# dictionary

word: Post₂
definition:
Post

Post
n.
[AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to place. See Position, and cf. 4th Post.]
1.
A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed, or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially when intended as a stay or support to something else; a pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a house.

They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses.
Ex. xii. 7.

Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore,
The gates of Azza, post and massy bar.
Milton.

Unto his order he was a noble post.
Chaucer.

&hand_; Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is used in composition, in such words as king-post, queen-post, crown-post, gatepost, etc.

2.
The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt.
[Obs.]

When God sends coin
I will discharge your post.
S. Rowlands.

From pillar to post. See under Pillar. -- Knight of the post. See under Knight. -- Post hanger (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft, adapted to be fastened to a post. -- Post hole, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post in. -- Post mill, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of the wind varies. -- Post and stall (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine.


word: Post₃
definition:
Post

Post
n.
[F. poste, LL. posta station, post (where horses were kept), properly, a fixed or set place, fem. fr. L. positus placed, p. p. of ponere. See Position, and cf. Post a pillar.]
1.
The place at which anything is stopped, placed, or fixed; a station.
(a)
A station, or one of a series of stations, established for the refreshment and accommodation of travelers on some recognized route; as, a stage or railway post.
(b)
A military station; the place at which a soldier or a body of troops is stationed; also, the troops at such a station.
(c)
The piece of ground to which a sentinel's walk is limited.

2.
A messenger who goes from station; an express; especially, one who is employed by the government to carry letters and parcels regularly from one place to another; a letter carrier; a postman.

In certain places there be always fresh posts, to carry that further which is brought unto them by the other.
Abp. Abbot.

I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.
Shak.

3.
An established conveyance for letters from one place or station to another; especially, the governmental system in any country for carrying and distributing letters and parcels; the post office; the mail; hence, the carriage by which the mail is transported.

I send you the fair copy of the poem on dullness, which I should not care to hazard by the common post.
Pope.

4.
Haste or speed, like that of a messenger or mail carrier.
[Obs.]
post
Shak.

5.
One who has charge of a station, especially of a postal station.
[Obs.]

He held office of postmaster, or, as it was then called, post, for several years.
Palfrey.

6.
A station, office, or position of service, trust, or emolument; as, the post of duty; the post of danger.

The post of honor is a private station.
Addison.

7.
A size of printing and writing paper. See the Table under Paper.

Post and pair, an old game at cards, in which each player a hand of three cards. B. Jonson. -- Post bag, a mail bag. -- Post bill, a bill of letters mailed by a postmaster. -- Post chaise, or Post coach, a carriage usually with four wheels, for the conveyance of travelers who travel post. -- Post day, a day on which the mall arrives or departs. -- Post hackney, a hired post horse. Sir H. Wotton. -- Post horn, a horn, or trumpet, carried and blown by a carrier of the public mail, or by a coachman. -- Post horse, a horse stationed, intended, or used for the post. -- Post hour, hour for posting letters. Dickens. -- Post office. (a) An office under governmental superintendence, where letters, papers, and other mailable matter, are received and distributed; a place appointed for attending to all business connected with the mail. (b) The governmental system for forwarding mail matter. -- Postoffice order. See Money order, under Money. -- Post road, or Post route, a road or way over which the mail is carried. -- Post town. (a) A town in which post horses are kept. (b) A town in which a post office is established by law. -- To ride post, to ride, as a carrier of dispatches, from place to place; hence, to ride rapidly, with as little delay as possible. -- To travel post, to travel, as a post does, by relays of horses, or by keeping one carriage to which fresh horses are attached at each stopping place.


word: Post₄
definition:
Post

Post
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Posted; p. pr. & vb. n. Posting.]
1.
To attach to a post, a wall, or other usual place of affixing public notices; to placard; as, to post a notice; to post playbills.

&hand_; Formerly, a large post was erected before the sheriff's office, or in some public place, upon which legal notices were displayed. This way of advertisement has not entirely gone of use.

2.
To hold up to public blame or reproach; to advertise opprobriously; to denounce by public proclamation; as, to post one for cowardice.

On pain of being posted to your sorrow
Fail not, at four, to meet me.
Granville.

3.
To enter (a name) on a list, as for service, promotion, or the like.

4.
To assign to a station; to set; to place; as, to post a sentinel.
posted
De Quincey.

5.
(Bookkeeping)
To carry, as an account, from the journal to the ledger; as, to post an account; to transfer, as accounts, to the ledger.

You have not posted your books these ten years.
Arbuthnot.

6.
To place in the care of the post; to mail; as, to post a letter.

7.
To inform; to give the news to; to make (one) acquainted with the details of a subject; -- often with up.

Thoroughly posted up in the politics and literature of the day.
Lond. Sat. Rev.

To post off, to put off; to delay. [Obs.] “Why did I, venturously, post off so great a business?” Baxter. -- To post over, to hurry over. [Obs.] Fuller.


word: Post₅
definition:
Post

Post
v. i.
[Cf. OF. poster. See 4th Post.]
1.
To travel with post horses; figuratively, to travel in haste.
Post
Shak.

And post o'er land and ocean without rest.
Milton.

2.
(Man.)
To rise and sink in the saddle, in accordance with the motion of the horse, esp. in trotting.
[Eng.]


word: Post-abdomen
definition:
Post-abdomen

Post`-ab*do"men
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + abdomen.]
(Zool.)
That part of a crustacean behind the cephalothorax; -- more commonly called abdomen.


word: Postage
definition:
Postage

Post"age
(?)
n.
The price established by law to be paid for the conveyance of a letter or other mailable matter by a public post.

Postage stamp, a government stamp required to be put upon articles sent by mail in payment of the postage, esp. an adhesive stamp issued and sold for that purpose.


word: Postal
definition:
Postal

Post"al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. postal.]
Belonging to the post office or mail service; as, postal arrangements; postal authorities.

Postal card, or Post card, a card used for transmission of messages through the mails, at a lower rate of postage than a sealed letter; also called postcard.  Such cards are sold by the government with postage already paid, or by private vendors without a postage stamp.  The message is written on one side of the card, and the address on the other. -- Postal money order. See Money order, under Money. -- Postal note, an order payable to bearer, for a sum of money (in the United States less than five dollars under existing law), issued from one post office and payable at another specified office. -- Postal Union, a union for postal purposes entered into by the most important powers, or governments, which have agreed to transport mail matter through their several territories at a stipulated rate.


word: Postanal
definition:
Postanal

Post*a"nal
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + anal.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind, or posterior to, the anus.


word: Postaxial
definition:
Postaxial

Post*ax"i*al
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + axial.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind any transverse axis in the body of an animal; caudal; posterior; especially, behind, or on the caudal or posterior (that is, ulnar or fibular) side of, the axis of a vertebrate limb.


word: Postboy
definition:
Postboy

Post"boy`
(?)
n.
1.
One who rides post horses; a position; a courier.

2.
A boy who carries letters from the post.


word: Post-captain
definition:
Post-captain

Post"-cap`tain
(?)
n.
A captain of a war vessel whose name appeared, or was “posted,” in the seniority list of the British navy, as distinguished from a commander whose name was not so posted. The term was also used in the United States navy; but no such commission as post-captain was ever recognized in either service, and the term has fallen into disuse.


word: Postcava
definition:
Postcava

Post"ca`va
(?)
n.
pl. Postcavæ .
[NL. See Post-, and Cave, n.]
(Anat.)
The inferior vena cava.
Post"ca`val (#), a.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Postclavicle
definition:
Postclavicle

Post*clav"i*cle
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + clavicle.]
(Anat.)
A bone in the pectoral girdle of many fishes projecting backward from the clavicle.
Post`*cla*vic"u*lar (#), a.


word: Postcommissure
definition:
Postcommissure

Post*com"mis*sure
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + commisure.]
(Anat.)
A transverse commisure in the posterior part of the roof of the third ventricle of the brain; the posterior cerebral commisure.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Postcommunion
definition:
Postcommunion

Post`com*mun"ion
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + communion.]
1.
(Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.)
The concluding portion of the communion service.

2.
(R. C. Ch.)
A prayer or prayers which the priest says at Mass, after the ablutions.


word: Postcornu
definition:
Postcornu

Post*cor"nu
(?)
n.
pl. Postcornua (#).
[NL. See Post-, and Cornu.]
(Anat.)
The posterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Postdate
definition:
Postdate

Post"date`
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postdated; p. pr. & vb. n. Postdating.]
[Pref. post- + date.]
1.
To date after the real time; as, to postdate a contract, that is, to date it later than the time when it was in fact made.

2.
To affix a date to after the event.


word: Postdate₂
definition:
Postdate

Post"date`
a.
Made or done after the date assigned.

Of these [predictions] some were postdate; cunningly made after the thing came to pass.
Fuller.


word: Postdate₃
definition:
Postdate

Post"date`
n.
A date put to a bill of exchange or other paper, later than that when it was actually made.


word: Postdiluvian
definition:
Postdiluvian

Postdiluvial

{ Post`di*lu"vi*al (?), Post`di*lu"vi*an (?), }
a.
[Pref. post- + diluvial, diluvian.]
Being or happening after the flood in Noah's days.


word: Post-disseizin
definition:
Post-disseizin

Post"-dis*sei"zin
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + disseizin.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A subsequent disseizin committed by one of lands which the disseizee had before recovered of the same disseizor; a writ founded on such subsequent disseizin, now abolished.
Burrill. Tomlins.


word: Post-disseizor
definition:
Post-disseizor

Post`-dis*sei"zor
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + disseizor.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A person who disseizes another of lands which the disseizee had before recovered of the same disseizor.
Blackstone.


word: Postea
definition:
Postea

Post"e*a
(?)
n.
[L., after these or those (things), afterward.]
(Law)
The return of the judge before whom a cause was tried, after a verdict, of what was done in the cause, which is indorsed on the nisi prius record.
Wharton.


word: Postentry
definition:
Postentry

Post"en*try
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + entry.]
1.
A second or subsequent, at the customhouse, of goods which had been omitted by mistake.

2.
(Bookkeeping)
An additional or subsequent entry.


word: Poster
definition:
Poster

Post"er
(?)
n.
1.
A large bill or placard intended to be posted in public places.

2.
One who posts bills; a billposter.


word: Poster₂
definition:
Poster

Post"er
n.
1.
One who posts, or travels expeditiously; a courier.
Posters
Shak.

2.
A post horse.
Posters
C. Lever.


word: Posterior
definition:
Posterior

Pos*te"ri*or
(p&obreve_;s*tē"rĭ*ẽr)
a.
[L. posterior, compar. of posterus coming after, from post after. See Post-.]
1.
Later in time; hence, later in the order of proceeding or moving; coming after; -- opposed to prior.

Hesiod was posterior to Homer.
Broome.

2.
Situated behind; hinder; -- opposed to anterior.

3.
(Anat.)
At or toward the caudal extremity; caudal; -- in human anatomy often used for dorsal.

4.
(Bot.)
On the side next the axis of inflorescence; -- said of an axillary flower.
Gray.


word: Posteriority
definition:
Posteriority

Pos*te`ri*or"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. postériorité.]
The state of being later or subsequent; as, posteriority of time, or of an event; -- opposed to priority.


word: Posterity
definition:
Posterity

Pos*ter"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. posteritas: cf. F. postérité. See Posterior.]
1.
The race that proceeds from a progenitor; offspring to the furthest generation; the aggregate number of persons who are descended from an ancestor of a generation; descendants; -- contrasted with ancestry; as, the posterity of Abraham.

If [the crown] should not stand in thy posterity.
Shak.

2.
Succeeding generations; future times.
Shak.

Their names shall be transmitted to posterity.
Shak.

Their names shall be transmitted to posterity.
Smalridge.


word: Postern
definition:
Postern

Pos"tern
(?)
n.
[OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr. L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See Posterior.]
1.
Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any small door or gate.

He by a privy postern took his flight.
Spenser.

Out at the postern, by the abbey wall.
Shak.

2.
(Fort.)
A subterraneous passage communicating between the parade and the main ditch, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks.
Mahan.


word: Postero
definition:
Postero

Pos"te*ro
- (_;). A combining form meaning posterior, back; as, postero-inferior, situated back and below; postero-lateral, situated back and at the side.


word: Postexilic
definition:
Postexilic

Postexilian

{ Post`ex*il"i*an (?), Post`ex*il"ic (?) }
a.
After the exile;
specif.
(Jewish Hist.)
belonging to a period subsequent to the Babylonian captivity or exile (b. c. 597 or about 586-about 537).


word: Postexist
definition:
Postexist

Post`ex*ist"
(?)
v. i.
[Pref. post- + exist.]
To exist after; to live subsequently.
[Obs. or R.]


word: Post-fine
definition:
Post-fine

Post"-fine`
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + fine.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A duty paid to the king by the cognizee in a fine of lands, when the same was fully passed; -- called also the king's silver.


word: Postfix
definition:
Postfix

Post"fix
(?)
n.
pl. Postfixes (#).
[Pref. post- + -fix, as in prefix: cf. F. postfixe.]
(Gram.)
A letter, syllable, or word, added to the end of another word; a suffix.
Parkhurst.


word: Postfix₂
definition:
Postfix

Post*fix"
(?)
v. t.
To annex; specifically (Gram.), to add or annex, as a letter, syllable, or word, to the end of another or principal word; to suffix.
Parkhurst.


word: Postfrontal
definition:
Postfrontal

Post*fron"tal
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + frontal.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the frontal bone or the frontal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone back of and below the frontal in many animals.
n. A postfrontal bone.


word: Postfurca
definition:
Postfurca

Post*fur"ca
(?)
n.
pl. Postfurcæ (#).
[NL., fr. post behind + furca a fork.]
(Zool.)
One of the internal thoracic processes of the sternum of an insect.


word: Postgeniture
definition:
Postgeniture

Post*gen"i*ture
(?; 135)
n.
[Pref. post- + L. genitura birth, geniture.]
The condition of being born after another in the same family; -- distinguished from primogeniture.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Postglacial
definition:
Postglacial

Post*gla"cial
(?)
a.
(Geol.)
(a)
Formed or occurring after the last glacial epoch of the Pleistocene period, or at a locality within the area of Pleistocene glaciation after the final disappearance of the glacier from the locality.
(b)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an epoch after the last Glacial and before the Terrace epoch.
[R.]


word: Postglenoid
definition:
Postglenoid

Post*gle"noid
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + glenoid.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone.


word: Postgraduate
definition:
Postgraduate

Post*grad"u*ate
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + graduate.]
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the studies pursued after graduation, esp., after receiving the bachelor's degree at a college; graduate.
n. A student who pursues such studies.
&hand_; Most careful writers consider the word graduate to be the proper word to use in this sense.


word: Posthaste₂
definition:
Posthaste

Post`haste
adv.
With speed or expedition; as, he traveled posthaste; to send posthaste.
Shak.


word: Posthetomy
definition:
Posthetomy

Pos*thet"o*my
(?)
n.
[Gr. po`sqh prepuce + te`mnein to cut.]
(Med.)
Circumcision.
Dunglison.


word: Posthouse
definition:
Posthouse

Post"house`
(?)
n.
1.
A house established for the convenience of the post, where relays of horses can be obtained.

2.
A house for distributing the malls; a post office.


word: Posthumous
definition:
Posthumous

Post"hu*mous
(?; 277)
a.
[L. posthumus, postumus, properly, last; hence, late born (applied to children born after the father's death, or after he had made his will), superl. of posterus, posterior. See Posterior.]
1.
Born after the death of the father, or taken from the dead body of the mother; as, a posthumous son or daughter.

2.
Published after the death of the author; as, posthumous works; a posthumous edition.

3.
Being or continuing after one's death; as, a posthumous reputation.
Addison. Sir T. Browne.


word: Posticous
definition:
Posticous

Pos"ti*cous
(?)
a.
[L. posticus.]
(Bot.)
(a)
Posterior.
(b)
Situated on the outer side of a filament; -- said of an extrorse anther.


word: Postil
definition:
Postil

Pos"til
(?)
n.
[F. postille, apostille, LL. postilla, probably from L. post illa (sc. verba) after those (words).  Cf. Apostil.]
1.
Originally, an explanatory note in the margin of the Bible, so called because written after the text; hence, a marginal note; a comment.

Langton also made postils upon the whole Bible.
Foxe.

2.
(R. C. Ch. & Luth. Ch.)
A short homily or commentary on a passage of Scripture; as, the first postils were composed by order of Charlemagne.


word: Postil₂
definition:
Postil

Pos"til
v. t.
[Cf. LL. postillare.]
To write marginal or explanatory notes on; to gloss.
Bacon.


word: Postil₃
definition:
Postil

Pos"til
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Postiled (_;) or Postilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Postiling or Postilling.]
To write postils, or marginal notes; to comment; to postillate.

Postiling and allegorizing on Scripture.
J. H. Newman.


word: Postiler
definition:
Postiler

Pos"til*er
(?)
n.
[Written also postiller.]
One who writers marginal notes; one who illustrates the text of a book by notes in the margin.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Postilion
definition:
Postilion

Pos*til"ion
(?)
n.
[F. postillon, It. postiglione, fr. posta post. See Post a postman.]
One who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when one pair only is used.
[Written also postillion.]


word: Postillate
definition:
Postillate

Pos"til*late
(?)
v. t.
[LL. postillatus, p. p. of postillare.]
To explain by marginal notes; to postil.

Tracts . . . postillated by his own hand.
C. Knight.


word: Postillate₂
definition:
Postillate

Pos"til*late
v. i.
1.
To write postils; to comment.

2.
To preach by expounding Scripture verse by verse, in regular order.


word: Postillation
definition:
Postillation

Pos`til*la"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. postillatio.]
The act of postillating; exposition of Scripture in preaching.


word: Postillator
definition:
Postillator

Pos"til*la`tor
(?)
n.
[LL.]
One who postillates; one who expounds the Scriptures verse by verse.


word: Post-impressionism
definition:
Post-impressionism

Post`-im*pres"sion*ism
n.
(Painting)
In the broadest sense, the theory or practice of any of several groups of painters of the early 1900's, or of these groups taken collectively, whose work and theories have in common a tendency to reaction against the scientific and naturalistic character of impressionism and neo-impressionism. In a strict sense the term post-impressionism is used to denote the effort at self-expression, rather than representation, shown in the work of Cézanne, Matisse, etc.; but it is more broadly used to include cubism, the theory or practice of a movement in both painting and  sculpture which lays stress upon volume as the important attribute of objects and attempts its expression by the use of geometrical figures or solids only; and futurism, a theory or practice which attempts to place the observer within the picture and to represent simultaneously a number of consecutive movements and impressions. In practice these theories and methods of the post-impressionists change with great rapidity and shade into one another, so that a picture may be both cubist and futurist in character. They tend to, and sometimes reach, a condition in which both representation and traditional decoration are entirely abolished and a work of art becomes a purely subjective expression in an arbitrary and personal language.


word: Posting
definition:
Posting

Post"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act of traveling post.

2.
(Bookkeeping)
The act of transferring an account, as from the journal to the ledger.

Posting house, a post house.


word: Post-it note
definition:
Post-it note

Post"-it note
(?)
n.
[From the trademark Post-it registered by the 3M Corporation.]
A small sheet of paper having the back part partly covered with a non-permanent gum which allows the note to be attached temporarily to another object, and easily removed without leaving any trace of glue on the object to which it was affixed.  Such note papers are sold in pads of varying sizes.
[Trademark]


word: Postliminiar
definition:
Postliminiar

Post`li*min"i*ar
(?)
a.
[See Postliminium.]
Contrived, done, or existing subsequently.
Postliminious
South.


word: Postliminy
definition:
Postliminy

Postliminium

{ &VerbarPost`li*min"i*um (?), Post*lim"i*ny (?), }
n.
[L. postliminium, post after + limen, liminis, a threshold.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
The return to his own country, and his former privileges, of a person who had gone to sojourn in a foreign country, or had been banished, or taken by an enemy.
Burrill.

2.
(Internat. Law)
The right by virtue of which persons and things taken by an enemy in war are restored to their former state when coming again under the power of the nation to which they belonged.
Kent.


word: Postlude
definition:
Postlude

Post"lude
(?)
n.
[Pref. post- + -lude, as in prelude.]
(Med.)
A voluntary at the end of a service.


word: Postman
definition:
Postman

Post"man
(?)
n.
pl. Postmen (_;).
1.
A post or courier; a letter carrier.

2.
(Eng. Law)
One of the two most experienced barristers in the Court of Exchequer, who have precedence in motions; -- so called from the place where he sits. The other of the two is called the tubman.
Whishaw.


word: Postmark
definition:
Postmark

Post"mark`
(?)
n.
The mark, or stamp, of a post office on a letter, giving the place and date of mailing or of arrival.


word: Postmark₂
definition:
Postmark

Post"mark`
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postmarked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postmarking.]
To mark with a post-office stamp; as, to postmark a letter or parcel.


word: Postmaster
definition:
Postmaster

Post"mas`ter
(?)
n.
1.
One who has charge of a station for the accommodation of travelers; one who supplies post horses.

2.
One who has charge of a post office, and the distribution and forwarding of mails.


word: Postmaster-general
definition:
Postmaster-general

Post"mas`ter-gen"er*al
(?)
n.
pl. Postmasters-general.
The chief officer of the post-office department of a government. In the United States the postmaster-general is a member of the cabinet.


word: Postmeridian
definition:
Postmeridian

Post`me*rid"i*an
(?)
a.
[L. postmeridianus; post after + meridianus. See Meridian.]
1.
Coming after the sun has passed the meridian; being in, or belonging to, the afternoon. (Abbrev. P. M.)

2.
Fig., belonging to the after portion of life; late.
[R.]


word: Post-mortem
definition:
Post-mortem

Post-mor"tem
(?)
a.
[L., after death.]
After death; as, post-mortem rigidity.

Post-mortem examination (Med.), an examination of the body made after the death of the patient; an autopsy.


word: Postnares
definition:
Postnares

Post*na"res
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Post-, and Nares.]
(Anat.)
The posterior nares. See Nares.


word: Postnatal
definition:
Postnatal

Post*na"tal
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + natal.]
After birth; subsequent to birth; as, postnatal infanticide; postnatal diseases.


word: Postnate
definition:
Postnate

Post"nate
(?)
a.
[LL. postnatus second or subsequently born; L. post after + natus born.]
Subsequent.
postnate
[Archaic]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Post note
definition:
Post note

Post" note`
(?)
(Com.)
A note issued by a bank, payable at some future specified time, as distinguished from a note payable on demand.
Burrill.


word: Postnuptial
definition:
Postnuptial

Post*nup"tial
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + nuptial.]
Being or happening after marriage; as, a postnuptial settlement on a wife.
Kent.


word: Post-obit bond
definition:
Post-obit bond

Post-obit

{ Post-o"bit (?), n., or Post-o"bit bond`  }
[Pref. post- + obit.]
(Law)
A bond in which the obligor, in consideration of having received a certain sum of money, binds himself to pay a larger sum, on unusual interest, on the death of some specified individual from whom he has expectations.
Bouvier.


word: Postoblongata
definition:
Postoblongata

Post*ob`lon*ga"ta
(?)
n.
[NL. See Post-, and Oblongata.]
(Anat.)
The posterior part of the medulla oblongata.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Postoral
definition:
Postoral

Post*o"ral
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + oral.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind, or posterior to, the mouth.


word: Postorbital
definition:
Postorbital

Post*or"bit*al
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + orbital.]
(Anat. & Zool.)
Situated behind the orbit; as, the postorbital scales of some fishes and reptiles.
n. A postorbital bone or scale.


word: Postpalatine
definition:
Postpalatine

Post*pal"a*tine
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + palatine.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the palate, or behind the palatine bones.


word: Postpliocene
definition:
Postpliocene

Post*pli"o*cene
(?)
a.
(Geol.)
[Pref. post- + pliocene.]
Of or pertaining to the period immediately following the Pliocene; Pleistocene. Also used as a noun. See Quaternary.


word: Postpone
definition:
Postpone

Post*pone"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postponed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postponing.]
[L. postponere, postpositum; post after + ponere to place, put. See Post-, and Position.]
1.
To defer to a future or later time; to put off; also, to cause to be deferred or put off; to delay; to adjourn; as, to postpone the consideration of a bill to the following day, or indefinitely.

His praise postponed, and never to be paid.
Cowper.

2.
To place after, behind, or below something, in respect to precedence, preference, value, or importance.

All other considerations should give way and be postponed to this.
Locke.


word: Postponement
definition:
Postponement

Post*pone"ment
(?)
n.
The act of postponing; a deferring, or putting off, to a future time; a temporary delay.
Macaulay.


word: Postponence
definition:
Postponence

Post*pon"ence
(?)
n.
[From L. postponens, p. pr.]
The act of postponing, in sense 2.
[Obs.]
Johnson.


word: Postpose
definition:
Postpose

Post*pose"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postposing.]
[F. postposer. See Post-, and Pose, v. t.]
To postpone.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Postposit
definition:
Postposit

Post*pos"it
(?)
v. t.
[L. postpositus, p. p. See Postpone.]
To postpone.
[Obs.]
Feltham.


word: Postposition
definition:
Postposition

Post`po*si"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. postposition. See Postpone.]
1.
The act of placing after, or the state of being placed after.
postposition
Mede.

2.
A word or particle placed after, or at the end of, another word; -- distinguished from preposition.


word: Postpositive
definition:
Postpositive

Post*pos"i*tive
(?)
a.
[See Postpone.]
Placed after another word; as, a postpositive conjunction; a postpositive letter.
Post*pos"i*tive*ly, adv.


word: Postprandial
definition:
Postprandial

Post*pran"di*al
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + prandial.]
Happening, or done, after dinner; after-dinner; as, postprandial speeches.


word: Postremogeniture
definition:
Postremogeniture

Pos*tre`mo*gen"i*ture
(?; 135)
n.
[L. postremus last + genitura birth, geniture.]
The right of the youngest born.
Mozley & W.


word: Postscapula
definition:
Postscapula

Post*scap"u*la
(?)
n.
[NL. See Post-, and Scapula.]
(Anat.)
The part of the scapula behind or below the spine, or mesoscapula.


word: Postscenium
definition:
Postscenium

Post*sce"ni*um
(?)
n.
[L., fr. post + scena a scene.]
The part of a theater behind the scenes; the back part of the stage of a theater.


word: Postscribe
definition:
Postscribe

Post*scribe"
(?)
v. t.
[L. postscribere. See Postscript.]
To make a postscript.
[R.]
T. Adams.


word: Postscript
definition:
Postscript

Post"script
(?)
n.
[L. postscriptus, (assumed) p. p. of postscribere to write after; post after + scribere to write: cf. F. postscriptum. See Post-, and Scribe.]
A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and signed by the writer; an addition made to a book or composition after the main body of the work has been finished, containing something omitted, or something new occurring to the writer.
[Abbrev. P. S.]


word: Postscutellum
definition:
Postscutellum

Post`scu*tel"lum
(?)
n.
[NL. See Post-, and Scutellum.]
(Zool.)
The hindermost dorsal piece of a thoracic somite of an insect; the plate behind the scutellum.


word: Postsphenoid
definition:
Postsphenoid

Post*sphe"noid
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + sphenoid.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the posterior part of the sphenoid bone.


word: Post-temporal
definition:
Post-temporal

Post-tem"po*ral
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + temporal.]
(Anat.)
Situated back of the temporal bone or the temporal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone which usually connects the supraclavicle with the skull in the pectoral arch of fishes.
n. A post-temporal bone.


word: Posttertiary
definition:
Posttertiary

Post*ter"ti*a*ry
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + tertiary.]
(Geol.)
Following, or more recent than, the Tertiary; Quaternary.


word: Post-tragus
definition:
Post-tragus

Post"-tra`gus
(?)
n.
[NL. See Post-, and Tragus.]
(Anat.)
A ridge within and behind the tragus in the ear of some animals.


word: Post-tympanic
definition:
Post-tympanic

Post`-tym*pan"ic
(?)
a.
[Pref. post- + tympanic.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the tympanum, or in the skull, behind the auditory meatus.


word: Postulant
definition:
Postulant

Pos"tu*lant
(?; 135)
n.
[F., fr. L. postulans, p. pr. of postulare. See Postulate.]
One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.


word: Postulate
definition:
Postulate

Pos"tu*late
(?)
n.
[L. postulatum a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to pray: cf. F. postulat. See Pray.]
1.
Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.

2.
(Geom.)
The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.

The distinction between a postulate and an axiom lies in this, -- that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny.
Eng. Cyc.


word: Postulate₃
definition:
Postulate

Pos"tu*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating.]
1.
To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions.

2.
To take without express consent; to assume.

The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . . postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation.
W. Tooke.

3.
To invite earnestly; to solicit.
[Obs.]
Bp. Burnet.


word: Postulation
definition:
Postulation

Pos`tu*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation.]
The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.


word: Postulatory
definition:
Postulatory

Pos"tu*la*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. postulatorius.]
Of the nature of a postulate.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Posture
definition:
Posture

Pos"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[F., fr. L. positura, fr. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.]
1.
The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude.

Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run.
Sir P. Sidney.

In most strange postures
We have seen him set himself.
Shak.

The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action.
Dryden.

2.
Place; position; situation.
[Obs.]
Milton.

His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world.
Sir M. Hale.

3.
State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.

The several postures of his devout soul.
Atterbury.


word: Posture₂
definition:
Posture

Pos"ture
(?; 135)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Postured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posturing.]
To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model.
Howell.


word: Posture₃
definition:
Posture

Pos"ture
v. i.
1.
To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or contortionist; also, to pose.

2.
Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.


word: Postzygapophysis
definition:
Postzygapophysis

Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis
(?)
n.
pl. Postzygapophyses (#).
[NL. See Post-, and Zygapophysis.]
(Anat.)
A posterior zygapophysis.


word: Posy
definition:
Posy

Po"sy
(?)
n.
pl. Posies (#).
[Contr. fr. poesy.]
1.
A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring.
posy
Shak.

2.
[Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.]
A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay.
posies
Spenser.

We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for posies.
Swift.


word: Pot
definition:
Pot

Pot
(?)
n.
[Akin to LG. pott, D. pot, Dan. potte, Sw. potta, Icel. pottr, F. pot; of unknown origin.]
1.
A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.

2.
An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.

3.
The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale.
pot
De Foe.

4.
A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.

5.
A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.

6.
A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.

7.
A perforated cask for draining sugar.
Knight.

8.
A size of paper. See Pott.

9.
marijuana.
[slang]

10.
The total of the bets at stake at one time, as in racing or card playing; the pool;
also
(Racing, Eng.)
a horse heavily backed; a favorite.
[Slang]

11.
(Armor)
A plain defensive headpiece; later, and perhaps in a jocose sense, any helmet; -- called also pot helmet.

12.
(Card Playing)
The total of the bets at one time; the pool.

Jack pot. See under 2d Jack. -- Pot cheese, cottage cheese. See under Cottage. -- Pot companion, a companion in drinking. -- Pot hanger, a pothook. -- Pot herb, any plant, the leaves or stems of which are boiled for food, as spinach, lamb's-quarters, purslane, and many others. -- Pot hunter, one who kills anything and everything that will help to fill has bag; also, a hunter who shoots game for the table or for the market. -- Pot metal. (a) The metal from which iron pots are made, different from common pig iron. (b) An alloy of copper with lead used for making large vessels for various purposes in the arts. Ure. (c) A kind of stained glass, the colors of which are incorporated with the melted glass in the pot. Knight. -- Pot plant (Bot.), either of the trees which bear the monkey-pot. -- Pot wheel (Hydraul.), a noria. -- To go to pot, to go to destruction; to come to an end of usefulness; to become refuse. [Colloq.] Dryden. J. G. Saxe.


word: Pot₂
definition:
Pot

Pot
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Potted; p. pr. & vb. n. Potting.]
1.
To place or inclose in pots
(a)
To preserve seasoned in pots.
Potted
Dryden.
(b)
To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs.
(c)
To drain; as, to pot sugar, by taking it from the cooler, and placing it in hogsheads, etc., having perforated heads, through which the molasses drains off.
B. Edwards.
(d)
(Billiards)
To pocket.

2.
To shoot for the pot, i.e., cooking; to secure or hit by a pot shot; to shoot when no special skill is needed.
When hunted, it [the jaguar] takes refuge in trees, and this habit is well known to hunters, who pursue it with dogs and pot it when treed.
Encyc. of Sport.

3.
To secure; gain; win; bag.
[Colloq.]


word: Pot₃
definition:
Pot

Pot
v. i.
1.
To tipple; to drink.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

It is less labor to plow than to pot it.
Feltham.

2.
To take a pot shot or shots, as at game or an enemy.


word: Potable
definition:
Potable

Po"ta*ble
(?)
a.
[F., fr. L. potabilis, fr. potare to drink; akin to Gr. po`tos a drinking, po`sis a drink, Skr. pā to drink, OIr. ibim I drink.  Cf. Poison, Bib, Imbibe.]
Fit to be drunk; drinkable.
potable
Bacon.
n. A potable liquid; a beverage. “Useful in potables.”
J. Philips.


word: Potamian
definition:
Potamian

Po*ta"mi*an
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; river.]
(Zool.)
A river tortoise; one of a group of tortoises (Potamites, or Trionychoidea) having a soft shell, webbed feet, and a sharp beak. See Trionyx.


word: Potamography
definition:
Potamography

Pot`a*mog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; river + -graphy.]
An account or description of rivers; potamology.


word: Potamology
definition:
Potamology

Pot`a*mol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; river + -logy.]
A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on rivers; potamography.


word: Potamospongiae
definition:
Potamospongiae

Pot`a*mo*spon"gi*æ
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; river + _; a sponge.]
(Zool.)
The fresh-water sponges. See Spongilla.


word: Potance
definition:
Potance

Po"tance
(?)
n.
[F. potence. See Potence, Potency.]
(Watch Making)
The stud in which the bearing for the lower pivot of the verge is made.


word: Potash
definition:
Potash

Pot"ash`
(?)
n.
[Pot + ash.]
(Chem.)
(a)
The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance, KOH, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; -- hence called also caustic potash.
(b)
The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white crystalline (pearlash).


word: Potassa
definition:
Potassa

Po*tas"sa
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. E. potash.]
(Chem.)
(a)
Potassium oxide.
[Obs.]
(b)
Potassium hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash.


word: Potassamide
definition:
Potassamide

Pot`ass*am"ide
(?)
n.
[Potassium + amide.]
(Chem.)
A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in ammonia.


word: Potassium
definition:
Potassium

Po*tas"si*um
(?)
n.
[NL. See Potassa, Potash.]
(Chem.)
An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium).

&hand_; It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs and chemicals.

Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; -- used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. -- Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar, under Cream.


word: Potassoxyl
definition:
Potassoxyl

Pot`ass*ox"yl
(?)
n.
[Potassium + oxygen + -yl.]
(Chem.)
The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.


word: Potation
definition:
Potation

Po*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. potatio, fr. potare. See Potable.]
1.
The act of drinking.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
A draught.
Potations
Shak.

3.
Drink; beverage.
potations
Shak.


word: Potato
definition:
Potato

Po*ta"to
(?)
n.
pl. Potatoes (#).
[Sp. patata potato, batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably batata) in Hayti.]
(Bot.)
(a)
A plant (Solanum tuberosum) of the Nightshade family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which there are numerous varieties used for food. It is native of South America, but a form of the species is found native as far north as New Mexico.
(b)
The sweet potato (see below).

Potato beetle, Potato bug. (Zool.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species. -- Potato fly (Zool.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine.  The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (Lytta vittata), and the gray (Lytta  Fabricii syn. Lytta cinerea) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister. -- Potato rot, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zool.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zool.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomœa Pes-Capræ, a kind of morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed leaves. [West Indies] -- Sweet potato (Bot.), a climbing plant (Ipomœa Balatas) allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this plant before it was to the Solanum tuberosum, and this is the “potato” of the Southern United States. -- Wild potato. (Bot.) (a) A vine (Ipomœa pandurata) having a pale purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy places in the United States. (b) A similar tropical American plant (Ipomœa fastigiata) which it is thought may have been the original stock of the sweet potato.


word: Potatory
definition:
Potatory

Po"ta*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. potatorius, from potare to drink.]
Of or pertaining to drinking.
Ld. Lytton.


word: Pot-au-feu
definition:
Pot-au-feu

Pot`-au`-feu"
(?)
n.
[F., lit., pot on the fire.]
(Cookery)
A dish of broth, meat, and vegetables prepared by boiling in a pot, -- a dish esp. common among the French.
Grant Allen.


word: Potboiler
definition:
Potboiler

Pot"boil`er
(?)
n.
A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living.
[Cant]


word: Potcher
definition:
Potcher

Potch"er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, potches.

Potcher engine (Paper Making), a machine in which washed rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.


word: Potheen
definition:
Potheen

Poteen

{ Po*teen" (?), Po*theen" (?) }
n.
[Ir. poitin a small pot, whisky made in private stills; cf. pota pot, fr. E. pot.]
Whisky; especially whisky distilled in a small way privately or illicitly by the Irish peasantry.
[Written also potteen.]


word: Poteen
definition:
Poteen

Po*teen"
(?)
n.
[, poitin a small pot.]
especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry.


word: Potelot
definition:
Potelot

Po"te*lot
(?)
n.
[F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.]
(Old Chem. & Min.)
Molybdenum sulphide.


word: Potence
definition:
Potence

Po"tence
(?)
n.
[F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L., might, power. See Potency.]
Potency; capacity.
[R.]
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Potency
definition:
Potency

Po"ten*cy
(?)
n.
[L. potentia, from potens, -entis, potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence, Puissance.]
The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a purpose; capability; efficacy; influence.
potency
Hawthorne.

A place of potency and away o' the state.
Shak.


word: Potent
definition:
Potent

Po"tent
(?)
a.
[L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.]
1.
Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine.
potent
Shak.

Moses once more his potent rod extends.
Milton.

2.
Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince.
potent
Shak.

Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors.
Shak.

3.
Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of Cross.


word: Potent₂
definition:
Potent

Po"tent
n.
1.
A prince; a potentate.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
[See Potence.]
A staff or crutch.
[Obs.]

3.
(Her.)
One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.


word: Potentate
definition:
Potentate

Po"ten*tate
(?)
n.
[LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See Potent, a.]
One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch.

The blessed and only potentate.
1 Tim. vi. 15.

Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones.
Milton.


word: Potential
definition:
Potential

Po*ten"tial
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.]
1.
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.
[Obs.]
potential
Shak.

2.
Existing in possibility, not in actuality.
potential
Carlyle.

Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Potential cautery. See under Cautery. -- Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy. -- Potential mood, or Potential mode (Gram.), that form of the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty, power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can write.


word: Potential₂
definition:
Potential

Po*ten"tial
n.
1.
Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.
Bacon.

2.
(Math.)
In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coordinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

3.
(Elec.)
The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.


word: Potentiality
definition:
Potentiality

Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually exhibited.


word: Potentially
definition:
Potentially

Po*ten"tial*ly
(?)
adv.
1.
With power; potently.
[Obs.]

2.
In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.

The duration of human souls is only potentially infinite.
Bentley.


word: Potentiate
definition:
Potentiate

Po*ten"ti*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Potentiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Potentiating.]
To render active or potent.
Coleridge.


word: Potentiometer
definition:
Potentiometer

Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Potential + -meter.]
(Elec.)
An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials or electro-motive forces.


word: Potentize
definition:
Potentize

Po"ten*tize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Potentized; p. pr. & vb. n. Potentizing.]
To render the latent power of (anything) available.
Dunglison.


word: Potently
definition:
Potently

Po"tent*ly
(?)
adv.
With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously.
potently
Shak.


word: Potestative
definition:
Potestative

Po*tes"ta*tive
(?)
a.
[L. potestativus, fr. potestas power: cf. F. potestatif. See Potent.]
Authoritative.
[Obs.]
Bp. Pearson.


word: Potgun
definition:
Potgun

Pot"gun`
(?)
n.
1.
A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar.
[Obs.]
potguns
Hakluyt.

2.
A popgun.
[Obs.]
Swift.


word: Pother
definition:
Pother

Poth"er
(?)
n.
[Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke.  Cf. Potter, Pudder.]
Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother.
[Written also potter, and pudder.]
pother
Oldham.
pother
Wordsworth.


word: Pother₃
definition:
Pother

Poth"er
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pothering.]
To harass and perplex; to worry.
Pothers
Locke.


word: Pothole
definition:
Pothole

Pot"hole`
(?)
n.
A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.


word: Pothook
definition:
Pothook

Pot"hook`
(?)
n.
1.
An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over an open fire.

2.
A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a scrawled writing.
pothooks
Dryden.


word: Potiche
definition:
Potiche

Po`tiche"
(?)
n.
pl. -tiches (#)
[F., fr. pot a pot.]
(Ceramics)
A vase with a separate cover, the body usually rounded or polygonal in plan with nearly vertical sides, a neck of smaller size, and a rounded shoulder.


word: Potichomanie
definition:
Potichomanie

Potichomania

{ &VerbarPo`ti*cho*ma"ni*a (?), &VerbarPo`ti*cho*ma"nie (?), }
n.
[F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain vase + manie mania.]
The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the appearance of painted ware.


word: Potion
definition:
Potion

Po"tion
(?)
n.
[L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F. potion. See Poison.]
A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine.
Shak.


word: Pot lace
definition:
Pot lace

Pot lace
Lace whose pattern includes one or more representations of baskets or bowls from which flowers spring.


word: Potlatch
definition:
Potlatch

Pot"latch`
(?)
n.
[Chinook potlatch, pahtlatch, fr. Nootka pahchilt, pachalt, a gift.]
1.
Among the Kwakiutl, Chimmesyan, and other Indians of the northwestern coast of North America, a ceremonial distribution by a man of gifts to his own and neighboring tribesmen, often, formerly, to his own impoverishment. Feasting, dancing, and public ceremonies accompany it.

2.
Hence, a feast given to a large number of persons, often accompanied by gifts.
[Colloq., Northwestern America]


word: Pot lead
definition:
Pot lead

Pot lead
Graphite, or black lead, often used on the bottoms of racing vessels to diminish friction.


word: Potlid
definition:
Potlid

Pot"lid`
(?)
n.
The lid or cover of a pot.

Potlid valve, a valve covering a round hole or the end of a pipe or pump barrel, resembling a potlid in form.


word: Potluck
definition:
Potluck

Pot"luck`
(?)
n.
Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for a meal.

A woman whose potluck was always to be relied on.
G. Eliot.

To take potluck, to take what food may chance to be provided.


word: Potman
definition:
Potman

Pot"man
(?)
n.
pl. Potmen (_;).
1.
A pot companion.
[Obs.]
Life of A. Wood (1663).

2.
A servant in a public house; a potboy.


word: Potoroo
definition:
Potoroo

Po`to*roo"
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any small kangaroo belonging to Hypsiprymnus, Bettongia, and allied genera, native of Australia and Tasmania. Called also kangaroo rat.


word: Potpourri
definition:
Potpourri

Pot`pour`ri"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. pot pot + pourri, p. p. of pourrir to rot, L. putrere.  Cf. Olla-podrida.]
A medley or mixture.
(a)
A ragout composed of different sorts of meats, vegetables, etc., cooked together.
(b)
A jar or packet of flower leaves, perfumes, and spices, used to scent a room.
(c)
A piece of music made up of different airs strung together; a medley.
(d)
A literary production composed of parts brought together without order or bond of connection.


word: Potsdam group
definition:
Potsdam group

Pots"dam group`
(_;)
(Geol.)
A subdivision of the Primordial or Cambrian period in American geology; -- so named from the sandstone of Potsdam, New York. See Chart of Geology.


word: Potsherd
definition:
Potsherd

Pot"sherd`
(?)
n.
[Pot + sherd or shard.]
A piece or fragment of a broken pot.
Job ii. 8.


word: Pot shot
definition:
Pot shot

Pot shot
Lit., a shot fired simply to fill the pot; hence, a shot fired at an animal or person when at rest or within easy range, or fired simply to kill, without reference to the rules of sport; a shot needling no special skill.


word: Potstone
definition:
Potstone

Pot"stone`
(?)
n.
(Min.)
A variety of steatite sometimes manufactured into culinary vessels.


word: Pottage
definition:
Pottage

Pot"tage
(?; 48)
n.
[F. potage, fr. pot pot. See Pot, and cf. Porridge, Porringer.]
A kind of food made by boiling vegetables or meat, or both together, in water, until soft; a thick soup or porridge.
[Written also potage.]
Chaucer.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils.
Gen. xxv. 34.


word: Potter
definition:
Potter

Pot"ter
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. potier.]
1.
One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels.
Ps. ii. 9.

The potter heard, and stopped his wheel.
Longfellow.

2.
One who hawks crockery or earthenware.
[Prov. Eng.]
De Quincey.

3.
One who pots meats or other eatables.

4.
(Zool.)
The red-bellied terrapin. See Terrapin.

Potter's asthma (Med.), emphysema of the lungs; -- so called because very prevalent among potters. Parkers. -- Potter's clay. See under Clay. -- Potter's field, a public burial place, especially in a city, for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals; -- so named from the field south of Jerusalem, mentioned in Matt. xxvii. 7. -- Potter's ore. See Alquifou. -- Potter's wheel, a horizontal revolving disk on which the clay is molded into form with the hands or tools. “My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel.” Shak. -- Potter wasp (Zool.), a small solitary wasp (Eumenes fraternal) which constructs a globular nest of mud and sand in which it deposits insect larvæ, such as cankerworms, as food for its young.


word: Potter₂
definition:
Potter

Pot"ter
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pottered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pottering.]
[Cf. W. pwtio to poke, or OD. poteren to search one thoroughly, Sw. påta, peta, to pick, E. pother, put.]
1.
To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to putter; to pother.

Syn. -- putter; pother.

Pottering about the Mile End cottages.
Mrs. Humphry Ward.

2.
To walk lazily or idly; to saunter.


word: Potter₃
definition:
Potter

Pot"ter
v. t.
To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Pottern
definition:
Pottern

Pot"tern
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to potters.

Pottern ore, a species of ore which, from its aptness to vitrify like the glazing of potter's wares, the miners call by this name. Boyle.


word: Pottery
definition:
Pottery

Pot"ter*y
(?)
n.
pl. Potteries (#).
[F. poterie, fr. pot. See Pot.]
1.
The vessels or ware made by potters; earthenware, glazed and baked.

2.
The place where earthen vessels are made.


word: Potting
definition:
Potting

Pot"ting
(?)
n.
1.
Tippling.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
The act of placing in a pot; as, the potting of plants; the potting of meats for preservation.

3.
The process of putting sugar in casks for cleansing and draining.
[West Indies]
B. Edwards.


word: Pottle
definition:
Pottle

Pot"tle
(?)
n.
[OE. potel, OF. potel, dim. of pot. See Pot.]
1.
A liquid measure of four pints.

2.
A pot or tankard.
Shak.

A dry pottle of sack before him.
Sir W. Scott.

3.
A vessel or small basket for holding fruit.

He had a . . . pottle of strawberries in one hand.
Dickens.

Pottle draught, taking a pottle of liquor at one draught. [ Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.


word: Potto
definition:
Potto

Pot"to
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
A nocturnal mammal (Perodictius potto) of the Lemur family, found in West Africa. It has rudimentary forefingers. Called also aposoro, and bush dog.
(b)
The kinkajou.


word: Pott's disease
definition:
Pott's disease

Pott's" dis*ease"
(?)
(Med.)
Caries of the vertebræ, frequently resulting in curvature of the spine and paralysis of the lower extremities; -- so named from Percival Pott, an English surgeon.

Pott's fracture, a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, with displacement of the tibia. Dunglison.


word: Potulent
definition:
Potulent

Pot"u*lent
(?)
a.
[L. potulentus, fr. potus a drinking, drink, fr. potare to drink.]
1.
Fit to drink; potable.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

2.
Nearly drunk; tipsy.
[Obs.]


word: Pot-walloper
definition:
Pot-walloper

Pot"-wal`lop*er
(?)
n.
1.
A voter in certain boroughs of England, where, before the passage of the reform bill of 1832, the qualification for suffrage was to have boiled (walloped) his own pot in the parish for six months.

2.
One who cleans pots; a scullion.
[Slang, U. S.]


word: Pouch
definition:
Pouch

Pouch
(?)
n.
[F. poche a pocket, pouch, bag; probably of Teutonic origin. See Poke a bag, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder.]
1.
A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.

2.
That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch
(a)
A protuberant belly; a paunch; -- so called in ridicule.
(b)
(Zool.)
A sac or bag for carrying food or young; as, the cheek pouches of certain rodents, and the pouch of marsupials.
(c)
(Med.)
A cyst or sac containing fluid.
S. Sharp.
(d)
(Bot.)
A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's purse.
(e)
A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain, etc., from shifting.

Pouch mouth, a mouth with blubbered or swollen lips.


word: Pouch₂
definition:
Pouch

Pouch
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pouched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouching.]
1.
To put or take into a pouch.

2.
To swallow; -- said of fowls.
Derham.

3.
To pout.
[Obs.]
Ainsworth.

4.
To pocket; to put up with.
[R.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pouched
definition:
Pouched

Pouched
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
(a)
Having a marsupial pouch; as, the pouched badger, or the wombat.
(b)
Having external cheek pouches; as, the pouched gopher.
(c)
Having internal cheek pouches; as, the pouched squirrels.

Pouched dog. (Zool.) See Zebra wolf, under Zebra. -- Pouched frog (Zool.), the nototrema, the female of which has a dorsal pouch in which the eggs are hatched, and in which the young pass through their brief tadpole stage. -- Pouched gopher, or Pouched rat. (Zool.) See Pocket gopher, under Pocket. -- Pouched mouse. (Zool.) See Pocket mouse, under Pocket.


word: Pouch-shell
definition:
Pouch-shell

Pouch"-shell`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A small British and American pond snail (Bulinus hypnorum).


word: Poudre
definition:
Poudre

Pou"dre
(?)
n.
[See Powder.]
Dust; powder.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Poudre marchant [see Merchant], a kind of flavoring powder used in the Middle Ages. [Obs.] Chaucer.


word: Poudrette
definition:
Poudrette

Pou*drette"
(?)
n.
[F., dim. of poudre dust, powder. See Powder.]
A manure made from night soil, dried and mixed with charcoal, gypsum, etc.


word: Pouffe
definition:
Pouffe

Pouf

{ Pouf, Pouffe }
(pōf)
n.
[Written also pouff.]
[F. pouf. Cf. Puff, n.]
Lit., a puff;
specif.:
(a)
A soft cushion, esp. one circular in shape and not, like a pillow, of bag form, or thin at the edges.
(b)
A piece of furniture like an ottoman, generally circular and affording cushion seats on all sides.


word: Poulard
definition:
Poulard

Pou*lard"
(pō*lärd")
n.
[F. poularde pullet, fr. poule hen. See Pullet.]
(Zool.)
A pullet from which the ovaries have been removed to produce fattening; hence, a fat pullet.


word: Poulpe
definition:
Poulpe

Poulp

{ Poulp, Poulpe (?) }
n.
[F. poulpe, fr. L. polypus. See Polyp.]
(Zool.)
Same as Octopus.

Musk poulp (Zool.), a Mediterranean octopod (Eledone moschata) which emits a strong odor of musk.


word: Poult
definition:
Poult

Poult
(?)
n.
[OF. pulte, F. poulet, dim. of poule fowl. See Pullet.]
A young chicken, partridge, grouse, or the like.
King. Chapman.

Starling the heath poults or black game.
R. Jefferise.


word: Poultice
definition:
Poultice

Poul"tice
(?)
n.
[L. puls, pl. pultes, a thick pap; akin to Gr. po`ltos.  Cf. Pulse seeds.]
A soft composition, as of bread, bran, or a mucilaginous substance, to be applied to sores, inflamed parts of the body, etc.; a cataplasm.
Poultice
Bacon.


word: Poultice₂
definition:
Poultice

Poul"tice
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Poulticed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poulticing (?).]
To apply a poultice to; to dress with a poultice.


word: Poultry
definition:
Poultry

Poul"try
(?)
n.
[From Poult.]
Domestic fowls reared for the table, or for their eggs or feathers, such as cocks and hens, capons, turkeys, ducks, and geese.


word: Pounce
definition:
Pounce

Pounce
(?)
n.
[F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex, -icis, pumice. See Pumice.]
1.
A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, -- formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.

2.
Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making patterns through perforated designs, -- used by embroiderers, lace makers, etc.

Pounce box, a box for sprinkling pounce. -- Pounce paper, a transparent paper for tracing.


word: Pounce₂
definition:
Pounce

Pounce
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pounded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing (?).]
To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a pattern.


word: Pounce₃
definition:
Pounce

Pounce
n.
[Prob. through French, from an assumed LL. punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See Puncheon, Punch, v. t.]
1.
The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
Spenser. Burke.

2.
A punch or stamp.
[Obs.]
pounce
Withals.

3.
Cloth worked in eyelet holes.
[Obs.]
Homilies.


word: Pounce₄
definition:
Pounce

Pounce
v. t.
1.
To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons.
[Archaic]

Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.
Cowper.

Now pounce him lightly,
And as he roars and rages, let's go deeper.
J. Fletcher.

2.
To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of ornament.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Elyot.


word: Pounce₅
definition:
Pounce

Pounce
v. i.
To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively.

Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on the wanderings of misguided sensibility.
Jeffrey.


word: Pounced
definition:
Pounced

Pounced
(?)
a.
1.
Furnished with claws or talons; as, the pounced young of the eagle.
Thomson.

2.
Ornamented with perforations or dots.
[Obs.]
pounced
Holinshed.


word: Pouncet box
definition:
Pouncet box

Poun"cet box`
(?)
[Cf. F. poncette, fr. ponce pounce. See Pounce a powder.]
A box with a perforated lid, for sprinkling pounce, or for holding perfumes.
Shak.


word: Pouncing
definition:
Pouncing

Poun"cing
(?)
n.
1.
The art or practice of transferring a design by means of pounce.

2.
Decorative perforation of cloth.
[Obs.]


word: Pound
definition:
Pound

Pound
(pound)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pounding.]
[OE. pounen, AS. punian to bruise.  Cf. Pun a play on words.]
1.
To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.

With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
Dryden.

2.
To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.


word: Pound₂
definition:
Pound

Pound
v. i.
1.
To strike heavy blows; to beat.

2.
(Mach.)
To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.


word: Pound₃
definition:
Pound

Pound
n.
[AS. pund an inclosure: cf. forpyndan to turn away, or to repress, also Icel. pynda to extort, torment, Ir. pont, pond, pound.  Cf. Pinder, Pinfold, Pin to inclose, Pond.]
1.
An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold.
Shak.

2.
A level stretch in a canal between locks.

3.
(Fishing)
A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.

Pound covert, a pound that is close or covered over, as a shed. -- Pound overt, a pound that is open overhead.


word: Pound₅
definition:
Pound

Pound
n.
pl. Pounds (#), collectively Pound or Pounds.
[AS. pund, fr. L. pondo, akin to pondus a weight, pendere to weigh. See Pendant.]
1.
A certain specified measure of mass or weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.

&hand_; The pound in general use in the United States and in England is the pound avoirdupois, which is divided into sixteen ounces, and contains 7,000 grains (0.453 kilogram).  The pound troy is divided into twelve ounces, and contains 5,760 grains. 144 pounds avoirdupois are equal to 175 pounds troy weight. See Avoirdupois, and Troy.

2.
A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86 in 1900 and $1.50 in 2002.  The modern pound coin was introduced in 1983.  Formerly there was a gold sovereign of the same value.

&hand_; The pound sterling was in Saxon times, about a. d. 671, a pound troy of silver, and a shilling was its twentieth part; consequently the latter was three times as large as it is at present.
Peacham.


word: Poundage
definition:
Poundage

Pound"age
(?)
n.
1.
A sum deducted from a pound, or a certain sum paid for each pound; a commission.

2.
A subsidy of twelve pence in the pound, formerly granted to the crown on all goods exported or imported, and if by aliens, more.
[Eng.]
Blackstone.

3.
(Law)
The sum allowed to a sheriff or other officer upon the amount realized by an execution; -- estimated in England, and formerly in the United States, at so much of the pound.
Burrill. Bouvier.


word: Poundage₃
definition:
Poundage

Pound"age
n.
[See 3d Pound.]
1.
Confinement of cattle, or other animals, in a public pound.

2.
A charge paid for the release of impounded cattle.


word: Poundal
definition:
Poundal

Pound"al
(?)
n.
[From 5th Pound.]
(Physics & Mech.)
A unit of force based upon the pound, foot, and second, being the force which, acting on a pound avoirdupois for one second, causes it to acquire by the of that time a velocity of one foot per second. It is about equal to the weight of half an ounce, and is 13,825 dynes.


word: Pound-breach
definition:
Pound-breach

Pound"-breach`
(?)
n.
The breaking of a public pound for releasing impounded animals.
Blackstone.


word: Poundcake
definition:
Poundcake

Pound"cake`
(?)
n.
A kind of rich, sweet cake; -- so called from the ingredients being used by pounds, or in equal quantities.


word: Pounder
definition:
Pounder

Pound"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, pounds, as a stamp in an ore mill.

2.
An instrument used for pounding; a pestle.

3.
A person or thing, so called with reference to a certain number of pounds in value, weight, capacity, etc.; as, a cannon carrying a twelve-pound ball is called a twelve pounder.

&hand_; Before the English reform act of 1867, one who was an elector by virtue of paying ten pounds rent was called a ten pounder.


word: Pounding
definition:
Pounding

Pound"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act of beating, bruising, or breaking up; a beating.

2.
A pounded or pulverized substance.
[R.]
poundings
J. S. Blackie.


word: Poundrate
definition:
Poundrate

Pound"*rate`
(?)
n.
A rate or proportion estimated at a certain amount for each pound; poundage.


word: Poupart's ligament
definition:
Poupart's ligament

Pou*part's" lig"a*ment
(?)
(Anat.)
A ligament, of fascia, extending, in most mammals, from the ventral side of the ilium to near the symphysis of the pubic bones.


word: Pour₃
definition:
Pour

Pour
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Poured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouring.]
[OE. pouren, of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwrw to cast, throw, shed, bwrw gwlaw to rain.]
1.
To cause to flow in a stream, as a liquid or anything flowing like a liquid, either out of a vessel or into it; as, to pour water from a pail; to pour wine into a decanter; to pour oil upon the waters; to pour out sand or dust.

2.
To send forth as in a stream or a flood; to emit; to let escape freely or wholly.

I . . . have poured out my soul before the Lord.
1 Sam. i. 15.

Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee.
Ezek. vii. 8.

London doth pour out her citizens !
Shak.

Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth
With such a full and unwithdrawing hand ?
Milton.

3.
To send forth from, as in a stream; to discharge uninterruptedly.

Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat ?
Pope.


word: Pour₄
definition:
Pour

Pour
v. i.
To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people poured out of the theater.

In the rude throng pour on with furious pace.
Gay.


word: Pourparty
definition:
Pourparty

Pour`par"ty
(?)
n.
pl. Pourparties (#).
[See Purparty.]
(Law)
A division; a divided share.

To make pourparty, to divide and apportion lands previously held in common.


word: Pourpoint
definition:
Pourpoint

Pour"point
(?)
n.
[F.]
A quilted military doublet or gambeson worn in the 14th and 15th centuries; also, a name for the doublet of the 16th and 17th centuries worn by civilians.


word: Pousse-cafe
definition:
Pousse-cafe

Pousse"-ca`fé"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. pousser to push + café coffee.]
A drink served after coffee at dinner, usually one of several liqueurs, or cordials, of different specific gravities poured so as to remain separate in layers; hence, such a drink of cordials served at any time.


word: Poussette
definition:
Poussette

Pous*sette"
(pō*sĕt")
n.
[F., pushpin, fr. pousser to push. See Push.]
A movement, or part of a figure, in the contradance.
Dickens.


word: Poussette₂
definition:
Poussette

Pous*sette"
v. i.
To perform a certain movement in a dance.
[R.]
Tennyson.

Down the middle, up again, poussette, and cross.
J. & H. Smith.


word: Pou sto
definition:
Pou sto

Pou sto
(pō st&omacr; pou st&omacr)
[Gr. poy^ stw^ where I may stand; -- from the reputed saying of Archimedes, “Give me where I may stand and I will move the whole world with my steelyard.”]
A place to stand upon; a locus standi; hence, a foundation or basis for operations.


word: Pout
definition:
Pout

Pout
(pōt)
n.
[F. poulet. See Poult.]
The young of some birds, as grouse; a young fowl.
Carew.


word: Pout₃
definition:
Pout

Pout
(pout)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pouting.]
[OE. pouten, of uncertain origin; cf. Prov. pot lip, Prov. F. potte, faire la potte to pout, W. pwdu to pout, be sullen, poten, potten, a paunch, belly.]
1.
To thrust out the lips, as in sullenness or displeasure; hence, to look sullen.

Thou poutest upon thy fortune and thy love.
Shak.

2.
To protrude.
Pouting
Dryden.


word: Pout₅
definition:
Pout

Pout
n.
[Cf. Eelpout.]
(Zool.)
The European whiting pout or bib.

Eel pout. (Zool.) See Eelpout. -- Horn pout, or Horned pout. (Zool.) See Bullhead (b).


word: Pouter
definition:
Pouter

Pout"er
(-ẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, pouts.

2.
[Cf. E. pout, and G. puter turkey.]
(Zool.)
A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for the extent to which it is able to dilate its throat and breast.


word: Poverty
definition:
Poverty

Pov"er*ty
(p&obreve_;v"ẽr*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[OE. poverte, OF. poverté, F. pauvreté, fr. L. paupertas, fr. pauper poor. See Poor.]
1.
The quality or state of being poor or indigent; want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need.
poverty
Keble.

The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.
Prov. xxiii. 21.

2.
Any deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired, or that constitute richness; as, poverty of soil; poverty of the blood; poverty of ideas.

Poverty grass (Bot.), a name given to several slender grasses (as Aristida dichotoma, and Danthonia spicata) which often spring up on old and worn-out fields.


word: Powen
definition:
Powen

Powan

{ Pow"an (?), Pow"en (?) }
n.
(Zool.)
A small British lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeoides, or Coregonus ferus); -- called also gwyniad and lake herring.


word: Powder
definition:
Powder

Pow"der
(?)
n.
[OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen.  Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.]
1.
The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.

Grind their bones to powder small.
Shak.

2.
An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.

Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc. -- Powder down (Zool.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers. -- Powder-down feather (Zool.), one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation. -- Powder-down patch (Zool.), a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers. -- Powder hose, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines. Farrow. -- Powder hoy (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag. -- Powder magazine, or Powder room. See Magazine, 2. -- Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine. -- Powder monkey (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy. -- Powder post. See Dry rot, under Dry. -- Powder puff. See Puff, n.


word: Powder₂
definition:
Powder

Pow"der
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Powdered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering.]
[F. poudrer.]
1.
To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.

2.
To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.

A circling zone thou seest
Powdered with stars.
Milton.

3.
To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat.
[Obs.]


word: Powder₃
definition:
Powder

Pow"der
v. i.
1.
To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.

2.
To use powder on the hair or skin; as, she paints and powders.


word: Powdered
definition:
Powdered

Pow"dered
(?)
a.
1.
Reduced to a powder; sprinkled with, or as with, powder.

2.
Sprinkled with salt; salted; corned.
[Obs.]

Powdered beef, pickled meats.
Harvey.

3.
(Her.)
Same as Semé.
Walpole.


word: Powderflask
definition:
Powderflask

Pow"der*flask`
(?)
n.
A flask in which gunpowder is carried, having a charging tube at the end.


word: Powdering
definition:
Powdering

Pow"der*ing
a. & n. from Powder, v. t.

Powdering tub. (a) A tub or vessel in which meat is corned or salted. (b) A heated tub in which an infected lecher was placed for cure. [Obs.] Shak.


word: Powder-posted
definition:
Powder-posted

Pow"der-post`ed
(?)
a.
Affected with dry rot; reduced to dust by rot. See Dry rot, under Dry.
[U.S.]


word: Powdery
definition:
Powdery

Pow"der*y
(?)
a.
1.
Easily crumbling to pieces; friable; loose; as, a powdery spar.

2.
Sprinkled or covered with powder; dusty; as, the powdery bloom on plums.

3.
Resembling powder; consisting of powder.
powdery
Wordsworth.


word: Powdike
definition:
Powdike

Pow"dike
(?)
n.
[Scot. pow, pou, a pool, a watery or marshy place, fr. E. pool.]
A dike a marsh or fen.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Power₂
definition:
Power

Pow"er
n.
[OE. pouer, poer, OF. poeir, pooir, F. pouvoir, n. & v., fr. LL. potere, for L. posse, potesse, to be able, to have power. See Possible, Potent, and cf. Posse comitatus.]
1.
Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power.
power
Milton.

2.
Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm.
power
Shak.

3.
Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted upon; susceptibility; -- called also passive power; as, great power of endurance.

Power, then, is active and passive; faculty is active power or capacity; capacity is passive power.
Sir W. Hamilton.

4.
The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion; sway; command; government.

Power is no blessing in itself but when it is employed to protect the innocent.
Swift.

5.
The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity.
powers
Milton.

And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Matt. xxiv. 29.

6.
A military or naval force; an army or navy; a great host.
Spenser.

Never such a power . . . 
Was levied in the body of a land.
Shak.

7.
A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o_; good things.
[Colloq.]
Richardson.

8.
(Mech.)
(a)
The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power.

&hand_; The English unit of power used most commonly is the horse power. See Horse power.

&hand_; This use in mechanics, of power as a synonym for force, is improper and is becoming obsolete.

&hand_; Power is used adjectively, denoting, driven, or adapted to be driven, by machinery, and not actuated directly by the hand or foot; as, a power lathe; a power loom; a power press.

9.
(Math.)
The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number.

10.
(Metaph.)
Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc.
I. Watts.

The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness . . . into a received belief.
Shak.

11.
(Optics)
The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.

12.
(Law)
An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment.
Wharton.

13.
Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.

&hand_; Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the winds and waves, electricity and magnetism, gravitation, etc., or of animal and intelligent beings; and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity.

Mechanical powers. See under Mechanical. -- Power loom, or Power press. See Def. 8 (d), note. -- Power of attorney. See under Attorney. -- Power of a point (relative to a given curve) (Geom.), the result of substituting the coordinates of any point in that expression which being put equal to zero forms the equation of the curve; as, x2 + y2 - 100 is the power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x2 + y2 - 100 = 0.


word: Powerable
definition:
Powerable

Pow"er*a*ble
(?)
a.
1.
Capable of being effected or accomplished by the application of power; possible.
[R.]
J. Young.

2.
Capable of exerting power; powerful.
Camden.


word: power-dive
definition:
power-dive

power dive

power-dive, power dive
n.
An airplane maneuver in which the pilot deads downward at a steep angle while the engines are operating at or near full power; -- a method to descend rapidly.


word: power-dive₃
definition:
power-dive

power dive

power-dive, power dive
v. t.
To cause (an airplane) to make a power dive; as, he power-dived his plane to escape the attackers.


word: Powerful
definition:
Powerful

Pow"er*ful
(?)
a.
1.
Full of power; capable of producing great effects of any kind; potent; mighty; efficacious; intense; as, a powerful man or beast; a powerful engine; a powerful argument; a powerful light; a powerful vessel.

The powerful grace that lies
In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities.
Shak.

2.
(Mining)
Large; capacious; -- said of veins of ore.


word: Powerless
definition:
Powerless

Pow"er*less
a.
Destitute of power, force, or energy; weak; impotent; not able to produce any effect.
Pow"er*less*ly, adv. -- Pow"er*less*ness, n.


word: Powwow
definition:
Powwow

Pow"wow`
(?)
n.
1.
A priest, or conjurer, among the North American Indians.

Be it sagamore, sachem, or powwow.
Longfellow.

2.
Conjuration attended with great noise and confusion, and often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or in war, and for other purposes.

3.
Hence:
Any assembly characterized by noise and confusion; a noisy frolic or gathering.
[Archaic, formerly Colloq. U. S.]

4.
Any meeting assembled to discuss an issue; a parley.
[Informal]


word: Powwow₂
definition:
Powwow

Pow"wow`
v. i.
1.
To use conjuration, with noise and confusion, for the cure of disease, etc., as among the North American Indians.

2.
Hence:
To hold a noisy, disorderly meeting.
[Archaic, formerly Colloq. U. S.]

3.
To hold a meeting to discuss an issue.
[Informal]


word: Pox
definition:
Pox

Pox
(?)
n.
[For pocks, OE. pokkes. See Pock. It is plural in form but is used as a singular.]
(Med.)
Strictly, a disease by pustules or eruptions of any kind, but chiefly or wholly restricted to three or four diseases, -- the smallpox, the chicken pox, and the vaccine and the venereal diseases.

&hand_; Pox, when used without an epithet, as in imprecations, formerly signified smallpox; but it now signifies syphilis.


word: Pox₂
definition:
Pox

Pox
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Poxed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poxing.]
To infect with the pox, or syphilis.


word: Poy
definition:
Poy

Poy
(?)
n.
[OF. apui, apoi, a support, prop., staff, F. appui, fr. OF. apuier, apoier, to support, F. appuyer, fr. à to (L. ad) + OF. pui, poi, a rising ground, hill, L. podium. See Podium, Pew.]
1.
A support; -- used in composition; as, teapoy.

2.
A ropedancer's balancing pole.
Johnson.

3.
A long boat hook by which barges are propelled against the stream.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Poyntel
definition:
Poyntel

Poyn"tel
(?)
n.
[See Pointal.]
(Arch.)
Paving or flooring made of small squares or lozenges set diagonally.
[Formerly written pointal.]


word: Poyou
definition:
Poyou

Poy"ou
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A South American armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus). Called also sixbanded armadillo.


word: Pozzolana
definition:
Pozzolana

Pozzuolana

{ Poz`zu*o*la"na (?), Poz`zo*la"*na (?) }
n.
[It.]
Volcanic ashes from Pozzuoli, in Italy, used in the manufacture of a kind of mortar which hardens under water.


word: Praam
definition:
Praam

Praam
(?)
n.
[D. praam; cf. G. prahm, F. prame; all of Slavonic origin, from a word akin to E. fare. See Fare.]
(Naut.)
A flat-bottomed boat or lighter, -- used in Holland and the Baltic, and sometimes armed in case of war.
[Written also pram, and prame.]


word: Practic
definition:
Practic

Prac"tic
(?)
a.
[See Practical.]
1.
Practical.

2.
Artful; deceitful; skillful.
[Obs.]
practick
Spenser.


word: Practicability
definition:
Practicability

Prac"ti*ca*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being practicable; practicableness; feasibility.
practicability
Stewart.


word: Practicable
definition:
Practicable

Prac"ti*ca*ble
(?)
a.
[LL. practicare to act, transact, fr. L. practicus active, Gr. _;: cf. F. practicable, pratiquer to practice. See Practical.]
1.
That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done or accomplished with available means or resources; feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a practicable good.

2.
Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon; a practicable road.

Practicable breach (Mil.), a breach which admits of approach and entrance by an assailing party.


word: Practical
definition:
Practical

Prac"ti*cal
(?)
a.
[L. practicus active, Gr. _; fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. _; to do, work, effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique.  Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.]
1.
Of or pertaining to practice or action.

2.
Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry.
practical
South.
practical
Macaulay.

3.
Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

4.
Derived from practice; as, practical skill.

Practical joke, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of which consists in something done, in distinction from something said; esp., a trick played upon a person.


word: Practically
definition:
Practically

Prac"ti*cal*ly
(?)
adv.
1.
In a practical way; not theoretically; really; as, to look at things practically; practically worthless.

2.
By means of practice or use; by experience or experiment; as, practically wise or skillful; practically acquainted with a subject.

3.
In practice or use; as, a medicine practically safe; theoretically wrong, but practically right.

4.
Almost.


word: Practice
definition:
Practice

Prac"tice
(?)
n.
[OE. praktike, practique, F. pratique, formerly also, practique, LL. practica, fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; practical. See Practical, and cf. Pratique, Pretty.]
1.
Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.

A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices.
2 Pet. ii. 14.

2.
Customary or constant use; state of being used.

Obsolete words may be revived when they are more sounding or more significant than those in practice.
Dryden.

3.
Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness.
[R.]
practice
Shak.

4.
Actual performance; application of knowledge; -- opposed to theory.

There are two functions of the soul, -- contemplation and practice.
South.

There is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice; each, to a certain extent, supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preceded theory.
Sir W. Hamilton.

5.
Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music.

6.
Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.

Practice is exercise of an art, or the application of a science in life, which application is itself an art.
Sir W. Hamilton.

7.
Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; -- usually in a bad sense.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

He sought to have that by practice which he could not by prayer.
Sir P. Sidney.

8.
(Math.)
A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.

9.
(Law)
The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
Bouvier.


word: Practice₂
definition:
Practice

Prac"tice
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Practiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Practicing (?).]
[Often written practise, practised, practising.]
1.
To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming.
practice
Ps. cxli. 4.

2.
To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine.

2.
To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music.

4.
To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do.
practice
Shak.

As this advice ye practice or neglect.
Pope.

5.
To make use of; to employ.
[Obs.]

In malice to this good knight's wife, I practiced Ubaldo and Ricardo to corrupt her.
Massinger.

6.
To teach or accustom by practice; to train.

In church they are taught to love God; after church they are practiced to love their neighbor.
Landor.


word: Practice₃
definition:
Practice

Prac"tice
v. i.
[Often written practise.]
1.
To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano.

2.
To learn by practice; to form a habit.

They shall practice how to live secure.
Milton.

Practice first over yourself to reign.
Waller.

3.
To try artifices or stratagems.

He will practice against thee by poison.
Shak.

4.
To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.

[I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as little that others should practice on me.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Practiced
definition:
Practiced

Prac"ticed
(?)
a.
[Often written practised.]
1.
Experienced; expert; skilled; as, a practiced marksman.
practiced
Ld. Lytton.

2.
Used habitually; learned by practice.


word: Practicer
definition:
Practicer

Prac"ti*cer
(?)
n.
[Often written practiser.]
1.
One who practices, or puts in practice; one who customarily performs certain acts.
South.

2.
One who exercises a profession; a practitioner.

3.
One who uses art or stratagem.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Practician
definition:
Practician

Prac*ti"cian
(?)
n.
[F. praticien, OF. also practicien.]
One who is acquainted with, or skilled in, anything by practice; a practitioner.


word: Practico
definition:
Practico

Prac"ti*co
(?)
n.
pl. Practicos (#)
[Sp., lit., experienced, skilled. Cf. Practical.]
A guide.
[Cuba & Phil. Islands]
D. C. Worcester.


word: Practise
definition:
Practise

Prac"tise
(?)
v. t. & i.
See Practice.

&hand_; The analogy of the English language requires that the noun and verb which are pronounced alike should agree in spelling. Thus we have notice (n. & v.), noticed, noticing, noticer; poultice (n. & v.); apprentice (n. & v.); office (n. & v.), officer (n.); lattice (n.), latticed (a.); benefice (n.), beneficed (a.), etc.  Cf. sacrifice (_;; n. & v.), surmise (_;; n. & v.), promise (_;; n. & v.); compromise (_;; n. & v.), etc. Contrast advice (_;; n.), and advise (_;); device (_;), and devise (_;), etc.


word: Practitioner
definition:
Practitioner

Prac*ti"tion*er
(?)
n.
[From Practician.]
1.
One who is engaged in the actual use or exercise of any art or profession, particularly that of law or medicine.
Crabbe.

2.
One who does anything customarily or habitually.

3.
A sly or artful person.
Whitgift.

General practitioner. See under General, 2.


word: Practive
definition:
Practive

Prac"tive
(?)
a.
Doing; active.
[Obs.]
Sylvester.
Prac"tive*ly, adv. [Obs.]

The preacher and the people both,
Then practively did thrive.
Warner.


word: Praecava
definition:
Praecava

Præ"ca`va
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pre-, and 1st Cave.]
(Anat.)
The superior vena cava.
Præ"ca`val (#), a.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Praecipe
definition:
Praecipe

Præc"i*pe
(?)
n.
[L., imperative of praecipere to give rules or precepts. See Precept.]
(Law)
(a)
A writ commanding something to be done, or requiring a reason for neglecting it.
(b)
A paper containing the particulars of a writ, lodged in the office out of which the writ is to be issued.
Wharton.


word: Praecoces
definition:
Praecoces

Præ"co*ces
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Precocious.]
(Zool.)
A division of birds including those whose young are able to run about when first hatched.


word: Praecognita
definition:
Praecognita

Præ*cog"ni*ta
(?)
n. pl.
[L. praecognitus, p. p. of praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.]
This previously known, or which should be known in order to understand something else.


word: Praecommissure
definition:
Praecommissure

Præ*com"mis*sure
(?)
n.
[Pref. præ + commissure.]
(Anat.)
A transverse commissure in the anterior part of the third ventricle of the brain; the anterior cerebral commissure.


word: Praecordia
definition:
Praecordia

Præ*cor"di*a
(?)
n.
[L., fr. prae before + cor, cordis, the heart.]
(Anat.)
The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.


word: Praecornu
definition:
Praecornu

Præ*cor"nu
(?)
n.
pl. Præcornua (#).
[NL. See Pre-, and Cornu.]
(Anat.)
The anterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Praemunire
definition:
Praemunire

Præm`u*ni"re
(?)
n.
[Corrupted from L. praemonere to forewarn, cite. See Admonish.]
(Eng. Law)
(a)
The offense of introducing foreign authority into England, the penalties for which were originally intended to depress the civil power of the pope in the kingdom.
(b)
The writ grounded on that offense.
Wharton.
(c)
The penalty ascribed for the offense of præmunire.

Wolsey incurred a præmunire, and forfeited his honor, estate, and life.
South.

&hand_; The penalties of præmunire were subsequently applied to many other offenses; but prosecutions upon a præmunire are at this day unheard of in the English courts.
Blackstone.


word: Praenares
definition:
Praenares

Præ*na"res
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pre-, Nares.]
(Anat.)
The anterior nares. See Nares.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Praenomen
definition:
Praenomen

Præ*no"men
(?)
n.
pl. Prænomina (#).
[L., fr. prae before + nomen name.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc.


word: Praesternum
definition:
Praesternum

Praescutum

Praescapula

Praepubis

Praeoral

Præ*o"ral
n.
Præ*pu"bis
n.
Præ*scap"u*la
n.
Præ*scu"tum
n.
Præ*ster"num
n.
Same as Preoral, Prepubis, Prescapula, etc.


word: Praetexta
definition:
Praetexta

Præ*tex"ta
(?)
n.
pl. Prætextæ (#), E. Prætextas (#).
[L. (sc. toga), fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, to fringe, border; prae before + texere to weave.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
A white robe with a purple border, worn by a Roman boy before he was entitled to wear the toga virilis, or until about the completion of his fourteenth year, and by girls until their marriage. It was also worn by magistrates and priests.


word: Praetores
definition:
Praetores

Præ*to"res
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Pretor.]
(Zool.)
A division of butterflies including the satyrs.


word: Pragmatical
definition:
Pragmatical

Pragmatic

{ Prag*mat"ic (?), Prag*mat"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. pragmaticus busy, active, skilled in business, especially in law and state affairs, systematic, Gr. _;, fr. _; a thing done, business, fr. _; to do: cf. F. pragmatique. See Practical.]
1.
Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or manner.

The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical.
Evelyn.

We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions.
Milton.

Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel.
Hare.

2.
Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way; officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome.
Pragmatical
Sir W. Scott.

The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him the government of my whole family.
Arbuthnot.

3.
Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects, rather than with details and circumstances; -- said of literature.
Pragmatic
Sir W. Hamilton.
Pragmatic
M. Arnold.

Pragmatic sanction, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters; -- a term derived from the Byzantine empire. In European history, two decrees under this name are particularly celebrated. One of these, issued by Charles VII. of France, A. D. 1438, was the foundation of the liberties of the Gallican church; the other, issued by Charles VI. of Germany, A. D. 1724, settled his hereditary dominions on his eldest daughter, the Archduchess Maria Theresa.


word: Pragmatic
definition:
Pragmatic

Prag*mat"ic
n.
1.
One skilled in affairs.

My attorney and solicitor too; a fine pragmatic.
B. Jonson.

2.
A solemn public ordinance or decree.

A royal pragmatic was accordingly passed.
Prescott.


word: Pragmatism
definition:
Pragmatism

Prag"ma*tism
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method.

The narration of this apparently trifling circumstance belongs to the pragmatism of the history.
A. Murphy.


word: Pragmatize
definition:
Pragmatize

Prag"ma*tize
(?)
v. t.
To consider, represent, or embody (something unreal) as fact; to materialize.
[R.]
pragmatized
Tylor.


word: Prairial
definition:
Prairial

Prai`ri`al"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. prairie meadow.]
The ninth month of the French Republican calendar, which dated from September 22, 1792. It began May, 20, and ended June 18. See Vendemiaire.


word: Prairie
definition:
Prairie

Prai"rie
(?)
n.
[F., an extensive meadow, OF. praerie, LL. prataria, fr. L. pratum a meadow.]
1.
An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies and the Rocky mountains.

From the forests and the prairies,
From the great lakes of the northland.
Longfellow.

2.
A meadow or tract of grass; especially, a so called natural meadow.

Prairie chicken (Zool.), any American grouse of the genus Tympanuchus, especially Tympanuchus Americanus (formerly Tympanuchus cupido), which inhabits the prairies of the central United States. Applied also to the sharp-tailed grouse. -- Prairie clover (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Petalostemon, having small rosy or white flowers in dense terminal heads or spikes. Several species occur in the prairies of the United States. -- Prairie dock (Bot.), a coarse composite plant (Silphium terebinthaceum) with large rough leaves and yellow flowers, found in the Western prairies. -- Prairie dog (Zool.), a small American rodent (Cynomys Ludovicianus) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like that of a dog. Called also prairie marmot. -- Prairie grouse. Same as Prairie chicken, above. -- Prairie hare (Zool.), a large long-eared Western hare (Lepus campestris). See Jack rabbit, under 2d Jack. -- Prairie hawk, Prairie falcon (Zool.), a falcon of Western North America (Falco Mexicanus). The upper parts are brown. The tail has transverse bands of white; the under parts, longitudinal streaks and spots of brown. -- Prairie hen. (Zool.) Same as Prairie chicken, above. -- Prairie itch (Med.), an affection of the skin attended with intense itching, which is observed in the Northern and Western United States; -- also called swamp itch, winter itch. -- Prairie marmot. (Zool.) Same as Prairie dog, above. -- Prairie mole (Zool.), a large American mole (Scalops argentatus), native of the Western prairies. -- Prairie pigeon, Prairie plover, or Prairie snipe (Zool.), the upland plover. See Plover, n., 2. -- Prairie rattlesnake (Zool.), the massasauga. -- Prairie snake (Zool.), a large harmless American snake (Masticophis flavigularis). It is pale yellow, tinged with brown above. -- Prairie squirrel (Zool.), any American ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus, inhabiting prairies; -- called also gopher. -- Prairie turnip (Bot.), the edible turnip-shaped farinaceous root of a leguminous plant (Psoralea esculenta) of the Upper Missouri region; also, the plant itself. Called also pomme blanche, and pomme de prairie. -- Prairie warbler (Zool.), a bright-colored American warbler (Dendroica discolor). The back is olive yellow, with a group of reddish spots in the middle; the under parts and the parts around the eyes are bright yellow; the sides of the throat and spots along the sides, black; three outer tail feathers partly white. -- Prairie wolf. (Zool.) See Coyote.


word: Praisable
definition:
Praisable

Prais"a*ble
(?)
a.
Fit to be praised; praise-worthy; laudable; commendable.
Wyclif (2 Tim. ii. 15).


word: Praise
definition:
Praise

Praise
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Praised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Praising.]
[OE. preisen, OF. preisier, prisier, F. priser, L. pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price, n., and cf. Appreciate, Praise, n., Prize, v.]
1.
To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; -- applied to a person or his acts.
praise
Chaucer.

Let her own works praise her in the gates.
Prov. xxxi. 31.

We praise not Hector, though his name, we know,
Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe.
Dryden.

2.
To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; -- applied especially to the Divine Being.

Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts!
Ps. cxlviii. 2.

3.
To value; to appraise.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.


word: Praise₂
definition:
Praise

Praise
n.
[OE. preis, OF. preis price, worth, value, estimation. See Praise, v., Price.]
1.
Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.

There are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice.
Rambler.

&hand_; Praise may be expressed by an individual, and thus differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are always the expression of the approbation of numbers, or public commendation.

2.
Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.

3.
The object, ground, or reason of praise.

He is thy praise, and he is thy God.
Deut. x. 21.


word: Praiser
definition:
Praiser

Prais"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who praises.
Praisers
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
An appraiser; a valuator.
[Obs.]
Sir T. North.


word: Praiseworthy
definition:
Praiseworthy

Praise"wor`thy
(?)
a.
Worthy of praise or applause; commendable; as, praiseworthy action; he was praiseworthy.
Arbuthnot.


word: Prakrit
definition:
Prakrit

Pra"krit
(?)
n.
[Skr. prāk&rsdot_;ta original, natural, usual, common, vulgar.]
Any one of the popular dialects descended from, or akin to, Sanskrit; -- in distinction from the Sanskrit, which was used as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.


word: Praline
definition:
Praline

Pra"line
(prä"lēn)
n.
[F.]
A confection made of nut kernels, usually of almonds, roasted in boiling sugar until brown and crisp.
Bonbons, pralines, . . . saccharine, crystalline substances of all kinds and colors.
Du Maurier.


word: Pralltriller
definition:
Pralltriller

Prall"tril`ler
(?)
n.
G. pl. Prall"triller
[G.]
(Music)
A melodic embellishment consisting of the quick alternation of a principal tone with an auxiliary tone above it, usually the next of the scale; -- called also the inverted mordente.


word: Prance
definition:
Prance

Prance
(prȧns)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Pranced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prancing (?).]
[OE. prauncen; probably akin to prank, v. t. See Prank.]
1.
To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle.

Now rule thy prancing steed.
Gay.

2.
To ride on a prancing horse; to ride in an ostentatious manner.

The insulting tyrant prancing o'er the field.
Addison.

3.
To walk or strut about in a pompous, showy manner, or with warlike parade.
Swift.


word: Prancer
definition:
Prancer

Pran"cer
(?)
n.
A horse which prances.

Then came the captain . . . upon a brave prancer.
Evelyn.


word: Prandial
definition:
Prandial

Pran"di*al
(?)
a.
[L. prandium a repast.]
Of or pertaining to a repast, especially to dinner.


word: Prangos
definition:
Prangos

Pran"gos
(?)
prop. n.
[From the native name in Afghanistan.]
(Bot.)
A genus of umbelliferous plants, one species of which (Prangos pabularia), found in Tibet, Cashmere, Afghanistan, etc., has been used as fodder for cattle.  It has decompound leaves with very long narrow divisions, and a highly fragrant smell resembling that of new clover hay.


word: Prank
definition:
Prank

Prank
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pranked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pranking.]
[Cf. E. prink, also G. prangen, prunken, to shine, to make a show, Dan. prange, prunke, Sw. prunka, D. pronken.]
To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously; -- often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See Prink.

In sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank.
Spenser.


word: Prank₃
definition:
Prank

Prank
n.
A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic.
Spenser.

The harpies . . . played their accustomed pranks.
Sir W. Raleigh.

His pranks have been too broad to bear with.
Shak.


word: Prase
definition:
Prase

Prase
(?)
n.
[L. prasius, fr. Gr. _; of a leek-green, fr. Gr. _; a leek: cf. F. prase.]
(Min.)
A variety of cryptocrystalline of a leek-green color.


word: Praseo-
definition:
Praseo-

Pra"se*o-
(?)
[Gr. _; leek-green, green, fr. _; a leek.]
A combining form signifying green; as, praseocobalt, a green variety of cobalt.


word: Praseodymium
definition:
Praseodymium

Pra`se*o*dym"i*um
(?)
n.
[Praseo- + didymium.]
(Chem.)
An elementary substance, one of the constituents of didymium; -- so called from the green color of its salts.  Symbol Ps.  Atomic weight 143.6.


word: Praseolite
definition:
Praseolite

Pra"se*o*lite
(?)
n.
[Praseo- + -lite.]
(Min.)
A variety of altered iolite of a green color and greasy luster.


word: Prasinous
definition:
Prasinous

Pras"i*nous
(?)
a.
[L. prasinus, Gr. _;, fr. _; a leek.]
Grass-green; clear, lively green, without any mixture.
Lindley.


word: Prate
definition:
Prate

Prate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prating.]
[Akin to LG. & D. praten, Dan. prate, Sw. & Icel. prata.]
To talk much and to little purpose; to be loquacious; to speak foolishly; to babble.

To prate and talk for life and honor.
Shak.

And make a fool presume to prate of love.
Dryden.


word: Prate₂
definition:
Prate

Prate
v. t.
To utter foolishly; to speak without reason or purpose; to chatter, or babble.

What nonsense would the fool, thy master, prate,
When thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate !
Dryden.


word: Prate₃
definition:
Prate

Prate
n.
[Akin to LG. & D. praat, Sw. prat.]
Talk to little purpose; trifling talk; unmeaning loquacity.

Sick of tops, and poetry, and prate.
Pope.


word: Pratincole
definition:
Pratincole

Pra"tin*cole
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any bird of the Old World genus Glareola, or family Glareolidæ, allied to the plovers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail.


word: Pratique
definition:
Pratique

Prat"ique
(?)
n.
[F.; cf. It. pratica, Sp. practica. See Practice.]
1.
(Com.)
Primarily, liberty of converse; intercourse; hence, a certificate, given after compliance with quarantine regulations, permitting a ship to land passengers and crew; -- a term used particularly in the south of Europe.

2.
Practice; habits.
[Obs.]
pratique
R. North.


word: Prattle
definition:
Prattle

Prat"tle
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prattled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prattling (?).]
[Freq. of prate.]
To talk much and idly; to prate; hence, to talk lightly and artlessly, like a child; to utter child's talk.


word: Prattle₃
definition:
Prattle

Prat"tle
n.
Trifling or childish tattle; empty talk; loquacity on trivial subjects; prate; babble.

Mere prattle, without practice.
Shak.


word: Pravity
definition:
Pravity

Prav"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. pravitas, from pravus crooked, perverse.]
Deterioration; degeneracy; corruption; especially, moral crookedness; moral perversion; perverseness; depravity; as, the pravity of human nature.
pravity
South.


word: Prawn
definition:
Prawn

Prawn
(?)
n.
[OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a sea mussel.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn is Palæmon serratus.

&hand_; The name is often applied to any large shrimp.


word: Praxinoscope
definition:
Praxinoscope

Prax*in"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; action + -scope.]
(Opt.)
An instrument, similar to the phenakistoscope, for presenting to view, or projecting upon a screen, images the natural motions of real objects.


word: Praxis
definition:
Praxis

Prax"is
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to do. See Practice.]
1.
Use; practice; especially, exercise or discipline for a specific purpose or object.
praxis
Wood.

2.
An example or form of exercise, or a collection of such examples, for practice.


word: Pray₂
definition:
Pray

Pray
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Praying.]
[OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan, frīnan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fraíhnan.  Cf. Deprecate, Imprecate, Precarious.]
To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.

 And to his goddess pitously he preyde.
Chaucer.

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matt. vi. 6.

I pray, or (by ellipsis) Pray, I beg; I request; I entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go.

I pray, sir. why am I beaten?
Shak.


word: Pray₃
definition:
Pray

Pray
v. t.
1.
To address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat; to implore; to beseech.

And as this earl was preyed, so did he.
Chaucer.

We pray you . . . by ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor. v. 20.

2.
To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.

I know not how to pray your patience.
Shak.

3.
To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a soul out of purgatory.
Milman.

To pray in aid. (Law) (a) To call in as a helper one who has an interest in the cause. Bacon. (b) A phrase often used to signify claiming the benefit of an argument. See under Aid. Mozley & W.


word: Prayer₂
definition:
Prayer

Prayer
(_;; 277)
n.
[OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. prière, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.]
1.
The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body.
preyere
Chaucer

2.
The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.

As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.
Shak.

3.
The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.

He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately after his death.
Bp. Fell.

Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers. -- Prayer meeting, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.


word: Prayerful
definition:
Prayerful

Prayer"ful
(?)
a.
Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional.
prayerful
J. S. Blackie.
Prayer"ful*ly, adv. -- Prayer"ful*ness, n.


word: Prayerless
definition:
Prayerless

Prayer"less
(?; 277)
a.
Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God; without prayer.
prayerless
Baxter.


word: Praying
definition:
Praying

Pray"ing
(?)
a. & n. from Pray, v.

Praying insect, Praying locust, or Praying mantis (Zool.), a mantis, especially Mantis religiosa. See Mantis. -- Praying machine, or Praying wheel, a wheel on which prayers are pasted by Buddhist priests, who then put the wheel in rapid revolution.  Each turn in supposed to have the efficacy of an oral repetition of all the prayers on the wheel.  Sometimes it is moved by a stream.


word: Pre-
definition:
Pre-

Pre-
(?)
[L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to E. for, prep.: cf. F. pré-. See Pro-, and cf. Prior.]
A prefix denoting priority (of time, place, or rank); as, precede, to go before; precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to fix or place before; preëminent eminent before or above others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as in prepotent, very potent.
[Written also præ-.]


word: Preach
definition:
Preach

Preach
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Preached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preaching.]
[OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. prêcher, fr. L. praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known, dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL. praedictare. See Diction, and cf. Predicate, Predict.]
1.
To proclaim or publish tidings; specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly on a religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon.

How shall they preach, except they be sent?
Rom. x. 15.

From that time Jesus began to preach.
Matt. iv. 17.

2.
To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse in the manner of a preacher.


word: Preach₂
definition:
Preach

Preach
v. t.
1.
To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue.

That Cristes gospel truly wolde preche.
Chaucer.

The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.
Isa. lxi. 1.

2.
To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public teaching.
preached
Ps. xl. 9.

3.
To deliver or pronounce; as, to preach a sermon.

4.
To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching.
[R.]
preached
Southey.

5.
To advise or recommend earnestly.

My master preaches patience to him.
Shak.

To preach down, to oppress, or humiliate by preaching. Tennyson. -- To preach up, to exalt by preaching; to preach in support of; as, to preach up equality.


word: Preach₃
definition:
Preach

Preach
n.
[Cf. F. prêche, fr. prêcher. See Preach, v.]
A religious discourse.
[Obs.]
Hooker.


word: Preacher
definition:
Preacher

Preach"er
(prēch"ẽr)
n.
[Cf. OF. preeschierre, prescheur, F. prêcheur, L. praedicator.]
1.
One who preaches; one who discourses publicly on religious subjects.

How shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom. x. 14.

2.
One who inculcates anything with earnestness.

No preacher is listened to but Time.
Swift.

Preacher bird (Zool.), a toucan.


word: Preachify
definition:
Preachify

Preach"i*fy
(prēch"ĭ*fī)
v. i.
[Preach + -fy.]
To discourse in the manner of a preacher.
[Colloq.]
Thackeray.


word: Preaching
definition:
Preaching

Preach"ing
(prēch"ĭng)
n.
The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse; serious, earnest advice.
Milner.

Preaching cross, a cross, sometimes surmounting a pulpit, erected out of doors to designate a preaching place. -- Preaching friars. See Dominican.


word: Preachman
definition:
Preachman

Preach"man
(?)
n.
pl. Preachmen (_;).
A preacher; -- so called in contempt.
[Obs.]
Howell.


word: Preadamite
definition:
Preadamite

Pre*ad"am*ite
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. préadamite.]
1.
An inhabitant of the earth before Adam.

2.
One who holds that men existed before Adam.


word: Preadamitic
definition:
Preadamitic

Pre*ad`am*it"ic
(?)
a.
Existing or occurring before Adam; preadamic; as, preadamitic periods.


word: Preadmission
definition:
Preadmission

Pre`ad*mis"sion
(?)
n.
Lit., previous admission;
specif.
(Engin.)
admission, as of steam, to the engine cylinder before the back stroke is completed, thus increasing the cushioning.


word: Preamble
definition:
Preamble

Pre"am`ble
(?)
n.
[LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before + ambulare to walk: cf. F. préambule. See Amble.]
A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.


word: Preamble₂
definition:
Preamble

Pre"am`ble
v. t. & i.
To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble.
[R.]
Feltham. Milton.


word: Preambulary
definition:
Preambulary

Pre*am"bu*la*ry
(?)
a.
[Cf. OF. preambulaire.]
Of or pertaining to a preamble; introductory; contained or provided for in a preamble.
preambulary
[R.]
Burke.


word: Preambulate
definition:
Preambulate

Pre*am"bu*late
(?)
v. i.
[L. praeambulare. See Preamble.]
To walk before.
[R.]
Jordan.


word: Preambulation
definition:
Preambulation

Pre*am`bu*la"tion
(?)
n.
1.
A walking or going before; precedence.
[R.]

2.
A preamble.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Preambulatory
definition:
Preambulatory

Pre*am"bu*la*to*ry
(?)
a.
Preceding; going before; introductory.
[R.]

Simon Magus had preambulatory impieties.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Preantenultimate
definition:
Preantenultimate

Pre*an`te*nul"ti*mate
(?)
a.
Being or indicating the fourth syllable from the end of a word, or that before the antepenult.


word: Preapprehension
definition:
Preapprehension

Pre*ap`pre*hen"sion
(?)
n.
An apprehension or opinion formed before examination or knowledge.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Preataxic
definition:
Preataxic

Pre`a*tax"ic
(?)
a.
(Med.)
Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; -- applied to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia.


word: Preaudience
definition:
Preaudience

Pre*au"di*ence
(?)
n.
(Eng. Law)
Precedence of rank at the bar among lawyers.
Blackstone.


word: Preaxial
definition:
Preaxial

Pre*ax"i*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of any transverse axis in the body of an animal; anterior; cephalic; esp., in front, or on the anterior, or cephalic (that is, radial or tibial) side of the axis of a limb.


word: Prebend
definition:
Prebend

Preb"end
(prĕb"ĕnd)
n.
[F. prébende (cf. It. & Sp. prebenda), from L. praebenda, from L. praebere to hold forth, afford, contr. fr. praehibere; prae before + habere to have, hold. See Habit, and cf. Provender.]
1.
A payment or stipend; esp., the stipend or maintenance granted to a prebendary out of the estate of a cathedral or collegiate church with which he is connected. See Note under Benefice.

2.
A prebendary.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

Dignitary prebend, one having jurisdiction annexed to it. -- Simple prebend, one without jurisdiction.


word: Prebendal
definition:
Prebendal

Pre*ben"dal
(pre̝*bĕn"dal)
a.
Of or pertaining to a prebend; holding a prebend; as, a prebendal priest or stall.
Chesterfield.


word: Prebendary
definition:
Prebendary

Preb"en*da*ry
(prĕb"ĕn*da̝*r&ybreve_;)
n.
[LL. praebendarius: cf. F. prébendaire. See Prebend.]
1.
A clergyman attached to a collegiate or cathedral church who enjoys a prebend in consideration of his officiating at stated times in the church. See Note under Benefice, n., 3.
Hook.

2.
A prebendaryship.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Prebendate
definition:
Prebendate

Preb"en*date
(?)
v. t.
[LL. praebendatus, p. p. of praebendari.]
To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a prebend.
[Obs.]
Grafton.


word: Prebronchial
definition:
Prebronchial

Pre*bron"chi*al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the bronchus; -- applied especially to an air sac on either side of the esophagus of birds.


word: Precalculate
definition:
Precalculate

Pre*cal"cu*late
(?)
v. t.
To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange.
Masson.


word: Precant
definition:
Precant

Pre"cant
(?)
n.
[L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to pray.]
One who prays.
[R.]
Coleridge.


word: Precarious
definition:
Precarious

Pre*ca"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray.]
1.
Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges.
Addison.

2.
Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes.
precarious
Macaulay.


word: Precatory
definition:
Precatory

Precative

{ Prec"a*tive (?), Prec"a*to*ry (?), }
a.
[L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious.]
Suppliant; beseeching.
Bp. Hopkins.

Precatory words (Law), words of recommendation, request, entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases creating a trust. Jarman.


word: Precaution
definition:
Precaution

Pre*cau"tion
(?)
n.
[F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution.]
1.
Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.

They [ancient philosophers] treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution.
J. H. Newman.

2.
A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.


word: Precaution₂
definition:
Precaution

Pre*cau"tion
v. t.
[Cf. F. précautionner.]
1.
To warn or caution beforehand.
Locke.

2.
To take precaution against.
[R.]
Dryden.


word: Precautionary
definition:
Precautionary

Pre*cau"tion*a*ry
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals.


word: Precautious
definition:
Precautious

Pre*cau"tious
(?)
a.
Taking or using precaution; precautionary.
Pre*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*cau"*tious*ness, n.


word: Precede
definition:
Precede

Pre*cede"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.]
[L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See Pre-, and Cede.]
1.
To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything.
precedes
Milton.

2.
To go before in place, rank, or importance.

3.
To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object.
[R.]

It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration.
Kent.


word: Precedency
definition:
Precedency

Precedence

{ Pre*ced"ence (?), Pre*ced"en*cy (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. précédence. See Precede.]
1.
The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

2.
The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.

Which of them [the different desires] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action?
Locke.


word: Precedent
definition:
Precedent

Pre*ced"ent
(?)
a.
[L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede.]
Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services.
Shak.
precedent
Bacon.

Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.


word: Precedent₂
definition:
Precedent

Prec"e*dent
(?)
n.
1.
Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example.

Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.
Hooker.

2.
A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign.
[Obs.]

3.
A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
[Obs.]
Shak.

4.
(Law)
A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases.
Wharton.


word: Precedented
definition:
Precedented

Prec"e*dent*ed
a.
Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind.
Walpole.


word: Precedential
definition:
Precedential

Prec`e*den"tial
(?)
a.
Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for imitation; as, precedential transactions.

All their actions in that time are not precedential to warrant posterity.
Fuller.


word: Preceding
definition:
Preceding

Pre*ced"ing
a.
1.
Going before; -- opposed to following.

2.
(Astron.)
In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.


word: Precellency
definition:
Precellency

Precellence

{ Pre*cel"lence (?), Pre*cel"len*cy (?), }
n.
[L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.]
Excellence; superiority.
[Obs.]
Sheldon.


word: Precentor
definition:
Precentor

Pre*cen"tor
(?)
n.
[L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See Chant.]
A leader of a choir; a directing singer.
(a)
The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also the chanter or master of the choir.
Hook.
(b)
The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches.


word: Precept
definition:
Precept

Pre"cept
(?)
n.
[L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.]
1.
Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.

For precept must be upon precept.
Isa. xxviii. 10.

No arts are without their precepts.
Dryden.

2.
(Law)
A command in writing; a species of writ or process.
Burrill.


word: Preceptial
definition:
Preceptial

Pre*cep"tial
(?)
a.
Preceptive.
[Obs.]

[Passion] would give preceptial medicine to rage.
Shak.


word: Preceptive
definition:
Preceptive

Pre*cep"tive
(?)
a.
[L. praeceptivus.]
Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.

The lesson given us here is preceptive to us.
L'Estrange.


word: Preceptor
definition:
Preceptor

Pre*cep"tor
(?)
n.
[L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. précepteur. See Precept.]
1.
One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.

2.
The head of a preceptory among the Knights Templars.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Preceptory₂
definition:
Preceptory

Pre*cep"to*ry
n.
pl. Preceptories (#).
[LL. praeceptoria an estate assigned to a preceptor, from L. praeceptor a commander, ruler, teacher, in LL., procurator, administrator among the Knights Templars. See Preceptor.]
A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.


word: Precession
definition:
Precession

Pre*ces"sion
(?)
n.
[L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. précession. See Precede.]
The act of going before, or forward.

Lunisolar precession. (Astron.) See under Lunisolar. -- Planetary precession, that part of the precession of the equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets alone. -- Precession of the equinoxes (Astron.), the slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at the rate of 50.2″ annually, caused by the action of the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal rotation; -- so called because either equinox, owing to its westerly motion, comes to the meridian sooner each day than the point it would have occupied without the motion of precession, and thus precedes that point continually with reference to the time of transit and motion.


word: Precessional
definition:
Precessional

Pre*ces"sion*al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement of the equinoxes.


word: Precieuse
definition:
Precieuse

Pré`cieuse"
n.
An affected woman of polite society, esp. one of the literary women of the French salons of the 17th century.  See aslo preciosity.


word: Precinct
definition:
Precinct

Pre"cinct
(?; 277)
n.
[LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See Pre-, and Cincture.]
1.
The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; -- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state.
precincts
Milton.

2.
A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct.

3.
A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support.
[U.S.]

The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new choice.
Laws of Massachusetts.


word: Preciosity₂
definition:
Preciosity

Pre`ci*os"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. -ties (#)
[F. préciosité, OF. also precieuseté.]
Fastidious refinement, esp. in language; specif., the affected purism and sententiousness characteristic of the French précieuses of the 17th century.
He had the fastidiousness, the preciosity, the love of archaisms, of your true decadent.
L. Douglas.


word: Precious
definition:
Precious

Pre"cious
(?)
a.
[OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.]
1.
Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
precious
Milton.

2.
Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.

She is more precious than rules.
Prov. iii. 15.

Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.
Hooker.

Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.

3.
Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity.

Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.
Chaucer.

Elaborate embroidery of precious language.
Saintsbury.

Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. -- Precious stones, gems; jewels.


word: Preciously
definition:
Preciously

Pre"cious*ly
adv.
In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.


word: Precipice
definition:
Precipice

Prec"i*pice
(?)
n.
[F. précipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief.]
1.
A sudden or headlong fall.
[Obs.]
Fuller.

2.
A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.

Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew.
Dryden.


word: Precipitable
definition:
Precipitable

Pre*cip"i*ta*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See Precipitate, n. (Chem.)


word: Precipitancy
definition:
Precipitancy

Precipitance

{ Pre*cip"i*tance (?), Pre*cip"i*tan*cy (?), }
n.
[From Precipitant.]
The quality or state of being precipitant, or precipitate; headlong hurry; excessive or rash haste in resolving, forming an opinion, or executing a purpose; precipitation; as, the precipitancy of youth.
Precipitance
I. Watts.


word: Precipitant
definition:
Precipitant

Pre*cip"i*tant
(?)
a.
[L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. précipitant. See Precipitate.]
1.
Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately.

They leave their little lives
Above the clouds, precipitant to earth.
J. Philips.

Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold,
Precipitant in fear would wing their flight.
Pope.

2.
Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless.
Jer. Taylor.
Precipitant
Eikon Basilike.


word: Precipitant₂
definition:
Precipitant

Pre*cip"i*tant
n.
(Chem.)
Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.


word: Precipitate
definition:
Precipitate

Pre*cip"i*tate
(?)
a.
[L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice.]
1.
Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war.
Clarendon.

2.
Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure.
precipitate
Landor.

3.
Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.

Precipitate the furious torrent flows.
Prior.

4.
Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease.
[Obs.]
Arbuthnot.


word: Precipitate₂
definition:
Precipitate

Pre*cip"i*tate
(?)
n.
[NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité.]
(Chem.)
An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface.

2.
atmospheric moisture condensed as rain or snow, etc.; same as precipitation{5}.

Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.) (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.


word: Precipitate₃
definition:
Precipitate

Pre*cip"i*tate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Precipitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precipitating.]
1.
To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height.

She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river.
W. Irving.

2.
To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict.

Back to his sight precipitates her steps.
Glover.

If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous.
Bacon.

3.
(Chem.)
To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol.

The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold.
W. Irving.


word: Precipitate₄
definition:
Precipitate

Pre*cip"i*tate
v. i.
1.
To dash or fall headlong.
[R.]

So many fathom down precipitating.
Shak.

2.
To hasten without preparation.
[R.]

3.
(Chem.)
To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.


word: Precipitately
definition:
Precipitately

Pre*cip"i*tate*ly
(?)
adv.
In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly.
Swift.


word: Precipitation
definition:
Precipitation

Pre*cip`i*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praecipitatio: cf. F. précipitation.]
1.
The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.

In peril of precipitation
From off rock Tarpeian.
Shak.

2.
A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity.

The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea.
Woodward.

3.
Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity.
precipitation
Rambler.

4.
(Chem.)
The act or process of precipitating from a solution.

5.
(Meteorology)
A deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also, the quantity of water deposited.
&hand_; Deposits of dew, fog, and frost are not regarded by the United States Weather Bureau as precipitation. Sleet and snow are melted, and the record of precipitation shows the depth of the horizontal layers of water in hundredths of an inch or in millimeters.


word: Precipitator
definition:
Precipitator

Pre*cip"i*ta`tor
(?)
n.
[L. praecipitator an overthrower.]
One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness.
Hammond.


word: Precipitious
definition:
Precipitious

Prec`i*pi"tious
(?)
a.
Precipitous.
[Obs.]
Prec`i*pi"tious*ly, adv. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Precipitous
definition:
Precipitous

Pre*cip"i*tous
(?)
a.
[L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See Precipice.]
1.
Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.

2.
Headlong; as, precipitous fall.

3.
Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts.
Sir T. Browne.
precipitous
Mrs. Browning.


word: Precis
definition:
Precis

Pré`cis"
(pra̝`sē")
n.
[F. See Precise.]
A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary.


word: Precise
definition:
Precise

Pre*cise"
(?)
a.
[L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise, p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae before + caedere to cut: cf. F. précis.  Cf. Concise.]
1.
Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality.

The law in this point is not precise.
Bacon.

For the hour precise
Exacts our parting hence.
Milton.

2.
Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious.
Addison.

He was ever precise in promise-keeping.
Shak.


word: Precisian
definition:
Precisian

Pre*ci"sian
(?)
n.
1.
One who limits, or restrains.
[Obs.]

2.
An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans.

The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian.
Macaulay.


word: Precisianism
definition:
Precisianism

Pre*ci"sian*ism
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian.
Milton.


word: Precision
definition:
Precision

Pre*ci"sion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. précision, L. praecisio a cutting off. See Precise.]
The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness.

I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions.
Locke.


word: Precisive
definition:
Precisive

Pre*ci"sive
(?)
a.
Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction.
I. Watts.


word: Preclude
definition:
Preclude

Pre*clude"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Precluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding.]
[L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close, v.]
1.
To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede.

The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins.
E. Darwin.

2.
To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation.

This much will obviate and preclude the objections.
Bentley.


word: Preclusion
definition:
Preclusion

Pre*clu"sion
(?)
n.
[L. praeclusio. See Preclude.]
The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.


word: Preclusive
definition:
Preclusive

Pre*clu"sive
(?)
a.
Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering.
Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv.


word: Precocious
definition:
Precocious

Pre*co"cious
(?)
a.
[L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot.]
1.
Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.


word: Precocity
definition:
Precocity

Precociousness

{ Pre*co"cious*ness, Pre*coc"i*ty (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. précocité.]
The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness.

Saucy precociousness in learning.
Bp. Mannyngham.

That precocity which sometimes distinguishes uncommon genius.
Wirt.


word: Precoetanean
definition:
Precoetanean

Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an
(?)
n.
One contemporary with, but older than, another.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Precogitate
definition:
Precogitate

Pre*cog"i*tate
(?)
v. t.
[L. praecogitatus, p. p. of praecogitare. See Pre-, and Cogitate.]
To cogitate beforehand.
[R.]
Sherwood.


word: Precognition
definition:
Precognition

Pre`cog*ni"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praecognitio, fr. praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.]
1.
Previous cognition.
Fotherby.

2.
(Scots Law)
A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution.
Erskine.


word: Precognosce
definition:
Precognosce

Pre*cog"nosce
(?)
v. t.
[L. praecognoscere to foreknow.]
(Scots Law)
To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.

A committee of nine precognoscing the chances.
Masson.


word: Precompose
definition:
Precompose

Pre`com*pose"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Precomposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing.]
To compose beforehand.
Johnson.


word: Preconceive
definition:
Preconceive

Pre`con*ceive"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preconceived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconceiving.]
To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to form a previous notion or idea of.

In a dead plain the way seemeth the longer, because the eye hath preconceived it shorter than the truth.
Bacon.


word: Preconception
definition:
Preconception

Pre`con*cep"tion
(?)
n.
The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.


word: Preconcert
definition:
Preconcert

Pre`con*cert"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preconcerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconcerting.]
To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.


word: Preconcerted
definition:
Preconcerted

Pre`con*cert"ed
(?)
a.
Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand.
Pre`con*cert"ed*ly, adv. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ness, n.


word: Preconizate
definition:
Preconizate

Pre*con"i*zate
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. F. préconiser.]
To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call.
[Obs.]
Bp. Burnet.


word: Preconization
definition:
Preconization

Pre*con`i*za"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praeconium a crying out in public, fr. praeco, -onis, a crier, a herald: cf. F. préconisation.]
1.
A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation.
Bp. Hall.

2.
(Eccl.)
A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity.
Addis & Arnold.


word: Preconsign
definition:
Preconsign

Pre`con*sign"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preconsigned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconsigning.]
To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.


word: Precontract
definition:
Precontract

Pre`con*tract"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Precontracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Precontracting.]
To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.


word: Precontract₃
definition:
Precontract

Pre*con"tract
(?)
n.
A contract preceding another
(Law)
a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it.
Abbott.


word: Precoracoid
definition:
Precoracoid

Pre*cor"a*coid
(?)
n.
(Anat.)
The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.


word: Precordial
definition:
Precordial

Pre*cor"di*al
(?)
a.
[Pref. pre- + L. cor, cordis, heart: cf. F. précordial.]
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the præcordia.


word: Precrural
definition:
Precrural

Pre*cru"ral
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse.


word: Precursor
definition:
Precursor

Pre*cur"sor
(?)
n.
[L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course.]
One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.

Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all the storms and tempests of the soul.
Buckminster.


word: Precursory
definition:
Precursory

Pre*cur"so*ry
(?)
a.
[L. praecursorius.]
Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever.


word: Predal
definition:
Predal

Pre"dal
(?)
a.
[L. praeda prey.]
Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory.
[R.]
Boyse.


word: Predate
definition:
Predate

Pre*date"
(?)
v. t.
To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter.


word: Predation
definition:
Predation

Pre*da"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praedatio, fr. praedari to plunder.]
The act of pillaging.
E. Hall.


word: Predatory
definition:
Predatory

Pred"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey.]
1.
Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party.
predatory
Macaulay.

2.
Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits.
[Obs.]

Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and predatory.
Bacon.

3.
(Zool.)
Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous.


word: Predecessor
definition:
Predecessor

Pred`e*ces"sor
(?; 277)
n.
[L. praedecessor; prae before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F. prédécesseur. See Decease.]
One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.

A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had been over the interests of the state.
Prescott.


word: Predella
definition:
Predella

Pre*del"la
(?)
n.
[It.]
The step, or raised secondary part, of an altar; a superaltar; hence, in Italian painting, a band or frieze of several pictures running along the front of a superaltar, or forming a border or frame at the foot of an altarpiece.


word: Predesignate
definition:
Predesignate

Pre*des"ig*nate
(?)
a.
(Logic)
A term used by Sir William Hamilton to define propositions having their quantity indicated by a verbal sign; as, all, none, etc.; -- contrasted with preindesignate, defining propositions of which the quantity is not so indicated.


word: Predestinarian
definition:
Predestinarian

Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian controversy.
Waterland.


word: Predestinarian₂
definition:
Predestinarian

Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an
n.
One who believes in or supports the doctrine of predestination.
Dr. H. More.


word: Predestinate
definition:
Predestinate

Pre*des"ti*nate
(?)
a.
[L. praedestinatus, p. p. of praedestinare to predestine; prae before + destinare to determine. See Destine.]
Predestinated; foreordained; fated.
predestinate
Shak.


word: Predestinate₂
definition:
Predestinate

Pre*des"ti*nate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predestinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predestinating.]
[Cf. Predestine.]
To predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose or decree; to preëlect.

Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Rom. viii. 29.


word: Predestination
definition:
Predestination

Pre*des`ti*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praedestinatio: cf. F. prédestination.]
1.
The act of predestinating.

Predestination had overruled their will.
Milton.

2.
(Theol.)
The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all events; especially, the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery. See Calvinism.


word: Predestinator
definition:
Predestinator

Pre*des"ti*na`tor
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prédestinateur.]
1.
One who predestinates, or foreordains.

2.
One who holds to the doctrine of predestination; a predestinarian.
Cowley.


word: Predestine
definition:
Predestine

Pre*des"tine
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predestined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predestining.]
[Cf. F. prédestiner. See Predestinate.]
To decree beforehand; to foreordain; to predestinate.
Young.


word: Predeterminate
definition:
Predeterminate

Pre`de*ter"mi*nate
(?)
a.
Determined beforehand; as, the predeterminate counsel of God.


word: Predetermination
definition:
Predetermination

Pre`de*ter`mi*na"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prédétermination.]
The act of previous determination; a purpose formed beforehand; as, the predetermination of God's will.
Hammond.


word: Predetermine
definition:
Predetermine

Pre`de*ter"mine
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predetermined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predermining.]
[Pref. pre- + determine: cf. F. prédéterminer.]
1.
To determine (something) beforehand.
Sir M. Hale.

2.
To doom by previous decree; to foredoom.


word: Predial
definition:
Predial

Pre"di*al
(?)
a.
[L. praedium a farm, estate: cf. F. prédial.]
1.
Consisting of land or farms; landed; as, predial estate; that is, real estate.
Ayliffe.

2.
Attached to land or farms; as, predial slaves.

3.
Issuing or derived from land; as, predial tithes.


word: Prediastolic
definition:
Prediastolic

Pre*di`as*tol"ic
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic friction sound.


word: Predicability
definition:
Predicability

Pred`i*ca*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being predicable, or affirmable of something, or attributed to something.
Reid.


word: Predicable
definition:
Predicable

Pred"i*ca*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. prédicable, L. praedicabilis praiseworthy. See Predicate.]
Capable of being predicated or affirmed of something; affirmable; attributable.


word: Predicable₂
definition:
Predicable

Pred"i*ca*ble
n.
1.
Anything affirmable of another; especially, a general attribute or notion as affirmable of, or applicable to, many individuals.

2.
(Logic)
One of the five most general relations of attributes involved in logical arrangements, namely, genus, species, difference, property, and accident.


word: Predicament
definition:
Predicament

Pre*dic"a*ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prédicament, L. praedicamentum. See Predicate.]
1.
A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state; especially, an unfortunate or trying position or condition.
predicament
Shak.

2.
(Logic)
See Category.


word: Predicant
definition:
Predicant

Pred"i*cant
(?)
a.
[L. praedicans, -antis, p. pr. of praedicare. See Predicate.]
Predicating; affirming; declaring; proclaiming; hence; preaching.
predicant
N. Brit. Rev.


word: Predicant₂
definition:
Predicant

Pred"i*cant
n.
One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a preaching friar; a Dominican.


word: Predicate
definition:
Predicate

Pred"i*cate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predicating.]
[L. praedicatus, p. p. of praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim. See Preach.]
1.
To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.

2.
To found; to base.
[U.S.]

&hand_; Predicate is sometimes used in the United States for found or base; as, to predicate an argument on certain principles; to predicate a statement on information received. Predicate is a term in logic, and used only in a single case, namely, when we affirm one thing of another. “Similitude is not predicated of essences or substances, but of figures and qualities only.”
Cudworth.


word: Predicate₂
definition:
Predicate

Pred"i*cate
v. i.
To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation.
Sir M. Hale.


word: Predicate₃
definition:
Predicate

Pred"i*cate
(?)
n.
[L. praedicatum, neut. of praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. prédicat. See Predicate, v. t.]
1.
(Logic)
That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, “Paper is white,”  “Ink is not white,”  whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink.

2.
(Gram.)
The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.


word: Predication
definition:
Predication

Pred`i*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praedicatio: cf. F. prédication.]
1.
The act of predicating, or of affirming one thing of another; affirmation; assertion.
Locke.

2.
Preaching.
[Obs. or Scot.]
Chaucer.


word: Predicative
definition:
Predicative

Pred"i*ca*tive
(?)
a.
[L. praedicativus.]
Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term.
Pred"i*ca*tive*ly, adv.


word: Predicatory
definition:
Predicatory

Pred"i*ca*to*ry
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. praedicatorius praising.]
Affirmative; positive.
Bp. Hall.


word: Predicrotic
definition:
Predicrotic

Pre`di*crot"ic
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
A term applied to the pulse wave sometimes seen in a pulse curve or sphygmogram, between the apex of the curve and the dicrotic wave.

The predicrotic or tidal wave is best marked in a hard pulse, i. e., where the blood pressure is high.
Landois & Stirling.


word: Predict
definition:
Predict

Pre*dict"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Predicting.]
[L. praedictus, p. p. of praedicere to predict; prae before + dicere to say, tell. See Diction, and cf. Preach.]
To tell or declare beforehand; to foretell; to prophesy; to presage; as, to predict misfortune; to predict the return of a comet.


word: Prediction
definition:
Prediction

Pre*dic"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praedictio: cf. F. prédiction.]
The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold; prophecy.

The predictions of cold and long winters.
Bacon.


word: Predictive
definition:
Predictive

Pre*dict"ive
(?)
a.
[L. praedictivus.]
Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding.
Pre*dict"ive*ly, adv.


word: Predigest
definition:
Predigest

Pre`di*gest"
(?)
v. t.
(Med.)
To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion.


word: Predigestion
definition:
Predigestion

Pre`di*ges"tion
(?)
n.
1.
Digestion too soon performed; hasty digestion.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
(Med.)
Artificial digestion of food for use in illness or impaired digestion.


word: Predilection
definition:
Predilection

Pre`di*lec"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. pre- + L. dilectus, p. p. diligere to prefer: cf. F. prédilection. See Diligent.]
A previous liking; a prepossession of mind in favor of something; predisposition to choose or like; partiality.
Burke.


word: Predisponent
definition:
Predisponent

Pre`dis*po"nent
(?)
a.
Disposing beforehand; predisposing.
n. That which predisposes.

Predisponent causes. (Med.) See Predisposing causes, under Predispose. Dunglison.


word: Predispose
definition:
Predispose

Pre`dis*pose"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Predisposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predisposing.]
[Pref. pre- + dispose: cf. F. prédisposer.]
1.
To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship.

2.
To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease.

Predisposing causes (Med.), causes which render the body liable to disease; predisponent causes.


word: Predisposition
definition:
Predisposition

Pre*dis`po*si"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. pre- + disposition: cf. F. prédisposition.]
1.
The act of predisposing, or the state of being predisposed; previous inclination, tendency, or propensity; predilection; -- applied to the mind; as, a predisposition to anger.

Syn. -- inclination; tendency; predilection; propensity.

2.
Previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression, or purpose; susceptibility; -- applied to material things; as, the predisposition of the body to disease.


word: Predominance
definition:
Predominance

Pre*dom"i*nance
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prédominance.]
1.
The quality or state of being predominant; superiority; ascendency; prevalence; predomination.

The predominance of conscience over interest.
South.

2.
(Astrol.)
The superior influence of a planet.
Shak.


word: Predominant
definition:
Predominant

Pre*dom"i*nant
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. prédominant. See Predominante.]
Having the ascendency over others; superior in strength, influence, or authority; prevailing; as, a predominant color; predominant excellence.

Those help . . . were predominant in the king's mind.
Bacon.

Foul subordination is predominant.
Shak.


word: Predominate
definition:
Predominate

Pre*dom"i*nate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Predominated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predominating.]
[Pref. pre- + dominate: cf. F. prédominer.]
To be superior in number, strength, influence, or authority; to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule; to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart.

[Certain] rays may predominate over the rest.
Sir. I. Newton.


word: Predomination
definition:
Predomination

Pre*dom`i*na"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prédomination.]
The act or state of predominating; ascendency; predominance.
W. Browne.


word: Predorsal
definition:
Predorsal

Pre*dor"sal
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the back; immediately in front, or on the ventral side the dorsal part of the vertebral column.


word: Preeminence
definition:
Preeminence

Pre*ëm"i*nence
(?)
n.
[F. prééminence, L. praeeminentia. See Preëminent.]
The quality or state of being preëminent; superiority in prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, preëminence in honor.

The preëminence of Christianity to any other religious scheme.
Addison.

Painful preëminence! yourself to view
Above life's weakness, and its comforts too.
Pope.

Beneath the forehead's walled preëminence.
Lowell.


word: Preeminent
definition:
Preeminent

Pre*ëm"i*nent
(?)
a.
[L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. prééminent. See Pre-, and Eminent.]
Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preëminent in guilt.

In goodness and in power preëminent.
Milton.


word: Preempt
definition:
Preempt

Pre*ëmpt"
(pre̝*ĕmt"; 215)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Preëmpted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëmpting.]
[See Preëmption.]
1.
To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preemption.
[Also spelled pre-empt.]

2.
To acquire or take for oneself first (an object or right), thereby preventing others from acquiring; to appropriate; to arrogate.

3.
To supplant or take the place of (an action), due to changes in circumstances or priorities; as, the regular meeting was preempted by an emergency conference.

4.
To prevent or delay (an event) by acting beforehand; to head off; to preclude.


word: Preemption
definition:
Preemption

Pre*ëmp"tion
(?; 215)
n.
[Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. préemption. See Redeem.]
The act or right of preemption.
(a)
The act or right of purchasing before others.
(b)
The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others.
[Eng.]
(c)
The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants.
Abbott.


word: Preemptioner
definition:
Preemptioner

Pre*ëmp"tion*er
(?)
n.
One who holds a prior right to purchase certain public land.
Abbott.


word: Preemptive
definition:
Preemptive

Pre*ëmp"tive
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to preëmption; having power to preëmpt; preëmpting.


word: Preemptor
definition:
Preemptor

Pre*ëmpt"or
(?; 215)
n.
[Cf. L. praeemptor.]
One who preëmpts; esp., one who preëmpts public land.


word: Preen
definition:
Preen

Preen
(?)
n.
[AS. preón a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prj&omacrnn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.]
A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.


word: Preen₂
definition:
Preen

Preen
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.]
[See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.]
1.
To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds.
Derham.

2.
To trim up, as trees.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.

3.
Hence:
To dress (oneself) carefully or stylishly; to primp.

4.
To pride (oneself) on one's accomplishments; to congratulate (oneself).


word: Preen₃
definition:
Preen

Preen
v. i.
To dress up neatly and smartly; to make oneself well-groomed and well-dressed.

2.
To feel proud of one's achievement; to swell or gloat.


word: Preengage
definition:
Preengage

Pre`ën*gage"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preëngaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preëngaging (?).]
To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously; to preoccupy.

But he was preëngaged by former ties.
Dryden.


word: Preengagement
definition:
Preengagement

Pre`ën*gage"ment
(?)
n.
Prior engagement, obligation, or attachment, as by contract, promise, or affection.

My preëngagements to other themes were not unknown to those for whom I was to write.
Boyle.


word: Preexamine
definition:
Preexamine

Pre`ëx*am"ine
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preëxamined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxamining.]
To examine beforehand.


word: Preexist
definition:
Preexist

Pre`ëx*ist"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxisting.]
To exist previously; to exist before something else; to exist before the current activity commenced; as, preexisting illnesses are not covered by this insurance policy.
[Also spelled pre-exist.]


word: Preexistence
definition:
Preexistence

Pre`ëx*ist"ence
(?)
n.
1.
Existence in a former state, or previous to something else.

Wisdom declares her antiquity and preëxistence to all the works of this earth.
T. Burnet.

2.
Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a doctrine held by certain philosophers.
Addison.


word: Preexistent
definition:
Preexistent

Pre`ëx*ist"ent
(?)
a.
Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a preëxistent state.
Pope.


word: Preexistentism
definition:
Preexistentism

Pre`ëx*ist"ent*ism
(?)
n.
(Philos.)
The theory of a preëxistence of souls before their association with human bodies.
Emerson.


word: Preface
definition:
Preface

Pref"ace
(?; 48)
n.
[F. préface; cf. Sp. prefacio, prefacion, It. prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio, fr. praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari, fatus, to speak. See Fate.]
1.
Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

This superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
Shak.

Heaven's high behest no preface needs.
Milton.

2.
(R. C. Ch.)
The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
Addis & Arnold.

Proper preface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.


word: Preface₂
definition:
Preface

Pref"ace
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prefaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefacing.]
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse.


word: Prefatory
definition:
Prefatory

Pref"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.

That prefatory addition to the Creed.
Dryden.


word: Prefect
definition:
Prefect

Pre"fect
(?)
n.
[L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. préfet.]
1.
A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

2.
A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation.
[France]
Brande & C.

3.
In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. Shipley.


word: Prefecture
definition:
Prefecture

Pre"fec*ture
(?; 277)
n.
[L. praefectura: cf. F. préfecture.]
The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.


word: Prefecundation
definition:
Prefecundation

Pre*fec`un*da"tion
(?)
n.
(Physiol.)
A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.


word: Prefer
definition:
Prefer

Pre*fer"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preferred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.]
[F. préférer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st Bear.]
1.
To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.
Pope.

Presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.
Shak.

Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.
Byron.

2.
To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.
[Obs.]
prefer
Chaucer.

3.
To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.

I would prefer him to a better place.
Shak.

4.
To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed by to, before, or above.

If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Ps. cxxxvii. 6.

Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.
Knolles.

Preferred stock, stock which takes a dividend before other capital stock; -- called also preference stock and preferential stock.


word: Preferability
definition:
Preferability

Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness.
J. S. Mill.


word: Preferable
definition:
Preferable

Pref"er*a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. préférable.]
Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme.
Addison.


word: Preferably
definition:
Preferably

Pref"er*a*bly
adv.
In preference; by choice.

To choose Plautus preferably to Terence.
Dennis.


word: Preference
definition:
Preference

Pref"er*ence
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. préférence.]
1.
The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.

Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry.
Dryden.

Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's.
Locke.

2.
That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?


word: Preferential
definition:
Preferential

Pref`er*en"tial
(?)
a.
Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.


word: Preferential voting
definition:
Preferential voting

Preferential voting
(Political Science)
A system of voting, as at primaries, in which the voters are allowed to indicate on their ballots their preference (usually their first and second choices) between two or more candidates for an office, so that if no candidate receives a majority of first choices the one receiving the greatest number of first and second choices together in nominated or elected.


word: Preferment
definition:
Preferment

Pre*fer"ment
(?)
n.
1.
The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference.
[R.]

Natural preferment of the one . . . before the other.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion.

Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable preferment had been spared.
Macaulay.

3.
A position or office of honor or profit; as, the preferments of the church.


word: Prefident
definition:
Prefident

Pref"i*dent
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. praefidens overconfident. See Pre-, and Confident.]
Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident.
[Obs.]
Baxter.


word: Prefigurate
definition:
Prefigurate

Pre*fig"u*rate
(?)
v. t.
[L. praefiguratus, p. p. See Prefigure.]
To prefigure.
[R.]
Grafton.


word: Prefiguration
definition:
Prefiguration

Pre*fig`u*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praefiguratio.]
The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured.

A variety of prophecies and prefigurations.
Norris.


word: Prefigure
definition:
Prefigure

Pre*fig"ure
(?; 135)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prefigured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefiguring.]
[F. préfigurer, or L. praefigurare, praefiguratum; prae before + figurare to figure. See Figure, and cf. Prefigurate.]
To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow.
prefigured
South.


word: Prefigurement
definition:
Prefigurement

Pre*fig"ure*ment
(?)
n.
The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured.
Carlyle.


word: Prefine
definition:
Prefine

Pre*fine"
(?)
v. t.
[L. praefinire; prae before + finire to limit, determine: cf. F. préfiner.]
To limit beforehand.
[Obs.]
Knolles.


word: Prefix
definition:
Prefix

Pre*fix"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prefixed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing.]
[L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. préfix fixed beforehand, determined, préfixer to prefix. See Fix.]

1.
To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.

2.
To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently.
[Obs.]
Prefixed
Locke.

And now he hath to her prefixt a day.
Spenser.


word: Prefix₂
definition:
Prefix

Pre"fix
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. préfixe.]
That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.


word: Preform
definition:
Preform

Pre*form"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. praeformare. See Pre-, and Form.]
To form beforehand, or for special ends.
preformed
Shak.


word: Preformation
definition:
Preformation

Pre`for*ma"tion
(?)
n.
(Biol.)
An old theory of the preëxistence of germs.  Cf. Emboîtement.


word: Prefrontal
definition:
Prefrontal

Pre*fron"tal
(?)
a.
(Anat. & Zool.)
Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and fishes.
n. A prefrontal bone or scale.


word: Prefulgency
definition:
Prefulgency

Pre*ful"gen*cy
(?)
n.
[L. praefulgens, p. pr. of praefulgere to shine forth. See Pre-, and Fulgent.]
Superior brightness or effulgency.
[R.]
Barrow.


word: Pregnable
definition:
Pregnable

Preg"na*ble
(?)
a.
[F. prenable. See Impregnable.]
Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort.
[R.]
Cotgrave.


word: Pregnancy
definition:
Pregnancy

Preg"nan*cy
(?)
n.
1.
The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with young.

2.
Figuratively: The quality of being heavy with important contents, issue, significance, etc.; unusual consequence or capacity; fertility.
Fuller.


word: Pregnant
definition:
Pregnant

Preg"nant
(?)
a.
[L. praegnans, -antis; prae before + genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. prégnant.  See Gender, 2d Kin.]

1.
Being with young, as a female; having conceived; great with young; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to bring forth.

2.
Heavy with important contents, significance, or issue; full of consequence or results; weighty; as, pregnant replies.
pregnant
Prynne.
pregnant
E. Everett.

3.
Full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc.; as, a pregnant youth.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.

Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
Shak.

Pregnant construction (Rhet.), one in which more is implied than is said; as, the beasts trembled forth from their dens, that is, came forth trembling with fright.


word: Pregnant₃
definition:
Pregnant

Preg"nant
a.
[F. prenant taking.  Cf. Pregnable.]
Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt.
[Obs.]
Pregnant
Shak.


word: Pregravate
definition:
Pregravate

Pre"gra*vate
(?)
v. t.
[L. praegravatus, p. p. of praegravare to be heavy upon, fr. praegravis very heavy.]
To bear down; to depress.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Pregustant
definition:
Pregustant

Pre*gus"tant
(?)
a.
[L. praegustans, p. pr. of praegustare to taste beforehand; prae before + gustare to taste.]
Tasting beforehand; having a foretaste.
[R.]
Ed. Rev.


word: Pregustation
definition:
Pregustation

Pre`gus*ta"tion
(?)
n.
The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste.
[R.]
Dr. Walker (1678).


word: Prehallux
definition:
Prehallux

Pre*hal"lux
(?)
n.
[NL.  See Pre-, and Hallux.]
(Anat.)
An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux.


word: Prehend
definition:
Prehend

Pre*hend"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. prehendere. See Prehensile.]
To lay hold of; to seize.
[Obs.]
Middleton.


word: Prehensile
definition:
Prehensile

Pre*hen"sile
(?)
a.
[L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere to lay hold of, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere (in comp.), akin to E. get: cf. F. préhensile. See Get, and cf. Prison, Prize, n.]
Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey.


word: Prehension
definition:
Prehension

Pre*hen"sion
(?)
n.
[L. prehensio; cf. F. préhension. See Prehensile.]
The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the hand or other member.


word: Prehistoric
definition:
Prehistoric

Pre`his*tor"ic
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to a period before written history begins; as, the prehistoric ages; prehistoric man.


word: Prehnite
definition:
Prehnite

Prehn"ite
(?)
n.
[So called from the German Colonel Prehn, who first found it.]
(Min.)
A pale green mineral occurring in crystalline aggregates having a botryoidal or mammillary structure, and rarely in distinct crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime.


word: Prehnitic
definition:
Prehnitic

Prehn*it"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a tetrabasic acid of benzene obtained as a white crystalline substance; -- probably so called from the resemblance of the wartlike crystals to the mammillæ on the surface of prehnite.


word: Preignition
definition:
Preignition

Pre`ig*ni"tion
(?)
n.
(Engin.)
Ignition in an internal-combustion engine while the inlet valve is open or before compression is completed.


word: Preindesignate
definition:
Preindesignate

Pre`in*des"ig*nate
(?)
a.
(Logic.)
Having no sign expressive of quantity; indefinite. See Predesignate.


word: Preinstruct
definition:
Preinstruct

Pre`in*struct"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preinstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Preinstructing.]
To instruct previously or beforehand.
Dr. H. More.


word: pre-isolate
definition:
pre-isolate

preisolate

pre-isolate, preisolate
v. t.
(chemistry)
To isolate{3} (a substance) beforehand.


word: Prejudge
definition:
Prejudge

Pre*judge"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prejudged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudging.]
[Pref. pre + judge: cf. F. préjuger.  Cf. Prejudicate, Prejudice.]
To judge before hearing, or before full and sufficient examination; to decide or sentence by anticipation; to condemn beforehand.

The committee of council hath prejudged the whole case, by calling the united sense of both houses of Parliament“ a universal clamor.”
Swift.


word: Prejudical
definition:
Prejudical

Pre*ju"di*cal
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to the determination of some matter not previously decided; as, a prejudical inquiry or action at law.


word: Prejudicant
definition:
Prejudicant

Pre*ju"di*cant
(?)
a.
[L. praejudicans, p. pr.]
Influenced by prejudice; biased.
[R.]
prejudicant
Milton.


word: Prejudicate
definition:
Prejudicate

Pre*ju"di*cate
(?)
a.
[L. praejudicatus, p. p. of praejudicare to prejudge; prae before + judicare to judge. See Judge.]
1.
Formed before due examination.
prejudicate
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Biased by opinions formed prematurely; prejudiced.
Prejudicate
Sir T. Browne.


word: Prejudicate₂
definition:
Prejudicate

Pre*ju"di*cate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prejudicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicating.]
[Cf. Prejudge.]
To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; to prejudge.

Our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business.
Shak.


word: Prejudication
definition:
Prejudication

Pre*ju`di*ca"tion
(?)
n.
1.
The act of prejudicating, or of judging without due examination of facts and evidence; prejudgment.

2.
(Rom. Law)
(a)
A preliminary inquiry and determination about something which belongs to a matter in dispute.
(b)
A previous treatment and decision of a point; a precedent.


word: Prejudicative
definition:
Prejudicative

Pre*ju"di*ca*tive
(?)
a.
Forming a judgment without due examination; prejudging.
Dr. H. More.


word: Prejudice
definition:
Prejudice

Prej"u*dice
(?)
n.
[F. préjudice, L. praejudicium; prae before + judicium judgment. See Prejudicate, Judicial.]
1.
Foresight.
[Obs.]

Naught might hinder his quick prejudize.
Spenser.

2.
An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge.

Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man.
Macaulay.

3.
(Law)
A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.

4.
Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
Locke.

England and France might, through their amity,
Breed him some prejudice.
Shak.


word: Prejudice₂
definition:
Prejudice

Prej"u*dice
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prejudiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicing (?).]
[Cf. F. préjudicier. See Prejudice, n.]
1.
To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman.

Suffer not any beloved study to prejudice your mind so far as to despise all other learning.
I. Watts

2.
To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause.

Seek how may prejudice the foe.
Shak


word: Prejudicial
definition:
Prejudicial

Prej`u*di"cial
(?)
a.
[L. praejudicialis belonging to a preceding judgment: cf. F. préjudiciel.]

1.
Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices; as, to look with a prejudicial eye.
[Obs.]
Holyday.

2.
Tending to obstruct or impair; hurtful; injurious; disadvantageous; detrimental.
Hooker.

His going away . . . was most prejudicial and most ruinous to the king's affairs.
Clarendon.


word: Prelacy
definition:
Prelacy

Prel"a*cy
(?)
n.
pl. Prelacies (#).
[LL. praelatia. See Prelate; cf. Prelaty.]
1.
The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates.

Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices.
Ayliffe.

2.
The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries.
prelacy
Hooker.


word: Prelal
definition:
Prelal

Pre"lal
(?)
a.
[L. prelum a press.]
Of or pertaining to printing; typographical.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Prelate
definition:
Prelate

Prel"ate
(?; 48)
n.
[F. prélat, LL. praelatus, fr. L. praelatus, used as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from a different root. See Elate.]
A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church.

&hand_; This word and the words derived from it are often used invidiously, in English ecclesiastical history, by dissenters, respecting the Established Church system.

Hear him but reason in divinity, . . . 
You would desire the king were made a prelate.
Shak.


word: Prelate₂
definition:
Prelate

Prel"ate
(?)
v. i.
To act as a prelate.
[Obs.]

Right prelating is busy laboring, and not lording.
Latimer.


word: Prelatical
definition:
Prelatical

Prelatic

{ Pre*lat"ic (?), Pre*lat"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to prelates or prelacy; as, prelatical authority.
Macaulay.


word: Prelatically
definition:
Prelatically

Pre*lat"ic*al*ly
adv.
In a prelatical manner; with reference to prelates.
Milton.

The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Aeneis.


word: Prelation
definition:
Prelation

Pre*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praelatio: cf. F. prélation. See Prelate, and cf. Prefer.]
The setting of one above another; preference.
[R.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Prelatist
definition:
Prelatist

Prel"a*tist
(?)
n.
One who supports of advocates prelacy, or the government of the church by prelates; hence, a high-churchman.
Hume.

I am an Episcopalian, but not a prelatist.
T. Scott.


word: Prelatize
definition:
Prelatize

Prel"a*tize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prelatized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prelatizing (?).]
To bring under the influence of prelacy.
Palfrey.


word: Prelatize₂
definition:
Prelatize

Prel"a*tize
v. i.
To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical functions.

An episcopacy that began then to prelatize.
Milton.


word: Prelatureship
definition:
Prelatureship

Prelature

{ Prel"a*ture (?; 135), Prel"a*ture*ship  }
n.
[F. prélature, or LL. praelatura.]
The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy.
Milman.


word: Prelect
definition:
Prelect

Pre*lect"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prelected; p. pr. & vb. n. Prelecting.]
[L. praelectus, p. p. of praelegere to read before. See Pre-, and Lection.]
To read publicly, as a lecture or discourse.


word: Prelect₂
definition:
Prelect

Pre*lect"
v. i.
To discourse publicly; to lecture.

Spitting . . . was publicly prelected upon.
De. Quincey.

To prelect upon the military art.
Bp. Horsley.


word: Prelection
definition:
Prelection

Pre*lec"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praelectio.]
A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company.
prelections
Sir M. Hale.


word: Prelector
definition:
Prelector

Pre*lec"tor
(?)
n.
[L. praelector.]
A reader of lectures or discourses; a lecturer.
Sheldon.


word: Prelibation
definition:
Prelibation

Pre`li*ba"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praelibatio, fr. praelibare to taste beforehand: cf. F. prelibation.]
1.
A tasting beforehand, or by anticipation; a foretaste; as, a prelibation of heavenly bliss.

2.
A pouring out, or libation, before tasting.


word: Preliminary
definition:
Preliminary

Pre*lim"i*na*ry
(?)
a.
[Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. préliminaire.  Cf. Limit.]
Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.


word: Preliminary₂
definition:
Preliminary

Pre*lim"i*na*ry
n.
pl. Preliminaries (_;).
That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.


word: Prelude
definition:
Prelude

Pre"lude
(?)
n.
[F. prélude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.]
An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture.

The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Aenis
Addison.

The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact.
Whewell.


word: Prelude₂
definition:
Prelude

Pre*lude"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.]
[L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. préluder. See Ludicrous.]
To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.

The musicians preluded on their instruments.
Sir. W. Scott.

We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.
Jeffrey.


word: Prelude₃
definition:
Prelude

Pre*lude"
v. t.
1.
To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.

2.
To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.

[Music] preluding some great tragedy.
Longfellow


word: Preludial
definition:
Preludial

Pre*lud"i*al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory.
[R.]


word: Prelumbar
definition:
Prelumbar

Pre*lum"bar
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated immediately in front of the loins; -- applied to the dorsal part of the abdomen.


word: Prelusive
definition:
Prelusive

Pre*lu"sive
(?)
a.
[See Prelude.]
Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that something of a like kind is to follow.
Prelusive
Thomson.
Pre*lu"sive*ly, adv.


word: Premature
definition:
Premature

Pre`ma*ture"
(?)
a.
[L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.]
1.
Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2.
Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.

3.
Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report.


word: Prematurity
definition:
Prematurity

Pre`ma*tu"ri*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prématurité.]
The quality or state of being premature; early, or untimely, ripeness; as, the prematurity of genius.


word: Premaxilla
definition:
Premaxilla

Pre"max*il"la
(?)
n.
pl. Premaxillæ (#).
[NL. See Pre-, and Maxilla.]
(Anat.)
A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillæ become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.


word: Premaxillary
definition:
Premaxillary

Pre*max"il*la*ry
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the maxillary bones; pertaining to the premaxillæ; intermaxillary.
n. A premaxilla.


word: Premeditate
definition:
Premeditate

Pre*med"i*tate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Premeditated (-tā`t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Premeditating.]
[L. praemeditatus, p. p. of praemeditari; prae before + meditari to meditate. See Meditate.]
To think on, and revolve in the mind, beforehand; to contrive and design previously; as, to premeditate robbery.

With words premeditated thus he said.
Dryden.


word: Premeditate₂
definition:
Premeditate

Pre*med"i*tate
v. i.
To think, consider, deliberate, or revolve in the mind, beforehand.


word: Premeditate₃
definition:
Premeditate

Pre*med"i*tate
(?)
a.
[L. praemeditatus, p. p.]
Premeditated; deliberate.
[Archaic]
Bp. Burnet.


word: Premeditation
definition:
Premeditation

Pre*med`i*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praemeditatio: cf. F. préméditation.]
The act of meditating or contriving beforehand; previous deliberation; forethought.


word: Premiant
definition:
Premiant

Premial

{ Pre"mi*al (?), Pre"mi*ant (?), }
a.
[L. praemialis. See Premium.]
Serving to reward; rewarding.
[R.]
Baxter.


word: Premices
definition:
Premices

Prem"i*ces
(?)
n. pl.
[F. prémices, L. primitiae. See Primitia.]
First fruits.
[Obs.]
Dryden.


word: Premier
definition:
Premier

Pre"mi*er
(?)
a.
[F. premier, fr. L. primarius of the first rank, principal, fr. primus the first. See Primary, Prime, a.]
1.
First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister.
Camden. Swift.

2.
Most ancient; -- said of the peer bearing the oldest title of his degree.


word: Premiere
definition:
Premiere

Pre*mière"
(?)
a. fem.
[F., prop. fem. of premier first. See Premier, a.]
First; chief; as, a première danseuse.
n. fem.; pl. -mières (F. pre*myâr"). (a) The leading woman of a group, esp. in a theatrical cast. (b) A first performance, as of a play; a first night.


word: premiere
definition:
premiere

premiere
v. i.
1.
to be performed for the first time; of a play, ballet, composition, movie, or other literary work.

Syn. -- premier.


word: premiere₂
definition:
premiere

premiere
v. t.
1.
to perform (a play, ballet, or composition) for the first time.

Syn. -- premier.


word: Premise
definition:
Premise

Prem"ise
(?)
n.
pl. Premises (_;).
[Written also, less properly, premiss.]
[F. prémisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission.]
1.
A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.

The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
Shak.

2.
(Logic)
Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

“All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner.”
[1913 Webster]
These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment.

While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion.
Dr. H. More.

3.
pl.
(Law)
Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted.

4.
pl.
A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.


word: Premise₂
definition:
Premise

Pre*mise"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Premised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.]
[From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.]
1.
To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously.
[Obs.]

The premised flames of the last day.
Shak.

If venesection and a cathartic be premised.
E. Darwin.

2.
To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings.

I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task.
Addison.


word: Premium
definition:
Premium

Pre"mi*um
(?)
n.
pl. Premiums (#).
[L. praemium, originally, what one has got before or better than others; prae before + emere to take, buy. See Redeem.]
1.
A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or scholarship, for discoveries, etc.

 To think it not the necessity, but the premium and privilege of life, to eat and sleep without any regard to glory.
Burke.

The law that obliges parishes to support the poor offers a premium for the encouragement of idleness.
Franklin.

2.
Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus; -- sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally signifying a sum in addition to the capital.

People were tempted to lend, by great premiums and large interest.
Swift.

3.
A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind.

4.
A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his stock at a premium.


word: Premolar
definition:
Premolar

Pre*mo"lar
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the molar teeth.
n. An anterior molar tooth which has replaced a deciduous molar. See Tooth.


word: Premonish
definition:
Premonish

Pre*mon"ish
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Premonished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premonishing.]
[Pref. pre- + monish: cf. L. praemonere.]
To forewarn; to admonish beforehand.
[R.]
Herrick.

To teach, and to premonish.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.


word: Premonition
definition:
Premonition

Pre`mo*ni"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praemonitio. See Premonish.]
Previous warning, notice, or information; forewarning; as, a premonition of danger.


word: Premonitory
definition:
Premonitory

Pre*mon"i*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. praemonitorius.]
Giving previous warning or notice; as, premonitory symptoms of disease.
Pre*mon"i*to*ri*ly (#), adv.


word: Premonstrate
definition:
Premonstrate

Pre*mon"strate
(?)
v. t.
[L. praemonstratus, p. p. of praemonstrare; prae before + monstrate to show.]
To show beforehand; to foreshow.
[R.]
Herbert.


word: Premonstratensian
definition:
Premonstratensian

Pre*mon`stra*ten"sian
(?)
n.
[F. prémontré, fr. Prémontré, fr. L. pratum monstratum.]
(R. C. Ch.)
One of a religious order of regular canons founded by St. Norbert at Prémontré, in France, in 1119. The members of the order are called also White Canons, Norbertines, and Premonstrants.


word: Premonstrator
definition:
Premonstrator

Pre*mon"stra*tor
(?)
n.
[L. praemonstrator.]
One who, or that which, premonstrates.
[R.]


word: Premorse
definition:
Premorse

Pre*morse"
(?)
a.
[L. praemorsus, p. p. of praemordere to bite off; prae before + mordere to bite.]
Terminated abruptly, or as it bitten off.

Premorse root or Premorse leaves (Bot.), such as have an abrupt, ragged, and irregular termination, as if bitten off short.


word: Premunite
definition:
Premunite

Prem`u*nite"
(?)
v. t.
[L. praemunitus, p. p. of praemunire to fortify in front; prae before + munire to fortify.]
To fortify beforehand; to guard against objection.
[Obs.]
Fotherby.


word: Premunition
definition:
Premunition

Pre`mu*ni"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praemunitio: cf. F. prémunition.]
The act of fortifying or guarding against objections.
[Obs.]


word: Prenasal
definition:
Prenasal

Pre*na"sal
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the nose, or in front of the nasal chambers.


word: Prender
definition:
Prender

Pren"der
(?)
n.
[F. prendre to take, fr. L. prehendere to take.]
(Law)
The power or right of taking a thing before it is offered.
Burrill.


word: Prenominate
definition:
Prenominate

Pre*nom"i*nate
(?)
a.
[L. praenominatus, p. p. of praenominare to give the prenomen to, to prenominate, fr. praenomen prenomen.]
Forenamed; named beforehand.
[R.]
Prenominate
Shak.


word: Prenominate₂
definition:
Prenominate

Pre*nom"i*nate
(?)
v. t.
To forename; to name beforehand; to tell by name beforehand.
Shak.


word: Prenomination
definition:
Prenomination

Pre*nom`i*na*tion
(?)
n.
The act of prenominating; privilege of being named first.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Prenostic
definition:
Prenostic

Pre*nos"tic
(?)
n.
[L. praenoscere to foreknow; prae before + noscere, notum, to know.]
A prognostic; an omen.
[Obs.]
Gower.


word: Prenote
definition:
Prenote

Pre*note"
(?)
v. t.
[L. praenotare; prae before + notare to note.]
To note or designate beforehand.
Foxe.


word: Prenotion
definition:
Prenotion

Pre*no"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praenotio: cf. F. prénotion. See Prenostic.]
A notice or notion which precedes something else in time; previous notion or thought; foreknowledge.
Bacon.


word: Prensation
definition:
Prensation

Pren*sa"tion
(?)
n.
[L. prensatio, from prensare, prehensare, v. freq. from prehendere to seize.]
The act of seizing with violence.
[Obs.]
Barrow .


word: Prentice
definition:
Prentice

Pren"tice
(?)
n.
[Aphetic form of apprentice.]
An apprentice.
[Obs. or Colloq.]
Piers Plowman.
prentice
Shak.


word: Prenticehood
definition:
Prenticehood

Pren"tice*hood
(_;)
n.
Apprenticehood.
[Obs.]

This jolly prentice with his master bode
Till he was out nigh of his prenticehood.
Chaucer.


word: Prenticeship
definition:
Prenticeship

Pren"tice*ship
n.
Apprenticeship.
[Obs. or Colloq.]

He served a prenticeship who sets up shop.
Pope.


word: Prenunciation
definition:
Prenunciation

Pre*nun`ci*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praenunciatio, fr. praenunciare to announce beforehand. See Pre-, and Announce.]
The act of announcing or proclaiming beforehand.
[Obs.]


word: Prenuncious
definition:
Prenuncious

Pre*nun"cious
(?)
a.
[L. praenuncius.]
Announcing beforehand; presaging.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Preoblongata
definition:
Preoblongata

Pre*ob`lon*ga"ta
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pre-, and Oblongata.]
(Anat.)
The anterior part of the medulla oblongata.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Preoccupancy
definition:
Preoccupancy

Pre*oc"cu*pan*cy
(?)
n.
[See Preoccupate.]
The act or right of taking possession before another; as, the preoccupancy of wild land.


word: Preoccupate
definition:
Preoccupate

Pre*oc"cu*pate
(?)
v. t.
[L. praeoccupatus, p. p. of praeoccupare to preoccupy. See Preoccupy.]

1.
To anticipate; to take before.
[Obs.]
preoccupateth
Bacon.

2.
To prepossess; to prejudice.
[Obs.]
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Preoccupation
definition:
Preoccupation

Pre*oc`cu*pa"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praeoccupatio: cf. F. préoccupation.]
1.
The act of preoccupying, or taking possession of beforehand; the state of being preoccupied; prepossession.

2.
Anticipation of objections.
[R.]
South.


word: Preoccupy
definition:
Preoccupy

Pre*oc"cu*py
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-pīd); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying (?).]
[Cf. F. préoccuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy.]
1.
To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held.

2.
To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.

I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment.
Arbuthnot.


word: Preocular
definition:
Preocular

Pre*oc"u*lar
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Placed just in front of the eyes, as the antennæ of certain insects.
n. One of the scales just in front of the eye of a reptile or fish.


word: Preopercular
definition:
Preopercular

Pre`o*per"cu*lar
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the operculum; pertaining to the preoperculum.
n. The preoperculum.


word: Preopinion
definition:
Preopinion

Pre`o*pin"ion
(?)
n.
Opinion previously formed; prepossession; prejudice.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Preoral
definition:
Preoral

Pre*o"ral
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral bands.


word: Preordain
definition:
Preordain

Pre`or*dain"
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. pre + ordain: cf. L. praeordinare.]
To ordain or appoint beforehand: to predetermine: to foreordain.
Milton.


word: Preordinate
definition:
Preordinate

Pre*or"di*nate
(?)
a.
[L. praeordinatus, p. p.  See Preordain.]
Preordained.
[R.]
Sir T. Elyot.


word: Preordination
definition:
Preordination

Pre*or`di*na"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. préordination.]
The act of foreordaining: previous determination.
preordination
Bale.


word: Preparation
definition:
Preparation

Prep`a*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[F. préparation, L. praeparatio. See Prepare.]

1.
The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.

2.
The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for war.

3.
That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a preparatory act or measure.

I will show what preparations there were in nature for this dissolution.
T. Burnet.

4.
That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination. Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. (c) Something prepared for use in cookery.

I wish the chemists had been more sparing who magnify their preparations.
Sir T. Browne.

In the preparations of cookery, the most volatile parts of vegetables are destroyed.
Arbuthnot.

5.
An army or fleet.
[Obs.]
Shak.

6.
(Mus.)
The holding over of a note from one chord into the next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See Suspension.

7.
Accomplishment; qualification.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Preparative
definition:
Preparative

Pre*par"a*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. préparatif.]
Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory.

Laborious quest of knowledge preparative to this work.
 South.


word: Preparative₂
definition:
Preparative

Pre*par"a*tive
n.

1.
That which has the power of preparing, or previously fitting for a purpose; that which prepares.
preparative
Hooker.

2.
That which is done in the way of preparation.
preparatives
Dryden.


word: Preparator
definition:
Preparator

Pre*par"a*tor
(?)
n.
[L. praeparator.]
One who prepares beforehand, as subjects for dissection, specimens for preservation in collections, etc.
Agassiz.


word: Preparatory
definition:
Preparatory

Pre*par"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. praeparatorius: cf. F. préparatoire.]
Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.


word: Prepare
definition:
Prepare

Pre*pare"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prepared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preparing.]
[F. préparer, L. praeparare; prae before + parare to make ready. See Pare.]

1.
To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.

Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light.
Dryden.

2.
To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment.
Milton.

That they may prepare a city for habitation.
Ps. cvii. 36


word: Prepare₂
definition:
Prepare

Pre*pare"
(_;)
v. i.
1.
To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to prepare for a hostile invasion.
prepare
Shak.

2.
To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.


word: Prepared
definition:
Prepared

Pre*pared"
(?)
a.
Made fit or suitable; adapted; ready; as, prepared food; prepared questions.
Pre*par"ed*ly (#), adv. Shak. -- Pre*par"ed*ness, n.


word: Prepay
definition:
Prepay

Pre*pay"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prepaid (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prepaying.]
To pay in advance, or beforehand; as, to prepay postage.


word: Prepense
definition:
Prepense

Pre*pense"
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. pre + F. penser to think. See Pansy.]
To weigh or consider beforehand; to premeditate.
[Obs.]
Spenser. Sir T. Elyot.


word: Prepense₃
definition:
Prepense

Pre*pense"
a.
[See Pansy, and cf. Prepense, v. t.]
Devised, contrived, or planned beforehand; preconceived; premeditated; aforethought; -- usually placed after the word it qualifies; as, malice prepense.

This has not arisen from any misrepresentation or error prepense.
Southey.


word: Prepollency
definition:
Prepollency

Prepollence

{ Pre*pol"lence (?), Pre*pol"len*cy (?), }
n.
[L. praepollentia.]
The quality or state of being prepollent; superiority of power; predominance; prevalence.
[R.]
Coventry.


word: Prepollent
definition:
Prepollent

Pre*pol"lent
(?)
a.
[L. praepollens, p. p. of praepollere to surpass in power; prae before + pollere to be powerful.]
Having superior influence or power; prevailing; predominant.
[R.]
Boyle.


word: Prepollent₂
definition:
Prepollent

Pre*pol"lent
(?)
n.
pl. Prepollices (#).
[NL. See Pre-, Pollex.]
(Anat.)
An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial side of the pollex.


word: Preponderancy
definition:
Preponderancy

Preponderance

{ Pre*pon"der*ance (?), Pre*pon"der*an*cy (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. prépondérance.]
1.
The quality or state of being preponderant; superiority or excess of weight, influence, or power, etc.; an outweighing.

The mind should . . . reject or receive proportionably to the preponderancy of the greater grounds of probability.
Locke.

In a few weeks he had changed the relative position of all the states in Europe, and had restored the equilibrium which the preponderance of one power had destroyed.
Macaulay.

2.
(Gun.)
The excess of weight of that part of a canon behind the trunnions over that in front of them.


word: Preponderant
definition:
Preponderant

Pre*pon"der*ant
(?)
a.
[L. praeponderans, -antis: cf. F.  prépondérant. See Preponderate.]
Preponderating; outweighing; overbalancing; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a preponderant weight; of preponderant importance.
Pre*pon"der*ant*ly, adv.


word: Preponderate
definition:
Preponderate

Pre*pon"der*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preponderated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preponderating.]
[L.  praeponderatus, p. p. of praeponderare; prae before + ponderare to weigh, fr., pondus, ponderis, a weight. See Ponder.]
1.
To outweigh; to overpower by weight; to exceed in weight; to overbalance.

An inconsiderable weight, by distance from the center of the balance, will preponderate greater magnitudes.
Glanvill.

2.
To overpower by stronger or moral power.

3.
To cause to prefer; to incline; to decide.
[Obs.]

The desire to spare Christian blood preponderates him for peace.
Fuller.


word: Preponderate₂
definition:
Preponderate

Pre*pon"der*ate
v. i.
To exceed in weight; hence, to incline or descend, as the scale of a balance; figuratively, to exceed in influence, power, etc.; hence; to incline to one side; as, the affirmative side preponderated.

That is no just balance in which the heaviest side will not preponderate.
Bp. Wilkins.


word: Preponderation
definition:
Preponderation

Pre*pon`der*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praeponderatio.]
The act or state of preponderating; preponderance; as, a preponderation of reasons.
I. Watts.


word: Prepose
definition:
Prepose

Pre*pose"
(?)
v. t.
[F. préposer; pref. pré- (L. prae before) + poser. See Pose.]
To place or set before; to prefix.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Preposition
definition:
Preposition

Prep`o*si"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praepositio, fr. praeponere to place before; prae before + ponere to put, place: cf. F.  préposition. See Position, and cf. Provost.]

1.
(Gram.)
A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word; a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other word; -- so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running.

2.
A proposition; an exposition; a discourse.
[Obs.]

He made a long preposition and oration.
Fabyan.


word: Prepositional
definition:
Prepositional

Prep`o*si"tion*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. prépositionnel.]
Of or pertaining to a preposition; of the nature of a preposition.
Early.
Prep`o*si"tion*al*ly, adv.


word: Prepositive
definition:
Prepositive

Pre*pos"i*tive
(?)
a.
[L. praepositivus: cf. F. prépositif.]
(Gram.)
Put before; prefixed; as, a prepositive particle.
n. A prepositive word. Tooke.


word: Prepositor
definition:
Prepositor

Pre*pos"i*tor
(?)
n.
[NL.]
A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor.
Todd.


word: Prepositure
definition:
Prepositure

Pre*pos"i*ture
(?)
n.
[L. praepositura. See Preposition, and cf. Provost.]
The office or dignity of a provost; a provostship.
Lowth.


word: Prepossess
definition:
Prepossess

Pre`pos*sess"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prepossessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prepossessing.]

1.
To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of.
Dryden.

2.
To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.

It created him enemies, and prepossessed the lord general.
Evelyn.


word: Prepossessing
definition:
Prepossessing

Pre`pos*sess"ing
(?)
a.
Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence, favor, esteem, or love; attractive; as, a prepossessing manner.
Pre`pos*sess"ing*ly, adv.


word: Prepossession
definition:
Prepossession

Pre`pos*ses"sion
(?)
n.

1.
Preoccupation; prior possession.
Hammond.

2.
Preoccupation of the mind by an opinion, or impression, already formed; preconceived opinion; previous impression; bias; -- generally, but not always, used in a favorable sense; as, the prepossessions of childhood.
prepossessions
Sir W. Scott.


word: Preposterous
definition:
Preposterous

Pre*pos"ter*ous
(?)
a.
[L. praeposterus; prae before + posterus coming after, latter. See Posterior.]

1.
Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in order.
[Obs.]

The method I take may be censured as preposterous, because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth, which was first in the order of nature.
Woodward.

2.
Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end; utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd; perverted.
preposterous
Shak.

Preposterous ass, that never read so far!
Shak.


word: Prepotency
definition:
Prepotency

Pre*po"ten*cy
(?)
n.
[L. praepotentia: cf. F. prépotence.]

1.
The quality or condition of being prepotent; predominance.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
(Biol.)
The capacity, on the part of one of the parents, as compared with the other, to transmit more than his or her own share of characteristics to their offspring.


word: Prepotent
definition:
Prepotent

Pre*po"tent
(?)
a.
[L. praepotens. See Pre-, and Potent.]

1.
Very powerful; superior in force, influence, or authority; predominant.
Plaifere.

2.
(Biol.)
Characterized by prepotency.
Darwin.


word: Prepubic
definition:
Prepubic

Pre*pu"bic
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the pubis; pertaining to the prepubis.


word: Prepubis
definition:
Prepubis

Pre*pu"bis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pre-, and Pubis.]
(Anat.)
A bone or cartilage, of some animals, situated in the middle line in front of the pubic bones.


word: Preraphaelitism
definition:
Preraphaelitism

Preraphaelism

{ Pre*raph"a*el*ism (?), Pre*raph"a*el*i`tism (?), }
n.
(Fine Arts)
The doctrine or practice of a school of modern painters who profess to be followers of the painters before Raphael. Its adherents advocate careful study from nature, delicacy and minuteness of workmanship, and an exalted and delicate conception of the subject.


word: Preraphaelite
definition:
Preraphaelite

Pre*raph"a*el*ite
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to the style called preraphaelitism; as, a preraphaelite figure; a preraphaelite landscape.
Ruskin.


word: Preraphaelite₂
definition:
Preraphaelite

Pre*raph"a*el*ite
n.
1.
One who favors or practices art as it was before Raphael; one who favors or advocates preraphaelitism.

2.
Popularly, any modern artist thought to be a would-be restorer of early ideas or methods, as one of the German painters often called Nazarenes, or one who paints and draws with extreme minuteness of detail.


word: Preregnant
definition:
Preregnant

Pre*reg"nant
(?)
n.
One who reigns before another; a sovereign predecessor.
[R.]
Warner.


word: Preremote
definition:
Preremote

Pre`re*mote
(?)
a.
More remote in previous time or prior order.

In some cases two more links of causation may be introduced; one of them may be termed the preremote cause, the other the postremote effect.
E. Darwin.


word: Prerequire
definition:
Prerequire

Pre`re*quire"
(?)
v. t.
To require beforehand.

Some things are prerequired of us.
Bp. Hall.


word: Prerequisite
definition:
Prerequisite

Pre*req"ui*site
(?)
a.
Previously required; necessary as a preliminary to any proposed effect or end; as, prerequisite conditions of success.


word: Prerequisite₂
definition:
Prerequisite

Pre*req"ui*site
n.
Something previously required, or necessary to an end or effect proposed.

The necessary prerequisites of freedom.
 Goldsmith.


word: Preresolve
definition:
Preresolve

Pre`re*solve"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Preresolved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preresolving.]
To resolve beforehand; to predetermine.
Sir E. Dering.


word: Prerogative
definition:
Prerogative

Pre*rog"a*tive
(?)
n.
[F. prérogative, from L. praerogativa precedence in voting, preference, privilege, fr. praerogativus that is asked before others for his opinion, that votes before or first, fr. praerogare to ask before another; prae before + rogare to ask. See Rogation.]

1.
An exclusive or peculiar privilege; prior and indefeasible right; fundamental and essential possession; -- used generally of an official and hereditary right which may be asserted without question, and for the exercise of which there is no responsibility or accountability as to the fact and the manner of its exercise.

The two faculties that are the prerogative of man -- the powers of abstraction and imagination.
I. Taylor.

An unconstitutional exercise of his prerogative.
Macaulay.

2.
Precedence; preëminence; first rank.
[Obs.]

Then give me leave to have prerogative.
Shak.

&hand_; The term came into general use in the conflicts between the Crown and Parliaments of Great Britain, especially in the time of the Stuarts.

Prerogative Court (Eng. Law), a court which formerly had authority in the matter of wills and administrations, where the deceased left bona notabilia, or effects of the value of five pounds, in two or more different dioceses. Blackstone. -- Prerogative office, the office in which wills proved in the Prerogative Court were registered.


word: Prerogatived
definition:
Prerogatived

Pre*rog"a*tived
(?)
a.
Endowed with a prerogative, or exclusive privilege.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Presage
definition:
Presage

Pre"sage
(?)
n.
[F. présage, L. praesagium, from praesagire. See Presage, v. t. ]

1.
Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a prognostic; an omen; an augury.
presage
Milton.

2.
Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power; foreknowledge; presentiment.

If there be aught of presage in the mind.
Milton.


word: Presage₂
definition:
Presage

Pre*sage"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Presaged (-sājd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Presaging. ]
[F. présager, L. praesagire: prae before + sagire to perceive acutely or sharply. See Sagacious.]

1.
To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to foreknow.

2.
To foretell; to predict; to foreshow; to indicate.

My dreams presage some joyful news at hand.
Shak.


word: Presageful
definition:
Presageful

Pre*sage"ful
(?)
a.
Full of presages; ominous.

Dark in the glass of some presageful mood.
Tennyson.


word: Presagement
definition:
Presagement

Pre*sage"ment
(?)
n.

1.
The act or art of presaging; a foreboding.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
That which is presaged, or foretold.
[R.]
presagement
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Presbyopia
definition:
Presbyopia

Pres`by*o"pi*a
(?)
[NL., from Gr. _; old, n., an old man + _;, _;, the eye.]
(Med.)
A defect of vision consequent upon advancing age. It is due to rigidity of the crystalline lens, which produces difficulty of accommodation and recession of the near point of vision, so that objects very near the eyes can not be seen distinctly without the use of convex glasses. Called also presbytia.


word: Presbyter
definition:
Presbyter

Pres"by*ter
(?)
n.
[L. an elder, fr. Gr. _;. See Priest.]

1.
An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation under Bishop, n., 1.

2.
(Ch. of Eng.  & Prot. Epis. Ch.)
One ordained to the second order in the ministry; -- called also priest.

I rather term the one sort presbyter than priest.
Hooker.

New presbyter is but old priest writ large.
Milton.

3.
(Presbyterian Ch.)
A member of a presbytery whether lay or clerical.

4.
A Presbyterian.
[Obs.]
Hudibras.


word: Presbyterate
definition:
Presbyterate

Pres*byt"er*ate
(?)
n.
[L. presbyteratus: cf. F. presbytérat.]
A presbytery; also, presbytership.
Heber.


word: Presbyterian
definition:
Presbyterian

Pres`by*te"ri*an
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. presbytérien.]
Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of a communion so governed.


word: Presbyterian₂
definition:
Presbyterian

Pres`by*te"ri*an
n.
[Cf. F. presbytérien.]
One who maintains the validity of ordination and government by presbyters; a member of the Presbyterian church.

Reformed Presbyterians. See Cameronian.


word: Presbyterianism
definition:
Presbyterianism

Pres`by*te"ri*an*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. presbytérianisme.]
That form of church government which invests presbyters with all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also, the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken collectively.


word: Presbytery
definition:
Presbytery

Pres"by*ter*y
(?)
n.
pl. Presbyteries (#).
[L. presbyterium, Gr. _;. See Presbyter, and cf. Presbyterium.]

1.
A body of elders in the early Christian church.

2.
(Presbyterian Ch.)
A judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.

3.
The Presbyterian religion of polity.
[R.]
Tatler.

4.
(a)
(Arch.)
That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest.
(b)
The residence of a priest or clergyman.
Gwilt.


word: Prescapula
definition:
Prescapula

Pre*scap"u*la
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Anat.)
The part of the scapula in front of, or above, the spine, or mesoscapula.


word: Prescience
definition:
Prescience

Pre"sci*ence
(prē"shĭ*ens or prē"shens; 277)
n.
[F. prescience, L. praescientia. See Prescient.]
Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight.

God's certain prescience of the volitions of moral agents.
J. Edwards.


word: Prescient
definition:
Prescient

Pre"sci*ent
(prē"shĭ*ent or -shent)
a.
[L. praesciens, -entis, p. pr. of praescire to foreknow; prae before + scire to know: cf. F. prescient. See Science.]
Having knowledge of coming events; foreseeing; conscious beforehand.
Pope.

Henry . . . had shown himself sensible, and almost prescient, of this event.
Bacon.


word: Prescind
definition:
Prescind

Pre*scind"
(pre̝*sĭnd")
v. t.
[L. praescindere to cut off in front; prae before + scindere to cut asunder: cf. F. prescinder.]

1.
To cut off; to abstract.
[Obs.]
Norris.

2.
(Metaph.)
To consider by a separate act of attention or analysis.
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Prescindent
definition:
Prescindent

Pre*scind"ent
(?)
a.
[L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr. scire to know.]
Cutting off; abstracting.
[R.]
Cheyne.


word: Prescious
definition:
Prescious

Pre"scious
(prē"shŭs)
a.
[L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr. scire to know.]
Foreknowing; having foreknowledge; as, prescious of ills.
[R.]
Dryden.


word: Prescribe
definition:
Prescribe

Pre*scribe"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prescribed (?); p. pr & vb. n. Prescribing.]
[L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae before + scriebe to write. See Scribe.]

1.
To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct.

Prescribe not us our duties.
Shak.

Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.
Dryden.

2.
(Med.)
To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed quinine.


word: Prescribe₂
definition:
Prescribe

Pre*scribe"
v. i.
1.
To give directions; to dictate.

A forwardness to prescribe to their opinions.
Locke.

2.
To influence by long use
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

3.
(Med.)
To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.

4.
(Law)
To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that is, by a custom having the force of law.


word: Prescript
definition:
Prescript

Pre"script
(?)
a.
[L. praescriptus, p. p. of praescribere: cf. F. prescrit. See Prescribe.]
Directed; prescribed.
prescript
Jer. Taylor.


word: Prescript₂
definition:
Prescript

Pre"script
n.
[L. praescriptum: cf. OF. prescript.]

1.
Direction; precept; model prescribed.
Milton.

2.
A medical prescription.
[Obs.]
Bp. Fell.


word: Prescriptible
definition:
Prescriptible

Pre*scrip"ti*ble
(pre̝*skrĭp"tĭ*b'l)
a.
[Cf. F. prescriptible.]
Depending on, or derived from, prescription; proper to be prescribed.
Grafton.


word: Prescription
definition:
Prescription

Pre*scrip"tion
(pre̝*skrĭp"shŭn)
n.
[F. prescription, L. praescriptio, an inscription, preface, precept, demurrer, prescription (in sense 3), fr. praescribere. See Prescribe.]

1.
The act of prescribing, directing, or dictating; direction; precept; also, that which is prescribed.

2.
(Med.)
A direction of a remedy or of remedies for a disease, and the manner of using them; a medical recipe; also, a prescribed remedy.
Hence:
a written order from a physician for a medication, which allows a patient to legally obtain medication which is required by law to be dispensed only on authorization from a physician or other qualified medical practitioner.

3.
(Law)
A prescribing for title; the claim of title to a thing by virtue of immemorial use and enjoyment; the right or title acquired by possession had during the time and in the manner fixed by law.
Bacon.

That profound reverence for law and prescription which has long been characteristic of Englishmen.
Macaulay.

&hand_; Prescription differs from custom, which is a local usage, while prescription is personal, annexed to the person only. Prescription only extends to incorporeal rights, such as a right of way, or of common. What the law gives of common rights is not the subject of prescription. Blackstone. Cruise. Kent. In Scotch law, prescription is employed in the sense in which limitation is used in England and America, namely, to express that operation of the lapse of time by which obligations are extinguished or title protected. Sir T. Craig. Erskine.


word: Prescriptive
definition:
Prescriptive

Pre*scrip"tive
(?)
a.
[L. praescriptivus of a demurrer or legal exception.]
1.
(Law)
Consisting in, or acquired by, immemorial or long-continued use and enjoyment; as, a prescriptive right of title; pleading the continuance and authority of long custom.

The right to be drowsy in protracted toil has become prescriptive.
J. M. Mason.

2.
Of or pertaining to the doctrine that acceptable grammatical rules should be prescribed by authority, rather than be determined by common usage.


word: prescriptivism
definition:
prescriptivism

pre*scrip"tiv*ism
(?)
n.
The doctrine that acceptable grammatical rules should be prescribed by authority, rather than be determined by common usage.


word: prescriptivist
definition:
prescriptivist

pre*scrip"tiv*ist
(?)
n.
A person who believes that acceptable practices should be prescribed by an authority rather than be determined by the usage of the general public; especially, a supporter of prescriptive{2} rules of grammar; -- also used attributively, as prescriptivist grammar.


word: Prescutum
definition:
Prescutum

Pre*scu"tum
(?)
n.
pl. Prescuta (_;).
[NL. See Præ-, and Scutum.]
(Zool.)
The first of the four pieces composing the dorsal part, or tergum, of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is usually small and inconspicuous.


word: Preseance
definition:
Preseance

Pre"se*ance
(?)
n.
[F. préséance. See Preside.]
Priority of place in sitting.
[Obs.]
Carew.


word: Presence
definition:
Presence

Pres"ence
(?)
n.
[F. présence, L. praesentia. See Present.]
1.
The state of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence.

2.
The place in which one is present; the part of space within one's ken, call, influence, etc.; neighborhood without the intervention of anything that forbids intercourse.

Wrath shell be no more
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.
Milton.

3.
Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.

In such a presence here to plead my thoughts.
Shak.

An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the presence.
Shak.

4.
The whole of the personal qualities of an individual; person; personality; especially, the person of a superior, as a sovereign.

The Sovran Presence thus replied.
Milton.

5.
An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility; noble company.

Odmar, of all this presence does contain,
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair.
Dryden.

6.
Port, mien; air; personal appearence.
Bacon.

A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance.
 Collier.

Presence chamber, or Presence room, the room in which a great personage receives company. Addison. “ Chambers of presence.”  Bacon. -- Presence of mind, that state of the mind in which all its faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden emergencies.


word: Presension
definition:
Presension

Pre*sen"sion
(?)
n.
[L. praesensio, fr. praesentire to perceive beforehand. See Presentient.]
Previous perception.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Present
definition:
Present

Pres"ent
(?)
a.
[F. présent, L. praesens,-entis, that is before one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be before; prae before +  esse to be. See Essence.]

1.
Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
John xiv. 25.

2.
Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance.

I'll bring thee to the present business
Shak.

3.
Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident.
present
present
Shak.

An ambassador . . . desires a present audience.
Massinger.

4.
Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit.
[R.]

5.
Favorably attentive; propitious.
[Archaic]

To find a god so present to my prayer.
Dryden.

Present tense (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am writing, I write, or I do write.


word: Present₂
definition:
Present

Pres"ent
n.
[Cf. F. présent. See Present, a.]
1.
Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present.

Past and present, wound in one.
Tennyson.

2.
pl.
(Law)
Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, “ Know all men by these presents,” that is, by the writing itself, “ per has literas praesentes; ” -- in this sense, rarely used in the singular.

3.
(Gram.)
A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense.

At present, at the present time; now. -- For the present, for the tine being; temporarily. -- In present, at once, without delay. [Obs.] “With them, in present, half his kingdom; the rest to follow at his death.” Milton.


word: Present₃
definition:
Present

Pre*sent"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Presented; p. pr. & vb. n. Presenting.]
[F. présenter, L. praesentare, fr. praesens, a.  See Present, a.]
1.
To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord.
Job i. 6

2.
To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance.

Lectorides's memory is ever . . . presenting him with the thoughts of other persons.
I. Watts.

3.
To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.

So ladies in romance assist their knight,
Present the spear, and arm him for the fight.
Pope.

4.
To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.

My last, least offering, I present thee now.
Cowper.

5.
Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts.

Octavia presented the poet for him admirable elegy on her son Marcellus.
Dryden.

6.
To present; to personate.
[Obs.]
Shak.

7.
(a)
To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.

The patron of a church may present his clerk to a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted.
Blackstone.

Pesent arms (Mil.), the command in response to which the gun is carried perpendicularly in front of the center of the body, and held there with the left hand grasping it at the lower band, and the right hand grasping the small of the stock, in token of respect, as in saluting a superior officer; also, the position taken at such a command.


word: Present₄
definition:
Present

Pre*sent"
v. i.
(Med.)
To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; -- said of a part of an infant during labor.


word: Present₅
definition:
Present

Pres"ent
(?)
n.
[F. présent .]
Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present.


word: Present₆
definition:
Present

Pre*sent"
(?)
n.
(Mil.)
The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.


word: Presentable
definition:
Presentable

Pre*sent"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. présentable.]
1.
Capable or admitting of being presented; suitable to be exhibited, represented, or offered; fit to be brought forward or set forth; hence, fitted to be introduced to another, or to go into society; as, ideas that are presentable in simple language; she is not presentable in such a gown.

2.
Admitting of the presentation of a clergiman; as, a church presentable.
[R.]
Ayliffe.


word: Presentaneous
definition:
Presentaneous

Pres`en*ta"ne*ous
(?)
a.
[L. praesentaneus. See Present, a.]
Ready; quick; immediate in effect; as, presentaneous poison.
[Obs.]
Harvey.


word: Presentation
definition:
Presentation

Pres`en*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praesentatio a showing, representation: cf. F. présentation.]
1.
The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal.

Prayers are sometimes a presentation of mere desires.
Hooker.

2.
exhibition; representation; display; appearance; semblance; show.

Under the presentation of the shoots his wit.
Shak.

3.
That which is presented or given; a present; a gift, as, the picture was a presentation.
[R.]

4.
(Eccl.)
The act of offering a clergyman to the bishop or ordinary for institution in a benefice; the right of presenting a clergyman.

If the bishop admits the patron's presentation, the clerk so admitted is next to be instituted by him.
Blackstone.

5.
(Med.)
The particular position of the child during labor relatively to the passage though which it is to be brought forth; -- specifically designated by the part which first appears at the mouth of the uterus; as, a breech presentation.

Presentation copy, a copy of a book, engraving, etc., presented to some one by the author or artist, as a token of regard.


word: Presentative
definition:
Presentative

Pre*sent"a*tive
(?)
a.
1.
(Eccl.)
Having the right of presentation, or offering a clergyman to the bishop for institution; as, advowsons are presentative, collative, or donative.
Blackstone.

2.
Admitting the presentation of a clergyman; as, a presentative parsonage.
Spelman.

3.
(Metaph.)
Capable of being directly known by, or presented to, the mind; intuitive; directly apprehensible, as objects; capable of apprehending, as faculties.

The latter term, presentative faculty, I use . . . in contrast and correlation to a “representative faculty.”
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Presentee
definition:
Presentee

Pres`en*tee"
(?)
n.
[F. présenté, p. p. See Present, v. t. ]
One to whom something is presented; also, one who is presented; specifically (Eccl.), one presented to benefice.
Ayliffe.


word: Presential
definition:
Presential

Pre*sen"tial
(?)
a.
[LL. praesentialis.]
Implying actual presence; present, immediate.
[Obs.]

God's mercy is made presential to us.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Presentient
definition:
Presentient

Pre*sen"tient
(?)
a.
[L.  praesentiens, p. pr. of praesentire to perceive beforehand; prae before + sentire to feel.]
Feeling or perceiving beforehand.


word: Presentific
definition:
Presentific

Pres`en*tif"ic
(?)
a.
[L. praesens, -entis, present + facere to make.]
Making present.
[Obs.]


word: Presentiment
definition:
Presentiment

Pre*sen"ti*ment
(?)
n.
[Pref. pre- + sentiment: cf. F. pressentiment. See Presentient.]
Previous sentiment, conception, or opinion; previous apprehension; especially, an antecedent impression or conviction of something unpleasant, distressing, or calamitous, about to happen; anticipation of evil; foreboding.


word: Presentive
definition:
Presentive

Pre*sent"ive
(?)
a.
(Philol.)
Bringing a conception or notion directly before the mind; presenting an object to the memory of imagination; -- distinguished from symbolic.

How greatly the word “will” is felt to have lost presentive power in the last three centuries.
Earle.


word: Presently
definition:
Presently

Pres"ent*ly
(?)
adv.
1.
At present; at this time; now.
[Obs.]

The towns and forts you presently have.
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
At once; without delay; forthwith; also, less definitely, soon; shortly; before long; after a little while; by and by.
Shak.

And presently the fig tree withered away.
Matt. xxi. 19.

3.
With actual presence; actually .
[Obs.]

His precious body and blood presently three.
Bp. Gardiner.


word: Presentment
definition:
Presentment

Pre*sent"ment
(?)
n.
1.
The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; presentation.
presentment
Shak.

2.
Setting forth to view; delineation; appearance; representation; exhibition.

Power to cheat the eye with blear illusion,
And give it false presentment.
Milton.

3.
(Law)
(a)
The notice taken by a grand jury of any offence from their own knowledge or observation, without any bill of indictment laid before them, as, the presentment of a nuisance, a libel, or the like; also, an inquisition of office and indictment by a grand jury; an official accusation presented to a tribunal by the grand jury in an indictment, or the act of offering an indictment; also, the indictment itself.
(b)
The official notice (formerly required to be given in court) of the surrender of a copyhold estate.
Blackstone.

Presentment of a bill of exchange, the offering of a bill to the drawee for acceptance, or to the acceptor for payment. See Bill of exchange, under Bill.
Mozley & W.


word: Presentness
definition:
Presentness

Pres"ent*ness
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being present; presence.
[Obs.]
Presentness
Clarendon.


word: Presentoir
definition:
Presentoir

Pres`en*toir"
(?)
n.
[Formed after analogy of French.]
An ornamental tray, dish, or the like, used as a salver.


word: Present worth
definition:
Present worth

Present value

{ Pres"ent value or Pres"ent worth  }
The principal which, drawing interest at a given rate, will amount to the given sum at the date on which this is to be paid; thus, interest being at 6%, the present value of $106 due one year hence is $100.


word: Preservation
definition:
Preservation

Pres`er*va"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. préservation.]
The act or process of preserving, or keeping safe; the state of being preserved, or kept from injury, destruction, or decay; security; safety; as, preservation of life, fruit, game, etc.; a picture in good preservation.

Give us particulars of thy preservation.
Shak.


word: Preservative
definition:
Preservative

Pre*serv"a*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. préservatif.]
Having the power or quality of preserving; tending to preserve, or to keep from injury, decay, etc.


word: Preservative₂
definition:
Preservative

Pre*serv"a*tive
n.
That which preserves, or has the power of preserving; a presevative agent.

To wear tablets as preservatives against the plague.
Bacon.


word: Preservatory₂
definition:
Preservatory

Pre*serv"a*to*ry
n.
pl. Preservatories (_;).
1.
A preservative.
[Obs.]
Whitlock.

2.
A room, or apparatus, in which perishable things, as fruit, vegetables, etc., can be preserved without decay.


word: Preserve
definition:
Preserve

Pre*serve"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Preserved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preserving.]
[F. préserver, from L. prae before + servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe beforehand. See Serve.]
1.
To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect.

O Lord, thou preserved man and beast.
Ps. xxxvi. 6.

Now, good angels preserve the king.
Shak.

2.
To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, as sugar, salt, etc.; to season and prepare for remaining in a good state, as fruits, meat, etc.; as, to preserve peaches or grapes.

You can not preserve it from tainting.
Shak.

3.
To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve appearances; to preserve silence.

To preserve game, to protect it from extermination.


word: Preserve₃
definition:
Preserve

Pre*serve"
n.
1.
That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; -- commonly in the plural.

2.
A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for purposes of sport, or for food.


word: Preserver
definition:
Preserver

Pre*serv"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, preserves, saves, or defends, from destruction, injury, or decay; esp., one who saves the life or character of another.
Shak.

2.
One who makes preserves of fruit.

Game preserver. See under Game.


word: Preside
definition:
Preside

Pre*side"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Presided; p. pr. & vb. n. Presiding.]
[L. praesidere; prae before + sedere to sit: cf. F. présider. See Sit.]
1.
To be set, or to sit, in the place of authority; to occupy the place of president, chairman, moderator, director, etc.; to direct, control, and regulate, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public meeting; to preside over the senate.

2.
To exercise superintendence; to watch over.

Some o'er the public magazines preside.
Dryden.


word: Presidency
definition:
Presidency

Pres"i*den*cy
(?)
n.
pl. Presidencies (#).
[Cf. F. présidence.]
1.
The function or condition of one who presides; superintendence; control and care.

2.
The office of president; as, Washington was elected to the presidency.

3.
The term during which a president holds his office; as, during the presidency of Madison.

4.
One of the three great divisions of British India, the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidencies, each of which had a council of which its governor was president.


word: President₂
definition:
President

Pres"i*dent
a.
Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest authority; presiding.
[R.]

His angels president
In every province.
Milton.


word: President₃
definition:
President

Pres"i*dent
n.
[F. président, L. praesidens, -entis, p. pr. of praesidere. See Preside.]
1.
One who is elected or appointed to preside; a presiding officer, as of a legislative body.
(a)
The chief officer of a corporation, company, institution, society, or the like.
(b)
The chief executive officer of the government in certain republics; as, the president of the United States.

2.
A protector; a guardian; a presiding genius.
[Obs.]

Just Apollo, president of verse.
Waller.


word: Presidential
definition:
Presidential

Pres`i*den"tial
(?)
a.
1.
Presiding or watching over.
Presidential
Glanvill.

2.
Of or pertaining to a president; as, the presidential chair; a presidential election.


word: Presidiary
definition:
Presidiary

Presidial

{ Pre*sid"i*al (?), Pre*sid"i*a*ry (?), }
a.
[L. praesidialis and praesidiarius, fr. praesidium a presiding over, defense, guard. See Preside.]
Of or pertaining to a garrison; having a garrison.

There are three presidial castles in this city.
Howell.


word: Presidio
definition:
Presidio

Pre*si"di*o
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
A place of defense; a fortress; a garrison; a fortress; a garrison or guardhouse.


word: Presignification
definition:
Presignification

Pre*sig`ni*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[_;. praesignificatio. See Presignify.]
The act of signifying or showing beforehand.


word: Presignify
definition:
Presignify

Pre*sig"ni*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Presignified (?); imp. & p. p. Presignifying.]
[L. praesignificare; prae before + significare to signify.]
To intimate or signify beforehand; to presage.


word: Presphenoid
definition:
Presphenoid

Pre*sphe"noid
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the sphenoid bone; of or pertaining to the anterior part of the sphenoid bone (i. e., the presphenoid bone).

Presphenoid bone (Anat.), the anterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone in front of the basisphenoid. It is usually a separate bone in the young or fetus, but becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult.


word: Presphenoidal
definition:
Presphenoidal

Pre`sphe*noid"al
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the presphenoid bone; presphenoid.


word: Press
definition:
Press

Press
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
An East Indian insectivore (Tupaia ferruginea). It is arboreal in its habits, and has a bushy tail. The fur is soft, and varies from rusty red to maroon and to brownish black.


word: Press₂
definition:
Press

Press
v. t.
[Corrupt. fr. prest ready money advanced, a loan; hence, earnest money given soldiers on entering service. See Prest, n.]
To force into service, particularly into naval service; to impress.

To peaceful peasant to the wars is pressed.
Dryden.


word: Press₃
definition:
Press

Press
n.
[For prest, confused with press.]
A commission to force men into public service, particularly into the navy.

I have misused the king's press.
Shak.

Press gang, or Pressgang, a detachment of seamen under the command of an officer empowered to force men into the naval service. See Impress gang, under Impress. -- Press money, money paid to a man enlisted into public service. See Prest money, under Prest, a.


word: Press₄
definition:
Press

Press
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pressing.]
[F. presser, fr. L. pressare to press, fr. premere, pressum, to press.  Cf. Print, v.]
1.
To urge, or act upon, with force, as weight; to act upon by pushing or thrusting, in distinction from pulling; to crowd or compel by a gradual and continued exertion; to bear upon; to squeeze; to compress; as, we press the ground with the feet when we walk; we press the couch on which we repose; we press substances with the hands, fingers, or arms; we are pressed in a crowd.

Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together.
Luke vi. 38.

2.
To squeeze, in order to extract the juice or contents of; to squeeze out, or express, from something.

From sweet kernels pressed,
She tempers dulcet creams.
Milton.

And I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
Gen. xl. 11.

3.
To squeeze in or with suitable instruments or apparatus, in order to compact, make dense, or smooth; as, to press cotton bales, paper, etc.; to smooth by ironing; as, to press clothes.

4.
To embrace closely; to hug.

Leucothoe shook at these alarms,
And pressed Palemon closer in her arms.
Pope.

5.
To oppress; to bear hard upon.

Press not a falling man too far.
Shak.

6.
To straiten; to distress; as, to be pressed with want or hunger.

7.
To exercise very powerful or irresistible influence upon or over; to constrain; to force; to compel.

Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Acts xviii. 5.

8.
To try to force (something upon some one); to urge or inculcate with earnestness or importunity; to enforce; as, to press divine truth on an audience.

He pressed a letter upon me within this hour.
Dryden.

Be sure to press upon him every motive.
Addison.

9.
To drive with violence; to hurry; to urge on; to ply hard; as, to press a horse in a race.

The posts . . . went cut, being hastened and pressed on, by the king's commandment.
Esther viii. 14.

&hand_; Press differs from drive and strike in usually denoting a slow or continued application of force; whereas drive and strike denote a sudden impulse of force.

Pressed brick. See under Brick.


word: Press₅
definition:
Press

Press
v. i.
1.
To exert pressure; to bear heavily; to push, crowd, or urge with steady force.

2.
To move on with urging and crowding; to make one's way with violence or effort; to bear onward forcibly; to crowd; to throng; to encroach.

They pressed upon him for to touch him.
Mark iii. 10.

3.
To urge with vehemence or importunity; to exert a strong or compelling influence; as, an argument presses upon the judgment.


word: Press₆
definition:
Press

Press
n.
[F. presse. See 4th Press.]
1.
An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or building containing a press or presses.

&hand_; Presses are differently constructed for various purposes in the arts, their specific uses being commonly designated; as, a cotton press, a wine press, a cider press, a copying press, etc. See Drill press.

2.
Specifically, a printing press.

3.
The art or business of printing and publishing; hence, printed publications, taken collectively, more especially newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them; as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a curse.

4.
An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of articles; as, a clothes press.
Shak.

5.
The act of pressing or thronging forward.

In their throng and press to that last hold.
Shak.

6.
Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a press of engagements.

7.
A multitude of individuals crowded together; _; crowd of single things; a throng.

They could not come nigh unto him for the press.
Mark ii. 4.

Cylinder press, a printing press in which the impression is produced by a revolving cylinder under which the form passes; also, one in which the form of type or plates is curved around a cylinder, instead of resting on a flat bed. -- Hydrostatic press. See under Hydrostatic. -- Liberty of the press, the free right of publishing books, pamphlets, or papers, without previous restraint or censorship, subject only to punishment for libelous, seditious, or morally pernicious matters. -- Press bed, a bed that may be folded, and inclosed, in a press or closet. Boswell. -- Press of sail, (Naut.), as much sail as the state of the wind will permit.


word: Pressboard
definition:
Pressboard

Press"board`
(?)
n.
A kind of highly sized rag paper or board, sometimes containing a small admixture of wood pulp; -- so called because used originally, as now, in presses for pressing and finishing knit underwear.


word: Press cake
definition:
Press cake

Press cake
A cake of compressed substance, as: in gunpowder manufacture, the cake resulting from compressing the meal powder; in the treatment of coal tar, the pressed product at various stages of the process; or, in beet-sugar manufacture, the vegetable residue after the sugar juice has been expressed.


word: Presser
definition:
Presser

Press"er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, presses.

Presser bar, or Presser wheel (Knitting machine), a bar or wheel which closes the barbs of the needles to enable the loops of the yarn to pass over them. -- Presser foot, the part of a sewing machine which rests on the cloth and presses it down upon the table of the machine.


word: Pression
definition:
Pression

Pres"sion
(?)
n.
[L. pressio: cf. F. pression. See 4th Press.]
1.
The act of pressing; pressure.
Sir I. Newton.

2.
(Cartesian Philos.)
An endeavor to move.


word: Pressiroster
definition:
Pressiroster

Pres`si*ros"ter
(?)
n.
[L. presssus pressed (p. p. of premere) + rostrum beak: cf. F. pressirostre. See 4th Press.]
(Zool.)
One of a tribe of wading birds (Pressirostres) including those which have a compressed beak, as the plovers.


word: Pressive
definition:
Pressive

Pres"sive
(?)
a.
Pressing; urgent; also, oppressive; as, pressive taxation.
[R.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Pressman
definition:
Pressman

Press"man
(?)
n.
pl. Pressmen (_;).
1.
One who manages, or attends to, a press, esp. a printing press.

2.
One who presses clothes; as, a tailor's pressman.


word: Pressman₂
definition:
Pressman

Press"man
n.
[See 2d Press.]
One of a press gang, who aids in forcing men into the naval service; also, one forced into the service.


word: Pressor
definition:
Pressor

Press"or
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Causing, or giving rise to, pressure or to an increase of pressure; as, pressor nerve fibers, stimulation of which excites the vasomotor center, thus causing a stronger contraction of the arteries and consequently an increase of the arterial blood pressure; -- opposed to depressor.
Landois & Stirling.


word: Press proof
definition:
Press proof

Press proof
(Print.)
(a)
The last proof for correction before sending to press.
(b)
A proof taken on a press, esp. to show impression, margins, color, etc.


word: Pressurage
definition:
Pressurage

Pres"sur*age
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
Pressure.

2.
The juice of the grape extracted by the press; also, a fee paid for the use of a wine press.


word: Pressure
definition:
Pressure

Pres"sure
(?; 138)
n.
[OF., fr. L. pressura, fr. premere. See 4th Press.]
1.
The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed; compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of the hand.

2.
A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.

Where the pressure of danger was not felt.
Macaulay.

3.
Affliction; distress; grievance.

My people's pressures are grievous.
Eikon Basilike.

In the midst of his great troubles and pressures.
Atterbury.

4.
Urgency; as, the pressure of business.

5.
Impression; stamp; character impressed.

All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past.
Shak.

6.
(Mech.)
The action of a force against some obstacle or opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust, distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference to the amount upon a unit's area.

7.
Electro-motive force.

Atmospheric pressure, Center of pressure, etc. See under Atmospheric, Center, etc. -- Back pressure (Steam engine), pressure which resists the motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam which does not find free outlet. -- Fluid pressure, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. Rankine. -- Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.


word: Pressure cooker
definition:
Pressure cooker

Pressure cooker
1.
(Cookery)
a pot with a lid which may be tightly bound to the bottom part, forming a vessel  which can withstand some gas pressure from within.  It is used to heat foods in water or steam to a temperature somewhat above the boiling point of water, allowing the cooking process to be accomplished more quickly than otherwise.

2.
Fig., a situation involving intense psychological pressure due to multiple urgent demands, as in certain job situations.


word: Pressure wires
definition:
Pressure wires

Pressure wires
(Elec.)
Wires leading from various points of an electric system to a central station, where a voltmeter indicates the potential of the system at those points.


word: pressurize
definition:
pressurize

pressurize
v. t.
To increase the pressure on (a gas or liquid); as, pressurized oxygen.

Syn. -- supercharge, apply pressure to.

2.
To increase and maintain a pressure in (a compartment or container), above that of the ambient pressure; -- of airplanes, space suits, and diving bells, for example; as, the airplane cabin was pressurized for the comfort of the passengers; the sterile room was pressurized to prevent contamination.

negatively pressurized maintained at a pressure somewhat below that of ambient pressure; -- a technique sometimes used to keep airborn materials in a room from escaping out; as, the biohazard lab was negatively pressurized to keep hazardous biological agents from escaping into the environment.


word: Presswork
definition:
Presswork

Press work

Press"work`
(prĕs"wûrk`)
n.
1.
The art of printing from the surface of type, plates, or engravings in relief, by means of a press; the work so done.
MacKellar.

2.
Work done on or by a press.

3.
(Metal Work)
Act or process of pressing or drawing with dies or presses; also, the product of such work.

4.
(Cabinetmaking)
Work consisting of a series of cross-grained veneers united by glue, heat, and pressure.

5.
Pottery produced by pressing clay into molds.


word: Presswork₂
definition:
Presswork

Press work

Press"work`
(prĕs"wûrk`)
n.
The work of a press agent.
[Usually Press work]
[Chiefly Theat. Cant]


word: Prest₂
definition:
Prest

Prest
a.
[OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. L. praestus ready.  Cf. Presto.]
1.
Ready; prompt; prepared.
[Obs.]

All prest to such battle he was.
R. of Gloucester.

2.
Neat; tidy; proper.
[Obs.]
Tusser.

Prest money, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted into the British service; -- so called because it bound those that received it to be ready for service when called upon.


word: Prest₃
definition:
Prest

Prest
n.
[OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. OF. prester to lend, F. prêter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before + stare to stand. See Pre-, and Stand, and cf. Press to force into service.]
1.
Ready money; a loan of money.
[Obs.]

Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks.
Bacon.

2.
(Law)
A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining in his hands.
Cowell.


word: Prest₄
definition:
Prest

Prest
v. t.
To give as a loan; to lend.
[Obs.]

Sums of money . . . prested out in loan.
E. Hall.


word: Prestation
definition:
Prestation

Pres*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praestatio a performing, paying, fr. praestare: cf. F. prestation.]
(O. Eng. Law)
A payment of money; a toll or duty; also, the rendering of a service.
Burrill.

Prestation money, a sum of money paid yearly by archdeacons and other dignitaries to their bishop.


word: Prester
definition:
Prester

Pres"ter
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, from _; to kindle or burn, and _; to blow up, swell out by blowing.]
1.
A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set on fire.
[Obs.]

2.
pl.
One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger or other excitement.
[Obs.]


word: Presternum
definition:
Presternum

Pre*ster"num
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Anat.)
The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium.
Pre*ster"nal (#), a.


word: Prestidigital
definition:
Prestidigital

Pres`ti*dig"i*tal
(?)
a.
Nimble-fingered; having fingers fit for prestidigitation, or juggling.
[R.]
prestidigital
Charles Reade.


word: Prestidigitator
definition:
Prestidigitator

Pres`ti*dig"i*ta`tor
(?)
n.
[L. praesto ready + digitus finger: cf. F. prestidigitateur.]
One skilled in legerdemain or sleight of hand; a juggler.


word: Prestige
definition:
Prestige

Pres"tige
(?; 277)
n.
[F., fr. L. praestigum delusion, illusion, praestigae deceptions, jugglers' tricks, prob. fr. prae before + the root of stinguere to extinguish, originally, to prick. See Stick, v.]
1.
Delusion; illusion; trick.
[Obs.]

The sophisms of infidelity, and the prestiges of imposture.
Bp. Warburton.

2.
Weight or influence derived from past success; expectation of future achievements founded on those already accomplished; force or charm derived from acknowledged character or reputation.
prestige
Sir G. C. Lewis.


word: Prestigiation
definition:
Prestigiation

Pres*tig`i*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praestigiare to deceive by juggling tricks, fr. praestigae. See Prestige.]
Legerdemain; prestidigitation.
[Obs.]


word: Prestigiator
definition:
Prestigiator

Pres*tig"i*a`tor
(?)
n.
[L. praestigiator.]
A juggler; prestidigitator.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Prestigious
definition:
Prestigious

Pres*tig"i*ous
(?)
a.
[L. praestigiosus.]
Practicing tricks; juggling.
[Obs.]
Cotton Mather.


word: Prestimony
definition:
Prestimony

Pres"ti*mo*ny
(?)
n.
[LL. praestimonium, fr. L. praestare to furnish, supply: cf. F. prestimonie. See Prest, n.]
(Canon Law)
A fund for the support of a priest, without the title of a benefice. The patron in the collator.


word: Prestissimo
definition:
Prestissimo

Pres*tis"si*mo
(?)
adv.
[It., superl. of presto.]
(Mus.)
Very quickly; with great rapidity.


word: Presto
definition:
Presto

Pres"to
(?)
adv.
[It. or Sp. presto quick, quickly. See Prest, a.]
1.
Quickly; immediately; in haste; suddenly.

Presto! begone! 'tis here again.
Swift.

2.
(Mus.)
Quickly; rapidly; -- a direction for a quick, lively movement or performance; quicker than allegro, or any rate of time except prestissimo.


word: Prestriction
definition:
Prestriction

Pre*stric"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praestrictio a binding fast, fr. praestringere. See Pre-, and Stringent.]
Obstruction, dimness, or defect of sight.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Presultor
definition:
Presultor

Pre*sul"tor
(?)
n.
[L. praesultor; prae before + salire to dance.]
A leader in the dance.
[R.]


word: Presumable
definition:
Presumable

Pre*sum"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. présumable.]
Such as may be presumed or supposed to be true; that seems entitled to belief without direct evidence.


word: Presume
definition:
Presume

Pre*sume"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Presumed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Presuming.]
[F. présumer, L. praesumere, praesumptum; prae before + sumere to take. See Assume, Redeem.]
1.
To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained.

Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
Shak.

Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve.
Milton.

2.
To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose.

Every man is to be presumed innocent till he is proved to be guilty.
Blackstone.

What rests but that the mortal sentence pass, . . . 
Which he presumes already vain and void,
Because not yet inflicted?
Milton.


word: Presume₂
definition:
Presume

Pre*sume"
v. i.
1.
To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far.

2.
To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the ground of confidence.

Do not presume too much upon my love.
Shak.

This man presumes upon his parts.
Locke.


word: Presumption
definition:
Presumption

Pre*sump"tion
(?; 215)
n.
[L. praesumptio: cf. F. présomption, OF. also presumpcion. See Presume.]
1.
The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof.

2.
Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition; as, the presumption is that an event has taken place.

3.
That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is probable but not conclusive.
presumptions
De Quincey.

4.
The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery.

Thy son I killed for his presumption.
Shak.

I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece.
Dryden.

Conclusive presumption. See under Conclusive. -- Presumption of fact (Law), an argument of a fact from a fact; an inference as to the existence of one fact not certainly known, from the existence of some other fact known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of something, without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief. Burrill. Best. Wharton. -- Presumption of law (Law), a postulate applied in advance to all cases of a particular class; e. g., the presumption of innocence and of regularity of records. Such a presumption is rebuttable or irrebuttable.


word: Presumptive
definition:
Presumptive

Pre*sump"tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. présomptif.]
1.
Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof.

2.
Presumptuous; arrogant.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.

Presumptive evidence (Law), that which is derived from circumstances which necessarily or usually attend a fact, as distinct from direct evidence or positive proof; indirect or circumstantial evidence. “Presumptive evidence of felony should be cautiously admitted.” Blackstone. The distinction, however, between direct and presumptive (or circumstantial) evidence is now generally abandoned; all evidence being now more or less direct and more or less presumptive. -- Presumptive heir. See Heir presumptive, under Heir.


word: Presumptively
definition:
Presumptively

Pre*sump"tive*ly
adv.
By presumption, or supposition grounded or probability; presumably.


word: Presumptuous
definition:
Presumptuous

Pre*sump"tu*ous
(?; 135)
a.
[L. praesumptuosus: cf. F. présomptueux, OF. also presumptuous. See Presumption.]
1.
Full of presumption; presuming; overconfident or venturesome; audacious; rash; taking liberties unduly; arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander; presumptuous conduct.

A class of presumptuous men, whom age has not made cautious, nor adversity wise.
Buckminster.

2.
Founded on presumption; as, a presumptuous idea.
presumptuous
Milton.

3.
Done with hold design, rash confidence, or in violation of known duty; willful.
presumptuous
Ps. xix. 13.


word: Presuppose
definition:
Presuppose

Pre`sup*pose"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Presupposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Presupposing.]
[Pref. pre- + suppose: cf. F. présupposer.]
To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator.

Each [kind of knowledge] presupposes many necessary things learned in other sciences, and known beforehand.
Hooker.


word: Presupposition
definition:
Presupposition

Pre*sup`po*si"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. pre- + supposition: cf. F. présupposition.]
1.
The act of presupposing; an antecedent implication; presumption.

2.
That which is presupposed; a previous supposition or surmise.


word: Presystolic
definition:
Presystolic

Pre`sys*tol"ic
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Preceding the systole or contraction of the heart; as, the presystolic friction sound.


word: Pretenceless
definition:
Pretenceless

Pretenceful

Pretence

Pre*tence" (?), n., Pre*tence"ful, a., Pre*tence"*less, a.
See Pretense, Pretenseful, Pretenseless.


word: Pretend
definition:
Pretend

Pre*tend"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pretended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretending.]
[OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F. prétendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward, pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch. See Tend, v. t. ]
1.
To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.

Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.
Dryden.

2.
To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
[R.]

Lest that too heavenly form, pretended
To hellish falsehood, snare them.
Milton.

3.
To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.

This let him know,
Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend
Surprisal.
Milton.

4.
To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt.
[Obs.]

Such as shall pretend
Malicious practices against his state.
Shak.

5.
To hold before one; to extend.
[Obs.]
pretended
Spenser.


word: Pretend₂
definition:
Pretend

Pre*tend"
v. i.
1.
To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; -- usually with to.
pretend
Swift.

For to what fine he would anon pretend,
That know I well.
Chaucer.

2.
To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep.
pretended
Macaulay.


word: Pretended
definition:
Pretended

Pre*tend"ed
a.
Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended friend.
Pre*tend"ed*ly, adv.


word: Pretender
definition:
Pretender

Pre*tend"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who lays claim, or asserts a title (to something); a claimant.
The pretender (Eng. Hist.), the son or the grandson of James II., the heir of the royal family of Stuart, who laid claim to the throne of Great Britain, from which the house was excluded by law.

It is the shallow, unimproved intellects that are the confident pretenders to certainty.
Glanvill.

2.
One who pretends, simulates, or feigns.


word: Pretence
definition:
Pretence

Pretense

{ Pre*tense", Pre*tence  }
(?)
n.
[LL. praetensus, for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See Pretend, and cf. Tension.]
1.
The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension.
Spenser.

Primogeniture can not have any pretense to a right of solely inheriting property or power.
Locke.

I went to Lambeth with Sir R. Brown's pretense to the wardenship of Merton College, Oxford.
Evelyn.

2.
The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as, pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on pretense of revenging Cæsar's death.

3.
That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint.

Let not the Trojans, with a feigned pretense
Of proffered peace, delude the Latian prince.
Dryden.

4.
Intention; design.
[Obs.]

A very pretense and purpose of unkindness.
Shak.

&hand_; See the Note under Offense.


word: Pretension
definition:
Pretension

Pre*ten"sion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prétention. See Pretend, Tension.]
1.
The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.

The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion.
Macaulay.

2.
A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.

This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards.
Bacon.

Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions.
L'Estrange.


word: Pretentative
definition:
Pretentative

Pre*ten"ta*tive
(?)
a.
[Pref. pre- + tentative: cf. L. praetentare to try beforehand.]
Fitted for trial beforehand; experimental.
[R.]
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Pretentious
definition:
Pretentious

Pre*ten"tious
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. prétentieux. See Pretend.]
Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is one's; presuming; assuming.
Pre*ten"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*ten"tious*ness, n.


word: Preter-
definition:
Preter-

Pre"ter-
(?)
[L. praeter past, beyond, originally a compar. of prae before. See For, prep.]
A prefix signifying past, by, beyond, more than; as, preter- mission, a permitting to go by; preternatural, beyond or more than is natural.
[Written also præter.]


word: Preterient
definition:
Preterient

Pre*te"ri*ent
(?)
a.
[L. praeteriens, p. pr. See Preterit.]
Passed through; antecedent; previous; as, preterient states.
[R.]


word: Preterimperfect
definition:
Preterimperfect

Pre`ter*im*per"fect
(?)
a. & n.
[Pref. preter- + imperfect.]
(Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called imperfect.


word: Preterist
definition:
Preterist

Pret"er*ist
(?)
n.
[Pref. preter- + -ist.]
1.
One whose chief interest is in the past; one who regards the past with most pleasure or favor.

2.
(Theol.)
One who believes the prophecies of the Apocalypse to have been already fulfilled.
Farrar.


word: Preterit
definition:
Preterit

Pret"er*it
(?; 277)
a.
[L. praeteritus, p. p. of praeterire to go or pass by; praeter beyond, by + ire to go: cf. F. prétérit. See Issue.]
[Written also preterite and præterite.]
1.
(Gram.)
Past; -- applied to a tense which expresses an action or state as past.

2.
Belonging wholly to the past; passed by.
[R.]

Things and persons as thoroughly preterite as Romulus or Numa.
Lowell.


word: Preterition
definition:
Preterition

Pre`ter*i"tion
(?; 277)
n.
[L. praeteritio: cf. F. prétérition.]
1.
The act of passing, or going past; the state of being past.
Bp. Hall.

2.
(Rhet.)
A figure by which, in pretending to pass over anything, a summary mention of it is made; as, “I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just.”  Called also paraleipsis.

3.
(Law)
The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs who is entitled to a portion.
Bouvier.


word: Preteritive
definition:
Preteritive

Pre*ter"i*tive
(?)
a.
(Gram.)
Used only or chiefly in the preterit or past tenses, as certain verbs.


word: Preterlapsed
definition:
Preterlapsed

Pre`ter*lapsed"
(?)
a.
[L. praeterlapsus, p. p. of praeterlabi to glide by. See Preter-, Lapse.]
Past; as, preterlapsed ages.
[R.]
Glanvill.


word: Pretermission
definition:
Pretermission

Pre`ter*mis"sion
(?)
n.
[L. praetermissio. See Pretermit.]
1.
The act of passing by or omitting; omission.
Milton.

2.
(Rhet.)
See Preterition.


word: Pretermit
definition:
Pretermit

Pre`ter*mit"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pretermitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretermitting.]
[L. praetermittere, praetermissum; praeter beyond + mittere to send. See Mission.]
To pass by; to omit; to disregard.
Bacon.


word: Preternatural
definition:
Preternatural

Pre`ter*nat"u*ral
(?; 135)
a.
[Pref. preter + natural.]
Beyond of different from what is natural, or according to the regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in childbirth) or labor.

This vile and preternatural temper of mind.
South.


word: Preternaturalism
definition:
Preternaturalism

Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ism
(?)
n.
The state of being preternatural; a preternatural condition.


word: Preterperfect
definition:
Preterperfect

Pre`ter*per"fect
(?)
a. & n.
[Pref. preter- + perfect.]
(Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called preterit.


word: Preterpluperfect
definition:
Preterpluperfect

Pre`ter*plu"per`fect
(?)
a. & n.
[Pref. preter- + pluperfect.]
(Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called pluperfect.


word: Pretervection
definition:
Pretervection

Pre`ter*vec"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praetervectio, fr. praetervehere to carry beyond. See Invection.]
The act of carrying past or beyond.
[R.]
Abp. Potter.


word: Pretex
definition:
Pretex

Pre*tex"
(?)
v. t.
[L. praetexere. See Pretext.]
To frame; to devise; to disguise or excuse; hence, to pretend; to declare falsely.
[Obs.]


word: Pretext
definition:
Pretext

Pre"text
(?; 277)
n.
[F. prétexte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See Text.]
Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.

They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness.
L'Estrange.

With how much or how little pretext of reason.
Dr. H. More.


word: Pretor
definition:
Pretor

Pre"tor
(?)
n.
[L. praetor, for praeitor, fr. praeire to go before; prae before + ire to go. See Issue.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A civil officer or magistrate among the ancient Romans.

&hand_; Originally the pretor was a kind of third consul; but at an early period two pretors were appointed, the first of whom (praetor urbanus) was a kind of mayor or city judge; the other (praetor peregrinus) was a judge of cases in which one or both of the parties were foreigners. Still later, the number of pretors, or judges, was further increased.

2.
Hence, a mayor or magistrate.
[R.]
Dryden.


word: Pretorian
definition:
Pretorian

Pre*to"ri*an
(?)
a.
[L. praetorians: cf. F. prétorien.]
Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power or authority.

Pretorian bands or Pretorian guards, or Pretorians (Rom. Hist.), the emperor's bodyguards, instituted by the Emperor Augustus in nine cohorts of 1,000 men each. -- Pretorian gate (Rom. Antiq.), that one of the four gates in a camp which lay next the enemy. Brande & C.


word: Pretorium
definition:
Pretorium

Pre*to"ri*um
(?)
n.
[L. praetorium, fr. praetor.]
1.
The general's tent in a Roman camp; hence, a council of war, because held in the general's tent.

2.
The official residence of a governor of a province; hence, a place; a splendid country seat.


word: Prettiness
definition:
Prettiness

Pret"ti*ness
n.
The quality or state of being pretty; -- used sometimes in a disparaging sense.

A style . . . without sententious pretension or antithetical prettiness.
Jeffrey.


word: Pretty
definition:
Pretty

Pret"ty
(?)
a.
[Compar. Prettier (?); superl. Prettiest.]
[OE. prati, AS. prættig, prætig, crafty, sly, akin to præt, prætt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky, prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic; cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution, practice, plot. See Practice.]
1.
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.

This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever
Ran on the greensward.
Shak.

2.
Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty fortune.
pretty
Evelyn.

3.
Affectedly nice; foppish; -- used in an ill sense.

The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world.
Spectator.

4.
Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.

5.
Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant.
[Scot.]

[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Pretty₂
definition:
Pretty

Pret"ty
(?)
adv.
In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; -- less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.

Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
Atterbury.


word: Pretypify
definition:
Pretypify

Pre*typ"i*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pretypified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pretypifying.]
To prefigure; to exhibit previously in a type.
Bp. Pearson.


word: Pretzel
definition:
Pretzel

Pret"zel
(?)
n.
[G. pretzel, bretzel.  Cf. Bretzel.]
A kind of German biscuit or cake in the form of a twisted ring, salted on the outside.


word: Prevail
definition:
Prevail

Pre*vail"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prevailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prevailing.]
[F. prévaloir, OF. prevaleir, L. praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or worth. See Valiant.]
1.
To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to succeed; -- sometimes with over or against.

When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Ex. xvii. 11.

So David prevailed over the Philistine.
1 Sam. xvii. 50.

This kingdom could never prevail against the united power of England.
Swift.

2.
To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day.

This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the warier skeptics, as far as it prevails.
Locke.

3.
To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait.

He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
Clarendon.

Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
Swift.


word: Prevailing
definition:
Prevailing

Pre*vail"ing
a.
1.
Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive.
Shak.

Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers.
Rowe.

2.
Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.


word: Prevalence
definition:
Prevalence

Prev"a*lence
(?)
n.
[L. praevalentia: cf. F. prévalence. See Prevail.]
The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.

The duke better knew what kind of argument were of prevalence with him.
Clarendon.


word: Prevalent
definition:
Prevalent

Prev"a*lent
(?)
a.
[L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of praevalere. See Prevail.]
1.
Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious.

Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that prevalent arms were as good as any title.
Sir W. Raleigh.

2.
Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease.

This was the most received and prevalent opinion.
Woodward.


word: Prevaricate
definition:
Prevaricate

Pre*var"i*cate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prevaricated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prevaricating.]
[L. praevaricatus, p. p. of praevaricari to walk crookedly, to collude; prae before + varicare to straddle, fr. varicus straddling, varus bent. See Varicose.]
1.
To shift or turn from one side to the other, from the direct course, or from truth; to speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble; as, he prevaricates in his statement.

He prevaricates with his own understanding.
South.

2.
(Civil Law)
To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.

3.
(Eng. Law)
To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.


word: Prevaricate₂
definition:
Prevaricate

Pre*var"i*cate
v. t.
To evade by a quibble; to transgress; to pervert.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Prevarication
definition:
Prevarication

Pre*var`i*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. praevaricatio: cf. F. prévarication.]
1.
The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing.

The august tribunal of the skies, where no prevarication shall avail.
Cowper.

2.
A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office.

3.
(Law)
(a)
(Roman Law)
The collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution.
(b)
(Common Law)
A false or deceitful seeming to undertake a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Cowell.


word: Prevaricator
definition:
Prevaricator

Pre*var"i*ca`tor
(?)
n.
[L. praevaricator: cf. F. prévaricateur.]
1.
One who prevaricates.

2.
(Roman Law)
A sham dealer; one who colludes with a defendant in a sham prosecution.

3.
One who betrays or abuses a trust.
Prynne.


word: Prevenance
definition:
Prevenance

Prev"e*nance
(?)
n.
[F. prévenance.]
(Metaph.)
A going before; anticipation in sequence or order.
prevenance
Ward.


word: Prevenancy
definition:
Prevenancy

Prev"e*nan*cy
(?)
n.
The act of anticipating another's wishes, desires, etc., in the way of favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness.
[Obs.]
Sterne.


word: Prevene
definition:
Prevene

Pre*vene"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[F. prévenir, L. praevenire. See Prevent.]
To come before; to anticipate; hence, to hinder; to prevent.
[Obs.]
Philips.


word: Prevenient
definition:
Prevenient

Pre*ven"i*ent
(?)
a.
[L. praeveniens, p. pr.]
Going before; preceding; hence, preventive.
Prevenient
Milton.


word: Prevent
definition:
Prevent

Pre*vent"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prevented; p. pr. & vb. n. Preventing.]
[L. praevenire, praeventum; prae before + venire to come. See Come.]
1.
To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct.
[Obs.]

We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thess. iv. 15.

We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.
Bk. of Common Prayer.

Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen.
Prior.

2.
To be beforehand with; to anticipate.
[Obs.]

Their ready guilt preventing thy commands.
Pope.

3.
To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart.
prevent
Shak.

Perhaps forestalling night prevented them.
Milton.


word: Prevent₂
definition:
Prevent

Pre*vent"
v. i.
To come before the usual time.
[Obs.]

Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early.
Bacon.


word: Preventable
definition:
Preventable

Pre*vent"a*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of being prevented or hindered; as, preventable diseases.


word: Preventative
definition:
Preventative

Pre*vent"a*tive
(?)
n.
That which prevents; -- incorrectly used instead of preventive.


word: Preventer
definition:
Preventer

Pre*vent"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who goes before; one who forestalls or anticipates another.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
One who prevents or obstructs; a hinderer; that which hinders; as, a preventer of evils or of disease.

3.
(Naut.)
An auxiliary rope to strengthen a mast.

Preventer bolts, or Preventer plates (Naut.), fixtures connected with preventers to reënforce other rigging. -- Preventer stay. (Naut.) Same as Preventer, 3.


word: Prevention
definition:
Prevention

Pre*ven"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prévention.]
1.
The act of going, or state of being, before.
[Obs.]

The greater the distance, the greater the prevention.
Bacon.

2.
Anticipation; esp., anticipation of needs or wishes; hence, precaution; forethought.
[Obs.]
Hammond. Shak.

3.
The act of preventing or hindering; obstruction of action, access, or approach; thwarting.
South.

Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Shak.

4.
Prejudice; prepossession.
[A Gallicism]
Dryden.


word: Preventive
definition:
Preventive

Pre*vent"ive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. préventif.]
1.
Going before; preceding.
[Obs.]

Any previous counsel or preventive understanding.
Cudworth.

2.
Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease.

Physic is either curative or preventive.
Sir T. Browne.

Preventive service, the duty performed by the armed police in guarding the coast against smuggling. [Eng]


word: Preventive₂
definition:
Preventive

Pre*vent"ive
n.
That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic.


word: Prevertebral
definition:
Prevertebral

Pre*ver"te*bral
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Situated immediately in front, or on the ventral side, of the vertebral column; prespinal.


word: Previous
definition:
Previous

Pre"vi*ous
(?)
a.
[L. praevius going before, leading the way; prae before + via the way. See Voyage.]
Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a previous illness.

The dull sound . . . previous to the storm,
Rolls o'er the muttering earth.
Thomson.

Previous question. (Parliamentary Practice) See under Question, and compare Closure. -- Previous to, before; -- often used adverbially for previously. “Previous to publication.” M. Arnold.  “A policy . . . his friends had advised previous to 1710.” J. H. Newman.


word: Previousness
definition:
Previousness

Pre"vi*ous*ness
n.
The quality or state of being previous; priority or antecedence in time.


word: Previse
definition:
Previse

Pre*vise"
(?)
v. t.
[L. praevisus, p. p. of praevidere to foresee; prae before + videre to see. See Vision.]
1.
To foresee.
[R.]

2.
To inform beforehand; to warn.
Ld. Lytton.


word: Prevision
definition:
Prevision

Pre*vi"sion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. prévision.]
Foresight; foreknowledge; prescience.
H. Spencer.


word: Prewarn
definition:
Prewarn

Pre*warn"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Prewarned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prewarning.]
To warn beforehand; to forewarn.
[R.]


word: Prey
definition:
Prey

Prey
(?)
n.
[OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda, probably for praeheda. See Prehensile, and cf. Depredate, Predatory.]
Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.

And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest.
Num. xxxi. 12.

2.
That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.

The old lion perisheth for lack of prey.
Job iv. ii.

Already sees herself the monster's prey.
Dryden.

3.
The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.

Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
Shak.

Beast of prey, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the flesh of other animals.


word: Prey₂
definition:
Prey

Prey
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Preyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preying.]
[OF. preier, preer, L. praedari, fr. praeda. See Prey, n.]
To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by violence.

More pity that the eagle should be mewed,
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.
Shak.

To prey on or To prey upon. (a) To take prey from; to despoil; to pillage; to rob. Shak. (b) To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize and devour. Shak. (c) To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away; as, the trouble preyed upon his mind. Addison.


word: Preyful
definition:
Preyful

Prey"ful
(?)
a.
1.
Disposed to take prey.
[Obs.]

The preyful brood of savage beasts.
Chapman.

2.
Rich in prey.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Prezygapophysis
definition:
Prezygapophysis

Pre*zyg`a*poph"y*sis
(?)
n.
pl. Prezygapophyses (#).
[NL. See Pre-, and Zygapophysis.]
(Anat.)
An anterior zygapophysis.


word: Prian
definition:
Prian

Pri"an
(?)
n.
[Cornish, clayey ground, from pri clay.]
(Mining)
A fine, white, somewhat friable clay; also, the ore contained in a mixture of clay and pebbles.
[Written also pryan.]


word: Priapean
definition:
Priapean

Pri`a*pe"an
(?)
n.
[Cf. L. Priapeius pertaining to Priapus.]
(Lat. Pros.)
A species of hexameter verse so constructed as to be divisible into two portions of three feet each, having generally a trochee in the first and the fourth foot, and an amphimacer in the third; -- applied also to a regular hexameter verse when so constructed as to be divisible into two portions of three feet each.
Andrews.


word: Priapism
definition:
Priapism

Pri"a*pism
n.
[L. priapismus, Gr. _;, from Priapus the god of procreation, the penis, Gr. _;: cf. F. priapisme.]
(Med.)
More or less permanent erection and rigidity of the penis, with or without sexual desire.


word: Priapulacea
definition:
Priapulacea

Pri*ap`u*la"ce*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Priapism.]
(Zool.)
A suborder of Gephyræa, having a cylindrical body with a terminal anal opening, and usually with one or two caudal gills.


word: Price
definition:
Price

Price
(?)
n.
[OE. pris, OF. pris, F. prix, L. pretium; cf. Gr. _; I sell _; to buy, Skr. pa_; to buy, OI. renim I sell.  Cf. Appreciate, Depreciate, Interpret, Praise, n. & v., Precious, Prize.]
1.
The sum or amount of money at which a thing is valued, or the value which a seller sets on his goods in market; that for which something is bought or sold, or offered for sale; equivalent in money or other means of exchange; current value or rate paid or demanded in market or in barter; cost.
price
Isa. lv. 1.

We can afford no more at such a price.
Shak.

2.
Value; estimation; excellence; worth.

Her price is far above rubies.
Prov. xxxi. 10.

New treasures still, of countless price.
Keble.

3.
Reward; recompense; as, the price of industry.

'T is the price of toil,
The knave deserves it when he tills the soil.
Pope.

Price current, or Price list, a statement or list of the prevailing prices of merchandise, stocks, specie, bills of exchange, etc., published statedly or occasionally.


word: Price₂
definition:
Price

Price
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Priced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pricing.]
1.
To pay the price of.
[Obs.]

With thine own blood to price his blood.
Spenser.

2.
To set a price on; to value. See Prize.

3.
To ask the price of; as, to price eggs.
[Colloq.]


word: Priceite
definition:
Priceite

Price"ite
(?)
n.
[From Thomas Price of San Francisco.]
(Min.)
A hydrous borate of lime, from Oregon.


word: Priceless
definition:
Priceless

Price"less
a.
1.
Too valuable to admit of being appraised; of inestimable worth; invaluable.

2.
Of no value; worthless.
[R.]
J. Barlow.


word: Prick
definition:
Prick

Prick
(?)
n.
[AS. prica, pricca, pricu; akin to LG. prick, pricke, D. prik, Dan. prik, prikke, Sw. prick.  Cf. Prick, v.]
1.
That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and slender thing; a pointed instrument; a goad; a spur, etc.; a point; a skewer.

Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary.
Shak.

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts ix. 5.

2.
The act of pricking, or the sensation of being pricked; a sharp, stinging pain; figuratively, remorse.
pricks
A. Tucker.

3.
A mark made by a pointed instrument; a puncture; a point.
(a)
A point or mark on the dial, noting the hour.
[Obs.]
prick
Shak.
(b)
The point on a target at which an archer aims; the mark; the pin.
prick
Spenser.
(c)
A mark denoting degree; degree; pitch.
[Obs.]
prick
Spenser.
(d)
A mathematical point; -- regularly used in old English translations of Euclid.
(e)
The footprint of a hare.
[Obs.]

4.
(Naut.)
A small roll; as, a prick of spun yarn; a prick of tobacco.


word: Prick₂
definition:
Prick

Prick
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Pricked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pricking.]
[AS. prician; akin to LG. pricken, D. prikken, Dan. prikke, Sw. pricka. See Prick, n., and cf. Prink, Prig.]
1.
To pierce slightly with a sharp-pointed instrument or substance; to make a puncture in, or to make by puncturing; to drive a fine point into; as, to prick one with a pin, needle, etc.; to prick a card; to prick holes in paper.

2.
To fix by the point; to attach or hang by puncturing; as, to prick a knife into a board.
Sir I. Newton.

The cooks prick it [a slice] on a prong of iron.
Sandys.

3.
To mark or denote by a puncture; to designate by pricking; to choose; to mark; -- sometimes with off.

Some who are pricked for sheriffs.
Bacon.

Let the soldiers for duty be carefully pricked off.
Sir W. Scott.

Those many, then, shall die: their names are pricked.
Shak.

4.
To mark the outline of by puncturing; to trace or form by pricking; to mark by punctured dots; as, to prick a pattern for embroidery; to prick the notes of a musical composition.
Cowper.

5.
To ride or guide with spurs; to spur; to goad; to incite; to urge on; -- sometimes with on, or off.

Who pricketh his blind horse over the fallows.
Chaucer.

The season pricketh every gentle heart.
Chaucer.

My duty pricks me on to utter that.
Shak.

6.
To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse.
pricked
Tennyson.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart.
Acts ii. 37.

7.
To make sharp; to erect into a point; to raise, as something pointed; -- said especially of the ears of an animal, as a horse or dog; and usually followed by up; -- hence, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have the attention and interest strongly engaged.
pricks
Dryden.

8.
To render acid or pungent.
[Obs.]
Hudibras.

9.
To dress; to prink; -- usually with up.
[Obs.]

10.
(Naut)
(a)
To run a middle seam through, as the cloth of a sail.
(b)
To trace on a chart, as a ship's course.

11.
(Far.)
(a)
To drive a nail into (a horse's foot), so as to cause lameness.
(b)
To nick.


word: Prick₃
definition:
Prick

Prick
v. i.
1.
To be punctured; to suffer or feel a sharp pain, as by puncture; as, a sore finger pricks.

2.
To spur onward; to ride on horseback.
Milton.

A gentle knight was pricking on the plain.
Spenser.

3.
To become sharp or acid; to turn sour, as wine.

4.
To aim at a point or mark.
Hawkins.


word: Prick-eared
definition:
Prick-eared

Prick"-eared`
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Having erect, pointed ears; -- said of certain dogs.

Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland.
Shak.


word: Pricker
definition:
Pricker

Prick"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, pricks; a pointed instrument; a sharp point; a prickle.

2.
One who spurs forward; a light horseman.

The prickers, who rode foremost, . . . halted.
Sir W. Scott.

3.
A priming wire; a priming needle, -- used in blasting and gunnery.
Knight.

4.
(Naut.)
A small marline spike having generally a wooden handle, -- used in sailmaking.
R. H. Dana, Ir.


word: Pricket
definition:
Pricket

Prick"et
(?)
n.
[Perhaps so called from the state of his horns. See Prick, and cf. Brocket.]
(Zool.)
A buck in his second year. See Note under 3d Buck.
Shak.


word: Pricking
definition:
Pricking

Prick"ing
n.
1.
The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point.
prickings
Prov. xii. 18 [1583].

2.
(Far.)
(a)
The driving of a nail into a horse's foot so as to produce lameness.
(b)
Same as Nicking.

3.
A sensation of being pricked.
Shak.

4.
The mark or trace left by a hare's foot; a prick; also, the act of tracing a hare by its footmarks.
[Obs.]

5.
Dressing one's self for show; prinking.
[Obs.]


word: Pricking-up
definition:
Pricking-up

Prick"ing-up
(?)
n.
(Arch.)
The first coating of plaster in work of three coats upon laths. Its surface is scratched once to form a better key for the next coat. In the United States called scratch coat.
Brande & C.


word: Prickle
definition:
Prickle

Pric"kle
(?)
n.
[AS. pricele, pricle; akin to LG. prickel, D. prikkel. See Prick, n.]
1.
A little prick; a small, sharp point; a fine, sharp process or projection, as from the skin of an animal, the bark of a plant, etc.; a spine.
Bacon.

2.
A kind of willow basket; -- a term still used in some branches of trade.
B. Jonson.

3.
A sieve of filberts, -- about fifty pounds.
[Eng.]


word: Prickle₂
definition:
Prickle

Pric"kle
v. t.
To prick slightly, as with prickles, or fine, sharp points.

Felt a horror over me creep,
Prickle skin, and catch my breath.
Tennyson.


word: Prickliness
definition:
Prickliness

Prick"li*ness
(?)
n.
[From Prickly.]
The quality of being prickly, or of having many prickles.


word: Prickly
definition:
Prickly

Prick"ly
a.
Full of sharp points or prickles; armed or covered with prickles; as, a prickly shrub.

Prickly heat (Med.), a noncontagious cutaneous eruption of red pimples, attended with intense itching and tingling of the parts affected. It is due to inflammation of the sweat glands, and is often brought on by overheating the skin in hot weather. -- Prickly pear (Bot.), a name given to several plants of the cactaceous genus Opuntia, American plants consisting of fleshy, leafless, usually flattened, and often prickly joints inserted upon each other. The sessile flowers have many petals and numerous stamens. The edible fruit is a large pear-shaped berry containing many flattish seeds. The common species of the Northern Atlantic States is Opuntia vulgaris.  In the South and West are many others, and in tropical America more than a hundred more.  Opuntia vulgaris, Opuntia Ficus-Indica, and Opuntia Tuna are abundantly introduced in the Mediterranean region, and Opuntia Dillenii has become common in India. -- Prickly pole (Bot.), a West Indian palm (Bactris Plumierana), the slender trunk of which bears many rings of long black prickles. -- Prickly withe (Bot.), a West Indian cactaceous plant (Cereus triangularis) having prickly, slender, climbing, triangular stems. -- Prickly rat (Zool.), any one of several species of South American burrowing rodents belonging to Ctenomys and allied genera. The hair is usually intermingled with sharp spines.


word: Prickly ash
definition:
Prickly ash

Prickly ash
(Bot.)
1.
A prickly shrub (Xanthoxylum Americanum) with yellowish flowers appearing with the leaves; also called toothache tree. All parts of the plant are pungent and aromatic.  The southern species is Xanthoxylum Carolinianum.
Gray.

2.
(Bot.)
Hercules'-club, also called the Angelica tree.


word: Prickmadam
definition:
Prickmadam

Prick"mad`am
(?)
n.
[F. trique-madame.  Cf. Tripmadam.]
(Bot.)
A name given to several species of stonecrop, used as ingredients of vermifuge medicines. See Stonecrop.


word: Pricksong
definition:
Pricksong

Prick"song`
(?; 115)
n.
[See Prick, v. t., 4.]
Music written, or noted, with dots or points; -- so called from the points or dots with which it is noted down.
[Obs.]

He fights as you sing pricksong.
Shak.


word: Prickwood
definition:
Prickwood

Prick"wood`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A shrub (Euonymus Europæus); -- so named from the use of its wood for goads, skewers, and shoe pegs. Called also spindle tree.


word: Pride
definition:
Pride

Pride
(?)
n.
[Cf. AS. lamprede, LL. lampreda, E. lamprey.]
(Zool.)
A small European lamprey (Petromyzon branchialis); -- called also prid, and sandpiper.


word: Pride₂
definition:
Pride

Pride
n.
[AS. pr&ymacr_;te; akin to Icel. pr&ymacr_;ði honor, ornament, pr_;_;a to adorn, Dan. pryde, Sw. pryda; cf. W. prydus comely. See Proud.]
1.
The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

Those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Dan. iv. 37.

Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.
Franklin.

2.
A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; proud delight; -- in a good sense.

Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride.
Goldsmith.

A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
Macaulay.

3.
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain.

Let not the foot of pride come against me.
Ps. xxxvi. 11.

That hardly we escaped the pride of France.
Shak.

4.
That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.

Lofty trees yclad with summer's pride.
Spenser.

I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
Zech. ix. 6.

A bold peasantry, their country's pride.
Goldsmith.

5.
Show; ostentation; glory.

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.
Shak.

6.
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life.

A falcon, towering in her pride of place.
Shak.

7.
Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness; hence, lust; sexual desire; esp., an excitement of sexual appetite in a female beast.
[Obs.]

Pride of India, or Pride of China. (Bot.) See Margosa. -- Pride of the desert (Zool.), the camel.


word: Pride₃
definition:
Pride

Pride
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prided; p. pr. & vb. n. Priding.]
To indulge in pride, or self-esteem; to rate highly; to plume; -- used reflexively.
Bp. Hall.

Pluming and priding himself in all his services.
South.


word: Pridian
definition:
Pridian

Prid"i*an
(?)
a.
[L. pridianus.]
Of or pertaining to the day before, or yesterday.
[R.]
Thackeray.


word: Prier
definition:
Prier

Pri"er
(?)
n.
[From Pry.]
One who pries; one who inquires narrowly and searches, or is inquisitive.

So pragmatical a prier he is into divine secrets.
Fuller.


word: Priest
definition:
Priest

Priest
(?)
n.
[OE. prest, preost, AS. preóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. _; elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of _; an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus.  Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.]

1.
(Christian Church)
A presbyter elder; a minister
(a)
(R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.)
One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power.
Murdock.
(b)
(Ch. of Eng. &  Prot. Epis. Ch.)
A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation.

2.
One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests.
priests
1 Sam. v. 5.

Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Acts xiv. 13.

Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Heb. v. 1.

&hand_; In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated priests.


word: Priestcap
definition:
Priestcap

Priest"cap`
(?)
n.
(Fort.)
A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also swallowtail.


word: Priestcraft
definition:
Priestcraft

Priest"craft`
(?)
n.
Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the religious motives or credulity of others.

It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft than by violence.
Macaulay.


word: Priestery
definition:
Priestery

Priest"er*y
(?)
n.
Priests, collectively; the priesthood; -- so called in contempt.
[R.]
Milton.


word: Priesthood
definition:
Priesthood

Priest"hood
(?)
n.
1.
The office or character of a priest; the priestly function.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2.
Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order of priests.


word: Priestism
definition:
Priestism

Priest"ism
(?)
n.
The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the priesthood.
[R.]


word: Priestly
definition:
Priestly

Priest"ly
a.
Of or pertaining to a priest or the priesthood; sacerdotal; befitting or becoming a priest; as, the priestly office; a priestly farewell.
Shak.


word: Priest-ridden
definition:
Priest-ridden

Priest"-rid`den
(?)
a.
Controlled or oppressed by priests; as, a priest-ridden people.
Swift.


word: Prig
definition:
Prig

Prig
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prigging (?).]
[A modification of prick.]
To haggle about the price of a commodity; to bargain hard.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]


word: Prig₂
definition:
Prig

Prig
v. t.
1.
To cheapen.
[Scot.]

2.
[Perhaps orig., to ride off with. See Prick, v. t.]
To filch or steal; as, to prig a handkerchief.
[Cant]


word: Prig₃
definition:
Prig

Prig
n.
1.
A pert, conceited, pragmatical fellow.

The queer prig of a doctor.
Macaulay.

2.
A thief; a filcher.
[Cant]
Shak.


word: Priggish
definition:
Priggish

Prig"gish
(?)
a.
Like a prig; conceited; pragmatical.
Prig"gish*ly, adv.  -- Prig"gish-ness, n.


word: Priggism
definition:
Priggism

Prig"gism
(?)
n.
1.
The quality or state of being priggish; the manners of a prig.
Ed. Rev.

2.
Roguery; thievery.
[Obs.]
Fielding.


word: Prill₄
definition:
Prill

Prill
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
1.
(Mining)
(a)
A nugget of virgin metal.
(b)
Ore selected for excellence.

2.
The button of metal from an assay.


word: Prim₂
definition:
Prim

Prim
a.
[OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp, thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, a.]
Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim regularity; a prim person.
Swift.


word: Prim₃
definition:
Prim

Prim
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Primmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Primming.]
To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected preciseness; to prink.


word: Primacy
definition:
Primacy

Pri"ma*cy
(?)
n.
[LL. primatia, fr. L. primas, -atis, one of the first or principal, chief, fr. primus first: cf. F. primatie. See Prime, a.]
1.
The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy.
[R.]
De Quincey.

2.
The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England.


word: Prima donna
definition:
Prima donna

Pri"ma don"na
(?)
pl. E. Prima donnas (#), It. Prime (#) Donne (#).
[It., fr. primo, prima, the first + donna lady, mistress. See Prime, a., and Donna.]
The first or chief female singer in an opera.


word: Prima facie
definition:
Prima facie

Pri"ma fa"ci*e
(?)
[L., from abl. of primus first + abl. of facies appearance.]
At first view; on the first appearance.

Prima facie evidence (of a fact) (Law), evidence which is sufficient to establish the fact unless rebutted. Bouvier.


word: Primage
definition:
Primage

Pri"mage
(?; 48)
n.
[F.]
(Com.)
A charge in addition to the freight; originally, a gratuity to the captain for his particular care of the goods (sometimes called hat money), but now belonging to the owners or freighters of the vessel, unless by special agreement the whole or part is assigned to the captain.
Homans.


word: Primal
definition:
Primal

Pri"mal
(?)
a.
[LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See Prime, a.]
First; primary; original; chief.

It hath the primal eldest curse upon it.
Shak.

The primal duties shine aloft like stars.
Wordsworth.


word: Primarily
definition:
Primarily

Pri"ma*ri*ly
(?)
adv.
In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place; in the first intention; originally.


word: Primariness
definition:
Primariness

Pri"ma*ri*ness
n.
The quality or state of being primary, or first in time, in act, or in intention.
Norris.


word: Primary
definition:
Primary

Pri"ma*ry
(?)
a.
[L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F. primaire. See Prime, a., and cf. Premier, Primero.]
1.
First in order of time or development or in intention; primitive; fundamental; original.

The church of Christ, in its primary institution.
Bp. Pearson.

These I call original, or primary, qualities of body.
Locke.

2.
First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools.

3.
First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance.

4.
(Geol.)
Earliest formed; fundamental.

5.
(Chem.)
Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement.

Primary alcohol (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess the group CH2.OH, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from secondary and tertiary alcohols. -- Primary amine (Chem.), an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from secondary and tertiary amines. -- Primary amputation (Surg.), an amputation for injury performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has passed away, and before symptoms of inflammation supervene. -- Primary axis (Bot.), the main stalk which bears a whole cluster of flowers. -- Primary colors. See under Color. -- Primary meeting, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc. See Caucus. -- Primary pinna (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded. -- Primary planets. (Astron.) See the Note under Planet. -- Primary qualities of bodies, such are essential to and inseparable from them. -- Primary quills (Zool.), the largest feathers of the wing of a bird; primaries. -- Primary rocks (Geol.), a term early used for rocks supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also primitive rocks. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in use. -- Primary salt (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical. -- Primary syphilis (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis, including the period from the development of the original lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general constitutional infection. -- Primary union (Surg.), union without suppuration; union by the first intention.


word: Primary₂
definition:
Primary

Pri"ma*ry
n.
pl. Primaries (_;).
1.
That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.

2.
A primary meeting; a caucus.

3.
(Zool.)
One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See Plumage, and Illust. of Bird.

4.
(Astron.)
A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet.


word: Primate
definition:
Primate

Pri"mate
(?)
n.
[OE. primat, F. primat, L. primas, -atis one of the first, chief, fr. primus the first. See Prime, a.]
1.
The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop.

2.
(Zool.)
One of the Primates.


word: Primates
definition:
Primates

Pri*ma"tes
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
The highest order of mammals. It includes man, together with the apes and monkeys.  Cf. Pitheci.


word: Prime
definition:
Prime

Prime
(?)
a.
[F., fr. L. primus first, a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See Prior, a., Foremost, Former, and cf. Prim, a., Primary, Prince.]
1.
First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary.
Prime
Tennyson.

She was not the prime cause, but I myself.
Milton.

&hand_; In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive, except in the phrase prime cost.

2.
First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister.
Prime
Dryden.

3.
First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth.

4.
Early; blooming; being in the first stage.
[Poetic]

His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime
In manhood where youth ended.
Milton.

5.
Lecherous; lustful; lewd.
[Obs.]
Shak.

6.
Marked or distinguished by a mark (′) called a prime mark.

   In this dictionary the same typographic mark is used to indicate a weak accent in headwords, and minutes of a degree in angle measurements.

7.
(Math.)
(a)
Divisible by no number except itself or unity; as, 7 is a prime number.
(b)
Having no common factor; -- used with to; as, 12 is prime to 25.

Prime and ultimate ratio. (Math.). See Ultimate. -- Prime conductor. (Elec.) See under Conductor. -- Prime factor (Arith.), a factor which is a prime number. -- Prime figure (Geom.), a figure which can not be divided into any other figure more simple than itself, as a triangle, a pyramid, etc. -- Prime meridian (Astron.), the meridian from which longitude is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington. -- Prime minister, the responsible head of a ministry or executive government; applied particularly to that of England. -- Prime mover. (Mech.) (a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of power. Especially: Muscular force; the weight and motion of fluids, as water and air; heat obtained by chemical combination, and applied to produce changes in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other fluids; and electricity, obtained by chemical action, and applied to produce alternation of magnetic force. (b) An engine, or machine, the object of which is to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by some natural source, and apply them to drive other machines; as a water wheel, a water-pressure engine, a steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc. (c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any undertaking or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover in English antislavery agitation. -- Prime number (Arith.), a number which is exactly divisible by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11. -- Prime vertical (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes through the east and west points of the horizon. -- Prime-vertical dial, a dial in which the shadow is projected on the plane of the prime vertical. -- Prime-vertical transit instrument, a transit instrument the telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime vertical, -- used for observing the transit of stars over this circle.


word: Prime₂
definition:
Prime

Prime
(?)
n.
1.
The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring.
Chaucer.

In the very prime of the world.
Hooker.

Hope waits upon the flowery prime.
Waller.

2.
The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection.
prime
Eustace.
prime
Dryden.

3.
That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part.

Give him always of the prime.
Swift.

4.
[F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See Prime, a.]
The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds.

Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime.
Spenser.

&hand_; Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day, reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m.  Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter, that is, 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these senses, and also in the sense of def. 1, above.

They sleep till that it was pryme large.
Chaucer.

5.
(Fencing)
The first of the chief guards.

6.
(Chem.)
Any number expressing the combining weight or equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1.
[Obs. or Archaic]

7.
(Arith.)
A prime number. See under Prime, a.

8.
An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [′]. See 2d Inch, n., 1.

Prime of the moon, the new moon at its first appearance.


word: Prime₃
definition:
Prime

Prime
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Primed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Priming.]
[From Prime, a.]
1.
To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge.

2.
To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall.

3.
To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief.
[Colloq.]
Thackeray.

4.
To trim or prune, as trees.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

5.
(Math.)
To mark with a prime mark.

To prime a pump, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition.


word: Prime₄
definition:
Prime

Prime
v. i.
1.
To be renewed, or as at first.
[Obs.]

Night's bashful empress, though she often wane,
As oft repeats her darkness, primes again.
Quarles.

2.
To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.

3.
To work so that foaming occurs from too violent ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and be carried along with, the steam that is formed; -- said of a steam boiler.


word: Primeness
definition:
Primeness

Prime"ness
n.
1.
The quality or state of being first.

2.
The quality or state of being prime, or excellent.


word: Primer
definition:
Primer

Prim"er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, primes
an instrument or device for priming; esp., a cap, tube, or water containing percussion powder or other compound for igniting a charge of gunpowder.


word: Primer₂
definition:
Primer

Prim"er
a.
[OF. primer, primier, premier, F. premier. See Premier.]
First; original; primary.
[Obs.]
primer
Drayton.

Primer fine (O. Eng. Law), a fine due to the king on the writ or commencement of a suit by fine. Blackstone. -- Primer seizin (Feudal Law), the right of the king, when a tenant in capite died seized of a knight's fee, to receive of the heir, if of full age, one year's profits of the land if in possession, and half a year's profits if the land was in reversion expectant on an estate for life; -- now abolished. Blackstone.


word: Primer₃
definition:
Primer

Prim"er
(?)
n.
[Originally, the book read at prime, the first canonical hour. LL. primae liber. See Prime, n., 4.]
1.
Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a work of elementary religious instruction.

The primer, or office of the Blessed Virgin.
Bp. Stillingfleet.

2.
A small elementary book for teaching children to read; a reading or spelling book for a beginner.

As he sat in the school at his prymer.
Chaucer.

3.
(Print.)
A kind of type, of which there are two species; one, called long primer, intermediate in size between bourgeois and small pica [see Long primer]; the other, called great primer, larger than pica.

Great primer type.


word: Primero
definition:
Primero

Pri*me"ro
(?)
n.
[Sp. primera, fr. primero first, from L. primarius. See Premier.]
A game at cards, now unknown.
Shak.


word: Primeval
definition:
Primeval

Pri*me"val
(?)
a.
[L. primaevus; primus first + aevum age. See Prime, a., and Age.]
Belonging to the first ages; pristine; original; primitive; primary; as, the primeval innocence of man.
primeval
Longfellow.

From chaos, and primeval darkness, came Light.
Keats.


word: Primevally
definition:
Primevally

Pri*me"val*ly
adv.
In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times; originally.
Darwin.


word: Primigenial
definition:
Primigenial

Pri`mi*ge"ni*al
(?)
a.
First born, or first of all; original; primary. See Primogenial.


word: Primigenous
definition:
Primigenous

Primigenious

{ Pri`mi*ge"ni*ous (?), Pri*mig"e*nous (?), }
a.
[L. primigenus, primigenius. See Primogeniture.]
First formed or generated; original; primigenial.
Bp. Hall.


word: Primine
definition:
Primine

Pri"mine
(?)
n.
[L. primus first: cf. F. primine.]
(Bot.)
The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule.

&hand_; This word has been used by some writers to denote the inner integument, which is formed earlier than the outer.  Cf. Secundine.


word: Priming
definition:
Priming

Prim"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.

2.
(Paint.)
The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface.

3.
(Steam Eng.)
The carrying over of water, with the steam, from the boiler, as into the cylinder.

Priming of the tide. See Lag of the tide, under 2d Lag. -- Priming tube, a small pipe, filled with a combustible composition for firing cannon. -- Priming valve (Steam Eng.), a spring safety valve applied to the cylinder of a steam engine for discharging water carried into the cylinder by priming. -- Priming wire, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming.


word: Primipara
definition:
Primipara

Pri*mip"a*ra
(?)
n.
[L., fr. primus first + parere to bring forth.]
(Med.)
A woman who bears a child for the first time.


word: Primiparous
definition:
Primiparous

Pri*mip"a*rous
(?)
a.
[See Primipara.]
Belonging to a first birth; bearing young for the first time.


word: Primipilar
definition:
Primipilar

Pri*mip"i*lar
(?)
a.
[L. primipilaris, fr. primipilus the centurion of the first cohort of a Roman legion, fr. primus pilus the division made up of the triarii in the Roman army.]
Of or pertaining to the captain of the vanguard of a Roman army.
Barrow.


word: Primitia
definition:
Primitia

Pri*mi"ti*a
(?)
n.
pl. Primitiæ (#) (Primitias (#), obs.).
[L. primitiae, pl., fr. primus first.  Cf. Premices.]
(Eng. Law)
The first fruit; the first year's whole profit of an ecclesiastical preferment.

The primitias of your parsonage.
Spenser.


word: Primitial
definition:
Primitial

Pri*mi"tial
(?)
a.
Being of the first production; primitive; original.
[Obs.]
Ainsworth.


word: Primitive
definition:
Primitive

Prim"i*tive
(?)
a.
[L. primitivus, fr. primus the first: cf. F. primitif. See Prime, a.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as, primitive innocence; the primitive church.
primitive
Milton.

2.
Of or pertaining to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of dress.

3.
Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, primitive verb in grammar.

Primitive axes of coordinate (Geom.), that system of axes to which the points of a magnitude are first referred, with reference to a second set or system, to which they are afterward referred. -- Primitive chord (Mus.), that chord, the lowest note of which is of the same literal denomination as the fundamental base of the harmony; -- opposed to derivative. Moore (Encyc. of Music). -- Primitive circle (Spherical Projection), the circle cut from the sphere to be projected, by the primitive plane. -- Primitive colors (Paint.), primary colors. See under Color. -- Primitive Fathers (Eccl.), the acknowledged Christian writers who flourished before the Council of Nice, A. D. 325. Shipley. -- Primitive groove (Anat.), a depression or groove in the epiblast of the primitive streak. It is not connected with the medullary groove, which appears later and in front of it. -- Primitive plane (Spherical Projection), the plane upon which the projections are made, generally coinciding with some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator or a meridian. -- Primitive rocks (Geol.), primary rocks. See under Primary. -- Primitive sheath. (Anat.) See Neurilemma. -- Primitive streak or Primitive trace (Anat.), an opaque and thickened band where the mesoblast first appears in the vertebrate blastoderm.


word: Primitive₂
definition:
Primitive

Prim"i*tive
n.
An original or primary word; a word not derived from another; -- opposed to derivative.


word: Primitively
definition:
Primitively

Prim"i*tive*ly
adv.
1.
Originally; at first.

2.
Primarily; not derivatively.

3.
According to the original rule or ancient practice; in the ancient style.
South.


word: Primitiveness
definition:
Primitiveness

Prim"i*tive*ness
n.
The quality or state of being primitive; conformity to primitive style or practice.


word: Primness
definition:
Primness

Prim"ness
n.
The quality or state of being prim; affected formality or niceness; preciseness; stiffness.


word: Primogenial
definition:
Primogenial

Pri`mo*ge"ni*al
(?)
a.
[See Primigenial.]
First born, made, or generated; original; primary; elemental; as, primogenial light.
Glanvill.


word: Primogenitive
definition:
Primogenitive

Pri`mo*gen"i*tive
(?)
a.
[See Primogeniture.]
Of or pertaining to primogeniture.
[R.]


word: Primogenitive₂
definition:
Primogenitive

Pri`mo*gen"i*tive
n.
Primogeniture.
[Obs.]

The primogenitive and due of birth.
Shak.


word: Primogenitor
definition:
Primogenitor

Pri`mo*gen"i*tor
(?)
n.
[LL., fr. L. primus first + genitor a begetter.]
The first ancestor; a forefather.


word: Primogeniture
definition:
Primogeniture

Pri`mo*gen"i*ture
(?; 135)
n.
[LL., fr. L. primus first + genitura a begetting, birth, generation, fr. genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. primogéniture, L. primogenitus firstborn. See Prime, a., and Genus, Kin.]
1.
The state of being the firstborn of the same parents; seniority by birth among children of the same family.

2.
(Eng. Law)
The exclusive right of inheritance which belongs to the eldest son. Thus in England the right of inheriting the estate of the father belongs to the eldest son, and in the royal family the eldest son of the sovereign is entitled to the throne by primogeniture. In exceptional cases, among the female children, the crown descends by right of primogeniture to the eldest daughter only and her issue.
Blackstone.


word: Primordial
definition:
Primordial

Pri*mor"di*al
(?)
a.
[L. primordialis, from primordium the first beginning; primus first + ordiri to begin a web, to begin: cf. F. primordial.]
1.
First in order; primary; original; of earliest origin; as, primordial condition.
primordial
Sir W. Hamilton.

2.
(Geol.)
Of or pertaining to the lowest beds of the Silurian age, corresponding to the Acadian and Potsdam periods in American geology. It is called also Cambrian, and by many geologists is separated from the Silurian.

3.
(Biol.)
Originally or earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ; as, a primordial leaf; a primordial cell.

Primordial utricle (Bot.), the interior lining of a young vegetable cell.


word: Primordialism
definition:
Primordialism

Pri*mor"di*al*ism
(?)
n.
Devotion to, or persistence in, conditions of the primordial state.
H. Spencer.


word: Primordian
definition:
Primordian

Pri*mor"di*an
(?)
n.
[L. primordius first of all, fr. primordium.]
(Bot.)
A name given to several kinds of plums; as, red primordian, amber primordian, etc.


word: Primp
definition:
Primp

Primp
(?)
v. i. & t.
[Cf. Prim, a.]
To be formal or affected in dress or manners; -- often with up.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Halliwell.


word: Primrose
definition:
Primrose

Prim"rose`
(?)
n.
[OE. primerole, F. primerole, a derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See Prime, a.]
(Bot.)
(a)
An early flowering plant of the genus Primula (Primula vulgaris) closely allied to the cowslip.  There are several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also primerole, primerolles.
(b)
Any plant of the genus Primula.

Evening primrose, an erect biennial herb (Enothera biennis), with yellow vespertine flowers, common in the United States.  The name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus. -- Primrose peerless, the two-flowered Narcissus (Narcissus biflorus). [Obs.]


word: Primrose₂
definition:
Primrose

Prim"rose`
a.
Of or pertaining to the primrose; of the color of a primrose; -- hence, flowery; gay.
primrose
Shak.


word: Primrose League
definition:
Primrose League

Prim"rose` League
(Eng. Politics)
A league of both sexes among the Conservatives, founded in 1883. So called because primrose was (erroneously, it is said) taken to be the favorite flower of the Conservative statesman Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield.


word: Primula
definition:
Primula

Prim"u*la
(?)
n.
[LL. See Primrose.]
(Bot.)
The genus of plants including the primrose (Primula vera).


word: Primulaceous
definition:
Primulaceous

Prim`u*la"ceous
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to an order of herbaceous plants (Primulaceæ), of which the primrose is the type, and the pimpernel, the cyclamen, and the water violet are other examples.


word: Primum mobile
definition:
Primum mobile

Pri"mum mob"i*le
(?)
[L., first cause of motion.]
(Astron.)
In the Ptolemaic system, the outermost of the revolving concentric spheres constituting the universe, the motion of which was supposed to carry with it all the inclosed spheres with their planets in a daily revolution from east to west. See Crystalline heavens, under Crystalline.

The motions of the greatest persons in a government ought to be, as the motions of the planets, under primum mobile.
Bacon.


word: Primus
definition:
Primus

Pri"mus
(?)
n.
[L., the first.]
One of the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, who presides at the meetings of the bishops, and has certain privileges but no metropolitan authority.
Internat. Cyc.


word: Prince
definition:
Prince

Prince
(?)
n.
[F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See Prime, a., and Capacious.]
1.
The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).

Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince.
Milton.

Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
Camden.

2.
The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal family; as, princes of the blood.
Shak.

3.
A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in different countries. In England it belongs to dukes, marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is always one of the royal family.

4.
The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class or profession; one who is preëminent; as, a merchant prince; a prince of players.
prince
Peacham.

Prince-Albert coat, a long double-breasted frock coat for men. -- Prince of the blood, Prince consort, Prince of darkness. See under Blood, Consort, and Darkness. -- Prince of Wales, the oldest son of the English sovereign. -- Prince's feather (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs (Amarantus caudatus and Polygonum orientale), with apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved panicled spikes. -- Prince's metal, Prince Rupert's metal. See under Metal. Prince's pine. (Bot.) See Pipsissewa.


word: Princedom
definition:
Princedom

Prince"dom
(?)
n.
The jurisdiction, sovereignty, rank, or estate of a prince.

Thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions, I reduce.
Milton.


word: Princekin
definition:
Princekin

Prince"kin
(?)
n.
A petty prince; a princeling.

The princekins of private life.
Thackeray.


word: Princeliness
definition:
Princeliness

Prince"li*ness
(?)
n.
The quality of being princely; the state, manner, or dignity of a prince.


word: Princely
definition:
Princely

Prince"ly
a.
1.
Of or relating to a prince; regal; royal; of highest rank or authority; as, princely birth, character, fortune, etc.

2.
Suitable for, or becoming to, a prince; grand; august; munificent; magnificent; as, princely virtues; a princely fortune.
princely
Shak.


word: Princess
definition:
Princess

Prin"cess
(?)
n.
[F. princesse. See Prince, and cf. Princesse.]
1.
A female prince; a woman having sovereign power, or the rank of a prince.
Dryden.

So excellent a princess as the present queen.
Swift.

2.
The daughter of a sovereign; a female member of a royal family.
Shak.

3.
The consort of a prince; as, the princess of Wales.

Princess royal, the eldest daughter of a sovereign.


word: Princesse
definition:
Princesse

Prin*cesse"
(?)
a.
[F., a princess.]
A term applied to a lady's long, close-fitting dress made with waist and skirt in one.


word: Princewood
definition:
Princewood

Prince"wood`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
The wood of two small tropical American trees (Hamelia ventricosa, and Cordia gerascanthoides). It is brownish, veined with lighter color.


word: Princified
definition:
Princified

Prin"ci*fied
(?)
a.
[Prince + L. -ficare (in comp.).]
Imitative of a prince.
[R. & Colloq.]
Thackeray.


word: Principal
definition:
Principal

Prin"ci*pal
(?)
a.
[F., from L. principalis. See Prince.]
1.
Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case.

Wisdom is the principal thing.
Prov. iv. 7.

2.
Of or pertaining to a prince; princely.
[A Latinism]
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Principal axis. See Axis of a curve, under Axis. -- Principal axes of a quadric (Geom.), three lines in which the principal planes of the solid intersect two and two, as in an ellipsoid. -- Principal challenge. (Law) See under Challenge. -- Principal plane. See Plane of projection (a), under Plane. -- Principal of a quadric (Geom.), three planes each of which is at right angles to the other two, and bisects all chords of the quadric perpendicular to the plane, as in an ellipsoid. -- Principal point (Persp.), the projection of the point of sight upon the plane of projection. -- Principal ray (Persp.), the line drawn through the point of sight perpendicular to the perspective plane. -- Principal section (Crystallog.), a plane passing through the optical axis of a crystal.


word: Principal₂
definition:
Principal

Prin"ci*pal
n.
1.
A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; -- distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.

2.
(Law)
(a)
The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, -- as distinguished from an accessory.
(b)
A chief obligor, promisor, or debtor, -- as distinguished from a surety.
(c)
One who employs another to act for him, -- as distinguished from an agent.
Wharton. Bouvier. Burrill.

3.
A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous.
(a)
(Com.)
A capital sum of money, placed out at interest, due as a debt or used as a fund; -- so called in distinction from interest or profit.
(b)
(Arch. & Engin.)
The construction which gives shape and strength to a roof, -- generally a truss of timber or iron, but there are roofs with stone principals. Also, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.
(c)
(Mus.)
In English organs the chief open metallic stop, an octave above the open diapason. On the manual it is four feet long, on the pedal eight feet. In Germany this term corresponds to the English open diapason.
(d)
(O. Eng. Law)
A heirloom; a mortuary.
Cowell.
(e)
pl.
The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.
Spenser.
J. H. Walsh.
(f)
One of turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and center of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned.
Oxf. Gloss.
(g)
A principal or essential point or rule; a principle.
[Obs.]


word: Principality
definition:
Principality

Prin`ci*pal"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Principalities (#).
[L. principalitas preëminence, excellence: cf. F. principalité, principauté. See Principal.]
1.
Sovereignty; supreme power; hence, superiority; predominance; high, or the highest, station.
Sir P. Sidney.

Your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
Jer. xiii. 18.

The prerogative and principality above everything else.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
A prince; one invested with sovereignty.
principalities
Milton.

3.
The territory or jurisdiction of a prince; or the country which gives title to a prince; as, the principality of Wales.


word: Principate
definition:
Principate

Prin"ci*pate
(?)
n.
[L. principatus: cf. F. principat.]
Principality; supreme rule.
[Obs.]
Barrow.


word: Principia
definition:
Principia

Prin*cip"i*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L. principium. See Principle.]
First principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as. Newton's Principia.


word: Principiant
definition:
Principiant

Prin*cip"i*ant
(?)
a.
[L. principians, p. pr. of principiare to begin, fr. principium. See Principle.]
Relating to principles or beginnings.
[R.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Principiate
definition:
Principiate

Prin*cip"i*ate
(?)
v. t.
[See Principiant.]
To begin; to initiate.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.


word: Principle
definition:
Principle

Prin"ci*ple
(?)
n.
[F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See Prince.]
1.
Beginning; commencement.
[Obs.]

Doubting sad end of principle unsound.
Spenser.

2.
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.

The soul of man is an active principle.
Tillotson.

3.
An original faculty or endowment.

Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
Chaucer.

Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering.
Stewart.

4.
A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.

Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.
Heb. vi. 1.

A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad.
Milton.

5.
A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.

All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind.
Law.

6.
(Chem.)
Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.

Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.
Gregory.

Bitter principle, Principle of contradiction, etc. See under Bitter, Contradiction, etc.


word: Principle₂
definition:
Principle

Prin"ci*ple
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Principled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Principling (?).]
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.

Governors should be well principled.
L'Estrange.

Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.
Locke.


word: Princox
definition:
Princox

Princock

{ Prin"cock (?), Prin"cox (?), }
n.
[Prim  + cock.]
A coxcomb; a pert boy.
[Obs.]


word: Prink
definition:
Prink

Prink
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Prinked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prinking.]
[Probably a nasalized form of prick. See Prick, v. t., and cf. Prig, Prank.]
To dress or adjust one's self for show; to prank.


word: Print
definition:
Print

Print
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Printed; p. pr. & vb. n. Printing.]
[Abbrev. fr. imprint. See Imprint, and Press to squeeze.]
1.
To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea, etc., into or upon something.

A look will print a thought that never may remove.
Surrey.

Upon his breastplate he beholds a dint,
Which in that field young Edward's sword did print.
Sir John Beaumont.

Perhaps some footsteps printed in the clay.
Roscommon.

2.
To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure.

Forth on his fiery steed betimes he rode,
That scarcely prints the turf on which he trod.
Dryden.

3.
To strike off an impression or impressions of, from type, or from stereotype, electrotype, or engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the typesetting, presswork, etc., of (a book or other publication); as, to print books, newspapers, pictures; to print an edition of a book.

4.
To stamp or impress with colored figures or patterns; as, to print calico.

5.
(Photog.)
To take (a copy, a positive picture, etc.), from a negative, a transparent drawing, or the like, by the action of light upon a sensitized surface.

Printed goods, textile fabrics printed in patterns, especially cotton cloths, or calicoes.


word: Print₂
definition:
Print

Print
v. i.
1.
To use or practice the art of typography; to take impressions of letters, figures, or electrotypes, engraved plates, or the like.

2.
To publish a book or an article.

From the moment he prints, he must except to hear no more truth.
Pope.


word: Print₃
definition:
Print

Print
n.
[See Print, v., Imprint, n.]
1.
A mark made by impression; a line, character, figure, or indentation, made by the pressure of one thing on another; as, the print of teeth or nails in flesh; the print of the foot in sand or snow.

Where print of human feet was never seen.
Dryden.

2.
A stamp or die for molding or impressing an ornamental design upon an object; as, a butter print.

3.
That which receives an impression, as from a stamp or mold; as, a print of butter.

4.
Printed letters; the impression taken from type, as to excellence, form, size, etc.; as, small print; large print; this line is in print.

5.
That which is produced by printing.
(a)
An impression taken from anything, as from an engraved plate.
prints
Dryden.
(b)
A printed publication, more especially a newspaper or other periodical.
Addison.
(c)
A printed cloth; a fabric figured by stamping, especially calico or cotton cloth.
(d)
A photographic copy, or positive picture, on prepared paper, as from a negative, or from a drawing on transparent paper.

6.
(Founding)
A core print. See under Core.

Blue print, a copy in white lines on a blue ground, of a drawing, plan, tracing, etc., or a positive picture in blue and white, from a negative, produced by photographic printing on peculiarly prepared paper. -- In print. (a) In a printed form; issued from the press; published. Shak. (b) To the letter; with accurateness. “All this I speak in print.” Shak. -- Out of print. See under Out. -- Print works, a factory where cloth, as calico, is printed.


word: Printer
definition:
Printer

Print"er
(?)
n.
One who prints; especially, one who prints books, newspapers, engravings, etc., a compositor; a typesetter; a pressman.

Printer's devil, Printer's gauge. See under Devil, and Gauge. -- Printer's ink. See Printing ink, below.


word: Printery
definition:
Printery

Print"er*y
(?)
n.
A place where cloth is printed; print works; also, a printing office.
[R.]


word: Printing
definition:
Printing

Print"ing
n.
The act, art, or practice of impressing letters, characters, or figures on paper, cloth, or other material; the business of a printer, including typesetting and presswork, with their adjuncts; typography; also, the act of producing photographic prints.

Block printing. See under Block. -- Printing frame (Photog.), a shallow box, usually having a glass front, in which prints are made by exposure to light. -- Printing house, a printing office. -- Printing ink, ink used in printing books, newspapers, etc. It is composed of lampblack or ivory black mingled with linseed or nut oil, made thick by boiling and burning. Other ingredients are employed for the finer qualities. Ure. -- Printing office, a place where books, pamphlets, or newspapers, etc., are printed. -- Printing paper, paper used in the printing of books, pamphlets, newspapers, and the like, as distinguished from writing paper, wrapping paper, etc. -- Printing press, a press for printing, books, newspaper, handbills, etc. -- Printing wheel, a wheel with letters or figures on its periphery, used in machines for paging or numbering, or in ticket-printing machines, typewriters, etc.; a type wheel.


word: Printing in
definition:
Printing in

Print"ing in
(Photog.)
A process by which cloud effects or other features not in the original negative are introduced into a photograph. Portions, such as the sky, are covered while printing and the blank space thus reserved is filled in by printing from another negative.


word: Printing out
definition:
Printing out

Printing out
(Photog.)
A method of printing, in which the image is fully brought out by the direct actinic action of light without subsequent development by means of chemicals.


word: Prion
definition:
Prion

Pri"on
(prē"&obreve_;n)
n.
any of several types of protein particle lacking nucleic acid, believed to be the cause of certain slow-developing infectious diseases such as scapie in sheep, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Kuru in humans.
[informal]


word: Prior
definition:
Prior

Pri"or
(?)
a.
[L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.]
1.
Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.

2.
First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.


word: Prior₂
definition:
Prior

Pri"or
n.
[OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.]
1.
(Eccl.)
The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.

2.
a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the middle ages.
[RHUD]

Conventical prior, or Conventual prior, a prior who is at the head of his own house. See the Note under Priory. -- Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.


word: Priorate
definition:
Priorate

Pri"or*ate
(?)
n.
[LL. prioratus: cf. F. priorat.]
The dignity, office, or government, of a prior.
T. Warton.


word: Prioress
definition:
Prioress

Pri"or*ess
n.
[OF. prioresse.]
A lady superior of a priory of nuns, and next in dignity to an abbess.


word: prioritize
definition:
prioritize

prioritize
v. t.
To order or rank (a list of tasks) according to priority; to assign a priorities to.


word: Priority
definition:
Priority

Pri*or"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. priorité. See Prior, a.]
1.
The quality or state of being prior or antecedent in time, or of preceding something else; as, priority of application.

2.
Precedence; superior rank.
Shak.

Priority of debts, a superior claim to payment, or a claim to payment before others.


word: Priory
definition:
Priory

Pri"o*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Priories (#).
[Cf. LL. prioria. See Prior, n.]
A religious house presided over by a prior or prioress; -- sometimes an offshoot of, an subordinate to, an abbey, and called also cell, and obedience. See Cell, 2.

&hand_; Of such houses there were two sorts: one where the prior was chosen by the inmates, and governed as independently as an abbot in an abbey; the other where the priory was subordinate to an abbey, and the prior was placed or displaced at the will of the abbot.

Alien priory, a small religious house dependent on a large monastery in some other country.


word: Prisage
definition:
Prisage

Pris"age
(?; 48)
n.
[OF. prisage a praising, valuing, taxing; cf. LL. prisagium prisage; or from F. prise a taking, capture, prize. See Prize.]
(O. Eng. Law)
(a)
A right belonging to the crown of England, of taking two tuns of wine from every ship importing twenty tuns or more, -- one before and one behind the mast. By charter of Edward I. butlerage was substituted for this.
Blackstone.
(b)
The share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea which belongs to the king or admiral.


word: Priscillianist
definition:
Priscillianist

Pris*cil"lian*ist
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Priscillian, bishop of Avila in Spain, in the fourth century, who mixed various elements of Gnosticism and Manicheism with Christianity.


word: Prism
definition:
Prism

Prism
(prĭz'm)
n.
[L. prisma, Gr. pri`sma, fr. pri`zein, pri`ein, to saw: cf. F. prisme.]
1.
(Geom.)
A solid whose bases or ends are any similar, equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are parallelograms.

&hand_; Prisms of different forms are often named from the figure of their bases; as, a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, a rhombic prism, etc.

2.
(Opt.)
A transparent body, with usually three rectangular plane faces or sides, and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases; -- used in experiments on refraction, dispersion, etc.

3.
(Crystallog.)
A form the planes of which are parallel to the vertical axis. See Form, n., 13.

Achromatic prism (Opt.), a prism composed usually of two prisms of different transparent substances which have unequal dispersive powers, as two different kinds of glass, especially flint glass and crown glass, the difference of dispersive power being compensated by giving them different refracting angles, so that, when placed together so as to have opposite relative positions, a ray of light passed through them is refracted or bent into a new position, but is free from color. -- Nicol's prism, Nicol prism. [So called from Wm. Nicol, of Edinburgh, who first proposed it.] (Opt.) An instrument for experiments in polarization, consisting of a rhomb of Iceland spar, which has been bisected obliquely at a certain angle, and the two parts again joined with transparent cement, so that the ordinary image produced by double refraction is thrown out of the field by total reflection from the internal cemented surface, and the extraordinary, or polarized, image alone is transmitted.


word: Prismatical
definition:
Prismatical

Prismatic

{ Pris*mat"ic (?), Pris*mat"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. prismatique.]
1.
Resembling, or pertaining to, a prism; as, a prismatic form or cleavage.

2.
Separated or distributed by a prism; formed by a prism; as, prismatic colors.

3.
(Crystallog.)
Same as Orthorhombic.

Prismatic borax (Chem.), borax crystallized in the form of oblique prisms, with ten molecules of water; -- distinguished from octahedral borax. -- Prismatic colors (Opt.), the seven colors into which light is resolved when passed through a prism; primary colors. See Primary colors, under Color. -- Prismatic compass (Surv.), a compass having a prism for viewing a distant object and the compass card at the same time. -- Prismatic spectrum (Opt.), the spectrum produced by the passage of light through a prism.


word: Prismatoidal
definition:
Prismatoidal

Pris`ma*toid"al
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, prism + -oid: F. prismatoïde.]
Having a prismlike form.
Ure.


word: Prism glass
definition:
Prism glass

Prism glass
Glass with one side smooth and the other side formed into sharp-edged ridges so as to reflect the light that passes through, used at windows to throw the light into the interior.


word: Prismoid
definition:
Prismoid

Pris"moid
(prĭz"moid)
n.
[Cf. F. prismtoïde.]
A body that approaches to the form of a prism.


word: Prison
definition:
Prison

Pris"on
(?; 277)
n.
[F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of, to seize. See Prehensile, and cf. Prize, n., Misprision.]
1.
A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence, a place or state o_; confinement, restraint, or safe custody.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.
Ps. cxlii. 7.

The tyrant Aeolus, . . . 
With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds,
And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds.
Dryden.

2.
Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority.

Prison bars, or Prison base. See Base, n., 24. -- Prison breach. (Law) See Note under 3d Escape, n., 4. -- Prison house, a prison. Shak. -- Prison ship (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement of prisoners. -- Prison van, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to and from prison.


word: Prison₂
definition:
Prison

Pris"on
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prisoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prisoning.]
1.
To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain from liberty.

The prisoned eagle dies for rage.
Sir W. Scott.

His true respect will prison false desire.
Shak.

2.
To bind (together); to enchain.
[Obs.]

Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led
Together prisoned.
Robert of Brunne.


word: Prisoner
definition:
Prisoner

Pris"on*er
(?)
n.
[F. prisonnier.]
1.
One who is confined in a prison.
Piers Plowman.

2.
A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive; as, a prisoner at the bar of a court.
Bouvier.

Prisoner of Hope thou art, -- look up and sing.
Keble.

Prisoner's base. See Base, n., 24.


word: Pristine
definition:
Pristine

Pris"tine
(?)
a.
[L. pristinus, akin to prior: cf. F. pristin. See Prior, a.]
Belonging to the earliest period or state; original; primitive; primeval; as, the pristine state of innocence; the pristine manners of a people; pristine vigor.


word: Pritch
definition:
Pritch

Pritch
(?)
n.
[See Prick.]
1.
A sharp-pointed instrument; also, an eelspear.
[Prov. Eng.]

2.
Pique; offense.
[Obs.]
D. Rogers.


word: Pritchel
definition:
Pritchel

Pritch"el
(?)
n.
A tool employed by blacksmiths for punching or enlarging the nail holes in a horseshoe.


word: Prithee
definition:
Prithee

Prith"ee
(?)
interj.
A corruption of pray thee; as, I prithee; generally used without I.
Shak.

What was that scream for, I prithee?
L'Estrange.

Prithee, tell me, Dimple-chin.
E. C. Stedman.


word: Prittle-prattle
definition:
Prittle-prattle

Prit"tle-prat`tle
(?)
n.
[See Prattle.]
Empty talk; trifling loquacity; prattle; -- used in contempt or ridicule.
[Colloq.]
Abp. Bramhall.


word: Privacy
definition:
Privacy

Pri"va*cy
(?)
n.
pl. Privacies (#).
[See Private.]
1.
The state of being in retirement from the company or observation of others; seclusion.

2.
A place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat; solitude; retirement.

Her sacred privacies all open lie.
Rowe.

3.
Concealment of what is said or done.
Shak.

4.
A private matter; a secret.
Fuller.

5.
See Privity, 2.
[Obs.]
Arbuthnot.


word: Privado
definition:
Privado

Pri*va"do
(?)
n.
[Sp., fr. L. privatus. See Private.]
A private friend; a confidential friend; a confidant.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Privatdocent
definition:
Privatdocent

Pri*vat"do*cent`
(?)
n.
G. pl. -docenten (#)
[Also Privatdozent.]
[G.; privat private + docent teacher. See Docent.]
In the universities of Germany and some other European countries, a licensed teacher or lecturer having no share in the university government and dependent upon fees for remuneration.


word: Private
definition:
Private

Pri"vate
(?; 48)
a.
[L. privatus apart from the state, peculiar to an individual, private, properly p. p. of privare to bereave, deprive, originally, to separate, fr. privus single, private, perhaps originally, put forward (hence, alone, single) and akin to prae before. See Prior, a., and cf. Deprive, Privy, a.]
1.
Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.

2.
Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.

Reason . . . then retires
Into her private cell when nature rests.
Milton.

3.
Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life.
Shak.

A private person may arrest a felon.
Blackstone.

4.
Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.

5.
Having secret or private knowledge; privy.
[Obs.]

Private act or Private statute, a statute exclusively for the settlement of private and personal interests, of which courts do not take judicial notice; -- opposed to a general law, which operates on the whole community.  In the United States Congress, similar private acts are referred to as private law and a general law as a public law. -- Private nuisance or wrong. See Nuisance. -- Private soldier. See Private, n., 5. -- Private way, a right of private passage over another man's ground; also, a road on private land, contrasted with public road, which is on a public right of way.
Kent.


word: Private₂
definition:
Private

Pri"vate
(prī"va̝t)
n.
1.
A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
Personal interest; particular business.
[Obs.]

Nor must I be unmindful of my private.
B. Jonson.

3.
Privacy; retirement.
[Archaic]
private
Shak.

4.
One not invested with a public office.
[Archaic]

What have kings, that privates have not too?
Shak.

5.
(Mil.)
A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer.
Macaulay.

6.
pl.
The private parts; the genitals.

In private, secretly; not openly or publicly.


word: Privateer
definition:
Privateer

Pri`va*teer"
(prī`vȧ*tēr")
n.
[From Private.]
1.
An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See Letters of marque, under Marque.

2.
The commander of a privateer.

Kidd soon threw off the character of a privateer and became a pirate.
Macaulay.


word: Privateer₂
definition:
Privateer

Pri`va*teer"
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Privateered (prī`vȧ*tērd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Privateering.]
To cruise in a privateer.


word: Privateersman
definition:
Privateersman

Pri`va*teers"man
(prī`vȧ*tērz"man)
n.
pl. Privateersmen (prī`vȧ*tērz"men).
An officer or seaman of a privateer.


word: Privately
definition:
Privately

Pri"vate*ly
(prī"va̝t*l&ybreve_;)
adv.

1.
In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of others.

2.
In a manner affecting an individual; personally; not officially; as, he is not privately benefited.


word: Privateness
definition:
Privateness

Pri"vate*ness
n.

1.
Seclusion from company or society; retirement; privacy; secrecy.
Bacon.

2.
The state of one not invested with public office.


word: Privation
definition:
Privation

Pri*va"tion
(pri̝*vā"shŭn)
n.
[L. privatio: cf. F. privation. See Private.]
1.
The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation.
Bacon.

2.
The state of being deprived or destitute of something, especially of something required or desired; destitution; need; as, to undergo severe privations.

3.
The condition of being absent; absence; negation.

Evil will be known by consequence, as being only a privation, or absence, of good.
South.

Privation mere of light and absent day.
Milton.


word: Privative
definition:
Privative

Priv"a*tive
(?)
a.
[L. privativus: cf. F. privatif. See Private.]
1.
Causing privation; depriving.

2.
Consisting in the absence of something; not positive; negative.

Privative blessings, blessings of immunity, safeguard, liberty, and integrity.
Jer. Taylor.

3.
(Gram.)
Implying privation or negation; giving a negative force to a word; as, alpha privative; privative particles; -- applied to such prefixes and suffixes as a- (Gr. _;), un-, non-, -less.


word: Privative₂
definition:
Privative

Priv"a*tive
n.

1.
That of which the essence is the absence of something.

Blackness and darkness are indeed but privatives.
Bacon.

2.
(Logic)
A term indicating the absence of any quality which might be naturally or rationally expected; -- called also privative term.

3.
(Gram.)
A privative prefix or suffix. See Privative, a., 3.


word: Privatively
definition:
Privatively

Priv"a*tive*ly
adv.
In a privative manner; by the absence of something; negatively.
[R.]
Hammond.


word: Privet
definition:
Privet

Priv"et
(?)
n.
[Cf. Scot. privie, Prov. E. prim-print, primwort. Prob. for primet, and perh. named from being cut and trimmed. See, Prim, a., and cf. Prime to prune, Prim, n., Prie, n.]
(Bot.)
An ornamental European shrub (Ligustrum vulgare), much used in hedges; -- called also prim.

Egyptian privet. See Lawsonia. -- Evergreen privet, a plant of the genus Rhamnus. See Alatern. -- Mock privet, any one of several evergreen shrubs of the genus Phillyrea. They are from the Mediterranean region, and have been much cultivated for hedges and for fancifully clipped shrubberies.


word: Privilege
definition:
Privilege

Priv"i*lege
(?)
n.
[F. privilège, L. privilegium an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus private + lex, legis, law. See Private, and Legal.]

1.
A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.

He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman.
Kettlewell.

The privilege birthright was a double portion.
Locke.

A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and liberties.
Burke.

2.
(Stockbroker's Cant)
See Call, Put, Spread, etc.

Breach of privilege. See under Breach. -- Question of privilege (Parliamentary practice), a question which concerns the security of a member of a legislative body in his special privileges as such. -- Water privilege, the advantage of having machinery driven by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [ U. S.] -- Writ of privilege (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit. Blackstone.


word: Privilege₂
definition:
Privilege

Priv"i*lege
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Privileged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Privileging.]
[Cf. F. privilégier.]

1.
To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest.

To privilege dishonor in thy name.
Shak.

2.
To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.

He took this place for sanctuary, And it shall privilege him from your hands.
Shak.


word: Privileged
definition:
Privileged

Priv"i*leged
(?)
a.
Invested with a privilege; enjoying a peculiar right, advantage, or immunity.

Privileged communication. (Law) (a) A communication which can not be disclosed without the consent of the party making it, -- such as those made by a client to his legal adviser, or by persons to their religious or medical advisers. (b) A communication which does not expose the party making it to indictment for libel, -- such as those made by persons communicating confidentially with a government, persons consulted confidentially as to the character of servants, etc. -- Privileged debts (Law), those to which a preference in payment is given out of the estate of a deceased person, or out of the estate of an insolvent. Wharton. Burrill. -- Privileged witnesses (Law) witnesses who are not obliged to testify as to certain things, as lawyers in relation to their dealings with their clients, and officers of state as to state secrets; also, by statute, clergymen and physicans are placed in the same category, so far as concerns information received by them professionally.


word: Privity
definition:
Privity

Priv"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Privities (-tĭz).
[From Privy, a.: cf. F. privauté extreme familiarity.]

1.
Privacy; secrecy; confidence.
Chaucer.

I will unto you, in privity, discover . . . my purpose.
Spenser.

2.
Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a private concern; cognizance implying consent or concurrence.

All the doors were laid open for his departure, not without the privity of the Prince of Orange.
Swift.

3.
A private matter or business; a secret.
Chaucer.

4.
pl.
The genitals; the privates.

5.
(Law)
A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as to some particular transaction; mutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property.


word: Privy
definition:
Privy

Priv"y
(?)
a.
[F. privé, fr. L. privatus. See Private.]

1.
Of or pertaining to some person exclusively; assigned to private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse.
Privee
Chaucer.

2.
Secret; clandestine.
privee
Chaucer.

3.
Appropriated to retirement; private; not open to the public.
Privy
Ezek. xxi. 14.

4.
Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction; secretly cognizant; privately knowing.

His wife also being privy to it.
Acts v. 2.

Myself am one made privy to the plot.
Shak.

Privy chamber, a private apartment in a royal residence. [Eng.] -- Privy council (Eng. Law), the principal council of the sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers and other persons chosen by the king or queen. Burrill. -- Privy councilor, a member of the privy council. -- Privy purse, moneys set apart for the personal use of the monarch; also, the title of the person having charge of these moneys. [Eng.] Macaulay. -- Privy seal or Privy signet, the seal which the king uses in grants, etc., which are to pass the great seal, or which he uses in matters of subordinate consequence which do not require the great seal; also, elliptically, the principal secretary of state, or person intrusted with the privy seal. [Eng.] -- Privy verdict, a verdict given privily to the judge out of court; -- now disused. Burrill.


word: Privy₂
definition:
Privy

Priv"y
n.
pl. Privies (_;).
1.
(Law)
A partaker; a person having an interest in any action or thing; one who has an interest in an estate created by another; a person having an interest derived from a contract or conveyance to which he is not himself a party.  The term, in its proper sense, is distinguished from party.
Burrill. Wharton.

2.
A necessary house or place for performing excretory functions in private; an outhouse; a backhouse.


word: Prize
definition:
Prize

Prize
(prīz)
n.
[F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p. p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some senses, as 2 (b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and also Price.]

1.
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.

I will depart my pris, or my prey, by deliberation.
Chaucer.

His own prize,
Whom formerly he had in battle won.
Spenser.

2.
(a)
(Law)
Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
Kent.
Brande & C.
(b)
An honor or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.

I'll never wrestle for prize more.
Shak.

I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize.
Dryden.

3.
Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil. iii. 14.

4.
A contest for a reward; competition.
[Obs.]
Shak.

5.
A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
[Written also prise.]

Prize court, a court having jurisdiction of all captures made in war on the high seas. Bouvier. -- Prize fight, an exhibition contest, esp. one of pugilists, for a stake or wager. -- Prize fighter, one who fights publicly for a reward; -- applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. Pope. -- Prize fighting, fighting, especially boxing, in public for a reward or wager. -- Prize master, an officer put in charge or command of a captured vessel. -- Prize medal, a medal given as a prize. -- Prize money, a dividend from the proceeds of a captured vessel, etc., paid to the captors. -- Prize ring, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the system and practice of prize fighting. -- To make prize of, to capture. Hawthorne.


word: Prize₃
definition:
Prize

Prize
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Prized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prizing.]
[F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.]
[Formerly written also prise. ]

1.
To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.

A goodly price that I was prized at.
Zech. xi. 13.

I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor.
Shak.

2.
To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem.
prize
Shak.

I prized your person, but your crown disdain.
Dryden.


word: Prizer
definition:
Prizer

Priz"er
(?)
n.
[See 3d Prize.]
One who estimates or sets the value of a thing; an appraiser.
Shak.


word: Prizer₂
definition:
Prizer

Priz"er
n.
[See 1st Prize.]
One who contends for a prize; a prize fighter; a challenger.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Appeareth no man yet to answer the prizer.
B. Jonson.


word: Prizing
definition:
Prizing

Priz"ing
n.
[See 2d Prize.]
The application of a lever to move any weighty body, as a cask, anchor, cannon, car, etc. See Prize, n., 5.


word: Pro-
definition:
Pro-

Pro-
(?)
[L. pro, or Gr. _;. See Pro.]
A prefix signifying before, in front, forth, for, in behalf of, in place of, according to; as, propose, to place before; proceed, to go before or forward; project, to throw forward; prologue, part spoken before (the main piece); propel, prognathous; provide, to look out for; pronoun, a word instead of a noun; proconsul, a person acting in place of a consul; proportion, arrangement according to parts.


word: Pro
definition:
Pro

Pro
prep.
[L.; akin to prae before, Gr. _;, and E. for. See For, prep., and cf. Prior, a.]
A Latin preposition signifying for, before, forth.

Pro confesso [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a particular case which the pleading on the other side does not deny. -- Pro rata. [L. See Prorate.] In proportion; proportion. -- Pro re nata [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as matters are.


word: Pro₂
definition:
Pro

Pro
adv.
For, on, or in behalf of, the affirmative side; -- in contrast with con.

Pro and con, for and against, on the affirmative and on the negative side; as, they debated the question pro and con; -- formerly used also as a verb. -- Pros and cons, the arguments or reasons on either side.


word: Proa
definition:
Proa

Pro"a
(?)
n.
[Malay prā_;, prāh_;.]
(Naut.)
A sailing canoe of the Ladrone Islands and Malay Archipelago, having its lee side flat and its weather side like that of an ordinary boat. The ends are alike. The canoe is long and narrow, and is kept from overturning by a cigar-shaped log attached to a frame extending several feet to windward. It has been called the flying proa, and is the swiftest sailing craft known.


word: Proatlas
definition:
Proatlas

Pro*at"las
(?)
n.
[Pref. pro- + atlas.]
(Anat.)
A vertebral rudiment in front of the atlas in some reptiles.


word: Probabiliorist
definition:
Probabiliorist

Prob`a*bil"i*o*rist
(?)
n.
[From L. probabilior, compar. of probabilis probable.]
(Casuistry)
One who holds, in opposition to the probabilists, that a man is bound to do that which is most probably right.


word: Probabilist
definition:
Probabilist

Prob"a*bil*ist
n.
[Cf. F. probabiliste.]

1.
One who maintains that certainty is impossible, and that probability alone is to govern our faith and actions.

2.
(Casuistry)
One who maintains that a man may do that which has a probability of being right, or which is inculcated by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem to him still more probable.


word: Probability
definition:
Probability

Prob`a*bil"i*ty
n.
pl. Probabilities (#).
[L. probabilitas: cf. F. probabilité.]

1.
The quality or state of being probable; appearance of reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption; likelihood.

Probability is the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas, by the intervention of proofs whose connection is not constant, but appears for the most part to be so.
Locke.

2.
That which is or appears probable; anything that has the appearance of reality or truth.

The whole life of man is a perpetual comparison of evidence and balancing of probabilities.
Buckminster.

We do not call for evidence till antecedent probabilities fail.
J. H. Newman.

3.
(Math.)
Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number of favorable chances to the whole number of chances, favorable and unfavorable. See 1st Chance, n., 5.


word: Probable
definition:
Probable

Prob"a*ble
(?)
a.
[L. probabilis, fr. probare to try, approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See Prove, and cf. Provable.]

1.
Capable of being proved.
[Obs.]

2.
Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.

That is accounted probable which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it.
South.

I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be morally certain.
Bp. Wilkins.

3.
Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption.
Blackstone.

Probable cause (Law), a reasonable ground of presumption that a charge is, or my be, well founded. -- Probable error (of an observation, or of the mean of a number), that within which, taken positively and negatively, there is an even chance that the real error shall lie. Thus, if 3″ is the probable error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3″ are equal to the chances that it is less. The probable error is computed from the observations made, and is used to express their degree of accuracy. -- The probable, that which is within the bounds of probability; that which is not unnatural or preternatural; -- opposed to the marvelous.


word: Probably
definition:
Probably

Prob"a*bly
(?)
adv.
In a probable manner; in likelihood.

Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done.
L'Estrange.


word: Probang
definition:
Probang

Pro"bang
(?)
n.
[See Probe.]
A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.


word: Probate
definition:
Probate

Pro"bate
(?)
n.
[From L. probatus, p. p. of probare to prove. See Prove.]

1.
Proof.
[Obs.]
Skelton.

2.
(Law)
(a)
Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate of its having been proved.
Bouvier.
Burrill.
(b)
The right or jurisdiction of proving wills.


word: Probate₂
definition:
Probate

Pro"bate
a.
Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a probate record.

Probate Court, or Court of Probate, a court for the probate of wills. -- Probate duty, a government tax on property passing by will. [Eng.]


word: Probate₃
definition:
Probate

Pro"bate
(?)
v. t.
To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the executor has probated the will.


word: Probation
definition:
Probation

Pro*ba"tion
(?)
n.
[L. probatio, fr. probare to try, examine, prove: cf. F. probation. See Prove.]

1.
The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof.
[Obs.]

When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the laity, . . . he gave probation that he intended that all should prophesy and preach.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation.
(a)
The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule.
(b)
The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor.
(c)
Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state.

No [view of human life] seems so reasonable as that which regards it as a state of probation.
Paley.


word: Probationary
definition:
Probationary

Pro*ba"tion*a*ry
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to probation; serving for trial.

To consider this life . . . as a probationary state.
Paley.


word: Probationer
definition:
Probationer

Pro*ba"tion*er
(?)
n.

1.
One who is undergoing probation; one who is on trial; a novice.

While yet a young probationer,
And candidate of heaven.
Dryden.

2.
A student in divinity, who, having received certificates of good morals and qualifications from his university, is admitted to several trials by a presbytery, and, on acquitting himself well, is licensed to preach.
[Scot.]


word: Probative
definition:
Probative

Pro"ba*tive
(?)
a.
[L. probativus: cf. F. probatif.]
Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence.
South.


word: Probator
definition:
Probator

Pro*ba"tor
(?)
n.
[L.]
1.
An examiner; an approver.
Maydman.

2.
(O. Eng. Law)
One who, when indicted for crime, confessed it, and accused others, his accomplices, in order to obtain pardon; a state's evidence.


word: Probatory
definition:
Probatory

Pro"ba*to*ry
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. probatoire.]
1.
Serving for trial; probationary.
Abp. Bramhall.

2.
Pertaining to, or serving for, proof.
Jer. Taylor.

Probatory term (Law), a time for taking testimony.


word: Probe
definition:
Probe

Probe
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Probed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Probing.]
[L. probare to try, examine. See Prove.]

1.
To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a probe.

2.
Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly.
Dryden.

The growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts, of the crown.
Hallam.


word: Probe₂
definition:
Probe

Probe
n.
(Surg.)
An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc.
Parr.

Probe scissors, or Probe-pointed scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button at the end. Wiseman.


word: Probe-pointed
definition:
Probe-pointed

Probe"-point`ed
(?)
a.
(Surg.)
Having a blunt or button-shaped extremity; -- said of cutting instruments.


word: Probity
definition:
Probity

Prob"i*ty
(?)
n.
[F. probité, fr. L. probitas, fr. probus good, proper, honest.  Cf. Prove.]
Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence; honesty; rectitude; uprightness.
Probity
Pope.


word: Problem
definition:
Problem

Prob"lem
(?)
n.
[F. problème, L. problema, fr. Gr. _; anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. _; to throw or lay before; _; before, forward + _; to throw.  Cf. Parable. ]

1.
A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt.
Bacon.

2.
(Math.)
Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.

&hand_; Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles.

Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass. -- Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.


word: Problematical
definition:
Problematical

Problematic

{ Prob`lem*at"ic (?), Prob`lem*at"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. problematicus, Gr. _;: cf. F. problématique.]
1.
Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful; as, his theory is problematic because it fails to explain several facts.
Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.

Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate wide open to . . . informers.
Swift.

2.
Having characteristics which will create difficulties or undesirable consequences; -- of a proposed action; as, the proposed law is problematic because it will cause many people to lose their jobs.


word: Proboscidea
definition:
Proboscidea

Pro`bos*cid"e*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Proboscis.]
(Zool.)
An order of large mammals including the elephants and mastodons.


word: Proboscidian
definition:
Proboscidian

Pro`bos*cid"i*an
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Pertaining to the Proboscidea.
n. One of the Proboscidea.


word: Proboscidifera
definition:
Proboscidifera

Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Proboscis, and -ferous.]

1.
(Zool.)
An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda, and of Winkle.

2.
(Zool.)
A subdivision of the tænioglossate gastropods, including the fig-shells (Pyrula), the helmet shells (Cassis), the tritons, and allied genera.


word: Proboscidiform
definition:
Proboscidiform

Pro`bos*cid"i*form
(?)
a.
Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform mouth.


word: Proboscis
definition:
Proboscis

Pro*bos"cis
(?)
n.
pl. Proboscides (#).
[L. fr. Gr. _;; _; before + _; to feed, graze.]
1.
(Zool.)
A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.

&hand_; The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxillæ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera.

2.
(Zool.)
By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded.

&hand_; The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix.

3.
The nose.
[Jocose]

Proboscis monkey. (Zool.) See Kahau.


word: Procacious
definition:
Procacious

Pro*ca"cious
(?)
a.
[L. procax, -acis, fr. procare to ask, demand.]
Pert; petulant; forward; saucy.
[R.]
Barrow.


word: Procambium
definition:
Procambium

Pro*cam"bi*um
(?)
n.
[NL. See Pro-, and Cambium.]
(Bot.)
The young tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its component cells have begun to be differentiated.
Sachs.


word: Procatarctic
definition:
Procatarctic

Pro`cat*arc"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; beginning beforehand. fr. _; to begin first; _; before + _; to begin; _; intens. + _; to begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ]
(Med.)
Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial.
[Obs.]

&hand_; The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes.

The physician inquires into the procatarctic causes.
Harvey.


word: Procatarxis
definition:
Procatarxis

Pro`cat*arx"is
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; first beginning.]
(Med.)
The kindling of a disease into action; also, the procatarctic cause.
Quincy.


word: Procedendo
definition:
Procedendo

Pro`ce*den"do
(?)
n.
[Abl. of the gerundive of L. procedere. see Proceed.]
(Law)
(a)
A writ by which a cause which has been removed on insufficient grounds from an inferior to a superior court by certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the same court, to be proceeded in there.
(b)
In English practice, a writ issuing out of chancery in cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment.
(c)
A writ by which the commission of the justice of the peace is revived, after having been suspended.
Tomlins. Burrill.


word: Procedure
definition:
Procedure

Pro*ce"dure
(?)
n.
[F. procédure. See Proceed.]
1.
The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct.
procedure
South.

2.
A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
procedures
I. Taylor.

3.
That which results; issue; product.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Proceed
definition:
Proceed

Pro*ceed"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Proceeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Proceeding.]
[F. procéder. fr. L. procedere, processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to move. See Cede.]
1.
To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey.

If thou proceed in this thy insolence.
Shak.

2.
To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.

3.
To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun.

I proceeded forth and came from God.
John viii. 42.

It proceeds from policy, not love.
Shak.

4.
To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design.

He that proceeds upon other principles in his inquiry.
Locke.

5.
To be transacted; to take place; to occur.
[Obs.]

He will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day.
Shak.

6.
To have application or effect; to operate.

This rule only proceeds and takes place when a person can not of common law condemn another by his sentence.
Ayliffe.

7.
(Law)
To begin and carry on a legal process.


word: Proceeding
definition:
Proceeding

Pro*ceed"ing
n.
1.
The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; progress or movement from one thing to another; a measure or step taken in a course of business; a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a violent proceeding.

The proceedings of the high commission.
Macaulay.

2.
pl.
(Law)
The course of procedure in the prosecution of an action at law.
Blackstone.

Proceedings of a society, the published record of its action, or of things done at its meetings.


word: Proceeds
definition:
Proceeds

Pro"ceeds
(?)
n. pl.
That which comes forth or results; effect; yield; issue; product; sum accruing from a sale, etc.


word: Proceleusmatic
definition:
Proceleusmatic

Proc`e*leus*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[L. proceleusmaticus, Gr. _;, fr. _; to rouse to action beforehand; _; + _; to incite; cf. F. procéleusmatique.]

1.
Inciting; animating; encouraging.
[R.]
Johnson.

2.
(Pros.)
Consisting of four short syllables; composed of feet of four short syllables each.


word: Procellarian
definition:
Procellarian

Pro`cel*la"ri*an
(?)
n.
[L. procella a storm.]
(Zool.)
One of a family of oceanic birds (Procellaridæ) including the petrels, fulmars, and shearwaters.  They are often seen in great abundance in stormy weather.


word: Procephalic
definition:
Procephalic

Pro`ce*phal"ic
(?)
a.
[Pref. pro- + cephalic.]
(Zool.)
Pertaining to, or forming, the front of the head.

Procephalic lobe (Zool.), that part of the head of an invertebrate animal which is in front of the mouth.


word: Proception
definition:
Proception

Pro*cep"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. pro- + L. capere to take.]
Preoccupation.
[Obs.]
Eikon Basilik_;.


word: Proceres
definition:
Proceres

Proc"e*res
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. procer _; chief.]
(Zool.)
An order of large birds; the Ratitæ; -- called also Proceri.


word: Procerite
definition:
Procerite

Proc"er*ite
(?)
n.
[Pref. pro- + Gr. _; _; horn.]
(Zool.)
The segment next to the flagellum of the antennæ of Crustacea.


word: Process
definition:
Process

Proc"ess
n.
[F. procès, L. processus. See Proceed.]

1.
The act of proceeding; continued forward movement; procedure; progress; advance.
process
Milton.

The thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.
Tennyson.

2.
A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process; processes of nature.

Tell her the process of Antonio's end.
Shak.

3.
A statement of events; a narrative.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

4.
(Anat. & Zool.)
Any marked prominence or projecting part, especially of a bone; anapophysis.

5.
(Law)
The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the defendant into court to answer to the action; -- a generic term for writs of the class called judicial.

Deacon's process [from H. Deacon, who introduced it] (Chem.), a method of obtaining chlorine gas by passing hydrochloric acid gas over heated slag which has been previously saturated with a solution of some metallic salt, as sulphate of copper. -- Final process (Practice), a writ of execution in an action at law. Burrill. -- In process, in the condition of advance, accomplishment, transaction, or the like; begun, and not completed. -- Jury process (Law), the process by which a jury is summoned in a cause, and by which their attendance is enforced. Burrill. -- Leblanc's process (Chem.), the process of manufacturing soda by treating salt with sulphuric acid, reducing the sodium sulphate so formed to sodium sulphide by roasting with charcoal, and converting the sodium sulphide to sodium carbonate by roasting with lime. -- Mesne process. See under Mesne. -- Process milling, the process of high milling for grinding flour. See under Milling. -- Reversible process (Thermodynamics), any process consisting of a cycle of operations such that the different operations of the cycle can be performed in reverse order with a reversal of their effects.


word: Procession
definition:
Procession

Pro*ces"sion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. processio. See Proceed.]

1.
The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous course.
Bp. Pearson.

That the procession of their life might be
More equable, majestic, pure, and free.
Trench.

2.
That which is moving onward in an orderly, stately, or solemn manner; a train of persons advancing in order; a ceremonious train; a retinue; as, a procession of mourners; the Lord Mayor's procession.

Here comes the townsmen on procession.
Shak.

3.
(Eccl.)
An orderly and ceremonial progress of persons, either from the sacristy to the choir, or from the choir around the church, within or without.
Shipley.

4.
pl.
(Eccl.)
An old term for litanies which were said in procession and not kneeling.
Shipley.

Procession of the Holy Ghost, a theological term applied to the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son, the Eastern Church affirming that the Spirit proceeds from the Father only, and the Western Church that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Shipley. -- Procession week, a name for Rogation week, when processions were made; Cross-week. Shipley.


word: Procession₂
definition:
Procession

Pro*ces"sion
v. t.
(Law)
To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as lands.
[Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).]
procession
Burrill.


word: Processional
definition:
Processional

Pro*ces"sion*al
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to a procession; consisting in a procession.

The processional services became more frequent.
Milman.


word: Processional₂
definition:
Processional

Pro*ces"sion*al
n.
[F. processionnal, LL. processionale.]

1.
(R. C. Ch.)
A service book relating to ecclesiastical processions.
J. Gregory.

2.
A hymn, or other selection, sung during a church procession; as, the processional was the 202d hymn.


word: Processionary
definition:
Processionary

Pro*ces"sion*a*ry
(?)
a.
[Cf. LL. processionarius, F. processionnaire.]
Pertaining to a procession; consisting in processions; as, processionary service.

Processionary moth (Zool.), any moth of the genus Cnethocampa, especially Cnethocampa processionea of Europe, whose larvæ make large webs on oak trees, and go out to feed in regular order. They are covered with stinging hairs.


word: Processioner
definition:
Processioner

Pro*ces"sion*er
(?)
n.

1.
One who takes part in a procession.

2.
A manual of processions; a processional.
Fuller.

3.
An officer appointed to procession lands.
[Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).]
Burrill.


word: Processioning
definition:
Processioning

Pro*ces"sion*ing
n.
A proceeding prescribed by statute for ascertaining and fixing the boundaries of land. See 2d Procession.
[ Local, U. S.]
Bouvier.


word: Processive
definition:
Processive

Pro*ces"sive
(?)
a.
Proceeding; advancing.

Because it is language, -- ergo, processive.
Coleridge.


word: Process plate
definition:
Process plate

Proc"ess plate
(a)
A plate prepared by a mechanical process, esp. a photomechanical process.
(b)
A very slow photographic plate, giving good contrasts between high lights and shadows, used esp. for making lantern slides.


word: Proces verbal
definition:
Proces verbal

Pro`cès" ver`bal"
(?)
[ F.]
(French Law)
An authentic minute of an official act, or statement of facts.


word: Prochein
definition:
Prochein

Pro"chein
(?)
a.
[F. prochain, fr. L. (assumed) proximanus, fr. proximus.]
Next; nearest.

Prochein ami or Prochein amy (_;) (Law), the next friend. See under Next.


word: Prochordal
definition:
Prochordal

Pro*chor"dal
(?)
a.
[Pref. pro + chordal.]
(Anat.)
Situated in front of the notochord; -- applied especially to parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the skull.


word: Prochronism
definition:
Prochronism

Pro"chro*nism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; preceding in time; _; before + _; time: cf. F. prochronisme.]
The dating of an event before the time it happened; an antedating; -- opposed to metachronism.


word: Procidentia
definition:
Procidentia

Procidence

{ Proc"i*dence, &VerbarProc*i*den"ti*a (?), }
n.
[L. procidentia, fr. procidens, p. pr. of procidere to fall down forward.]
(Med.)
A falling down; a prolapsus.
[R.]
Parr.


word: Procinct
definition:
Procinct

Pro*cinct"
(?)
n.
[L. procinctus, fr. procingere, procinctum, to gird up.]
A state of complete readiness for action.
[Obs.]
procinct
Milton.


word: Proclaim
definition:
Proclaim

Pro*claim"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Proclaimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proclaiming.]
[OE. proclamen, L. proclamare; pro before, forward + clamare to call or cry out: cf. F. proclamer. See Claim.]

1.
To make known by public announcement; to give wide publicity to; to publish abroad; to promulgate; to declare; as, to proclaim war or peace.

To proclaim liberty to the captives.
Isa. lxi. 1.

For the apparel oft proclaims the man.
Shak.

Throughout the host proclaim
A solemn council forthwith to be held.
Milton.

2.
To outlaw by public proclamation.

I heard myself proclaimed.
Shak.


word: Proclamation
definition:
Proclamation

Proc`la*ma"tion
(?)
n.
[F. proclamation, L. proclamatio. See Proclaim.]

1.
The act of proclaiming; official or general notice; publication.

King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted.
1 Kings xv. 22.

2.
That which is proclaimed, publicly announced, or officially declared; a published ordinance; as, the proclamation of a king; a Thanksgiving proclamation.


word: Proclitic
definition:
Proclitic

Pro*clit"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; to lean forward; _; forward + _; to lean or incline.  Cf. Enclitic.]
(Gr. Gram.)
Leaning forward; -- said of certain monosyllabic words which are so closely attached to the following word as not to have a separate accent.


word: Proclive
definition:
Proclive

Pro*clive"
(?)
a.
[L. proclivis sloping, inclined; pro forward + clivus hill: cf. F. proclive. See Declivity, and cf. Proclivous.]
Having a tendency by nature; prone; proclivous.
[R.]
Mrs. Browning.


word: Proclivity
definition:
Proclivity

Pro*cliv"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. proclivitas: cf. F. proclivité.]

1.
Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency.
proclivity
Abp. Bramhall.

2.
Readiness; facility; aptitude.

He had such a dexterous proclivity as his teachers were fain to restrain his forwardness.
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Proclivous
definition:
Proclivous

Pro*cli"vous
(?)
a.
[L. proclivus. See Proclive.]

1.
Inclined; tending by nature.
[R.]

2.
(Zool.)
Having the incisor teeth directed forward.


word: Procoele
definition:
Procoele

Pro*cœle"
(?)
n.
[Pref. pro + Gr. _; hollow.]
(Anat.)
A lateral cavity of the prosencephalon; a lateral ventricle of the brain.
B. G. Wilder.


word: Procoelia₂
definition:
Procoelia

Pro*cœ"li*a
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A division of Crocodilia, including the true crocodiles and alligators, in which the dorsal vertebræ are concave in front.


word: Procoelian
definition:
Procoelian

Pro*cœ"li*an
(?)
a.
[See Procœle.]
(Anat & Zool.)
Concave in front; as, procœlian vertebræ, which have the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior convex.


word: Proconsul
definition:
Proconsul

Pro*con"sul
(?)
n.
[L., fr. pro for + consul consul.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
An officer who discharged the duties of a consul without being himself consul; a governor of, or a military commander in, a province. He was usually one who had previously been consul.


word: Proconsulary
definition:
Proconsulary

Proconsular

{ Pro*con"su*lar (?), Pro*con"su*la*ry (?), }
a.
[L. proconsularis: cf. F. proconsulaire.]

1.
Of or pertaining of a proconsul; as, proconsular powers.

2.
Under the government of a proconsul; as, a proconsular province.


word: Proconsulate
definition:
Proconsulate

Pro*con"su*late
(?)
n.
[L. proconsulatus: cf. F. proconsulat.]
The office jurisdiction of a proconsul, or the term of his office.


word: Procrastinate
definition:
Procrastinate

Pro*cras"ti*nate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Procrastinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrastinating.]
[L. procrastinatus, p. p. of procrastinare to procrastinate; pro forward + crastinus of to-morrow, fr. cras to-morrow.]
To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance.
Dr. H. More.

Hopeless and helpless Aegeon wend,
But to procrastinate his lifeless end.
Shak.


word: Procrastinate₂
definition:
Procrastinate

Pro*cras"ti*nate
v. i.
To delay; to be dilatory.

I procrastinate more than I did twenty years ago.
Swift.


word: Procrastination
definition:
Procrastination

Pro*cras`ti*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. procrastinatio: cf. F. procrastination.]
The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness.

Procrastination is the thief of time.
Young.


word: Procrastinator
definition:
Procrastinator

Pro*cras"ti*na`tor
(?)
n.
One who procrastinates, or defers the performance of anything.


word: Procreant
definition:
Procreant

Pro"cre*ant
(?)
a.
[L. procreans, p. pr. of procreare. See Procreate.]
Generating; producing; productive; fruitful; assisting in procreation.
[R.]
procreant
Shak.


word: Procreate
definition:
Procreate

Pro"cre*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Procreated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procreating.]
[L. procreatus, p. p. of procreare; pro forward, forth + create to create.]
To generate and produce; to beget; to engender.


word: Procreation
definition:
Procreation

Pro`cre*a"tion
(?)
n.
[F. procréation, L, procreatio.]
The act of begetting; generation and production of young.
South.


word: Procris
definition:
Procris

Pro"cris
(?)
n.
[L., the wife of Cephalus, Gr. _;.]
(Zool.)
Any species of small moths of the genus Procris. The larvæ of some species injure the grapevine by feeding in groups upon the leaves.


word: Procrustean
definition:
Procrustean

Pro*crus"te*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Procrustes, or the mode of torture practiced by him; producing conformity by violent means; as, the Procrustean treatment; a Procrustean limit. See Procrustes.


word: Procrusteanize
definition:
Procrusteanize

Pro*crus"te*an*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Procrusteanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrusteanizing (?).]
To stretch or contract according to some rule or standard.


word: Procrustes
definition:
Procrustes

Pro*crus"tes
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to beat out, to stretch; _; forward + _; to strike.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; -- whence the metaphorical phrase, the bed of Procrustes.


word: Proctocele
definition:
Proctocele

Proc"to*cele
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; anus + _; tumor.]
(Med.)
Inversion and prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum, from relaxation of the sphincter, with more or less swelling; prolapsus ani.
Dunglison.


word: Proctodaeum
definition:
Proctodaeum

Proc`to*dæ"um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; the anus + _; to divide.]
(Anat.)
See Mesenteron.


word: Proctor
definition:
Proctor

Proc"tor
(?)
n.
[OE. proketour, contr. fr. procurator. See Procurator.]
One who is employed to manage to affairs of another.
(a)
A person appointed to collect alms for those who could not go out to beg for themselves, as lepers, the bedridden, etc.; hence a beggar.
[Obs.]
Nares.
(b)
(Eng. Law)
An officer employed in admiralty and ecclesiastical causes. He answers to an attorney at common law, or to a solicitor in equity.
Wharton.
(c)
(Ch. of Eng.)
A representative of the clergy in convocation.
(d)
An officer in a university or college whose duty it is to enforce obedience to the laws of the institution.


