, into which iron enters as an ingredient.


word: Cham₂
definition:
Cham

Cham
(kăm)
n.
[See Khan.]
The sovereign prince of Tartary; -- now usually written khan.
Shak.


word: Chamade
definition:
Chamade

Cha*made
(?)
n.
[F. chamade, fr. Pg. chamada, fr. chamar to call, fr. L. clamare.]
(Mil.)
A signal made for a parley by beat of a drum.

They beat the chamade, and sent us carte blanche.
Addison.


word: Chamaecytisus
definition:
Chamaecytisus

Chamaecytisus
n.
a genus of small late-flowering trees or subshrubs having yellow to red flowers and leathery or woody pods; -- often used especially for those formerly included in genus Cytisus.

Syn. -- genus Chamaecytisus.


word: Chamaedaphne
definition:
Chamaedaphne

Chamaedaphne
n.
a genus consisting of only one species, the leatherleaf.

Syn. -- genus Chamaedaphne.


word: Chamaeleo
definition:
Chamaeleo

Chamaeleo
n.
the type genus of the Chamaeleontidae.

Syn. -- genus Chamaeleo, genus Chamaeleon.


word: chamaeleon
definition:
chamaeleon

chamaeleon
n.
[L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., “ground lion;” chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion.]
(Zool.)
a lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue.

Syn. -- chameleon.


word: Chamaeleon
definition:
Chamaeleon

Chamaeleon
n.
(Astronomy)
a small constellation in the southern skies between Hydrus and Musca.

Syn. -- Chameleon.


word: Chamaeleontidae
definition:
Chamaeleontidae

Chamaeleonidae

Chamaeleonidae, Chamaeleontidae
n.
a natural family comprising the Old World chameleons; in some classifications Rhiptoglossa is considered a superfamily of Sauria.

Syn. -- family Chamaeleontidae, family Chamaeleonidae, Rhiptoglossa, family Rhiptoglossa.


word: Chamaemelum
definition:
Chamaemelum

Chamaemelum
n.
a small genus of plants sometimes included in genus Anthemis; chamomile.

Syn. -- genus Chamaemelum.


word: chamaephyte
definition:
chamaephyte

cham"ae*phyte
(kăm"e̝*fīt)
n.
[Gr. chamai` on the ground + -phyte.]
a perennial plant that sets its dormant vegetative buds just at or above the surface of the ground.


word: Chamber
definition:
Chamber

Cham"ber
(?)
n.
[F. chambre, fr. L. camera vault, arched roof, in LL. chamber, fr. Gr. _; anything with a vaulted roof or arched covering; cf. Skr. kmar to be crooked. Cf. Camber, Camera, Comrade.]

1.
A retired room, esp. an upper room used for sleeping; a bedroom; as, the house had four chambers.

2.
pl.
Apartments in a lodging house.
chambers
Thackeray.

3.
A hall, as where a king gives audience, or a deliberative body or assembly meets; as, presence chamber; senate chamber.

4.
A legislative or judicial body; an assembly; a society or association; as, the Chamber of Deputies; the Chamber of Commerce.

5.
A compartment or cell; an inclosed space or cavity; as, the chamber of a canal lock; the chamber of a furnace; the chamber of the eye.

6.
pl.
(Law.)
A room or rooms where a lawyer transacts business; a room or rooms where a judge transacts such official business as may be done out of court.

7.
A chamber pot.
[Colloq.]

8.
(Mil.)
(a)
That part of the bore of a piece of ordnance which holds the charge, esp. when of different diameter from the rest of the bore; -- formerly, in guns, made smaller than the bore, but now larger, esp. in breech-loading guns.
(b)
A cavity in a mine, usually of a cubical form, to contain the powder.
(c)
A short piece of ordnance or cannon, which stood on its breech, without any carriage, formerly used chiefly for rejoicings and theatrical cannonades.

Air chamber. See Air chamber, in the Vocabulary. -- Chamber of commerce, a board or association to protect the interests of commerce, chosen from among the merchants and traders of a city. -- Chamber council, a secret council. Shak. -- Chamber counsel or Chamber counselor, a counselor who gives his opinion in private, or at his chambers, but does not advocate causes in court. -- Chamber fellow, a chamber companion; a roommate; a chum. -- Chamber hangings, tapestry or hangings for a chamber. -- Chamber lye, urine. Shak. -- Chamber music, vocal or instrumental music adapted to performance in a chamber or small apartment or audience room, instead of a theater, concert hall, or church. -- Chamber practice (Law.), the practice of counselors at law, who give their opinions in private, but do not appear in court. -- To sit at chambers, to do business in chambers, as a judge.


word: Chamber₂
definition:
Chamber

Cham"ber
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Chambered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chambering.]
1.
To reside in or occupy a chamber or chambers.

2.
To be lascivious.
[Obs.]


word: Chamber₃
definition:
Chamber

Cham"ber
v. t.
1.
To shut up, as in a chamber.
Shak.

2.
To furnish with a chamber; as, to chamber a gun.


word: Chamberer
definition:
Chamberer

Cham"ber*er
(?)
n.
1.
One who attends in a chamber; a chambermaid.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
A civilian; a carpetmonger.
[Obs.]


word: Chamberlain
definition:
Chamberlain

Cham"ber*lain
(?)
n.
[OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF. chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. kämmerling, kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See Chamber, and -ling.]
[Formerly written chamberlin.]
1.
An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.

2.
An upper servant of an inn.
[Obs.]

3.
An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.

4.
A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.

The lord chamberlain of England, an officer of the crown, who waits upon the sovereign on the day of coronation, and provides requisites for the palace of Westminster, and for the House of Lords during the session of Parliament. Under him are the gentleman of the black rod and other officers. His office is distinct from that of the lord chamberlain of the Household, whose functions relate to the royal housekeeping.


word: Chambermaid
definition:
Chambermaid

Cham"ber*maid`
(?)
n.
1.
A maidservant who has the care of chambers, making the beds, sweeping, cleaning the rooms, etc.

2.
A lady's maid.
[Obs.]
Johnson.


word: Chambranle
definition:
Chambranle

Cham`bran"le
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Arch.)
An ornamental bordering or framelike decoration around the sides and top of a door, window, or fireplace. The top piece is called the traverse and the side pieces the ascendants.


word: Chambray
definition:
Chambray

Cham"bray
(?)
n.
[From Cambrai, France. Cf. Cambric.]
A gingham woven in plain colors with linen finish.


word: Chameck
definition:
Chameck

Cha*meck"
(?)
n.
[Native Brazilian name.]
(Zool.)
A kind of spider monkey (Ateles chameck), having the thumbs rudimentary and without a nail.


word: Chameleon
definition:
Chameleon

Cha*me"le*on
(kȧ*mē"le̝*ŭn)
n.
[L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., “ground lion;” chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion. See Humble, and Lion.]
(Zool.)
1.
A lizardlike reptile of the genus Chamæleo, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granulations; it has eyes which can move separately, the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back.  It is remarkable for its ability to change the color of its skin to blend with its surroundings.
[Also sometimes spelled chamaeleon.]

&hand_; Its color changes more or less with the color of the objects about it, or with its temper when disturbed. In a cool, dark place it is nearly white, or grayish; on admitting the light, it changes to brown, bottle-green, or blood red, of various shades, and more or less mottled in arrangment. The American chameleons belong to Anolis and allied genera of the family Iguanidæ. They are more slender in form than the true chameleons, but have the same power of changing their colors.

2.
a person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit the prevailing social climate; an opportunist.

Chameleon mineral (Chem.), the compound called potassium permanganate, a dark violet, crystalline substance, KMnO4, which in formation passes through a peculiar succession of color from green to blue, purple, red, etc. See Potassium permanganate, under Potassium.


word: Chamfer
definition:
Chamfer

Cham"fer
(?)
n.
[See Chamfron.]
The surface formed by cutting away the arris, or angle, formed by two faces of a piece of timber, stone, etc.


word: Chamfer₂
definition:
Chamfer

Cham"fer
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chamfered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Chamfering. (_;)]

1.
(Carp.)
To cut a furrow in, as in a column; to groove; to channel; to flute.

2.
To make a chamfer on.


word: Chamfret
definition:
Chamfret

Cham"fret
(?)
n.
[See Chamfron.]
1.
(Carp.)
A small gutter; a furrow; a groove.

2.
A chamfer.


word: Chamfron
definition:
Chamfron

Cham"fron
(?)
n.
[F. chanfrein.]
(Anc. Armor)
The frontlet, or head armor, of a horse.
[Written also champfrain and chamfrain.]


word: Chamisal
definition:
Chamisal

Cha`mi*sal"
(?)
n.
[Amer. Sp., fr. Sp. chamiza a kind of wild cane.]
1.
(Bot.)
A California rosaceous shrub (Adenostoma fasciculatum) which often forms an impenetrable chaparral.

2.
A chaparral formed by dense growths of this shrub.


word: Chamois
definition:
Chamois

Cham"ois
(shăm"m&ybreve_; or shȧ*moi"; 277)
n.
[F. chamois, prob. fr. OG. gamz, G. gemse.]
1.
(Zool.)
A small species of antelope (Rupicapra tragus), living on the loftiest mountain ridges of Europe, as the Alps, Pyrenees, etc. It possesses remarkable agility, and is a favorite object of chase.

2.
A soft leather made from the skin of the chamois, or from sheepskin, etc.; -- called also chamois leather, and chammy or shammy leather. See Shammy.


word: Champ
definition:
Champ

Champ
(chămp)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Champed (chămt); p. pr. & vb. n. Champing.]
[Prob, of Scand. orgin; cf. dial. Sw. kämsa to chew with difficulty, champ; but cf. also OF. champier, champeyer, champoyer, to graze in fields, fr. F. champ field, fr. L. campus. Cf. Camp.]
1.
To bite with repeated action of the teeth so as to be heard.

Foamed and champed the golden bit.
Dryden.

2.
To bite into small pieces; to crunch.
Steele.


word: Champ₂
definition:
Champ

Champ
v. i.
To bite or chew impatiently.

They began . . . irefully to champ upon the bit.
Hooker.


word: Champe
definition:
Champe

Champ

{ Champ, Champe, }
n.
[F. champ, L. campus field.]
(Arch.)
The field or ground on which carving appears in relief.


word: Champagne
definition:
Champagne

Cham*pagne"
(?)
n.
[F. See Champaign.]
A light wine, of several kinds, originally made in the province of Champagne, in France.

&hand_; Champagne properly includes several kinds not only of sparkling but of still wines; but in America the term is usually restricted to wines which effervesce.


word: Champaign
definition:
Champaign

Cham*paign"
(?)
n.
[OF. champaigne; same word as campagne.]
A flat, open country.

Fair champaign, with less rivers interveined.
Milton.

Through Apline vale or champaign wide.
Wordsworth.


word: Champaign₂
definition:
Champaign

Cham*paign"
a.
Flat; open; level.

A wide, champaign country, filled with herds.
Addison.


word: Champertor
definition:
Champertor

Cham"per*tor
(?)
n.
[F. champarteur a divider of fields or field rent. See Champerty.]
(Law)
One guilty of champerty; one who purchases a suit, or the right of suing, and carries it on at his own expense, in order to obtain a share of the gain.


word: Champerty
definition:
Champerty

Cham"per*ty
(?)
n.
[F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.]
1.
Partnership in power; equal share of authority.
[Obs.]

Beauté ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye.
Chaucer.

2.
(Law)
The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance.

&hand_; By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable.


word: Champignon
definition:
Champignon

Cham*pi"gnon
(?)
n.
[F., a mushroom, ultimately fr. L. campus field. See Camp.]
(Bot.)
An edible species of mushroom (Agaricus campestris).

Fairy ring champignon, the Marasmius oreades, which has a strong flavor but is edible.


word: Champion
definition:
Champion

Cham"pi*on
(chăm"pĭ*ŭn)
n.
[F. champion, fr. LL.campio, of German origin; cf. OHG. chempho, chemphio, fighter, champf, G. kampf, contest; perh. influenced by L. campus field, taken in the sense of “field of battle.”]
1.
One who engages in any contest; especially one who in ancient times contended in single combat in behalf of another's honor or rights; or one who now acts or speaks in behalf of a person or a cause; a defender; an advocate; a hero.

A stouter champion never handled sword.
Shak.

Champions of law and liberty.
Fisher Ames.

2.
One who by defeating all rivals, has obtained an acknowledged supremacy in any branch of athletics or game of skill, and is ready to contend with any rival; as, the champion of England.

&hand_; Champion is used attributively in the sense of surpassing all competitors; overmastering; as, champion pugilist; champion chess player.


word: Champion₂
definition:
Champion

Cham"pi*on
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Championed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Championing.]
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
To furnish with a champion; to attend or defend as champion; to support or maintain; to protect.

Championed or unchampioned, thou diest.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Champlain period
definition:
Champlain period

Cham*plain" pe"ri*od
(?)
(Geol.)
A subdivision of the Quaternary age immediately following the Glacial period; -- so named from beds near Lake Champlain.

&hand_; The earlier deposits of this period are diluvial in character, as if formed in connection with floods attending the melting of the glaciers, while the later deposits are of finer material in more quiet waters, as the alluvium.


word: Champleve
definition:
Champleve

Champ`le*vé"
(?)
a.
[F., p. p. of champlever to engrave. See 3d Champ, Camp, Lever a bar.]
(Art)
Having the ground engraved or cut out in the parts to be enameled; inlaid in depressions made in the ground; -- said of a kind of enamel work in which depressions made in the surface are filled with enamel pastes, which are afterward fired; also, designating the process  of making such enamel work.
n. A piece of champlevé enamel; also, the process or art of making such enamel work; champlevé work.


word: chanar
definition:
chanar

chanar
n.
a thorny shrub or small tree (Geoffroea decorticans) common in central Argentina having small orange or yellow flowers followed by edible berries.

Syn. -- chanal, Geoffroea decorticans.


word: Chance
definition:
Chance

Chance
(chȧns)
n.
[F. chance, OF. cheance, fr. LL. cadentia a allusion to the falling of the dice), fr. L. cadere to fall; akin to Skr. çad to fall, L. cedere to yield, E. cede. Cf. Cadence.]
1.
A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; -- in this sense often personified.

It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as chance or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that is truly an agent or the cause of any event; but they signify merely men's ignorance of the real and immediate cause.
Samuel Clark.

Many of the everyday events which people observe and attribute to chance fall into the category described by Clark, as being in practice too complex for people to easily predict, but in theory predictable if one were to know the actions of the causal agents in great detail.  At the subatomic level, however, there is much evidence to support the notion derived from Heisenberg's uncertaintly principle, that phenomena occur in nature which are truly randomly determined, not merely too complex to predict or observe accurately.  Such phenomena, however, are observed only with one or a very small number of subatomic particles.  When the probabilities of observed events are determined by the behavior of aggregates of millions of particles, the variations due to such quantum indeterminacy becomes so small as to be unobservable even over billions of repetitions, and may therefore be ignored in practical situations; such variations are so improbable that it would be irrational to condition anything of consequence upon the occurrence of such an improbable event.  A clever experimenter, nevertheless, may contrive a system where a very visible event (such as the dynamiting of a building) depends on the occurrence of a truly chance subatomic event (such as the disintegration of a single radioactive nucleus).  In such a contrived situation, one may accurately speak of an event determined by chance, in the sense of a random occurrence completely unpredictable, at least as to time.

Any society into which chance might throw him.
Macaulay.

That power
Which erring men call Chance.
Milton.

2.
The operation or activity of such agent.

By chance a priest came down that way.
Luke x. 31.

3.
The supposed effect of such an agent; something that befalls, as the result of unknown or unconsidered forces; the issue of uncertain conditions; an event not calculated upon; an unexpected occurrence; a happening; accident; fortuity; casualty.

In the field of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.
Louis Pasteur.

This quotation is usually found in the form "Chance favors the prepared mind."  It is a common rejoinder to the assertion that a scientist was "lucky" to have made some particular discovery because of unanticipated factors.  A related quotation, from the Nobel-Prize-winning chemist R. B. Woodward, is that "A scientist has to work wery hard to get to the point where he can be lucky."

It was a chance that happened to us.
1 Sam. vi. 9.

The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,
And wins (O shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts.
Pope.

I spake of most disastrous chance.
Shak.

4.
A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; -- with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all against him.

So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune.
That I would get my life on any chance,
To mend it, or be rid on 't
Shak.

5.
(Math.)
Probability.

&hand_; The mathematical expression, of a chance is the ratio of frequency with which an event happens in the long run. If an event may happen in a ways and may fail in b ways, and each of these a + b ways is equally likely, the chance, or probability, that the event will happen is measured by the fraction a/a + b, and the chance, or probability, that it will fail is measured by b/a + b.

Chance comer, one who comes unexpectedly. -- The last chance, the sole remaining ground of hope. -- The main chance, the chief opportunity; that upon which reliance is had, esp. self-interest. -- Theory of chances, Doctrine of chances (Math.), that branch of mathematics which treats of the probability of the occurrence of particular events, as the fall of dice in given positions. -- To mind one's chances, to take advantage of every circumstance; to seize every opportunity.


word: Chance₂
definition:
Chance

Chance
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Chanced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chancing.]
To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
chance
Robynson (More's Utopia).

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.
Deut. xxii. 6.

I chanced on this letter.
Shak.

Often used impersonally; as, how chances it?

How chance, thou art returned so soon?
Shak.


word: Chance₃
definition:
Chance

Chance
v. t.
1.
To take the chances of; to venture upon; -- usually with it as object.

Come what will, I will chance it.
W. D. Howells.

2.
To befall; to happen to.
[Obs.]
W. Lambarde.


word: Chancel
definition:
Chancel

Chan"cel
(?)
n.
[OF. chancel, F. chanceau, cancel, fr. L. cancelli lattices, crossbars. (The chancel was formerly inclosed with lattices or crossbars) See Cancel, v. t.]
(Arch.)
(a)
That part of a church, reserved for the use of the clergy, where the altar, or communion table, is placed.
(b)
All that part of a cruciform church which is beyond the line of the transept farthest from the main front.

Chancel aisle (Arch.), the aisle which passes on either side of or around the chancel. -- Chancel arch (Arch.), the arch which spans the main opening, leading to the chancel. -- Chancel casement, the principal window in a chancel. Tennyson. -- Chancel table, the communion table.


word: Chancellor
definition:
Chancellor

Chan"cel*lor
(?)
n.
[OE. canceler, chaunceler, F. chancelier, LL. cancellarius chancellor, a director of chancery, fr. L. cancelli lattices, crossbars, which surrounded the seat of judgment. See Chancel.]
A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the United States is distinctively a court with equity jurisdiction.

&hand_; The chancellor was originally a chief scribe or secretary under the Roman emperors, but afterward was invested with judicial powers, and had superintendence over the other officers of the empire. From the Roman empire this office passed to the church, and every bishop has his chancellor, the principal judge of his consistory. In later times, in most countries of Europe, the chancellor was a high officer of state, keeper of the great seal of the kingdom, and having the supervision of all charters, and like public instruments of the crown, which were authenticated in the most solemn manner. In France a secretary is in some cases called a chancellor. In Scotland, the appellation is given to the foreman of a jury, or assize. In the present German empire, the chancellor is the president of the federal council and the head of the imperial administration. In the United States, the title is given to certain judges of courts of chancery or equity, established by the statutes of separate States.
Blackstone. Wharton.

Chancellor of a bishop or Chancellor of a diocese (R. C. Ch. & ch. of Eng.), a law officer appointed to hold the bishop's court in his diocese, and to assist him in matter of ecclesiastical law. -- Chancellor of a cathedral, one of the four chief dignitaries of the cathedrals of the old foundation, and an officer whose duties are chiefly educational, with special reference to the cultivation of theology. -- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, an officer before whom, or his deputy, the court of the duchy chamber of Lancaster is held. This is a special jurisdiction. -- Chancellor of a university, the chief officer of a collegiate body. In Oxford, he is elected for life; in Cambridge, for a term of years; and his office is honorary, the chief duties of it devolving on the vice chancellor. -- Chancellor of the exchequer, a member of the British cabinet upon whom devolves the charge of the public income and expenditure as the highest finance minister of the government. -- Chancellor of the order of the Garter (or other military orders), an officer who seals the commissions and mandates of the chapter and assembly of the knights, keeps the register of their proceedings, and delivers their acts under the seal of their order. -- Lord high chancellor of England, the presiding judge in the court of chancery, the highest judicial officer of the crown, and the first lay person of the state after the blood royal. He is created chancellor by the delivery into his custody of the great seal, of which he becomes keeper. He is privy counselor by his office, and prolocutor of the House of Lords by prescription.


word: Chancellorship
definition:
Chancellorship

Chan"cel*lor*ship
(chȧn"sĕl*lẽr*shĭp)
n.
The office of a chancellor; the time during which one is chancellor.


word: Chance-medley
definition:
Chance-medley

Chance"-med`ley
(?)
n.
[Chance + medley.]
1.
(Law)
The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley.

&hand_; The term has been sometimes applied to any kind of homicide by misadventure, or to any accidental killing of a person without premeditation or evil intent, but, in strictness, is applicable to such killing as happens in defending one's self against assault.
Bouvier.

2.
Luck; chance; accident.
Milton. Cowper.


word: Chancery
definition:
Chancery

Chan"cer*y
(?)
n.
[F. chancellerie, LL. cancellaria, from L. cancellarius. See Chancellor, and cf. Chancellery.]
1.
In England, formerly, the highest court of judicature next to the Parliament, exercising jurisdiction at law, but chiefly in equity; but under the jurisdiction act of 1873 it became the chancery division of the High Court of Justice, and now exercises jurisdiction only in equity.

2.
In the Unites States, a court of equity; equity; proceeding in equity.

&hand_; A court of chancery, so far as it is a court of equity, in the English and American sense, may be generally, if not precisely, described as one having jurisdiction in cases of rights, recognized and protected by the municipal jurisprudence, where a plain, adequate, and complete remedy can not be had in the courts of common law. In some of the American States, jurisdiction at law and in equity centers in the same tribunal. The courts of the United States also have jurisdiction both at law and in equity, and in all such cases they exercise their jurisdiction, as courts of law, or as courts of equity, as the subject of adjudication may require. In others of the American States, the courts that administer equity are distinct tribunals, having their appropriate judicial officers, and it is to the latter that the appellation courts of chancery is usually applied; but, in American law, the terms equity and court of equity are more frequently employed than the corresponding terms chancery and court of chancery.
Burrill.

Inns of chancery. See under Inn. -- To get (or to hold) In chancery (Boxing), to get the head of an antagonist under one's arm, so that one can pommel it with the other fist at will; hence, to have wholly in One's power. The allusion is to the condition of a person involved in the chancery court, where he was helpless, while the lawyers lived upon his estate.


word: Chancre
definition:
Chancre

Chan"cre
(?)
n.
[F. chancere. See Cancer.]
(Med.)
A venereal sore or ulcer; specifically, the initial lesion of true syphilis, whether forming a distinct ulcer or not; -- called also hard chancre, indurated chancre, and Hunterian chancre.

Soft chancre. A chancroid. See Chancroid.


word: Chancroid
definition:
Chancroid

Chan"croid
(?)
n.
[Chancre + -oil.]
(Med.)
A venereal sore, resembling a chancre in its seat and some external characters, but differing from it in being the starting point of a purely local process and never of a systemic disease; -- called also soft chancre.


word: Chancrous
definition:
Chancrous

Chan"crous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. chancreux.]
(Med.)
Of the nature of a chancre; having chancre.


word: chancy
definition:
chancy

chancy
adj.
1.
depending on chance.

Syn. -- chanceful, dicey, dodgy, hazardous, risky.

2.
subject to accident or chance or change.

Syn. -- fluky, flukey, iffy.


word: Chandelier
definition:
Chandelier

Chan`de*lier"
(?)
n.
[F. See Chandler.]
1.
A candlestick, lamp, stand, gas fixture, or the like, having several branches; esp., one hanging from the ceiling.

2.
(Fort.)
A movable parapet, serving to support fascines to cover pioneers.
[Obs.]


word: chandelle
definition:
chandelle

chandelle
n.
(Aeronautics)
an abrupt climbing turn made by an airplane, in which the plane's momentum is used to achieve a higher than normal rate of climb, without stalling the aircraft.


word: Chandler
definition:
Chandler

Chan"dler
(?)
n.
[F. chandelier a candlestick, a maker or seller of candles, LL. candelarius chandler, fr. L. candela candle. See Candle, and cf. Chandelier.]
1.
A maker or seller of candles.

The chandler's basket, on his shoulder borne,
With tallow spots thy coat.
Gay.

2.
A dealer in other commodities, which are indicated by a word prefixed; as, ship chandler, corn chandler.


word: Chandoo
definition:
Chandoo

Chan*doo"
(?)
n.
An extract or preparation of opium, used in China and India for smoking.
Balfour.


word: Change
definition:
Change

Change
(chānj)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Changed (chānjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Changing.]
[F. changer, fr. LL. cambiare, to exchange, barter, L. cambire. Cf. Cambial.]
1.
To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.

Therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Hosea. iv. 7.

2.
To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.

They that do change old love for new,
Pray gods, they change for worse!
Peele.

3.
To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; -- followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.

Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition.
Jer. Taylor.

4.
Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.

He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it.
Goldsmith.

To change a horse, or To change hand (Man.), to turn or bear the horse's head from one hand to the other, from the left to right, or from the right to the left. -- To change hands, to change owners. -- To change one's tune, to become less confident or boastful. [Colloq.] -- To change step, to take a break in the regular succession of steps, in marching or walking, as by bringing the hollow of one foot against the heel of the other, and then stepping off with the foot which is in advance.


word: Change₂
definition:
Change

Change
v. i.
1.
To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.

For I am Lord, I change not.
Mal. iii. 6.

2.
To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.


word: Change₃
definition:
Change

Change
n.
[F. change, fr. changer. See Change. v. t.]
1.
Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.

Apprehensions of a change of dynasty.
Hallam.

All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job xiv. 14.

2.
A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.

Our fathers did for change to France repair.
Dryden.

The ringing grooves of change.
Tennyson.

3.
A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.

4.
Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.

5.
That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.

Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments.
Judg. xiv. 12.

6.
Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.

7.
[See Exchange.]
A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.
[Colloq. for Exchange.]

8.
A public house; an alehouse.
[Scot.]

They call an alehouse a change.
Burt.

9.
(Mus.)
Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.

Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
Holder.

Change of life, the period in the life of a woman when menstruation and the capacity for conception cease, usually occurring between forty-five and fifty years of age. -- Change ringing, the continual production, without repetition, of changes on bells, See def. 9. above. -- Change wheel (Mech.), one of a set of wheels of different sizes and number of teeth, that may be changed or substituted one for another in machinery, to produce a different but definite rate of angular velocity in an axis, as in cutting screws, gear, etc. -- To ring the changes on, to present the same facts or arguments in variety of ways.


word: Changeable
definition:
Changeable

Change"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. changeable.]
1.
Capable of change; subject to alteration; mutable; variable; fickle; inconstant; as, a changeable humor.

2.
Appearing different, as in color, in different lights, or under different circumstances; as, changeable silk.


word: Changeableness
definition:
Changeableness

Change"a*ble*ness
n.
The quality of being changeable; fickleness; inconstancy; mutability.


word: Changeful
definition:
Changeful

Change"ful
(?)
a.
Full of change; mutable; inconstant; fickle; uncertain.
Pope.

His course had been changeful.
Motley.


word: Change gear
definition:
Change gear

Change gear
(Mach.)
A gear by means of which the speed of machinery or of a vehicle may be changed while that of the propelling engine or motor remains constant; -- called also change-speed gear.


word: Change key
definition:
Change key

Change key
A key adapted to open only one of a set of locks; -- distinguished from a master key.


word: Changeling
definition:
Changeling

Change"ling
n.
[Change + -ling.]
1.
One who, or that which, is left or taken in the place of another, as a child exchanged by fairies.

Such, men do changelings call, so changed by fairies' theft.
Spenser.

The changeling [a substituted writing] never known.
Shak.

2.
A simpleton; an idiot.
Macaulay.

Changelings and fools of heaven, and thence shut out.

Wildly we roam in discontent about.
Dryden.

3.
One apt to change; a waverer.
changelings
Shak.


word: Changeling₂
definition:
Changeling

Change"ling
a.
1.
Taken or left in place of another; changed.
changeling
Shak.

2.
Given to change; inconstant.
[Obs.]

Some are so studiously changeling.
Boyle.


word: change-of-pace
definition:
change-of-pace

change-of-pace
n.
(Baseball)
a baseball pitch thrown with little velocity when the batter is expecting a fastball; -- called also change-up.

Syn. -- change-up, change-of-pace ball, off-speed pitch.


word: changeover
definition:
changeover

changeover
n.
an event that results in a transformation.

Syn. -- conversion, transition.


word: Changer
definition:
Changer

Chan"ger
(?)
n.
1.
One who changes or alters the form of anything.

2.
One who deals in or changes money.
John ii. 14.

3.
One apt to change; an inconstant person.

4.
an electronic device which changes one replaceable medium for another, such as a record changer, which can store several records and move each one automatically to the playing table; or a CD changer, whch can store multiple compact disks and move each one to the reading slot, in a sequence determined by the user.


word: change-ringing
definition:
change-ringing

change-ringing
n.
ringing tuned bells in a fixed order that is continually changing.  See change{9}, n.


word: change-up
definition:
change-up

change-up
n.
(Baseball)
same as change-of-pace.

Syn. -- change-of-pace, change-of-pace ball, off-speed pitch.


word: Chank
definition:
Chank

Chank"
(chă&nsmacr_;k)
n.
[Skr. ça&ndot_;kha. See Conch.]
(Zool.)
The East Indian name for the large spiral shell of several species of sea conch much used in making bangles, esp. Turbinella pyrum. Called also chank shell.


word: Channel
definition:
Channel

Chan"nel
(chăn"nĕl)
n.
[OE. chanel, canel, OF. chanel, F. chenel, fr. L. canalis. See Canal.]
1.
The hollow bed where a stream of water runs or may run.

2.
The deeper part of a river, harbor, strait, etc., where the main current flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels.

3.
(Geog.)
A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel.

4.
That through which anything passes; a means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels.

The veins are converging channels.
Dalton.

At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National assembly such matter as may import that body to know.
Burke.

5.
A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column.

6.
pl.
[Cf. Chain wales.]
(Naut.)
Flat ledges of heavy plank bolted edgewise to the outside of a vessel, to increase the spread of the shrouds and carry them clear of the bulwarks.

7.
pl.
official routes of communication, especially the official means by which information should be transmitted in a bureaucracy; as, to submit a request through channels; you have to go through channels.

8.
a band of electromagnetic wave frequencies that is used for one-way or two-way radio communication; especially, the frequency bands assigned by the FTC for use in television broadcasting, and designated by a specific number; as, channel 2 in New York is owned by CBS.

9.
one of the signals in an electronic device which receives or sends more than one signal simultaneously, as in stereophonic radios, records, or CD players, or in measuring equipment which gathers multiple measurements simultaneously.

10.
(Cell biology)
an opening in a cell membrane which serves to actively transport or allow passive transport of substances across the membrane; as, an ion channel in a nerve cell.

11.
(Computers)
a path for transmission of signals between devices within a computer or between a computer and an external device; as, a DMA channel.

Channel bar, Channel iron (Arch.), an iron bar or beam having a section resembling a flat gutter or channel. -- Channel bill (Zool.), a very large Australian cuckoo (Scythrops Novæhollandiæ. -- Channel goose. (Zool.) See Gannet.


word: Channel₂
definition:
Channel

Chan"nel
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Channeled (?), or Channelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Channeling, or Channelling.]
1.
To form a channel in; to cut or wear a channel or channels in; to groove.

No more shall trenching war channel her fields.
Shak.

2.
To course through or over, as in a channel.
Cowper.


word: Channeling
definition:
Channeling

Chan"nel*ing
n.
1.
The act or process of forming a channel or channels.

2.
A channel or a system of channels; a groove.


word: Chanson de geste
definition:
Chanson de geste

Chan`son" de geste"
(?)
[F., prop., song of history.]
Any Old French epic poem having for its subject events or exploits of early French history, real or legendary, and written originally in assonant verse of ten or twelve syllables. The most famous one is the Chanson de Roland.
Langtoft had written in the ordinary measure of the later chansons de geste.
Saintsbury.


word: Chansonnette
definition:
Chansonnette

Chan`son*nette"
(?)
n.
pl. Chansonnettes (#).
[F., dim. of chanson.]
A little song.

These pretty little chansonnettes that he sung.
Black.


word: Chant
definition:
Chant

Chant
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Chanting.]
[F. chanter, fr. L. cantare, intens. of canere to sing. Cf. Cant affected speaking, and see Hen.]
1.
To utter with a melodious voice; to sing.

The cheerful birds . . . do chant sweet music.
Spenser.

2.
To celebrate in song.

The poets chant in the theaters.
Bramhall.

3.
(Mus.)
To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or to a tune called a chant.


word: Chant₂
definition:
Chant

Chant
v. i.
1.
To make melody with the voice; to sing.
Chant
Amos vi. 5.

2.
(Mus.)
To sing, as in reciting a chant.

To chant horses or To chaunt horses, to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in selling. See Chaunter. Thackeray.


word: Chant₃
definition:
Chant

Chant
n.
[F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, v. t.]
1.
Song; melody.

2.
(Mus.)
A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

3.
A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.

4.
Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.
[R.]

His strange face, his strange chant.
Macaulay.

Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding stanza. -- each of these six parts ending with a common refrain. -- Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.


word: Chanter
definition:
Chanter

Chant"er
(chȧnt"ẽr)
n.
[Cf. F. chanteur.]
1.
One who chants; a singer or songster.
Pope.

2.
The chief singer of the chantry.
J. Gregory.

3.
The flute or finger pipe in a bagpipe. See Bagpipe.

4.
(Zool.)
The hedge sparrow.


word: Chanterelle
definition:
Chanterelle

Chan`te*relle"
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Bot.)
A name for several species of mushroom, of which one (Cantharellus cibrius) is edible, the others reputed poisonous.


word: Chantey
definition:
Chantey

Chant"ey
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. chanter to sing, and Chant. n.]
A sailor's song.

May we lift a deep-sea chantey such as seamen use at sea?
Kipling.


word: Chanticleer
definition:
Chanticleer

Chan"ti*cleer
(chăn"tĭ*klēr)
n.
[F. Chanteclair, name of the cock in the Roman du Renart (Reynard the Fox); chanter to chant + clair clear. See Chant, and Clear.]
A cock, so called from the clearness or loudness of his voice in crowing.


word: Chanting
definition:
Chanting

Chant"ing
(chȧnt"ĭng)
n.
Singing, esp. as a chant is sung.

Chanting falcon (Zool.), an African falcon (Melierax canorus or musicus). The male has the habit, remarkable in a bird of prey, of singing to his mate, while she is incubating.


word: Chantry
definition:
Chantry

Chant"ry
(?)
n.
pl. Chantries (#).
[OF. chanterie, fr. chanter to sing.]
1.
An endowment or foundation for the chanting of masses and offering of prayers, commonly for the founder.

2.
A chapel or altar so endowed.
Cowell.


word: Chanuka
definition:
Chanuka

Chan"u*ka
(?)
n.
same as Hanukka; -- a variant spelling.

Syn. -- Hanukkah, Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, Feast of the Dedication.


word: Chaomancy
definition:
Chaomancy

Cha"o*man`cy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; the atmosphere + -mancy.]
Divination by means of appearances in the air.


word: Chaos
definition:
Chaos

Cha"os
(kā"&obreve_;s)
n.
[L. chaos chaos (in senses 1 & 2), Gr. cha`os, fr. cha`inein (root cha) to yawn, to gape, to open widely. Cf. Chasm.]
1.
An empty, immeasurable space; a yawning chasm.
[Archaic]

Between us and there is fixed a great chaos.
Luke xvi. 26 (Rhemish Trans.).

2.
The confused, unorganized condition or mass of matter before the creation of distinct and orderly forms.

3.
Any confused or disordered collection or state of things; a confused mixture; confusion; disorder.


word: Chap
definition:
Chap

Chap
(chăp or ch&obreve_;p)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chapped (chăpt or ch&obreve_;pt); p. pr. & vb. n. Chapping.]
[See Chop to cut.]
1.
To cause to open in slits or chinks; to split; to cause the skin of to crack or become rough.

Then would unbalanced heat licentious reign,
Crack the dry hill, and chap the russet plain.
Blackmore.

Nor winter's blast chap her fair face.
Lyly.

2.
To strike; to beat.
[Scot.]


word: Chap₂
definition:
Chap

Chap
v. i.
1.
To crack or open in slits; as, the earth chaps; the hands chap.

2.
To strike; to knock; to rap.
[Scot.]


word: Chap₃
definition:
Chap

Chap
n.
[From Chap, v. t. & i.]
1.
A cleft, crack, or chink, as in the surface of the earth, or in the skin.

2.
A division; a breach, as in a party.
[Obs.]

Many clefts and chaps in our council board.
T. Fuller.

3.
A blow; a rap.
[Scot.]


word: Chap₄
definition:
Chap

Chap
(ch&obreve_;p)
n.
[OE. chaft; of Scand. origin; cf. Icel kjaptr jaw, Sw. Käft, D. kiæft; akin to G. kiefer, and E. jowl. Cf. Chops.]
1.
One of the jaws or the fleshy covering of a jaw; -- commonly in the plural, and used of animals, and colloquially of human beings.

His chaps were all besmeared with crimson blood.
Cowley.

He unseamed him [Macdonald] from the nave to the chaps.
Shak.

2.
One of the jaws or cheeks of a vise, etc.


word: Chap₅
definition:
Chap

Chap
(chăp)
n.
[Perh. abbreviated fr. chapman, but used in a more general sense; or cf. Dan. kiæft jaw, person, E. chap jaw.]
1.
A buyer; a chapman.
[Obs.]

If you want to sell, here is your chap.
Steele.

2.
A man or boy; a youth; a fellow.
[Colloq.]


word: Chaparajos
definition:
Chaparajos

Cha`pa*ra"jos
(?)
n. pl.
[Mex. Sp.]
Overalls of sheepskin or leather, usually open at the back, worn, esp. by cowboys, to protect the legs from thorny bushes, as in the chaparral; -- called also chapareras or colloq. chaps.
[Sp. Amer.]


word: Chaparral
definition:
Chaparral

Cha`par*ral"
(?)
n.
[Sp., fr. chaparro an evergeen oak.]
1.
A thicket of low evergreen oaks.

2.
An almost impenetrable thicket or succession of thickets of thorny shrubs and brambles.

Chaparral cock; fem. Chaparral hen (Zool.), a bird of the cuckoo family (Geococcyx Californianus), noted for running with great speed. It ranges from California to Mexico and eastward to Texas; -- called also road runner, ground cuckoo, churea, and snake killer.  It is the state bird of New Mexico.


word: chapatti
definition:
chapatti

chapati

chapati, chapatti
n.
a flat pancakelike bread cooked on a griddle, originating in India.


word: Chapbook
definition:
Chapbook

Chap"book`
(?)
n.
[See Chap to cheapen.]
Any small book carried about for sale by chapmen or hawkers.  Hence, any small book; a toy book.


word: Chape
definition:
Chape

Chape
(?)
n.
[F., a churchman's cope, a cover, a chape, fr. L. cappa. See Cap.]
1.
The piece by which an object is attached to something, as the frog of a scabbard or the metal loop at the back of a buckle by which it is fastened to a strap.

2.
The transverse guard of a sword or dagger.

3.
The metal plate or tip which protects the end of a scabbard, belt, etc.
Knight.


word: Chapeau
definition:
Chapeau

Cha`peau"
(?)
n.
pl. Chapeux (#).
[F., fr. OF. chapel hat. See Chaplet.]
1.
A hat or covering for the head.

2.
(Her.)
A cap of maintenance. See Maintenance.

&VerbarChapeau bras (_;) [F. chapeau hat + bras arm], a hat so made that it can be compressed and carried under the arm without injury. Such hats were particularly worn on dress occasions by gentlemen in the 18th century. A chapeau bras is now worn in the United States army by general and staff officers.


word: Chapel
definition:
Chapel

Chap"el
(?)
n.
[OF. chapele, F. chapelle, fr. LL. capella, orig., a short cloak, hood, or cowl; later, a reliquary, sacred vessel, chapel; dim. of cappa, capa, cloak, cape, cope; also, a covering for the head. The chapel where St. Martin's cloak was preserved as a precious relic, itself came to be called capella, whence the name was applied to similar paces of worship, and the guardian of this cloak was called capellanus, or chaplain. See Cap, and cf. Chaplain., Chaplet.]
1.
A subordinate place of worship
(a)
a small church, often a private foundation, as for a memorial
(b)
a small building attached to a church
(c)
a room or recess in a church, containing an altar.

&hand_; In Catholic churches, and also in cathedrals and abbey churches, chapels are usually annexed in the recesses on the sides of the aisles.  Gwilt.

2.
A place of worship not connected with a church; as, the chapel of a palace, hospital, or prison.

3.
In England, a place of worship used by dissenters from the Established Church; a meetinghouse.

4.
A choir of singers, or an orchestra, attached to the court of a prince or nobleman.

5.
(Print.)
(a)
A printing office, said to be so called because printing was first carried on in England in a chapel near Westminster Abbey.
(b)
An association of workmen in a printing office.

Chapel of ease. (a) A chapel or dependent church built for the ease or a accommodation of an increasing parish, or for parishioners who live at a distance from the principal church. (b) A privy. (Law) -- Chapel master, a director of music in a chapel; the director of a court or orchestra. -- To build a chapel (Naut.), to chapel a ship. See Chapel, v. t., 2. -- To hold a chapel, to have a meeting of the men employed in a printing office, for the purpose of considering questions affecting their interests.


word: Chapel₂
definition:
Chapel

Chap"el
(?)
v. t.
1.
To deposit or inter in a chapel; to enshrine.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.

2.
(Naut.)
To cause (a ship taken aback in a light breeze) so to turn or make a circuit as to recover, without bracing the yards, the same tack on which she had been sailing.


word: Chapelet
definition:
Chapelet

Chap"e*let
(?)
n.
[F. See Chaplet.]
1.
A pair of straps, with stirrups, joined at the top and fastened to the pommel or the frame of the saddle, after they have been adjusted to the convenience of the rider.
[Written also chaplet.]

2.
A kind of chain pump, or dredging machine.


word: Chapellany
definition:
Chapellany

Chap"el*la*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Chapellanies (#).
[Cf. E. chapellenie, LL. capellania. See Chaplain.]
A chapel within the jurisdiction of a church; a subordinate ecclesiastical foundation.


word: Chapelry
definition:
Chapelry

Chap"el*ry
(?)
n.
[Cf. OF. chapelerie.]
The territorial district legally assigned to a chapel.


word: Chaperon
definition:
Chaperon

Chap"er*on
(?)
n.
[F. chaperon. See Chape, Cape, Cap.]
1.
A hood; especially, an ornamental or an official hood.

His head and face covered with a chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look through.
Howell.

2.
A device placed on the foreheads of horses which draw the hearse in pompous funerals.

3.
A matron who accompanies a young lady in public, for propriety, or as a guide and protector.


word: Chaperon₂
definition:
Chaperon

Chap"er*on
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chaperoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaperoning.]
[Cf. F. chaperonner, fr. chaperon.]
To attend in public places as a guide and protector; to matronize.

Fortunately Lady Bell Finley, whom I had promised to chaperon, sent to excuse herself.
Hannah More.


word: Chaperonage
definition:
Chaperonage

Chap"er*on`age
(?)
n.
Attendance of a chaperon on a lady in public; protection afforded by a chaperon.


word: Chapfallen
definition:
Chapfallen

Chap"fall`en
(?)
a.
Having the lower chap or jaw drooping, -- an indication of humiliation and dejection; crestfallen; discouraged. See Chopfallen.


word: Chapiter
definition:
Chapiter

Chap"i*ter
(?)
n.
[OF. chapitel, F. chapiteau, from L. capitellum, dim. of caput head. Cf. Capital, Chapter.]
1.
(Arch.)
A capital [Obs.] See Chapital.
Ex. xxxvi. 38.

2.
(Old Eng. Law)
A summary in writing of such matters as are to be inquired of or presented before justices in eyre, or justices of assize, or of the peace, in their sessions; -- also called articles.
Jacob.


word: Chaplain
definition:
Chaplain

Chap"lain
(?)
n.
[F. chapelain, fr. LL. capellanus, fr. capella. See Chapel.]
1.
An ecclesiastic who has a chapel, or who performs religious service in a chapel.

2.
A clergyman who is officially attached to the army or navy, to some public institution, or to a family or court, for the purpose of performing divine service.

3.
Any person (clergyman or layman) chosen to conduct religious exercises for a society, etc.; as, a chaplain of a Masonic or a temperance lodge.


word: Chaplaincy
definition:
Chaplaincy

Chap"lain*cy
(?)
n.
pl. Chaplaincies (_;).
The office, position, or station of a chaplain.
Swift.


word: Chaplainship
definition:
Chaplainship

Chap"lain*ship
n.
1.
The office or business of a chaplain.

The Bethesda of some knight's chaplainship.
Milton.

2.
The possession or revenue of a chapel.
Johnson.


word: Chaplet
definition:
Chaplet

Chap"let
(?)
n.
[F. chapelet, dim. of OF. chapel hat, garland, dim. fr. LL. cappa. See Cap, and cf. Chapelet, Chapeau.]
1.
A garland or wreath to be worn on the head.

2.
A string of beads, or part of a string, used by Roman Catholic in praying; a third of a rosary, or fifty beads.

Her chaplet of beads and her missal.
Longfellow.

3.
(Arch.)
A small molding, carved into beads, pearls, olives, etc.

4.
(Man.)
A chapelet. See Chapelet, 1.

5.
(Founding)
A bent piece of sheet iron, or a pin with thin plates on its ends, for holding a core in place in the mold.

6.
A tuft of feathers on a peacock's head.
Johnson.


word: Chaplet₃
definition:
Chaplet

Chap"let
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Chapleted.]
To adorn with a chaplet or with flowers.
R. Browning.


word: Chapman
definition:
Chapman

Chap"man
(?)
n.
pl. Chapmen (#).
[AS. ceápman; ceáp trade + man man; akin to D. koopman, Sw. köpman, Dan. kiöpmand, G. kaufmann.f. Chap to cheapen, and see Cheap.]
1.
One who buys and sells; a merchant; a buyer or a seller.
[Obs.]

The word of life is a quick commodity, and ought not, as a drug to be obtruded on those chapmen who are unwilling to buy it.
T. Fuller.

2.
A peddler; a hawker.


word: Chapter
definition:
Chapter

Chap"ter
(?)
n.
[OF. chapitre, F. chapitre, fr. L. capitulum, dim. of caput head, the chief person or thing, the principal division of a writing, chapter. See Chief, and cf, Chapiter.]
1.
A division of a book or treatise; as, Genesis has fifty chapters.

2.
(Eccl.)
(a)
An assembly of monks, or of the prebends and other clergymen connected with a cathedral, conventual, or collegiate church, or of a diocese, usually presided over by the dean.
(b)
A community of canons or canonesses.
(c)
A bishop's council.
(d)
A business meeting of any religious community.

3.
An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of the Freemasons.
Robertson.

4.
A meeting of certain organized societies or orders.

5.
A chapter house.
[R.]
Burrill.

6.
A decretal epistle.
Ayliffe.

7.
A location or compartment.

In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom?
Shak.

Chapter head, or Chapter heading, that which stands at the head of a chapter, as a title. -- Chapter house, a house or room where a chapter meets, esp. a cathedral chapter. -- The chapter of accidents, chance. Marryat.


word: Chapter₂
definition:
Chapter

Chap"ter
(?)
v. t.
1.
To divide into chapters, as a book.
Fuller.

2.
To correct; to bring to book, i. e., to demand chapter and verse.
[Obs.]
Dryden.


word: Charr
definition:
Charr

Char

{ Char, Charr (?), }
n.
[Ir. cear, Gael. ceara, lit., red, blood-colored, fr. cear blood. So named from its red belly.]
(Zool.)
One of the several species of fishes of the genus Salvelinus, allied to the spotted trout and salmon, inhabiting deep lakes in mountainous regions in Europe. In the United States, the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is sometimes called a char.


word: Char₂
definition:
Char

Char
(?)
n.
[OE. cherr, char a turning, time, work, AS. cerr, cyrr, turn, occasion, business, fr. cerran, cyrran, to turn; akin to OS. kërian, OHG. chëran, G. kehren. Cf. Chore, Ajar.]
Work done by the day; a single job, or task; a chore.
[Written also chare.]
[Eng.]

When thou hast done this chare, I give thee leave
To play till doomsday.
Shak.


word: Chare
definition:
Chare

Char

{ Char, Chare, }
v. t.
[See 3d Char.]
1.
To perform; to do; to finish.
[Obs.]
Nores.

Thet char is chared, as the good wife said when she had hanged her husband.
Old Proverb.

2.
To work or hew, as stone.
Oxf. Gloss.


word: Chare₂
definition:
Chare

Char

{ Char, Chare, }
v. i.
To work by the day, without being a regularly hired servant; to do small jobs.


word: Char₃
definition:
Char

Char
(chär)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Charred (chärd); p. pr. & vb. n. Charring.]
[Prob. the same word as char to perform (see Char, n.), the modern use coming from charcoal, prop. coal-turned, turned to coal.]
1.
To reduce to coal or carbon by exposure to heat; to reduce to charcoal; to burn to a cinder.

2.
To burn slightly or partially; as, to char wood.


word: Chara
definition:
Chara

Cha"ra
(?)
n.
[NL., of uncertain origin.]
(Bot.)
A genus of flowerless plants, having articulated stems and whorled branches. They flourish in wet places.


word: Char-a-bancs
definition:
Char-a-bancs

Char`-a-bancs"
(?)
n.
pl. Chars-a-banc (#).
[F.]
A long, light, open vehicle, with benches or seats running lengthwise.


word: characid
definition:
characid

characid
n.
any freshwater fish of the family Characinidae; -- also called characin.

Syn. -- characin, characin fish.


word: Characidae
definition:
Characidae

Characidae
n.
a natural family of tropical freshwater fishes of Africa and southern and central America.

Syn. -- family Characidae.


word: characin
definition:
characin

characin
n.
any freshwater fish of the family Characinidae; -- also called characid.

Syn. -- characin fish, characid.


word: Charact
definition:
Charact

Char"act
(?)
n.
A distinctive mark; a character; a letter or sign. [Obs.] See Character.

In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms.
Shak.


word: Character
definition:
Character

Char"ac*ter
(?)
n.
[L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. _;, fr. _; to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F. caractère.]

1.
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.

It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.
Holder.

2.
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.

You know the character to be your brother's?
Shak.

3.
The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.

The character or that dominion.
Milton.

Know well each Ancient's proper character;
His fable, subject, scope in every page;
Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
Pope.

A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
Motley.

4.
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.

5.
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.

6.
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.

7.
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.

This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.
Addison.

8.
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
[Colloq.]

9.
A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character.

10.
One of the persons of a drama or novel.

&hand_; “It would be well if character and reputation were used distinctively. In truth, character is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be. Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of others. Character is injured by temptations, and by wrongdoing; reputation by slanders, and libels. Character endures throughout defamation in every form, but perishes when there is a voluntary transgression; reputation may last through numerous transgressions, but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded, accusation or aspersion.”  Abbott.


word: Character₂
definition:
Character

Char"ac*ter
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Charactered (?).]

1.
To engrave; to inscribe.
[R.]

These trees shall be my books.
And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
Shak.

2.
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
[R.]
Mitford.


word: Characterism
definition:
Characterism

Char"ac*ter*ism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a characterizing.]
A distinction of character; a characteristic.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Characteristic
definition:
Characteristic

Char`ac*ter*is"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. charactéristique.]
Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.

Characteristic clearness of temper.
Macaulay.


word: Characteristic₂
definition:
Characteristic

Char`ac*ter*is"tic
n.
1.
A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
Pope.

The characteristics of a true critic.
Johnson.

2.
(Math.)
The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.


word: Characteristically
definition:
Characteristically

Char`ac*ter*is"tic*al*ly
adv.
In a characteristic manner; in a way that characterizes.


word: Characterize
definition:
Characterize

Char"ac*ter*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Characterized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Characterizing.]
[LL. characterizare, Gr. _;: cf. F. charactériser.]
1.
To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.

European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are Characterized.
Arbuthnot.

2.
To engrave or imprint.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.

3.
To indicate the character of; to describe.

Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William.
Johnson.

4.
To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.

The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries.
W. Irving.
5.
(Chem.)
to identify the structure or nature of; as, the antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin.


word: Characterless
definition:
Characterless

Char"ac*ter*less
a.
Destitute of any distinguishing quality; without character or force.


word: Charactery
definition:
Charactery

Char"ac*ter*y
(?)
n.
1.
The art or means of characterizing; a system of signs or characters; symbolism; distinctive mark.

Fairies use flowers for their charactery.
Shak.

2.
That which is charactered; the meaning.
[Obs.]

I will construe to thee
All the charactery of my sad brows.
Shak.


word: Charade
definition:
Charade

Cha*rade"
(?)
n.
[F. charade, cf. Pr. charrada long chat, It ciarlare to chat, whence E. charlatan.]
A verbal or acted enigma based upon a word which has two or more significant syllables or parts, each of which, as well as the word itself, is to be guessed from the descriptions or representations.


word: Charadriidae
definition:
Charadriidae

Charadriidae
n.
a natural family of birds comprising the plovers.

Syn. -- family Charadriidae.


word: Charadriiformes
definition:
Charadriiformes

Charadriiformes
n.
large diverse order of aquatic birds found along seacoasts and inland waters; shorebirds and coastal diving birds; most feed on animal life.

Syn. -- order Charadriiformes.


word: Charadrius
definition:
Charadrius

Charadrius
n.
the type genus of the Charadriidae; the plovers.

Syn. -- genus Charadrius.


word: Charales
definition:
Charales

Charales
n.
a small order of macroscopic fresh and brackish water algae with a distinct axis; the stoneworts.

Syn. -- order Charales.


word: Charbon
definition:
Charbon

Char"bon
(?)
n.
[F., coal, charbon.]
1.
(Far.)
A small black spot or mark remaining in the cavity of the corner tooth of a horse after the large spot or mark has become obliterated.

2.
A very contagious and fatal disease of sheep, horses, and cattle. See Maligmant pustule.


word: Charcoal
definition:
Charcoal

Char"coal`
(?)
n.
[See Char, v. t., to burn or to reduce to coal, and Coal.]
1.
Impure carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances; esp., coal made by charring wood in a kiln, retort, etc., from which air is excluded. It is used for fuel and in various mechanical, artistic, and chemical processes.

2.
(Fine Arts)
Finely prepared charcoal in small sticks, used as a drawing implement.

Animal charcoal, a fine charcoal prepared by calcining bones in a closed vessel; -- used as a filtering agent in sugar refining, and as an absorbent and disinfectant. -- Charcoal blacks, the black pigment, consisting of burnt ivory, bone, cock, peach stones, and other substances. -- Charcoal drawing (Fine Arts), a drawing made with charcoal. See Charcoal, 2. Until within a few years this material has been used almost exclusively for preliminary outline, etc., but at present many finished drawings are made with it. -- Charcoal point, a carbon pencil prepared for use in an electric light apparatus. -- Mineral charcoal, a term applied to silky fibrous layers of charcoal, interlaminated in beds of ordinary bituminous coal; -- known to miners as mother of coal.


word: charcuterie
definition:
charcuterie

charcuterie
n.
1.
a delicatessen that specializes in dressed meats and meat dishes, particularly pork products.

2.
the items typically sold in a charcuterie{1}.


word: Chard
definition:
Chard

Chard
(chärd)
n.
[Cf. F. carde esculent thistle.]
1.
The tender leaves or leafstalks of the artichoke, white beet, etc., blanched for table use.

2.
A variety of the white beet, which produces large, succulent leaves and leafstalks.


word: Chardonnay
definition:
Chardonnay

Char`don*nay"
(chär`d'n*ā")
n.
1.
a white wine grape.

2.
dry white Chablis-type table wine made from Chardonnay grapes.

Syn. -- Pinot Chardonnay.


word: Charge
definition:
Charge

Charge
(chärj)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Charged (chärjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Charging.]
[OF. chargier, F. charger, fr. LL. carricare, fr. L. carrus wagon. Cf. Cargo, Caricature, Cark, and see Car.]
1.
To lay on or impose, as a load, tax, or burden; to load; to fill.

A carte that charged was with hay.
Chaucer.

The charging of children's memories with rules.
Locke.

2.
To lay on or impose, as a task, duty, or trust; to command, instruct, or exhort with authority; to enjoin; to urge earnestly; as, to charge a jury; to charge the clergy of a diocese; to charge an agent.

Moses . . . charged you to love the Lord your God.
Josh. xxii. 5.

Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition.
Shak.

3.
To lay on, impose, or make subject to or liable for.

When land shall be charged by any lien.
Kent.

4.
To fix or demand as a price; as, he charges two dollars a barrel for apples.

5.
To place something to the account of as a debt; to debit, as, to charge one with goods. Also, to enter upon the debit side of an account; as, to charge a sum to one.

6.
To impute or ascribe; to lay to one's charge.

No more accuse thy pen, but charge the crime
On native sloth and negligence of time.
Dryden.

7.
To accuse; to make a charge or assertion against (a person or thing); to lay the responsibility (for something said or done) at the door of.

If he did that wrong you charge him with.
Tennyson.

8.
To place within or upon any firearm, piece of apparatus or machinery, the quantity it is intended and fitted to hold or bear; to load; to fill; as, to charge a gun; to charge an electrical machine, etc.

Their battering cannon charged to the mouths.
Shak.

9.
To ornament with or cause to bear; as, to charge an architectural member with a molding.

10.
(Her.)
To assume as a bearing; as, he charges three roses or; to add to or represent on; as, he charges his shield with three roses or.

11.
To call to account; to challenge.
[Obs.]

To charge me to an answer.
Shak.

12.
To bear down upon; to rush upon; to attack.

Charged our main battle's front.
Shak.


word: Charge₂
definition:
Charge

Charge
(?)
v. i.
1.
To make an onset or rush; as, to charge with fixed bayonets.

Like your heroes of antiquity, he charges in iron.
Glanvill.

“Charge for the guns!” he said.
Tennyson.

2.
To demand a price; as, to charge high for goods.

3.
To debit on an account; as, to charge for purchases.

4.
To squat on its belly and be still; -- a command given by a sportsman to a dog.


word: Charge₃
definition:
Charge

Charge
(?)
n.
[F. charge, fr. charger to load. See Charge, v. t., and cf. Cargo, Caricature.]
1.
A load or burder laid upon a person or thing.

2.
A person or thing commited or intrusted to the care, custody, or management of another; a trust.

&hand_; The people of a parish or church are called the charge of the clergyman who is set over them.

3.
Custody or care of any person, thing, or place; office; responsibility; oversight; obigation; duty.

'Tis a great charge to come under one body's hand.
Shak.

4.
Heed; care; anxiety; trouble.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

5.
Harm.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

6.
An order; a mandate or command; an injunction.

The king gave cherge concerning Absalom.
2. Sam. xviii. 5.

7.
An address (esp. an earnest or impressive address) containing instruction or exhortation; as, the charge of a judge to a jury; the charge of a bishop to his clergy.

8.
An accusation of a wrong of offense; allegation; indictment; specification of something alleged.

The charge of confounding very different classes of phenomena.
Whewell.

9.
Whatever constitutes a burden on property, as rents, taxes, lines, etc.; costs; expense incurred; -- usually in the plural.

10.
The price demanded for a thing or service.

11.
An entry or a account of that which is due from one party to another; that which is debited in a business transaction; as, a charge in an account book.

12.
That quantity, as of ammunition, electricity, ore, fuel, etc., which any apparatus, as a gun, battery, furnace, machine, etc., is intended to receive and fitted to hold, or which is actually in it at one time

13.
The act of rushing upon, or towards, an enemy; a sudden onset or attack, as of troops, esp. cavalry; hence, the signal for attack; as, to sound the charge.

Never, in any other war afore, gave the Romans a hotter charge upon the enemies.
Holland.

The charge of the light brigade.
Tennyson.

14.
A position (of a weapon) fitted for attack; as, to bring a weapon to the charge.

15.
(Far.)
A sort of plaster or ointment.

16.
(Her.)
A bearing. See Bearing, n., 8.

17.
[Cf. Charre.]
Thirty-six pigs of lead, each pig weighing about seventy pounds; -- called also charre.

18.
Weight; import; value.

Many suchlike “as's” of great charge.
Shak.

Back charge. See under Back, a. -- Bursting charge. (a) (Mil.) The charge which bursts a shell, etc. (b) (Mining) A small quantity of fine powder to secure the ignition of a charge of coarse powder in blasting. -- Charge and discharge (Equity Practice), the old mode or form of taking an account before a master in chancery. -- Charge sheet, the paper on which are entered at a police station all arrests and accusations. -- To sound the charge, to give the signal for an attack.


word: Chargeable
definition:
Chargeable

Charge"a*ble
(?)
a.
1.
That may be charged, laid, imposed, or imputes; as, a duty chargeable on iron; a fault chargeable on a man.

2.
Subject to be charge or accused; liable or responsible; as, revenues chargeable with a claim; a man chargeable with murder.

3.
Serving to create expense; costly; burdensome.

That we might not be chargeable to any of you.
2. Thess. iii. 8.

For the sculptures, which are elegant, were very chargeable.
Evelyn.


word: Chargeableness
definition:
Chargeableness

Charge"a*ble*ness
n.
The quality of being chargeable or expensive.
[Obs.]
Whitelocke.


word: Chargeant
definition:
Chargeant

Char"geant
(?)
a.
[F. chargeant, fr. charger to load.]
Burdensome; troublesome.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Charge d'affaires
definition:
Charge d'affaires

Char`gé" d'af`faires"
(?)
n.
pl. Chargés d'affaires.
[F., “charged with affairs.”]
A diplomatic representative, or minister of an inferior grade, accredited by the government of one state to the minister of foreign affairs of another; also, a substitute, ad interim, for an ambassador or minister plenipotentiary.


word: Chargeful
definition:
Chargeful

Charge"ful
(?)
a.
Costly; expensive.
[Obs.]

The fineness of the gold and chargeful fashion.
Shak.


word: Chargeous
definition:
Chargeous

Char"geous
(?)
a.
Burdensome.
[Obs.]

I was chargeous to no man.
Wyclif, (2 Cor. xi. 9).


word: Charger
definition:
Charger

Char"ger
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which charges.

2.
An instrument for measuring or inserting a charge.

3.
A large dish.
[Obs.]

Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Matt. xiv. 8.

4.
A horse for battle or parade.
Macaulay.

And furious every charger neighed.
Campbell.


word: Chariot
definition:
Chariot

Char"i*ot
(?)
n.
[F. Chariot, from char car. See Car.]
1.
(Antiq.)
A two-wheeled car or vehicle for war, racing, state processions, etc.

First moved the chariots, after whom the foot.
Cowper.

2.
A four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage, having one seat.
Shak.


word: Chariot₂
definition:
Chariot

Char"i*ot
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Charioted; p. pr. & vb. n. Charioting.]
To convey in a chariot.
Milton.


word: Charioteer
definition:
Charioteer

Char`i*ot*eer"
(?)
n.
1.
One who drives a chariot.

2.
(Astron.)
A constellation. See Auriga, and Wagones.


word: Charism
definition:
Charism

Cha"rism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; gift.]
(Eccl.)
A miraculously given power, as of healing, speaking foreign languages without instruction, etc., attributed to some of the early Christians.


word: Charitable
definition:
Charitable

Char"i*ta*ble
(?)
a.
[F. See Charity.]
1.
Full of love and good will; benevolent; kind.

Be thy intents wicked or charitable, . . . 
 . . . I will speak to thee.
Shak.

2.
Liberal in judging of others; disposed to look on the best side, and to avoid harsh judgment.

3.
Liberal in benefactions to the poor; giving freely; generous; beneficent.

What charitable men afford to beggars.
Shak.

4.
Of or pertaining to charity; springing from, or intended for, charity; relating to almsgiving; eleemosynary; as, a charitable institution.

5.
Dictated by kindness; favorable; lenient.

By a charitable construction it may be a sermon.
L. Andrews.


word: Charity
definition:
Charity

Char"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Charities (#).
[F. charité fr. L. caritas dearness, high regard, love, from carus dear, costly, loved; asin to Skr. kam to wish, love, cf. Ir. cara a friend, W. caru to love. Cf. Caress.]

1.
Love; universal benevolence; good will.

Now abideth faith, hope, charity, three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1. Cor. xiii. 13.

They, at least, are little to be envied, in whose hearts the great charities . . . lie dead.
Ruskin.

With malice towards none, with charity for all.
Lincoln.

2.
Liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to put the best construction on the words and actions of others.

The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable.
Buckminster.

3.
Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity.

The heathen poet, in commending the charity of Dido to the Trojans, spake like a Christian.
Dryden.

4.
Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness.

She did ill then to refuse her a charity.
L'Estrange.

5.
A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution; as, Lady Margaret's charity.

6.
pl.
(Law)
Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises] including relief of the poor or friendless, education, religious culture, and public institutions.

The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless,
Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers.
Wordsworth.

Sisters of Charity (R. C. Ch.), a sisterhood of religious women engaged in works of mercy, esp. in nursing the sick; -- a popular designation. There are various orders of the Sisters of Charity.


word: Charivari
definition:
Charivari

Cha*ri`va*ri"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A mock serenade of discordant noises, made with kettles, tin horns, etc., designed to annoy and insult; -- called also shivaree.

Syn. -- shivaree, charivari, callithump, callathump.

&hand_; It was at first performed before the house of any person of advanced age who married a second time.


word: Charlatan
definition:
Charlatan

Char"la*tan
(?)
n.
[F. charlatan, fr. It. ciarlatano, fr. ciarlare to chartter, prate; of imitative origin; cf. It. zirlare to whistle like a thrush.]
One who prates much in his own favor, and makes unwarrantable pretensions; a quack; an impostor; an empiric; a mountebank.


word: Charlatanical
definition:
Charlatanical

Charlatanic

{ Char`la*tan"ic (?), Char`la*tan"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or like a charlatan; making undue pretension; empirical; pretentious; quackish.
Char`la*tan"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Charlatanry
definition:
Charlatanry

Char"la*tan*ry
(?)
n.
[F. charlatanrie, from It. ciarlataneria. See Charlatan.]
Undue pretensions to skill; quackery; wheedling; empiricism.


word: Charles's Wain
definition:
Charles's Wain

Charles's Wain
(?)
[Charles + wain; cf. AS. Carles w&aemacr_;n (for wægn), Sw. karlvagnen, Dan. karlsvogn. See Churl, and Wain.]
(Astron.)
The group of seven stars, commonly called the Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear. See Ursa major, under Ursa.

&hand_; The name is sometimes also applied to the Constellation.


word: Charlie
definition:
Charlie

Char"lie
(?)
n.
1.
A familiar nickname or substitute for Charles.

2.
A night watchman; -- an old name.

3.
A short, pointed beard, like that worn by Charles I.

4.
As a proper name, a fox; -- so called in fables and familiar literature.


word: Charlock
definition:
Charlock

Char"lock
(?)
n.
[AS. cerlic; the latter part perh. fr. AS. leác leek. Cf. Hemlock.]
(Bot.)
A cruciferous plant (Brassica sinapistrum) with yellow flowers; wild mustard. It is troublesome in grain fields. Called also chardock, chardlock, chedlock, and kedlock.

Jointed charlock, White charlock, a troublesome weed (Raphanus Raphanistrum) with straw-colored, whitish, or purplish flowers, and jointed pods: wild radish.


word: Charlotte
definition:
Charlotte

Char"lotte
(?)
n.
[F.]
A kind of pie or pudding made by lining a dish with slices of bread, and filling it with bread soaked in milk, and baked.

Charlotte Russe (_;), or &VerbarCharlotte à la russe [F., lit., Russian charlotte] (Cookery), a dish composed of custard or whipped cream, inclosed in sponge cake.


word: Charm
definition:
Charm

Charm
(chärm)
n.
[F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse, incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. çasman, çasā, a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing.]
1.
A melody; a song.
[Obs.]

With charm of earliest birds.
Milton.

Free liberty to chant our charms at will.
Spenser.

2.
A word or combination of words sung or spoken in the practice of magic; a magical combination of words, characters, etc.; an incantation.

My high charms work.
Shak.

3.
That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality.

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.
Pope.

The charm of beauty's powerful glance.
Milton.

4.
Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune.

5.
Any small decorative object worn on the person, as a seal, a key, a silver whistle, or the like. Bunches of charms are often worn at the watch chain.

6.
(Physics)
a property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0.


word: Charm₂
definition:
Charm

Charm
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Charmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Charming.]
[Cf. F. charmer. See Charm, n.]
1.
To make music upon; to tune.
[Obs. & R.]

Here we our slender pipes may safely charm.
Spenser.

2.
To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic.

No witchcraft charm thee!
Shak.

3.
To subdue or overcome by some secret power, or by that which gives pleasure; to allay; to soothe.

Music the fiercest grief can charm.
Pope.

4.
To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate.

They, on their mirth and dance
Intent, with jocund music charm his ear.
Milton.

5.
To protect with, or make invulnerable by, spells, charms, or supernatural influences; as, a charmed life.

I, in my own woe charmed,
Could not find death.
Shak.


